She Ain't My Blood, But She's My Girl
Chapter 17
Rory and Logan arrived at the Gilmore manor around 11:00. Emily had called her last night to tell her about the Sunday dinner. Mia was glad to see them. She was wearing one of her new dresses. It is a Kids Little Girls' Dress Floral Navy. She had to twirl around to show off her dress. Logan and Rory asked her about Saturday if she had fun. She told them about shopping and reading her book. "I had yucky milk in my cereal. Milk like you drink," she told Logan. "You mean Almond milk?" Mia shrugged her shoulders "I not know what it call, " Mia said looking at Logan like why you asked me. Rory was trying not to laugh.
The doorbell rang. Mia jumped out of Logan's lap. "I'll get it." She ran to the door. She got there at the same time as the maid. The maid opened the door. "Meme. Pops." Mitchum picks her up. "My, don't you look like a princess?" Mitchum said. "I am a Princess and Mommy is the Queen, and Daddy Logan is the King," Mia told them. She wiggled out of Mitchum's arm. "They in here," Mia said. She took Shira's hand and led or better yet pulled her into the living room.
Logan stood up when he saw his parents. "Dad, Mom, Did we know you were coming?" He asked, looking at Rory. She shook her head. Logan shook Mitchum's hand. When he went to kiss Shira on the cheek, she asked him, "I was not aware that we needed your permission to accept an invitation to lunch at Emily and Richard's." Shari said. "Mom, that is not what I meant," Logan said.
The doorbell rang again. Again Mia runs to answer. Shira gave Rory a look. Mia comes back with Nancy, Jaylan, Tristan, and Anita. She was leading Tristan by the hand. Everyone was sitting around talking waiting for Lunch to be served. Rory noticed the wedding band on Tristan's finger. She then looked at Anita's finger. "Tristan didn't realize you and Anita were married. I guess I missed that last time I saw you." "Nah, we got married last Sunday. We have been married for a week now." Tristan said. "Congratulations, where are you living now? Rory asked. Nancy piped in. "They are currently in the pool house," Jaylan said. When he spoke Rory noticed Mia flinched. "If I remember right, that pool house has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, with a huge living room," Rory said. "Yes, we have an appointment tomorrow to look at a few houses here in Hartford," Anita said.
"That's bulls**t," Jaylan said. Mia was sitting in Tristan's lap. She jumped down and moved to Logan. "Dad," Tristan said, warning. "This is something we can talk about at home." "It is ridiculous to buy a house. You can live with us. If the pool house is not big enough you can move into the main house." Jaylan said. "Jaylan, I'm sure this young couple wants time alone. They don't want us, old-timers, knowing their every move." Mitchum said. Jaylan didn't say anything.
Maid announced lunch. They all had a seat. Logan helped Mia onto the booster seat and helped her put on a toddler bib. When everyone was seated the one maid served the salad while the other poured the wine. Mia was served applesauce. Everyone was eating and chatting. Mia was telling Mitchum and Shira about her shopping trip with Grandma and Yaya. She was trying to get down to show them her dress. "Mia, you can show them after lunch," Rory said. "Mia, Auntie Honor, and I need to take you shopping," Shira said. Mitchum rolled his eyes. "Yes, Shira. Mitchum said. Mia giggles. "Pops, do you want to go shopping with us?" Mia asked. "No, Mia, I will just send my credit card." This time Logan laughed. "Just wait," Mitchum said and Richard agreed.
One maid cleared the salad plates while another served the entrees, steamed vegetables, seasoned roast beef with baby carrots. Mia was served chicken strips with steamed vegetables and baby carrots. After everyone was served, they started eating. "Why is she not eating what we eat? Is there something wrong with her?" Jaylan asked. Rory looked up at Tristan to see if he was going to answer. Guess not. Rory smiled at Mai, then at Jaylan. "She is only 5 years old. Her stomach is not ready for the seasoning on the roast beef. Even without the seasoning, it is cooked medium-rare. She is too young for that. She needs food well down." Rory. "Me likes chicken strips," Mia said. "You are going to turn into a chicken strip," Logan said. Mia just giggled and went back to eating.
After the entree, the maids served a Strawberry shortcake for dessert in the living room. When Mia was finished, Rory took her to the bathroom to clean her up. While she was gone, Anita asked Logan, "Is she going to let us spend any time alone with her?" Logan looked at Tristan and then Anita. "I am sure Rory will be glad to discuss this with you at a later time." "Why a later time? We are all here, we can make some arrangements for Christmas." Anita said. Tristan put his hand on her leg. "She just, We just don't know how to plan Christmas," Tristan said.
"Christmas? I saw Santa at the big mall. Moma took me one day. I writes him a letter, Daddy Logan took it to his work to mail it." Mia said as she walked up to Tristan for him to pick her up. "I was just asking when you would be coming to visit us?" Anita said. "Oh, you will have to come to my house. I not come to your house. Santa not know where I am," Mia said matter-of-factly. "We are planning an open house on Christmas day. We will open stockings before breakfast. After breakfast, we will open presents and see what Santa brought. The rest of the day we will have guests in and out all day, with snacks and finger foods." Rory said. He and Logan had already discussed it. "When it was just Mia and Myself, we went from house to house. She did not get to enjoy Christmas or the presents she got. Logan and I talked and this is a tradition that we would like to start."
Emily spoke up next. Richard and I will be visiting them on the 23rd. We will be leaving for Aspen Christmas eve." Emily said. Logan, Rory, and Mia will be joining us between Christmas and New Year. We own a Chalet in Aspen." "Grampa and Auntie Gigi are coming too. Auntie Gigi said she would teach me how to ski," Mia said, putting her hand over her mouth and giggled. "What's so funny?" Tristan asked. Mia whispered, "Don't tell Auntie Gigi, but I know how to ski." She giggled again. "She had been skiing for as long as she could walk," Richard said as he smiled at Mia.