Chapter 160

"Surprise!"

"Oh my god!" Paris said, genuinely shocked as she walked into the Inn. The Inn, which looked normal from the outside, was completely decked out for a celebration inside, and it was clearly for Paris. Indigo baloons and flowers (her favorite color), gorgeous candles, and a bunch of people yelling surprise would have made clear what this was, even if it weren't for the gorgeous calligraphy sign near the entrance that said "Paris Geller's Baby Shower".

"You like it?" Rory smiled, pulling Paris in for a hug nervously. Paris beamed at Rory.

"It's amazing. I can't believe you did this for me," Paris replied, "Wait, how? When? Oh, and where's…"

"Hi honey!" Doyle interrupted brightly, emerging from the crowd. Paris' smile dimmed almost imperceptibly. Or rather, it would probably have been imperceptible to those who knew Paris less well than Rory.

"Hey, babe," Paris said, leaning in and giving him a kiss on the cheek, "How did you make this happen, Rory?"

"She had me drive in separately to surprise you!"

"And Mom got the Stars Hollow folks together…and I invited a few familiar faces from Philadelphia." Rory gestured to the right hand side, where Chris, Matt and their girlfriends were clumped together. Chris waved jovially at Paris, who grinned.

"I can't believe they came!" Paris said quietly to Rory, "I've barely met them. That was so nice."

"Paris…you got along with them, they're my friends, and anytime you visit me you're likely to see them. So of course they came. They want to get to know you better." Rory responded, knowing how much the sentiment would mean to Paris. Doyle frowned. Seeing this, Lorelai quickly stepped in.

"Congratulations, Paris! And Doyle, but of course, the party's about the one who has to do the pushing," Lorelai said charmingly, completely disarming Doyle in the process.

"Thanks, Lorelai! And I can't believe you helped with all this, with your wedding only a couple weeks away. You shouldn't have," Paris smiled. Lorelai nodded.

"Actually, Rory did almost everything. I just spread word around Stars Hollow, and turns out you're very popular there. But Doyle, I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting most of our folks. Paris, do you mind if I steal him for some introductions?"

"Be my guest," Paris agreed, sharing a small, grateful smile with Lorelai and Rory. Doyle grinned, oblivious.

"See you later, babe!"

"Later!" Paris smiled back, waving, her inauthenticity only apparent to those who knew her best. Mostly. A pair of green eyes in the Truncheon clump narrowed, very aware of the shift.

"You guys are amazing. And Sookie!" Paris exclaimed, as Sookie came out of the crowd to give her a hug, "Can I assume you're responsible for the incredible smell wafting from that general direction?"

"Awww, sweetie. We just wanted to do something nice for you. We're so excited for you," Sookie replied, her cheeks flushing. She gestured to Paris' stomach. "And you better bring that little girl to try my food as soon as she has teeth!"

"Sooner," Paris promised, putting her hand on her stomach.

"Let's go say hi to the guys."

"Who all's here?"

"From Philadelphia? Everybody you met last time, and Matt's girlfriend Jane."

"Is she nice?"

"Very," Rory promised. She'd only met Jane a handful of times still, but she'd always been nice, if a bit quiet. They walked over to the group.

"Paris, congratulations," Jess said, leaning in to hug her. Paris smiled, hugging him back.

"God, ten years ago in Rory's kitchen, who would've thought we'd end up here?" she mused. He smiled.

"Couldn't have imagined either of you would put up with me this long," Jess joked, "Anyway, we're so happy for you."

"Thanks, Jess."

Jane coughed awkwardly. Matt looked at her, realization hitting him.

"Oh, sorry. I should make an introduction here," he said dumbly. Paris raised an eyebrow, and Jess hid a smirk. "Paris, this is my girlfriend, Jane. Jane, this is Paris, Rory's best friend."

Paris flushed bright pink at being called Rory's best friend, and Rory didn't say anything to correct the assumption.

"It's nice to meet you," Jane said shyly, meeting Paris' eyes. Paris smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you too, Jane! I'm sorry we didn't get to meet last time. My condolences on having to spend your time with this one." She gestured to Matt, who raised an eyebrow and smirked, entertained.

"Um…what do you mean?" Jane asked, confused. Paris' eyes narrowed, but she quickly caught herself.

"Um…nothing. Just a bad joke," Paris said dismissively, but not before throwing Matt a subtle look, "Anyway, it's nice to meet you."

"Paris, congratulations," Hannah cut in, interrupting to give Paris a hug, "We're glad we could be here."

"Yeah, thanks for coming. I'm really glad you guys did," Paris said, smiling, "Are you guys all coming to the wedding?"

"Yep," Chris nodded, "We'll be there. But no penguin suits!"

"Blues Brothers?"

"Reservoir Dogs."

"Alright, alright, you guys can save the machismo for the next gathering centered on a uterus," Pairs retorted, earning a big laugh from most of the group. Jane still looked a bit lost, but smiled along with the others. Matt looked over at her, with an expression that Paris tried not to read or notice.

"Now, where's this man of yours? Anyone who can keep up with you must be someone to really contend with," Chris said gaily. Paris raised an eyebrow and suppressed a sigh. Unfortunately, Chris had a voice that carried.

"Paris, who are these folks?" Doyle said, smiling and breaking the circle, leaning in and kissing Paris, who looked altogether not very responsive. Paris pulled away, trying to keep her expression neutral.

"Doyle, these are Rory and Jess' friends from Philadelphia. Matt and Chris own the publishing company with him. I've told you about it."

"Oh, that's great!" Doyle smiled brightly, "Bookstores. Must be such a relaxing career. I almost wish I could do something that peaceful. Unfortunately, I caught the journalism bug and have been plagued by it ever since. Rory gets it."

"Umm…sure," Rory said noncommittally, sharing a look with Chris and Jess, who looked taken aback. Matt looked straightforwardly irritated.

"Doyle, it's nice to meet you. I'm Hannah, Chris' fiance." Hannah interjected helpfully. Paris shot her a grateful, apologetic smile, and Rory nodded in acknowledgment. Hannah really was incredibly observant, and a great friend to have in these situations.

"Nice to meet you, Hannah! And congratulations on the engagement," Doyle said, "What do you do?"

"I'm a teacher," Hannah said, smilingly and with a certain dignity. Doyle smiled back, but his expression had turned condescending.

"Ah, that's…great. That's really important work," he said, nodding vaguely, "And really allows for such a work-life balance."

"Hey, Doyle, I have a couple of people that really wanted to meet you from my hometown. Can I steal you away to introduce you?" Rory asked quickly, grabbing Doyle by the arm and shooting a look at Paris, who was shaking her head with apparent disgust. Chris, like Matt, now had an expression of disdain on his face. Doyle, oblivious to it all, nodded.

"Well, it was nice meeting all of you!"

"Can't say the same," Matt muttered as Rory steered Doyle away. He quickly turned to Paris once he realize she could hear what he'd said. "Sor…"

"Don't apologize. He was an ass, and he's not even aware of it," Paris cut him off, "I'm sorry for him, to all of you guys." She looked at Chris, Jess and Matt meaningfully. "The work you do on a Saturday is more than he's put in in his entire life. And Hannah…he was unbelievably out of line. I hope to God it goes without saying that I don't share his opinions, and if Rory hadn't gotten him out of here, I would have made that very clear."

"Rory's got a good talent for deescalation," Jess smiled kindly at Paris, "And don't worry about it. I'm sure he meant well."

"…yeah, probably. Regardless, Paris, you're great. Even if we can't stand your husband, you're not going to fall out of our favor," Chris said, jokingly but with truth to it. Paris laughed, and met his eyes as they shared a smile. She truly felt accepted by their group. Matt nodded.

"Seriously, though…how did you guys…"

"It's none of our business," Hannah said shortly, cutting him off. She still looked hurt. Paris' face fell.

"Hannah…really, I'm sorry. I hope you know I don't…"

"Think less of me because I'm a teacher? Assume I'm just doing it because it's women's work or something? Or so that I can accommodate whatever other things clearly matter more than my career, which is just a 'job' rather than a craft?" Hannah raised her eyebrows. Chris nudged her. Paris raised her eyebrows, impressed with Hannah's bluntness.

"Nope. I think exactly none of those things. But you're right that he does, and I'm married to him, so if that makes me an ass by association, I'm sorry. But not once ever have I thought less of you for your career. Which by the way, is a career, not just a job, and in your case almost certainly a calling, probably more so than ours are for any of the rest of us. And for certain more than mine is for me. Doyle was talking out of his ass, as he has a tendency to do. But no one speaks for me, just as I'm sure no one speaks for you. So are we good?"

Chris and Matt watched this exchange slackjawed, Jane next to them, silent and looking nervous. Hannah cracked a smile.

"We're good," she agreed, "Thanks, Paris. I really do think we're going to get along."

"Hell, if that's anything like you usually are, Rory might have to make some extra room at our annual slumber parties," Paris joked. Hannah grinned.

"I think you're joking, but I honestly can't tell."

"And I never will.