Chapter 177
"Rory!" Paris smiled.
"Paris!" Rory greeted her excitedly, as they walked into the hotel lobby. "…um…"
"Trying to figure out how to hug me?" Paris asked, an eyebrow raised and laughter in her eyes.
"…is it possible?"
"…barely," Lane jumped in, walking over from the little coffee stand in the lobby.
"Lane!" Rory grinned, running over and crushing her in a hug, "You don't get any excuses."
"Nope," she smiled.
"Paris, I'm still gonna try," Rory said, coming over and awkwardly giving Paris a side hug. Paris beamed.
"Paris," Hannah smiled. She paused awkwardly for a moment, and then rolled her eyes. "Whatever. I feel like we're friends now." Hannah walked over to Paris and gave her a slightly-less awkward hug. Rory saw Paris' cheeks heating up.
"We are," Paris confirmed, "Good to see you, Hannah. And Jane! I'm glad you could make it."
"…thanks. Nice to see you, Paris. And hi, Lane."
"Hi Jane," Lane smiled, "Hi Hannah."
"Hi Lane. Paris tell you how we had it out at your baby shower?"
"No," Lane said, looking at Paris, intrigued. Paris laughed and looked back at Lane, amused.
"Yep. Let's tell her the story over dinner. Baby is hungry. Did you guys eat on the way?"
"Only snacks," Rory answered.
"Then let's drop our bags and head out. I know a great Italian place around here."
"Sounds great," Rory nodded, and she, Hannah and Jane followed Lane and Paris into the elevator with their things.
"Paris, this place is crazy. How did you get such a good deal?" Rory asked as they walked down the hallway.
"A friend from work," Paris said noncommitally, "Plus, I always get upgrades and points stuff because of the credit card I have. Side perk of having been a surgeon, so I should enjoy it before that money wears off."
"Oh please, I'm sure you put almost everything in investments early," Hannah said, rolling her eyes. Paris smirked.
"Well, I have to hedge my bets."
"…terrible, terrible joke."
"Alright, alright. Let me make it up to you. These are our rooms," Paris opened the door. Rory and Hannah gasped. Lane smirked.
"Yep. That's basically what I said."
Rory had expected the High Line Hotel to be nice. She'd stayed in a few nice hotels during her journalism days, and she was familiar enough with the Chelsea area from her time living in the city that she anticipated it to be somewhat bougie. She also knew Paris, and was familiar with Paris' penchant for the finer things. But she had really outdone herself.
The room was large for New York, but felt cozy. There was trendy, cherry blossom embellished wallpaper on the walls, and plenty of leather furniture that looked like it had fallen out of a West Elm catalogue. It felt inviting and warm, not pretentious. The bathrooms were gorgeous- marble countertops and brass fixtures, and an enormous claw foot tub. The two queen beds looked like marshmallow clouds ready to sink into. But beyond all of that was the view, overlooking the park. It was a dream.
"Hannah, this is your and Jane's room. Lane and Rory have an identical room next door. I have a single that adjoins to theirs."
"Paris, this is incredible!" Hannah exclaimed. "I can't believe you made this work on my teacher budget," she added wryly. Paris cackled. Jane looked confused.
"Well, I wanted you to see what life could be like if you actually worked hard," Paris said, innocently and sarcastically. Hannah started laughing, just as Jane looked at Paris.
"That's…not a very nice thing to say."
Paris looked at her blankly. Rory cut in, recognizing the look on Paris' face as a signature combination of incredulity and annoyance.
"It was a joke, Jane. Just an inside joke between Hannah and Paris."
"Oh," Jane looked at Hannah, who nodded, her brow furrowed. "Okay then…"
Lane looked at Rory, wide-eyed. She'd always been bad with awkward moments. Luckily, Paris recovered quickly and turned to Rory.
"Actually, this is what I was going to do for Lorelai as a wedding gift," Paris admitted. Rory raised her eyebrows. "A weekend away here for her and Luke. Do you think they'd like it?"
"Paris, they'll love it," Rory grinned, warmth radiating out towards her friend. Paris beamed, the previous awkwardness seemingly forgotten.
"Lane, why don't you show Rory your guys' room and I'll go pee. This baby is really giving my bladder a beating nowadays. Then we'll cab it to the restaurant, if that works for everyone. Normally I'd say we just walk, but…"
"But you're creating life. Screw walking," Lane smiled at Paris conspiratorally, who nodded. Paris' phone buzzed. She looked down. Her expression didn't change, though her eyebrow raised almost imperceptibly. Strangely, Lane was the only one to notice, though she didn't say anything.
"Alright, let's move. Meet you guys in the lobby in fifteen. That way you guys can change too, if you want."
Rory nodded, as did Lane, a second later. Rory shared a relieved look with Hannah, who was making small talk with Jane.
"How dressy is this place?" Rory asked as they were walking out of the room.
"Nothing crazy. Jeans and a cute top," Paris said dismissively. Rory nodded, a small smile on her face.
"What?" Paris asked, following Lane and Rory down the hall, since her room was just past theirs.
"Nothing."
"I know that face."
"Fine. It's just…nice."
"What is?"
"Do you remember when I helped you get dressed for your date with Jamie?"
"…in high school?"
"…you just…you were so nervous, and uncertain about that kind of stuff. And now you don't even think about it."
"Well, it's been ten years, give or take," Paris said, raising her eyebrows. Lane laughed. Rory rolled her eyes.
"I just mean…"
"I know what you meant. Thanks, Rory."
Rory nodded. "And sorry about…"
"It's a long drive. Hopefully once everyone except me gets a drink in hand, and we all get some food, things'll flow fine," Paris said. Lane nodded.
"I could use one."
"Oh?"
"…I haven't told any of them about your last few weeks."
"…well then it sounds like we have a couple stories for dinner," Lane said. Paris nodded, eyebrows raised.
"See you guys shortly."
Once they were finished getting dressed, since they finished quickly, Lane and Rory headed to Paris' room.
"Paris? You ready?"
"Yup. Come on in," she said, opening the door for them.
Paris' room was very similar to the double rooms, but a tiny bit smaller, and with a desk in the corner. Rory could see that Paris had already set up her temporary craft corner there. Paris was wearing a black maternity top with lace sleeves over a pair of dark jeans with black suede boots.
"You look great, Paris," Lane said admiringly. Paris smiled.
"Thanks! You do too," Paris replied genuinely. Lane did look great. She was wearing a black Patti Smith tee, ripped grey jeans, a slouchy and falling-apart leather jacket and some black Converse. Lane always looked good.
"…I can't believe that jacket's still standing."
"I mean, me either. I've been trying to hang onto it as long as I can, but it's really wearing down," Lane admitted, showing them some stitching that had come loose, "I need to replace it, but I can't bear to buy a fake one, and the real ones are so pricey."
"Well, why don't you look while we're here? The vintage shops here have amazing deals," Paris pointed out. Lane brightened.
"You guys wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not. It sounds fun!" Rory said. Paris nodded.
"Especially for me. Since I can't fit into anything anymore, I want to live vicariously through you."
"Well, you'll be out of maternity clothes soon enough," Rory said, "How much longer, anyway?"
"About 6 weeks," Pari said, "Assuming all goes according to plan."
"Well, I hope it does."
"Me too," Paris smiled, "I'm excited to meet her."
Lane grinned. "I can tell. You're smitten."
"Weren't you?"
"Nope. But I was immediately after they came out. My situation was…different." Paris nodded, as she closed the door behind them and they all headed down the hallway to the elevators.
They found Jane and Hannah in the lobby. Hannah in a casual, long sleeve purple dress, paired with some boots, and Jane in jeans, a long sleeved light blue blouse and heels. Hannah lit up when she saw them.
"You guys look great," she smiled, "Rory, I like the blazer."
"Trying something new," Rory smiled. She'd put on one of Jess's t-shirts underneath a cropped blazer of her own, and paired it with skinny jeans and a pair of boots.
"It's working," Hannah nodded, "Anyway, shall we? Where are we going?"
"Luciani's," Paris said, "But I'll talk to the driver. It's underground, so we'll have him drop us off at the cross street."
"Underground?" Jane asked. Paris nodded, smiling.
"It's incredible. You'd never even know it's there, and it's the best Italian food in the city."
"Well, all I know is that I could go for about a pound of pasta," Hannah said, "That drive was long."
"Yeah, I figure we'll do an early night tonight after dinner, and then try to get really going tomorrow," Rory said.
"That sounds good," Lane agreed. Paris nodded. "But for now, let's go stuff ourselves with meatballs and cheese."
"Music to my ears," Rory grinned, sharing a meaningful look with Lane as they all headed inside.
