A/N: okay so hi :) thanks for continuing! this is a story I wrote following what I think would be happening in the GG universe currently. basically how I channel my frustration about not having some more GG content! Hope you'll like it, I'll try to update as quickly as I can, and english is actually not my first language so I apologize for any inconvenience. please enjoy :)


Rory opened her eyes. Soft light was beaming through the curtains, Sylvie was curled up against her side, snoring softly. She kissed her forehead and gently climbed out of bed, careful not to wake her up.

She padded out into the kitchen, all ready to pour herself a cup of coffee, as she noticed a note in Lorelai's handwriting, taped to the coffee maker, where her mother knew she would definitely find it.

Dear survivor of the great fire of London, the note read. Rory snorted. I had to go sort some stuff out at the inn, but I took the afternoon off so I'll see you then. The fire department called, they said the house is stable and that it's safe to go in. I haven't called anyone, but you may want to inform Emily. God knows she has her ways of finding things out on her own and I wouldn't wanna be ya if she does. Also maybe consider calling Logan. Up to you. And hey, I know it's been a couple of years, but maybe they could squeeze you in the list of celebrities who lost their house in that fire in 2018. Miley and Gerard aren't such bad company! Love you kid. Take whatever you want from my closet. See you later. Mom.

Rory folded the note back absentmindedly. Yes, she probably should call Logan, just to let him know Sylvie was safe. But she hated calling him out of the blue. It took years for them to figure out how their co-parenting should work, and Odette was never truly okay with Logan having a child from another woman, especially so close in age to their firstborn. They ended up with an arrangement similar to the one her parents had in later years. He called, at least twice a week, and Sylvie would spend Easter and Thanksgiving with his family every year, and Christmas every other year. She'll call him later, she decided. Breakfast first.

She went up and got dressed, wearing her mom's old blue sweater with the rainbows on the shoulders and a pair of ragged jeans. She then collected a green tunic that could somehow pass as a dress for Sylvie and headed back downstairs. Sylvie was still sleeping when she re-entered the room, so she sat on the bed and stroked her head until her blue eyes fluttered open. "Good morning, vietnam!" Rory quipped, knowing her daughter was too young to fully appreciate it. "How 'bout some pancakes at Luke's?" Sylvie sat up, nodding and rubbing her eyes. "Good. So Get dressed and brush your teeth with your finger, because today is a very special Saturday. Today and today only, we are having both maple and chocolate syrup!"

Sylvie giggled. "But mom, we're always having both chocolate and maple syrup," She argued.

"Do we now?" Rory arched an eyebrow, eliciting another burst of giggles. "Go get dressed, I'll think of something else to make it special."

"Maybe we could add sprinkles," Sylvie suggested while pulling the tunic over her head.

"Maybe," Rory replied. They looked like a couple of hobos, she secretly thought, barefooted and quirkily dressed as they were. Emily would freak if she saw them like this. "Now brush your teeth and let's go."


The bell at Luke's diner jiggled as they entered, and Luke rushed to greet them. "Luke, thank you so much for last night," Rory heartfeltly blurted as her stepdad warmly embraced her.

"Don't mention it, kid." He solemnly told her, and she accepted the gesture with a nod and a smile. "Now, what can I get you?"

"Pancakes!" Sylvie chirped. "With everything on top!"

"Make that two, please," Rory smiled.

"Yet another Gilmore generation with unbelievable eating habits," Luke shook his head, and a glimmer of affection mixed with irony twinkled in his eyes from under the baseball cap. "Coming right up."

As they were indulging in their second serving of pancakes with chocolate, maple, whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, sprinkles and some peanut M&Ms Luke had managed to find in the back, Lane stormed into the diner, followed by a grumpy teenage Steve. Or Kwan, Rory was embarrassed to admit that she hardly ever could tell the difference between the twins, unless one of them was going through some weird teenage phase. "Rory!" she exclaimed. Rory stood up to meet her best friend with a rib crushing hug.

"Oh, Lane," she muttered, closing her eyes only for a quick second. "I guess you've heard. Ms. Patty?"

"Ms. Patty," Lane confirmed. "Nothing gets past her. And it's a good thing, too, because now I know and I can offer you love, support, and a hideout if you need to blast some Iron Maiden and scream into a pillow."

"I would have called you, but I left my phone in the house." Rory's eyes pried into Lane's in search of the understanding love she always found in them, and they didn't fail her this time.

"Yeah, I know." Lane put her hand on Rory's arm reassuringly. "I guess you're probably staying at your mom's, but if you need anything at all, you know I'm always here for you."

"I know, thanks." Rory's little smile matched Lane's. "Love you, Thelma."

"Right back at you, Louise."

"Actually," Rory glanced sideways to her whipped cream covered first grader, and lowered her voice so that only Lane could hear her. "There is something you could help me with. I need to go take a look at the house, and I don't want Sylvie to see it until I know how bad things actually are. Could you-"

"Sure thing." Lane always knew exactly what she meant. "Steve, will you go over there and invite Sylvie over to our place?"

"I knew it was Steve!" Rory couldn't help but exclaim as the teenager grumbled and walked over to their table.

"I know, right? I still have trouble telling who's who sometimes," Lane confessed, smiling. "Zach always knows, though. He says Steve has this rock and roll vibe and kwan's more country-music-mellow, but he's been saying that since they were three months old so I don't know where he gets that from."

"Well, as long as the system works," Rory suggested, watching lovingly as Sylvie's little face lit up at the unexpected invitation.

"Yeah, if it ain't broke," Lane shrugged.

"Mommy, can I please go over to auntie Lane's house?" Sylvie pulled her most convincing puppy eyes.

"Yeah, sure," Rory answered. "Thank you," she mouthed at Lane as the little posse made its way out of the diner.

"You're welcome," she mouthed back just before the door closed behind her, only to be slammed open again by a very upset Ms. Patty.

"Oh, Rory, honey!" she breathed as she rushed over and squeezed Rory into her heavy breasts in her signature bear hug. "I heard all about it, it's terrible! What can I do for you, what do you need?"

"Thank you, Patty," Rory's voice came out muffled. "I think we're all set for now. I was just headed over there to see if I can salvage some clothes for us, or anything for that matter."

"You know, I keep some of the outfits from my days as a show girl in the back of my studio," Ms. Patty generously offered. "They might be good for you. Now, for the little angel,"

"Thank you so much, Patty," Rory smiled. "But I think it's a little too early for Syl and a little too late for me to get into show business, don't you think?"

"Ah, Honey, with legs like yours it is never too late." Ms. Patty slickly commented. Rory laughed.

"Come on, Patty, now you're just saying stuff to cheer me up."

"But it's true!" The older woman protested, laughter shining from her eyes. "And if you really want something to cheer you up, I can tell you what east side Tilly has been blabbing about all morning."

"And what might that be?" Rory inquired, always receptive to hear a new piece of Stars Hollow's hottest gossip.

"It has to do with a certain eye candy we all feel very strongly about," Patty insinuated, dramatically waving her eyelashes.

"C'mon, Patty, stop teasing." Rory pleaded, amused.

"Alright, alright. So you know how Andrew has been all over the place since Taylor started selling Kindles on his technology store, right?"

"Yeah, I know, poor Andrew." Rory sympathized. "His sales didn't even drop that much, I think he's just letting Taylor mess with his head."

"Don't we all," Patty agreed. "Anyway, he's been trying to put together some events to draw attention to his book store, and guess who's in town for a volunteer reading of his newest novel tomorrow night?"

"Who?" Rory asked, even though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer. Shy butterflies began swirling in her stomach at the thought.

"Jess!" Exclaimed Patty gleefully, and the butterflies in Rory's stomach went into hyper mode. "Who'd have believed this handsome little devil would grow up into something remotely resembling successful, and now, look at him! Reading his award winning novel back in the old crime scene."

"Yeah, who would have thought," Rory echoed Ms. Patty.

"And let us not forget he was someone's young love," Patty's voice suddenly became suggestive.

"It was a really long time ago, Patty. We've both been through so much, believe me, there's no way he's even thinking about that, and neither am I." Rory felt as if she was trying to sell something. Patty waved her hand dismissively, unconvinced.

"Whatever you say, honey." She winked. Rory rolled her eyes, but not without a smirk. "And if you need anything, angel, never hesitate."

"Thank you, Patty." Rory hugged the older woman in true gratitude and affection, which was equally met.

"Anything for our girl," smiled Patty. "Now go on, don't let me hold you."