AN: Thank you guys so much for your reviews. That is what makes me want to
keep writing. After taking a break (because of an overload of school work)
and having people continue to review even though they see that it hasn't
been updated in so long I just have to continue.
Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
*** When we first arrived, I almost turned around and left. It was a huge Hartford mansion, much like the one Rory's grandparents lived in. If they were anything like them then this couldn't possibly work. I decided no matter what I had to try to get Lily in, so we approached the door. A young lady not much older than me answered.
"May I help you?"
"Um, yes, um is Mr. or Mrs. Mariano here?" I hadn't really thought out what I should say.
"Yes they both are, who may I say wants to see them?"
"I'm Jess and this is Lily. Tell them it is about Jimmy." That should get their attention.
As the girl walked away, Lily grabbed my hand. "It's like a princess's castle," she whispered. I smiled at her. I couldn't imagine living somewhere like this at her age.
A moment later the girl returned. "Follow me, they were just about to eat dinner."
We followed her through the house and into the dining room. It was really a beautiful house. I took notice of how although it was decorated in the same expensive luxurious manner that Rory's grandparents' house was, somehow it gave a much warmer feeling. When we got into the dining room, seated at the table were my grandparents. I could see the resemblance to my father in both of them. They were younger than I expected, probably about mid-fifties. Just as I was about to introduce us, my grandfather cut me off.
"You two look like you've traveled a long way. If this isn't a matter of urgency, perhaps you would join us for dinner, and afterward we could talk whatever business you bring? Mrs. Mariano makes an exquisite pot roast."
This took me of guard. I was worried about being allowed to stay long enough for me to explain the whole situation and now they're inviting us, two perfect strangers, to eat with them first? I glanced at Lily and she looked thrilled at the suggestion. I smiled at them.
"Dinner would be wonderful, as long as it is no inconvenience." My grandmother looked excited. "Of course it wouldn't! Anyway, it's been so long since there's been younger people around here."
With that, we ate. I couldn't help but be shocked at how nice they were. All through dinner, we talked. I tried to be as nice as possible, letting only one or two sarcastic remarks slide through. After all, they would me the real me eventually. Lily was very quiet but that was only because she seemed so amazed by everything around her. I don't think she's ever left Venice Beach.
After dinner was done, I knew it was time. They suggested that Lily go watch some television so that we could talk. My grandfather started off.
"So, Jess, it looks like you've made a long journey to tell us something about our son. It must be very important." They were both looking at me expectantly.
I took a deep breath and began. "Well I'm not sure how exactly to tell you this, so I'm just going to start at the beginning. Jimmy's my father."
Their shock was obvious. "But. how.. when.. who. and Lily?"
I continued, "No, not Lily, only me. Lily fits into all of this but I'll get to that. I don't know if you knew her or not but my mother is Liz Danes. When she got pregnant, Jimmy left. She took me to NYC and tried to raise me there. She spent her time with drugs, alcohol and abusive boyfriends, and so I was mostly in and out of trouble my whole life. At one point about two years ago, after one of her boyfriends got into a fight with me, she sent me to Stars Hollow, where she was from to lie with my uncle. I just couldn't seem to fit there so when Jimmy showed up one day I took off. Jimmy didn't actually say more than a few words to me then, partially because Luke kicked him out, but after he left, I followed him. I went to where he is living in California with his girlfriend and asked if I could just stay for a little while. At first it was really nice, getting to know my father, but then I found out what was really going on there. I know this is going to upset you but they are all really into drugs there. Selling them and using them. I had some kind of flashback breakdown and dumped their entire stash. Well basically I couldn't stay after that and Jimmy, in his guilt, suggested I come to see you." I took a second to breathe before going on. I was a little nervous because the two of them hadn't moved or spoken since I began. "Lily is Sasha's daughter. I told them they had to do something for her because I didn't want her to go through all that I did. They said she could come with me, maybe so that they could have time to clean up, or maybe just to relieve their burden. I don't really know why they gave in so easily, but for her sake I'm glad they did."
Mr. Mariano spoke first. "Wow. Well it certainly explains a lot." Him and Mrs Mariano exchanged a look that I couldn't quite read. "Tell me, Jess, what exactly are your intentions then? Are you two looking for a home? Money?"
I gave this some thought for a few moments. I hadn't really thought the whole thing through. I also hadn't thought about how much it really is to ask someone to take in two strangers. "Please do not feel pressured, I know this is a lot to ask. Lily really needs a home, and I would just like to see her living with family, or people close to that, over seeing her in a foster home. As for me, I need a different sort of thing from you. While I do need somewhere to stay for a little while, a place where I can straighten my life out and make something of myself, I also need to know my roots. I want to know where I come from, I want to know that there are more good people in my family than just one uncle."
I could see my grandmother somewhere between tears and a smile. My grandfather looked pensive. Finally she spoke. "Jess I think Mr. -uh - your grandfather and I need to have a long talk. Why don't you go check on Lily?" I nodded and went to find her.
"So Lil, what do you think?"
She smiled mischievously. "Do you know how many channels these people have??" I laughed. It was about time she acted her age.
About two full hours later, my grandparents came in to join us. They looked content.
My grandmother spoke first. "You two have been through a lot. We talk, we called Jimmy, and then we talked again. We would like to invite you two to stay, for as long as you need."
Lily's eyes widened, "You mean." She ran over and hugged them, then bounced her way back to my lap.
Mr. Mariano spoke next. "Of course, there are plenty of details to be worked out, but I suppose that we'll take them as they come up. Lily, tomorrow we will go straight to the elementary school and Jess, are you still in high school?"
"Well yes. I ran into problems my senior year of Starshollow and I didn't end up graduating."
"Ok well then we will swing by the high school as well. We are prepared to do everything in our power to help you two."
I didn't have the right words for these people. How could two people be so generous to two complete strangers? I guess Luke had been the same way, I wish I had realized it then. Maybe I had, it's just so hard to express. "Thank you so much," was all I had for them. It seemed to be enough.
"So, on now that business is done, you say you were in Stars Hollow for a time?" My grandmother looked excited.
"Yeah, about a year and a half"
"How nice! I've been there once or twice. Do you know the Gilmores?"
Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
*** When we first arrived, I almost turned around and left. It was a huge Hartford mansion, much like the one Rory's grandparents lived in. If they were anything like them then this couldn't possibly work. I decided no matter what I had to try to get Lily in, so we approached the door. A young lady not much older than me answered.
"May I help you?"
"Um, yes, um is Mr. or Mrs. Mariano here?" I hadn't really thought out what I should say.
"Yes they both are, who may I say wants to see them?"
"I'm Jess and this is Lily. Tell them it is about Jimmy." That should get their attention.
As the girl walked away, Lily grabbed my hand. "It's like a princess's castle," she whispered. I smiled at her. I couldn't imagine living somewhere like this at her age.
A moment later the girl returned. "Follow me, they were just about to eat dinner."
We followed her through the house and into the dining room. It was really a beautiful house. I took notice of how although it was decorated in the same expensive luxurious manner that Rory's grandparents' house was, somehow it gave a much warmer feeling. When we got into the dining room, seated at the table were my grandparents. I could see the resemblance to my father in both of them. They were younger than I expected, probably about mid-fifties. Just as I was about to introduce us, my grandfather cut me off.
"You two look like you've traveled a long way. If this isn't a matter of urgency, perhaps you would join us for dinner, and afterward we could talk whatever business you bring? Mrs. Mariano makes an exquisite pot roast."
This took me of guard. I was worried about being allowed to stay long enough for me to explain the whole situation and now they're inviting us, two perfect strangers, to eat with them first? I glanced at Lily and she looked thrilled at the suggestion. I smiled at them.
"Dinner would be wonderful, as long as it is no inconvenience." My grandmother looked excited. "Of course it wouldn't! Anyway, it's been so long since there's been younger people around here."
With that, we ate. I couldn't help but be shocked at how nice they were. All through dinner, we talked. I tried to be as nice as possible, letting only one or two sarcastic remarks slide through. After all, they would me the real me eventually. Lily was very quiet but that was only because she seemed so amazed by everything around her. I don't think she's ever left Venice Beach.
After dinner was done, I knew it was time. They suggested that Lily go watch some television so that we could talk. My grandfather started off.
"So, Jess, it looks like you've made a long journey to tell us something about our son. It must be very important." They were both looking at me expectantly.
I took a deep breath and began. "Well I'm not sure how exactly to tell you this, so I'm just going to start at the beginning. Jimmy's my father."
Their shock was obvious. "But. how.. when.. who. and Lily?"
I continued, "No, not Lily, only me. Lily fits into all of this but I'll get to that. I don't know if you knew her or not but my mother is Liz Danes. When she got pregnant, Jimmy left. She took me to NYC and tried to raise me there. She spent her time with drugs, alcohol and abusive boyfriends, and so I was mostly in and out of trouble my whole life. At one point about two years ago, after one of her boyfriends got into a fight with me, she sent me to Stars Hollow, where she was from to lie with my uncle. I just couldn't seem to fit there so when Jimmy showed up one day I took off. Jimmy didn't actually say more than a few words to me then, partially because Luke kicked him out, but after he left, I followed him. I went to where he is living in California with his girlfriend and asked if I could just stay for a little while. At first it was really nice, getting to know my father, but then I found out what was really going on there. I know this is going to upset you but they are all really into drugs there. Selling them and using them. I had some kind of flashback breakdown and dumped their entire stash. Well basically I couldn't stay after that and Jimmy, in his guilt, suggested I come to see you." I took a second to breathe before going on. I was a little nervous because the two of them hadn't moved or spoken since I began. "Lily is Sasha's daughter. I told them they had to do something for her because I didn't want her to go through all that I did. They said she could come with me, maybe so that they could have time to clean up, or maybe just to relieve their burden. I don't really know why they gave in so easily, but for her sake I'm glad they did."
Mr. Mariano spoke first. "Wow. Well it certainly explains a lot." Him and Mrs Mariano exchanged a look that I couldn't quite read. "Tell me, Jess, what exactly are your intentions then? Are you two looking for a home? Money?"
I gave this some thought for a few moments. I hadn't really thought the whole thing through. I also hadn't thought about how much it really is to ask someone to take in two strangers. "Please do not feel pressured, I know this is a lot to ask. Lily really needs a home, and I would just like to see her living with family, or people close to that, over seeing her in a foster home. As for me, I need a different sort of thing from you. While I do need somewhere to stay for a little while, a place where I can straighten my life out and make something of myself, I also need to know my roots. I want to know where I come from, I want to know that there are more good people in my family than just one uncle."
I could see my grandmother somewhere between tears and a smile. My grandfather looked pensive. Finally she spoke. "Jess I think Mr. -uh - your grandfather and I need to have a long talk. Why don't you go check on Lily?" I nodded and went to find her.
"So Lil, what do you think?"
She smiled mischievously. "Do you know how many channels these people have??" I laughed. It was about time she acted her age.
About two full hours later, my grandparents came in to join us. They looked content.
My grandmother spoke first. "You two have been through a lot. We talk, we called Jimmy, and then we talked again. We would like to invite you two to stay, for as long as you need."
Lily's eyes widened, "You mean." She ran over and hugged them, then bounced her way back to my lap.
Mr. Mariano spoke next. "Of course, there are plenty of details to be worked out, but I suppose that we'll take them as they come up. Lily, tomorrow we will go straight to the elementary school and Jess, are you still in high school?"
"Well yes. I ran into problems my senior year of Starshollow and I didn't end up graduating."
"Ok well then we will swing by the high school as well. We are prepared to do everything in our power to help you two."
I didn't have the right words for these people. How could two people be so generous to two complete strangers? I guess Luke had been the same way, I wish I had realized it then. Maybe I had, it's just so hard to express. "Thank you so much," was all I had for them. It seemed to be enough.
"So, on now that business is done, you say you were in Stars Hollow for a time?" My grandmother looked excited.
"Yeah, about a year and a half"
"How nice! I've been there once or twice. Do you know the Gilmores?"
