When Grandma opens the door, she looks upset. "You're late." She clips.
I smile. "Would it help if I told you Finn's roommate got mad at us for going to Australia and stole our car from Park n' Fly? We had to take a cab." I offer.
"Why would Finn's roommate take your car from the airport?" she asks incredulously.
Finn takes her hand lightly, lifting it to his lips. "It was his car." He admits calmly. "Did you have a nice weekend Mrs. Gilmore?"
Her eyes cloud. "I did." She says carefully.
I grin. "Grandma, this is Thaddeus Finley the fourth." I introduce him calmly.
She smiles. "Do come in." she walks into the sitting room calmly.
The maid takes our coats and I nearly collapse in laughter as Finn wiggles his eyebrows at me. "Don't get too comfortable." I warn him. "These dinners have a way of blowing up in my face."
As though on cue, the doorbell rings. "Grandma? Are you expecting anyone?"
She walks back into the room from the sitting room. "No, actually." She admits, opening the door. "Lorelai?" she whispers.
I tense. "Hey mom." My mom's voice says sweetly. "Is Rory here yet?"
"How did you know Rory was coming tonight?"
I look at the ceiling. "I told her Grandma." I admit as she closes the door behind mom. "Mom, this is Finn." I indicate him with a hand.
"Child Stealer! Nice to meet you."
"Lorelai, be polite." Grandma clips. "I'll tell Melissa there's another person for dinner." She walks away quickly.
I hold up a hand at my mom. "We need to get into the sitting room before Grandma has an aneurysm. You already yelled at Finn. You don't need to do it again. I'm here, and I have no extra holes or body art." I grab Finn's arm and steer him ahead of my mom into the sitting room. "I promise I'll buy you a drink when we get back to Yale for having to go through this." I whisper.
"You're darn right you will love. Grandma I can handle, but your stunning mother? She scares me." He mutters back.
We sit down on the couches, and my mom crosses her arms. "So. Finn, was it?"
He smiles. "It still is, actually. And, as your lovely daughter mentioned, I kept my word. She returned with no additional holes or body art."
Mom nods. "This is true. At least so far as I can tell."
"Mom!" I protest.
"Well, you're the one who went to Australia without me." She pouts.
"If that's the problem you're welcome to join us next time." Finn offers calmly.
My mom's eyes widen. "Seriously, there's a next time? After all the trouble you caused this time?"
Finn shrugs. "My mother likes her. I promised to take her back to visit."
Mom's eyes narrow at me. "I thought you were with –
"Drop it mom." I cut her off as Grandpa walks in with Grandma. "Hi Grandpa!" I grin, standing up to hug him.
He hugs me back. "How was your weekend Rory?"
"We went to the beach." I shrug. "All in all, it was a pretty good time."
Grandpa looks sternly at Finn. "And I suppose you're the one responsible for this?"
He nods. "I am sir." He agrees. "I thought Rory would like to see where I grew up."
"You're dating then?" Grandpa asks carefully, and I glance back to see Grandma's eyes light up.
"No." Finn clarifies. "We're friends."
"Who go to Australia for the weekend."
Finn grins. "How else am I going to show her my home neighborhood sir?"
Grandpa shakes his head and mom snorts. "You could have bought a video." She deadpans.
"I don't have a video player." He admits. "My roommates have strange aversions to them. Something about antiquated technology having no place in our dorm. I usually get my video fix at your daughter's dorm."
"Who are your roommates?" Grandma asks, sitting down.
I take my seat next to Finn again, and wait. "Colin Rothschild and Logan Huntzberger." He says calmly.
"You know Logan? How is he?"
I shake my head. "Mad at us." I offer. "It was his car we took."
Her eyes widen, and she looks almost relieved as Melissa walks in to announce dinner. We all rise to follow her into the dining room and sit quickly around the table. "So, Rory." Mom grins. "How was your flight?"
I stare at her. "The flight was great, thanks."
She looks at Finn. "You?"
He nods. "Very nice, thank you."
"Where did you stay?"
"A hotel." I reply.
"What hotel?"
I shake my head. "Where are you going with this mom?"
"Did you know your friend here owns a rather large chain of hotels worldwide? I Googled him."
I glance at Finn, and smile at his slight nod. "I would expect nothing less." I tell her.
"Lorelai, leave the poor boy alone." Grandma says softly.
She glares at her. "Still not talking to you." she clips.
I close my eyes, placing my fork down on the table and leaning back into the soft chair. Here we go.
I feel Finn pull my hand even as Grandma starts in on Luke. "Excuse us Mr. Gilmore. I have an early exam tomorrow, and I promised Rory I would pay for the cab back to Yale."
Grandpa nods. "I'll let Emily and Lorelai know."
I smile. "Thanks Grandpa. I'll see you Friday."
