Dislcaimer: We don't own anything related to the WB, Gilmore Girls or any of its affiliates, at all.
Summary: General story on the young Gilmores growing up in the Hollow.
A/N: We would just like to thank all for your wonderful reviews and we are glad you like the story! We'll keep on writing as long as you want us to.
Chapter 3
After the man left back into the building Rory was standing again already. Her tears were gone and the knee looked much better with the help of the towel, as he didn't have any band-aids. It still hurt of course but mostly all Rory needed was some comfort, and somehow that nice stranger was able to provide it, something usually only her mother was capable of.
Lane made sure that her new friend was okay after hastily saying goodbye, she quickly explained to Rory that her mother was very strict and that she had to be home - the antique shop- exactly 15 minutes after school was over or she would get home-schooled which she didn't want to risk. It already had been longer than that, but an anxious Lane explained hastily that enough praying would save her this time. With quick promises to see each other the next day, the two friends parted ways.
Rory herself had to hurry as her mom was surely already waiting by the halfway point, a bridge by the lake, and probably worried. Rory was proven right when only a couple steps towards the bridge she saw her mom quickly coming towards her.
"Hey mom!" Rory said happily, hoping her mom wouldn't notice her skinned knee.
"Rory! What took you so long? I was waiting and you didn't show!"
Rory's eyes were on fire as she relished in the details of her interesting afternoon. She explained dramatically about the kind man who had been so nice to help her with her fall, and Lorelai's face softened, all though the fact of her daughter being hurt alarmed her. Lorelai has very few things in life that mattered to her except for Rory, who she cherished with every fiber of her body. It was similar to the animal instinct that mother bears have to protect and fend for their children: Lorelai was the textbook definition of this trait. She hugged Rory tightly, and took a look at Rory's pierced knee. "My little trooper!" she laughed, as she put a barbie bandaid on it from her purse, and told herself to stop being such a paranoid mother—she could not turn into her over-neurotic and overprotective mother!
Taking Rory's soft hand, Lorelai continued on their walk back to the inn. She loved how animated Rory was when she talked about Lane, and Rory insisted on having a playdate with Lane. And soon. Lorelai was well aware that Rory hardly ever asked for anything, and figured she should probably meet this Lane and her mother a little more closely. She stopped in their tracks, and knelt down to Rory.
"Hey, you. Why don't we turn around, go back to this Lane's house that you can't stop talking about," she rolled her eyes, playfully, and continued, "and see what all this fuss is about." Rory smiled, and jumped up and down, which was a rare act for the rather subdued girl. "Besides," said Lorelai, proudly, "I'd like to meet her mother." Lorelai didn't know what she was getting into.
The duo walked back where they had came from until they approached Kim's Antiques, a nice-looking store. Taking a deep breath, Lorelai knocked on the door. She flattened her suit, and tried to look presentable and hopefully a little bit older. Her mind raced. This was a sucky idea, she thought. I shouldn't have done this, a voice said. You're too young! You're too young! She sighed.
A woman yelled from inside the cluttered shop. "Come in! Sale today! All item? Half-off!" Lorelai headed for the voice amidst a maze of chairs, tables, and other knick-knacks until she eventually maneuvered her way to the source. Rory followed. They were met bythe small Korean woman, they saw earlier at the school, who looked as if she meant business. Lorelai shivered inwardly. Shoot.
Rory began, without a signal from Lorelai. "I'm Lane's friend, Rory!" The woman, who Lorelaipresumed correctly to be Mrs. Kim, squinted and shook her head. "Lane. Girl in here. Your friend?" Lane hurried into the scene, and was overjoyed to see Rory. "Yes, Mama," she replied, obediently.
Lorelai gathered her voice. "Ma'am," she started. "My daughter, Rory, and your daughter, Lane, have become friends at school. I just thought it was—" she was interrupted by the terror-stricken look on Mrs. Kim's face.
"You! Her MOTHER!" Mrs. Kim face was similar to how Lorelai's own mother had looked when that fateful strip turned pink- positive. A positively negative expression on both women.
Lorelai was worried. What had she gotten herself into? And in front of Rory? "Yes, I am her mother. I just thought it would appropriate for us to meet, if our daughters were to be together a lot. Lane can spend time with Rory whenever she likes."
Mrs. Kim didn't need this little speech. "You. Out. Take this Rory with you. You old enough to be her sister! You old enough to be my daughter! Out. Now."
With that, Lorelai took Rory's hand and stomped out, and memories of her exasperation with being a teen mother flooded out. Rory silently waved goodbye to Lane, and sadly departed.
