Family Portrait
A/N: Thanks all of you who reviewed. I made a teensy mistake in the last chapter that I fixed up. Liza is four not five, oops. One little note: Remember not everything is as it may seem. Anyway, I'm going to get on with the story now. Enjoy!
Chapter 6: Seeing Double
The whole diner was silent, even those who didn't know what was happening just now stared at the strange intruder. Carrie gave them all a strange look and rummaged in her back pack flipping her hair and pulling out a compact. She wore tight jeans, lots of make-up and a shirt that ended just above her naval. Rory couldn't see what Jess saw in this girl who seemed glamorous and shallow. Glancing at Jess, Rory noticed he was not watching his "girlfriend" but the door to the diner. Furrowing her eyebrows Rory looked passed the brunette out the door where residents of Stars Hollow were walking past the diner. "Where's Kate?" Jess wondered after a while.
"She got distracted on the way over," Carrie rolled her eyes, "Something about the perfect picture." Jess shook his head laughing. If he was in anyway nervous it didn't show. Rory and Lorelai shared a looked.
"So, Jess who's this?" Lorelai wondered curiously. Asking what everyone present wanted to know.
"This is Carrie," Jess introduced coolly, "A friend of mine from New York."
"Also his girlfriend's twin sister," Carrie clarified, "Speak of the devil." The door to the diner opened and another brunette bounced in. Her hair was chopped short up to her chin, decorated with wavy curls and she wore baggy pants that clung to her hips with a plain white tee-shirt. A camera was strapped around her neck and guitar bag hanging from her shoulder. As opposed to her sister she wore practically no make up and her green eyes seemed to shimmer with delight. She stopped short noticing all who were staring at her.
"Umm...hi," she waved awkwardly. Rory mused on how different in character Carrie and Kate seemed for two who looked so much alike.
"What're you doing in Stars Hollow?" Jess asked making his way around the counter and to Kate.
"Thought you might use some company," she shrugged, "Plus I was bored what with no classes and no band practice until Wednesday."
"And your sister?" Jess nodded towards Carrie.
"She wouldn't let me use the car," Kate shrugged, "God knows I tried to steal the keys but..." Jess shook his head and the two kissed. Luke coughed and Lorelai threw a balled up napkin at the couple as Rory stared into her cup of coffee. At that moment Paris, Lane, Dave and Jamie strolled into the diner. They stopped short at the sight of the couple making out in the middle of the diner.
"Okay," Lane was the first to speak, "Last I checked this was a public place and there are two children present." Jess and Kate pulled apart.
"Sorry," Kate blushed furiously.
"No problem," Lane plopped down on an empty stool next to Rory, "It's just that if Taylor caught you two Luke would have hell to pay."
"Luke?" Kate looked around curiously.
"I'm Luke," Luke waved as he dried off his cup.
"And I'm Mrs. Luke," Lorelai chimed, "And this is baby Luke."
"She's also known as Lorelai," Jess informed Kate, "That's Rory, her daughter Liza, Lane, Paris, Dave and Jamie."
"Well seeing as introductions are all done," Carrie cut in from her table, "Can I get some food?"
"That's my sister always thinking about herself," Kate rolled her eyes joining her sister at the table and pecking Jess on the lips. Rory made a face that didn't go unnoticed by Lane who just shook her head. By now, Liza had already slid down off her stool and crawled over to where the two sisters sat.
"Hi," she popped up, frightening Carrie. Everyone burst out laughing as Carrie shrieked.
"Hi," Kate nodded, "So, you're name's Liza right?"
"Yeah and I'm four and Jess gave me ice cream," Liza grinned.
"Did he now?" Kate asked sending a smile in the direction of Jess, "That's nice of him."
"Uh-huh," Liza nodded enthusiastically. Rory now approached their table carrying Danish and a steaming cup of coffee.
"Liza, honey, what did I tell you about bugging strangers?" Rory asked her daughter before turning towards the two sisters, "Sorry about her. She tends to do that."
"It's no problem," Kate laughed, "She wasn't bugging a bit. Quite an adorable daughter you've got."
"Thanks," Rory smiled and her gaze fell upon Jess who was scrubbing the counter, "But I can't take all the credit for that." Jess chose that moment to look up and catch Rory's gaze for a second before she quickly turned away.
"Hey babe," Lorelai popped over to the table, "Any chance you won't be drinking your coffee?" Rory rolled her eyes and handed her mother the coffee cup. "Thank you. You'll always be my favourite daughter."
"Wait," Carrie put in, "You're her mother?"
"Yes," Lorelai wrapped her arm around Rory's shoulder, "You're looking at three generations of Lorelai Gilmores."
"Huh?" Carrie looked confusedly between Rory, Liza and Lorelai.
"My full name is Lorelai Leigh Gilmore," Rory explained, "And Liza is Lorelai Elizabeth Gilmore."
"Oh," Carrie nodded still looking slightly confused.
"How come you're all Gilmore then?" Kate seemed truly interested in their story, "Shouldn't you have your father's last name?"
"Well, I had Rory at sixteen," Lorelai filled in, "and her father wasn't around at all so I kept my last name."
"And I was eighteen when I had Liza," Rory continued, "It was the last thing I expected to happen and I was scared about the consequences. So, I drove her father away and never told him about her. When she was born I thought it would be best to keep the name Gilmore." Rory hadn't noticed Jess approach them with Carrie and Kate's order as well as a new full cup of coffee for her. She accepted the coffee gratefully but didn't look at him in fear of what it might reveal.
"Wow, how do you manage it all?" Kate wondered, "I mean having a four year old kid and going to college? Assuming you do that is."
"I do," Rory nodded, "I go to Yale. At first I hired a Nanny and Paris would take care of her when I had to work. Then when Jamie moved in with us he took over. I don't know what I'll do when he finds a job. Probably hire someone else."
"Did you ever talk to the father again?" Kate questioned. Rory couldn't help but look at Jess once again who had returned to the counter. She shifted uncomfortably in her place. Lorelai who still stood beside her squeezed Rory's arm for support.
"Kate," Jess voice broke into the silence that followed the question. Rory knew he had heard everything in the conversation, "Let's go for a walk."
"Um...sure Jess," Kate shrugged, "Just let me finish talking with Rory." Rory bit her lip.
"I've got to go anyway," Rory put in, "I'm going back to New Haven and stopping for lunch at my grandparents' house. Plus Paris and I have classes tomorrow."
"That reminds me," Jamie approached them, "Lorelai, do you think you can drive up? I have a job interview tomorrow. Some guy called while Rory and Paris were shopping and asked me to come in."
"I can't," Lorelai shook her head, "I got to take Lucas to the doctor for a check up. Then I've got my own appointment for the twins." Lorelai patted her belly.
"I'll do it," Jess offered. The all looked over to the counter where Jess stood.
"Uh...okay," Rory nodded, "My mom or Luke will give you the address. You sure Luke can spare you?"
"Sure," Luke nodded, "For one day I'll be fine to run the diner. Anyway Caesar's coming in."
"Great," Rory sighed, "So be there around nine if you can. Alright?"
"Sure," Jess nodded, "Kate you don't mind being left to the Stars Hollow nuts and your sister?"
"Nah," Kate shook her head, "The town seems to have so many things I can take pictures of and the band needs some new songs anyway."
"You're in a band?" Lane suddenly perked up with interest from the next table.
"Yeah," Kate nodded, "I started it up back when I was in high school and have been playing in clubs and people's garage for a long time."
"Including our garage," Carrie said sourly, "God they made such racket."
"Says the girl who likes rap," Kate spat, "There's no actual point to rap. All they ever rap about is sex."
"Dave," Lane motioned to Dave, "and I are in a band as well"
"Yeah, I think I've seen you play before," Kate nodded, "You play around New York?" Lane and Kate began discussing music and their bands while Carrie moved on to looking at herself in her little mirror. Rory glanced at her watch quickly and then looked around the diner for her daughter who was playing with Lucas.
"Hey Liza, honey, we got to go," Rory rejoined, "We're going to see Great Granny and Great Grandpa."
"Yay!" Liza cheered rushing over to Lorelai and giving her a hug. Then, Liza took a second to run around the counter. After hugging Luke she approached Jess. The Jess looked down to the little one and then disappeared behind the counter. Rory peered over just enough to see Liza giving him a big hug and a wet kiss on the cheek. She smiled sadly seeing how Liza seemed to get along well with Jess. Rory only hoped that this was the beginning of bond that could be formed between the two. She hoped.
When Liza re-appeared in front of the counter and took her mother's hand, Paris and Jamie grabbed their coffee and followed them out the door after all the good-byes had been said. When the four of them were out the door Lorelai, Lane, Dave and baby Lucas moved over to a table. "Wow," Lane stated as they were all settled in at the table.
"I know," Lorelai nodded, "I never thought anyone would be excited to see my parents."
"Yeah, but that wasn't what I was talking about," Lane said, "It's strange that his girlfriend would show up the day after she tells Jess about Liza."
"How did your talk with her go last night?" Dave wondered.
"Well, she still loves him," Lane sighed sadly.
"She always will," Lorelai stared blankly ahead, "She always will." Luke, who had just joined them on his break that Jess insisted he take, kissed his wife.
"Maybe she will," Lane offered, "Maybe she'll give that guy Tristan a call now."
"Wait," Lorelai seemed to brighten up a bit, "That's it!"
"Huh?" everyone at the table looked at Lorelai confused as Lucas banged his fork against the table.
"I've got a great idea!" Lorelai exclaimed, "No, a brilliant idea."