Answers to the reviews:

ProFfeSseR: No, I'm not yelling at you! You've been very good. You deserve some coffee!

JavaJunkiE06: Thank you! I will update.

pOnDeReSqUe: I'm glad you like how crazy Vanessa is. Vanessa is a little bit of me, Lorelai, and Lane. I kind of wanted her to be the crazier, parrallel-universe Rory. And as for people like Nadia, I understand what you mean. But we're only just beginning. Did I mention I have written 21-22 chapters up at this point:D But I am glad you nitpicked.

Gabby: I'M GLAD YOU LOVE MY FAN FIC! You deserve a coffee too.

Note: Just because this chapter was only 3 pages long, I've decided to be the good girl and put up chapter 10 too. 3 chapters in 2 days... yippee.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls, but I do own Vanessa Gilmore, Angie, Ginger, Nadia, and Justin. They are made-up by me, so they're mine. Also, I don't own Chicago.

Chapter 9

Isn't Life Swell?

Vanessa told her parents everything about her day in vivid detail, from Jess to Angie to Luke's to the Chicago auditions.

Lorelai confided, "Well, darling I hope you get it. No offense, but I've seen Nadia in the past. She makes me look like Catherine Zeta-Jones and that's saying something!"

"Thank YOU!" Vanessa exclaimed. "She actually thinks she's gonna be on Broadway!"

Lorelai let out a laugh as she said, "Sweetie, I have a feeling that you're gonna be Velma."

"Well, Miss Patty loves me, so maybe I'm a shoe-in," Vanessa stated as the phone rang.

Lorelai stood up to answer the phone and warned over her shoulder, "Don't jinx yourself, kid." She picked up the phone and answered it, "Hello? Why yes she is, Ging. Oh! Uh, sure, of course!" Lorelai pushed the MUTE button on the phone and hollered, "Hey, Ness! Ginger wants to know if it's OK with me that you, me, and Dad go to the beginning-of-summer festivial with Ginger and her mom."

"Just be back by midnight," Vanessa joked. "Cool with me."

"OK. Oh, crap!" Lorelai snapped loudly, rushing into the kitchen.

"What?" Vanessa asked.

"Your dad is working late tonight."

Vanessa shrugged, "So it will be just the four of us."

"Yeah, but what if Ginger's mom is horrible ole British bore?" Lorelai questioned in a stuffy British voice. "What if we have to leave for tea and cookies? What if she thinks that festivals are oh-so-boring?"

"Mom, she checked into the Dragonfly. I think you met her."

"No! I was on a break and Michel was on his usual crank-o-path because he 'nev-air 'as en-knee breaks 'nd it'z juzt not fair.' But he had to check them in."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "I've met Katy. She's not a British bore."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"I'm your daughter! You carried me in you for nine months and you are doubting my word!"

"Well, you doubt mine! Also if you loved me too, I wouldn't have been in labor with you for 10 hours with NOTHING to watch on TV."

Vanessa sighed, "Well, we have Ginger."

"Yeah, but I want your dad with me in case I'm in over my head!" Lorelai pouted.

"You have me!" Vanessa cried.

"Yeah, but you're not an adult, dearie," Lorelai pointed out. Then suddenly, her face lit up with an idea. "Oh! Lightbulb! Rory!"

"That's a good idea!" Vanessa sarcastically applauded. "She just recently got divorced, she has a kid and another one on the way, and we should introduce her to the so-called stuffy woman. Pregnant women are known for being cranky, and Rory just might beat the living crap out of this woman if she's anything like you said, which she's NOT."

"You're not funny. You must have your daddy's sense of humor," Lorelai pouted. "I'm bringing her and Amanda anyway." She pushed the MUTE button again, unmuting the phone, and said, "Ging? Hey! Well, Luke has to work late tonight, but maybe could I bring my other daughter Rory and my granddaughter? Sweet! If I wasn't so old, I'd adopt you as my other daughter! OK, let me talk to your mom so we can make plans." Lorelai waited, pacing herself back and forth. Finally, Ginger's mom got on and Lorelai said perkily, "Hi! I'm Lorelai, Vanessa's mom. Oh! So Ginger admires me. Awesome. I sure feel loved." (pause) "OK. You don't mind I bring Rory and her daughter?" (pause) "Oh thank you so much! OK, so we'll meet you at Luke's around seven." (pause) "Well, Ginger knows where Luke's is!" (long pause) "Well, Luke is my husband." (pause) "OK! See you then!"

Lorelai slammed the phone down and let out a sigh of relief. "OK, I lied. Ginger's mom is not a stuffy British bore."

"Told you," Vanessa replied just as the phone rang again.

"Go smash that phone for me," Lorelai requested.

Vanessa got up and hurried to the ringing phone. "Hello? Hey, Miss Patty!" Vanessa's face fell as Miss Patty informed her. "Oh, OK." (pause) "No it's OK." (pause) "Ha ha, well, thanks for telling Taylor he's an old geiser. Bye Miss Patty." Vanessa slammed the phone down, then yanked the phone cord from the wall. She shuffled to the kitchen, rested her head on the table, and started sobbing. Lorelai had heard everything and cradled her daughter's head in her arms.