Chpt 5

Rory and Emily went into Miss Patty's and checked out all the neat stuff. There were tables set up along the one wall with a wide variety of items for sale. There was baking, jams and jellies, quilts, knitted clothing, among many other things. There were small tables set up in the middle where a variety of card games and board games had already begun, and at the far end was an empty space for people to dance after the light up. At the very front was a table that was giving out free coffee and hot apple cider. Rory grabbed a coffee and Emily grabbed a cider and Rory took her grandmother around and introduced her to everyone. Liz was there with her jewelry and waved them over.

"You must be Rory. I'm Liz, you know mother of Jess, sister of Luke." She said coming around and giving Rory a hug. "I recognized you from the picture Luke showed me."

"Nice to meet you." Rory said, "My mom said your wedding was really nice." Rory introduced Liz to Emily, "This is my grandmother Emily Gilmore. She came to check out the party."

"Oh, so you're Lorelai's mom! I just love that daughter of yours. She's the best thing that's ever happened to that brother of mine." Liz leaned in and motioned Rory to do the same, then whispered, "He admitted to me the other day that he was in love with her."

"Really!?" asked Rory surprised, "That big softy." Emily had now also leaned in, suddenly very interested in this story.

"I know, right. So I asked him how it went when he told her, and he told me he hadn't told her yet." Liz finished excitedly, and then looking around to make sure no one had overheard. Certain that no one was listening she continued, "So I asked him why. He said that it wasn't that easy with Lorelai and just to drop it. Then he changed the subject." Liz looked at Rory, "What do you think that means?"

Rory knew what he was talking about and straightened back up. Emily noticed Rory's expression change from happy to sad and then saw her put on a fake smile before answering, "I have no idea. But I'm sure they'll be fine."

A customer asked Liz a question and Liz excused herself and Rory and Emily quietly wandered over to a couple empty chairs and sat down. Emily looked at Rory, "So what did Luke mean Rory? And don't say you don't know, because I know you do." Rory debated whether or not to say anything, but figured that her grandmother wouldn't give up otherwise. And another part of her just liked to include her grandmother in their lives, despite what her mother thought. "Mom has never said 'I love you' to anyone but me." Rory began.

"That can't be true, she was engaged after all." Said Emily.

Rory looked at her grandmother and shook her head. Emily didn't know what to say, she had never heard of such a thing, "What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing's wrong with her grandma. It's just that she kind of put up a wall to protect herself, you know?" Rory struggled to explain, and Emily just sat there trying to understand.

Just then Lane came running in, "Rory!" she shouted running over and giving Rory a big hug, "We've got a real gig!" Then she noticed Emily sitting there and in a calmer voice said, "Hello Mrs. Gilmore."

"Hello Lane. How have you been doing?" Emily asked, trying to focus back on the present.

"Very well thank-you." She replied politely, then turned back to Rory. "You have to check out our poster. It's awesome! And help me pick out what I'm going to wear, and what to do with my hair…"she continued excitedly.

"When is it?" asked Rory.

"Two weeks, New Year's Eve."

"Two weeks?" repeated Rory unsure of why there was such a big rush.

"I know. It doesn't leave much time. That's why I need your help." Said Lane seriously.

Emily looked at Rory and smiled, "Go on with your friend Rory, I'm going to take another look around here anyway."

"Are you sure?" Asked Rory not wanting to leave her grandma alone.

Emily smiled at Rory's concern, "Yes, please, go help poor Lane. Have a good time."

Rory kissed her grandma on the cheek, "Thank you grandma. I'll meet you back here at ten to seven so we can watch the light up together." Emily nodded and watched as the two girls left, chattering excitedly the whole time.

Emily slowly walked over to the door and looked out over the crowd that was beginning to gather outside. She spotted Lorelai talking to Sookie and felt sad as she thought about what Rory had told her.

Meanwhile Lorelai was having a great time. They had got the lights up in record time despite their goofing around, and now she was talking to Sookie.

"Where did Luke go?" Sookie asked.

"He just ran back to the diner to grab a warmer sweater." Lorelai explained. "Where's your man?"

"Well my little man is right here," she said indicating Davey in the stroller, "but I have no idea where my big man is." She finished scanning the crowd for Jackson. "I have his gloves in the diaper bag and I wanted to give them to him." Sookie caught a glimpse of Jackson across the square, "Ohh there he is!" she tried to weave the stroller through the crowd, but didn't get very far. Lorelai stopped her, "Just leave little Davey here with me ad go before you lose him again." Sookie thanked her, grabbed the gloves, and made her way through the people, shouting for Jackson the whole way. Lorelai looked down at Davey, "Your mom is nuts." She said smiling and bending down to pick him up. "I bet you can't see much from down there." She lifted Davey up and propped him on her hip, "There you go."

Luke watched Lorelai with Davey and smiled. She was trying to get him to look at something but he was too busy grabbing at her necklace. She flashed Luke a smile when she saw him approach and he smiled right back. He still got butterflies every time she smiled at him. He thought they would have gone away after they started dating but instead they had gotten worse. But he didn't mind, in fact he decided that he'd dislike it even more if they went away. "Did you find a sweater?" Lorelai asked. "What are you smiling at?" she asked noticing Luke's big grin.

"You." Luke said giving Lorelai a soft kiss then whispering, "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And you're with me. So I smile."

Lorelai blushed, she couldn't get enough of this side of Luke. Her side. To everyone else he was still grumpy, stubborn old Luke. But with her he was different. He could still be grumpy and stubborn, mind you, but she wouldn't want him any other way. She leaned up and gave him a soft slow kiss. They just stared at each other for a moment and enjoyed the butterflies. Davey started wiggling and Lorelai shifted her focus back to him. "He seems to like the necklace I got you." Luke said.

"Well he's got good taste." Smiled Lorelai.

Sookie joined back up with them, and was reaching to take Davey back from Lorelai. When Lorelai's face suddenly paled. "What is it?" asked Sookie concerned. Luke not understanding looked at Lorelai, "Hon?" he asked, placing his hand at the small of her back.

Lorelai put a hand on her chest, and continued to stare across the crowd, "My dad's here."