"It doesn't sound so bad." Rory replied.

"Well, that's because you don't remember my mother and her dinner parties." Lorelai responded.

Rory took a deep breath and sat down beside her mother on the couch. "I'm sure we can make the best of it."

Lorelai smiled. "I guess we'll have to."

(7pm Friday)

"Okay..." Lorelai exhaled as her finger pressed the door bell button.

The door opened to reveal a charming Emily. "Rory!" she exclaimed. "So, good to see you again, sweetheart."

Lorelai glared at her mother. Was this the same woman who caused the scene a few days before at the hospital? "Hi, mom." Lorelai added.

"Lorelai." Emily acknowledged. "Well, come in, come in." Emily pulled Rory through the door. "It's freezing out there." Lorelai rolled her eyes and walked through the door behind them. "Richard, darling, our girls are here."

Richard strolled into the room. "Hello, Rory." Richard smiled. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Rory replied happily.

"Now, I know it's a little early for gifts, but I wanted to give this to you personally and privately." Richard handed Rory an envelope.

"Thank you." Rory opened the envelope. "Oh my god..." Rory gasped.

"Well, I know it's not much, but it's just a little something extra. It's to add on for your trip. Every little bit helps."

Rory stared at the roll of 100 dollar bills. She guessed there had to be at least 10 of them. That would mean Richard had just handed her a thousand dollars. Suddenly, she came out of her daze. "My trip?" she asked.

"To Fez." Richard grinned.

"Oh." Rory's eyes wandered back and forth. She had no idea what Fez was.

Emily's heels sounded her approach into the living room. "So, Lorelai, when Rory's next doctor appointment be held?"

Lorelai took a sip of her martini "After the first of the year." she replied.

"That's wonderful." Emily smiled. "By then I'm sure she'll be remembering all sorts of things. She'll really impress the doctor."

"Mom, I don't know if she'll be that far along in just a couple of weeks. The doctor said it could months, or years, for Rory's memory to come back."

"Or, she could wake up tomorrow and remember everything." Emily's response was cheery and bright.

"Well, yeah..." Lorelai admitted a little surprised. Lorelai was ready to change the subject. Looking around she noticed that no one else was in the house. "Um, mom, I thought you had a dinner party tonight?"

"Of course." Emily replied.

"Where are the guests?" Lorelai inquired.

"Well you and Rory are here."

"We're the only guests?" Lorelai couldn't believe this.

"At the moment. I'm sure the rest will be arriving shortly." The door bell rang. "Well, what perfect timing." Emily bounced from her seat and headed towards the door. It grew very quite in the house, in fact it was so quite that it was creepy. Lorelai didn't hear any voices, or footsteps or any sign of party guests. Suddenly, Rory came up behind her. "Jesus!" Lorelai shrieked.

"Sorry." Rory apologized. "Grandpa told me to come stand in here for a moment."

"Something very weird is going on here." Lorelai replied.

Emily came waltzing into the living room. "Lorelai, Rory, our guests have arrived. Please, come into the dinning room." Emily turned and exited.

"I don't trust her." Lorelai replied cooly. "It's a trap."

Rory giggled. "Mom..."

"You go first." Lorelai gently shoved Rory.

"Fine." Rory smiled. "I'm not afraid."

Rory walked cautiously into the dinning room with Lorelai following closely behind.

"SURPRISE!"

Rory and Lorelai both were taken aback as they beheld the room full of all friends from Stars Hollow.