MORE CHURCH BELL BLUES: PART TWO By Ane Berentsen
In Lorelai's bedroom, Lorelai is in bed and talking to Luke on the phone. She seems sad.
In Luke's bedroom. Luke is in bed as well.
LORELAI: It just...it's so unfair, you know. My relationship with my mum hasn't been this good in...I can't even remember. The other day, we actually both laughed, at the same time!
LUKE: Don't worry, you will get back there.
LORELAI: I don't think we will. I mean, I always knew she didn't have much faith in me in a lot of areas, but I never thought child-raising was one of them... You've met my kid, right?
LUKE: A couple of times (Becomes serious). I don't know about your mother, but in my opinion, you should be the mother of the year, every year. And if she can't see that, who cares?
LORELAI: Thanks, but... I care.
INTRO: WHERE YOU LEAD
At Richard and Emily's. Emily is having breakfast when Richard enters the room.
RICHARD: Good morning.
EMILY: I'm sure it is. Personally, I haven't had much sleep, in case you didn't notice.
RICHARD: I did notice. The question is "Which one of our daughters caused this sleeplessness?" Come on Emily, when are you going to tell me what happened with you and Lorelai last night?
EMILY: Nothing unusual. She was behaving like an idiot, I told her so, and she left. She's such a drama queen!
RICHARD: What did she say?
EMILY: You wouldn't believe it. She told me that she wanted to have Suzannah over at her house for the weekends every now and then!
RICHARD: What a splendid idea!
EMILY: What? You think that is a good idea?
RICHARD: I think it's and excellent idea! It will give us a chance to actually get some sleep sometime! Don't get me wrong, you know I love Suzannah with all my heart, but I really wish she would change her sleeping habits.
EMILY: Well, that's not all. She also told me what a lousy childhood we had given her. Apparently, she wasn't happy with the nannies or something like that.
RICHARD: Emily, let me tell you something. Every time I see Suzannah giggle, or rock her to sleep, I regret that I didn't have those moments with Lorelai. I don't think children are happy when their parents don't show them how much they love them.
EMILY: I showed her!
RICHARD: But maybe not as much as you could have. To be honest, I think we should be glad Lorelai is still talking to us!
EMILY: Well, she isn't anymore...
RICHARD: We'd better do something about that, then, don't we? After all, we don't want to have the christening without anyone there to show people to their seats, or more importantly, anyone to carry the baby, do we?
EMILY: What does Rory have to do with this?
RICHARD: Nothing, except I have a strong feeling that if Lorelai's not coming, then Rory won't come either.
Emily seems petulant. She's obviously not ready to give in yet.
EMILY: If she doesn'tfeel likecoming then that's up to her. There's nothing I can do about it.
In Lorelai's bedroom. Lorelai is asleep, Rory enters.
RORY: Rise and shine, sleepy head.
LORELAI: Go away, I don't wanna' wake up yet. Or anytime this year, for that matter.
Rory sits down on the bed.
RORY: Look, I know you're still upset about the things Grandma said, but if you don't get up now, we'll be late for the ceremony.
LORELAI: I'm not going.
RORY: You have to go. They're gonna' take pictures all over the place. Imagine Suzannah's disappointment when she grows up and can't find you in any of them.
LORELAI: She won't remember me. I'm not in her life anymore.
RORY: Don't be silly, Mum. Look, if you're not coming for her sake, come for mine.
LORELAI (Finally opens her eyes): Yours?
RORY: I'm not going if you're not!
LORELAI: But you have to, it's your big day!
RORY: Then I'll spend what should have been my big day here, with you. I'm not going without you.
LORELAI: I'm not going!
RORY: Fine. (Lies down and grabs a magazine from the nightstand. Reads it upside down).
LORELAI: How about I go, but I don't have to talk to her?
RORY: To Grandma?
LORELAI: No, to Angelina Jolie...Of course I'm talking about Grandma!
RORY: I think that's the first time anyone's mentioned Angelina Jolie and Emily Gilmore in the same coherence.But, sure, works for me. (Gets up) By the way, is Luke coming?
LORELAI: No, he's not. Luke's so lucky! Lucky Luke!
Rory walks around the bed and pulls Lorelai's hand.
RORY: Come on, let's get you in the shower.
LORELAI (Gets up slowly): What are they naming the kid anyway? Suzannah Gilmore, is that all?
RORY: Actually, her middle name is Emily.
LORELAI: What? Why didn't I get Mum's name as a middle name?
RORY: "Lorelai" doesn't go well with "Emily"...
LORELAI (Scornfully): Oh, and "Suzannah" does?
RORY: I don't think YOU should be the one to talk about bad naming. Now, come on!
At the Windsor Club. Rory and Lorelai arrive. The place is filled with people. Lorelai and Rory stop by the table with the gifts.
LORELAI: Wow. Suzy can open a jewelery shop if she wants to. The frame we got her is gonna' seem so cheap!
RORY: I've never seen this much glitter in my life. I think I'm going blind.
Emily has discovered them and comes over. She is holding Suzannah. She ignores Lorelai completely. Lorelai does the same thing to her.
EMILY: Rory, what a lovely dress you are wearing! I'm glad to see you're finally here, we are just about to begin the ceremony. If you just come with me...
She rushes Rory with her to the center of the room. Lorelai is left alone. Richard comes over to her.
RICHARD: There you are, dear. (Hugs her)
LORELAI: You sure you wanna do that? She might see you...Anyway, I guess I'm not in charge of the seating anymore, huh?
RICHARD: No, your mother left that responsibility to her friend Mindy. Nevertheless, I'm very happy that you decided to come.
LORELAI: Rory forced me.
RICHARD: You wouldn't have let her do that if you didn't really feel like it was the right thing to do. Now, let's go and watch the ceremony.
Richard and Lorelai go to the center of the room where a minister is about to baptize the baby. The congregation turns around to see Rory carry Suzannah up to the middle of the room. We fade out as the minister starts to speak.
Later. Lorelai is sitting in the salon all by herself. Rory comes up to her.
RORY: How did I do?
LORELAI: Great, you said the whole name very clearly.
Rory is disappointed of her mother's comment. Lorelai notices and tries to fix it.
LORELAI: Hey, I didn't mean it like that. You were fantastic, OK? I could se that Suzy was really calmed down by having you there.
Rory smiles in a shy way.
RORY: So, don't you wanna' go and see her?
LORELAI: I already told you, I'm not talking to my mother.
RORY: I meant Suzannah!
LORELAI: Oh...Well it's a two for one offer. We should go now, anyway.
RORY: OK...I just have to go and get my jacket. I left it in one of the back rooms. Will you come with me?
LORELAI: Fine.
They go to the room Rory points out; in there they find Emily, Richard, and a pram with Suzannah in it.
LORELAI (Mad at Rory): You set me up!
RORY: It was Grandpa's idea...
RICHARD: Well, I think it's time the two of you tell each other how you feel. I don't feel like going through another family gathering where half of the family aren't speaking to each other!
EMILY: I've got nothing to say to her!
LORELAI: Me neither!
RORY: See, at least you agree on something. Mum, why don't you tell Grandma about how awful you felt last night?
LORELAI (Gives in a little bit): Well, I...I guess I didn't feel too good. I suppose I could have told you how I felt in a slightly more gentle way.
EMILY: Yes, you could have.
RICHARD: Emily!
EMILY: However (looks down) I...might have overreacted just a little bit. I, I guess I was a bit distressed...you know.
RICHARD: Lorelai, I think what your mother is trying to say is that she is sorry.
EMILY: Richard!
LORELAI: It's OK, you don't have to do that. I know...
EMILY: Well, you might be pleased to know that I've considered your suggestion one more time. And I've concluded that it actually is a very generous offer. It would be foolish to say no to a weekend of sleep every now and then.
LORELAI (Happy): You mean I can borrow Suzy (Emily scowls at her) I mean, Suzannah?
EMILY: Yes.
RICHARD: As a matter of fact, it would be nice if you would take her home with you tonight. We'll probably have to stay here for a while, make sure everything is in its place, you know.
LORELAI: Of course we can take her with us!
RORY: Yeah, that'll be fun!
EMILY: And I suppose if you want...Luke...to be around, then that's nothing I need to worry about. Rory obviously likes him (Rory nods) so I take it Suzannah will too.
Richard picks Suzannah up from the pram and hands her to Lorelai
RICHARD: Here, why don't you take her to the car right now, and we'll come over with the car seat and her other stuff.
LORELAI: Sure.
Richard and Rory leave the room first, leaving Emily and Lorelai to themselves. Awkward silence.
LORELAI: I'll take good care of her, Mum.
EMILY I know you will.
At the parking lot, Lorelai, Rory and Suzannah are waiting by Lorelai's car.
RORY: So, what have you and your sister planned for your special day together?
LORELAI: You know what we're gonna do first thing in the morning? I'm gonna ask Luke to come with me, and we'recarry herback and forth in front of Taylor's shop until his head is about to blow...
RORY: Luke's?
LORELAI: No, Taylor's. And then when he can't take it any longer and comes out to check what's up, I'm gonna say: "Taylor, have you met my baby...sister!"
RORY: Wow that sounds awesome! Can I come?
LORELAI: Sure, you can take pictures.
Richard and Emily come over to they;, they have been to their car and gotten Suzannah's stuff. While Richard puts the seat into Lorelai's car, Emily reaches out for the baby. Lorelai hands her to her.
EMILY: Bye, Suzannah. Mommy's gonna' miss you very much!
RICHARD (Finishes with the car seat and gives Suzannah a peck on the cheek): And so is daddy, but you'll be fine. Lorelai will make sure of that.
Emily hands the baby back to Lorelai who puts her in the car seat. Rory and Lorelai get into the car.
EMILY (Shouts): One night will do to begin with. I'll pick her up around noon.
LORELAI (Through the window): OK. If you wake up and miss her in the middle of the night, don't hesitate to call.
EMILY: I'll hold you to that.
The car drives off, Rory waves to her grandparents who wave back. Richard puts his arm around Emily as the car disappears in the dark.
The end.
Well, that was it for now...I might write another story about how things go when Suzannah becomes a bit older, but I haven't decided yet. If you tell me what you think of this story I'll be really grateful.
EDIT: A sequel is up! It's called "Gilmore Sisters"! I hope you'll take the time to read it!