Emily POV
Lorelai's duties with the Durham Group resulted in additional travel to various places for various consulting needs. Christopher had found some excuses to tag along or to at least venture down for a brief portion of her stay.
Lorelai's latest consultation was some random town on the coast of Florida, but I cannot remember where. It was not a place that Richard and I have been. Christopher had gone down for a few days to accompany Lorelai for a relaxing few days on the beach after work and before she had to be back home for more work. There had been some discussion of taking Gigi down to Disneyworld while Lorelai was working in Florida, but it did not work out. Instead, Gigi has been spending more time with Francine and her nanny. Francine still has not been as warm to Lorelai as she should, and I can only imagine that she still does not communicate with Rory. The holidays are coming up, and I suppose that I should facilitate a family dinner, but the last one involving the Haydens ended so poorly that I want to keep Rory to myself and not share her with another grandmother.
Christopher POV
These past months have been amazing. It is hard to believe that only one year ago I was just getting back into Rory's life by finally contributing to her life and paying for Yale. Since then she has included me in her life. I have gotten to see Yale and be even more amazed at her brilliance than ever before. I never would have thought that I would get a kick out of reading a college newspaper or that my kid was possible of accomplishing so much. But, Lorelai is an amazing mother, and Rory has benefited from Lorelai's greatness. Fortunately, I have been able to have her back in my life and never knew how wonderful a real grown-up relationship could be with Lorelai. We were always such children when it came to being together, but now it is something that we want more than anything else. This is amazing. I am also fortunate that Lorelai is as amazing with Gigi as she is, and Gigi now knows what it is like to have a mother-figure in her life, other than her nanny. Also, Richard's words of "Be good to her or I will destroy you" continue to stick out in the back of my mind.
Lorelai has been traveling for business quite a bit lately, and I have missed her. I try to go with her on her trips as much as I can or at least coordinate it with my work travel schedule. When Lorelai had to go to Florida, I had thought about taking Gigi and Rory to Disney World, but that would not work out. So, I arranged for my mom to watch Gigi so Lorelai and I could share a few days on the beach before we go back to face the holidays in our first holiday season as a couple, well at least the first holiday season together in over twenty years.
Those days on the beach were amazing. We would sit on our chairs under the umbrella relaxing, listening to music, rubbing sunscreen on each other's backs. It was quite a different scene than the cold Connecticut weather that we were escaping. Overall, those were some good days, but the nights at the beach were even better. A few times I had to stop and remind myself that this was really happening. Lorelai and I really have made a solid life together, and things seem to still be working. It was on one of these nights that I realized I needed to make a move without scaring her, but I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. From what we had talked about in the past, we knew we wanted to be together, but knowing that we wanted to be together had not yet transcended into talking about when we would get married. I thought it would happen, and we had talked generally but never specifically. This trip seemed like the best opportunity to discuss it with her, but I don't always have the best luck at keeping this girl.
Emily POV
Christopher and Lorelai are returning from Florida today. I hope they have had a good time and are eagerly awaiting the holidays like I am. Thanksgiving is less than one week away and all of my preparations are in place. Drinks will begin sharply at six o'clock followed by dinner at seven. My girls will be there along with Christopher and Gigi as well as some of Richard's business associates and their wives. I cannot wait for them to see the pretty picture that has developed – Lorelai with Rory's father! Since Lorelai has been out of town, I have not had the opportunity to inform her of the plan for Thanksgiving Thursday, but it is not as though our schedule will deviate from years past. Rory has also been difficult to get in touch with as she is busy with school. I talked to her last Friday when she was able to pop by for a quick dinner before going back to Yale. I was unable to tell whether or not Logan will be making it home for the holidays or how their relationship really is going. But, at least I know that my table will be perfect and my family will be perfect, too.
Night came, and Lorelai had not called me to let me know that she had made it home, and I was beginning to get a bit worried. I went to bed that night upset and disappointed. My dreams of having things as I had always envisioned with Lorelai really were too good to be true! As I sniffled into my pillow, Richard asked what was wrong, but all I could come up with was that I was coming down with a cold. He kept his distance even though I needed some affection more than ever! All he could say was "get plenty of Vitamin C" before he drifted off and started snoring.
Having not slept well all night, I knew the first call that I would make of the morning. Of course, I would have to wait for Richard to go to work to make that call. Richard and I sat down to breakfast when the phone rang. It was hard to believe that anyone would be calling this early. The maid answered the phone and passed it off to Richard. I imagined that it was some business call, probably from overseas not taking into account the time difference, until Richard called the caller "son" when I then realized that Christopher was on the other line. Only hearing Richard's side of the conversation, I became increasingly confused when Richard said "We already have Thanksgiving plans, but I will talk with Emily and see what can be arranged." Richard hung up and resumed eating his breakfast leaving me completely confused from his phone call. I could not take it!
"Richard Gilmore, I demand to know what Christopher said. This instant!" I could tell from his startled impression that he did not really think that I was listening to what he was saying.
"Christopher would like for us to change our Thanksgiving plans for a surprise he is putting together." He stated matter of factly. However, all I could think and all that came out of my mouth was "why didn't Lorelai call?"
Richard sighed. "I don't know Emily. Lorelai is a very busy individual. She has responsibilities at work that require her time and efforts. Christopher seemed to think that we would want to be with them for Thanksgiving for whatever it is. His exact words were 'a celebration that you would not want to miss.'" With that he paused for a moment then said "I think we should go. Whatever it is that he has planned should be festive. He said that he would send a car for us on Wednesday and to pack for everything." This was one of the most cryptic messages I had ever heard. Christopher really must be spending too much time with Lorelai, his messages sound more like her every day. How could Richard think that this surprise would be festive? I am less than thrilled that Richard does not even seem to be hesitating to cancel all the wonderful things that I have planned for the holiday to join in on Christopher's fun. Richard really is not being reasonable. What does he know that I do not know? I got up to grab the phone from near Richard's place at the table and call Lorelai's cell phone.
Lorelai picks up with a groggy "hello?" "Lorelai Gilmore, this is your mother! I demand to know why you did not call me to tell me you returned from your trip! I also demand to know why your father and I have to change our Thanksgiving plans!" I asked and paused for a response. "What?" was her groggy response. "Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, you know exactly what I am talking about. Christopher called your father, not me, this morning to tell us that you would not be attending our Thanksgiving and that we needed to change our plans to come with you wherever it is we are supposed to go."
"Oh that. yawn I didn't know that he called. I was going to call you this morning after I got to the office." She seemed tired and genuine. Perhaps I was being a bit short with her, but how can she and Christopher honestly expect us to change our plans without telling us where we are going and why we are going. "Christopher came up with an amazing plan for Thanksgiving that is too good to be true! We decided that we should keep it a secret until we get there. But, Mom, I promise that this is not something that you want to miss. Please be ready to go Wednesday when the car will be there to pick you up. If you miss Thanksgiving with us, you will regret it forever, and I refuse to accept the blame in the future if you miss this!" She sounded so serious and convincing in the end that all I wanted to do was go pack my bags and see what awaited us.
My next few days were filled with canceling all preparations for my Thanksgiving and giving Richard's secretary the task of finding alternate Thanksgiving celebrations for Richard's business associates. I had suggested that the firm send them to a Thanksgiving at the Dragonfly along with an overnight stay and was quite glad they listened to me.
This was the first Thanksgiving in a long time that had not gone my way in my own home. As upset as I was that I was not able to be in charge of what was going on, I was a bit excited at the prospect of Christopher and Lorelai planning a long weekend. Lorelai had said that Christopher was the one who was in charge of all of the plans. All I knew was that a car would pick us up Wednesday at one to take us to our destination.
Wednesday finally came. Richard and I had several suitcases not knowing what the occasion was so we had to be prepared! The car came, and we got in heading to what would be our destination. A short while later, we pull up to an airstrip where Lorelai was waiting for us waving from the door of the jet. Richard and I got out of the car and waved back and boarded the jet that would carry our family to our destination. As we were greeting Lorelai and Christopher, Rory and Logan soon came out from the back followed by Gigi and Francine. I had not realized that Francine would be along for this journey. Suddenly, I became very territorial and greeted Rory lovingly.
"Rory, sweetheart, how have you been?" I gave her one of the biggest hugs that I can remember giving ever. "Logan, I didn't know that you would be in for the holiday." I was excited to see them together and hoping that Francine would get a good look at me having the kind of closeness to my granddaughter that she could have had. I have never sought to make anyone as jealous as I hope she leaves this vacation being. I am also excited that Rory and Logan make such an adorable couple.
"Well, Emily, I could not stand to miss Thanksgiving with Rory, and I could not stand to miss the excitement of this weekend. So, here I am." He smirked to Rory who only smiled back. I knew there was something that I did not know that they did know, but I was not going to press the issue…yet.
Lorelai showed me where Richard and I should sit for the flight but still did not disclose where we were going. I could hear part of what Richard and Christopher were saying but not everything.
"Do you have your passports?" Christopher asked Richard. Passports? Where are we going and why has Richard not told me! "I have them, just in case. We better get this weekend started!" Now I am confident that everyone else on the plane knows something that I do not know. Just as I am about to say something, the fasten seat belt light comes on along with a young girl telling us to take our seats that we were preparing for take-off.
Our flight was rather brief. It is amazing how much ground can be covered so quickly jetting through the air. I wish now that I had gone on and bought an interest in the time-share jet, but that was ages ago. Once we reached our cruising altitude Lorelai and Richard fell asleep, Rory and Logan were quite cozy in a corner of the passenger area, and Christopher attempted to visit with Gigi and Francine. I decided that the best thing for me to do would be to nap and then hope we reached our destination soon!
When we landed, I honestly had no clue as to where we were until I looked out the window and saw palm trees. There was a limo waiting for us when we got off the jet. At this point, I was still in suspense, but I could not take it anymore.
"Well, Christopher, where exactly are we going?" I had to ask. I hoped that he would tell me, but I honestly did not understand what was going on with this vacation.
"We're almost there Emily. Please be patient." I cannot believe that he of all people is telling me to be patient! Patient!
Lorelai jumps in "Chris, we may as well tell them now." She smiles. I wonder if she senses how upset I am or whether she is continuing to toy with me. Christopher looks back to her, takes a breath, grabs her hand, and begins to speak.
"Well then. Dear family, we have gathered this weekend for a celebration that shall not soon be forgotten. We are now heading to the marina to take out the yacht. Once we get out to sea however far it is tomorrow, the Captain of the ship will marry Lorelai and me. Then, we will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal while continuing to enjoy the tropical weather..."
Marry! Did he just say marry! I have traveled how far to attend my daughter's wedding without realizing that I will be going to a wedding, much less the wedding I have been imagining for over twenty years.
I have to smile at this news and say "Congratulations, Christopher. Best wishes, Lorelai. Thank you for including us." I whisper to Richard "You are right, I would not want to miss this!" I then turn the conversation to Lorelai: "However, I don't see why you did not tell us this before we left home. It would have been much more understandable for us to know, after all we are your parents. I haven't even seen your dress!" I really am happy, just a bit saddened that I did not get to help with the wedding preparations. That really is all that a mother wants, even her mother. I look over at Richard who seems to be holding back something, but he seems to be thrilled. Our Lorelai is getting married!