The Gilmore-Grey Union Book II: The Homecoming
By Michael Weyer
POV: Miss Patty
In all my years in this lovely hamlet, I have never come across a story so juicy to gossip about.
Most of the time, it's stuff you expect. Sookie and Jackson, Taylor and Kirk's shenanigans, most of the Winter Carnival hookups. Hell, we had a betting pool for years on when Lorelai and Luke were finally going to face up to their feelings and get engaged.
But this…this is something none of us expected.
At first, I didn't want to believe it when Sookie told me what she'd heard. This was one time I had to get it straight from the horse's mouth and called Lorelai myself. She was a mess but she confirmed it and so I had to tell everyone else so they could get it straight.
It's still hard to believe. First, there was that mess with the boat crash and the arrest and trial. From Jess, we would have expected that but Rory? I could never anticipate that from Rory. Still, to leap to something like this…
Now, I can understand her hooking up with someone else. I never liked that Logan boy. Handsome, yes. Sexy, yes. Good for a night together, of course but a relationship? He doesn't deserve her, we all agree on that.
But to marry someone else? That's something even I wouldn't jump into, even with my libido. So, the whole town is concerned about Rory and just who it is she's coming home with.
I'm waiting in the park when I see Lorelai's car coming up and parking by Luke's. I stand and head toward it as everyone gets out. There's Lorelai and Rory and there's a woman I don't know, a bit older than Lorelai, nice looking. And there…
Oh my. Oh my, my, my.
I feel my heart flutter as I walk over, my heels clicking. "Rory! Rory, sweetie!"
She sees me and it's almost like she winces before smiling. "Hi, Miss Patty."
I sweep her into a huge hug. "Oh, darling, we have been so worried about you? It's all over town, everyone's heard about it. Darling, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Miss Patty."
"You didn't get married because…" I wave a hand over my belly.
"No!" Rory and the boy both yell as Lorelai and the other woman rub their heads. "We just met!" the man says.
"Oh, yeah, Patty, this is Vincent and that's his sister, Amy," Rory introduces us. "This is Miss Patty, I told you about her."
"Oh yes," Vincent says, nodding as he sticks out a hand. "Nice to meet you."
I shake it and bow my head. "Oooh, charmed." I smile and lean in toward Rory. "Wow…you have such excellent judgment when drunk."
"Patty!" Lorelai cries out.
"So, Vincent," I say in a coying voice. "How are you liking our town?"
"It's…quaint," he says, obviously a bit flustered. Well, I do have that effect on men. I'm aware his sister is giving me the eye. Well, easy, lady, I'm being charming here.
"Yes, we do like it," I say. "Wait until you see the town meeting tonight. You, my boy, are going to be the center of attention."
"Meeting?" Rory blurts, her eyes wide. "Taylor's called a meeting about us?"
"Well, not you, per se but I'm sure it will come up," I tell her. I turn back to Vincent and smile more. "You're going to be quite the eyeful for the town ladies…"
"Okay," Lorelai interrupts. "Patty, we need to see Luke so maybe we'll check back with you later today?"
"Sure, hon," I say, dropping Vincent's hand as I back up. I give him a nice wink. "It was so nice to meet you."
"Um…you too?" he manages to stammer before Rory pulls him away. I watch them head to Luke's, admiring that man's lovely backside. My, my, Rory, you can pick them. So nice and virile. A shame he's taken but a girl can dream…