You're Just Like Me, You Know
Chapter 4
Lisa: I don't quite know when I'm basing this story. Nothing is season-specific except that Rory is at Yale and Lorelai and Luke are engaged but I can make that for whenever. We'll say around Season 4, so it's kind of AU, but not really.
Ainie: Thanks for what you said about my writing Lorelai almost like the one on TV. That's a real compliment. Sometimes it's hard to write a character just like how they're portrayed on TV, and Lorelai is difficult to write but she's a lot like me so I just write what I'd say.
starshollow108: As it turns out, Rory makes an appearance in this chapter! I totally didn't realize she hadn't been in the other ones. Haha.
AN: I never really write fights into my stories, but there's a couple in thisone and I really am proud of this chapter, so please review. And this chapter is really long, too. FYI.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Two days later is Friday and Lorelai arranged to have Rory come to the house before Friday night dinner, but Lorelai didn't get a chance to tell Rory about Lea.
Lorelai is upstairs getting ready and Lea ran to Babette's for sugar. Sophia is sleeping in a portable crib in Rory's room. Rory walks into the house and then enters her room, seeing Sophia. She's very confused. She walks through the hallway and heads upstairs, "Lorelai Gilmore, you've got some 'splain' to do", Rory says in a Ricky Ricardo accent.
"Rory?" Lorelai calls from her bedroom.
"Yes, your only daughter. I stress the only part", Rory says as she walks into her mother's room.
"Huh?" Lorelai asks.
"The baby. In my bedroom", Rory explains.
"Ohh! That's Sophia."
"Okay. So, what's Sophia doing in my bedroom?"
"It's a long story. But actually, you kind of know it already."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. This girl Lea came into the Inn on Wednesday to look for a job. Sophia's her kid. They're going to stay here for a few weeks."
"So, you finally found a mini-you?"
"Yes!", Lorelai responds, excited.
"Is Lea coming to dinner?", Rory asks.
"Goodness, no. Why would I scar that poor child?"
"Mom…"
"Come on. Lea just ran over to Babette's. She should be back soon. I think you'll like her!"
Both girls walk downstairs and find Lea in the kitchen, trying to bake cookies.
"Hey, I hope you don't mind. I ran over to the market for cookie mix", Lea says.
"Yeah honey, it's fine. We're big cookie fans."
"Good", Lea turns back to the counter.
"Lea?", Lorelai questions.
"Come here."
Lea turns from the counter and walks to Lorelai and Rory.
"Lea, this is my daughter Rory."
"It's nice to meet you", Lea says kind of coldly.
"It's nice to meet you, too…", Rory trails off as she looks suspiciously at her mother. Lorelai shrugs in response.
"I left numbers for pizza or Chinese, whatever you feel like eating. Do you or Sophia need anything?" Lorelai asks.
"Nah, I got what I needed at that market, but thanks."
"We'll be home around 10. Call my cell if you need me."
"Lorelai."
"Yes?"
"We'll be fine! Rory, it was great to meet you. You guys should go."
"Call if…"
Lea interrupts Lorelai mid-sentence, "If I need anything. I know, Lorelai."
"See ya", Rory says.
"Right back atcha!", Lea smiles.
Rory and Lorelai grab their purses and coats and head out the door.
"She's never acted that way, Rory. I don't know why she seemed so hostile."
"Mom, you barely know this girl. You don't know if she's usually a bitch and you caught her on a few good days. Why are you taking in a stray, anyway?"
"Rory…Lea needed a job. And a place to stay. I gave her a job and I gave her a place to stay. She'll be moving into the Inn soon enough. I couldn't turn her away, kid. That girl is me. That little baby is you. I guess I'm Mia…"
"I guess."
&&&&&&&&&&&
Rory and Lorelai finally arrive at Emily and Richard's house. Emily opens the door before the girls have a chance to knock.
"I called your house and a girl that wasn't you or Rory answered", Emily states abruptly.
"Nice to see you too, mom", Lorelai says sarcastically as she and Rory walk into the house.
"Who answered your phone, Lorelai?"
"Um, mom- is this any of your business?"
Lorelai and Rory hand their coats and purses to the maid and follow Emily into the living room.
"Of course it's my business. If it involves you or Rory, it automatically involves me", Emily retorts.
"Of course. I should be used to this by now", Lorelai grumbles to no one in particular. Emily give her a look so Lorelai continues, "a girl named Lea is staying with us."
"Lea Carlson?"
"I don't know her last name."
"Someone is staying with you and you don't know their last name?"
"Uh, yeah. She's been with me since Wednesday. I haven't gotten a chance to ask. Who's Lea Carlson?"
"Her mother is in the DAR with me. Lea had a baby last year and then left home last week with the baby. Her parents are devastated."
"She called them. I was sitting right there", Lorelai defends.
"So, you are harboring Lea Carlson?"
"Geez, you say that like I'm harboring a terrorist", Lorelai jokes.
"Send her back home", Emily says quickly.
"Excuse me, what?" Lorelai asks, flabbergasted.
"I said, send her home, Lorelai. To her parents."
"No."
"What?"
"She has a job at the Inn and she'll be staying in Stars Hollow. With me."
"You are unbelievable, Lorelai."
"I could say the same for you. You can't change what happened with you and I twenty years ago so you're going to mess around in someone else's life when the situation is identical? You don't have the right to do that", Lorelai begins to raise her voice, poised for an argument.
"You don't have the right to keep her away from her parents."
"She came to me, mother. Lea is now my responsibility. Rory, let's go", Lorelai pulls Rory off the couch and they walk out.
&&&&&&&&&
Rory and Lorelai sit in silence in the car for a while before Rory speaks up, "You're taking this too personally."
Lorelai keeps staring straight ahead, "I've already been judged enough by my mother tonight. I don't need you to butt in, either."
"Mom, what's this really about?"
Lorelai quickly retorts, "This is none of your business."
"The girl and her baby are sleeping in my bedroom. You made it my business the minute you gave that girl a job."
"Rory, Lea and I are very similar. I'm trying to protect her."
"From what?"
"The world, Rory. As much as I love you with all my heart, it sucked to be a teenage parent. Lea needs someone to look out for her."
"It's not your responsibility, though", Rory insists.
"Yes, it is. Lea came to me seeking help and I'm going to provide her with everything Mia provided you and I with."
"Fine…"
"Do you understand my reasoning at all?" Lorelai turns to look at Rory.
"To an extent. But do you understand Grandma's?"
"That's not the point."
"If you say so", Rory gives in.
"Am I taking you back to Yale?" Lorelai asks, frustrated.
"Please", Rory responds.
&&&&&&&&&
There goes chapter four. I hope you enjoyed! I love Lorelai's stubbornness and working off that. I'm not quite sure where to really go with this story, so general suggestions are always nice! Thanks.
