Disclaimer: Not mine. If it was, do you really think I would have made Rory sleep with Dean? Amy S. P. can keep it!
A/N Thankyou to anyone who reviewed. I hope to finish this story without alot of trouble and completely rewrite my first story completely. It is total crap compared to this story. I am still looking for a beta if someone is interested please let me know. I need one because I have to go through each chapter 4 times to get all the mistakes and yet, there's always something that I miss. I'm glad that all of you seem to like my story. I printed out a copy for my friend yesterday, I never realized that my story was so long... Anyway, on with the story.
Rory is sitting on the couch eating Chinese while watching Lorelai walk around with a book on her head while eating Chinese food. Chris is showing Jess how to tie a bowtie since the ball is the next day. "See now, only a lady can gracefully walk around a room with a book on her head while eating Kung Pao chicken. And a great lady can even spit the peanuts back into the container without anyone noticing." Lorelai said circling the couch.
"Wow." Rory said feigning amazment. She was thinking about the fan dance she would have to preform the next day. 'Mom, Jess, and dad will never let me live that down...' she thought to herself. It was going to be truly humiliating.
"Yeah well don't get intimidated. You have to practice alot to get to my level." Lorelai was thinking about how much fun it would be to mock Rory for the rest of her life. She vowed to herself that when she was on her death bed, she would have her last laugh thinking about Rory's fan dance. But she was also thinking about how her parents would be so proud of Rory. Like the good daughter they never had. The daughter who would live a respectable life and not have children at the age of sixteen. The perfect daughter.
Rory grew up in a totaly different enviornment. She was raised to do anything she wanted and had the choices. She was supported in eveything she ever did. Even when she took dance lessons. Lorelai's childhood was much different. She was in an eviornment where you were bred and raised with money. Her parents may have loved her but they suffocated her. She had to do what she was told even if she didn't like it. If she wanted to try something that wasn't considered high class or good enough for the life of a socialite, then she would get no support, even if it was something she truly wanted to do. The more and more she was told to do something because she was expected to the more she wanted to rebel. And so she did. She sneaked out of the house and stayed out all night, she dated the most outrageous guys she could find, and when she was young and in love she had unprotected sex.
She didn't choose to get married because she knew how it would turn out. She and Chris would have lasted a week, two months tops, before he bailed. Then she would be forced to stay with her parents and submit Rory to the enviornment that tore her apart. She would not stand by and watch what happened to her happen to her baby. And yet, here she is, showing that same baby how to be lady like for her coming out into the world she ran away from.
Sometimes she wondered what life would be like if she hadn't moved to Stars Hollow. Would she be the same garrulous, coffee-addicted, life loving woman? Would Rory be the same smart, naive, prudish, bookworm she is now? Or would Rory turn out like Lorelai and Lorelai like Emily? Sometimes it ate at her wonderieng. Other times she would just think of her's and Rory's life now and how she wouldn't trade it for the world. She just hoped Rory didn't put herself through the torture of wondering and thinkig about all the 'what if' senarios.
"Anyone want the last eggroll?" Lorelai heard Rory say bringing her out of her thoughts. Everyone declined so Rory got up and started walking to get the last eggroll.
"Where are you going?" Lorelai asked.
"To get the eggroll." Rory said as it was totally obvious.
"You're getting the eggroll yourself?"
"Yes." Rory said looking at her mother as if she grew a second head.
"No! Ladies never get their own eggrolls. Ladies never get their own anything. They don't even get their own ideas." Lorelai said exasperated.
"Oh boy." Rory said knowing her mother was about to rant.
"They just sit helplessly and wait for some young strong man to come by and assist them. They don't step in puddles, they don't step over puddles. They can't even look at puddles. They actually need to be blindfolded and thrown in a sack and carried over puddles."
"Isn't there a moritorium on how long a lady should speak?" Rory said curiously. There were rules for how to walk, why not how to talk?
"Uhh, no. Now repeat after me, I am completely helpless." Rory just rolled her eyes and turned to watch Chris and Jess.
"You my friend might just be mistaken for a gentleman. Or a waiter."
"Well that's no too far from the truth." Lorelai said.
"So how exactly do you know how to do this?" Jess asked. Chris wasn't the kind of guy who would know how. He just figured someone else did it for him.
"Seventeen cotillions, a dozen debutante balls, and a brief but scarring experiment with the Children of the American Revolution." He said with a slight grimace. A very memerable night. 'God, it was cold that night...'
"Where you wore nothing but the bowtie." She said smiling. It was hilarious to see her father's face that night.
"Good idea on conception but the sudden snowstorm instantly dampened the effect." He said smirking and shaking his head.
"I should get going so when I get there Luke won't attempt to lecture about the importance of being at a place by a certain time."
"I know how you feel, mom always starts ranting about that."
"Yeah, because she knows you purposely wait in the car for an extra five minutes when we get there then argue with me about ringing the bell." Rory said matter-of-factly.
"Right well, I'll be on my way." He said walking into the foyer with a slight smirk. How he got himself into this mess he had no idea, but he was having fun watching Rory and Lorelai banter, every once in a while including him. He was a bit jealous. He never had that kind of relationship with his mother, or anyone. He had to look out for himself since he was old enough to. That was the way his life was up until now. He had more than one person who cared. Even if Luke didn't say it, it was unspoken that he would always be there for him when need be. And Rory cared for him like no one else. She wanted to know when something was wrong, to make him happy, just be with him. And he wanted to do the same for her. No one had ever done that for him or even tried. He didn't want to let anyone in because he didn't want someone to see him vulnerable but, once again, Rory changed that. She made him want to feel something, love, true happiness.
"I'll walk you out." Rory said getting up. She loved that Jess and her parents were able to get along so well. She knew her mom still had some doubts, but she didn't voice them and she was grateful. She was happy, happier than she's ever been. It's not like it was when she first started dating Dean. This was so much better than that. It's not all about sweet talk, chaste kisses, checking in and calling each other every other hour, spending every free moment together doing nothing of interest to both. It's about intellectual conversations about books, sharing opinions in music, enjoying each other's company in comfortable silences and passionate yet gentle kisses that express love. It was totally different and she loved it.
She walked to where he was standing and opened the door following him out. As soon as she colsed the door his arms were wrapped around her and he was kissing her neck. She turned around wrapping her arms around his neck. His lips trailed kisses up her jaw until they reached her lips where she instantly opened her mouth allowing him to deepen the kiss. Some how her hands became entangled in his hair and he pulled her closer to him. When she felt like her lungs were going to burst she pulled away and rested her forehead against his. He pouted slightly and she smirked. He had the cutest pout she couldn't help but place another kiss on his lips, but she pulled away before he could deepen the kiss and cause them to go into another mini makeout session. "I would love to continue with this but my parents are inside and if I don't get inside soon I can't guarantee that my dad won't come after you once I'm inside."
"That would make it kinda hard to kiss you wouldn't it?"
"My guy is smart. Now get. I need you to be able dance tomorrow."
"I'm going, I'm going. Geeze, and to think you like me. Hmph." He turned around and was about to walk away when he felt her tap his shoulder.
"So what, no extra kiss?" She said with a pout of her own. He turned back around and placed a feather light kiss on her lips, just barely brushing his lips against hers and walked away. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The next day they arrived at the reception hall. Rory and Lorelai stayed by the entrance looking around. Jess and Chris had come earlier because they got sick of waiting for Lorelai to finish getting ready. Rory turns to the stairs. "Wow. This place is huge." Beat. "Do I have to walk down those stairs?"
"Oh, I'm afraid so. Unless you wanna make a really memorable entrance and just sliiide down the banister. Which I totally encourage, by the way." Lorelai replied with a completely strait face. Then a lady comes up to them looking them over slightly.
"And you are..." She said a bit snidely.
"Lorelai Gilmore." Rory said politely.
"Late." The lady corrected rudely.
"Sorry, my fault. Took me awhile to get pretty. Not all of us are still sixteen, you know what I mean?" The lady looks at her coldly. "I guess not..."
"You are to go up the stairs. The preperation room is on the right." She said before walking away and up the stairs.
"Look for the toxic cloud of Chanel and Final Net." Rory nodded and walked to the stairs. When she was at the bottom she turned to Lorelai who then mouthed 'sliiiiide' and motioned with her arms to do so. She shook her head and continued up the stairs. When they reached the top the lady showed her where to put her dress and which mirror to use. She sat down next to a girl who seemed to be deep in thought.
"I'm Libby." The girl said turning her attention to her.
"Rory."
"Uh, which one should I wear?" The girl said holding up two sticks of identical lipstick. "I've thought about this all month and I cannot decide."
"Oh, well, that's a tough one." Rory said feigning interest. She was used to these types. They were at both Chilton and SHH, the superficials.
"I know, this is red red and this is orange red. Pick the wrong one and I'll end up looking like a hooker. Or a teacher." The girl said seemingly deeply disturbed.
"That's alot of pressure."
"The two minutes you're up there determine your social status for the rest of your life."
"Wow, what if you trip? I mean, not that you would. You wouldn't. I might. Probably will actually. Could be a real Cirque du Soleil kind of night." Rory rambled a bit nervously. She didn't want to offend the girl. She seemed nice... enough.
"Don't even joke about that." Libby said seriously. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Luky for Jess, Tristan was there by the time he got there. He looked completely bored as the rest of the guys rushed around trying to do their hair and get dressed. Tristan was all ready so he just watched. Jess approached him, book in hand. "Know wonder Mary likes you so much, you read too."
"Why do you call her Mary? I mean I get the whole Virgin Mary thing, but why?"
"Dunno, just fits. It used to drive her nuts and that was enough for me. But some how it became a nick name. Bag boy hated that I had a nick name for her and he didn't."
"Not like he could come up with one if he tried." Jess scoffed.
"True. So what's up with Mary and bag boy? She usually tells me to stop when I'm makin' fun, but last time she just joined in." It was true. Rory would defend Dean to Tristan as she did Tristan to Dean. She didn't understand why they hated each other so much. Tristan would bad mouth Dean, and Dean would get upset any time she mentioned Tristan in a conversation.
"That's somethin you gotta ask her."
"Fine. So is my Mary still a Mary?" Tristan asked with a smirk.
"Ask her yourself." Jess said his face showing no emotion as to see how well he knew Rory.
"I'm not exactly sure how to take that so I'm going to guess yes?" Tristan said unsurely. He knew Rory wasn't that kind of girl but had a feeling if she were no longer a Mary then it would probably happen with Jess. '...better choice than bag boy...' zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rory was ready and just reading a book. She had enough of watching the rest of the girls finish preping and primping. Not at all amusing. Thank God she brought a book with her. 'How did I get sucked into this? Maybe mom is right, maybe grandma is a minipulator. But maybe I'm just too nice sometimes... I'm going with the latter...' Rory thought to herslf as she looked around. Libby came up to her holding a flask.
"Midori Sour?"
"Oh, no thanks." She didn't really want to get drunk and trip down the stairs. The never ending stairs. She really wished she didn't have to do this right now.
"More for me. At my last coming out, I shared with this girl who couldn't handle her booze. Neon green puke all over her white dress." 'Now that's a funny image, gross yes, but funny.' Rory chuckled softly.
"Last coming out?" She couldn't imagine doing this more than once.
"Oh this is my fifth one this year." Libby said as if it was nothing.
"Wow." 'Five of these in one year. Five dresses, five curtsies, five fan dances...' She involutary shuddered slightly.
"You know, they say four out of five debs marry their escorts."
"Kind of like the dentists with Trident." Rory said trying to steer the conversation in a different direction. But that didn't exactly work.
"Well I figure, five coming out balls, five escorts, one of them has to stick, right?"
"Good logic."
"So is your escort the one?"
"The one?" Rory didn't exactly want to think about marrying anyone right now. Though she didn't mind thinking about marrying Jess, she wanted to have a steady job, something to fall back on before getting married. They hadn't even said I love you to each other. It was too soon to think about that let alone marrige.
"The one you're going to marry."
"Oh, well..." She didn't really know what to say.
"Is he cute?"
"Well, yeah he's really cute..."
"Where are you guys planning to live when you get married?"
"Okay hold on a second." She hadn't even said yes and she's asking where they're gonna live. 'She's had one too many shots if you ask me...' Rory thought to herself as another girl came up to Libby. Right then Rory saw Tristan and Jess looking around. She thanked God momentarily and walked over to them. At least all the girls were just doing hair and makeup now.
When Jess saw Rory his breath caught. She looked like a princess to him, but he couldn't tell her that. As she approached he smirked. "You look like a ball of white fluff."
"Thankyou, Jeeves."
"Hey, who said I don't like balls of fluff?" He leaned down kissed her lightly.
"So Tristan, which one of these lovely ladies are you escorting?" Rory asked.
"A girl named Li-" He was cut off as Libby came up to them.
"You know Rory, Tristan?" She didn't let him answer because she saw Jess next to Rory. "Is he your escort?" She asked Rory nodding to Jess.
"Yeah, he is." Rory said proudly. Who knew that three weeks ago Jess Mariano would be wearing a tux at a deb ball?
"You are totally getting married." Libby said before pulling Tristan away to her mirror. She held up the same two lipsicks as before. Tristan looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.
"What did she say?" Jess asked.
"She said we're getting married."
"How nice of you to let me know now that I can't leave. No wonder I'm wearing a tux and you look like a ball of white."
"She says there's a statistic that shows evey four out of five debs marry their escorts."
"Well, that makes more sense. So when are we telling your parents?" Just then Chris appeared.
"Tell us what?" Chris said with a smirk.
"Later dad."
"You haven't impregnated my daughter have you?" Rory blushed and Jess shook his head not knowing if he was joking. "Well good, now I don't have to kill you. It'd be a shame 'cause I really like you."
"Right, well dad, we'd better get in line."
"I'll go save Tristan and meet you downstairs, Mrs. Mariano." He smirked and walked in Tristan's direction.
"What did he call you?"
"Nothing dad." She said with a slight smile as they got into line.
"Last chance to shimmy drown the draine pipe." He whispered to her.
"Just promise one thing." She whispered back.
"Anything."
"Don't let me fall."
"Same goes for me."
"Good evening. On behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution, I would like to welcome you to our annual debutante ball. Oh this brings back so many memories. I myself came out in this very hall in nineteen…well, let's just say, a number of years ago. Now the word debutante comes from the French word debuter, which means to lead off..." They heard the lady start. They both tuned her out after that. She seemed to be droning on about the history of debutante balls or something equally boring. So Rory started a game of rock, paper, scissors. Rory beat Chris five out of eight times is how bored they were. But they stopped when the lady came into the room and gave them a look that made chills go down their spines. They heard some names be called and moved up in line.
"Elizabeth Dotie, daughter of George Edward Dotie the fourth, and Elenor Dotie. Lorelai Gilmore, daughter of Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore." They walked down the stairs, fake smiles plastered to their faces. Rory saw Jess waiting for her and her smile got even bigger. When they reached the bottom Chris kissed her hand and gave it to Jess who in turn kissed her hand and walked her down the isle where she was to wait unitl the dreaded fan dance began. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Rory and Jess are walking behind Chris and Lorelai to the diner. "So, did you know you're considered a hot dad?"
"Hah!" Lorelai said triumphantly.
"Really?"
"Libby says it's too bad you're my real dad because if you were my step-dad I could steal you away from mom."
"Ugh."
"That Libby's got a good life ahead of her."
"So Chris, Lorelai, Rory and I have something to tell you." Jess took Rory's hand in his and they smiled at each other.
"Ooh, Jess spoke with proper english, must be important." Lorelai cooed.
"Actually, we're getting married." Lorelai and Chris both continued walking.
"Fine with me as long as you tell the grandparents. Not too sure they'd be happy with this." Lorelai said calmly taking all the fun out of it.
"You know the statistic don't you?" Rory asked Lorelai.
"Every four out of five debs marry their escorts. One the moms told me."
"Well that killed it. I don't think I wana marry you anymore Jess." Rory said.
"Fine with me Ms. Gilmore." Jess said smirking.
"Well, I'm proud of all of you. You all made it through the entire ceremony with a strait face. Almost all of you." Lorelai looked pointedly at Chris.
"I'm sorry, but that fan dance was more than I could take."
"Hey, I want a burger." Lorelai said.
"I second that." Rory said.
"All I can think about is getting out of this tux."
"Hey, watch it, you're talking in front of a lady now." Lorelai said.
"That's the point." Jess said with an evil glint in his eyes and a smirk.
"Hey! It's my job to be crude! Not fair! You're trying to replace me!"
"Yes Lorelai, you've figured out my evil plan to get rid of you and have Rory all to myself." Jess said dryly.
"I knew it!" Lorelai replied ignoring his tone.
"I have to get back to Boston first thing in the morning so I'm gonna call it a night." Chris said.
"Not even time for fries?" Rory asked sadly.
"Look, I'll get up early and have coffee with you before I leave. Deal?"
"Deal." Rory said happier. Hopefully, now that Chris was living in Boston she could spend more time with him. Maybe then he could make up for the time he missed out when she was growing up.
"Why don't you two go ahead and order for us. I'll be there in a sec." Lorelai told Rory and Jess.
"Okay." Rory answered and followed Jess inside.
"I just wanted to tell you how amazing you were tonight. Really, you completely came through for her." Lorelai said. She was happy he was acting more like a father. It seemed like he was really getting his life together and following through with his responsibilities.
"She deserves it." He planned to be the father he wasn't before. He might not have been there before but he was here now and he wasn't going to let anything get in the way of being there for his daughter.
"I haven't always given you a lot of credit in the past, but I'm giving you credit now. Big credit. Major credit. Buy yourself a sofa."
"Thanks. I will." He smiled.
"You know, um, I happened to be looking through some old maps this afternoon and I couldn't help but notice that Boston is not that far away." She said a bit ditzily.
"Aw, you needed a map to tell you that?"
"I also noticed that that, um, I-84 is a very good road. Solid, paved." She rambled a bit.
"Uh huh." Chris said knowing where this was going.
"And I put this information in my pretty little head, I was thinking, if you wanted to maybe drop by occasionally, it wouldn't be too difficult."
"You realize I'll be driving the Volvo?"
"Actually, I'm coming around to the Vovlo."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think it's sort of a Catholic schoolgirl thing, you know? It's conservative on the outside, bad on the inside." Lorelai said flirting.
"I like that image."
"I've also heard the I-84 can get jammed on the weekends."
"It can."
"So if you wanted to stay a little longer, just to avoid the traffic, it might be a good idea. I mean, Rory would definitely love it, and I wouldn't mind either."
"That is a tempting offer, but I really have to get back."
"To work?"
"To work…and to someone."
"Oh." Lorelai said flatly. She didn't expect him to wait for her forever, but it still hurt.
"I know I should've told you." Chris said now feeling guilty.
"Oh no, that's fine. That's totally your business." Lorelai said feeling pretty damn stupid.
"No, I meant to, but…Lor, it's just that you and I are so connected and...
"Chris, please, I get it. I think it's really great, I really do."
"Thank you.
"So who is it? Ooh, let me guess. Linda from marketing got to you, didn't she?
"Her name is Sherri."
"Sherri from marketing?"
"Sherri from Boston."
"Ah, hence the move."
"Yes."
"Is it serious?"
"It's getting there."
"Seeing you in just a bowtie serious?"
"We're living together."
"Wow, you really have changed."
"Yeah, well, Sherri made it pretty clear that I was gonna lose her if I didn't start getting it together, so..."
"Yeah, well if you find a girl who's good with dating a square in a Volvo, you do what it takes to keep her."
"Okay, uh, so I'll. . .I'll see you back home."
"Yes you will. " She smiled sadly as she watched him walk back to the house in his tux. She turned around and went into the diner. As she walked in she saw Rory about to bite into a burger. "After all you've been through tonight and I come in here and find you eating like that?" Rory lifts her pinky. "There ya' go."
"Wow, being a lady is hard."
"So where's Jess?"
"Changing, Luke's making him help close." Jess comes down the stairs wearing a flannel shirt, jeans and a backwards baseball hat. "Speak of the devil."
"Oh! He's mini Luke!"
"I'm not going to flirt with you Lorelai so don't bother asking." Jess said as he came up to Rory and kissed her before wiping down the counter.
"Ugh, Rory, did you just hear what your boyfriend said to me!" Lorelai said unbelievingly.
"Yup, and he's right. I'm not sharing him so go get the other Luke." Rory said before taking a bite of her burger. Lorelai just stared in shock and eventually recovered started to tease Rory about the fan dance. Yup, life was good.
A/N Even if I did use almost all of the script for this it still took me a long time to write so I better get reviews! J/k! Yes I did leave out Emily and Richard fighting, I know. The fight did happen and Jess didn't meet them yet since they left early. And I know that there's more dialogue than usual but I wasn't sure what to write. I'm only done with it now because I'm trying to update more and I didn't want you guys to wait too long. See how nice I am. Well school is officially out so I will have more time to write. Please review!