Chapter 18: A Letter from Mom

It was a good speech. She enjoyed writing it. She had thought it was sentimental and inspiring. She walked into her house and was handed Chip. He was fussy but that was a normal thing. Lorelai was walking around rocking him and singing to him the best she could. Rory held her baby brother close to her rocking him. The poor little guy tugged at his ears something fierce.

"Dr. Gregory said that these constant ear infections could lead to Chip being deaf by the time he is a year old," Lorelai said. "Dr. Gregory also said that we have to watch his breathing even closer now. His sleep apnea is getting worse. Last night he stopped for a whole minute."

Rory could tell that her mother was worried. Chip was very important to her and to Luke. Chip was going to be Luke's baseball cap wearing second in command. Luke had already planned for their first camping trip. Chip was going to be his father's pride and joy and his mother's perfect gentleman. Audrey, Rory could already tell was bound for the stage. Miss Patty and Babbette had figured with her lung capacity now that little girl was going to have "one hell of a singing voice."

The twins' lives were planned for them but if Rory knew Lorelai the plans would change daily. Just as they should. It was still new to Rory to have so many things going on in her house. For 20 something years it was just her and Lorelai. Now that cold stab of jealousy, jealousy over two babies who would grow up with both of their parents. Lorelai wasn't just hers anymore, Rory had to share.

It was a quiet first night home. The next night she knew was going to be less than quiet. Then a month later she would leave for Paris.

"Did Marty get that internship in Ohio?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, he wanted me to come with him but I just can't," Rory answered. "We're going to try the long distance thing. It's for the best."

"If you say so," her mother said knowing what Marty had planned.

It was party time. Luke had made the dinner and Sookie had made the desserts. Cookies, cakes and other sugary goodies poured out of the house. Rory was kicked out of the house with Audrey for the afternoon. Rory wandered around and ended up on the bridge. She rocked Audrey and read to her from Sense and Sensibility.

"Starting her early?" a voice said behind her.

Rory turned and saw Dean standing there.

"It's never too early for Jane," Rory countered. "She has a lot to live up to."

"Yeah she does," Dean agreed. "I hear there's supposed to be this huge party at your house today."

"Yeah I've been kicked out until five. What have you been doing Dean? I've barely seen your mom or Clara, they usually tell me what you've been up to."

"I've been going to the University of Chicago and working for my uncle on a construction site," Dean said, sitting next to Rory and Audrey.

"Do you think you'll stay in Chicago or move back here?" Rory asked.

"I haven't really thought about it. I like Chicago and I like it here. Maybe I'll find a place halfway between the two."

The two old friends sat talking until it was time for Rory to head home for her party. She still had to change. She walked into her house and headed for her room. Lying on her bed she found a new dress. For our graduate. Love Mom and Dad. Rory slipped on the flowery dress and brushed her hair leaving it down. The living room was decorated in the Yale colors, blue and white. A huge banner hung in the room, reading, Congratulations Rory!

Sookie had made Rory a tassel hat cake just like she had when Lorelai graduated from business school. On the table by the door was a mountain of presents. From Lane she found a CD of her band to take with her to Paris. From Gypsy was a certificate for free service on her car for a month. Andrew had given her a shopping spree at the bookstore. Richard gave her a new/old book. Emily gave her a pearl necklace and credit card to be used in Paris. She had waited to open the present from her parents until after the party.

She went into her room and set the box on her bed. She almost didn't want to open it. Slowly she undid the bow and let it fall. Carefully ripping away the paper she opened the box. Inside was two letters, one from Lorelai and one from Luke. She opened the one from her mother first.

Hey kid. Tomorrow you're going to be graduating from Yale. I just want you to know how proud of you I am. I know your spotlight has been stolen what with the arrival of Chip and Audrey. But I want you to know that you'll always be my favorite daughter.

No matter where you go, what you decide to do with your life, you will always have a place here with me and your father. The first time you called Luke "Dad" to his face that night he cried. Don't tell him I told you though. He would die of embrassement. He loves you so much.

Here's my gift to you kid. Buried somewhere in this box is a ring. This ring was given to me by Gran when I was a little girl. I am passing it on to the next Lorelai. There's also a key. The key will be explained in the letter from Luke.

Congratulations Rory. It's like one of your books. One chapter down several more to go. Go out there and conquer the world.

Love, Mom