Thanks for the feedback! Another chapter from Annie's POV!
Annie hugs a pillow to her chest, smiling. Her boyfriend, Drew, has been texting her all evening leaving Annie on a happy cloud. They've been together for three months now. Drew joined Annie's school late, having moved from Vermont, and they got together not too long after that. He asked if he could borrow her notes for English class and it all went from there. It's so refreshing to know someone who doesn't think of her as someone's little sister first. Almost everyone else in class knows Annie since practically Kindergarten, and remember her older brother and sister first. Some of the teachers even call her Charlotte, despite the age gap between them. It drives Annie crazy. In general, it's good to be with someone who hasn't known her since she was a little kid. It would be even better if her parents acknowledged she was no longer a little kid either.
There's a knock on Annie's door, jumping her from her thoughts.
"Come in!"
It's Charlotte. She lives in New York now but is home for a few weeks before starting back at work, where Charlotte is training to become a journalist. She sprawls out on the bed beside her sister, saying, "Hey."
"Hi," Annie says, amused at Charlotte's wide yawn. "Big day?"
"I'm just sleepy, and your sheets are so comfortable. I forgot how much better this detergent is than the cheap stuff."
Annie laughs but is jealous that her sister has her own apartment. She has always been jealous of her older sister. Charlotte got to do everything first, always be the older and cooler one. Charlotte counters that she gets less leeway with their parents, but Annie wishes she wasn't babied all the time. There was a friction when they were growing up but Annie loves hanging out with Charlotte these days. She always has the best advice on anything Annie feels awkward about. Sitting up, her sister picks up Annie's phone and asks, "More from the guy?"
Annie nods, blushing and Charlotte grins.
"What's he saying to make you go so red? Or maybe I shouldn't hear!"
"Just...stuff," Annie says, blushing harder and Charlotte smirks.
"And I'm assuming stuff which means Mom and Dad wouldn't let him through the door."
"They treat me like a baby!"
"You are their baby," Charlotte says, poking Annie's hip. "You're the youngest."
"But I'm turning eighteen in June! It's not fair!"
"They are way more relaxed with you than they were with me."
"Not about this," Annie grumbles. "Drew came over for dinner and Dad looked like he wanted to stab him with the butter knife."
"Good thing it wasn't the steak one," Charlotte teases, trying to make Annie laugh. "At least they're letting you date him, right?"
"We're checked on all the time, it's crazy. Dad yelled at me for leaving my cellphone at home when I went out for milkshake with Drew, and he's the one talking all the time about using it too much! I was just sick of him constantly texting me!"
"Did you say that?"
"I said I thought he wanted me to use it less and then he got kind of mad and Mom had to step in. And then Dad said he just wants to know I'm safe. Safe! It was the middle of the afternoon!"
"I know," Charlotte says sympathetically. "They'll cool off, I promise."
"When, in college? That's a million years from now!"
Charlotte tries not to laugh and fails. Annie rolls her eyes and Charlotte leans up on an elbow.
"Tell me about him," she says. "I want to hear everything!"
Annie tells her about their recent date to the movie theatre ("and I had to turn my phone off for that!") and their plans to go to a party next week.
"A late kind of new year's thing," Annie concludes. "Can you help me pick something to wear?"
"Sure."
"If Mom and Dad even let me go," Annie says gloomily. "They hate Drew for no reason. They think that he'll - I'll - you know..."
"Yeah, I know. But you know why they think like that, Annie. Nana got pregnant with Mom when she was sixteen and Mom pregnant accidentally too."
"She wasn't sixteen!"
"No, but it wasn't planned, plus it was twice," Charlotte says and Annie blushes slightly. It makes her feel awkward to think about. "They're scared that might happen with you."
"They've given me talks since I was barely in middle school! And anyway, nothing's..."
Annie's voice trails off and Charlotte raises her eyebrows. Before she can ask there's a call of, "Girls?" and Rory walks in just as her daughters chorus, "Nothing!"
"Okay," Rory says curiously. "I was just seeing what you guys were up to."
"Not much," Charlotte says smoothly. "Just chatting to Annie."
"It's getting late, kiddo," Rory says to her youngest daughter. "You've got school in the morning."
"I know. Hey, Mom? Can I go to a party next week?"
"A party?" Rory echoes and Jess, coming into the room, asks, "What party?"
"Just this party a girl at school is throwing, for new year's."
"A little late for that, isn't it?" Jess asks and Annie says, "A late new year's party."
"Whose is it?" Rory asks and Annie exhales.
"Julie's. Can I go?"
"Is that guy coming?" Jess asks and scowls when Annie says hotly, "Yes, my boyfriend is going."
"I don't know," Rory starts to say and Charlotte breaks in.
"Guys, lay off her a little. It's just a high school party! She'll be fine."
"It'll be over by midnight," Annie says, sending her sister a grateful look. "Please. It's on a Friday and it's just a few kids from school. Please."
Rory and Jess look at each other and must telepathically agree, as Rory says, "Okay, you can go."
"Thank you thank you thank you!" Annie jumps off the bed, hugging her mother and her father says, "But right now you need to get some sleep, Annie-girl."
"I know. Goodnight, Dad."
Her father nods, giving her a small smile and Rory kisses her daughter goodnight.
"Don't stay up talking all night," she tells Annie. "To Charlotte or to Drew, okay?"
Annie nods, smiling so wide her mouth hurts, and squeals once her mother's left the room.
"Thanks!"
"See? If you talk to them calmly they don't freak out."
"I bet they wouldn't have let me go if you hadn't talked them round."
Charlotte shrugs and glances at Annie's phone which has lit up with another text.
"You'd better actually go to sleep or they'll probably get mad and change their minds. Tell the guy you need your beauty sleep - hey, he must get a lot himself! He's cute!"
"Charlotte," Annie groans. Her sister has picked up her phone and is looking at Drew's picture. "Give it back!"
"Fine," her sister says, giving her the phone back and a hug. "I'm going back down. But Annie?""
"Yeah?"
"I hate to sound like Mom and Dad, but if you want to talk about the nothing that's going on -"
"There's nothing to talk about!"
"Do you think it could become something?"
Annie feels her cheeks turn red. They haven't gone too far but sometimes, when she kisses him, Annie wants to take it further. One weekend they managed to be alone at his place and wound up lying on the couch, rather than watching the move, her legs tangled around his and her shirt ridden up. If they hadn't heard his mother's key turn in the lock Annie wonders how much more they would have explored each other. Sometimes it feels too fast and sometimes she wants to speed up. Annie's never had a boyfriend before. She doesn't answer her sister and shrugs instead. Charlotte sighs.
"Be careful, okay?"
"I know all this."
"I know you do...but sometimes stuff happens."
Annie nods and her sister gets up.
"I'll let you get some sleep," she says. "And you can tell me these things - I promise not to freak out."
"I know...goodnight, Charlotte."
On the evening of the party Annie stares helplessly at the pile of clothes on her bed. She's been trying to put together an outfit for the past two hours but admits defeat. Charlotte couldn't help earlier as she was out with Lorelai and Richie while Annie was in school but now there is a knock on the door.
"Calvary's here," Charlotte announces and comes in, along with Lorelai.
"Nana!" Annie exclaims, going to give her a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to help my granddaughter pick an outfit for her big party," Lorelai says, beaming. "Cool Dude wasn't too interested so he's back in Stars Hollow with Luke. When Charlotte said she was going to help you choose something I begged to help!"
"Mom's got the special touch," Rory remarks, joining her mother and daughters. "She found me the best outfit for my first date, and a dress for Charlotte's dance, which was originally the dress she made me."
"You're not so bad either Mom," Annie says kindly. Rory helped her find an outfit for the first time she went for coffee with Drew, and did the same for Charlotte with her first boyfriend. Charlotte has often commented that the outfit was better than the guy.
"You're making me blush," Rory says but she smiles, kissing Annie's cheek. "Now, what do we have here?"
"What kind of theme are you going for?" Lorelai asks, pursing her lips. "Casual or dressy? Or death metal punk?"
"Write off the last category," Annie says firmly. "But I don't know about the others...I don't know how much to dress up!"
Her grandmother, mother and sister look at each other before going through the pile.
"I say you start with jeans," Rory says. "That's comfortable but you can wear a cute top."
"Which?" Annie asks helplessly, staring at the selection, and her sister searches through them.
"How about this? It's blue and goes with your eyes."
"Maybe..."
"This is blue and has sparkles," Lorelai says, lifting a shirt up from the corner. "I think it gives it a little extra!"
"I love it!" Annie says excitedly, bouncing a little on her toes, and Rory laughs at her.
"I say we have a winner!"
"Thanks, guys," Annie says, beaming and Charlotte leads her to the desk chair.
"Here, I'll do your makeup."
She waits for Lorelai and Rory to leave before closing the door and pulling a stool over to where Annie is sitting. Picking up some mascara, she asks, "Are you excited?"
"Kind of. I don't go to parties much."
"I hope you have a good time. I always wanted to go and then when I did I usually felt kind of underwhelmed and wanted to go back to bed.
"Gee, thanks Grandma."
They laugh and Charlotte nudges Annie's knee with hers.
"Listen, I want you to have a good time tonight. Just..."
"Just what?"
"Do you have protection?"
"Charlotte!" Annie yelps, staring at her sister. "Mom and Dad and Nana are right outside!"
"You smeared the mascara!"
"If they heard that forget the party, I wouldn't be allowed out until graduation!"
"They didn't hear," Charlotte says calmly, wiping the mascara from Annie's cheek. "Do you?"
Annie pauses, remembering the question, and mumbles, "No."
"Then please don't do anything at this party."
"Who says I'm going to do anything?"
"No one - I'm just saying, it might. Or it might not. You know you don't have to do anything, right?"
Annie nods and Charlotte waits until she says, "Yes, I know."
"Good."
They sit in silence until Charlotte's done and then she turns Annie's chair so she can face the mirror.
"Well, what do you think?"
Annie's mouth hangs open in appreciation. She can't believe how much older she looks.
"I love it," she says, hugging her sister tightly. "Thanks!"
"No problem, kiddo."
They go out to see their parents and Lorelai watching a movie, but Rory turns it off as they come inside the living room.
"Honey, you look great!"
"Doesn't she look grown up?" Lorelai exclaims and Jess nods, her brow drawn tightly as he says, "Yes, she does."
"I'll be back in a few hours," Annie promises and groans as her dad says, "You know the rules.
"Yes," Annie says but Jess goes on, "No drinking, no drugs, no sex."
"You must be fun at parties," Lorelai teases and, as he stares, she says, "Joke...bad joke, sorry."
"Have fun," Rory says firmly, giving Jess a look. "That's a rule too! And we'll pick you up at twelve."
"Drew can drive me back!"
"Maybe he can, but we're picking you up," Jess says and Annie falls silent, knowing better than to fight him on it. "
"Okay, okay. I'll see you twelve."
"You have everything you need?" Rory asks and Annie shows her her purse. "Good. I'm not going to ask you to put your housekey on your belt buckle."
"What?"
"Never mind," Rory says as there's a knock on the door. "I think that's Drew."
"I'll get it," Annie says, running over. "Hi!"
"Hi!" Drew exclaims, staring at her. "Wow, Annie, you look amazing!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, you look -" Drew's voice fades as he sees Jess standing behind her, arms folded. "Hi Mr Mariano...Ms Gilmore...Annie, you ready to go?"
"Yes," Annie says quickly. "Bye guys."
"Bye," Jess says stonily and the last thing Annie hears as she closes the door is Charlotte laughing at him. All she feels is embarrassment.
"Your dad is intense."
"He's not usually so bad," Annie says weakly, but it's true. Her father is usually so calm about things, willing to talk it through rather than yell. "He's just...forget it, let's just go."
"It's going to be awesome," Drew says, sounding happy at the change of subject. "Best party of the year."
Once there, Annie is less convinced. The music is so loud people can hardly talk to each other. The house is heaving with people Annie can't remember even seeing in the halls and every chair is taken, both couches filled with couples making out. It's a good thing Annie didn't know the party would be like this as she knows her parents would see through any lie she'd try and make up. There's is a table piled with every kind of drink imaginable, sodas and bottles of the decidedly alcoholic variety. Annie has three lemonades but when she hands over her cup to her friend Lucy she winks and pours in a little vodka.
"What's that?"
"Just something to spice it up. It'll help you relax a little."
"Lucy..."
"It's just vodka. If you don't like it I'll drink it."
Annie takes a cautious sip. The first mouthful makes her eyes water but after that it's not so bad. The taste is almost smooth. She finishes the drink and holds her cup out for more.
"Really?" Lucy asks in surprise and Annie shrugs.
"Just a little."
It's making her feel more relaxed. The music is more of a thrum than unbearable noise. Annie figures one drink or two isn't that big a deal - it's not like she's chugging beer. By the time she's finished the second and part of a third she goes to find Drew, feeling slightly unsteady on her feet and he catches her in his arms as she goes to kiss him.
"Hey!"
"Hey!"Drew says, laughing in surprise. "You having a good time?"
"Yeah, but the music's too loud!"
"Let's go somewhere quiet," Drew says. He takes Annie's hand and they slip out of the kitchen and up the stairs, where Annie pushes open a door, not caring which room it is, and closes it firmly, kissing Drew some more. It's unlike her to take the lead. He kisses Annie back, running his hands over her back and over her hips and then they're bumping into the bed and falling onto it. Annie gasps as Drew kisses her neck and runs his hands over jeans. Annie wants him closer. His kisses are hot on her neck and she pulls him closer onto her, but then something wakes up in her mind, her sister asking if she has protection, and Annie sits up.
"Wait," she pants. "Not here - not now."
"Sorry..." Drew starts to say and Annie says, "No, it was good, it's just, we're here and I don't have anything and I don't know if you do and it's a party and we probably shouldn't..."
She's starting to ramble and Annie puts a hand to her head. Drew frowns at her.
"Your voice sounds funny."
"Maybe it was the vodka. I had some."
"What? Annie, are you drunk?"
"No. I don't know...maybe..."
"If you're drunk your dad will murder me. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Annie protests, getting up and wobbling slightly. "Kind of."
"Maybe I should take you home."
Annie swears she's fine but as they go back downstairs she starts feeling sick. She finds her phone and manages to call Charlotte, begging her to come get her.
"Please," Annie asks desperately. "Don't let Dad get me."
"Okay, sit tight. I'm on my way."
Charlotte is there in record time. Drew waits with Annie but she convinces him to go back inside as soon as her sister arrives. It's a short walk from the house to the car but seems to take longer with the wobbling and, as Annie collapses into the passenger seat, Charlotte says, "Oh God, you're drunk."
"Maybe a little."
"What did you drink?"
"Just vodka and lemonade, I swear."
"How much?"
"Only a couple of glasses..."
"Sounds like they were big ones," Charlotte says grimly. "Mom and Dad will kill you."
"Don't tell them!" Annie pleads, managing to sit up. "Please, Charlotte! I want to see daylight again!"
That makes Charlotte laugh and she looks over at Annie.
"Okay, I'll cover for you. But only if you promise that's all that happened."
"I swear. I know I didn't drink anything else."
Annie groans the entire drive home, feeling sick to her stomach again. Charlotte makes her practise what she'll say when they get inside.
"If you start talking randomly they'll know. Say the sentence again."
Rory and Jess are surprised when their daughters come inside.
"It's not eleven yet," Rory says. "I thought you wanted to finish out your big high school party! And your dad or I were going to come get you."
"I had to run to the store and Annie called to say she had a headache," Charlotte says glibly. "So I offered to go get her. I hope that's okay."
"That's fine," Rory says. "I'm sorry you have a headache, sweetie."
"I'm fine," Annie says, trying to keep her voice steady. "But I think I'll just go to bed. Goodnight, guys."
"Goodnight, angel," Rory says, kissing her cheek. Jess looks somewhat suspicious but he simply says, "Goodnight, Annie-girl."
Annie manages to get up the stairs, Charlotte behind her and splashes water over her face. Unsteadily she gets into her bedroom, kicks off her shoes and falls sideways onto the bed. The last thing Annie is aware of is her sister placing a large glass of water beside her and turning off the light.
In the morning her head is pounding. Groaning, Annie sits up and sees beside her two painkillers which she down gratefully with the water. She is just wondering if she can bear going downstairs and trying to eat when there's a knock on the door and her sister comes in with a plate of toast and a large cup of coffee.
"Bless you," Annie says gratefully. She eats and drinks and adds, "I mean it, seriously. I owe you for life."
"I'm going to hold you to that," Charlotte says but she sounds serious. "Can I talk to you?"
"Okay..."
"I'm not trying to embarrass you," Charlotte tells her. "Or make you feel bad about sex."
"I told you I haven't...and I didn't last night, if that's the thing."
"It's not that," Charlotte says quietly. "Well, I'm glad nothing did last night."
Annie waits and Charlotte says, "Do you remember that guy I dated, Tyler?"
"The jerk?"
"Yeah, him. Well, I had sex with him. He was my first time. I don't know if you knew that."
Annie shrugs. She figured it was him or that guy Charlotte dated in her senior year of high school but has never asked.
Charlotte exhales and says, "It wasn't such a great idea."
"Are you sorry you had sex with him?"
"No - kind of, I guess. He turned out to be a real creep. But I don't really regret it - I learned about what I want and how a relationship shouldn't be, you know? I just wish I hadn't done it because of all the other stuff."
"What other stuff?"
"I felt like I should do it with him. No one pushed me into it or anything, but I was mad at the time, I was going through all that crap with Mom and Dad and Logan and I wanted to forget about it all. So I had sex. I figured we were going to anyway, so why not then? It wasn't the best reason. Annie...I don't think sex always has to have love to be good, or it's always like in the movies, but it isn't something you have to do if you're unsure. It doesn't make you more grown up."
"Is that why you think I want to do it? So I'll feel less of a kid?"
"I don't know if you think that," Charlotte says, looking into her eyes. "I just want you to know it should only be when you're totally ready and not because of what anyone says."
"I know," Annie says softly. "Thanks."
"But I don't want to make you feel bad if you do want to," Charlotte adds. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Do you need to get condoms?"
"I don't know."
"In case," Charlotte says and she drops a packet on her sister's bed, which Annie snatches up and hisses, "What are those?"
"Do you really have to ask me?"
"I can't believe you just dropped them on the bed!"
"Annie, I'm not saying you should use them. Only if you're totally ready, and when you are promise me you'll go to the doctor."
"Okay," Charlotte says, her face three different shades of red. "I will."
"Good," Charlotte says. She pats her sister's leg and says, "I just want you to be good with all this."
"I am."
Annie takes a shower, washing her embarrassment and hangover away. She's just pulled on some soft pants and sweatshirt when she hears her father shout, "Annie Emily Mariano!"
Annie hastens down the hall, a pit growing in her stomach. Use of a full name is never good and her heart stops as she enters her bedroom. Her parents are beside her bed and her mother is holding the box of condoms.
"Do you want to explain what these are?"
"We came to check on you and found these on your bed," Jess adds, his voice shaking. "Something you want to tell us?"
"It's not how it looks," Annie starts to say and her father shouts,
"You are not having sex!"
"Jess!" Rory exclaims and her dad goes on furiously, "You're too young. No way."
Annie loses her temper at that and shouts, "I'm eighteen this year! How old were you?"
"Don't answer me back," Jess says and Annie stares. Her father never says things like that. He always takes their opinion, even when they get mad, and her eyes fill with tears.
"You're just mad because I'm not a little kid anymore," she says, feeling the tears start to fall. "Charlotte and Richie grew up and you want to keep me a baby forever!"
"Annie, that's not true!" Rory protests and Annie turns furiously to her.
"Yes it is! Or you're freaking out because you think I'm going get pregnant like you did!"
"Can you blame us?" Jess exclaims, pointing at the box and Annie yells,
"So much for talking about being careful and having honest conversations! Isn't that what you've always said? And now I have a boyfriend and you're acting like I'm Daisy Miller!"
"This is too much responsibility," Jess says. "You're too young to -"
"No I'm not!"
"Annie-girl, listen -"
"Stop calling me that!" Annie shouts, making her father stare. "I'm too old for that baby name!"
Jess looks hurt but doesn't say anything. Annie simply glares at both her parents.
"Annie," Rory says, dropping the box and going over to her. "We're concerned, that's all. We didn't even know this was happening!"
"It's not!"
"Then why -"
"I gave them to her," Charlotte says and the three whirl around to stare at her.
"You what?" Jess exclaims and closes his eyes as Charlotte asks, "Do you want her getting pregnant?"
"I can't deal with this."
"Yes you can," Rory says, making his eyes open. "Let's talk. All of us, let's just talk."
"All of us?" Charlotte asks awkwardly. "Because I said I'd meet Ivy and -"
"No, not you," Rory says. "Just me, your dad and sister."
After Charlotte goes out Rory, Jess and Annie sit in the living room with a mug of coffee each.
"I haven't had sex," Annie says before either of her parents can say anything. "So you can relax."
Jess snorts and Rory gives him a look. "I believe you, sweets," she says. "But are you thinking about it?"
Annie is silent and Jess says, "You can talk to us."
"How can I talk to you guys when you freak out about it? I can't even go for coffee with Drew without constantly being called or texted. It's embarrassing. You're acting like I'm seven, not seventeen. You weren't like this when Charlotte or Richie. I remember."
Rory lets out a long breath and says, "Maybe we're more protective of you."
"Because I'm the youngest?"
"Because you're the youngest and because - Annie, you know our history. You were a surprise. Charlotte was a surprise and so was I."
"Me too, I think," Jess says, sounding embarrassed and Annie is embarrassed too as she says, "I get that, I do. But it's like you don't trust me. Drew's really nice."
"Your sister said she was dating a really nice guy and he was a total punk!"
"Drew's not Tyler! And she dated better guys after that, right?"
"Drew doesn't seem so bad," Rory admits. "Judging by the one, awkward dinner we had."
"I don't want you to get hurt," Jess says suddenly. "You're my girl. I know you're seventeen, you're growing up and I want you to grow up, Annie - but you're still my kid. And I couldn't stand it if this guy broke your heart."
"Dad..."
"Jess, you know Annie has to find that out for herself," Rory says softly and he nods.
"I know. I just have a hard time remembering it."
They sit in silence for a moment and to break it, Rory says she's going to make more coffee. Once she's out of the room Jess moves closer to Annie and says, "Listen. I'm going to say the same thing I said to your brother and sister."
"Okay," Annie says nervously and Jess takes a deep breath.
"I'm not going to tell you what to do, outburst before not included. I don't think there's anything wrong with you being with someone. I just want you to remember two things. Never have unprotected sex - ever."
"Dad!"
"Let me finish. Never take a chance. That's rule one. Rule two - never sleep with someone if they try and guilt you into it. You know, saying crap like sex is showing you care about them. Sex is never something you have to do. So that's what I want you to remember, okay?"
"I promise," Annie says softly and her father is pulling her into a hug.
"Part of me just wants to say no boyfriends ever - not until you're eighty. But I guess that's kind of extreme?"
"Maybe a little."
"I didn't know I was going to have a third kid," Jess says, looking at her. "You were a total surprise. And your mom and I, we were so scared, and you were born and we didn't know if you were okay right away. And even though you were, and you're practically grown up, I still remember you as my little baby girl I have to make sure is okay."
"I'm fine, Dad. I'm not a baby now."
"I know. I just have a hard time remembering that, Annie-girl. Do you really feel too old for that name?"
"No," Annie admits. "I like it."
Her father smiles, stroking her hair and then Rory comes in with the cups of coffee. She has an anxious look on her face and Jess gets up, saying something about needing the bathroom. Rory sits down in Jess's vacated spot and says, "Annie, I want you to tell me."
"Tell you what?"
"Tell me when you're going to have sex. I'll take you to the doctor and put you on the pill."
"Mom!"
"Annie, I mean it. I won't get mad, I promise."
"Will you freak out?"
"I can't promise I won't be worried, but I won't be mad at you. I want you to come to me."
"Really?" Annie asks and her mother sighs.
"Part of me wants to say you can't see him. That you're too young and it's too big a step and I don't want you to get hurt. But you're growing up and I want you to be safe. I just want you to know that it's never something you have to do."
"I know, Mom."
"And even if - even if you do sleep with him and change your mind, that's okay too. You know that, right?"
"Yes, Mom."
"And you swear you haven't done it yet?"
"I promise," Annie says and Rory is taking her hand and squeezing it.
"Onetime when I was sixteen I stayed out all night at a school dance and fell asleep with my boyfriend in a dance studio. It was completely innocent but my mom freaked out and didn't believe me when I said nothing happened."
"Really?"
"Yes. Although I did sleep with that guy years later...it was a bad decision."
Annie nods. She knows the gist of this story, mainly from Charlotte and Rory told her some recently.
"That's another thing I worry about...I don't want you do something you'll regret."
"You think I'll regret it?"
"No - not definitely. But I worry that you might, and then I remember I have to let you take that chance."
Annie isn't sure what to say and her mother lets out a long breath.
"Sometimes I felt like Mom expected me to be more adult, and sometimes I felt like she didn't expect me to be a teenager, which is why it was doubly weird, that night of the dance. But I think she was mad because my grandmother was there and I embarrassed her."
"I can't picture Nana freaking out."
"Oh, she did," Rory laughs. "Annie...you have no idea how many times I run over conversations in my head with you, and then how often they don't work out."
"Really?"
"Yup. With Richie and Charlotte too."
Annie smiles at her and rests her head on her mother's arm. They sit quietly before Annie admits, "I don't know if I will. With Drew, I mean."
"But you don't know if you won't?" Rory asks shrewdly. Annie shrugs and says, "Maybe. I don't know, Mom. Should I know?"
"No. You'll know when it's right."
"I will?"
"I hope so. Just tell me, angel. That's all I want you to do."
"I promise," Annie says. Rory gives her a hug and admits, "Sometimes I think back to stuff I went through with your brother and sister. I think about how I should've handled things differently, and how I should do it right with you, all the time, because you're the third one. And somehow I still make mistakes."
"Like how?"
"Like how Dad and I yelled at you before. We were just worried. We love you so much, Annie."
"I know. It's okay, Mom. I love you too."
Her father comes back in and finally Annie picks up her mug and drinks the coffee. Bliss.
"My headache's all gone," she says happily before hearing the words and her father sounds amused as he asks, "Hangover, you mean?"
"Dad, I -"
"We knew," Rory cuts in. "Grounded for a week, okay?"
"Okay," Annie sighs. They are interrupted by the door opening. Lorelai, Charlotte and Richie come in and Lorelai announces, "There's the third one! Come on, it's pancake time!"
"It is?" Annie asks and Richie remarks, "She said we had to wait for you."
"Couldn't have pancakes without our Annie-girl," Lorelai says fondly and Annie looks hopefully at Rory.
"Mom?"
"Grounding starts after pancakes. Come on, let's go!"
Annie smiles as they step out. This growing up thing is confusing but it helps being surrounded by those who love her best.