"You should've been there
Should've burst through the door
With that "Baby, I'm right here" smile
And it would've felt like
A million little shining stars had just aligned
And I would've been so happy"
"Rory! You look beautiful darling. It is a wonderful party- Emily sure has outdone herself again." one of Grandma's cronies from the DAR exclaims. I nod my head and agree while discreetly searching the room. There are tons of people here, none that I am personally acquainted with- but they're all here at my Grandma's request.
It must be nice to have people who would flock to your requests, someone who waits for an invite that has your name attached to it. Coming from Stars Hollow it is a different kind of herd that flocks to the parties my mother throws. My mom's crowd is a rambunctious group of eclectic people. None of them would know the designers that my Grandma's crowd worships. It is a group that my mother tried to steer me clear of, one that she ran away from at merely seventeen.
I recall how my mother and I planned this night for years, martinis at midnight while playing blackjack. Buying 21 things with our winnings, getting 21 numbers… though that may be frowned upon by Luke now that they are together, and I assume Logan may complain about that as well. Though I wouldn't know for sure. The party I am currently standing in is the complete antithesis of what mom and I had planned. There are no gambling tables, not trinket shops- the music is of the classic type and the dress code is far from what one would see in Atlantic City. I miss her, I miss my mom. I miss the plan we had- I miss talking to her everyday.
Walking through the party I keep my eyes peeled for anyone of close relation. No one, none of them showed. Mom, Luke, Steph, Finn.. Logan; they promised they would be here. With each doorbell ring I glance and hope that maybe they've just gotten into traffic and are fashionably late, but as the hours pass on I know.
"Rory! There you are, honestly why are you standing here. It is not your job to greet people. That is Marie's job. Unless she is not doing her job correctly. Is she not doing her job? I swear, is it so hard to follow instructions?" Emily Gilmore trills, her voice rising an octave with each word.
"No Grandma! I was just passing through for a minute, looking for fresh air you know." I smile trying to hide the small disappointment I have.
"Well your grandfather and I think it is time to cut the cake! Where is Logan?" her eyes pass over the room as we make our way over to my Grandfather
"Oh, he got held up with a paper- he said he would try to come later", I lie
"You would think that he would finish his paper tomorrow! It is not everyday that your girlfriend turns 21!" She exclaims, "Oh Richard, it is time for the cake can you gather everyone around please?"
My Grandfather looks up and smiles at Grandma, it is a look he has given her for as long as I have known them. Complete adoration, she hangs the moon for him- and for a second I am completely jealous. Jealous of my Grandparents! How ridiculous and childish. His eyes dart to me and I glance down quickly at my shoes, feeling as though I have encroached in a private moment.
"My dear it would be my pleasure." Grandpa smiles at Grandma and wraps his arm around my shoulders, "Everyone I would like to propose a toast. To my granddaughter Rory on her 21st birthday. It was just yesterday when she would trip into my office staring up at the bookshelves as me to read her a new story. Then later borrowing those books and returning them only to grab three more. She has made our lives so much brighter, I have never been more proud and cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in the next 21 years ahead! To Rory!"
"To Rory!" The crowd my Grandparents assembled cheered. I smile and mutter a thanks to everyone as the burst into Happy Birthday. I feel Grandpa kiss my head and ask if I would meet him in his office once everyone has left.
The rest of the party clears with little fanfare. A few DAR members ask me to coach their grandchildren on their college admissions essays but Grandma skillfully deflects asking me to find my Grandfather. The topic of college is still a bit of a sore subject.
Quietly I knock on Grandpa's office door. "Come in", he calls out
"Oh Rory! Good good I wanted to talk to you before you left. Did you enjoy your party?" Grandpa smiles at me and I am sixteen again and he is the smartest man I know. Nodding he sighs, "I noticed that your peers were not in attendance, is there a reason that Logan didn't show?"
I look down at my hands and blink away tears. "He said he would be here, but he is constantly absent. He promised, they all did. I don't know what I did or why they were upset but they didn't come. Mom didn't come, Luke didn't come. No one came that I know and I appreciate the party that Grandma put together- but none of my friends came. I sound so childish and ungrateful! I mean you both have been so great, after everything you have been so great to me and here I am crying that my boyfriend and his friends and my mom didn't come to my party." I plop down in a chair, this is how it always has been. If I couldn't talk to mom I talked to Grandpa.
Grandpa circles his desk and kneels before me, "You are not being childish Rory, there is no reason except maybe death that they should have abandoned you tonight. I know things are difficult with your mother right now but that is not an excuse. She should have been here for you, Logan should have been here for you. After all you have done for them they should have understood what tonight meant to you." Grandpa leans on the arm of my chair and hauls himself up and perches on the side of his desk. "Forgive me", he chuckles, "I am not as young as I once was and my knees can't support me. I have a gift for you- and no don't argue it is not from me but from Trix. Knowing that your trust fund kicks in at twenty-fix, she wanted to make sure you had something special for when you turned twenty-one."
He leans over his desk and grabs an envelope, looks at it and gives it to me. "This is meant to be yours, I had strict instructions to give this to you as soon as you turned twenty-one, and though I am a few hours late I believe that same day delivery is just as good as right at midnight."
I glance at the envelope and back up at grandpa. He nods his head and I tear it open.
Rory,
Harry Birthday young lady. If you are reading this I unfortunately am not able to be at your party. Know that I am there in spirit, and that I am looking forward to this day very much. You have grown into such a remarkable young woman. My son is immensely proud of your achievements and I am as well. You are a Gilmore, I expect nothing less than the best and if my son has given you this envelope it means that you are achieving great things- there was another envelope if this was not the case.
I realize it is rather gauche to speak of money, especially on such an important day- however I have a few things I want to say one the matter. It was discussed before you were born that your trust fund would kick in at twenty-five, something about the brain fully developing and ensuring you did not get in the habit of purchasing expensive automotives as your father did. Your twenty-first birthday was not discussed and this I found a bit remiss. It is an important milestone that must be celebrated appropriately.
So here is my gift to you, from beyond the grave. Inside this envelope is the deed to my house in England. I have left the estate to you, my girl. I believe you once stated that you planned on going to Europe, and though I am not sure if this has happened yet I want to make sure you have the ability to do so. Whether you use this house as a vacation home, or decide to move to London full time it is there for you. Your name is already on the paperwork and your Grandfather has the keys for whenever you would like to go.
This is your chance to explore the world as you wish to Rory. I do ask that you do not sell the home, if you must rent it I understand- but please keep it within the family if you do not wish to step foot in it.
Happy Birthday my dear, I love you so much,
Trix
I read over the letter twice and look up at Grandpa, "She left me her house?" I exclaim, "can she even do that? I mean shouldn't it go to you Grandpa? You are her next of kin! I mean a full house!"
Grandpa laughs and shakes his head, he hands over the keys and nods, "Rory, we knew she wanted to give you the house, it wouldn't do us any good as our child has already grown up and so has hers. You are the future of the Gilmore family. You can pass the legacy on to your children. Now I know you have a lot going on right now, but your grandmother and I agree that it may be the perfect time for you to get a change of scenery. Now if you do not want to go we will not push you, this is your choice- but we think it could be a great getaway for you. It is close to Oxford so if you choose to go back to school you could study literature where so many of your favorite writers lived. There truly is no better school for literature than Oxford. You would not be abandoned out there, we would visit or come out with you if you prefer. We wanted to give you an option, a fresh start so to speak. Somewhere where no one knows what you come from. You can forge your own path."
I look up with tears and my eyes and hug him tightly. He doesn't realize he has given me the world.
"When can I go?"
