Chapter 149
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we go to Stars Hollow for the weekend? I'll call Mom and see if we can just crash at her house," Rory offered.
It had been a long few days. Their apartment was small, but with Paris in it- it was tiny. Paris was on her best behavior, to the greatest extent possible, and Rory could see that Paris was trying. Even so, Paris was trying. Jess was being patient, but also dealing with a writer, so really just needed quiet and peace to crash after the marathon sessions, which wasn't really afforded by three people forced together in their tiny space. At the same time, Rory felt bad sending Paris to a hotel, when what she clearly needed was people, particularly Rory, to help her through it.
"You think Lorelai would mind?" Paris asked cautiously. Rory smiled, knowing how much Paris admired her mom.
"Not at all. Let me give her a call. I'll be back in a minute," Rory nodded, heading downstairs with her cellphone. She quickly called Lorelai.
"Hey, kid. What's up?"
"Hi, Mom. Feel like some company this weekend?"
"Anytime! But I thought you and Jess would be sick of me by now."
"Well…"
"Oh, no. What's the catch?" Lorelai asked. Rory laughed.
"Alright, you caught me. It's not me and Jess. It's me and Paris."
"Paris?" Lorelai asked, confused, "What's she doing there?"
"Pretty much what you were a couple weeks ago, but worse."
"Isn't she pregnant?"
"Very," Rory nodded.
"Geez. Well, of course you can come. You can stay at the Inn or at my place, whichever you prefer. We can even kick Luke out to the diner."
"Thanks, Mom. Yeah, I think if you have any time, she'd love to talk to you too. She's really having a hard time."
"What happened?"
"Doyle lost his job."
"Oh, no. That's awful," Lorelai said. "Wait…but they're fighting?"
"Yeah, she didn't take it well," Rory answered, "There's a bit more to it, I think."
"But she just bailed when he got fired?"
"She's scared, Mom. And I think something else is going on."
"Well…we'll figure it out. When do you guys want to come?"
"Tomorrow, if that's okay? I have a couple flex work days so I'll do that tomorrow so we can get out your way earlier."
"Sure. Just come drop your stuff at the house and then come by the Inn. If you're there in time, we can grab lunch."
"That sounds great. Thanks, Mom," Rory smiled.
"Anytime, babe. See you soon."
Rory went back up the stairs.
"What'd she say?" Paris asked, looking up nervously. Rory smiled.
"She said yes," Rory said, watching Paris' face light up, "We're gonna leave early tomorrow morning and grab lunch with her at the Inn once we get there."
"I don't want to inconvenience her. Or you, for that matter. Don't you have work? You're not having another existential crisis, are you?"
"No, Paris," Rory answered, rolling her eyes, "I have a flex work day so I can work remotely. But then we'll beat traffic. Let me text Jess so he knows what we're doing, and maybe if he finishes early enough we can grab dinner with him. That sound good?"
"That sounds great. Thanks again for all of this," Paris said, a little sheepishly. Rory rolled her eyes, walking over and putting her arm around Paris' shoulder.
"That's what friends do, remember?"
"So, have you heard from Doyle?" Rory asked tentatively as they drove down to Stars Hollow. Paris shook her head.
"He's texted a bunch, and tried calling. I haven't answered, other to tell him that I'm safe and to leave me alone."
"I mean, he's probably worried about you."
"He shouldn't be. I told him I was safe and to leave me alone!"
"Paris, he's your husband."
"Whatever that means," Paris muttered. Rory raised her eyebrows.
"Paris…"
"Can we not talk about it, please?"
"…fine."
"Thanks. Regardless of whatever, I'll head back to Boston on Monday. I need to get back to work. I'll just get a hotel room if I need more time."
"Shouldn't you…"
"Didn't we just cover this?"
"Fine," Rory sighed, "How's work?"
"Work's great," Paris answered tonelessly, shrugging, "Everyone does what I tell them, and I tell them the right things."
"Sounds like the dream."
"It really is."
"And the pregnancy?"
'It's…incredible," Paris admitted, lighting up, "I mean, I really had no idea what I was in for."
"So your plans…"
"Are of course, excellent…but continue to be modified to incorporate the onslaught of knowledge that pregnancy has provided me with."
"…well you sound downright sentimental."
"I do, don't I?" Paris said, a little dreamily, "I just…I want the best for her, you know? And I know my parents gave me the best- Chilton, Yale…all of that. But I don't mean like that. I mean kind of like you had."
"Me?"
"Like your Mom did. I feel like I'm starting to get her now. She just…wanted you to be happy, and have what you needed. I get that."
"…I'm glad, Paris. You think Marie will go to Chilton?"
"I've thought about moving so she could," Paris replied, grinning, "But you know, we'll see in due time. We really can't stay in that apartment though either way. It's a disaster."
"Disaster how?"
"I mean, you have it made in Philadelphia with the cost of living. I have no idea why you two are still shacking up like that when the property values are at the floor," Paris said, rolling her eyes, "Our apartment isn't nearly big enough for us to accommodate an actual life with our kids, but, to change that…it would be insanely expensive."
"Paris, you're a surgeon."
"I'm not saying we couldn't afford it. Just that it'll be nuts. I'm just jealous of your situation, is all."
"Well, we're making peanuts, so the apartment's fine for us for the time being," Rory said, her eyes on the road. Paris gave her a look.
"Don't tell me you haven't thought about making a home with the literary dreamboat."
"Please don't call him that."
"Am I wrong?"
"…we have plenty of time."
"And very little space. Look, if I'm not your first surprise visitor this month, or even this year…you should think about it. You're the type of person who wants to open up your home to people. And even more rare, you're the type of person who people want to take up on it. It's worth thinking about."
"…I will, Paris. It's just complicated."
"How?"
"Well, I've basically turned his life upside down in the last year. I kind of want us to just have a minute to adjust."
"I mean, that's hunky dory and all, but you two seem pretty adjusted, for all the change that's happened."
"Anyway…you guys. You were saying the market's crazy in Boston?"
"Yeah. It's no New York, but it's a hell of a thing," Paris sighed, "Especially if we wanted to stay in our neighborhood, which we do."
"It's pretty."
"It's steps from the hospital, incredible schools, and just…it's where we want to be. But for those reasons, real estate is at a premium. Don't think I didn't notice your subject change there, Gilmore. Have you even looked?"
"Looked?"
"At the real estate in Philadelphia."
"No, Paris. Not yet."
"I can…"
"No."
"You didn't even let me finish."
"And I'm not going to. I appreciate the thought, but we're fine where we are, for now."
"Suit yourself," Paris shrugged, lying back in her seat. "How far away are we?"
"The rooster is imminent."
"Rory! Paris!" Lorelai smiled, pulling them each in for a hug, "It's so good to see you!"
"Good to see you too, Lorelai," Paris smiled, "The Inn looks great, as always."
"Thanks, Paris," Lorelai smiled. "And you're glowing! When are you due?"
"Early March."
"Right before the wedding! Congratulations! Oh, why don't you head over to our usual table? I think Sookie's waiting to catch up with you before she has to run back to the kitchen."
"That sounds great. Thanks again for having us," Paris smiled, giving Lorelai another quick hug before she walked into the dining room. Lorelai turned to Rory and raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, she doesn't seem all that distraught."
"She's…Paris."
"When did she get to your place?"
"Earlier this week. It's been a trip."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. As was the drive," Rory said, rolling her eyes.
"So, she just left? That sounds pretty cold."
"I mean, it sounds like he was kind of an ass about how he handled everything. I think she's just panicked. And honestly…"
"…yeah?"
"It's not my place."
"When has that ever stopped you?"
"…she doesn't seem happy. It sounds like being pregnant has made her rethink some things."
"…you think it's making her rethink her marriage?"
"I don't know what to think. I haven't been through it," Rory shrugged, "That's another reason I'm hoping you can talk to her."
"Happy to," Lorelai shrugged, "But…you know, she's Paris. I'll do what I can."
"I appreciate it."
"Does she seem nervous about the pregnancy?"
"Not really," Rory said, "Actually, that seems like the one thing she's really, unquestionably excited about." Lorelai smiled.
"Well then, it'll all work out okay. Let's get over there."
