Chapter 161
"Paris! Congratulations!" Lane said, walking over and giving Paris a hug. "And Rory, thanks for putting this together."
Rory blushed. "Seriously, it was nothing. But it's good to see you! Where are Zack and the boys?"
"The boys are playing with Sookie's kids over there," Lane gestured, not answering the question fully.
"And Zack?"
"…we're not speaking right now," Lane said, "I don't really want to talk about it. But he's not here."
"Lane, I'm so sorry…"
"Rory, I just said I didn't want to talk about it." Lane snapped. Rory's eyes widened.
"Um…okay. Sorry. I think I need to go find Sookie to check in on something with the food," Rory mumbled, excusing herself and walking away. Paris looked at Lane with a raised eyebrow.
"Look, I'm sorry, it's just…been a rough week. I didn't mean to bring the drama to your baby shower."
"No skin off my ass," Paris shrugged, "And I get it."
"Where's your husband?"
"Over there. I'm sure Rory told you a little. I doubly don't want to talk about it."
Lane nodded with understanding.
"Well…congratulations. Pregnancy really suits you. I mean…"
"I know what you mean," Paris replied, a genuine smile on her face, "Thanks."
"Do you know yet…"
"She's a girl."
"Oh, Paris."
"Yeah."
"Do you guys have a name?"
"We've agreed on Marie Joan."
"…that's a nice name," Lane said pleasantly. Paris smiled, wrinkling her nose.
"Well, we agreed. Marie for Marie Curie. Joan for Joan of Arc."
"Great, strong women."
"Yep."
"And how are you finding pregnancy?"
"I mean, it's no picnic," Paris said, but her eyes were shining.
"You love it, don't you?" Lane asked, her face turning to a grin. Paris met her eyes and nodded.
"I really do. I didn't expect to," she admitted, "It just…feels right."
"I've met people who felt that way," Lane nodded, "I didn't, but my circumstances were…unique. But once they were out, it felt natural right away. I think it comes for people in different times."
"Well, if we're being honest, I was worried it wouldn't come for me ever," Paris admitted, "I didn't exactly see myself as the maternal type."
"And now?"
"Now?" Paris repeated, "Well…I'm still not going to be barefoot and pregnant in anybody's kitchen. But I'm…I'm happy. Deliriously happy. She makes me happier than I've ever been. It's hard to explain."
"Probably to someone who hasn't been there," Lane noted, "But luckily…I have. I'm so happy you're getting to experience that, Paris."
"Thanks, Lane," Paris smiled, "Ever think about…"
"God no," Lane cut her off. Paris smirked. Lane rolled her eyes, smiling good naturedly. "I mean, maybe in a different life…I would have loved to have had a daughter. I think most anybody who spent time with Lorelai when they were a kid would."
"Would what?" Lorelai asked, jumping in. Paris smiled, as did Lane.
"Lorelai…you might want to find Rory. I kind of snapped at her and I think I hurt her feelings."
"Yeah, I just ran into her," Lorelai sighed, "It's okay. She gets it. And I won't bring it up either, but I'm sorry you're dealing with it."
"Thanks," Lane said.
"Now, what were you guys saying about me?" Lorelai interjected again jokingly. Paris laughed.
"Lane was just saying that anyone who had you around when they were a kid probably has some desire to have a baby girl."
"Rory excepted," Lorelai joked. She paused. "You guys really think that made a difference to you?"
"Are you kidding?" Lane asked incredulously, "Lorelai, you were basically the only example I had of a mom who could have anything in common with me, and who could let me be who I was. And the way you were with Rory? I mean, I envied it like crazy, and you were kind enough to share yourself a bit. So yeah…it made a difference."
"And I didn't get as much of you early on," Paris said, meeting Lorelai's eyes, "But…we met through me being a terror to your daughter, and over the years you've voluntairly acted as a surrogate support system for me. A role model in your business, in the way you life your life…and especially as a Mom. I don't know how you couldn't see that."
"…that's…thanks you guys. That means a lot," Lorelai said, tearing up. "Oh, god! No need for crying at a baby shower! I'll get through the sentimental crap now and just tell you both that you're amazing, and Lane, you're an incredible mother, and Paris, so are you, and you'll be even more so once baby girl pops out. I have no doubt."
"God, I wish she'd just pop out," Paris sighed, "I reversed my opinion on the elective C-section, but I still can't say I'm looking forward to birth."
"I don't think anyone's ever been able to say that."
"The hippie chicks with the positivity and pain is surges crap?"
"Hey, some of that works," Paris pointed out. "I'm a doctor- I'd know. But no…even most of them are afraid of it. It's natural."
"But at the end you'll have Marie," Lane said. Paris smiled.
"Yeah…can't really complain about anything that's going to get me that."
"Aww. You are so smitten," Lorelai smiled, "You're gonna be such a good mom."
"Hey, I thought you were cutting the sentimentality crap," Paris teased, wiping her eyes as she teared up herself.
Across the room, Rory watched the three of them bonding and sighed to herself. This was why she'd put this together, and this was what she wanted to have. But it still stung not to be a part of it, and to know that she was truly as excluded as she felt from their conversation, their bonding. Suddenly, Rory felt a pair of arms circling her waist, pulling her close.
"This was a really nice thing for you to do for Paris," Jess mumbled into Rory's ear, kissing her on the cheek. Rory couldn't help but smile.
"I want her to be happy," Rory said.
"I know. And she is. And I'm sure one day, if you want to, you'll be a part of those conversations. And if not, there are a million other things Paris will come to you about before anybody else."
"You really think so?"
"Rory, she's moving to be closer to us. I mean, I know she said that's not why, but you and I both know she seems really comfortable with everybody in Philadelphia, and that she wants to be around more. I don't think you have to doubt that you're still the center of her friend-world, and that that's not going away."
"Thanks, Jess."
"And look- you did it. Look how happy she is. That's all because of you," Jess pointed out, giving Rory an admiring look. She smiled back, genuinely happy for Paris, and grateful to Jess for putting her back in a better headspace.
"So…something happen with Lane?"
"Yeah…she doesn't want to talk about it, and kind of snapped at me when I asked."
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
"I didn't see Zack."
"He's not here and they're not speaking. That's all I got from her."
"That's not good," Jess said. Rory sighed.
"No, it's not. But she could not have been more clear that she wants me to butt out of it, so I'm going to try to actually do that."
"It's not like her to snap at you."
"No, it's not. Which means she's really upset. And if what's going to help is leaving it alone, that's what I'll do."
"Hey, kid. Sorry to interrupt," Lorelai smiled, having walked over and tapping Rory on her shoulder. Rory smiled weakly.
"Hey, Mom."
"…this was a really good thing you did for Paris here, kid."
"Thanks."
"And about Lane…"
"I know, I need to stop pushing."
"It doesn't sound like you pushed. It sounds like she's sensitive about it right now," Lorelai replied, "That's a her problem, not a you problem."
"…thanks, Mom."
"Anytime."
"Where's Luke? I haven't seen him."
"He's at the diner. Someone's gotta keep the trains running," Lorelai said, rolling her eyes, "He's going to come by and say hi when Cesar takes over at three."
"Good. I'm sure Paris will want to see him."
"I'm not sure I can say he'll want to see Paris," Lorelai smirked, earning a laugh from Jess. "Honestly, I'm surprised you get along with her as well as you seem to nowadays. She's basically the opposite of monosyllabic."
"So…polysyllabic?" Jess teased.
"If you're into that sort of thing."
"Mom!" Rory chided, laughing.
"Sorry, honey," Lorelai laughed, her eyes bright and sparkling. "Hey, where are the Truncheon folks? I want to go tease Matt and Chris, and meet Matt's new girlfriend."
"Probably hiding from Doyle," Rory said lowly, while Jess sighed. Lorelai raised her eyebrows.
"Do I want to know?"
"He was…less than pleasant," Jess said carefully. Lorelai sighed.
"On a scale of one to obnoxious?"
"If that's the scale, he broke it," Rory replied. "Paris was totally embarassed, and apologized for him. Thanks for keeping him occupied since then."
"Of course. And I'll keep on top of that then…Paris doesn't need to deal with that crap today."
"Thanks, Mom."
