The Gilmore-Grey Union Book III: The Dinner

POV: Maxine

I don't usually dress up for a dinner. I haven't really had occasion to since Jared passed away. Even for office functions, I try to keep myself as laid-back as possible but Amy insisted putting on a good front will be important. So I squeezed myself into this black dress and heels which are already pinching my shoes.

I'm already in pain and sharing a car with my family is not improving matters.

Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to a car pool with Peter and Gillian coming over. Spending the better part of half an hour stuck in close quarters with Peter, Gillian, Amy and Bruce is not the best way to soothe one's nerves. At least Peter avoided the cliché of getting lost for which I should be grateful.

I can tell Bruce isn't happy about being here, which I can more than sympathize with. I still can't believe Amy actually invited him. She insisted to me it was just a friendly move, to make a good impression. Of course, I suspect there's more to it than that but I have more than enough romantic problems on my hands right now.

"You're sure this is the right place?" Peter asks as we pull into the expansive driveway.

"It's what they gave us," Amy said as she consults the note. She leans in to admire it. "Wow, nice."

As much as I hate to agree, I have to. Oh, I've seen expensive homes before but it is a very nice old-style mansion. Peter, I know, is already crunching the likely bankroll of these Gilmores in his head. Myself, I'm wondering why in the world this Lorelai would live where she does instead of here. Oh, well, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to discuss her history.

There's a jeep parked already and I see Lorelai, Rory, Luke and Vincent waiting for us. They're all dressed rather nicely, Vincent actually looking dapper for once. I'm also a bit surprised that Luke is rather nicely dressed, if his hair is still a bit messy. Peter parks and we all get out to join them. "Welcome to Casa de Gilmore," Lorelai intones. "As featured on the Travel Channel's Super Homes of Hartford."

"Very nice," Amy intones as she adjusts her nice dress. "Can we go in?"

"Can't," Vincent says. "It's not six yet."

I frown as I check my watch. "It's six."

"No, it's 5:58," Lorelai says as if I'm slow. "We can't go in yet."

Vincent throws up his hands at my look. "Don't…just don't ask."

"Oh, please, it's getting cold!" I snap as I march forward and rap on the door. There's no response so I rap again, harder. I glance at my watch. 5:59. I knock once more, really putting my fist behind it.

"Mom," Peter says as he comes up behind me. "Take it easy."

I just point at him. "Don't start, Peter."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot," Vincent pipes up. "Lorelai, Rory, this is my older brother, Peter and his wife, Gillian."

There's some handshaking, Gillian of course taking it far more cheerily than the situation calls for it. "Well, hi, welcome to the family!" she chirps as she shakes Rory hand. "It's so nice to meet you!"

"Wow," Rory says, seemingly thrown. "You're the first person to be so happy about this."

"You're forgetting Sookie," Vincent points out.

"That doesn't count, it's Sookie. She's happy at everything. Hurricane Katrina? Gave her an excuse to do a benefit Louisiana-grill buffet."

Before I can reply to a remark that would have Kayne West blanching, the door opens. A young lady in a maid's outfit gives me an apologetic smile. "I am sorry," she says in a thick European accent. "Mrs. Gilmore said you must wait until six. I am Katya."

"Katya?" Lorelai peers at her. "You look very familiar…have you worked here before?"

The woman nods. "Three years ago."

Lorelai gasps. "My god, it's finally happened! Emily Gilmore has run through every maid in the Western Hemisphere and is working her way back around!"

Well that certainly isn't a reassuring way to start the evening. We all enter as the maid bows to us before heading to the dining room. "Well, hello there," a voice calls and we look up to see who has to be Emily Gilmore.

She's rich.

She's dressed in an outfit that costs more than the combined income of my last five foster families.

She's making her way down like she's expecting trumpets to herald her arrival and we should bow before her.

And she's looking down her nose at my son like he's something she just stepped on.

I don't like her. I don't like her one little bit. In this moment, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she and I are going to be having words before this evening is out.

Fine. Bring it on. Lorelai and Rory have told me she's difficult. Well, as anyone who knows me can attest, when it comes to being a bitch, Maxine Grey is more than ready to step up to the plate.

Let dinner be served.