The Gilmore-Grey Union Book III: The Dinner

By Michael Weyer

POV: Richard

I have been used to a lot with Emily over the years. I know how she can often be scheming, especially when it comes to the lives of Lorelai and Rory. But this….this is far beyond her.

Inviting Christopher, I can somewhat understand. He is Rory's father so he does deserve a say. But inviting him over with no warning to anyone or even bothering to discuss it with me is far too much. I am going to have a very long talk with her about this later but I can't right now due to the guests.

We settle in at the dinner table and I see Amy and Maxine are able to take to it better than the rest of their family. I know Maxine may seem a bit rough around the edges but she does have good decorum. Of course, Jared was never one for the usual high-flaunting fuss of society. It was something I found oddly refreshing about him.

"So, Christopher," Emily pipes up. "How is your job going?"

"Not bad," he answers as he sips his drink. "I just closed a new deal that got me a big bonus."

Emily smiled. "Hmmm…Sounds like you can provide well." She throws a look to Lorelai and I see a flash in her eyes as she glances at Luke.

That's it.

"Emily, can I see you quickly in the hallway?"

"Richard, we just sat down…"

"It will only be a moment," I say as I rise and take her hand to lead her out. We move to the foyer, as far out of earshot as we can be and I face her, my face tight. "Emily. Stop this now."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Stop it."

"Richard, I don't know what you're-------"

I hold up my hand to cut her off. It's something I don't do too often but the look of surprise on her face makes me consider changing that policy. "Emily. Unlike you, I have come to grips with the fact that Lorelai does not want to be with Christopher. She doesn't, Emily. She's with Luke now."

She sniffs. "Richard, please. Christopher is a success and Luke is…"

"The man Lorelai has chosen," I interrupt. "Now, I'll admit he's not the one I would have picked for her but guess what, Emily? He's the one she wants. You almost destroyed her by trying to break her up and you almost destroyed our relationship with Rory too. I will not have you trying to play matchmaker tonight."

"Richard," she hisses. "He's Rory's father, they should be together!"

I roll my eyes. "Emily, do you listen to yourself? She doesn't want him! And as much as I know you hate to acknowledge it, Christopher has another child by another woman so your fantasy of them being one happy family is just that, a fantasy."

"Richard, I am trying to help this family…"

"It's all besides the point, anyway. The point tonight is to help Rory, not try to get Lorelai and Christopher back together. And may I say, not even telling me you were inviting him is not something I'm happy about."

"Why would I tell you? You'd have agreed with me."

"Perhaps," I allow. "But not like this, not just throwing it at us all as part of your little game. You will restrict talk with Christopher to Rory and the marriage and that is all. You will be civil with Luke and for God's sake, try not to go into any tirades over how Rory's situation is Lorelai's fault."

"Maybe if she had her father around, Rory wouldn't have…"

"Stop it!" I snap and she actually steps back in shock. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised by it myself but I plow on. "This is Rory and Vincent's fault, Emily. Throwing blame around is not going to solve this at all. It will only make matters worse. So I am telling you now, put a stop to it and if you've ever chosen one night to be totally civil, this is it."

I whirl on my heel and head back to the dining room. I hear a pause before her heels click after me. I can feel the blazing glare she's fixed on the back of my head. Oddly, though, it doesn't bother me as much as you might think. I've let her know how things will be handled tonight, I've put my foot down and I've done my best to put Emily in her place.

Hmmm. For some bizarre reason, I feel like taking a victory lap around the mansion.