The Gilmore-Grey Union

Book III: The Dinner

By Michael Weyer

POV: Vincent

By now, you'd think I'd know to keep my big fat inner mouth shut.

All this time, I've been wondering how things could get worse. Well, meeting the father of my wife definitely ranks among the ways, no doubt about it. From what Rory told me, her dad hasn't been that high a presence in her life so having him here now was unexpected to both of us.

I've barely had a chance to talk to Lorelai. And the times I had, I've almost wished I haven't. I swear, it's like she's the bizarro twin of Amy, always joking and using pop culture references. Amy, she's still getting used to stuff from 2002. I have no idea how she and Lauren can relate nowadays.

So now I'm sitting across from my wife's father, who's clearly not at all happy to see me. "So…Vincent…you're a writer?"

"Yeah, I am." I try to keep calm. No need to get into a shouting match with an in-law, now is there?

"He wrote a really great book, Dad," Rory throws in with a smile, trying to throw a good light on this, God bless her.

He nods. "Really. Was it a guide to how to ruin a young woman's life?"

"No, Chris, you already wrote a draft for that one," Lorelai throws in. "Of course, it turned out all for the best because she's my rock!" she quickly adds to Rory.

Richard and Emily return, Emily looking a bit more put out and Richard…almost smiling. Weird. "Sorry about that," he says as he sits. "So, Vincent, you live in Hartford with the rest of your family?"

"Yeah, sort of, ah…between places now."

Richard sips his wine. "Then where are you staying?"

"Um, with my mom," I admit, motioning to her.

Great. Like the disapproval level from Emily wasn't high enough. I swear, her eyebrows are arching so high, she might as well be on Botox. Uh-oh. Better not mention that over the table.

"You live with your mother," she says in that cool tone I already hate. "How…interesting."

"Actually," Amy pipes up. "I own the house. And I happen to live there too with my daughter. Vincent does pay rent."

"Which I've been meaning to talk to you about," I say. "Ah, I might be a little late with the payment this month. Apparently, the rings cost a bit."

"You kept the rings?" Mom says. Oh, damn, why did I say that? "Vincent, why would you keep the rings?"

"Well, first, I really don't remember where we bought them," I say honestly. "And I figured, since she and I are still married…"

For the first time, Mom and Emily are on equal footing with their dark looks and I wonder if I can duck out the patio or something.

"Well, I think it's nice. Who knows, they may want a memento to remember this." That's Gillian, always trying to put a bright spot on things. How a woman that chipper got involved with this family, I'll never be able to figure out.

"Gillian, I highly doubt any of us are going to fail to remember this," Mom says in her patented "why did Peter marry you?" tone.

"So, would Rory have to live there too?" Lorelai asks. "No offense, I mean, I'm sure she'd get along well with you but, living with her mother-in-law…"

"I beg your pardon?" Emily interrupts. "I am not going to see my granddaughter living in some middle-class house with several of her new relatives!"

"Yes, because the pool house just screams out class and success," Lorelai fires back. "She might as well be barefoot and watching Blue Collar TV."

"Lorelai, I hardly feel you are in a position to talk, given how your…fiancée…" She makes it sound like a new form of Ebola. "Lives above his diner."

"Well, that won't be for long!" Lorelai yells.

"Oh? And why?"

"We're moving in together," Luke states.

"You are?" Emily asks, eyes wide.

"You are?" Richard asks, a bit thrown.

"You are?" Rory gasps.

Lorelai makes a show of looking around. "Wow, I knew this place was big but an echo? Nice."

Emily sips her wine. "You're moving in with him?" She looks ready to say more but Richard puts a hand on her arm and I get the feeling there's some unspoken thing here I really don't want to get into.

"Mom!" Rory gasps. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well, I was going to but then you decided to take the plunge and it pretty much pushed any other news aside, you know."

"But Mom! This is major stuff!"

"And getting married isn't?"

"That's different! This is Luke!"

"She's right," Emily suddenly says. "Lorelai, I cannot believe you are taking such a step here."

"Emily," Richard begins.

"No, I will not be quiet, Richard! Lorelai, this family is already being pulled apart and seeing you throw your life away is not going to do anything to help!"

"Mom, I am not having this discussion right now!"

She turns to Rory's dad. "Christopher, tell her she can't do this!"

To his credit, he looks as thrown as the rest of us. "What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"You're Rory's father! You can get her to stop."

He stares at her, then laughs out loud. "Emily…I couldn't sway her to change her mind when we were together as kids! What am I supposed to do now?"

"Christopher…"

"Emily, I'm here about Rory, not Lorelai! This thing with Luke is her business, not mine! I can't just involve myself in it again!"

"Why not?" Rory suddenly smarks. "You've done it before."

"Rory, please, this is between us adults."

I bristle and lean in. "Hey, she's married now which makes her an adult!"

Rory looks to me. "I'm assuming that sounded better in your mind."

"Yeah, it did."

"A lightning bolt, God, please, send down a lightning bolt!" Luke is moaning as he leans forward, face in his hands.

Bruce leans in. "Can you save some room in case one comes down?" Luke slides his chair over a few inches.

"Excuse me?" We all turn to face the maid, who appears a bit nervous. "Mrs. Gilmore?" I'm so grateful Rory doesn't answer to that. "Um, someone is here to join dinner. She seems to believe she is invited."

"Invited?" Emily seems thrown. "I don't remember inviting anyone else."

"Obviously she heard it was Moss Hart night at the Gilmore residence," Lorelai pipes up.

"Who is this woman?" Emily demands.

"Hi there!" A bright and very familiar voice pipes up as a figure enters. "So sorry I'm late, took me so long to find the place!"

My jaw drops.

Amy's jaw drops.

Mom's jaw drops.

Bruce…well, it's open which is something for him.

"Donna?" Amy stammers. "Wh…what are you doing here?"

She just laughs. "Hello? This is a family deal, right! Well, I'm practically family!" She smiles at Emily and Richard. "Hi, I'm Donna, I used to be Judge Grey's court officer. She's my mentor." She looks around. "Hmmm….I think I need a chair."

Never…never…never….ask yourself how things can get worse.