The Gilmore-Grey Union

Book III: The Dinner

By Michael Weyer

SO sorry for the long delay. As I noted, busy with various things and writer's block. I hope this helps make up for it.

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POV: Peter

Once Amy and Bruce leave, things start to get out of control.

Admittedly, they've been bouncing toward the slope for a while but here's where the train finally starts to rock hard. It's quiet for a few minutes as we chew our food. Lorelai comes back to the table and sits down with a funny smile on her face.

"Sorry," she explains. "But it seems Amy and Bruce won't be coming back."

"We'll have to catch up with them later, then," Mother says. She doesn't seem to notice the smile and the way Lorelai talks about it which…

Oh, God. Not Bruce.

Not that I don't mind the guy and all but Amy's love life is a roller coaster of Six Flags proportions without adding him to it. We've got enough drama with Vincent, now him?

I just shake my head and try to steer things away before Mother notices Lorelai's reaction. "So, um, Christopher…how is your business?"

"Pretty good," he replies. "I've done my best to provide for my family."

I hear what sounds like a snort and see Lorelai and Rory both sipping their wine while sharing eye rolls. I just ignore them as I look to him. I'm trying to give him a bit of a break. I can tell he doesn't seem to be on the good side of these Gilmores but he is the father of my brother's new wife. It doesn't hurt to butter up to him a bit.

I nod as I chew my food. "So, do you have some good insurance coverage?"

Mother sighs as Gillian leans in. "Peter, I don't think we need to talk business right now."

"What?" I ask. "It's a simple question, I think it might be appropriate." I turn and look over to Vincent. "You should be thinking about it too. If you and Rory stay married, we'll have to revise some of our forms, the estate and holding assets, Mom's will…"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, Peter!" Mother bursts in. "You know full well my finances are tight enough, I'm not going to revise the will like this."

"Mother, if she is part of the family now, won't she be entitled to something when you die?"

"I appreciate your tactful tone, Peter but I didn't change my will for Gillian or your children, I won't for her."

"You didn't change your will for me?" Gillian asks with a frown.

"Why wouldn't you do that?" Emily asks.

"I see no reason to continue pushing this entire marriage at all," Mother answers her.

"Wait, wait, you mean…you didn't change it at all when Peter and I got married?" Gillian presses.

"I can agree with that," Emily admits. "But at the same time, I don't see why simply cutting her off is right either."

"Um, nothing for our children, either?" Gillian asks. Oh no. She's got the eyes widening. I know that the eyes widening is the first sign of a Gillian meltdown.

Mother seems to recognize it as well and turns to speak quietly. "I'm sorry, dear but frankly, I was never sure about you and Peter and didn't want to make the fuss. If it makes you feel better, I didn't do it when Amy married Michael."

Gillian looks ready to squeak another answer but I quickly grab her hand to stop her. Emily, meanwhile, sips her drink and shakes her head. "That is simply carelessness. How can you not take some sort of measures to make sure your family is cared for in the future?"

Luke looks across the table sardonically. "You wanna field that one, Chris?"

He just glares back. "Lorelai knows how I provide."

"Chris, out of respect for the daughter we share, please don't put yourself in the firing line," Lorelai says.

"I back that up, Dad," Rory adds.

Richard decides to get into this. "I do agree with Peter. Having a long-term plan is very important. But at the same time, a man shouldn't feel pigeonholed into such a commitment without considering it carefully."

Emily arches an eyebrow at her. "Are you saying I pigeonholed you into getting me in your will?"

He just looks at his plate and slices his food, which seems the smart play here. Mother, however, just can't leave well enough alone. "You know, Emily, I'm starting to understand your daughter's reluctance over discussing this situation with you. Frankly, you don't want a discussion, you just want everyone to do what you want."

"Oh and apparently you are a very open-minded individual yourself."

Oh no. I see it.

The vein. That one vein on Mother's forehead that lights up like a beacon. When that vein pops in, you just leave the room or shut up. Gillian, Vincent and even Donna shut up with me. Sadly, the Gilmores don't recognize the warning sign and Emily plows ahead. "You are a guest here, Mrs. Grey and as such, you should have some manners."

"Manners?" Mother sputters as she waves the glass of wine she's holding in her hand. "Are you suggesting I lack manners?"

"Mom, how about you put the wine down?" Vincent gently suggests.

Mother goes on. "Since the moment we walked in here, you decided instantly what sort of people we are, which is unworthy of your exalted status!"

"Maxine, how about you give me the wine?" Gillian asks, reaching for it.

Emily leans forward. "I have tried to be polite-----"

"Oh, please!" Mother snorts. "You can't keep that condescending tone our of your voice if your life depended on it!"

"Well, perhaps it's warranted!" Emily says as she sits up straight. "Perhaps if you had the same sense of decorum as I do, we wouldn't be here!"

Oh, no she didn't.

Mother is rising up, the glass in hand and her face tight. "Are you saying I'm to blame for this?"

"Maxine, how about I check out that wine?" Donna asks, reaching for it.

"Now that you mention it," Emily snaps. "They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. It looks like that counts for rotten fruit as well."

"So I'm a bad mother? I've failed in raising my children right?"

"Mother, for God's sake, sit down and give me the wine!" I call out, desperate to avoid the inevitable.

Emily just smirks. "I'm saying that perhaps if you'd been more of a mother, your son wouldn't be married to my granddaughter, your daughter wouldn't have walked off with that man and you might not be here as a single person."

I've never quite realized how strong an arm Mother has, remarkable after two heart attacks. She manages to get almost the entire remaining glass of wine across the table and onto Emily's face in one smooth motion.

It's pretty clear the rest of the night can only go downhill from here.