What should've been

Friday Night Dinner

"How long has it been since we've had a Friday night dinner?" Rory asked as she, Logan, Lena, Luke and Lorelai drove to the Gilmore house

"We were actually there last week" lorelai said

"I'm sorry. I think I just had a stroke" Rory teased

"Very funny"

"I'm sorry, but I just can't believe you were there. You never go without us"

"I don't know, I guess I just...missed them?"

"Mama mama mama mama mama" Lena squealed

Lorelai looked back and couldn't help smiling at Rory who was smiling at Lena

"How much do you love that?" Lorelai asked

"So much. Best thing I've ever heard" Rory smiled and Logan kissed her head

"Any sign of dada?" Lorelai asked

"She's said it couple of times" Logan said

"She doesn't say it much, but I think it's just because it's harder for it say" Rory said

A few minutes later they were standing outside the door. Logan was holding Lena.

"Hello" the maid said "May I take your coats?"

Everyone handed off their coats. Rory took her coat off and gave it to the maid before taking Lena and taking off her coat so Logan could take his coat off.

"Hey mom" Lorelai said as they turned the corner into the living room.

"Hello everyone" Emily said "Rory, congratulations"

"Thank you"

"May I hold my beautiful great granddaughter?" Emily asked as everyone got settled in their seats

"Not unless you want you to start screaming" Rory said

"Excuse me?"

"She's very clingy lately" Rory explained "She won't even let mom hold her"

"She's a baby. She doesn't get a say in who holds her" Richard insisted

"Dad-" Lorelai warned

"I'm sorry but it's ridiculous that we see you guys only a handful of times a year and when we do see you we aren't allowed to hold her" Richard said

"Look, you can try, but be prepared for her to start screaming" Rory sighed

"She won't start screaming because she knows who we are and that we love her" Emily said

Rory stood up and tried handing Lena to Emily, but before Emily could even touch Lena, she started fussing

"Mama!" Lena tried to reach for Rory. Rory cuddled Lena close to her and sat back down

"When did that happen?" Emily asked, surprised

"What?"

"She said mama. And judging by your lack of a reaction, she's done it before"

"She says it all the time" Rory said "actually she doesn't stop saying it"

"How long has she been talking?" Richard asked

"I don't know if I would call that talking" Lorelai chimed in

"She's been saying mama for about a month. She can also say dada although she doesn't say it as much, I think it's just harder for her."

"And Nana" Lorelai chimed in

"Yeah, but we don't actually know if she means mom or bananas" Rory said "she loves bananas"