Chapter Fourteen

2.8K 107 3
By Tiny_Fire2020


Saturday, the day after what I'm hoping is the day Lorelai stopped keeping secrets from Rory and the day I get to see where she grew up. 

I'm nauseous and excited, two conflicting feelings. I check myself in the mirror again, smoothing out the bottom of my dress and readjusting the cardigan, bunching the sleeves up to my elbows. So focused on the details of my outfit, I don't notice Mom leaning against the doorframe watching my nerves get the best of me until she speaks.

"Alice, honey," I freeze, my hands flying away from the hem of my dress, "you look beautiful. Now, take a deep breath and come here."

I do as she says and turn on my heel, walking over to where Mom has sat on the edge of my bed. 

"Why are you so nervous, sweetheart?" Her arms open, leaving space for me to lean into her warmth.

"This could be the first time I'm hanging out with my twin after she found out," I whisper, my voice much more fragile than intended. 

"What makes you think she knows? Has she said something?"

"She hasn't said anything, but Friday Night dinner was yesterday and the invitations go out Monday, so Lorelai had to have told her. Right, Mom?" 

"I would've hoped so."

I catch that phrasing, pulling away from my position to stare at her. "What do you mean?"

She sighs, smoothing my hair down and grabbing my face to make eye contact. "Sweet girl, I am so sorry. She didn't say anything to her. Emily called this morning to let me know they had a huge fight. We have all fought to get Lorelai to be honest, but she won't budge. I'm sorry, my dear."

I sniffle, and tears begin the fight to fall but I won't give the satisfaction to Lorelai (even if she won't know). Mom notices, brushing the pads of her thumbs across my cheek before leaning forward to kiss the top of my head. I move into her embrace, locking my hands behind her back and never wanting to let go. 

Our emotional moment is broken with light laughter as Dad's voice interrupts, "Aww group hugs without me. I'm hurt." Trust Dad to break the heavy emotions with humor. 

Mom's laughter shakes us in our hug as we both open our arms for him to join us. I hear Dad whisper into Mom's ear, asking if she told me what happened at Friday Night Dinner. A brief nod leads to Dad kissing the top of my head, just like Mom did before squeezing the two of us tighter in the hug. 

We pull away, prompting Dad to ask the all-important question, "You ready to see Stars Hollow, Ali?"

"Stars Hollow and Rory, absolutely," I smile, "her Mom, not so much."

"Don't worry about Lorelai," he tells me before continuing, "What have you and Rory planned anyway? Nothing school-related, right?"

"No school-related items on the agenda today, only fun this weekend. She's introducing me to her best friend, Lane, and I'm hoping to meet the boy she's been telling me about. Plus she mentioned this amazing diner in town. So, just gossip and sightseeing for us."

"Very good. Want Mom to drop you off or are any of the girls going with?"

At this question, we both turn to Mom waiting to see if she objects to the idea of driving.

"Mom, is that okay?"

"Always, darling. Want me to pick you up tonight too?"

"Please," I smile, wrapping her back in a hug, "I love you, Mom."

"I know, Ali. I love you most." 

Dad intertwines his fingers with Mom's, pulling lightly to the door, "Finish getting ready. We'll be downstairs when you're ready."

"We?" Mom questions, the worry that Dad is going with us to Stars Hollow is written across her face. 

Dad chuckles before responding, "Yes, 'We'. I'll be going as emotional support but staying here physically. I know I can't technically go with you. You both worry too much."

They both leave, shutting my door along the way. I hear Mom respond, "I worry so you don't have to, my love."

I sigh, content to have such a supportive and loving family and take to finishing my routine and checking that I have everything. I only wonder if Rory is as nervous as I am. 


Meanwhile in the world of Stars Hollow:

Rory's POV:

I can hear Mom moving around the kitchen, but with the revelation from last night, I have yet to gather the courage to face her. The words from the card and the two handprints continue bouncing around in my head. I have a sister, that's the only conclusion I can come up with. Now whether she is older or younger has yet to be decided. I have to go confront the one person I have always trusted to tell me about the secret she's been keeping. And with my luck, that won't be happening the easy way. 

Deep breath, Rory. You can do this. You have the right to know if you have a sister out there. I remind myself as I continue getting ready to meet Alice later. 

The thought occurs that I need to add this to the list of things to tell Alice about. I'm confident I can trust her with this. Maybe, if Mom won't tell me anything I can get her and Lane to help me search for more clues while Mom's at the Inn. 

One more glance in the mirror and several more reminders to breathe and I step out of my room to see Mom at the table. 

"Morning, Rory" Mom smiles, the cup of what I assume is her third cup of coffee sitting in her hands. "Have any exciting plans today?"

"Oh, umm yeah. I'm meeting Lane today and we're just hanging around town today. Need to catch her up on Chilton and she'll do the same about here."

"You girls should swing by the Inn later and have lunch with Sookie and me," she suggests.

"Maybe, Mom. We were talking about doing a picnic for lunch, but I'll let you know."

"Oh, okay." Mom continues, "I'm sorry about yelling yesterday, kid. I was mad at your grandparents and took it out on you."

This is the moment, I take a moment before responding, "Why were you mad at them yesterday, Mom?"

"Don't worry about it, okay?" She tries to steer the conversation away, just like last night. 

"Do they want you to tell me about someone?" I'm unsure how she'll respond, but the nerves are about to eat me alive. I just want her to be honest with me. 

She stumbles for words, the cup of coffee she was lifting to her lips is frozen and her eyes wide with the question hanging in the air. 

"Rory, this is not a conversation we're having. Now hurry and meet up with Lane." Her eyes are cold, it's the same way she acted at dinner last night. 

"Why not? Shouldn't I know about her? Especially if Grandma and Grandpa want me to know. Why won't you tell me?" 

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, you have no right to raise your voice at me!" She stands, pushing her chair back harshly as she continues, "You have no idea what you're talking about, so I suggest you hurry and go to Lane's and we'll talk about this later."

"Fine," I huff, preparing to leave the room, "And Mom, I only have no idea because you won't tell me."

I leave without a second thought, stepping out the front door I notice that I've shed a few tears as the cold wind hits my cheeks. Let's hope I can get more answers when I meet up with the girls.

Back to our regularly scheduled POV (Alice):

"So, where are you meeting your sister?" Mom asks, turning the radio down a bit as we near the town.

I look down at the text from Rory, "Town square, according to Rory. Should have a large gazebo?"

As we get to the center of town, we see Rory standing with a slim Asian girl in a jean jacket and dark glasses. That must be Lane, her best friend. Rory recognizes Mom's car and waves at us as we slow to a parked position. 

"Hi, Mrs. Hayden!" Rory greets my Mom as I'm getting out of the car, "Thank you for bringing Alice here to hang out for the day."

Mom smiles, finding the politeness endearing, "Of course, Rory. Just make sure to call me if anyone needs something or when you're ready to go home. Have fun and stay safe girls."

Goodbyes are said by all the girls present as Mom drives away, a knowing look tells me that 'call if I need anything' refers to a volatile Lorelai. 

Rory then takes to introducing me to the girl beside her, "Alice, I want to introduce you to my best friend Lane. Lane, this is Alice, my closest friend at Chilton."

We exchange pleasantries before turning back to Rory. "So, Rory, what are these magnificent plans you have for today?"

"I was thinking we could go to Luke's for breakfast and drinks if you'd like. Unless you've already had breakfast?"

"I have eaten, but I could use a hot chocolate." I smile, intertwining our arms so I'm on her left and Lane is on her right, "Lead the way, Rory." 

Giggles erupt from the three of us as we attempt to walk/jog to the diner that I just noticed across the street. We enter the diner in the same state, refusing to unlock our limbs from one another. 

Lane speaks up, pulling us towards the counter, "Let's sit at the counter today, Rory."

"Good morning, Luke!" Rory greets a man whom I assume is the owner in a backward baseball cap and dark blue flannel. 

"Morning girls," he responds, already grabbing two coffee cups and filling them for Rory and Lane, "what are we having today?"

Before the girls can respond, he speaks back up, "Oh, Rory, who's this?"

"This is Alice, from Chilton. I'm showing her around town today." 

"Let me guess, you also want coffee?"

I scrunch my nose at the idea, "No, thank you. But I'll take a hot chocolate if you have that?"

He seems baffled by my denial of coffee and stares at Rory when the words come out of my mouth. 

Rory laughs, "I should have warned you, she doesn't drink coffee." 

I laugh along with her, continuing where she left off, "I hate the way it tastes and it's terrible for your heart."

Luke chuckles, placing a mug of hot chocolate in front of me, "You need to keep this one around, Rory. Maybe she'll keep you from having an addiction like your mother."

Lane laughs, coffee nearly coming out of her nose, "Rory not having a coffee addiction, I highly doubt that. Good try though, Luke."

The girls place their food orders, while waiting I listen to the two swap stories about the gossip from the high school in town. This conversation quickly leans into the not-so-subtle comment about the new student, a male new student. 

"Wait," I interrupt, "Is this this cute small-town boy you were telling us about at lunch?"

Rory blushes a deep red that rivals her coffee mug before reaching over to cover my mouth, "Not so loud!"

Lane is stifling more laughter at her response, "Careful, Alice, the people of Stars Hollow are super gossips."

With her hand still on my mouth, Rory nods her head so hard in affirmation that I'm worried it'll fall off with the force. Wishing to go back to drinking my hot chocolate, I make the quick decision to lick Rory's hand in an attempt to make her remove it. Which works brilliantly, she removes it with a scrunch of her nose and a disturbed look settling across her features.

"You did not just do that."

"Oh, I very much did do that. A desperate attempt to enjoy this," I smirk, drinking what is left of my drink. 

The girls finish their food and I pay Luke before anyone can argue. As we re-intertwine our arms on the way out of the diner Rory looks to the two of us with a serious expression.

With her voice lowered she whispers, "I need to show you both something important."

We nod, keeping up pace with her as I'm led towards an unknown destination as Lane seems to know where we're headed. 

---

After a brief walk that nearly had me winded with the urgent speed Rory was walking, we arrived at a two-story white home with a wraparound porch. 

"Welcome to my home," Rory says as I take in where she grew up, "I'd show you around but we need to talk."


A.N.//

I am so sorry about the delay in this chapter. I was feeling very unmotivated and combined that with a hectic work schedule before the holidays, it was not great. So without further ado, I introduce you to my longest chapter so far. I hope you enjoy and I aim to have a chapter release schedule set for the new year. (A chapter a week, hopefully)

Lots of love to you all and I am so thankful for all the kind words and the continued support as I took my sweet time in updating. 

Thank you so much!


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