Before Rory: A Gilmore Girls Prequel

Chapter 17

Monday, May 21, 1990

"Sookie, that's amazing!" Lorelai exclaimed, pulling the wooden spoon from her mouth. The mixed berry sauce exploded with flavor unlike anything she'd ever tried before.

Beaming, the chef's eyes widened. "Really? Good enough to serve on shortcake at the Rumbaugh wedding?"

"Absolutely!"

Sookie heaved a sigh. "That's such a relief. The bride wanted some sort of berry shortcake served because that was the dessert she and the groom shared on their first date."

Lorelai's face filled with a mocking expression. "Oh, how romantic," she said as she leaned her left cheek onto clasped hands.

Sookie giggled. "To be young and in love," she cooed with sarcasm.

"Now, what in the world are you two carrying on about in here?" Mia asked as she moved through the swinging door and into the kitchen.

Sookie answered. "The Rumbaugh wedding. The bride wants to serve the dessert she and the groom shared on their first date."

Mia glanced between the two women. "And let me guess, Lorelai was mocking the request."

Sookie held up the wooden spoon. "You know Lorelai well."

A smile beamed on the inn owner's face. "Yes, I believe I do."

"Okay, okay. You two stop talking like I'm not here." Lorelai couldn't help but grin. Despite her objections, she enjoyed the comradery she shared with both ladies.

Mia turned to Sookie. "Something smells heavenly. Let me try whatever it is." Sookie held up a clean spoon dipped in the sauce. Mia's eyes grew as soon as the spoon was in her mouth. "Not only will this be served at the wedding but I insist you create a dessert using this sauce for the restaurant too!"

"What about serving it with pancakes and waffles for breakfast?" Lorelai suggested.

Sookie and Mia loved the idea, causing the chef to quickly write down the recipe she created.

°°°°°°

That afternoon, Lorelai took Rory into town to gather supplies for baby shower decorations she needed to make. As she browsed the aisles of the craft store, she couldn't help but think about the embarrassment she caused with her own pregnancy.

No shower had been thrown for her. No excited phone calls had been made once Rory was born. No announcements had gone out. Richard and Emily did what they could to hide her from the eyes of friends and neighbors as long as possible to avoid the sympathetic glances and closed-door gossip.

Lorelai knew that being a teenage mother wasn't something to aspire to. But she also knew that the life she had with Rory was far better than the life she would've had without her. If she hadn't gotten pregnant, she wouldn't have been forced to make it on her own, which means there likely wouldn't be a Mia or Sookie in her life.

She would never apologize for having Rory. Straub had wanted her to terminate her pregnancy—he didn't come right out and say it, but the implication was definitely there—but abortion wasn't an option for her. Like she told Emily years ago, it wasn't Rory's fault that her parents were irresponsible.

But, if she were honest with herself, Lorelai would have to admit that she still blamed her parents for their role in her choices. If they hadn't been so overbearing, she probably wouldn't have stepped out of line as much as she did. Or gotten pregnant at fifteen.

And that circled back to her not having Rory.

Sighing, Lorelai shook her head as her eyes fell on her daughter's face, casting off her pointless thoughts, and focused her attention on the task at hand.