In The Forgotten Gilmore, Alessia Gilmore grapples with adolescence in Stars Hollow, a town where gossip flows as freely as coffee at Luke's Diner. Overshadowed by her mother Lorelai's bond with twin sister Rory, Alessia finds solace in her irrevere...
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The afternoon rush at Luke's Diner was in full swing. Alessia moved swiftly between tables, balancing plates and refilling coffee cups with the efficiency of a seasoned pro. She had offered to help out since the regular waitress had called in sick, and Luke was grateful for the extra pair of hands.
"Order up!" Luke called from the kitchen, sliding two plates of burgers and fries onto the counter.
Alessia grabbed the plates and navigated her way through the crowded diner. As she delivered the food to a couple of hungry patrons, the bell above the door jingled, signaling new arrivals. She glanced up to see Lorelai and Rory stepping inside.
Her heart skipped a beat. It had been days since her fight with Lorelai, and the lack of contact had left a raw wound. But here they were, as if summoned by fate.
Lorelai spotted Alessia and gave her a tentative smile. Rory nudged her mother, and they approached the counter where Alessia was standing.
"Hey," Lorelai said softly, her eyes searching Alessia's face.
"Hey," Alessia replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "What can I get you?"
Lorelai sighed. "Can we talk? When you have a minute?"
Alessia nodded. "Yeah, just let me finish up here."
"Take your time," Rory added, giving Alessia a supportive smile.
As Alessia continued serving customers, she could feel the weight of Lorelai and Rory's presence in the diner. She moved with purpose, wanting to get through her tasks quickly so she could have that conversation. Jess, who had been bussing tables, noticed the tension and shot her a questioning look. She just shrugged, trying to convey that everything was under control.
Once the crowd thinned out, Alessia took a deep breath and approached the table where Lorelai and Rory were sitting. She slid into the booth across from them, nervously twisting a napkin in her hands.
"I'm sorry," Lorelai began, her voice thick with emotion. "I know I should have called sooner. I just... I didn't know what to say."
"Me neither," Alessia admitted, looking down at the napkin. "I was so angry, and I didn't know how to deal with it."
"I should have been there for you," Lorelai said, reaching across the table to take Alessia's hand. "You're my daughter, and I love you. I never want you to feel like I've given up on you."
Alessia's eyes filled with tears, and she squeezed Lorelai's hand. "I love you too, Mom. I just felt so... alone."
"You're not alone," Rory chimed in, placing a comforting hand on Alessia's shoulder. "We're here, and we're not going anywhere."
Alessia nodded, her heart swelling with relief. "I've missed you guys."
"We've missed you too," Lorelai said, pulling Alessia into a hug. Rory joined in, and for a moment, everything felt right again.
As they pulled away, Jess approached the table, wiping his hands on a towel. "Everything okay here?" he asked, his gaze flicking to Rory and lingering for a moment too long.
"Yeah, we're good," Alessia replied, oblivious to the way Jess was looking at Rory.
"Good," Jess said, forcing a smile. "Let me know if you need anything."
Rory gave Jess a polite smile, and he returned to his work, but not before casting another longing glance in her direction.
As the afternoon rush died down, the diner grew quieter. Alessia felt a sense of peace settle over her, knowing that her relationship with Lorelai and Rory was on the mend. They chatted about mundane things, catching up on each other's lives as if no time had passed.
Luke came out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. "Looks like things are calming down. You girls need anything?"
"We're good, Luke," Lorelai said with a smile. "Thanks."
Luke nodded and gave Alessia a small, approving smile. "Good work today, kid."
"Thanks, Luke," Alessia replied, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. She had her family back, and she had friends who cared about her. For now, that was enough.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the diner, Lorelai turned to Alessia with a thoughtful expression.
"Hey, Sookie's been going crazy with the wedding plans," Lorelai said. "She asked if you could come by the inn tomorrow to help pick out songs for the walk down the aisle."
"Really?" Alessia asked, surprised but pleased. "I'd love to help."
"Great," Lorelai replied, her smile widening. "I think it'll be good for you to get involved with something fun. Besides, Sookie would love the extra input."
Alessia nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I'll be there. Thanks, Mom."
"Don't thank me yet," Lorelai teased. "Wait until you've heard Sookie's playlist. It's... eclectic."
They all laughed, the tension of the past few days finally beginning to lift. Alessia felt a renewed sense of hope as she looked around at the people she loved. She knew there would be more challenges ahead, but with her family and friends by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.
