The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Thirty-Two: Harmony in Stars Hollow

Alessia's heart raced as she followed Jess up the narrow staircase to his room above the diner. They had stolen moments before, but tonight felt different-charged with the weight of unspoken words and lingering glances. The door closed behind them with a soft click, enveloping them in the quiet intimacy of Jess's small sanctuary.

Their lips met urgently, hands fumbling with buttons and zippers as desire fueled their movements. Alessia's mind raced with the intensity of the moment, the sensation of Jess's touch against her skin igniting a fire within her. She let herself be consumed by the heat of his kisses, losing track of time and space in their shared passion.

"I should go," Alessia murmured against his lips, her voice barely a whisper amidst the intensity of their embrace.

"Just a few more minutes," Jess pleaded, his breath warm against her cheek as he kissed her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

Alessia hesitated, torn between the pull of desire and her commitment to help Sookie at the inn. "I promised Sookie I'd be there," she reminded him, her voice tinged with regret.

Jess sighed, reluctantly pulling away to look into her eyes. "I know," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I just... don't want this moment to end."

"I don't either," Alessia admitted, her heart aching with conflicting emotions. "But I really have to go."

Reluctantly, Jess nodded, releasing her from his embrace. "Okay," he said softly, pressing a lingering kiss on her forehead. "Go on, Gilmore."

With a final glance over her shoulder, Alessia left Jess's room, her steps heavy with the weight of what they had shared. She hurried down the stairs and out of the diner, her mind racing as she made her way to the Dragonfly Inn where Sookie was waiting.

---

As Alessia entered the bustling inn, she was greeted by the sight of Michel at the front desk, a scowl etched on his face as he answered phone calls with his signature impatience.

"Bonjour, Michel," Alessia greeted tentatively, unsure of how he would respond.

Michel glanced up, his expression immediately morphing into a mix of annoyance and disinterest. "What do you want?" he asked bluntly, not bothering to hide his irritation.

"I'm here to help Sookie pick out songs for the wedding," Alessia explained, trying to remain unfazed by Michel's attitude.

"Oh, joy," Michel replied dryly, rolling his eyes. "Another opinion to ignore."

Alessia bit back a smile, recognizing the familiar banter from her visits to the inn with Lorelai. "I promise I'll try not to disrupt your day too much."

Michel waved a dismissive hand. "Just don't expect me to cater to your whims like everyone else around here."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Alessia replied with a hint of amusement, knowing well enough not to take Michel's gruff demeanor personally.

Alessia found herself caught in a whirlwind of emotions as she entered the bustling kitchen of the Dragonfly Inn. Sookie, her effervescent self, greeted Alessia with a warm hug, the aroma of freshly baked goods enveloping them both.

"Alessia, darling! You made it!" Sookie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've been waiting to show you my playlist!"

"I'm excited to hear it," Alessia replied with a smile, genuinely curious about the eclectic mix Lorelai had mentioned. She took a seat at the kitchen table as Sookie brought out her tablet, fingers dancing over the screen.

"Okay, brace yourself," Sookie said with a grin, tapping on the first song. The room filled with the soothing melodies of a classic ballad, setting a serene atmosphere that Alessia could imagine perfectly for a wedding ceremony.

"That's beautiful," Alessia commented, nodding appreciatively as she listened. "Very romantic."

Sookie beamed. "I thought it would be perfect for when I walk down the aisle. But wait, it gets better!"

The next song surprised Alessia-a lively folk tune that had her tapping her foot and imagining a joyful celebration. Sookie swayed along with the music, her enthusiasm infectious.

"And this one!" Sookie exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement as she queued up a whimsical, indie-pop track that seemed to defy convention.

Alessia couldn't help but laugh. "Sookie, these choices are... unexpected."

Sookie grinned mischievously. "Lorelai said eclectic, right? I figured we should cover all the bases-romantic, fun, and a little quirky. Gotta keep everyone on their toes!"

Alessia nodded, thoroughly impressed by Sookie's creativity and dedication to making her wedding day unique. As they continued listening and discussing each song, Alessia found herself swept up in Sookie's infectious energy, momentarily forgetting the complexities awaiting her outside the inn.

Just as they were getting into a heated debate about whether a jazz standard or a modern ballad would better suit the first dance, Michel's voice cut through the kitchen with characteristic impatience.

"Are you done yet?" Michel asked, leaning against the doorframe with an exaggerated sigh. "Some of us have work to do."

Sookie rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, Michel, don't be such a grump. We're almost done here."

Michel raised an eyebrow. "I'll believe that when I see it."

Alessia couldn't help but grin at Michel's antics-it was like watching a scene from a familiar sitcom. Despite his gruff exterior, she knew he cared deeply for the inn and its guests, even if he rarely showed it.

"Almost done," Sookie assured, giving Alessia a conspiratorial wink before returning her attention to the playlist. "Let's finish strong!"

They spent the next hour finalizing the playlist, debating each song's merits and envisioning how they would complement different moments of the wedding day. By the time they were satisfied with the eclectic mix, Alessia felt a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for Sookie's big day.

As they wrapped up, Sookie clapped her hands together. "Well, that's that! Thank you, Alessia, for your input. I couldn't have done it without you."

Alessia smiled warmly. "I'm glad I could help, Sookie. Your wedding is going to be amazing."

Sookie enveloped Alessia in another hug, her excitement palpable. "You're the best, you know that?"

With a final farewell to Sookie and a nod to Michel, Alessia left the inn feeling lighter than she had in days. The whirlwind of emotions from earlier with Jess seemed distant now, replaced by a sense of purpose and connection with her friends in Stars Hollow.

As she walked back towards Luke's Diner, Alessia couldn't help but wonder what other surprises-and challenges-awaited her in this quirky, unpredictable town.