The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Fourty-Four: Music and Barbies

Beau's room, cluttered with random knick-knacks and posters of obscure bands, was the perfect setting for an evening of laughter and music. Alessia plopped herself onto a heap of pillows on the floor, surrounded by a mess of blankets and clothes that matched the room's chaotic vibe. The Smiths' "Pretty Girls Make Graves" played softly in the background, filling the room with its melancholic energy.

Beau sprawled across his bed, lazily strumming his guitar. "This song, man," he said, shaking his head. "Morrissey's voice is just... something else."

Alessia snorted. "Yeah, something else alright. Like the soundtrack to a midlife crisis."

Beau grinned. "Hey, don't diss Morrissey. His voice is a national treasure."

Alessia rolled her eyes dramatically.

As the song played on, Beau couldn't resist the urge to sing along, terribly off-key. "Pretty girls make graves
ooh-ooh-oh-ooh, ooh-ooh-oh-ooh-ooh..."

Alessia clapped her hands over her ears with a chuckle. "Fucking hell Beau. You're singing is horrible."

Beau laughed, not missing a beat. "It's called artistic expression, Alessia. You just don't appreciate my talents."

"Talents? More like auditory assault," Alessia teased, tossing a pillow at him.

Their laughter filled the room, light and infectious, when the door creaked open and Lily, Beau's little sister, peeked in. "Beau, will you play Barbies with me?"

Beau sighed dramatically. "Lil, I'm hanging out with Alessia. Can't you find another victim?"

Lily's lip quivered in a way that made refusal impossible. Alessia chuckled, giving Beau a nudge. "Come on, mate. You can't say no to that face."

"Fine," Beau groaned theatrically, setting his guitar aside. "But only because you asked so nicely, Lil."

Alessia and Beau followed Lily to the living room, where a colorful chaos of Barbie dolls awaited. They spent the next hour immersed in the whimsical world of Barbie, with Beau providing overly dramatic voices for the characters and Alessia struggling to keep a straight face.

At one point, Beau picked up a Barbie doll and, in his normal voice, said, "Uhh, how you doing?"

Lily immediately protested, "Beau! Say it in your girl voice. Why do I have to keep asking you?"

Beau sighed and turned to Alessia with a pleading look. "Look away."

Alessia grinned and shook her head. "No way, I'm not missing this."

With an exaggerated eye roll, Beau turned back to the Barbie doll and, in the highest-pitched voice he could muster, said, "How you doingggg?"

Alessia burst into laughter, a cackle she couldn't control. "Oh my god, Beau, that was priceless!"

Beau joined in the laughter, holding the Barbie doll aloft in triumph. "Shut up, Alessia!"

Alessia laughed even harder, clutching her sides and trying to catch her breath.

Beau sighed, shaking his head with a grin. "Oh shush!"

After a particularly hilarious scene where Ken had to save Barbie from a giant stuffed bear, Lily finally got bored and ran off to find another toy. Beau and Alessia collapsed on the couch, catching their breath.

"That was... intense," Alessia said, still giggling.

Beau nodded. "Tell me about it. But you gotta admit, I nailed Ken's hero voice."

"Sure, if Ken's a superhero with a sore throat," Alessia teased.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Beau turned to her. "So, have you thought about college?"

Alessia nodded, her expression turning serious. "Yeah, I actually applied for early admission to Yale. I want to study film. I know it's kind of different from the whole Harvard obsession my family has, but it feels right for me."

Beau's eyes lit up. "Yale, huh? That's awesome. You'll be great there. Way cooler than following the Harvard crowd."

Alessia smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thanks. It's nice to have someone who gets it."

Beau leaned back, stretching his arms. "Anytime. So, think we should get back to The Smiths? Maybe I can improve my singing with a bit more practice."

Alessia rolled her eyes with a groan and pleading eyes. "Please, no more singing."

Beau suddenly sat up, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "You know what? Forget The Smiths. How about we ditch this and go to Luke's Diner instead? I'm craving something savory."

Alessia's face lit up. "Yes! Why didn't you suggest that earlier? Let's go!"

Beau glanced at Lily, who was now engrossed in her toys. "But we can't leave Lily alone."

Alessia nodded. "Of course. We can bring her with us. Luke's Diner has those coloring books for kids, right?"

Beau smiled, relieved. "Yeah, she loves those. Hey Lil, want to go to Luke's Diner with us?"

Lily's eyes lit up. "Can I get mac and cheese?"

"Absolutely," Beau said, ruffling her hair. "Grab your jacket."

They all got ready, and soon they were heading out the door. The evening air was cool and refreshing as they drove to Luke's Diner, the windows down and the radio playing.

At the diner, they ordered savory dinner specials—Beau opting for a hearty bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries, Alessia choosing the diner's famous meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and Lily getting her favorite mac and cheese.

As they sat in the cozy diner, enjoying their meals and chatting, Alessia felt a sense of peace and happiness. Here, with Beau and Lily, everything felt right.