The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Fifty: Always Second Place

The crisp air greeted Alessia as she stepped out of her car, taking a deep breath before making her way to the Gilmore mansion. She had driven straight from Harvard, just barely making it to Friday night dinner, though she knew her absence likely wouldn't have made a difference. Lorelai and Rory had arrived earlier together, as usual—no one even asked if she wanted to carpool. She pulled her jacket tighter, steeling herself for the inevitable evening of feeling like the third wheel in her own family.

Inside, the house was warm and bustling with energy. Lorelai and Rory were already sitting comfortably on the couch, chatting and laughing with Emily, who was perched elegantly in her chair. Alessia walked in, unnoticed at first, and took a seat at the edge of the room. The chatter continued as if she hadn't entered.

"Ah, Alessia," Emily finally said, glancing in her direction but with a dismissive tone. "How was the drive?"

"Fine," Alessia muttered, forcing a small smile. She knew this routine—ask, but don't really care for the answer.

Richard soon joined them in the living room, and once everyone was seated, Emily cleared her throat with purpose.

"We have an announcement," she said, clasping her hands. Richard nodded in agreement, his face beaming with pride.

"A week from tomorrow will be our fortieth wedding anniversary," Richard began. "And to celebrate, we're going to renew our vows."

"Oh, wow!" Rory gasped. "That's so wonderful, Grandpa!"

Lorelai's eyes widened slightly, but she smiled. "That's great, Mom, Dad! What an amazing milestone."

Emily smiled, basking in the approval of her daughter and granddaughter. "And Lorelai," she continued with a certain flourish, "you're going to be my maid of honor."

Lorelai blinked, taken aback. "Uh, what?"

"Yes, it's only fitting. You're my daughter, after all," Emily said dismissively, already moving on in her mind.

Alessia couldn't help the tightness in her chest. Of course, Lorelai was the maid of honor. Alessia might as well have been invisible.

Robert entered the room just then. "Excuse me, Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Jeffries from the Windsor Club is on the line."

Richard waved him off casually. "Thank you, Robert." As Robert exited, Richard added, "Oh, by the way, I'm firing Robert next week."

"You won't need him after the renewal," Emily said lightly.

"No, I won't," Richard agreed, taking the call. "Richard Gilmore here. The Gold Room? Hold on a moment, please. Emily, they say they can free up the Gold Room."

Emily gave him an incredulous look. "How are we supposed to fit a twenty-piece band in the Gold Room? No, we need the Rose Room."

"Right." Richard nodded and returned to the phone. "I'm afraid the Gold Room won't do. We need the Rose Room." After a pause, he added, "Perhaps they'd be willing to switch dates. We'd be happy to make it worth their while, of course. Yes, I'll hold."

Emily sighed dramatically, "Richard, we just have to get the Rose Room."

"Don't worry," Richard reassured her. "We insure that building. If we don't get the room, they'll suddenly have a very expensive foundation upgrade to handle."

Emily turned to Rory and Lorelai with a gleam in her eye. "I married a wonderful man, girls."

Rory chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yes, you did, Grandma."

Lorelai, still processing the maid of honor bombshell, hesitated before speaking. "Hey, Mom, about this whole maid of honor thing..."

"Oh, yes!" Emily cut her off, standing up abruptly. "Richard, can you spare us for a moment? I need to take Lorelai upstairs."

Lorelai frowned, confused. "Why do I need to go upstairs?"

Richard, barely paying attention, waved them off. "Of course, of course."

Emily grabbed Lorelai's arm and pulled her to her feet, leaving Rory behind. "We'll be right back," Emily said as she led Lorelai toward the stairs.

Lorelai looked over her shoulder, eyes narrowed in mock accusation. "Why doesn't Rory have to go upstairs?"

Richard turned to Rory with a smile. "Oh, don't worry, Lorelai. Rory and I will discuss the possibility of her being my best man."

Rory gasped, excitement lighting up her face. "Really? I'm going to be your best man?"

Alessia's stomach churned. Rory, always Rory.

Emily paused mid-step and turned back, her eyes landing on Alessia as if she had forgotten she was even in the room. "Oh, and Alessia, dear, we do have a role for you."

Alessia straightened slightly, momentarily hopeful. "You do?"

"Yes," Emily nodded, her voice perfectly polite but condescending. "You'll be... well, the guestbook attendant. It's a very important job. We'll need you to make sure all the guests sign in. Everyone will be relying on you to keep things in order."

Alessia's face fell, but she quickly forced a tight smile. "Right. The guestbook. Of course."

"That's settled then!" Emily declared, satisfied. She turned her attention back to Lorelai and led her upstairs.

Rory leaned over toward Alessia once they were alone. "I didn't know they still even had guestbook attendants."

Alessia let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. "Apparently, it's a thing."

Rory smiled sympathetically, but Alessia could tell it didn't matter to her. She had her important role. She was the best man, after all.

As Richard continued his conversation about the Rose Room, Alessia leaned back into the couch, wishing she hadn't come at all.