The Forgotten Gilmore

Chapter Seventy: Unexpected Invitations

Alessia lay nestled against Logan's chest, her head resting on the soft fabric of his shirt as she traced absentminded circles on his skin. The early morning light filtered through the window of Logan's apartment, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. It was peaceful—one of those rare, quiet moments where neither of them felt the need to speak.

She felt oddly comfortable here, the city noise muffled by the walls, the space around them feeling like a cocoon. Despite the chaos of her life, being with Logan was simple. She didn't need to question it—they didn't need to question it. They were together, and here, in his arms, it was easy to forget the world outside.

Until her phone rang.

Alessia groaned, burying her face further into Logan's chest. "Of course."

"Maybe they'll hang up," Logan murmured, his voice soft, laced with amusement as he brushed his fingers through her hair.

The phone rang again, persistent and demanding. Alessia sighed, reaching for it on the nightstand. She glanced at the screen—Mom.

Great.

Logan raised an eyebrow as Alessia sat up, already anticipating the whirlwind that was about to follow. "It's my mom," she muttered, more to herself than him.

"Take your time," Logan said, leaning back against the pillows with a smirk, clearly not planning on going anywhere.

Alessia hesitated before answering. "Hey, Mom. What's up?"

"Al! Finally! I've been trying to get ahold of you. Where are you?" Lorelai's voice was chipper, but Alessia could hear the underlying impatience—the way her mother always called when it was convenient for her, but never when Alessia really needed her.

"I'm... busy," Alessia said vaguely, glancing sideways at Logan, who was watching her with quiet amusement. "What do you need?"

"I need you to come back to Stars Hollow tomorrow," Lorelai breezed on, as if Alessia's tone hadn't registered. "Liz and TJ's wedding is happening—like, tomorrow. They've decided to go for it. I told Rory about it last week. Luke really wants you to be there."

Alessia froze for a second, her grip tightening on the phone. "Wait... what? You told Rory about it last week?"

"Yeah, but—"

"And you're telling me now?" Alessia's voice sharpened, cutting through Lorelai's casual tone. "Thanks for the heads-up, Mom."

"I just... forgot to mention it earlier," Lorelai said, brushing it off. "But it's no big deal, right? You can still make it."

Alessia rubbed her forehead, her frustration building. "No big deal? You told Rory and not me? You didn't even think to call me until the day before?"

"Well, I'm calling you now," Lorelai shot back, her tone defensive. "And Luke really wants you there. He was the one who mentioned it."

"Luke wants me there," Alessia echoed bitterly. "But not you?"

"Of course I want you there, Alessia," Lorelai said, though her voice wavered just enough to give away that Luke's desire for Alessia's presence was clearly the driving force. "It'll be fun. And it's a wedding! You can handle a wedding, right?"

Alessia closed her eyes, feeling the familiar ache in her chest. The same old story. Lorelai telling Rory first. Rory always being the one in the loop. And now, somehow, Alessia was just supposed to show up last minute, like an afterthought.

"Yeah, sure," Alessia said, her voice tight. "I'll be there."

"Great! It's going to be fine, really. Liz is super excited, and TJ... well, you'll meet him. He's... TJ," Lorelai said with a laugh, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

"Can't wait," Alessia said dryly, already dreading the whole thing.

"Okay, well, see you tomorrow then!" Lorelai chirped, oblivious to the weight of what had just transpired. "Love you, bye!"

Before Alessia could respond, Lorelai hung up, leaving her staring at the phone.

Logan shifted beside her, his arm wrapping around her waist. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah," Alessia muttered, letting out a long breath. "My mom 'forgot' to tell me about Liz's wedding until the last minute. Told Rory first, of course."

Logan gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry."

Alessia shrugged, her jaw tightening. "It's always the same. But apparently, Luke really wants me there. So, I guess I'm going."

Logan's fingers traced soothing patterns on her arm. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Alessia turned her head to look at him, surprised. "You'd actually want to?"

Logan smiled, his eyes warm. "I mean, it sounds like a spectacle. And I wouldn't mind seeing you navigate the madness."

She laughed, shaking her head. "As tempting as that is, I think I'll handle this one solo. You in Stars Hollow? That might be more chaos than the town can handle."

"Fair enough," Logan said with a playful grin, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "But if you need an escape, you know where to find me."

Alessia smiled, leaning into his touch. "Thanks, but I think I'll survive."

For now, at least, she thought. Tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges. But for the moment, here, with Logan, she could put that all aside. At least for a few more hours.

She looked up at him, catching the warmth in his eyes as his hand rested lightly against her cheek. Logan leaned in, his breath brushing against her lips before closing the distance between them. Alessia responded instantly, her hands sliding up to the back of his neck as their kiss deepened. The world outside faded further away with every second, leaving only the two of them wrapped up in the warmth of the moment, lost in each other.

For now, there was no Stars Hollow, no wedding, no complications—just this.