8 years in the life

Chapter 10 - October 2008

A/N: You can add a musical illustration by running the you tube video when the party starts.

Rory's phone went off while she was deeply sleeping. She didn't bother looking at the caller ID and answered.

"Rory Gilmore," she responded half asleep.

"Are you okay, Rory, you're still sleeping at nine?"

"Hello Grandma, I finished late yesterday, I thought I could sleep a little on Saturday morning."

"Nonsense," Emily said in an exasperated tone. "Rory, you never bothered answering if you're coming next Friday?"

"I promised you I would unless if I have a late assignment abroad, you know I'm still new I cannot let someone cover for me."

"Don't disappoint me, Rory, this is an important event for your grandfather. Please be there."

"Don't worry, Grandma, I'll do my best."

"See you Friday then. Have a good weekend."

"Goodbye, Grandma."

Argggh! Now she was awake. The last thing she wanted to do was to wear her fake society smile and make small talk with people she didn't care for, and plus having to bear the matchmaking that most certainly her grandparents had organized. She could smell the coffee so she decided to step out to get a cup. Robert was getting ready for his run.

"Hey, beautiful. The coffee is brewing. Care to join me for a run?"

Rory arched an eyebrow "Not today. The wakeup call by my grandmother is all I can take for this morning," she answered grumpily. Gazing at Robert, she suddenly had an idea.

"Okay! I'll come running with you if you do me a favor."

"Anything for you, Ror."

"Be my plus one at my grandparents' party on Friday, please?"

"Oh! no. You know I don't do society parties Ror, plus it will be difficult for me to get out of work soon enough to be in Hartford on time."

"Please Robert, I'm not used to those parties anymore. I won't know anybody and you'll be my knight in shining armor to protect me from all the matchmaking. Please?" and she looked at Robert with her big Bambi blue eyes.

"Gosh, don't look at me like this, it's not fair," I swear it's a lethal weapon. "Okay get your butt in your running outfit and I'll manage to go with you on Friday."

"Yesss! Thank you so much! You're the best!" She put a peck kiss on his cheek and got back to her room to change. Robert sighed. I think I'm losing my sanity.

They decided that Rory would pick up Robert at his office and that they would drive directly to Hartford. Friday morning while Rory was editing papers before leaving, her phone rang. It was Robert. Shit, he's bailing out.

"Hi Robert, you're not canceling on me, are you?"

"No, don't worry. I promised you. I'll do my best but I'll be late. The professor I'm assisting just ditched a pile of papers that I've to grade today. I can't be ready for four. Just go and I'll do my best to be at the party by eight. I'm really sorry."

"OK but you're still coming, right?"

"I should be done by 6 pm, I just have to grab my stuff at home, shower and then I'll go directly to your grandparents'. Just text me the address."

"Okay. Thank you so much, Robert, see you tonight"

As she didn't have to wait for Robert, Rory left earlier than originally planned so she could have a little time with her grandparents before the guests arrived. When she came in her room, an amazing dress was lying on her bed. Emily had bought the Tom Ford dress that they saw together when they were shopping at Bergdorf during her last visit in Boston.