Oh, poor Rory. Poor Lorelai. My heart breaks for them both. I'm so glad that Lorelai had Sookie to go to and vent her fury, before her head exploded, and that Rory has Lane to boost her happiness up. I really love the continuity you provide in this story in showing how these relationships are the same as what we grew used to on the show. It's heartening to see that these friendships have been so solid for so long.

Adore your details. Michel allowing himself one glass of champagne. A kitchen worker automatically bringing Sookie an ice pack. Tofu pups. Dick Clark. You blend all of this together with the emotional story, which makes it seem exactly like an 'prequel' episode of the show.

I've enjoyed these last 2 chapters, but I'm really eagerly anticipating getting back to the Luke/Anna side of the story too!

I remember reading this over at BWR, but I don't remember if I finished it or not. So every chapter so far is vaguely familiar, but I can't remember how it all ends. Whether I've read this in its entirety before or not, I'm really enjoying reading it now. I have a soft spot for pre-series fics and this story paints their world so realistically and in the same tone of the show, even though it takes a totally different spin on a major plot point.

This is a fun story to read. All the characters are well drawn and seem like real people. I'm looking forward to seeing where you plan to take them.

I don't think Chris will ever grow up; he is so self-invested that he makes me sick. I can understand Lorelai's infatuation with him when she was a child, but now? He is a taker, a controller, and that is unsustainable in a real and adult world. I know he is Rory's father, but he is totally selfish, totally unreliable. Oh, well, hopefully we will soon see Lorelai getting a grip, a better grip on reality and realize what is right in front of her and Rory.

Periodically I rant over Lorelai's choice of words when she and Christopher are finally ending their sham marriage: "You're the one I want to want." But after reading this chapter from you I finally get it. I understand that she has spent years waiting on him, waiting for him to finally get it together and be there for her AND Rory. I admire how her first priority is always Rory. Keeping her safe. Even from her clueless father.

This is a sad chapter, but really enlightening. It shows so clearly what Lorelai's priorities are; what her work ethic is; how strong she is. And how lonely, too, in a way.

I just loved the way you managed to so eloquently sum up their whole life together in this one chapter. Well done!

sooo cute, i need more!

Every character is impeccably drawn. The humor is worthy of ASP. I can see and hear and taste and smell everything. This is apple tarts. I'd take a couple of Luke's donuts to go, but this is apple tarts and Luke's coffee. Please, please, please continue. I can hardly wait for more.

This is just wonderful! I'm really enjoying seeing Lorelai and Rory interacting with Luke when Rory's so young. Rory is (of course) adorable. I'm curious about how you'll take this story and how the relationship between Luke & Anna and Luke & Lorelia will progress. And how April and Rory will fit in with everyone. Very interesting! (I'm trying to resist reading your older version... but I'm curious about your ideas for the story!)

Loving the story :)

I'm loving this story. I really enjoyed the banter between Luke and Lorelai. Looking forward to the next chapter. I'm thinking that Anna may not be walking down the aisle with Luke. Thanks for this quick update.

I never told you that I thought that bringing the whole apple-tarts-religious-experience-parental-guilt thing full circle at the end with Luke's ACLU suggestion was brilliant. Consider yourself told. :)

It's a delight to watch Lorelai and Rory taking their first trips into Luke's world. It's a treat to sit back and watch their friendship start to grow. He gets her; she's starting to appreciate that there's more to him than what she thought at first glance. I like that they are both listening to each other's suggestions and taking them seriously. Plus, they just seem to enjoy bantering with each other. With Luke, especially, I get the impression that he hasn't had the chance to do this for a long time. And his comment, "I don't get how someone can do that - walk out on their kid," is very telling, isn't it? And I thought his funniest line was this: "If John Gotti was giving me money, I'd have bigger problems than figuring out how to spend it," because, well, yeah. Also, love the end, where it seems that both of them may be starting to look at each other with different eyes.

Great story! Absolutely loving it!

Normally I don't read JJs I am more into Rorys love life although occasionally I might read a Emily centric fic or a Bb cause there rare. however you got a good concept the only thing I advise is don't make Anna evil have La break up because they don't click

I really like that Anna's comment got Lorelai thinking about the situation with her mother, and how her running away with Rory affected Emily. I like that she tried at the Christmas party to be a good daughter, and I especially liked that Rory didn't already know how her grandmother viewed her mother. At the same time, it was a nice touch that Rory overheard Emily berating Lorelai about the dress, proving that Lorelai's apprehension about wearing it was warranted after all. Once again, Lorelai is able to talk more openly to Richard, and Richard seems more anxious to be the peacemaker between Lorelai and her mother, similar to how he more often appeared in the show.

This paragraph:
"Emily, of course has never given her any inkling on the matter. She simply soldiers on, cordial and polished in her demeanor, Emily Post in a Courtney Love world, with just the occasional dig at Lorelai, just piercing enough to remind her what a disappointment she is, but not enough to make her go away permanently. Smart, calculated, perfectly timed; that's Emily Gilmore through and through."
is a perfect description of the Emily Gilmore we know and usually don't love. You've perfectly summed up the way she treats Lorelai.

Still enjoying this story immensely. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Sigh. I wish my Christmas presents were like that...