�It�s okay.� Rory smiled, �It won�t be too bad.�
Lorelai sighed, �Its bad enough that we have to see them, but there�s gonna be others there, also. Let�s just parade Rory around for everyone to see.�
�Well, I am in college now.� Rory reminded her mother.
�True.� Lorelai nodded, and put her arm around her daughter before she rang the doorbell. She knew Rory was feeling better, but she was almost positive this was not a good idea. She was sure she would be in a fight with her parents before the evening was out.
�Hello!� Emily�s voice sang as she came to the door, �I trust Rory is feeling better?� she asked.
�Hi Grandma. I am, thanks.� Rory said, flashing a smile.
�Hi, Mom.� Lorelai said, not letting her daughter step more than a few inches away.
�Come in, come in, it�s cold.� Emily said. A maid took their coats, and they followed Emily into the living room, where several people were already gathered, �Mingle for a bit, we�ve got a few more people coming and then we�ll have dinner.�
�Thanks, Grandma.� Rory smiled, clutching her mom�s hand in a death grip. She was painfully aware she still had visible scrapes and bruises, and she was feeling very self-conscious about them.
�Apple tarts?� Lorelai asked, and Rory nodded eagerly. Apple tarts were their favorite part of their grandparents� holiday meal. They went over to the appetizers, and began chomping down. Rory went slowly, her throat still sore from rough hands on her windpipe.
A man and woman came up to them then, �Lorelai? How are you?� the woman said, very primly and properly.
�Caroline? Wow! I haven�t seen you in ages!� Lorelai smiled, �This is my daughter, Rory.�
�Nice to meet you, Rory.� Caroline said, and shook Rory�s free hand, �This is my new husband, Darren.� She gestured to her belly, �And this is Darren, Junior or Roxanne.�
�Nice to meet you, Darren. Wow! You�re pregnant? Congratulations! How far along?� Lorelai asked.
�Just nine weeks.� Darren said, proudly, his arm passively around his wife�s shoulder.
�Wow! That�s nice.� Lorelai said. �Oh, my God, get me out of here. This baby is going to be the most spoilt brat on the planet.� She thought, squeezing Rory to her playfully.
�Lorelai! Rory! Hi!� another man and woman came over to greet them.
�Oh, Judy! Hello! This isn�t Robert, is it?� Lorelai asked, puzzled. Judy had been married to Robert only a year ago.
�Oh, no, we�re divorced now. This is Sherman.� Judy introduced her new friend.
�Hi, Sherman, it�s nice to meet you. So you two are�?� Lorelai started the question, hoping Judy would pick it up.
�Engaged. To be wed in April.� Judy filled in.
�How nice!� Lorelai gagged inwardly. �Sherman?� she could tell Rory also wanted to laugh.
�So, Rory, how�s school?� Judy asked.
Rory squeezed her mother�s hand, �It�s fine.�
�Not too hard?� Judy inquired.
�It�s hard, but fun at the same time.� Rory said, wanting to answer the questions as quickly as possible.
�Looks like she partied too hard after finals.� Sherman observed.
Rory went beet red, �Not really,� she whispered, turning to her mom for support.
�There was an incident with a tree root. She tripped.� Lorelai fibbed. She knew she was lying, but she didn�t want to embarrass Rory any more than she already was.
�Oh, ouch.� Judy said, sympathetically, �So, Lorelai, how�s the inn?�
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