Chapter Text
August 1980
"So, which home do you like?"
I put my hand on my belly. The baby had grown quite a bit, and I could feel my belly under my hand. It used to be quite visible, too, but of course, I didn't have time to examine that now. I have to keep my eyes on the road when I'm behind the wheel.
This was the third city I've looked at. A place we could live, but it wasn't the same. I don't even know what I'm looking for. What do I want our new home to look like?
Definitely, some town where no one would know me. Especially somewhere that had a nice house for sale. Then it has to be a safe and nice enough town with some good schools because I have to think about the baby first. Then it should be a town that isn't too outdated or prudish, where they look down on single mothers. After the last few cities, I'm starting to feel like this condition will be the most difficult. I may have to try a state other than Connecticut.
There's a turnoff to a town over there. Stars Hollow? At least it's got a nice name.
I pulled over into the turn lane, and not long after that, I was pulling into town. It's a pretty town at first glance. At least, judging by the houses and front gardens, it looks like they take care of the environment. It fits their name.
I headed forward along the road to somewhere I suspected would be the center of town. After a while, I came to a square where something was happening. Some kind of festival, probably. Perfect opportunity to have a look around. I had originally wanted to discover a local cafe, restaurant, or pub and ideally find the most chatty gossip around and find out as much as I could about the town, but this festival would be the perfect opportunity for that, too.
After parking the car, I made my way into the crowd. According to the signs, this is National Raspberry Pie Day, or Pie Festival as it was variously spelled, which made me smile. Apparently, they take pies very seriously here. They went to great lengths with the decorations, music playing, the source of which I have yet to discover, and plenty of stalls. Not only with cakes, although there were plenty of those, but also stands with souvenirs, fruit, sweets, ice cream, and snacks. I saw a kind of workshop, „Knead your cake“ or „Make your own cake,“ and also a cake-eating contest. There was so much that I started to feel like Alice in Wonderland.
"Miss? You look hungry; come on, have some pie," I heard behind me.
I turned around and saw a woman with blonde curly hair behind me in one of the booths. She must have been in her mid-thirties, though she looked quite short, especially when standing beside a very tall man. They looked like a dwarf and a giant next to each other. The two of them must have been there selling cakes, or rather giving them away because she was holding one out to me before I knew it.
"It's peach; I baked it myself," she assured me. "That's if you've had enough of the raspberry one."
"Thank you, and how much do I get for it?"
"Don't, we have plenty. Especially if you eat for two," she nodded her head towards my visible belly. "Just sit here and talk to me. You looked like you were looking for something."
"I kind of did," I nodded slightly and sat in one of the empty chairs at the booth. The woman sat down across from me, leaving the man alone in the booth. He didn't seem to mind; compared to her, he hadn't said a word yet.
"I'm Babbete, and this is my Morey. Just tell me what you're looking for, and I'll direct you."
"I was looking for a source of information, but I have a feeling that's already been done," I smiled and stuck my fork in the pie. "I'm Mary. Mary Young."
"Nice to meet you. And go ahead, I'll be happy to advise you,“ she shook her head.
"Actually, I'm trying to learn about the town and get to know it. Pie festivals like this, is that common?"
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no, it's whatever Taylor can think of at the time," she waves her hand. "But otherwise, yes, we have festivals and carnivals here a lot."
"Sounds nice to me. Getting everyone together, having fun, eating cake, competing..." looking around as I describe it. "It seems like a nice town full of nice people."
"I'm sure Taylor would like to hear that. And so would I. It's very nice to hear. Are you planning on writing an article about Stars Hollow?" She asked curiously.
"Oh, no," I assured her. "I'm more likely looking for a new place to live, so I'm wondering what the environment is like. I also need to find out what the schools are like here and if there are even any houses for sale..."
Obviously, what I said had somehow caught her interest. She immediately jumped to her feet. "Heaven itself sent you to me. Morey, did you hear? She's going to save us. We must show her the house! And soon!"
Before I knew it, I'd lost my cake. She said she'd give me another and led me away from the square. No, not that far, but it was several blocks before we stopped in front of a house. It was two-story, with a big porch and a white picket fence, with a separate garage next door. Nice house for a family. And judging by the sign, it's for sale.
"What do you think?"
"It's nice. Definitely perfect for us," I smiled and touched my belly. I hoped the baby would give me some approval or his opinion on the house. But he didn't say anything, so then he can't complain.
"Just say the word, and I'll get the owner in a minute, and you can arrange it right away. I live right over there, so we could be neighbors, and I can help with anything..."
She persuaded me too vehemently, that it made me raise my eyebrows. "Why is it so necessary for me to buy it?"
"Well..." She stammered a bit, probably searching for how to say it. Probably for the first time in the time I'd known her. "It's Taylor, the guy who runs the festivals; he's been here a few times and strongly considers it. And please, I really don't want him as a neighbor. I'll even get down on my knees and beg." She looked like she was really going to do it.
"That won't be necessary. But feel free to call the owners; I’ll be happy to look inside, and if I don't find anything inconvenient, we could be neighbors." After all, the town looked nice and pleasant. "Then the sale can be quick; it's up to me to decide which house to choose for us and where we'll live. It just won't be a problem, I hope?"
"What would be a problem? A child? Honey, baby laughter will only brighten up the place. And if you need me, I can babysit whenever you need me," she waved her hand over the single mother's no-holds-barred.
That's how I found my new home for both of us.
The house sale was quickly arranged, though Taylor probably didn't like it. I found that out when I met him. As well as how eccentric he is. "What do you intend to do here in town? I know types like you very well. Unfair elements. You're definitely going to drag a crooked crime in here." He's got quite an imagination.
The others in town, however, were much more friendly and warm, making up for his hostility. They assured me not to make fun of him, and as far as I could see, they all argued with him like that at times. But after baking a few cakes and attending and volunteering at his festival, he took me up on my offer. Although I didn't do it for that, I attended festivals simply because I enjoyed it. I liked being part of the community and helping others.
And when Lily was born, everyone loved her just like we loved this town.
October 1985
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I looked at Lorelai. I was with her in her nursery, where she grew up. She still had a huge dollhouse in the corner, one I never had. But I'd also never lived in one place for very long, and this house didn't look easy to move into. I doubt Lorelai will want to take it with her. As long as she's already packed.
"I am," Lorelai uttered. "I'm leaving my parents." She sounded very determined about it. She'd been thinking about it for a long time, too. I think ever since I told her about the existence of Stars Hollow in the maternity ward. Maybe even before that, she just didn't have a place to go before that.
I looked over at the crib. Rory was still sitting there playing with her toys. It's scary how fast it went by, how fast she grew up. She was just born, and she's a year old now. Right next to her crib was my Lily, who was the same way. Before I knew it, she was four years old.
Now she was standing next to the crib, poking toys through the crib bars. She adored Rory, and she adored her. Initially, they'd treated each other like sisters or best friends.
"Here we go, sweetheart. We'll be out of this house, once and for all," Lorelai crossed the room with a smile, picked Rory up, and kissed her on the forehead.
Lifting Rory out of Lily's reach meant a protest from Lily. So I immediately took her in my arms and began to reassure her, "It's time to go. We're all going to live in the same town together now, and we’ll see a lot more of each other."
It worked as reassurance. Lily was always unhappy when she had to leave Rory and always looked forward to it. Unfortunately, with Lorelai living here, it didn't happen as often. First, because Lorelai always had to find the time and space to come over, and then because of the distance. Living in one city or having to travel to another city is still different.
"If you're ready..." I addressed Lorelai cautiously. She still had the option of backing out. She could still stay here.
"I am," she confirmed. She sounded determined. Rory held one hand and grabbed her packed travel bag with the other. She was heading out, toward a new life, toward Stars Hollow. And I was her ride.
It wasn't Lorelai and Rory’s first visit to Stars Hollow. They'd been to see me a couple of times, a couple of times to see the town. And by a couple of times, I mean really a couple of times, you could count it on one hand. But Lorelai was charmed by every visit to the city. I don't blame her. I was, too, years ago.
She was so charmed by it that she sought help at the Independence Hotel. I've known Mia since my early days in Stars Hollow. I stayed at the Independence Hotel for the first few days until the house sale was finalized.
"Do you want me to come with you?" I asked Lorelai. I could introduce Mia to Lorelai and Rory and convince her.
"No," Lorelai shook her head. "I have to handle this alone."
I just nodded and let her. I understood her. This is her struggle, path to independence, and quest to build a life for herself. "Then say hi to Mia for me. I'll be expecting you with dinner later." I've given her no choice in the matter, mostly because I want to see how things turn out there.
So later that evening, while I was putting the meat on her plate, I would learn all about it.
"At first, I couldn't find it at all, but I stopped by the bakery and asked for directions..." was Loreai's description.
"So you've even managed to meet Fran?"
"Sushi," Rory echoed.
"Yes, Rory liked her and wanted to return because she got a cookie there."
"I want a cookie, too," Lily echoed.
"After dinner, girls," I assured her. "So, how was the rest of it?"
"Well, we finally made it to the hotel. A smaller woman, Mia, was talking to someone I didn't know yet, and she laughed a little. Then I approached her; at first, she thought I wanted to check in, but I snapped at her instead of saying that I was there for work. Any job. At that, Mia asked me how old I was, so I told her I was seventeen and needed a job and didn't care what kind. Then she introduced herself, and I introduced the two of us, and then she told me they were looking for a maid and asked if I could do it. So I'm a maid."
"Congratulations," I handed her her plate.
"And not only that. When she realized we had nowhere to stay, she immediately found us a shed. They said it was an old shed they weren’t using but that we could turn it into a little apartment for us. So not only do I have a job, I have a place to live."
"Really? So that's why you didn't return with a suitcase," I understood immediately. I was even slightly disappointed because I thought she would be living with us at least at first, but this would be better for her on her way to independence. Literally to Independence. The name of the hotel really fits.
"Mia is great. She gave me a job and a place to live and offered free meals in their kitchen to go with it. I feel like Mia is my fairy godmother. And so are you. My two fairy godmothers. Or like two of three godmothers."
The two fairy godmothers who watch over fate like in Sleeping Beauty. But in that case, the third, evil godmother should be next.
The evil godmother eventually comes. 11 years later. Cancer. But she came for me.