𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚☕︎

The bus let off with a hiss and a lurch, dust lifting from the gravel beneath the tires. Brooke's feet hit Stars Hollow pavement before the door even folded shut behind her.

The sun had dipped low, casting a soft amber glow over the familiar streets. Usually, it would've been comforting. Today, it only made her chest ache.

She sprinted.

The backpack thudded against her side with every step. The record, wrapped carefully in paper, was tucked under her arm like a lifeline.

The Go-Go's. Signed by Belinda Carlisle.

Perfect. She had pictured handing it to Lorelai with a proud smile and a "ta-da!"—maybe even a joke about '80s perms. But now—

She skidded around the corner.

Too late.

The crowd had dispersed. The Gilmore front lawn, which had hours ago been set up with folding chairs and coffee-scented party cups, was empty now. Only a few deflated balloons hung from the porch railings.

Brooke's heart dropped to her knees.

She climbed the porch steps two at a time and knocked—loud, urgent. Her hair was a mess, the city still clinging to her in the form of street noise buzzing in her ears and the faint smell of subway on her jacket.

The door creaked open.

Rory stood there, her hair curled softly around her shoulders, wearing a light blue dress that still sparkled slightly from whatever celebration had just ended.

She blinked in surprise.

"Brooke?"

Brooke tried to catch her breath. "I know. I know I'm late."

"Late?" Rory repeated, eyebrows raised.

"I missed it, didn't I?"

Rory gave a soft nod. "Yeah. Like... really missed it."

Brooke winced and held out the wrapped record with both hands like an apology. "Please. Just... just give this to her? It's signed. The Go-Go's. Belinda. She always said it was her favorite when she was my age, and I— I thought it'd be perfect."

Rory stared at the gift, then slowly took it from Brooke's hands. "She's gonna love this," she said gently. "You didn't have to—"

"I did," Brooke interrupted quickly. "I wanted to. I just... got delayed."

Rory tilted her head. "Where were you?"

Brooke hesitated, the weight of the day suddenly catching up to her in one sharp breath. Her cheeks flushed.

"We'll talk later," she said, voice firm but apologetic. "I promise. I just... I have to go."

Rory opened her mouth like she wanted to argue, but Brooke was already stepping back off the porch.

She made the walk to her house next door without even feeling her legs move. The lights were on inside. She slowed her steps. The front door creaked when she opened it. She stepped in quietly, unsure of what she was walking into.

The answer came instantly.

"Shoe rack," Sienna called out from the living room, her tone sharp.

Brooke froze.

Her shoes were still on.

She kicked them off wordlessly and padded into the living room, heart hammering louder than her footsteps.

Sienna sat on the couch in her work blouse and jeans, a full glass of red wine in her hand. She wasn't scrolling her phone. She wasn't watching TV. She was just waiting.

The room was too quiet. Even the ticking of the wall clock felt loud.

"Hey," Brooke said, trying for casual, setting her bag down by the door.

Sienna didn't move. "You missed it."

"I know."

"She looked for you. Lorelai. Twice during the ceremony."

Brooke folded her arms across her chest, bracing herself. "I'm sorry."

Sienna raised her eyebrows. "Sorry doesn't really explain why the school called to say you weren't there either. Or why you weren't answering your phone."

Brooke didn't look away. "I went to New York."

Sienna set the wine glass down. Slowly. Carefully. "Alone?"

A pause.

Brooke nodded.

"Why?"

"Because..." Her voice cracked just slightly, then steadied. "Jess called. And I didn't know if I'd get the chance again, and I had to see him."

Sienna stared at her.

Brooke continued before she could interrupt. "I know what you're going to say. But it wasn't about skipping or lying or being reckless. I just—he left, and it hurt, and I never got to understand why. And when he called, it was like... if I didn't go, I'd always wonder."

Sienna leaned back, silent. Processing.

"I got the record for Lorelai," Brooke added, softer. "It's signed. I gave it to Rory. I tried to get back in time."

Sienna finally spoke. "You lied to me."

Brooke's throat tightened. "I know."

"You made me worry."

"I know that too."

"And you made someone who loves you think you didn't care enough to show up."

Brooke swallowed, eyes brimming. "That's not true."

Sienna let out a breath. Not angry. Just disappointed. "Then you're gonna have to work twice as hard to prove it."

Brooke nodded, voice barely above a whisper. "I will."

Sienna looked at her a moment longer. "I'm glad you got your moment with him. I am. But the people who are still here? They need you too, Brooke."

"I know," she whispered.

Silence fell again, but this time it was a little less sharp around the edges.

"Go get cleaned up," Sienna said softly. "We'll talk more after dinner."

Brooke turned to leave the room. But before she disappeared up the stairs, she turned back.

"Thanks for not yelling."

Sienna smirked faintly and picked up her wine again. "Who says I'm done?"

Later that night, the house was quiet. The dishes had been cleared, leftovers tucked in the fridge, and the sky outside was inky black, scattered with Stars Hollow constellations.

Brooke sat curled on the couch, freshly showered in her softest sweats, legs tucked under her. Her hair was damp, coiled over one shoulder, and a mug of chamomile tea steamed in her hands. Sienna entered from the kitchen, holding her own cup of wine and a look that meant we're not done—but not in a scary way. In a mom way.

She sat across from Brooke, one arm resting along the back of the couch.

"So," Sienna started, drawing the word out, "how was New York?"

Brooke hesitated—caught mid-sip—then slowly lowered her mug, already smiling. "It was... good."

Sienna raised a brow, unimpressed. "That's it? Good?"

"Okay, it was great."

"Uh-huh." Her mother leaned in slightly, her tone dry. "You missed a graduation for great?"

Brooke gave her a sheepish look. "I know. And I'm sorry. Really. But... it felt like the kind of day you don't get twice."

Sienna waited.

Brooke bit her lip, then sighed, smiling to herself. "We kissed."

Sienna blinked. "Wait—what?"

Brooke laughed into her tea. "Three times."

"Oh my God." Sienna put her glass down, suddenly fully engaged. "Back up. Three kisses? What kind of New York trip was this?"

"The very best kind," Brooke said, cheeks flushed pink now, warmth spreading across her face. "We went to a record store—he took me there because he knows how much I love them. And I found the Go-Go's record. The signed one. For Lorelai."

Sienna nodded slowly. "So the gift was real. That's something."

Brooke leaned back, dreamy. "We were just... talking, teasing each other, and I was holding the record and he was being all smug like, 'Go on, get it.' And I don't know, it just felt like everything lined up again. Like we were back in sync."

"And then you kissed him?"

"Not there. Later. Outside, before I got on the bus. He asked why I came. And I told him the truth—because he didn't say goodbye." Brooke paused. "And then he did."

Sienna softened. "He said goodbye?"

Brooke shook her head, eyes glowing. "No. I mean, he did, but... i kissed him on the cheek and then like uh he said thats all I get you come to another state for me like jokingly .And then I kissed him so unexpected, and warm, and perfect. And then we kissed again."

"Well," Sienna said, exhaling, trying not to smirk too wide. "That's a full-blown indie movie ending right there."

Brooke blushed even harder. "It didn't feel like an ending."

"You want more."

"Yeah. I think I do."

Sienna sipped her wine, watching her daughter like she was seeing a whole new side of her. "So what happens now?"

Brooke smiled down at her tea. "I told him to call me."

"Did you threaten him?"

"Obviously," she deadpanned. "I said, 'You better call me.' And I meant it."

Sienna laughed, finally. "You're so your mother's daughter."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Sienna leaned forward, touching Brooke's knee gently. "I'm still upset that you lied. But... I get it. Sometimes you have to go where your heart pulls you."

Brooke nodded, quiet. "I just didn't want to miss my chance."

"I know. Just don't let chasing someone else make you miss the people who are already here."

Brooke's throat caught a little. "I won't."

There was a beat of silence. Then Sienna smiled. "Three kisses, huh?"

Brooke groaned, throwing her head back. "Stop."

"Hey, I'm just trying to figure out when I need to start grilling this boy. Like, should I book a table at Luke's or stand on the porch with a flashlight?"

"Mom."

Sienna grinned. "Just saying. Someone's gotta ask the real questions."

Brooke grinned, heart full, cheeks warm, a little nervous—but in a good way.

Everything was starting to unfold.