A/N:Welcome to the openingof myvery first GG fic! I've been a GG fan for a year or two, and this is my first shot at an actual fiction. So, seeing as I'm a bit new to this, and, in my opinion, not too witty, I'll ask you guys to go a bit easy on me, and only mention my OOC-ness if it gets way outta hand. I don't take flames well, but lurrrrve constructive criticism. Now, just a warning, there is some Rory/Colin, but it's not going to last forever. This story will be Rory/Logan, because I've got a soft spot for guys like that ;).

Oh, and it's like two years after Rory graduated from Yale, so that would be four years ahead of where the show is at now.

You're Invited

Chapter One: A Ring, a Ding, and a Thump

As she stepped into the expensive car, Rory Gilmore's head was in a daze. At the start, the dinner had been nothing more and nothing less then a casual dinner with some old friends from Yale- and Lane of course. She'd dressed for the occasion, a stylish black dress with a v-neck that hugged her figure nicely. By no means had she expected what would come from that casual get-together.

888888888888888888888888888 A few hours ago… 888888888888888888888888

"I'm telling you, that's what he said to me!" Lane chattered on perkily. The entire table- loudly- offered comments and peals of laughter at the end of the Asian girl's anecdote.

The truth was the vast amounts of wine served hung over the heads of the five patrons, giving them all a warm hazy bubble in their stomachs and a relaxed mind. All but one of them was feeling more than a little playful. That last one being a strict blond arguing into her cell phone with her life-coach.

"I realize that we agreed on three hours of relaxation time, Terrence, but how can I possibly relax when the little trollop at the table behind us is cracking up like a brainless cow, spewing saliva all over my new bag?!" Paris shrieked.

Rory laughed out loud at the sight. If anything, when intoxicated it seemed Paris Gellar just got more and more uptight and flustered. To the right of Paris seated at the round table was an Australian man of twenty six, waving his glass of wine around and chatting up the waitress (A redhead, fortunately enough for Finn), making movements that suggested he was asking for her number. He grinned like a madman when she finally handed it over and walked away, swishing her hips for his sake.

"Ah, the ole boy's still got it!" He announced to the table, enjoying his view.

"Finn, you're twenty-six, not sixty-five. Brag when you can get a number off a girl like her in a few years." Rory said smirking. It seemed these people would never change. But, she felt she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Some of us are trying to have an actual conversation here," Paris barked, "No; I wasn't talking to you, Terrence." The entire table ignored her, continuing with the dinner-talk. Rory smiled and laughed and talked the evening away, jauntily keeping up the banter at the table as the meal progressed.

"So, Colin, have you been partying up the remaining days of your youth? Spending the days and nights with various specimens of young women? By thirty we'll all be expected to get married, and of course that'll mean no more fun." Finn questioned, a certain glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Finn, how many times have you asked me that question in the past two and a half years that I've been dating Rory?" Colin asked, forking some of his dessert and stuffing it into his mouth.

Finn furrowed his brow and seemed to seriously consider it before replying. "To be honest, I don't know, but I'd say around…seven hundred and fifty nine times, not counting the three times I've asked today."

"More like seven thousand…" Rory added. Finn stuck out his tongue at the remark. "Oh, that was very mature."

"It wasn't meant to be!" Finn argued. "Besides, I am so mature. I even wear underwear. Now that's grown-up!"

"Finn, I'm going to ignore how enormously revolting and disturbing that bit of information was, and let you in on a little known fact: the majority of us have been wearing underwear since we were toddlers." Rory muttered. Lane made a face, sticking a finger in her mouth and producing a gagging sound.

Finn began to retort, but was interrupted by Colin.

"And how many times have I said 'yes'?" He asked, breaking into the conversation with an amused grin on his face. Finn continued on as if he and Rory hadn't had the rapid-fire exchange that lead him off track in the first place.

"Well….I'll have to do the math…six, carry one, divide by the four…None." Finn said finally, after ticking off numbers on his fingers and looking up at the ceiling. Rory yawned; the night was starting to get to her. She and the rest of the table were just about ready to leave, but Paris had been chatting- or rather quarrelling- on the phone for so long she'd eaten none but five bites of her dinner, which was now cold and painfully slowly disappearing from the plate. Besides, the conversation was slightly amusing.

"So that would make my answer this time…." Colin trailed off, glancing at an oblivious Finn, who was wearing a blank look on his face. "No, Finn, the answer is no." Colin said rolling his eyes.

"You know, Finn," Colin said, taking another sip of his wine before continuing. "Now you mention it, none of us are getting any younger and- Oh, I'm finished with that plate, you can take it and the lovely lady to my left will have a coffee-"

By now, the most of the table had begun to listen with vague curiosity. Paris had even asked Terrence to hold, and Lane had stopped drumming against the table with her utensils (much to the glee of the other diners at the restaurant) to watch the scene unfolding.

"You were saying…" Rory leisurely reminded him. Inside she was jumping with eagerness to see where it was going. Maybe he'd finally agree coming to Stars Hallow to have a movie night (It seemed Colin was against any film not shown in a cinema or expensive home-theater room, much to her chagrin and exasperation).

"What? Oh, right. I was saying, so seeing as we aren't getting any younger, I wanted to ask you something…" He drawled. Rory raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Go ahead."

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore the Third, will you marry me?" The words left the entire table stunned. Of course, it was only for a short minute, as a slow smile erupted on Rory's face. They had played this game and enacted this joke many times. Rory had even done it once with a different partner. 'Let's not open that can of worms.' She thought to herself with a shudder.

She placed a hand to her forehead and looked at the ceiling dramatically. "Why, Mr. Cartwright, I've no idea what to say!" Rory said in a southern drawl that would have made her mother proud. "If only I wasn't so devoted to servicing mah dear southern state durin' this war we're havin'" Rory finished with a fluttering of her eyelashes, and smiled at the others, who had relaxed visibly.

All but Colin.

"This isn't a game, Rory. I'm serious this time."

Rory's smile slipped off her face. Her blue eyes bugged out, and she stared at her plate, prepared to analyze this as she analyzed everything. She loved Colin-or at least she thought she did. Otherwise she'd have broken it off a long time ago, right?

Throughout the rest of sophomore year, all junior, and her senior year at Yale, she'd been invited to LDB events, parties from socialites, and sat through practical jokes. During her third year at Yale, she came to the realization that she was being invited into their world, and, more importantly, that Logan's stooges had grown on her. They were friends. When she and Colin had started dating, she had finally accepted the fact that Logan was no where near ready to commit to any long-lasting relationships save the friendship he had with Finn and Colin.

Things in your life are good, why change now? You've got a steady job as a rising journalist, good pay and great friends!

Because they could be better- the Cartwright family has connections, which could mean better pay as a journalist at a better paper. Besides, Colin is great. Handsome, smart, sweet, fun, sensible, kind to animals….

But what if they get worse? What if you find out you don't really love him, and have to get a divorce? Marriage is a big step, you're pretty young-

A responsible adult!

And if you divorce, with those connections he could reduce your career to nothing! It's better for things to stay as they are…

Change is inevitable.

But sometimes it's best delayed!

Marrying Colin is the right thing to do.

Don't do it! Trust me!

Trust me!

You shut up! I'm the sensible one.

Afraid of your own shadow is more like it.

The voices inside Rory Gilmore's head came at her mercilessly, listing all pros and cons of becoming Mrs. Colin Cartwright and giving her quite a headache in the process. She rubbed her temples and nearly shouted out loud for the two inside her head to shut up. Finally, she looked back up at the table.

Paris had dropped her cell phone in her salad, and didn't have any intention on picking it up at the moment. Lane was furiously gesturing to the ladies room, ever confident in the sacred girl talk. Finn was…well, she had no idea what he was doing but it involved pie, a paper airplane and a piece of plastic. Colin was patiently waiting for her to finish her overanalyzing and give up her answer.

"Well, Gilmore, are you going to answer, or are you going to sit with your mouth open all night? Because if you are, I'm going home, I've already postponed my craft time four hours tonight, and don't plan on missing it because you're too indecisive."

"Way to be sensitive, Paris. You're such a great friend." Lane muttered.

"I'm not taking any bull. Not all of us are thrilled to be here to witness this disgustingly sweet and not to mention painfully long event in Gilmore's life." Paris said rolling her eyes. "Answer already!" She barked.

As she barked, Rory jumped. Her eyes returned to their normal state, and she let out a small squeal, and plopped herself into Colin's lap. Quickly placing a sloppy kiss on his lips, Rory finally answered.

"Of course I will!" As if she hadn't had any doubts in the fifteen full minutes she'd been sitting and staring at her plate. The worst part was that everyone had noticed- everyone knew she hadn't been absolutely sure those fifteen minutes. For some reason, that unnerved her. Colin interrupted her thoughts, slipping a ring onto her left ring-finger, which she paused to inspect.

"Good, that's settled. Now, if you please I'd like to divvy up the check before Gilmore and Loverboy start swapping any more spit."

At least some things would never change.

88888888888888888888888888 Back to the present... 88888888888888888888888

And so she had stood up on shaking legs, and let herself be lead by Colin's hand on the small of her back to the car, and helped into the vehicle by Lane, who decided she'd better drive back to Stars Hallow. Rory had previously promised to take Lane home after her long-time best friend spent the weekend at Rory's apartment in Hartford.

At least she could tell her mom about the engagement. Engagement. Rory Gilmore wasn't going to be a Gilmore Girl anymore. She doubted if Colin would be up for take-out every night or into long morning drives to Luke's. He would probably rather live in Hartford in a house like her grandparents', or an upscale apartment in New York.

She smiled then. She thought instead of how adorable he looked with his glasses on after falling asleep reading a book, and of how he liked to surprise her at work with flowers. Okay, so she'd like coffee a bit more, but the thought put behind it left a warmth inside. Rory was confident she was making the right decision now.

Rory had pondered the drive away. The brunette had hardly noticed they'd pulled out of the restaurant parking lot, let alone reached Stars Hallow. Lane drove steadily through the town. Rory could tell she was just itching to talk about what had happened.

"Look, the lights at Luke's are on, maybe your mom's there." Lane finally commented.

"Pull over." Rory stated. Now was as good a time as any, she thought to herself. It was highly likely her mother was there, it was a perfect time for coffee, and Lorelai had constant access- being the proprietor's wife had its perks.

"You can take the car, I'll come by the apartment tomorrow and get it- if my mom or Luke is here, they'll take me home."

Lane nodded, and drove out of site. Rory stepped out of the car, no longer shaky, but with a little smile on her face and pushed the glass door open, her presence announced with a 'ding' from the bells overhead.

"Offspring!" The voice was chipper, and the woman it belonged to was practically bouncing up and down on her stool. Lorelai had to have had at least eight or nine cups of coffee already. "Why if it isn't our fav-or-ite college-learned young-in, paw! Ya'll didn't tell your folks you'd be a'comin' down to our humble neck o' the woods! Why, we'd have brought out finer china."

"Well, maw, this just one o' the spur o' the moment things we college-learned folks like ter do." Rory said, taking a seat in the stool next to the one her mother occupied.

"Paw! Paw! Git yerself out here quick, I bet ya'll our girl here's got a million stories ter tell us 'bout big city life." Lorelai called out towards the kitchen. "And bring more coffee too!" She added.

Luke appeared out of the back clad in the usual flannel with two slices of pie and a pot of coffee. "Ah, the elixir of life!" Rory muttered, taking a sip of her coffee gratefully.

"Yar! Hand over yer booty, for I am the great Pirate Lorelai!" She said, grabbing at the pie.

"I thought we were being country folks." Luke replied gruffly.

"Ar, matey! Me thinks we should get rid of the dead weight, Peg-legged Luke can't keep up, make him walk the plank!" Rory said in her best pirate voice.

"Never! I shall keep the dead weight onboard the S.S. Beaut-E-Queen as my love slave!" Lorelai replied, waving her arms around wildly.

"Yar! We've got a dire situation below deck, and me thinks yah might lose yer head, so I just wanted to give you a fair warning before I walk me own plank-"

Rory had been ready to tell her of her engagement, when she was interrupted by the cheerful tone of her cell's ringer. She held up her finger to pause the antics and flipped the phone open.

"Hello?"

"Rory dear!"

"Hey grandma, how are you?" Rory asked, wondering why her grandmother was calling so late.

"Oh, just wonderful dear, and I'd ask how you are, but I already know the answer!" Emily Gilmore replied, her voice full of excitement. "I've just heard your bit of news from Joan Timmons. Her step-son's wife's second cousin was at the restaurant you were dining in and over heard the whole thing! Now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm already cooking up an engagement party, and have hired a wedding planner on your behalf. The party is tomorrow- I realize its short notice, dear, but you want to have plenty of time to plan, and the party will be out of the way."

"Oh, grandma, I don-"

"Carina, I told you not on the cupboard, in the dresser drawer, honestly girl! Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting, but I must dash, it's this new maid, she never puts anything in the right place. Be at our house at five sharp- goodbye, Rory!"

She had been hung-up on by her grandmother, who knew about her getting married before she could even tell her own mother. And just about to tell her mother she was engaged in a pirate's voice. Suddenly, Rory's life seemed less than exciting. She needed a change, something to breathe life back into her world.

"Ar! Emily the Blue-Blooded! Man the decks and fire the cannons!"

Rory took a resigned sigh and chewed on her lip. She squirmed uncomfortably, ignoring her mothers chatter and Luke's muttering. Finally, it seemed, Lorelai had noticed that Rory was less than thrilled about Kirk's newest stunt and Taylor's near stalking Miss Patty trying to find the source of this week's latest town gossip.

"What's wrong, kid?"

"Nothing's wrong…Actually, everything's great..." Rory began. She took a deep breath and silently wished she had as much courage as her mother did. "Colin and I are getting married!" She uttered with all the enthusiasm she could muster.

"Congratulations, sweetie!" Lorelai squealed, and hugged her daughter tightly.

"Which one is Colin again?" Luke asked while washing their mugs out.

"The one from Yale, the one you liked."

"Oh, that one. Congratulations, Rory." Luke said offering her a rare smile and pat on the back.

"Thanks mom, Luke. Now we just have to figure out how to convince grandma that tomorrow's too soon to throw the engagement party." Rory muttered.

"She didn't!" Lorelai exclaimed. "Mom's just going to parade you two around in front of all of high society. Don't worry kid; we'll do all we can."

"And if we can't get me out of it?"

"Then at least you can see some of your Yale friends."

Her Yale friends. The crowd might include Stephanie, and some other members of the LDB, maybe Doyle or other members of the newspaper staff. Perhaps it might not be that bad…Wait. Yale, LDB, and the newspaper. A person that fit all three was one Logan Huntzberger. Just the thought of him sent an irritatingly pleasurable shiver up and down her spine.

"Let's hope we can." Rory muttered, laying her head against the counter with a soft thump.

A/N: By no means did I mean to get this chapter this long. Usually I have trouble getting past page four or five, let alone to page EIGHT! Wow. Not much mention of Logan here, but you'll see him soon enough. Until then, make my day and send me a review, to let me know how I'm doing, what I can do to make it better, etc. Thanks!