Chapter 1: Blast from the Past

The pen scratched across the page in a lyrical dance, flourishing a cursive scrawl into black being. Closing the cover, Rory presented another autographed copy to another admiring fan. "Thank you so much for coming!"

The last nine months had been a whirlwind. Since Rory had published the memoir on her and her mother's lives, Gilmore Girls had shot to the top of the New York Times Bestsellers list, setting a record for holding the number one spot. Already, Rory had received talks to adapt the work into a television series - a process she was currently in talks for. Her magnum opus had revitalized her writing career, and academia was approaching her with enticements of a professorship at several of the most prestigious Ivy League colleges.

The boon had come just in time too. Days after her manuscript had been published, Rory Gilmore had given birth to a daughter, Lorelai Paris Gilmore (Laurie, for short). Thinking of her ninth-month-old baby girl, Rory felt anxious to conclude her signing and press tour and get back to Stars Hollow and her beloved family. The only thing that gave her peace of mind was the nightly phone calls from her stepfather, Luke Danes, reporting on Laurie's activities that day.

Even so, Connecticut was miles away from Virginia.

The bookstore would be closing soon. Maybe five more books left to sign. Rory's publisher signaled her with her eyes and a tap to the wrist. A copy flopped open on the table before her, accompanied by a voice:

"At least I can say I knew you when."

Rory looked up... and nearly dropped her pen.

The face before her was one she hadn't seen in ten years. Since college. And her first thought was, Naked Guy grew up.

He had filled out in the ensuing decade, his muscles clearly accentuated under a handsome cardigan.

"Marty! As I live and breathe!"

Marty, her old Yale friend, beamed down at her with that signature smile. "Hey, Rory."

Rory felt the need to stand, circle the table and give him a quick, affectionate hug before returning to her place. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here. Virginia Beach. I work for their Town Council."

Rory's eyes shined. "That's wonderful news!"

"And I'm so thrilled that you've become the writer I always knew you would be! Press tours... bestseller list... I heard you on NPR the other day; that's how I knew to come down here. Must be exciting!"

Rory grinned. "It really is." She now signed Marty's copy, making sure to add a personal message, and handed the book to him. "There you go."

Marty nodded pleasantly. "Say, are you gonna make Yale's ten year reunion next month?"

Rory shrugged. "Oh, I don't know."

"You should try to come," he encouraged her. "Promote your book." He winked. "See ya later, maybe?"

Rory smiled tenderly at him. Good old Marty. "Yeah. See ya."