Roy Gilmore has a beautiful four-year old daughter who has never met her father. When Finn and Rory run into each other at the zoo, he quickly puts the pieces together and realizes that life has taken crazy turns that no one could have predicted. How will he fit into the lives of Rory and Emma? How will Emma's father react when he runs head first into the reality that is his ex-lover's and daughter's lives now? Will Rory finally get her happily ever after? This story takes place 5 years after AYITL. Rory's trust fund was never addressed in the revival, but for the sake of this story we're going to pretend that she still has it and had not spent through it.
I do not own Gilmore Girls or the characters in this story.
"Mommy, lions!" Rory heard from the stroller that she was pushing through the Hartford zoo. Inside the stroller was her four-year old daughter, Emma Leigh Gilmore, who was the light of her life. She was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, intelligent, precocious little girl who had changed every member of her mother's family for the better. She was the missing puzzle piece that brought peace to the Gilmore family finally set Rory's life back on a stable path, surprisingly enough. Her feet had gotten tired on their long walk and she had decided to take a turn riding in the stroller despite her insistence that she was a big girl.
"That's right, Em! What do the lions say?" Rory asked her daughter.
"Roar!" they both roared together as they giggled. Rory knelt down next to her daughter.
"You're such a smart cookie, Emma," Rory said as she tickled her daughter lightly. "Ready to see the tigers?"
"Tigers!" Emma enthused as her mom stood back up began to navigate to the next exhibit. They were just arriving at the tiger enclosure when Rory heard her name.
"Rory Gilmore? Is that you?"
The accent was unmistakable; it had to belong to no other than Finn Morgan. Rory thought for a moment trying to dodge him given how awkward the situation was bound to be, but if she knew Finn at all she would put money on him not giving up easily. She slowly turned her head to the direction that the voice had come from and met his blue eyes not fifteen feet away from her.
"Finn?" Rory finally managed to choke out. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you as well, kitten. This lovely little lady riding on my shoulders is my niece, Ava. Ava, can you say hi to my friend Rory?" Finn asked of the little girl.
"Hi, Uncle Finn's friend Rory!" Ava giggled.
"Hi, Ava. It's nice to meet you. Umm...this is Emma," Rory said pointing to her daughter. She had no idea whether or not Finn knew who Emma was.
"It's nice to meet you, Emma," Finn said as he extended his hand to her. "Are you Rory's sister?" Finn asked as he looked back and forth between Rory and Emma.
"No, silly! She's my mommy!" Emma giggled.
"Wow, I bet Rory's a great mommy, huh?" Finn asked. "So tell me, little love, how old are you? Ava here is five."
"I'm four!" Emma exclaimed.
"And what a beautiful four year old you are," Finn replied to Emma before shifting his eyes to Rory. "I didn't realize that you had a daughter, kitten."
"Oh, yeah, I guess I haven't seen you guys in a while, huh?"
"Since about five years ago at that inn in New Hampshire when…" Finn's voice suddenly trailed off and Rory could see from the look on his face that he was beginning to ask the right questions.
"Right, it's been five years," Rory answered uncomfortably. "Well, Emma and I should probably keep exploring the zoo, right Em?"
"Finn and Ava can come, Mommy!" Emma said excitedly. Out of the mouths of babes, Rory though. She was trying to escape the situation and her sweet little daughter was spoiling her grand plan.
"Oh, sweetie, I'm sure Finn and Ava have other things to do," Rory replied, hoping to end the awkward conversation quickly.
"Actually, doll, Ava and I were just enjoying our afternoon at the zoo. We would love to continue our adventure with you two lovely ladies if that's okay," Finn said hopefully.
"Sure, that would be great," Rory said as she resigned herself to whatever would come of Finn finding out that she had a daughter. She actually was excited to see him; Finn had always been a good friend and a lot of fun to be around. She just dreaded the potential revelations that could come with spending the afternoon with him now that he knew about Emma.
"Excellent!" Finn replied as Ava asked to be put down off of his shoulders and Emma asked to get out of the stroller. She and Ava quickly began chattering to each other as they looked at the tigers.
Finn and Rory followed the two giggling girls around from the tigers to the cheetahs to the leopards to the penguins and sea lions as the girls bounced and exclaimed over each animal. Despite her reluctance to be in this situation, Rory found that she was enjoying their foursome at the zoo very much. Finn doted on Ava, and by extension Emma as well, and it was so sweet to see. He was obviously an amazing uncle and had a very good relationship with his niece. It was endearing to see this side of him.
"Mommy, I'm hungry!" Emma said as she pulled on her mother's arm impatiently.
"Are you ready for lunch, sweetheart?" Rory asked as she snapped out of her thoughts.
"Yes, yes, yes! Lunch together?" Emma asked as she turned her big blue eyes toward Finn and stuck her bottom lip out just a little.
"Put that lip away, silly girl. Ava and I would love to get lunch with you," Finn chuckled as he absentmindedly ruffled Emma's hair. Emma squealed with delight and she and Ava each grabbed one of Finn's hands and pulled him along toward the zoo cafe. Rory stood there for a moment in shock as she watched the scene play out. Emma was normally pretty reserved around people she didn't know well, especially strangers, but she had taken a definite liking to Finn. Rory was struck by the irony in the situation. She quickly pulled out of her thinking and followed behind Finn and the two new little friends toward the cafe, getting in line behind them.
"I can't see, Uncle Finn! Pick me up!" Ava begged, wanting to see the food offerings for herself.
"Sure thing, Ava Bug," Finn replied as he bent down to pick her up. "Do you want to see too, Emma?"
"Yes!" Emma exclaimed and she giggled as Finn picked her up as well. Rory was momentarily stunned by the scene unfolding in front of her, and then angry all over again that Emma's father had chosen not to be part of her life. Most days she was okay with being the only parent in Emma's life, but moments like this where she caught a glimpse of what having a partner could look like were hard.
"You have a beautiful family," the woman behind her in line said as she pointed to Finn holding the two girls.
"Oh, it's not...uhh…" Rory stammered. "Umm...thank you, I mean. The blonde is mine, and the brunette is his niece."
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just assumed…" the woman trailed off.
"It's no problem," Rory replied as she stepped up to order food for herself and Emma. She was digging through her purse for her wallet when Finn stopped her and took his out, paying for all of their meals.
"You didn't have to do that, Finn!" Rory told him quickly.
"I wanted to, kitten. It's been ages; surely I can buy your lunch while we catch up, right?"
"Sure, thank you. Emma, tell Finn thank you for lunch," Rory said as she turned her attention to her daughter.
"Thank you, Finny!" Emma said excitedly. Finn just chuckled at the nickname and excitement as he set the girls both down so he could carry their food.
"Can we eat at the picnic tables next to the playground, Uncle Finn?" Ava asked as she bounced up and down in excitement. Finn looked at Rory quickly and saw her nod slightly.
"That's fine, Ava Bug," Finn answered as he led the group over to the outdoor picnic tables on the playground. The girls ate their food quickly and begged to play on the playground. Finn and Rory quickly told them to have fun and stay close and both watched as the two girls played near them.
"You know, I've often wondered how you were doing, kitten," Finn said breaking the silence.
"I'm doing well. Being a mom is hard, but it's so worth it. I'm actually teaching English at Chilton now, and I sponsor the newspaper. I'm finally content with my life."
"I'm glad to hear that, love. I probably shouldn't press, but the timing is right and she looks an awful lot like a certain blonde-haired guy you and I both know well…" Finn began and trailed off to see what Rory's response would be. Rory just looked down at the ground trying to decide what to say. It was obvious that Finn had put two and two together and had gotten the correct answer.
"Yeah, about that, Finn. You've obviously figured it out, but please don't say anything to anyone. My mom and Jess are the only people in our lives who knows who Emma's father is. She's never even met him."
"Does he know?" Finn asked quietly.
"He does," Rory stated, and Finn couldn't help but notice how sad she looked as she spoke.
"And?"
"And Logan chose to terminate his parental rights. He didn't want the scandal and mess that would come with having gotten his lover pregnant while engaged to Odette. He sends a check every month and bought a house for she and I to live in; other than that he's not in the picture."
"I don't even know what to say to that, Rory," Finn said solemnly. "You know that the rest of us would have been here for you, right? He's not the only one who cared about you; you weren't just in our lives because of him."
"I know that, Finn, and believe me when I say that I've thought about getting in touch more than once, but I didn't know how to handle all of the questions that would come from you guys getting to know her."
"Well, I know her now, and she's going to have an Uncle Finn in her life going forward," Finn said firmly as he looked Rory in the eye.
"That would be really great, Finn," Rory replied quietly. "You know, she doesn't usually take to men that quickly. Of course, she loves her Grandpa Luke and Uncle Jess, but she's normally very slow to warm up to other men. She really seems to like you."
"All the more reason for me to be around more often then, love. Ava and I were planning to spend the rest of the afternoon at the zoo and then have pizza before I take her back to my sister's. We would love for you and Emma to join us, unless there's someone waiting at home?" Finn trailed off, looking for information.
"Huh? Oh, no. There's no one waiting at home. Dating and having a four-year old don't really go hand-in-hand," Rory chuckled.
"Then it's settled," Finn said with a grin.
The unlikely foursome enjoyed everything that the zoo had to offer for the rest of the day before walking to their cars and making plans to meet at a nearby pizza place. They arrived at the same time and walked into the pizza place amidst lots of giggling from the girls and genuine laughing and fun conversation between the two adults. Rory and Finn ordered for the group and settled into the dinner conversation.
"So, love, what else is new with Rory Gilmore?"
"Well, let's see. I wrote a book and it was published two years ago. That was a crazy whirlwind, but I loved it. My second book will actually be coming out next summer. We just started a new school year at Chilton, which is always crazy. Em goes to pre-k there this year, which is nice. I like having her close to me. My mom and Luke got married about five years ago and have a three-year old son, Will. He's adorable! What about you, Finn?"
"My life hasn't been nearly as eventful, kitten," Finn chuckled. "I'm enjoying the family business and just relocated back to Hartford. I had been in New York for several years, but I wanted the opportunity to be closer to my siblings and nieces, so here I am. I still see Colin and Steph often; they're actually here in Hartford. They're married and expecting their second little one in a few months. They already have a 2-year old son named Nathan. Robert is still Robert."
"That's really great, Finn. Do you...how's Logan?" she asked quietly. "I hope he's good. Despite everything, I really do wish him all the best."
"Logan's Logan, Ror. He's fulfilling the dynastic plan. I actually don't see him too often; Odette keeps him on a pretty short leash. I wouldn't say he's happy, but he's not really focused on happiness. He's doing what's expected of him, and for now that seems to be enough for him."
"God, who would have ever thought things would be this way?" Rory sighed as she put her head in her hands and rolled her eyes.
"What way, love?"
"Me a single mom, him out there fulfilling the dynastic plan. This isn't what I pictured, Finn. I thought...I thought it was real, you know?" Rory finally replied.
"Hey, come here, doll," Finn said as he wrapped his arm around Rory and hugged her close. "None of us ever thought it would be this way, okay? We all thought he would do right by you."
"I know, and he tried when he proposed at graduation. I had my chance at that life."
"Do you regret saying no?" Finn asked.
"No, I really don't. I wouldn't trade my life now for anything, even if it is hard," Rory answered quickly.
"I'm glad to hear that. Have you moved on?"
"Yes and no," Rory replied with a laugh. "I'm over him and long since moved past what we had. Moving on is a different story. Like I said, dating and being a single mom don't really go together."
"There hasn't been anyone?" Finn asked, a bit shocked.
"No, quality men aren't exactly looking to date a woman in my situation, and I'm really just focused on my career and book and Emma," Rory says while blushing.
"Why are you blushing if that's the whole story, love?" Finn teases.
"How do we always have the most awkward conversations, Finn?" Rory asks with a laugh. "I have a friend who is really close to Emma and I, and he's been known to help take the edge off if he's not seeing anyone," Rory finishes awkwardly.
"That's funny, Ror," Finn says as he laughs. "I don't seem to remember the casual thing working out too well for you with Huntz."
"No, but this is very different. We really are just friends who have always had incredible chemistry. We dated back in high school for a little while, but there really aren't any romantic feelings at this point. He's been so good to Emma and I, though. He was in Philly until recently, but when his business expanded and opened a store here he moved up here to manage the store. He's an author as well, and he's my editor and publisher. He's really probably my best friend now. It's been great having him closer. He's the most involved man in Emma's life, and I'm grateful for how much he loves her and how involved he is. He's great with her."
"Sounds like a boyfriend," Finn teased again.
"Finn! It's nothing like that!" Rory replied quickly as she slapped his arm playfully.
"Nana Lorelai and Gramma Emily say that Mommy needs a boyfriend," Emma spouted off.
"Emma, I don't need a boyfriend!" Rory said exasperatedly as Finn laughed at the turn the conversation had taken.
"Hey, my mommy says that Uncle Finn needs a girlfriend!" Ava piped up and Finn's jaw dropped.
"Who's laughing now, Aussie?" Rory teased as she nudged Finn in the side.
"Thank God, the pizza!" Finn exclaimed as the waiter brought over the pizzas they had ordered. The group laughed and all dug into their dinner, hungry from the long day at the zoo. When they finished Finn insisted in picking up the check again, saying that he invited Rory and Emma so it was his treat. As they were getting ready to leave he swiped Rory's phone off the table.
"Finn, what are you doing?!" she exclaimed in mock exasperation.
"One...second...love...there!" he said as he pressed the save button and then hit call. His phone started ringing and he handed Rory's back to her and took his out. Now you have my number and I have yours. I meant what I said earlier, Ror. You can expect to see a lot more of me."
"I don't want you to feel like you have to, Finn," Rory began.
"And I don't feel like I have to. I want to. I enjoyed myself today. I told you before, you weren't only in our lives because of him, and I meant it."
"Okay, Finn. I had a great time too, and I would really love to do something like this again. Thank you."
Finn and Rory hugged each other goodbye and promised the girls that they could see each other again soon and both got in their cars to head to their respective homes.