Chapter 1: Expecting Rory

"Really? It's all so easy for me? I don't want that life! It's forced on me! You talk about all these doors being open? All I see is one door, and I'm being pushed through it. I have no choice. You try living without options." The same words kept replaying in her head, four years later. That is exactly how she had felt when Logan had proposed to her – that she was being forced to go one way. Working for the online magazine and getting the opportunity to cover the campaign for Barack Obama was an once-in-a-lifetime experience that opened many doors for her – and not just one. But now her thoughts began to stray back to Logan as her plane headed back to the Northeast. She threw her bag of peanuts back down on the tray-table in front of her and sat back in the lumpy airline seat. Logan.

Four-years had passed by since her move to Iowa, since her new job took her to new heights and since her leaving everything she knew behind. Rory closed her eyes and thought about her mother and Stars Hollow. What will it be like to go back home? Was Logan still in New York City? She had so many things rumbling around in her head and she needed a break, hence the trip back home. Not knowing if this was going to be a quick trip or a permanent move back. She had a lot of things to consider since so many job offers started coming in for her. Many of her campaign stories and gotten picked up by some major circuits throughout the years – and people wanted her now. I finally made a name for myself; go stick your head in quicksand Mitchum Huntzberger!

"Another club soda ma'am?" the flight-attendant asked while clearing the empty glass and peanut bag from the tray-table. "Peanuts?" Rory nodded and the woman walked away to get them for her.

Rory glanced out the window and gazed out at the fluffy clouds as they floated by. They were hypnotizing. She hadn't seen her mother in over two years, only had a phone relationship with her—she hadn't spoken to anyone from Stars Hollow in three years. Her life had taken a turn and she was focused on her career and time just got lost. The club soda was set in front of her along with a fresh bag of peanuts. Why do I like peanuts so much now? Random and fun thoughts soon occupied her mind and she relaxed for the remainder of her flight from Washington, DC to Connecticut.

Lorelai could smell the snow on its way. The crisp October air screamed it. "Paul Anka, it's going to snow soon!" she exclaimed from the front seat of the jeep. Paulie, which she started, calling him for short, barked enthusiastically from the back seat. He had become accustomed to the daily rides in the back and the conversations Lorelai had with him – and the same for her. His tail wagging, she smiled as they pulled into the Bradley International Airport.

She pushed the button for a parking ticket and pulled into the first available spot within the parking garage. Grabbing her purse and another bag, she leaned over to the dog in the back, "I'll be right back Paulie! You wait here." With that she stepped out of the car and headed for the arrivals terminal.

I can't wait to see Rory! She thought about all the time that had gone by. Her daughter's career had taken off and she was proud of her. Now, Rory was coming home for a much needed vacation. Lorelai smiled again and started jogging to the terminal, as fast as her heels could carry her.

She walked into the arrivals terminal and checked the screens. The flight was running one hour behind. Lovely. Grabbing her bags, she walked over and took a seat on an older, stained couch. Aimed right on the gates, pulling out her cell phone she punched in a number and she waited.

Luke's Diner closed early and Caesar began cleaning up. It was starting to flurry out and Luke had decided that closing early would probably be the best thing. There wasn't much of a crowd out and about today, in Stars Hollow. The cook cranked up the radio and began shimmying around the diner while he placed the chairs onto the tables and took out the mop. Caesar finally had a cleaning rhythm going with the music, but the sudden ring of the phone threw him off. "Dios mio." He set the mop down and walked over to the phone, grabbed it and barked, "Hello, Luke's Diner."

"Hey Caesar! It's Lorelai, is Luke there. I need to talk to him."

"No, he left early and asked me to close up for him. It's starting to snow out here." He could just hear Lorelai smiling on the other end of the phone.

"Great! I'll try the house," she giggled and hung up.

Luke closed the garage door and locked it. It was snowing and he wanted to be prepared. He grabbed the shovels he had set aside and walked over to the house. Setting the shovels down on the porch he headed in. His cell phone began ringing, the Three Doors Down tune played loudly. I'll have to change that ringtone soon, he thought to himself. Lorelai always loved messing with his stuff, but he liked it. He picked it up, "Hello."

"Hey hun, it's me. Rory's plane is running late."

"Ok, well I'll get dinner started then."

"Don't forget the frozen pizza."

"…Right… The frozen pizza," he sighed annoyingly. He smiled. "What time do you think you guys will be here?"

"About two hours, worse case. How's the snow?"

"Slow, for now."

"I love it." Lorelai laughed. "It's magical."

"Ha." He smiled. "See you when you get here."

**The characters used in this story are not my property but that of the Gilmore Girls Television show**