Rory awoke to a plodding Logan. He usually only paced like this when he was highly concerned about something. She waited until he stopped, and wrapped her arms around him loosely.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"I have to go." She dropped her hands to her side, and him, fearing she thought the worst, immediately turned to her, looking deep into her blue eyes.

"Not leave like that. Bobbie called. Something's wrong at the London office. I have to go for a while and help." He heard her sigh that little sigh, some in relief, some in stupidity.

"Gone long?"

"Hope not."

She kissed his neck, as he cradled her in his arms.

"I wish you could go with me."

"I wish so too. But I think there might be a better idea."

"Better than spending more moments with you? Pish posh."

She giggled at this, but went back to her idea.

"Take Finn."

He pulled her away from him just enough to look back into her eyes.

"Huh?"

She stared at him with that crooked grin, almost mimicking his own.

"Take Finnegan. He and Ellie need some time apart after their little argument. You guys haven't really spent any time together. If it gets too long, we'll come out and visit you."

He had to admit, he did like the idea, but it was just thinking about this not turning ugly. He didn't want to think of a week spent of "Ellie this, Ellie that.." or having Rory dealing with Ellie groaning on about Finn. But she was right. He and Finn hadn't spent much time together. He and Colin had seen each other right before the wedding. But Finn had been so consumed with something he guessed to do with either drinking, family, Ellie, or some combination, either way he couldn't come along. He finally nodded, and they decided to text Finn to see what he thought, since he knew they would both be up. Sure enough, he had agreed.

They fell asleep, holding each other tight, not wanting to let each other go.
Early the next morning, Finn was at the door, happier than a Finn in the daylight should be. Rory kissed Logan goodbye, promising to call him just about anytime she could, and she kissed Finn's cheek as she walked out the door, driving over to Branford. She met Ellie at the door, she still in her Cowboys pajama bottoms and a blue tank top, her blonde hair cut now short, right to her chin. She had it pushed back with an elastic hairband, eating Cheerios.

Rory sat across from her, pouring herself a bowl, staring into her friend's eyes. They were cold, hurt, and hidden.

"Are there why's in your Cheerios too, Rory?" It was the first time Rory had ever really heard Ellie's voice that somber and small in a long time.

"What, sweetie?"

"Why's in your Cheerios. Daddy used to say it to me when I would stare into my cereal, something on my mind."

Rory smiled. Her dad's little questions always had a hidden message.

"Nah, do yours?"

"Actually, I need to talk to Mister Cheerio. There's been more why's than o's lately." She slumped in her chair, spinning her spoon in her bowl. Rory's heart sank, she knew Finn and Ellie were perfect together. That pretty little ring on her finger proved it. She didn't go too crazy when she found out about the engagement. They had discussed it one night when Rory was going over her wedding pictures and noticed the small glint on Finn's finger, and the new ring that no one had mentioned to pay attention to around Ellie's neck.

"What's up, Belle?" Ellie looked up at her, sad.

"I seriously think Finn and I might be over. He should know better than to sit there and put himself in a position to where he can give away his phone number to some random girl. And then for her to call and say he's hers, and that I'm only a place holder..." She started to whimper, trying really hard not to cry... again. Rory squeezed her hand, similarly to the way Ellie squeezed hers when she and Logan had broken up.

"Let's watch some movies, like we used to, and see where that takes us."

"Uhm, okay, sure." But of course, first they picked up Steph, who was dying to have a shopping partner. After a few hours of shopping, the trio headed back to the dorm, ready to settle in on what they called "sequel night". There was Rush Hour one and two, the Lord of the Ring trilogy, and the first 5 Harry Potter movies. A little after Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but before Rush Hour 1, Rory noticed both Steph and Ellie had fallen asleep. Ellie was still holding the cover of Rush Hour. Each of these sagas were her favorites. She guided each one to a bedroom, and she took her spot on the couch.

Hours later, there was a ringing noise in Steph's ears. Rory's phone. She answered it for her, since she was still sleeping.

"Rory Huntzberger's phone."

"Hello, this is Delta Airlines with a very important message for Mrs. Huntzberger. Is she available?"

"I'm sorry, not at the moment, might I take a message?"

"May I ask your name, just in case it comes up?"

"Vanderbilt, Stephanie Vanderbilt."

"Ms. Vanderbilt, we regret to inform Mrs. Huntzberger there's been an accident. The plane carrying her husband, a Logan Huntzberger, has crashed. We are currently trying to disclose a location and search for survivors."

Steph's jaw hit the floor. She knew Logan had taken Finn with him, but in calls like this, Ellie would not be notified. She wasn't family. Yet.

After talking to the Delta representative for a little while longer, she woke Rory, carefully, telling her the grim news. Somehow she was able to control herself long enough to get Ellie and tell her the news, since she knew the only way she was going to find out was on the news. Together the three sat, soon surrounded by Colin, Lorelai, Luke, and a few other close friends and family.

"Oh Logan," Rory thought to herself. "you promised. You promised we'd be together a long time. You promised."