Disclaimer : I do not own Gilmore Girls...
Author's note : I hope you will like what I have planned for this story. Please, review or comment. I will take suggestion of where this story might go... I have a general idea but am going with the flow so suggest I will consider anything if you keep in mind that in the end, she should be with Colin. This pairing is for me the hardest and it is a challenge I took on...
Fyi : I corrected two errors in this chapter... hopefully, I will have time to work on a new chapter soon.
Chapter 2 :Moving back to Hartford.
Rory and Lorelei ended up going to Luke's for a late coffee and pie. Rory had already gone through all the stories she had not yet shared through Skype of a chat. She had mentioned her bumping into Colin but Lorelei could not remember anything else about him but the hate she had felt towards Logan and his friends the only time they had crossed path. On their way to Luke's Rory stopped by Lane's who was now living in a house in Stars Hollow. Lane had bought the music store and she was now running it. Zach had continued to tour for a couple of years but never felt quite at ease on big stages. After a while, he was back with Lane and he was now teaching music at the store. They had made it and were happy with their 4 kids since they had a girl and a boy after the twins. Rory promised to come spend a full day with Lane once she was officially moved into her new place.
Entering Luke's had the same effect as entering in her home. It smelled like home. She spotted Luke who smiled at her and her mother.
"Rory, I am glad to see you in one piece. Coffee and Pie I guess?"
"Hey Luke. Sure thing."
They barely sat at a table and Luke was bringing them their cups of coffee and 3 pieces of pies were set on the table. He sat with the two girls and the three of them started to eat and chat away. Luke had always been a father figure in Rory's life. They talked about different things, the countries she visited in her latest trip. Luke was fascinated by Rory's travels, he always asked questions on how people lived, the food. He never understood the need Rory had to go everywhere; still he loved hearing about it.
"So met anyone interesting" Lorelei asked after a while since Rory was evading the questions.
"Well, that is my cue… I am glad you are home Rory."
"Mom! You know I have not met anyone. I am travelling for work, not leisure."
"Well, don't they say work is where you are most likely to meet a love interest these days."
"Would be hard since I am travelling alone most of the time."
"Who knows… could be someone at the hotel, restaurant, airport."
"Ok, Ok but now. I did not meet anyone interested. Since John, I honestly haven't been looking."
"Yeah, yeah, they all say that to justify the fact they haven't tried to meet someone. And what was wrong with John? Oh yes, I remember, he was not Logan."
"Mom, please would you just let go. I am over Logan and he is married anyway."
"I know."
"You knew?"
"Yes, I live close enough to Hartford, Mom and Dad were there."
"They were? And none of you think of mentioning it to me?"
"Hun. We thought you knew… It was just when you broke up with John. I always thought it was somewhat related."
"How could it be related? And by the way, I did not broke up with John, he did. He did not want me to accept my assignment in northern Africa, that it was too dangerous. I accepted it, he broke up."
"Why didn't you tell me."
"I don't know… I was afraid you would agree with him it was too dangerous."
"Oh hun. I do agree with him you put yourself in dangerous territory, all by yourself. But I would never ask you not to do your work the way you want to. Still it would be nice not to worry for a little while."
"Well, you'll get your wish." Rory said smiling broadly.
"What is that smile, what are you hiding from me?"
"Well, you know I bought the condo in Hartford, don't you think it would be a waste of money to buy such an expensive place and be gone most of the time?"
"What are you saying, you won't travel anymore." Lorelei asked hoping to get a no.
"Well, I will still travel from time to time but I will need to stay put a lot more. An Editor needs to be on-site quite a lot."
"Oh! You were hired as an editor! I am so proud of you! Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Well, when the Hartford Gazette asked to meet me, I did not know it was for an editor's job. But that is what they offered. But I am afraid I will miss the travelling."
"So what is it chief editor?"
"Far from it, but still…"
Lorelei could not help but yawn at this moment. Rory was also tired and had been struggling to stay awake so they headed home and were fast asleep. The next day Rory did not do much else but sleep until 4 pm. She had woken up at 5 am (she was still on France time) and had chatted a bit with Luke going back to bed when he had gone to open up his café. She had then gone back to bed and slept on and off.
"Rory hun, time to get up and get ready!" Lorelei asked in a perky voice.
"What time is it?" She asked voice laced with sleep.
"It is past 4 and you need to go and shower. We are leaving at 5h30."
"What's the point of growing up to be woken up by your parents again?" Rory mumbled.
"What was that?" Lorelei asked having heard clearly what Rory had said.
"Nothing… just jetlagged."
"Hey if you prefer staying in bed and arriving late at your grandparents, that is fine with me, but I am not taking the blame."
On that Rory got up and headed to the bathroom with her stuff. The warm water felt good. She could not help but think back to her meeting with Colin. She never thought she would enjoy spending time with him. While she was dating Logan, Colin always came with Finn and Finn was the one always talking and amusing everyone. Colin was more quiet but always seemed to be over everyone, a complete snob.
As she was finishing her hair, her mom came into her room and sat on her bed looking at her.
"Did I tell you how proud I am of you?"
Rory smiled. Her mom had grown up in a house where there we so much expectations and so little recognition that she had made sure Rory never felt the same. She had been encourage to do whatever she wanted and was praised more than anyone she knew.
"Yes mom, you did."
"Well, I am hun. Look at you all grown up." Rory could see from the mirror how happy her mom was.
"Yes, and I hope I will be just like you if I have kids."
"What are you saying, for sure you are going to have kids. You are only 30 years old."
"I know but when you were 30, I was 14th." Rory said doubting that she would ever find anyone to settle down.
"But imagine what you will be able to provide to your kid that I was not able to."
"Maybe, but I never complained about missing anything but Dad."
"Well, you were one of a kind. God we are cheesy today. Ready to go?"
"Yep. Let me put a bit of makeup and we get going. Is Luke going to be there?"
"Nope, just you and me, like old time."
Rory finished getting ready and was in the living room right on the dot. They picked their jacket and got going in Lorelei's Jeep.
"I can't believe you finally bought a new one."
"Well, Luke can do miracle once but twice would have been asking a bit too much" referring to the time Luke had found a complete motor for Lorelei's old Jeep that she did not want to let go.
"So why are we driving with windows open if you have air conditioning in it?"
"I always forget. Hey a new car takes some getting used to…" They both brought their windows up and Lorelei blasted air conditioning. Lorelei took advantage of this time to let Rory what still needed to be done for the wedding and they made plan to achieve everything during the week. It was a bit like the few days they had before Rory left for Yale. Their days would be filled for the next week since Rory was also moving on the Wednesday. But she had so few things to pack. The main issue was that she needed to buy furniture but this could wait.
As they entered into the drive way to the Gilmore's house Rory could not help but sigh.
"What is it hun? You always liked coming to your grandparent's."
"Yeah but I think they are going to try to set me up once again. Look!"
There was two unknown cars in the drive way. Both BMW's and one two seat BMW that screamed single male.
"Did you know about it?"
"Hun, my parents never check with me, you know that. It might not be that bad, come on."
"Yeah, you say that now, but 10 years ago, you would have had a fit since it was you they tried to match."
"I know and I sympathize but in my experience, better to go ahead and act civil. Just don't give any personal information and stay as distant as you can. He is surely as irritated by this than you are. And with a car like this, he surely isn't looking to settle down."
They headed to the door and for the first time Rory was the one reluctant to walk in. The maid answered the door and took their jackets while Emily came to greet them.
"Rory how nice to see you. You look good as if coming from vacation. How was your latest assignments, did you have time to meet with any of our contacts in Europe? Did you really have to go to Egypt and Libya? One would think better than to send a single woman in those country."
"Hi Mom! Nice to see you too!" Lorelei said as she was completely being ignored.
"Yes, hello Lorelei, I see you every week. Rory was gone for 2 months now. Can't you ever handle when attention is on someone else?"
"I guess not. So did you guys buy new cars?"
"No why?"
"Well, there are two BMW and I am pretty sure you drive a Bentley mom."
"Yes, those were our guests. I thought Rory would enjoy having someone her own age tonight so I invited a friend of mine from DAR and her grandson was just coming back from working abroad so they joined us."
"So who am I going to talk to?"
"Lorelei, can't you just endure an evening with family?"
"Well, it is not only family…" She started to answer but was met with Emily's stare and she decided to let it go.
They followed Emily toward the living room when Rory heard her grandfather ask
"Colin, would you like another glass of Scotch?"
"Thanks but no, with the jetlag I'd rather not drink too much."
Rory started to smile… It was Colin. But didn't her grandparents know they already knew each other? They must have.
"Rory, well Hello. Come so that I introduce you."
She came into view and saw Colin sitting on a chair with a smug smile and what surely were his grandparents sitting on a couch.
"Elizabeth, John, this is our granddaughter Rory Gilmore. Rory, this is Elizabeth and John McCrea. I believe you already know Colin."
"It's very nice to meet you Mrs and Mr McCrea. Colin, always nice to see you" She gave her hand to Colin's grandparents before giving it to Colin himself and giving him a peck on each cheeks.
Before she was a way, he whispered "I told you to give him a chance." And he smiled broadly.
Rory turned red and everyone thought he had complimented her.
"So Rory tell us about your latest travels" Emily asked making it seems as if Rory was travelling for leisure.
Rory ended up telling a happy version of her travels for the last few months abroad only putting emphasis on the good part and forgetting to mention when she was in more delicate position. There was no need to worry her Grand Parents. And now she probably would never be in this type of situation again with her new job. While was talking she realized that only her mother and Colin seem to grasp that she was embellishing her reality.
"By the way I have a bit of news on the work from. You know I am moving into Hartford this week. What I did not mention is that I am coming here with a bit of a promotion. I will be on the editing team here in Hartford."
"Congratulations!"
All of them congratulated her on her new job. After more polite conversation, they were all asked to settle for dinner.
Throughout dinner, Rory couldn't believe how different Colin was in front of his and her grandparents compared to the previous day. It was as if he was playing a role. She was now in front of the Colin of the past, all snobbish and stuck up. Honestly, she was not sure who was the real Colin… the nice and down to earth guy she had seen the day before or the present one that was closer to what she hand known. Honestly, she preferred the simplest one from the airport.
After a copious meal, Emily turned to Rory and Colin.
"Oh, we must be such a boring party for you two. Why don't you go and enjoy the nice weather outside while we continue?"
"Grandma, you know you are never boring to me." Rory answered which had Lorelei making faces. "But it would be nice to catch up a bit with Colin, shall we?" She finished looking at Colin who seemed relieved by this turn of events.
Lorelei was about to follow the two youngest out when her mother voiced
"Lorelei, where are you going? I don't think you have anything to catch up with Mr. McCrea."
"Damn it." She mumbled and stayed in the living room trying not to fall asleep.
As Rory and Colin settled themselves on the patio she looked at him.
"Why didn't you tell me it was you?" Rory said half angry that Colin had known about the dinner and not her.
"Why did you accept?" She asked not letting Colin answer her.
"Well, when I got the invitation, I actually never committed to coming. You know with Logan and all. I still hate all this bullshit but think it is better to go with it from time to time. It is just exhausting acting out the way they expect me to, my family I mean. When we bumped into each other at the airport, I had actually forgotten about tonight and when you mentioned being probably pushed a date, I remembered and thought it would be nice to play along. So did I deceive?"
"Humpfh… no." She smiled. "So this old Colin "stick up his ass" is only acting?"
"Yeah. I mean, before I believed it but after living real life for a while, I got tired of acting out and realized what your mom did at 16… I actually left my family's firm for a couple of years and made it on my own. Starting from scratch. I came back in my own term. But whenever I get pushed into Society, I find it easier to play the part."
"Well, it is a way to go but it would be less exhausting if you kept being yourself. I do it."
"Yeah, you were never raised to be otherwise. Your mother did good running away so young."
"So should I prepare a tux for next Saturday?" Colin asked.
"Well, I still need a date. And if you promise to stay true to this new Colin I was acquainted to yesterday, yes it still stand."
"So I am glad to be of service. I have been hoping we could meet again."
"You did?"
"Believe it or not, we all miss you. Your name has been put forward a couple of time when we gather from time to time. But no one knew how to contact you. Now, if I do go with you to the wedding, will it be too much to ask for me to bring you to our next gathering?"
"What is it an LDB event?"
"No, just a few of us meeting. We usually meet on the long week-end around July 4th. Interested?"
"I don't know. You're sure everyone will be ok with me there." She did not want to say Logan specifically but Colin understood.
"Yes, everyone will be fine with it. Logan is the one that bring up your name so don't worry."
"Good. Then I guess I can put in on my agenda."
They continued talking about different things until they were both yawning being still jetlagged.
"I gotta get going, tomorrow I am needed at the office" Colin said first.
"Yeah… and I need to be in New York packing." She said sighing.
They made their way towards the living room and Rory smiled looking at her bored mother trying not to fall asleep but not quite succeeding.
"Mom! I am really tired, can we get going?"
Lorelei jumped at the chance and was up in no time.
"Sure hun. Let me gather our stuff and we'll be out."
"I'll also get going if you don't mind. I need to be at the office tomorrow and just got back from Europe yesterday." Colin added.
The two older couples made a few remark on how the youngest did not have stamina.
On the front porch as the Lorelei, Rory and Colin were making their way towards the cars, Lorelei could not help keeping to herself anymore.
"So Colin, still friend with Logan?"
"Mom!"
"Well, yes. We don't see much of each other now but we talk regularly."
"I see you seem to like the same type of cars." She motioned towards the sports car parked in the driveway.
"Well, actually, mine is the silver one. I am not really into sports car… I am more of a conservative on that front."
"So who's car is it?"
"My grandfather's actually." Colin answered matter of factly.
"Oh!"
"I guess I'll talk to you later Rory?" He asked.
"Yeah. I'll call you when I have moved all my stuff in the condo."
"Great so have a great night! It was nice meeting you Mrs Gilmore."
"Same here." Lorelei answered but her voice seemed to indicate otherwise.
Colin did not bother with it. He knew Rory's mom did not like socialites and he had put up his mask all evening for his Grand Parents and Rory's. Anyway, it did not matter what she thought of him.
When the two women were sitting in the car Rory looked at her mother with an irritated look
"What?" Lorelei said.
"What was that all about? What did Colin do to you?"
"Come on Rory. He was snobbish all night, I think he would fit right in with the DAR crew."
"Yeah well, so do you when you are at one of Grandma's party. It is a way to protect himself. And why would it be of your business if he still is friends with Logan."
"Because, I can stand the idea of you being involved in Logan's life. I know you said you were over him but you still haven't seen him since your graduation. It is easy to say you are over someone when you never cross path. I know, I have been there with Chris. Wait and see if you meet him again."
"Actually, I will soon. Colin invited me to a week end in early July with all the gang and I have accepted."
"Seriously. What if they all gang up on you?"
"They won't I trust Colin. He mentioned they were wondering what I was up to.
"Really, even Logan?"
"It seems so…"
"Wow, maybe he is not over you."
"Oh, he is, he got married last summer."
"And you are ok with meeting the new Mrs Logan Huntzberger?"
"Yes" Rory answered quickly… maybe too quickly. When she really thought about it, something made her feel a bit ill at ease.
As they made their way towards Stars Hollow, they talked mainly about the wedding and Rory's move to Hartford. It was going to be a packed week.
The next day, Rory was on her way to New York by bus. She did not have much packing to do since she did not have much. She had rented a fully furnished apartment. Most of her clothes were already packed or in her suitcases anyway. It only left her with books and all of the kitchen stuff and since she still did not cook, well, it would fit in two boxes except for Ricardo, her coffee maker.
Once in New York, she called Jess. Jess and Rory had met again after the trail when she moved to New York. Jess's company, since he was a partner in Truncheon, had opened an office in New York and he was running it. At first, neither knew what they were to each other. They had had a moment or two but eventually realized that they were only friends and it worked better that way. Jess was now married and had 1 boy and another baby on the way. He was going to be Luke's best man at the wedding. His wife, Lucy was a friend of Rory from college.
As the three adult were packing all of Rory's stuff the next day, Ernest was playing with some of his toys in the living room.
"So… I heard you got reacquainted with the limo boys." Jess asked matter of factly.
"The Limo Boys?" Lucy asks not really making sense of it.
"How do you know about that?" Rory asked.
"Ah… I do talk to your mother from time to time Rory. And she needed help yesterday with Luke's gift."
"oh." Rory said but kept silent.
"What's the Limo Boys?" Lucy asked again. "Come on guys… there is enough of those inside jokes with you too would you mind clueing me in?" she said half joking half serious. She hated feeling like an outsider.
"You remember Logan, the guy I was dating at Yale?"
"Are you still not over him?" She asked remembering quite clearly that asshole Rory had been dating at that point.
"Yes I am over Logan. I actually met one of his friends at the airport on my way back to Hartford."
"OK, so you still have never seen Logan since graduation. How can you know you are over him?"
"Why is every one still hung up on the fact that I did not see him again. I know I am over him."
"You sure?" Jess intervened. "Were you sure you were over me before we met again in New York?" He said knowing very well that both had needed to talk about everything that had happened between them before they knew they were only meant to be friends.
Rory kept quiet. What if they were right. What if the hurt all comes back when I see him again. She got lost in her thoughts. Whenever she thinks about Logan, she has this nostalgic feeling but that is normal isn't it? Of course she once in a while thought she regretted saying no to Logan. But she is completely happy with her life isn't she?
After half an hour without saying a word to Jess and Lucy, she realized she was completely packed.
"Wow, thank you so much guys. Now I just need to lie down and the movers are coming in tomorrow morning. By tomorrow night I will be in Hartford. Well, actually, I will be in Stars Hollow but my stuff will be in Hartford."
"Well, Dodger" She said looking to Jess. "I'll miss you. Now you will have to come and visit us more often."
"We'll miss you too Rory. Now who is going to give me and Lucy a break and babysit Ernest?"
"I'm sure you'll find someone. Olivia's not far away."
"Yeah, but you were two doors away…" Lucy said.
They headed to Jess and Lucy's apartment so they could enjoy a well-deserved dinner after all the work they had put in preparing boxes.
Rory left the small family not too late after supper and they planned to meet in Stars Hollow on the Friday morning when they would all pitch in to prepare the wedding for the next day.
Rory made it to Hartford the next day arriving just after the movers had started to unload. Lorelei had opened them the door of the apartment and in one hour every boxes were in the room they belonged to. Her computer desk was already set up and her tv was on the floor.
"So do you want to leave everything in place or should we start to unpack?"
"Other than the kitchenware, I have no place to put anything yet."
"We so need to go shopping for furniture."
"Are you sure you have time for this? You are getting married in 3 days."
"If you think about it, you have a choice. We go today and get some sensible stuff or you wait to next week and go with my mother."
"Argh. You're right. Let's go then."
Lorelei and Rory locked up the apartment and went shopping. Rory's apartment was quite spacious but only had 4 rooms. She found quickly bedroom set and a dining table but could not find any living room furniture that she liked enough to buy. After shopping for hours, they gave up and headed back to Stars Hollow for supper at Luke's. All her furniture was to be delivered the next week. Until then, she would stay in Stars Hollow anyway.
After they ate, Lorelei wanted to stay at Luke's for a little while while Rory wanted to drop by Lane. On the way to her friend's house she dialed Colin's number.
"Colin McCrea?"
"Hey Colin, it's Rory Gilmore."
"Reporter Girl! How are you? You know you can stop at Rory. I'll know it's you."
"Just an habit. So are you still ok with coming to my mother's wedding?"
"Are you sure she wants me there? " He asked not really wanting to have to voice the fact he had found Rory's mom to be a bit harsh towards him on the Sunday.
"Yeah she is. She is just afraid of me getting back into that life."
"What life?"
"Hartford Society."
"And would that be so bad. You say it as if it was a bit like going into a street gang or something."
"Well, to her it might be better to be in a gang than to fit in with all of Hartford Blue blood."
"When you think about it, she might be right… " He said laughing a bit.
"Seriously though… she is fine with you coming. She probably would have enjoyed Finn a bit more but you are still a better choice to her than Logan."
"How can you say that, you have not met the new Finn? He might be a complete bore."
"Somehow I doubt that."
"Yeah, he is pretty much the same… except sober."
"But please, be your own self, even around my GrandParents. This is a Stars Hollow Wedding, not a society event. Just be yourself."
"OK. What color are you wearing?"
"Now, why?"
"Not now silly, to the wedding."
"oh. Still why?"
"If I accompany you, I might as well compliment your outfit."
"Sure, I have a teal dress with some silver decorations. And ho, it is not a black tie thing… you don't need a tux."
"OK then. What time should I pick you up?"
"Meet me at the Dragonfly at 1 pm."
"Yes mam. I'll be there."
They hung up and Rory was already in front of her old house.
"Lane?"
"Come in Rory… so did you move all your stuff ?"
….