Story prompted by - roganjalex: Lorelai never ran away from Society married Christopher but a few years later went to Yale was in the LBD. As a result, Rory grew up in met Logan as a kid.
Did We Do That?
Chapter 2 – Utmost Secrecy
Chris, Lorelai and Rory were moving into their condo off campus it was on State Street and had 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and an open concept living area and large windows that filled the place with light. One of the rooms had been made into more of a study with a Murphy bed to accommodate the odd guest on occasion. They loved that there was a pool and a gym in the building and a Montessori School was just down the block. They had agreed to put Rory in school instead of a full time nanny. She would be too bored at home, the child was so very bright, she spoke French beautifully and a real knack for art and storytelling. This was going to be an excellent place to live for the next four years and they could see entertaining, Rory having sleepovers and with just a few changes to their mothers decorating choices, it could be home.
College was so different, that and trying to remember English was her first language had Lorelai exhausted at the end of most days. Chris was doing better and had even managed to make a few friends at the gym in their complex. He always was a bit more confident and she was totally frustrated by it but loved him more with each passing day. They knew the first two years they could get rid of the required general courses then they would each be focusing on business management and he would also be taking pre-law courses. Secretly they were also taking hospitality courses as they really wanted to open an Inn after graduating and not take over the family businesses straight away.
"Hey Lore, did you see this invitation?" Chris said walking from the den to the kitchen where Lorelai and Rory were doing homework and drinking coffee. "Lore, you know she shouldn't drink coffee, the doctor said it's probably why she doesn't sleep well."
"Pishaw, she only drinks it with me and it is mostly milk, besides she likes it. What invitation? What are our parents dragging us to now?" She sighed and reached for the card.
For the attention of Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore Hayden, you are cordially invited to join the Life and Death Brigade, this Friday to Monday at an undisclosed location for the time of your life! If you choose to accept be at the Battelle Chapel promptly at 8:00 am and wear the enclosed. Secrecy is of the utmost importance. Sincerely LDB
Lorelai looked at Chris perplexed and held up the blindfolds and the list of what to pack. "I guess we could get a sitter or ask one of our parents to babysit. I hardly think they wouldn't want us joining. What do you think?"
Chris looked at her and decided, "Let's do it, with a name like that it has to be fun and I would bet my trust fund they are society kids so we can call it a networking event."
Rory was dropped at the Hayden's on Thursday with promises that they would take her to school on Friday and Monday and confirmation that they would pick her up after the event.
Chris and Lorelai stood at the historic chapel feeling very foolish in blindfolds at 8 am on Friday. They only had one class each on Fridays and Mondays because of the many events their parents may pull them too on weekends and knowing they made need recovery time from said events. After a short time they heard a car pull up to the curb. They were helped into the back seat and began the ride to a new adventure. After about two hours they finally came to a stop and were led out of the car and their blindfolds removed. Welcome to the farm folks, be ready for anything. They were taken to their rooms in a large farmhouse and instructed to wear jeans and sneakers and come back down quickly. They redressed and met the group back in the main room.
"Welcome to the LDB, I am Mitchum Huntzberger and you have all been chosen because you have either befriended one of us and passed the rigorous background or are a family legacy. This is your introduction, today we will help a local farmer clean, feed and care for his animals; tonight we will have a barbecue under the stars to enjoy the fruits of our labors. Tomorrow we will head to our next venue and next adventure, now you have all been assigned to your groups. Let's head out!"
Mitchum came over to the group Lorelai and Chris were in, "You two probably don't remember me but I was a few years ahead of you in school. I wanted to make sure you were in before I finished up graduate school. It was brave of you to get married so young, but by the looks of things it is working for you?" He reached out his hand and shook each of theirs.
"Thank you Mitchum, it has been a struggle some days but it is worth it." Chris replied, "So what are we up to today?"
"Don't worry, we aren't killing any of the animals, we leave that to the professionals, we will be cleaning the chicken coops, collecting eggs and then gathering some vegetables for lunch and dinner. Believe it or not it'll be a fun day, exhausting but fun." He supplied.
He introduced them to the rest of the group, David McCrea, Michael Dugrey, Victoria Rockefeller, Cessily Carnegie, William Astor and Caroline Ford, they were part of the legacy group. The others they would meet later had been invited due to their association with other members. The two groups only represented a small portion and the rest of the event would take place at an undisclosed location over Saturday and Sunday giving them time to return to Yale by noon on Monday. This was a test of sorts, to see what the inductees were made of and if they had what it took to be LDB. The day went quickly and was hard sweaty work, but fun. They got to know the people in the group and found they had fun chasing the chickens and gathering the eggs. Then after they candled the eggs and took them to the kitchen they went to the kitchen yard and gathered some fresh vegetables and mushrooms for lunch and supper. They enjoyed a beautiful quiche and salad for lunch with Iced tea and Lemonade then retired to their rooms to shower and prepare for the barbeque. The dinner's events were ruckus and fun, there was a campfire and square dancing and terrific food. After the party they even pitched in to help clean up. It was a really great time.
The next day found them in a quaint town at a large Inn with a charming owner named Mia, she gave them all their room assignments and explained the evening festivities and the plan for the next day. The event would be based on the Great Gatsby, period clothing was in their rooms but before the dinner they would all go to the town square where Ms. Patty would teach them the dances and then they would have some time to enjoy the town and they were told if they liked coffee to try the new café in town called Luke's. A tour was offered for those interested in local history and the antique shop was offering 10% discounts to the guests of the Inn you just had to present your key. The day looked promising and the night would be a blast. They walked to the town square where they were introduced to Ms. Patty and she explained the dances they would learn, the Charleston, Breakaway and of course the Foxtrot. The groups laughed and cheered as each learned in turn each dance with its own flair. After everyone had met with Ms. Patty's approval they were off to explore the charming hamlet and Lorelai was dragging Chris to get coffee.
"Oh Chris, I am so glad we did this, I can't wait for tonight. I heard the goal is to dance the night away and only retire after breakfast, think we are up to it?" She enthused holding his arm as they walked past the small grocery and into the diner.
The bell rang as they entered the room a man not much older than themselves directed them to sit anywhere and they were brought menus and ordered coffee.
"Lore this is the best, I can't imagine sharing this with anyone but you. I have to tell you that I think you are the prettiest girl in the LDB. He leaned in and kissed her which won them an 'awe' from one of the local townspeople.
"Hey sweets are you with the group in the Inn? You two look good together, been dating long?" She rasped.
Lorelai blushed," Actually we are married, but thank you, and yes we are with the group at the Inn, your town is charming."
Luke brought the coffee and took their orders for burgers then returned to the counter.
Lorelai looked wistfully out the window, "Chris, this is the type of place I want for us, a nice town, friendly people good coffee." She lifted it to her lips and took a sip. "Mmmm, Oh God Chris, this is the best coffee I have ever had, it is even better than that one we had in Vienna."
Chris took a sip, "You are right, this stuff is amazing." Luke stopped by their table to drop off their meals,"Hey Luke, have you thought of franchising or licensing the recipe for this coffee it is the best we have ever had and that's saying something, especially for her, she is something of an addict."
Luke laughed good naturedly, "Well thank you, but nah, I think I will stick with this one shop and keep my coffee secrets. Did I hear you say you were married, aren't you a bit young?"
"Well, we have a daughter together so we thought it best. "Lorelai laughed, Luke nodded and walked back to the counter.
The pair finished their lunch, paid and returned to the Inn to nap before the evening's festivities. They awoke easily and dressed in the clothing provided hers was a silver blue beaded low waisted dress with garters for her hose and Cuban heels. He looked dapper in his tailed tux with white gloves and buttoned vest. They were quite the pair as they entered the lounge that had been transformed into a 1920's speakeasy complete with tea cups for their beverages. They stepped up to the bar and ordered, he got a Sazerac and she a White Lady, they watched as people milled about speaking as if they were back in the 20's. They had read the scripts left in their room and were fairly confident they could follow along. They noticed a few people dancing and decided to join in. They wriggled and jumped and waved hands in the air, it was a terrific time. As the drinks flowed the group became more daring, fountain hopping chasing the swans and escaping in the small rowboats on the water. It would be a night they wouldn't soon forget.
"Chris" Lorelai began in a sleepy voice as they stared at the ceiling of their suite, "We should run a place like this, an Inn in a small town like this one. Maybe when we get up, before we go we can talk to Mia about working summers or something to learn the industry she seemed the type that might be willing to teach us. I am sure we can bring Rory along and it would be fun. I mean how much more of Europe can we see? What do you think?"
Chris propped himself on his elbow and looked at his wife, she was only 19 but she was so wise, and god was she beautiful. He felt so fortunate in that moment. He ran his hand gently over her form.
"I like it, our folks will presume we are vacationing in Europe or somewhere and we can learn this industry, then when we graduate and receive our trusts we can invest in and run our own Inn. We can be our own people finally out from under their thumbs and watchful eyes. If it's OK with you I would like us to have another kid or two as well. What do you think?"
Lorelai turned to him and propped herself into a similar position, "More kids? Hmm, I think I like that idea, it is so much fun making them, I think we can have one or two more after graduating and opening our own Inn. Just think we can raise them far from society; I think Rory would like to have siblings too."
She leaned over gently laying on top of him and they kissed with intensity, suddenly their energy was renewed and they worked on tiring each other out all over again.