A cool, sunny Sunday evening marks the end of my summer break. Tomorrow I begin with the first day of my last year as a college student.
I'm trying not to think about it.
In excellent news, Dutch TV started with re-runs of Gilmore Girls and my schedule allows me to be home at 5 pm to watch them!
Sorry updates were so random this summer – I'll try to be better about it throughout fall and winter. Thank-you all for sticking with me for so long (and on so many stories!). It really amazes me and I love you for it!
It took me the better part of the week to write this chapter (which is not my usual style. Normally, I sit for a good couple of hours and write) and I'm not sure if I like the outcome, but it takes the story in the direction I want it to go, so I'll sit here and patiently await your verdict!
Hope your last days of summer are filled with sun and fun!
Disclaimer: I do not own GG.
A weird, faint tension filled the Huntzberger penthouse after Monday night's promise of a new life. Logan seemed content enough with their compromise, Rory was the one who shied away from their typical evening traditions.
She sought solace in her writing room and left Logan to read Lottie a bedtime story. She didn't join him later for some their usual conversation, snacks and a movie. It wasn't until he knocked on her door, asking if she was okay, that she granted him an apologetic smile, blaming last-minute tour things for her absence, and followed him into the bedroom.
And, yes, the excitement and pressures of the tour took up a great deal of her thoughts. After all, HPG's future as a literary publishing house and by extension, her career as an author, depended heavily on the outcome of this tour. Not to mention, she was concerned about leaving her baby girl and husband behind for the first significant amount of time, but it wasn't all.
No, what dominated her thoughts the most was her promise. A baby. To guarantee a child. In theory, she definitely wanted to add to her offspring. Practically speaking, though, she wasn't so sure if she could. Her period had yet to make its highly anticipated appearance and no matter how relaxed she tried to be about its sudden departure, she couldn't. For a girl who was never late, eleven days seemed like a lifetime and she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if it never made its return.
Sure, she'd never have to worry about planning days to the beach, and she certainly wouldn't miss the bloating, but she'd never be able to make good on her promise; she couldn't give him want he wanted the most…
Early Wednesday morning, those thoughts ebbed ever so slightly, as the "New York Night" book tour took precedence in her mind.
Logan had surprised her with coffee and pancakes in bed. Together, they enjoyed their breakfast, falling into their same old trusted, casual, comfortable banter. He offered to put the dishes in the washer and wake up Lottie, giving Rory the chance to pack the last things before Bridget would arrive.
And that's how Rory found herself standing before her open suitcase early Wednesday morning, a mug of coffee in hand. She had everything she needed. Laptop, pants, blazers, blouses, panties, bras, make-up, PJ's, a book, notebook and a box of tampons.
Just in case.
It was a nice box made up of sturdy light blue cardboard with swirly white letters gracing the front and it promised 360 degree protection. Rory picked it up and studied it carefully, not really sure what she was looking for, though she couldn't shake the feeling that some sort of cruel joke was being played on her.
She turned her head at the slight tap on the door and saw Logan standing there in the doorway.
"Bridget just called; she'll be here in fifteen minutes."
"Okay," Rory nodded with a vacant smile and dropped the box in her suitcase. It landed on a stack of blouses, causing them to slide out of the suitcase and onto the bed.
"Crap," she muttered and Logan quickly stepped forward to help her re-pack.
"You're sure you don't want to take two bags?" he asked, eyeing the stacks of clothing piled high above the edge of the suitcase.
"No, it's four days." She cocked her head to the side and gestured at the mess on the bed. "Bee said to pack light."
Logan smirked at how his wife defined 'packing light' and handed her the box of tampons together with a pair of socks and a camisole. "This sucks."
"I know! I don't even know how I got so much stuff, but I can't eliminate anything either. What if I spill something on my white shirt? I'll need another…."
He chuckled at her rambling and jutted out his chin to the box that was now in Rory's hand. "I actually meant that…"
"Oh!" she gasped in realization and nodded. Her free hand dropped to her stomach and she frowned.
Logan reached out and brushed her arm. "Are you going to be okay out on the road and everything?"
Her lips curled into a soft smile; his concern never failed to melt her heart. "Yeah, it's just the way it is," she reassured him as she buried the box under a pile of clothes.
Logan nodded as he continued to place the last few items in the bag. "This is it, Ace?" he asked with a vague gesture between his wife and the suitcase.
Rory gave him a short nod, and watched as Logan moved to attempt to close the bag, while she replayed the exchange in her mind. What happened? Since when did she start lying to her husband?
Technically, it wasn't a lie – she just didn't go out of her way to explain that, no, she wasn't on her period, it just up and left without notice and that the box was tagging along simply because she clung on to some hope that someday it would return.
Maybe, she tried reasoning with herself, maybe she was making a bigger deal out of this than it was. Surely, he didn't need to know everything and maybe her drawn out reaction had something to do with hormones, or the stress of going on her first tour had turned her brain into a temporary pile of mush.
"Who's the King of Packing?" Logan's triumphant call drew her from her thoughts. Rory shifted her gaze from the floor, to the closed piece of luggage, finally resting her eyes on her man's cocky grin.
"You," she said through a faint smile, though her acting skills didn't trick him this time as she knew her voice sounded sad and distant.
Logan sighed heavily and stepped forward to embrace her. "I'll miss you, too."
Bridget entered the apartment with her usual flair. Starbucks coffee in her left hand, a black leather tote dangling from her right. Her curly head of hair was pushed back with a pair of black Dior sunglasses, her make-up flawless and her outfit consisted of black Bermuda shorts, a crisp white blouse tucked in and patent black sky-high stilettos.
"Hello?" she called out as she stepped into the hallway, but the only response came in the form of Lottie's content laughter.
Bee downed the last sip of her coffee drink and placed the empty cup on a side table, before walking into the living room to greet Lottie.
"Why hello L.C.H, where are your Mommy and Daddy?" she asked, towering over the little one's playpen.
"Bedroom."
A smirk appeared on Bridget's face. "Mommy and Daddy are doing a last minute McNasty… dirty!" she chuckled to herself and then she looked down at a curious looking Lottie. "Ah, crap! Don't say that. That's bad… a no-no!"
Lottie raised her pointer finger to her mouth and sucked on it for a moment of contemplation. After a few moments, she apparently agreed with Bridget and raised her arms, indicated that she wanted to be picked up.
"Alright," Bee sighed wearily, "I'll get you out of the cage. No jam-hands, right?"
The young girl kept her big brown eyes fixed on Bee and grinned slightly, looking like a perfect mix of Rory and Logan.
"You make your parents proud, kid," she laughed and picked the toddler up. "Don't spit on this shirt, okay? And don't every say McNasty; your Mom would freak!"
"Mommy is a freak!" Lottie shrieked excitedly. Bridget dropped in head in exasperation. "And this is why I don't have kids!" she muttered to herself.
"Bee!" Rory said, the surprise clear in her tone, "What are you doing here? How'd you get in?"
She gave Rory a welcome smile, glad to know that Rory hadn't heard her previous comments. "Your doorman let me in," she explained, "I told him it was urgent and you know, I slipped him my number…"
"Your number?" Logan interrupted with a laugh.
Bee chuckled at what Logan was implying and shrugged it off, "My number, a number… who needs to get technical?"
Logan shook his head, trying to hold back his laughter while Rory just stared at her friend. Didn't she know what message she was sending out, not to mention that she'll still have to see that doorman every day and field questions about why Bee wasn't the person on the other end of the line….
"Alright, alright, don't look like that, Mom!" Bridget placed her hand on her chest and gave Rory her sincerest look. "I'll never do it again." She flashed a winning smile. "I swear."
Before Rory could say anything else, Bee passed Lot to her. "Say your goodbyes, Rory-girl. We've got to get this promotion show on the road!"
She looked past Rory, to Logan. "I'll get you the deets as soon as possible. Don't want Mitchum to freak-out on you!"
Logan nodded and laughed at her dead-on impression of a freak-out Mitchum face.
"Please do and have fun." His features softened considerably and Bridget rolled her eyes.
"I'll keep an eye on your wife, don't worry!" she laughed and turned on her heel. "I'll be outside. I can tell it's going to get mushy in here!"
The door closed with a bang and Logan turned his attention to his girls. Rory was holding Lottie tightly, and the little girl had her arms wrapped close around her mother's neck.
"Come here, Ace," Logan said softly, wrapping both his girls in his strong embrace. Four days didn't seem like a long time, but it was for the young family that had never been apart for more than a night or two. Logan's business trips never lasted more than a few days and if, on the off-chance they happened to be longer, Rory and Lottie would tag along. With Rory leaving, Logan temporarily gained single-father status and Rory coped with a tiny bit of guilt. She wanted this so much, she worked hard for this and she knew – they knew – touring came with the job, but still...
Logan pressed a kiss on top of Rory's head and carefully took Lottie from her.
"You'll be okay with her?" Rory asked, blinking back a few tears. "She really into Dora now and not Bob the Builder. I got her those crackers she likes and I'll keep my phone on all the time and I'll call my mom to keep hers on, too. So you can call her, if I can't pick up, but you really shouldn't have to call her, because …"
"...because Lottie and I will be fine," Logan told her gently, brushing her cheek with is index finger.
"I know, I know," Rory heaved a heavy sigh. "It's just…" Her eyes darted all over the place, searching for words to continue her train of thought, before landing on his.
"I know, Ace."
He always knew.
"I'm going to miss you," she said.
A faint smirk appeared on his face. "I love you, Ace."
The couple shared a kiss and Logan and Lottie walked Rory to the door and opened it. Bridget was busy chatting away on her Blackberry and motioned for her to hurry up.
Rory gave her husband and daughter a kiss each. "I'll call when I get there."
Logan nodded and waved goodbye. "Wave bye to Mommy, Nessie."
The toddler stuck her chubby arm in the air and waved dramatically. "Bye-bye Mommy freak!"
A surprised laugh escaped Rory as she shot Logan a quizzical look. He shrugged and couldn't help but laugh as Bridget practically pulled Rory away.
"Kids these days…." Bee mumbled with an uncomfortable chuckle, "let's go!"
"We're going to get into Philadelphia around noon, we'll check into the hotel, grab a bite and interviews start at one-thirty. Those will wrap up around four, which will give us enough time to change and meet with Marcus for dinner before the book signing meet-and-greet event at Barnes & Noble…" Bridget looked up from her black binder of notes and saw Rory staring out of the window.
Rory slowly turned her head away from the landscape and settled on Bee's slightly annoyed looking face.
"Book-signing at BN runs to ten, right?" Rory asked. "And we've got the same in Boston in the afternoon and Providence the next day…."
A slick smile cracked on Bridget's face. For a brief moment she was worried her writing protégé was going to bail, crack under the beginnings of pressure, but she didn't. As Rory spoke, Bee noticed a newfound look of determination on her face.
"That's right," Bee confirmed. "It's a tight schedule, even for my standards, but it'll be worth it. "New York Night" will make it to the number one spot on the best-sellers' list."
Rory met Bridget's comment with an enthusiastic nod. As the car headed towards Philadelphia, it was as if her confidence in this endeavor grew. Her book would be successful, Lottie and Logan would make it through a couple of days without her. All would be right in her world.
"Thinking of success looks good on you," Bridget joked and Rory just rolled her eyes.
"I'm thinking we should trick Marcus into taking us out to Jules' Pizza tonight; their pepperoni is the best!" Bridget continued, "have you been?"
"No," Rory deadpanned, "I normally just get my pizza in New York."
Bridget stuck her tongue out at Rory. "Girl's a comedian! Who would have thunk? I didn't mean it like that – you've been to Philly before, right?"
The thoughtful pause before Rory's reply prompted a mischievous gleam in Bee's eyes.
"You were a bad girl in Philadelphia," she stated matter-of-factly, though Rory remained tight-lipped. "A romantic getaway with your man candy, perhaps, or a wild, unexpected road trip Logan talked you into during your college days…."
Rory's face remained uncharacteristically stoic, which only added fuel to Bee's fire of speculation. "It was another guy!" she accused with an outstretched finger in Rory's direction. "Oh my god, there was another guy!"
She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it.
"So there were guys before Logan…" Bee said with a heavy nod.
"Yes, Bridget," Rory rolled her eyes, "I wasn't exactly raised in a convent, you know."
"You say that as if Stars Hallow is the place where God makes pretty boys…"
"Well, uh…" Rory started, but Bee cut her off with a laugh. "Don't try to defend it, sister. I've seen Kirk."
Rory caught Bee's infectious laugh, though that didn't get her off the hook. "So, who was this Stars Hallow Boy who stole your heart?"
"He wasn't a Stars Hallow Boy…" she sighed.
"Really?"
"New York."
"Wow," Bee whistled in approval. "So, what happened?"
"What do you mean?" Rory said, trying to avoid this particular conversation, but Bridget wasn't letting up.
"Well, obviously you and New York Boy went kaput somewhere along the line and Philadelphia plays a part in this somehow. We've gone over the schedule a billion times and we've got about an hour left on the drive. I'm thinking story time…."
"Don't you have a Philadelphia romance of your own to tell?"
"I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours first," Bridget said with a smile.
"Alright," Rory agreed with a sigh.
"So, a romance?"
"It was complicated."
"As young love often is…"
"I'm sorry; did you want to tell the story?" Rory asked, feigning annoyance.
"Okay, okay, go on. So you were young and it was complicated because…."
"Because I was sixteen and with Dean," Rory started her trip down memory lane.
"Dean?"
"My boyfriend – "
"Stars Hallow native?"
Rory rolled her eyes, "Chicago."
"See! I told you…" Rory narrowed her eyes and glared at Bridget.
"Okay, moving on, moving on, moving on…." She paused for dramatic effect. "So, you were with Dean and New York Boy leaves New York and moves to Stars Hallow…"
"His mom kicked him out and sent him to live with Luke…."
"Luke Stepdad Luke?"
"Luke wasn't Stepdad Luke back then, but yes, same Luke," Rory clarified.
"Complicated."
"Not really," she shook her head, "Anyway, New York Boy and I were together briefly. I broke up with Dean to be with him and then he left."
"He left?" Bridget sounded absolutely shocked.
"Yeah." Rory smiled at the memory. At that tender age, Jess leaving seemed like a low-point in her life; it hurt her. He hurt her. But now, recapping her teenage events to Bee, in the back of a comfy limo, it was like she was retelling something she'd seen from a TV-show. That life, ten odd years ago, seemed so far away. "He went to California to be with his Dad for a while…"
"And years later you met up in Philadelphia for a night of awesome passionate sex?" Bee asked with a crooked eyebrow and a hopeful grin.
Rory snorted at her friend's twisted mind. "No, it never.. we never.. " She inhaled deeply, ignoring Bee's teasing smile. "He showed up at my grandparent's house when I was in college and there was a really awkward dinner with Logan and New York Boy and later, uh, I guess I tried to cheat on Logan with him…."
She condensed whatever 'relationship' she had with Jess severely, but it hit all the highlights and certainly got Bee's head spinning.
"What? Seriously...what? You and Logan? Cheating? Love triangles? What?"
Rory smiled at the puzzled look on Bee's face. Of course, she had only come to know Rory and Logan as Rory-and-Logan, a committed, happy couple, comfortable with their conformed life. She hadn't been around for the no-strings start of their romance, or any of the fights, break-ups and grand gestures that followed. As much as she cherished her home life, Rory suddenly yearned for that sense of unknown she had during her college days. The excitement. The unexpected. The uncertain.
"I thought you and Logan were rock-solid ever since..."
"I saw his electric blue eyes at an industry soiree..." Rory teasingly quoted her book, "but not the first time we laid eyes on each other ever."
"It's not cute when you quote your book," Bridget told her flatly, though the amusement in her tone peaked through. "I never knew you were the scandalous love-triangle type. Maybe we should consider your teenage love-life a topic for a next book…'Too much, too young, too fast' could be the working title...."
Rory's chuckle cut her off, "let's not get carried away now!"
"So what happened to NYB?" Bee asked, steering back to the original topic of conversation, "Seeing he's your stepdad's nephew – that's like family. Oh my god! You dated your family!"
"No I didn't! That's…just don't even say that!" Rory said as she scrunched up her nose in disgust. Bridget just shrugged off Rory's protesting and shot her a glance, as if to say: spill it.
She sighed heavily before continuing with the last bit of her story. "He ended up with a very successful career. He's written like eight books in five years and they've all broken the top ten on the best seller's list. "He's in Philadelphia."
"With Truncheon?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded, "You've heard of it?"
"Mariano?"
"Please don't tell me he's one of your Philly conquests…"
"Oh!" Bridget yelped, "No. Oh no, no, no. God, no!"
Part of Rory was relieved that Jess hadn't become another notch on Bee's bedpost, but at the same time she couldn't help be offended at her friend's disgust at her suggestion. At one time, Rory thought Jess was certainly conquest-worthy.
"Hey!"
"Um, Logan?" Bee questioned, as if Rory's now having a husband would change her mind about having been attracted to Jess.
"I know!" Rory laughed, holding up her left hand so that her diamond caught the sparkle of the light, "but still!"
"No. Gross. No," Bridget replied firmly, "I know Jess because we move and shake in the same circles. I helped Truncheon negotiate its West Coast venture a few years back and I started out coordinating a few events for them and that's were my Philly Love Story comes from…."
Bee continued to gab away about her adventures with the Philly-men. Apparently, she and Brian something-or-other had a pretty serious thing going on for a while, but Bridget couldn't stand the cutesiness of their first initials being the same and broke-it off. Now, of course, years later, Brian is the one who got away…
Rory could barely concentrate on keeping up her side of the revealing conversation. Breaking-up with her possible True Love for a silly reason, certainly explained a lot of Bridget's attitude toward men and relationships. Normally, Rory would be up for a good analytical heart-to-heart, but her thoughts kept drifting to Jess.
He came up in casual conversation enough for her to know what he was up to and she saw his novels climb the charts over the years. He even paid Stars Hallow semi-regular visits, but they had never ran into each other.
In fact, she hadn't seen him since that night in Philadelphia all those years ago. Bridget knew him and Truncheon had made a name for itself. Suddenly, running into Jess today seemed like a real possibility and that thought alone brought a quirky, crooked smile to her face.
Adventurous.
Certainly not comfortable.
So, Jess returns. Sort of. It was bound to happen, what with all the book-publishing and travelling to Philadelphia.
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