Chapter 4
"Oh my god." Louise stated. "This is going to be interesting." She whispered, smirking and taking a sip of her drink. Rory simply glared at her for a moment before turning back to the man in front of her, her expression as blank as she could manage.
"How are you Rory?" Logan asked, his voice stiff and monotone. She flinched at the sound of her name, she wasn't used to him calling her that.
He called me Rory. Not 'ace'. She thought, frowning. Her frown deepened when she questioned herself as to why she cared, considering the fact he wasn't a part of her life anymore.
"I'm… good. And you?" Her voice was just as stiff. If he was going to be 'formal', she would be too.
"Yes, fine. It's, um, nice seeing you. I wouldn't have expected to catch you at the Grant's society party." He smiled at her but she could tell that it wasn't his genuine smile, it was a 'society smile', the one he brought out when he was around his parents and the extended branch of Hartford society. He'd never used it on her though.
"You too. I'm here for research."
"Research?" His 'society smile' was replaced with a puzzled expression as he sipped the scotch he held in his hand.
"I'm writing an article about society and the people that stay and, um, leave it." She said.
His face clouded for a moment before returning to his stoic expression. "Oh. Well, I'm sure you'll do it justice. You've always had very specific opinions on society. And the people in it."
She opened her mouth to speak and then promptly closed it again.
"Wait, are you a freelance writer? What is this article for?" He asked her, confused again. He had followed her work somewhat, not that she knew that, but he didn't know where she'd ended up recently.
"No, I got a job as a staff writer for the Cultures section of The New Yorker." She sipped her martini, grateful that she could use her drink as a distraction for the turmoil of emotions she felt. His eyes lit up, exuding pride and happiness for the first time since their conversation started.
"Wow. That's amazing a- um, Rory." His expression was once again blank, hoping that she wouldn't notice, or at least acknowledge, his slip up.
"Yeah, um, thanks." She bit her lip, unsure of what to say next. She was thankful for Dora's intervention, crashing into Rory as she stumbled, slightly drunk.
Rory laughed, "How are you drunk already? We've been here half an hour!" Rory exclaimed.
"Half an hour is plenty of time, my sweet." Dora said, linking her arm with Rory's and turning her attention to Logan. "Who are you?"
"Logan. Logan Huntzberger." He introduced himself and flashed her a smile.
Dora's eyes widened and she stood up straighter, her arm still linked with Rory's. "Right, of course. Hi, I'm Dora." She shook his hand, still clutching Rory tightly.
"It's nice to meet you. I take it you've heard of me then." He glanced at Rory briefly, amusement behind his eyes.
"Well, you're all over the internet, hard to miss you." She replied, trying to brush it off.
"Right." He smirked, the signature Huntzberger smirk. Rory smiled inadvertently at the sight of it, having not seen it for 9 years.
"Anyway, Rory, I think Lorelai needs your help over there." Dora said, unsubtly trying to tug her away.
"Lorelai's here? How'd you get her to come?" Logan asked, still amused.
"I bribed her with Chinese food and coffee." She said simply.
"Of course! I expected nothing less of a Gilmore girl." They made eye contact, their eyes unwavering for a long moment before Dora tugged again, breaking her out of her reverie.
"I should go. Dora might pull my arm off otherwise." She remarked wryly, her smile soft and sympathetic.
"I'll see you around Rory." He nodded at her and turned to his left, just as Rory and Dora went off in the opposite direction in search of Lorelai. Rory let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and kept walking, willing herself to not turn around to take another look at him.
"Woah kid, look where you're going." Lorelai said, laughing as her daughter nearly plowed into her.
"Sorry." Rory mumbled, her eyes focused onto the floor.
"Rory? What's wrong?" Lorelai's voice was laced with concern as she took her daughter from Dora and led her away.
"I, uh, saw Logan."
"What? Logan's here? Are you okay?" Lorelai led Rory to a settee in the corner, sitting her down.
"Um. No. Yes. No? I don't know." She sighed, exasperated. Lorelai pulled her into a hug and spied Logan watching them in the corner of her eye. Rory pulled away and could see only sympathy and concern reflected on her mother's face. She squirmed, not appreciating the pity she was receiving, just from having seen Logan.
He's just a man. A man I got over. I haven't seen him in 9 years. He's just a man. She thought, trying to convince herself.
"Maybe we should go. I'll get April and Luke." Lorelai made a move to stand up but Rory pulled her down again.
"I'm fine Mom. I have to do this, for the article. It isn't about me. And, regardless, I'm fine. He's just a guy." Her voice conveyed her uncertainty and she knew Lorelai could hear that.
Lorelai raised an eyebrow at her daughter incredulously, "Just a guy? Come on Rory, he's not just a guy. He never was and, judging by the look on your face, he never will be."
"I'm fine Mom. I promise." Rory got up and shook off Lorelai's concern, leaving her sitting on the settee, her eyes following her daughter as she mingled with the people at the party. Lorelai sighed and glanced at Logan just as he awkwardly turned away, trying to pretend like he hadn't been watching her.
Rory walked through the large house as quick as she could, trying to get away from her Logan and her past. She took her phone out and dialled the number of the only person she could think of to talk to, someone who would tell her the truth no-holds-barred, just as she reached the library, a room occupied by only 3 people.
"Gellar." Paris snapped over the phone.
"Paris? It's Rory, are you busy?"
"Yes, so get to it."
"I'm at this party, a society party - "
"You hate those; why? Did your grandmother drag you? Or Dora perhaps?" Rory sighed and rolled her eyes. It was no secret that Paris was not exactly "fond" of Dora.
"I'm here for research. Anyway - "
"What are you researching for? Did you get a job? Why didn't you tell me you got a job? Isn't that the kind of thing a best friend hears about?" Paris was getting agitated, Rory could hear that. She sighed again and tried to snap her friend out of her oncoming tirade.
"Paris! Not the point! Logan's here!" Rory snapped, eager to get to the point of her call.
"Huntzberger? Why? I thought he was in California."
"I don't know Paris! All I know is he's here and we talked and now I'm calling you and freaking out!" Rory was shouting by now. The few people in the library were staring at her, their conversations stalled as Rory smiled at them sheepishly and continued in a hushed voice.
"Why are you freaking out?" Paris asked, her tone immediately suspicious.
"Paris! You know why! It's Logan!" She whisper-yelled down the phone.
"You haven't seen him in 9 years."
"And?"
"And yet you're still in love with him?"
"No!" Rory said, too loudly, in defence of herself.
"Wow. You've got it bad Gilmore."
"Paris! This is not what I called you for! I need help! And I am not in love with him!"
"Glad to hear it." Rory stiffened at the voice. She sighed and cursed herself silently.
"Paris, I've got to go." She said quietly.
"But what about your crisis? Don't say anything stupid. And agree to nothing. Actually don't talk to him at all." Paris advised.
"Too late." Rory said through gritted teeth. She hung up quickly and turned around to face Logan.
"You okay Rory? I heard you shouting, I thought I'd come check up on you." Logan asked, his expression sympathetic.
"Yeah I'm fine. Um, I'll see you later." She tried to push past him towards the door, taking care to avoid making contact with him. He reached out and grabbed her arm as she made her way past him. She stiffened at the contact and yet felt oddly empty when he dropped his arm not two seconds after placing it there. She waited for a moment but continued on towards the door when he stayed silent. The party outside the library was still in full swing and no one noticed as Rory went straight to the front door and to her car. She wasn't going to leave, but she needed to be alone and sort through her thoughts and feelings.
Logan. That was Logan. I haven't seen in 9 years. 9 freaking years. Since… Rory thought, trying to take deep breaths as she sat in her car in silence. He looks… good. She shook her head at the thought.
"Are you planning on driving or are you just going to stare at the steering wheel?" A voice and a knock on the passenger's side window startled Rory out of her thoughts.
Why is he intent on ruining my night? Rory thought, unlocking the door and allowing him to get in to the car.
"I don't really like driving. Staring at the wheel is what really gets me." Rory said, rolling her eyes at the question.
"Interesting pastime you have there." Logan smirked at her.
"I think so. I'm hoping it will catch on." She deadpanned, trying to avoid his gaze. "What are you doing here Logan?"
"Well the Grants are good friends of the Huntzbergers and, since my dad couldn't be here, I thought I would drop in and - "
Rory interrupted him, not really interested in his inane explanation for his presence at the party.
"No Logan, why are you here? In Hartford? In Connecticut? On the East coast?" She asked, exasperated.
"I like it here. The air is crisper." He said simply, still smirking at her with that glint of amusement in his eye. Rory wanted to slap him.
"Aren't you supposed to be, I don't know, anywhere but here? Aren't you supposed to be in California or something? Palo Alto? The avocado tree?" She yelled at him. His smirk was gone in a flash, a serious and sombre expression replacing it.
"No."
"Why are you here?" She asked again.
"I just am, Rory. You don't have a right to question me now do you?" He spat, anger exploding from behind his eyes.
"I don't have a right? I think I have every right!"
"Really? Rory Gilmore everybody, the world owes her everything!" Logan yelled, his voice echoing around the car.
"No, the world doesn't owe me anything. You do." Her voice was quieter, but seething with fury.
"No, Rory, I don't. I don't owe you anything and you have no right to question me. You lost that 'privilege' 9 years ago!"
"Why are you here?"
"How's your life been the past 9 years Rory? Get any more proposals?" Bitterness and resentment echoed behind each word. Rory flinched at the words, her anger growing and her chest tightening.
"Why are you here?" Rory said through gritted teeth. Logan said nothing for a moment and just sat there, frustrated and glaring at her. He ran his hand through his hair and Rory found herself enjoying the movement, one that she hadn't seen in over 9 years, more than she should've.
"I moved back." He whispered finally.
"What? To Hartford?" Her anger was replaced by simple confusion as she questioned his statement.
"No, to New York."
"Oh."
He sighed, "Yeah."
They sat in silence for a while, both exhausted from their shouting match.
"I'll, uh, see you around Rory." He got out of the car, leaving her to just sit there, stunned into silence at the conversation she'd just had. She checked her watch and saw that it was nearly 11, meaning that Lorelai, Luke and April would be looking for her. She stepped out of the car and went back into the party, trying to catch a glimpse of her family as quick as possible so that she could finally leave and forget everything that had happened. She spotted Lorelai heading towards her and was grateful that they were as eager to leave the party as she was. The four reached the car and Rory was about to get into the driver's seat when Luke offered to drive, a sympathetic (and somewhat) pitying smile on his face. She just nodded and got into the backseat of her own car, a place she'd never been, not saying a word to any of them. As they made the drive back towards Stars Hollow, Lorelai snuck glances at her daughter, her heart breaking and her mind aching for details about what had happened. Rory reached for her phone suddenly, realising she hadn't said goodbye to Louise or Dora before she'd left, she had been too caught up with Logan. She sent them a quick text and then turned her phone off for the evening. Rory's eyes lit up as soon as she spotted her house coming into view, ready for a quiet night of sleep. When Luke parked, Rory was the first one out of the door, rushing into the garage and causing an exchange of concerned looks between Lorelai, Luke and April. Lorelai sent Luke and April into the main house and made her way over to the garage, eager to make sure her daughter was alright.
"Rory? Are you okay?" Lorelai asked softly, walking into the room. Rory wasn't in sight, Lorelai noticed.
"Yeah I'm fine Mom." She called from the bathroom.
"Are you sure?
"Yeah. I'm tired, see you tomorrow." Rory said, getting into her bed and switching off her lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Lorelai sighed and said goodnight and walked out of the room, not wanting to press her daughter.
The first light came with Rory up and ready, all things packed, ready to leave for New York as soon as possible. April and Rory ate breakfast with Lorelai at Luke's, Rory staying silent aside from her short replies to whatever question was posed to her. As soon as breakfast was over, Rory jumped out of her seat calling out farewells to her mother and step-father. April followed behind her slowly, apologetically hugging Luke and Lorelai and assuring them she would make sure her step-sister was alright. They jumped into Rory's car, parked right outside the diner, and Rory peeled away from the curb moments before Taylor could come out of the Soda Shoppe to give her a parking ticket. April tried to make conversation during their long car journey to the city but Rory deflected every attempt, claiming to be focusing on the road and turning the volume of the radio up.
"April, we're at your building." Rory said softly, shaking awake her sleeping step-sister. "You have a handsome man waiting for you on the curb there." Her tone was tinged with a mix of amusement and wistfulness as she got out of the car. April climbed out of the car, still groggy, and stumbled into her waiting fiancé, leaving Rory to grab April's bags for her.
"Thanks for bringing her home safe Gilmore." Matthew said, taking the bags from Rory.
"Anytime Matthew, can't have you coming after me can I?" Rory replied wryly. Rory hugged April and Matthew goodbye and proceeded to her own apartment building, excited for the bubble bath she was planning on drawing when she arrived home. Rory opened the door to her apartment and fell in, tripping over her bags. She picked herself up off the floor to the sound effect of Louise and Dora laughing hysterically from their positions on the couch, having just witnessed Rory's fall.
"Thank you both for laughing at my oh-so-graceful moment there, rather than helping your best friend with her bags."
"We're…uh…sorry…it's just… so funny!" Dora said in between guffaws, barely able to contain herself. Louise, meanwhile, was still chuckling as she stood up and grabbed Rory's bags from the entryway, as Rory made her way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. She was glad to see that there was a warm pot already brewed and waiting for her. She joined Louise and Dora on the couch, where Dora was still trying to hold back her chuckles, earning a major eye roll from both Rory and Louise.
"Details, my friend." Dora said matter-of-factly.
"Details about what?" Rory quipped, feigning innocence and sipping her coffee, avoiding the gazes of her friends.
"Don't you dare Gilmore. I want information and I want it now. Huntzberger; spill, now." Dora narrowed her eyes and glared at her. Louise simply chuckled and waited for Rory to talk, not wanting to get between Dora and her prize: information. Rory relented and began to relay the events of the evening that they were not present for.
"- and now he lives in New York." Rory finished, sighing after her tale.
"My my, this will be interesting." Louise said, smirking.
"Here?" Dora asked, concerned for her friend.
"It's a big city. 800 million people. I won't have to see him if I don't want to."
"And do you want to?"
"No, Dora, I don't. That chapter of my life is over. Plus, I'm with Jeremy now. Happily, I might add." Mentioning Jeremy coincided with groans of disapproval from her two friends. Rory rolled her eyes and went to get more coffee, ignoring them. "I get it, neither of you are his biggest fan, but he'll grow on you."
"Yes like a fungus." Dora remarked, smirking. Rory simply glared at her and retreated to the armchair in the corner with her laptop. She began to work on her article, piping up with the occasional comment on whatever it was Louise and Dora were talking about. The three girls were all absorbed in their work for the remainder of the day and subsequently exchanged coffee for wine as the light faded from the sky. A funeral march started to play from Rory's purse, shaking her out of her writing focus. Rory rolled her eyes at the ringtone, sure that it was Lorelai who had changed it when the name 'Emily' popped up on the screen.
"Hello Grandma, how are you?" Rory's society voice was back.
"I am perfectly fine Rory, thank you for asking. Now, how could you not tell me you and Logan left the party together?!" Emily screeched, causing Rory to flinch dramatically, attracting the attention of Louise, who was now watching Rory with interest and amusement.
"Grandma, we did not leave the party together." Rory said steadily.
"Rory do not lie to your grandmother, it's unbecoming. Stacey Halliwell told Jennifer Lakoff who told Tweeny Halpern who told me that she saw the both of you in your car looking very comfortable. I can't believe I had to hear it from Tweeny Halpern!"
"Grandma, I assure you I am not lying. Yes we were in my car but we were just talking. We didn't go anywhere together."
"You couldn't have talked in the party? The two of you in your car is just fodder for the rumour mill!" Rory held the phone at a slight distance from her ear and rolled her eyes at her grandmother's crazy assumptions.
"Grandma, I saw him at the party and then I went out to my car alone. He followed me out and we ended up talking. That's all, Grandma, I promise."
"Well, are you getting back together? It was quite the scandal when you refused his proposal. He's a Huntzberger you know!" The agitation and shock in her voice was clear to Rory. Rory was getting tired of this conversation and decided that she needed a cup of coffee to continue to deal with her grandmother. She headed to the kitchen, listening to Emily's chattering about Rory's mistake in turning Logan down.
"Yes Grandma, I am well aware he is a Huntzberger. And no, we are not getting back together. I'm with Jeremy remember?" She sighed as she brewed a new pot of coffee.
"Oh who cares about that boy! He never wants to see us, which is incredibly rude, and he's not a Huntzberger!"
"Grandma, he is just busy. I'll bring him to meet you soon, I promise." Rory sighed again.
"What about Logan?" Emily's voice was pleading, a nasally tone attached to it.
"Grandma, Logan and I are not getting back together. We broke up years ago and have no remaining feelings for each other." As she said this, she caught Louise's pointed look and chose to ignore it. Rory bit her lip, not sure if she was lying to her grandmother or to herself.
"You're both idiots." Emily muttered.
"What?"
"Never mind, I will see you for dinner next Friday."
"Um, Grandma, I'm not sure - " Rory started to say but she was cut off by her grandmother's curt farewell and the dial tone that accompanied Emily hanging up the phone. Rory shook her head and repositioned herself in the armchair. She immediately clicked on her mother's contact information and settled herself in for a lengthy call.
"Danes' house of whores, how may I help you?" Lorelai answered as Rory smiled.
"One whore please." Louise burst out laughing at the statement.
"Oh that's gonna cost you a pair of Jimmy Choos and that silver skirt you have."
"I can't afford it then, maybe next time."
"What can I do for you kid? Are you feeling better than you did last night?"
"Well I was…until Grandma called."
"Oh no, what did Adolf want?"
"She demanded to know if I was getting back together with Logan, why I said no to him 9 years ago, why Jeremy doesn't come to dinner."
"Oh god… And?" Lorelai had to admit that she herself was curious about her daughter's situation with Logan.
"We are not back together and we won't be anytime soon. We just talked and he told me that he moved to New York."
"He moved to New York? Where you live?"
"It's a big city Mom."
"You keep telling yourself that sweets. Now, what did you tell Mom about Jeremy coming to dinner?"
"That he's busy working."
"Are you ever going to tell him about the grandparents?"
"Eventually. I just don't want him to hate me."
"No one in this whole world can hate the amazing Rory Gilmore or the ravishing creature that brought her to life."
"I'm sure that there's someone out there that hates at least one of us?"
"No, it's just not possible to hate a Gilmore girl." Lorelai stated matter-of-factly, leaving Rory no room or energy to argue with her mother.
"That's good to know, makes my life easier."
The mother-daughter duo finished the conversation soon after and Rory continued with her article. By the time she shut her laptop, Rory had finished collating her notes from the party and had 500 words typed up already. Louise had departed for her own apartment a while ago and Dora was already in bed given that it was nearing 2am. Rory crashed onto her own bed, her mind swimming with thoughts of Logan, Jeremy and her grandmother, ready for a tumultuous night of sleep.
—
It was nearing the end of April and Rory was grateful for New York's warming climate. The party at the Grant's house was nearly two months ago and thankfully, Rory and Logan had not run into each other again. Rory's article was finished and she was ready to submit it to Leslie, hoping that she would like her take on Hartford and New York society. She tried to be objective but interesting, hoping that it wouldn't be as rude or judgemental as the last article she had written about society… Rory settled at her desk in the office and was grateful for the large cup of coffee Louise had arrived with earlier that morning. She read over her article once more before sending it to Leslie, sighing a breath of relief. A ping from her laptop only moments later signified a reply from Leslie. Holding her breath, Rory clicked it open, hoping her comments were good.
Well done, it'll be in the May issue. Pick a new article from the folder or pitch one to me next week - your choice.
- Leslie
Rory inadvertently jumped up in excitement and speed-walked to Louise's office, ignoring the perplexed stares of her fellow journalists. Without knocking, Rory slammed the door open to find Louise sitting on her desk engaged in some adult activities with a redheaded woman.
"Oh I'm sorry!" Rory blurted, backing out of the office quickly. Louise and the woman sprung apart, straightening their clothes. Louise jumped off her desk and went to bring Rory back into the office, silencing her objections and questions so as not to capture the attention of the other New Yorker workers.
"I'm Maura." The redheaded woman said, stepping forward to shake Rory's hand.
"Rory, nice to meet you. Um, your - " Rory gestured to Maura's blouse, where one of the buttons was buttoned in the wrong hole. Maura flushed and turned away slightly to fix her blouse. Louise sat at her desk silently, not matching the gazes of either woman.
"Well, I think I should go… Maybe we could meet for lunch?" Maura's voice was hopeful as she made her way to the door. Louise's stoic expression softened as she declined the invitation on the grounds that she and Rory had already made lunch plans. Rory could see Maura was disappointed and took the initiative to invite her to join them both for lunch, ignoring Louise's shock and taking delight in Maura's excitement. Maura left promptly, promising to be back later, causing Rory to turn to Louise so fast that she was scared she'd get whiplash.
"Are you guys dating?" Rory asked, taking a seat opposite Louise.
"No. We're just…seeing each other." Louise said flippantly, hoping to dismiss Rory's questions.
"That's the same as dating. How did you meet? When did you start dating? Why haven't you mentioned her?" Rory rambled off.
"What is this, the Spanish inquisition?" Louise asked sarcastically.
"Louise, I'm a journalist, I have questions. Answer them. Please?" Rory's voice was soft as her piercing blue eyes took on a watery and puppy-dog quality.
"We met at the party at my house. She was there as someone's date. We kind of… snuck off to the pool house." Louise relented, satisfying Rory's curiosity and need to win.
"Sub-party huh?" Rory shook her head at the look of confusion on Louise's face and chose to move on rather than explain. "So you stole someone else's date?" She asked instead, amused.
"I did not!" Louise cried indignantly. "Her friend, a guy, invited her to get his parents off his back. We know that all too well. She's gay and we hit it off. And, I didn't mention her because it was new and I… " She trailed off, not willing to admit her feelings.
"You…? Like her?" Louise nodded, casting her eyes downward in her vulnerability. Rory grinned, excited that her friend had found someone.
"And I was scared… that you guys might not… I don't know… accept it I guess?"
Rory's concern replaced her happiness. She leaned forward and grabbed her friend's hand, wanting to assuage Louise's fears.
"Louise, I couldn't care less that you're gay. You're my friend, I just want you to be happy." Rory said, squeezing Louise's hand reassuringly.
"Bi." Louise corrected. "But thanks, that means a lot." She smiled and squeezed her hand in return. "Why did you come earlier?"
"Oh right. I was coming to tell you my society article got approved for next month's issue."
"Congrats! We should celebrate." Louise smirked.
"We can celebrate when it's actually out."
Louise pouted, "Come on Rory!"
"How about we invite everyone over to mine on Saturday and have a adult sleepover?" Rory countered.
"What does an adult sleepover involve? Is it an Eyes Wide Shut kind of deal?"
Rory laughed and shook her head. "No, it involves wine. And a lot of food."
"Deal. But let's do it at mine."
"Sure. Who should we invite?" Rory asked, mentally drawing up a list.
"Everyone!" Louise exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. Rory laughed and pulled out her phone to create a Facebook event. She invited Jesse, Elliot, Ellie, Shawn, Dora, April, Matthew, and even Paris, Lane and Jess.
Hey, the more the merrier right? Rory thought.
"Should I invite Maura too?" Rory asked, smirking at the instantaneous smile that appeared on Louise's face. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Yeah but let's ask her at lunch."
Rory nodded and went back to work at her own desk, waiting for Louise to get her for lunch. The three went to the nearby sushi restaurant and Rory proceeded to ask her as many questions as possible, determined to get more information about their relationship. Louise tried to stop Rory but it was hard to stop Rory Gilmore when she was determined. Rory left lunch with the details she wanted, Louise left lunch happy and slightly embarrassed and Maura left lunch with an invitation to their big group sleepover. As Rory sat at her desk, she realised she didn't have much to do, seeing as she hadn't yet picked a new story to work on. She logged on to her newly acquired New Yorker staff account and went through the stories that were recently logged as 'available'. She clicked on one pitch regarding pop culture and the influence it had on private lives and immediately fired off an email to Leslie about her wish to pursue it. Leslie responded with a simple thumbs up emoji, giving Rory the go-ahead she was expecting. Rory took her phone out and dialled her mother's number. Lorelai would love the new story.
"My child, what can I do for you today?"
"Wow that was almost a normal greeting." Rory said, taken aback at her mother's words.
"I like to keep you on your toes. Anyway, what's up?"
"I submitted my society article, it's been approved for the next issue."
"Aw, that's great kid!" Lorelai exclaimed, enthused and proud.
"I'm starting a new story on the impact on pop culture that I thought you would be interested in helping me with."
"That sounds cool. Does that make me your confidential source? Or a whistleblower? Like Edward Snowden? Do I have to flee to Hong Kong?"
"No, don't flee to Hong Kong Mom."
"But they have Chinese food and mama loves Chinese food."
"Louise is having a big slumber party on Saturday, you free?" Rory asked, veering off the topic of Chinese food and whistleblowers.
"Yes I believe so, who's coming?"
As Rory rattled off the names, she found herself getting more and more excited for a old-fashioned slumber party with her friends. It reminded her of the elaborate parties she attended at Yale where, in the end, it was just her and her friends left, enjoying each other's company and drunken antics. She felt a twinge of wistfulness for those nights with Colin, Finn, Stephanie, Rosemary and… Logan. She quickly shook it off and refocused on her mother, attempting to put thoughts of Logan and the others out of her mind for good.
—
"Rory! You have a visitor!" Dora's voice pierced through the bathroom door, where Rory was just getting out of the shower.
"Who - " Rory began, flinging the door open, stopping when she saw Jeremy standing outside the bathroom door. "Um, hi." She said awkwardly, crossing her arms across her body in an effort to cover herself.
"Hey, how about I take you out to dinner? We have to celebrate!"
"How did you find out about the article?" Rory was smiling now, happy that her boyfriend somehow knew that she was finally getting published.
"What article? Forget that, I'm talking about my promotion!"
"Oh. Congratulations!" Rory said, plastering a smile on her face.
"Let's go to dinner. Or, maybe the shower?" Jeremy stepped forward and smirked. Rory sidestepped him and went into the hall, not noticing the annoyed look on Jeremy's face. Rory quickly changed and dried her hair and let herself be led out to dinner with Jeremy.
"So, what's the promotion?" She asked him during their main course.
"I'm going to be chief editor of all East Coast children's books!" He was grinning like a madman and Rory smiled in return, seeing the excitable man she had been attracted to in the first place.
"That's great, congratulations!" She sipped her wine and noticed the frown that was now on his face. "What's wrong?" She asked, concerned.
"I was in Hartford the other day and I stumbled across this old copy of the Hartford Gazette. There was something ridiculous in it about the Gilmore heiress and some rich guy leaving a party together. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?" His tone was a mix of accusation, confusion and anger. Rory was taken aback, unsure where this questioning was coming.
"I didn't leave with him, I swear. We're old friends. We were just talking." Rory tried to placate him, unsure of what he was angry about; her societal status or the rumour surrounding her and Logan.
"Well that's good to know." Jeremy replied sardonically. "And what's this about you being an heiress? Since when? I've seen your house, it's actually a crap shack!"
"Hey!" She felt defensive of her beloved childhood home, unwilling to let him call it a crap shack and actually mean it. "I'm not an heiress, they're just exaggerating. My grandparents are a part of Hartford society but my mom left that world when she had me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"How could you not tell me?! I hate society people and you're society!" His voice was rising, gaining the attention of the nearby tables. Rory looked around and dropped her voice, trying to entice him to do the same so as not to end up as gossip fodder.
"I'm not society. That's where I come from but I'm not a part of that world."
"You were a part of them at that party! And with that guy! The article said you guys used to date, what about that?"
"Yes, we used to date. What does that have to do with anything? Jeremy, you know me, I am not like those people you grew up with I promise!" Rory's defence was weak but she hoped that he could see where she was coming from.
"Rory… I know you. I love you. But you can't expect me to be fine with this off the bat. You lied to me…" He relented, sighing in frustration.
"And I'm sorry." She reached for his hand and smiled. "Listen, how about you come to dinner at my grandmother's house this Friday? My mom will be there too and you can see for yourself how different it is to the people you used to know. And, tonight we can just focus on your big news and try to forget about this?"
Her tone was reassuring and she could see that he was coming around to her point of view. He nodded and continued to eat his dinner in relative silence. The two made their way back to her apartment and she let him stay over in her bed, rejecting his attempts to 'deepen' their connection. Rory lay awake staring at the ceiling, already dreading the dinner she had invited Jeremy to not two hours ago. Her mom and Luke were not Jeremy's biggest fans and would not be thrilled to see him.
At least grandma can finally meet him. She thought.
—
It was Friday afternoon and Rory and Jeremy were coasting down the I-95 towards Hartford. Rory was fidgeting as Jeremy went on and on about the benefits of his new promotion, interlaced with his pointed comments about being with Hartford society that night. When they pulled into the Gilmore driveway, Rory was relieved to see that Luke's truck was already there and her mother was leaning against the hood of the car. Rory practically flew out of the car, barely waiting for it to come to a stop, and ran to her mother.
"Woah kid, you're going to hurt someone!" Lorelai laughed as Rory pulled her into a hug.
"Hurt? Are you hurt? Is the baby okay?" Luke questioned, tuning in to the conversation.
"No, everything's fine. Hi Jeremy." Lorelai called as he made his way over to them. "Are you okay?" Lorelai whispered to her daughter, concern etched into her face. Rory nodded and allowed Jeremy to pull her away from her mother and into his embrace as the four went to the door. They were greeted by a new maid, who then led them into the living room where Emily Gilmore was perched on the sofa, waiting with a drink in hand.
"Hello, I'm Emily Gilmore, it's nice to meet you." Emily said, standing up to greet her guests. Jeremy introduced himself and the others said hello to her, taking their seats on the sofa and eagerly awaiting their drinks from Emily. Both Luke and Jeremy were handed their requested beers while the Gilmore girls received their usual martinis. Lorelai stared at the drink in her hand and placed it on the coffee table without even taking a sip.
"So, Jeremy, what do you do?" Emily asked. Rory gulped down a large sip of her martini and leaned back, preparing herself for the inevitable.
"I work in publishing. I actually just got promoted to chief editor of East Coast children's books." He was proud and unafraid to show it.
"How charming." Emily commented, earning an eye roll from Rory. "And where are you from?"
"Seattle but I went to UPenn, so I would consider that home too."
"Wonderful. How did you and my lovely granddaughter meet?"
"I'm surprised she didn't tell you." He quipped, placing a hand on her knee possessively, an action that neither Emily, Lorelai, Luke or Rory particularly liked. Emily's eyes narrowed as she waited for this man to clue her in as to how he had ended up with Rory. "We met while she on the campaign trail at a press conference. And when I moved to New York a while back, I called her and asked her out."
"What a wonderful story." Emily said.
"Yes it's a great love story." Emily stiffened at the word 'love'. "I just hate long-distance relationships." He said, causing everyone to stare at him in confusion. The maid escorted them to dinner at that moment, pausing the conversation until they were seated with their salads.
"Since when were you in a long-distance relationship? Are you keeping things from your mother?" Lorelai was the first to break the silence and the tension, which Rory was glad for.
"News to me too. Care to share?" Rory glared at her boyfriend as she stabbed the lettuce on her plate.
"My promotion. I have to move to Chicago. I was actually hoping you'd come with me."
Rory shook her head vigorously while Emily drank her wine quickly. "You're not seriously expecting me to give up my life here to move to Chicago?"
"Rory, I love you. And we could have a great life in Chicago."
"Jeremy, I work in New York. My family and friends are here. What am I going to do in Chicago?"
"You wouldn't have to work in Chicago, I'll make enough to support us both. And you'll make new friends. Plus, you'll have me."
"I have to work Jeremy." She stated, refusing to believe that her boyfriend was being this ridiculous.
"So work for the Chicago sun times! Whatever you want, just come with me!"
"What about my family?" Rory didn't want to go. She knew that already. She just needed to make him see that what he was suggesting was idiotic.
"You'll see them during the holidays. You see your mom way too often anyway, it's unhealthy." Jeremy sipped his wine, not noticing the glares he was getting from everyone at the table. Luke laughed out loud at his comment, his laughter gaining volume as he saw the puzzled expression on his face. Jeremy had no idea that what he'd said was ridiculous and wrong. Emily sat there, distaste evident in her expression.
"My mom is my best friend, Jeremy. I love her and you should too!" Rory defended. Lorelai promptly agreed.
"Right. Anyway, just think about it. I don't leave until September, I'm sure I can convince you before that." He grinned, unaware of the clear disgust and anger the Gilmore/Danes clan felt towards him. The rest of dinner passed in awkward silence amid the occasional comment about the food and Rory's work. When they left, Jeremy insisted on heading back to New York that night, not wanting to stay in Stars Hollow. She simply kissed him on the cheek and climbed into Luke's pick up truck with her mother, leaving Jeremy muttering about making the drive back alone. Rory slumped against Lorelai as they headed towards Stars Hollow.
"You okay kid?"
"Yeah I'm fine. I just can't believe that happened."
"It was pretty crazy. Are you going to go?" Lorelai's breath hitched in her throat as she asked the question, not knowing if she wanted her daughter to actually answer the question.
"No. But I don't want to hurt him. Not yet."
Lorelai breathed a sigh of relief, squeezing Rory's hand. "I understand."
"I'll tell him when it's absolutely necessary. Why ruin it now right?"
"Right." Lorelai was barely listening, focusing on the happy fact that Rory was not moving miles away anytime soon. A two and a half hour drive was plenty far, as far as she was concerned.
Chapter 5
