a/n: three boys at one event! who knew it was possible! as usual, I don't own anything. Read, and reviews are always appreciated :)

Chapter 3:

"You look stunning" Anne Marie smiled at Rory as she walked into the venue like she owned the place.

"Thank you, you do as well" Rory kissed her on the cheek, "Is the man of the hour here yet?"

"Mr Mariano? Not yet" Anne Marie sipped her champagne, "But I would imagine he will try to make a fashionable entrance. Although, Rory my dear you never did tell me how you knew him"

"Oh" Rory laughed as she grabbed a glass of champagne herself, "We knew each other in high school, it was a bit of a...romance I guess you could say, but he is an amazing writer"

"Well obviously I know that, I published him" Anne Marie laughed, "Who is the dress by?"

"Oh...uhh" Rory looked down at the blue sequined dress, "Elie Saab"

"Well I must say, I am glad that you at least treated yourself, when does Ava get here?"

"The nanny, Olivia is bringing her in a few hours, I think by 7:30 they should be here" Rory told her as she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror.

The dress suited her, it was a royal blue that complemented both her eyes and her skin tone, her hair was loose and curled, her makeup just barely there complimented the dress, and she had chosen to wear a pair of 3inch nude pumps which certainly gave Rory a presence in the room, she looked amazing. Part of the desire to look amazing was because she knew that her ex, Alexander would be there, he was always at this kind of party, in fact, they had met at this kind of party. The two hadn't exactly stayed in touch since they had broken up, she didn't think he knew about Ava, but not many people from New York really cared enough to ask her why she had ever left.

The room was decorated in champagne colours, there were huge hurricanes filled with crystals that made everything seem to shine and tall cocktail tables were organized around the room, allowing adequate space to mingle and talk to the who's who of New York, there was also a stage where Rory had the daunting task of introducing Jess to the room, and in the centre of the room was a circular bar where she was hoping to spend a good portion of her evening, as much as she could considering she had a child to take care of.

"Well everyone, thank you so much for coming, I would just like to take a moment to introduce you to our esteemed author this evening, so please welcome, Jess Mariano, we hope to have a wonderful relationship with him at Bradson so we should all get used to each other" Rory raised her glass as she scanned the room, "Thank you all for coming, enjoy the evening and don't forget to get a book on the way out"

"Well that was...interesting"

Rory nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the voice behind her, "Alex, hi"

"You look beautiful" he kissed her cheek, "I had no idea you would be here, I haven't seen you at one of these things in ages"

"Oh...yeah, I guess a lot has happened" Rory admitted, "You look great"

"Thank you, lets go grab a drink" Alex put his hand on the small of her back, causing goosebumps to immediately make their way up her back.

"Sure" Rory agreed, feeling oddly calm, "Are you here with someone?"

"No" Alex laughed as he ordered them each a martini, "You?"

"Sort of" Rory chuckled as she took the drink, "I...well...you remember my friend Paris?"

"Of course, neurotic heart doctor, how could I forget? She used to lecture me about smoking" Alex laughed as he took a drink, "You're here with Paris?"

"No" Rory laughed, pushing her hair behind her ear, "Well, Paris died, and so did her husband"

"Oh my god" Alex looked shocked, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea"

"I know" Rory nodded, "Anyway, I kind of...well, I'm the guardian of their daughter, so she is my date tonight...and my nanny"

"Wow" Alex was clearly shocked by the revelation, "You have a kid now"

"I do" Rory nodded as she took another long sip of her drink, "I guess a lot changes"

"It does" Alex laughed, "Well, congratulations? I mean I know you weren't exactly looking for that kind of...commitment"

"Alex" Rory sighed, she had felt badly about hurting him when she turned down his proposal, but she wasn't sure if she had been ready to marry him then, "You know those are two different things, I never wanted to hurt you"

"I know" Alex nodded to the waiter for another drink, "And here I was, thinking I was over you. I should go Rory, you look phenomenal, and maybe I can meet your kid later"

"Sure" Rory sighed as she watched him walk away, she had no idea this would be so hard.

"Well what a party" his voice shocked her, even though she knew he would be there.

"Jess, hi" Rory finished her martini and turned around, "It is a big...party"

"Rory Gilmore at a loss for words, this doesn't happen often" Jess leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, "Thank you"

"My pleasure" Rory smiled, "Are you enjoying yourself at all?"

"Of course, free drinks, good food, lots of rich people" Jess smiled, "My kind of place. You here with your husband or something?"

"Oh god" Rory laughed before she felt a tap on her leg.

"Ma?" Ava looked up at Rory with her bright pink dress.

"Hi beautiful" Rory smiled as she picked Ava up, "Do you want to meet my friend Jess?"

"Hi Jess" Ava smiled, "I'm Ava"

"Well hello" Jess smiled, he didn't really see Rory in the girl but he could only assume that she took after her father, "You have a beautiful dress"

"It's my princess dress, mommy bought it last week" Ava smiled as she put her head on Rory's shoulder.

"Rory I'm so sorry" Olivia ran up to them out of breath, "I turned my head for one second"

"No problem" Rory smiled as she kissed Ava's head, "Do you want to go back with Olivia now honey?"

"No" Ava snuggled her head against Rory, she was clearly getting tired but refused to let anyone know.

"Well, why don't you go dance" Rory smiled hoping that she could get her to wear herself out quickly.

"Ok" Ava nodded as Rory put her down, "Bye Jess"

"Wow" Jess smiled as Ava ran away towards the dance floor, Olivia staying cautiously behind her.

"It's complicated" Rory shrugged, she didn't want to get into the details of everything that had gone on in the last few years.

"Well, maybe you want to...chat about it sometime? I mean catch up" Jess suggested as he noticed Rory was not wearing a wedding band.

"I...uh..." Rory began looking around rather uncomfortably, she didn't know what to say or what to do.

"Hey beautiful" his voice came and quickly she was filled with a feeling she hadn't felt in some time, he wrapped his arms around her waist, "You look amazing"