Hope and Fate

Gosh, you guys. I'm so sorry this story is taking so long to update. No excuses, I'm just busy and when I find time to write I'm inclined to write for NYN since it has a larger following, I guess. I don't know – because that makes it sound like I don't love this story, and I do. I love it so much.

It's just complicated – the double time-line thing and all, but I'll get it straightened out. Promise.

Just a quick reminder: Young Rory received her blue sapphire ring from Logan on the eve of her break-up with Tristan & he promises her that he'll always be there.

Awww.

Old Rory flew out to London per his request to be by his side. He couldn't be there her first day, but he arranged for Jim to take her around town and show her the sights. She returns to his penthouse hotel suite and finds it terribly empty and cold. So, she's sad for Logan and understands what he's going through. She calls Lane, she gives her some perspective, and Rory falls asleep, waiting for Logan to return.

This chapter is their reconciliation AND an very arranged dinner at Emily's house….

Let me know what you think! Thanks for sticking with it – I love you for it. And, many thanks for all the reviews, adds and what not.

You guys rock my world,

Gilmoregirl19

Disclaimer: I do not own the awesomeness.

Rory stumbled out of her bedroom later that evening, surprised to find Logan in the kitchen, waiting for the coffee to brew.

"Ace!" he smiled warmly, "You're up!"

"I smelled coffee," she yawned and tiredly leaned up against the breakfast bar and sighed, "This transatlantic stuff... I don't know how you do it."

He smiled at her as he took in her disheveled appearance. Her hair had fallen out of its signature up-do, her mascara slightly smeared. The navy blue sweater she was wearing hung loosely around her shoulders, revealing her white wrinkled blouse, dark blue jeans slung low on her hips and she was wearing bright blue fuzzy socks.

"Maybe I planned too much for Jim today…" Logan bobbed his head in contemplation as he poured Rory a cup of coffee and added a tiny splash of creamer and one spoon of sugar, just as she liked it. "But you get used to the travelling…" he shrugged as he handed her the coffee.

"Thanks," she said as she took the mug from him, savoring the aroma before chugging down the contents. She felt the caffeine zip through her veins and it immediately woke her up. She slowly placed the mug on the breakfast bar, walked around it and wrapped her arms around Logan's neck.

"Thanks for the coffee," she said sincerely, as her blue eyes locked with his dark brown ones.

The couple stayed like that for a moment or two, mesmerized. Logan's grumbling stomach was what tore them apart. Logan laughed, "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat," she nodded. She leaned over to pour another cup of coffee as the smile disappeared from her fac.

"Uh, let me just go change…," she distractedly ran her hand through her tangled hair, "I'm sure we can still make the reservation, just, I need at five minute shower," she backed away from him as she held up her hand, "5 minutes, promise!" she nodded.

Logan reached for her hand, "What are you talking about?"

"The dress and the shoes," she frowned and pointed to the bedroom, where she had placed the designer dress on a chair, "You must have made a reservation?"

Logan grinned at her and pulled her closer, "No, I didn't. I figured you'd want to eat in on your first night.

He saw the smile return to her face. "I see you're very disappointed," he teased.

"Extremely," she nodded in fake sincerity. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slowly kissed his lips. "We still need to eat," she whispered as pulled away slightly.

"I've got it covered, Ace," he said, as he reached for the phone.

"Awesome," she smiled, and fully released herself from the embrace. "Order me a burger?" she asked sweetly, "I'm going to take a quick shower…"

As Rory parked her silver Mercedes in her grandparents' driveway, she noticed Logan's black Porsche parked there too, with the motor running.

She walked over to his car, and lightly tapped on the window.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as he opened the door and got out.

"Hoping I'd see you here," he replied and dug a piece of paper out of his pants pocket, "I got this invitation hand-delivered this afternoon."

She snatched the paper from his hand. He watched as her eyes quickly darted over the cream-colored paper. "I got the same one," she replied anxiously.

"Do you think Lane and Finn, or Colin and Stephanie got them?" he asked, though instinctively he knew that this was going to be a strictly Hayden-Huntzberger affair.

"Nope," Rory shook her head, "One of the girls would have called me if they did…."

They both exchanged a worried glance. Just over a year ago, Rory and Tristan had broken up. Society was shocked, since they seemed to be an ideal match, though, of course society did not know that Tristan had been a manipulative and cheating jerk. Rock hard abs, bright blue eyes and a nice smile did not make that okay.

She and Logan had returned to their "B.T." (Before Tristan) friendship, though they never revisited the subject of becoming an item. The more Rory thought about it, the more she regretted not kissing Logan that night two years ago at Emily's big back to school get together. However, now, she had lost her chance. He didn't see her like that anymore. She knew, he liked being able to confide in her, joke with her and buy her coffee much like her would a girlfriend, though he also kept his following of shallow ladies in waiting for other activities.

He kept those around, mostly, since he knew that Rory wasn't interested in him. At least, she didn't act like it, so he never pursued it – look where it got him last time.

"Interesting," Logan sighed as he reached for her hand, 'Guess we'll have to brave the elders ourselves… "

The pair entered the Gilmore Mansion, surprised to find both sets of parents joining Emily and Richard in the sitting room.

"Mom, Dad!" Rory exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

Lorelai and Christopher exchanged a guilty look. "Uh, we were on our way home from New York and your grandparents called us…." Chris attempted to explain.

"No need to be so glum, Chris," Mitchum shot him a pointed look, "It's a festive dinner."

"That's right," Richard nodded, "Certainly a joyous occasion."

Rory shot Logan a nervous look.

"Okay," Logan sighed, "What's going on? Where are Colin and Finn, and Lane and Stephanie?"

Shira chuckled condescendingly, "You don't always have to function as a group, Logan."

"That's right," Emily nodded, "A couple is very different than a group…you'll have to get used to that."

"Mom, please," Lorelai's voice sounded strained, "Can we please just get this over with?"

Rory shot her mother a worried look.

"Honestly, Lorelai, can't you ever just enjoy spending some time with your family?" Emily bit back, "Besides, it's not like you have a previous engagement to get to, now do you?" She smiled slyly, as Lorelai shook her head.

"Emily," Christopher said as he comfortingly patted Lorelai's thigh, "I do have an appointment , a conference call, with Asia…"

Lorelai gratefully grabbed his hand, as she shot her mother an 'I told you so look."

"Well," Emily huffed, "That as it may be, you two knew about this dinner in advance…"

"Yes," Shira continued, "Asia will have to wait. The future of our families is a priority!"

"Priority my ass," Lorelai mumbled under her breath, causing Logan and Rory to smile for the first time since entering the chilly manor.

"Excuse me, dear?" Shira snipped.

Lorelai was about to open her mouth, but stopped when she caught her mother's disapproving glare. "Nothing," she said quickly, as she crossed her arms over her chest and sunk deeper into the soft sofa.

"Well," Richard sighed, as he stood up, "Can I fix you two a drink?"

"Scotch neat," Logan ordered shamelessly; it did not matter that he was only 17. Drinking was part of the upper crust culture.

"Spoken like a true Huntzberger," Richard chuckled. "And you, dear?" he asked Rory.

"Cherry coke, please," she answered distractedly, concerned about the worry written all over her mother's face.

"You sure you didn't want anything stronger?" Logan whispered in Rory's ear, as they sat down on the small couch in Richard and Emily's sitting room.

She rolled her eyes at him, playfully, "One of us has to stay sober," which caused him to smile. Their concern about this out-of-the-ordinary dinner party vanished, as they were wrapped up in their banter, oblivious to a glowing Emily and Shira and a proud Richard and Emily.

"Where do you want to eat?" Logan asked as he held up a few boxes of room service food.

Rory was sitting in her bathrobe in Logan's chair. She looked at the breakfast bar, scrunched up her nose and then glanced at the uncomfortable looking couch.

"How 'bout bed? Looks like the most comfortable to me…" she quickly got up and trotted over to her bedroom. Logan followed obediently.

The pair sat on her bed, him in his navy blue slacks and a half-tucked in white blouse and her in dark blue sweats, the same blue fluffy socks and a white tank top, room-service plates of hamburgers and fries between them.

"These are so good," Rory said, grabbing another fistful of golden fries. "I mean, I thought that place on Main Street had good burgers and fries but these…" she paused and nodded as she pointed at the plate, "rock."

He shook his head, "God, that place on Main Street. We haven't been there in such a long time…"

"I know," she nodded, "Remember the first time we went there?" she asked softly.

"How could I forget?" he laughed hollowly. "That night…" he looked at her and remembering the shock, he had seen written on her face that night.

He sighed, "I don't know, Ace. It was definitely a French fry night." He laughed again, more lively this time.

"I'm sorry," she brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, "I didn't mean to bring it up, it's just…"

"Tonight reminds me of that night, too," he said softly and gently placed his hand on her knee. "We should talk about it…about everything."

She bit her bottom lip as she let his words sink in. An awkward silence fell over the couple as the continued to eat in silence. She realized he really was trying to win her back, as he had promised. This was it; now. All that time she had hoped things would change – it was now. She was in London; he was determined to bring them back to Connecticut as a committed, in-love couple. It overwhelmed her.

She looked up from her fries, and caught him looking at her – waiting for a reply.

"Yeah," she nodded, "We should. Talk, I mean." She shifted her position on the bed, now she was lying on her side, her head resting on her propped up arm.

"So," she smiled, following through on the talking, "How was your day?"

His eyes darted nervously around the room for a moment, letting her know that this was equally foreign to him, before settling his gaze on her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she nodded firmly. "How was your day?"

He sighed, "Better than usual."

"Really? How come?" she humored him.

"Well, the printer didn't jam, I only had 78 new e-mails instead of the usual 150, I only had to deal with three paper related emergencies," he continued to list off, "The Scottish investors seemed pleased at the breakfast meeting in Aberdeen this morning…"

"Wait," she interrupted, "You were in Aberdeen this morning?"

"Yeah," he replied unfazed, "It's only an hour and a half flight," he shrugged, "It's just a meeting…"

She plucked imaginary lint off the bedspread, "I had no idea…"

"Of what?"

"That that is what your day look likes…" she swallowed, "The flights, the e-mails, the emergencies…"

He smirked, and brushed his hand over her knee, "Well, you hadn't heard the best part yet."

"Oh really?" she raised her left eyebrow suggestively. "What's the best part?"

"That my wife's in town," he gently leaned in and kissed her.

She kissed him back, but only for a moment or so, before pulling away. "Want to hear about my day, too?"

He switched up his position so that he mirrored her. "Only if it was as good as mine," he replied teasingly.

She shot him a playful look. "Today I didn't get any emergency lunch calls from Emily, or Shira. I did not have to listen to the DAR ladies discuss whether crab puffs or salmon puffs should be served at the debutante ball in eight months. I did not have to hear about Missy's relationship woes at the gym or about Candy's new boyfriend…."

"Sounds like a good day to me," Logan laughed, "Seriously, salmon or crab?"

"Well," Rory inhaled sharply, "These things matter in society. It may not be as glamorous as jetting off to Scotland for a meeting, but – "

"Hey," he interjected, "I didn't say that."

"It's just as important," she finished, ignoring his previously made comment.

"I didn't say it wasn't, Ace" Logan repeated softly, "I was just saying that…" He caught the look in her eyes and knew he had to weigh his words carefully, "That it must be tough to sit with these ladies day in, day out and discuss the puff-issue, even though you know you are going to end up with both."

She raised her eyebrows at him.

"They've always served both…," he offered by way of explanation.

She shot him a half smile as she felt her anger fade away. He wasn't being demeaning – he was agreeing.

"Yes, it was a relief to be left out of the great puff debate," she said as she steered the conversation back to the flirtatious mood it had before, "So, instead of all of that. I was in London!"

"Really?" he asked feigning surprise and falling back into the comfortable banter that seemed to be the predominant theme for the evening.

'Yes, Jim took me out to see all the sites – Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, the red busses, the black cabs – everything."

Logan smiled, "So would you do it again?"

"What?" she asked.

"See the London sights?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, I'm sure Jim showed you a good time…"

"You think you can do a better job?" she interrupted him.

"Hell yeah," he laughed.

She inched closer and kissed him. "Jim's got nothing on you, I'm sure…"

"Well," Mitchum said suddenly after the dinner plates were cleared, "as pleasant as this evening has been, I'm sure you two are wondering why Emily and Richard graciously invited you this evening."

"Nope," Logan replied flippantly, just to annoy his father.

"Stop," Rory playfully brushed her hand over arm. She knew Logan's relationship with his father was difficult, but businesswise, she had nothing but respect for the senior Huntzberger – the paper mogul, and if she had her way: her future boss.

"Mitchum, we certainly want to know what this evening is about," Rory replied calmly. The tension that had filled the room at the beginning of the evening vanished, as did her worries. Her mother seemed slightly more relaxed, though Rory was not how much this was influenced by the seven martinis' her mother had.

Mitchum shot her a warm smile. "Good. As you know, our families share a great deal of similarities. All three Mayflower families and all traced back to the British aristocracy. The Huntzbergers, Gilmores and Haydens all hold a prominent position in our community as I'm sure you know all about," he paused to smile at the teenager.

He knew full well that the Golden Children would abuse their social status in certain occasions, to get first row Red Hot Chili Pepper tickets, or use the private jet for a spur of the moment shopping trip in Paris for the girls, or a surfing expedition for the boys.

He continued, "It's such a pity Straub and Francine are cruising the world, but oh, Straub can tell you great things about our families."

Rory raised her eyebrows at Logan; he shrugged in reply. "And your point, Dad?"

"Glad you asked son," Mitchum replied with a slight trace of sarcasm in his tone. "Our families are the wealthiest families in the community…"

"The last three purebred Mayflowerians, if you will," Richard chuckled.

"The most influential…" Mitchum continued

"Looked up to…" Richard interjected.

"Beloved…"

"Oh just spit it out!" Shira and Emily shrieked excitedly, and without waiting for a reply from either of their husbands they blurted out it out: you are getting married.

Rory felt her heart skip a beat and she spat out her cherry coke on her grandmother's crisp white tablecloth in surprise. She caught the look of complete shock on his face, and saw the apologetic ones written on her own parents faces.

"What?" she choked out, "Marry Logan?"

"Well, you say it like it's a bad thing!" Emily exclaimed in sincere surprise.

"That's because it is," Lorelai spat, not giving Rory a chance to answer.

"No, it's not!" Richard countered.

"We've always talked about joining our families," Mitchum supplemented. "Now, you and Christopher made that happen in a way our society wasn't pleased with, but we did not condemn it, since your child would be a Hayden Gilmore heir after all…It saved us a slightly uncomfortable dinner party, if you will." He chuckled at his own bad joke.

Lorelai looked at Chris, shocked, "Did you know that?"

"No," he swallowed and ran his hand through his hair, realizing that he would have undergone the same fate as his daughter, if he and Lorelai had not gotten pregnant.

Rory sat there in complete shock, listening to the conversation around her take place. Marry Logan. That was just insane. She could not marry him. She was only 17. Who got married at 17? She couldn't marry him, or anyone for that matter. She needed to do things, experience the world. Go to college. Kiss more boys. Fall in love and then, maybe, get married. She could not get married to Logan. What would he do with his string of ladies in waiting? What about college and what about the paper? What about her life?

Her eyes nervously darted around the room, as she felt all the questions swirl around in her brain. She knew he was feeling the same way.

"Oh," Shira sighed, "Don't look like that, dear. You two make a darling couple!" she squealed, "And Emily and I will take care of all the details."

"Details?" Logan spoke for the first time since the news of their apparent marriage broke.

"Oh yes," Emily exclaimed, "Engagement parties, rings, the dress, the cake, the press…"

"And Mitchum and I will take care of the other details,"

"What about Mom and Dad?" Rory interjected. Suddenly, she was very curious about the role her parents had played in this little arrangement.

"Oh," Mitchum shot Lorelai and Chris disproving looks. "They do not want any part in this…"

"Uh," Logan raised hand, trying to make a point.

"No," Mitchum interrupted. "There is no discussion about this, Logan. This marriage will happen. It is time our families are united – a Huntzberger-Hayden-Gilmore union will make history. All that wealth and power concentrated on you two," Mitchum beamed with pride as he spoke. "Imagine owning the paper industry, the insurance industry, having ties with some of the greatest lawyers in our time, and not to mention the ties the McCrea's have in IT, the Vanderbilt's in cosmetics, the Rothschild's in hotels and the Worthington's in investing."

"We can't risk having one of you entertaining some kind of relationship with an outsider – it could tarnish our names forever!" Richard added, "That DuGrey boy you were seeing, Rory, could have destroyed us. I'm sure you thought you were picking a solid fellow, but he's a Bostonian," Richard paused dramatically, "Bostonians don't mix well with our high Hartford standards," he warned, not noticing that Rory had cast her gaze down at the tablecloth at the mention of Tristan.

"I'm sorry, baby," Lorelai spoke softly, "They sprung this one on us, we, we couldn't…"

"Stop it, Lorelai," Emily flared at her daughter, "You are acting like this union between Logan and Rory is the worst thing on earth. They make a darling couple, they are practically boyfriend and girlfriend as it is and all the wedding preparation is taking care of," Emily sighed, "If they must they can see other people – just as long as Logan's proposal is in the papers by the eve of Rory's 21st birthday."

"That's right," Shira nodded, "It'll be lovely."

"Mom," Lorelai pleaded, "She's just a kid. He's just a kid. You can't, you can't …"

"You can't ask them this, Richard," Christopher matched his wife's desperate tone, "Not for the sake of our family line. Surely, their happiness is more important?"

"They'll be fine," Mitchum waved Christopher's proposal away, "I see the same spark in them as you and Lorelai have."

"Lorelai and I got to choose!"

"Simply because you beat us to the punch, son," Richard reminded him. "All your wedding contracts are with the lawyers, you can check if you don't believe us."

This silenced Lorelai and Christopher. The elders had made up their minds. This wedding was taking place, and nothing they said could change their minds.

"You two are awfully quiet," Emily noted.

"It must be overwhelming," Richard said, "but you'll get used to it in time. Logan is a good man, Rory. Don't worry."

"Yes, yes," Mitchum nodded, "Nothing to worry about."

He opened his briefcase, "Now, Straub himself did up these contracts, just sign on the dotted line, but read them over if you must."

Rory's eyes darted across the cream-colored document. She knew he was doing the same; trying to figure a way to get out of this mess.

She lifted her pen to sign, but she dropped it just as quickly on the table. "I'm sorry," she mumbled as she spurted out of the dining room, Logan following her.

The couple chatted about random things for the better part of two hours, with Logan clearing the plates, brining in mugs of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of cookies, with them finally ending up lying side by side on Rory's bed. She had always loved that she was able to rest her head on his chest perfectly. It was the safest feeling in the world. He had always had the ability to soothe her soul.

She swallowed the last sip of her cocoa, and placed the empty mug on the bedside table.

"I've missed the talking" she sighed through a yawn.

Logan nodded, "Me too, Ace." He scooted away from her, and got off the bed. "Where are you going?" she asked.

"To my own room, you're tired. I'm sure you want to get some sleep…" he glanced down at the carped, slightly uncomfortable. The sleeping in separate beds thing had always made Logan uncomfortable. They were married, so they should sleep in the same bed.

Rory reached for his hand, "Stay."

Logan shot her a surprised look.

"Stay," she pleaded this time.

'Are you sure?" he asked as he let himself slip back under the covers.

She nodded, and positioned herself in her nook. "I've missed this," she stressed, as she gently placed her palm on his now bare chest. She felt his breath hitch for a second, though it quickly evened out. Rory had also always been able to soothe his soul.

The couple fell asleep like that; intertwined with huge smiles plastered on their faces.

"Ace," he called out after her, "Wait."

She stopped dead in her tracks, tears streaming down her face. "What was that?" she sniffled through her tears.

"I don't know," he answered her tiredly. "Let's get out of here," he suggested.

They drove around aimlessly for a while, each wrapped up in his own thoughts until Rory broke the silence, "I need some fries."

Logan shot her a wry smile, "Okay. Let's get some fries."

He quickly found a diner type restaurant on Main Street. He ordered two burgers with fries and soda's, while Rory freshened up in the bathroom.

"So, marriage," she said flatly upon her return.

"Marriage," he nodded and matched her solemn tone.

"God," she shook her head, "What are they thinking?"

He shook his head, "I don't know."

"I mean, I like you, Logan… a lot," she shot him a half smile, "But I can't marry you. I…college, the paper – I've got so much life to live!"

"You like me…a lot?" he raised an eyebrow.

"That's not the point," she said, a little laughter returning to her tone.

He nodded, "I know what you mean. I can't marry you – we'll be engaged at 21. Who does that?"

"I don't know!"

"And, so many things, Ace. We can't be forced to marry. Is that legal?"

"I don't think it matters."

The server came with a plate of steaming fries and two enormous burgers.

"These fries are the best," Rory said as she grabbed a fistful of fries.

"This burger is better," Logan said with a mouth full of food.

"God," Rory sighed, "I wish I had that contract – there has to be a way out…"

Logan swallowed, and reached for his jacket. "I snatched it,"

"Let me see it," Rory said as she grabbed it from him. She read it, carefully, reading certain parts out loud.

"This doesn't sound too bad," she recited, "The couple will live on the new Huntzberger Estate, a seven bedroom, four bathroom home, including a full service staff, spa pool, movie theater and game room."

Logan shrugged, "You can watch movies, and the girls for spa days. I can invite the guys for game night."

"And we can always get separate bedrooms…" Rory mused as she picked another fry from his plate and continued, "What about this: "The couple will inherit Huntzberger Media Publishing, Gilmore Insurance Corporation upon demise of the current owners."

"Sounds fair," Logan nodded.

"And here: Logan Huntzberger will be employed by Huntzberger Media Publishing, Rory Gilmore will become a member of the DAR."

"Big surprise, there," Logan laughed.

Rory folded he contract shut, "I guess it doesn't sound too bad, does it?"

"No, I guess not."

"And, it's not like we have much of a choice. That thing's foolproof: we are getting married," she looked at him, "Crazy, right?"

"I know," Logan sighed.

"It's just too bad we can't figure this out on our own, you know?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "Rory, I – "

"What?" she asked.

"I don't want to hurt you, and I will marry you, but I can't …"

"Oh!" she exclaimed, taking a bite from his burger, realizing what he was trying to say, "I can't be your girlfriend, now. It doesn't work like that. I mean, all those ladies in waiting will be devastated…" she laughed.

"I can give them up," he said determinedly.

"Not now," she said, "If we are going to do this, we are doing it right. When we are married, we are married, no cheating, no separate bedrooms, no nothing…until then, fun. So, whatever you need to get out of your system, you do it before we get engaged."

"Wow, you've really thought about this," Logan smirked.

She rolled her eyes at him, "I'm practical that way."

"I know," he smiled at her. "So, the future Mrs. Huntzberger…"

"Do you think you can put up with me?"

"It'll be tough," he sighed.

She tossed a fry at him, "Take it back!"

"Nope," he smirked as he ate the fry she just tossed.

She laughed, but her laughter died down as she sadly looked at the contract once more.

"Hey Ace," he said softly as he rubbed her hand, "It'll be okay."

She looked up and met his gaze. "Promise?"

"Yeah."

She bobbed her head as she thought about it all. "Okay. Let's get back."

Logan and Rory returned to Emily and Richards's mansion later that evening.

"We'll do it," Rory said as soon as she entered the sitting area, where Shira, Richard, Mitchum, Emily, Lorelai and Chris had distraught looks on their faces.

"We just needed some time," Logan clarified, as he comfortingly placed his hand on the small of her back.

"Are you sure, hon?" Lorelai asked wearily.

"Yeah," Rory nodded. "We've got a couple of single years ahead," she shrugged, "And I'll promise to look surprised when Logan proposes."

'And you son?" Mitchum asked

"I'm marrying Rory Gilmore. It could be worse," he shot her his infamous smirk, "I suppose."

The room filled with much needed laughter.

"I'll get those contracts," Mitchum said.

"I'll get the champagne," Emily exclaimed.

And, it was determined. Logan and Rory would wed 18 months after her 21st birthday. She picked up the silver fountain Parker pen and wrote her signature on the crème colored document, next to his name. That night, their fate was sealed.

Rory awoke in the middle of the night. She silently cursed the jetlag and the pot of coffee she had consumed over the course of the evening. She smiled, though, as she realized she was still wrapped in Logan's strong, loving grip.

Carefully, she let herself out of his embrace, snatched her phone from the nightstand and headed towards the bathroom.

"Lane?" she whispered into the phone excitedly.

"Rory!" her friend exclaimed. "Is everything all right? It's like four in the morning in London!"

"Jetlag - can't sleep," she explained quickly.

"Oh, poor you," Lane replied.

"No," Rory drawled, "Not poor me. I'm over that. Jen Anniston, no more!" she exclaimed.

"Really?" Lane laughed, "Things with Logan are good?"

"Yeah," Rory sighed happily, "We talked all night, and we are sleeping in the same bed."

"Woah. Seriously?"

"I told him to stay," Rory revealed.

"Aw! I'm really happy for you Rory…" Lane trailed off.

"But…"

"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing, but there's been gossip at the Club…"

"Like what?" Rory demanded.

"That he cheated, that you cheated, that you can't conceive and won't adopt, that the Gilmores and Huntzbergers have some sort of heirloom clause that needs to be honored…."

"What? That's crap! Don't buy into that stuff, Lanie," Rory said. "Logan and I aren't interested in conceiving – I mean – yeah, that's so not on the table right now. And we would adopt. And Richard and Emily don't have an heirloom clause. I'm sure I would have remembered that…."

"I'm sorry, Ror," Lane said, "Didn't want to plant doubt. Just wanted to give you a heads up."

"I know. I know," she ran her free hand through her tangled hair. "Well, whatever it is Logan and I will figure it out together," she said determinedly.

She heard Lane smile through the phone, "You sound good, Rory. Happy."

"Thanks," she said, "It's like it's all new again, bright and shiny…."

"And you're waiting for the other shoe to drop?" Lane knew what her friend was getting at.

"Yeah," Rory confessed, "I mean. It has to, at some point…"

"It will," Lane confirmed, "But, look at what you just said: you and Logan will get through it together, right?"

Rory nudged the bathroom door open with her foot, the dim bathroom light casting a path to the bed, where Logan was sleeping peacefully. She stared at him, and repeated Lane's question in her head.

"Yeah, Lane," she nodded, "We will."

I know it was long but you deserved it! Whaddya think?