Rory watched Logan guide the girls into the house. Once they were inside, she dialed the number that she had written on a sticky note and stuck to Lauren's file.
"Hey, you've reached Dean. Leave a message after the beep and I'll get back to you." Beep.
"Hey Dean, it's Rory. I'm just calling to see what time you are going to get here. It's about four o'clock on Monday afternoon. Give me a call. Thanks."
Rory was about to get out of the car when her phone started buzzing.
"Dean thanks for returning my call." Rory spoke into her phone.
"Actually, its Tristan," Tristan coughed awkwardly on the other line.
"Sorry Tristan, I'm just waiting for a call."
"That's fine Mary. I was just calling to confirm our plans for dinner this weekend. Is this Saturday still good for you guys?"
"Yes. This Saturday is great."
"Okay, well, I have to go pick up Summer from the airport. See you Saturday Mary."
"See you Saturday. Bye Tristan."
After she hung up her phone, she sent Logan a quick text that read, "Come outside."
Logan cautiously opened the driver's side door and sat down next to his wife.
"Rory?"
"He's not here."
"I know."
"He's not answering his phone. He's supposed to be here."
Logan was just about to respond when Rory's phone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Hey Rory, it's Dean."
"What time are you guys getting here?"
"I'm about an hour away. I didn't expect traffic to be so bad on a Sunday."
"Okay. Dinner is going to be ready when you guys get here. Do your kids eat lobster? If they don't, we can get pizza for them."
"Actually, it's just going to be me this week."
"Okay," Rory replied cautiously, "we will see you when you get here."
After Rory hung up, Logan looked to her and asked, "Are you ready to go inside?"
"Yes. Let's go." Rory responded as she put her phone in her purse.
Rory immediately felt at home the minute she walked into the door.
"Aunt Rory. You're here!"
"Hey Emma," Rory greeted as she picked up her niece, "where is everybody?"
"Will, Alison, Gigi and Drew went to the gym and Eli is eating a snack and Sophie and I are watching TV and Lauren is in the bathroom." Emma answered.
"Where are the grown ups?"
"Oh, they are the in the kitchen."
"Okay, thanks Emma." Rory put Emma down and went to find the adults.
"Hey Rory!" The room exclaimed as she made her way around to give everyone a hug (Lorelai, Christopher, Honor, Josh).
"So, who's going to buy dinner?" Lorelai asked. It was a tradition to have a lobster dinner the first night that the family was together at the vineyard.
"Well, our car is parked on the outside of the driveway, so I can go," Rory volunteered, "Honor, do you want to come?"
"I'd love to," Honor smiled.
After Rory and Honor left, the adults began talking about the plans for the week.
About an hour after they had left, Will, Gigi, Alison and Drew returned from the gym. Logan heard the front door shut open and made his way into the foyer.
"Hey guys" Logan greeted as they took off their coats, "how was the gym?"
"It was great. Whenever we go I'm always reminded of how great cucumber water is," Gigi replied, "where's Lauren? I'm dying to meet my niece."
"Lauren, can you come here for a second? I want to introduce you to some relatives," Logan called into the living room. Lauren locked her iPad and followed Logan's voice.
"Hi, I'm your aunt Gigi," Gigi exclaimed excited as she gave Lauren a hug. Logan realized then that Lorelai hadn't warned Gigi that it might take some time for Lauren to adjust. Lauren awkwardly stood still as Gigi's arms wrapped around her body.
"Hi, I'm Lauren." Will noticed how uncomfortable Lauren was and stuck out his hand.
"Hi, I'm your uncle Will." Lauren happily shook his hand.
"Where are my manners?" Gigi asked, "this is my friend drew." Gigi introduced the two.
"And this is my girl friend Alison." Will added as they both shook hands with Lauren.
"So when's dinner?" Gigi asked.
"Well, Rory is out with Honor getting the lobsters so we'll probably have dinner around 7," Logan explained.
It wasn't long before Gigi, Will, Alison, and drew excused themselves so that they could hang out in the den upstairs.
"Lauren, do you want to come with us?" Gigi invited Lauren.
"Okay."
While they were upstairs, Lauren was overwhelmed with all the family photos. The den was surrounded with pictures of the family at every stage of their life. As she was looking at the photos, Lauren became curious if her father was in any of the photos.
"Can I ask you guys something?" Lauren looked to Will and Gigi.
"Of course," Will responded.
"What do you guys know about my father?" Lauren asked Will and Gigi.
Will and Gigi were taken aback by the question.
"To be honest, not much. We were three when you were born," Will answered, "all we really know is that he was Rory's first boyfriend and that they broke up and got back together a couple of times."
"Do you want to go downstairs and ask our parents? Because they definitely know more about him," Gigi offered, "I can come with you if you want."
"Okay. Let's go downstairs."