Finn pulled Rory aside in the hotel lobby as Colin and Logan walked out the hotel door.
"Are you okay, love?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Finn. I just...I don't know how to act around him. I don't want to upset him more, but I don't want to act any differently with you either. Does that sound crazy?"
"It doesn't sound crazy at all. I told him that we wouldn't flaunt our relationship, but that we also wouldn't hide it. He's going to have to get used to us, so just be yourself and let him adjust to the idea."
"Okay," Rory said as she reached up and kissed Finn sweetly.
Finn took her hand in his and they walked out to the sidewalk to join up with the remaining two musketeers.
"There's a pizza place a couple of blocks down that looks good," Finn stated, and the other three nodded their agreement.
They proceeded down the street silently, each lost in their own thoughts regarding the events of the last twenty-four hours. They were seated quickly at a small booth in a quiet corner of the pizza place and began talking hesitantly.
"So, Reporter Girl," Colin began, "tell us all about what you've been up to since we last saw you. Are you enjoying writing on the campaign trail?"
"I really am," Rory answered. "It's been a great experience. I've started to make a name for myself and have even gotten a few job offers for after the election. A few of my articles have been syndicated, so that's been exciting, and that's really all I've had time for in my life since graduation, at least until I ran into this guy last week," Rory said as she nudged Finn and winked at him.
"I always knew you'd do well, Ace," Logan said wistfully.
"Um, thanks, Logan. So, Finn caught me up on what's going on with you guys last week. Congratulations on your engagement, Colin. I would love to talk with Steph again, if she wanted to talk to me."
"She would love that. I'll give her your number when I get back home and have her call you, and Finn can give you her number as well. We'd love for you to come to our engagement party in December. I mean, I'm sure that Finn will bring you as his date, but really, we would love for you to come," Colin replied.
"I'll definitely make sure that I'm there," Rory answered to Colin. "Do you have all the details, Finn?" she asked as she turned her attention to her boyfriend.
"I do, kitten. I'll get them to you tonight when we get back to the hotel," Finn replied as he put his arm around her and pulled her close. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, leaning into his chest.
The waiter came at this point and dropped off their beers and took their pizza orders. As soon as the waiter walked away Logan excused himself to the restroom.
"This is weird," Rory said quietly.
"It is, but he has to get used to it, love," Finn soothed as he gave her a light kiss on the lips.
"Colin, thank you so much for coming with Finn today. I was so relieved to see you guys walk in the room."
"No need for thanks, Reporter Girl. We've all missed having you around since you graduated. It will be great to have you back in our lives."
"Well, it will be great for most of you," Rory chuckled. "I'm not so sure about Logan."
"Don't let him get to you, Ror. This isn't your problem; he needs to straighten out his own life," Finn replied.
"I know, sweetheart," Rory replied quietly.
"I know I've been spending too much time with my fiance when I say this, but you two look really happy," Colin said.
"We are," they both said simultaneously, and then laughed together as they kissed once more. Neither realized that Logan was just approaching the table until after their kiss.
"Sorry about that," Rory replied with a blush when she saw them.
"Don't apologize, Rory. It's okay, really. You guys need to feel comfortable around me," Logan said. "I'll work on being happy for you guys. Right now we'll just have to settle for me staying out of the way."
"Thank you for that, Logan. I know it isn't easy, but I also know that you'll find your way back to happy again. I always believed you could, and I still do. The right woman for you is out there," Rory said quietly.
"Thank you, really. That does mean a lot."
Their pizzas were delivered at this point, and conversation lightened as they devoured their dinner and another round of beers. The group of four walked back to the hotel slowly, taking in the early fall evening. Logan and Colin retrieved their belongings from the room and bid the couple goodbye in the lobby.
"Again, it's good to see you, Reporter Girl. Let's make plans for the four of us to have dinner when you're in the City next month, okay?" Colin asked as he hugged Rory.
"I'd love that, Colin. Give Steph a hug for me, and I'll talk with her this week," Rory replied as she stepped away from him and toward Logan.
"I meant what I said earlier, Logan. Happiness is still very much possible for you. You've always been one to grab life by the horns and make things happen; build the life you want," Rory said as they embraced briefly. "I hope that sometime in the future this won't be awkward for us anymore."
"Thank you, Ace. And it won't always be awkward. I got quite the wake-up call this week. It will get easier," Logan replied as he kissed her on the cheek. "I'm glad you're happy, truly."
"Colin, mate, thank you for everything today. It means a lot to Rory and me," Finn said as he gave Colin a brief man hug.
"We're family, man, and I've got your back. Enjoy your week with the lovely Reporter Girl," Colin replied with a wink as Finn moved toward Logan.
"Take good care of her, Finn. Don't make the same mistakes that I made; they'l haunt you for a long time. Rory Gilmore is one hell of a woman, and getting over her isn't easy," Logan said quietly as he briefly embraced Finn.
"Will do, mate. Take care of yourself, and let me know how you're doing. I'll check on you later this week," Finn replied as he moved back to Rory's side and pulled her close.
"Mates, have a safe flight back. We'll get together next week after I return from Des Moines," Finn said finally as his two best mates waved goodbye and walked out to the waiting car.
"Now, darling," Finn smirked, "shall we retire to our room for the night?"
"We shall, sexy boyfriend," Rory replied with a giggle and a light kiss.
"That may be my favorite pet name you've used for me yet, kitten," Finn said with a laugh as they proceeded to the elevator and went upstairs to their room.
The couple walked into Rory's room a couple of minutes later and finally relaxed for the first time in hours.
"Other than you surprising me, that's a day I really don't care to repeat," Rory said as they sat down next to each other on the bed.
"You and I both, kitten. I don't know what he was thinking."
"Thank you so much for everything, Finn," Rory replied as she curled into his side. "I don't know how in the world I would have gotten rid of him otherwise."
"Anything for you, Ror, seriously. There wasn't ever a question in my mind when I figured out what he had done. I just knew I had to get here and make sure that you were okay. How are you doing with everything?"
"I'm okay. I was angry and really frustrated with him, but having you here helped me settle down. How are you holding up? Because honestly, you have even more reason to be upset to me. He's one of your best friends."
"I'm really not sure how I'm dealing with it, actually. My only concern this afternoon was making sure that you were okay and trying to figure out what he was thinking coming to see you. What he did is really just now starting to sink in. It will definitely take some time for me to trust him again."
"Yeah, it really will. I'm -" she said before Finn cut her off by kissing her.
"Don't apologize anymore, Ror. I mean it."
"Alright, no more apologizing," she answered with a smile as she leaned in and kissed him again. She looked at the clock when they pulled apart. "Is 9:00 too early to go to bed? Between not sleeping well last night and everything that's happened today I'm exhausted."
"Not too early at all. I'm exhausted as well; you're not the only one who didn't sleep well last night."
"Aw, did you miss me, Finny?" Rory teased.
"Only as much as you missed me," Finn returned with a smirk.
"Hmm…"
"That's all you have to say, Miss Gilmore?"
"You must have really missed me a lot then," Rory whispered as she leaned in and kissed him again. "What do you say we put that going to bed plan in action?"
"Ready for sleep, kitten?"
"Who said anything about sleep, Finn?" she replied with a smile.