"So did you have a good time?" asked Logan as he helped Rory unload presents from his car to the pool house.

"I did. I can't believe how many gifts people got me. I told them all they didn't need to."

"Well it's not like they can't afford to," shrugged Logan. "And a lot of it will be useful in your new place."

"I suppose."

"So are you going to open the envelope from your dad?" he asked cautiously when they had finished and were sitting on the sofa in the pool house.

"I suppose so ... I'm just ... nervous."

"I'm right here if you need me," said Logan, squeezing her hand.

"Thanks."

She gently tore open the envelope and a letter fell out of a birthday card.

Dear Rory

You said that I should write everything that I have to say in a letter and so that's what I'm doing. May I start by saying that you have grown up into a truly beautiful young woman, inside and out. I've read all the Yale articles that you've written and you have an amazing talent. I hear you're moving to New York to be a reporter and that it's always been your dream so I'm glad that it all worked out for you.

I've thought about what I would say to you about a million times but now that it comes to it I don't know where to start. I guess at the beginning. I don't really remember that day I found out your mom was pregnant, it's all a bit of a blur with panic mixed with confusion mixed with being scared. What I do know is that the day you were born, the day I looked into your eyes and saw you staring back, was one of the scariest days of my life. You were completely dependent and that was a very scary thought. Your mom handled it brilliantly though. She just got on with it and started being a mom. I couldn't quite figure out how to be a dad. Then when your mom told me she was moving out of her parents house so that she could be in complete control, she was so brave, strong and just amazing. I tried to see you regularly but I never really knew what to do. Whenever I held you, you cried and when I tried to play with you, you wanted Lorelai. You didn't know me and I take full responsibility for that. My dad gave me a job but all I heard about from friends was how much fun they were having at college. I started resenting my life and I know that it's not your fault but I couldn't help feeling it more when around you. So I visited even less. Your mom had a good life in Stars Hollow. She had friends and a job and people who looked out for her. You were so loved in that town and I was the bad guy who wasn't around much.

Then I got the call. I was at home, in my room and I will never forget that day. Being told that there had been a car accident and that your mom was dead. Even now, after all these years, it's hard to write about. The following days were a blur, you were with Richard and Emily and I was in no fit state to do anything. After the funeral I decided I couldn't do it, I couldn't stick around and I couldn't look after you or do what was expected of me. So I took off. Nothing that I say now will be able to make up for it but I do regret it. I knew that Emily and Richard would look after you, that it probably wasn't what your mom would want but that it was the best thing. I couldn't look after you, I didn't know how and I wasn't strong enough. I loved your mother, I still do and I know that she would hate me for leaving and I'll never forgive myself for it.

I don't know how much you've been told by my mother but on all accounts you didn't discuss me much. Therefore I should probably fill you in on my life since leaving Hartford. 7 years ago I got married to a woman called Sherrie. 5 years ago we had a daughter together, called Gigi and as a baby she looked remarkably like you, but with blonde hair. Sherrie wasn't happy with me though and decided to take a job in France last year, taking Gigi with her. Since then I haven't seen her, Sherrie won't allow it. She says that I never loved her as I should have done and that she got fed up. In truth, I compared her to your mother and that's the reason our marriage failed. Losing her and Gigi like that made me realise how much I missed out in your life. I won't get to see Gigi grow up, just like I didn't see you grow up. I understand that you don't think I deserve a second chance but if we could just go out for coffee or something, I'm guessing you love coffee like your mom did.

Finally, Happy Birthday. I'm sorry for being a bad dad, there's no excuse for what I've done but I truly want to make amends, as best as I can.

Christopher Hayden

Dad

Chris

Rory had tears flowing down her face when she finished reading. She handed it to Logan to read whilst she buried her head in his chest. He gently stroked her hair as he read.

"He sounds sincere," noted Logan once he's finished.

"What do I do?" asked Rory.

"You know that I can't tell you that," sighed Logan.

"Why not?" moaned Rory.

"Because he's not my dad."

"What would you do?" asked Rory.

"Honestly ... I don't know. I mean ... I don't have much of a relationship with my dad and its basically only business but ... he's still there. He might have sent me away at a young age but it all turned out alright in the end and looking back ... I loved my childhood being away from my parents. But ... if I were in your shoes ... I don't know if I would be strong enough to have a relationship with him."

"So you think I should ignore him?"

"I'm not saying that," replied Logan. "Only you know what's best."

"But I don't ... that's the problem."

"Well ... why don't you wait a couple of days and think about it? Tomorrow you're meeting Sookie aren't you? So go, have a good time and don't think about it. Then maybe it'll get things into perspective and you can make a decision."

"You're so smart," smiled Rory, wiping her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Rory said confidently, standing up and looking in the mirror. She tidied her hair and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes.

"Then I should go," said Logan.

"Why? It's my birthday," said Rory.

"Because of your grandparents," Logan pointed out.

"I'm 23. I'm old enough to have a boy stay the night," laughed Rory.

"Are you sure?"

"You've stayed before," pointed out Rory.

"And we nearly got caught."

"So what if we do? I move out on Saturday."

"Is it what you really want?"

"Yes."

"Well I can't deny a girl a wish on her birthday," smiled Logan, kissing Rory.

"That's right," nodded Rory. She kissed him again before taking hold of his tie and wrapping it round her fingers. "There's only one other thing that can make my birthday better at this point," she said.

"And what's that?" teased Logan.

"I think you know," she grinned, pulling him into the bedroom.