London

Christmas lights were already shining in London. Finn exited the GMO building where he had meetings all day and decided to walk to his hotel to get some fresh air and clear his mind. He couldn't believe that he'd become a workaholic just like his college friends. Thank god they really had a good time at Yale and if he sometimes missed LDB events, this part of his life was over. Were they the heyday of his life? It's been eight years now since his graduation. He was thirty-two now, more single than ever as he had quit sleeping around, not even dating anyone.

Nevertheless, more than ever he had that disarming smile that could drive any woman to capitulate against their own better judgment. It didn't bother him that much not to have a significant other, but it was really a pain at every party to have people introducing him to single ladies. That's why he was only attending business functions that were strictly necessary and never society events. Robert was now living with Rory in Manhattan. Colin and Steph were finally engaged and will get married in a few months. Clearly, these ones had found love. Logan was doing God knows what with Odette. Maybe love was a privilege of a chosen few. Committing to anyone had never been part of his life plan, if he ever had such a project, he had considered it while witnessing his friends but he quickly gave up. Up until recently, he always felt it was easier to enjoy the company of ladies he wasn't considering seeing again, be the life and soul of the party, just enjoying what he thought was the real life. The years passed and the harder that became to withstand. He was still relishing working but partying endlessly wasn't as much fun. Moreover, his friends weren't available anymore. He was climbing the ladder in the company, but something was missing in his life, and he just couldn't pinpoint what.

In a way, he was a little disappointed in not having been chosen to be the best man, even though he knew Colin and Logan were friends since diapers. Speaking of the devil. He looked at the caller ID and answered the phone.

"Hey man, are you still on for tonight?"

"Hey Finn, about that. I just got off the phone with Rosemary, she's actually in London, and I told her to join us for dinner, is that okay with you?"

"Of course, why do you even ask? I'll be happy to see her, it's been a while."

"I didn't know if you wanted a 'guys only night' if you know what I mean."

"I can still get in Rose's pants."

"Keep dreaming, after all these years I don't see that coming," Logan laughed.

"That's because I never tried hard enough."

"I wonder how it looks like when you do try hard, man!"

"Okay, have you sent her a car?"

"I was going to."

"Then don't, tell me where she's staying, and I'll pick her up myself."

"Oh, you're seriously trying to charm the pants off her?"

"Isn't that the challenge you just gave me?"

"No, no! You only do that to yourself, don't drive me into it."

At seven sharp Finn was standing in front of his car when Rosemary exited from her hotel looking for the chauffeur and saw him. He hadn't changed much since college, just dapper now that he had got rid of his colorful clothes.

"Finn?! What are you doing here?" She smiled at him.

"Picking you up darling. I thought it would be more personal than a driver. Surprised?" He kissed her lightly on her cheek and opened the car door.

"Good surprise," she laughed. Same old Finn, such a charmer.

"You look very lovely darling," Finn said while starting the car.

"Not bad yourself either," Rosemary smiled. "So, how have you been since last September?".

They spent a delightful evening, and they all felt right. They needed that to forget about their now grown-up life, their work problems. In college, only Logan knew how tough it would be because all his life was already planned career-wise. Out of college, Rosemary didn't feel any pressure. She was a beautiful well-read society girl, so her parents were confident that she would find a nice guy. But she didn't follow the path that was drawn for her. First, she pursued a career. She was now the head of the department of Impressionist and Modern art at Christie's New-York office. Two years after college, Rosemary met Ray an NBC journalist when she just started at Christies. He was there to shoot a documentary on art auctions. The guys never really got along with Ray, but she never minded because they barely saw them. She thought that it was only a Princeton-Yale rivalry issue.

"So how is Ray?" Logan asked. Suddenly tears were filling Rosemary's eyes, she was shivering.

"Love, what's wrong?" Finn said worriedly putting his hand on hers.

"Ray broke up with me." Tears started to drop on her face.

"What? When?"

"Do you want me to kick his ass? I always thought he was a jerk," Finn snarled.

"I talked to Colin yesterday he didn't mention anything" Logan added.

"You're the first ones to know," Rosemary answered sheepishly.

"I thought you used to have lunch every week with Steph and Rory?" Logan asked.

"I didn't go last week because I had an auction. And talking about it makes it real."

"So, what happened? You guys were together for so long."

"Well, technically I broke up with him because I found he was having an affair with an intern at work, a twenty-something blonde, fresh right out of college. I was a fool, I didn't see anything, I convinced myself that he never proposed just because he wasn't ready, that he needed time. Even when I confronted him, he tried to deny it. I thought so highly of him, of us. I thought that he would say it was a mistake a beg me to forgive me. And you know what? I'm stupid enough that I think I would, but it turned out he just didn't have balls to just quit me. We weren't even married, and he already turned me into a desperate woman. My mother was right, I should have picked a society guy and get married before twenty-five. Now I'm too old, and I don't have a date for Colin and Steph wedding. My mom will kill me if I go by myself at the most important wedding of the year where I'm a bridesmaid." She kept sobbing.

Her eyes dripped with tears. The guys each put an arm around her shoulders.

"Everything will be alright love. The wedding is only in five months. Men will be throwing themselves at your feet now that you're single again. And if you find that they're not good enough for you, I'll promise I'll be your plus one," Finn said.

Rosemary grinned, "Thanks Finn, but I don't want to be a pity date."

"You would do me a favor, not the other way around. I don't have a date either, and I can't go to Colin's wedding with a random girl. I'm a groomsman so who would be better than the bridesmaid? Anyway, it's of good knowing that I'm trying to get into your pants since college."

They all laughed. Finn was always great at sweetening the mood.

The guys felt heartbroken for her. How could Ray treat this beautiful and accomplished woman like that after six years of dating? Sure, they were not the most exceptional gentlemen, but even back in college they never gave false pretenses to the ladies.

"When are you going back to New York?" Logan asked.

"Tomorrow night"

"Do you have to work tomorrow?"

"I have a meeting at ten in the morning."

"Okay, so tonight we will take you to drink off your sorrows until we all lose our shit and we'll make sure that when you'll arrive in New-York, the girls will be ready for a weekend of wallowing. I know for a fact that Rory is a specialist."

"Thank you, guys. You're excellent friends," muttered Rosemary. While Finn took care of the bill, Logan got out of the restaurant to call Rory.

"Hi, Logan. What's up?"

"Hey Ace, I don't have much time, so I'll cut to the point. I'm having dinner with Finn and Rose, and she just told us that Ray broke up with her."

"What? When?"

"Last week, the asshole dumped her for a young intern, she's devastated. Tonight, we are taking care of her, but she'll fly back to the city tomorrow evening. I think she needs wallowing time."

"Okay send me her flight number, and we'll take care of her as soon as she lands. I have a meeting right now, so I have to go but don't worry, I got it. Logan, hug her for me."

"I will. See you, Ace."

# # #

Christmas Eve

At least they were still spending Christmas together, Lorelai thought while packing to spend Christmas Eve at Robert and Rory's. Luke could see that she was nervous.

"Cool down, Rory said that they're very nice people. Don't you believe her?"

"Yes, I do, but… She has changed, and I don't know how to stop that."

Luke sighed. Although Rory was now twenty-nine, his girlfriend still saw her as a young teenager.

"You didn't lose her, she has just grown up. Stop seeing her like when she was still sixteen. She has been a war reporter, her eyes on the world is different now, that doesn't mean that you can't have a good relationship with her. You two love each other so much."

"She's changed so much. She used to call me for everything, ask help for choosing her outfits, my opinion on her boyfriends. We were besties."

"You girls still talk to each other several times a week, that's more than a lot of mothers and daughters," Luke said.

Since Rory and Robert were living in their own house, Lorelai's fears of losing her daughter had increased. She was hiding them behind high society worries. During the first few weeks, it was a little hectic, and she could feel that Rory was worried. Combined with starting teaching at Columbia, revising the articles for his Harvard graduate students Robert was hit by writer's block and spent endless hours in front of his computer. Rory had felt bad for him and didn't know if she had to try to help him or let him deal with it by himself. Lorelai had advised her to show him that she was there if he needed her but also leave him some space.

At some point, the two lovebirds had managed to make it work because while Rory was going home that evening, she called her mother and mentioned that Lilian just told her how her boyfriend was resourceful and amazing. She could hear the proud tone of her daughter and felt relieved for them. Lorelai lips curled a little. Her diner man was right, she still had a good relationship with her daughter.

"A child is not supposed to be a parent's friend. It's not because you've lost that part of your relationship that you can't enjoy yourself together. You're both amazing women, try to trust her like you used to do, listen to her. You're her mom before being her best friend. Everybody can have numerous best friends, but only one mother. Why don't you stick to that unique role?"

Lorelai was holding a dress in each hand pondering which one would look best to Upper East Side millionaires. Luke could easily see what she was thinking.

"Lorelai, having money doesn't make people bad, no matter what you've chosen to believe, and it's me who's saying that," Luke stated. "We're only people who love, hurt, feel, we're all the same no matter how thin or thick our wallet is. Why don't you give these people some credit before judging them? Stop acting like if you know everything, try to discover them and then make your opinion. I can't believe that obnoxious people could have raised such a good guy."

Lorelai sighed. "Rory is not cooking right?"

Luke chuckled "No, Robert is taking care of the turkey. The Semple tradition is that everyone makes a dish for the meal. I'm in charge of the potatoes and prepared a variation. His parents are bringing desserts, and I don't quite remember what the others will bring but obviously, we won't starve."

"Good, it's important to know that at least we'll enjoy the meal."

She put both dresses in the garment bag then sat on her boyfriend's lap. He was the only person who could soothe her, and she was so lucky to have him around.

# # #

Rory was sitting at the kitchen island sipping coffee while proofreading on her laptop, keeping company to her boyfriend who was stuffing the turkey. She was amazed that he was able to perform such elaborate cooking.

"Where did you learn to do that?"

"We all had to help my parents in the kitchen at some point we're all able to manage around the stove, even Charlie. You'll see, his salmon gravadlax is delicious. For this exceptional evening, I thought I'd try a Jamie Oliver recipe though, so if it's not good, I'll blame the British chef."

Robert glanced at her and couldn't help but marvel at how gorgeous his girlfriend looked. She was an uncomplicated natural beauty, didn't need any makeup. He was particularly fond of her freckles. What wondered him the most was her brain though. It was always on high speed, and he could see right now the wheels spinning as she was rubbing her index finger back and forth over her upper lip, her brows furrowed. She was worried about this evening, Lorelai Gilmore meeting the Semples. No matter how much she loved Christmas, tonight wasn't able to trump her fear. Even if Robert wasn't her first boyfriend, she had never been that serious with a guy to introduce the parents.

"It can't be bad, you're putting only good things in this giant bird. I feel useless I'm not doing anything."

"You set the table; I didn't even know we had so many plates and silverware."

"It was my grandparents present, and Lupe helped me yesterday for the table, she's a doll."

Robert smirked but made sure she couldn't see him. Rory Gilmore had a housekeeper. Who would have believed that? Of course, it wasn't a maid, and she was only coming twice a week, but he knew that for his girlfriend it was a huge step. Actually, the idea came from his mother. Her foundation was tutoring recent immigrant Mexican kids so that they can catch up in an American school. Their mother needed to find work, and Lydia immediately thought about Robert and Rory who had to deal with a huge house just by themselves while both with very time-consuming jobs. Rory wasn't able to say no to Lydia as it was presented to her as a good thing to do for this family.

Very quickly she actually got along with Lupe, and she became part of their lives in no time. She cooked for them and left them meals in the freezer. Rory helped her with her papers. She had to admit that Lupe's help was really needed. Robert had been pulling late nights all semester and was a little on edge.

The beginning of the semester had been particularly hard but mainly because of a massive writer's block. First, Robert tried to vary his routine and work in different places. Even if he was a technology geek, Robert had a thing for libraries. They were out of time and reassuring as they have proven that reason, intellect and art really did tend to survive dark ages of various kinds. Most of all they were a space devoted to quiet reflection on the written word, and that was why he was spending most of his time in them instead of his office where everybody could find him.

He also squeezed an overnight trip to DC to discuss with Bill and Ben. They liked his angle that President Obama arrived at the White House too early to be understood by Americans. They talked almost all night, just like they used to when the three of them were at the White House. In the end, Ben reminded Robert that he had for him a fantastic capacity to focus and that if he just stuck to the discipline they learned from the President, he would soon be back on track.

Rory felt bad for Robert and didn't know if she had to try to help him or let him deal with it by himself. She wasn't his editor, and Lilian had much more experience than she did. Then that early morning, Rory went down into the kitchen to find him coming back from a jog beaming. She knew he was looking for these hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run. He kissed her on her temple and went directly to his study. He was still in there when she left for work. That evening, Lilian told her that he was back on track. She remembered how proud and admiring she felt. After that, he still worked like crazy, but the tension had left off.

# # #

He came out from the bathroom, just wrap in a towel and pulled out a pair of boxers from the dresser. He dropped the towel, and she couldn't help but eye his butt. His Christmassy mood made her melt, that rush she got when he did something nice always came flooding back.

"You look good Semple," she informed him, unashamedly checking him out, "really good."

He moved closer to her and kiss the top of her head. She inhaled his scent of Habit Rouge and wanted to bury her nose in the column of his neck and inhale him until she got a contact high.

"We don't have time to flirt, Miss Gilmore, I have a turkey in the oven, and your mother should arrive any minute now. And stop worrying, it will be just fine, trust your Christmas spirit."

With all the workload he had these last months, he had wondered if he would be able to manage much time for his girlfriend but obviously living together made everything easier. Even if he didn't sleep much, waking up next to her was enough to keep him going. She was such a positive catalyzer to his work. He could run anything through her, and it would brighten his brain. She was so attuned to him, his moods, his needs, it was if she was able to read him even before he knew what he wanted. Most of all, he knew she was always honest with him which was what made her opinion mattered the most.

# # #

Rory opened the door to two jovial Semple parents. Their cheeks were red from the cold, but they were beaming, and Henri was holding a big long box.

"Lydia, Henri, come in!"

"Hello, Rory. Thanks for having all of us, it's very nice of you to host the familial Christmas eve dinner. You know, it's been a while since all the Semples haven't been altogether for Christmas Eve."

Henri put the box on the console table and hugged her.

"I haven't done much, Robert took care of the bird."

"For this nice occasion I made a Bûche de Noël, I hope you and your mother will like it, Robert told me you two were very fond of chocolate."

"You made it?"

"Of course, it's tough to find a nice bûche in New-York. I learned this recipe from Anne."

Lorelai was taken aback by this conversation. Rory was right, the Semples were definitely very different from high society people she was used to.

"Lydia and Henri, let me introduce you to my mother Lorelai and Luke her boyfriend."

"I'm so happy to meet the mother of this amazing young woman, we're both very fond of your daughter" Henri warmly shook Lorelai's hand.

"What the heck!" and without asking, Lydia hugged the elder Gilmore to her surprise.

Shortly, all the other Semple family members arrived, and Lorelai understood that she wasn't the only new guest to their clan.

For the first time, Aubrey brought her girlfriend for a family reunion. She came out a few years ago but had never introduced anyone to her parents yet. Only Robert and Rory had had the privilege to meet Jenna before as he was her closest sibling. He convinced his baby sister that it was time to stop hiding her girlfriend for a year now. Lorelai watched Lydia talking to Jenna about how Aubrey had always been a chatterbox as a kid and seeking for the attention of her brothers and sister. The little Matt was asking his father if Santa would drop the gifts in this house or at his. Nathalie and Rory were making sure everybody had a glass of eggnog. With the large decorated tree in the back, it looked like a scene from a Hallmark channel Christmas movie.

When Lorelai turned around to look for Luke, he was in deep conversation with Henri talking about fishing. Apparently, they had hit the same spots in Connecticut. She now felt at ease and that her daughter was safe. She had to admit that she had never seen her daughter that happy. She was constantly laughing. Each time, the walls were shaking, it was if she could see Rory fly. Her daughter was cosseted by a loving boyfriend who would do anything for her. Everybody was buzzing around them, but he was looking at his girlfriend like she was the only person in his orbit.

"It's amazing how these two are drawn to each other, isn't it?" Robert's mother whispered in her ear.

Lorelai nodded. Lydia was right, they clearly were meant to be together, deserved each other.

The meal itself was unique. Lorelai could see why her daughter was so at ease in this family. They had managed to fit quirky, hippy, in their bourgeois heritage. That gave rise to Indian, Nordic, French, British, American food mixing with laughter and bad jokes served in Limoges china. She hadn't seen Luke having that much fun in a very long time, and she hadn't heard him grunt during all the weekend.

When she saw Robert heading to the kitchen, she took the opportunity to reach out to him.

"Robert, I'm sorry," she started.

"For what?" He glanced at her but couldn't find anything else but sincerity in those familiar blue eyes.

"I've been a pain in the ass to you, and you didn't deserve it."

"Well, I can live with that, but I think that Rory is more deserving here. She would be so relieved if you two could be on the same page again."

"I'm not finished, I would also like to thank you. Despite my attitude, you didn't keep Rory away from me. And I'll make up to both of you. I was wrong, you two belong together. You two were brave enough finally to take the chance to love each other, and I almost ruined it. I got the stubborn Gilmore streak, and luckily for you, Rory didn't get as much of this personality trait."

"Oh! She got it, but I can't complain because it helped her to come back to me."

"The point is that since she was born, we built a plan for every step of her life and since Logan came up everything was derailed and then I thought she was back on track."

"And then I came along, and I wasn't part of the plan ? The plan included a guy at some point, did it?"

"It did, and I realize now that the guy is you, it's just that I was blindsided from where you're coming from."

He felt sorry for her because she thought she had lost the unique connection she had with her child. Of course, he didn't have kids yet, so maybe he couldn't know what it meant, but he could relate to it through his relationship with Rory. He couldn't imagine losing her. Most of all, he knew how alienated Rory felt being torn up between her mother and him.

# # #

Robert turned off the bathroom light and slid under the comforter. This 2014 Christmas had been a huge success and would probably be a major turn point in their life. After brunch, Lorelai and Luke had left for Stars Hollow with the promise that they would come for a visit for a whole weekend in January.

She clung to him, her body feeling warm, so true to him. It felt like their heart were finally syncing entirely. Her body had ultimately found rest. He closed his eyes, easing into her hold, her head resting against his chest, the familiar softness of her hair enabling him to relax. Just like every night, his fingers were drawn and ran through her hair.

He knew that part of his insecurities was that he was afraid he wouldn't be able to live if for any reason they had to be separated. He had experienced that five years ago; watched Logan fall apart 2 years before that; She was the worst addiction to recover from, a man could have. On the other hand, he had never felt better than being with her, but he was now confident that these uncertainties would progressively lift off.

Robert had become essential in her life at so many levels. He was non-judgmental, tirelessly cheerful, but when needed he could give honest, unbiased advice especially career-wise, and he was always there for her no matter what. He was a perfect balance, protective like Dean but not clingy jealous, well-read like Jess but so much more reliable, smart and funny like Logan but without the pressure of his family. She hated to compare the two of them, but it was inevitable. The relationship that she had now combined the best of what she had before, like the perfect synthesis. Robert was enthralling, passionate and caring. In hindsight, they were building unbreakable bonds.

A/N: This is the last 2014 chapter. Only two years left. I hope you'll have the patience to wait until the end. I'll try to do my best but during the next month, it will be difficult for me to update as frequently as I did these last few weeks. My goal is still to finish the story for its one-year anniversary.