Chapter 53- 2015, Two weddings and a funeral (1)

A/N: Thanks for the messages encouraging me to update. I'm profoundly sorry I haven't been able to write for so long. As expected, work and life, in general, have been hectic and I couldn't manage enough time to work on this story. Anyway, here's a long chapter. I can't promise you anything for the next update, only that I'll finish the story. When, is another question... If you're still reading, please comment, review, vote.

Juliet's wedding

In January, as all the Yale gang did, Rory and Robert had the surprise to receive a wedding invitation from Juliet.

When did that happen?

It was too early to call Juliet because of the time difference, so Rory tried Rosemary.

"Did you get it? How did I miss that? She's not marrying her vibrator, isn't she?"

"No," Rose laughed, "you won't believe it, the guy she was seating next to on the plane back to Seattle after your housewarming party."

"No kidding! So that's why she was MIA these last months? I'm afraid to ask, is it a shotgun wedding?"

"No, not at all! Apparently, the guy is so terrific, it only took him a six hours flight to make her fall for him. And now they want the whole nine yards, they're looking for a house, planning for a baby, I had to check it was her when we facetimed because I barely recognized her."

"Wow, I saw some pictures on Instagram, but I didn't know it was already that serious!"

"He proposed at Christmas, and they just didn't want to wait. So, she'll call you to ask you to be a bridesmaid, but to gain time, we've got to pick our dress. You've noticed that they have chosen to do it in Chicago, right?"

"That was the second surprise…"

Juliet Crown was coming from a Chicago old money family, but she left for college and never came back. She loved her parents deeply, but she needed to put some distance and proved herself that she could do something of her life besides getting a fancy degree that she would never use, marry a society guy, organize charity events and raise his heirs.

"I guess he changed that in her too. I'm really dying to meet this guy. Does it mean that her parents approved of him?"

"Well, he's not old money, but he's a Harvard MBA, built a sales software automation company two years ago, and he already raised millions for it. I wouldn't be surprised Semple Brothers had invested something."

"Should we expect a big wedding?"

"She asked for small and to be held in her parent's house which is huge, so we'll see. The ceremony will be at the church though. We don't have much time to prepare everything and as we don't all live in the same city, be prepared to receive a massive amount of 'Hey ladies' email and try to answer fast. Due to the short notice, she agreed to have a wedding planner. Ror, we're in both wedding parties so try not to mix up the answers!"

"I think if it sticks to two, I can handle it."

"What do you mean? Are you guys planning to add yours anytime soon?"

"What? No, no, we're absolutely not there yet!"

"You wish!" Rosemary laughed, "now that you guys are under the same roof, I'm sure people have started to drop that kind of question."

Rory sighed and startled hearing the door of Robert's study opening. He wasn't in bed when she woke up, but she thought he was out for his morning run. His hair was even more tousled than usual, his stubble looking more like a beard now and he was rubbing his eyes. He went straight to the electric kettle, filled it with water and reached for the teapot where he added his usual Earl Grey. Then he reached for his mug and poured himself some coffee.

In the meantime, Rory had ended her call and put a bagel in the toaster. Once he was seated, she carefully ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his temple.

"Have you slept at all?" she asked softly leaving her arms around him.

"I just typed the last period," he whispered. "It's weird, I feel empty."

"Wow! I'm so proud of you!" She hugged him tight from behind, kissed the top of his head then rested hers on his.

"Would you read it before I send it to Lilian? I understand you can't give me an unbiased editor opinion, but I'm not able to work on it anymore, I need time to take a step back from it to get some perspective. You're the only one I'm trusting right now before it goes away from me."

She felt him so fragile at the right instant, but also an intense moment of intimacy. He was trusting her with a huge part of himself, almost two years of extreme work, the same period they have been sharing their lives. She had discovered that her man could be the most confident person in public, but also extremely vulnerable, like at this very moment. As if it was possible, she loved him even more for his complexity.

"Of course, I'll do it, I don't have a busy day; anyway it's a Rodham book so it's also my job. Do you need to go to work today?"

"Nope, class hasn't started yet and no meeting, I can work from home."

"I think you've already worked enough during the night, why don't you take a nap?"

She handed him the bagel where she had spread cream cheese on and poured the hot water in the teapot.

"Oh! By the way, Juliet is getting married next month."

Robert almost spat his coffee.

"What?"

"Prepare to go to Chicago in March."

# # #

The guys were seated on the same row watching the girls standing by Juliet. The bridesmaids had chosen emerald green dresses, but all three were different. It was difficult to say which one was more beautiful than the other. Finn couldn't take his eyes off Rosemary which didn't get unnoticed by Colin who elbowed Robert. The latter chuckled and clear his throat to get Logan's attention.

"Since when do bridesmaids dresses ceased to be ugly?" Finn asked.

"Since the bridesmaids got to choose them and not the bride," Colin answered thinking that it'll be his turn in a little bit more than two months.

"Close your mouth Finn, or I'm afraid your jaw could fall out," Logan whispered.

"I didn't remember she had legs," the Aussie said in awe.

"How do you think she could walk during all these years?" Robert asked hardly handling his laughter.

Were they thrown back ten years ago in Yale when Finn was making passes at Rosemary almost daily? She had become a myth, the one girl that Finn could never get, because, ultimately, he was always able to get any girl he was pursuing, just not Rosemary. She then became even more desirable to his eyes. It wasn't that she wasn't dating, she did, but not the playboy type as her father was one of the kinds, and she had witnessed how miserable her mother was. Then they left Yale, and she met Ray.

"Your girls are pretty too, you know." Finn trying in vain to divert the attention drawn to his attraction to the redhead.

"It's okay Finn, I absolutely don't mind if you don't undress my girlfriend with your eyes as you're doing with our friend Rosemary. Since when are you back on chasing Rose?"

"Since last December," Logan answered, "he pretends that I challenged him but I did nothing of that kind, it's all his wishful thinking."

Colin chuckled. It was fun to witness his friend going back to his college antics. They were so serious now, workaholics who needed to tame their addiction.

"Finn, do me a favor, try to do it differently than when we were at Yale. I don't want Rose to ask for a restraining order by the time of my wedding. You wouldn't want to mess up our wedding party, would you?"

The Aussie growled. It was easy for his friends, they had found their match. Even Logan seemed to be at ease. He couldn't let go of Odette's hand and was continually nuzzling her. Finn turned his gaze to the other side of their row, and it wasn't better. Colin and Robert were staring at their girl.

"Guys, you are supposed to focus on the bride and groom, not only on your women."

Robert smirked. Rory was playing with the bracelet he got her for Christmas. He had noticed that she had worn it every day which made him proud of his purchase, even if it was a sappy gesture. He was walking out of Science Po in Paris, where he was settling a joint master degree with Columbia when he saw in the window of an antique store this gold charm bracelet with the Pisa, London and Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty alternated with different gemstones. He had never been very good at finding presents, but this time, he knew right away that she would love it.

A small shudder rippled through Rory. She had caught his gaze on her. She loved the way his baby blues looked at her, the way he smiled for her and only her. It made her feel empowered. She wondered if it would always be as good with time. It's been two years, and the passion was still as strong as at the beginning.

How did Juliet know it was for the long run?

Rory looked at the happy bride tying the node, not even a year after she had met the guy. She, in turn, was now living with Robert in a house they bought together, but they haven't talked about marriage yet. Would she like to marry him? Yes, yes, yes. She could see herself all her life with him. Now, she wasn't afraid anymore. Not so long ago, even if he had proven multiple times that he was the most trustworthy man to her, she was still scared that he could bail. She wasn't proud of that, but as Paris has pointed to her, she had gone through all her life waiting for her father, needing him. Then Dean, Jess, Logan, and Robert the first time, even if it was short. So, she was sometimes thinking that she was the one inducing this behavior in men approaching her.

In the end, was Juliet the most courageous of them all? Or the most reckless? She had taken her time, but she had understood that there was never any guaranty when you open your heart to somebody that it'll last forever. You have to make a bet and throw yourself in the game. Love didn't have to be simple, but this time she was taking the risk. It won't probably be easy, but she was armed to deal with that just because they wanted to give it a try together.

Juliet's husband was a Sinatra's fan, and that's why Rory found herself dancing on "The way you look tonight" and traveling back on memory lane. It wasn't that long ago when Ms. Patty was teaching her ballroom dancing and her father telling her she just needed practice. He was partly right, he just forgot that she also needed the perfect partner. With Robert, she learned that there were activities where she relished to be led, and it didn't mean that she wasn't a strong independent woman. He could make her spin, whirl, and everything seemed easy just like her parents were doing it, never losing the spark of his icy blue gaze.

# # #

"How is the book doing?"

Robert was delighted to spend time with Odette, they didn't see each other very often, but every time was like they had never been apart. Their childhood bond was strong enough to overcome time or distance.

"I think it's finally done. My editor texted me that I could have my weekends back for now. I thought the revisions would never end. I never had realized that Rory's job was to torture writers."

Odette chuckled.

"I don't know if she's indeed torturing anyone, but she's damn good for you. It's like you found peace again, am I wrong?"

Robert's mouth corner upturned.

"You're very perceptive Mademoiselle de Valmy. When I'm with her, I'm the version of what I wanted to be when I was 14. She pulls out the best of me. This woman can work miracles."

"If I remember correctly, you wanted to be an adventurer-writer, I can see the writer, but where's the adventurer?"

"Still there, working through the most dangerous world, politics."

At a table by the dance floor, Logan and Finn were alone staring at Odette and Robert swaying among their friends.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" The blond asked his Aussie friend.

"Don't know, but I do believe in lust at first sight," the dark-hair man answered absentmindedly trying to find Rosemary in the crowd.

Logan sighed, "seriously Finn."

"Come on man, you're asking me that? How the hell should I know anything about love? You're the one engaged, was it love at first sight?"

Just at that very moment, the song ended. They saw Odette walking toward them, and a huge grin spread on Logan's face. Finn chuckled.

Just like it happened with Rory, fighting for Odette gave him the strength to combat the dark lord. He felt liberated and ready to embrace happiness.

"Your fiancée is really gorgeous, man, you seem happy lately."

"I'm as surprised as you. I thought Rory was my one and only, but it seems that God is willing to give me a second chance and this time I'll try not to screw it."

"Is one of you handsome men would care to dance with me?" Odette asked standing in front of them beaming. The Aussie stared at the new addition to their group and thought that she was an excellent pick.

Finn looked at Logan grinning at his fiancée.

"Avec grand plaisir mon amour," Logan took her offered hand.

"Wow, your French is really improving Huntz," Finn laughed eying the young couple walking toward the dance floor.

"Do you ever regret not getting back with her?" Odette asked, painfully gazing at Rory and Robert.

Logan shrugged, "not since I've been falling for you, which means for about a year?"

Odette pulled herself from him, her hands still on his shoulders and looked at him with her eyes wide opened. His eyebrows rose and one corner of his mouth upturned.

"Seriously? Why do you think I fought so hard for this new project with your dad? Just for mine to hate me more? I needed to show you that if our engagement is a business deal for him, for me, I just need to be with you."

Odette held her smile and shyly replied, " I thought you were just afraid that Robert would kiss your ass."

Logan chuckled, "he wishes. With Rory, I learned how true happiness felt like, and with you, I am now sure I will be able to feel it again."

Odette had tears filling her eyes with emotion. It had taken them three years, but they were finally on the same page.

"You're right Logan, we'll make it work."

She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She had allowed herself to fall for him for several months now, but until that moment, she thought she was the only one.

Steph snagged the bouquet.

"That's not fair we already know that her wedding is next!" Juliet's sister complained.

"But then now we know that this tradition really means something," Rose said with a pixie-cute smile.

Rory thought it was nice to see her friend smile again. After the Ray debacle, the holidays had been hard for her, and as she suspected, her mother didn't comfort her much.

After that, the four Yale girls had left the room to get some air on the terrace despite the cold.

"He had been staring at you all night, is there anything you haven't told us?" Juliet asked.

"Nope, absolutely nothing. Girls, it's Finn, the guy has been cruising the no-commitment lane since… Forever." Rosemary answered, trying not to make a big deal.

She only admitted to herself that she could be considering conceding to Finn's relentless wooing. Since they met in London, it had started with friendly texts, making sure she was okay. Whenever he was in the city for work, he always would find the time to see her even if it was for ten minutes. She didn't say anything to the girls. Was it more than what an old friend would do? Besides, it was Finn, all women were falling for him, and she definitely could see why.

"Come on Rose, maybe you haven't noticed while you were with Ray, but our favorite Aussie is very different from the one we knew at Yale, he's not determinedly single," Rory added.

"I got that, but the last thing I need is a guy mucking up my life reboot. I want to start fresh, man-free. I'm focusing on my promotion at work."

"Sure," Steph said, "you know who you remind me of? Our friend Rory here when she was convinced that she could live without Robert."

"I'm so not like that!" Rosemary replied.

"Hey, girls I'm right here!" Rory shot.

"No offense Rory, you're right, I'm in a totally different situation. I'm moving into I am an independent woman, hear me roar part of my life. Once I'll pass this phase, I'll look for a man who will be a partner, not a manipulative, cruel SOB."

"You're right, finish rebooting your life. Finn has been waiting for years, he can be patient for a few more months. Don't come with your regrets at our Wednesday lunch if you learn that he had found another match in Boston."

# # #

"I was surprised we used the Semple Brothers private jet," Rory said trying not to sound judgmental.

The girls had flown to Chicago on Wednesday to prepare the Thursday bachelorette party. Colin and Robert had only joined them on Friday evening for the rehearsal dinner. Therefore, Rory was a little surprised when she realized that they were taking the Semple's private jet to go back to New-York. They always had flown commercial, and she was okay with that. Were they shifting to where her mother warned her they would, high society habits?

"I know," Robert sighed." It was the only way to be on time for the rehearsal dinner having to attend a Semple Brothers meeting on Friday. Colin couldn't leave before 2 pm either, so Charly offered to use the jet, he said nobody was using it this weekend anyway."

Rory had noticed that since he was back in New York, Robert was much more involved in the family company. Charly regularly dropped by in the evening, and they would talk for long hours in his study. She had learned to like his older brother and figured out that he womanizer ways were his manner to get away from his work stress. He had gained more responsibilities in the firm and was soon to be nominated, Chief Operating Officer. One evening after too much wine and scotch, he had spilled that he was afraid he was going to wreck the company that took three generations of Semples to build. He was scared that his decisions could wrongly affect thousands of people. He felt his ass was on the line every single day. Robert had tried to reassure him that their father was still there to train him and that Nathalie was the best scientific strategist in the market. Moreover, their uncle was the President and director of the executive committee.

Logan had told her that Robert could be involved in the company, and she now understood how he could be sucked in it.

"Are you going to work at Semple Brothers?"

It wasn't that it was bothering her, she was just curious about all these life-changing.

Robert looked at her stunned.

"Of course not, I just started at Columbia. You know I made my mind for academic life."

"So why are you attending so many meetings there, you never did that before."

"Since I'm back in the city, Dad and Charly asked for my help because there's a project on changing the regulations. Right now, everything is under the Investment Company Act of 1940. They're asking for my help to deal with the political side, how to show them what could be good or bad for asset management.

He kept explaining to her what was at stake, how he was enjoying to finally be able to help his family company, not only working with his father and siblings but also uncles, aunts, and cousins. This company was in their blood, the only difference for Robert it wasn't in his heart like Charly or Nathalie, but he still wanted to see it thrive.

She smiled at him, she had fallen in love with his uncompromising fervent way of approaching what he was passionate about. He was faithful and unconditionally dedicated to everything that was important to him such as his family, his friends, his work and now her.

She loved her mom and wouldn't trade her for anyone else, but she had missed having a "regular" family, which for her meant a dad at home and siblings. She didn't even have cousins. Her grandparents were both only children, so many it was a Gilmore feature. Hopefully, she'll break the streak with Robert, at least two kids could be great. Lydia and Henri had shown their children how great marriage could be and how being a parent could fulfill your adult life without wrecking a carrier. You just had to find the right match.

She realized that she was thinking about having a family with him more often lately, maybe it was her friends getting married that put these thoughts in her.

She shook her head and got back to the discussion.

"I just want to make sure you're not overloading work on you. When do you find time to do all this?"

The corner of his mouth quirked a little, and his icy blue gaze turned to a dark shade of navy blue. She was amazed at how he could switch within a second from work to light mood. She wondered what in her question could have triggered it.

"Are you afraid that I won't have enough time for you Ms. Gilmore?"

He tucked a strand of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear, locking his eyes on hers.

"Of course not, you've been nothing but a very attentive and considerate boyfriend."

He didn't listen to her answer and rubbed his face against her hair, addicted to its silkiness. He was about to kiss her when they felt the car stop and heard the driver open the door.

"To be continued, Ms. Gilmore."