Four Years Later

by samo810

UPDATED version of After Four Years. In the four years since she graduated from Yale, Rory has worked hard to move up in her career and move on in her personal life. When she wakes up one morning after hearing a familiar voice in her dream, she suddenly finds that she has to face what she has tried so hard to leave behind... those thoughts, those feelings, that guy. Post-fin, ROGAN

39. 39: Not the Damned Academy Awards

The limo was waiting for us downstairs. It seemed silly to limo to an event that was mere blocks from the apartment, but I guess the occasion called for it. I'd never make it in these shoes anyway.

I spent the minutes-long ride trying to maintain my breathing. Stay calm, it's going to be fine. This is a public event, Shira can't go too ballistic... or was I more nervous about the public part? This was going to be our first 'official' outing as a couple, and we were certainly going to make a statement.

We turned up W. 59th and joined the line of town cars and other limos already waiting to drop off passengers. Grandma and Grandpa were meeting us there, but of course Shira had to do a big display of a red carpet outside. Who does she think she is? Royalty? Well, in this industry, that's exactly what the Huntzbergers were.

I was expecting the carpet to be laid in front of the hotel entrance, but as we made the turn onto Grand Army Plaza, I realized that the carpet was in fact on our left side… Around Pulitzer Fountain. Of course. This is an event for the journalists of tomorrow, after all.

The sun hadn't quite set yet, but behind the towering Plaza it seemed that dusk had fallen. There were strategically placed lights around the fountain where various small parties gathered for photos, accented by bursts of camera flashes. Breathe, Rory. It's just a few photos.

A group crossed the street in front of the line of cars to the hotel before each vehicle rolled forward. The valets opened the doors of the car ahead of us and several guests made their way out. Our limo moved up to the valet stand. This is it. Time to face the music.

"Here we go…" I was almost startled by Logan's presence, having been wrapped up in my own head. My door opened and I did my best to exit the car with some semblance of grace, feet first of course, but very grateful for the hand of the valet to my left.

I handed my clutch to another valet, whose only roll seemed to be holding belongings for photos. The crisp evening air hit my exposed shoulders, making me wish I had worn an outer layer, but that was nothing compared to the chill that ran down my back when I heard my name.

"Rory…" Cool would be an understatement for the tone in Shira's voice as she recognized me. As Logan emerged from the limo, we both turned to face her. Toe to toe, that's what I'd asked for. "Logan, lovely of the two of you to join us."

"Where else would we be, mother?" He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, very aware of all of the cameras around. Shira made a show of wrapping her arms around her son's shoulders as a few flashes burst.

Mitchum approached us from another group he'd extracted himself from. He greeted each of us before reaching out a hand to shake Logan's. This was the real photo op the photographers were waiting for, and they jumped on it.

With everyone distracted, it was just Shira and I standing outside the spotlight for a moment. Be the bigger person, Rory.

"Shira, this is lovely." I actually meant it. Now that we were out of the car, I could see that between each of the spotlights were sculptured topiaires, and several flower arrangements dotted the rim of the fountain, framing each of the designated photo opportunities.

"Well, thank you, Rory…" She seemed surprised by my civility. What did she think, I was going to climb out of the limo and start taking swings? I am the child of Emily Gilmore, after all. She continued after a beat, finding her cool composure again, "It's been a long time…"

Not long enough. "It has." Change the subject. "You look well; your dress is beautiful." Polite, dignified, good.

"Oh, thank you. So is yours." She inconspicuously eyed me up and down. Her eyes stopped at the engagement ring adorning my left hand. She swallowed hard, "So you're going public with this?"

I glanced up at Logan who was still posing for photos with his father. I'm on my own for now. Be strong. "Yes. We are."

Shira straightened the seams on the skirt of her dress, clearly needing a moment to keep her calm, while another group of guests maneuvered past us to the other side of the fountain. "I see…"

The next car to pull up turned out to be exactly the buffer I needed. Honor and Josh. Shira had no choice but to bring back her warm motherly welcome.

Honor did the obligatory greeting of her mother, but immediately turned to me with an excited smile, radiating on her face. She took half a step toward me, I would imagine to share congratulations, before Shira stepped between us, ushering all of us forward toward Logan and Mitchum.

"Oh good, you're all here…" Mitchum's commanding voice rang above the din. "Let's take this picture so we can get on with this thing, shall we?" Never one to mince words, Mitchum. Never.

Another valet, who seemed to be in charge of ushering guests around the fountain, directed us to the largest break between flowers. It put the Plaza directly behind the fountain. A very stately backdrop, indeed.

The official photographer for the evening was front and center for these, leaving the press and paparazzi to find their own angle on the shot of the night. Initially all us were ushered into the photo; Honor and Josh turned in to face Shira and Mitchum in the center, with Logan and I on the far right, also angled in. My left hand was away from the cameras, maybe we could be relatively low key here.

"Okay, now a couple more of just the big wigs here…" The head valet thought he was funny. The rest of us stepped aside while Mitchum and Logan rolled their eyes, but turned back to the photographer.

"Shall we do one of the family?" Shira was speaking to Honor, but loud enough for me to hear.

"Isn't that what we just did, Mother?" Honor's pointed tone made it clear that she'd understood what Shira had meant.

Shira's lips pursed ever so slightly at her daughter's snarky response, but ever the showwoman, she made a save, "I meant the four of us, for old time's sake."

Honor looked past her mother and raised an eyebrow at me, knowing full well that I'd heard the conversation. I couldn't help biting back a smile. It was good to have her in our corner.

The Huntzbergers took their family photo and all seemed to be well, until the photographer requested a shot of the Huntzberger men and their wives. I froze. Oops.

Thinking quickly, not wanting to stir this pot any more than necessary, I tried to correct him in as demure a manner as I could, "Oh, I'm not a wife…"

Logan wasn't having any of it. He reached for my hand, pulling me toward them, "Not yet."

I fought back a blush, though my ears still burned. Of course he was making a scene about this. He purposefully positioned us so that my left hand rested on the lapel of his tux. The photographers went crazy.

"Huntz, you're engaged?"

"What's your name?"

"Officially off the market!"

Between the shouting press and the flashing bulbs, I was dizzy. What was supposed to be a picture of Logan and Mitchum with their wives had turned into Logan and I posed for the frenzied masses, recklessly announcing our engagement to the world. I was way out of my comfort zone, here.

Logan leaned in to kiss me on the cheek, setting off another mass of flashes, "Relax, Ace. A few hours and we'll be home. Besides, this is making Shira crazy."

I caught a glimpse of Shira's thinly veiled, sour expression. I can only imagine what was running through her mind right now… Then it occured to me that I knew exactly what was on her mind; it would be the exact same thing Emily would be thinking in her position.

I somehow found my voice enough to speak above the reporter's questions, "Thank you, but this isn't really what we're here for tonight…" I gestured as gracefully as I could to Mitchum and Shira, beckoning them back into the frame.

I caught a glimpse of Shira's face as she and Mitchum stepped closer to us. No longer sour, more like fuming. Logan must have caught it too; he was positively beaming.

As I retrieved my purse from the valet, now that we were finally finished with pictures, he leaned in close and whispered reverently, "Well played, Ace."

We made our way across the street. Once inside, Honor finally had a chance to gush over us as we waited to check our various belongings. Shira did her best to ignore it all from a few paces ahead.

"Oh, I can't believe it! Let me see the ring…" She practically pulled my arm out of the socket to get a look at it. "Logan! Well done!"

We were directed into The Grand Ballroom, which had been as beautifully appointed as the red carpet area. Delicate centerpieces, glimmering candles, no expense spared. Quotes from various noted journalists were projected by spotlights on the outer walls of the room, a nice reminder that this was supposed to be a fundraiser as much as a decedent launch party.

There were already a decent amount of people milling around, cocktails in hand, but no sign of the grandparents yet. Logan grabbed two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and handed one to me. I took it eagerly, grateful to at least have something to occupy my hands with.

We were still clustered closely with the elder Huntzbergers when the event planner came bustling up to Shira with some urgent matter. She excused herself from our company, and for the first time since getting out of the limo I felt like I could breathe.

"I guess congratulations are in order..." I'd been so focused on Shira since we arrived, that I'd hardly given a thought to Mitchum's reaction. He seemed restrained, but not nearly as reluctant as his other half.

"Thank you." I didn't know what else to say. I don't think Mitchum did either. He was not a man who was used to being put in his place, but that seemed to be exactly what Logan had done.

"Right, well… I'm going to start making the rounds." And that was that.

Honor rolled her eyes as she saddled back up to my side, "Typical… so, have you guys made any plans yet?"

Logan condescendingly interjected, as only a brother could, "Honor, we've only been engaged for like twenty hours."

"So?" Before she could go any further an older gentleman in a white bow tie approached Logan and engaged him in conversation. Before I knew it, several more had joined in, leaving me to field all of Honor's engagement excitement by myself. I tried asking about how she was feeling, if they were ready for the baby, but she was only interested in the engagement.

Fifteen minutes later, having no less luck satisfying Honor with my lack of answers, I finally spotted my grandparents in conversation with another couple across the room. I gave Grandpa a little wave, and he only looked too grateful to have an excuse to move on.

We made our way toward each other near the center of the room, "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm so glad you're here."

"You look lovely, Rory…" Grandpa, ever the gentleman.

"Yes, but you always do…" Grandma gave me a hug, but it was less of a kind greeting and more of a reason to whisper conspiratorially in my ear, "So, how are things going?"

"We'll see…" I'd scored points outside, but I wasn't in the business of counting my chickens before they hatch.

"Emily, Richard…" Speak of the devil. Shira was back, "So wonderful of you to come." Wonderful, I'm sure.

Grandma didn't miss a beat, "Well, we're certainly glad that we were able to make it when Rory and Logan invited us. It's such a good cause, afterall."

"Isn't it? And thank you for your contribution, of course."

"Our pleasure."

Shira's cool smile said it all. She was done with this conversation. "Well, I've got lots of thank yous to give, so I'm sure I'll see you around." Grandpa nodded and Grandma waved as she disappeared into the growing crowd.

"That woman…" Grandma muttered mostly to herself. "I swear…"

Like a knight in shining armour Logan appeared amongst us, a glass of scotch for Grandpa and a martini for Grandma, "Can I offer some refreshments?"

"Oh Logan, quite a greeting." Grandpa graciously took the offered drink, shaking Logan's now empty hand.

"Thank you, Logan." Grandma took her drink with a tip of her perfectly quaffed head. "It's so good to see you."

"Same to you, Emily." Logan slid an arm around my waist, "Doing okay, Ace?"

I nodded and took a sip of my champagne. It was hard to miss Grandma's beaming smile. Mom was right, she's loving this. Not loving being the center of attention, I tried to steer the conversation, "So, did you get your picture taken outside?"

Grandma rolled her eyes but kept her voice low, "Yes. Do you think she could have made any more of a spectacle of this thing? For heaven's sake, it's a newspaper event, not the damned Academy Awards."

Another couple whom my grandparents knew from something or other joined us; Grandma's demeanor changed in a flash and she was only too proud to offer introductions. We chatted politely for a few minutes before a silky voice came over the speakers in the room.

The emcee was calling everyone to find their tables for dinner. There were seating charts near the door where we'd entered, but I didn't need to bother with them. Honor came swooping in, wrapping her arm around my elbow, "We're at table one… shocker."

"Well, I guess we'll see you after dinner then… good luck."

Wait, what? My grandparents were already on their way to their assigned table. I hadn't even thought about the fact that we'd be sitting separately, but they were relatively last minute additions, and of course we were at the table of honor.

The table of honor turned out to be quite the table, indeed. Logan and I found our place cards, with Honor and Josh assigned to places on the other side of Mithcum and Shira. Of course. The other four seats at the table would be occupied, I imagined, by the biggest donors of the evening. As everyone filed through the room to their tables, two couples filled the vacant chairs. Mitchum found his seat, but Shira was still missing.

"Good evening, everyone…" My back was to the stage, but I didn't need to look up to know who was talking. "For those of you who don't know me, my name is Shira Huntzberger…" And she's awfully proud of that fact. She went on to proudly introduce the new Huntzberger Foundation, and explain that it was brought about to celebrate the reunification of the family when Huntzberger Publishing merged with Huntzberger Media… I had to stifle a laugh when I saw how hard Logan rolled his eyes.

She finally brought up the "real reason we all assembled tonight", eliciting another eye roll from both of her children, the journalists of tomorrow. She introduced the Lewis family, members of which were, in fact our table mates, and thanked them for their most generous donation to the cause. She finally thanked everyone else for attending and commenced the meal.

By the time she made it to her seat at the table, dozens of waiters were emerging from the kitchen to deliver salads to the tables. Mitchum chatted with the younger Mr. Lewis about the prospects of various rumors that had been floating around, while the elder Lewis' introduced themselves more casually to us. Bernard and Evelyn. Bernard had written for the Chicago Sun for several decades, and now their kids were in the business.

Our salads arrived before too much more conversation could happen, and thankfully most of the meal passed uneventfully. As we finished the main course, conversations picked up again. Honor told us about how life had been upstate, how the nursery was coming, graciously receiving congratulations from the Lewis' on their upcoming arrival.

"Well, we're not the only ones who have exciting things on the horizon. Logan and Rory just got engaged."

Shira choked on her wine. Logan bit back a smile. Thankfully the Lewis' were oblivious. Evelyn was quick to offer best wishes, "How wonderful…" She fell into reminiscing about how she and Bernard got engaged almost fifty-eight years earlier.

"Oh Evie, these kids don't care about all that…" Bernard interrupted his wife in favor of a more practical conversation. "So, Rory, do you work on the foundation with Shira?"

Now it was my turn to practically spit out my drink.

Shira cut me to the quick, having been biding her time since the evening started, "No, Rory's a busy writer, although… now that you're not on staff anywhere maybe you'll join us with some of that free time you'll have."

Ouch.

"Mom…" Logan was issuing a warning.

Evelyn was no idiot, she picked up on something right away, "Oh, Bernie you've stepped in it now."

"No…" I even took myself by surprise, but I hadn't let her get to me up to this point, why start now, "It's just that I've recently parted ways with my previous job at The Post. I've had some success lately with my freelance writing, so I'm pursuing it fully now, able to really write about what I'm interested in."

Bernard approved, "Atta girl, take control."

I could sense Shira's mild irritation that I hadn't been rattled, but I don't think anyone at the table was prepared for Mitchum to join in the conversation, "She's on a roll getting herself published at some piece of crap called The New York Times. Putting out some damn fine articles."

Yes, he was being sarcastic about The Times; it's not an HPG paper, but his compliment was genuine. Everyone in the family was stunned by Mitchum's admission, myself included.

Of course Bernard had no idea what it really meant for him to pay such a commendation, but he was impressed nonetheless, "The Times, huh?"

"Yes, it's… it's been great, but it's only freelance pieces…"

Logan chimed in in support of me, "Stop being so modest, Ace. They've really got their eye on you over there…"

"You know, back in the day…" Bernie started in on stories about an editor who worked at The Times back in the sixties, but Shira had heard enough.

She started to stand from the table, "Please excuse me, I need to make sure we're ready to start the auction."

Bernie got back to his story, which I was enthralled with, while Mitchum and the younger Mr. Lewis were in conversation with another gentleman who had come by the table. People were milling about now that they were finished with their meals and several of Logan's coworkers from HMC stopped by to say, 'hello' and chat.

A few minutes later, Shira was back on stage, again thanking everyone for coming this evening. "Before the real fun gets started, I'm so thrilled to introduce my husband, Mitchum Huntzberger, and my son, Logan."

What? I didn't know Logan was supposed to be speaking tonight, although I guess since this is technically the merger launch party I should have expected it. I looked at him as he rose from the table, a thin, fake smile plastered on his face. This was clearly not his idea.

Mitchum also stood from his chair, nodding at the rest of us, "Excuse us…"

The two men made their way up the few steps to the stage. Shira had vacated the podium but stood just to the side of it, well in the frame of any photographs taken, of course. Mitchum's commanding voice boomed through the speakers, "Welcome, everyone…"

He said a few words about what an honor it was to have so many friends and colleagues here tonight, supporting the merger, and how excited he was to welcome his son back into the company. He stepped aside to give Logan the floor. I realized that I was holding my breath… Why am I nervous? I'm not the one on stage…

"We are very excited about the new doors that Huntzberger Media Corporation can open for HPG…" He spoke briefly about the expanding horizons of multimedia news and how together the two companies can achieve new heights. It was obviously a well written script that they were speaking from, but I had to admit, it sounded good.

When the men had done their duty, they turned the stage back over to the emcee for the evening who began the auction. Shira ushered them off to the side of the stage where they posed for even more photographs, while various items and experiences were auctioned off from the podium. Josh excused himself to get a drink, and someone came to summon the Lewis family for a few of the photos, leaving me at the table with Honor.

She scooted over several chairs to sit next to me, "Holding up okay?"

I answered honestly, "Oh, surviving." It occured to me that Honor might have more insight to how her parents felt about our engagement than I did. Shira probably called her as soon as she heard the news. "So… how pissed are they?"

A familiar smirk turned up the corners of Honors perfectly glossed lips, "They?"

"You know what I mean. Logan didn't give me much information, though I can imagine…"

She stifled a little laugh, "Well, considering the six missed calls I had from her yesterday afternoon, Shira certainly had some things to say about it. I waited until after dinner to call her back, by then she'd burned through a pack of Dunhills." Ah yes, the stress smoker returns. "She was pretty livid, but I think she's more upset with Dad."

Upset with Mitchum? "Why do you say that?"

"Well, he sees Logan all the time and he didn't do anything about it. That he just let this happen…" She did her best Shira impression, which was actually frighteningly accurate.

You'd never know from looking at them tonight that Shira was pissed at Mitchum, but thinking about what I know about the Huntzbergers, I guess she's had a lot of practice putting on a good face.

Josh returned with his drink and handed Honor a club soda with lime, which she looked less than thrilled about, "Thanks, Dear."

She took a sip and muttered something to herself about six more months…

I was startled by a kiss on my cheek, not having realized that Logan had come up behind me. "Ace, how about we get you a real drink… Sorry, Honor." She rolled her eyes at her brother, but I was glad for an excuse to get up and move around.

We headed over to the bar as the auction wound down; Logan introduced me to more people along the way who were all vying for some of the young Huntzberger's attention. A few of them I recognized as big wigs in the industry, but none of it seemed to phase Logan.

As we chatted, fresh cocktails in hand, a band took their seats on the stage. The music started up and a few couples moved toward the open space in the middle of the room, beginning to dance. My grandparents joined us where we were standing. Thank, God.

"Hey! How was dinner?"

"It was lovely." Grandma's face as she spoke the words looked as though she'd just swallowed vinegar. She hated admitting when someone else had done things well, especially Shira.

"Oh, that sounded genuine, Emily." Grandpa chuckled a little, never one to pass up an opportunity for a good natured jab at his wife. He quickly moved on to compliment Logan on his speech.

Grandma was quick to second his opinion, "Yes, Logan you were so poised up there…"

"Yea, well neither one of us can take any real credit for that one…" We all turned to see Mitchum approaching our small group. "That's why we keep paying the PR people, right?" He laughed a little at his own joke. "Richard, Emily, nice to see you."

Grandpa took Mitchum's extended hand and shook it politely, "Mitchum, you look well."

"No major complaints, how've you been?"

They continued to exchange pleasantries for a minute or two before Shira made her presence known among us, "Well, I seem to have found the real party…"

Could she be any more disingenuous? Thankfully, Grandma was an old pro at dealing with this, "Shira, dinner was wonderful, you'll have to get me the name of the caterers."

"Yes, it was good, wasn't it? I'll have the party planner send you their number." Grandma nodded graciously. "Anyway, I just came over to see if I could twist Logan's arm into dancing with his mother…" She looked at him expectantly.

Another tight-lipped smile appeared on his face as he placed his drink on the high top table beside us. It's not like he can say no. "Sure, Mom."

As Shira wound her arm through Logan's, they headed to the dance floor. I exhaled a little as they moved out of earshot, but just as quickly as I began to relax, I got my own surprise.

"Well, I suppose I owe my future daughter-in-law a dance as well…"

What? I wanted to say, you don't owe me anything, but like Logan, I wasn't exactly in a position to refuse. Mitchum extended an elbow, so I took it as gracefully as I could. Thankfully my grandparents followed us to the floor, dancing together at a polite distance.

I don't think either of us was much of a dancer, but we managed in silence for a moment for the sake of social expectation. This dancing in silence thing was strange though, so I mustered up something to fill the void, "Thank you for looking into my contract…"

"Oh, it's nothing…" He shook his head, "My lawyers are happy to be on the other end of things for a change." I think he was joking, at least a little, so I smiled. Could this be more awkward?

"So I wanted to talk to you…" Yes, apparently it could. An uneasy feeling crept over me. Here? Now? In the middle of a crowded dance floor is the place you want to tell me that I'm not suitable to marry into your family? I tried to look around for Logan, but they weren't near enough to call for backup.

"I know you and I have had our differences in the past, Rory," Differences? Ha! "But I think we've done well these last few weeks keeping things…"

I offered, "Civil?"

He nodded, looking slightly amused. "And I know you're aware of my arrangement with Logan." You're the one who made me aware of it, Mitchum. "But…" Where is he going with this? "I've seen the way he's changed since he's been back. He's matured, he's…"

I've heard this act from Mitchum before. Back when we were in college, when we were on the same page. Not again. "MItchum, I'm not going to…"

"Now wait a minute, Rory, I'm not finished." I shut my mouth. "I was going to say that when the two of you got back together I was worried he would revert to his former self, and yes, he still makes some seemingly rash decisions" The contract, "But he does them with good intentions. I see that."

Wow. almost a compliment. "I think that's true… He has matured a lot, but I think a lot of that happened before he came back to New York." He was certainly not 'college' Logan when we started dating again.

Mitchum nodded, "That may be true, but I think that you being back in his life helped keep him on the right track."

What? I was stunned, so much so that I lost my footing for a second. I quickly recovered as Mitchum continued, "I'm not wrong often, and I can't say the same for everyone…" I followed his glance to where Shira and Logan were dancing, "But I am glad you'll be sticking around."

Holy shit. It felt like some alternate universe, "Um… thank you…"

The song wound down and Mitchum thanked me for the dance, I nodded but was still in a state of utter shock. Logan swooped in from the other side and grabbed my hand, starting us dancing again as another song began.

"You look like you've seen a ghost, Ace."

I might as well have. "I had a chat with your dad."

"I saw…" He was skeptical, "How'd it go?"

"Um…" I trepidatiously gave him the rundown. Minor surprise registered on his face, but not nearly the level of shock I had felt. He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek, seemingly done with the subject. I had to ask, "That's it?"

His smirk appeared, "Well, I had a chat with my mom…"

Now I was intrigued, "Don't tell me she's turned Stepford, too?"

Logan couldn't suppress his laugh, "God no, she's furious." Only someone like Shira could have a heated conversation and make it look like a pleasant dance with her son. "She's mad that I proposed, she's mad that I didn't give her any warning…"

"Mad that she didn't get a chance to try and talk you out of it…" The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Probably." He looked into my eyes and smiled, "It wouldn't have worked anyway."

I felt myself blush under the intensity of his stare. Breathe, Rory. "Well, that's not anything we weren't expecting, right?"

His charming spell broken, he got back to the topic at hand, "True, but she's also pissed at my dad."

"So I've heard…" He raised his eyebrows, surprised that I'd beat him to the punch. I explained, "Honor…"

A look that said, of course registered on his face. "Apparently she's mad that he's not more upset. She thinks he's in denial about it, but it sounds like he's just finally coming to his senses."

Who'd have thought? Mitchum being on our side… Talk about an alternate universe.

Grandma and Grandpa came to cut in for the next more jazzy song. There were no serious conversations this time though, just Logan and I trying with very limited success to keep up with my grandparents. For a few moments, I was actually enjoying myself.

We rejoined for one last dance before Honor and Josh waved us over from the table. They were leaving, Honor had had enough, and I'm sure she was tired.

After we'd said our goodbyes, Logan found himself cornered by shoptalk. He introduced me, of course, but I took the opportunity to get some air. I excused myself and found my way out to one of the foyers adjacent to the ballroom and took a deep breath. What a night.

After a few minutes of peace I stopped in a thankfully empty restroom before returning to the party. As I was washing my hands the door opened and whatever solace I had found in the foyer disintegrated.

Stopping short in her tracks, as surprised by my presence as I was by hers, was Shira. She quickly found her composure, "Hello, Rory."

"Shira…" I nodded to her in the mirror as she pulled a lipstick out of her small purse.

I dried my hands and was about to leave when she spoke, "You know, we never did get to finish our conversations…"

She was leaning into the mirror, reapplying her lipstick rather than looking at me. Power move. Innocently as I could muster I countered, "What conversation was that?"

She calmly twisted the lipstick tube, sinking the pigment back inside and put the lid on it before turning to face me, "The one we started outside. I'm sure you can understand my…" She searched for the word, "astonishment to hear that the two of you were engaged. I mean, you've only been together for…"

"Back together."

"Hm?"

She hadn't been expecting to be interpreted so I clarified for her, "Back together. We already knew each other. We got back together when Logan came back to New York."

"Well, you know what I mean… it had been years." My calm demeanor was already starting to wear thin as she spoke. "How much do you really know about each other any more? Other than how successful he's become, of course."

There it is. "Shira, I'm not…"

She continued to speak as if I hadn't opened my mouth, "And now that you're out of a job, well that's just…"

That's it. My turn to do the speaking over, "Do you know why I'm out of a job?" My pointed tone shut her up so I took my chance. "I'm out of a job because of you and your precious family. My editor was holding a grudge against Mitchum and decided to take it out on me after he found out we knew each other."

"Well…" She was grasping for something to say, but I wasn't finished. If she was going to outright attack me in the bathroom at her event, then I had just as much a right to defend myself.

"And as far as Logan's success goes… Yes, I'm proud of him, but it has nothing to do with why we are together. It also has very little to do with either you or Mitchum. I'm in this business; I know that Logan's company is the one with the real value these days." Her mouth dropped open. I also knew about the contract, but that wasn't the point. It was common sense in this climate. I was on a roll, too worked up to stop. "A man I love asked me to marry him and I said yes. I'm sorry that you don't have a close enough relationship with Logan to have gotten any warning that it was coming, but it's done now, and nothing you say is going to change that."

I turned on my heel and left the bathroom before Shira could say another word.

**I do not own any characters or content related to Gilmore Girls or any other entities mentioned.**

A/N - A nice long chapter… and to be continued… Enjoy! xoxo