AN: Look at that, two chapters in two days? I should be working but I'm having a bad day, so here you go. Again, we have reached a really fun, fluffy part of this story with happiness, joy and butterflies. I'm looking forward to writing Rory's return to Stars Hollow and also the wedding because who doesn't love a Rogan wedding? Also one thing that is so fun about this is that it is purely fun, Logan gets to be the perfect guy and Perry is shaping up to being the perfect ex-husband. What more could our girl Rory want?

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter Thirty Four

Rory wasn't sure exactly what she was nervous about. Logan was taking her boys to a hockey game. They had gone out together before, he had taken them to the beach, he had gone to football games, he had taken them all sorts of places. But this…this was like feeding him to the wolves. The private school, uppity, snobby wolves. When she and Perry had chosen a school for their kids, they had done it based on Rory's copious amounts of research. The best teachers, the lowest ratios of students to teachers, how many staff members, the qualifications of the staff members. What they hadn't expected was that in doing so, they had tossed their kids into a pile of new money. Rory thought Chilton had been different because the kids at Chilton, they were all old money and Rory could vividly recall her Grandfather shaking his head disapprovingly once at an event, no money stinks like new money, he had said while taking note of a vivacious woman who didn't quite seem to fit in with the dignified, DAR women they were surrounded by. The private school her kids attended, they were surrounded by children of athletes like themselves, the children of movie stars and reality stars, sure, there were a few business people in the mix, but mostly it was a bunch of uppity, nearly divorced couples who liked to show off. "You guys all dressed?" Rory asked as Luca and Eli came downstairs with big smiles on their face, each wearing their old Cramer jersey from when Perry had played for the Kings and a matching hat.

"All set!" Luca smiled, "Logan said we can take his Tesla!"

"Did he now? Too cool for my car are we?" Rory laughed, she liked that the boys were excited about having Logan around, she would be telling them this weekend about the baby and Logan moving in with them, after she told Perry who would be arriving for a visit in a couple of hours. He had called her the night before and said he was coming to town and they needed to talk about something important.

"I told them it was fine," Logan came downstairs and raised his eyebrows, "I talked them out of the other options." Logan was wearing a black LA Kings hoodie and hat, and a pair of dark blue jeans and what she could only assume were a pair of fancy running shoes that she couldn't quite place. Rory didn't think she had ever seen him dressed so casually to leave the house, sure, they hung out in sweatpants all the time, but Logan Huntzberger in a hoodie?

"You look," Rory laughed as he stood in front of her, "very casual, and for sure prepared for a hockey game."

"They picked it," Logan laughed and pulled Rory in for a hug, "it was this or a Cramer jersey," he whispered in her ear, "I may get along with Perry, but that would be too much, even for me."

"I don't think that is a visual I need," Rory gave him a kiss, "have fun."

"Ew! Gross!" Eli and Luca both groaned.

"Sorry guys," Rory placed one more kiss on Logan's lips before turning to her two oldest children, "you both need to listen to Logan. When he says you leave, you leave. You don't act like dummies, and remember this is where Daddy used to work, so be respectful, be nice, say hello to anyone we know…"

"Can we have coke?" Luca grinned, knowing he was generally only allowed pop on nights like this.

"Logan makes the rules tonight," Rory said warily, she knew that Logan would want them all to have fun, but she also had to hope he would know when to reel it in.

"Bye Mom!" Luca and Eli hugged her.

"Bye boys," Rory gave Logan one more kiss and then watched as they left. Rory exhaled, it never got any less weird. No matter where the kids were going, it was like a piece of her heart was walking out the door. "James, Chris, what do you want for dinner?" Rory shouted as she made her way back into the house. Logan was taking the boys out for dinner before they met with the school group at the arena, and Rory was hoping that her youngest children would accept a simple meal.

"Chicken and fries!" Christopher grinned as Rory sat down on the couch between the twins.

"I want grilled cheese!" James retorted, tossing a glare at his brother.

Rory laughed at the interaction and put her arms around her two youngest children, not youngest for long, she thought to herself as they both snuggled into her. She didn't normally cater to this kind of whim, she had always told the boys that they got what they got and complaining wouldn't change it, but it was rare that Rory had a night with just the little two, "well I think if you want grilled cheese," she kissed James on the top of his head, and you, "she turned to Christopher and smiled, "want chicken and fries, I can do that. But you have to eat your vegetables, do we have a deal?"

"Can it be carrots?"

"I don't like broccoli."

"Noted," Rory smiled, both of them snuggled into her arms. Luca and Eli were a different kind of parenting now, they didn't need her the way that James and Christopher did, and she knew her time with James and Christopher needing her were almost over. She thought to the baby growing in her stomach and smiled, soon there would be another child who would need her all over again and the thought of it filled her with excitement. "How was school today?" she asked them.

"Luca wouldn't talk to us on recess," James told her simply.

Rory smiled, that sounded just like Luca. Too cool for his little brothers. It was ironic though because for so long, Luca had wanted to cling to Eli and the disappointment on his face when Eli wasn't interested had been a little bit heart breaking. "Well, Luca likes to play with his friends. He loves you guys and you get to hang out with him at home."

"Why couldn't we go to the hockey game with Logan?"

If Rory were to answer honestly, it was because there was no way in hell she was sending Logan out with all four of the boys, nor was she prepared to pay what it would have cost to add two more tickets to the situation, but the kids didn't need to know that. "This was just for the older kids at school," she told him truthfully. The e-mail she got had said they would make an exception for younger siblings as necessary, but Rory really didn't want to deal with the chaos. A night with her two youngest was just what she had wanted. "You know," she changed the subject, "I think if you go look in the freezer, you might find a treat!"

"A treat? Before dinner?" Christopher smiled and hugged his mother.

"Go before I change my mind!" Rory laughed as both twins sprinted off to the kitchen, she heard them rustling in the freezer, arguing over flavours before they returned a moment later with a popsicle in each of their hands. "I love you boys," Rory told them seriously, "you are the best kids a Mom could ask for."

"Wha'bout Luca and Eli?" James asked, his mouth full of popsicle.

"They are too," Rory laughed, "but right now I'm with you guys."

xxx

Logan shuffled awkwardly on his feet as he waited for their tickets to be scanned so they could go to their seats which happened to be in a luxury box at the Staples Center. They had enjoyed a nice dinner out, Logan had taken them to a Mexican restaurant that he and the guys used to go to when they were in LA together, and they had loved it. Logan was aware of several paparazzi that seemed intent on following them, but they thankfully kept their distance. Logan had become a bit more high profile because of his recent business dealings, and he didn't like the attention that came with it. "You guys good?" Logan asked as they finally got into the space and said hello to a few of their classmates.

"Can I get a drink?" Eli nodded towards the bar which had a line already.

"Sure, take your brother," Logan agreed as he made his way to the front of the box and tried to avoid talking to anyone. Logan wasn't unfamiliar with being somewhere that cost a lot of money, he wasn't unfamiliar with schmoozing with people, but what what was new to him, was being there in the capacity of parent, stepfather to two kids who he had fallen hopelessly in love with.

"I don't think I've seen you before?" a man came to him and extended a hand, "Tom Sharp, I'm Brady and Colin's dad," he nodded to his own boys who were talking to Luca and Eli.

Logan shook his hand, "Logan Huntzberger, I'm Eli and Luca's stepdad."

The mans eyes widened at the name and then he smiled, "Huntzberer? Wow. I knew that Rory had been dating, my wife told me, I didn't realize you were the lucky guy."

Logan felt uncomfortable, he wasn't completely sure why, but he did. "I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world. We're engaged, actually."

"I hadn't heard, congratulations I suppose. Do you have any kids of your own?" Logan shook his head and the man, Tom, smiled. "Well, we were all shocked to hear when Rory and Perry split, so it is nice to know she has found some happiness."

Logan nodded and excused himself to find the boys. He wasn't sure who this guy was, but he certainly knew he wasn't a friend that Logan had met, or that Rory had ever mentioned. It was strange, Logan had been out of high school for a long time, but standing with all of these strangers, he felt like he was in fact back in high school. "Hey guys, all good?" Logan asked, they were in the front of the line now and Logan handed the server some cash to pay for the snacks the kids had ordered. Logan couldn't help but notice the prices had been inflated beyond regular sporting event pricing in order to fundraise, for the school.

"Thanks Logan," Eli grinned, "thanks for bringing us."

"I'm really glad you asked," Logan told him as they retreated to a more quiet corner. Logan had ascertained from listening to some of the other adults talk that the school had in fact got their hands on four boxes that evening to run their fundraiser, so there were plenty of the kids around. "Do you guys like coming to games?"

Luca nodded his head and Eli shrugged, "it is fun watching Dad play, but this is just for school."

"Well, I think it is pretty cool. Maybe one time you boys can take me to see your Dad play?"

"You would do that?" Eli asked.

"Sure," Logan nodded, "if that is what you boys wanted."

Eli absorbed his words for a moment before smiling, Luca on the other hand was becoming absorbed with the game as it was now a few minutes away from starting. "Do you want to meet my friend Drew?"

Logan began to grin, his smile spreading from ear to ear. Eli wanted to introduce him to someone. "I would love that."

Eli disappeared for a moment and returned with a boy about his age, "Drew, this is my stepdad, Logan."

Logan tried not to show that he was taken aback by Eli calling him his stepdad. Sure, Logan referred to himself that way, mostly because I'm their Moms boyfriend… felt a little bit juvenile, but he didn't expect Eli to introduce him as anything more than Logan. "Nice to meet you," Logan smiled to the boy.

"You're Logan Huntzberger?"

Logan laughed and nodded, "that is what the birth certificate says. You know who I am?" Logan couldn't help but feel weird at the idea that this kid had any idea of who he was outside of being the man who was marrying his friends mom.

"Eli showed me the comic books you sent him, they are so cool."

"Ahh," Logan nodded, that felt more normal, "yes then, I am Logan Huntzberger, graphic novel connoisseur. I can bring some here from Palo Alto if you guys want to see more?"

"Really?" Eli and Drew both grinned.

"Sure," Logan shrugged and took a sip of the water he had ordered. He and Rory had discussed it earlier, he knew he could safely have a drink and drive, but he just didn't feel comfortable with it, although he was regretting not taking her suggestion to order a car for the evening because he was fairly certain a beer would at least take the edge off all of the people staring at him. Logan zoned out the boys talking beside him about various super heroes, and which they preferred, Marvel or DC Comics, but he was glad that Eli was having fun. He knew Eli had really only agreed to do this because Luca wanted to, although neither of them would admit it. Luca had moved to his own group of friends who were enthralled by the game. He was telling them about all of the players that he knew and things that happened when he had seen his Dad play previously. Logan smiled, he was happy. He was happy that he was with them, and he was happy that Luca still felt comfortable talking about his Dad in front of Logan. He didn't want the kids to think it was a choice, there wasn't Logan and Rory or Perry, they were all in it together. They all wanted what was best for the kids. Logan felt a tap on his shoulder and plastered a smile on his face as he turned around.

"Oh, hi there, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kelly Bradson, and you are…?"

"Logan Huntzberger," Logan nodded, "I'm here with Eli and Luca Cramer."

"Oh the Cramer boys, yes," Kelly smiled, "their father and I were friends, he used to play with my husband. Rory and Perry always spoke so highly of the school, we actually just enrolled our kids this past September, moved them from another private school in the area."

Logan nodded as it all clicked together. Kelly Bradson, the woman that Perry had cheated on Rory with, "nice to meet you."

"And you too, is Rory here this evening? I haven't seen her around in ages."

Logan shook his head, "no, she is at home with James and Christopher, just the big kids and I tonight."

"And is Perry here as well?" she looked around, "you all seem very much the Modern Family if you know what I mean."

"Perry is in New York I believe, he will be here to see the kids soon. He and Rory have managed to figure out this coparenting thing really well, I'm always in awe of their grace," Logan told her.

"So you are just…here tonight? Babysitting?"

"I think they call it parenting?" Logan countered. He may have been happy that Perry and Rory had divorced because it led the way for he and Rory to reconnect, but he wasn't about to strike up a friendly chat with the woman who had slept with Rory's husband. "It's really nice to meet you, I'll be sure to give Rory your best. Are your kids here?" he asked pointedly.

She nodded and pointed to a boy and girl who were slumped miserably in chairs, "yes, poor things, my youngest fell asleep in the car on the way here, did you drive or take a car?"

"We drove," Logan smiled.

"Oh, what a terrible drive, and is Rory still out in Encino? That must have been exhausting! I just cannot handle driving in the city. I should give you the name of our car company!"

"Well, the boys thought it would be fun, we are alright for a contact, thank you though."

"How sweet!" her voice was dripping in condescension. "And what do you do for a living?"

Logan almost laughed. Did this woman live under a rock? At least Tom had clearly known of Logan and his impressive resume, this woman apparently had no interest unless you had a hockey stick in your hand. "I run a couple of companies."

"Anything I would know?"

"Well, I think we were responsible for Instagram? Logan Huntzberger Media is my company and I'm also on the board of directors for Huntzberger Publishing Group…"

Her eyes widened as she looked at him, "oh I didn't realize that Rory had hooked up with those Huntzbergers…"

"Rory and I have known each other since college, my parents were friends with her Grandparents," Logan told her, he wasn't about to let the woman suggest that Rory was with him for his money. Rory Gilmore might've been the only person who had never cared what he was worth.

"Well isn't it sweet that you two have reconnected."

"I'm going to get back to my kids now. You have a wonderful night." Logan extracted himself from the situation and went to purchase another twelve dollar bottle of water. He was understanding why Rory had cautioned him against these people. There was Hartford, or even New York society fake, and then there was this. This level of fake was all boob jobs, nose jobs, hair extensions and pointed comments about who was having an affair with who, or who had more money. Logan scanned the area, Eli and Drew had found a place to sit and were chatting animatedly about their love of comic books still, Luca was still intently watching the game. Logan saw the man he had met earlier, Tom, talking to another group of parents, and Kim Bradson had moved back to hovering over her children. By the door Logan saw someone who if he had to guess was a teacher or administrator of some sort at the school. She wasn't wearing designer clothes but looked put together enough, thick rimmed glasses on her nose and she seemed to be calculating something on her iPad while also leafing through paperwork, Logan walked over to her and smiled, "something tells me after spending all day with these kids, this might not be your cup of tea?"

The woman laughed and placed her iPad on the table, "oh, yes…sorry…I uh…am I that obvious?" she laughed, "I'm Mrs. Vale, the teacher in charge of this room for the night."

"In charge of the kids or the parents?" Logan joked, "I'm Logan Huntzberger, I'm with Luca and Eli."

She nodded, "yes, Eli mentioned that his stepfather would be bringing him. He seems quite taken with you. Is there anything I can…help you with?"

"Well, I was wondering," Logan paused, considering if he was taking things a step too far. He just hated these kinds of people, the people who thought they were better than everyone else because they happened to have a little bit of money. The people who made condescending remarks with a smile on their face, the kind of people who wanted to show off and make a big scene of it, "are you guys accepting donations for whatever it is your cause is tonight? Forgive me, I don't actually know, but can I write you a cheque or is the only option raising money by cranking the price of water bottles by an extra four dollars?" Logan laughed.

Mrs. Vale smiled, it was the first genuine interaction she had with someone that evening that wasn't dripping with rudeness and animosity, "we're raising money for our scholarship fund that allows," she looked around and lowered her voice, "less privileged children attend the school without worrying about the financial burden."

Logan nodded, "are you saying these children are over privileged?" he laughed and reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet, "do you have a pen?" She happily obliged and waited as Logan scrawled messily on the cheque he pulled from his wallet. "Don't make a big deal out of it. Anything to bring some of these kids back down to earth. I will have my secretary call the school next week, maybe my company can set something up…a partnership if you will."

"I uh…wow?" she smiled, "thank you…this is really…wow."

"Don't go thinking I'm too philanthropic," Logan winked, "it's a tax write off for me too. Can you e-mail me a receipt?" he passed her his business card and gave her a final smile before returning to Luca. "Who is winning Luc?"

"Kings are," Luca told him, his gaze not leaving the ice.

"Are you having fun?"

Luca nodded his head, his focus not straying from the game, "can I have more popcorn?"

"Sure," Logan laughed and stood to head back to the concession line.

xxx

"Did you see?" Perry laughed as he turned his phone to show Rory.

"You've gotta turn off the google alerts Per, it isn't healthy," Rory laughed and shook her head, "I hadn't seen."

"Daddy Dearest?" Perry read from the TMZ app on his phone, "Logan Huntzberger seen out with the two oldest children of his rumoured fiancee and her ex-husband, NHL star, Perry Cramer. The trio dined at a Mexican restaurant before heading to the Staples Center to take in a hockey game. Something tells us the Huntzberger-Gilmore-Cramer family is a well oiled machine as Huntzberger was dressed in a Kings jersey while the two boys each wore a jersey with their Dad's name on the back! Meanwhile, Perry Cramer was seen in Buffalo catching a flight to LAX, presumably to pick up his kids for Spring Break a few weeks ahead of the end of the NHL season, it doesn't look as though the Sabres will be making it to the playoffs this year…"

"Well that is surprisingly thorough," Rory cringed, "I have no idea why they have any interest in Logan," she admitted, "I mean, you, I get it, you were a public figure of sorts…Logan is a businessman."

"Logan is a gajillionaire."

Rory rolled her eyes, "anyway, that is weird that they even follow him."

"Very," Perry agreed, "sorry to have shown up a day early."

"I'm glad you did, you have the week?" he nodded his response, "the boys will be excited to spend some more time with you. You sure you don't want to take them back to Niagara?"

Perry shook his head, "the place is under construction. If it doesn't bother you I will just keep them here. You said you had stuff to do in Palo Alto?"

Rory nodded, she had called Perry the week before and asked if he would bring the kids home from spring break on Friday instead of Sunday, and return them to Palo Alto instead of Encino, he had agreed, and Rory had explained that the Huntzberger family was coming to town. "So I need to talk to you about something," Rory hadn't decided exactly when to tell Perry about the baby, but she figured with the twins in bed, and the older boys not home for another hour or so, there was no time like the present.

"Before you do that," Perry interrupted, "I have some news too."

"Oh?" Rory swallowed, he looked happy, happier than he had been in a while.

"I'm seeing someone," he told her.

"Oh," Rory nodded, her breath catching ever so slightly in her throat. "For uh…for how long?"

"Since January," he told her, "so not long but…she is really amazing, Ror."

Rory smiled, "I'm happy for you Perry."

"Do you think…do you want to meet her?" he asked tentatively, "I would like to introduce her to the boys at Easter if that is alright with you, and I just thought maybe you could meet her first?"

"Tell me about her," Rory smiled genuinely at him and turned her body so she could see him more clearly. She was happy, Rory was happy with Logan and she wanted Perry to be happy too.

"Her name is Amanda."

"Good name," Rory nodded.

"She is from Niagara, she works at a winery."

"Wine, we like wine," Rory laughed.

"She just…we clicked. She doesn't have any kids, she is thirty six, her last serious relationship ended about a year ago, they wanted different things. She likes hockey, I introduced her to James."

"Really?" Rory smiled, she couldn't let on that her heart felt like it was being smashed into a million little pieces and she had no real idea why.

"He really likes her, and he is a good judge of character. He loves you too."

"I love him," Rory nodded as she thought of Perry's best friend. The man who had gone out of his way to make her comfortable with their group, the man who had shown her kindness when Perry left, they had named one of their kids after him, he still checked in, he and his wife had Christmas gifts shipped wherever the boys were for Christmas. James was a good man. "So you really like her?"

"I could love her," Perry admitted.

"Maybe she is your next big love."

"I think I had my big love," Perry admitted softly, almost sadly. "Sorry, I don't mean…we're how we're supposed to be, you and I, us and Logan…I'm really proud of all of that, but I think that my big love is our family and well…I'm alright with that."

"God when did you get so wise?" Rory laughed.

"So what do you say, will you meet her?"

"Per, I don't need to meet her. I trust you completely. If you want me to meet her, I would be happy to. I think I'm going to head to Stars Hollow in a couple of weeks to check in on the house. My Dad was going to come and stay here with the boys because you'll be in the final stretch of the season, and Logan will be here, so maybe the three of us could do dinner? I will add a stop to Niagara, you can show me around, wine and dine me with your new girlfriend, and I can see your new place. The boys are really excited for it."

Perry smiled at her, "thanks Ror."

"So…"

"So?" Perry nodded, "what was your news?"

"Well, there are a couple of pieces to that puzzle, and the first is about why I asked you to bring the boys back sooner," she paused before she spoke again, "this is completely secret and if it gets out I will hate you forever," she laughed, "but Logan and I are going to get married next weekend in Palo Alto. It will be really small, just family and a couple of close friends."

"Wow…that is…quick? I would have thought his family would want a big wedding?"

"So, that brings me to the next piece of news which again, you will be dead to me if you utter a word of," Rory told him. "Logan and I are having a baby."

"Shit," Perry exhaled, his eyes widened as he saw Rory look ever so slightly hurt by his reaction, "no, Ror, I'm sorry. Congratulations. I just…it's weird," he admitted.

"It is? I just…we have been doing so well…"

Perry gave her a reassuring smile as their eyes connected, "Rory, every other time you've told me you were having a baby, you were having my baby. So now…to think of you have a baby with someone else, no matter how great that someone might be…there is a bit of a sting."

"I'm really happy Per."

"I'm really happy for you," Perry exhaled, "can I?" he moved to hug her.

Rory nodded and embraced him, "thank you," she whispered into his ear.

"So what does that make me? Who do I become to this little pop tart?"

"Pop tart?" Rory laughed.

"You loved pop tarts when you were pregnant with Luca."

"I think you will just have to be Uncle Perry if that is alright with you?"

"I would love that," Perry smiled. "I'll have to take Logan out for drinks, tell him what to be prepared for when it comes to you and pregnancy…you can be a lot to handle," he joked. "So you're getting married?

Rory nodded, "do you think you can be charming enough to come? No one knows about it." the words escaped her lips before she really knew what she was saying.

"You're inviting me to your wedding?" Perry asked her, wanting to make sure she fully understood what she had just done. "Talk to Logan about it and let me know. I understand if I'm not exactly top of the list for this affair…"

"Perry, we are family," Rory told him. She would talk to Logan and she knew that Logan would agree, partially because they both wanted this coparenting to work, and partially because it meant Perry could take the kids after the wedding. "Logan will be fine with it."

"What will Logan be fine with?" Logan smiled as he walked into the living room, Eli walking slowly behind him and Luca asleep on his shoulder.

"We will talk about it once the kids are in bed," Rory stood up and smiled, walking over and kissing Logan gently before ruffling Luca's hair.

"I can take him up?" Perry stood up and walked to Logan, delicately extracting Luca from his arms, "thanks."

"We had fun, right?" Logan looked to Eli.

Eli nodded his head, "Mom," he looked to Rory, "thanks."

"Of course," Rory smiled as she gave him a quick hug, "brush your teeth, go to bed. You still have school tomorrow and it is late, and frankly, I am exhausted. Dad will take you to school in the morning."

Eli gave Logan a quick hug and told him how much fun he had with him that evening and Rory snaked her arms around Logan's body, in turn, he draped an arm over her shoulder. "You tell him?" Logan asked her as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.

Rory nodded, "he is happy for us. He is seeing someone, Amanda…he wants me to meet her."

"Sounds serious?"

"Just after Christmas, she works for a winery."

"I think we like her already, we'll have to keep Finn as far away as possible."

Rory laughed, "I want to ask you something," she told him as they stood in their embrace for a moment, Logan nodded to encourage her to continue, "how would you feel about Perry at the wedding?" Rory paused for a moment and then chose to continue speaking through the awkwardness, "he is going to be in town anyway, because of spring break…if he was at home I don't think I would want to invite him, but it seems cruel, he will be here, around, with the boys…"

"Sure," Logan shrugged.

"Really?"

Logan moved his hands to her hips and made sure they were facing each other, "Rory, he is in my life as long as those boys are, so yeah, sure. I hope he doesn't object or something, but he's dating someone, he is happy…I have no problem with him being there. He is part of our family."