Wow! You were all so kid with your reviews and as it's a bank holiday here in the UK, have an extra chapter! :D Reviews are love!

Chapter 38

"So let me get this straight, you're meeting Mia, and other Mia's mom, with other Mia, Colin, Finn and Little Lee in an attempt to keep things civil with their mom the day before your last final when you're so stressed, I can literally feel it coming off you from thirty miles away," her mom asked down the phone as Rory was getting ready for the dinner.

"That's it," Rory agreed holding up her black cocktail dress to her. She didn't think it was too short.

"And you're pulling off the bank heist when Danny?" Her mom asked.

"Yes, it's a bit complicated, but it should work. I hope," Rory said biting her lip.

"Uh huh. Sure. I foresee no complications at all," her mom said.

"I'm thinking my black cocktail dress with the sash, black heels and my hair half up, half down," Rory changed the subject.

"Oh yeah, but wear your silver jewellery set, not the diamonds or pearls and have your charm bracelet on," Lorelai said happily.

"Okay, I'll ring you when it's done?" Rory said.

"Yes, tell me all the details. Leave nothing out," her mom said eagerly.

"Bye," Rory said hanging up.

Tonight, would be an experience for sure, they were meeting Mia and Josephine at a restaurant in Hartford, which considering she had a final at nine in the morning was annoying but she'd do it ten times over for Mia, Finn and Lee.

Rory got ready quickly. Debating between her 'fuck me heels' and a more conservative pair.

She picked up both and made her way to Paris' room.

Paris answered looking as stressed as Rory felt.

"What!?"

"Which heels?" Rory showed them both.

"What do you want the heels to say? Strong confident woman, fade into the background, I'm here but I won't make a peep?" Paris frowned at them.

"Strong confident woman." Rory said.

"Where the high black ones then. And add some more eye liner," Paris said. "No go away and let me study."

"Thanks," Rory said to the door that was slammed in her face.

Rory put on the 'fuck me heels' and went out into the main room where Finn and Colin were sat playing with Lee and Pepper.

"Wow love, you look smoking," Finn said with a smile, his eyes looking her up and down.

"Thank you," Rory smiled and blushed a bit.

"Right so this Mia, this other Mia, you're sure she's cool with this?" Colin asked nervously.

"Yes, she's totally on board. She loves playing pranks, she taught me everything I know. And she really doesn't like Josephine. What should I call her tonight Mrs...?" Rory asked nervously.

"Evil. That's what you should call her," Finn muttered darkly. "Though the more society acceptable Mrs Haynes would probably be better."

Rory sat down on the couch and pulled her flash cards out of her bag while they waited.

"Are you studying?" Colin asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I've got my final final tomorrow," Rory said looking over her notes.

"So it's the final countdown," Finn sniggered.

"Good one," Colin chuckled.

"Thanks I try."

"Are we ready?" Mia asked coming into the main room, she looked lovely in a blue cocktail dress that skimmed her knees.

"Cars downstairs waiting darling," Finn said. He'd hired a service for the night otherwise someone would have to go without the fortifying drinks. Rory had offered seeing as how she had to be up in the morning, but Finn had pointed out that then she'd have to go an entire meal with his mother without any numbing alcohol.

Lee slept the entire way to Hartford so the adults whispered and Rory kept glancing at her notes and kept pulling out her pro con lists.

"Anything coming out ahead yet?" Mia asked pointing at the list.

"Yes, but there's a few other things I need to factor in," Rory said absently.

"Like what love?" Finn asked.

"Well, you for one," Rory said before she realised, she'd said it.

"Me?" Finn asked.

"Erm, well, yeah. I don't know where I should put you on here?" Rory bit her lip.

"Surely I go in the pro columns. All of them," Finn smirked.

"For my different career options?" Rory raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. I'm pro anything you want," Finn said.

"Yes, but if I do go ahead and take an internship with Janice, I don't know where I'll be or we could be working together, and you might not want to work together and live together, so that could be a con. But then I might be in Asia with Janice or the Hartford offices and that might mean I travel more or less, which could be a pro or con," Rory rambled holding up her lists.

"You know you'd be less stressed if you talked to me about this right?" Finn asked.

"Yes, but I have finals and so do you, so I was waiting to talk till summer," Rory said.

"Alright, calm down," Finn chuckled. "Okay, an internship with Janice probably means that for a year, you'll be in the Hartford offices, where I am, so yes for a year you'd be working in the same building as me. That's a pro. We won't see each other every second of the day, but we will see each other. Pro."

Rory diligently marked the point down in the pro column for the right job opportunity.

"After that you could work wherever. That's what Janice does, she goes with my dad and works from where ever he is working. Pro. We can still travel together." Finn said.

"Pro, you know you've got job security with Janice," Mia added.

"Pro, you know they wouldn't take it personally if you left to do something else," Colin added.

Rory was writing furiously trying to keep up.

"You know you have a year to do this right?" Mia said.

"Yes, but I want a clear path for next year. A clear decision about what I want from my future," Rory frowned at her papers. "Before I pick my classes."

"You can always-" Finn started saying.

"Do not do a Paris. I do not want to take any more school," Rory frowned.

"You, you... I'm insulted!" Finn placed a hand to his chest.

"That was terribly harsh mother," Colin nodded, taking Finn's hand dramatically.

"Yeah, Finn didn't deserve that, being compared to Paris," Mia nodded solemnly but was trying not to smile.

"Excuse me, but we're here," the driver said opening the partition. None of them had noticed the car had stopped.

"Thanks Harry, give us a few minutes to sort the baby," Finn said.

Mia and Colin made very quick work of waking Lee, feeding him and changing him before they were ready to go face Cruella.

"Cruella DeVille. Cruella DeVille, if she doesn't scare you, no evil thing will," Colin started singing to Lee as they made their way into the restaurant.

"I'm going to have that in my head all evening," Rory chuckled.

"I bet you five hundred you wouldn't dare sing it while she's here," Colin smirked.

"I'm not taking that bet," Rory replied.

"I'll do it," Finn said eagerly.

"Which is why I didn't bet you Buttercup," Colin rolled his eyes.

"Good evening," the matradee said.

"Good evening, I believe we have a table booked for Morgan," Finn said smoothly.

"Yes, of course Mr Morgan, one of your guests are already seated. If you'd follow me sir," the man said politely to Finn and walked away.

They followed him to a nice table in the centre of the room.

"Mia!" Rory smiled happily; the older woman was already present wearing a lovely purple dress.

"Rory!" Mia said standing and giving her a hug. "You look so grown up! Stop it!"

"Sorry Mia," Rory smiled happily.

"Now, introduce me!" Mia said looking at the others who were stood by awkwardly.

"Sorry, of course," Rory blushed. "This is Mia Morgan, who tonight will be known as Amelia. Her partner Colin McCrea and their little boy Lee. And this is my boyfriend, Finn Morgan."

"Oh, that baby is so cute! He's so beautiful! How old is he?" Mia said coming round the table to coo over Lee.

"He's six months old now." Amelia said proudly.

"Six months and so big! He's perfect," Mia declared and Lee smiled at her. "And such a charmer!"

"I taught him everything I know," Colin said.

"And despite that he's still very good with the ladies," Finn quipped.

"It's nice to meet you all. Sit, sit," Mia instructed them all.

Rory sat taking a seat in between Mia and Finn.

"So how long have you been dating Finn, Rory?" Mia asked after ordering a bottle of wine for the table.

"Two years now," Rory smiled.

"Two years! Goodness! You were a baby two years ago, I'm sure of it," Mia laughed. "And what does your mother think? Does she like Finn?"

"Mom calls Finn when she can't get me," Rory nodded happily.

"Really, well that is certainly quite the compliment Finn," Mia said. "And Mia? You two were roommates if I'm right?"

"Yes, best roommate I could have got," Amelia smiled at Rory softly.

"Oh, that is lovely. Of course, I am biased in thinking you're right," Mia said.

"Mrs Haynes," the matradee announced, back with Finn and Amelia's mom.

Together the table stood, Amelia still holding Lee.

"Good evening. Finnegan, Amelia it's good to see you both," Josephine said stiffly, air kissing her children. "And Mia, how wonderful, I didn't realise we'd have the pleasure of your company tonight, or anyone else's for that matter."

"Oh yes, I was just visiting someone in the area and I couldn't miss the opportunity to visit with Rory, I do hope you don't mind me intruding," Mia smiled gently. Rory saw the predatory look in her eyes though.

"Oh, of course. You know Rory?" Josephine looked Rory over with a disdainful eye.

"Yes, I've known Rory since she was one. I call her my granddaughter. And I see you've blessed with your own grandchild," Mia said as they all took seats.

"Yes. He is... yes. Lee, my first grandchild," Josephine managed to get out. Rory fought not to laugh; she wasn't the only one.

"Rory? Finn?" A voice behind Rory totally threw her off.

She turned to see her dad and Francine stood next to a table behind them. Rory didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was... insane? Her mom would certainly find it funny.

"Dad! Gran! I didn't know you'd be here tonight!" Rory said feeling her cheeks burn.

"Yes, we needed to get out. Gigi's got a babysitter," her dad said hugging her as she stood.

"It's lovely to see you again dear. I didn't think we'd see you until next week when your finals were over?" Francine said kissing Rory's cheek.

"Ah, well erm. Finn and Amelia's mother is in town and Mia, who had the Independence Inn was in town too so..." Rory trailed off awkwardly.

"Would you care to dine together?" The matradee asked. "We can certainly find you a larger table?"

"Oh, we wouldn't want to intrude," Francine said.

"Nonsense! I for one would love to meet you both properly! Of course, that's if my dining companions are okay with that," Mia said with a large smile. Rory suddenly felt like she was the one having the wool pulled over her eyes.

"Hmm..." Josephine said her eyebrows arching minutely. "Of course. I would so enjoy talking with you both."

"Danger Will Robinson," Finn whispered so only Rory could hear.

Rory nodded slightly. She didn't think she could do anything about it now though. This was turning into a sideshow.

"Excellent. If you would all care to follow me. I'll have a highchair brought into our private dining room," the matradee said.

"What's going on here kiddo?" Her dad whispered into her ear as the group followed the head waiter.

"Finn's mom, who didn't want to meet Lee, is horrible to them and hates me. I was trying to save them with Mia who Josephine wants a business deal with. It's not working," Rory hissed back.

"There's some mighty fine strings you're trying to pull there Geppetto," her dad whispered back. "We'll help."

They sat in a large dining room at the back of the restaurant.

Rory was seated next to Francine and Mia. Amelia was next to Colin and Lee, with Finn the other side of his nephew and next to his mom. Finn instantly started drinking. Rory did not blame him at all.

"What a lovely room," Mia said happily.

"Yes," Josephine said simply. "Now Finnegan are you starting work for your father this summer?"

"Rory and I are going travelling this summer, but after that I start work with him, yes," Finn said.

"Travelling?" Josephine asked with a curl of her lip like it was a dirty word.

"Yes, France, Portugal, Prague, Australia of course," Finn said taking another drink.

"Oh, Finnegan," Josephine sighed. "I thought you'd have come to your senses by now, really. And Amelia, we need to talk about you and the McCrea boy."

Luckily, they were interrupted by a waitress bringing them menus at that point as everyone looked rather offended.

"Travelling, how marvellous. I have just opened up a new Inn in Hawaii, if you have chance, you should come and visit," Mia said with a smile at Rory.

"A new Inn?" Josephine asked interested.

"So have you and Finn talked about your long-term future now that Finn is graduating Rory?" Francine asked delicately and making all other conversation cease.

"Yes, we have," Finn said confidently.

"And may we hear these plans?" Francine asked. "Especially seeing as that business about journalism happened."

Rory felt like sinking into her chair. This evening was supposed to be about saving Finn and Mia from Josephine's disappointment, instead here she was facing her family.

"What business about journalism Rory?" Mia asked with a concerned look.

"I think she maybe referring to the fact that Mitchum Huntzberger has effectively ruined any hope Rory has of entering journalism," Josephine supplied happily.

"Oh dear," Mia said with a frown. "But that's all you've ever wanted to do."

"I've got a few different paths I might take; they make me excited and I'd still get to write, just not report. And travel was a big lure of reporting, I could still do that," Rory said taking a drink of her wine.

"What exactly are these different paths?" Her dad asked interestedly.

"Well marketing for one. I took a class at school and really enjoyed it. Plus, the company I was assigned are using some of the campaign I designed. Or I might write a blog, I'm still taking my major in English, there's plenty of business opportunities out there for someone who can write well," Rory said. Her pro con list weighing on her.

"So marketing is something that excites you then?" Francine asked.

"Yes, very much," Rory answered honestly.

"What about a public relations internship? That way you'd be working with the press and writing your own releases. It takes a skilled writer to do something along those lines," Mia said.

"It's one of the paths I'm thinking about," Rory admitted. It was one of the pro con lists.

"I see. Now your and Finn's plans?" Francine asked again.

"Finn is going to be working in the Hartford offices for the next year so he can stay in the apartment, after that he has the flexibility to move if that's what we decide. We'll travel," Rory said.

"And then we'll get married and have kids," Finn added bluntly.

"Excuse me?" Josephine said coldly.

"Yes mother?" Finn asked.

"Marriage? Children... This is not an acceptable pairing," his mother said.

"I know, she's lowering the bar for me, but I'll marry her before she realises that don't worry mother," Finn said and Rory bit the inside of her cheek.

"Lowering the bar...? Finnegan Morgan, you are heir to the Morgan fortune and God help us the Morgan Hotel chain will one day be under your control!" Josephine said.

"And Rory still finds me acceptable," Finn sighed.

"Acceptable... she... she is going to work!"

"Yes. Novel, isn't it?" Finn smirked.

"Mom..." Amelia said softly.

"No Amelia, we will deal with you shortly. You, young lady at least have picked an acceptable partner. You will be getting married and this nastiness can be behind us. Finnegan on the other hand..." Josephine said.

"Really? So you don't believe that a Gilmore or a Hayden, with the backing of a Bass is good enough?" Mia asked friendly.

"She... that is..." Josephine spluttered.

"Don't forget the farm," Amelia said happily.

"Farm?" Mia asked.

"Don't ask," Rory groaned.

"Rory, I was going to talk with you about your future privately when we had determined your relationship with Finn. However, I think it may be appropriate to give you another offer to consider," Francine said shooting a glare at Josephine.

"I would like you to consider coming to some of the board meetings for our company. I will need to step down at some point. Your father has Straubs shares of course, but I was hoping that I could, some day, pass my seat down to you. You would still be able to travel of course and choose any career you found to your liking. But you would need to be present for board meetings. Now this comes with a large dividend naturally and other compensations, which we could talk about another time. However, I would like you to think about it. Your future is with Finnegan, discuss it with him," Francine smiled at Rory, who was gobsmacked. "Is that good enough Mrs Haynes?"

"If you'll excuse me. I need to powder my nose," Josephine said softly standing from the table just as the starters arrived.

"I... erm..." Rory didn't know what to say.

"Oh, don't worry, we have plenty of time to talk about this. I was just hoping it would shut that fish wife up. Not good enough indeed," Francine smirked. "Oh, no offence meant of course." She looked to the Morgan siblings.

/\\\/\\\

"So that was eventful," Finn slurred slightly as they piled back into the limo ready to head home.

"Understatement of the year," Mia said heavily buckling Lee into his car seat and trying not to wake him.

Rory was only half listening; she'd taken out her notebook and started scribbling. She couldn't see any downsides to her Grans offer other than the fact she knew nothing about being on the board of a law firm. But then she supposed that would be what her Gran trained her to do. She wondered why it mattered if she and Finn had long-term plans before her Gran spoke with her about it. Was it so that she had the Morgan name behind her? She certainly hoped not. Rory didn't ride on the coattails of anyone. She loved Finn for who he was. She didn't care if he was a Morgan or not. And it shouldn't matter a whit when it came to her personal career choices who her partner was.

"Give it up Mia, Rory has left the building," she heard Colin chuckle for what seemed like a long way away.

Rory looked up to see everyone looking at her.

"Hi?" She said and frowned as everyone laughed quietly so as not to wake Lee.

"We were talking about how you felt about being on the board of the Hayden Corporation?" Mia asked with a smile.

"Confused mainly," Rory admitted. "And I'm wondering why they had to wait to know what my long-term plans with Finn were before asking me."

"Society darling," Colin drawled.

"Huh?" Was Rory's answer to that.

"They wouldn't have offered the position in a family company to someone flitting from one relationship to another. Your father wasn't offered it until there was no other option but he has at least produced two heirs. You however Ms Gilmore are an unknown, they couldn't offer you something that high standing unless you were stable. It didn't matter that it was Finn, however as his family is so prolific your relationship would be well known throughout the whole of Upper society who generally use law firms like the Hayden's." Colin explained pompously.

"Oh," Rory frowned before turning back to her notebook and marking something down quickly.

"So, what do you all think?" Rory asked.

"Do it," Colin smirked. "Then hire me."

"Do it, then hire Colin," Mia laughed.

"Up to you love. It's your life, your future. You know me I'm flexible," Finn said happily.

"I didn't want to hear about your sex life Finnegan," Colin chuckled.

"Rory's much more flexible than me Blossom, she can do this thing..." Finn trailed off at the glares he was receiving. "On second thought, I like my balls and would like to continue using them so I shall be quiet."

"Good choice," Rory said. "So, your mom wants to meet you tomorrow night?"

"Yes, and I plan on being very sloshed for it," Finn nodded.

"Thank god it's our anniversary and we had an excuse," Mia sighed.

"I can't believe I've got to face a dragon on my own. With no knight to rescue me," Finn shook his head. "Will Sir Rory rescue fair maiden again?"

"Nope, you're on your own this time honey. I'm going home to my mom before she comes here and drags me home," Rory grinned.

/\\\/\\\

"Anyone home?" Finn called two days later walking into the Crap Shack.

"Here!" Yelled a cacophony of voices from the newly extended kitchen.

Finn walked into find Lane, Lorelai, Mia, Rory, Sookie and Janice all sat around the large new kitchen table.

"Well hello ladies." Finn smiled happily. "I'm sorry to interrupt."

"Don't be, we're celebrating!" Sookie said almost unending her drink, a cup of tea by the looks of it.

"And what are we celebrating this lovely evening?" Finn asked, pulling up a chair and sitting between Rory and Mia.

"June 3rd is back on!" Lorelai said with a big grin.

"And I'm engaged!" Lane added waving a ring in his face, her smile splitting her face.

"And you already know my news, but we're getting married! For real!" Janice said smiling just as wide.

"I'm feeling an awful lot of pressure now ladies. But congratulations, all of you." Finn chuckled.

"I haven't got a farm yet, you're off the hook." Rory nudged him and smiled softly at him. He'd only been away from her for two days but he'd missed her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Yeah, slow down Aus," Lorelai hadn't stopped smiling.

"So, is that June third next year or in two days' time?" Finn asked.

"That would be in two days' time. This is an emergency meeting slash celebration," Lorelai said.

"Wow. So where are you having it?" Finn asked.

"Well... I never actually cancelled the venue, or the catering and I still have my dress. Hep Alien is going to play for us. We just need bridesmaids dresses for Mia, Rory, Sookie and Jan. That's it," Lorelai said. "So we need to go shopping tomorrow. I'm still thinking orange ladies."

"Mom, just think, one day, I get to help pick out your outfit for my wedding," Rory said.

"And I'm picking out your dress for my wedding," Janice added.

"And before this gets nasty, I'm using the toilet," Finn laughed standing up.

"Oh, use the new one. It's all sparkly. We've been fighting over it," Rory grinned and his heart skipped a beat, she was genuinely happy and that sparkle in her eyes made her eyes pop. She was stunning.

"Not me, I prefer the one with less stairs to it," Sookie said patting her rather large baby bump.

"Alright and where might I find this lav?"

"Through that door, up the stairs, first one on your left," Lorelai said pointing at the new door in the kitchen.

Finn went through into an airy stairwell and up the stairs into a spacious hallway that screamed Lorelai. He liked it; it had the homely feeling still despite being new.

Finn used the bathroom; it was very shiny he chuckled. Washing his hands, he stopped, looking at something on top of the bin. A pregnancy test. A positive one.

One of the women downstairs was pregnant. No, two of the women downstairs were pregnant including Sookie. The only question was, who was the other one. Finn sent out a silent prayer it wasn't Rory or Mia.