A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Thank you all so much for your reviews, they keep me motivated! To December Jeffries 2... I tried to describe the dresses but I just could not seem to get that part right so decided to leave it out... I tried again here for Rory's at least but I still don't think I gave it justice to what I saw in my head. I wanted something similar to the series but different.
Logan slowly woke the morning following the wedding and rolled slightly over only to find that the bed was empty. He was surprised to not find Rory in bed as she was even more exhausted than he was the previous evening. Hearing her in the bathroom he sat up and waited for her to come back in the room.
"Sorry I woke you," Rory told him as she walked over and sat down next to him.
"You didn't but I am surprised that you are awake before me," he told her as he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
She returned the kiss and leaned slightly back. "I haven't been awake long," she answered and then sighed. "But we should probably get ready to meet everyone for brunch."
"Ugh," Logan groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Unfortunately, yes," she giggled and moved to stand up but Logan pulled her on top of him.
"I don't want to," he whined. "I want to stay here in this bed with you all morning."
"I would love nothing more," she told him with a soft kiss. "But we have to get up and eat before we head back to Yale."
"Promise me that when we get married, we won't do this wedding brunch thing," he groaned but then slightly tensed when he realized what he said.
A bright smile crossed her face and she moved to kiss him. "I promise that I will try and fight Emily and Francine as much as I possibly can about having a wedding brunch."
Logan had to laugh since he knew it would probably be a losing battle. "How about we just leave for the honeymoon from the reception?"
"Do you really think they would allow that?" Rory asked with a raised eyebrow.
Logan was saved from having to answer when his phone started ringing and then hers did as well. "That's not good," he stated as she moved to grab both of their phones and handed him his. He tensed when he saw Mitchum's name and Rory did the same when she saw Edwards.
Lorelai Gilmore had started a habit after her fight with Rory to read the gossip pages as soon as she woke up. After Rory had first entered society, it seemed there were pictures of her daughter continuously but over time she and Logan had become old news and photos weren't published as often. But yesterday was Honor Huntzberger's wedding so she knew that there would be something out there. It only took seconds after typing in Rory's name that she started seeing the photos appear. There weren't any from the actual wedding yet, that would probably take a few days but there was one of Rory and Honor as they stood outside of a restaurant together and Lorelai had to assume it was the rehearsal dinner. The two girls had their arms linked and were laughing about something and they both looked like the perfect image of society. Then there was one of Logan and Rory together and since Rory was in the same dress, she knew it had to be from the same night. The couple were walking into a building and his hand was placed on her lower back as he led her, they both seemed oblivious to anyone around them. She kept scrolling through the photos and sighed when she thought about how far removed, she really was from her daughter's life. There were articles about the wedding, who was speculated to have designed the dresses, who was at the rehearsal dinner and so much other pointless gossip that just proved how much her daughter had changed for the worse. She was about to close the computer when an article caught her attention, it was a blind item, there were no names, but a smile formed on her face as she read it.
Rumor has it that a society golden girl may be following in her mother's footsteps. There is speculation that she may find herself in the family way before a ring is put on her finger. The significant other was spotted at a pharmacy buying pregnancy tests, but nothing has been confirmed as to what those results were. Only time will tell if the father turns out to be like her own or if these two will actually live up to the hype of the golden couple that everyone thinks they are. While this author sells gossip, I personally hope these two last since they seem to be so perfect together. Only time will tell…
I was right! Lorelai thought as she quickly stood up. Rory was pregnant and it was only a matter of time until society turned its back on her, and Logan left her alone. There was no way that Rory's story would end up differently than hers. There was no way the Gilmore's or the Hayden's would stand by Rory or they would try and force the couple to marry and there was no way that Lorelai would allow that. If Rory didn't come to her soon, she knew she could track her down at Yale or at the Gilmore's and her daughter would have to admit that she knew what she was talking about. Soon the entire town would know she was right, and they would be apologizing to her! It dawned on her that she sold the Dragonfly but that didn't matter, she could build a new hotel or ask to work out of Stars Hollow. Everyone would soon be apologizing to her, and she would get her spot back as queen of this small town. Quickly she got up and went to get ready for the day. For the first time in awhile she finally felt like herself, it didn't matter to her that her happiness could possibly come at her daughter's unhappiness. That didn't matter, happiness was having the two Lorelai's together!
Rory and Logan sat exhausted in the back of the limo as they headed back to Yale. The morning phone calls were to tell them that the blind item was published and after reading it, it was obvious that it was about them. They had previously agreed to act like there was no way this item was about them and that is exactly what they did. The couple went to the wedding brunch where Rory was spotted drinking a mimosa with her elaborate breakfast. Honor and Josh had been notified of the item and Rory and Logan had apologized profusely for taking away from their day, but the newlyweds brushed them off, no apologies were necessary. Throughout the brunch the couple felt everyone's eyes on them, but they focused their attention on each other and their families. The serving staff were sure to be questioned later and no one wanted to give them anything to talk about. Rory made sure to only order her mimosa and coffee from the severs and more than one of them gave her a questioning look. While Rory didn't feel like drinking either beverage, Logan's strict no coffee edict while she was sick seemed to lessen her craving and dependency on her preferred drink, she made sure to have at least two cups of coffee and three mimosas throughout the brunch. They made sure that they stayed engaged with the people around them and they were so focused on pretending that nothing was wrong that eventually the act became the reality. But the act did make them exhausted so by the time they made it to the limo all they wanted to do was cuddle and relax. Logan felt Rory drift off, so he glanced down at her, a soft smile coming to his face like it normally did. He was so worried about this story coming out, and truthfully, he was still worried. After everything Lorelai had done in the past, he knew that this article, despite it not being true, might be enough to bring her out of hiding. He had shared his concerns with Chris and the other man agreed with him about Lorelai. Trying not to think about the possibilities of what could happen he closed his eyes and cuddled slightly closer to his love and drifted off to sleep with her.
The days following the announcement were hectic. Photographers descended on Yale, camping outside of the campus and near places where the couple had previously been spotted, some students were also seen snapping pictures of the couple. Rory and Logan handled it better than most suspected and worked to try and ignore the gossip. Rory noticed more glares from the female population, even strange looks from the coffee cart guys when she would stop by and order to usual drinks, there were even curious glances from the wait staff at the pub and restaurants if Rory ordered an alcoholic beverage. For Logan, everyone seemed to be watching him, waiting for him to crack and with the increased scrutiny he felt like he was about to.
Colin and Finn noticed the couple were stressed and decided to take matters into their own hands. Normally they would have planned a night of drunken debauchery but with the situation being what it was Finn reluctantly agreed that a party might not be the best solution. With the help of Stephanie, Rosemary and Juliet they found an exclusive spa and booked the couple for a weekend trip. They even coordinated with the families to ensure there were no obligations. So, on Friday after the couple had made it back to the apartment after classes they were greeted by an enthusiastic group.
"Yeah! You're here!" Steph exclaimed as soon as Rory and Logan walked through the door.
"Not that we aren't happy to see you…" Rory started to say but paused and looked at Logan with an apprehensive look at what this group could be planning.
"But what are you doing here?" Logan continued for her. He loved his friends but after the week he just wanted to hide out for a bit and try and get away from the prying eyes and never-ending pictures.
"We are here to kidnap you!" Finn exclaimed as he took a sip of his scotch.
"Guys as much as I love our LDB events I don't think this is the right time," Logan sighed as he plopped down on the couch.
"And we agree," Colin stated and looked at the others. "But you are being kidnapped for the weekend. "Frank is already downstairs in the car waiting for you and both of your bags have been packed for the weekend."
"You are going to love it!" Juliet squealed.
"And we are not going with you," Rosemary added.
Logan and Rory both looked at each other and with a shrug let their friends lead them out of the apartment. They both knew that when this group had something in mind it would be next to impossible to stop them.
"Now, Frank has been given strict instructions to not tell you where you are going," Steph told them. "It should be about a two-hour drive to the location."
Logan gave her a pointed look trying to get more information from the talkative blonde.
"Not going to work," Colin interjected when he noticed Steph squirm. "We went through a lot of effort to plan this. When you get there, Frank has a folder for you with more information. So, for now just get in the car and relax. You both need it."
"Guys as much as I love that you have something planned, we have dinner with my grandparents tonight," Rory sighed.
"Nope!" Finn told them. "We already coordinated, and they know what we have planned so the dinner has been moved to next week."
Rory glanced over at Logan, and they just had to sigh. If the families knew what was planned it couldn't be too crazy. No one wanted them to attract more media attention on the moment.
"Okay," Logan relented and got into the limo along with Rory.
"Now enjoy and we will see you Monday!" Juliet happily told them, a bright smile on her face as the door closed behind them.
"I promise that its not crazy," Frank laughed as he saw the apprehension on both of their faces. "There is some champagne ready for both of you and a few snacks. Now just relax and enjoy the ride. I will let you know when we get close."
"Thank you, Frank," Logan and Rory replied, and unison and the older man just had to smile at them. He had seen the news article but knew it wasn't true. He drove them to New York for the wedding and heard some of their conversation. A part of him was sad knowing it wasn't true, he saw the way they looked at each other, took care of each other, and he knew that they would make great parents one day.
An hour and forty-five minutes later Frank rolled down the divider and saw the sleeping couple and had to smile at the sight. It was obvious when they got into the limo, they were exhausted. They were lucky to have friends that would plan something like this for them. He cleared his throat and saw Logan shift slightly, waking up.
"We are almost there Mr. Logan," the man stated when Logan met his eye. "Here is the folder will all of your information," he stated as he held up a folder that Logan took. "I will be back here Monday morning at 10 am to pick you both up."
"Thanks Frank," Logan replied as he looked out the window. There were trees surrounding them and he had to wonder where they were but didn't want to open the folder with Rory being awake. "Hey Ace," he murmured as he brushed her hair away from her face. He always loved the way her eyes fluttered when she started waking up and her nose crinkled. "We are almost there. Frank gave me the folder with the information."
"Okay," she sighed as she moved slightly to look at him. "Where are we going?"
"Hmm," Logan hummed as he opened the folder and smirked at the contents. "The Cliffside Resort and Spa," he read. "It looks like the gang has planned a relaxing weekend for us."
"Really?" Rory squealed thinking about just her and Logan at a spa relaxing.
"Yep," he laughed as he handed her an envelope with her name on it and he opened his. The two read through the packet and it looked like they were scheduled for a couples massage and scrub, facials and a variety of other 'couple' things. Rory was scheduled for a wax, pedicure and manicure and Logan was told that he was more than welcome to join her if he chose to, but the guys figured he wouldn't be interested. The spa also boasted an amazing restaurant, but dinner that night had already been arranged to be delivered to the room.
Before they knew it Frank pulled up to a stunning log building. "This place is beautiful," Rory breathed out as she studied the architecture of the place. "It looks like a cross between a castle and a log cabin." The area surrounding it were filled with trees and it looked peaceful, just what they needed.
"Yeah it does" Logan agreed as he also studied the building. Frank opened the door for them and had to smile at their expressions.
"I will see you both Monday morning," he told them as he opened the trunk to hand the bags to the waiting bellman. "I do hope you can relax this weekend."
"Thanks Frank," Rory responded with a bright smile as Logan led her to the entrance. Check-in was smooth and soon they were being let up to their room and Rory let out a gasp at the sight. The room was filled with lit candles and rose petals were sprinkled on the bed. By a picture window overlooking a lake a table for two was set-up with domed plates.
"We hope you enjoy your time here," the bellman stated as he studied the couple. He knew who they were the moment he saw them. Not only did personal attention get him better tips but he could also sell tidbits of information about important people to the gossip magazines and with the speculation that they were expecting…
Logan couldn't contain the smile that graced his face as he watched Rory, so he quickly tipped the bellman and before the door even closed, he walked over to the window and wrapped his arms around her. "We have some amazing friends," he murmured against her temple.
"Yes, we do," she sighed as she leaned against him. "We needed this."
"Yeah," he sighed as he enjoyed the feeling of her relaxing. "How about we eat this meal and then maybe relax in the bathtub?"
"That sounds amazing," she told him as she turned in his arms and placed a kiss on his lips. He refrained from deepening it like he wanted to since he knew they both needed to eat.
They enjoyed a meal of pasta with mussels, clams, shrimp and lobster and crab chunks in a creamy garlic butter sauce, a Caesar salad and for dessert a sweet strawberry cake topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
"That was so good," Rory sighed as she took her last bite of desert. She was full and slightly tipsy from the wine but for the first time in a week she felt relaxed.
"I'm glad your appetite is back," he chuckled as he looked at her empty plate.
"Hey no teasing," she pouted. "I feel like I haven't really eaten in two weeks."
Thinking about how sick she had been sobered him up and she immediately noticed the slight frown. "Hey, I was just joking."
"I know," he sighed but she could still see the worry on his face so stood and went to sit in his lap.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked as she cupped his face.
"God Ace," he breathed out and closed his eyes for a second. "I was so worried that day I came home and found you in the bathroom. I had never seen you so sick before!"
"I'm okay Logan," she told him and caressed his face.
"I know," he sighed. "But seeing you like that, not knowing what was wrong. It killed me not being able to do anything for you."
"But you did," she insisted. "You held my hair and when we thought I could be pregnant you ran out and got tests and food for me. Logan you were so sweet and caring. Even though I was mad at you for withholding coffee I knew it was because you were worried about me. And about the pregnancy… Logan," she paused to take a deep breath. "You held me and comforted me, but I never did the same for you. Are you really okay with it being negative?"
Logan sighed and pulled her closer to him. "I am. We have all these things we want to do, things to accomplish and I would prefer us to be married and settled before kids come along. But… I don't know I guess a part of me is excited at the thought of being a dad. For those few minutes that there was the possibility I thought about teaching them to swim and sail, of us playing on the beach at Martha's Vineyard and cooking together… I can picture you reading to them. Doing all the things that families do together, giving the kid things we didn't have growing up." He paused for a moment, and she waited for him to continue. "But while I was happy at the possibility it scares me, Ace. I never had a good dad, hell we never even had a relationship until now. What if I can't do it? What if I screw up?"
She looked at him in shock and gently lifted his face so their eyes met. "I'm worried to," she gently told him. "And I think the fact that we are both worried will make us better parents when the time comes. But Logan," she continued as she caressed his face again, "I have no doubt you are going to be an amazing father. Just think of how you are with me. You were worried that you couldn't be a boyfriend and you are amazing at it! The way you take care of me, the way you love me. Its not in the big gestures its in the small moments like you bringing home my favorite pastry as a surprise, or how you have a bath run and wine poured when you know I have had a long day. It's not even just how you are with me! Look at the way you are so protective of Honor and our friends. I know you are going to be an amazing dad when the time comes."
Logan studied her as she spoke, and he saw the passion and sincerity in her eyes, and it took his breath away. She believed in him without any reservations, and she was so determined in what she was saying that it almost took his worries away but there was one thing left, "I just don't want to fail you, Ace. You are the most important person in the world to me and I just," his breath hitched as he cupped her face, "I never want to disappoint you."
"You are the most important person in the world to me to. I love you, and truthfully I don't think I really knew what love was until you," she softly stated. "You love me, flaws and all, and you push me to be better, you challenge me to open up, to be more daring. People often say that we are opposites, and we are," a bright smile came to her lips before she continued to speak, "you help me reach for the stars and I help you keep your feet on the ground."
He looked at her in awe for a few seconds before he moved and pressed his lips against hers in a passionate but soft kiss. He poured everything he was feeling into it, and he felt her respond just as passionately. The last few weeks had been hard between her being sick, the wedding and the gossip about a possible pregnancy but in that moment, everything seemed to slip away, and it was just the two of them. Making sure she was securely in his arms he stood and carried her to the room where he placed her on her feet and slowly started to remove her clothes while she removed his. "I'm the luckiest man in the world," he murmured against her lips as he gently caressed her body.
"I'm the luckiest woman," she replied as she pulled him closer to her.
Gently he laid her on the bed and took his time removing her bra paying attention to breasts by gently sucking and nipping them. He knew every inch of her body by memory, he had licked, sucked and savored her more often than he could count but he never got enough of her. Sensing that he needed to take this slow, that he needed to savor her, Rory bit back her demand of wanting him immediately and let herself surrender to the feelings he brought to her. While Logan was only the second person she slept with, she never doubted that what they had was special. With Logan, he had always seemed to treasure her, he always made sure that she was satisfied unlike Dean. While that may be an unfair comparison since Logan had experience and Dean didn't, it was completely true. Logan took the time to learn her body, what made her moan, what made her scream. Even at the beginning of their relationship he took time to learn her body, something that she knew was a new thing for him. Before her, he made sure the girl got hers before he got his and as soon as he was done, he was out the door. But with her, even the first time, he took it slow and made sure she enjoyed everything he did to her.
She was so lost in the sensation that she didn't realize that he had pulled off her underwear until she felt his tongue lightly lick her, causing her to arch off the bed, her body craving more. She felt him smirk against her and he continued his light assault of licking and gently nibbling until she was panting, almost begging beneath him. When she let out a breathy, please he gave in and applied more pressure and gave her what she wanted. It didn't take long until she was falling over the edge and he was positioned over her. He admired her flushed body, the way her chest moved up and down as she came back from the high, he had given her. He loved knowing what to do to tease her, how to make her cum quick or how to prolong the night. With her, sex was never the same, was never boring. When her eyes fluttered open and met his he gently pushed into her, and they both let out a sigh and the feeling. She fit him like a glove as her body stretched to fit him.
"I love the way you feel," he whispered as he kissed her again and slowly started thrusting inside her. She moved slightly to wrap her legs around him, allowing him deeper and she let out a moan when he hit her g-spot. "I love the way you sound," he murmured as he caused her to gasp once again.
"Logan," she breathed out as she arched slightly. "I love how you feel," she breathed out, "I love the way you sound; I love the way you make me feel," she continued but stopped on a moan when he adjusted slightly and seemed to move even deeper inside of her.
Feeling her start to clench around him, he picked up the pace slightly, "that's it Ace," he murmured, "cum for me," he demanded.
"Logan," she gasped again, and it was only a few more thrusts until her body clenched around him and her orgasm caused his own. Without pulling out he moved them, so they were on their sides, still connected. They looked deep into each other's eyes and the world was perfect, they had no worries and they only needed each other. In a few days they would be back at Yale, back in the thick of everything, but this moment was what they needed, they needed some time away and their friends had given that to them.
"I love you," he told her as he moved his hand to caress her cheek.
"I love you," she whispered back. Gently he placed a kiss on her lips, and she let out a content sigh. Reluctantly he pulled out of her and moved so he could pull the blanket on top of them. As soon as he was laying back down, she immediately curled into him.
"Good night, Ace," he told her as he gently pushed her hair back.
"Night, MAC," she murmured back. And just like most nights soon she was fast asleep.
Monday morning arrived and the couple were reluctant to move out of the comfortable bed that they had shared. Following the candle lit meal the couple had enjoyed a relaxing bath together, neither speaking much but the silence was comforting after a week of being bombarded by questions. Saturday and Sunday were filled with spa appointments and the couple had been massaged and scrubbed and pampered so much that they finally felt all the stress slip away. They had enjoyed a picnic by the lake that included champagne and meals in the exclusive restaurant. While the couple still felt like they were being watched it wasn't as obvious as it was back in New Haven. Here, they seemed to be away from it all, so they enjoyed the quiet time. They went for runs in the morning, walks by the lake and even a hike into the forest. Now that it was time to head back to the 'real world' neither of them was ready for it.
"I guess we should get up," Rory sighed as she cuddled closer to him.
"I don't want to," Logan replied as he placed a kiss on her temple.
"I didn't say I wanted to," she giggled, "just that we should."
"Hmm how about we just blow everything off for a few more days," he asked halfway seriously.
"I wish," she answered with a pout. "But both of us have papers due this week and I have a test on Wednesday."
"Ugh," he groaned as he thought about his paper due on Friday. "I hate papers."
"Just think you only have a month left," she sighed, "but I still have an entire year."
"Yes but at least I will only be working part-time in Hartford and freelancing," he told her as he thought about what he and his father had agreed on. "I will still be home every night to make sure you are fed and every morning I will be there to make sure you are caffeinated."
She let out a sigh of contentment as she recalled those negotiations on what Logan would be doing next year. After some back and forth it had been decided that they would take a month long vacation to Asia, just the two of them, then they would be in London for a few weeks to attend some events that the families requested they attend, and for the remainder of the summer they would be in New York, him working at HPG to learn about some of the new media they had in development and her at HIG as she learned more about the stateside charitable endeavors. When Rory returned to Yale, Logan would be working part time out of Hartford, shadowing his father and he would be freelancing articles in his spare time. They were both happy with the arrangement since it allowed them to still live together but the downside was that there would be increased social obligations now that Logan would be shadowing Mitchum.
"I'm glad that we can still live together next year," Rory stated with a sigh. "I was worried that you might be in New York or working full time in Hartford and it would limit our time together."
"Well, there is no need to worry. We will go on our trip, settle into New York for a bit, Edward has the apartment there that we will be staying at getting set up, then back to New Haven for your final year," Logan replied as he thought about the upcoming months, but the most important thing he was thinking about was only weeks away.
"I'm so excited for Asia," she stated changing the subject and Logan could only laugh. There were stacks of research books and notes at the apartment as she finalized the schedule. He had only requested one week in the Maldives, and he had that all planned, the rest of the trip he wanted to take Rory everywhere she wanted to go.
"I am to," he told her. Before he could say more there were a knock on the door and with a sigh he got up and went to answer it knowing that they had ordered room service the previous night.
Looking through the peep hole he saw the waiter and opened the door to get the tray. "Ace food is here," he called out.
"Be right out," she responded as Logan opened the door and accepted the tray. It didn't take long after he closed the door for Rory to join him, dressed in the hotel robe. "Smells yummy," she sighed as he pulled the lids of the food to reveal fruit, a meat lovers' omelet, a ham, cheese and veggie omelet and some waffles with more fresh fruit and cream.
"Coffee or tea?" he asked as he poured himself a cup of tea. He had always preferred tea but being with Rory he had coffee more often than not in the morning.
"Tea, please," she answered, and he tried to hide his smirk. "Its your fault," she wined as she saw his look, "you are the one that got me to start drinking it."
"I know Ace," he replied. "I am just happy that you are cutting down on the coffee." She could only shrug as he handed her the cup and they started to devour the spread in front of them and enjoy the last few minutes of peace before they were back in the real world.
Frank picked the couple up and as soon as they got situated in the car, he handed Logan a paper that was already open to the gossip section.
It seems like baby carriages may not be on the horizon just yet for our favorite couple. The Miss was seen drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages during a romantic weekend at an exclusive spa. Sources tell us that they couple were extremely affectionate as they enjoyed their weekend getaway and seemed to not have a single worry. If what people saw is true than the speculation was false, and the love birds are still going strong.
Logan could only laugh at the article before he handed it to Rory who had the same reaction. They could both only hope that the interest in them would once again die down.
The elder Huntzberger's, Gilmore's and Hayden's were all trilled at the current blind article, and like the couple they could only hope speculation regarding the couple would die down. While all of them were excited for the possibility of a baby Gilmore-Hayden-Huntzberger, they all wanted the couple to walk down the aisle and be settled before that step was taken. Mitchum and Elias were also hoping that Honor would be the first one to announce her pregnancy since they had just celebrated her wedding.
For Lorelai Gilmore, the new blind article did nothing to quell her righteousness. She knew that deep down Rory had to have been pregnant and that Logan and the elders had convinced her to have an abortion. There was no way that any of them would have been thrilled at another unplanned pregnancy. She had seen the photos of Rory dressed up for the wedding and read all the details about her outfit. Her long pale purple bridesmaid dress was a custom Vera Wang design and her jewelry had been items that she had previously worn. There was talk about how the gown clung to her curves and looking at her people stated that there was no way that she could be pregnant. Articles talked about how the congregation patiently waited to watch as Logan and Rory walked down the aisle together and many saw this as a prelude to their own wedding day. Article after article talked about how in love the two of them were, how they only had eyes for each other throughout the entire event. Each thing she read made her even more sick. Then she had to hear about it all from the people at the Dragonfly, it was like the people that worked there would wait till she was in earshot to talk about the 'golden couple,' and how happy they looked together. No one could convince Lorelai that this was the truth, and her bitterness grew.
It was Tuesday and after hearing yet again how perfect the couple was, she had enough. Grabbing her purse and her keys she stormed to her car with only one destination in mind, Yale. With each passing mile, Lorelai was even more sure that she was saving her daughter. Rory was so far lost in that world that all Lorelai needed to do was show her reason and she could have her daughter back. It didn't matter that Rory had told her that they were through, they could work through this as long as she could get Rory to listen.
As she was driving closer to Yale she looked at the time and she became even angrier knowing that she didn't even know her daughters schedule this year. Deciding to start at the paper, she parked close to the paper and quickly got out of her car. She heard Rory before she saw her and quickly walked towards the voice. There was her daughter, standing there is designer jeans and a red peacoat with her hair perfectly styled in waves down her back.
"So girlie how was that spa?" a blonde girl asked, and Rory just giggled. The blonde was dressed as expensively as Rory in jeans and a green bomber style jacket.
"Oh, Steph it was amazing! We owe you guys for planning that! The services were great and the food…" Rory paused with a large smile crossing her face.
"I don't even want to know!" the other girl replied with a laugh wrinkling her nose.
"Nothing like that!" Rory giggled as she swatted the other girl's arm. "That dinner you guys had set up when we arrived was perfect and so relaxing. But I was thinking about the chocolate espresso cake they had one night. I think I will have to try and make that one day."
"Yeah, your cooking has gotten so much better," the girl teased.
"Like your one to talk," Rory retorted. "You are just as bad as I was! At least I'm learning and can boil water."
Who was this girl?! Lorelai wondered. This was not the girl that she raised! Her Rory did not go to spa's and know how to cook! Her anger still running high she stormed over to the duo. "We need to talk Rory!" she exclaimed, and two shocked girls turned to face her.
Rory's face went from shocked, to anger, to blank in a matter of seconds. "I believe I have already told you that we have nothing to talk about," she firmly stated. "I really think you should leave before you make a scene," she continued as she looked around and saw curios glances from some other students.
"We have plenty to talk about!" Lorelai retorted. "How about the way you cut me out of your life for that trust fund idiot, or about how you are turning your back on how I raised you to become some trophy wife! And then the icing on the cake, you getting knocked up! He is going to be just like your father and leave. That's all those rich society kids know how to do it run when things get tough and don't go their way! You're going to be tied down, playing perfect wife while he is off screwing his secretary! I'm your mother and you should listen to me! You need to do what I tell you to do!"
Rory could only shake her head in sadness and disappointment as she took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself. "I made it perfectly clear the last time you verbally attacked me; we are through. I don't need to justify my life or my relationships to you. I didn't cut you out of my life, you did that all on your own by insulting and criticizing me. Did you really think that you cornering me at my college, in front of all these people would help your cause?" sadly she shook her head. "You don't know me Lorelai, you never did. You wanted your mini-me and for years I went along with it because you had me so brainwashed and afraid that you would leave me. For years you tried to convince me that my father, the Gilmore's and the Hayden's wanted nothing to do with me so I was afraid to not be exactly what you wanted me to be so you wouldn't leave me to. But that wasn't the case at all. You talk about rich society kids running when things get rough… well you should know because that is your MO." Slowly she turned around and started to walk away only to be grabbed by Lorelai.
"We are not done! We are only done when I saw we are done!" Lorelai yelled.
"I think you are done now!" Logan firmly stated as he came up behind Lorelai and quickly moved to Rory's side. "You need to let go of Rory and leave now Lorelai."
"And what are you going to do if I don't pretty boy?" Lorelai sneered.
Logan just shrugged and gestured behind her. "I won't be doing anything but campus police with have no problem arresting you."
Quickly Lorelai let go of Rory and spun around to be greeted by two burly, unsmiling men.
"I suggest you leave Lorelai," Rory sighed. "I know about your new job; I doubt they would be too happy if you got arrested for harassment and assault."
"I didn't do either of those things!" Lorelai retorted.
"You were grabbing her arm after she asked you to let go which could be considered assault," a man stated as he came over to the group. "You were also yelling at her and berating her which I am sure could be argued was harassment."
Lorelai looked around and saw disapproving looks and students all around her, some with their cell phones out. She looked back at Rory and saw her leaned against Logan and she had a look of such anger and resentment on her face.
"Rory, please," she tried to beg but her daughter just shook her head and grabbing Logan's arm but before she walked off she looked her mother in the eyes and sighed.
"I already told you that you do not have a place in my life until you start respecting my decisions," Rory calmly replied. "What you have done today," she paused and sadly shook her head all while Logan gently rubbed circles on her back to keep her calm. "You know Logan asked me what I would do if you came and apologized, and I told him that it would never happen. But a small part of me hoped that one day you would, and we could have some sort of relationship. Now, with what you have done I know that will never be the case. You need therapy Lorelai; you need to figure out why you are so unhappy with not having complete control and why you manipulated your own daughter for years. I hope you get the help you need and find some sort of happiness." With Logans arm still around her she turned and walked off leaving a shocked group of people behind them. For the students this was a departure from the perfect life of Rory Gilmore-Hayden, it showed them that even those that seemed to have it all together had tough parts in their lives. For Lorelai she knew just by looking at Rory that the woman she had become was no longer her daughter. With a resigned sigh she walked past the disapproving looks and went straight to her car with no idea what she would do next.
Logan led Rory straight to their apartment and when they walked through the doors, he just held her close. The tears that he expected never came, and instead he felt her sag with relief.
"I told you she would never change," came Rory's quiet voice muffled against his chest.
"Ace, I am so sorry," he told her as he continued to rub her back. "I never thought she would have gone this far, pushed this much."
"I know," she sighed, and he pulled slightly back to lead her to the couch. "Promise me," she started in a determined voice as soon as they were both seated. "Promise me that when we do have kids you won't let me become like her. You won't let me be so focused on being a friend that I forget to be a parent. Or that I have my expectations and push them on our kids without any thought to their feelings."
Logan could only look at her in shock as she spoke. The Rory that he knew was nothing like Lorelai. Yes, she pushed people, but she pushed them to be better, she guided the staff at the paper, she listened to Paris and gave suggestions, but she was never manipulative. "Ace, you will never become her," he told her as he looked into her eyes. It was just a few days ago that she reassured him and now it was her turn. "You will never be the person to try and control someone else. Look at us, you have never once pushed me when you knew it wasn't something that I really wanted. You would make comments about how good of a writer I was, but you never suggested that I write more. You may share the same first name as Lorelai, but you could not be more different from her."
"My entire childhood I was her mini-me," she sadly replied. "Everyone always told me how alike we were."
"And you did that to please her," he retorted. "But the person you are, the person you have always been, is sweet, caring and kind," he paused and gently caressed her face, knowing that she needed comfort and reassurance at the moment. "We have nothing to worry about. We have each other and we bring out the best in each other. And I promise you that if you ever start acting like Lorelai, I will tell you." She let out a weak giggle and leaned against him. "Now how about we call the elders and tell them what happened, then we change, order Chinese and for the rest of the evening we watch some movies and just relax."
"That sounds good," she answered but couldn't stop the comparison in her mind between movie nights with Logan and those that she had with her mother. With Logan the food was normally just a pizza or Chinese, popcorn and some drinks whereas nights with her mother were filled with tons of food and ended in a food coma.
Logan, noticing the look in her eyes, and knew that she was thinking about Lorelai just pulled her towards him and placed a kiss on her temple before tickling her.
"I'm going, I'm going," she giggled as she picked up her purse and pulled out her phone.
Edward Hayden sat in his study and just rubbed his temples. Things with Lorelai were getting worse, and he hoped that this confrontation would be the end of it, but he wasn't sure. It seemed like whenever they thought they had heard the last of her she would reappear and cause more drama. Hearing about what happened at Yale made his blood boil and he had to take some calming breaths to control his temper. Picking up a photo, he stared at the smiling couple, and he just couldn't understand why Lorelai couldn't see how perfect they were for each other, how they balanced one another. While he had not been in Rory's life while she was growing up, he had been after she started Yale and he had seen the way Logan had brought her out of her shell and pushed her outside of her comfort zone. That was probably why Lorelai had such a problem with him, with them. Lorelai had been replaced by someone that didn't have an agenda outside of seeing Rory happy. Logan wanted Rory to succeed, to be who she was and needed to be and he supported those dreams an listened to her. Placing the photo down, he picked up the phone to make a call. It was time that someone had a talk with Lorelai.
Lorelai sat in the kitchen of the small Stars Hollow house and felt the warring emotions of anger and sadness. The girl that she had seen at Yale was not her daughter, she didn't know who that person was. Rory, her Rory, would have never spoken to her like that, would have never cut her mother out of her life, or wanted anything to do with society. The Rory she saw today, the one that she had seen only in photo's, was a far cry from her mini-me and Lorelai didn't know where she had gone wrong, what she had done to push her daughter to everything she had run from. It had been hours since the Yale showdown and she was no closer and figuring out what to do. Yes, she had sold the Dragonfly and her knew job would take her around the world but Rory's words about her needing therapy kept circling through her mind. How could her daughter say she needed therapy; it was Rory that needed help! It was Rory that needed to realize all the wrong decisions she was making.
Hearing a knock at the door, Lorelai jumped and looked around. No one came to see her anymore. Slowly she stood and through the door she could see two figures and she knew that this visit was not going to be a good one.
"I know your home Lorelai," came the exasperated voice of her father. "I think its past time we had a conversation."
Lorelai gave a resigned sigh and went to open the door to reveal not only her father but Edward Hayden.
"Can we come in?" Edward asked. "I assume you have had enough public disagreements in one day?"
"What a mother can't talk to her daughter anymore?" she sneered. "Rory went and cried to you about the big, bad mother telling her how she is destroying her life?"
"Lorelai," Richard sighed as he ran a tired hand over his face. "Can we come in?"
"Fine," she huffed as she noticed Babette watching them intently. As soon as the men made it inside the house, she slammed the door shut and spun around only to find that they had continued to walk through the house into the kitchen. "What are you doing here?" she demanded when she walked into the kitchen to find them sitting at the table.
"We need to talk," Edward stated, his voice cold. "And Rory did not come 'crying' to us. She called to let us know what happened since she knows that your attack on her will probably end up in the gossip columns."
Lorelai slightly paled at that, knowing that any articles published about that confrontation would not paint her in a good light. "What do you want? And why are you coming to talk to me now?"
"We are talking to you now because it seems obvious that you will not just let Rory be," Richard replied. "After all of this time we all thought that you would realize that the only person that you are hurting is yourself."
"She is destroying herself!" Lorelai exclaimed. "That is not the daughter that I raised!"
Edward slammed his hand on the table, shocking her, and he just shook his head. "You are right, Rory had become her own person. She has left your shadow and started to live for herself and decided what she wanted to do with her life. Rory is not your mini-me, Lorelai. She is her own person, with her own hopes and dreams but instead of listening to her and being there with her as she stepped into her own person you pushed her away. You called her names, you insulted her, demeaned her!"
"So instead of being controlled by me she is being controlled by you," she huffed as she started at them. "I wanted her out of that world, and you all sucked her back in!"
"She was always apart of this worlds Lorelai. Rory belongs and she has found herself, found what she wants to be. You may have kept her away from us but you invited us right back into your lives when you asked for money for Chilton," Richard stated as calmly as he could.
"You should have just given me the money! There was no need for those dinners!" Lorelai huffed.
"We wanted to know our grandchild!" Richard boomed. "We wanted to know the child you kept away from us! All we ever wanted was for Rory to be apart of our lives!"
Lorelai scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You wanted to control her like you tried to control me but obviously I am stronger than her."
"No, not stronger, just delusional," Edward retorted. "But we are off topic. Lorelai, you need to leave Rory alone. If you try one more thing like you did today Rory will be getting a restraining order against you. She has the voice mails you left her last summer, there are witnesses to the holiday party, the diner incident and then today."
Lorelai could only look at the two men in shock, a restraining order to prevent her from contacting her own daughter.
"What you have been doing is harassment Lorelai," Richard sighed. "Rory had asked us to stay out of this hoping that you would realize that she isn't coming back to Stars Hollow but today was the last straw for her. She is happy Lorelai. Just let her be."
"But… I can't," Lorelai whispered. "She is my daughter. We need each other."
"No Lorelai," Richard sighed. "You need to control her, and she will never let you do that to her again."
"If she really wants this then she would be the one here telling me," Lorelai tried to argue.
Edward just sighed and shook his head. "You don't listen to her Lorelai. She has told you before that she was done with you and then you did this… She doesn't want to talk to you. Rory is focused on her future, the future that she wants."
The two men studied Lorelai for a long moment and when it was obvious that she wasn't going to say anything else they stood up to leave.
"One day she will realize how she threw her life away and I won't be here for her," Lorelai managed to get out, still holding firm to her beliefs.
Richard could only shake his head. "Believe what you need to believe Lorelai."
With that the men walked out of the house leaving Lorelai alone to her thoughts. Not long after they left, Lorelai stood and walked into Rory's room to lay down on the bed. One day, she thought to herself, Rory would need her again and when she did it would be to late, her mother would be gone. Slowly she stood and glanced once more around the room before she walked out and shut the door behind her. Her daughter didn't want her, this town didn't want her, her own family didn't want her… it was time for her to do what she did best and run.