AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing - one might think they're just numbers but milestones like 1501 reviews and 160 000 views do make me happy :)

Chapter 199

April 23nd, 2006

It was Logan's second day at the hospital, his head still throbbed like he'd slept too long. Most of his body still hurt too, but the pain meds were pretty good in this place - he could tell because every couple of hours the pain would gradually get worse, especially at his side where they'd done the thoracoscopy, and improve about fifteen minutes after the nurse came to check on him.

He had other worries on his mind too - he'd heard Rory confess to him while he'd been almost out of it, that she'd kissed Jess, her ex, while he'd been away, but at this moment he was willing to just put that behind them - he didn't have the most stellar track record either, he didn't feel like he could truly be upset about that.

But what he was presently feeling the most guilty about was that Rory was unwilling to leave the hospital, having slept in an equally uncomfortable gurney bed right next to him, and was presently doing her editorial work on that small desk just a couple of feet from him. He hated being such an inconvenicence.

It was great comfort to have her there, no doubt - especially after these past weeks of their interaction being thorny at best, Rory having not completely forgiven him for sleeping with Honor's bridesmaids while they'd been broken. Or so he'd thought they'd been. He could understand she'd been mad, but he lacked any clue to know what to do about it other than to say he was sorry.

In that sense the accident seemed to be a good thing. Worth his pain even. As she was just as loving and caring as he'd remembered with him now.

"Where do you want this, love?!" a familiar Australian baritone asked from the doorway. Logan had been asleep but had been slowly waking, mostly having just been listening to Rory breathe and type for the last few minutes.

"Oh, anywhere," Rory replied. "Boy, when you said you were going to get some stuff, you really got some stuff, didn't you?" Rory exclaimed, raising Logan's curiosity as well, and forced him to fully open his eyes.

"Hey!" Logan's still weak voice, his throat feeling a little raspy, said.

"Hey, man. Glad you see you're still amongst the living!" Colin said, and shook his good hand and added a gentle pat on his shoulder.

"I manage," Logan said, after clearing his voice.

He watched for a minute as Colin and Finn began to decorate his hospital room, a few of the other LDB members having helped them carry his stuff. It was way more than necessary - but the LDB did nothing half-way. Logan had himself done that to another member who'd gotten his leg broken at one of their events even though he hadn't been at the hospital for very long. This was what LDB members did for each-other - whether it was cheering the other up after they'd gotten their heart broken or bailed them out of jail and helped them find a good lawer - helped with whatever.

They'd even brough Henry, which made Logan laugh.

"Crap, laughing hurts," Logan mumbled, trying to stop his chuckle.

"They got you clothes, books, dvds, music…," Rory listed, having opened one of the boxes. "Anything you want right now?" Rory asked him, looking like a sight for sore eyes.

"I'm good," Logan replied, drowsily.

"Oh and this one's for you," Colin said, handing her a bag of her clothes that Paris had helped pack.

"Thank you guys," she said, and hugged each of them. There were some lines exchanged that Logan couldn't quite hear - something about being sorry and assurances about him being fine from the guys - if he made that out right, the reasons for which Logan didn't quite follow, but he was too sore to care too much.

"So Logan? Want a change of clothes or do you want me to put on a movie?" Rory asked as the guys had left, seeing Logan was not quite up for intense visitors. It was quite unlike them to hold back like that, which really only made Logan figure that perhaps he didn't quite grasp how bad his shape was presently.

"I'm fine," Logan replied, but gestured to Rory to come closer.

"What?" she asked.

"Thank you," Logan said, holding onto her hand with his good hand, and begged her for a kiss. He was just relieved she was here at all - with him, not Jess, saying that she loved him taking care of him, having put the guys to work.

That is my Ace! - he thought.

June 27th, 2022

It had been a truly LDB type thing - other members coming to her rescue, even if Gigi technically wasn't a member yet, but Colin had told her a little what it was like to be involved in something like that, bringing Logan as his example - the time of his accident and the number of times they'd bailed him out of jail.

One could even say that the two had bonded a little as they'd gotten things together for Rory, as they'd ended up sharing rides. Colin had managed to get Rory's purse - thought it was soaking - but at least she got her IDs and credit cards back. Her shoes were a lost cause - all three pairs of them. Which meant Rory was going to have to not only figure out what to do with her wedding dress but also order new shows, which considering the last ones had taken three weeks to be hand made it Italy, meant that they were cutting it really close.

As they'd eaten their burgers, trying desperately not to bring up the fact that Colin and Gigi had just overheard Logan and Rory having sex it next room, oblivious to their presence. They'd even laughed about the fact that maybe they should just go for a nudist type wedding or something. It was hilarious to picture the up-tighter half of their guest list put in that situation. Colin had his own share of stories to tell on that topic, nothing gross or too sexual, just funny - how he'd by accident ended up in a nudist resort in Austia once but instead of women his age it had been full of elderly Central and Eastern-European ladies, the big-boned kind. Of course they didn't really mean any of it but more than anything they'd all gotten a good laugh.

Logan had speculated what would happen to his mother if she would witness them getting married in something casual - wearing jeans or some sun-dress - not at all an uninteresting prospect - truth be told. And Rory had pictured Emily Gilmore turning around in her grave if she would ever choose to get married in anything else but white. Frankly, at this point - they could just laugh at what had happened - willing to get married in their street clothes if that's what it took. But then again neither had by that time really had a chance to look into what their real options were. In a way laughter was a defense mechanism, and neither had really buried the hope that they'd get their wedding as planned just yet, seeing what had happened as a slight bump on the road.

"So let's get you ready!" Gigi said, closing the bedroom door behind her and Rory, after they'd finished eating, seeing that they just had 45 minutes before her meeting. Thankfully, it was no more than a 15 minute walk there from the hotel.

Rory sighed from her relief as she excused herself to the bathroom to find her seamless panties that had already dried up on the towel warmer. At least she didn't have to go commando.

"Did you get me a bra or something?" Rory asked, from the bathroom, the door half closed.

"Oops," Gigi reacted audibly. "Um… no, sorry," she added, having forgotten about it.

"Would it be totally weird if I wore the stick on's?" Rory discussed, having had those under the wedding dress. The trouble with them was that it was hot outside, and considering her boobs were a little sensitive, it wasn't the most comfortable option. She was already thinking whether she would need to think of some other option for the real wedding as she'd been trying on the dress but since she didn't even know if she had a dress anymore - she was clueless of what she should do.

"Um… a little. It depends on what you'd wear on top of it, I have a few options," Gigi said. "You could go braless or I could just lend you mine?" Gigi suggested.

Rory emerged from the bathroom, having reluctantly put on the stick-ons for now. She was quite relaxed around her sister, the two having been to spas on a number of occasions together by now and one shouldn't forget Gigi fairly close to being half parisian. But she wasn't keen on going braless, knowing her nipples would show too much through most fabrics.

"God, I don't even know how you stay that thin, even with that belly of yours," Gigi commented as she looked at Rory's figure.

"The joys of the second trimester, I guess," Rory commented. "Last time it was the third that got me. I felt like a whale," Rory added.

"I'll have to see it to believe it," Gigi said, laughingly. "So I got these from the GAP," Gigi began as she unpacked one of the bags she'd gotten her. She would've gladly shopped for her sister properly - but with the limited time she hadn't gotten far.

First Rory tried on a rusty brown - which apparently was a trendy color, and white shirred button-front shirt, which had it not been for the animal print, was quite suitable. It wasn't from the maternity line, but it was loose enough to accommodate Rory's belly.

"You hate it…," Gigi replied, sounding discouraged, having observed Rory's impression.

"It's okay… just not quite me…," Rory confessed.

"How about this one…?" Gigi said, hopefully, holding out another option.

It was a beige peplum eyelet top, which Rory found quite attractive but when she tried it on it became clear that its front was just too high for anyone pregnant leaving the lower third of her bump exposed. At home on a hot summer day - maybe - but not for a meeting with her potential publishist.

"And then I finally found the maternity section - not at all easy to find. Who would've thought they put these things next to babies instead of women's," Gigi explained, and unpacked the next bag.

Gigi had gotten her a khaki green mini dress with flutter sleeves, which thankfully fit perfectly. But this definitely wasn't giving off the sophisticated looks she'd been after. It was just what she would've expected Gigi to wear on a day like this - the hem a little flirtier than Rory usually would've worn, a little girly and carefree on the top. But it fit. Alternatively there was just another simple black tank top to go with. There was a maternity denim skirt, which was of more appropriate length and Rory did try on that and the first blouse, but just didn't feel like herself at all.

Rory understood that Gigi had tried, but her tastes and Rory's taste, the tastes of someone nearly two decades older, were certainly not matching.

"I guess this will do," Rory commented, casually, having changed back into the green dress. Maybe with a modest hair-do she could make it more appropriate?

"Sorry - I really thought you'd like these," Gigi said apologetically.

"It's fine - better than going in water-soaked clothes," Rory replied. She did appreciate the effort, and it was not like she'd given her any instructions, having been too much in a state of shock.

"Well I think you look great, hot," Gigi commented, having understood how her choices had not been ideal, despite trying. She was not aiming for a career as a stylist, thank god. But she still wanted to encourage her sister, having understood this meeting was important to her.

"Shoes?" Rory asked.

"Well… I have white sneakers, the sandals I bought and then if you want - my shoes?" Gigi offered, getting the options out of the tote bags and pointed at the shoes on her feet.

The sneakers were the most simple white canvas shoes with laces, and would certainly do. Gigi had gotten herself a pair of Sarah Flint's Citrus Pritz Vachetta's, knowing their name by heart that, which were flats but went around one's ankle with a cute bow. The shoes G was wearing herself a pair of Roger Vivier's Colorblock Buckle Slingbacks - nothing too high-heeled but still, definitely with a specific, modern, look, which Rory wasn't sure she could pull off. Some of the trends she just didn't follow anymore.

Rory picked the sneakers, simply because her feet were already getting tired and she knew she had a small walk ahead. This however didn't do wonder to her confidence - feeling a pregnant housewife who was trying to look younger.

Gigi helped Rory do her hair - a side braid with her hair loose on the other side, which Rory actually quite liked, having usually never enough energy to do anything beyond hair buns, pony-tails or side sweeping with hairpins.

"But I'll need to take your purse," Rory said.

"Of course," Gigi turned, and slid the door open, going to get her white Bottega Veneta crossbody. She emptied it onto the couch without a care in the world. Her keys, wallet, some make up, a packet of intimate wipes, a tampon, a few painkillers, her earpods, small bottle of pepper spray and a couple of condoms poured out of there and Gigi didn't even blink, making the guys who were simply just hanging out on the couch presently, into a position that was at least a little uncomfortable. It was kind of weird being around Gigi - looking and acting all so grown up while actually being Rory's barely-legal baby sister. Hearing them discuss earlier whether Gigi's bra might work on Rory had been a little weird to hear too, truth be told.

"Okay, I'm ready," Rory exhaled as she emerged, wanting Logan's opinion. "It's this or a denim skirt and an animal-pattern blouse," she added.

"This is good, you look good," Logan said, rising from his seat, being barefoot himself with his shoes drying. It wasn't what he was used to seeing her in, but it was kind of cute. He recalled Rory wearing something similar around the time when he'd taken her out that one time after he'd gotten back from Europe with the guys and Rory had lived with her grandparents. She looked cute.

"Not too… unprofessional?" Rory asked, hesitantly, keeping her voice down.

"Nah, it's summer. You're pregnant - you've got all the excuses on your side," Logan discussed with a light shrug.

"So, anything I need to know about this Mrs. Galloway?" Rory asked Logan, glancing briefly at her phone which thankfully hadn't gotten water damage.

"I actually don't know her. I sent it to Trent Harmon, who works there," Logan replied.

"Oh," Rory replied. But I actually felt relief. Perhaps if it was someone who didn't know the direct association to Logan that well, would actually give her her honest opinion.

"Knock them dead," Logan said, and kissed Rory for good luck.

"Thanks, you guys! I'll see you in a bit," Rory said as she headed out, truly feeling like she'd had a whole team on her side.

Rory felt strangely energized heading down to the lobby of the hotel, she'd never been in before. The adrenaline, the sex and the food had given her that boost. But she was still nervous.

Stepping out onto the street felt like stepping into a heatwave, the air feeling stuffy almost. But she put on her sunglasses and walked on her way, simply choosing the better side of the street that had a bit of shade this time of day, buying herself a small water bottle on the way.

The publishing house wasn't a huge one - nothing like Beacon or even Skyhorse, where Rory had been a few times as a reporter back in the day for launch events or a few other stories. And if it weren't for its location it actually would've reminded her of Truncheon. It seemed small, its brick walls giving it a bit of an industrial feel.

"Hi, Rory Gilmore to see Mrs. Galloway," Rory said, stopping besides what looked a little like the receptionist's table.

"Oh, um… hi," the petite blonde with a pixie cut, replied, rose from her seat and just headed down the hallway without saying another word. There were a few desks already at her sight - an open office type of plan and then about four or five occided down the hallway with a staff kitchen, possibly a lounge or a conference room in the back.

Rory waited, hesitantly, hearing from the distance - "I told you putting me to sit out front would make me seem like a receptions, and I'm seriously going to have to ask for a raise if this keeps up," Rory heard the blonde grumble to someone.

"I'll be there in a sec, I just want to finish this sentence," Rory heard a lower female voice say, whom she assumed to be the person she was after.

"Sorry," Rory said to the blonde in her twenties, as she returned.

"Not your fault, we've just outgrown our space a little, and generally we don't have much use for a receptionist on site," the woman replied, smilingly, and sank back into her chair.

"Oh," Rory said, understandingly.

"I'm Sam, I'm one of the junior editors here," she said, rising from her seat again and shaking her hand.

"Rory Gilmore," Rory replied, smilingly. "But I guess you already knew that," she added. It didn't help Rory's nervousness as she felt like she kind of looked like a pregnant teenager in her current outfit, compared to the rather rough punk-style but still summery look of Sam - denim shorts, tank top and a black sheer bomber-style jacket on top of it. If they were to judge her based on fitting in - she really felt like an outsider, not that her other outfit she'd picked out for this would've been much better, despite being more mature.

"Rita should be with you in a sec," Sam replied.

And as promised, the clinks of Rita's peep-toe clogs could be heard, and the voluptuous woman, well in her 50s, arrived and gave Rory a firm, almost un-American, familiar handshake. The woman was dressed in a wide linen dress, wrinkled from sitting too long, but it didn't seem to bother her.

"Welcome Rory - this is 'Read, Harmon and Galloway Inc.'" Rita said, gesturing around her. "I've heard a lot about you, or should I say 'read'," she added.

Rory knew the place to belong partially to the HPG, but wasn't directly managed by them, which was as good as she believed it could be, not wanting to feel like her status would be pulling a lot of strings.

"Only good I hope," Rory commented, hoping Rita wasn't a keen reader of Page Six. She followed the woman into her office where her desk was piled with papers, possibly manuscripts.

"I'm sorry - the place is a mess. You'd think summer was the easiest time of year for us, but apparently if you want to get titles out before Christmas it's summer when we're at our busiest," she said, casually. "But here - take a seat," she suggested, and Rory complied, placing Gigi's purse into her lap.

"So I read you manuscript," Rita began. "And I have to say… had it landed onto my desk first, and had I googled you, I might not have contacted you," she confessed

This was what Rory had feared all along - being labeled as some society brat using nepotism or connections to get herself published.

"But since it came recommended from Trent and I only googled you after I'd read it, I actually think we could make it work in our favor," Rita continued.

"Okay," Rory sighed, feeling a little relieved. Though she was curious about what exactly she meant.

"I think the manuscript is fresh, it may start off a little entitled, but if you want that can be toned down a little. And it's definitely not predictable. It has a good amount of humor, deeper bits of life philosophy, liberal feminism. But it's not feisty, I like that - it leaves one with a sense of calm almost. Acceptance." Rita continued. "Most feminist books are angry and kind of… victimising, at least the ones I've read recently," she added, continuing to compare her style to a couple of authors Rory hadn't heard much about.

"Well, thank you," Rory replied humbly. She was not used to being in this setting anymore. The last interview that had to do with any of her writing she'd had early 2017 when she'd considered taking a freelancer position at the Hartford Courant, which hadn't really been one of her best career moves as she'd felt almost like a beggar at that point.

Rita went on to talk about her general plans for the book and some aspects which she would recommend to edit a little, like moving a few chapters around, offering some glimpses to the present sooner for the reader, for example. She also spoke a little about the audience she would aim the book to. That didn't sound too appealing to Rory, to be honest, as what she meant was an older readership - around her mother's age. She wasn't sure how she felt about it, but supposedly - that too was a readership compared to having none. She'd just never imagined herself writing to someone older than her specifically.

"And if this timeline works with you, considering you're expecting and all, then I think we'd be able to make it work," Rita summed things up after a good ten-fifteen minutes.

"What about the conditions, would it have to be published under my name or would using a pseudonym work? I do feel obliged to tell you that I was very hesitant sending out this manuscript in the first place because I was worried my name or well… even more my name to be… would influence how it was perceived," Rory explained, adding, "I'm getting married in July."

"As I said - your background can actually work for your benefit. And as a publishing house it's not really our interest just to break even but to make a profit. If that's not a priority for you then there are always options to self-publish, which considering your history as the editor of Yale Daily News shouldn't really be a problem for you. I wouldn't worry too much about the name, though I am sure it'd attract some readers just because of it, especially if you go with your married name," Rita explained, clearly having had a glance at Page Six as well. "But if it comes to it - I'd be willing to use your maiden name just the same, as some people still know your name from your earlier writing. A background as a reporter is not a bad thing, and it's still easy enough for people to find out the connection to Huntzberger if they're interested in that sort of thing," she added.

At least it seemed Rita didn't care whether or not she was marrying the Huntzberger heir, and that alone was a relief. But there was little she could do about outside interest. But then again there was little control over that now, recalling the earlier fear of someone getting a picture of her in her soaked wedding dress that had possibly ruined parts of Colin's Tesla's interior.

"So, I'll give you a contract template to take with you. Think it over, call if there's anything and mail it back to me unless we agree otherwise," Rita said.

"Okay, I will. Thanks for meeting me," Rory said.

As Rory walked back down Madison Avenue towards the hotel, she felt a huge sense of relief. It had been a lot easier to get a meeting, for one - having for years fretted that nobody would even consider her, mostly replying that assumption on her unsuccessful reporter's career. She had been very moved that Rita had looked her up, looked up her former writing more specifically and had considered it a pro. Rory herself had almost begun to think of this as something shameful - a lack of success as failure, but it really was just that - modest and short-term success which really wasn't exactly the same as failure.

She found Logan waiting for her in the lobby, an ice coffe in his hand, having been eager to hear how it went. He truly was her biggest fan.

"So?" Logan asked, observing her.

"Um... good, I guess. They made me an offer," Rory said, humbly, feeling a little silly for having ever been mad at him for sending the manuscript out in the first place.

"I knew it! That's my Ace!" Logan cheered, huging her, wishing he could just swing her around on the spot from happiness.