Chapter 8 On the Patio, Under the Stars

Logan and Rory sat on the patio, cuddled up with a blanket and bottle of wine, watching the stars and talking. She told Logan that she was going car shopping tomorrow. He asked "What kind of SUV are you looking for?''

"The one that I totaled was bought when I moved to Hartford." She explained to him. "The one Karson drives is the one I had in Florida. I planned to trade Karson's in and give her mine. I had my eye on the new Land Rover Velar. I called Chad at the dealership today and told him what happened. He told me to come up there Saturday, he would have the Velar and the New Jeep for me to look at. I will need to put Karson's in the shop if I don't trade it in. It needs some work. I don't know. Maybe I just need to trade her car in and get me the Velar and her the Jeep."

Logan listened and nodded his head before speaking. "If money is not an issue, you should get both. You don't want Karson driving the boys around in a car that could break down. I'm sure she makes lots of trips to Stars Hollow. When school starts, she will be taking and picking them up. She needs a good car." He told her.

"Yeah, you are right." She nodded and said. "Money is not a problem. I could even get Billy to pay for part of it."

They both laugh, then Rory said "I wouldn't do that."

They stayed out on the patio until after midnight. They made plans to go out on a date tomorrow night. Rory was taking the boys with her car shopping and they could stay with Karson Saturday night. Logan kissed Rory goodbye. She had her arms around his neck. She did not want to let go. She wished she had already introduced Logan to Chris and Will.

The next morning, Rory woke before the boys. She got dressed and went downstairs. After a pop tart and a cup of coffee, she texted Karson to let her know that she would like for her to come car shopping with her. She then made a list of what she needs to do today.

Talk to Karson about going car shopping.

Get her to get all the personal items out of the car.

Talk to Karson. Make sure she can keep the boys Saturday Night

Stop by the dealership. Chad is supposed to get several cars ready for them to test drive.

Go to the mall, look for her dress for tonight's date.

Talk to Billy about Introducing Logan to the boys.

Enjoy herself tonight.

Karson came up from the basement. Grabbed a bowl, cereal, and milk. Rory got up and got her a cup of coffee and sat it down on the bar. "What kind of car are you looking for?" Karson asked as she looked over Rory's shoulder at the dealership website that was open on the laptop.

"Well, I was thinking about getting a Land Rover Velar…" She told Karson.

"Wow! What color?" Karson asked.

"I'm not sure, but I need you to clean out your SUV. Get all the personal items out. I'm trading it in too." She told Karson,

Karson looked up from her cereal and said, "Okay, what are you looking to replace it with?" Karson hoped it wouldn't be something too MOM LIKE. She likes driving the SUV that she drives now. It did not look like a Mom Mobile. Her friend Reagan was the Nanny for the McMasters and she had to drive a van. Rory was talking but Karson was not paying attention. She was thinking about Reagan and the McMasters van. It was even an ugly color. Karson heard Rory say something.

"I'm sorry Rory, I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?" Karson told her.

"I said, I talked with Chad. He has several cars he wants us to look at. I have a good idea of what I am looking for, but I think I will just surprise you." Rory told her with a smile.

Karson asked what time's the appointment with Chad? Rory told her they would leave as soon as the towing company drops off the things from the wrecked car.

Karson hurried off to get the car ready to be traded while Rory went upstairs to wake the boys. The boys still shared a room. It has bunk twins' beds and a jack and jill bathroom and closet that leads into the playroom. Rory planned to let them stay in the same room until they wanted to be separated. Then she would move one of them to the playroom and the playroom to another room. As Rory approached the rooms, she heard the boys talking and playing.

Rory stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips "What are you two doing up?" She laughed because they both jumped.

"Mama" Chris yelled.

"Mom!" Will said. "We woke up and didn't want to bother you, so we played until Karson got up."

Rory smiled while speaking., "Well Karson is up and she is getting the car ready. You two need to get dressed and go eat breakfast. There are pop tarts, a sliced apple, and juice on the bar waiting for you. Be careful. Make sure your clothes match. We are going car shopping".

As the two rugrats scrambled to their room to get dressed, she texted Billy.

R-Are you able to talk? Nothing is wrong. Just want to inform you.

B-Sure-In a meeting. Give me about 5.

R. No problem.

She calls her mom. "Hey my baby girl. How are you this morning? I bet you are sore. They say the second day is always the worst." Lorelai said when she answered the phone, not giving Rory a chance to say anything.

"Hello, Mother," Rory said. She can hear Lorelai humf at being called mother. "I am fine. Yes, I am sore, but it is not unbearable."

"Well what are your plans for today. Are you coming to see Momma?" Lorelai asked.

"No, I am going car shopping. I am going to get myself a new car and trade Karson's in." Rory was interrupted before she could finish.

"Why would you trade Karson's in. That just doesn't make sense." Lorella told her.

"Mom," Rory began, "I plan on giving Karson a new car for graduation in two years. She will just be getting it sooner." She was whispering. She still planned to buy Karson a new car for graduation, but she was not telling her mom. That would start WWIII.

Lorelai laughed, "Wish I could afford to give my Nanny a car."

"Well Mom, there are two problems with that. You don't have a nanny, and if you did you have the money to buy her a car. You just won't spend it." Rory tells her. She was trying not to get aggravated with her mom.

"Yeah, you are right." She tells Rory with a sigh.

"Mom, I got to go, Billy is calling." Rory told her.

Lorelai yelled, "Why is Billy calling?" as Rory hung up.

Rory answered the phone. "Hello, glad you could call me back. I hate bothering you while you are in meetings."

Billy replied, "No Problem, What's up."

"Well," She said and paused for a moment. "I want to introduce the boys to Logan."

"Logan Huntzburger?" Billy asked. "Your ex-boyfriend?"

"No, well Yes, but he is not my ex-boyfriend. We are back together." She told him. Billy didn't say anything for what seems like minutes but was probably only seconds. "Billy, are you still there?" She asked into the phone.

"Yeah," he said with a sigh. "Ror the agreement was I get to meet anyone that will be spending time with my kids. You got to meet Melissa."

"Yeah, I sure did." She told him. "after the affair."

"Ror, don't do that. I have done everything I know how to do to tell you I am sorry. I made a mistake." He told her.

"Okay" She said, regrouping before speaking again. "We are not going to do this. Us being divorce is best for everyone. Logan and I are going on a date tonight." she paused. "Karson will have the boys. He is picking me up at 7:00- call the boys after we leave and then facetime me. The three of us can talk. Then Sunday, Logan and I are going to spend the day with the boys."

"I guess I don't have a say in it." Billy told Rory.

He sounded defeated."Yes you do. You know the right thing to do. Get your questions ready, and leave the attitude at home." She told him.

"Yes Ma'am" Billy told her.