Chapter 3: Another Old Friend & A Few Answers

Rory re-entered the crowded room. Nothing had really changed in the fifteen minutes she had been gone. A few people had left and others had come to replace them. She couldn't wait until this week was over; no more fake people, well, fewer at least.

She made her way back to her seat, ready once again to be consoled by strangers, but half-way there, she stopped. She was tired of sitting; she wanted to stand instead. So what if it didn't fit the stereotypical mourning wife. She wasn't a stereotype, no matter what mold she tried to fit into.

Once again, the crowd closed in on her. Rory's eyes started to water, but not from grief as many of the people around her thought. The mixing colognes and perfumes of the few closest to her made a pungent aroma, overpoweringly strong and sickeningly sweet at the same time. Once again, she sought air, only to stop in her tracks a few yards away. There stood Logan, this time with another familiar face. If Rory was surprised to see Logan, she was absolutely stunned to see the new-comer. Rory approached her.

"Stephanie. This is certainly unexpected."

"I figured it was time to bury the figurative hatchet with Chad and be the sister I should have been all along. I can't believe he's dead. You know, I hadn't really even spoken to him since my senior year of high school when he refused to help out my other brother, Ted. I hadn't even seen Chad at my parents since before he went to Europe then moved to Boston."

"You forget, Steph, your father disowned him right before Europe," Logan reminded.

"True. I forgot about that. And, you know, Mother never liked him much," she said to herself. Then to Rory, "He was my half-brother, you do know."

Rory nodded. She couldn't help but feel sympathy for her college comrade. Steph looked close to tears.

"Rory, could you tell me where Chad's wife is?" Stephanie questioned.

Rory froze and flashed a panicked look toward Logan who clearly had no idea of what to do.

"That would be me." Rory bit the bullet.

"You?"

"Yes."

"But… I didn't know…When? How?"

"It was in Europe, before moving to Boston."

"Really? You and him?"

Stephanie was clearly having a hard time processing this new discovery and Rory looked uncomfortable. Logan decided to intervene.

"Rory, could you meet us for dinner, to catch up later?" He could see she really didn't want to deal with Steph right now, but it was the first thing that popped out of his mouth.

"Actually, I need to get the girls home, otherwise I would. Maybe some other time?"

"No problem." Relief washed over him, seeing a change of topic coming.

"Girls?" Steph asked.

"My daughters, Amy and Raleigh."

"Oh." A moment passed. "Could I meet them?"

"Sure. They are over with Chad's aunt Vivian." Rory said, nodding toward the two children with an older lady. Steph headed off in that direction.

"You're just going to let her go over there?" asked Logan, watching Steph wind her way through the now dispersing crowd.

Rory nodded, not understanding his objection. "I think that would be best. The girls usually don't like people I introduce them to. They are already quite independent. They like to meet people on their own terms."

"Sounds like they have a bit of Lorelai in them."

Rory's eyes clouded over and her expression fell at his mention of her mother's name and Logan knew he'd miss-stepped. They stood for a moment, both turning their attention to Steph and her new found nieces.

"So, Logan, is that why you came? Steph?" Rory broke the uncomfortable silence between them.

"What?" She had just shaken him from his thoughts.

"I was just wondering why you are here, at Chad's viewing. Did you come for Steph?"

"Oh, right. Well, partially, it was for Steph."

"Partially?"

"My father also asked me to come. Chad had some business with Huntzburger Media."

"So your father said go, and you came."

"Pretty much. That's what he pays me for."

"So you are your father's lap dog?"

"Hey, now."

"What?"

"I'm a 'media mogul in training', not a lap dog."

There was his trademark smirk, something she hadn't seen in years.

"My mistake, sorry."

They looked at each other for a moment, each trying to figure out what the other was thinking.

Stephanie interrupted their silent conversation as she came up followed by Amy and Raleigh.

"Mommy, can we go soon?" asked the dark haired girl.

"Soon, Raleigh. Mommy just needs to finish talking to her friends." By now the room was sparsely occupied.

"Okay."

Rory turned to say goodbye to Logan and Steph, but instead saw the little blonde girl motioning Logan to come down to her level. He gave a quick glance to Rory who just smiled slightly and gave a little nod. Logan squatted down in front of the girl.

"You're Mommy's friend, right?" Logan nodded and she continued. "I'm Amy, and that's my sister, Raleigh. She's shy."

"Pleased to meet you, Amy and Raleigh. I'm Logan." He smiled and shook each girl's hand. Raleigh blushed. "Tell you what, girls. I've got to leave soon, but next time I see you, maybe we can go out and get ice cream, if your mom is okay with it." Both of the girls' faces lit up. Logan winked at them before standing up.

Rory laughed. "Still charming every girl you meet, Huntzburger?"

Logan smirked at her comment. "Of course, Ace."

Rory smiled at the nickname.

"Say goodbye, girls."

"Bye, miss. Bye, mister," said Amy. Raleigh waved.

"Bye, girls. Bye, Rory," Steph echoed.

"Goodbye, Amy, Raleigh, Ace." He turned to the mother. "Rory, remember what I said earlier. Anything at all." Then he turned back to the girls with a childish grin on his face. "Don't forget, I owe you ice cream."

With that, Logan and Steph left.