A/N: The time as come the walrus said… to talk about conflict!

Mwahahah!

Chapter 18: Calm before the Storm

Later Christmas Day, after gorging themselves on Sookie's fest, Rory

and Logan sat, curled up together, on the couch, listening to Ella, Nat

and Sunny playing in the front yard. Luke and Lorelai were still at

Sookie's. Smiling softly as she enjoyed the warmth of Logan's arms

around her, Rory watched the light dance through her simple, but

elegant, diamond engagement ring.

"Are you happy?" Logan murmured into her ear, pulling the thick blanket

more tightly around her.

"Mhmm. It's a bit surreal, but I've never been more…ecstatic. What

about you?"

"I can't imagine being any happier than I already am. I'm about to take

over a newspaper empire. I have a wonderful daughter and most

importantly, the amazing woman I'm madly in love with just agreed to

marry me. When do you want to get married, by the way?"

"I was thinking maybe in June."

"What did you imagine your wedding being like when you were little?"

Logan asked.

"I pictured myself in a classic white dress, walking down an aisle of

rose petals to the Gazebo here in town. Everyone from town was there.

Lane was my maid of honor and my dad gave me away."

"Has anyting changed in your dream wedding?"

"No, not really, except now I have Ella and Gigi as the flower girls

and Nat as the ring bearer and both Luke and Dad giving me away. Why?"

"Because I want you to have your dream wedding . We won't let anyone

tell us what to do, ok?"

"You'll get no arguments from me."

"Should we call my parents and tell them?"

"Sure. It will be the perfect present for your mom," Rory replied,

reaching for the phone and handing it to him. He quickly dialed his

sister's home phone number. Elizabeth picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Merry Christmas, Mom. Are you and dad enjoying Hartford?" Logan said

politely. "How's Honor?"

"Merry Christmas to you too, dear. We're having a relaxing time. Your

sister is fine. Did Ella get everything she wanted for Christmas?"

Elizabeth asked cheerfully.

"Yes, she did. She got a bunch of doll things and the puppy she asked

for. I was actually calling to tell you what her biggest present was."

"What was it, a cute doll house?"

"No. She asked Santa for her mommy and daddy to get married. Santa

couldn't take care of it, but I did."

"Logan Andrew Ulysses Grisham Huntzberger are you saying what I think

you are? Because if you're joking-"

"I'm not joking, Mom. I proposed to Rory this morning and she said yes."

"That's wonderful, darling! Now we can have a massive wedding and make

it the social event of the year. You must have Rory call me after the

New Year so we can start planning. Well I must run and tell your father

and your sister. Bye, dear."

Before Logan could respond, she hung up.

"She was excited. Who else should we call?" Logan asked.

"Well, Mom already called the Grandparents and Dad. I called and told

Lane and Paris called me so I told her. Have you informed Mo and Curly

yet?"

"If you're refering to Finn and Colin, yes I have. They were quite

pleased with themselves. Finn seems to be taking all the credit."

"I'll bet," Rory replied, laughing softly.

"Colin and Finn invited us to a New Year's Eve party. Do you want to

go?"

"Where will it be?" Rory asked suspiciously.

"I believe they want to have it at my apartment," Logan replied

innocently.

"I don't think that will be a problem. I told Dad earlier that we might

need a babysitter and he was cool with watching Ella and Gigi."

"Sounds good to me. We'll only go for a little while and then I'll come

back and crash on the couch at your place."

"Perfect."

&&&&&&&&

"Happppyyy New Yearr!" Finn cried drunkenly as he opend the door of

Logan's apartment.

"Rory, my dear, I still think you should drop Logan and run away with

me," he slurred, kissing Rory's hand that Logan's ring was on.

"Back off, you crazy Aussie," Logan joked, taking Rory's hand from Finn

and clasping it in his own. Logan pulled Rory close to his side and

lead her into the heart of the raging party.

&&&&&&&&

The Hayden apartment was as silent and still as a tomb except for the

muted noise coming from the living room T.V. A dark figure crept up the

fire escape to the apartment window. He looked in to confirm the 2

little girls were sound asleep. Ella Huntzberger slept in the small bed

closest to the window.

As quietly as possible, he slid the frosty window open and climbed in.

He moved to the small bed and held the cloth lightly wet with a mild

anesthetic to the little girl's nose and mouth. Then, blankets and all,

he scooped up the limp shild and climbed back out into the cold New

Year's weather. When he reached the side walk, he slipped a note into

the mail slot before loading the girl into his beat-up vehicle and sped

away.

&&&&&&&&

Around 3 a.m. New Year's day, Rory and Logan dragged themselves home.

As they entered the apartment building, Logan spotted an envelope

addressed to him and Rory. Picking it up, he followed Rory upstairs.

When they entered the apartment, they found Christopher sound asleep on

the couch, the T.V. rumbling softly, casting a ghostly light into the

other wise dark apartment.

"I'll check on the girls and then I guess, since Dad is asleep on your

bed, I'll meet you in my room," Rory whispered, kissing Logan lightly

before slipping into the girls' room.

Rory moved first to kiss Gigi's forehead and tuck her in more snugly

and then she turned to Ella's bed. She froze, her heart racing. Her

baby was gone!

A/N: Who has Ella? What will Rory and Logan do? Dun Dun dun! Stay

tuned for more! PLEASE REVIEW!