Title: Life and Times of a Socialite
Author: Lady Eliza
Characters: All Characters
Rating: T
Summary: Total AU Rory and Logan Spoiler Warning
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters.
AN: Thank you to all my reviewers for all the wonderful feedback. I especially want to thank sydneymorgan: your review was so sweet and thank youso much for that compliment about my writing. Mary: This fic is my first fanficwhich meansI don't have any other fanfiction that I can send to you nor am I working on any other fics. But I willlet you know if I happen to write anything else. Thank you to emerem for correcting my mistake about the 'Supreme Court Justices' I never knew about that. Please continue to review.
Chapter 18: How The Other Half Live
Lorelai was feeling refreshed after her trip to New York with Luke. She had felt that it would be best for the two of them to leave town during Christopher and G.G.'s visit to Stars Hollow and subsequently to Luke's diner. When she had gotten back into town everyone was talking about Francine Hayden and how she had chewed Jess up and spit him back out. She had to admit her curiosity had peaked so she had phoned Francine and invited her to lunch at the Dragonfly.
Lorelai and Francine had built attentive friendship after Straub Hayden's passing. After Lorelai had received the two-dozen roses and that beautiful note, they had become closer. She was quite surprised when she had received the thoughtful gift but she had dissolved into tears the minute she read the note. Lorelai didn't contact Francine until Rory had brought over the box labelled 'Rory,' it was the most precious gift that Francine could have given Rory because it showed that she had thought of her first granddaughter during her whole life.
She will admit that through the years she wished that Francine would have put her foot down and come to see Rory, but she also looked at it from Francine's point of view as well. Lorelai didn't judge her for her decisions she just accepted the fact that Francine wanted to get to know her granddaughter and nobody would stop her.
Lorelai was sorting the mail at the front desk when Francine walked through the front doors of the Dragonfly. "Hello Darling, how are you?" asked Francine.
Lorelai went around the desk to give Francine a kiss and a hug. "I'm fine Franny, How are you doing?"
"Well that driver I hired drives so damn slow. I felt myself getting older just waiting for him to get here," joked Francine.
"Is that right. Why didn't you just drive yourself?" asked Lorelai.
As they were talking they headed to the dining area and sat at a table for two. "I didn't feel like driving today, so I thought why not use the driver. Now let me tell you, I won't make the same mistake twice," huffed Francine good-naturedly.
Lorelai smiled, "I'm sure you won't. So do you know you are the local celebrity in Stars Hollow?"
"Why no! May I ask why this is so?" asked an astonished Francine.
"Well apparently you put the local punk in his place. Several flower arrangements have been sent to my house since no one knows where you live," joked Lorelai.
"Punk kid…Oh you mean the ruffian that intruded in on my conversation with Mr. Forrester."
"Yeah the ruffian happens to be Jess Mariano, my boyfriend Luke's nephew and Rory's ex-boyfriend."
"You're kidding me? That was Jess. Emily and Shira notified me that he was back in town but I had no clue I put him in his place," said an astonished Francine.
"You not only put him in his place, but you left him speechless. You see, I think he's trying to get on Rory's good side so he can get back together with her, which I don't approve of. Rory mentioned that both Jess and Dean were at the Huntzberger Compound to build something. You might have read about it in the newspaper...Hey, how come you were in Stars Hollow and talking to Dean?"
"Yes I did read about that in the newspaper. Actually, that was the reason I was in Stars Hollow in the first place. I was warning Mr. Forrester to stay away from Rory."
Lorelai was a little confused she didn't know that Francine and Dean were acquainted in any way. It would have virtually been impossible for Dean and Francine to meet socially. "I wasn't aware that you knew Dean and why do you need to warn Dean to stay away from Rory."
Francine knew that it was time for Lorelai to be aware of the situation at hand. She just hoped that Lorelai would not get too mad. "Lorelai I have to tell you something and I am aware that you might be upset with me but do not under any circumstance blame Rory."
"Alright, I'll hear you out."
"When the news about Rory's inheritance was leaked to the press Rory confided in me about her affair with Dean. She told me all about the consequences of her actions and the rift that it put on your relationship with her. She also told me that she had gotten a phone call from Lindsay's mom Susan, who threatened her by saying she would go public with the sordid affair if Rory didn't give her a million dollars," said Francine.
"Why that conniving, scrawny, little bit-"
Francine interrupted her before she could go on. "Rory told me this in the strictest of confidence. I told her that I would take care of it and she was not to tell anyone about the phone call." Francine continued on with the story about how she had resolved the issue with the Forrester clan and their in-laws.
Lorelai couldn't believe that Susan had threatened her baby. She would kill the woman for even attempting to blackmail her daughter out of some of her inheritance. "Francine I actually appreciate that you helped Rory out when she was in trouble. I wish she had come to me, but I know all I could have done was call the cops. You, on the other hand, have many friends in high places and you probably had Susan shaking in her shoes when you told her you would ruin her."
"I sure as hell did. I'm glad that you're not mad at me; Rory would have told you if I hadn't suggested she not tell anyone. I'm telling you now so you can remind Francine that if she so far as thinks about telling the press I will ruin her life."
Lorelai smiled, "I'm glad Rory has you to protect her. Now, I want to show you this vintage Chanel dress that Rory bought at an auction and had sent to me. I was salivating just looking at it and I want you to give me your expert opinion on whether or not it would be appropriate for your next Charity Gala."
Francine laughed at Lorelai's comment. The girl sure did love her designer duds. They both had a love affair with clothes and shoes. "Alright, dear girl, lead me to the dress."
Rory and Logan were shopping on State Street trying to find a new dress for Rory to wear to her Granny's charity function.
"Honey, I realize that woman have a tendency to look at shopping at cathartic or something, but is it really necessary for you to actually shop for it? Can't you hire a personal shopper to bring a bunch of dresses to your dorm or have a designer send you a dress," asked an agitated Logan who had been following Rory as she went in and out of stores all morning. It was now 1 pm and they had started bright and early when the shops had opened at 8 am. After five hours and god knows how many stores he was tired.
"Sweetie, the point of shopping is going in the stores to purchase you selected item not have someone pick out your clothes and bring them to you. You know I only use personal shoppers when my hands are tied and I'm too busy to shop," said Rory.
"I know that but must you go into every store in New Haven?"
Rory laughed and looked at Logan, he did look worn out and he was also carrying some of her purchased items. She went up on her tippy toes and kissed him. He took that as an opening and dropped all her purchases and wrapped his arm around her. He changed the angle of the kiss by moving his head to the left.
Rory vaguely remembered that they were standing on a public street and the paparazzi could get a picture of them like this and imply just about anything. She was about to pull away but Logan had other ideas and he stuck his tongue in her mouth and duelled with her tongue. She sighed and thought it was futile to try to break away when Logan had made up his mind to kiss her.
The two were too engrossed in their kiss that they didn't notice three passers-by stop and look at them: two men and one woman. The woman came up to them and tapped Logan on the shoulder. Logan broke the kiss, but still had Rory in his embrace and turned around to look at the person who dared to disturb them.
"Hey you two, sorry to interrupt but you're drawing a crowd,' said Liz.
Rory looked passed Liz to T.J. and Jess standing off to the side. She turned red and hid her face in Logan's broad shoulders. "Hey Liz, T.J., Jess. What brings you guys to New Haven on this fine afternoon?" asked Logan.
"Well I thought I'd try to find my outfit for my anniversary celebration around here," said Liz.
Rory lifted her head and said, "They do have wonderful shops here."
"What are you shopping for Rory or are you two just walking around," asked Liz
"My grandmother is having a charity gala in honour of one of her many foundations and I am trying to find a dress for the occasion."
"Wow that sounds like fun."
"It's not fun believe me. We've been looking for the perfect dress for five hours now and we still haven't found anything that Rory likes," said Logan.
Jess watched his mother start talking up a storm with Logan and Rory. It was just his luck that the day his mother dragged him to come shopping with her they would run into the power couple. Jess was still a little wary of running into Francine Hayden even though he had only seen her that one time, but she sure as hell made an impression.
Rory and Liz were discussing the fine points of fashion when Logan happened to look up and he noticed a Valentino store. "Honey, you haven't looked at any Valentino dresses so why not give it a try. You might find something you like."
"Alright let's go in." Rory looked at Liz and noticed that the woman was about to leave, but it would be nice to have another woman's opinion. "Liz, if your not busy, would like to give me your opinion on a dress?"
"Sure Rory that would be great." Rory had thought that Jess and T.J. might leave and pick Liz up later but they also came into the store.
The sales person had been watching the door and the minute Logan and Rory entered with their companions she pounced. "Miss Gilmore, Mr. Huntzberger how good to see you. My name is Charlotte how may I be of assistance to you?"
Rory smiled politely at Charlotte. She was still surprised that many people recognized her and Logan even though she shouldn't be since they were in all the magazines. "Hello Charlotte, I'm looking for a gown to wear to a Charity Gala. I want something classic for this occasion nothing look cut or too revealing."
"Of course Miss Gilmore. If you and your companions would follow me I will take you to a private area where our Haute Couture can be found."
Jess was surprised that the sales associate knew Logan and Rory by name, but then it shouldn't have since they were probably regular customers to places like this. The other half sure did live differently then the average American. He couldn't believe there were several sections to house clothes that could be displayed in one area. And what the hell was haute couture?
T.J was afraid to touch anything in case he accidentally got it dirty. He happened glance at several of the price tags when they were heading to the other room and he almost fainted. He didn't understand how a normal looking skirt could set someone back a thousand dollars.
Liz was in retail heaven. She had never in her life been inside of a designer store and she wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. The clothes that she was seeing were the ones that models wore on Paris runways. Liz knew she could never afford this type of clothing but it was still fun to look at.
Charlotte led them into a private room and had them sit on leather couches. There was champagne and pastries brought in for the group while Rory and Liz went through the rack of clothes that was located in the room.
Jess decided that he would love shopping if all he ended up doing was sipping expensive champagne and eating rich pastries. He looked at Rory perusing through the rack of clothing and thought how much it seemed natural for her to be in a ritzy shop like this.
T.J. loved this shopping trip. Usually when he shopped with Liz he would stand around while she tried on every article of clothing that she liked, it was tiring. But this he could get used to.
Rory was holding up as many of the dresses that she thought she might like and Logan and Liz gave her their opinion. She told Liz to keep searching and went over and sat on Logan's lap. "Darling, do you remember that dress that I absolutely loved at the Valentino show in Milan," asked Rory.
"Yes I do," said Logan.
"Do you happen to have a picture of it? I want to show Charlotte to see if they might have it in stock. You know, I should have called up Valentino himself and asked him to send me that dress but it didn't occur to me until now," said Rory.
"I think I took a picture of it on my camera phone after you gushed over it. You know, we can fly to Italy and have Valentino give you the royal treatment if you want the dress that badly," said Logan.
"No sweetie that won't be necessary. I'll just take this photo to Charlotte and ask her if they have one in stock," said Rory.
Jess had listened to the entire conversation and was a little awestruck that they actually knew Valentino personally and that Rory had seen the Milan runway show. They seemed to lead a surreal life.
Logan didn't like Jess Mariano shopping with them. He had no such reservations towards Jess' mom or stepfather since they both seemed like nice people. He wished that Jess didn't have a tendency of showing up at the most peculiar places and the most inopportune moments. He wanted to spend this whole day with Rory, alone, but that idea had gone to hell in a hand basket.
Logan got up and went over to where Rory was trying to select a dress. Charlotte came back with smile on her face, "Miss Gilmore we found the dress from the Milan show in the back and I put it in the dressing room for you to try on."
"Really! That's wonderful and of course I'm going to try it on. Lead the way." Before Rory left she gave Logan a quick kiss on the lips and then disappeared to try on the dress.
"Logan have you decided what you'll be wearing to the charity function," asked Liz.
"Hmm…Rory made me get a new tuxedo since the one's I have in my closet I've worn a few too many times," replied Logan.
"You must have hundreds of tuxes. Does Rory usually go shopping with you or do you have someone to do it for you?" asked Liz. Jess was listening to the conversation and he was also curious to know the answer.
Just as Logan was opening his mouth to answer his cell phone rang. He smiled as a way of apologizing and answered on the third ring.
"Huntzberger"
"Mr. Samson, how are you?"
"Yes I'm well thank you for asking. Have you decided to sell?"
"I understand that the paper has been in the family for three generations."
"I do know about family responsibility. I have a family of my own sir."
Jess was getting a little confused by listening to only one side of this particular conversation. He lifted his head to say something to his mother and ended up having the breath knocked out of him. Rory Gilmore was standing in the doorway looking like a princess. She was wearing the most gorgeous dress Jess had ever seen. It was black and white, had designs on it, it had one-shoulder, and there was a black belt that accentuated her tiny waist. She looked marvellous that's all he could think about.
"Wow! Rory you look amazing. I think you should get this dress," said Liz.
"Hold on Mr. Samson." Logan looked her up and down and smirked. "Rory darling, you look magnificent. You're going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball."
"Thank you, both of you. Logan honey, who's on the phone?"
"That would be Mr. Samson." Logan said softly.
"Mr Samson…you don't mean…" said Rory and at Logan's nod she asked for the phone.
"Hello Mr. Samson. How are you?"
"Don't you recognize my voice?"
"It's me Rory…Rory Huntzberger, Logan's wife."
Jess's eye's widened after fully comprehending Rory's last comment. He hoped to god they hadn't eloped or something. He still wanted his chance with Rory.
Logan knew that it was little of him to smile at Jess's reaction to Rory's statement but he was enjoying himself immensely to let petty things such as decorum come in his way.
"Sir, I would like to thank you on your hospitality when Logan, G.G. and I came to visit you and your wife at the Vineyard."
"Yes our daughter is fine thank you. The next generation of Huntzbergers are making their way in the world just fine."
"No sir I'm not pregnant as of yet. Yes we are trying to have another child."
"We are actually hoping for a son. An heir for the Huntzberger Empire."
"Yes our daughter will inherit the Gilmore fortunes."
"Our second son will have the privilege of having the title that will come to me."
"I'm so happy that you have decided to sell your family paper to the Huntzberger Publishing Group Mr. Samson."
"It was nice talking to you too sir. Tell your wife I said hello and the next time the two of you are in Hartford you can stay at our house."
"Alright, I'm giving the phone back to my husband. Good bye sir."
Logan took the phone from her and went outside to close the deal on the newspaper Rory had just acquired for him. He gave her a smacking kiss before he left. His dad was not going to believe him.
Three pairs of eyes looked at Rory for an explanation to the one-sided conversation they had just heard. "You see Mr. Samson is an old-fashioned man who believes that he can only do business with married men. Logan and I along with my sister G.G. went to visit him and his wife a while back pretending to be a family. The man is hard headed and didn't want to sell the paper until he could meet the man who was going to acquire his beloved paper. To make a long story short I just convinced him that the newspaper is going to be in capable hands with Logan. I subtly reminded the man that Logan has a wife and child, which for his spells stability."
"Aren't you afraid that Mr. Samson might find out that you and Logan aren't married and that you don't have a kid," asked T.J.
"Mr and Mrs. Samson are a retired newspaper couple that own a Vineyard in the Napa Valley but live like bohemians in hut. They don't have cable, the Internet or read any of the gossip columns, society pages, tabloids or magazines. They are very much cut off from society and they have a cell phone only for emergencies. I'm not worried about those two finding out that Logan and I are not being married. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to change out of this dress," said Rory.
When Logan came back he had a smile on his face. Rory came out of the dressing room and everyone followed her to the cash register. "So we got the paper?" asked Rory.
Logan's smile widened, "We got the paper."
Jess watched the interaction between the couple and felt like an outsider looking in. Rory seemed so natural talking about being Mrs. Huntzberger and having Logan's kids. He didn't like it one bit that she was so comfortable about a future with Logan.
Jess was looking at the register when the finally tally came up and he almost stopped breathing. The dress had cost $3,500; he didn't even get paid that much in a month working construction. When Rory went to reach for her credit card Logan stopped her and took out his American Express Black Card. He said it was a thank you for the acquisition of the paper. Jess couldn't believe the two of them. He was way out of his depth here.
The group was headed for the door. Jess was the last to leave the boutique. When he opened the door he saw many flash bulbs go off. Jess was disoriented for a while until he realized that he was now officially up close and personal with the paparazzi. They didn't care about who he was but they sure as hell wanted as many pictures of Rory and Logan as possible.
"Miss Gilmore, Mr. Huntzberger give us a smile."
"Rory, Logan what did you buy?"
"Smile for the camera you two."
"Come don't run away Rory, Logan"
"When are the two of you getting married and can we be invited?"
Jess could only watch as Rory and Logan got into a car that pulled up alongside them and they jumped in. Rory waved to his mother and she waved back. Jess was finally getting a glimpse into Rory Gilmore's new life; he was finally seeing how the other half lived.
AN: Please, Please, Please Review.