AN: Okay, I know all of you want her break up with Dean, but it's still not going to happen. You guys have to be patient, remember I'm the writer and I have this all planned. Things need to go as planned in order for things to work out like I want them to. Now I may sound kind of bitchy and I apologize, but just go with the flow people! Things will happen in their own time! LOL. So enjoy this next chapter!

Also thanks to Fylnn...who asI post this is betaing Part 19! Thanks! and of course to all you reveiwers! Thanks so much and keep on reading!

Part 13: The Engagement Party

Monday morning rolled by. Rory had woken up, gone to her classes and put in some hours in the newsroom getting some more research for her article. She had gone to her room and listened to her messages.

God, I hate machines, but this is important so I'll leave a message. Rory rolled her eyes at her Grandmother's voice. I just wanted you to be sure that the engagement party is tomorrow night at seven. I've talked to Logan and he has agreed to pick you up. That's all for now.

Then the dial tone. Rory shook her head. Not only does her Grandmother get to arrange her marriage, but now her rides as well. She wasn't some invalid. She could have driven herself... no, she was going to drive herself to that god forsaken party.

Hey Rory, it's Dean. Just wanted to talk to you. We haven't talked in a while. I thought maybe we could do something tomorrow... or sometime this week. I don't know. Just call me. Love you.

Rory bit her lip. She was busy all week. She had the party tomorrow, then the LDB event and who knew how long they were going to keep her for. She sighed. She would have to call Dean later.

Hey Ace, I would have called your cell, but Finn stole the paper you wrote it on and refuses to give it back. Call me for the ride arrangement. Your Grandmother insists we go together seeing as we're the guests of honor and it looks horrible if we don't arrive and leave together. 555-8967 is my cell. Feel free to call whenever or I'm in suite 2B in the ­­­­­­Berkeley building.

Rory picked up her purse and headed out. Might as well settle this face to face. She walked across the campus only stopping once for a much needed cup of coffee. Lately she had been drinking at least fifteen cups a day for the past two weeks. Usually she would have ten including some from Luke's that was somehow delivered to her dorm or from her trips to Stars Hollow. Seeing as she wasn't visiting Stars Hollow or her mother, she could only guess Luke had refused to deliver her coffee and sided with her mother. She shook her head. Fine, she would just have to deal with drinking 15 which was fine by her, the more the merrier. She walked to the Berkeley building, found 2B and knocked on the door.

"Colin! Door!" She heard Finn yell. She heard someone responded quietly then open the door. It was Colin.

"Reporter girl, what are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Logan."

"He went to go run a few errands, he'll be back shortly. Do you want to come in?" Rory nodded as she stepped inside. Their room was what she had expected. Only the best for them. High definition large screen Plasma TV with surround sound, leather couches and every CD and DVD known to man. She would have to remember to admire those on a later date. She saw that the coffee table was pushed against the wall and Finn and another boy with black hair were setting up a poker one.

"Oh, am I intruding on, like, guys' night?"

"Poker night, we don't call it guys' night. Too girlie, love."

"This coming from the guy who says love for an affection." The other boy said as he stood up.

"Rory, this is Robert. Robert, this is Rory Gilmore."

"Ah... heard a lot about you." Colin hit the back of his head "Ow!" He yelped rubbing the place he had been hit. "I never said from who." Finn glared at him and he shrugged.

"From who have you heard about me?"

"Oh, Logan, Colin, Finn, Steph. Your grandfather also had a few nice things to say as well." Colin hit his head once again and Robert sent him a glare as he got out the poker chips and cards.

"My Grandfather?" Robert looked at her.

"Yeah, he's a member of the..." Colin and Finn glared at him and he smiled "Country Club"

"Nice save, idiot." Colin muttered.

"What?"

"Love," Finn said smiling at her, "since these two imbeciles haven't got the manners I will ask. Would you like a drink?"

"Uhm no, I'm good, just waiting for Logan."

"Well, wait no more. I'm right here." Logan said closing the door behind him. He put the bag on the table ."I've got chips, dip and a six pack," he said as he backed away and took off his jacket. He looked at Rory and smiled. "Ace, what are you doing here?"

"You wanted to talk about the driving arrangement. I just came to tell you that I'm going by myself, in a separate car…"

"Your Grandmother isn't going to like that."

"At this point I don't care what she likes. If you're there before me tell her that I had some things to do in the newsroom. And if I'm there before you I'll tell her Finn needed a ride or something."

"Finn is going."

"What?"

"To the party. He's going to be there. As well as Steph, Colin and Robert. Right Robert?"

"Yep, open bar."

"I'll just tell her something. Look, I got to get going, have fun with your poker night thing." She turned around and left. Logan sighed.

"I'll be back, guys." Logan said running out the door and catching up with Rory. "Rory wait." She stopped and turned to face him. "What's up?"

"What?"

"With you. What's wrong with you?"

"What are you talking about, I'm fine."

"Like hell you are."

"Logan."

"Come on, Ace, you can tell me." Rory sighed.

"I just have a lot of things to do and I'm really not looking forward to this stupid engagement party. And Dean has been calling, wanting to spend time together sometime this week and I'm busy all week and I'm worried that someone from the town is going to find out about this and news in that town travels really fast and he'll find out and it's just going to be really bad if this doesn't come from me. I mean it's going to be bad anyway, just really bad if I don't tell him."

"Whoa, I never knew you could say so much without taking a breath." Rory ran a hand through her hair and gave him a small smile. "Look, if it makes you any better I can tell my dad to put off giving the news to the press. I can tell him we're not ready for the world to know just yet. That way Dean doesn't pick up the paper and see the announcement, how's that?"

"That's a start. Thanks."

"You're welcome. But you know you got to tell him, right?"

"I know."

"And as for the party I can make up an excuse for us coming alone. I'll tell her you had some things to do at the newsroom like you said and you can tell her that my suit got lost in the cleaners." Rory laughed.

"Then I'll have to listen to her talk on and on about how cleaners are so unreliable." Logan nodded. "You know, Robert is really weird."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know, it just seems like Finn is normal compared to him." Logan just smirked. That was funny seeing as Robert was probably the most down-to-earth of their group. "But he seems nice."

"He is, Ace."

"Mr. Huntzberger." They both looked up to see a tall blond man wearing black pants, a white button down shirt and a red vest.

"Uh, yes?"

"I'm your dealer for the night." Rory stifled her laugh behind her hand. Logan smirked.

"Right. 2B. The boys are setting up for you, just go right in."

"Thanks." The man walked towards the room and inside.

"Very immature, Ace."

"What?"

"Dealer."

"It was funny. Why do you pay a dealer, I mean you guys could do it yourselves."

"What does it matter if we do it ourselves or if we pay someone to do it for us?"

"And this conversation is going to end with a dirty." Rory laughed. "I'll see you later." She said with a shake of her head and started walking towards her dorm. Logan turned and walked into his dorm room where everyone was sitting. He sat down at the empty chair and Finn handed him a beer.

"Okay boys, prepare to lose your money." Logan said looking at his hand.

"Ah yes, this coming from the guy that lost two hundred dollars and his stereo last month." Robert laughed. Logan shook his head.

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Tuesday night came too fast for Rory's liking. She was in her room getting ready to go to her Grandmother's house. She had on a black cocktail dress with matching black pumps, her hair up in a classic twist and her makeup scarce, just some mascara and clear lip gloss. She grabbed her black clutch purse then went to her nightstand and opened the drawer taking out the ring box she had yet to open. She lightly traced the outline of the opening with her finger. She took a deep breath closed her eyes and opened it. When she looked down she was speechless to say the least. The ring was simply spectacular. It had a silver band, and a diamond at the center, It had some sort of engraving at either side of the diamond. It was classic and it looked old.(A.N I suck at describing it.) She slipped it on her ring finger. Unfortunately it fit perfectly and looked like it belonged. She shook the thoughts out of her head and grabbed the chain and carefully put it in her purse, then grabbed her keys and left for Hartford.

An hour later Rory got out of her car where the valet gave her a ticket. She grabbed her purse and thanked the man putting the ticket in her purse. She walked over to the door and stood there for a minute. She took a breath and rang the doorbell. The maid answered of course.

"Miss Gilmore?"

"Yeah." Rory answered the maid smiled and let her in. She took her jacket and led her to the parlor where everyone was. Rory stopped short. Her Grandparents hadn't only invited the people of Hartford, but the people of Stars Hollow as well. Miss Patty, Babette, Morey, Kirk, Lulu, Luke, her mother, Lane and the band, Sookie and Jackson with their son Davy and Paris and Doyle. Her father was next to her mother, talking. She shook her head. If Miss Patty and Babette knew. Oh god. That meant that Dean had to know. Her thoughts were interrupted by her Grandmother.

"Oh Rory, you're here. "She smiled. Rory forced a smile as her Grandmother hugged her. She really did not want to talk to her Grandmother. "Logan told us that you got stuck at the newspaper office." Rory nodded.

"Yeah... uhm, I had to do some research for my article and I lost track of time."

"Well, that's fine. Logan is over there." Emily said pointing to the fireplace where he was standing with Finn and Colin. She smiled at her Grandmother and walked over to him. She felt her mother watching her.

"Ace," Logan said. Rory sighed

"Hi."

"So you're wearing the ring I see."

"I was expected to wear it. So I'm wearing it." She looked at Miss Patty and Babette who were whispering to each other and sending looks and smiles her way. Logan followed her eyes and smiled.

"They've been like that since they arrived." He told her. Rory looked back at them. "I don't know who they are, though."

"Miss Patty is the one wearing the bright colors and smoking and Babette is the shorter of the two. They're the gossip queens of Stars Hollow. Then Babette's husband Morey is the one admiring the piano, his hands are probably itching to play. Then Kirk and Lulu are over there with Luke and my mother and Sookie and Jackson are with their son Davy at the hors d'oeuvres table, probably criticizing the food."

"That's all catered by the best, love. The food is excellent." Finn said.

"Sookie is a cook. Anything she doesn't cook isn't worth it and Jackson is a produce man. Any veggie not grown by him, well, sucks."

"They're all from your town?"

"Yeah. I didn't know my grandmother invited them." Her eyes kept glancing back at Miss Patty and Babette though. "I'll be right back." Rory said. Logan nodded and sipped his scotch. Rory walked over to the two ladies with a smile.

"Rory darling, why didn't you tell us you were getting married. You're not pregnant, are you?" Rory laughed.

"No, Miss Patty, I'm not and I didn't tell you because the marriage itself was quite unexpected. I was wondering how many people have you told about this?"

"What, about the marriage?" Miss Patty asked.

"Yes Miss Patty, that's what I meant."

"Oh well, Lorelai told us not to tell anyone the minute we received the invitations and mum is the word, sugar." Babette said. Rory smiled.

"I'd like to keep it that way if you don't mind."

"Well, why is that? A marriage is supposed to be a great thing, something to share with the world. I know I did when I got married for the first time." Miss. Patty said. Rory smiled.

"I just don't think the world is ready for the announcement yet." Rory said.

"Well then, at least humor us and show us the rock." Babette said. Rory laughed and raised her hand. The two ladies cooed about it and she shook her head. Rory smiled already formulating a plan.

"He's right over there with his friends if you'd like to say hi." Rory said pointing to Logan by the fireplace.

"The blonde?" Miss Patty asked fanning herself.

"You've done good, sugar." Rory smiled.

"You two ladies have fun now." Roy turned and patted Morey's back.

"Beautiful piano your grandparents have." Morey said with awe. Rory smiled.

"You can play it you know. I'm willing to bet that Miss Patty and Babette are willing to sing with you."

"Maybe later." Rory smiled

"Have fun, Morey."

"Stay cool, Rory." Rory smiled and walked towards Sookie and Jackson.

"Hey you two."

"Hey Rory." Sookie said giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Let's see the ring." She said excitedly. Rory smiled and lifted up her hand. She had a feeling she was going to be doing this all night. Sookie squealed excitedly. Jackson had to grab Davie before she dropped him when she hugged her.

"Aww, thanks Sookie." Sookie pulled away and dabbed her eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm just so happy. You're getting married." Rory forced a smile.

"Yeah, me too." She lied. She took a deep breath and hugged Jackson.

"She's pregnant, those hormones are getting to her." Jackson explained. Rory laughed.

"Right. I'm going to go talk to Lane and the guys. I'll talk to you later. Have fun." She went over to Lane who hugged her.

"Hey. You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. My face is starting to hurt from smiling so much."

"Your mom's here, you know." Rory nodded

"Yeah, I know." Lane looked at her and smiled. Rory smiled and raised her hand. Lane squealed as she took her hand and examined the ring.

"It's beautiful, Ror." Lane said. Rory nodded.

"I agree. It just doesn't belong on my finger."

"I would say congratulations, but under the circumstances I'm going to stick with my condolences." Zack said. Rory laughed.

"Thanks, Zack. Thanks for coming. I'm going to go say hi to Doyle and Paris. I'll be back later." Lane nodded letting go of her hand and she shooed her away. Rory walked to Paris and Doyle being stopped by a few people who wanted to see the ring and sent her their congratulations. The weird thing was she didn't know them. She walked up to Paris.

"Hey." Rory said. "Having fun?."

"Oh yeah. They're bringing out the disco ball later."

"I know I can always count on you to bring a sarcastic remark."

"I hate these parties. The only reason I came was because of you." Paris said.

"Nice to know you care, Paris." Paris smiled.

"You know I do."

"Yeah, I know you do. What about you, Doyle. Why'd you come?"

"Paris said we might be able to get it on in the coat room later." Rory nodded.

"Well, at least one of us is getting lucky tonight." She saw her Grandmother signal for dinner and they all sat at the table. They had gotten a larger one so they could fit all their friends.

"Rory, you sit next to Logan." Emily said. Rory nodded and sat down next to him.

"Is your face hurting?" Rory whispered.

"I've gotten used to the pain of fake smiles." Rory shook her head.

"I'm guessing so will I."

"Yes, you'll have to. We're expected to go to these things even after we're married."

"I hate these things. I don't know half these people. More than half."

"Neither do I. They're business partners of clients your Grandfather and my father would like." Rory shook her head.

"So nice that our marriage is beneficial to all but us."

"We can make it beneficial for us."

"I'm not sleeping with you, Logan." Logan shrugged.

"Your choice, by the way the ring looks perfect on you." Just as Rory was about to respond they heard the clinking of the glass and they turned to look at her Grandmother who was smiling. She stood up.

"As you know we are gathered here to celebrate the engagement of Rory and Logan." The table began to clap. "I, for one, am so glad that they have found each other and are joining the Gilmores and the Huntzbergers together. So, let's raise our glasses to Rory and Logan."

"To Rory and Logan." They heard the table say. Rory took a sip of her champagne and turned to Logan.

"Why did that sound as if the whole thing was our idea."

"It was meant to sound like that." She looked around the table. She caught her mother's eyes. She was sitting in between Luke and her father. She inwardly smiled. Her mother must have been very uncomfortable. She saw Luke had his hand on top of hers and stroking her knuckles with his thumb. She smiled. She wanted that. She really wanted that. She sighed and looked away and to her food.

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"She won't even look at me." Lorelai whispered to Luke. His hand was on top of hers and he squeezed it a bit, a reassuring gesture. "Did you see that she had said hi to everyone she knew yet she didn't even come up to us."

"She didn't say anything to Kirk and Lulu."

"She didn't have time or she would have."

"Well, maybe she didn't have time to come to us?"

"If this were something else and it wasn't my doing then I would have been the first person she went to."

"But it was your doing." Chris said from next to her.

"What are you even doing here, Chris?"

"Rory invited me as did your mother. And who was the one who called me after finding out that she was with me. You did. She never told you she was in New York. You lost her trust, Lor. And it's going to take a long time to gain it. Now if you excuse me." Chris got up and went towards Rory and Logan.

"He's right. As much as I hate to admit it. Chris is right. I've lost her, haven't I Luke?"

"You'll get her again, Lorelai. Trust me. She won't last forever without my coffee." Lorelai smiled.

"You're a saint, Luke." Luke just smiled and kissed her temple.

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A.N: Okay, the next chapter will be the rest of the party and then some! So I hoped you like! If you would like to see the ring seeing as I didn't really describe it very well the link is on my profile...or if you would like the picture sent to you just let me know and I'll send it! It really is worth it!

Kassandra