I wanted to wait to post this chapter, but I couldn't help myself. Rawrrry, I'm glad you get someone named after you, consider yourself part of my inspiration. Krazisoapluvnreject, I consider her more of a Di myself (just because I like her more). Indiez, that is actually a great hint. Keep that in mind for the next few chapters! Finally, Lala, I love the idea! I might just steal it if you don't mind. Oh, and yes, Prince Harry was her last boyfriend.
Disclaimer: Do I really need to remind you how sad I am that I own nothing? This is just depressing…
Keep reading, you can do it! I believe in you!
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"Rory…you've got mail!" Screeched Rochelle as Rory came downstairs the next morning.
"Chelle…you have spent a bit too much time on the Internet." Laughed Rory as she yanked her mail from Rochelle's hands. She had been hell-bent on learning better English, and she was going on the internet to do it.
"Yes, I suppose I have." Said Rochelle all of a sudden distracted as she sorted through her mail.
"What's wrong, Chelle? Did you get a love letter from Dad?" Joked Rory.
As soon as the words reached her ears, Rochelle looked up.
"What? Why would I get a love letter from obstiné?" She asked obliviously.
Rory looked at Rochelle and could tell she was confused. She decided that it was now her goal to get those two together, and she always got what she wanted.
"I'm just kidding Chelle. What did you get?" She asked deciding to let it go for now.
"This is an invitation to Mitchum Huntzberger's Annual Gala." Stated Rochelle as she showed it to Rory. "Apparently, I am supposed to make sure to bring you with me."
"What on earth makes them think I'll go?" Rory asked with amusement.
Rory was hardly invited to society parties in England unless she was dating a person who was old money or if a family friend threw the party. Everyone in Europe knew that Rory Hayden was old money, but they also knew that she was one of the most beloved models in the world. The hosts had a better chance of getting the Queen to come to their parties.
"Yes, well, Bleu, if I am not mistaken, this man is very good friends with Francine." Stated Rochelle with a hit of amusement. She knew how much Rory despised society parties, but if it was a favor for her grandmother, she knew that Rory would go willingly.
Rory and Francine Hayden's relationship had began to blossom at the funeral for one Straub Hayden. Christopher and Rory had attended, much to the surprise and joy of Francine. Rory began calling her grandmother once a month to show her that she wanted a relationship. Rory knew what it was like to feel alone, and she did not want her own flesh and blood to feel that way. These once a month phone calls began to turn into once a week phone calls and once a month visits. They now had a powerful bond, and these two women were at such a point in their relationship that they would do anything to make the other happy.
Rory let out a sigh. She knew she had to attend this gala, and it killed her. She had been free for less than one day, and already, she had the responsibilities of a socialite.
"Fine, ring them, and tell them we'll come." Rory stated with a trace of ennui.
"Oh darling, do not worry. I am sure that we will be able to form a marvelous sub-party!" Said Rochelle with a laugh as she heard the phone ring. "I will get that, and you will relax. Remember to eat something, too. You are getting too thin!"
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Logan Huntzberger was entertained, no, amused by Miss Rory Hayden. She had not only managed to render him speechless, but she had also managed to make fun of him within the same comment. He had heard stories of her confidence and beauty, but he never thought that she was more than an airhead with a black card. He didn't want to be a jerk, but past experience taught him that most models were as dumb as they were beautiful. Although, this girl was not your typical supermodel. This gorgeous girl was the heiress to both the Hayden and Gilmore family fortunes, and he, of course, had heard of her list of past boyfriends. It was, after all, hard not to hear of a 17-year-old girl being asked out by everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to the Duke of Värmland. He heard stories that she had been accepted to some of the best schools in the world without so much as a finger being lifted by daddy dearest. Honestly, he was a little jealous of her. She was not being forced into becoming a CEO or a trophy wife. She was doing her own thing, and Logan admired her for that.
As Logan entered his family's home, he put aside his thoughts of the blue-eyed beauty. He was apparently supposed to meet his father for an "extremely vital" business meeting. This was just his father's way of telling him to prepare for an afternoon of talking about a subject that didn't really matter.
However, when Logan entered his dad's office, he noticed that they were the only two there. There were no consultants, no editors, and he didn't even see his father's personal assistant.
"Where the hell is everybody?" Logan mumbled, clearly confused.
"Son, sit down. We have a lot to discuss, and I don't have enough time to waste to lecture you." Mitchum stated firmly.
"Dad, I thought you said we were discussing business today?" Logan questioned. It was unlike his father to lie to him. Sure, the man was a jackass, but he had never once lied about his intentions to his son.
"We are here to discuss business. We are here to discuss why you have yet to return to Yale, even though you returned from your little trip over a month ago." He remarked looking over financial papers.
Logan had taken a year off to sail around the world. He and his friends had started off in the Bahamas, and they had ended up off the coast of Fiji before the yacht hey were using sank. Mitchum had sent his private jets to get Logan and his friends, and he had been on Logan's case ever since.
"Dad, you haven't even given me the chance…" Logan tried, but he was cut off by his father's tired voice.
"Logan, I don't really care what you have against me or the family, but you will start getting your act together. I refuse to let you run the family business into the ground." He affirmed, all the while never looking up. "Now, on to other important matters. I have invited a few new guests to the gala, and I want you to be there on your best manners. Your friends are coming, I assume?" Asked Mitchum. It was clear that he was finished discussing the previous subject.
"No. Colin and Steph are having dinner with each other's families, and Finn is…well…Finn. I know you're disappointed." Said Logan with a sarcastic tone. He knew that he would have to take over the family business, but he hated being reminded of it every few seconds.
"Don't take that tone with me Logan. After all, if I wasn't here, who would be paying your bills?" Asked Mitchum as he finally looked up at his son.
Logan remained quiet, and Mitchum took that as his cue to move on.
"Well, since your friends won't be attending, then I have a task for you to complete." He said authoritatively. "I have invited Rory Hayden to this gala. You and I both know that magazines are making more money than papers these days, and I have decided to purchase one: Harper's Bazaar. I want her in my premiere issue, but I've heard that she's anxious to leave the modeling business behind." Remarked Mitchum, as Logan looked on shocked. "This is where you come in. I want you to talk to her and get her to do the cover."
Logan sat in shock. What made his dad think that Rory would come? Why did his dad want him to handle the issue? Usually, all Logan had to do was meet and greet the clients and attend a few meetings.
"Dad, what... I mean…are you serious?" Logan asked with a bit of nervousness. He didn't know if he could handle this. This was Rory Hayden, the Rory Hayden.
"Son, you and I both know that I could never get a Hayden to agree to something they don't want to do. Now, this girl is young, and she was just involved in a break-up with England's most eligible bachelor. She needs comfort; she needs a knight-in-shining armor. You will be that, understand?" Mitchum said.
Logan sat there amazed. His father wanted him to date a model.
'Okay, so maybe I was wrong. Him telling me that he's proud of me wouldn't be the most impossible thing to ever happen.' Logan thought will a bemused expression.
"You can leave now Logan." Expressed Mitchum as Logan slowly began to stand.
With that, he headed out of house and over to Finn's apartment. This was way too much for him to take without a drink in his hand.
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As Rory sat in the back of the limo, she replayed the events of that morning in her mind. Her mother had called. They had spoken for the first time in a year, and she had invited Rory to visit her. Rochelle had offered to come along, but Rory knew this was an obstacle she had to tackle on her own. She just couldn't believe it. She was about to meet the woman who had given birth to her, and all she could think to ask was why she left her father and her.
'It doesn't matter why she left. She obviously didn't care enough to stick around, and I am not going to give her the satisfaction to know that it hurt.' Thought Rory indignantly.
She was, after all, half Gilmore, and it was well known that Gilmores could hold grudges like no others.
All of a sudden, Rory felt the car stop. As the driver told her they had arrived, her heart began pumping fasting. She suddenly started sweating and feeling dizzy. This was it. She slowly climbed from the car, and told the driver to wait outside in case she couldn't handle her mother's words. For a moment, all she could do was stare at the house. It was located in a small town, Stars Hollow. It was about the size of her maids' living quarters. It was blue, and in front off the garage was parked an old jeep.
'Why would she leave Dad for this? Why would she leave me for this' She couldn't help but think. As she grasped the banister and began thinking of what awaited her on the other side of the door, she had the urge to run back to the car.
'Oh would you just do it!" Something inside of her screamed.
Finally, she inhaled a quick breathe and knocked. She let out her breath and waited.
She could hear a woman screaming and children crying. Finally, a teenage brunette girl with red glasses and a bored face opened the door. When she saw Rory, she looked flabbergasted.
"You…you…do you know who you are?" Asked the girl. Rory smiled. If the circumstances were different, she probably would have enjoyed talking to this girl. She wore pajama bottoms along with a shirt that said, "Reading is Sexy" on it.
"Yeah. I'm…umm…looking for Lorelai Victoria Gilmore?" Rory asked nervously. This was the first time in a long time that she felt the urge to go running to her daddy. She knew he would be proud of her for putting everything aside and visiting her mother.
"Oh no! She didn't do anything to offend you did she? Sometimes she says some really crazy stuff and it's not like she means it, but…" She rambled but was cut off by a brunette woman with piercing blue eyes.
"April, hon, who's at the door?"
"It's Rory Hayden. Lorelai, you didn't do anything stupid did you?" She asked with a stern voice.
"What…no! Wait, you're Rory?" She asked as the April girl became quiet.
Up until then, Rory had been staring at this woman. This was her mother; she could tell by the face. Her father had shown her pictures of Lorelai as a teenager when Rory had asked him to.
Rory drew out of her reverie and spoke.
"Yes, I'm Rory, and I believe you are the woman who abandoned my father." Rory stated coldly, surprising both herself and Lorelai in the process.
"Well, there's a lot to that story that you don't know. Umm…would you like to continue this inside?" She asked with a trace of sadness.
Rory stepped into the house and immediately saw two little brunette boys playing with toy trucks. They couldn't have been over two years old.
"Those are your brothers, Eric Lucas Danes and Ethan Maxwell Danes. As for the adorable girl that you met before, her name is April Nardini and she's my husband's daughter." Said Lorelai jokingly.
Rory couldn't help but smile. There was someone in this family that she didn't have to hate.
"Well, umm, I know you've probably got some questions, and I know I do. So, how 'bout we sit down?" Lorelai asked nervously.
"Sure, that'd be fine." Rory said as she sat down on the couch.
She looked around and saw several pictures hanging up. She couldn't help but feel anger. This woman left Rory and started a family, and now that Rory had her own, she was trying to take it away. Rory remained resolute. She did not want to have a relationship with this woman, but she did want some type of closure.
As Rory continued to scan the room, she felt her phone vibrating. She looked at Lorelai apologetically before answering the phone.
"Hello." She said while trying to avoid Lorelai's gaze. "No…listen…I really can't talk right now." Rory said quietly. "You're what! Oh my goodness! Why didn't you tell me?" Asked Rory excitedly. "Of course I will. Oh my! Are you sure? All right, all right. Congrats and I'll see you when I get back." Rory stated gleefully as she hung up the phone.
"Sorry about that." Said Rory still excited from the call.
"It's fine, really. Umm…so who was it?" Asked Lorelai, back to being nervous.
"Oh, it was just Madge. She's having a baby." She said. As soon as she realized what she said, she tried to get a handle of the situation.
"However, the press doesn't know, so don't tell them." She stated rather than questioned.
"Sure. Why? Is she famous?" Lorelai inquired. She knew that Rory had prominent friends, and she all of a sudden felt very left out. Chris had filled her in on how Rory knew every A-lister, Brit or American.
"Yeah, you know, Madonna." Rory stated.
"Madonna…are you kidding me! Madonna was on the phone?" Lorelai asked. She could not believe it.
"Yeah, I'm going to be the godmother to her child." Rory said smiling brightly.
"Oh…wow!" Lorelai acknowledged with incredulousness.
The girls spent the next few hours in awkward silence with an occasional question asked about family and traveling. Luke had called and said he would be staying at the diner overnight. From there, the girls sat and discussed Stars Hollow and London.
Lorelai could tell that Rory didn't need a mother in her life. She already had one. After all, the only things that Rory would talk about were fashion and Rochelle.
"So, she's kinda like your second mom, huh?" Lorelai wondered aloud. Rory looked up from where she had been staring at the floor and answered the question.
"No," she began, "she's like my first mom." She whispered quietly.
Lorelai heard this and had the urge to cry.
'She doesn't even think of me as her mom.' Lorelai realized.
"Well, I must be going. I have things to do." Rory said as she stood. As she walked towards the door, she gathered all of her courage. This talk had gotten her nowhere, and she wanted answers.
"I'd like to see you again, if it isn't a bother?" Rory declared placing her gaze upon Lorelai.
"Of course." Lorelai affirmed with much surprise. "I'd like to see you again too."
Rory let out the breath she had been holding and nodded.
"I'll have Rochelle call you. Goodbye." She confirmed with the politeness she had been taught by her grandmother, Francine.
With that she walked towards the waiting limo and refused to look back. Now all she had to do was get a cup of coffee and find an outfit for that party.
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Logan had been shocked after his big talk with his father. He had gone over to Finn's apartment and had a considerable amount to drink when he decided he needed to go away for awhile. He needed time by himself to think. That is when he saw her.
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"The second day in a row, are you stalking me?" Whispered a voice into Rory's ear.
As she whipped around, she came face to face with the blonde-haired boy from yesterday.
"You really shouldn't do that to someone you just met." Rory said surprised but with an air of confidence about her.
"What can I say? I'm anything if not bold." He stated with a cocky grin as he went to pay for the coffee Rory had just ordered.
At this, Rory smiled. She had to give it to him; he knew how to get a girl's attention.
"Well…Logan, was it?" She asked and he just nodded surprised. "I seem to recall that the first time we met, you were not nearly as daring or witty." She said.
"First off, how did you know my name? And secondly, you think I'm 'witty'?" Logan inquired. He didn't remember giving her his name, and he was definitely intrigued.
"To answer your first question, darling," Rory said with a humorous undertone, "you'd be surprised what you learn when you actually pay attention. As for your second question, I'm not sure yet." Rory had changed her tone. At first it had been joking and teasing, but now, it was completely serious.
"Well, maybe I can convince you." Logan said with a hint of promise.
"Why don't you try?" Rory questioned with a smirk. This boy was certainly amusing.
"Rory Hayden, was that a challenge?" Logan queried. This was turning out better than he had hoped.
"That's not fair!" Rory screeched with mock offense.
"What…what's not fair?" Logan worried. Had he said something to upset her?
"You know my last name, but I don't know yours." She stated with a pout.
Logan couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and gently grabbed her hand.
"Where are my manners? I'm Logan…Logan Huntzberger."
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Did ya like it? I hope so! I just had to get some things outta the way. For instance, Rory finally met Lorelai. There'll be more of that in future chapters though. Anyway, please review! Please with sugar on top! Please with sugar and whipped cream and a Hershey's kiss on top! You guys rock, and I promise I'll update soon!
