AN: I am so sorry for the delay in updating I hope that the length of the chapter makes up for it. I had finals and term papers to write. On the plus side, I completed my BA and I'm graduating with a university level history degree, much to the shock of everyone. Also, this chapter was giving me grief for some unknown reason, but I sorted it out an here you go.
On with the show!
Rory woke up the next morning to find Logan smiling down at her and gently rubbing her stomach.
"Good morning, Ace."
"Good morning, Logan." Rory gently cupped Logan's cheek pulled him down and kissed him.
When they broke apart Logan broke into a large grin. He laid down next to Rory and draped his arm over her waist and pulled her close. Logan kissed Rory's temple and they laid in silence revelling in the moment they were having. Their moment was unfortunately broken by the ringing of Logan's cell phone. Logan groaned and got out of bed to get his phone. Rory watched him as he had a brief conversation and pinched the bridge of his nose. He hung up and looked at Rory.
"Work emergency?" Rory asked calmly but a little upset that he'd have to race out of the apartment.
"Nope, just Finn. I do have to be at the office within the hour though. A meeting starts in an hour and a half and the boss can't be late."
Rory smirked and rolled out of bed and stretched. She was about to ask Logan to start the percolator when suddenly felt the urge to vomit. She took off towards the bathroom and quickly emptied the contents of her stomach. It only took a second for Logan to figure out what had happened and he took off after Rory. He found her hanging over the toilet and he squatted down behind her pulled her hair back and rubbed her back until she seemingly finished and slumped back into him.
"How are you feeling, Ace?" Logan murmured into her hair then he kissed her temple.
"I'm ok. The baby doesn't like mornings." Rory said as she absentmindedly rubbed her stomach. Logan got this stupid grin on his face when Rory offhandedly mentioned their baby. Something about the candidness of the comment made it very real. They were having a baby. Rory looked up at Logan and saw his grin. She smirked amused at his expression. "What's got you all happy Huntzberger?"
"We're having a baby," Logan said gleefully
Rory snorted in amusement. "I was wondering what the vomiting and that ultrasound were all about?"
"Sorry Ace, but something about the way you said how the baby doesn't like mornings and you rubbing your stomach like that, made me realize that this wasn't some elaborate dream or a vivid hallucination, it's actually happening."
"It's really happening." Rory grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach. Something about that moment, sitting on the bathroom floor, Logan's hand on Rory's stomach right after Rory threw up was one of the sweetest moments they've ever shared.
Despite how sweet it was Rory was starting to get hungry and she knew that at some point Logan was going to have to go to work. "I really am loving this, but can we get off the bathroom floor now?" Rory laughed lightly at Logan's face as he realized exactly where they were.
"Yeah, Ace." Logan got up then helped Rory to her feet. Logan kissed her lightly before leaving the bathroom to start breakfast.
Rory came into the kitchen to find a cup of tea and some pancakes sitting on the breakfast bar with Logan unpacking some boxes. Rory sat at the counter amazed at the breakfast in front of her. "This looks amazing, thank you." Rory smiled at Logan before digging in.
"How does the baby feel about pancakes?" Logan said
"The baby likes pancakes. We could do with some syrup and apple juice though."
"Coming right up," Logan said as he got a glass of juice for Rory then sat next to her with his own pancakes.
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying the domesticity of it all, before Logan spoke. "What are your plans for today?"
"I'm not sure. I'll unpack some more, but I want to get a feel for the neighbourhood and I am going to figure out exactly how long it'll take me to get to the office from here. I'd like to work on my book a little as well"
"You're writing a book?" Logan said stunned. He knew she had it in her, but he didn't know that she was actually doing it. "What's it about?"
"My mom and I, our life together," Rory said nervously.
"I like it, it's a unique story and it is one only you can tell. Where'd you get the idea?"
"An old friend of mine, he told me just how unique that story was and since he was a published author why shouldn't I be one." Logan let out a light chuckle, agreeing wholeheartedly.
"You absolutely could be published if you wanted too," Logan said with a smile, then a thought occurred to him. "Are you going to keep writing even though you've excepted the job, and everything else going on?" Logan knew that Rory liked to throw herself completely into a project and with the new job, the issues with Lorelai and a baby he was worried something would be dropped.
"I'm going to keep writing it, even if it's just to finish it. The book knocked some of the cobwebs loose and helped me gain some perspective and I need to finish it, so I feel like myself again."
Logan nodded in understanding. "Do you have any bites yet?"
"My friend has written a few books and owns a publishing company and he said that they'd take a look if I wanted to, I think I'll take him up on it."
"That's a good idea, getting advice from others in the business is never a bad idea," Logan said. After a minute he remembered that Rory said she wanted to figure out how long it'd take to get to the office, which spurred him into voicing another thought. "I know you said that you'd take the subway, but would you consider driving your own car to the office? It's only fifteen minutes in bad traffic and I really don't like the idea of you taking public transit when you're pregnant."
"Pregnant women do all sorts of things every day. That includes taking subways." Rory folded her arms in defiance.
"Yes, but I'm pretty sure that most of them would rather be in their own cars if they could."
"I'm not too good for the working class Logan." Logan's eyebrow shot up, realizing this might have more to do with Lorelai then Logan thought.
"I know." Logan cocked his head regarding Rory debating whether to ask about Lorelai. "Is this about Lorelai?"
"Maybe," Rory whispered biting her lip.
"Oh, Ace. Just because you don't have to take public transit if you don't want to, doesn't mean you think you're better then the people who do." Logan said softly.
Rory sighed thinking about what Logan said. She really didn't want to be taking the subway to indecisiveness and tried to help. "You wouldn't be the only one in the office who drives to work and there is a parking garage not far from the paper. Just think about it, please?"
"I'll think about it. But I'm not using a hired driver on a regular basis." Rory said pointing her finger at Logan.
Logan laughed and wrapped Rory in a hug. "Deal."
Rory backed out of the hug and moved to put the dishes in the dishwasher. "What is the game plan for tonight?"
"Scotch. And lots of it." Logan said with a smirk.
"Well that all well and good for you, but what about me? What did your mother say when you told her we were coming? If your mother mentions that Fallon Girl, Odette or implies any horrid insult directed at our child I will become hostile." Rory was working herself up and Logan knew he had to calm her down. He didn't know much about pregnancy and babies, but he did know stress was bad and this wasn't even the most stressful part of the day.
"Ace, baby, calm down." Logan came to Rory and hugged her until she relaxed in his arms. "I won't let her disrespect you or our child. I promise. She says anything that upsets you in any way and we'll leave. Ok?" Logan felt her nod against his chest.
"Ok," Rory mumbled against Logan's chest. Rory went and sat down at the bar then looked at Logan. "But you never answered my question."
"I called Bellatrix and informed her that we were coming to dinner. She sounded like a typical socialite mother saying how pleased she was to see her son again. I did not tell her I was bringing you but I did tell her I was bringing a guest who she said she couldn't wait to meet." Rory and Logan rolled their eyes in tandem at that. They both knew that she was saving face, even over the phone. "Shira also informed me that dinner was at 7 pm sharp, and when I dared to bargain on the time she told me that dinner has always been served at 7 and that any women worth their salt knows that dinner is at seven. I also called Honour and told her that I was having dinner with mom and that I needed back up. What about the rest of the weekend?"
"I called Grandma and told her that I was coming up Saturday evening but that I'd have to leave Sunday afternoon at the latest. I also called dad and told him I was coming Sunday, but I wasn't sure of the time."
"I called the boys and told them I was coming up for a few days and that I wanted to meet up Saturday afternoon."
"Poor, Finn! That's just too early." Rory snickered thinking of the crazy Australian.
"Colin promised to have him there."
"And sober?"
"Now Ace, we both know that no one can ever promise to deliver him sober."
"Of course, what was I thinking." Rory smiled at the ridiculousness of the situation. "So, how are we getting there?"
"I'll have Frank pick you up at five and he'll take you the plane. I'll meet you there."
"Sounds good. I don't want to wear my dinner clothes on the plane, who knows what your mother would say about that."
"Please don't worry about my mother. I'll stand by you no matter what, ok?" Logan said wrapping Rory in his arms.
"Thank you. But, I don't want to give your mother any more ammunition, so dinner clothes?"
"Change on the plane. We're landing right in Hartford so ti wouldn't be any different then when we drove down from New Haven" Logan shrugged. "What did your mom say about us staying at the Dragonfly?"
"I spoke to Michel. He was pleased I was bringing someone who has sensible fashion sense and happily reserved one room for tonight."
Logan looked at Rory in disbelief. He knew things between Rory and Lorelai were tense but the fact that she didn't speak to Lorelai made him nervous. "She knows we're coming, right?"
"Yes, I told her last week. But when I called the inn Michel told me that she was busy and that she didn't want to speak to me."
"She said that?" Logan said angrily
"Who knows. The message came through Michel." Rory said half-heartedly.
"I'm sorry Ace," Logan said with a guilty look. He knew that many of the issues that were between Rory and Lorelai were stemmed from his presence.
"It's not your fault. I knew mom would flip when she realized I wanted a life outside Stars Hollow and the fact that I'm taking advantage of everything she despises to achieve it is making her angry." Logan looked sadly at Rory. He knew that it was bothering her but there wasn't much he could do other than be there for her.
"I'm sorry, but I need to get to the office. I'll see you tonight." Logan kissed her lightly then headed towards the door.
"Work dork." She said with a wide grin on her face.
"Work dork lover." Logan came over and kissed her again. Harder than the last time but just as fast. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now get to work before the news industry ceases to exist." She laughed as she shoved him out the door.
After Logan left Rory smiled thinking that she could get used to a life filled with moments and mornings just like this.
Rory was breaking in her new office space by at her computer looking at different car models trying to determine which type of car and model she liked. She quickly surmised that she wanted a mid-size SUV and for reasons that she didn't want to analyze she was leaning towards luxury cars. She knew that she needed to trade in, but she was also seriously considering trading up.
As she was making pro/con lists for the three cars she had narrowed it down to, an Infiniti QX60, a Lincoln MKC, and a Range Rover, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and noticed that the call was coming in from Hartford.
"Rory Gilmore," Rory said apprehensively. She rarely got unknown calls from Hartford and they had decreased even more since her Grandma moved to Nantucket.
"Ms. Gilmore, this is Sharon Collins of the Montgomery and Campbell law firm. DO you have a moment to talk?" The professional sounding voice coming through the phone startled Rory. She knew that the firm the woman was from was the firm that handled her grandfathers will.
"Yes, I do. What is this regarding?" Rory was desperately trying to remain calm but it was not going to plan.
"This is regarding some of your inheritance. The lawyer that handled your grandfathers' estate was an old friend of his and was up there in age himself, the issue actually lies in the fact that that lawyer did not directly handle your grandfathers' assets. There were some specific directions that your grandfather wanted to be followed at the time of his death, and due to the change over the directions weren't followed."
"Alright. What exactly does that mean?"
The woman on the other end of the line sighed as if debating whether she should tell Rory the whole truth. "You clearly have something more that you need to tell me so please tell me," Rory said as sternly as possible without sounding threatening.
"You were left a substantial amount of money and property from your great-grandmother, Lorelai Gilmore the first. The inheritance first went to your grandfather, but he put it aside to transfer to you at the time of his death. Due to the change in barristers, you did not get your full inheritance at the time of your grandfathers' death. I can't give you specifics over the phone because of the size of the inheritance but if you'd come to my office we can go over the specifics."
Rory's head spun with the amount of information that she had just received. She figured that her great-grandmother left her something, after the showdown regarding her trust fund when she was 16, she assumed she was left something. Now she thought that the amount that she was set to inherit was significantly higher then she thought.
"Ms. Gilmore?" The voice cut through Rory's train of thought and reminded her that someone was speaking to her.
"Yes, I am still here. When may I come to your office?" While Rory was still freaking out, her voice sounded much crosser then she had planned.
"Considering the circumstances, anytime you like." The woman was trying to pacify Rory and they knew it. The law firm had made a grave error and this woman was left to clean up the mess of an old man.
Channelling her inner Emily Gilmore Rory spoke with more authority then she normally did. "I'd like this straightened out as soon as possible. I live in New York City but I'm in Hartford often. May I call you back when I confirm other meeting times and will be in Hartford?" Rory hoped that she had sounded authoritative enough to get what she wanted.
"Yes, that's fine." Said the mildly skittish voice of the lawyer through the phone.
"I'll call you back in a little while. Goodbye." Rory hung up not waiting for a reply. She took a deep breath trying to settle her rattled nerves. Her grandfather's death had been difficult on everyone and she really did not want to revisit that time in her life. It seemed like one minute she was hearing the doctor tell them that they were sorry, and they did everything they could, and the next she was listening to the lawyer tell them what her grandpa had left them. Sometimes it felt as if she had no real time to grief him. His death broke her, but she spent much of the time immediately after his death holding her grandma together and monitoring her mom that she didn't work through her grief in the same way. She wondered if claiming what her grandpa had left her instead of shaming it, would help her finally heal and so far it seemed to be working. She still missed him more than she ever thought possible but claiming her inheritance instead of abandoning it made her feel like she wasn't abandoning her grandpa. As ridiculous as that sounded.
Once Rory felt she was centred enough to stand up and make it to the kitchen she went and made herself a cup of tea. A few minutes later she took her cup of tea and settled herself on the couch and called Logan. She wasn't sure he would pick up but even if she just heard his voice message and rambled into his inbox it would help her make a decision. She was pretty sure she knew the plan and they could alter it if things got messy, but she wanted to avoid that if possible.
"Hey, Ace. What's going on?" Logan's voice relaxed Rory immensely and helped her focus.
"Hey, I'm a little surprised you picked up."
"I always have time for my baby mama," Logan said knowing that it'd rile her up.
"Don't ever call me that again. Or else you'll be sleeping on the couch."
"Duly noted. Honestly, I'm so glad you called. It gave me an excuse to duck out of a board meeting where some of the members still think I'm that frat boy who crashed his father's yacht."
"The old guard isn't taking the change over well I assume."
"Not at all. Most of the old guard have no understanding of the society we live in so it's just a mess. Luckily enough some people have an understanding of how things have changed, and a few others understand that they don't know everything that we can get some things done. But the men my father revered are all waiting for me to fail."
"You saved HPG, you know that I know that, and they know that even if they don't like it. And, you're the boss, you've got all the power and don't you forget it. But I need to ask you something then I'll let you get back to your old guard."
"Ok, what's up?"
"What time are we meeting the guys tomorrow?"
"Around 3. Why?"
"I got a phone call from the law firm that handled my grandpa's estate. Apparently, something was missed and I didn't get my full inheritance."
"Whoa," Logan said shocked. "How is that even possible? Richard always seemed like someone who would have all contingencies taken care of."
"Apparently it was from my great-grandmother. She left it to my grandfather and he put it aside separately with instructions that I was to get everything at the time of his death. There was a changeover and the lawyer who we spoke to after my grandpa died didn't handle his estate when my grandpa set up his will so, he didn't know about the extra inheritance."
Logan let out a low whistle in awe. "Do you know how much was missed?"
"No idea. The woman I spoke to said that there was some property but that the inheritance as a whole, was too substantial to talk about over the phone."
Logan let out a low whistle in awe. "That means that the amount was massive."
"How massive?"
"A couple hundred million if I had to guess."
"What?" Rory shrieked through the phone.
"With an amount that high a firm would be reluctant to not manage things with the utmost care. Especially if an error had already been made. Did she say when she wanted to meet with us?"
"No. But I really want to get this dealt with as soon as possible. I was going to say I could meet her tomorrow."
"Really?" Logan said surprised. "Tomorrow is Saturday."
"I know but we'll be in Hartford tomorrow and I'm more than a little annoyed that they made a mistake like this at all. I start work Monday and I don't want to have to explain that I need time off to deal with a law firm that can't even deal with a simple will." Rory said getting frustrated.
"Ace, you've gotta calm down," Logan said gently. He got the feeling that he was going to spending a lot of the next six months telling her to remain calm.
Rory took a breath trying to calm herself then finished. "I know this is going to sound a little snooty-"
Logan laughed at the word choice. "Snooty?" He said laughing
"Yes, snooty," Rory said lightly. "The Gilmore's have influence in Hartford and this company handled Richard Gilmore's estate and screwed up and it sounds like they screwed up big. The least they could do is meet with the heir outside of business hours to rectify that mistake."
"You sound like a prominent member of high society when you say that," Logan said thoughtfully.
"Well, it seems like that I might have a net worth that is in the same ballpark as yours and I'd like to know exactly what happened to that money."
"That's totally reasonable. My mother, father, sister, and your grandmother would all have that lawyers head on a stake if they knew what happened." Logan said smirking thinking of how Emily would have the poor lawyer fearing for her life.
"I don't want to castrate the woman. She was doing her job!" Rory yelped. "The other partners hadn't called me, but they must've known about it. She was trying to fix an old man's mistake and I'm not going to vilify her for it." Rory said sternly.
Logan smiled listening to her ramble. He was so pleased that Rory was embracing high society life a little, but he didn't want her to lose herself completely in a world that could easily swallow you whole. "I wasn't planning on it, Ace. How about we meet with the lawyer at 11:30 or noon. That way we can still have some time in Stars Hollow and be able to meet with the guys."
"Do you think it will take that long?" Rory said apprehensively.
"Probably," Logan said regretfully. He didn't want this weekend to be any more stressful than it already was, he was just going to have to be there for her and keep the stress to a minimum. "I'm sorry Ace, but I really need to get back in there."
"That's ok, go! Go deal with the old guard and show them who's in charge." Rory said quickly, suddenly realizing how long they'd been on the phone.
"I'll see you tonight Ace."
"See you later. I love you, Logan."
"I love you too, Rory. Bye"
"Bye." Rory hung up thinking that she was more relaxed then she had been since her phone range earlier and she knew that Logan had a lot to do with that. She heard him call her Rory, and she knew that he said it shows that he wasn't teasing or bickering like they often did, but that he really did love her.
Rory thought about that for a minute and then dialled the phone number that the lawyer gave her.
"Sharon Collins office." A chipper voice answered that Rory knew belonged to a secretary.
"Hello, I'd like to speak Sharon Collins please," Rory said professionally
"Who is calling?"
"Rory Gilmore, in regard to the Gilmore estate," Rory said not knowing if the information would have been listed under her grandpa's will or her great-grandmothers.
"Yes Ms. Gilmore, she is expecting your call. I'll transfer you now." The secretary sounded mildly panicked when she discovered who she was speaking to. Rory wondered what made her react in such a manner.
"Thank you," Rory said pleasantly hoping to make the secretary relax.
Rory heard a few beeps that she assumed was the call being transferred then the phone picked up. "Collins." A voice answered quickly.
"Ms. Collins this is Rory Gilmore. I'm calling about making an appointment to speak with you about my inheritance." Rory said professionally but kindly
"Yes, ma'am I remember. When would you like to come in?"
"Don't bother calling me ma'am, my name is Rory," Rory said calmly hoping to not terrify everyone she spoke to in the office.
"Alright Rory, then you can call me Sharon. When would you like to come in?"
"As soon as possible. Due to the nature of the appointment, I would like this dealt with quickly. Now due to my family's status and the reason for this visit I was hoping that you'd make an exception?" Rory said sweetly but sternly. Desperately trying to convey that she wasn't threatening but she wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Of course, Rory. We would be pleased to help whatever way possible. What type of exception were you asking for?" Sharon said slightly apprehensive.
"I live in New York City but I'll be in Hartford over the weekend and I was hoping that this could be dealt with while I was there. I'm hoping that we could meet tomorrow around noon. I know that it's a little unconventional but due to the circumstances I hope it wouldn't be a problem." Rory tried to channel her inner Gilmore. Her grandpa was a businessman through and through and he could be quite convincing, she hoped that she came across similar to her grandpa.
"That shouldn't be a problem. There are generally people around the office over the weekend and the firm was willing to do whatever it took to resolve our mistake." Rory knew that she was playing the world of big names and big money and that people were going to treat her a certain way if they knew exactly how much she was worth.
"Thank you for accommodating me. I know that it was an unusual request." Rory said kindly.
"Not as strange as you might think. I will see you tomorrow at noon. Have you been to the firm before?" Sharon said happily. She was thrilled that she was able to appease a high profile client.
"No. When my grandfathers will be originally dealt with, Mr. Harris came to us."
"I am sorry about Mr. Harris' error. The firm is on the 10th floor of Goodwin Square, on Asylum street. If there isn't anyone at the desk call me and I'll come and get you."
"Thank you, Sharon. I will see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow. Goodbye" Rory hung up the phone not knowing what fate awaited her in Hartford over the next 24 hours.
At 6:55, Logan and Rory were pulling into the expansive driveway of the Huntzberger's estate. The flight had taken 45 minutes and there was a car waiting for them when they disembarked.
Logan stared up at the mansion, trepidation written all over his face. Rory didn't like the anxiety that was rolling off him. She knew that he wasn't the same man as he was the first time that they came here but the years of disappointment and resentment that came from his family could not be erased by suddenly being the head of it. She grabbed his hand and gave it a quick squeeze in order to break him of the spell he had been cast under. It seemed to work and Logan suddenly looked across at her. She smiled, what she hoped was a reassuring smile then spoke, "It's going to get worse the longer we sit here. Let's go face the dragon lady together."
Logan groaned then scrambled around a bit trying to find his keys and his wallet. Rory smiled sympathetically knowing that he would probably always turn into a nervous wreck when he was faced with his family.
They were standing on the front stoop delaying ringing the doorbell when Logan looked at Rory and had a revelation. He wasn't the boy that he was when he first brought Rory home anymore, he wasn't even the person who couldn't stand up to his father. No, he was a man who had a baby on the way, who had the love of his life standing next to him and he had to stop acting like a frightened child and be a man and protect his family. So, with that thought, he squeezed Rory's hand and rang the doorbell.
A skittish looking maid answered the door and waved them inside. They handed the maid their coats and smiled politely which seemed to calm the poor maid immensely. "What's your name?" Rory gently asked the maid. Logan smiled knowing that Rory was trying to show the maid a little kindness that, knowing his mother, she rarely saw.
"Monica." The maid said quietly.
"Thank you, Monica," Rory said sweetly.
"Monica" Logan chimed in from beside Rory. "Can you please tell us where I can find my mother?"
"Mrs. Huntzberger and Mrs. Hurst are in the sitting room." Rory turned to Logan and mouthed 'Hurst?' In confusion.
"Josh's last name is Hurst," Logan said, clearing up Rory's confusion. "We'll see ourselves back, and we apologize in advance." Monica just looked at the pair in confusion before turning away to put away the coats.
Rory chuckled lightly as Logan led her through the mansion that wasn't nearly as impressive as it was the first time around. "That poor girl."
"C' mon, Ace," Logan said chuckling.
Sooner than either would like they reached the sitting room, they both hesitated a bit before Logan steeled his resolve and marched in with as much authority as he could muster, pulling Rory with him.
"Hello, Mother," Logan said coolly as he bent down to kiss her cheek.
"Logan, I'm so pleased that you could join us for dinner. It's been so long since you've been home." Shira said in her best society mother voice.
Honour, on the other hand, was actually thrilled to see Logan and was not afraid to show it. She bounced out of her chair giving Logan a hug. "Logan! I've missed you! Tell me everything." Honour disentangled herself from Logan and noticed Rory standing next to Logan. "Rory!" Honour shrieked and she threw her arms around Rory making her squeak in surprise. "I'm so glad to see you!" Honour dragged Rory over to the couch, lightly pushing her down, then sat in the chair next to her. "What are you doing here? Does this mean you and Logan are back together? I told him he was a moron for giving you that stupid ultimatum. He has never been as happy as he was when he was with you. Please tell me you're back together?" Honour said practically bouncing in her seat.
Rory and Logan laughed at Honour's excitement, pleased that at least one Huntzberger would be excited for them. Before they could dwell on that any longer Shira interrupted Honour's rambling. "Logan, why did you bring this guest with you tonight?" Shira said snidely. She was still trying to regain some sense of propriety before letting her real feelings known.
"This guests name is Rory. I brought her here because we have some news that we'd like to share." Logan looked over at Rory silently asking if it was alright to tell them. She nodded in agreement and he squeezed her hand, bracing themselves for the hurricane Shira. "Rory and I are back together." Honour let out a little yelp of excitement and Shira was attempting a glare. "There's more," Logan said apprehensively. He looked towards Rory silently asking if it was alright to continue. When she nodded, he looked at Honour and Shira he squeezed her hand and slid forward as if to shield her from the oncoming assault. "Rory's pregnant. We're going to have a baby."
Rory looked around the room nervously while Logan wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close as if to protect her from an oncoming explosion. No one said anything for a moment until Honour let out an ear piercing shriek. "A baby!" She squealed. Honour jumped up and pulled Rory into a hug. "I can't believe my baby brothers going to be a dad!" She yelped hugging Logan as well.
Honour was still rambling on in an almost scarily excited way when Shira finally spoke. "Honour, control yourself."
The shrill voice of Shira brought everyone to a halt. "Logan, you cannot be with this girl. I had hoped that you had finally gotten her and the little rebellion of yours out of your system when she did the only thing I approved of when she said no to your proposal. Then you had moved on to women who could make you happier and who were better suited to you and the life that comes from being a Huntzberger wife." Logan was fuming but before he could interject Shira continued speaking. "This girl," Shira sneered "Does not come from the proper background and would tarnish your reputation. Logan think for a minute, how do you know the child is yours if she really is pregnant. She is using you to gain access to our fortune. She was raised by a single mom who had her at sixteen. She clearly had questionable morals and Rory could be just as much of whore as her mother."
There was a brief moment of silence where Rory, Logan and Honour were too stunned to speak and Shira thought she had won until Logan spoke up. "ENOUGH! Mother, you are way out of line." He was standing and glaring at Shira in a way that he hadn't done before. "Rory," He enunciated her name in an exaggerated manner "Makes me happier than I ever thought possible. You will not insult her EVER again or imply anything ugly about her or OUR child ever again. If you do, I will cut you off so fast it will make your head spin."
Honour and Rory looked on dumbfounded as Logan threatened his mother. "Logan, you wouldn't do that," Shira said in a panicking tone, clearly not knowing what to think.
"Yes, I would. I have more power and more money then grandfather or dad ever had. Hell, dad almost lost it all, and I was the one who brought it all back." Logan looked over at Rory who was staring at him in shock. Rory blinked, shaking herself from her stupor and smiled at Logan, silently giving him the support, he needed.
"You can't cut me off, what will people say? Would you kick me out of the house too?"
"Honestly mother I don't care what anyone will say. I wouldn't leave you on the street but you wouldn't be able to live in the way that you have gotten used to. As for the house, I would kick you out, considering it's in my name. All of this is mine, mother, and I can do as I wish." Logan spoke, harsher then he meant, but when Shira started demeaning Rory he simply lost his temper.
"Really Logan? What are you going to do? Marry her?"
"Yes, I am!" Shira gasped looking like she might faint, Rory smiled slightly and Honour looked like she was going to have the wedding planned before the argument stopped. "I never wanted the life that you and dad had," Logan said much calmer. "I wanted someone who I loved and who would love me, I wanted someone who was my equal and who could challenge me and would call me out on my crap. I never wanted the woman you approved of because they weren't who I wanted. They weren't Rory."
Logan looked at Rory who was smiling widely at him. Logan moved to go sit next to Rory and wrapped an arm around her. Before Logan could say anything to her, Shira stood up. "I'm going to get some air, I'll be back." Logan and Honour rolled their eyes while Rory let out a watery chuckle. "Never stopped smoking I guess."
"Nope," Honour said with glee making Rory smile. "She'll probably go through most of her packs before dinner is served."
"Throw in a shot of vodka and a few Xanax and you'll be ready for the next spin-off of Real Housewives."
"I've always liked her Logan, she is obviously to good for you," Honour said once she controlled her laughter.
"I can't agree with you more." Logan pulled Rory closer to him and planted a kiss on top of her head, both of them oblivious to the shit-eating grin that Honour was wearing. "You guys are too adorable. Despite what my mom says, I am excited that you two are sorting your shit out and are FINALLY pulling yourselves together. Even though I am thrilled about that, that doesn't compare to the fact that you guys are going to have a baby! Congratulations!"
Rory and Logan both thanked Honour and Rory smiled at Logan who was wearing a similar happy expression. "Honestly, I haven't been this happy in a while and everything finally feels like it's falling into place."
"Seriously, you two are making me nauseous. So, Rory, I know how close you and your mom are, she must have been thrilled to find out about the baby."
The happy expression that Rory was wearing gave way to one that resembled sadness. Rory looked over at Logan for support, and with a slight nod of his head, a smile and a light squeeze Rory began telling Honour about 'Hurricane Lorelai'
"Well, my mother did not take the initial news that well. There was some yelling, she told me that I ruined my life and that if I wasn't living in the past I wouldn't have gotten myself in this scenario and would never have gone back to Logan." She looked back to Logan with an apologetic smile on her face. "I'm sorry that she said those things about you."
"It's alright. I know how Lorelai feels about me and it doesn't surprise me that she said those things."
"Anyway, things were better after my step-dad talked us down until two weeks ago. My mom isn't thrilled with any of my choices. Logan offered me a job at a paper HPG just acquired and she was pleased with that, she seemed supportive, but I think she made up her mind up about Logan before I told her what happened. We got into an argument when I told her that we got back together and it spiralled from there. I'm making decisions that she doesn't agree with and is fighting with me or not speaking to me about it. It's irritating and frustrating."
"Your 49-year-old mother is giving you the silent treatment?" Honour said in disbelief.
"She splits between not speaking to me, or telling me that I'm making horrible mistakes and that I'm turning into a high society bimbo with no heart."
Honour just looked shocked while Logan looked angry. "She said that?" He practically growled.
"No, not exactly," Rory said patting his knee in a soothing manner.
"Ok, so what did happen." Honour hoped to steer the conversation back to the original point.
Rory shifted to face honour more directly, "I bought an apartment in the city, it was a great place in a really nice area of Brooklyn, and it cost over a million dollars. My mom flipped out and started yelling about how I dipped into my inheritance to buy it. When I told her that was exactly what I did she just lost it. Said that I was buying my way to the top, and why would I do anything myself if I could pay someone to do it for me."
"This doesn't make sense. You guys were always so close." Honour said, thinking that Rory and Lorelai's relationship came in between Logan and Rory.
"Yeah" Rory sighed realizing she was going to go over this again, and probably a few more times before the weekend was out. "We were close when I lived a small life in Stars Hollow, but once I branched out and realized that I wanted a life that resembled your life instead of hers things got worse. Every time I do something that shows I'm not totally against the high society life, like taking a job that I was offered because I have the best contact in the business, spending 1.5 million dollars on an apartment, or stand up for myself and do what I want despite her manipulation, she either quits speaking to me until I change my mind or yells at me. On the drive down to New York, she said that I was settling by taking the job at The Post and that I was uprooting my entire life for a boy. When I told her that I wanted the job and that I never wanted to be a foreign correspondent then told her that I wanted more then what Stars Hollow could offer she started insulting me and the fact that I had essentially jumped the line because of my connections. I pushed back and said that I was qualified and that she didn't have to go through the interview process to get her first job. She became the manager through nepotism and she doesn't see that. When I disregarded her and kept going to the city, she didn't speak to me for the rest of the trip. I'm doing something she didn't pre-plan or approve of and is loudly showing her disapproval."
Logan pulled Rory closer to provide comfort as Honour thought about what had been said. Before anything could be said Shira came back in the room, reeking of cigarette smoke and with a society smile firmly in place. "Logan dear, can I assume since you and your friend" Logan and Rory simultaneously rolled their eyes at Shira's use of the word friend making Honour chuckle. "are still here, that you'll be staying for dinner?" Shira said in her standard society voice.
"No mother, we are not," Logan replied, the malice back in his voice. "We were talking to Honour, who is friends with Rory, and she wanted to congratulate us," Logan said grinning conspiratorially.
"Is this true Honour?" Shira looked at Honour with a mask of indifference that was slowly slipping.
"Yes, mother." Honour grinned widely, "I happen to like Rory and I think she is perfect for Logan and that they will be able to raise their children in a loving and supportive environment. Unlike some people I know." She looked pointedly at Shira as she said that last part of her sentence.
"Honour!" Shira gasped in shock, "I raised you and your brother in the proper way. This girl has-" before Shira could launch into another attack on Rory, Logan cut her off.
"I'd stop right there mother before you say anything that could have you out of your precious mansion," Logan said icily shocking Shira. She had never seen Logan take charge the way he was and only ever heard about it a handful of times. Seeing this behaviour made Shira understand that she was being overthrown and she was being replaced by her son and none other than Rory Gilmore, the girl she spent so much time despising.
"Logan…" Shira tried one last plea to her son but Logan wasn't budging.
"Rory, how about we go before anyone says anything they can't take back." Logan stood up and offered Rory his hand, she nodded slightly and stood to follow him out of the sitting room, once Logan had left the room to track down the terrified maid Rory whipped around and glared at Shira. "What exactly is your problem with me? I've never understood why you don't like me. It can't be breeding since I am both a Gilmore and Hayden." Rory didn't notice the shocked expression that was on Shira and Honour's faces. She also didn't see Logan return to the room to rescue Rory only to find her taking on Shira. "I know that it can't be money considering I'm likely worth more than you." Shira visibly blanched at that statement, but Rory continued before Shira could interject. "I've decided it must be that I wasn't somebody you picked out. I may not have grown up in this world, but I fit in perfectly since it's my birthright. I was a debutant, I went to prep school and an ivy league university, I was a DAR member and if I remember correctly you were never qualified to hold that position. Either that or you, are threatened by me. You're afraid I'll change things, but open your eyes, the Morgan's, McCrea's, Vanderbilt's and your precious Huntzberger's, some of the most powerful society family's, are all changing the way they approach things because the younger generation won't take your traditional bullshit."
The two women glared at each other but before anything else could be said Logan let out a laugh, breaking the stifling silence that had fallen over the room. Rory looked at Logan in surprise that eventually turned into a wide grin, while Shira was furious.
"You can't have more money than me. Even if you are a Hayden" Shira hissed at Rory, "You're just a lowly working girl." She all but spat out the last phrase.
Rory just laughed which made Shira even angrier. "There is nothing wrong with being a working girl. I like working. I'm starting a new job at a paper in New York on Monday with better pay and a job title that means I don't want your money. I tried being a society brat once, sorry guys." She quickly said to Logan and Honour, which was met by a quick shrug and a nod to continue. "I didn't like it and it wasn't who I was. I need a goal to be successful and driven." Shira just looked baffled, but Rory grinned smugly knowing she was about to throw the winning punch, "Now, as for how much money I have, I can almost guarantee I have more money than you, considering Logan's threat regarding the money. So, how much money do you have?"
"20 billion dollars," Shira replied smugly
"No, you don't. That's Logan's net worth. How much money do you personally have unlimited access to?"
Logan grinned at Rory's calculating expression, he's seen this before during business takeovers that were going badly, and the buyer found some damning information on the acquisition.
Shira sputtered a bit and muttered about needing some air before Logan jumped in. "Don't you remember mom," Logan said in a fake concerned voice, "You have 4 million and I give you a monthly allowance of 100,000 dollars." Logan smiled sweetly while Shira looked mortified.
"Thank you for clearing that up, Logan."
"No problem, Ace."
"Right, now Shira the proof that I have more money then you, my net worth right now is 250 million dollars. I was given the majority of the Gilmore estate after my grandpa died. I actually expect my net worth to go up before the weekend is up since I have more inheritance waiting for me from my great grandmother and the firm handling the affair asked me to come down without telling me exactly how much because the amount was large enough that they wouldn't divulge the specifics over the phone, other then the fact that the inheritance was substantial . They are actually keeping the opening their office specifically for me tomorrow because I am a noteworthy client. So, tell me again how I have less money?" Rory said smugly staring at a gobsmacked Shira.
As Rory smiled at Shira Logan stepped over to try and reign in the situation, no matter how impressed and amused he was by the turn of events. "Rory, are you ready to go? We do have other things to do this weekend, and despite how much I enjoy watching you take on my mother I would like some dinner."
Rory turned her attention to Logan and nodded at his suggestion. "I'm starving and I know Luke would make us whatever we wanted. He'll probably jump for joy when he finds out what I'm craving."
Logan snickered at the image of the surly diner owner bouncing in glee. "Well I wouldn't want to miss that, so let's go." The two of them left the room leaving a shocked Shira and a thoroughly amused Honour in their wake.
Once they got into the foyer Logan abruptly stopped and roughly pulled Rory into a kiss. They stood locked together until it became difficult to breathe. Rory broke the kiss when oxygen became absolutely necessary but stayed in Logan's embrace.
"What was the for?" Rory said with a dazed smile on her face.
Logan smirked down at Rory before speaking, "Can't a man kiss his gorgeous girlfriend?"
"You can, but that seemed brought on by something."
"Seeing you take on my mother and actually winning was ridiculously hot."
Rory grinned and burst out laughing then quickly kissed him. "As much as I'd like to continue this, we do have other places to be, and I can think of a thousand other places where I'd rather be then in your mother's house."
"You and me both, Ace. Let's go."
They quickly left the house and were heading down the road to Stars Hollow.
Logan and Rory were walking up to the diner when Logan suddenly pulling Rory to a stop. Rory looked at Logan confused before he explained why he stopped. "The sign says closed."
"This place is never closed to a Gilmore Girl," Rory said with a grin and went for the door.
When the bell above the door dinged open they heard Luke start yelling from the backroom. "Kirk, go home. I already you cannot sleep here when you and your mother get into a fight, I'm not a hotel." Luke came out into the main part of the diner to find a confused Logan and a grinning Rory in place of the mythical Kirk. "Logan, Rory, welcome back. Not that I'm not happy to see you guys, but why are you back so soon?"
"We're making the rounds telling everyone what's changed," Logan said, the oddly phrased statement made Luke's face scrunch up in confusion.
"What?"
"We're spending the weekend telling his family, grandma, dad and our friends from Yale that we're back together and that I'm pregnant," Rory said slightly exhausted. "We just came back from his mother's house." Rory sighed and slumped over into Logan, who quickly wrapped his arm around her waist and led her over to a table and sat her down.
Luke cringed remembering a few notable encounters with the Huntzberger's over the years. "Did you guys eat at all before you got here?" At the negative responses from both, Luke asked what they wanted to eat. Logan asked for mac and cheese, and Luke then asked Rory what she wanted.
"Can I have a soup, please? That pumpkin soup that you make sounds really good right now." Logan looked slightly baffled then glanced over to Luke who looked liked he had seen a ghost or was about to do a jig.
"I'm sorry what?" Luke said sounding equally shocked and giddy
"I'd like pumpkin soup and a glass of apple juice," Rory said offhandedly
"What, no artery-clogging burger with a truckload of coffee?"
"No, not really in the mood for it. Plus the baby doesn't like coffee." Rory said with a smile. She has said this to him before but he never seems to fully believe her when it comes up. Luke grinned and happily agreed to the order before all but bouncing back to the kitchen.
Logan stared after Luke in shock, making Rory laugh. "What was that?" Logan said completely baffled.
Rory laughed at the stunned look on his face before putting him out of his misery. "That was the closest thing you'll see to Luke jumping for joy."
"All right then," Logan said still baffled but not knowing what else to say.
Logan and Rory were eating their postponed dinner when Lorelai came barreling into the diner. She was heading towards the counter when she saw Logan and Rory sitting at a table and course corrected, unceremoniously dropping down into the chair next to Rory. "Hey Rory," Lorelai said with a little hope in her voice. She looked over at Logan and addressed him. "Evil Spawn."
"Mom! Don't call Logan that or I'm going to have Luke revoke your Grey's Anatomy privileges."
"No, don't, I'll be nice McDreamy just pulled Meredith out of the water after a ferry crash!" Rory and Luke simultaneously rolled their eyes while Logan was just confused, though he really should be used to it by now. "I'll be nice. It'll be easier now that he let you come home for the weekend."
Rory and Logan glanced at each other before Rory turned back to Lorelai, her defences rising. "He didn't let me come, I don't have to ask for permission, but I do consult him because I love him and respect him as he does me. That's the way adult relationships work." Rory said sternly, hoping to get her point across. Unfortunately, Lorelai ignored the statement and kept talking.
"Now that you're here for the weekend we can have a full Stars Hollow weekend. There's a town meeting tomorrow night then we can have a movie night. There's a planning meeting for the Christmas festival tomorrow afternoon and Taylor wants us to be the 'Most Festive Hamlet in Connecticut' so we're being lectured on proper small-town Christmas cheer."
Rory cut off Lorelai before she could continue. "Mom, we're only staying the night. We're spending some time in Hartford tomorrow to see Finn, Colin and Steph then we're going up to Nantucket tomorrow to see Grandma and on Sunday we're stopping in Boston to see Dad."
Lorelai looked at Rory, anger flaring in her eyes. She tried to tamp it down so she could try and convince Rory to stay. "Really? That's too bad. I know the town people will be upset that you're leaving them behind and abandoning them."
"As far as I know, most people are excited that I got my dream job." Rory tried to level Lorelai with an equally threatening glare as she called out for Luke.
Luke came out of the kitchen annoyed at being summoned in such a manner "What?"
"Do you feel that I'm leaving you behind or abandoning you?"
"What?" Luke said startled. When he got a good look at the stare down between Lorelai and Rory he understood what was happening. "No, I'm proud of you for achieving what you've always wanted, and so is everyone else around here. Except for Taylor, but he's an old crack who has a stick shoved so far up his ass that it's causing him sinus pain." Logan laughed at the visual of the town selectman that Luke provided.
"Mom, I can't be involved in every town event anymore. I'll come back for the festivals and big moments but I can't be involved in every little thing. Tonight and tomorrow morning I'm showing my boyfriend around my hometown and meeting up with some of my friends before we go into Hartford for a meeting and meet up with his friends. I won't be spending the limited time I have here doing solely what you want."
Lorelai stared at Rory not knowing what to do. Eventually, she settled on her standby, the silent treatment. "Fine." She said in a clipped tone, and suddenly got up and left.
Rory sighed in exhaustion and put her head in her hands. Logan noticed that the encounter with Lorelai took a lot out of Rory and he started rubbing her back to get her to relax. "I'm sorry Rory," Logan said quietly
Rory looked up and smiled at him, hoping that it was reassuring. "It's ok, it's not your fault."
"Feels like it is."
Rory sighed in resignation, realizing that this wasn't something that could be easily fixed and she had fought enough battles without arguing with Logan about Lorelai's behaviour. "There's nothing we can do about her right now, so why don't we go to the inn and get some much-needed sleep. We've had a long day and I'm exhausted." Rory pulled out her puppy dog eyes when Logan looked about to protest to try and sway him.
Logan groan then caved to Rory's pleading. "If our kid has those eyes I'll be doomed."
Rory laughed stood up and gathered her things. "Let's go." She held out her hand for him to take. When he did she gently pulled him towards the exit before they left Rory addressed Luke once more. "Thanks for dinner Luke. And thank you for everything else."
"Any time, Rory. No matter what."
Rory smiled at Luke before pulling Logan out the door towards the inn. Knowing that from then on, nothing would ever be the same.
AN: Thanks for reading! Review if you please!