Finn was sitting down on his couch with a beer, he was just back from the office and had changed into some sweats and was waiting on Rory arriving from work to order dinner and relax for the night. His cell started to vibrate on its spot on the coffee table, he looked down at the display and saw 'Logan' with a sigh and a deep breath he answered.
"Hey Logan."
"Hi Finn, how are you doing?"
"I'm good mate, what about you?"
"I'm good, Summer is being her normal pain in my ass but I've had a lot of business trips recently so it's been tolerable."
"Business trips eh?"
"Well you know all work and no play makes Logan a sad man. So I hear I got some mail from you today?"
"You did huh?"
"You got engaged and didn't tell me man?"
"We haven't announced it officially yet. But yes I asked her the day after New year's while we were in Australia."
"Oh I get it, did you get the old family pressure to settle down while you were home for the holidays?"
"No. No pressure from anyone. I just really want to marry her."
"Wow. I'm shocked, man. I never thought you'd settle down."
"I just needed to find the right woman." As he said that Finn heard the front door open, he looked over with a grin to see Rory bundling into his apartment, she was all wrapped up from the January weather, her rosy cheeks prominent against her scarf and hat.
"So are you going to make it to the party?" Finn asked as he watched his fiancee remove multiple layers at the coat closet. He loved that she had made herself at home in his place, he didn't think she had even realized he was home yet.
"Of course man, I have to meet this mystery woman who tamed you. She must be some woman. Plus Summer would never forgive me if I turned down her only opportunity to go to a Hayden party. They kept their guest lists neatly trimmed normally."
"You can tell your wife she's welcome for the in."
"I'm sure I will. So really you did it with no pressure so quickly? I can't believe that."
"Believe it." Finn said. The sharpness in his tone drew Rory's attention, as she finally realized he was on the couch staring at her while talking and she walked over and gave him a quick kiss while he was busy.
"Hi Kitten." Finn said before speaking back into his cell. "Hey mate, I've got to go, the better half is home and she needs to be fed. I'll see you at the party, and I'll probably talk to you before then."
"Oh man, you're whipped already! Okay we'll see you at the party. Have a good night."
"Yeah, laters man." With that Finn threw his cell on the coffee table and quickly pulled his fiancee onto his lap.
"Hi baby," he said, pulling her in for a deep kiss. "I needed to say a proper hello."
"Well hello Mr Morgan. I wasn't sure who was on the phone so I didn't want to interrupt."
Finn sighed, brushing his lips against her forehead. "It was Logan, it seems his invitation arrived today. He wanted to know what pressure my family had put me under to propose, and he wanted to thank me on his wife's behalf for an 'in' to a Hayden party."
"Oh honey," Rory kissed his cheek and snuggled closer.
"I expected it, but it still irritated me. The assumption that I wouldn't take the initiative to propose to you by myself."
"I know Finn, but he's never seen you with a girlfriend so he can't see how happy we are together."
"Happy doesn't even begin to cover it, love. You're still cold. How about I warm you up and show you just how much more than happy you make me?" Finn said with a smirk, as he moved them quickly rolling her so she was pinned under him on the couch.
"I think that sounds like a plan." Rory responded breathlessly, pulling his head down to meet her.
The next day it was Rory's turn for a call. She was at the Boston office, her assistant had just brought her in some fresh coffee when her phone rang. 'So much for getting to drink a warm coffee' she thought before answering.
"Leigh Hayden speaking"
"Hi Leigh"
"Grandmother! It's not like you to call during the day. I'm glad it's you, I just got a fresh coffee and I am very much looking forward to drinking it."
"I just had a rather interesting call, I figured you would want to know, and I know you like to have a break at this time in the afternoon."
"Who called grandmother?"
"Shira Huntzberger."
Rory almost spilled her coffee in shock. "Shira called you? What did she want? Or was it to RSVP for the party."
"I never invited her to the party." Francine responded.
"What? I thought that was part of the plan?"
"No, I thought this would be better. So Shira called me to say, she had heard from her darling daughter in-law that I was hosting Finn Morgan's engagement party. She wanted to know if she could have an invite as he was like a second son to her growing up and she couldn't bear to miss the occasion."
"Grandmother, you evil genius." Rory laughed. "You knew if you didn't invite her she would call to try and weasel an invitation."
"Of course. And Rory honey, I completely underestimated how much fun it would be to have Shira Huntzberger begging to be invited."
"Oh what I wouldn't have given to be a fly on that wall. I assume you invited her in the end?"
"Yes, she and Mitchum would be delighted to attend. They can't wait to see Finn all grown up and happy apparently."
"Oh my God. I can't wait to hear what Finn says when I tell him."
"You will have to let me know. I'll let you go. I know you are at work and probably have lots to do."
"Thanks grandmother. I'll call you soon "
"Yes, have a great rest of your day "
The call disconnected and Rory spun in her desk chair with joy. 'oh how times have changed.' she thought as she got back to work.
Rory called Finn that night as she climbed into bed,
"Hey honey."
"Hi Kitten, this honey thing seems to be sticking?"
"Sorry, I'll go back to Finn."
"No, no, I like it. I didn't think I would but from you I do."
"Thanks, I think."
"So you had to stay in Boston after all?"
"Yes," Rory sighed, leaning back against her pillows, "mediation didn't go well, so we are heading to court tomorrow unfortunately."
"I'm sorry, I know you thought that was going to be an easy win."
"Yep, but the opposition is being stubborn. Enough about work, did you want to hear about a phone call I had today?"
"Always."
"Grandmother Francine called. Your second mother called to see if she could get an invite to your engagement party as she watched you grow up, she wants to see the boy who was like a second son to her soo happy."
"What? My nanny called Francine?" Finn asked, confusion evident in his tone.
Rory laughed hard down the phone at that. "No! Shira Huntzberger!"
"Shira Huntzberger?! Logan's mom, who was barely even a mom to him, said she was like my second mother growing up?"
"Oh man, I should have video called you, I wish I could see how confused your face is."
" It's pretty confused. You could switch to a video call."
"No everytime we video call it turns into a different kind of call!"
"I wouldn't mind that."
"I can hear the smirk in your voice buddy. Not happening."
"What happened to honey? Hang on… was Shira not already invited? I thought the Huntzbergers were on the guest list?"
"Francine left them off on purpose. Apparently she knew Shira would be dying for an invite and this way she got the satisfaction of listening to Shira beg her for an invitation."
"Your Grandmother's are evil masterminds, love."
"I know. I'm just glad they are on our side."
"Yes, they are using their evil for our good. So Shira seriously said I was like her second son?"
"Yep."
"Her and Mitchum hated me growing up. For some reason they thought I was the bad influence of the group."
"God, I can't imagine why." Rory was openly laughing now.
"I'm hurt."
"Put your bottom lip away, cry baby."
"I can't wait for this party. Get everything out in the open. I miss you tonight. I've gotten used to you being beside me each night."
"I miss you too, I can't sleep without you either anymore."
"Maybe we should video chat and I can show you just how empty this bed is with just me in it?"
"What's in it for me?"
"Oh baby, everything in this bed is for you."
"Finn! You knew what I meant."
"Same answer applies, Kitten. Come on, I'll make it worth your while."
"Okay you twisted my arm. Give me two minutes. I seem to have forgotten to put my PJs on and I need them for the call."
"Rory! You are going to be the death of me."
"Oh but what a way to go."
"Yes, what a way to go"
A week later Finn and Rory were in her room in the Hayden mansion. Finn was ready to go in a navy suit with a light pink shirt and a navy tie. Rory was wearing a navy blue dress with a rhinestone studded bodice, its halter straps wrapped around her neck and back, creating cut out detail, it had an A-line three layer tulle skirt with a high low hemline. Her hair was down and sleekly curled, the curls tumbling down her back. They matched but Finn's pink shirt meant that if they weren't together it wouldn't be obvious that they had purposefully coordinated.
"Are you ready for this?" Finn asked, lightly pulling Rory into his arms.
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"I'm sorry for all the trouble my friend is likely to cause us."
"No Finn," Rory moved her hand up to his cheek to keep him looking at her. "I'm sorry that I am about to potentially end a fifteen year friendship on you."
"Neither of us are going to give in on this, how about we both just agree that what we have together is more important than any of that. Anything that happens tonight or from this point on, we handle together as a team."
"Together." Rory pulled him down for a kiss. It was as passionate as they could let it get, Finn didn't want to ruin Rory's makeup, while Rory was aware that either a grandmother or her real mother would appear shortly.
A knock at the door interrupted them, Francine stuck her head in the door. "Showtime you two. Time to get downstairs so that no one sees you come down together. People are starting to arrive."
"Thanks Grandmother, we'll be right down."
"Okay I will just go straight to the bar, are you still planning on waiting in the study until more people arrive?"
"Yes Finn, I'll come out once enough guests arrive that it won't be obvious that I'm not just a guest."
"Okay, I love you Rory, always."
"I love you too Finn, always." With one last kiss they went their separate ways to start the evening.
Thirty minutes later, Finn was still around the bar. He had been joined by Colin and Stephanie. They were people watching and making small talk when other guests came over to speak to Finn and congratulate him. They watched as Rory walked in with Tristan and Louise.
"Rory looks amazing, I must ask her where she got her dress," Stephanie said as they watched.
"She always looks amazing," Finn replied, watching his fiance.
The two smaller groups converged at the bar. They all greeted each other as though they were just acquaintances.
"How goes it so far?" Rory asked Finn.
"Okay, all normal interactions so far. No sign of them yet." Colin replied for him.
"It will be fine Mare, we won't let him do anything." Tristan said.
"Oh here they come," Stephanie said, as she had her eyes on the door she was the first to spot Logan and Summer with Shira and Mitchum behind them. Honor and Josh had also been invited but it appeared that they would arrive separately.
"And that is our cue to split up," Louise said.
"Good luck" Rory and Finn said to each other at the same time. "Jinx" they repeated. Their eyes were sparkling with unsaid words as Rory walked off with Tristan and Louise.
Logan and Summer walked towards Finn, Colin and Stephanie.
"Hi Guys," Logan greeted the group. "Was that Rory Gilmore you were just talking to?"
"Hey Logan, Summer, yes it was Rory along with Tristan Du Grey and Louise Grant." Stephanie replied.
"I didn't think Rory would be here, Gilmores don't normally go to Hayden parties," said Summer.
"Well neither do Huntzberger's usually," Finn retorted, his voice was tight as he tried to hide his feelings. "Rory, Tristan and Louise are good friends with Leigh. Paris and Doyle will probably be around as well later, you should remember them from Yale Logan?"
"Yes I do, God Paris hated me back then, so much it was almost comical."
"Paris? Like Paris Gellar?" Summer asked.
"Yes, but it's Paris McMaster now," Colin answered.
"I went to high school with her, she hated me back then too, Lo." Summer said to her husband.
"So Finn, where's the fiancee?" Logan asked, looking around the room.
"She's around here somewhere, her grandmother's were keeping her busy. I know she will sometimes escape to the study to hide in big parties like this. You will meet her soon enough." Finn said, looking around pretending to look for his fiancee, even after he located her in the crowd.
"How's work going?" Colin asked Logan, as the group continued to hover near the bar with their drinks, people watching.
"Work is work," Logan answered, "I'm still doing Mitchum's dirty work and doing the majority of the travelling."
"That must suck for you?" Stephanie asked Summer, while Colin and Finn watched Logan's reaction.
"I miss him when he's gone obviously, but I know it will be worth it in future." Summer said, squeezing her husband's hand.
Logan at least looked momentarily guilty before masking it quickly. "Is that Emily and Lorelai Gilmore?" he asked, spotting them across the room.
"Yes, Francine invited all the Gilmore's. Lorelai is Lorelai Danes now though not Gilmore." Finn replied automatically. "There is my parents and Olivia, I better go say hello," he said, as he walked away from the group.
"Hi Mom, Pop, Stinker," Finn greeted his family.
"HEY!" Olivia exclaimed.
"How are you doing?" Charlotte asked her son.
"I'm good Mom," Finn replied.
"And Rory? Or should I stick with Leigh for the night?" Finnegan added.
"Leigh would probably be best, she was still doing okay, I was talking to her until Logan arrived."
"Can I go say hi to Rory, or will that cause too much suspicion?" Olivia asked.
"I think you could go say hi, I already told the Huntzberger's that Rory and Leigh are close."
"I'm gone," Olivia walked off before she even finished the sentence. Finn and his parents watched as she embraced Rory across the room.
"Leigh looks gorgeous tonight Finn, are you both happy?" Charlotte asked.
"She always does Mom, we will be happier once this is all out in the open, and we don't feel like we are hiding anything."
"Olivia! I'm so glad you could come. How are you? This is Paris and Doyle McMaster." Rory exclaimed.
"I'm good, how are you? Nice to meet you guys. How do you know Leigh here?"
"I went to Chilton with Rory," said Paris, "We were roommates in Yale, and in Harvard."
"So you know her well then?" Olivia asked.
"I know Gilmore, better than she knows herself," Paris answered with a snort.
"Paris, behave." Rory said. "Paris can be an acquired taste herself."
"I grew up with Finn, I can handle a lot." Olivia smirked.
"My grandmother is signalling me, looks like it must be almost time," Rory said as she took a deep breath preparing to walk away.
"Good luck, you will be fine," Olivia gave her a hug.
"Come on Gilmore, you can do this, it's no problem to you. You handle worse scum everyday at work."
Rory walked into the study just off the main room, Finn was already waiting there having also been summoned by Francine away from the party. Rory walked straight into his arms.
"It is harder than I thought to not just walk over to you and pull you into my arms. I don't like pretending that you aren't my other half." Finn said, kissing Rory on her temple.
"At least you aren't listening to people speculate on who could be your girlfriend. It was making me jealous."
"How do you think this is going to go?" Finn asked.
"I'm hoping it goes well. There are too many important families here. I don't think that the Huntzbergers will make a scene in this crowd. At least I hope not."
"We will be fine either way," Finn said, kissing her.
"Yes, no one else matters. Nothing else matters when I'm in your arms."
Meanwhile back in the party Logan and Summer had finished mingling. They walked up to the group containing Colin, Stephanie, Paris, Doyle, Tristan and Louise, the group was giggling at something.
"What are we all laughing about?" Logan asked, joining the group.
"Just reminiscing about college and high school. If Tristan here had gone to Yale he would have blended into our group perfectly," Stephanie responded.
"I probably would have if I had stayed at Chilton, but Princeton and Harvard ended up being the best choice."
"Military school changes things, huh Tristan?" Paris smirked.
"Yes Paris, I'm sure you would agree it changed me."
"You're not as big of an asshole now I suppose."
"That's high praise from you." Tristan laughed.
A hush fell over the group as Francine Hayden took towards the makeshift stage set up for the party. She tapped her champagne glass to get the room's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you all for coming tonight to help celebrate my granddaughter's engagement. I have been watching this young couple as they grew closer, and worked their way towards this moment. In all my years on this earth, I have never seen a couple as well matched as these two, everything fell into place quickly for them, allowing them to build a strong foundation. I am sure that this foundation will help them as they take over the business world as they run their companies together. Just watching them together you can see the love and the strength of the bond between them. Please join me in congratulating Finnegan Thomas Morgan the third with his fiancee Lorelai Leigh 'Rory' Gilmore-Hayden the third."
