I am sorry that this update took so long school is very demanding to have time to creatively write this chapter the way I want to on time. Thank you for the review guys I would like to first thank some people who reviewed this story continuously. Corky Gilmore, Curleyq, mrmp, lexhuntzburger, Sweetgirl, AlwaysHoldingon, and ggmrddlm thanks guys without your support I would have the inspiration. I have good news originally I was going to wrap up the story in four chapters, but right now I realize I need more time so the will have a few extra chapters. Again, for those of you favorite my story or put on your subscribe list please leave me a review as to why you like my story. Second of all I wanted to apologize for keeping Rory and Jess together for twelve chapters I could have lengthen some chapters and have them be together for 9 or 10 chapters instead. However, there is explanation to why I kept them together longer than Cmonce did in The Rough where this story is inspired from. In The Rough Rory had once experienced a loving adult relationship, so she was able to leave Jess quicker. In this story Rory is a lot younger and has never had a loving adult relationship, this is an explanation for my new readers who might get frustrated.
August 25, 2004
Logan was stuck in the boardroom listening to his father drown and his business antonyms on and on about revenue and numbers. They were running over time the conference was supposed to have ended 20 minutes ago. Logan really wanted to head for the door, but he knew if he did his father would spend a half an hour lecturing him. Logan also had to leave right away if he and Rory were to get to Hartford on time. He had promised Rory that would get them there on time, and he had special transportation to get them there on time if that damn meeting would end in ten minutes. He kept staring at the clock until a couple minutes later Mitchum said. "Alright that will be all for today." Logan was practically the first one at the door when Mitchum said. "Not so fast Logan "Logan reluctantly went back, god the nerve of his father. His father could be drilling information to him for hours and he could not let Rory down. Logan impatiently waited until everyone had left the room, and faced his father. "Dad could you please talk to me on Monday, or call me later I promise I will answer my phone. I just have plans right now."
"Sorry Logan but this cannot wait, and sure the keg and the party can wait."
Logan cringed was partying all his father thought he did. Before Logan could open his mouth to protest Mitchum said. "Now, Logan you know that tomorrow night is the publishers annual gala?"
Oh god he had forgotten tomorrow night he was planning to hang out with Rory and his friends in the pub near Yale. God he would have to spend his Saturday night at some stuffy gala. "Yes Dad." Not wanting Mitchum to get on his case for forgetting a very important event.
"Anyway your mother insists that you bring a suitable girl to the event. Normally I could not careless on whom you bring, but your mother keeps going on and on about how you're last dates attire was trashy so she keeps pestering me to approve of your date to this event. Otherwise, she will demand you to escort Marcy Fallen. "
Logan felt a surge of anger within him, for he could not believe the nerve of his mother. Marcy Fallen was the most insane girl that he had ever met. Every-time his mother would demand him to converse with Marcy at a function she talk about table settings and china for their wedding, and Logan had never spoken a word to her. He had heard rumors that the girl had bought an engagement ring and told people that they were engaged. There was no way in hell that he would spend an evening with that delusional girl. He decided to reason with his dad without screaming. "Dad I will go to this thing and play the role of the perfect society son, and heir. I will shake everyone's hand, and listen to Mr. Prescott's story about his chandelier even though I have heard it a billion times. I will even keep a stone face while you keep giving me dirty looks as Bradford Meade goes on and on about how perfect Alex is. But, there is no way in hell that I am taking Marcy Fallen. " Logan was out of breath after muttering all of that, and glanced at his father.
On the surface his father's expression seemed to be unfazed, but he could have sworn he saw some amusement under there. Logan shook his head he was probably imagining it. Mitchum's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Logan that is a very interesting speech, but can you please tell me who are you taking I am a very busy man and have so little time."
Logan was at a lose for words and entered the first name that came to his mind. "Rory Gilmore." Going there with Rory could help make the event less bearable.
"Rory who works here?"
"Yes Dad"
"Alright she is a sweet girl, and from a good family. Plus, it will be refreshing to see a girl who can actually converse with people, none of that silly laugh the girls you usually bring do. I call your mother and tell her I approve."
Logan suddenly felt guilty that he was going to ask Rory to go this event on such sort notice. Yet, he felt glad that at least having a friend would make the event be more bearable, and he was not used to having his father be accepting of what he did. Somehow that made Logan happy and he smiled. "Thanks Dad can I go now?"
"Don't be so hasty Logan, but I guess you can go now just remember to be there at nine o clock sharp and wear a tie."
"Yes sir." Logan then went towards the door, but he once again heard his father's voice. "Logan"
"Yes Dad" He turned back reluctantly.
"I have read the articles you wrote this summer, and I found them to be quite well."
Logan could not believe what he was hearing his father was complimenting him. Logan could not remember the last time that happened. "Thank you Dad."
"Just do not fall short, and run along now."
Logan could not believe how strange his father was acting, yet he wished Mitchum would not act like giving a compliment was a chore. Still a compliment from Mitchum was still something. Logan checked his watch, crap he definitely needed to find Rory.
Logan ran as fast as he could until he saw Rory by the elevator. "Your twenty minutes late Logan." Rory said rather sternly.
"Ace I am so sorry just Dad's meeting went overtime I wanted to leave, but then Dad would have probably chased me out. Then Dad wanted to talk to me just be thankful it did not last hours, because believe my Dad loves grilling me for hours."
"I understand Logan I just do not understand how we are going to get to Hartford by 6.30 for dinner. It takes two hours by car on a good day, and traffic is terrible on Fridays. We will probably get their by eight, which will make Grandma mad because she is allergic to tardiness. Not to mention my mom going on and on, about how I left her an hour alone with her parents. Not that I am going to speak to her, but she will still keep complaining about it like a ten year old. "Rory said
Logan was very much amused by her rant."Ace, I told you I have the perfect transportation to get their. All of our things are in the car; it is just a 20 minute ride to our other transportation. This other transportation will take us to Hartford in 30 minutes. "
Rory wanted to smack the smirk off of Logan's face, for it seemed that Logan was taking crazy. "What kind of transportation is that Logan? A broomstick, floe powder? "
"Now I am only a mogul, but I promise the transportation is fast."
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"Allison stops listening to them." Kelly said as she saw Allison looking at Rory and Logan by the elevator.
"I can't help it's like a Meg Ryan movie there in love, and can't see it. And I cannot write about them."
Kelly laughed. "I doubt a gossip columnist exist in those movies. Seriously you have got to get a life. Plus, Marcy Fallen called me she said that she is getting the Plaza for her and Logan's wedding in the spring. She asked us to write about it, the girl is even crazier than you."
Allison looked disgusted. "I am not Fallen the only person who is marrying Fallen is Logan's mom. After all she is the one who seems obsessed with her."
Kelly laughed. "I had no idea she swung that way."
"All jokes aside I bet Logan is taking Rory to the gala."
"Allison gives it a break."
"I can't those two are better than a chick flick."
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One hour later
Rory and Logan were flying over Hartford. "I can't believe you got us a helicopter Logan." Rory said excitedly.
"Ace I believe that is the 50th time you have said that since we went got on."
Rory pouted. "I am sorry, but it feels like a movie."
"Well you did get to change in the back of the plane Dirty Dancing style." He smirked.
"Not to mention putting on lipstick and mascara."
"Wow Ace you really give Baby a run for her money."
"No it's still no one puts Baby in a corner, I can't dance the way she did."Rory laughed, but then stopped when she saw Logan looking slightly pale. "Logan is you all alright." Rory's tone was filled with concern.
"I am fine, but now that you mentioned dancing there is something I have to tell you."
"Logan you did not enter me in a dance contest, I swore after the Stars Hollow Dance Marathon never to participate in one again."
"No, but I will keep that in mind. It's just my Dad demands that I bring a date he approves of to the annual publisher's gala, or I will have to take this girl Marcy and she is insane. Then somehow I said your name, and Dad was okay with that. I am so sorry Rory, but there is no way I am spending an evening with Marcy. I will buy you a pretty dress and go with you to ten dinners with your grandparents. "
Rory smiled and chuckled. "Logan it's alright, when is it."
"Tomorrow, which means we will not be spending Saturday evening in New Haven like we planned am sorry Rory, but my father sprung it on me this morning when will the man learn to give people a heads up." Logan said in annoyance.
Rory sympathetically patted his arm. "Logan it is a bit of a hassle, but its fine. I mean you have done so much for me in the past 22 days I've known you, that I can only return the favor. You do not need to accompany me to every Friday Night Dinner; I mean the Gala could help introduce me to important people in journalism. So it is really not that bad." Rory then burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"I guess I am not the only who rambles." Rory smugly replied
"Hey I was not rambling Ace, I was just addressing my case." Logan said defensively
"Keep telling you that, and what's this about buying me a dress."
"I have an eye for dress sizes." Logan smirked.
"That is so freaky"
"Hey, I am offended it is a talented."
"A freaky talent."
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It was 6:28 they had managed to make it to the elder Gilmore home in the nick of time. Rory looked at Logan. "You know you are the first person I have ever brought to dinner who has not looked in awe, or criticized the house.
"Someone has criticized this house?"
"Well not exactly just when Jess came here, he seemed to be sneering at everything including the portrait my grandmother arranged to paint of me."
"Well I am not Jess, and let me say the few times that I have been here this house have always seemed a lot warmer, and more lifelike than the other society houses including my own, which I have been to. Most of them might seem like architectural gems, but they are more like castles than homes."
"Its funny my mom has always seen this house as a gilded castle where she felt like a beautiful princess locked in a tower. Or on other days when she is really mad at my grandparents she calls it hell. However, ever since I was sixteen I was always considered it a second home from Stars Hollow. It's where a run away when I got mad at my mom, it's where I shared teas, movie nights, and book discussions with my grandparents."
"Must be nice to have a big family to enjoy spending time with" Logan replied sadly.
Rory put her arm around his shoulder. "If it makes you feel any better, I am not exactly looking forward to seeing my entire family."
"Things are still strained between you and your mom?"
"I have usually enjoyed this dinners in the past except for the few times when my mother and grandmother were having bigger fights then usual. Or if it was a rare occasion and I have gotten into a fight with one of my grandparents. However, now I am dreading them because of my mother this was not suppose to happen." Rory was near tears as she said the last thing.
Logan hated seeing her so upset. "Relax Ace this will be over, before we know it. I promise to get you out before we know it. I swear ten hints at us being a couple or married in the future, and we will be gone before dessert. "
"That's too bad, I love dessert." Rory laughed.
"I promise you I will find you the best dessert in Connecticut."
"Well I will hold you to that." Rory replied as she rung on the doorbell.
After, they handed their things to the maid Rory and Logan went to the living room where they found her grandparents sitting at both ends of the room trying to pathetically hide their separation.
Emily immediately went up to them. "Logan it's been ages, since we have last seen you. How are your parents?"
"I believe they are well Emily."
"Well I am certainly glad, and your sister is she engaged to that lovely young man?"
"Not yet, but I believe a proposal will soon." After, his entire sister's was that any day now Josh would pop the question.
"Well I certainly hope so after all there is nothing sweeter than a couple in love marrying." Emily appeared to be shooting a pointed look at them.
Rory scowled Logan rubbed her back and whispered in her ear. "Nine more hints, and I promise we are out of here." Rory smiled at him.
The intimacy did not go unnoticed by Emily; she beamed because she had never seen her granddaughter be so at ease with a boy. So Rory and Logan would you like anything to drink."
"I will have a club Soda with lime"
"And I will have a scotch on the rocks."
"Aw Logan I always loved a man who drank his scotch neat. As a matter of fact Richard once said something about scotch being a superior drink is that right Richard?"
"Oh right Emily" Rory found her grandfather's behavior to be very stiff, and cold. Thus, she tried to talk to him.
"Grandpa I have some of the articles Logan and I wrote this summer I was wondering if you could read them."
"Oh that's nice, Logan how are you son? His voice was full of stiff decorum
" I am good sir." He shook his hand.
Rory was surprised at her Grandfather's tone and dismissal of her; while Emily seemed to be the one excited.
"Rory, that is wonderful you were able to write articles as an intern."
"No, Grandma Logan asked me for help and he put my name on the byline with him.
"Why Logan that is very generous of you"
"Well actually Rory can be awfully modest; she worked real hard at the paper. As a matter of fact my father offered her a job at his Stamford paper."
"A paying job?"
"Well to be fair Grandma I don't think it will be that much, and it is not that fancy."
"Nonsense, this call for a celebration Richard please gets the Champagne."
"Actually Emily I would like to talk to Rory in private for a moment." Rory was surprised her Grandfather had yet to say a word to her, and she was wondering if he was mad.
"Well alright, just don't be long."
As Rory got up form the couch Logan got up as well and touched her shoulder. "Rory are you sure you don't want me to go with you."
"No Logan I can handle it." Rory knew that she had to deal with her family issues on her own.
Richard and Rory both went inside Richard's study and Richard did not waste a moment of hesitation before talking. "Why?"
"Why what?" Rory was not good at cryptic answers
"Why did you leave without informing me and your Grandmother? Don't you know how worried I was when I found out your mother lied to us? It reminded me of what happened almost twenty years ago when Lorelai moved out and we did not know where she was; I know your mother make us sound unfeeling, but we did care. I expected better from you Rory. "
Rory was at a loss for words. "Grandpa I am so sorry about this summer. I love you and Grandma and the last thing I wanted to do was to hurt you. However, when I left with Jess I was not thinking much it was like my mind was possessed. Anyway, once I got to New York I was so confused if staying with Jess was what I really wanted so I wanted to know if I was sure before I told you or Grandma. I just want you to know that I regret going with Jess, but at the same time I needed some awakening. Going to New York made me question everything and realize what I want, and I am grateful for that. I also made a very good friend out of that."
"I understand Rory, but I would have at least wanted to be aware of what you were up to?"
"I understand Grandpa, but I was wrapped up in denial that I was not thinking. Plus, you view as the perfect Granddaughter everything Mom was not, and I needed to be away from people who viewed me that way."
Richard was really confused at Rory, but then he guessed Lorelai might have gotten into her mind over the years. "Rory I always loved you because you were Rory, not because you were a do over or a Lorelai substitute. I know I wanted you to have everything Lorelai did not have, and I still do. Despite of that the most important thing I want for you is to be happy; and if you had told me about everything that had happened this Summer I would not have been happy, but I would have understood and supported you."
"Thanks Grandpa" Rory smiled, for she was looking at her Grandfather in a new light.
"Well the most important thing is that you are back, which I am glad. "
"I am glad to be back too Grandpa and I hope you don't mind me not wanting to be Christine Amanpour anymore."
"You still want to do journalism though?
"Of course I do just not that type of journalism; I want to focus more on writing."
"Well I think that will be perfect for you Rory after all writing has always seemed to be your passion."
"Well I am glad you are supportive Grandpa; now let's go back before Grandma asks Logan about china patterns." Remembering how persistent Emily was with her marriage hints.
"Wise move" Richard said in amusement for as much as he liked Logan he did not want to see Rory married right away. "But first let me see those articles of yours alright."
"Alright, but let's be quick" Rory was relieved that things were going to be okay with her and Richard
Meanwhile
Logan and Emily were sitting on the couch looking at photo Albums. Despite two more hints one was Emily saying that Martha's Vineyard was a better place than Cape Cod for a wedding; and another big one was if Logan liked kids. Logan knew the answer to that question was if he wanted to have kids, Logan shuddered he really did not want think about marriage. It seemed like a way to trap him from his carefree life.
Despite the marriage hints Logan enjoyed looking at pictures of Rory, for even in high school she was still beautiful. "Rory was a debutante? Logan asked in surprise as he saw a series of snapshots of Rory in a white dress with gloves; and a few pictures of her doing the fan dance. He would make sure to mock her about those.
Emily beamed. "Oh yes she was very graceful at her coming out. Even with so little preparation time Rory did everything perfectly. "
Logan smiled at the pride in Emily's voice he wished he had an elder family member talk about him in such pride.
Emily pointed at a picture of Rory and her escort whom he assumed was that Dean fellow. Logan could not believe that he was a little uncomfortable at seeing Rory with another guy. He did not know why he could not have feelings for Rory; and he did even know her at the time of her debut. Emily's voice had interrupted his thoughts. "That's Rory's first boyfriend Dean a nice boy, but I do believe Rory can do better." Emily said looking directly at Logan.
Logan let out a sigh another hint, and dinner did not even start. Suddenly, the doorbell rang "That must be Rory's mother Lorelai late as usual."
Lorelai in a rush handed her purse to the maid. She seemed to be walking at rapid speed to get to the living room; she believed that after tonight things would get back to normal between her and Rory. She had a perfect plan she would ask Rory to come and talk to her one on one. She would tell her daughter that she only wanted what was best for her, and that she loved her. She then imagined Rory to say I am sorry for everything after hearing her side. Then after dinner they would both go to the CS where they would have a movie night with junk food, and then Lorelai would tell Rory everything that happened that summer including her and Luke. However, Lorelai was surprised to go into the living room and to only see her mother and a blond boy she had never met. "It must be Logan" she thought angrily Lorelai knew it was angry to be mad at a stranger but she could not help it. Rory had chosen to live with that boy instead of her.
"Hi you must be Lorelai?" Logan got up to shake her hand, and Lorelai reluctantly shook it without saying anything. "Rory talks nonstop about you're in like one third of her stories." Logan let out a chuckle.
"Well of course I would be I am her best friend." Lorelai said sarcastic.
"Mom where is Rory?"
"She and your father are tying up some loose ends in your father's study. Why don't you sit next Logan until she comes we are looking at photo albums.'
"No thanks Mom, I will wait until Rory comes and sit next to her."
Lorelai there is no need to be rude. God, don't you remember those manner lessons?"
"Yes, and they taught me that people have special seats. My special seat during drinks is on the couch next to Rory, and Logan sitting there is kind of killing the tradition. Lorelai knew she was acting like a two year old, but her mind was consumed with a lot of resentment.
"Lorelai honestly have you been drinking" Emily said for she had never seen Lorelai be so rude in front of a guest.
"Lorelai its okay you can have my seat right here."
"Why thank you Logan."
Logan shook his head what was her problem. "Look Lorelai" but the emergence of Rory and Richard interrupted him. Rory seemed to come out of the study smiling, but when she saw her mother her face fell apart. Logan went up to her, and whispered in her ear. "Ace, Emily gave me three more hints six more and we are out of here." Rory smiled and whispered back. "You poor thing"
Lorelai saw them both whispering things to each other and smiling, and fumed. This was not supposed to happen her daughter was supposed to come to her, and not act close with someone from her parents world.
She came up to them. "Rory do you want to go out, and talk for a minute"
"Mom I don't think that's a good idea, plus I already left Logan for a long time with Grandma. She gave him three marriage and couple hints. " Rory then went to the couch and sat next to Logan much to Lorelai's chagrin. Before Lorelai could protest, Emily called out. "Dinner is ready."
Lorelai noticed that one their way to the dining room Rory and Logan had their hands intertwined. Where had the world come to Lorelai thought?
Well for the next chapter let me let you guys know that dinner is not over. Sorry I am breaking it down its hard to write Lorelei's point of view there is a big bag of weird in there, and it takes time to un break it.