Rory sat on the floor in their bedroom amidst a sea of cardboard boxes and large plastic storage tubs. It had been two days since she'd accepted the job at the New York Daily News and since that moment, their world had been turned upside down. Logan had risen early and headed into the Hartford office. His morning was booked solid with meetings. First he was going to meet with Barbara and offer her the position as his personal secretary at the New York Daily News office. Next he was meeting with his staff to announce his imminent departure from the company. He needed to resign his position and help interview for his replacement. All of this needed to happen quickly; today was Monday and he was starting in New York one week from today. While Logan was busy wrapping things up in Hartford he'd left Rory to orchestrate their move. The moving company would be arriving early tomorrow morning to pick up and transport whatever they wanted moved from the Branford House to their apartment in New York. James had arranged to meet Rory at the apartment with the keys and a final copy of the lease tomorrow afternoon. It was all happening so fast. Until now, when she finally had a minute alone she hadn't really had time to wallow.
As thrilled as she was to be moving to New York and starting her career as a journalist, she was a little sad. A new era in her life was beginning; her carefree college days were over and she was really and truly a grown-up now. She and Logan had been married for well over a year and truthfully they could no longer be considered newlyweds. Mostly though, Rory was sad to already be leaving behind their beautiful beach house. They'd only lived here for about a year. She knew that they'd be back for weekends and perhaps one day when they were ready to start a family they would move back here permanently. They'd had good times here. She knew that there were good times to be had in New York too; but at first it would be a lot of adjustments and getting used to their new routines.
Before she let herself get too wrapped up in her thoughts Rory rose off the floor and got back to work. While there was a lot to pack it wasn't as bad as if they were selling the house and moving somewhere else. All of the everyday household necessities were staying behind. Mostly what they needed to pack where clothes and other personal items; but it was still a big job. Tomorrow afternoon her Mother was going to meet her at the apartment; then after the movers had delivered all their things they were going to go shopping to stock the apartment with household things and furniture that they'd left behind at the Branford House.
Rory finished folding the clothes from their closet into large plastic storage tubs. In another tub she tossed her shoes and handbags. When the closet was empty she moved onto her dresser. As she folded her lingerie into an opaque storage box she smiled inwardly at the memories associated with some of the articles. Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. Seeing that it was Logan, Rory answered quickly.
"Boxes R Us," she said into the phone.
"That bad?" Logan asked.
"It's getting better, but I am going to have a particularly hideous bruise on my arm from where I hit a doorway after tripping over a box earlier," Rory said.
"Do you think all the packing will be done in time?" Logan asked.
"No sweat," Rory replied, "But you owe me big time for making me finish this up on my own."
"I'm sure the damage you're going to do to the black card tomorrow will more than make up for it," Logan teased.
"Are you sure you're okay with my Mom and me picking out everything for the apartment?" Rory asked.
"You know what I like, Ace," Logan said, "You have good taste. Besides, I'm sure I'll like what you and your Mom pick out better than what my Mom or Emily would pick out."
"True," Rory replied, "Did you call for anything specific? Or where you just checking to make sure I was still working?"
"Actually, James called to let me know that he did secure for us one spot in the underground parking garage. I was hoping to get your opinion on what vehicle we should bring," Logan explained.
"Well, definitely one of yours, since you have pointed out to me on numerous occasions that both the Porsche and the Escalade are infinitely cooler than my car," Rory began.
"You don't agree?" Logan asked.
"I agree, but you don't have to keep pointing it out," Rory said, "I think we should take the Escalade."
"Why not the Porsche?" Logan asked sounding slightly pouty.
"If you really prefer the Porsche, that's fine," Rory conceded.
"I want to know your reasoning behind choosing the Escalade," Logan said.
"You already informed me that you have requested Frank's services in New York, not to mention the fact that we'll be living just down the street from the office. The only reason we'll be driving the vehicle that we keep in that garage is to head back to the Branford house. It makes sense that we might need the vehicle with the most trunk space," Rory explained.
"Fine," Logan agreed seeing his wife's logic, "The Escalade it is."
"Please tell me that Frank isn't going to be driving us around in a limo all the time," Rory pleaded.
"What's wrong with a limo?" Logan asked.
"I'd rather have him drive us around in a Town Car. In the limo I feel silly. I feel like people think, that we think we're celebrities by riding around in a limo. Limos are fine for special occasions, but not for everyday use," Rory said.
"I see your point, I'll talk to Frank," Logan said, "I have to head into my next meeting, Ace."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later," Rory replied, "Love you."
"Love you too," Logan said quickly before ending the call.
The next morning arrived all together too quickly. Rory had gotten it all packed, but she'd been up until the wee hours of the morning trying to make sure that she hadn't missed anything. Logan had crawled into bed just shortly after Rory had; each was too tired to savor their last night in their ocean house. The movers arrive precisely at eight. Logan had already departed for the Hartford office an hour earlier. It took less than an hour under Rory's direction for the movers to load everything onto their truck. Without furniture and household necessities, the things they were taking to New York didn't even completely fill one moving truck. The movers departed, leaving Rory alone in the house. If they beat her to New York, they had James' number and he would let them into the apartment. Rory moved through the house, checking things one last time. She turned of the furnace and the water. She made sure that doors and windows were locked. In the garage were the cars they were leaving behind. While their alarm system should deter any burglars, Logan's hadn't wanted to take any chances and had removed the batteries from both cars. Satisfied that everything was secure Rory activated the alarm system in the entry way and locked the front door behind her. Since Logan had taken the Escalade to the office, Frank was waiting in the driveway with a town car, to drive her to her new home. As she settled into the back seat she slid a pair of sunglasses on and let the tears gather in her eyes.
As they neared the city Rory's heart began to pump a little faster as she watched the skyline come into view. As hard as it was to leave what had been their home for the last year, this was exciting. Frank dropped her off on the sidewalk outside the building. When she and her Mother were ready he'd pick them back up for shopping. With her overnight bag of things she hadn't been willing to put on the moving truck Rory entered the lobby of their building. Her mother was waiting for her near the elevators.
"About time," Lorelai whined
"We agreed to meet at eleven," Rory said with a glance at her watch, "It is only 10:55. I'm early."
"Yeah, but I was early too. I've been here for five minutes already. Which means that you're late," Lorelai explained.
"That makes no sense," Rory replied as she pushed the up button for an elevator.
"I'm so excited to see your new home," Lorelai gushed as she bounced around beside Rory.
"What's with the bouncing?" Rory asked with a smile, knowing that it was sure to be some outrageous answer.
"I have to pee," Lorelai explained, "I had an entire thermos full of Luke's coffee on the way here."
"Ahhh," Rory said, "Well, you're sure to love our bathroom then."
Finally the elevator arrived and they were on their way up to the penthouse. When they arrived the movers had already unpacked half the truck. They found James inside the apartment directing traffic to ensure that each box ended up in the correct room.
"Ah, Mrs. Huntzberger," James said when he spotted her, "You've arrived."
"Hello James," Rory said, "Thanks for meeting me here. This is my mother, Lorelai."
"No problem at all," James said as he shook Lorelai's hand, "Lovely to meet you. If you'll follow me, I have two sets of keys and some paperwork for you in the kitchen."
James explained the paper work and what the various keys on the ring he'd given her were for. Upon completion James resumed his post by the door directing the boxes into the correct rooms and Rory took Lorelai on a tour.
"You realize this apartment is bigger than my whole house?" Lorelai asked after they'd completed their tour and found themselves back in the kitchen.
"I know," Rory said, "It's crazy. Are you ready to help me furnish and stock it?"
"Your husband left you his credit card, I assume?" Lorelai asked.
"Better yet," Rory said as she reached into her purse, "He put my name on the account. I got my own card!"
Lorelai studied the shiny new black card that Rory had produced from her purse in awe and read, "Lorelai L. Huntzberger."
"Cool right?" Rory asked happily.
"Very," Lorelai breathed, "I've always wanted to have this kind of shopping power."
They wandered back toward the entry way and found James speaking with the head of the moving crew. "Looks like they're all finished up Mrs. Huntzberger," James said.
"Wow, that was very fast," Rory said.
"We just need you to sign a few papers," the moving man said. Rory signed various papers on the man's clipboard and gave authorization for their services to be charged to her credit card. Before he left she handed him a large cash tip in an envelope and he thanked her.
"Well, it looks like my work here is done," James said after the moving company had left.
"Thank you for directing traffic, it was appreciated but unnecessary," Rory said, also handing him a cash tip in an envelope.
"Thank you," James said, "Please contact me if you have any problems I can help you with.
After James left Lorelai turned to Rory and said, "Look at my daughter, the high society lady, tipping her workers."
"I wouldn't have even known that I should do that had Logan not given me the envelopes last night with specific directions," Rory said.
"You mean an infinite store of society knowledge didn't just magically download into your brain the moment you became Mrs. Huntzberger?" Lorelai teased.
Rory rolled her eyes at her mother. She understood her Mother's aversion to society; sometimes she felt the same impulses; but her Mother's constant implications about her society status grew annoying. Just because she'd fallen in love with and married someone from society didn't mean she was a different person than she'd been before. Sure she had to abide by certain society rules and maintain a certain level of decorum in public; but deep down inside she was still just Rory, a Gilmore Girl.
Before they left the apartment Rory called Logan from her cell to let him know that she'd made it into the city, the movers were all finished and she and her mother were about to head out shopping. Logan reported that Barbara had turned down the job as his secretary; not wanting to commute into New York. Logan understood but was disappointed in his loss. Tonight his plan was to stay in Hartford at his parent's house before his last day at the Hartford office. Tomorrow night he and Rory should be spending their first night together in their new home.
After a quick lunch Lorelai and Rory decided that their first purchase should be bedroom furniture. After all, how would Logan and Rory be able to enjoy their first night in their new home together if they had to sleep on the floor? They headed to Ethan Allen and headed toward the furniture. Rory quickly fell in love with a Maison Iron Scroll Bed, but decided that it was a little too girly for the master bedroom. Rory decided to buy it and the matching furniture for each of the two guest rooms. For the master bedroom Rory chose a British Classics Island Bed in a cinnabar finish. Of the accessory pieces available she bought a double dresser with a mirror, an armoire and two night tables. Before they left the bedroom section Rory spotted a vanity table and stool that she fell in love with and bought to put in the master bathroom. The two moved onto furniture for the living and dining rooms. For the dining room Rory chose a Townhouse pedestal round table with eight matching Queen Anne side chairs. She also decided to get the matching buffet and china cabinet. Lorelai and Rory looked at the living room and home entertainment furniture and in the end, baffled with all the choices, decided to leave the living room up to Logan to decorate.
Next they headed to the house wares section where they loaded up a cart with dishes, pots, pans, silverware, knifes, towels, sheets, pillows, utensils, trash cans, phones, alarm clocks, rugs, shower curtains and everything else they could think of that Logan and Rory might need for their new apartment.
"I feel like Ty Pennington on Extreme Home Makeover," Lorelai commented, as she and Rory were filling their third cart, "You know when they go shopping at Sears for all the stuff for the newly made over houses."
"I know, this seems crazy to be buying all this stuff," Rory said, "The weird thing is that I can already think of furniture items besides the living room that I forgot and I'm sure once I get home and put all this stuff away I'll constantly be thinking of more things I need."
"You'll have to keep a running list. Then on weekends you can head back out to the stores," Lorelai said.
"Have we picked up linens for all the bedrooms?" Rory asked.
"We have all sorts of sage stuff for you and Logan's room and bathroom. There's a whole lot of sunshine yellow stuff for one of the guest rooms," Lorelai listed as she dug through what was already in the cart, "Looks like we have one guest room to go and the other bathroom. What color?"
"How about a blue?" Rory asked.
"I don't know," Lorelai replied, "It's your guest room."
"I think I have exceeded the number of decisions I can make in one day," Rory said, rubbing her temples, "You pick. It can be your designated guest room when you come to visit."
"In that case," Lorelai said, "How about periwinkle."
"Sounds good," Rory said, thankful that the decision was off her shoulders.
"You seem to be losing steam," Lorelai pointed out.
"I could use a cup of coffee," Rory said.
A sales associate had been instructed to follow Mrs. Huntzberger and attend to her every need. "Mrs. Huntzberger, if you would like to relax for a few minutes we have a VIP customer lounge where I can get you a cup of coffee."
"That would be great," Rory said gratefully.
Lorelai and Rory settled into the customer lounge and were left with a decanter of coffee and two mugs. Just as Rory was finishing her first mug full her cell phone rang. Grinning she answered, "Hey."
"How's my black card fairing?" Logan asked.
"You forget, I have my own black card now," Rory said.
"Have you worn it out yet?" Logan asked.
"I haven't actually used it yet," Rory replied.
"What?" Logan asked in shock.
"Don't worry I've gotten plenty done, but we're still in the same store and our final bill hasn't been rung up yet," Rory explained.
"Where are you?" Logan asked curiously.
"Ethan Allen," Rory said.
"Good choice," Logan replied.
"Later this week you're going to need to go out and shop for the living room. I think I've got everything else covered, but there were too many choices and I want you to like it," Rory said.
"Okay, we'll go together later this week," Logan said, "But I need to run. I just wanted to check in. Thank you handling all this moving stuff mostly on your own. I feel bad that I haven't been more help."
"You can make it up to me later," Rory said.
"Sounds good, Ace," Logan said before ending the call.
After their coffee break Lorelai and Rory were able to finish up the remaining shopping at Ethan Allen. Their final bill was rung up and delivery and any necessary assembly was arranged for the very next day. Rory had to pay a little extra to get everything delivered and assembled so quickly, but if it meant that New York and the apartment would feel like home more quickly, than so be it.
"Should we stop by Target on the way back to get like cleaning supplies and stuff?" Lorelai asked.
"Actually we'll have a maid service," Rory replied quietly, fearing another comment about her society lifestyle was imminent.
"Oh," Lorelai said, "That's nice,"
"Yeah," Rory said, "I wouldn't mind cleaning. But Logan insisted."
"Well, sure," Lorelai said, "If you can afford maid service, why wouldn't you get it."
"Should we pick up Chinese and pizza for dinner?" Rory asked, trying desperately to get her Mother back on her side.
"Sounds good," Lorelai said wearily.
"Mom," Rory said, suddenly feeling the need to defend her lifestyle to her mother, "I'm the same person I always was. I may have married someone with money, but that doesn't change anything."
"Well the Rory I used to know didn't usually go on shopping sprees like that for their new apartment and she was capable of cleaning," Lorelai said.
"Mom, you know the situation," Rory said slowly.
"Yeah, that. Most twenty-three year olds that I know don't have more than one residence," Lorelai pointed out.
"Mom, I married the heir to a major corporation. I don't know how else you expect my lifestyle to be. I know that you shunned society life. I would have happily stayed away from society life myself, but I fell in love with Logan. It was my choice to marry him and accept a different kind of lifestyle; but I don't understand why that makes me a different person," Rory said.
"It's just different," Lorelai said, "It just adds to my feeling that I'm losing you."
"You're not losing me," Rory said, "But if you keep pushing me away with your comments, you just might."
"If it's all the same to you," Lorelai said, "I think instead of sticking around I'll just head back home tonight."
"I'd prefer you stay," Rory insisted, "I don't want to stay in that big empty apartment alone."
"Logan will be here tomorrow, you'll be fine," Lorelai said.
"Please Mom?" Rory begged, "Stay and let's work through whatever it is that's bothering you so much."
"I can't," Lorelai said.
When they reached Rory's building Lorelai said a hasty farewell before returning to her car in visitor parking in the underground garage. Tearfully Rory took the elevator back up to the penthouse and let herself in. After a good cry she dialed Luke's on her cell phone.
"Luke's," he answered gruffly.
"Hey Luke, it's Rory," Rory said, "I just wanted to let you know that my Mom is on her way back to Stars Hollow tonight."
"What? I thought she was spending the night with you," Luke said.
"She was supposed to," Rory said, "But she changed her mind."
"What happened," Luke asked.
"She accused me of changing. She seems to think I'm becoming a society wife," Rory said, "I'm not though."
"No, I know you aren't," Luke said, "I'll try to talk to her."
After ending her call with Luke, Rory did the only thing she could think to; in the bedroom she found the one box that she knew had blanket in it and curled up on the floor in the bedroom. Pulling a book from her bag she tried to read, but was too distracted. About an hour after she'd arrived back at the apartment Rory heard a buzzing that could only be the doorbell. With the blanket still wrapped around her Rory cautiously approached the door and peered through the peephole. On the other side she saw her Mother, holding Chinese and a pizza.
"Mom," Rory said as she opened the door, "What are you doing here?"
"I brought a peace offering," Lorelai said sheepishly, gesturing to the food in her hands, "I'm sorry, kid."
"Come in," Rory said taking the pizza from her Mom, "You can explain your mental breakdown back there to me over dinner."
As Lorelai entered the apartment and marveled again at it's sheer size she said, "I'm sorry I left you here alone."
"Thanks for coming back," Rory said.
Author's Note: I feel again like this isn't the most exciting chapter. But I didn't feel like I could just skip over the whole moving in part. I promise we are getting to the New York Daily News stuff. Most of the furniture I talk about in this chapter does exist—just go to I would include links on my profile but that's a whole lot of links. Please review if you are reading this. I love to hear feedback and ideas that people have for the future of this story. It encourages me so much to write the next chapter faster when I get reviews; good, bad or otherwise. Thanks!!