"Mom!" Rory called excitedly, running and opening the door to her home. The familiar smell of fresh, strong coffee hit her nose instantly, causing her to laugh involuntarily. It was nine in the morning, meaning the second pot of the day had just been turned on. "Mom, we're here!" She dropped her bags in the foyer, holding the door ajar for her blonde cousin who was following closely behind.

"Why, are those some California girls that Mike and Brian have been wishing for that I hear in my front door? Surely not. Their greetings would be filled of loud "Dudes," and "like, slightly more vapid," a loud voice came around the corner from the kitchen. Rory collided into her mother, hugging her tightly as both of them giggled.

Veronica Mars stood behind both of them, taking in how much the two women looked alike with their long brown hair, blue eyes and slim builds. "Well, like, we try Lorelai, but like, that prep school nonsense is like super hard to break," she said in a fake, whiney, teenage voice, drawing out the "u" in super, laughing at the end. "But don't worry. We California girls always prevail!"

"Get over here and let me look at you," Lorelai said standing tall, reaching for Veronica's hands. Rory stood to her side, pulling their bags further into the house. Lorelai pulled Veronica's right arm slightly, causing her to turn, then pushed it back and pulled her left arm forward. "Why yes, you have that wonderful summer glow in the middle of December, gorgeous blonde California hair, a slight sent of suntan lotion, but definitely seeing the Bishop blood in you, especially in your eyes. And that is a very good thing my dear child," she said, pulling the girl into a hug. "It has been far too long since I've seen you! Now, I know I look exactly the same as I did then, just with a slightly better wardrobe and much smoother hair - product." Lorelai played with her hair, tossing it and pushing it behind her ears. "Product is a girl's best friend. They say it's diamonds, and one can make an argument for dogs, but really, it's a good frizz control serum.

But you, Veronica! I mean, you've grown a few inches," Veronica let out a loud "ha" at that, "okay well maybe one or two. But you look fantastic! You're father must be proud. Or terrified. Oh god child, how did you grow up with a cop for a father? By dating bad boys only of course, I hope" Lorelai gave her a wink before she mocked hugged Veronica again. "Don't worry, we'll keep you safe. Well, for the week at least."

Rory laughed and pulled her mom off of Veronica. Her mother had a tendency to keep going if one was to let her, and Rory felt a big bit coming on. Still, she knew her cousin was quick-tongue and quicker-witted than most, and Veronica would have no problem keeping up with the Gilmore girls. It must have been a gene on her grandmother's side. Keith Mars, Veronica's single father and one of her new personal heroes, was Lorelai Gilmore's cousin, the son of Hope Mars, Emily's younger sister. Veronica and Rory hadn't seen much of each other growing up, as they had lived on separate sides of the country. Rory had a vague memory of an early Christmas celebration at her grandparent's house where Hope's side of the family had also joined them.

Then during all the negative publicity of the Lily Kane murder, Emily had all but forbidden Lorelai and Rory to talk to Keith; even Keith's mom severed all ties with him. Lorelai regretted doing so, but she had mostly listened to Emily on the subject. She had enough problems of her own during that time of life, raising a child on her own. Not that Keith would have taken her help, but when she found out in hindsight that Lianne had left them high and dry, twice, she had hated not offering the help. Still, when Rory and Veronica had reunited during their internships the summer before, she was happy to have Keith and Veronica back in her life.

Thus when Rory decided to attend graduate school at Berkley, it had been an easy decision to move in with Veronica and one of her high school best friends, Mac. They both went to college at Stanford, so the three of them had a place in Union City, a comfortable distance from both schools. Now they could all make up for some lost time, in between class stresses and jobs to pay the rent.

"Let me give you both a quick tour. Now, now," she held up a hand to Rory and then reached over and grabbed her bags, "you are going to say 'A tour? Why I grew up here, my wonderful, beautiful, amazing mother!' But you there have been significant changes since you were last here. There is a man, "she whispered at the word," that lives here, when he's not making the town's grub, and Paul Anka is pouting upstairs as I have put a chair against the door blocking my shoes from him. I've had to get a heavy chair, as he's figure out how to knock a few over. And I will let him have a go at my wedding shoes once I've actually used them. Now you guys are staying in Rory's room, which, heh, I have proudly reorganized and—"

"WHAT?!" Rory screeched, pushing ahead into her childhood bedroom, afraid of what she would see.

"Yes, I moved the lamp that once sat on this side of the desk to the OTHER SIDE of the desk. Completely brightened the room up! It's like a completely new room. I even dusted in here and swept. Plus I pulled out the trundle bed for you both. Now I know roommates doesn't actually mean you guys share a room, but here you'll have to make due. Or you can flip for the couch, but that means that one of you will be bunking with April, so pick wisely. Or be caught up on your knowledge of chemistry, because I think that's the science of the year.

Now, out here's the kitchen which actually has food in it, again, perks of having Luke around, so feel free to grab a snack whenever. There's always a pot of coffee around, which is so strong you'll wonder if we actually added water, Veronica. And take a good whiff because Luke still tries to make it decaf on occasion, bless him." She continued walking, and then added, " Bathroom, Living room, upstairs is my room and the good shower and bathroom. Any questions for Tour Guide Barbie?"

Rory suddenly hugged her mom again. "I've missed you so much," she said, her voice full of emotion. "And I'm so glad that this is finally happening. How is Luke doing? He's not getting cold feet is he? And Jess is coming in too? I can't wait to meet his girlfriend; she sounds wonderful. Are we doing dinner with them tonight?"

"Uh no, Rory. Have you forgotten what day it is?" Lorelai smiled brightly at both of them. "Why, it is Friday. And that means…"

"Friday night dinner? But you said you stopped doing Friday nights awhile ago. Or at least, you weren't doing dinners on Friday always, but still doing weekly dinners."

"What are these Friday night dinners even about?" Veronica interjected.

"Oh, sorry V. We agreed to Friday night dinners in my sophomore year of high school in exchange for my grandparents paying for Chilton. Our relationship was terrible before that. It didn't necessarily get better immediately, but it did overtime. They continued when they helped pay for Yale, and mom continued eating with them even after I left on my first press tour. But then-"

"But then I had to work some Fridays when Sookie went on maternity leave, and Michelle started taking a Zumba class on Fridays. So Fridays turned into Sundays for awhile. Then your grandmother found out YOU were coming in on a Friday because SOMEONE thought it was a good idea to give her their flight information and she thought it would just be marvelous to do dinner tonight, just like old times." She clasped her hands together in an Emily fashion.

"I was hoping to see my dad tonight though; I thought we were doing dinner with him?" Veronica asked.

"He's actually been invited as well. He's flying into Hartford tonight, and heading straight over. Emily Gilmore has insisted." Veronica looked hesitantly at Lorelai. "Come on, fancy food, good alcohol. It'll be a wonderfully awkward time. Not unlike having dinner with Hannibal, or the last meal at Sing, Sing, or when you visit your own grandmother because I'll be there to take the brunt of the annoyance. That's what I get for agreeing to let Mom help me plan the wedding though. And again, your grandmother Beverly R. Sutphin knows your flight number, so there's no getting out of this. So to answer your question, no dinner with Luke and Jess tonight. But they'll all be here for our pre-rehearsal dinner tomorrow night."

"Luke got out of this dinner? So not fair," Rory sighed.

"Now come on, Rory. You love your grandparents. I didn't think you'd be protesting this much." Lorelai looked at Rory, confused. "And Keith will be there."

"No I do. And I am excited to see them both. But we just had a seven hour flight across the country, and the thought of wearing anything but sweats sounds exhausting." Veronica nodded in agreement. "But you'll love my grandfather, V. He's a good man. And it'll be good to get the Emily Gilmore dinner out of the way. It was bound to happen this week. And the alcohol is a total plus."

"Hey, I'm down for anything. I've done awkward fancy dinners. So my grandmother won't be there?" Veronica looked at Lorelai. She shook her head.

"Aunt Hope will be in Sunday for the wedding." She gave Veronica a tight side hug. They all knew the relationship with Keith and his mom was icy— it made Lorelai and Emily look like they had always been the best of friends. "Okay, you both have had a long red eye flight, and I'm assuming not much sleep. Why don't you guys get settled in, take a nap or something? I'm going to head back to the inn and Sookie is cooking lunch for you both around one so don't eat anything right now because you know she's got twelve courses going. And she's going to try to have Jackson bring the kids up if you want, or you can wait to see them tomorrow. Davey's going to be our ring barer, and he's just a regular Liam Aiken in his suit. Or am I thinking Haley Joel Osment? Veronica, any food you don't eat?"

"I've never been a fussy eater, Lorelai. I'm game to try anything. I like the idea of a nap though? It's incredibly early to this tiny body of mine," she put her hands in her jeans pockets. "I will trundle down with the best of them."

"Go nap," Rory said, nudging her cousin. "I'll handle the bags. I want to double check my work emails, then pull out my bridesmaid's dress so it doesn't get too wrinkled, and then give Lane a call. Their Hep Alien tour stops in New York City next Friday. Did the tickets come in the mail?"

"Yup. The envelope is on the fridge," Lorelai pointed.

"You are not checking work emails. You checked when we got off the plane, and again in the car. They're not going to bother you on vacation! Okay, I am down for the count. Wake me up with enough time to shower? Or if my dad calls. Of if anyone else comes by that I need to meet." Rory nodded. Veronica hugged Lorelai again. "Thank you for letting me stay at your place. It really is great to see you again."

"Aw shucks, kid. You're always welcome here. Now go nap, and think hungry thoughts. Sookie's going to find you too thin." Veronica laughed as it turned into a yawn. She left the kitchen and headed into Rory's room, shutting the door. Lorelai turned to her daughter, gesturing at the coffee pot, asking if she wanted a cup. Rory nodded, sliding into the chair at the kitchen table. Lorelai poured both of them a cup and pulled out some poptarts as well, putting them on a plate. "So tell me about this job. You met the editor while on Obama's tour, right?"

"Yes. She read some of my work after one of his conventions, and we met up a few times after that. She offered me a part time job, and asked me if I had considered doing any teaching, as you know. Mom, it's completely different from what I thought it would be. I actually enjoy it. I get to be a teaching assistant for a Russian literature professor next semester, plus take on more writing assignments. I signed the paper work on both yesterday before we left for the airport yesterday. It's an amazing career move. And California is so different. I mean, I miss the cold and snow and you and this town, of course, but I get paid to write and be so close to a beach. I'm guessing this will stop feeling so amazing at some point, but it won't happen anytime soon."

"Aw, hun, of course you are a fantastic teacher assistant. And your grandfather, dad and I all have subscriptions to the Chronicle, as does the Inn, so stop wasting postage on us, kid." She took a sip of her coffee, not meeting Rory's eye for a minute. "So, you really never contacted Logan?"

Rory sighed, looking at her coffee cup. She took a bite of her poptart, playing with the crust. "I looked him up on Facebook. He's not in California. I had hoped…" she stopped, looking at her mom. "Colin posted pictures of them in Brazil. I had hoped I wasn't truly his tie to a sane world. I thought he had grown up and really matured. I mean, he has a job and everything, but it's not what he should be doing."

"You're not….still…pining after him, are you?" Lorelai cautiously asked.

"No, mom. But he was a good part of my life, you know, the Riley Finn to my Buffy, and I worry about him. But I'm also not obsessively worrying about him." Lorelai gave her a look. "Okay, I'm not obsessively worrying anymore," she admitted.

Lorelai patted her hand. "Happier subject then. How's Mac doing?" Lorelai had come to visit Rory once the three of them had all moved in. She had adored everything about their tiny apartment and both of Rory's roommates. The three of them had been a great fit, a combination of intelligence and sass that Lorelai had loved being a part of. She had found Mac to be hilarious, taking an instant liking to her.

"Mac's great. She sends her love and well wishes. She and Wallace are spending part of the break in Neptune, visiting their families, then heading up the coast for a romantic holiday getaway. They're so adorable it is almost sickening. But in a good way, kind of like you and Luke are."

"I can't believe you guys didn't know. I so had them pegged when I visited," Lorelai cackled and pointed.

"Yes, yes. You had them figured out." She waved her mom's hand away and finished her coffee. Mac and Wallace had hid their relationship from Veronica for months after both she and Mac had started at Stanford. She had found out shortly after midterms, when she came home to find Wallace setting up a romantic celebratory dinner for Mac. They had thought Veronica was picking up a second photography shift that night, though she had put it off after her last midterm in order to sleep. Rory had missed the excitement, but apparently both of their shocked faces had been something worth seeing. It was Wallace's favorite joke, besting the resident Detective Mars, especially since Keith had figured it out long before. Veronica blamed it on a heavy workload filled semester.

After the embarrassing dinner, Wallace and Mac had explained to Veronica that they had hid the relationship from her while they were waiting to see if they were really serious about each other. They didn't want to force Veronica to choose between the two if they didn't workout in the end. The two had started dating the summer before, and six months later, they were still going strong. Rory thought they were great together. She knew Veronica had been weirded out at first, but she had grown to accept it.

"All right, favorite daughter of mine, I have to get back to the Inn. You know what happens to Michel is when he's left alone too long. It's like that Cloverfield movie, including the part where I get motion sickness from looking at him." Lorelai stood up and kissed Rory on the top of her head, grabbing her purse. "Please don't spend the entire time we're not doing wedding stuff working. You are actually on vacation. Oh, and take Paul Anka out for me in a few, will ya?"

"I won't," Rory promised regarding work, as she pulled out her phone to check her emails. "I got to call Dad as well. I'll do it while walking Paul Anka. We'll see you for lunch."