Chapter 4

Lorelai's wedding went off without a hitch. It was as beautiful as you can imagine. Of course, in true Lorelai fashion, it started lightly snowing as she walked down the aisle. Her connection with snow is almost freaky. The entire town square was covered in twinkle lights, the gazebo had white and blue lights wrapped in yards and yards of tulle. It looked like a scene out of a magazine. There was only one Taylor meltdown regarding a permit, but Luke was quick to handle it. Surprisingly, Emily Gilmore managed to hold her tongue and actually seemed to enjoy everything about it. She was a very proud mother of the bride.

The following day was Christmas. The immediate family was all together celebrating Christmas at the Inn. Richard, Emily, Christopher, Gigi, Luke, April, Lorelai, and Paris were all there. Rory figured it was time to make her announcement. Rather than ten individual attacks, get it over all at once.

"Hey everyone… I have a couple of announcements and was hoping I could talk to everyone for a few minutes."

"Okay, Rory, you have our attention." Said Richard Gilmore.

"Thanks, Grandpa. As you know, I quit my job earlier this week. What I didn't tell you was I already accepted a new one. And, I know you will have a ton of questions for me, but please let me get everything out before you start attacking me."

"Nonsense, Rory, nobody is going to attack you."

"Well, Grandma, I hope that is the case but not likely. You see, I have accepted a position as an overseas reporter. I start in two weeks. Now, the magazine that I will write for is based out of New York; however, I will be living in Germany for the first few months."

Rory paused briefly as she watched her mother's face go pale. She knew it was taking everything she had to not interrupt her. Luke grabbed her hand and held it tight. Paris started pacing and she knew she was in for a lashing. But, she quickly started speaking again.

"Now, I only have a few details on my first assignment. I will be fully briefed when I arrive in Berlin. I do know I will be there at least three months. It is a political piece and relatively low on the danger scale. Mr. Styles is the owner of the magazine. I am meeting briefly with him in New York next week to go over a few of the details, like how often I'm allowed to come home. Right now, I don't have any of that information. Now, I know I don't need to remind those of you here that this is my DREAM JOB. This is what I have worked towards all through college. I'm amazed and thrilled it's all happening much sooner than the time scale I projected. And as thrilled as I am, I know many of you won't share that enthusiasm. So, with that. Are there any questions I can answer now?"

"Rory, I insist we hire you a security team. No granddaughter of mine will be traipsing through foreign countries by herself. Now, I have always supported your dream to travel, but never on your own. You have always been with another person. I just can't allow this."

Rory watched as her mother slowly slipped out the back entrance of the inn. She knew she needed to speak with her privately, but was relieved as Luke followed her out.

"Grandpa, I appreciate the gesture, but I can't be followed around by a security team. It will compromise my work. And, I won't be alone, there will be at least two other reporters with me most of the time."

"Rory, I don't like this one bit." Said Emily.

"Grandma, I know this is a bit unsettling right now, but please know I will keep in touch as much as possible and will take extra measure so you always will know where I am."

"Rory, I always knew you were a little on the delusional side, but really this is taking it to another level. What are you thinking? Not enough thrill in your life so you need to head to another country? Hoping to find some hot new romance with a prince? What is it? Here's a tip, you want some excitement in your life, rent a horror film, hit up a strip club, but for christ sake, you don't become an overseas reporter."

"Wow, Paris. I'm not sure how to answer that."

"Of course you don't, all the more proof you have no business being an overseas reporter. Hell, if you can't handle me interrogating you, your best friend for eight years, how are you going to handle strangers."

"Well, for starters, I would be the one interrogating, not the other way around."

"That's a technicality and you know it. This is your stupidest idea yet, and believe me Gilmore, you've had some doozies."

"Okay, enough, everyone. I'm sorry for dropping this on you on Christmas day. I just wanted to tell you all at once. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to talk to my mom."

"Hey mom. Luke, can you give us a few minutes?"

"Sure, no problem Rory. Congratulations on the job, I'm sure going to miss you. I was just getting used to having you around again."

"I'll miss you too, Luke."

"Mom… I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner or privately for that matter. I've been carrying around this huge secret and I needed to get it out. I'm sorry."

"Rory, what do you want me to say? Unlike Luke, I can't brush it off like it's nothing. I'm terrified for you. You are my only child. I hate this Rory, I thought I hated your campaign job, but I would take that a thousand times over this."

"Mom, I promise I will do everything possible to be safe at all times. I will be in contact daily in one form or another. I need to do this mom."

"Will you let grandpa hire a security team?"

"I can't, it would do more harm than good."

"Oh Rory, I hate this. God, do I hate this. I know this was always your dream. But, I guess I hoped it was just that. You know, I always dreamed of being the spokesperson for Ben and Jerry's. Mostly just for free ice cream. Now, I'm about ten seconds from a total meltdown. Can we go inside now and spend Christmas like this didn't just happen and deal with it tomorrow."

"Ok, that's a plan. But, Paris is on a role and I'm not sure she will back off the 20 questions."

"I'll handle Paris."

"Thanks, Mom."

Rory spent four months in Germany and true to her word, she was able to send a text or email almost daily. She spent 3 months after that in England. She wasn't able to finish her assignment in England when she was asked to go to Turkey. Mr. Styles told her there was tension building in Turkey over the new government. It was a dangerous assignment, but also a career breaking one if done correctly.

Rory had developed quite a fan base. She enjoyed the magazine she worked for, they were good to her and her readers loved her. As her name was becoming more known, she was getting several job offers already, most bringing her back stateside. She loved what she was doing and wanted to get a few more years under her belt. She made a promise to Lorelai that 3 years would be her maximum and she would look for something closer to home.

She didn't give her family all the details regarding Turkey. But, her grandfather had done some digging and he knew she was walking into fire. He reached out to her several times asking her to come home. She declined and reminded him that Gilmore's never quit. Richard was incredibly proud of the woman she had become. He also knew as a Gilmore, she would never listen to him. She had to decide things on her terms. So, he did the only thing he could, he hired a private security team without her knowing about it. Rory was not able to update daily this time around, but the security team kept Richard up to speed on a daily basis.

Three months into Rory's assignment in Turkey, mayhem started with an attempted coup. That was followed by a night of gunfire, violence, and uncertainty. Communication from Rory came to an immediate halt. Her family couldn't reach her, the magazine couldn't reach her, and the security team had nothing. Her family was an absolute wreck. It had been a week already and not a word.

Another three days went by when Christopher Hayden was awoken by his cell phone ringing at 3:37 a.m. He didn't recognize the number.

"Hello." A groggy Christopher managed to get out.

"Dad, please help me."

"Rory?! Are you okay? Rory, where are you? What do you need?"