It was a cold blustery January morning in Connecticut when Lorelai woke up. It was moving day. Luke had Ceasar covering him at the Diner and Sookie and Michel had really stepped up the last few weeks at the Inn allowing Lorelai more time with Rory. Lorelai would normally love a snowy January day, but there was a black cloud over this day. She knew she would no longer be able to visit on a whim and her time with Rory would become even less.
Luke was loading the last of Rory's books into his truck. "Ugh, that's a lot of books for one girl. Are you about ready?"
"Yes, I have all her clothes loaded in her car. I talked to Christopher, he suggested I drive Rory's car instead of me driving to his place to let her drive it and me driving with you the rest of the way. He will drive Rory." Lorelai managed in one breath.
Luke had to pause for a few minutes to process what she said. "Okay, that will be fine. I'll follow you since you know the way."
"I can't say that I know the way exactly, but I do have the address loaded in my GPS thingy. Siri will talk me through it."
"Oh boy, here we go. Maybe I should lead, what is the address?"
It was almost noon when everyone arrived outside Rory's building in downtown New York. Parking would have been a nightmare had the doorman not shared the location of the loading bay area. All three vehicles were able to park in the designated area. There were carts available to assist with the moving process which came in really handy on this chilly day. Once Rory's car was unloaded onto a cart, Chris drove it to the underground parking space. Mr. Pearson was working the front again today when they stopped and checked in. Rory/Rhetta introduced herself and picked up the keys and the elevator pass. Luke and Chris were each pushing a cart heaped with boxes. Rory and Lorelai carried a couple sacks of groceries and their purses. No need for them to exert themselves. They finally got to the door. Rory nervously put the key in and opened it. She didn't say anything right away, just walked in.
Lorelai watched Luke's face. She had given some details, but it really was something you had to see to believe. "Rory, this is some place you have here." Luke finally managed to get a few words out.
Rory finally spoke. "Wow, I don't think I can live here. This is too much." It was quiet, but they could all here her. She walked down into the sunken living room area and was looking out the giant wall of windows.
Chris waited a few seconds before responding. "Rory, this apartment met your criteria and ours and I know it's more than you are comfortable with but I have peace of mind knowing you are in a place like this. I'm trying to be supportive and understand what Mr. Anderson is trying to do, but it's scary for me to think about you living in New York by yourself right now." He walked down towards the windows and stood next to her. "Rory, that phone call from you in Turkey was the scariest thing I've ever been through. I don't ever want a repeat of that situation. You will be safe here, everything is a call or a click away. You have a laundry service, a grocery service, and every food delivery place you can imagine. The doormen have strict protocol to follow. Nobody even has access to the elevator to get to this floor without a card. This may be a lot, but it's exactly what we need for you. Please understand this apartment is just as much for our mental well-being as it is for yours." He reached his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him. She was stiff at first, but allowed herself to slowly relax into him.
Lorelai watched this emotional scene from the entrance and felt immediate guilt. Her daughter has been through this scary traumatic event, and she was jealous that she was allowing her father to comfort her instead of her. She hated herself for feeling this way. Luke must have sensed her internal struggle, because he silently pulled her into a hug and just held her.
Chris and Rory were walking back to the entry area. He stopped first at the room off to their right. "This is the study. I think you will really like this room." Rory slowly peeked in and a small smile formed on her face.
"Look at those bookshelves." Her small voice was filled with wonderment.
"Yes, we thought it was perfect for you. Should Luke and I put all your book boxes in here?"
"Oh, I suppose that makes the most sense."
"Hey sweets, why don't I show you the rest of the apartment while your Dad and Luke move these boxes into the study?" The old Lorelai and Rory would have locked arms and skipped through the apartment like children. But, things were very different now. Every move Lorelai made with Rory was very guarded.
"Sure, I would like that." They went back to the master bedroom first, the mattress had been delivered and the bed was made. The bedding was stunning, a beautiful silver bedspread with dark and light fuchsia flowers. Honor really had a knack for coordinating. It was perfect. Lorelai laid down and spread out on the bed.
"This is some bed, kid. It's so big and so soft, when I stay here I won't even need the guest room, I'll just lay with you."
Rory smiled. She still wasn't saying a lot, but the small smiles were enough. "Did you do all of this, mom?"
"I wish I could take the credit. It was my intention; but, the owner's sister did it all. She was here yesterday when your dad and I dropped off the security forms. I managed to score a quick peek and when we got up here she was decorating. A very nice person, I think you would like her."
"Wow, that is nice. I do hope I get a chance to thank her." She started toward the master bath and looked in, "This is all so much, I can't believe you are okay with this mom."
Lorelai got off the bed and joined her in the bathroom. "I know I raised you different…. that money was something you worked for not something you were handed but I agree 100% with your dad. This is an incredible apartment and I feel good about you living here. I know you will be safe. And your safety is the only thing that matters to me. I only have one of you. I may have walked away from society, but your dad lives in that world and both sets of your grandparents. It's part of who you are. I will never think less of you for embracing that."
Lorelai watched as Rory's eyes began to water. "I think I really needed to hear that mom, because I feel like all I do is disappoint you."
Lorelai just stood there. Did she really just hear that right. Where was this coming from? Was this why she was pushing her away? "Disappoint me? Rory, where is this coming from. You, my beautiful brainy daughter, could NEVER disappoint me. You must know that. I need you to know that."
Thank you was all Rory was able to say. There was so much pain in her eyes. She started walking out of the bedroom towards the guest room. Lorelai wanted so much to dissect the conversation, but her mom radar was on high alert and she knew she wasn't ready for that. Especially not today. However, she knew she needed to ask Dr. Anderson if and how she should approach the topic again.
They walked through each of the remaining rooms. And made their way back to the kitchen where Luke and Chris were sitting at the counter. They had unloaded all the book boxes and were hungry. Chris found the drawer that Honor mentioned yesterday with instructions on the grocery service and found several delivery menus for restaurants downtown. Honor had taken the time to write personal notes and recommended dishes at all her favorite places. Luke chuckled to himself when most of her recommendations were salads. She clearly wasn't part Gilmore. They decided on Chinese (with extra vegetables for Luke) and Chris called it in. It would be about 40 minutes for delivery.
Meanwhile downstairs, Mr. Pearson was quickly learning that the new tenant wouldn't exactly be drama free when he was met with the wrath of one Paris Geller.
"Don't tell me she doesn't live here because she does, she just moved in today. Rory Gilmore, that is G-I-L-M-O-R-E in case your spelling is as inapt as your perception since you clearly have no idea a new person moved into your building today. What are you being paid for if not to know what is going on here. Or do I have the wrong person, you're just the damn window washer who I caught snooping behind the desk when I walked in."
"Ma'am, we have no one living here by that name. And if we did, you would have to be on the approved list of guests to gain entrance." Mr. Pearson said as calmly as he could.
"Approved list, I am her best friend. I don't need to be on any list. And, I know for a fact she is here, because her car is here. And I know her car is here because I can track it using the app on my phone. With your obliviousness of your surroundings, you probably don't have the slightest idea what an app is. Do I need to explain it to you?"
Paris was on a role when she was interrupted by a blond with quite the disheveled appearance just coming into the building.
"Can I help you, Miss?"
"Keep walking blondie, this doesn't concern you." She yelled without taking her eyes off the doorman.
"Mr. Pearson, is everything ok here?" he asked as he stopped to observe the situation.
"Yes, sir Mr. Huntzberger. Just someone upset because they have the wrong building."
"I do not have the wrong building you moron! She is here, her car is her, diner man's truck is in the loading area, I know she is here. And like I said before, it doesn't concern you. I can smell the booze radiating from your pores and since you are wearing thousand dollar shoes, that cheap perfume lingering can only mean one thing. So why don't you crawl back under whatever bimbo you just crawled off of."
Logan was getting annoyed. Although for not even a three second glance, her observation was spot on. He took a breath and exhaled slowly. "Since I own this building, it is clearly my business. Now, if Mr. Pearson is saying you have the wrong building you have the wrong building. Please leave before you are escorted out."
"Owner huh? What did Daddy buy you a building when you flunked out of college? And if you even try to touch me I will go Bonaduce on your ass!"
Logan could not believe the audacity of this woman. He wanted very much to correct her, as her last statement couldn't have been more wrong. But he was interrupted.
A delivery man came through the main door with four large bags of Chinese takeout. He stopped at Mr. Person's desk, delivery for the Penthouse suite. Mr. Pearson took the bags and said he would buzz them.
Paris took notice of the food. "That much Chinese can only be going to one place. Two brunettes, piercing blue eyes, pretty, talk a lot… eat even more. One older one younger, likely with two men. Any of this ringing a bell door man?"
Mr. Pearson and Logan had a private conversation and Logan returned to Paris.
"It appears your description of the tenants is accurate; however, the name you gave Mr. Pearson is not the name on file. I will take this food upstairs to the new tenant and let them know you are here. Should they know you, they will have to come down to add your name to the list for future entrance." Logan silently prayed she really just had the wrong building. He did not want any future interaction with this woman. "What name should I say is here?"
"Paris Geller!" she snapped quickly in disgust. "And she doesn't use her real name, it's a nickname, ever hear of one of those? Do you think you can remember my name and carry the food at the same time? Seems doing two things at once would be a struggle for a lunkhead like you."
Logan didn't respond. This woman was crazy. He got off the elevator and went across the hall and knocked. A young woman answered and he immediately registered the piercing blue eyes comparison. What caught his attention even more though was the pile of books she had in her hand, it wasn't People Magazine but classic novels by Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Wilde.
"Hi." She was defiantly caught off guard. She noticed the food in his hands and reached for the bags. "Here, I'll take those. I didn't think they would allow you to come up here. Let me grab some cash for a tip."
Logan's eyes widened in disbelief. Did she just think he was the delivery boy? He must really look like crap he thought.
Chris came around the corner to help grab the food. He noticed Logan.
"Hi Logan, this was sure nice of you to bring the food up. We could have come down."
Rory was confused for a minute and Chris caught on. "Sorry, Rhetta this is Logan. He owns the building and lives across the hall from you."
Rory's cheeks started to get really warm as she realized her error, Logan noticed her embarrassment. He decided to jump in.
"Welcome, Rhetta." He extended his hand to her. "It's nice to meet you. I normally don't make food deliveries but there appears to be a situation at the front door."
"A situation?" Chris and Rory said questioning.
This caught Luke and Lorelai's attention. They too were now standing at the door with concerned looks on their faces.
"Yes, there is a slightly insane blond woman downstairs demanding she knows you. I believe she threatened bodily harm."
"PARIS." They all said at once in a glum tone.
"Yes, that would be her."
Rory moved toward the front of the group. "I'm really sorry, sir. I will take care of it. And, Paris means well but tends to come off a little strong."
"Please, call me Logan. As for Paris, I'll think I'll take your word for it. But, you may want to hurry. I'm not sure how much Mr. Pearson can handle."
With that, Rory ran towards the elevator. Logan turned and went back to his apartment. He really was hung over and dealing with Paris Geller just about put him over the edge. He needed a shower, two aspirin, and a bed.
Author Note: Awww... Rory finally meets Logan. And, how about that Paris? You either love her or hate her... I love her. She is really fun to write. Let me know what you think, I love hearing from you. ;)