Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 5 - Four Years Worth of Changes
She couldn't believe how quickly it all went by. It seemed like only yesterday she was moving into this room and now, here she was, packing her furry alarm clock into a box along with the rest of her belongings. This time tomorrow she would be back in Hartford. The thought of leaving London was daunting, but she was ready to go back. And she had three glorious months of summer ahead of her before Yale started. Being in Hartford was not how she planned to spend her summer, but things change…and if it's one thing Rory learned, not all things go according to plan.
"There's our little valedictorian," said a smiling Lorelai as she entered the room with Christopher, camera in hand, snapping yet another picture of her daughter.
Rory rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway. "Seriously, Mom, enough with the pictures. How many memory cards have you gone through since you've been here?"
"I'm your mother, Rory. It's my biological right, nay obligation, to document the key moments in your life. And I'd say graduating from high school is a pretty big moment. Plus, I want to get lots of pictures for Kevin. He really wanted to be here, but Yale has these pesky things….what are they called again, Chris?"
"Uh…finals?"
"Yes, finals. I offered to write him a note, but he didn't think his professors would buy it."
"Daddy, was she this deranged when I left? Or is this something new?"
"Come on, kid, you haven't been away for that long," said a smiling Christopher. He missed seeing his wife and daughter like this. "She was deranged when I met her. It's part of the reason I fell in love with her." Christopher wrapped his arms around Lorelai's waist and kissed her shoulder. Lorelai giggled and leaned back into her husband, a smile on her lips the whole time.
Rory watched her parents for a moment. They'd been together almost twenty-two years and they were still so in love. She sighed trying to push the painful events of the past few weeks out of her mind. Right now all she wanted to do was finish packing. Lorelai saw the look on Rory's face and knew what she was thinking. "Chris, why don't you load the last of these boxes in the car. We should be ready to go in a few minutes."
Taking the hint, Christopher picked up the last of Rory's boxes. "It'll be nice to have you home this summer, Rory," he said as he left the room.
This would be the first summer in four years Rory would be spending in Hartford. In true Rory fashion, she had spent all her summers interning for Mitchum at The Times in London. She did miss being in Hartford, but the internship was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She learned so much and she got to spend time with her friends, without classes being in the way. And it's not like she didn't see her family during the summer. Lorelai, Christopher and Kevin spent at least two weeks of every summer somewhere in Europe with Rory. Not only that, Rory had been back in Hartford for Christmas break her sophomore and senior year. The Hayden's had decided to alternate spending Christmas in Hartford and London to be with Trix.
"Are you ok?" asked Lorelai.
"Yeah," she relied not looking her mother in the eye. "I'm fine."
"Have you talked to…"
"No," she said with a tone letting her mother know she was in no mood to discuss this now. "And I'm not going to. He and I….we're done. He left right after the ceremony yesterday and….that's it."
"So he's on his way to Paris?"
"I don't know if he's follow the itinerary I put together. I doubt it so I don't know where he's headed right now," she said, frustration clearly in her voice. "And I don't care. He can go anywhere he wants…with whoever he wants. I don't care." Rory surveyed her empty room in the pretense of looking for anything she may have forgotten. She couldn't look her mother in the eye. "I think that's it," she said picking up her carry-on. "Let's go."
Not wanting to upset her, Lorelai decided to drop the subject for now. "Ok. Just one more picture though?"
"Mom!"
"Come on. Humor your mother. Go stand by the window and smile. This will be the last one I swear."
Anxious to get going, Rory did as she was told. As Lorelai lined up her shot, she couldn't help but notice how much Rory had grown in four years. A far cry from the shy fourteen year old girl that she moved into this very room four years ago, Rory was a poised eighteen year old young woman. She was taller and her features more defined. She had filled out and she walked with an air of confidence that Lorelai almost didn't recognize. When Rory walked across the stage to accept her diploma the day before, Lorelai thought she would burst with pride. Her daughter was so grown up.
"Mom," said Rory effectively snapping Lorelai out of her reverie. "Take the picture already. We're going to miss our flight."
"Right sorry," she said right before the camera flashed. "Oh that's a good one. Well what are standing around for, kid. Let's go, we're gonna be late."
Rory followed her mother out the door into the waiting limo. The three arrived at the airport and had a leisurely lunch before boarding their first class seats back to the Hartford. After fastening her seat belt and getting comfortable in her seat, Rory took a book out of her purse intent on reading the entire way home. Just as she opened to the first page, a photograph she'd forgotten she'd stuck in there fell out and landed on her lap. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked down at the happy couple smiling back at her. She turned the picture over not wanting to see his face only to be confronted by a message he'd written on the back.
To Rory,
So you'll never forget that day.
Love Always,
Tristan
The picture was taken last summer on the day he asked her to be his girlfriend. He had given it to her on their six month anniversary. Wanting Tristan out of her mind, Rory stuck the photograph back in the book and decided to try and get some sleep. She awoke hours later as the plane touched down on U.S. soil with a huge crick in her neck, but feeling relatively well rested. The Haydens quickly found their luggage and the waiting driver loaded it into the back of a limo.
As they drove away from the airport, Rory took out her cell phone to call Kevin only to realize her battery was dead. Looking around she found a car phone in her armrest and dialed the familiar number. They had both been busy with finals and hadn't really spoken in a couple of weeks. She missed him.
"Hello?" answered an unfamiliar male voice.
"Hi, is Kevin there?" she asked surprised.
"Who is this?"
"Who's this?"
"This is Kevin's roommate. He's a little occupied at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"
His roommate?
"Logan?"
"Yeah, who's this?"
She laughed nervously. "Why am I nervous?" she asked herself. And he didn't recognize her voice. That made her a little sad. Then she remembered she didn't recognize his either. "It's Rory."
"Ace? Oh my God! Where are you? Are you back in Connecticut?"
"Yeah I'm back," she answered not being able to stop the huge smile that came over her face. It was the first time she'd really smiled in quite a while. "Just got back actually. We just left the airport and we're headed back to my house."
"I thought you were supposed to be gone all summer. Kevin said you were backpacking across Europe."
Rory's face fell. "Yeah I was supposed to. Um…but…um…my plans….fell through so here I am. I'm actually going to be around for the entire summer."
"That's great, Ace. How are you?"
"I'm good," she said trying to regain some composure. "Although to be honest, I'm a little offended."
"Offended? Why?"
"You didn't recognize my voice. I would think after eighteen years of friendship…."
"Hey, don't blame this all on me. You were the one that stayed away for so long. When was the last time you were even in Hartford?" he asked obviously very amused.
"I was here over Christmas break," she said her smile returning. "Where were you?"
"In Switzerland, skiing with Honor."
"See, it is your fault," she said goading him.
"How do you figure that?"
"I come home for my scheduled visit, and you take off. Seriously, Logan, where's the love?"
"Come on, Ace. Two Christmas breaks in four years? That's all the time you have for me? What about summer vacations? You couldn't make time in your 'oh so busy schedule' to come home for a summer?"
"Hey, I'll be home this summer. And it's not like I was bumming around Europe the past three summers. I was busy working…working for you actually."
"Ah yes, the internship at The Times. Don't remind me. Dad did a good job of that. He tried to get me to do an internship with him the whole time I was at Chilton. Do you have any idea how many times he mentioned that you interned at The Times, while getting perfect grades, and writing for your school's newspaper?"
"He talked about me?" she asked. She did have a small degree of hero worship when it came to the great media mogul Mitchum Huntzberger.
"Every time he got a call from Headmaster Charleston."
"Wow, so every day?" she kidded.
He laughed. "It's good to have you back, Ace. I missed you."
She was glad he wasn't there to see her blush although it didn't escape Lorelai's attention. "Me too," she admitted. "It's good to be home. It's been too long, Logan."
"Yeah, when was the last time we saw each other?"
"Christmas break three years ago."
"Wow, has it been that long? That's simply unacceptable. We're going to have to rectify that as soon as possible. What are you doing tonight?"
"Tonight? I was going to unpack…maybe watch a movie with my mom. Why?"
"Come to Yale."
"What? Why?"
"Well, me and the boys are having a Post Finals bash tonight. You should come. We'll introduce you to some of your future classmates."
"Yeah, that sounds fun. Where's it gonna be?"
"Really?" Logan was stunned. He thought it would take a lot more convincing to get her to come to a party.
"Yeah, I'll be there. Just tell be where to meet you guys."
"There's a pub right off campus. We rented it out for the night."
"I think I know where it is. Kevin took me there for New Years."
"Alright, I'll see you in a couple of hours then?"
"Yeah, I'll see you then." They were both about to hang up when she suddenly remembered she had called for Kevin. "Wait," she yelled, "is Kevin there?"
"Kevin? Oh…he's kinda got his hands full right now," he said his voice dripping with innuendo. "But I'll tell him you called."
"Oh…gross, Logan. You couldn't just tell me he was in the shower or something?" she asked completely disgusted.
"Well technically he is," he replied laughing.
"EEEWWW! Hanging up now."
She could hear Logan laughing at her, but instead of getting upset like she would have a few years ago, she laughed with him. "I'll tell him you called, Ace."
"Ok…oh but don't tell him I'm coming tonight. I want to surprise him."
"Ok. See you later."
"Bye, Logan."
Hanging up the phone, Rory looked up to see her parents watching her in amusement. "What?"
"Nothing," they replied simultaneously.
"What?"
"Nothing, Rory," said Christopher. "It's just good to see you happy."
Rory didn't respond. She knew she'd been a little down despite the thrill of graduation, but she hoped her parents didn't notice.
"So going to a party tonight?" said Lorelai with a playful grin. "Can you believe it, Chris? We finally have our baby home and on her first day back, she's gonna ditch us. It's official, Chris, we're old and boring and our children are embarrassed to be seen with us."
"I'm not ditching you," she defended. "I'm going to go see Kevin. And hang out with Logan, Colin, and Finn for some good clean fun."
"Ok, Rory," said Christopher, "we may be old and boring, but we're not stupid. If you're going out with those four, there will be nothing good or clean about the fun you'll be having."
"Can I borrow your car, Daddy?" she asked batting her lashes at him.
"Masterful!" admired Lorelai.
"Normally, that look would get you anything, but you don't have a license in this country," he reminded her.
"Oh yeah."
"And since I know how cool it would be to have one of us drop you off," he continued, "why don't you take the driver for the night."
"Thanks, Dad."
They arrived at the Hayden's estate a few minutes later. Rory was so happy to be back. She didn't realize how much she'd missed her house. Sure it had only been five months since she was there last, but knowing she would be there all summer really made it feel more like home. She almost dreaded having to leave to go to New Haven, but she was really anxious to see Kevin…and curious to see Logan.
After a nice relaxing shower, she dug through her suitcases trying to find something to wear. After some consideration, she put on a denim miniskirt, a baby blue tank top, a white blazer style jacket and her favorite pair of sandals. She decided to leave her hair her hair down in curls and applied very little make-up, just some mascara and extra glossy lip gloss. As she headed out the door, she called out to her parents, "I'm leaving. Don't wait up."
Lorelai clutched at her heart and uttered with pride, "Oh my God! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to say those words? Chris, she said, 'Don't wait up.' I'm so proud." She then pulled Rory into a hug, "You really are my daughter."
"Lor," said Christopher in a warning tone.
"Bye, guys," said Rory trying to extricate herself from her mother's grip. "You two behave while I'm gone."
"Bye, Rory," said Christopher trying to pull Lorelai away from their daughter. "Have fun, but not too much fun."
Lorelai lunged forward and gave Rory another hug as a pretense to whisper in her ear. "Have fun. Be good. And say hello to Logan for me," she added with a knowing smile.
Rory glared at her before saying, "Good night, mother." She closed the door behind her and got into the waiting limo. It was less than a thirty minute drive to New Haven and it gave her time to look back over the day. She replayed her conversation with Logan over and over in her head. Lorelai wasn't kidding when she said crushes die hard. It had been six years since the kiss under the mistletoe and the mere thought of seeing him again still gave her butterflies. She didn't understand. While she was in London, she did her best not to think about him. And after a while, she hardly ever did. Weeks or months would go by without him making it into her thoughts. But now, after hearing his voice earlier and knowing she'd see him in just a few minutes. She felt like an awkward twelve year old again. "Relax, Rory."
It was just after ten when the limo pulled up in from of the pub. The driver gave her his number and told her he'd be nearby to pick her up whenever she was ready. Taking a deep breath and straightening her clothes, Rory reapplied her lip gloss and strode confidently toward the entrance. The noise from inside told her the party was well under way. As she approached the door, she was stopped by a gruff and very large man. "Sorry, sweetie, pub's closed for the night. Private party going on."
"I know. I was invited."
He looked down at his clipboard and asked, "Name?"
"Oh…um…Rory Hayden."
"Hayden, Rory," he said looking up and down his list. "Sorry, sweetie, only Hayden I have on here is a Kevin Hayden and he's already here."
"I'm his sister. I'm here to surprise him."
"Sorry, but if you're not on the list. I can't let you in."
She argued with the man for a few minutes, insisting it was ridiculous for him not to let her in. Rory was getting frustrated and things were getting loud when a voice interrupted them, "Hey what's going on out here?"
"Colin! Please tell him to let me in," begged Rory.
"Rory!" he yelled running up to hug her. "What are you doing here?"
"Logan invited me and apparently neglected to add my name to the list. Would you please ask the nice man to let me in?"
"It's cool, Carl. She's with us." Rory gave Colin a grateful smile and hugged him again. "It's so good to see you, Ror. Did Kevin know you were going to be here?"
"No. I just got back this afternoon and I wanted to surprise him. Where is he?"
"Follow me." Colin led her through the pub which was packed with party happy college students grateful finals were officially over. She received more than one death glare from a few female party goers as she followed Colin through the crowd with her hand on his shoulder. They approached a large back table and she could make out Finn's voice over the crowd. She could also see the back of Kevin's head. Finn was in the middle of telling a story and stopped mid sentence when he spotted Rory.
"…so there I was, piss drunk and half naked when all of a sudden…" Finn's eyes widened in surprise. He squinted to make sure he wasn't hallucinating before he popped out of his seat. "Love!"
Kevin turned around and looked even more surprised than Finn did. "Rory!" He jumped up and ran to her enveloping her in big hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Are you surprised?" she asked laughing.
"Yeah, I'm surprised. Why didn't you tell me you were…" At that point Kevin was forcefully shoved away from her and he nearly fell to the ground.
"Out of the way, mate," said an eager and obviously intoxicated Finn. "Give us a kiss, love." With that, Finn picked her up, spun her around and kissed her cheek.
She was so excited to see her brother and the boys that she didn't notice the evil eye she was getting from the all girls sitting at the table. They wondered who she was and why three of Yale's most eligible bachelors were fawning all over her.
Across the room, Logan was ordering a drink at the bar and trying desperately to drown out the two girls vying for his attention. They had been following him around all night and while he would more than likely take one of them home, he wanted to enjoy the party with his friends. And these two were getting on his nerves. "Logan, don't you think that's hilarious?" one of them asked.
"What?" he asked. He had tuned them out a while ago.
"The outfit that girl's wearing. Isn't it just ridiculous?"
He had no idea who or what they were talking about. He was about to say something when the bartender brought up his order. "Here you go man," he said with an amused grin. Steve, the bartender, jerked his head in the direction of the two girls and gave Logan a sympathetic look.
Logan looked at him and laughed. Sliding two of the drinks over to the girls, "Here you go ladies. Why don't you head back to the table. I'll be right there."
"I don't mind waiting for you," one of them said suggestively.
"Neither do I," said the other.
Logan heard Steve chuckle as he started wiping down the counter. "No, you two go ahead. Finn's about to tell one of his drunk and naked stories. Trust me, you don't want to miss that," he said giving them the most charming smile he could muster.
"All right, but hurry back."
As the two walked away, Steve turned back to Logan and said, "Man…the things a guy will put up with just to get laid."
Logan turned to face the bar, "Tell me about it," he said with a laugh as he took a sip of his scotch.
"Well who's it gonna be tonight? The blond? Or the other blond?" asked a laughing Steve. Logan laugh with him and took another sip of his drink. Steve watched the girls head back to the table. When his eyes landed on Rory, he let out a low whistle. "Wow! Who's that?"
Curious, Logan turned around and saw a brunette talking to Kevin, Finn and Colin. She had her back to him, but it gave him a very nice view. Logan sat back and admired her. Slim, nice ass, and the finest pair of legs he'd seen in a long time. He let out a whistle of his own before answering Steve, "I don't know, but I'm gonna find out. Hey maybe tonight it'll be a brunette." He heard Steve laugh but didn't turn around not wanting to take his eyes of the girl. Just then, Kevin spotted him and waved him over. He made a move to join the group just as Rory turned to face him. Logan stopped dead in his tracks. "No way. Ace?"
That couldn't be her. No way it was her. When Logan's eyes met hers, he felt his stomach hit the floor. Oh it was definitely her. No one had eyes like those except his Ace. "I can't believe this. I don't remember her being that beautiful. When did she get that beautiful?" he said to himself. He couldn't believe the girl with the beautiful ass and the longest legs in the room was his little Ace. He slowly started to make his way toward them making a conscious effort to steady his breathing. "Relax, Logan. It's just Rory."
Rory watched him approach. "God, he's so gorgeous. He is still so gorgeous. Why does he have to be so gorgeous? Ok, Rory, deep breaths, deep cleansing breaths. No worries. You're not fourteen anymore. You are poised. You are sophisticated. When he gets here, say something clever." In no time at all, Logan was standing before her. "Say something clever!"
Rory opened her mouth and what came out was, "Hi." "Oh brilliant, Rory. Four years of the finest education money can but and you come up with 'hi.'"
And then he smiled at her. "Hey, Ace." Without another word, she jumped into his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Logan held on to her as if his life depended on it. Holding a girl, any girl, never felt so good. He buried his face in her hair and whispered in her ear, "Welcome home."