"What, why? Was he drunk?"-Rory
"No of course not he was sober, he actually first off wanted to apologize to Logan and I for the way that he had treated us for the past few years."-Steve
"Of course, he apologizes to the two of you, but not the woman who stood by his side, put up with his shit for four and half years"-Rory
(he gently kisses her to stop her rant) "Let me finish, but before I do, have you checked your email at all today?"-Steve
"I checked before I headed home from Aveda."-Rory
"Did you get the one from me about him coming back to help out with shoots?"-Steve
"No, I didn't. Fill me in here."-Rory
(the bath water had finally filled the jacuzzi tube enough, so with the scent of orange in the air they got in and he started massaging her shoulders.)
"Well, he has been keeping up with doing shoots on his own, taken a few more classes, he couldn't help but over hear that we are pretty booked as of late and figured that he could help us out a little bit."-Steve
"Is he aware that we raised our prices?"-Rory
"Of course, I told him that. Now before you start worrying or ranting once more, do not the two of you will never work together. I know you have put a majority of your differences aside and maybe over a period of time it would be a good idea, however for now I would prefer if the two of you worked separately."-Steve
"Not only do I understand, but I more than approve of that. I think I need more than three months to move on from what occurred between him and I."-Rory
(looks at her with confusion)
"I am not still in love with him, Steve. Please do not for a second more fret over that I chose you, I've wanted you for a while now. I just, there is a huge history between us and for each awful thing I am still trying to get past the anger part of it."-Rory
"Fair enough logic there. So I figured that I could do your mini outdoor shoot for you on Saturday, you and Logan could do the engagement couples on Sunday, then on Friday, Finn and I could do the family shoot. What do you think of that line up?"-Steve
"It sounds pretty good to me actually. I was also thinking that when we are done with that we could go see my mom and Luke? Then the grandparents?"-Rory
"Which set?"-Steve
"Well, Emily and Richard haven't seen us for some time actually, and the Hayden's also wish to see us."-Rory
(grimacing at the thought of seeing the Hayden's)
"Steve."-Rory
"Look, I know I will try to swallow my dislike for them but it won't be easy by any means."-Steve
"You are preaching to the choir my dear. However you knew that when you started dating me what came along with it."-Rory
(gives her a deep kiss before continuing their conversation) "I know, but we have been to avoid it thus far, why change it now honey?"-Steve
"Because, they never would have approved of Finn even sober."-Rory
"And they are going to be so approving of me?"-Steve
(returns the kiss) "Yes, there might be an age gap between us, but at the end of the day you have always been there for me even in the darkest of times. You make me happy even when coffee can not. Which yes I know is saying something. I know that you aren't with me because of my last name and you never have been."-Rory
"You have far too much logic for your own good at times you know this right?"-Steve
"Of course. That's why you fell in love with me to begin with."-Rory
(they stop talking and finally just enjoy their bath together)
*The Next Day*
(Steve wakes up to hear his girlfriend in the middle of what sounded like a heated argument, so he quietly walks out to the kitchen)
"You know, Mom. I understand that you want to say I told you so until the cows come home, but at the same time it isn't going to make our relationship any better if you do. You have to realize that, right?"-Rory
(he doesn't hear what Lorelai says in response, but catches on that it couldn't have been anything good due to the fact that he can tell Rory has tensed up in such a way that he went up and hugged her from behind)
"Look, Mom he and I have to get ready for an outing alright. I'll call you later."-Rory
(waits for her mom to respond) "Love you too."-Rory
(hangs up the phone, sighs heavily and just tries to relax into her boyfriend's touch)
"Okay, what the hell was that?"-Steve
"Well, I finally plucked up the courage to tell her that not only are Finn and I no longer together, but you and I have finally worked a few things out, are dating once more and sharing a mortgage together."-Rory
"And instead of hearing out all the details, your side of the story she just kept wanting to say that she was right from the beginning, wishes you the best with me but at the same time pointing out that you and I can't have any kids of our own."-Rory
"She didn't?"-Steve
"O, it gets better. She then had the audacity to say that the only reason you fought for us to get back together is because of my last name."-Rory
"Please tell me that you are kidding."-Steve
"I wish I was, dear. I wish I was"-Rory
"Where is all of that coming from. She has always rooted for us in the past. What changed?"-Steve
"Nothing really changed per say she is just more concerned with the additional last name etc."-Rory
"Rory."-Steve
"Look, I'm going to get the dresses out, put the make up on, you need to get the camera supplies all set and then we could head out alright?"-Rory
(knows that the two of them need to talk things out but the shoot would be better to do that than at their new home for the time being)
"If you insist. See you when you are ready then love."-Steve
"Okay, love you too sweety."-Rory