AN: I'm a stay at home mom and my daughter is currently asleep so I'm going to write then :) Any thoughts? There are going to be twists and turns in this and just a warning, guests will make appearances at the funeral (which is this chapter). I don't own anything Gilmore related! Read & Review!

The next morning was getting ready for the wake that night. There were over 300 people planned to be in attendance so it was being held at the Hayden house instead of a funeral parlor. The family did get a chance to say their goodbyes privately. Rory, G, Chris, Lorelai, and Francis talked for a while about what was going to happen.

"So I'm now expected to take a bigger interest in the company?" Rory exclaimed. She has never been interested in law. She didn't know what that entailed.
"Rory, we were thinking that you could help head PR. Georgia is interested in law so when she graduates and passes her bar she'll be able to take over her grandpas place in the business. She knows this already and has agreed." Chris explained. "This doesn't mean that you'll have to leave your job or leave Palo Alto. We would need you to come home monthly for meetings but I've talked to mom and we're going to get a jet so that you can come home and leave the same day if you want."
"I need some air. Please excuse me for a moment." Rory said.

She grabbed her phone and dialed the first person she thought about.

"I'm now expected to take a bigger part in the Hayden company Logan!" Rory exclaimed.
"Woah Ace. What do you mean? You're not a lawyer." Logan asked.
"I know. They want me to head PR. They said I can stay in California and just fly back home monthly in my new private jet!"
"Ace, breathe. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Now, did they tell you what that meant? PR is normally just fielding press and making sure that the Hayden name looks nice and shiny. That's a good thing. You could just write the articles about Hayden law firm and their high profile cases."
"They didn't explain any of that. I just excused myself after they started talking and called you."
"Where are you?"
"Sitting outside the house. I've never smoked before but damn I could use a cigarette."
"Stop. I don't want you killing yourself. I'll be there in 20 minutes. Can you hold off for that long?"
"Yeah I can. Thank you again. I'm guessing that you're regretting meeting a basket case."

Rory went back inside and talked some more with her family.

"Ok so if I head PR, you said I can do basically telecommunicate correct?"
"Yes." Francis answered. "The only thing that will change is you'll be paid through the company in addition to your trust. We will write you a contract and you'll have a lawyer, not your dad, not anyone in the Hayden company, look over your contract to show that we're not adding anything in."
"I can find someone."
"Andrew McCray" Richard said. "He is not with our company but he is a great lawyer. He can be your lawyer."
"That works. Can we discuss the finer details of this later? I have a visitor coming over shortly. I need a break from everything if you don't mind. I will be back in time to get ready for the wake."
"That's fine Rory." Chris answered. "Who is this visitor?"
"His name is Logan. I met him on my flight home."
"Huntzberger?" Emily asked.
At the same time the bell rang and the maid ushered Logan in.
"Yes Huntzberger." Rory answered.
"Are you two together?" Emily asked excitedly.
"No grandma. We both flew home at the same time and were seated next to each other."

"Emily, Richard. Sorry to see you again under these circumstances. Francine. Straub will be missed." Logan greeted everyone separably. He shook Richards hand and hugged both Emily and Francine. "You must be Lorelai and Christopher. Rory here has told me all about you."
"Hello Logan. Rory, you couldn't have picked better company." Richard said.
"Yes Straub always spoke highly of your family. It's a shame that we couldn't seen each other under better circumstances." Francine said.

"If it's alright with you, I'm here to take Rory's mind off everything for a couple of hours." Logan said with a smile.
"Yes, please. Will I see you tonight?" Francine asked.
"Of course. Straub was a wonderful man and a great friend to all."

They both walked out and she climbed into the SUV. She turned around and saw three people. She believed the boys to be Colin and Finn but didn't know who the girl was.

"Logan, thank you! You couldn't have come at a better time." Rory said thankfully.

"Introductions are needed." A voice with an Australian accent came from the back. "Finnius Morgan but most people call me Finn."
"Colin McCray." The other voice said. "And the girl in the back is Stephanie Vanderbilt. My girlfriend of 3 years."
"Hi Colin, Finn, Stephanie. I'm Rory."

"You can call me Steph. We'll be great friends, I can feel it" Steph said excitedly!

"Rory, we've heard so much about you. Plus read your writing." Colin said.

"You've read my writing?" Rory asked puzzled.
"Yes Love, Colin, Logan, and I all stayed up drinking and googling you." Finn said.
"Really. Logan, you didn't tell me you googled me. That sounds a little dirty!"
"Wait, here, this is for you." Logan handed Rory a coffee cup. "This is the best coffee on Yale campus. So today the plan is, distract and deflect. First thing we're doing is going to eat. I know you like Chinese and there is a great chinese place down the street from my apartment. Then, all of us are going shopping. Ace, I know that you have to get ready for the wake but I say we buy a new dress and get your hair done and such so we can all spend more time getting to know each other. Stephanie here is a bit of a shopaholic. Then we will all go to the wake together and eventually form a sub-party in the pool house."
"That sounds great. Just a warning I have to be back by 5."
"It's 11. Plenty of time." Steph said.

They got to China Garden and Logan was right. This was amazing. They finished around 12:30 and made their way up and down the street in various shops. Colin, Logan, and Finn went into the tux shop so they could pick theirs up while Steph and Rory went to Bergdorf's.

"So what's going on between Logan and you?" Steph inquired. "I've never seen him like this over anyone. He would do this for Colin, Finn, or myself in heartbeat but not for anyone else. Honor maybe but that's his sister."
"Nothing. We're friends. We just met and figured out we should have years ago and said we would have been close." Rory explained. "I don't know. He's different from the society guys I've met. Most of them are interested in two things and those are my last names. Logan isn't. We talked for hours about everything from books to food to friends and it was easy."
"That's funny because that's exactly what he said. Oh I think this would be perfect." Steph held up the latest Alexander McQueen dress. It was long and black and had a butterfly pattern. "Those would go great with these." She held up a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps with a lace butterfly pattern. "Go try these on and come back out."

I did and she was right this was perfect. It hugged in all the right areas and reveled just enough to keep a mind curious. I came out and we agreed that it was perfect.

We kept walking around so Steph could find what she wanted to wear. "Just to let you know, traditionally we all get ready for events together. Whether it be social party, funeral, or wedding. This time it's Huntz turn to start the festivities. You're coming." Steph said with a smile.
"Sounds good but I'm gonna let my family know so they're not waiting." Rory said.

She got her phone out to text her mom.

-Mom. I'm going to get ready with Logan and the crew. Tomorrow we have to talk.
-I was going to say the same thing. What time will you be over.
-Probably around 7.
-Can you make it 630? We're expected to be here first.
-OK I'll call Lou to pick me up.
-See you. Love ya.

"OK that's taken care of. I have to get there at 630 though so I'll call my driver to pick me up. You can all meet me there. " Rory explained.

Steph finally found the perfect dress and matching pieces.

We went to the checkout and I went to hand her my Am Ex and she stopped me. "Nope this is on me." Steph paid and told her where the dress needed to be delivered. We went outside and the boys were waiting.

"Ace, hope you don't mind but we're all getting ready together. I told them to send all items to my house. Steph, did you tell her to the correct address?" Logan asked.
"Yes Huntz, I've known where you live since I ran away from home the first time." Steph replied. "I was 5 and mad because my nanny quit." She quickly explained to me.

They spent the rest of the afternoon at Logan's house pre-gaming it a little.

"So Rory is officially the 5th member of the social gatherings crew." Colin announced. "In all seriousness, where have you been all of our lives?"
"In Stars Hollow." Rory shrugged.
"Thirty miles away was the missing part of our club and we never knew it." Logan said wishfully. "That means we have 25 years of time to make up. So tonight, you will have to stand with your family and accept all the looks and sad faces. When someone comes up to you and says 'Sorry for your loss' what is your socially acceptable answer."
"Thank you."
"Eh. Wrong." Logan laughed. "Colin, what is the socially acceptable answer?"
"He will be missed or Thank you for coming."
"Correct!"
"This isn't the first social funeral I've attended thank you!" Rory said.
"Yes but you were in your youth then correct? So you got a free pass." Logan explained. "Now that you're an adult, you have to have adult answers. Around 9 everyone will be there so you can escape to the pool house. I'm going to set it up and blackout the windows before then so no one knows we're in there. Then we will help you forget everything. Although before you forget we should probably stop since you still have the funeral itsself tomorrow."
"You all will be there?" Rory asked looking down.
Logan put his fingers under her chin and lifted her head up. "Every step of the way."

There was a lot of playful banner between Logan and Rory. Colin, Finn, and Steph could all see it in their eyes. They were falling for each other even if they didn't know it themselves.

"The hairdresser and make up artist will be here in 5 minutes." Steph told everyone. "So unless you're planning on getting your hair done, eyebrows plucked, and face made up, I suggest you go to the game room."
"Ah alright. Just to let you know, I don't think that either of you need make up." Logan told them.
"Oh Logan. Aren't you sweet." Rory declared. "However, if I don't I know for a fact that Emily Gilmore will probably cry."

"So where at in California do you live" Steph asked Rory.
"In Palo Alto in the business district." Rory tried describing. "It's 3 blocks from my office so I don't have to deal with traffic."
"That's nice. You and Logan live in the same city. Are you two going to talk after this week."
"I hope I'm going to talk to all of you after this week. I know I met you three this afternoon and Logan last night but I feel like I've known you all my life. You have to come visit and I'll visit. It's crazy how quick we all connected."
"Thanks to Logan." Steph said with a glitter in her eye.
"Yes, thanks to Logan." Rory didn't realize it but she smiled from ear to ear.

They broke up their gab fest because Alan was there to do their hair and Misty was there for make up.

While all that was happening the boys went downstairs and shot some pool.

"Guys, this is weird. I've never felt this way about a girl, let alone one I just met." Logan told Colin and Finn.
"You know its weird but I've never felt this comfortable around another girl besides Steph. I don't know what it is about her but Rory was made for this group. I think she was made for someone specific in this room too." Finn said looking at Logan.
"I don't know though. What if she doesn't feel the same. I know what I'm starting to feel and I know I'm at the age where I need to seriously think about the future but what if she doesn't." Logan gushed. "Geez look at me. I'd have punched myself in the stomach if I saw me."

"Logan are you home?"
Logan heard a voice come from the first level. He went to the banister to check and saw it was his sister Honor and her boyfriend Josh.

"Hey Honor! How are you doing? I see Josh is still following you everywhere you go!" Logan said.
Honor ran upstairs and gave him a big hug. "I haven't seen you in so long little brother. I see there's a few cars outside. Who's here?"
"Steph and Rory are getting ready for the funeral in the big bathroom. Colin, Finn, and I are getting ready in the rec room."
"Who's Rory?" Honor inquired.
"Rory is Straub's granddaughter. I met her on the plane here and we just clicked. The gang and I are helping her through everything."
"Do you think they have time for another hair and makeup?"
"I don't know. go ask."
Logan kissed his sister on the cheek and she walked over to the big bathroom and Josh stayed with Logan.

Honor knocked on the door and walked in. She saw Stephanie sitting getting her nails finished and saw a brunette getting into a dress with her back turned. She noticed how pretty she was a how elegant she looked. Something inside her said she'd be seeing her more often.
"Hey Honor" Stephanie exclaimed! "I didn't know we'd be seeing you. Honor, this is Rory, our new friend. Rory, this is Honor, Logan's sister."
"Hello. My you are beautiful. I heard you're a Hayden? So this is your grandfathers funeral correct?"
"That's right. My full name is Lorelai Gilmore-Hayden." Rory answered.
"So you're Richard and Emily's granddaughter too. My you're a true blue blood aren't you? Not that I care but I'm getting you used to the social answers. I promise that I'm fun. I just want to know if there's room for a 3rd person in this mini party!"
"Of course, I just finished my nails and I'm getting ready to get in my gown. I have to leave here in 10 minutes or so."

Rory finished getting ready while Steph and Honor talked about what was going on.

"OK everyone I'm getting ready to leave. How do I look?" Rory spun around in her gown and looked at her own reflection. The last time she looked this dolled up was before the cotillion.
"Dang you look great." Steph replied. "We'll see you in about an hour." She jumped up and followed her out, still in sweats and a button up shirt. She wanted to make sure to see Logan's face when he saw Rory.

They walked down the hallway and peaked into the rec room. "Boys, I'm leaving. My driver is here." Rory announced.

Logan, Finn, Colin, & Josh all walked out. Logan stopped breathing for a minute. He couldn't believe how stunning she looked. "Wow Ace. That's all I can say." Logan stuttered out.
"I'll see you guys soon. Thank you so much for today. See you all later." Rory said to everyone.
Logan was still staring into space after she left. He went inside and finished getting ready. He looked at the guys and said "I have to talk to her more. I have to get to know her. I don't want to make her one of many. I want to make her my number one."

*at the wake*

"Rory, you look amazing. When did you get that?" Lorelai asked. "Did Logan take you shopping?"
"Yes mom. I'll give you the short details first. I get into his SUV and his 3 best friends, Colin, Finn, & Steph, were in the back seat. He hands me a cup of coffee. We go to lunch for Chinese, then we went shopping, then back to his place for some drinks and to get ready." Rory said smiling the whole time.
"Oh my! The only thing that would make that better is if there was pampering involved." Lorelai laughed.
"At 5 we got our hair done, pedi- mani- and facial. the works.
"Did you kiss him?"
"Mom, it's not like that. I don't think he likes me like that."
"Well that will be a discussion for later. When will you see them next?"
"In an hour or so. They're coming tonight."
"So the pool house will be taken over?" Lorelai asked.
Rory looked at her mom puzzled.
"Who do you think taught the next generation of socialites how to survive formal events?"
They both laughed then went to take their place. This is the first time in a while that Rory felt completely calm. She didn't care what happened next because somehow she knew that Logan, Colin, Steph, and Finn would be there.

Guests started arriving. Everyone from people that Straub had helped in the past to family that she hadn't met. She dutiful greeted everyone with proper social grace and elegance.

"Rory, thank you for being so strong today. I don't know if I've said anything but you're nothing but a blessing to our family." Francine said to Rory in private.
"Grandma, there isn't anything grandpa wouldn't do for me so there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you." Rory said with tears in her eyes.
"Oh I see some friends of yours coming in so I won't keep you but I just wanted to say that."

Rory turned around expecting to see Logan and crew but instead it was Tristan and his family.

OHHH Leaving you on a cliffhanger! How will Rory take seeing Tristan for the first time in over a year? How will Logan and crew help!? R&R