AN: I've had a huge influx of creativity so I've actually written the whole story so far in one day. It's still flowing so I'm going to keep writing. I don't own any GG characters or any restaurants that I might have named.
Where we left off:
"Lane, I seriously think you need to take a vacation to California with me. I'm leaving Thursday and I'll pay for your ticket and you can stay with me so you won't have any expenses."
"I don't know. I'll have to check with mom to see if she can keep the kids and Luke about vacation."
"Go." They heard Luke grunt.
"I was planning on taking time off to go fishing anyways. I'll pay you what you normally would have worked. If your mom can't watch the kids talk to Liz and Lorelai. You need a vacation."
"So I'm going with you?" Lane looked at me sheepishly.
"You're going with me! You will have so much fun! I can't wait! I've got to go plus you have breakfast rush coming in. I'll call you to figure out the particulars."
"Thank you. You're a lifesaver."
Rory went home and decided to sleep on the couch for a few hours. She wrote a note to her mom to wake her a half hour before they wanted to leave. She ended up waking her up around 10. She showered and got ready for the day. Her first phone call that afternoon was to Logan.
"Hey Ace. I was just thinking about you. How did you sleep."
"Eh I didn't sleep much. Time change and all. Plus I fell asleep on a blond cutie for about 4 hours so that messed my pattern up."
"Well I slept a little but I was up at 6 AM."
"Hey that's when I was falling asleep"
"What is your agenda today."
"Well lunch with mom and G and then we're going to shop for a while. Then dinner with you."
"Sounds like a fun plan. Apparently my dad wants to have a meeting with me. I'll let you know how that goes."
"Hey did you book the tickets home?"
"No not yet. That's on my list."
"Can you book a 3rd? My friend Lane is coming home with me for a vacation. I'll explain why but she needs it. I'll pay for mine and hers of course."
"I'll book them but no way are you paying me back."
"Well we shall see."
"I'll see you later Huntz."
"Bye Ace. Talk to you tonight."
She almost let it slip out that she loved him but she stopped herself. Then she texted Lane.
-Your ticket is booked. I'll text you the details when I know them. I know it's Thursday AM. Did you talk to Mrs. Kim yet?
-Yay! I'm excited! I'll pay for the ticket if you want. The more I think about this the more excited I get! And no. I'll talk to her today.
-Heck no! This is my treat! I'm here to pamper you for the week. We'll figure the return date when we get back. If Mrs. Kim says no, let me know and I'll talk to Lorelai. She loves Stevie and Kwan and they actually listen to her.
-I know. Thanks again. I don't know how I'll ever repay you.
-Enjoy yourself in California. That's how you can repay me.
Rory, G, and Lorelai all loaded into their SUV and took off for Hartford.
"So where to for lunch girls?" Lorelai asked her daughters. "Are we in an Italian mood? Greek? Chinese?"
"How about Italian? That little bistro on the river?" G suggested.
"Yes that sounds great. I haven't had anything besides Chinese and burgers since getting here." Rory said.
"Awesome." Lorelai said. "So my beautiful daughters. Do we have anything else to talk about besides Rory's blond hottie?"
"Mom!" Rory exclaimed. "Logan isn't officially my blond hottie yet. We have dinner tonight. Yes though I do. If Mrs Kim won't watch Stevie and Kwan next week would you be able to? I'm taking Lane back home with me. She needs a vacation." Rory went on to explain everything with Zack and their marital problems.
"That sucks about them two but yeah I'll help out."
"Thank you. Liz said she would watch them too so between all of you, you can figure out something. So G, when are you visiting me to explore Stanford and the other colleges in the area?"
"Funny you mention that. I was going to ask if I could come back with you Thursday but it seems like it'll be a full house."
"What are you talking about? I have a three bedroom loft. There will be plenty of room for you. Did you want to come back with me or fly the next day after school gets out."
"I think I'll stay until Friday and fly in Saturday afternoon. I'll take Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday as college days then we're off Thursday and Friday for some kind of teacher break. I'll fly back Saturday. If that's alright."
"That sounds perfect. Then Lane can fly back with you Saturday. Mom does all that work with you?"
"Yes that's great. Your dad and I will have some time to ourselves. Whatever will we do?"
"That's dirty."
They started talking about everything on the sun from Rory's job to G's classes. Rory heard her phone ding.
-Ace tickets are booked for 1 PM Thursday afternoon. It was either that or 6 AM and I figured you'd rather go in the afternoon. How's lunch?
-You know me so well already. Lunch is great. We're at the bistro on the river. What are we eating tonight?
-That's for me to know and you to be surprised with.
-How am I supposed to plan an outfit?
-When you get home look on your porch. Your outfit is sitting there complete with shoes and jewelry.
-Awe you're too sweet. I've got to go. See you soon.
-Me too. About to step into the Dark Lords office. Xoxo. Wish me luck.
-Luck babe.
"Logan just let me know that he booked our tickets for 1 PM Thursday. I'll pick Lane up around 10 so we can get there and get through security with enough time to spare."
"So you're going to be here for the will reading tomorrow afternoon." Lorelai inquired.
"Of course. I was originally planning on Wednesday but Logan talked me into Thursday." She told them all about the plane landing.
"So he held your hand the whole plane ride?" G gushed. "That's seriously Harlequin Romance stuff there. Have you discussed what's going to happen between you when you get back home?"
"That's what tonight is," Rory started. "Tonight will make or break us I guess. I seriously hope it doesn't break us. One big reason is I'm flying home with him so that would be one very awkward plane ride home."
Lunch finally came and they kept eating and talking. They were finishing up when Rory heard her phone ring again and looked down. It was Steph calling.
"Hey Hayden. We made it back. Did you know that your family is practically royalty here? There is a new plaque of your grandpa and his accomplishments. Geez he was crazy busy!"
"Yeah my family was ticked at me for going to Harvard for a while. My dads family is all Princeton and my moms is all Yale. I threw a wrench in by going to Harvard. How was the drive?" She motioned to her family that she was going outside to talk.
"Long and this weekend ended too quick. I just wanted to say that I'm happy that Logan found you but in all seriousness you have the power to break him in half. Please don't hurt him. He's more vulnerable than he looks. He puts up this tough exterior but when he lets someone in, they can break him. Did he tell you about his ex? Stuttastic I like to call her."
"He mentioned that he broke up with her when he went to London but I figured that it was a touchy subject."
"Well she really hurt him. He won't say it but she did. He found out that she was all about his name instead of him. She put up a great front to all of us but one night while we were drinking she went on and on about how she was marrying the richest bachelor in the land and how she was going to be the queen bee of Hartford society. Logan ended it shortly after."
"Oh my."
"Don't let him know I told you. I know you're not after his title or money because lets face it. You have as much if not more than he does in both. So please, don't hurt him."
"I won't. Thank you"
"For what?"
"Being my friend. Someone I can turn to."
"Anytime. Colin and I were talking and he graduates this semester."
"Yeah Logan mentioned that on the plane."
"Well we're thinking after graduation we should take a trip somewhere."
"We'll have to see. I've already taken off work for this but I should be able to get something worked out. Especially if I still work. My work can travel."
"Ok well we'll plan more later! See ya hun! I'm so glad we all met you. I feel like I've known you for years!"
Rory ended the call and waited for G and her mom to come out. She realized that Logan and she had more in common than they originally thought and that made her smile. She realized she hadn't told Lane about the tickets so whipped out her phone quickly and let her know about the take off time and when she would pick her up.
The three Gilmore-Haydens went up and down Hartford and put a little dent in their credit cards that afternoon. Lorelai said it was making up for lost time. When they got home there was a package sitting on the porch with the name Ace on it and a card.
Ace,
I can't wait to see how this looks on you. Trust me I have an eye for dresses. I'll be there to pick you up at 6:30 sharp. I'll come to the door. Remember, a lady never rushes to greet her guest.
See you soon.
xoxo
Logan.
"This really is straight out of a romance book. " G said and went inside.
Rory looked at the time. It was 5:30 so she had an hour. She had Lorelai help her with her hair and threw on just a dab of makeup. She looked at the dress. It was an beautiful Akris punto Scoop back circle print dress that fit her perfectly with a pair of cream colored gucci flats that matched amazingly with some necklaces and a bracelet. She looked amazing.
At 5:58 she heard the doorbell ring and Summer announced that Logan was here. She put the finishing touches on herself and walked downstairs. Logan looked handsome like always in his black sports coat and slacks and wore a shirt underneath with the same color blue that was on her dress.
"If looks could kill Ace, I'd be dead now." Logan said "You look amazing. I knew that dress would fit you perfect."
"Logan, ever with the compliments." Rory kissed him lightly.
"Hold on now. Don't you leave just yet you two!" Lorelai exclaimed from the sitting room. "I need pictures."
"Come on mom! We're not going to prom! Logan- if we don't do this, she will never forgive us."
"I'd love some pictures of us two. I need something for my desk at work anyway." Logan said with a smirk.
Lorelai spent 10 minutes getting pictures of them in various poses and in various places.
"Come on mom, we need to go. We have a reservation."
"Ok kid. I'll see you later. Now I know I can't give you a curfew but if you're coming home after midnight please let me know so we don't set the alarm."
"I will. Love you."
Rory walked outside and saw a limo waiting for her.
"All of this for me?" Rory said almost crying.
"There is more. Trust me you're going to love tonight." Logan promised.
"Finn better not be back there. I love him but I want to spend the night with you."
"Just us two. I promise. But you won't be back tonight. I've already filled your dad in on some details."
"So we need to get to know each other. I think the best way to do that is to drive to New York. If you hate me before we get to New York, I'll get out at my apartment and you can take the limo back to Stars Hollow. If you still want to try and be with me, we'll go to dinner and dancing."
"Logan, unless you're going to tell me that you've hidden someone's body in the trunk and we have to go to the river, I don't think I could hate you."
"Ok So lets play 20 questions. You first." Logan said.
" OK then #1: What did you want to be when you were a kid?"
"Wow. You know I'm 28 years old and no one has ever asked me that. I never thought of it that way. I think when I was little I wanted to be like my dad until I figured out what my dad was like. Then I decided that I wanted to be a publisher. My turn. What is your biggest regret?"
"Not leaving Tristan before he left me. Not because I want the upper hand or anything but towards the end our relationship wasn't healthy. I should have ended it months before it ended. Ok my turn, What's your biggest fear?"
"Being hurt again. Wow we're not even out of Connecticut and we're hitting big subjects. Ok I'll tell you when I was hurt and you tell me why it wasn't healthy. Deal?
"Deal. One condition. You can't get angry."
"What do you mean?"
"Just agree or I won't say another word. Truthfully I talked to my mom and she said it's not a subject for you to know about in this state."
"Ok I won't get mad."
"You first or me?"
"How about I go first? You can't interrupt me."
"Ok shoot."
"I dated a girl throughout college. Her name was Stacey. She was my age, smart, pretty, she was going to take the business world by storm. She wasn't from wealth but not from poverty either. Her dad was a upper management factory worker and her mom was a homemaker. She caught my attention at a party that Colin threw one night. We met and we talked for weeks before I took her on our first date. We went to dinner at the Plaza in Hartford and she loved it. We dated for a year then we moved in together. My friends liked her for the most part. Steph wasn't too fond of her. I figured out later she was right but I thought she was just jealous or something. One night we were in the apartment and all of us drinking. I stopped at midnight because I had an early final but she was finished with hers so she kept drinking. She and Steph stayed up late playing truth or dare. I'm glad they did because I might not have broken up with her if this hadn't happen. Stephanie didn't like her so she didn't trust her. She recorded everything that was said. Stephanie asked her truth or dare. Stacey choose truth. Steph asked her, Why are you with Logan. Her answer was "because he's rich and handsome. I'm going to take the empire by storm. I'll be the queen bee of all society women and I will never have to work a day in my life."
Rory just looked at him and had tears in her eyes because he had tears in his. Logan went on to explain more.
"They told me a couple of days later when she went to visit her aunt who lived in New York. They played me the recording. I never told her about it. I just told her that I wasn't in love anymore and that I didn't want to continue a long distance relationship. She was upset but I didn't care. One of the reasons I brought my friends with me when we hung out is because they know me better than I know myself. Steph especially is better at reading people than I am. When we were getting ready to leave for the wake she told me that if I didn't lock you down that I was an idiot."
"Wow. That is crazy." Rory said. "I can't believe that she lied to you for years. I couldn't do that to a person. Maybe Tristan and Stacey should get together."
"OK your turn. What did Tristan do? I promise I won't do anything about anger I may feel. I can't help if I get mad but I can control my actions about said anger."
"Ok that's valid. Well I met Tristan in high school. He was the local troublemaker and finally angered his dad enough to get him sent to Military School. He graduated military school and went to Harvard. We met and it was automatic fireworks. We probably would have dated during high school if he didn't get sent away. Things were good for the first couple of years. Then junior year he met some idiots named Andrew and Steven. They constantly disrupted class just to be idiots, got sent to the deans office for miscellaneous things. They eventually got kicked out. Tristan stayed only because his parents donated enough money for the school to turn it's head. Senior year things got worse. We got an off campus apartment. I figured with Andrew and Steven gone that he would straighten up and graduate on time. Well he started staying out at the local bar later and later each night. One night around midterms I was up until 3 studying and he came home drunker than I've ever seen anyone drink. I just started getting ready to go to bed and he tried to start something with me. When I'm at school I still have sex, I still go out and hang out, but during my senior year on midterms I don't. I block off everyone and everything. He got mad that I wouldn't and started beating me and told me that if I ever wanted to be Mrs. Dugray I would learn to listen. I went to my friend Kristen's apartment and stayed there for the rest of the school year. We didn't talk for a few weeks until one day he showed me his 30 days sober chip from AA and showed me he was trying. We decided to start dating again. Things were good until two weeks before the end of the year. I was excited because I was graduating top of our class. He was trying to study for his last final. I went to his apartment to tell him about my graduation status and he got mad because I distracted him and almost hit me again. He pulled himself back but I should have realized at that moment that I couldn't be excited around him when he was in a bad mood again. I should have ended it with him. I figured that we could go to counseling. Then I found out about Rachel on my graduation day. The day that was supposed to be the best day of my life."
During the conversation Logan's expression when from listening, to anger, to relief, then back to anger.
"Now that we've each told each other the worst possible moments of our lives, do you want me to get out of the car?" Logan asked. "I promise you Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden. My mouth to God's ear. I will never lift so much as a finger to you in anger. There isn't anything you could do to make me hit you. You could sleep with 5 men in my bed after we've been together 5 years and I still wouldn't be able to hit you. I think you were right in telling me not to get mad. I wanna kill him. You can't ever tell Finn that story. He's a very mellow person but if he finds that out he'll destroy him. It might not be physically but he'll mentally and socially destroy him."
"I know. That's why I'm still here. Logan. I can't see my life without you now. You're intergrated. I don't know how you did that. You made everything better when my life was falling apart. You've been a steady rock in a sea of craziness and I don't see you faltering. The only way you're getting out of that car is if I'm getting out with you."
"Rory. I don't know how this happened but I'm going to thank the crazy stars that we met. Our adventure has just begun. Rory. I don't see how I lived before you came into my life. You're mine. There is nothing that you can do that will tun me away."
"Steph talked to me today. She told me not to hurt you. I'm not going to promise not to hurt you because we both will hurt each other, but I will promise not to leave when things get tough.
Logan pulled Rory over and kissed her like he hadn't kissed her before. He didn't want to push things too far but he wanted to let her know how he felt about her. He wanted her to know there was no one else in the globe that could match her. "Rory, I think I'm starting to fall in love with you."
"Logan. I think I started falling when you held my hand on that plane."
They spent the rest of the car ride telling stories from their youth. Rory told Logan about her dance studio fails and Logan told Rory about his attempt at sports.
They arrived in New York and the limo pulled up to a small restaurant called Marea. They walked in and Logan told them who he was.
"I called in reservations for 11 and we're a little early so they're setting the table up now. I hope you don't mind but I preordered." Logan said.
Rory smiled "No not at all. You know what is good here.
"This place has the best italian food you've ever tried. I think it's even better than some of the food they serve in Italy. Have you ever been there?"
"Italy? Yes, twice. The first time was after my high school graduation, my mom, dad, Georgia, and I went and the second time my grandma Emily, grandma Francis and I went. So you never did tell me how the meeting with your dad went."
"My dad. Eh do you have a week?"
"why as a matter of fact I do. I don't have to be at work until next Monday" Rory said laughing.
"Well he wants me to come back to Huntzberger Publishing. He wants to buy my business and incorporate it. He says I can either run it from there or hire someone to run it and come back home."
"What do you want to do?"
"I love my company. Bits n Pieces is a fun company to run. I never thought it would be this successful but it is. I hire people straight from college with little to no experience and give them the experience they need and in exchange I get such a wide variety of stories multiple newspapers buy my stories. It's great. I don't want to leave but I'm not going to lie, having HPG as a backer would really help financially. I used some of my trust to start this company. I still have enough left to live on but as I said, if I didn't have to dip into it that would be a nice feeling."
"You or your dad need to draw up a contract saying that being back with HPG would be just finacial only. There would be no obligations to travel. You're still your own boss. You can say that HPG is your backer, not Mitchum Huntzberger. That would ensure that it's still your company, just with more money to pay salaries."
"I want you to come meet the guys at the office when you're in town." We just have a floor on a building. There are three rooms. My office. The main floor and the head of IT's office."
"So there will be an us when we get back to California?"
"If there's not, I'm not going back. I'm staying right here where there is an us."
"So it's official?"
"You're my everything Lorelai Leigh. I'm falling hard and I don't think there is going to be a landing.
They finished dinner and started towardds their next destination. They talked more about Rory's job and her friends at the office. She told him how Maureen was the only one in the office not married with kids so they had hung out a few times outside work. They talked about Lanes situation and how Rory wanted to help but didn't know how. The only way she could think of was getting her away. Logan told Rory how it took Colin two years to ask Steph to be his girlfriend and how Finn might be a crazy drunk, was one of the best people you could ever ask for. The way home was not as intense as the way there was. The way home they talked about where they lived and the crazy neighbors they had. There wasn't a subject that they hadn't touched upon.
They both realized they hadn't checked their phones and decided to just in case.
Rory had a missed call and text from Lane:
All's good for Cali. Mom agreed I needed a vacation with a girl. Said Zach has a vacation I deserved one too. When are we leaving?
-Sorry it took so long to reply. We're leaving from SH at 10 on Thursday. Pack light. We'll shop when we're there. I'm a business partner now :) Can't wait. I'll probably be in a town car when I pick you up so we don't have to leave your car there! G is coming to PA on Saturday and leaving the next Saturday. You can fly back with her! See you Thurs at the latest! So much to tell you!
Logan had a missed call from Colin and Finn and an text from both.
Colin- Hey we're back at Princeton. Got Steph's ring. I swear if you tell her I'll tell Rory when you get hers. That's still good right? I like her. Don't make me punch you.
Finn- So I guess that I'm not invited on this date of yours since I saw you leave by yourself. Be good. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. and use a rubber if you do!I
"Ace, I'm warning you now, my friends are crazier than I am. When you're dating me, you're pretty much dating them, well besides the naughty stuff." Logan laughed.
"I wouldn't expect any different. Plus you're going to be with me, my best friend, and my sister all next week. So this is your warning."
"When is G coming again?"
"Saturday she's going to leave out of New York at 10. She's going to stay at James parents house the night before. Where are we staying tonight by the way?"
The car stopped as soon as she asked that question. She looked and there was a doorman there to greet them.
"Hello Mr. Huntzberger. How are you doing tonight?" he asked.
"Great Stefan. I told you it's Logan. Mr. Huntzberger is my father."
"Yes I know that sir. Madam how are you?"
"Great. My name is Rory."
"Rory, pleasure to meet you."
"Stefan, make sure she's on the list of approved visitors at all times. Even when I'm away. Also put Georgia Hayden on that list as well.
"Rory, what is your full name? If I'm not here, the person working may check your ID."
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden."
"Great and the full name of the other allowed person?
"Georgia Emily Gilmore-Hayden."
"Thank you and it was a pleasure meeting you. Hope to see you soon."
"You as well."
"I did that so she can stay here on Friday if she wants to."
"I'll let her know but she probably will stay there. James and she have been together for going on 3 years now. They're looking at different colleges though."
"So is this your place?"
"Yes it's my New York place. Just a warning. I think Finn stayed last. He normally calls a cleaning service but who knows."
"Well lead the way Master & Commander."
"Master and Commander. I like that."
"Hmm... So we have the nicknames, we exchanged cellphone numbers, my family knows about us. The only thing left to do is talk to your family."
"Oh and you have to ruin the best night of my life by mentioning that. You're right though. My mom will flip if she hears about it from someone else. What are we going to tell them?"
"I say we tell them the truth. That we met flying home and we decided to start dating exclusively. We are exclusive right?"
Rory walked into his apartment and sat her purse down and sat on the couch.
"Of course we are. Unless you want to see me flip out on a random guy you're on a date with."
"No. I thought we were but I wanted clarification."
"Rory, you're going to hear things now that we're dating. I was faithful when I dated Stacey but when I wasn't in a relationship, I wasn't exactly celibate. You're going to have to go through rumors and assumptions. Don't believe them. When I date exclusively, I'm faithful."
"Well after Tristan broke up with me I wasn't a nun. That's one reason I left the campaign trail. I wasn't being taken seriously. I'm glad that the editor didn't travel with us or I'd have probably been fired."
"So we both agree that this isn't something light. That we actually like each other. I don't want us to move too fast so I'm going to sleep in this room and you can sleep here." He pointed to two separate bedrooms.
"Yes. I think that's best. Not that I don't want to but I want us to stand a chance and if we start having sex right away it won't be as special."
"I think you're the most special person I've ever met. You're amazing and you're so kind and caring that I don't think I could hurt you. As of now, you're my life. I don't want us to move too fast but I also want you to know that I'm all in."
They kissed and sat on the couch and cuddled for the rest of the night until they decided to actually sleep. They did stick to their sleeping arrangements.
Rory's phone rang at 8 AM and it was her mom.
"Hey kid. How was New York?" Lorelai asked.
"Great. I'm just sleeping now."
"Is he next to you? Did you do something dirty?"
"No we're taking it slow but we are committed to each other." Rory said with a smile.
"Awe that's great hun. Don't forget you have to be in Hartford by 1 so you might want to get moving."
"OK thanks. See you soon. Love you."
"You too bye."
Rory went to the other bedroom to wake Logan.
"Logan, it's time to wake up. I have to be in Hartford in a few hours and I still have to find something to wear."
"hmmm..."
"Logan please wake up."
Logan flipped around and grabbed Rory and pulled her on the bed.
"Ok I say today, we go to Hartford and I go to the will reading then we go to dinner at your parents house. Can you arrange that?" Rory asked Logan.
"Ugh I guess. Too early for parent talk."
"Come on, get up. Lets go!"
They got out of bed and started driving to Hartford.