As always i own nothing.
The last chapter was short but important!
BTW: 57 reviews, 23 favs, and 38 followers. Thank you all. You keep me going!
Here's where we left off.
"I'm serious about what I said Rory. I am going to move heaven and earth to make this relationship work."
"Just remember. Trust and Honesty are the keys to making this relationship work. As long as we have both of those, nothing else matters."
"I can't wait to see you tonight. Make sure you wear something nice. There is dancing after all."
"See you tonight hun. I've got a few things to finish and then I have to start getting ready. Talk to you later. Don't get in too much trouble with Finn."
Rory decided to get the girls coffee and donuts and then wake them up after she was showered and ready. She walked down to the bakery that she frequented. She got everything to go and then while waiting for it to be boxed she called her dad.
"Hey dad."
"Hey kid. How's it going?"
"Good. I have something to talk to you about."
"Is it good or bad?"
"Good. Really good actually."
"Good. What is it?"
Rory told her dad about the emails. "They would both be amazing papers to work for but I also like the job I have. Bill offered me a more frequent column if I wanted it."
"That's amazing Ro. You're wanted by multiple daily's. This is your dream. I think you should listen to both offers, tell them you will have your answer by Friday and then take a few days to mull it over. Make sure you get all information like sick days, vacation allotment, moving expenses, salary. Get all that information and call me. We'll talk it over."
"Thanks dad. I would call mom but she would automatically say to take the times since it's so close to home."
"I know. You're meant for bigger and better things kid. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks dad."
"Hey when are you coming into town for that party of your grandmas?"
"I'm going to leave out Thursday."
"Great. There is a board meeting I want you to attend that Friday morning. It'll take up most of the morning but you'll have the rest of the afternoon to get ready."
"Sounds good."
"I've actually got a meeting to get to. Love you kid."
Rory walked up to her door and noticed there was a bottle of champagne on her doorstep with a note and flowers.
Hey Ace! Congrats on the offers. I know whatever you do you'll be wonderful.
See you tonight.
In her hands was a bottle of 1975 Dom Perignon. She didn't know much about champagne but she knew that it would be a wonderful vintage. She decided to put it on her wine rack and save it for a major celebration.
"Okay Lane. Time to wake up. Donuts, bagels, and coffee are on the counter. It's time to get going! It's 9:45. You need to shower and we need to go! You too Georgia."
Lane and Georgia slowly walked out to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee and a donut each.
"One thing I have to say about being here with you Ro." G said sleepily. "I'll always have good coffee."
"I got this from the bakery down the street." She told them. "Now I have two showers so use them. We are going shopping and we're going to buy fancy dresses for dinner tonight."
"Are you sure Rory. I don't want to keep mooching off of you." Lane said sheepishly. Rory knew that with Zack being gone, money was tight. She helped occasionally without Lane knowing. "Of course. You're my guest and I want to treat you right."
Everyone got ready and Rory called down to Frank and let him know they were going to need her car for the day. He arraigned to get it out of the parking garage. They all went downstairs and it was waiting for her. She looked at the gas gauge and noticed they would need to fill it up before they left town. While she was filling up, Lane and G were getting drinks and snacks. Rory normally didn't eat in her car but she would make an exception this time.
Everyone got into the car. Fully stocked on snacks, drinks, and gas and they headed straight up the 101 towards San Francisco.
"So ladies. Where do we want to go first? I need some new work clothes and we all need to get something for tonight." Rory asked the group. "I think we should go to Union Square and see where it takes us. Lane, there's a disney store there. Do you think the boys would want something Disney?"
"They love Cars."Lane answered.
"Great. Then we'll get them something Cars."
"I brought enough to get their presents Rory. I don't need you paying for it all."
"Well then you spend your money on the boys and Mrs Kim and I'll spend my money on you."
"Okay, if you're sure."
"Of course." Georgia added. "I'm going to help too. Lane, most of the time our friends have money, it's nice to spend some on someone that deserves it. You're the hardest working person I know and you dedicated all of your life to those boys. You deserve to have someone spoil you."
"Thanks guys. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"By enjoying yourself." Rory replied.
"I'll enjoy myself plenty."
"I say we all make sure to take pictures of us looking fabulous. It'll make Zack crazy!"
"I love that idea. So what is going on between you and Logan now?"
"Well long story short, we're not picking china patterns but I'm spending some of the summer with him and his family at the Vineyard or the coast."
"That's great. I'm happy for your Ro." G said. "I haven't talked to you-know-who since I got here. I told him I would be MIA."
At that time Lane's phone rang. "Oh it's Mrs. Kim. I gotta get this."
The others could only hear one end.
"I'm sorry Mama... I'll pay for the vase when I get home... I know boys are crazy... Have you tried to call Lorelai or Liz... They threw away the paper... Here's Lorelai's number... Lane gave Mrs Kim Lorelai's number... OK mama... Yes I'm having fun... We're going to San Francisco to shop... They have a Disney store I'm going to get something Cars for the boys... The movie Cars mama not an actual car... I'll talk to you later Mama... You too... Kiss the boys for me... They'll have fun at the inn there's plenty of room for them to run around..."
"The boys apparently broke one of her vases and they keep complaining that they're bored. Hopefully your mom can take them to the inn. They love running around and playing."
"She will. She loves those boys. I think secretly she can't wait to be a grandma."
"You're first Ro. I still have college and law school to go through. A baby would put a huge kink in that. Plus you have to have sex with a man in order to get one and I have neither currently."
They drove and talked about everything from boys to books. They got to San Francisco and Rory found a lit parking garage close to Union Square. They could leave their car for up to a week and Rory decided to pay for 48 hours just in case.
"So let's going to Bergdorf. I get all my work outfits there." Rory said. "G, do you have a good outfit to meet the dean in Wednesday?"
"I have one but I might change my mind depending on what's in here."
The girls walked around the store for 2 hours. Rory found 6 outfits and matching shoes for each. Lane found a few nice outfits and got a few pairs of jeans. She decided early on not to look at the prices since one pair of jeans there cost more than her whole closet, which was mainly thrift store shopping. She still felt a little guilty but when Rory noticed her looking that way she decided to explain to Lane that she wanted to do this because Lane deserved to look nice and feel great even when she was serving customers.
It was 2 PM when they left Bergdorf and they had their arms full already. She decided to call Logan to see if he was around.
"Hey Ace. How's shopping, is your accountant going to cry when he sees the charges?"
"He just might. Hey are you around? We need sherpas."
"I'm at the airport. Finn's plane just landed."
"Good. Can you meet us in Union Square? We're going to Barney's now. Georgia and Lane want to get their hair cut and eyebrows waxed. I'm going to look for an outfit for tonight. Call me when you're around."
"You'll probably hear us before I call you. You know Finn."
"Oh that crazy Finn."
Logan picking Finn up at the airport.
"Ok you crazy Australian." Logan said to Finn after they greeted each other. "We're going to be pack mules for the day."
"For three beautiful women?"
"Of course, who else?"
"Good because if you had ditched Rory when you got back here, Colin would fly here, kick you ass, then fly back to Princeton. We already talked."
"No worries on that front. She's going to have to ditch me."
"I think Steph would fly in, kick her ass, then fly back if that happened." Finn joked. "But seriously, you two are made for each other."
"I think so too. We've already talked, we're going to take this at a faster pace than normal but we're not picking out his and her towels yet. I'm going to bring her to the Vineyard this year. Okay so like I said we're sherpas for today. The girls are at Barney's now and I think they'll need the limo to carry everything in. I'm going to call the car service and have them bring the limo while we're in there. We have the town car for now. Before we go to Barney's though I want to go to Shreve and pick out a bracelet for each of them to commemorate their time in San Fran."
"I bought G a bracelet for her coming out party though."
"Yes but this one they can wear to dinner or something. It won't be too 'bam' but it'll be 'wow'."
"You mentioned something about dinner together? Where at?"
"I was thinking one of the dinner boats. They take off from the harbor at 6. I've made the reservation but if we don't make it, I'll cancel and we'll have dinner somewhere else."
"Sounds good. We should make it."
"Three girls shopping?"
"Well we might not but we'll have fun regardless."
The boys made it to the jewelry store and picked out the bracelets for the girls and Logan also got a necklace for Rory. They made it to Barneys and Logan called Rory.
"Hey Ace. We're at Barneys. Where are you?"
"I'm in the evening gown department. Come find me. I need approval. G and Lane are finishing their hair and nails."
"I'll be right there."
Logan got to the fitting room of Barneys and saw a bunch of bags and hanging items and assumed this is where Rory was. Finn decided to go find the others and help them find something to wear for tonight. It was getting close to 3.
"Rory are you in here." Logan said loudly.
"In here. I'm just not sure if this dress is too fancy for dinner or not. I'm coming out."
"I'm here."
Rory stepped out in an elegant charcoal grey dress that was tight around the waist and loose around the legs. It went down to below her knees. She had with it a black clutch and a pair of grey stilettos that flowed wonderfully. She looked perfect.
"Perfect." Logan said once he caught his breath. That's all he could say. He was staring.
"It looks great dear." A woman with a Barneys shirt said. "The only thing it's missing is this, and she held out a pair of pear diamond earrings.
"Rory, it's yours. I don't care. You're taking it." He carefully snipped all of the price tags off with a pair of scissors the attendant had and gave them to her.
"Please ring all this up including the earrings and put it on this." He handed her his credit card.
"Logan, you don't have to do this."
"I know and that's one thing I like. You don't care about price tags or big blow outs. You're impressed with chinese and movies."
"I'm impressed with Chinese and movies because that means you're paying attention."
"Ok we need to leave this district by 430 so we can get to dinner on time. Do you have any where else to go?"
"Well I have to make sure G and Lane found their outfits. Wait, where is Finn?"
"He's with them. I told him to make sure they got everything. Wait there's one more thing you need." He pulled out the necklace he bought for her thirty minutes prior. It was a simple silver chain with a cluster of diamonds that went down in a S shape.
"Logan, this is perfect."
"Finn and I also bought all of you bracelets to match your outfits because let's face it. Diamonds match everything although this matches your earrings perfect, like I bought it all together." He put the bracelet, which had an S, F, and a cruise ship etched into the diamonds, and necklace on her and she was beyond perfect. He looked down and kissed her. "OK I have a suit on hold here, I'll be back and change into it."
He went to find an attendant to get his suit. Logan was ready to go after 30 minutes and found Rory with the rest of the group. Everyone but Finn had something picked out which is good because it was 4:15. The limo was to arrive at 4:30. Rory knew she was going to be exhausted tomorrow but it was worth it.
They walked out to the limo and while the driver put their purchases in the back they all opened a bottle of champaign. "To us!" Logan said looking at everyone. "Wait, before we take off, driver can you take a picture of us?"
The driver happily obliged and took a picture of the five of them in the back of the limo. Their smiles didn't stop. They talked and laughed the whole way to the pier. Lane was busy telling stories of Rory and G when they were young.
"So Rory held a funeral for a fairy?" Logan said laughing and looking at Rory.
"Hey! Just wait Lane. Wait until they find out about the purple hair."
"Purple?"
"Yes it lasted for a whole 3 hours and she freaked out."
"Oh my. This is going to be fantastic."
"Before we leave," Finn said holding two boxes. "This is for you two," looking at Lane and Georgia. "Rory already has hers because Logan cheated. Logan and I wanted you to have something to remember the night. He gave the boxes to Lane and Georgia and they loved them.
They got out of the limo and walked up to the boat and Logan heard his name being yelled. He turned around and it was Stacey.
Oh shit. Logan thought.
"Who's that?" Finn asked and turned around. "Oh my god. Are you serious?"
"Finn, Logan hey guys how are you?" Stacey asked. "I miss you guys, I've thought about calling, actually I tried but..."
"Hey Logan. Who is that?" Rory asked. "Hi I'm Rory, this is Lane and Georgia."
"I'm Stacey." The mystery woman replied.
"What are you doing here?" Logan asked curtly.
"Well I moved here after graduation. I was walking the pier and saw a limo and saw Finn. I figured you'd be close by. I miss you Logan. We never got to really talk about why things ended. I thought they were great."
"No things weren't great. If you'll excuse me, my girlfriend and our friends are going on this cruise."
"That's funny because so am I. I was just waiting for it to accept boarders."
"Are you kidding me?" Rory said pissed off. "Stacey is the gold digger Logan dated in college," Rory explained quietly to Lane and G.
The two girls remained silent.
"Rory, we don't have to go on the cruise." Logan said looking at Rory and holding her close. "We can go another day."
"No I'm not going to let her ruin our night."
"She won't. Don't worry."
They boarded the ship and Rory noticed the Stacey was only a few people behind the group. She knew that Stacey was going to bug Logan the whole night so she decided to make a show. Rory grabbed his hand as they entered and they walked to their reserved table at the top of the deck. She hoped that Stacey wouldn't be here and watched her as she entered the middle level. Logan kept his arm around her and they walked to their table.
"Thankfully she's not on this level." Logan said.
"See I told you she wouldn't ruin our night."
"I know Ace. Even if she tried, nothing could. We're here, we're young-ish, and we're having fun. We're celebrating Lane and Georgia's first time in the city at night."
The waiter came by and ordered everyone's drinks and appetizers. While they were waiting for the first course Rory heard the band start up. It was an upbeat tempo and saw that people were going to dance.
"Come on girls, let's show these Californians how New Englanders dance." Rory said to G and Lane.
They went and started dancing and were lost in their world.
Logan and Finn
"Dude, why is she here?" Logan asked Finn.
"I have no clue, I just texted Steph and she said that Rory could handle her own." Finn answered playfully. "I'm going to respond. 'So catfight?'"
"I don't think she'll fight physically but you remember her death glare towards Tristan at that party? She can def handle her own in a socialite way."
"Gold digger alert." Finn said and he was right. Stacey was walking up to this deck. He kept talking to Finn like he hadn't seen her hoping that A Rory didn't see her and B Stacey didn't see him. He was wrong on the second count.
"Logan, we need to talk." Stacey said coming up to him. "I want to know why you threw away two years for this life? I could have held my own here."
"Stacey, it's not me it's you."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really think my friends would let me end up with a gold digger?"
"What do you mean golddigger? Is it something Steph made up?"
"No, but funny you mention her because she recorded your truth and dare one night."
"What do you mean? She recorded me?"
"I think you know what I mean, please leave. I don't want to upset my girlfriend."
"Which one is she? The brunette?"
"Yes. Go ahead, try to mess with her. She can hold her own."
Stacey walked away and headed towards Rory and the girls.
Rory, Lane, and G.
"Oh shit." G said "Rory turn around."
They saw Stacey head her way here.
"Oh I knew I heard last years Gucci's coming up from behind me. Or is that two years? I can't tell?" Rory said with a smile. She knew that Stacey could hear her and she faltered.
"So what are you someone his mother set him up with?" Stacey said to Rory.
"Oh how do you know Shira? I've heard that he didn't ever bring you to meet her."
"How do you know that?"
"Oh Shira and I talked about that last week."
"So you are someone that they set up?"
"No. We met on a plane. We both flew first class. I don't know if you've been on a first class flight but it's so smooth it makes for perfect conversation. I heard about you on the way to New York to his penthouse there."
What penthouse she thought. There was so much about Logan's life she didn't know but Stacey was determined to get back into it.
"So Stacey, do you work here?" Rory asked.
"No I work at a fashion boutique in San Francisco. Do you even work? I know that women in society don't tend to."
"No I work at a newspaper in Palo Alto."
"So you met Logan and decided his connections would work?"
"Wow, do you know anything about him? He left his dads company years ago."
"This isn't over. Wait, do I even know your name?"
"No."
"Well what is it?"
"For me to know and you to not find out. If you mess with Logan or our relationship, I'll make sure you pay." She whispered those last two lines so that only they could hear it.
Rory walked off and left Stacey to look perplexed.
"Dang Ace. She still hasn't moved from her spot." Logan said laughing.
"Oh good!" Rory said excitedly "Food's finally coming out. I'm starving."
"This weekend really feels like 'Logan here is your past life coming back to haunt you'. I haven't seen or talked to Stacey in 3 or 4 years. Don't worry about her. She's all talk."
"If she messes with us she'll find out I'm not."
They brought the appetizers out and Rory looked at Lane.
"I've never had snails or anything here."
"G and I have and I didn't like them. Too salty for my taste." Rory said looking at the boys.
"I don't like them either." Logan said.
"More for G and I then." Finn said.
"Well lobster bites are amazing Lane. We had them bring two trays of them out but don't fill up because their main course looks mouthwatering."
The waiter came and filled their champagne flutes up and the toasted "To the future" Rory said smiling.
The rest of their night was filled with dancing and laughter. Logan and Rory danced a couple of slow dances and Finn took turns dancing with everyone.
They got back to Palo Alto around 1 Am. Logan and Finn went to Logan's place and the girls went back to Rory's. Rory knew she had to be up in 6 hours so she need to sleep. She heard her phone go off right as she was about to sleep.
-Don't worry Ace. I won't let anyone or anything come between us. Night babe.
-I know. Talk to you later. I have my interviews tomorrow!
Stacey might prove to be a problem later on!
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