OK here's another installment. It's worth the wait! :)
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Here's what happened last chapter:
"He's a pretty good guy. He's always put Lane and their family first. Even when him and Lane weren't on the same page, he still talked to the boys and sent money. He actually made enough to buy them a house and car."
"That's good. Just a warning, she's under our wing now so the other, and me truthfully, might grill him."
"Well let me know what they say."
"I don't think it'll be a problem. What time does it start?"
"9."
"We'll be there at 5."
"See you soon."
"Love you Ace."
"You too Mac."
True to his word, at 5 PM Colin, Steph, Finn, and Logan pulled up at 5 PM in front of the Hayden house in Stars Hollow.
"Okay babe. Where are you off to tonight?" Lorelai asked her daughter.
"Concert in New York. I invited G but she has tests Monday and has to study." Rory answered. "It's Zack's bands concert."
"Really? Are we team Zack now?"
"Not really but Lane wants to try to make it work for the kids. I don't know."
"Well just remember, the Hartford crew is pretty protective. It's always been that way."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow. We'll probably stay at Logan's New York apartment."
"Call me if you need anything. Hopefully not bail money but you never know."
"We won't. Bye mom. Love you."
"You too."
Rory walked out and kissed Logan. Then she turned and hugged each of the guys and went back to Logan. He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her a couple of more times.
"Hey Ace. I've sure missed ya." Logan said to her.
"Blech! PDA alert!" Steph said to the couple. "Just kidding Logie,"
"Don't call me that Stephie" Logan said back to the playful blonde. "Where's Lane?"
As he said that he could see an Asian walking down the street. Rory and Steph walked up to her and stood on either side. "Hey girly, you ready to go?" Steph said to her new friend. Lane had really become a part of their group.
"Yeah I'm ready. Do I look good?" Lane was wearing a new skirt and matching shirt with tennis shoes. She had her hair completely straight and wore her glasses tonight.
"You look great. Are you ready to go then?" Steph answered.
"Yeah I am. Let's go. Oh Rory, before we go this is for you." Lane pulled out a piece of paper with her name on it. She recognized the handwriting as Deans. "He overheard us at the diner earlier and wanted you to have this."
Rory, I know you said we're over but if that changes call me. I have a new cell number. 515-333-1234.
"Ugh are you serious? He just won't take no for an answer." Rory crumpled up the paper and walked over to the limo.
"What's that Ace?" Logan asked referencing the paper in her hand.
"The past that won't stay in the past. It's Dean's phone number. I'm going to throw it away in the trash."
"Cool. Well let's go."
They all piled in and Logan told Frank they were ready to go. He drove towards New York then asked where they were to first.
"Well I don't know about you all" Logan said to the group "but I could go for a good steak dinner."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Colin replied. They decided on Lou Vitons, a high end steak restaurant and it was conveniently only 5 blocks away from the show. They had Frank call ahead and get a reservation. "So Lane. What is this Zack character like and how will he handle some grilling from your three newest friends?"
"What do you mean three?" Steph interjected. "Ummm...hello it'll be 4 new friends and best friend."
"Yes Steph but I think it should be us three first. He obviously knows about us. I know I for one posted an Instagram picture of our group last night and I saw Finn and Logan posted from the limo in San Fran."
"I think that he'll freak."
"Good. I don't think you should be so quick to believe him. If he's telling the truth we'll find out. Stephanie is a human lie detector."
"Truth." Logan agreed.
"You don't think he's being truthful?"
"I'm not convinced at all. Didn't you say something about him wanting to 'talk about the status of your relationship when he got home'?" Logan said.
"He... I don't know. I guess I was wrapped up in it all. Was it just him being jealous?"
"I think so. I think he had a knee jerk reaction to losing you. We'll find out though and let you know." Steph answered "Whatever the outcome, we'll have a blast. What kind of music do they play?"
"Mostly covers a few originals. Rock music." Lane answered. She was worried about how Zack would take to the guys being there. She knows that he's jealous of Finn. There couldn't be anything between them even if she was single. Rory's right, Finn's like a protective older brother. They stayed up talking the night they were in Chicago about his family and hers. She felt an instant connection with him, not a romantic connection like with Zack and Dave, but a connection that said he'll be her friend until her death. She didn't know how to describe it. She talked to Rory about it and she simply said 'That's Finn. He makes you feel like you could tell him anything and he will understand'.
The car ride to New York was quiet. Rory brought her laptop so she could finish the article she was working on. She had the outline finished so she just needed to write it. She also had to start on her column so she could email it tomorrow and get it on the Tuesday paper.
"Ace, do you always work?" Logan asked Rory.
"Well you don't call me Ace because I'm a good card player." Rory said shortly. She knew she wasn't going to be in the condition to write tomorrow so she needed to finish by the time she got to New York. "I'm sorry. I planned on writing this afternoon but mom wanted to get some new furniture so I had to come with her. She's still not happy that I choose to stay in California. She wonders if it's all because of you."
"Did you show her your extensive pro con list?"
"Yes but still. It's Lorelai Gilmore-Hayden. She feels like a slight is a slap in the face. She annoys me sometimes but it's my mom. What can I do?"
"You have a better relationship with your mom than anyone I know." Steph said. "You two will get over this."
"I know. I haven't told her that Logan and I are planning a trip this Thanksgiving instead of coming home."
"She'll be fine." Colin said. "None of our families care. Plus won't she be on her trip that you mentioned?"
"No they're leaving at the beginning of May and getting back in August. Do you all have any summer traditions or trips planned? I've been meaning to ask. G is going to come to California early. She's going to stay in Hartford with the grandparents for a couple of days each after graduation but then she's packing up and moving in with me. She'll be in Cali full time in the middle of May. I want her to have fun before starting Stanford."
"Well we always go to the Vineyard and Boca for a week each. Colin parents and Stephs parents own property in Boca and my family owns property at the Vineyard." Logan said thinking back to summer "Plus we go to the Almfi Coast with Honor sometimes. I've been wanting to talk to you about summer. Do you have vacation time at work?"
"Yes I start with 3 weeks."
"Do you have to use it when you come to Hartford?"
"No, as long as it's only Thursday and Friday."
"Well I think we should plan extended weekends then. One long weekend at the Vineyard, all of us. Lane, bring the boys. They would have a blast."
"Really?" Lane questioned.
"Yeah. Logan's family and the Gilmore's both own property there." Rory thought "Plus they own property somewhere in Georgia. I've wanted to check that out."
"That sounds like fun."
"Yeah it's only a few hours from Connecticut so you can drive there. Finn, what are you doing this summer?"
"Well I might be in Australia still. I have to leave Tuesday. My granddad isn't doing the best and I need to be there for him. I promise I'll be here for G's graduation but I might not stick around long."
"Finn. Why didn't you say something?"
"I'm not one for personal attention."
They all sat quietly. The five in the car knew Finn better than anyone else. They heard him talk about his sister and brother and parents but never really heard him mention his grandparents.
They got to the restaurant and noticed that there was line. Luckily they had Frank call ahead and make a reservation for the group or they might not get to eat there.
They walked in and were handed a glass of champagne each and were seated right away. They had the table ready with Logan's favorite, Dom, in the ice bucket.
"Frank is a great driver. We need to make sure to tip him good tonight. He got the reservation and your wine." Rory said to Logan. They all took their seats and Lane heard her phone ding with a text message.
Lane, I can't wait to see you. We'll work this out.
It was Zack. She decided not to answer him. The group had her thinking. She wondered if she was really all in or if this was a reaction to Instagram.
"I was thinking, you all mentioned Instagram but not Facebook." Lane asked the group. "I know it's random but I just wondered if you had Facebook pages."
"Well I did until I was named the Hayden heiress." Rory stated "But once I was I had random requests and had people proposing marriage and asking to borrow money. People I didn't know, people I went to high school with, so I deleted it."
"My publicist says I can't." Finn said "Same with everyone else. We all had pages in college but deleted them when we went to the real world. It causes nothing but trouble when your name is in the spotlight."
"Steph- Didn't your PR manager make one once?" Colin asked.
"I think so but she manages it. Not me. Too much interaction for me. I like IG because I can see picture of our friends but there isn't messaging or anything."
"Would you change your life if you could?" Lane asked no one in particular. "Would you live lives as normal twenty somethings?"
"No." everyone said at the same time.
"My life is a crazy mess but I love it at the same time." Colin said "I'm love being a philanthropist. I donate money each year to New York Public Schools so that underprivileged kids can go to school even if their parents can't afford it."
"I've helped, physically and financially, a village in Haiti rebuild after hurricanes destroyed everything." Finn said.
"Lane, we all make our contributions to society. Those aren't the things that we brag about though. We keep that on the DL so people don't think it's all about the publicity." Logan added to their conversation.
"I've asked Rory but I didn't know if everyone else felt the same way."
"Good evening, I'm Sara. Can I interest you in appetizers?"
"Yes can you bring out whatever the chefs special is?" Logan ordered for the table. "Plus we'll need another bottle of this when you get back." referring to the Dom. He filled everyone's glasses and the bottle was empty.
"No problem sir. I'll be out soon."
"Okay everyone, figure out what you want." Rory said. "Dinner's on me tonight."
"We'll figure out that later." Logan said. His hand subconsciously started rubbing her back as he leaned into her. "Just to let you know their steak is to die for. My dad knows the chef. He's cooked for a function or two we had in the past before becoming head chef here. He's great."
"That sounds good." Steph said looking around. Everyone nodded.
Sara came back with another bottle of Dom and a shrimp cocktail for the table. "Mr. Huntzberger, this is compliments of the chef and he says hello."
"Tell James that Logan says hello back. I think he thinks I'm dad. He'll come out personally when he realizes it's me." Logan said quietly to Rory. Like he said five minutes later, James walked out. Logan stood up.
"James! How have you been?" Logan said to the chef.
"I've been great Logan. It's been what 5 years since I've seen you?" James was an older man. Mid 40's with a chef's jacket and hat.
"James, let me introduce you to my party. Next to me is my girlfriend Rory, then it's Lane, Stephanie, Colin, and Finn. Everyone, this is James McElroy, the esteemed chef of this fine establishment."
"Hello." Came from the group.
James walked over to Rory and she stood up. "This is special one here. I'm glad he's happy."
"He is pretty great in my book too."
"Logan, she's pretty, don't let her go."
"James, I'd be a fool."
"Have you figured out what you want to eat? I'll personally make it."
"I think we're all going to go for the steak. Logan says it's divine" Colin answered. "and whatever your vegetable is on special.'
"Great. I'll have them out soon. Good to see you Logan. Tell your dad hello." He leaned into Logan and whispered "if you two get married, I'm making your lobster"
"I'll remember that. Have a good night."
"He's nice." Rory said.
"He is. Like I said I've known him for years. Probably longer than these three. I've never had better steak than his."
Dinner came out twenty minutes later and Logan was right. The steak was perfectly tender. They finished dinner and saw a round of desert coming. "Compliments of the chef again. sir." Sara said to the group, Logan specifically.
They finished their brownie and Rory paid the tab. Everyone else threw in a tip and Logan walked back to the kitchen to say goodbye to James.
"James, I've only been with her a month but I'm in love. Hopefully you'll get the wedding invite in the next couple of years." Logan said to his old friend.
"Sara is going to be upset. I told her you were in love, she didn't know."
"Yes I am. Here's my number. I'll contact you about catering when I propose."
"Soon?"
"No. I'm going to wait a few months. I've got an idea though. However, the shorter guy there, Colin, is gong to propose tomorrow I think."
"If he needs a caterer, let me know. I don't just offer this to anyone."
"Thanks friend. I'll catch you later."
"If you need a wine glass to put a ring in,"
"I'll stop by here."
"Also, if you have a problem with a reservation, call me. I'll make sure you get in."
"Thanks bud. I'll see you around."
Logan walked out to the limo and rejoined the group.
"Ok it's 830, let's get to the concert." Logan said to everyone. "Frank, we're staying in the city and my place is only a few blocks from the venue. You can go home after you drop us off."
"Sounds good sir. What time should I be here tomorrow?"
"I'll call you. Probably 1 or so."
"I'll be here."
They walked into the venue and Lane found Zack right away. She walked everyone to the backstage and introduced everyone to Zack.
"Hey hon." Zack said "Who's all with you?"
"This is Logan, Rory's boyfriend, and their friends Steph, Colin, and Finn."
"Hi. I'm Zack. How's it going?" Zack said nervously to the group.
Logan stood with his arm around Rory and the other three stood behind them. None of them saying much besides hey.
"Well I have to go get ready to preform. See you at break." He bent down to kiss Lane but she was already at the bar. He walked up to the stage.
"Rory, let's get Lane." Steph said.
Logan, Colin, & Finn
"I don't like him already." Finn said. "He's acting like the past year didn't exist for her."
"I know. Same here." Colin said. "Logan you're awfully quiet."
"Because if say anything I'll probably say it to his face. Rory's told me that it's not the first time he's just ditched her. When they were dating her apparently screwed their bands big break and broke up with her all in one day. Then he turned around and proposed her. I'm not sure why Lane accepted but she did."
"He needs to realize who he's messing with now." Finn said to the group. "Let's come up with a plan."
"I say we just straight up warn him." Logan said, his fists balled up.
"No, I say we figure out if he's actually in or if he's just jealous." Colin said. He's always been the levelheaded person of the group.
The boys devised a plan to talk to Zack without the girls around
Steph, Rory, & Lane
"You all hate him don't you?" Lane asked Steph and Rory.
"Well frankly I don't like him but if he's changed, I'll give him a chance." Steph said.
"I'm not his biggest fan either." Rory said. "I know you're happy that he's back but for how long? Don't forget about the big break you had."
"I know. I will never forget that night." Lane said.
"Three voodoo's please." Rory said to the bartender "And three McClellan's neat."
The bartender came back with the drinks and Rory started a tab at the bar. She handed two voodoo's to the girls and brought the drinks to the guys and when they walked up they all stopped talking.
Whole Group
"I know that look." Steph said. "You're plotting."
"Us? Never." Colin said and kissed her. "Not us."
"Come on doll face. You should know better than to ask us." Finn said looking at the girls.
"Rory," Steph said. "You need to study this look and know that it means no good for someone. Lane, I'm sorry but I think they're plotting something to do with Zack."
"Just don't hurt him." Lane said. "I'm so glad that you are all so protective but you don't need to do this."
"Lane, you're a little sister now." Finn said to Lane "and no one messes or hurts my family without answering to me. It's something you'll learn. Do you remember Tristan? I can guarantee that he won't come anywhere near her now. That and he knows Huntz will just plain kill him."
"Let's not talk about him tonight. Let's enjoy the concert." Rory said to the gang.
They enjoyed the show and once intermission came Logan, Colin, and Finn walked to the stage while the girls walked to the bathroom.
The boys
"Hey guys. Where's Lane?" Zack asked the guys slightly shaking. "Is there a problem?"
"Frankly yes. We need to talk." Logan said. "I'm dating Rory now and as you well know Rory and Lane have been best friends since kindergarten. I can honestly say I don't have a friendship that's lasted that long so it means Lane's special. If Lane is special to Rory then she's special to all of us. I want to know what you plan to do."
"What do you mean plan to do?"
"What he mean," Finn jumped in, "is are you going to ditch Lane again when you get a big contract? Leave her to raise your kids without her and come back with some money and think it's going to be all alright?"
"I know I screwed up leaving like that. I don't know what I was thinking."
"Were you faithful like you told her you were?" Logan asked. Zack looked up at him, avoiding his eyes, and quickly said "I have to go back."
They knew at that minute that he lied. Logan walked away furious. He wanted badly to punch him but he ran off. Colin and Finn ran to him and grabbed his shoulders.
"Dude, I see the tunnel vision in your eyes. Just breathe." Colin said. It normally calmed him down but he didn't like it one big. He took one big breath and found Rory.
"He grabbed her away from the group and pulled her over for a kiss. A long and passionate one. "If I ever act a tenth of what he's acting like, smack me." He said sweetly. "I swear to you now, I will never treat you like that. I will never choose a career over my family. I will work but it will be strictly for you. I will not make you feel like you're a single parent."
She kissed him back sweetly. "I know you wouldn't."
After a few minutes of just holding each other, they joined the group.
"Where's Lane?" She asked everyone.
"She went backstage. I think we're leaving." Steph answered. Colin was holding her the same way Logan was holding Rory. Lane came back a few minutes later with tears in her eyes.
"Can we leave? I don't want to be here anymore."
They walked the three blocks to Logan's apartment. When they got back to the apartment, Lane sat down on the couch with Rory and she cried.
"When Finn and Colin came back, their eyes were black. I looked at Steph and she looked enraged. I knew then that he lied to me." Lane said after 10 minutes of crying. They guys went to get snacks and drinks from the corner store. "How could I be so naive? What am I going to do now?"
"You're going to cry tonight and drink and eat junk food then tomorrow we're going to go back to Stars Hollow and you'll continue to live like you were. You're strong Lane. You can do this. You have your mom and my mom who's there for you if you need anything."
The boys
"I say we go back and punch him." Logan said "You don't mess with family. Lane's family."
"Mate, normally I'd agree with you but I think they're expecting us to bring ice cream and other essentials."
"So I think I'm going to hold off on the proposal." Colin said.
"I think so." Logan said laughing. "Guys, I'm going to marry Rory. I know you're going to say that we've only known each other for a month but I know that she's the one."
"No, what I'm going to say is you better not hurt my sister." Finn said. "I'll have to kill you."
"Dude, I think we all knew that you were when you talked about her the first time." Colin said. "But I agree with Finn. Don't hurt her. I'm pretty sure that Steph's had the 'Don't hurt him' conversation with her."
"I'm going to give it time but I'm going to marry that girl. She's going to be the mother of my children."
"Who's the best man?" Finn asked. "Well since both of you are getting married this century, we'll just be each others best men. Sorry boys, I don't see myself settling down soon."
"Let's flip on it. Colin's wedding first since it's going to happen first." Logan said grabbing a quarter out of his pocket. "Here Colin, flip the coin, Finn, call it."
Colin flipped the quarter.
"Heads" Finn said.
"Tails." laughed Colin. "So Huntz is my best man, I'll be Finn's and Finn you'll be Huntz's."
"Sounds like a plan."
I'm leaving it there for now. New chapter in the next couple of days!
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