I've loved writing this story! Thank you to all who were with me from start to finish.
FYI News articles are pointing towards a Rogan Wedding November 25th. Instead of black friday shopping, i'm gonna vegge in my bed and watch Gilmore Girls A Year in the Life!
Please R&R
Goodbye California. I didn't think I would be writing that. When I arrived, fresh off the campaign trail 6 and 1/2 years ago, I introudced you to a different person. Not only by name, (Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden) but California has matured me. I lived a very sheltered expierence prior. I went to prep schools my whole life and an Ivy League college. The real world smacked me into shape and California helped that. I thought I would only make a career here. Instead I also made a family. I turned a house into a home, I turned a car into carpool for dance, soccer, and daycare. I turned acquaintanceship into family. Thank you for all that you have given me and all that you, my readers, have encouraged me. My husband, three kids, and I are finished packing our house and moving to the big Apple. It's a bittersweet transition. I am happy to be closer to the family that I have left but I am sad because I am going to miss talking to you all three times a week. I feel like we're more than columnist and readers. You knew about the joys and hardships pregnancy brings. You know about the perks and disadvantages of home-ownership. You've seen me through the good times and bad of my life. Even thought this is the last article you'll see from me in a while, please look for me in the future writing about the benefits and loss of having children in school. So this is my last post. Signing off Lorelai Leigh Huntzberger.
Rory looked around the house that she and her husband bought six years ago. It was hollow and empty as the packer moved the last box out.
"You ready Ace?" Logan asked from the door.
"Yeah I was just thinking back..." Rory said. Logan started walking towards her. "So much has happened in this house. We built a family and friendships that will last a lifetime. Remember when Finn tried sliding down the stairs with a carpet?"
"Yeah. He crashed right into the table on the landing and had a goose egg for a week."
"Haha ya. Steph told us she was pregnant both times there." She pointed to the patio.
"And we told them we were pregnant, every time, at the table."
"Finn proposed to Maureen in the foyer. Eli and I spent hours watching movies in the rec room and I even got him to watch Willy Wonka, both versions."
"Paris and Jamie actually got married in our backyard. She didn't want the big wedding and our backyard was perfect."
"Do you remember Lane calling and screaming that Dave proposed?"
"Yeah I could hear it from the bedroom when you were in the bathroom. Georgia's ex-boyfriend ran off because I frightened him. My favorite memories involve you and our bedroom though making all of those children that we announced." Logan said laughing "Ace. There are so many memories here but I promise we'll make so many more in our house. This was perfect for us but we need to upgrade. Plus everyone else is moving back to the east coast, we might as well follow."
She knew going home was going to be bitter sweet.
Her Grandpa Richard had a fatal heart attack three months after the twins were born. Her Grandma Francine passed away a month after they announced she was pregnant with LJ. Her Grandma Emily was the sole Gilmore and grandparent left in Hartford.
Chris and Lorelai sold the house in Stars Hollow to Lane and Dave. They hoped they would make as many memories in that house that they did. They moved into his parents mansion so they were closer to Emily. Lorelai was still owner of the Dragonfly so they still frequented Stars Hollow.
Mitchum and Shira were both the same. Mitchum was almost fully retired but like his dad, he wouldn't ever be fully retired until he passed away. The stroke did cause him to step back and let Logan take the reigns. They're excited the kids and grandkids are moving back.
Colin and Steph got married the month after Rory and Logan announced their pregnancy to their families with the twins and came back from their honeymoon with a honeymoon baby. Colton Isaac was born four months after Elias Richard and Lorelai Emily. They were already the best of friends. Steph announced she was pregnant with Colin Andrew a few weeks after Rory announced she was pregnant with Logan Christopher. It was always a joke that the world was over because there was another Colin and Logan running around. There hasn't been another announcement yet but Rory said to give them time, their pregnancies always seemed to match up.
When Rory announced she was pregnant with Logan Christopher, Finn had to one up them by proposing to Maureen. They were married later that year and within a few months announced they were expecting their first child Sophia Marie. One picture on all their mantels is of Rory, Maureen, and Stephanie pregnant. Three months ago Maureen told the group she was pregnant with their second child, name and sex to be determined.
Paris and Jamie got married three months after Colin and Steph and they are almost done with her residency at Mount Sinai. As long as they pass their boards they're due to start their fellowships at Mass Gen or Johns Hopkins. Either way it's a shorter distance than California to New York. They don't have any children yet. They're waiting until they are done with their schooling.
Dave and Lane got married last spring in Stars Hollow. Rory was of course the maid of honor and Steph, Maureen, and Paris were her bridesmaid. Zack has been so busy touring that he hasn't paid much attention to the boys so that day, Dave officially adopted them. Stevie and Kwan Rygalski officially welcomed their little sister, Sasha Ryglaski, three weeks ago.
Colin trained his partner to run the office here because he needed to get back to New York and run the headquarters after his dad passed away in March. Steph, Colton, and CJ followed naturally.
Finn and Maureen were back helping them move back to New York since they were already settled. Maureen got a job at the New York Times and starts next month.
Mitchum suffered a stroke a year ago, so Logan is now CEO of HPG. His partner Shawn is running the tech group in Palo Alto. Rory was basically freelancing until all the kids are in school full time. The move came at a perfect time because Eli and Emily are due to start kindergarten this year. They decided to move now so they didn't have to start in one school and then move to another. LJ isn't going to start school for another year. Rory was also going to have Katerina Francine in four months.
"Hey mates. I know I agreed to help but helping implies that you're out here too." Finn yelled from the yard. "Maureen's looking for your Ro."
They walked outside. Sophia and Em were playing on one side of the yard and Eli and LJ were fast asleep in the car with Pierre.
"So Maureen, do you think the husbands are ready to travel to New York with four kids, a dog, and two pregnant wives?"
"Even if they're not, they have no choice. Are the movers driving all the way to New York?"
"Yes. We only took the essentials. G and Garret are moving in here next week, we didn't want to leave them high and dry."
Georgia is the only one staying on this side of the country. She got married to Garrett Peterson last week who she met at Stanford in her law classes. They were on their honeymoon now but are due to start their jobs at the newly opened Hayden Law Firm.
"I still can't believe G is married. Hey where are Colin, Steph, Colton, and CJ?"
"They stayed in New York. Steph is helping set up the penthouse. When I say helping I mean directing traffic. I'm happy that we're all in the same neighborhood."
"Me too. Finn's excited to be back. He hates sun as you know. He says New York is perfect because of the smog."
"Only Finn."
"Okay babe. Truck is loaded and ready to go. Are you two?" Logan asked Maureen and Rory.
"Yep. Let's go!"
Rory turned one more time and looked at the house. It held so many memories but it's just a building.
"Okay kids, say bye bye house!"
"Bye bye house." the kids said.
"Mommy." Eli said to Rory.
"Yes baby."
"Am I going to like New York?"
"Of course baby. You'll meet so many people. Your cousin, Hunter, is only a year older than you so he'll be in the same school, plus Colton is going to school with you and Em so you won't be completely alone. Then next year you'll be in school with Sophia, LJ, and CJ."
"What about the baby?"
"Well Kate won't be in school for a while now. She has to come out of mommies tummy first."
Rory got into their SUV and closed the door.
Three weeks later they were all unloaded, unpacked, and hosting dinner at their penthouse. They drove the two hours to Hartford for dinner at the Hayden's. It's the biggest dinner Rory has ever held. They had to set up two tables. One for kids and one for adults. One table held Logan, Rory, Colin, Steph, Finn, Maureen, Lane, Dave, Paris, Jamie, Georgia, Garrett, Mitchum, Shira, Christopher, Lorelai, & Emily. The moved the kids table into the alcove off the dining room for Steve, Kwan, Emily, LJ, Eli, Colton, Sophia, & CJ.
Logan stood up.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" He announced to the group. Everyone stopped their conversations and looked up. "Rory and I want to say thank you to every single one of you. Not just for the move but for the support during the past six years. We wouldn't be where we were without you all. All of you play a vital role in our lives. So I'm calling a toast. To the next chapter of our lives. The best one so far. We outlived our California Dreams and now we're starting our New York Dream."
I hope you all really liked this story! I worked hard on it :)
Read & Review! Reviews might encourage a squeal New York Dreams!