Do not own Gilmore Girls
Wow, it has been a long time since I updated. This chapter is to get me back on track. Our move took more time and energy than I had planned, and while I have been thinking about what I want to have happen it took a bit too long to write. After all of your time waiting, I figured it would be nice to have some positive interactions.
Sept 2007
"Come on Lorelai, the sooner we are in, the sooner we are out." Luke reached for the doorbell.
"Ugh, but, it has been such a wonderful day and tomorrow is going to be fun and awful at the same time, and I really don't want to deal with her, can't I be sick, you could ring the bell and say I have the flu, pneumonia, cold, which would work, I am thinking the flu? Yes, I have the flu, I have been coughing" a fake cough comes out, "and sneezing for the past what? 24 hours, yeah since Thursday." Lorelai is turned looking at Luke when she notices his eyebrows go up, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Lorelai, for heaven's sake, you are perfectly healthy and your constant complaining about one meal a week is so childish and I thought that shiny rock had taken care of you." Emily's voice cut through her ramble. Lorelai's shoulder's slumped and then returned to her erect position as she turned around from Luke.
"Hi Mom, so nice to see you." Pulling off her coat as she walked in the door.
"Hello, Mrs. Gilmore," Luke walked past hoping to say as little as possible to rescue the evening from being a total disaster after Emily heard the part about the coughing and sneezing.
"Good evening Luke, and please, call me Emily, we are going to be family soon." She said, taking his arm after handing off the coats to the maid to walk into the living room. Lorelai. was already seated, patting the seat for Luke to join her as she watched her mother peel off. She gave Luke a half smile and had a look of let's make an exit plan, something is off written all over her face.
"Richard, they are here, come on dear. Ok, now, what can I get you two to drink, Luke, are you still a beer man?" she asked picking up a bottle of Belgian Westvleteren 12 beer, "I hear that this Belgian monk Westvleteren is one of the best beers in the world, and well, I thought it was only appropriate to order something that would make you feel at home when you come to visit. Lorelai close your mouth; what did you think I was going to exclude Luke from the family?" Emily gave her the patented society look of if you can't beat them join them, in the ultimate style and excessively flamboyant manner appropriate to Hartford society.
"Well, well, Emily," Richard nodded his head with a smile on his face toward his wife, "I see you found that Westvleteren 12 for our fine son-in-law-to-be here. I understand that it is to be served between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius per the packaging, I did get a beer refrigerator just for it, and it turns out it has been a big hit with some of the folks at the club. So, Luke, thank you for introducing me to this fine brew." With that Richard poured himself a glass of the beer and proceeded to sit down in his chair.
Luke had taken the first sip of the beer and his eyes went wide, "Wow! This is really good. Thank you." He was in shock, it was really the first time he felt welcomed into the house and started to lean back on the loveseat, while he noticed that Lorelai was leaning forward.
"Um, a martini here, gin martini?"
"Oh, of course dear," Emily pours a drink from the shaker and hands it to Lorelai. "I didn't forget, I just wanted to make sure that Luke was satisfied with the beer we had imported, you know it is made by monks in very small batches. Considered some of the finest beer in the world." She smiled at Luke and then turned her attention to Lorelai, "now speaking of the finest in the world, how are your wedding plans? Are we still on track for December 27? A beautiful winter wonderland? Now, I have been thinking,"
Lorelai leans over to Luke, "Ah ha, I knew it, she has a plan" but Luke just rubbed her knee. "oh, my god, she is bribing you with beer. I need Rory." She lamented as Luke leaned back enjoying the beer far too much for her comfort.
"Lorelai, don't interrupt, now as I was saying, I have been thinking about the flowers for the wedding and wondering if you want an all-white theme or are you planning to have some accenting colors. And are you thinking of an afternoon or an early evening ceremony? I have resigned myself to the fact you most likely want it at the Dragonfly Inn, are you thinking of the ceremony and the reception or just the reception there? I mean it is in a little over 3 months. The invitations need to go out by the end of this month, the holidays are a time when most people travel." Emily looked at Lorelai expectantly.
"Well, Mom, I can see you have been thinking about this and I appreciate that you left a few details for me to plan."
"Oh, Lorelai, seriously, I have not planned anything, but I want to be involved. You are my only daughter and I want you to have a beautiful day."
"Thanks, Mom." She was really uncertain as to when this was going to blow up in her face.
"Emily, dear, why don't you plan to discuss this after dinner, when Luke and I can leave you two alone? Speaking of, what is for dinner tonight, Emily?"
"Salmon"
"Ugh, Emily, seriously, Salmon again, I am so sick of fish."
"Doctor's orders" she replied tersely.
Luke had been enjoying the beer and was really hopeful that the wedding planning would be avoided, "Oh, well, I love Salmon and have not had it."
Richard interrupted, "Since last week."
Emily turned again, "sorry that I care about you, and we didn't have it last week, that was swordfish last week," she said matter-of-factly.
Luke looked at the beer with a forlorn, well, it was good while it lasted look.
Lorelai rubbed his leg and grinned. Turning to her mother, "Mom, I think talking about the wedding plans after dinner might be too much, but how about if you plan to come to the Inn for lunch next week and we figure out the rooms and finalize the colors for selecting flowers."
"That sounds lovely, now, let me go and check on dinner."
Dinner went along nicely with polite conversation about how the diner was busy, the inn was booked, and Richard's business was going very well. Nothing was mentioned about franchises, expansions, or cutting back hours much to the delight of all present. Eventually, it became clear that Emily was feeling left out as she had nothing to add other than DAR happenings, which didn't seem that important. In an effort to find a topic where she had interest, Emily piped up, "So, where is Rory this weekend, and when should we be seeing her next?"
"Actually, I was talking to Rory before we came in. She is winging her way to Cali as we speak. Sounds like it is not as exciting as she had hoped, same speeches every day."
Richard placed his napkin on the table and interrupted, "might be the same speeches, but she is going a great job of finding a new twist each time. I was really impressed with her latest article which dealt with the different candidates' priorities on climate change and how they will impact the Mississippi River around St. Louis. The article was full of facts and clear explanations of how each person differs or is saying the same thing even though they use different words. She got to the heart of the issue without coloring it with her opinion, leaving the reader more informed about the candidates. I can't believe the Times has not scooped her up yet."
"Yeah, Dad, she talked about the challenge of making each article unique and starting to incorporate the different candidate's positions. Do you have a copy of that article?"
"I can print you a copy," he said proudly, pushing out his chair and heading to the office. "Luke, do you want one too?"
"Sure, that would be great" Luke stood up and followed him, motioning for Lorelai to stay at the table.
Emily turned to her daughter, "California, does that mean she and Logan will get time together, oh, maybe they will set a date so I can start planning for that."
"Hey, Mom, slow down, I don't think they are ready to set the date, and it probably won't be until 2009 given everything they are dealing with being apart and the election."
Emily looked a bit sad, "I know Lorelai, and I am thrilled Rory is getting a chance to stand on her own, but I don't know how she can wait. I would have been beside myself postponing marrying your father."
"That was a different time, Rory, isn't going to be at home every day. From what she says it sounds like Logan has a full-time housekeeper and he doesn't have expectations for Rory to do society functions outside of what is required for their individual careers." This was delivered a little more softly than normal, Lorelai could see her mother's concern about how everything had changed and Rory choosing a career path and knowing that Rory was also not over the moon with this first job. "I am sure it will all work out in the long run. Rory did say she is being interviewed by the New York Times."
"What? Why would Rory be interviewed?"
"Sounds like it a getting the perspective of those who are with Obama daily deal. I really don't know how it works, just that she said they were going to interview her."
As the car pulled up to their Menlo Park home, Rory realized that while it was technically her home, she really didn't have a feeling of home, and this would be her first full week living in her, no their, California house. She looked up and saw all the lights on, then checked her watch, 10 pm on a Tuesday, huh, Logan had been working late she thought, then she noticed lots of cars in the driveway. Smoothing her hair and checking her lipstick, she felt entirely underdressed in jeans and a blouse for a party. Maybe the surprise was not the best idea after all.
Her driver opened the door, and grabbed her bags, placing them at the front door while ringing the doorbell. A hand was there for her to grab as she climbed out of the car. "Thank you."
"You are very welcome Ma'am, enjoy the party." The driver nodded toward the door and turned to close the doors on the car returning to the driver's seat.
Rory, turned around to see a middle-aged, kindly-looking maid standing at the door, "Hello, Miss ?"
"Rory" shifting her feet and feeling nervous while not knowing what is going on.
The lady at the door went from confusion to delight "Rory, is Mr. Huntzberger expecting you?" as she recognized the name Rory from the constant comments coming from her employer.
"Um, no, he isn't," Rory is watching her face and starting to relax a bit, as the facial expression changed.
"Well, Miss. Rory, if you are Rory Gilmore, then Mr. Huntzberger is going to be the happiest man in California, if not the world."
"Then, yes, I am Rory Gilmore, and you are?"
Clapping her hands together in delight and then reaching for the bag, "Oh, Mr. Huntzberger is going to be thrilled to see you, he talks my ear off about his beautiful fiancée all the time."
A big smile breaks out, "Oh, are you Margaret?" a nod from Margaret confirms their introduction, the air clears and it is like the two women have been friends for years, each having heard about the other from Logan for the past month. Rory peeks in the door, "What is going on tonight?"
"Mr. Huntzberger is hosting a dinner that has run late, some people from different companies for networking purposes or something to that effect, but trust me, he will kick them all out very quickly." Margaret was grinning knowing that Logan was going to be so happy, he had been making plans for every day of the visit. Margaret had cleaned everything twice to make it good enough for her, but now that she was meeting Rory, it was clear that this was not the woman who needed everything just so, it was nerves on Logan's part.
Margaret closed the door, carrying Rory's suitcase while walking toward the master bedroom, "Mr. Huntzberger, you have a visitor" she called out, "one you want to greet right away." She was excited to see his face.
For Logan walked into the house, "Margaret, seriously, who is here at this" he turned to look toward the front door and a huge smile crossed his face, "Ace! Oh, my god, Ace, you're here." He sprinted across the room capturing her in his arms and swinging her around, "Hey, everyone, Ace is here." He got a concerned look on his face turning to look at the group who had just walked into the house from his patio "ok, 10 minutes to meet her and then out, it has been weeks." Not able to resist he enveloped her in a passionate kiss while the guests looked on and then moved on to the front door. Only with the closing of the door did they realize that no introductions were made and they were alone with the exception of Margaret who was also in the process of sneaking out the door.
Coming up for air Rory looked around still in Logan's arms, "Hmm, so late-night parties huh, the ratios seem to be different from the ones I remember from Yale."
"Almost as bad a ratio as that party your Grandparents had for you." He laughed, once again squeezing her to make sure she was really there.
"Oh, yes, when you claimed to have been dating me for what was it? Eighteen months, I believe." Rory gave him a little grin.
"Huh, I would finally be telling the truth, now wouldn't I?" Logan was ready to scoop her up and take her to the bedroom, but Rory pulled away and sat on a chair. It looked like she was ready to be settling in for a conversation, but there was a look in her eyes, "Ace, um, why are you sitting in the chair? Everything ok?"
"Everything is amazing, Logan, I mean you are having parties and look happy and well," she started chewing on her lip. Logan walked over to the chair and knelt in front of her.
"Ace, out with it." He was using his most patient voice and could not imagine what could have possibly gone wrong in the past 2 minutes that had her worried.
Biting at her lip and then playing with her shirt, Rory looked worried and finally spit it out, "Are you happy without me, Logan?"
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore I am over the moon with joy that you are here, I miss you desperately every minute of every day, and I keep myself busy to pass the time so that I am not calling you, texting you, or jumping on a plane to be with you because I miss you more than I thought was humanly possible. My entertaining people tonight was so that I could pass the hours while I waited for you and not think horrible thoughts about something going wrong. Trust me, Ace, I am not happy without you." He placed his hand in her hair and then slipped it behind her neck pulling her into his lips. He could feel her talking against his lips, "what?"
"I said, I am not happy without you either, and I am also keeping myself busy and occupied. I didn't think this was going to be so hard, Logan." She leaned her forehead onto his, "it is worth it though, right?"
"Ace, would you regret it if you had moved here and not tried life on the trail?" his voice getting deeper, but still soft and loving.
"Yes, I would have." She whispered.
"Then it is worth it because, in the end, we will be together, forever." And with that, they locked lips and Logan picked her up to take her into the bedroom and start their week together.
Leaning over and planting a kiss, Logan propped himself on his arm gazing down at her. He still could not believe he, Logan Huntzberger, had fallen in love and she loved him back. Rory stirred and blinked open her eyes, "good morning, handsome, it is really nice to wake up to you." She pulled herself up to kiss him on the nose, knowing she needed to make her way into the bathroom before he could start any other activities, "and with that, I need a minute." She pulled back the covers and slipped into the bathroom.
Logan walked in behind her, "I think we need to shower, Ace." He said grinning.
"Well, you start the water, and I will join you in a minute, oh, and Logan, I need to " He finished her sentence for her "Eat". They both laughed and each one was obviously grateful for the extra time.
Logan started to help Rory dry off, "Logan, no, it has been 14 hours and you have obviously forgotten the most important rule of being with a Gilmore Girl"
"Eat her?" he said playfully.
Smacking his arm, "No, we must eat" and then she looked at him sternly "food!"
"Oh," Logan had a look of disappointment, but before coming into the bathroom he had texted Margaret that they would be out in about 30 minutes for breakfast. He turned around to hear Rory reciting something that sounded like Frost, but not exactly right.
"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both, I took the one less"
Completely confused as Logan knew that was not right, "Um, I think it is two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by,"
"Well, only if you are traveling, but I have my own version and it is 'I took the one less eaten'."
"Eaten? Seriously, it doesn't make any sense." Logan was running his hands down her arms and looking into her eyes, ready to skip breakfast despite his text to Margaret.
Rory was not responding the way he was hoping for, "Well what do you expect, I am lightheaded and delirious – no food." Rory stated firmly, while she finished putting her hair into a messy bun and walked out to the kitchen.
"Oh, wow, this is like having Luke in the house." She exhaled, looking over the feast of scrambled eggs, French toast, crispy bacon, and a huge cappuccino, and next to it is a pot of coffee, "what are you eating, Logan?" she grins at him as she sits down and starts to dig in. "Oh, my god, do you eat like this every day? I am moving in." she gets out between a mouthful of bacon and eggs.
"Um, you do remember this is your home, right?" Logan smirks with his eyebrow cocked, "This could be your everyday breakfast."
Wiping the whipped cream off her nose from the French toast she looks contemplative, "Yeah, I know, but why have this when I can eat stale rubber eggs before listening to, you know what, I don't want to think about the trail, I just want to be here. Please don't make me feel guilty for my decision to pursue my dream of being a reporter, it isn't fair and will just land us in a fight and while it is fun to make up after fights, I just don't have the energy" she shovels another bite of egg in washing it down with coffee, "yet."
Logan nods his head, "Understood, and yeah, make-up sex is great." He leans over and kisses her on the cheek, before putting in another bite of his omelet, "but I like 'have not seen you in months sex' more and don't want to delay" he acknowledges, "Plus, I wasn't expecting you for a few more hours, so I think we should utilize the time now that we have refueled." He purred in her ear, lifting her from the chair to return to the bedroom, Rory wrapped her arms around his neck and started kissing him.