A Long Engagement

by SAGMom

This is a different take on what if Rory said yes, but not yet. Long engagement, but it was communicated more clearly and Logan had a chance to also think about it. In this story, Rory and Logan will communicate effectively. The other characters around Rory and Logan will be there, but they will be the main focus.

3. Chapter 3: PARTINGS

Did a little research, on Yale graduation it was held on Sunday, 27 May, which changes the day for departure. Therefore Hugo called on Saturday night offering the job, Rory said yes, then graduates on Sunday. Monday they go shopping and Tuesday she will head into NYC for the interview before flying out to Iowa. Go watch Friday night dinner with her grandparents and imagine a slightly more upbeat graduation lunch, because Rory is not depressed about breaking up with Logan, although, she is still sad about not seeing her Grandparents, but Emily is more focused on the impending wedding than not seeing Rory next Friday night at dinner. There is definite borrowing from season 7, episode 22 here to make sure that important parts are not missed.

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"Huh, so you want to ride with me?" Lorelai was thrilled but suspicious that there was something coming she wasn't going to like. "Still a long engagement right?" please god, don't let it be pregnant, eloped, or anything else like that.

"Yeah, remember, I said we needed to talk? I know we don't have much time and well, actually, even less than I thought we did last night. So, here it goes. Logan has agreed to long-distance and a long engagement. I mean it could be three years, and he doesn't really like 3, but he thought that was better than 5, and well, so do I. Oh, and I agreed to move to California and make that my home base, but with the other piece of news, I guess it is just my books that will be making a home base in California because I have a job." Rory glanced at her mom.

"You have a job? Really? What are you doing? CNN, New York Times?" Lorelai was riding high and super excited. The shift in her body language was huge and Rory was glad she had decided to take the job.

"Definitely not Atlanta or New York City, more Willie Nelson."

"On the Road Again?"

"Definitely not Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain. I'll be working for Hugo Gray reporting for his online newspaper and following Obama, on the campaign trail. It isn't international, but it is traveling. I know so much about Hilary and I think that getting to know Obama could be really interesting. There is an opportunity to do some compare and contrast stuff here. I am actually pretty excited."

"Huh, so you aren't giving up your dreams for Limo Boy. I am proud of you kid! Also, relieved. I think you will really be able to grow up this way. Each one of your striking out on our own, but still have each other to talk to, of course, only after you talk to me." she grinned blue eyes dancing. Lorelai wasn't sure that they would survive this, but at least she knew this was still her Rory. "So, when do you start? September"

"Tuesday" Rory replied

"Like Tuesday in September?"

"Um, like Tuesday day after tomorrow, Tuesday in New York City with an exclusive interview with Obama Girl and then fly to catch up with the campaign bus on Wednesday, in Iowa."

"So, no roller coasters?"

"Sorry Mom, but this is what it means to have a job." Rory watched as her mother's shoulders slumped.

After lunch, Rory realized that she was going to need her Mom and Logan to connect on the boxes and clothes being moved out to California. Plus she would need to pack, pack for the road thank heavens it was June next week, and summer clothes are lighter than winter.

"Logan, when do you head out to California?" Lorelai asked trying to respect Rory's wishes, it was easier now that she knew the wedding really wasn't going to happen for at least a year. Rory and Logan had successfully shut down Emily on her numerous attempts to start planning both explaining that they needed to get started on their careers and she will be the first person they call when they are ready to find the perfect spot.

"My first day in the office is Monday, next week." he responds looking at his PalmPilot, "that gives us enough time to drive stuff out to California and then I can just unpack, slowly."

"Um, Logan," Rory felt like she was being ripped in two. She wanted to spend time with her Mom and Lane, but she also wanted to be with Logan.

He pulled his hands out of his pockets and took her hands, "I'll fly to you. Send me the itinerary and on Friday night I will be outside of the rally and we will spend every minute that we can together." He was spinning the ring around her finger, "it is ok, spend time with your Mom and Lane and the rest of Stars Hollow. I get it. I love you."

"Thank you, Logan, I guess that is why I said yes" Logan interrupted her sentence

"So, you could spend time with your Mom and Lane?" he asked a bit incredulous.

With a light slap on his shoulder, "No, silly, because you get me and because I love you. Thank you."

"Anytime Ace, anytime. I'll call you Lorelai and let you know when I am coming to get the boxes." Logan kissed Rory before he left the Gilmore Girls in the parking lot.

They headed back to Stars Hollow, Rory needed to change, check her email, spend time with Lane and figure out what she needed to take with her. She was also grateful for the checks from her Grandparents and Dad, she knew they would make the first few weeks easier, in case there were items she needed but didn't have time to get.

Rory hears her mother's Jeep horn going off and as she rolls over, pulling the pillow over her head groaning her mother's voice is piercing her eardrums.

"Rory, get up, get up - your graduation present is at the Inn."

"Mom, no, I need to shop, I need coffee, I need to pack, I need coffee, I do not need to go to the Inn, but I do need coffee."

"Here, coffee and get dressed, after you get your present we can start shopping, hurry up, you don't want your present to leave."

Rory pulled down the pillow and narrowed her eyes, "how does a present leave?"

"Well, a surprise present can just show up and then leave without any warning, and trust me, you want to meet this present." Her mother was pulling on her sheets and pulling her out of bed.

"Ok, but."
"No, just put on clothes, trust me, you want clothes, and come with me. We will get breakfast after and I gave you the coffee."
"Alright, alright." Rory started pulling on clothes between drinking the coffee in gulps, "I expect cup number two when we get there."

"Oh, I think you will be wide awake when we get there. Almost like a bomb going off awake."

They enter the Inn and Rory stops dead, and pulls on her mother, "Mom, that is Christiane Amanpour, why didn't you tell me that Christiane Amanpour was at the Inn? I would have brought my notebook, oh, my God, that is Christiane Amanpour."

"I know, kid, I know, that is why I told you that your surprise could leave, because you know, she has feet and her bag is here, so I thought she might be getting ready to leave.

Hey, Michel, Michel, how long has Christiane Amanpour been here?"

Rory looks at Michel as he responds, "Ah she checked in late last night."

Lorelai looks at Michel, her mouth hanging open, "She's staying here? You didn't tell me?"

Michel looks smug, "I wanted to avoid yet another embarrassing incident."

"What are you talking about? I don't embarrass anyone."

Michel and Rory exchange a knowing glance, Michel responds "You always embarrass yourself when celebrities stay here. Jane Pauley, Harry Belafonte, Marisa Tomei."

Lorelai begins to protest, but Rory interjects, "He's right, you know?"

Rory turns to walk toward Christiane Amanpour before this topic goes any further. While it might look like their famous guest is reading, she is suspicious from the expressions that have been crossing her face that she is actually listening to the conversation and having her find out that Marisa Tomei's mother's best friend is her mother's hairdresser's cousin's roommate is just not the introduction Rory wants. She knows that who you know in this business matters, and meeting Christiana Amanpour is a legitimate connection where people can think the wrong thing about the Huntzberger relationship.

Extending her right hand, Rory starts to speak as she gets close enough, "Hello, Excuse me, Ms. Amanpour?"

"Yes?"

"Hello, I'm Lorelai Gilmore, actually Rory Gilmore, anyway, my mother runs the Inn here and I am, well, I am a huge fan." Rory gets out.

"Very nice to meet you and that is really nice to know, thank you," Christiana responds.

Lorelai jumps in, "Hello, I'm Lorelai Gilmore, the Inn owner, and I just wanted to tell you that my daughter Rory here, well, she just graduated from Yale, actually, where she was the editor of the Yale Daily News."

Christiana looks at Rory, "graduated Yale, editor of the Yale Daily News - that's not bad."

Rory looks a bit shy, but then continues, "I just think you are so inspiring. Your reporting is so bold and moving and fascinating and I know you've won nine Emmys, but I just don't think that's enough - not that you care about that kind of thing, but I just want to say thank you. You've really been an inspiration to me. I am starting on the campaign trail following Obama this week and I hope that someday I will have the opportunity to work internationally too."

Christiane smiles again, "Thank you. That's really nice of you. So journalism, is it print you want? Television? CNN, maybe?"

Rory can't believe she is discussing her future plans with Christiane Amanpour "Oh, I'd love to work for a major daily."

"Do you know which one?"

with the question Rory feels awkward, she really wants to say the New York Times, but realizes that after not getting the Reston, it would be better to be a bit humble, "Anyone that will take me."

Christiane Amanpour nods her head knowingly: That's the spirit. I started in radio, then had a short time at NBC before being a desk assistant at CNN and the rest is history. I mean you just get in there, do what you can, show them what you've got, and the rest will take care of itself."

With that one sentence Rory realized that with or without the fellowship, she was still a good writer, and well, Mitchum hadn't asked her to write anything, he had treated her like an assistant. She had been successful at the Yale Daily News, making it to editor and now she could show the rest of the world what she could do writing about Obama. "That's my plan."

Christiane reached into her purse and pulled out a card, handing it to Rory, "Listen, I don't often do this, but I'm going to give you my card, and if you want to send me some stuff, I'll have a look at it and you know, stay in touch."

Rory accepted the card and shook her hand once more, "Thank you!"

They hear a car horn honk, "Well that would be me, nice meeting you." and with that, Ms. Amanpour left the Inn.

Lorelai turns to Rory, "Well, how was that for a graduation present?"

Rory hugs her Mom, "it was great! Thanks for making it happen."

"Well, you know what are Moms for? Shopping, coffee addiction, hosting Christiane Amanpour at their Inn, and conspiring with the town to do your re-enactment graduation party."

A glare enters Rory's eyes, "What re-enactment graduation party?

"Hmm, oh, it's just a graduation re-enactment party we're gonna have for all the people who couldn't go to your actual graduation."

Still not losing that glare, "Re-enactment, how?"

Lorelai grabs her clipboard from the desk, "All you have to do is throw on that cap and gown again, you know, and go up on a little podium again, that someone is gonna build and listen to the high school band play "Pomp and Circumstance".

"Mom!"

Looking sheepish, "What it's a party, it's gonna be fun! Plus, Luke is providing all of the burgers for it."

Rory's look softens, "Oh, if Luke is providing the burgers, then who am I to say no to a little Pomp and Circumstance?"

Lorelai looks up and Rory, "Oh, no, the party"

"Yes, we just discussed it, and I agreed."

"No, no, they are thinking it will be next week, but you leave tomorrow. We can't have it - it needs to be canceled."

Sookie slowly closes the door as she backs into the kitchen. "Ok, crew, we are baking today, because we need enough desserts to feed the town for a graduation re-enactment party tonight, ooh, someone get me a phone, I need to call Luke."

Over the next few minutes, Sookie explains to Luke about Rory's job and how she is leaving the next day. They plan the party for that night, at least the food.

Back at the diner, Luke gets Miss Patty and Babette together and tells them about Rory having the job. After their initial disappointment when they think he is canceling the party, they realize that he is changing the date and needs everyone's help to get it all done.

Miss Patty calls an emergency town meeting.

Taylor bangs the gavel "Once again, this is not a "meeting," per se. We have already broken several of Robert's rules of order."

Babette rolls her eyes, "So don't tell Robert."

Lane looks around, "Yeah besides, isn't it worth breaking rules over? It is Rory, for god's sake."

Babette takes charge, "So let's start divvying up the duties, who's gonna do the food?"

Luke raises his hand, "I got hot dogs and hamburgers and a couple of big grills in the square, and Sookie's got the rest covered, right Jackson?"

"Yup, she's at home baking right now. You name the fruit, it'll be in one of her pies."

Taylor is getting annoyed as a conversation about pies starts to take over, banging the gavel again, "Please, could we stay focused? People, this gathering is unofficial, and as such, I would like to have it over with as soon as possible. Now, Luke, I assume you have obtained permits to use two large grills with an open flame on our town square?"

Luke looks at Taylor like he has grown two heads, "Uh, no, I don't, I don't have any permits. I just, I just started this whole thing a couple of hours ago."

Taylor puffs out his chest and starts in, "Outdoor barbecuing sans permit is a violation of town codes. As Selectman, I can't approve that."

"Hey Taylor If this meeting is unofficial, then whatever you say is unofficial, so Luke's barbecuing, what else." Babette rationalizes

The town members continue to plan music and decorations. After a few minutes, Luke starts to feel the pressure of getting everything ready, he stands up, "Lulu, why don't you bring those balloons and whatever else you got? Kirk, you can DJ, and let's have Hep Alien start us off with a couple of her favorite songs, you've got that covered, right Lane?

"Absolutely!" she gives him a thumbs up.

Taylor is about ready to go apoplectic, "You people are violating town ordinances left and right. This is highly irregular."

Zach just turns around, "Dude, you're who's highly irregular."

With chaos ensuing, Luke stands again, "Taylor, I don't know what your problem is, but the town wants to throw this party, and you're either gonna join us or you're gonna stay home and comb your beard. Okay, all right, we're gonna need chairs and tables and volunteers to set them up around the gazebo. Okay, we're all gonna get started in the square this afternoon and be ready for tonight.

As the crowd starts to disperse, Taylor tries once more, "This will remain an unofficial party, you hear men, unofficial!"

Lorelai, Lane, and Rory spend the morning and afternoon shopping and packing. Between Lane and Lorelai they are able to keep Rory from going into town for anything. After a few hours, Rory has everything on the list that she really needs. She is able to sneak in a few phone calls to Logan to tell him about meeting Christiana Amanpour and ask if she will really need a fanny pack, afraid that her Mom will actually get the lime green one from Jackson. Logan assures her that none of the HPG reporters on the road are sporting fanny packs, but if she finds that she really needs one for her gum stash that will be needed by Obama, he will help her locate one. Rory is feeling the excitement and looking forward to the start of her new journey.

"I'm hungry, and I want to say goodbye to everyone. Please let's just go to Luke's for dinner." Rory whines.

"Rory, let me check with Zach about him keeping the twins for another hour, so I can join you for dinner."

"Ok"
Lane goes into the kitchen with the phone and asks Zach if it is okay to bring Rory to the town square. She walks out of the kitchen giving Lorelai the thumbs up.

"Shall we walk? that way you can say goodbye to people when we pass them on the street too," Lorelai asks Rory, who nods her assent.

As they enter the town square, Rory gasps there at the gazebo is the entire town with a sign: Bon Voyage, Rory!

Lorelai grins and gives Rory a little squeeze, "I think you're gonna get to say goodbye to everybody."

Rory hugs her Mom, "Did you…"

Lorelai gives her a smile, "No, I didn't do a thing."

Lane turns to give Rory a big hug as the town starts to cheer and clap, "We love you, Rory!"

Rory and Lane walk up to the gazebo arm in arm, Gypsy and Baette come over, and Gypsy has a chance to hug her, "We love you, Rory!"

While Babette, whispers in her ear, "We're so proud of you."

Kirk picks up the microphone, "Rory, in my official capacity as town sash presenter, I would like to present you with this sash, which I also happened to make in my official capacity as town sash maker. I just want you to know that given the last-minute efforts of this event, it was made from one of my mother's nighties."

Rory gives Kirk a look and accepts the sash with her hand, "Well, thank you. I'll put it on after I eat, don't want to get any stains on it."

Kirk looks pleased with his gift and himself.

As the town members start to approach Rory for hugs and farewells, Lorelai notices her parents and Logan standing off to the side. "Hey, kid, you start saying goodbye, I'm going to go say hi to my Mom, Dad, and Logan."

Lorelai approaches her parents, "Hey."

"This is quite a party." Richard is beaming

Emily, with annoyance, "We had to cancel dinner with the Stuttgart's because we only heard about it from Sookie this morning."

Richard chides her, "Emily, that hardly matters."

Emily is still looking put out, "I didn't say it mattered. I was merely relaying the fact."

Logan reaches over to Lorelai, "Hey, Lorelai. Emily, I just heard about it an hour ago, from what I understand the party had to be rearranged at the last minute and they only had this evening. Rory did just find out about the job, what, 23 hours ago."

Lorelai smiled at Logan, letting him know she appreciate the intervention, turning to her parents, "Well, anyway, I'm glad you're here."

Emily realized she was being a bit over sensitive, "Of course, we wouldn't. We're her grandparents."

Lorelai looks back at the town's people, "I can't believe they did this for her."

Richard looked at his daughter, "I don't think this is all for Rory. I think this party's a testament to you, Lorelai, and the home you've created here. I regret that you needed… Emily starts to interrupt, "Richard."

But he places his hand on her arm, gently, "Now, let me finish, Emily. I regret it, and we've…recent experience has taught me… "

Emily is not happy with the sappy sentiment, "Oh, please don't become one of those "I had a heart attack, let me express my every thought" types."

Richard is insistent, "Not every thought, dear, just this one. It takes a r- A remarkable person to inspire all of this."

Lorelai turns to her Dad, with a tear in her eye, "Thanks, dad."

Emily can only take so much mushy silence, " Okay, that's enough. It's not as though the two of you are saying goodbye."

Taylor calls out to everyone, "May I have your attention, please? I'd like to welcome you all to this Bon Voyage party in honor of one of Stars Hollow's favorite daughters, Ms. Rory Gilmore!"

Luke interrupted Taylor, "I don't like where this is going, Taylor. Especially given your enthusiasm from this morning. Rory, what we wanted to say is that we are proud of you and we love you, and while you are heading out into the wide world to share your talents and well, everything that is good about who you are, don't forget that we are here, we love you and ah, geez, I am not good at this stuff." Luke wraps his arms around Rory giving her a hug.

Rory smiles over his shoulder at Logan, her Grandparents, and her Mom, and realizes that she is really very lucky.

Taylor annoyed, "Well, I did have a very dramatic speech, but since Luke stole my spot. Rory, would you like to say anything?"

Rory accepted the microphone, "Thank you, Taylor, and thank you, Luke. Um... I love this place. I...I just loved growing up here, and I love all of you. And thank you so much for doing all of this. It's amazing. I just - it's so - oh, I'm on the verge of gushing, so I'm just gonna stop myself here. I don't want to gush, except one more thing - to my mom, who is just everything to me, and Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for coming." Logan moved up to the gazebo and she takes his hand giving him a squeeze. He puts his finger on the ring and looks at her with so much love.

Taylor takes back the microphone, " All right, let's get this party started."

Over the course of the evening, Kirk DJs, Hep Alien plays and everyone is just having a great time.

Emily and Lorelai discuss multiple additions to the Inn, from a spa to a tennis court. Finally, Lorelai is just annoyed, "Mom, can we please not discuss this here, now? How about we figure this all out over Friday night dinner."

Emily beams, "Oh, we are keeping Friday night dinners?"

Lorelai finally realizes, her parents just want to keep seeing her and she figures maybe the dinners will be better if she comes because she wants to come, not because she is paying off a loan. "yeah, Mom, I have gotten used to them, and well, we might as well just keep them going. Unless you ready for them to stop."

Emily is obviously delighted, "I am more than happy to continue to host on Friday night. That sounds fine. But don't be late and don't wear jeans."

Lorelai rolls her eyes, " When have I ever worn jeans to dinner?"

"Well I don't know, it could very well be Rory who enforces the dress code. I'm just saying I don't think that jeans are appropriate." Emily retorts.

Rory walks up "So, going to keep going to Friday night dinners without me, huh?"

Emily turns to Rory, "Yes, we are going to keep having them, and anytime you are in town, you are always welcome, even if it means that you have to wear jeans."
"Hey"

"Oh, Lorelai, you live here, Rory might only have an hour and seriously, we can't ask her to change and carry all of those extra clothes."

"Yeah, I guess not" Lorelai intones.

"Thank you, Grandma"

Emily turns back to Rory, "Now, listen, you keep in touch, and not just postcards - phone calls as well."

Rory nods, "Of course. Let me walk you to your car."

Lorelai turns back toward the gazebo, she sees Sookie, "Hey! Sookie, It's beautiful. thank you for doing all of this. I can't believe you pulled this all off.

Sookie looks at her friend, "I just did the baking. This was all Luke. He made me promise not to tell you, but I don't care. This is all Luke. He did all of it. He organized everything even a secret town meeting, everything."

Lorelai looked around, "Really?"

"Yeah," Sookie said as she walked away.

Lorelai walked around chatting with people as she went, looking for Luke.

She sees him leaving the diner and walks over, "Hey."

"Hey"

"Thank you."

"Oh, it's...no big deal."

"Luke." she is looking at him deeply.

Luke looks at her, "I just... like to see you happy."

Lorelai leans in and Luke adjusts putting his arms around her, he gives her a kiss.

Logan pulls Rory in as they walk away from saying goodbye to her grandparents and making plans for the next weekend, now that Rory has her schedule, he whispers in her ear, "maybe there will be a double wedding in a year."

"Hey, no rushing us, but yeah, that would be nice." Rory and Logan kiss and hold each other tight. "I'm going to miss you, but we will both be busy, the days will go by so quickly and "

Logan kisses her again. He knows they have a lot to talk about, but it can wait.

"Oh, Rory, in case we don't talk tomorrow morning."
"Why wouldn't we talk tomorrow morning."

"I don't know, but I just wanted to let you know that I talked with my Dad."

Rory froze.

Logan put his head down - forehead to forehead, "Nothing bad, surprisingly, I will give you details later, but anyway, he suggested when you write use a pen name."

Rory looked at him biting her lip, "Why?"

"While he isn't being nice, he doesn't want to stand in your way and suggested that the person who is engaged to Logan Huntzberger might want to be seen with her fiance and to make sure that that name is not associated with the journalist in the beginning so that you can earn your place, in journalistic history."

Her eyes went wide, "in journalistic history?"

"Ok, you caught me, I added that part, but yeah, he knows that the journalism world knows your name as associated with mine and he hears your concerns about earning your place, so a pen name."

Rory smiles, "That is a good idea. Thanks, Logan." She kisses him again, "and thank your Dad for me, just no kiss."

They laugh and he decides to take her home so that Lorelai and Luke can have their moment.