Several Months Later

Rory was sitting at a table in Luke's working away on her laptop while a dozen books surrounded her. Her cell phone sat next to her laptop. Every couple minutes it would light up and vibrate, Rory would look at it and immediately decline the call. As well, she would get semi-regular notifications from her email. She would open the email and delete it before even reading it. The bell over the door jingled and Rory didn't even look up. She only looked up when someone pulled out the chair across from her and took a seat. Upon seeing who it was, all Rory did to acknowledge the other person's presence was to mutter, "Go away," as she adjusted her coat that was sitting across her lap.

"Love, you have to talk to me."

"You know stalking is a serious crime, right?"

"I know. You won't take my calls though."

"Finn, I told you I can't do this anymore."

"I know. You must not have read the emails either."

"Nope."

"Well, then will you talk with me?"

"Nope."

"Rory, love, please, I miss you."

"You had twelve years. I have reached the point where I need all or nothing."

"You know I can't give you all that you deserve right now."

"I know."

"But, I am working on it. Colin put me in contact with this gal from his law school class that is working on all the paperwork and…"

"I don't care anymore, Finn."

"I know you love me Rory."

"I did."

"That sort of thing just doesn't go away."

"I know."

"You are fighting the feelings you have."

"I know."

"Well, stop fighting them!"

At this point, Rory was beyond mad; she started to stand up, but thought better of it. She knew she should have gone with another oversized shirt that morning. Instead, Rory glared across the table and seethed at the man, "Look, I am thirty-three years old, I need to have my life together, I need to be stable. We. Are. Done."

He sighed and stood up, as he reached the door he looked back, "I love you Rory Gilmore."

Rory just nodded and mumbled, "I know."

After he left Babette rushed over and took his seat, "Sugar, do I need to send Maury after him? You know we had to bury Pierpond after that wind storm several years ago, and I am sure that a hole for a body wouldn't need to be much bigger."

"Babette, you do not need to send Maury after him. I think I got my point across and don't worry, between Luke and my father they have called dibs. The second I say the word they are grabbing their baseball bats and pitchforks."

Lorelai walked up to the table, "How very Godfather of you, offspring."

"You know me, sitting in the corner, taking meetings in the diner. Little does everyone know, the real Godfather resides here in Stars Hollow, and is a Godmother."

Babette scooted out of the chair, opening it up for Lorelai, "You two have a good talk. I'll see you around, and remember what I said Rory."

After Babette was far enough away, Lorelai pushed Rory's laptop shut, "So, I heard you gave a little show to all the diner guests?"

"I definitely didn't plan it."

"So, he came here?"

"He did."

"And did you tell him?"

"Nope."

"How did you hide it?"

"I didn't stand up."

"Simple, basic, classic - I like it. Rory, hun, he does have a right to know. It may even change his mind about everything. A kid does change everything."

"I know, but lucky for him he is getting a 'get out of jail free' card on this one."

"But, it should be his choice, Rory. Look at Luke, he didn't have a choice and he was hurt and it threw his whole life out of whack."

"Mom, he isn't going to be like Luke, he is going to be like dad. I love you, but I do not want my kid to have to get their hopes up about their dad being a birthdays and not showing up. I don't want that for them. I am protecting the bean. I love you and I love dad, but I know him and yes he would want to get married, but it would be out of obligation, not that he wants to be with me, I would just turn into a society bimbo."

"Rory, hun, you should still tell him, you don't know what he would do until he is in that situation."

"Oh, I know him well enough. He runs from obligations. They are a joke to him."

"He does really well with Lilly though."

"Yeah, but that is Lilly."

"What is to say that he wouldn't be great with his own kid?"

"You know what mom, you are right; he would be amazing with his own kid. He would love me and the bean. He would be the dream dad. Yet, that will never happen. You know what? I have to go. I have to go meet with a publisher."

"Your publisher is Jess, he will understand if you are late."

"Mom, it doesn't matter who my publisher is. It is a work meeting and I need to be on time. I will see you tonight."

Rory got up and slammed the diner door on her way out. Lorelai sighed and dropped her head into her hands. After a few minutes, she turned her head to look out the window only to see Finn sitting in the driver's seat of a parked black SUV across the street. He had his head in his hands and was clearly sobbing.

In an instant Lorelai was out of the diner and marching across the street. She stood at the door of the SUV for a moment before knocking on the window. Startled, the man rolled down the window, "Are you here to tell me to stay away from your daughter? Because she got her point across back inside and if her words hadn't scared me off, the fact that she is very clearly pregnant with another man's child has put me in my spot. I now see that I didn't really mean anything to Rory. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to head back to the city."

Lorelai reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, "You need to talk to her."

"Did you not just listen to what I said? Or am I so un-noteworthy in Rory's life that she hasn't even told you that she has ripped out my heart and stomped on it? Hell, she didn't even have to rip my heart out, I stupidly handed it to her for twelve years!"

Lorelai sighed, "Look, I am here breaking the mother-daughter code to tell you that you need to talk to her."

Getting angry, he pounded his fists against the steering wheel, "You don't get it do you?! I have called her at least five times a day for the last eighty-seven days. I have sent her hundreds of emails, text messages, and instant messages. I have had flowers, coffee, books, all of her favorite things delivered to her. Yet, through all that, I keep getting rejected. She doesn't answer, she doesn't respond, she doesn't even read most of what I send her. I have tried. I have tried everything. I even came here. Even after what she said to me in there, I was still going to try. The nail in the coffin was watching her walk out the door and seeing her clearly pregnant belly and knowing that she didn't even have the decency to tell me that she was with someone else or that she was pregnant and that is why we had to stop whatever it was we were doing. Your daughter very clearly doesn't want to see me."

Nodding her head, Lorelai looked him in the eyes with tears coming down her face, "Finn, I get that you are upset. You should be upset. Rory has not handled this correctly at all. Please, for you and for her, do not give up. You need to talk to her. I wish I could explain more, but I can't just please talk to her."

"Thank you Lorelai, but I do need to get back to the city." With that Lorelai walked back across the street and into the diner as the black SUV pulled out into the street and drove off.

Later that same day

Rory and Jess walk out of an office in a bookstore and start walking the aisles, both of them smiling and laughing about something that was said before they entered the floor of the bookstore.

"I can't believe that you are going to actually publish my book. Thank you so much Jess."

"Ror, I always knew you could do it. Hell, even for a first draft, this is amazing. This will be the easiest book ever to edit and publish."

"Stop it, there is still a lot I need to do and I want to have it done before the bean makes its entrance into the world."

Running his hand through his hair, "I still think your story is missing something without the inclusion of miss or mister bean. It is a key part of who you are. It is fundamental to this chapter of your story."

"Jess, we have talked about this. I cannot include him in the story. It would ruin too many people's lives and frankly, it hurts too much to think about him. I was with him for twelve years. I loved him. Hell, I still love him."

Rory stopped abruptly at the alcove that housed the children's books. Her mouth flew open in surprise as a little blonde girl ran up to her, "Rory! I have missed you! I haven't seen you in soooo long, I don't even know how many Paw Patrol's it has been. Uncle hasn't been as fun either. I lost another tooth though! And, I have been learning lots and lots of things at school. Like did you know that penguins can't fly. I thought all birds flew. Also, did you know that butterflies come from caterpillars? We have caterpillars in our classroom…"

Lilly kept talking, but Rory was only noticing the adult who was accompanying her. The woman had black hair and carried a lot of Finn's attributes. Shock and surprise was spread all across her face, with her mouth hanging open. Rory knew that she had heard what Rory was saying moments ago simply by the look on her face. The woman was finally able to sputter out, "Does he know?" Rory just shook her head. The woman got up and interrupted Lilly, "Come on Lilly, we have to go."

"But, I was just telling Rory about school! I am not done yet!"

"You can tell Rory about it the next time I see her."

On the verge of a tantrum, Lilly flopped herself on the ground, "But, I don't ever get to see Rory."

Gritting her teeth the woman looked down at Lilly, "Get up, now! We have to go."

Lilly started crying in that moment. "No! Not until I finish telling Rory about school! She is the only one that ever listens to my stories! Her and Uncle Finn, but I he hasn't listened to me either!"

Rory crouched down and sat on the floor with Lilly. "How about this, if it is okay with Aunt Addie, I will take you to get ice cream and you can tell me all about school and we can go play in the park. After, I can take you home. How does that sound?"

The tears immediately stopped flowing from Lilly's eyes, "Really?"

"Really, really," Rory said with a smile. Lilly immediately jumped to her feet and grabbed Rory's hand starting to tug her towards the door. "Whoa, hold your horses. You need permission from Aunt Addie first. You better ask her."

Addie was clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but it was unclear if she was uncomfortable with the news she just discovered or if she was uncomfortable with Rory taking Lilly for the afternoon. Sighing, she slowly nodded her head, "You can go with Rory, only if she agrees to stay for dinner tonight."

Lilly looked up at Rory expectantly. Rory swallowed the lump in her throat, "I can't agree to that."

Frowning, Addie turned to Lilly, "I am sorry Lil-bug, but you can't go with Rory then."

The tears started flowing down Lilly's face again, "Please Rory. I want to get ice cream and go to the park. You have had dinner with us before. Those are the funnest dinners! You and Uncle always start throwing food and we always have desert. Please Rory."

Rory started to protest again. Addie reached down and grabbed Lilly's hand and started leading Lilly towards the door, "Come on Lilly, let's go home."

It wasn't until the door clicked shut that Rory had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Immediately she ran out the door after them, "Lilly! Addie! Wait!" The duo stopped and turned around. It was only then that Rory noticed both of them crying. "I'll go to dinner. If you still want to spend the afternoon with me?"

Lilly slightly nodded, but was more hesitant to go with Rory than what she was moments before. Addie turned to Rory, "Is there anything I should stay away from?"

Smiling slightly, Rory said, "Sweets and junk food."

Startled, Addie asked, "Really?"

"Unfortunately."

"Morning sickness or trying to be healthy."

"Morning sickness. Bean is a lot more like its father than me."

"Welp, I am sure I'll be able to figure out something that we can all enjoy."

Rory and Lilly walked in the opposite direction of Addie holding hands and skipping. The duo entered a Ben and Jerry's and got an ice cream cone for Lilly. As Lilly was devouring her cone and Rory was paying, Lilly asked Rory between licks, "Are you… not getting… an ice cream… Rory?"

"Not today. Sweets haven't been agreeing with me for a few months now."

"What... does that... mean?"

"It means that when I have been eating sweets, I have been puking shortly after eating them."

Lilly went wide eyed, "Really?!"

"Really, really."

Grabbing some wet wipes off the counter, Lilly and Rory headed out the door with Lilly licking at her cone as it was dripping all over her and getting all over her face. Rory walked with her hand in the middle of Lilly's back while directing them to the park and the large wooden play structure Lilly loved. Once they got to the park, Rory found an empty bench that the two perched on while Lilly finished her ice cream. Once Lilly was done, she stuck out her hands to Rory for Rory to wipe clean.

"Rory?"

"Yes, Lilly-pad?"

"Why is your tummy so much bigger?"

"Well, Lilly-pad, I have a baby growing inside me?"

"A baby, really?"

"Yep. A human baby."

"Is it yours?"

"Yes," Rory replied as she laughed a little.

"So, is it a boy or girl?"

"I don't know."

"What's its name?"

"I don't know yet. I am just calling him or her 'the bean'."

"That is a funny name. Why do you call it that?"

"Because when I first saw it, it looked like a bean."

"Really?"

"Really, really. Do you want to see the picture?"

Lilly nodded enthusiastically as Rory dug her phone from her handbag. Pulling up a picture of an ultrasound she turned and showed Lilly. "It really does look like a bean!"

"It does."

"Did I once look like that?"

"You did."

"Whoa."

"Do you want to go swing?"

Without a word, Lilly jumped up and ran towards the swings. Rory reached the swing the Lilly had claimed just as Lilly was getting herself all settled in the seat. "Alright, you ready?" Rory asked Lilly. Lilly just nodded. Rory grabbed the chains of the swing and pulled Lilly back as far as she could and let her go. They were there for hours Rory pushing Lilly as Lilly flew into the sky. As the sun started to reach the top of the skyscrapers, Rory slowing Lilly down and stopped her swing. "Okay Lilly-pad, it is now time to head home and get some dinner in that tummy of yours."

"And you can feed the bean!"

Rory just laughed as she took Lilly's hand and they walked towards the flat that Lilly lived in with her family. Throughout the walk Lilly told Rory all about school and the things she was reading. As well as anything else she could think of. Rory nodded and replied in all the open gaps Lilly left, but she didn't start paying attention until Lilly said one key word. "Uncle Finn hasn't been around all that much and he hasn't been taking me anywhere lately. He just says he has adult things going on. There was one girl that comes over all the time and they lock the door to the office or his bedroom if Auntie is in the office. She isn't as nice as you are. She always smiles at me, but she never talks to me. Once she asked me who I wanted to live with. That was a really weird question. I wish you were living with us. That is what I told her. I told her I wanted to live with you and Uncle."

Lilly kept talking as Rory sniffled back tears. It seemed like Finn had moved on. Well, it proved that she was right with her instincts not to tell him about the baby. Conveniently, as soon as she was out of the picture, he was bringing another woman around. He had always said that Rory was the only woman he would bring around his family. Hell, he even said Logan and Colin was never invited into this part of his life. Sure, they met his family at social events, but they were never invited into the privacy of the Morgan home. Apparently, this woman wriggled her way in though.

Finally, the two reached the entrance to the flat. The doorman welcomed they both in, "It is great to see you Miss Rory. We haven't seen you around these parts in awhile. Unless you have only been coming and going while Ken is on shift." He said the last part with a smile and a wink.

Rory shook her head, "Sorry to disappoint Jim, but I haven't been around since I last saw you. How's your family?"

"Wonderful as ever. Juniper just started high school. I cannot believe my baby is growing up so quickly! I see that you are starting a family of your own."

Rory smiled, "I am."

"Well, congratulations to you and Mr. Morgan," Jim said the last three words as whisper in Rory's ear as he leaned in to hug Rory.

Across the lobby, the doors of the elevator dinged open and Lilly yelled across the room in Rory's direction, "Come on Rory! I am hungry!" Rory jogged to catch the elevator as she squeezed in the Lilly, she hit the button for penthouse. As soon as she did, an automated voice said, please enter access code. Rory expertly typed in a five-number code: 7-3-7-8-4. She sighed slightly and allowed herself to reminisce on the ride up.

It was a snowy February day, specifically a Wednesday. Rory had a fight with Paris the day before and then her mom that morning. So, she had called the number that she had just started using a six months prior. It had only taken him five minutes to pull up in front of her dorm. As she got into the black SUV, he turned to her and asked, "Where to ma'am?"

Just shaking her head she curled up in the front passenger seat and grabbed the blanket he brought along. It was her favorite blanket of his. It was one of those double fleece blankets that would seem very out of place if you lined it up amongst all of his other possessions, but it worked for him once you started to really get to know him. Since it normally lived in his room, it always smelt like him. As Rory was wrapping herself in the blanket and he was pulling out of the parking lot, she finally answered him more directly, "I really don't care, but I want to get out of here. I want to escape."

She didn't need to say anything else. It had only been six months, but he already knew what she meant and what she needed. He headed out of New Haven and hit the interstate. As he was merging onto the freeway he handed his iPod to Rory, "I get to choose what we are going to do and you get to choose the road trip tunes."

Rory just smiled at him as she scrolled through the music he had on his iPod and finally landed on "The Ramones." In response to her selection, Finn started fumbling with the sound system. All Rory could tell that he did was increase the bass and turn up the volume, but she was sure he did something else because as soon as he was done it sounded like she was at a concert, not curled up in his SUV.

It wasn't until they were crossing the Brooklyn Bridge that Rory really realized where they were headed. For the first time since leaving New Haven she spoke, "So, what are we doing in the city?"

"I was thinking about hitting up some bookstores, then fueling you with coffee, and just see where the day takes us. Maybe spend the night. How does that sound?"

Smiling, she simply said "Perfect." However, after a few minutes she turned to face him. "Finn, I can't afford to stay in the city. Hell, I am barely going to be able to afford coffee and food."

"Rory, love, I know you hate it when I pay for everything, but you know you don't need to worry about money with me."

"You are right, I hate it. I am going to pay for myself. All I am saying is that I am not going to be able to pay for a hotel. Well, my share of a hotel. Especially in the city."

"I never said anything about a hotel, love."

"Then where would we stay? I am not sleeping on a bench in Central Park in February, maybe in August, but sure as hell not in February."

"Where do you think my family lives?"

She looked at him like he was dumb before simply stating, "Australia."

"Okay, I meant in the states."

"Oh… well… uhh… I don't know."

"Love, we have a place in the city."

Rory now felt dumb, "I didn't realize that. Is your family going to be there?"

"Probably not. My sisters are off doing god knows what and everyone else would rather have summer 365 days a year so most of them fly back home once the weather turns cold here."

"They completely miss out on snow?!"

Finn started laughing, "Yes, they do. Most of them have never seen snow before."

Completely dumbstruck with her mouth agape, Rory stammered out, "But, what about the magic?"

"What magic?"

"The magic that comes with the snow. Have you never experienced?"

"I normally stay inside when it starts snowing, but after listening to you, I think I may have to try to seek out this magic you speak of."

"I smell it. You'll be able to look for it today."

"You smell it?"

"Yeah, mom and I have this talent where we can smell when it is about to snow."

Knowing better than to question her, Finn jumped out of the parked car and ran around to Rory's side to let her out. Climbing out of the car, Rory realized they were parked in a parking garage. "So, where are we?"

"This is the building that our flat is in. I figured it would be a good central location and we can walk from here. You don't mind walking, do you?"

"With you by my side? Never! I can count the number of women that glare at me! It is the best game ever!"

"Love, we are never in public together. How do you know women will glare?"

"Finn, have you looked in the mirror recently? Well, I have and you're drop-dead gorgeous and I am me. There will be plenty of glares."

Finn looked at Rory with his brow furled, "Rory, love, what are you talking about?"

"You really don't get it do you?"

Finn just shook his head.

Sighing, Rory started explaining while talking with her hands, "Finn, you are a ten on the gorgeous scale, plus you are exotic so you get bonus points. Me, on the other hand am a solid seven - not ugly, cute, but nowhere near drop-dead gorgeous. You are out of your league."

"Thank you for the boost to my ego, love. You are right, I am out of my league, but you are wrong in which direction you are on the scale. Rory, you may not see it yourself, but you are off that scale. You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid eyes on. Whenever I hear Logan or any other guy talk about you it takes every fiber in my being not to start throwing punches. You are beautiful, Rory Gilmore."

Finn's speech left Rory speechless. She just grabbed Finn's hand and started towards the door under the red glowing exit sign. As they came out onto the street, Finn took the lead and started leading Rory though the city. They started at a bookstore and moved onto another and another. At each new store they entered Finn would leave Rory to explore and he would appear moments later with two coffee cups in hand for the pair. As the duo walked out of the third bookstore, Finn turned to Rory, "Are you hungry?"

"Do fish swim?"

"Got it. Stupid question. My point was that I have an idea for dinner."

"I have trusted you up until this point, why would that change?"

"Love, I am still getting used to being out with you. Most of the girls I tote around to keep my image up barely eat salads. So, a girl that openly admits to being hungry and trusts me with food choices is a new concept for me."

"Don't get used to it Finn. Remember, we decided on just friends, that also get dirty down under."

"I hate when you call it that."

"Well I hate the term friends with benefits."

"How about we just say friends and never mention the second part?"

"I could live with that. So, what were you thinking of for dinner?"

"Love, I want to cook for you."

"Finn, you can cook?!"

"Yes, I just choose not to. It would ruin my image. Are you brave enough to let me cook for you?"

"I have trusted you up to this point."

"I will take that as a yes." Finn grabbed Rory's hand and interlaced their fingers. Walking back towards his flat, as they passed a grocery store Finn led the duo inside. Starting in the produce section Finn started filling a basket. After adding mushrooms to the basket, Rory worked up her courage.

"Finn, why do you keep grabbing vegetables? You aren't expecting me to eat those are you?"

"Yes," was Finn's simple response as he raised one eyebrow at her. He continued his way through the store reading the aisle signs to make sure he found the right aisle.

"Umm… Finn… I thought you knew that I don't eat that type of stuff."

Stopping at the Asian food, Finn grabbed a jar off the shelf, "Love, what are you talking about I have seen you eat curry on multiple occasions." Finn held the container of curry paste up for Rory.

"Wait. You're making curry? I love curry!"

Finn just smiled, "I know, love. That is why I want to make it for you. You will never look at curry again once you have experienced 'Finn's Wonderful Curry from Down Under.'"

"Dirty!"

Laughing, Finn grabbed a few more things before paying and leaving the store. As soon as they were out on the street Finn grabbed Rory's hand again. As they walked up to Finn's building, the doorman opened the door for them. "Good evening, Jim. How are you?"

"I am wonderful Mr. Morgan. I am counting down the minutes until Ken gets here and I get to go home to my beautiful wife. Who is this gorgeous young lady that is accompanying you today?"

"Jim, this the awe-inspiring Rory. Let her in whenever you see her, whether I am with her or not."

"It sure is a pleasure to meet you Miss Rory," Jim reached out to shake her hand.

Rory smiled and put her hand in his, "It is great to meet you to."

Turning his attention back to Finn, "I will be sure to tell Ken to allow the gorgeous young lady that is here to see Mr. Morgan in as well."

"I sure would appreciate that. Have a great evening mate!"

"The same to you Mr Morgan and Ms Rory."

Rory and Finn waited for the elevator in comfortable silence. Once inside, Finn pushed the button for the penthouse and inserted the code. Turning to Rory, he said, "I meant what I said to Jim. You can come here whenever you want. Jim and Ken will always let you into the building. You'll just have to remember the code. Just please don't share it with anyone, love, it is essentially the key to the apartment."

"Wow. Already giving me the key to your flat. I'm impressed."

Hesitating, Finn finally asked, "Is that too much?"

"Of course not! Finn, I just like giving you a hard time. I love knowing that you are willing to share this with me."

"Okay, so, the code is 7-3-7-8-4."

"Finn! I am never going to be able to memorize that!"

"Love, it spells out Perth. You should be able to remember that, right?"

"Perth? Yes. Numbers? No. Is Perth where you are from?"

"It is."

"Do you miss it?"

"Everyday."

"Will you take me some day?"

"Of course, love!"

As the floors ticked off as they flew past them, Rory had one more question she had to ask, "Finn, am I going to run into the boys if I come here?"

"Logan and Collin?"

"Yeah. Or Robert or whoever."

"No. They have never been here, Rory."

"Really?"

"Really, really."

Later that night Rory and Finn were naked, wrapped in a blanket, on the couch. The ending credits of Pulp Fiction were scrolling across the screen. Yet, both were not paying attention to the screen, instead Rory was looking out of the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city as the snow was slowly floating by and Finn was watching Rory. Very quietly, Finn whispered, "You were right; the snow is magical."

The ding of the elevator signaling their arrival to the flat and the doors sliding open woke Rory up from her memory. Lilly ran into the apartment as soon as the doors were open far enough for her to fit through, leaving Rory to follow behind. As Rory was about to turn the corner into the kitchen, she heard voices talking, instead of heading into the kitchen, she leaned against the wall and listened to the two females.

"I hope he can get his shit together and soon. Otherwise, everything he has been working towards is going to go to shit."

"Tell me about it. He has not been the same the last few months. It is almost like he is trying, but he isn't. Has he told you what changed?"

She laughed, "Hell no. I may be the one he shares things with, but it is usually months, if not years later."

"Have you heard his dirty little secret come over the last few months? … I just figured that she may have been coming and going before any of us got up."

"I don't think they have seen each other since he went to that town of hers with Lilly."

"Really? This must be the longest they have gone without seeing each other, in what? Six years?"

"Oh, hell, they have been seeing each other much longer than that. He changed at least ten years ago. Probably even before that. Well, he definitely changed before you got pregnant with Lilly. It was easily a couple years before that."

"I guess you're right. So, who is the extra person for dinner? It isn't that girl that has been coming around with that brother of ours, is it?"

"You mean the ditzy blonde? … Hell, no! I would never invite her. If she is coming to dinner, Finnegan sure as hell hasn't told me."

"Thank god! So, who did you invite? Is it a boy?"

Laughing the other one must have shook her head, "No. I never have the chance to date with being with Lilly all the time."

"Bullshit! You went out with that author a couple times. Hell, you saw him twice in one week! That is a new record for you!"

"Yeah, but he hasn't really said much to me for the last week. … I saw him today and he didn't even acknowledge my presence."

"Really? Douchebag!"

"I can't get mad at him about it though. I was with Lilly."

"Oh."

"Yeah, she did call me 'auntie,' but I don't know if he heard her. It was a little bit of an awkward situation."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… it was just awkward."

"Awkward for you or him?"

"Both."

"I don't follow."

"You don't need to!"

"You always do this! You tell me you want to get close to me and start sharing things like we did when we were little before everything happened, but then when it comes to things that actually matter, you clam up! I bet you have told god's gift to the world about all of it! Hell, he probably has all the juicy gossip about how good in bed the Author is and everything in between!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?! You have no right to talk to me like that! Hell, you have no right to talk about Finn that way! It is not our fault that you ran the second things got hard and Finn and I only had each other to turn to! You were never there for us, but you expected us to come running every time you fucked up! Who dropped everything to care for your daughter? Who was the one that bailed you out of jail? Who punched out that drug addict douchebag of yours, and then paid for all the drugs you used instead of sold? Where were you when mom was dying? Where were you when dad put a bullet through his head? Finn and I have been there all along while you were off getting drunk, stoned, and high!"

"You guys only bailed me out because you two couldn't have me tarnishing the family's name! You don't care about me! All you care about is the family name!"

"Bullshit! You know that if that is all we cared about then just six months ago we would have let you OD, but no, we saved you!"

"Just to save the family name!"

"You and I both know that it would be really easy to cover up an OD in the society world. We saved you because we love you and care for you!"

"You're just saying that because you're afraid that I am going to take Lilly away from both of you! You know what, that is a wonderful idea! Lilly! Lilly! Pack your bags! We're leaving!" Rory could hear her starting marching down a hallway on the other side of the flat.

As Rory looked up and down the hallway that she was standing in, she saw Lilly sneak out of Finn's room and to the hallway. Rory knew from past experience that there was a secret passage from Lilly's room straight into Finn's room. All Rory knew was that she had to protect Lilly. Catching Lilly's eye, Rory put her index finger to her lips, Rory signaled Lilly to be quiet and waved her to come to her. Lilly immediately took off running towards Rory. As soon as she reached Rory, Rory bent down and picked her up and went out a side door.

Heading down the stairs, Rory went down three flights with Lilly in her arms before sitting her down. The pair went down another ten flights of stairs before Rory pulled Lilly into a crouch. "Okay Miss Lilly, we need to be really quiet. When we get to the bottom floor, we are going to keep going down and into the parking garage." As Rory was talking she was digging through her purse, mumbling to herself, "I know they are in here, I never take them out." Eventually Rory produced a key ring with only three keys on it. She looked back up to Lilly, "Okay, let's go. If we hear her coming, you have to run and run as far as you can until you find a police officer. Do you understand?" Lilly just nodded. Rory took her hand and they started down the stairs again.

Eventually they reached the bottom of the stairs and the pair snuck through the doorway and ending up in the parking garage. Walking up to a small black SUV, Rory tried the door, hoping that it was the right vehicle. She had never had to use it, but always knew it was there in case she ever needed it. When the door opened, she ushered Lilly into the back seat. As she pulled out of the parking spot and left the garage, Rory saw the woman come through the main door. Luckily for Rory, the small black SUV was a secret that only a few people knew of. It was meant for situations just like this one.