The Finer Things

Dateline NYC five years after graduation: Rory is a successful reporter and Finn is launching a new bar, when they meet again will they find what they have both been missing?

Disclaimer: still not mine, no matter how many stories they inspire.

Chapter 13 – Follow Through

They landed in Florida and checked in to the hotel that would act as home base, they were unpacking and Finn stepped away to order coffee and sandwiches, he wanted to sit Rory down for a chat and that would require food and a vat of coffee. After a while the expected knock on the door came and the cart was wheeled into the room. The food was set up on the buffet and the conference room sized coffee pot plugged in and cups were poured for each of them. The server left and Finn went to find Rory, she was sitting at the desk with her laptop open reading emails.

Finn approached and placed his hand on her back gently, "Rory, we need to talk."

Rory looked up at him, closing the pictures of Lane's twins she had been viewing. "Are you mad at me?"

Finn considered his words carefully,"No luv, I am not mad, a bit confused and disappointed, but not mad. You tell me your mum has been reaching out to you and you have been deleting her messages, not listening or reading – just deleting. It's not like you to be cruel Rory. I mean Logan cheated on you and you still listened and gave him a chance – this is your mum; you love her more. I just want to understand - why?"

Rory sipped her coffee and considered her words, "I gave Logan a chance because he didn't know better. He had never been a boyfriend and he was confused. I still made it very difficult if you recall, he wasn't immediately let back into my good graces."

"I know that luv, but this is your mum – not your boyfriend; she is there forever – like it or not and in my humble opinion, you should like it. I want you to think about returning her gesture and meeting her at her home as a surprise, take a vat of coffee, all the junk food and work it out. I have placed the number for the jet in your phone and I hope you will use it sooner better than later." Finn kissed the top of her head and moved to the bar to pour himself a tall glass of scotch.

Rory looked at the highlighted number, her heart beat rapidly in her chest, her mind a flurry of arguments – then she remembered – she was always the adult and here she was acting like a child. She took a calming breath and called the service that provided the jet. She scheduled a flight for the next day back to Hartford, and packed an overnight bag, enough for a few days at least, then left it by the door and joined Finn by the bar.

"I leave tomorrow at noon, I packed for a few days, can we make love before I go?" She played with the front of his shirt and he smiled at her contrition.

"Well we have to make sure you aren't distracted by desire to make things right at home, right?" He played with her hair and pulled her in giving her the deepest kiss, "There you are – that's my Rory – strong and able to face her problems head on. You have no idea what it does to me." He pulled her closer and kissed her with his whole being.

She pulled a bit back, "Oh I think I know", she cupped him and heard his low growl, "You are going to be the death of me and oh; what a way to go!" He picked her up and she squealed as he took her to the bed to celebrate.

FRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFR

Lorelai was gloomy all day and finally Sookie had done with it, "Go – get out – go home – eat mass amounts of chocolate – binge watch Chocolate Factory – the classic and Depp versions then all the Pirates – but don't back to work until you get over it. I am serious – get out – you are depressing the guests." She pointed at the door.

Lorelai looked surprised at her friend and business partner but nodded in acquiescence and moved to her office to retrieve her coat and bag then home. Home - it was an empty place and it echoed in the emptiness she caused. She drove the streets of her hometown and saw shadows of her daughter everywhere, there was the dance studio where she tried to dance and caused such chaos she was the first student ever that Ms Patty could not have in a pageant. She drove past the antique store where Rory would study with Lane, and the curb where she fell scraping her nose. She thought of the gazebo where she and Rory had shared countless secrets and dreams. Lorelai parked her car under the tree and sadly walked to her house, she sighed as she climbed the steps and mentally berated herself for not stopping at Doose's to pick up some Chunky Monkey ice cream, she really needed a good wallow. She hung her coat on the rack, set her keys and bag on the table by the phone and trudged upstairs to change so she could walk Paul Anka. She mentally made a list of the things she would order from the Chinese restaurant, and what toppings she would have piled on her pizza. She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes were tired and she had dark circles, she looked thin, her t-shirt hung loosely and she needed a belt for her jeans. She looked as bad as she felt. She couldn't believe this had happened again, she had lost her daughter over not letting her grow up. She slipped on her sneakers and walked back downstairs to find Paul Anka for his walk. She put him in his harness and slipped her coat back on then went towards the bridge to continue ruminating. Her mind belittled her for arguing with her daughter for the umpteenth time, she thought of how she may have been the reason Rory didn't marry Logan, how she really did like Finn more, but still didn't trust men of wealth and power; but – did she trust Rory? That was the real problem – could her daughter live in the world of wealth and excess without becoming a vapid bimbo, piece of arm candy? She knew the answer was yes, Rory hadn't quit the Times because of Finn's ability to support her in her shopping habit – she had quit to write a book, be closer to the man she loved and begin a new life as his wife, best friend and mother of his children. Rory hadn't abandoned what her mother had taught her, she had just moved it to a better zip code. She thought about the things Finn had told Luke and he in turn had shared with her, she thought about how happy her daughter had been in telling her about the life changes she had made. Then she thought about showing up at Rory's house – just to be told she was gone for 30 days and how Rory hadn't told her; just let her find out by accident as if she was an acquaintance and not her mother – her best friend – but in truth - she hadn't really acted like a BFF in a while. She cleaned up after her pup and began the walk home, her mind was a complete jumble of guilt, regret and sorrow. She wondered if this could ever be fixed, would she see her daughter marry, have kids or even be invited to the book signing Rory would surely have at Andrew's bookstore. She sighed heavily and dropped her little poo-purse in the bin as she headed back home.

Rory was a nervous wreck the whole flight back to Connecticut ; Finn had done his best to assure her and even more to calm her nerves, she smiled as she recalled the nights efforts, how she loved that man! He had kissed her soundly and forbade her to return home until things were right again with her mum, he even offered to have his mum; Amelia, come if she needed a referee; she declined but promised to consider it; the plane began its descent and she took a calming breath. Logan had kindly sent Frank to pick her up and deliver her to her mother's home and she steeled herself as he drove.

"Ms Gilmore?" Frank began looking to see if she heard him, "Miss, we are here." He kindly waited her reply.

"Frank, can we just go to my grandmother's house in Hartford? I think I changed my mind." She said in a small voice.

"I am sorry miss, but I was told in no uncertain terms, this was your only destination. I am to let you out here and not return until it is approved." He paused and decided to speak his mind, "Not to be out of step here, but I remember how well you took care of her, you even had me set up her TV, that's how close you were. You two, you have something special – it would be a shame to throw that away if you have a chance to keep it. My own dear mother is long gone from this world and there were times we fought fiercely, but I loved my mama and – now that she is gone, I miss her. Don't let things keep you from her – my mother wasn't happy with my being a driver – she wanted more for me – but this - this is what I love. I know you love your mother, don't let things get in the way and keep you from her. Nothing is worse than her dying and you not having made things right." He looked back at her to see if she had heard him and was happy to see her open the door, she shut it and he came around to open the trunk and retrieve her bag. "Well done miss, you won't be sorry." He handed her bag to her and held off the urge to kiss her cheek. He had known her so long he felt as if she wouldn't mind – but his training forbid it, so instead he tipped his hat and bid her farewell. He made sure she was well in the house before driving away hoping what he had said had helped.

Rory walked to her old room and set her bag down then went into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

"Well, Paul Anka, who do you think that was – a fancy-schmancy limo in this neck of the woods – I didn't know Morey knew anyone with a set up like that, but hey you never know right?" She unharnessed her pup and took note of the scent of fresh coffee in the air,"Hey, Paul Anka, do you think burglars make coffee? Hello – if you came to rob me, you came to the wrong place – I can give you an address though!" she sang out and then stopped when she saw it was Rory standing by the pot pouring a cup.

"Uh – Hi mom?! Surprise?!" She said with a crooked grin.

"Oh my god! RORY! You are here, you are home – oh no – is there a problem, you aren't fighting with Finn too?" She babbled and stopped herself from grabbing her only child and holding on tight. Instead she just stood still hoping her vision did not disappear.

"I'm good, Finn is good – no problems there – but big problem here. Mom, I need you to respect my decision – I need you to accept Finn – I need you to be unconditional and not blame anyone else for my choices." Rory walked towards her mom and handed her a cup of coffee.

Lorelai took a long draw on her coffee,"If we can be friends again – if you are here to visit me and not fight – if you can forgive my outburst? Kid I just love you so damn much and I want the world for you. You know that - right?"

Rory set her cup down and took her mom's placing it on the table, then pulled her mom into a bone crushing hug, after a few heartbeats she pulled back and looked at her mother's face, "Yeah – I know and I love you too, I forgive you – I am not here to fight; there has been enough of that. I just want you to accept my decisions – I am not a kid any more." She looked at her pointedly.

"Ah, short-round – you will always be my kid – but I promise to work on respecting your adult decisions – okay?" She looked at her daughter hopefully.

"I know I will always be your kid – but you are supposed to be my best friend and that means that you need to be excited when I make changes and happy I am growing up – okay?" Rory held her mother's hands.

"I promise, I am happy for you – I just – well – it wasn't the plan, you were at the Times – you had the brass ring – the correspondent position – and you left it – for him." She tried to explain.

Rory interrupted,"No mom; I left it for me – I wasn't happy, I needed a change and when I was in Australia – I had that moment of clarity – I was alone on the beach Christmas morning and for the first time I can ever remember – my mind was at rest. I was happy – content and fulfilled. It was an amazing feeling; freedom – contentment – loved. I wanted to wrap myself in it like a warm blanket. Then I turned around and as I was returning to Finn – I knew – I just knew – I wasn't going to be a correspondent, I still wanted to write but I wanted to be with Finn – for all the days we would have. I mean I had already said I would marry him – but this was more – I never wanted to be apart and if I took that job...well – honestly it would take me places, dangerous places that could take me away from everyone – forever. I don't want to sit in a foxhole – be captured by insurgents as a bargaining chip – I don't want to be the victim of a bombing at a marathon ever again. I want to live – I deserve a life and I choose to live that life with Finn."

Lorelai was taken aback, she had never considered that Rory was afraid – and she also wondered how she had forgotten the real danger that journalism placed her daughter in, "Rory I..."

Rory interrupted again, "No mom – I was never afraid, no shooter, bomber, not any of it, not until I was reacquainted with Finn. He touched me in a way no one had – not you, not Logan, no one, he aroused in me a passion for life; to really LIVE it. He embraces life so completely he made it all so different – beautiful, plentiful – amazing. I want what he can give me. I want to be Mrs. Morgan and host teas, represent him and his family as well as ours at the DAR, mom I have an Abigail Adams to my credit – I know you think it's stupid and shallow but I am proud – I took an event doomed to fail and made it a spectacular success. I just wish that when you looked at me – you really saw me and not what you wanted for me." Rory sighed and moved to the pot to warm their cooled cups.

"I never thought of it like that; I guess you always came home from any situation and were excited and proud. I never once thought you were afraid. When my mother told me you got the AA, I didn't know what to think – I was mad at Logan and Mitchum - I never thought for a moment – that you might be as proud of the accolade as Emily was. Some best friend I am, huh? I never even asked." Lorelai sipped her coffee, "I can't undo yesterday – but I can promise I will try to do better today and tomorrow – deal?" she put her hand out for a shake.

Rory smiled and shook her mother's hand, "Deal, now I am starving – Luke's or Chinese?"

Lorelai laughed, "I want you to myself for a little bit – let's order Chinese and catch up, Luke will be home in a few hours and you can surprise him."

Rory texted Finn while Lorelai ordered food – her text was simple 'Thanks and I LOVE YOU!'.

Finn read the text and smiled, his future wife and future mother-in-law had reconciled and things would be as they should. He couldn't wait to get back to normal and wed the woman of his dreams. He thought to himself, 'Things are going to be just fine - even finer than I had ever dreamed."

*End*

A/N: Keep an eye out for my upcoming oneshot 'Christmas Wedding' the wedding and I hadn't planned, but inspired by Claudia Schoder's #GilmoreGirlsChristmasChallenge the wedding of Finn and Rory. I know December has past but with the new job, holidays and just life I didn't get it done, but I will be posting it soon. Cheers All!