Chapter 33 Family Dinner and Conversation

Tristan pulled into the parking lot beside the First and Last Tavern on Maple Street. With his hand on Rory's lower back, they walked in and stood to wait for the hostess. As Rory and Tristan stood waiting at the hostess desk, the aroma of the tomatoes and cheese made her stomach growl.

"It smells heavenly in here, no wonder my mother suggested this place," Rory said, leaning into Tristan's side.

The hostess came over to them, "A table for two?" she asked, smiling up at Tristan.

"No, we have reservations under Luke Danes."

She checked her list. Smiling, she said, "Right this way." The young woman led them to a round table for four near the middle of the room.

"Your waitress will be right over," she told them, placing the menus on the table. She then left, returning shortly with a pitcher of water.

Tristan reached overtaking Rory's hand in his. "I've always liked this restaurant. My grandparents used to take me here as a kid. It was always known for having the best pizza and homemade bread in the city."

"I've never been here before. Do you have a favorite pizza?" Rory asked him.

"Besides the clam pizza?" He said with a grin remembering sharing it with his grandfather.

"Clam pizza?" she responded, wrinkling up her nose.

"Hey, Mare, don't knock it until you try it."

The waitress dressed in black pants and a crisp white shirt with a red apron came over to their table. Pulling the pen and pad out of her pocket, she said, "Welcome to The First and Last Tavern. Could I start you with a drink?"

"I'll have a glass of the Ruffino Chianti," Rory said.

"Let's make it a bottle, please," Tristan said. As the waitress left to fill their order, Tristan took Rory's hand in his. "Are you going to tell your mother that you are going to take the job?" he asked, kissing the back of her hand.

"I'm not sure, I don't want to start problems between mom, dad, and Luke."

"What about moving, how do you think your dad will take that?"

"I think he will be okay, I'm not sure about Gigi. We've gotten close since I moved in."

"Hey sweets," Lorelai said as she and Luke walked towards their table. Rory stood up, hugging her mother and then Luke. Tristan stood, shaking Luke's hand and then giving Lorelai an air kiss on the cheek.

Luke and Lorelai sat down beside Tristan and Rory.

"What are you drinking?" Lorelai asked Rory.

"Tristan just ordered a bottle of Chianti," she told her.

"That sounds good. What do you think, Luke? Do you want wine tonight or beer?"

"No, the Chianti sounds good."

The waitress returned with the bottle and four glasses. Opening the bottle, she poured a little in the glass for Tristan to taste. Tristan nodded, then she filled each of the glasses.

"Cheers," Lorelai said, raising her glass to clink with theirs. "I am glad we finally had a chance to get together."

"What were you both doing today?" Lorelai asked them.

"Tristan and I went car shopping, and I got a car," Rory told them.

"That's great news, did you get another Toyota?" Lorelai asked her.

"No, I ended up leasing a blue Lexus." She pulled out the brochure handing it across the table to show her mother and Luke.

Lorelai raised her eyebrow, "This looks like a sports car and not practical for the winters here. Why didn't you get yourself a Jeep?"

"You know Rory, your mother is right. A Jeep is very practical. I worry about you getting stuck in the snow," Luke said. A small SUV might have been a better choice."

"No, this is an all-wheel-drive vehicle, and it manages well in the snow." Lorelai handed the brochure back to Rory, deciding it wasn't worth arguing about.

"Have you thought about moving back home? Luke and I have been working on the apartment above the diner. We figured it would be a great place for you to work, and if you want, we can knock out the wall above the Candy Shoppe, and we can add more rooms so you could live there," Lorelai told her.

"Mom, Luke, thank you for the offer, but I'm not returning to Stars Hollow. I'm staying here in Hartford," she told her mother. She reached for her glass of wine and sipped it. Noticing that Rory was becoming upset, Tristan put his hand in her lap and gently squeezed her thigh. Rory put her hand on top of his holding his hand as the table grew silent.

"So, are you staying at your grandmother's?"

"No, I'm…" the young waitress came over to their table, and Rory stopped talking.

"Have you decided what you want to order tonight?"

Lorelai looked at Rory, Tristan, and Luke, shaking her head.

"Mare, do you still want a pizza?" Tristan asked Rory.

"What do you think, mom? Would you like to share a pizza and wings?" Rory asked her mother. Lorelai looked over the menu and looked at Luke, then she looked at her daughter.

"I think Pizza and wings sound great." Lorelai smiled at her daughter, then looked at Luke, who was looking at the pizza choices on the menu.

"Yea, that's good. Lorelai, which one do you want?" Luke asked her.

"Rory, what type of pizza are you thinking. They all sound delicious," Lorelai said as she glanced over the menu, changing the subject. She turned and watch the waitress bring over a large pizza to the table beside them, piled with fresh shrimp, and garlic. "Excuse me, is that the Scampi pizza?" she asked the waitress.

"Yes, that is one of our most popular pizzas along with the Tomato pie," she replied. "Do you need more time, or are you ready to order?"

Tristan looked at Rory, who smiled, "I think we are ready. We will have two orders of the chicken wings for the table, we will split a mixed salad with the house dressing on the side and the large clam pizza for the table."

Lorelai looked at her husband, "Let's get the Tomato Pie," she whispered to Luke.

"Fine, Lorelai." Luke rolled his eyes at his wife. "Let's order the Tomato pie for the table, and we will also split the mixed salad, with crumbly blue cheese and Italian dressing on the side."

The waitress smiled and asked, "Would you like anything else?"

Lorelai looked at the menu and noticed that they had garlic bread with mozzarella.

"Please bring an order of garlic bread with mozzarella for the table."

They handed the waitress their menus. Tristan smiled and put his arm on the back of Rory's chair, gently caressing her shoulder with his thumb. Watching her mother, Rory noticed that she appeared nervous. Frowning, Rory asked," Mom, what's bothering you?"

Lorelai looked over at Luke, then leaning forward in her seat she reached for her daughter's hand.

"Rory. Luke and I talked to Christopher when we brought the car back. He told us about Hayden Holdings, specifically Hayden Publishing. Is this the reason you bought a car and are staying in Hartford?"

Rory tensed up, and Tristan reached over gently rubbing circles on the back of her hand.

Looking into her daughter's eyes, Lorelai reached across the table for Rory's hand." Hey, the last thing I want to do tonight is fight with you. I am not upset if you go and work for your dad. In fact, Luke and I both agree that working at Hayden Publishing could be a good thing. It would keep you nearby, and you wouldn't be traveling all over the world looking for stories taking you to places unknown. I know how hard it was for you."

Rory looked at her mother and didn't say anything, "Sweets, I've missed you when I heard that you went to the hospital and I was so far away... I felt so helpless."

Rory squeezed her mother's fingers and said, "I've missed you too, mom. I didn't want you to be upset when I told you that I am taking the job at Hayden Publishing. I know things between you and Dad are…"

Lorelai looked at her daughter and gently smiled," Things are good between your father and me. We want what's best for you. Right, Luke?"

"If this is what you want, then we will support you." Luke agreed.

"I think it is. Before you say anything, I want you to know that Dad and I had a long talk. He understands why I hesitated at first. He assured me that if it doesn't work out, then I can leave and move on with my life. I do have other options, but I would have to leave the area, and right now, I don't want to leave." Rory turned and looked at Tristan, who nodded and squeezed her hand.

"Mom, Luke, you know that I have been living on my own for a while, and though it has been good living with grandma Hayden, I need my own space. Dad understands, but living in Stars Hollow wouldn't work. Half of the time I can't get cell service, and with this job, I will need to travel, so I must be close to an airport."

Tristan and Luke quietly leaned back in their chairs, watching the two women talk, keeping their arms draped protectively on the back of the chairs where Lorelai and Rory sat. Tristan gently let his thumb caress her shoulder, keeping her calm. Luke gently rubbed his hand on Lorelai's upper arm. The waitress returned to their table with the salads. "We can talk about this later, Lorelai," Luke whispered to her as the waitress put the mixed salad between each couple, giving them their own plate.

Lorelai looked at the salad, and with her fork, she picked out the apple and popped it in her mouth. She watched Rory put the dressing on her salad.

"Since when do you eat green things?" Lorelai asked her daughter.

"For a while, I've gotten in the habit since living at dads. Eunice always makes a salad and serves it at all our meals. She also has homemade soup available for us to have at lunch. I find that I am beginning to enjoy it," Rory answered as she took a mouthful of the mixed green salad that had feta cheese, almonds and chunks of pear and apple in it.

Lorelai cocked her head at her daughter, watching her dig into the salad that she was sharing with Tristan.

"You've changed," Lorelai said sadly.

"No, I'm still the same," Rory responded, smiling at her mother as she continued to eat.

The waitress brought out the mozzarella bread, and Lorelai cut a piece of the fresh-baked bread dunking it into tomato sauce before she took a bite.

"Rory, would you like a piece? It is delicious, and this red stuff is a vegetable."

"Eat some of the salad, Lorelai," Luke said to her, frowning in her direction. Lorelai made a face at Luke as she continued to eat the bread.

Laughing, Rory took a piece of bread from her mom then dunking it into the tomato sauce.

"Your right mom, it is delicious." She passed the bread to both Luke and Tristan, who also took a piece. The waitress returned with four dinner plates and the food. Giving the dishes to them, she placed the wings on the table and put the two pizzas beside their table on stands. Luke said thank you and began to pass the food around.

Lorelai took a sip of her wine and asked," So have you and Tristan decided to move in together?"

Rory looked at her mother in surprise, putting the piece of pizza that was in her hand back on her plate she frowned as she replied, "Mom, why would you ask me that question? "

Tristan cleared his throat and looked at Lorelai. "Luke and Lorelai, can I say something?"

Rory put her hand on Tristan's shoulder and said, "Tristan, it's okay."

"No, Mare, I want to clear things up. Lorelai, when we first met, I was an arrogant sixteen-year-old who was attracted to your daughter. I always got what I wanted, and your daughter wouldn't give me the time of day. But our lives brought us to various places before fate brought us together. "Rory turned looking at Tristan smiling, not sure what he was going to say.

"Mare and I have started to date seriously. I want you to know that I asked Mare to move in with me. Smiling at her, he said, "But she told me that she isn't ready to do that. I respect your daughter, and I fully understand why she is not ready."

Tristan looked at Rory and gently touched her cheek. "I won't push her, and she knows I've waited sixteen years for us to be together; I can wait until she is ready."

Lorelai looked at Tristan and nodded. "Okay, I just don't want her to jump as she did before. "

"I'm not jumping," Rory responded, looking up at her mom.

"Good, have you thought about where you will be living?" Lorelai asked as she took a bite of her chicken wings.

"Yes, here in the city." Tristan pretending to drop his napkin, leaned over whispered, "Here's your chance. Ask her."

Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Rory asked, "Mom. Would you like to go with me and look at some apartments?"

Luke smirked and raised his eyebrows at Lorelai.

"You really want my help?" Lorelai asked skeptically.

"Of course I do. Mom, you couldn't go with me when I found the apartment in Flushing,"

"Yes, and you were in that terrible walk-up apartment, and I worried about you."

"But, you didn't worry about me when I was in Europe."

"That's true because you told me about your roommate… Dee Dee."

"Maybe you should have," Rory said quietly.

Lorelai looked at her daughter, smiling, said, "Your right, I should have, but Rory, would you have listened to me?"

"No, I jumped, and I guess that's why I hid it. But mom, I'm not hiding anymore. I finally feel like I am in control." Rory looked over the rim of her glass of wine at Tristan. Tristan was the one who is making her feel confident, making her feel wanted and adored.

As they continued to eat talking and enjoying each other's company. The topic soon came to the upcoming holiday.

Lorelai pushed her plate away and took Luke's hand in hers. "You know Ror, I'm looking forward to the holiday this year. Instead of having two separate Thanksgivings, now that we are married, we decided to hold one big celebration at the Inn. Luke is going to close the diner that day after the morning rush, and everyone will be invited to come to the Inn. Will you two be able to join us?"

"We haven't discussed it yet," Tristan replied. "My parents usually go away for a holiday. As one of the surgical residents, I have had to work at the hospital during the holidays."

Rory tilted her head, looking closely at her mother.

"Mom, I can't leave Dad, Gigi, and Grandma Francine alone, especially this year, since Grandma Francine is recovering from her heart surgery."

"Oh, I didn't realize you would want to spend Thanksgiving with them, I just assumed that you would want to join us since you haven't been home in a long time for the holidays."

"What do you mean, Mom, I've been home."

"Rory, you would fly in on Halloween, and Sookie would cook a turkey breast. Then you would return to Europe and maybe fly back for a long weekend in the middle of January."

"Your right," Rory replied, embarrassed that she was so consumed with Logan that she had hurt her mother. Rory blushed as she took a long sip from her wine glass. "Mom. Let me check with dad and see what his plans are," Rory told her mother.

"Okay but, what if we invited them, and your parents, Tristan, to join us for Thanksgiving." Lorelai smiled at Luke, who nodded and gently squeezed her shoulder.

"Well… Tris, what do you think?" She turned to ask him.

"I'll talk to my parents and check my schedule," Tristan told them.

"That's great, Rory if Tristan is working, maybe he can join us later," Lorelai said.

"Mom, what about Grandma Emily, is she returning from Nantucket this year?"

"Yes," Lorelai responded, putting her wine glass down on the table. "She and Jack will be back in Hartford soon. He has a meeting sometime next week, and she decided to return home early."

"Jack?"

"Oh that's right, Jack was a friend of Dads. He is also a widow, and they have been together since March."

"So Grandma is dating? Is that why she didn't come to your wedding?"

"I'm not sure, but she is coming home for Thanksgiving. You know her house is still empty. I'm sure your grandmother would be happy to let you live in her pool house."

"I don't think so mom, "Remember, I've done that, and I learned not to ask Grandma Emily for anything." Turning to Tristan, she added, "There are always strings attached."

Rory looked across the table at her mother. "Mom, it's time I move forward with my life. With your support, along with Tristan's and Dad's, I can do this. This job might be good for me. Plus, Paris reminded me that this is my birthright."

Lifting her glass Lorelai chuckled when Rory mentioned Paris. "I'm proud of you, honey, and I would love to go apartment shopping with you. I want to make a toast. To my beautiful daughter and Tristan, I wish you both happiness in the future." They clinked their glasses and then went back to eating and talking and enjoying their dinner.

Logan drove to his sister's home, thinking about what his grandfather said to him. Earlier today, he was ready to walk away from HPG and his family. Still, now, with his grandfather's offer, he won't be able to leave. He might be able to work with Eric Brady on different projects. This might give him a chance to hire Rory as his Publishing Assistant, especially if she was still working at the Stars Hollow Gazette.

Logan pulled into the circular driveway in front of Honor's home and parked his car. He looked at the beautiful mansion and remembered the day Josh and Honor purchased it. Honor was pregnant with the twins Jared and Jacob, and she had her two-year-old daughter Charlotte in tow. Now the twins were six, and Logan was returning to live here in Hartford. Logan left his car, entering the house through the front door, lost in thought. From the back of the house, he could hear his nephews arguing. It reminded him of Colin and Finn, arguing when they were in college over a game. Smiling, he walked into the kitchen, enjoying the noise and confusion that always surrounded the boys.

"Jer, that is not fair. We are supposed to be on the same team, and you shot me. You idiot," Jake yelled at his brother.

"Hahaha, you're dead now." Jake tackled him and took the control out of his brother's hand.

"Hey, give me back my control," Jer yelled back.

"Mom…, Jake took my control! "Honor stood in the doorway of the family room, which was off the kitchen and yelled, "Jacob, Jared, the game is now off. Go to your rooms now!"

"But mom…." the twins whined. Honor turned and jumped when she saw her brother walk into the kitchen.

"Logan, I didn't hear you come in. I'm so glad that you are here." Honor went over to him and hugging him tightly.

"Hey, Hon. You look exhausted," Logan said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Logan could hear the boys tumbling on the floor roughhousing in the family room and started to chuckle.

Honor walked back into the family room and yelled, "Boys! You have to the count of three. One… two…."

The boys jumped up and ran into the kitchen, where they saw Logan leaning against the counter grinning.

"What's all the yelling about, boys?" Logan asked, leaning down and opening his arms out for a hug.

"Uncle Logan, are you going to spend the night again?" Jake asked, running to him and hugging him around the waist.

"Come on, Uncle Logan, we have a new game. You will love it. "Jer grabbed his uncle's hand, pulling him toward the family room.

"Stop. Boys go to your room for ten minutes now," Honor said with her hands on her hips and glaring at the boys.

"You're not fair, mom," the twins said in unison. Honor shrugged and pointed to the back stairs that went up to their rooms.

"Rules are rules," she said as the boys pouted and turned stomping up the stairs.

"How about a drink?" she said, reaching up, grabbing two glasses and the bottle of scotch.

She poured herself some and then some for her brother. They sat down at the white oak table that sat in the sunny corner of the kitchen. Honor took a drink, then closed her eyes and leaned back.

"Did you talk to Gramps?" she asked him.

"Yes, I just came from there," he told her, not touching his scotch." Where's Josh?"

"Picking Charlotte up from soccer practice," Honor replied.

"Charlie is playing soccer?" Logan asked. "How is she doing?"

"She's on two teams, Oakwood traveling soccer and of course the league its Chilton. Tonight's Oakwood soccer, they should be home soon."

"Now that I'm home, I want to go to some of her games," Logan replied," How is she doing?"

"She enjoys it." Honor responded. Logan smirked when he heard Jake yell down the stairs.

"Mom, can we come down now. We won't fight anymore, we promise."

"Yea, and we want to see Uncle Logan too." Jer agreed as he started to walk down the stairs with a smile on his face. Honor looked at her sons and then at her brother.

"Every time Jer smiles and does something, I see you." Logan laughed and rubbed his chin. Looking at the twins, he wondered if he had had children with Rory if they would look like these two boys.

"Boys, Uncle Logan, and I need to talk about grandma. Why don't you both get changed for bed, then when you come down you can have a snack and watch tv for thirty minutes before going to bed. I bet you might be able to convince Uncle Logan to read you a story," Honor told them.

Jared walked over to Logan. "Can you tell us a story, Uncle Logan?" He leaned against his uncle's shoulder, looking up at him.

"Maybe if you do what your mother says," Logan replied, smiling at his nephew, ruffling his hair.

"Okay," the twins said in unison, running up the stairs. Logan watched the boys with a sad smile.

"So, what's really going on, Logan?"

"I'm not sure. Honor, I ended the engagement and told Gramps. He wasn't mad like I expected. Instead, he asked me, no, he didn't ask, he told me that starting tomorrow, I am the publisher of HPG here in the US."

"You've got to be kidding. Does dad know this?" Honor sat in her chair, shocked by this new information.

"Not yet, Gramps said, that it's time for dad to retire, then complimented me on the way I have been overseeing the offices in London. I'm just as surprised as you are. Especially when he told me to leave because he was going to call Uncle Alec."

"Wait, he is calling Uncle Alec? I thought they didn't talk."

"It surprised me, too, since I spoke to Uncle Alec earlier. I called him asking him for his advice and support when I finally resign from HPG."

"You know Dad won't give up HPG without a fight."

"I know. I dialed the phone for Gramps and sat beside him while he spoke to Dad. I could hear Dad on the other end of the line arguing when Gramps told him to get rid of his mistress and come home immediately. "

Logan played with his glass of scotch. He looked up at his sister. "Hey, Hon, when did Gramps start going downhill?"

Honor sat there looking at her glass then looked up at her brother. "What do you mean?"

"Gramps is still pretty sharp, but he shuffles when he walks and seems sad like he has lost interest in things."

"Hmm, I guess ever since he moved in there. We try to stop by once a week. He enjoys seeing the kids and pays more attention to them than he ever did to us." Honor paused then looked over at the calendar on the refrigerator. Every day for the next two weeks, she was busy. She suddenly felt guilty that she and the children hadn't been to visit Grandpa since Halloween.

"Logan, what about Thanksgiving dinner, is it still on."

"Yes. Gramps was calling Uncle Alec, asking him to arrive early, and he will be arriving tomorrow. Gramps said Aunt Millie and Aunt Meredith will arrive as expected. He is calling an emergency board meeting the day before Thanksgiving."

"Wow. Are you ready for this? I mean so much has happened the last few days, with mom and all." Honor looked at Logan concerned.

"Sure, I have been running the London office now for the last five years. I guess this change was going to come. It just came sooner than Dad had planned. Do you know of any real estate agencies? I need to find a place to live before Thanksgiving. I can't be staying at the house, especially when Gramps tells Dad about the changes he is making at HPG."

"Yea, AR Brady Real Estate on Linden Place. Do you still see Finn?"

"Yea, why?"

"Did you forget that Finn is a Morgan, and his family owns a lot of the apartment complexes in the area? Logan, you know that you are welcome to stay here."

"I know, but I want to keep you and Josh out of the middle of this drama." Honor reached over and took his hand and whispered, "Call Finn."

"It's funny, Honor. Finn has been using his mother's maiden name for so long since he has become an actor, that I forget he is one of the heirs to the Morgan and Morgan Design Company."

Logan stood up, walking into the front room so he could call Finn. When Finn wasn't there, he left a message. He walked back into the kitchen when he heard voices and a thud. Josh and Charlotte were back, and she dropped her soccer bag in the middle of the laundry room floor.

"Mom, what's for dinner. Dad wouldn't stop at …"

Charlotte stopped at the doorway of the laundry room when she saw her uncle standing at the kitchen table beside her mother.

"Uncle Logan," Charlotte said, running over to him, throwing her arms around his waist.

"Are you staying at our house? Please say you are…. Please, please, please? I could use your help in Soccer…."

"Hey, Charlie," Logan said, hugging his niece. "No, I am only here to talk to your mom and dad. But I am staying here in Hartford, and I won't be going back to London."

"Yay, you're not going back to London." the twins cried as they came bounding down the stairs. "Will you come to our games, Uncle Logan?" Jake asked his uncle.

"Of course, if I am free. I will have your mom give me your schedules," he told them. Jer jumped up and gave him a high five.

"You're the best," Jer told him, and Logan laughed.

"Logan, have you eaten: Why don't you have dinner with us," Honor said as she dished out the beef stroganoff.

"Okay, Finn isn't around anyway, and I haven't had much to eat all day."

Honor placed three plates of the dinner on the table for Charlotte, Josh, and Logan. She then made the boys a snack of peanut butter and apple pieces. The boys took their snacks back into the family room and turned on the TV.

"Charlie, if you want to go and eat with the other room with your brother, you can. I think Spy Kids is on now," Honor told her daughter.

"Thanks, Mom." Charlotte left with her plate and walked into the family room, taking the control away from Jared and turning on Spy Kids for them to watch. Once Charlie was gone, she poured Josh and herself another a drink. Logan shook his head when she offered him one.

"Logan met with Grandpa Elias tonight," Honor told Josh. Josh raised his eyebrow at Logan, and Honor continued. "He wants Logan to take over the Publisher position here in Hartford."

Josh paused from eating his dinner, "What about your dad Logan?"

"Gramps called Dad and told him to get on the next plane home. He is talking to Dad tomorrow when he comes in. Gramps also called Uncle Alex and told him to fly out here immediately from California. Josh, I wanted you to know that this is happening. Since you are the Financial Assistance for Purchases, I am hoping we can sit down and go over the company's finances before I go to the meeting."

"Sure, Logan, but you are going to want to talk to the Financial Manager, which would be Matt Reid."

"Is he based here in the city?"

"No, he is in the central office in New York, he and Mitchum are very close."

"I figured that." Logan didn't say anything and kept on eating.

"Do you have any idea what's going on and why he would call Uncle Alec?" Honor asked Logan; she sat down beside her husband. Jared walked into the kitchen with his plate and climbed upon his father's lap.

"The only comment he made was that he missed Alec," Logan replied. Logan looked over at Jer and didn't say anything more.

"Who's Uncle Alec?" Jer asked his parents and uncle. Logan smiled and shook his head.

"Hey, Jer, did you have a good day in school?" Josh asked his son.

"Yea, it was boring. Uncle Logan, are you ready to read us a story?"

"I am, let's get your brother, and I will go upstairs with you both."

"Okay." Jared ran back into the family room as Logan stood up.

"All I can say, Logan, is that somethings been going on. This will be an interesting family gathering," Josh stated.

"Uncle Logan, we're ready," Jared said, running back in the kitchen with his brother behind him.

"Okay, boys, I will read you a story, then I have to leave to go back to see your grandmother."

"Aaaaw. Can't you stay?" Jared asked.

"No, Bud, but I'll be back, I promise," Logan said as he ruffled Jared's hair.

"Honor, before I leave, when is that lunch meeting for the hospital fundraiser?" Logan asked his sister.

"It's some time next week, but don't worry about it. You have enough to deal with. I can take care of the committees and mom."

"So do you, I told you that I'm here to help. See if you can make it for lunchtime or late afternoon, and I will be there." Logan went and hugged his sister, and she smiled. "Thanks Logan."

"Honor, you and Josh have been there to support me through the years. Now that I am back, I am here to help you. Okay boys, are you ready to hear a story about the adventures of Commander and his crew when they sunk the vessel off of Fiji?"

"I am, I am…" the boys jumped up and ran to the stairs with Logan following behind.

"Keep it clean, Logan." Honor yelled after him. Logan turned and winked at her as he climbed up the stairs to the boys' bedrooms.

The waitress returned to box up their pizza and asked them if they would like anything else. Rory and Lorelai each order coffee and dessert, while the guys drank a second bottle of wine.

"Mom, Tristan, and I picked up a list of apartments from the real estate agent on our way here."

Rory reached down into her purse and pulled out the folder that she received from Al. "I'm not sure where I should live, but I thought I would look downtown, close to Aslyum St. and also in West Hartford." Rory then handed out the papers that she received from Al.

"Rory, why did you choose that part of the city?" Luke asked.

Tristan placed the papers he was looking at on the table. "Luke, Lorelai," he said, addressing them both. "In that part of Hartford, the buildings are newer, and they include twenty-four-hour security and concierge service. Rory would not need to worry about her safety or transportation to or from the train station or airport. They also include many extra amenities that offer a sense of community. Many of the buildings have shared spaces, for libraries, conference rooms, restaurants, along with rooftop gardens, health spa, and gym facilities."

Lorelai looked at Rory and smiled. "Rory, when was the last time you used a gym?"

"Mmmm, I guess in February or March when I lived in London. The place I stayed in London was four city blocks from the Tube so I would walk. But since I have been home, the only exercise I have had is the PT after my operation. "

"So, where do you live, Tristan?" Lorelai asked Tristan.

"About four years ago, I inherited my grandfather's home, but, as a single surgeon, it was too much house for me. So I sold it and moved into one of the older buildings." Tristan explained.

"What do you mean?"

"As you might remember, my grandparents owned three and a half acres known as Eyrie Knoll on Prospect Ave. The house had over six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a gorgeous pool, multiple slate patios, and rose gardens that my grandmother spent many hours in. I went to Military school and learned to live a simpler life. I knew I didn't want to stay in that huge home, so I sold it. I chose to live downtown, where I own an apartment with natural brick and two floors that has been completely renovated. It is simpler to maintain, and since I am not there many nights, I know it is secure."

"It makes sense, Rory was brought up in a smaller home too," Lorelai said. Luke and Lorelai looked through the papers. "Sweets, are there any apartments that interest you?"

"A few, but I am not sure exactly what I want. Tristan thought I might like living in the same building as Paris."

"I suggested that she move in with Paris or at least move into the same building. I know I would feel better if she was in a building where she knew someone," Tristan said, looking at her.

"You know, Rory, that's not a bad idea," Lorelai agreed.

Rory looked at Tristan and shook her head. "We lived together at Yale, and she drove me nuts. Tristan, you of all people know what a germaphobe, Paris has become. If I sneeze, she will put me and my belongings out in the hallway."

"Yea, you are right, the apartment is very sterile. I've wondered how her boyfriend can go and stay with her on weekends, "Tristan laughed.

"Paris has a boyfriend?" Lorelai asked in surprise. "Didn't she marry that Doyle guy from Yale?"

"No, her marriage broke up while she was in med school. She's been dating Jess," Rory told Luke and Lorelai.

"Jess?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes, Jess Mariano," Tristan started looking at Rory.

"Paris and Jess. Our Jess?" Lorelai said in surprise. "Luke, did you know that they were together?"

"No, that's a strange match. I didn't know Paris and Jess knew each other," Luke added as he sipped his wine.

"They have been dating for a while, and we went on a double date with them," Rory added. "Jess is good for Paris. He is the first guy that can control her craziness, and it's fun to watch." Lorelai looked at Rory and shook her head, trying to picture Paris and Jess together.

"I think both your mother and I would feel better if you were in a building with security," Luke said as he looked at the townhouse that was listed. "Your mom was a nervous wreck when you lived in that walk-up in the city. You don't know how many times I had to stop her from buying you pepper spray and a rape whistle."

"Luke, you were worried too. When you found out she was living in the Bronx, you called Christopher, and the two of you hired a building inspector to check on the building. Then you called Jess and told him that he needed to check that area of the Bronx to make sure it was safe. Jess then called a friend who lived in that neighborhood."

"What friend?" Rory asked her, shocked.

"Oh, his friend Andrew," Lorelai said, looking through the papers in front of her.

"You mean 'Handy Andy'? The super? EWW, mom, he was always hitting on me. I never felt safe around him. Wait until I talk to Jess."

Tristan started laughing. "Handy Andy? Tell me I don't need my imagination to figure out why you named him that."

Rory bit her lip and smirked at Tristan.

"We knew that you lived in motels and hotels for a year with the press corps, but I was worried about you," her mother said in their defense. "Since you and Tristan aren't going to live together, can't you find a roommate here in the city?"

Rory rolled her eyes at her mother. "I'll be fine. We can go and look at the Towers where Paris lives, but Mom, I do like these Townhouses on Charter." Rory passed the papers she had to Luke and Lorelai. Luke looked at the information on the Towers.

"Well, sweets," Lorelai continued as she opened her calendar on her phone. "I am available on Thursday. Why don't you call me after you set up the appointment? We can check out the buildings with security, but I am interested in the townhouse on Charter Place. It sounds so familiar."

"Perfect, I will call tomorrow and see what time they are available."

Tristan picked up the bill and put his card in the case calling the waitress over.

"No, we invited you to dinner," Lorelai said, trying to take the bill from him.

"No, I've got it." Tristan handed the bill to the waitress. "You can pay the tip."

Rory smiled at her parents. Luke began to grumble, and Rory put her hand on his. "Luke, it's okay; you can get the next one." He winked at her and put the tip on the table for the waitress. Rory handed her mother the takeout containers then gave them each a hug as they stood up. Luke and Tristan shook hands, and Lorelai hugged Tristan. "I'm watching you. Take care of my little girl."

"Tristan smiled, "I will." He then gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Lorelai grinned and turned to Luke she put her arm around his and leaning into his shoulder, she said, "I am warming up a little to him."

"Good," Luke said, opening the door as they left the restaurant. "I like him."