The Only Exception

Realize

Rory had not heard from Logan as she had expected. Finn however had contacted her the following day. He had explained the discussion and Colin had advised that should she get served or require legal representation, that he would assist her with this. Despite his and Logan's friendship; the seriousness of the situation and how his friend was dealing with it, had not sat well with him.

Rory was hurt that Logan did not believe her, her main fear however was that once paternity was confirmed; that he would try to take custody of the baby. She agonized and stressed over the situation; but decided that having to help her mom with the wedding was a priority, and a welcomed distraction; she would speak to her afterwards. Her mother after all, had waited for this day, for a very long time.

What Rory had also struggled with, was avoiding Luke that week, especially with sharing a home. This did not been easy, however, she managed to make sure she was not alone in his company long enough to ever broach the subject. Once she had spoken to her mom, she would then confirm everything with Luke, or letter her mom do so.

The night before the wedding, Lorelai woke Rory and told her that they were going to be married secretly that evening. Stating the ceremony would be just for them, but they would give their friends of Star Hollow what they wanted the following day.

Rory watched the couple exchange their vows in awe. She was so happy for them, they finally did it. She thought to herself, and then she imagined; will I ever find this? Before her she allowed herself to envisage, the image of her and a tall dark figure with piercing eyes gazing upon her. She felt a warmth rise up her body and sighed with a smile, the man she imagined was Finn.

Finn!

Sure she had felt an attraction to him, especially recently but she had never imagined anyone in particular, should she ever marry. Sure she had imagined the things most girls do, the dress, the cake, the first dance... but never who. Not even after declining Logan's proposal all those years ago, did she imagine his face as she walked down the aisle. Now though, she had; and she couldn't shake it off that it was him. He made her safe without suffocating her, unlike Dean. He was loyal and would always be there, unlike Jess. And he respected her and believed her, unlike Logan.

She walked up to her mom who was sat at the gazebo, she sat next to her and turned. Her original plan was to tell her the day after the ceremony when she left for her honeymoon. Giving her mother the chance to absorb the information while away, but she couldn't help herself when she said:

"Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm pregnant"

** ** **

Logan had officially fulfilled the dynastic plan, he was now married to Odette and she was pregnant with their child. They were now flying out to their honeymoon, but he could not shake the thoughts of Rory out of his mind. She was also pregnant, possibly with his child, the only woman he had ever seen himself having a family with. He knew he still loved her, but he also knew he had to follow through with what had been expected of him by his family.

There was also no way he was going to abandon the woman willing to stand by him, for the one who had walked away from him. He couldn't help having his doubts regarding the paternity, as much as he didn't want too. However, the trust had broken down so much between him and Rory all he had been left with were doubts. Did she ever feel the same? Was she only sleeping with him? Was she even the woman I used to know?

Odette knew he was distracted, he had picked up from her that her mind was elsewhere too. However, he was yet to contact the lawyers or speak to her or Mitchum regarding the situation. He would do that when he came back to reality, after their honeymoon. Now he needed to collect himself and try to make the most of out the cards he had been dealt; with his new marriage. He needed to make this work, he needed this child to have a family like the one that he never had.

** ** **

After the wedding, and a seriously long discussion with Luke and Lorelai. Rory bid them farewell to for their honeymoon. Rory insistent that they go and that they could speak more when they returned. Overall, after the initial shock Lorelai was very supportive but disappointed given the circumstances. Rory felt relieved that her mom now knew and she slept better that night knowing that she was not hiding anything from her or Luke any more.

The next day after walking Paul Anka, Rory took the walk to Lukes. Grabbing herself a bottle of water, and made her way upstairs, she then knocked on the door.

Jess answered and gestured Rory to enter. They sat and spoke about the book and its potential and Truncheons willingness to publish the book once Rory had been through the editorial process. Rory was elated, and agreed to visit the Philly offices in the near future to sign necessary contracts. Once the subject of business had been discussed, they briefly caught up with each other before Jess couldn't stop himself any longer.

"So, what's going on Rory?"

"Huh? What do you mean 'what's going on'?"

"I know when something is up, and somethings up. Spill"

"Ugh, do not freak out please!" she replied seriously... "I'm just going to rip the band aid off, but I messed up Jess, and well, I'm pregnant"

No one does silence like Jess Mariano, and there was certainly a lot of that right now. However, they did not break eye contact and he didn't look angry like she thought he may react. He sighed and tucked his hair behind his ears before speaking,

"So, who is the father?" he kept his gaze intently on his friend.

"Logan, yes that Logan. However, he doesn't believe me he wants a paternity test" Rory says as the tears well up in her eyes.

Jess is angry, not with Rory but with Logan and the predicament she has found herself in. He holds her and listens to everything she has to say. No matter what he reconciles himself to knowing he will be there for her no matter what. Over the years they have built a strong foundation for a friendship. Being best friends was better than not having Rory Gilmore in his life at all. As she calms down from one her rambles he gives her one of his trademark grins.

"So this Finn, you like him" he half grins, it's more of a statement than a question.

"Oh shush you" she replies and throws a sofa cushion at him.

** ** **

Rory woke up the following day to Paul Anka licking her face. Not the best way to wake up, covered in dog drool but as her other senses awaken she also hears a banging on the door.

"Ugh" she grumbles to herself as she gets up to answer the door

"Morning kitten" Finn stands in the doorway, flashing a cheeky smile and handing her a decaf coffee.

"Well isn't this a surprise!" she smiles then suddenly becomes aware of her appearance. Especially the loose Hello Kitty pyjamas she is wearing. She invites Finn in and gestures him to the couch.

"Cute" he chuckles.

"Let me go get changed" she replies with a sudden flush of embarrassment.

Finn's here, why is he here! Her stomach all of a sudden felt like it was in knots. Nausea or nerves? She thought, no, definitely nausea! She ran from the bedroom straight to the bathroom. Suddenly she felt someone holding back her hair, and rubbing comforting circles on her back.

"I told you love, your not going to be doing this alone" he said, as she looked up into his eyes. She had to face facts, she was falling for him more and more everyday. Whether the hormones were amplifying this or not, she could not dismiss them. Just as she could not dismiss her situation, maybe there may have been a chance or a possibility of pursuing a future with him if she wasn't carrying his best friends child?