Rory and Logan flew home together to Stars Hollow three days later.  Since Rory was already out in California and Lane had covered for her, they decided to take an extra day to relax together before heading back. 

Logan had several meetings he had to attend during the days, but his nights were free.  While he was working, Rory called Mark at Rolling Stone and worked out the details on a follow up article he proposed to Rory.  The holiday edition of Rolling Stone had been a tremendous success.  Lane's article was being discussed on television and radio talk shows.  Fans were even more obsessed with Hep Alien now that the band members were revealed to be down to Earth, truly good people.  News of the band starting a music-orientated foundation for underprivileged children and teens had leaked.  Fans were already eager to make donations.  Mark practically begged Rory to follow the development of the charity foundation.  He insisted the publicity would be good for the cause.  Rory agreed with him even though she knew he was really interested in keeping the 'inside track' on Hep Alien.  She promised to discuss it with the band when she returned to Stars Hollow.  Even though she would be beginning her new position with HPG in the new year, Rory wanted to write these articles for Rolling Stone on Hep Alien.  It felt like her job, something she wanted to follow through on. She planned to discuss it with Mitchum at some point and try to convince him it would not be a conflict of interest or interfere with her HPG duties.

When they arrived back in Stars Hollow, the wedding pressure was on. Rory and Logan had a week until their wedding.  Things were getting busy.  Emily and Francine kept Rory running back and forth from the club to the land with final details and alterations.  The heaters were a big concern for Emily.  The weather had turned very cold and she was concerned about the ceremony. There had been varying reports of an upcoming snow storm, but the experts determined the bad weather would be going out to sea.

Logan tried to stay out of the way and help with what he could without being yelled at too much.  He concentrated his efforts on the arrangements for their friends.  The majority of the guests would be staying at an upscale hotel near the club in Hartford.  But, since Finn was to be included in the ceremony, he was staying at the Dragonfly with Richard and Emily, Mitchum and Shira, and Josh and Honor.  Upon hearing this, all their friends had insisted on staying at the Dragonfly too. They understood the plans for the small, intimate ceremony, but demanded they be allowed to stay all together as a group near Rory and Logan.  Luckily, Lorelai had been able to block off the entire inn for the weekend.  Logan was working with Michel on the room arrangements to keep the younger, rowdier crowd away from the older guests.  The last thing they wanted was Emily to be subjected to Finn's Passion of the Christ routine after a bottle of scotch at 2 am.

The wedding was to be held on Saturday afternoon.  By midday on Friday, the guests staying at the inn began trickling into Stars Hollow.  Rory and Logan were both at the Dragonfly waiting to greet everyone.  Sookie had prepared a giant buffet spread in the dining room.  She insisted people would be hungry upon arrival and had laid out a variety of sandwiches and salads for people to nibble on while they mingled.

Lorelai had run with the idea and decided that instead of the traditional rehearsal dinner, they would have an open house type dinner at the inn.  The idea seemed to work.  Finn and Rosemary arrived with Colin and Steph.  They immediately went into the dining room to sit and catch up with Rory and Logan.  When Juliet and Robert arrived, they ran their bags to their room and joined the others.  Honor, Josh, and little Henry also mingled with the others when they arrived.  The food, drinks and laughter were soon flowing.

Rory felt bad Lane was missing out on the impromptu party.  She called Lane and told her and Zack to head over for something to eat and to say hi. Mrs. Kim agreed to watch the boys so Lane and Zack could have an evening out.  On their way to the Dragonfly, they ran into Patty and Babette.  No further invitations were needed.  When Lane came in she announced the whole town would be stopping by at some point for the open house dinner.

Sookie was in heaven.  She barked out orders to her staff and took inventory of the freezers.  Fortunately, with the holiday season under way and the inn constantly hosting parties, Sookie's freezer was very well stocked.  She could feed the party for days with what she already had prepared.  Under her instruction, the kitchen staff continuously replenished the food with new and interesting options.

Emily and Richard arrived around five and walked to the desk where Lorelai was stationed to direct everyone to their room.  "Lorelai, what is going on here?  I thought you were arranging a dinner here tonight for us and the Huntzbergers."

"Hi Mom.  Glad you could make it.  I have your room all ready.  You will be staying in Room 2.  I put you, the Huntzbergers, Christopher, and Francine in one wing.  I have the kids' friends in the other wing, so they shouldn't disrupt you much," Lorelai said avoiding the question.

"That sounds logical, Lorelai.  May I have the key please?  I would like to get settled in before dinner," Richard said.

"You did not answer me, Lorelai.  Is there a party going on already?  We are the grandparents of the bride.  If there was a formal gathering planned, it would have been appropriate for us to be here and greet guests,"  Emily persisted.

"Mom, nothing was planned.  We did plan to have a more formal dinner here tonight, but plans have kind of changed I think,"  Lorelai said.  She sighed at her mother's withering stare and explained, "There will be a formal dinner tomorrow night at the club after the ceremony.  This is what the kids want tonight-- a low key, open, relaxed gathering."  She looked at Emily and said, "Mom, just relax.  Go to your room, freshen up, then come down and get something to eat.  Sookie is going all out.  She is making a ton of food."

"This is really not the proper way to have a rehearsal dinner, Lorelai,"  Emily said disapprovingly.

"It is a very small wedding ceremony.  Rory and Logan want a fun party tonight with everyone they love, not a stuffy private dinner.  Please try to enjoy for Rory,"  Lorelai pleaded.

Emily sighed, "Come on, Richard.  I don't suppose I will need my Chanel suit tonight.  We need to see what else we brought that would be more appropriate."  She cast one last long look at Lorelai as she walked toward the stairs. 

Lorelai rolled her eyes and turned her gaze towards the door.  Luke was coming in with his arms loaded with aluminum trays of food.  Caesar was right behind him, also loaded down.  He glanced up and said, "Well, you pretty much put me out of business for the night since everyone seems to be headed here.  I figured I bring the stuff I had made up."

A voice boomed from the open kitchen door.  Sookie stormed out, "I knew I smelled cheap, greasy diner fries!  What is going on here?  Why are you bringing aluminum trays in here?"  She peeled up the cover of one and exclaimed, "You really don't think you are putting buffalo chicken fingers next to my dijon baby lamb chops with red currant-mint dipping sauce, do you?"

"Sookie, it's a party.  The kids will like this stuff.  I can't let it go to waste!"  Luke argued.

"You have cheese fries with what I can only assume is Velveeta cheese!  That is not going on my table with butternut squash and sage lasagna!"  Sookie fumed.

"Who are you feeding with this crap?  There are a bunch of twenty-somethings in there drinking beer and scotch!  They don't want your fancy squash!  Rory will probably attack me for the fries before I set them down!"  Luke said getting irritated.

Finn happened to be walking by on the way back from the bathroom.  He had overheard most of the conversation and in his semi-drunk state decided he had to get involved.  He said, "Did someone say squash?  I personally enjoy it in a lasagna with sage."

Luke glared at him.  Lorelai quickly stepped out from behind the desk.  She said, "Ok, how about we make up two separate stations?  Sookie, your food is going over so well, I think we should just leave the main buffet to you. We can just make a side table for Luke's stuff.  Think of it as the junk table."  Sookie got a satisfied smile and gave Luke a smug look before she headed back to the kitchen.  Lorelai turned to Luke and sighed apologetically, "You know Sookie, Luke.  Come on, we have more tables for the fun food."  She looked at Finn and said, "Only squash for you, smart guy.  Don't even think of touching the burgers I smell."

Rory watched her mother lead Finn, Luke and Caesar into the dining room.  She sent Finn to the group while she directed Luke and Caesar on where to sent up whatever goodies they brought. Rory looked at Finn as he sat back down, "What did you do?  You look like you have been causing trouble."

"Oh, come on, Love.  How much trouble could I get in using the bathroom?"  Finn said innocently.

Rosemary piped up, "I know how much trouble you can get into in a restaurant bathroom!  I believe that is why we are not welcome back to the Plaza any time soon!"  She laughed and looked at Finn, "You better not have been up to that sort of trouble!"

"Wait!  I want to hear about this bathroom adventure!" Robert said.

"Me too!  Bet it wasn't as good as our Saks 5th Avenue dressing room adventure," Colin said winking at Steph.

"Eeew, guys!  I shop there! And I eat at the Plaza!" Juliet said.

Finn ignored all of them. "Relax, my love.  I simply complimented the chef lady.  Temperamental woman, isn't she?"  Finn asked.

"Sookie?  Not normally,"  Rory said looking around again.  "Oh...Luke brought food.  Yeah, that'll do it.  Hmmm, wonder what he brought?"

Lorelai walked by and said, "All the good stuff.  Just mix in some of Sookie's fancy pants stuff so she doesn't throw a fit!"  Lorelai bent to Rory and whispered, "It's your party and I know you are having fun, just remember to make the rounds so your Grandmother stops glaring at me!"

After Lorelai wandered over to check on Emily and Richard who were sitting with Francine and the Huntzbergers across the room, Lane said, "Yeah, Luke was packing up everything as we passed by.  He did bring all the good stuff."

"Did you guys pack up your gear?  Will you be playing us some music tonight?" Steph asked Lane hopefully.  "Isn't it a perk of having the most famous band in the country as friends? Don't you get private concerts?"

"Gil and Brian were heading over soon.  I could call Gil and tell him to bring our guitars.  We could do a couple songs,"  Zack said.  At Lane's nod, he pulled out his phone.

Rory nudged Logan, "Before the band gets going, we should say hello to everyone."

"Yes, dear," he sighed dramatically and stood up.  Zack was already off the phone and making space in a corner of the room.  Logan told their friends they would be back shortly.

They made their way over to the couches in the parlor where the Huntzbergers and Gilmores were sitting with Francine.  Josh and Honor were missing because they went to try to get Henry to nap.  Patty and Babette had situated themselves in armchairs next to the Shira and Mitchum. Patty had already locked in her newest target and was making eyes at Mitchum.  Logan spoke as they approached the group, "Good evening all.  Thank you for coming to this little gathering."

Shira jumped up and hugged both Rory and Logan.  She said, "This is such a darling place.  And I don't know who the chef is, but I simply must meet him.  The lobster puffs are like nothing I have ever tasted!"

Emily quickly spoke, "Actually the chef is a woman.  Her name is Sookie.  I have been trying for years to get her to work some of our parties.  A genius, but very loyal to this place I am afraid."

"Your mother does have quite the gem here.  Very unique.  Better watch Finn.  He will try to buy it up for his family,"  Mitchum said to Rory.

"She certainly does.  The girl put herself through business school and has really made something for herself here,"  Richard said proudly.

"Lorelai has no plans to sell.  In fact, she may expand on her own," Francine said.  Rory stood back in shock.  Emily, Shira, Mitchum, Richard, and Francine had all just complimented her mother within minutes of each other.

"That's our girl!"  Patty said. "She sure did make the place just gorgeous.  And she always fills it with such gorgeous people," she said winking at Mitchum. Rory almost laughed out loud when she saw Mitchum swallow hard and inch closer to Shira while turning a slight red shade in the cheeks.

"You should see this place in the spring with all the flowers!  Oooh or in the snow!  Just gorgeous in the snow!  It's like one of those paintings by that Kincaide fellow, such a beautiful sight to see!"  Babette screeched.  "Well, maybe you will!  Hear about that big storm coming in?"

"What storm?" Richard asked.

"The guy on the news... you know the really handsome one?  I don't know if he is really a meteorologist or not, but the guy sure looks good standing there in a suit! Who really cares if he can predict the weather, right?  There is just something about a man in a suit..."  Babette side tracked.  At everyone's impatient looks, she said, "Well, him, he said a big Nor'Easter is brewing.  Good chance it will start this evening.  It's early in the season, but it's been so cold!  And all that moisture from the ocean-- you know those Nor' Easters, they just swirl and we get clobbered!"

Rory said, "I hadn't heard anything today.  Didn't they say it was going out to sea?"

Mitchum said, "Take it from someone who has been reporting news for decades, you can't predict those storms.  They think they know, then it changes course.  Happens every winter."

"We did hear something on the radio on the way here.  They were talking about the December Nor'Easter of 1992.  I didn't realize they were comparing it to this storm!" Emily said.

"Oh yeah, I remember that one!  Crippled the area for a week," Mitchum said.

"My ankles say, 'Yep, it's coming!'" Babette said.

"I'm not sure I want to know how your ankles know," Francine said.

"They get like watermelons!  They are all swollen right now.  I can show ya,"  Babette offered.

"I think we can take your word for it.  Perhaps we should try to catch the news, Richard.  We may need to alter plans for tomorrow,"  Emily said worriedly.  

Logan and Rory left the older group  to worry about the weather.  They glanced outside as they returned to their friends.  They didn't see any snow.

While they were gone, Gil and Brian had arrived with guitars and Lane's old drum set that she kept at the Stars Hollow house.  The band was warming up as Rory and Logan sat back down. 

"Familial obligations complete?"  Finn asked.  "You missed the first round of shots, but we can catch you up," he said holding up a bottle.

"Quit teasing everyone with it and pour!" Colin demanded.

The group did a shot and settled back to listen to Hep Alien play a private little concert for them.  As the band played and the group laughed and talked, the first flakes of snow began to fall.