What if Logan had been at the double twin wedding and had taken some candid shots and what if Rory found them as they were packing to move. (AU) Set pre and post Yale – pairing Rory and Logan
Standard disclaimer: Nope still don't own them – just the ideas they inspire; but it's not as if I get paid to exercise my noodle away from the silence of a law firm.
A/N: I can not express enough how grateful I am for your excitement and encouragement over this or any of my stories. It is truly a warm and happy feeling to know my little stories delight so many.
Still Life With a Huntzberger
Chapter 6 – Moonlight in Vermont
The playboy and the good girl, that is how they were known to all, the press, the people, heck even their families were in awe of the continued relationship of the unlikely pair. Yes, they were beautiful together, she with her sparkling blue eyes and coffee colored hair, he with his suave nature and blonde locks; they were a perfect pair, in spite of the imperfection of the match. Speculations about them never stopped and questions of an 'arrangement' were never far, but they did not look like a forced match. They looked like a young couple very much in love. When photos of them were published they were the stuff of romantic dreams. He looked at her as if she was the only woman on earth and she gazed at him as if he hung the moon. They were often compared to the greats, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward - Bogie and Bacall; great. Their obvious devotion easily captured by the camera it was so very close to the surface it could not hide.
Lorelai was looking through the paper and her eyes sat on one such photo of them as they dined at a charity event to support literacy, when Rory happened to stop by,"Hey mom, can we talk for a bit?"
"Sure kiddo, what's up?" She noted her daughter's nervousness as she sat across from her without even grabbing a coffee.
"Well, you see, umm, Logan and I - well..." She was having difficulty in discussing this with her mother, even though they had always promised to discuss such things. "It's just that we have been together for a while and well we want to spend Christmas together - alone." She cringed a bit and waited for the fallout.
"Wow, that is something; our first Christmas apart - wow, umm, I guess it had to happen sometime, right?" Lorelai was surprised and not surprised all at once. "So this is serious? I mean you wouldn't want to spend Christmas alone with just anyone? Have you two...well you know?" she hinted and noted Rory's blush.
"Mo-om, it - well - it isn't like that; I mean I love Logan - you know that, but we - how can I put this - we are waiting for the right time; it just hasn't been the right time." Rory bit her lower lip, "Honestly, we just want some alone time. It seems we are always with someone else and we need time to just be us. We talked and want to spend Christmas week alone; we will be back for the New Year's party."
Lorelai looked at her daughter and noted the discomfort this conversation was providing."Well kid, I can't keep you from everything forever; sure, you and Logan enjoy Christmas, I will ring in the new year with you both." She tried to sound enthusiastic and encouraging while inwardly acknowledging that this was the beginning of the end. She was losing her daughter to the man who may very well take her as his wife one day.
Rory hugged her mother gratefully, "Thanks mom, really - thanks!"
LRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLRLR
The couple had decided to spend this Christmas in Vermont Logan arranged for a suite at the Equinox and a private tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear hospital among other local treats. They had a litany of things to explore and do while they rested up from a hectic semester. Time alone was always a challenge as there was always so much expectation, so many demands and appearances - but this time away, with no friends or family was a rare and precious treat.
"Logan, this place is beautiful, Vermont is beautiful." She wrapped her arms around his neck, you are beautiful." She looked deeply into his eyes, "Logan – I love you, so much..."
He stopped her by kissing her passionately – deeply – completely,"I love you too, I have loved you for a while – I just never want you to think..." he was cut off but her kisses, passionate, deep and fulfilling kisses. He pulled away and placed his forehead against hers. "Rory", he pulled back slightly to gaze in her eyes, "Will you marry me? Now, before Christmas or New Years, just you and me? Vermont is like Vegas, we can easily get married here. I know it's spur of the moment, but when I look at you I see forever and I want forever Rory, I want it with you." He gazed at her with hope in his eyes.
Rory's breath hitched – 'Had he really just proposed and asked her to elope at Christmas time? It was like a Lifetime movie.' she nodded her head, "I know I want forever too – yes – YES! Let's get married – we can work everything else out later." She leaned in and kissed him, loving the way he moved his hands on her back. Her mind emptied of everything but his touch she moved her body against his and she could feel his body awaken against hers. She wanted to feel him – all of him, sure they had done some things – but he had never pressed; now all she she could think of was being his completely. She allowed her hands to roam his back and she cupped his bottom pulling him against her and she rubbed herself against him while she tugged his shirt.
Logan felt her losing control, felt her inhibitions fall away as they had that first time they had slept together only to be interrupted by Finn and suddenly he stopped."Rory, Rory – stop!" he sighed heavily at her confused look. "I have told you before – I would be a fool to not want to make love to you, my beautiful – amazing – fiance." He took a deep breath, "But – and I can't believe I am about to say this – I want to wait until we are married." He chuckled at this, "I know it's cliché – but we have waited this long and I want our first time to be as husband and wife; we both deserve that."
Rory looked in to his eyes and smiled, "You are perfect, you always stop me before I lose control; but know this once we say I do – you won't be able to stop me ever again." She poked at his chest and giggled.
"Believe me – it's mutual." He kissed her lightly, "Now lets see where we want to get married. I can't wait to finish what we have so often started."
They pulled out the laptop, connected to the WiFi and searched 'Vermont weddings'. They were excited to find the court house was open in the morning and they could be married once they obtained the license. They spent the evening together, laughing, planning and had a light supper from room service. They cuddled in bed and whispered promises of devotion and planned their future. Sometime in the night they slipped into a deep and comforting sleep wrapped in each other's arms.
Morning came and they hurried to dress, her in a white knit sweater that had a silvery sparkle woven in and jeans, he in jeans and a deep blue cashmere sweater. They were giddy with the thought that they would be married before lunch. They walked along hand in hand and into a jewelry store where they purchased matching bands that they would exchange in answer to their shared promise. They continued to hold hands and snugged into each other the whole way to the courthouse, they snuggled up against each other as they waited for the license, they glowed as the judge recited the ceremony. They signed the paper, exchanged the rings then kissed and it was done, they were Mr. and Mrs. they found a nice restaurant and ordered lunch while stealing kisses, knowing smiles and light touches.
They took pictures – so many pictures, them at the courthouse, them with the judge, several with them just enjoying the beautiful landscapes that surrounded the beautiful town. What neither realized is that while they were mooning over each other, someone else was snapping pictures of them. They drove back to the Equinox, they were both excited and nervous as they approached their suite, he opened the door then swept her into his arms for a bridal carry then kicked the door closed behind them and set her on the ground pulling her to him for the most intense kiss they had ever shared.
They pulled apart when the need for air became urgent, Logan sighed, "Hello my wife, ready for bed?"
"Take me to bed husband." She kissed him sweetly taking both hands in hers and backing up towards the bed where she would become well and truly his.
Gentle touches and sweet caress took them to heights neither had ever imagined and soon they were lost in the depth of their love for one another in a way neither could have anticipated but both would always remember.
Logan held her after, noting how the light of the moon reflected in her eyes. He pet her head softly, "Are you okay, how are you feeling?"
"Perfect, loved and all yours." she kissed him sweetly.
He relished the feel of her in his arms, "You have been mine for a long time, just as I have been yours, this day – our lovemaking – it's only the beginning of our lives as one."
"You are so sappy, are you always going to be this sappy after we make love?" She teased with a delighted grin. "I love you Logan." She burrowed into his shoulder.
"I love you too Ace." He smiled and lightly chuckled then kissed the top of her head and they drifted into a peace filled sleep.
Morning came and they were enjoying a quiet breakfast when there was a fierce knocking at the door. Logan set his napkin on the table and was grateful today was the teddy bear hospital tour so they were already dressed because he would know that knock anywhere.
"Dad – Hi, come on in." He said sarcastically as Mitchum pushed past him into the room.
"What were you thinking, this is serious business Logan – you don't just get married by a justice of the peace – and you young lady," he pointed angrily at her, "I thought sure you would know better; you are the sensible one! We all knew you'd be married one day – but that you would pull such an amazingly thoughtless stunt as to have a quickie wedding in Vermont?! What you don't like the Vegas nightlife?!" Mitchum paced waving his arms about furious. "Do you have any idea - young lady what an uproar this has caused, I had to convince everyone to let me handle it or your whole family would have been at that door. You don't take what should have been the wedding of the century and flush it down the toilet – you didn't even have the sense of mind to sign a prenup – it's simply not how things like this are done!"
Rory was standing beside Logan who held her in his protective embrace. "Look Mr. Huntzberger, we know it was impulsive, but you said it yourself we were bound to get married anyway – so what is the harm?"
Mitchum looked at her incredulous, "What's the harm! Seriously – the harm is you two acting like you are nobody, the moment you stepped out of that courthouse there were photos in my inbox! The editors of the society pages of several of our papers were in contact with me to see if they could run with it. Of course I had to say yes or be the only outlet not celebrating the holiday bliss of the darlings of Yale and society. You two have got to know that this looks like your families don't support you, that we forced you to sneak around to get married. It is a media nightmare!"
"Dad, it's not that bad – we write and official release explaining it was the 'moonlight in Vermont'.", he air quoted the last part." It'll be romantic and sweet. Not to mention excellent for tourism in Vermont; we just play it off as the impetuousness of youth. We are married, that isn't changing, so I suggest that we control what the press prints instead of letting this become a PR nightmare as you suggest." He explained with an even tone.
"Look Mr. Huntzberger, I know it was impulsive, but as Logan said – what's done is done. We got married, we are staying married; we are both of age and when we finish our honeymoon – we will give HPG the exclusive interview." Rory explained. "You need to see this as we see it – we are in love, we were caught in the romance of our vacation. We really only wanted forever to start and never thought beyond that. We are back for the New Year's ball and if you want we will do some kind of – I don't know – reception?" She advanced. Mitchum sat on the armchair and the couple took their place across from him on the small sofa.
Mitchum scrubbed his hands over his face, "You make a point and I think you have made your point clear about this whole being married thing. You can stop by the house when you are finished here and I will arrange to have the families over and we can go over the plan. You two have agreed to a reception – well I think the New Year's gala just became the first of many." He shook his head and stood the couple took this as their cue and stood as well. He headed towards the door and turned finding them behind him. "Well, I guess congratulations are order. Like I said – we all knew you two were headed down the aisle – just thought it would be the one at the church or other appropriate venue, not some courthouse." He shook his head and scoffed then took a long look the pair before him."You are a handsome couple – Logan you found your match and Rory – good luck." He scoffed,chuckled and left shaking his head, 'those kids were so naive if they thought the women in this family were going to settle for a reception.'
Logan and Rory sighed against the door after Mitchum had exited. "Well, that happened - I guess it's better than the whole of the Gilmore, Hayden, Huntzberger clans storming in on us and at least we were dressed." She sighed and leaned against him."It'll be okay - right? I mean, we were right to get married?"
Logan turned her to him, "Rory, do you regret marrying me? Did I make you miss out on the wedding of your dreams?" She shook her head no,"Then we were right to get married. I am sure your grandmothers and our mothers are feeling as if they missed out on planning our wedding, honeymoon and hell; even the china patterns; but this" he waved his finger between the two of them,"this is us, not them, just you and me and when we decide, to have them - children; but they don't have a say - do you agree?"
Rory smiled, "I love you husband, and I agree wholeheartedly! The only dream wedding I ever had ended with me as your wife and you have given me that. This..." she mimicked his gesture of pointing to each of them,"Is us, not them and our lives are our own, not our names - just us." They came together and kissed soon forgetting everything and divesting of clothes to cement this new contract.