Disclaimer: I don't own them.
One month later- Christmas Eve
"Logan, how about we just stay in tonight?" Rory proposed innocently. "Steph's not really in the mood to deal with another one of these events. And I'm not exactly thrilled at the prospect of answering millions of questions from my grandparent's friends and your parent's friends about our relationship. Colin and Finn would much rather stay here as well I'm sure! We could ditch your parent's party and all have Christmas Eve here! We can rent movies, order some delicious take-out, drink wine, and open our presents!!"
"She's right mate. You've got a good Sheila there, Logan. Intuitive and creative!" Finn stated eagerly.
Steph and Colin echoed, "We agree Huntz!"
"Look guys, I would much rather stay home too. But I promised my parents that at least Rory and I would be there! Come on, you guys wouldn't want to make us go alone without you as reinforcements, now would you?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Colin joked.
"Colin!" Rory pouted.
"Fine, we'll go. If we have to!"
"Good because you do," Logan smirked, satisfied. "I promise that we'll go, mingle, eat some food, drink a bit, then come straight back here for the night—to celebrate how we want to," Logan assured, kissing Rory on the cheek. "Now stop wasting time Ace, and go get that cute butt of yours ready! The faster we get there, the faster we get back here!"
"I'm going, I'm going," she mumbled, retreating to her bedroom to get dressed.
Logan finished adjusting his tie and went to sit down with Colin and Finn in the living room.
"So Huntz, things are going pretty well for you and our little Sheila aren't they?"
"Yeah they are," he smiled, thinking of how happy the two of them had been since the night they finally admitted they liked one another.
"Do I dare say that you've found the one, mate?" Finn asked.
"Well I've only known her for just about six months Finn, but I certainly can't imagine my life without her, you know?"
"Neither can we, Logan. She's quite amazing isn't she? Fit's in quite perfectly, if I do say so myself."
"Who me?" Steph's voice came out of nowhere as she entered the apartment, donning a black lace cocktail dress.
"Lookin' good Steph," Colin whistled.
"Oh get a grip Colin," she retorted, moving from the doorway to sit on one of the chairs in the living room. "Now what were we talking about?"
Just as Logan was about her answer her, he was interrupted by Rory, "I'm all ready!!" she exclaimed and she made her way into the room. Logan was stunned, never before had he seen her look so beautiful. She was wearing black dress that hit above her knee. The dress was gorgeous, with a sheer layer of beautiful appliqué designs and elegant crossover straps over a black silk lining. Her hair fell in loose curls around her shoulders.
"God Ace, you can't wear that!" Logan exclaimed, leaving everyone confused.
"Why?" she asked worriedly, examining herself self-consciously.
He laughed, getting up from the couch to approach her, "If you wear that Ace," he said in a low voice, kissing her shoulder, then her cheek, "then I won't be able to keep my hands off of you all night," he finished.
"Dirty, I like it," Finn commented from the couch.
"Well, Mr. Huntzberger," she replied coolly, "it looks like you're just going to have to exercise some self-restraint tonight."
"We all know that's never been his strong suit," Colin teased.
Logan groaned, "All right, let's all stop ganging up on Logan and let's go," He urged, grabbing Rory's coat and assisting her in putting it on.
"Fine, we're moving, we're moving," Colin grumbled, grabbing his own coat as Logan hurried them out the door.
The ride to the Huntzberger estate was uneventful, but enjoyable. The group had been largely entertained with Finn's rendition of "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" and the ride passed quickly. Before they knew it they had arrived, and Logan handed his keys over to the valet his parents had hired for this party, their annual Christmas Eve get together quite possibly one of the season's most important events in Hartford Society. The group entered the house, handing over their jackets to an awaiting maid.
"Ah, Logan! You're late!" a voice boomed. Mitchum Huntzberger, Logan's father, made his way over to the group. "I see that the gang's all here. Mr. Rothschild, Mr. McCrae, nice to see you boys," he said, acknowledging Finn and Colin. "And you two ladies look very lovely tonight," he complimented.
"Thank you Mr. Huntzberger," Rory said politely, and Stephanie nodded her thanks.
"Please call me Mitchum Rory," he reminded her with a warm smile. Logan was pleased that his father had taken a liking to Rory. They'd met several times at these events, and his father had chatted her up several times. He seemed to enjoy her and that, in Logan's book, was a good thing for everyone. "Now Logan, you're mother is looking for the two of you. No doubt to show off what a handsome couple you make. Now go find her so she'll stop bugging me," he said with a wink as he turned to leave.
"Logan, mate. I've never seen your father take to anyone quite like he's taken to liking our dear friend here," he said, motioning to Rory.
"I know. It's amazing isn't it? He's actually bearable to be around when she's in the vicinity. But then again, she does make everything in this world more bearable, now doesn't she?" he said with a smile, grading her hand and kissing her cheek.
"Ugh, you two are so sickeningly cute," Steph laughed. "Now how about we get a drink, and get this mingling over with?"
"I second that thought," Rory replied, pulling Logan to the bar, the rest of their friends in tow.
"I'll have a scotch, neat please. And the lady will have a gin martini," he told the bartender.
"Yes sir, coming right up," the man replied. He handed the drinks over a few minutes later.
"Thank you," Rory replied in response to receiving her drink. "I see my grandfather over there Logan. Let's go say hello."
"Sure Ace," he replied easily, following her lead over to the tall man, who had caught a glimpse of his granddaughter by now.
"Rory! Now don't you just look beautiful tonight sweetheart," He said, smiling proudly at her.
"Hi Grandpa, you're looking mighty handsome yourself," she replied, kissing his cheek and giving him a warm hug. Logan could see the happiness in her grandfather's smile as she hugged him. It was obvious that he loved his granddaughter very much. He wished for something like that in his own family, even the slightest bit of emotion. He sighed, knowing that just wasn't the case for him. Thankfully, he had that with Rory.
"Logan, son! So good to see you again!" he said, smiling at the boy in front of him.
"Hello sir. It's a pleasure to see you again as well," Logan replied politely, shaking the larger man's hand.
"No need to call me sir son, please call me Richard," he said warmly patting Logan on the arm. "Now tell me kids, how is school going?"
"Very well grandpa, we actually just finished finals a couple days ago, so we're on break until the middle of January."
"Yes, a break that is very much welcomed," Logan added, becoming more comfortable in the conversation with the older man.
"Tough semester?" Richard questioned them both, concerned.
"Just busy grandpa. Nothing too horrible. Logan has been writing a lot for the Yale Daily News, and finals were pretty hectic for the both of us, so that's certainly taken its toll. We're just excited to have some time off."
"Ah I see. Now do you kids have any exciting plans for the holidays?" he asked, interested. It astounded Logan at how involved and interested Rory's grandfather was about their lives.
"Well tomorrow Logan and I are going to having our friends over and are going to celebrate Christmas at my apartment," she answered her grandfather. "Exchanging gifts and what not."
"Oh yes! Gifts! That reminds me. Emily and I have a gift for each of you. They are in my briefcase, which is in the coatroom. I'll be right back. Now don't you two run off!" He joked, hurriedly moving away from the two.
Rory laughed, "He's too much."
"Yeah, he's a character. I like him Ace, he's a really good guy," Logan said truthfully, kissing her on the temple.
"I certainly agree," she smiled at his kiss, leaning her head against his, glancing around the room.
They stood in a comfortable silence for a few moments, just enjoying each others company before Logan interrupted her thoughts abruptly, "I think we should move in together."
"What?" she asked him, wanting to make sure she'd heard him correctly. She'd turned in his grasp, to look up at him.
"I said, I think we should move in together," he replied softly. He searched her gorgeous eyes for any indication of what she was thinking. "I mean, Ace, we practically live together now anyways. And I know that you're thinking that we've only been together officially for a little while, but you know for damn sure that it's like we've been together since we first met. Last month we just eliminated the sexual tension," he joked, although he was becoming worried about her answer. "I mean, if you think it's a bad idea, or it it's too soo--"
He was cut off by her lips on his, "Let's do it," she said against his lips. She pulled away smiling, knowing he was surprised at her answer.
"Really?" he asked, hopefully.
"Really," she confirmed as he pressed his lips to hers again, wrapping his arms tightly around her and spinning her around. "You're not gonna regret this, Ace. I promise."
"I trust you, Huntz. I really do," she assured him, just as her grandfather returned with her grandmother and two small boxes.
"Hi grandma, you look pretty tonight," she complimented, hugging her grandmother..
"Yes Emily, you look beautiful this evening," Logan agreed, kissing her cheeks.
"Oh hush you two," she said blushing, "What I would give to be as young and as beautiful as you are my dear." Rory blushed. "We've got gifts for you two!" she exclaimed happily, taking the gifts from her husband and handing one to each of them.
"This wasn't necessary, really," Logan replied to receiving his gift. He untied the red satin ribbon, letting it fall into his hands. He lifted the top off of the box and removed a bundle from inside the box. Removing the thick sick fabric from around the object, he was stunned as to what he saw. "This can't be.." he trailed off.
"Oh but it is," Richard smiled, pleased at Logan reaction.
Inside the bundle was the original script to a play called The Importance of Being Earnest, written by Oscar Wilde in the late 1890's. The play was a comedy on the stuffiness and seriousness of society. "I can't believe you remembered this," Logan began, examining the script in awe.
Richard cut him off, "Well son, you were quite taken with the play when you were younger if I do recall correctly. Always reenacting scenes from it to entertain us at these sorts of events. Quite humorous reenactments, if I do say so myself."
"Oh yes," her grandmother added, "I certainly enjoyed the part when you and young mister Rothschild would reenact when Cecily is swept off her feet by Algernon. Mr. Rothschild certainly plays a lovely Cecily," she remarks, laughing.
Logan laughed also, "Yes, Finn's reenactments are timeless. Richard, Rory, this is such a thoughtful gift, I love it. How you managed to get the original escapes me, however."
"Oh we all have our ways son. We're delighted that you like it," Richard replied.
"Thank you again sir," Logan said, shaking his hand, and kissing his wife's cheek.
"You're very welcome Logan. Now open yours sweetheart," she urged her granddaughter.
"Wow grandma, I'm not sure how you're going to top that gift," she said, opening the gift carefully, "that was really thoughtful of you two," she finished as she opening the box. Inside was a tiny blue velvet box. She flipped the box open only to find the most exquisite diamond earrings.
Her mouth dropped open slightly at the beauty of the earrings and she heard her grandmother say, "They are a Harry Winston original, darling. They belonged to your great-great grandmother. We want you to have them, and when the time comes, you can pass them along to your daughter. I certainly hope you like them."
"Like them? I love them. Thank you so much grandma and grandpa!" she squealed, hugging the two of them tightly.
"You're welcome dear. Now you two go have fun!" her grandmother pushed them off with a smile.
"Wow, Ace. That was so nice of them to get this for me," Logan said to her, still stunned at their kindness. "My mother and father just give me meaningless gifts—TV's, video games, cars—that sort of thing. Your grandparents remembered how much I loved that play from when I was eight years old! My parents probably don't recall anything about that time in my life."
"Aw baby, I'm sure they do," she said, rubbing his arm sympathetically. He looked at her with pointed glance. "Alright, but at least you got one meaningful present this Christmas. Now that I know you're gonna hate that plasma screen TV I got you," she winked at him jokingly pulling him through the crowd.
"Ace, let's get everyone and let's go home," Logan said about twenty minutes later, after just chatted with his mother for about ten dreadful minutes.
"O.K., I'm going to go say goodbye to my grandparents. How about you find them and I'll meet you by the coats?"
"Sounds perfect," he said, kissing her softly, "Now don't take too long, because I miss you already," he smiled, kissing her once more before she walked away. She quickly found her grandparents and told them that she was leaving, and made her way back to where Logan was waiting with the group.
"To the car!" Finn exclaimed. "Where we will all go home and drink merrily on this Christmas night!" He shouted with his arms raised.
When they got back to Rory's, they proceeded to drink and hang out, before retiring for the night around 3 am.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Review/Comment please!
