Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Sorry for the wait, I was sick (trust me not in the right mind to write a chapter…it was better this way) and then I was caught up in basketball. Some of you will love me for this and some will hate me, but I'm saying it! Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeetroit Basketball!
Hope you enjoy!
--
When the alarm went off, Rory groaned, not wanting to get out of bed. Logan knew she was hard to wake up every morning, but today would be an even bigger battle. Realizing this, but also knowing it was necessary, he got up and made coffee. When it was finished, he brought 2 cups to their room.
When Rory smelled the coffee, she began to stir. She was reaching for the cup when it dawned on her what today was. She withdrew her hand and said, "No," before rolling over.
"Rory, please get up," Logan tried to coax.
"I don't fell well, I need bed rest," she said burying her head under the covers.
Logan rolled his eyes, "You're fine. We need to go before we don't have a vote left for our wedding."
At that thought, she relented, drank her coffee, and then stepped into the shower. An hour later, they were leaving for Emily's and Richard's.
--
They pulled into the driveway and noticed they were the last to arrive. Rory reached over to Logan's pocket, pulled out what he thought was his hidden flask, and took a sip.
He was shocked when Rory broke his trance, "Don't look at me like that. It was for survival."
They rang the door bell, were let in, and proceeded to the sitting room to find Richard, Emily, Mitchum, Shira, and Lorelai waiting for them. After the greetings were over, Emily started the questioning, "So today we were hoping to cover the main items, so to start: when is the wedding?"
Before they could answer Shira was already giving her thoughts, "How about next spring? Spring weddings are always so beautiful, especially at the Vineyard or the Tea Gardens."
"Oh, yes perfect!" Emily gushed, "I heard Honor's wedding was just lovely."
Rory looked wide-eyed at Logan, who took her hand and said, "We were thinking this December."
"There could be snow, dreadful for the guests," Shira pointed out, to dismiss the idea.
"But Rory loves the snow," Logan defended, then realized he needed something else, "and all white scenery would look nice."
"In the spring all the flowers are in bloom," countered Shira, a winter wedding was just not acceptable.
"It could rain in the spring, how would that be?" Logan tried.
"If you insist on December then the Vineyard is out; however, we could use the Rose room for the reception," Emily said.
"I hadn't asked yet, but I wanted it to be at the Dragonfly," Rory said looking at her mother.
Lorelai smiled, "Of course it is available."
"But that is 45 minutes away from Hartford, such a long drive for the guests," argued Emily.
"Who do we know in Hartford, besides family?" asked Rory.
"The women from the DAR, friends of Mitchum and Richard," pointed out Shira.
"By friends I assume you mean business associates? Mom, our wedding is not another society party."
"But it is," Shira said sounding confused at her son's suggestion.
"No, you don't have final say on this," Logan said forcefully.
Deciding to change the subject, Shira went onto food, "We need to find a caterer."
"Sookie can make the food, she's already started planning the menu," offered Lorelai.
"I've never heard of her, I doubt the food is what we are looking for," Shira said, disgusted by the idea.
"Actually Shira, I've used her before, the food is quite excellent," Emily offered, having honestly been impressed with her food last time.
"If you're sure Emily," Shira asked in her society voice.
"And I am. Now Rory what colors do you want?"
"I was thinking navy blue and silver," she offered happy when neither her grandmother nor Shira could find something wrong with her choice.
"Ladies, if you would excuse us, I have a few business matters to discuss with Logan," Mitchum stated.
"Of course, besides this is girl talk," smiled Emily.
"Richard may we use your study briefly?" he asked politely.
"Of course," Richard answered.
Logan followed his father, happy to miss The Great Wedding War: Part 1, but feeling guilty for leaving Rory with his mother.
After they closed the door, both men took a seat.
"So Dad, what did you need?" Logan inquired.
"I wanted to talk to you about Rory."
"What about her," he asked suspiciously.
"About her journalism skills," Mitchum declared in an obvious tone.
"What about them? She's good!" Logan said getting defensive.
"I know," he stated simply.
"Excuse me?"
"I've read her pieces theses past few weeks and I admit they were good, excellent in fact."
"I'm well aware. I am overseeing The Observer, so I do read the paper."
"Yes well, I was also talking to Charles Holmes over lunch. Mostly casual conversation, but we got on the topic of up and coming reporters. I was telling him there are a few at various papers I am keeping an eye on. He asked if my future daughter-in-law was one of them. I said she was. He then mentioned that Rory's editor has only given her the highest reviews on her performance reports. He even mentioned her outstanding work in a meeting they had not too long ago."
"Good to hear, but I'm not surprised," Logan replied.
"Well I was impressed by her writing and for her to get that type of review from her superiors so quickly…neither is easily achieved."
"And I'm sure this is all something she would love to hear," Logan suggested.
"It's not my place to tell her Logan. She doesn't want special treatment; I think this information may qualify."
Remembering something that had previously been long forgotten, Logan asked, "Dad, were you serious about getting to know her? You know…making a real effort and all?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I agree that what her editor said was between the two of you. But you still read her articles and liked them," Logan started not sure how to explain the rest.
Mitchum jumped in before he could continue, "What's your point?"
"It's been her dream, like forever, to be a reporter"
"And she's well on her way."
Ignoring the comment, Logan kept explaining, "Now she's marrying me, which means she's marrying a family that runs the journalism world."
"Logan…" Mitchum began, not sure where this was going.
"And while she holds her own at the paper, and keeps her cool on the surface, I know she feels like her talent will be considered second rate in this family."
"Why would she think that? Did you listen to anything I just said?"
"Yes, but do you remember telling her she didn't have what it takes to make it?" Logan said bluntly.
"That was 2 years ago."
"But it was you!" trying to make his point.
"So?"
"Dad, you and I both know our family is the icon in the industry and you are the figure head of it. You telling her that would be like someone hoping to play in the NBA, and Michael Jordon saying they will never make it."
"You're seriously telling me she still thinks about what I said?"
"She's regained her confidence, actually she's more confident than before, and is doing well. But, she still thinks it's not good enough for you. On some level, she wants your approval both personally and professionally, a mix of you being you and you being her future father-in-law."
"And professionally, she has it"
"She doesn't know that unless you say something!"
They fell into a silence. Logan was wondering when he started to nearly yell at his father, but was satisfied when he realized his father didn't just dismiss him. He had actually listened to what he was saying and considering it, that was very different from a year ago. Their private thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock followed by Richard entering.
"Am I interrupting?"
"We finished up a few minutes ago. We were about to come back out," Mitchum answered automatically.
Richard shook his head, "You don't want that. It is much safer here."
--
After Rory mentioned the colors, she started talking about the bridesmaids dresses.
"Do you know how many people you and Logan have standing up?" Emily inquired.
"Lane is going to be my matron of honor, and I was planning on Paris, Steph, and Honor as my bridesmaids."
"What about groomsmen?" Shira pushed.
"Well Finn and Colin, not sure who will be the best man…" Rory said, she and Logan hadn't gotten too much into the details, knowing these women wouldn't overlook a thing.
"Rory you must have the same number, an uneven amount is just not proper," Shira fussed.
"Talk to Logan," Rory responded, becoming annoyed.
"You two should have this planned, don't you talk? Communication is important for a marriage," Emily chided.
"Grandma, Logan and I have excellent communication. This just hadn't come up yet," Rory tried to explain.
"But you don't know who the best man or who the other groomsmen will be. This is one of the most important details about the wedding, how could it have not come up," Emily continued to scold her.
"Really? And I thought that the most important things would be the vows, the rings, the love…those things."
"Rory, now is no time for your jokes," Emily said harshly.
"Please excuse me for a moment," Rory said, standing up, leaving the room, and bursting into the study. She walked over to Logan, grabbed his flask, took about a double shot, and sat on his lap.
Logan smirked at her and asked, "Going well I see?"
"Oh no you don't! This," she said pointing at the flask, "is all your fault."
"How?"
"Because I named 4 people I want to stand up with me and then could only name 2 for you," she said as if this explained it all.
"So?"
"Logan don't you know you need the same number for each and since I don't know we obviously don't communicate well, and on this, the most important part of the wedding," she said imitating Emily.
"The most important part isn't the marriage? The vows or something?" Logan asked confused.
"Thank you! That's what I said, but really, you need 2 more groomsmen or you can go face the music."
"Who do you have?"
"Lane, Paris, Steph, and Honor"
"Okay so I'll have Finn, Colin, Josh and Seth
"Sounds good, now who is your best man?" she asked, not sure if even Logan knew the answer.
"Finn," he said easily. She looked at him wanting an explanation, "He won the coin toss."
"And you will do this again when he and Colin get married?"
"No," he said like she was a child, "Since I was first, we flipped. Finn won which now means that Finn's best man will be Colin and Colin's will be me."
"Very circular of you."
"Well, it works for us. Now anything else you need?"
By this point, both had forgotten about their onlookers so Rory went into a mini-rant.
"If I hire a hit man to take out your mother and my grandmother will you be my alibi," she asked with a small pout.
The look on her face made Logan laugh, "That bad?"
"I don't think out marriage actually matters. They just want to throw the perfect society wedding. In fact, you could probably marry an inanimate object."
"Don't be ridiculous…" he began, but she jumped in.
"Logan you don't understand," she tried.
He ignored her statement and continued, "If anyone married an inanimate object it would be you. Hey, you can marry Antonio!"
Rory seemed to entertain the suggestion before answering, "He will keep me satisified for life and doesn't complain if I want him to go all night."
"Is that a challenge?"
"No, it's a fact."
"I'll have to prove you wrong," he sighed, leaning up for a not-so-chaste kiss. When Logan let out a groan, Mitchum decided to stop them before a very red-faced Richard had a heart attack.
"Who's Antonio?" He asked, wondering if it was an ex-boyfriend, but confused why Logan would bring him up.
Rory jumped at the voice, then remembering where she was blushed deeply and turned into Logan's chest. This left Logan to answer his father, "Antonio is our coffeemaker."
Mitchum had no clue how to respond to that and decided to take his son's insight from earlier, "Rory, I've read your articles so far and I must say they are all quite impressive."
"Thank you sir," she said while achieving an even deeper blush.
Logan appreciated what his father had said, but also knew Rory was extremely embarrassed. Trying to get her out of the situation he asked, "Hey Ace, where did you tell them you were going?"
"Who Hitler and Mussolini?" she asked automatically. Mitchum and Richard tried to not laugh, but failed miserably.
"Interesting analogy…" Logan mused, not sure what to make of the older men's laughter.
"Well, they are trying to make me conform to their ways," she rationalized.
"Fine, where did you tell the Axis leaders you were going?" He asked playing along.
"I just excused myself," Rory said simply.
"And they let you?" asked Mitchum, this didn't fit with what he knew of his wife.
"I didn't give them a chance to stop me."
"Hey Roosevelt, do you think it wise to leave Churchill alone with them for this long?"
"Oh shit mom!" Rory said, while jumping up.
Logan grabbed her quickly to him and said, "Tonight I'll be making my full point on your earlier accusation," and kissed her quickly, yet deeply.
Wanting to get the last word she said, "Watch yourself Huntzberger or I'll remind Finn of some things I'm sure he's forgotten. That way he can include them in his Best Man speech." With that she left and shut the door.
Mitchum and Richard could hear Logan start swearing and say something about a 'wretched woman.'
Picking up on the comment Mitchum asked, "Then, why are you marrying her?"
"What?" Logan asked after being pulled from his thoughts.
"If she bothers you that much, why are you marrying her?"
Logan laughed, "Oh she drives me up the wall, but make no mistake, I love her."
"One more question," Mitchum pressed, now wanting to understand Rory better, "What's going on out there that is so bad World War II references are needed?"
"She doesn't like the wedding Emily and Mom are trying to force on her."
"Why not? No expense will be spared by those two. This would be any girls dream wedding."
Logan shook his head, "The wedding Rory wants, the one she's always pictured herself having, would probably cost less than Honor's dress."
"But what's wrong with making it better?"
"She didn't dream it that way because it was cheaper, it just fits her personality. Simple, maybe, but tasteful and it would be a true celebration of the marriage in a room of family and close friends. Not an attempt to redefine society standards and out do the last wedding held."
"Does she know who she's up against?" Mitchum asked.
"Yep."
--
Rory re-entered the sitting room to find Emily and Shira bent over a wedding book while Lorelai stared into space.
"Finn is Logan's best man. Colin, Josh, and Seth will be the groomsmen," she said announcing her presence.
"Perfect," said Emily, "Now what about your dress?"
"There are some stores in New York where I was going to look, but I know I want it to be a simple strapless dress, tasteful and elegant…minimal frill, a plain train, simple veil…"
"That is not acceptable," Shira began, "This dress should represent your status in society. We are an important family; the dress needs to show that."
"What's wrong with a simple dress?" Lorelai asked, trying to stand up for Rory.
"Simple is common," Emily explained, "It needs exquisite detailing, maybe Chantilly lace?"
Seeing the hesitation on Rory face, Shira tried another approach, "Think of your daughter."
"What daughter?" Rory questioned, confused.
"One day, your daughter will be getting married. She will have been raised a Huntzberger, and will want a dress that shows it," Shira supplied.
Rory was sure that would not be the case, but left that out of her argument, "If that's what she wants, I'm sure we will buy it for her."
"Rory, she will be wearing your dress," Emily said.
"Why?" Rory was still not following.
"It's tradition; therefore, it is important to buy a dress that suits you as well as future generations," Shira explained, hoping this will change Rory's mind about the dress.
"No! That is just what women who want some ridiculously expensive dress or who don't like someone's choice in fashion say. They justify the cost or design by saying 'one day my daughter will wear it.' But that's just some stupid excuse, did either of you wear your mother's dress? And wasn't Honor's dress new?" She was met with silence.
Still not satisfied, Emily tried a final approach, "Rory, you are a Gilmore and a Hayden you are expected to dress accordingly."
Rory looked to her mom and rolled her eyes. Seeing the dread in them, Lorelai decided to speak up, "Mom, don't you think that you should wait to see the dress before you decide anything? I'm sure it will be elegant, Vera Wang has some beautiful dresses and they are simple."
"Lorelai, you just don't understand! You left this life, and now you are trying to keep Rory from having any part of it."
"This is her decision. We haven't talked about it, but she knows I support her choice."
"Oh stop! You've been planting ideas in her head since she could talk."
Rory noticed her mom was becoming more worked up and wanted to keep the fighting minimal. She decided a breather was necessary, "Mom can I talk to you for a minute?"
Lorelai nodded. Both girls left the room and dropped the façade.
"Ahhhh," Lorelai let out, once they were up stairs in the bathroom.
Trying to lighten the mood, Rory whispered, "Logan said if we hire a hit man, he'll be our alibi," in a conspicuous voice.
This got her mom to laugh, "I knew I liked him for a reason. Really hun, what are we going to do? I can't go back down there."
Rory glanced at the window and got an idea, "What shoes are you wearing?"
"Now is not the time, we need a plan."
Ignoring her, Rory pushed, "Can you climb out your old window in them?"
Lorelai grinned, "You are my mini-me! Of course I can do it," she said sounding offended at the implication against her.
They had just made their way back to her childhood room when Emily came upstairs.
"What is taking so long? How could you leave me alone with that woman?" Emily complained.
"What are you talking about Grandma? You and Shira get along so well," Rory said in false sweetness.
"We were, then after you left she started going on and on about you not being the proper wife for Logan. Not understanding society and driving the family name into the ground because you aren't a model member of the DAR." Then, under her breath, Emily added, "Like she would know…that gold digger."
Lorelai started to laugh.
"What is so funny Lorelai, do you want her to try and force Rory to be a trophy wife? We want more for her."
"Yes mom, so do I. Remember me, I raised her," she said, rolling her eyes.
"Why are you laughing then?"
"Because you are offended by what she is saying."
"Wouldn't you be?"
"Yes and I am, but those are the same things you've yelled at me for my whole life: 'Lorelai that dress isn't appropriate, what will my friends say?' or 'Lorelai it isn't proper for a women to be unwed.' I mean mom, why do you think we always got upset? You were constantly attacking our life because it wasn't how you would have lived, but we aren't you, just like Rory isn't Shira. I just wish you could have seen it before, so I guess I find it amusing that after all this time you finally do."
"It's different when I say it to you," Emily said.
"How?" Lorelai challenged.
"I just want what's best for you," she said honestly.
"Mom, I know that. It's the only reason I ever come back, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt to hear. You basically said you hated my whole life."
"I didn't mean it, I was just disappointed, I missed so much of it. I don't want to miss anymore. We can discuss this later, now come back down with me," Emily commanded.
"I can't believe I'm about to share this with you," Lorelai muttered, "Mom, we're not going back down."
"Lorelai don't be so dramatic, you can't stay up here forever."
"We're not, we are sneaking out," Rory said proudly.
"We're on the second floor, how are you going to manage that?"
"I have my ways," Lorelai said with a grin.
"You're going to make me face her alone? Where am I supposed to say you went?"
"Now, for some unknown reason, I am taking pity on you. You can come with us," Lorelai said, almost not believing her own words.
"I am not jumping out a window," Emily proclaimed.
Thinking about their escape Rory said, "Mom, Grandma can't go out the way we were planning."
"Crap!" Lorelai paused to think, "Ah ha! Follow me."
"Lorelai, we can't just leave. It's rude, she is still my guest," Emily said.
Lorelai rolled her eyes at her mother's words, always the perfect socialite. "Mom you can do what you want, but we are leaving. So what's it going to be: come with us or go back to Mussolini?"
"Mussolini?" a confused Emily asked.
"Never mind," Lorelai said, waving her hands.
"Fine, I'm coming."
Lorelai led her mother and daughter down the hallway, up into the attic, across the house, then down a hidden back stairwell that let out into the backyard.
"I never knew these stairs existed," commented Emily.
"I know," Lorelai replied with an evil grin.
"Is this how you always snuck out?" she asked, now putting two and two together.
"One of my ways, and I will share no more secrets."
They went to Lorelai's car and headed away from the house. They had been driving for about 5 minutes when Rory shouted, "Logan!" and pulled out her phone.
--
The 3 men were enjoying a drink and a friendly conversation when Logan's phone rang. Looking down he was surprised to see Ace on the display.
Confused, he answered, "Ace…why are you calling from me from another room?...What do you mean you left?...Emily too!..." He laughed and said, "I'll tell them….Yep meet you there soon….bye."
"Was that Rory?" asked a more than curious Richard.
"Yes. She, Lorelai, and Emily snuck out of the house through the attic and are now at a coffee shop in downtown Hartford."
"Why did they do this?" Mitchum inquired.
"I didn't quite understand it all, but Rory did compare mom to Mussolini again and then the DAR became the Axis nations in her rant."
"What did Shira do?" Mitchum asked expectantly.
"The same as always: 'Rory's not good enough,' 'the dress isn't expensive enough,' 'she won't be a trophy wife,' and so on."
"So they left? Emily too!" Richard wasn't surprised to hear Rory and Lorelai fled, but it had to be bad for Emily to go with them.
"I'm shocked too. I don't have all the details there, but apparently mom crossed a line with her. I have to pick Rory up and take her home" Logan said while standing.
"What about Shira, does she know they left?" Richard asked not wanting to have to explain.
"I'll go tell her I have an office emergency and pull her out before she realizes too much," Mitchum sighed.
"Thank you dad," Logan said truthfully.
"No problem, I married her. I know how she can get," he stated with a small smile.
Mitchum left, followed by Logan and Richard, and then went their separate ways.
--
Logan picked up Rory, and she told the full story during the drive home. When they got there, a still shocked Logan exclaimed, "I can't believe Emily turned!"
"I know, I never thought I'd see the day," Rory said.
Finally, they both sat down on the couch and put their feet up.
"Logan, what are we going to do?"
"About what?"
"The wedding, I mean I want it to be our wedding."
"Me too."
"But I can't do it all myself and I can't really trust Grandma or Shira to do it the way I want."
"Well what else needs to be decided?"
"Where the ceremony is going to be."
"I thought it was going to be at the Dragonfly?"
"No that is for the reception, I'm talking about the actually wedding"
"How about a church," he suggested in an obvious tone.
"Logan, the only time I've been to church is for a few weddings and funerals and Sookie's kids' baptism."
"Okay, well I grew up Catholic."
"Aren't those weddings really long?" she looked horrified.
"We don't have to have a Catholic wedding; I'm just saying I went to church. Why don't we look in Hartford, near Stars Hallow, and in between for a church to use."
"Okay, we have the reception location, food, colors, our wedding party…we need clothes."
"Are you sure?"
"I need to find my dress and bridesmaid dresses. You need to pick out tuxes for you and your groomsmen."
"Well I can't help you with the dress, so take Steph and while you're out you can look at bridesmaid dresses too. What color are those going to be?"
"Navy blue, with silver shoes and accessories. If there is any decoration on the dress, I want it to be the same blue or silver."
"Okay, once you pick the dresses out we can take a sample with us, go to a Tux shop and make sure the boys will match. I can pick mine out then too."
"You know way too much about fashion," Rory said with an eye roll, "any other major things for the ceremony? I mean flowers and music and those choices will come later"
"Vows and rings."
"What about them?"
"Well we need wedding bands; although, I already have yours. I bought it to match your engagement ring as a set, but you need to get mine, which means I need to find out my ring size."
"Do you want to help pick out your ring or do you want me to get one for you?"
"Well, I got yours so you should get mine."
"You're good at this," she teased.
"Honor, and that's all I'm saying. Do we want traditional vows or to write our own?"
"What do you want? I've been picking a lot of things."
"I'm kind of undecided."
"Logan…." She whined, thinking he was avoiding having to answer.
"I'm serious. On one hand, I like the idea of using the same vows as millions of couples before us. There is something powerful about that."
"I can see that, and your own vows?"
"It makes it more personal. Something uniquely us."
"So why not do both?"
"You can't have 2 sets of vows"
"No, but I'm sure we can talk to who ever we find to perform the ceremony and say we each want to say a few words and then after that we can go through the traditional vows."
"I like that," he said kissing her. "Hey Ace, have I ever complained when you want me to go all night?"
Rory blushed and deepened the kiss. The kiss became increasingly more passionate and then Logan started moving down her neck kissing and nipping his way to her collarbone. Slowly, he moved his hands under her shirt, before removing it completely. Rory followed suit as he moved his focus down her body. Soon all their clothing was in a pile and Logan pulled Rory up to move to the bedroom.
They reached the bed, Logan happily exploring every inch of her body. Finally, he reached her center and ran his tongue along the slit and up to her nub. Gently he massaged it with his tongue and let his fingers run over her opening. When he could tell she was getting closer, he finally slid two fingers into her, increasing her stimulation. He could hear her breath quickening and sped up his pace. As she went over the edge, she let out a loud moan, and her entire body shook.
He let her body calm down before moving back up to kiss her again. As the kiss continued, Rory could feel his arousal against her stomach and reached for a condom to quickly roll on him. After a few strokes with her hand, he moved to enter her. She immediately wrapped her legs around his body, and he lifted her hips to change the angle. Soon, they were both lost in each other and what seemed like all too soon, she was clamping down on him, his name falling off her lips. He thrust a few more deep strokes and soon joined her in her bliss.
Logan eventually rolled off and cleaned himself off before lying back down next to Rory. She leaned over and kissed his neck a said, "Baby, I hate to disappoint you, but that wasn't all night."
He pulled her into another kiss and started to go to work again, not wanting her to be right.
"Ace, who said I was done?"
--
A/N: Please read and review, I love comments :-)