Chapter 21

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, settings, music, or movies mentioned.

AN: Yay! I am being consistent! I live in Florida so I have time off from school because of the hurricane and I have tons of time to write. Hopefully I'll post tomorrow too!

Logan sat in the board room listening to the editor in chief of the paper explain all the strengths and weaknesses of his staff. Well he was trying to listen but his mind was currently across the Atlantic with his girlfriend. She would just be waking up now and he tried to hide his grin at the thought of her curly brown hair sprawled out on his chest while she looked at him with blue eyes and begged him for coffee. Right now, he should be pointing out that if she wanted coffee she had to get off him, of course she wouldn't and then they would spend the next half hour in bed talking and kissing.

However, thanks to Mitchum, he was in a room with his father and his sycophants instead. The meeting went on for another hour until they took a break. Logan went into the break room for a cup of coffee. He poured it and took a sip, nearly spitting it out when he did. He had grown so accustomed to Rory's coffee that everything else tasted weak and watered down. He leaned back against the counter and took another sip, no matter how bad it was, that meeting was putting him to sleep and he needed some kind of caffeine.

Just as he was finishing his coffee one of the secretaries walked in, smiling at him, and opened the fridge to look for something. She took out a bottle of water and turned to him. "Is there anything I can do for you Mr. Huntzberger?" she asked, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Nope, I'm all good," he said, knowing exactly what she was hinting towards.

"Are you sure? I mean I can imagine that meeting must be pretty boring," she said, stepping closer to him.

"It is, but I don't need anything," he said tightly.

"There's nothing I can do? Maybe help you get rid of some of that stress?" she suggested, placing a hand on his chest. He quickly removed her hand from him and stepped back.

"I have a girlfriend for that, so I'm going to pass," he bit out.

"Well I don't see her here," she said.

"You think that changes anything? You think the fact that the girl I'm in love with is an ocean away will make sleep with you? Guess again," he said, glaring at her. She hurried out of the room, probably fearing for her job. No sooner had she left did Mitchum come in, having seen the girl running out.

"You better get used to it," Mitchum said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Logan sighed.

"Cheating, get used to it," Mitchum said casually.

"What the hell?" Logan asked.

"Please, I saw that girl run out of here. Your telling me nothing happened?" Mitchum said doubtfully.

"No something happened alright, she hit on me and I yelled at her," he said. "I don't know if you remember or not but I do have a girlfriend."

"And that stopped you?" Mitchum said.

"Yes! I know love is a foreign concept to you but I happen to be I love with Rory. I'm not going to go sleeping with anyone who offers, I have something a lot better waiting for me at home," Logan said, frustrated.

"For now," Mitchum said, nodding. "I used to be like that."

"You make me sick," Logan said.

"Logan," Mitchum warned.

"No, I'm serious dad. I love Rory, I'm not going to become you because she won't let me, and I thank God every day for that. She isn't mom, I make a mistake like that and I lose her, I wouldn't dare do that. I don't want to do that. Those girls aren't her so I don't want them," Logan said, trying to keep his voice down but he was infuriated by his father.

"Well that's Rory, wait till you married," he said.

"Who says I won't marry Rory?" Logan asked, calmer.

"If that's a possibility you two are more serious than I thought," Mitchum said and with that he walked out of the room.

Logan sighed and closed his eyes. Was that a possibility? Of course, it was. He loved his Ace like crazy, everything about her made his heart race and even when he was half way across the world he couldn't stop thinking about her. Just then his phone went off and he looked down at to see the name Ace.

"Hey," he answered, grinning.

"Hey," she said happily. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

"Not at all," he told her.

"Well I just wanted to call and say I love you and thank you so, so, much," she said, excitedly.

"You got the flowers?" he asked, amused.

"Yes! They're gorgeous thank you," she said.

"Well I couldn't not give you flowers on Valentine's day," he said.

"You really didn't have to but I do love them," she said.

"Good, so what are you up to today?" he asked.

"Well Steph and I are going shopping, I have to get you a birthday present and then we're meeting Colin and Finn at the pub for dinner," she said.

"Good to know I'm missed," he laughed.

"Aw poor Logie, of course we miss you. Especially me," she said sweetly.

"Oh yeah? How much?" he asked.

"So much that you should make sure you have your phone with you tonight," she said.

"Mm phone sex is the only good part of me going on these trips," he groaned.

"I'm sure but isn't real sex so much better," she teased him.

"Absolutely but I could never get you to say half the things you text me," he said.

"That's true," she laughed.

"I miss you," he sighed.

"I miss you too," she said. "But you'll be home Saturday and you can sleep off the jet lag, then you'll see me Sunday."

"No way," he said.

"What?" she asked, confused.

"No way am I waiting any longer than necessary to see you, I'll be at your door as soon as that damn plane lands," he said.

"I can't wait," she said. "I hate sleeping alone."

"Tell me about it. It sucks not having you there and you've ruined me by the way, I can't drink normal coffee anymore, it all tastes too weak," he said.

"Aw I'll make you some when you come home," she said. Home, man does that sound good, he thought.

"Sounds good, I got to go, our meeting is starting again," he said.

"Ok, bye I love you," she said.

"I love you too Ace," he said, hanging up and heading back into the board room.

Saturday afternoon Rory returned to her dorm from lunch with her dad and Gigi. Her little sister was thrilled to be going to Stars Hollow with them and kept talking about everything she wanted to do with Sissy and Logie.

She opened the door and set her keys down, looking up she found Logan standing there with a huge smirk on his face. "Oh, my God," she squealed, running to him. She leapt into his waiting arms and he lifted her up, hugging her tight. "What are you doing here?" she asked as he set her down, keeping his hands on her hips.

"I couldn't wait so I told my dad to shove it and took an earlier flight," he laughed. She held his face in her hands and kissed him, long and passionately.

"I'm so glad your home," she sighed, resting her head on his chest.

"Me too Ace," he said, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

"Don't leave ever again ok?" she mumbled against him.

"Promise," he chuckled.

"Alright fine, I know that's not going to happen," she rolled her eyes.

"Probably not," he agreed.

"You must be exhausted," she said, rubbing his back.

"I am, dealing with Mitchum for a week straight takes a lot out of you. And you wouldn't believe how many secretaries and reporters hit on me. 'Can I do anything for you Mr. Huntzberger' 'Maybe I can help you relieve your stress Mr. Huntzberger'," he groaned.

"No way," she laughed. "What did you do?"

"I very kindly told them that I had an amazing girl who I am very much in love with on the other side of the Atlantic, then preceded to inform them that if they valued their jobs they would get away from me and not let it happen again," he said.

"Aw you're such a good boyfriend," she said, kissing him.

"Man, you have him whipped," Paris said out of nowhere, scaring them both. "Most guys would have jumped at that."

"Well I didn't Paris but thanks for your input," Logan said.

"And then he even told you. There was no possible way of you finding out but he's so whipped he tells you everything, I bet you know what he had for breakfast," Paris added, retreating back to her room.

"He didn't eat breakfast today," Rory called after her.

"Ace," Logan laughed, "Not helping."

"I'm sorry, if it makes you feel better I don't think your whipped, I think your committed. If Paris doesn't know the difference that's her problem," she told him.

"I don't mind being whipped," he said, huskily in her ear.

"Logan!" she admonished, blushing.

"Rory!" he said, mocking her tone.

"Ugh let's just go to bed," she said.

"Wow, I didn't mean right now, I am kind of tired, but ok," he goaded her.

"Shut up Logan," she said walking into her bedroom. He followed her in laughing, it was good to be home.

"Mate!" Finn called as soon as the couple walked into the boy's dorm the next night. "Happy birthday! And may I say love you look smashing."

"Thanks, Finny," she said.

"I'm letting that slide just this once, probably because this is my 6th shot," he said, raising the small glass and walking back toward the bar. Rory laughed and tuned back to Logan who was eyeing her up and down.

"Would you knock it off," she said, slapping his stomach lightly.

"I'm sorry but Ace you could kill a guy looking like that," he said.

"You are so melodramatic," she teased, moving to stand in front of him and rest her arms around his neck. She was wearing white heels, a light pink tight mini skirt, and a white top with double straps, one of the straps holding up the top, the other straps running from her shoulder to where they met in the middle of her cleavage. (Sorry, hard to describe, picture is set as cover photo) Her hair was curled and she wore light makeup with nude pink lipstick.

Logan leaned down to kiss her, pulling her body against his. After a much needed nap, they spent the rest of yesterday, and most of today in bed together. Logan would have been perfectly happy spending the rest of his birthday holed up in her bedroom but his friends had insisted they throw him a blow out in their dorm.

He had woken up this morning to a very eager Rory with breakfast in bed. It was strange to have someone genuinely care, and get excited that it was his birthday. He had stopped caring somewhere around age 7 when he realized his parents only used the day as an excuse to throw a party, this continued into his teen years when Colin and Finn used it as an excuse to throw a party. But Rory, she cared, to her his birthday wasn't just a party, it was something to be excited about and it was something she wanted him to enjoy. For that he loved her more than anything.

"Come on, let's get a drink," he said, leading her towards the bar. Logan got a scotch and Rory got a martini like always.

"Colin and Finn really went all out, didn't they?" she said, looking around the room.

"Oh yeah, I didn't expect anything less though," he laughed.

"Logan! Happy birthday man," Colin said, walking over with Robert.

"Thanks," Logan said, nodding at him.

"So how was London?" he asked.

"Horrible, a week with the Dark Lord?" Logan said.

"You have got to stop calling him that," Rory laughed.

"It fits him perfectly, this nickname goes back at least 15 years," Colin said.

"At least," Logan agreed,

"So, any good presents so far?" Robert asked.

"Well Rory-," he started with a smirk before she cut him off.

"Logan!" she warned him.

"Made me breakfast," he stressed, finishing his sentence.

"Mhm," she said looking at him skeptically.

"You look really good," Robert told her.

"Thanks," she told him politely.

"You want to go dance?" Logan asked her, he knew Robert had a thing for her and he didn't trust the guy as far as he could throw him.

"Sure," she said.

"I'll watch your drink," Colin told her.

"Thank you," she said, leaving with Logan.

They walked over to where most people had started dancing already. He put his arms around her waist and held her close to him, she rested her head in the crook of his neck and despite the loud pumping music, they swayed back and forth, barely moving. "So… good birthday?" she mumbled against him.

"Great birthday," he said, kissing the top of her head.

"Anything else you want?" she asked.

"Just you," he sighed happily.

"Other than that you dork," she said.

"That's all I want," he said.

"Well then, it's a good thing you have me, huh," she laughed.

"A very good thing," he agreed.

"Come on," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the bar. She grabbed a bottle of champagne and lead him into his bedroom. Once inside she laid down on the bed and kicked her shoes off, he sat down next to her and open the champagne bottle with a pop. He took sip and handed it to Rory. She took one and set it on the floor next to her. Loga laid down and she moved her head to his chest.

"Done with party huh?" he teased her.

"Little bit," she said. "So, you never did tell me how the trip was, what happened?"

"Lots and lots of meetings, then I talked to Mitchum about… I don't know, it was awful," he said.

"What did you talk about?" she asked, tracing patterns on is stomach, under his shirt.

"He said I should get used to cheating. It was just after some girl had hit on me and after I yelled she ran out. My dad came in and assumed we had done something. He told me to get used to it," Logan sighed.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she said surprised.

"That's what I said. It means I should get used to cheating on my girlfriend or my wife because I'm going to do it. I couldn't look him in the eye, I couldn't believe he would say that or tell me that," he said.

"But?" she asked, sensing there was more.

"But," he paused. "Ace what if he's right."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, looking at him.

"What if he's right? I mean I screw everything up, I've been kicked out of more schools than I can count, I sank a freaking yacht. A yacht! I'm handed everything because of my last name, I've never earned anything. So, what the hell makes me think I'll be good enough for you or good enough to take over that company one day. What if he's right, everything he tells me, and I won't amount to anything real. You have so much faith in me and all I'm going to do is let you down?! I've already let down my family, I'm not what they want," he explained. It seemed like he had been holding that in for far too long.

"Oh, my God I hate your father. Logan, don't you dare believe a word of what he says! That man does nothing but tear you down and I hate that. Sweetie you've made mistakes but god knows I have too, I slept with a married man. Everyone makes mistakes, and I know this might not mean much but you didn't get me because of your last name. And those articles you've written, they're amazing, that has nothing to do with your name, that's all you. Not enough? You are so much more than enough Logan, I love you so much, you could never let me down. So, screw your family they all suck, well except Honor, but the rest of them suck!" she practically yelled.

"Ok Ace they suck," he said, smiling slightly.

"Look your right I do have a lot of faith in you, and you won't let me down. And if it makes you feel better I'm never going to let you become him, if you really mess up I'll dump your sorry ass," she laughed. "And I think you know that, I'm not your mom, I won't look past that stuff. You're not him and I'm not her so we're going to be fine, you are going to be fine." He reached out to pull her back down and hugged her close to him.

"I have no idea what I would do with you Ace," he said.

"I don't know what I would do without you either," she told him.

"You would be fine without me," he said.

"Well I would survive, yes. I just wouldn't be as happy, or feel as safe," she said.

"I thought wearing my shirts made you feel safe," he half teased her.

"Well you and your shirts are a package deal," she pointed out.

"True," he laughed.

"Speaking of which, I still have to give you your present," she said, sitting up.

"You gave me a very nice present this morning," he said.

"Shut up," she said, grabbing two gifts from the corner of his room.

"When did you put these in here?"

"I figured we would stay in your room tonight so I left them here yesterday," she said.

He sat up and she placed the bag in his lap, then sat across from him on her knees. He pulled out the tissue paper followed by a black t-shirt that said "If you think I'm cute you should see my girlfriend" in white letters.

"Ace I love it," he said, laughing. "This is awesome."

"I thought so, very true too," she grinned.

"Yes very," he said, leaning over and kissing her.

"There's one more thing," she said.

He reached in the bag and found a small envelope, opening it he saw a $100 gift card to Victoria Secret. He looked up at her confused. "Victoria Secret? I don't shop there, Ace," he said, with a smirk.

"No, but I do and next time I go I'll bring you and you'll bring that," she said.

"I get to shop for lingerie with you?" he asked excitedly.

"No, you get to shop for lingerie for me and watch me try on whatever you chose," she laughed.

"Oh yeah, great birthday," he said.

"Yeah?"

"Absolutely," he said, grabbing her hips and pulling her on top of him. They fell back on the bed together and Logan flipped them over to hover above Rory as she giggled uncontrollably. He kissed her senseless until her laughs turned to moans and the party outside the door was completely forgotten.