Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own anything.
::Chapter 24 Recap::
"The day when I first met you was so surreal. It was like all of a sudden, out of nowhere, everything in the world fell into place. And since then, every day has gotten better because you're in it. I love that I wake up every morning with you by my side, and I love knowing that come bedtime, you'll be right there again with me. I love that your perfume lingers on my clothes after we hug goodbye in the morning, and that I can still smell it faintly throughout the day. I love that you crinkle your nose at me when you get mad at me, because even though you're angry, you still look so goddamn cute. When I am with you, I don't want to be anywhere else. When I picture my life in twenty years, you're the one I'm sharing it with. Some people may say that we're young, and some may say that we haven't been together long enough to make this commitment---but, this kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime. When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible," he said, opening the box to reveal a gorgeous Harry Winston cushion cut micro pave diamond ring to match the wedding band around her neck. "Lorelei Leigh Gilmore, would you please do me the honor of being my wife?"
"Yes. Yes!!" she exclaimed, nodding happily through the tears that had begun to fall. He slid the ring onto her ring finger before wrapping his arms around her and giving her a sweet, tender kiss. Their waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne and popped the cork as everyone that had been entranced by the romantic display applauded. Breaking their kiss, she rested her forehead against his and whispered softly, "Mr. Huntzberger you are full of surprises."
"Well, soon-to-be Mrs. Huntzberger, I told you that Wednesday would be a surprise."
"I love surprises," she sighed, capturing his lips in another soft kiss.
"And I love surprising you," he murmured in between kisses, before grabbing the two glasses of champagne on the table, handing one to her. As Logan had requested, everyone in the restaurant had a glass of champagne. Taking Rory's hand, he pulled her out of her seat and slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Everyone's focus was on them; Logan smiled at the blush that had crept to her cheeks because of the attention. He raised his glass and turned to the patrons of the restaurant, "The way I see it is if your not willing to sound stupid, then you're not worthy of falling in love; and I am in love-- and forgive me if I my gusto renders me euphoric, but my God, it is the greatest thing that can happen to a man. This woman is the reason I know what love is, and she has just made me the happiest man alive by agreeing to become my wife! I sincerely hope that each one of you finds the kind of love that we have!" He finished his spiel and raised his glass.
"Here here!" the restaurant echoed, raising their glasses as well.
The remainder of their time in the city was peaceful and idyllic. While they'd embarked on a few small shopping and dining outings, they'd spent most of their time holed up in their suite, enjoying the serene atmosphere and some quality alone time before school began again. They knew news of the engagement would hit the news shortly, and they had decided to take full advantage of this time before they had to deal with the press, classmates, friends, and family. The pair had called and reported the good news to Colin, Steph, and Finn in the car ride back from the restaurant that evening.
Dialing the familiar number to Steph's cell, Rory pressed a button so that the phone went on speaker mode.
::Ring Ring::Ring Ring::
"Hello?"
"Hi Steph," Rory replied casually.
"Hey Ror! How's it going?!" Steph asked eagerly, excited to talk to her best girl friend, and anxious to hear if Logan had proposed yet.
"I'm great, whatcha doin'?"
"Just hanging with the boys. Finn's drowning himself in a bottle of whiskey because he thinks Rosemary has a thing for Seth," she replied chuckling slightly.
Logan and Rory heard Finn in the background, "She does! I swear it—oh, the looks she was giving that bloody lad…it's all rather heartbreaking I tell you!"
Logan laughed out loud. "Hi Logan, didn't know you were on the line as well," Steph greeted, having heard his laugh.
"Hey Steph. Where's Colin?"
"Oh Colin's right here too. He's got his panties in a bunch because he stepped in a puddle today and he was wearing his favorite loafers."
"Steph, those loafers were custom made for me. I was explicitly instructed to never immerse them in water. When they dry they will no longer be molded specifically to my feet," Colin huffed.
"Well as you can see, we're having a blast back here in New Haven," Steph giggled. "How's everything going in New York?" she asked in a hinting voice.
"My future husband and I are having a delightful time," Rory replied nonchalantly. Unbeknownst to those on the other end of the line, a small smile curved on her lips.
"Did you just say what I think you said?" Steph squealed with excitement.
"I believe you heard my future wife correctly," Logan joined the conversation.
They heard a chorus of cheers echo on the line before Finn got on, "Lovebirds! Congratulations, I am ecstatic at hearing the news! I do hope you will consider me for a vital role in the wedding, best man perhaps."
They heard a thud on the other end of the line and Colin say to Finn, "More like ring bearer. Move it, it's my turn to speak. Hey there kids! Future best man speaking! Congratulations you two! I'm really happy for you," Colin said sincerely. "Steph is dying to talk now, so we'll see you Friday night right?"
"Yep! I'll be the one wearing the huge rock on a very important finger!" Rory responded excitedly. She heard Colin laugh and move away from the phone.
"I want details on Friday when you get back!!" Steph exclaimed excitedly into the receiver.
"I won't leave out a thing. I promise," Rory replied, happily resting her head on Logan's shoulder.
"Well I'll let you two get back to doing whatever engaged people do," Steph teased into the phone. "Congratulations. We are so happy for you guys."
"Thanks Steph, see you in a couple days!"
"Baby, we should get our parents and grandparents together to tell them about the engagement in person before they find out from the press," she called from her desk in the office of their apartment. They'd gotten back late last night from the city, and come home to their three friends waiting in their apartment with champagne for a toast, all excitedly awaiting to hear the details of the proposal. Rory smiled, remembering their genuinely thrilled responses after she had regaled them with the tale:
"That is so romantic!!" Steph sighed, smiling dreamily at how meticulous Logan had been in the planning.
"I have to admit Mate, you did good," Finn commented honestly, patting his friend on the back.
"I agree one hundred percent," Colin stated simply. "And while the public display is not quite my thing, I'm sure I can muster up some sentimental prose for my best man's speech at the reception."
"Hey, hey, hey," Finn interrupted. "Who said that you were the best man? I'm his best friend too!"
They'd gone on bantering and arguing about which one was the best for the job, while Logan, Rory, and Steph watched in amusement.
Suddenly, she was pulled out of her thoughts when she noticed that Logan hadn't responded to her comment about telling their families. She spoke again as she walked toward the living room, "Logan? Did you hear me?" He stood with his back facing her, blocking the television.
"Too late…" he trailed off.
"What's too late?" she inquired, moving closer to him. As she reached him his arm wrapped around her instinctively, but his eyes remained on the television. She shifted her focus from him to the TV, wondering what he was talking about.
'According to sources it happened earlier this week in New York City. The couple has been spotted shopping here,' an image of Rory and Logan on Thursday appeared on the screen, 'at Bergdorf Goodman Thursday afternoon. Confirming reports of the engagement is the 4 carat Harry Winston engagement ring on her ring finger.'
"They work fast," Rory sighed wrapping her arms around his waist.
"They sure do," he replied, pulling her around to face him. "Are you upset?"
"No not really. It was bound to hit the news sometime. I'm just a little upset that we didn't get to tell our families face to face before the news did."
"Maybe they didn't see it yet and we could still tell him firsthand."
"Yeah you're right," she admitted, standing on her tip toes as she brushed her lips against his softly. She felt his hand reach up to brush a stray hair out of her eyes, before moving both his hands to cup her face tenderly, savoring the feeling of her lips against his own.
She pulled back gently, "I love you Logan."
He smiled inwardly, "I love you too Ace, more than anything."
::Ring Ring::Ring Ring::
The ringing of their apartment phone interrupted their embrace. Reaching over to the end table Logan answered, "Hello?"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my future son-in-law," the voice on the other end teased.
"Hi mom--its O.K. if I call you mom now, isn't it?" Logan joked.
"It's my mom?!" Rory interjected, quickly grabbing the phone from his hand. "Don't be mad mom! I wanted to tell you in person!!"
"Hun, I'm not mad. I mean I would've rather heard it from you, rather than on the news, but I'm still excited nonetheless!!"
"Really?" Rory asked in disbelief.
"Really! Stop worrying kiddo and tell me all about it!"
Smiling happily, Rory sat down on the couch, getting comfortable as she relayed the story of the proposal to her mother. Logan headed off to the kitchen to make some coffee. Returning a few minutes later with two mugs, she smiled gratefully at him as he handed one to her. Sitting down next to her, she automatically snuggled up to his side as she continued her conversation.
"No mom we haven't set a date," Rory sighed.
"What about a dress?" her mother persisted.
"No mom, no dress yet either! It just happened on Wednesday!" she stated exasperated from the questioning. Logan chuckled slightly and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Well you're just a wealth of information, aren't you daughter dearest?" her mother teased. Rory groaned in reply. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Well I've gotta get to the inn, but I just thought I'd call to make sure my eyes and ears weren't fooling me. Promise me that I'll be the first to know when I'm going to be a grandmother?"
"Only if E! News doesn't get to me first," she quipped.
"Good-bye my rotten child."
"Love you too mom!" Rory grinned as she hung up the call.
"Lorelei's happy?" Logan spoke.
"Very happy."
"Not as happy as me I bet," he whispered in her ear. His hot breath on her neck sent chills down her back.
Rory giggled at his comment as she turned her head to his, their lips close, "No probably not as happy as you…"
A/N: Review please!!