Reception Part II
Chapter 50 Let the Celebration Begin
As the waiters clear their tables, Lane, Brian, Gil, and Zac return to the stage and begin to play. Taking Rory's hand, Finn said, "Would you like to dance Mrs. Morgan?"
Smiling. Rory replied, "I would love to dance with you, Mr. Morgan."
Holding hands, Finn and Rory walk across the room down the path towards the dance floor. The lounge area is now bathed in blue lights as the swirling snowflakes are projected around the room.
Many of the guests leave their seats and follow Finn and Rory. Standing in the middle of the dance floor, Finn nods at Zac, and the band begins to play "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran. He bows to Rory and holding her he swirls her across the floor as Zac starts to sing
"I found a love for me
Darling just dive right in
And follow my lead
Well I found a girl beautiful and sweet
I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess,
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight…"*
As the guest watch from the lounges, Mia and Angus walk onto the dance floor and join them, followed by Jess, Ashlyn, Steph, Colin, Robert, Olivia, Tristan, Juliet, Paris, and Doyle. They began to dance around Finn and Rory, who stayed in the middle of the dance floor. Rory closes her eyes and lays her head on her husband's chest. The song ends, and the band smoothly transitions into the next song in their set as more people walked out to the dance floor.
Sitting at their table, Aidan looked at Lucy and said, "What do you think? Would you like to try to dance?"
"I'm not sure. My leg is beginning to ache." Aidan looked at her and lifted her leg, setting it on his lap. He took off her black beaded sandal. and began to massage her foot. "Have I told you how beautiful you look in this black beaded outfit?"
"Thank you, but right now, I don't feel beautiful."
"Don't say that," he said, cupping the back of her neck and giving her a soft kiss on her lips. She responded, returning the kiss, letting her tongue brush across his bottom lip. They broke the kiss, and he put his forehead against hers.
"Lean on me, okay? "
As Aidan leads Lucy onto the dance floor, the band begins the song "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz.
"…And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find
"Have you decided about Christmas?" Aidan asked as he slowly swayed with her on the dance floor.
"It depends. Do you still want to take me to visit your family? I don't want to impose."
Cos even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No I won't give up
Frowning down at her, he replies, "You're not an imposition. I want you with me for Christmas."
"But, my mobility is limited, and I won't be able to join you on the ski slope."
"I don't care about that. We can snuggle by the fireplace. I really want you to meet my family."
"Then, the answer is yes." Lucy put her hands on his chest and closed her eyes as they gently swayed to the music.
I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we've got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not and who I am…."*
When the song ended, and the guests finish clapping, Gil spoke into the microphone.
"Thank you everyone. Can I have Rory and her father Christopher, come to the middle of the dance floor. It's time for the Father-Daughter Dance?"
Rory walked to the middle of the dance floor as Christopher walked out, straightening his suit coat. Smiling in his daughter's direction, Christopher held out his hand.
"Rory, will you do me the honor of this dance?"
Rory places her hand in his, and they begin to dance as the band played "Daughters" by John Mayer.
"I know a girl
She puts the color inside of my world
But, she's just like a maze
Where all of the walls all continually change
And I've done all I can
To stand on her steps with my heart in my hand
Now I'm starting to see
Maybe It's got nothing to do with me
Fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers be good to your daughters, too"
As Rory and Christopher dance, Lorelai stands beside her parents, watching as the tears run down her cheeks. Lorelai swipes them away and looks up at her dad as he puts his arm around her and pulls her into his side.
"I never thought I would see this day," Lorelai told her father.
"I did. Christopher is a good man, and I am glad that you and Rory made a place in your lives again for him."
"Oh, you see that skin?
It's the same she's been standing in
Since the day she saw him walking away
Now she's left cleaning up the mess he made
Standing not far away, Finn stood with his family, watching his wife dance with her father. Ashlyn was standing between her father and Jess. Listening to the lyrics of the song, Liam became melancholy and put his arm around his daughter. Juliet and Tristan sat in the lounge chairs near Rose and Logan watching them dance. Rose looked at Logan and asked, "So What's the deal with her and her father?"
Frowning at her, Tristan said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, if she is a Hayden, why didn't she use his name. I mean, why did she go by Gilmore instead of Hayden?"
"I have known her since we were sophomores at Chilton. It wasn't uncommon for students to have a different last name from their parents. Rory lived with her mother. Back then, her father was never around. Why are you interested?"
"Well, in college, whenever she and Logan broke up, it was always over his mother feeling she wasn't good enough because she didn't come from money."
"So why are you interested in that? It was never a problem with me, and I knew who her father was. Money wasn't the issue, Rose," Logan responded.
"Logan, if your mother knew she was a Hayden, wouldn't you be married to Rory now?"
Logan stood up and walked away from them towards the other side where Lucy and Aiden were talking with Josh and Honor.
"I'm sure there's another reason they are not together," Tristan answered, putting his arm around Juliet. "Money isn't everything."
Rosemary stood up and walked over to the bar and watched Logan. It was apparent that he was still very much in love with Rory.
"So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers be good to your daughters, too
As Zac continued to sing, Luke walked out to the dance floor, tapping Christopher on the shoulder. Chris kissed his daughter's cheek and handed her hand over to Luke. Lorelai started to cry as she watched Luke dance with her daughter. Sookie and Jackson were standing behind Lorelai and Richard. Sookie was crying too and whispered to Jackson, but loud enough for Emily and Lorelai to hear, "Luke always loved her like his own."
"Boys, you can break
You'll find out how much they can take
Boys will be strong
And boys soldier on
But boys would be gone without warmth from
A woman's good, good heart
Luke danced with Rory around the dance floor. He kissed her on the forehead and said, "I am so proud of you. Finn is a special man."
"And so are you," she told him.
"Funny thing about love, it can be right in front of you, but instead, you don't see them right away. I am glad you found him before it was too late."
"Like you and mom?" she asked him with a smile on his face.
Pulling his head away, he smirked, "It was easy to fall in love with you two girls, the hardest part was convincing your mother."
Rory laughed, kissing him on the cheek.
"On behalf of every man
Looking out for every girl
You are the God and weight of her world
So fathers, be good to your daughters
Daughters will love like you do
Girls become lovers who turn into mothers
So mothers be good to your daughters, too"*
When the music stopped, everyone clapped as Finn walked out to the middle of the floor. Shaking Luke's hand, he said, "Thanks for helping Lorelai raise Rory."
"Just so you know, Finn, I didn't do it alone. All of Stars Hollow raised her too."
"I heard that," Finn said. Rory hugged Luke watching Finn walk towards Christopher was standing beside Gigi and Francine.
"Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your family. Please remember that you're a big part of the Morgan family now."
"Thanks Finn, we appreciate that," Christopher replied, shaking his hand.
Zac turned to his bandmates and then said into the microphone. "Finn, it's your turn." Finn smiled and walked over to his mother and took her hand. Finn and Zac spent a lot of time looking for a song that he wanted for this dance.
Zac began to sing the Band Perry Song, "Mother Like Mine."
"She's the sky that holds the clouds
She's the lady of the house
A blind believer in all I dare to be
There's no safer place I've found
Than the shoulder of her white nightgown
Oh I've got the best and the worst of her in me
And I'd share her if I could
As Finn guided his mother around the dance floor, Angus stood beside his sister and put his arm around her shoulder. Ashlyn wiped the tears from her eyes as she watched them dance.
"So the wars would all be over
'Cause she'd raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder
if somebody wanted them
We'd walk on grass that's greener
And our cares would all be freer
If the world had a mother like mine
Liam stood beside his older brother and wiped his eye. "Amanda never gave up on Finn. These last few years were very tough when he was so lost. She was the one that pushed me to find him and bring him home. We can't thank you enough, Angus, for helping him find himself again."
His older brother looked over at him and said, "I know. Amanda is a force to be reckoned with. Even as a young child she let Finn be himself and not be a carbon copy of what people expected. And you tried to keep him on the leash. I knew he would rebel the moment you sent him to boarding school."
Liam laughed. "I always knew Finn needed a challenge, and when he's bored, he would always find himself into some sort of mischief. I figured that by sending him to Groton, he would be challenged and excel. Little did I know that he would meet Logan and Colin, two young men with similar challenges. They were like magnets attracted to each other, and they became The Three Amigos, always ending up in Australia on school breaks. Amanda wasn't surprised when the three of them were kicked out of boarding school and then attended Andover together before attending Yale," Liam said, looking over to where Logan was standing beside Colin and Steph watching Finn dance with his mother.
"So, what's going on between Logan and Finn?" Angus asked his brother.
"What always comes between best friends," Liam said sadly.
Angus looked at his nephew dancing with his mother then over to where Rory was standing with her mother.
"Rory?" Angus asked.
Liam nodded. "Seems my son has been in love with her since he first met her at Yale. But Logan claimed her first, but after college Rory and Logan split up. Then fate brought Rory and Finn together. Rory is to Finn as Amanda is to me. His one great love."
"She's our father's one great love
She's the one he wanted most
She's the light in the window of the house I grew up in
"Mum, you are amazing. I know I haven't been easy; I just want to say thank you for not giving up on me this past year," Finn told his mother as he guided her expertly across the dance floor.
"Liam Finnigan Morgan, I would never give up on you. You always make me proud, even when you tested your father and I to our limits." Amanda kissed her son on the cheek as he expertly twirled her under his arm.
"She takes the midnight call
She's the bravest of us all
"Still she sings in the garden,
she let's her hair down in
Rory was standing beside her mother. As she watched Finn and Amanda dance, she put her head on her mother's shoulder. Lorelai wrapped her arm around her daughter's waist as they swayed to the music.
"I told you when the right one comes, you will know. You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his mother."
"Oh the wars would all be over
'Cause she'd raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder, if somebody wanted them
Tonight would be easier
And our dreams would all be deeper
If the world had a mother like mine
Don't go away, don't go away from me
Oh I understand, she is a helping hand still
I have to say
Lorelai whispered in Rory's ear and left her standing on the edge of the dance floor. As she stood there alone lost in thought, Jess came over and whispered, "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm wondering if I can be half the mother Amanda was to Finn."
"I have no doubt you will be an amazing mother."
"Why do you say that?" she asked him.
"Because Lorelai was your mother. You can't ask for anyone better than her."
She looked up into Jess's face and smiled. "When did you become so wise?"
"When I grew up and saw what life was like in the real world."
Jess put his hand around her waist as Rory leaned in beside him. She placed her hand on her stomach and watched as her husband continued to dance.
"She's the sky that holds the clouds
She's the lady of our house
We all need her, but no one more than me
Oh the wars would all be over
'Cause she'd raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder, if somebody wanted them
We'd walk on grass that's greener
And the dishes would all be cleaner
If the world had a mother like mine"*
Everyone clapped as they walked off the dance floor. The Hep Alien band members stepped off the stage while it slowly turned as the other band started to play, "Complicated." By Avril Lavigne
Finn saw Rory standing beside Jess and walked towards them.
"Finn, do you mind if I ask your beautiful wife to dance."
Rory raised her eyebrows at her husband and said, "He doesn't mind." She kissed her husband on the lips and took Jess's hand. As they began to dance around the dance floor, Rory looked up into Jess's brown eyes.
"You know I always loved this song. Whenever I heard it on the radio, I thought of you."
"Chill out, what you yelling for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if, you could only let it be, you will see
I like, you the way you are
When we're, driving in your car
And you're, talking to me one on one but you become
"Really? Huh!"
"Somebody else
'Round everyone else
You're watching your back
Like you can't relax
You're trying to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Finn shook his head and sat down at the table where Lucy and Aiden were sitting.
"What happened, Finn?" Lucy asked him.
"She left me for Jess," he pouted.
Aidan started chuckling. "They look quite cozy. Isn't he dating your sister?"
"Yes, but Rory and Jess go way back," he said as he watched them laugh and talk while they danced.
"Tell me
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this, you
And you fall, and you crawl, and you break
And you take, what you get, and you turn it into
Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No, no, no
Rory and Jess continued to laugh as they danced together.
"Yes," she said as he twirled her around. "You always made things complicated. However, you also told me the truth, even when I didn't want to hear it."
"So, I was your conscience. Good to know."
Suddenly becoming serious, she said, "I wished you had been around these last three years. I missed you, Jess."
"I missed you too, Ror. But I'm here now, and I will always be a phone call away," he said, kissing her on the forehead.
"Hey, you picked the right "trust fund baby," this time," he teased.
Looking over at her husband, who was busy talking with Lucy and Aidan, she smiled.
"I did, didn't I."
"Do you want to know a secret?" he asked
"Of course."
"I like his sister a lot." Rory squealed, and he laughed as they continued to dance.
Rory laughed. "You do?"
"Yea, I do."
Jess looked over her shoulder and said, "Uh oh. I think our dance is going to end."
Finn looked over at his sister and signaled to her. They both stood up and walked onto the dance floor. Aidan and Lucy watched as Ashlyn began tapping Rory on the shoulder.
"You come over unannounced
Dressed up like you're something else
Where you are and where it's at you see
Rory started laughing and shook her head no as Ashlyn nodded yes. Finn stood beside his sister, arms across his chest, raising his eyebrow at her. Shrugging her shoulders, Rory kissed Jess on the cheek, stepped aside. Pulling Ashlyn into his arms, Jess gave her soft a kiss on her lips. Finn walked behind Rory and twirled her around. Putting his arms around her, he kissed her softly.
"Smooth move," she giggled as they began to dance.
"You're making me
Laugh out, when you strike your pose
Take off all your preppy clothes
You know, you're not fooling anyone
When you become
Somebody else
'Round everyone else
You're watching your back
Like you can't relax
You're trying to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me
Why'd you have to go and
make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting
like you're somebody else
gets me frustrated
Life's like this you
And you fall, and you crawl, and you break
And you take, what you get, and you turn it into
Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No, no, no
"This song reminds me of you in college," she tells her husband.
"Really, and how is that?"
"How you use to drink and pretend you were always so happy. Acting out and hiding the real you. I'm glad you decided to show me the real Finn Morgan," she said, putting her arms around his neck and running her fingers through his hair.
"Chill out, what you yelling for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if you could only let it be
You will see
Somebody else
'Round everyone else
You're watching your back
Like you can't relax
You're trying to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me
Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're acting like you're somebody else gets me frustrated
Life's like this you
And you fall, and you crawl, and you break
And you take, what you get, and you turn it into
Honesty and promise me I'm never gonna find you fake it
No, no"*
Finn pulled his wife close to him and kissed her deeply. "I promise I will no longer act like that old fool from Yale."
Finn tilted his head and leaning towards her, and he lined up their lips. They stood in the middle of the dance floor kissing as the piano player began the intro to the next song. The female singer walked up to the microphone and began singing as Rory closed her eyes and leaned her head on Finn's shoulder as they swayed to the music.
"When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
Oh, I hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love…"*
Logan gripped the cane tightly that he was leaning on, as he watched Rory sing along to the Adele song, "Make Me Feel My Love" while they danced.
Honor walked over to him and put her arm on his shoulder.
"Logan… what's wrong?"
"It's this...I still have a hard time accepting that they are together, and soon they will have a child. Finn will have everything that I wanted with her."
"Logan, did you ever tell her that? It seems that in college, you kept running away from commitment, cheating, then leaving her. Were you ever honest?"
"Honor, I don't…"
Honor placed her hand in the crook of her brother's arm, and they walked towards an empty table with four chairs. Shaking his head, he said, "I am getting tired; let's sit down." As they sat down, the lead singer sang another Adele song. This time she sang "All I Ask."
"Hold me like I'm more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
'Cause what if I never love again?..."
As Logan listened to the lyrics, he rubbed his sore hip. Honor put her hand on his shoulder. "Logan, why don't you take your medicine. I'll go and get you a glass of water."
He listened to the lyrics and watched as Finn and Rory continued to dance. Their eyes were never leaving each other's faces. What if he could never love again? He noticed Rosemary walk over to his table and slide a glass of scotch towards him.
"I thought you could use this. "Putting her hand on Logan's shoulder, she leaned close to him, so her breast rubbed against his arm. " How are you holding up?" she asked him, kissing him on the cheek.
"Let this be our lesson in love
Let this be the way we remember us
I don't wanna be cruel or vicious
And I ain't asking for forgiveness
All I ask is
"Thanks," Logan said, taking a pain pill from his pocket and swallowing it with scotch from the glass she set in front of him.
If this is my last night with you
Hold me like I'm more than just a friend
Give me a memory I can use
Take me by the hand while we do what lovers do
It matters how this ends
'Cause what if I never love again?..."*
Logan sat there watching the dance floor; the song ended, and he watched as Finn and Rory walked towards Richard and Lorelai. The piano player started the introduction to Moon River, and the male singer stepped to the mic.
"Grandpa, will you dance with me?" she asked him.
"I would be honored too," Richard replied and began to waltz with Rory across the room. Memories of Logan dancing with Rory for the first time filled his head.
"Moon river wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style someday
A dream maker
My heartbreaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' that way
Two drifters off to see the world
There's such a crazy world to see
We're all chasin' after all the same
Chasing after our rainbow's end…."*
As Richard glided Rory in the waltz around the dance floor, Emily came over. She tapped her granddaughter on the shoulder. Rory laughed, stepping aside and watched as her grandfather glided her grandmother gracefully across the dance floor. Leaving Rosemary alone at the table, Logan stood up from his seat. Limping across the dance floor, he walked up beside Rory and said, "I think this is our song."
She turned and laughed. "I guess you're right." Logan put his hands around her waist, and she placed her hands on his shoulder. She looked into his brown eyes as they began slowly moving to the music.
"Ace, I'm sorry. I should have called you before you left and told you how I felt."
"What would you have said, Logan? I wasn't ready for marriage, and nothing would have changed," Rory replied.
"Ace, you gave me so many chances, and always forgave me, but I was scared. I never felt worthy of you, and when I finally got the guts to ask you to marry me, I was too selfish and stubborn to listen to your answer. I was offered a job to join you on the Obama Trail, but I turned it down. I convinced myself that I was better off working in my own business in California and prove to my father that I could run my own company. Instead, it failed. I lost everything, including you. I love you, Ace. I still and always will love you."
"Oh Logan," tears came to her eyes when she thought about her time on the trail missing him, her surprise for him, and then the miscarriage. Biting her bottom lip, she looked at him and said, "Logan," she put her hand on his cheek, "I …" Tears begin to leak from her eyes. Lifting her dress, Rory quickly walked out of the room towards the bathroom, leaving Logan standing in the middle of the dance floor. Rosemary saw Rory go and walked over to him. Taking him in her arms, she leaned on his shoulder, and they finished the dance.
Amanda was returning from the bathroom and saw her daughter in law, leaving the dance floor. She followed Rory out of the main dining area. Putting her hand on Rory's shoulder, she said, "Come with me, love." She took her hand, leading her into her private office.
"Rory, are you feeling okay?"
"Yes," she nodded, wiping her eyes.
Amanda pulled her daughter in law in her arms and patted her back as Rory tried to control her tears.
"I don't know why I'm crying," Rory lied to Amanda.
"Love, give yourself a good cry. Today has been an emotional day for all of us."
Rory put her head on Amanda's shoulder and cried. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying on my wedding day."
Taking the tissue that Amanda handed her, Rory wiped the tears from her face.
"It's not easy, Love. I know how much you love Finn. Give yourself time to adjust to your new life. You will be a mother soon, and you will face many new challenges and changes. "
Amanda stood up and walked over to her desk, where she pulled out a comb and compact she kept there.
"Here you go, dear. I suggest we fix your make up and hair. Use the loo, and then we will sit down for a bit." When Rory returned from the small bathroom, Amanda handed her a bottle of water.
"I want you to put your feet up, drink some water, and relax. You have been dancing nonstop. It's no surprise that you're feeling tired and emotional."
Finn walked Lorelai over to the table after their dance. He looked around the dance floor and saw Emily and Richard dancing the cha-cha to the next song
"Have you seen Rory?" Finn asked Luke and Christopher.
"The last time I saw her, she was on the dance floor," Luke said as his wife took a sip from the beer. Gigi came skipping over to them, carrying a plate full of chocolate s' mores that she made.
"What do you have, love?" Finn asks Gigi.
"Some smores. Would you like one Finn? " Gigi handed him a s'more that she made.
"Thanks, love," he said, taking the treat from her. "Have you seen Rory?" he asked her.
"Yes, she passed me. She was with your mother, and they were heading for the bathroom."
"Thanks, love." He stood up and walked out into the hall towards the ladies' room. As he approached the bathroom, Ashlyn and Steph were coming out.
"Hey is Rory in there?" he asked them.
"Don't tell me you lost her already, Finn," Steph said, rolling her eyes and teasing him.
"No, Gigi said she was heading this way with mum."
"She's not in there, but maybe mum took her to her office," Ashlyn told him.
"Thanks, Ash. I'll check in there." Finn walked down the hall to his mother's office and knocked on the door. Amanda opened the door and smiled.
"Can I have my wife back?" he asked his mom when he saw Rory sitting with her feet up on the couch.
"Of course," she patted her son on the shoulder and whispered, "She's feeling tired and a little emotional. It' might be time to cut the cake."
Finn smiled at his mother and nodded. Amanda opened the door and walked out, leaving the two of them alone.
"Are you okay, Babe?" Finn asked with concern in his voice.
"Yea, it's been just so…."
"What?" he asked, sitting down and pulling her on his lap.
"I don't know. Suddenly I can't stop crying."
"I know how to fix that," Finn told her as he lowered his head and gently touching his lips to hers. Rory looped her arms around his neck and got lost in the kiss. They slowly broke apart. Finn put his forehead against hers.
"I agree with Mum. It's time for us to cut the cake and then leave this party and start our private one. "
Rory hugged him close as he growled, "I can't wait to get you out of this dress."
Rory felt better when they entered the room, holding hands. Finn heard the band playing his favorite song. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the dance floor.
"It's time to take my Mrs. for one last spin before we leave."
Twirling her around, they danced, while the band played "Vulture" by John Mayer. As they danced around the room, Finn spotted Jess and Ashlyn dancing. With mischief in his eyes, he moved them close to Jess and Ashlyn.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Six inches between you and my sister at all times."
Rory snickered and looked at Jess and Ashlyn.
Smirking at her brother, Ashlyn replied, "You might have only six inches, dear brother. But I know that Jess has more."
Jess cracked up, and Rory stopped dancing with Finn. She took Jess by the hand and said, "Is this true? To think I told you no when we were in high school." She shook her head, and Ashlyn laughed harder. Ashlyn poked her brother in the ribs when Jess pulled Rory close to his chest and said, "I told you that you could do better than Dean."
Finn stood with his arms across his chest and pretended to scowl.
"You keep on bringing up this Dean person, Love. I don't get it."
Finn walked up behind Rory, pulling her close to his chest and said, "Your mine now, Mrs. Morgan, and there will be no more comparing sizes. I have more than enough to satisfy you." He then rubbed himself against her as he nuzzled her neck, causing Rory to squeal with laughter.
"I don't know, Finn." Ashlyn teased. "You know one of her boyfriends was the model for the cookie balls I made."
Jess turned bright red as Rory, Finn, and Ashlyn laughed harder.
Jess grabbed Ashlyn's hand and whispered, "Are you ready for me to model again?"
"Ooh, Promises, promises," she replied.
"Is this a private joke, or can anyone join in?" Robert and Olivia asked as they danced over.
Rory began laughing as tears came to her eyes. Taking Olivia's hand, Rory and Ashlyn pulled her off the dance floor and headed towards the ladies' room, leaving the men standing in the middle of the dance floor. When they were alone in the ladies' room, they told Olivia the whole story.
Olivia started laughing. "And to think that Tristan told everyone that you were a Mary."
"Well, I was, until I went to Yale and met Logan, Finn, Colin, and Robert," she said as they left the ladies' room.
"Did you and Robert?" Olivia asked, raising her eyebrows.
"No. But Robert, Finn, Logan, and Colin would walk around their dorm room naked. They didn't care who was there, and often I was there with Steph and Rosemary. Finn, of course, thought nothing of it walking about in the common room naked, especially when Logan and I were sitting on the couch together."
The girls looked at her in surprise.
"So, you saw everything?" Olivia asked.
"Well, I did see their… uummm.. package."
"Oh.. you are so naughty," Ashlyn teased. "And whose is the most impressive?"
"Well, let's just say, Finn has more than his share." The girls were laughing hysterically by the time they got back to the men.
"Did you have a good laugh? Love?" Finn asked as he handed her a bottle of water.
Rory winked at Ashlyn and Olivia as they followed Robert, Finn, and Jess over towards the wedding cake.
Watching them laugh, Logan sighed and wondered what made Rory leave with the girls. Looking at Rosemary, he said, "I need a drink. Where are the waiters?"
"Don't worry; I'll get us something." Rosemary walked across the room and ordered herself a champagne cocktail and Logan, a double scotch.
Seth was standing at the bar, ordering himself and his wife a drink. He looked at Rose when he heard her order the drinks.
Seth walked towards her and said, "Is that for Logan? He isn't supposed to be drinking alcohol. Especially with the medication he is taking."
"Seth don't worry," she purred stroking his arm. " Logan is fine. I'm watching him carefully."
"Bartender. Please don't fill her order for the double," Seth told the bartender.
Seth turned to her and firmly said, " Rose. Take this drink over to my wife and sit with her. I will go and check on Logan."
"You can't do that'," she said.
"Rose, you were not at the hospital the day when Logan arrived with such a high alcohol level in his system. We didn't know if he was going to make it, and I had to give him something before we could operate. Logan has a substance abuse problem. You should know this if you were following his chart like you are supposed to."
Seth turned and motion to Joshua, who was at the other end of the bar.
"Now go and sit with my wife," Seth told Rosemary.
When Rosemary left, Seth turned to Josh and said, "Josh, Logan has been drinking. Where is he staying?"
"At our house."
"We could have a problem. Could you get Honor and have her sit with him."
Josh quickly left the bar and walked over to Logan to talk to him.
"What the hell are you thinking?" he said to him. "I had to hold my wife for two nights as she cried herself to sleep because of your mother's behavior. Now you are doing it too?!"
"I'm fine, " Logan said as he tried to stand up, but the room started to spin, causing him to lose his balance. Josh grabbed his arm and made him sit back down.
Aidan, Lucy, Colin, and Steph were walking towards them when they saw Logan stumble and Josh holding onto Logan as he helped him to sit down.
"What's going on?" Colin asked.
"Nothing, I'm okay."
Seth came over with Honor and said. "He's not okay. Come on, Logan, we are taking you home."
Jess and Ashlyn left Finn and Rory in the corner, where Robert was taking the photographs of them cutting their wedding cake. They walked across the room, over to the table where everyone was standing.
"Seth, what's going on?" Jess said when they arrived. Right away, he noticed how pale Logan looked.
"Logan, you don't look good. Does he need to go to the hospital?" Jess asked Seth.
"I think we can take him to rehab. I caught Rosemary giving Logan liquor. He is dizzy, and his pulse is racing."
Jess knelt in front of Logan and quietly said. "Put your head between your legs, Logan."
Jess stood up and pulled Seth to the side. "Seth, he looks like he is going to pass out. We get him out of here before he starts a scene."
They looked at Logan and noticed that he was beginning to sweat. Seth nodded and whispered to Honor. "Go and get your coats. We need to take him somewhere, where I can monitor him. Maybe give him something before I send him home."
Logan looked up and saw Colin and Steph looking worried. Steph sat beside him and rubbed his back, "Logan. What did you do?"
Logan looked at her, and his eyes filled with tears. "Steph, why? Why didn't she say yes? She should be with me… I thought he was my friend, my best mate, my brother."
Steph held Logan to her shoulder, letting him cry. Colin looked at Seth, Jess, and Josh, not saying anything. Finally, Colin sat down on the other side of Logan and put his arm around his shoulder.
"Come on, Logan, let's go for a walk. It's not good for you to be sitting on these chairs for a long time."
Helping him up, Colin and Steph walked Logan quietly out of the room. Seth turned to Rosemary, who was standing there, watching it all unfold.
"I'm disappointed in you," Seth said. "We will talk on Monday."
Seth turned and left with Jess following Steph, Colin, and Logan. Honor and Josh met them in the lobby with their coats. Colin helped Logan with his topcoat, and they walked outside to wait for the cars.
"Honor, there's no need for you and Josh to leave now," Seth said to them.
"No, Seth, I need to be with him. Tomorrow is Christmas, and I need to make sure Logan is home with us."
"Okay, first, Jess, and I will take him to the ER. We will stay with him and monitor his vitals. They might be able to give him something to stop his racing pulse. Once he is stable, you will be able to take him home."
Honor nodded and watched as Josh and Colin help Logan, into Seth's car. Josh took hold of Honor's hand, and they got in their vehicle. Josh drove out of the hotel parking lot, following Seth to the hospital.
Rosemary was angry with the way Seth treated her. She immediately called a cab and left the wedding reception. Colin, Steph, and Ashlyn returned to the table where Ronnie was sitting.
"Where's Rose?" Steph asked her.
"I don't know. She said something about going to the ladies' room but never returned. Did they get Logan out okay?" she asked her.
"Yes, we can take you home when you are ready to go," Colin told her. Ashlyn got up and excused herself and walked over to talk to her brother.
Tristan and Juliet returned to their table with a tray of slices of wedding cake.
"We brought cake?" Tristan said as he placed the tray on the table. "Where is everyone?"
"Logan started to feel ill, so Seth and Jess brought Logan to the hospital. They were worried about his blood pressure," Colin said.
"Oh, I hope he'll be okay," Juliet said as she took a piece of cake and began to eat it.
Ashlyn was standing at the bar area, talking with her father and brother Angus.
"Do you think I should mention anything to Finn and Rory?" she asked.
"No, I'm sure Logan will be fine," Angus told her. "Mum said Rory is tired so, they are leaving to go up to their apartment."
Robert finished taking the photos, and Olivia and Robert stood talking to Finn and Rory.
"I'm going to take the Mrs. upstairs now," Finn said as Rory leaned into his side.
"I am tired," she admitted.
"Remember, she said that she is tired, Finn." Olivia teased him.
Rory giggled as Finn winked at her. "Listen, guys, I can't thank you both enough for everything. We'll call you when we get to Australia," Finn told them.
"Promise? I want Rory to relax and not worry about anything," Olivia said, hugging Rory then Finn goodbye.
Robert hugged Rory and kissed the top of her head. "Take care of yourself and the little one," he whispered.
Robert and Olivia walked across the room and noticed Colin talking to Liam. Robert had a strange feeling that something was wrong.
Kissing her on the cheek, Robert told Olivia, "I'll meet you at the table with Lucy and Aidan. I want to check in with Colin." Robert walked over to the bar where Colin, Liam, and Angus were talking.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Robert asked Colin as he approached them.
Liam shook Robert's hand. "It's Logan. He was mixing pain meds with liquor."
"Where is he now?"
"Seth and Jess took him to ER where they can monitor him," Colin said.
"Dam. I thought he had stopped drinking," Robert said.
"He's got a problem, Robert. The sooner he admits that he has a problem, the sooner he can get better. He's going to need your help." Liam told him.
"Robert, we're not telling Finn or Rory about it," Angus said.
"Good. I just said goodbye to them," Robert said, "They cut the cake and slipped out. Rory was tired, and they decided to make a quiet getaway."
"There's nothing more you boys can do right now. Go back and enjoy the rest of the party. Did you see the coffee and chocolate bar they have set up?" Liam said, leading them over to the coffee and chocolate bar where shots of coffee flavor vodka were set out for the guests.
Finn carried Rory bridal style to the elevator. He held her in his arms, kissing her, and didn't put her down until they got into their apartment. Standing in the living room, he put his hands on her face cupping it and tilted her head as his lips moved softly over hers. Finn lifted his head and then put his hands in her hair and began to remove the hairpins.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking out all these pins so I can run my fingers through your hair," he told her as he kissed her lips again. He dropped the pins on the coffee table as she began to unbutton his vest and then his shirt.
He finally got the pins out of her hair and said, "Let's go take a bath together."
He lifted her into his arms as she kissed his neck and chest.
"Wait here," he said as he set her down by the bed.
Finn walked into the bathroom and started the water in the garden tub. He lit the candles and added the bath Bonn's and bubbles to the water. Returning to the bedroom, Finn grinned when he saw her standing by the bed.
"Now, I get to unwrap my present."
Rory giggled, standing beside the bed in the white lace bustier, a seamless lace thong, and the thigh-high stockings that he had placed in the box for her to wear.
Growling, he ran his hands down her back. "You look so sexy, and I love that you are still wearing the sapphire blue heels."
"I think you are a little overdressed, Mr. Morgan," she said, walking towards him.
Finn quickly let the shirt and vest fall to the floor. Placing his hands on her face, he stroked her cheek then ran his fingers through her hair. Finn looked into her eyes, watching, waiting for her reaction. She put her hand on his face and leaning forward; his lips were on hers. Soft. Gentle. Smooth. And then rough and demanding as he tipped his head to one side and moaned into her mouth. He used his thumb to angle her head the way he wanted it and lifted her, carrying her into their bathroom. He slowly removed the bustier while kissing every part of her. As he knelt in front of her, he put his lips on her stomach.
Looking up into her eyes, he said, "I love you, Ror and our little bean."
Slipping out of his pants and silk boxers, Finn quickly removed her thong and stockings. They both climbed into the tub together. Sitting behind her, he pulled her between his legs. Leaning against his chest, Finn slowly caressed and kissed Rory's shoulders. She closed her eyes, letting herself relax into his kisses.
Turning her, he sat her in his lap and said, "Kitten. Are you ready to start our life together? I promise that there will be no secrets, no running."
"Finn. I love you, and I promise that there will be no secrets between the two of us."
He put his hand on the back of her head and kissed her. Gazing into her blue eyes, he said, "I'm so glad you love coffee and crashed into me."
"I'm glad that of all the places you could have been, you were in front of the coffee shop that afternoon in September.
"Crashed," he said, kissing her lips.
"Bumped," she said, kissing him back.
Songs in this chapter Perfect by Ed Sheeran, I Wont Give Up by Jason Mraz, Daughters, by John Mayer, Mother Like Mine, Band Perry, Complicated, Avril Lavigne, Make Me Feel Your Love; All I Ask by Adele, Moon River
Author's Note: This concludes the First "part" of Life Choices, Challenges, and Changes. I plan on writing this story as a series. This first part started when Finn and Rory bumped into each other in 2011 and fell in love. Their adventure will continue in Part 2. This will focus on the challenges they chose to take as a young married couple. In a few months, I will begin publishing the second part of the series, Finn and Rory Part Two of Life Choices, Challenges, and Changes. It will begin at their honeymoon and go through the first three years of married life, including the birth of their first son and the weddings of some of their friends. I will continue with the flashbacks and there will be a happy ending when the series ends for all of Finn and Rory's friends and family.
Thank you to all my loyal fans. Please read my third story Taking Back Control while you wait for the second part of the series, Life Choices, Challenges, and Changes.
