I looked up to see Logan waving back at us. I shouldn't have been surprised, but him showing up always seems to catch me when I least expect it. I put Landon down as he walked in and politely greeted my family. He even shook hands with Luke, who surprisingly seemed less shocked to see him than I was.
Logan sat in the chair Luke had vacated when he started wiping things down for the night. He kissed me on the cheek, as if joining the family for dinner at Luke's was the most normal thing in the world, "What are you doing here?"
"You're here…" He was very matter of fact.
"Yea, but don't you have work tomorrow?"
" I have to head back in the morning, but I've got some time." He squeezed my knee, silently telling me this was his way of 'being here' for me. I knew full well that I was displaying my harlequin romance face at the moment, but sometimes it was called for.
We all chatted comfortably for a few minutes. Luke dropped a piece of pie off at the table for Logan. Mom asked about his work, how he was liking being back in the city. Logan participated in a guessing game about Landon's current drawing… We were basically the Cleavers.
When the conversation had died down Logan turned to my mom, "Can I steal her for a minute?"
Mom nodded, "Yea, I guess…" turning to Landon, "We need to get you home anyway, Mister."
She started to gather up his artwork as Logan took my hand and led me outside. The town was surprisingly quiet; it wasn't that late yet, but there was hardly a soul around. We crossed the street toward the gazebo, passing the base of the bonfire that had been tarped off.
"You guys roasting a pig?"
I smiled, "It's supposed to be a bonfire."
"Supposed to be?"
"There's like a twenty percent chance that no one will have anything to light it with when Friday night rolls around."
I always appreciated how amused Logan was by Stars Hollows antics. "How long have they been doing this, and they haven't gotten that part figured out yet?"
I shrugged, "It's basically part of the tradition now."
We ended up on a bench under one of the many twinkle light-laden trees. I love the Firelight Festival decorations. We just sat for a moment in contented silence.
"Ace..." His serious tone took me by surprise. Ugh, just as I was starting to relax… "I want to talk to you…"
"Logan, can we do this tomorrow? I'm tired of…"
"I just want to…"
"It has been the longest day, I just…"
"I know, Ace, but please?"
There's that new-found sincere Logan. Grown up Logan. I sighed and leaned back into his shoulder, "Fine."
He didn't start right away, like he was gathering his thoughts before beginning, "Look, I know that getting my dad involved in this would not have been your first choice." I couldn't stifle the snort that expressed my agreement. "But, I really think he's the best one to handle this. I'm sorry I ambushed you with that this morning, it just kinda happened that way."
Wow. Not what I was expecting, but he's not wrong. "You're right… Mitchum would not have been my first choice, but he was kind of already involved, so… I get it."
Logan nodded, then continued, "And I know that there are a lot of things that are up in the air right now.,," My turn to nod. "But I want you to know that I am here for you, no matter what."
Oh, Logan. "I do; I know you are. You drove all the way out here just to…"
He shook his head, "Not just here for you. I mean really, truely, whatever happens… I want you to know that we aren't one of the things you have to worry about."
"Logan…" I started to feel my heartbeat quicken. Is he doing what I think he's doing? "Are you…"
"Before you go and start in about how this is just like last time, it's not, okay." I was dumbfounded. I was searching for something, anything to say, but he continued, "I'm not the same… We're not the same"
"I…"
"I heard you last night, Rory. I did; and yes, there are a lot of uncertainties, but I am certain about this. I know that I want my day to start and end with you. I know that my life is better with you in it, and I hope the same is true for you. I know that no matter what, I want us to handle whatever comes together."
Tears stung my eyes. I can't believe…
"If The Times wants you to be in Washington, we'll get a place there and I can commute to the city during the week. If I have to wait at home for you to have a break in the campaign, I will. If I have to be on the West Coast, we'll figure it out…" He finally paused long enough for me to catch my breath, but then kept right on, "And if you'd rather wait until things are more settled, then we'll wait, that's fine, I just…"
He leaned forward, so I sat up and saw him reaching into his pocket. He pulled out that blue velvet box in his hand. Is this really happening?
He turned a little on the bench so he was facing me now. "I want you to know you can count on me. On us. That none of the rest of it matters… And that I know these are all of things I should have said years ago…"
He slipped off the bench and on to one knee, "Rory, will you…"
I began to nod before he finished the question. How could my answer be anything but yes?
A relieved smirk formed on Logan's face, "You know I'm talking about marrying you, right?"
I nodded with more conviction, stifling a little laugh. To seal the deal, I leaned over and kissed him. This is so not how I pictured this day playing out, but… He was right, these were things I would have loved to hear years ago, but more than that, he was right when he said that we were different.
Still kissing, Logan rose from his kneeling position. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me up with him, so we were both standing. When we finally took a breath he leaned his forehead against mine, "I love you, Ace."
"I love you too." What else was there to say? Mom was right, I didn't have to think about it. When it's right, you just know.
He kissed me again, another long, deep kiss, before we sat back down on the bench, my head leaned back on his shoulder. "I know we hadn't talked about it, but…"
"Logan…"
"And if you don't actually want to…"
"Are you trying to talk me out of it?"
"No!" His quick response almost made me laugh out loud, "No.. I just meant that I didn't mean to spring it on you like this. I know it's been a long couple of days, but after last night…"
I thought quickly back over the last twenty-four hours. Did he only do this because I was such a mess last night? "I didn't mean for… Logan, last night was just…"
He sat up abruptly, jostling me from my comfy nook, "You think I just decided to do this overnight?"
I rolled my eyes. Obviously he'd been thinking about this for a little while. "No, but.."
"Ace, I think I've been planning this since that first day you picked a fight with me in the hallway."
"Logan, I'm being serious."
"So am I. Look…" He composed himself a little. "I have known for a long time that you are the only one I want to spend my life with… It took us a while to get here, and yes, your crisis of confidence may have spurred on the timing, but I never had any doubt that I would be asking you to marry me… again." Wow. "Here…" he reached for the ring box that he'd set on the bench next to us and opened it towards me.
Holy crap. The box was the same, but the ring… it was definitely a different ring. "But…"
"I know it's not the same, but I figured… neither are we."
"Logan…"
He took it out of the box. It was stunning. A large center diamond with a smaller stone on each side and dainty platinum band. I never would have picked something this opulent for myself, but it was gorgeous. I was speechless. He raised his eyebrows, silently asking for my approval; I raised my left hand ever so slightly and let him slide it onto my finger.
"When did you…"
He couldn't help his trademark grin, "I told you, I didn't up and decide to propose to you last night…"
"This is…" What? Too much? Like he would go for that… Not that I'd checked since then, but it was only a few weeks ago that Leslie had found the old ring in the drawer. "You did not have to buy a new ring."
"Well, it's not all new…" I glanced up at him and his patented, proud-of-himself grin. The band was different, and that large center stone was definitely new. "...I brought them the old ring; told them I was trying again, hoping you wouldn't turn me down a second time."
"Logan…"
He laughed satisfied with his goading, "Well, I did. I told them what I had in mind, they melted down the old band to make the new setting, and the stones on the side came from the other ring… some of the same, but…"
"But better." Like us. He's really outdone himself this time.
He nodded in agreement.
"I love it, Logan."
He kissed the top of my head, "I'm glad."
"And I love everything you said… I love you."
His smirk was contagious. "I love you too." He kissed me. This is real. We're engaged.
I don't know how long we sat there in the twinkle light lit square, but eventually it occurred to me that I hadn't seen a soul walk by since we'd come outside. I glanced around to make sure I wasn't imagining it, my vision clouded by bliss. Nope; no one.
I looked back toward the diner, and there were Mom's unmistakable blue eyes, peering through the closed blinds. He planned this. I looked back at Logan who had been following my gaze, aware that I was catching on.
"How in the world did you…"
He bit back a wide grin. He hated divulging his secrets. "I may have called your mom earlier this afternoon."
"She knew?" I was genuinely shocked.
"Well, I thought she would appreciate a little heads up." Wise man. "And after she caught her breath, she was on board."
"On board?"
"Well…" He looked a little sheepish, "She asked if I had something big planned or if I had learned my lesson from last time." Ouch. Why am I not surprised? "Anyway, I told her I just wanted it to be us, that I wanted us to have time to talk, she said she would handle it."
Unbelievable. The whole town must know… no wonder the diner cleared out early.
He kissed me, and then stood up again, "Come on…"
"Where?" I took his hand and stood to join him and he led me back toward the diner.
Logan pushed open the door to reveal my family, excitedly waiting for us, champagne glasses in hand. Mom had tears in her eyes as she came and wrapped me in a hug, "My baby's engaged…"
Luke gave heartfelt congratulations and handed us our own flutes, just as Lane came bursting through the door, squealing with excitement.
"Oh my God, you're getting married!" She hugged me tightly before taking her own glass of bubbly from my mom.
"Wait…" I just spent the afternoon with Lane and she gave nothing away, "Did you know?"
"No! I swear! Apparently Zach knew, but he didn't tell me anything until I got home! At that point I was glued to my phone, waiting for Lorelai to let me know how it went, and…" Another giddy squeal escaped from her lips, "Oh I'm so happy for you!"
"Here, here!" Mom was raising her glass, "To Rory and Logan…" Luke and Lane joined in the toast and I could feel myself start to blush, being the center of attention. I caught the quick wink that Logan sent my way before planting a quick kiss on my lips.
Our impromptu engagement party all drank to the toast, including Luke who took one sip and did his best to conceal his disgusted face. He graciously put his glass down in favor of tending to a very sleepy Landon.
"Well, let's see it!" Mom made grabby hands at the engagement ring;I obliged by gingerly raising my hand. Her eyes went wide, "Holy cow! Made it worth her while this time around, huh?"
"Mom!"
"I'm just saying…" There is no reasoning with her.
One more glass of champagne and a bit more excited banter followed before we decided to call it a night. Luke carried Landon out to the truck while we said goodbye to Lane. Mom rode home with the boys while Logan and I walked home.
That night as we lay very close together in my old bed, I couldn't help but reel from the enormity of the day. I rubbed my hands over my face, somehow hoping that would help me process it all.
"You doing alright there, Ace?" Logan's eyes were already closed, but he could feel my restlessness.
"Yea… just a long, long day."
"Ended pretty good, though?"
Despite it all, there was a smile on my face. "Yea, you could say that."
**I do not own any characters or content related to Gilmore Girls or any other entities mentioned.**
A/N - A shorter chapter, but exciting, no? What do we think? Too sappy? Sorry, couldn't help it!
Comment, follow, and favorite… Peace, love, and face masks to all!