A/N - apologies for it taking me so long to update, despite COVID I am not working from home as I work in medicine; so this has become a bit of refuge when time allows. While the characters / Gilmore Girls aren't mine, there is one little piece in this story that is absolutely a real experience in my life. People asked for Honor and Josh, so here they are fresh back from visiting with Josh's family for Christmas. I still am trying to work on voice for Finn and Collin. It is my goal to bring them into the story or give them a real presence when the twins arrive. It is hard writing in all of the different characters and I have a newfound respect for ASP and all the other writers out there who do it so elegantly.
XXXX Dec. 26, 2019 - Boxing Day
"Thank you"
"You're welcome, Ace. Um what are you thanking me for"
"For saying yes."
"For saying yes to?"
"Saying yes to me."
"Oh, well, in that case, you are very welcome." Logan started kissing her and they spent the next hour in bed and only pulled apart when they could hear the little feet patting down the hall.
Lia had opened the door and jumped on the bed. "Mommy, Daddy, time to go to Grandma and Luke's"
Rory sat up in bed and pulled the sheets over her, "Yes, it is. Are you excited to go to Stars Hollow? See everyone?"
"Yes, I am excited. I like it when I can go be with Martha." Rory was so grateful for Martha, at 14 she was a great babysitter and Lia just loved her. Davey was too old for her and Steve and Kwan were now 10, just not into toddler girls. Doula at 10 was fun, but she still needed some supervision too, making it a lot of work. Rory went downstairs to find that breakfast had been laid out on the sideboard for them and she was able to hold down her one cup of coffee and some toast with jam and fruit. Logan and Lia both ate eggs and bacon and Lia managed to find room for a couple of pancakes too. Rory smiled realizing her daughter definitely had a lot of Gilmore in her, but also grateful that she would grow up eating healthier foods.
As the little family started to pull together the presents they would share with Rory's extended Stars Hollow family the door opened and a Merry Christmas in Honor's sparkling voice rang out. Her 2 kids ran into the house, scooping up Lia for hugs and kisses. "Hey, Little Brother! We made it back from the Vineyard just to see you and ..." Honor sang out as she walked into the living room and gave Logan a big hug. "Rory, I hear that congratulations are in order – Mom says that twins are coming. Looks like it is in the Huntzberger genes." As she nods at her own 7-year-old fraternal twins, Mason and Sophia. While wrapping Rory in a warm and loving hug. Rory just feels total relief that Honor has come back and knows that the HPG New Year's party will be easily navigated.
"So, how was Christmas away from the family?" asked Rory "we missed you at the party, the kids had so much fun."
"Oh, it was delightful. We missed you too, but honestly, we needed to spend time with Josh's family, there is some jealousy that I live close to my parents and see them all the time, so it only seems fair that we spent time with his family this Christmas. Next Christmas you will have us and we will have babies to hold! I am so, so excited. Mason, go find Daddy, and help him bring in the presents for Lia and Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory."
Mason jumped up from the floor, "Lia, I'll be right back. Daddy, Daddy" they could hear Mason calling as he headed to the door. Sophia continued to play with Lia as Mason and Josh hauled in a couple of bags full of presents.
"Merry Christmas you guys!" Josh was always so much more outgoing and friendly when it was just the two families. "Congratulations! Shira spilled the news as we were driving back last night, so we decided to try to catch you before you took off for Stars Hollow."
Hugs were exchanged the presents were put next to the tree. Rory stepped away from the group, "Santa's workshop, we are still making deliveries" comes over the phone into Rory's ear.
"You mean Island of misfit toys!"
"Ok, Hermey."
"But I want to be Rudolph."
"Be glad I didn't call you Abominable"
"Thanks, Mom"
"How did you know?"
"Lucky guess, mom, just wanted to let you know we are going to be late. Honor, Josh, and the twins, wow, twins, next year I will be referring to my twins, anyway, they showed up with presents, and the kids are playing. So, I am thinking we need to stall for about 2 hours on the Stars Hollow Boxing day celebration."
"Well, then we will do the actual Boxing day ritual, you need to serve us, servants."
"Um, we were already going to be kinda doing that, we have the presents and the food is ordered and being delivered, remember even giving Sookie the day off."
"Oh, right, gotcha, yeah, then I guess it is ok for you to be late, enjoy the time with the nice part of the Huntzberger family and we will see you by lunch."
"Thanks for understanding Mom."
"Sure thing kid." The two hung up and Rory walked into the living room and enjoyed the friendly voices. Who knew that having kids and being domestic would prove so rewarding. She remembered Christmas as a child as being fun and with lots of people and she was glad it would be that way for her children, family, and friends both filling the days with love and laughter. Lia was in heaven having her cousins there, she really wasn't that interested in opening the presents, but she was so excited to deliver them. Lia walked over to Logan and showed him the present he would whisper in her ear the name of the recipient and she jumped up and down taking the present to the recipient and saying loudly, "Honor - love, Logan and Rory" handing it over and then running back to the tree and doing the same thing with the next present. The gift exchange lasted about 45 minutes as everyone watched gifts get opened, commenting on Lia's excellent delivery skills and then the kids getting distracted by their presents and forgetting to open the next one.
"I am not so sure they need this much stuff." Said Josh as he watched Sophia ignore the next present being put down as she was too busy playing with the last doll that she had helped Lia open.
"Yes, Josh, I think you are right, I just need to learn to restrain myself when doing the shopping part." Replied Honor with a big grin.
"Yup, they will never know a day without want." Agreed Logan, "Maybe when they are older we can do some more active work in helping other kids and decreasing the haul."
"I like that idea," said Rory, "teach them about being the giver instead of the receiver. Speaking of being the giver, while all of my memories are in color and well, snow and sledding are an absolute favorite, I do think that we need to head to Stars Hollow as we have a lot of people waiting on us."
Honor looked quizzically at Rory, "A lot of people waiting on you?"
"Yes," replied Logan, "Ace here had the great idea of us providing a traditional Boxing day experience to her family/friends of Stars Hollow. We had caterers come in and do a full day of cooking at the Dragonfly Inn, all her friends who can't normally take much of a vacation are having a Christmas break on us at home, but away from home. We are taking the 3 families there 2 Oculus Quest 2 each, and we gave Lorelai's staff a paid vacation for the week and brought in a new set of help so that she didn't have to close and lose any business. This is the busy season for her and we thought it was only fair that her staff gets a bonus. This is the third Christmas we have done this for them. Only Lorelai and Luke know where the money is coming from." Rory interrupted him, "and I told my Mom we would be there in time for lunch."
"Oh, my, well, then we will get going and let you have the Stars Hollow Boxing Day." Said Honor, "and I really think that is a super sweet thing to do. Hey, Mason, Sophia, we need to head home, presents need to be put away, and the old things you selected to remove need to go out so we can fit in the new. Plus, I think we are expected at Grandmother and Grandfather's house for dinner since we were with Grandmom and Granddad on Christmas day."
The twins were obviously not happy about leaving, but they were already being raised with great attention to etiquette and a major tenant was that arguing with parents in public is not acceptable. So, they dutifully said their goodbyes, and Sophia whispered in Lia's ear something that brought a huge smile to her cousin's face, hugs were exchanged, and promises to get together soon for playdates and coffee were made.
An hour later, the car pulled up to the Dragonfly Inn and the presents were unloaded to the front reception area where Lorelai had a huge, beautifully decorated tree. Jackson, Davey, and Martha helped to arrange the presents and they took Lia outside to go sledding with Steve, Kwan, and Doula. Lane and Zack were the first couple to show up upon hearing the arrival of Logan and Rory. "Merry Christmas!" said Lane,
"Happy Boxing Day." Replied Rory.
"Ok," Zack interrupted, "explain this Boxing day thing again."
Lane just batted him across the arm, "Oh, please, we have been doing this for three years. You know exactly what it is, an excuse to spend more time with friends." Lane linked arms with Rory and they headed to the dining room to catch up without the kids. Logan and Zack started to arrange the presents, so they could easily be handed out.
"Hey, man, thanks for coming down. It means a lot to Lane to have Rory come and visit." Said Zack.
"No problem. Rory misses Lane and I know that sometimes being stuck in Hartford is a bit claustrophobic for her." Replied Logan, "hey, Jackson, Luke – Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day." Both responded in kind, Jackson gave Logan a huge smile, "Man, this is great, I love Boxing Day, way better than Christmas."
"Why?" asked Zack
"Because Sookie gets a day off from cooking and she doesn't complain that someone else is going it, because I can keep her occupied." He said suggestively.
Logan blushed a little at the thought of Jackson's innuendo.
"What are doing?" asked Zack.
Logan, jumped in, "Glad you two can get some downtime and enjoy all the Inn has to offer."
Zack grinned, "oh, yeah, staying here after being in the 2-bedroom apartment is great." Logan just patted Zack on the back and walked toward the dining room, he had heard Lane squeal and knew that news had been delivered, he just wasn't sure which piece of news. "Oh, Logan, Congratulations! A father of twins, Lia must be so excited."
Logan accepted the hug and grinned while wrapping his arm around Rory, "yes, she and I are both super excited and I am really grateful that Ace here is doing so well with minimal morning sickness." The four of them continued to talk about twins, with Lane giving a lot of advice on the feeding process as it definitely could be more tiresome than a singlet.
"What is this talk of twins?" cries out Liz as she is walking into the room, "who is having twins, Lane, are you pregnant again?"
"Nope, not me, it is Rory, she just found out they are having twins." Retorted Lane.
"August!" says Rory. It will be a very eventful year. "Speaking of eventful, where is my mother and when is lunch?"
All of the families assemble in the dining room with lunch being served, and Lorelai stands up tapping her wine glass. "Quiet down, excuse me, Happy Boxing Day everyone and welcome to our third-celebration of this wonderful British holiday." She nods at Rory and Logan in subtle acknowledgment.
"Here, here, sugar." Calls out Babette.
"Thank you" Lorelai clears her throat before continuing. "This year we have much to be thankful for, the Inn is doing well, we have all of our family and friends gathered around, I am welcoming two new Grandchildren in August."
"Mom!?"
"Well, this is exciting news and I just couldn't keep the cat in the bag."
"Cats should never be kept in the bag," enjoined Babette
"Right, well, now that we have let the cat out of the bag, let's all dig into this fine feast."
"You mean good feast, and did I hear correctly plural? Twins?" Interrupted Sookie
Rory nodded
"Good feast because only Sookie can make the finest feast and yes, they are having twins." finished Lorelai.
The eating began and the food was enjoyed, but not loved, because everyone knew that only Sookie could make food that could be loved in the Dragonfly Inn.
As the afternoon wore on, Logan noticed the Lia was starting to fade, she had been going all day with the cousins in the morning and then sledding and finally this huge meal. He rose, "I would like to suggest that we do the final gift-giving session, Rory and I have something for all of the families here, that we really think you will all enjoy and I notice that my helper is starting to get a bit tired, Lia, can you help me take the boxes to the kids at the table? We just ask that you wait until all of the boxes have been handed out before opening them."
Lia jumped up, "I can do it", Logan went to walk to the tree, she pushed him back, "by myself." Logan laughed and sat down with his chair pulled back, Lia went and grabbed one box at a time, she ran to her Dad and had him tell her the name just like that morning and proudly presented each present.
"To Davey from Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory"
"To Martha from Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory"
"To Steve from Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory"
"To Kwan from Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory"
"To April from Logan and Rory"
"To Doula from Uncle Logan and Aunt Rory"
"To TJ from Logan and Rory"
Everyone laughed when one was presented to TJ.
Luke was laughing particularly hard given he was the one who suggested the TJ would never let Doula on her present – there needed to be 2 in the house, which is what gave Logan and Rory the idea to make sure there were two in every house.
The unwrapping commenced, and the Oculus 2's emerged, and after many ohs and ahs, along with exuberant thanks and you shouldn't haves, Luke stood up and asked Lia to come over to him. "Lia, there are two more presents behind the tree and they are for your Mommy and Daddy. Would you please bring them over and give them the gifts?"
Lia's face lit up, giving presents to her parents was the best. She crawled under the tree and spied two small gifts identical in size. She picked them both up, went to her grandpop and he pointed to the present with the red bow and said that is for Mommy and Daddy gets the green bow. Lia walked over to her parents about to announce the presents when she ran back to Luke and whispered so everyone could hear her, "who are they from?"
Luke whispered in her ear and then a little more loudly said "Lia, do you feel ok, honey." She just grinned and walked to her parents, holding up the presents she put them in their hands and instead of words - she threw-up her lunch.
Rory put the present on the table and grabbed her daughter, "oh, my gosh, Logan, she is burning up." Lia tried to wiggle down, but Rory held tight. "Well, folks, I think that is our signal to take this little one home and put her to bed." The three of them quickly said goodbye and made promises to get together soon. Whisking Lia to the car.
"Logan, I can't believe that I didn't know she wasn't feeling well."
"Hey Ace, me either, I think she was just having so much fun, she didn't realize that she was running on empty. Well, this is going to be a Christmas to remember."
"You aren't kidding." Rory was very grateful that Lia had already fallen asleep in the back of the car. Upon the arrival home, Logan carried Lia to bed and brought in the still unwrapped gifts. He realized that they were to be opened at the same time and took them up to the bedroom. Rory was still awake, but already in bed. "She is sleeping. I think it was exhaustion and hopefully, she will be good in the morning. What is that?"
"The presents, want to open them?"
"Sure." Logan sat on the bed and they both opened the gifts, it was the same book with a red cover titled
"When a boy grows up too late" Jess Mariano. Each book was personally inscribed:
Logan, I wasn't a fan, but then I saw her eyes light up in a way that I had never seen before and suddenly I became a huge fan. Never let her eyes fade. – in admiration Jess
In the other book
Rory, after reading your book Gilmore Girls, I realized I didn't know you as well as I thought. I should have asked more questions instead of making assumptions. You tried to tell me that, but I wouldn't listen, I had to learn it the hard way. I wanted you to run away, but you needed to jump. Writing helped me get past my anger with my parents, learn to respect Luke and realize that I have the best friends and family. Really happy you jumped Rory.
Dedication:
"This book is dedicated to my Uncle Luke, you always loved me and were there for me even when I walked away. My Mom who knew that my Uncle Luke was who I needed and my friend who loves books almost as much as I do, and I think Jane Austen would like this."
"Ace?" Logan wiped a single tear from her cheek, "I have very specific instructions here to not let your eyes be without light." Rory smiled,
"Yeah, well, he is happy I jumped."
"I think Jess and I might just be friends someday."
"Well, at least not enemies."
"That would be good."
"yes, it really would" Rory leaned over and kissed Logan, pulling him into her.
"So, he thinks that Jane Austen would like this book? What is that about?"
"That means a woman will like it because men only like Kerouac and Bukowski."
"Ouch Ace!"
"Stop talking, I have other plans for you," Rory whispered in his ear as she took off his shirt.