A/N: Hope you all enjoy this chapter! I really enjoyed writing it...
The weeks that followed the Lorelai showdown were surprisingly calm for the couple. While they had expected gossip about the mother-daughter estrangement there was nothing out there. The blind article stating that Rory was not pregnant and her still going out to the pub and hanging out with their friends had the wanted effect of media interest in the couple dying down. The couple tried to enjoy the last few weeks at Yale between papers and finals and spending time alone. Logan was growing increasingly nervous as the date of the proposal drew near, but he was able to hide it as anxiety for finals and with Rory also busy studying she didn't question him much.
Finally, after hours of planning the day was there and Logan had everything planned out. Edward agreed to allow him use of the boat and he worked with caterers and decorators to have the boat equipped with food for the weekend and flowers and candles everywhere. He wanted this night to be perfect for his Ace. It was finally Friday, the day before the fated boat heist, and while it was not the exact date, he wanted them to be able to spend the weekend on the boat and celebrate because there was no doubt in his mind that she would say anything other than yes.
Rory came home from a busy day and was thankful that the year was almost done. She had work to do at the paper and a final that she had taken that day along with prep for a test the following Tuesday. It wouldn't be long until the year was done and her and Logan would be traveling to Asia. Thinking of Logan made her slightly apprehensive. He had been so nervous seeming the past few days and while he told her it was because of exams she knew something else was going on. She had tried to give him time but that morning he barely spoke to her. With a frustrated sigh she pushed open the apartment door only to be greeted with a trail of rose petals leading to the room. When she walked in she couldn't hold back a gasp at a beautiful knee length navy blue dress that was laid out on the bed with a bra set and shoes. Laying on top of the dress was a note and she walked over to pick it up and when she did a blindfold was revealed underneath it. With a soft smile she looked at the note Put me on and be ready by 7, Love MAC. She had to giggle at the note and looked over at the clock and saw it was 6. Quickly she walked into the bathroom and started getting ready for whatever surprise that he had planned, her earlier worries forgotten.
Logan sat impatiently in his car as he waited for Colin and Finn to arrive with Rory. He had originally planned on taking her to the boat himself, but he knew that he was a nervous wreck. Knowing how much the boys loved her, he finally decided to have them pick her up at the apartment and bring her to him. According to his calculations they should be there any moment and the longer he waited the worse his anxiety grew. Finally, he saw the limo and waited until it got closer before he jumped out so he could get the door.
He had to laugh when he saw the guys dressed up in 80s attire for a party that they were planning on heading to after they saw Rory safely delivered to him.
"Can the blindfold come off now?" Rory questioned as soon as she heard him.
"Patience," he replied as he grabbed her hand to help her out of the limo. "Thanks for safely delivering my girl," he said to Colin and Finn and he took a moment to admire her. The dress that he picked out had thin straps and a top that clung to her chest before it fell it loose waves to her knees. From the moment that he saw the dress he knew it would be perfect on her.
"Of course, mate!" Finn replied and gave him a wink and Colin only nodded his head. Both of them looked at Logan with questioning looks but he just shook his head. When he got them involved with the plan he had only told them that he wanted to do something special for Rory though he was sure the boys suspected something was up. Before either could say anything else he quickly closed the door and tapped the hood and Frank drove them off.
"I hear water," she huffed as he placed a hand on her back and started to lead her down the dock.
"Nothing gets past you," he answered with a laugh.
"Logan seriously is the blindfold coming off," she questioned with amusement evident in her voice.
"Yes," he chuckled. "You will not be Patty Hearsting it and…" he paused so he could get her situated where he wanted her, "its coming off now."
He was looking at her when the blindfold came off and he loved the way her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, the boat, then back at him again.
"I promise we have permission to use it this time," he told her with a laugh and led her onto the boat where she let out another gasp seeing the flowers and candles.
"Logan this is amazing!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around him.
"I wanted us to have some time away from everything," he replied as the crew he hired quickly undid the boat so that they could take off. "Edward gave us his crew so all we have to do is enjoy the weekend."
"The weekend?" she questioned.
"Yeah, did I forget to mention that this is an overnight thing?" he replied with a smirk and she just leaned into him to place a kiss on his lips.
"Must have slipped your mind," she answered with a giggle.
"God, I love that sound," he told her as he kissed her again. "Your laugh has got to be one of the best sounds in the world."
"Hmm," she murmured against his lips. "What are the other best sounds."
"Well," he started to speak but paused thinking about where that train of thought would take them, "that will be something that we will have to discuss later, maybe after we eat."
She looked at him and he had to smile at the mischievous sparkle her eyes took. "Will we?"
"Definitely," he responded and moved slightly away from her to prevent her from acting on the impulse that he could read on her face. While he was all for a little more excitement on the boat that would have to be reserved for later, and in the privacy of their cabin since there was a crew on board tonight. Feeling the boat going out to sea he led her to where a dinner was set up for them.
Rory could only smile at the thought that Logan had put into the night. Everything was perfect from the flowers to the music and when he lifted the dome to reveal a dinner of mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, biscuits and gray as well as a piece of fried chicken she had to laugh. "Logan," she giggled, "you remembered!"
"Of course, I remembered your first meal after we became official," he laughed. 'But I did add the salad and fried chicken to balance it out some." After he placed a soft kiss on her lips, he pulled out her chair but knew that he wouldn't be able to eat much.
She watched him as he sat in his seat next to her and couldn't stop the butterflies in her chest. They ate and talked about the upcoming trip some. Rory was excited for this trip since she would get to see places she had never seen, and Logan was excited to see everything through her eyes. While he had been to some of the places before he wasn't able to recall much about the locations. As dinner was cleared away, they were brought out bowls of ice cream and she laughed remembering their 'break-in' of the cafeteria where she had over indulged and talked about the things they had done together over the years. When the meal was done, he stood and offered her his hand and she shyly looked at him before giving him her hand and he pulled her up and led her towards the deck where Moon River started to play.
"Pulling out all the stops?" she laughed as she leaned into him.
"We never did finish that dance," he softly replied, and they danced in a comfortable silence for a while. "But I was right that night," he sighed, "with us it was something right away. From the moment you took my hand and we jumped I knew, and I fought it, so it took you coming to me offering no strings before I let myself acknowledge how much I wanted you. Then you came to tell me you couldn't do no-strings and I knew I couldn't lose you. When we stole this boat," he paused with a laugh, "and you told me what had happened… Ace, I realized in that moment how much I wanted to protect you, how much I cared for you, and I couldn't stand to see anyone, including my own father, put you down. Our entire relationship it has been you that pushed us forward and now… This time I want to be the one to ask you to take that next step with me." Slowly he pulled back and sank to one knee as he pulled the ring box out of his pocket. "Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden, Rory… my Ace, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me, you are everything I never knew I needed, and I can't picture my life without you. I need you…" he paused getting choaked up as he saw the love and tears in her eyes, "I love you more than I ever thought possible. Ace… will you marry me?"
Rory listened as he spoke, and she could hear the emotions in his voice. She loved this man, loved the way he made her feel. When he pulled back, she was unsure of what was happening but as he sank to his knee and revealed the most gorgeous ring, she had ever seen it felt like the air had gotten sucked out of her lungs. She could only listen to what he was saying, tears streaming down her face, and as he asked the most important question in the world, she could only nod her head a few times before pulling him up and sobbing yes over and over again until his lips met hers in the most passionate kiss they had ever shared.
Pulling away when they needed air, he gently cupped her face and stared intently into her eyes, "Yes?" he questioned needing to hear it one more time.
"Yes," she whispered as she placed a soft kiss on his lips. "A million times yes. I can't imagine a future that does not include you and I don't want to. You are it for me, you are the only one for me, I love you."
"I love you," he huskily whispered back as he slipped the ring on her finger. "I love you so damn much!" Without warning he quickly swept her up bridal style earning a surprised squeal and carried her to the stateroom.
She didn't have time to admire the flowers or the candles he had set up before she was standing in front of him, and he was kissing her again while unzipping her dress. She didn't realize that her fingers were working on the buttons of his white shirt. They undressed unhurriedly as they kissed and caressed one another. His hands were all over her body that was still clad in the pale blue underwear set that he left her, and he took a moment to step back and reverently look at her. "You are so beautiful," he whispered, and he had to chuckle at the light blush that spread across her face and to the tops of her perfect breasts.
"I think you're a little overdressed," she smirked as she pushed his pants down and he quickly toed off his shoes and kicked off his pants so that he was standing in front of her in just his boxers.
"Better?" he murmured as he kissed her lips again and she moaned as he gently massaged her breasts through the lace. "This looks even better than I imagined," he told her as he pulled slightly back to get another look at her before he helped her on the bed. "But I love it more when you have nothing on," he stated as he quickly pulled off her bra and immediately sucked on one breast while his hand played with the other and she moaned and arched. He took his time sucking and nibbling on one breast before he switched, giving them equal attention. When he knew she was getting restless he moved his hand down and gently rubbed her clit and she answered the movement with a breathless moan. Moving his lips down he took his time, making sure that his mouth or hands covered every inch of her torso and when he reached her hips he roughly sucked on the hip bone. He was so close to where she wanted him but he hadn't explored her enough yet so he ran his hands up and down her legs a few times, enjoying the smoothness before finally removing the underwear and gently licking her clit before blowing on it and she whimpered. Knowing what she wanted, but not willing to have this end yet, he took his time gently sucking her clit into his mouth and rubbing it with his tounge and when she was whimpering he slipped a finger into her, and then another, making sure to hit her spot. With all the teasing it didn't take long for her to explode and he quickly removed his fingers and lapped her cum. "You taste so good," he murmured, "and I need more." Quickly he moved his tongue in and out before placing a long lick up and sucking harshly on her clit.
"Logan!" she screamed as she felt the building of another orgasm. She felt his smirk against her and he continued to lick and suck her, enjoying the taste of her, loving the sounds she made and when she came again and licked every drop before he moved back up her body, admiring the hickies he had left.
"You asked me what sounds I like earlier," he stated before he kissed her, and she moaned at the taste of herself on his lips. "I love your moans and that I know what they mean," he teased her with his cock at her entrance and she withered against him wanting him inside her. When he pulled slightly back, she whimpered. "I love your whimpers because I know you are as desperate for me as I am for you," pausing he pushed himself into her causing them both to gasp and the perfect feeling. "I love when you gasp when I slide inside of you," he continued as he thrust slowly into her, and she replied by roughly pulling his head to hers for a kiss and she wrapped her legs around him to change the angle and she arched back and moaned his name. "I love the way you say my name," he quickly sped up the pace and she screamed his name this time and he slowed down slightly, "I love when you scream my name because of the pleasure I give you and you lose control."
"Please baby," she whimpered. "I need you."
"You have me Ace," he replied as he did her bidding and sped up the pace, "forever."
"Forever," she moaned and arched back and met his eyes and the passion and love he saw there caused him to lose some of his control and he sped up, moving faster and deeper in her and she panted and called his name again. Knowing that he was close he moved his hand down to pinch her clit. It didn't take much longer until he felt her tightening around him, so he let go and they both came, calling each other's names and he gently collapsed on her. She held him tight, and it took awhile for both of their breathing to slow.
"I love when you say my name," she whispered. "And you have different ways of saying it. I always know that when you say, Rory, its going to be something serious but not in a bad way. I love the way you call me Ace. Your laugh, your real laugh, it always makes me smile. And when we make love… the way you gasp the moment you enter me, like it's the best feeling in the world, well its how I feel, like we fit each other perfectly." She paused and started running her hands through his hair and he let out a content sigh. "And I love that sound," she told him. "I love knowing that you are so completely relaxed with me. You have always made me feel safe and wanted and I love knowing that you feel that way about me."
Logan listened to her and couldn't stop the smile that came to his face. He did always feel relaxed with her and felt like he could let down all the guards and pretenses and just be himself. "I love you," was all he could say when he had so many emotions flowing through him.
"Well that's a good thing," she giggled as she moved her hand to look at the ring, "since you did just ask me to marry you." For the first time she really looked at the piece of jewelry that he had slipped on her finger and she had to smile. The center stone was a large oval blue diamond that was surrounded by smaller diamonds and diamonds and what looked like sapphires on the band. "This is the first moment that I have really looked at this ring… its stunning."
Logan watched her as she studied the ring, and he felt a burst of happiness when he saw how much she loved it. "It was actually my grandmother's ring," he told her as he ran his fingers along her hand. "Grandpa gave it to me at Christmas and I've been waiting for the right moment to propose."
It suddenly dawned on Rory that the following day, well maybe today, was exactly one year ago that they stole the boat. "The perfect moment was a year after we stole the boat?" she questioned. Thinking back to that night, it was the turning point of their relationship. She told him her biggest secret and from that moment they became even more committed to one another. "It was a turning point for us."
"It was," he agreed. "That night I felt things that I had never felt before and it took me awhile to sort them all out, but that was the night I realized that I was falling hard for you. When you told me about being a Hayden, all of your fears and worries… I felt needed and you trusted me and those were new feelings for me. But after that night… at least for me, I knew that I had to have you in my life."
"That was the night that I knew what I felt for you far surpassed anything I had felt before," she replied. "After everything that happened with the internship the only thing, I could think of was how much I needed you. It took me a bit to fully understand it but needed you… that was a shock to me. I told you things I had never told anyone else and… I was falling for you the moment we jumped but that night I knew I would never be the same again."
Moving up he placed a soft kiss on her lips and then lifted her hand and kissed the knuckle above the ring. "It is the perfect ring," she whispered.
He nodded unable to speak at the moment. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her. "The minute I saw it I knew that it belonged on your finger. I had been thinking of proposing but was thinking it would be closer to your graduation," he told her. "But the moment I saw this I knew that I was a fool to wait that long. I love you and I can't wait to start our next chapter."
"I wasn't expecting you to propose this soon, even though we have talked about it," she told him with tears in her eyes. "I can't wait to be Rory Huntzberger and start our next chapter."
His heart swelled at her words, and he captured her lips in a passionate kiss that started their second round for the evening.
The following morning Logan slowly woke, and it took him only seconds to remember the previous night and he had to smile as he looked down at the brunette head that always seemed to be laying on his chest. Rory laying on him had started shortly after they had become official. He had always loved that she wanted to be that close to him while they were asleep, and it didn't escape him notice that his hands were usually on either her hip or her arm as if he were holding her close to him. As time went by, waking up first and savoring these few moments of silence before the day would have to start became his favorite part of the day. There was a calm that would settle over him as he rubbed her back and he would feel her nuzzle closer to him before she stretched her body against his as she woke.
"Good morning, fiancé," he huskily whispered when he felt her stirring.
She looked up at him, a bright smile lighting her face. "Say it again," she demanded.
He chucked, "good morning, my stunningly beautiful, amazing fiancée."
"Oh, I loved the other things but that word," she paused as she looked down at the ring, "fiancée just gives me chills."
"Fiancée, fiancée, fiancée," he teased, and she giggled and moved up to kiss him.
"Well, my amazing fiancé what do you have planned for us today?" she questioned.
"Hmm," he murmured as he ran his hands along her bare body. "For starters I thought we could stay in bed late and then have…" he trailed off as he looked over at the clock and groaned slightly. "Breakfast that will be delivered," he finished, and she giggled slightly as she moved off him and he put on his boxers before opening the door. Thankfully they just left the tray of food at the door.
"Hmm what do we have?" she questioned as she moved to sit in the bed keeping the blankets pulled tight against her.
"Whip cream," he answered suggestively, and she playfully swatted his arm. "I just had eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, waffles and fruit. I was thinking we might be hungry this morning."
"Famished," she replied as she eyed his bare chest, and he raised his eyebrow at her. "For food," she quickly added.
"Sure," he chuckled as he placed the tray on her lap and moved to sit next to her. He fed her a strawberry and she moaned as the sweetness exploded on her tongue. "You keep up with those sounds I'll be eating a different meal," he warned her, and she quickly blushed at his words.
"Hmmm, as much as I always enjoy that… I do think we need food," she answered and then quickly picked up a piece of bacon. He smirked and poured her a cup of tea and added sugar and cream the way she liked it. "Thank you," she told him as he handed her the cup before he made his own.
He was still amazed that she had cut down on her coffee consumption. While he wanted to say something about it, he knew that part of the reason was due to the 'Lorelai influence' being removed and that was a subject he did not want brought up at the moment. "So, the plans for the day are really up to you," he stated as he took a bite of the eggs. "The crew is scheduled until Sunday afternoon, but we could go back today or tomorrow."
"Does anyone know you proposed?" she asked debating on what they should do. A part of her wanted to stay in this bubble a little longer but if the families knew…
"I asked Edward for the boat, told him I wanted to do something romantic. While I didn't tell him, I think he suspects. I may have told my dad and Honor… they were asking me when I planned on doing it," he paused and shrugged. "They both know I am unreachable until Sunday night."
"Do you think we should head back tomorrow morning and try to meet them for dinner Sunday night?" she asked as she accepted a bite of eggs he held up to her lips. "I don't want to take this ring off, but I feel the families should know first."
"I agree," he sighed as he thought about everything that they would be bombarded with, like wedding plans. "When do you want to get married?"
"I don't know," she answered as she picked up a grape to eat. "I would like to say this summer, but it doesn't give much time to plan, and we are already so busy. If we marry during the year, we wouldn't have time for a honeymoon," she sighed and leaned slightly against him. "It seems like after I graduate would be best but… I don't know if I want to wait that long."
He listened as she spoke, and he agreed with everything she was saying. If he had his way, they would get married tomorrow but he also wanted that special day like Honor had where they pledged their love for each other in front of all their family and friends. "As much as I don't want to wait maybe after you graduate would be best. But we could always marry over the holidays and then have the long honeymoon after your graduation. We could just go somewhere for the week of New Years," he told her.
"That could work," she answered thoughtfully. "But I was also thinking a fall wedding would be nice."
"But that is close to your birthday," he pointed out. "And it also doesn't give us time for any trip after the wedding."
She shrugged as she tried to get her thoughts into words. Finally, she sighed and leaned back into him. "The holidays with Lorelai… she always went all out, and I have so many memories of things with her. I just… I don't want there to be any possibility of thinking about her on a day that is the beginning of our lives together."
"Oh, Ace," he murmured as he pulled her closer to him. He remembered the stories she told him about multiple Thanksgiving dinners and Lorelai decorating every inch of the house.
"Last Christmas was perfect," she sighed. "And I hardly thought about her. I was focused on what we were building together, and I don't think I would think about her," she let out a frustrated huff. "I think that stunt she pulled is still bothering me."
He hesitated for a moment as he debated on what he should say. "Do you want to talk to her again? See if you can work things out?"
"No," she immediately denied. "There is no possible way for us to work things out after what she did, and I think that is why it is still bothering me. I need to get her out of my head," she sighed.
"I know we talked about this some before, but do you think maybe you need to talk to someone?" he gently broached. "Maybe talking to someone could help you move past the anger."
She thought about the suggestion for a bit, this wasn't the first time that he brought it up and he wasn't the only one. "Your probably right," she answered with a sigh. "My doctor actually gave me a name when I went in for my annual exam a few months ago. Between you, Paris and my dad suggesting it I figured you all may be right I just wasn't there myself yet."
"You know I am always here for you," he told her. "But the things that you are dealing with and the end of that relationship…"
"I know you are," she stated and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "But enough talking about her. As for the wedding date, I doubt we are going to have much of a choice in the matter," she paused with a giggle. "The minute my grandmothers get involved it will be planned like a military invasion!"
Logan couldn't hold back his laughter. "You are definitely right about that," he agreed. The rest of breakfast was spent talking about what they would like for a wedding, they both liked the idea of having it at Yale. They laughed and said they should have the engagement party on the boat, but it was an idea they both liked since this boat had meaning to them that few would know about. As they finished the meal Rory grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Emily asking if she could arrange an early dinner on Sunday and also invite the Huntzberger's and Hayden's. It didn't take Emily long to respond that she would take care of it and Rory could only laugh. It seemed like the family already assumed what was going to happen on the boat. With plans made Logan decided it was time to make use of the whipped cream.
They spent the day on the boat lounging on the deck, books in hand, and that evening they spent wrapped up in each other. It was the perfect way to celebrate the start of the engagement. One of the first things they did was to call Honor since she and Josh weren't back from their honeymoon yet. She was excited and there were squeals and tears as well as promises made for them to get together for dinner. They talked more about the things they wanted and did not want in their wedding, but they knew that once the grandmothers started planning it would be hell to reign them in. Logan had brought up having it in Stars Hollow but she just shrugged. It wasn't the same place for her anymore and while she would always love the small town and planned on visiting it more often now that Lorelai had sold the inn, it wasn't home; her home was with Logan. Hearing that he was her home did things to him especially since he felt the same way about her. It didn't matter where they ended up, as long as they were together everything would be fine.
Sunday evening came to soon for the couple and they both sighed as Logan helped her out of the car in front of the Gilmore mansion. They knew that as soon as the engagement was announced that it would-be full-on wedding planning.
"Ready for this," she asked and leaned up to place a kiss on his lips.
"Ready for us to be married? Yes," he replied as he took her hand and they walked to the door. "Ready to begin the wedding planning? No," he sighed.
She couldn't stop a giggle from escaping and leaned into him. "We already talked about what we want, and they will hopefully agree."
He just gave her a glance that asked if she was serious and rang the bell. It was no surprise to either of them when the door was opened by Emily Gilmore with Francine standing right behind her.
"Give the couple so room," Richard chuckled, and the woman reluctantly stepped back but their eyes both zeroed in on the new piece of jewelry she was wearing. With a bright smile Emily led them into the parlor where they quickly greeted everyone.
"I am sure you are all wondering why we asked you here tonight," Rory stated as soon as they were seated.
"I am sure you all know that I took Rory away for the weekend and I proposed," Logan continued and looked lovingly at his newly minted fiancée.
"And I said yes," she finished, and the couple were immediately pulled from their seats with squeals of excitement from Emily and Francine.
"I am happy for you son," Mitchum told him as he embraced his son in a rare show of emotion.
"The ring is perfect on you," Elias murmured to Rory as he embraced her.
"I will always treasure it," she replied with emotion heavy in her voice. "I am so honored that you trust me with it."
Elias coughed to try and hide his emotions as he looked at the ring that had been worn by his wife. They had many good times together and it still hurt to see events like this where she wasn't here with them. "That ring saw many a good time, but it also saw some rough ones. Treasure the good and remember them during the bad," he told her as he lifted her hand a placed a kiss on the ring. "You won't always love each other as much as you do now, and I know that you and Logan are just like my…" he paused and took a deep breath. "I know your love will only grow like ours did."
Rory embraced the man, "my love for your grandson grows each day. And each day I am still amazed at how lucky I am."
Elias pulled slightly away and studied her for a long moment before a large smile crossed his face. "We are all so lucky that he found you." Quickly he placed a kiss on her cheek and moved away so that she could receive more well wishes.
As soon as the group settled down a maid walked in carrying a tray with bottles of champagne and glasses. Richard stood and quickly poured before handing them out and then studied the couple.
"I knew from the moment I saw you two together at the party that we through that there was something between you. Then there was that prank you pulled Logan," he paused to chuckle and got questioning looks from the rest of the group, "and when Rory told me about it and asked for my help in getting you back, well I knew that there was something on her end. But your reaction," he trailed off and Logan looked over at Rory, "I knew that there was something on your end as well. So I would like to repeat something I said to you that day," pausing he raised his glass and a large smile graced his face, "Logan, welcome to the family."
The group all raised their glasses as well and Logan looked over and placed a kiss on Rory's cheek when she lowered her glass.
"So," Mitchum started as he raised an eyebrow at his son. "A prank?"
Logan looked embarrassed but then just smirked. "I had to do something to make sure I had her attention," he replied.
"Oh, I was so mad at you!" Rory exclaimed. "And so embarrassed!"
Logan chuckled and then looked at the confused glances from the others in the room. After looking at Rory he started to tell the story. "I ran into Ace at the library as she was showing this girl around from Chilton. I flirted but she seemed so uninterested and as I walked off, I heard her tell the girl I wasn't as cute as Pushkin," he shook his head as the others laughed. "I needed to get her attention, so I got Colin and Finn to help me plan a prank on her. We burst into one of her classes with Colin upset that she had left him and then I followed telling Colin that she was with me now," he paused and looked lovingly at Rory. "We then got into a mock fight."
"With you throwing Colin across a desk," Rory interjected.
"Finn came in wearing a British police costume to break it up. We left the class and I found her a few hours later and she was still so mad at me and called me a butt-faced miscreant."
Rory blushed slightly, "well now you know how serious I take my classes."
"I thought that I had lost any chance with her in that moment but then Richard…" he trailed off and laughed again.
"A friend told me that attention like that, from people like Logan, was like me getting an 'in,' and it took me awhile to understand it," she stated with a small smile. "But then I decided that revenge would be sweet, so I talked to grandpa, and we came up with a plan. Grandpa found Logan, Colin and Finn one afternoon and proceeded to tell him that he had heard about the undying profession of love and while that was not the way to handle things that what was done was done. Grandma was already working on the wedding plans," she paused with a giggle. "And then he welcomed Logan to the family."
Mitchum and Elias couldn't stop their laughter and Logan being on the receiving end of a joke like that. If they had known, or cared to know, about the start of their courtship things could have been different.
"I would have loved to see the look on your face," Chris finally stated as the laughter died down.
"I was worried for hours," Logan admitted. "It was Colin that finally pointed out that it had to be a joke since I hadn't heard from dad or grandpa. For days afterwards the boys kept referring to Rory as my fiancée," he paused to laugh. "And I am so glad that that joke turned into a reality."
"Me to," Rory replied, and he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
The laughter was interrupted when the maid came in to announce dinner, so the group all stood and headed to the dining room.
"I hope pot roast is fine," Emily stated to the group. "It is one of Rory's favorites."
"That sounds perfect Emily," Mitchum answered.
After the group was seated Edward looked at Logan and gave him a smirk, "so the boat did the trick."
Logan laughed. "The boat was perfect," he answered. "Thank you for letting me borrow it," he paused and looked at Rory and when she gave a small nod, he turned back to face the older man. "We were actually thinking we might want to have our engagement party on the boat if you don't mind."
"Of course," Edward boomed and gave an approving nod. "Just let me know the date and I am sure that both Emily and Francine will have everything planned in no time."
"But it is rather small," Francine interjected, and the couple just exchanged a smile.
"We know," Rory replied. "But the boat is where we got engaged and we think it would be a fitting way to celebrate with those that we are closest with."
"How about a party with just close family and friends and then a larger celebration?" Emily asked hoping to be able to throw a large party for the couple.
"We know that you would love to throw us a large party," Rory stated, and Logan gave her hand a slight squeeze. "But those large events are not really us. We know that the wedding will have to have a large guest list, so we were hoping that the engagement party could be a small celebration."
Emily and Francine exchanged a slightly sad look. "If that is what you really want, Rory," Francine sighed.
"It is," Logan replied. "We have both talked a lot about this and while we would prefer everything to be small," he paused when he saw the shocked looks from all the elders, "we know that there are certain expectations. And while we prefer to stay out of the spotlight, we know that with this event… we will have to abide by those expectations," he finished in a slightly resigned tone that did not go unnoticed by the elders. Conversation was paused as the salads were cleared and the main course was brought in.
"What would you two prefer for a wedding?" Chris asked as he studied the couple.
"I would hop on a plane and get married somewhere tonight," Logan answered. "I can't wait to call Rory my wife. But I know she wants something with the family and our friends, and we both know that planning will take a while."
Rory looked at him with pure love. "While I also can not wait to be married I do want to celebrate with all of those that mean the most to us," she paused and looked and Francine and Emily. "We would prefer to get married as soon as possible but we know these events take time."
The group lapsed into silence for a bit as everyone ate. "Have you two discussed wedding locations?" Elias asked.
"Yale," they both answered simultaneously and then laughed. "It is where our story started," Logan added.
Emily and Francine exchanged looks as they thought about the possibilities. "There is that conference room area where larger events are held," Emily stated thoughtfully. "Or depending on the season there are some outdoor spaces."
"There is always one of the libraries," Elias stated. "May not work for the reception but maybe the ceremony."
Mitchum sat at studied the couple as conversation flowed around them about the wedding. Despite what the family thought at the beginning, Rory was the furthest thing from a gold digger. Here they were talking about a large society event, and he knew that the couple would prefer to just forget the entire thing but were agreeing to the big event for the family's sake. There was some thinking that needed to be done at the moment and he wondered if he could get the others on board with a small wedding that the couple seemed to want then a larger 'reception' in Hartford or New York.
The dinner finally came to a close with plans made to have the engagement announced the following week. They drafted the press release and Rory was insistent that there be some reference to Stars Hollow, it would always be her hometown.
As soon as Rory and Logan walked out the door to head back to Yale, Mitchum looked at the group. "Now I know we all want a large wedding, but we have to agree that that is not really who Logan and Rory are." When the others nodded, he continued, "how about we have the small wedding they want at Yale and then we have a larger reception in Hartford or New York?"
Emily and Francine exchanged looks and sadly agreed, they both wanted the large-scale event but knew that the couple would prefer something low key.
Edward smiled as he thought about the couple. "We can plan the engagement party on the boat in two weeks. Now how soon do you think a wedding could be planned?"
Up for the challenge, Emily and Francine excused themselves so they could get to work on figuring out logistics.
Chris looked at the group of men and couldn't hold back a chuckle. "I'm surprised the women agreed to a small wedding so easily."
"I am as well," Richard stated and looked at Mitchum. "I am surprised that you are the one that suggested this."
Mitchum could only shrug. "The Yale wedding will still have the important people there and the larger reception will appease those that don't get an invite. Its also what the couple really want, and it allows them to get married sooner."
"You know there will be talk about a quick wedding," Elias told the group as he sipped his drink.
"But it will die down when they don't have a child in a few months," Mitchum replied. "I talked to Logan after the scare, and while they do want children that want it to be just them for awhile as they get settled."
"Do you think the kids will be fine with us hijacking the planning?" Chris asked thoughtfully not wanting to upset Rory.
"I guess we will have to have dinner with them again next week and lay out what we have planned," Edward laughed.
After leaving the Gilmore mansion the couple were excited to head back to the apartment and relax for awhile and make the remaining phone calls to tell those closest to them the news. It didn't take long to call the gang, Lane and Paris and after many congratulations and promises to get together that week to celebrate Logan and Rory were finally able to relax and continue privately celebrate their engagement.
Lorelai Gilmore stood in the living room of the home that she had bought after she received her trust and thought about everything that had happened in that room. There were movie nights with Rory, parties and countless celebrations but she knew that those days were long gone. She should have never gone to Yale and confronted her daughter, but she had hoped that with the pregnancy (or pregnancy gossip) that Rory would finally come to her senses and return to this world that Lorelai had created from them. But no, the Rory she saw was a shell of the person that she used to be. The woman she saw didn't have any of that innocence or naivety that she did before Logan came into the picture. If she didn't already hate Logan Huntzberger with every fiber of her being, seeing what Rory had become would have made it so. Slowly she moved over to where a box was half packed and continued to load it up with items and she felt the tears cascade down her face. Edward and her father had made it clear that they would hold nothing back if she tried to contact Rory again and she was still shocked that her father had agreed with practically destroying her. Couldn't anyone see that she was worried about Rory? Couldn't anyone understand that her daughter needed her like she needed her daughter? The two of them were always at their bests when it was them against the world and Lorelai had made sure to reiterate that over and over again. Lorelai didn't need anyone other than Rory so why did her daughter need other people? Knowing that she would never get the answers she wanted she continued to pack up her life. The people of Stars Hollow didn't want her and neither did her family, it was time to try and salvage the new job and attempt to rebuild her life.