Chapter 99 Guess who showed up for the Engagement Party
Rory and Logan arranged for Joshua, Samuel, Jessi, Will, and Chris to stay at the Gilmore-Huntzburger Manor. Karson, Ricky, and Amanda agreed to babysit. Logan was running up the stairs to try to hurry Rory along. "The limo is on the way. They just picked up Honor and her crew. You have 5 minutes at the most." Rory stepped out of the bedroom into the hall. "I don't need 5 minutes." she spread her arms out. "This is good as it gets," She said. "Wow, my beautiful pregnant wife," Logan said as he lightly kissed her on the cheek. He took her hand and led her back into the bedroom. "Logan, you said we had 5 minutes. I know you. 5 minutes is not enough time." Rory said laughing. Logan shook his head. "Working blue, Ace." He said with a smile. "I have something for you." He went into his closet and came out with a blue box with a white box. "Logan, you shouldn't" He gave the box, "Open it. I don't care if you think I shouldn't. I will." Rory opens the box to a beautiful blue sapphire infinity swirl pendant with Diamonds hanging on a 20-inch white gold chain. It matched her dress beautifully.
Logan heard the doorbell while he was putting the necklace on Rory. He kissed her lightly on the lips. "I love you, Ace. You look beautiful. I can't wait to introduce you as my wife. It's the same that you are outshining the bride to be." "Logan, do not let Lana hear you say that." "You go touch up those gorgeous lips I just kissed while I tell our guest you will only be a minute."
Logan came bouncing down the stairs. "Baby brother, you are so brave. You are hosting the slumber party of the year at your house." Honor said with a laugh. "Karson and crew can handle them," Logan said as he kissed her on the cheek, "Besides, there are 2 security guards walking the property all night." Logan smiled at his sister, then turned to Cynthia. "Don't you look great. Dad, I am not sure what you or I did to deserve these beautiful women," he said as he kissed Cynthia's cheek and shook Mitchum's hand. "Always the charmer." Honor said.
Rory had just got to the bottom of the stairs before she was noticed. It was Will that brought the attention to his momma. "Wow, you look like a princess momma. Where is your crown?" "Oh, thank you, you sweet sweet boy. What are you doing upstairs?" Ricky was right behind him. "He wanted to get the new video game out of the playroom," Ricky said. Rory nodded. Logan stopped Ricky before he went upstairs. "Just a reminder, Adam and Fred are walking the grounds tonight. Do you have their cell phone numbers?" Ricky pulled his phone out. "Yeah, Karson and I both have their numbers." Okay, if you need to get in touch with us, call my phone. It will be in my pocket. Rory's will be in her purse." "We have everything under control. This group of kids are good kids. We are going to watch movies, play video games and eat pizza and popcorn. We are all going to camp out in the basement. We have sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets." Rory walked over to them and kissed Ricky on the cheek. "Next weekend you and Karson can go do something fun." Ricky nodded and Logan winked at Ricky. Logan has already offered the house at Martha's Vineyard. They were taking a few couples with them. Logan offered. Ricky did not turn it down.
As Frank turned into the drive of the country club he pulled in line behind the other cars. In the back of the limo, the girls are touching up their make-up, getting ready to exit the car. It wasn't long before Rory and Logan were at the coat check and Rory was dropping off her clutch. She took her lip gloss, compact, and cell phone out and gave it to Logan to put in his jacket pockets. Logan did the manly thing and took them.
When they entered the Rose Room, Christopher and Lana were greeting guests. Logan shook Christopher's hand and kissed Lana on the cheek. Not long after the couples entered the room, the girls were caught talking with some ladies for the DAR. Some of the older ladies just had to tell Rory how sorry they were about Emily passing and they had to touch Rory's stomach. Rory and Honor took turns introducing Cynthia to everyone. They started referring to her as a friend of the family. That way, there were not any questions asked. They would all get the picture when Mitchum gets her out on the dance floor.
When it came time to eat, Rory and Logan sat at the table with the bride, groom, and the rest of the wedding party. Honor, Josh, Cynthia, and Mitchum were seated with Mr. and Mrs. Herman Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gardner. Herman, Charles and Charles' wife were close to Mitchum's age. Herman's wife was just a little older than Honor.
After everyone was seated, before the waiter started serving the meal, Lana's aunt and uncle stood up. They welcomed everyone. Congratulated Christopher and Lana in a toast. When they sat down. Gigi gets up to go stand beside Rory who had just stood up. "As Mr. David said, we, my sister, and I would also like to welcome you to our dad's and Lana's engagement party. I'm Gigi Hayden and this is my sister Rory Huntzburger." Gig motioned her hand toward Rory. "Thank you for supporting our dad and Lana in their forthcoming marriage. We could not ask for a better partner for our dad, than Lana." Rory and Gigi both walked behind Christopher and Lana. "Congratulations and Best wishes." Rory and Gigi said together. Christopher and Lana both stood up and hugged Rory and Gigi. Christopher put one arm around Gigi and one around Rory. "My two best blessings," Christopher said. And then pointed to Rory's visible pregnant belly and said, "And the third grandchild, but my first granddaughter" Rory was blushing, but smiling. Logan couldn't get the grin off his face. Gigi was trying not to laugh at the look of shock on Lana's face.
Later that evening, Logan and Rory were on the dance floor. She had her head on his chest and he was holding on to her for dear life. They both had their eyes closed. They were in their own little world. Mitchum and Cynthia were dancing, when Honor and Josh danced their way over to them. "Look at the two of them. Anyone who does not see how much in love they are with each other and how right it is for them has blinders on." Mitchum said. Honor heard what her dad said, and replied. "Logan and Rory are all anyone can talk about." "I know, this party is for Christopher and Lana, but I think Logan and Rory stole the show," Cynthia said. "Did you see Lana's face when Christopher pointed out Rory's belly and announced this is his third grandchild?" Cynthia said. "I know, I wanted to stand up and tell everyone that it will be my first granddaughter too," Mitchum said. Honor and Cynthia laughed. "Can you say spoiled," Josh said looking at Mitchum.
Logan decided that Rory had danced enough. Her feet were hurting. He led her over to one of the sofas along the wall. "You sit here and I will go get you a bottle of water," Logan said. Rory grabbed his hand. "Get you a scotch if you want it," Rory said with a smile. "I like the taste of scotch on your lips."
While Logan was gone, Rory sat there watching people. That was one of her favorite things to do. She and her mom used to sit in the food court at the mall, drinking coffee and watching people, making up stories about them. She was sitting there with a smile on her face when Bitty Martin flopped down beside her. "Rory, honey you look wonderful. How far along are you?" This is the question she had answered all night. She was beginning to think she should have included it in her toast. She smiled at Bitty, "almost 26 weeks." "I hear you have two boys at home?" "Yes, she has twin boys, they will be 5? In July?" Aunt Betty said and she sat down. "Yes, ma'am. Two identical twins. They keep me on my toes." Rory said. Turning her head toward Aunt Betty and mouthed 'thank you. "I hope you have help. Two four-year-old boys and pregnant too. I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Bitty said. "We are so proud of Rory and we are looking forward to the arrival of this beautiful baby girl. My grandchildren are in California, so I am standing in for Francine and Emily" Rory smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Well you take care of yourself Rory, Betty, I see Nicole over by the patio. I must go compliment her on her dress or I will never hear the end of it." Bitty stood up, headed to the patio door.
Aunt Betty and Rory were laughing when Christopher sat down next to Rory. "That was a great toast you gave Rory. I am so proud of you. I know I did not have much of a hand in raising you, but I am still proud." Christopher said with a smile. "Your mother and Luke were invited. I guess something came up. I don't see them here."Christopher said looking around the room. He shook his head and looked back at Rory. "Everyone I have talked to tonight has complimented me on my two beautiful girls." "Speaking of girls, where is Gigi?" Rory asked. Christopher smiles. "At your house, she left after she ate. She would rather hang out with Karson, Ricky, and the kids than some old stuffy party."
"Ace, I was beginning to think I was not going to make it back to you," Logan said, handing her a bottle of water. "I got cornered by Lance. He didn't know we were married. He had to tell me all about his divorce." Rory grinned at Logan. "See what we miss when we don't attend parties," Rory said. Christopher stood up. "I'll see you later kiddo, I see someone I need to talk with," Christopher said as he walked off.
Logan was sitting on the arm of the sofa watching the people around him, while Rory and Aunt Betty talked. He was watching his dad and Cynthia dance. Several times associates would walk up to him and start talking. He would stop dancing but did not let go of Cynthia. Logan was thinking that he didn't know this man, but he would like to get to know him. Maybe he would finally know what it is like to have a dad, not just a father. Logan caught something out of the corner of his eye. He turned to get a better look. Christopher was in the other room. It looked like he was arguing with someone. Before he could get a better look, Rory asked him a question. He turned his attention back to Rory.
On the way home Logan asked the group if they saw Christopher arguing with someone? "Yeah, he was in the hallway leading to the lobby. I passed by and he was yelling at some blonde lady. I'm sorry to say this, but I think Christopher was a bit drunk" Josh said. "I know he was feeling good when he was sitting on the sofa with me. I sure hope he didn't embarrass himself. We looked for him to tell him we were leaving. Lana's aunt said he and Lana stepped outside on the patio to get some fresh air." Rory said.
Honor was flipping through her phone, looking at pictures she had taken tonight, when she saw a picture of Mitchum and Lana, with Logan and Rory in a group of people line dancing. In the background, you could see Christopher talking with a short blonde girl. Not all of her was visible, you could see the side of her face. Honor shoved the phone at Logan. "Is that her?" Logan took the phone, studying the picture. "I think so. Yeah, that's her, unless someone else is wearing the same outfit. I couldn't see her face, all I saw was part of her dress." Rory took the phone from Logan and moved the screen to enlarge it. She gasped. Everyone in the limo turned to look at Rory. "That's Sherry, Gigi's mom."