Chapter 197

June 27th, 2022

"I have to go pick up my shoes, my underwear and my guess is that by then I'll be starving so I will need to get a small bite to eat. But it can't be anything too big because otherwise the dress is all wrong - or I don't know - maybe that's what I should be going for since my belly is only going to get bigger in these few weeks…," Rory fretted as they - Gigi, Logan, Colin and she, were sharing a to New York to go do the fittings for both Rory and Logan's wedding attire. "And then there's the meeting, and I guess maybe we can squeeze lunch between," she added, going over their plans.

They'd given a lot of freedom to the Maid of Honor and the Best Man, only really assuring that they wouldn't be overdressed. Rory was the one most on edge about her dress. It had taken a lot of convincing already to talk the designer into making it accommodate her belly, and now she hadn't seen the dress in a few months.

"You'll be fine," Gigi soothed her, being seemingly completely unflappable. "Worst case scenario is that we'll just go find you another dress," Gigi added with a light shrug, as that had been an option already before Rory had found out about the pregnancy had the designer refused. But of course Gigi looked great in pretty much anything, so easy for her to say.

"Hey, you should have Logan pick out your dress," Colin decided to bud in from the driver's seat, sensing that Rory just really needed a good distraction. He'd gotten married once also, though it had just been a quick City Hall type of thing, but he had always wondered why it was considered fine for brides to choose outfits for the grooms but not the other way around.

Finn had been Logan's Best Man the last time, and Logan had also considered going with Honor this time around, but since it seemed that Colin was coming to the wedding alone this year anyways - he seemed like the most fitting option. Besides, other than the messages Finn was leaving with his mother, whom Logan had also called to make sure the guy was fine, he was still AWOL, leaving them wondering what was going through his mind in the first place. Neither believed he'd miss the wedding or the birth of his child, but who really knew - this was Finn.

"Um…. no?" Rory replied, like that was an impossible scenario, glancing over to Logan skeptically, as they sat in the back of the car. She did trust his tastes, but she still liked to have a say at things like this.

"Hey, I have a good eye for dresses, or have you forgotten?" Logan teased her.

"I know you have a good eye for purses and jewelry," Rory offered.

"That blue dress? White tents in the woods?" Logan hinted, still not quite willing to reveal all the hints about the LDB in front of Gigi, who may have be going to Yale but was yet to actually be chosen to be a part of the secret society.

Logan and Rory had the pull, but it was down to the present group nevertheless to make the final call. Logan and Rory had actually talked about this, both being unsure how Gigi being engaged would be an influencing factor. Both knew that keeping secrets from a spouse was not really acceptable, and neither could really imagine Gigi spending sometimes entire weekends off god-knows-where doing all kinds of stunts, while he sat at home. An it was not like casual hook-ups weren't a things at those events either - that was half the fun of it.

"Why would you need a dress in the woods…?" Gigi began to ask, naively, not quite following.

"I just figured you had some shopper get that dress," Rory stated, ignoring Gigi's question.

"You hurt me, Ace!" Logan teased.

"He really did get this for you himself, I went with him and everything. We teased him for a couple of days for it actually," Colin explained, glancing to the back through the rearview mirror.

"You did?" Rory asked, needing confirmation from Logan.

"I did, " Logan nodded, smiling widely. "And it was not easy task either at the last minute. New Haven had extremely slim pickings - unless one wanted a wedding dress or something fluffy suitable for a prom," he explained. He had not particulairly wanted to go by several shops either, but it had been already too late to call a shopper, which would've been the preferred option, truthfully speaking, so she hadn't been wrong there.

"So you seriously guessed my size?" Rory asked.

"You've decided to take all the mystery out of this, aren't you?" Logan continued to tease.

"What mystery?!" Gigi huffed, hating being out of the look, perhaps a little childishly, sounding annoyed.

"There was this event - a party - ball gowns in the forest, theme party," Rory replied, curtly, not giving her many more details.

"Cool," Gigi exclaimed, figuring this must've something to do with the circles she hung around in in college that she'd heard about. "Have you got any pictures? I can't believe it's the first I'm hearing about this," she added, being very much a part of the smart phone generation to whom an event hadn't happened unless one got proof. There were pictures, just not on anyone's phone.

"But seriously, Logan? How did you know my size? Or did you just only date my-sized women?" Rory inquired, picking on him a little.

"Pictures are for participant's eyes only," Colin commented quietly to Gigi, finding it a little entertaining Gigi was still in part out of the loop. He'd heard about Gigi and one of his employees getting engaged, but he was never much to judge based on people's age as long as everyone was of legal age and consenting. It was not like he'd never seen Finn have a go at someone a decade younger than him, or himself even, recalling one year the two of them had tried going for spring break and seeing if they would still be fooled for college students, as they'd both just turned 30.

"Ah…," Gigi reacted, as things were beginning to make sense to her.

Gigi didn't admit it, but it did made her think. She wanted this types of experiences - the thrill, staying out all night and doing things one normally didn't do. And this was certainly not something she'd spoken in detail to Eric about either. What were the agreements going to be when she was going off to college? How big of a jerk was she if she slipped up and say - kissed a guy? She was in love with Eric, she loved him, and she didn't want to think about things like that, but because she knew what love like Rory and Logan share could be found in such settings, it did make her think. What she would've done to meet Eric in college? She did think about how much easier everything would've been if he were his age and they'd be doing these things together. But at the same time she knew, both from his stories and his personality, that Eric wouldn't be the same person had she met him during those days.

"I checked your jacket," Logan confessed.

"What jacket?" Rory asked, feeling confused.

"You were working at the paper and when you went to grab lunch you left your jacket behind. I went by its size and then just the rest," he began, clearing his voice, meaningfully, "I figured the rest out from the top of my head," he added, having tried to picture her body shape in more detail. It hadn't been difficult at all to find a dress for Rory once he'd located dresses that didn't look cheap. The color blue was a given because it matched her eyes. And since he'd never seen her with her shoulders all bare, he'd chosen something a little bit more revealing - for one just wanting to see her, and second - just to see if she'd go for it.

"Ah… that could've be a risky move, you now," Rory cautioned, not that it mattered now. "I used to wear a bunch of my mom's clothes back then, and we're not always the same size. And some brands are totally off," Rory said, blushing a little at the thought of Logan estimating her size like that. She hadn't thought about it in a while, truth be told.

"Well, it turned out pretty well, didn't it?" Logan smirked, pulling her chin close for a kiss.

"So who else is coming to the wedding, you mentioned expanding the guest list?" Colin asked from the front, after having given them a moment to linger in their kiss. He assumed the immediate family, those needn't be listed, but since he was very much single, he had to admit he was kind of curious to dip his feet into the dating pool that weddings were.

"Jewel Vaughan, Lana Slater, Briana Russell, Monika Haworth, Bobby Franklin, Darcie Kent, Nick Mclaughlin... Oh, and… Cordelia Clooney, though I have to say Cordelia goes by Cory these days," Logan listed, sticking to the part of the guest list that might actually interest Colin - either because he knew them and they'd be interesting for him to catch up with or already thinking of those not notably involved romantically with anyone to his knowledge.

"Well… there's my old roommate Sandra, Tristan and Laura, Lucy and Olivia from Yale, though they might bring a dates. Evelina Shaw. There are a few people I used to work with - yes, single women, but I'm not sure they're really your type," Rory listed, having already added a bunch of names to her list just to make the guest lists more or less even, and this was without the relatives whom she hardly knew. She'd left that part for Lorelai to deal with.

"And you're so sure you know my type?" Colin asked in a serious tone, teasing in his own way.

"Don't worry Colin, there's always Marjorie," Logan teased the man back in a light tone, knowing well that he was browsing the guest list for potential hook-ups.

Along with casual banter, they made their way to Manhattan where the fitting room, just a floor above the bridal shop they'd gotten Rory's dress from previously, was located. Logan's appointment was first, and Rory considered she and Gigi had about an hour to go get her wedding shoes and underwear from a few blocks away. Besides, Rory felt she could really use a brief walk after the long drive.

Being in Manhattan was refreshing - Rory had missed it. But she wasn't truly sure she was up to this place when she thought about possibly living here again someday. The thought had crossed her mind as Logan's workplace was shifting to the City again, naturally. Sure, there were nice areas - but one got used to suburban style living with a two-story house and vast back yard - she had to admit. Could she go back to apartment style living? Maybe a penthouse? A townhouse maybe? Was that the kind of life she wanted for Em and their unborn child? Or maybe they'd benefit from it instead?

The shoe store was a nice little designer boutique, which Rory had already several pairs of shoes from from years ago, hence she'd figured she could pretty much pick out the pairs she liked from their website and had had them prepare them for her so she could just pick them up this morning assuming they'd fit her well just the same. Some brides probably would've flipped at the thought of leaving this detail this last minute, just weeks before the wedding, but somehow she was more relaxed than that, at least for now.

"Hi, I'm Rory Gilmore. I'm here to pick up my Kim's and there was this other pair with a sling back," Rory said to the shop assistant as they arrived. The Kim's were her favorites in their balmoral blue flowery pattern but just in case it was too hot that day, she'd gotten the sling backs as well as a back-up. She was going with flats, despite believing she would've looked hotter on heels. But her feet got tired even in flats these days and she was not going to strain her back on heels for hours on what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life, aiming to enjoy herself.

The shop assistant assured them they had her order and went to get it from the back while urging the two to browse or take a seat while waiting, definitely noting Rory's bump.

"God, I think I need a pair of these," Gigi commented, as she picked up a fuchsia colored high-heeled sandal with floral decor and an ankle strap.

"You really should, they'd look great on you," Rory noted, knowing that Gigi had no trouble spending the 595 dollars that pair cost of their dad's money if she felt like it.

"I don't know," Gigi frowned. "I'm just mostly thinking about what kind of shoes I might use at Yale. I don't want to pack a bunch of unsensible shoes with me," she continued, showing for a change a more mature side of her.

"I think I wore tennis shoes most of the time, some comfortable Oxford shoe types and sneakers, ballet flats, stuff like that. I had some heels, but I mostly wore them when I went to Friday Night Dinner," Rory explained.

Gigi turned to peruse the flats and sandal selection, not too seriously but just to kill time.

"Here you go," the assistant said, unpacking the two boxes for Rory to try on. "Do you need help with those?" she asked, catching Rory by surprise. She knew these types of services were offered on occasion but right now she was just getting the feeling it was her belly that was causing the offer.

"That's alright, I can manage," she replied, not liking to think of herself as someone completely incapable. She was not that far along just yet, and it hurt her pride a little.

Thankfully the shoes fit, though she felt her feet must've been a little swollen from the car ride, but that was no wonder really. She just needed to hope her body would cooperate on her wedding day, recalling ice baths and keeping her legs elevated would probably help.

They left the store with her shoes and a pair of sandals for Gigi, and headed across the street to get her underwear. This was a maternity store, thank god - making her for once not feel like she stood out.

Instead of bothering to try things on right there, she'd just gotten a bunch of different sizes, knowing her body might still change. Thankfully she didn't need much as her dress required just a stick on bra. But she did go ahead, getting a couple of sexier outfits to bring to their honeymoon. She was feeling a little guilty now that they're sex life even with her increased libido, was sort of all about the comfort. She wanted to feel sexy again, especially before she got too huge.

"Logan is one lucky man," Gigi commented as she noted the black lace bodysuit, a pair of tasteful but crotchless panties and another soft-cup see-through lingerie set she got on top of her seamless underwear for the actual wedding.

"I just hope I'll still have the energy by that time," Rory chuckled, hopefully.

They left the store a few minutes later.

"What does it feel like?" Gigi asked Rory after they walked out of the store to the street.

"How does what feel?" Rory asked, not quite following. Was she asking about sex while pregnant?

"Being pregnant, I mean being this pregnant," Gigi asked, hesitantly, the naughtier subjects already slipped from her mind unlike from Rory's. The thought had crossed her mind ever since she'd found out Rory was expecting, her own scare had for a long time been pushed to the back of her mind. She did wonder about these things but hadn't really dared to ask, feeling like the topic was a bit taboo after what had happened with her.

"Oh," Rory reacted, having not expected it. "Like you just have a huge weight on your midsection, I guess. It's harder to get a lungful of air, something's squishing your bladder, so it's tiny and you need to use the bathroom a lot," Rory explained, laughingly. "Kind of like the feeling I would get before the actual cramping before my period started… like there's something going on in your abdomen, but then other days there are stretching pains which are not a lot of fun. First there was fluttering, like something's swimming around inside of you, though that's not really it. But now the kicks are getting stronger and sometimes they hurt a bit," Rory did her best to describe it. But mostly she just observed her sister cautiously, wondering if this had something to do with her abortion. She hoped she wasn't regretting it, or even if not - she could imagine the guilt that could overcome one after something like that.

"It's kind of cool though, that the body can grow another human being like this," Gigi commented, casually.

"You doing alright with all of that…?" Rory asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, I mean… there wasn't really a viable alternative, was there? I probably wouldn't have Eric. I wouldn't be going to college, I wouldn't have the world wide open for me," Gigi reasoned.

"Yeah, I guess. That's a good feeling to have in your age," Rory continued.

Speaking to Birie had also given Rory the insight that she should also try to remain judgment free concerning Gigi so she wouldn't behave like her mother did with her. It was for this reason she bit her tongue, when she felt like asking - "Doesn't it kind of cross out that feeling that you're engaged?"

Thankfully, the question didn't leave her lips.

"Just so you know… if you had decided to keep it, it wouldn't have been the end of the world. We would've helped you. I just want you to know that whatever happens - I'll have your back, okay?" Rory said, instead. She had said it also then, but now with some distance she felt it needed to be repeated, meaning it in a broader sense now. Even if this happened again with Eric or if the engagement broke, she'd have her back. She wanted to offer her something unconditional, almost as if she needed a practice round before Em grew up. And now considering there was another girl on the way - she'd have three times these same issues to deal with as a mother. She needed all the practice she could get. And this went for both being their best friend when they needed on to also keeping many of her opinions to herself.

They made it back to bridal shop, having grabbed a small chicken wrap on the go, and with Gigi carrying most of Rory's things. They climbed the stairs to its second floor to the fitting room and rang the buzzer.

They got there just as they were finishing with Logan's light gray linen three-piece suit, the suit still being on him, as he stood there on the podium, and saw Rory in the mirror, which caused him to smile.

"I hope it's not back luck to see the groom in his suit before the wedding," Logan teased as he turned.

Colin had already changed out of his suit and was returning from the dressing rooms.

"Close your mouth, Rory," Colin commented, jokingly, seeing the look on her face. Well technically her mouth hadn't fallen open at the sight of Logan, but close enough. The sight was definitely mouth-watering, especially after a trip to the lingerie store, and Rory had seen him in various suits and tuxes time and time again. But this was different. This fitted the more casual style, but was still sharp and charming as ever on the man she knew so well. His stubble, more of a stubble than a bears right about now, suited him incredibly well in this outfit. The suit was casual enough, but no less sexy - and the smirk he was giving her really didn't help. Rory just felt like melting into a puddle.

"Colin!" Rory scolded him, playfully hitting him on his arm which he pretended to be hurt from, as she composed herself.

Gigi just chuckled.

"Okay, we're done here. I'll adjust these couple of tiny things and have the suit shipped to you in a few days time," the tailor promised.

"Great, thanks," Logan replied. He was incredibly relieved that the wedding was going to be a less stuffy one, and this theme applied also to his suit - he actually felt like he could breathe in this, but supposedly this had a lot to do with the woman he was marrying as well.

"You got everything you wanted?" Logan asked, caringly, stepping down from the podium towards Rory.

Rory touched his suit on his shoulders, appreciating its fit and material on him. God, she couldn't wait for the real day and to eventually take it off of him, if she were to be honest.

"Uh-uh," Rory replied, and gave Logan a quick peck.

"Ms. Gilmore?" another shop assistant that dealt with dresses addressed her. "We have your gown ready for you in the bridal dressing room," she added.

"I believe that's my cue. And don't you dare stay and catch a peek. Go take a walk or something," Rory cautioned Logan. She didn't really believe in the groom seeing the bride before the wedding, nor in her wedding dress, as some big bad omen, but with everything they'd been through, she really feared to jinx it.

"What time was your meeting?" Logan asked, before heading off into the changing room himself. The changing rooms were side-by-side, one a little bigger to accommodate larger dresses.

"At three," Rory replied, referring to the meeting with the publicist she had later on. It was a busy day, but she was relieved not having to drive to the City more than once.

"So lunch before?" Logan checked, being fairly certain of her answer.

"Uh-uh," Rory replied, and began to undress in the dressing room. The chicken wrap hadn't really been enough, and she could already feel her stomach grumbling.

"I guess we'll see you in about an hour or so, okay?" Logan began to say just as he was exiting the dressing room.

"Yeah," Rory replied, as the shop assistant was helping her zip up her dress.

"I'll think of a place. Love you!" Logan said as he headed off, knowing Rory hated to have to pick when she was already hungry. He was aiming to make reservations and just move around a bit while, being a little stiff himself from the lack of movement.

It was at that moment, however, when the fire alarm went off, causing everyone to freeze on their spot.

"I'm sure it's just a false alarm," the assistant commented after a few seconds. But as the next minute, they both smelled smoke and a fraction of a second later the sprinklers turned off, it became very clear that this was not a drill.

"Rory!" Logan said in a hasty tone, having just barely begun to step out of the store, and rushed back to get her, getting wet himself. Rory had by then managed to grab her phone, but not much else - there was no way she was getting out of this dress that quickly.

Rory, in her wedding dress, having just a second ago felt relief that she actually fit into the dress, and barefoot, emerged from the dressing room, and grabbed Logan's hand, and the two of them rushed out of the shop in a haste, the others along with them.