"Don't freak out".
This could go a number of different ways, Logan thought.
"Ok, I won't freak out".
"I just got off the phone with Mom…", Rory said, dragging the sentence out.
Okay, nothing new there. His wife and mother-in-law communicate often, sometimes several times a day.
"She asked how our "Christmas Two" was…", she said, trailing off and looking away.
It was wonderful and exquisite. Their presents had already unwrapped this morning. Twice.
Last night, after they cleaned up from their traditional midnight snack, Rory took Logan's hand and lead him upstairs to their bed.
His smoking jacket and cravat were removed, her assistance. Her cape unclasped with a flick of his wrist.
She kept her thigh-high lace topped stockings on and as well as her heels, while they loved on each other reverently.
Celebrating their wedding anniversary every year was always something they both looked forward to and were thankful about.
Just before dawn that morning, they got tangled up in each other again.
Eli woke up, soon after, excited about a second Christmas, this one at home.
They went downstairs together, with Eli carried down by his father, until he set him loose in front of their Christmas tree and all of his gifts.
The parents reveled in their son's glee as his discovered all the new (mostly educational) toys that a rapidly developing child needs to flourish.
They acknowledged to one another that this may be the first holiday that their child may be able to remember and that next year, there would be a new addition to share with.
They exchanged their personal gifts to one another.
They agreed only purchase a big ticket item for each other once a year, and even then purchases must be funded from their gift-giving account, for which they set funds aside from in their monthly operating budget (Rory's rules of marriage).
A Piaget Rose Gold Open bangle from husband to wife and a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch from wife to husband.
"She hoped Eli enjoyed his Mercedes truck…"
Logan put the tablet down and gave her all his attention. The day's stories he was checking up on could wait. He looked at her straight on and gave her a small smile, encouraging her to continue.
"She was just checking what time we were planning on getting to there today…"
It takes under 45 minutes to get from the South End of Hartford to Stars Hollow, an hour tops. Not exactly a long trek. Logan cocked his head to the side, waiting on the punchline.
"Soooo, as it turns out... a few weeks ago Kirk had a 'premonition' of an empty town square with no cars on the street and no people milling about. Apparently, he remembered that the sun was shining brightly, the trees had new leaves and the flowers were in bloom, but it was a complete ghost town. At first, when he vividly recounted this dream to Taylor, he thought it was an idea for a new movie...". Rory paused for a moment to roll her eyes before continuing.
"But then Taylor ran with it and called a town meeting to announce a new event that they could organize quickly, and long story short – there is a dinner-dance tonight in Stars Hollow", Rory finished.
"Okay, so I need to pack a suit or something? I have no problem participating in a town event, I told you- that man is a genius!", Logan laughed off Rory's reluctance.
"Here's the thing- Mom mentioned to Babette that we would be in town, when she asked if we could make it, and she said of course, because they usually spend their anniversary here and that got back to Taylor and then he made us the guests of honor, so now we have to go", Rory rushed though the ending explanation.
"Do you not want to go?"
"That's not it exactly. Did I mention that it was themed?"
"No, you did not", Logan intoned with amusement. "So are we talking white dinner jacket formal kind-of-themed or Chewbacca full on furry get-up theme here, cause I don't know if we have time to swing by the costume shoppe today. Is it even open?". He added as a joke.
"He's done this before- springing something on me without any notice! What if we had plans? What if we decided to jet off to the Maldives at the last minute, huh? Then it would be my fault again, I'd let the town down! Little kids crying everywhere, 2003 redux!"
"Rory, it's fine by me if you don't want to go or if you do, I'm down for whatever you want to do."
"Ok, but I'm feeling a little bombarded by this is all. Mom apparently knew bout this for months but decided if we couldn't make it, no big deal, she'd just shelve the outfits she has prepared for us. She has outfits prepared, Logan! Even for Eli! I should have known something was up when she asked for your suit size when we were shopping on Black Friday! I wish she would have just said something!"
"So you could freak out in advance? Look, Rory, she knows you and she probably just didn't want you to worry about getting anything. Like she said, no big deal, right?"
Rory just rolled her eyes and continued to huff away.
"She still could have said something. She had every opportunity. I hate feeling unprepared..."
"We go. We see what the lay of the land is. We decide if we want to participate. If not, we just do our regular anniversary thing in the Dragonfly honeymoon suite. We've got some good memories in that room", he added with a grin full of mirth.
"Yeah, Yeah, you say that now but wait until you see your skinny tie and burgundy dinner jacket. She may even have a pair of black Chucks to complete the look and I don't think I've ever seen you in such casual shoes", she paused. "You're Wren and I'm Ariel from Footloose, with just a smattering of For Keeps because of the belly, but we'd also have to face each other for pictures on the step and repeat to truly compete with that film, according to her! She's nuts, I've just decided!"
He can barely follow those references but is pretty sure Footloose had a blond male lead.
"It was the hair wasn't it?", he said pointing to his head, hoping to add some humor to her rant.
Rory smiled at him and he knew her moment was over.
"It's always the hair; getting us in trouble. I think people just want to touch it, I know I do." She came closer to where he was sitting and ran her hands through the top of his locks, running the pads of her fingertips along his scalp.
She is the only person he would ever let do this.
Logan loves the feeling of her gently massaging him.
He looks up at her into her eyes and she comes in for a kiss.
"I guess we better get going then."
"Whatever you say, dear. Whatever you say."
"Mom, we're here", Rory announced as they walked through the door of her mother's house in Stars Hollow.
"In here, Rory"
Rory looked at Logan with a quirked eyebrow, acknowledging that was Emily's voice they heard.
Turning the corner around from the vestibule, there Emily is, sitting in the chair that no one sits in with her feet up on the ottoman.
There was a cozy fire going and Emily had a piping hot mug on the stand next to her.
An opened book was face down on her lap, which was covered in a chunky afghan throw.
"Hi, Grandma, I wasn't expecting you here."
"Rory! Logan! Eli! How are you today?", Emily said excitedly and made moves to get up to greet them.
"Don't get up, Grandma. We're coming to you."
They got all their hats and coats pulled off and put away, then came into the living room to each lean down and give Emily a little hug and kiss on the cheek.
After the greetings were given, Eli went directly over to his stash – a basket full of his toys, kept just for him at his Grammy's house – and started playing, leaving the adults to their conversation.
Rory and Logan made themselves comfortable on the couch.
"Where's Mom? Are you here all by yourself?", Rory asked.
"Your mom and Luke went out before lunch and haven't returned yet. Said they had a bunch of deliveries to make", Emily answered. "As she was walking out the door, said to make sure your hair wasn't red when you get here, because the Viking look was already taken care of."
"What does that even mean?", Rory wondered out loud.
Emily shrugged and said, "Beats me. This morning, when I asked if she had any books around that I could read, she yelled out 'Droughtlander is real!' and shoved this book in my hand."
"Well, what book is it? The suspense is killing me!", intoned Logan, genuinely interested in seeing where this bit was going.
Emily held up the book so that they could view the cover.
"It's Outlander. I just sat down here and started reading. It's a real page turner. Even better than the show", Emily explained.
"You watch Outlander, Grandma?", Rory asked.
"Of course, how could I not? I remember some of the old biddies from the DAR talking about it a few times. Never thought I'd be interested in a time-traveling war nurse but here I am", she said with blase.
Logan knew all about the show, which he had heard Rory and his mother-in-law talking about – loudly and often – as they watched on the phone together.
"Books are always better, aren't they?", Rory commented. "The first book came out the in 90s but it engrosses you right from the start. Men in kilts are all the rage."
"Oh, yes, I do agree. That Jamie Fraser is very popular, I hear, but Murtagh is my personal favorite", Emily added with a smile. " I love a strong man..."
Logan had the good sense to look away after this comment, only slightly uncomfortable with Emily's candor.
"Mom was reading all the books, ahead of the series, because they tend to change some things in the story. This is starting to make sense now- she probably finished "A Breath of Snow and Ashes", Rory paused. "I should text her to let her know we are here."
Before she could press send on the text, Lorelai and Luke walked through the front door.
"Oh, good your hair is not red. That's bad luck, you know"
"Mom, what are you talking about? And of course my hair's not red, you just saw me like five days ago."
"True, but you never know what kind of dirty things you too will be up too. I had to be absolutely certain to make sure tonight's town event goes off without a hitch."
"Speaking of tonight's event, tell us about it. Seems as though we're the only people here without the information packet on tonight", Rory said to her mother.
The long and the short of it is, the town is having dinner-dance night where everyone dresses up as their favorite character from a dance movie or musical. Luke and I are going as Johnny and Baby. As I mentioned this morning, I have everything ready for you, Logan and Eli to go as the characters from Footloose. When I mentioned it to Mom, she said she wouldn't mind coming back with us and attending. She's going as Kathy Selden from Singin' in the Rain. I was on the planning committee."
"Grandma, you had time to get an outfit together in just a few days time?"
"Oh, yes. Your mother and I brainstormed some simple ideas and got Miss Celine on the phone to see if she had anything close that wouldn't require alterations. She found one that worked, a lilac drop waisted dress, and had it delivered here last night. Just like that!", she said as she snapped her fingers through the air.
Just like that... whoever said money can't buy class clearly had never met Emily Gilmore. This woman has resources and she knows how to use them.
"Since children are welcome, the event is scheduled to start fairly early at 5:00 this evening, so we only have a couple of hours to get dressed. I set up the ladies upstairs and the fellas can get dressed down here."
"So is that what you having been doing this morning? Finishing touches on the dance?", Rory asked her mother.
"Actually, Luke and I have been going around town handing out a "Welcome New Year" package, including some pre-game whiskey", Lorelai explained.
"Firstfoot?", Rory replied back, as if she knew what in the world Lorelai was talking about.
"Exactly", said her mother with a smile.
"Well we better start getting ready then", Rory shot back. "Sounds like we have quite the night ahead of us."
"This looks familiar", Rory said as they walked into the transformed Stars Hollow High gymnasium.
"Oh look, a buffet. How quaint", Emily commented, barely keeping her nose out of the air, as they handed their coats over for coat check.
A short set of bleachers looked like they had been pushed all the way in and were almost flush with the wall and underneath a little pillared alcove on both sides of the gym. The effect was a large room, allowing for maximum floor space in front of the stage area for dancing and circular, almost Yale-blue, linen draped banquet tables all around.
Each table had a small candle lamp with bundles of white and pink flowers around it, as a centerpiece.
The space was draped in blue, white and silver streamers along the side walls. Painted white trellis, shining with twinkle lights, were stationed every ten feet or so, adding to the glow.
"I took my inspiration from Teen Witch", Lorelai paused to gear up for a lengthy explanation.
"I thought about going for the prom scene from Pretty in Pink but if you look closely, its the architecture of the room that adds to the decor. Maroon and gold draped tables and super bright lights – I might as well have have kept the "Stars Hollow Minutemen" statue in the corner – then at least it would have been like Grease...", Lorelai explained to Rory, who just nodded along, completely following what her mom was saying.
"The last synchronized dance sequence or the Fall haystack geek dance party?", Rory asked her mother.
"The final dance sequence, of course. Hence, the theme "Our Finest Hour", which is written on that banner right over there", as she gestured to the very large display on the curtains that lined the stage area.
"Is Cindy Valentine going to come out and sing too? Because you know, I believe that would be a real crowd pleaser", Rory added quickly.
"Of course not! Cindy Valentine is a woman of a particular age- somewhere out there living her best life. Plus, when I looked her up on Twitter and slid into her DMs, she never responded", Lorelai said with a shrug of her shoulders and a flourish.
"Well what about the "Enchantment Under The Sea" dance? Glitter green swirls made to look like seaweed, and fake starfishes on the wall. Who doesn't like to feel like they are underwater?"
Logan just laughed at the whole scene. It was beautiful in here but they certainly had their own language.
"Lorelai, the place looks wonderful, it looks absolutely regal in here," Logan complemented. "I almost wonder where the throne is," Logan said with a laugh.
"Oh, it's over there," Lorelai said while gesturing to the right side of the room. "It will be wheeled out and placed prominently for you to gaze upon the masses in judgment."
"I was kind of just kidding, Lorelai," Logan added in surprise. "We're not ones to be the center of attention purposefully."
"It's too late now, Limo boy. Taylor is Master of Ceremonies and he already saw us all walk in. No turning back now!" Lorelai laughed.
The family settled in at their assigned table, which was still a little too front-and center for Logan's taste, but he rolled with it.
Eli decided that he would rather stay with them now, instead of going to play in the designated kids areas in the halls behind the gym's stage.
They had a couple of projector screens set up for kid-approved movies and an obstacle course for both the big kids and little kids, in a fully-staffed environment.
It was important to Lorelai that the whole family could enjoy the festivities but Eli choose to hang back for a while, preferring to sit in his dad's lap for now.
Eli looked so cute tonight, in his little black tux with a powder blue ruffled shirt. He even had the bowtie and black piping on the ruffles to match. He wondered where Lorelai could have even found such a detailed outfit in Eli's size.
His own outfit did not actually have a skinny tie this time, nor sneakers for shoes, but instead a black bow tie of his own and some weird flat leather dancer type shoes.
Lorelai really was committed to the cause.
At least Luke looked comfortable, dressed all black from head to toe, with no neck-wear and an open collar, and seemingly normal dress shoes. Some guys had all the luck.
Rory and Lorelai both looked beautiful, even in their similarly styled pink ruffled dresses, blue eye shadow and big, curly 80's hair.
Lorelai even took to spray blonde highlights through out the front of both her and Rory's dark tresses, to give them a lighter look like the actresses playing their roles had.
Apparently, if Audrey can pull it off so can they, or so he heard, as they were putting on the finishing touches for tonight's event.
Whatever that meant.
"Oh, yeah. Rory, I enjoyed that book from Christmas. You know, the one with the figure eight on the cover? I think it was yellow...", Luke said as they ate dinner.
"Recursion?"
"Yeah, thats it", Luke said, clapping his hands in remembrance. "I really enjoyed it. I f Richard were here, I'd tell him I've got a new sci-fi favorite, no need to look up Dick on the internet."
Across the table, Emily, started to cackle uncontrollably.
"He told me about that conversation you two had at the golf course, after the fact. I just laughed and laughed then", she breathed out during breaks from her continued to laughing fit.
Logan, Rory, Lorelai and Luke just looked back and forth at one another in disbelief.
"I haven't heard my mother cackle like that in years. It's unnerving."
"Glad I could be of service", Luke said uncomfortably.
"Grandma, what's so funny?", Eli asked.
Emily continued to laugh. "Nothing dear, I'm just remembering a very special time from not that long ago- your great-grandfather was a very special man."
"We had some good times...", she said wistfully, then went back to cutting her food into teeny tiny bites.
What a night.
He and Rory made it to the Dragonfly, where they where spending the night after the town dance.
They had the best time – watching and even sometimes joining in on the fun.
It seemed like the entire town stopped by their table at some point during the night.
Most came to thank Lorelai for the gifts (several seemed to have already enjoyed a few nips) or to complement the decorating scheme.
Logan had noted people costumed as characters from Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, My Fair Lady, Dreamgirls and Phantom of the Opera.
There were plenty of Disney movies represented and not just from the kids.
Other people later self identified as being from Rent, Moulin Rouge, Funny Face, Hairspray, Fame, Hamilton (disappointed he missed that reference, it was so obvious), Chicago and Cats. The DJ hired for the event made sure everyone who wanted to, got to showcase their dancing talent to a signature song from their film of choice.
He was sure he saw someone who looked just like Freddie Mercury a la Bohemian Rhapsody and Elton John from Rocketman.
Lorelai's neighbors, Babette and Morey, were a perfect pair as "Pink Lady" Sandy and her T-Bird greaser.
The woman who ran the dance school, Miss Patty, had the 80s shoulder slumped sweatshirt and leg warmer outfit down to a tee. That reference was harder for him to recognize, until Miss Patty proceeded to reenact the infamous water scene from Flashdance, right before their eyes.
Luckily, she used a silver metallic streamer drop to simulate the water instead of the real thing.
Everyone loved it and although it was technically a competition, everybody cheered each other on from the sidelines.
At some point in the night, "Thriller" was even played and Michele, along with Frederick, went to town. It was surprising how many people remembered that dance.
Rory told Logan it was probably because of 13 Going on 30 and everyone being prepared for the moment that they could flash-mob it for themselves. He had no idea what she was talking about; that must have been one movie night he (thankfully) missed out on.
Logan's personal favorite was Zach, Lane, Kwan and Steve as "The Kid" and the Revolution from Purple Rain. Since Hep Alien was the "town band", they performed a short, 3 song set, to close off the night, that brought the party up to a nice respectable level. Brian as Willie Nelson and Gil as Jim Morrison, resurrected, came up to the stage with their bandmates and rocked out.
Kirk and Lulu tried to steal the show, of course. They did a disco dance, complete with mirror ball, to "You Should Be Dancing" from Saturday Night Fever.
They might have won too, if it wasn't for the piece de resistance.
Lorelai got Luke to dance to "The Time Of My Life" and their modified lift sequence, brought the house down.
No one else was going to top that, ever. The competition was over.
Rory and Logan gladly relinquished the throne and crowned Luke and Lorelai the winners of Stars Hollow's first dinner dance.
Taylor, dressed in a sailor suit, asked Emily to dance, as the couple that opened the floor in a spotlight dance to the theme from An American in Paris. Couple of mixed metaphors there but it was all in good fun.
Rory and Logan joined in for all the slow songs, as they swayed together slowly.
The couples dancing on the floor quickly devolved into Kenny Loggins theme from Footloose and she they were already out there - 'When in Rome,' right?
Glitter bombs exploded and soon it was everywhere.
Logan was sure he heard Taylor threaten fines if the gym wasn't cleaned up to his specifications.
Emily and Eli called it a night shortly thereafter and retired to the Crap Shack, with Luke not far behind. Eli loved his sleepover time at his grandparents house.
Now that Logan and Rory made it to the honeymoon suite, she was dead tired on her feet. Logan practically had to hold her up to keep her from falling.
They were a mess of hairspray and glitter that had to go before they could get to bed.
She only had a brief nap in the car and that was not enough sleep for the work that her body was doing in growing another tiny human.
"I wonder what Mom got us this year," Rory said groggily. "I've been worried about it – you know the third year is traditionally the 'leather' year."
"There's a box on the chair over there. You sit down here on the bed while I get it for you. You can open it while I'm getting your shoes off of you so we can undress and hop in the shower," Logan said.
Rory ripped into the packaging and pulled out their gift, just as he dropped her second shoe and gave her feet a little rub.
"It's pearl-studded leather cuffs," Rory informed Logan.
"Your mom knows us better than you think. We'll put those to use at a later date, but for now into the shower."
They made it into the beautifully appointed but home-y bathroom and Logan made sure to bring his phone too, so they could play some music in the hopes of staying awake long enough to get clean.
As Logan shampooed Rory's hair, "The Beautiful Ones" started to play and they got even closer.
"I will always be there for you, Rory. Even if you tell me to go, I will never ever leave you fully. This heart of mine is connected to you. You are a part of me," he said to her, echoing the same private vows that they said to each other three years ago in this very suite.
"I know that you will support me, Logan. I will trust that what I am feeling is real and true. We're made of the same thing, the same being. We will continue to lean on each other and make it through life," she said to him, and they kissed under the spray of the water.
AN: I went ten rounds with this one. I think it won. Over six months since the chapter file was created, and it fought me tooth and nail. I found out that I do like reviews, so please do.