–WFI–Chapter 11 Thursday, July 27

Rory was nervous. She and Logan talked and decided to send Katie 2 plane tickets to MV for the engagement party. She also told Katie not to worry about a dress, she would lend her one of hers. Rory also booked her a room at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort. Rory and Logan were taking Karson and Ricky out to eat tonight. Rory is going to explain to Karson what she did and why. She was still not sure she had done the right thing.

Rory spent most of the day at the yacht club. She and the wedding planner were butting heads. She was on the verge of firing her. Brenda has been blowing up her phone. Rory was ready to scream. She had just hung up the phone and laid her head on the table when Logan walked into the room. He stood back and watched her for a minute. He walked to the table and touched her. She jumped. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. You look like you are having a bad day. Anything I can do?" Logan asked.

She smiled at him, stood up and put her arms around his neck, and kissed his lips softly. "You are the best husband. Thank you for always being here for us." She told him.

"Rory when I married you, I knew that I was taking on a ready-made family. I didn't realize how big of a family, but I would not trade this life for anything else. I love you, I love our family. Now, what can I do to help you?" He asked again. Rory handed him the list and he got started.

Ricky and Karson were meeting them at the yacht club for supper. There were plenty of adults left at the house to watch the kids. Logan and Rory were sitting at the bar when Karson and Ricky arrived. Logan let the hostess know that they were ready to be seated. They were seated at a table by the window overlooking the ocean.

After the waitress took the drink orders, Logan started. "We just want to let you know how proud we are of both of you. I met Karson before Rory and I married. I knew that Rory thought of Karson as a daughter. Ricky, I did not meet you until after I married Rory. Right after, but it didn't take long for me to realize that you too would become a part of the family. You both held down jobs while attending college. You both have had to deal with a not-so-ideal family. We just want you to know that if we had to pick adult children to be a part of our family, we would search the world over and would not be able to find anyone as perfect a fit as you two." Logan was grinning from ear to ear. He looked at Rory, she smiled and pulled out a present from her purse. Both Ricky and Karson tried to tell them that they had done enough and that this was not necessary, but they wouldn't hear of it.

"Open it," Rory said. She was practically bouncing in her seat.

Karson was taking her time untying the bow. Rory was being impatient. "Hurry up" Before she could finish the waitress brought their drink order and asked if they were ready to order.

Ricky smiled at her. "Could you give us a few more minutes please?" He asked.

"Yes sir," she said and walked away. Karson continued to unwrap the present. When it was finally unwrapped. Ricky took the lid off the box. Inside the box were official-looking papers.

Ricky picked them up and looked closely at them. "This is a deed to Ms. Gatherhine's manor," Ricky said. Rory nodded.

Karson looked over Ricky's shoulder. "That has our name on it," Karson said.

"Yes, when Mr. and Mrs. Gatherhine divorce the house went up for sale. We bought it. With the security problems that we were having at the time, I wasn't comfortable with someone I didn't know living behind us." Logan told them.

"We have been renting it through a rental agency with our approval. We notified them after you got engaged that we were pulling it for the rental property. Cynthia, Honor, and I walked through the property." Rory told them.

"There were several things that needed tending to. Painting, new carpet, several repairs. We took care of everything." Logan told them.

Rory rushed to speak next. She wanted to be the one to tell them about the rest of the gift. "Honor and Josh want to furnish the top floor. Honor will contact you before the wedding to go shopping with her." Rory said. She was bouncing in her seat. She was so excited.

"You and Ricky need to go online and have an idea of what you want. Cynthia, Dad and Jessi want to furnish the ground floor." Logan said.

"It is only a four-bedroom 5 and a half bath house, but there is a storage room over the garage, a basement that needs refurbishing. A pool house that is smaller than ours. It has an office and a library. We figured this would make a perfect starter house." Rory said. Both Ricky and Karson were looking at Rory and Logan. Tears were running down Karson's face. She stood up and hugged Rory and Logan. Ricky was choked up. He couldn't say anything, he just nodded his head.

The waitress came back and they ordered supper. Ricky and Logan were making plans to do a walk-through of the house. Logan explained to them that it has been empty for two months and most of the repairs have been done.

Rory and Karson were talking about fabric and colors. Rory was telling her about the master bath and all the new appliances in the kitchen. After the food was served, Rory took Logan's hand. "We have something else to tell you. This may not be as happy a piece of news as before" Rory said. Karson and Ricky both put their forks down and looked at Rory and Logan. "I sent Katie 2 plane tickets to MV, along with a reservation at the Winnetu. I also told her that she could borrow a dress from me." Rory said. She was unable to look Karson in the eye. "Please don't be mad. I just wanted you to have everyone you wanted at your party."

Karson smiled. "It's okay, I just worry about her taking advantage of you and your hospitality."

"Don't worry about that. I know she will try to take advantage. I will let her if that is what it takes for you to have a great party." Rory said.

Ricky spoke up. He took Karson's hand. "I don't think we should tell her about the house you gifted us," Ricky said.

"I think you should let her think you and Ricky are going to live in the pool house when you get married," Logan said. Ricky looked at Karson. Karson nodded. The last thing the newly weds need is for her mother to move in with them.