Long Chapter-Just fair warning
–WFI–Chapter 12 Friday, July 30
Rory and Logan were up early. Logan wanted to get a swim in. Things have been hectic lately, he has not been able to run in the mornings. Rory agreed to join him. She was going to count his laps. They got downstairs laughing, trying to stay quiet. Not wanting to wake anyone up.
Ricky and Karson were on the deck, wrapped up in a blanket on a lounge chair. Karson was asleep and Ricky was just holding her. "Hey" Rory whispered. "Everything okay?"
Ricky nodded. "She couldn't sleep, I found her down here. Was going to sit with her. She fell asleep, so I let her sleep. I dozed off and on." Ricky said.
"We were going swimming before we got the day started," Logan said.
"Go ahead, I'll get her up and see if I can talk her into going to bed." Ricky told them.
Logan dove into the deep end of the pool. Rory sat on the steps and waited for him to reach her. She watched as Ricky woke up Karson and they headed upstairs. This worried Rory as it would any mother. When Logan got to Rory,he turned around and headed back to the deep end. When he reached her after about 10 laps, he stopped.
"What do you think that was all about?" He asked.
"Not, sure, but I'm worried." She said,
Logan nodded. "Try talking to her today, before going to pick up Katie at the airport," Logan suggested. "One or two more laps, then I'll be ready for the shower. Logan said.
Rory and Karson were on the way to the airport to pick up Katie. "I wanted to talk to you earlier, but this is the first time I've had a chance," Rory said.
"Yeah, I've been a little busy too," Karson said. She was sure she knew what Rory wanted to talk about. She just didn't know if she could explain it.
"What was that about sleeping on the deck about last night?" Rory asked.
Karson sighed. "I couldn't sleep. It was like I was being suffocated. I always go to sleep with the comforter on me, but the body heat with Ricky in the bed and me laying against him, I wake up with it off of me. Last night I threw it off. Then when Ricky went to sleep, I moved from up against him. I fell back asleep, I think, then woke up. Felt like I was being buried alive. I decided to go sit on the deck, get some fresh air. I only intended to be out there long enough to get a good breath, but Ricky found me 30 minutes after I left. I couldn't tell him anything other than I needed some fresh air. He sat down, wrapped me in a blanket, and the next thing I know, he is waking me up to go back to bed and you and Logan are in the pool." Karson said, taking a deep breath.
"Do you have any idea what is causing this? I know that you love Ricky, I know that you don't have any doubts about your marriage, so is it your mom's visit. Is that what is causing this, because if that is the problem, I will put her back on that plane today." Rory said.
"I don't know. I think I am worried that she is going to do something to make Ricky not want to marry me." Karson said.
Rory started laughing. "Not going to happen. That boy loves you as much as Logan loves me and you love him as much as I love Logan. I promise I see it in both of your eyes" Rory said with a smile.
They parked at the airport. They had to stop and read the signs. They were used to flying in on a private plane, they were not sure where to go for commercial flights. They found the lounge for the gate they were looking for. They waited for 15 minutes before it was announced that the plane landed. Both were looking at the gate, waiting to see who her mother was bringing with her.
Finally, Karson saw her mother. She nudged Rory while straining to see who was with her. She saw her brother, Henry, then she saw his wife Sharon. Rory watches her face go from happy to see her brother and mom, to a mask, not being able to tell how she was feeling. This is something she probably picked up around us. Rory thought.
When her mother saw her, she started moving fast. She grabbed Karson and hugged her. Then she hugged Rory. "I am so glad you sent the tickets, we are happy to be here, can't wait to celebrate your engagement. Where is Ricky?" She said, then turned to Rory. "I can't believe my baby is getting married. Do you know that she brought Ricky home to meet us one time? She has not brought him back." Katie said. She was talking a mile a minute.
She turned to Rory, "Well, she has only visited a couple of times since then, you keep her so busy. Now, where is that boy?" She said looking around.
"Mom, he is back at the house, he had a work call. He wanted to come, but he and Logan were on a conference call with London. They are hoping to get the problem solved so they don't have to go back to London before the wedding." Karson said.
"Rory, you haven't met Henry and this is his wife Sharon," Karson said, turning toward Rory with her eyes wide open. Rory was trying not to laugh at Karson.
"Oh, where did I leave my manners, I am sorry Rory, yes this is Sharon and Henry. We used Sharon's mother's frequent flier miles to get her a seat." Katie said.
"Well, It's nice to meet you both. Let's go grab the luggage and get you settled in your room." Rory said. As they were walking to the luggage carousel, Rory hung back. She called the Winnetu Oceanside Resort to change the room from a single to a suite.
When they got to the Winnetu Oceanside Resort, the bellhop grabbed the luggage, while Rory and Katie went inside to get them checked in. Rory and Katie waited on Karson, Henry, and Sharon at the elevator banks.
When they got in the elevator and the doors closed, Sharon asked about the bellhop bringing their luggage. Karson explained that he would be up on the next elevator. "What if he opens my suitcase? I don't want him looking at my stuff." She whined.
"I'm sure they will not look in your luggage," Rory said. Karson looked at her like I'm sorry.
After they got into the hotel, Rory explained that the party was at the yacht club. She explained that there would be a car to pick them up unless they would prefer to walk.
"No, I prefer a car," Sharon said.
"Okay, I will make the arrangements. If you need to go somewhere that you do not feel comfortable walking, just have the concierge get you a cab. They will put it on the tab for the suite." Rory said.
"The room and the tab are taken care of, Right?" Katie asked Rory in a whisper. Rory nodded her head.
The bellhop arrived with the luggage. He offered to help unpack, but they declined. Rory stepped out of the room with the bellhop. She handed him a hundred dollar bill and her card. "Please watch them for me. Call me if you see anything out of the ordinary, please. I will have another one at the end of their stay." Rory said with a smile. He nodded his head.
Rory stuck her head back in the room. "Karson, we need to get going. I have a call with my editor shortly. Katie, Karson can give you the address. Supper will be at 6:00, if you come early, I am sure we can find a dress for you and Sharon if you would like." Rory said. Karson handed her mom one of Rory's cards with the address written on the back.
She hugged her mom, "I'll see you later Moma."
On the way back to the house, Rory asked Karson how she thought it went. Karson started laughing. "You know they are already in the minibar and will be ordering room service before they leave to come to the house tonight."
Rory laughed. "It's okay. At least it is not the whole crew for supper tonight. That might overwhelm them."
"It is everyone but Josh, Lorelai, and Luke. Well April and her family, but still." Karson just started giggling. "I sure hope they don't hold it against me."
"If we can deal with Shira for all those years, we can deal with Katie. I'm just glad Brenda isn't going to be here." Rory was glad they were at a stop sign because she was laughing now so hard she couldn't see in front of her.
About 4:30, a cab pulled up in front of the house. Katie, Henry, and Sharon got out. Katie had on a cute sundress and flip-flops, Sharon had on a halter V neck floral split maxi romper dress and strappy sandals. Both ladies were cute. Henry was dressed in a pair of khaki shorts, slips, and a band tee shirt.
Karson and Ricky were in their room upstairs when she heard the cab pull up. She looked out the window. "They are here. They dressed pretty decently too. Matter of fact, they look nice." Karson said.
Ricky was working at the desk they set up in their room. He got up to look out the window with Karson. He stood behind her and she leaned back on him. "Yeah, they clean up pretty good." He said. She turned around to see what he had on. He always dresses neatly. He had on a pair of white cargo shorts and a black polo shirt. Yes, she approves.
She kissed him. "I'm headed down. How long before you can come down. Sharon and mom will be trying on dresses so someone has to entertain Henry." She said,
"I'll be right behind you. Let me turn off this computer….. Are they coming up to our room? Because if they are, we probably need to straighten the bed." Ricky said with a wink. Karson smiled. Yeah, that might be a good idea.
When Karson got downstairs, Rory was at the front door, inviting them in. Em was standing by the couch, looking around the corner to see who it was at the door. Karson grabbed her and she squealed. Rory was telling them to come on in and make themselves at home.
Katie and Sharon were looking around, taking in all that there was to see. Henry's attention was directed to the deck. Gigi was on one side of the pool and Jessi was on the other. They were defecting the beach balls that were being thrown at them from in the pool. Honor was around the corner of the deck. This is where the ladies laid out when they didn't want to be splashed.
Ricky came up behind Karson, who had Em on her hip, and grabbed them both. Em sequel again and Ricky started tickling her. "Why aren't you in the pool with the boys?" He asked, noticing her swimsuit.
"Caused they maded me get out. Sayed I was too little. I told them I was 5 now, but Will said to get out fors a little while" Em said. Ricky smiled. Logan and Rory tried to correct her when she didn't pronounce words right, but It was worse when she was tired. She must be tired.
"Are you sure you don't need a nap?" Karson asked. "Just because you are 5, doesn't mean you don't get tired." Em nodded her head.
"I fhink I need screen time." She told Ricky.
Rory took her from Ricky, "Yes, screen time sounds good. How about having screen time in your room?" Rory said. Em was sucking her thumb, that was a habit Rory could not break. She really wasn't trying very hard. "Go get your dad from the office, then grab your tablet." She jumped down and was off. Rory turned back to her guest. "That was our baby, Emily, we call her Em''
Logan came out of the kitchen. "Hey Ace, Em said you wanted me. She also said you told her she could have screen time." Logan said. He did not realize they had guests. "I'm sorry, forgive my manners, I'm Logan Huntzburger," Logan said, sticking his hand out for them to shake.
"This is my mom Katie, my brother Henry and his wife Sharon," Karson said.
Rory walked over and kissed him on the cheek, "Yes, she got kicked out of the pool. I told her it was okay to have some screen time, maybe she will take a nap before supper." Rory told Logan.
"Logan, do you and Ricky think you can entertain Henry while we take the ladies upstairs to maybe find a dress before supper?" Rory asked.
"Sure, I can use Henry's grilling skills. Are the steaks marinated?" Logan asked.
"Yes, but they are with Cynthia," Rory said. Logan nodded. Rory led the way upstairs. They started in Rory's room. She had a pretty good variety of summer gowns to choose from. Katie picked out two she liked. Sharon was still looking. Rory told her to go in the bathroom and try them on, then come out here to let them see.
Karson was helping Sharon find something. "All these look too old for me." She said,
"I think they look beautiful, I would wear any of these. Rory has great taste," Karson said. Sharon just made a face as she moved the dresses across the rod. "If you don't like any of these, I can bring you mine, but I don't have as big of a collection as Rory." Karson said and left the room to get her dresses. Honor took her shopping for a dress for her to wear tomorrow night. She would not include that dress.
She picked out three dresses and headed back to Rory and Logan's room when Sharon met her in the hall. "Oh, I was coming to see what dresses you have." She said
"These are the only three summer dresses I had here." Karson told her.
When they got back to Rory and Katie, Katie had on one of Rory's dresses but it was too small in places. Most of Rory's dresses are custom-made. Rory didn't think that would be a problem since she and Lorelai often traded dresses. "Hold on a minute," Rory said as she picked up her phone and called Cynthia. She quickly explained the situation and Cynthia said she had a few she would bring to her. While waiting for Cynthia to bring the dresses to Rory and Logan's room,
Sharon was trying on Karson's dresses in the bathroom. She came out of the bathroom in a red and white halter dress that hit about her knee. "Karson, do you have shoes to match this dress?" Karson nodded.
Katie was able to fit into Cynthia's dress. She picked out a silver and blue ankle-length dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves. She looked beautiful. Karson made a note to make them an appointment at the hair salon tomorrow.
By the time they finished upstairs, Logan just about had the steaks ready. He was putting the hot dogs on for the kids when they all entered the deck. Christopher and Leslie had joined them. There were introductions all around.
"Karson is such a pleasure to have around." Christopher told Katie.
"I agree," Mitchum said.
Katie went on and on about how she knew that Katie would make it big in Hartford. She was so glad she decided to let her come stay with Rory. Rory and Karson looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
Supper was served. Karson helped Rory and Honor fix the kids' plates and get them settled. While everyone was fixing their plates, Jill and Ryan came up on the deck from the beach. They both nodded. Walked around on the deck for a few minutes, talking with everyone before telling Logan everything looked good. Logan thanked them. Katie and Sharon watched this.
Sharon whispered to Henry, "What was that?"
"Security," Henry said.
It was almost midnight when Katie decided it was time for them to go. Rory picked up her phone to call a cab, but Katie stopped her.
"Karson can take us back to the hotel. Katie said.
Ricky spoke up "Sure, we would love to." He grabbed Karson's jacket and helped her put it on. "Let me bring the car around to the front."
Rory laid in bed waiting to hear Ricky and Karson return. When she heard the car pull in, she got up and went downstairs. She was sitting at the bottom of the stairs waiting for them. She scared Karson.
"Sorry, I just wanted to know how you think it went tonight?" Rory asked.
Ricky chucked. "Hide the silver"
Karson hit him. "It wasn't that bad," she said. She looked at Ricky, "Well maybe it was." They both started laughing.
"Well tell me," Rory said.
"Babe, I'm going to bed. Will I be up soon?" Ricky asked. Karson nodded.
She and Rory went to the kitchen to sit at the bar. "We hadn't even left the driveway before Henry started in on my car, only he thought it belonged to Ricky. Foolishly, I corrected him. That started moma with the questions. Where did I get the money to buy a Jeep like this? I just told her I worked for the money. She just humf. Then Sharon asked about the gowns I bought for her to try on. Before I could answer, moma said. Ricky is rich and he doesn't want to be embarrassed so he made sure I had the proper dress. She then added I guess that goes for the car also. I just sat there. Ricky started to correct her, but I stopped him. I figured if she thought Ricky controlled the money, there was no need to ask me for any." Karson was just fiddling with her coffee cup.
"That sounds like a good idea," Rory said.
Logan came down the stairs. "Ace, you down here?"
"No, I left." She told him.
Logan came and put his arms around her. "No, you're still here."
Karson stood up. "I'm going to bed. First thing in the morning, I am going to try to get Moma and Sharon an appointment for mani/Pedi and hairstyle."