Chapter 15

The Party

Logan silently took Rory by the hand and led her downstairs. He allowed the doorman to hold open the door revealing their ride. Of course Logan had arranged for a limo to take them to the party that he was desperately trying to keep secret from Rory.

Again, Logan silently glanced over at Rory. He could not believe how lucky he was to be dating someone like her. She looked amazing in the dress he had picked out for her. The blue of the dress made her eyes sparkle and her hair shine. The sapphire necklace shone bright against her pale skin. He had searched all day for the perfect necklace; he was pleasantly surprised by the result. The large sapphire necklace was surrounded by diamonds and strung on a platinum chain. He had spent quite a bit on it, and he did not want Rory to find out that it had cost him over 5,000 for the piece of jewelry, but he knew she was worth it. He had never adorned his girlfriends in such lavish gifts, but for some reason he wanted nothing more than to give Rory the world.

Rory nervously tugged at the piece of jewelry dangling from her neck. She knew that Logan had spent way too much money on it, but she did not want to hurt him by rejecting the gift. This was not to say that she was unhappy to accept it, she just felt awkward accepting something so expensive. She was anxiously awaiting the surprise outing of the night. She knew that whatever he had planned had to be important because Logan too seemed nervous.

Logan opened the mini fridge in the limo and extracted a bottle of campaign. He skillfully poured two glasses and handed one of the flutes to Rory. She accepted the offering grateful to have something to keep her hands busy while waiting to arrive at their final destination.

"You seem a little nervous Ace." Logan grinned at her with his trademark smile.

Rory giggled slightly, trying to subdue the butterflies in her stomach. "I am just nervous to see what you have planned." Rory said, not wanting reveal the actual source of her apprehension, Jess. As open as she was with Logan the night before, she could not bring herself to tell him about the second encounter with her ex.

"Well, there is nothing to worry about Ace, I am sure you will enjoy the evening." Logan said smiling at her.

Rory looked out the window as they slowed down and pulled to the curb. She glanced around and noticed a line of limos that extended up the street. She followed the lineup to what she assumed to be their final destination.

"Are we going to the Met?" Rory asked, a little shocked that she was so dressed up to be going to a museum, but then again, it appeared as though some sort of party was taking place within the museum.

"Actually, we are. I know that you wanted to go, and my dad received tickets to a party that is being thrown there, so I thought we could see the Met while attending a red carpet event." Logan said. "If you want to come back and see it again without all the commotion, I would be happy to go again tomorrow."

"What kind of party is this?" Rory asked, noticing flashing cameras ahead of the limo.

"Well, it is actually more of a fundraiser. They are raising money for breast cancer, and they only invited the 'A-list.' My dad gets invited to all of these things because they want as much media attention as they can get." Logan explained.

"So by 'A-list' you mean who exactly?" Rory said, excited to hear what was coming.

"Well, it means that a bunch of celebrities, authors, and musicians will be here. There will also be a concert by Lenny Kravitz."

"Are you kidding me?" Rory said wide eyed.

"Ha, no actually. I thought it could be a fun night." Logan said.

"Yeah, I think it will be okay." Rory said playing down her excitement. In reality she wanted to get on the phone and call her mom and tell her what she was missing, but she was trying to play it cool, she had a lot of ground to make up since the whole emotional breakdown of the night before.

Their limo pulled up to the red carpet and Logan stepped out first and extended his hand towards Rory to help her out of the car. Her eyes resembled those of a deer in headlights as she gazed around at the clad of screaming paparazzi.

"I am sure they are all disappointed that it is only us." Rory said to Logan as she exited the limo.

"LOGAN HUNTZBERGER! OVER HERE! WHO ARE YOU WITH?" Rory heard a camera clad photographer ask.

"How does she know who you are?" Rory asked him skeptically.

"Lest you forget Ace, my father is a big-wig in the newspaper industry, I have to go to hundreds of these things. After a while I sort of formed a bond with a couple of the photogs, that one calling for me works for People, my dad hates that magazine, so I quickly learned to get on their good side just to anger him." Logan said laughing.

"Do they actually photograph you?" Rory asked confused as to why he would make the cut over the stunningly beautiful Kate Hudson who just walked up the carpet.

"No, not usually. On occasion I have been asked to pose with one of the more important people. My photographer friends think it is funny to get me in magazines and irritate my father, I would have to agree with them."

"Does that happen often?" Rory was shocked at this new development.

"Not at all. I think I have only graced the pages of People once or twice, but that is not to say that they don't try."

"Logan, come over here and pose with your friend. I want a shot of you two." The People photographer yelled.

"Hey Lynn, can you send me a copy of the picture?" Logan asked the woman.

"Of course Logan. Who might you be?" The woman asked Rory.

"Oh I am Rory Gilmore, I am dating Logan." Rory said, embarrassed by the line of questioning directed at her.

"I thought you were a model. I was almost positive I have seen you before." Lynn said to Rory.

"Ha, yeah, me a model. Why does Logan bring many of them here?" Rory asked, glancing at Logan accusingly.

"Hardly. I don't even think I have seen the same girl with him twice. And those he does bring are usually blonde bimbos. I think this is by far the deepest conversation I have ever had with one of his dates. Well anyway, it was nice meeting you Rory Gilmore, but I have to get back to work. I think Orlando just showed up."

"Orlando? As in Orlando Bloom?" Rory squealed.

"I only assume so. He has a tendency to show up to these things with that Blue Crush girl. I have never actually talked to him." Logan said.

"Oh, well I heard that he and Kate broke up." Rory said, admitting to her knowledge of Orlando.

"Keeping track of his social life are we Ace? Just in case things between you and I don't work out?" Logan laughed.

"Oh no, not at all…" Rory said glancing away from his joking eyes. "I just heard it the other day. Yeah, Lane has a crush on him." Rory said, not wanting to tell Logan the truth of the matter, that she had a big crush on him. Ever since Dean made her watch The Lord of the Rings incessantly, she noticed the lovely blonde Alf. Rory glanced back down the carpet, and sure enough, strutting his way towards the reporters was one Orlando Bloom. Rory could not take his eyes off his lovely features. He was one pretty guy. His suit only enhanced his good looks, making him drool worthy.

"Right Gilmore, lets go before the janitors have to mop up the puddle forming around you." Logan said, laughing at her poor attempts to cover her crush. "I hope I am not that obvious in front of my crush." Logan said.

"Who is your Hollywood crush?" Rory asked, wanting to get back at him for making fun of her Orlando fetish.

"Who said anything about Hollywood?" Logan said grinning at Rory, sending chills down her spine.

"Anyway, come on, lets get a table before all of these Hollywood types take them all." Logan said, pulling her inside the Met.

Rory looked around in awe as she entered the museum. The entire foyer was done up in pink streamers and balloons. The identifiable pink ribbon was present everywhere, and as they entered they were each given their own in a form of a lapel pin to wear.

"Wow, this is beautiful." Rory said out loud.

"It is the biggest event that the Breast Cancer Fund puts on. My dad gives them thousands of dollars annually, so if he is not invited because of his power in the newspaper business he is invited by the fund itself." Logan said, trailing off.

Rory could not help but notice a subtle change in his features with the last comment. She reached over and took a hold of his hand. "Are you okay?" She asked him, confused with his saddened demeanor.

"Oh yeah. It's just that my Grandma died from Breast Cancer when I was little. That is why my dad gives so much to its research. This all hits really close to home." He said to her.

"I am so sorry Logan. I never knew that." Rory said, giving him a small hug.

"It's okay. I don't like to talk about it, I would not expect you to know." Logan said, briefly shedding his unflappable exterior. "Let's not let that ruin the mood." Logan said, leading her over to an open table.

As they took their seats, Rory looked around the room noting the eclectic group. She recognized a few of the people present. She saw David Letterman, Oprah, Mandy Moore, Michael Jordan, and was that Ozzy? There were also the wealthy benefactors like Donald Trump and Bill Gates. She assumed that the majority of the unrecognizable guests were victims of breast cancer or the families of those deceased. She sat in complete awe as she took in her surroundings. She could not believe that Logan was sharing this with her. This was the type of thing that you read about in the newspapers, but not anything that you actually attend.

After a short speech given by the president of the organization, the five course meal was served. Logan and Rory shared their table with a man named James and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth had been diagnosed with breast cancer five years earlier and she had been in remission for going on three years. Rory was amazed by her story. Her family and community came together to support Elizabeth and her husband as they went through the devastating effects of chemotherapy. Once Elizabeth went into remission she decided to dedicate her life to help find a cure. Together James and Elizabeth raised over two million dollars in which they donated to the Breast Cancer Fund.

Sitting with Elizabeth and James made Rory's problems feel petty in comparison. She knew that all the drama that currently surrounded her life was trivial when considering the totality of life. Things happened for a reason, and everyone had exes that they would have to face at one point or another, Rory was no different. The important part was that she was now with Logan, and she was determined not to let her past relationships hinder their future.

With that finally decided, Rory felt a weight lift from her. She was finally at ease, and she knew that she could begin enjoying their trip to New York. After all, Rory was with an amazing guy in an amazing city, what was there to not enjoy?

After dinner Logan excused himself to get their drinks refilled. Once he returned he leaned over to speak to Rory. "Care for a dance?" He asked, his breath tingling her ear.

"I would love to." Rory said sliding off her chair and into his arms.

"I have to say Ace, you are the most beautiful woman here tonight." Logan said to her as they danced.

"You are just saying that because you have to go home with me." Rory kidded.

"Nonsense, none of these girls hold a candle to you."

"Not even Kate Hudson?" Rory asked.

"Not even her." He replied.

"Well, I have to say, I do believe I am the luckiest girl here." Rory said to him. "As cute as Orlando is, and as sexy as his accent is, he is no Logan Huntzberger." Rory said to him.

"I knew that you had a crush on him!" Logan said laughing.

"Yes, you caught me. Do you think he would have the next dance with me?" Rory said laughing.

"I think he would be stupid not to." Logan replied.

"For some reason, it is not as appealing as it once was. I would rather dance with you. Besides, you don't make fun of my lack of dancing skills, I think he would probably sue me if I stepped on his delicate fairy feet." Rory said laughing.

"I am happy as long as I don't have to share you." Logan said as he stopped dancing and led Rory off the dance floor.

"Where are we going?" Rory asked.

"I thought it would be fun if we checked out the museum when there was nobody here to distract us." Logan said.

"Can we do that?" Rory wondered out loud.

"Why not? Who is going to stop us?"

"Maybe the guards that are standing at every exit." Rory replied laughing.

"Nonsense Rory, we can do whatever we want." Logan said looking into her eyes. The simplicity of the statement seemed to have double meanings for Rory, and she was eager to see what the future would hold for them.