Chapter 6
The union
"So…you nervous?" Rory asked Logan as they were settling in for the night…the night before their wedding…the last day that they would ever again be truly single.
"Not at all." Logan replied confidently. "I know this is meant to be."
"Wow, I wish I could have your confidence." Rory said as she took her place in bed, pressed up against Logan.
"Why are you nervous?" Logan asked her, picking up on her hesitation.
"I am not nervous per-say. I don't know. I grew up in a one parent house-hold my entire life. My father played only a very small role in my growing up. The whole idea of marriage is something that I have only recently become accustomed to because of my mom and Luke. I was never really around a happily married couple; I don't know how things like this are supposed to work." Rory said, turning to him.
"Hey Rory, don't worry so much. Marriages are not always easy, but I can guarantee that with the two of us, it won't ever be boring. All you need to focus on is how much I love you and how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You still want this too, don't you?" Logan asked, wanting reaffirmation.
"Yes, of course I do Logan. I love you so much! It's just that marriage is a completely foreign concept for me. I want to be a good wife, but more than that, I am afraid that I will get sick of you or you me. Growing up, my mother never had a boyfriend longer than two months. In fact, she was well-known for her 'two-month-rule' and this is the type of behavior that I know and am used to. I don't want this to be temporary. I love you, and I am afraid that I may ruin it." Rory said.
"Rory, breath. This is only cold feet. I don't think it is even a possibility that I will get sick of you. I hope you won't get sick of me, and I will do my best to guarantee that. If you are having actual doubts, then we can wait. I will wait forever for you Rory."
"The wedding is tomorrow, we can't postpone it!" Rory said, shocked by this.
"We can do anything we want to Rory." Logan said, wrapping his arm around her.
"Well, if we can do anything, there is something, that I would really enjoy doing right now." Rory said, raising her eyebrow seductively.
"Are you kidding me? We were just having a serious conversation about postponing one of the most important events in our lives and you want to have sex?" Logan said with a smile.
"Well, it is not like we do anything conventionally. Besides, you and I both know that there will be a wedding tomorrow. This is just me, overanalyzing as per usual. Right now I feel like sex would be a great way to occupy our time and take our minds off of the events of tomorrow."
"Like I would actually turn down sex with you." Logan said, rolling on top of his fiancé.
Rory let out a slight giggle, as Logan began his ultra-seductive method of removing Rory's pajamas. He ran a trail of kisses from her ear, down her neck, along her breast bone, and down to her navel. He did not stop there though, and Rory's eyes widened with shock and excitement.
I will let your imagination's do the rest of the work…I gotta keep this PG-13
After their scandalous romp the night before, Rory was able to fall quickly to sleep and wake up completely refreshed and blissful.
"Hey there handsome." Rory said, pressing her naked body against his in the soft morning light.
"Good morning beautiful." Logan said smiling back at her.
"Last night was…" Rory started.
"Amazing." Logan finished.
"I am hoping for a repeat performance tonight." Rory said with a wink.
"Oh you don't have to worry about tonight. I have great things planned for you and me." Logan said, returning her wink.
"Urgh, are you trying to drive me crazy?" Rory said, wanting to know more about this night he had planned, but not wanting to ruin the surprise, because she too had great things planned for the two of them.
"I hope to…yes." Logan said, giving Rory a deep and tantalizing kiss. "Am I even allowed to see you today?"
"Is that one of those pre-wedding rules? I don't know! Maybe not. Are we doomed now?" Rory asked, sitting up and clutching the bed sheets against her body.
"Oh calm down Rory. I think we have pretty much broken all the rules already. I have no doubts about our upcoming nuptials." Logan said, hoping to relax Rory.
"Yes, I suppose so. But that does not mean that you will be able to see me in my wedding dress. Not until I walk down the isle that is. We have to keep that one traditional." Rory said to him.
"I have to head to Mom's soon though. We are all getting ready there. When are you heading over to the Dragonfly?"
"Well, Colin and Finn are taking me out today to go golfing before the ceremony and then we are going to head over and get ready there."
"Well then. I guess this is it…until the wedding." Rory said, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement spread through her body.
"Until then my beautiful bride-to-be." Logan said, giving her one last kiss before she got dressed and left.
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Rory walked into the home she grew up in to find it in shambles. There was a combination of wedding stuff, gifts from Lorelai's and Luke's wedding that were still in need of homes and all that was surrounded by the usual havoc the house was usually in.
"Rory's hear finally!" Rory heard Miss. Patty yell out.
"Hello darling." She said, walking over to Rory. "Don't you look cute? You must have had a busy night." She said with a knowing smile.
Rory turned bright red at the accurate accusation. "Yes, well…preparing for the wedding was a lot of work…and…yeah." Rory shifted uncomfortably, hoping for rescue. It came in the form of Babbette.
"Oh Rory dear. We were just putting the finishing touches on your mother. You two are going to be drop-dead gorgeous." She said, leading Rory into her old bedroom that had been transformed into a beauty salon. Her mother was already dressed and talking animatedly to Emily's hairdresser as Rory walked in.
"Rory, tell your Grandmother that I don't need her woman doing my hair!" Lorelai shouted, on the verge of a temper tantrum.
"Oh calm down Lorelai, you are always so dramatic. She will do a good job on it. Besides, you want to look good for Rory's big day now don't you?" Emily said, managing to throw one of her back-handed insults at her daughter.
"I think she looks radiant Grandma. If she does not want her hair re-done, then I don't think she should have to." Rory said to Emily.
"Okay, well if you think so…" Emily said tenitively.
"So I have to yell for an hour, but as soon as Rory says no then you are okay with it?" Lorelai said in shock. "Sometimes I wonder who the daughter is and who the granddaughter is."
"Me too." Emily said.
"I put the finishing touches on your dress last night Rory. Come put it on and lets see." Lorelai said, choosing to ignore her mother for the moment.
Rory walked over to the mannequin that held her gown and stared in amazement. Her mother had always been talented when it came to clothing design, but this was unbelievable. The strapless gown was simple, yet elegant. It was form fitting through the bodice, yet billowy in the skirt. The train came together in the back and on the gown Lorelai had managed to incorporate small stars that were made of satin. The stars were barely visible, but Rory knew they were there, and that is all that mattered. She could feel a tear trickle down her check as she stood gazing at the dress. Lorelai came beside her and gave her a hug. "I hoped you would like it." She told her.
"Mom, this is unbelievable. I could not have pictured anything more perfect."
"Thanks kid." Lorelai said as she turned to the mirror to admire her own dress. "What do you think about these?" She asked pointing to the dresses she made for the bridal party.
The bride's maid dresses were made of a dark blue silk. Their straps were simple and spaghetti-like with a low back and long floor-length skirt. The hems of the dresses were interwoven with cream silk to add more dimension and personality. Rory could not believe that her mother had created them.
"You are all going to look amazing." Rory said. "Where are Paris and Lane anyway?" Rory asked, looking for her other two bride's maids.
"They went to check on the flowers. They should be back in a minute or two." Lorelai said, sitting down.
Emily called her hairdresser back in to finish up Rory's look. By the time she was done, she looked like an overly made-up Barbie. Luckily, Lorelai noticed Rory's shocked expression and ushered her daughter into the bathroom to help tame the make-up situation.
"I can't believe this is my last day as a Gilmore." Rory said, looking at her mother as she threw away the Kleenex.
"Rory, you will always be a Gilmore, you will always be my daughter, and you will always be part of this family. Don't think that because we are both married that things have to change." Lorelai said.
"But mom, everything is going to change!" Rory said.
"Sure, you will have a husband and a family of your own…but you are living in Stars Hallow now, so we will see each other everyday. It will be like it was when you went to Chilton, but better, no uniforms." Lorelai said. "We can have breakfast together everyday at Luke's and we can have movie nights every weekend. You can stay over as much as you like when Logan is driving you crazy, and visa-versa."
"But what happens if we have kids of our own? Or you and Luke have kids? Things will be more complex. We will have new lives apart from one another." Rory said, not wanting to cry in fear of smudging her makeup.
"Rory, even if that happens, what can change? You will always be my daughter, you are the most important person in my life, and I don't think that could ever change, even with Luke and another child. You are an extension of myself, not just a daughter."
"I am scared mom." Rory said, her eyes stinging with threatening tears.
"I know hun. But don't be, we are all here for you. Me, Luke, Emily, the town…it will be great, you will see." Lorelai said. "Logan is a great guy. You two will be amazing together. Today is supposed to be scary, but it is also supposed to be your day. I can't tell you to quit worrying, because I still worry about me and Luke, but that is how it will be from now on. You have another person to look after, and that is scary. But the good thing is that we both have amazing men that will catch us if we fall. If things get rough, I will always be here for you. You are my daughter, my best friend, my mini me."
"Thank you mom. I love you." Rory said, waving air into her eyes in attempt to dry out the tears.
"Me too baby, me too." Lorelai said. "Now, enough of the mushy stuff, lets get this show on the road!"
Lorelai led the way to the waiting limo followed by Rory, Emily, Lane and finally Paris. The girls quietly sat fidgeting with their bags as they made their way to the church. The limo ride was short, and they arrived in a matter of minutes, giving them just enough time to change into their dresses and get ready.
"Okay Rory, Paris and I will help you into this." Lane said as she extracted the covered dress from the limo. The girls made their way up into the priest's chambers to get ready. Lane and Paris pulled the tight bodice up around Rory and pulled the closure tight in the back.
"Is that okay? Can you breathe?" Lane asked concerned.
"She is not supposed to breathe, this is her wedding day, and she is supposed to look wafer-thin and pale." Paris said. "Not that this is any different from her usual look."
"No Lane, it is perfect." Rory said, ignoring Paris' comments.
"You two look great by the way." Rory said with a grin.
"Thanks Rory. Your mom did an unbelievable job on these dresses." Lane said.
"She really did. I hope that Doyle will enjoy it. The man is so dense though, I doubt he will even notice it is new." Paris said with a scoff.
"Speaking of Doyle, do you two have plans to tie the knot?" Lane asked innocently.
"Oh bad idea Lane, very bad idea." Rory said.
"PLEASE, him and me tie the knot? We are not even really together." Paris said.
Rory leaned towards Lane and whispered: "after four years, the two are still in denial about their relationship."
"We are just together until we find someone else." Paris said, tapping her foot in annoyance.
"Sure, so if that never happens?" Rory asked.
"Then I will have to dump him, be single and buy a lot of cats."
"Or they will get married." Rory said.
"I bet they get married." Lane said with a knowing smile.
"Well Lane, we can't all be perfect and have perfect husbands and play in perfect rock bands and travel all around this perfect country making the perfect amount of money!" Paris yelled.
"I think somebody is jealous." Rory said.
"You think!" Paris yelled sarcastically. "I am dating a man who is afraid of labels. We don't even call ourselves a couple. I am never going to get married, and here you two are, already hitched."
"There is still time for the two of you. Look at you guys, both working at the New York Times, living together, co-writing amazing articles…he will catch on soon enough." Rory said.
"I just wish I had what you and Logan have, or you and Dave." Paris said to Lane.
"Yeah, we've got it good." Lane said with a smile.
"I still can't believe you got married before me" Rory said smiling at her best friend.
"Well, when it's right, it's right. We spent so many years apart, that when he moved back here last year, I knew that he was it. Plus, he makes amazing music."
"That was a great wedding." Rory said, remembering the night of Lane's nuptials. They planned two separate receptions, one for her family and the other for all their friends and fans. The second of the two was much more fun, but the first was amazingly beautiful.
"I hope that Logan and I work as well as you and Dave." Rory said looking towards her friends.
"There is no doubt about it Rory." Lane smiled. "Now look at yourself, your mom is a genius." Lane said as she turned Rory around to face the floor length mirror.
"Wow." Was all Rory could say. She could not believe that she was looking at herself. The dress was beautiful, and the entire look was amazing. Her hair, her make-up and the dress all worked together to create a very Audrey Hepburn look.
Paris reached over and picked up Rory's flowers from the table nearby and handed them over to Rory.
"Let's get this show on the road." She said giving Rory a small hug. "Are you ready Gilmore?"
"I am very ready."