Chapter 210

November 12th, 2005

"Colin, make sure you refill that bottle with something, we don't want Ace over here to get busted," Logan advised Colin, as he was pouring a glass of champagne.

The entire evening, since the moment he pretended to be Rory's boyfriend to save her from the advances of Jordan Chase he'd felt strangely comfortable in this position he was in. It was as if she was under his wing, even if that sounded a little too big brotherly. His thoughts however, had very little to do with thinking of her like a sister. Not only was this girl smart, unpredictable, able to keep up an argument, drop-dead gorgeous even if a little innocent-looking, but also genuine. He'd believed he knew all the Hartford society's younger generation, but the fact that Emily and Richard were Rory's grandparents had caught even him by surprise. At that thought he took a large sip of the champagne.

"I know. I know," Colin replied.

" Refill?" Logan offered to Rory, seeing her glass empty.

"Sure, why not?" Logan heard one of his favorite all-time responses.

"Because drinking is bad. It's very, very bad and we're bad for doing it," Finn said, sounding serious. "Spank me!" he demanded suddenly, looking at Rory, playfully though scaring her a little. Clearly she wasn't yet too used to Finn.

"I think the hangover tomorrow will be punishment enough," Rory said to Finn. She looked adorable like that - without her shoes on, one leg tucked under herself - there was just something inherently sexy about her in just her tights, or perhaps they were thigh-high's?

"She hasn't had enough champagne, Logan," Finn noted and left.

"Hey, listen, I forgot to tell you, I read the article," Logan began, taking a seat next to her, having been meaning to bring that up sometime. But since they didn't really run in the same circles - as now apparently - there hadn't been a good chance. Rory didn't exactly hang out at the pub much.

"You did?" Rory asked, pulling her other leg under her, definitely feeling cozy on that couch.

"Yep, not bad," he said, trying to sound cool about it.

"Thank you," Rory replied.

"Caught the spirit of the thing, I'll give you that," Logan explained, pondering internally why he was sounding so much like his father giving feedback like this.

"But...?" Rory asked.

"No, no buts. You've got a good style. There were a few too many similes in it for my taste, but it definitely had a Joseph Mitchell thing going for it, I like that," Logan replied. Did this girl really now know how good she was?

"I'm surprised you even bothered to read it," Rory tried to sound nonchalant.

"Are you? Hmm," Logan replied, finding her even more fascinating, but decided to turn things around a little. He rose from his seat and asked loudly - "So, who's it going to be?" so everyone in the room could hear.

"What?" Rory asked confusedly.

"Well, this shindig is an obvious meat market. I've got the feeling that your grandparents are expecting you to choose someone tonight, so…," Logan teased, kind of wanting her to just wrap her arms around his neck. She'd definitely spent the most time tonight with him, but then again he did know her from before. Seeing her being paraded like this was creating some strange sense of unease within him - he didn't like that there were so many options for her here.

"Oh, well…," Rory blushed gently.

"Me! Pick me!" Finn slides onto the floor gallantly, a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne at hand.

"No, pick me!" The rest of the guys added one after another, going along with him.

Pick me! - Logan thought, but didn't say it. It wouldn't have been his style.

"But I'm exotic!" Finn replied, sounding a little offended.

"So's the Asian Bird flu," Colin snorted.

"Wow. A room full of guys and still extremely slim pickings," Logan smiled his signature smirk. He was used to girls choosing him in these situations but right now he didn't really feel too confident. She had the world to her feet and for once he felt like he wasn't the best option for someone like her.

"Well, I don't know. It's a tough choice, maybe I should let my boyfriend help me choose," Rory said, nearly causing Logan's mouth to drop open.

"You have a boyfriend?" Logan asked abruptly in disbelief. It made sense too - of course she had. But she'd never mentioned him before. He'd never seen her around college with that boyfriend unless that Marty guy had managed to get out of the friendzone. And if she did have one Logan had certainly underestimated her a little which just made him feel stupid. Not that she couldn't have one, but she just gave the impression of being the innocent wallflower who surely wasn't that active - if you know what I mean. He'd been almost too confident at his abilities to… he wasn't sure what.

"I'm crushed," Finn took the words out of Logan's mouth.

But as that evening proved to Logan - Rory had even more layers to her than just the ones he knew of before. She could actually party too, she had a great sense of humor, she tolerated Finn and Colin, she had genuine feelings and didn't bottle them in like most people he knew. This almost made Logan think that he might care about her. This however was an unfamiliar and dangerous mix of emotions. Yet he felt like it wasn't going to be that easy to stay away, even if he did hold back on making a move.


July 23rd, 2022

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, Rory… always my Ace," Logan began his vows and sighed, unable to withhold his smirk, taking in the moment. He was still nervous though the adrenaline of the afternoon had already brought that down several notches. He'd forgotten his suit jacket in Nantucket, along with also that best version of his vows he'd managed to write together after Christoper had been over earlier. So here he was winging it, speaking from his heart.

"You've taught me to face my fears, you've shown me what I'm capable of even if I haven't believed in myself. You've made me want to be a better person time and time again, and we've grown together - some of it has come easily, some of it has taken work - but I do think I am a much better man compared to the man that I used to be without you even if I still have a way to go…," Logan said. "You've shown me incredible patience, forgiveness and persistence, you never really gave up on me...That special place that I have in my heart - it has always been and always will be reserved just for you. I love you more than life itself, I love you for being willing to share your life with me, for building a family with me - for being my family," Logan continued. He wanted to say more - but promised himself to murmure all of the more personal bits to her as they made it to their bed that night - wherever that was.

Rory's eyes were reddened, and Logan could tell she was very close to shedding a tear - he did believe they were the happy kind, since she smiled a little too despite them.

The 'I do's were already said, and as Logan had said the latter he slid Rory's ring onto her finger, her hand slightly trembling

"With this ring I promise to always love you. I promise to be honest, faithful and give you the very best of me. I will always respect, protect and trust you - I will always talk to you. I vow to be there for you, unconditionally of our families' quirks, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, during good times and the bad…, and despite what the press says…," Logan said, caushing some laughter in the crowd as they'd seen earlier a drone flying over them possibly attempting at a chance of a good picture of them, "...for the rest of my life," Logan said, feeling a little sentimental himself, and took a deep breath as he finished.

Not even the paparazzi could spoil their day now. Let them see how much I love her - Logan thought.

Finally getting to this moment after the day they'd had so far, it seemed unbelievable to stand there on the deck of Hugo's boat in front of his wife Elli, saying their vows while the other boats circled around them, probably hearing only half of what they were saying, despite some having included those further away by open phone lines to hear. The climb overboard to the smaller boat in a wedding dress and while pregnant had been a whole other challenge, which Rory, thankfully, had managed without a slip thanks to Logan'd firm grip on her. Only the photographer, Lorelai, Em, Honor and Colin had joined them on board of that smaller boat upon their request, the rest of the family and friends remaining anchored close by in Edgartown Bay, not having bothered to either turn back or ride to harbor. They'd just needed to do it, unable to wait a minute more.

Rory had a little piece of paper with her, but since Logan had done this by heart, she felt reluctant to read off of it too much. But she'd read it like a million times, so technically she knew it.

"Logan Huntzberger… I love you," Rory began, just needing to put that out there, despite not having planned on it. Essentially, this was her response to hearing him say everything he'd had to say.

"The first time I saw you…," Rory began, and she could almost see the fearful look in his eyes. "I thought you were an arrogant ass," she said, causing Logan's head to fall back in laughter. Many others who'd heard, laughed as well. "But as I got to know you, you showed me other sides of you - how you were a natural charmer, how you were one of the few people that could keep up with a good argument with me without using any profanities," she added in a humorous tone. "You gave me your honest opinion, you lent me your ear to listen and your shoulder to cry on, you knew exactly what to do to make me feel better when I wanted to forget. You are undoubtedly my best friend, my biggest fan and mentor, and I can feel it. You helped me search for my escape and my way forward, you took me on wild rides - the wildest," she recalled. "I loved how you make me feel intelligent and interesting, but you never seem intimidated by it. You made me feel beautiful and interesting, you made me want to come out of my shell like no-one else…, if I am ever to do scary things, it's you I want to do them with," Rory continued, sniffling a little. "You were definitely a bad influence on me, but I think the definition of 'bad' is yet to be determined, because I do think you've made me a better person as well," Rory added, making this up from her head based on his own words. "With this ring I promise to never give up on us, no matter how many ups and downs or unexpectant turns of events, distances or other obstacles we face - I will always love you," Rory said, unable to go on, her mouth grimacing at the feelings her heart couldn't handle. "God, I'm such a blubbery mess, I'm sorry," Rory said, fretting about her makeup, but thankfully that was waterproof.

"And what a beautiful mess you are," Logan said in a whisper, just for Rory's ears, unable to stop smiling.

Lorelai coughed, reminding Rory that she still hadn't put the ring on Logan's finger.

Rory realized it, and along with a small embarrassed giggle, she corrected that mistake. She hadn't believed the notion of putting that ring on him would've mean so much to her, but there was just something about feeling his strong, masculine, fingers in her hand, allowing to be branded by her - even if that sounded wrong on so many levels - but essentially that was what it was, wasn't it? By this ring they were each-other's. A symbol of belonging.

As the rings were on their fingers, they squeezed each-other's hands, feeling the ringed hand in theirs. It was a new feeling, a feeling with a reminder of this day.

"Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You now have sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me by the great State of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you married!," Elli said.

It was Lorelai who let out the first and loudest cheer, more of a howl really, urging them to kiss. And that they certainly did - the sweet kiss soon grew passionate. People clapped and cheered, every single one of them, many of them going along with Lorelai's wolf-life howling that reminded Rory of her first night at Yale. Clearly Colin and Robert knew very well how to make that sound.

They hadn't known it at the time, but even Paris and Finn had been there over video-chat, while just being admitted at hospital in New York as a precaution, which no-doubt provided them a pleasant distraction from their other worries. But at least they were now surrounded by capable hands.

After some thinking, feeling a little silly for having dragged everyone over there, while they'd had a judge amongst them all along, they'd decided not to ride all the way back to the original venue. Christopher, thankfully, had a housekeeper who'd quickly fixed the house up enough to accommodate the vast guestlist. The organizer had made sure they had transfer busses for getting to the house and those who'd requested got their things sent over from Nantucket as well if they chose to change their plans but overall a generous offer to Finn's crew pretty much solved the problem of anyone who wanted to get back to Nantucket later that day by providing a sober sea-taxi service.

They opened up the doors to the porch, extending the space. The place had been renovated beautifully - a little more modern but still recognizable and painted in slightly lighter colors. Naturally it still took a few moments of getting things settled in the new Hayden house in Martha's Vineyard once they got there. But while the caterer set up the feast, they did a big round of congratulations.

"Congratulations to you both, you're simply adorable," Marilyn exclaimed. "I haven't felt this much excitement since…. Yale...I have to say," she added, winking towards Logan

"I think she used to be a member," Logan whispered to Rory before the next person reached them.

"What? Marilyn?" Rory exclaimed, not quite believing it.

Logan smiled and shrugged.

"Congratulations, and best wishes," Luke said, sounding very official. "I'm happy for you," he added.

"Thanks, Luke," Rory said, hugging him tightly.

There had been no moment of Christopher or Luke giving Rory over, but that had never been the plan because Rory couldn't choose between them.

"Your dress is just to die for," April said, hugging both Rory and Logan along with the more typical congratulations.

"Well, now I at least know how to not organize the ceremony," Robert mocked, laughingly. Logan punched his shoulder, shaking his head, but knew that he didn't truly mean it as a criticism but just as sarcastic humor.

"It's going to be a challenge to beat all this excitement for you," Logan teased back, knowing they'd be going to their wedding in less then a month. For the first time they got to see Robert's fiance Zoe too, who seemed like a lovely woman.

"Rory, you look amazing," Christopher complimented her. "And congratulations to you both," he said, patting Logan's shoulder, before adding on an uncharacteristically serious tone - "And you are free to call me dad, son." For a brief second Logan didn't know what to say, but Rory's burst of laughter gave away that he'd been joking.

"Oh, and the house is yours to use if you want, just let me know and I'll make the arrangements. I really did get it so my girls and their children… well eventually, would come over for a holiday," Christopher said, glancing over to Gigi who was currently talking to Eric. "I would have a place for a holiday until I retire…I knew you wouldn't like the fact that it was me who bought it but I wanted it to be a good surprise - so I hope it is okay, I hope that is was...," Christopher explained.

"Of course - it's a free market," Logan replied, beginning to come to terms with it. In a way this was perfect - he wasn't feeling the heaviness of it, but the place and its memories were still within his grasp.

"It's fine, dad," Rory added.

"You know that the husband title of my one and only child comes with certain obligations, right?" Lorelai said, after hugging Logan. "All the little chores that Luke does now but doesn't really want to anymore if his back is killing him. You know, like gutter cleaning and mowing the lawn. And of course keeping us Gilmores fed is among them, but I guess Rory has already been trying to train you to do that..," she added, jokingly. "But you know nighttime feedings and letting this one sleep in in the mornings..," she continued.

"Wow - Rory, you're married," Lorelai exclaimed, her tone changing to reflective, looking her daughter over from head to toe. "Do you feel different?" she asked.

"I kind of do. Is that strange?" Rory replied, glancing briefly at Logan who met her eyes. He felt it too.

"Ah… I'm so happy for you, my little baby brother!" Honor exclaimed with a fierce hug. "And you just need all the patience you've got with this one, and he doesn't behave just let me know, okay?" she added, moving over to hug Rory. "And that dress - that's just way better than before - Tony is so going to regret not helping you out with this…," she added, being on a first name basis with the designer.

Shira's congratulations were more withheld, but she said them nonetheless, along with a brief, unexpected hug to both of them. They both thanked her, and remained in awe how she didn't say a word about the craziness that had taken place before. With only a fraction of the guests having been expecting any kind of standard from the wedding, she seemed to relax when she saw a lot of people enjoying themselves despite the unorthodox way this reception was falling into place at its new venue, despite lacking proper dinner tables and elaborate decor for a large number of people. No ice sculptures or chocolate fountains. She didn't say it - but it was clear being back in this house was special for her too.

"Ah, Rory - I'd like you to meet Marjorie," Logan explained, seeing a long lost face in front of her.

"So lovely to meet you. I've heard a lot about you," Marjorie said, offering a firm handshake.

"Likewise," Rory replied, smilingly, hoping she'd get a chance to talk to the woman more. She almost felt like she wanted to thank her for looking after Logan while he hadn't been around.

"And of course congratulations to you both. I think the ceremony was just... The perfect example of 'love will always conquer', don't you think?" she added.

"Couldn't agree more," Logan smiled broadly.

Christopher had an almost-professional sound system which was put straight to use, giving Rory and Logan a chance at their first dance. Lane quickly organized so Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me'' soothed them into their dance that required very few dance moves. Everyone who knew Rory, knew there was no point in her trying something elaborate, especially in her state when the bump set some distance between them. So essentially, they just swung from one foot to the other, holding each-other close, still not believing they'd finally done it.

After a couple of songs, Lorelai took the stage - the elevated foyer which seemed to work perfectly for that purpose. "Thank you for your patience, everyone! I'm sure you're all hungry and food is served buffet style in the back over there, we apologize for the plates," she began, gesturing towards the area. "And while you are enjoying the meal and later enjoying the rest of the party, the bride and groom have invited you to help them out by writing down recommendations for baby names. They are expecting a girl so no Richard's or Mitchum's, thank you," Lorelai explained.

The names in a hat game had been Em's idea, again a way to make her feel included.

"I always imagined Grandma to be there when I got married. I just expect her to walk out from around a corner, back-talking the organizer or complaining how the candles are not six inches apart. But then again my wedding doesn't have candles, so that mirage is flawed to begin with," Rory said to her mother, as she was sitting by her site on a couch an hour later, with her legs up - by now too tired to be proper - and having had her first proper meal since before lunch.

"Oh, sweetie - she's here. I bet her ghost is having a fit over those paper plates as we speak," Lorelai commented, having realized a little too late that while the caterer had brought food, drinks, utensils and glasses - plates had not been packed onto the boat.

"Oh god, I'm going to hear about this from Shira for years, aren't I?" Rory groaned.

"At least it'll be remembered. All the weddings I've been to this year - they've just sort of blended into one and other," Honor added, having overheard them, and sat down with them. "But the food's excellent," she added, biting into a watermelon skewer.

For once it was a wedding where the kids weren't bored - running around the porch outside with each-other, not feeling the restrictions of having to behave a certain way at a wedding. They were allowed to be kids.

Logan was currently talking to Hugo, Elli, Colin and Gigi further away, but every once in a while Rory's and Logan's eyes just trailed back to each other, unable to wait to be alone. God, he looked handsome like that - the ring on his hand especially catching her attention on the hand that held his drink. Even Logan had allowed himself a few glasses to celebrate, and he was undoubtedly jolly.

For a moment the three women watched people dance to Andy Williams' "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" which was more than fitting. Lane and Zach were enjoying a dance, as did many others. And as a surprise coupling - Colin and Gigi, which raised a few eyebrows. But it didn't seem very intimate, just friendly. But apparently not friendly enough if one read Eric's impression when he budded in half-way through the dance. He'd looked jealous.

Colin was perhaps feeling a little left out this time, being there by himself this time. Finn was away, Robert was with Zoe and so forth. Naturally, he did manage to find some lovely lady for a dance, ignoring the fact that she was a little older than him. Colin was a gentleman after all.

As the women continued to sit there, keeping Rory company and Honor had just ordered herself a new drink, Honor's phone buzzed and she fished it out of the zipped pocket of her Oscar de la Renta floral cocktail dress.

"It's Finn!" she exclaimed, truly not having expected that, her eyes wide.

"We'll you're certainly the last person I expected to get a call from tonight," Honor replied, as she picked up and put the phone on speaker. She knew he'd been pulled away, but she didn't know the entire reason, but assumed it was just something to do with the not-too-successful proposal she'd witnessed earlier.

Rory waved over Logan, knowing he'd want an update on their friends as well. He grabbed Colin as well on his way over.

"I tried a few other numbers, so don't flatter yourself too much. But it sounds like everyone's too busy having a blast over there to pick up," Finn said.

"Well?" Rory asked, just as Logan joined them. "Hey man," he said, announcing his presence.

"First of all congratulations to you two. You know better than anyone how this is a long time coming, and you two deserve it" Finn said, wholeheartedly. "Paris sends her regards. And not to take the limelight away from you, but I'd like to introduce to you baby Ariel," Finn said, and switched into video mode. He was positioned in an armchair, his chest bare and a tiny wrinkled preemie on his chest, a blanket wrapped around both of them, a couple of monitoring wires and oxygen whiskers attached to the girl.

"Oh my god!" Rory exclaimed, getting teary eyed. She could feel Logan's hand on her shoulder, and she clung to it, looking up.

"Oh wow," Colin exclaimed, the sight being too unbelievable to him. Finn was a father. What was even weirder was that all three of them were already or were going to be fathers of little girls.

"So she was in labor after all," Lorelai noted.

"She's doing pretty good all things considered, we're just sticking around here for a bit to make sure," Finn explained.

"Oh, man - congratulations to you. You're going to be a great dad, Finn!" Logan said, supportively, knowing this was what Finn needed. He was going to need that same type of assurance soon enough.

"How's Paris?" Rory inquired.

"She's fine, just resting. I just can't seem to put her down," Finn said, delirious from his emotions. He was so in love.

"Aw...," the women chimed in unison.

It was several hours later, after more food, cake, drinks and a lot of dancing, the guests began to depart, some to their own holiday homes on the island, some back to Nantucket. But most of the closest family decided to stick around, not caring if some of them ended up sleeping on couches. Logan and Rory decided to postpone their honeymoon by a day to just take in the moment - needing to just slow down after the day that they'd had. They didn't need to rush anywhere and the honeymoon would still be there tomorrow - nothing that couldn't be rearranged. Rory with her feet and back already tired from the long day, and Logan settled into their old room in this same house they'd once spent some of their happiest moments in. Of course the room looked a little different now, but it didn't matter. Rory dozed off, barely out of her dress, with Logan gently massaging her aching feet, mumbling 'I love you' meaning it much broadly than just the 'I love you's they'd said throughout the day.