Rory stretched her body out of sleep in the big, soft bed at the Dragonfly. She felt Logan move behind her and she smiled when one of his arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close to him. She closed her eyes and sighed softly when Logan kissed the side of her neck.
"Morning," he said, his voice scratchy from sleep. "Where'd you go last night?"
"Sorry about that. I didn't expect to be that long but…"
"What happened?"
"What always happens when my mother and I talk lately? It's always the same."
Logan turned Rory onto her back and propped his head on his hand to see her better. He watched her and she looked away, feeling tired of being examined by everyone.
"Me, again?"
"It's not you, Logan. She doesn't like what I'm doing, the choices that I'm making and she's taking that out on you. She blames you when she shouldn't. She doesn't believe that I would make these decisions. It's her fault for not paying closer attention."
"I don't care what Lorelai thinks of me but I know you and you can protest all you want but it's bothering you that she's not on board."
"No-"
"Yes, Ace. Don't try and tell me no. What did she say?"
"It's not important. I just want to forget about it and get the day over with. I want to go home."
"It's her wedding. I don't think we'll be making our way back to Hartford anytime soon. We're here for the long haul. We'll just sneak back upstairs every once in a while."
"That sounds good to me," Rory said, smiling.
"Let's try and not get caught this time." She laughed and turned her head towards him. He leaned over and kissed her. "I don't want you to be sad."
"You're sweet."
Logan got a look of disgust on his face. "Sweet? Ugh, Ace. Anything but that."
"Amiable? Charming? Considerate?"
"What about delicious, generous or lovable?"
"Lovable, definitely. Generous, most of the time. Delicious? You think highly of yourself."
"Ah, see that's why I'm so lovable."
The phone rang and Logan groaned, unhappy that they were interrupted. Rory smiled apologetically and turned to answer the phone.
"Hi, Mom…because you said you would…yes…okay." Rory listened to her mother and rolled her eyes. "I just said yes. I'll be there in ten minutes."
When Rory hung up the phone, Logan asked, "Where are you going?"
"She's getting ready in the honeymoon suite and I should get over there."
"So soon? I thought we'd…" Logan jiggled his eyebrows and Rory laughed.
"I have to shower…but feel free to join me if you would like."
"That's what I'm talking about, Ace."
Rory jumped out of bed, giggling the entire way to the bathroom, with Logan in pursuit.
Lorelai tapped her foot on the floor as her mother's hairdresser fiddled with her hair. She was too anxious to just sit there. She didn't think she would be this nervous. She felt like she could barely catch her breath, her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty. She smiled a little, knowing that all these things meant it was more than right. She didn't feel this with Max. All that was there were flashing neon signs telling her to run. Lorelai didn't want to run anymore…except off on that honeymoon with her soon-to-be husband.
"Lorelai, stop shaking your leg like that. Theresa can't work her magic on you if you keep bouncing about," Emily chided.
Lorelai sighed and smiled. "Mom, are you implying that I need Theresa's magic in order to look remotely attractive?"
"Oh, for Heaven's sake, I didn't say anything of the sort." Emily looked at her only daughter and saw that twinkle in her eye. The twinkle that said I live to torment you and Emily smiled tightly. "Why do you insist on trying to aggravate me, Lorelai?"
"Because it's fun?"
"When is Rory getting here?"
"About fifteen minutes ago. There's time, Mom. Don't worry."
"Have you spoken to her about what she plans to do now that Yale is over?"
"Spoken? Not so much."
Emily's eyebrow rose with interest. "Are you two fighting?"
"Mom, please don't play stupid. It doesn't work for you." Lorelai went to move her head to look at her mother but Theresa yanked her back to where she had been. She flinched in pain and gave the hairdresser the evil eye in the mirror. "Have you or Dad talked to her?"
"Your father believes she should go on to graduate school."
"And what do you believe, Mom?"
"That she should do whatever makes her happy."
"And if what makes her happy is setting up house right down the street from you in Hartford, that would be just grand, I bet."
"Lorelai, I'm not the devil on your daughter's shoulder telling her to disregard whatever you told her to do. I want her to be happy. Is that so wrong?"
"I want her to be happy, too, Mom. I just don't think…Nevermind, I'm not talking about this with you. Not today."
"Did you expect her to remain your little girl forever? That's an absurd notion."
"No, Mom, it was an absurd notion when it came to me because I was never yours. Rory was and she had things that she was going to do and places she was going to see and now…Now you people get your claws in her and she's giving it up."
"I think you're being a tad over dramatic, as usual."
"I said I didn't want to talk about it," Lorelai warned her. "You just have to keep pushing my buttons, don't you, Mom? Today of all days. You can't just let me be happy? Just drop it."
"Drop what?" Rory asked as she walked into the bedroom.
"Nothing," Lorelai grumbled.
"Sorry I'm late," she said in such a perfunctory manner that Lorelai had to clench her jaw not to say something she would regret. Rory was not fond of being on time for anything anymore. "Wow, Mom, Theresa did an amazing job."
"Well, I guess she worked her magic, then," Lorelai said with a smirk toward her mother. Emily simply rolled her eyes at her. "You're up next, kiddo."
"Am I the last one?"
"Yup. You have thirty minutes so get cracking."
Lorelai got out the chair and thanked Theresa. As she walked by Rory, she felt her daughter's hand wrap around her upper arm. She turned to look at her, a questioning look on her face. When Rory wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight, Lorelai had to choke down the sob that had come into her throat.
"I'm so happy for you, Mom," Rory whispered and let Lorelai go just as suddenly as she had embraced her. She walked to the chair and smiled at Theresa as if nothing had happened.
"I'm going to get dressed…" Lorelai told them, too stunned by her daughter's actions to say or do anything else.
Lorelai left the room quickly and was surprised to find her father pacing around the small den area of the suite. She thought he would be with the men, lecturing Luke on how to be an upstanding husband or singing the virtues of Logan to anyone who would listen.
"Dad? Everything okay?"
"Oh, good, I wanted to speak with you, Lorelai. Do you have a moment?"
"Sure. What's up?" Lorelai pointed to the couch and sat with her father following suit.
He handed her an envelope and she looked at him, surprised. She hadn't expected anything, really. She knew how they felt about Luke but she supposed it made sense. In their world, you did what was appropriate and when your only offspring gets married, you hand them a white envelope.
Richard took her hand as she took the envelope and said, "I know we've had our differences, Lorelai, but I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I am so very proud of you."
"Oh, Dad…"
"Wait, I'm not finished. This isn't easy for me. I'm not the kind to-"
"I know," Lorelai said with a smile, which Richard returned, feeling slightly relieved.
"We may not have agreed on a lot of things but I wanted to tell you that the life you have built is something that you should be proud of. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like it was less than special. I should've realized that it was for you and for Rory. That was what was important." He took a breath and Lorelai squeezed his hand. "I'll be the first to say that I didn't think Luke was the man for you but watching you together over the last few days has been a treat. I wish you both all the best."
"Dad, I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. I wanted to and I have." He stood and she stood with him. "See you in a little while, Lorelai."
"Okay," she said and watched her father walk out the door. She collapsed onto the couch and she could feel her lips trembling from trying not to cry. She furiously blinked back the tears that were brimming in her eyes and sighed when she realized it was a fruitless effort.
Jess tugged on the tie around his neck. If he had known formal wear was going to be involved, he might have declined. This was the first time he had ever worn a suit and twenty minutes into it, he knew he would never wear one again. He felt too constricted and the shoes weren't helping the situation. He wouldn't be surprised if he got a foot cramp out of the deal.
He wished the wedding would just get under way. The quicker this part was over, the sooner he could take off the tie and change his shoes. He wanted to walk around the inn just to kill the time but he didn't want to risk any more pain to his feet. Instead, he sat on one of the many white chairs and people watched. Or, to be truthful, person watched. After what Luke had told him and after that tete-a-tete with Rory the night before, he couldn't help but watch Logan. He worked the yard full of people like nobody's business and Jess felt almost jealous of him because Jess had never had that ability.
He had no idea what he was going to say when he had to make the toast. He figured a guy like Logan would know exactly what to say and he wouldn't even have to prepare it first. It would just roll off his tongue and he would actually sound like he meant it. That was the kind of suave that just wasn't in Jess's DNA.
He felt that ever-present knot in his stomach tighten again. If he were actively trying to get Rory back, he would never win. Not against a schmoozer like Logan. Dean was his own worst enemy when it came to Rory and he made it that much easier for Jess to lure her away. This one, though, he would be a tough one to go against. Not that Jess was, of course, because he wasn't there for that. He didn't even know this Rory anymore and what he had seen of the new and improved model, he didn't like.
Of course, it was easy for him to think that when she wasn't standing right in front of him. Sure, she pissed him off the night before but she was still Rory. The girl he let get away and nothing would ever change that for him. It was unfortunate, really, because how could anyone else ever live up to her image? If he ever wondered why he was alone still, there it was.
Jess's thoughts were interrupted when Kirk stood in front of the crowd with a microphone.
"People! People! In t-minus five minutes, we will be having a wedding. I repeat, the wedding is still on. Please seat yourself, wherever you would like at the request of the possible bride and groom. Thank you."
"Why would he say that?"
Jess turned to see Richard, Emily and Logan standing behind him. He had never met Rory's grandfather and he was just as regal looking as he had imagined.
"He's Kirk," Jess answered. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Gilmore."
Emily narrowed her eyes at him before they lit up in surprise. "Oh, Jess. I didn't even realize that you were here."
"I'm the best man."
"Richard, this is Luke's nephew, Jess."
Jess held out his hand and Richard shook it.
"Nice to meet you. Solid grip you have there. Good handshake."
Jess smiled. "Thank you, sir." He looked at Logan and gave a nod of the head, which was all he could muster. He knew he told Rory that he would talk to Logan but that would be later.
"I see Luke waving at me like a lunatic so I better go over there. Nice to meet you, Mr. Gilmore."
"He seemed like a nice, young man," Richard commented.
"Yes, well, seems and is are two different things, Richard," Emily told him. "He's a very troubled boy."
"Oh, Emily, he was at our house when he was seventeen. People grow up and evolve. Give the man a chance before you just throw him to the wolves."
"What has gotten into you today, Richard Gilmore?"
Richard shrugged and smiled, took her hand and led her down the aisle.
Logan stayed back and furrowed his brow. He knew that Luke had been in Rory's life since she was little but she had never mentioned his nephew or why that nephew would have been at the Gilmore residence. The most logical explanation would be that –
"Huh. I'll be damned," Logan said. He shook his head and smiled as he made his way to his seat.
"We are gathered here today to bring together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If anyone here has any objections, please speak them now."
"It's about time! Let's get this show on the road!" Babette yelled from her seat. She was greeted with a chorus of cheers.
Emily sat, appalled, and whispered to Richard, "How does our daughter live here? These people are-"
Richard patted her knee and smiled. "Now, now, my dear. It makes her happy."
"Have you been drinking?"
Richard laughed softly and turned his attention back to the ceremony.
"If there are no objections, Luke and Lorelai-"
"Excuse me."
"What is it, Kirk?" the minister asked, clearly exasperated.
Luke turned to look at Kirk, murder in his eyes and Kirk gulped but continued.
"I was just curious as to what would happen if someone did have an objection. Would they not get married? Would they still get married but the objection would be written down? Would-"
"I'm going to kill you," Luke said, low and hushed.
Kirk's eyes went wide and he cleared his throat. "It's not a problem. You can tell me after."
"As I was saying, Luke and Lorelai have each prepared something to say. Luke?"
He took a deep breath and turned to Lorelai. He took her hand and she smiled. That big smile is what got him hooked in the first place.
"I'm not the poetic kind, which you know, but I love you, Lorelai. I have for a very long time and I don't care how long it took us to get here, I wouldn't want it any other way. I still have that horoscope tucked in my wallet and I'm still all in."
Lorelai smiled and sniffled. "Luke, I wrote a small poem."
"You did what?" he asked, baffled.
"Shh. Listen. Roses are red, violets are blue, I love you more than coffee and I know you love me, too. I love when you're a grump and not just for a good–"
"Lorelai," Luke warned.
She smiled and continued, "I love your stupid hat and marrying you means I don't have to buy a cat. Everyday I'm happy and it's all because of you. Now do me a favor and just say I do."
"You must be so proud of yourself," Luke said, wryly.
"Do you know how long that took me?"
"From the room to the aisle?"
"Funny, funny guy." She squeezed his hand and said, "I'm all in, too."
"Now, we'll exchange the rings and the vows," the minister said, looking to Rory and Jess.
Rory looked at Jess and caught his eye but he didn't acknowledge her in any other way. He stepped forward and handed his ring to Luke and stepped back, looking at her again. She felt that shiver run down her spine and she had to literally shake it off before she handed her ring to Lorelai. How did he still do this to her? A look and she was shaken.
She looked over to the audience and saw Logan. She smiled and he gave her a small wave. That was what she wanted. Of course Logan gave her a shiver here and there, but she felt secure and she knew she would be all right. She never felt completely secure with Jess. She always felt a little uneasy, never knowing what to expect or if it would be a good day or not. She didn't like that. She wasn't the kind of woman that flew by the seat of her pants and neither was Logan. Not anymore, at least. They both had their feet planted firmly on the ground and that she liked. She knew Jess and knew that boy would never have his act together. She was lucky that she got out when she did.
She heard the applause and she shook her head. She saw her mother and Luke kissing and she realized she didn't pay one bit of attention to her mom getting married.
Jess was the first to admit that he didn't know jack when it came to weddings. He had learned during the rehearsal that he would escort Rory back down the aisle. He was not, however, aware that he had to walk with her into the hall of the reception nor that he would have to dance with her. When the DJ made the announcement that the wedding party and guests should join the bride and groom on the dance floor, he had a small heart attack.
He wasn't a slow dancer. Hell, he wasn't a dancer at all but somehow he found himself walking to her and holding out his hand. She hesitated and looked at him in surprise. He shrugged as if it were no big deal. She slowly put her hand in his and led him to the dance floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he tentatively placed his hands on her waist. They moved in circles and watched everyone else dance. Neither could talk and neither could look at the other.
When Logan interrupted, Jess was almost grateful that the awkwardness was over. He walked away from them without a word and headed straight for the bar, which wasn't the better option because Dean was there, wearing such a smug smile that Jess had to remind himself that this was a wedding and not a boxing ring.
"It doesn't feel very good, does it?" Dean asked as Jess approached the bar.
"Beer, please," Jess asked the bartender and handed him a five, hoping that Dean would get the message and just leave him alone.
"That's how she is. Loves you and leaves you. I almost feel sorry for that bastard."
Jess sighed. Dean obviously didn't read people very well. "Are you talking to me or do you like the sound of your own voice?"
"Don't act like she doesn't have an effect on you still. It doesn't take a genius to see that."
"Then I guess you qualify." Jess took a swig off his beer. "Look, man, just let it go."
"I have but excuse me while I get a little enjoyment out of our roles being reversed."
Jess shook his head, a vicious smirk playing on his lips. "We haven't been together for a long time so he didn't steal her from me. You, on the hand, can't manage to keep her. What does that say about you?"
Jess walked away, not wanting to deal with Dean's bullshit. It didn't stop Dean's words from repeating in his mind, however. Here he had thought that Dean couldn't read him and it turned out, he did far more than Jess liked. Jess thought he was keeping his cool, not letting any residual feelings he had for her show. He thought he was doing a much better job than Dean ever could but, apparently, that was not the case.
Was that why Logan cut in? Did he see something between the two of them and he got a little nervous? That thought made Jess smile. It didn't last long, though, because he knew that wasn't the case. He got the impression that not much rattled a guy like Logan, not even his fiancé dancing with an ex.
He had to take his own advice and let this go. He didn't want to be Dean. He didn't want to be standing at the bar, watching the girl that he couldn't keep, while his pregnant wife sat at a table alone. He had to snap out of it. He knew he was only feeling all this because he hadn't seen her in so long. Once he got back to New York, he would be fine. She would be out of his head. Just the way he liked it.
When the song ended, Rory kissed Logan and walked away, leaving Logan to himself. Jess watched as he looked around the room and Logan's eyes settled on him. When Logan started walking in Jess's direction, Jess was certain there must be someone else behind him that he didn't know about. However, when Logan stopped in front of him, he threw that theory right out the window.
"Jess, right?"
"Yeah," Jess grunted, not feeling the need to be nice. If there was one thing that bothered Jess, it was feigning ignorance. Logan knew exactly who he was; there was no question in Jess's mind.
