Sookie St. James stood in front of the Dragonfly Inn, the place she had cultivated her culinary skills and built a business and home with her best friend Lorelai Gilmore. She had to admit that a lot had changed personally since she had first stood in front of this building. Over the years her passions had changed, and she had shifted from being a chef to learning more things. She missed this place and ever since Lorelai and Luke's wedding she thought of returning with her family. Her and Jackson had talked about it a few times and had almost agreed when she got the unexpected phone call from Luke. To say she was shocked to find out that they were getting a divorce was an understatement, but it was everything else that made her speechless. Rory, little Rory, was pregnant and her college boyfriend Logan Huntzberger was the father. While that was shocking it was nothing compared to what Luke had told her that Lorelai had done over the years to keep Rory as her mini-me. Convincing Rory that she shouldn't marry Logan was one thing, something she could have possibly understood, but destroying Rory's job options was beyond anything she could have imagined.
After Sookie got the call, she went on-line and read everything she could find about Rory and Logan which admittedly was not a lot, but she saw the pictures of the two of them and they looked so happy. There was the press release from Logan about the ending of his engagement, then the one from Odette after the news of the affair broke. She had called both Luke and Lane to find out more and they told her the whole story again and what they said was so similar that she couldn't doubt the truth of it. Jackson reached out to some of their friends, and they told him that people were not wanting to work with Lorelai anymore however they still did because she was the only hotel in Stars Hollow and people would lose their jobs if it closed. There was also the fact that Sookie was co-owner, and they didn't want the closure to hurt their family. Hearing about how messed-up everything had gotten was like a knife in her heart since she couldn't bear to see something that she had helped create end, even if Lorelai did deserve the fall-out. Chris had reached out to her and given her contact information for a few different hotel groups that would be interested in buying the original Dragonfly. The only problem was they wanted to buy the inn completely and didn't want to be in business with Lorelai since some of these companies had ties to Rory and Logan.
With a resigned sigh, she slowly made her way up the front porch and walked into her past. She studied the décor that Lorelai had painstakingly chosen all those years ago and she recalled the debates and laughter, but it all seemed slightly tainted now. After finding out how Lorelai had manipulated Rory over the years she had started to think about her disagreements with Lorelai and she noticed how she to was also manipulated to give into Lorelai over the years. Looking around she saw Michel and nodded at him but kept walking, wanting to get this confrontation over. As she arrived at Lorelai's office, she tried to open the door but found it locked so she knocked and waited for an answer.
Lorelai sat behind her desk trying to figure out how she was going to keep the Dragonfly and the annex from going under. She had heard the rumblings from the staff and knew that they were all looking for new jobs. Michel who had been so happy about the annex was also talking about leaving again and this time she didn't think she could stop it. Some of the suppliers were increasing costs, no longer giving her the 'local' discount and work at the annex had also increased in costs and she was running out of funds to keep the renovation. Everything was crumbling around her, and she had no idea what to do.
She had tried to see Rory at the Hartford house a few times but was turned away by guards that were positioned at the gate. Trying to talk to Lane or Zach was impossible since they didn't even acknowledge her, and Luke immediately shut down any attempt she made to contact him. Both Emily and Chris had told her that Rory was not interested in talking to her, she had done to much damage and Rory was not willing to discuss anything with her. Hearing a knock on the door she let out a frustrated sigh. She didn't know who it could be, no one wanted to talk to her.
"Sookie," she gasped when she saw her old friend and immediately went to hug her, but she quickly noticed that the embrace was not returned so she dropped her arms. "What are you doing here?"
Sookie let out a deep sigh, "I think you know why I'm here."
Lorelai sadly nodded and moved to the side so that Sookie could walk into the office. Closing the door behind her she moved to sit behind the desk as Sookie sat in front of her. "I really don't know why you are here…"
"I heard about Rory," Sookie stated cutting Lorelai off. "I heard about what you did to try and sabotage not only her relationship with Logan but also her career. I know that you told Rory not to tell Logan. How could you do this to your daughter Lorelai?"
"He isn't good enough for her," Lorelai stubbornly stated. "He is nothing, but a trust fund playboy and she deserves better."
"That's her choice Lorelai!" Sookie exclaimed. "I saw them together all those years ago and they were in love! But even now, to try and convince her to not tell the father of her child and work to make sure he didn't find out! That doesn't even address the fact that you derailed her career before it could start!"
"She needed to listen to me!" Lorelai exclaimed. "If she would have followed the plan, I created then she would have the life I always wanted for her! She stopped following the plan the minute she chose Yale and suddenly I wasn't important to her anymore!"
"Do you even hear yourself Lorelai?" Sookie retorted. "The plan you created, what you wanted for her life? She is an adult now!"
"But she wasn't when she first started dating Logan," Lorelai stubbornly replied. "If she would have just listened to me and not started dating him then this situation would have never happened!"
Sookie could only shake her head and let out a sigh. "I am done talking about this," she stated in a resigned tone. "I am here to talk to you about selling my stake in the Dragonfly."
"What?" Lorelai exclaimed. "You can't be serious! We created this together!"
"We did," Sookie agreed. "But I haven't been working here for years," she paused and sighed, "and after hearing about Rory, about how people don't want to work with you or for you anymore… I think we need to sell before we both lose everything."
"And who are we going to sell to?" Lorelai questioned angrily. "There aren't people in Stars Hollow that want to buy the Inn!"
Sookie placed the folder that Lorelai didn't even notice she was carrying on the desk. "I reached out to a few contacts and there are a few people interested in buying the Dragonfly. None of these offers include the annex since I'm not part owner of that but they may be willing to buy that from you as well."
"I can't sell this place," Lorelai exclaimed. "This is all I wanted, all we wanted. If I sell, what am I going to do?"
With a sad shake of her head Sookie briefly closed her eyes. "If you don't sell the Dragonfly will go under. People are already finding new jobs and Jackson and I have talked to the local suppliers, and they are planning on stopping business with you as soon as your employees find new jobs." Slowly she stood and met Lorelai's eyes. "Dreams change Lorelai. Mine changed; Rory's changed… maybe it's time for you to find a new one as well." She made her way to the door and turned around for one last glance at her friend and she felt a pang, both at how devested Lorelai looked and because of the words that she was about to say. "I know this is a lot to think about, but I expect an answer in a week on which offer you want to choose." Without giving Lorelai a chance to respond she quickly walked out the door, closing the door silently behind her.
Lorelai sat and stared at the door long after it had closed from behind Sookie. She didn't think thigs could have gotten worse, but she was wrong. Before she was worried about losing everything and now, she knew for a fact it was going to happen. If she left Stars Hollow, where would she go? Would anyone even care where she went, that she left? What if Rory wanted to reach out to her one day? She had to let out a bitter laugh at that thought. Rory was firmly entrenched in society and would never be coming back… but what if Logan cheated on her one day? She would come back then… no she wouldn't, she was going to be a society wife and turn a blind eye to everything and run her husband's social calendar. Rory would never do anything with her life now, all of Lorelai's hopes and dreams were up in smoke. With a resigned sigh she slowly picked up the folder and started reading the offers.
Logan and Rory sat cuddled together on the couch when they heard Paula clear her throat slightly. "There are two crazy men…"
"They know who we are!" exclaimed Finn as he walked into the room with Colin and Robert following him trying to keep him quiet.
"Finn if you wake up Richard," Rory warned and the Ausie quickly looked down ashamed.
"I'm sorry mother," he mumbled quietly. "I'm just so excited to see him! He's our first baby!"
Logan raised an eyebrow at the comment, and Colin and Robert chuckled. Rory could only sigh as she walked over to where Finn stood looking down at the tiny bundle in awe.
"Never thought you would be the first of us to have a kid," Colin stated as he watched Rory carefully pick up Richard and gently placed him in Finn's waiting arms. "And with the way things looked this time last year I never thought you would be happy about it."
Logan could only sigh as he thought about how he thought his life would be a few months ago but this was so much better. "I never thought this would happen," he replied, his voice low and full of emotion. "The moment they handed me Richard in the hospital… it was like something clicked and I knew that this was what I had always been waiting for."
"Now before this gets any more emotional let see what all the fuss is about," Robert deadpanned causing Logan and Colin to chuckle.
The trio walked over to where Rory stood guard over Finn. "He is perfect," Colin told her as he gave her a quick hug. "We brought presents…" He trailed off when he noticed Paula walking back into the room carrying some bags and placing them down on the table.
"Rory, I let Livy know you had guests," the maid said with a smile at the group. "She is getting together some drinks and snacks for you."
"Thank you, Paula," Rory told the woman with a smile before she walked out of the room.
"Presents," Finn exclaimed quietly when he noticed the bags. "We must show little Huntz the things we have gotten him."
Logan chucked and gathered Richard from Finn before the group sat down.
"This one is for you, Rory," Colin stated as he handed her a small bag.
Rory looked at him questioningly before she pulled out the tissue paper and then a folder. As she flipped through the pages, she couldn't stop the bust of laughter. "I can't believe you gave me this!" she exclaimed, and Logan looked between them questioningly. "He gave me the deed for the tango club and the inn we stayed at!"
"It's really in Richard's name but Rory controls the properties," Colin told them. "The original owners of both establishments are still running them."
Rory and Logan both just shook their head and then Finn handed over another bag. Rory was slightly apprehensive about what the bag could contain and was surprised when she pulled out a onesie with a black umbrella printed on it, it was followed by one that said 'In omnia paratus,' and others with cute sayings. Robert gave them a few onesies as well, one with a Pulp Fiction logo, one that said, 'Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.' The trio also gave them some more practical items like Yale outfits, diapers, and wipes for the baby. For the adults there was a case of the champagne that was served at the tango club that fateful night as well as a few bottles of very expensive scotch for Logan. The group also got them a newborn photo shoot and the photographer would be there the following day, the outfits and props were all already arranged by the boys. After the gifts were opened the boys, all took turns holding Richard and it was obvious the boys were all in awe of the little one.
"He is a looker," Colin told them as he studied the boy that opened his eyes and focused on him. "I just hope he doesn't turn out like Logan."
"Hey," Logan tried to defend. "I don't think I turned out that bad."
"You didn't MAC," Rory told him as she placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Okay," Colin relented. "I hope he doesn't turn out like Logan before Rory appeared in our lives."
"I'll agree with that," Logan stated. "But with Rory as his mother I don't think we will have much to worry about. She is already ensuring that he has a love of stories since she tells him different ones each night. She even had the idea of creating a book for Richard with stories about his great-grandfather."
"He was a good man," Colin chuckled. "I remember meeting him a few times, long before we met you, Rory. He always seemed a little sad and a lot more lenient with us than some of the other elders."
"Yeah," Robert agreed. "I remember having to come to some event here and we got busted trying to sneak into the pool house. My father was ready to let me have it, but Richard intervened and just said to let us be kids. My dad couldn't really argue with the host, and we made sure to keep the pool house in perfect shape. After that night the pool house was always unlocked when there were events here."
"Speaking of books," Finn started but trailed off not knowing if this would be a sensitive subject but after Logan's nod he continued. "How is your book coming along?"
"Really good!" Rory exclaimed. "Logan and Mitchum got me set up with an agent and I signed a deal right before we had Richard. So now I am working on finishing up some changes to the first book and it should be in bookstores right before the holidays."
"How many books are there?" Colin asked as he studied her. He remembered her telling him that she had changed it to non-fiction, and it was loosely based on her life now.
"Well book one will be me growing up in a small town," she paused as those memories were still a little raw. "It will go up until I start Chilton. Book two will be Chilton and books three and maybe four will be Yale. Its sort-of my story and the people of Stars Hollow may recognize themselves in certain characters… I am sure you boys will know who you are," she paused with a small sigh knowing what the boys really wanted to know. "The relationship between Anastasia and her mother Amy will be different, they are still close, but the reader will be able to see the controlling aspects that I never saw," she shrugged.
"I think its good, Ace," Logan told her and gently squeezed her leg. "Mitchum, Chris and Emily have all read it and they think it's amazing."
"We will see what Lorelai thinks," Rory stated dejectedly. "Hopefully she doesn't hate it and decide to sue me."
"And if she does then she makes herself look horrible," Logan told her, and it was obvious to the boys that this was a conversation that had been had before. "Your forward said that the story is based on the people that you met while growing up. It doesn't really mention that Anastasia is you…"
"I know," she replied with a forced smile. "I am over thinking it…"
"So, when do we get to read about ourselves?" Finn asked after she trailed off, wanting to try and get back on a lighter subject. "Will you tell the readers about how exotic I am?"
Rory couldn't help but laugh and like that the mood was back to the cheerful one that it had been minutes before.
The boys ended up staying for dinner and they all enjoyed the simpler fare of spaghetti and a salad. They were still amazed at how Rory had settled into the society role but still managed to maintain her warmth towards everyone. Staring at the group as stories were exchanged and laughter was never ending Logan once again knew that he needed to propose soon.
Logan stood at the study entrance and had to smile at the sight before him. Rory was typing on her computer while soft instrumental music played in the background and Richard was asleep in a bassinet beside her. Occasionally Rory would mutter something and then start furiously typing again. She had been working tirelessly on finishing the first book of her series, her young years growing up Stars Hollow, then there were the Chilton years, and the last ones would be Yale. He had read many of the chapters and he loved how she kept true to the characters but changed them enough to fit what she saw in all of them. While he expected more drama between her and Lorelai, she had kept that character pretty neutral, but he was interested to see how that would change over the series. After the boys were over and asked about the book, he knew that Rory was a little more apprehensive about everything and he had done what he could to calm her fears, even having the editor reach out to her to get his opinions. He didn't know how long he stood there but he smirked when he saw Rory look up and notice him.
"Hey, your home!" she quietly exclaimed as she stood to walk over to him. "How was work today?"
"It was good," he answered as he pulled her close and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I realized while I was at my lunch meeting that I have officially become a boring dad," he stated and then had to chuckle at her questioningly look. "I've become the guy that has to show off pictures of his kid."
Rory had to giggle at the image. A year ago, no one would have ever imagined Logan as a doting dad, but he was. He was amazing with Richard and amazing with her. She was so happy with the way her life was right now.
"So, I was thinking we haven't been on a date in a while," he stated as he moved slightly back and looked at her. "How would you feel about dinner, just you and me Friday night."
"Richard..." Rory started but Logan cut her off with a shake of his head.
"We have so many people that would be more than happy to watch him for a few hours, Chris, Emily, Honor… hell even my dad!"
Rory had to laugh at the thought of Mitchum babysitting. "Okay," she relented really wanting a night of just them. "I'll call grandma first and if she can't come down, I'll call dad. Gigi has also been hinting that she wants to babysit more."
"So, its settled?" he questioned pulling her closer. "Just you and me and a nice dinner."
"It's settled," she answered placing a soft kiss on his lips but mentally she was debating on what she had to wear.
Lorelai Gilmore stood and looked at the Dragonfly Inn, a place she had built from the ground up, a place that was no longer hers. After Sookie's visit, she looked through the paperwork, contacted the companies and found someone to buy not only the Dragonfly but the incomplete annex. It hurt her to sell but she knew that nothing in the town was ever going to be the same again. There were hardly any negotiations and with the company paying cash they were able to close in weeks. They wanted her to have nothing to do with the properties after the ink was dry so here she was about to walk into the Inn for the last time to box up her office. After a lot of thought Lorelai decided to sell the house as well and she was still debating on where she wanted to go next. It still hurt her to think about everything that Logan Huntzberger cost her, her daughter, her husband and then her town. He had taken everything away from her. As much as she wanted revenge, she knew that anything she could try and do would end up affecting Rory and Richard and she wasn't willing to go that far again. There was still a small hope in her heart that one day Rory would come back to her, and they could go back to the way things were before.
As she packed up everything all the memories seemed to overwhelm her. She thought about the hours she and Sookie had spent planning everything, her and Rory going over fabric swatches and her picking the ones Rory didn't like… There was her first kiss with Luke, the opening and all the parties she had planned. As much as she didn't want to leave this place, she knew that she had no choice anymore and she had to leave. With a sigh she looked down at the photo she had picked up and noticed that it was from the road trip that she had taken with Rory to Harvard. A wistful smile came to her face as she remembered waking Rory up and whisking her away for that adventure. The two of them had so much fun and there was that horrible bed and breakfast that they had come across. Placing the photo down she sat down at the desk and placed her head in her hands and let the tears come. She cried for everything that Logan had taken from her, cried for all the moments that she was missing, and she cried for Rory who had become everything she wanted to keep her away from.
Logan paced his office nervously and tried to get his thoughts in order. Everything seemed to be in place. Emily was at the house for the evening with Richard so there was nothing to worry about there. Finn and Colin were at Yale ensuring everything was set up according to his specifications. They had questioned every little aspect but had eventually agreed to follow his orders without the questions. Looking at his watch he sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.
"You, okay?" Mitchum asked worriedly from the doorway. He had watched his son over the last few days, and he seemed to be getting progressively more anxious but wouldn't talk about what was bothering him.
"Yeah, fine," Logan distractedly answered as he looked back at his watch. He wanted to go home but he knew he could get there to early. Rory had noticed that he seemed anxious the past few days and he was playing it off as a business deal, but he knew she didn't believe him. If he went home to early, then he would be pacing, and he might let something slip and this needed to be perfect.
"Is everything okay with Rory? With Richard?" Mitchum worriedly asked and Logan stopped his pacing to look at his father.
"Yeah, everything is good," Logan answered running his hand through his hair and sank down into a chair. "I'm asking Rory to marry me tonight…"
Mitchum chuckled slightly but quickly sobered up went Logan sent him a glare. "You have nothing to worry about," he tried to reassure. "Rory loves you, you two have talked about marriage and being a 'traditional' family."
"I know," Logan sighed. "But I was so sure last time and now… so much more is riding on now."
"Logan, you were both so young," Mitchum sighed. "And knowing now what Lorelai had been doing," he paused and went to sit down next to Logan. "Things are different now. You both have grown up and changed. You both are ready for this step. Now tell me about this proposal, please tell me its not public."
Logan laughed and shook his head. "The actual proposal will be private, just the two of us," he answered. "And I think she will enjoy it." When Mitchum looked expectedly at him Logan shook his head no. "I'm hoping Rory will be the one to tell everyone about it later. No one knows the whole plan."
"Well son," Mitchum chuckled as he studied the man in front of him, a man that had grown up so much in the last few months. "I'll leave you to your pacing and planning. I'll see you on Monday?"
"Yeah dad," Logan answered distractedly and Mitchum could just laugh as he walked out the door.
A few hours later Rory watched as Logan fiddled with his shirtsleeve and she studied him closely. Ever since he had asked her to go to this dinner, he had been fidgety and nervous, and it was starting to worry her. "Logan are you okay?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," he quickly replied, and he saw the brief flash of hurt in her eyes, so he placed his hands on her arms. "I'm fine, just some things going on. I'll tell you about them later, okay?"
"Okay," she reluctantly agreed but didn't want to push him knowing that when he was ready, he would talk to her, she just hoped he wasn't having second thoughts about them.
"The car is here," Logan stated as he saw Olivia walk into the room. "We don't want to be late."
"Okay," she answered with a slight smile before she walked over to where Emily and Richard were and placed a soft kiss on his head before turning to Emily. "If you need anything at all grandma…"
"We will be fine Rory," Emily told her with a smile. "I am looking forward to some time with my great-grandson. Maybe I'll practice my storytelling skills on him."
Rory let out a slight laugh at that and embraced her grandmother. "I'm sure he will love that."
"Now shoo," Emily mock scolded. "You two have fun."
"Thank you, Emily," Logan said with a smile before lightly embracing the older woman. As he led Rory out of the room, he took one more look at the woman and she gave him a wink that almost made him laugh. As soon as they got into the limo, he pulled out a blindfold and started to place it over Rory's eyes.
"Logan what is this?" she asked.
"I know this is going to kill you but no questions," he told her with a laugh. "I promise you will enjoy this evening. Do you trust me Ace?"
"You jump I jump Jack," she immediately responded, and he felt his heart calm at her words. This night was going to be different.
The drive was filled with light banter, and he could tell that Rory was getting irritated with the blindfold, but he just hoped she would bear with him just a little longer. When they finally pulled up to Yale, he helped her out of the car and led her to where he wanted her to go. "Logan is the blindfold coming off?" she questioned, and he had to smirk at the memory.
"Just a little further," he laughed as he saw where he was going up ahead.
"Is the firing squad up ahead?" she asked in a dry tone but the smile on her lips showed her amusement with the situation.
"Yep, and damn, there is a line," he automatically responded with a smile. Her banter and comments were fitting in perfectly with what he had planned for the evening, and she didn't even know it. Tightening his grip on her arm he slowed them down and positioned her to the spot where the coffee cart where they first saw each other was and then slowly pulled off her blindfold.
The area was filled with candles and two cups of coffee were placed on a small table. "Logan?" she asked him as she realized where they were.
"We have just been through so much lately I wanted to take you back to the beginning," he told her as he studied her face. "This place was where I was an idiotic junior and I saw a stunning girl but knew the moment that I saw you that you were different. There was something in your eyes as you looked and Colin, Finn and I… but I thought you were with Marty," he chuckled and slightly shrugged.
Rory laughed at the memory and leaned against him slightly. "I thought you all were asses," she told him. "Especially Colin!"
Logan had to laugh, "yeah Colin can be snobbish." He handed her the cup of coffee and a rose that she didn't notice before. "Are you ready?" he asked.
Studying him for a brief second, she moved closer and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Always with you," she answered.
Grabbing her hand Logan let her towards where her old room was, and she had to laugh when she saw there was a picture of Professor Flemming posted to the cork board that was still there, but he kept pulling her to where her old room was. "When I saw you here, I remembered you instantly and that worried me, so I pretended I didn't. After that conversation I knew I needed to know more about you and so I looked for you everywhere but could never find you on campus until I saw you in the newsroom that day. But this room, this was the start of our relationship and we had so many memories here." He paused and handed her the rose that was pinned to the door, and he saw the tears start to build in her eyes, but he wasn't done yet. "And as many memories as I have with you here, I have more places to take you." Grabbing her hand, he led her towards the YDN building and opened the door for her to enter and she gasped when she saw the candles everywhere. "The night we saved the paper was the night that I knew that I had what it took to be a Huntzbeger, that I could embrace the path that had been laid out for me and I owe that to you. Before that night no one ever believed in me, but you pushed me to take some control and I only did it because I wanted to impress you." Handing her another rose that was laid out on the editor desk he caressed her cheek. "You were the reason I came to the newsroom; you were why I wrote, and I became involved."
"Logan you were amazing long before I came along," she whispered as she leaned into his touch.
He let out a chuckle at her words and then shrugged. "But I never cared to really try until you. You pushed me because you wanted me to succeed not to make my father happy, not to suck-up, you wanted me, Logan, to be the best I could be."
"I love you," she told him as her eyes shown with tears at his words. "You made me see that there was more to life than Stars Hollow, what I had always been raised to want," she paused and took a deep breath. "I am so sorry that I was so scared to jump with you a second time."
Logan shook his head and pulled her towards him. "I should not have asked you that way," he told her honestly. They had worked through a lot during therapy, he knew why she said, 'not yet,' and she knew why he was so afraid to not have her with him. Those sessions dug deep and brought to light so many insecurities that they both had but they had learned and were moving past all of that and starting what he hoped would be the best chapter yet. When he pulled back, he took her hand and led her to other places on campus where there were more roses awaiting her. There was Professor Bell's class, the coffee cart location where Richard cornered them with the prank, the cafeteria where there was a bowl of Coca Puffs waiting for her and then finally to the library.
When Rory walked in, she felt the tears start to flow and she didn't even try and stop them. Set-up throughout the space were photos of the two of them starting at the first LDB event. Some were candid shots; others were posed but as she walked and looked at them she couldn't stop the memories of everything that they had been through together.
"It was here that I knew I was falling for you," Logan told her, and she jumped slightly not realizing that he was behind her. "You were showing around that girl, and you said that I wasn't as cute as Pushkin, and I don't know… but it bothered me." Rory turned to look at him and he grasped her hands. "I told you at your grandparents vow renewal that is would be something right away with us. I said that because I already knew, but was too afraid to admit, that I was falling for you. And when you offered me no strings," he paused and let out a chuckle. "I agreed because I convinced myself that I might be able to finally get you out of my mind, but it didn't work. The more time we spent together the more time I needed with you. I would find myself coming to the library just to sit next to you as you worked. When you came and told me that you couldn't do no strings anymore… Ace you will never know how terrified I was in that moment, not of committing to you, but loosing you," he paused and took a calming breath. "I know what my life is without you, and I know that life will never give me a semblance of the happiness I feel when I am with you. You are my rock, my partner, the one I want to tell all my stories to, to support and love," slowly he sank down to one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket. "I love you. I have never loved anyone else, and I never will. You are it for me Ace and I hope that you will do me the honor of agreeing to marry me," he paused and looked at her, but she didn't immediately respond so he continued. "I love you and the family that we are creating with Richard, and I know you don't need the…"
"Yes," she exclaimed softly cutting him off and sinking to her knees to kiss him. "I love you Logan, you are it for me. There has never been anyone else that I have dreamed of spending my life with," she told him, and he pulled her against him to kiss her again. Rory had known where the night was going from the moment that she realized that they were at Yale, but this proposal was more than she could have ever imagined. It was filled with happy memories and was so completely them. When he finally asked, she froze, not out of fear but happiness that she was finally getting a chance to fix her biggest regret. "I love you," she whispered again. "This is one of the happiest moments of my life."
"So, what are the other ones?" he questioned as he caressed her face.
"Well, there is only one moment that beats this one," she stated as she leaned into him. "The moment that I first held Richard."
Logan chuckled at that. "Yeah, that moment was pretty amazing. And I will gladly concede that that moment was better than this one."
She didn't answer him with words, just pulled him towards her for a kiss. When they broke apart for air, he stood and pulled her up with him. "There is one more stop on this tour," he huskily told her as he led her out of the library.
"There is?" she questioned wondering where they would be headed to next.
"Yep," he answered and quickly led her to the parking lot. "Emily will be staying with Richard tonight, and I got us a hotel room."
"Someone was thinking ahead," she stated with a smirk.
"I even packed you a bag with everything you will need," he continued.
"I am so lucky," she told him.
"We both are," he answered.
The following morning Logan slowly awoke and felt a hand running up and down his chest and he kept his eyes closed as he basked in the feeling. It took only seconds for him to remember the previous night and a sense of euphoria overcame him. Rory said yes, she agreed to be his wife, and that thought was enough for him to open his eyes and meet the blue ones that were looking down at him.
"Good morning, fiancé," she stated with a small smile on her lips.
"The best morning," he replied as he moved a hand to gently cup her face. "This is out first morning as an engaged couple."
She leaned closer and he met her halfway and soon the soft sweet kiss turned passionate. When they broke apart for air, she moved slightly up to look at him, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I love you," she whispered her voice husky with emotion.
"I love you," he replied. "I am the luckiest man in the world," he told her reverently as he placed a soft kiss on her lips. "You have made me the luckiest man. I am so happy right now."
"Me to," she answered before capturing his lips again. The kiss quickly turned passionate again and he moved so that she was under him, and he spent time caressing her naked body. Even though she had a baby only a few months prior, her body had recovered, and he loved the new curves as they were caused by her carrying their son. After she was cleared to start working out, she hired a trainer and decided that it was time to focus on her health. Her eating had changed dramatically and now it was time for her to fully embrace exercise to help her body become stronger since she was carrying Richard all the time and would soon be chasing after him.
"God Ace," he breathed out as she arched up and pressed her core into his already throbbing erection. "I want to take it slow."
"We did that last night," she moaned. "I need you."
"I don't want to hurt you," he hesitantly responded, still wanting to be careful with her.
"And I love you for that," she answered as she cupped his face. "But I'm not going to break."
Taking his cue, he moved his hand to her core and found her hot and wet. He moaned as he slipped a finger in her and found her ready for him. Taking the hint from her arching into him, he moved his finger in and out before adding a second and using his thumb to massage her clit. When he knew she was close he gently removed his fingers causing her to whimper. He gently chuckled and positioned himself at her entrance and looked deep in her eyes before slowly pushing into her. They had not had sex often since she was cleared after having Richard, he was still to scared about hurting her. He sighed at the way she clenched around him, and he buried his head in her neck as she wrapped her legs around him. "You feel so good," he murmured as he tried to keep the pace slow but when she tightened her legs and arched further up he lost control and started thrusting harder and faster, causing her to gasp and moan in pure pleasure.
"Harder Logan," she panted as she felt the orgasm building, "faster."
Seeing the look of lust and need on her face he moved so that one leg was over his shoulder, and he was able to change the angle causing her to call out his name. Knowing what she needed he let go of his fears about hurting her and gave her exactly what she wanted. He felt himself nearing the edge, so he moved a hand to play with her clit and he watched as she exploded, her body flushing, back arching of the bed and her screaming his name. Her body clenching and pulsing around his cock brought his own orgasm and with a final thrust and moan of her name he came as well. Moving her leg, he collapsed to her side, still not wanting to put weight on her.
"That was…" Rory panted out.
"Amazing," he continued as he looked at her, a smirk on his lips, "earth shattering."
She could only slightly nod her head as she moved her hand to caress his face. There were so many things she wanted to say, how it had only been him that made her feel this way, that sex with anyone else never felt right, but those things seemed wrong to say at the moment, so she smiled at him. "I love you," she whispered, and he moved up her body to place a soft kiss on her lips.
"And I love you," he answered and adjusted her so that she was laying partially on him, and he gently caressed her back. This was what he had always wanted with her, and it still amazed him that they were finally together and on the same page.
Rory studied the ring that was resting on Logan's chest, it was a large center stone surrounded by sapphires and then had two smaller diamonds on each side with diamonds along the band. "This is stunning," she murmured, and Logan looked at the ring that was finally on her finger.
He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through her hair. "I kept the other ring for years… up until I decided I wanted to propose again. I had the diamonds removed from that ring and the small diamonds in the band are from the old one. I wanted something from where we started and something new for where we are now."
"Its perfect," she whispered as she moved to gently kiss him and then laid her head back down on his chest.
They lay like that for a long while until Logan looked at the clock and let out a small groan. "I suppose we should get up and get ready," he stated, while he really wanted to see him son he always wanted to stay here with her alone for a while longer.
"Hmm do you plan on feeding me before we hit the road?" she asked with a giggle, and he just chuckled.
"I made a reservation for lunch and China Palace," he answered, and she looked at him in shock. "The first place I ever took you to eat." What he didn't bother telling her was that messages went out as they were driving to the hotel that she had said yes and that everyone would be meeting them there.
They slowly got up and started to get ready. Logan ordered some fruit, bagels, coffee and tea and it was delivered as Rory got out of the shower. The ate their light breakfast as they talked about what they wanted for a wedding and they both agreed they wanted something small and Logan suggested Martha's Vineyard and Rory suggested Emily's place in Nantucket, it was a place that had no memories for either of them and would be a complete fresh start.
When it was time to leave, Logan gathered their things and led her to the car. As they walked out of the room, she couldn't stop thinking about the last time they walked out of a hotel room and how much things had changed between that night and the previous one. It had taken then a long time to get where they were and while she still had her regrets, she was so happy with the way things were now.
They walked into China Palace and Rory couldn't help but think about how little the place had changed over the years. She was so preoccupied by looking around what it took her a moment to see who was on the other side of the closed door to the private dining area and she immediately looked up at Logan.
"I figured we could celebrate with everyone," he sheepishly replied, and Rory just kissed him. While she had always said she didn't need the grand gestures she had to secretly admit to loving them all.
"Thank you," she whispered against his lips. "This is perfect!"
The couple were quickly pulled apart by everyone since they wanted to congratulate the pair. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, and everyone was amazed by the ring that Logan had picked out and they shared a sweet look. The meal progressed with everyone asking if they had discussed the wedding and when they were planning on doing it. Not wanting to talk much about what they had discussed until they talked to Emily the couple just told everyone that they were still thinking about things. The meal was lively with Colin and Finn telling stories about the couple in Yale. It was a perfect way to celebrate and as Logan looked at the beauty beside him, he was overcome by how amazing his life was turning out.
A/N: If you read 'Blame Booze and Melville," my other story I guess I am in a proposal mood lately! I hope you have enjoyed this story. I think I am almost at the end... Thank you all for reading this and commenting. You will never know how much you have all motivated me to keep writing!