Chapter Twelve
It can't be. Can it? No! It definitely can't be. Rory's mind was racing at a thousand miles a minute. Forgetting Finn was even there, Rory staggered to the box and dropped to her knees. She fumbled with the bow, desperate to see what was inside.
Rory's heart was beating so hard she could feel it all the way to her fingertips. She finally managed to remove the lid, and gasped in shock and delight when she saw what was hiding within. Nestled inside the crisp, white sheets of tissue paper was a beautiful dress that Rory recognised instantly. The folds of blue satin took her back to the day she had been kidnapped by the Life and Death Brigade.
Her joy turned to confusion. "Finn, what on earth is going on?"
Finn flashed her a secretive smile. "Always a curious lady, but ignorant of today's play."
"Seriously? Come on! Wait, I know this. No 'e' words allowed?"
"That is a good assumption."
Rory tried to choose her words carefully. "So… you would clarify this situation?"
"I could, but we're late, we're late, for a very important date."
"And now you're quoting Alice in Wonderland? What happened to Wizard of Oz?"
"It all leads to the same place, darling. Now, get dressed. We have a journey to take."
Rory headed to the toilet to change into the dress as instructed. She couldn't seem to form a coherent thought. Logan was so obviously behind all of this, but she had no idea of where it was leading. What is he doing? Why re-create this moment? Why, why, why. Rory could find no answers, and clearly Finn wasn't going to tell her a thing. I'll just have to wait and see.
"How do I look?" Rory asked, emerging from the bathroom. She did a quick twirl for Finn, giggling self-consciously.
"Yup, I got an eye for dress sizes. We go this way."
"Finn, will you please explain what is going on? I mean, this is Logan's doing, right? No-one else was there when he said that to me. It has to be him."
Finn grinned and held out a hand to Rory. "Follow the wizard, darling."
Rory opened her mouth to argue some more, she really needed to know where all of this was leading her. Then she abruptly closed it again, shrugging lightly. Deciding that as long as Logan was involved as she suspected he was, she should play along. So she took the hand Finn was offering her and smiled softly.
"I guess we aren't going to Kansas, Toto." She said to Finn, without really expecting an answer. He led her to the door of the Gazette building, and then stopped suddenly.
"Are you ready for this, darling?"
"Lead the way. I'm ready."
Finn threw open the door with a flourish, allowing the winter sun to stream in through the open door, momentarily blinding Rory. As her eyes adjusted to the light, Rory began to see the scene in front of her. She couldn't believe her eyes.
Every store front that Rory could see had a new window display. Giant pictures of Rory and Logan had been hung everywhere. Photos Rory had forgotten even existed, like the one of the two of them at the beach when they had stayed at Martha's Vineyard, had been blown up and placed in every available space. The next thing Rory noticed were the flowers. Great big floral displays had been put together everywhere. Rory guessed that the whole town was filled with flowers and photos.
"This is amazing!" Rory cried out, over-whelmed by the sight. Then she shook her head, wondering why she was surprised. Logan had always been a fan of the grand gesture. He must have roped in half the town to pull this off, she thought with a pang of emotion that caused tears of happiness to well in her eyes.
"Wait for it, Rory."
Rory glanced at Finn, wondering what on earth could possibly top the amazing view she had now. Finn pulled on her hand and spun her round slightly. Then Rory gasped.
"What did he do?" she laughed, unable to full comprehend what she was seeing. The town gazebo was gone. In its place stood a giant rocket. Spray painted on the side, in giant red letters, were the words 'that's true love'.
"Finn, where is he?" she begged.
With a shake of his head, Finn laughed. "Ride's not over yet, darling."