Chapter Thirty

The second the wedding ceremony was over, Rory felt like everything started happening too fast. Before she knew it, Logan grabbed her hand and together they walked back down the aisle and out into the bright winter sunshine. Suddenly there were people everywhere, cheering and smiling as they threw confetti into the air. Beautiful heart-shaped pieces of rice paper fell around Rory and Logan, sticking in their hair as they floated to the ground.

Accepting congratulations from the crowd of guests surrounding them, Rory suddenly noticed Shira and Mitchum standing a little off to the side with expressions of discomfort upon their faces. The sight sobered the air of giddiness that surrounded her and she nudged Logan, pointing out his parents.

Annoyance flitted across his features. "Oh, Rory, come on. Don't seek them out."

Biting her lip, Rory contemplated ignoring them after everything Mitchum had said recently. Unable to neglect the gesture they had made by turning up, Rory disagreed with her husband. "But, Logan… They came. We should make them welcome."

Logan huffed dramatically, a smile playing on his lips. "Ok, ace. You're far too… gracious, you know that?"

Rory stuck out her tongue. "Come on, Gilmore! Let's get this over with."

Grasping his hand, Rory pulled Logan over to greet his parents. Her nervousness at speaking with the Huntzberger couple made Rory over-exuberant. "Shira! Mitchum! So pleased you could make it."

Logan simply nodded at his parents. Shira matched Rory's overly enthusiastic approach as she responded. Leaning forward to embrace Rory, Shira smiled. "Rory! You look simply stunning. Why, you're positively glowing. And Logan, you're so handsome. I'm so proud of you."

Rory noticed Mitchum fidgeting beside Shira, without saying a word. His eyes were fixed on a point over Rory's shoulder. Swinging her eyes to Logan, she realised he was a mirror image of his father. Logan's gaze was pinned to his mother, while he fiddled with his cufflinks.

No one else spoke, and the moment of silence dragged on uncomfortably. Finally, Rory could take no more. With a slight shake of her head, she smiled sadly at Shira. "Well, thank you for coming. There's a dinner and reception over in Miss Patty's barn so head on over and get a drink. I think we have to go and have a few pictures now, but we will see you over there."

Rory tugged Logan away before anyone else could get a word in. Glancing over her shoulder, Rory saw Shira turn to Mitchum with an expression of fury. Oops, I think he's in trouble! Grinning to herself, Rory felt a sudden hope that Logan's relationship with his mother could be saved.

"Well, that was…"

Logan rolled his eyes. "Awkward? Yeah, welcome to the Huntzberger dynasty. Leave your soul at the door."

"Do they know you changed your name, Mr Gilmore?"

"I do not know, Mrs Gilmore."

Rory stopped, a frown creasing her face. "Logan…"

"Ace?"

"Do you… erm, I don't know how to ask this. Should we- I mean, do you want to hyphenate?"

Logan started laughing incredulously. "Oh, ace. Of all the things I thought you were gonna ask me to do then…"

"Well, do you? We could be the Huntzberger-Gilmores. A new dynasty. One that has no dynastic plans."

Logan opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off abruptly by Emily Gilmore appearing out of nowhere. "Come on, you two. This is your wedding day! Stop skulking around over here and come and celebrate."

Rory felt a rush of affection for her grandmother and enveloped her in a hug. "Thanks, grandma."

"Thanks for what?"

"This." Rory released Emily and stepped back, spreading her arms in a gesture around her. "The wedding. Mom said you helped. It was beautiful, so thank you."

Logan nodded. "We couldn't have done it without you, Emily. Thank you."

Emily's smile couldn't quite hide the tears. "You're welcome, both of you. Rory, have I told you that you look utterly perfect? Your grandfather would have been so proud of you."

Rory bit back the sadness that rose within her at the mention of her late grandfather. Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "I wish he could have seen this."

A moment of silence passed, before Emily squared her shoulders. "Now, let's not be maudlin. Today is a celebration. Get back into that crowd, you two. Have some fun."

Catching sight of Paris beckoning to her, Rory left Logan with Emily and headed over to her old friend. "Paris! Thank you so much. The wedding was wonderful."

Paris laughed. "Of course it was. And I wanted to thank you, Rory."

"What for?"

Paris smiled in Finn's direction. Understanding dawned on Rory before Paris said the words aloud. "If it wasn't for you and Logan and London, I never would have…"

"Oh. OH." Rory couldn't think of anything else to say.

Paris' voice took on a quality that Rory wasn't accustomed to hearing. It was almost a dream-like tone. "He's amazing. He's funny, and actually very kind. Except to Robert. And the sex-"

Rory clapped her hands over her ears. "Paris!"

"What? We are grown-ups, you know."

"I know, but still, eww."

Rory was unbelievably grateful when Logan appeared at her side and interrupted Paris before she could utter another word. "They're ready for us inside, ace. You ok? Not too tired?"

Rory stifled a yawn. "Nope, not at all."

"Then let's go and make our grand entrance to our wedding reception, wife."

Rory smiled. "Lead the way, husband."