Chapter Thirty-one

"Wow."

Rory was blown away by the sight that greeted her as she entered Miss Patty's barn. The room was unrecognisable. Floral displays that had been scattered around the church were now strategically placed around the room and huge candles burned everywhere, creating a soft, romantic glow. Rory gasped as her eyes alighted on the tables, where she recognised Emily Gilmore's handiwork. Pristine white cloths stretched over the tables, and in the centre of each one, a tall vase of beautiful white flowers stood upon a round mirror, surrounded by yet more candles. The light reflected on the mirrored bases, glittering like a thousand stars around the room.

Rory came to a standstill in the doorway. Logan caught her hand in his and gave it a squeeze, as Finn's voice rose above the din of the guests. "Ladies and gents, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you, the newly married and perfectly perfect Mr and Mrs Gilmore!"

The guests clapped and cheered as Logan pulled Rory towards their table. As she made her way through the room, Rory took in more details of the effort her family and friends had gone to for her. She giggled as she noticed Kirk's infamous Yummy Bartenders bar at the bottom of the barn, then abruptly stopped as she caught sight of Mitchum Huntzberger standing alone. Fury was written all over his face. Guess he knows Logan is now a Gilmore. Rory gulped and bowed her head.

They finally reached their table, and Logan pulled out her chair. Rory seated herself absently, unable to tear her eyes away from Mitchum. He seemed to realise Rory was staring at him, and raised his glass towards her. Rory turned away with the sense that the gesture had been anything but friendly.

Suddenly huge plates of food were being passed around by waiters, and Rory recognised half of the staff from the Dragonfly. Rory glanced towards her mother. "Thank you, mom."

Lorelai grinned. "No problem, kiddo."

Looking around the table, Rory felt her heart swell with a rush of affection for the most important people in her life. Her mom, her dad, Luke, Logan and Emily Gilmore were all talking animatedly, Chris had just made a joke about something and Emily was laughing gaily as Luke pulled that odd half-grin he did when he didn't really get the punchline. Logan was leaning back in his chair looking relaxed and happy, one arm resting along the back of Rory's chair. Lorelai had one hand resting on Luke's leg.

Rory twisted in her chair and spoke quietly to Logan. "I need a camera. Give me your phone."

Logan pulled his phone from his jacket without hesitation and handed it to Rory. She quickly snapped a picture and handed it back to him. He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"It just hit me that this is our wedding. I wanted something to remember this exact moment by."

Logan leaned forward and kissed Rory gently. "I love you, you know that?"

Rory smiled softly. "I should hope so, you did just marry me."

Rory was just finishing the last mouthful of delectable food that Sookie had prepared when a sudden noise cut through the chatter that filled the room. Finn had risen to his feet and was tapping his spoon against his glass. "Right, darlings. I do believe it's time to toast the happy couple and then we can really get this party started!"

There was cheering as Finn spoke. Rory noticed Paris looking at him with the same gooey, adoring look she used to give Doyle. Paris and Finn. Nope, still can't get used to that one! Rory thought as she tried to focus on what Finn was saying. "Now, now, settle yourselves. Since I'm already standing, and I am the best man, despite being upstaged by a dog during the ceremony, I'll go first. Logan, Rory, I know you're expecting me to say something embarrassing and potentially X-rated, but I just want to say that I am so incredibly happy that the two of you found your way back to each other. It's been written in the stars since the day you met. So, if you could all raise your glasses, I have just three words left to say. In omnia paratus!"

The entire room echoed the last three words after Finn. Rory wiped away yet another tear and smiled so widely it made her face hurt. Finn took a bow, and hushed the room once again. "So, who's next?"

Rory watched her mother stand up. Lorelai took a deep breath, and kept her eyes pinned to Rory as she spoke. "Wow. I can't quite believe I'm standing here on your wedding day. It seems like five minutes ago you were eating crayons while we talked about Harvard. I'm so incredibly proud of every single thing you've achieved, Rory. And while I may not have always been in Team Logan, he has proven more than once that he loves you. Remember when you were in Yale, and I wrote you that letter?" Lorelai paused, and glanced towards Logan.

Logan grinned. "Am I finally going to know what that said?"

Lorelai laughed. "Not today, buddy. Rory, everything I wrote in that letter is everything I want you to remember right now. I love you, kid. Logan, look after my girl. I wish you both a long and happy life together." Lorelai swallowed. "To the bride and groom."

Logan stood up following Lorelai's toast. "I can't believe that over a decade later I'm still not allowed to know what that letter said." The guests laughed along with Logan. "I'm going to make this very short. I want to thank every single person that had a hand in making this day so perfect. You know who you are. And now I would like to toast the ravishing creature that I just married, for making me the happiest man alive. To Rory Gilmore."

Rory smiled up at Logan, and kissed him as he took his seat again. She was beginning to feel tiredness creep in, and stifled a yawn as Lane began to make a toast. Rory leaned her head on Logan's shoulder, causing Logan to glance down at her. "You ok there, ace?"

"Yeah, just starting to get tired I think. It's been a full-on day."

"We only have to dance and the cut the cake, then we can go if you want."

"No! Logan, it's our wedding day. I'm not missing a second of it. I'll be ok. Just tell me you have a coffee cart outside to perk me up!"

"Sorry, ace. No cart. However-" Logan gestured to Colin, who immediately disappeared.

Rory looked bemused. "Where did he go?"

"To get the bride her coffee. Her only coffee for the entire night, right?"

"Right. Did I mention that you're amazing?"

"Hmm, you can tell me that again and again…"

Rory aimed a playful punch at his arm as Lane finally raised her glass in the air, finishing her toast. "To the happy couple!"

A sudden commotion near the door distracted Rory from Lane, and she watched as a breathless Kirk came running towards Lorelai. "Lorelai! You told… it's… now…"

Lorelai's eyes flew to meet Logan's and she nodded. "It's time!"

Rory looked from her mother to Logan with a bemused expression on her face. "What's going on?"

"No time to explain, ace. We need to head outside, right now. Grab your wrap-thingy. You'll need it."