Chapter Thirty-four

"I'm ok, ace."

"Are you sure? I still think you should go to hospital."

"Rory. I. Am. Fine. I fainted, it happens. It's actually really embarrassing." Logan laughed softly, hanging his head slightly.

"I was so scared, Logan. It seemed like you were out forever. You should get a proper check-up."

"I will, tomorrow."

"But-"

"Seriously, ace, I'm ok. Apparently I ruined the wedding though." Logan gestured around, where all of the wedding guest were gathered in the barn. The jovial atmosphere had diminished somewhat in the wake of Logan's fainting episode. Even the band had stopped playing.

Rory smiled ruefully. "Nothing like the sight of flashing blue lights to kill a party."

"Except for Mitchum. He's suddenly become the life and soul."

Glancing towards the bar, Rory saw Mitchum smiling and laughing with Shira. "I guess the thought of losing you, even for a minute, was enough to scare him out of his mood?"

"Unless it was some Freaky Friday thing and I'm now him and he's me…"

"Logan! That's far too weird to even think about."

"You're right. We need to get this wedding going again though. It can't end like this."

As though she had heard him speak, Emily Gilmore rose to her feet and cleared her throat loudly. The quiet hum of chatter disappeared instantaneously, and Emily began to speak. "Well now, since my daughter interrupted the toasts due to her infantile obsession with snow, I never got the chance to make mine."

Lorelai rose at Emily's words and gave a small bow, causing ripples of laughter throughout the room. Emily bestowed a withering glare upon her daughter, and continued in a disgruntled tone. "I just wanted to say a few things. Firstly, Lorelai, despite the snow incident, you have done a marvellous job organising this wedding. Well done. Also, Sookie, once again your food has been simply outstanding."

Another ripple of applause sounded in the barn, and Jackson whistled loudly. Emily waited for the noise to dissipate before continuing. "Logan. Your input has been invaluable in organising today, and your love for Rory shines through in every way. I'm proud to call you my grandson by law. I hope you and Rory share many happy years together. Welcome to the family."

Logan stood up and went to kiss Emily lightly on the cheek. He turned to head back to his seat but Emily held him in place. "Rory, Lorelai, could you join me for a moment?"

The two Gilmore girls made their way to stand by Emily's side. "There is a very special person missing from today. As many of you know, my husband passed away before he could witness this very special day. I know he would be exceedingly proud of you both. Rory, you were the light of his life. He would have been so happy for you. And I know he would have been ecstatic at the thought of becoming a great-grandfather to the two babies that will make the next generation of Gilmores."

Emily wiped away a tear as she raised her glass. "So, here's to Rory, Logan, and the next generation."

Logan placed a comforting hand on Emily's shoulder and raised his own glass. "To Richard Gilmore."

Every person in the barn rose to their feet, echoing Logan. "Richard Gilmore."

Logan's face crinkled into a wide smile. "Now, I know I've managed to kill the party with my little episode, but I would like to assure everyone that I'm absolutely fine and I ask you all, please, to start having a good time!"

"Wait." Mitchum interrupted his son. "I would just like to quickly say a few words, if that's ok?"

Logan nodded mutely, and reached down for Rory's hand. She gave it a quick, reassuring squeeze. Please don't ruin it all now, she silently begged Mitchum.

"Now, it's no secret that I haven't always seen eye to eye with my son, or approved of his choices in life. But I have to say, I was wrong. It's not an easy thing for me to admit, but it's the truth. What Rory and Logan have endured to reach this moment, it proves that they were always meant to be together. So, please raise your glasses one last time and join me in toasting the happy couple."

Rory's mouth hung open in shock at Mitchum's words as the guests toasted them one last time. "Talk about a complete one-eighty!" she murmured to Logan as the band resumed their place onstage and began to play an upbeat number.

"Got a dance left in you, ace?"

"Of course."

They made their way to the dancefloor, and Logan swept Rory into his arms. They began to dance slowly, completely out of time with the music. Lane caught Rory's attention from behind her drum kit and smiled widely. The music suddenly slowed to match the speed at which they were dancing. Rory noticed other couples taking to the floor as Logan sighed softly against her hair. "Wow."

"What?"

"I just… this is… I don't think I've ever been lost for words before."

Rory smiled. "I know what you mean."

"Today has just been the best day of my life. It feels like everything has just clicked into place, you know?"

Rory murmured her agreement as Logan suddenly stopped moving. "By the way, I had a few thoughts on middle names."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I was thinking maybe Mitch… and Christopher."

Rory raised an eyebrow as she contemplated the names Logan had suggested. "Richard Christopher and Hunter Mitch… No, Hunter Mitchum. It should be Mitchum."

"Hey, ace?"

"Yeah?"

"You know we're totally screwed for names if they are girls, right?"

"No, we're not. While you might be convinced that they are both boys, I've got a gut feeling they are girls. So I've got a list of names prepared."

"Oh you do, huh?"

"Yup. Well, I couldn't let you name a girl Hunter now, could I?"

"Just one of the many reasons I love you, ace. So, do I get to have any input on what we might potentially call our children should they be girls?"

Rory shook her head. "Nope."

"Seriously?"

"It's a good job they are going to be boys then, isn't it?"

"We'll find out soon enough, one way or another."