Their drive to Branford was a little slow; there was a surprising amount of traffic heading out of New York. At times Rory immersed herself in her book while Logan listened to the radio and drummed along on the steering wheel. But, most of their time was spent catching up about what each of them had going on at the office. After the third time Rory mentioned her lunch with Kevin, Logan grew quiet.
"Is anything the matter?" Rory finally asked after he'd only grunted back at her regarding the last few things she'd said.
"Just tell me if there is any reason I should be jealous of Kevin," Logan said hotly.
"Are you kidding?" Rory yelled at him, "You're the one who was urging me to make friends at the office. I guess I didn't realize that males would be excluded from earning my friendship."
"I know," Logan said, slightly more calmly, "But he's all you've been able to talk about since the two of you decided that you were friends."
"I'm sorry for being happy about finally having an ally in the office," Rory said as she turned away from Logan to look out the window, "I thought you'd understand. You know how hard this week was for me. Besides, how could you even think that?"
"I'm sorry," Logan pleaded as he reached out to rub her back, which was still turned toward him.
"You should be," Rory said fiercely, "Don't you trust me at all?"
"You know I do," Logan said, "It's just hard for me to see you get all worked up about another guy; even if he is just your friend."
"Well, from now on have a little faith," Rory admonished, "You know there could never be anyone but you."
"I'm sorry," Logan said again.
The rest of their drive to Branford was quiet with Rory silently fuming and Logan mentally cursing himself out for being so stupid and offending her. When they reached their local grocery store a silent truce was agreed upon. Logan slung an arm around Rory as they walked into the store and he kissed her firmly on the temple. A half an hour later the couple emerged from the store with massive quantities of food and beverages for the weekend. After emptying their cart into the back of the Escalade they finally headed home. As they pulled into the driveway Rory found herself wiping away tears at the sight of their home. She couldn't believe how much she'd missed this place after only a couple of weeks.
Together they hauled in all the groceries and their luggage for the weekend. With an apologetic kiss Logan send Rory to soak in the tub while he made dinner. When she appeared again in the kitchen nearly an hour later she was wrapped in a plush terry cloth robe and her long hair was still wet. She pulled dishes out of the cupboards as Logan put the finishing touches on their meal. He'd made chicken picotta and a fruit salad. Logan filled their plates and Rory poured each of them a glass of milk. Together they settled on the couch in the living room and watched reruns of 'Who's Line is it Anyway,' as they ate.
Later when their empty dishes lay abandoned on the coffee table and Rory lay nestled into Logan's arms on the couch, Logan pressed another kiss onto her temple and said, "I really am sorry."
"I know," Rory said, "We're okay now."
"You're sure?" Logan asked.
"I'm sure," Rory said as she raised her head off his arm to kiss him, "After all there were times that I acted immature and jealous of the other women in your life too."
Rather than responding to Rory's admission Logan leaned in to kiss her and at the same time untied the robe she was wearing. As he continued to kiss his wife, with his eyes firmly closed he slid a hand over her body and discovered that beneath the robe she was naked. His lips left hers as his eyes flew open and studied his wife's nude form peaking out through the opening in the robe. He groaned audibly as he crashed his lips back to hers and easily scooped her up off the couch. Quickly he carried her upstairs and laid her across their bed. Climbing onto the bed beside her, his mouth found its way to one of her breasts as he plunged a finger into her. As he worked, Rory alternately moaned into his ear and nibbled on it. When he'd succeeded in pushing her body to its peak he hurriedly shed his clothes and climbed back onto the bed with her. She opened her legs, immediately granting him access and he wasted no time, pushing himself into her. He thrust until they climaxed one after the other and finally lay still, together on the bed.
When Rory crawled off the bed she scurried into the bathroom to clean up and Logan heard water start running into the Jacuzzi tub.
"Didn't you already take a bath?" Logan yelled from where he still lay on the bed.
"Not with my husband, I didn't," Rory replied from the doorway where she finally shed the robe that she was still wearing.
Logan hopped up off the bed and entered the bathroom where Rory was pouring bubble bath into the tub. Logan sat on the edge of the tub, feeling the steam rising off the hot water. He watched as Rory combed her long hair before tying it up into a sloppy bun on top of her head. She removed her jewelry and lit half a dozen candles which she placed around the room before flicking off the overhead lights.
When Rory finally approached the tub Logan lifted a hand, ran it down her side and breathed, "You're so beautiful."
Rory responded with a deep kiss before saying, "You should get in the tub,"
Logan obeyed and Rory climbed in after him, settling herself between his legs. Leaning back into him, his hands instantly found their way to the flat of her stomach, which was slippery smooth in the sudsy water. Rory's hands rested on his thighs as if they were armrests. After several long minutes of just relaxing in this position Logan's restless hands began to move, longing to explore her body again. She moaned softly as his hands caressed her breasts under the silky water. She shifted her position slightly creating room between them for her hand to stroke him beneath the water. When she'd effectively worked him into a frenzy he spun her toward him and pulled her onto him. His movements within her caused water to slosh over the edge of the tub onto the floor below. With his final thrust he moaned loudly and sent a cascade of water onto the bathroom floor.
As their heart rates began to return to normal they quickly they rose out of the tub; not wanting to linger considering what was now mixed into the water. After Logan carefully helped Rory out of the tub and across slick tile floor he pulled towels from the cupboard and threw them onto the flooded mess. Rory giggled as he wrapped another towel around her and kissed her nose. "I'll clean this up in a minute," he said as he surveyed the damage.
"That was fun," Rory said.
"I agree," Logan said with a smirk, "Let's get dressed."
It took them nearly an hour to soak up all the water and get the soggy towels into the washing machine. Upon completion the couple collapsed into bed and fell asleep in each others arms.
When Rory woke the next morning and watched Logan sleep she suddenly had the urge to be domestic. She crept down to the kitchen and wondered what sort of breakfast meal she might have a chance of not screwing up too terribly. As she studied the shelves in their pantry her eyes fell upon a waffle iron. "Bingo," Rory said to herself, "How hard could waffles be?"
Forty-five minutes later Logan jerked awake when he smelt something burning. Pulling on his bathrobe he tiptoed into the kitchen where he found Rory cursing under her breath. He watched quietly from where he lurked. The spattered mess and smoke emitting from the waffle maker indicated that she'd been trying to fix him waffles for breakfast. It was sweet of her but he couldn't help smiling at what a nightmare she truly was in the kitchen. Rory's swearing grew louder as smoke continued to pour from the iron. It appeared that she hadn't used any cooking spray to ensure that the waffles wouldn't stick and as she worked to unstuck them, they were burning. Just as he was about to jump in and help her, the fire alarm started to go off.
Rushing into the room Logan unplugged the waffle iron, opened a window and began fanning smoke toward the open window. When the alarm stopped shrilly beeping Logan stopped fanning and examined the disaster his wife had made. There was runny waffle batter splattered on nearly every surface in the kitchen and egg shells on the floor. Rory had retreated from the kitchen and he found her with streaming eyes on the deck.
"Are you okay?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"I just wanted to make you breakfast in bed," Rory whispered.
"Are these tears of disappointment or are your eyes just reacting to the smoke?" Logan asked.
"Both," Rory said.
"It was a sweet gesture honey, but there's a reason why I do the cooking in our house," Logan teased lightly.
"I know," Rory said, "I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," Logan said, "Why don't you go shower. I'll make an edible breakfast and start working on this mess."
"I could help," Rory said hopefully.
"No, you have to get ready to go to your Grandma's for the dress fitting," Logan said, "I want to be sure that you'll be back before our friends start arriving,"
Reluctantly Rory headed back upstairs to shower and dress. When she arrived back in the kitchen a steaming pile of French toast was waiting on the table. Rory hungrily wolfed down an impressive four pieces before rising from the table and announcing that she needed to get going or she was going to be late.
When Rory arrived at the Gilmore Estate her Mother's jeep was already in the driveway. Rory hurried to the door and was quickly ushered inside by the current maid. After taking her coat the maid led her upstairs to the same room where she'd tried on dresses for her own wedding which her Grandmother had also planned.
"Glad you could join us today Rory," Emily said in a tone that told Rory she should have arrived earlier.
Glancing at her watch she noted that it was actually still five minutes before the agreed upon meeting time. Deciding to keep that fact to herself, Rory simply smiled at her Grandmother and took the seat Emily had motioned to. Rory felt slightly better when ten minutes later a frazzled Sookie was shown into the room by the maid and her Grandmother sternly offered, "Sookie, we're so glad you could join us today," in way of a greeting.
"I'm sorry," Sookie said quietly.
"No apologies are necessary, just take a seat next to Rory," Emily said sharply.
Sookie sank into the chair beside Rory's before whispering, "Martha's teething and Davie was being a terror; she's lucky I'm only five minutes late."
"Just ignore her," Rory whispered back, "She gets so wound up about this wedding planning and has a hard time understanding why no one takes it as seriously as she does."
Sookie had started to say something in return when Lorelai appeared from behind the privacy screen in her wedding gown. It was a brilliantly white dress of matted satin. It had a fitted halter top with a full a-line skirt and a short train. The exquisite beading and embroidery along the empire waist line, the hem and train were minimal. Overall it was a relatively simple dress; but it was extremely Lorelai and it made her glow. Emily, Rory and Sookie admired the dress and exclaimed over how lovely Lorelai looked in it. Holly, who had helped with the dresses for Rory's wedding as well, helped Lorelai up onto a raised platform so she could begin pinning the hem to the right length.
"Rory, why don't you go try on the bridesmaid dress that your mother and I chose," Emily instructed cheerfully.
Rory hadn't seen the bridesmaid dresses yet. Her mother had told her that they were a deep crimson color and that they would complement her own gown, but beside that, she knew nothing. Hanging on the wall behind the privacy screen were two garment bags. Rory carefully unzipped the one bearing the name, 'Rory Huntzberger.' From the bag Rory extracted a floor length dress with a halter top that was similar to her mother's dress. Where the empire waist met the V-split in the halter top was a rather large Austrian crystal brooch in a starburst design. At first glance Rory thought the brooch looked slightly tacky but once she had pulled the dress on she changed her mind. Rory gaped at herself in the mirror; how was it possible that her Grandmother thought this dress was appropriate for a wedding? It fit her like a glove, hugging her in all the right places. The halter top was slit moderately low and exposed what Rory thought to be too much cleavage. She had to admit that the dress was stunning and would look amazing alongside her mother's dress; but she was still unsure about wearing it in public, let alone to a religious ceremony.
Stepping out from behind the privacy screen a blush crept up Rory's neck. She cleared her throat to announce her presence and saw Sookie's eye widen at the sight of the dress.
"Rory," Emily gushed, "You look amazing in that dress."
"You're sure it's not too revealing?" Rory asked.
"No, its prefect," Emily said.
"Well, if you're sure," Rory said uncertainly as she looked toward her mother for comment.
"Babe, you look awesome," Lorelai exclaimed, "Holly," Lorelai said addressing the woman crouched at her feet, pinning and motioned at Rory, "Thank you, that is exactly what I was looking for."
"Sookie, why don't you go try yours on too," Emily said.
"Do I have to?" Sookie muttered under her breath.
Rory smiled supportively at Sookie as she rose from her chair. When Sookie emerged several minutes late she looked as unsure as Rory had about the dress. But, as a full-figured woman, Sookie filled out the dress and it looked stunning on her curvy frame. Rory was beginning to see why her Mother and Grandmother loved it so much. When Sookie moved beside Lorelai the pairing of the two dresses was genius.
Holly made adjustments to Rory and Sookie's dresses when she'd finished with Lorelai's. The three of them would need to come back for another fitting within the next couple of weeks. Emily talked Lorelai and Sookie into staying for a drink before heading back to Stars Hollow, but Rory had declined, wanting to get home before their guests began to arrive.
"Honey, I'm home," Rory sang after she'd hung her jacket in the front closet.
"In the kitchen," Logan responded.
In the kitchen Rory found Logan marinating steaks and forming a hamburger mixture into patties. Rory hopped onto the counter beside where he was working to watch him. When he'd finished with the patties he washed his hands and poured her a drink from a pitcher in the fridge.
"So, how was the dress thing?" Logan asked.
"It went fine," Rory said, "You are going to be shocked when you see my bridesmaid dress."
"That hideous?" Logan asked.
"No, it is amazingly sexy," Rory said, "I couldn't believe that my Grandmother had a hand in picking it out. It looks like something she would typically find inappropriate for any occasion, much less a wedding."
"Well, that will make your mother's wedding more enjoyable," Logan said with a smirk.
Rory slugged his arm gently and said, "It would be enjoyable without the risqué dress,"
"I know," Logan said in defense, "I said MORE enjoyable."
"Do you need any help here?" Rory asked as she watched him start preparing a fruit salad.
"Do I need to remind you about the waffle incident this morning?" Logan asked with a grin.
Blushing Rory said, "I bet even I could cut fruit in cubes."
"I'm not sure I trust you with a sharp knife," Logan said, "Why don't you just watch."
"No fun," Rory pouted.
"Sorry, it's for your own good," Logan said, placing a chaste kiss on her lips.
Remembering their escapades from the night before the kiss deepened quickly. Logan abandoned the fruit and pressed himself between Rory's thighs where she was still seated on the counter. Rory threaded her fingers into his hair and moaned when she felt his arousal pushing against her through his pants. Logan slid his hands up her back underneath her shirt and whispered into her ear, "Do you think we have time?"
A voice that belonged to neither of them answered that question for them, "Are the two of you working on making me an uncle yet?"
The couple sprang apart and embarrassedly adjusted their askew clothing. Finn stood in the doorway to the kitchen smiling broadly at them.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Logan hissed.
"I thought this might be more fun," Finn replied, "And I was right. Consider this pay back for all the times you walked in on me."
"That was different," Logan said, "You and I lived in the same apartment. It's a little hard not to walk in on someone when they are going at it on the living room couch."
Changing the subject Rory said, "Finn, did you bring a date?"
"I thought about it but decided against it," Finn explained, "We haven't seen much of you two since you moved to the big city. I thought it might be distracting to have a girl here. Plus she might be bored having never met any of my friends before."
"That was thoughtful of you, Finn," Rory said.
"Anything I can help with in here, mate?" Finn asked as he watched Logan resume cutting fruit.
"Sure," Logan accepted gratefully, "Do you think you can get the grill going out on the deck?"
"No problem," Finn said.
"Rory can show you where the charcoal and kerosene is located, but under no circumstances is she to help you beyond that," Logan warned.
Finn and Rory collected the charcoal, kerosene and grilling utensils from the garage before making their way out to the desk.
"Love?" Finn asked confused, "Why aren't you allowed to help me with the grill?"
"I am more or less banned from any work that involves food preparation," Rory said.
"Why?" Finn asked.
"Well, I seem to lack any genes that support any kind of kitchen domesticity," Rory explained, "That and I nearly started a kitchen fire this morning when I tried to make Logan waffles."
"Ah," Finn said as he wrapped an arm around Rory's shoulders, "I've missed the two of you."
Within the hour Colin, Steph, Paris and Doyle had also arrived. As Logan pulled together the finishing touches of the barbeque Rory showed everyone into their guest rooms. After returning to the kitchen Rory helped Logan arrange everything buffet style on the island in the kitchen. As everyone served themselves they moved out onto the deck to sit at the table under the large umbrella. It was perfect weather to sit outside and enjoy a picnic dinner; they had lucked out considering that it was nearly October. The friends sat on the deck eating, drinking and chatting until the sun began to set over the ocean and the air cooled down considerably.
Logan produced a store-bought chocolate cake for dessert which everyone enjoyed as they sat around the large dining room table and played Canasta. When the girl's team had soundly defeated the guys; the guys decided to play a more manly game and retreated to the basement where Logan's poker table was set up.
Deciding that the girls also needed a new activity Rory suggested that they take advantage of the hot tub on the deck. Rory changed quickly into a black bikini before retrieving beach towels from the hall closet for the three of them. After checking the temperature of the water in the hot tub and removing the cover Rory headed into the kitchen and grabbed three glasses and a bottle of wine. The three of them climbed in and for a little while just enjoyed the sound of crashing waves, the hot massaging water and their wine before talking.
"So," Steph said, "Can I assume that neither of you are pregnant since both of you are consuming wine in a hot tub?"
"God, no," Paris snapped quickly, "Do you know what a kid would do to my career at this point?"
Steph and Paris both turned to Rory who said, "Me neither. I'm not ready yet."
"What about Logan," Steph asked, "What are his thoughts?"
"Logan has baby fever," Rory said, "But he understands why we can't have a baby right now."
"Logan has baby fever, that is so cute," Steph shrieked.
"I think it has a lot to do with the fact that his sister is expecting," Rory said, "She's been showing for a little while now and she looks so cute. Not to mention Jimmy and Janis."
"Why can't you have a baby right now?" Steph asked curiously.
"I'm not ready," Rory explained, "I just graduated from college and I've had a real grown-up job for precisely one week. I want to be established in my career before we have kids. Plus, I want Logan to myself for a little while longer."
"How's the job going, Gilmore?" Paris interjected, "Does everyone still hate you?"
"No, I made a friend," Rory said proudly.
"Good for you," Paris said in a patronizing tone.
"His name is Kevin and we've become friends over his quest to figure out why he knows my name," Rory explained.
"Sounds awkward," Steph said.
"It was at first, I just thought he was trying to annoy me," Rory said, "Turns out he needed a friend too and while he recognized my name from somewhere, his search to figure out where began in an effort to get to know me better."
"Does Logan know about Kevin?" Steph asked.
"Kevin and I are just friends," Rory reiterated, "Logan does know and already threw a little jealous fit about it."
"But you're fine now?" Steph asked.
"I think so," Rory said, "He gets that he's being stupid and he also gets that I need an ally at work no matter what their gender is. I'm going to need a friend who has my back when the truth about my identity breaks."
Changing the subject Steph asked, "So Paris, how's married life?"
Paris glowed a little when she answered, "Perfect."
"Care to expand on that at all?" Rory asked, sounding surprised over Paris' enthusiastic answer.
"I'm not really one to get all sentimental and emotional," Paris began.
"Duh," Steph inserted.
Paris shot her a look before continuing, "I thought that things would be the same after we got married. I mean we've lived together for years now; what's really going to change just because we are now legally bound to one another, right? But just the knowledge that in the eyes of the law and God, we belong to one another is special or something."
"Paris," Steph cooed, "You really do have a heart in there."
"Shut up, Vanderbilt," Paris snapped back, "Just because I don't tear up over long distance television commercials and harbor a secret passion to frolic in a field of daisies with puppies doesn't mean I don't have feelings. You can be a tough chick and still be capable of loving someone else completely."
"I was just teasing, Paris," Steph said, "Sheesh."
Sensing that a change in topic was warranted Rory asked, "So, Steph, any idea when Colin's going to pop the question?"
Steph was quiet for a moment before answering, "I don't know."
"Is everything okay between the two of you?" Rory asked.
"Yes," Steph responded, "Everything is fine. I've been having doubts lately about whether he really loves me or not. I mean, he tells me that he loves me but I'm not convinced that he means it. I worry that he's only saying it at this point to hold onto me. I'm worried that I'm investing so much in a relationship that isn't going anywhere. What if he just sees me as someone he's wasting time with until the right girl comes along?"
"I'm sure that isn't the case, Steph," Rory said, "I've seen the way he looks at you. He loves you, for real."
"So, why hasn't he proposed?" Steph pouted, "You and Logan have been married for over a year; what's he waiting for."
"I don't think you can gauge your relationship against what Logan and I have; they are too different," Rory explained, "I think Colin is a little freaked out by the idea of marriage but if you give him time he knows that you are it for him."
"You really think so?" Steph asked sounding relieved.
"Yes," Rory and Paris said in unison.
"I don't spend much time with the two of you, but even I can see that he's crazy about you," Paris said kindly.
The girls continued to chat and giggle in the hot tub as the bottle of wine grew emptier. Meanwhile in the basement the guys' poker playing had not progressed past a few hands; they were too busy visiting as well.
"How's life in New York treating the two of you?" Colin asked Logan.
"It's good so far. Rory misses living here though," Logan said, "You'll all have to come visit us there sometime too."
"And how's work?" Colin asked.
"For me it's been fine, you know, run of the mill," Logan said, "Rory hasn't been fairing quite as well. The people in her department haven't been very welcoming of her."
"Because of her connections to the top?" Doyle asked.
"No one actually realized that the two of us are married; Rory wanted it that way," Logan said, "At least for the time being. She is using her maiden name."
"So why don't they like her?" Finn asked sounding sad for Rory.
"She was the first person hired by Huntzberger Media Group and in fact ended up starting the same day that management changed hands. They don't trust that she isn't there to spy on them or take their jobs," Logan explained.
"That's got to be hard for her," Finn commented.
"It has been," Logan said, "But she finally made a friend…named Kevin."
"It sounds like you aren't real fond of Kevin," Colin observed.
Logan sighed and said, "To be fair, I don't know Kevin. But it irritates me a little bit that her first friend in the office is a guy."
"Jealous much?" Finn asked with a grin.
"I'm trying very hard not to be," Logan said, "But I don't think I'm succeeding."
"It doesn't sound like it," Colin confirmed.
"I just need to keep reminding myself that she'll need a friend when the truth about who she really is breaks," Logan said, "She bound to not be very popular when that happens."
Changing the subject Finn decided to grill another one of their group, "Colin, when might your lovely girlfriend be displaying her own fantastic piece of all important jewelry?"
"Are you asking me when I'm going to propose?" Colin asked confused.
"Yes," Finn replied simply.
"Why didn't you just ask that then?" Colin asked.
"I believe the last time I inquired you forbade me from ever using the words: propose, ring, engagement, marriage or commitment, in your presence" Finn rattled off.
"Hmmmm, I don't recall that," Colin said.
"Are you going to answer the question or not?" Logan asked curiously.
"If I have to," Colin said snidely, "I wasn't aware that we were playing truth or dare. I do plan to one day ask Steph to marry me. I just have no idea when that might be. Just the thought it gives me a stomach ache."
"I remember the feeling," Doyle said, "It became clear that Paris expected a proposal and every time I thought about it I thought I was going to hurl."
"How did you get past it?" Colin asked.
"Let's just say that Paris can be very persuasive, not to mention threatening, when she wants to be," Doyle said with a chuckle.
"I believe that, mate," Finn said, "Your wife scares the crap out of me."
Conversation in the basement continued for another hour before the guys conceded that no real poker playing was actually going to happen. They decided that maybe they should head upstairs and see what the girls were up to.
"Ace," Logan whispered as he tried to gently shake his wife awake. When he and the guys had returned upstairs they'd found the girls wrapped in beach towels, asleep on the couch in front of the television which was playing old re-runs of 'Growing Pains.' After a little detective work the guys deduced that the girls had gotten tipsy off wine in the hot tub before moving inside and falling asleep on the couch.
Rory tried to push Logan away saying, "Too early to get up, five more minutes."
Stifling laughter Logan, Doyle and Colin lifted their significant others off the couch and carried them off to bed.
In their bedroom Logan stripped a slightly damp bikini off his sleeping wife and replaced it with a nightgown. Gently he tucked her sleeping form under the covers and kissed her forehead.
"Logan?" her sleep worn voice came a moment after he'd risen off the bed.
Returning to her side, he perched on the edge of the bed and said, "Yeah?"
"I love you," she said before she drifted back off into a wine induced slumber.
"I love you too," he said even though he knew that she was already far away in her conscience. Kissing her lips lightly he rose again from the bed and went into their bathroom.
Author's Note: Here is part one of their weekend at the ocean. I hope it is living up to expectation. The next chapter will also be dedicated to their time at the ocean with their friends. I tried to make this chapter longer for the people who have been begging for that—just for you information, this chapter is about 5 pages longer than I normally do. Based on the most current episode of GG on TV I clearly guessed about how much money Logan had in his trust fund…but I'm sure all of you will forgive me for that and just continue to go along with the story. I'm sure there are other points that I've been wrong about. Anyway, please review—I love to know how I am doing. Also, offer any suggestions you might have, I love to hear the directions other people would like to see my story move in. Thanks!