Chapter 97

"I just… I can't believe she didn't tell me she was having problems with Luke," Rory exhaled, as they sat at the back of the tour cart that Kirk was driving, taking everyone to their homes after the wedding. There were just a couple of people left by now, so it was turning out to be quite an enjoyable ride through town.

Rory hadn't attempted to drive after drinking a little more than usual and Logan was in no condition to drive with his injury, so they'd left the Porsche in front of Mrs. Kim's house for the night.

Hearing her mother's toast, however, had sobered Rory right up and taken her out of the festive mood. She'd seen her mother cry about Luke before, and she didn't expect this to be less awful once it did happen. Truthfully, she wasn't sure what had already happened and what had not. But it was like now she could clearly anticipate it.

Christopher had taken her mother home, which was a strange and somewhat dangerous combination in Rory's mind as well, but she knew it was not her place to butt in and force herself to stay with her mother overnight to guard her mother from possible mistakes when Logan too required her assistance. At least she felt he needed her.

"Maybe it's just a low point she's having. Maybe it isn't as bad as it sounds," Logan discussed, trying to remain optimistic.

Logan had enjoyed the wedding immensely, despite mostly having just sat in one place the entire time and not drank more than a sip of champagne the entire night. He'd loved the simple food, and simple honest fun – he was more convinced than ever that it was the company that defined a good party.

"I should've seen it! I should've known something was up," Rory blamed herself. She'd talked a lot less to her mother since Christmas. She'd had all the good excuses not to, being busy and all, but she still felt guilty. A small part of her also considered that maybe this was intentional - that making her feel this way was intentional of her mother to show her how much not telling her about getting married had hurt her.

While Rory had successfully grown more independent, the contrast was still sharp sometimes to what they'd become. From best friends they'd become a mother and a daughter. Yet she still felt responsible about her mother's happiness sometimes.

"You can't force her to tell you if she's not ready to do it. Maybe she hasn't been ready until now to admit to herself and it took eight shots of tequila to get there?" Logan discussed, wanting Rory to not put too much pressure on herself again. This was always like this with her mother - he knew this pattern well by now.

"Maybe," Rory sighed, not being entirely sure.

"Hey, just let her sleep it off… Tomorrow you'll go talk to her, figure out what's what," Logan suggested.

"I guess you're right," Rory agreed, just as Kirk turned the cart down the Dragonfly's driveway.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to dance tonight," Logan said, deciding to take her mind off of it for now and focus on something a little bit more romantic.

"Well, that was expected," Rory said, practically, and hopped off the cart as Kirk came to a stop. "Thanks, Kirk!" she said, and aided Logan to climb off as well, giving him her shoulder.

"Are you tired?" Logan asked, as Kirk had driven away.

"I should be asking you that," Rory replied, knowing Logan tended to get physically a lot more tired when he was out and about without the use of his leg. He used his other muscles more and in unusual ways, making him often sore on top of everything.

"I'll live," Logan replied, and hopped the couple of stairs up to the porch on one leg while getting support from both the railing and Rory's shoulder.

Rory rolled her eyes.

They made it through the nearly empty lobby into their room and exhaled in unison as the door closed behind them. The room had a coziness to it - like a little country inn was supposed to - an inviting warmth where one just wanted to curl up in front of the fireplace and cuddle.

They both began to settle in for the evening - unceremoniously peeling off their outfits and doing all the little things that one did before bed. In one corner, Logan was starting with his cufflinks, Rory in the bathroom took a cotton pad and began to remove her makeup, having already left her heels lying by the door the second she'd stepped into the room. It felt just like any evening after they'd returned from a function of some sort.

Once Logan was in his boxers, he joined Rory in the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush. His body still showed some traces of bruising and scars.

Logan eyed her through the mirror, wondering whether he should bring up what had been on his mind. He was in no hurry, but he remembered what they'd agreed on. They'd promised to talk.

They played this little game, sending cute little glances back and forth, invading each-other's personal space by gentle nudges or reaching across the other to get something - things like that. It was like they both knew it but didn't say it - the elephant in the room they hadn't mentioned since the accident.

Rory finished getting ready for bed before Logan did, but he too joined her a minute later. He hated how having the cane and not having the full function of his legs made him somehow less of a man. At least he felt like less of a man like this - he wasn't his usual self physically. He couldn't just grab Rory by her thighs and lift her on top of the counter and have his way with her. He couldn't even hop headfirst into bed if he felt like it and bury his face between her thighs. No - he needed to take caution how he would position his leg even when he climbed into bed. He felt like an invalid.

Thankfully, Rory was eager to cuddle, and Logan gladly positioned his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. Her body felt amazing up close.

"Grandma said we should book some nice place for our wedding night," Rory said, casually. Logan had been there when Emily had said that, but they hadn't really discussed it until now and Rory knew her grandmother was bound to ask next week if they had.

"Anything in particular you have in mind?" Logan asked. He didn't really care. Their bed at the apartment was fine, just as most hotel beds would be fine, assuming they'd be dead tired by the end of the day to really care or to alternatively travel anywhere far that same night. As long as they got to spend as many nights together as possible, he didn't really care where. Besides, he already felt like they'd had their real wedding night in Vegas. But he knew that the main reason why they were doing this was for the others, and he had nothing against marrying her in front of everyone all over again. Sure, he wished Rory would get her special day, as it seemed to matter more to women than it did to men. But he was just ready to have it done by now. He wanted to be married publicly, and he wanted her happy.

"I mean we could go anywhere. For a moment I thought about La Pierre, but I don't know… It should somehow be more special than that, shouldn't it?" Rory discussed. They'd crashed La Pierre dozens of times by now.

"Well… why don't we just come here?" Logan suggested.

"Here?" Rory reflected, unsure if he was serious.

"I mean, it doesn't have to be this room here, but maybe that nice private one you have in that separate building out back," Logan said, having gotten a tour of the entire place once.

"It would be kind of nice," Rory agreed.

There were other ties Rory had with the Inn – like, for example, she remembered clearly Dean installing even the door of this very room or what the opening night of the Dragonfly had ended with. But she and Logan had been here more than once by now, often preferring staying over here to staying in her childhood room for privacy reasons, and it was becoming indeed a comfortable place for them. The food was great. It felt comfortable and homey.

It kind of made sense - it wasn't too far from their wedding venue either. At the same time, them opting for an exclusive little boutique Inn like this was actually pretty good publicity too since a lot of people were going to ask about it. They could also hope Lorelai would be moved by their decision and appreciate the gesture if they opted for this instead of some famous hotel chain, proving they weren't too good for Stars Hollow after all.

It was a silent agreement, both of them seeing more benefits than drawbacks.

"I can't wait to marry you again," Logan exhaled, caressed her back, and used his other hand to pull her face closer to kiss her. It was a lot better than saying he wished to have it over and done with by now. But essentially it was what he wanted - he wanted everyone to know Rory was his wife and just leave no hesitation on the fact that she was it for him.

"Uh-huh," Rory hummed and returned a delicate, sensual kiss. They had spent a lot of time cuddling and kissing these past few weeks. Add a period into the mix and Rory hadn't even really considered doing anything sexual, but she was definitely feeling a little deprived by now. The beginnings of an arousal radiated through her body, each of his gentle touches feeling like silk, each move of his tongue just melting into her. But knowing he was still healing and technically not supposed to exhort himself, Rory was ready to pull the breaks and just cool down.

"Hey? You up to testing out if we can still do it?" Logan said, sensing her pull away. His tone indicated what he meant but it took Rory a second to make sure he'd actually meant that.

His hand was now resting on her ass, cupping one of her cheeks, his fingers gently grazing the skin between her thighs. Rory loved that sensation, making her want nothing more than to open her legs a little more to allow him better access.

They'd had periods of celibacy before - like last year after Rory's surgery. Then too getting back to normal had taken a bit of a push to get them past being afraid to hurt the other.

"You're really not tired, are you?" Rory exclaimed, laughingly, pushing herself up on her arm and looked over that smug face of his, as he was there, leaning back, one of his arms folded underneath his head, smiling up at her. It was really not a bad pose, exposing his well-sculpted biceps.

"I mean, there's a chance that I may suck, but you have no idea how much I miss being inside of you," Logan murmured, causing Rory to blush, feeling a shot of electricity travel right to her clit. It was crazy how he could do that to her just by his words.

Rory bent down over him and kissed him, taking a second to think about it.

"That does sound tempting," Rory hummed, and knew that when Logan was desperate enough to have to ask for it, he really meant it. Once he was ready to ask for it, it generally meant he was ready to burst and that he was probably willing to risk feeling some pain along with it.

She continued to hover above him, enjoying observing that look of hunger in his eyes.

Logan's hand went for her breast that dangled above him, cupping it along with the silky camisole she had on. Her nipples were stiffening just as she felt him squeeze her breast and she let out a little moan at that touch she'd missed so much.

"You really think it'd be okay for me to…?" Rory whispered, wondering whether she could straddle him or not. Oral would've been fine, but damn, how she felt empty when he'd mentioned wanting to be inside of her. It was like the memory of him filling her was the ultimate high to crave.

"One way to find out," Logan suggested, and went for her thigh, wanting to bring it across his hips.

"I don't want to break you again," Rory worried, but kissed him again, gently lowering herself down to his hips. His arousal was already evident, and Rory continued to gently rub herself against it, causing Logan's breath to tremble, indicating how good it felt.

"I think it might just be worth the risk," Logan murmured, and slipped his hands inside her panties, wanting to hold her ass more firmly in his hands. He was a risk-taker through and through.

"You think?" Rory teased, and kissed him seductively again, whilst continuing to move her hips against him.

Logan hissed, the sensation feeling already so good. It was going to take him all the willpower he had not to finish early.

"I'm going to have to try to do it gently then," Rory hummed, continuing to kiss his neck next.

'Gently' felt like the furthest thing from what Logan craved. Had he actually any real power in this, he would've just… ugh, he couldn't even go there in his mind, knowing he'd just lose it if he did.

Thankfully Rory didn't tease him for too long and freed him from the confines of his boxers. Not bothering with climbing off of him, she pushed her thong aside, not being patient enough to wait any longer. They both groaned as they no longer had an item of clothing between them, even if it was just her moist core against his erection for now.

Logan's breathing was growing more and more erratic as she continued to move her hips.

"Ah, you're the death of me, Rory," Logan groaned, appreciatively, using his good leg to gain some leverage and positioned himself just right to thrust into her when she moved her hips the next time.

The trembling of their gasps they made was louder than they'd planned, possibly heard behind their bedroom wall, if there was someone occupying that room, causing them both to rejoice at the thought. But the feeling was too good to not look for a repeat and after briefly checking whether Logan was okay - whether he was hurting or not just by observing him - Rory continued to move, wanting the beginnings of an orgasm she was already feeling to transform into something bigger. This was not just for his sake - but for her too, after all.

The careful moves grew braver, Logan learning how Rory was a lot less gentle with him than he had been with her after the surgery. And boy - did he love that about her. This seemingly gentle and timid creature could be so hungry for his cock. There were few thought processes that were sexier than that.

There was no chance for him to make it long - and he came before she did, causing Rory to smile broadly, almost as if considering it an accomplishment of sorts. Rory stayed on top of him, continuing to wave her hips and kiss him, knowing sometimes all it really took from her to reach that same high was just a gentle shift of angle. But at this moment she almost didn't feel it was necessary - enjoying just the soaking mess between them and his warmth.

"Sorry…," Logan said, feeling frankly a little disappointed in himself.

"It's okay," Rory said, kissing his cool lips once again.

"You just feel so incredible. Hot. Tight. It's the best feeling…," Logan stated the obvious, causing Rory to smile.

Rory took his hand and positioned it by her mound, telling him what she wanted from him. It wasn't that he wouldn't have thought to do it himself, but he was still gathering himself and it would've taken him perhaps ten more seconds.

Logan smiled smugly, loving this demanding side of her. Logan's thumb went for her clit and the rest of his fingers, three of them reaching that far, reached inside of her. It was easy to slide inside of her already aroused and moist vagina and make her feel his determination. He knew just the right way to curve his fingers to make her feel things. His thumb continued to do rounds on her most delicious spot while his hand and her hips worked in unison to get her on the verge again.

It really didn't take a whole lot to get her where she was going. It was proof of how well he knew her body and how shamelessly she trusted him to get her there.

Rory let herself become unwind, losing herself for several seconds. The world seemed like a pretty perfect place right then and there wasn't a trace of her external issues in her mind any longer.

It was, however, then the reality hit her, and she could see it in Logan's face, how he was winching and she realized she'd landed not only on his hips but his thighs, a little closer to his injuries than was ideal.

"I'm sorry," Rory fretted, climbing off of him.

Logan groaned but added - "I'm okay," with a chuckle and pulled her in for a kiss again, needing to assure her that he would be fine. "Totally worth it," he added.

He was fine. He was going to be fine.

The next morning Rory didn't get to talk with her mother like she'd hoped, getting pulled back to New Haven because of some small-scale scandal that had broken at the Yale administration.

Even during the next few days, over the phone, all Rory got was broad answers how Lorelai's issues had to do with Luke wanting to postpone the wedding because of April. All Rory felt she could do was suggest to her mother to talk to Luke, and that was what she'd done.

Little by little things got back to normal for Rory and Logan - or well as normal as Logan using a cane to walk could get. Slowly he would also set foot inside the campus again and take his finals. One thing his incapacitated state had been good for were his grades, having exceeded all his former semesters effortlessly.

Rory was incredibly proud of him. And today was a day she was especially giddy for his sake - she couldn't wait to see him graduate.

She'd taken very close to a thousand photographs of Logan getting ready, including a few nudes to entertain herself. She would need to remember to save separately from those she would insist on showing to show her mother or grandparents.

The plan had been a solid one. Stand about 50 feet away from the rest of the Huntzbergers, hope Logan wouldn't trip, applaud and cheer the loudest when it was her husband's turn. But life had had other plans and now she was being dragged by Honor towards their prominently reserved second row guest seats.

"Nonsense, of course you're with us," Honor said to her after Rory had objected, adding, "Josh, you can stand, can't you?" to her husband.

Rory smiled at Josh apologetically.

This was one of those situations where indeed both of Logan's parents had made it a point to be there. But it was perhaps not so much for him but for the appearances. Mitchum and Shira were separately talking to some of their acquaintances, most likely boasting about their son's graduation even though the two of them had nothing to do with his success beyond the tuition checks and getting him accepted, Logan having admitted of the fact to Rory one time. Shira was wearing all white, her large wide brim hat most likely chosen on purpose to block someone's view to really make her seen.

"Can you believe he did it?" Honor discussed, referring to Logan.

"Barely," Rory replied. The last months had felt like a rollercoaster. But Logan had made it to a finish line against all odds and obstacles.

"Seriously, I wasn't sure he'd made it through college with the friends he has," Honor commented, the two of them being able to observe the three, Logan, Finn and Colin standing around laughing together where the other graduates were being lined up. The three were clearly ignoring procedure, all three of them hanging out by the H-s.

"I can't disagree with that," Rory commented. "But they're not half bad," she added. The guys had indeed proved themselves to her in Costa Rica. They could be helpful, thoughtful, and supportive when need be.

"Yeah, I know. It's not like my friends are perfect. Sorry about them mouthing off like that in front of you at the wedding. Megan filled me in later," Honor said apologetically.

"Oh, that's alright. I'm not as oblivious about Logan's past as I might look," Rory joked, laughingly.

"Oh, please," Honor replied. "Besides, that dress is gorgeous," she added, referring to the blue slip dress Rory was wearing.

"Thanks," Rory said.

"And don't let my mother tell you otherwise," Honor whispered, seeing the woman approach.

"Rory, lovely to see you. How have you been?" Shira chimed, without hoping for a response. "What an interesting choice of color," she commented, nearly causing the two younger women to burst into laughter.

"They say you can never go wrong with the Yale blue at these things," Rory commented, rolling her eyes to Honor. Shira couldn't bring her mood down that day.

They took their seats, Rory settling on the edge seat next to Honor, leaving Josh standing nearby

The ceremony began with speeches - one by an alumnus - Paul Krugman, and another by the Dean, and did not contain anything particularly surprising. The list of graduates was a lengthy one, taking forever to get to the H-s.

Logan didn't trip once and accepted his diploma with a broad smile on his face. Rory could tell he was proud of this too.

Once, a few weeks ago, when Logan had been home healing his wounds, he had slept too much during the day and was feeling sleepless during one night. They had talked about the scenarios of 'what if'. More specifically, about what Logan might've wanted to do in life if he wasn't the heir of the Huntzberger fortune. Logan, while incredibly gifted and capable, knew himself enough to know that he was too impatient to get out in the world to ever consider doing a Master's. Considering that this was the highest degree and the final graduation that Logan was likely going to have. That had also made Rory realize that in some way, she was very similar to Logan. She too was eager to get out there to the world - see and do things. And now that he had actually graduated, it just made Rory understand how her own graduation really wasn't that far either. While Logan's path was more or less laid out for him, the location pending, hers was a lot less clear. Did she want a Master's? Did she want to work? Raise kids? She had all the options open to her, at least so far not seeing how being married was an obstacle like Shira had cautioned her, but that came with way worse anxiety than applying to colleges had come with.

After watching all of the guys get their diplomas, the graduates poured out onto the grass to be congratulated by their families and friends.

"Congratulations! I knew you could do it," Mitchum said, shaking Logan's hand.

Rory could picture Logan internally snorting at his words.

"Thank you," Logan replied, being not used to hearing this kind of thing from his father. But supposedly, this was the occasion if anything.

Shira hovered and gave Logan a pretend-affectionate hug along with a le bise where she didn't actually touch him beyond holding onto his shoulders.

"Here, little brother! Here I am, just begging for some affection!" Honor exclaimed and gave Logan a very real hug. "Ugh, and congratulations. Do you feel smarter now?" Honor added, letting him slip from her hold.

"No, but don't tell them that," Logan teased, referring to their parents.

"Hey!" Rory said, smiling at Logan.

"Hey," Logan said, wrapping his arms around her, finding the perfect reason to not lean on his cane for a few moments.

"Congratulations," Rory said, and kissed him, the kiss getting a little carried away and causing Rory to blush.

"Um, I definitely like this congratulation the most," Logan replied, smiling smugly, as the kiss broke.

"Any chance we can just slip off to spend the evening alone and celebrate?" Rory asked quietly. She had made dinner reservations for them at this crappy Italian place where the older couple who owned it tended to fight after 8 o'clock and provide quite a show along with their meal. But she was open to other ideas.

"Nah, not yet anyways. Dad insists on going for drinks. And I would love it if I didn't have to go alone," Logan replied.

"It's your graduation," Rory reminded him.

"Yes, but I'd much rather actually have you there so it feels like a celebration," Logan replied, pleadingly. "We can get dinner later," he added.

"Oh, alright," Rory sighed, not loving the idea of an afternoon with Shira and Mitchum. But she'd seen them enough to know she was going to survive it.

Drinks took a lot longer than Rory had hoped though, and just as it was winding down a bunch of Mitchum's business automatons came by and forced both Logan and Mitchum to talk shop. Something about synergy and new media ventures in increasing shareholder value, which had made Rory's eyes glaze over pretty much three words in. It was the first time Rory witnessed Mitchum not hiding from her that he too found this particular bunch of guys annoying as hell. Maybe this meant that she was indeed considered family now?

They were just about to step out of the only restaurant Shira had claimed to be decent in her terms in the entire New Haven after Rory had suggested a few cozier places, wanting to diss her, when Mitchum pulled Logan aside. Shira was already getting into the limo and Rory had taken the liberty to hand the valet their voucher.

Rory could just barely make out what Mitchum was saying to Logan.

"But this means hard work. It's not just playing house and one big party. The manager there was eager to work with you and once you've healed and… well… married… he's happy to have you. And I know this may sound like a trial run or something, but this is not it. You're going to have to grasp that you're his boss and whatever changes are going to have to be made there, you are the one that's going to have to make them," Mitchum said, and Rory regretted not having heard the first bit of this whilst she'd talked to the valet.

"I understand that," Logan said.

"So, we've got a deal?" Mitchum asked.

Logan hesitated for a second but then said firmly - "Yes, we do."

"Good. I'll let him know," Mitchum replied. "I'll see you," he added, and walked off after briefly shaking his hand again.

By the limo door, Mitchum paused and added something more -

"Oh, and make that appointment we talked about with Henning & Brewster," having nearly forgotten to mention it, catching Logan briefly off guard in his victorious moment.

Logan knew he was going to have to deal with the lawyers set to comply him a prenup he didn't really require anymore. But for now he was still hopeful he would figure out some sort of a deal with them, considering he did have proof that the family assets were already protected in his father's terms. Mostly in this moment he was just glad that his father was leaving and his mind was focused on the other news he'd gotten.

Mitchum got into the limo and it pulled off before their Porsche had been brought around.

"What was that about?" Rory asked, as Logan stepped closer to her.

"I'm sorry I didn't check with you first… but I just went for it," Logan replied, rubbing his forehead nervously.

"Check with me - what?" Rory inquired.

"He's offering us the chance to go to London," Logan said, worrying now that maybe months after Rory had suggested this, she might have changed her mind.

"Oh my god!" Rory exclaimed, a broad smile creeping onto her face. "I can't believe that worked!" she added, taking a huge weight off his chest.

"Neither can I. But it did. We're going to London!" Logan reflected, needing to fully wrap his head around the fact too. He was getting a chance at a different kind of life; they were getting a chance at a fresh beginning in a new city without his family shadowing them all the time.