A/N: To be honest, I thought writing this kind of story would be easier than it is turning out to be, however, I'm loving every minute of it. I've always liked this kind of challenge. I hope you guys enjoy, and leave reviews if you would like. Thanks!
The next morning she woke up with Logan's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She was a little sore, but she knew to expect it after the amazing night they'd had. She curled closer to him with a smile on her face before remembering the last bit from their night. He had proposed and she'd said yes. She couldn't believe she'd said yes! She didn't know if it was the euphoria or from pure shock, or if she really meant it.
Of course she'd meant it! It would be crazy to think that she didn't. She loved him, more than anything else. She had seen herself marrying him someday, and apparently that day would be sooner than later. Once she'd had her mini-breakdown, she looked at her hand, expecting there to be a ring. But there wasn't. However, she knew it was Logan so she knew he had a ring somewhere for her. It's not like she expected one either. His proposal was heat of the moment, so he was probably waiting for the right time to give it to her.
She finally looked at the clock, the red numbers blinding her with a ten-thirty. It was ten-thirty? How had she let herself sleep in so late. She had a party with the DAR and the members of society at her grandparents' house to celebrate her graduation. She was going to be late, because according to Emily Gilmore, "Four hours early was on time." She had so much to do before the party tonight.
She bolted upright, waking Logan in the process. "I'm sorry, go back to sleep," she said softly, running her hands through his hair. He smiled, still half-asleep, but sat up anyway. "It's early. Go back to bed," she told him again.
"I'll get the coffee," he said, pulling on his boxers and walking out of the bedroom. A part of her was confused. Did he remember proposing? Could it even be considered proposing? She wasn't sure, but she hoped it was. She wanted to be his fiance. She wanted to be tied to him for life.
She stood up, headed towards the bathroom to take a shower. The idea of warm water against her skin made her aching muscles cry out in anticipation. The steam filled the bathroom as she looked at herself in the mirror. This wasn't something Rory Gilmore would usually do, it made her too self conscious. But she saw the slight finger bruises on her hips, the hickeys on her neck, her slightly swollen lips, and it made her smile. It made her happy knowing she was happy, that he loved her, that - even though he didn't mean to - he marked her to be his even without a proposal.
The warm water was a relief. She let it wash over her, engulf her. A part of her didn't want to clean herself, just stand in the water like that until it ran cold. But, she knew better. She knew she had a fiance out there and a mother to tell.
Oh god! She had to tell her mother. And then her mom is going to ask when and how he proposed. She couldn't tell her mother that Logan proposed as they laid in bed after having sex. She didn't know what she was going to do, but that realization was enough to get her out of the shower and into a robe.
When she exited the bathroom, all she could smell was coffee and food. She didn't realize how hungry she really was until that moment. She quietly made her way into the kitchen where Logan was leaning on the counter, his back to her. She could see the nail marks down his back. Had she really done that? It made her smile a little bit, to know she'd marked him as much as he'd marked her. Her fingers traced down the marks, and she could feel his muscles stiffen under her touch. Then, they relaxed before he turned to face her, smile on his lips.
"How'd you sleep?" he asked, handing her a cup of coffee. She breathed in the aroma and took a swig before answering.
"Like a baby. I don't know how I couldn't after that amazing night," she responded, taking another swig as she saw him blush a little. Her eyes took him in, standing before her in just his boxers. He had matching nail marks down his chest and across his shoulders and it made her chuckle a little bit.
"It was pretty amazing," he said, leaning down kissing her gently before kissing her neck. Her eyes fluttered shut and she had to make sure she had a death grip on the mug so that she wouldn't drop it. "You said yes," he then murmured as he pulled away, almost to himself.
"I did say yes," she replied. Both of them smiled as they realized what this really meant.
"Do you want your ring now, or do you want a proper proposal?" She understood what he meant. But she didn't want a proposal at a DAR event, and even more she didn't want her grandmother asking about the event.
"You could always ask me again, maybe at the party in Stars Hollow." She knew she wanted her mom to be there when it happened. What better time? "But can I see it now, since you already asked and I already answered?" He chuckled, grabbing the blue, velvet box off the counter he'd been leaning on when she walked in.
He opened the box for her to see. It was a simple band with diamonds along the center with a larger diamond with two sapphires on each side. "I saw it when I was in London. It screamed Rory, so I knew I had to get it even if I wasn't going to propose for a while. Try it on," he insisted, taking the ring out of the box and slipping it on her finger. For once in her life, she was speechless. "It reminded me of your eyes," he said softly as she examined the jewelry on her hand.
"Logan," she said, looking up at him. His smile said it all. She set the coffee down - a feat Gilmores usually were unable to perform - and kissed him. Her hands cupping either side of his face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her there a little longer.
"Love you, Ace," he said as they pulled away, looking into each other's eyes.
"I love you too, Logan. So what food did you make?" she asked, causing him to laugh.
"Just the Gilmore usual. Poptart. Although you should really eat something healthier," he reprimanded yet again. Since they'd been living together he'd tried to get her to cut back on the caffeine and sugar, apparently not realizing the gravity of the situation he was putting himself in by trying to take away her sustenance. She just shook her head.
"There will be a day that you see me craving fruit, today is not that day," she admitted before taking a bite out of the Poptart he handed her. She knew her mother craved fruit when she was pregnant, and she had a feeling she'd follow the same path when it came to her pregnancy when the time did come along.
"I'm not gonna ask," he told her before sitting down at the table. "I do have something to tell you." She nodded, sitting next to him. "I got the job in California - if I want it. I even did a little bit of house slash apartment hunting when I was out there. Ace, you'd love it. The house I was looking at has an avocado tree and I know how much you love guacamole."
"I do love guacamole," she agreed as she watched his face. He was so excited, and she was excited for him.
"And it's not that far from San Francisco. I could imagine us sitting at Golden Gate Park or getting amazing coffee at this little place I found. Ace, you would love it," he told her again. But would she love it? It was entire country away from her friends and family, from her security blanket. She hadn't put any resumes in anywhere in California because she didn't think it was necessary.
"I don't know, Logan," she finally responded, setting the now empty mug down on the table. "That's a huge move." He nodded.
"I'm not going to go if you won't go with me," he said in a reassuring voice, and she appreciated it. "I'll let you think about it, then we can talk about it when you're ready." She nodded, then looked at the ring again. She wanted him to be happy, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for that kind of change.
"Let's get ready. Emily is expecting us early, and I don't want to disappoint," she finally said, standing and walking into the bedroom. He stood and followed her.
She figured she had went through every outfit and nothing seemed appropriate for this event. Logan was already dressed in a black tux with the gray tie from the night before. She smirked a little before straightening it for him like she always had to.
"I think the royal blue would be suitable. It is Yale's school color after all," he suggested. It was the one she'd been eyeing all along, but she hadn't been sold on it. It was about knee length with a floral lace layer over the solid blue, the lace coming above the solid to form lace sleeves.
"You're right," she agreed, changing into it as he sat on the bed. "Can you zip me?" She backed up to him and he zipped the back of the dress. She knew he was staring before she even turned around to face him.
"You look stunning, Ace." She blushed as she pinned back some of her hair. Once her hair was pinned, she looked at herself in the mirror, Logan next to her. His arm wrapped around her waist. She looked again, this time, she noticed the ring on her finger. This is what it was going to be like being married to Logan. Him helping her pick out dresses and them deciding their next big move in their lives whether it be moving to California or having kids. She knew this was a forever thing.
"You can always move it to the other hand and say it was a gift from Luke for your graduation, or from your dad," he whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek after.
"Yeah, but it's not true. I don't want to say it's something it's not. It's my engagement ring, Logan." He nodded.
"Well, you can always keep it on until we get there and I can keep it for safekeeping, then you can put it back on when we leave." She smiled.
"I like that idea." She turned to face him, kissing him again. "We should get going before we're exceedingly late." She grabbed her purse and saw him grab his keys and the ring box which made her smile.
The drive to Hartford seemed longer than it actually was. The main reason was because she hated events like these where people she didn't even know would come to congratulate her on her big accomplishment. But when they pulled up, all she wanted to do was run.
"Hey, Ace," Logan said, pulling her from the thought of how long it would take to walk back to New Haven. "It's gonna be fine, and then we'll get to go home and forget this ever happened." He gave her knee a squeeze, and she nodded. She kissed him before handing the ring over. It was kind of upsetting to have to part with it, even for a little while. "You'll get it back after this, I promise."
"Rory!" Emily cheered when the maid answered the door. "The guest of honor has arrived, and so has young Logan Huntzberger!" Rory and Logan smiled, allowing Emily to make them out to be whoever she wanted them to be for the night. As far as she was concerned if Emily thought they were the King and Queen of England, then so be it.
As she and Logan were passed around from person to person, all she could think of was to go home, change into some comfortable pajamas, and go to bed. All this socializing and hopping exhausted her and by the time the party was winding down, Logan had to help keep her standing.
"It was a lovely party, Emily, but Rory and I have an early day tomorrow," Logan told her grandmother, apologizing for the both of them. At that point, she could walk on her own at least, but her eyes were drifting shut ever few minutes.
"That's alright, Logan. Have a safe trip home." Logan smiled before collecting their things and starting to walk to the car. Before they reached, he stopped her and kissed her.
"Do you want it back now?" he whispered in her ear. At the thought of having the ring back on her finger, her face brightened. He took the box out of his pocket, and popped it open. She took it out, and put it on her finger before he kissed her softly. "It's time to go home."
"Oh my god!" they heard come from behind them. The only voice that could belong to would be Emily Gilmore. "He just proposed!"