Her eyes got wide and looked at Logan like a deer in the headlights. He chuckled, but looked just as nervous as she was. "Well?" Emily asked from the doorway.
"I guess we have to go back now," she mumbled, turning towards her grandmother and walking back to the house. Emily took her hand, eyeing the ring with scrutiny. "I said yes," Rory finally said, Logan's hand on her back. Emily's eyes shone with happiness.
"Does your mother know? Who am I kidding, of course she knows! Logan would be a fool to not ask her before hand. We have to start wedding planning! I'm going to have to tell the DAR ladies, they'll be so happy! They grew quite fond of you, you know." Rory looked at Logan again with fear.
"Actually, Emily, we want to have a little time before starting to plan. You can understand why. Rory just graduated, wants to find a job. And I'm still in the process of a big business deal, but we'll let you know when we are ready to start the process." Emily smiled at him.
"Of course, of course. I'll let you announce it at Friday night's dinner to your grandfather. Welcome to the family, Logan." They said their goodbyes once again before getting into the car. Logan laughed even though she was horrified. Her grandmother knew before her mother! Not to mention, now everybody who was anybody was going to find out faster than she cared to think. And what about his family? They still hated her! She could feel the anxiety rising in her chest, but Logan brought her back down, kissing her softly.
"Don't overthink this," he told her. "We'll go home, we'll go to bed, and then tomorrow we'll announce it in Stars Hollow and can just say I proposed tonight." She nodded, but her stomach was still in knots. She hated that she had to lie about the proposal. Lorelai would know right away that it wasn't the true story because she knew her daughter. She knew Rory would say no if it was done in a big crowd, or around people she didn't know. Which meant she would have to tell her mom the true story and embarrass herself and Logan.
Instead of the drive back being full of conversation, it was quiet in the car while a million thoughts raced through her mind. Logan kept his eyes forward, and she wanted to know what he was thinking. Usually, his hand would be in hers or on her knee, but both were on the wheel. Was he regretting this? Was he having second thoughts? This only made her panic more, but she tried to stay calm and collected. She tried to not let her fears show.
When they reached the apartment, they both got out of the car, and she tried to make eye contact, but he looked away. So, she took his hand in hers as they made their way upstairs. She looked at him again, and smiled. His cheeks were red, his hair in a perfect mess. He looked gorgeous, and she noted how he had loosened his tie while they were in the car, the first button of his shirt undone.
As soon as they stepped in the apartment, he made his way to the bedroom, leaving Rory in the living room. She kicked her shoes off, not knowing if she should follow him or not. She wanted to, but maybe he needed space. That happened occasionally. Instead, she followed him, finding him sitting on the bed with his head in his hands.
"Logan," she said softly, sitting beside him. He looked at her with a small smile. He was too quiet, and she hated it. Over the past few years it had gone from him being quiet when something was going on to him talking about it depending on what it was. She'd gotten him to open up about his family, his worries about leaving Huntzberger Publishing. But she'd never gotten him to really open up about his worries about them, not fully. "What're you thinking?"
"I just hate how that happened," he admitted, and she nodded. "I hate that you have to lie about it. I should've waited. I should've done it in Stars Hollow with your friends and family there."
"I would've said yes even if you asked at my graduation when it was you and me. I would've said yes if it was before you went to London. It doesn't matter when you asked, just that you did it right. And asking in bed, just you and me, that was right. In Stars Hollow would have been right. What matters is I said yes." He nodded, and she kissed him. Not the gentle way they'd been kissing since they'd left for the party, but a yearning.
She felt him let out a small sigh of relief as he kissed her back, his hands on her hips as hers tangled in his hair. She wanted more than this, more than this light touching. She wanted him, all of him. Her hands made their way to his belt before he grabbed her hands.
"No," he said softly, kissing her again. He let go of her hands, putting his back on her hips. His lips were soft against hers, no forcefulness no violence. This was gentle, caring. She didn't try again, not wanting to push him away by trying to get him closer.
She woke the next morning alone, still in her dress from the night before. The sun wasn't even out yet, and she didn't know why he would be awake this early. It wasn't like him to be up before sunrise, even when he had to work. The apartment was quiet as she stood and walked into the living room, finding him sitting at his desk, typing.
"What are you doing up so early?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, kissing his cheek. She saw that his email was pulled up, and she could only figure that he was working.
"Had to send an email to the guys in California to let them know I'd get back to them in a couple weeks," he replied, exiting out of the email. "Are you okay after last night?" he then asked.
"Yeah. It was just a little overwhelming to be honest. I honestly hoped I'd never have to tell my grandmother, and then she thinks you proposed on her lawn," she chuckled softly. "You?"
"Yeah," was all he had to say about it, and she knew there was more to it, but she didn't push. Not yet at least. "Let's go ahead and get ready for today. Your mom has a room set up for as at the Dragonfly and I was thinking we could spend most of the day catching up with your friends before the party."
"Can we do all that after the sun is up?" He smiled as she spun him around, kissing him softly, hands cupping his face. He stood and she led him back into the bedroom, laying him down and straddling him, kissing him softly as his hands brought her close to him until their bodies were flush against each other. This continued until their alarm went off, signalling the need to get ready for the rest of the day.
She wanted more of him, but it was going to have to wait. When they finally separated, she smiled and looked at him. Here she was with the man she loved more than anything. All the doubts she had the night before were gone. It didn't matter what his parents thought, or what Emily wanted to make of their wedding. This was theirs and theirs alone. All that mattered was that they loved each other. And with that realization, she knew the answer to the question he'd asked her the morning before. She knew whether or not she wanted to go to California with him, but that was going to have to wait until after the final party was done and over with.
She stood, getting dressed while he took a shower. She opted for something a lot more casual, a pair of jeans and a light blue shirt with three-quarter sleeves. She packed a bag with a few books, pajamas, and clothes for the next day.
While she waited for Logan to get ready, she turned on her own computer, pulling up newspaper options in the Bay Area and surrounding areas, trying to get an idea what her options would be if she agreed to Logan's move. She had her search narrowed down, and she'd already written down the offices to send her resumes to when he walked out with his own bag.
"You ready to go?" he asked as she shut down the computer. She turned with a smile and nod.
"We're going to need coffee for the trip," she told him. She could see him think for a minute before he responded.
"How about we hit your favorite spot on the way out of town. That cafe that you like, I can't remember the name," he said. She smiled again.
"Sounds good." She went to grab her bag when he grabbed it for her. She glared, but smiled. As much as he did grand gestures, it as the small things that made her the happiest. Like grabbing her bags for her, or the rocket, or making her coffee before she woke up. He treated her right.
Rather than a ride of silence, she went on and on about things her mother had filled her in on while she was away from Stars Hollow like Kirk and Lulu, or Taylor's idea for the next upcoming Fourth of July town celebration - which was crazy as usual - or how Davey and Martha were growing up so fast. As she rambled, she looked at the smile on his face, putting her hand over his which rested on her thigh as always.
When they pulled up to the Dragonfly Inn, her mother was already standing out on the porch with two cups in her hand. Logan ushered her out of the car telling her he was going to go park and then find her. She gave him a quick kiss before jumping out of the car and running to her mom. Even though they'd seen each other two days ago, it seemed like an eternity, especially since they hadn't called each other since then.
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore! What is that on your hand?" her mom practically yelled. Honestly, she'd forgotten about the ring all together until that moment. It fit so perfectly, it was like it wasn't even there.
"I'll have to tell you when Logan gets here," she teased, grabbing her mug out of her mother's hand and taking a sip. Her coffee place in New Haven was nothing like Sookie's coffee. But even Sookie's couldn't live up to Luke's, which she was going to have in a few short hours. "So, how's it been in the two days without me? Have you had a complete meltdown yet?" Her mom laughed, leading her inside and to one of the tables in the dining room.
"Well, you know how I can get. I put my shoes on the wrong feet again when you weren't here this morning!" Rory laughed as Logan walked in, sitting next to them. Her mom gave them questioning looks.
"We got engaged," she finally told her mother, who then let out a high pitch scream. The guests looked at her like she was crazy, as did Michel. Sookie ran out of the kitchen, and Rory knew everybody was going to know in point two seconds.
"My baby got engaged!" Lorelai yelled, standing and rushing around the table to envelop Rory in a bone-crushing hug. "When? Where? Oh my god!" Rory knew her mother would react like this, and she was certain the older Gilmore was about to have a heart attack out of pure excitement.
"That story is for a more private place," and she glanced at Logan who looked terrified at the thought of her telling her Mom the truth. But that was something she didn't want to keep from her mom. She was going to leave out the more personal details, but it was what it was. Even if Lorelai was the only one who knew the full truth of the proposal, that's all Rory needed.
The three of them caught up, Sookie joining in the conversation every once in awhile when the kitchen didn't need her attention. Whenever she looked between her mom and Logan, she noticed something that hadn't been there before. At least, not that she'd noticed before. Respect.
Her mom was never a big fan of Logan, even after she wrote him the letter to get the two back together after his pleading. Maybe it was knowing he made her happy. Maybe that was now enough for her mom to like him. Maybe it was something else. She wasn't entirely sure, but it made her happy.
Sookie had refilled their mugs five times before they finally parted, agreeing they'd meet back up at the party. Her mom had given them their room key, leaving them to find the way themselves. She sat on the bed, her mind racing. That had gone a lot better than she'd thought it would. Her mom was happy for her and Logan, and that's what mattered to her. If her mom didn't fully approve, she didn't know what she'd do. Her mom meant so much to her, and she couldn't choose between her and Logan. It was impossible.
Logan roused her from her thoughts when he shut the door, setting the bags in the armchair that sat in the corner. All he did was smile, and she melted.
"That went a lot better than I expected," she told him as he sat beside her. "I was expecting her to give you the death stare."
"I'd hope not considering I asked her permission a month ago," he confessed. She never saw him as the permission type. "I know how much you guys mean to each other, so it was the right thing to do. I didn't want her to think I was trying to steal you away." But wasn't he? By asking her to move to California with him?
They only had an hour before the party started, and in that hour they napped. Their early morning finally catching up to them, even after her countless cups of coffee. When she woke up, he was pressed against her back, arms wrapped around her, and gently kissing her neck. She smiled, eyes shutting again.
"Morning," he said softly, kissing her jaw. She hummed, not wanting to talk, just to feel him. "We should get up. You have an entire town waiting for you, Ms. Yale Graduate."
"I'm not ready," she admitted. She felt like she'd been paraded around enough for a lifetime, and just wanted to be left alone with her fiance, with her Logan.
"Well, get ready. And then tomorrow, we can visit your mom and then go home. Just you and me, and whatever you want to do."
"I like the sound of that," she admitted as she stood up, putting her shoes back on. She looked down at him as she put her hair up in a pony-tail. His t-shirt had ridden up a little, exposing a slice of his stomach. She could see his pants were a little tight, and she gave a small laugh, helping him to his feet.
"Let's get going," she finally said, ushering him along to the town square. It wasn't long of a walk, but a walk nonetheless. As they walked, she turned back to her thoughts of California.
"You okay, Ace?" he asked as they neared the square. In the distance, she could see the banners and the food and the party, but she turned to him, seeing only him for a split second.
"I want to go to California with you. I've already looked into the papers and the area." She saw him smile before he kissed her yet again.
"We'll talk more tomorrow," he told her before they finished their walk and ended up in the middle of the party. So many people were asking about her ring, and she knew her mom had told the town by then of her engagement.
The food was amazing, Sookie and Luke having merged ideas to get the perfect Rory food set out for everybody. There was coffee, lots of coffee. She had time to catch up with Lane, seeing Steve and Kwan. She also saw Davey and Martha, spending time with them, Sookie, and Jackson. Logan had separated from her for a few minutes, catching up with Luke.
Their eyes met for a second when she was holding Martha and she saw him smile before turning back to Sookie and Jackson.
"So, you excited?" Sookie asked, back on the topic of the engagement.
"Of course I am!" she admitted. "He's everything I could ask for. Had he proposed before he went to London, I would have accepted. I've seen me being with him long term for a long time," she admitted.
"Well I'm glad." She handed Martha back to Sookie. "Have you put any thought into your wedding. I mean, you guys have been engaged for a few days, but I mean, before he proposed. Had you thought of it?"
"Sookie, what kind of Gilmore doesn't think of her wedding?" She could see a small occasion with family and friends, Sookie and Luke collaborating on the food. She envisioned the perfect dress, not knowing if it truly existed or not. She knew that even if it didn't her mom or grandmother would find a way to make it exist whether it be through painstaking hard work or money.
She parted ways, finding her way back to her mother who was sitting at a table watching the town and drinking coffee. She sat next to her, her own mug in hand.
"So, tell me how he proposed. I want all the juicy details," she said peering over her mug as she took a sip. Rory laughed at her mother's wording. There were indeed juicy details, none of which Lorelai was getting, and then sighed, ready to delve into the embarrassment that was awaiting her.
"Well, we got back to his apartment after graduation, had mind blowing sex, and as we're laying in bed afterwards, he asked me to marry him. I didn't even get the ring until the next morning." Lorelai choked on the coffee, coughing for a minute before looking at Rory quizzically.
"You have to be joking!" she exclaimed, but Rory just shrugged, taking another drink. "You're not joking? So, what's the story you're telling everybody else. Because nobody should find that out. Imagine Emily or Richard finding out that's how he proposed. Oh god! Imagine if Luke or your dad found out! You remember your grandparents' vow renewal and how they both almost took his head off!" Rory laughed at her mother's exuberance. "I mean, Luke is talking to him right now," she then said at almost a whisper, as if somebody would overhear and spill the beans despite her loudness about it a few seconds earlier.
"So we had agreed I'd leave the ring off for the party at the Gilmore's last night, but I didn't take it off until we got there and were still sitting in the car. After the party, we were in the driveway, about to go back to the car when I put it back on, which was when grandma came out and started making a fuss about how he had just proposed right there. So that's the story we're going with, and that's the only one besides the three of us know." Lorelai's mouth dropped.
"She really thought Logan would propose in the driveway outside of her house?" Rory couldn't contain her laughter.
"Who wouldn't considering he proposed in bed after having sex?" Her mother nodded in agreement. "Speaking of which, I need to go find Logan and make sure Ms. Patty hasn't jumped him yet." She stood, but before she walked away, her mother grabbed her wrist.
"I'm really happy for you." Rory nodded, knowing her mother meant it. Despite her mother's past with men, and her failed engagements and marriages, she knew her mother wanted the best for her daughter's relationships. Even if that meant Rory got married to the love of her life before she did.
Rory found Logan, still talking to Luke with a cup in hand. Just by looking at it, and then at him, she knew what he was drinking.
"Luke! You let him drink Ms. Patty's punch?" Luke just laughed.
"I warned him, but he said he could handle it. After I'd say the fourth is when he started swaying." Logan looked at her, obviously drunk off his ass. She could barely handle two, let alone four or more. Plus, the last time she'd had Ms. Patty's punch, she'd ended up on the bathroom floor at her mom's house, crying about why Logan didn't love her.
"You let him have four?" she asked in a harsh whisper.
"I'm'kay, Ace," he said, his words barely understandable. She sighed, leading him to a table to sit down before handing him water. Coffee would be the go-to solution for any other kind of alcohol, but she and her mother had learned if coffee doesn't sober up a Gilmore, it wouldn't sober anybody else up.
She continued making her rounds, keeping an eye on Logan who had eventually fallen asleep slumped over the table she'd sat him at. She smiled, he looked so peaceful, but she also knew his hangover was going to be the worst one yet.
As the festivities had died down and people started to dissipate, she found her way back to Logan. She gently shook him, trying to get him to wake up. Slowly, he opened his eyes, groggy and still a little drunk.
"It's time to head back to the Inn, Logan." She helped him to his feet before they started walking back. "Did you have a good time?"
"Things are a bit fuzzy," he said softly. His words weren't slurring as much, but she had seen him drunk enough to be certain he was drunk. "You're gorgeous." She smiled, but reminded herself he was drunk. He had a tendency to let everything out when he was drunk, he couldn't keep anything to himself.
"Let's just get you to bed," she said, helping him up the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. She had managed to get him into the room before he became dead-weight against her. Carefully, she laid him on the bed, pulling his shoes off. He was out like a light before she had even gotten her bag open to change into pajamas.
She laid next to him, thinking back to the last time she'd had Ms. Patty's punch. She thought of the difference between then and now. Then, she was crying to her mom about how Logan didn't love her enough to make things serious between them and how he had been ignoring her. She also thought back, trying to remember the last time the floor of the bathroom had been cleaned, slightly grossed out. Now, she looked at Logan, her fiance, and smiled before falling asleep.