Her eyes got wide and looked at Logan like a deer in the headlights. He chuckled, but he knew he looked just as nervous as she did. "Well?" Emily asked from the doorway.
"I guess we have to go back now," she mumbled, turning towards her grandmother and pulling him back to the house. Emily took her hand, eyeing the ring with scrutiny. "I said yes," Ace finally said, his 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." Ace looked at him again with fear. He thought to what Emily had said, thinking back to asking Lorelai months ago, but he brought his mind back to what Emily was saying.
"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, and he knew had had diverted the situation for the time-being.
"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 nervously, seeing how horrified Ace looked next to him. He wondered what she was thinking, but left her be for a moment until he realized her mind was probably going a mile a minute with fifty pro-con lists starting to form. He could tell she was anxious, so he pulled her out of her head with a soft kiss.
"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 he knew she was still overthinking it. He started the car and headed back to New Haven, ready to be home. He thought back to what Emily had said about wedding planning and the months that were going to follow. He wanted this wedding to be Ace's, not Emily's or his mother's or society's. Honour had had a huge wedding, so therefore he should be allowed to have a smaller one.
Instead of the drive back being full of conversation, it was quiet. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but knew that would only make her more nervous. So instead, he drove. He wasn't ready for his family to find out. Honour would be excited, but she would be the only one. His mother would have a fit and go into a rant about how he should marry 'that nice Fallon girl' while his father and grandfather would probably keel over with simultaneous heart attacks. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned one of the buttons as he tried to breath again.
When they reached the apartment, they both got out of the car, and she tried to make eye contact, but he looked away. When he didn't meet her eyes, she took his hand in hers and that settled him down a little bit, his mind still focused on what his family would say. He saw her look at him again, and he glanced her way. She was drop dead gorgeous, and he couldn't figure out how he had gotten so lucky to have her to himself.
As soon as they stepped in the apartment, he made his way to the bedroom, leaving Ace in the living room. He sat down, tossing his shoes and jacket aside. He then took his tie off, unbuttoning a few more buttons. He didn't understand why he was freaking out so much about what his family would think. It had never stopped him before, but he thought a part of it was because he wished they would accept her without having to fight about it. He rested his head in his hands, trying to get his mind off the subject.
Then, his mind went to his proposal, how much he loved how he did it, but how much he wished he'd done it differently. Obviously not at her first graduation party or anywhere near her grandparents for that matter. Maybe in Stars Hollow, surrounded by the people she loved and grew up with. It would have been perfect. Then, she'd have a proposal story to tell people that wasn't embarrassing.
"Logan," she said softly, sitting beside him. He looked at her with a small smile. "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." He left out the part about his family, knowing that conversation would come up another time.
"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.
He sighed softly before kissing her back, his hands resting on her hips. He could feel her hands in his hair. She'd always had an obsession with his hair, and he didn't mind at all. In fact, the feeling of her hands tangled in his hair turned him on just a little bit. He could feel her hands move from his hair to his neck down to his belt. Rather than letting her get the belt undone, he stopped her, grabbing her hands in his.
"No," he said softly, kissing her again. He let go of her hands, putting his back on her hips. He softened the kiss, not wanting it to go any further. Them having sex that night would just be because they were upset. He hated that it wouldn't be about them, but about the situation.
He woke up the next morning long before Ace, long before their alarm was set to go off. The sun wasn't out, birds weren't chirping. He stood, careful not to wake her up. Before walking into the living room, he looked at her, at how peaceful she was when she slept, and it made him smile.
He sat at his desk, turning his computer on to check his emails. Despite wanting to not have to work, he did, and that meant occasionally getting up long before Ace to check his emails. It didn't' help that he'd had a nightmare of telling his parents he'd proposed and she'd said yes, which sadly reminded him that he needed to set up a dinner with them sooner than later.
When he opened his emails, the first thing he saw was an email from one of the Palo Alto partners regarding whether or not he was going to accept the offer.
'My fiancee and I are currently discussing the issue. I'll try to get back with you within the month. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.' He skimmed through the rest of his emails, several from his father telling him he had to go back to Huntzberger Publishing Group, which he promptly deleted. As he was in the process, he heard Ace come out of the bedroom. He came across another email, this from his sister inquiring about the next scheduled dinner at their parent's house. He emailed her back, letting her know both he and Ace would be attending.
"What are you doing up so early?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind, kissing his cheek. He didn't want to mention Honour's email, so he mentioned his earlier email.
"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 window. "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 managed to say. He wanted to say more, but he couldn't think of the right words that would express it clearly enough. "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.
God, the things she did to him. When they finally separated, she smiled and looked at him. He still couldn't believe she said yes. Obviously, he didn't doubt that she'd say yes, but it was still surreal.
She stood up, allowing him to follow suit and take a shower before they had to leave. This left him a little bit of time to cool down and to get his thoughts straight about the upcoming dinner at his parents' house. He shook those thoughts from his mind and directed them back toward Ace. He felt like a teenager again, her face flashing in his mind as the water cascaded down his back.
He imagined her in there with him, making his erection even worse. He gently stroked himself, trying to make it feel like her hand. How she would start from the top and slowly work down, her thumb circling the head before sliding down to the base and making her way back up. He did this a few more times, forehead falling to the wall as his breathing picked up. He tried not to moan, tried not to call out for her. He picked up the pace until his hand felt sticky and his erection was no longer there.
With a sigh, he finished his shower, wrapping a towel around his waist and walking back into the bedroom. She wasn't there, so he figured she was waiting in the livingroom. He pulled on a pair of boxers, jeans, and one of his blue polo shirts. Once he was dressed, he packed his overnight bag with a pair of sweats and an outfit for the next day. He walked into the living room with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"You ready to go?" he asked as he saw she shut down the computer. She turned with a smile and nod.
"We're going to need coffee for the trip," she told him. He thought of all their options. Despite having one of the finest coffee makers, it still took forever. Instead, he had a better idea.
"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. It was the least he could do. This was her last day of official celebration of being a Yale graduate, and as much as he loved Ace's accomplishment, it made him kind of sad. No more youthful indiscretions, no more galavanting. They were both in the real world.
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, he smiled. She smiled back, putting her hand over his - which was resting on her thigh. After their looks of happiness, she went back into rambling mode.
When they pulled up to the Dragonfly Inn, he saw Lorelai standing out on the porch with two cups in her hand. He 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. It made him smile, the fact that she missed her mom every day and acted like she was five again, running to her mom after a long day apart.
He pulled the car into a parking spot, waiting another minute before grabbing their bags and getting out of the car. He tried to make the walk last, tried to give Ace more time alone with her mom. The scenery was amazing, gorgeous. He would miss Connecticut if only for the views, that was if she agreed to go to California.
"Well, you know how I can get. I put my shoes on the wrong feet again when you weren't here this morning!" Ace laughed as he walked in, sitting next to them. Her mom gave them questioning looks. He wasn't quite sure the secrets that had been told while they were alone, but hopefully nothing too embarrassing.
"We got engaged," she said, Lorelai then letting out a high pitch scream. The guests looked at her like she was crazy, as did Michel. Sookie ran out of the kitchen, and Logan didn't know what to think. Was this excitement? Was he about to die?
"My baby got engaged!" Lorelai yelled, standing and rushing around the table to envelop Ace in a bone-crushing hug. "When? Where? Oh my god!" Logan looked between the two, hoping Ace wouldn't answer those questions right now. And his suspicious was confirmed.
"That story is for a more private place." She looked over, and he didn't know if the terrified look was visible or not. He knew Lorelai would find out eventually, but he hoped not until after the wedding. However, he knew that hope was impossible because Ace told her mom everything.
The three of them caught up, Sookie joining in the conversation every once in awhile when the kitchen didn't need her attention. Lorelai, throughout the conversation, kept looking at him with a look of pride, bewilderment, respect? He wasn't quite sure, but he knew that when he looked at her, all he had was respect. She'd gotten out of society life, had raised a baby at sixteen, made a life for herself, made sure Ace had everything she needed and more, pushed her for success. To an extent, he knew that if it weren't for Lorelai, he wouldn't be sitting where he was now, and he wouldn't have an amazing fiancee.
Sookie had refilled the Gilmores' 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. As he followed, he wondered what Ace was thinking considering she was exceedingly quiet compared to the car ride there. He saw her sit down as he shut the door, obviously bringing her out of her mind.
He sat setting the bags in the armchair that was in the corner of the room, and smiled at her. She smiled back. He loved that smile.
"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. He knew he had to do it the right way. If Lorelai didn't approve, he knew Ace would doubt herself. "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." To an extent, he knew he was. He was wanting her to move across the country with him, to marry him, to be so far away from her family in almost every aspect.
They only had an hour before the party started, and in that hour they napped. Their early morning finally catching up to them. He had woken up a few minutes before she did. His arms were wrapped around her waist, holding her close. One of her arms was resting under her head, the other hand resting on his. She was gorgeous when she slept.
He looked over at the clock, knowing she had to wake up soon if they were going to make it to the party. Softly, he kissed her neck and shoulder. The first few mornings they'd woken up together - back when it was no strings attached - that was how he'd woken her up. After the third morning this happened, she confessed it was one of her favorite ways to wake up. He felt her wake up, but he knew she wasn't going to move unless he said something.
"Morning," he said softly, kissing her jaw. She hummed, not saying anything. "We should get up. You have an entire town waiting for you, Ms. Yale Graduate."
"I'm not ready," she admitted. He knew she hated all this attention, hated all the parties. But this party was the one he knew she'd regret missing. This party was full of the people she considered family.
"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. He saw her look down at him as she put her hair up, and he smiled before she laughed, helping him to his feet.
"Let's get going," she finally said, breaking their silence and ushering him along to the town square. It wasn't long of a walk, but a walk nonetheless. He held onto her hand, thinking of the future they could have together. It was something he'd thought about occasionally, and then more when he decided he wanted to marry her. But his thoughts were consumed by the visions of everything they could have together. He knew it was going to die down when the shock of her agreement wore off, but he was happy to have those thoughts a little longer.
"You okay, Ace?" he asked as they neared the square. He saw her look towards the town, and then back at him.
"I want to go to California with you. I've already looked into the papers and the area." He smiled before kissing her again.
"We'll talk more tomorrow," he promised before they finished their walk and ended up in the middle of the party. So many people were asking about her ring and where he had gotten it. He had the sneaking suspicion Lorelai had announced it to the town.
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. He stayed with her until she started talking to Lane, not able to join in the conversation. Instead, he found his way to Luke who had exiled himself to the edge of the party.
"So, you proposed?" Luke asked. Logan nodded, remembering her grandparents' vow renewal and how Luke almost had his head. "I'm happy for you."
"Even though you wanted to kill me a majority of the time we've been together?" Luke glared.
"Just accept the compliment." He laughed at the bluntness of Luke's command. He knew Luke had had his problems with their relationship. He had started to become more open to the idea after the Valentine's Day at Martha's Vineyard, but he felt like Luke still had his problems with him.
"I don't hate you, you know," Luke then said, rousing him out of his thoughts.
"And here I was under the assumption you wanted my head on a pole," he replied, making Luke smile slightly.
"Maybe at first. Rory's like a daughter to me, and I wasn't happy to see you undressing her that day. But you're good to her. I know you met her last two exes. Dean was an ass, to say the least. But he was her first everything. Rarely does the first ever last. Then there was Jess, who I could see her with - my being related to him aside - until he up and disappeared in the middle of the night with no word. She was devastated. But you, Logan…" He looked at Luke as he tried to formulate his next words. He glanced over, meeting her eyes for a split second. She was holding one of Sookie's kids, and he could imagine her holding their baby.
He turned back to Luke. "Luke, you don't have to," but he was cut off.
"I know, but I need to. I didn't like your guys' no strings thing, but she was heart broken. Until she slowly realized she loved you. I heard the story of her crying on the bathroom floor the day before she went to break things off with you. But I also heard how you stepped up to the plate, and now you've hit a homerun. There's one thing I do have to say though. Protect her from your family, and never hurt her. I saw how your dad acts, how he thinks he's always in control. That's not the case when it comes to Rory. You have to make sure your family knows they can't push her away."
"I've always defended her to my family. My sister adores, Ace, and my father is warming up to her. When I was still working with him, he had gone to her to plan my future." Luke laughed, and Logan knew it sounded ridiculous, but it was truth.
"So what are you doing now?" He didn't go into the details of wanting Ace to move to California, or her agreeing. That was a discussion for another time. Instead, he explained the business aspect of social media platforms and how it could revolutionize society. The woman who he remembered as Ms. Patty handed him a cup.
"I wouldn't drink that if I were you, Logan," Luke warned, but he didn't know what the big deal was. It was just punch.
"Why?" he asked, taking a sip. It was exceedingly sweet, almost nauseating, but slightly addicting.
"Ms. Patty's punch is the reason half of Stars Hollow's new generation exists. Two cups, and I black out. We don't know what she puts in it, but we do know it's around ninety-nine percent alcohol." Logan took another drink, wanting some more.
"I think I can handle it." Luke just shrugged as they started discussing boats. Logan knew his way around a yacht - having sunk one and stolen another. He didn't really remember much after that except a few more glasses of punch and Ace standing beside him.
"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. God, she was gorgeous.
"You let him have four?" she asked in a harsh whisper. He didn't understand what the big deal was. It was just punch. Delicious, mind-numbing punch.
"I'm'kay, Ace," he said, his words slurring together.. She sighed, leading him to a table to sit down before handing him water. He didn't want water, so he just rested his head on the table. He wanted to sleep, that was all.
He was shaken awake, his stomach in knots. It felt like he was on a boat. Wasn't he talking to someone about boats earlier?
"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. He remembered Luke's talk and social media and boats, not much detail about the last to came to him. "You're gorgeous." He saw her smile as he leaned into her.
"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 didn't know what happened next, just that he fell asleep fast.