Author Note: 2015! It's long. Sorry.
Two things: One- Some of this may veer toward M. I tried to keep it clean, but I just couldn't. If that's not your thing, skip through it.
Two- In my mind, Logan's apartment looks like this. Downstairs- kitchen with breakfast/eating area. Keeping room used as a study- leather chairs and books. Guest bedroom. Bathroom. Upstairs- The master bed/bath and living room we see on the show plus another guest room.
I do not own anything. All characters belong to Gilmore Girls.
February 2015
Logan attempts to read the same paragraph for the third time, but his eyes keep closing, the hum of the airplane lulling him to sleep.
It was probably a stupid idea to fly to Paris for thirty-six hours. But I hadn't seen Odette in two months, and I have to start making more of an effort if I am going to take this relationship seriously.
And we had fun together. We always do.
I still like her a lot. Just not enough to blow off work… or my friends… or really prioritize her in any way. That's not really fair to her, but she seems fine with the way things are.
But I know that I have to change if I want something different in life. So if quick trips to Paris mean I don't get to read the latest novel out of HPG, then that's what I have to do.
He finally gives up, closing his book and shutting his eyes.
May 2015
A sharp rap on his open office door pulls Logan's eyes away from his monitor.
Jean Marchand stands smiling in his doorway. "Good morning, Logan."
"Good morning," Logan replies. "What brings you to this side of the building?"
"I understand you visited my daughter last weekend."
"Um. Yes, sir. I did," Logan stammers.
"This seems to be a regularly occurring thing," Jean says.
"Um…"
"It's good… It's good. That's not actually why I came in here. I wanted to speak to you about some opportunities I've discovered in Germany. Can we have dinner some night this week?"
Logan breathes a sigh of relief. He's not ready to discuss his relationship with Odette with her father. "Absolutely. I'm actually working on something in Germany right now as well."
"Parfait. I'll have my secretary call yours."
Two nights later, he meets Jean for dinner. The wine is already poured when he arrives.
"Logan. Sit. Have a glass."
"Thanks. I will," Logan responds as he settles in to the table.
"Tell me how things have been," Jean instructs him.
They small talk for a while, and Logan realizes he has been avoiding Jean for months.
But… I mean… I'm sleeping with his daughter. It definitely adds a layer of awkwardness to our working relationship.
Once they have ordered, Jean steers the conversation back to business.
"There are two small newspapers that I am looking to acquire just to get our foot in the door in Germany," he explains. "I have several German authors in my publishing house, but no newspapers."
"Okay," Logan says. "I defer to your judgement here. You're in charge of print on this side of the Atlantic."
"Excellent. I will send you the P and L's, but we will begin proceeding. What is your business in Germany?"
"Will Keating has discovered a Youtube channel that's generating a ton of traffic. It's a kid in Berlin who's rating the club scene and actually driving business to certain clubs. We're hoping to get the rights to his channel and really start advertising."
"I understand nothing of what you just said," Jean says smiling. "Other than Berlin. I know Berlin. Actually, one of these papers is there. The other is in Hamburg."
"I'm heading there next month to wine and dine this guy. Do you want me to stop in at the offices? See how things look?" Logan asks.
"Yes, actually that would be helpful. I know you don't have much to do with newspapers anymore, but it couldn't hurt to have a Huntzberger in the building. If it's not too much trouble of course."
"I'm sure I could fit an extra few days into my schedule. It's no problem," Logan says.
They eat in silence for a few minutes until Jean clears his throat and looks directly at Logan.
"There is one other thing I would like to discuss with you."
"Sure," Logan says.
"You have been dating Odette for a while now."
Oh God. Dating is probably not the word.
"Um… Yes…"
"Relax, Logan. Celine and I very much approve of you. I've recently spoken to your father, and I understand you are getting ready to propose."
What? That's not exactly… Shit.
Logan downs what is left in his wine glass, desperately trying to determine the right thing to say when Jean continues.
"I don't want to tell you how you should do it… A man must use his own words to convince the woman he loves to spend the rest of her life with him."
Wow. What the hell did Mitchum tell him? He thinks-
"But… I do have something special that I know Odette wants."
Logan looks at him blankly, unable to believe how surreal this conversation has gotten. It's one thing to talk hypothetically about this with Honor, but talking about it with her father is just… crazy.
Jean reaches into his jacket pocket and produces a maroon velvet box. As he opens it to Logan he says "This was her grand-mère's ring, and she has always said she wants it to be her wedding ring."
"Uh… I don't know what to say," Logan stammers.
"You don't have to say anything," Jean reassures him. "I trust you to keep Odette happy, and I know this will be a good start."
"But I-"
"No more. Take it," Jean orders.
Logan looks at the diamond carefully as takes the box. He closes it and puts it into his own pocket.
"Thank you," he says, unsure of what else he could say in this moment.
I guess there's no backing out now. I'm going to have to get married.
June 2015
"It was definitely worth coming with you to Hamburg," Bobbi says to Logan and Will as they walk through the city. "I think that paper may be rubbish, but this city is lovely."
"The paper is only rubbish now," Logan counters. "Once we reorganize it, it will be as good as any other HPG paper."
"Yeah, but all papers are rubbish. I can't believe we still even deal with them," Will says.
"Old people have to get the news too, Will," Logan says laughing.
They continue their way to their dinner destination, all the while good-naturedly arguing about the need for print. Bobbi slows down a step and takes hold of Logan's forearm.
"Logan… Isn't that… Up there. Is that Rory? Your ex Rory?" she asks.
Logan furrows his eyebrows as he looks ahead.
Holy shit.
Somehow, in all the streets, in all the world, Rory Gilmore is walking right toward him.
"Fuck, mate. Do you wanna go the other way? Or…" Will's voice tapers off as Rory is no less than ten feet away.
Logan cannot move. His feet are rooted to the sidewalk as Rory walks toward him, oblivious.
About five feet away, she finally catches his eye. She too stops dead in her tracks.
"Logan." Her blue eyes are bigger than ever as she finally takes a step toward him. "What are you…? How are you here?" she asks incredulously.
"Hey… Rory. Um… work. We're working. We did work today."
What the fuck is wrong with me? Just be smooth and ignore the fact that she's broken your heart several times over.
He just stares for a moment, taking in the sight of her. He hasn't seen her in three years, but she is as beautiful as his memories. Her hair is shorter than he's seen it recently- more like the days when he first fell for her. But she is in a sophisticated shirt dress, a far cry from the jeans he remembers from college. This is adult Rory…
Someone jostles Logan from behind, and he finally snaps out of his trance. Taking her arm, he motions for them to move out of the way of the pedestrian traffic.
Logan can't stop watching her, afraid if he looks away, she won't really be there. He swallows hard and vows to act like this is no big deal.
Because it's not a big deal. Yes, this is Rory, the love of your life, randomly in your path in a foreign city. But it's no big deal. For God's sake, pull it together.
"You remember Will and Bobbi?" he asks, motioning to his colleagues, still unable to break his eye contact with her.
"Of course. It's good to see you guys," Rory says, though her eyes never leave Logan's.
"So," he starts, continuing to watch her closely. "Why are you in Hamburg?"
"I'm writing an article about… You don't need all the details, but my subject was speaking here today, and I needed some more quotes and crowd reactions to her, and…" Rory says. She breaks into a big smile. "You look great."
This is a big fucking deal.
Logan breathes deeply before smiling back. "So do you. The red is working."
Will clears his throat behind him, reminding Logan that other people are witnessing this encounter.
"We're going to go get dinner," Bobbi says quickly. "Why don't you two catch up, and we'll just see you tomorrow, Logan."
Logan raises his eyebrows at Rory. "You busy, or you want to grab a bite?"
She smiles even brighter before saying "Nope. Not busy at all."
They say goodbye to Will and Bobbi who hurry away, leaving the former couple standing together in the sidewalk.
They smile for another moment before both talking at once.
"I actually just ate."
"I'm not that hungry."
They laugh in unison.
"Do you wanna walk? Go down to the river?" she asks.
"Lead the way."
The streets are busy at this time of day, and Logan finds himself reaching for her lower back, steering her through the throngs of people. They are crossing the street when a cyclist flies by them. Logan grabs Rory's hand and pulls her back just in time.
"Thanks," she sighs. "I wasn't paying attention."
Logan looks at their joined hands and reluctantly lets go.
Slowly, the shyness wears off, and they begin talking in earnest. He learns about her piece on Naomi Shropshire, and he tells her about the work he is doing at HPG. They discuss her apartment in Brooklyn and Honor's kids. The conversation is coming fast, the quips furious, and it doesn't feel like eight years have separated them.
When they finally reach the end of the sidewalk, Rory jokes. "Well this metaphor just kicks you in the gut."
"I know you're more of a simile girl, so this doesn't have to be the literal end," Logan says hopefully.
"No," she smiles. "We can just turn around and start right over."
Start right over? God. Please let that be the metaphor.
"Keep going. You were saying that once Honor had Charlie…"
"Right," Logan continues. "So, once Honor had Charlie, she finally listened to Mom and got a nanny to help her. And what do you think happened next? Shira started undermining her and trying to get Honor to fire her."
"No!"
"We can't decide if she doesn't like someone else being important to the kids, or if it's her constant need to flaunt her status. I'm pretty sure that's the reason I had a million nannies." Logan says.
"That sounds just like Grandma and her maids," Rory says.
"How are Richard and Emily? I haven't seen them since Grandpa's funeral. So maybe… four years?"
"They're great," Rory tells him. "Same as always. DAR and golf. She told me she saw you at that funeral. I was sorry to hear about your grandpa."
Logan smiles. "No, you weren't."
"Okay, I wasn't. But I felt bad for you."
"He had gotten so difficult and cranky toward the end… It was really for the best for everyone when he finally passed."
On that dour note, a few moments of silence pass, worrying Logan.
"Do you want to stop and get a drink?" he asks, before she can think of a reason to get away.
"Yes," she answers quickly.
Or maybe she doesn't want to get away.
Rory reaches for his hand, laces her fingers into his, and keeps walking.
Logan can't contain his smile. His eyes are crinkling at the corners; his dimples are showing. I can't believe she's holding my hand. If someone had told me an hour ago that I would be walking down the Elbe holding hands with Rory Gilmore, I would have thought they were crazy.
They find a pub a few blocks up and head in. As they sit down at the corner of the bar, Logan is finally forced to let go of her hand.
"Scotch," he tells the bartender before looking to Rory. She holds up two fingers, causing Logan's eyebrows to shoot toward the ceiling.
"Really?" he asks.
"A lot has changed about me, Huntzberger. I'm not the girl you once knew who got drunk off of hunch punch and tequila."
He nods his approval, the smile spreading across his face, as the scotch is placed in front of them.
"How's Lorelei?" he asks.
"She's good. The Inn is doing well, and she's still with Luke. Not much has changed much with her, really."
Excellent. Let's not dwell on her since she hates me.
They work their way through a few rounds, Logan growing more and more confident as the night wears on.
I've missed feeling this comfortable with a woman. Maybe that's what it is about her that I can't shake. She makes me feel invincible.
And I can't let this be a one-off. I can't let these drinks be the end of this.
He's mentally trying to work out the most subtle way to get her back to his hotel room when she leans forward, placing her chin in her hand, and asks "Are you seeing anyone? Finn has been pretty tight-lipped about your love life."
His first feeling is joy. She's asked Finn about my love life.
His second is guilt. I haven't thought about Odette once in the two hours since I laid eyes on Rory.
She assumes his lack of response as an affirmative. "Oh… Is it…" Her eyes flick down for a moment before raising them to look at him. "Is it serious? Do you love her?"
How do I even explain Odette? She's a fuck buddy who I'm thinking about marrying so that I can seem like a well-adjusted adult? Surely there's a nicer explanation I can come up with.
She again takes his silence as referendum. "As much as you loved me?" she asks quietly.
Logan is shocked at her boldness. He has spent the last eight years fantasizing that Rory still harbored feelings for him. He had never thought it could actually be true.
"I'm sorry. Three drinks on an empty stomach. Just ignore that last… I… So… Colin and Stephanie have a baby? That's crazy," she rambles, as her face flushes to match her dress.
But he can't ignore it. It repeats in his head over and over again.
"As much as you loved me?"
Fuck it. I'm going for it. This is fate.
He reaches up and touches her cheek. "Rory, I will never love anyone as much as I loved you."
She melts into his hand, smiling. He pulls her face toward his and kisses her gently. She reaches for him, sliding her tongue in his mouth, deepening the kiss.
Good thing I didn't waste time on subtle. She wants this too.
He kisses her for another moment before pulling away to whisper "Wanna get out of here?"
She nods, eyes blurry and lips puffy.
This is going to happen. I can't believe this is going to happen.
He throws some money down on the bar and practically drags her out of there, sliding her into the first cab he sees. He tells the driver his hotel before pulling Rory right back to his lips.
He is beginning to feel drugged by her kisses. They can't get close enough, and Logan slips his hand under her dress.
She pulls away, breathing hard. "Logan-"
Shit. I pushed her too fast.
He rests his forehead on hers and asks "Second thoughts?"
She laughs. "No. Not at all. I just wanted to make sure you have… you know… I'm here for work, and I didn't bring any… protection. I thought I would just be working this week, and…"
"Ugh," he groans. "I don't have anything either. I was only planning on working this trip too. I certainly didn't think I would run into you." He kisses her again before leaning up to tap the driver on the shoulder. "Gemischtwrenladen?"
"Impressive," Rory says.
"I went to boarding school in Switzerland," he says between kisses.
When the taxi stops, he runs in and buys the condoms as quick as he can. He is back in Rory's arms in under five minutes, heading to his hotel.
Somehow they manage to get on the elevator and up to his room without him having his way with her right then and there.
Rory looks around the room as the door closes behind him. "Wow. This place is nice-"
He does not have the patience for small talk; he has to have her. He spins her around and kisses her hard. She pushes his jacket off and pulls at his tie. They simultaneously reach for buttons, but she gets his shirt off much quicker than he can get her dress off.
"Logan! What is taking you so long?"
"How many damn buttons does this dress have?"
She scoffs. "Do not mock this dress. This is my lucky dress!"
"Ace, this dress is about to keep you from getting lucky," he responds laughing.
She smiles shyly. "You called me Ace."
It just slipped out. But it already feels so normal again…
"Well… yeah."
Rory slowly unbuttons her dress, letting it fall to the floor.
"I can take it from here," Logan says, reaching behind her to unhook her bra.
"Good to know you haven't lost all your skills."
Logan smirks. He picks her up and gently tosses her back onto the bed. She giggles, propping up on her elbows to watch him remove the rest of his clothes. He reaches for her hips and pulls her panties off, tossing them aside.
He climbs onto the bed with her, pausing while Rory grabs a condom, rips it open, and rolls it on him.
"Are you sure?"
"Come on, Logan. Do you want me to beg?"
"Well, I wouldn't be opposed to hearing that- Oh God," Logan moans as Rory pulls him inside her. His eyes close as he slows down to adjust to the feeling of her.
I have been fooling myself for years.
This.
This is what sex is supposed to feel like.
They begin to move, and it's almost more than he can take.
It all comes back to them. The places to touch. The paces to set. The words to whisper.
Afterwards, they lay in languid silence for what feels like an eternity. Her head is on his chest, and Logan absent-mindedly strokes her shoulder.
I should say something, but my brain is total mush.
He tilts his face to kiss her forehead, causing Rory to finally break the silence. "I had forgotten how good… You have definitely not lost your skills."
"You either. I just can't believe that we've deprived ourselves of that for so long."
She giggles and leans further over him, kissing along his neck and collarbone. "Let's not wait so long next time."
"Ace, I'm not twenty-three anymore. You've got to give me a little time."
She sits up, exaggeratedly pouting. She slides one leg over his torso, straddling him. "Would it help if I…" she trails off leaning forward to nibble his earlobe. Logan's eyes roll back in his head when she traces the outer shell with her tongue.
It does help. She wants me. Bad.
"Come here," he whispers, pulling her upward.
"Where?" she smiles kissing his lips.
He grabs her by the hips, simultaneously sliding down the bed until she is hovering over his face. "Here," he says before leaning up to lap at her.
Rory gasps. Logan chuckles against her, increasing the friction. Rory begins circling her hips as Logan keeps up his assault. I love that I can still make her react like this.
Soon she is whimpering, frantically grinding against his face. Logan reaches his left hand up to touch her breast, taking his right hand down to touch himself. When she grabs the headboard to steady herself, he knows she's close. He pulls her clit into his mouth, pinches her nipple hard, and listens for the sounds that let him know she's satisfied.
She sighs contentedly, slowing her movements. Logan keeps his own machinations going, and by the time she's shifted off of him, he has already come.
"Oh, I missed it," she says.
"No, you didn't. That was all you."
She is quiet for a moment. "It's just like the first time."
The irony is not lost on him.
He rolls out of bed, heading to the bathroom to clean off. When he returns, Rory is almost asleep. He slides in next to her, kissing her forehead, before drifting off.
At 3:30 AM, Logan is awakened by the presence of a body beside him. It is a moment before he remembers who it is and what has already transpired in this bed.
How did I get this lucky? How did I run into her just when I was thinking about closing that door completely? I have wanted this for years, and it's finally happening.
He takes in her sleeping form, remembering all the times he has watched her sleep. All the times he has woken her up to not sleep. As he leans in to kiss her neck, his erection pokes into her side, causing her to slowly open her eyes.
"Logan?" she whispers.
"Yeah, Ace. Are you asleep?"
"Not anymore," she says groggily, before taking him in her hand.
Her touch drives him wild; his skin is on fire. She must feel it too because she climbs on him quickly. He pauses only long enough to put on a condom before he pushes up into her. She drives her hips down fast and tight. Logan grabs her ass, trying to move her even quicker.
"Harder," she whispers, and he does his best to oblige. She bites his shoulder to muffle her cries, and he's done for. She comes right after he does, collapsing onto him.
"Thanks," she says.
"For what?" he asks.
"Waking me up."
"Anytime," he says as he rolls her over to spoon her.
His last thought before he falls asleep is how awkward it will be to give Jean that ring back.
Logan opens his eyes the next morning to find the bed empty. He sits up quickly, looking around, before hearing Rory in the bathroom. He smiles to himself when he spots the red dress on the floor.
It wasn't a dream. Rory was here with me. All night.
He leans over to the bedside table and grabs the room service menu.
We're going to have to talk about the past before we can move forward, and I would rather have her well-fed when we do that.
A few minutes later, she emerges from the bathroom in her bra and panties. He smiles his biggest smile and asks "What do you want for breakfast? I'll let you order pancakes and eggs."
Her face falters before she reaches down to pull her dress off of the floor. "I can't stay. I have an early flight this morning, and I've still got to get back to my hotel and pack."
His heart sinks. He watches wordlessly as she buttons up the dress that he had worked so hard to get off of her.
"Are you sure? I know you can't resist breakfast food. Or hotel sex," he teases. "I'll get you a later flight."
"I can't let you do that," she says, grabbing his phone off of the nightstand. "But this was fun. We should do this again."
He stares at her, his smile fading. He can only assume she is programming her number into his phone. He hears her phone ring as she calls herself. She drops it into her purse, before leaning down to kiss him sweetly.
"I still just can't believe we ran into each other like this!" she says.
"Yeah."
"So, call me. Okay?" Rory smiles at him one last time.
And just like that, she's out the door.
He sits there, stunned. I am such an idiot. I'm planning out our future, and she just wanted to get laid.
Logan thinks back through the last twenty-four hours. The talking, the laughing, the touching.
How could I have misread her so badly?
Which Rory was lying? Last night or this morning?
Maybe she just freaked out when she woke up. Maybe she thinks I'm not taking this seriously. Maybe she thinks I am seeing someone else. Maybe she'll call me soon, and I can tell her that I'm in.
That I never actually left.
Or maybe I should remember that she said no. She had reasons.
Maybe I should let her run away and get over this once and for all.
Logan slowly gets out of bed, gets dressed, and packs up his things.
He's on his phone in the lobby, scrolling through twitter, when Bobbi approaches.
"Morning," he says. "You talked to Will yet? Is he up?"
"Yes. He'll be down in a few… How was your night?" she asks, waggling her eyebrows.
Shit. I forgot they would have questions.
"It was fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yeah. We caught up a little. It was good to see her," Logan lies.
"So I didn't see her leaving this morning when I was down here getting coffee?" she asks.
Fuck.
"I don't know who you saw… I… Leave it alone. I don't want to talk about it," he says.
"Mate. Tell me you turned all that eye-fucking into some real fucking," Will jokes as he joins the group. Logan doesn't say anything, and Will pushes on. "There was some serious sexual tension out on the sidewalk."
"Let's go," Logan says abruptly, wheeling his suitcase out of the lobby and towards a waiting taxi.
Maybe if I pretend to sleep the whole way home, no one will talk to me.
JULY 2015
"Logan?"
"Hey! I'm upstairs. Let me come get your bags."
He takes the steps two at a time, the nervous energy surrounding his decision coursing through his body.
He greets Odette with a kiss on the cheek. "How was your flight?"
"Bien," she says, not looking up from her phone. "Oh… Mamá is in town. They want to have dinner with us tonight."
"That's fine," Logan says as he takes her suitcase up the stairs.
"I don't really want to see them… I need to talk to you about something," she says following him up.
I bet they have been pressuring her about an engagement too. I guess now is as good a time as any to do this.
"I know what it is, and… let's sit down," he says, leading her by the hand to the sectional and sitting down opposite her. "I've been thinking about us a lot lately (especially since Rory crushed me), and I wanted to know what you would think…" he trails off, suddenly nervous.
He clears his throat and starts again. "I know we've never really talked about a future, but we've been at this for a while now, and… What would you think about getting engaged?"
He internally cringes at his awkward choice of words.
Her mouth drops open in surprise. "Oh, Logan," she says, her eyes full of pity.
Logan feels the perspiration bead up between his shoulder blades.
What the fuck? How am I never prepared for this?
Why doesn't anyone want to marry me? I am a goddamn catch.
Odette gently touches his forearm. "Why are you doing this? You don't want to marry me."
He sighs heavily.
I had just about convinced myself that I did.
"You weren't swayed by that romantic proposal?" he asks sarcastically. "I… we're good right? We get along well, and… I've been getting a lot of pressure from my family… Your family."
"My family?"
"That isn't what you wanted to talk to me about? Your parents pushing this engagement?" he says.
"No. I didn't know they were serious about that. I needed to tell you that I'm seeing Henri again, and I want to try and make it work with him. I was going to tell you that we have to stop sleeping together. This is awful. Mamá will never understand. They're going to blame me."
"Uh, it's your fault," he says, only partly joking. "I'm willing here."
"You would go through with this?" she asks.
After a week of moping, a week of anger, and three days of realizing that the true love rocket has soared out of the atmosphere, and isn't coming back…
"Yes."
She looks at him hard.
"Probably," he concedes.
"As flattered as I am that you are willing to settle for me, this is not going to work for either of us," she says.
So we're not going to get engaged, we're going to break up. What a strange turn of events.
And... Maybe I'm a little relieved.
Logan takes a deep breath. "I guess you're right. I just thought… But you have to give your parents the ring back."
Odette eyes him quizzingly.
Logan heads to his nightstand and returns with the maroon velvet box.
She gasps when she sees what's inside. "Where did you get this?" she asks.
"Your father," he answers. "He took me to dinner one night and gave it to me to propose with."
"This is serious. He would not have given you this ring if he didn't mean for us to be married soon. Papá and Mitchum have probably already drawn up financial papers. And you agreed to all of this?" she asks.
"Not exactly. I haven't really said yes or no. I didn't know what to say to your father. I just nodded along like an idiot."
Her face starts to fall. "We're going to have to do this. Papá will never let me out of this now. I can't believe he gave you this ring."
She slowly slides it onto her left hand. She looks so depressed that Logan feels compelled to offer her a way out. "We don't have to do this. They can't make us get married. This isn't the Middle Ages," he says.
"No, I know what this means. This is about money somehow. What am I going to tell Henri?"
"I don't understand. Dad was pressuring me, but it never felt like I didn't have a choice," Logan says.
She just sighs. "I know I don't have a choice. He will cut me off completely. He has said things in the past..."
Why do our parents always threaten the money?
I wonder if Dad would write me out of the will?
I make HPG a lot of money. Money of my own. I'd be fine. Even if he fired me, I could find another job pretty easily.
But she works for practically nothing in a gallery. This would devastate her.
And I don't want that for her.
"What if we say we want a really long engagement? Buy some time until we can figure out an exit strategy. Let you stockpile some cash."
"Would it be a real engagement to you?" she asks. "You were asking for real, and now I feel bad. Like I've been cheating on you. But I didn't know that… I just assumed you've been seeing other people."
"Don't feel bad. I haven't been a saint. I was always seeing other people, and… I slept with Rory three weeks ago," he admits.
"What? When did you see Rory?"
"I ran into her, and…" he tells her the whole story, and she is appropriately outraged. Just not in any way he would have expected.
"You idiot. Maybe that's not what she meant," she says.
"What else could she have meant?" he asks.
"Um, that it was really fun, and she hopes you can do it again," she says in a condescending tone.
"That's not… Look, I know her."
At least I used to know her. Maybe Odette has a point.
"This is why you're willing to marry me. Because you think I'm the only option. But I bet she is sitting home devastated that you haven't called her," she says.
"Then… what are we supposed to do?" Logan asks.
"First, I need to call Henri and tell him what's happening here. And…" She takes his phone off of the coffee table and quickly types out a text. "You've made the first move with Rory."
"What are you-"
"And we just stall on the wedding as long as we can. I'll drop hints to Mamá that I'm not ready for marriage, and you keep Mitchum aware of the actual situation. We'll get out of this."
"Did you just text Rory?" he shouts.
"Are you listening to me? If we want to be able to have the lives we really want, we have to have a solid plan before we meet my parents for dinner."
"Well, the plan seems to be that we're engaged. Except we're actually breaking up... because you apparently have a boyfriend… and I am waiting to hear from someone who is absolutely not going to text back. Does that sound like a good plan to you?" he asks, irritated.
"That sounds like a terrible plan," Odette admits.
They sit in silence for a while, contemplating the enormity of their decision.
How the fuck did I get into this mess?
Logan's phone pings, pulling him from his thoughts. He picks it up to find a response from Rory.
Hey! I didn't know if you would get in touch. I'm really glad you did.
Logan can't keep the smile off of his face. Odette takes the phone from him and reads the message.
"Well, I guess this is the plan then," she says.
October 2015
"Hey, you," Logan says answering the phone at his desk.
"Logan?" Rory asks in a small voice.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She sniffles. "Grandpa had a heart attack last night. He didn't make it."
"Ace, I'm so sorry," he says, pausing for a moment to figure out the right words. "He was a really great man, and I know how much you loved him."
She chokes back a sob in response.
"What can I do? Do you want me to come there?"
Tone it down. You're not her boyfriend. You're just someone she texts with.
"I do want you to come," she says.
We do text almost every day.
"But you can't," she continues. "I'm trying to keep it together for Mom and Grandma, and I can't have you here. It will just lead to too many questions…"
Reminder: You are not her boyfriend.
Logan sighs. "Okay. Is there anything else I can do?"
"Can I come there?" Rory asks.
"To London? Of course. When do you want to come?"
"I think the service is going to be on Friday or Saturday, and I can come after that," she says.
"Just send me the flight info, and I'll set up car service."
"I haven't booked a hotel yet or anything."
"Rory, you can stay with me."
I desperately want to be your boyfriend.
"I may try and get some work done while I'm there, so it could be like a week," she says.
"It's fine. I have plenty of room. I won't take no for an answer. What else can I do for you?"
"Will you just talk to me for a little bit? I can't walk back in there yet," she says.
"What do you want to talk about? I'm all yours."
He sends a quick IM to his secretary to hold all his calls and shuts his office door.
"What are you working on right now?" she asks.
"It's really boring, but the gist of it is…"
That Sunday morning at 6:00 AM, Logan sits in his kitchen nervously drumming his fingers along his coffee mug.
She should be here any minute, and I don't know how to act. Are we together? Are we friends? Am I like an old security blanket?
He hears the knock on the door, and instantly decides that he can make no assumptions.
We are friends, and she's experienced a horrible loss. Coffee, comfort, support. That's what I'm here for.
He opens the door to find Rory waiting on the other side. "Hey," he says, resigned to conceal his affection.
She steps into his apartment, rolling her suitcase behind her. He closes the door, and when he turns around Rory is in his arms. Her hands are greedy, and her kisses are hungry. He is swept away for a moment before his mind starts working again, and he pulls away.
"Rory," he whispers. "Are you sure this is what you want? You've suffered an enormous loss, and-"
"I've spent the last week making sure Mom and Grandma were okay. I spent the flight finally mourning properly. And now I just want to forget for a little while." She looks down and then peers up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Just... help me forget, Logan."
It's cute how she thinks I would have the willpower to say no. I've never been able to resist her, and I certainly can't start now.
He takes her by the hand and leads her up the stairs to his bedroom.
Later that morning, Logan is on the couch working when he hears Rory stir in the bedroom.
She comes out wearing one of his t-shirts, and Logan sits back to admire her. My shirt, bedhead… This is what Sunday morning should feel like.
"How are you feeling?" he asks as she comes to sit next to him, her knees pulled close to her body.
"Better. Thanks for… everything. Letting me come, not asking too many questions… just everything," she says.
"There's nothing I'd rather be doing," he says honestly as he puts away his laptop and pulls her closer to him. "What do you want to do today? Anything you want."
"Can we have 'Lazy Sunday'?" she asks.
Logan smiles broadly. "I haven't thought about 'Lazy Sunday' in years. I could use one. Let's do it. I'll go get food, and you figure out what you want to watch."
Fifteen minutes later, he returns with cappuccinos and croissants. Rory is going through his books downstairs, still wearing nothing but his shirt and her panties.
She turns as he comes in and says "I realized that I don't know what you watch anymore. We used to watch all the same things, but…"
"Well, you still like coffee and pastries, right?" he asks with a smile.
She gives him a knowing look.
"So we'll figure the rest out."
"How about… you pick something first. What's your favorite show right now?" she asks.
He thinks for a moment before answering. "Probably Halt and Catch Fire. Have you seen it?"
"Nope. Queue up episode one."
They take their treats upstairs and settle in to the couch. He has to explain some of the more technical jargon to her, but she seems to enjoy it.
"What did you think? Ready for a binge?" he asks when the episode is over.
"I liked it. I really like the main guy, Joe," she says.
"I should have figured," he says.
"What does that mean?"
"Well," Logan begins. "He's dark, sarcastic… the bad boy. That's your type, right?" He thinks about Jess and the unconditional loathing he can't seem to shake.
"What makes you think that? That's not my-"
"Forget about it," he interrupts, embarrassed at his admission. "What's your favorite show? Let's watch something else."
She looks at him for a moment, her big blue eyes blinking furiously.
I am so lame. Now she knows I'm still jealous of him.
Just play it cool. Move on.
"Your choice," he says, nudging her.
"Well, I was going to choose The Americans, but… have you ever watched The Good Wife?" she asks.
"No, but I know what it's about. Is it good?"
"Yeah, I love it."
"Well, it's your choice," he says with a smile. "Coffee refill before we start?"
She hands over her cup, and when he has returned upstairs with fresh coffee for both of them, she has the first episode ready to start. He hands her the coffee and sits down beside her.
About ten minutes in, she pauses it and says "So Cary. He's my favorite."
Logan furrows his brow. "That guy? He seems kind of douchy."
"No. Well, maybe right here, but he gets better as the show goes on. Plus, I think he's really beautiful. I would say he's more my type."
Logan looks back at the screen. The actor is about his build, his coloring, and, after a moment, he understands what Rory is implying. He tries, and fails, to keep the grin off of his face.
She shifts around to face him, tucking one of her legs underneath her. "So a few seasons from now, he ends up with Kalinda. You haven't seen her yet." She pauses, and he notices a blush creep up her cheeks.
"Yeah…" he prods.
"So… there's this scene where he just like… fucks her up against the window."
Whoa.
Logan's head jerks up to watch her closely. His heart is pounding.
Her eyes are focused on her hands in her lap, and soon she continues in a quiet voice. "Sometimes… if I'm lonely, I'll put it on and pause it there, and…"
He lets it hang in the air for a bit, before he pushes back. "What do you do, Rory?"
She finally looks up at him, beet red. "You know what…"
He leans over to grasp her hips pulling her up toward him until she is straddling his lap. "Do you need me to help you say it?" he whispers.
She nods, simultaneously rolling her hips against him.
"You like to fantasize about getting fucked up against the window."
She leans in and kisses the hollow next to his Adam's apple. "Not quite," she whispers back. "I like to fantasize about you fucking me up against the window."
Jesus fucking Christ.
He practically growls as he stands up, wrapping her legs around his body, and carries her to the window.
They are back on the couch attempting to finish the episode of The Good Wife when Logan's cell phone rings, interrupting them.
"It's 'Lazy Sunday'," he says. "I'm not working. Just decline it."
Rory picks up his phone, then turns it to face him. "It's not work. It's… Odette."
Shit. How do I explain that?
"Oh… You can still decline it," he says. I'm just not going to explain that. At least not until I'm out of the situation.
Rory declines the call and sets his phone back on the coffee table. But a few minutes later, she pauses the television and sits up to look at him.
"You could have taken that call."
"I don't… It wasn't important," he says honestly.
"This is great, right?" she asks. "You and me."
"Yes. It's really great." How do I respond to that without sounding too eager?
"So… I'm thinking that I want to keep seeing you. Doing this."
Yes. Absolutely. I want to do this forever.
He nods.
"But…" she continues.
No. No buts.
"I live in New York, and you live here. We're both so busy with work, and it just seems like… maybe we shouldn't push this to be more than it is."
"What does that mean?" Logan asks nervously.
"You know, when we're together, we're together. And when we're not, we're not. Like... if we were in Vegas. It's great there, but whatever happens there, stays there," she explains.
"So… you want to keep this casual. Stringless fun," he teases.
"What do you think?" she asks.
I think it is a terrible idea. The idea of being one of your many makes me want to vomit.
"I don't know. Do you think that's possible for us?"
"I think it has to be. I just can't make any kind of commitment right now. But I definitely want this to continue," she begins rambling. "And I know you're thinking that's not who I am, but I've changed a lot, and this is what I want. Really. I'm not just saying that this time. Is that what you want?"
No. I want you and only you, but I'm going to take what I can get right now. Because there is no way you have changed that much.
You're the one who said "This casual dating thing. I don't like it. It's not who I am. And I don't wanna make it who I am."
Also, I'm technically engaged so I guess I have no room to make demands. I'll have to tell her about Odette soon.
"I'm a girlfriend girl, Logan. I have boyfriends. Not escorts." No way she is going to want be "casual" for very long.
If I do this right, I'll win her back in a couple of months.
"I want whatever you want," he says, choosing his words carefully. "But I definitely want to keep seeing you."
She smiles and snuggles close to him. "So are you seeing where this is going?" she asks, gesturing toward the TV.
"Yeah. She's going to end up with Josh Charles. Obviously."
She sighs. "Oh, Logan. We're going to have to keep watching."
"I thought I could be different, but I can't. I'm sorry."
You are going to end up with me. Obviously.
Logan opens the door to his flat on Monday. "Rory? I brought lunch. Are you hungry?"
She comes out of the kitchen wearing a short silk robe and smiles. "Not for lunch."
She takes the bag of takeout from him, drops it down to the floor, and pulls him by the tie toward the study before pushing him into a chair. She loses her robe, and soon he is just as naked. Before he even knows what is happening, she is on her knees in front of him. His hands are in her hair, and his head is back in ecstasy, eyes closed.
Best. Lunch break. Ever.
I had forgotten how good she was at this.
He can't control how loudly he's moaning, and he feels Rory smile against him. He opens his eyes to watch her, but is distracted by the sight of Finn in front of him.
"What the fuck, Finn!" he shouts. Rory pulls off of him, painfully scraping her teeth as she looks over her shoulder. Ouch.
"Oh my God," she says, scrambling into Logan's lap and hiding her head in crook of his neck. He reaches down to grab her robe and pull it over their naked bodies.
"What are you doing here?" Logan asks, wincing as he attempts to rearrange them into a more comfortable position. Rory is as still as a statue, unable to move.
"Well, the door was wide open, so I just followed the trail of clothes. Rory, love, great to see you. You're looking fit."
"Oh my God," she whispers again. "Make him go away, please."
"Will you get out? I'll be with you in a minute," Logan says.
Finn continues to smirk, so Logan tries again in a harsher tone. "Upstairs, now!"
He finally turns and heads up the stairs.
"You okay?" Logan asks her, and she reluctantly pulls her head away from his neck.
"Yeah. I'm just so embarrassed."
"Hey, it's not the first time Finn has walked in on us," he reminds her.
"I know. It's not even the second time," she says. "But it's different. We're not… you know… together."
Not yet, Ace.
He kisses her temple before saying "I'll go get rid of him. Can I get a raincheck on earlier though? Because that was pretty mind-blowing. Pun intended."
She rolls her eyes before finally moving out of his lap and pulling the robe around her body.
Logan stands as well and quickly gets dressed. He stomps up the stairs shouting "There better be a really good explanation by the time I get upstairs."
Finn is sprawled across the sectional, scrolling through his phone. "The explanation is that I wanted to come visit my oldest friend. I had no idea you would be entertaining, especially not with dear Reporter Girl. What is going on, and how long have you two been back together?"
"We're not together… It's complicated. What's really going on? Is Andy with you?" Logan asks.
"No. We're fighting."
"Aah… so that's why you're here. What happened?"
"He caught me watching straight porn, and he's convinced that I want to sleep with women," Finn says.
"Do you want to sleep with women?"
"Of course I do. But I don't want to cheat, so that's why I was watching porn. If I had known I could have come here for a live show, I would have done that sooner," Finn says with a smirk.
"Do not say anything like that to her. She's embarrassed enough as it is. Now, listen. I gotta get back to the office, but you can't stay here. You're going to have to find a hotel," Logan says.
"Okay, okay. How mad is she? Would she hang out with me today? I haven't seen her in a couple of years."
"I don't know. She's mortified," Logan says.
"Oh, it's no big deal. What's a little fellatio between friends? So you just go back to your little job, and I will mind your woman."
Logan rolls his eyes and heads back down the stairs. He finds Rory in the chair in the study, eating an eggroll and pretending to read a book.
"Hey," he says, pulling her out of the chair to stand in front of him. "I need to get back, but I'll try and get away early. Finn wants to hang out with you today if you're up for it. And you don't have to."
She flushes and sighs.
He kisses her squarely on the lips. "It's not a big deal, Ace. If anyone was going to walk in here and see us, at least he's the best option, right?"
She nods her acceptance, but the awkwardness is still present.
"I'll see you tonight," he says, kissing her one last time before heading out the door.
I hope this doesn't make her change her mind about being with me.
I'm gonna kill Finn.
By some stroke of luck, Logan's last conference call of the day is cancelled. Without so much as a goodbye to anyone, he is out the door, racing to his apartment.
So this is what it feels like to want to be at home.
He enters his flat to complete silence. Are they not here?
"Yes, that's it!" he hears Finn call out.
He heads up the stairs inhaling the strong scent of marijuana, and he rounds the corner just in time to see Rory pull off of his bong.
"Are you guys getting stoned?" he asks.
"Logan! You're home. Yes, we're trying to," Finn says. "Did you know that dear Rory has never gotten high before?"
Logan shakes his head. "I used to know that, but she tells me that she's changed a lot."
Rory's eyes are blood shot and as big as saucers. "You're home a lot earlier than you said."
"Finished early. Did not expect to find Finn teaching you how to hit the bong."
"She's a natural!" Finn declares.
"I just thought… if there was ever a time," she says.
Finn offers him the bong, but he has to decline. "I have to listen to a ton of presentations tomorrow. I'm going to go change."
Finn rolls his eyes, dramatically saying "Such an adult," as Logan heads to his bedroom.
Rory follows him a moment later. "Are you mad?"
"No! Rory… have I ever been one to get mad at people who are trying to have a little fun?" He unbuttons his shirt and tosses it into his dry cleaning pile.
Rory approaches, running her hands along his sides. He pulls her in tight, inhaling the scent of her shampoo.
"I promise I'm not mad. Go get high, and then I'll take you to dinner. Trust me, you're going to be starving in about an hour."
Rory excuses herself to the restroom, and once she is safely out of earshot, Finn turns to face Logan across the table.
"So Rory explained this 'Vegas' arrangement to me."
Logan can only roll his eyes.
Finn continues. "I've known you to go along with some stupid ideas in the past, but, mate… this seems colossally stupid."
"Apparently Rory has changed her tune since we were together. It's what she says she wants," Logan counters.
"But what do you want?"
"I'm hoping she'll come around, but what can I say? 'Hey, Rory, let's be exclusive, except for the fact that I'm technically engaged to someone else'."
"Does she know about Odette?" Finn asks.
"No. My goal is to be out of this engagement soon, and then I'll tell her once it's over."
"Does Odette know about Rory?"
Logan nods. "Yeah."
Finn is quiet for a second, before he asks seriously "You know what you're doing here, right?"
"I have no fucking clue what I'm doing."
"Be careful, mate. This is dangerous. For all of you," Finn warns.
Logan nods again as Rory returns to the table.
"How ya doin', Cheech?" he teases as she sits back down.
"I'm fine. The mirror tripped me out a bit, but I'm good," she says.
Finn and Logan share a laugh. "First timer."
When the food arrives, Rory dives into her burger and fries before turning to scoff at Logan's meal. "That's not what you're eating, is it?"
He looks down at his bun-less burger and side salad.
"Well, I normally go to the gym at lunch, but I had other plans today," he retorts with a smirk.
"So that's how you look like this?" she asks.
"Uh… look like what?"
"You look even better than college. You're not supposed to have a better body ten years later," Rory says.
She must still be really high to talk like this in front of Finn.
"Well, I also only drink about a quarter of what I did in college."
"Don't be modest, Logan," Finn says. "He has a personal trainer and competes in triathlons."
"Triathlons? Wow. I feel lazy," Rory says.
He leans over to whisper in her ear. "I can personally attest that your body looks better than it did in college too."
He smiles when a blush creeps up her neck.
Sexual innuendo in front of Finn? This is moving along quicker than I even could have hoped.
When Logan checks in with Rory on Thursday during lunch, she is downright giddy.
"I have had the best day! Naomi's people were so pleased with the article that they want to maybe turn it into a series of features. And then Conde Nast called! They also really liked the article, and they want to set up a meeting."
"Ace, that's great. I'm so happy for you. You deserve it."
"The only problem… is that I need to go home," she says softly.
Fuck. That did not occur to me.
"When?"
"My meeting is Monday, so I should probably leave tomorrow," she says.
Okay. It's okay. Play it cool.
"Let's have a celebratory dinner tonight then. The Ivy. I'll have a car come pick you up, and we'll toast to all your success." He keeps his tone light, not hinting at the anguish he suddenly feels.
He is able to keep it up through dinner, but later that night when they are lying in bed, his hand lazily tracing circles on her back, the gloom settles in.
"What are you thinking?" she whispers.
He sighs heavily. "That I don't know when I'll see you again. And that… makes me sad," he says, surprised at his own vulnerability.
"Let's make a deal. Let's always plan the next time before we leave each other," she offers.
That doesn't sound very 'Vegas', but I love it so…
"I'll be in New York for Thanksgiving. Will you be in Stars Hollow?"
"Yes, but I could probably slip back to the city easily. Should we plan on trying to get together that week?" she asks.
"Absolutely. I'll make it happen." His mood instantly ticks up.
Whatever I have to do to see her again, I'm going to do.
November 2015
My Conde Nast meeting got rescheduled for the Friday after Thanksgiving, so I'll probably stay in NY instead of SH.
Logan reads the text from Rory and smiles.
He quickly calls her.
"Hey. That's an odd time to schedule a meeting."
"I know," she replies. "But it's Conde Nast, so I'm not going to be picky. I think I'm going to stay in the city so that I make sure I'm ready. What are your plans?"
"I'm flying in on Wednesday, and I won't leave until a redeye Saturday night," he tells her. "I have to be at Honor's on Thursday, but other than that, I'm all yours."
Reign it in, big guy.
"That sounds perfect. Why don't you come to my apartment when you get in? It's not the Plaza, but…"
"I like that. I need to see this apartment for myself."
Wednesday afternoon Logan takes a taxi to the address in Brooklyn Rory has provided him. He heads up the stairs to her walk-up, and lightly knocks on the door.
She opens it, full smile, and throws herself into his arms.
"Hey!" she says against his neck.
He ducks around her saying "I have to see this wall."
She laughs and points down the hall.
"Thanks," he says dropping his bag and moving toward it. "This has been driving me crazy since you told me about it." He puts his hand along the sticky wall. "You've lived here for five years and have never tried to figure out what this is?"
"Nope. It's just a part of its charm."
"Sometimes I do not understand you, Gilmore. You have a trust fund, right? I mean, this place is not much better than that shithole you lived in with Paris."
"It's not so bad, and I'm out of here next week, so you won't have to be here for long," she says.
"That doesn't give me very much time to figure out this wall."
She smiles. "So I called Conde Nast earlier to confirm since no one has called me, and it turns out… the meeting is actually next Friday. Which of course makes more sense. I'm not sure how I mixed up the dates."
"Does this mean you're going to Stars Hollow?" Logan asks nervously.
Please stay here with me.
"No. I already made plans with you," she says kissing him on the lips and reaching for his belt. "Come on. That wall will still be sticky tomorrow."
London time wakes Logan up early the next morning. He heads into the kitchen and starts a pot of coffee. He opens his laptop at the breakfast table and begins working.
Rory awakens about an hour later, shuffling over to sit in his lap. "You're working on Thanksgiving?" she asks.
"Yes, and I've been very productive. Tell me- Did you paint the wall yourself?"
"What? Are you still thinking about that? But, yes. I painted it right after I moved in. The person who lived here before smoked, and the walls were stained yellow."
"I'm guessing you didn't sand and clean the walls first," Logan says knowingly.
"Um…"
"So that's why it's sticky," he says triumphantly. "Cigarette smoke gets into the walls, and now it's leaching out through your paint."
"Logan, you are such a dork. I can't believe you-"
He cuts her off with a kiss. "So now that that is settled, what do you want to do this morning? I don't have to be at Honor's for a couple of hours."
"A couple of hours?" she says, raising her eyebrows.
He laughs and lets her lead him back to the bedroom.
Logan returns to Brooklyn that night with a bag full of leftovers.
"How was it?" she asks.
He drops the food on the table and joins her on the couch. "It was fine, but… I missed you. I couldn't wait to get back." He pulls her toward him and puts his arms around her.
"How did you explain taking all the food?" Rory asks him.
"I asked the nanny to pack it for me and not to tell anyone. What have you been doing all afternoon?"
"Packing," she says.
"You've done a lot," he says, looking around the room. "Where are you going to put all of these boxes? It would completely fill your mom's house."
"I know. I'm going to send some to Grandma's, Lane's. I was going to put some at Paris's place here, but Doyle just moved out, and I don't know if it's the best timing."
"Lane and Paris both have kids. You think you're going to crash there often?" he asks.
"I don't know, but like you said… these can't all go to Mom's. And I don't want to always stay with her anyway. I'm thirty-one. I can't move back into my mom's house. I just need some flexibility. So I can go where the work takes me."
"Okay. If you say so."
Would it be too much if I…
She's planning on working on that Shropshire piece a lot…
I don't want to scare her off.
"What?" she asks, interrupting his thoughts.
"What what?"
"What are you thinking, but not saying?" she prods.
It's annoying how well she knows me. Just say it.
"You can send some of your stuff to my place if you want. It seems like you'll be working in London a fair amount, and you know I have the space."
Rory looks at him for a moment before answering. "I don't want to impose."
"It's not imposing if I offer. Plus… You plan on being there right? When we go to Vegas."
Please say that you'll be there.
Rory's whole face breaks into a smile, and Logan can't help but smile back.
"Actually," she says, "I have some time off over Christmas. Nothing planned at all. I was thinking maybe I could come to London that week. If that works for you."
I'm supposed to be in Paris with Odette's family.
"That sounds perfect."
December 2015
"Hey!" Logan says as he answers Odette's call. "I've been meaning to call you. I'm sorry. Work is crazy right now. I'm working on this thing in Japan, and-"
"It's fine. I just wanted to double check that we are telling our families the same thing. Mamá was pestering me again today about why you weren't coming for Christmas."
"I guess 'He's having his ex-girlfriend come and stay with him instead' didn't fly." Logan jokes.
"I told her it was work so give me some of the details on this Japan thing."
"I'm really sorry," he says. "I know you haven't had time to put away enough money, and I know I'm being selfish. What if I fly down this weekend? I have a tight window, but I could get there. Then I'll apologize to your parents myself."
"If you want… But maybe it's time to tell the truth. Surely they want us to be happy. I'll tell my parents about Henri, and you tell yours about Rory," she says.
Unfortunately…
"I don't really have anything to tell yet. But if that's what you want…" Logan trails off. I'm not going to stop you.
"Yes. Yes, I am going to go tell her right now," she says defiantly.
"Okay, good luck. Let me know what happens so I know what to say when your father inevitably calls me."
Two hours later he gets a text from Odette.
It did not go well. No marriage, no money.
Shit. Now I'm completely responsible for her financial well-being too.
He goes to call her, but an incoming call beats him to it. Jean. Shit.
He declines the call while he tries to think of what he will say. He is staring blankly at his monitor when Jean himself walks in, unannounced.
"Jean… I…" Logan stammers as he rises behind his desk.
"Celine just called me. What is going on? Odette says you don't want to get married," Jean says, his voice rising.
"Well, it's not that, it's just…"
"It's just what?"
Logan hasn't felt this intimidated since he left boarding school. He swallows a few times.
"You are going to marry my daughter," Jean says succinctly before storming out of the room.
Logan sinks back down into his chair.
I'm not thirteen years old. He can't just order me around.
A few minutes later, Mitchum calls.
I guess I better answer this one, or else he'll just walk in here too.
"What in God's name do you think you're doing? Are you only capable of ruining things?" Mitchum berates him as he answers the phone.
"Hello, Dad."
"You and Odette are getting married. There are a lot of financial intricacies here that you are not aware of, and this merger will happen, Logan."
"What intricacies?"
"It's not important that you know," Mitchum says.
"It's not important that I know?" Logan shouts. "This is my life, Dad. And I've told you over and over, we don't want to get married."
Mitchum huffs. "This is not acceptable. Figure it out son," he says, abruptly hanging up.
Instantaneously, another text comes in from Odette.
I'm really sorry.
I'll give Odette a little more time, but as soon as Rory and I are back on track, I'm out of this.
This is not a merger. This is my life, and they can't force me to do anything.
Fuck this. Fuck them. I'm going to do exactly as I please.
And right now, I please to ignore all of them.
He picks up his phone and calls Rory.
The second day that Rory is back in London, Logan pesters her to go out and get a tree. He has decided that he is going to recreate their last Christmas together.
And it all began with the tree. Well… it actually began with sex on the dining room table, but...
That was one of the best weeks of my life, and I have to make sure she remembers just how special it was.
"Come on, Ace. Wake up. If we don't get moving all the good ones will be gone. And we have to get decorations. I don't have any."
"How do you not have any Christmas decorations?" she asks.
"I'm usually not here. And if I am, I don't really decorate."
"So where are you usually?"
"I go to Hartford. That's the one time I will venture into my parents' house. Honor and Josh and the kids come too," he tells her.
"Oh… Did I mess up your plans? I'm sorry."
"Rory. There is no place else I'd rather be than here with you," Logan says.
She gives him a shy smile and rolls out of bed.
They go out to find a tree and stop to buy tinsel and ornaments before heading back to his flat.
"What happened to all of the ornaments you used to have?" she asks quietly as they unload the bags.
Logan looks at her hard. "I… I threw them all away."
I couldn't stand having any reminders of what we had been.
She nods her head, and turns away to start winding the lights around the tree.
He reaches for her forearm and spins her toward him. "Rory… I just-"
"No, I know. I got rid of some things too. It's not a big deal. That was just a really great Christmas. And it's... You know, the past is the past. And we're in Vegas right now."
Logan nods and lets go of her arm. He feels the need to explain further, but the tension is thick.
They busy themselves, silently decorating the tree.
I have to get this back on track. No more awkward thoughts about our past. I have to make her see all the good that's right here now.
"So I thought we would cook Christmas dinner together tomorrow. See if we've gotten any better at it."
"I know that I haven't," she laughs. "But if I remember correctly, it won't matter as long as we use the dessert for sex."
"If you want sex for dessert, I can make that happen."
On Christmas morning, Logan surprises her with her favorite Christmas movies on the couch.
"I can't believe you remembered all of this," she says.
I remember everything.
He just smiles and pulls her close. They watch through several movies, only stopping for their meal.
Later that night at the ending of It's a Wonderful Life, Rory looks over at him and smiles. "I believe a strip tease in a Santa hat is all that's left, but I didn't bring it," she says.
Logan smirks and goes to his bedroom, returning quickly with a wrapped present.
"Lo-gan! We said no gifts," Rory protests.
"Well, this is really a gift for me," he says with a laugh, as Rory opens the box to find a lacy red bra and panties and a Santa hat.
"You are terrible," she says. "But I guess I should try it on. Just to make sure it fits."
On Boxing Day, Rory puts her tablet down long enough to study Logan across the kitchen table. He feels her eyes and looks up from his laptop.
"What?"
"I feel bad that I didn't give you anything for Christmas," she says.
"Oh, you gave me something," he says, smirking.
"Stop. You know what I mean. You've put me up here for a week, you pay for everything… I just feel a little guilty."
"Don't feel guilty," he tells her. "Money doesn't mean anything."
"Well, is there anything you want that I could do?"
There are so many things I want to say right now, but…
"Stay for New Year's," he finally says.
A slow smile takes over her face. "I could probably do that. I could work on my stuff with Naomi, and… you'll just have to be okay with seeing me in the same clothes."
"That's gonna be a problem," he says. "I don't like seeing you in any clothes."
And just like that, they spend the week playing house. Work during the day. Dinner and TV on the couch. Sex before snuggling to sleep.
More than once, Logan realizes that this is what his life could have been if she'd said yes.
I hope she feels like that too. This is not casual, and she knows it.
On New Year's Eve, they stay in with a bottle of champagne. They are kissing well before the countdown. He makes love to her as the clock strikes midnight, and he settles on his resolution.
To make this life permanent.
A/N: I know The Good Wife references are a little on the nose, but with the way Rory worshiped HRC, there is no way she didn't watch that show. And if you haven't seen the episode I'm talking about, Youtube it now!
This contains throwbacks to It Doesn't Happen to Every Guy and the last chapter of London, Baby if you need refreshers.
2016 will obviously take a while as well so bear with me! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.