Here Comes the Bride
Author's Note: I'm a sucker for a Rogan story! If you haven't read my most recent story "I Will Take Care of You", give it a read! The characters are the same from all of my Rogan stories, but this can still count as a standalone story if you haven't read it yet.
Summary: Rory and Logan reflect on their marriage on the day of their eldest daughter's wedding.
It felt like yesterday that Rory was giving birth to her eldest daughter, Mia. And today, she was going to see her daughter marry the love of her life.
At 24, Mia was the same age Rory was when she married Logan. Mia had been with her husband-to-be, Flynn Tudor, since she was in high school. The two attended Yale together, travelled the world, and had moved in together just before graduation. Flynn had begun his residency after completing his medical school requirements and Mia was working at Huntzberger Publishing as a business partner, ready to take over when her father retires. When Rory and Logan learned that Mia and Flynn got engaged when they were vacationing in Spain, they couldn't have been happier.
"Mom, do you want to do the honors?" Mia asked, shaking Rory from her thoughts. Along with the rest of the bridal party, they were in the bridal suite getting ready for the wedding ceremony, which would take place at Oheka Castle in the Hamptons.
Rory smiled as she got up from the couch and went to zip up the back of Mia's off-the-shoulder wedding dress. Rory promised she wouldn't get too emotional today.
"Oh mom, don't cry," Mia said, seeing her mother tearing up. Rory took Mia into her arms and gave her a squeeze. Rory kissed Mia's temple fiercely.
"I'm sorry, honey. You look so beautiful," Rory said, brushing a hair behind Mia's ear, like she did when she was a little girl. Mia tried not to ruin her makeup.
"Thanks, mom. Will you and Ella help me with these last few parts before dad comes in?" Mia asked.
Mia's younger sister Ella came rushing to her side, carrying a few jewelry boxes. The other bridesmaids were taking pictures, immortalizing the moment. Wearing a teal over-the-shoulder gown, Ella was a proud Maid of Honor.
"Something new," Ella announced as Rory grabbed a shoebox with a pair of Saint Laurent white heels with pearl details. Rory helped her daughter slip into the shoes. Ella continued.
"Something old," Ella said, her voice cracking as she opened the jewelry box. Rory and Mia swallowed. It was Emily's tiara and necklace that she had lent to Rory so many years ago. Emily had passed away a few years ago, and it was so special for Mia to include these pieces as her something old. Holding back tears, Rory gently put the tiara on Mia's head as Ella put the necklace around Mia's neck.
"Grandma Emily had me wear these at a party she invited your dad to. I think she'd love that you're wearing these today," Rory said, keeping her voice steady. Mia did what she could to hold back her tears.
"Knowing Grandma Emily, she would've demanded I wear them," Mia said, pushing through her tears. Rory smiled, knowing her daughter was right.
"And something borrowed, right? You can borrow my tennis bracelet, the one your father gave me our first Valentine's Day together," Rory said as she took the bracelet off her own wrist and put it on Mia's. Ella had the final jewellery box in her hands.
"And your something blue is nana's aqua blue ring," Mia said as she slipped the Huntzberger family ring onto Mia's middle finger on her right hand.
Mia looked every inch a blushing bride. Rory had never seen her so beautiful, or happy. Her heart was exploding.
"Mia, we want to get a few fun shots of you with your bridal party. Rory, do you want to get Logan ready for the first father daughter look?" The photographer said, breaking up the moment.
With a nod, Rory squeezed Mia's hand, silently assuring her daughter that she would be back soon. With Mia, Ella and the rest of the bridesmaids giggling with the photographer, Rory walked out of the suite and to the adjoining room where Logan was waiting.
When Rory found her husband, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking handsome in his suit. Rory could tell that he was lost in thought.
"Logan, the photographer wants to do your first look with Mia," Rory said, shaking Logan from his thoughts.
Logan took a look at his wife. Rory wore a simple black high neck sleeveless gown, simple accessories and her hair pulled back in a sophisticated topknot. To Logan, Rory was perfect. His heart pounded in his chest.
"Ace, you look perfect," Logan said, his voice breathless. Rory blushed.
"After all these years, you know how to smooth talk me," Rory joked. Logan's lips tightened into a smile.
"Our little girl is getting married. I don't know how that happened," Logan said, his voice going soft. With a sigh, Rory walked over and sat beside Logan on the bed. She took his hand into hers.
"Mia isn't a little girl anymore. She's a woman who has been out in the world and making her mark. You helped her get there," Rory reassured Logan, stroking his hand with her thumb.
"We got her there together. Both our girls are so wonderful," Logan said, his voice shaky. Rory rested her head on Logan's shoulder.
"It doesn't feel that long ago that it was you and I walking down the aisle," Rory said, feeling nostalgic. Logan pressed a kiss to Rory's head.
"I remember it like it was yesterday. We were both so young, everyone thought we were crazy. But here we are, still in love as ever," Logan said.
"Remember the night before the wedding when we were in separate rooms and we couldn't sleep, so we met up at the hotel pool and just talked?" Rory reminisced. Logan laughed at the memory.
"How you managed to sneak past Lorelai, Paris and Lane is beyond me," Logan said with a chuckle. Rory giggled.
"I'm mostly impressed that we didn't get kicked out by staff with the pool being closed," Rory said.
"I remember you and I sitting by the pool with our feet in the water just talking about the wedding, how no matter what happened, it would always be you and I for the rest of our lives," Logan recalled, emotion coming through in his voice. Rory kissed her husband's cheek.
"We practically said our vows by the pool that night," Rory joked.
Logan rested his cheek on Rory's head, deep in thought. He smiled, remembering when he and Rory were in Mia and Flynn's position so many years ago.
"You know, that night by the pool was my favourite memory of our whole wedding, because it was just us. You and me against the world, like we always say, right?" Logan said, holding Rory close. Rory pressed a gentle kiss to her husband's cheek.
"That's why our marriage works, Logan. You and I took everything on together. The good, the bad, everything in between…we work because we work together. And I like to think that we've been a good example for Mia today, and Ella someday," Rory said, overwhelmed with how much she loved Logan and the family they created.
Logan cupped Rory's cheek into his hand and he kissed her the way he did on their wedding day. When they parted lips, Logan pressed his forehead again Rory's and caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
"I love you, Ace," logan whispered, a vow of their own. Rory beamed with love.
"I love you, too. Now let's go get our daughter down the aisle," Rory said, taking Logan's hand and leading him out of the room and into the main room of the bridal suite.
The photographer positioned Logan in the center of the room and instructed him to shut his eyes so Mia could enter. Rory, Ella and the rest of the bridal party waited with bated breath as Mia stood in front of Logan. The photographer told Logan to open his eyes.
The moment Logan saw Mia, he burst into tears. Seeing his eldest daughter standing before him as a bride, so happy and so in love, made Logan realize that he must have done something right as a father. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.
"Do I look like a bride, daddy?" Mia asked, keeping her voice steady so she didn't cry. Logan stepped forward and brushed his thumb along Mia's cheek. He smiled through his tears.
"You look how you've looked your whole life: perfect," Logan said, his voice cracking.
The tears freely falling, Mia hugged her father. She was oblivious to the photographers snapping away.
Crying now too, Rory threw an arm around Ella and held her close. After all these years, Rory didn't know how she got so lucky.
Rory remembered how it felt like time stood still when she walked down the aisle and she locked eyes with Logan, who cried when he saw his beautiful bride. It felt like time stood still again as she watched Logan walk Mia down the aisle.
Lorelai and Luke stood beside Rory, trying their best not to cry. Shira and Mitchum sat on the other side, trying not to cry as Logan kissed Mia's cheek before giving her away to Flynn. Logan took his seat beside Rory, and quickly held her hand.
As Mia and Flynn began saying their vows, both Rory and Logan recognized the look of love in Mia and Flynn's eyes. It was the same look of love that Rory and Logan had on their wedding day, and all the years that followed. As parents, they were proud that their daughter knew what it meant to be unconditionally loved because they had set an example, first.
"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the officiant said. Flynn wasted no time taking Mia's face into his hands and kissing her, their first kiss as husband and wife.
The guests clapped for the new Mr. and Mrs. Tudor, Rory and Logan cheering the loudest for their daughter.
The wedding reception was just as lavish and grand as the ceremony. The Huntzberger's spared no expense and completed the reception with an open bar, live band and a coffee bar inspired by Luke's Diner, at Mia's request.
Rory, Logan, Mia and Ella were having a moment together by the coffee bar. Dinner had just wrapped up, and the cake would be cut shortly before dancing would resume for the rest of the night. But the family hadn't had a chance yet to spend time together at the reception, and took the opportunity to do so while Flynn mingled with his groomsmen. Mia downed an espresso shot.
"Do you think people are having a good time?" Mia asked. Rory sipped her coffee.
"Don't even worry, people are loving this! Your first dance had everyone moved to tears," Rory reassured Mia. Logan discarded his coffee cup.
"I think our father daughter dance also brought down the house," Logan teased with a wink. Mia smiled and wrapped an arm around her parents.
"Thank you both for such a beautiful wedding, it was everything I dreamed it would be," Mia said, love in her voice. Logan kissed the top of her head, like he did when she was a little girl.
"You deserve the world, Mia," Logan said. Rory pulled Ella in to the family embrace.
"And miss Ella, you and Henry have been together just as long as Mia and Flynn, are there going to be any wedding bells anytime soon?" Rory asked, her tone light and jokey.
When the family saw Ella blush, they became intrigued. Mia gasped. "Are you and Henry engaged?" Mia asked, while Ella hushed her.
"Yes, we got engaged last week. We were going to announce it next week when you and Flynn are on your honeymoon," Ella half whispered so no one would hear.
"Honey, this is exciting news, congratulations!" Rory exclaimed, kissing her youngest daughter's cheek. Logan did the same.
"We're so happy for you and Henry, Ella. You deserve this!" Logan added. Mia hugged her little sister.
"I can't wait to be the best maid of honour for you, like you were to me. Do you have the ring?" Mia asked, releasing her sister.
Ella held up her right hand, which had a diamond and emerald ring on her ring finger. Ella wore it on the opposite hand so she wouldn't take away from Mia's day.
"That ring is gorgeous! Henry did good," Mia squealed, hugging Ella again. Rory and Logan joined in.
The hug was interrupted by two men clearing their throats. It was Flynn and Henry. They both smiled.
"Sorry to break things up, I was wondering if I might steal my wife for a dance," Flynn said, his smile taking up his entire face. Henry had a similar smile.
"I was also Ella might be free for a dance," Henry said.
Rory and Logan smiled at each other, knowing that their daughters were loved and cared for. "Take them, take them, have fun!" Logan urged, as Mia took Flynn's hand and Ella took Henry's.
Logan wrapped an arm around Rory as they watched their daughters dance with their respective partners. They could see that they were happy, in love and beautiful. The sight would make any parent proud. Rory rested her head on Logan's shoulder. She looked up at Logan with a knowing smirk.
"You know what this means, don't you?" Rory asked with a teasing smile. Logan sighed as he held Rory close.
"Yup. Time to spend money on another wedding!"
The End
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