10 Months Later
Christopher Hayden nervously paced in the small room. He couldn't believe the day had finally come. Sure it had been over 20 years in the making, but he still couldn't help being excited and nervous at the same time.
"Christopher stop pacing," he heard a voice from outside the door say. He smiled, and took the advice, sitting down on an uncomfortable chair. He picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip, smiling as he always did when he drank coffee.
He couldn't believe how much had changed in the past 10 months.
He'd spent the night of Richard and Emily's Anniversary Party with Lorelai in Stars Hollow. They'd spent half the night talking, and the other half making love, and making up for lost time.
When he returned to Boston the following day, it was with the promise of calling her when he got home. He kept the relationship secret from Gigi until they could come up with a game plan, which meant instead of seeing Lorelai every night like he wanted to, they spent many late nights on the phone, just as they had when they were teenagers.
After a month of late night calls and sick days from work so they could play hooky together, they finally told Gigi – who was ecstatic about the news.
In October, Christopher put in a transfer to the Hartford office, and he and Lorelai started house hunting. They found a place between Hartford and Stars Hollow, as Lorelai couldn't quite fathom being in the same city as her parents, but given that their elders were aging, being closer was a good thing. Lorelai couldn't bring herself to sell the Crap Shack, but she kept it with the argument that it was Rory's childhood home, and everyone deserved the chance to go home again. Since both of their parents still lived in their childhood homes, Christopher really didn't argue. As long as they were living together, and not in Stars Hollow, he really had no reason to complain. And they were. To start things completely anew, they both left their houses virtually furnished, and picked new furnishings for the new house together. The only items that came from either old house were clothes, books, toys (for Gigi), or items holding sentimental value, like photographs and artwork. The transition was relatively smooth. Lorelai quickly found a new favorite coffee shop, and actually enjoyed her commute to and from work.
In December, Christopher and Lorelai took a trip to Paris to drop Gigi off with Sherry for a few weeks. He convinced her to stay a few days in the hotel they stayed in the last time they were there. This time he remembered to set the clock so they wouldn't sleep through their dinner reservations.
Sitting in the same restaurant as before, but during the evening, not the early morning, Lorelai marveled over the view of the shops of the Champs Elysees and the boats floating along the Seine. "It's so beautiful here," she said.
"I agree," Christopher replied, not taking his eyes off of Lorelai for a moment. "Are you getting dessert?"
"Of course I am!" she exclaimed.
Christopher smiled and called the waiter over to order.
When the desserts appeared, they began to eat slowly, and talk quietly about their life, and their future. As Lorelai finished her mousse, Christopher reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, will you marry me, again?" he asked.
She looked up at him, then down at the ring. It was a large emerald cut sapphire, surrounded by diamonds. "Christopher," she whispered, "it's beautiful! I've always wanted a ring like this."
"I know," he replied with a smile.
"How did you know? My grandmother had a ring just like this and I loved it when I was a kid."
"You wanted to do it right this time Lore, so I asked your father for permission. He told me to wait just a moment, then came back with this box. He handed it to me and told me 'use this,'" Christopher explained.
"This is my grandmother's ring?" she asked to clarify.
"It's only fitting that another Lorelai wears it. So, will you? Wear it that is," he asked again.
She nodded as tears streamed down her face. She held out her left hand to him, and he slid the ring into place. "But it's gonna be a long engagement Mister," she told him.
"I can handle that."
They spent Christmas with Logan and Rory, and to Christopher's surprise, no blood was shed. Lorelai was finally coming around to Logan. There was snow, hot chocolate, and lots of Christmas movies. Gigi's Christmas wish was a baby.
In April, in the midst of wedding planning, Gigi got her wish. Lorelai wanted a little boy, and Christopher agreed, but he knew he'd also be fine with another Gilmore Girl. Lorelai in her infinite wisdom decided to announce this at the most inopportune time possible, while trying on wedding dresses with her mother. Emily almost had a stroke, and Richard was barely able to calm her down long enough for Lorelai to share their plan.
A knock at the door brought Christopher out of his memories.
"Are you ready Dad?" Rory asked.
"You bet Kid," he said as he opened the door.
"Then let's go!" she said eagerly.
"You look beautiful Rory," he told her honestly as he took in her dress and her hair. "So much like your mother."
"You look great too Dad," she replied as she stopped to straighten his tie. "Are those skulls on your tuxedo studs?"
"Yep. You like?"
"Those must have been a gift from Mom," she said knowingly.
"Right you are, my darling daughter," he confirmed as they headed further down the hall.
Logan Huntzberger sat impatiently on the bench, waiting for the action to start. He dug out his phone and began to scroll through his text messages, when he got one from Rory It's almost time! he smiled at the message and set his phone down.
While he waited his mind wandered back to the events of the last few months.
He and Rory had spent the night of Richard and Emily's Anniversary Party making love and making plans.
Rory spent the next few months on the road with the campaign. She flew to Palo Alto to see him every few weeks, and he flew out to where ever she was every few weeks to meet up with her. The other journalists never completely gave up on the Rory/Huntzberger story, but Rory was too happy to care anymore.
In October, they went home to visit for her birthday. They had dinner with her parents and grandparents, and lunch with his father and sister. Honor announced that she was pregnant and due in May. Much to his surprise, Rory finally dropped her grudge against Mitchum, and in no time the two of them were talking up a storm. So much so that at one point Honor leaned over to him and whispered in his ear, "Looks like you may be off the hook."
"For what?"
"Being the Huntzberger Heir, looks like Dad's got a new favorite."
After the election, instead of staying on with the press corps she settled in with him in Palo Alto, and got a job as a columnist in a regionally syndicated paper, without Mitchum's help, even though he would have gladly given it if she'd asked.
December came, and found the happy couple back in Hartford. They spent Christmas with the Gilmore's and New Years with the Huntzbergers, minus Shira who was home sick with the flu. Christmas had been wonderful, yet unexpected. Despite he and Rory being very happy that they were back together, and Lorelai and Christopher being happily back together, he and Lorelai still didn't have a great relationship.
It was Christmas morning and Logan was sitting outside on the patio, appreciating the snow they didn't get in California and drinking his coffee, when he heard the door open, and someone step out onto the patio with him.
"Merry Christmas," the voice said.
"Yeah, you too," he responded politely.
"Can I sit down?" Lorelai asked.
"It's your house," he reminded her.
She took a seat on the bench next to him. "I'm sorry Logan."
"What are you sorry for?" he asked, genuinely confused. While they didn't get along, she wasn't outright rude to him or anything.
"Someone pointed out that I didn't like you for reasons that had nothing to do with you," she explained.
"Oh," he replied, still confused.
"You remind me of someone that I love very much, but that hurt me very badly. I didn't want that to happen to my baby girl."
"I love Rory, Lorelai, with all of my heart," he said, trying not to sound annoyed. "I would never hurt her on purpose."
"Christopher never hurt me on purpose either," she said quietly.
"But you and Christopher are good, right?" he asked curiously.
"We are now. But you reminded me so much of him when he was your age. I… I'm sorry. My behavior wasn't fair to you."
"It's okay Lorelai," he said with a smile.
"Thanks Logan." She slid a little closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "You make my daughter very happy, keep up the good work. But remember, if you hurt her, I know how to hide a body." She grinned up at him.
"Got it."
The New Year kept both Rory and Logan busy. She was writing story after story, and his business was growing like crazy. They had no intention of returning to the east coast until Honor's baby shower in March, but unfortunately fate had other plans.
Elias had a stroke in early February forcing Logan to make a trip to see the old man. Even if they hadn't been getting along, Elias was still his grandfather, and Logan knew he'd never forgive himself if his grandfather died before he could at least attempt to make amends. Rory refused to let him go alone.
"You know my mother will be there, right?" Logan asked again as they headed for the hospital.
"She has to know we're back together Logan. Your father, or Honor, or my grandparents have probably said something by now," Rory reminded him.
They walked into the hospital hand in hand. "Logan! You're here!" his mother said dramatically as she rushed towards him for a hug. She completely ignored Rory until she pulled away from her one-sided hug. "What is she doing here?"
"Rory's my girlfriend Mom, we support each other in times of need. Where else would she be?" Logan asked.
Shira blinked twice and took a step backwards. "This is no time for jokes Logan," she scolded him.
"I'm not joking Mother."
"Mitchum!" Shira screamed. Mitchum came rushing out of Elias's ICU room.
"What's wrong?" Mitchum asked. He smiled when he saw Rory and Logan, discovering the problem for himself. "Good to see you Rory, Logan," he said hugging them each in turn.
"Hey Dad!"
"Hi Mitchum."
"You knew?" Shira shrieked.
"Well I am a journalist," he retorted. "Now please, keep your voice down, all that screaming can't be good for sick people." He returned his attention to Rory and Logan, stepping between them and putting an arm around each of their shoulders. "I didn't know you kids were coming into town, I didn't expect to see you until March."
The three of them laughed and headed into Elias's room, leaving a befuddled Shira standing in the hall.
In May Honor had a healthy baby boy, Hunter Elias, 7 pounds 6 ounces, 21 inches long. Uncle Logan couldn't wait to spoil the kid, and Honor made him promise not to teach the kid all of his tricks.
The processional music began to play, bringing Logan back to the present. He stood up, and gave Christopher a smile and wink. He watched as Gigi walked down the aisle, scattering rose petals every few feet along the way. When she reached the head of the aisle he turned back to see Rory coming down the aisle in her beautiful dress and bouquet. She gave him a wink as she passed him and took her place next to her sister. The music changed and Logan turned to the back one more time, to watch Lorelai and Richard walk down the aisle.
Lorelai made a beautiful bride. If you didn't know it, you would never realize she was pregnant.
Christopher stood with the minister as he watched his daughters come down the aisle towards him. Gigi scattered rose petals, and stopped and gave him a hug before he reminded her she was supposed to be on the other side of the stage.
Rory came down, smiling the whole way. Christopher watched Logan as Logan watched her. He had a feeling he would be walking his daughter down the aisle in the not too distant future.
The music changed and Richard and Lorelai entered the room. Lorelai was so beautiful that it almost took his breath away. He smiled as she approached, stepping down from the stage to meet her and Richard at the end of the aisle.
He shook Richard's hand and took Lorelai's hand in his own.
"Who presents this woman to this man?" the reverend asked.
"Her mother and I do," Richard said clearly. "Finally!" The crowd laughed, Lorelai elbowed her father in the ribs, and Richard winked at Christopher and leaned over to whisper to him "Good luck son, welcome to the family."
The ceremony was short, and soon the bride and groom were kissing, and then everyone was rushing back down the aisle to get to the reception.
The reception was in the Rose Room. Both Christopher and Lorelai found it very fitting. But unlike Richard and Emily, this pair decided to share the head table with the family. So joining the bride and groom were Rory and Logan, Gigi, Richard and Emily, and Francine. Despite all of the years of grudges, everyone managed to move past them. Richard even invited Gigi to call him and Emily Grandpa and Grandma. Christopher couldn't help but smile at this development.
As the food was being delivered, he felt a tug at the sleeve of his jacket. "Yes Gigi?"
"If Aunt Lorelai's parents are Grandma and Grandpa, does that mean I should call her Mom now?" Gigi asked him, confused.
"Sherry is your mom Sweetie, and it might hurt her feelings if you start calling Lorelai that, but I bet we can come up with a name for her that works for everyone," he answered.
"Okay Dad," Gigi replied. "But what?"
"Let's ask Lorelai," he said, but before he could ask, the sound of forks on glasses interrupted them.
"Toast! Toast! Toast!" the guests were chanting. The bandleader brought the microphone over to the head table, but before Chris could grab it, Rory grabbed it first.
"I'm the maid of honor, I get to make the first toast," she told him with a smile.
"Hi everybody!" she said into the mic, "If any of you don't know me, I'm Rory, the daughter of the bride and groom." The crowd chuckled. "I'm here to toast the happy couple, so here it goes. Mom, you've been my best friend and my inspiration for my entire life. All I've ever wanted is to be just like you: smart, witty, beautiful and independent. You taught me to never settle for anything less than exactly what I wanted. I'm so blessed to be able to follow your example. Dad, I know it hasn't always been easy for us, but I have never felt anything less than loved by you. I'm so glad you and Mom have finally gotten everything together." Christopher looked over to see Lorelai with tears sparkling in her eyes, and reached over to Rory and squeezed her hand. "So everyone, please raise your glasses to my parents, who have shown us all that true love does indeed last a life time, and that timing really is everything."
The guests laughed, which was followed by a chant of "To Christopher and Lorelai!"
Christopher motioned to his daughter to hand over the microphone, and refilled Lorelai's glass with the bottle of sparkling cider that was on the table for Gigi. "Thank you all for coming!" he started as he stood up. "My wife and I," he grinned involuntarily at the word wife and looked at Lorelai who was beaming as well, "are so glad that you could join us today. We know we've had a long, strange, trip to the alter, but it's been worth every second of it. So to all of you, thank you for all of your support over the years."
Everyone drank to his toast, and he sat back down. Lorelai leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Worth every second of it?"
"Sure, we wouldn't be the people we are now without our pasts. And going through all the crap makes me realize just how lucky I am to be here with you right now."
"You are just too much," she responded, and then moved to kiss him. "I love you Mr. Hayden."
"I love you too Mrs. Hayden," he replied, smiling at the sound of that name rolling off his tongue.
"I'm only Mrs. Hayden to you," she reminded him.
"That's all I've ever wanted."
After the plates were cleared, the bandleader announced the first dance. The bride and groom were dancing to At Last, by Etta James, which Logan found incredibly fitting, and apparently the rest of the guests did as well, because there was ripple of chuckles heard throughout the room when the song started.
At last
my love has come along
my lonely days are over
and life is like a song
Logan was leaned up against a wall, with Rory standing in front of him, wrapped in his arms, watching the first dance. He found himself singing along with the song, quietly into Rory's ear. She turned and smiled up at him.
"You really can't sing you know," she told him.
"I know. Do you want me to stop?" he asked.
"No."
He continued to sing along.
"Look at how happy they are," Rory said.
"Almost as happy as we are," he replied.
"Almost."
AN: And they all lived happily ever after!
As usual, I don't own Gilmore Girls or At Last.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into the future.
Thank you so much for reading reviewing, favoriting, and alerting. It has meant so much to me. I've enjoyed each and every review, so again, thank you!
S