Chapter 14

A/N: You guys are amazing. Every single review or comment makes my entire day, so thank you so much for taking the time to tell me what you think! I'm beyond thrilled that you're enjoying this story so much. I'm sorry for the long lapse in updates; there's been some major writer's block going on here.. Please keep reading and reviewing, and check out my other stories as well.

Rory awoke the next morning happily wrapped in her fiance's arms. Wow! Her fiance! She couldn't have imagined that outcome a week ago, and now he was here with her.

"Morning, beautiful," came Logan's husky voice still laden with sleep.

"Morning," she replied as she leaned up and kissed him gently.

"What's on your mind this morning? You looked deep in thought when you woke up."

"Mmm...just thinking about us," Rory replied as she snuggled in closer.

"Oh? And what about us were you thinking?"

"Just that this is really nice. It's been too long since it's been real for us, more than stolen moments or nights together. It feels like coming home," she replied with a smile.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Logan replied right as Rory jumped out of the bed and ran to the bathroom, and he instantly heard retching. He quickly moved next to her in the bathroom, wetting a washcloth with cool water and laying it on the back of her neck as he held her hair back. "Shh...it's okay, Ace. I'm right here. We're in this together, baby."

Finally finished getting sick, Rory turned to Logan. "I'm so sorry you had to see that."

"Hey, hey, there's nothing to apologize for. Last I checked, you being sick was a result of what we did together. I meant it when I said I'm here, Rory. Morning sickness, cravings, doctor's appointments, painting the nursery. This is our life together now, not just yours."

"God, you really are amazing, you know that? I mean, I know that I could do it without you if I needed to, but I am so glad that we're doing this together. I love you, Logan."

"And I love you, Rory. Now, brush your teeth and let's get in the shower so I can find something for you to eat that hopefully won't anger our little bambino. Sound good?"

"Sounds amazing," she said with a contented sigh.

After showering and getting dressed, the couple descended the stairs into the diner for breakfast, and all of Stars Hollow took notice as they entered the room. Miss Patty and Babette sat slack-jawed as they nudged each other with knowing looks. Deciding that she didn't want this to get out of hand, Rory quickly pulled Logan out of the diner and back to the Crap Shack.

"What do you say we go grab breakfast somewhere else and get away from the gossip mill? I want to shout it from the rooftops that you're my fiance, Logan, but I feel like we should tell family and close friends first."

"Sounds like a good plan, Ace," he said as he opened the passenger door for her and helped her into the car.

Half an hour later, they pulled up to a diner in Hartford, sat at a table and ordered their breakfast.

"Have you thought about when you want to tell our family and friends, Ace?"

"A little, yeah. Mom will be back from her honeymoon later today, so we can tell her as soon as we see her. We could see if my Grandma's available this weekend maybe, and see if our fellow Elis could swing a get together within the next couple of days. Then we need to tell your parents, too. Oh, and Honor, of course! And Paris and Lane, and then we could make it public."

"Take a deep breath there, little momma. That was a whole lot of talking there," Logan replied with a laugh. "Why don't you go ahead and call your Grandma, and I'll text the guys to see when they're available. We could always tell Honor, Paris and Lane via FaceTime. It's not optimal, but word is going to get around quickly once we start telling everyone. I would rather them hear it from us first."

"Good point. I'll sneak out and call my Grandma while we're waiting on our food and you can text the guys," Rory replied as she got up, kissed Logan lightly and exited the diner.

Rory returned to their booth five minutes later and snuggled into Logan's chest.

"Did you miss me, Ace?" Logan asked with a chuckle as he pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head.

"Mmm...I have years of missing being close to you to make up for, mister," she replied as she kissed his cheek.

"How'd the conversation with Emily go?"

"Good. She's actually going to be in Hartford this afternoon to check on the house, so I told her we would meet her there this afternoon."

"Doesn't Emily live in Hartford?" asked Logan.

"No, she actually just moved to Nantucket, and their old house is on the market now. She flew up to check on it and take care of some business."

"Emily in Nantucket, huh?"

"Yep, and she seems to be really happy. Believe it or not, she's mellowed some," said Rory.

"That I will believe when I see, although I certainly hope it's true. A more mellow Emily would definitely make tonight a little less painful."

"Hey, look at me, Logan. We're in this together. It's going to be okay. Nothing she says or does or threatens could change us, okay? The only time I'm running from now on is when I have you right next to me running with me, okay?"

"Good. I definitely like the sound of that. By the way, the guys and Steph can meet us tonight here in Hartford," Logan replied as their food was delivered.

"That was almost as good as Luke's. We'll have to remember this place for the next time we're in Hartford," Rory said as they walked out of the diner.

"I'll make a note, Ace. Listen, I've been thinking. Hartford is closer to family than New Haven, and the job offer that I have here is a great one. The Courant is actually looking for a new editor-in-chief. What would you think about us settling down here?"

"Would you be happy at the Courant?"

"I definitely would be. I think I would enjoy it immensely, and we would be close to your family. New Haven is great, but I feel like Hartford might be a better fit for us. What do you think?"

"Let's do it! Wait a minute, am I willingly joining the Hartford ranks? Someone better take my temperature!" Rory said with a laugh.

"You're right, Ace. We may both need to see a doctor," Logan said as he chuckled. "But hey, I think Colin and Steph are buying a house here as well, and Finn and Robert are here often. I won't let you be a DAR wife or a typical society wife. We'll set our own terms here, okay? We can be involved in society without being what we hate about society. There are enough of us 30-somethings who want more from life here to shake things up, okay?"

"Okay, I'm all in. Hartford it is!" Rory said as she wrapped her arms around Logan's neck and kissed him.

"How about I take a minute and call and accept that job offer and then we grab a paper and look around to get an idea of where we want to look for a house? Oh, and I almost forget to tell you that the guys and Steph are meeting us tonight. Actually, they only know that they're meeting me. I wanted to surprise them with you and our little jelly bean."

"I say make you make that phone call and I'll grab the paper, Mac!"