Chapter 9

When: Thursday, December 23, 2027

Where: The Logan Huntzburger Estate in the Hamptons

Most of the guests have arrived. Shira and Mitchum were at their estate. Honor and Josh arrived late last night. Rory and Logan were already in bed, but they heard the kids greeting them. Rory noticed the pile of gifts under the tree had grown. Steph, Collin, and Andy will arrive today. Finn, Rosemary, and MaryLyn came in late last night also.

Rory was still in her boot. Logan had carried her downstairs and put her on the couch after her shower. He was going into town today, to find her a pair of crutches. Rory was trying to think of what to wear tonight. Her planned gown did not go with her boot.

Steph came out of the kitchen to see Rory on the couch. "Girly, what happened to you? Andy said you got hurt." Stephanie questioned.

Rory replied, "My and athletics don't mix. I should know that by now."

"Have decided on a dress for tonight, one that will match your boot?" Steph asked as she sat on the couch next to Rory.

"Katie is making me ribbons and bow to go on my boot. I have two dresses to decide on, my red Carolina Herrera Icon Silk Cascading V-Neck Gown or my black Carolina Herrera Sweetheart-Neck Midi Dress. Which one do you think goes with the bows?" She said with a laugh.

"Let's call the girls down, see what they think," Steph said. She picked up her phone and called Katie. They were in the kitchen working on the bows. They entered the living room with red, green, and red, and green bows. Steph asked which dress Rory should wear. Which will match the bows. Rory told them the dresses she was choosing from.

While they were discussing it, Logan came in with the crouches.

MaryLyn said. "We have to put bows on the crouches."

"Momma, wear the red dress, we will put red bows on your boots and red and green on your crouches," Katie said.

"Are you decorating her boot and her crouches?" Logan asked. They all said yes.

"Logan, Daddy called while you were out. He needs someone to pick him, Jennifer, Gigi, and Grandma up at the airport this afternoon around 4. He will call right before they take off." Rory told Logan.

"Not a problem Ace, Just let me know when." He said.

Rosemary joined the girls. "I haven't seen Finn since we got here, where is he?" Steph asked.

"He left early this morning. He had a business call to make. He went to the Morgan Hotel on the South side to take the call." Rosemary told them.

Steph, Rosemary, Katie, Rory, and MaryLyn were in Rory's room getting ready. Everyone is ready except for putting their dress and shoes on. They are going to help Rory get dressed first. While they were working on getting Rory in her dress, they heard Logan return with Emily, Chris, and the family. As soon as Emily settled, Jennifer and Gigi hurried up the stairs to be with the girls while they dressed and to touch up their makeup.

Logan came upstairs to let the girls know they are starting the pre-party cocktail. He helped Rory down the stairs and helped her get situated on the couch. Emily was asking her about what happened to her leg. They laughed. Emily agreed that the female Gilmores were not athletic.

"Your mom and Luke will be here on Christmas day. Your mom wanted to come early, but Luke told her that she was not going to mess up this family's Christmas another year with her snide remarks." Emily said. "So he called Christopher and asked him if I could ride with them. Christopher suggests we fly." Emily said.

"Well, grandma, I am glad you got to come. Any time we are here or even in New York and you want to come stay with us, just call. We will make arrangements." Rory said.

Shira and Mitchum stopped by for a pre-party cocktail. Shira was worried about the decorations at the Yacht Club, but Logan convinced her that Rory hired the best party planner in 4 states. "Shira, I have talked with her numerous times today. Everything will be wonderful." Rory assured her.

Rory heard the boys coming from upstairs in their tux. She had handsome boys that she couldn't deny. "Your babies are growing up. They look so handsome." Emily said. Rory just smiled at her grandmother. Hayden stopped at the opening to the living room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here tonight to bring your attention to the lovely ladies of the evening," Hayden said. Richie and Andy snickered. Hayden pulled some index cards out of his pocket. "First we have the lovely, but not so bright, Katherine Elizabeth Huntzburger." Rory gave his stern look for calling Katie 'not so bright' He cleared his throat and continued. "Tonight Ms. Huntzburger is wearing a red Chiara Boni La Petite Robe Melania Off-the-Shoulder 3 ⁄ 4-Sleeve Dress w/ Front Cutout. The cost of this dress is…." Hayden was stopped by Rory.

"Let's not give your Dad a heart attack at Christmas," Rory said. Katie descended the stairs and walked the length of the living room, coming to a stop behind her momma and Grandma Emily sitting on the couch.

"Next," Hayden said. "We have the beautiful MaryLyn Alice Morgan. She is wearing a red Strapless Guipure Lace Midi Dress from the Badgley Mischka Collection." As she was descending the stairs and began to walk the room. Hayden said. "Uncle Finn, you don't want to know the price of that dress either." Everyone was laughing.

"Hayden looks like you could have a career at announcing," Logan said.

"Next up, We have the lovely RosemaryChase Morgan. She is wearing a black Cross Front Velvet Stretch Jersey Gown by Giorgio Armani. She walked into the room and went to sit by Rory on the couch. "Uncle Finn, again. Don't look at the price." Hayden said.

"Next up we have the beautiful, Lovely, and sweetest aunt in the world. Honor Huntzburger Chase. She is wearing a lovely white Metallic Off-the-Shoulder Crossover-Bodice Gown by Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon." Honor stopped and kissed Hayden on the cheek, before walking the room and taking a seat next to Rose.

"Last, but not least, we have the fabulous, beautiful, and lovely Stephanie Vanderbuild McCrae. She is wearing an off-white Ariana One-Shoulder A-Line Midi Dress by Theia." Hayden said. Everyone waited until Steph was sitting down. Hayden took a bow and everyone clapped. Jennifer and Gigi snook down the kitchen stairs to watch. They didn't want to be announced.

"The cars are here," Logan told them. They all headed to the cars, there were three. Mitchum, Shira, Emily, Chris, and Jennifer were in the lead limo. Following that limo were the kids. Then, Logan, Rory, Finn, Collin, Steph, Rose, Honor, and Josh were bringing up the rear in their limo.

It was a short ride to the Yacht Club. They were the first to arrive so they could greet the guest. For the first 15 minutes, Logan, Rory, Mitchum, and Shira stood close to the door so they could greet the guest. This year they sat a chair by Logan so Rory could have a seat. Logan suggested that Rory just sit at the table, but she told him that she has been by his side all these years and that is where she is staying. After a while, Logan started answering for Rory about her foot. He could tell she was getting annoyed.

Rory was thinking about the Huntzburger Spring Gala in the Spring of 2011. She was big pregnant with Hayden. They knew it was going to be another boy and Logan was excited, as was Mitchum and Chris. Rory was having trouble with her feet swelling. Logan tried to get her to stay home, but she would not hear of it. She and Shira got along, but she did not want to give her any reason to point out to Logan that she could not carry out her social duties. After the 6th or 7th person asked to rub her belly and asked when she was due, Logan took her to the table and they sat out the rest of the greeting. They were sat down for only a minute when someone came to get Logan. He told her he would be right back. This was before the shower. Rory and Lorelai were not as close as they use to be. Rory did not pick up the phone and call her mom every day. But they did talk. Lorelai promised Richard that she would try to keep her snide remarks to herself. Richard had a mild heart attack the first of the year. It scared everyone. Lorelai had been doing better. Rory saw Lorelai and Luke at the bar. She waved them over. Lorelai came over and sat in Logan's seat. When she sat down, Rory knew she made a mistake by calling her over. You could tell she had already had a few drinks. That is when Lorelai gets mean. "Why are you here Rory? You should be at home in your fancy apartment." Rory rolled her eyes. She wished she was at home in her fancy apartment too. She would love to be snuggled on the couch with Logan and Richie watching a movie.

"I wished I had dresses like that when she was pregnant with you." Lorelia said. Rory felt guilty when she said stuff like that, because she knew Lorelai gave up so much to have her. Rory was trying to talk to her, to calm her down. She didn't want her to make a scene and embarrassed Logan in front of his colleagues. But every time Rory opened her mouth to talk, Lorelai would get louder. She finally caught Logan's eye. He started toward the table to rescue Rory when Luke got to her first. Luke talked her into going outside for fresh air. Richard and Emily were not there, he was still recovering, so Rory guessed Lorelai thought it was okay to attack her.

Logan put his hand on Rory to help her up after the greeting. She jumped.

"Where were you?" Logan asked.

"Just think about when I was pregnant with Hayden." She told him. Logan helped Rory to their table. He and Mitchum went to the platform to welcome the guest. They were also giving away gifts to some longtime employees. While they were doing their thing, Rory was looking around. The kids were at a table close to the doors closest to the pool. This is per request from the kids. She wondered if they had something up their sleeves.

Logan came to sit down by Rory, leaving Mitchum to finish up.

"Logan," Rory said leaning in, whispering in his ear. "Do you know anything about the seating arrangements for the kids?"

Logan looked over to their table. Hayden and MaryLyn were sitting with their back to them. Hayden had a hold of MaryLyn's hand. "No, I didn't know. You think Finn and Rose know?" Rory shook her head.

The rest of the night went by smoothly. She and Logan were in bed when they heard the kids come home. She did see the kids slip out toward the changing room by the pool, but as far as she knows, everything is fine and the kids got home safely.