Ace: An arranged marriage between Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden and Logan Elias Huntzberger has been set in place since they were both in diapers. They have been friends since the young age of ten years old, and Logan always kind of adored his friend. Now, when the youngest Gilmore-Hayden turns eighteen years old, it is the Huntzbergers job to court her, date her, and/or fall in love with each other.
Author Note: The first five chapters are a rewrite. In my AU world of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai the Second ran away from home and moved to the small town of Stars Hollow. But she did not run away from the high society world of Hartford. When baby Gilmore-Hayden was still in diapers and mama Gilmore was struggling to make a life for her family, she went back to the world she hated to help her and her daughter make a better life for herself.
Young Gilmore-Hayden, herself, is a little more relaxed. She does take school and all that seriously but knows when to relax, have a drink and enjoy a party. She did grow up in the 'limelight' of Hartford after all.
Anyways, enjoy.
— Ace —
Chapter One: First Event
At the age of fourteen, Rory Gilmore was informed by her parents and grandparents that she would be married to Logan Huntzberger, the youngest member of the Huntzberger family, when she turned twenty-one. Rory, also known as Lorelai, was taken aback by the news and became quiet at dinner, filled with apprehension about her future.
On his sixteenth birthday, Logan Huntzberger was gathered with friends when he was informed that he was destined to marry Rory Gilmore. Feeling overwhelmed, Logan hosted a sub-party and drowned his concerns in alcohol, seeking solace with his closest friends from boarding school.
Despite the unexpected news, Logan had always harbored feelings for Rory and vowed to make their arranged marriage something special. He was determined to love his future wife, and he hoped that she would reciprocate his feelings, wanting to avoid the unhappy fate that had befallen his own parents.
— Ace —
After midnight, Rory Gilmore hears a faint knock at her dorm door. Letting out a weary sigh, she quickly rises from her bed, mindful not to disturb her sleeping roommates. She couldn't deal with a screaming Paris at the moment. Dressed in Yale sweatpants and a dark blue tank top, she cautiously opens the door to find Finn Morganston standing there, a hint of drunkenness in his laughter.
"What brings you here?" Rory asks, rubbing her tired eyes. She wouldn't admit to anyone that was tired and having a little trouble sleeping in a new place. "Aren't you and the boys supposed to be in Fiji? How did you find out where I lived?"
"We leave in two days, but tonight is special," Finn replies. "Did you really think we'd forget about your first night at Yale? It's a tradition with us. The people you call friends, remember?" He grins mischievously. "Anyway, get dressed! We have plans and people to surprise."
People to surprise. Rory thinks to herself, suddenly saddened that it wasn't Logan at the door and he hoped he would show up during this adventure sometime. Rory raises her hands in surrender. "Fine, I won't argue. But you owe me coffee..." She knows from experience that it's futile to resist Finn's determined whims. Once he sets his mind on something, he won't back down.
"Plenty of coffee in the morning. We all know Rory Gilmore without her coffee is not pleasant. Now hurry and change out of those sweatpants," Finn insists, leaning against the doorway. "We're going for cute and comfortable tonight." His words made her roll her eyes.
Curiosity piqued, Rory nods and retreats back into her dorm to change. She wonders what Finn has planned and why it's so important. With a sense of anticipation, she quickly dresses and joins Finn by the door.
"Ready," she declares, her voice filled with intrigue.
Finn grins, ready to unveil the surprises awaiting them. "Let's go then, Rory. Tonight's going to be unforgettable."
— Ace —
As Rory steps into the third-floor apartment, she is greeted with friendly chatter and lively conversations. Finn, engrossed in conversation with the two companions they picked up along the way, catches her eye and flashes a warm smile.
The apartment, located just a mile away from Yale, offers a breathtaking view of the city. Inside, the space is whimsically decorated, adorned with Christmas lights, nostalgic movie posters from the '80s and '90s, bowls filled with assorted candies, and an array of beverages.
Finn playfully interrupts Rory's thoughts, invading her personal space. "Come on, Rory, it's time to get this party started," he urges, leading her to the front of the group. He hands her a small glass, the familiar scent of tequila wafting up her nose.
Standing confidently on top of a table, Colin McCrae, a friend Rory met through Logan, holds a similar glass in his hand. He addresses the crowd with enthusiasm and a wide smile, "Welcome, fellow freshmen and returning students of Yale! Normally, we'd plan something extravagant for the start of the school year, but with a few missing faces among the upperclassmen, we had to get creative. So tonight, on the eve of our first classes, we're throwing an epic sleepover. So mingle, drink, and enjoy yourselves!"
Logan Huntzberger, one of Rory's closest friends, adds his voice to the chorus. "And Freshmen, show us your faces! You were brought here for a reason," he declares, raising his glass and downing its contents, encouraging the rest of the group to follow suit.
Rory eagerly follows their lead, swiftly finishing her drink. As she scans the room, her eyes meet those of the diverse crowd, wondering who else has been invited to share in this spirited celebration. Her eyes move to Logan once more, the smile growing on her face. The way that man makes her feel is something she hopes never goes away.
"Lorelai…" Logan appears in front of her, before leaning in and planting a kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad you made it."
"Me too. But more because, I get to see you."
— Ace —
At three in the morning, Logan Huntzberger finds his soon-to-be bride sitting on the balcony outside the apartment. She is draped in one of his hoodies and holds a drink in her hand. Logan remarks, "You stole my hoodie."
She nods in acknowledgement, a smile playing on her lips as she gazes at the bottle he holds. "And you repay me with Tequila. What a guy."
"We need to talk. I remember what you said on your eighteenth birthday at your grandparents' house. Tequila always helps," Logan states, settling down in the chair beside hers. He opens a bottle of expensive Tres-Quatro-Cinco Tequila, filling her glass and pouring one for himself. "How's your night been? I was surprised to see you here."
"I can't say no to Finn," she mumbles, bringing the cup to her lips and savoring the taste of the Tequila. "I feel like that's why you sent him to get me."
"You know me too well," Logan admits, leaning back in his chair.
She takes another sip, already on her fifth drink of the night. "So, you said we need to talk. What about?"
"I want to talk about us," Logan says softly, his gaze shifting to the moon before returning to the woman by his side. "I would like to take you on a date, if you'll allow me."
"A date?" she echoes.
"We both agreed, after you turned eighteen, we would give this a try," Logan explains. "To make it easier for us when we're twenty-one and twenty-three."
Her mind drifts back to the night after her fourteenth birthday, when she visited the Huntzberger mansion and found herself in Logan's bedroom. They had talked, she had voiced her frustrations, and he had made a promise. A promise to do things right, to take their time and properly date when she turned eighteen.
She nods, memories flooding her thoughts. "Okay, let's go on a date before you leave. A hell of a date, one I'll never forget."
A gentle smile graces his face. "I want to give it my best shot." Logan means every word he says. "So, tomorrow night at five o'clock, what are you doing?"
She contemplates her schedule, knowing her last class ends at two-thirty in the afternoon. "Going on a date with you."
Logan's grin widens. "Well, here's to us, Ace." He clicks his glass against hers, his mind filled with thoughts of their close friendship and the sudden engagement that was thrust upon them. Over the years, since that momentous conversation with his parents on his sixteenth birthday, he unintentionally fell in love with the woman sitting beside him.
He has a plan to woo the woman he is destined to marry, starting with their first unforgettable date.
— Ace —
She shivered, feeling a chill run down her spine as she woke up. Rolling over in bed, she let out a soft moan upon feeling the warm sun against her bare back. "Ugh," she groaned in frustration. "What the fuck?"
The sound of laughter at the door caught her attention, and she turned to see Logan grinning from ear to ear. "You're starting to sound like Finn," he joked.
Anger etched across her face, she rolled over to face him. "You're cruel," she growled, sitting up and hastily covering herself with the soft blanket on the king-size bed. "Thanks for letting me crash here...with..." She glanced over to the body next to her. "Is that Finn?"
Logan nodded. "I kicked him out of the kitchen. He was sprawled on my counter, getting in the way of making coffee. Surprised he didn't wake you."
"No surprise there. We didn't fall asleep until five in the morning," Rory mumbled, running a hand through her disheveled hair. She slips out of the bed, pulling the back of her tank top down and grabbing the hoodie she stole from Logan the night before. "What time is it now?"
"Just about seven. I made coffee," Logan said, handing her a steaming cup. The cup was already in a to go cup, one of Logan's fancy ones.
She looked momentarily puzzled. "Why are you up?"
"Haven't slept. Had a few things to take care of," he replied, pulling out a key from his pocket. "Are you sober enough to drive?" Her expression gave him an answer, and he continued, "These are the keys to Finn's car, the black BMW on the street. Take it to Yale."
"Okay," she mumbled, closing her eyes and savoring the taste of the coffee. "And what about him?" she asked, gesturing towards Finn.
"He won't be needing it for the day," Logan reassured with a smile. "Just take it. I promise it'll be fine, Rory. Take your time leaving. I'll be on the couch. I need a nap..." He plants a soft kiss on the woman's cheek. "You'll send me a text once you get back to Yale right?"
"Yes, sir." She giggles softly.
God, she felt so fortunate.