A/N: I don't own Gilmore Girls ... Thanks for the reviews. I had been struggling with this chapter, as I wanted to really make Rory think about her own wedding, but then the ending came to me. So much material ...
Sitting in the back of the town car, Rory looked at Logan, "well, that was fun," her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Could have been worse." Logan reminded her.
"Don't mock me."
Holding up his hands, "Hey, not mocking. Honestly, I was expecting a bigger blowout, so I thought you were accurate in what you said to your grandparents."
Rory harrumphed and leaned back into the seat. "Great start to the evening."
"That is why we are going to a party in the city. The night will get better." Logan smirked. "I was thinking we take a power nap; even with no traffic, it is still a 2-plus hour drive."
"How long before she talks to me?" Rory had closed her eyes and was leaning on Logan's shoulder.
"Sooner than when we stole the boat?" he said hopefully.
"Oh, geez, yeah, I hope so. I think I might call Luke in a couple of days and get a sense of how it is going. I mean, he was able to take the envelope. Maybe there is hope." Her sentence trailed off as her breathing started to slow. Logan stroked her hair, then took her hand in his, closed his eyes, and hoped for a bit of traffic.
The car had come to a stop, and the driver was holding open the door. "Mr. Logan, Miss. Rory, we are here."
Rory's eyes fluttered open; in front of her was the Empire State Building, lit up with blue and orange lights. "Hey, Logan, we are at the hotel?" she was confused; the last time she checked, the Empire State Building didn't have a hotel, and then she realized it was about a block away.
The driver once again, "Mr. Logan. Miss. Rory. We are at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. This is the address you gave me."
Logan's eyes opened and he saw the door open, the driver and two doormen waiting on them. "Hey, Ace, we are here."
"Ok." Rory was surprised they weren't at the Plaza, but enough people held open doors to assure her that this was the type of place Colin or Juliet would select. Stepping out of the car, she noticed the building was only five stories, definitely been around for a long time. "This place is," Rory was overcome by how beautiful it really was, "stunning. Logan, why haven't we stayed here before."
"Because it is harder to book a room here than at the Plaza."
"Mr. Huntzberger. Ms. Gilmore. I am Philip, head butler here at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. We have you booked into the Flaneur Suite. Ms. Gilmore, given your position on the campaign trail, we have procured the major newspapers for your perusal in the morning. For your reading pleasure, I was informed that you would most enjoy having a few classics by the Brontë sisters, and given your love of rare manuscripts, we have procured the People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks for you."
"Oh, my gosh, Logan, did you hear that Geraldine Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize." Turning to Philip and smiling in deep appreciation, "Thank you so much. I didn't think I would have a chance to read it until after the election."
The couple followed the butler into the hotel and realized it was small and intimate, yet every detail was observed for the maximum pleasure of the guests.
"This has to be Juliet's doing," Logan commented.
Philip turned and nodded, "Yes, Miss. Juliet has been a guest with us many times. She did indicate that you would enjoy the Flaneur Suite as it has a lovely terrace overlooking the skyline." He continued out of the elevator, opening the door to one of the three penthouse suites, this one done in blues and greens that opened into a dining room and living room straight ahead, and to the left was the spa bathroom and bedroom. The living room and bedroom both have doors opening on the terrace. "We have your schedule on the dining room table. We have been in contact with Margaret and curated a breakfast that will be served at 10 am. Tom, here, will be your butler, and Susan will be your lead maid for the weekend. Susan will arrange to have your clothes freshened in preparation for the wedding, and clothes are hanging in the closet for you for this evening's festivities. The ladies are in the Topiary Suite awaiting your arrival, Ms. Gilmore and Mr. Huntzberger; you can find the gentlemen on the terrace of the Baudelaire Suite. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask Tom or Susan. However, please have them contact me if they cannot accommodate your needs." With a slight bow, Philip left the room.
Rory went straight to the bookshelves, "oh, it really is here." She said, picking up the book by Brooks.
"Rory, Ace, come on, this is not the time to get your nose in a book." Logan tried to take it from her.
"I think I will take it with me, you know, just in case." She placed it on the table and started toward the bedroom. "So, clothes for this evening, huh?" Rory was expecting to find a gown or costume hanging in the closet but instead found jeans and a white fisherman's sweater. "Logan, the clothes are comfortable. This evening just got so much better."
Rory jumped in the shower to wash off the frustration of the Friday night dinner and quickly slipped into the medium-washed bootcut jeans and black low-cut boots, with a blue tank to go under the lush silk and wool white fisherman's sweater. Logan was also in jeans, dark blue, and straight leg, something Rory rarely got to see, with a black turtleneck and leather jacket.
Susan let Rory into the Topiary suite, where she found Juliet, Stephanie, and Rosemary, along with others from the Life and Death brigade. Juliet quickly embraced Rory and introduced her to cousins, sisters, and a few childhood friends. The suite was full of food, and a bar was set up in the corner. The terrace had heaters with music playing. Rory picked up an Irish coffee on her way out to join Steph and Rosemary.
"Hey, Steph. Hey, Rosemary." Rory hugged each one, and the reporter in her kicked in, "So, how did this come about? I thought they were going to get married next year."
Steph put her drink on the table, "It is not as juicy as it could be." Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder as she looked over at Juliet.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, the Gotham." Rory looked puzzled. "Oh, Gotham Hall, it was a bank that was turned into an event space a few years ago. It is" using air quotes "'the place' to get married, more exclusive than the Plaza or even the Rainbow Room."
Rosemary picked up, "They only hold one event per day, and they transform the space to have it be exactly what the person wants. We went to an Elton John concert, well it wasn't really a concert, more an elaborate dinner followed by Elton John sitting down to the piano that was there to play for everyone who had come. Suffice to say, it was amazing."
Looking wide-eyed, Steph looked at Rosemary, "You were at the Elton John event? Seriously? I heard about it but didn't get an invitation. How did you get in?"
"Finn"
"Of course." Steph looked at Rory, "Did Logan go?"
"He never mentioned anything like that. But back to Colin and Juliet, if this place is so exclusive."
"Oh," Rosemary continued, "Juliet's sister was supposed to be getting married tomorrow. It has been reserved for more than 2 years, and then at Christmas, her fiancé announced he had gotten his secretary pregnant and had married her in Vegas."
Stephanie took over, "It was a massive scandal, and the family was horrified. Juliet and Colin agreed that they could just move up the wedding. So, here we are. The family had booked this hotel when they arranged for Gotham Hall. I didn't even know this place existed. It can only hold 42 people, and the service here is incredible.:
Rory nodded; it was definitely exclusive. "I always think of the Plaza or Four Seasons as the place to be, but this doesn't seem to have a regular room anywhere in it."
"Even their regular rooms are still stunning. Finn and I are in the Nomad, and it is stunning. Good thing you are engaged; Juliet's parents put anyone not engaged or already married into the rooms with separate beds." Rosemary giggled, "but that is ok because it is just nice being here with everyone. We will move to one of Finn's family hotels after the wedding. So, how long can you stay in New York?" she asked Rory.
Rory thought for a moment, "If I recall correctly, it is Michigan next for Obama, but I am going to go to Chicago and meet with Oprah to work on her book, and then head to Las Vegas for the weekend. Finn has already set me up in the hotel there. I figured I would attend a few of the fundraisers for Obama, and then Hilary is coming into town, and I want to compare and contrast their policies. Then, I will head to South Carolina for their primary before going to Florida. Logan has a friend who is interested in MK. That is the woman I was traveling with on the bus, and I will convince her to come to Orlando with me for some tech event."
Rosemary winked at Steph, "Look at Rory playing matchmaker."
"Not something I expected, but hey, it is kind of fun. And MK, well, she helped me to see how I could make this all work, so if I can help her to find her."
Steph interrupted, "Logan."
"Yeah, her Logan or Colin," looking at Juliet, "then I think a plane ride is the least I can do."
The girls continued talking, and Rory could feel the book weighing heavily in her bag. She really did want just to sit and read for a while. Looking at her phone, she noticed it was almost 1 am and excused herself from the party. Getting back to her suite, Logan wasn't there yet, so she changed into pajamas and climbed into bed opening the book to get lost in the story of another book lover and her adventure of tracing a rare manuscript through history.
"Good book?" Logan asked as he pulled her closer.
"Mhmm, it is so interesting, but I don't want to spoil it for you, but I think you will like Hannah." She enjoyed his arm holding onto her.
"I am enjoying Rory," he started kissing the back of her neck.
Logan and Rory alighted from the town car at the Gotham. The staff made sure that the only cameras at the event were hired by Juliet and Colin, making it very comfortable for the societal elite to gather and celebrate their wedding rather than being photographed for Page Six or TMZ. The hall had a beautiful dome with god and the lighting was in Yale blue with white and light grey curtains cascading down from the dome. Colossal flower arrangements in white with peacock feathers flanked the entry to the aisle. Rory then noticed that there were candles between the flowers and along the aisle, creating a soft and inviting space, making the room look intimate, even though there were more than 200 chairs set up. She saw Logan standing next to Colin and wondered who would be next to him at her wedding. Would he have Colin, or would it be Finn? She smiled at him as they locked eyes. Not even the bride, and she felt like he was carrying her forward. Maybe the wedding wouldn't be so bad, but did she want something this elaborate? Would her guest list include people like Oprah or would it be like her Mother's in Stars Hollow? Her mind moved to her mother; she must have stopped smiling; Logan was looking at her with concern. Rory decided to consider her relationship with her mother later and returned to looking around the lavish room and connecting with Logan. In a few minutes she was standing at the front with Stephanie and Rosemary next to her, still able to smile at Logan and then watching as Juliet emerged. She was wearing a fit and flair dress with folds that reminded Rory of architectural students building designs, but it was in a soft Mikado with a skirt of soft tulle starting around the knees; she knew this was Vera Wang from what the girls had said while getting dressed, and Juliet just floated in it.
"I now pronounce you man and wife; you may kiss the bride."
Colin and Juliet kissed and walked down the aisle. Logan and Finn switched positions so Finn could walk with Rosemary and Logan with Rory. "Well, aren't you sneaky?" Rory smiled as he took her arm.
"Can't trust Finn with you looking so stunning."
Rory wore a deep plum A-line V-neck dress that hugged her in all the best places.
"Really, you can't trust Finn? I think the truth is I can't trust you."
Logan pulled back, giving his best mock-offended look. "You don't trust me?"
"to leave the dress on me? No, not really." She rubbed against him.
"Maybe you should have walked with Finn." He joked.
They entered the next room, lavishly decorated, and waitstaff circulating with hors d'oeuvre and glasses of champagne and wine. Taking two glasses of red wine, Logan handed one to Rory and held it up, "to my amazing Ace!"
"What did I do to deserve a toast?"
"You showed up in that dress."
"Ah, thanks," and she leaned in to kiss him.
"Good evening, Logan." Logan's back stiffened, and Rory pulled back, recognizing the voice of Mitchum Huntzberger. She could hear him curse under his breath.
"Hello, Dad," Logan responded. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Mitchum laughed, "Well, I don't think Colin's parents realized we weren't speaking."
"So, then, why are we?" Logan retorted.
"Because that would be rude for our host to realize he had made a faux pas," Shira's voice said as she walked up behind Logan and Rory to join Mitchum.
"Both of you, how lovely." Logan said, "Well, now that we have said hello, the social obligation is complete." Trying to back away.
"Not so fast, Logan." Mitchum put his hand on his son's shoulder, "I need to speak with you and you have not responded to any of my calls or emails."
"Should be a clear hint." Logan retorted.
With that, Shira linked arms with Rory and pulled her away from the two men, "Rory dear, you must meet our friend Odette; she is a lovely young lady who also appreciates good books." Rory couldn't believe Shira was leading her away, but since she didn't want to make a scene at the wedding, she followed. "Odette, dear, meet the lovely Rory Gilmore; she is Logan's fiancée. Rory is a reporter working with the Obama campaign and a great lover of fine literature. Rory Odette is an art historian who works as a curator at the Louvre and also does translations for the exhibits. I think you would get along well, both working modern women."
Grateful she had plastered on the society smile, Rory stood for a moment in shock that Shira was introducing her to this woman, "Hello, Odette, was it?"
"Oui, Odette. And it is Rory?"
"Yes, well, Rory is short for Lorelai."
"Oh, are you related to Lorelai Gilmore of London?"
Shira stepped away but was still just close enough to hear the conversation.
Rory nodded. "Yes, she was my Grandmother. Passed away a couple of years ago."
Odette nodded, "She was a formidable woman. She knew her art and donated a couple of pieces to the Louvre. It was lovely getting to know her. The house is stunning. Did you have a chance to visit it?"
"Actually, no, I have not had the opportunity." The two women continued to speak about the house and found themselves in a rather interesting conversation. Eventually, Rory turned the topic to her interest in books to learn that Odette's father owned Le Monde, a leading paper in France. Odette shared that her father had once suggested that Logan and Odette might make a good couple, seeing it as an opportunity to expand the publishing empires.
It struck Rory suddenly why Shira had introduced them; she was showing her the competition. However, It was clear that Odette thought the idea was ludicrous as she quickly made it clear that she would not marry for anything other than love.
