For two nights and three days, they lost themselves in their own little world amid the vibrant chaos of Las Vegas, completely unaware of the events unfolding back home on the West Coast. Rory briefly thought of her mother and how upset or disappointed she might be, but those feelings faded when Logan pressed his lips against her cheek. She gave him a smile that was meant just for him. "I think we should get rings," she suggested aloud.
Logan's eyes widened for a moment, almost sheepish that he had overlooked the fact that neither of them had rings, and he was eager to remedy that as soon as possible. The newlywed couple had just stepped into Logan's dorm after he managed to persuade Rory that he needed to carry her over the threshold. "This week," he assured her, placing the suitcases against the wall, knowing they could take their time unpacking in a few days. "Are you sure about our plan we discussed on the plane?"
Just a few hours earlier, they had reached a decision on how to move forward after the change that took place in Las Vegas while they were in the sky. Both felt it was important to share their experience, as they had no regrets about what had happened. She nodded, replying, "Oh, yes." While she wasn't particularly enthusiastic about discussing it with her mother, she sensed that her grandparents would be supportive of the couple. She wasn't concerned about their friends; she was confident they would celebrate with a party and present the newlyweds with a memorable gift they would cherish. "Tomorrow marks the time to tell everyone; tonight is just for us."
He smiles and leans in to plant a kiss on her lips. "Tonight is all ours."
"Darling, you're the one I want, and…"
Rory pulled over to the roadside on the outskirts of Stars Hollow, feeling the need to step out of the driver's seat and take a moment to breathe. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she fought to keep them at bay. No one was going to take her marriage away from her—not now. Lunch with her mother had been a complete disaster; what began as lighthearted conversation quickly escalated as Lorelai shifted from joking disbelief to outright dismissiveness when Rory revealed her unexpected Las Vegas wedding. "Mom," Rory remembered saying at the dining table in the hotel her mother owned in their quaint town, "I'm happy. He makes me happy."
Lorelai, visibly distressed, shot back, "You're going to ruin your life for a guy you've only known for barely a year."
Determined not to let the situation spiral further, Rory stood up from the table, leaving her mother alone with the untouched meal Sookie had prepared. "It's done; I'm married, even if it's not how you envisioned it or wanted it," she declared with resolve. "I'm an adult now and capable of making my own choices. He brings so much joy into my life that marrying him felt like a natural decision, the right decision. I'm sorry you're not open to getting to know him, or happy with my decision and that you're upset with what I feel is right for me at this moment. I have to go." With that, Rory walked out, not allowing her mother the chance to respond.
Once back in the car, Rory decided to change her plans, which she had discussed with Logan just the day before while flying home. Instead of waiting until Friday to tell her grandparents, she would do it today. She quickly texted her husband: "Hope your day is going better than mine. Mom is really upset — I'm heading to the Gilmore's now. Love you." Without pausing for a reply, she started the engine and drove toward her grandparents' house.
As she neared the house, Rory hoped both of her grandparents would be home. She hadn't called ahead, opting instead for a forthright confession rather than prolonging the anxiety. After arriving, she knocked on the door, surprised when her grandmother answered instead of the usual maid. "Grandma."
"Rory!" Emily exclaimed, her face lighting up with delight. "What a surprise! Is everything alright?"
Rory offered a hesitant smile and asked, "Is Grandpa here?"
"In his study," Emily replied, leading the way to Richard's office. She opened the door, Rory just a few steps behind her. "Richard—look who came to surprise us."
Richard looked up from the documents laid out on his desk, a small smile crossing his face. "What a surprise! Is everything alright?"
Rory took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. "I did something this weekend that I wanted to do. We don't have rings yet—neither of us does—but we're planning to sort that out this week. I got married this weekend to Logan Huntzberger. I know you may not agree or might not be pleased with my choice, but I'm happy. He brings me joy, and we love each other."
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fall silent before Emily broke into a joyful laugh, her face lighting up with a wide smile. "Did you take his name?" she asked, and Rory nodded in response. "Ms. Huntzberger," Emily murmured softly to herself.
"And you're truly happy?" Richard inquired.
"I am happy, Grandpa."
Richard and Emily exchanged glances before Emily spoke up. "Alright, if you're happy, then we're happy too. I just wish we could have planned a proper wedding for you both. I can already picture you in a beautiful white gown. You deserve nothing less than a perfect wedding…"
"We'll host a wedding for you," Richard interjected, cutting in as he caught the enthusiasm in the air.
Rory blinked in surprise. "You really will?"
"Yes! Richard, that's a wonderful idea," Emily beamed. "We can have the wedding right after the school year wraps up, if that works for you and Logan. We can throw it here or at the club, we will think more on that. You deserve a proper celebration."
Rory felt a warm glow at the kindness and joy her grandparents expressed for her, especially in contrast to her mother's lukewarm reaction to her marriage. "Thank you," she said with a contented sigh, then embraced her grandmother followed by her grandfather. "I really appreciate your support."
"Why don't you invite him over for dinner next week?" her grandfather proposed. "We can host a little celebration then. Maybe we can also invite the Huntzbergers? I'm sure they will want to celebrate also, if they don't throw something themselves?"
"Just let us know if Logan is available, and we'll take it from there," Emily added.
Rory nodded, feeling grateful as she thanked them once more. "That sounds wonderful. I'll talk to Logan and keep you updated." She felt a deep appreciation for their kindness and for not expressing any anger or disappointment about her choices.
"Rory," Emily said softly, "thank you for sharing this with us."