Chapter 10: In the meantime
[Part A]: Rory and Logan's weddingWhen Finn reached out for April's hand, she felt so much better. She could hold her head up high now. When her eyes met his in the doorway out of his hotel room, she couldn't stop remembering where it all began for them, 4 years ago at Rory and Logan's wedding.
[Hartford, April 2017]
From the reflection in the mirror in the bridal dressing room, a beautiful petit brunette looked back at her. She was wearing an ivory, floor-length, narrow laced wedding dress with satin bow under her bust, that beautifully emphasized her 7-month-pregnant belly.
Sight is the most reliable sense; But even though Rory saw the reflection of herself in a wedding dress; Felt the lace fabric against her skin; Smelled the sunflowers in the simple bridal bouquet; Could hear the soft music and the wedding guests arriving; Could taste that unpleasant metallic flavor that she always got from being nervous; Despite all those sensory input and the fact that she knew with it her intellect, it was still hard to believe that this was for real. That today she was going to get married.
Get married to her baby daddy.
Get married to the love of her life.
She, Rory Gilmore was going to be Mrs. Huntzberger.
Being this caught up in her own thoughts and the sight of herself in her wedding gown, her attention was only on that, just like when she is reading, the rest of the world – in this case, her four friends in the room with her – has not a piece of her attention.
The very experience society girl Stephanie was touching up the make-up of a very pale April. April had been looking forward to this wedding and was flattered that she was asked to be a bridesmaid, but that didn't make her feel less nervous at the time being. She only knew Rory, Logan, Lane, Lorelai and Luke, and since they were all busy with the preparations, she felt alone.
Lane was spellbound by her pregnant childhood friend as a bride. She kept staring into the reflection, just like Rory did, and let the warm tingling feeling of happiness run through her veins. This was Rory's long-awaited happy ever after. The happy ever after that Lane had wished for Rory for many difficult years.
Through the sentimental and nervous atmosphere Rory and Lane were abruptly brought out of the daydream by the sharp voice of Paris Geller, - Now go get married, Gilmore. It is 10 years overdue. No time to waste, Paris Geller was her usual bossy self; Just cutting to the chase. Not dwelling on any emotional moments.
Rory blinked a few times to bring herself back to the present, took a deep breath and then snickered a bit to herself. Paris was Paris. She hadn't changed since they first met 17 years ago at Chilton prep school in Hartford. But through the years Rory had come to appreciate all her quirks and Paris had slowly become a good and loyal friend. Despite her lack of empty and her very direct way, Rory loved her and depended on their friendship.
Rory looked around in the room at the women she had chosen to help her get ready for her wedding. From Paris to her Yale-friend Stephanie, to her Stepsister April and to her oldest friend from Stars Hollow, Lane. She has lived her life in many different circles since she started at Chilton at 16. She has gracefully maneuvered from one environment to the other. From the unique inhabitants of Stars Hollow; Her less than perfect family; Her eccentric friends; To society's privileged families and their youth. Standing there in the remarkable group, Paris was not enjoying the last few sentimental preparations, focusing on the nitty-gritty details and calming the wedding jitters.
However, nitty-gritty details like makeup, bobby pins, and wedding jitters were Stephanie's specialty. She grew up in society and event managing was in her blood. She kept track of things and in that way, she kept Rory's inner control freak calm. She even managed to deal constructively with Paris' outbursts, using her patented society smile combined with her finetuned "move the attention elsewhere"-strategy.
Stephanie wasn't Rory's close friend back at Yale. She got to know her through Logan and the LDB, but that was it. But when Stephanie married Colin in 2008 and they quickly got 3 beautiful children together, it felt natural for Rory to bond more with her. And through the years she had become a very important person in Rory's life.
To Stephanie this day was pure magic. She loved weddings in general, but she loved this wedding in particular. She watched the love story of Logan and Rory unfold from day one, and she had been heartbroken when they were apart and Logan almost married Odette. This had been 12 years in the making, and Stephanie saw it as her personal duty to make sure that this wedding would go as planned. No more detours for her beloved friends.
When she heard Paris's outburst, Stephanie decided to calm the situation for Rory and get Paris out of here, - You look gorgeous, Rory. Logan is a very lucky man, Stephanie assured Rory in a firm and friendly tone, - Now I will take Paris and April to get this show started and leave Lane here with you, okay? Stephanie was starting to feel a bit more annoyed by Paris than her society smile could handle. Stephanie Vanderbilt was the society girl of the bridal party and Rory felt comfortable to follow her lead in a situation like this. Adding to that she had also gone to Yale with Paris and knew that this was the time to get her away from Rory.
- Paris! April! The boys are waiting, Stephanie rushed Paris and April out of the room, closing the door behind her, sending a smile to Rory and Lane.
- This way, girls, Stephanie cooed with her best society voice to an annoyed Paris, and an anxious April.
Rory and Lane stood back alone gazing at each other in the mirror. Lane placed a hand on Rory's shoulder and offered a smile, – So, this is it, Rory! You are getting married to Logan in a moment. And you are having a beautiful little girl in a few months. I really wish you could have known this was going to be the outcome in all those hard times during the last 10 years.
Rory was overwhelmed by everything today, and what Lane just said was so true. Rory would have wished that for her too, but all she could say was, - I love you, Lane
- I love you too, Rory
And then the two 33 years old childhood friends just stood there, taking in the atmosphere and the fact that in a few minutes Rory was getting married to Logan.
As Stephanie entered the hall with Paris and April, where the boys were waiting for them, she felt relieved when she was met by her husband's eyes. Stephanie loved to help Rory with the wedding and all, but Paris was getting on her nerves and the smile on Colin's lips was all she needed right now. She put out her hand, for Colin to take it, and when he did, she leaned in for a kiss. – Hi, hon, she whispered into his mouth just as their lips parted.
- You look more than gorgeous, sweetheart, Colin whispered back. This little interaction with Colin, had Steph calm down and smile, before making the introductions.
Introductions were another well-practiced society discipline that Steph knew and mastered to perfection. This feeling of knowing the procedures and the rules, combined with being by Colin's side, calmed her and she was able to control her annoyance.
- Paris, you know Robert from Yale, he is your escort today, Stephanie introduced.
- Robert! Paris said curtly, not even trying to sound polite. She had met Robert a few times at Yale and saw him as just another rich playboy that she had to endure for Rory's sake.
- Paris, Robert replied with a strained smile, making it clear that the cold feelings were mutual.
Stephanie rolled her eyes at the odd pair. The match was more than hopeless, but they would just have to be polite to each other for a few hours, she thought. Not that politeness was anything neither Paris nor Robert did.
Stephanie decided to move on to the other couple in the room. April was turning paler by the minute and Stephanie thought that she looked like someone who didn't feel comfortable with the situation. Stephanie felt bad for Rory's 24-year-old stepsister, who clearly had less society-experience than even Rory had at the time she started Yale. Good thing that Stephanie had paired her up with Mr. Charming himself.
- Finn, this beauty is April. She is Rory's stepsister. She is in grad school at MIT. Believe or not, this is the smart one of the family, Stephanie told Finn with a wink. This statement was true, though apparently ridicules since Rory was known to graduation the top of her class at Yale.
- April, sweetie, this handsome man is Finn Morgan. He works in a very nice office in NYC. He is doing something that gives us free access to the best SPAs at any time. He will take good care of you tonight. Though he is Australian and very fond of scotch, but he has promised to be on his best behavior today, Stephanie winked at both April and Finn, but for 2 completely different reasons.
Stephanie chose not to introduce anyone to April as an CEO. She was a bit unsure how April would react to the knowledge, that everyone around her tonight, was born an heir to a billion-dollar company, with a million-dollar trust fund and a patrimonial access to an Ivy League University.
Finn just rolled his eyes at Stephanie's antics as he took April's hand to place a chaste kiss on the back of it and declared with a charming smile, - April, aren't I the lucky chap today?
This gesture made April blush at this unfamiliar aristocratic gesture when she thanked Finn for the compliment.
April had seen Finn before, but had never really noticed him. Standing there so close to him she realized to her own surprise, that she found this man was attractive. His relaxed attitude, his laid back approached to this formal event and his good looks was all very appealing.
Finn offered April his arm and a warm smile as he leaned down to April's ear in a whisper, - May I just say that you look bloody brilliant in that dress, Love.
April blushed again from the complement, only to look up and meet Finn's deep emerald green eyes. They lingered for a moment in that gaze before she found the words and replied, - Aren't you quite the gentleman? Well, thank you, Mr. Morgan.
Rory and Stephanie had asked Finn to take good care of April since she wouldn't know too many at the wedding. Finn took great pride in making sure that this beautiful brunette was having a good time. Growing up in society Finn learned at a young age, that flirting was the short cut to making any lady feel comfortable. Flirting was communication, not a display of affection. At right now it has served its purpose: April looked more relaxed and happier.
And that she really was. April was happy that Rory wanted her in the wedding, but she felt awkward in the expensive dress and the extravagant surroundings. Feeling included in the family by her stepsister meant a lot. So, she was happy to do it despite the discomfort from feeling alienated by the fanciness in the situation. Though she had to say that being on Finn's arm helped that feeling to diminish. This handsome 35-year-old Aussie was quite the flirt and it made April feel like someone cared that she was there. It made her even more comfortable that he looked at her, the way a man looks at a woman.
Being a part of Rory's wedding. Being led up that aisle on this handsome man's arm. Following Paris and Robert. Being followed by Stephanie and Colin. This all filled April with a strange unknown feeling. A feeling of belonging somewhere. A sense of absence of fear. Absence of the fear of standing outside communities. Absence of the fear of being alone.
As they approached the seats Finn put his hand on the small of April's back and gently led her to the seat next to his and helped her sit down. As they both sat down the physical contact broke for the first time. The separation left April's skin burning. An empty feeling of longing after more physical contact to the man she met only 5 minutes ago.
The short ceremony was beautiful. 12 years have passed since Rory and Logan became boyfriend and girlfriend for the first time. And now they have a new little Gilmore Girl on the way. Finally, they got their happy ever after. One would have to be very cynical not to acknowledge the romantic atmosphere in that.
April found it hard to engage fully in the ceremony that took place. She could still feel the traces of Finn's hand on the small of her back and she longed to feel it again. Even though he sat there right next to her, with only a few cm. between them, he had not touched her since they sat down.
April had placed her hand as far as possible on her thighs, hoping that Finn would just accidentally brush his hand to hers. Or maybe even hold her hand. She sat staring at his hand, willing it to take hers. She had her fingers walk from her thigh to her knee, hoping it could draw his attention.
But she didn't have the courage to take his hand, even though she really wanted to do it. April's attention was not on Rory and Logan, nor the wedding ceremony. Her mind was occupied by the lack of physical contact with Finn.
And then suddenly, from what felt like out of the blue, Finn took her hand and said, - Well, come on, Love, as he stood up.
April realized that the ceremony had ended, and Logan was leading his bride down the aisle, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen were expected to follow. April felt a bit fuzzy as she was pulled out of her inner world by the touch, she had longed so much for. Finn held April's hand as they walked down the aisle again after Paris and Robert, followed by Steph and Colin.
They all walked directly from the ceremony to the room where the reception was held. The room was full of romantic flower decorations and candles. The tables were round, and in the side, there was a big bar. It was just the way Rory and Logan would want tit.
When April and Finn interred the reception room, they both hugged Rory and Logan and offered their best wishes. And then Finn led April to go talk to Paris, Robert, Stephanie and Colin. He offered her a glass of champagne and gently put his arm around her waist as they stood there chatting with his friends. Normally April was not the one to chat with strangers nor just stand by listening. And since her dad and stepmom was in the room, she could just have walk over to say hello to them. But somehow, she wasn't able to walk away from the warm feeling of Finn's arm around her waist. So, she just stood there listening to the him and his four friends from Yale. Well, or maybe not so much listen as dwelling on the sensation of him touching her.
- Colin has been in court the whole week and I was working on this project with automated emails. I really have no idea how the kids would get to school and get anything to eat, if it wasn't for drivers and nannies, Stephanie said half-joking. She was in her entertainment mood and made sure she was the center of attention.
- How old are you kids now, Paris asked, not really understanding what the alternative to nannies and drivers would be. Paris was raised by her nanny and never questioned that. She knew intellectually that Rory was raised by her mother, but she never really considered that a real option for her to pursue.
- Neil is 8, Laura is 7 and Tony is 6, Colin informs Paris. The proud and warm tone did not go unnoticed by Paris. The CEO of McCrae Law. Playboy extraordinaire. Mr. Arrogance himself voluntarily small talked about his kids. This took Paris by surprise. And the surprise was even bigger when Finn jumped in on the conversation, - When are you gonna be at the Vinyard? I promised Neil to teach him to surf.
- Maybe we should go for Memorial Day weekend, Colin? Stephanie looks askingly at her husband, - I mean, if Leia comes around her due date, July would be fine, but if she waits a week or two it could be hard to get away from The Magna. Would Memorial Day Weekend be good for you, Finn?
Finn searched his poked for his iPhone and when he found it, he scrolled through his iCal, - It's perfect, Steph.
Stephanie nodded in satisfaction. It was never easy to find a date to get away in a world of friends, where CEO was a prefix to the name on the birth certificate. Steph noted the date and looked at the girl on Finn's arm who hadn't said a word yet, - You live in Cambridge now, right April? Steph asks, - You should come to the Vineyard with us too.
Steph's words drew April out of her daydream to answer, - That is so nice of you, Steph, let me get back to you on that.
Finn looked at April and tucked her a bit tighter into his arm, - Sure you should come, April. It will be loads of fun. I'm teaching Neil to surf, I could teach you too, Finn offered in an obvious flirtatious tone.
April chuckled by that offer, - Oh, thanks Finn, but even though I haven't got any genes in common with Rory, I am every bit as uncoordinated as she is, so surfing might be rather dangerous, Finn, April jokes. She couldn't help feeling flattered by the attention and frankly, she couldn't get enough of it.
- Oh, Love, I could take care of you, Finn whispered in her ear so only April could hear it. She felt a sting in her stomach and felt herself lean even deeper into his embrace, silently pleading "Please, Finn, please take care of me". But she just chose not to react, trying not to say anything stupid.
- Now let's get seated for dinner, it should get served soon, Robert joined in on the conversation. And on that note, they guys took the girls by the arm to get seated.
The day turned into night on the most perfect spring wedding day. Rory and Logan made sure that the proper wedding etiquette was taken care off. They had received the best wishes and made polite conversations. The food was delicious. The speeches were personal and touching. The first dance was beautiful. Everybody had a good time and for once, there was no need for a sub party.
Rory and Logan had decided to stay and party with their friends instead of the traditional leaving séance.
As the clock turned to midnight and all the elder generations had gone home, the bar stayed open. The girls had champagne and the guys had scotch. Everyone was having a good time and even though Rory hadn't had a drop of alcohol, due to her pregnancy, even she had turned a bit silly from the release of nerves and being tired.
They boys were all caught up in business-talk in the bar and the half-empty bottle of McCallan was starting to wear off on the volume of the voices. The girls had made themselves comfortable in the lounge area, in solidarity with the pregnant bride, who needed to get her feet up.
Honor and Stephanie were laughing laud and wholeheartedly, telling the story of a naughty game they had brought to and played at Rory's combined baby shower and bachelorette party.
Honor almost peed a bit when she through her laughing confessed, - I swear to God that my heart stopped for a moment, when Steph read that statement about "being the object of someone else's infidelity". My eyes just wandered in panic from Rory to Odette. But then Odette just smiled and drank with Rory I couldn't believe my own eyes, Honor held a hand to her stomach, that was starting to cramp from laughing.
- The Gilmore-Heyden heiress and the Duprés heiress in a very proud moment, Stephanie added laughing just as hard, - Being an appropriate "Shira-approved" wife to the mighty Logan Huntzberger really has everything to do the name, the looks, the money and the reputation. And absolutely nothing to do with what normally is considered good morals, Steph stated, making it totally clear to everyone that the joke was on Logan's parents, who had formulated this splendid dynastic plan, and neither Rory nor Odette deserved critic for the completely ridicules situation they were brought in by the elder generations.
Rory, Stephanie, Honor, Paris, April, Juliet and Lane had all been there and knew the story firsthand. The irony of the situation and the point made by Stephanie was not lost on anyone, and since both Rory and Odette were good sports about the craziness of the situation, they could all laugh together now.
- And as Steph and Honor so brilliantly points out: the moral of this fine story, so very well told by the giggling Mrs. Blond and Blonder there, Rory pointed to Honor and Steph, holding a hand to her pregnant belly that hurt from laughing, - Is that when you sleep with an man that is spoken for, you should just make sure to get pregnant, and then everything will turn out good, or… ? Rory lets the rhetorical question hang in the air with the laughs
The absurdity of the situation is not lost on Rory. She has even gotten over the shame that followed with it. Rory and Odette both getting pregnant with the man they were having an affair with, at about the same time. Now working together and being friends is living proof that sometimes real life really surpasses the imagination. If Rory was to write a story about her love affair with Logan, the editor would most likely tell her that it was totally unbelievable.
Steph and Honor kept talking about new stories from the baby shower/bachelorette party and after a while, April got up and went to the bar to get more champagne for the girls and to ask the bartender for some coffee for Rory.
She was waiting for the bartender to go get it, as she listened in on the guy's conversation. And she could not help giggling a bit when she heard Colin's drunken confession, - As much as I love Steph, and I really would not trade our marriage for anything, I must say that the good old "picking up girls at weddings" were good times too.
- You are such an ass, Colin, Logan laughed at his old friend, - But let's hear it from the 2 eternal bachelors. Any good pick-ups tonight? Robert? Finn?
Colin and Logan both looked at Finn and Robert and widen their eyes dramatically to encourage them to share a good story, - Come on, us married men have to live vicariously through our playboy-mates, Colin encouraged Finn and Robert for some juicy stories. Even though marriage really agreed with Colin, and even after 9 years and 3 kids he still looked at his wife like a teenager in love, alcohol always made him nostalgic about the good old playboy days in Yale.
- Would I sit here, if there were any good pick-ups? Robert shrugged, - But let's hear about last night instead, Robert winked at Finn, intentionally moving the attention on to someone else.
- Uhhhhh, Logan and Colin say in unison turning to Finn. Finn was always good for a good story about a meaningless conquest and a night filled with meaningless sexcapades.
Finn held his arms up in false modesty, - The only thing I can tell is, whoever said that Guinness and blondes don't mess, might be right. But Guinness and redheads on the other hand…. Finn sent them a knowing look, signaling that he did indeed take a redhead home last night.
- So still only redheads? Robert asked, - Not feeling like exploring the brunettes since our friend Huntz here has given up his dibs on the brunettes as of today? Robert teased Finn, obviously hinting to Finn and April. Since both Finn and Robert sat with their bags to the bar, they didn't know that April was there to hear it all.
- No chance, Robert, how could I disappoint the beautiful redheads in the world? Finn joked in his usual playboy ways, obviously dismissing April as a potential pick-up and pinpointing that the flirt with April was politeness and fun, nothing more.
- If there is any redhead in the world that you have not done or been turned down by, Logan joked, not knowing that April and Finn have been flirting all day.
- There might be a few I didn't meet yet somewhere in the Middle East, Finn joins in on the meaningless joke.
To April's relieve the bartender was back with the coffee, meaning that she could get away from this uncomfortable conversation. A conversation that instantly had made her attraction to Finn turn cold. Whatever she had felt earlier that day vanished like morning dew in the first ray of sun, when she heard the carelessness that he spoke of girls with. However, when she got back to the girls with the champagne and coffee, she told them the story with humor and a smile. Making sure to point out ridiculousness of even at 35, Finn still felt hesitant to completely put the playboy existence behind him. As the story fit perfectly into the theme of their own inappropriate behavior, only Rory seemed to take notice of the sudden turn in April's opinion on Finn.
Altogether Logan and Rory's wedding had been an emotional rollercoaster for April. Feeling truly included by Rory and Logan; Feeling nervous about fitting in; Having Steph and Finn making her feel comfortable; Learning that Finn is a true playboy, interested in the flirt but not caring about her at all. And with all those mixed feelings April went to bed in her hotel room and slept through the night.
Next morning April and Lane are the first two down for breakfast. Neither of them was really accustomed to these Society events and they both belonged to the Stars Hollow-part of Rory's life. Both Lane and April were fascinated with how everybody seemed to know how a wedding was choreographed in society, what their places were and what was expected from them. It was like interring a different culture with its own norms and rules, that everybody understood, except for Lane and April, – I guess this is what Rory must have felt like at my Korean American wedding, Lane reflected.
- I kind of felt like I was wearing blue-shade glasses in a yellow-shade world. Every time I thought that I figured out the yellow-rules I realized that my blue-shade glasses made everything green, and that I never would have a chance to be like all the yellow-shade-people.
Lane looked confused in April, not really getting what she was talking about, but not really feeling like contradicting an MIT-grad student either, so Lane decided to change the subject.
- So, Logan's 3 stooges, they are kind of hot, don't you think? Lane asked, thinking that any 24-year-old girl would like to talk about guys.
- The top 3 playboys of the Yale class of 2006? I guess they are good looking. I guess the playboy-ways just don't agree with me. But speaking of, where is Zack and the boys?
The quick change up subject confused Lane, but only made her more curious about what that was all about. Although she decided to answer April's question before perusing her own agenda.
- They went camping. They didn't feel like a society wedding. And to be frank, I didn't feel like bringing them. But that wasn't the subject of matter. I thought I saw you and Finn flirting most of the day? What caused the sudden change to the playboy-approach?
April shrugged. She didn't really want to talk about Finn. She had liked the attention, but really didn't like the realization that it was pure façade of a High Society playboy. And she didn't know how to put that into words without sounding narrow-minded or belittled, - Finn flirts with anything with a pulse. That is his way of being polite. I guess I don't like that I never know when he is trying to be polite and when he is sincere.
- I guess I could understand that. I always appreciated his eccentric personality. You never know what to expect from him. He makes life more interesting.
- That he does, April agrees.