Gilmore Girls: Life After Graduation

Chapter 40

Logan held Rory in his arms for a long time.  She couldn't believe it finally happened.  She wanted to savor this moment and remember every word, every detail.  Rory nuzzled her head against his chest and kept looking at the ring.  "It's even more beautiful than I remembered it,"  she said.

"I couldn't bring myself to return it when you gave it back to me.  I bought it for you.   When I first picked it out I knew it was made for you.  I didn't have high hopes that I'd ever get it back on your finger, but I never gave up hope completely,"  Logan said as he led her to a bench.  As they sat down, he said, "I have been carrying it around for a couple weeks waiting for the perfect moment."

"So you didn't plan today?"  Rory asked.

"No, I thought about asking today, but wasn't sure it was the right day until you told me about your grandparents.  I knew this place was perfect then.  I knew you would love the tradition in it and having 'a spot' like your grandparents do,"  Logan said.

She hugged him tight and kissed him.  "I do!  I love it all!  God, I want to scream and yell and dance!  I am so happy.  Oh!  I have to call my mom!  She's going to be so surprised!"

"Well, maybe not as surprised as you think..."  Logan began.

"What? Did you ask her again?"  Rory asked shocked.

"I asked her AND Luke this time.  I wasn't sure if I should, but he really seems like your father most of the time.  It felt like the right thing at the time.  I managed to get them alone for a few minutes when we were in Stars Hollow for the fall festival,"  Logan admitted.

"You did?  Luke too?  Oh, Logan, I am sure that meant the world to him.  Luke was the only real father figure I had for most of my life.  Did the big softie cry?"  Rory said.

"No, he held it together.  He kind of stuttered in his Luke way though. 'Oh, well, it's ok with me.  IF it is ok with Rory.  It has to be ok with Rory.  If it's ok with Rory, then it's ok with me,'" Logan said doing a Luke impression.  "He did seem emotional though."

"You do a good Luke.  Yeah, sounds about right.  What about my Mom?"  Rory asked.

"She told me I already asked and she already answered.  She said her answer was the same as it was a few years ago.  She also said I am to keep in mind that she reserves the right to change her mind any time before the alter.  And then she reminded me she could object even then if she changed her mind,"  Logan said chuckling and smiling.

"Yeah, that sounds like Mom,"  Rory said laughing.  "Well, I still have to call her and my grandparents."

Logan gave her a sly smile and said, "You could... or we could wait a little bit...I have another idea..."

Logan and Rory spent the rest of their weekend holed up in their apartment celebrating their engagement and planning the next few weeks.  They checked in on work matters, but otherwise turned off their phones.  They dedicated the two days to each other completely.  They didn't want to talk to anyone or see anyone but each other.  Early Sunday evening, they were in bed snuggled up and talking.

Rory absolutely loved Logan's plan of delaying their announcement until Thanksgiving, which was only a few weeks away.  He plotted so that both families would be dining together at the Gilmore's mansion for the holiday.  They wanted to announce their good news to everyone at once.  Rory loved that it would give her grandmother the society upper hand in hosting and that it would really miff Shira.  

"Do you really think they will all fall for it though?"  Rory asked doubtful this seemingly childish plan would work.

"Absolutely.  Shira IS the one that insisted we attend her dinner second, that we only swing by your grandparents house for drinks and appetizers.  This is really her own doing in how she set it up.  She thought by insisting her house was the second stop, we would stay longer and her dinner would be more important.  So, all we have to do is tell her that we will be attending the Gilmore's function first as she requested.  I will subtly mention that we have big news, and allude they will hear it first.  Shira cannot be the last to know anything.  She will not settle for hearing any news second.  If you can get Emily to invite them, she will come to your grandparents house just to be in on the first announcement.  You'll just have to think of what to tell your grandma,"  Logan schemed.

"Oh, that won't be a problem.  Grandma lives to organize and hostess these sorts of things.  She won't question it.  She will just go into planning overload.   But won't that be kind of letting the cat out of the bag ahead of time?  Don't you think they will guess what we have to tell them?"  Rory asked.

"Maybe.  But probably not.  I think everyone will assume it is a work-related announcement.  I mean, the election is this week.  That's BIG news.  We don't know what will happen or what will come out of it.  And then we have the trip to Florida coming up the week after.  That could be more big news.  That paper in Florida will open a huge market for HPC.  It will be the first time we put out a paper completely in Spanish.  It will be a huge hit in the area and make a ton of money.  Remember, nothing talks to Shira like money.  When I buy that paper, Huntzberger stock will go up quite a bit.  In fact, we should call your grandmother and my mom while we are in Florida, let them think it has something to do with that,"  Logan said logically. "Besides, Shira barely thinks of us as together.  She hasn't seen us together in years.  She has no idea how serious it is.  Or she doesn't want to know, maybe just blocks it out.  I know my father knows, but it's not like he really talks to her," Logan said.  Then he smiled,  "And, we won't tell her the new plan until a few days before, don't let her think about it too long.  Just stripping her of a major holiday days before will distract her enough."

Rory cracked up absolutely loving the mental picture of Shira pouting.  She said, " So you are going to let her plan a whole dinner that will never happen?" She wasn't worried about Emily's preparations.  Sure, Emily would be a little surprised at the addition of guests, but she always directed her staff to make enough to feed a small country.  Emily was already planning on serving Luke, Lorelai, and April.  Rory knew Emily would have more than enough food for the added company.   Emily could serve ten adults, one teenager, and two small children easily.

"Yup,"  Logan said also laughing.  "Honor and my dad are going to love this one.  Bet Mom sneaks outside to smoke at least twice."

"If this idea works, it will be awesome!  But we can't tell anyone until Thanksgiving?  I don't know if I can do that!"  Rory said.

"How about Peggy and Finn? They can keep a secret,"  Logan suggested.

"Yes!  Let's go surprise them now!"  Rory said already hopping up and heading for the door.