(no subject)
Title: Algoinquin Escapade
Fandom: Gilmore Girls
Pairing: Rory/Logan
Rating: R
AN: I want to thank my very fabulous beta fulfilled. She helped me tremendously. The story has greatly improved since she asked me if she could beta for me. It wasn't bad to begin with, just it wasn't as good as it could be. Now I think it is. Thank you. FYI to iolite23 & slave2tivo it has changed a lot since y'all both read it initially.
Chapter 2
“Paris Eustace Gellar, summa cum laude.”
Lorelai put her fingers in her mouth to let a wolf whistle rip as Paris walked across the stage.
“Lorelai, do not whistle. It’s rude,” Emily hissed under her breath.
“Oh Mom, it’s no big deal,” Lorelai shrugged off. “It’s not exactly up there with using the wrong fork at one of your DAR dinners. Plus, Paris doesn’t have anyone here to cheer her achievement since her parents are fugitives from the law. It’s just us - well, me, Doyle, Nanny, and Logan…”
“Would the two of you be quiet,” Richard shushed. “Rory is next.”
“Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, summa cum laude,” came over the PA system, causing their entire party to erupt in applause.
“Please do not let her stick her tongue out like she did at her Chilton graduation,” Emily breathed to herself as she watched Rory walk across the stage and accept her ‘diploma’ from Yale’s president.
“Richard, you have to be proud,” Mitchum commented from where he was sitting at Richard’s side.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud in my life,” Richard admitted with a wistful smile as he fished out his handkerchief for Emily, tearing up on his other side - and for himself as well if he was honest. He was tearing up too.
Rory wasn’t just joining him in the ranks of Yale alumnus; she was graduating with the highest honors possible, something that seemed to be slipping from her grasp just two short years ago. While he knew that she didn’t yet have a job, he was sure she had an idea of what she wanted to do; however, school and wedding plans were getting in the way of her interviewing. Plus, she wouldn’t be starting right away, as she and Logan were taking several months to have a proper honeymoon.
“She’s going to do great,” Mitchum assured him.
“You didn’t think that two years ago,” Richard replied bitingly.
“No I didn’t,” Mitchum returned without any embarrassment. “I told you - I call ‘em as I see ‘em. And two years ago Rory didn’t have it, I stand by that.
Emily tried to shush them with a tap of her program on Richard’s knee, but he brushed her off.
“But falling down, even falling on your face, isn’t the end of the world,” Mitchum said as he turned a bit toward Richard. “You should know that. It’s what you do once you’re down that makes the difference. Tells you what you’re made of. What happened to her was a learning experience, and I think she’s better off for it. I think she and Logan - as he seems to want an equal partner, not just a wife - are better for it.
“I’m not going to apologize, Richard. I stand by what I said then; I also stand by what I’ve said today,” he finished.
“Richard, you’re being rude,” Emily hissed.
“We’re done now, all embarrassment over,” he murmured. “But the important part has passed anyway; Rory’s already walked across the stage.”
“Our kid’s all grown up, Lor,” Christopher whispered down the row.
“I know,” Lorelai returned, dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief that Logan handed her when she had started crying as Rory stood to begin her approach to the stage. “I can’t believe she’s graduating college. It was just yesterday, I swear, that she was graduating from Chilton.”
“I’m so sorry I missed that,” Christopher said regretfully.
“I am too,” Lorelai smiled, no bitterness evident in her voice. “She gave this amazing speech that made me bawl. Thank goodness she can’t do that today. That was just a few years ago, but it seems like yesterday,” Lorelai paused expelling a long breath as she raced through her virtual flip book of Rory’s life. “Really, it seems like yesterday that she started school.”
“Another thing I missed.”
“Well having a kid that young isn’t exactly ideal. Plus if you remember this regret today, you’ll remember to be there for all these moments for Gigi.”
“So far, I haven’t missed any,” Christopher smiled.
“I know, so little by little, you’re making good,” Lorelai smiled back.
“Maybe. I can’t believe it, but Gigi starts first grade in the fall.”
“I know - they grow up really fast. Never forget that. Blink and you’ll miss something.”
“I just can’t believe that Sherry is missing all of this,” Christopher replied, his attempt to hold back his bitterness evident in his tone.
“You can’t control what someone else does,” Lorelai reminded him again. “You’re getting to watch her grow up. That’s all you can control, so be grateful for that.”
“Especially since I wasn’t there for my first kid’s big moments. I think I’ve gotten it.”
“You’re here now,” Lorelai stopped him. “You’re going to walk her down the aisle in two weeks. You may have been late but you paid for the last couple of years of her college, and you’ve helped finance the venture she and Logan are starting. I know they’re very appreciative.”
“Lorelai,” Emily tried to shush from where she was sitting. Lorelai shot her back an innocent look then turned back to Christopher.
“Maybe you weren’t always there. Maybe I couldn’t count on you when we were younger. But at least you get it now, and you’re making up for your mistakes one by one every day, first and foremost by being the best dad you can to Gigi.”
“I’m trying.”
“That’s all any of us do. I got lucky with Rory. She was the easiest kid in the world. She raised me. Not every kid is easy, but you’re doing great.”
“Thanks Lor.”
“You’re welcome.”
---
“So look who’s turned into Dorthea Lange today,” Rory teased as Logan took yet another picture of her and Paris with their diplomas.
“As a wise woman once told me, you only graduate from college once,” he smiled back as he directed how he wanted them to stand. “It must be recorded for the sake of posterity, and for loved ones.”
“So you do listen to me sometimes?” Rory kidded.
“I always listen to you Ace,” Logan chuckled. “I only need to imagine the Titanic sized iceberg you would turn into if you brought up something you had told me and I didn’t remember. I live in fear.”
“You have him well trained,” Paris laughed under her breath.
“Mmm, yeah, it wasn’t that hard really,” Rory whispered back. “I think being his first real girlfriend helped. He had no bad relationship habits. All his annoying habits were connected to the rolodex of girls he had on speed dial so he was never wanting for companionship. When he would slip I would very sweetly remind him of the difference between girlfriend and escort-slash-date.”
“Would the two of you quit whispering and fidgeting with your caps and smile for me?” Logan waved toward them in mock exasperation.
“I’m getting some great shots,” Doyle interjected from where he was standing next to Logan, snapping away. “It’s a beautiful day as well. Wonderful day to start a new path in life.”
“You know Rory, this really is a new path for us,” Paris said with a catch in her voice. “For the last seven years we’ve pushed one another to achieve more, be better. We’ve gone through relationship crises together, pretty much everything. And now we’re going to be on our own. We’re not going to be there for one another anymore.”
“We won’t lose touch,” Rory assured.
“I know,” Paris agreed. “We won’t, but it will still be strange.”
“That’s true,” Rory nodded. “But then again, getting married, starting a totally different life from what I had thought I would be starting when I graduated from college - that’s going to be a little strange as well.”
“Are you regretting your decision to get married? You are a bit young you know.”
“No,” Rory chuckled wryly. “I never expected to be getting married at twenty-two. I figured I would go out have adventures, at some point settle down and maybe get married. Instead, I’m getting married and planning on having adventures with the person I’m marrying. But like Logan said to me once, sometimes life offers you opportunities, and then it’s up to you to decide to take them.”
“Logan said that?” Paris queried turning her head sideways.
“Not exactly,” Rory replied with a laugh. “But something to that effect.”
“I thought so,” Paris chuckled. “That didn’t sound like a Logan quote exactly.”
---
“How did you manage to keep salmon puffs off the menu today?” Logan whispered in Rory’s ear as they stood in the apartment where she and Paris were presently receiving guests at a reception Emily had planned for after the graduation ceremony.
Each graduate had been allotted four tickets so only Lorelai, Emily, Richard and Christopher had been able to get passes to watch Rory graduate. Logan was given a ticket by Paris and had ended up acquiring another from her when his father had surprised them by asking if he could also attend, since Doyle and Nanny were the only people coming to see her graduate.
Emily had wanted to have a reception in Hartford, but Rory had decided that since that would mean having to drive there, and would prevent some of their friends from dropping by, to instead have the gathering at the apartment. In a moment of unexpected generosity Emily had offered to make Paris one of those being celebrated, since her family was now MIA. Sookie and Jackson; Lane, Zach, and Mrs. Kim; Luke and Jess; classmates, friends, most of the staff of the Daily News, and a few of Richard’s alumni friends, had been extended invitations to come.
“Sookie,” Rory giggled. “I threatened her with the rack if she so much as allowed a salmon puff to darken the doorway. It got through.”
“I can imagine,” he laughed. “I heard Emily bemoaning the dearth of salmon puffage as I passed her a few minutes ago.”
“I can imagine,” she agreed with a final chuckle and a roll of her eyes. “I don’t think Grandma thinks a gathering is a appropriate without salmon puffs.”
“I gotta say Ace; summa, that’s impressive,” he murmured as he kissed her below the ear.
“You did pretty well yourself, you know,” she replied as she turned to meet his lips.
“Yeah, yeah, I didn’t do bad, but I didn’t exactly always apply myself as well as you did.”
“True,” she laughed. “Some of us have to work a little harder, we can’t all just get by on natural talent.”
“You have plenty of natural talent. Katie Couric or Barbara Walters would have killed for your natural talent starting out. You might not quite have the charm I do however,” he said slyly.
“Charm?” she laughed. “Charm and looks - it’s all you have to offer the world. “Oh, I did tell you I invited Jess, didn’t I?” she asked, brushing her hand across Logan’s, as she saw him come through the door.
“Yup, along with Luke,” he confirmed following her gaze.
“I wanted Luke to come, and not feel completely uncomfortable with Dad here. There are a lot less people here today than will be at the wedding. And he doesn’t know many of them either.”
“Rory, it’s fine. Today’s your day,” he replied with a kiss on her cheek. “Do you need your drink freshened? It looks like Richard is getting ready to give a toast.”
“Yeah, I could,” she agreed, handing him her glass.
“At your service,” he said as he took the glass brushed a kiss across her cheek and headed toward the bar.
“Everyone, could I have your attention,” Richard called out to the room, and then waited for those assembled to turn his direction. “I have a feeling most, if not all, of you will be hearing me give a similar toast in a couple of weeks at Rory’s wedding, but I can’t let that stop me from marking this occasion as well.
“I was proud of her the day she graduated from Chilton,” he smiled and motioned for Rory to join him. “I was thrilled the night she announced she had decided to attend Yale. But those moments dwarf what I’m feeling today.
“Rory is not my child, but she is my pride and joy,” he beamed at her as she reached his side. “I’ve never been more proud to have you as my granddaughter than I was watching you accept your diploma today, summa cum laude, how fantastic is that? I know you’re going to do great things. Finally make it to Fez,” Richard laughed. “I know there will be days in the future where the pride I feel today will be dwarfed, but they will have to be exceptional days, because the pride I have in my heart today overflows.
“Congratulations to you, Rory, you do the Gilmore name more than proud,” he finished with a raised glass, and then leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh Grandpa,” Rory said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Now, now,” Richard chuckled. “We can have none of that. Today is a happy day. Plus, I meant every word. I’m so very proud of you.”
“I know,” she smiled up at him as she leaned back with her arms still around his waist. “Have I ever thanked you for kidnapping me and giving me the official ‘Richard Gilmore tour of Yale?’ she laughed as she stepped back so she could do air quotes.
“I did not kidnap you,” he said with feigned shock and hurt.
“Kidnap, coerce, it’s just semantics really,” she laughed. “However you choose to characterize it, I’m glad you did it.”
“As am I, Rory, as am I - it was the best not-quite-kosher idea I ever had,” he agreed as he reached down to hug her again. As he loosed his grip he continued, “Let me let you get back to your guests. There are still a great many people that wish to congratulate you.”
“I’m glad you came,” Rory said to Jess as he extended a hand to congratulate her, which she brushed aside for a friendlier loose hug.
“Well Luke really wanted to come I think, and didn’t feel comfortable coming alone,” he returned.
“I figured he wouldn’t, since my dad was going to be here. It will be different at the wedding where he knows a lot more people.”
“Yeah, so I figured I should come with him,” Jess nodded. “Plus, summa, that’s pretty impressive.”
“Well grade inflation is rampant at all Ivies,” Rory deflected.
“False modesty, I’m sure you earned every grade,” Jess dismissed. “I remember how seriously you took school and how hard you worked.
Putting one hand in a pants pocket, Jess looked around the room, “so this is where you live?”
“Yes, this is where I live,” Rory nodded. “It was originally Logan’s place, then I moved in here with him during the spring semester last year. I stayed after he moved to London and Paris moved in a couple of months ago, since she couldn’t afford to live alone anymore and still pay for school. Doyle, her boyfriend, graduated with Logan last year, but he moved to Albuquerque where he got a job in October. She lasted till late February then money got really tight. I had told you about her parents?” she asked as she hooked a thumb over her shoulder. After he nodded she continued, “We just set up a bed in the far corner. She’s moving out this weekend actually. Moving to Baltimore, she got into Johns Hopkins.”
“Wow-even I know enough to be impressed with that.”
“Yeah, she worked really hard to get in.”
“I remember she was really freaked out by not getting into Harvard,” he recalled.
“She was,” Rory laughed. “She was devastated.”
“And jealous,” he chuckled. “Since you got in when she hadn’t.”
“Yeah, but I went to Yale,” she finished as Logan joined them.
“Hey, did you tell me club soda or something else?” Logan asked, handing her the drink he was carrying.
“Um, club soda is fine,” she replied as she reached for the glass. “I actually don’t remember what I asked for - it’s been so long.”
“I know,” he returned, exasperation clear. “I got shanghaied by someone who wanted to congratulate me and for some reason wanted wedding details. Like I’m going to have a clue. I’ve been out of the country for most of the last year and last time I looked I wasn’t auditioning for Queer Eye.”
“Aww, you poor thing,” Rory laughed with mock sympathy as she stroked his chest.
“Well I told them to go ask Emily,” he laughed.
“Goodness,” Rory giggled, “whoever asked had better be ready for an earful about flowers, tulle, seating charts, candles and everything else under the sun.”
“Yes, well, I figured it was punishment enough,” Logan chortled. “What’s going on over here? Jess, glad you could make it,” he said as he extended his hand.
“We were just talking about how Paris melted down when she didn’t get into Harvard.”
“Paris wanted to go to Harvard?” he asked. “I never knew this.”
“You didn’t?” she asked, confused, assuming she had told him at some point.
“Nope, I knew you were a regular Bobby Fisher, getting into multiple Ivies but didn’t know Paris had wanted to go to Harvard.”
“Yeah, originally I wanted to go there too,” she started. Actually, I had wanted to go there my whole life. I think Mom wanted me to go there since Grandpa had gone to Yale.”
“Well thank goodness Richard talked you into going to Yale,” he declared, horrified at the thought of her not having attended Yale and thus him likely not meeting her.
“I decided on my own,” Rory elaborated. “Grandpa had brought me here, a devious plot worthy of the Count of Monte Cristo, for a tour and meeting with his friend Harris Fellows, who of course just happens to be the Dean of Admissions. Mom melted down in the middle of the admin building accusing him of all sorts of nefarious things.”
“Oh I would have enjoyed witnessing that,” Logan laughed, imagining the exhibition. “Lorelai can pitch a fit like no one else. I was here that year, assuming that this was your senior year of high school.”
“It was,” Rory confirmed.
“I think you did a pro-con list to make your decision,” Jess interjected.
“Well of course,” Logan laughed. “No major decision in the life of Rory Gilmore has ever been made without a pro-con list. When I proposed I swear she was doing a mental one since it would have completely freaked me out had she whipped out some paper and a pen to do a real one.”
“You never miss an opportunity to mock the pro-con lists,” Rory pouted as Jess chuckled.
“I never mock the pro-con lists,” Logan defended, hands in the air. “I live my life in fear of landing on the wrong side of the pro-con lists.”
“And so you should,” Rory muttered.
“Anyway,” she continued with a wave. “I did a pro-con list, I had really fallen in love with Yale, and it had everything I wanted, so it ended up winning. Only problem was my room looked like a shrine to Harvard, that had to change. I’ve never seen Grandpa so excited.”
“I can only imagine, he is a proud alumnus. Just as both of us now are,” he finished in a mocking tone.
“I don’t think either of us yet have the school pride nor spirit that Grandpa has.”
“Probably not, but then is that even possible?” Logan laughed. “But I’m still glad Richard and the pro-con list convinced you to come to Yale. I can only imagine what my life would have ended up like had I not met you,” he finished as he wrapped an arm around her.
“A sad, sad state,” Rory sympathized. “You’d still be drinking too much, having meaningless sex with everything that moves, and might have killed yourself by now even with one of your stupid stunts.”
While this all fit in with his initial impression of Logan, hearing Rory refer to his empty lifestyle before meeting her in such an offhand manner surprised Jess, making him raise a brow and shift uncomfortably. He wouldn’t have thought the person Rory described would be someone that she would find attractive - at least not without Logan having changed a great deal before she either became interested in him or began dating him. He coughed nervously; feeling as though he had suddenly intruded on a private conversation, turned, and flagged down a passing waiter to ask if he could get him a beer.
“Probably,” Logan agreed with a wry laugh. “I was pretty much heading nowhere with nothing to recommend me but my trust fund and witty conversational skills when we met.”
“Intelligence, looks, charm, sense of adventure,” Rory listed. “You had a few more things to recommend you.”
“My shortcomings aside, I’m still disappointed I didn’t run into to all of you during Richard’s tour. I’ll have to see if I can get Lorelai to show me pictures. You would have been a cute teenager I bet,” Logan said as he kissed her cheek.
“She was,” Jess confirmed. “Hey, I’ll talk to both of you later - Luke looks like he’s had enough of Jackson for the moment.”
---
“Does that woman speak English?” Emily asked as Nanny huffed past them clearing napkins and glasses that had been discarded.
“I don’t think so,” Lorelai answered.
“Well I can see where Paris gets her manners from,” Emily observed as her almost empty glass was snatched out of her hand. Turning her attention back to Lorelai, “I will be in Stars Hollow on Thursday for one final meeting to make a last run through of everything to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything.”
“OK Mom,” Lorelai replied with exasperation. “But I think you’ve covered and recovered pretty much everything.”
“Well Lorelai, checking and double checking is how you avoid mistakes,” Emily explained.
“I know, Mom, I’ve been doing weddings for years,” Lorelai returned. “First at the Independence and now at the Dragonfly, I’ve been doing weddings and other large events for more than a decade. You can just call me Martin Short.”
“Yes, I know, Lorelai,” Emily replied, choosing to ignore the last bit. “But this is Rory’s wedding. It has to be perfect.”
“So the Huntzbergers will be suitably impressed with how fabulous we are?” Lorelai asked sarcastically as she finished off her drink.
“No, thank God it’s us, not Shira, planning this wedding,” Emily whispered conspiratorially. “Good taste has never been her forte. You can take the girl out of West Virginia…”
“Oh Mom,” Lorelai laughed.
“Well, at least Logan takes after his father,” Emily reasoned.
“Well great, I can look forward to a movie of the week all about Huntzbergers and wire hangers in my future,” Lorelai interjected sarcastically. “Mitchum isn’t exactly one that I would call a model parent. I now fear for my future grandchildren.”
“I simply meant that he’s got Mitchum’s intelligence and charm - when Mitchum chooses to use it - and his class. Shira has never quite gotten the concept, and all the money in the world…,” Emily trailed off. “Plus Rory will never let him get away with some of Mitchum’s, how can I put it nicely, less than savory qualities,” she finished.
“You mean his more assholeish qualities?” Lorelai shot back.
“Well yes,” Emily agreed. “But I was really referring to his tendency to play around. We know Rory will never stand for that.”
“No she won’t, that’s true,” Lorelai agreed as she snagged a glass of wine off a tray from a passing waiter.
“As I was saying, Thursday, Lorelai,” Emily reminded her.
“Go talk to Sookie,” Lorelai waved in her general direction.
“Fine, Lorelai,” Emily droned as she walked off to speak with Sookie.
---
“Congratulations, Rory.”
“Luke,” Rory greeted him enthusiastically with a hug. “I’m so glad you came.”
“So am I,” he replied. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you - I’m pretty pleased myself,” she smiled back. “Thank you for going ahead and bringing Jess. It somehow seems right that he’s here, especially since we were dating when I decided to come to Yale.”
“I remember,” Luke replied. “It’s ok that he’s here?” he asked as he looked pointedly toward where Logan was talking with Robert.
“Yes, it’s fine. Logan’s not really the jealous type,” she assured. “Well, at least not usually. But he knew I had invited Jess before today. They get along; we actually ran into him a couple of times weekend before last when he was visiting Liz. They won’t ever be pals, but they’re cordial to one another. They could probably get along at a cocktail party, though it’s hard to imagine Jess at a cocktail party.”
“Yes it is, but I’m glad,” Luke answered, clearly relieved. “I wasn’t sure about him coming, since I knew Logan would be here. But well it felt good to bring him, when he offered, saying you had invited him.”
“I had.”
“Yeah, well it caused me no end of worry,” Luke smiled as he checked his pockets. “I have you a gift for your graduation and in the confusion I seem to have forgotten it.”
“Luke,” Rory replied as she reached out to touch his arm. “You didn’t have to get me anything, I’m just so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you, but I’m just so proud of you,” he explained. “I wanted to give you something that showed how proud I am of what you’ve done these last few years.”
---
“I’m so tired,” she complained from where her head lay in Logan’s lap.
“You want to switch directions? I can rub your feet,” he offered. “They have to hurt. You were in heels all day.”
“And to think there’s anyone that wonders why I want to marry you?” she replied with a smile as she shifted positions to accommodate his offer, finding a pillow to lay her head on as he brought her feet to rest in his lap.
“Two weeks from now it’s going to be worse. And it will be at least as bad tomorrow night at the party in Stars Hollow.”
“Call me Scarlet O’Hara because I don’t want to have to think about that till tomorrow. Mmmmm, that’s nice,” she moaned appreciatively as his fingers dug into the ball of her foot. “So your dad really showed up.”
“Yeah, you’re about to become a Huntzberger,” Logan replied with a frown, cynicism dripping in his voice.
“Nice to be Huntzberger Publishing Group’s newest acquisition,” Rory replied as she let air whoosh out of her cheeks.
TBC
Fandom: Gilmore Girls
Pairing: Rory/Logan
Rating: R
AN: I want to thank my very fabulous beta fulfilled. She helped me tremendously. The story has greatly improved since she asked me if she could beta for me. It wasn't bad to begin with, just it wasn't as good as it could be. Now I think it is. Thank you. FYI to iolite23 & slave2tivo it has changed a lot since y'all both read it initially.
Chapter 2
“Paris Eustace Gellar, summa cum laude.”
Lorelai put her fingers in her mouth to let a wolf whistle rip as Paris walked across the stage.
“Lorelai, do not whistle. It’s rude,” Emily hissed under her breath.
“Oh Mom, it’s no big deal,” Lorelai shrugged off. “It’s not exactly up there with using the wrong fork at one of your DAR dinners. Plus, Paris doesn’t have anyone here to cheer her achievement since her parents are fugitives from the law. It’s just us - well, me, Doyle, Nanny, and Logan…”
“Would the two of you be quiet,” Richard shushed. “Rory is next.”
“Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, summa cum laude,” came over the PA system, causing their entire party to erupt in applause.
“Please do not let her stick her tongue out like she did at her Chilton graduation,” Emily breathed to herself as she watched Rory walk across the stage and accept her ‘diploma’ from Yale’s president.
“Richard, you have to be proud,” Mitchum commented from where he was sitting at Richard’s side.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud in my life,” Richard admitted with a wistful smile as he fished out his handkerchief for Emily, tearing up on his other side - and for himself as well if he was honest. He was tearing up too.
Rory wasn’t just joining him in the ranks of Yale alumnus; she was graduating with the highest honors possible, something that seemed to be slipping from her grasp just two short years ago. While he knew that she didn’t yet have a job, he was sure she had an idea of what she wanted to do; however, school and wedding plans were getting in the way of her interviewing. Plus, she wouldn’t be starting right away, as she and Logan were taking several months to have a proper honeymoon.
“She’s going to do great,” Mitchum assured him.
“You didn’t think that two years ago,” Richard replied bitingly.
“No I didn’t,” Mitchum returned without any embarrassment. “I told you - I call ‘em as I see ‘em. And two years ago Rory didn’t have it, I stand by that.
Emily tried to shush them with a tap of her program on Richard’s knee, but he brushed her off.
“But falling down, even falling on your face, isn’t the end of the world,” Mitchum said as he turned a bit toward Richard. “You should know that. It’s what you do once you’re down that makes the difference. Tells you what you’re made of. What happened to her was a learning experience, and I think she’s better off for it. I think she and Logan - as he seems to want an equal partner, not just a wife - are better for it.
“I’m not going to apologize, Richard. I stand by what I said then; I also stand by what I’ve said today,” he finished.
“Richard, you’re being rude,” Emily hissed.
“We’re done now, all embarrassment over,” he murmured. “But the important part has passed anyway; Rory’s already walked across the stage.”
“Our kid’s all grown up, Lor,” Christopher whispered down the row.
“I know,” Lorelai returned, dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief that Logan handed her when she had started crying as Rory stood to begin her approach to the stage. “I can’t believe she’s graduating college. It was just yesterday, I swear, that she was graduating from Chilton.”
“I’m so sorry I missed that,” Christopher said regretfully.
“I am too,” Lorelai smiled, no bitterness evident in her voice. “She gave this amazing speech that made me bawl. Thank goodness she can’t do that today. That was just a few years ago, but it seems like yesterday,” Lorelai paused expelling a long breath as she raced through her virtual flip book of Rory’s life. “Really, it seems like yesterday that she started school.”
“Another thing I missed.”
“Well having a kid that young isn’t exactly ideal. Plus if you remember this regret today, you’ll remember to be there for all these moments for Gigi.”
“So far, I haven’t missed any,” Christopher smiled.
“I know, so little by little, you’re making good,” Lorelai smiled back.
“Maybe. I can’t believe it, but Gigi starts first grade in the fall.”
“I know - they grow up really fast. Never forget that. Blink and you’ll miss something.”
“I just can’t believe that Sherry is missing all of this,” Christopher replied, his attempt to hold back his bitterness evident in his tone.
“You can’t control what someone else does,” Lorelai reminded him again. “You’re getting to watch her grow up. That’s all you can control, so be grateful for that.”
“Especially since I wasn’t there for my first kid’s big moments. I think I’ve gotten it.”
“You’re here now,” Lorelai stopped him. “You’re going to walk her down the aisle in two weeks. You may have been late but you paid for the last couple of years of her college, and you’ve helped finance the venture she and Logan are starting. I know they’re very appreciative.”
“Lorelai,” Emily tried to shush from where she was sitting. Lorelai shot her back an innocent look then turned back to Christopher.
“Maybe you weren’t always there. Maybe I couldn’t count on you when we were younger. But at least you get it now, and you’re making up for your mistakes one by one every day, first and foremost by being the best dad you can to Gigi.”
“I’m trying.”
“That’s all any of us do. I got lucky with Rory. She was the easiest kid in the world. She raised me. Not every kid is easy, but you’re doing great.”
“Thanks Lor.”
“You’re welcome.”
---
“So look who’s turned into Dorthea Lange today,” Rory teased as Logan took yet another picture of her and Paris with their diplomas.
“As a wise woman once told me, you only graduate from college once,” he smiled back as he directed how he wanted them to stand. “It must be recorded for the sake of posterity, and for loved ones.”
“So you do listen to me sometimes?” Rory kidded.
“I always listen to you Ace,” Logan chuckled. “I only need to imagine the Titanic sized iceberg you would turn into if you brought up something you had told me and I didn’t remember. I live in fear.”
“You have him well trained,” Paris laughed under her breath.
“Mmm, yeah, it wasn’t that hard really,” Rory whispered back. “I think being his first real girlfriend helped. He had no bad relationship habits. All his annoying habits were connected to the rolodex of girls he had on speed dial so he was never wanting for companionship. When he would slip I would very sweetly remind him of the difference between girlfriend and escort-slash-date.”
“Would the two of you quit whispering and fidgeting with your caps and smile for me?” Logan waved toward them in mock exasperation.
“I’m getting some great shots,” Doyle interjected from where he was standing next to Logan, snapping away. “It’s a beautiful day as well. Wonderful day to start a new path in life.”
“You know Rory, this really is a new path for us,” Paris said with a catch in her voice. “For the last seven years we’ve pushed one another to achieve more, be better. We’ve gone through relationship crises together, pretty much everything. And now we’re going to be on our own. We’re not going to be there for one another anymore.”
“We won’t lose touch,” Rory assured.
“I know,” Paris agreed. “We won’t, but it will still be strange.”
“That’s true,” Rory nodded. “But then again, getting married, starting a totally different life from what I had thought I would be starting when I graduated from college - that’s going to be a little strange as well.”
“Are you regretting your decision to get married? You are a bit young you know.”
“No,” Rory chuckled wryly. “I never expected to be getting married at twenty-two. I figured I would go out have adventures, at some point settle down and maybe get married. Instead, I’m getting married and planning on having adventures with the person I’m marrying. But like Logan said to me once, sometimes life offers you opportunities, and then it’s up to you to decide to take them.”
“Logan said that?” Paris queried turning her head sideways.
“Not exactly,” Rory replied with a laugh. “But something to that effect.”
“I thought so,” Paris chuckled. “That didn’t sound like a Logan quote exactly.”
---
“How did you manage to keep salmon puffs off the menu today?” Logan whispered in Rory’s ear as they stood in the apartment where she and Paris were presently receiving guests at a reception Emily had planned for after the graduation ceremony.
Each graduate had been allotted four tickets so only Lorelai, Emily, Richard and Christopher had been able to get passes to watch Rory graduate. Logan was given a ticket by Paris and had ended up acquiring another from her when his father had surprised them by asking if he could also attend, since Doyle and Nanny were the only people coming to see her graduate.
Emily had wanted to have a reception in Hartford, but Rory had decided that since that would mean having to drive there, and would prevent some of their friends from dropping by, to instead have the gathering at the apartment. In a moment of unexpected generosity Emily had offered to make Paris one of those being celebrated, since her family was now MIA. Sookie and Jackson; Lane, Zach, and Mrs. Kim; Luke and Jess; classmates, friends, most of the staff of the Daily News, and a few of Richard’s alumni friends, had been extended invitations to come.
“Sookie,” Rory giggled. “I threatened her with the rack if she so much as allowed a salmon puff to darken the doorway. It got through.”
“I can imagine,” he laughed. “I heard Emily bemoaning the dearth of salmon puffage as I passed her a few minutes ago.”
“I can imagine,” she agreed with a final chuckle and a roll of her eyes. “I don’t think Grandma thinks a gathering is a appropriate without salmon puffs.”
“I gotta say Ace; summa, that’s impressive,” he murmured as he kissed her below the ear.
“You did pretty well yourself, you know,” she replied as she turned to meet his lips.
“Yeah, yeah, I didn’t do bad, but I didn’t exactly always apply myself as well as you did.”
“True,” she laughed. “Some of us have to work a little harder, we can’t all just get by on natural talent.”
“You have plenty of natural talent. Katie Couric or Barbara Walters would have killed for your natural talent starting out. You might not quite have the charm I do however,” he said slyly.
“Charm?” she laughed. “Charm and looks - it’s all you have to offer the world. “Oh, I did tell you I invited Jess, didn’t I?” she asked, brushing her hand across Logan’s, as she saw him come through the door.
“Yup, along with Luke,” he confirmed following her gaze.
“I wanted Luke to come, and not feel completely uncomfortable with Dad here. There are a lot less people here today than will be at the wedding. And he doesn’t know many of them either.”
“Rory, it’s fine. Today’s your day,” he replied with a kiss on her cheek. “Do you need your drink freshened? It looks like Richard is getting ready to give a toast.”
“Yeah, I could,” she agreed, handing him her glass.
“At your service,” he said as he took the glass brushed a kiss across her cheek and headed toward the bar.
“Everyone, could I have your attention,” Richard called out to the room, and then waited for those assembled to turn his direction. “I have a feeling most, if not all, of you will be hearing me give a similar toast in a couple of weeks at Rory’s wedding, but I can’t let that stop me from marking this occasion as well.
“I was proud of her the day she graduated from Chilton,” he smiled and motioned for Rory to join him. “I was thrilled the night she announced she had decided to attend Yale. But those moments dwarf what I’m feeling today.
“Rory is not my child, but she is my pride and joy,” he beamed at her as she reached his side. “I’ve never been more proud to have you as my granddaughter than I was watching you accept your diploma today, summa cum laude, how fantastic is that? I know you’re going to do great things. Finally make it to Fez,” Richard laughed. “I know there will be days in the future where the pride I feel today will be dwarfed, but they will have to be exceptional days, because the pride I have in my heart today overflows.
“Congratulations to you, Rory, you do the Gilmore name more than proud,” he finished with a raised glass, and then leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Oh Grandpa,” Rory said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re going to make me cry.”
“Now, now,” Richard chuckled. “We can have none of that. Today is a happy day. Plus, I meant every word. I’m so very proud of you.”
“I know,” she smiled up at him as she leaned back with her arms still around his waist. “Have I ever thanked you for kidnapping me and giving me the official ‘Richard Gilmore tour of Yale?’ she laughed as she stepped back so she could do air quotes.
“I did not kidnap you,” he said with feigned shock and hurt.
“Kidnap, coerce, it’s just semantics really,” she laughed. “However you choose to characterize it, I’m glad you did it.”
“As am I, Rory, as am I - it was the best not-quite-kosher idea I ever had,” he agreed as he reached down to hug her again. As he loosed his grip he continued, “Let me let you get back to your guests. There are still a great many people that wish to congratulate you.”
“I’m glad you came,” Rory said to Jess as he extended a hand to congratulate her, which she brushed aside for a friendlier loose hug.
“Well Luke really wanted to come I think, and didn’t feel comfortable coming alone,” he returned.
“I figured he wouldn’t, since my dad was going to be here. It will be different at the wedding where he knows a lot more people.”
“Yeah, so I figured I should come with him,” Jess nodded. “Plus, summa, that’s pretty impressive.”
“Well grade inflation is rampant at all Ivies,” Rory deflected.
“False modesty, I’m sure you earned every grade,” Jess dismissed. “I remember how seriously you took school and how hard you worked.
Putting one hand in a pants pocket, Jess looked around the room, “so this is where you live?”
“Yes, this is where I live,” Rory nodded. “It was originally Logan’s place, then I moved in here with him during the spring semester last year. I stayed after he moved to London and Paris moved in a couple of months ago, since she couldn’t afford to live alone anymore and still pay for school. Doyle, her boyfriend, graduated with Logan last year, but he moved to Albuquerque where he got a job in October. She lasted till late February then money got really tight. I had told you about her parents?” she asked as she hooked a thumb over her shoulder. After he nodded she continued, “We just set up a bed in the far corner. She’s moving out this weekend actually. Moving to Baltimore, she got into Johns Hopkins.”
“Wow-even I know enough to be impressed with that.”
“Yeah, she worked really hard to get in.”
“I remember she was really freaked out by not getting into Harvard,” he recalled.
“She was,” Rory laughed. “She was devastated.”
“And jealous,” he chuckled. “Since you got in when she hadn’t.”
“Yeah, but I went to Yale,” she finished as Logan joined them.
“Hey, did you tell me club soda or something else?” Logan asked, handing her the drink he was carrying.
“Um, club soda is fine,” she replied as she reached for the glass. “I actually don’t remember what I asked for - it’s been so long.”
“I know,” he returned, exasperation clear. “I got shanghaied by someone who wanted to congratulate me and for some reason wanted wedding details. Like I’m going to have a clue. I’ve been out of the country for most of the last year and last time I looked I wasn’t auditioning for Queer Eye.”
“Aww, you poor thing,” Rory laughed with mock sympathy as she stroked his chest.
“Well I told them to go ask Emily,” he laughed.
“Goodness,” Rory giggled, “whoever asked had better be ready for an earful about flowers, tulle, seating charts, candles and everything else under the sun.”
“Yes, well, I figured it was punishment enough,” Logan chortled. “What’s going on over here? Jess, glad you could make it,” he said as he extended his hand.
“We were just talking about how Paris melted down when she didn’t get into Harvard.”
“Paris wanted to go to Harvard?” he asked. “I never knew this.”
“You didn’t?” she asked, confused, assuming she had told him at some point.
“Nope, I knew you were a regular Bobby Fisher, getting into multiple Ivies but didn’t know Paris had wanted to go to Harvard.”
“Yeah, originally I wanted to go there too,” she started. Actually, I had wanted to go there my whole life. I think Mom wanted me to go there since Grandpa had gone to Yale.”
“Well thank goodness Richard talked you into going to Yale,” he declared, horrified at the thought of her not having attended Yale and thus him likely not meeting her.
“I decided on my own,” Rory elaborated. “Grandpa had brought me here, a devious plot worthy of the Count of Monte Cristo, for a tour and meeting with his friend Harris Fellows, who of course just happens to be the Dean of Admissions. Mom melted down in the middle of the admin building accusing him of all sorts of nefarious things.”
“Oh I would have enjoyed witnessing that,” Logan laughed, imagining the exhibition. “Lorelai can pitch a fit like no one else. I was here that year, assuming that this was your senior year of high school.”
“It was,” Rory confirmed.
“I think you did a pro-con list to make your decision,” Jess interjected.
“Well of course,” Logan laughed. “No major decision in the life of Rory Gilmore has ever been made without a pro-con list. When I proposed I swear she was doing a mental one since it would have completely freaked me out had she whipped out some paper and a pen to do a real one.”
“You never miss an opportunity to mock the pro-con lists,” Rory pouted as Jess chuckled.
“I never mock the pro-con lists,” Logan defended, hands in the air. “I live my life in fear of landing on the wrong side of the pro-con lists.”
“And so you should,” Rory muttered.
“Anyway,” she continued with a wave. “I did a pro-con list, I had really fallen in love with Yale, and it had everything I wanted, so it ended up winning. Only problem was my room looked like a shrine to Harvard, that had to change. I’ve never seen Grandpa so excited.”
“I can only imagine, he is a proud alumnus. Just as both of us now are,” he finished in a mocking tone.
“I don’t think either of us yet have the school pride nor spirit that Grandpa has.”
“Probably not, but then is that even possible?” Logan laughed. “But I’m still glad Richard and the pro-con list convinced you to come to Yale. I can only imagine what my life would have ended up like had I not met you,” he finished as he wrapped an arm around her.
“A sad, sad state,” Rory sympathized. “You’d still be drinking too much, having meaningless sex with everything that moves, and might have killed yourself by now even with one of your stupid stunts.”
While this all fit in with his initial impression of Logan, hearing Rory refer to his empty lifestyle before meeting her in such an offhand manner surprised Jess, making him raise a brow and shift uncomfortably. He wouldn’t have thought the person Rory described would be someone that she would find attractive - at least not without Logan having changed a great deal before she either became interested in him or began dating him. He coughed nervously; feeling as though he had suddenly intruded on a private conversation, turned, and flagged down a passing waiter to ask if he could get him a beer.
“Probably,” Logan agreed with a wry laugh. “I was pretty much heading nowhere with nothing to recommend me but my trust fund and witty conversational skills when we met.”
“Intelligence, looks, charm, sense of adventure,” Rory listed. “You had a few more things to recommend you.”
“My shortcomings aside, I’m still disappointed I didn’t run into to all of you during Richard’s tour. I’ll have to see if I can get Lorelai to show me pictures. You would have been a cute teenager I bet,” Logan said as he kissed her cheek.
“She was,” Jess confirmed. “Hey, I’ll talk to both of you later - Luke looks like he’s had enough of Jackson for the moment.”
---
“Does that woman speak English?” Emily asked as Nanny huffed past them clearing napkins and glasses that had been discarded.
“I don’t think so,” Lorelai answered.
“Well I can see where Paris gets her manners from,” Emily observed as her almost empty glass was snatched out of her hand. Turning her attention back to Lorelai, “I will be in Stars Hollow on Thursday for one final meeting to make a last run through of everything to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything.”
“OK Mom,” Lorelai replied with exasperation. “But I think you’ve covered and recovered pretty much everything.”
“Well Lorelai, checking and double checking is how you avoid mistakes,” Emily explained.
“I know, Mom, I’ve been doing weddings for years,” Lorelai returned. “First at the Independence and now at the Dragonfly, I’ve been doing weddings and other large events for more than a decade. You can just call me Martin Short.”
“Yes, I know, Lorelai,” Emily replied, choosing to ignore the last bit. “But this is Rory’s wedding. It has to be perfect.”
“So the Huntzbergers will be suitably impressed with how fabulous we are?” Lorelai asked sarcastically as she finished off her drink.
“No, thank God it’s us, not Shira, planning this wedding,” Emily whispered conspiratorially. “Good taste has never been her forte. You can take the girl out of West Virginia…”
“Oh Mom,” Lorelai laughed.
“Well, at least Logan takes after his father,” Emily reasoned.
“Well great, I can look forward to a movie of the week all about Huntzbergers and wire hangers in my future,” Lorelai interjected sarcastically. “Mitchum isn’t exactly one that I would call a model parent. I now fear for my future grandchildren.”
“I simply meant that he’s got Mitchum’s intelligence and charm - when Mitchum chooses to use it - and his class. Shira has never quite gotten the concept, and all the money in the world…,” Emily trailed off. “Plus Rory will never let him get away with some of Mitchum’s, how can I put it nicely, less than savory qualities,” she finished.
“You mean his more assholeish qualities?” Lorelai shot back.
“Well yes,” Emily agreed. “But I was really referring to his tendency to play around. We know Rory will never stand for that.”
“No she won’t, that’s true,” Lorelai agreed as she snagged a glass of wine off a tray from a passing waiter.
“As I was saying, Thursday, Lorelai,” Emily reminded her.
“Go talk to Sookie,” Lorelai waved in her general direction.
“Fine, Lorelai,” Emily droned as she walked off to speak with Sookie.
---
“Congratulations, Rory.”
“Luke,” Rory greeted him enthusiastically with a hug. “I’m so glad you came.”
“So am I,” he replied. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you - I’m pretty pleased myself,” she smiled back. “Thank you for going ahead and bringing Jess. It somehow seems right that he’s here, especially since we were dating when I decided to come to Yale.”
“I remember,” Luke replied. “It’s ok that he’s here?” he asked as he looked pointedly toward where Logan was talking with Robert.
“Yes, it’s fine. Logan’s not really the jealous type,” she assured. “Well, at least not usually. But he knew I had invited Jess before today. They get along; we actually ran into him a couple of times weekend before last when he was visiting Liz. They won’t ever be pals, but they’re cordial to one another. They could probably get along at a cocktail party, though it’s hard to imagine Jess at a cocktail party.”
“Yes it is, but I’m glad,” Luke answered, clearly relieved. “I wasn’t sure about him coming, since I knew Logan would be here. But well it felt good to bring him, when he offered, saying you had invited him.”
“I had.”
“Yeah, well it caused me no end of worry,” Luke smiled as he checked his pockets. “I have you a gift for your graduation and in the confusion I seem to have forgotten it.”
“Luke,” Rory replied as she reached out to touch his arm. “You didn’t have to get me anything, I’m just so glad you’re here.”
“Thank you, but I’m just so proud of you,” he explained. “I wanted to give you something that showed how proud I am of what you’ve done these last few years.”
---
“I’m so tired,” she complained from where her head lay in Logan’s lap.
“You want to switch directions? I can rub your feet,” he offered. “They have to hurt. You were in heels all day.”
“And to think there’s anyone that wonders why I want to marry you?” she replied with a smile as she shifted positions to accommodate his offer, finding a pillow to lay her head on as he brought her feet to rest in his lap.
“Two weeks from now it’s going to be worse. And it will be at least as bad tomorrow night at the party in Stars Hollow.”
“Call me Scarlet O’Hara because I don’t want to have to think about that till tomorrow. Mmmmm, that’s nice,” she moaned appreciatively as his fingers dug into the ball of her foot. “So your dad really showed up.”
“Yeah, you’re about to become a Huntzberger,” Logan replied with a frown, cynicism dripping in his voice.
“Nice to be Huntzberger Publishing Group’s newest acquisition,” Rory replied as she let air whoosh out of her cheeks.
TBC