Chapter 17

A/N: I'm sorry for the delay, life has just gotten the best of me. I had planned this to be the last chapter, and I wanted to give it to you guys. I appreciate all of the support and encouragement. I will be finishing Forever & Always, well, more like re-dedicating myself to it. I have just gotten so caught up in wedding stuff and life stuff that it has been so hard. I also have a new idea, but I won't start it until after I have finished Forever & Always.

"Mom" Christian scanned the crowd as he stood at his mothers side, "Where is he Mom?"

"Christian he will be here" Rory gently moved the stroller back and forth on the spot, also looking for her husband.

"Does he have Riley?" Christian asked.

"He will be here," Rory assured him, "Is your display all ready?" she tried to distract him.

"I've checked it twice." Christian rolled his eyes.

"Ok" Rory sighed, "Stay here" she told him, "I'm going to go call Dad."

"Mom." Christian looked at her, worry clear in his voice.

"Don't worry," Rory assured him, "He will be here."

"Mom, I need to go to the bathroom." Christian stated.

"Alright, you go to the bathroom, I will try calling Dad again." Rory smiled as she watched her son walk away, grabbing her phone from her purse and dialing quickly.

"I know, I know," Logan sighed, "I'm on my way, I'm just parking the car babe." he assured her.

"Thank god, I was starting to worry. Cath and I are inside, you have Ri?"

"Of course I have Riley, I wouldn't forget our daughter." Logan laughed, "I'll see you in a few minutes babe."

xxxx

"Buddy, you did great," Logan smiled as he embraced his son, "I am so proud of you."

"Did you see the ribbon, Dad?" Christian grinned as he held up his winning ribbon.

"I did," Logan laughed, "what do you want for your celebratory dinner?"

"Macaroni," Christian told him obviously, "where is Mom?"

"I am right here," Rory laughed, "Not that you two would notice, so caught up in yourselves here!"

"I think that Mom can drive you home, and I will take our two girls here," Logan smiled as he picked Riley up, "What do you think Ri? Do you want to go with me, or Mom?"

"I want to go with Mommy," Riley protested. "And the baby."

"Of course you do," Logan laughed, "Is that okay with you, beautiful?" he asked Rory who was rocking the stroller back and forth as Catherine slept.

"I would love nothing more than to drive all 3 of my kids home." Rory agreed, "Can you grab some dinner, macaroni I believe was the request, and then we have the party tomorrow, so tonight is it for family dinner's this weekend."

"Who is watching us tomorrow?" Christian asked as the family began walking towards the cars.

"I believe that you will be going over to Uncle Colin and Aunt Steph's house and hanging out with the kids."

"Can't we go see Grandma and Grandpa?"

"They are all coming to the party, and you hate these parties." Rory explained as they got to her car and Logan began loading Catherine's carseat in.

"Can I sit in the front?" Christian looked at his parents with a slight hope that they might say yes.

"No," Logan laughed, "You know that you are too young."

"Alright, we're ready." Logan told Rory as he closed the door closest to the carseat and watched as Riley and Christian both climbed into the car. "I'll see you at home?"

"Can't wait," Rory kissed him gently, "I love you."

"I love you too, Ace."

xxx

"Well that was quite the day," Rory smiled as she pulled her hair into a ponytail after finally coaxing Riley into going to bed. "What was the delay?"

"Just some work stuff," Logan told her as he looked up from his paperwork in bed, "the acquisition of the paper in California isn't quite as straight forward as I was hoping. I might have to go out there."

"I'm sorry babe," Rory gave him an apologetic smile as she crawled into bed and kissed him gently, "are you going to be able to make it tomorrow?"

"Ace," Logan looked at her with his always charming grin glued to his face, "in a million years, I would never miss your night tomorrow. Tomorrow is all about you, and you deserve it. You are amazing."

"Logan, I wrote a book, it's hardly that big a deal." Rory laughed. She had to admit, she loved when he fawned over her like that, when he made her feel like she could conquer the world.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Huntzberger," Logan looked at her seriously, "you have written two amazing books, you have worked as a contributor to ABC News, and most importantly, you have given me the 3 most amazing kids in the world. You didn't just write a book, you have given me the most amazing life I could ever ask for. Even crazier, you've given me that life not only once, but twice, and you took me back even when I was an idiot who didn't deserve it."

"Don't be so self deprecating." Rory told him, "You deserve this life Logan, you deserve this family and this love and everything you have."

"I don't know if I will ever be able to tell you how much I appreciate this second chance." Logan kissed her gently, "Go to bed Ace, I love you."

"I love you too, Logan."

xxx

"I thought you were going to wear the dress we got in the city?" Logan smiled as he watched Rory stand in her closet with a towel wrapped around her petite frame. She was staring at her expansive closet, trying to decide exactly what to wear.

"I changed my mind." Rory shrugged.

"Well you can go naked, and you'll look great." Logan joked as he pulled his Tom Ford tuxedo jacket on. "Your hair looks amazing."

"Oh, naked, what a grand idea? How Lady GaGa of you." Rory rolled her eyes as she stared at the ball gowns in front of her. Sometimes she was shocked to see the contents of her closet, as a child it was full of jeans and t-shirts, and now it was full of couture gowns and designer everything.

"The limo will be here in 20 minutes, so I am going to go have a drink and finish up some work, come get me in my study when you're ready." Logan kissed her cheek, "Whatever you pick will be amazing." he told her as he headed towards the door, leaving Rory to stare at her closet.

She walked towards her jewelry drawer and pulled it open. Maybe it would be easier to select a necklace than it would be to select a dress. "Logan!" she shouted as she picked up the Cartier diamond choker he had given her years earlier.

"What's up babe?" Logan's voice came through the intercom.

"Short or long?" Rory sighed in frustration.

"Short." Logan told her, "Show off your legs, get some great shoes, make me want to tear the dress of of you."

"Thank you!" Rory laughed as she grabbed a black Martin Grant dress with a bustier bodice and peplum waist. She knew she could pair it with a simple pair of black pumps for a look of timeless elegance. She had decided on a sock bun with her hair, so it was rolled high on top of her head. "I'm ready," Rory called as she grabbed a pair of shoes and headed down the stairs, "can you zip me?"

"Of course," Logan laughed as he appeared from his office and zipped up the fitted dress, "you look hot, Ace. I have no words other than hot."

"You're sweet," Rory smiled, "but let's go."

xxx

As the limo pulled up to The Plaza Rory felt a mix of nerves and relief. The first time she had published a book, she had nothing to lose. She was in the midst of a divorce, and she felt like everything had fallen out from underneath her. Now, here she was and she felt like she had everything, her marriage was stronger than ever, her kid's were healthy and happy, the only thing she could worry about was whether or not this book would be as well received as the last.

"You ready, Ace?" Logan asked, seeing the press and paparazzi waiting outside the event. In addition to the fact that the Huntzberger's themselves were somewhat of celebrities due to their wealth and power in the publishing industry, there were true bonafide celebrities attending the event.

"As I'll ever be," Rory laughed, squeezing his hand as the limo door opened and she stepped out, followed closely by her husband, "come here." she whispered as Logan plastered a charming grin on his face and wrapped his arm tightly around Rory while they walked together.

"20 more feet and we get a cocktail," Logan whispered sweetly in her ear, "there's Mom and Dad." he nodded to his parents.

"Shira, Mitchum!" Rory called ahead of them, causing her in-laws to turn and smile at her.

"Rory, you look beautiful." Shira smiled as she kissed her cheek.

"Thank you, so do you," Rory hugged Mitchum, "I didn't realize this was going to be so big!"

"You deserve it, Rory. You wrote an amazing book, and as your publisher, we are so happy for you, and so lucky to have you not only as a part of our family, but as a part of the Huntzberger team." Mitchum told her as the four of them walked into the venue. "Ladies, what can I get you to drink?"

"I'll just have a champagne." Rory smiled as she felt Logan's arms around her waist, feeling much more comfortable as they put some distance between themselves and the press waiting outside.

"I will come with you, Dad." Logan kissed Rory's cheek,

"I would just like a sparkling water." Shira told her husband as the two men headed for the bar. "You should be incredibly proud of yourself, Rory."

"That means a lot coming from you, Shira." Rory nodded, "But I do appreciate everything that you and have, and all of the support, helping with the kids."

"Well we love our grandchildren, and we love you and Logan too. Very much so." Shira told her as the men approached with beverages.

"Here you go, beautiful." Logan handed Rory the champagne.

"Thank you," Rory grinned, she loved how attentive he had become in the time that they had been back together. It was a far cry from his behaviour near the end of their first marriage, at events like this she struggled to find him anywhere, he was always off talking business with someone, barely even noticing her at all. Logan truly had made a 180 degree turn and become the person that she had always known he was. "So what is on the agenda this evening?"

"Well," Logan looked at his watch, "in about 20 minutes everything will start, so I believe right now we are just expected to mingle. If I am not mistaken, I see Colin and Steph arriving, and I am sure that we can go take our seats if you want?"

"I think I am just going to call and check on Catherine." Rory smiled as she took a sip of her drink, this was the first time they had left Catherine in the care of anyone who wasn't a part of their family, or a member of her staff, and it was a little bit more difficult than she had expected.

"Of course," Logan nodded, "I'll go and see Colin, you call. Here is the room key," he told her as he handed her the key to their suite upstairs, "are you alright, Ace?"

"I'm fine, just...this is a lot" Rory assured him, "I'll be back in a few minutes." she told him as she kissed his cheek and headed towards the elevators.

xxxx

By the time Rory had returned to the ballroom, she could see that things were about to start as she saw the master of ceremonies for the evening standing at his podium. Rory quickly made her way to her table where she was joined by Logan, Steph, Colin, Finn, Paris, Doyle and Honor and Josh. Her parents, grandparents and in-law's were all seated at a table close by.

"Well everyone, welcome, I know we have all been here before for book launches and fundraisers, but again, welcome. Please, drink up, as long as it's all free we may as well take advantage," he laughed, causing the same laughter from the audience, "anyway, to begin, we would like to invite Logan Huntzberger, acting President, CEO, and Board Member of Huntzberger to say a few words about why we are all here tonight."

Logan kissed Rory's cheek as he got out of his seat. Over the years he had gotten much more comfortable with public speaking, but sometimes, even in a room full of people that he knew, it was uncomfortable.

"Well, as Jim just said, welcome. It's so great to see everyone and as a company, we at Huntzberger are so proud and excited for this next book to come out." Logan smiled at his wife who was beginning to blush. "Obviously you are all probably thinking that I have to be excited about this book, I mean my wife wrote it, and my company published it, so I think it is pretty mandatory that I tell you all how great it is. But I would like to cast everyone back to the last time we were here for a book Rory Gilmore-Huntzberger wrote. That time, it was basically a scathing review of what it was like to live with a selfish man who didn't give her the time of day." Logan smiled as he watched the room chuckle, and saw that Rory was looking slightly less embarrassed. "So, what I am trying to say is that I am not standing here telling you that this story of love, family, and life is great because my wife wrote it. I'm telling you it is great because it is an amazing book, written by an amazing human being. The proceeds of the book are going to be going to help fund research for children's cancer. As you all know, my daughter Riley has recently fought a battle with cancer, and is doing much better. But please, buy this book, read this book, love this book. Thank you all very much, enjoy your night, drink, eat, have fun." Logan smiled as he walked off the stage and headed back to his table amidst the applause in the room.

"That was very sweet," Rory kissed his cheek as he sat down, "almost too sappy."

"Did you find your balls? Or are they still tucked away in Rory's purse?" Finn joked from his side of the table.

"You know, I think I still have them." Rory laughed as she took a sip of water.

"Well," Logan grinned at his college friend, "the good news is, one of us will probably be getting laid tonight, and oddly enough, I don't think it is going to be you." Logan raised his glass with a chuckle.

"Oh Logan," Finn smirked, "you know better than to think I would ever go to bed alone."

"Enough!" Honor laughed, "Do you boys ever get tired of listening to yourself?"

"Never." Josh chuckled, "How are the kids? Where are the kids?" he nodded to Rory and Logan.

"They are at Colin and Steph's house, with the nannies." Logan explained, "Tonight is a grown up fun kind of night."

"This is our new version of grown up fun?" Rory grinned at her friends, "Come on, screw grown up, let's have fun for a change."

"Have fun? You? Rory, I can't believe you would ever suggest that we bust out of one of these things!"

xxxx

It had taken 3 hours, but they had all slowly managed to leave the event and meet up at a waiting limo.

"I can't believe we're doing this," Rory laughed as Logan fumbled with a set of keys, trying not to be seen in the dark, even though they were all dressed to the nines. "I can't believe I still have this key!"

"Well this is what being a Huntzberger is all about!" Finn laughed, clapping his hand on Logan's back as he creaked the door open.

"Home sweet home." Rory laughed as she looked around the building, enjoying the moment of darkness before Paris flipped on the lights.

"We haven't been in this dining hall in ages." Honor grinned, she couldn't believe, just like all of those years ago, they had driven to Yale and broken into the dining hall.

"This is where it all began." Rory laughed as she walked towards the containers dispensing cereal and helped herself to some Cocoa Puffs.

"Seems like a million years ago."

"Don't be ridiculous," Paris jumped in, "it wasn't that long ago. We aren't that old."

"Paris is right," Colin wrapped his arms around his wife, "for a change."

"Alright, alright, who has the champagne?" Logan demanded as he grabbed juice glasses.

"It's right here." Honor handed it to her younger brother.

"Well, we've made it, once and for all, we're grown up, we've moved on, and we all have amazing lives and amazing families, but we also have each other." Logan smiled as he looked at his friends, "And thankfully we have come so far from where we started, but here we are, the same people we were all those years ago. We're home."