Mondays

8

„You know you don't have to come back." Logan said, taking a sip of his warm coffee.

They spent the night on the yacht after watching the sunset together. Neither of them spoke about it, but the kiss they shared lingered as one of the single, most meaningful moments they ever experienced. They didn't have to talk about it, everything was crystal clear, they knew what it meant and what it represented, it wasn't just a kiss, it meant so much more.

Logan held her tightly through all of the panic attacks she experienced thinking about the fact that the only real man of her family died. Logan was patient, giving her the space she needed while still not letting her feel like she has to go through this alone. He made sure she was safe, not believing his own reality now, not believing she would trust him again, astounded she was so close to him, where she belonged all along, after so long.

Somewhere around 3 AM, Rory fell asleep and Logan carried her inside the yacht, laying her down and tucking her in. She looked so peaceful to him; there was no doubt in the world that she was the most breathtaking sight he has seen in his lifetime of adventures.

„I want to, he wouldn't want me to miss this." Rory answered, clutching onto her cup, wearing Logan's light blue T-shirt he offered her since she didn't bring much of her own clothing.

He was proud of her. No, he was amazed by her. She turned out to be this strong and powerful woman, fearless and brave. She turned out to be everything he hoped for her, he always wanted to see her win. The fire she possessed, her eagerness to prove her place in this world, left him speechless.

Logan removed a strand of her hair away from her face, it was quite windy and that made her hair dance all around. She didn't bother to put it up in a ponytail and he loved that. Admiring her seemed to be a task he was never really finished with.

„I could have the jet ready by tonight?" He asked, checking with his pilot before providing her with any sort of information.

„That's good. I wanted to spend the afternoon with my mom, she needs me." She said, recalling that he wasn't only a missed grandfather but also a husband and father.

„Of course, I will take care of everything, Ace." He smiled at her. His smile was comforting and even though she didn't need him to take care of anything, it felt so good for him to simply do it. That was giving him hope that their kiss was meaningful to her as well. She didn't need him, she possibly even wanted him.

Rory felt selfish and egoistic, catching herself thinking about their kiss in front of her mother. Her mom deserved her full attention, she deserved to be comforted. And as much as Rory wanted to be there for her, her mind would escape this place and wander out to sea, wander into his arms, where her skin would shiver under his touch, and his smile would tickle her lips.

Emily didn't go first; she was determined to, but she didn't. I guess that's the thing with soulmates: you never know when they will appear to you, and you never know when they will leave you. Richard wasn't just a partner to Emily; they were a working system, perfect puzzle pieces, and he was an extension of her. Marriage was hard work, and they made it work.

They both said their goodbye's to Rory, glad she was there and happy they saw her, even for just a little while, even under the circumstances. Both of them were so proud of their girl and who she had become. Emily knew Richard would still be there, she saw him in Rory's eyes, there was a great deal of him in the way Rory spoke and the way she loved, not just books, but people. Emily saw Richard in Rory's loyalty and kindness; there was a piece of him there, a reminder how deeply they were all loved by him. It was a privilege to be a Gilmore.

Despite Rory's best efforts to convince Logan that Lorelei could drive her to the airport, Logan still sent out a car to pick her up, knowing Lorelei should stay with Emily, she shouldn't feel left alone right now.