The group settled in around the enormous island in Honour's kitchen and watched as she pulled out two magnums of champagne, a small bottle of sparkling cider and crystal flutes. She handed the first bottle to Logan absently as she proceeded to pull a fully prepared charcuterie board from the oversized refrigerator. She grabbed several china side plates, linen napkins and utensils and placed them on the island before sitting at one of the barstools.
She held her glass out to Logan and waited while he poured champagne for everyone, and cider for Rory.
"To my niece or nephew. May this child know nothing but love and happiness" she proclaimed.
Rory smiled gratefully and clinked her glass along with the others.
"Now. Explain." Honour demanded. The boys shrugged and began to help themselves to a snack.
Logan chuckled. "Rory and I ran into each other in Hamburg about a year and a half ago. We started talking."
Honour nodded. "Ok."
Rory continued. "After my grandfather passed away, Logan flew in for the funeral. He was an amazing support for me. I had an interview in London a few days later. I flew in for work and Logan and I went to dinner. We reconnected."
"One way to put it." Honour snarked.
Logan snapped his glass down on the island with a click. "Done channeling Shira yet?"
"No. Carry on." Honour replied tersely.
Logan ran his hand over his face. "We saw each other when we could. We did not advertise, but we were not hiding either."
Odette took over. "And in case you think I'm some injured party, I was living in Paris at the time, and I knew Logan was seeing someone, because he had told me. I was also dating, discreetly, which he knew. But Papa began to insist that we announce our engagement. Eventually he terminated the lease on my apartment. And I had no choice but to either move forward with Logan or 'break-up' with him. We discussed it and decided that there was no harm in announcing an engagement."
Rory chuckled. "Except I didn't know that. So I ended things with Logan. We had one last weekend together in New Hampshire. And conceived your niece or nephew that night."
"When Rory told me about the baby I was shocked. After she had ended things, Odette and I had agreed to go through with the wedding. It was fiscally advantageous for us both. Unfortunately, we were required to sign a betrothal agreement."
Honour threw her eyes to the ceiling in exasperation. "Seriously? You signed that stupid thing?" She glared at Logan.
"Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time." Logan drained his glass and shrugged.
"So now what?" Honour asked.
"Do you still have my boxes in storage?" Logan asked.
Honour started in surprise. "Of course. They are in the garage loft. Are you serious?"
"Yep. I'll be right back." Logan headed out the back door towards the detached garage.
"What's in the boxes?" Rory asked.
"All his stuff that he packed up before going to California. He's taken bits and pieces over the years, but there was quite a lot of stuff." Honour had risen and was watching Logan walk into the garage.
She turned to look at Rory. "Is this for real? You and Logan? Because if you're not sure, so help me, you have to tell him."
Rory put down her own glass. She walked over to the window with Honour and nodded. "I'm absolutely sure. I bowed out because I didn't want to get in the way of his dynastic plans. But it's always been him for me. I haven't ever stopped loving him. I just had to grow up before I was ready to commit to him fully. Honour, I never wanted to break up with him all those years ago, but I was 22! I needed to live my own life for a few minutes before I could be with him forever."
"22! I was only 24 when Josh and I got engaged!" Honour bristled.
"Yes, but you were ready. I wasn't ready. I had been very sheltered my whole life. I had been in a string of relationships since I was 16. I never really stood on my own two feet. And Logan? He's a force of nature! Just like you. If Josh had been only 22, would he have been ready?" Rory asked her earnestly.
Honour shook her head. "It makes sense, Rory, but it was heartbreaking. Watching him suffer after the breakup, I honestly worried for him. He changed so much."
"We both did. It was horrible. I was lost too. But it's what needed to happen. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone, but in all honesty, we both needed to grow up." Rory appealed to Honour.
Honour caught some movement out of the corned of her eye and turned. Both women watched as Logan walked back towards the house.
"I hope your ready now." Honour said gently.
Rory nodded as she watched Logan approach. "I am. I won't hurt him again. I won't hurt myself again."
Honour turned back to Rory with tears in her eyes. "I believe you. Be happy." She nodded her head towards Logan, crossing onto the back deck. Rory smiled and went outside to meet him.
"Ace. Come walk with me." Logan offered his hand and Rory smiled as she took it and they walked away into the backyard of Honour's home.
He headed very specifically towards a grove of birch trees in the far corner. When the arrived Rory had to laugh aloud. There was a perfect fairy garden set up among the trees, complete with solar lights. In the growing dusk, the tiny village looked magical.
"Honour is amazing. I can't believe she did this for her kids." Rory beamed.
Logan chuckled. "Actually, it was me. I set it up with the kids. I like to indulge them in as much magic and fairy tales as I can. Childhood is so short. They should embrace its magic as long as possible."
Rory turned, surprised. Logan was looking at her intently. She noticed that he was fidgeting slightly with his hand deep in his pockets. She was puzzled for a second before realizing that this was the moment.
She smiled broadly and turned fully towards him, nodding to encourage him.
"I want to do this right, at least this tiny moment. I though that being surrounded with magic would ... it just felt appropriate. Because I do think us finding our way back together is magic and a miracle." He began.
"It's faith." Rory grinned.
"Do you mean fate?" Logan asked.
"No. Faith. The belief in magic, or fairies, or the first snowfall, or true love." Rory had tears glistening on her lashes.
"Is this a Church of baseball moment?" Logan smirked.
Rory felt the first tear slip down her cheek. "Yes. This is our moment."
Logan nodded and swallowed nervously. He pulled a navy box from his pocket and began to open it.
"Rory, will you marry me?"
"Yes. I'm ready now." She smiled through her tears and leaned forward to kiss him passionately.
Logan relaxed into her kiss and when they broke apart, he slumped with relief.
"Thank god. I've been waiting for you to say that for over a decade." He grinned.
Rory looked down and gasped. It was the ring. The original engagement ring from her graduation. "You kept it?"
"I did. Is that faith?" He asked.
"It most certainly is!" Rory grinned as she grabbed him again. "I love you Logan Huntzberger. And I always will."
(Edit - typo in the chapter number!)
