#she proposed when she knew things were bad with rory and he still agreed!

[ivystitches]

lorelai gives luke an ultimatum and tells him that he should figure out how april fits into their lives and not how she fits into his and april’s relationship, and this may just be a cultural thing but how were any of you rooting for her? and then she goes and sleeps with christopher?!

[summerspn]

Gilmore Girls

Logan Huntzberger

Good looking, charming, witty, fun, immature & occasionally self destructive, Logan was Rory’s long time Yale boyfriend.

Upon his arrival in the show Logan was immature & just did whatever he wanted to for fun. It was amusing at times & occasionally annoying how Rory let him convince her to take part. But soon we saw that she wanted to do many of the silly & ridiculous things he & his buddies did.

And that’s when we see Rory actually fits with them more than she does anywhere else at Yale. She wants to be crazy & irresponsible like Logan & his friends.

But we also see that Logan has layers. He is entitled but people also don’t say no to him or talk back which is why he respected Rory from the start. It was refreshing for him.

He also like intelligence though as he seems to really like that trait in Rory. He also seems amused most of the time by Paris so he doesn’t mind hyper stressed, highly intelligent people.

Logan goes with the flow with for about 90% of his life. We think he’s aimless but that’s more because his life was planned out for him so why should he worry about making other plans?

He also resents that predestined life. I think he was ignorant of how much he hated that until he met Rory. She opened his eyes to the fact some wealthy families can actually let their kids follow their own path (like Richard & Emily did by staying on the side lines).

I love his arc & how he learns way more outside of the classroom than within, during his reign at Yale.

Logan starts to think about a career away from his father. He even ends up creating his own business, being both a failure & successful on his own. Which is a huge learning factor in someone’s life. I respect that he tried that. Not many people have the guts to do it.

We also see Logan treating women like just fun conveniences...though he states several times he’s not serious. He’s honest about that with the women he’s with. He’s essentially just having fun. Nothing wrong with that.

The problem was that Rory wanted more but didn’t want to speak up about it. She just goes along with things. Eventually she does set rules for him about what she wants and he does eventually figure it out. He wanted to be with only her, so he was.

He gets jealous (like every boy Rory’s with - because the writer apparently thinks that’s a sign of a good relationship??)... but jealousy is a sign of immaturity. It could also be considered controlling. For Dean he was controlling. Logan was just immature.

Logan’s family is snobby & his father especially, feels they’re better than everyone. Logan doesn’t though.

He chats with everyone he sees at Yale, not acting superior to anyone unless he’s annoyed. But he doesn’t look down on people. He accepts them into his life even if it’s brief. So he’s much more enlightened than his father.

I liked that a lot.

The Life & Death Brigade was a way to cut loose & pretend like his semi-self destructive behaviour was okay. Labelling it made it seem fine because other people were doing the same things he was. It was a bit like a crutch & enabling bad behaviour.... which is why it felt so weird for that (college club) to reappear in Year in the Life.

Logan’s another boyfriend that Lorelai seems to not like. She judges him fairly quickly. After being told many time that Rory’s mother is fun, cool & is basically like them, he steals the lighter. Lorelai knows about it and doesn’t like it of course. She acts like it was something serious. Not her fault. However, this was Rory & Logan’s fault. Logan obviously because he did it, prioritizing his game over Rory’s family. It was just...stupid.

And Rory is at fault because she didn’t set boundaries. She could have stressed how upset she’d be or how much she didn’t want him to do anything like that. She just folds in & acts like it’s not happenin or would never happen. At best she’s naive. I felt it kind of unfair to stress it so much with Logan because stealing the lighter was dumb.

It’s not like he tried pressure her into it or anything else to the point where she felt uncomfortable (like Jess did at that party...). It’s not like he was controlling, demanding, or whiny when she didn’t pay enough attention to him (like Dean always did...). It was merely a stupid prank and Lorelai acted like it was a felony.

To be fair I thought he should have made up for it a little. But I also don’t think Lorelai would have forgiven him because she makes snap judgments and rarely changed her mind.

Logan occasionally influences Rory to cut loose & have fun. She needs that. It’s hinted many times over that Rory was basically more responsible than Lorelai (she does laundry when they run out of clothes - because her mom couldn’t be bothered. She sets up appointments etc). So it’s like Rory was tightly wound (not as much as Paris though). And she needed some spontaneity in her life.

That’s why I think Logan was good for her.

However, she loses herself in the relationship (again, as she did the same with Dean) and doesn’t seem to understand her limits or is easily influenced. Logan was a bit pushy at times (the entitled part of him coming out) and when Rory stole the boat, she, he, and everyone else knew it was a mistake.

One of the scenes after that you can tell Logan felt bad. I think it’s important to note because he starts changing & maturing a lot after that event.

Being accepting of Rory’s break from school... I know people don’t agree here. I’ve heard many people say he should have ‘made’ her stay. But he’s not controlling. He doesn’t like pushing his friends, her, people he cares about to do things they don’t want to. So he supports her, knowing she actually just needs a break & will go back...because Rory loves school. It’s actually a really mature way to handle the situation.

Then in the series end he wants Rory to go to California with him. He loves her & knows long distance relationships rarely work out. He doesn’t want to lose her. So he proposed to her.

It was sweet but clearly shows he still needs to mature. Which I think she could see. So she said no.

Logan didn’t really think of Rory’s career plans when he tried to get her to go with him but that’s just part of the maturing that needed to happen. So breaking up was the right choice for them.

I hated how Year in the Life basically destroyed the years of character development with him. Logan was completely reversed back to the first time we saw him. Making him a cheater no less. The evolved Logan would have felt guilt - for hurting the fiancé & treating Rory that way. He also wouldn’t be working for his father.

That’s one difference I found interesting between Logan & Dean, Rory’s two longest relationships... (excluding Year in the Life) Dean felt zero remorse for cheating & kept secrets. Logan is out in the open & honest about seeing different women.

I thought if he showed up at all in Year in the Life, it should have been a quick run in with Rory. Seeing him married to a woman he loves, happy at a job he loved (even if not making much) because it would be his own path. That Rory changed him for the better & he moved on as people sometimes do. So I’m sad we never got that.

Logan matures through the series & evolves. I went from finding him to be a bit of a douche to liking his character in the series.

Logan & Rory weren’t endgame but they did mean something to each other. They helped each other grow.

[harryshollands]

Merry Christmas, Baby!  Harrison Osterfield (1/?)

Requested:  no.

Warnings: fluffy fluff, slight angst if you tilt your head and squint

Paring: Harrison Osterfield x Holland!Reader

Summary: Your family Christmas party goes off topic when your brothers find out you that you’ve slept with Haz and you might be pregnant.

A/N: This is just a soft ass Christmas time pregnancy announcement getting together series that ticks all of my favorite boxes! Feel free to request imagines, my inbox never closes. Feedback is always welcomed! x

Word Count: 2,088

PART ONE         PART TWO

“You think you’re what?!” Harry whispered to you in shock, his eyes wide as he glanced back at the Christmas party going on in the Holland House.

You were a year older than the twins, making you the second oldest Holland child sibling. Despite your age, you were the only girl in the family and you were treated like the baby of the family. Your brothers were always insanely protective, hell, even Paddy would try and scare off anyone who dared to try and hurt you or use you to get to Tom.

Sam was stunned silent as he glanced between you and your brother, eyebrows furrowed as Elysia rubbed his arm, a comforting smile on her face aimed at you.

You were terrified. 

You knew that you couldn’t tell Tom, not just because he would skin you alive, but because of the fact that if your gut feeling was right, it was his best friend who you had slept with.

Admittedly, you were less scared to tell the twins due to the fact that Sam is the least judgemental person you know and Harry could keep a secret better than anyone you knew. You told Elysia because she was the closest thing you had to a sister and you trusted her with your life.

“Pregnant. I think I might be pregnant” You confirmed, watching as your breath turned into fog under the street lights in the winter air.

“Jesus Christ. Who the hell did you sleep with?” Harry asked, his voice strained and the shock starting to wear off as you fidgeted nervously.

“I can't tell you that, Harry. I don’t even know for sure- I just- I don’t want to find out alone and I know that El would be with me but I need family support and if I told Tom he would start a manhunt” You rushed out, glancing back in the direction of your house only to see Harrison and Tom wrestling over a beer through the kitchen window whilst Charlotte snuck a drink of eggnog.

“Harry, calm down” Sam hissed as he thumped his twin on the shoulder and turned away from his grumbling bothered, focusing on his sister.

“Your secret is safe with us, Y/N/N. What do you want to do? Make a doctors appointment? Pop out to the pharmacy to get a few boxes?” The older twin questioned as he pulled you into a hug, rocking you back and forth.

You hadn’t realized just how much you needed a hug until that moment and you finally felt like you could breathe.

“Are pharmacies even open at this hour?” Elysia questioned, shooting Harry a stern glare as the look of shock and slight disappointment stuck to his face like glue.

“I have a box in my room” You admit, sniffling as you pulled away from Sam.

“I was going to take it tonight but then the party started” You clarify upon seeing Sam raise his eyebrows at you.

“Christ. Alright. Let’s go to your room then, yeah? Get it over with” The youngest twin proposed. Harry was obviously not thrilled with the revelation of his sister possibly being pregnant, but he knew that he had no right to be pissed off or annoyed at her. Instead, he would hold his anger for the currently anonymous father of the baby, if you were indeed pregnant.

“Okay” You agree, falling into line between the other three young adults as you entered the house again.

Charlotte bounded up to you as you started to make your way to your room, putting a halt to your plans.

“Haz and Tom are playing beer pong out back with Tuwaine. They told me to fetch Harry” The youngest Osterfield sibling explained, her excitement obvious. She loved watching her brother fail at drinking games.

“I can’t--”

“Go and play. We’ll talk to you later, Harry” You tell him softly. You knew he was having trouble processing everything.

“Promise?”

“Promise” You, Sam and Elysia chorus before watching Lottie run off with your brother trailing close behind.

Five minutes later you were sitting on the edge of the bathtub with Sam, your hand gripping his tightly as Elysia rubbed your shoulder from her position sitting on the countertop. Three tests were sitting on the opposite side of the bathroom counter and an anxious silence taking over the room.

You all jump as the timer on your phone went off, Elysia staggering to her feet.

“Fuck” You breathe out as you stand up, nearing the counter.

Your hands hovered over the tests, mentally preparing yourself to turn them over. You don’t know what you’re supposed to expect, nor do you know how to feel.

“You’re gonna be okay, no matter what happens” Sam reminded you, holding Elysia close as you quickly turned the tests over, scanning the results.

You let out a deep breathe and set each test back down, turning around to face your brother and friend.

“So?”

“I’m-”

You’re cut off by Harry opening the door slightly, slipping into the room and closing the door behind him.

Sam whacked him behind the head for the delay of your news, but Harry shook him off.

“So? What does it say?”

“I’m pregnant” You blurt out causing Elysia’s jaw to drop in shock and Harry to lean against the wall to catch his breath. Sam had the calmest response.

A grin appeared on his face as he pulled you into a bear hug, rocking you back and forth through your shock.

“Congratulations, Y/N” He told you softly, your hug soon joined by Elysia and Harry. You were huddled together in the bathroom when Tom burst through the door, shouting about ‘needing to piss’.

Your older brother stopped in his tracks, his eyebrows furrowed as he took in the sight of the group hug. He was about to make a joke when he saw the pregnancy tests next to you all.

“Please tell me that those aren’t yours” Tom breathed out, glancing behind him and shutting the door.

“Tom-”

“You’re pregnant?” Your brother questioned you, watching as the tears gathered in your eyes from both joy and fear.\

“Yeah. Yeah- I’m pregnant” You confirm, letting out a sniffle before throwing yourself into his arms. Tom was taken aback. It wasn't bad. He knew you were capable of handling whatever life threw at you, but he just wasn't expecting his twenty-year-old sister to be pregnant. Hell, did you even have a boyfriend? Had you had one whilst he was away? He sure as hell wasn't going back to Atlanta whilst you carried a child for nine months only for him to miss the birth of his niece or nephew.

“Holy shit” Tom laughed, the situation hitting him as you pulled back.

“You’ve got a fucking child inside you! This is so cool!” Tom cheered before remembering why he was in the bathroom to begin with.

“This is great and all, but I’ve still gotta piss”

You let out a laugh and grabbed the tests, Elysia, Harry and Sam following you out of the bathroom and back to your room, where you all stopped at the door to see Haz sitting on the ground, back against your door.

“Merry Christmas!” He giggled, slightly drunk, but not enough to be completely out of it.

“You too, ya div” Harry snorted crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows at Harrison, who still hadn’t budged.

“Did you need something?” Sam questioned the Osterfield boy, his eyebrows raised as you shrunk back into your shell.

And that was when it clicked for him. 

Harry realized it a second after his twin as he saw the lovestruck smile aimed at you by the young adult waiting outside your room.

“Motherfucker” Harry blurted out, turning to his sister with wide eyes and steam practically flowing out of his ears.

“You fucking slept with Haz!” Harry shrieked, running his hands through his hair.

“Harry--”

“You told them?”

“Haz did what with our sister?” Tom asked in horror from the bathroom doorway, the look on his face was that of a startled puppy. 

Soon enough, Sam and Tom were holding back Harry so that he didn’t strangle poor Harrison before you could even tell him that you were pregnant. Elysia had her arms around you, ready to pull you back if Harry broke free.

Your parents, Charlotte and Paddy made their way upstairs as the sound of their son’s shouting, assuring their guests that everything was okay.

“Harry. Seriously, calm down!” Sam shouted as Nikki finally set her sights on her children, Elysia and Harrison.

“What on earth is going on!?” Your mom shouted, her tone loud and final. Harry recoiled and glared at Haz, turning to you and looking at you in disbelief.

“Someone better start explaining before I put your presents in the fireplace” Dom threatened, ignoring Paddy’s yelps of complaint.

“Y/N is pregnant and I think Haz is the father..” Tom’s explanation sounded more like a questioned as Rory turned to him quickly and slapped him.

“Thomas!” You shriek, your eyes wide as your mom took a step back in shock.

“Y/N? Is this true?” Your dad questioned you, his tone soft. You were always a daddy’s girl. Charlotte was looking between you and her brother with wide eyes.

“I-I just- can I please talk to Harrison? In private?” You request, your tone obviously distressed as Haz stared at you with wide eyes full of confusion and..happiness? You couldn’t read it.

“Alright. Come on, kids. Downstairs we go” Nikki prompted your siblings, Elysia and Charlotte. 

You had never been more pissed off at Tom than you were now that you were standing in your childhood bedroom with the man who’s baby you were carrying. You didn’t get to tell Haz, or your family, he’d blurted it out and now you had to deal with this without being mentally prepared.

“Y/N.”

Haz’s abnormally calm and caring voice broke you out of your thoughts.

His eyes scanned your face, taking in the fact that you were tense and ultimately vulnerable.

“It’s just me, okay? I’m the idiot that knocked you off of a swing when we were fourteen. You don’t have to be nervous about talking to me. You know me. I won’t push you” Harrison said gently, looking up at you at you from, seated on the end of your bed and watching as you paced the room.

You nod your head, closing your eyes for a moment.

“Yeah. Yeah- you’re right” You agree, focusing on your breathing as you reached into your pocket, pulling out the tests.

“I’m keeping it, Harrison. I know it despite the fact that I found out at least ten minutes ago. I don’t sleep around and you’re the last person I slept with so it’s definitely yours, but I don’t expect anything of you. I don’t need child support, hell, you never have to see the baby if you don’t want to, but you need to know about this.” You unload, handing him the pregnancy tests and watching as he held them in awe.

“I’m gonna be a dad?” Harrison questioned, his voice breaking as he looked back up at you with tears welling in his eyes.

“Yeah. You’re gonna be a dad” You breathe out before letting out a squeak as he pulled you into a warm and gentle hug. He pressed his lips against your temple over and over again, rocking you back and forth.

Your cheeks warmed up as he started to sniffle, pulling away with a small smile on your face.

“We’re gonna be fucking parents” He mused, wiping at his eyes before dropping to his knees, his hands on your hips as he stared at your stomach.

“Hey, peanut. This is the greatest day of my life. I gotta admit, I’m a little shocked, but your mama is super awesome so it’s all good” He spoke genuinely as if he was having a conversation with the being inside you that was currently only the size of a grain of rice.

You let out a laugh as he pressed a kiss to your stomach and stood back up, a massive smile on his face.

“I think I’m going to cry” Haz admitted, barely able to feel his face from how wide he was smiling.

“Merry Christmas to us, huh?” You joke causing him to let out a laugh.

“Merry Christmas to us.” He confirms, pulling you into another hug before you made your way downstairs together to face the music.

[romchomp]

Gilmore Girls: The Love Interests

This post might get a little lengthy.

In Gilmore Girls, there are four girls we get to see coarse through different relationships throughout the seasons of the show. As someone who recently finished marathoning Gilmore Girls and has a blog based on romance shows and anime, I figured why not talk about all these relationships the characters went through.

Rory, as our main character, will go first. Talking about the different boyfriends she’s had will be fun because her taste is uhhh pretty questionable.

Dean is Rory’s first boyfriend and hence, the first love interest. I think we can all agree he was the worst. He actually started off pretty good, if not a little boring. However, it doesn’t take that long for him come off as dramatic with some sort of anger issue. He almost always put his feelings before Rory’s. When his marriage fell apart he got upset with Rory and made it out to be as if everything was her fault despite him being the one who cheated. He generally became less and less pleasant as the show went on and even at his best he was just generic and boring and while nice, still not that good of a boyfriend.

The next boy Rory dates is Jess. Jess is a tricky one to talk to about because while I love his character and find him to be one of the more interesting ones in the series, I really don’t like him as a boyfriend. All throughout their relationship Jess treated Rory horribly. He was moody, never talked to her about anything, and never even seemed like he actually wanted to be in the relationship. They were constantly arguing and most of the sweet moments between them were Jess’s attempt to make up for some shitty thing he did earlier. I liked him a lot more when he wasn’t dating Rory. Season 6 Jess was great, and maybe if the show took the route of Rory dating him once again things would be different and I could say I liked him better the second go around but that’s not what happened. Bottom line is, he’s a better character than Dean, also probably had more respect for Rory and I’d say he understood Rory better than Logan did too, but god he was a really bad boyfriend.

Last but not least, there’s Logan. Who has the opposite problem Jess did. Despite him being a complete douchebag and a personality I found to be quite unlikable, he was a surprisingly pretty decent boyfriend. My opinion of Logan moved around quite a bit through the course of the show. At first, I hated him. The way he teased Marty and talked to Rory immediately put a sour taste in my mouth. However after Dean broke up with Rory (for the third time?) at her grandparents' party I realized that huh, I like the way he’s treating Rory. The way he tried to cheer her up felt very platonic. Was he already pining for her? Probably. But Logan never came across as more than friendly until he started very obviously teasing her when she was showing that one Chilton student around. Then there’s when Rory asked him why he never asked her out (because it was pretty evident they both liked each other at this point), and Logan’s reasoning was that he didn’t know how to be a boyfriend. By this point I like Logan. He respects Rory and wants her around even if only platonically because she’s special to him. However, cracks start to show. Rory changes a lot over the period of dating Logan. She changes a lot of things that were always a big part of her character like...not cooking and not exercising. Okay while those things were small, these changes in Rory made it a lot easier to realize that Rory and Logan don’t have a lot in common. They don’t even have common interests, not really. This made me start backtracking how much I actually like Logan and before I noticed Rory changing, I would’ve told you I think he made a better boyfriend than Jess. However, if there is one thing Jess has over Dean and Logan, it’s that he understands Rory better. Rory and Jess also just kind of clicked more. Rory and Logan followed the basic steps of being a good couple, but there wasn’t much that kept me wanting them to stay together or even like them together. They were just...there.

Lane

The only love interests you really need to remember for Lane would be Dave and her eventual endgame, Zach ( Zack? The internet can’t seem to make up its mind).  From my knowledge, the actor who played Dave ended up taking a role in another show thus bailing on Gilmore Girls. Which would explain the very weak “he got a scholarship in California” reasoning for why his character was suddenly disappeared. A lot of people seemed to like Dave more than Zach and I was certainly on that boat for a while myself but I gotta say, I started finding Lane and Zach a really fun couple to watch once Lane got pregnant. I really liked the scene where they bonded over not wanting to have the baby (in a mostly comedic fashion) and it was around that point it became clearer how much the two actually have in common. Somehow the two became more compatible after having twins. Go figure.

Paris

On to Paris...can we just forget that Tristan and Fleming ever happened? Joking, joking (mostly). Paris and Tristan never dated (thank god) and therefore were never love interests, but Paris’s hard to believe crush on him was enough to be sigh-worthy. There was That College Guy She Dated During Chilton That I Can’t Remember the Name Of who didn’t really do anything noteworthy. Then there’s...eighty years old Asher Fleming. Look, I could go on about how Fleming was way too old for Paris and how problematic their age gap is, but it’s 2019 now and I’m sure every Gilmore Girls fan has both, ranted about and heard ranting of it so I’ll move on. If there is one good thing I can say about Fleming, he gives us more of an idea of what Paris cares about when considering a romantic partner: intelligence. That’s about it, which also means she doesn’t really care if her relationship would otherwise be seen as weird. She probably wouldn’t even care if the person themself was deemed weird either. Which leads me to Doyle, in my opinion, the best boyfriend out of any of the boyfriends in the series. I love Doyle. He’s strange but charming, squeamish but also capable of being a leader, and genuinely cares for Paris. While it took a few tries, in the end, Paris found someone she made a perfectly odd pairing with. I mean hey, that’s how life usually works out I guess.

Lorelai

Now we get to Lorelai, who I think had the more interesting love interests. Despite that, I won’t be getting into Max and Jason because frankly, I don’t think anyone really cares about them that much. By around halfway through the show, it becomes increasingly obvious that the only two true possible endgames for Lorelai would be Luke or Christopher.

There’s a bit of a parallel between Luke and Christopher in the sense of how big of opposites they are. Where Christopher comes and goes throughout the show, always leaving an impact after leaving; Luke is a constant throughout the show, with some major moments but often just peacefully going along with the plot. While Chris is impulsive and rushes into things, Luke over thinks himself out of things. Lorelai’s parents hate Luke but they’ve always loved Chris. Christopher is immature while Luke is arguably the most mature character in Gilmore Girls.

I was impressed when I noticed just how lined up their differences were. I wasn’t something I expected from Gilmore Girls in all honesty.

I think most of us can agree that Luke was better for Lorelai. They balance each other out a lot better than Lorelai and Chris ever could. Luke and Lorelai’s differences were also manageable so long as they had good communication. Which they didn’t while they were dating and is why they ultimately broke up in season 6. Which brings me to another parallel: the marriages. Luke and Lorelai broke up because of postponing their wedding. Chris and Lorelai on the other hand, broke up because they had rushed into getting married. I could go on and say how Chris proposed to Lorelai in Paris, the city of love, while Lorelai proposed to Luke in his diner as well. The comparisons are all over the place.

The reasoning the show gives for Lorelai and Chris not working out is because “the timing was never right”  which I personally find to be bullshit. They were always too much alike to work out. I want to say I always expected and knew Luke would be who Lorelai ended up with but I’ll be honest, season 7 gave me a good scare. I still think their ending together was weak though.

If I had to rank who had the best love interests it would probably go:

Lorelai (she had the most common sense)

Lane (went from a nice, but slightly boring bf to an asshole who became surprisingly decent once they had kids)

Paris (two duds and a real winner)

Rory (her taste was very questionable)

You know, that is considering the canon love interests.

Rory had three boyfriends, but what if there was another possible love interest in between the lines? Someone who has been by her side the whole time.

Well.

Then there’s Paris.

Paris...Again

Paris who had big, definitive goals for herself just like Rory. Who was hardworking and had a strong work ethic that Rory (arguably) had as well. Paris also has the qualities I liked the best in Jess. Paris could understand Rory’s studiousness and later on her personality in general. This also works vice versa. Pretty much every character has a hard time understanding Paris or simply downright disliking her but Rory always had a decent understanding of her even if the reasoning was something like “Oh, she’s just being Paris.”. She also makes up for my biggest problem with Jess, being moody and never communicating with Rory. Paris, on the other hand, is always quick to tell Rory exactly what she’s feeling and why.

Granted, Rory and Paris were never written to be love interests and even their friendship had some blemishes. I think the potential for Gellmore becoming a likable couple was at its highest in season three and four and slowly diminished as the show went on. In the end, Rory and Paris is a good concept that sadly works best in fanon.

Their relationship in canon was for the most part one-sided. Rory never seemed to want or need or even consider Paris’s help. I also don’t think the show drew out how the two have many similarities as well many differences (you know, the whole “you two have more in common than you might expect” schtick). I know it’s already in the show, but I would’ve liked to see them build on it more.

However, even though they would still have issues in canon, I think Paris could’ve been an improvement or just an interesting addition to the canon love interests even if she didn’t end up as endgame or had a short-lived relationship with Rory. But hey, what are you gonna do when a show was made in the earlier 2000′s.

All in all the love interests in Gilmore Girls were...okay. For the most part. Even the ones I liked had some baffling moments that I could rant about. The romantic relationships were never the part of Gilmore Girls that I think people enjoyed though. We watched for the familial relationships and dynamics that gave the show its charm.

[randomahsheadcanons]

Royle Headcanons

• They’re the straightest gay couple in the world.

• They used to constantly remind each other that they weren’t gay, they were “just a little bicurious” and it became an inside joke.

• Their entire relationship is just that one vine.

• “Bro, I had a dream we fucked”

• “Bro, it’s just a dream”

• “Ha, gay! I wouldn’t fuck you”

• “You wouldn’t?”

• “I mean, unless you want to”

• But now they say “no homo” as a joke.

• Rory, after swallowing Kyle’s cum: No homo though.

• Rory calls Kyle “Ky”, “bro”, “baby boy” and “princess”.

• Kyle calls Rory “Roro”, “dude”, “babe” and “gorgeous”.

• They wear each other’s clothes all the time.

• Kyle used to wear one of Rory’s sweatshirts so much, Rory had to give it to him.

• He wears it whenever Rory has to travel without him.

• Kyle loves Rory’s hair so much.

• Rory might have developed a hair pulling kink from Kyle’s cute little obsession with his hair.

• They have a bunny named Carrot.

• And she’s the cutest thing in the world.

• She sleeps on their bed and Kyle holds her like a teddy bear.

• He has to be careful not to hurt her since he’s still upset about what happened to the dog.

• Rory always tells him it was an accident and it will never happen again, but he’s still scared he might hurt someone.

• When Kyle opened up about his mother, Rory was FURIOUS.

• He had to calm down and focus on making sure Kyle knew he was there for him no matter what.

• Kyle cried his eyes out and Rory held him close, saying that it wasn’t his fault.

• He asked him if he wanted him to sleep on the couch tonight, but Kyle said he trusted him and he didn’t want to be alone.

• Rory got very protective after he and Kyle talked about everything his mother did to him.

• He also tried to make sure Kyle was comfortable with having sex with him.

• Rory is a sweetheart during sex.

• He always tells Kyle exactly what he’s going to do before doing it, so Kyle can tell him to stop if he doesn’t like it.

• He likes tickling Kyle to lighten the mood.

• They switch, but Rory usually tops.

• Kyle can’t handle being a top because it reminds him of his mother.

• Not to mention he gets out of control when he’s fucking someone and he accidentally hurt Rory once.

• Sometimes he forgets that being brought back to life made him very strong.

• Rory and Kyle are extremely competitive.

• Especially when it comes to video games.

• They play everything: Cuphead, Mortal Kombat, Mario Kart, Detroit: Become Human.

• They might as well create a gameplay channel.

• They also like to compete in sports.

• Even though they both know Kyle is better.

• Kyle broke Rory’s arm once during a very intense game of ping pong.

• Of course he gave him a handjob to compensate.

• Rory is insecure about not being as strong as Kyle.

• Kyle likes to pick him up bridal style just to show him who’s boss.

• Whenever Rory has to travel because of work, he calls Kyle all the time.

• He asks him about his day and does his best to keep in touch, even when he’s busy.

• Because he knows Kyle hates being left alone in their home.

• And just listening to Rory’s voice makes his day better.

• They actually have some really hot phone sex.

• “I’ve been thinking about you all day”

• “Oh, yeah? What are you wearing?”

• “Your sweatshirt. It smells like you. I fingered myself and came all over it… no homo”

• “Perhaps ‘no homo’ will be our always”

• Kyle doesn’t like it when Rory has to kiss someone for a scene.

• He gets really jealous.

• When Kyle gets jealous, he gets extremely possessive.

• He almost sucks Rory’s dick in front of whoever is trying to flirt with him.

• Sometimes he gets mad at Rory and refuses to talk to him for the rest of the day.

• He thinks Rory is actually flirting back, but he’s just a nice guy who also happens to be a dumbass.

• He doesn’t even realize that someone’s flirting with him.

• And he rarely gets jealous.

• Probably because he’s too oblivious to notice when someone’s actually flirting with Kyle.

• If he does notice, he doesn’t know what to do.

• He kisses Kyle to show that he’s taken, hoping the person will stop flirting with him once they notice he has a boyfriend.

• If the person doesn’t stop, Rory gets confused.

• He legit doesn’t know what to do.

• He awkwardly stands back and watches as Kyle politely rejects the person.

• Rory and Kyle usually stay home instead of going out.

• The paparazzi won’t leave them alone when they go on dates and they just want some privacy.

• So they just stay home and have a lot of movie marathons.

• They both have a similar taste in movies, so it works.

• They like action movies, Disney movies, even Adam Sandler movies.

• They order pizza and just sit on the couch for hours watching their favorite movies and TV shows.

• Sometimes Kyle asks Rory if he met one of the actors personally and if they’re a nice person in real life.

• He also likes to know all the celebrity gossip.

• Rory points at some random actors and actresses and goes: “divorced, lesbian, ex girlfriend, crackhead”.

• They thirst over some actors and actresses.

• And then they watch Madison’s movies just to comment on how bad her acting is.

• “Oh, now she has to pretend she’s crying”

• “As if she actually had a heart”

• Rory and Kyle rarely fight because they usually agree on everything.

• They high five a lot.

• Sometimes they stage fake proposals to get free meals on expensive restaurants, even though Rory is rich.

• They enjoy going to the beach and building huge sandcastles.

• Rory is actually a decent singer and he sings Africa by Toto to Kyle when he can’t sleep.

• Kyle’s favorite Disney princess is Ariel because her hair it’s “just like Roro’s hair!”.

• Rory has bribed some people to make sure the kiss cam focused on him and Kyle on their second date.

• Kyle likes to brush Rory’s hair and sing Part Of Your World to him.

• He also sings Under The Sea when they’re on the bathtub together.

• Basically, Kyle is adorable and Rory is whipped.

• And they’re the second cutest couple in the world.

[gulmoregirls]

Hey! Sorry for the lack of updates — there’s no excuse this time. I just kind of forgot to post, mostly because nothing overly exciting happened (with the hype and high point of s3 ending, the dean thing didn’t motivated me enough to come here express my hate)

But anyway, here i am! I can’t even remember when i stopped here. So, the good old recap it is.

Luke and Lorelai finally happening, little by little in s4, is everything we ever wanted. My mom was really glad, cause we are huge javajunkies here in this house. Kirk is becoming more and more my favorite character ever. He’s so extra it’s everything.

If that’s wasn’t established before, lemme make it clearer — Rory Gilmore is cancelled. She’s SO out of character, it’s annoying. College Rory is by far not what anyone expected based on previous experiences, and that includes me and my mom. Specially with the whole Dean thing. But that’s REALLY something, so I’m gonna elaborate on that.

For good part of the season Dean has been being mentioned as a good guy, rory’s sweet ex who her ex classmates remember. It’s just annoying! This entire arc with Dean makes no sense — I mean, I know Rory was a bit lost and needed someone comfortable she knew and who she knew wouldn’t challenge her enough. Just something old and familiar. BUT THE OLD AND FAMILIAR BOY IS MARRIED. And the famous smart Rory (season 1 rory) would never do such thing. It was terrible. Poor Lindsay!! She deserved so much better than an idiot as her unfaithful husband. It just disgusts me. In my opinion, it was not necessary to ruin Deans character like that. He could be remembered as the sweet first love that did his best, but instead asp made him a total jerk, and that’s the memory that sticks. And if Rory had to be so out of herself — go thru come kind of crises of something — i’d rather she had took off with jess instead. at least he wasn’t married and truly loved her. Not that wish it had happened — would be just as random as sleeping with a married guy. But between getting together with the married ex and running away with the unpredictable one, i guess the less problematic alternative is really obvious.

Before we pass to the 5th season, let’s discuss jess then. I love his evolution. Wish we had seen it more closely in his spin-off. How he agrees to be at Liz’s wedding after everything he went through with her. And the way he reads Luke’s self-help/relationship books and decides to take an action. Even tho it was kind of crazy, it shows inniciative and I’ll give him that. Ignore this if you think that’s just a jess mariano supremacist saying shit.

OKAY SEASON FIVE

Lorelai and Luke ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🤧💝

best part of the season by far.

Somehow, Rory’s relationship with Dean managed to be just as crappy as it was when he was married. Why couldn’t they just move on, right? It was annoying and the last drop that made us hate rory. don’t mind me — i can hate her and love her at the same time. She’s so stupid my crackhead heroin addicted daughter.

Even tho I’m not a team Logan, his appearance helped. He challenged Rory and made her realize that the world is more than that Dean-bubble she was in. During this season i could easily see myself as a sophies.

Then, of course, there’s the proof of how Rory can be DUMB. dropping out of Yale. Season six now.

How she refugees at her grandparent’s at the first sign of trouble and even so finds herself so independent, and the way she cuts off her mom just for wanting what’s best for her. Immature and spoiled.

Besides that, it bugs me that Logan was right there by her side and did NOTHING. Literally, the only thing he did was say that “in less than a month she would be back”. When that month passed by, he did nothing — possibly didn’t even noticed. In fact, I guess he was kind of liking her new life. After all, she did started to have more time for him. That’s probably why i don’t like their relationship (more reasons to come). Rory started to act as if she was him and completely lost track of her true self - even more than before. In her Chilton graduation she says that the person the most wanted to be was Lorelai, but she ended becoming the exact opposite, Emily. The DAR, the maids, dropping out of school, not battling for her stuff, just accepting and BESIDES THIS, acting all superior/wild and stealing a boat. THATS NOT HER. Ok, I get that she was upset because of Mitchum, but it’s not an excuse to that behavior. Plus, the real Rory Gilmore would have used his words as motivation to work even harder and prove him wrong.

In how many languages can you say THANK YOU, JESS ??????

He made her open her eyes - finally - and get her shit back together. He was so important!! And besides, the way he has made his life?? CAN YOU SAY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT????? LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE BACK!!!!

Lemme tell you, he is doing better than rory — who would have thought, right? The punk hoodlum rebel who dropped out of highschool was doing better than the private school girl straight As girl who got into Yale. And he’s happier too. Guy wrote a fucking book after several problematic life scenarios and is now working with people he likes doing what he has always loved. Ughhhh he has my entire heart.

Paul Anka, BTW!! love him 🤧😍

I also love how Lorelai proposed to Luke. They are goals. When she saw how much he cared for Rory, she was sure. In fact, maybe she was already sure, just needed a little push. And then all the signs and the snow!! I almost cried.

Now the Logan thing again. I like him — I swear!! I know it seems like i hate him and maybe i did when i first watched it, but now i see he is not that bad. But their relationship- nah. They’re annoying and rory has her weight on that, but that’s not just it. They’re cute, but there’s something missing. AND HE CHEATED ON HER. His story doesn’t match. It’s bad enough to break up with someone without them knowing. In fact, it’s REALLY bad. Rory was so confused and devastated. He should be more mature than that. Than ok, he says is just something he said Honor to make her stop talking. But then he sleeps with the bridesmaids. If he was honest with Rory and really didn’t mean it when he said they were broken up, then he TRULY cheated on Rory. If he lied about that, then he really decided that they were apart on his own. Their fight wasn’t even that serious, and he didn’t even reach out to her after that. The way she found out both times — through someone else — that is just wrong. Then he crows back buying her with money and stuff he knows she loved and she suddenly forgives him and moves in with the guy. Wrong too, ugh. Paris’ speech about Logan was everything. We deserved healing Paris and Rory growing their friendship together for more than five minutes.

I said she forgave him, right? Well, maybe not after all, because she wants a little revenge and decides to play with someone else’s real feelings. cold!! baby deserves better ); and then he gets into an accident and it’s all forgotten. ok....

just here to say that jess deserved recognition. He was the whole reason Rory came back and he did something great with his life. Still Lorelai sees him as the immature 17 yo he was. We were robbed of a great duo, them both. Their humor is really alike, a shame...

APRIL.

Poor girl, she doesn’t deserves all the hate. It’s not her fault duuuh

Asp could have made up something better for Luke this season. I think the storyline was a little non-sense and Luke, my sweet baby, gained my hate too.

Well, maybe not HATE but yeah i get where he’s coming from but it’s no excuse to lie to Lorelai and ruin their relationship. It was a pitty, really.

Then Lorelai coming to chris! what a breakdown huh? I guess it was expected, but i really hated it.

[captaincanarygotmelike]

Fic: To Who We Once Were

Read on AO3

Read on Fanfiction.net

“I think that’s the last one,” Leonard said, placing a cardboard box at Mick Rory’s feet.

They were standing in the partially finished basement of Leonard and Sara’s home in Central City.

The floors were a dark hardwood and the walls had a fresh coat of dark grey paint, but wooden beams still hung from the exposed ceiling. Pipes and braces stretched to the floor; one pressed against the side of Mick’s worn wrap-around couch.

“Thanks,” Mick said gruffly, “For all of this.”

Mick didn’t know how long it had been since he met Leonard Snart — time traveling was funny that way.

Leonard was the first person Mick had truly been able to call family. They supported each other, not just as deadbeat teenagers, but throughout their entire lives.

Although it sounded sappy, Snart knew him better than anyone, the good and the bad. It used to go the same way. Not anymore.

The moment Snart started talking about the red leather-clad speedster who thought he could see the good in Captain Cold, Mick knew everything was going to change.

The man hadn’t changed in his entire life, there was no way Mick wouldn’t be able to notice even small differences, and they were small at first. Sure, he wasn’t going to kill anyone anymore, but that didn't really interfere with their score, so did it really matter?

Accepting the time travel mission the Englishman proposed to them was a surprise, but also, not really. Mick suspected that the prospect of heroism was part of the appeal, but he did believe what Snart told him — that the world of thievery was their oyster when the doors to all of time were opened — was really why he joined.

It was why he joined, but Mick didn’t think it was why he stayed.

Over the first few weeks of the mission, their heists became less and less frequent.

Leonard became less concerned with stealing things and more concerned with stealing someone.

Sara Lance.

He thought of their venture to Star City 2046, a place where he could see himself happily living out his life as the leader of a crime mob. He had thought Leonard felt the same way, that is, until that Wilson character showed up and mentioned a certain assassin in white.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Leonard change from an outward appearance displaying a general disinterest with the world to one of cold anger.

All the countless times he chose to stay by the assassin’s side instead of his partner’s — leaving him in a Soviet gulag with an unconscious Raymond, forcing him to leave Star City 2046, and, on top of the cake, when he stranded him in the middle of nowhere just because Mick had shot his Sara with the heat gun — made his alliance perfectly clear.

Up until now, the changes in Leonard had never affected Mick, but now it was and Mick wasn’t happy about it.

But he got over those things.

Eventually.

He liked Sara, he liked that she saw Leonard for more than what he was said to be. He was glad they found each other, but it was…strange…to see Leonard care so deeply for another person.

At the start of the mission, Mick was Leonard’s first priority, and he had to admit that it didn’t feel good when that changed.

But at the same time, Mick was changing too.

He’d never worked on a team before. Sure, he'd worked with other people, but never a real team.

He liked it.

He liked allying with people for a common interest, one where the goal wasn’t just the score and then to dissipate once again, but to actually make a difference.

Mick liked making a difference.

So he didn’t mind that Leonard was becoming a different person because Mick was too.

His relationship with Sara gave Mick a sense of hope. If his partner, the man who for so long seemed to not believe in love anymore, could find a love so strong with someone as incredible as Sara Lance, perhaps Mick could have the same.

A while into the mission, they got married. Their wedding was so small that if you blinked, you missed it. Sara hadn’t worn a dress, nor had Leonard worn a suit. Really, Sara had demanded that Rip marry them on the Waverider and that had been that.

The only proof of the “wedding” was a photo Jax had insisted on taking. They were all standing together around the holo table, a perfect moment captured until the end of time.

Life was good after that. They were all traveling through time, kicking ass and taking names, and, for the first time in his life, Mick found that he was consistently happy.

But all good things have to end at some point; Mick knew that better than anyone.

When the first mission ended — when the team of Legends defeated Vandal Savage and saved the world for the first time — they got to go home. They got to go back to the present time and visit with their families.

Leonard and Sara returned to 2016 to deliver the news to the people they loved that, in the years they’d been time traveling, they’d gotten married.

Mick went back to Central City, anticipating returning to the life of crime he’d grown up in. He couldn’t do it, not after all the good he’d done in the last few years. But that didn’t leave him with many other options. Mick felt…lost, which was why he was grateful when Rip Hunter returned to their time.

He had discovered (yet another) body of people who wanted to take over the world. He wanted to enlist the help of his old team, the people who had so valiantly helped him defeat Vandal Savage.

Mick immediately agreed to return to the Waverider, but not all of their captain’s original team returned. Leonard and Sara ultimately made the decision to stay in the present time, to figure out how a normal life would suit them.

Leonard and Sara left. They left the mission, left Mick, to go create a life for themselves away from time travel and away from their superhero personas.

Mick managed to be happy for them; he was happy for Leonard, that his life had turned around in such a way.

He went on this new mission with Rip and left his partner behind.

He’d never worked without Leonard before — well, besides the few millennia he spent as Chronus, but he really didn’t want to count that. He wasn’t sure how to manage himself, and he constantly found himself looking for someone to tell him what to do and not finding anyone.

But even that wasn’t so bad. They still came back every now and then to help out their old team, and once or twice a month, Mick would take the jumpship to Leonard’s present time and the two would go back to Saints and Sinners.

Sometimes they would trash the place, sometimes they wouldn’t. It was different, and it was new, but it was tolerable.

When Mick thought nothing else could possibly change, it did.

He was already supposed to be seeing Snart and Sara that day; the team was going to be visiting them at their house later in the afternoon, but then Leonard contacted Mick, requesting to meet him at Saints and Sinners.

He could tell something was up the second Leonard walked into the bar. It wasn’t that something seemed wrong, exactly — Mick had known Leonard long enough to know when something was wrong. Something seemed different, and sometimes that was just as bad. Leonard had never coped well with change. With Sara’s aid, he was getting better, but his discomfort still showed.

He sat at the bar next to Mick and didn’t waste much time telling him what he needed to say.

“I know you and the team are dropping by later, but I wanted to tell you this before the rest of you hear the news.”

Mick couldn’t read Leonard’s tone. He could think of two things that would spur this type of behavior and he didn’t know how he felt about either of them.

“Get on with it then, so we can drink,” Mick prompted, unsure of what else to say.

He saw Leonard take a deep breath.

“Sara’s pregnant.”

“Oh,” Mick replied, still at a loss for words.

“It’s a girl,” he added, almost as an afterthought.

“She’s that far along?” Mick asked, raising his eyebrows. Leonard nodded, “Well, congratulations.”

Mick didn’t see Leonard too much after that day. In fact, he went until their baby was born without a visit with his friend, but he didn’t blame him. Sara was scary enough in her normal state. Imagining what she was like pregnant was downright terrifying.

He asked Gideon to let him know when it happened and then he took — although a better word might be hijacked — the jumpship to visit them.

Mick had never been a baby person, and if the parents were anyone else, he would have skipped the visit, but Leonard and Sara were special. Their baby was special.

When he was standing in the hospital room, looking at the baby wrapped in blankets and resting in Sara’s arms, he gruffly asked, “What’s her name.”

“Victoria,” Leonard had answered.

“That’s good,” he replied, because it was. It was the perfect mix of Leonard’s regality and Sara’s badassery.

“We’re gonna call her Rory,” Sara had added, “if that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah, that’s okay with me.”

They had named their new baby after him. He didn’t know why they did it; he could think of a dozen other people that were more worthy of the namesake, but he was honored just the same.

One thing was for sure: anybody who laid a finger on that baby would be burnt to a crisp before they knew it.

After his baby was born, Leonard’s visits with Mick became much less frequent, and when they did happen, they normally ended with Leonard saying something like:

“I’ve got a very hormonal assassin at home and if I leave her with a screaming baby for too long, she might actually kill me.”

Leonard used his wife and his baby as an reason to leave, but Mick knew he didn’t need the excuse. He wanted to go back.

He didn’t prioritize Mick anymore; he had other things going on in his life.

So Mick left them alone.

His distance did not go unnoticed by Leonard and Sara.

“You need to talk to him,” she told him one night as she spoon fed Rory mashed peaches.

“I know,” he replied, “I just don't know where to look.”

Sara raised her eyebrows.

“What?” he asked.

“You’d know where to start looking,” she pointed out, “and you’d know who to ask. You just don’t want to bother him.”

Leonard sighed in surrender.

“He just needs time to cool off. You know Mick. He—”

“He runs hot,” she finished, “I remember. But you know, if he doesn’t cool down, he burns.”

Sara met Leonard’s eyes over the high chair, her eyebrows quirked and his eyes glinting.

They both broke when Rory started babbling, drooling peaches down her chin and onto her bib.

“I’m glad that we still get to have these serious conversations even with Rory,” Sara said sarcastically, “Seriously though, you need to talk to him.”

He knew she was right, so the next time the Waverider docked in the present time, he tracked him down.

“How’s the new mission?” Leonard asked after locating Mick at Saints and Sinners. They’d been patronizing that bar since the sign didn’t flicker and its floors were still shining. That had been before the missions, before Sara, before Heatwave and Captain Cold, even

“Not bad,” Mick replied, “The new recruits are shaping up good.”

“New recruits?”

“We gotta replace you and Birdie somehow.”

“Who are they?”

“Nate — think Ray but without the suit and twice as clueless — and Amaya. I guess she’s some animal-shape-shifter from the ‘40s. Her granddaughter has the same powers in this time?”

“How’re they doing?”

“They’re no you guys, but they’re doin’ okay. Wish we had Blondie to train ‘em though.”

As they talked, Leonard consciously skirted around the subject of Sara and Rory. He wasn’t sure Mick wanted to hear about them.

But as it turns out, he did.

“How’s the kid?” Mick asked as the bartender slid another beer to him across the bar.

“She’s good,” he nodded.

“How old is she now?”

“Seven months a few days ago,” he replied, “How long has it been for you?”

“Prob’ly the same. I always ask Gideon to bring me to your present time. I hope I’m not missin’ much.”

They talked for a while about Rory before switching over to the Flash and the situations he found himself getting into these days. Before long, Mick realized it was time for him to get back to the Waverider.

“Good luck with the kid,” Mick said, standing up.

“Good luck with the mission,” Leonard replied, holding out a hand for Mick to shake. He did, and when they let go, they took their leave. They headed in different directions towards their new lives, the only thing on their minds being the ones they’d left behind.

That mission came to a close eventually, and after it, there wasn’t a new one. Mick drifted for a little while, following the various members of the team. He even went with Ray to Star City for a little while; he managed to work with and eventually befriend the Green Arrow and his team.

But even that came to an end, and Mick was back in Central City with nowhere to go.

He held off on visiting his old partner. It felt…wrong to infiltrate the home he and Sara had created, as if all the bad things they’d worked so hard to vanquish would return with Mick’s presence.

It was Leonard who reached out to him, actually. Ray had called to ask how Mick was doing — apparently, Mick may have been, as Ray put it, involved with, Amaya, one of the new recruits on the second mission. She was from the 1940s, and when the mission was completed, she returned to her own time to fulfill her destiny.

Mick was unprepared for how Amaya’s departure would affect him. He hadn’t been ready for the emptiness he felt now that she was gone.

Leonard gave him a few weeks to recover, but when a month had gone by and there was still no word from him, Leonard decided to track him down.

Mick wasn’t at Saints and Sinners this time, but at another somewhat sketchy dive bar.

“Long time no see,” Leonard said as he approached Mick at the bar, “What are you doing at this fine establishment at eleven in the morning.”

“What do you think, Snart?” Mick replied, not looking up at him.

Leonard knew he wasn’t supposed to answer.

“So I heard you’ve been back for a while,” he said, “What’s been taking you so long to stop by?”

“Don’t wanna mess up your family.”

“Well, I don’t know why you’d think that’s even a possibility, but what’s done is done,  I suppose.”

“Why are you here, Snart?” Mick asked.

“Sara’s having the old team over for dinner. I think Kendra might even be making an appearance. You should drop in.”

After a brief hesitation, Mick said, “Maybe.”

Leonard left after that. He could sense that his presence wasn’t exactly wanted by Mick. Maybe he would show up for dinner, maybe he wouldn’t, and there wasn’t much Leonard could do about it.

Sara was was remaining cautiously optimistic about Mick’s attendance to the party. Leonard didn’t think he’d show up at all.

Much to his surprise, however, he was one of the first to arrive.

“Am I on time,” Mick asked after Leonard opened the front door to see him standing on the doormat.

“Yeah,” Leonard replied, trying his best to hide his confusion.

“Here,” Mick held out a tall bottle of chardonnay.

“What’s this?” Leonard asked, gingerly taking the wine from him.

“Don’t you bring fancy wine to stuff like this?”

“Uh, I guess.” He looked on the label on the bottle, “You didn’t steal this, did you?”

“No.”

Leonard wasn’t sure whether he believed him or not.

“Everyone’s in the living room,” he said, stepping back and opening the door wider.

“People here already?”

“Just the Steins, and Kendra.”

Mick followed Leonard into the entryway of the house. The walls were covered in picture frames, most of their daughter Rory at different stages of her life. Some had Sara in them and there were even fewer with Leonard, not that this surprised Mick in the slightest. As he followed Leonard down a hallway, he realized that he didn’t know his way around Leonard and Sara’s house. He didn’t really know how he felt about that.

“Mick’s here,” Leonard said as they entered the living room.

It was a spacious room, decorated with shades of blue and grey. A large dark grey sectional sat in the center, framing a soft rug. It faced a large stone fireplace that was lit and casting a warm orange light upon the room. Tall windows looked into the winter day and let dull white February light inside.

“Mick!” Kendra exclaimed, standing from the couch to hug him.

“Kendra,” he grunted, waiting for her to step away.

“Hey Mick.”

He turned towards the voice and saw Sara nod familiarly in his direction.

“Sara,” he replied.

“How’ve you been?”

“Not bad.”

“Ollie said you and Ray were a big help in Central City,” she told him, “He says you’re welcome back any time.”

Mick tried to ignore the surprise in her voice.

“Where’s the kid?” he asked her.

“My mom has her right now,” she explained, “She’s dropping her off around her bedtime.”

Mick nodded. He was unsure of how else to respond.

Over the next half hour, the rest of the team arrived. Mick pretended he hadn’t been watching the door. He knew Amaya wasn’t coming. He didn’t know why he was disappointed.

They all sat in the dining room and ate together, talking about what they were doing with their lives now that they weren’t traveling through time anymore.

When they were done, they moved back to the living room with coffee or gin — or in Rip’s case, a combination of the two — in tow. He took a long swig from his mug and looked to the ceiling in thought.

“Did this gin at any point belong to me?” he asked, making a point of meeting both Leonard and Sara’s eyes.

“It might have,” Leonard smirked.

A few minutes later, they heard the front door open.

“That’ll be my mom with Rory,” Sara said, getting up from the couch to greet them.

“Your daughter’s five, right?” Nate asked Leonard, leaning forwards and resting his elbows on his knees.

“She’s four, nimrod,” Mick found himself saying before Leonard even opened his mouth, “We saved Christmas four years ago.”

“Yeah…thanks Mick,” Leonard said slowly. He turned to Nate, “She won’t turn five until June.”

Nate nodded.

A while later, Sara returned downstairs with Rory in tow. It had been a long time since Mick had last seen Rory — too long, he thought to himself. She was four years old now, but the last time he saw her, she couldn’t have been more than two and a half.

She had gotten taller — it was clear she’d inherited her father’s height. She still had the same big blue eyes she’d had since she was a baby, another genetic gift from her dad. Her short blonde hair was pulled into a high ponytail that sprouted from the top of her head like a fountain. She was wearing a soft penguin-printed nightgown, and a pair of purple fuzzy socks were on her feet.

“Rory wanted to come say goodnight, didn’t you?” Sara said, looking at her daughter.

Rory nodded bashfully, tipping her head down to rest her cheek on her mother’s shoulder.

Kendra’s whole face had lit up when Rory entered the room.

“Good night, Miss Rory,” she cooed, “Have a good sleep!”

There was a chorus of “goodnights” from the rest of the room — everyone except Mick, that is.

Rory stretched out her little arms towards Leonard. Sara crossed the living room to where he was sitting on the couch and gave her to him.

Rory wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

“Ni-night, daddy,” she said.

“G’night, Rory,” he replied, kissing the top of her head.

She climbed off his lap and let Sara lead her upstairs.

“That was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life — in all my lives,” Kendra said seriously.

Leonard didn’t say anything, but Mick could see a hint of a smile on the man’s lips.

Not too long later, Sara returned to the living room.

“My mom says hello,” she told Leonard as she sat next to him on the couch, “And Rory wants me to make sure you remember to make rainbow waffles with her tomorrow morning. I have no idea what that means, I figured you would.”

He nodded.

Sara curled her legs underneath her, one hand stretching over couch cushions to rest on the back of his neck, her fingers running softly over his skin.

After they finished their drinks, they began to leave. Kendra was the first to go, with a long train ride ahead of her back to Coast City. The rest filed out of the house over the next fifteen minutes until the only one left was Mick.

“I guess I should go too,” he finally said, after he set his empty beer bottle on the glass coffee table next to several others.

“Where you headed?” Leonard asked.

“Dunno,” he replied, “Don’t really have anywhere yet.”

“Or you could stay here,” Sara suggested, looking to Leonard. He nodded in agreement.

“What?” he asked.

“We have a spare room,” Sara shrugged, “We’d be happy to have you here until you figure out what you want to do with your life.”

And that’s how he ended up standing in the partially finished basement of Leonard and Sara’s house, surrounded by cardboard boxes and worn, mismatched furniture.

“You sure you’d rather be down here than in the spare room?” Sara asked.

Mick nodded. As grateful as he was for what Sara and Leonard were doing for him, he still needed that separation between himself and the domesticity happening upstairs.

Later that night, while Sara was putting their kid to bed, Leonard broke into his hidden store of whiskey and poured Mick and himself a glass.

“Cheers,” Mick said, lifting his glass, “To who we once were.”

Leonard lifted his own glass of whiskey.

“To who we’ve become.”

[mmecolbert]

this is a little lengthy but i enjoy hearing your opinion on gg so what is one thing you like and one thing you dislike about each season?

aw, thank you! and thank you for the great ask!

there’s definitely more than one thing that i like or dislike about each season, but what i’ll do is like…provide rapid-fire, what-first-comes-to-mind answers and see where that leads us. 

season 1

like:  the music! whenever I start a rewatch i notice just how much sam phillips they used and how much more music was integrated into the show. I get why they didn’t continue this throughout the show, but it gave season 1 and extra…cozy feeling, i guess. 

dislike:  the Max story line. I’ve never been particularly attached to any of lorelai’s love interests, but max really bugs me. everything from the fact that he is rory’s teacher and that this didn’t stop lorelai from dating him, to the fact that i didn’t get why they went from barely dating to breaking up to being engaged….none of it makes any sense to me and max is annoying. 

season 2

like: the exploration of Lorelai’s deep-seated desires. Between her rejection of Max (because she didn’t love him) and desire to be with Christopher (because on one level or another she did love him and wanted a family life with him) and her pain over a life path she didn’t take (Harvard…and wanting Rory to kinda…take that path for her) and her desire to bond with her parents but realizing that she and they are far too different….just all the lorelai stuff I feel this season was perfect, even when she was…not

dislike: I can’t decide between the Puffs story line (cause it’s fucking stupid and whatsherface is annoying) and the dragging out of the Rory-Dean-Jess triangle, which made the three of them look like complete jackasses. I think I’m in the minority but season 2 Rory bugs me the most. I honestly got no entertainment out of watching Dean be jealous and whine, Jess condescend and antagonize, or Rory emotionally cheat (and then actually cheat) and ignore her role in the mess. 

season 3

like: feeling vindicated because I knew that Rory’s relationship with Jess would end up a train wreck. I also did really like watching their relationship unfold, because I think that ASP captured very well what a lot of young women go through when they decide to date a bad boy. A lot of highs and lows that were very well demonstrated. I also LOVE Rory’s story line about Yale - literally all of it. 

dislike: the batch of episodes leading up to here comes the son. I’ve mentioned this in other posts before, but the extended focus on Jess and his feelings in a show that is meant to focus on women bugged me. I like Jess well enough as a character, but I feel like Rory and her feelings (especially about the end of school + prom) and her perspective on her relationship with Jess all got shafted, in order to give us a further insight into Jess into the lead-up to the spin-off. 

season 4

like: watching the slow schism between Rory and Lorelai as they adjust to living apart. I believe that the underlying main theme of GG is watching Lorelai’s loss of Rory. That is what, to me, mother-daughter relationships are. It’s a very Simone de Beauvoir perspective, but I feel like ASP always meant to show that Lorelai brought Rory up as her moulded mini-Lorelai (hence the same name), but as Rory grows and becomes her own individual, she gradually separates from Lorelai to become her own self. And season 4 has Rory going from “mommy don’t leave me” (at Yale) to wanting Lorelai to leave her alone after Rory slept with Dean and she and Lorelai had that fight. Subtle but beautiful relationship shift/rift. 

dislike: this is probably between Lorelai keeping her relationship with Jason a secret, which makes me want to scream at Lorelai, or Emily and Richard’s rift and separation, which makes me want to cry. Also, Rory’s hair is atrocious. 

season 5

like: just about all of it? Richard and Emily get back together, Rory and Logan do some crazy ass shit together, Rory finally gets some honest feedback on her work, the writing is good, Dean finally fucking leaves, everything, EVERYTHING :)

dislike: Dean’s weird haircut. Having to watch Dean who is still on the show when he should have left two seasons ago and not come back. Dean’s general existence, but that sentiment is true for most of the series…I guess also how unhealthy ASP made the LL relationship look? Both of their behaviour towards each other is….not good…but, yeah, not much to say cause I ADORE this season.

season 6

like: oh jeez I hate this season. I guess the Rory/Lorelai rift, to me, is a great story line. I think that they both needed to be away from each other to grow as individuals and figure out what they want. To me this season very clearly shows that Rory is becoming very different from Lorelai…whether you like adult Rory or no, this season she becomes her own person, rather than Lorelai’s metaphorical appendage. I like the shift showing that they’re not only clearly increasingly different people, but also their needs and desires for their futures are different. The rift showed, I think, that even though they ultimately made up, the rift fundamentally changed both Rory and Lorelai, and their relationship. 

dislike: everything else? I hate this season. But I guess I’ll just do a sweeping point and say I hate the tone of this season, because I think that’s the root of the problem. The show became a weird melodramatic, HBO-drama inspired mess. The characters became awful, relationships became toxic, any and all communication broke down. Just an overall depressing fucking season. 

season 7

like: that the writers managed to reign GG back from the mess than season 6 was? Does this count? I think all the story lines this season worked conceptually. I get why Lorelai and Chris got together and then broke up, I like the set-up for Logan and Rory’s whole “we’re right for each other, but maybe not right now” concept, I like Rory and Logan getting on track with their futures, I like Doyle and Paris working out….I feel like overall, the writers managed to wrap up the show in a generally satisfactory way, barring a few issues (i.e., wtf was that RL proposal/breakup). 

dislike: the execution of the story lines, the dialogue, the fact that the actors look about 100% done with GG. I barely ever re-watch this season because while I agree with what happens (more or less), I just don’t enjoy the episodes in any way. Case in point: I get the sentiment of Lorelai singing that karaoke song to Luke but I can’t watch it because my whole body revolts against it. The whole season is just me cringing at every fucking scene. It made me miss ASP, which is a feat, given the garbage that season 6 was. 

AYITL

like confirmation that ASP and Dan can ruin all good things

dislike AYITL

Thanks again for this ask! I loved answering it :) :) :) 

[frazzledsoul]

A late night insomnia induced post in which I try to justify the second most upsetting event in Gilmore Girls history

. . . . I am of course, speaking of the Gilmore/Hayden marriage experiment.

(Disclaimer: if you’ve written any of the stories I refer to below, understand I’m not judging you. I mostly wrote this because of a very upsetting story I read which directly suggested that Lorelai would have been wasting her life with Luke if she didn’t give him that ultimatum. It made me think of a lot of the fanfiction trends I’m not comfortable with, but as always, it is just my opinion).

Fan fiction is always a unique experience.

First of all, you have to reach a particular level of insane obsession to even know what it is or to attempt reading it, and as far as I’m concerned, I have to go significantly past the route of no return before I even attempt it. You have to put up with a lot of sentimentality and bad porn to get to the good stuff, and if you’re reading fanfiction for a genre show, forget it. There are some weird ships out there, and stuff that bears no significant relationship to the show it’s supposedly about. The fact that Fifty Shades Of Gray emerged out of such a phenomenon is not shocking at all once you’ve waded into it, and that’s actually on the milder end of things.

I’m not even going to talk about the Walking Dead Negan/Glenn slash I accidentally read on here. Or some of the stuff I accidentally stumbled on about David Archuleta back in 2009 or so. Trust me, you don’t want to know.

I’ve noticed a few trends in reading fanfiction for Gilmore Girls’s’ core couple. First of all, there’s a lot more of it than I expected. People were passionately writing these stories three, four, five, six years after the show ended, and this is long before anyone even thought of a Netflix revival to continue the story. Second of all, a lot of it is actually really good. Third, this is a fandom that loves to go AU and “correct” certain plot events, and while that’s really not my thing, I’ve read quite a few of those stories and I’ve liked them more than I thought I would. However, there is one particular genre I’m not crazy about.

It appears that when revival spoilers came out that Luke and Lorelai were not married for at least part of the revival, it inspired . . . some angst. Quite a bit of angst. Even among writers I really liked. Nothing positive had changed in the Luke/Lorelai relationship. Luke still won’t commit or let Lorelai into his life. She’s still mournfully gazing at the engagement ring or the wedding dress and hoping things will change and he won’t budge. Sturm und drang. It’s season 6 all over again.

This appears a little funny in retrospect after reviewing what actually happened in the revival. Lorelai was clearly in the driver’s seat when it came to the marriage discussion this time around. She’s the one who decides to hold off for nine years: she’s the one that decides when it’s time to finally make that final step. The parental duties are kept mostly separate, but this was at Lorelai’s insistence (this doesn’t stop people from blaming Luke when he lives up to his end of the bargain, but I guess old habits die hard), and as Luke points out, he just went along with what she wanted. When Lorelai re-proposes, it’s Luke who comes running with the old engagement ring he’s held onto for a decade just in case she was ever ready for it again.

If anyone’s longingly looking at that ring, it wasn’t her.

Of course, there was a time in the show’s history when Lorelai was that person, and it’s not a time period any of us remember fondly. The sixth season finale is one of the most upsetting events I’ve witnessed in many years of obsessive TV watching. I think the only thing that really comes close for me is watching Jon Snow get murdered and seeing Glenn and Abraham get turned into human oatmeal earlier this year. We knew about Glenn and Abraham way ahead of time, and we got Jon Snow back two episodes into the next season. But I don’t think any of us anticipated the level to which Amy Sherman Palladino would sink her show.

The thing that upsets me most about the break-up in that episode is that Luke has been running around looking for Lorelai for days, clearly concerned about her welfare. He keeps trying to get her to sit down and discuss the situation rationally, and she won’t have it. She’s going to have a loud, noisy, public meltdown in the middle of the street, and he’s going to have to deal with it. Yes, there were real issues in their relationship that they needed to hash out. Maybe he wouldn’t budge in the end and she would still decide she wanted marriage and kids on her timetable more than she wanted him. But screaming in the middle of the street and stomping off and sleeping with his worst enemy when he wouldn’t immediately agree to her crazy plan wasn’t the way to have that discussion. There were very real issues affecting the custody of his child that partially caused Luke to act the way he did, and those issues would not be solved by the quickie wedding that Lorelai insisted that they have at that very moment. Not everything revolves around her and her biological clock, and if she insists on behaving in this manner, she’s not really of a sound mind to embrace marriage or motherhood, anyway.

(Oh, and a more apt metaphor for ASP and her approach to contract negotiations is pretty much impossible to find compared to this one, but I suspect this is the point).

That said, despite all of this, I kind of get it. Luke’s behavior gets really bad in the latter half of season 6. I feel I can’t judge him too harshly for prioritizing his kid, but it’s not pleasant to watch. I understand why Lorelai felt at that point that she had to break up with him, and why she married someone else after a few months.

I’m a 36 year old woman from Alabama. I have seen this situation play out in my own life more times than you know. The concept of a woman in her late thirties breaking up with a long-term partner because he isn’t ready for marriage and kids and quickly marrying someone who is is something that is very familiar to me. And in real life, these marriages actually last. When you get to a certain point, it’s easier to settle and compromise because you want the same things. Sometimes life isn’t fair, and you have to choose your best options.

When Luke justifies to himself that he and Lorelai were never meant to be together and tells he’s going to stop being angry and just move on, he basically gives her his blessing to pursue other options. She’s still devastated, but when Christopher shows up and makes his big romantic plea, it’s immensely appealing to her. Sure, it’s not the epic, passionate love affair she wanted, and she’d rather be hearing this stuff from Luke, but Christopher is doing all the stuff she wanted Luke to do. He lets her be involved with his child. He wants marriage and kids. They’ve been involved for 20 years anyway. So when he pushes for it in this ultra-romantic setting, she goes for it. Wanting the same things will be good enough to justify this decision, right?

Of course, it’s an epic disaster for the six weeks or so that it lasts. Christopher is weak, pathetic, and utterly useless to anyone who might have the misfortune of needing to rely on him. He let Lorelai participate in his child-rearing decisions largely because he was incapable of making them himself. Lorelai isn’t in love with him and she’s never fully committed to this life together, but she convinces herself that because they supposedly want the same things, it’s good enough. 

However, Christopher isn’t good enough, and never will be. The character reference that Lorelai wrote laid out all that Luke was capable of, all of the love and devotion that he lavished on Lorelai and Rory over the years, and of how special he was to the both of them. Lorelai didn’t sign the letter OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE, but she might as well have. When Christopher read the letter, he knows that Lorelai still loves Luke because she will never be able to say those things about him. No one will ever be able to say those things about Christopher. He knows that he’ll always be nothing more than a very inferior replacement, and that Lorelai is never really going to be able to love him that way. 

Eventually, Lorelai realizes this too, and ends this torturous marriage experiment once and for all.

As far as Luke is concerned, I think he allows his family to talk him into the idea that he and Lorelai were destined or failure as a way to live with the situation. If he allowed himself to think of everything that went wrong, he would go insane. And he can’t break down and do that, because he’s got a daughter to take care of now. It’s his way of stepping up and being the bigger person. The show starts building him up again, and they really, really needed to do that. He becomes a great guy again, and we needed him to be that guy.

I don’t think the reality of the situation really hits Luke until Lorelai shows up in the hospital with the wedding ring. Then he has to admit what he’s lost, but even then he can’t give up. He’s got a kid he’s got to fight for, a new infant niece, a very pregnant employee/surrogate daughter to look out for. When the letter’s read out to him, he allows himself to have a tiny bit of hope. And when Lorelai needs him, he drops everything and runs to her side, because he still loves her and would do anything for her. He’s worthy of everything in that letter at that moment.

I think what this brings us all to is that Lorelai ultimately learned that this set plan she had for marriage and kids was not what was going to make her happy. I think what both she and Luke came to realize that what they really wanted was each other, not some arbitrary expectation of what life was supposed to be like for them. Giving up on Luke was not the right decision because he couldn’t be replaced, and what she needed most of all was simply to have him in her life, and for him to be in hers. Both of them figured out that marriage and parenthood were going to be a lot harder than they thought they would be, and neither of those things mattered more than being together. Their life together was a good life, and it made both of them happy. Ultimately, Lorelai did decide that she did want to be married, and Luke wanted that, too, because all he ever wanted was her. However, that doesn’t mean the previous decade didn’t count because it didn’t live up the previous ideal. It did.

As far as the kids issue goes, I think for Lorelai it was mostly a vague afterthought. I think it was different for Luke, at least at first. It’s not an accident that he has so many surrogate kids. He did want to be a dad in some way, but having April gave him that opportunity, and it wasn’t a very pressing need after that. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to run out of additional offspring any time soon, either.

Life can be good, and deep, and meaningful, and worthy, even if it doesn’t live up to a Norman Rockwell ideal. I think Lorelai learned that when she tried to substitute someone else for the person she really wanted.

[losille2000]

Building Happiness, Chapters 22-24

CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 22 - Chapter 24 AUTHOR: Losille2000 WHICH ALEX/CHARACTER: AU!Alexander Skarsgård GENRE: Romance FIC SUMMARY: Life as Alexander knows it unravels when he takes over as CEO of the family business for his retiring father—especially when his modern ideals collide with the past. The fact that he also has to deal with a distracting new assistant doesn’t help matters any, either. Alex struggles to step out from under his father’s shadow and eventually find happiness and fulfillment in his career and love life. RATING: M WARNINGS:  Language and sex. AUTHORS NOTES: See them here. I am working on reposting this story as I am bringing some of the characters into The Chocolate Affair, namely Alex and Rory. Old fic, unedited, you’ve been warned. Rory and Christine will have a similar backstory, but that’s on purpose.

Prologue-Chapter 3 - Chapters 4-6 - Chapters 7-9 - Chapters 10-12 - Chapters 13-15 - Chapters 16-18 - Chapters 19-21 

Chapter 22

Alexander awoke suddenly to the most irritating buzzing and ringing sound he had ever heard. He lay still for a few seconds, orienting himself to the world around him and letting his eyes focus. The body beside him stirred awake as well, letting out a low, angry grumble.

"Damn it," she said, her voice gravelly with sleep.

"What is it?" he asked.

"My phone," she replied. "Alarm."

With a yawn, she sat up and tossed the covers back, scooting to the edge of the bed. She reached for her robe that she had draped on the footboard after discarding it last night. A small smile crept to his lips as she put it on her shoulders and realized that the tie wasn't there. As a matter of fact, it was lying all the way across the room where it had landed after he had untied it. Clearly not amused by that, but also not wanting to walk in that direction, she left the robe open and went toward the sound of the alarm.

She disappeared then into the bathroom where the sound of the alarm was cancelled. Alexander looked up at the canopy on the bed and shut his eyes again when Rory remained in the bathroom and he heard the water running.

Apparently, it was back to the real world now. No matter how much he wanted to remain in this bed and make love to Rory for the foreseeable future, they had commitments to see to in other places. But he wouldn't forget last night, or the very early morning hours when he had last taken her. There was no way he would ever lose the memory of her completely surrendering herself to him. Trusting him. Giving him the opportunity to wash all her bad experiences away. It was a gift he would cherish forever.

Rory came back out of the bathroom, but he was delighted to see that she hadn't changed and still wore the open robe. He grew harder at the sight, elated by the fact that sometime between leaving Columbus yesterday and this morning, her confidence had blossomed more.

She crawled atop the large bed and leaned over, kissing him softly. "We need to get up. Our plane is scheduled to leave at three."

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Seven," she said. "We still have to get back to Columbus and repack."

He sighed heavily, lacing his fingers in her hair and pulling her back for another kiss. "Are you sure I can't persuade you otherwise?"

Rory shook her head. "No. We have a schedule to keep. We can't reschedule the plane, either. You have a meeting early tomorrow in Stockholm."

"Back to being my assistant, huh?" he asked.

She grinned. "Really, how different is an assistant from a girlfriend? I'll dictate your life either way."

He laughed. And it would only get worse if she agreed to marry him. Funnily, he didn't care one iota that she was the one in control.

"And I'm also starving," she said. "We haven't had anything to eat since before we left the wedding yesterday."

"You mean I have to feed you, too?" he asked.

Rory scoffed and smacked him playfully.

"You're really, super duper sure I can't convince you stay in bed for a little longer?" he asked.

She shook her head and laughed. "I'm a little sore right now. I'd actually prefer it if you stopped thinking about that region for the next little bit."

"Ah-huh!" he said, shaking a finger at her. "I told you that you'd rethink the decision to egg me on."

"You said 'after the first'," she said. "I did not rethink it at all after the first time, and am not rethinking it now. There are just parts of me that would like me to take a break."

He laughed and pressed her back into the bed, holding himself over her as he kissed her deeply. "At least I can say I bed you well."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't think there was any doubt about that."

"I'm glad," he said lowly.

Rory pushed on his chest. "Alexander, quit distracting me. We have to get going."

"Fine," he said and rolled to the side. "You know, I saw that big shower in there."

She blushed. "Only if we actually shower."

He arched a brow at her. "I accept your challenge."

Rory chuckled. "Why are you setting yourself up for failure?"

"Glutton for punishment?" he asked. "You know, the longer we lay here talking about it, the less time we have to get back to Columbus and Atlanta."

Rory pushed him away and got up from the bed, her eyes stopping on the bedside table. There lay the wrappers of all the condoms from last night. "They're going to think we're rabbits."

"They'll be impressed," he said.

She giggled and headed back into the bathroom, turning the water on in the shower. Alexander lay back and stared at the canopy for a moment longer before kicking off the blankets covering him. It was time to face the world.

So long as she was there at his side, he knew he could make it through.

Rory hesitated as she looked through the windshield at her family's home. They both had to go in to get their things, but she didn't know what she would find after yesterday's debacle. After leaving so quickly and not telling anyone where she was going or what she was doing, she expected quite a bit of backlash.

"Come on," Alexander said. "We'll get it over with and then we'll be an ocean away from them."

Rory nodded and stepped out of the car. She walked up the front porch and into the house, finding it unusually quiet. Bobby sat in the front room on the couch with a mechanical pencil stuck between his teeth. His laptop lay in his lap as he typed something from a notebook on the keyboard. He looked up as Alexander entered and shut the door behind him.

He removed the pencil from his lips. "Hey!"

"Hi," Rory said. "How is everyone?"

Bobby shrugged. "I think Mama and Dad are still in a state of shock. They haven't come back from church yet. I think they're doing damage control. Whitney is up in her room. She's refused to come down or talk to anyone since yesterday. Charlie got a call to come out to a crime scene. And I am here struggling to finish a paper for a class."

"What about me leaving yesterday?" she asked.

"They understand even if they're unhappy about it," Bobby said. "I understand. I just wish you had told someone about what had been going on."

Rory sighed and shook her head. "I didn't want to talk about it."

Bobby nodded.

"I'm going to go up and talk to Whitney," Rory said.

Her brother snorted. "Good luck with that."

Rory turned to Alexander. "You okay down here?"

Alexander glanced at Bobby. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know," she said, resigned. Rory left the two men alone and she walked through the house and upstairs. She came to Whitney's closed door and knocked.

"Go away," came a feeble call from inside.

Rory opened the door anyway. Their parents had never allowed locks on their bedroom doors and she was thankful for that fact now. Whitney was curled into the fetal position on her bed, staring at the door.

"I don't want to talk to you," she said.

Rory nodded her head and grabbed the desk chair, turning it around to face Whitney. She sat down and looked at her sister. Clearly all the fight had been drained from her. The breakfast tray beside her bed remained untouched. She didn't look well. Her skin had a sickly pallor despite the fake tan and gray half circles lay beneath her eyes.

"I wasn't kidding," Whitney said.

Rory sighed and leaned over, resting her elbows on her thighs. Whitney stared at her for a long time, completely unmoving. After a few minutes she grumbled in anger, but it didn't last. Tears sprang to her eyes instead and she brushed at them.

"Why do you want me to leave?" Rory asked.

"Because I can't stand the sight of your face," Whitney said.

Rory pursed her lips. "I know you're just saying that."

Whitney sat up and reached for a tissue, blowing her nose. She sniffled a bit and then looked directly at her. "Rory, why didn't you tell me about Walker being gay?"

"I didn't know," Rory said. "Obviously you knew way before even accepting Walker's proposal."

"But you knew something was up," she said. "You could have protected me from that."

A derisive chuckle escaped her mouth. "I thought you deserved to be treated poorly if he did that to you. But I didn't really think about it at the time. I was so beaten down. I just wanted to forget I ever lived through it."

Whitney shook her head. "Daddy said that Walker really hurt you."

The note of concern in her sister's voice took Rory aback.

"Emotionally, yes," Rory said. "I honestly thought you two were meant for each other because you were so horrible. That's why I just gave up and let you date him."

Whitney looked off into space. "It killed me when I realized the reason he didn't want to sleep with me was because he was gay. I only stayed with him to hurt you, even after I walked in on him and Parker one day. "

"Well, it did hurt me," she replied. "More than you probably understand. On top of Walker doing what he did, you both seemed so happy. Like you were able to give him what I couldn't. That hurt me more than anything. I thought… I don't know what I thought. I guess after hearing it so much from you and Walker both—how I was undesirable—I just started to believe it."

"Rory, I'm sorry," Whitney said quickly.

"What?" Rory asked in disbelief.

"I'm sorry. For everything," she said.

"You're… apologizing… to me," Rory said.

Whitney nodded. "I…"

"You, what?"

"I never wanted any of this," Whitney said, her tears breaking again. "I was just so jealous of you. I've been so jealous of you my whole life. I can't explain it."

Rory snorted with laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" she asked.

"Because I've been jealous of you," Rory said. "What a pair we make, Whit. Both of us wanting what the other had and not knowing what was best for us."

Whitney was silent for a moment but she let out a watery chuckle. "I've been a bitch."

"I'll admit I haven't always been the best, either. But you have always been really horrible," Rory said.

"I know," Whitney said. "Look where it got me. I got what was coming to me, I guess."

Rory felt thick emotion in her throat, making her swallow. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. She knew there were years of shit between them that would have to be overcome and that they may never be able to get past it, but it was somewhat of a relief to speak with Whitney civilly. It felt like yet another weight was lifting off her shoulders. At least they could be amicable if they wouldn't ever be close. There was too much damage done to ever repair it fully.

Whitney sighed and they sat quietly for some time until Whitney finally spoke. "I'm scared, Rory."

"About?"

"Everything. My life," Whitney said. "I've made too many mistakes to keep track of and I have no one to help me. I'm pregnant. I quit my job to move to Korea with Walker and they've already hired someone else. I've alienated everyone in my life, including my family. Faith hates me. Mama and Daddy… they don't know what to think."

"Maybe you deserve it, like you said," Rory said. "It's punishment for what you've done. But that doesn't mean you can't become a better person and overcome it. You have to overcome it… for that little baby growing in you."

Whitney sighed and rested her hands on her belly. "I want to be better. I've tried. Honestly. Since I found out… but it's so dang hard."

"I know," Rory said. "But I can assure you that I will be there for you if you need anything. I do love you, even if we haven't been the nicest people to each other. All I ask is that you try to be nice to me."

"I know," she said glumly.

Rory let a small smile cross her lips. She reached out and touched Whitney's knee, squeezing it slightly before pulling back.

"Rory?" she asked.

"Yeah?"

"Those things you said yesterday… about your life in Chicago…" Whitney replied.

"What about them?" Rory asked.

"Were they true?"

Rory nodded. "Every single word. It's a strange world, Whitney. I know we look at it from rose-colored glasses when we dream of being like Cinderella or something, but it's really not all it's cracked up to be."

"Then why do you put up with it?" she asked.

"Because I love Alexander," Rory answered.

Whitney nodded her head and sighed. She played with the tissue in her hands.

Rory smiled. "You'll find someone eventually, Whitney. Someone who will treat you like a queen. But you have to work to deserve it. You can't sleep around with other women's husbands."

"Ugh," Whitney said and lay back on the bed again with a theatrical flourish. "I hadn't even intended that to happen. We broke it off before he married Faith. Faith knew about us. But David came over to pick up some stuff I had after their wedding in August, and it all went to shit. Walker was off with Parker, I was alone and feeling crappy. David made it better."

Rory blew a slow stream of air from her lips. "Why did Faith even marry him if he was cheating with you? You and your friends are so fucked up, Whitney."

"I know. Just like a Jerry Springer episode," Whitney said.

"Or Maury," Rory said. "At least you know for certain your child is David's… you do know for sure, right?"

Whitney pursed her lips. "You may think I'm a whore, but I'm always careful when I sleep with someone. That time with David was the only time I didn't use protection. It was in the moment. I took the risk. You know how it is…"

Rory felt a warm blush on her cheeks. For the first time ever, she actually did know how it was. There had been a moment last night when she had been about ready to let Alexander do whatever he wanted to her whether he found a condom or not. Luckily fate intervened and the hotel carried a supply.

"I do know how it is," Rory said and glanced at the clock on the wall. "Okay, I've got to go pack all my stuff up. We're leaving in a little bit."

Whitney got out of the bed as Rory stood. Before she could bid farewell, Whitney's arms wrapped around her. Rory froze as she tried to comprehend what was happening. She hadn't expected anything like this. Had yesterday's fuck up really taught Whitney a lesson? It was difficult to believe, especially when there were twenty-nine-and-a-half years of her meanness to prove otherwise.

"This is weird," Rory said, as she embraced her sister.

"God, I know," Whitney giggled and pulled back, but didn't remove her arms from around her.

"Let's start from scratch, okay?" Rory asked. "We've got phone and email. We'll talk."

Whitney nodded. "Okay."

She smiled, squeezed her in a hug one last time and went back to bed. Rory excused herself and stepped into the hallway, running into her mother near her room. There were tears in her eyes. She'd obviously been listening into the conversation.

"Well at least some good came out of this mess," her mother said.

"Yeah," Rory said, walking into her room. Her mother followed her inside. Rory gathered her suitcase and things from the closet to pack. Without asking, her mother came over and started folding her clothes and organizing all of them in neat piles within the suitcase.

After a few moments of silent packing, her mother sighed and turned to her. "Rory, I think I owe you an apology, too."

"For what?" Rory asked.

"For not believin' you when you tried to tell me about Walker after you split up."

"Mama, don't worry about it," Rory said. "I've moved on. It's over and done. You didn't know. No one but Whitney knew what Walker was like… obviously."

She huffed. "Oh, I know, but as your mama, I'm supposed to know these things. I'm supposed to protect you from it. And I just let your sister keep bein' your sister."

Rory stopped and draped her arm over her mother's shoulders. "Mama, stop. I'm fine. You believe God has a reason for everything, right? He had a reason for all of this. I needed this catalyst to leave the house and become what I have. I've learned so much about myself in the past few months since I've been gone from home. I even think I've met the love of my life. I wouldn't have done that without the past pushing me in that direction."

Her mother turned to look at her, tears in her eyes. "Really?"

"Yes," Rory replied. "None of us should give Walker any more of our time. He's going to Korea. You can forget about it, too."

"I still feel terrible," her mother said.

Rory left the room for the bathroom and her toiletries. She came back in and set them into the suitcase. "Mama, let's stop talking about it."

"Okay," she said reluctantly. Rory packed the last of her things and closed the top, zipping it up. She looked at her mother. "Let's go downstairs."

Her mother nodded and they made their way downstairs into the kitchen where her father was. He took her bags without saying anything and headed directly outside.

"Bye, Mama," she said, hugging her.

"Goodbye."

Rory walked into the front room. Bobby made no effort to get up so she leaned over him and kissed his forehead. He made a disgusted sound and pushed her away.

"Yeah, I love you, too, Bobby Ray," Rory said.

Bobby flipped the bird.

"Robert Raymond!" her mother exclaimed, scandalized.

"Sorry, Mama," he said.

Rory scoffed as her mother instantly softened. "Alright, I'm going."

"Bye!" Bobby called.

Rory went outside to find her father and Alexander arranging their suitcases in the back of the tiny sports car while having a quiet conversation. Alexander stood tall and reached up to grab the trunk door, waiting for her father step back. They both turned around, squinting into the sun.

"So, I'll see you," Rory said to her father as she stopped in front of him.

"Come here, sweet pea," he replied.

She complied and allowed him to pull her into his big arms. He kissed her forehead and she kissed his cheek. Rory stepped back, but he held her steady, his hands on her arms.

"If anything like what Walker did to you ever happens again, you tell me," he said. His tone was not one to be argued with.

Rory glanced at Alexander who stood and squinted at her with a small smile. "Daddy, Alexander wouldn't ever do that."

Her father looked at her lover. He nodded his head. "So you say. But you can never tell."

"We'll be fine," she said.

He nodded. "Well, then, I guess I had better let you two get going. Have a wonderful time in Sweden."

Rory grinned. "I'll try."

"You're coming home for Christmas, right?" he asked.

"I don't know what my plans are yet," Rory said with a shrug. "But I'll let you and Mama know."

"Good," he replied and turned to Alexander, offering his hand. "Take care of her, Alexander."

Alexander shook her father's hand. As she watched the exchange, Rory felt like those were loaded words. What had he meant by them? "I will, sir."

Her father retreated into the house and Rory turned to look at Alexander. "You ready to break free?"

"Yes, let's," he said, dipping down to kiss her briefly before walking around to the driver's seat. She chuckled and shook her head with one last glance at the house. She felt somewhat akin to how she had when she had left for Chicago a few months ago, but this time it wasn't sadness weighing her down. This time, she had a sense of relief accompanied by excitement for the next new adventure in her life. Glancing at Alexander as she sat in her seat, she smiled. She was glad he was there to experience it with her.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said.

He narrowed his eyes at her curiously and smiled. With a shake of his head and a quick peck to her lips, he turned to back out of the driveway.

Rory sighed and closed her eyes, sinking deeper into the comfortable leather seat. Things were finally starting to right themselves in her little world. But even as she thought it, she wondered when the other shoe was going to drop. Everything seemed to be falling into place too easily of late.

She pushed the thought from her mind for fear if she kept thinking about it, she might jinx something. If the shoe did drop, she'd face it then. Right now, she wasn't going to worry. She had other more important things to think about, including the god of a man sitting beside her and the next week in Sweden with him.

Chapter 23

Alexander slipped into the car outside the Stockholm office and yawned into his hand. As soon as they had landed in Sweden and gone through customs early that morning, they'd been whisked off for a meeting. The meeting itself had dragged on for far too long, but Gurra was prone to doing that when it was a meeting regarding quarterly financials. At least it had been proven that the company had not been adversely affected when he became acting CEO in September. It would be the fourth quarter reports, though, that would prove if he sank or swam.

If it mattered.

The December board meeting loomed in the distance and approached at a startling pace, time hurdling forward without stopping as it was wont to do. In two weeks, he would tell his father he was resigning. Though there was no doubt in his mind that he would leave the company at that time, he wasn't sure what his father would do. Even though he'd given him the ultimatum, his father might officially fly off the deep end and do something drastic.

What, exactly, Alexander didn't know. But there was always a possibility.

Rory, who settled into the seat beside him, pulled her iPad from her purse. She flicked through programs quickly, bringing up her schedule. With an efficiency he had not realized she had acquired, she had cancelled several meetings and rescheduled them in a matter of minutes to the dates and times she had written in her notebook at the end of the meeting.

When she had completed her task, she flipped to their schedule for that day and looked through the appointments.

"You're free until seven for dinner with your mother and Valter," she said.

"You're coming with me, too," he replied.

She looked at him. "I know."

"Good," he replied.

Rory turned off the iPad screen and closed the leather cover over it, slipping it back into her purse. She sighed.

He looked across at her. "That's not the sound of happiness."

"I'm tired," she said. "And nervous."

"Why are you nervous?" he asked. "You've met them before. Spent time with them. They like you."

"Oh, I know," Rory said. "But at that time they still knew me as your assistant. Now they're going to get to know me as your girlfriend. That's just a tad different… and then there's the whole thing with your dad."

Alexander chuckled. "If you think my mother holds any loyalty to my father, you'll be proved otherwise. She likes you, Rory. Trust me. As a matter of fact, she was the one that told me I should pursue you."

"She what?" Rory asked.

He nodded. "At the gala I was looking for you and my mom—I don't know how she does it—knew I was waiting for you. She has this weird sixth sense thing going for her. That's when I also discovered my father was sleeping with Marissa."

Rory pursed her lips. By the expression on her face, he could see that she was thinking through the events of that night in New York. "Well, that explains why you were acting so weird."

"Yeah," Alexander said. "Try getting that heaped onto you along with the knowledge that your mother had known about the affair all along. We're talking ten years here."

Rory looked skeptical. "Are you kidding?"

"No," Alexander said.

"I'm sorry, Alexander, but I have very little respect for your father if that's true," she replied.

Alexander shrugged his shoulders. "Mom told him to find someone to sleep with. She hadn't thought it would be Marissa, but that's how it turned out."

"Why would she do that?"

He sighed. "For us kids. I know it doesn't make much sense, but this was after the third marriage. By then it was more of a business merger than anything else. She didn't want to draw us into the drawn out fight over money and custody like the other two divorces. She also didn't want it to harm any of our chances of taking over the company when Dad retired."

"So that's why they're doing it now," Rory said. "Because you're taking over."

And there it was. Alexander fell silent and turned to look out the window. She had opened up the floor for him to come clean about his father's demands and his subsequent decision to leave the company. But he froze under the pressure of her gaze. For whatever reason, he couldn't make himself tell her. Not yet, at least. Something told him to wait; he didn't want the rest of their week in Sweden to be marred by that admission. Besides, he still had to figure things out with Lindquist Metals before he said anything.

"Where are we going?" she asked, glancing out the window as they passed through the bustling city.

"Home," he said.

Rory looked at him. "Where you grew up?"

He nodded. "Well, as much as we could. After Dad moved us to the US, I spent most of my summer holidays here except when we were on the island."

"The island?" she asked.

"Öland," he replied. "My family was originally from there… a few centuries ago. There's a summer cottage there, too."

"I see," she said.

Alexander smiled and sighed, resting back into his seat to enjoy the ride home. He planned for the excursion to be pretty peaceful. His father and Marissa were still in Chicago with Gurra. Eija was gone at school until later in the week. Valter was currently living with their mother at the condominium in the city. The only person to contend with would be the only other woman in his life who mattered more to him than his sister, mother or Rory.

His grandmother was as tough as nails and still the grand dame of society in these parts—even as she neared ninety years. Though his father liked to think he ran the house when he was in Sweden, it was actually quite the opposite. His grandmother ran everyone, including his father, with an iron first. She was zany and marched to her own drummer, but commanded respect from all those who fell in her path. Her warm nature had made her a good compliment to his stern grandfather, but she adhered to protocol and manners fastidiously making her a perfect partner for a very powerful man and the best doyenne for their family.

Alexander had always gone to her for advice in the past, and it had not failed him yet. His last trip to Sweden had only given them a small amount of time to talk, especially since his father had been at home, but she was the one that suggested he bring Rory with him this time. She wanted to meet Rory. See if she was good enough for him. He just hoped she loved Rory as much as he did. Maybe then she would understand why he was willing to give up everything for this woman.

That was, when he finally told his grandmother what his father had requested.

He didn't want to disappoint her when he told her he was giving up his right as heir to the dynasty. The same dynasty she herself had worked so tirelessly to put together for future generations of the Skarsgård family.

Frankly, at this point, he just hoped the news didn't kill her. But he did recognize the fact that it would be difficult to remain with, much less marry, Rory if his grandmother didn't at least understand his reasoning behind his decision and approve of her.

Rory yawned into her hand and scooted closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her and buried his lips in her hair for a short kiss. Before he knew it, she was asleep, heavy against him with deep, even breathing.

Alexander smiled and pulled her closer, relaxing the feel of her against her. It would be a long drive to the family estate. He would use this time to think through the week ahead. Professionally, it would be busy. Personally, he had to prepare himself for the life-altering.

Oddly, he couldn't wait.

Rory jostled awake as the car slowed and bumped along an uneven road. She yawned and stretched her arms above her head, looking at Alexander. "How long was I out?"

"About a half hour," he said, glancing at his watch.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Driving down the drive to the house," he said.

Rory turned to look outside. There wasn't much she could really see in the thick fog surrounding them on this gray day. Trees and bushes close to the road appeared dormant for the winter, piles of dried leaves and brush surrounding the gnarled trunks. The car turned one final time, following a gravel path around a circular bend around the edge of a fountain with no water running.

The car slowed to a stop and the driver hopped out, coming to her door. He helped her out with Alexander following closely behind. Alexander intoned something in Swedish to the driver, who nodded his head and seemed to give him a word of acknowledgement as he shut the door.

Alexander stepped beside her, his large hand splaying on the small of her back. "Come on."

Rory walked with him along the gravel path, but after a few steps, she paused. Though the cloud of fog was still thick, she could just make out what was she looking at for the first time. Standing tall and austere in front of them was a white-sided building with a dark slate roof. Then she realized it was only one tall tower.

When he had told her that he was taking her to the family estate, she had imagined something large. It would only make sense for someone as wealthy and with as many children as Stellan that he'd have a large main house. But she had not imagined something like this.

"This isn't a house," she said.

He chuckled. "Then what is it?"

"A castle," she replied.

Alexander shook his head. "It is actually a chateau or manor, strictly speaking. Castles are designed to keep people out. Manors have land attached to them. Palaces are to show off wealth for foreign dignitaries."

"Please don't go all architect on me," she said.

"We call it a slott in Swedish," he said. "It all means the same thing."

Rory glanced at him and turned back to the house. "And what does slott mean? Big ass house?"

Alexander nodded. "Pretty much."

"Man," she said. "I can only imagine the type of hide-and-seek matches you had growing up in there."

"They were fairly epic when we could manage them," he replied. "Can we go inside? It's cold out here."

Rory laughed and nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

Alexander grabbed a hold of her hand again, leading her up the front stairs, which were numerous, and into the house. She hadn't realized that the front door had squeaked back as she stood gawking at the building and that there was a man standing in wait for them to enter. As they stepped into the foyer, she saw him for the first time. He was an older gentleman, probably in his mid-fifties, with graying brown hair. He was of average height and wore a tailored, nondescript suit that made him look like a federal agent.

"Hello, George," Alexander said.

"Good day, sir," he replied. His accent was decidedly British, not Swedish.

"George, this is Rory Fisher," Alexander introduced them. "Rory, this is George, the butler."

The man gave her a firm handshake and smiled. "Miss Fisher, it's truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Rory grinned. "Yours as well."

"We've prepared the yellow guest quarters for Miss Fisher," he said. "Shall I show her the room, or would you care to?"

"That won't be necessary, George," Alexander said. "Please have her things brought to my room. I'll show her there."

"Very well, sir," he said.

"Hey, maybe I want my own room," Rory said, looking up at Alexander just to watch his reaction. His face turned from confident happiness to confusion in a split second.

He nearly pouted. "But I thought…"

Rory laughed, grabbing his arm. "I'm just kidding, Alexander. I wanted to see what you'd do."

He rolled his eyes but he laughed nonetheless. "I'm going to give her a quick tour, George."

"Your grandmother requested that you and Miss Fisher join her for luncheon at one in the dining room," he said.

"We'll be down then," he said.

While his grandmother had been discussed in passing, they hadn't ever had an actual conversation regarding his extended family. Every time she tried to bring it up, he always shut down and refused to talk about it. She had let it slide because she knew of the pressure he was under coming from his immediate relatives, but she hadn't thought he was terribly close with anyone else in his family. She had decided that when he wanted to, he would discuss it with her.

She hadn't realized that his grandmother lived at the family estate. It was slightly unfair of him not to mention it to her, especially when they had been discussing the time they would be spending with his family earlier in the car. Somehow, it seemed like a vital piece of information she should have been warned about, more than ever if this was Stellan's mother they were talking about. Rory felt that if Alexander were being secretive about her, clearly she wouldn't be welcomed with open arms. Did his grandmother already dislike her? Had Marissa said anything? Stellan?

With a new anxiety knotting her stomach, she allowed Alexander to pull her to the left and take her on a tour.

It was definitely splendor to behold, furnished in period-appropriate decorations throughout the main rooms. It looked immaculately kept and untouched. How had any of this stuff survived so many children, and mostly boys, no less?

There seemed to be a room for everything. A music room, a drawing room, a conservatory, a breakfast room, ballroom, kitchens, pantries… it was endless. There were halls and passages leading in different directions, stairs up to a second or third level, or down to a lower level.

Finally, they ended up in Alexander's large bedroom, and she let out a breath as she looked around. It looked like the other rooms in the house. A large bed jutted out into the room from the far wall, a heavy canopy hanging over four oak posts. Two large windows let some natural light into the room on the wall beside the bed. Opposite the bed sat a chaise lounge and a few chairs around a fireplace with a marble mantle. Above the fireplace was a giant painting that looked suspiciously like Sam's handiwork. Though it was in stark contrast to the historical furniture in the room, the painting made the room feel less like she was in a museum and unable to touch anything.

She heard him speak somewhere off in the periphery and it took her a moment to force herself back to reality.

"Hmm?" she asked, turning around in a circle in search of him. He was standing by an open door.

"The bathroom," he said, motioning inside the next room.

Rory walked over to him, finding a large bathroom with a claw-footed bathtub and shower. Off of the bathroom was a closet where she noticed that her hanging things from her garment bag had been hung up in her own section, ordered neatly with the folded clothing in the shelving and drawers beside it.

"The maid probably did that," he said when he noticed her running her fingers along the clothing in wonderment.

She turned to look at him. She didn't know what to say.

"Too much?" he asked.

Rory shrugged. "By this point in our relationship, Alexander, I've come to the conclusion that I'm in a vastly different world and everything is going to shock me. I just have to learn to accept it as reality. Sorta like you and the paper plates the first time you were at my parents' house. But this is part of the fabric that makes you who you are… so I love it. I'm just getting to know it. I'm sure you feel the same way with the life that I came from."

Alexander nodded and joined her, pulling her into his arms. He leaned down and kissed her as she looked up at him. "I suppose I know what you mean. Just do me a favor and warn me if you're not happy."

"I'm happy," she said. "Just a little beside myself. You know, when I made my mind to move to Chicago, I never pictured the course my life has taken since then. I wanted to get out of the humble South and move to the city. I didn't expect, nor did I want to pursue, something as grand as this. I just wanted to escape. Now look where I am. I think that's probably part of my problem right now. I just never could have dreamed this in a million years."

He chuckled.

"So," she said. "Your grandmother… you didn't say she'd be here."

"I didn't want to make you more nervous," he replied.

"You should have warned me. This is your father's mother, right?" she asked.

Alexander nodded. "That doesn't mean anything. I just want you to have an open mind with her. I think you'll be surprised."

"I hope you're right," Rory said.

"I am," he said. "Trust me?"

"I do trust you," she replied and pulled away from him.

Alexander sighed heavily behind her. "We should probably be headed down now."

Rory glanced at her watch. Sure enough, it was nearly one.

"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand. "She'll love you."

Famous last words, she thought, but didn't say them aloud. She didn't want to jinx it.

Alexander pulled her through the house and down two flights of stairs, coming into the dining room. This was the smaller of the two formal dining rooms, she remembered, from her tour. The far end of the table had three place settings prepared and it appeared entirely too formal for a lunch. She turned to look for Alexander but paused when she heard talking come from the other entrance into the room.

In the doorway was a younger woman wearing a smart business suit. She stepped into the room and held the door open for the next person, who was Alexander's grandmother. She was small and thin, but despite being bent over a cane, managed to retain a regal air about her. Her hair was smooth against her head and fastened into a bun at the nape of her neck. Either she or someone else had done her makeup. She wore a pale pink sweater set and slacks, a demure pearl necklace around her neck, and low heels.

"Nana!" Alexander walked across the room to meet her. He bent down to kiss her cheek. "Aren't you supposed to be using a walker?" He looked at the woman who had accompanied Alexander's grandmother into the room, saying something in Swedish.

The woman replied back. She didn't need to say anything in English; Rory could tell by her motioning to the old woman that she had tried to get her to use the walker, but the old woman had refused.

"Oh, you two hush up," said his grandmother in a strong voice. It wasn't Swedish, though. Like the butler she had met earlier, Alexander's grandmother was British. "I'm perfectly fine. See?"

To demonstrate her point, she picked up the cane and took a few unsteady steps before Alexander swooped in, taking her arm. "Nana, please use the cane. For me?"

"Oh, fine," she said, placing the cane back down on the floor. "Now where's this pretty lass I heard so much about last time you were here?"

"Over here, Nana," he said. He turned her to look in her direction and walked to her slowly. "Nana, this is Rory Fisher."

"Rory, huh?" she said. She squinted her eyes, looking her up and down for a minute. "Well, she certainly is pretty, Alexander."

Rory giggled nervously. "Thank you, ma'am."

"It's Nana," she instructed. "I don't answer to anything else, love."

"Nana," Rory repeated.

Nana smiled. "Come sit down, Rory. I am famished and need to eat something."

The woman removed her hold on Alexander's arm and instead took Rory's without being prompted. Rory grinned when she did, relaxing into being her crutch as they walked slowly to the table. She already felt better, though they had barely just met each other. Nana wasn't like Stellan at all. As a matter of fact, she was the exact opposite. How could she have ever raised a son like him?

Alexander pulled a chair out and Rory helped her sit into it before they each took a seat on either side of her. The woman who had come in with Nana stepped forward and spoke in Swedish. Nana replied back, sounding a little snippy. But Swedish nearly always sounded angry to Rory.

"That's Sonja," she said. "She's my aide."

Rory looked at the long-suffering woman who stepped back into the recesses of the room, hands folded in front of her as though she were waiting to be called to duty. A server appeared out of a side door with small plates of salad that he set down in front of each of them.

Her nervous stomach, however, refused to allow her to feel hungry. But she refused to be a poor guest and summoned up all the social graces and training she had received when she was teenager. Rory could remember the bitter arguments she and her mother had at that time. She had never wanted to be a part of the cotillion world, but her mother had insisted. And because her father didn't want to anger her mother, she'd been required to go through the process or face punishment.

She had been convinced she would never need that training. And really, most girls wouldn't ever need it in their life. But as she sat here now, munching on her salad and listening to Alexander and his grandmother converse with each other, she realized she was thankful to have had it. That her mother had forced her to go through all of it.

Somehow, it seemed like everything leading up to this point was meant to happen. She was meant to be a debutante against her will. That she was meant to go to a finishing school. Without any of that training, she would have been seen as an uncultured, unmannered American. But she wasn't, and it made the indoctrination into Alexander's world just a little bit easier.

She was thankful for any help she could manage to make this go smoothly.

"Now that we have that taken care of," Nana said, interrupting her thoughts. "Tell me a little bit about yourself, Rory."

Rory smiled. This woman seemed to have so much energy though she had to be older than Methuselah. It was infectious. And Rory, finally relaxed with her surroundings, couldn't wait to get to know her. Especially since it seemed like she meant so much to Alexander.

After answering a long list of questions, the conversation lulled into chitchat, mostly Nana checking up on Alexander and seeing how everything with the company was going. When the server exchanged their salads for the main course of their lunch, Nana turned back to her.

"Did any of your family serve in Europe in World War Two?" Nana asked, taking a bite of potatoes.

Rory nodded. "Two of my great uncles did. My grandfather served mainly in the Pacific."

"Ah," she said. "You know, I was a nurse on an English ship. That's how I met Alexander's grandfather."

"Really?" Rory asked. "But I thought Sweden was neutral in the war?"

She nodded her head. "They didn't provide any military help, but they paid a pretty penny to stay out of the war. Sweden shipped iron ore to Germany that whole time… you do know that Skarsgård Industries first began as a steel manufacturer, correct?"

"Yes," Rory said. "With Alexander's great-great-grandfather in the late nineteenth century."

"My husband, Edvard… Alexander's grandfather, was caught in a cross fire with a shipment that was taken out by Allied forces. He survived with some injuries and was brought on board my ship. I nursed him back to health and got to know him, but we left him in Sweden and I didn't think I'd ever hear from him again," Nana explained. "After the war, I was going about my life and getting ready to marry a groom of my father's choice. But then Edvard showed back up in England at the last minute. And you see the eventual product of that before you."

She motioned to Alexander who chuckled.

Rory laughed. "I do see it. And I'm grateful that Edvard came for you, albeit so late."

Nana nodded her head and leaned over conspiratorially, but didn't make any attempt to soften her voice. "Edvard was very attractive, you know. Alexander has always been such a doppelganger for him. Have you seen our portrait yet? In the gallery?"

"No," she replied. "We went on a quick tour around the house when we arrived. I didn't get a chance to really see much. But I will definitely go take a closer look. And then I'm going to go peruse the library."

"The library has been neglected for far too long," Nana said. "Don't asphyxiate from the dust clouds."

"Nana, you know the maids clean it all the time," Alexander interjected.

She shook her head. "Their standards are slipping, Alexander! That's what happens when you don't have good English household staff."

Alexander sighed and shook his head, obviously thinking otherwise but letting his elder have this argument. "You're right, Nana."

Rory smiled into her water as she took a sip. She set the glass back down beside her plate and listened to Nana and Alexander talk some more about the poor state of the house, especially now that Regina had moved out.

"She always took such wonderful care of the house, Alexander," Nana said. "That tart your father is with now… she doesn't do anything! It's really very upsetting that she has such a lack of care for the things she has been given when she never deserved them in the first place."

Alexander shifted uncomfortably in his seat and wiped his mouth with the linen napkin that had been on his lap. He set the napkin down beside the plate and leaned back in his chair. "Nana, you need to speak to Dad. I can't do anything and you know as well as I that he won't listen to anything I have to say."

"Oh, I've already spoken to him," she said. "But he's let her run positively wild long enough. He needs to shorten the lead on her."

Rory pursed her lips and met Alexander's gaze across the table. He grimaced.

"At times I wish your grandfather were still here to set him right," she said. "Your father is beyond listening to me now. He thinks I'm daft and batty."

"But you aren't, Nana," he said.

Rory could see the concern and care etching Alexander's face. He clearly didn't want to step in between this feud, but it was obvious he was worried about it. She knew that because of the man he was, he would mention something to his father, even if it meant he would likely be chastised for it.

"I feel like a stranger in my own house," she said.

Alexander sighed. "Nana, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," she said and reached out, patting his arm that rested on the table. "You were always a good boy."

Rory took another long drink of water as their lunch conversation quickly reverted back to pleasant, noncommittal topics for the duration. She loved this little old lady and her large personality; she just hoped Nana felt the same about her receiving the attentions of her clearly favored grandson. She didn't ever want to be seen in the way Marissa was. Was Nana just humoring her now? Would she lay into Alexander about it later?

A wave of anxiety coursed through her again, but she stuffed it down. It wasn't worth worrying about at the moment. Right now she would just focus on getting to know the woman and hope for the best. Only time would tell.

Chapter 24

As soon as she started exploring the shelves of the collection of literature the previous owner of this estate—and then his family when they had purchased it—had amassed over the centuries, Alexander knew he wouldn't be able to pull her attention away for any length of time unless it was absolutely important. Seeing her in her "natural setting" was gratifying to him, especially since he knew she was getting such joy from it.

He, however, was not getting the same amount of pleasure from sitting around and reading a book. Alexander sighed and closed the musty book in his lap. Glancing around the room, he found Rory in a seat at a small writing desk, poring over an old tome.

She used a capped pen to delicately separate two pages from each other without touching it with her bare hands. Using a tissue, she grabbed the very edge of the now lifted paper and flipped it once her eyes had finished scanning it. The aged, yellow parchment crunched as she lowered it into place. She cringed and sighed, muttering something under her breath to criticize how poorly most of these old books had been kept.

He stood up and walked over to her table. The book was nothing more than an old record book kept from the eighteenth century and it was entirely in Swedish.

"What do you find so interesting?" he asked. "It's just a bookkeeping ledger… in Swedish. You can't even read it."

"No, I can't," she said. "But that's not the point."

He laughed and reached out to point at a line. "One pound butter… 1 riksdaler. Potatoes…"

"Don't touch it!" she cried, shoving his hand away from the page. "Your skin oils will get all over it!"

Alexander moved his hand away. "It's just paper."

"It's not paper. It's vellum," she said. "Which makes it surprising that this is a bookkeeping ledger. This book would have been very expensive to use for that purpose. Vellum lasts for a long time if appropriately stored. We only use it today for important documents that we want to stand the test of time."

"Well, apparently someone really wanted the people of the 21st century to know that they needed butter from the market," Alexander said.

She pursed her lips and shook her head. "You don't understand, do you?"

Alexander looked at her for a long, hushed moment. No, he didn't understand the fascination with the book before her.

Rory gave him a displeased sigh. "This book," she began, "may not seem like much to you, but to an archivist… to a historian… it's everything. It tells us that the person who used this book was wealthy, because it's expensive vellum."

"I could tell you they were wealthy just from where we are," he said, motioning to the large library around them.

"But you told me this is a bookkeeping ledger," she said. "The information you can get from all of this… you can find out what food was being eaten at the time, what everything cost, you can probably even surmise the general health of the people this shopping list was for. Clearly, because they used vellum, they ran out of actual paper product, which was less expensive and easier to bind. There's just so much information here that historians could use… and none of it has been preserved correctly."

Alexander couldn't keep the smile from his lips as she gave him a dressing down for his flippant attitude. He deserved it. Had he stopped to really think it through, he would have probably come to the same conclusions, but the obvious passion she had for this was unmistakable. Not that he was surprised. This was her life's work—what she had gone to school to do with her life. It was only coincidence that had put her on the entirely different path to working as his assistant. He sometimes forgot that with as easily as she had slipped into the role.

Rory didn't belong with the company. She deserved more than being limited to fetching him coffee or keeping his schedule. There were so many grander things she could be doing with her time and with her expertise that he almost felt selfish now trying to keep her working for him. Would it be better just to let her go?

It was difficult to admit, but he was sincerely worried that she'd leave him if she wasn't around all the time. The thought was irrational at best. He knew she wouldn't leave him. Still, though, there was that pesky niggling in his brain that he indulged at times that told him this relationship with her was all too good to be true. He wanted to believe this would last with all of his heart, but he was a pragmatist. Past experience had taught him otherwise.

He sighed and stood up, running a hand through his hair. "You're right."

"What's wrong?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Nothing," he replied.

Rory sighed and turned back to the book. "I really need to learn Swedish."

He laughed. "Yes, you do."

"You know, there isn't much time we don't spend together. You happen to speak Swedish. You could teach me," she said.

"I suppose I could," he replied. "But I'm a terrible teacher. You could practice with me, though."

She shook her head. "You distract me too much."

"Do I?" he asked, bending down and capturing her lips.

She relaxed and returned the kiss for a short minute before pushing him away. "Now go away. You're bothering me."

"I'm bothering you?" he said and puckered his lips to kiss her again, but her hand shot between them, her palm against his face to forcibly move him.

"I'm serious, Alexander," she said.

He straightened back up and adjusted his shirt, feeling flustered. "You're so going to pay for that later."

When she didn't reply right away, he turned on his heels to walk toward the exit. But then she did. "I'll expect it," she said softly.

She didn't turn around to look at him, her nose in the book.

"We'll need to leave for dinner at six," he said. "Should I come get you or send George to let you know an hour before so you can get ready."

Rory chuckled. "I'm fine. I've got my watch."

Alexander nodded and left through the exit that led into the gallery that they'd stopped in earlier. He paused again in front of his grandparents' painting. It had been done right after they'd married in 1946. His grandfather stood behind his sitting grandmother, his hand protectively on her shoulder. Alexander didn't think he looked anything like his grandfather, but Rory had concurred that he did in fact look like him. Sure, their coloring was similar and they had the same sandy hair and tall, athletic physique. But that was all.

He shook his head. If there was one man he had wanted to model himself after, it was his grandfather. Though he'd always been strict, he'd never been emotionally bankrupt like his father seemed so often these days. There had been no doubt in anyone's mind that he had been unendingly in love with his grandmother and his grandmother with him. Even to this day, she still wore the same ring his grandfather had given her when he had shown up in England after the war. Alexander couldn't remember a time when he had ever seen her without it on her finger.

Would he and Rory last like they had? Or would they fall apart in a flaming ball of misery like his parents?

With a sigh, he turned back down the hall and walked through the house, letting his mind wander. He didn't really have anything to do, though there was always work that needed to be done. His attempts to divert Rory's attention to other naughtier pursuits had not even lifted off. Wandering aimlessly through the house hadn't been how he thought his afternoon would go.

Eventually, he found himself heading toward his grandmother's sitting room. He knocked softly with one knuckle on the opened door before stepping inside. His grandmother sat in her favorite easy chair, her thin fingers working two long knitting needles and soft-looking blue yarn. The clacking of the metal needles was rhythmic as she moved easily along one row. It surprised him that she was able to do it with her arthritic hands.

"What took you so long to get up here?" she asked. She looked up at Sonja who stood from her seat on the couch. "Tea, please, Sonja."

Sonja left them in peace.

"I was with Rory in the library," he answered and sat on the couch. "I got sidetracked."

His grandmother smiled and reached a stopping point on her project, sticking the needles through the ball of yarn and setting it beside her. She looked at him for a long moment through the large spectacles over her eyes. Finally, she removed and folded the arms up, placing them beside her as well.

"She threw you over for the books, didn't she?" Nana asked.

"She did," he said.

Nana laughed. "I like her."

Alexander chuckled and looked at his hands. "Do you? Really?"

"I do," Nana said. "Maybe a little wide-eyed, but that'll change as she becomes more a part of the family."

He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed back into the couch.

"You act as though you were worried I wouldn't like her," she said.

"Well, Dad…" he started.

She held up a withered hand to stop him before he could continue. "I love him. He's my son. But your father's an idiot, Alexander. You can't trust anything he says. He obviously isn't a good judge of matters involving the heart. If he were, he wouldn't be in his current position."

"But that doesn't help when he is in charge of everything," Alexander said.

"Alexander, love," she said softly, "you are in charge of you."

"Has he, um, said anything to you about denying me taking over the company?" he asked.

She sighed. "He has. He does have a point, you know. You shouldn't have pursued your assistant. But making you break up with her just because she slighted him isn't right."

Alexander nodded.

"Love, you do what you need to do," she said. "Love is so rare in this cold, cruel world. Don't sacrifice it because you feel you have to for your family. We'll love you whether you are a pauper or a prince. He can deny giving you the company, but you still have your trust. He has had no recourse over that since your twenty-first birthday. Your grandfather made sure of that fact when he created the trusts for all of you children."

She was right. From working for his father for the past ten years and his own investments, he had made a tidy sum to add to the initial trust. So much so, that he had been able to replace his initial investment money and live entirely off of his own profits. There was no reason he absolutely had to work, except that he refused to be idle. He'd go insane in no time with nothing to do. That life was meant for bums and socialites who would eat through their money in no time. He refused to give his father that satisfaction.

His grandmother smiled. "Rory will be a good partner for you, Alexander. She compliments you in many ways."

"She does," he replied. "She's unlike any woman I've ever met before."

"I'm very happy that you found someone, Alexander," she said. "I know how difficult it is to find someone who's genuine in our world."

Alexander nodded. "I was worried I was never going to find it."

Nana chuckled. "Don't you know? Just when you think there's no hope, something happens and proves you wrong."

"True," he said.

They looked at each other for a long moment, a pleasant grin on his grandmother's lips. It was somewhat of a relief to know that she was aware of everything that had been going on between him and his father, and that she agreed that he should do what he felt was right. Another weight felt like it was lifting off his shoulders.

"I want you to have something," she said after some time. She lifted her left hand and easily removed the large diamond ring from her finger.

"Nana," he said, "I can't take that."

"Yes, you can," she replied. "Your great-grandfather gave this to your great-grandmother, then your grandfather to me. It's tradition."

"Then why didn't Dad give it to Mom?" he asked.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Like I said, your father is an idiot. I offered it to him, but he didn't want it. He said he would find something else for your mother. So he found that twenty carat monstrosity that she never wore either because she was angry with him or because it was just too much for daytime."

Alexander took the ring from her and held it between his fingers, gazing into the still sizable flawless diamond. The reality of the situation set in and he felt slightly uncomfortable. It was strange to be holding this piece of his family's history in preparation of asking someone to be his wife.

"I haven't gone a day without wearing it since your grandfather asked me to marry him," she said, "but I'm sure its new owner will take great care of it."

"You're sure about this?" he asked.

Her gimlet eyes narrowed at him. "Yes. Are you sure about marrying her?"

"More than anything else that I have to decide in the next few weeks," he replied.

She nodded her head. "When do you plan to ask her?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "Probably after the board meeting. Christmas?"

"When you do finally ask her, you have to give me the chance to host a spectacular engagement party," she said. "With your mum's help, of course."

"Of course," Alexander laughed.

Sonja returned to the room them, carrying a tray of the makings of tea. His grandmother looked at him. "Will you stay for tea with me?"

"I wouldn't dream of leaving, Nana," he said.

He stood and offered his hand to help her out of the chair. She accepted his hand and they made their way slowly to the small table on the other side of the room where Sonja was setting up their tea service.

As he settled into his seat, he let out a long breath. Well, that part was done. Now he just had to face dinner with his mother. As he crossed each hurdle, though, to Rory's acceptance into the family, he felt more and more confident that he was making the right decision. If he wasn't, people wouldn't be so welcoming of her… or give him the heirloom ring to propose. That comforted him more than anything else could.

When he walked into his room later that afternoon, he was fairly certain he had died and gone to heaven. Rory had come back to the room before him and had clearly been through a shower as her hair was wrapped up in a towel, but she bent half over the vanity in the bathroom, wearing naught but a pair of tiny underwear and a matching lacy bra. She looked utterly delectable.

He walked over, wrapping his arms around her body and pulling her back against him. She let out a sound of surprise, but relaxed when she looked up at the mirror from fiddling with her contact case.

"You know, you shouldn't sneak up on me like that," she said. "I know martial arts."

He laughed, pressing his lips to her bare neck. "Yes, I know."

Rory sighed and lifted an arm up to circle around his neck. "But I'm out of practice. The last time I went kickboxing or anything was that night in New York."

"I think you could probably still kick my ass," he replied softly. "Did you have fun in the library?"

"I did," she said. "I found some old manuscripts in English. It was amazing."

Alexander smiled and kissed the shell of her ear, splaying his hands out over her abdomen. She turned in his arms, though, standing on her toes to kiss him properly. He reached down, slipping his hands beneath her rear to lift up and place her on the ledge of the counter. Rory let out a soft squeak of discomfort.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"The marble is cold," she said with a laugh.

His kissed her again. In an act that surprised him, she encircled his hips with her legs, using her heels to pull him closer. He couldn't help but drop his hands to her bare thighs, running his hands over them and up her torso to cup her cloth-covered breasts. Using his thumbs, he stroked through the fabric, her nipples tightening as she elicited a soft moan.

She broke the kiss. "We're on a schedule, Alexander. We don't have time for this."

"You're the one who started it," he said. "You wrapped your legs around me. I'm only complying."

Rory giggled and kissed him again, slipping her fingers just inside the waist band of his pants. Her hands slid across his waist looking for the belt buckle and stopped near the pocket he had slipped the ring into earlier. Realization shot through the haze of his lust and he grabbed her hands, bring them up to circle back around his neck.

He reached down himself and undid his belt and fly, pushing down his pants and boxers so they were out of her grasp and fell to the floor. Rory glanced down at him, not seeming to realize his quick diversion of her hands as her fingers burned a trail down his still-clothed chest and grabbed his hard length.

The towel on her head unwrapped and fell between them and he cursed under his breath when it stopped her movements. He grabbed it and tossed it aside. She giggled and bit her lip as her eyes met his through the long wet hair that had fallen in her face. He kissed her again, dipping his fingers between them, sliding them to her center.

She moaned into his mouth as his finger grazed her engorged nub and she bucked against him. "Alexander, I need you," she purred lowly. "Now."

Her voice was like honey to him and he couldn't help but comply with her entreaty. He grabbed her thighs again and pulled her out to him, causing her to drop her hands to the countertop behind her to support herself. Alexander tore away the offending fabric of her underwear in the process, dropping them to the ground with the increasing pile of clothes.

He stood up and leaned over, kissing her and grabbing her legs. She wrapped them around his waist again as he shifted up and into her. Rory's eyes closed as she fell into a rhythm, moving with his hips, rolling her own.

"Open your eyes," he said breathlessly. "I want to watch you."

Her dark lashes fluttered open to reveal the vibrant green beneath. He reached between them and ran a thumb across her center. She let out a cry of pleasure and sat up, reaching for him, pulling him down to her lips.

Her fingers slid up under the shirt that hadn't made it off his body, digging into his skin. Nails scratched slightly, urging him on. He struggled to find a place of Zen, to rein in his release as he waited for her to catch up to him.

Finally, she went rigid beneath him as she cried his name in a long breathless exaltation. Her heels held him steady for a moment, her body bucking against him. Watching her, feeling her do this, was his undoing. No mortal man would ever be able to resist it. He released into her, taking her lips as he gradually relaxed, his body sated and tired.

Alexander grabbed her into his arms and pulled her with him. As he slid from her, however, he realized what he'd done. "Rory… I…"

"What?" she asked, her fingers playing with the short hairs at the back of his head.

"We just… I didn't have protection," he said. God, he could be such an idiot at times.

Instead of growing angry, however, she merely met his eyes. "I know," she replied. "I don't care."

"Rory," he said, "you realize what this means."

"Yeah. I may or may not get pregnant," she replied. "Chances are I won't. But would it really be so horrible if I did?"

He paused for just a moment to think about it. Would it? He intended to marry her, after all. Marriage would lead to children eventually. But he also knew that though he was ready for marriage, he was not ready for children. Not right away. He didn't need that additional worry. They didn't need it.

However, if she did become pregnant, it wouldn't be that horrible. Not by a long shot. He'd love the child.

But none of this was what he wanted to be thinking about after just making love to his girlfriend.

She leaned up and kissed him again. "When we get back to the US, I'll make an appointment and start birth control so we don't have to worry about it. It's just really inconvenient to have to stop everything for you to go find condoms."

He'd give her that.

"I just don't want you to make rash decisions and then regret them later," he replied.

"I wouldn't regret this, Alexander," she said. "Not in a million years."

Alexander grinned stupidly. That made him feel better, if only slightly. It definitely meant she had forever on her mind, and that was all he needed to know.

"Now, we really need to get cleaned up and out the door. I don't want to give your mother a bad impression if we were to show up late to dinner," she said, lightly smacking his bare ass.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a laugh. He helped her down off the counter and she headed toward the toilet closet. Alexander bent to pick up his pants, verifying that the ring was still in his pocket. With a sigh of relief, he headed toward the closet to store the ring until later when he could find a suitable ring box to put it in for the trip back to the States.

[emberlydakota]

Her Boys

Part 1

Rory continuously stared down at the packet of papers that arrived the day before. She knew that this was a great possibility, which is why she gave him a choice in what he wanted to do. Being tangled up in his dynastic plan could lead him to be pushed away further than he already was.

And it did. For good.

It shouldn’t have come as a shock. She could see after that last night he wasn’t going to be with her. Maybe he was waiting for her to give him the option of being together. He was the one with the fiancee and he needed to leave on his own free will if he wanted.

Clearly, his choice was made when Logan hadn’t even bothered to call to let her know his decision. He over-nighted the papers to terminate his parental rights to the child, that gender hasn’t even been found out yet.

Now her growing baby would never know their father. A tear dripped off her face. Rory couldn’t help crying over the situation. This wasn’t how she expected her life to go. Only recently a paid employee, still living at home with her mother and her new husband, in her childhood bedroom that looks like a museum of her glory days.

She hadn’t expected the world of journalism to change. Everything was about click-baits. It didn’t matter the content as long as websites were getting their clicks. Rory struggled to find her place in this new world, following her job on the campaign trail and freelance jobs that took her all over the world.

Then Logan came back into her life, leading her to strike up the Vegas agreement, only keeping Paul as a cover when Logan was set up with Odette. To make matters worse, her grandfather passed away and Rory was just lost. Flittering around trying to make roots somewhere.

One bad decision left Rory pregnant by an engaged man. Now she has to deal with those consequences alone.

Knocking on her mother’s front door interrupted Rory’s thoughts. Pushing the papers aside, Rory stands up. Hand on her stomach, she frowns wondering who would be here. It was a surprise as she peeked out the glass to see three familiar faces. She hadn’t seen them since her final goodbye.

They smile sadly as she opened the door. She knew that they knew of the situation. Finn, being the closest, opened his arms wide, which Rory ran straight into. As her tears poured out, she felt more arms wrap around her.

“We got you, Rory,” Robert whispered. Somehow she knew with her boys, things will be okay.

Her boys were with Rory every step of the way during her pregnancy. It took Lorelei a while to get used to and before long they were part of the family. They helped her move into her new place making sure it was safe for their future niece or nephew.

Robert took over Rory’s diet, feeding her extra fruits and vegetables, much to Rory’s protests. He earned Luke’s approval for properly taking care of his stepdaughter when he wasn’t around to feed her. Robert also limited Rory’s junk food intake. In the evenings when the weather would permit, they would take walks around her neighborhood.

Colin with his crazy buying habits made sure Rory lacked for nothing. She had everything she could ever need, making having a baby shower useless. The day she found out she was having a boy, Colin went into overdrive, giving his credit card a workout. Rory fears that it is only going to get worse once her son is old enough to play with toys.

Finn alternates between being tolerable and intolerable. He was always willing to help Luke and Lorelei in setting up any furniture in Rory’s home, sometimes getting in the way. In his downtime, Finn would come up with a list of baby names. He was terrible at it or at least joking about it. Names such as “Dugal” or “Mort” would be texted to her in the late-night hours. His favorite was Finn Jr.

The day she went into labor, her boys happened to all be over. Each would make sure someone was always with her towards the end of her pregnancy. That evening they were watching a movie and she had not realized that she started labor early that morning until a contraction hit that made her yelp in pain. The boys were frantic, yelling over one another on what to do. Should they call an ambulance? Once she got them calm and her a fresh change of clothes they nearly left her in the house heading for the car.

When Dorian was born the next day a picture was taken. Rory and all her boys.

Part 2

Rory once again found herself flooded with tears. This time for an entirely different reason. Rory is attending wedding number three in four years. Her boys one by one found their perfect matches.

Robert was first after meeting one of Rory’s nurses after she delivered Dorian. Within a year the couple found matrimonial bliss.

Finn wasn’t far behind Robert who already had been seeing someone while Rory was in her late stages of pregnancy. He had everyone they wanted to be flown out to Vegas eight months after Robert’s wedding to tie the knot.

As for Colin, he was happy being single. Marriage wasn’t appealing to him after seeing his father’s many failed relationships in his nearly forty years of life. Which is why this day is surprising to many. He fell head over heels and had no problems proposing. Now they are less than an hour away for him to meet his bride.

“Put the tears away mother. Today is a happy day,” Colin teases fixing his bow tie.

“I know and I’m so incredibly proud. You all are going to be in the married club. You won’t need me anymore.”

Colin thought she was joking until he caught her expression in the mirror. Colin turned around. “Hey, that’s not true. We will always need you especially when we piss off our wives.”

“That’s very true,” the other two agreed.

“Maybe it’s time for you to start dating. Plenty of single men here tonight,” Robert offers.

After what happened with Logan, Rory was not eager to start dating again. Then she threw herself into motherhood, work, and book writing she made excuses when anyone would want to set her up. She wasn’t in love with Logan anymore but avoided him. She was still hurt by what transpired between them.

“I better go get Dorian and see where my mom found seats. Love you guys.”

The three men let things go for now as Logan arrived shortly after to check upon them. They still had their friendship with their old friend only it wasn’t the same after they learned he brushed off his responsibilities. Plus they made sure Logan stayed far away from Rory and her son.

It was during the reception where her boys sat around scotch in their hands and cigars hung from their lips. Finn spoke up.

“I think we should find someone to set up Rory with.” Robert and Colin quickly agreed. The question is with who? This led to an argument on who would be a better match for the woman who took care of them for the last twenty years.

“What about Cas?” Colin suggests. Caspian, a distant cousin of Colin and also works at the same company as Robert.

“Cas!” The men agree with excitement. “So do we just lock them up together somewhere?” Finn asks, earning glares from his friends.

“No. We need to come up with something that doesn’t involve some mild kidnapping,” Robert tells him. He taps his finger on the table, as he eyes the crowd trying to think of a plan of introduction.

“I don’t think we need to do anything,” Colin said, causing the other to look in the direction Colin was pointing discreetly.

A few feet away from them, Rory was trying to stop her son, Dorian from racing off without her. He wanted cake that his Uncle Colin had promised him. Right as Rory reached out to take his hand, her son ended up sprawled out on the floor. He inherited her gracefulness.

“You alright there buddy?” A man stopped and helped him up.

“I’m okay,” Dorian replies ready to take off again. “Thank you,” Rory tells the man, noticing how good looking he was. The first thing she thought was attractive. His pale green eyes are what she noticed first. A strong jawline, with just the right amount of scruff, very few men could pull off. He was a few inches taller than her. A good height. Rory blushed as she realized that she was checking this man out.

“No problem,” the man smiles at her. “Your son?” He questioned.

“Yes. Dorian here got excited about the cake,”

The man smiled wider. “One of the best parts of a wedding.”

“Mommy,” Dorian whined, not wanting to stand there a moment longer. Before Rory had a chance to say anything Finn whisked her son away. “Bye, you two. Go have fun, dance a little.”

Rory stood there dumbfounded, unsure what just happened. That was Finn for you.

“You know Finn?” Rory nodded her head slowly turning her head from her retreating friend. “We met at Yale. He’s been like my brother for a long time.”

“Ah.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Caspian, one of Colin’s cousins. I also work with Robert so I know that whole gang.”

Rory shook his hand. “Rory.” Caspian held onto her hand not letting it go.

“Well, shall we go dance? I believe that is what Finn told us to do?”

Just like that Rory found herself agreeing.

Part 3

Rory stood in front of a floor-length mirror smoothing out her dress. She was alone at the moment, everyone leaving the dressing room to give her a few minutes of peace.

A knock sounded on the door followed by hearing Finn bellow, “Darling, may we enter?”

She chuckles softly, calling them in. Her boys walk into the room and she slowly turned around.

“You look absolutely stunning, Rory,” Robert comments with a grin.

“Thank you, Robert. Colin, are you crying?”

Colin hastily wipes at his eyes. “No. You are losing it, Reporter Girl.” Finn clasps his shoulder. “Good if you were crying we all would be,” she hears him sniffle followed by Robert.

“Damnit, someone hand me a tissue before my grandmother throttles me for ruining my makeup before I walk down the aisle.”

Colin hands her his handkerchief. “It’s not too late to back out you know. We can get a car waiting out back in less than two minutes.”

Rory laughs. “I’m not surprised at that, but I think I’ll keep Cas. We do have children together.”

Rory and Caspian started dating shortly after Colin’s wedding. It was one of the best decisions she made. He got her like none of her other boyfriends. He stayed with her after she told him all about her not so great past. Most importantly he loved her son like his own. He was more than Rory could ever picture for herself. He was outgoing while enjoying a night in. He loved to joke and mock. She could also talk about books and current events with him without him getting bored or tuning her out.

He proposed just after a year together. Caspian didn’t let his failed first marriage stop him from falling in love again. Just four months later, Rory knew for sure she found the love her life when she found out she was pregnant. She was terrified after what happened with her first pregnancy. She was almost scared to tell him. Once she did she had nothing to fear. He was over the moon, happy.

They put their wedding on hold, deciding to wait until after Rory gave birth, much to Emily’s dismay. Now their daughter Lorelei Violet, or LV as they call her is eight months old. Once they wed, Caspian is going to adopt Dorian, making their family more official.

It took Rory a long time, but she finally found all her roots.

At the reception, she danced with her new husband. She felt light and happy.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?” The audience laughed when Dorian asked to dance with his mother. Caspian grinned and bowed out. “Certainly. There’s another pretty lady I want to dance with.

As Rory danced with her son, Caspian returned with LV in his arms swaying her side to side causing giggles to erupt. Rory stayed on the dance floor a while longer taking turns with each other her boys.

Rory may not know a lot. One thing for sure if she hadn’t met her boys all those years ago her life wouldn’t be what it is today.  

[shannaraisles]

Set In Darkness

Chapter: 69 Author name: ShannaraIsles Rating: M Warnings: Canon-typical violence Summary: She’s a Modern Girl in Thedas, but it isn’t what she wanted. There’s a scary dose of reality as soon as she arrives. It isn’t her story. People get hurt here; people die here, and there’s no option to reload if you make a bad decision. So what’s stopping her from plunging head first into the Void at the drop of a hat?

Visitors

"... writing in the hope that you are the woman my sister believes you to be. If she is correct, then you are Aurelia Dupuis, long thought dead by a mother who knows she did not fight hard enough to keep you. If you can find it in your heart to forgive a fool, I will beg for it when your father and I arrive at your Inquisition's headquarters three weeks' hence. Your hopeful mother, Judith Dupuis."

Rory stared at the letter in dismay. Lord and Lady Dupuis of Val Chevin were coming to Skyhold. It wasn't a distant worry anymore; it was a reality. And knowing the way the post worked in Thedas by now, she could make a pretty accurate guess as to when they would be here.

Two weeks, she thought. I've got two weeks to think of some way to handle this. The easiest way was also the hardest - to hold onto the fact that she didn't know them, didn't remember them. To break the hope Edith Trevelyan had planted in her sister's heart and cause them pain. But she wasn't sure she could do that. This mother, this father ... they weren't coming to Skyhold to show their support for the Inquisition. They were coming to discover if their daughter - a daughter who had run away from them in anger more than a decade before - might still exist; if that daughter might ever be able to forgive them for their mistakes that had driven her away. It would be better for everyone if they kept believing their daughter was dead ...

The baby moved beneath her hand, and she felt that line of thought shudder to a stop. I can't do that to them. I can't do that to my child. They deserved the bonds of family restored in this chaotic world where the worst could happen at any moment. But that meant she would have to talk to Cullen about this Thedosian past of hers, and admit that she remembered virtually nothing of it.

Her eyes rose involuntarily to look across the tower office, to where Cullen was quietly going over the deployment to the Western Approach with Rylen. No one had so much as blinked when the commander had set her up a desk and chair in his own office. Even without their marital relationship, it made sense to keep them working in proximity to one another. He needed her input on the health and well-being of his soldiers; she needed to know where they were going and what they would be facing in order to make certain their healers had adequate supplies for the task at hand. Much as she would rather be in the infirmary, working with her hands and heart, she wasn't stupid enough to put herself and her baby at risk with the heavy side of the work she enjoyed most. She was just going to have to put up with paperwork for the next few months, until she was recovered from the birth.

The tower's renovations had been finished in her absence, a few unexpected little additions insisted upon by Josephine included. The ladder had been replaced with a squared off set of steps that rose from the right of the battlement door and turned sharply at the wall to offer an easier route to the level above. The two windows had been knocked into the inner wall; the roof fixed. Those were what she had been expecting to find when she returned. What she hadn't expected were the thick rugs that covered the floor; the gentle partitioning of one small corner with a low bookcase, behind which was space for a small bed to be added at some point; the hanging brazier that would warm them when the weather turned cold again; the large chest of drawers that held a plethora of cloth nappies and baby clothes, as well as all the other little things necessary for a baby; the rocking crib, carved with griffons in flight, currently bearing a soft little winged nug tucked up beneath the new blankets. No one was admitting to having been involved, but she could see the hands of characters - friends - she knew everywhere in what had become a home. It was truly amazing to note.

Of course, it was going to be a while before everyone was back home. Kaaras had sent word from Crestwood that, while Hawke and Alistair would be dropping into Skyhold briefly on their way to the Approach, he wanted Cassandra and Iron Bull to join him as he headed for the Storm Coast to deal with darkspawn, red templars, and the Qunari's proposed alliance. All the little parts of the story were falling into place, and for once, she wasn't worried about the outcome of that part. Kaaras was a former mercenary himself; his loyalties had been trained to lie with his companions, not a faceless overlord like the Qun. Rory had no doubt that the Chargers would be coming home, and that meant Bull could finally be trusted completely, without reservation. That would please Dorian, too. Neither man was admitting to it, but she was certain there was more between them than an enjoyable tumble every night.

The by-now familiar rumble of the iron gate being raised vibrated through her feet from the stone. As one, the three people in the office glanced toward the gatehouse door, though none of them could possibly see who had arrived from here. Cullen rubbed his neck with a faint wince as he straightened. Rory caught his eye, one brow rising pointedly. He grimaced a reluctant smile in her direction, both of them ignoring Rylen's grin as he glanced between them.

"So I'll take these to the quartermaster and get that started," the Starkhaven captain said aloud as he picked up the sheaf of notes that had accumulated in his discussions with the commander. "We should be ready to move out when the Inquisitor returns."

Cullen nodded. "That is the intention, yes," he agreed. He shifted, rolling his shoulder as Rylen stepped smartly out through the door to the rotunda.

"Cullen ..." Rory began, but he was ahead of her.

"I know, I know," he said, a little more irritable than usual, but that was to be expected when he'd been hunched over his desk with Rylen for the entire morning. "A little air would do us both some good. I'm not the only one who has been working too hard."

She flushed, biting down on her defensive smile as he moved over to take her hand. The letter was hastily tucked beneath other papers on her desk as she allowed him to guide her onto her feet, needing the pause he offered as the blood drained from her head. These postural drops were getting more and more frequent, but apparently that was completely normal. She just had to take her time when she was rising to her feet, or she was going to faint. Not a good look for the senior healer of the Inquisition.

"I should rub your shoulders tonight," she told her husband, knowing perfectly well he was waiting until the color returned to her face. "You're getting stiff again."

He paused, one hand absently resting on the wide curve of her belly as the baby pushed at his palm. "And how will that help your back?" he pointed out. "You may be observant enough to spot my headaches at a hundred paces, but you're also groaning when you stand from sitting or lying these days, sweeting. Our little one in here is heavier than they seem."

"And only going to get heavier," she countered with a vague smile. "All right, I'll make a deal with you, commander. You let me rub your neck and shoulders, and you can rub my back and feet. Is that acceptable to you?"

He chuckled softly, bending to kiss her temple with gentle lips. "As a start, yes. Shall we go and see who has arrived?"

"Oh, yes, let's go and gawp at the newcomers," she agreed. Let's pretend you didn't notice me scowling at my mail.

Together, they slipped out of the door that lead to the rotunda walkway, pausing to look down at the courtyard below and see just who it was that had arrived. Rory felt her face light up in a bright smile as her eyes spied Garrett Hawke, staff resting over his shoulder, one elbow resting with familiar comfort on Fenris' shoulder. She heard Merrill before she saw the elven mage, the squeal that announced they'd been spied out from below and drew her eyes to the effervescent bundle of sweetness that was the former First, bouncing up and down and waving her arms to get their attention. But even as she waved, she felt Cullen stiffen at her back.

"What is it?"

Twisting to look up at her husband, she frowned in surprise to see his face a little paler than usual. A knot had settled between his brows - very small, but a very clear sign of unexpected tension. What has he seen down there that's got him riled up? Cullen cleared his throat, making a visible effort to relax his stiffness, and nodded to someone below. Rory turned to look down, finding herself looking at a Grey Warden nodding back to the commander. Blonde hair, handsome, sword and shield ... The penny dropped.

"Andraste's knickers, that's Alistair Theirin!" she squealed, and abruptly went bright red as the man himself grinned. "He heard me. Oh, holy hell, kill me now ..."

Beet-red, she closed her eyes, expecting to hear Cullen laugh at any moment. But the laugh didn't come, Still a little embarrassed that she'd fangirled out loud, she opened her eyes to tilt her head toward her husband. His frown was deeper now, beautiful amber-lit eyes glancing between her and Alistair below them with what might almost have been resigned suspicion.

"What's wrong?" she asked, prodding his arm to get his attention back to her. "You look like someone kicked your mabari."

It was rather sweet, really, the effort he made to school his expression and try to hide the obvious concern now inhabiting his mind. The frown was swept clean; he forced a brighter look onto his face, even managing a smile. Ignoring her now suspicious look, he reached to lay a hand at her back, turning her toward the rotunda with a glance over his shoulder. Almost as though he wants someone to see that we're ... Oh. My. Gods. Cullen Rutherford is having a jealous moment.

"Nothing is wrong," he attempted to assure her. "Shall we go down and meet them? It seems you are a little excited by the prospect of meeting one of the heroes of Ferelden."

Uh-huh, she thought to herself as he ushered her inside and through the rotunda. You're trying too hard, love. He might well be Alistair, but it's your world I'll be attempting to rock tonight. She couldn't say that out loud where others could hear, though; Cullen didn't really appreciate being reassured in those terms for an audience. And she did want to meet Alistair. Who wouldn't? He was her first Dragon Age love interest, and he got so much yummier to look at in Inquisition. And he was here!

The main hall was slightly emptier than usual as they passed into the wide space. No Varric at the fireplace, fewer Orlesian nobles lingering in the warmth. The nobles were actually crowded around the doorway, no doubt eager to catch a glimpse of the Champion of Kirkwall, and maybe even Warden Alistair. Josephine was deep in conversation with a dwarf near her own office door.

Rory did a double-take - the dwarf was familiar, somehow. Black hair, pale skin, tattoo over her right eye; but it was the armor that caught her attention, and the daggers on her back. Now where do I know you from, she wondered. A faint flicker in the dwarf's smile caught her attention, and suddenly she knew. The clearing outside Haven, the man who had wanted to rape her ... the dwarves who had saved her life by taking his. Well, well, Malika Cadash as I live and breathe. All four potentials accounted for, alive and well and going about their daily.

Movement around the door was changing, the nobles at the back stumbling over each other to get out of the way as the towering height of Garrett Hawke made a silhouette against the sunlight. There was no need to guess who was with him - they could hear two of them from here.

"You do know there are better ways of making a path than shoving, right, Hawke?"

"He has to shove, Varric, I want to see the - ooooh, Rory!"

The shove parted, and Merrill came barrelling into view, skipping delightedly across the floor to plant both hands on Rory's bump in absolute delight. Behind her, Garrett was grinning at something Fenris murmured to him, glancing back to make sure the fifth member of their small company was present as Varric threw his pack underneath his accustomed table and sank into a chair.

"Dragons," the dwarven storyteller muttered. "Always damned dragons."

"You're so big!" Merrill was busy exclaiming. "And round, and - oh! It moved! Hawke, you have to feel the baby move!"

"Perhaps you could greet the woman carrying the baby before you start demanding everyone touches her," Fenris suggested, laying his own pack on the table by Varric.

"That would be the polite thing to do, vhenan," Garrett pointed out with a warm smile, offering his hand to Cullen in hello. The two men were still wary of one another, but they had apparently decided to bury the hatchet during Hawke's last visit to Skyhold.

"Am I being rude?" Merrill's big eyes turned back to Rory, filled with worried apology as she snatched her hands back. "I'm so sorry, I didn't want to be rude. Is it rude to touch humans without asking?"

Rory couldn't help smiling. Being mad at Merrill was about as close to kicking a puppy as you could get. "It's always best to ask first," she told the elven woman. "But of course you can touch the bump. It's a lot bigger than it was."

"But that's a good thing," Merrill insisted, palms already back on the moving surface. "Big babies are healthy babies. Only you don't want them too big, or they don't come out right. Do you have a midwife? I can deliver babies, you know. I don't know much about human babies, but they don't have horns or anything, do they?"

Rory bit her lip around her smile as she heard Garrett chuckle behind the little elf in front of her. "No, they're just slightly bigger than elf babies," she promised Merrill cheerfully. "I thought you were going to the Western Approach with Hawke, though?"

"Oh, he won't let me." Merrill snorted, shaking her head. "Fenris can go, but not me."

"Because you're a mage," Fenris pointed out a little irritably.

"That doesn't mean I'm useless!" the little elven woman snapped back. "Hawke's going."

"And if I had a choice, I wouldn't be," Garrett said placatingly. "But I have to do this, Merrill. You know that."

"I think if anyone had a choice, they'd avoid what's happening in the Approach," a new voice offered.

Well, new to anyone who hadn't heard it before. Rory's inner fangirl did a triple back-flip with a perfect dismount from her happy place as the first syllables dropped into place. She knew that voice. That voice had told her he loved her so many times; had drawn her out from one of the darker periods of her life just by being so wonderful. She felt Cullen's hand touch her back again as Alistair Theirin stepped close to them, tilting her head back to look up at the first Grey Warden she'd ever developed a knicker-tingling crush on.

He wasn't smiling, but there was a familiar sense of being pleased with what he found that radiated from his handsome face as he looked to everyone in the odd little tableau they presented. Cullen cleared his throat.

"Alistair." He greeted the man with a nod. "Welcome to Skyhold."

"Cullen." Alistair sounded surprised, but impressed, to see a familiar face that he had not been expecting. "It's good to see you. No longer caging mages, I see."

Cullen flinched imperceptibly, and Rory suddenly remembered the last time Alistair and Cullen had seen one another. Ten years ago, when the Hero of Ferelden liberated Kinloch Hold. No wonder he's so tense.

"No, I ... that is not my function any longer," the commander managed quietly, his fingers flexing against Rory's back. "You will be joining us in the war room, I take it? We will need your assessment of the situation."

Alistair nodded, his expression solemn, but his words definitely teasing. "At last! The wonders of my unsurpassed mind are needed for the delectation of the great and powerful!"

Rory snorted with laughter, glancing up to find Cullen suppressing the urge to roll his eyes and sigh. Oh yeah, headcanon! They pretty much went to school together! And apparently drove each other up the wall, but that was beside the point here.

"I'll have someone find you a place to sleep, and see about getting you something to eat," was what Cullen eventually came out with. "Are you well? Do you need to see a healer?"

Alistair shook his head vehemently, but Garrett got there first. "He's got a gash on the back of his right shoulder that smells awful."

"I can take a look at that, if you want it. That is, need it. I do ... cuts."

It wasn't until she realized both Alistair and Cullen were looking directly at her that Rory registered that she'd spoken at all. Bloody inner fangirl overriding my mouth. Alistair was looking her over with a half-grin, no doubt linking her up with the squeal from the courtyard; Cullen, on the other hand ... He looked conflicted. Yes, she was the healer, and yes, she was a good healer, but he seemed very reluctant to volunteer her services to the Grey Warden. Really? she thought. Does Alistair really make you that defensive?

"And you are?" Alistair asked, glancing to Cullen.

Before Rory could open her mouth, the commander had wrapped his arm about her waist, pulled her close to his side, and spoken. "Warden Alistair, may I introduce my wife, Rory Rutherford, senior healer to the Inquisition?"

To his credit, Alistair didn't blink, or looked openly surprised. His expression creased into what seemed to be a truly delighted smile. "It is a true pleasure to meet you, Mistress Rutherford," he said, his voice unexpectedly warm as he bowed to her. "And congratulations, Cullen - both on your marriage, and your child. You, of all people, deserve a happy ending."

Rory felt Cullen relax, recognizing the hesitation before he spoke as a sign that the reaction to his somewhat possessive introduction was not what he had expected. "Thank you, Alistair. Rory ... should you look at the injury now, or later?"

A little surprised to be asked, but appreciating it, nonetheless, Rory relaxed with her husband. So ... insecure, not jealous. I can fix that. I think. "When you have a moment, Warden Alistair, I will look at your injury." She nodded along with Cullen's assessment. "If it is infected, as Hawke seems to think, it will need a few days of tending to heal appropriately."

Alistair grimaced, unconsciously rolling the offended shoulder with a wince. "Then it would appear I am here for a few days," he admitted. "Shall I seek you out when I am prepared, mistress?"

"That would probably be best," Rory agreed, leaning absently into Cullen's side. the fangirl seemed to have decided to lurk for the time being, shoved out of the way by the more watchful grown-ass woman who could see potential for angry words a mile off. It didn't stop her from smiling broadly as she added, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Warden Alistair."

"As it is to meet you, Mistress Rutherford." Alistair inclined his head to her. "I shall have to tell you all about the teenaged exploits of your Chantry boy here."

She laughed, glancing up at her husband to find his expression frozen in a vague grimace of a wary smile. She knew very little about Cullen's teenaged years; Alistair, apparently, knew lots. And I have an excuse to get him half-naked! Her smile deepened as she looked between them.

"Oh, I look forward to it. Until later, Warden Alistair."

The inner fangirl squealed happily. This is going to be awesome!

[shannaraisles]

Set In Darkness

Chapter: 43 Author name: ShannaraIsles Rating: M Warnings: Canon-typical violence and threat Summary: She’s a Modern Girl in Thedas, but it isn’t what she wanted. There’s a scary dose of reality as soon as she arrives. It isn’t her story. People get hurt here; people die here, and there’s no option to reload if you make a bad decision. So what’s stopping her from plunging head first into the Void at the drop of a hat?

Senior Moment

"They arrive daily, from every settlement in the region ..."

The familiar line of dialogue caught Rory's attention. She glanced up from her notes, unable to keep herself from smiling as she saw Cassandra and Kaaras standing nearby, watching the newest arrivals greeting those who milled about in the lower courtyard. Come to think of it, there were more people in evidence all of a sudden. Not that Skyhold didn't have a surprisingly large population already, but usually everyone was busy at some task or other. It was slightly strange to see so many just loitering, but then, why wouldn't they? Today was the day the Inquisitor would be named and invested. Everyone wanted to be the first to know who their new leader would be.

Ever since the news had been spread that an Inquisitor had been chosen, the subject had been on everyone's lips. It was a way to pass the time as they worked, the debate going back and forth as centuries of neglect and disrepair slowly began to clear away under determined hands. They'd taken possession of the fortress two weeks ago, and already the place was beginning to resemble the home base she remembered from the game. Most people were still living in tents, both here and in the city below, the courtyards crowded with canvas walls. There were injured still to care to - mostly soldiers who had taken damage while clearing out the spiders - but far fewer of them than she had expected. Some were dying, and she was hoping for an unexpected cure; others just needed care to rally and recover. And if, as had happened on occasion, she went to a dying man or woman only to find their throat neatly split, it didn't alarm her. She knew Cole was lurking around here, drawn by the pain and his need to help.

"Last chance to place your bet, Ror," the familiar cadence of Rylen's Starkhaven brogue drew her attention. She looked up to find her friend grinning down at her.

"And I maintain it's not gambling when we all know who it's going to be, anyway," she pointed out with a smile, setting her notes aside to stand with him. There was definitely a crowd forming now. She nudged Rylen teasingly. "What I really want is to know is this ... when are you going to ask her?"

The captain actually blushed, glancing away with a secretive smile. "Tonight," he told her quietly. "I called in a few favors. I want it to be perfect."

"You silly sod." She laughed affectionately. "It'll be perfect no matter how you do it. Because it's you, and she loves you, in case you hadn't noticed."

"Aye, but she's a noble, Rory," he countered, nervous and uncertain. "I've no way to offer her the life she's used to."

"The life she's used to is the one she's been living for the last six months," Rory reminded him pointedly, glancing up as a murmur from the crowd around them heralded the arrival of Leliana on the parapet, bearing the sword of the Inquisitor. "A life with you, no matter the hardship."

"I can't give her the luxuries she deserves," he fretted, shaking his head with a frown.

"You're not listening," she chuckled, rolling her eyes at her friend.

"No, I'm not," he agreed, his inked face creasing in a sheepish smile. "But don't stop telling me I'm a silly sod. It helps."

Rory snorted with laughter, any chance to answer lost as first Cassandra, then Kaaras, came into view. A series of cutscenes that lasted about ten minutes on the computer, and had actually taken closer to a month in reality, were about to reach their culmination in the acceptance of a Qunari as the leader of the Inquisition. It was a satisfying moment in the game - at least, she thought it was; it had been a very long time since she'd even seen a computer - but after all this time, all this work; after all the prejudice and violence and plain stupidity he had faced, it was a privilege to watch as Kaaras Adaar accepted the honor and responsibility he was offered. To be one of many who cheered with true enthusiasm to celebrate him as their Inquisitor.

"So," Rylen said as the crowd dispersed around them in the aftermath of the investiture, "d'you really think I've a chance? Truthfully now."

Her face aching from her own smiling cheers, Rory turned to her friend with honest eyes. "I wouldn't be encouraging you if I didn't," she assured him with absolute certainty. "Just be yourself, Ry. That's the man she loves, not some mask you might put on to impress her."

"It's disgusting how you always speak sense when it comes to my relationship," he informed her fondly. "And give up no details about your own."

"It's a gift," she drawled, bending to catch her notes before a gust of wind could scatter them all over the yard. "You'd better scoot before she comes by, or you're going to blurt."

"Aye," he agreed, flashing her a warm grin. "Make a wish for me tonight, Ror. I need all the help I can get."

"Anything for you, captain."

He chucked her cheek gently as he turned away, leaving her smiling to herself as she sat back down in the afternoon sunlight to concentrate on her writing. It was still cold - still winter - but somehow the sun beat down warmer on Skyhold. She had no idea why; it could be a consequence of the altitude, or it could be magic. Whichever it was, she wasn't complaining. A little warmth after too many days spent freezing was more than welcome. Summer might not be so pleasant, but she'd cross that bridge when she came to it.

So Rylen was going to propose to Evy. About time. Rory had done her level best to plant the idea and encourage him; it was rather exciting to know he was going through with it. She was in no doubt as to what Evy's answer would be, and despite the younger woman's sometimes retiring nature, she also knew her friend would fight tooth and nail to make sure no one took Rylen away from her. It was truly lovely to see their relationship progressing ... but it made her wonder a little about her own. She loved Cullen - hell, she'd been halfway there before any of this had happened - and for the first time in her life, she had no doubts about whether the man she loved, loved her. But where did they go from here? She still had no idea if this was really real, and even if it was, should she be making a life with him? She might disappear at any moment. What would that do to him? A loss like that might set him back years, but it would be salvageable if she was only his lover. Wouldn't it? Wherever she might end up, her worry was all for Cullen. But if she had the choice ... This was home now. He was her home. She'd give anything to stay.

The sound of a throat clearing got her attention as a shadow fell across her lap. She lifted her head to find Roderick waiting patiently for her acknowledgement.

"Chancellor," she greeted him politely. "How can I help you?"

"I believe the more appropriate question is, how may I help you?" he countered, taking her invitation to sit with gratitude. The wound he had taken in Haven was almost healed, but he needed time to rebuild his strength and fitness. "I have been granted a position within the Inquisition. The commander believes my talents are best suited to logistics."

That did make sense. For years before the Conclave, Roderick Asignon's life had revolved around calm and order, the organizing of the Divine's day-to-day. They had a quartermaster to procure equipment and supplies, but what happened to all that when it was delivered to the Inquisition, especially if it was not specifically military? Putting a man who clearly excelled at keeping things moving smoothly in charge of such things seemed like a very good idea. Rory felt a swell of pride in Cullen for thinking of it.

"I'm pleased you've changed your mind about us," she said discreetly. "About Kaaras."

"I was wrong," the cleric said simply in reply. "I will apologize to the Her - the Inquisitor, when I can. But for now, I am gathering information on the needs of the fortress and the city. As you have been named officially as the senior healer, it is to be assumed that you know what you are lacking."

"Just about everything, to be honest," Rory told him with candid resignation, ignoring the comment on her promotion. She hadn't wanted it, but no one would let her argue about it. "Our limited resources are running low already. I can make you a list, if you'd like."

"That would be most useful." Roderick nodded as he spoke, evidently approving of her suggestion. "I understand that you and a small staff will be remaining in the fortress. Do you keep contact with the healers in the city?"

She snorted wryly. "I don't have much choice - they send me daily reports," she admitted in a rueful tone. "Whatever I put on the list is needed down there, as well."

"Then you are able to put together an order that will cover the needs of both the fortress and the city?" he queried, impressed when she nodded confidently. "You are more organized than I had given you credit for, healer."

Uncertain whether that was a veiled insult or not, she ignored it. "Even if we had all the resources, what we desperately need are apothecaries and alchemists," she confessed worriedly. "We're capable of making the potions ourselves, of course, but it takes us away from our patients."

"I see." The chancellor frowned, his expression pensive. "I did not realize we were lacking such a vital asset."

"In Haven, we only had Adan and his assistant," Rory said, her eyes clouding as she remembered the alchemist's terrible death - a death he had suffered because his instinct had been to save her. "They ... they didn't make it."

"Let mine be the last sacrifice," he intoned softly, giving her a moment to compose herself before he spoke again. "We shall honor their loss with lives well-lived, healer. I will speak with Lady Montilyet about extending an invitation to the guilds. If you could put together a list of the supplies you need, I will liaise with the new quartermaster on your behalf."

"You could always buy direct from a reputable businessman."

Rory frowned as she looked at the source of that uninvited interjection. Seggrit had come out of Haven without a scratch on him, despite having been rescued from a burning building. And despite owing his life to Kaaras, he was still calling her friend an oxman behind his back, a man very much at home with racial slurs and the ways he could use them to best effect. Not only that, but she could have sworn he was following her around as they settled into Skyhold, always within earshot of her as she worked, always at the edge of her eye-line. The only time she didn't see him was when she curled up in her bedroll at night, and she had a sneaking suspicion that was because Cullen was invariably at her side.

Roderick gave him a cold look. "Such as you, I suppose?" he asked archly. "A man who listens blatantly to words not meant for him is hardly reputable. And you are no longer a recognized supplier to the Inquisition. We now have access to honest traders."

Seggrit flushed angrily, but held his tongue, casting an ugly glare at Rory as he stalked away. She shifted uncomfortably. She couldn't have said exactly why, but that man's presence was distinctly unwelcome to her. She didn't feel safe when he was around. At her side, the chancellor snorted at the merchant's retreat.

"What an odious toad of a man," he muttered, rising carefully to his feet. "I will return tomorrow for that list, healer. I trust that gives you enough time?"

"Plenty, chancellor, thank you."

"Well, then ..." he nodded to her animated in his pursuit of order. "Walk in the Maker's light."

Well, that was ... interesting. Rory glanced down at her notes, and groaned suddenly at the sheer amount of paperwork she had to do. Leliana wanted the names of the entire complement of healers and nurses; Cullen wanted a full accounting of the injured and their expected recovery times; Josephine was eager to know when they would be able to hold clinic for their visitors again; these notes needed to be written up and filed; and now she had a stock-list to compile as well. Good gods ... I'm not just sleeping with Cullen.

 I'm turning into him.