Chapter 7 – Rory
The next morning, I woke to the sound of the landline phone ringing. I reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Ror, thank god!" It was my Dad.
"Dad? What's wrong?"
"Your mom's been trying your cell."
"Oh I must have left it downstairs. Is everything okay?"
"No its Richard. You need to come to Hartford." My dad said. "Your grandpa had a heart attack this morning. He didn't make it."
"Okay…umm I'll be there as soon as I can." I said and hung up the phone. I sat it back on the table.
I felt the Colin shift on the bed. "Ror, what's wrong?" He asked me.
"Grandpa had a heart attack. He didn't make it. I have to go to Hartford." I told him. I stood up and walked to my closet. I pulled my suitcase down from the top of the and began packing.
"You want me to go with you?" Colin asked me.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his neck. "That would be great. Your amazing, you know that?" I said.
"I try." He kissed my forehead. I'm going to go home, shower and grab some clothes and I'll be back to pick you up."
"Thank you. I love you."
He kissed me. "I love you too." He got dressed and left. I went into the bathroom. I showered and got dressed. I took my bags downstairs and left them by the front door. I went in search of my cell phone. When I found it I had about 15 missed calls. I called the paper to let them know that I would be gone for a week for a funeral. They had no problem giving me the time off. A short while later, Colin returned and we headed to Hartford. We headed straight for Grandma's. The maid let us in. Mom was the first one that we found. "Mom." I said.
She pulled me into a hug. "Hey sweets." Mom said and then looked at Colin. "Hi Colin." When mom let go I wrapped my arms around Colin's waist.
"Hi Lorelai. Is there anything that I can do?" Colin said.
"Not at the moment. I'm sure mom's got a list going." Colin and I both nod.
Colin and I find our way to the living room. We find Dad and Luke both sitting there drinking. "You want a drink babe?" Colin asked me.
"Yes please." I said and sat on the couch next to my dad. "Hey dad." I said and he pulled me into a hug while Colin was fixing me a drink.
"Hey kid." Dad says. When Colin returns he and Dad shake hands. "Chris Hayden."
"Colin McCrae."
"Andrew's son?"
"Yes sir." Dad nods.
We all sit around for a while before Grandma emerges from Grandpa's study. I stood up. "Grandma." I said.
She looked up at me. "Rory, good. Come with me. Hello Colin." Grandma said.
Colin stood up and held Grandma's hand. "I'm so sorry about Richard. Can I help with anything?" Colin asked Grandma.
"Actually yes." Grandma said handing Colin a list. "If you could take care of this that would really help. Thank you Colin."
"Of course." Colin said. "Some friends are coming soon. I'll get them to help as well. We'll take care of it Emily." Colin said, kissing my cheek and excusing himself.
I follow Grandma back into Grandpa's study. She sat in his desk chair and me on the other side. "Rory, I have a very important matter to discuss with you." She said and I nodded. "Your grandfather named you as his successor."
"Your kidding." I asked and Grandma shook her head. She slid a file towards me. I opened the file. $700,000,000? Is this for real? "Wow…um…okay"
"Just sign the paper and the money will be transferred to your trust fund."
I quickly sign the paper and walk back out to the living room. I grabbed mom and pulled her into the hallway. "What's up?" She asked.
"Grandpa named me his heiress." I said.
"What?" Mom looked shocked. "Your kidding?" I shook my head. "Babe, you just became a double heiress. Strobe left you everything a few years ago and now Dad. Wow… So how much does that make you worth?"
"5 billion."
"What?" I heard Colin's voice behind me.
I turn around. "Come here." I said pulling him outside with me. I told him everything. "Say something."
"Wow."
"Sentences would be helpful."
"It's a lot to take in Ror." Colin said.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him to me. "I know it is. I didn't tell you about the Hayden's because it doesn't change who I am. Col, I love you. This changes nothing." I said locking my eyes with his.
He kissed my . "Your right. Except now you'll be in the paper more. But I grew up like that and it's a small price to pay as long as I have you in my life." He leaned down and kissed my lips. When you pulled he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "I love you."
The week flew by and Colin and ourselves back in Boston. Everything with Colin was perfect. He was supportive of anything that I wanted to do…or not do. Once the announcement came out in the paper about my newfound title, the phones wouldn't stop ringing. A month later, Colin and I found ourselves getting ready to go to New York for Logan and Steph's engagement party. I was nervous because I knew at some point I would bump into Mitchum and Shira. Colin and I tried our best to steer clear of them, despite the glares they kept sending our way.
I found myself at the bar, while Colin was talking to his Dad. I had just ordered my drink, when I was looking around the room and found Colin. I waved at him and he smiled.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen him this happy." Logan said as he walked up to meet me at the Bar. "Or you."
"Thanks Logan. We are. Despite family obligations." I said taking a sip of my drink.
