Just wanted to apolagise for the delay in uploading this, had so much going on and my internet has been down so i've been unable to come on here at all :( Also, i've been on holiday and doing other various things! But hopefully this will make up for it, quite a lot happens in this chapter :) So as always, let me know what you think! Your reviews are reeeeeally appreciated and honestly do brighten up my day!
Chapter 7 - Would That be so Bad?
Logan and Rory were sitting in the back of a cab, stuck in traffic on their way to meet Mitchum at an Italian restaurant. Emily hadn't been very happy about them cancelling dinner but that wasn't surprising. They promised to definitely be there next week and apologised profusely.
10 minutes late, they walked infto Portifino, the Italian restaurant, and quickly made their way over to the table that Mitchum, Honor and Josh were sitting at. As they reached the table Logan said "Sorry we're late, we got stuck in traffic"
"Looks like being on time for last night's dinner really was a onetime thing" Honor joked. Logan just rolled his eyes in a playful manner.
"That's quite alright son! Take a seat, both of you. Let's order some wine" He said, trying to gain the attention of a waitress.
Logan gave Rory a weird look. Why was his father being so nice and personable? He normally would have complained about how rude it was to be late. He thought this whole thing was rather odd, why did his father want to see them? He'd only seen them last night! And why on his own? Why wasn't his mother there if he has something important to tell them?
Before he could give it too much thought, the waitress brought over a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. "So, how was your day son?"
He really is acting strange! Logan thought before replying. "Not bad, just hiring people and starting up the new business"
Mitchum grimaced slightly. "Always a challenge" He said, wanting to end the conversation about Logan's new job. "And you, Rory?"
"Well I'm looking for a job at the moment so this week I've just been unpacking and sorting out the new apartment" She answered politely.
Mitchum nodded and Honor said "Dad, just cut to the chase"
"Yeah, what was so important that you had to see us tonight? What's the big news?" Logan chimed in, wanting to know what his father had to tell them.
Mitchum cleared his throat "Well, this will probably come as a shock to you. It wasn't something I even anticipated." As he paused everyone just looked at him expectantly. "You see, your mother and I... we're getting a divorce"
No one said anything. Everyone at the table just sat there and starred at Mitchum as if he'd said he was really a women or something!
The first to break the silence was Honor. "What...!? I don't understand" She said, gesticulating in frustration. "You and mom aren't exactly a model couple or deeply in love, but that's no secret, that's the way it's been for years! What's suddenly changed?"
"Well I realised that's not what I want anymore. I don't want to be stuck in a loveless marriage! And last night after she'd said all those things to you, Rory, I just realised that I couldn't be with her anymore. She's walking around as if she owns the place and in reality that's not accurate. It's my house and I don't need, nor want, someone telling my guests that they aren't welcome in my house. Maybe being married to her is what society thinks is 'the proper' thing to do but I don't want that anymore. I'm a new man, I'd like to change a few things in my life" The table was silent. "Starting with my relationship with my kids"
Logan just stared at him in what can only be described as disbelief. "I haven't done nearly enough for either of you as you were growing up and haven't supported you as you've needed in your latter years. I'd like to change that, I really am sorry" Mitchum explained, looking deadly serious.
After a few seconds Logan spoke up for the first time since Mitchum had revealed the news. "Are you serious!?" He hissed at his father. Before giving him time to respond he continued. "You think you can just apologise and say you want to change things and everything will magically be straightened out!? Well I have news for you, it can't!"
"Logan, just listen-"
"No! You listen to me!" He said, pointing at himself. "You treated us, me in particular, like crap! Forget the fact that you were never there for us as children, since then you've done everything in your power to make my life a living hell! You sent me to London, away from my girlfriend, even though I begged you not to make me go! You only came to the hospital to see me after I almost died, when Rory yelled at you. You take every opportunity you can to yell at me and tell me what a failure I am, and what a let-down to the family I am. Well guess what dad, I've finally learnt to not care. I used to try and understand why you did it. But not anymore. I don't care anymore You can say and do whatever the hell you like, because it doesn't matter to me anymore. So say whatever you want, it won't change anything" He wasn't yelling anymore, his voice was even and full of disappointment.
"Don't you think I know how much of a crap father I've been to you?" Mitchum asked quietly, trying to make eye contact with Logan who was looking down at the table. "I don't know why, I honestly don't. All I know is that I will do anything in my power to try and make things right between us. I can't change the past, believe me, I wish I could, but I can't. But I can decide what I do in the future. Logan, I just want to start over, please just give me a chance" For the first time since she's known the man, Mitchum actually looked vulnerable.
Logan was about to argue back "It's not that easy..." but was cut off by Honor.
"Look, let's just drop it for now, ok? So, dad, when's Mum's leaving?"
"She left this morning actually" Mitchum told them.
The rest of the dinner passed without much excitement. They all made small talk, including Logan in the end and avoided the topic of their relationship. Honor and Josh had just said they had to get going as they were driving back to Hartford and didn't want to drive back in the pitch black. They all said their goodbyes to the couple and now it was just Logan, Rory and Mitchum sitting at the table.
"We should probably be getting off soon too" Logan said, finishing his drink.
Mitchum just nodded them said "Logan, I'm not persuading you to come back or pressuring you, but... you know HPG is where you belong" he said to his son in a quiet voice.
Logan just sighed, ran a hand through his hair and nodded. All three of them then stood up and walked out of the restaurant in silence, all lost in their own thoughts.
"Well, it was nice seeing the both of you" He said, as a cab pulled up to take Logan and Rory home.
Rory nodded "You too" then got in the cab.
Logan was about to do the same when his dad touched his shoulder, he turned around to see Mitchum's solemn face.
"Son, I know you don't want to hear this, but I really do want to make things right between us. I know it's not that simple but please, give me a chance, I'm trying here"
Logan remained silent but just looked into his father's eyes and nodded. Mitchum patted him on the shoulder as he got in the cab and closed on the door. He was left standing on the side of the street as his son drove off into the city.
As soon as Logan got into the cab, he sat back into the seat and buried his head in his hands and sighed. "I don't know what to do" He said simply.
"Yeah, he certainly dropped a few bombshells at that dinner, eh?" Rory said, looking at him.
"You can say that again" he chuckled. "I... I want to let him start over. I do. I just... I keep reminding myself that he doesn't deserve it. He's been such an arse, why should I let him?"
"He may not deserve it Logan, but you do." She said, squeezing his hand. "You deserve a relationship with your father. And as much as I hate to say that you should give Mitchum of all people, a second chance, maybe you should. After all, life would be a lot easier if you two got along and if you were to give him a chance, it would be on your terms. Maybe it's not a bad idea."
"You're right, it would" He agreed. "What about HPG?"
"Well, that depends on a couple of things but ultimately it's your call"
"What do you mean it depends of a couple of things?"
"Well, for instance, what about your job at the new company? Could you just leave them?"
He thought for a moment then said "Yes, one of the main guys is based at the New York branch anyway, so although they'd be losing a main man, it wouldn't be disastrous for them."
"Well then I think you should consider it" She said.
"I think I'm gunna go back to HPG. It may be a big mistake, but, if he's true to his word, he's going to have to do this on my terms and I'm not going to let him push me around this time."
She smiled at him. "Sounds good"
"I'm going to see him, first thing tomorrow, after calling the guys about quitting"
She nodded. "Wow, this really is a turning point" She said, laying her head down on his shoulder.
"Thank you" He said kissing the top of her head and putting an arm round her shoulders.
"For what?"
"For just being there. If it weren't for you Ace, I'd probably still be fuming and not even contemplating going back to HPG. You just make me see sense and actually think things through rather than acting out."
"Well, that's my job" She smiled, putting an arm around his waist.
They laughed and chatted for the rest of the journey, just glad to be in each other's company. As soon as they entered their apartment, Rory's phone began to ring.
"That's probably my mom, complaining about my absence at Friday night dinner" She laughed as she hung her jacket up.
"Didn't you tell her?"
"I didn't get round to it, what with telling Grandma we weren't coming and getting ready to meet your dad." She explained and answered her phone as Logan nodded.
"How could you!"
"I'm sorry" She said laughing as she gave Logan a knowing look.
"It's not funny! You left me alone with her! I though you loved me!" Lorelai said, being her normal dramatic self.
"I do! It can't have been that bad" she laughed. 'I'll make some coffee' Logan whispered and she gave him a grateful smile as she took a seat on the couch.
"Oh, but it was! She was all grumpy because of the evil maid."
"Evil maid!?"
"One of her maids broke her new lamp and she was going on and on about how she was destructive and evil"
"Oooo, annoyed Emily!"
"Yeah, and that's funny until she takes that annoyance out on me! I was all on my own and had to survive the fury of Emily Gilmore!"
"Just as well I didn't come then" She teased her mother. Lorelai gasped dramatically "I'm sure you'll live"
Rory went on to tell her mother about their dinner with Mitchum and everything that he said and what Logan had decided.
"I don't trust that man" Her mum said, referring to Mitchum.
"Neither do I really but we'll soon see if he lives up to his word, eh?"
"True. Oooo, guess what! I started the wedding planning! Ahhh exciting! We figured we'd do it in a couple of months. We don't really need that much time to plan"
"Two months? Wow... that's quick"
"I know, but why wait? I mean, come on, it's Luke!"
"I know, but... oh don't worry"
"No, what?"
"I don't know, it just seems awfully sudden. I know 'it's Luke' and everything but may I remind you that you haven't actually had a long, lasting relationship that works with him yet"
"Well I know, but Luke's the one" Lorelai said, a bit defensively.
"Just like Max was the one and Dad?" Rory said, without thinking. She then continued, growing slightly annoyed with her mother's constant on/off relationships. "It's always the same"
"Erm, thanks for the input Rory, but I think I'm capable of making my own decisions when it comes to my relationships" Lorelai said, annoyed at what her daughter was saying to her.
"Oh, and how's that worked out for you in the past?" Rory spat.
"Rory! I do not need my daughter judging me thank you very much. I've been around longer than you I think I can decide for myself what to do!"
"Well that's all very well but may I remind you that while I've been in the same relationship for the last three years, you've been engaged to Luke, called off the wedding, married dad on the spur of the moment and moved in with him, then divorced and got engaged to Luke again! I don't think you can judge me on age! You rush into every relationship just because it's what you want in the moment!"
"That's enough Rory! I do not need your input on the matter, I can make decisions for myself, I'm a big girl"
"Fine!" Rory shouted down the phone.
"Fine!" He mother shouted as well. They both hung up and Rory slammed her phone down on the table.
Rory groaned and threw her head back in frustration as she sat on the couch.
"Yikes, what happened there?" Logan asked her as he sat down next to her and placed two cups of coffee down on the table.
"My mother is incapable of making a relationship work for longer than 6 months and I am sick and tired of supporting her dumb decisions! She jumps from one relationship to another within, well minutes, at the weekend! And she still expects me to stand there and tell her how excited I am for her!" Rory ranted, throwing her hands up in exasperation. She sighed and looked at him apologetically "I'm sorry, I don't mean to dump all of this on you, I know you have bigger family problems"
"You don't have to apologise Ace, I'm always here for you to dump things on" He said with a laugh.
"Well thank you" She said as she pecked him on the lips. "Anyway, I can't be bothered to discuss her now, she's just... I don't know... I'm just finding it hard to tolerate her constant relationships is all. Let's move on to a new topic" She smiled, turning round on the couch and cuddling up to him.
"Okay, how about what we're doing this weekend?" He suggested, as he sipped his coffee.
"Oh crap! I forgot!"
"What?"
"I forgot to tell you about this weekend"
"Why? What's happening this weekend?"
"Well, you see, Lucy and Olivia are going New Orleans for the weekend at some spa and they asked me to go with them. It was kind of a last minute thing, they only asked me yesterday, but I forgot to tell you. Anyway, they're flying out tomorrow morning. If you don't want me to go that is absolutely fine, I don't want to abandon you. So if you'd rather I stay then just say, really it's not problem"
"Of course I don't mind you going Ace!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! Go! Have fun! Honestly, it's been ages since you've had a weekend with the girls. And hey, I'll have Colin and Finn over, show them the new apartment and have a boys' weekend" He said with a smirk.
"Sounds good." She said with a smile. "But don't go doing anything stupid, no diving off any cliffs this time!"
He laughed "okay mom. And I think I'll wait to go and see my father until Monday morning now. Don't want it to bring down the weekend"
They chatted, joked around and drank coffee, just like an ordinary, yet perfect, evening for them, before going to bed.
It was Saturday morning and Rory was standing in the kitchen, finishing a cup of coffee ready to leave for the airport. A giant suitcase packed and ready to take by the door.
"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to the airport?"
"Logan, for the hundredth time, I'm fine driving myself to the airport!" She said, smiling at his concern and she put her coffee mug in the sink.
"If you're sure" He said again. She rolled her eyes. "Okay, okay, fine! Jeez, how much stuff have you packed!? You know it's only two nights, right? I don't think I've ever seen a suitcase so big!"
"Yes, I'm aware it's only two nights but I had to take robes, and fury slippers and stuff like that, it's a spa"
"You know Ace, I'm pretty sure they'll have robes there"
"With Hello Kitty on them?" She challenged.
He laughed at her childishness. "Maybe not"
"Exactly! Anyway, I've got to go. Have fun with Colin and Finn, tell them I say Hi" She said, with her hands on his chest, leaning up to give him a kiss.
"Will do Ace, same with Lucy and Olivia. Have a good time, I love you"
"I love you too" She said, giving him another kiss and leaving their apartment, enormous suitcase in toe.
"Heeey, Finn, my man! What are doing this weekend?"
"Errr, I dunno mate" Finn replied, down the phone.
"Well then let me tell you. You are coming down to New York, where you, Collin and I are going to have a boys weekend where we shall drink massive amounts of alcohol and bet extortionate amounts of on games of poker!"
"Sounds brilliant mate! It's been entirely far too long since we've had a proper boys weekend"
"I couldn't agree more. So, what time can you get down here?"
"How does six o'clock sound?"
"Like a perfectly acceptable time to start drinking!" He laughed. "I'll see you then man"
"Indeed you will" And with that, they hung up.
At four o'clock he rung Rory.
"Hey!" Came her usual bubbly response.
"Hey Ace, how's the spa?" He asked as he sat down and stretched out on the sofa.
"Amazing! I feel like I'm in Buckingham Palace! The rooms are huge, and they have little mints on the pillows!"
He laughed "Ooo, pillow mints, wow, they really have gone all out"
"Oh hush you! And normally, the thought of having your face plastered in mud or being wrapped in seaweed would completely gross me out, but call it anti-aging and suddenly it's the nicest thing in the world"
"I really don't get why girls like being coated in mud, I mean, what ever happened to the good old massage?"
"You're a guy, there are just some things you don't understand" She joked. 'Oooo, is that Logan? Put him on loud speaker!' He heard one of the girls say in the background. Rory put him on loud. "Hey Logan!" Both the girls shouted down the phone.
"Hey Lucy, hey Olivia! How's the spa?"
"A-mazing! I smell like a peach!" Lucy said.
Logan laughed. "Glad to hear it"
"I hate to break up this delightful conversation, but we have a facial scheduled in five minutes, so we ought to get going" Olivia said to Rory and Lucy.
Rory took Logan off of loud speaker "Okay, well I have to go get my face scrubbed with melon or something so I'll call you tomorrow, I love you."
"Love you too Ace. Have fun getting scrubbed with melon." He laughed and hung up.
At twenty to six there was a knock on the door. He went to answer it and found Finn standing in his doorway.
"Wow, you're early! I must me special" He joked, leading him in to the apartment.
"I always knew you were special. It's the teeth. those pearly whites could make anyone weak at the knees!" Finn laughed.
"God, it seems like I haven't seen you in forever!"
"I know, I've been getting Logan withdrawal symptoms. Get over here!" Finn said, pulling his best mate into a big hug.
When they pulled away Logan led Finn over to the kitchen. "So, what do you think, it's only 20 too now that you're here early, too early for a drink?"
"It's never too early for a drink mate!"
"True words my friend, true words. So, a beer sound good?"
"Perfection" Finn said as he took the bottle from Logan. "So, this is a nice apartment, and in a great Location"
"Yeah it is! We love it. It's just the right size and has an awesome roof top view. Oh, and one of the best parts..." He said, leading Finn round the corner to the entertainment lounge. "...There's a poker table"
"It just keeps getting better. How about I kick your arse at pool?"
"No chance" Logan smirked, grabbing a cue.
"You're on!" Finn said, taking a shot. "So, where's the lovely Shelia this weekend?"
"She flew to New Orleans this morning, she's spending the weekend at some spa with a couple of her friends"
"Anyone I know?"
"I don't think so, do you know Olivia and Lucy?"
"Olivia... is she the one that we found lying on top of your car, naked, at some party a couple of years ago?"
"I don't think so... no..."
"Then nope, I have no idea who they are" Finn said, potting a ball.
"Lucy was dating Marty for a while. That guy that bar-tended for us, the one that Ace use to hang out with"
"Oh yeah, I know who you mean. She was dating him?" He said with disgust.
"Yes, don't be so judgemental!"
"I'm not being judgemental!" Finn said, holding his hands up. "I just think she could do better than him"
"You've never even seen her!" Logan laughed.
"Well, is she hot?"
"What does it matter? She's not your type anyway, she's not a redhead"
"Just because she doesn't have red hair doesn't mean she can't be hot. Although, I must admit, she still couldn't beat a woman with luscious auburn locks" Finn said dreamily, staring into space.
"Dear god, you have an obsession!" Logan said, shaking his head before potting his last ball. "Hell yeah! I believe that was me, kicking your arse!" Logan said, pointing a finger at Finn with a smirk.
"It must be the lack of alcohol." Finn reasoned, retrieving another beer for each of them from the fridge. "So, when's Colin getting here?"
"Err, six, so... any minute" Logan said, looking at the clock.
And before Finn could respond, there was a knock at the door. "On the dot, what else would we expect from our dear friend Colin?"
Logan answered the door to Colin. "Colin, my man!" He said, giving him a sideways high five. "How are you?"
"Not too bad. Finn!" He then gave Finn a high five.
"Buttercup, I've missed you" Finn joked.
Logan got Colin out a beer as Colin started talking. "I was getting changed in my car outside your building and this old woman was just standing there staring at me. Whatever happened to subtlety?"
"Didn't you hear? Obvious is the new subtle" Finn remarked.
"So, in matter of interest, why were you getting changed in your car?" Logan asked with curiosity.
"Oh, I came straight from court so I was still in my suit"
"Get you, you fancy big-shot lawyer!" Logan said, leading them to the living area where they all collapsed on the couch or chairs. "How's the world of law treating you?"
"Like a bitch. Who would ever choose to go into the profession!?"
"Beats me" Finn laughed.
"So, what about you two? What are doing work wise? Entered the family businesses yet?"
"Yep, working for the Morgan hotel chain of course. Which actually is fairly fun! I'm leading the next branch of the company which is to open a chain of bars and clubs so that's pretty cool" Finn told them.
"Sounds awesome. What about you Huntz? Still rebelling against the dark lord I take it?"
Logan laughed. "Funny you should say that..." He then launched into the story of what Mitchum had said at dinner the other night and how he was going to give him a chance and return to HPG.
7 hours later at 1am they were sat on the roof-top, around the fire-pit, the three best friends drinking and laughing. It was safe to say they were fairly inebriated, but that was to be expected after 3 rounds of vodka shots and god knows how many beers.
"What about the time we all walked into our biology class in our underwear" Colin said as they erupted into uproarious laughter once again.
"Wasn't that part of our 'King of Dares' challenge that Steph set us?" Finn said, all the while laughing.
"Oh yeah, which I believe I won" Logan announced proudly, pointing to his chest.
"Err, hang on, I think you'll find that I was actually the winner" Collin corrected.
"Oh please, you're just jealous of my awesome victory!" Logan laughed.
"You were the jealous one, when you lost" Colin said, defending his side.
Finn interrupted their little squabble and joked "Jesus Christ lads, you're like old married men!"
While Colin just laughed, Logan's face suddenly turned serious and said "Would that be so bad?" His friends looked at him with confusion and all he did was simply produce a blue velvet box from his pocket and opened it up to reveal a sparkling engagement ring...
Oooo, cliffhanger, dun, dun duuuun...
Please review and let me know your thoughts and keep reading :) love you all so much for reading my story!
Em x
