Hi! It's back. Don't hate me for the drama. It'll all be resolved in the next chapters. Stick with it - you've al done for so long, and for that I'm extremely grateful! You guys rock! Let me know what you think of chapter 26!
Love always, Disclaimer: I do not own the fantabulousness that ASP created.
Gilmoregirl19
"So?" Lorelai's excited, but slightly demanding tone funneled through Rory's cell bright and early the following morning. Rory was still in bed, watching E News, and waiting for Logan to bring her breakfast in bed. He had promised her last night, to make up for his absence at the OB GYN's office.
"What?" Rory responded confused.
"What do you mean what?" Lorelai exclaimed, "You never called me to tell me if I was having a granddaughter or a grandson! That's what!"
"Calm down, Emily," Rory rolled her eyes, "I, uh…" she needed to tell her mother about the lack of Logan at the appointment. However, this was not the time, since she knew her husband could walk through the door any moment, and as if on cue Logan entered the spacious bedroom with a tray of scrambled eggs, a stack of pancakes, orange juice, sausages and toast.
"I can't talk right now, Mom, Logan made me breakfast…" Rory quickly said.
"But…" Lorelai sputtered.
"I'll call you back," Rory whispered, "promise!" She clicked her sidekick shut and tossed it to the side, as if it was on fire, before Logan could set the breakfast tray down.
"Good morning," he greeted her.
"Oh, wow," Rory said examining the spread of food. "I've always enjoyed your cooking skills…." She said as she dug in to her pile of eggs, as Logan shot her a half smile.
"It's from Bernie's Breakfast," she said, voice laced with disappointment and her mouth full of eggs. Clearly, these eggs were not as good as Logan's homemade ones.
"Sorry," he apologized, "I didn't really have time to cook…but Bernie's is your favorite right?"
She nodded, "Yeah, its fine," as she pushed the plate of eggs to the side of her tray.
"So," Logan sighed as he walked over to the closet, "your mom called?"
"Uh huh," Rory said, picking at a piece of toast, turning her focus back to the television, "Why?"
"Just curious," Logan admitted. He had hoped that Rory would elaborate more on the conversation – often she would mention a funny story Lorelai told, or she would tell him that her mother asked about him. He needed to know how much Lorelai knew about the little marital glitch. He wouldn't put it passed her to call him up during a conference call, and beat him with a proverbial stick.
Not that he was worried, but at the same time, he knew Rory told her mother everything and dramatics was a Gilmore Girl trait. And, what's more, it was really none of Lorelai's business. This was between Rory and himself.
"Oh," Rory dully acknowledged him as she glanced at him. "Not much going on in the Hallow."
"No news is good news, I suppose," he responded monotonously. "Hey, what do you think of this tie?"
Rory lazily lifted her head from the pillow and looked at him. He was clad in his signature crisp white shirt, black pants, patent leather shoes and belt. His hair was much more trimmed, now that he had entered the corporate world. She liked it all right, though she preferred that scruffiness his college 'do had. The tie in question was a simple red one, with tiny white dots.
"It looks very nice, honey" she replied in her best Donna Reed voice.
He smiled at her, "Thanks."
He fixed his tie, pulled on his suit jacket, grabbed his briefcase and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, "See you tonight," he called over his shoulder as he headed for the door.
Once she heard the door slam, she silenced the television and reached for her sidekick. She continued to pick at her toast as she waited for her mother to pick up the phone.
"Finally!" Rory exclaimed
"Well, sorry babe, some of us actually have jobs!" Lorelai teased.
"Ouch, Mom, way to kick a girl while she's down…" Rory sighed back dramatically.
"So," Lorelai said, ignoring Rory, "What's it going to be? Boy or girl? Pink or blue? Sage green or sunflower yellow or whatever my mother says the new hot colors are! Spill it, I'm dying!"
Rory smiled at her mother's enthusiasm. She decided she would tell her the good news first. "How's a granddaughter sound to you?" Rory said happily, as she subconsciously placed her hand over her stomach.
"Oh my gosh!" Lorelai screamed into the phone, "I'm going to have a granddaughter! Sookie, it's a girl! Michel, pay up! It's a girl!"
"Mom," she smiled into the phone, "Sssh"
"Why? It's all okay right?" her mother suddenly sounded concerned.
"Yeah, everything's healthy…" she paused, "It's just that Logan doesn't know yet…."
"What now?" Lorelai asked.
"Uh," she swallowed hard, "I didn't tell him…"
"You didn't tell him," Lorelai repeated slowly, trying to comprehend what her daughter was telling her. "I thought he was supposed to be at the appointment?" she finally asked.
"Was being the operative word, Mom" Rory sighed, before beginning with the whole story, "Basically, he stood me up and I ran into him on the street after the appointment. He was, like, an hour and a half late – I don't know – I was just so upset I took a cab home, and I just told him the baby was healthy – I just didn't tell him I knew about the sex….."
"Oh honey," Lorelai sighed sympathetically.
"I know. He got flowers and candy and my favorite take out, but…"
"You guys still haven't talked," her mother supplied. "Babe, you've got to sit him down and talk!"
"I know, I know." Rory exhaled, "This Saturday we are supposed to go out and shop for maternity clothes. I'm sure we'll talk then."
"Okay," Lorelai nodded, "Good." She paused, and decided she should change the subject. "So, a granddaughter."
"Yep."
"I wish I was born a Smith" Lorelai mused.
"Why? That's so average!"
"Hello!" the Gilmore mother sang into the phone, "Think of the naming opportunities: Granny Smith!"
"And?" Rory questioned, waiting for her mother to offer her other ideas.
"What? That's all you need. Granny Smith."
Rory smiled at her mother's silliness. "Yeah, it's cute."
"Alas, we are but Gilmores…" Lorelai sighed dramatically, "Although, Grannalai has some potential…."
"Mom!" Rory exclaimed, "That's insane!"
"Perhaps…"
"No, for sure!" Rory said adamantly.
At this, Lorelai laughed loudly, "All right, sweets. Grannalai is out," she paused, "I can't believe I'm going to be a Grandma!"
"I can't believe it either," Rory said back in amazement, "Just 5 more months…."
"Hey, kid," Lorelai said suddenly and seriously, "Talk to Logan, okay."
Her mother's words hit her heavy – the desperation in Lorelai's voice was almost tangible.
"I will, Mom," Rory nodded softly, "I will."
Late Friday afternoon Rory received a call from Logan, apologizing that he probably would not make it home for dinner. Frustrated, Rory ordered just enough Mexican food for her – screw Logan – and settled in for a night of bad lifetime movies. At around midnight, she woke up, realizing that she had fallen asleep in front of the T.V. She lazily shut of the T.V. and sleeplily made her way into the bedroom, hoping to curl up next to Logan.
A wave of panic washed over her, however, when she realized he was not there. Suddenly, she was wide awake and soaked up her surroundings: the bed perfectly made, none of his work clothes in the laundry basket, his shoes not on the rack. She hurried out the room, and headed towards the home office – maybe he was in there, for some late night meeting.
She flung open the door, only to be met by darkness. She scurried through the rest of the two-bedroom apartment, but he was nowhere to be found.
Panic-stricken she hit her speed-dial and waited anxiously for him to pick up the phone. One ring, two rings, three rings…Finally, on the forth ring he picked up.
"Hello?" he answered. Just by the way he picked up the phone, she could tell he was intoxicated. She could hear music and laughter in the background. It was obvious he was at a bar. Immediately, all her anxiety made place for anger.
"Logan!"
"Ace?" Logan slurred, "What's up?"
"What's up?" she harshly repeated his question, "I'm worried sick about you! It's like, one in the morning!"
"I am sorry," he mumbled, "I didn't know you were my mother…."
"No, I'm your wife, and I didn't know you were going out. For all I know you were dead in a ditch."
"Seriously?" he said, "I'm not out. It's a work thing – Friday night drinks…..Ah, whatever, you wouldn't understand." He pulled his sidekick away from his ear, "Bobby, another round here!" He yelled.
"I wouldn't understand." Rory nodded her head slowly, now beyond anger, truly hurt.
"Just go to bed, Ace. Your pregnant, you cannot drink anyway, you need to rest. Keep the baby….our baby health… healthily," he rambled drunkenly.
"Logan!" she yelled, but it was no use.
"You're hormonal. Get some sleep; I'll see you in the morning, alright?" He clicked his phone shut before she had the chance to respond.
The following morning she awoke feeling like crap. She had a slight headache and a pit in her stomach. She needed to talk to Logan. For real this time, before they went out maternity shopping.
She entered the kitchen, expecting to see him there in his boxers and a T-shirt, but he was fully dressed for work.
"It's Saturday," she said by way of a greeting.
"I know," he said frustrated, not elaborating on the subject.
"We were supposed to go maternity clothes shopping…" she said, hurt laced her voice.
"I'm late, Rory," he ran a hand through his hair. She just stared at him, her blue eyes full of disappointment and anger.
"Don't look at me like that," he told her sternly as he fished his credit card out of his wallet. "Look, just go without me," he said unsympathetically as he tossed the card on the counter. "Get what you want, money is not an object."
"What?" she choked out, "What the hell. Money is not an object – are you a pimp?"
"Rory," he sighed, anger growing in his voice, "Not now."
"We need to talk, Logan," she said firmly.
"Not now," he told her as he glanced up at the clock. "Shit," he muttered and clicked his briefcase shut. "Have fun shopping" And with that, he was out the door.
She was left standing there, in the wake of corporate coldness Logan left behind. This little morning encounter did not turn out as she expected. She wanted to talk over breakfast, and spend the rest of the day shopping, spending time together. Apparently, he was too wrapped up in his own little world to make time for her – not even for her, to make time to apologize to her for being a drunk-ass last night.
She glanced at the black card on the counter. It mocked her. Where did he get off saying "money is no object"; he might as well just call her doll face or something equally demeaning. She had her own money; he damn well knew that.
Agitated, she ripped open a packed of strawberry pop tarts. She angrily chewed her breakfast snack as she mulled over their recent relationship problems.
The doorbell rang soon thereafter, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Finn!" she greeted excitedly as she opened the door.
"Rory, love," he said as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "You look pregnant."
"I am, Finn", she smiled, and said, "So what brings you to this neck of the woods?"
"I'm looking for Logan…," he replied firmly, his face falling ever so slightly.
"Oh," she said tightly, and looked hurt, "He's at the office."
"On a Saturday?" he asked incredulously.
"On a Saturday" Rory confirmed sadly, and suddenly a wave of tears washed over her causing her to bawl like a four-year-old child.
"I'm sorry," she choked out through the steady stream of tears.
"Hey, hey, don't be, love." Finn tried to sooth her, entering the apartment, taking off his coat and hugging Rory.
As soon as she calmed down Rory managed to tell him the whole story – from start to finish, even including the parts about her suspicion of Mitchum's involvement in 'Old York's' premature death, her hiding the sex of the baby and drunk Logan.
"I'm sorry, love," he placed a comforting hand on her knee, "I honestly don't know what's gotten into the boy…" he shot her a wry half smile.
"I don't know either," she sighed heavily, "but we'll figure it out…" she nervously bit her lip, "right?"
"If any couple can – it's you two," he replied sincerely. "Take comfort, you aren't alone…"
"What do you mean?" Rory asked.
"I was supposed to go out with him 2 weeks ago…"
"I'm sorry, Finn," Rory replied sympathetically. Suddenly, she had an idea.
"Hey, do you have plans today?"
"No, not at all. Why?"
"Well, if you are willing to sacrifice a day of shopping for clothes with a pregnant woman, I'll listen all about your troubles with the ladies."
"What makes you think I have problems in that department?"
"Finn," Rory shot her friend an amused look.
He chuckled at her newfound enthusiasm – he was glad she stopped crying, and incredibly angry with his friend. Sure, she was pregnant, so a little crying was normal. However, in this case, it was his fault.
"All right, then," Finn relented, "You know I love to shop!"
"I say we were very successful today," Finn said as handed Rory a slice of pizza.
"I would agree," Rory nodded as she looked at the hundreds of shopping bags strewn across the living room. "Thanks for staying for dinner, Finn," she said, "I know you have more important things to do…like getting Andrea back," she shot him a pointed, yet playful look.
"Love," Finn laughed, "The raven-haired girl will never look at me again. I blew it."
"I'm sure if you beg for forgiveness she'll take you back," Rory said sweetly, "You can't help it that you'd never been attracted to a non-redhead."
"I know," Finn nodded in agreement, "It's very bizar."
"Just tell her that you temporary were off your medication…" Rory laughed.
"Oh, yes, that'll have the ladies lining up!" Finn shot back sarcastically.
The pair were sitting on the couch, eating pizza and laughing just as Logan walked in.
"What's this?" he questioned hotly.
"Oh, Logan, hey," Rory replied cautiously. "Uh, Finn stopped by and he took me maternity clothes shopping. I didn't really feel like eating alone, so we got pizza."
"I told you I'd be home for dinner," he said firmly.
"No you didn't," Rory spat back angrily. "You rushed out this morning – you didn't even apologize for last night, or today!"
"It's always my fault, isn't it!" He yelled, as he set down his briefcase on the breakfast bar, "I'm working here, Rory, so cut the crap. Just, give me a freaking break!"
She stood there, perplexed. "Logan," she said, her voice cracking, "What…?"
"Mate," Finn warned, but Logan cut him off.
"Mind your own business, Finn."
"Mate…" he tried.
"Finn, get out. It isn't any of your business."
"She's your wife, Logan," he rushed to say, "What's gotten into you?"
"Finn" his voice stung in his friends' ears. "I'll call security."
The good-hearted Aussie stood up, and directed himself towards Rory, "Love, you have my numbers – just call if you need anything." Then, he turned towards Logan, and hurled a heated "Screw you" towards him. And with that, he left.
By now, Rory was sobbing again. It was just too much. At first, she was mad at Logan, but now it was as if he had undergone an internal makeover. In a few short weeks, he had become foreign to her.
"Rory," his tone softened as he heard her cry, "I… I.. we need to talk."
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