Chapter 37
Rory was sitting in the busy newsroom going over her notes from the last meeting. Dan was promoted to the evening news desk as an anchor and asked her if she would join his team as the executive producer. Had she heard him correctly? He wanted her and Brie to be two members of his production team. For the last four years she had been working as the News Producer under Chris. This would be a big promotion with a raise and more benefits.
Dan came in and sat beside her desk, "Well will you join me and be the executive producer, Lois?"
"Dan, I am expecting a baby in January. Won't that cause a problem?"
"Not for me, and I don't think it would cause a problem for the company. Look your excellent at what you do, and I am sure another news company will offer you something soon. I am asking Brie to be the associate producer under you and she is bringing Marnie and Chad as her news writers."
He pushed his shoulder against hers and said, "Come on. You know you want to Lois. What a team we will be. A modern day Daily Planet on TV."
"Ok, Dan you convinced me. When do we start?" she asked.
"Um 20 minutes ago," he teased.
"What! We can't! I have to finish this for Chris, then I have to write the article for the next group and give the assignments," she rambled.
"Calm down Ror, I'm teasing. We officially start next week, but I want to meet with everyone tonight. Are you available to come back around 7 tonight?" he asked.
She looked at the clock, it was 4 now, she had time to go home, nap and come back. Marty was in the Hartford office for the next 4 days and he wasn't coming back to the city until Friday.
"Sure, I will go home now, take a nap and be back by 7:00. Just have Brie call me at 6:00 to make sure I am awake."
She picked up her purse, keys and left the newsroom. Returning to her apartment she ran into Liam as he was going into the elevator.
"Hi, Rory. Are you home for the evening? Is Marty going to be joining you soon?" He asked. He tried to make his questions friendly.
"Hi Liam. No Marty is away until Friday and I came home to rest before I go back to the newsroom at 7 pm. I thought I would get my suit on and swim and relax before I head back." Just then they arrived on their floor. He looked at her and smiled.
"You know that sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll see you down there. I would like to run on the treadmill for a while."
They said goodbye, and both turned to walk to their apartment. Thinking nothing of their conversation, Rory set the alarm on her cell phone for 5:45. She slipped on her bathing suit and looked at her belly. It was just popping out a little. She put her hand on it and smiled. She thought she felt something but decided it must be gas. She put on her lace cover up, grabbed her sunglasses, phone, and a newspaper and went down to the Health club floor. The pool was empty, and she thought this would be perfect. She could swim and get her exercise in and then rest before going back to the studio. Rory dove into the pool and swam laps. She let her mind relax thinking of a time when she did this daily with Ace. She thought of their son while she swam and wondered if he would have the dark hair like his fathers, his big brown eye, his smile, his laugh. She felt the tightness in her chest and slowed down her strokes. She rolled over on her back and floated for some time.
After running for 30 min. Liam went into the men's locker room and changed out of his running shorts into his bathing trunks. When he walked to the pool he saw her floating on her back. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She rolled over and did a few more laps. She was a strong swimmer. He dove into the lane beside hers. She stopped swimming and treaded water when she heard the splash. She didn't see him at first until he was halfway down his lane and surfaced continuing to do his laps. She swam to the side of the pool and pulled herself up. She climbed out of the pool and toweled herself. After a few laps he got out of the pool and sat beside her.
"You looked very relaxed out there floating, I hope I didn't surprise you when I dove in?" he laughed.
"No, I was just thinking," she responded and looked away from him. She placed her sunglasses on so that he couldn't see the tears forming in her eyes.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked reaching over and taking his hand into hers.
"It's silly. The doctor said I would get like this and I find I am spending most of my time crying these days," she whispered.
"Well come on let's go for a walk. I know that there is a bar around the corner and they will serve us dressed like this." He got up and took her hand. She put on her lace coverup and sandals and followed him. He punched the buttons for the 24th floor. He walked her to his apartment and went to the refrigerator and pulled out a sparkling water for her and a beer for him and put them on his bar. He pulled out a stool and told her to sit. He then grabbed vegetables he had in the crisper and cheese and crackers and put them on the counter with a bowl of grapes. He then walked on the other side of his bar and picked up his beer and clinking her water bottle he said cheers.
Rory laughed, "Liam, you are very subtle. If you wanted me to come, see your apartment all you had to do is ask."
"I never thought of that." he teased. "I enjoy playing the role of the bar tender. So, tell me a little bit more about the mysterious Rory Gilmore, that I don't already know."
"Hmm, well you know I dated Logan Huntzberger, I was engaged to Acelot Gerrard, I work at CBS. Oh, I was promoted today to be an executive producer for the evening newscast. That's why I have to return to the studio by seven tonight."
"Congratulations, that's a big accomplishment."
"Thanks.' she replied and looked down at her phone it was only 5:15, so she had time to sit and talk.
"So, tell me more about you… any girl friends, family, how do you know the Huntzbergers and do you know why Mitchum Huntzberger called me last week?"
She was direct with her question.
"Mitchum called you? What on earth for?" he questioned.
"He wanted to meet me for lunch. I was busy, so I couldn't attend the meeting. Plus, I have no intention to meet with him. Things never go right when I am with the Huntzbergers," she admitted.
"Huh, Well I have been in the news business for a long time. I worked for the Turners for the last 10 years and before that I was a newspaper journalist. I worked for the Post, Tribune, and a few smaller papers. Graduated from Yale in 2001. Met Logan at a LBD event in 2007, just after the two of you broke up. He spoke highly of you. I thought you were this mythical creature that he had made up. He was drunk at that event and told me the story of his "Ace" dressed in a blue gown and holding an umbrella jumping from a scaffold saying You Jump, I Jump Jack."
She looked at him stunned and surprised that Logan ever told a stranger about that. She didn't know what to say so she sat there and let him talk.
"That night we became friends. I was with my fiancé at the time and he said 'at least she said yes. I asked my Ace to marry me. Shit she turned me down and she had every right to. I cheated on her, not once, but 4 times, and she never knew. But she turned me down telling me not now. When I told her now or never she left me!' I felt sorry for him, so I took him back to his tent and put him in his cot. His Aussie friend, Finn and the other one Colin, told me that they would take care of him."
"So, it's ten years later and now you find out that I am a real human being, you heard his side of the story. You're his business partner, and his friend." she said. Just then the alarm went off on her phone.
She looked at it and picked it up. "Well I have to go. Thanks for the water." She got off the stool and walked to the door. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.
"I only told you this because I want to be honest with you. No secrets. Can we be friends?"
Giving him a weak smile she said, "Yeah, we can be friends. Thanks."
She opened his door and walked down the hallway to her apartment. She walked in and closed the door. Leaning on her door she wondered, what was that all about. Why was he telling her about Logan? She put her phone and purse down and went into her bathroom to get ready for the meeting.
Returning to her apartment after the meeting at ten pm she sat down and called Marty.
"Hey there. You are getting home late. Did you go out after work and have dinner? "he asked her.
"No, I was at a meeting tonight. I was promoted to Executive Producer for the evening news cast, Dan will be the anchor and he asked me to lead his team."
"Congratulations Ror, that is wonderful news." So, no more rotating shifts?
"That's correct, and I go in at nine and I will be home by five, six at the latest unless there is breaking news." she told him.
"I like those hours, we will have more time together. Hey Ror, I have to ask you a question?".
"Oh, okay."
"Well remember Steph told you that I was looking for an apartment for my sister? Well she is moving here from Hawaii and my parents are coming up too when she arrives. I want you to meet them. I want everyone to know that we are together. Will you come and meet them in 2 weeks?"
"Yes, and it is only fair since I made you meet my dad. Marty, I am going to Stars Hollow on Thursday afternoon. I want to stop by the cemetery in Hartford on Friday morning. What time were you planning on returning to the city?"
"Would you like me to go to the cemetery with you on Friday? We can stay here at my townhouse in Hartford if you want."
"Yes, I think I would like you to join me at the cemetery on Friday. Marty... I miss you."
"I miss you too Princess, why don't you put on some music and try to sleep, Okay?"
"Okay, I will. Good night."
"Good night and Rory I Love You," he told her.
"I love you too, Marty." She ended her call and was surprised when her phone rang right after she finished speaking with Marty. It was Steph.
"Hi Steph, you're calling late. Is everything ok?"
"Hi Rory, Yes I didn't have time to tell you earlier that I went to Ace's apartment today and I did a walk through. I stopped by at the lobby desk and they had been keeping his mail. I don't understand why they didn't give it to us when we were there. But there was a different person on duty this time. So, I brought it back here and have it for you."
"Oh, okay, I guess. Is there anything important? Do you think I should give it his parent when I see them this weekend?" she asked her.
"I am not sure. He has letters here, one is from a Bouchard, it looks like a card."
"When do you plan on showing his apartment?"
"I have some agents interested in showing it, so I would say by the end of the month you might have a serious offer," Steph told her.
"Oh, that would be great."
"Well I will say goodbye. I can't believe how tired I am getting," Steph complained to Rory.
Laughing Rory said, "Tell me about it. I have nodded off at my desk at the newsroom. And not being able to have coffee is terrible. Good night Steph"
"Good night Rory and I will see you tomorrow."
Ending the call, Rory looked out her window. It was a beautiful night and she knew she would get a better view of the moon over the river if she went upstairs to the rooftop terrace. Grabbing a sweater, her phone and the afghan, that she kept on her couch, she took the elevator to the terrace. It was a beautiful place to go and the staff kept it well lit. She found a chaise not far from the doorway and sat down. She looked up at the sky and talked to Ace.
"My darling I hope you can hear me. We are having a boy. I so wish you were here. I promise to teach him French and he will see your parents often. I got a promotion today… I am an executive producer…."
Rory continued to talk to him not knowing that Liam was sitting reading on his kindle not far from where she was sitting. He listened to her conversation. He felt sad for her and decided to let her know that she was not up there alone. He dropped his beer can that he was drinking from.
Startled Rory said, "Oh, Who's there?"
"Rory is that you? It's me Liam. I didn't mean to scare you I was reading, and I knocked over my beer can," he told her as he walked over to her chair.
"How did your meeting go tonight?" he asked her to notice how cute she looked in her denim dress and sweater wrapped in a multicolored blanket that someone must have made for her.
"It was long and productive. You know what the meetings can be like."
"Yes, I do, and to be honest I miss them. I can't wait until our station starts."
"Are you close to starting?" she asked.
"Well Logan purchased the space now we are holding interviews for the staff and the production team. We are also interviewing for anchors. You wouldn't be interested, would you?"
"No, in fact I was promoted at CBS as Executive Producer, and I like working there," she laughed.
"So, tell me what brought you up to the roof tonight?"
"Oh, I wasn't tired at all, so I came up to do stargazing. I feel closer to my mom and Ace when I am up here."
"Oh, I am sorry if I interrupted you, I will go."
"No wait, I could use the company. I sound like a crazy person talking to the sky and there is no one there to answer."
"So, tell me about your mom," he asked.
"Well she is or was my best friend. We were close, I miss her so much, especially now."
"Logan mentioned she passed away. He told me she was a very stunning woman. He said that she raised you away from Hartford, in a small town. Was that where your grandparents lived?"
"No, my grandparents lived in Hartford, in fact both my grandmothers are still there. Though my grandmother Gilmore has moved to Nantucket, her house in Hartford is still empty. She wanted me to have it but…"
"Too many memories?" he asked.
She smiled, "Yes a lot of memories."
"And your other grandmother?"
"Oh, Grandmother Hayden, yes in fact my father returned from England to live with her. She isn't well."
"Hayden, as in Straub Hayden? Christopher is your father?"
"Do you know my father?"
"Yes, I believe I met him a few times at some social functions this was about twelve years ago."
Yawning, she said, "Oh you must have met him when he first moved back to the East coast right after Gigi was born, he was with Sherry then." Yawning again she said, "Excuse me, I guess I am tired." She got up from her chaise and he stood too.
They both walked to the elevator and took it down to the twenty fourth floor. He walked her to her apartment door.
"Well, goodnight," he said as he took the key from her and opened her door.
"I will see you around."
"Goodnight Liam and thanks for keeping me company." She walked into her apartment.
Rory was busy for the next few days. She was training two interns to take over Brie's job and her own, while still writing the news stories for the morning news. Wednesday after work, they all met at the Hamilton for drinks and food to say goodbye to their old production team. Brie, Dan, Annie, Marnie, Neil, Chad and Dylan were all excited to be working together. Rory looked at her new team and smiled, she felt like a mother with her kids. Dan came over and sat beside her and grinned.
Rory felt her phone ring and smiling at her friends she told them that she was going outside to take it. Looking at the screen she smiled when she saw it was from Steph.
"Hi girlie," Rory answered, "How are you feeling?"
"Hey yourself, are you free? I miss Colin, he is at some big client dinner meeting and I am stuck here alone," Steph groaned.
"Well I am at the Hamilton with Brie Williams and Dan Sheppard, why don't you get into a taxi and join us?" Rory suggested.
"Sounds good I can be there in about 30 minutes."
"See you then," and she turned off her phone and walked back into the bar where Brie and Dan were.
Dan stood up and pulled out the chair for Rory before he sat back down.
"Quite the gentleman," Rory teased. "Your mother raised you right. I hope you're not doing that because I'm pregnant."
"You could say that or the nanny." he mumbled.
"What, wait your telling me you are another one of those people?" she exclaimed teasing him.
"Those people, if you mean my parents are rich and the answer is yes." he replied.
"I went away with you for a week and how come this never came up before? How did you become so down to earth?" Brie asked.
Being in the news business she often met many young wealthy men. Like Rory she wasn't raised with money and often became turned off by their behavior that the world owed them a favor.
"So, who are you really, Dan Sheppard?" Brie asked pretending that she was interviewing him.
"Well I am Dan Sheppard, foreign correspondent, journalist and now TV anchor for the evening news," he reassured them.
The waitress came over with the cheese board and the Ricotta that they had ordered to snack on. Just then Steph walked in, kissing Rory on her cheek and she sat at the empty seat. Steph told the waitress that she wanted a club soda.
"Hello everyone," she said, "So what have I missed?"
"Well Dan was telling us all about his family," Brie teased.
Rolling his eyes, he replied, "It's nothing. My parents are Derek and Addison Sheppard."
"Wait, the neurosurgeon? He is famous on both the east and the west coast. Don't they have a hospital named after him? And I heard that she is an infertility specialist," Steph said.
"Yes, and no they don't have a hospital named after them, just two wings at Boston General," he added embarrassed.
"Oh," Rory said taking his hand and squeezing it. He smiled at her and knew that there was a reason he liked her.
"Well if it makes you feel any better I have a building named after me at Yale, and a Maternity wing at Hartford General Hospital. It was named after my great grandmother, but I have the same name," she said to him. They all laughed.
"A building at Yale? Well I am impressed. But you don't act like you come from money either," Dan said.
"Well that will be our dirty little secret," she told him, and the group laughed.
"Well Lois, I think we have a good production crew. Are you ready to earn some awards for our team?" he teased.
"Yes, Clark, I am. Are you sure you want a hormonal pregnant lady in charge of this team?"
Reaching for her he gave her a hug. "Rory, yes I want you on my team. From the moment I met you I knew we would make a great team. I trust you and I will be there if you have crazy cravings. Brie will bring you Kleenex for the emotional outburst, and Neil will video tape everything, so your son will see his crazy wonderful mother in action."
Laughing, she hugged him back.
"Steph are you ready to go?"
"I got a text from Colin and he is coming down here, so I will wait for him. Sleep tight girlie," she said as she hugged her best friend.
"Now can you do me a favor, Dan and call me a cab?" she asked him.
"No, I will do one better, I will escort you home," picking up his phone he pressed the Uber app and requested a car.
"Thank you, but it isn't necessary," she told him as she gathered her coat and purse.
"It is and it's too late, the car is here."
Saying goodnight to their new team the pair left. He opened the car door for her and she slid in. He double checked with the driver to make sure he had the correct address and they sat back and relaxed.
Taking her hand and looking at her in the car he asked, "You have a long weekend, any plans?"
"Well I am going back to Hartford and Stars Hollow. My father and sister have returned from England, so I will spend time with them and visit the cemetery."
"I thought that Ace's remains are in France?" he said.
"They are but my mother is there, and Friday is the anniversary of her death," she whispered.
"Is Marty going to be there?" he asked.
"Yes, he has been working all week in Hartford and I will be with him tomorrow evening. He is planning on going with me to the cemetery on Friday. Dan, I won't be alone, you don't need to worry about me," she said smiling at him.
The car pulled up in front of her building, he asked the driver to wait while he walked her into the lobby. Hugging her goodbye, he left her in front of her elevator. As Rory went to get on the elevator she heard someone yell, hold the elevator. It was Liam rushing to get on. He looked like he was returning from a business meeting.
"Thanks," he told her as he entered the elevator.
"You're working late," she said.
"Yes, we finished dinner and drinks at Delmonico's. Mitchum had some clients he wanted Logan to meet from France. I left early and didn't stay for the after-dinner drinking," he explained.
The elevator stopped at their floor and they both got out. She looked at him and asked,
"Would you like some coffee or a drink? I was just going to make a cup of tea."
"Well I don't want to impose," he replied
"You're not imposing," she smiled.
"Okay, let me change and get out of my business suit and I will come over."
"Great, see you soon," she smiled and entered her apartment.
Mitchum and Logan were sitting at the bar at the Delmonico sipping their drinks. Liam had left early. Logan understood why. After Liam's fiancé was killed he drank for 2 years. When he came close to losing his job and his life he sobered up. He now limits his intake of alcohol to 1 or two drinks and only drinking bourbon, then he switches his drink to sparkling water.
The French businessman that Mitchum wanted Logan to meet was only a cover. He wanted an excuse to sit and talk with his son. It worked, he was proud of his son and how he had changed his life around, but he knew he wasn't happy. He was worried about the legacy that he was supposed to leave him. He was having some financial problems.
When Logan told his dad that he wanted to have his own company he was surprised how quickly that Logan moved and got financial backing. He thought Logan was happy in London. He always had a beautiful model on his arms. He even became engaged. When that didn't work out he then realized that Logan had lost his zest for life. So, when he wanted to return to the US and open his own production company and cable news he decided to let him, but keep him close by insisting that he use the family apartment in the city and have his own office in HPG.
He was surprised when he returned to the states early upon hearing about the death of Ace Gerrard. He didn't realize that Logan new the young journalist, but upon attending the memorial he understood why. Rory Gilmore, she had entered their life again.
"Logan, tell me about the studio that you found in Queens," Mitchum said as he relaxed in his chair at the bar.
"Well Liam and I agreed the space was great, a lot of room for expansion. We have a lease agreement that we can purchase the property in 5 years if everything goes right. We are now interviewing for the production team."
"Have you thought about dating and getting back with Rory Gilmore?"
"Dad, what do you mean? Why are you so interested in Rory? You had nothing to do with her when we dated 12 years ago. In fact you and mother did everything in your power to make her feel unwanted."
"Logan, I have been watching her since you two broke up. I know you met her parents and grandparents Richard and Emily Gilmore before. But have you ever met her father?"
"Yes, I met her father a few times, Chris is a very nice man. In fact, he married Lorelai for a short while, but it didn't last a year. What does that have to do with anything."
"Oh nothing, but as I was saying did you know that Rory worked for a small NBC television station as an intern after she completed her time as a reporter on the Obama campaign."
"No, I didn't. I lost track of her, I was following her articles but then she stopped publishing pieces."
"Had you wondered how she was hired as a CBS producer? I did. Miss Gilmore caught the attention of a NBC producer. When he left to go to CBS, he took her with him. It was soon after that she met Ace Gerrard. I hear that they met at the correspondent luncheon in DC."
"That I know. Why are you telling me all that, Dad? Rory and I are friends now. She is going through a tough time. According to Finn and Colin she lost her grandfather, then her mother within a year of each other, and now her fiancé."
"Think about this, she would be the perfect partner to take HPG and your new venture to the future. You know Logan I am 66 now, I would like to retire in 6 years. I want to see grandchildren from you."
"Dad, yes I am still in love with Rory and I don't know if I will ever stop loving her, but she has changed. We might be better as friends for now. Plus, she is pregnant with Ace's child."
"Don't worry about that, the child can always be sent away to boarding school once you have your own. Did you know her grandfather was Straub Hayden? Francine is not well, and I remember Colin's father once told me that the oldest Hayden grandchild will inherit the family fortune once she dies."
"Dad, this is low even for you. I don't have to listen to this. First Rory would never agree to send her child or any child to a boarding school. She was not brought up that way. Plus, Rory would only marry for love. I might love her, but she no longer loves me. I am not going to listen to this nonsense anymore. Good night."
Logan slammed his drink on the table and stormed out of the restaurant. He had enough of his father tonight and his behind the scenes dealings. He needs to find out the real reason Mitchum is interested in the Hayden money and why the change of interest in Rory.