Chapter 38

Logan's flight touched down just before 8 pm. Odette offered to wait for their luggage so he could get to the hospital quicker. He arranged for a second car to bring her to the hotel and went out to the car awaiting him.

It was a thirty-minute ride to the hospital. Logan could hardly contain his excitement that mixed with nerves creating a bit of a knot in his stomach. He pulled out his phone and stared at the picture Finn had sent earlier. He smiled and studied the tiny face of his daughter. When the car pulled up to the hospital, his stomach did a little flip. He practically threw open the door and bounded for the hospital entrance. He stopped himself as he was nearly sprinting for the elevator.

Before going up to see Rory, Logan stopped by the gift shop that was just about to close. He picked out some flowers for Rory and a small, pink bear for Victoria. He pressed the call button for the elevator. It felt like it was taking forever. He punched the button three more times before it arrived.

When the doors opened on the fourth floor, he paused for a moment and took a deep breath before exiting. He pulled up the text from Finn giving him Rory's room number. He followed the signs leading to her room. He stopped in the doorway and noticed Rory holding the baby, and upon closer examination, he realized she was feeding their daughter. He gently rapped on the door to alert her of his presence without disturbing the baby.

She gestured from him to come into the room. Logan entered the room and put down his flowers next to the others she'd received. He set the bear next to it and moved over to the bed. Rory put her finger up to her lips and nodded toward the corner. Finn was sound asleep in the chair. He smiled at her and moved closer.

"She's beautiful," he whispered.

"She is, isn't she?" she replied. "She seems to have your blonde hair, and if she ever stops eating long enough to look up, you'll see her beautiful blue eyes."

"She's definitely a Gilmore," he said with a smile. She returned the smile, and as if on cue, Victoria looked up at Logan. He gasped when he saw her face for the first time. He was taken by the sight of his daughter. The baby quickly turned her attention back to eating. Rory and Logan shared a smile and silent laugh.

"Can you believe we made this?"

"She is pretty wonderful. She's the best part of us," he said and put his hand on the baby's back. He leaned forward, gave Rory a small kiss on the temple, and sat back where he was. Victoria seemed to be done eating. "Could I hold her?"

"You'll have to burp her since she just finished eating," she replied.

"Ok," he replied nervously. "I guess it's time for me to jump right into dad duties."

She smiled and handed Logan a burp cloth. "Put this over your shoulder," she instructed. Rory handed the baby to him. He took his daughter carefully and brought her to his shoulder. "Now, gently pat her back until she burps."

She watched as he held their child. It warmed her heart. It felt so natural to him, yet so strange. This baby was just as much him as she was Rory. He didn't want the moment to end. He'd never felt such a strong bond with anyone else. The situation made him start to rethink his current status. He didn't want to live so far away from his only child. He made the decision, at that moment, to be a bigger part of his daughter's life.

A moment later, there was a very loud noise coming from the tiny human held that jarred him back to reality. Logan looked shocked to hear such a sound. Rory started laughing out loud, forgetting that Finn was still asleep in the chair. She quickly slapped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late.

"Wha - what was that?"

Rory and Logan busted out laughing again. The surprised look on his face made them laugh harder. He hadn't been privy to the big noise from the tiny baby.

"That was Tori," she explained to him.

"So, you're going with Tori?" Logan asked.

"I'm testing it out, and I kinda like it," she responded.

"What about her middle name?"

"I'm still not totally sure. Victoria Charlotte is a bit too much, don't you think?"

"Just a couple more names and she could be on par with the Windsors," Logan joked.

"Do you have any bright ideas?"

"What about Leigh?" he offered. "You could keep the tradition of naming your child after yourself, just as your mom did."

"I do like it, but I'm not sold on it," she stated. She paused to think for a moment, and it came to her. "What about Sophie?"

"Sophie?" he asked sounding a bit confused by the choice. She could see him trying to connect the dots and giving the name meaning.

"Master and Commander," she stated simply. She watched the smile grow on his face. It was what he'd asked her to call him after their first spirited debate outside of her dorm room. She never called him that but thought the name would be a nice nod to their former romantic relationship.

"Victoria Sophie Gilmore...I like it!" he said with a smile.

"It looks like she's asleep," Rory said softly.

"Guess I've already got the magic touch," Logan quietly bragged. "I'm the baby whisperer!"

"I wouldn't call it that, but she does look quite cozy in her daddy's arms," she replied with a tear in her eye. She couldn't help the smile, and Logan was beaming.

"Hey, Love, I'm going to grab something for dinner," Finn whispered to Rory. "Can I bring you anything?"

"I'm good," she replied.

Finn slipped out quietly in search of food. He wanted to let Logan and Rory enjoy some bonding time with their daughter. He paused at the doorway, surveying the scene before him. He was glad that Logan could be involved, and that the two parents could come together for the sake of their child. This little girl was going to be surrounded by love. He headed to the elevator in search of food.

Back in Rory's room, she had fallen asleep shortly after Finn left. Logan relished in the quiet moment he shared with his daughter. He'd never felt anything like this before, not even his love for Rory had touched his heart the way this little girl had in the few minutes he'd known her. He knew she was special; she was a part of him. All he could do was stare at this beautiful face that was now staring back at him.

"She's beautiful, Logan," a familiar face called from the door.

"Odette, what are you doing here?" he asked as he briskly walked to the door. "I thought we agreed that you'd stay away for now. I don't want to upset Rory."

"I couldn't stay away. I need to talk to her, to apologize," she pleaded. "Without taking this step, I cannot move forward. We cannot move forward."

"I just don't think this is the right place for this," he replied.

"Please, let me do this...for us," she begged quietly.

"Logan, who's here?" Rory called groggily from her bed.

He stepped out of the way to show her who was in the doorway. Her jaw dropped.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said.

"Look, I had no idea -" Logan started.

"No, no, no! Get her out of here!" she said adamantly.

"Rory, please, let me apologize," Odette implored and moved into Rory's room.

"Just leave, Odette. I don't want to hear it," Rory replied.

Odette felt defeated as she left the room. Logan moved back toward Rory and handed her the baby, who had begun to fuss. Rory caught a whiff of the scent coming from her daughter's diaper and smiled.

"Why are you smiling?" Logan asked.

"It's time to teach daddy how to change a diaper," she replied with a chuckle.

Rory set down Victoria in the bassinet and grabbed a diaper. She began showing Logan how to properly change a diaper.

"Ace, I think you should give her a chance," Logan began.

"I don't think I'm ready to face her," she replied.

"She's not the same person she was four months ago. After the accident and losing the baby, she's been committed to working on herself and our relationship," Logan explained.

"Logan..."

"I wouldn't push you to do anything you're not ready for, but I think you should hear her out."

"I...I...just..."

They finished changing the dirty diaper and he threw his hands up in victory. Rory laughed and handed him the stinky diaper.

"Oh, yuck!" he exclaimed, which made her laugh harder.

"Only 8-10 diapers a day for the next year," she replied.

"Whoa! Are you kidding me? How can a kid go through that many diapers a day?"

"It's amazing how many times a tiny human goes to the bathroom in a day!" she said.

They shared another laugh, and Rory picked up her freshly swaddled daughter. She peered at her face for a moment as she thought.

"Ok, I'll talk to her," she said somberly. She didn't think she was ready for this, but it was never or now.

"Are you sure?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes, now, let's get this over before I change my mind!"

"I'll be right back," he said and flew out of the room in search of his wife.

Rory settled back on the bed and readied herself to feed Tori. She'd hoped that the baby would be a calming presence for her as she struggled to face Odette. She had presumed she'd disappear and not be a part of their lives, but that wasn't written in the stars.

"Rory?" she asked meekly as she stood in the doorway.

"Come in, Odette," Rory replied warily.

"She's magnifique," she said in an attempt to break the tension.

"Thanks," Rory responded without emotion.

"I don't have an elaborate speech planned, but I have something I want to say," she paused and waited for affirmation from Rory, who nodded her head slightly. "I'm not the same person I was four months ago. I'm not even the same person I was three months ago. The person you first met was an ill-mannered, spoiled, rich girl. I was used to getting my way, and when things didn't go my way, I attacked anything and everything in my path. Unfortunately, that included you and Logan. We are still working on our relationship, however, I feel like I need to apologize to move forward with that process."

Rory's facial expression softened as she listened to Odette.

"What I'm trying to say is, I'm very sorry for what I said to you and what I did to you. It was inexcusable, and I'm truly sorry for the pain and distress," she finished.

"I accept your apology, Odette," Rory replied.

"I hope we can put the past behind us, and move forward with our lives," Odette offered.

"I'd like that," she answered. "I wish you and Logan all of the happiness in the world."

"Thank you, Rory," she responded. "That means a great deal to me. I hope, one day, we can become friends."

Odette gave Rory a genuine smile, and Logan a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you back at the hotel."

After she left, Logan turned his attention back to Rory. "Thank you, Ace."

"For the record, I'm still leery of her, but I'm willing to give it a try for you and Tori," she replied.

"I think you're going to be surprised this time," Logan replied.

"I certainly hope so, Logan."