Rory slowly woke up to the sounds of beeping and rustling around her. As she went to move her arm and shift, she felt the needles in her arm and her eyes few open. A deep sigh escaped when she looked around the hospital room and then the memories of what had happened to force her to be admitted to the hospital this time came flooding back. Running into Finn, their appearance at her house… Logan telling her he didn't know about the pregnancy or the lawyers. The look of anger on Logan's face, his harsh words… She could feel the anxiety starting so she tried to take a few deep breaths.
"Hey kiddo," she heard her dad say and grab her hand. "You got to try and breath, calm down."
Rory nodded and closed her eyes trying to focus on something happy and calm her breathing; it wasn't working because all she could think about was Logan and happy memories with him but each happy memory was overshadowed with the pain she felt whenever she thought about him. Placing her hand on her baby bump, she gently rubbed and feeling the baby move slightly at her touch seemed to work on calming her.
"How long have I been here?" she asked as she slowly opened her eyes and focused on her father.
Chris sighed and squeezed her hand. "We got here around 8 last night and its 10 now. You have woken up slightly a few times but for the most part you slept, you needed it. Emily was here and just left to get some food and then had some errands she needed to take care of. She said she would be back this evening."
Rory nodded her head, "what's the verdict this time?"
"The baby looks fine, they originally thought you went into preterm labor, but you weren't dilated but you were having contractions. They need to keep you under observation, I'm not sure for how long," he told her as he squeezed her hand. "I don't know anything else, I'm sure the doctors will tell us."
"Okay," Rory sighed, resigned to her situation. "What happened with Logan after I left? I remember him holding me…"
"I told him not to come," Chris replied looking at his daughter, not telling her about the text he sent late last night. His anger for Logan was starting to come back since he hadn't come yet but was trying to give him the benefit that he may be trying to figure out who went after Rory. "You were so upset last night… I wasn't sure if him being here is what you would want."
Closing her eyes, she focused on rubbing her stomach, "I don't know what I want anymore. I came to terms that it would be just me and the baby but then he shows up…" Rory paused and opened her eyes to look at her dad. "Do you think he really didn't know? That he didn't send the lawyers to threaten me?"
"I don't think he knew," Chris sighed squeezing her hand. "Livy talked to them after the ambulance left and she said he looked to be in shock and surprised at the lawyers visit or that you were in the hospital because of the visit... I told him he needed to figure out his stuff and then we would talk."
"I just don't know what to think anymore. First mom and her reaction to the pregnancy and Logan being the dad, then ending up in the hospital because I was so worried about what to do when he didn't contact me after my texts and phone calls…"
"I know kiddo," Chris told her as he sat on the bed and pulled her into a hug. "We will get through this. We will give Logan a chance here to prove that this was a big misunderstanding," Rory gave a watery chuckle, "and then you will get out of the hospital and we will figure out what is next. No use thinking back on what happened, remember you need to focus on what is next and where you want to go from here."
"Yeah daddy, I don't know what I would have done if it hadn't been for you and Grandma. You guys were such a rock for me… and then Grandma Francine," Rory sighed as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I have you all and Paris and Lane… You guys have helped me so much there is no way I could have done this without you all. But there is no use working myself up with different what-ifs with Logan. Its just going to make me worry and the stress… definitely not good for the baby." She took a few deep breaths and then sat back in the bed. "I'm done talking about all of that for now," she sighed and took a few deep breaths. She looked at her dad and gave him a small smile, "Let me tell you about the stuff I bought with Lane yesterday."
Chris laughed. "Finally starting to check off those lists you have made?" he teased.
"Yep!" she replied with a somewhat brighter smile. Rory then told him about the furniture that was ordered from Pottery Barn, a large extremely plush rug that she would use to cover the hardwood floor in the nursery and some of the clothes they had found. She was excited to get everything delivered and set up in the room. Chris loved how her eyes would light up as she talked about getting things ready and what else she needed to get. He knew that Rory would be okay. They talked until Rory's eyes started to droop and Chris told her to get some rest.
Logan, Mitchum, and Colin sat in a private room at an upscale restaurant in Manhattan waiting for both Odette and Shira to arrive. The three had met earlier in the day with Honor to inform her of the current events since Shira would more than likely immediately go to Honor after this lunch. Honor was shocked at the actions of Shira and Odette but was happy that Odette would be out of Logan's life. Honor had never liked the woman and she hoped that Logan and Rory could move on from the events of the last few months.
It was decided that Mitchum would call Shira and ask her to join him for lunch since She had planned on being in the city that day. Logan then texted Odette with apologies for abruptly leaving the previous day but he wanted to make it up to her by taking her to lunch before they went to meet with the lawyer.
The table was set so that Colin, Logan and Mitchum would be on three sides and two chairs were placed on the open side so that the men could study both women better. They had wired the room with cameras so they could prove Logan knew nothing of the pregnancy or Odette's actions. They all knew Rory and her family would have a hard time believing anything Logan told them, they would need some type of proof. Logan would confront Odette about the pregnancy and her part in covering it up and keeping it from him. After that was discussed they would let Odette know the engagement was off. After much discussion it was decided to not let Odette know that they were aware of her indiscretions. They needed that information to announce the end of the engagement in a way that made it seem like it was over months ago.
"Mitchum" Shira cooed as she walked into the door. "Why did you want to meet for lunch? Oh Logan I didn't realize that you would be here… with your friend." There was obvious disgust at Colin's presence.
"Mother," Logan replied standing up to kiss her cheek. "Colin and I were meeting to go over the pre-nup when dad called and asked me to join him for lunch. Odette should be here soon and then we will head over to the lawyers to sign the documents."
Before Logan could sit his fiancé walked through the doors, obviously displeased. "What is the meaning of this? You abandon me here last night claiming a work emergency and then today text me to demand I arrive here. You haven't answered a single phone call. We are meeting the lawyers in two hours; I had plans you forced me to cancel."
Odette wasn't overly tall, around 5'6" but had a slim build that she spent hours a day working on. She was beautiful with her surgically enhanced breasts and fixed nose. She spent a fortune each month keeping her face looking young and her hair the platinum shade it was. Her worries centered on the clothes to wear to events and keeping up appearances. Their conversations had been minimal and the sex… he avoided. Throughout their two-and-a-half-year relationship Logan could probably count on one hand the number of times they had sex and they all involved a fair amount of alcohol on his part. It didn't really surprise him that she had found sex elsewhere.
"Odette," Logan greeted, and it took all his control to walk over and place a kiss on her cheek and lead her to a seat at the table. "As I explained yesterday, I had an emergency come up that I needed to handle immediately. I figured we could have lunch before we head to the lawyers. We have already ordered, and the food should be here any moment."
The group settled and within moments the waiters arrived carrying trays of food. The men received their steaks and salads while a chicken salad was placed in front of the women. Wine was offered and poured and soon the waiters left, closing the door behind them.
"What was the emergency?" Odette inquired.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with," Logan replied as he studied the women in front of him. "Finn called, he ran into an old acquaintance who was having some issues and he thought I could assist."
"You're such a good friend Logan," Shira spat out. "But don't you think it would be more important to spend time with your wife instead of wasting time with… your friends?"
Logan let out a bitter laugh, "She's not my wife."
Odette pouted and quickly added, "Yet. Remember we are signing the papers today and I wanted to talk to you about moving the wedding up. Shira and I have spoke and we can get everything planned. The date will be…"
"No," Logan firmly stated as he cut her off. "The wedding will be postponed indefinitely as the emergency I had to deal with was… sensitive and will take some months to work out." Both women looked at each other with a slightly nervous look.
"What kind of emergency takes months to work out and why would that stop the wedding?" Shira asked with a worried tone. "You have already made Odette wait years and you're not getting any younger. You need to think about starting a family."
"Yes, well about starting a family," Logan paused with a pointed look at his mother. "I just found out I'm going to be a father." Both women paled further, and all three men studied them closely.
"Who is the whore?" Odette spat out. "We can take care of her just like the other one!" She realized what she said and quickly tired to add. "We can take of this quietly and no one needs to know."
"Like the other one?" Logan pressed; his eyes focused on her making the woman squirm.
"Nothing, just a slip," Odette nervously babbled.
"I'm sure," Shira stated quickly jumping in. "This is just troubling news; you know English is Odette's first language."
A smug smile crossed Mitchum's face as he patted Logan on the shoulder. "I for one could not be more pleased to be welcoming a new grandchild."
"What?" Shira exclaimed and she turned her gaze to her husband. "Your pleased that he will be welcoming a… a bastard! Can you imagine that damage that will do to our name!"
"No more damage than what you have already caused," Mitchum replied and took a sip of his wine. "Now, Logan you never did tell me the name of the woman that will be having your child."
Logan glanced at his father and gave a small smile before focusing back on Shira and Odette. "Rory Gilmore."
"How did you find out? I told her not to come near you!" Odette screamed as she quickly stood up and tried to pull her phone out of her purse. "I must call the lawyers!"
Colin quickly grabbed her purse and dug out her phone placing it in his pocket where a device was placed to clone her phone so they could try and get a heads up for whatever her next move would be.
"How did you even find out she was pregnant?" Logan pressed. "What did you do?"
Odette huffed and sank back down into the chair. "You had a meeting in the home office and left your phone in the kitchen. That bitch wouldn't stop calling your phone and texting desperately asking you to call her, so I blocked her number and deleted her texts," Odette shrugged her shoulders like it wasn't a big deal. "In your phone you have her as Ace and I asked Shira about her and was told it was probably your desperate college girlfriend who was a failed journalist. Shira thought she had already gotten rid of her but Mitchum told her that he saw you two at a restaurant, so she suggested I move in with you. You are mine and you need to be faithful to me. Then she sent you an email professing her love, another desperate attempt to get you back but she said she was pregnant, so we decided to have my lawyers handle it. I did what I needed to do. I handled the situation, I gave her money for an abortion and that slut was out of the picture. Shira even went to her house and found out she was in the hospital." Odette took a sip of her wine and focused back on Logan. "We will pay her more money, I'm sure my father would be fine with it and she will go away. We will get married." Odette finished off her glass of wine and poured another showing no remorse for any of her actions.
Logan let out a bitter laugh and studied the two women. "There will be no wedding, this engagement it off."
"Logan," Shira exclaimed, "you can not call of the wedding for that… that…"
"I would be really careful what you call the mother of my grandchild," Mitchum growled and Shira slightly cowered. "Remember she is a Gilmore, you were just a cocktail waitress."
"But Mitchum," Shira whined, "we both agreed Odette was the best choice."
Mitchum let out a humorless laugh, "No Shira you pushed her on Logan. I just agreed to get the papers. If Logan hadn't gone along with your plan, I would have been fine, though after talking to him, Logan did think I wanted this as well," Mitchum turned to look at his son. "For that I am sorry, I never wanted you to be tied in a marriage like mine."
"I'm pregnant!" Odette exclaimed as she stood up, "you have to marry me now!"
Logan laughed, a deep humorless sound. "Your drinking wine, and a lot of it so I hope you're not pregnant. And I can't remember the last time we had sex, it had to be about 4 months ago because that was the last time I got drunk and you happened to be in London, so if you are pregnant the baby isn't mine." Mitchum raised a slight eyebrow at his son and Logan simply shrugged.
"But Logie," Odette whined. "You can't leave me for her, do you know what people will say about me?"
Logan shrugged and downed the rest of his wine. "I honestly don't care what people say about you. All of your clothes that were in my apartment here have been packed and are in the trunk of a town car waiting outside for you. The car will take you to the airport where a commercial fight, with a coach ticket, will take you back to Paris. Your clothes in my London apartment have been packed and shipped to your brothers address in Paris. You have been placed on the do not enter list for both places and in case you slip by the doormen, the locks have been changed as well. I have cut off your cards that were linked to my accounts and all the clothes that you bought today using my money are being returned as we speak."
"But, how can you do this to me?" Odette cried. "We have been together for years!"
"We went on one date before the engagement was announced. I went along with it and played the game and it cost me the only one I have ever loved. But now I am done. You knew I never loved you, hell I have barely tolerated you, and I have never led you to believe that it was actually my choice to marry you. Why do you think we hardly ever go out in public and I try to arrive separately to any of the events we have been forced to attend together? I may have done this in a more civil manner had I not found out that you knew I was going to be a father and you kept that from me. Then to find out that you threatened the mother of my child! You don't want to come after me, it won't be pretty." Logan kept his tone level but the hate and anger in his voice were loud and clear.
"I will be talking to my father and brother and we will make you pay for this!" Odette screamed as she stood up.
Logan stood as well as Mitchum and both looked hard at the woman in front of them. Mitchum spoke in a low cold voice that sent chills down everyone's spine. "Don't threaten my family. Stay away from anything owned by the Huntzberger's, stay away from anyone named Huntzberger, stay away from Rory Gilmore, her home, her family."
"Don't push us Odette," Logan stated in an equally icy tone. "You went to far because of your greed."
Colin stood and handed Odette her purse and phone. "Let me escort you out." Colin grabbed her arm and walked her out of the room leaving Logan, Mitchum and Shira.
As soon as the door closed, Logan turned to face his mother. "You knew I was going to be a father and kept that away from me. I will never forgive you for that. From this moment, you don't exist to me. Stay away from me, Rory, her family and our child. If I am forced to see you in public, I will not speak to you. I am done with you." Logan turned to his father. "I'll call you later?" When Mitchum nodded he turned and walked out of the room to meet Colin in a separate car that you take them back to Hartford.
After Logan closed the door Mitchum walked over to Shira and dropped a stack of papers in front of her. "Now that I know how involved you were in this… I filed for divorce. Your clothes are being packed right now and being moved to a two-bedroom apartment I have rented for you in Hartford. The rent is paid for six months, it should give you plenty of time to get your affairs in order. The gate codes have been changed to the Hartford house as well as all the locks. The staff have been instructed to not let you into the house. Security at all of my homes and businesses have been instructed to not let you onto the properties. All of your credit cards have been cancelled." He pulled out his wallet and dropped a card in front of her as well as a couple of hundred-dollar bills. "I took the liberty of opening a checking account for you and put a couple of thousand in it, it should be enough to pay for your necessities for the next six months." He grabbed her left hand and pulled off her wedding and engagement rings, "I also gave you a copy of the pre-nup you signed so you can refresh your memory on what you are entitled to which is pretty much nothing. And definitely not entitled to any of the Huntzberger family jewels. I have put up with your schemes and manipulations for entirely too long but this time you went to far. You tried to take away Logan's child, you tried to take away my grandchild… There is a special place in hell for you. The car will take you to your new place."
"Mitchum," Shira cried as she stood up and grabbed his arm. "I was just trying to protect the family!"
Mitchum shook her off. "I would read all the papers, especially the last page of the pre-nup before you start talking to anyone. You agreed that in the case of divorce you would never try to profit from the marriage or the reasons for the divorce." With that he walked out of the door leaving a crying Shira. Shira slowly sank back into her chair and downed her glass of wine before pouring another. She was desperately trying to figure out how she could get rid of that Gilmore girl, force Logan and Odette back together and stop the divorce. After another glass of wine a plan started forming and a wicked smile crossed her face.