Okay, guys, I broke this chapter up into two chapters because I felt like was too long. I need some feedback on this story. I appreciate my loyal reviews. They help me understand more of what I should write. Help a girl out. Tell me what you want to see happen. Maybe if not in this story, my next.

She Ain't My Blood, But She's My Girl

Chapter 29

Logan and Rory stood up when they heard the car pull into the drive. Logan kissed Rory as Chris came out of the office to answer the door. Rory picked up her coffee cup out of habit. It was empty. She took it to the kitchen. When she returned with a tray of coffee and mugs, the group was already in the office.

"I feel like I am being ambushed," She heard Tristan say. He was standing as everyone else was seated. He was looking around the room.

"We are not ambushing you, Tristan," Rory said as she placed the tray on the table. "Coffee if anyone wants," She said with a smile. "Tristan, have a seat. No one is here to ambush you. You called this meeting." she stopped and put her hand up to stop Tristan. He was about to say something. "We have some questions for you also. So relax," She told him, putting her hand on his shoulder. In the past, she could always calm him down by putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Tristan, I believe you know everyone, but let me introduce you. You know Logan, my husband, Chris, my dad. I believe you know my lawyer, Colin McCrae. He is also one of Logan's best friends." She then motioned to Dillon. "This is Dillon Stone, he is a good friend of both Logan and myself as well as head of security at HPG." Tristan nodded at each. Being surprised, but not shocked about Dillon. Rory took a seat next to Logan. "Tristan, you have the floor."

"Well. I am not sure where to start. I really expected to talk with Rory and Logan alone, but here goes." He stood up, pacing the room. Rory knew this meant he was nervous. "First of all, What is said here needs to stay here." He could tell by the expressions on their faces that this might be a problem. Rory started to say something but he stopped her. "I would prefer if this does not get back to my family." The expressions on their faces relaxed.

"I am not resigning my commission," Tristan said, watching for their reaction. "Dad thinks I am resigning my commission and taking over the family business." he sighed. "I am on temporary leave. When Dad passes." He stopped. He and his dad have not gotten along his whole life. He loved his dad, but they could not be in the same room together for very long. "Mom called when the doctors told her that there is nothing else they could do for him. She begged me to come back. That was about 10 months ago."

"You have been in the states for 10 months?" Rory asked. Tristan shook his head. "But that is what you just said."

"I have been back and forth since then. That's how I got hooked up with Anita. I have been back in the states for just a few weeks, maybe a month." Tristan was relaxing a little. Logan and the rest were letting him and Rory talk.

"So, when Jaylan passes, you will what?" Rory asked. Tristan looked at her. Then he made eye contact with the rest of the room.

"This can not get back to my family. I still have an uncle and cousin that are going to protest. When he passes, if it is left to me, like I think it will be, I am selling the business." Tristan said. He noticed the shocked look on Rory's face. "My aunt Amanda's husband Frank and their son Donald, work for the company. I intend to sell the company and split the money between Mom and Aunt Amanda. I still have the majority of my trust. I will be fine. Besides, the company is worth enough, that there is no way my mother could spend it all. She will be getting ½ of the business as well as Dad's money. I will inherit what is left." Tristan was waiting for Rory's reaction, but what surprised him was Logan's, although he thinks about it. It shouldn't surprise him.

"You called this meeting to tell Rory about your commission, and the family business, Yet I have yet to hear you mention your daughter," Logan said. Tristan smiled, trying to control his anger, although he didn't have a right.

"You are so right. I have not mentioned Mia. She is such a sweet girl. I see a lot of you in her," he said looking at Rory. "But I also see myself." He paused. This next part is going to be hard for him to say. He was trying to convince himself that he is doing what is best for his daughter.

"I love Mia," He signed. "Logan, if you could just bear with me for a couple of minutes, I am sure you will be grateful for what I am about to say." Logan nodded his head but was watchful. He knows he has nothing to worry about. Rory loves him and would never stray. "I love you too, Rory, but I did what was best for you and Mia. You needed your family. I found out before you had Mia, that I had an assignment that would cause me to be gone for two years. I accepted the assignment." Tristan put his head in his hands. "I knew that taking the assignment meant that I would not see you or our daughter for two years. I felt it was best just to ask for a divorce so that you could move on." Rory had leaned into Logan. She had all kinds of feelings swirling around. How could he pick a career over his family?

"I know that you are trying to figure out what type of a man chooses his job over his family, his daughter? The kind that serves his country with no questions asked." He was sitting with his elbow on his knees. "I have done things that if it is found out that I have a family, it could put them in danger. Possibly killed." Tristan was beginning to feel a weight being lifted off him.

"Are you a Navy Seal?" Collin asked almost in a whisper. Tristan chucked.

"No, I am in the Marines, not the Navy. The Marine Raider Regiment, one known as the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command is what the Marines have instead of the Seals." Tristan said with a chuckle.

"Well, are you special ops?" Chris asked. Standing for the first time since Tristan entered the room.

"I am not at liberty to discuss any form of assignments given while in the Maries," Tristan said. Everyone in the room was smiling, except for Rory. She knew there is more to this than Tristan was letting on. Tristan stood back up. He was pacing again, but this time he had a Paper in his hand. Collin thought it looked like a legal document.

"This next part is going to be hard for me. I know you will judge me. But I am doing what I think is best." He stopped pacing in front of Rory. "I have had papers drawn up by a friend of mine that works in JAG. He actually recommended this. You will be surprised how many of these he has done." He handed the paper to Rory.

Logan leaned over so he could see, Collin and Chris both got up from their seats to see what he had given Rory. She looked at the papers and then went back to Tristan. Tristan nodded his head. She turned her head to look at Logan. He was reading, making sure there was no catch. Rory stood up, walked to Tristan, and hugged him. It took him a moment to relax. Collin was looking over the document. Tristan was voluntarily surrendering his parental right.