Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden Chapter 11
When Rory and Logan arrived at the Hayden Manor, the driveway was full. There was Chris's Volvo, her Grandpa Richard's Jaquar, and her mother's Jeep. Logan noticed the Jeep at the same time Rory did.
"Didn't you say that Lorelai usually didn't come to Friday night dinners when the Haydens host?" Logan asked. She nodded. He got out of the car and opened her door. Before they approached the door, Logan stopped her.
"I am not telling you to get drunk, but I will be sober tonight, so don't worry. Have a drink to take the edge off. I will be driving." Logan told her. She smiled at him.
"I was thinking of staying in the pool house tonight." She told him. He nodded. "I would like for you to stay with me."
"Are you sure that is a good idea?" he asked. They had reached the door by now and the maid answered before she had time to ring the bell.
"Yes. I will tell Gran-Mère discreetly. We just won't make a big deal out of it. We have been sharing a bed for over a week." She told him.
"Not the same." He whispered in her ear. This sent a chill down her spine. They had been sharing a bed, but that was before they declared their love for each other. They gave their coats to Evelyn. Rory whispered that her bag was in the back seat of Logan's car. She asked her to get it and put it in the pool house.
Evelyn squeezed Rory's shoulder and smiled at her. Evelyn was saddened when she heard the news of Mr. Hayden. She felt for his granddaughter. She always liked Rory and wished her the best. She did not agree with the things that she witnessed concerning her parents. Rory was in Middle School when Evelyn came to work for the Haydens. She has known Rory and Logan for a long time.
"Everyone is in the sitting room, Ms. Rory," Evelyn said as she took Logan's jacket. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Yes, I will take a SideCar and Logan a Macallan's neat," Rory told Evelyn. She nodded.
"Your Gran-Mère requested pot roast for supper." She told Rory. Rory smiled. She liked pot roast.
"Well, come on in. Stop all that whispering." Papa told her. She looked up and he was standing by the drink cart.
"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked. Rory kissed him on the cheek.
"No, Evelyn took our drink orders." She said as she and Logan made the rounds of shaking hands and kissing cheeks.
"Rory, it is wonderful to see you. It seems like it has been ages since I saw you last." Emily said.
"I know Grandma, but I have been busy at school. It is a lot to get used to. It is nothing like high school." She said. She heard someone snicker as she and Logan found a seat on one of the sofas. They had just sat down when they heard Gigi. Rory turns toward the sound.
"Ceecee will get her," Sherry says as Christopher starts to get up. "That's what we pay her for." Christopher sat back down.
"Logan, it is nice to see you. How are your parents doing?" Richard asked. Logan smiled at him, thankful he took the attention off of Gigi. He knew the way Rory had been treated as a child. He also knew that Rory would have something to say if she was left too long to dwell on how Gigi was being treated. Rory is an introvert. That is to anyone that does not know her. She had strong opinions and she doesn't mind sharing in the right circumstance.
"They are doing fine. I talked with dad just yesterday. We were trying to schedule a trip to Toronto. There is a paper he wants to look at and he wants me to go with him." Logan said.
"I would imagine with school and such, you have a hard time finding the time to travel," Francine said. Logan nodded. Rory looked around. She was not sure who knew and who didn't. She wanted to ask how her Papa was feeling but she didn't want to spill the beans, so to speak.
"Mom, Luke must have been busy. I would have liked to have visited with him." Rory said. Before Lorelai could answer, Rory continued speaking. "Logan, maybe tomorrow we can go to his diner, I would love some chili fries. You have got to try them."
"Chili fries?" Staub asked. "What is that?" Rory laughed.
"Papa, it is a big plate of french fries smothered in cheese and chili. You would like it, Papa. You have to come with us sometimes." Rory said smiling, then her smile faded. Logan noticed as did Staub. Logan took her hand.
"Child, you will not be sad. I am still here and feeling fine. I will enjoy the time I have left….I think I would like to try these chili fries you speak of, Could I come with you tomorrow?" Staub asked.
Rory's smile was a mile wide. "Yes, Papa, and you have got to try his milkshakes. I love chocolate, but he has strawberry too. I know that is your favorite." She said,
"Rory, are you staying here tonight?" Christopher asked. He and Sherry planned to spend the night. He was wondering about Rory. She nodded her head. Christopher had hoped he and Sherry would be staying in the pool house. Ceecee would stay in the main house with Gigi.
"Yes, I am staying in the pool house. There are still a few things I want to take back with me to Yale. When I packed, I was not sure of what I would need. I know now." She told him. She was guessing by what her Papa had said, that everyone knew.
"Papa, you said you were feeling well. I would love for you to come with us tomorrow, but I don't want you to over-exert yourself." Rory told him.
"Nonsense, we will go for lunch. That will give me time to come back and rest." Staub told her.
Evelyn appeared at the entrance to the sitting room. She told them dinner was served. They all followed Staub to the dining room. Rory and Logan were lagging behind. She grabbed her Gran-Mère hand to stop her.
"Logan is staying with me in the pool house tonight." She whispered. I just wanted to let you know." Rory said. Francine smiled at her granddaughter, then Logan.
"That is fine with me." She said, "Just remember, play nice, we don't want Staub to have a heart attack before the cancer gets him."
"Gran-Mère!" Rory said. Her Gran-Mère smiled at her and chuckled.
"You have to laugh to keep from crying child." She told them. They followed her into the dining room.