Achieving Goals-Chapter 33
Rory and Mrs. Chadwick took over Logan's conference table in his office. He was out of the office. In meetings the rest of the day. When they took a lunch break, Rory went to the break room when she overheard a group of employees talking. She thought the gossip had followed her to London. She had hoped to write some for the Sun while she was in London, but she refused to be tormented. Maybe she just needs to give up journalism. Achieving her goals seemed futile.
She was so far up in her head that she didn't realize they were not talking about her. They are defending her. Talking about how gossip impacts everyone. She finally heard someone call her name.
"Rory, Rory." One girl said. "Have a seat with us." Rory hesitated. Another girl told her, "come on. We didn't bite." Rory poured herself a cup of coffee and sat with the group.
A blonde girl, about Rory's age, asked her about working in America versus working in London.
"Tell us about some of your adventures in America." Beverly said. She was the blonde girl from earlier.
Rory sat and talked with them for a while. She was hesitant to give them too much information, but it was not a secret that she was Logan's girlfriend. Which was a good thing because he came looking for her to see if she wanted to go to lunch with him.
He walked into the break room. It took him a minute to find her. He didn't expect her to be sitting with a group. He texted her while he was getting his coffee. The last thing he wanted to do was cause problems by letting everyone know she was his girlfriend.
When she got the text, she turned to see him watching her. She smiled at him and waved him over.
"Hope you don't mind, but Logan is here." She told the group. "He wants to take me to lunch."
"So, now that the big boss shows up, you are going to abandon us?" Brittany asked. Rory's smile dropped. She knew it was too good to be true.
"While he is not the big boss, that would be Mitchum." Rory told them as she got up to greet Logan.
"While if we are losing you to the boss, big or little, the least you can do is introduce us." Beverly told her. She introduced him to the three girls.
"Now, have a seat and eat with the common folks." Glenda told him. She was the oldest of the group. She looked to be about Lorelai's age. Rory cut her eyes to Logan, and he shrugged his shoulders and sat down.
Rory and Logan laughed at the antics of these three ladies. When they returned to Logan's office, Mrs. Chadwick was waiting. They continued with the planning of the parties.
Rory visited the HPG offices in London every day the rest of the week. She and Mrs. Chadwick worked on the seating charts, as well as all the other things involved in hosting a formal gala. She also enjoyed taking her coffee breaks with her new friends.
Thanksgiving was rapidly approaching. Rory and Logan are returning to the States the week of Thanksgiving. They had a surprise for the family. Mitchum and Honor were the only ones that knew.
"Ace," Logan yelled from the bedroom. "We are only going to be gone for a couple of days. Do you think you need all of these suitcases?" He asked as he walked into his home office. Rory was on the phone. She stopped and waited for her to finish the call before asking again about the suitcases.
"That was my professor at Columbia." She told him. He nodded his head.
"Everything still on schedule?" He asked. She nodded and smiled.
"Yes, but are you sure about this?" She asked. "It's not too late to change your mind."
"No, I am pretty sure of our decision." He told her. "What about you?" She nodded.
On the way to the airport Wednesday morning, Logan and Rory stopped by the HPG London offices. Beverly, Brittney and Glenda were in the break room when Rory walked by. She stepped in to talk with them for a few minutes.
"Have a seat. He won't leave without you," Glenda said. Rory giggled. That is true.
She sat and drank her coffee. They chatted about the upcoming Christmas holiday. When Logan finished his business in his office, he stopped by the break room to get Rory.
"Have a safe trip, you two." Glenda told them. Both Rory and Logan waved bye to them.
The flight was long. They left at lunchtime Wednesday from London and arrived in Hartford around 2 pm. A car was waiting for them. They are staying with Francine this trip. The Gilmore-Hayden family would celebrate Thanksgiving at the Hayden Manor. The Huntzburger are celebrating Thanksgiving at the Huntzburger Manor Friday. Honor and Josh will be back from Maine to eat with them Friday. They have been visiting.
Rory and Logan both were hoping to eat early. They wanted to meet up with their friends Friday night. They would leave at midnight Friday night to fly back to London. They were promised Mitchum and Shira would be on their best behavior. Logan tells Rory he was sure this would be the last celebration in the Huntzburger Manor with both of his parents. He figured by this time next year, they would both be remarried.
Thursday morning, Rory woke early. She is looking forward to spending time with her family and friends, but she was nervous. She was nervous because they were telling the family about their plans to stay in London. She was also nervous because Finn insisted they meet at a club in New York Friday night. Rory was having flashbacks. Logan knew Rory was nervous. He tried to tell her she didn't need to worry, but it was not helping.
Rory was just coming out of the shower when she heard a knock on the glass door. She grabbed a robe and answered the door. It was Grammy Fran.
"Rory, I waited till I could see movement in the pool house. I didn't want to wake you. I know how jet lag can be." Francine told her. Rory invited her in.
"If you would just give me a minute, I will put on some clothes." Rory told her. Francine nodded. When Rory returned she was wearing a black leggings and a brown and orange tunic dress. She looked very Thanksgiving. She still had her hair in a towel on top of her head.
"Logan is just getting in the shower." Rory told Grammy Fran. She nodded.
"Rory, I want to talk with you." She told her. Rory nodded. She just knew Grammy Fran found out about their plans to stay in London.
Francine patted the cushion beside her on the sofa. This pool house was still decorated as her Papa's office, but Rory liked it.
"I hope you will forgive me," Francine said, "But I overheard you and Logan talking last night" Rory wasn't sure what to say. She was trying to figure out which conversation she heard.
"I am just going to say what I need to say. I am old and entitled to my opinion. I feel it is my job to help you understand." Francine said. Rory's eyes got big. What is she going to tell her?
"Rory, Lorelai Leigh Hayden-Gilmore. Listen to me say your name. You are a Gilmore. You are a Hayden. You will soon add Huntzburger to your name. Say your name for me, Rory." Francine told her. Rory could tell she was angry.
"Lorelai Leigh Hayden-Gilmore." Rory said. Francine nodded her head. Rory said it again.
"Now, do you hear yourself?" Francine said. "Your great grandmother Lorelai the 1st. You are named after an exceptional woman. Your mother is a strong woman. You have two strong grandmothers. Do you not think we made mistakes? If you would like, I can pull out some photo albums and show you some of the things we all used to do."
"Rory, what I am telling you is to hold your head high. Stand up for yourself. Be a strong woman that stands by her man. I am not telling you to become one of those trophy wives, I am telling you to stand your ground. You are a talented woman. Mr. Coswell from the London Sun thinks so. I heard about you standing up for yourself. I heard about you letting him know you didn't need him to go through Logan to get to you." Grammy Fran was on a roll.
"I want you to go to London. I want you to own it. Be the strong woman that I know you can be. Let Logan and Mitchum help you. Don't hide from their name or their contact. Matter of fact, throw your Papa's name around if you need to. Don't let opportunities pass you by just because of who you know, or who your family is. Show the people in London that you have connections, but you are capable of the work you are given." Francine stopped and took a breath.
"You are very talented." Francine continued. "I know that your mother raised you to be independent and not to rely on anyone but yourself. I know if Mitchum or Logan were to give you a job, you would work hard to prove yourself. Why should you be punished because of who your family is or the contraction you made? Making connections is one benefit of an Ivy League education."
Logan had been listening at the door. "I agree 100%. Please excuse me for eavesdropping." Logan said. "If you would like, you can write under a different name. Maybe Leigh Hayden or Lora Leigh. Just a suggestion."
"Francine, I guess you know our news?" Logan asked. She nodded.
"I think you and Rory should do what is best for the two of you. I would prefer you stay in Hartford in my pool house, at least until I am gone. Then you can have the entire house." Francine said, with a smile on her face. When she saw the look on Logan and Rory's face, she couldn't help but laugh.
"I said that is what I would prefer," Francine said as she stood up. "But I know that you need to do what is best for the two of you. Just know, I expect lots of trips back to Hartford." She kissed them both on the cheek before opening the door. "I love you and I will support any decision you make." Rory and Logan watched her walk across the patio.
"You know she is right." Logan told her. Rory nodded.
"It is just hard when you have been raised the way I was raised." She said,