We sit quietly on the sand, staring at the waves. "She loved the ocean." He whispers after a few minutes.
I look around me slowly. "I can see why. It's breathtaking."
"She started surfing when she was six. Mum was livid that Dad let her on that board, even if he was right next to her." He shakes his head. "And she was really, really good. She won the Australia cup just after her thirteenth birthday. I drove her to the competition." He breathes in deeply. "She was the most amazing person I've ever met." He pauses. "The year she died, my mother sent me to Andover. That's where I met Colin and Logan. It was also the year she purged the house. I think deep down she may have known I 'd have protested." He glances at me. "I suppose you're wondering about my dad." He offers.
I shake my head. "I tend to forget to ask about dads. Problems with my own being extremely uninterested in my life when I was growing up."
"Tell me?" he requests.
I smile. "Only as a distraction." I remind him, thinking back. "When I was growing up, I used to think it was my fault he wasn't around. Maybe I wasn't smart enough, or whatever. I got into Chilton just before my sixteenth birthday, and the weekly dinners with my grandparents started. Not long after that, my dad was having troubles with his girlfriend Sherry. He came back to town, and he and my mom got back together briefly. I was thrilled." I sigh. "What little girl wouldn't be? Her dad suddenly back in her life." I pause. "One week, my grandparents invited the Haydens to Friday Night Dinner. I had never met them. I picked out my best outfit, did my hair. I had just turned sixteen. They accused me of ruining my dad's life."
I feel Finn's arm come around my shoulders. "Oh love." He whispers.
"A few weeks later my dad found out Sherry was pregnant. He left mom and I to have a family with her. I have a half sister, Gigi, I don't see her much, too much resentment towards my dad."
"I would assume especially now with what happened at the Gilmore vow renewal?"
I nod. "Logan told you?"
"He was a little stressed at how he met your parents."
I laugh. "Which is funny, because even though I've never thought of my dad as a parent, he did meet Luke, who was the closest thing I ever had to a father growing up."
"Your mom's boyfriend?"
I nod. "They got back together a couple weeks ago."
"We are quite the pair, aren't we Rory Gilmore?"
I lean into him. "I suppose we are." I nod out at the ocean. "How are you doing?"
"Better." He says carefully. "It's going to take more than one visit." He admits.
I nod. "I'll tell you what." I look up at him. "Whenever you want to do this, providing you pay the airfare and accommodations since I'm essentially broke, let me know. We'll tell everyone we need a Foster's and fly off."
His arm tightens around me, pulling me closer. "I suppose that's unless you have plans with your terrifying mother."
"Well, in that case, either you'll join me, or she'll join us and we'll ditch her for a few hours." I explain.
"Thanks love."
I nod, ignoring how safe I feel in his embrace. "So, are we ready to meet up with your friends for Foster's?"
He pulls back. "Our friends love. They're thrilled that I found an American who can drink at the same pace as us."
I wince. "I don't know about that."
"You kept up last night."
"Okay, so, when drinking Foster's I can."
He stands, and pulls me up to stand in front of me. "Darling, in Australia, Foster's is the only thing that counts."
I lean into him as we walk up to the customs counter. "Baggage?" the agent asks, confused.
I smile at the guy. "Not really, no. The trip was sort of spur of the moment." I hand over my passport and Finn does the same.
"You went to Australia for the weekend." The agent deadpans.
Finn nods. "I had some family business, and my girlfriend here offered to join me for the trip." He explains quickly.
I smile. "Who am I to say no to a weekend on the beach?" I shrug.
The agent stares at us. "I want it known that the only reason I believe you is because the dogs don't smell anything, and the x-rays are clean."
I nod. "Thanks." He stamps our passports, waving us through. "What am I going to do about Logan?" I ask softly as we walk into the terminal.
I feel his arm tighten around me. "I don't know love. I can't make that decision for you."
"Why not?" I look up at him.
He smiles softly. "For the same reason you didn't force me to talk about Anelicania. We can't make emotional decisions for those around us." He helps me into the Park n' Fly shuttle.
I nod. "He's not going to react well, is he?"
"Probably not. He's been unusually possessive when it comes to you. But he'll get over it. You'll probably end up very good friends."
"I hope so. He challenges me. I just…" I sigh. "I can't deal with the intensity." I admit.
"He is intense."
I smile. "He is definitely that." I look out the window at the empty parking spot where the SUV was two days before. "He's also awfully touchy." I deadpan.
Finn begins to laugh. "He's never done this before."
I glance at the confused driver. "Would you mind taking us back to the airport? We forgot we had a friend pick up the car." I look at Finn. "And my book." I hiss.
He sobers. "Darling, I'll buy you a new one."
"There were notes in the margins Finn. I need that copy back."
He grins. "You should get it back before you break up with Logan then."
I groan. "Sadist."
