Chapter 20
Once Logan had finished his meeting, he went into the kitchen to find his daughter making a snack for herself.
"Hey, Dad," she greeted him. "Can I get you anything while I'm in here?"
"That looks really good, Viv," he said pointing to the food on her plate.
"Say no more," she replied and grabbed a second plate, filling it like hers. Viv brought it to Logan, who was seated at the table. They shared an awkward silence as they each nibbled at their snack.
"So, how was your meeting?" his daughter asked attempting to make conversation. She wanted to continue her push to get him to come clean about Ritchie, but she had started to feel defeated by her dad and brother.
"Oh, you know, the same old stuff. It's just work," he replied and sat in nervous silence. He wanted to tell her about Richard, but the words were elusive. "I, um, wanted to talk to you about something."
A feeling of elation swept over Viv as she imagined that he'd finally tell her the truth. Her mind started running wild when she thought of how she'd react. Taking a deep, calming breath, she asked, "About what?"
"It's kind of a delicate subject," he continued trying to find his confidence.
"Ok, I'm all ears," Viv said.
Fuck, how am I supposed to tell her? he thought. Why can't I just get the words out? What is so hard about this? Logan sat for a while going over scenarios in his head as he struggled to find the words to confess the truth.
She could see her dad lost in thought as he tried to tell her something important. Why won't he just tell me? she asked herself silently. It's not that freakin' hard!
After a few minutes of quiet, she broke his tense silence.
"Dad, what did you want to tell me?"
Snapping back to reality, Logan looked at his daughter. "Your grandparents want you to visit before school starts in the fall," he blurted out. It wasn't a lie because they had written about wanting to see her.
Is he kidding? she wondered.
"When do they want me to come over?"
"I meant going to Paris to visit your mom's family," he clarified. He'd been putting off talking about it because of the whole Rory and Richard situation. He was also painfully aware of the tense relationship his daughter had with his former in-laws.
"Oh," she replied. She had zero desire to go to Paris and had never really been fond of the city, even when she was younger. Her grandparents had been horrible uptight and proper. Their idea of a good time was to criticize her every move and word.
"I know you don't get along with them very well, but you are all they have left since the accident," he reminded her.
"What about Mom's girlfriend?" she asked pointedly.
"You know they never accepted that relationship. It will never belong in their world no matter how much your mother wanted it to," he explained.
"Do I have to go?"
"Maybe, I could invite them here instead?" Logan suggested.
That's not going to change the fact they are horrible people! she thought exasperatedly. I don't think that's what he was going to tell me, and it seems he's not going to tell me the truth!
"Fine, do whatever you want," she huffed, crossed her arms across her chest, and pushed the plate away. "I'm not hungry anymore."
He watched his daughter exit and he let out a sigh. Why did I have to mention them instead of Richard? I just need to man up and tell her, he thought.
Before he could muster up the courage, Viv came back into the kitchen.
"I'm going to Ritchie's," she announced on her way to the garage.
I've just got to get to the bottom of this myself, and it's clear that my dad is not the answer. He'd just deny it at this point since he's obviously avoiding the whole thing, she lamented silently. Confronting Ritchie is my best bet!
Driving to his house felt like the longest trip she'd ever been on, and all she could think about was the conversation with her dad. He seemed to want her to visit her grandparents. Was he trying to get rid of me? she wondered. Does he have a new girlfriend or something? OH! I bet he's seeing her. Is that why he wanted to move back to Hartford? He wants to make a nice little family with them and leave me out in the cold. Her imagination was running wild with scenes of her as a modern-day Cinderella. No, my dad wouldn't do that to me. She knew her emotions were making her think crazy thoughts.
After what felt like an eternity of driving, Viv pulled up in Ritchie's driveway. Ok, I just need to go in and talk to him about all of this nonsense. No messing around, get straight to the point! He'll tell me the truth, she convinced herself.
She went up to the door, rang the bell, and waited a moment. She was surprised when a lovely, middle-aged woman answered the door. She recognized Rory Gilmore from her research. She really has aged well, she thought. The woman looked her up and down for a moment as if trying to place her. Viv could see the wheels turning in her head.
"Hi!" she said with a soft smile. "You must be Vivienne."
And you must be my almost Mommy, she thought with a chuckle. Once she comprehended the reality of the situation, she felt herself getting a little worked up. Not only was she meeting the woman she had learned was the love of her dad's life, but she was also meeting a world-famous best-selling author, who happened to be one of her favorites. Even though she'd rubbed elbow with other rich and famous types, this meeting was a little more nerve-wracking for some reason.
"Viv. Call me, Viv, Mrs. Gilmore," she replied trying not to sound too nervous.
Rory laughed. "Mrs. Gilmore was my grandmother. I'm just Rory."
She invited Logan's daughter inside with a gesture. She accepted and went inside, still feeling anxious. Why am I so nervous? I've been here before, and she's a regular person. She's just Ritchie's mom! Viv thought, trying to calm herself.
"I think Richard is up in his room," Rory explained. "Make yourself at home. Can I get you anything? Coffee? Water?"
"A coffee would be great, thank you!" she answered and took a seat on the couch. Being star struck had made her forget about the reason for her visit.
Rory disappeared into the kitchen. "How do you take your coffee?" she called out from the next room.
"A little cream and sugar, please," Viv replied still in awe that she was having coffee with the Rory Gilmore.
A few minutes later, Ritchie's mom returned with two cups of coffee. She handed one to Viv and took a seat adjacent to the couch where the young girl was seated. They sat in a tensely awkward silence. Rory had seen this before in a lot of her fans, yet she couldn't figure out why Logan's daughter was so nervous. Certainly, she'd hobnobbed with other famous types, Rory thought. This kind of situation shouldn't be anything new.
Viv smiled at Ritchie's mom, not knowing what to say. Without warning, Rory stood up when she realized she'd forgotten to call her son downstairs.
"If you'll excuse me for a minute," she said and flashed a quick smile before heading up the stairs.
Once she was out of sight, she called to Richard. "Hey, kid, your sister is here."
She didn't realize how loud she was, and Viv could hear her voice carry into the living room.
"Really, Mom?" he called back in a loud whisper. "I don't think she knows that yet!"
"Isn't that why she's here? I'm pretty sure Logan told her today. He said he was going to anyway," she explained.
So, Ritchie does know and somehow, his mom knows about me, too, Viv thought. She was brought out of her bewitched daze. Wow, it was like she had some sort of spell over me. Is this how dad felt?
"I don't know why she's here, Mom. I didn't even know she was coming over. Usually, she texts me, so, maybe she did find out," he replied. "I'll be down in a minute."
When Rory returned to the living, she saw Viv deep in thought.
"Are you ok?" she asked softly.
Viv was brought back to the real world. She shook her head a little because she was trying to wrap her head around things and was reminded why she'd come in the first place.
"Yes, I mean, no. I mean, I've got to go," she said. "Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Gilmore."
Grabbing her purse, she headed for the door, and she heard Ritchie calling to her.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going?" he asked.
She turned to look at him and was on the verge of tears. This is like some big conspiracy that everyone knows about except me, she thought sadly and angrily. Why won't anyone tell me?
"What's wrong, Viv?" he wondered softly.
"You're my...my..." she couldn't get the words out. Tears started stinging her cheeks as her teeth clenched together. The ire overwhelmed the sadness. Ritchie tried to console her, and she pushed him away.
"BROTHER!" she shouted in anger.
His eyes dropped to the floor as he backed away. "I know," he replied quietly. "I didn't know how to tell you..."
Rory jumped to her son's defense. "I'm sorry, Viv. Don't blame Richard. He didn't know until a few days ago, and neither did your dad."
Viv turned to Rory and shot her a look that reminded Rory very much of Logan because she'd seen it at the coffee shop.
"Mom, that's not helping!" Richard said.
"Nobody told me. I figured it out on my own, and no matter how much I pushed, no one would tell me anything!"
"I thought your dad told you," Rory replied.
"How could you keep this all a big secret? Do you have any idea how much time I lost with my big brother - who happens to be my best friend?! Thank, God, we met at tennis camp!" Viv cried and was nearly yelling through her tears.
"I'm...I'm sorry," Rory said in almost a whisper.
"No, you deliberately kept this from him and consequently me. I don't know what kind of person you think my dad is, but he's been a great father to me, and I know, given the chance, would have been the same to Ritchie. Instead, you were selfish and kept this secret...from ALL OF US! He had a right to know! I had a right to know! Ritchie had a right to know! How do you sleep at night knowing what you've done?" Viv fired at Rory. Gone were her feelings of awe for her favorite author.
Rory looked stunned at the teen's harsh words.
"Viv, that's not fair," Richard defended his mother.
"You don't have to defend me," she replied to her son. "She's absolutely correct and has every right to be angry with me, just like Logan was when he found out."
"Don't try to take my side," Viv said to Rory angrily. "I'm not some naïve little girl who's easily persuaded by your words."
"I never implied that you were, and I was simply agreeing with you."
"I...I can't be here anymore," she said as the tears began to flow a second time. "I'm sorry, Ritchie, I just can't be here anymore."
"Viv, wait. Don't go. Let's go talk about this, ok?" he suggested desperately.
His attempt to keep her at his house were in vain. She shook her head no and walked out the door. Richard followed. Rory watched from the window as the siblings hashed it out some more in the driveway.
"Please, Viv," he begged. "You have no idea how badly I wanted to tell you."
"I don't want to hear it. I just want to be alone right now," she replied firmly and without another word, she got into her car and left.
As Rory watched the car leave, she texted Logan.
Rory: Apparently, you hadn't told your daughter about Richard being her half-brother. You don't have to worry about that anymore because I just told her. I thought you had already told her. She's pretty upset and probably headed back home.
Logan waited for his daughter to arrive home. He had hoped she'd come around by the time she got home but knew that was highly unlikely. I should have told her! Why is this so damn hard? he lamented silently. A slamming door brought him out of his rueful thoughts.
"Viv?" he called out.
She grumbled something indiscernible loudly at him and went straight for her room. He quickly followed her up the stairs and was too late. The door slammed in his face. Taking a moment to gather himself, he knocked on the door.
"No! Go away!" she shouted from the other side.
"Viv, let me explain," he requested.
"You kept this from me! MY OWN BROTHER!"
"I didn't know until recently," he tried to explain.
"Just leave me alone!" she ordered.
"I'm sorry, Viv," he apologized. "I didn't know how to tell you."
"Seems pretty simple to me. Viv, you've got a half-brother. Oh, I do? That's awesome!" she said having a mock conversation. "Not so hard!"
"You're right," he conceded. "I'll be downstairs when you want to hear my side.
Feeling defeated, he turned around and headed straight for his study, where he poured himself a drink.
Viv stayed in her room hugging a pillow close to her chest. She replayed the scene with Rory in her head. How could she just be so casual about it? It was not a big deal to her, she thought. Why couldn't he just freakin' tell me? It wasn't that hard! But she kept him from us for all of these years! Why did she have to be so selfish?!
Emotions were running wild in Viv, and she didn't know whether to be angry or happy. On the other, no one would tell her and Rory kept this secret from all of them. She tried to rationalize everything in her head, but it all ended up in a twisted, jumbled mess. She was startled by the sound coming from the other side of the door.
Richard knocked on his sister's door.
"Go away, Dad!" she shouted once more.
"It's not your dad," the voice replied. She knew to whom it belonged.
"I don't want to talk to anyone, Ritchie!"
"Not even your own brother," he prodded in an attempt to guilt her into opening the door.
"I don't want to talk to anyone who's related to me!" she averred. What I really want is my best friend, she thought. But he falls into that category now.
"Viv, c'mon!"
"You've all lied to me!" she stated firmly.
"Technically..." he began.
"Don't pull that technically crap with me. You've omitted the truth. You and my dad both knew and you withheld that information," she explained.
"If you knew, why didn't you say something?"
"Don't try to turn this back on me," she warned.
"Viv, please, can't we talk about this?" Logan wondered softly.
I should have known he was out there, too, she thought.
"No! Both of you are to blame in all of this. Go away!" she demanded.
"Just let me in. I'm still your best friend..." Richard begged.
There was a long pause as the two men stood outside Viv's door.
He's right. He is still my best friend, and I need him now, more than ever, she thought.
"Fine, but only you, Ritchie," she finally caved.
She opened the door begrudgingly and shot her dad an angry look. She crossed her arms across her chest. Richard walked into the room. Logan stood there, giving his daughter a longing glance. She grimaced as she closed the door on him.
"Talk," she demanded.
"Viv, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you from the beginning," he confessed.
"Why didn't you?"
"I didn't know how to say it, and when I talked to my mom, she said that it shouldn't be my place to do it," he answered.
Because she hasn't already caused enough damage, she thought sarcastically.
"But, you said it yourself. We're best friends," she retorted.
"I know," he sighed. "How would you do it?"
"I guess I hadn't really thought about that. I was trying to get my dad to tell me and when that didn't work...I tried to get you to confess," she admitted.
"Is that what all of that was about? You suddenly interested in me as 'more than a friend'?"
"Yes," she answered sheepishly.
"You could have just asked."
"You should have just told me!" she countered.
"If you recall, I almost did," he reminded her. "But you are right."
Damn right, I am, she thought. Why was this so hard? I guess, at least, it's out in the open now. Viv's mood shifted slightly as she began to revel in her small victory.
"No more secrets?" she asked tentatively.
"No, no more secrets," he agreed.
She hugged him quickly in relief, and the tension seemed to dissipate.
"So..." she began.
"What?"
"Tell me how you found out!"
"Wait a minute! You were just pissed at me," he said.
"That was so five minutes ago. I can't stay mad at my favorite brother," she said playfully. "My dad...I mean our dad is another story!"
"He really should have told you," he reiterated.
"Ok, no, you have to tell me how your mom explained everything to you. How did she break the news to you?"
Richard went on to tell her about the revelation on his birthday, and his mother's subsequent meeting with their father.
"I can't believe your mom kept that from you and him," she said in disbelief.
"I get why she did it. Your world is so different than mine," he explained.
"Look at all the time we missed out on together," Viv reminded him.
"Would we have been as good of friends though?" he pointed out.
"I'd like to think we would," she said firmly.
"I've got to confess - I've always felt like you were more like a little sister to me. At tennis camp, I just wanted to protect you like a good brother would."
"Me, too!" she agreed. "That's what I've said to everyone and never let the rumors get to me."
"The gossip was hilarious! Did you hear the one where they thought I was really your bodyguard because the Huntzbergers were the bosses of a global mafia ring? The publishing group was just a front for their mob activities."
"No, I hadn't heard that one. Who comes up with this stuff?" she wondered. "All I heard was the usual story about us dating or sneaking off to hook up."
"Some of them were pretty creative and elaborate."
"None of those really mattered to me. I'm just really glad we met though, and now, I've got the sibling I always wanted!" she said with a huge smile.
