Chapter 13: Road Trip
Logan awoke to a pelting sound outside his window. He got up and walked over to the window and saw Heather standing below. He motioned to her to wait and slipped downstairs and out the back door.
"Heather, what are you doing here?"
"I sorry for coming so late…. I…."
"Shh…come here." Logan took her into his arms as she began sobbing.
"I need to get away… I need…" she finally choked out.
"Where?"
"Are you serious? Just like that?"
"Why not? Wherever you want to go."
"Boston."
"Why Boston?"
"I'll explain later."
The trip to Boston passed mostly in silence–Logan left Heather to her thoughts. Finally Heather spoke up, "We're going to Boston to find my biological father."
Logan took his eyes off the road for a moment and looked at Heather in shock. "Are you sure? Are you ready for this?"
"Was I ready for any of this?" Heather replied softly.
Logan nodded in response with a sad smile.
Heather explained how after running away to Hartford that first night—when she had first met her mother–Heather had returned home to Stars Hollow and had been surprised to find Lorelai and Luke still sitting in the diner talking. It was at that point that Heather had asked Lorelai to tell her more about her biological father. Lorelai had told her that her father's name was Christopher Hayden. He had been Lorelai's high school sweetheart. They had fallen out of touch and last Lorelai had known, Christopher had been living in Boston. Heather went on to explain that she had googled her father after that night and had tracked down the address of his office.
Logan listened closely to Heather's explanation. "Heather, you've been through so much. Are you sure you want to do this now?"
"I need to do this. I need to meet him."
"Then I'll be with you every step of the way."
Later that day in Boston….
"Hayden. Here it is. His office is on the third floor."
"I know you're tired of hearing me ask you this but are you sure you're ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. Let's do it."
Logan and Heather took the elevator to the third floor.
"Heather, I need you to let me handle this."
"Logan…"
"My father owns the newspaper that your father works for. I'd like for us to talk to him for a while without him knowing who you are."
Heather nodded.
They reached the door that read "Christopher Hayden" and knocked on it.
"It's open."
They walked in and saw Heather's father for the first time.
"How can I help you?"
"Christopher Hayden? My name is Logan Huntzberger and this is my assistant Heather."
"Huntzberger….as in Mitchum Huntzberger?"
"Yes, sir I'm his son. My father has been sending me around to his different papers to check up on things and make sure everything is up to par."
"Aren't you a little young?"
"I'm the heir to the family fortune; thus it's never too soon for me to be learning the family business."
"Does your father even realize you're here?"
"Of course he does. In fact, you're welcome to call him yourself. I have his direct line. Although, it might be a little embarrassing when you have to admit that you're giving his son a hard time."
Christopher studied them for a moment and then decided that Logan was probably right. "What can I tell you?"
Logan and Christopher talked business for a while—while Heather pretended to take notes.
Finally, the conversation topic turned.
"Nice picture there on your desk. Is that your daughter?"
"Yes, it is." Christopher picked it up and showed them the smiling toddler's face.
"She's beautiful. Is she your only daughter?"
Christopher nodded. "Gigi is my pride an joy."
Suddenly, Heather spoke up, "Mr. Huntzberger, we really should get going. You have another appointment yet today."
Logan nodded, understanding her sudden urge to leave. "Christopher, it's been wonderful meeting with you."
"Likewise." Logan and Christopher shook hands and with that, Heather and Logan left.
They didn't say a word as the elevator speed toward the lobby, but Logan was rapidly getting concerned about the tears glistening in Heather's eyes.
"He said he had only one daughter. He doesn't want me."
"Then he doesn't deserve you Heath."
Heather nodded, trying to believe Logan.
As they reached the lobby, they heard the sound of a little girl's voice ringing out.
"Mommy, Mommy can we go out for ice cream?"
Logan and Heather looked up and saw a little girl in pigtails skipping into the lobby.
"Maybe later sweetheart."
The little girl nodded seriously. "Hey Mommy, she's pretty," she said pointing at Heather.
Heather smiled back at the little girl. She bent down to her level. "Why, thank you. You're beautiful too."
The girl beamed. "Do you have a little sister?"
Heather shook her head. "No."
"I've always wanted a big sister…I would…"
"Gigi, sweetheart, we've taken up enough of this young woman's time."
Heather smiled weakly as the woman left with little Gigi.
"Heath, that was…"
"My sister. My baby sister. You know that's probably the only time I'll ever see her."
"That's your decision."
Heather nodded. At that moment, Logan's cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Logan?"
"Yes?"
"This is Mr. Danes. Is my daughter Heather with you?"
"Yes, she is sir. Do you want to speak with her? Wait a minute how did you get this number?"
"From your parents, after I found Heather's note. Just get her home now."
Logan set down his phone.
"Who was it?"
"Your father."
"My…"
"Luke."
"Oh, how mad is he?"
"Let's put it this way, I hope we'll get to see each other again before you graduate from college. Come on let's go back to Stars Hollow. "
With that, Heather and Logan left the building hand in hand.