AN: Thanks for all the review, I love them! Sorry it has taken me solongto update. Enjoy the chapter and I will see if I can update again soon!
The flight back from Italy was a quiet one, they spent the entire flight in the bedroom lying in each others arms absorbing the last moments before returning to reality. They made love, watched movies and slept. When they landed they were met by their friends and family; everyone was there except for Mitchum.
Logan hugged his sister and said "Where's Dad?"
"He couldn't make it" was all she said "He wants you to go by his new place on your way home" she said sadly
"New place; what new place?" Logan asked confused
"He didn't want to be in the house all alone so he bought an apartment in Stamford
"Why Stamford?" He was now totally lost now "Honor what is going on?"
"He has stepped down, Grandpa is acting CEO, really only as a consultant. Dad appointed that James guy to run things but Grandpa and now you will have most of the say in the big things, but Dad wants to explain everything to you" Honor began explaining
Rory walked over to her husband and sister-in-law, gave Honor a hug and asked if everything was ok.
"Dad is not ok, seems things have gotten worse, do you mind if we stop their on our way home?" He asked his wife
"Absolutely, I wanted to see him anyway, I was kind of worried when I didn't see him; let's go" she said turning to say good bye to everyone
"Rory, Logan before you go, we wanted to invite all of you over tomorrow night for a little welcome home dinner" Emily said to the couple "All of you are welcome, just let me know if you can make it" she said to the group collectively
Everyone accepted, said their good bye's and they were off. Logan told the driver to take him to his father's new place. The ride wasn't too bad. Logan was still very confused, he spoke to his father a half a dozen times while they were on their trip; but he never said anything. Why hadn't he said anything, about moving, about the business, he was lost in thought.
"I am sure he'll be ok" Rory said squeezing Logan's hand, they new the day was coming when he wouldn't be ok, and Rory didn't know how Logan was going to handle everything. 'Chances are Mitchum, Dad, wasn't going to be with us much longer', Rory thought to her self and if was her thoughts that were bringing tears to her eyes. Logan wrapped his arms around her and just held her for the final few moments of the ride, it was true that her relationship with Mitchum started off with admiration for his position, then to hate for what he did, then to tolerance and now it seemed as if she truly loved him. The car pulled up to a beautiful apartment building in the heart of Stamford, not far from the Gazette.
"Are you ready?" He said in a whisper
"Ready as I will ever be, you?" she said back to him in a similar tone
"Yeah" was his only response.
They walked into the elevator and were guided to his apartment, the penthouse of course. The maid answered the door and led them into the living room where he was sitting and reading, not a newspaper as Logan had always seen his father reading but a book.
"Welcome home you two" Mithcum said in a weak voice. He was thin and pale, it was the first time they had seen him actually looking ill. They both walked over to him, Rory was the first to throw her arms around him; she was trying to hide her tears.
"Hey Dad what are you reading? She was trying the whole Dad thing out on him, she really wanted to call him that out of love and respect. His smile grew even wider as did Logan's.
"Hi Dad, how are you today?" Logan began
"Today is no different than yesterday, the past three weeks have been getting progressively worse." He said honestly
"Why didn't you tell me? Honor told me about James Henderson, you not wanting to be in the house and Grandpa, Dad what is going on?" Logan said in a shaky voice
"OK, first James Henderson is taking over the day to day stuff, Dad and you will be handling the major decisions, you will start training here in Stamford; that is why I chose to move here, I want to meet with you when I can to help you along." He turned to Rory "Sweetie, you will have to work with Logan until school starts up again, then you will have to come here when you have available time, school is still the most important thing." He said matter-of-factly
"Of course, I am your willing student" she said a little sarcastically, and the two men laughed.
"Dad, what do the doctors have to say?" Logan asked changing the subject
"What else can they say, it is in God's hands now, I have a nurse come in once a day to straighten out my medication and draw blood. Then eventually someone will be here full time to take care of me" he said his tone turning sad
"What kind of medication?" Rory asked
"Mostly pain medication, I was trying to get by without them but I was beginning to have difficulties, and I didn't want to be miserable so I finally surrendered and let the doctor give me a prescription. I figured that I really don't have to worry about the long term affects of pain killers that I might as well not live with the pain and enjoy my final time here" he said with out an ounce of remorse of sadness in his voice.
"Why don't you seem mad or upset?" Logan asked
"What am I going to do, Son, what would you have me do? Be angry or upset what would I gain from that. Now I just want to enjoy the time left with my family and friends, catch up on some reading and relax for the first time since I was at Yale." He actually sounded content
"Whoa" Logan said, it was all that was able to come out.
"I think that is great Dad" Rory said trying to sound positive mean while she and Logan both had tears in their eyes.
They spent the remainder of the evening with Mitchum talking very little about business and more about the wedding and the honeymoon, his chef made them a simple dinner, rather bland but it was all his stomach could handle. They left him at around 9 o'clock and headed home, that god it wasn't a long drive back to New Haven.
They walked into the apartment that had wedding gifts scattered around, normally they would smile and rip into them like a toddler on Christmas morning, but tonight they went straight into their bedroom, changed into their pajamas and fell into bed and cried in each others arms until they fell into a fitful nights sleep. When they woke up the next more they were both groggy and had puffy eyes.
"Morning" Logan said
"Coffee, please" she moaned
Logan laughed got out of bed and went to make coffee, Rory went into the bathroom grabbed her robe and followed him into the kitchen. She looked at her husband, still dumbfounded that she in fact had a husband; but couldn't be happier.
"You know I am very impressed by you" Rory said in a very serious tone as they waited for the coffee to perk.
"Well, that certainly is a new one to hear" he joked
"Seriously, Logan, with everything that is going on I am glad to see that you aren't trying to run from your feelings. I am glad you feel comfortable enough with me that you can let go" she continued
"Where is this coming from" he said almost annoyed
"Don't get me wrong and please don't get upset; I know everything with your Dad is horrible and it makes me extremely upset what the unavoidable facts are, but, it makes me happy, in a weird way, that you can express your feelings with me" she said tears in her eyes thinking of Mitchum dieing is actually quite upsetting to her, more so than she thought it would be. He walked over to Rory and held her while her tears streamed down her face.
"Remember that fact at the funeral, whenever it is, and all the wonderful society gatherings we will have to go to, that I have a face of stone on" he said practically spitting fire as he mentioned the gatherings that were also unavoidable. Rory simply nodded, knowing full well; that he will be unable express his emotions in front of society.
She took his hand and kissed his knuckles and said "I know, and if you need to escape let me know I will find a place for us to go for a few moments." He nodded and they went to get ready for their day.
They were going to head over to Stamford stop in at the paper, speak to James then head over to Mitchums then onto the party, it was going to be a busy day.
"Ace, you have everything you need to get ready at my Dad's" Logan yelled from the kitchen
"Yes, how about you, did you remember those new cufflinks we got in Rome?" she asked, he ran back into the bedroom dressed in a suit and kissed her while saying something about never being able to live without her. She laughed.
They walked into the paper and said hello to the staff as they walked by, they had met everyone briefly a few months ago. They walked into the conference room where James was and they were shocked to see Elias there.
"James, good to see you." He said shaking his hand "Grandpa this is a surprise" he said shaking his hand.
"James you remember my wife, Rory" She stepped forward offered her hand is a very business like manor.
"Hello James, good to see you again" she said "Elias, how are you?" she said kissing his cheek
"Good, dear I trust you had a good trip?" He asked
"Of course, everything was beautiful" she added
They ended the formalities and got down to work, Rory was observing as she had in Chicago, adding her opinion here and there. After the meeting Rory excused herself and decided to go sit with some of the writers to get to know them.
"You know Logan, I thought this whole idea was preposterous, however, watching her, I see why you fell in love with her; this is going to be a great thing for you two." Elias said as they were watching Rory interact with one of their lead journalist going over his most recent article.
They finished their day at about 4 o'clock and headed over to Mitchum's.
"That was fun!" Rory exclaimed giggling
Logan couldn't help but laugh "you know most people would find it draining and strenuous" he said not being able to control he laughter.
"I don't think this is funny, so what if I love this business that I find it exhilarating rather than draining" she said in mock seriousness, she knew Logan was breaking her chops, he loved it as much as she did.
"You won over Grandpa today" he stated calming down, she looked confused
"I thought I did that before the wedding" she stated
"Yes, you won him over personally, but today you convinced him that what we are doing with the business is a great idea." He said smiling.
"Oh, so basically, he thinks me to be Wonder Woman now" she stated as if it was completely normal to refer to herself as a super hero
"Someone is getting an ego" he said laughing, again. They arrived at Mitchum's still laughing
"What are you two laughing about" Mitchum said as they walked out onto the balcony. The nurse had just left and he was trying to recover from the blood that was withdrawn, he got extremely weak after she took her vials.
They sat at the table and Logan explained the conversation they had on the short trip over to the apartment. Mitchum roared with laughter.
"I really don't think it's that amusing" she pouted. That only caused the laughter to increase.
"Fine, I am going to get ready, I hope you two enjoy your laugh" she stated dryly
An hour later they were climbing into the limo and on their way to the Gilmore mansion.
"Are you sure your up to this Dad" Rory asked
"Yes, I will be fine. If I need to relax I am sure Emily has a spare room for me to lie down in" he stated
"Of course you can go into Rory's room" Logan said with a chuckle. Everything was still the same as when she was a teenager and her Grandmother made an attempt to give her a room most teenagers would love, Backstreet boys posters and all. Rory just glared at Logan, which caused him to laugh again.
Everyone was there, basically, it was the same group that was on the plane to Italy. The dining room looked beautiful and the food was amazing. Talk had been about their trip, they gave everyone their gifts, and everyone seemed to be happy.
"Dad, Rory and I got this for you" Logan said handing him something that he thought was a book, when he opened it he was confused.
"Well, we were going to get you some first edition of some book, but then it hit me, you love to write; so I decided to get you a journal, actually two. But there is a hitch." Rory explained
"A hitch?" he asked
"We want you to write something to your grandchildren" she stopped herself and said to the group collectively "I am not pregnant, so get the thought of little blonde haired blue eyed children out of your head, you will all be waiting a very long time for that announcement." Then turned her attention back to Mitchum "One book is for Honor and Josh and the other for Logan and myself" she stated "you can write what ever you want, but it has to be to the grandchildren" Rory stated, with tears in her eyes.
"I am speechless" Mitchum said, he had tears in his eyes and excused himself from the table and walked out to the patio, Logan followed him.
"Dad, we didn't mean to upset you" Logan said
Mitchum turned to his son and said "you have yourself one hell of a girl in their"
Logan was shocked "So you aren't upset?"
"Yes, but for a different reason. These" referring to the journals in his hands "are the best gift I ever received, thank you" he hugged his son.
"It was all Rory" he stated plainly
They rejoined the group; Mitchum hugged Rory and thanked her.
When dinner was over, the women went out to the patio and the men into the pool house and started up a game of cards.
"That was one hell of a gift you gave Mitch" Loralie stated in her blunt fashion
"Yes, Rory, it was quite touching" Emily added getting nods from the rest of the women
"Well when we were shopping I had no problem getting everyone something, but, Mitchum proved to be the hardest, then it dawned on me, while I can't speak for Honor but I am not having children for a long time, I am still too young. And unfortunately we know Mitchum will not be with us and we want our children to know him and what better way than from his own words." She was beginning to cry again. Loralei hugged her daughter.
The rest of the night was spent talking of menial things trying to lighten the mood, Emily was catching everyone up on the most recent gossip of the DAR.
"Mom, why isn't Luke here? I figured he didn't come yesterday because he had to work but what about tonight?" Rory asked
"Well sweets, he had something else to do. So tell us more about the honeymoon?" Loralie was trying to evade her question by asking her another.
"Not going to work Mom, tell me" she had her mother cornered
"Things just aren't working out, that's all" She said, it was obvious that she didn't want to talk about it but Rory wouldn't let her avoid the matter
"Mom, tell me what is going on" Rory stated
"Fine, I couldn't take it anymore. He never introduced me to April, he didn't want me to be apart of his life with her. So, I ended it. I couldn't take it anymore" Loralie said with almost no emotion in her voice
"Mom, are you ok?" she asked moving closer to her mother. The other women had left them alone, all except Emily. Believe it or not, Emily had been a great comfort to her daughter while she was grieving her lost relationship with Luke.
"Of course she is" Emily stated "Luke was a good guy, he treated her well until it got difficult then he turned his back on her, that's it. Your mother needs to move on. I know it's difficult but it's the truth" She continued but it wasn't her typical Emily Gilmore snobby tone, it was as if she was actually upset by the whole situation.
"What is going on here, I was only gone a month" Rory stated angrily and confused. "I leave, you break up with Luke and you Grandma are suddenly, sorry don't take this the wrong way but, you are suddenly nice and comforting to Mom" she finished
"Your mother came to me, Rory, she was upset and we actually talked" Emily said "I know I am not perfect and I am controlling, it's how I have always been, but, I do not like to see your mother in pain"
"So what now?" Rory asked
"What do you mean?" Loralei said
"You, what are you going to do now?"
"Aw, Sweets, don't worry about me, I will be fine." She started "I have my friends and family, I will be fine" she was leaving something out
"Mom you are not telling me something" Rory stated
"It's nothing" Loralei was avoiding something
"I have seen that look" Rory said staring at her mother "You are hiding something from me"
"Uh, Mom, can you excuse me and Rory so we can talk for a few minutes alone.
"Of course" Emily knew what she was about to tell Rory
"Well, I didn't want to tell you; not yet anyway but, besides your grandmother and Sookie the only other person that was there for me was your Dad" she began and she saw Rory's face "And before you get all defensive, it wasn't like that he was a true friend, he wallowed with me, he called me to make sure I was ok. He was just there for me but as the weeks passed we talked more and more and something happened, and this time it was me pursuing him. It's finally our time sweets, we are both ready for this" she said hoping that she would understand
"What are you talking about, you and Dad do this all the time, when ever you break up with someone you go to each other then after time something happens and everything gets screwed up. Mom, things are just getting to a good place with Dad, why now?"
"Because the time is right" said the voice from behind her
"You say that now, but how do you know" Rory rebutted
"How do you know it's right with Logan" Christopher said
"I just do!" she replied honestly
"Well so do we" Loralei said
AN: Ok, I am sure I have just upset alot of Luke and Loralie fans, and for that I am sorry. But, yes there is always a but, I am extremely aggrevated about was is going on with the whole L&L thing, I think she should just move on and get with Chris, who seems to have gotten his act together. Sorry! R&R