AN: Chapter 4! If anyone is interested about the frequency of updates, please check my profile.
Thanks to: princetongirl and heavenleigh88 for reviewing the third chapter.
Special thanks to brooke for her kind word and don't worry everything will be explain in future chapters
Please tell my what do you think about that one.
Edith;)
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Chapter 4 – News Have Spread And The Catching Up"You want something to drink" Mitchum Huntzberger asked his son as he led him to his study/library area. The room was dark with black leather armchairs and couch, dark wooden bookcases on the walls and dark green curtains on windows.
"No thanks dad, I've just had coffee on the ride and I don't feel like having whisky at the moment," Logan replied and sat down at one of the leather club armchairs.
He just arrived at his family house in New Haven. It was Friday around midday. He managed to finish all business this morning and decided to visit him parents on the way to New York. After a little talk with him mom he was spending some time with his father.
"Everything done with the trip?" Mitchum asked sitting across from him with a glass of whisky in hand.
Logan chuckled, "After all this years you still checking my."
"I'm not checking, I'm paying slightly interest," Mitchum corrected him.
"Whatever you call it, dad," Logan shrugged, "Everything is done and fine. You don't have to worry that the company is going down with my leadership."
Mitchum eyed him closely, "I am not thinking that way," he said with a little hurt in his voice.
Logan coughed, "Sorry dad, I didn't mean it that way." He knew that Mitchum was a little sensitive about bringing back his past ways towards Logan and his lifestyle.
"It's ok," Mitchum said after taking rather big gulp from the glass, "So what about Liam, how is he doing this days," he quickly changed the subject to his favorite – his grandchildren.
It was really nice and funny to see Mitchum with them. The always strict and serious former newspaper magnet had turned into a loving grandpa. After his stroke, when he left the business for good, the kids had become his favorites. He loved to spend time with Liam, and he practically lived with Honor, Josh and their three daughters.
"What mischief he did this time?"
"How on earth you know that he did something?" Logan asked. He had been planning to call Mitchum and talk about Liam, but hadn't have the chance during the week.
Mitchum chuckled, "Like father, like son they say. And you didn't have a week in school without getting into a trouble," he pointed out, "At least Liam took something after Samantha. Thankfully not so much." He told the last part in a low voice. It was well known that Mitchum didn't like his former daughter–in–law.
Logan massaged his forehead for a moment. It was still sometimes weird for him to talk with Mitchum like that. They had sorted everything between them years ago but from time to time something had reminded him about their rocky relationship. This time it was Mitchum's mentioning about his troublesome ways in school. But he needed to ignore it. It was better this way.
"He pulled a prank on one of his teachers."
Logan looked at his father. Mitchum face was lighten with a small smile as he waited for him to continue.
At the age of 72 Mitchum still look good, despite having a stroke few years before. They could say that the stroke had turned out good for him. It hadn't been anything serious but Mitchum changed his lifestyle after that. He'd quitted the job for good, started to have more rest, do more sports, eat healthier. Still he had less hair and all of them were gray, and his posture wasn't so straight anymore. But he was having second youth now. Logan always thought that Mitchum was catching up for all years he must have been the responsible one.
Logan started to tell the story, "He called one of his teachers that his wife was in labor. Seeing as that teacher was a young guy who was really excited about having the first child, he left everything and rushed out of the school after hearing the news. Thankfully his wife called him at that moment and stopped him from barging into the hospital straight."
Mitchum was laughing quietly, "So where was a gap in that master plan. Don't tell me that he used his cell or home phone and they tracked him."
Logan shook his head, "No he didn't. Some of the teacher had overheard him telling his friend. Worst way to be catch."
Mitchum nodded with a chuckle, "True, so I presume that he is grounded now."
Logan confirmed.
"You know it's not working much."
Logan hesitated for ma moment. Mitchum words were partly true, Liam hadn't stopped causing problems because of his previous punishments. Likely it won't stop him now either. But Logan always thought that it was better to talk with Liam about his behavior and grounded him to show that all his action were noticed. And he knew that a part of Liam, the reasonable one, knew that he was doing wrong. But the troublesome part always won. For now, Logan hoped.
His thoughts were interrupted by Mitchum, "I cannot take him golfing this weekend, I'm out of town."
"Oh and where are you going?" Logan wanted to know. This days Mitchum didn't like to travel as much as he used to.
"I am going with you mother to Florida with Andrew and Cecil."
Logan raised his eyebrows, "And why is the CNN-man leaving his kingdom?"
It was well known in the journalistic world that Andrew Strandmann was tied to his job for good. If Paris called Logan a workaholic she definitely didn't met Andrew. Cecil always joked that her husband had three passions – his work, television and CNN. Which in Andrew case were all the same.
Mitchum understood Logan's curiosity, "He had some tough time in work so he told me that he is in the great need for some peaceful time with friends."
"Tough time? I thought that everything was doing great, as always. And he made an agreement with Adam about that reportage about Kenya recenty," Logan stated a little confused.
Mitchum nodded looking into his now empty glass, "That right, everything is fine," he trailed off for a moment "but every employer, even you, would have hard time when he is loosing his head star."
"Huh?" Logan still wasn't catching.
"Rory Gilmore quitted."
"What?" Logan was shocked, "Why? How do you know about it?"
"Well," Mitchum started with a little residence, "I don't know it for 100 sure but I've read between the lines. She was supposed to have a little break but decided to quit for good."
"Wow," Logan was still surprised, "I didn't know that, she didn't tell anything."
"You've met her recently?" Mitchum raised his brows.
Logan nodded, "We met on Monday, in school. It was Lo's first day."
"It will be a great lost for CNN and it would be a real lost for journalism in America and whole world if she quit for good," Mitchum stated staring out of the window.
It always amazed Logan, the relationship between Rory and his father. If he was on Rory's position he would never forgive his father. That guy had broken her dreams. She had managed to go back on her path but nevertheless.
They were a great friends know. He didn't know how exactly that happened. But what can he say, the world see many strange things. For example his friendship with Paris or Lorelai.
"I am having a dinner with Rory tonight," he told Mitchum.
"Oh" Mitchum looked interested.
"Yeah, I want to catch up a little, we haven't seen each other for quite some time."
He started to get up from the chair, "That's why I have to go now, I need to check with Liam and Finn before the dinner."
"Say hay for me," Mitchum replied also getting up, "And I promised your sister that I would take Camile for a walk to the park, so I am heading there now."
They went to the hall. Logan bid his parent goodbye and left the manor. Soon he was on his way to New York.
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He was near the city when his phone rang. He looked at the ID and smiled.
"Hey Abby!" he greeted the other person.
"Oh my God. He is alive! And he can talk!" he heard a shocked voice on the other end. He chuckled, Abby liked to be a drama queen sometimes.
"Yes, I am," he confirmed.
"So mister busy man. Why didn't you call me – your best friend! I think I need to remind you that. Or at least the best female friend. I hope… Paris didn't take my position yet?" she asked with a dramatic worry.
"No, you can sleep peacefully. You still had a job," he asserted her with a smile.
"Good, so now back to me being mad at you. How could you not call me for a week and the only time I had some news from you was through your secretary, huh?"
"I thought that you wanted to have some testosterone-free time," he parried.
"Uh, you got my there! OK, you are forgiven. But that's not exactly the reason I called you," she said, "By the way I've sent you the test layouts for the new magazine, you need to tell me what do you thing about them."
"That why you called?"
"No, no. That was by the way part. Now do you have any plans for tomorrow and if you do, cancel them," he tried to cut in but Abby didn't let him, "You and Liam are both invited to a party," she finished.
"Liam is grounded," Logan responded for the sake of protest.
"So un-ground him," Abby stated in bossy tone, "Tomorrow in Finn's place we are having the welcome Rory and Lo party, and you both have to come."
Logan chuckled, "Yes, ma'am."
"Don't mock me Huntzberger, or you won't be my favorite guy."
"Since when I am you favorite guy?" Logan raised his eyebrows.
"Don't raise your eyebrows, I could sense that," she exclaimed," and you are, since forever," she paused "right after my husband and my sons," she added.
Logan was smiling widely, "OK the fifth guy on your favorite list and his son will be there tomorrow. What time?"
"Finn will tell you the details. I had to go. Bye!" and he heard the dial tone.
He laughed to himself. Abby was the best. She always knew how to make him agree to everything she wanted. Despite all her quirks he was really grateful for her present in his life. He wouldn't survive London without her after all.
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"And the tyrant is back!" Finn's yell was the first thing that greeted Logan in the apartment. He stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him. Finn appeared at the doorway to the living room.
"Nice to know that I am so warmly welcome in my own home," Logan replied sardonically as he put away his bags and took off his jacket.
Finn was still leaning up the doorframe, "Well mate, you have to face the truth. It the only way to…" he was interrupted by Liam who showed up behind him.
"Hey dad!"
"Hey," Logan greeted back and followed Liam to the living room.
"Yes, ladies and gentleman, it's my favorite part – being ignored," Finn exclaimed dramatically as he plopped down on the couch beside Liam. Logan was behind the kitchen bar which separated the kitchen from the living room area and he was preparing himself a cap of tea.
"Finn, even if we wanted very much, your presence cannot be ignored!" he pointed out toward his life-long friend.
What he'd said was only a part truth nowadays. Back in collage Finn liked to have everyone attention. It had changed. Finn had changed. He was more in the background now. He was always there for them – the crazy and easy-going Finn, who always could make them laugh. But he didn't want to be at front. Logan was curious why. He didn't have a clue. That was another thing. There was rare occasion when Finn talked about his life now.
"Yeah, I know, I know. My fabulous person is just too much for the old plain you," Finn was stroking his hair in the "I'm the best" manner, "But, OK now. As we can see," he turned to Liam, "the dear father of yours is back and in one piece, so I can assume that you are in good hands now and I may go," he started to get up.
"No, uncle Finn stay. We can have a dinner together," Liam told him.
"As much as I want, I can't. I have a meeting with a client," he gathered his things that was sprawled on the coffee table, "And besides the dear father had already better plans for dinner then having it with me. At least the dinner company will be much prettier then me," he told Liam and than turned to Logan, "Logan you need to have the talk with your printer. She really doesn't like me. And I don't have a clue why, I've always treated her right, flowers, compliments and all."
Logan chuckle. Leave to Finn to talk about machines like a women, "Thanks for everything man."
"No problem, my pleasure," he waved his hand in a "that was nothing" gesture.
"Abby called you about the party?" he wanted to know.
"Yeah, I know, tomorrow," Logan confirmed, "What time?"
"Around 6 p.m. Adam and Abby will bring the girls about 6.30 so we will have the time to set everything."
"You need some help?"
"Nah, everything is covered, you both only need to come. There won't be many people, Richmonds, you, Paris and Doyle, William, his girlfriend and me. Colin and Leslie cannot come because they had some family thing" Finn explained with a smile and walked up to the hall, "and have a good time tonight," he yelled and with that he left the apartment.
Liam was looking after him for a moment then turned to his father, "Uncle Finn was acting weird."
Logan was still behind the counter. At the latest renovation of the flat they decided to connect kitchen and the living room to have one bigger area. It was a good idea. The white kitchen contrast with the dark living room and altogether it made a great composition.
"Weird?" Logan raised his brows.
"Well weird for uncle Finn," Liam corrected, "He was working all the time and I think something was bothering him."
Logan was silent for a moment. He'd noticed it too before his trip. Finn seemed to be sad and Logan would even dare to say, a little broke down. He could tell that Fin was trying to cover it but he had known his friend far too much not to notice. Something was there.
"I'll talk with him soon," he promised Liam, "so how was the week?"
"Not so bad."
"OK, wait. Did I hear you correct?" Logan asked as he sat down on the one of the dark brown leather armchair, "You are telling my that the week you've been grounded was not that bad?" he raised his eyebrows.
Liam chuckled, "Yeah, it was better than usual. Monday Lo came, Tuesday uncle Finn and I went to Gilmores and Wednesday and yesterday I had to spend studying to my math test which was today. So it went."
Logan shook his head, "Amazing I've never thought I would live to the day that my son admitted that the grounded-week was nice," he mocked.
"Very funny dad," Liam wasn't so much amused, "So dad…" he started uncertainly, "can I bring Natalie with me tomorrow?" he finally asked.
Logan eyed him. Liam had to really like that girl. He'd never heard so much about one girl from his son before.
"Yeah, sure. If she wants."
"I'll asked her," Liam quickly got up and started to head to his room but stopped, "I can call her right?" he wanted to make sure.
Logan nodded with a smile, "Yes the punishment is over, I don't want at hear from headmaster Williamston anytime soon except it'd a call about your great academic success," he warned, "and you don't need to go golfing with your grandpa because he will be out of town," he added and chuckled at Liam's quiet "Yes!".
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Logan got out of the car and rushed to open the passenger's door. Rory and he had just arrived in front of the restaurant's door. He opened the door and Rory stepped out. Logan smiled warmly at her. She looked beautiful. When he'd picked her up at her apartment half hour ago he was stunned by her beauty. He always thought that she was gorgeous but it somehow stuck him today. She was wearing black ruffled skirt and silver blouse with a draped neckline. It was simple but looked stunning on her. Maybe his male-ego was thinking that she was so beautiful for him today. He of course had told her what he had been thinking of her appearance at the very beginning of the evening.
They walked up to the entrance and Rory spotted the name of the restaurant. Small smirk appeared on her face.
"Paris, huh?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Logan chuckled, "Yeah, how do you know?"
"We were talking on the phone Monday evening and I've mentioned that we are planning to have a dinner and after some time she asked my nonchalantly what New York's restaurants I like," she explained.
Logan shook his head, "Subtlety was never Paris Geller-McMaster good side."
"True, true," Rory confirmed with a giggle as they waited for someone to led them to their table. After a moment they were seated and the waiter gave them the menu.
Rory looked around with curiosity, "I'm glad that Paris told you to bring me here. I've really wanted to come here but never had a chance. It looks really nice."
Logan nodded, "And they have an excellence food," he added and they both laughed at the reminder of their conversation from few days before.
The waiter came back with their drinks, took their order and left again.
"So Rory, how is the moving going?" Logan asked smiling.
She groaned, "Please not about the moving again or soon I will be banging the table with my head!"
Logan chuckled, "That bad, huh?"
"Worst! When it will be over I won't touch the box for at least a year!"
"Come on Gilmore, it cannot be that bad! A little mess with a boxes, what it is for you! You were at Philippines during the revolution – that was a mess," he teased.
"The whole moving it getting very close to the situation in the Philippines," Rory stated dryly, "but I have some hope – tomorrow I will probably get a bed."
"OK, so now we are changing the subject to the nicer one," Logan said laughing as the waiter brought their food. They started to eat and continued to talk, "How Lo is doing in school. Liam told me that she like it so far."
"Thank God for at least that!" Rory let out the sighed of relief, "She was mad at us for not letting her go to normal high-school but as far as I know, she like it now. And," Rory pointed an accusing finger at him, "you are the one of many people I need to blame for my endless quarrels with Lo about school."
Logan looked at her confused, "Me? Why?"
"You told Adam about what a great that school is and he got the idea about Lo going there or to some other super private school," she explained.
"I though that all the Gilmores, Danes and Richmonds where involved into the school issue." He had heard about it a lot form both Abby and Adam.
Rory laughed and there were the familiar sparks in her eyes Logan loved so much when they had been together.
"Yeah, we are all to blame but all of them had enough complaints about the school issue. They listened to Lo but only for a while and then I was the person to hear all the complaints. And nobody wanted to hear my complaining so I am getting my revenge now and you just happened to be at the end of it!"
Logan was trying not to laughed aloud, "I really missed your rambles."
Rory had a wide smile on her face, "I know, everyone misses them when I am away for a long time. So Mr. Newspaper Magnet, your turn. You know about my current situation and what about you. How's the life going?" she asked looking Logan straight into the eyes. He shifted a little under her gaze. Those blue eyes always made him shiver.
He swallowed, "Life is good, normal I would say – mostly Liam and work. Although lately the second one is taking the lead, because Liam doesn't need me so much any more, as he used to."
Rory nodded with a knowing expression on her face, "I know what you mean, they growing up so fast. I could swear that it was a moment ago that Lo had her first tooth fallen out and now she is so big and independent," she smiled but it was a sad small, "But we cannot stop the time, can't we," she finished.
"No we can't," Logan confirmed, "but there are some bright sides. We can watch now that we really did a great job with them. Although I doubt myself many times looking at Liam's behavior," Logan said the last part tiredly.
Rory smiled at him, "Hey Huntzberger, what's with the long face? You did a great job. If anyone 20 years ago would showed me Liam and told me that he is the future Logan Huntzberger's son I would die on the spot. We is a great kid and you do it all by yourself! It's big Logan, it really is. And besides he have to cause some mischief, better now then letter. Trust my Huntzberger I've known from experience."
Logan looked at her a little embarrassed and perplexed. He knew what she was referring to. Rory caught his face and realized that she made him uncomfortable.
"Oh, come on Logan. That wasn't your fault. You just showed me that there was some other ways to spend your life then working and planning every step. I've chosen myself. And after all this years I don't regret a thing," she pause for a moment to think about something and then added with a shy smile, "… well maybe accept the way we had ended everything. We should talk about it, and I shouldn't leave without any word. That wasn't fair for you."
"I wasn't fair with you either – with the whole row I mean," Logan replied slowly.
"OK end of the topic!" Rory ordered playfully, "We are here to have a good time and catch up, not to bring up the dark past!" she stated firmly but with a grin.
Logan eyed her closely. She was smiling and having a good time. He doesn't want to crushed her mood but as soon as his father told him, the CNN issue was bugging him. He decided to try the topic.
"Can I asked you something?"
Rory laughed, "If you were my daughter I would say that you already did – it's always irritate her," Rory responded but got serious seeing Logan face, "You looked quite solemn right now. What you want to know?"
"Did you quit CNN?"
Rory looked sharply at him, "How do you know that?"
Her word only confirmed it, "So that's true?"
Rory nodded slightly but her face was still hard.
"My dad talked with Andrew Strandmann," Logan started to explain, "and he had read between the lines. He told me that this morning."
Rory looked down at her plate, "So the news have spread," she said quietly. Logan thought that he even wasn't supposed to hear it. He wanted to take the subject further, to hear her explain but decided to wait for some clue from her to go on.
She wasn't looking at him but at the young couple sitting not far away from them. They were whispering something to each other. She smiled but again the smile was sad.
"They so young," she said meaning the couple, "We were familiar 20 years ago. Waiting impatiently what the life would bring," she turned to him and he was stunned again by her beauty, "I'm not saying that I don't like my life. As I said before I wouldn't change a thing. But… some time ago I was at the ONZ conference doing the report and something snapped inside my head. It was my collage graduation anniversary, that graduation which I'd nearly missed because I'd been coming back from Israel and plane had been delayed because of the whole political situation there. I hadn't been even sure if I would managed to come back on time. That was my first real oversees job. And since that time everything in my life was like this. Always in hurry, from airport to airport, from one country to another. I even gave birth to my daughter in the middle of the ocean because I'd thought that I would be able to finished my assignment before my term."
She pause for a moment, like she was waiting for something but Logan didn't say anything. She took a sip from her glass of wine, sighed and continued still looking straight into Logan's eyes.
"Even when I had Lo, I didn't stop. Yes, we lived in one place for some time, like in Brussels but still I was in move, this time with my toddler. You know, she had learn French in the same time that English. That was the time that the round of conferences about African problems took place in Congo. And it always had been like this. So… after I decided to take Lo back to States I thought about a break. For a few months. And then it stuck me that I don't really want to go back. Not for now anyway. So I quitted."
After she finished they were both quiet for a moment.
"What are you planning to do now?"
Rory shrugged, "I'm not sure. Settle down in New York, catch up with everyone and everything I've missed all those years. Think a little. Maybe I get some clue what I want to do," she looked at him, "you think I did wrong, do you?"
Logan thought for a moment, "No, I don't," he shook his head, "you did what you'd thought was good for you. And I really admire you about that. Not many people would have guts to do it."
"I'm still scared," she admitted quietly.
Logan smiled at her, "I think it's pretty normal you know, we all are afraid of changes and this one is really big for you."
Rory snorted, "Are all guys thinking alike or just you and Adam? He told me the same thing," she added dryly seeing Logan questioning expression.
Logan chuckled, "You would tell me the same thing if we changed the positions with each other."
Rory nodded slightly, "Maybe."
In the same time waiter approached them, "Would you like something else?"
Logan raised an eyebrow, "Up to dessert Ace?"
"Gilmore never say no to sweets!"
They ordered some pie and ice cream.
"So what were other pranks your son had done recently?" Rory asked with a smirk.
The serious talk was soon forgotten as they sink into the conversation about their children again.
But both had the feeling that their previous topic was not ended and that they would go back to it in the future.
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AN: All the things that are mention here and didn't happened in the real word (the things that Rory reported) are, of course, the result of my imagination. I'm not some witch who sees the future in crystal ball…
Pretty please review;)
Edith
