A/N Thank you so much for the love in the reviews from Chapter One- truly thank you so much- I promise there will be a bit of Rory/ Lorelai drama eventually. I kind of have an idea where this story will go- I just want to see where it does go naturally- any ideas let me know in either review format or just message me.

This chapter is more about Richard and getting a bit more info on Logan and Mitchum's relationship and how that whole drama unfolded. I loved Richard as a character, in a lot of ways he and Emily are the true parental figures to Rory in my opinion. Enjoy!


Chapter 2

Logan paced in front of the red door on the raised steps with the lions guarding it protectively. Never had entering this house felt so horrible apart from the very, very early days of his relationship with Rory. After his third pass of the steps, he approached them and rang the ornate doorbell. A youngish blonde-haired woman in a black dress and crisp white apron opened the door, 'may I help you' Logan nodded 'My name is Logan Huntzburger, I was hoping to speak to Richard Gilmore' he froze when he heard Emily Gilmore's voice 'Gloria who is...Logan how lovely to see you please come on in.'

She guided him to the seating area of the parlour 'can I get you a drink?' he shook his head and was about to ask to see Richard when the man he wanted came down the stairs. 'Emily have you seen that green golf glove… Logan my dear boy, how are you, what can we do for you?' Logan stood and accepted the extended hand shaking it happily 'actually Richard, I was hoping to speak to you, I need some advice and was hoping that you wouldn't mind me bending your ear for a few minutes' Richard was regarding the young man in front of him carefully, he wasn't stupid and had spent enough time in the business arena to know when someone was using double talk or simply withholding what they actually wanted to say. He nodded 'of course my boy lets go to my study, can I get you a coffee?'. It was an excuse to give Emily something to do as Logan simply nodded and followed Richard into the book-filled and richly coloured room. Richard sat in one of the plush leather wingback chairs and Logan mirrored him in the opposite chair. 'Now my boy what can I do for you?'

Logan took a deep breath this was it. 'As I'm sure you're aware I left the Huntzberger Publishing Group just over a month and a half ago, and I've been trying to find what was next for me and I've been offered a partnership opportunity in Palo Alto California.'

'So you want my advice on whether or not you should take it?' Richard queried, his fingers pressed together as he considered the young man in front of him.

'Kind of. It's a great company. We're just starting out. The software is really incredible. They've got their patents. I'd be managing the marketing and roll out of it. What I need to tell you though is you know how much I love Rory...she's been my rock, especially recently'

'When you lost millions of dollars because you didn't do enough research. Your father was particularly vocal about that near both myself and Emily at a recent DAR function' Richard commented.

'Yes, I did lose quite a bit of money. What dear old Dad probably didn't tell you is that a good chunk of it was mine. I poured some of my trust funds into the deal to grease the wheels. I should get most of that back- technically I was a victim of fraud- I was stupid but I know he's lost more money than I did on that deal in the past and when he was my age.' Richard nodded as Logan continued 'but what I need to ask Richard, I want Rory with me when I move. She's my life. I don't know how I would function without her.' he took a breath 'I wanted to ask your permission sir, your permission to ask her to marry me.'

That was surprising to Richard, not that he wanted to marry Rory, that was a given, the two of them reminded him so much of himself and Emily at their age. Richard just looked at the young man in the dress shirt and pants. He looked casual but put together. Richard knew that his wife would hate him for thinking before answering, but he had never been in this position before. When Lorelai got pregnant with Rory marriage had been a solution to the problem, Christopher never asked permission to marry her, later on, Richard's relationship with his daughter had been so fractured that all three of Lorelai's main suitors and later fiance's hadn't considered asking him for permission to ask her to marry them. Then there was the point that Richard whilst he loved Rory with every fibre of his being was not her father. That was a question that he needed to know the answer to. 'Why are you asking me this Logan, not Christopher?'

Logan considered his answer for a split second. 'Honestly, Sir, when I first thought about asking Rory to marry me when we were in London at Christmas I had planned to go to Lorelai, and as they were together at the time Christopher would have been part of that conversation too. However, when I was talking to Rory in hypotheticals after she had a nightmare a few nights ago she mentioned how much it would mean to her if I asked you. She thought that it would be the best, she knew it would mean a lot to you and when it comes to our future and what she wants as far as these sort of traditions, I'm sure as hell gonna listen. Plus, Sir don't take this the wrong way but you scare me less than asking Lorelai.' Richard smiled, they had discussed this. Rory wanted to marry this boy, he wanted to make her happy, the only issue he had with the plan was that Logan was currently planning on taking his grand-daughter 3,000miles away to California. That was an issue. It was a big issue.

'Logan of course you have my permission to ask her. My only worry is moving across the country…is there anything we can do to help with that...'

'Richard if I can be blunt, I looked on the east coast, every contact I had turned their back on me. My Dad has essentially blacklisted me, he wants me back at HPG on his terms, the short notice business trips, long assignments to places like London without Rory, he wants to control me and my family they don't like Rory- to them she has a power over me that they want- she makes me better. I want to do better but on my terms, not Mitchum's. If I could I would stay here but..'

'You're father is making it exceptionally difficult to do that here. I understand. Let me see what I can do. I've got some friends who can help- I'll make a few calls- Christopher may be able to help too' Richard changed tack to essentially muttering under his breath confusing Logan somewhat with his mention of Christopher

'What do you mean Christopher may be able to help?'

'Rory's father is Christopher Hayden- surely you knew that- Hayden Enterprises is his family business, he inherited it on the death of his Grandfather Edward. He and I discussed it when he and Lorelai were married- Rory is the main heiress for both my business and Hayden Enterprises. We'll tell her all this when she graduates Yale of course' again he was talking more to himself than Logan who just looked at him with a blank expression. Logan just stared ahead. Hayden Enterprises owned a good chunk of HPG. His parents had been trying to figure out the identity of the rumoured Hayden Heiress for years but Francine and Straub had never introduced her to Hartford society officially. In hindsight, it made perfect sense that Rory was that person. God, it had to be the best-kept secret in Hartford society.

'Let me get this straight- Rory- my Rory- is a Hayden by blood and primary heiress for Hayden Enterprises- a multi-million investment firm who hold over twenty-five percent of HPG stock. Am I right with that? Because Richard even without the money that I essentially blew at 25 I got my HPG stock options- I officially own thirty percent of the company'

Richard looked up at him and smiled 'I may own another five percent too. So if we combine all the shares we've got sixty percent between three entities. More than enough for a controlling interest.' His smile changed to a smirk 'not good enough my ass...your mother will be eating crow at the engagement party and your father will be well we'll make sure to have EMT's on-site.' He laughed.

'Let me get Rory to agree to marry me first then we can discuss this in more detail. I have permission to ask?'

'Oh, Logan you my boy would have permission if you were penniless on the streets. You two are perfect for each other. My only concern is you moving across the country but if we can get the controlling interest of HPG, we can sort you out with a contract with your father that will allow you to work for your family business whilst being out of the control of your father. So yes you can ask her. Piece of advice though make it a private proposal at least initially- public ones look good in photos but will freak her out so much, Rory is a private person she hates spectacle.'

'I'm heading to her apartment at Yale now to pick her up- we've got this spot in the library- it's where she called me a 'butt-faced miscreant' I may have requested that the library be cleared this evening a half-hour early…'

'That my boy sounds like a mighty great idea. Go with my blessing. I promise not to mention anything to anyone- especially Emily- until the two of you announce it yourselves.'

'Thank you Richard' Logan stood up, shook the older man's hand and exited the study, saying goodbye to Emily on his way out. Richard watched him go. He had a smile on his face that said everything.