It won't be like this for long: Chapter 14
Chapter 14
True to her word, Marybeth was knocking on Rory's office door. When Rory looked up, In flew Honor.
"I am your interior designer, Now tell me what you want." Honor said. Rory stood up and hugged her sister-in-law. Honor set her laptop on the conference table in the room. Honor started showing her stuff she bookmarked. Before they knew it, it was time for Honor to go. She was meeting Trac in New Haven to look at apartments for next semester.
After Honor left, Rory started reviewing resumes'. Logan stepped into her office with sandwiches from the deli around noon. They ate while reviewing resumes of potential assistants.
At 4:00 Mia reported to work. She went to Logan's office. Of course, Logan forgot she was coming. Before he could think up something for her to do, Marybeth stepped in.
"I have plenty for her today. I have files that need to be moved into storage. I need new folders made. I have plenty of filing for her to do. Come, Mia, let me show you where to put your belongings and where to start." Marybeth turned to leave while Mia looked at her dad. He motioned for her to follow Marybeth.
After they left for Marybeth to show Mia to the locker room and where to clock in, Rory entered Logan's office.
"Was that Mia?" Rory asked. Logan nodded.
"I forgot she was coming, but apparently Marybeth was aware. She is showing her the locker room and time clock."
"I didn't know anyone clocked in and out on this floor," Rory said.
"They don't, but every locker room has a time clock….It seems Marybeth has lots for her to do. How long are we punishing her?" Logan asked.
"I was thinking that she can work here for two days this week without pay. That will be her punishment. Then I am going to strongly suggest that she work three days a week. That is only two and a half hours a day. She can get paid for that and will be able to keep the money." Rory said.
"Ace, why would she need to work for money? She has access to our credit card." Logan said.
"Remember last year, She got the latest iPhone for Christmas. By January the screen was cracked. By March, the newest latest iPhone was coming out. She just had to have it. Her phone screen was cracked. You took her to the Apple store and low and behold, she had the newest latest iPhone." Rory said. Logan just looked at her. "I think she should work and earn her spending money. If she doesn't want to work here, she can work at the diner or the Inn. She can work for Lane. She is 16. I think she should at least work three days a week. She needs to know what it is like to earn her money and not expect daddy to give it to her when she asks." Rory said. She knew this was going to be a hard sale. She is Logan's princess.
"Okay, write up a plan," Logan told her. "I want us to be on the same page when we talk with her." Rory nodded. Rory and Logan sat and talked for a while before Mia came to the door.
"Mom, Marybeth said your interview is here," Mia said. Rory nodded and got up from the couch.
"Tell Marybeth I will be right there," Rory said as she stood up. "Do you want to meet any potential assistance before I hire? You will be interacting with them also." Rory stopped at the door, waiting for Logan to answer.
"No, I trust your judgment." He said.
At 5:30, Logan stopped by Rory's office to see if she was ready to go home. Mia left at 5:00. She packed up her laptop and messenger bag. They left together. They discussed Mia and her jobs. They decided to talk with her tonight. Rory also told Logan that she wants twins to come to the office after school.
"We are both working outside the home. Can't we set the small conference room on the executive floor up for them? Rory asked as they pulled up to the opening gate.
"Yeah, we can do that. It is not used much. Any meeting scheduled for that room can be moved to one of the bigger rooms on my floor or one of the smaller ones on another floor." Logan said with a soft laugh. "Give me a week to get the room ready. You do realize my dad is going to have a stroke when he finds out?"
"You do see the irony in this, right? Logan asked. Rory turned to face Logan before opening the door. "You….We want the kids to know the value of money, Yet to ease your guilt, you are setting up a playroom in a corporate headquarter so that our twins will be close by." Rory just gave Logan a look. She was not ready to discuss the guilt she feels for working outside of the home office.
Rory just shrugged her shoulders as she got out of the car. The both of them entered the house from the garage and headed to the basement to find their kids. Not to anyone's surprise, Ryan was sitting with Hayden watching Captain America. Mia and McKenzie were at the table, both with books open. Rory and Logan exchanged looks.
"What happened to the children that used to be waiting for me at the door when I came home. Telling me how much they missed me. Do you not love me anymore?" Logan said. McKenzie put her book down and ran to Logan.
"I still love you daddy. I was just working on a book report for school." McKenzie said. Hayden and Ryan paused the game and Mia looked up from her laptop.
"We still love you Dad, but I was too busy at work today to do my homework, so I am doing it now," Mia said. Rory shook her head and she started down the stairs and over to Mia and her laptop. Mia closed the laptop when she realized Rory was on her way to see what she was doing. Rory smiled and opened the laptop. It was on Beudolf Goodman's website. Rory looked at Mia. Mia was smiling innocently at Rory.
"Guess you need new clothes for your new job?" Rory asked standing by Mia.
"I can't work in my uniform," Mia said matter of factly looking at her dad for support. Rory softly laughed and shook her head.
"How about I take you shopping Saturday. You pick out some work clothes." Rory told her. "How did you like working today?" She asked.
"Not bad. Some of it was hard. It is only for a few hours a day." Mia told her. Rory sat down at the table with Mia.
"After supper, we are having a family meeting. Ryan, are you staying for supper? If so, go wash up everyone and meet us in the dining room. Whatever Olivia cooked smells good." Rory told them as she and Logan headed back upstairs.
"I don't like coming home to Ryan being here without our knowledge. This is one of the reasons you have worked from home all these years." Logan said.
"Are you telling me that I should continue to work from home? That I should be home raising our children?" Rory said. Logan could hear the anger in her voice.
"No, Ace, you misunderstood." He stopped her before entering the dining room. He pulled her into the hall. "I think that the best thing for you, our children, and our marriage is for you to do what you think is best. I don't see a problem with you working out of HPG offices. We are already making arrangements so that the twins will be there too. You will still be there for anything they need. Don't let your guilt. Not that you should have any guilt. Don't let that stop you from being happy. You have a wonderful career that allowed you to stay at home when the kids were small. The twins are ten. You need to do what makes you a better mother, wife and still be true to your career. Don't fight with me please." Logan reached up and kissed her.
Rory kissed him back. He took her hand as they entered the dining room.
After dessert, Mia walked Ryan to his car to say goodbye while the twins and Logan cleared the table. When Mia returned they were all sitting around the dining room table. Rory and Logan both had their laptops and notebook. Mia wasn't sure what this was about, but she didn't think it would be a meeting to plan a trip to Disney World.
When Mia sat down, Rory explained they were going to discuss a few things as a family, then She and Logan would talk with Mia alone while the twins got ready for bed. She started off by explaining that she was sorry for not discussing with them her work schedule. She told the twins that they would be spending their afternoons after school at HPG. She told them a room was being prepared for them. Logan then explained to them that it was still a place of business and they were to conduct themself in the manner in which they were raised.
He further explained that they would be picked up from school and brought to HPG to do their homework. There would be plenty for them to do after homework. Logan had already ordered a mini-fridge for the room. The twins were told that this would start next week.
Both parents answered some questions from the twins and Mia, then the twins left to go get ready for bed. As they left the room, Rory got up to get a cup of coffee and Logan a glass of Scotch.
"This must be really bad. Mom's drinking coffee and Dad's drinking scotch." Mia said. Logan entered back into the dining room laughing.
"No, Mia, this is not bad. This is just my after-dinner drink. I didn't have one when I first got home. You know your mom and coffee. She doesn't need an excuse." Logan told her as he had a seat. When Rory joins them, they begin their discussion about Mia working. To start with Mia was not too happy, but after listening, she realized that this would give her more freedom. She was assured that Logan and Rory would continue to pay for her necessities. LItke Jimmy Choo sandals and Molly Purses.
The family meeting was over and everyone left the dining room.
"What do you think?" Logan asked as he and Rory walked to the family room.
"I think we will have to make adjustments as we go, but I think this will work out great," Rory said. "Of, I forgot to tell you. I hired my assistant this afternoon." Logan sat on the sofa and pulled Rory down to him. "Remember my assistant in New York. Harper?" Logan nodded. "It is her twin brother Parker," Rory said. Logan just stared at her. First, he couldn't believe that he didn't think about Rory hiring a male assistant, second, he didn't realize Harper had a twin.