Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls is the creation of Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Chapter 40: Test Run at the Dragonfly, Part II
Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Dragonfly Annex, Saturday, June 24, 2017, 3:30 pm EST
Once Carol arrived, Team LoRoLu headed upstairs to their suite. Carol, a Torrington-based nanny, had been found with Honor's help. Since Rory and Logan had wanted a nanny who could travel to both Hartford and Stars Hollow finding someone who lived in a town situated between the two was a no-brainer. Carol came with a ton of references. Though she'd never worked for Honor directly, she'd worked for several of Honor's friends and had babysat Honor and Josh's kids on occasion.
Carol, a pleasant woman in her mid-forties, had come to the Hartford apartment three times the previous week. Still busy getting into their own rhythm, as parents, as a couple, and as Team LoRoLu, neither Logan nor Rory felt comfortable with the idea of bringing her in as a full-time live-in nanny. Having someone in the apartment part of the time was okay; but neither one of them wanted someone constantly underfoot. Besides, they were doing pretty damn good on their own.
Logan, unencumbered by the need to report daily to an office, was all over hanging out with Lucas. He wasn't shy or tentative around his son. Aside from the breastfeeding, he did everything Rory did. Logan appreciated the fact that -beyond actually caring for their son- those moments afforded him an opportunity to get to know his son. Although getting to know Lucas was still a relatively uncomplicated endeavor -the baby's cries dictated by his basic needs- Logan swore hints of his underlying personality were already revealing themselves. He was increasingly assured Lucas and he had similar musical tastes; they made faces at the same songs.
Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Dragonfly Annex, Saturday, June 24, 2017, 6:05 pm EST
With Carol and Lucas successfully settled into the suite, Rory and Logan were free to attend the Dragonfly's opening night festivities. As they stepped out into the hallway Rory hung a sharp left to head towards the staircase. Before she was able to take a second step, Logan grabbed her arm.
"Whoa, there. Hold your horses, Ace." He pulled her closer to him.
"What's up?" She lifted her eyes to his. "We told Paris and Doyle we'd meet them in the dining room at six."
"Ah. Interesting tactic. You trying to get me to go downstairs? Or hide under the bed?" Placing a hand on either side of her waist, he caressed her gently.
"Very funny. Come on, Dandy. Your fans await."
"Yeah, about that. I don't really look like the lost BeeGee, do I?"
Rory shrugged. "I think it's the dimples, Huntzberger. But I don't care what Paris says. I'm not a fan of the late 70s disco scene but there's a few songs from the 60s I can listen to without gagging. I don't mind if you do look like the forgotten BeeGee."
"Lost BeeGee. Not Forgotten BeeGee." Logan corrected her.
Rory chuckled. "Of course," she rolled her eyes. "Nothing forgettable about you. And just so you know, I really don't mind your looks."
"You don't?"
"Nope." She shook her head. "You kinda look like Lucas."
"I look like Lucas?"
"Yeah."
"You sure it's not the other way around, Ace?"
"Chicken and egg, Huntzberger. Does it really matter?"
Rory stretched up on her toes to bring her lips to his.
"I can live with that."
"Great. So that's settled and we can go."
"One last thing." His hands still on her waist, he leaned in for one last kiss before their 'date' with Terrence and the McMasters. "You look amazing."
She did, too. She had on a vibrant print dress -a dramatic pattern of reds and violets and blues - with nude pumps. The dress brought out the blue of her eyes and the red highlights in her hair.
"Thank you."
"I think you look a bit like Lucas, too."
"Yeah. I've got his eyes."
Stars Hollow, Connecticut, Dragonfly Annex, Saturday, June 24, 2017, 6:30 pm EST
A few minutes late in their arrival at the dining room, the couple discovered that the station cocktail hour was already well underway. According to Rory, the guests were a mix of friends and actual inn guests from the original Dragonfly. Everyone had been invited to the party. While Rory was disappointed that they did not find her mother and Luke, Logan was disappointed that they did find Paris, Doyle, and Terrence. After some time spent on innocuous small talk - mostly about the inn and baby related things - Rory excused herself to go find Lorelai. Logan internally cringed at her departure which left him with the Witch, the Troll and the Hipster.
Ah. Who to talk to?
The last thing he wanted to do was have yet another heart-to-heart with Paris Geller. He glanced around looking for Sookie and his new friend Michel. He wondered if that Taylor guy was around somewhere? Maybe Michel could give him pointers on how to deal with Lorelai. Twenty-five years of working together; that was substantial. Logan was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of that voice he knew so well.
"So Huntzberger, it looks like Gilmore hasn't given you your walking papers yet."
Always so charming and to the point.
"Yes, Paris. Looks like." Logan sipped his scotch and glanced over Paris's shoulder hoping for Rory to appear. His eyes took in Doyle and Terrence perusing the appetizer tables.
"How are those parents of yours? Any more special gifts? Maybe antique bowls from ancient Rome?"
"No, Paris. We haven't seen them in a month." Shifting his gaze, he locked eyes with her. "But I'm sure you already knew that."
"Yeah, well. I still want to ask you something."
"Ask away. You know what they say. There's no such thing as stupid questions. Just stupid people."
"Cute. Well until they make stupidity a crime, I guess you and your idiot friends will continue to walk free."
Logan sighed. They'd have to come to truce some day. Maybe. "What can I do for you Paris?"
"I just wanted to say that Rory seems happy."
Rory seems happy because Rory is happy.
"I sense a 'but' in there..?"
"The 'but' is this: You seem to be on a spring break from life. It's all shiny happy people holding hands. I don't know what your plan is. If you're retired or if you're gonna crawl back on your hands and knees to The Mitchum and Shirania -"
"Paris -"
"- but whatever your plan is, Rory and Lucas have to come first."
Was she kidding?
"Paris, I agree with you."
"Words are cheap, Huntzberger. It's actions that matter."
"Paris! They have crab puffs." Saved by The Troll.
"I'll be right there," she replied to Doyle over her shoulder. "Just do the right thing, Huntzberger." With that she stalked off.
Logan, left alone, studied the ice cubes in his glass. Enjoying his momentary, silent reprieve, he wasn't surprised when it all too quickly came to an end with the sound of another familiar voice.
"So Logan." Doyle approached with a small plate piled high with crab puffs. "How are you? And, before I forget, congratulations!"
Congratulations? Ah. Lucas.
"Thanks Doyle. Yeah, Lucas'll be six weeks on Monday."
"Oh yeah, there's the baby, too, isn't there?" He snickered. "I was actually referring to your artful dodge from unholy matrimony. Masterfully done, masterfully done. I wanted to ask you something: Do you mind if I borrow snippets of your story? I'm working on a screenplay and I think elements of your life -specifically the runaway groom thing- would work in quite nicely." At Logan's silent reaction, Doyle tried again. "C'mon, Logan. We men-about-town have to stick together."
Logan's previously inscrutable face twisted into a grimace. "Men-about-town?"
Doyle giggled. "Well, yeah! I may not have been born with a silver spoon, but now that I'm a Hollywood screenwriter I've definitely found the ladies - shall we say - receptive."
"You're playing the mancard with me, Doyle?"
"I'm just saying we're two of the East Coast's most eligible bachelors. We should hang out some time. Maybe a weekend in New York. Paint the town red!"
Logan winced, feeling a new wave of gratitude for Rory. Wait until he filled her in on Doyle's mega-disturbing offer. "Doyle, you need to put that mancard away. In fact, I think my balls are trying to crawl back inside."
Suddenly there was Paris with Terrence in tow. Of course she'd overheard Logan's last comment.
"That shouldn't be too high of a climb, Huntzberger. But let me know if they need help," offered Paris.
"Of course, Paris." He sipped his scotch.
"You are so hot when you threaten other men." Doyle was staring at Paris with what Logan could only describe as a hungry look.
"Oh yeah? You don't even wanna know how I'd help Huntzberger get the boys back upstairs."
Without warning, Doyle handed Logan his plate and smashed his lips to Paris's. Logan thought -and hoped - for a second Paris was going to slap him. Instead she handed her plate to Terrence and enthusiastically returned Doyle's passionate embrace.
"Paris? Doyle? You can't hide your dysfunction behind lust. You know you can't hear one another when you drown yourselves in passion."
Frowning, Logan placed Doyle's plate on a table and stepped away from the deranged McMasters and their equally insane marriage counselor. Where was Rory? Looking around the room, he saw a couple of faces he thought familiar but it had been ten years since his weekend in Stars Hollow. The only one he knew he'd recognize was Kirk, the independent "film-maker" but he didn't see him. He thought he'd recognize Taylor, too, but didn't see him either. As he stood in the dining room, Logan noticed quite a few of the natives staring at him. He raised his glass in greeting to a group that included a short, heavyset blonde woman, a similarly built but taller dark-haired woman, and a very tall man wearing a black pork pie hat and sunglasses.
"Yoo-hoo! Rory's Baby Daddy!"
Following the voice, Logan saw Michel and Sookie standing just inside one of the entrances off the central hallway. He grinned. He'd hang with Michel over the McMasters and their demented therapist any day. He made fast strides to the duo.
"Hey Michel, Sookie. Nice party."
"Thank you. Yes. Yes it was. Until it became repulsive." Michel, his face twisted into a look of disgust, jerked his chin to where Doyle and Paris were still making out. "How sweet. They are made for each other. And we get to share their joy. I think I am going to be sick."
"Make that two." Sookie agreed.
"Make that three." Logan grimaced.
Michel twisted his head around to look at Logan.
"I like you. You sure you want to subject yourself to the Lorelai's?"
"Michel! What did I say before about Logan not knowing you well enough to get your jokes?!" Sookie gave Logan a slightly manic smile. "Michel is joking. He jokes a lot. I mean Lord knows he could've left the Dragonfly dozens of times over the years but he keeps choosing to stay." Her eyes threw daggers at Michel. "Although someone else could always make the decision for him."
Michel sighed loudly. "Please. I can't with the empty threats. Fire me. I beg of you. Like you could find anyone to replace me. Yes, it is true. I do not leave. It is like Stockholm syndrome. I have acclimated to the crazy. I feel better about myself when I am standing next to the Hot Mess."
His soliloquy done, Michel fell silent. Sookie continued to glare at him.
New topic?
"So, either of you know where Rory is?" asked Logan.
Sookie nodded. "Yeah. She was in the office with Lorelai. She should be out soon."
Doyle and Paris, meanwhile, had tempered down their ardor and were quickly making their way to the small group. A silent, brooding Terrence trailing after them.
"So, Logan? What do you say?"
"About what, Doyle?"
"Letting me pilfer through your runaway groom drama for my script."
"Why don't you borrow from your own life, Doyle? Married to, separated from, and now once again dating the female Danny Bonaduce." He gestured to Paris. "There's gotta be a story in that."
Michel, listening with unabashed curiosity, chortled at Logan's comment. "I get it. It is because she is so pugnacious. She would wrestle a leaf to the ground if it landed on her."
"Nice! Real nice, Huntzberger."
"I sense some repressed hostility." Terrence observed, looking back and forth between Logan and Paris. "A little sexual tension perhaps?"
"Ew! God, no!" replied Paris.
"Do you even know what the word 'repressed' means?" Logan had a disbelieving look on his face.
"Never mind Terrence! I can't believe you're insulting me in front of some of my best friends, Euro-Disick!" Waving a hand at Sookie and Michel, Paris glared at Logan.
"Best friends?" repeated Sookie, her voice echoing surprise. She leaned in to whisper into Logan's ear. "She would send notes back to the kitchen listing all the things wrong with my dishes!"
"I'll have you know that Michel, Sookie, and I spent a lot of quality time together during college. It was when I'd come down to visit Lorelai. While you and Rory were 'Endless Love'ing it up in the pool house."
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! The pool house! I know this! I know this!" Excited, Sookie's head bobbed up and down while her hands flailed. "What is the renovated sex house?!"
"What's a sex house?" asked Doyle. "What? It might be good for my script." He explained to a glaring, eye-rolling Paris.
"What is a sex house?" repeated a horrified Michel. "Lorelai is not planning to build one of those at the inn, is she?" Michel groaned. "I need to install a nanny-cam if I cannot watch her 24/7. After camping in California, and the endless Reese Witherspoon purchases – 'Y'all This' 'Y'all That'- her taste is becoming quite questionable."
Rory chose that moment to join the group. "Hey everybody. Logan."
"Hey Ace."
"What're you all talking about?"
Grasping Rory's arm, he quickly moved the two of them away from the bickering group, toward the second entrance along that wall. "Nothing." He kissed her cheek. "How're things with Lorelai? All good?"
"Yeah. It was just some of the things I'd been working on she had questions about. Everything's fine."
"Luke and Lorelai making an appearance?"
"Eventually. April was flying in today so Luke went to go pick her up. My mom is just going in a million directions at once. She'll be in in a few minutes." Rory paused before continuing. "How're things here? You introduce yourself to everybody?"
"As in 'Hi, I'm Rory's Baby Daddy'? No. Figured I'd wait for you."
"Oh. Interesting time for your shyness to kick in."
"Believe me. I'm not shy. Why would I want to go around a room and introduce myself as the one who accidentally knocked you up? I have no idea what these people know or think. Without you on my arm, they'll wonder why you didn't want to be seen with me. I'd look sketchy as hell, Ace."
"So, you think you look less sketchy with me on your arm? I'm flattered."
"Ace -"
"Hey." Suddenly Lorelai materialized at the entrance. Within seconds she stood beside them. "How're things going?"
"Good." Rory nodded her head.
"Fine, Lorelai." Logan gestured to the room. "The place came out great."
"Thanks, Logan." Lorelai smiled.
Several weeks earlier Logan and Lorelai had reached a détente. It wasn't the forging of a great new friendship but they had agreed that seeing Rory and Lucas safe and happy were mutual goals. Coming together at that basic level shouldn't have been as big a deal as it was, but they had a lot of baggage to overcome. While Rory was motivated to be optimistic and override her natural cynicism for the sake of their son, Lorelai had no such inspiration. Her impression of Logan's world was unshakable. Her own experience as a single mother her beacon. It seemed beyond her comprehension that Rory wouldn't follow suit. That battle belonged to Rory. His part was only to love her, love Lucas, and not give Lorelai any ammunition for 'I told you so's'. That last one had been tricky when they were younger but now he couldn't imagine doing anything to rock the boat. He wanted them to work even more than Rory did. Unlike Rory, he needed them to work.
"Lorelai! Rory! And who's this?"
At the sound of a female voice Logan turned to look behind him. Approaching were the three people he'd noticed earlier. The two women and the man in the pork pie hat.
"This is Logan Huntzberger." Lorelai took over the introductions. "Logan this is Miss Patty."
Logan nodded. Dance lessons. "Ah. Miss Patty. Of course. Nice to meet you."
Patty held her hand out to Logan. Logan took it but then found he couldn't pull his back. Miss Patty had a strong grip.
"Oh. Does my reputation precede me?"
"I think your hands precede you, Patty," joked Lorelai.
"Oh hon, when you're my age you get it where you can. And what it is is pretty open to interpretation."
"Oh Lorelai! Look at this place! Doll, you can do no wrong with this stuff. Right, Morey?!
"It's looking good, Lorelai. You've got real talent."
"Thank you Babette, Morey. Have you met Logan Huntzberger?"
"Hi," nodded Logan holding his hand out first to Babette then to Morey.
"Oh is this Lucas's daddy?"
"Yes." Logan nodded, smiling.
"Yes, he is."
Rory and Logan answered at the same time.
"That's my claim to fame."
"I can't wait to meet the little guy. He's gotta be a cutie."
"Uh, Miss Patty, I'm sorry but as his mom I have to say he's a little too young for you."
"Oh I know sweetie, I just wanna pinch those cheeks."
"Which ones?"
"Lorelai! You're bad!"
"Uh, Patty. Me?"
Patty roared in laughter. "You know me so well." The woman leaned forward and pinched Logan's cheek. "Just like that."
Logan, stunned at having his cheek pinched at age thirty-five, could only stand there. Next to him, Rory laughed.
"I won't pinch you, Logan. But the pictures! The pictures! So cute I can't stand it! Right Morey?!" Babette glanced at her husband seeking his agreement before turning back to Logan and Rory.
"Yeah. Kid's got a good look," agreed Morey.
"Thank you," smiled Rory. Her hand casually reclaimed Logan's. "That's so sweet of you to say."
"Tell them about the hat, babe."
"Oh, yeah! We got him a little baby hat! Just like Morey's! It's so cute! Got it off the Internet! It's a loose cable crochet stitch and baby blue not black but other than that, it looks just like Morey's hat!"
"Wow! Thank you!" Rory smiled at the couple. "It sounds adorable. Can't wait to put it on him."
"So? Is he making an appearance tonight?" asked Patty. "Not that your cheeks weren't delightful -"
"I get it," grinned Logan. "I'm a poor substitute."
"Hardly poor." Logan heard Lorelai mutter under her breath.
"Yeah, sug! We wanted to see the new place, of course. But we really wanted to see the new baby!"
"Oh, he's a bit young to be around so many people. He's upstairs with his nanny."
"Oh! So we won't get to see him?" asked an obviously disappointed Babette
"Well..." Rory broke off, uncertain.
Logan leaned in to whisper in Rory's ear. "We could bring him down for an early walk through at breakfast."
"You think?"
"Sure. Why not? No passing him around though."
Considering, Rory nodded. "Okay. We'll bring Lucas down tomorrow morning."
"Aw!" smiled Patty. "That's something to look forward to."
"Even more than Sookie's blueberry pancakes!" agreed Babette. "And her pancakes are the cat's meow!"
After shooting a quick smile at Logan, Rory turned back to Patty and Babette. "So, is Taylor over the fact that we didn't name Lucas after him?
"Who knows with that man?" replied Patty. "He's going through manopause."
"Oh, yeah!" injected Babette. "Rory you don't know the half of it! He's getting wackier and wackier and that's sayin' a lot for Taylor!"
"Man needs hormone treatments," offered Morey much to Logan's amusement.
"Ooh. Maybe he should be the next one to get a pig?" suggested Miss Patty.
AN: Does anyone remember - months and months ago - me asking for suggestions for songs that would work as the theme to a dystopian post-apocalyptic society? But before that, remember the Oasis? Ready for more?
11/19/2017