Thanks again for all the reviews! I'm amazed that people are actually reading what I write!
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Chapter 4
"Ace," came Logan's voice on the answer machine. His voice sounded rushed and panicked. "I am so sorry about tonight, I meant to call but everything happened so fast and then they said I couldn't use my phone in the hospital and I couldn't find a payphone and then I couldn't leave my mom. I'm stood outside now, watching everyone go by," he said quickly.
"Hospital?" questioned Lorelai. Rory hadn't moved. She didn't know whether she should pick up the phone or not.
"I know you probably hate me now and are screening your calls but Ace, I really need to talk to you," with this his voice started breaking up. He sounded upset. "There is no excuse for abandoning you, but my dad had a heart attack at home … my mom called an ambulance … I met them at the hospital. I just dropped everything at went straight over, wearing a suit and trainers because I couldn't find another pair of shoes and I probably went through about 5 red lights because mom said it wasn't looking good." He was babbling and Rory could hear he was trying to get through it without breaking down. "Anyway, the doctors say he only has a matter of hours left. You know, we all thought he'd outlive us all but apparently we were wrong. I'm so sorry about our date, Rory. I have to go, my sister just got here and I need to go be with mom to tell her. Please call me, I have to turn my phone off again but … please Ace … I … I love you," he said before ending the call.
"I feel terrible," said Rory.
"Love, it's not your fault, you didn't know," said Lorelai, getting up from the couch.
"But I gave up on him. I should have known there would be a really good reason for him not coming," insisted Rory.
"You've only just got back together, you had every right to feel the way you did. Anyone would in the same position."
"I should call him, leave a message," suggested Rory.
"I'm behind you whatever," said Lorelai.
"I can't imagine what he's going through. I mean if I were to lose you Luke, I … I don't know what I would do." She had always thought of Luke as a father figure. She picked up the phone and went to her room, closing the door behind her.
"Why are you smiling?" Lorelai asked Luke.
"Because … she thinks of me as a sort of dad," said Luke, he couldn't help himself.
"Of course she does. You've been there for her since she was a kid. Her first day of elementary school, middle school, high school and Chilton. When she fractured her wrist, when she had flu you would bring soup, you came to all her birthday parties and were at her graduation. You've been more of a dad to her than Christopher," explained Lorelai.
Meanwhile Rory was quickly dialling Logan's cell number and waiting for the answer machine to click in.
"Logan, it's Rory. I am so, so sorry for the messages I left earlier, I should have trusted that there was a good reason, I just … wasn't thinking straight. I can't imagine what you're going through, but you're a strong person, you'll get through it. Don't worry about our date, just make sure you're there for your dad and your mom. Umm … I don't really know what to say, I've never been in this situation before … umm I'll try phoning again tomorrow, but in the meantime if you need anything call… bye," she finished.
She got into bed and tried to get to sleep. She heard her mom and Luke go up to bed, adjusted her pillows and tried again. After an hour she gave up. Getting up, she got dressed into jeans and the first t-shirt she could find, grabbed a coat, her bag and car keys and quietly left the house. Half an hour later, after encountering only a couple of other cars, she pulled into the car park at Hartford General Hospital. She wasn't even sure this was the right hospital but it was the closest one to the Huntzburger's home so guessed he was at this one.
"Is Mitchum Huntzberger here?" she asked the receptionist.
"What's he in for?" the woman asked.
"Umm he had a heart attack earlier this evening," Rory explained. She watched at the woman typed away at the keyboard and studied the screen.
"He's in room 507. Just take the elevator up to the 5th floor and the signs will direct you."
"Thank you," replied Rory, realising that the receptionist hadn't asked if she was family.
Reaching the 5th floor, Rory stepped out of the elevator and saw an empty nurses station. Following the signs, she spotted a waiting area in which Logan was sat on one of the chairs, staring into space. She walked over.
"Logan," she said quietly, not wanting to disturb another family who were sat nearby. Logan's head shot round and he spotted her. Standing up, he rushed over and pulled her into a hug.
"Ace," he said. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't sleep and wanted to be here for you, in case you needed someone."
"Thank you. This means a lot."
"So, what's the latest?" she asked gently.
"He's fading fast. Mom and Honour are with him, I just needed a moment to myself."
"I understand. So … can I get you some coffee?" she asked, wanting to be useful.
"Coffee would be good," replied Logan, not wanting to go to far away in case he was needed.
"What about your mom and sister? Should I get them some?"
"I'm sure they'd love some."
"I had to walk a long way to find it, but I managed to find some," declared Rory as she returned to the waiting area. Honour had joined Logan, she was crying and he had tears in his eyes.
"He's gone … he's dead," said Logan as Rory sat beside him and put her arms round him. He leant his head on hers.
"Where's your mom?"
"She's … saying goodbye. We were all there when … when it happened. She just wanted some time alone," explained Honour. "Is that coffee?" she asked as she spotted it. "Thanks Rory. For the record, I've always supported your relationship, I'm glad your back together."
"Thanks Honour, I'm so sorry about your father."
"Mom," said Logan, looking up and seeing Shira Huntzberger.
"I'm okay," she sobbed. She took a seat opposite them.
"Mrs Huntzberger, I'm sorry for intruding. I should go, I just wanted to make sure Logan was okay," said Rory awkwardly.
"That's okay. You should stay if you want to. You've come all this way …" replied Shira.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Rory added, feeling as if she was intruding and regretting her decision to come.
"Where did you get that coffee from?" Shira asked Honour.
"Rory got it," Honour explained.
"There's some for you if you want," offered Rory. She got a nod in response and she handed it over.
"We have to come back for the death certificate tomorrow so we should go," Shira said, picking up her bag and standing up.
"Mom, how about you come stay with me, I have a spare room and you shouldn't be alone at the house," offered Logan.
"No, I want to go back there. I need to be around your father's things," she sobbed.
"I'll stay with her," said Honour, she had stopped crying.
"You don't have your car," pointed out Logan. Honour had taken a taxi as her car was in the garage. "Take mine, Rory do you mind taking me home? I don't want to be surrounded with reminders and I won't sleep if I'm at my parents house, mom's house now I guess."
"No problem," said Rory.
Logan gave directions as Rory drove through Hartford.
"You can park on the road, it's this building coming up," he said.
"Are you going to be all right on your own?" asked Rory.
"Can you stay?" asked Logan, not wanting to be alone.
"Sure," replied Rory, pulling over and parking her car. She took his keys from him and opened the door. He walked in and immediately went over to the couch. Rory glanced round at Logan's spacious apartment. The lounge was straight in front of her with an open kitchen and dining area. A corridor led off the room which she presumed led to the two bedrooms and bathroom.
"Can I get you a drink?" offered Rory, aware she didn't know what drinks he had but felt she had to do something.
"There's beer in the fridge," replied Logan. She got it for him and sat on the couch opposite him.
"You know, as much as I loved my father, I really couldn't stand him," announced Logan after sitting in silence for a while. "Is that really bad?"
"Umm, well … not everyone can get along with everyone," said Rory.
"When I was a child he never came to any school events, he nearly missed my high school graduation because of a possible work deal. All he cared about was the paper and all his other companies. I hate him for how he made you feel. As long as I behaved, he was nice but the minute I make a mistake, however slight, he came down on me like a ton of bricks. What child wants that?"
"Logan, no one's dad is perfect. At least yours was around. Mine was off elsewhere in the country, phoning every couple of months, visiting every couple of years."
"I just can't believe he's gone. He's not going to walk into the office on Monday and shout at people for not working quickly enough."
"Despite everything he did, all the hurt and anger caused, he was still your dad and you'll always love him. Just like no matter what Christopher does, he'll always be my dad and I love him for that. It's just one of those things," stated Rory.
"How do you always know what to say?" asked Logan, looking into her eyes.
"It's a gift," she smiled.
"Thank you."
"For what?" asked Rory.
"For being here for me. For not hating me still and for always being there."
"Well, you had a good reason for not calling tonight. I feel really bad for ever doubting you, I should have known that there would be a good reason."
"I understand, you need to learn to trust me again."
"It's late and you've had a long day, you should probably get some sleep," suggested Rory, yawning herself.
"I don't want to be alone. Will you ... just ... lie next to me?" he asked. He didn't want anymore than that, just to lie next to the one person he cares about more than anyone else in the world.
"Umm, okay," said Rory and she followed him down the corridor. He sorted out a t-shirt and pair of boxers she could sleep in and showed her the bathroom, guessing she wouldn't feel comfortable changing in his room. When she returned, Logan was lying in bed.
"I'll need to help sort out the funeral," he said. "And the Will. What will happen to the business, all his companies?"
"I'm sure he would have thought about that. He was a wise man and would have made sure it was taken care of," advised Rory. "Now try to not think about it and get some sleep." She lay down next to him and could feel the heat from his body. She heard him settle down into the bed and then the light next to his side of the bed went out. She turned away from him and tried to get to sleep. After a while she felt Logan's arms wrap round her, holding her for support and comfort.
"I love you Ace," he mumbled sleepily.
"I love you too," she replied quietly, knowing it was the truth. She had loved him since they first started going out and would love him for the rest of her life. She knew deep in her heart that this was true. She had been kidding herself the past year, trying to escape her feelings and pretend she didn't still feel this way. She had never stopped loving him. Despite the hurt he had caused, he was the man for her.
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Iwannabegilmore : You were close but not quite with your theory.