Author Note: Here we are in 2014- so close to the good stuff! Thank you all so much for the alerts, comments, etc... It really motivates me to keep getting these out.

I do not own any characters.

March 2014

"So how's everything in London? Work's good? Are you… seeing anybody?" Stephanie interrogates him as she hands him the baby.

Logan laughs. "Subtle, Steph. Uh... Work is great. Really busy. And London is still awesome. And I'm dating, but nobody serious… Hey there. Hey. Is Mama always so nosy? Yes, she is," he coos at Harper.

"I'm not being nosy," Stephanie says, sitting down next to him. "I just care about you, and I want you to be happy."

"I am happy. Honestly. And I'm trying to find someone. It's just not working out so far. It's like…" He pauses to think. "It's like that milkmaid from Amsterdam. Everything seems perfect, and then three weeks in, you realize you don't speak the same language."

"Milkmaid? What are you talking about?" she asks.

Logan glances over at Colin, whose eyes are wide. "Yeah, Logan. What are you talking about?"

Okay. I guess that secret has not been shared.

"Uh… never mind. Stupid analogy. But basically, nothing is working out for me in the long run. I meet someone, think she's great, and after a few months, there is something that I can't stand. I'm not trying to be picky… These are just… deal-breakers," Logan elaborates.

"Maybe you should look at someone that you're already friends with," Stephanie says. "That way you already know your personalities mesh. Like Colin and me. We were friends first."

Logan smirks as he bounces the baby on his lap.

"For the record, I never wanted to be your friend," Colin says.

"But we were friends," Stephanie argues.

"Not by his choice," Logan says, giving her a knowing look. "Besides, I don't know if that will work for me. I don't get friend-zoned like Colin does."

"Hey, fuck you, Logan!" Colin stands up in faux anger. "Give me my baby, you stupid… handsome… jerk-off."

"Language, Colin," Logan admonishes, as he hands Harper back to Colin. Colin awkwardly holds her over his shoulder, and stomps back to his chair to sit down with her.

I will never get used to seeing Colin hold a baby.

"Think about it, Logan," Stephanie says. "A friend first."

So he thinks about it.

"Hey! I'm sorry I'm late… I didn't think you would be here yet. You've never been on time for anything a day in your life!" Logan tells Finn as he enters Sarabeth's Kitchen and finds him waiting.

"I know. But Andy is always on time. This is Andy," Finn responds, introducing the man to his right.

"Nice to meet you," Logan says, shaking his hand.

Who is this guy?

He follows the hostess to a table, and the three men get settled.

"How long are you here for?" Finn asks.

"Quick trip. I got here Sunday night, had meetings all day yesterday and today, and then I have a redeye tonight. I did manage to get to Colin's last night to see Harper, but otherwise, I've been working."

"He's still so awkward holding the baby," Andy says, causing Finn to laugh.

Logan's eyebrows raise. Who is this guy?

"Andy, what do you do, where do you live, how do you fit here?" Logan asks. After a pause, he continues. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound rude."

"No, no. I'm the one crashing your dinner. I'm a broker. I live in Battery Park."

"Is that how you guys know each other?" Logan asks, knowing Finn has just moved there.

"Yes," Finn says. "Actually… we live together in Battery Park." He puts his hand over the top of Andy's, and they both smile at him.

Oh.

Oh.

But… Finn has probably slept with more women than me.

"So… you're gay?" Logan asks.

"I don't really label myself, mate," Finn says. "I'm an equal opportunity lover."

"I'm gay," Andy offers.

"Hmph… So how long have you guys been together?" Logan asks, his mind reeling.

"About a year," Andy says. "I was his financial advisor, and we talked on the phone for months before we ever had a face-to-face. But once that happened… I quit being his broker, and the rest is history."

"Well, congratulations, then. I'm happy for you," Logan says perfunctorily.

I can't believe this has been going on for a year, and Finn never told me.

He's more hurt than he cares to admit.

They order food, making small talk as Logan and Andy get to know each other. Logan knows he is being stiff, but he can't snap out of it. Midway through the meal, Andy excuses himself to take a phone call, leaving Logan and Finn awkwardly looking at each other across the table.

"So… I know this probably sounds strange-"

"That's… that's really not the issue. I just can't believe it took you so long to tell me. Did you think I wouldn't be okay with it? You obviously told Colin since Andy's met the baby," Logan says.

"Logan… Colin's always known. He caught me with a guy when we lived together in college. I never told you, because it was just sex… I always assumed if I ever settled down, it would be with a woman. This was never part of the plan. Actually, you know me... committing to anyone was never part of my plan. So I didn't not tell you… for any reason other than that."

They've both kept this from me for years.

"So you've always been into guys?" Logan asks.

"Yeah."

"But you've been with so many women," Logan says. "And, unfortunately, I've actually seen it. You weren't faking."

"I think we've established that my promiscuity knows no bounds. I find all kinds of people attractive," Finn explains.

A few moments of silence pass as Logan thinks all of this over.

"You know that I don't care at all, right? I mean… as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

"Yeah, I know," Finn says. "I'm sorry I kept it from you."

"I'm sorry you felt like you couldn't tell me."

They are quiet for another minute.

"So… that time you kissed me in Amsterdam…" Logan says. "I just thought it was all the ecstasy."

Finn smirks. "Oh, it was. But you know how pretty you are, Logan."

Logan laughs just as Andy returns to the table. He sees them laughing and asks "Everything cool?"

Logan nods. "Absolutely. Everything's cool."

He watches Andy push Finn's long hair behind his ear, their easy chemistry belying a comfortable relationship. Logan feels odd pangs of jealousy.

Later that night as he settles into his flight, he looks back on his quick trip.

Colin is married with a kid, Finn has been in a committed relationship for a year, and I can't seem to get anyone past three months.

This is fucked up. What am I doing wrong? How can I not find someone who I can at least tolerate? Maybe Stephanie has the right idea. Look at someone as a friend first.

April 2014

Are you coming in town this weekend for the literacy event?

Logan sends a quick text to Odette before moving on with his day, unable to check his phone for a few hours. Between meetings, he sees this notification.

Yes. I'm going to stay next week to spend some time with Papa. Will you be there?

He smiles.

Meet you on the terrace halfway through?

She texts back a smiley-faced emoji, and Logan is pleased.

At least I'll have someone to talk to at this thing.

True to his word, he finds Odette in the garden of Drapers' Hall. She is leaning against the building with her eyes closed.

"No cigarettes?" he asks, condescendingly.

She opens her eyes and smiles at him, pushing away from the wall. "Not allowed to smoke out here. And… I'm trying to quit."

Logan smirks. "Good call. How've you been?"

"Eh… Bien. Fine. I guess. Work is… fine. Henri and I broke up again. Probably for good. Mamá is driving me crazy trying to fix me up."

"So… You're not fine. Is that a more appropriate answer?" Logan asks.

She gives him a tight smile.

"Come on. Let's get a drink." He throws his arm around her shoulder and escorts her back into the main event, stopping at the bar for wine.

They spend the rest of the evening in each other's company. He finds that when she's not sardonic, she has a biting wit that makes him laugh. He feels a vague attraction that he pushes to the back of his mind.

I cannot hook up with someone who has Shira's approval.

But when it is time to part, he can't stop himself from asking "How long are you in town for?"

"It's open-ended," Odette replies.

"So I know that we aren't friends, and we don't like each other…" He pauses as she smiles at him. "But I have to go to a wedding next weekend. Do you think… maybe you want to come with me?" he asks.

She pulls an exaggerated sigh. "Who is it? How boring will it be?"

"It's one of our writers. He's old, so normally it would be very boring, but this is wife number three, and she's young. Very young. Like too young for me to marry. We can ridicule the whole affair all night."

"So you want to bring me in for the comic relief?"

Logan smiles so big his eyes crinkle. "What do you say?"

"Fine," she agrees, rolling her eyes. "But I expect a lot of champagne. And decent caviar."

"I'm sure it won't be a problem," Logan tells her.

They text off and on through the week but he doesn't see her again until he picks her up on Saturday night. She is in a pale pink strappy dress, and again, Logan feels an attraction.

I cannot let this happen.

"You look beautiful," he tells her sincerely.

"So do you," she replies.

He shakes off these feelings, determined to rid the evening of any complications.

But later that night, after a few glasses of champagne, he finds himself pulling her close on the dance floor and whispering into her ear. "I think we're friends now, right?"

"Eh…"

"Come on! You have to give in at some point. Just admit it. You like me."

"You're okay. You're… better than okay. But Mamá constantly talks about you like you're... comme le Messie, and I can't let her think she's right," Odette sighs.

He twirls her around the floor. "I'm not trying to marry you. I just want you to admit that we're friends."

She rolls her eyes emphatically. "Okay… okay."

"Was that so hard?" he teases. "Now that we've established that we like each other, we can do all of these silly events together. I hate finding a date that I have to babysit all night, and you can tell your mother that you don't need any escorts."

"So I'll be a nifty back-up plan for you. That sounds lovely."

"Not a back-up plan. Just… a plan," Logan appeases.

She rolls her eyes and smiles. "Merde. I'm going to regret admitting that we're friends. I can already tell."

The champagne continues to flow and a few hours later, too drunk to drive, they leave his car behind and get into the back of a taxi.

"Two stops," he tells the driver.

"Just one stop," Odette clarifies.

He raises his eyebrows and catches her eye.

She grins. "Friends. With benefits. That's the expression, right?"

November 2014

Logan dries the silverware Honor hands him as he listens to her ramble on about Shira's latest machinations.

"Why do you let her interfere in your life so much?" he finally interrupts her.

"I know. It's like Brokeback Mountain. I just can't quit her. But… now that we're alone… How is everything? Are you seeing anyone?"

"No wonder you can't quit her, Honor. You're just like her. You know- that was the first thing she asked me when I got here. Not 'Happy Thanksgiving" but 'Are you dating anyone?'"

"Stop it! I am not like her. I am in here washing my own dishes! When do you think is the last time she washed her own dishes? Besides, she's only asking so that she can tell Hartford society. I'm asking because I love you," Honor says.

"Okay. Sorry. I'm not really seeing anyone."

"What about Odette Marchand?" she asks, not looking up from the sink.

"What about her?"

"It seems like you see her a good bit. Your picture has been in the paper together, and Dad told Mom that-"

"Yeah. I do see her some, but… she lives in Paris, and we're really just friends," Logan clarifies.

"Just friends?" Honor presses.

"How much do you want to know, Honor?" he asks, exasperated. "We're basically friends, who sleep together on occasion when we're bored, but it's not more than that."

"Okay. I'm not trying to hound you. I just want you settled. I see how you are with my kids, and I don't want you to wait too late."

"Um, you're four years older than me," he says pointing to her pregnant belly.

"You know this was not planned. I wanted all my babies done by the time I was thirty-five, and you're not too far from that," she says. "You still need to meet someone, date them for a while, get engaged, and be married for a bit. All before you really start thinking about children."

He says nothing, continuing to take dishes and dry them, ignoring Honor's stare.

"And honestly, 'friends who sleep together sometimes'… that's basically what a marriage is," she continues.

That's depressing.

"I get that it's hard to listen to me. I met the one when I was twenty-two, and I know that makes me lucky."

I met the one when I was twenty-two too.

"And in no way am I advocating for you to settle. It just seems like this is the first woman in a while who you've stuck with for longer than a month," she continues to ramble. "And I understand if you're just friends. But maybe you should look at it in a different light. See if there's more there."

He gives her a tight smile. "I'll take it under advisement."

Of course I've already thought about this. I thought about this a lot after Stephanie talked to me about being friends with someone first. And when we started sleeping together, it only made sense to evaluate if it was more. But it's not.

As it turns out, everything is great with us… Precisely because we only see each other every month or so. She's artistic and moody, and I'm focused and scheduled. We would drive each other nuts if we actually tried to date.

As Odette says, why would we mess with what's working? We know pushing it any further will break it completely. And with our two families so intertwined, there is no need for an awkward break-up to hang over us for the foreseeable future.

"I'm sorry for intruding," Honor says, drying her hands and hugging him. "I just want the best for you."

"I know."

They head back into the living room where Josh is watching football with Mitchum and Aiden. Shira is attempting to play dolls with Elizabeth. ("Gammy! I'm watching this game with Daddy!")

Logan watches from the doorway, and he knows Honor is right. This is what he wants. He just doesn't know how to get there.

December 2014

On Christmas morning, Logan leaves his hotel room in the city and begrudgingly heads towards the house in Hartford.

I hate that I have to be here. But I had so many lonely Christmases in this house, and I don't want that for Honor's kids. I want their holidays to be light and fun. And not attended by staff.

After presents are exchanged and the meal is cleared, Mitchum asks Logan to join him for a drink.

"Dad, I really don't want to talk about work today. I need a break. You need a break too," Logan tells his father following him to his study.

"I'm not talking about work. I just want to have quick conversation with you. Without your mother around."

Logan closes the door to Mitchum's study and whirls around. "Are you divorcing her?"

"What? No. Divorce costs a fortune, son. Remember that. I would never divorce her. But- this is along those lines… I need you to think about settling down with a woman, Logan. I need you to consider getting married."

"What? What are you talking about?" Logan asks, incredulously.

"You are out there as the face of the company. Making deals. Building goodwill. A man in his thirties needs to be married. It doesn't look right for you to be running around with young women anymore."

"Oh, but it's okay for a married sixty year-old to do so?" Logan asks sarcastically.

"Watch it," Mitchum says, staring him down. "I'm not joking. I know that you are serious professionally. I just need you to look serious… personally… Look, I'm not saying you need to give up your life. As long as you can be discreet, nothing has to change. We just need you to look the part."

"Dad, I'm not just gonna marry some girl you choose for me."

"Trust me. I know. I lost the ability to make you do things a long time ago. But… I've been talking to Jean Marchand-"

"Jesus Christ. Did you guys all get together and plan this little intervention?"

Mitchum furrows his brow. "I don't know what you're on about, but Jean and I have noticed how you and Odette gravitate toward each other, and… well, it's obviously a suitable match. You like each other, the financials work…"

"Dad. This is not-"

"Oh, I know you want to marry 'for love'," Mitchum mocks him, making air quotes. "And I've given you space to do that. More than I probably should have. But you need to face reality. The older you get, the less probable that is. It's time to make a responsible financial decision."

"This is a ridiculous conversation. Odette and I do not want to get married. Yes, we like each other, but it's not more than that. And we've both had the real thing. We know the difference," Logan argues.

He looks down sheepishly, feeling Mitchum's eyes on him.

I can't believe I just handed him that grenade.

"This is still about Rory Gilmore. My God, son. This is pathetic, even by your standards. Get your shit together, and start thinking about this family's financial future."

Mitchum strides by him and out of the room. Logan sinks down into an armchair, hating to be left alone with his thoughts.

I hope this isn't about Rory. But I don't even know anymore.

Maybe I am pathetic.

Maybe I should marry Odette. Or someone like her. Just get it done. The last 8 years have proven I'm not really going to be happy again.

I want to have kids and a family, and maybe Honor's right. I'm thirty-two. I don't want to be a dad so old that I can't play with my kids.

He pours himself another glass of scotch and spends a few moments contemplating his life before heading back out to join the others.

He runs into Josh in the kitchen.

"Hey, man. I need to ask you something."

"Yeah me, too," Josh replies. "You go first."

"How did you know Honor was the person you wanted to marry?"

"Oh. That's heavy. Uh… I just knew that I would never find anyone better than her. I was lucky she ever looked my way."

That's not helpful. At this point, Odette does seem to be the best I can find.

"Wait- that sounds bad. I really love your sister. So much. So... that too... Sorry. I'm not good at those kind of questions," Josh continues rambling.

I know this about Josh. Why did I think he could give me any insight?

"It's… whatever. What were you going to ask me?" Logan asks.

"Oh. Do you think anyone would notice if I got high in your old bedroom? Your parents are killing me today."

Yeah. You and me both.

"Probably not. You got an extra joint for me?"

A/N: I hope you guys like this.

To me, Finn has always seemed bi. He wears eyeliner very well, and he was constantly flirting with Logan.

The next couple of years are obviously going to stretch into really long chapters so please bear with me as I finish them up and get them to you. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!