I own nothing
Chapter 11 bona fide (good faith)
On Friday evening Straub had been thinking about how if Christopher hadn't made a mess of his life the family wouldn't be losing their legacy right now. He supposed the little girl wasn't directly the cause of Christopher's what did that man call it? Lack of spine I guess, for the more genteel population. Straub snorted. However her existence was a constant reminder of what a disappointment Christopher was.
Now on Monday he found himself walking down the hallway of the Buech Corporation with Mr. Rhodes, the CEO of the company. He remembered when Randall Buech was alive and one of his fiercest competitors, thank God he wasn't around to gloat over this humiliation. Although after Randall died no one was left to take over the company.
Randall had disinherited his only daughter after she'd run off and married beneath her. There was a great deal of scuttlebutt going around after his death that a long-lost son had been found, but Straub had never heard anything more. Now Buech Corp was owned by B-D Corporation, and Hayden Industries would be a subsidiary as well.
His board of directors had taken the final vote this morning, with some last minute changes which were usual. But then Mr. Rhodes said the owner wanted to meet with him personally for an additional change effecting his personal compensation packet. Straub wasn't too concerned, since his board had already approved it, it would just be a simple signature for him to accept it too.
"I'd heard the owner of B-D doesn't get personally involved in the closing."
"That's true, but there're some extenuating circumstances that he felt needed his personal attention. Many people try to get an appointment with him and they have to settle for me, you should be flattered that he'd take this time with you."
Mr. Rhodes smiled and came to a stop in front of a very large mahogany door with Private engraved on it. The secretary outside nodded to him and they proceeded through the door without knocking.
When they entered Straub saw a very large masculine room with heavy furniture and large bookshelves on one wall. The other walls had what must be family photos and humanitarian awards while the wall behind the desk was floor to ceiling windows overlooking some of the most expensive real estate in New York City.
A fairly large man stood looking out the window with his hands on his hips and with his back to Straub and Mr. Rhodes. From his stance he looked to be in his forties or fifties, like one of those construction workers who had made good, judging by the cut of his suit, jacket open and off the rack to be sure, Straub figured that that was what he was.
Just then the man turned to face them and he walked over to Straub, his smile never reaching the cold steely gaze in his eyes, he extended his hand.
Stars Hollow----- Morning after the dinner
Luke had not wanted to have this talk with Lorelai on Saturday, but he knew his time was running out. He had never told Anna, well because she was Anna and he knew she was temporary. But also because he thought she would've had a hard time separating him from his situation and she might've wanted to prolong their relationship
Oddly enough, this was also the reason he'd hesitated telling Lorelai, but not because it'd be an incentive to stay, it might provide the reason for her to leave.
After Caesar and Ray had the breakfast rush under control he took some coffee and pancake mix over to Lorelai's to help soften the blow or at least remind her of why she kept him around.
As he walked up the steps he encountered Rory coming out of the house surprised to see him.
"Hey Luke, does mom know you're coming over this morning? 'Cause she's still out like a light. We had a movie marathon last night after you dropped us off. And she stayed up after I went to bed. I'll bet she doesn't wake up for hours. You know if you want I can leave her a note to call you as soon as she's coherent because I myself am on my way to Lane's."
Luke looked at her warily. "Rory, there're only a few times you prattle like your mom, usually it's consumption of large amounts of coffee or you want to hide something. Care to tell me which?"
Rory hung her head. "Dad's on his way to pick up his motorcycle."
"Rory, did you think I expected you to ship it to him? I knew he'd have to come by and get it. Now if you can convince him it would be in his best interest to not step foot in the house I promise you pancakes for breakfast. What'd you say, deal?"
"Deal!" Rory smiled wide and went out on the porch to wait for her dad.
Luke dropped off all the fixings in the kitchen and started the coffee. When it was done he took a cup up to Lorelai's bedroom and stood in the doorway, watching her sleep.
"I hate when you do that." Lorelai said into her pillow.
"What?"
"Watch me sleep, very Police of you."
"Every breath you take, I'll be watching you."
"Exactly, are you going to bring that coffee over or do I have to get out of bed? Cause I've got to tell you, it's much more fun in bed than out."
"Oh, I know," chuckled Luke. "Especially with your hardwood floors."
"Dirty and extremely dirty." Lorelai took a long drink of coffee and then pulled Luke down for a good morning kiss.
"Glad to see you have your priorities straight," he deadpanned.
"If I didn't have my elixir of life I wouldn't have had the strength to kiss you." She smiled at him out from beneath the tousle of morning hair.
God she looked beautiful.
"You're my elixir, the breath I need to live," he said as he brushed her hair from her eyes.
Lorelai stopped and touched his cheek.
"I can't remember you saying a more beautiful thing to me, and surprisingly, you have said many."
Luke kissed the palm of her hand. "So what was the cheese factor, hmm?"
"Off the charts my friend, call the cardiologist 'cause we have 100 percent blockage. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
"OK, get dressed. I'm making pancakes and it seems that Christopher will be picking up his bike this morning. Now while Rory is going to try to keep him out of the house I'd prefer you at least be in jeans and a t-shirt before he gets here in case she fails." Luke leaned over, kissed her softly and she regarded him curiously.
As he turned to leave she asked him, "Are you making pancakes just as an attempt to make yourself feel better for losing control last night or is something else going on?"
Luke was so close to making it out the door; he stopped and turned around.
"You know what one of the best things about knowing each other for five years before going out is? We can read each other; that's also one of the bad parts of knowing each other for five years."
"Come on down, we'll have breakfast, send Rory off to the bookstore and then I need to talk to you." Luke smiled and walked down the stairs to make breakfast.
Lorelai threw herself back on her pillow, she hated those words, 'we have to talk', they never brought good news. She was pretty sure Luke still wanted to be in relationship with her, why would he tell her she was his breath right before they break up?
But he'd seen the underbelly of the Hartford society last night and she knew he wasn't pleased. For God's sake one of his favorite movies was the antithesis of her whole life.
How would he ever want to marry her let alone bring kids into her world, whoa, that had to be the first time she ever thought about having more children, and in a planned way. Huh. Who'd they look like? Well, they would definitely have blue eyes, she grinned. Boy or girl? Both? Good Lord Gilmore, Luke maybe ready to give you the old heave ho and you're thinking about children with him?
He wouldn't really would he? Well, whatever's to be wasn't going to get answered lying on her back in her bedroom. She got up to shower and change, then she headed down the stairs to face her future.
Luke saw her coming down the stairs with furrowed brow. He was afraid that she'd take what he was saying the wrong way, so while Rory was still outside with her 'dad', Luke took a second to look Lorelai in the eyes.
He said, "I want you to enjoy your breakfast knowing that I'll never leave you, what I have to tell you has nothing to do with wanting out of this relationship. Does that help any?"
She smiled at him. "Well, my curiosity is still piqued, but I'll be able to concentrate and enjoy your marvelous pancakes especially if they are chocolate chip."
She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively as Luke smiled. Then she leaned in and gently kissed him knowing that Rory could walk in at anytime.
"Thanks," she whispered.
Christopher was wise for once and didn't show his face to Luke before he left on his bike. After breakfast Rory went over to Lane's until dinner to help her organize her CD's so Luke and Lorelai could talk. Lorelai was sitting on the couch as Luke paced. She was watching his movements and getting more nervous by the second.
"For God's sake Luke, please tell me what is wrong?" Lorelai finally blurted out.
Luke sighed and sat in the chair opposite the couch. "All I ask is that you let me finish before you say anything, all right?"
"O-kaaay." Lorelai felt like she was signing her death certificate with that promise but she wasn't sure why.
"Well, eleven years ago I started to look into turning the hardware store into a diner and I had to go to some classes for small business owners as part of a loan process for the bank I was working with. This bank was connected to Wall Street and some lowly law school student was stuck entering data for this class into the computer. Unlucky for me, this upstart saw my application and took my information to the firm he had interned with the summer before. This firm handled the Last Will and Testament for Randall Buech. In it, it states that the last male with the name of Buech will inherit the Buech Corporation and all assets that were still owned by Randall Buech's family."
Luke looks at Lorelai and sees if she is following him. She looks at him expectantly so he continues.
"When my father was in his twenties his family had a reunion on Cape Cod; he went and there he met my mother and they found themselves in love by the end of the summer. Her family wouldn't let them marry because he, like me, was 'too common.' Mom decided that she couldn't live without dad and she knew that if her family ever accepted dad that he would let bygones be bygones and support her reconnecting with the family. So they eloped and her family was livid as expected, they disowned her, not just cut her out of their lives, they legally had her removed from any claim to property in the event of her father's death."
"The only thing her dad did was to put in his will that if she gave the Buech name to any son they would inherit everything, not even knowing if she had children let alone a son. If mom had known this she probably wouldn't have done what she did, but she wanted me to have some heritage of hers and she thought it was all she had."
"Randall Buech was my grandfather, and my full name is Lucas Buech Danes and I'm the owner of Buech - Danes Corporation in New York City. I'm telling you this, even though you may hate me for being what you grew up with because something has happened and I need to get your input."
Lorelai couldn't help herself any longer.
"Wait, wait, wait! You're sitting here telling me that you own a corporation?"
"Yes."
"Is it a big corporation?"
"Yes."
"How big?"
"Well, we just bought Hayden Industries and we will close the deal this next week."
"Wow."
"Yeah."
"You own Christopher's dad?"
"Well, I didn't really think about owning people, but I'll be buying his company."
"Trust me, to him he is the company."
"I'm sorry Lorelai, they were overextended and had some good long term investments. They were ripe for a takeover and while I don't go after these companies, the board of advisers felt it was a good investment and Tom said we could actually help a couple of the smaller plants they have remain open, where some other corporation who bought them would've dumped those."
Lorelai was still trying to process all of this and all of a sudden she pointed at him and yelled, "Metropolis!"
"What?"
"You're living that movie aren't you? You're taking what happened, I still need to wrap my mind around that later, but you're doing good works with your family's money aren't you?"
"Well that's the only way I'd allow myself to be sucked into that life. I live here, I go to New York once a month to meet in person with Tom, sign papers and go over long range plans, occasionally they overnight documents for me to look at or sign then every other month I attend this God awful board meeting and let them know I really am serious. "
"So is Tom your other girlfriend?"
"What!?!"
"The investment calls you make in the evenings you leave me, is it to this Tom?"
"Jeez Lorelai. Yes, those calls are usually to Tom, on occasion they are to a lawyer I have on retainer. Tom Rhodes is the CEO of the corporation and works hard to keep my vision viable."
"Wow, so you're rich? How rich? I mean personally in the bank stuff?"
"That I can get my hands on right now? Six months support for myself and the diner. Plus a trust-fund in Liz's name that I control so I can pay for her and Jess' living expenses. If you're asking if I liquidate all holdings and investments, everything today, we are talking enough for Rory, you, me and half of Stars Hollow to retire for the rest of our lives, in style."
"Wow, Manolos out the wazoo."
"Yeah, it took me about a year and a half to get up the nerve to actually become a part of that situation. The first thing I did was to find a person who shared my vision of using power for good and not going after the quick buck. I ran into my former lawyer, Jack at a philanthropic class, he introduced me to Tom and I've never worried that we're doing the right thing, until last night. And now I want to do something but I need your permission."
"What? Why?" Lorelai didn't understand a lot and felt like she was running after wisps of clouds.
New York ---Monday afternoon
Straub looked at this man very closely; he was actually much younger than Straub had thought at first. He looked familiar and yet he couldn't place him.
Then Mr. Rhodes spoke. "Mr. Hayden, this is our owner, Mr. Danes."
Straub shook Mr. Danes' hand and still had an uneasy feeling like he needed to remember where he had met this man.
Luke couldn't believe that Straub had no idea who he was. He had yelled at this man for at least ten minutes and the guy couldn't remember. Luke realized that he had been less than a human being on Friday to Hayden, so all he said was dismissed by the guy. He decided that he was really going to enjoy giving him the news after all.
Luke's smile finally reached his eyes.
"Mr. Hayden," Luke started.
"I'm pleased that we're able to help your stockholders out with our negotiations here. I am however going to change the personal compensation package we're offering you just a bit, but you'll be happy to know that your stockholders feel the changes are just and have approved them"
As soon as Luke started to speak Straub placed him, it was that man who was with the Gilmore girl and her daughter. As Luke spoke, Straub's stomach started to do a slow turn.
"B-D Corporation's main focus is the well being of our workers and their families. We receive a great deal of business because of our company's value driven mission. Since you have a granddaughter we felt it was an important part of our reputation that you make sure she's taken care of. Therefore we have a rider that if you sign it and meet the requirements, all previous negotiations will hold true. However, if you refuse to sign it you'll forfeit all rights and privileges to the Hayden Industries board, and we'll pick up your shares at ten cents to the dollar."
"Since we've not asked for outlandish demands your board felt that you'd do the right thing and sign the rider. It states that you'll speak to Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, by name, in a civil manner at all family functions, you'll inquire about her life and goals, you'll present her with a thoughtful, non-monetary gift that costs no less than five hundred dollars for her birthday and Christmas until she reaches the age of thirty. You may contact her mother, her grandmother or my secretary Paige Merriweather for ideas for her."
"When she gets into college you'll pay her entire tuition for as long as she attends and this includes any graduate level degrees as well. You may present this as a scholarship through Chilton, an anonymous gift or directly from you in the form of a check. In order to make sure these provisions are met I'm named as overseer since I'm in their lives already. If you divulge any of these provisions including that I'm the owner of B-D Corp you'll also forfeit your package. Is this clear?"
Straub nodded.
"Just to let you know, I didn't bother to tell your board about the scene you pulled at the Gilmore's on Friday. I believe that such things are best left in the family."
Straub was livid but couldn't come up with a good reason not to sign it.
As Straub turned to leave Luke said, "The Gilmore's Christmas party is next month. I suggest you get on Rory's present early; you'll give it to her then. I'll see you at the party Mr. Hayden."
Luke sat down at his desk and dismissed him. He couldn't wait to call Lorelai.
A/N Good reveal? This is my favorite chapter so far. Thank you again for all who read and reviewed and I hope you continue to enjoy the story. There are more developments to follow.