"What do you both want more than anything?"
"We want to save our marriage." Smiled Logan for the first time in a week.
"And this is something you have both agreed to?"
"Of course, there is no other alternative."
"How is the living situation going? Most problems stem from the home."
"We're both trying to get accustom to things but overall I'd say we're doing fine."
"Mr. Huntzberger, why don't you allow your wife to answer one."
The marriage counselor eyed them dangerously through her glasses. Her perfume was something Rory was still trying to stomach but it was making her terribly dizzy. This was suppose to be the best marriage counselor in all of New York City, Logan would settle for no less when Rory informed him that they needed one. The night at the Metropolitan Museum was a disaster, any chance of staying with his wife was slim, his father made sure of that. When strangers had finished congratulating him on his new marriage, he sprinted past the museum lobby in one breath to find Rory sitting on the steps of the giant landmark. Her beauty that night still hadn't passed him, and he felt like she had been waiting there for him, why else wouldn't she just hop in a taxi and leave the scene? It was on those steps that she first mentioned couples counseling he immediately agreed.
Logan had been utterly stunned by her suggestion, never thinking that his father's behavior could spark an effort to work on their marriage, he could not allow himself to pass up the opportunity.
Staring at the picture frames that guarded plenty of ivy league degrees Rory wondered if this doctor could see right through her.
"Living together has been perfect, Logan knows how I like my coffee." She added with a smile before looking in his direction.
Doctor Wise slammed her notebook shut before she sighed at them both, "Are you two even really living together? Should I send someone from my office to ensure that you are not deceiving me and wasting my time in the process? Might I remind you both that you signed off on documents that bind you both to be truthful in these meetings; after many years I have found that wealthy New Yorkers aren't really looking to be honest, however I urge it.
"We are living together. In fact, we moved in two days ago knowing that it would be important to be under the same roof before the counseling sessions began." Explained Rory.
Logan smirked, "Send any representative you'd like."
But nothing seemed to pass the Wise, "Are you both sleeping in the same room?"
Silence.
The doctor sat back in her comfortable leather chair grinning at her breakthrough.
"I've been doing this a long time Huntzbergers and I'm going to let you in on a secret: it actually helps if couples talk during a session. A lot of people come in to this type of environment and feel that it's important to keep a straight face and stay calm. It's quite the opposite, this is the only place where you both can be angry. Come in and give me something to work with because marriages aren't perfect and they definitely aren't 'nice'. "
"We really are trying..." Started Rory.
"I don't see it. At the end of each session I give recommendations to the couples that need extra help. My advice to you is that if you really want to make this counseling work to save your marriage, move into the same bedroom. Perhaps speak to each other in the home more often, being considerate of one another is also important. You both aren't just roommates, your married. I'll see you next week."
So much for a productive session. Rory was so happy that Logan was footing the bill for this because she heard it was several thousand a session and with this one being the shortest so far. On the other hand, she was delighted that she did not have to sit in a room with Logan for a longer period of time.
Logan put a hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the room.
"There's a car waiting for you outside of the building, I'll hail a cab." He said while heading the opposite direction to pay.
"Thank you." Even he seemed to understand she preferred to keep the conversations short.
The last thing she witnesses before she left the floor was the half a dozen unhappy couples in the lobby, waiting for their sessions with Dr. Wise. They all looked so separated from one another, the men were paying no attention to their wives and Rory found it difficult to believe that these couples ever married for love. They all seemed so preoccupied with their phones, all except for one blonde that seemed more preoccupied with Logan's ass.
Rory knew that if she stayed with Logan that would become her fate one day. She would be waiting countless hours for a marriage counselor while Logan would ignore her and continue to text his mistress right next to her. She could already see it. She knew it's what people expect of Logan and she knew she would not let that become her life. She was two sessions away from a divorce and she wouldn't let anything get in her way.
Heading out in the streets she kept walking down a sidewalk until she saw a familiar black towns car with Logan's most trusted driver.
"Where to Mrs. Huntzberger?" She heard when she slid in the back seats.
"Gary, it's Rory."
He gave her a strange look and she knew that he didn't understand. After all what kind of gal would turn down an opportunity to be a Huntzberger?
Truthfully, she was beginning to feel that she had made a mistake. It had been two weeks since she had proposed this marriage counseling idea to Logan and it took him just as long to procure them a session with the every sought after doctor because he would have nothing less. Meaning while, she felt like she was losing sight of herself. What kind of a monster would stay in marriage only to wait for a perfect time to ask for a divorce and be granted one?
Living in his penthouse was intimidating and always cold. The marble floors of his penthouse always gave her goosebumps in the mornings when she was barefoot, the expensive Egyptian sheets on her bed drowned her. The bathrooms always looked frighteningly sterilized despite the fact that she never witnesses anyone cleaning them. Logan had three of the most complicated coffee machines she had ever seen and while she had made it a mission to find out how each work she was still trying to muster up the bravery. There were crackling noises and creaking noises she was still trying to get accustom to, most of the time it was Logan trying to get to his room without waking her. He was taking extra shifts at work to find a way to bring more revenue to the Advocate. So she was alone in the uncomfortable penthouse more often than naught.
From the first night she moved in they were already having troubles. The couple hardly spoke and tried to avoid as many direct questions as possible, they were still sore about the museum encounter with Mitchum. The last thing Logan wanted was to say something that would upset his new wife or make the new living situation only temporary, so he tip toed around Rory and stayed sensitive to her needs. However, it hadn't passed him that something was slightly off about his wife. Rory wasn't the arguing type, she was the quiet and brooding type, and despite the fact that the living situations were her idea she seemed to be tip toeing around him as well.
When Gary drove passed the Fifth Avenue shops she was reminded of Stephanie Vanderbilt's interference in her marriage. The third day after her move-in, Stephanie offered to expand her wardrobe, claiming that now as a public Huntzberger she would be expected to dress the part as well. So naturally when Rory came home that evening she found every piece of clothing gone, disposed of, and replaced with a new collection that could end child hunger in every country. As if living in the intimidating home wasn't enough now she would have the stiff and itchy clothing that was designated to every trophy wife on the Upper East Side.
Having drivers, using valet, the fancy clothes and immaculate home – they weren't her and she didn't remember things ever being this ridiculous with Logan. It was as if he had come back from California with more of a fortune to greatly annoy her.
"Mrs. Huntzberger, we're here." Informed the driver.
She didn't utter a signal word to correct him for what would be the hundredth time, instead she exited the car and made haste towards the building Logan called home. They had a busy itinerary today which besides the marriage counseling they were both having an infamous Friday night dinner with her grandparents. After Richard had heard through golfing friends of the coming out spectacle his grand daughter and her husband managed to have in New York, he had convinced Emily to have everyone over for dinner to finally gain some explanations. The only thing that worried Rory was that she had none, at least not one that they would want to her. She was only going for the hope that her mother would be attending the dinner because as far as Rory was concerned she was the only one who deserved an explanation.
Walking into the penthouse she was greeted with the best view of central park, she was reminded of how her apartment had only offered the view of a dump truck yet seemed more cozy than this penthouse. She started up a bath in the nearest bathroom and let the water run while she examined herself in the mirror, the expensive mascara hadn't smudged one bit but she didn't recognize the glamazon staring back at her. She was wrong, Logan was too good a person to be with someone who was going behind his back to end a marriage. He had been a great husband so far by many standards but she couldn't find it in her to tell him that she wanted a divorce and the counseling was a requirement. Would he even continue going if he knew?
She pulled off her clothes and tried not to look at her naked figure in the mirror getting into the large tub. For the first time in three years she was in a clean enough bathroom that allowed for a relaxing soak. Knowing that this would be the perfect opportunity, she let her head sink back and try to recall everything that happened the night of her wedding.
No luck...
"Nice surprise Ace, if I didn't know any better I would think your trying to seduce me." Logan whispered in her ear.
She nearly jumped five feet when she heard him.
"I thought I locked the door!"
"The wind must have blown it open." He smirked, crouching down in the tub beside her.
Staring at the shut windows in all directions she answered, "Just don't let it happen again."
Cursing herself for not loading the tub with any bubbles she gathered her legs in front of her chest and willed her husband to leave the room with one stare.
Logan only ignored her, "Mind if I join?"
She started to panic when she noticed him pulling on his tie all the while staring at her with blazing brown eyes.
Rory looked away immediately and grabbed a hold of her towel to cover herself from his prying gaze before she gathered herself to stand.
"Actually I'm finished it's all yours."
And she left him there alone without changing the fact that they were both frustrated and unsatisfied; however, they were already comprehending that this was marriage. No one would ever truly be happy or clean.
"Your late."
Rory should have known this was the best greeting her grandmother would be able to give her tonight. The woman stood has elegant and erect as ever in front of her door way casting the coldest stare she could muster in the direction of her grand daughter.
"We apologize Emily. There was an accident coming from New York and we had to take a slight detour."
He wasn't lying; however, what had taken up most of their time was the extra ten minutes that they had spent staring at the intimidating wooden door that symbolized their impending doom. Even Logan seemed the feel the mood changer that the Gilmore house had become.
Taking in her new grandson, Emily's demeanor seemed to change instantly, she even managed to allow a slight smile on her face.
"Well what can you do." She responded stepping aside allowing the couple to pass and directly taking Logan's coat and handing it to the new maid.
She happily lead Logan to the family room, both discussing the new health care laws in progress while Rory was left struggling to unwrap herself from the designer coat Stephanie had bought her. So much for a helpful husband. She could not find a button or get to the zipper so her only hope was to slip her arms out and shimmy the rest of her body. The housekeeper began tapping her foot impatiently on the tile only watching her twist uncomfortably in the coat searching for an out. Rory wondered how long this maid was going to last.
Suddenly, they were both interrupted when they heard a woman's laughter approaching from the family room.
"Let's see this wife of yours, dear."
And before she could make herself look like a normal person she looked up to see Sarah Huntzberger in her most extravagant evening attire. Logan followed seconds after looking nearly as shocked and panicked as she was. Richard and Emily never mentioned inviting the Huntzbergers, however she should have expected such a thing, Emily had always had a vengeful trait to her.
The maid straightened up next to her while she remained in the most awkward position in her sweater. Rory could feel her face flush when Emily arrived behind Logan looking annoyed and bickering at the maid to "help her helpless grandchild out of the coat." However, the maid never got the chance to because Logan came to the rescue and merely unzipped her from the complicated material and released her from her strange stance. It was the first time in a long while that she had felt estatic in having her husband remove a piece of clothing.
"Well if your wife is finished playing with her clothing perhaps she may join us in the family room. Emily was just gracing us with her story of family traditions." Grinned Sarah in her perfectly executed high society tone.
The two women turned and began their trek to the family room leaving the couple behind.
"Ace I didn't know they would be here I swear ..."
"It's Rory!" She practically screeched, folding her arms to her chest and walking away from him and into the family room where she ran into Mitchum and her grandfather talking latest stock market trends. She felt like she would die being so close to Mitchum. Rory was never a violent person but being so close to the man that brought out so much hatred in her put her on edge and immediately made the room grow hotter. She began looking in every direction for her mother hoping that the older Loreali would make things easier but she didn't stop her anywhere. After several seconds it finally dawned on her that her mother hadn't arrived because she was badly hurt by her actions. Rory immediately felt like the worse daughter, and the stupidest for believing that her mother would be simple to seek.
"Rory sit sit." Hastened Emily directing her and Logan onto the same couch.
Logan seemed to be giving his father the same type of look that she could only guess she was emulating as well.
"So," began Emily from her place standing over Richard, "Let me just say we were all very disappointed with erupt marriage that you both decided to spring on everyone. However, we all feel that this is still something that we can bring about the right way with a first page spread on the New York Times and the perfect white ball gown for a dress with a train that will be worth ..."
"No," Rory interrupted with her eyes as big as saucers, "that's really not necessary. Logan and I never wanted a big wedding anyways."
"My son has always wanted a worthy wedding event. He's a Huntzberger and should have nothing less, right Logan?" Added Sarah.
Rory had forgotten how much of a shark Logan's mother could be.
Everyone else just looked to Logan for some type of reaction.
Always a politician he kept his face partial, "I appreciate everyone's concern but this is about Rory and I. We have are preferences and we're not looking into a big event at the moment."
"Or at any moment." Rory said.
Richard sat back in his chair as if he had received the hardest slap to his face, "How dare you turn down a wedding from family. Do you know how many people would die to be in your shoes. Emily, I just do not understand today's youth!"
"So ungrateful." She agreed.
"We are not ungrateful grandma! We just don't need another wedding. We're already happy happy happy!" Even that last one had sound cynical.
This only earned a smirk and a nod from Logan.
"Well this is just ridiculous, how are the kids going to feel when they hear that their parents got hitched in a crummy town with a man who probably earned a license to marry online." Shrieked Sarah, it was the closest thing Rory had ever heard to a voice raise from the always composed Sarah Huntzberger.
"We don't want kids!" Shrieked Rory as equally as high.
She instantly regretted being so truthful in a room full of people that were better off not knowing their troubles. Emily looked like she would faint and Sarah swiftly raised her hand to her chest as if experiencing the beginning stages of a heart attacked. Even Mitchum remained quiet which was very unusual for such a man. Rory didn't dear look in Logan's direction instead she stared straight at her grandfather who at that moment looked at Logan very gravely.
"Son, do you have any performance issues that would prevent impregnating my granddaughter?"
Logan remained speechless.
"Of course not," bellowed Mitchum, "My son is just as spry as always. Tell them Logan!"
Logan momentarily wondered what his father and mother were doing in the Gilmore household. It stunned him that they could disapprove of his marriage so greatly yet make it to dinner to be around his wife who was their least favorite person. He knew something was off with this picture.
Nevertheless, Logan gathered Rory's hands in his own before addressing everyone in the room.
"Rory and I are having children just not anytime soon."
His answer seemed to satisfy everyone in the room, all but one. For the first time the warmth of his hands gave her no hope.
"Wonderful! You hear that Emily? We will have great grand kids to spoil." Gathered Richard now with a more steady hold on his glass.
"I can already picture the little blondes heads and the blue eyes," Emily turned to Sarah, "blue eyes are a necessity for every Gilmore Girl."
Sarah scoffed, "No females. The first would absolutely have to be a male."
"Only real Huntzberger men can manage my business!" Announced Mitchum.
"Are you saying that female grandchildren would be inferior to you?" Poked Emily.
"He is saying that everything comes with time Emily and any little girls would just have to wait longer to be born. Rory? I found that flax seeds, decaf, and yogurt always help fertility. Perhaps I can send my chief over and only have him cook you certain foods that are bound to make you more fertile when your ovulating."
Rory could only stare at Logan's mother in disbelief. Did she actually think she would start drinking decaff? She looked at Logan who seemed to be considering what his mother was promising more than she was.
"Enough talk about babies. Business and geography is of utmost importance." Chimed in Mitchum.
"Naturally." Said Richard.
This is when Rory began to tune out. They were all discussing and negotiating details of their lives, for them, without them. It was as if her and Logan weren't even in the room. It was as if the decisions they had made weren't adequate. It was as if they were children that had to have the adults clear up a messy situation.
She didn't dare listen anymore.
"I can't believe you brought me there!"
"It was your idea I was merely a driver!"
"I can't believe you didn't leave with me when I told you to!"
"Well forgive me for not understanding that 'the peas are cold' was lingo for let's go home. Maybe next time you can throw in 'the potatoes are soggy' or the 'chicken feels hard'!"
"How cute. I'm beginning to think that you enjoyed the extra two hours we spend with them because you seemed in no hurry to leave. You were just sitting there and talking and smiling and turning down every opportunity I gave you to leave."
"That's right Rory because I enjoyed having your grandfather ask me if I had any problems in bed, oh and then having my mother give me that shake recipe to help out the swimmers was super!"
"You told them we wanted kids." She said outraged.
"Because we do Rory! The entire reason for people to get married is to procreate and make a family that will out last them."
"Oh. So that's the reason people get married? Thank so you much for telling me the reason people get married."
He sighed loudly, "No problem. Maybe know you understand why I moved your things into the bedroom since you didn't understand it last night."
"What you did last night was uncalled for." Rory spat.
"It was a strategic move. You aren't my roommate Rory, your my wife and it's time we actually started acting like a couple don't you think?"
"I think I liked you better when you weren't talking." She tuned to look at the brown accent all beside her.
He snorted, "Well, can't say I disagree there." And he turned to look in the opposite direction.
Suddenly they heard applause that startled them both.
"We are making progress folks. Congratulations, for the first time in these sessions you both actually sound married. Lets not backtrack and I'll see you next session. That's five grand at the door." Announced Dr. Wise.
The bewildered young couple only allowed themselves one glance towards each other before looking away again.
A/N: Birthday update. Sorry for the wait however I doubted anyone being concerned about the development of this story so I took my time. A lot of it. However, I was reminded by a fan that this was actually a cool story. Interesting take that was appreciated.
This chapter was a bridge. I have plans for this story that are going to be beyond ridiculous, in the best way possible of course. I hate author's notes in stories so this will be the last time I communicate unless you all pm me or leave reviews. Thank You.