Author's note:
I'm back. I hope I didn't make you wait too long, so that you hate me for it know. I want to say thank you to everybody who commented on the last chapter. A big FAT thank you to the Guest users, because I can't reply back to you personally, and especially the Guest who took the time to read and comment on every single one of my chapters. To user Logan-Rory, I really hope you enjoy the little bit of drama I have put into this chapter. Thank you all again for reading, following and reviewing! You are amazing!
We parked in front of the Huntzburger's mansion just a few minutes past seven-thirty. I couldn't help but shiver at the memory of the last time I was here. That back then was a bad, bad night and I wasn't looking forward to possibly repeating it. Logan turned off the engine and turned to me.
"Are you okay?" He asked, placing his hand on my thigh.
"Yeah. I'm just not overly excited to go into that house." I answered my feelings matching my tone.
"You and me both." He huffed. I looked at him. Logan's eyes were locked on the facade of his childhood home. The look on his face could only be compared to the one of a guy, being dragged along to his girlfriend's mall shopping spree, hair and nail salon appointment, and then being made to carry all the bags and pay for the whole ordeal. I chuckled. "What?" Logan looked at me with a smile.
"Nothing." I shook my head and looked down at my lap. I took a deep breath, ran a hand through my hair and looked up again. "Shall we?" I asked Logan, gesturing towards the house.
"Let's go." Logan said, after taking a deep breath of his own.
Logan hopped out and before I knew it he was on my side, opening the door and giving me a hand out of the car. Always a gentleman. We walked to the front door hand in hand.
„Hey, what's the plan? Do we tell them about the baby or…" I asked, facing him.
„Don't you mean babies?" Logan asked with a smirk.
„Right. Babies." I laughed, looking down. „That's going to take some getting used to." I looked to him and smiled. Logan smiled back and ran a hand through my hair. He had that look in his eyes again. The one that he gave me back in the doctor's office, right after Dr. Rose told us we were having twins. And just like then, I didn't want to get into this now. Not when we were about to walk into a dinner with his family. That conversation was going to take some time, and right now, we didn't have it. „So, do we?" I asked him, before he could delve into the subject.
„I say, we see how things go. If we feel it, we tell them, if not then we don't. You okay with that?" Logan asked.
„Yes. I'm okay with that." And I really was. It felt like the less stressful way. I didn't know what this evening would bring, but I wasn't very hopeful considering the last one. And let's face it, the Huntzburgers were not my biggest fans. Even more now, after Logan threw away their "dynastic plan". I fully expected them to blame me for it. But to be fair, they weren't really far from the truth.
Logan turned and pressed the doorbell. We waited for someone to come to the door for a few agonizing seconds. And then the door opened, and there was Mitchum. What the hell? Mitchum was standing in front of us dressed in khakis and a white sweater. He had a kitchen towel over his shoulder and silver grill tongs in his hand. Never in a million years would I have expected to see Mitchum in such an attire. I was speechless. I threw a look at Logan's direction. He had the same baffled expression I supposed mine was.
„Logan, Rory, come in, come in." Mitchum said with a smile, ushering us into the house. „Logan, you know where the living room is. I have to go check on my steaks. I'll join you in a minute." Another smile and he was gone. What the hell was going on here? Who was that person and what was he doing in Mitchum Huntzburger's body. I looked at Logan. He was staring at the direction his father had disappeared to, with a thoughtful expression on his face.
„What do you think?" Logan asked me, without even looking at my direction. „A cyborg, ghost, or maybe a demon?"
„What the hell are you talking about?" I asked him.
„Well, that man could have not possibly be my father, he must be possessed by something. I'm asking you what you think it is. Though, if we are talking cyborgs that means that he was switched." I laughed at his ramble. But I had to admit that maybe, just maybe, he had a point. Something weird was going on. His father was cooking for God's sake. „Come on." He tugged on my hand.
We shrugged off our coats and headed to the living room. His mother and his grandfather were sitting there, waiting for us in silence. His mom had a glass of martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other. His grandfather, much like last time, had a nearly empty glass of whiskey. A maid, standing by the entry way took our coats from us.
„Thank you." I said softly to the girl, but Shira still heard me and her cold eyes landed on us. Her eyes quickly looked away from me though. She stood up, completely ignored me, and walked to greet her son.
„Hello, Logan." She stood before him and kissed his cheek.
„Hello, mother." He responded. Neither of them said anything else, they just stared each other down, and the silence got somewhat uncomfortable. I was nervous. I felt my hand that was still clasped in Logan's, go damp. Shira gave up the staring contest first. She turned her icy stare on me, gaving me a measuring look, a once over, going from my head down to my toes and back up again, until her eyes settled on my own. I tried my very best not to quiver under her gaze. I was not about to give her that satisfaction.
„Hello, Rory. You look well." The disdain in her voice could clearly be heard.
„Thank you. And you look exactly the same as you did ten years ago." I said with a sardonic smile, which Shira did not appreciate. In that moment I was proud of myself. Ten years ago I would have never said that to her. I don't know if it was just me growing up, my not liking the woman, or me just not giving a damn about what she thought of me, but I was proud. And come to think of it not giving a damn is exactly what made me so proud. When I was younger I wanted her to like me, and when she didn't, I was hurt by it. Now I just cared if her son liked me. And the tighter hold on my hand told me everything I needed to know.
Logan tugged me after him to greet his grandfather. He was the same man of a few words, as I remembered him being. He shook hands with Logan and gave me a nod. Surprisingly that was more than he gave me the last time I was here. The years have not been kind to him though. He had lost some weight and was looking pale. I knew from Logan that he had some major health problems the last couple of years, but considering his considerable age, in the end he still looked pretty good. And I could only admire that.
„Okay, dinner is ready." Mitchum announced, walking into the living room with a smile. It was still weird seeing him a sweater, but at least he ditched the towel. The sweater I could live with, the towel was just too much. That smile of his, was still giving me the creeps though.
„Let's get this over with." Shira sighed, getting up and brushing, something invisible to us, from her white pants.
„Shira." Mitchum turned with a warning tone to his wife.
„What?" She asked him, irritated. They stared at each other, having some type of silent conversation. And like her stare down with Logan, she didn't win that one either. She huffed and headed towards the dining room.
Twenty minutes later we were sitting in what had to be, the most uncomfortable and awkward dinner ever. Ever since we sat down at the table, the only sound that could be heard was the clattering of the knives and forks against the plates. Every once in a while there were the occasional glances we threw at each other over the table. Elias looked indifferent, Shira looked pissed for some reason, and Mitchum looked mostly uncomfortable. He kept fidgeting in his chair, like he wanted to say something, but didn't know what. I knew how he felt. I kept looking at Logan, wondering if I should try and say something, but he seemed completely content to just sit in silence. I guess he preferred it to the alternative. Knowing these people, all hell could break loose in a matter of seconds. And considering Shira's apparent state of mind, it was probably better if we just kept our mouths shut. That way, we just might manage to get through this dinner in one piece. I felt the tingles of cautious optimism run through me. And that was when Mitchum decided to break the silence. From there on out, hell did break loose.
„So, Rory, how is your career going? Anything came out of that Conde Nast meeting you went to?" Mitchum asked me. I looked up to him. I tried to read his face and tone. I was wondering if he had somehow learned of my situation that I haven't really been a journalist for quite some time now, and he was just trying to point that out as a reason why I wasn't good enough for his son. But he sounded pleasant, and his face gave nothing more than plain old curiosity.
„Not much, actually. I did one piece for GQ and that was about it." And really what a piece it was. If it wasn't for that piece, I would have never been at the same line as that Wookie. I shuddered at the thought of what happened next.
„That's too bad." Mitchum actually sounded sincere. He was looking at me with compassion in his eyes, something I never thought I would see in this man.
„Actually it turned out to be good. I decided to write a book, so me not working gives me time to do that. And I took a job as the editor of my home town's newspaper. I write a little something for it from time to time, just to keep my reporting in shape." I don't know why I just told him about the book. I just knew that that soft look he was giving me, was seriously freaking me out.
„A book. That is great." Mitchum said with a smile. Seriously, who was this man?
„Great, if you could get it published." Shira mumbled sardonically.
„Mother." Logan jumped in, scolding his mother, like she was five.
„What? I didn't say anything that it isn't true." She didn't back down.
„It's not what you said, it's how you said it." I could sense that he was starting to get angry.
„If she can't handle the truth, then she shouldn't be trying to write this book at all." His mother stated. Logan put his knife down, getting ready for yet another fight with his mother, on my behalf, but I stopped him before he could say something else.
„No, Logan. It's fine. Your mother is right. Me writing the book, it doesn't mean anything if can't get it published." I just smiled sweetly at her. Kill them with kindness. Right now, I was embracing that approach to deal with Shira tonight.
„What is the book about?" Mitchum asked me and I turned to him again, wanting to escape the death stare Shira was casting my way.
„About me and my mom. Our life. A friend of mine recently pointed out to me that our relationship is special. You certainly don't see it every day between girls and their mothers. Sadly." It really was sad. Me and my mom we've had our differences, we have fought over the years. A lot. Some of our fights have been big, some not so much, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that my mom loved me. She would move heaven and earth for me and would always be there when I needed her. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Shira opening her mouth, no doubt to say something snarky. Mitchum shut her up with just one look. Shira angrily looked down at her plate. I have to admit that I was thankful to Mitchum right now. I really didn't want to know what Shira had to say about my mother and me.
„If you want to you can send me your proposal, before you send it out. I'll be happy to look it over for you." That caught me by surprise. I knew better than to just take Mitchum Huntzburger on an offer. I mean come on, does anybody remember the internship debacle, and what came after it. But in the end it was a nice offer, and he was nice to me the entire night. I couldn't exactly downright turn him down.
„Thank you, Mitchum. I'll keep that in mind." I smiled gratefully at him.
„Good. You should." He returned my smile.
We fell silent again for a few minutes. I took a bite from my steak. I gotta say, it was a pretty good steak. Mitchum did a great job with it. It was beyond delicious and it was cooked just how I liked it. It didn't have anything red, or bloody, or raw in it. In other words it was completely well done, and from what I knew, totally safe for the baby. Pardon, babies. But the most important thing about the steak, was that I didn't have the urge to throw up, just by the smell of it. And just knowing that, made me enjoy the thing that much more.
„Hey, dad?" It was Logan who broke the silence this time. Mitchum looked up from his plate to meet eyes with his son. „Since you're in such a good mood tonight, I wanted to run something by you." Logan said.
„Sure." I saw little sparks of amusement in Mitchum's eyes, at Logan's choice of words.
„I want to move back to the states." That wiped the amusement right off Mitchum's face. It also caused for Shira's head to snap up and stare, mouth open, at her son. „Before you say anything, just listen to me." Logan pleaded, and when his father gave him a slight nod, he continued. „I know it's sudden, but I've thought a lot about this. It's not going to happen overnight, I'm going to need a few months to finish up a few things. I don't want to leave anything up in the air."
„Who would take over you?" Mitchum couldn't help himself to interrupt.
„Bobby." Logan answered in a heartbeat. And yeah, after he came back to work for his father, he started working with Bobby again. In fact, she was his right hand. Two years ago, when Logan and I started seeing each other again, we ran into her in a club one night. I didn't like it when I found out they were working together again, not that I had the right to, I did have a boyfriend after all, but when I found out that she was happily married for a few years already, I've got to admit that I was glad. „She is ready for this." Logan's voice pulled me out of my memories. „In fact, she has been hoping for this for quite some time now. Bobby's worked hard and she deserves to head up our London headquarters. And you told me a while ago that there will come a time when you will need me here, I just want to speed up the process a little bit." He finished. Mitchum was thinking over his son's request. Elias didn't seem to pay much attention, but that was just a front. He was attuned to every word being said. And Shira, her horrified look was switching between Logan and her husband.
„I don't see a problem with you transferring back to the states." His father finally said. „You're right. Bobby's ready, and pretty soon I'm going to need you here anyway. So, if that's what you want I'm not going to object." Wow. That went better than I expected.
„Thank you." Logan smiled at his father. It was probably the first time I've seen him really meant it. Both the thank you and the smile.
„Are you insane?" Shira raised her voice. Damn it. I knew it was too good to be true. „Mitchum, can't you see that the only reason he wants to move back is for this… girl here." The pause she made before saying "girl" clearly stated that that was not the exact word she had in mind. I moved uncomfortably in my chair.
„Shira." Mitchum prolonged warningly.
„And what if it is, mother? What then?" Logan snapped at his mother.
„I'm not going to let her get her filthy paws all over you again, Logan!" Shira nearly screamed. I felt a dull ache starting to form in my head. I rubbed the spot on my head where I felt it starting to spread.
„Shira." Mitchum barked at his wife, while she just gave him a dismissive look.
„I thought I was perfectly clear, when I came back to work for the family that my private life was strictly off limits." Logan hissed between his teeth.
„Yes, and I was going to keep my mouth shut, if you had just went on and married Odette. But no, you just had to go and fall for that girl again. It's just not acceptable, and I'm not going to close my eyes and just let it go. She is not good enough, Logan." I couldn't believe this was happening again.
„I don't give a shit about what you think, mother. You need to understand that Rory and I are back together now, and it's going to stay that way." Logan was getting angrier by the second, and while the redness could be seen creeping onto his face, mine was quickly draining off of all color.
„I won't allow that, Logan. I won't have that woman in my family, ruining our name." Shira continued.
„Who the hell do you think you are? What makes you think that you have any kind of say on the matters of my personal life?" Logan yelled disbelievingly at his mother's face.
„I'm your mother." She stated matter of factly.
„You don't say. And where have you been all my life? Oh, I know. Anywhere but here, taking care of your children." Logan spit out.
„Oh, please. What do you know about parenting? You have never been responsible for anything for a day in your life!" How dare she say that to him? I wanted to slap her. I just couldn't move. It was like my hands and my legs had become lead and were pinning me down. Logan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself a little before he responded to his mother.
„In four months I'm moving back home, whether you like it or not." Logan's voice was calm. His face was stone cold. If I was his mother, I wouldn't argue with him right now. He looked kind of… scary. I don't think I have ever seen him like this.
„What does she have on you?" Leave it to Shira to not take the hint.
„Rory, doesn't have anything on me. I'm doing this, because I want to." He was getting fired up again.
„She's manipulating you, Logan. It's all she's been doing since the day you met her. Before that, you would have never even thought about marrying somebody like her. How could you possibly be so blind?" Shira yelled.
„She's not manipulating me, mother, she's pregnant." Logan yelled back. Simultaneous gasp could be heard over the table. I could see that Mitchum was shocked. Elias finally looked like he was participating, and not just listening. And Shira… She was blood red angry.
„PREGNANT? PREGNANT!" She shot out of her chair, slamming her hands on the table. I jumped. The sound of her yelling and the residual trembling of the glasses on the table, caused from her slam down, were making me feel queasy. „How could you be so stupid? Letting your self be trapped, by this… this harlot." Harlot, seriously. What was this? The 1800's.
„That's enough, Shira!" Mitchum voice boomed. Next to me, I could feel the anger poor out of Logan.
„Shut up, Mitchum." Shira spat out. „You." She turned, pointing her finger at me. „You must be something in the sack if my son keeps coming back for more after all these years. You must have some mad skills if you so easily got him to knock you up." She yelled in my face.
„That's enough!" This time it was Elias, who slammed his fist on the table. Getting ahead even of Logan, who I swear, had steam coming out of ears. Shira jumped startled. „Haven't we done enough to this poor girl, for you to attack her like that, Shira? What has she ever done to you? Or to us?" I felt tears prickling into my eyes.
„Dad." Shira released a shocked whisper.
„Don't dad me. You need to apologize, Shira. That girl, has never done anything to deserve you insulting her like that." At the mention of Shira's insults I felt sick.
„I need a bathroom." I whispered.
„What?" Logan's hands were on me in an instant.
„I need a bathroom." I clasped a hand onto my mouth, looking at him with wide eyes.
„Okay, okay. Come on." He jumped from his char and dragged me as quickly and as gently as he could to the nearest bathroom.
As soon I got in there, I fell onto my knees before the toilet. I felt Logan's hands pulling my hair back and rubbing my back, while I emptied the contents of my stomach. In a few minutes the convulsions stopped and I was able to get up and get to the sink. I rinsed my mouth and splashed some water on my face. Logan never let go of me. After I dried myself with the creamy hand towels neatly folded on the right side of the sink, Logan pulled me tight into his arms. I wrapped my hands tightly around his middle, and that's when I felt the tears rolling down my eyes. I cried silently in his arms for a while. One of his hands was running through my hair, and his lips were on my temple. He was shushing in my ear, like he was trying to calm down a baby.
„Can we leave, please?" I asked him in between sobs.
„Yes. We're leaving. Just say the word." He pressed me tightly into him.
„Now." I looked up at him. „I want to go now." I could see it in his eyes that my tears were breaking his heart. And he had no idea how much I loved him for that. Logan nodded and pressed his lips to my forehead.
„Let's go." He brushed a hair behind my ear and released me from his arms. I instantly felt cold and too exposed. Logan took my hand in his and we got out of the bathroom.
When we stepped back into the dining room we found his father standing by the table. He had an apologetic expression on his face. Elias was sitting, his face didn't give much, but I saw the apology in his eyes too. A quick glance at Shira showed me that she was sitting, looking down at her lap. I couldn't bare to look at her any longer. The maid was already waiting with our coats by the door.
„I'm so sorr…" Mitchum started to say, but Logan cut him off.
„We're leaving." Logan announced, though I doubted there was anybody here unaware of that. „Grandpa, dad, I'll talk to you soon." They both just nodded, without saying a word. „And you, mother…" Logan paused until Shira looked at him. Her eyes were stone cold. She didn't feel bad for a single word she said. „You, I don't ever want to see again." Logan said with the same coldness in his eyes. And just before he turned and dragged me out of the house, I saw the hurt and the glistening of tears in Shira's eyes.
Neither one of us said a word during our ride back to the city. We were both in our own heads. I didn't know exactly what Logan was thinking about, but I could still feel the anger radiating from him. Today, has formed to be quite the day. First, Mitchum invited us to dinner, and he was nice about it. Weird. Next we found out we are having twins. Scary. Third, we went to dinner, Mitchum cooked, then he was nice to me, and then all hell broke loose when Shira started spitting out her venom. I didn't expect her to be all happy about me and Logan being back together, I even expected her to have something to say about the pregnancy, but I wasn't nearly ready for what we got. I had no words to describe tonight. It was even worse than the dinner I had with the Huntzburgers back in college. At least then she didn't call me a whore in my face. That really hurt. But I guess to some extent, I deserved it. I was sleeping with her son, while he was engaged to another girl that she actually approved of, and I had a boyfriend at the time. And let's not forget my unfortunate one night stand with the Wookie. I slept with him while having a boyfriend and being in a weird kind of relationship with Logan. Damn. When put like that, I'd call me a whore.
Logan parked in the underground garage of his building and we took the elevator up to the apartment. Once inside I took off my coat and put in on the hanger. I made my way to the kitchen. I could have used a cup of coffee, but since that wasn't an option, I had to look for something else. The problem was I didn't really want anything. I still felt a little sick and I was exhausted. The only thing I really wanted to, was to go grab a quick shower and go to bed. I spun on my heels and headed for the bedroom.
„Are you okay?" I heard Logan ask me. I turned back to look at him. He was standing in the middle of the living room, watching me. He looked worried.
„Not really." I shook my head. I felt like I wanted to cry, but I didn't have enough energy to do that, so I just stood there. Immobile. Not knowing what to say or do.
„Do you want to talk?" Logan asked, taking a step forward.
„I'm really tired, Logan. I just want to go bed." I sighed.
„We need to talk." I knew that. And he knew that I knew it. And that is the only reason he pressed for it.
„I don't know what to say." I said in a small voice, shrugging my shoulders.
„How about you start by telling me how you feel." He took another step forward, closing the distance between us.
„I told you how I feel. I'm tired." That was bullshit. He wasn't talking about that and I damn well knew it. I just didn"t want to talk about. I wanted to think first, get it sorted out in my head, because if I opened my mouth right now, I didn't know what was going to come out, but it sure wasn't going to be pretty.
„Don't do that. Don't shut me out." Logan said. His voice was stern, his eyes were demanding. „I'm really sorry about tonight. It was really bad, and you didn't deserve it, but don't shut me out. Talk to me." He continued, his voice going a little soft, but serious nonetheless.
„I know you are, but you don't have anything to be sorry for. It's not your fault." And it really wasn't. His mother was who she was, and she had her own opinion. I couldn't expect her change, based on the fact that I was carrying another two of her grandchildren. And frankly, I didn't care. She was nobody to me. I just need her to be civil, for Logan's and our kids' sake. I was ready to be civil with her, but it seemed that she was having none of it. I could live with it, I just wish Logan didn't have to. And I told him all of that.
„I don't ever want to see or talk to my mother ever again. Not after tonight." The coldness was back in his eyes.
„Logan, don't say that. She is your mother." How good of a mother, that was debatable, but still his mother.
„No mother would say things like that, to the woman her son loves. And no mother would say things like that, to the mother of her grandchildren." He had a point there, but I needed to believe that things between them could be salvaged.
„Logan, I'm sure she didn't mean it quite like that. Maybe she was just surprised." I tried to reason with him, panic starting to creep in.
„Why are you defending her?" He flat out snapped at me.
„Because I need to believe that even if I suck at being a mom and I do something terrible to make our kids hate me, they could maybe still forgive me one day." I cried out, my fears peeking their ugly heads over the surface.
„Rory." He said my name, his whole demeanor instantly going soft. „Our kids are not going to hate you. You could never do anything that's so terrible to make them hate you." His reassurance, generally so calming, somehow wasn't properly working this time.
„And how do you know that. Because I sure as hell don't. I have no idea how to be a mom, let alone to twins. I knew that one baby was going to be a lot of work, and I was getting used to the idea of being a mom to one baby. I mean I have you, and mom, and our friends, so it can't be that bad, right. But two? I'm not ready for two, I don't know how to do two." My voice had become the tiniest shriek. Fear would do that to you.
„Hey, hey, hey." Logan took the last few steps that were separating us. „You still have all of that. And I'm not going anywhere. Ever. We learn together." He wrapped one arm around my back, while lifting the other to my face to brush away the tears I hadn't realized had started falling.
„That's the other thing. What if something happens with us? People fight, Logan. What if we break up? I can't do this without you. And what if you meet someone new? We have been seeing each other for two years now and we have never talked about feelings. And I get it. I had Paul, you had Odette. And now we just decided that we want to be together again, but what happens when we don't talk about us? About what we feel." I was tiptoeing around the subject that really mattered to me and I wasn't making much sense.
„Is that what this is all about? Because we haven't said "I love you"." I should have known that Logan would see right through me. He was giving me his loving look again, and I was melting underneath it.
„What does it say about us, when we've been together for two years, true in a little messed up way, we clearly care about each other, we are about to have a baby, we look at one another the way you're looking at me now, but we can't say three simple words?" Simple my ass. In my experience they have been anything but simple. But I really did see the love in Logan's eyes, and I knew he saw it in mine. So, what us stopping us then?
„Rory, look at me." Logan demanded. My eyes were on my fingers, where they were playing with the buttons on his shirt on his chest. It took me a few moments, but I finally looked up at him. „We are going to be just fine. Our babies are going to be beautiful and we will do great. Yes, we'll make mistakes, but we will also learn from them. And our kids will know that they are loved and will always have us and our crazy close ones in their corner." I laughed. He was right about that. They were crazy. Every each, single and last of them. „But the most important thing is that I love you and I want to spend my life with you." My breath hitched in my lungs, and this time I did feel the tears pouring out of my eyes. But this time they were from happiness, not from fear. „I love you, Ace. I love our little babies, and I have never been happier in all my life. We are going to be a family and we are going to live happily ever after!" He said softly, running his fingers through my hair.
„I love you too!" I wrapped my hands tightly around his neck, pressed my body to his and kissed him with everything I had.
Hours later we were lying in bed together. I was on my back, Logan on his side next to me. He had one arm around me, the other on my belly. He was caressing it gently. My hands were wrapped around that said arm. Our legs were tangled together and our foreheads and noses were touching.
„We going to do great, Ace. I know it, I can feel it." Logan whispered in my ear. I opened my eyes and looked into his. He smiled at me lovingly. I smiled back and kissed him, before I fell asleep happy in his arms.
The next morning I woke up around nine-thirty and found that Logan had already left. He left a note saying that he had a meeting, to text him when I wake up, and that he loved me. I warmed my heart. I did as I was told and texted him. He said that he would try to meet me for lunch, but if he couldn't make it he'd call to let me know and we'll have dinner instead. That was fine by me. That way I could get some writing done, and I had time to check on the paper.
It turned out that I had a pretty productive morning. I got up, I took a shower. I ate the breakfast Logan so kindly left for me in the kitchen. He made me pancakes. They were a little cold, but still good. I had my cup of coffee. Went to the post office down the street and mailed grandma and dad the sonogram picture. I thought about mailing mom's too, but I wanted to give it to her in person. We were going to give Honor hers in person too. The other day at breakfast we agreed to go and have dinner with her, Josh and the boys, before we fly back to London. When I got back to the apartment I called dad and grandma to tell them about the twins. They were both thrilled. Dad and I arranged to have lunch tomorrow. He was going to be in the city, and I knew Logan had a few days more of business here, before he had to go back. It was about eleven when Logan called and said that he wasn't going to make lunch. He apologized profusely, but I really didn't mind. He had work to do, I could manage an afternoon on my own. I ordered take out, edited a few articles for the next issue of the Stars Hollow Gazette and even did some work on my book. Overall, it was a pretty good day.
It was a little after five when I heard a knock on the door. That was strange. If I had a visitor the doorman would have called to let me know, which he hasn't, so that only meant one thing. There was a Huntzburger on the door. The only one I could imagine coming here, knowing that probably Logan or I will be here as well, was Honor. But she had a key. Maybe she thought that it was better to knock, instead of barging in on us unannounced like last time. I put my laptop on the coffee table and went to the door. I opened it and there stood Mitchum.
„Hello, Rory." He greeted.
„Hi." I answered.
„Is Logan here?" He asked.
„No, he said he had meetings at the office all day." Why didn't he know about this?
„I haven't been there today." He answered before I could ask out loud. „Can I come in?" Mitchum asked.
„Of course." I couldn't stop him even if I wanted to. After all, it was his apartment. He went a few steps further in the apartment and stopped by the kitchen isle, turning to me. I felt a little uncomfortable alone in his presence, especially considering I was standing there in leggings, one of Logan's t-shirts and barefoot. I wasn't anywhere near naked, but still. It was weird. „Do you want me to get you something? Water, coffee, tea? I have decaf. I know you don't drink caffeine in the afternoon." I told him, remembering what Logan had told me about his coffee preferences, when I was working as his intern.
„No, no. I'm good. I just wanted to talk to Logan. Well, both of you actually." Mitchum said and I nodded. I didn't know what to say. We stood there in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments. „Rory, I'm so sorry about what happened last night." He finally said. Wow. I really didn't expect an apology from Mitchum Huntzburger.
„It's fine. You didn't do anything wrong." But I still appreciated it. And I meant what I said. „You were actually very nice." And he was. I didn't know if it was genuine, but that didn't change the fact that he made an effort. And it was more I could say about his wife.
„Shira, shouldn't have treated you like that." He said. I didn't know how to answer so I just stayed silent. „I really am sorry."
„Thank you. I appreciate it." I offered him a small smile.
„Did Logan ever tell you why he came back to work for me?" Mitchum asked.
„Umm… no." I was a little confused by his question and where he was going with this sudden change of topic.
„A few years ago, as I was running around the office, I thought I was having a heart attack." Oh my. „I wasn't, thank God. But it did raise a few health concerns. I realized I need to dial back on work. I'm not twenty anymore. So, I went to Logan and asked him to come back to the company. It took some time to convince him, but he finally agreed. But not after he made it clear to me that I am not to meddle into his private life."
„He told me about that." I said to Mitchum. He nodded.
„You know what I also realized back then?" He asked me. I shook my head. „I realized that I had my head so far up my ass that I haven't noticed that my kids didn't want to have anything to do with me. I had to beg my son to come back and work for the company that was his legacy. And then, he only agreed, after I promised him I wouldn't be a part of his life. I was just going to be his boss. It hit me, in that moment, that I hadn't seen my daughter in over three years, the last time being my youngest grandson's christening, and that was just for an hour or so, because I had another business to attend to. I had only talked to her over the phone for Christmas or some other holiday for the past three years. And that was more than I could say when it came to Logan. Before I went to see him, I haven't even talked to him. I just saw him at the christening, said "Hello" and that was it. And I realized that I hated that. Because despite what everybody thinks, my kids included, I love them. And I'm very proud of them. Especially Logan. He grew up to be a truly remarkable man all on his own, and he is a brilliant businessman." I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. I was finally seeing Mitchum – the man, not Mitchum Huntzburger – the media mogul. And I hate to admit it, because God knows that he has been a pain in my ass, but in that moment I felt bad for him. „Rory, I came here to apologize to you, and to Logan, about everything that Shira said last night, but I also came to tell you that I don't care about her opinion. Despite everything, I do like you. You are a smart, kind woman, you love my son, and he worships the ground you walk on. I'm happy for you both. And if you let me, I would love to be a part of my grandchild's life. I missed so much of Logan and Honor's lives, and the ones of her two boys, and I'm never going to get that back. But I've tried to do better these last few years, and let me tell you I love those boys. They are the two best things in my life right now, and I would love a chance to do right by this little one. I will never get my kids back, it's too late for that, and to be honest I never really had them. The best I can hope for is for them to tolerate me and let me see them from time to time. But I really want to do right by my two grandsons and whatever this little baby turn out to be." His voice was pleading. I never imagined that I would have Mitchum Huntzburger asking me for something. But he did get one thing wrong. He said baby. I chuckled.
„Babies." I said softly, smiling at Mitchum.
„What?" His mouth flew open, surprise in his eyes. I walked around him, to get to the kitchen counter, where I put my purse after I got back from the post office. I took it and the pulled the envelope from the doctor's office. The one with the sonogram pictures. I pulled one out and turned back to Mitchum, handing it to him.
„They're twins." I said pointing to the two little dots on the picture. „Logan and I are having twins." I stepped back, just letting him take this in.
„Wow. That is amazing." Mitchum was still looking at the photo, a smile creeping onto his face.
„And if you really want to, you are going to have a place into these kids' lives. I'm not going to keep you from them." I said smiling. He looked up from the photo, gratefulness in his eyes. „You're going to have to clear it up with Logan, I don't want to overstep here, but as far as I'm concerned, you can be a part of the babies' lives as much as you want to."
„Of course. Thank you." He said smiling. He took one last look at the photo and reached to give it back to me.
„No, no, no. This one is for you. You can keep it." I said to him. It turned out we did need that extra photo. I was glad we printed it.
„Thank you." He replied gratefully. I just nodded. „I should let you go back to your afternoon." Mitchum said and made his way to the door. Opening it, he stood in the doorway and turned back to me. „Goodbye, Rory." He said, smiling softly at me.
„Bye, Mitchum." I waved, returning his smile. He closed the door behind him and I just stood there, watching after him and thinking about how weird these last two days were. And yet somehow, they were perfect. I was still scared about what the future would bring, but more and more people were piling up, ready to support me and Logan through it all. And somehow knowing that, and knowing that I had Logan beside me one hundred percent, and most importantly that I had his love, brought the most ridiculous grin to my face. And just like that, I was happy, and I wanted to share that with him. I placed a hand on my belly and looked down at it lovingly. „Come on, little babies. Let's go call daddy."
So, what do you think? What is your take on Shira and Mitchum? I had a little bit of hard time trying to write these two. I went a little out of character for Mitchum, and maybe I went a little overboard with Shira, but I wanted them to be a little different. And to be the exact and total opposites of each other.
Next up, I'm thinking I'm going to do a little time jump. Not long. Just a week or two. Have Rory and Logan back in London. See what they are up to there. I'm not exactly sure yet what is coming for them in the next chapter, but if there is anything you would like to see, or you have any ideas, let me know. I'll see what I can do to incorporate them in the story. :)
Until next time, my fellow readers. :)
P.S. Reviews are always highly appreciated! ;)