Author's note :
Once again, please review.
I asked a friend to reread me as my English is not perfect and far from it (I am French) but my reviewer is also French so I might need a beta soon.
Disclaimer : I do not own Gilmore girls or any of the characters except Daphnee!
Chapitre 5 : A long awaited conversation.
Rory is in the elevator which seems to stops at more or less every floor.
God I need to get a grip and calm myself now. Why am I this nervous? This is not a date. It's just Logan and I talking, Logan and I, there is no more Logan and I anymore is there? Do I want there to be a Logan and I once again. When I close my eyes I do but when I think about it rationally, I am not so sure. If it was just us, it would be one thing but with my family and his family, our friends well more so his friends now and Finn. Finn, I can't figure out why is he so against me meeting with Logan. Why does he think I will get hurt, I'm the one that said no to Logan. Yeah, he did the ultimatum but still... Why wouldn't it be me hurting Logan... Wow is that what I want. Get back to Logan. No! I'm just overthinking it. But what is it I expect from our meeting exactly? Am I looking for closure or for a way to get him back? Maybe he is not available anymore... Oh god, what if he is in a relationship.
The elevator door opens. I fight the urge to push back my floor number and lock myself in my room. Come on Rory, step up, I just do as the door is about to close. I walk toward the lobby and glance at my watch to see what time it is. Good, I am a few minutes early so I will be the one waiting and seeing him first. Heading towards the seating area, I spot Finn and Collin. As he sees me Finn comes my way and Collin just barely smiles but then looks away.
"Rory, you look gorgeous love. Trying to impress I see." He says looking directly into my eyes and smiles genuinely. "Sorry for earlier. I just want to make sure we're ok."
"Finn, we are. We're friends remember, and friends are honest with one another. I'll call you later ok? Oh by the way, we're not going to Starts Hollow tomorrow."
"And why is that love, I was looking forward to meeting everyone! Does it have to do with Logan."
"I'll explain later OK? But if you really want it is postponed to next Sunday."
"Yeah not sure I'm available; whenever you need to talk you know I am here."
"Go now, Collin's going to have a fit if you stay here any longer. And Logan is arriving..."
"Yeah, right, you'll be careful and please don't bring him to your room ok." He says with a wink. He then looks into my eyes leans on and kisses me on the cheeks. Turning around, he nods at Logan and makes a sign to Colin who follows him.
"So Rory, ready?" Logan says as he arrives.
"Yeah, where are we heading?"
"I thought we could start with coffee. We can have them to go and walk to a nearby park."
"Fine."
They walk in silence all the way to the coffee shop and once there, Logan ordered "One large cappuccino and ... One extra-large black, Right? He says looking at me. I nod smiling quickly. Arriving at the park they find a bench to sit in a quiet part.
"So Rory, how have you been?" Logan asks.
"Honestly Logan, what do you think?" I answer back quickly
"Rory, you asked for us to talk remember. You've got to ease up on your defenses."
"Sorry Logan. It's just been hard you know. We were ok, I was finishing Yale. You should have known I was not ready to be a wife, not yet. I am not a trophy wife type of girl and you knew it all along. You should have known me enough to realize it was not the right time and surely not the way to do so, in front of everyone. That I would need to make it on my own before being a Huntzberger. If I had said yes, I would have never known because I would have been associated with your name."
"Come on Rory. You really believe that people would have hired you just because of my name. Even if so, would that be so bad?"
"You know it would have happened. And of course you don't see why it would be a problem. You're used to it. You were born and raised in this world where it is not what you do but who you know that gets you somewhere. Ok, I met Hugo through you but he hired me because of my freelance work. This was all me. I need to make sure my talent is what is going to put me places. I want to have my own name!"
"Wow, that is what you think of me? of my friends. Why did you stay with me for so long then, for entertainment?"
"Logan, don't put words in my mouth. I know you went against that and proved yourself. I have always been proud of your work and stood by you. I loved you Logan. That is why I stayed with you while we had a hard time last winter. But with your name, in Journalism, there is no way I would start based on credibility… everyone would assume it was because of the name."
"Loved me? So you don't anymore?"
"I don't know Logan, with everything that happened. How do you feel yourself? I can only imagine how you spent the last 3 months."
"Rory, don't do that. There is no right way to deal with a breakup and you can't judge how I do. What did Finn tell you?" When he says that I get a weird feeling that there is something that I should know.
"Finn did not tell me anything except that he didn't think us meeting was a good idea. He always avoided any questions regarding you. But with the Internet and Tabloids following best of Society bachelors… I even saw one picture of you with Bobbie once which really did hurt." As I say so, Logan kind of loose focus. After a pause, he tentatively asks
"Are you seeing anyone now?" He asks trying to bring the conversation away for Bobbi.
"No. I haven't even dated. Pathetic aren't I? And you?"
"Well, I have dated… kind of seeing someone it's just not serious and will never be and no, it is not Bobbie."
"Oh, I see."
"Rory, she does not mean anything compared to you. But I am not you. I dealt with our breakup as I always did before. I have had one month of excess that is true, but it was fair game. Then I went into work mode and now, I just feel, I don't know Rory. You took me off-guard when you refused to marry me. It is not fair for you to expect me to stay hung up on us."
"This is so not where I wanted our talk to go. I did not want for you to stay hung up on me. But for you to move on the same night; it is hard to accept."
"Before you, it is all I had known."
"I know Logan, still it hurts. I don't like talking about it though."
"How about we head back?"
"Ok."
Logan and I walk back. The conversation is sporadic at best. We talked mostly about work and our families. He seems genuinely interested in how my work and the tour is going. Still as we get to the hotel, it feels as if we haven't resolved anything.
"So here we are." I say as we are walking back into the Lobby.
"You want to meet for supper later Rory? I did not ask about your family and didn't get to tell you about Honor."
"I don't know Logan. It's kind of awkward. You know… it would feel like a date, wouldn't it?"
"Would it be so bad?"
"Logan you just said 20 minutes ago that you were seeing someone. You know I don't do casual, I didn't then, and I certainly won't now."
"Just as friends then. We can join Collin and Finn."
"No, that would be too weird, as if we were back to last spring. Just give me time Logan, I need to process things."
"OK then, so good night then." He says and thinks once again at how it would be nice to have even just one night with her again.
Back in Rory's room:
I see that I have messages as the hotel phone is blinking. I start listening:
1st message was from Mom:
"Hey hun, I didn't want to bother you not knowing exactly when you were meeting but call me when you get back. I want to know how it went. And please tell me you didn't sleep with him."
Second message was from Finn:
"Love, I just wanted to remind you I am here if you need to. Collin's gone, I am heading to work but you know how to reach me. Oh, by the way Daphnee offered if you want company. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
I sit down on the couch and open the tv. I can't help but to think about the day. I thought I was still in love with him but when he asked, I was not able to say so. Why is that so. He does look good and still have an effect on me. But I feel there is something I should know. Why do I have this feeling there are information I should know. Why do I keep coming back to the way he reacted when he had lost out on the Internet Company and him going to Vegas.
On Wednesday morning I head down to the restaurant for breakfast. I will finally have a day at the museum and as I start breakfast, I read the newspaper. As I am mostly done, I decide to head back up and figure out my itinerary for the day. This will be museum non-stop. At lunch time, I am sitting in a dinner, enjoying a Club Sandwich when I hear my phone ringing.
"Rory? It's Daphnee"
"How are you doing?"
"I'm fine and you?"
"Doing ok. Did Finn give you my number?"
"Yeah, I saw him yesterday in a club and he passed it along. He was with his 2 stooges."
"Yeah, they are a bunchfull when together aren't they?" I was thinking it was funny since before, I always talked about Logan and his 2 stooges…
"You can say that… but I can't say I get along too much with Logan… hmm Sorry"
"No, it's ok. He can be arrogant, I know. "
"So Finn reminded me that you had an event to go to with him tomorrow, do you have something to wear?"
"Oh! I completely forgot, I was supposed to bring back something from Stars Hollow… shoot, I've got to go shopping!"
"Well, I can propose something."
"Ok, what do you have in mind?"
"Well, didn't Finn tell you I was a designer?"
"Yeah… Oh… do you have something I could wear? No I couldn't ask you this."
"Well, as you will most probably be photographed as Finn's date, I kind of asked if you would like that you might be able to wear one of our exclusive designs. Would you mind? I actually have one in mind that would suit you to perfection!"
"Oh! Can I meet you and see? This would be the first time I would wear a real designer piece."
"Come and meet me at 2. You can try the dresses you want and we'll do the fitting so you can have it tomorrow."
"Give me the direction and I will meet you."
"Ok, just ask for Daphnee, whit that name, I am the only one. "
At 2, I am waiting at the reception of Daphnee Design studio.
"Rory, come, come, we'll go to the exposition room. I'll show you which dress I had in mind."
"Wow, Daphnee, they are really breathtaking. Did I tell you my mother used to design clothes for me… she did some of my High School dances formal dresses. "
"I did not know… nice, did you pick up her talent?"
"Oh-no… tried sewing once… it should have been a skirt… ended up a cushion…"
"Hey, to each its own. You're such talented writer… you can leave some of the talents to others like me." Daphnee says laughing.
"So this is the one I had in mind for you." It was the perfect dress, midnight blue with what looked like crystals in the bodice. The bodice was adjusted to the body, it was a strapless, the skirt was going just below the knee and had black tulle. It looked wonderful.
"Can I try it?"
"Yes of course, please do…"
As I put on the dress, I can see myself in the mirror. It felt as if it had been designed for me. It fits almost perfectly. I step out of the dressing room and can see the smile on Daphnee's face. She starts doing the fitting with one of her colleagues.
"Daphnee, is this a dress you designed yourself?"
"Yeah… how did you know?"
"I don't know, the face you had when I came out. You seemed so proud. I was wondering, did you want to go yourself? Is it why you designed this dress?"
"No, I did accompany Finn when we were going out a couple of time but it is not my world. I don't quite fit in there. You will at least know some people. Collin is going with his girlfriend, Logan should be going and you and Finn. Rory, I have the perfect gloves to go with the dress, hold on." She comes back with deep blue gloves and asks "Do you have shoes and tights to go with this?"
"Yes I do. I do have some official evening in the tour that we attend to."
"Going back to the subject though. Are you ok that Finn asked me and not you?"
Daphnee starts to laugh.
"Yes I am fine with it. Did Finn tell you why we are now just friends?"
"Well, he told me that you both felt more like friends than lovers."
"Yeah, quite. But he managed to let go the fact that after we broke up late july, I literally fell for one of his friends from Australia. Might be a male ego."
"You did? I have never met his friend from Oz as he would say."
"They are quite different than the 2 stooges. More down to earth, a lot like Finn but without all that society thing around them… Which is really refreshing. They are not from wealthy families. I think they had met surfing when they were pretty young. So now he treats me like a little sister, very protective our Finny boy. You should have seen when Logan hit on me yesterday. Oups… I'm sorry Rory, I did not mean to… hmmm."
"Don't worry Daphnee, I know he has a tendency to flirt, even when I was with him."
"And you did not mind?"
"Oh, yes, but to be honest it is part of why I got with him."
"So do you think you're going to get back with him?"
"Well, before yesterday I was hoping to. Now I just don't know. I was thinking of some things my mom and Finn mentioned. Everyone seems to think I did the right thing but Logan and my grandparents. And I keep getting this impression there is something I should know to make a decision, something that would make it clear. But I got nothing from Finn and nothing from society gossips except pictures of Logan on dates including one of a supper with Bobbie, they were working together in London."
"Can't be Bobbie… she couldn't travel this summer, she is pregnant."
"She's pregnant? How do you know about Bobbie?"
"Oh Fuck!" Daphnee mumble "Well, I kind of heard when Finn was talking with his friends over the phone. Sorry, I should not have said anything."
"But Logan might have gone to London. They were close when we were dating. I have met her once. Hated her. No idea why but I did. But her and Logan, they would fit. This is probably why I hated her." And with that I kind of get lost in my thoughts… Could he have had … no.
Daphnee sees me getting quiet and says "So are you wearing my creation to the ball mylady?"
I jump at her question and reply "Well of course and we'll make sure to do you some publicity."
"That will be easy; you'll be the most beautiful couple there for sure!" She says and smiles with a smirk that reminds me so much of Finn.
"But we're not a couple, just friends escorting each other to a social obligation." Daphnee laughs when she hears me.
"And what exactly is a couple? Let me tell you that in the press, you will be a couple on Friday morning!"
"I guess you're right. Daphnee, do you have any address to refer me for manicure and pedicure? I am not too good with this so…"
"No need, I'll do them tonight if you want to. You can come to my place. It is a bit far but if you don't mind taking a cab back… You could wait for me at the coffee shop downstairs and I can finish up at 4."
"Perfect, it is a plan. Thank you for the dress and the nails!"
Daphnee walks me back to the reception and I head down. I keep on thinking about Logan and Bobbie. If she did not come to California during the summer, than Logan must have gone to London, did he? I don't like this feeling… I need to go to the bottom of this, I always suspected something between Bobbie and Logan, they are too much alike. I wish I could talk to mom about this but she already does not like Logan.
In Daphnee's office
"Come on Finn, pick up the phone"
"So Love, how was Rory?"
"Euh! She was fine. By the way I am doing peachy too thanks for asking!"
"Sorry, I am just concerned."
"I know… And before I forget, you might want to go midnight blue."
"What are you talking about?"
"Your nails, you might want to go midnight blue, it's just a tip."
"You went shopping with Rory today?"
"No Silly, what do I do again for a living?"
"Oh! She will have one of your dresses. Wow, congratulations. She does have really great taste, always looks stunning."
"You wait for tomorrow… it won't only be stunning. But I am not saying anything else."
"You are such a tease love. "
"Hey Finny boy, this was not really why I called. I fucked up! You might have to do some damage control because of me, I am really sorry… me and my big mouth."
"Love, what did you do or say exactly?"
"I might have mentioned that Bobbie is pregnant to Rory."
"What! And how would this come up in your conversation while looking at dresses?" Finn was a bit irritated by the situation but tried to seem calm which did not really work.
"Well, Argh don't get angry please if it was up to me she would know the whole thing and then she could move on like she should. He's an ass anyway."
"Daphnee, he's one of my best friend, yes I am deceived by how he is acting now but he is a great guy, I know he would be there for me if I needed so don't judge him ok? Still how did it get to talking about Bobbie?"
"Well, she was saying that she knew of the dating and that it hurt her but she still expected it from Logan. What was really getting to her was that she saw a picture of him on a date with Bobbie."
"But it couldn't be her this summer, so must have been an old picture, from the time logan was in London last year."
"Yeah but she did not figure this out she thinks he went to London this summer. She might think he went in order to meet with her."
"Yeah, I told her she couldn't have come since she was pregnant then she got all quiet. I could see she was processing… She will figure out when she realizes that in the picture she was not."
"Love, good thing I also think she should know cause I would be really pissed. It's not your fault, I should not have confided this in you. Now, I need to let Logan know that she knows at least part of it. And I maybe should talk to her."
"Well, actually, she is coming home with me for a girly makeover."
"You're bringing her to your loft. Daphnee, she does not know New York. It is in Brooklyn, and not the safest neighborhood. Tell you what, I should be done by 9 tonight and will pick her up before meeting the guys."
"I thought you would… otherwise, I would have sent her by cab. You never let me go back home alone…"
"Yeah! Yeah! I know a freaking Knight in Shining Armor aren't I. But will it eventually get me the girl!" Finn says with a laugh.
"Finn, you just loose your charms on the wrong ones…" Daphnee answers laughing also.
"Did you talk to Blondie about the London "Issue"?" Daphnee adds quickly.
"No I did not get the chance."
Later that evening in Daphnee's place
"Wow cool place, it feels so artsy, Lucy would love it." Rory says looking at the loft.
"Yeah, I lived here with two friends during University. They went back north when done. I kept the loft."
"How about we order Chinese and I can start on the pedicure?"
"Great, Wow, you have a lot of CD, a lot of stuff I never heard of."
"Yeah, I brought a lot of CD from artist from Quebec, a lot of French groups or artists. It's nice when I feel homesick."
"Right."
"Daphnee, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, shoot."
"What do you know exactly?"
"I don't follow you."
"What do you now about Bobbie and Logan? I kind of think it is weird that she would come up in any of Finn's conversation except if something happened with her and Logan."
"Rory, please, it is not my place to say anything. Please, confront Logan directly, he might finally be honest enough and let you know."
"Is there something important to know?"
"Please, talk to Logan."
"Yeah, just afraid of the answer I will get. I have a feeling it will break my heart once again."
"Would you be able to handle not knowing? Would it be better?"
"Well, easier yes, better no, you're right if I want to consider starting any relationship with Logan."
"If you consider going back with Logan, I think you should know. But this is me meddling into your affair. So can we change the subject?"
"Yes, let's start."
Daphnee starts to work on Rory's pedicure. When food arrives, they take a break and decide to turn it into a movie night and prepare some Cosmopolitans. By 9 o'clock they had finished both pedicure and manicure and had done some hairstyles to know how to go. Daphnee promised to prepare something to wear in her hair for the next day. Finn arrives at 9h15.
"Hey Finny! Daphnee says opening the door."
"Wow, did you decide to have a party without me? I am so jealous."
"Well, my Hot Aussie… it was a girls' night and what is a girls' night without girly drinks." Rory says clearly a bit tipsy. "Oups" she adds when she tries getting up. " I might have had one too many."
"Daphnee, it's really not your day is it? Or not mine… How did you get Rory half-drunk? Many have tried and not succeeded, and it is still so early."
"So I guess it is not normal behavior on her part?"
"Far from it. She almost never take one too many. It's really getting to her then. We'll get going. Take care love. But please, try to keep to yourself next time, will you? Rory, you coming?"
"Yeah, just need to go to the bathroom first." Rory answers going toward the other side of the loft.
"I already said I was sorry Finn… I told her to ask Logan directly when she asked questions. But if it was up to me, I would tell her, she deserve to know everything since she is thinking of getting back to him. I know you feel you need to be loyal to him but it is her life. She should have all the fact before making this kind of decision."
"I had a hunch she was thinking of dating him again. I'm pretty sure Logan would want that too, even though, not sure for the same motive. He know what he lost but for him, it's also a pride thing."
"So Wrong."
"Hey guys, what are you mumbling about?"
"Nothing love, you ready?"
"Yes." And as they walk toward the elevator, Rory asks "Finn, can you go out, I don't feel like going to the hotel alone. Let's go and party, ok?"
"Sorry love, tomorrow is a big day and I need to meet with Collin and Finn later tonight."
"Hum, I see, you prefer spending time with them than with me… It's ok, even my boyfriend preferred spending time with other's company…"
"God Rory. We cannot talk about this now. But let me assure you I would prefer spending time with you than with them tonight… I need to talk with them."
"Yeah! Yeah! Get me to the Hotel then." And the ride back is silent. Rory keeps thinking about Logan and Bobbie and Finn is trying to figure out how to approach this thing with his mates.
After Finn leaves Rory in her room hoping she will not spend the night researching the web, he heads out towards Logan's room.
"Finn, come in, Collin is meeting us here in a few minutes, what are we doing tonight?"
"How about Pool?"
"Good enough for starting the evening, are we heading to your place?"
"Yep."
Once Collin arrives, they leave toward Finn's place which is walking distance. They play a couple of game, drinking imported beers. Eventually, they sit and just talk.
"Logan, Rory knows you dated Bobbie." Finn starts not sure how his mate will take the news.
"What? What the hell did you say to her?" Logan says with a distinct sharpness in his voice.
"I swear mate, nothing. She was talking to Daphnee, who know about your predicament. She saw a picture of you and Bobbie on a date on the Internet."
"Where? How? I knew there were some pictures of me in gossiping sites, but I never thought it started last year."
"Seems it did… She's a reporter Logan, she will find out the story. She is hurt right now, got half-drunk tonight."
"So she knows about Bobbie."
"She does not know, she thinks you saw her this summer. My guess is that she is going to ask though."
"But she does not know she's pregnant, that I am going to be a father."
"A father, you're not going to BE a father Logan."
"You know I am. Bobbie's kid is mine; I don't need the DNA to prove it."
"Yeah I know it's yours, you could be a father but if you stay here, you're only going to be the guy that impregnated his mom. You realize that he is probably going to resent you when growing up."
"Fuck Finn, could you be any colder."
"Yeah I could Logan. You don't even know how lucky you are."
"Lucky, you think I am lucky? Yeah, it was a big plan for me... getting a woman pregnant while dating another one."
"Yeah lucky... At least you've got the choice to be a father. My choice was taken and I did not even have say! You can be the dad yours never was. Instead of only being a provider, you have the choice to go and be a dad."
"What the hell are you talking about Finn, you have nothing to do with this. Are you drunk?" Collin intervienes
"No I'm not. Remember last fall when I was at Yale without you guys. Well, I was seeing someone regularly, friendship with benefit kind of thing. And well, seems she got pregnant."
" Don't tell me you're the one. Rosemary?" asks Collin
"Yep! It was mine." Finn say glumly.
"But she got aborted." Collin adds.
Finn closed his eyes. Thinking how he hated to get reminded of this fact. He felt tears coming up so he just took a deep breath before continuing.
"Yes. She did it before telling me. We had been sleeping together as I did not want one night stands anymore. Rose and I, it was convenient, we cared for each other. Neither were in love with the other, it was just company, you know. And Rose is good company let me tell you. She never told me until I asked her why she had stop seeing me altogether. She had gotten an abortion before I knew she was pregnant."
"So you're the lucky one, Finn not me then." Logan exclaims
"That's where you're wrong man. I don't blame her, Hell; I would not have asked her to keep it or to get married if she did not want it. I understand her decision. I just wish I would have known. When my sister visited last winter, it hit me... I should have been a dad. I did not know. I wish I had gone with her for support."
"I knew she had gotten an abortion Finn, but I did not know it was you. I knew before you then. Sorry man." Collin says with empathy.
"So Logan, you need to figure out. Do you want to be a father, be there for your kid or be a sperm donor, very generous sperm donor?"
"It's not just me Finn, It screws up any possibilities with Rory. And my family would so love it; I can already feel the wrath of the Huntzberger. They thought Rory wasn't good enough, imagine Bobbie..."
"Do you really believe that you can keep this from her. Come on Logan. I know deep down, you want to be that father. You want to prove to Mitchum that you can succeed where he failed. Being both successful in business and as a father figure you would. You can give the love he could not."
"But then I loose Rory for good."
"I think you might have already lost her. When you cheated on her Logan, you lost her. It was a question of time before she would have found out and she is not the type to stay, accept and be quiet. Look at her mom. Hell remember the bridesmaid."
"I am still not sure what to do."
"You'll do the right thing Logan. I know you will. You're a good man."
"Finn, can I tell Steph it was you?"
"Fuck Collin what kind of question is that! I am pretty sure she knows from the conversation I had with her in the last year."
"Sorry man. You make my life seem so easy... Finally an advantage of my OCD, I always have at least 2 types of protection." Collin said trying to get the mood lighter.
"Well, I said my peace. Logan I care for you mate but I can't silence my opinion about this, it is too important for many people involve."
"Fine. But I might not agree with you. Are you sure you don't have anything to gain by me going back to London? I am just going to ask you once again, do you have a thing for Rory?" Logan asks quite harshly.
"We're only friends Logan. I cannot say that she does not get to me, she does, but we are just friends. She has not moved on."
"But if she does, we know she will eventually?"
"I don't know mate. If I am honest I don't know."
"Jesus. Is everyone but me in love with that girl?"
Logan and Finn look at Collin and both smile. Then Finn says "Even you Collin, if you'd get to know her, you would fall for the charm of the Gilmore Girl. Well, maybe not, with Stephanie though that is also hard to beat."
I have had a rough time with this chapter… hope you are not deceived by it though…
Next chapter should be covering the next (day and event and Friday). And just a tip, I have no intention of getting Rory with Finn on this sejour in New York. I need to get her get over Logan before.