Parents' Day

January 20, 2017

Darien, CT

Logan arrived at Honor's house early. He hung out with his niece and nephew, Charlotte and Theo, while Josh and Honor cooked dinner (really while Josh cooked dinner and Honor assisted.) Logan brought dessert, four bottles of wine, and a bottle of scotch. It was overkill, but he wanted to make sure. The plan was to lower their parents' defenses by plying them with rich food, glasses of alcohol, and lots of grandchild cuteness. Then Josh would take the kids and slip away for the night at his parents' house while Honor and Logan dealt with their parents.

Logan's relationship with his parents had evolved since his college days. While he would not describe their relationship as close or even warm, it had become more respectful. His success with his business in California had much to do with it as it gave Logan the knowledge and confidence that he could make it on his own. Ironically, it was this new found self-sufficiency that allowed him to embrace his birthright. Knowing that he could make choices in his life was very empowering. No longer was he at the mercy of some unwritten obligation. No longer was he merely reacting to all that there is to be a Huntzberger, but making deliberate choices in what kind of person he wanted to be. If his job or situation with his father got too heated, if pressure from his mother became too weighty, he knew he could simply walk away and be ok. This knowledge on both their parts equaled the playing field, creating a new understanding of the limited influence Mitchum and Shira now had in Logan's life.

Still, there was that pull, the sense of obligation and duty to keep up with certain family mores. Be it pride, guilt, or maybe a certain need to please, there was a game one had to play in being a Huntzberger. The pull between family and self was not an uncommon dilemma, and Logan was no exception to this phenomena, so he picked his battles. He couldn't deny that family loyalty played a role in his decision to continue his engagement with Odette despite his love for and affair with Rory. A commitment was made, and one must always honor their commitments. Invitations were sent, RSVPs were returned, lots of time, energy, and emotion spent on not only the day but the future it represented. Moreover, Odette was in many ways a "proper" match. Even though she spent her life fighting it tooth and nail, she too was one of "them". When it came to family matters and that of the public face, Logan and Odette shared an unspoken understanding, and in many ways that made life easier. The daughter of high finance and old Parisian money, combined with her high-profile charity work, and physical beauty made them the quintessential high society power couple, a concept that the Huntzbergers (at least those of the older generation) embraced wholeheartedly. The "Dynastic Plan" was so much more than their over-the-top wedding, but also the perpetuation of the ideals and image that was both their families. While it seemed archaic and medieval, nevertheless, the pressure to maintain that norm was very real.

But in the end, the heart won, shattering "The Plan". Logan and Odette followed their hearts, cracking the façade of nobility that many in their families so cherished. His mother, having not only poured so much energy into the wedding itself but also looking forward to building influence on the high society in Paris, was devastated when it was canceled. His father, on the other hand, was not so upset (at least on the surface as Mitchum always played it cool.) The only comment he made since the ending of the engagement was sarcastic remark during a meeting, "...Yes, well being able to make that goal will be hard, given the people we with whom we have to negotiate. it's a shame, that we no longer have strong allies in the French media market." So now Logan was delivering another blow to that noble façade. While in his younger more reckless days he would derive some pleasure from doing so, now, given the tenuous state of his relationship with Rory, the task was daunting.

Sitting down in Honor's living room, Logan offered his parents an after-dinner drink. It was during this time that Josh took the kids and quietly slipped away to his parents' house. It didn't take long for Mitchum and Shira to notice.

"Where are the kids?" Mitchum asked, "Theo asked me to read to him at bedtime."

"Oh dad", Honor said nonchalantly, "I forgot to tell you, they're having a special night at Josh's parent's house."

Mitchum and Shira looked at each other and then their children.

"Ok, what's going on? Are one of you sick?" Mitchum asked.

"Why would you ask that?" Logan responded.

"Because we are here, having a family dinner." Shira said, "We never have family dinners here. We always have them at our house and we have drag you kicking and screaming to attend them."

"No that's not true," Logan said defiantly.

"Yes it is Logan, don't try to deny it." Shira replied in her signature condescending sing-song voice, "So please, the suspense is killing me, tell us what's going on."

Honor and Logan looked at each other. She gave him an "it's now or never" look. Logan proceeded.

"Well, there are some things I need to tell you regarding my break-up with Odette." Logan began. "You mean other than the fact that the little trollop left you for someone else?" Shira asked. "Yes mother, and please don't call Odette that," Logan responded very annoyed. "What is this insight you have to tell us?" Mitchum asked.

"Odette wasn't the only one having an affair. I was having one too. For longer than her." Logan said.

"You were?! For how long Logan?" Shira asked.

"Pretty much for the length of our engagement," Logan responded.

"Well, then it's good that you didn't get married," Mitchum said.

"Yes, it was. However, there is more. The woman with whom I had the affair is about 16 weeks pregnant, and yes I am the father."

Mitchum and Shira sat quietly obviously dumbfounded.

"Are you sure the baby is yours?" Mitchum asked.

Not surprised at this line of questioning Loan responded, "Yes I am."

"How do you know?"

"Because she said so. She would not lie about this."

Mitchum smirked, "You believe her?"

"Like I said," Logan responded very annoyed, "she would not lie."

"Who is she, Logan?" Shira asked sharply.

Logan took a deep breath, "Rory Gilmore."

Mitchum and Shira were, again, dumbfounded.

"Richard and Emily's granddaughter? The girl you were dating in college Rory Gilmore? The girl that refused to marry you, Rory Gilmore?" Shira inquired with growing anger and disgust.

"Yes, the very one," Logan responded mater-a-factly

. "So that lunch I interrupted last summer in London. That wasn't 'just lunch'." Mitchum stated.

"Nope, we had been together for several months at that point," Logan replied

"So what does she want Logan?" Mitchum asked

"What do you mean?"

"What I asked, what does she want? Does she expect you to get married now? Does she expect you to take care of her financially? What does she want?"

Logan was clearly irritated by this line of questioning. "She wants nothing, ok? She was prepared to go this alone from the beginning. She told me about it because it was the right thing to do, but there has been no pressure for me to do anything."

"For now," Shira said sarcastically.

"Excuse me?" Logan asked sharply

"This is what she says now. She will change her mind, Logan." Shira said condescendingly, "There is too much at stake with this family for her to pass up an opportunity like this."

"No mom, she is not like that. Anyway, she doesn't exactly come from a poor family. She can do this on her own."

"A baby changes everything Logan. After she realizes what we can offer her, she will want more." Shira said

"Well, you don't know Rory." Logan retorted back.

"So what are you going to do?" Mitchum asked.

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Logan answered incredulously, "I'm going to be a father. I am going to be involved and raise this child like any other father should."

"So this means that you and Rory are getting married?" Shira asked cautiously.

"No mother, we are not getting married. We have agreed that we will raise the child together. How this will happen we in the process of working out."

Both Shira and Mitchum let out exasperated sighs.

"This will not end well Logan. A child needs a stable environment. How is this suppose to happen with a split household?" Shira opined.

"Stability is what you make it," Logan responded.

"You know, maybe this is for the best," Mitchum said surprising everyone in the room. He was now in problem-solving mode, "No marriage means no other entanglements. We just have to work out an iron-clad custody and support agreement. First thing Monday we should get recommendations on a family lawyer..."

"Dad, STOP!" Logan ordered

Mitchum looked taken aback.

"Mom and dad, I will say this only once so I implore you to hear me and hear me well. I only informed you of this situation out of courtesy and respect because you are my parents. I, however, did not tell you to seek any help or approval. I thank you for your concern and hope that you will give us your unconditional emotional support. Yes, you have had to bail me out in the past, but those days have been long gone. In the end, this is my situation, my doing, my kid. Any decisions regarding this child are strictly between Rory and me and no one else. If we need your help we will ask for it, but until then, I respectfully ask you to butt out."

And then suddenly the room was quiet, with only the buzz my Logan tirade floating in the air.

"Fine Logan," Shira responded with a tinge of venom, "if that's the way you want it. We will, as you say, 'butt out'. I will say that I don't like nor do I feel comfortable with this situation."

"You are entitled to feel as you need to feel mother. I assure you we have everything under control."

"Well, " Mitchum said in the same tone as his wife, "I guess we'll have to trust that you do."

Later, after their parents left, Logan and Honor conducted a post-mortem on the evening while loading the dishwasher.

"Well, that went well." Honor said with fake enthusiasm.

"You think so?" Logan replied with an ironic laugh.

'Yes! You certainly put them in their place." Honor imitated Logan, " '...I implore you to hear me and hear me well!' Yikes!"

'What am I if not dramatic?"

"You know, they are probably formulating their own plan as we speak."

'Well, they wouldn't be our parents if they didn't now would they?"

"I guess not. So, feel better?"

"No, not in the least. I mean it's good that we got informing Mitchum and Shira out of the way, but that doesn't take away the fact that this situation is not ideal."

"So what would be your ideal?"

"For Rory and me be together and to raise this kid in a real family."

'Wow, after all this time, after all you've gone through, you're still in love with her."

"Yes, sad isn't it?"

"Yes very sad, bordering on pathetic, and a bit endearing as well. So what are you going to do now?"

"I guess now I have to wait it out."

"Ick, waiting sucks!'

"It certainly does."

Logan's phone beeped indicating a text from Rory. Logan sat down at the kitchen table to read the text.

Hey, how did it go? she texted

As well as can be expected. They were upset, no surprise there. No bloodshed, so in the end, all is well. Logan replied.

Sorry to hear that.

No Ace, really it's fine. They'll deal. They just need time to cool off and process.

Ok...

How are you?

Oh, good. I think I am feeling some more fluttering. Either that or it's the steak, egg, avocado, and brown rice covered in gravy burrito that Ceasar made me for dinner.

Dear Lord Ace!

And I washed it down with a mint shake that I swear had zucchini and kale puree in it.

Well at least SOMEONE is looking out for you nutritionally. Dare I ask what you had for dessert?

An apple

Dipped in caramel? Sprinkled with chocolate chips?

No, just a plain 'ole apple

. I don't believe you

! It's true! In fact, I am eating another one right now

Rory sent Logan an image of a bitten red apple.

Ok, I believe you. Craving any particular variety?

Macintosh.

Steve Jobs is applauding from Heaven

. LOL!

I have to get back to helping Honor clean the kitchen

How domesticated of you!

Well, the price you pay for a free meal

Ok

So, will you be in the city next week? Want to meet for lunch?

Yes! Tuesday- Thursday. Pick a day, I have no appointments.

Great, I'll text you after I check my schedule

. Cool. Good night Logan

Good night, Ace