So it's 1030 in the morning and my daughter is still asleep. I don't know what this is but I'm not complaining. It give me time to let my creative juices flow.
I don't own GG or shops or restaurants or anything of the sort.
Where we left off.
Logan flipped around and grabbed Rory and pulled her on the bed.
"Ok I say today, we go to Hartford and I go to the will reading then we go to dinner at your parents house. Can you arrange that?" Rory asked Logan.
"Ugh I guess. Too early for parent talk."
"Come on, get up. Lets go!"
They got out of bed and started driving to Hartford.
Hayden House 1PM - Christopher, Lorelai, Georgia, Francie, the family lawyer & Rory are all in attendance.
"Hello everyone. Sorry I'm running late." Rory announced to everyone.
"No problem. We were just talking. So Rory, we heard that you had a date with Logan Huntzberger last night." Emily inquired.
"Yeah I did. We went dinner and a movie in New York."
"That's wonderful. Are you to exclusive or are you just dating?"
"We're officially exclusive. It's too soon to even think of China Patterns though grandma. Please don't say anything like that."
"Oh Francine, please imagine her blue eyes with his blond hair. Isn't it just darling?" Emily said to Francie.
"Grandma! Please! We will discuss children if or when it gets to that. Thank you." Rory huffed.
"Ok now that we're all here," the lawyer started, "let's get onto business. Straub recorded a video shortly before his demise. I will play this for you and we will go over all details once the tape is finished."
To my family. If you're watching this then I have passed on. Please do not grieve for me long. I lived a very full and fulfilling life. I married the love of my life and had a wonderful son who in turn married the love of his life and had two beautiful girls.
Frannie- Please do not grieve for long. Please enjoy the time that you have left with our great family. Travel. Spend time in California with Rory. Help Georgia pick out colleges and make sure that you and Emily show her how to live up the college life. Please do not dwell on the past. Just remember, you are the love of my life. I might not have been the greatest husband but you certainly were the greatest wife.
Christopher- Remember son, work is not life. Work and money are important but your family should always come first. I want you to take 3 months off starting as soon as possible and take a trip around the world with your beautiful wife. Leave your children at home. They are both grown now and can live their lives because you raised them to be strong individuals. There is an expense account for your trip. I am paying for the whole trip. You will go gliding in the pacific ocean, sailing through the gulf, you will drink coffee on the villa in Rome. Live your life.
Rory- You're a beautiful and amazing granddaughter. Your grandpa Richard and I talked when I found out I was sick and we both decided that you are officially my heiress. In the packet the lawyer has is your black card that is connect to your trust funds which are in multiple accounts. I have contacted the bank managers and they will explain your accounts. Please do not dwell on what Dugray did. He was hurtful and mean but do not let that hold you back from the greatest love that you undoubtedly will find.
Georgia- Do not go to the college that we want you to go to (Go Princeton Tigers!) And I know Richard is saying Go Yale Bulldogs!. Go where you want. Follow your own path. Know that where ever you choose to go is paid for in full. I have set aside a siphon for you to go to whatever university that you choose. If you decide to keep up with school and go for your masters, that is available as well. I also have set up a monthly account for you so you do not have to work and can concentrate on studies. None of this will come from your trust. All of this is my gift to you. I would also like you to live on campus for your freshman and sophomore years but for junior and senior years I would like you to find an off campus apartment. Your junior year is the hardest you will go through and you don't need to be distracted by parties unless you throw them. If you go to Yale or Princeton we own property in both towns but if you go somewhere else Richard will find you suitable living arrangements. Once receive your Masters of Law degree you will be head of Hayden & Hayden associates. The lawyer has all information and has a few more things to add. I know that you will be great at whatever you do.
Richard and Emily- Please help Frannie. She will need all the support and friendship possible. You should take some time and go to Martha's Vineyard or Italy, just the three of you.
Thank you all for giving me such a wonderful life. I couldn't ask for anything more.
"Now." The lawyer stated. "I know there must be a million questions. I have a packet for each of you with a personal letter."
Rory opened her packet and it included 6 bank statements each with 7 million in them. There was also information about properties that I was listed on, one of them this house. She started feeling sick and nervous all at once.
Richard stood up and had another packet in his hand. "Rory you're now 26 so here is your trust information from us. Georgia, you will receive yours when you turn 26."
Rory looked at her second packet. There was information for 3 trusts in it. One from Trix which was 1.2 Million, one from Richard and Emily which was 10 million, and a final estate trust which said that in the event of Richard and Emily's passing that the Marthas Vineyard property and Gwinnett County, Georgia estate. Rory gasped realized that she had around 60 million in trusts and property sitting in front of her.
"The first thing you need, Rory, is an financial advisor." Richard started. "You can use ours if you would like or you can find your own. The next thing you need is to figure out what your next step is. I know that you have Gilmore & Hayden blood flowing through you so you'll still work but do you want to continue working where you are? The final thing is we need to announce that you are the Hayden heir. This has been questioned since Straub's passing, if not before, it's time we lay the rumors down and announce this. I know that you and Logan are now dating, this will also become apparent to the public right away."
"I need a breather. Please excuse me for a minute."
Rory grabbed her phone and called Logan.
"Geeze this is the second time I've called you sitting in my grandmas backyard. Wait it's some what my backyard now."
"Wait, what do you mean yours?"
"I'm officially the Hayden Heiress. I own all properties that have the name Hayden in it. Georgia is the Gilmore Heiress but she will be the head lawyer at Straub's firm when she graduates with her Masters. Help! I don't know what to do!"
"Well there is nothing you can do really. I am about to go into a 'Logan it's time you were announced the Huntzberger heir' meeting."
"Apparently Tuesdays are the days for those meetings."
"Can you still go back to California?"
"Yes they said I can continue living my life as normal, just with 60 million extra in trusts and properties."
"Dang I think your trust rivals mine. Hey look at it this way. A) We'll never want for anything and B) My family can't say you're a gold digger looking for a piece of the huntzberger fortune."
"The only part of the Huntzberger dynasty I want is you babe."
"I know. Ok I'll call you when this meeting is done and you can meet me at my house. I'll try to get Honor to come too. She loved you. She told me that she knew she would see you again."
"Sounds good. I'm going to figure out what this entails."
"I'll see you later."
Rory came back inside more calm then when she left.
"OK So let's talk. Now that I am the heiress what does that entail?" Rory asked.
The lawyer took this question. "Rory, that entails knowing the business better. There is more to Hayden and Hayden than law. You will have to keep the shareholders apprised of their investments. I believe your family discussed this earlier this week correct? This can all be done via telephone and email besides the monthly shareholders meetings which meet in different places each month. This month they met in Florida I believe. Next month it will be held in Chicago. There are shareholders everywhere. Your family already talked to me about purchasing a company jet which I told Straub years ago to buy. I have a person looking into one now, he should get back to me within 24 hours. You will also need to attend some events. Emily is in the process of planning your launch party. Do you have a specific date in mind, Emily?"
"I was thinking three Fridays from now, will that work for you and Logan, Rory?" Emily asked.
"What if Logan can't come?"
"Rory, you and Logan are dating now. You need to coordinate schedules so you can attend functions together. I know that you feel that you're just dating but to our world you might as well announce your engagement when you say you're exclusive."
"Well I will have to talk to Logan about his schedule. We are meeting for dinner tonight, I will get back to you tomorrow. Now is there anything else I need to know? How difficult will it be to work in California and do this?"
"Yes there shouldn't be a reason. After all, today's day and technology, it will be like you're here!" Richard said. "Now Georgia, time to talk about your situation."
Rory texted Logan
-You still with your family? Could use a pick me up.
-Yeah and I'll be here a while. Call Finn. He extended his trip to Thursday as well.
-Thanks. See you when you're done.
"Please excuse me. I need to make a phone call." Rory said to the group.
She looked for Finn's number and called him.
"It's early. Whoever's calling me better have a good reason."
"Finn. I need rescued. Logan's busy."
"Rory? Love? Where are you? Are you hurt?"
"No I've just been bombarded by the Gilmore-Hayden clan."
"Oh no family. I'll be there soon. Are you at the Gilmore's or Hayden's?"
"Hayden's. I'll see you soon."
"I'll send my driver there and he'll bring you back to my place."
Rory went back inside.
"Does anyone need anything else from me?"
"Yes. We need a couple of signatures." Richard said pointing to the papers. "These aren't too legal. It's just saying we've started discussion about your trusts."
Rory signed where she needed to and then excused herself. She grabbed her papers and walked to the front door and noticed Finn's town car in the driveway. She went and the driver asked if she was Rory. She climbed in and he drove the 3 blocks to Morgan Estates. She walked to the doorway and the maid told her to go to the dining room. She looked at the table and noticed a cup of coffee and some danishes.
FINN'S HOUSE 2:45 PM
"Sorry Love it's still morning for me so breakfast. Please sit and enjoy." Finn said from behind her. "Are you okay? I know family can be intense especially two blue blood families."
"I've been named the Hayden Heiress and have close to 60 million in trusts and properties. I mean this is just insane isn't it?"
"Darling, I'm the Morgan Heir, Logan is the Huntzberger Heir, Stephanie is the Vanderbilt Heiress, and Colin is the McCray Heir. It's not all that weird to us. We talked a little before and knew that you would probably be named the heiress of one of your families. Is Georgia the Gilmore heiress then?
"Yes. I don't know what this means? What did it mean when you were named your family's heir?"
"Well for me it meant that I needed to take a bigger part in our company. Do you even know what we do?"
"No."
"Well we own over 500 hotels around the globe. It's my job to randomly check in and see how things go day to day. I sometimes employ secret spies to go in for me. My family's portrait is hanging in the lobby of every hotel so I can't just go in, they'd make sure that everything was perfect."
"Wow that's crazy. Do you renovate and everything, look for new locations?"
"Of course."
"Can I ask a personal question?"
"We're besties now Ro. Of course you can."
"Is your family pushing you towards marriage?"
"They've been pushing for me to tie the knot since graduation. You told them Logan was your boyfriend didn't you?"
"Well they figured it out when I came straight from his penthouse in New York. Apparently we have to coordinate schedules now so we can attend gatherings together."
"Logan will drop everything to be with you."
"I know but I also know that he has a life and friends and a job. I don't want him to forget about what makes him, him."
"Truthfully, his California friends are all losers and his Connecticut friends Ie Colin, Steph, and I, will all be at these parties too. Rory, I know this is all fast but he loves you. I can tell. He called me yesterday afternoon getting ready for his date and he was so crazy! He wanted everything perfect."
"You don't think it's too fast?"
"Rory, if I met someone that made me feel 1/2 of what Logan feels for you, I'd have her down the aisle."
That made Rory think hard. She wasn't ready for marriage but she was getting older now so she needed to think about things like that. She didn't want to waste her time on someone that she couldn't see herself marrying. She could definitely see herself marrying Logan eventually.
"Rory, can I ask you a personal question."
"We're besties now right? Of course you can."
"If you met Logan in a different place and different time, would you still feel the same about him? You're not falling for him because you're life is turning upside down and he's there for you right?"
"Finn, if Logan and I had met on the street in Palo Alto and we went on a date, I'd still fall for him. I fell for his mind and soul. Not the fact that he's here for me."
"Good. I wouldn't want to have to blacklist you before you become the 'queen bee' as Stacey so aptly put it."
"Do you mind me asking, where is Stacey now?"
"Last I heard she was back with her mom and dad. Who knows though. We didn't talk to her after that night, I'm guessing Logan told you?"
"Yeah he did. I'm glad he has friend who protect him like you three."
"Well now you're under our protection as well. Just remember, when the social wanna bees talk, just ignore them. If you respond, it only ignites them more. There will be times that we all have to work or be at other places and you'll be at a function alone. Just remember, they're jealous. They've always been jealous of Stephanie. Even before she started dating Colin. They made up horrible rumors about her but Steph always held her head high. We've had near 30 years practice so we won't leave you alone soon but it will happen."
"Speaking of being alone, next Friday is my debut as the heiress. You all have to come. I will make sure your names are on the list or whatever."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world. Is you-know-who going to be there?"
"Probably. His family is in society."
"Well just outshine him. You're the sun for this event. Show him what he's missing."
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about college and some crazy antics that Finn was directly involved in and Rory told him about Stars Hollow.
It was getting to be 6 PM and Rory was getting nervous that Mitchum had locked him in the basement or something.
"I think I'm going to text Logan. We were supposed to have dinner at his house but he hasn't called. It's weird."
"Where was he?"
"The Dark Lords."
"Oh no. Well he's wrestling with the gator now I bet. Just text him."
-Hey babe. I'm getting worried. Haven't heard from you in a while. Let me know if I need to send the national guard in after you.
About twenty minutes later her phone went off.
-Mitchum is crazy! Can you meet me at my house in 30 minutes? We'll have dinner with my family.
-Ok. Should I bring the police with me? Is there a hostage situation?
-No but close. See you soon.
"Ok well it sounds crazy. Logan wants me there in 30 minutes."
"Ok Love the first thing you need to know is never go into the lions den without a chair."
"What do you mean? Are they that bad?"
"They can be. You need to drink this." Finn handed her a vodka martini. "First rule. Never go fully sober."
"Should I have more than one?"
"Second rule. Never go in drunk."
"OK. One drink. Check."
"Third, you remember me telling you about the soical wanna-bes?"
"Yes"
"Well Shira is queen wanna-bee."
"Really?"
"Yes. Her family is from 'humble background'. AKA her dad was a factory worker and her mom was a schoolteacher. Not that there's anything bad but she used her new wealth to be evil."
"So she'll talk underhanded smack constantly."
"Correct. Just shoot back a few comments but don't be overly snarky. Logan will protect you from a lot."
The spent the next 15 minutes creating worst to best case scenarios.
OUTSIDE THE HUNTZBERGER MANSION. 7PM
Rory looked at the massive property that stood in front of her. Slightly mocking her as she was nervous. She heard footsteps behind her and turned around.
"Rory! I'm glad you could make it." Honor Huntzberger said. "I'm know you're going to announce your relationship to the lions inside but I'm going to take some of the heat off you. Josh proposed!"
Honor held out her left ring finger and there was a beautiful diamond engagement ring.
"Honor I'm so happy for you!" Rory exclaimed! "How are they going to take the news?"
"It shouldn't be a surprise. I've been with Josh for years now, but they'll probably say something along the lines of how he's not Huntzberger material. Whatever. I don't care."
They rang the doorbell together and the maid answered the door.
"Hi, I'm Honor, this is Rory. They're expecting us." Honor said.
"Yes, right this way. They're in the sitting room."
Logan came out to greet them. He kissed Rory and whispered something in Honors ear. She just kept walking. He pulled Rory aside.
"Rory, now whatever they say to you, just ignore them. Brush it off. I've never been nervous bringing anyone home."
"What about your ex?"
"I didn't dare bring her home. She wasn't from proper breeding. That's one reason I dated her." He laughed. "You on the other hand, are of more than proper breeding. You're the offspring of two blue bloods. There shouldn't be too big of an issue."
They walked into the main sitting room and Rory saw a older slender woman, a old gruff looking man, and tall built blond. He could tell right away who was whom.
"Everyone, I would like you to meet my girlfriend Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Hayden. Please call her Rory. Rory, this is my mother Shira, my grandfather Elias, and my father Mitchum."
Mitchum walked over and shook Rory's hand. "Hello. I hear you're a columnist for Palo Alto Daily is that correct?"
"Yes sir. I graduated from Harvard a year and a half ago and followed the Obama trail for a while then settled in Palo Alto."
"Good to hear. I'll have to look up some of your articles. Who did you write for on the trail?"
"Hugo Grant."
"Hugo is a good friend of mine. He always has good taste."
"Glad to hear, sir."
Shira stood up and said. "So are you two just dating or are you here to announce a pregnancy or engagement perhaps?"
"No mam, neither. Logan and I met on our way to Hartford last week for my Grandpa Straub's funeral."
"So you're not looking for money or connections?"
"No mam. I have plenty of both. I'm here because Logan and I are dating now and soon it will become very very public. We wanted to you know personally."
"Mom- Rory is the Hayden heiress. She doesn't want anything but me." Logan interjected.
"I hope you don't find it rude that I asked that." Shira commented. "Logan never told us about Stacey. We only found out after one of his friends was overheard by our friend. The conversation was ghastly and I will not allow the Huntzberger name to be taken by just anyone. By that time, the relationship was over so there was no need for anything on our end."
"Fine choice Logan. I knew eventually you would grow up and see your potential." Elias said suddenly. "Have you discussed moving yet? I know that you and Mitchum talked about purchasing your company and you coming back to HPG. Has that been decided?"
"Nothing yet. He will be purchasing my company but HPG is only a backer. I am not back with HPG yet. Maybe in the future but for now I'm staying in California." Logan said. "Rory, sorry I didn't tell you what I decided. Dad and I talked and it seemed like a great idea."
"Logan, it's your company. We can talk about logistics later."
Honor stood up. "Mom, dad, grandpa. I have some news."
"What is it dear?" Shira said politely.
"Josh proposed and I said. yes."
"Well he's not made to be a Huntzberger, that's for sure."
"I don't care. He's kind and he loves me."
"How long of an engagement do you want?"
"We were thinking next spring."
"We'll talk more later."
Dinner was very uneventful and by the time they left Logan looked like he was going to cry.
"What's wrong babe. I thought dinner went way better than expected." Rory said to Logan.
"It did. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop." Logan replied. "I know there's something going on...I just can't quite put my finger on it. Listen, I don't want to stay here tonight. I think I'm going to call Finn. Do you want to hang out with us?"
"How about we all go to Stars Hollow? I told Finn about the craziness and he wants to see it soon. Plus I think there's a festival tonight."
"Oh a festival, really?"
"Yeah something the school is putting on."
"Ok. Let me grab some clothes, you go to Finn's and drag him here and we'll go together."
-Finn, wanna see Stars Hollow? Logan and I are going for the night and want you to come too. There's a town festival!
-Where are you? I'd love to go!
-I'll be at your house in 10 minutes!
OK so I decided not to make Shira and the Huntzberger clan evil in this. They won't be besties but they won't be at each others throats. Next chapter will be the SH festival and Finn and Logans debut to SH :) R&R