Picking up the pieces.
Hey guys, I've found a new Editor so a massive thanks to the wonderful Liz for all her help. So chapters 8+ have been updated and beta'ed.
Many thanks to all the readers, reviewers for not abandoning this story.
Chapter 11: Family Emergencies.
Logan was headed back to his hotel in Hartford to see his Odette. It had been a really stressful couple of days. While he and his dad had never been close, it was thanks to him that Logan found himself back in the states.
His mother had called, Mitchum had been rushed to the hospital. Sudden chest pains she said. Honor and Josh were also on the way. By the time that Logan hung up, Odette had already started packing for them both.
While no one had physically said the words they were all worried that this could be the end for Mitchum, who for all of his bravado wasn't a well man. So Logan and Odette rushed to the states. They were told that Mitchum was critical and were unsure if he would survive this recent heart attack.
This was the "family emergency" which had set Logan thinking about Rory and his child, well children. He prayed that there was a chance to fix this. Even more so after learning from Finn that she was having twins, his twins. He sighed as he finally entered his hotel suite after a long, tiring day.
Odette was sat on the sofa, talking softly with Honor. The pair had bonded well over the months which he loved. Logan crossed the room, pressed a kiss to Odette's cheek and then pulled his sister in for a hug. They hadn't seen each other recently but this wasn't how Logan envisioned seeing his family again. Yes the pair kept each other up to date on their lives via texts and phone calls, but to be together in the same room again was difficult in these circumstances. The siblings embraced tightly, comfortable in the silence, simply enjoying this moment, before breaking apart and sitting back down.
Logan took in his sister's appearance. Her eyes looked red and swollen and her mascara had run down her face, which she had hastily wiped away, but not fully, leaving faint black tear tracks. Perhaps she had already been to see their father this morning.
"How is he?" Logan asked his sister.
"Not great. He is struggling to breathe on his own." Honor responded wiping her sore, tired eyes.
"Where is Josh?" Logan asked, wondering why his sister was here dealing with this on her own.
"He had to finish a business meeting. He's flying up tonight. He wanted to come now but this meeting could be the biggest break that he's been waiting for. So, I told him to come later. When you rang it sounded so serious, that I didn't want to risk being late. But I knew he needed to beat that meeting." Honor explained.
"I'm sorry Honor. I hope that we can be a comfort for you until he arrives." Odette stated before turning to Logan. "How was your meeting with Finn?"
"Fine. He's in Hartford full time now. We talked. He knows about Rory" He answered his fiancé. Honor was aware about his situation. She had chosen to keep her opinions to herself, claiming that Logan was old enough to make his own mistakes. Typical sisterly answer.
"You told him?" Odette asked confused. As far as she was aware, Logan had wanted to keep the situation quiet. He had made his decision and didn't want to broadcast it to the world.
"Nope. Rory bumped into him after her first scan. Apparently she was in a bad way. She told him everything and Finn has informed me that she is having twins and that was part of the reason she was panicking. I may have asked him for some help." Logan said, pouring himself a drink. A strong glass of whisky was needed for this conversation.
"What with?" Odette asked. She hadn't told Logan but she was really disappointed that he hadn't gone to that first appointment with Rory. They could have made it work, the three of them. That she was sure of.
"Trying to get back into Rory's good books. To be part of my children's lives. All this stuff with dad has got been thinking, and I realised I made such a huge mistake."
Both Honor and Odette rolled their eyes at this statement but neither got a chance to reply because Logan's phone rung. "It's the hospital." He announced and Honor's face paled.
"Logan" He answered. He remains silent while he listened to the person on the other end of the phone. "We need to go." He whispered to Honor and Odette. Both women get up quickly and started to get ready. Honor grabbed her purse and all three got into Logan's car. The driver sped through the town to get them to the hospital as quick as the speed limits would allow.
As Logan and Honor rushed towards the private room that Mitchum had occupied, they stopped suddenly, as they saw Shira was stood outside the room sobbing.
Honor raced forward and encased her mom into a tight hug. "Mom…" She said her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry…" Shira whispered back, collapsing into her daughter's arms.
Unfortunately for Logan and Honor, Mitchum had passed minutes before. Odette pulled Logan in tightly.
While his relationship with his father was very strained over the last few years, he had never imagined how he would feel this much loss after he was gone. On top of that, he felt so much regret, his own father had just died and he wasn't even there in time. He smiled as he knew that Mitchum would say something like late again I see? But, this lateness was different, it literally was the difference between life and death and he hated it. He broke down, sobbing into his fiancé's shoulder.
Josh chose that moment to walk into the hallway. He noticed his in laws crying and feared the worst. Rushing over to his wife and pulling her in tight, he whispered. "I'm sorry love... I'm so sorry."
Shira stepped back to give Honor and Josh some space. She slowly made her way over to Logan and Odette. Placing her hand on his shoulder she softly asked. "Are you alright?" Then realised what she said before muttering "Sorry, silly question".
"I'm sorry I wasn't here." Logan whispered in response. "I'm sorry that dad and I never made up."
"It's ok love. He knows you love him. You two were always so similar, you always did butt heads. Especially as you got older." Shira said. "He even changed his will last month, he appointed you CEO of the family businesses, if you want to be of course." Shira shared the news.
"Wow mom. That's amazing. Obviously Odette and I will need to discuss it fully as it will mean moving back to Hartford" Logan responded thinking deeply about the offer.
Hours later, the five members of the family headed back to the hotel. That evening, they sat together for dinner, the mood was sombre but everyone was relieved to be together on what was such a dark day for the family.
While Logan was going through this, over in Star's Hollow, Finn visited Rory to help her pack. She wanted to get moved into her new apartment sooner rather than later, to allow her plenty of time to decorate, and prepare for the arrivals.
"How's your week been?" Rory asked, while they were sat on her bed, boxing up her books. The Hartford apartment was large enough that she could take everything without having to leave anything at home or in storage. She was grateful for that as her room in her mom's house was going to be put aside for the child that her mom and Luke were adopting.
"Not too bad thanks love." Finn responded. "I had that lunch with Logan a few days ago." He added. "And I've got your paperwork in my bag."
Rory nodded and smiled softly. "Thank you. What did he want in return?" she asked bitterly.
"He didn't. However he did surprise me though." Finn replied taping up the box he had just finished packing.
"Oh really? Why's that?" Rory asked grabbing a new box.
Finn kept quiet for a moment, unsure how much to reveal. He continued to pick up and pack books.
"Finn..." Rory says placing one of her hands on top of his to make him stop packing, and focus on her... "Talk to me please."
Finn sighs, looking up at Rory, knowing he had to tell her.
"He apologised and asked me to help get back into your good books. I told him that I wasn't going to jeopardise my relationship with you and my squirts. But, I also said, if I could help him without hurting you I would try." Finn says softly but nervously.
"Oh." Rory responded quietly. "Did he say why he had changed his mind? I made myself very clear when I last saw him. So I don't know how I feel right now."
"He just kept saying that he was going through a family emergency and that the situation got him thinking." Finn replied.
Rory chose not to reply straight away and continued to silently pack. Her mind was deep in thought, considering what her next move should be.