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.
I'm hoping to have a better posting schedule for this story as I've found my writing spark again, hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter 12: Letters
The day after Mitchum's passing found Odette and Honor having lunch together at the hotel while Logan and Shira were at the lawyer's office sorting the will. Honor and Odette got on well and tried to meet regularly to catch up on their ever-changing and busy lives. Honor was happily helping Odette plan her wedding, which had been pushed back due to Logan's 'Rory' news and Mitchum's illness and passing.
"So, how are you holding up?" Odette asked Honor.
"I'm sad, don't get me wrong, of course I'm sad, but we were all expecting this to happen, so I've been preparing myself. We've been saying for years that the stress dad puts himself under would catch up with him." Honor responded. "How are you? You're dealing with a lot right now between helping Logan cope and then the Rory thing. Have you and Logan discussed his choice?"
Odette shook her head. "Non. We haven't discussed it recently. I want to tell him how I feel about the choice he has made. However I feel I've no right to. I asked him what yours and the rest of the family's opinion is but he keeps dodging the question." Odette responds.
"I don't know if mum and dad were aware but me and Josh, we're very disappointed in him. Especially when you take into consideration what a good offer Rory gave him. Co-parenting, visitation and all that. She would have been willing to have both of you in those children's lives and frankly I feel Logan has made the wrong decision." Honor confessed. "What about you though? It really can't be easy to find out your fiancé got another woman pregnant."
Odette took a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking. "Yes I was frustrated in the beginning, however I soon came around to the idea that it is what it is and I would support Logan in any decision he made, assuming he would've have signed up for the co-parenting. I had been preparing myself. So I'm rather disappointed in him, he helped bring these lives into the world, he should be partly responsible for them." Odette said passionately. Honor gives her a hug.
"I'm sorry, I wish there was something we could do. I really feel like he is going to regret this decision." Honor stated.
"I had an idea which I was going to run past you once everything had settled down." Odette says softly, not wanting to push.
"Go on." Honor replied, smiling.
"I was going to write Rory a letter." Odette began. "Perhaps explaining what Logan is going through and my thoughts on the whole co-parenting situation."
"Basically asking for a second chance for Logan?"
Odette nodded "Exactly. Do you think it's a good idea? I haven't discussed it with Logan yet…."
Honor smiled. "While I don't know if it'll work, I do know it's a lovely idea, I know Rory. She's a sweet girl and I'm sure she will have a lot of respect for you if you chose to do this. I can help you if you want?" Honor suggested.
"I feel like this is something I would need to do on my own. I may not even tell Logan before I do it. I need to do this for me, for us, for our family." Odette answered.
"That's brave and lovely and it makes total sense my dear. I support you fully, but please let me know what you decide to do."
Odette nodded in response. "Of course." She responded deep in thought. She decided in that moment that she was going to draft a letter after lunch, Honor supplied Rory's address, and Odette decided to do it sooner rather than later, before she lost her nerve.
A few days later Rory picked up a pile of mail her mom had left for her at Luke's. Rory had moved out the day before but until the Truncheon office officially opened, she was splitting her time between unpacking and spending time with her family.
She was due to meet Finn, they were going out for lunch followed by Finn coming back to her house to help build some furniture. Once Rory had all of belongings in, she would be able to see how much room she had to buy the things she needed for her babies. Finn and her mom were going baby shopping with her next week at some point.
Rory flicked through the pile of mail and stopped at a handwritten envelope. She didn't recognise the handwriting. . She began opening it when Finn entered the diner and pulled her into a big hug.
"Hey Love." Finn greeted her.
"Hey you." She responded.
The pair sat at Luke's for a few minutes longer while Rory finished opening her mail. Their lunch reservation wasn't for another hour. Rory frowned as she scanned through the handwritten letter to see who the sender was. She saw the signature and threw the letter on the table.
"Rory love, what's the matter?" Finn asked concerned about her reaction. Rory didn't hear Finn as she started to panic slightly. She found her breath quickening and Finn rushed around to her side of the table.
"Breathe Rory, breathe. Copy me." He said trying to encourage Rory to calm her breathing. After a minute or two, Rory managed to get control of herself.
"I'm sorry." Rory whispered to Finn, as she took a sip of the water.
"It's ok love. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"Odette wrote to me." Rory responded staring at the unread letter.
"Why?" Finn asked confused, Logan hadn't mentioned this.
"Honestly. I'm not sure Finny. I skimmed it to see the signature first. Oh god! What could this be about?" Rory said, still slightly freaking out.
Finn picked up the letter and shoved it in his pocket, then took Rory's hand. "Come on love. Let's go have that lunch and then you can decide what you want to do about this." Finn suggested.
Rory nodded taking Finn's hand as she stood. Finn led Rory to his car and they drove to the Hartford restaurant. They sat and had a pleasant meal, well as pleasant as they could with the letter stuck at the forefront of Rory's mind. They switched between topics from tales of Finn's job in the hotel industry, to tales of Lorelai, Emily and Rory planning this year's big Christmas party and everything in between.
Back at Rory's apartment, several hours later, Rory was silent as Finn held the letter in his hands and asking if she wanted to read it now or later.
"I'm nervous Finn, what reason does this women have to write to me? Does Logan know? How does she have my address? Why would she think this is a good idea?" Rory said freaking out and voicing all her questions and worries at once.
"Calm down love." Finn says worrying for the girl he had become so close to...
"Finny…" Rory says softly but nervously, "Will you read it to me?" she asked.
Finn nodded instantly. "Of course I will my love, if that's what you want." He replied before picking up the piece of paper and clearing his throat.
"Dear Rory,
I know I am the last person you would be expecting to hear from. However I felt this was the best way to get in contact with you. I hope you will read the entirety of this letter before you make up your mind on me as I feel what I have to say may be of a surprise to you.
Firstly I need to inform you that Logan has no idea that I have written you this letter, I felt I needed to reach out to you on my own in the beginning and I do not feel Logan will appreciate me doing this.
The day Logan came home and told me that you were pregnant, I must confess I was initially angry at the pair of you, but I soon became interested in the thought of co-parenting and Logan coming into his own as a parent. A father much better than his own. Therefore in that moment I decided I would support Logan in his decision, assuming wrongly that he was going to pick his child. I NEED you to be aware that I am not the reason he didn't show up that day.
Honor and I have discussed at length our opinions on Logan's recent behaviour and we both strongly believe that he should have accompanied you to the first scan and discussed with you his interests in the three of us co-parenting together.
I promise you Rory, Logan deeply regrets his decision and that was way before Finn even informed us that he hadn't given up on one child, but two. I fully understand that this is no excuse but at the time of your first scan, Mitchum was seriously ill and has subsequently passed away. This has torn up Logan, and I am asking you to please give him one final chance to be the father I know he can be.
I fully understand the reasoning behind your choice of the ultimatum you gave him. I also understand that this is such a big ask that I have no right to ask of you but please, please think on it.
Odette." Finn finished.
Rory took the paper from Finn and read through it again, slowly, taking the time to soak up every word.
"Are you ok?" Finn asked.
Rory didn't respond, she was so wrapped up in Odette's words.
"Did you know Mitchum had died?" Finn shook his head. "What's your opinion of all this?" She asked.
"I think it's very brave of her to write to you my love. To put it all on the page for you to judge her at your heart's content. But it really doesn't matter what I think my love, what are you feeling?" Finn responded.
"I don't know Finn, I really don't know. I'm scared, I don't want to be weak, I don't want to seem like I'm just going to back down when things get tough. But, on the other hand, I could be giving my kids the chance of a brilliant family between me, you and my family as well as Logan and his family. These kids would never feel alone… never long for family as I did with the Hayden's. So Finny, I really, really don't know what to do…" Rory says softly sighing.
Next chapter:
A meeting.