DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
I love reviews if you would like to leave me one. :-)
I started writing this story about a month ago, and just randomly decided to publish it, so I am currently re-reading everything that I have thus far, making edits and changes, and publishing each chapter as I go. I have quite a bit written so far, but I am also dealing with some writers block, so hopefully by re-reading and editing everything, I'll figure out where to go with this and get it finished. If anyone has any ideas of something they would like to see happen, please feel free to let me know.
"Hey You!" Rory said with a smile, answering her phone a week later.
"Hey . . . Are you home?" Logan asked in a soft voice.
"I can be if you need me to. I'm at my mom's. I figured you were working an 18 hour shift, so I took Rocky to Stars Hollow to visit mom, and run around with Paul Anka. Is everything ok?"
"It's been a really rough day." he sighed. "I just . . . I could use someone to talk to."
"I'll get in the car and be back in two hours. Want me to meet you at the hospital?"
"I am actually hoping to get out of here soon. We are staffed pretty well, so I can probably leave and they can page me if I'm needed back."
"Ok. I'll meet you at your place then?"
"Thank you. I'm sorry to pull you away from your mom. I know you haven't had much time to go back to visit lately."
"Don't even worry about it. I told you that I would be there when you need me. I'm just holding up my end of the bargain. I'll go grab Rocky, say bye to Mom, and call you as soon as I'm on the road."
"I love you Rory." Logan said quietly.
"I love you too. I'll call you back in a few minutes, ok?"
"Thank you."
"Just try to breathe, ok? I'll be there soon." Rory said then hung up the phone, and reached for her cup of coffee that was sitting on the table next to the couch, and headed for the front door to head outside to where Lorelai was playing with the dogs, grabbing her purse on the way out. "Hey Mom, I've gotta get back to the city."
"Already?! But you just got here!" Lorelai protested.
"I know, and I'm sorry! Logan just called and he needs me. He's having a rough day."
"What's going on? Is everything ok?"
"He didn't say. He only said that he needs someone to talk to. I told him that I would jump in the car, and head back. Come here Rocky, let's get your leash on."
"Logan didn't tell you anything?"
"No, but he sounded pretty down. When we first got back together, Logan told me that some days are really hard. There are days that he's going to be angry and want to beat the crap out of the heavy bag at the gym, and then there are days when he just needs someone there to hold his hand, and love him through it. I have a feeling that today is one of those comfort days."
"Being a doctor isn't easy."
"You can definitely say that again." Rory said as she snapped Rocky's leash on, and lead him over to her car.
"Do you need anything? I can call over to Luke's and have food ready for you to pick up."
"Thanks, but that's ok. I'll get some take out when I get back to the city."
"Ok. Call me when you get there, so I know you got home safe."
"I will. I love you, Mom. Thanks for everything!" Rory said hugging her mom, then getting in her car, and backing out of the driveway to head back to New York.
Two and a half hours later, Logan jumped up from his spot on the couch as Rory walked thru his apartment door with Rocky.
"Hey, are you ok?" Rory asked as Logan rushed toward her, and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"It's been a really rough day." Logan murmured, still holding Rory tightly to him.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later . . . Right now I just need you."
"Well you've got me. I'm not going anywhere. Just tell me what you need me to do. Are you hungry? I can order us some dinner."
"I just need you to stay with me."
"I'm right here. I promise you, I'm not going anywhere. Let's get you comfortable, ok? Come on, let's go sit." Rory said as there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Rory called out.
"Delivery for L. Gilmore." a voice said from the outside.
"Interesting . . ." Rory said as she broke away from Logan and moved toward the door, opening it to see a delivery man with bags of food. "Hi!"
"Are you L. Gilmore?"
"I am."
"Here you go."
"Thank you so much." Logan said stepping up behind Rory, and holding out some money as she took the food bags from the delivery driver.
"It's all paid for." The delivery man told him.
"That's ok. This is for you. Thank you for your help."
"No problem. Thank you Sir. You guys have a good night." the man said, then turned and left.
"Go get comfortable. I'll bring you some food." Rory said stepping past Logan and heading for the kitchen.
"Tell your mom thanks." Logan said following Rory.
"Logan, go sit. I'll bring you some food."
"Rory, you still only have one hand. Let me help you."
"Logan, I'm supposed to be taking care of you. Not the other way around." Rory said as Logan took the bags of food from her.
"You are helping just by being here. Go text your mom. I'll bring you some food." Logan said kissing her, as he began to empty the bags. "Your mom ordered enough to feed a small army."
"An army, or a couple Gilmores."
Thank you so much for the dinner delivery surprise! We appreciate it so much! There is enough food here to feed a small army.
Rory texted to her mother as she walked toward the couch to make herself comfortable.
Or a couple of Gilmores.
Rory laughed as she saw Lorelai's witty response pop up.
I might have said the exact same thing to Logan.
"Here's your food." Logan said placing a plate of food on a tray in front of the couch.
You are my daughter after all. ;-)
Call me tomorrow. Love you!
Rory's phone beeped to life again.
Will do. Love you back.
Rory smiled as she sent off her message, then reached for her plate of food.
"How was the Hollow today? Any fun mishaps?" Logan asked.
"Not today. It was pretty mellow. I stopped by Lane's to see her and the family. The boys are getting so big!"
"I haven't seen them since they were babies. How old are they now? Like 9?"
"Almost. It feels weird for them to be so grown up already. I don't feel like we are even old enough to have kids, much less 9 year olds. Didn't we just graduate from high school?"
"In a way, high school seems like it was just yesterday, but at the same time, it feels like it was an entire lifetime ago."
"Well you just did another 8 years of schooling after your 4 years in college."
"Technically 5 years. I took that year off to sail around the world with Collin and Finn."
"And you sunk Daddy's yacht." Rory laughed remembering the story she had heard from Logan and his friends about their yacht trip around the world.
"Yeah well, we all have to be derelicts sometime!"
"I never was." Rory said innocently as she took a bite of food.
"Says the woman who convinced me to steal a boat!" Logan reminded her with a laugh.
"Oh yeah! I forgot about that."
"How in the world can you forget about having a felony on your record?"
"It was expunged after 5 years. After I got the paperwork, I had mom file it away in her safe and I did my best to forget that it ever happened. Isn't that basically what an expungement does? It makes it so that the felony never happened?"
"That's true. I'm sure the expungement is the reason I even have a job right now."
"How many do you have?"
"Jobs? Just the one."
"Expungements."
"A few." Logan laughed. "But you are one of a very select few people who know about them."
"I feel so privileged!"
"Eh! I was kind of a jerk when I was younger. Who knew I would meet a gorgeous brainiac girl at 20 years old, who would completely change my life?!"
"Oh, you're a sweet talker, Huntzberger! Who knew that I would meet a self centered snobby man whore, who would turn me into a juvenile delinquent!"
"I've been called worse things."
"Worse than a Butt Faced Miscreant?"
"Have you met Paris Gellar?!"
"You have a point." Rory agreed laughing. "So now that I've got you in a much better mood, you want to tell me what happened at work today?" Rory asked.
Logan sighed as he set his plate down on the table next to the couch, and leaned back to rest against the pillows behind him.
"A 14 year old girl was brought into the ER with a drug overdose, and we lost her."
"Ouch!"
"I was about her age when I started hardcore partying with my friends, and barely older than her the first time I tried drugs."
"I can see why it hit you so hard."
"I didn't think about it when I was in the midst of all of the debauchery, but I was a complete idiot!"
"You didn't exactly have the most stellar parents to teach you what not to do."
"I know that now . . . It's just really hard to loose a kid, especially when they did the same thing that I did, multiple times. Somehow I never overdosed, but I definitely partied pretty hard."
"You had alcohol poisoning quite a few times." Rory added.
"Those are just the times that you knew about."
"I'm sure I don't even want to ask."
"There were some really dark days after we split up . . ."
"Yeah . . ." Rory agreed quietly.
They were both silent for a couple minutes before Logan finally spoke again.
"Let's talk about something happier."
"You are off work tomorrow, right?"
"Correct. But I'm on call. I'm having lunch with Honor if you want to come."
"Sure, that sounds nice."
"She will be excited to see you again. And if I get called in, you two can go shopping or something without me."
"Where are we having lunch?"
"I don't know. Honor said she would let me know in the morning."
"You remember that I have that doctor appointment on Thursday so I can get released to go back to work, right?"
"Yeah. And I talked to Doctor Hamilton today."
"You did?"
"They called me to confirm your appointment. I guess they couldn't reach you."
"Cell service in the Hollow." Rory chuckled.
"We're doing another x-ray to make sure everything healed properly. You'll be a kind of stiff when the cast comes off, but the range and movement will come back. We'll soak your hand and stretch a lot. He asked me if I think you will need physical therapy."
"And?"
"It's a possibility, and probably a good idea. It will help you get your strength back."
"I need to go back to work. I am really behind right now."
"You realize that you won't be able to go back to typing and regular activities right away, right?"
"I've been in a cast before."
"Yeah, but it's been a while. And you were a lot less stubborn back then."
"How do you know?!"
"Please, how long have I known you?!" Logan laughed. "If there is one thing I know better than anyone, except for maybe Luke, it's that you Gilmore women get more and more stubborn as you age."
"Speaking of aging . . ." Rory started. "Grandma and Grandpa want to come take me to dinner for my birthday."
"On your birthday?"
"You know Grandma."
"What did Lorelai say?"
"She said it's up to us, and that she's sure you've got plans."
"I have to work. I'll see if I can trade with someone next week, but I'm scheduled for the evening shift."
"We can celebrate another day."
"I was planning to. We can do anything you want. Gorge on all your favorite junk food."
"We'll figure something out." Rory said as Logan's phone rang.
"Logan Huntzberger." Logan said answering his phone. "Sure, I can do that. Does it need to be tonight, or can I stop by in the morning? Or I can call them if that's ok . . . Sure, give me about 20-30 minutes, and I'll be there . . . Ok, if anything changes before I get there, let me know. I'm on my way." Logan said ending the call as he got up from the couch to go find his shoes. "Want to come to the hospital with me?" He asked looking toward Rory.
"If you want me to."
"You wouldn't believe who is in town, and on their way there."
"Do you want me to guess?"
"My parents . . . They were at some function and apparently mom tripped or something, so they are on their way to the hospital. Honor is meeting me there."
"Family party in the ER!"
"They are demanding I be there. I talked to Honor on my way home, so she knew there would be a major scene if I'm not there."
"Sounds like loads of fun! I can stay here unless you want me to come. I'm not exactly your parents' favorite person."
"Neither am I. I'm sure they'll put on the fake 'proud parents of a doctor' act, but then treat me like crap and rip into me about how I abandoned them and HPG. They'll be super rude to every hospital employee who has the misfortune of coming in contact with them, and they'll completely undermine me to Doctor Greenley. It'll be a blast!" Logan said sarcastically.
"So you need backup then."
"Pretty much! You can always escape to my office when they get to be too much."
"That works. I guess they had to find out about us eventually, so it might as well be now."
"And they'll be better behaved with an audience." Logan chuckled offering Rory his hand to help her up from the couch. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"You owe me coffee."
"Deal!"
"I love you too." Rory smiled giving him a kiss, then slipping her feet back into the shoes she had kicked off when she sat down on the couch. "Should we take some food with us? For Honor?"
"Heck no! It's going in the fridge for when we get back!" Logan said as he went into the kitchen to quickly put all the food away. "There is no way I'm sharing all of this with the parentals! I'll order Honor something if she hasn't eaten yet."
30 minutes later
Columbia Presbyterian Hospital
"Doctor Huntzberger, what are you doing back?" a nurse asked as Logan walked past the nurses station with Rory next to him.
"I got a call that my parents were on their way here. I guess my mom got hurt at some event in town. Have they arrived yet?"
"I'm not sure. I haven't taken in any new patients from the waiting room in the last half hour. Why don't we check the computer."
"They must not be here then. Trust me, you'll know when they get here. They're kind of loud and demanding. I should just apologize to everyone right now. Is Veronica here?"
"Yeah, she's around here somewhere."
"Please track her down, and put her solo on my mother. I don't want to inflict my difficult parents on anyone else. Veronica doesn't cry easily. I'm not officially here, but I'll take on my mother with an assist from Doctor Greenley. Go ahead and page him to find me. What rooms are open? Is 35 free?"
"It should be."
"Ok, I'll go ahead and take that one. It's far enough away from everyone else, so unless we get slammed, you guys will have a nice buffer. I'll start checking my mother in on the computer. Just call out front to Constance and let her know to put my parents in room 35 as soon as they arrive. I'll meet them there." Logan said as he stepped behind a computer. "Rory, here's my phone. Will you call Honor and let her know the plan?" Logan asked, handing Rory his phone, before starting to type information into the computer.
"Sure." Rory smiled taking the phone.
"1,0,0,8,8,4." Logan said without looking up.
"My birthday?!"
"Maybe." Logan winked as he typed.
"Doctor Huntzberger, there are a couple people in the waiting room asking for you specifically." a nurse said approaching the nurses station a couple of minutes later.
"Thanks Brittany. Please take them to room 35, and let them know that I will be right with them. I'm sorry if they are short with you. I'll explain later."
"No problem." Brittany smiled, then walked away.
"Honor just pulled in." Rory said ending the call, and setting Logan's phone on the counter next to him.
"Veronica?" Logan started as he saw Veronica heading his way. "I need a huge favor!"
"Stacey said your mother is coming in and you wanted me to take her on solo?" Veronica asked.
"I'll buy you dinner, or ice cream or whatever. From what I've been told, my mom got hurt at some event she was at with my dad. My parents are kind of a pain in the ass. I'll let Rory tell you about it. You are the only nurse I know who doesn't cry easily. My older sister just got here. Would you mind escorting Rory out to get her, then bring the both back to room 35?"
"Sure thing! It's nice to see you again Rory."
"You too. Thank you so much for everything you did for me when I was brought in." Rory said walking away with Veronica.
Five minutes later, Rory and Honor walked into Shira's room in the emergency department.
"I've got coffee!" Honor announced as her parents looked toward the door.
"Honor! So good of you to come!" Shira smiled at her daughter.
"Rory. What a nice surprise." Mitchum said kindly as Veronica stepped thru the door behind her.
"Honor, I need to get Mom's actual weight." Logan told her. "I know she would never let me see her anywhere near a scale, but maybe you can get it for me? Veronica would you mind taking them up to triage, just to get me a weight. I can get the rest of the vitals from here. Just grab me a thermometer on your way back?" Logan asked.
"I'm happy to." Veronica smiled, then turned to Shira. "Hi Mrs. Huntzberger, I' m Veronica. Let's take a little field trip." she said moving toward the bed, and grabbing the wheelchair sitting next to it to help Shira. "Your dress is gorgeous!"
"Thank you." Shira smiled fakely as she moved back to sitting in the wheelchair, that had brought her in. Veronica pushed the wheelchair out of the room, with Honor following behind her, winking at Rory on her way out.
"Rory, I heard you work for the Times now." Mitchum said after the women were gone.
"Yes, I do." Rory answered.
"You didn't have to come with Honor tonight, but it is kind of you to be here with her."
"Rory came with me, Dad." Logan said turning from the computer in the room, to face his father. "Not that it is any business of yours, but Rory and I are in a relationship, and there is nothing that you, mom, or anyone else can do to change that, and if you dare to even try, I will cut you off so fast, that you will wonder where the freight train that hit you came from. You WILL be polite to Rory. I'm not even on the clock right now. I was at home when Honor called me, asking me to come back in. It's been a really long day, and I am not in the mood to be here. So please, can we all just get along? I came in as a favor, mostly to the other hospital staff. So let's all be on our best behavior, or I'll just take Rory and go back home, and you can stay here dealing with another doctor and nurse who I'm sure you would love to attempt to discredit, and push around. Do you understand?"
"Now Logan, why wouldn't I be anything but polite to Rory?"
"That goes for Mom too. I expect you to reign her in." Logan said as Rory handed him a cup of coffee.
"Now Logan, I really don't understand why you think so little of us."
"I don't think little of you. I just know you."
"Would you like some coffee? It's decaf?" Rory asked holding a cup out toward Mitchum.
"Thank you Rory. That is sweet of you."
"It's from Honor. She got decaf for you and chamomile tea for Shira."
"Mom can't have any food or drinks until her x-rays come back." Logan told them.
"Logan, do still have that dog?" Mitchum asked.
"Rocky isn't going anywhere."
"Rory, what do you think of Logan's dog?"
"Rocky and I are buddies. He's fun to hang out with. We had a doggy playdate today."
"You didn't work today?"
"Not today." Rory smiled as Veronica and Honor brought Shira back into the room.
"Here you go Logan." Honor said handing Logan a post-it with Shira's weight written on it.
"Thank you! Mom, I need to get a few more vitals, while we wait for x-ray." Logan said moving toward his mom as Veronica handed him a thermometer.
"Rory, what happened to your arm?" Shira asked.
"Oh, this?" Rory asked holding up her casted hand. "I got in a fight with a tiger at the zoo." she said causing Logan to stifle a laugh, and Honor to completely crack up, almost spitting out her coffee.
"That's a good one!" Honor said between laughs.
"So what really happened?" Mitchum asked.
"Roy and I had a little disagreement, and his tiger Mantecore and I went rounds. Siegfried says next time I can fight the lion." Rory answered causing Logan to burst into laughter.
"She's funny!" Mitchum said chuckling. "I can see why you like her."
"Rory has an awesome sense of humor!" Honor told them. "There is never a dull moment when she is hanging around."
"She just needs to stop drop kicking those muggers." Veronica added from behind Logan.
"You fought a mugger?" Shira asked.
"Oh yes! Veronica never even saw it coming! Rory is just that stealthy." Logan told them.
"Yeah well next time, I'm not going to be the one to stitch her up after a fight." Veronica agreed.
"You stitched me up?" Rory asked? "Wow, I must have been really out of it, because I could have sworn it was some egotistical blonde doctor."
"No, Siegfried had to leave, remember?" Veronica laughed. "Dr. Gellar and I took turns making designs with the stitches. We're hoping to see some pretty nifty scars after you heal."
"You all think you are so clever." Shira said rolling her eyes.
"Rory had an accident at work. She's fine, and should make a full recovery. I stitched and casted her myself with Veronica's help. She should get her cast off in two days." Logan explained as the door opened and an x-ray tech walked in. "Perfect timing! Mom, this is Maxwell. He'll be taking you for x-rays. Do you want to take a ride in the chair again, or would you rather take the bed?"
"The chair is probably easier." Honor told her.
"Honor, why don't you take Dad down to the cafeteria or something while Mom is getting pictures of her foot."
"That's a good idea. Come on Dad. Let's go find some snacks." Honor said linking her arm through Mitchum's and leading him out of the room.
"Doctor Huntzberger, let me know if you need anything else." Veronica said, then followed them out of the room as Logan collapsed in a chair next to the bed.
"I think my dad liked your story." Logan said holding his hand out for Rory.
"I thought it might be more entertaining to come up with a new story rather than admitting that I got in a fight with scissors."
"How'd you come up with the Tiger's name?"
"That is his real name. I wrote an article about the attack after it happened."
"Your memory fascinates me."
"You know what fascinates me?" Rory asked as Logan pulled her into his lap. "What a hot doctor you are."
"Oh really?"
"If we weren't at the hospital, I could show you just how fascinated I am."
"Maybe you can show me later." Logan said giving her a chaste kiss, then leaning exhaustively back in the chair. "I can't wait to collapse in bed tonight."
"Hey Logan" Honor started as she walked back into the room with Mitchum a couple minutes later. "Would you mind checking Dad out?"
"Sure, what's going on?" He asked as Rory got up from his lap, allowing Logan to stand up.
"I don't know, he's just not acting like himself. He's a little slow and seems out of breath."
"Dad, take a seat." Logan said as he pressed the call button on the side of the bed.
"Can I help you?" A voice asked over the intercom.
"This is Doctor Huntzberger, will you send Veronica in please? And I need a stethoscope. Mine is in my office if someone wants to get, I have the keys on me. But I need one right away please."
"Right away." the voice answered.
"How are you feeling Dad? For real. Don't blow me off." Logan told him.
"I'm fine, Logan." Mitchum answered.
"Your tie is messed up. You never take that thing off unless you are climbing into bed." Logan said noticing Mitchum's loosened tie. You feeling hot? You look a little pale."
"It's warm in here." Mitchum answered.
"Squeeze my fingers Logan said holding up two fingers on each hand.
"Logan, come on. I'm fine."
"Dad, stop fighting this." Honor told him. "Everyone in this room can tell that there is something off with you, and we are going to get to the bottom of it right now. Please let Logan check you out."
"I'm telling you two, I'm fine!"
"Sure. I'll believe that when I see your test results." Logan said as Mitchum squeezed his fingers.
"You called?" Veronica asked as she walked into the room.
"Can I borrow your stethoscope?"
"Sure!" she said removing it from her neck and handing it over.
"My dad is going to be needing some tests run. Would you mind grabbing me a portable ultrasound? I also need to get an echo. Do you have a pulse ox on you?"
"Right here." Veronica said pulling the small device out of her pocket, handing it to Logan.
"Should we enter him into the computer system."
"We need to, yes." Logan said as he slipped the pulse ox monitor onto Mitchum's finger, watching the numbers start to move as Veronica moved to the computer and logged herself in. "Shit!" Logan cursed, then pressed the call button on the bed again.
"Can I help you?" the voice came again.
"I have a possible Myocardial infarction. I need an echo and portable ultrasound STAT! Please page Doctor Greenley and get Cardiology in here immediately."
"I'm ready for information." Veronica said from the computer.
"Mitchum Huntzberger; M-I-T-C-H-U-M, birthdate 5/25/53, 6 feet 4 inches tall. Oxygen is at 92, pulse is 94." Logan said as he moved to the wall, and twisted a knob.
Rory and Honor watched as Logan moved around the room, and Veronica turned to the cabinets next to her, and removed a plastic package tossing it toward Logan.
"Thank you. Dad, we are going to give you some oxygen to help you breathe better. Then we need to get this suit off of you. You can either take it off willingly, or I'll cut it off myself.
"This is fun." Honor commented as she stood out of the way next to Rory. "We come in because Mom tripped at some event, and now Dad is having a heart attack."
"Hey, at least this is a good place for him to be having it. Things could be a lot worse." Rory told her as they watched Logan remove Mitchum's suit jacket, then begin unbuttoning his shirt as the door opened and a couple more nurses walked into the room pushing a carts with machines on them, followed by Doctor Greenley.
"Doctor Huntzberger, what's going on?" Doctor Greenley asked.
"67 years old, low oxygen, high pulse, short of breath, slower than normal, not acting like himself." Logan answered. "I need an echo and ultrasound."
"Sounds like a Myocardial infarction." Doctor Greenley said calmly, moving to Logan's side.
"Exactly! We just need confirmation; a ct and possibly an MRI to determine treatment. Is cardiology on the way?" Logan asked as they began preparing the ultrasound machine, and spreading gel on Mitchum's chest.
"Yeah, they should be here any minute. Are these ladies family?"
"The patient is my Dad." Logan told him. "My sister Honor and girlfriend Rory. My Dad brought my Mom in after she fell at an event they were at in the city. She's getting x-rays right now. Honor was entertaining Dad for me, and brought him back asking me to check him out because he was acting off."
"Doctor Greenley." a voice said as another doctor walked in the door.
"Doctor Levan, we have a Myocardial Infarction. We are doing an ultrasound, then an echo. The patient is Huntzberger's father."
"He's in good hands here." Doctor Levan smiled. "Let me get a look at what is going on here."
"Rory, why don't we step out." Honor suggested as the door opened again, and Shira appeared with a nurse.
"Honor, darling, what is going on here?" Shira asked.
"Oh nothing. Dad is just having a heart attack. But don't worry, Logan has it all under control." Honor said nonchalantly.
"What!?" Shira suddenly roared.
"Mom, I've got it. Honor, will you . . ." Logan started.
"I've got it. We'll be in the hall." Honor told him, then turned with Rory and pushed Shira's wheelchair back out the door, and a short distance down the hall.
"Honor, where are we going?! This is ridiculous! Your father can't be having a heart attack!"
"Well he is, but he's in the best place for a heart attack to happen. We got lucky! Logan is taking care of everything. I'm sure Dad will be fine. How did your x-rays go?"
"Oh, they're just as painful as ever!"
"Did they tell you anything?"
"Not a single thing! They won't even give me some pain killer in this place!"
"I'm sure as soon as Logan gets Dad taken care of, he'll be more than happy to help you out. But right now, your foot is not an emergency. I'm sorry mom, but Dad's heart attack is a way higher priority."
"Shira, what event were you at?" Rory asked.
"It was a fundraiser for St. Jude's children's hospital. It was lovely."
"Where was it at?" Honor asked.
"Uptown at the Astoria. That hotel is absolutely beautiful! It's so grand and regal. You would have loved it. Just the flower arrangements alone were to die for! Tons of roses in large displays, all over the ballroom."
"How did you get hurt?"
"I took a tumble down the grand staircase."
"Ouch!" Rory commented. "Stairs are evil!"
"It was just awful! I was walking down the stairs with your father, and all of a sudden something happened, and down I went! I can't even get my shoe back on!"
"Well that's what happens with swelling Mom."
"It looks just awful! It's all bruised and puffy." Shira pouted.
"Would you like some ice? I can go find you an ice pack." Rory offered.
"That would be lovely, thank you Rory."
"Thanks Rory." Honor smiled as Rory headed down the hallway to track down an ice pack.
"Honor, Darling, tell me, what is Rory Gilmore doing here?" Shira asked after Rory was out of earshot.
"She's Logan's girlfriend Mom. She came with Logan. He worked all day, and was at home with Rory when I called him."
"When did they start dating again? I thought we were free of that girl?"
"It's been a few weeks I think. And Logan is really happy right now. Happier than I've seen him in years. So please Mom, please be nice to her and don't mess this up for them."
"Rory is not an appropriate wife for this family, Honor."
"Mom, with all due respect, that is none of your business! Logan can date and marry whoever he wants. And as long as he is happy, Logan's relationship is none of anyone else's business!"
"Honor honey, she knows nothing about our lifestyle."
"Mom, you do realize who her parents are, right?"
"Her mother is that dreadful disgraced Gilmore girl."
"You mean Lorelai? She is a lovely woman, Mother! And you would know that if you ever gave her a chance. You may not know this, but Rory is also a Hayden."
"Hayden? The only Hayden family I know of is Strobe and Francine. But Strobe died years ago."
"Those are her grandparents, yes. Rory's dad is their son, Christopher. Which actually makes Rory way more of an elite heiress than anyone in our family!"
"How did I not know that Rory is a Hayden?"
"Because she doesn't advertise it. Rory isn't like that Mom. Rory doesn't care about the family business, or any of the money. Rory wasn't raised like that Mom. She likes to do her own thing, and earn her keep. She isn't into going shopping all the time, and buying fancy expensive things. Those are just things to her, and she has no need for them. Rory likes to live a simple life. She could live exactly like you do, if she wanted to. The money is right there waiting for her should she ever want it. But Rory just doesn't care. Emily and Richard paid for her to go to Yale, as did her father. But Rory refused to take anything more from them. Everything that Rory has, she's earned for herself. You should love that about her. She's not the gold digging witch you've always thought her to be. She isn't after our family's 'fortune'. She's got one of her own, that is way more valuable than ours, and it literally means nothing to her! So please, be nice to Rory. Give her a chance. She makes Logan happy, and as a mother, that should make you happy."
"She is really a Hayden? Are you sure?"
"I'm positive! You can call Emily Gilmore and ask for yourself if you'd like. I'm sure she would be more than happy to confirm it for you." Honor said as they saw Rory heading back toward them with an ice pack in her hand.
"Rory, Sweetie, you're my hero!" Shira said sweetly as Rory handed her the ice pack.
"It was my pleasure." Rory smiled as she saw Logan step out of the room a short distance behind them, and head their way. "Hey, how's your Dad?" she asked as Logan stopped next to the women.
"It's definitely a heart attack. Dad has a major blockage. He's heading into emergency surgery."
"Please tell me you are kidding." Shira said baffled.
"It's serious Mom. I don't know much about heart problems, but Dad is in great hands with Doctor Levan. He is one of the best cardiologists in the state. They'll be taking him in just a few minutes. I was just told that your x-rays came back clear. It looks like you just have a bad sprain. As soon as they take Dad into surgery, I'll get your foot wrapped, and get you released. Honor, can Mom stay with you for a few days? Dad won't be going anywhere for at least a week."
"Yes, of course. That isn't a problem at all." Honor answered,
"You know I'll help out too, if you need it." Rory told her.
"Thank you Rory, you are so sweet!"
"Rory, I need to talk to you about something. Give me a few minutes." Logan said, then turned and headed back to the room to his Dad. "Sorry, before you take him in, can I have a minute alone with my Dad?" Logan asked.
"Sure, but make it quick." Doctor Levan told him, then proceeded to leave the room with Doctor Greenley and the nurses, closing the door behind them.
"Dad, I need your safe code. Just in case. I'm positive everything will go fine, but just in case, I need the code."
"It's your sister's birthday. 08291975" Mitchum murmured.
"Thank you. I'll make sure everything is taken care of with HPG. You'll be out for a while."
"Are you going back?"
"Absolutely not! But I'll make sure things are taken care of, and meet with the board as needed. Don't worry about anything. I'll handle it. You just need to focus on getting well again. I'm going to go grab Mom and Honor." Logan said stepping toward the door, opening it and looking down the hallway. "Honor, you guys can come talk to Dad for a quick minute before he goes back."
5 minutes later Mitchum was taken out of the room, and headed for surgery, leaving the rest of the family behind. Logan got Shira's foot bandaged up, and put in an order for some pain killer, and crutches, then had her released from the hospital. Since it would be several hours before Mitchum would be out of surgery, Honor took Shira home to her house for the night.
"I need a favor." Logan said walking into his office with Rory, and collapsing on the couch.