DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
Everything about Doctors Without Borders, I borrowed from their website.
~ Thank you to everyone who has been reading and leaving me reviews! I love reading what you have to say. :-)
~ I hope you all are enjoying this story, and I would love to hear your thoughts. Drop me some reviews! :-)
~~~ Self Quarantine Day 18 ~~~
Homeschooling my kids sucks!
Sorry I've been slow with updates lately. It's tough being home with two autistic kids who are now being home schooled thanks to COVID-19. I've been busy the last week, sewing face masks for friends who are nurses, and I'm now getting requests for masks from complete strangers in other states. Things are getting bad, and it's starting to get really scary, and everyone suddenly wants a mask. Good times!
I hope this update finds everybody healthy and happy. We are currently safe from COVID-19. We are currently self quarantined in our home, except for my husband who is a manager at an "essential business", so he's gone a lot. Everything is pretty much shut down here other than grocery stores, and fast food. Tomorrow (Tuesday 3/31) Taco Bell is giving away free tacos to everyone who goes through the drive thru, so I hope you all get yourself some tacos! Also, Burger King is still doing two free kids meals with the purchase of an adult meal, so get yourself some of that yumminess too. :-)
I hope you are all doing well, and continue to remain healthy and happy.
Dear Mr. Huntzberger,
We have received your application, and referral letters, with your request to join Doctors Without Borders. At this time, it is our pleasure to inform you that your skills and qualifications have been reviewed, and we have matched you with an open position in Yerevan, Armenia, for a period of 18 months.
Over the last several years, our teams in Yerevan have been working to tackle resistant forms of Tuberculosis, and have recently began participating in the End TB project; an international initiative aimed at finding shorter, less toxic, and more effective treatments for drug-resistant Tuberculosis. Upon joining our team, you will be part of an epidemiological study aimed at documenting the safety and efficiency of combining the newest treatments for Drug-resistant TB, with direct acting antivirals.
Should you still be interested in joining our organization, and serving those living in impoverished countries, a new team of doctors is being assembled, and will be departing New York city on January 15, 2017. To accept this position and receive our list of recommended vaccinations and supplies needed to take with you, please contact us at the phone number listed above.
Thank you for your application, and we look forward to speaking with you.
"Logan, you need to tell your wife."
"I know that Honor. But I'm obviously not going to be taking the position."
"But regardless, you still need to tell your wife. She will be PISSED if she finds out about it later on."
"I can't believe they actually accepted me! I applied for Doctors Without Borders last year, and last I heard they were still waiting for the rest of my referrals and paperwork from Columbia to be received. I'm still technically a first year doctor, just out of my residency. I can't believe that I was actually accepted. I honestly didn't think they would accept me so soon.
"Well, when you applied, you honestly didn't have very much going on. But now you've got dad in the hospital recovering from a massive heart attack, mom in rehab for substance abuse, a pregnant wife, and a multi-national company that needs someone to run it."
"And a hormonal pregnant sister." Logan added.
"Exactly! You have A LOT going on! I might have been excited about you applying for Doctors Without Borders a few months ago, but now . . . It's just not the best timing. Life has changed a lot recently."
"I know. And there is no way that I would ever even consider taking on this position right now. I only applied for it because I was bored, lonely, and had nothing to do other than sit here and annoy you when I wasn't working."
"Yeah, thanks for that!" Honor laughed.
"But then all of a sudden Rory walked into my life again, and everything completely changed."
"You have the life you've always dreamed of."
"Exactly!"
"So take your mail home, tell your wife about it, and let her be proud of you for being accepted. Then tomorrow morning, you can call and tell these people that you won't be taking the position."
"But what if Rory tells me to take it?"
"Don't be ridiculous. That would never happen."
"You don't know Rory, because there is a chance that it could."
"I somehow doubt that."
"Rory has always wanted to be a foreign correspondent. It's always been her dream to report out of a fox hold in some third world country. Working for Doctors without Borders, is right up her alley. I can actually see her telling me that I need to go. She would want me to experience this, and she would wait for me at home, the entire time."
"Logan, I can see her doing that back at Yale . . . But not now. Not with everything that the two of you have going on. Not with her being pregnant. There is no way she's going to let you out of her sight!"
"But what if she tells me to go?"
"That's not going to happen Logan."
"But what if it does?"
"Do you want me to go talk to her with you? Are you afraid to tell your wife that about this? Something that you applied for months before you saw her again, for the first time in almost 9 years. Months before you got back together, and then suddenly decided to run off and get married? Months before you suddenly got her pregnant on your first night back together? Don't be stupid. Rory won't be upset, and she won't tell you to take the job. Rory isn't going to let you out of her sight! If anything, she will be proud of you for being accepted into the program, and maybe for a split second, she will wish that maybe circumstances were different so that you could go. But there is no way in hell that your pregnant wife is going to tell you to take a job on the other side of the world. Especially not for the next 18 months! Now, take your mail, and go home. Go show your wife what you accomplished today, and then tell her how beautiful she is, and how much you love her."
"Fine . . ." Logan sighed. "But when she kills me . . ."
"I'll help her hide the body, and call Collin and Finn to come clean up all your spilled blood."
"Gee, thanks Honor!
"No problem! What are older sisters for?!" Honor laughed, pushing Logan out of her kitchen. "Oh, take the bag of stuff next to the front door home with you."
"What is it?"
"Just some clothes for Rory. I was shopping with a friend earlier, and bought doubles of all the maternity stuff that I wanted."
"I just bought her a bunch of stuff last week. Why don't you save all of this. Christmas is in a few weeks."
"Oh don't be silly, I already have her Christmas presents all wrapped up. Take the bag home, and give it to Rory. I doubt you bought her anything that's in there."
"And how would you know?"
"Because Rory isn't known to shop at Barneys unless I'm with her."
"That is very true." Logan agreed. "We definitely didn't go shopping there."
"I love you baby brother! Let's do lunch or something tomorrow."
"Love you too." Logan said kissing Honor on the cheek, then heading to the front door, to grab the bag of stuff for Rory on his way out of Honor's house and back to his own. "Hey Ace!?" Logan called as he walked in the door. "Babe? Where are you?"
"Kitchen!" Rory called back.
"Hey, Honor told me to bring you this." Logan said walking into the kitchen, and setting a large shopping bag on the counter next to where Rory was standing.
"What is it?"
"She said she went shopping with a friend, and bought doubles of all the maternity stuff that she wanted. I tried to tell her that I just bought you a bunch of maternity clothes last week, but she insisted that you never shop at Barneys unless she's with you, so I had to bring it to you."
"Yeah, Barneys just isn't my thing. But I'm sure everything that Honor bought is great, and I'll definitely get some use out of it. That's just not a store that I shop in."
"I know that. You have nothing to explain to me. I've known you long enough that I'm used to the way you do things. Barneys isn't your thing, and I am totally ok with that."
"So was that all that she wanted you to come over for?"
"No, she got some mail for me. I still randomly get stuff there after living with her through medical school."
"I still get stuff at my mom's house, and I haven't lived there in years." Rory commented as she reached into the bag of stuff Logan had brought home with him.
"You want to know what I got over there?"
"Was it some kind of junk mail?"
"Actually no."
"Well I guess if you're going to get legit mail sent somewhere other than your house, having it go to family is the best place for it."
"So earlier this year, back in like February, right after I finished my residency at the hospital, I applied to possibly work for Doctors Without Borders. It usually takes 6 months or so to hear from them, after they've received your application, academic paperwork, medical records, referral letters, and everything else. I had completely forgotten about it. Especially with everything that's happened in the last few months. But the mail Honor got for me today, was a job offer, in Armenia."
"In Armenia?"
"I'm obviously not going to take it, but I actually got accepted. I didn't think that I even hand a chance being a brand new doctor. They usually don't take you fresh out of residency. You usually need at least a few more years of experience, but somehow I was accepted."
"Babe, that's awesome!"
"Yeah, it would have been a great opportunity for me. I literally had nothing going on in my life, so I applied, hoping that it would give me something meaningful to do. But then a few months ago, I ran into you at that coffee shop, and then you got hurt and ended up in my ER . . . It would have been great to go to Armenia, but now I have so much else going on. And I wouldn't trade my life with you for anything in the world."
"Did the letter say what the job is?"
"I would have been on a team studying drug-resistant tuberculosis, for 18 months starting in mid-January."
"Wow!"
"Yeah, that's a long time to be away. Especially in an impoverished country."
"If it wasn't for 18 months, I would tell you to take the job."
"Rory, there is no way that I would ever even consider leaving my pregnant wife. Not even for a week!"
"If it was 18 days, I would make you go. I might even tell you to go for a month or two."
"No way!"
"Logan, it would be such a great experience for you."
"I agree. However, you know what is an even greater experience? Being married to you. And having baby Ayribella growing in your stomach. I wouldn't trade either of those things, no matter what job I was offered." Logan said as he pulled Rory into his arms, and kissed her cheek. "I am right where I need to be, and there is nothing that anyone can do to make me leave."
"Maybe you can see if they'll postpone your acceptance until after the baby is born. Maybe after your dad is doing better, we can move out there for a while, and you can take that job."
"Not going to happen. I don't anticipate my Dad being able to run HPG again. Especially not alone. And we have the clinic opening in the next couple months. I am perfectly happy right here in New York. There is nothing else that I could possibly want that I don't have right here with you."
"Are you sure about that? Because it is such an amazing opportunity."
"Well maybe if you are interested next summer, maybe we could go visit some of the Doctors Without Borders locations, and you can write a story about it for HPG."
"We could probably do that." Rory agreed.
"I need to call tomorrow to decline the position, but I'll ask the program director about visiting to write a story after Ayribella is born and able to travel."
"Are you sure you don't want to take the position? Maybe you could take it now and then come home before Ayribella is born, then go back after?"
"Absolutely not! I'm not leaving you, no matter what! I applied for the program back when it was just me, without anything else going on in my life. I needed something to focus on. But everything changed when you walked back into my life, and I wouldn't go back even for a second. You are my life now. You and Ayribella. You two are all that I care about."
"I just don't want you to regret not accepting such an amazing opportunity."
"If there is anything that I would regret, it would be leaving you. I already regret enough in the last 9 years. I really don't need to add anything else to it. I am perfectly happy where I am right now."
"Are you sure? Because really, if you want to take the job, I'll totally support you."
"No way! I'm happy right here with you. So . . . Why don't we stop talking about this, and go find something else to do. Are you hungry? We can go get some dinner, then do some more Christmas shopping if you'd like."
"We actually need to wait on all of that because my Grandparents will be here in the next hour."
"They're coming up today?"
"Yep! Will you come help me make sure the guest suite is ready downstairs?"
"You are making your grandparents stay in the basement?"
"You make it sound so horrible! That's the only other master bedroom in this house. The other bedrooms all have Jack and Jill bathrooms, the room downstairs is an entire suite. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to stay there. I already told them I refuse to let them stay in a hotel."
"How long have you known about their visit?"
"They called while you were at Honor's house. Grandpa has a meeting in the city tomorrow, and Grandma and I never got to go shopping when they were here before because of your Dad's heart attack, so she wanted to spend some time with us. I told Grandma that they could stay for the weekend."
"I'm totally cool with that, but I feel like I need to remind you that I am working 18 hour shifts this weekend. I have one tomorrow, and one on Sunday."
"I did forget about those. I'm sorry Babe!"
"No, it's actually good that your grandparents will be here with you. I was going to ask Honor to keep you company while I'm working, but this is actually better. You can hang with your Grandma tomorrow and then maybe we can do something together Saturday. I'm working 6am-12am, so after I get some sleep, we will definitely have plenty of time. Maybe we can do brunch and then a show or something?"
"Really? You would be up for that?" Rory asked.
"Absolutely! Maybe we can even get our Christmas tree, and your Grandparents can help us decorate."
"I think they would love that!"
"Then that will be the plan." Logan agreed. "Do you want to order some food for dinner, or would you like to go out when they get here?"
"Maybe we can cook them something?"
"You mean maybe I can cook them something?"
"Yeah, that one."
"I'll figure something out. Let's go check out downstairs, then I'll figure out dinner." Logan said as he let go of Rory, and headed out of the kitchen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Scene 2 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Rory, Honey, look how amazing you look!" Emily said as Logan and Rory welcomed the Gilmores into their home.
"Hi Grandma! I'm so happy to see you two! Thank you for coming to stay with us!" Rory said hugging her grandmother.
"Are you sure we aren't imposing? We don't mind staying in a hotel."
"Don't be silly!" Logan said cutting Emily off. "Our home is your home! The only reason we let you stay in a hotel last time you were in town was because we didn't have all of our furniture yet, and the house wasn't set up. But you took care of all of that, so you are expected to stay with us now. Casa Huntzberger is your new hotel!"
"Well we are glad to be here!" Richard said hugging his granddaughter, then Logan.
"Rory, Honey, you are just glowing! How far along are you now?" Emily asked, pressing her hand to Rory's stomach.
"Just a couple days shy of 12 weeks Grandma."
"So still no kicking yet?"
"Nope, not yet. But I officially can't wear my normal clothes anymore. We had to go buy maternity clothes last week. Everything is getting too tight."
"Well whatever you don't have yet, you and I will get tomorrow, alright?"
"I honestly don't need anything Grandma. Logan and I went shopping last week, and Honor apparently went shopping with a friend today, and bought doubles of everything she wanted, just to get me the same stuff."
"Don't be silly Honey, there is always more stuff that you need. You can never be too prepared for a baby. Have you picked out a name yet?"
"We did, but we aren't telling anybody until Christmas."
"But you can tell us, and we promise not to say a word." Richard told them, making a zipping motion over his mouth.
"Sorry Grandpa, not a chance! Everyone gets to find out together, on Christmas. You already know that we are having a little girl, so you've got more than enough excitement to keep you going for the next few weeks." Rory laughed.
"Are you guys hungry?" Logan asked. "I've got dinner ready for you in the kitchen."
"It smells delicious!" Richard told him.
"Well let's go eat. What can I get you both to drink?"
"I'll take a scotch if you've got it."
"Chardonnay for me please?" Emily asked.
"Coming right up. Rory, why don't you take them in to the dining room, and I'll get drinks, then bring out dinner." Logan suggested.
"Thank Logan." Rory smiled. "Just follow me."
"Rory, your house has come together so beautifully!" Emily gushed. "I just love how homey it feels."
"Well it is all entirely thanks to the two of you. You are an incredible decorator Grandma! And most of this furniture was your doing."
"Well after 50+ years you accumulate a lot of stuff. We actually appreciate you taking so much of it! We were running out of storage space." Richard told them.
"You know, there is this thing called a garage sale. Or I guess in your case, it would probably be an estate sale."
"Oh don't be silly! I could never sell any of this stuff. Everything in our home has memories attached to it. I would much rather store it until either you or your mother has a use for it, than give it to anyone else. We are thrilled that you have your own home now Rory! You rightfully deserve all of this!" Emily told her.
"Well thank you both, for all of your help!"
"You are very welcome Sweetheart! You know, this dining set was the first one we ever had in our home." Richard said as they sat down at the dining room table.
"Really? I never knew that."
"Your grandmother and I bought this set right after we bought our house. We used it for years, until Emily decided she wanted to redecorate."
"It didn't go with the new curtains." Emily commented.
"Um, call me crazy for asking, but how does a dining set go with curtains?" Logan asked as he set drinks in front of everyone.
"It didn't match the style of the curtains."
"I had no idea that a table and chairs could match curtains."
"Nor did I." Richard added with a chuckle.
"Rory, what is that, that you are drinking?" Emily asked, noticing the fizzy drink that Logan had set in front of his wife.
"It's lemonade mixed with sprite. It is actually very good. The sprite helps to settle my stomach and the lemonade gives me extra vitamin C. It's Logan's doing."
"It sounds delicious!"
"I got sick of ginger ale and needed a change. Logan likes to keep healthy things in the house so I'm eating all the nutrients that I need."
"The benefits of being married to a doctor." Richard grinned.
"Or the curse as I refer to it sometimes." Rory laughed. "He monitors my junk food."
"I can definitely see where that would get irritating. But this baby is already so loved. It's completely obvious, just by looking at you both."
"Thank you Grandpa! That means a lot coming from you." Rory told him. "I am so glad you guys are here! I miss getting to see you all the time."