DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
~ 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! :-)
~ I take zero credit for anything medical. That is all doctor google. I know very little, and don't have any kind of medical background at all.
Here is the chapter that you've all been waiting and begging for. I hope that it lives up to all of your expectations. Please let me know what you think. :-)
Thank you everyone who has posted a review for me to read! I absolutely LOVE reading them! Thank you so much! You guys really keep me going. I really look forward to reading every single one of them. It really means a lot. Plus, the more reviews I get, the more I am inclined to post new chapters sooner. I have several finished right now, so we'll see what happens. ;-)
"Doctor Huntzberger, we've got an issue at the front door that we need your assistance with." a man said, having stepped up to Logan as he stood talking to a guest at Honor's baby shower.
Logan had been at the country club for just over an hour. He had made an appearance, as requested by his sister, and was doing his best to be social. The country club looked beautiful, decorated in blue, white, brown and green, to celebrate Honor's little boy. There were balloons and flower arrangements all over the room, with little rocking horses, frogs, teddy bears, and wooden blocks in the center of each table. There was no doubt, as you looked around the room, that Honor was having a little boy. The room looked amazing. Donna had done an incredible job. And the fact that she had hired Sookie and the Dragonfly crew to cater the event, just made things even better. The food looked incredible! There was a ton of fruit and vegetables, and all kinds of other snacks, from finger sandwiches, and taquitos, to mac and cheese. There was even a french fry station with around 20 different toppings to choose from. Sookie had made a chocolate fudge "mud" cake that looked like a giant pile of dirt with gummy worms sticking out, all over it, various colored bugs all over the place, and a teddy bear sitting on top, holding a shovel. It was the perfect little boy cake. Sookie had told him earlier that the cake had chocolate pudding inside of it, and was covered in crumbled Oreo cookies. It looked disgustingly delicious, and like nothing that Logan had ever seen before, in his life.
"What kind of situation?" Logan asked as he turned to look at the man next to him.
"It's an issue with the guest list, Sir."
"I'm so sorry, please excuse me."
Logan quickly excused himself from the conversation he had been having, and followed the man who had come for him, back toward the entrance.
"What's going on?"
"There is a woman here who swears she is on the guest list, but we can't find her name anywhere on the list that your sister gave us."
"Who is the guest?"
"She gave us the name Walker Druckenmiller."
"Oh goody!" Logan sighed, pulling his phone out of his pocket, and quickly pushing a few buttons.
"Logan, what's going on?" Collin's asked, immediately answering his phone.
"She showed up. I'm headed to the door now. I'll put you on speaker."
"Keep it civil. Don't mention the eviction, or anything else. Just treat the skank like she's an old friend of your sister's."
"Yeah, right."
"If you say too much, you could end up with a fight on your hands. Let's just keep it civil. I won't say anything until you finish handling the situation and take me off speaker, but I'll definitely listen in. Is your sister aware of what is going on?"
"No. I haven't seen Honor in a while. It's her party, I would rather just keep this whole thing quiet, and let her enjoy her day. I'll mention it all to her later on."
"That's probably a good idea."
"I'm putting you on speaker now." Logan said, pulling the phone from his ear, and hitting the speaker button as he approached the entrance to the Country Club.
"Logan? Oh my gosh! How are you?!" an enthusiastic blonde woman asked, as Logan stepped out the door.
"Hi."
"Wow, it's been such a long time! You look incredible!"
"Thank you."
"I can't even remember the last time I saw you. We definitely need to catch up sometime. How are you? How's work going?"
"I'm doing well. What's going on out here?"
"I'm here for Honor's baby shower, but for some crazy reason, these guys are telling me that they can't find my name on the guest list. But I keep telling them that they have to be overlooking it because I am one of Honor's very best friends, and we've known each other since like forever, and why wouldn't I be on the list, you know?! I mean really, I was one of her bridesmaids! I'm on the list! Like definitely on the list. I mean, why wouldn't I be on the list? Honor and I are close, you know? I mean, you know us. You know how we are. But these guys just won't let me in. I am so glad that they went and found you though, because now you and I can totally catch up. It's been such a long time! Look how amazing you look! You're not Honor's dorky little bother anymore. You're all grown up, and looking fine as hell. I definitely wouldn't ever throw you out of bed. I mean, look at you! You're like, all drool worthy now! God, you look so good! I can't even believe how much you've changed. We definitely need to get together and catch up sometime really soon. We can go get drinks and talk or whatever. It would be so great."
"I'm married Walker." Logan said, trying to polite and not roll his eyes at her.
"You know, I heard something kind of crazy like that. It doesn't matter though, we can still get together. We're old friends. It'll be just like old times."
"No. It matters to me. I won't do that to my wife."
"How in the world are you married?! I mean really, playboy Logan? Come on, playboy Logan doesn't get married. Playboy Logan is the life of the party! You're the one who always got drunk with me."
"Oh, Logan! There you are! Can I borrow your keys for a second? I need something from your car." Lorelai said, stepping out of the building to find exactly who she had been looking for.
"Is this your wife?" Walker asked.
"What?" Lorelai's head snapped, turning to the woman standing in front of Logan.
"You're Logan's wife?"
"Me? God no! That would be a little weird."
"Here you go." Logan said, pulling the keys out of his pocket and handing them over. "I'll find you when I come back in."
"So that's not your wife?" Walker asked as Lorelai walked away.
"My wife is at home . . ."
"She didn't come to Honor's party?"
"She has other stuff going on . . . Anyway, going back to our conversation, I can't hang out with you, Walker. Not anymore. Not ever again. I only got drunk with you that one time, at my parents' house, and it was a huge mistake. It won't ever happen again. But still that doesn't matter . . . Look Walker, you can't be here. I'm sorry, but you need to go."
"Wait, what?"
"You need to go."
"What are you talking about? I'm here for Honor's baby shower. She invited me."
""I realize that you were sent an invitation, but I'm sorry, things have changed, and you can't be here. You really need to go. I'll have Honor call you later."
"I'm Honor's friend, Logan."
"I know, and I'm sorry. Look, I really don't want to get into this here. It isn't appropriate. But I promise, I'll have Honor call you later on."
"Are you kidding me?! Honor invited me to be here today. Why would she invite me if I wasn't allowed to be here?"
"Walker . . ." Logan sighed. "Please, just go. Please don't make a big deal about this. Not here. Not today. I'll have Honor call you, and she can explain everything."
"Is there a reason for this?"
"There is a very big reason for this."
"And what might that be?"
"I can't get into that here. It's not appropriate."
"How can it be not appropriate? I was invited to be here, and now you are telling me that I can't go in there and see my best friend. What's going on, Logan? I came all this way, just so I could be here for Honor, for her baby shower. And now you are telling me that I can't see her? What the hell, Logan?!"
"Look . . . Come over here . . ." Logan told her, beckoning Walker to follow him as he headed away from the door. Logan walked down the side walk along the building, then headed out across the parking lot to a grassy area off to one side, furthest from where any cars or people were.
"What's going on, Logan?" Walker asked as she followed him, stopping when he finally found a quiet spot an turned back to face her.
"Look . . . I don't really want to have any part in this, but you really can't be here today."
"And why not? I was sent an invitation."
"It's because of where you live."
"Where I live? What the hell are you talking about? I've live in the same place for a long time now. Like over 5 years."
"Yes, I know. You live in an apartment owned by my family's company."
"And how do you know?!"
"Because my wife is the CEO."
"So your wife is the one evicting me then? Are you for real right now?! You and I are friends. Your sister is my best friend. And you are standing here right now, telling me that you are allowing your wife to evict me from my home?! Are you freaking kidding me?!"
"Walker, the eviction has nothing to do with me, or with my wife. The company owns a lot of properties that they don't need, so my wife has decided to liquidate them. I'm sorry that this comes at an inconvenience to you, but it's business."
"But it's me, Logan! I'm Honor's best friend!"
"I understand that, but it's business, and keeping a property that is costing the company money doesn't make sense financially. It's a business decision. I'm sorry."
"So you would evict your sister's best friend . . ."
"You aren't the only person having to move, Walker. There are several properties that are being sold. This doesn't just affect you."
"But I'm still your sister's best friend. Surely, you can make an exception. I'm practically family."
Logan almost laughed at Walker's statement. He bit his tongue, trying hard to keep a straight face, but also, he kind of felt like throwing up, right at that moment.
"Walker, you aren't paying rent. That apartment is costing the company thousands of dollars every month."
"And how do you know if I'm paying rent or not?!"
"Are you paying rent? Because there is zero paper trail that shows that you are."
"No! Of course not! Your father gave me that apartment! I have a deal with Mitchum!"
"Oh really?! And what kind of deal might that be?"
"What happens between me and Mitchum, is of no business to you."
"Actually, it IS my business. And do you know WHY it's my business? Because I'm his doctor! My father had two massive heart attacks, about 6 months ago. And because of it, my entire life has been turned completely upside down. My wife had to step in as CEO to a company that I never wanted anything to do with, and I now have two parents that I am being forced to take care of. So please, go ahead and continue to tell me all about how whatever bull crap deal you had with my father, is 'none of my business'. Because as far as YOU are concerned, my parents' entire life is now my sole responsibility! But then again, you would know absolutely NOTHING about that! And do you know WHY you know nothing about that? Because your 'best friend', Honor . . . My amazing sister, who you have absolutely zero contact with, unless it's of benefit to you, my sister has been taking care of both of our parents for the last 6 months, giving them a home, making sure that they eat properly, and get to their doctors' appointments. My sister has given up her entire life for our parents. But you're her 'best friend', know absolutely nothing about that, because unless it directly benefits you, you just don't care. You don't care about anybody, except yourself, Walker!"
"How can you even say that to me, Logan?! Of course I care about Honor! I'm her best friend!"
"Really?! You are?! Because you sure don't act like it, Walker!"
"I don't act like it?! Are you freaking kidding me?!"
"Look, Walker . . . I know about your deal with my Dad . . . Honor knows about your deal with my Dad. And THAT is why you can't be here."
"What are you talking about?"
"We know that you've been having an affair with our dad . . ."
"What?! And how would you even know about that?!"
"I have my ways . . . You can't be here, Walker."
"It was a long time ago, Logan."
"Really? Was it?"
"I haven't even seen your Dad in like a year."
"Let me ask you something, Walker . . . And you need to give me an honest answer, because I'll find out from payroll within the next couple of days whether or not you are lying to me . . . Is my Dad paying you to live in that apartment?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you receive any kind of income from my father?"
"What does it matter, if I do?"
"Because if you do, that would make you a prostitute . . ."
"WHAT!? Are you freaking kidding me!? How dare you call me a prostitute!"
"If you are receiving an income from my family, it means that my father has essentially been paying you to sleep with him, which makes you a prostitute."
"You are seriously calling me a prostitute right now?!"
"I'm not calling anyone names, I'm just stating facts, Walker. I know that you've been sleeping with my Dad, and I know that you've been living rent free because of it. Honor and I just recently found out, and due to everything else going on in our lives at the moment, we've been a little too preoccupied to even consider confronting you about it. This is not the time, nor is it the place for us to be having this kind of conversation. But let me assure you that HPG's attorneys know just as much as I do, if not more. So what I strongly suggest for you to do at this moment, is to quietly leave the property. I also suggest that you pack your things, and find somewhere else to live. Honor and I are doing our very best to keep everything quiet, but if you turn this into a fight, things could get VERY ugly for you. Prostitution is illegal, and you could be charged criminally for it. Now, I don't want to go there, and I'm sure that you don't want to either. Especially because filing charges against you, means implicating my father. Given the circumstances, I don't really give a damn what happens to my Dad, but I do care about my wife, who runs the family company. Charging both you and my Dad puts the company in a really bad position, and that makes my life a living hell. So let's just do us all a HUGE favor, and not go there, alright? I don't need that kind of nightmare, and my wife doesn't want anything to do with my Dad's past indiscretions. She is busy enough, trying to clean up all of the messes that he's made, so let's all do her a favor, and not make things more difficult than they already are. Just leave here, pack your things, and move out of the apartment. Let's keep all of this quiet. I don't give a damn who or what my father has done in the past. His sex life is none of my business, and I would really like to keep it that way. But if you even consider coming after my wife, in any way, I can promise you that I will be forced to retaliate. I don't want any of this information to get out to the media, or anyone else, just like I'm sure that you don't. So please, for the sake of all that is good in this world, let's just keep this quiet, alright?"
"You would seriously have your sister's best friend charged with prostitution?"
"Push me, and see what happens."
"You are really fucked up, Logan! You know that?!"
"I could say exactly the same about you, Walker."
"I really hate you sometimes."
"Yeah well, someone needs to."
"Tell Honor congratulations for me."
"I'll have her call you later."
"Whatever!" Walker said in a frustrated voice, turning and storming away from Logan.
"Collin? You still there?" Logan asked with a sigh as he put his phone back up to his ear.
"Yeah, I'm still here, bro."
"I feel like throwing up."
"That was quite the conversation."
"She tried to insinuate that she's family, and I wanted to laugh, but then got the overwhelming feeling to just throw up."
"Yeah, I laughed at that. It's a good thing that I put my phone on mute, because I fully cracked up. Stephanie was asking what is so funny. I'm going to have to explain myself."
"None of this will even phase her."
"Odds are."
"I'm going to go tell my sister that I'm not feeling well, and head home. I promised that I would be here for her today, but I just can't. I feel physically sick. I just want to go home and curl up in bed with my wife."
"Do you need me to do anything? I can come by if you want."
"No, it's fine. Go try to enjoy your weekend, alright?"
"Are you sure? We can pick up some food or something?"
"We're actually doing great on food right now. Rory's parents are here for a couple weeks, April came into town last night, Rory's best friend Lane is here, the grandparents, and now Sookie is here for Honor's party. I'm just kind of peopled out right now. You're my best friend, and you know that you are always welcome, but I just can't people right now. I'm sorry, man."
"Logan, it's fine. I totally get it. You've got a brand new baby, and you are surrounded by family. I've been there. Trust me, I wanted nothing more than for everyone to disappear after Valerie was born."
"And to make things worse, my parents are coming over after the party, to see the baby."
"You need any alcohol?"
"I just might. We had margaritas last night for Cinco De Mayo, but I've got the good stuff locked up in my office."
"Well if you need someone to come drink with you, you know my number."
"Thanks Collin. I really appreciate it."
"It's not a problem. You know that I'm always here for you. I'll make sure this eviction is handled quickly, and quietly. I should have the payroll records by Monday."
"If you want to go down there tomorrow, and dig through filing cabinets, we can."
"That's tempting. Do you have access to all the computers in the building?"
"I believe so. Why?"
"I'll call Doyle and see if I can get remote access to the payroll system. If I need to go down there, I will, but I'm going to try to work from home if I can. I'll call you if I need help. Give Rory and the baby my love, ok?"
"Thanks Collin, I will." Logan said, then disconnected the call, and headed back toward the building.
* ~ * 10 Minutes Later * ~ *
"Hey Logan! You don't look so good. Is everything ok?" Lorelai asked, seeing Logan as he walked back into the party.
"Yeah . . . I'm actually going to go say goodbye to my sister, and head home. I just had an unfortunate run in."
"She didn't look too pleasant."
"It's a long story."
"Do you want me to drive you?"
"Thanks, but I'll be ok."
"Ok. Well, your keys are in my purse, in the kitchen, and there's a tray of food for Rory that you can take with you."
"Thanks. Do you know where my sister is?"
"Last time I saw her, she was in the middle of that big group toward the center of the room. I'll go grab your keys and take the food out to your car. Meet me out there, when you're ready, alright?"
"Thanks Lorelai. I owe you." Logan said, giving her a half smile, then walking away to find his sister.
"Logan! Sweetie, it's so nice to see you!" Shira smiled, latching onto her son's arm.
"Hey Mom."
"I am so looking forward to coming to your house today! I haven't seen Rory in ages! How is she? Is Rory doing alright?"
"Rory is doing well, Mom. Thank you for asking."
"Oh good! I am so glad! You all remember my son, Logan, don't you?" Shira asked the group in front of her.
"Logan, don't you have a baby due soon, too?" one of the women asked.
"The due date is approaching, yes." Logan answered politely.
"Is your wife here today? I haven't seen her anywhere."
"Sorry, she had other commitments. Hey Honor, can I talk to you for a second?" Logan called out, seeing his sister just out of arms reach. "Sorry everyone, please excuse me."
"Hey, what's up?" Honor asked, as Logan led her to the side of the room.
"I just had to deal with you know who, outside."
"Oh no! What happened?"
"Nothing, it's all fine. I'm just feeling sick from the conversation. I know that I promised you that I would be here for you today . . ."
"Don't even worry about it, you go home. I'll come after as soon as all of this is over, and I'll bring cake."
"You know that I love you, right?"
"I love you more." Honor smiled, pulling her brother into a hug. "You can tell me all about it tonight."
"I will. Thank you. I'm so sorry to bail on you."
"It's totally ok. I fully understand. Thank you for dealing with that mess for me. I'll make it up to you."
"Try to have a good time, ok? Don't worry about me. I already talked to Collin, and everything is being taken care of."
"I have no worries at all. Now go. Give Rory my love."
"Thanks Honor." Logan said, giving his sister a kiss on the cheek, then turning and heading for the door.