Chapter 50

After Logan and Honor took Shira to the office to have a talk, everything moved smoothly, well as smooth as you can with that many people. Everyone was enjoying the food, the beach and the pool. The deck is big enough that sunbathers or card players could be far enough from the pool not to get splashed.

Logan and Rory were standing on the balcony outside their bedroom looking out on everyone.

"This is nice." Rory said. "I can't tell you the last time I entertained this many people."

Logan had his arms wrapped around her from behind. "I know, but I don't think I could do this for a whole month."

Rory laughed. "Me neither….Oh, I forgot to tell you. Mom and Dad talked to the realtor. They are interested in renting the house next door for the rest of the summer." She told him.

"Together?" Logan asked.

Rory smiles. "You don't know the half of it." She said and turned to look at him. "They are renting it for the rest of this month, then they are buying it."

"Again, Together?" Logan asked.

"Yes, all four of them." Rory said. "Dad said he and Jennifer will have a vacation getaway. Gigi will have someone to go to. Luke thinks maybe this will give April more incentive to visit more,"

"Wow," Logan said. "I haven't been over there since I was a teen. Colin, Finn and I took a liking to the girls that lived there."

"Yeah, I bet." She said,

"Well," Logan said. Choosing to ignore her. "It has 4 or 5 bedrooms, I think there is an office. I know there is not a pool, but a hot tub."

"Know a lot about the house, huh?" Rory teased. Logan just shook his head.

When they returned to the deck, Honor and Gigi pulled her back into the house. "Rory." Honor said, "Gigi had a perfect idea."

"Okay." Rory said, looking to Gigi to tell her.

"Wednesday we should fly to Boston. Look for a dress for your engagement party." Gigi tol her.

"Yeah," Honor said. "We can leave the boys with Logan and Josh, take Harper and Tori to camp at the club. Make a ladies day. What do you say?"

"I was wondering what I would wear. I have a dress at home that I thought would work if I couldn't find something here. But I like your plan better." Rory told them. Rory was always up for a good shopping day, besides she wanted to spend more time with both Honor and Gigi.

"Okay, It's settled." Gigi said.

"Honor, I will let you tell your brother we are using his jet." Rory told her.

Gigi and Honor were smiling. They knew Logan would be okay with it.

When they returned to the deck, Rory went to sit on the side of the pool, while Gigi got in the pool where Matthew was entertaining Tori and Harper. Honor went looking for Logan.

As Rory sat there, she wondered if she should invite Lorelai. She would like to have her with them, but she also didn't want her to spoil her trip. She would talk with Logan about it later.

As the sun began to set, everyone was getting settled on the deck, or in the pool on floats. Logan was thinking how peaceful it felt. He was glad he finally got his mother to calm down. Or maybe it was the xanax she took. He didn't care, as long as she kept her mouth shut. Lunch today has almost been a disaster. Shira should have been cut off. She had to be drinking something besides mimosa.

"Logan." Shira said as she walked up to him while he was talking with Luke and Josh. "Who is the man talking with Honor?" She asked. All three turned to see who it was. Chris Hayden. Logan started to tell her, but stopped.

"Mom, You were not introduced to him? He had been here all day." Logan said.

"He is always around when we have family gatherings." Luke said. He caught on to what Logan was doing.

"Well, I think I will introduce myself to him," She said as she turned to leave.

"Should we stop her?" Josh asked.

"Probably," Logan said. "It would be the right thing to do. It would stop her from being embarrassed." All three men stood still. No one moved to stop her. They just watched.

"Well, I think I will get another beer." Luke said and walked off.

"Yeah, I think I will go find Honor. She will probably want to see this." Josh said and he walked away.

Logan was having an internal battle, but all he did was watch. Shira walked up to Chris. Logan could see her offer her hand. His curiosity got the better of him. He had to move closer.

"Hayden," Shira said. "Are you related to Francine?"

Chris just watched her. He was not sure what was going on. He looked around. He saw Lorelai, Rory, Logan, Josh and Honor watching him. Oh, this is going to be good.

"Yes, my parents were Straub and Francin Hayden. I am their only child." Chris said.

"So you are the Hayden Heir." She said, It was not a question, but a statement.

"No," He said. He was trying to figure out what he wanted to tell her. "I am the sole heir to my grandpa's business, Oglethorpe Enterprises. The James Oglethorpe family of Savanna? Made their fortunes from tobacco?" Shira looked at him like she was lost. "My mother's family made their fortune in tobacco in the late 1800's. My mother's great- great grandfather was the colonial governor of Georgia" Why am I having to explain this to her. She claims to have known my mother. Mother made sure everyone knew her maiden name,

"To answer your question, I have two daughters, the oldest is the Hayden heir. My youngest will be the Oglethorpe heir when she comes of age."

"Oh, you have daughters," Shira said. She had her hand on his arm. He was still looking around, trying to figure out what was going on. He saw Rory approach Logan.

"I'm sorry Shira," Chris said. "I missed the last thing you said.

"Oh, I just said I would like to meet your daughters." Shira said.

"You know my oldest, and I am sure you have been introduced to my youngest while here." Chris said.

Rory walked up, "Dad, do you need another drink?" she asked. She watched Logan and Luke move to the other side of the pool so they could see the look on her face.

"Rory, Rory is your daughter?" Shira asked. She was not yelling but it was close.

Chris put his arm around Rory, "Yes this is my beautiful, intelligent daughter. Lorelia Leigh Hayden-Gilmore soon to the Huntzburger." Logan walked over at that time. He couldn't keep the smile off his face. You could hear the snickers all around.