Where you lead, I will follow
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
However, little know the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighborhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of someone or other of their daughters."
- Jane Austen
And like that Logan Huntzberger lived his life; Testing various possible wives and flashing his fortune. Until that day where Rory Gilmore walked into his life, 34 years ago.
Though the road to a happy marriage was filled with obstacles to overcome, Leia was born on a June day in 2017.
A new baby is a new start. From this day on Logan followed Rory's lead, and she followed his.
[Hartford, Tuesday afternoon, November 2038]
In a rapid pace that would make even Lorelai Gilmore sound like Forrest Gump, the hysterical female in the other end of the phone had been firing accusations at him for the whole duration of the drive home from work.
His tilted head was holding the phone to his shoulder, as he pushed the door to the Hartford house open with his left elbow. He put down the New York Times, his vintage leather messenger bag and a black Nike sports bag in the hall, before walking into the kitchen.
She continued yelling as he placed his jacket across the back of a stool by the cooking island.
- I can't believe this. He is exactly like you! This is my little girl. You really need to make sure, that this doesn't happen again, Logan!
Logan hadn't said anything for a while, it seemed like the better tactic, to let her talk herself out of her anger. But since she didn't appear to calm down at all, he decided that this was the place to jump in and try to break her monologue and push her to get on with whatever she wanted to say or get over with her rambling.
- You are clearly upset about this. I have two daughters; I believe know I how you feel, Logan tried to tell her, while loosening his burgundy tie with only his left index finger and thumb, since the other hand was busy holding the phone.
Logan had been following dress codes all his life and didn't think twice about putting on shirt and tie in the morning to go to work. But with the same routine, he changed out of it coming home. Shirt and tie is a uniform; The admission ticket to his position, and a cultural code that instilled power. But at home he was daddy or Logan. Not Mr. Huntzberger; Not Professor Huntzberger; Not Headmaster Huntzberger. And daddy and Logan dresses in t-shirt and jeans on a Tuesday afternoon.
- I don't think you do, Logan. They are 17 years old. 17!
And that was exactly the issue. They are 17. Not 15. Not 18. They are young enough for Cassandra Schmidt to insist that she is her daughter's protector. But at the same time legally old enough to make their own decisions about things like having sex. No matter how their parents felt about it.
Or maybe this wasn't the issue at all. Logan was beginning to doubt it.
- In a year, they will be at Yale, away from home, Logan tried to reason with her.
She must realize that in under a year they would be living in dorms at Yale with no parental supervision, And trying to guard her daughter's virtue is at best at a deadline. More likely Sisyphean work.
- She is not 18 yet. She is living at my house. It is my job to protect her. And that is what I'm doing here, Cassandra seemed to echo Logan's thoughts. This conversation was getting really annoying.
- I will talk to Elias about it, Logan caved with a sigh. This woman was really putting his patience to the test.
- I don't want her to be hurt by a Huntzberger. I want this to stop.
And there was the answer. This was not about Elias and Liza. Cassandra doesn't want her daughter to be hurt by a Huntzberger, the way Logan hurt Cassandra spring 2005. Logan couldn't believe that Cassandra Schmidt would bring this up now. They were never even a thing back then, it was a few dates, that was all. But that was exactly what she was doing. The question is: Does she even realize that herself? Logan decided to find out.
- Cassandra, what are we really talking about here?
- What do you mean by that? You need to make Elias understand, that it is totally unacceptable for him to have sex with Liza.
Logan really had to find all his strength within him not to lecture Cassandra about the fact that her daughter also had sex with his son. It is not like Elias forced himself on Liza. But this clearly wasn't the time to point out that sort of double standard.
- Are you sure, that is all, Cassandra?
Logan keeps digging his left hand deeper and deeper into his pocket. Rory was often teasing him with that strategy to exercise self-control, saying that the key to his frustrations wasn't in his pockets, no matter how hard he dug.
- Sure! What do you even mean by that, Logan?
At this point, Logan really didn't care. He just wanted this totally irrational conversation to end. Rather sooner than later.
- Well. Nothing. Nothing at all. I'll talk to Elias. Have a nice day, Cassandra.
Logan put his phone on the kitchen table with a groan, also placing his right hand in his pocket. He placed a mug in the coffee maker and presses the button for an instant filling of that special hot, brown brew that gets the Huntzberger-household running on a daily basis.
Logan walked the 5 steps to the glass door facing the garden. He stood there for a bit, staring at the warm red, yellow, brown and greenish autumn-colors on the trees and bushes, trying to comprehend what that conversation was all about.
That woman was crazy! Elias and Liza are both 17 and old enough to consent to have sex with one another. It is not like Cassandra was an angel herself, Logan thought staring out into the cold Connecticut-November-Tuesday-afternoon. He should know a thing or two about that since he did date her a bit at Yale, just about the time he and Rory got together. And now Elias was getting in trouble partly because of his father's playboy-behavior 33 years ago.
Logan had no idea how long he had been standing there when he heard the front door close and the boys were coming home.
Rick and Elias both threw their school bags and sports bags on the floor as they came into the kitchen to get some sandwiches. They both played basketball after classes and were starving when they came home in the afternoon. They always had a snack and a chat with either Logan or Rory before doing homework. This had been their routine for years, and most days their sisters joined in on this family-time too.
- What's up, dad? You look like. I don't know. Like something is bothering you? Rick asked, while Elias was getting the prepared sandwiches and some water to drink from the refrigerator.
Rick is the more attentive one of the twins. Even though they both physically are the spitting image of Logan; Athletic build, blonde and a big charming smile. Rick has more of Rory's personality. He is more observant, sensitive and introverted.
Elias loves parties, attention, and adventures; Honor frequently tells Elias that seeing him, is like meeting Logan in 1999.
- Yeah. I just hung up the phone a few minutes ago, from a conversation with Mrs. Schmidt. Well, I guess a conversation is something where more than one person gets to talk. So, the accurate term would probably be a monologue, Logan states matter of factly. Logan knew that Elias' most likely hadn't done anything wrong, but he had to know that Cassandra Schmidt was mad and they had to talk about it. And even though it wasn't completely Elias's fold, Logan was annoyed and couldn't help taking it out on Elias.
Elias stopped filling his mouth, with the sandwich in his hands, as his eyes met Logan's, - Oh!
Silence filled the room. None of the three men moved at all. Elias hadn't told his parents about that day with Liza. He could have. He just didn't. He had talked to both his mom and dad about girls and sex plenty of times. This time there just was no reason to talk to them about it.
Logan's eyes locked with Elias', and Rick just looked from his father to his twin brother and back, not sure what to do with himself. Their attention was joined in the meaning of the words Logan just spoke, somewhere on the empty space between them. But no one knew exactly what the consequence of it would be.
Rick felt uncomfortable witnessing his twin and his father having this staring contest and he was the first one to speak: - Should I let you two alone?
After a moment Logan broke his eye contact with Elias' to look at Rick, - No, I think you should both hear what I have to say, Logan's voice was firm and warm at the same time.
- Dad, it was just one time. Liza is 17. She is legally allowed to consent. I didn't do anything wrong. It wasn't even her first time. I would never do anything against her will. I cannot believe that her mother called you. How did she even know? This is really unfair.
Logan smiled, as he listened to Elias's rambling. Even though Elias was the spitting image of Logan, his tendency to ramble was definitely a Gilmore-trait. And a very charming one, that made Logan smile as he thought of Rory.
- Come on dad, throw me a bone here, Elias said in an attempt to stop himself from rambling.
- I never said you did anything wrong, E.
- Oh? No? But? Mrs. Schmidt? Elias stuttered, clearly not expecting that answer.
- She called, Logan states as a matter of fact – She called, and I talked to her.
- Yeah? Elias said in a questioning tone, inviting Logan to elaborate.
Elias and Logan stared at each other, saying nothing. Logan with a smirk under the surface, that told Elias that this was not going to be ugly. But he had no idea what was going to come.
After a few minutes, Rick was the one to cave again, he could not stand the war of silence between his father and twin brother. He just didn't do well with these struggles of power Logan and Elias always fought.
– Okay, dad, so you talked to Mrs. Schmidt, what is it you want us both to hear?
Logan gave Elias's shoulder a fatherly squeeze. He felt safe that even though Elias was taking up on his own old playboy ways, he was a good kid and most likely didn't do anything wrong.
- Mrs. Schmidt called, to have me make sure that you don't have sex with Liza again. At least that was the verbal communication of the conversation.
Elias looked angry and was just about to say something as his brother put a hand on his shoulder to signal for him to stop it, and then Rick asked, - What do you mean by that, dad?
- I'm not sure. But I have this feeling that this conversation was more about me than about Elias.
- About you? Elias opened his eyes wide as the anger was replaced by surprise, – How could it be about you?
- I'm not sure. It was just a feeling. The thing is, Cassandra, well Mrs. Schmidt that is, and I was in the same class at Yale. We dated a bit. We were 22 and in college. When I got serious with your mother it stopped. It was never serious or exclusive. But today I had a feeling that she was talking just as much about me hurting her, as she was talking about the potential of you hurting Liza.
- Mrs. Schmidt? Really dad? She is like, OLD! Elias made a disgusted face, that had Logan laugh.
- Elias, I'm old! This was more than 30 years ago.
- But? Dad? Hmmm. Was she at least hot when she was 22? Elias demanded
- Hey, what do you take me for? Off cause she was hot, would Logan Huntzberger have it any other way? He says in a mock-insulted tone, - I guess it really is a miracle that you didn't get across any mothers in Hartford that I had known, before now, Logan continued with a grimace
The twin boys looked at each other with raised eyebrows; From all they knew, Logan only had eyes for Rory. This was the only way they have ever known, and hearing their dad talking about his playboy-ways in college, really didn't add up with the dad they knew.
- Care to elaborate? Elias encouraged
Logan really felt out of his comfort zone with this conversation. Not that he was embarrassed about that life or anything. It just clashed with his role as father. It didn't sound very much like a responsible father to tell his 17-year-old twins about all the women he slept with in college. He never imagined that he would have this conversation and wasn't prepared for it. And to complete the irony of the situation Logan decided, that this talk went better with alcohol. Since the boys were not 21, Scotch at 4 on a Tuesday afternoon seemed a bit extreme, so beer had to do.
The twins both took the bottles with hesitation, but followed Logan's example and twisted the caps off, taking a sip.
Logan really had no idea how to start this, he just knew that he had to tell it, - So! The crazy college days back at Yale with Colin and Finn, Logan started with hesitation, - I got together with mom my junior year, and up until then, I guess it is safe to say that parties, girls and alcohol was a big part of our playboy-lifestyle.
- Okay dad, are you trying to tell us that the well-respected Headmaster Huntzberger from Chilton, with the perfect, disgustingly happy marriage, and perfect family of 4 kids, was a playboy in his Yale days? Elias wasn't sure what to make of this.
Rick and Elias knew exactly how disgustingly happy their parents were. They had witnessed the kisses, the physical contact and the flirting every day of their lives. They were actually rather old before they realized that this was not necessarily how all marriages worked. Even though they didn't know the specifics, they didn't need a lot of imagination to realize that there was no need for a 22-year-old secretary with a short skirt in their father's office. And the word playboy just didn't match at all with the image they had of their father. It fit just fine with what they knew about their grandfather Mitchum, Yes. But not their father. At least not the adult version of Logan Huntzberger they knew.
- I'm sorry to ruin your image of me. But I guess the "mom-meets-dad-at-Yale-story" has been PG17 rated up until now. It seems that 17 is the time to have the adult-version, Logan smirked. This was a very silly situation and Logan didn't miss the irony of it. The boys just looked intrigued at that promise.
- I dated mom for some time. And a few other girls too, Logan started, but was interrupted by Rory who walked into the kitchen,
- Oh honey, let's just call it what it was; You had 100 girls on speed-dial, Mr. Yale-Playboy number 1, neither of the 3 men had head her as she came down the stairs from her home upstairs-office, where she had been writing on her next book all day.
Rory looked down at the sport bags on the kitchen floor, only to make a point of turning to take a dramatic look at Logan's sport bag in the hall, - But anyways, if David Copperfield could teach you three a trick or two with black nylon bags with any name of a Greek Goddess on them, next time he is in town, it would be good.
- Wow, sounds kind of advances, Ace. But I'll talk to him about it, Logan smirked.
Rory decided many years ago that she would not ruin her marriage by acting like a mother to her husband. So, most of the time she said nothing or made a joke about domestic things Logan should know to do.
Rory went to her husband and as they kissed Logan whispered into her mouth, – Sorry Ace, consider them gone.
As the broke the kiss Rory took a look at the 3 bottles of beer on the table and her eyes widened, - Beers in the kitchen at 4 on a Tuesday, along with a more than 30-years-old Yale-story, anything you want to tell me, babe?
Logan shrugged and explained, - I'm filling them in on why Cassandra Schmidt is mad at me about Elias sleeping with Liza.
- Ouch! Rory laughed and picked up the car keys, this wasn't at all what she expected to hear, - Well, I'm really torn between asking about the "Elias slept with Liza"-story or to ask whether Cassandra called you on your office phone or your private cell about this one, Headmaster Huntzberger. So, I guess I will just get going, and then take Emily and Lizzy out to eat after their dance class. I don't think they are PG 17-ready on the subject of their father's playboy-ways just yet, Rory said with a wink, as she walked out of the kitchen.
Logan found it hard to believe that any other woman in the world, would take this as lightly and with the humor that Rory did. This reminded Logan how lucky he was that everything worked out with Rory. As the door locked behind her, it left Logan, Elias, and Rick with a story to be told.
- Well, cousin Mary really should consider headhunting your mom to write for one of the sleazy HPG-tabloids, Logan joked, - 100 girls on speed-dial is probably a bit exaggerated, but let's put it this way, commitment wasn't my strong suit in those days.
And for the next hour, Logan talked to Rick and Elias about how Finn, Colin, and Logan lived the wild college-life with an ongoing supply of parties, alcohol, and girls. How Finn took the redheads, Colin the blondes and Logan the brunettes.
He explained that they all knew that when they would graduate, they had to go into the family-businesses and work 70 hours a week for the rest of their lives. That life was planned out for them from their graduation day, so Yale was all about making the most of it.
- Quite snobbish and selfish, to an extent that was not okay, I realize that, Logan admitted honestly. He would rather be honest with the boys, he wanted them to know that despite his mistakes early in life, he ended up being a man that he is now proud of. And even though Logan didn't like that he had to talk to his children about his playboy-days, he didn't mind the point in the story where he got to give credit to Rory for mesmerizing him into monogamy.
Logan took a long sip from his beer and looked at his boys for a moment before continuing.
– Having your mom as my girlfriend and knowing that she was exclusively mine. That was perfect. It just also meant that I had to tell a few girls that whatever had been, was now over. Amongst those: Cassandra Schmidt.
- And today I guess you met a ghost from my past. Someone who thinks that the Logan Huntzberger she knew in 2005, is the Elias Huntzberger who slept with her daughter in the autumn 2038. But recognizing that I slept with quite a few of the ladies around Hartford and New Haven at the start of this millennium, that was bound to happen at some point.
It was true. Not a thing that he had realized before today. Not a thing that he liked. But actions have consequences, also for others than oneself. A fact Logan had lived with his whole life, and today was just another proof of that.
Rick and Elias were listening with great fascination to Logan's story. They had always known that their father had the looks and the charm, and he didn't mind using it to his advantage. But they also knew that he was 100% committed to Rory and their family. And the same for their uncles Finn and Colin.
- That's funny. I cannot imagine Colin, Finn nor dad looking at anyone but mom, aunt April and Stephanie, Rick chuckled
- I'm so glad, son. That IS a good thing, Logan smirked, - But we all kissed a few frogs before we found our princesses, Logan winked to the boys. – An we all got really lucky in the end in the love-department.
It was the truth, they all 3 ended up in very happy marriages. Colin married Stephanie right out of college. Logan and Rory took a few detours but ended up marrying when Rory got pregnant with Leia nearly 22 years ago. Finn took the longest kissing frogs, but it all paid up in the end and at the age of 38, he finally closed the deal with April, Rory's stepsister.
- Does Neil and Tony know about this?
Logan shrugged at Elias' question. He never talked to Colin about anything like this, but since Colin's sons were now 27 and 29, and both graduated from Yale and had been a part of the Life and Death Brigade, it was likely that someone filled them in on something like this.
- I would say that chances are that someone at Yale would have implied something, E.
- So, Leia knows? Elias couldn't quite figure out what to think about this. Mostly it felt cool. It was beginning to dawn on him, how his father and uncles likely had some legendary status at Yale. He knew that the Huntzberger name would open doors for him, but maybe the legacy at Yale entailed more than he had comprehended up until now.
Logan had talked to Leia about what to expect from being both a Hayden, Gilmore and Huntzberger, when she started at Yale 3 years ago. The legacy comes with privileges, but any privilege has a backside too. She was in The Life and Death Brigade and she knew many of the kids from the traditional Yale families. But really Logan had no idea what the story of him, Finn and Colin around these days would be. And since he didn't have an answer, he just said nothing.
When there was no answer Elias decided to change the subject, - So, you are good with the Liza-thing? He asked looking a bit more relaxed at Logan
- All good? Hmmm. Well, I guess so. You are 17. If you make sure to be nice to her, take care of her and use protection, I'm not going to be a hypocrite and tell you not to have sex, Eli. A hysteric mother calling me to yell at me is not gonna change that. Being Mitchum Huntzberger's son groomed me for situations like that.
Logan was not great full for a lot that his father did but being immune to opinions, anger and mood swings had shown out to be very useful in many aspects of life and business.
- I guess you wouldn't really have a lot of success with that, even if you tried, dad, Rick smirked at Logan.
Logan shook his head with a big smile, - I think you are right, Rick. It's all good, E! Nothing wrong with experimenting with girls and sex when you are 17. I feel safe that you both know about the birds and the bees, and where to get condoms.
Elias just nodded at his father, who willingly keeps the medicine cabinet fully stocked with condoms. Rick, on the other hand, said nothing as he stared at his hands as his ears turned red as blood.
Logan looked at his two twin sons. Like two drops of water, and yet as different as day and night. Logan and Rory had a confidential relationship with all their 4 children. They had talked to them about feelings all of their lives and they both trust that any of them would come talk to them about anything. And Logan knew that even though Elias' was the promiscuous one, that could make you worry, Rick was the one who needed the emotional guidance when it came to love and sex.
- So, Eli. Liza, ha? Logan looked at Elias with acknowledgment, trying to open a friendly conversation with room for the more emotional aspects of having sex.
- Yeah! Elias smirked.
- I didn't realize you were looking that way? Logan tried to get Elias to talk more.
Elias shrugged, - I didn't really. At that party at Brian's a few weeks ago she just looked really hot. We talked and made out that night. And then I took her on a few dates last week, and it just kind of happened one afternoon when we were studying Tess of the d'Urbervilles for an English test.
Logan was amused by the fact that Elias used classic English litterateur to seduce a girl, that was as classic Huntzberger as it could ever get, - Yeah, Thomas Hardy would have that effect on some girls. I should ask Louise to change the curriculum and then call Mrs. Schmidt and tell her that I have solved her problem, Logan teased, – But I guess I will leave out the part about it happening here in our house, she will make us do a "doors open"-house rule, he added laughing
- Do that, dad, Elias said joining in on the laughter, he really appreciated his relationship with his parents. Not many of his friends could joke with their father like this.
- I guess I have been meaning to ask you about that rather liberal attitude to us having girls in our rooms, dad? None of the guys are allowed to do that.
Logan shrugged, - Eli, you are a smart kid. Do you know how many American teenage girls that get pregnant every year due to unprotected sex, more often than not in the backseat of a car? More than 100.000 a year, Eli. We know that teenagers practice sex. So, we really want our teenagers to be safe, both emotional and birth control-wise. Allowing it to be in your own bed, makes that a hell more likely to go that way. It might look to some parents that we are validating teenage sex, but to us, it is more like we acknowledge the reality and act according to that to avoid teenage pregnancies, etc.
- Lucy's mom said that you are so liberal due to your years in London, I guess she finds that Europeans practice a more liberal moral, Rick joined in on the conversation.
- So, Karen said that, did she? I guess she didn't meet grandma Lorelai? Logan laughed
The boys starting to laugh as well by the thought of the grandmother and her very liberal stands on moral.
- True thing, Rick said still laughing
- But I guess it is true that Europeans aren't too conservative when it comes to things like sex, maybe we are a bit European-orientated. And maybe that doesn't go so well as you would imagine with English literature, he winked at Elias.
For a while Logan, Elias, and Rick just sat quietly at the cooking island, drinking their beer.
Logan still couldn't figure out why Liza had told her mother about this at all and he decided to ask Elias about it, - And Cassandra heard about this from Liza because? Logan looked at Eli with a questioning expression.
Elias shrugged for an answer. But Logan didn't feel like he told him the whole story.
- Well, E, assuming Liza knows that her mother wouldn't approve of it, a girl would usually tell her mother about sex if: 1) She was expecting more sex with a boyfriend and needed birth control, 2) Felt sad about it or 3) Got pregnant, Logan stated a bit provocative, hoping to get a response from Elias.
- She can't be pregnant, I used protection, Dad! Elias nearly shouted.
- Okay, good! So: Sad or boyfriend? Logan continued nonchalantly, prompting Elias for an answer.
- Well, Elias paused, - I guess she kind of jumped to the conclusion that we were being exclusive after the sex-thing, Elias answered with hesitation.
Logan looked at his son, seeing an image of himself at 17 sitting there, – And what is your conclusion, E?
Elias shrugged once again, it seemed to be what he could do this afternoon, - I'm not in love with her, dad!
- Okay. What do you feel?
- Hmmm, she is pretty, Eli tried
- She IS pretty, E! Very pretty, and smart, Rick nodded and smiled to his brother.
- She is, isn't she? Elias said trying to hide his shy smile as he looked at his twin brother for confirmation.
- Are you going to study again this week? Logan made another attempt to find out what was going on in Elias's head.
- We talked about studying tomorrow for the test on World War II on Friday. Wouldn't that be okay?
- If it is okay with Mrs. Schmidt! So, I guess Liza thinks that you are nice and take good care of her, if she is up for another study-session, Logan winked
- I hope so, dad. I think I asked her like 3 times if she was sure or if she wanted me to stop. I would have stopped, dad. If she asked me, I mean.
- I know, E! You are a good boy. Even though it can feel impossible to stop, it is so important that you make sure to do just what you did. Make her consent verbally and make sure she knows she always has the possibility to opt-out at any time. Logan felt like he hadn't had this talk enough with the boys, so hearing Elias say that he knew, felt very comforting.
- Thanks dad!
- Eli, go out and have fun, experience life. But take care of the girls you experience it with, okay? Make sure they are consenting and emotionally good. Even if there is alcohol involved. One-night stands or dating more than one girl is okay if both parties know that it is the deal. But just be responsible and let them know what they are in for.
- I will, dad.
The three of them sat for a bit saying nothing, drinking the rest of the beers.
- So, Pizza? Rick asked after a bit
- Sure, do you order some, Rick?
- Sure
Logan looked at the bags at the floor and remembered Rory's annoyed comment about that, - And now let's do a magic trick on our bags and coats, like mummy says, Logan winked to the boys.
They all knew that even though Logan was a strong and respected patriarch for the Huntzberger clan, it was all due to the respect for and partnership with Rory, and it always paid up to do what she required. – And then I think I will just go see if there is any news.
Logan, Rick, and Elias were sitting by the TV, eating pizza as Rory came home with Emily and Lizzy. After Rory picked them up when their dance-class was over, she took them shopping and out to eat.
Coming into the hall, the three guys heard Rory's voice in the hallway, - Homework first, Em, we will stream that show later. Let's go sit by the dinner table and look at it together.
A moment later Rory and Lizzy walked into the TV-room as Logan heard his daughter run up the stairs and knew that she was angry and conflicting with Rory again, - Hi Ace, so I guess there is America's next top model on tonight?
Rory sighed in resignation, - I think I'm studying with Lizzy in the dining room and YOU are talking to Em.
Logan knew that Rory was fed up with Emily's teenage mood swings and from the look on her face she was about to burst in either anger or crying, and he felt this strong urge to protect his wife, - Sure, I'm already on a dad-talk-roll today, I'll go up when I finish this pizza, okay?
Rory just sat across his lap and kissed him for an answer. Being a mother to a girl and twin boys could never have prepared Rory for what she had coming with Emily. Her teenage years were only halfway through, and Rory had had enough teenage mood swings for a lifetime.
- Good dance class today, Lizzy? Logan inquired
- Always, Uncle Logan, Lizzy smiled, – We learned a Fossé-routine to the song "All that jazz" today.
Rick and Elias didn't know much about dancing, but the talk about "Fossé-routine to All that jazz" made them see pictures of Catherine Zeta-Jones in a transparent body stocking, wearing very high heels.
- Hey Liz, if you ever need anyone to drive you to that class, I'll do that, Elias offered
- Really? That is so sweet, E! Lizzy answered with naïve sincerity.
Logan couldn't help finding it adorable that Finn and April's 15-year-old daughter didn't notice the slightly flirtatious teasing in Elias' comment. It was very clear that she was an only child and didn't grow up with 2 brothers, like his own girls did. Despite his amusement, Logan decided to be a good Uncle to Lizzy and come to her rescue, - It does sound like something, you probably would not tell your father about, doesn't it? Logan smirked
- Yeah, it does, doesn't it? Lizzy realized and Logan sent her confirmation with a smile.
As Lizzy suddenly realized that Elias offered to drive her to dance class was due to the erotic nature of the dance, she exclaimed, - Eeeuw, Eli, as she wrinkled her nose.
Rory, Logan, Rick, and Elias all cracked up in laughter from how cute and naive she was.
When Rick saw Lizzy blushing, he felt bad and came to her rescue, - Where are Finn and April today?
- Singapore. Some problem with the cement in the humidity, Lizzy told him.
- So, you are here on Friday, Liz?
- I think so, Lizzy tried, looking at Rory for confirmation.
- I think so too, Liz, Rory told her, - April might even travel directly to Amsterdam for a conference, depending on the Singapore issue. But Finn should be back within the week, I believe.
- So, you should come with us to the party at Matt's, Liz!
- Thanks, Rick
Logan was finishing his pizza and gesturing to get up to talk to Em, so Rory decided that it was time for her to get up too, - Come on, Liz, let's take a look at Tess of the d'Urberville in the dining room, Rory invited Lizzy.
- Oh, Eli just aced a test on Tess, Rory, let him, Logan pretend-mocked Elias
- Oh, you are just SO funny, dad, Elias said with his eyes facing the sky.
Rory and Lizzy both looked puzzled but decided not to ask as they went to the dining room to study.
Elizabeth Nardini Morgan, Lizzy for short, frequently stayed at the Huntzberger's when April and Finn had to travel for business. When she was little, they just took her along, but since she started at Chilton, she couldn't miss out on school several times in a semester. Not even with her uncle Logan being the headmaster. And like that Rory and Logan offered that she could have her own room at their house and stay with them in Hartford during the week, and as often she would need or like it.
Seeing Finn working so hard and traveling so much, being the CEO at Morgan Hotels, reminded Logan of how glad he was that he quit HPG, when the twins were born. The fact that April is a Nobel-winning Physicist, traveling the world to take care of things like the quality of cement in the hotels and to lecture, only emphasized the matter.
Both Finn and April are fantastic parents, and Lizzy is the most grounded, happy girl at Chilton. This lifestyle just wasn't for Logan, nor Rory. Logan had done the whole travel-the-world thing in his twenties and thirties. He didn't miss it. He needed to be close to Rory and their 4 kids in Hartford.
When Mitchum suddenly died 10 years ago (2028), Logan was legally the heir, and therefore expected to take over HPG. But he didn't want to, and Honors 22-year-old daughter Mary did. For her to finish Yale and get the proper training, Logan made a merge with The Magna and let Odette be the temporary CEO for 4 years, for Mary to be ready.
Mary took over as CEO in 2032 with Logan being the owner and president of the board.
Rory and Logan both wanted their children to have the opportunity to make their own life decisions, and not feel obliged to take over neither the HPG nor the publishing company.
Funny how life and business go…
A/N: Would you like to know how life turned out like this for Rory and Logan? Please review and let me know if you want to read the story… I have a 20 chapter story, planned out and partly written, about the time period from the revival (2016) to this point in time (2038) – would you read it? Please let me know J