The Magna, Friday, June 18, 7:00 AM
"Meghan, is Odette in yet?"
"She was here when I arrived at six, Mr. Huntzberger."
Logan nodded, hands shoved into his pockets as he gazed out over the city. He hadn't slept much; things had escalated too fast. Leia's laughter and Rory's sleeping form had stayed on his mind as he'd left, arranging for Leia's nanny to cover the morning. Family time was usually sacred, but with everything going on, he'd needed an early start.
A gentle knock pulled him back. Odette, dressed in her usual chic Dior, entered, greeting him with a soft, "Bonjour, cheri," as she kissed his cheeks. They switched seamlessly to their unique blend of French and English.
He managed a weary smile. "Alors, The Night Show, ha?"
"Oui." Odette's jaw tightened, a flicker of frustration in her eyes. "They've turned us into characters, like scenes in a movie. Photos I didn't even know were taken...It's like living in a distorted reflection."
Logan exhaled slowly. "I've gotten used to it, but last night…" His voice softened. "Last night, Rory saw it all. She doesn't deserve that—none of it."
Odette's gaze lingered on him with understanding. "No, our spouses didn't sign up for any of this." Her tone held a note of empathy.
They shared a long look, a silent acknowledgment of their shared history and the pressures that had shaped their lives. Years of navigating expectations and public narratives had created a strange alliance between them.
Odette shifted, her voice low. "Should we respond?"
Logan shook his head. "Not now. Let it fade. The less we fuel it, the quicker it dies."
Odette nodded, gripping his arm lightly. "Take care of Rory, Logan. Some things matter more than this…show."
Logan offered a small, appreciative smile, the reminder resonating. "Thank you, Odette."
Logan leaned back in his chair as Stephanie closed the door. Odette settled in beside him, a concerned look crossing her face.
"So, what's the plan, Logan?" Stephanie asked, crossing her arms and studying him closely.
"For now? Nothing," Logan replied, running a hand through his hair. "Odette and I will weather the media frenzy, but Rory…" He hesitated, the weight of it showing in his voice. "She doesn't deserve to get dragged into this."
Stephanie exchanged a glance with Odette, nodding. "I'll look into it quietly. We'll manage on our end. You focus on your family."
Odette touched his arm gently, her voice soft. "And take some time with Rory. She needs you more than any of us."
Logan exhaled, a grateful smile flickering on his face. "Thanks, both of you." The words came out quieter than he intended, his mind already pulling him back to thoughts of Rory and the promise of a more private life they had once imagined. Could he ever fully offer that to her?
An hour later, Logan sat back in the car, letting himself relax as Davis drove him home. As they pulled onto his street, his mind wandered back to the night Rory had told him about Leia. In his world, balance always seemed to be just out of reach, but he couldn't help clinging to the hope that with Rory, it might still be possible.
[FLASHBACK, 2016]
Rory took a deep breath as Finn's voice came through the line.
"I need to see you, Finn."
"Of course, love. Where and when?"
"Hannibal's, eight tonight?"
"Done," he replied smoothly, his tone warm and reassuring, steadying her nerves.
At Hannibal's that evening, Rory's stomach churned with anxiety. She'd called Finn because he was the one person who could ground her. Still, now, sitting here, the weight of her secret felt almost too much to carry.
Finn greeted her with his usual charm, pulling her into a warm hug. "Good to see you, love. Martini?" he offered, gesturing to the glass he'd ordered.
Rory glanced at the drink, then met his gaze, trying to find her words. Finn's expression softened as he noticed her hesitation. "Something's weighing on you."
Rory looked away, nerves tightening her throat. "I… need your help with something. With Logan."
Finn didn't hesitate. "Whatever it is, I'm here. Just tell me when and where."
Relief washed over her, and she whispered, "Thank you, Finn. For everything."
He gave her hand a quick, comforting squeeze. "Nothing to thank me for, love. You've always got me."
Rory took a deep breath, watching Finn's face for a moment. "Finn, this whole thing with Odette...what is it?"
Finn's expression softened. "It's a wedding, love. A month away. But what are you really asking?"
She met his gaze, her pulse quickening. Finally, she whispered, "I'm pregnant, Finn."
He leaned back, absorbing the news with a long, thoughtful exhale, then nodded, his gaze steady. "That does complicate things. But listen—Logan's always loved you. He's not the kind of man to turn his back on something this important."
Rory's shoulders eased, and she managed a faint smile. "I couldn't do this without you."
Finn nodded, already reaching for his phone. "Colin's getting the jet ready, love. We'll be in London by morning."
They shared a quiet look, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "One step at a time, yeah? Whatever else happens, he won't leave you to face this alone."
As the jet climbed higher, Rory leaned back, comforted by Finn and Colin's presence. They didn't need words; their quiet companionship was all the reassurance she needed. By morning, they would be in London, and she would finally have the conversation that mattered.
As they settled into the hotel suite, Finn and Colin exchanged surprised glances when a text from Logan appeared on both their phones.
"Wedding's off. Coming to NYC ASAP. Need to talk to you guys. - L"
Colin raised his eyebrows, glancing at Rory. "So… I should give him a call?"
"Go for it, mate," Finn replied, keeping his gaze on Rory as she absorbed the news.
After a brief conversation, Colin put down his phone and looked over at her. "He'll be here in an hour. I didn't mention that you're with us—figured that should be your call."
Rory's pulse quickened, her mind racing. "An hour," she murmured, almost to herself. "So… I should just… tell him everything as soon as he walks in?"
Colin, ever calm and methodical, leaned forward. "Think of it this way, Rory. You don't have to dive in right away. Take a breath, see how things feel. If it doesn't feel right, let it wait."
Finn leaned in, placing a steadying hand over hers. "Logan loves you, Rory. Take it one step at a time, yeah? You can't plan every little detail. Some things just need time to work themselves out."
Rory let out a slow breath, absorbing their words. "You're right. I just—" She glanced between them, her voice softening. "I keep picturing every possible way this could go wrong. I feel like I need to be ready for everything."
Colin gave her a wry smile. "Hey, I've seen you 'ready for anything' before, remember? Try to find that strength. You've got it in you."
A small laugh escaped her, and she felt the tension ease. Finn squeezed her hand, his voice gentle. "Logan's waited years to be with you, love. He'll listen, no matter what. Trust him to do right by you."
Rory exhaled once more, letting their calm presence steady her. For the first time in days, she felt the reassuring warmth of friends who truly understood her.
An hour later, there was a knock at the hotel suite door. Rory's heart leapt, and she stood, fidgeting as Finn placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
When Logan stepped inside, he paused, clearly surprised to see her with Finn and Colin. His eyes lingered on Rory. "You brought Ace here?"
Rory managed a faint smile, feeling the tension in her shoulders. "Logan."
Logan turned to Finn, raising an eyebrow. "I thought this was just you guys?"
Finn shrugged, an easy grin playing at his lips. "Rory thought London could use her charm. Besides, early holiday shopping season—perfect time, right, mate?"
Colin quickly chimed in, "We'll leave you two to catch up."
The two friends exited, closing the door softly behind them. Logan took a few tentative steps forward, his gaze fixed on Rory, curiosity and something deeper in his eyes.
Rory's hands twisted together. "So… about the wedding?" she asked, unable to hide the uncertainty in her voice.
Logan exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's off. Odette's pregnant."
Rory's brows knit in confusion. "Pregnant?"
"With Pierre's child," Logan clarified, his tone calm. "She and Pierre… well, they've been together for a while. It was an arrangement we both understood. When she found out she was pregnant, they decided to be open about it and… start a life together. She's moving to New York with him."
Rory let out a slow breath, absorbing this unexpected turn. "So… it's really over?"
He nodded, relief mixed with finality in his gaze. "It is. We both knew it was never real. This just… settled it."
The nervous energy that had tightened her chest softened as she let herself relax. Logan took a step closer, his voice gentle. "But, Ace… why are you here?"
Rory met his gaze, feeling her heart race. The moment was here, and there was no more turning back.
Logan studied Rory's face, a trace of confusion mixed with concern in his eyes. "What is it, Ace?"
Rory hesitated, her gaze dropping as she gathered her courage. When she finally met his eyes, her voice was barely a whisper. "Logan… I'm pregnant."
For a moment, Logan simply stared at her, processing her words. Then, a slow grin spread across his face. "So… does this mean I'll be the guy cheering at school soccer games in a suit?"
Rory let out a laugh, the tension in her chest easing as she shook her head. "Only you would worry about showing up to soccer in Armani."
Logan's smile softened as he stepped closer, his hand instinctively reaching out to rest on hers. "In all seriousness, Rory… I'm here. Whatever this means, I'm with you."
Relief washed over her, and she let out a long breath, meeting his eyes with newfound confidence. "I didn't know how you'd react. Everything was so… complicated with Odette."
Logan's gaze held steady, his expression warm. "Odette and I, that chapter is closed. This," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, "is what matters."
They stood in quiet understanding, a sense of calm settling over them as they embraced an unexpected, but deeply meaningful, future together.
Later that afternoon, Rory stirred, wrapped in Logan's arms. The sudden wave of nausea hit her, pulling her from the comfort of his embrace. She bolted to the bathroom, and Logan was right behind her.
Within moments, he was there, holding her hair back, murmuring soft words of reassurance. When her stomach finally settled, she leaned into him, grateful for his steady presence.
"Thank you," she whispered, managing a weak smile.
Logan grinned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just doing my duty as the guy in the suit at the soccer game."
Rory chuckled, the laughter cutting through the exhaustion. "I think you're getting ahead of yourself. Right now, you're just the guy holding my hair."
He raised an eyebrow, playful but sincere. "Well, I've been known to excel at multi-tasking."
They shared a laugh, and Logan helped her back to bed, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder as he settled in beside her. As she closed her eyes, Rory felt a calm sense of certainty: whatever the future held, they'd face it together.
Later that night, the four friends sat around a small table, laughing and catching up over pizza. Amid the laughter, Logan felt the familiar weight of the ring beneath his shirt, hanging from the leather cord around his neck. He hadn't planned this, hadn't thought he'd ever have a moment where it felt right—but tonight, surrounded by friends, it felt undeniable.
As Colin and Finn shared a story from their Yale days, Logan's gaze found Rory's, and he gave her a small, knowing smile, nodding to the door.
Curious, she followed him out to the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around them as they stood above the city lights. Logan reached up, unhooking the leather cord from around his neck and pulling the ring from where it had rested against his heart all these years.
Rory's eyes widened as she recognized it—the engagement ring he'd given her all those years ago. Her expression softened as Logan held it out, his voice low, a little unsteady but certain.
"I've kept it with me," he murmured, meeting her gaze. "Through everything… you were always my goal, Rory. And I know we've done this backwards, upside down, and in every way but ordinary. But I've never wanted anything more than this." He paused, his thumb brushing over her hand. "Will you be Mrs. Huntzberger?"
Rory's smile grew, her eyes shining with a mix of nostalgia and joy. "I'd be honored."
They shared a quiet laugh, the weight of the years falling away as he slid the ring onto her finger, finally where it was meant to be. Together, they turned back toward the glow of the city, bound by promises both old and new.
Inside, Finn and Colin exchanged a look, each raising a glass in a silent toast, as if they had known all along.
6