5. The dark lord returns

[Logan and Rory's house in Manhattan, May 2021]

It had been a really busy and long day, ending with a board meeting to look into the negotiations with The European Correspondent. Logan and Colin were getting very frustrated with EU-laws and all the regulations that could have this deal fall through. Eventually, Logan had called his friend Margrethe, Mrs. Commissionaire Vestager, to get a meeting to have some answers. Due to the urgency, Colin and Logan had agreed to make a conference call at 4 in the morning since it was 10 AM in Brussels and the only time available the next day. But that only left them with even more work to prepare for this meeting.

Leia had already been sleeping when they came home from the board meeting and they both hated when that happened. They didn't have children to let nannies raise them and they both missed her when they didn't get to be the ones to put her to bed at night.

Logan was in his study to prepare for his meeting and Rory hat placed herself in the couch with her feet up and a big cup of decaf in her hands and she was watching the 9 o'clock News, when the doorbell rang. Getting up from the couch right now felt close to impossible, with the twins in her belly. And it didn't make her feel any better that she more or less looked like a penguin walking to the door. The surprise on her face was evident when she opened,

- Mitchum? That is a surprise. Is Logan expecting you?

- Good evening, Rory. You look fantastic, how are my two grandsons doing?

- They are enjoying themselves, having a trampoline session on my bladder. Come on in. Logan is in his study, preparing a telephone meeting with Brussels early tomorrow morning.

- Time Zones! They kill me. I miss having Logan in London, which made the whole time zone thing doable.

- Let me get him for you.

Rory was puzzled with this unannounced visit from Mitchum. That had never happened in the 4,5 years she had been married to Logan. She felt increasingly anxious as she waddled down the hall. She knocked on the door to Logan's study before she opened it and slowly peeped in to whisper, - Logan? Sorry to disturb you. Mitchum is here.

- My dad is here? Even more surprised than Rory was just a few moments ago.

Rory nodded silently and gestured for Logan to come to the living room.

Logan got up from his desk with a confused facial expression but followed his wife to the living room where Mitchum waited for them.

- Dad? Logan offered Mitchum his hand.

- Logan! I hear that Brussels is stealing your sleep.

- I have a meeting with Margrethe Vestager at 4. What can I do for you?

- Margrethe Vestager? The European Commissionaire, Margrethe Vestager? How did you pull that off? Mitchum asked with obvious surprise and admiration.

Logan shrugged, he would much rather hear why Mitchum was here, but he knew his father better than that and answered his question, - She is a friend. I was seated next to her at the Gifford-wedding in Copenhagen 6 years ago. We stayed in touch. She consulted me on some transatlantic cases through the years and I asked for this meeting. What can I do for you?

Rory brought in coffee, a bottle of scotch and some chocolates. She placed it all on the coffee table.

- A cup of decaf, Mitchum?

- Thank you, Rory. That would be good.

- Want some Logan?

- I'll get it, Ace. Come on, sit here, Logan gestured for Rory to sit next to him as he poured the coffee and a scotch for Mitchum and himself. He got down and put his arm around Rory, as he waited for Mitchum to talk.

Both Rory and Logan instinctively knew that this was going to be unpleasant. They also knew that they had to stay and listen and endure whatever was coming, but not necessarily completely on Mitchum's premises.

- Dad, I'm busy and it is late. Could we skip the pleasantries and get to the reason that you are here unannounced for the first time? I'm sure it is not to check up on our health.

- You have never been one to follow protocol, Logan. That is both frustrating and liberating about you. You have done well in your way, so maybe it is time for me to accept that my son is a grown man and a successful journalist.

Logan's eyes narrowed and a little V formed between his eyebrows. That was just about the most unexpected thing his father had ever said to him. This could only mean one thing: Mitchum was up to something. Rory knew it. Logan knew it. Mitchum knew it.

When Logan didn't say anything, Mitchum continued.

- I know that my role in your life has been to groom you to be a great businessman and the CEO of HPG. That you always longed for a more traditional father. A thing that I could never give you. I'm very proud of the man you have become, Logan. You work hard and you are internationally well respected. You have done great things and you are not even 40 years old.

Logan had spent 39 years longing for his father's approval and there it was. Right there in front of him in his living room was his father sitting and saying all the things Logan had longed for every day of his life.

Logan's deepest fear of not being able to live up to his father's expectations had controlled his life and made him take many stupid decisions. Decisions that had almost cost him his life at more than one point. Things that had hurt himself, Honor and Rory. Things he wished he hadn't done.

And there Mitchum Huntzberger sat, on his couch on a normal workday, saying all things he had always longed to hear.

Most people would suck it in and say thank you. Make the best of the situation. Maybe forgive the past. But it was 20 years too late and Logan Huntzberger's instinct was to do neither. The only question on his mind was: "Why?" and "What does he want from me?". And that was why Logan just sat there, waiting for the answers.

Mitchum was starting to feel annoyed by Logan's silence. But he knew that he had to stay calm and play the game, so he just kept talking, - I presume that you heard that I'm running for office this fall.

Logan nodded in confirmation and opened his mouth to speak for the first time since Mitchum started to speak, - I heard about that. I was surprised to learn that you were a republican. I know you live a very conservative life, but you always strike me as a more liberal thinker

- I'm a pragmatic

Logan nodded. That they could agree on. His father would always seize any opportunity and make the most of it, ideology and moral was not a priority.

- As a Governor, I will be able to rectify many of the things, that I have been writing about for almost 50 years. I will be able to make a difference, not just pointing out want needs to be done. I can make sure that my grandkids have the best education, that people have jobs, that businesses thrive, that criminals get the right punishment. I can secure the possibility of a better life for the people of Connecticut.

- I get it, dad. But I'm not sure we agree on what constitutes a better life.

- I'm sure we could find some things, that we could agree on, son.

Logan didn't want to discuss politics. He was still curious why Mitchum was here and he wanted the conversation to get to the point, where he understood that. So, he just agreed with that statement.

- I will need good people around me to do this. I need good people to get me elected. I need good people to be around me while in office. I want you both on that team.

- WHAT ? Logan and Rory exclaimed in unison.

This was certainly a night for unexpected things to come out of Mitchum's mouth. But this was more than unexpected. It was crazy.

Rory was the first one to overcome the shock and speak, - Mitchum, I respect you as a journalist and businessman, and I'm sure you have a good reason to ask us to do that. But frankly I don't get it. We are both very liberal, even leftwing liberals. We have passionate opinions on equality, the environment, the need for better free public education and many other things. Neither of us have a conservative bone in us.

As Logan recovered from his shock, he decided to let Rory and Mitchum speak and just listen. He needed to find out what his father was up to.

- Right. And if you let me get you into powerful positions in the political game, you could put action behind those opinions and make good money on doing so. Politics within the states is very different from national politics, Rory. I'm sure you would find that we could make great things happen together. You are two of the most talented journalists in your generation. You are well-spoken. You are smart. You have all the required experiences and network. I want you on my team. To be honest, I also want to make sure you are not on the opponent's team.

This all made perfect sense to both Rory and Logan. But that was not enough to have them team up with Mitchum on any political mission, least of all a Republican one. Rory knew this. Logan knew this. Even Mitchum knew this. He must have an ulterior motive to this proposal, and it was driving Logan crazy, that he couldn't figure out what that motive was.

- Look dad. We are very busy making a business and a family, Logan put his hand on Rory's pregnant belly and kissed her forehead, - We aren't interest in joining your team.

Rory leaned back into Logan's embrace. She was fine letting him handle this. Logan responded by pulling her even closer. They were a good team. They have been on and off for 16 years. And their biggest enemy has always been the Huntzberger family. But they were grownups now and they could handle anything that came their way, as long as they did it together.

This didn't pass Mitchum's attention. It was a clear message from his son; He and his wife were a team and not one to be messed with. Mitchum knew that both his son and his daughter-in-law were forces to be reckoned with. He knew them both personally and professionally. They always stood strong as individuals, but the team of them together as a team to be on pair with even The Clintons or The Obamas. This was a team you would want on your side, no matter the cost of it. The stakes were high, but so was the risk, and Mitchum was all in on playing it dirty.

- I don't need an answer right now. I want you two to talk about it and make the right decision for the whole family. But I need you to take in all the facts to this decision. Logan, Leia, and the twins must be your main concern right now.

- That is one thing we can agree on, dad. And they always are. Both for Rory and me.

- Good son, and I'm sure you can agree that politics will only increase the public interest on my whole family.

- Don't worry about it, Dad. We are good at security. My security advisers are perfectly qualified to take care of any situation that might occur.

- I don't doubt that, son. But that wasn't what I meant.

- Oh?

Logan knew that his father wasn't there to discuss the current security level, but he couldn't figure out where Mitchum was going with this. He could sense that Rory was getting anxious and pulled her closer as he kissed her hair.

- The Magna!

- The Magna? Logan and Rory repeated in unison, not being a question. Mitchum got both Logan and Rory's attention with this little word.

- We already talked about this. Your profile is liberal. Anyone who has read anything any of you will know that Rory worked for the Obama-campaign and that you have publicly supported Bernie Sanders's politics on more than one case, Mitchum stated this matter-of-factly.

- Come on, dad, spill it. Where are you going with this?

- You are both journalists. You know better than anyone how ugly this can get. I'm running for the Republicans in Hartford. It is a classic Democratic district. I will not be pretty. My son and daughter-in-law are both famous journalists and you own The Magna. Don't you see?

- I don't, dad. What are you aiming at?

- I want you to do the responsible thing. To protect Rory, Leia and the twins, Logan.

- And I get the feeling, that you are going to tell me, how to do that?

- Isn't it obvious? With you in charge of The Magna, both the press and the political opponents are going to aim at you. You need to step down and let someone else run the Magna.

Even though both Rory and Logan knew that Mitchum had been building up to something big, they could never have been prepared for this.

- Let someone else run The Magna? Really? This is a joke, right? Logan was somewhere between in shock and furious.

- Logan, son. I will never be able to protect you from all the craziness going on out there when it comes to politics. I own newspapers. But in 2021 that is a very small part of the media world. Getting out of this game is the smarter thing to do. For your family.

Logan couldn't believe his ears. Was his father sitting there and telling him to pass on The Magna, like he was asking him to come to Sunday night dinners. Mitchum should know how much Logan and Rory loved The Magna and how much time and passion they had invested in the success it had become. This was crazy, even for Mitchum. He also knew that this wasn't a fight that made any sense and that it needed to stop right now.

But Mitchum just kept talking, - And when someone else is running The Magna I want you two on my team. I can secure you both powerful positions and make sure you will not financially suffer.

- Listen Mitchum…, Rory tried to interrupt Mitchum's speech, but with no luck

- You will get to change the world and live out all the ideals that you both have been writing about all your grown-up lives. You can make a better world for your children. For idealists like you two, this is perfect…

Logan kept a stern look at his father. The man must be crazy. Didn't he understand that this was the problem. Because they were idealists, they could not work for a republican Governor no matter how much influence he promised them and no matter how much freedom to practice liberal politics he would give them.

And they would not want to. The Magna was their dream and exactly what they wanted to do. They had no desire to work with politics.

At some point in Mitchum's speech Logan had enough. He didn't want to hear it.

- Dad, we I appreciate that you want us on your team, but we are not interested.

- I know that you are both proud of what you did with The Magna. But you must realize that I'm handing you the opportunity for you both to have more time with your children and be safer. This is what you need to have the family life you always wanted as a kid, Logan.

- Mitchum, thank you for your offer. But no thanks! now it was Rory's turn to try to cut off a Mitchum on the roll

- Rory, please think about this. I know you grew up with the security of Stars Hollow and anonymity. I believe you would like that for your children too. I'm giving you that, with this offer. I'm sure you realize this.

Rory was starting to feel like Elizabeth Bennet when Mr. Collins proposes to her. Mitchum feels that he knows what is right and what should be prioritized in this decision. And he feels safe that he has the better offer. An offer that cannot be resisted. But he just doesn't know Rory and Logan good enough. He doesn't understand that power, money and the easy way out isn't the main priority for them: Passion, conviction, and happiness is.

- This is not what will make my family happy, Mitchum. This is not the right thing to do.

Logan needed this conversation to end. His father was trying to exercise his power by manipulation them into being ponds in his game. And Logan was not going to play that part, no matter what Mitchum offered. And at this point he just wanted Mitchum out, - Well, isn't it funny how fast time flies when you are being pushed out the door, dad? Logan got up and signaled for Mitchum to get out.

Mitchum was nothing if not a great strategist and he knew that he wasn't getting further with his son tonight. And that was why he chose to say goodbye and leave as Logan requested.

- Let's not do this again, Logan added before closing the door behind his father. Mitchum Huntzberger, The Media Modul of the western world.

Logan kept staring at the door. He dug his hands deep into his sweatpants as he just shook his head in disbelieve, - Can you believe what just happened? I have known that man for 39 years, and he still manages to surprise me.

Logan walked to the couch and fell next to Rory, putting his arms around her. Logan's forehead rested against Rory's, and for a while they just sat there in silence.

Rory could feel Logan was getting worked up by the minute. His breathing got quicker, and his body tensed. He didn't say a word. He was too caught up in the thoughts in his head. Knowing Logan for 17 years she was just waiting for him to burst. She had seen it so many times, and she knew from experience that her job here was loving him. Not saying anything. Not trying to tell him that everything would be alright. No.

Suddenly Logan kissed her. Got up from the couch. Emptied his glass of scotch. Poured another. Emptied that one too. Looked at Rory and offered her his hand to get up.

- It's late. I won't make Davis go run with me now through the streets of Manhattan.

- But you will make me go to bed with you? Rory looked at him with a grin on her face.

- I could go act out on work? Logan offered, knowing exactly how this situation would end.

Rory took a few moments pretending to consider the options. Then she pulled Logan down into a searing kiss.

His lips met her lips hard and demanding. His tongue pushed on her lips, begging for her to open and let his tongue in. Hovering over her, making sure not to harm her belly, Logan kissed Rory with explosive passion. Had they been in their old apartment, with no staff, he would have undressed her on the spot and fucked her, right then and there. Logan could have done it now too; He didn't care and there was no staff in the house this late. He knew that Davis, his PPO and the security on guard tonight, was resting in his quarters downstairs, and didn't come to the private part of the house unless call upon. But Rory wasn't that comfortable with the whole security 24/7 yet and Logan knew it. He picked her up in his arms and carried her bridal style to their master bedroom with the obvious intention of having sex with her.

They had only been boyfriend and girlfriend for 2 days when Logan walked out on Rory, to be alone, after a confrontation with his family. This introvert dealing with feelings hurt Rory and through the years they had worked out strategies for Logan to include Rory instead of shutting her out; Sex being their favorite strategy. Rory felt like she could do something, when they released the feelings together in passionate sex.

Since Leia came around, they had had to figure out more strategies, since sex was not always doable, being pregnant or having a child around. Rory found peace with Logan running with his PPO, as long as he checked in with her before going; Looked into her eyes, kissed her and let her know what was going on.

Putting Rory down on the bed, standing there looking at this beautiful woman, with his twin boys in her belly, full of anger and frustration from his father's words, Logan felt completely overwhelmed. He undressed and crawled into bed to escape to a better place with his wife for a little while.