When Fate Steps In

Chapter 30-Huntzburge Publishing Company Christmas Party

Chapter 30-Huntzburge Publishing Company Christmas Party

Saturday morning Rory woke up dreading the party tonight. She also felt guilty because she was dreading the party. Logan watched her as she got up to go make a pot of coffee. It was not terribly early, just 8:30. After a few minutes, Logan got up looking for Rory. He thought she would make a cup of coffee and come back to bed. When he went into the kitchen, he saw her sitting at the bar talking on the phone. He poured them a cup of coffee, grabbed a couple of muffins, and sat down at the bar with her. He was checking his emails on his laptop when he heard Rory talking. He looked up. She was not talking with the boys or her mother. "I know this has been hard on you. You have to do what makes you happy Billy." Rory looked up to see Logan with a questioned look on his face. She smiled at him and mouthed 'Billy's having Melissa problems' Logan nodded. Rory continued to listen and added her two cents worth every so often.

When she got off the phone, she told Logan that Billy called this morning and wanted to talk. "The boys called him this morning and Melissa answered his phone. She was in the house and he was outside getting ready to cut grass. He went in to get his phone when he noticed a call from Lorelai. He asked Melissa about it, but she acted like she didn't know anything. He called momma back and talked with the boys. He thinks Melissa answered his phone and just didn't tell him the boys had called. He loves Melissa, but he thinks she is jealous of the boys." Rory said, just shaking her head.

Logan just watched her and waited. He knows her pretty well. He knows she has an opinion. He is waiting. "I want Billy to be happy. I want him to find what we have. He does not get to see the boys very much. I don't want her to spoil the time he has with them." She stood up to go refill her coffee. "I don't know if I want the boys to go to Jacksonville without me if she is going to be there."

"Maybe you can talk him into only seeing the boys in Hartford. If he wants to visit for a week, he can stay at the Hartford Manor and we could stay in New York. Or He can stay with the boys at my apartment when it is not being used." Logan suggested. Rory said she will mention that to him.

They lazed around the apartment until Logan suggested a late lunch at the Café on the corner. When they returned home, they enjoyed the fact that they did not have little feet wandering around to open doors.

They took their time getting ready for the party. Frank was supposed to pick them up at 7. The Huntzburger party planner had everything under control. Logan had talked with her several times today. Logan got dressed in his black tux and was waiting for Rory to finish up.

Rory stood at the top of the stairs in her Christmas Red Carolina Herrera Icon Silk V-Neck Gown that cost more than she wanted to think about, admiring Logan in his Hugo Boss Black Tux. Her mind went places that they did not have time for. He is wearing a tux. This means he has on silk boxer. She shook her head as if trying to remove the thought. She cleared her throat to get Logan's attention.

"Ace, Wow, you look incredible. You are going to be the belle of the ball." Logan said as she began to descend the stairs. "What do you say? We turn on some music and dance right here in the apartment. I can move those two chairs out of the way. We could just stay home, and dance and I would not have to share you with anyone."

Rory laughed. "I was just thinking the same thing but we both know you have to show up," Rory said as she made it to the bottom of the stairs. Logan went to the closet and got his coat and her wrap, and they headed down to meet Frank.

Frank opened the door to tell both Logan and Rory how wonderful they looked. The traffic was awful. Logan half wished they had a helipad on the roof of his apartment building, but they didn't. That means they are stuck in traffic. They finally arrived and it was their time to exit the limo. Cameras were flashing everywhere. Rory heard her name being called by several reporters wanting to see the ring. Word had gotten out at the Sandlot Christmas party that they were engaged. This means the reporters have the news. They stopped several times on the Red Carpet to be interviewed. Logan had a grin on his face that couldn't be ignored. He was proud to have Rory on his arm. Finn was not too far behind them. He was eating it up. All the attention. The reporter kept asking when he would settle down. Finn loved being the eternal bachelor.

They entered the building and stepped to the coatroom to leave Logan's wool coat and Rory's fur wrap. When they entered the ballroom, Logan was met by the party planner. She explained to Logan that everything was going as planned. Logan noticed John and Stephen talking with Collin and Steph. He excused himself from the party planner by telling her if she needed anything to let him or John know.

"Collin, how did you get the beautiful lady to be your date tonight? You stepped up. Steph, you look beautiful." Logan said, shaking Collins's hand and kissing Stephanie on the cheek. "Right back at you. Rory's great dress." Collin said as he kissed Rory on the cheek. Stephanie grabbed Rory by the hand and pulled her toward the lady's room. "Girly, have I got something to tell you. Shira is here and she brought a date." "Yeah, she was at the apartment yesterday. She insisted that she help with the wedding. She told us she would be here." Rory said, feeling that dread again. "But you don't know the half of it. Mitchum brought a date, and she is younger than Logan." Rory looked at Steph. "How old?" Looks about 26 but who knows with all the available plastic surgery." Rory smiled at Steph and nodded her head. She was glad to hear that he had not brought his daughter.

Rory and Steph joined the boys at the bar. After getting their drinks, Logan and Rory went to find their table. They would be sitting with the board members, which included Honor and Mitchum. Shira would be seated at another table. This Logan knew would not turn out well.

The MC got up and the band stopped. He welcomed everyone to the Christmas Party. Asked everyone to have a seat at their tables. He went through the agenda for the night. Eating, Dancing, Employee Appreciation, Door Prizes. He told everyone to enjoy the evening.

Logan and Rory sat between Honor and Mitchum. True to Steph's words, Mitchum brought a date. When they sat down, Logan whispered to Rory "Do you see Shira" Rory shook her head no. She knew Logan was dreading this. Shira would make a scene. The men talked about business and the women gossiped. This is what is expected at a party like this. Rory was amused. Hartford, New York, Jacksonville. All the same, just different places. She learned a long time ago that she had a lot of Emily in her and she was proud of it.

After coffee and dessert were served, the dance floor began to fill up. Logan asked Rory to dance. While they danced, Logan held her close. Closer than society allows. She had her head on his chest and his hand was just a little further down her back than society liked. Rory whispered in Logan's ear "What would Emily say about how far your hand is down my back?" Logan laughed. "Emily is not here. I don't care what anyone thinks. You are my fiancé; I love you and am not ashamed to show it." They danced like that for several songs before Finn tapped Logan on the shoulder and asked if he could have this dance. Finn and Rory danced a while. Talking as they dance. Rory was asking why he did not bring a date. Finn looked down at Rory. "I don't think it would be a good idea right now. Hopefully, by this time next year, I will be able to bring him." Rory nodded her head. "Is he still not comfortable in public with you?" "We go out to eat and to bars, but big parties like this...His grandfather is still alive. He will be cut completely off if he finds out. His mother wants him to wait until his grandfather passes and he gets him an inheritance. She does not want him to miss out just because he has a boyfriend." Rory hugged Finn. "I'm sorry. I wish things were better for you." "Love, don't worry. I'm happy, we are happy. He will be at our apartment when I get home."

After the song finished, Rory and Finn headed back to Rory's table. Finn wanted to make sure he gave her back to Logan. As they approached the table, they saw Logan and Honor talking with Shira. "Mom, please just go back to your table. We will have you and Dad over for lunch one day. He can bring his date and you can bring yours. You can fight it out. Just don't do it in public." Honor pleaded. Rory walked around to where Logan was standing and put her hand on his back. She wanted to let him know that she was there for him. Logan turned to see Rory. "Ace, you enjoy your dance with Finn?" "I did." They were having to talk close to each other because the MC was calling out numbers for door prizes. After a while, Honor convinced Shira to leave the table. After she left Mitchum returned with his date.

Christopher approached Rory at the table and asked her to dance. "Sure Dad" she got up to take his hand. "I haven't seen you all night. I thought maybe you decided not to come" Rory said as they began to dance. "I'm here. Lana and I are seated at the table next to Shira and her friend." Rory looked over at Lana and weaved.

Rory and Logan finally got to leave around midnight. They were both tired. Rory removed her shoes the minute they got in the limo. She had danced with Logan, her Dad, his Dad, Finn, and Collin. When they returned to the apartment, sleep was all they could think of.