When Fate Steps In

Chapter 31 Getting Ready for "Christmas Marathon

Chapter 31 Getting Ready for "Christmas Marathon

Logan and Rory lazed around the apartment most of Sunday. They meet Collin, Steph, and Finn for an early supper before heading back to Hartford. Rory knew that she had to hit the floor running Monday morning. She had lots to do before Tuesday. After the family gathering at the Huntzburger Manor, no she is not looking forward to it, Wednesday is the party at the Dragonfly, Then Thursday is the party for the Hartford office at the Gilmore Manor. Yes, she has a lot to do before the Christmas party marathon begins.

Rory had her phone out on the drive back to Hartford. She was looking at the 'Christmas Marathon' as they liked to call it. She and Logan needed to be on the same page. She told Logan that Billy and Melissa would not be coming for Christmas but would be here to get the boys after the wedding. They were discussing some of the logistics. Rory was supposed to help Lane decorate the Dragonfly for the party. Rory made plans with Lane to meet her early Tuesday morning. They had all the decorations, they just needed to decorate. Rory told Logan that she would have his clothes at the Dragonfly. "Mom reserved the VIP suite for us. I am bringing the boys' clothes as well. Karson will bring the boys in time to get them ready for the party." "We have to be a the Huntzburger Manor by 6:00 Wednesday." "What do I need to bring?" "Just the presents, '' Rory nodded. She had taken care of that earlier. "What are your plans for Thursday? Are you working at the office?" Rory asked. "Not unless there is a problem" "Okay, Karson is leaving early Thursday morning. She is dropping the boys off at Mom's. The carters and the decorators will be at the house first thing. You will need to be home by 4 to get ready" "you know this is not like the HPG party we attended in New York?" "Yes, I know. It will not be gowns and tuxedos. It will be casual but not jeans and tee shirts." Rory said with a laugh. "Logan, I know. But the HPG party planners are taking over my house. I just want to make sure all goes well. This is a reflection on you....and our family." He grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Ace, it will be okay. I promise." After a few minutes of silence, Logan asked. "Did you get my sister a present?" Rory looked at Logan, "You know we got Honor a present. You helped me pick it out...but that is not the sister you are talking about, is it?" Logan shook his head. "Logan, how am I supposed to buy a gift for a12 year old that I have never met. You have never met. Is she going to be at the party at the Huntzburger Manor? Oh, please tell me your dad has not lost his mind. That will be a disaster. I do not want the boys there. Your mom is going to flip her wig." "No, she is not coming to Mom's house." Dad wants us to bring the boys to his apartment Wednesday for lunch. Honor and her boys will be there. Dad wants to introduce her to us." "Oh wow, that will be interesting." "Yeah, I thought so." They drove in silence for a while. After stopping for Rory to use the bathroom and get a cup of coffee they discuss the last details of the wedding.

Monday morning Rory woke up not feeling good. She got up and took her temperature. No fever. Good, she did not have time to be sick. Maybe it was something she ate. She took an antacid and laid back down in bed. "Ace, you, okay?" "Yeah, a little heartburn. Took an antacid. I'll feel better in a few minutes. "Why don't I take the boys to see Santa at the mall? That way you can do everything you need to be ready for the 'Christmas Marathon'" Rory was laughing, Logan said the last part in a scary voice.

After a while, they got up and got dressed. Karson helped Rory get the boys ready to go see Santa. When Logan left with the boys, she reminded him not to forget Jessi's present. He looked at her. "I don't know what to get her." Karson laughed. "I'll take care of its Rory. She's 12, right?" "Yes, my half-sister that I just found out about is 12 years old." "You know it is not her fault?" Karson said. Logan nodded his head. "Yes, I know that, but sometimes I need to be reminded." He smiled as each had a twin on their hip.

Rory and Mrs. Lewis were cleaning up. Logan's party planner that would be there Thursday morning would clean before and after the party, but Rory still likes doing some of the cleaning herself. By the time they returned from the mall, Rory had already sent Mrs. Lewis on her way for the holiday. She did not expect her back until after the wedding, which she and her husband were invited to. Mrs. Lewis fills the freezer with ready-to-cook casseroles to last a month. Rory would have her choose from.

The boys were excited. They were showing off the picture of them sitting in Santa's lap. Rory was smiling at their enthusiasm. She walked up to Logan who was putting up the coats and boots they had worn and asked him "Did you hear the list? Is there something they asked for that they didn't put in the letter to Santa?" Logan gave her a kiss "No, Santa has everything under control. You need to stop worrying." Rory kissed him back. "Hey, did you lose one? Where is Karson?" Logan looked at her like oh no I forgot her, then smiled. "No, she ran into a couple of her friends shopping so I told her to go ahead and to call if she needed a ride back home. But one of the girls in the group said they would bring her home. Maybe Manda was her name?"

Logan and Rory played with the boys for a while. When Rory went up to give them a bath Logan warmed up one of the casseroles and made a salad. After eating they watched 'Mickey Mouse and Friends Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas' with the boys. Karson came home during a "Charlie Brown Christmas'. She finished watching the movie with them before heading to bed.