When Fate Steps In

Chapter 34 Christmas with Shira

Chapter 34 Christmas with Shira

Josh and Honor left ahead of Rory and Logan. Honor was going by Zaxby's to pick up a Chicken finger plater. Sometimes her mother doesn't think about the little kids not eating what she serves. Rory and Logan were met at the door by Evelyn the maid. She has been the Huntzburger's maid since Logan and Honor were small. Logan leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Evelyn, how have you been? I hope Fred is doing well." "Yes, Logan, I am fine and so is Fred." "You remember Rory? She's my fiancé now. These little munchkins are her twins, Chris in the red and Will in the blue." Evelyn bends down to their level. "Hello, boys. I have known Logan since he was about your size. Maybe someday I can tell you some stories" Logan chucked. "Evelyn, let's not go there." Evelyn was laughing. Ms. Huntzburger is in the sitting room. "Ok," Logan said. "Karson, the twin's nanny will be along shortly, just direct her to us." "Let me take the present. You do want them all under the tree?" Rory answered. "Yes please"

The boys were shy going into the setting room. "For goodness's sake, come on in," Shira said as she got up to greet Logan. He kissed her on the cheek. "Hello, Mother. How are you?" Shira just sighed. "I'm fine. Honor should be here shortly." She turned to go sit back down. "Logan helps yourself to a drink and refill mine please." Logan nodded and looked at Rory. "yes, scootch please, neat" Logan raised his eyebrow at her. "Ace, anticipating?" Logan whispered. Rory thought well she has not acknowledged me or the boys. This could be an interesting night.

Honor and Josh entered the room while Logan was at the drink cart followed by Karson. They greeted Shira as Joshua and Samuel grabbed Will and Chris. "Come on, Grandmother has a killer game room," Samuel said as they left the room.

Everyone had a seat. Rory, Karson, and Honor were talking about Chilton and the boys. Josh and Logan were talking about a case that had been on the news lately. Shira just sat there drinking her drink and looking around. Finally, she cleared her throat. "I assume your father will be late as usual. Maybe we should eat without him. Being retired looks like he could be on time." Logan and Honor exchanged looks. Rory just sat back on the couch waiting. "Mother, Mitchum is not coming tonight." Logan said. "what? Why? This is a family Christmas dinner." Shira said a little too loud. Rory got up and motioned for Karson to follow, "We will check on the boys. I will just follow the noise." The last thing she wanted was the boys to come into the sitting room after hearing the yelling. Yes, she knows there will be yelling.

"Mother, calm down." "Don't tell me to calm down." Shira huffed. "Mom" Honor began. Then she looked at Logan. He shook his head and said, "Go ahead" Josh took her hand "Dad is not coming tonight. We just left his house. We exchange gifts with him." "Why would you have Christmas at his house when you know you were coming here?" Honor looked at Logan "Your turn" "Mother, we went to Dad's to have Christmas with him and our half-sister" He wished Rory was in here. "What? Half-sister? You have got to be kidding me. Who is the mother? Logan sighed "All I know about her is her name is Cynthia" just as Rory stepped back into the sitting room. "I just say Evelyn, she said that Dinner is ready. The boys are washing up" Rory informed. They all stood up. Ready to eat. As they were leaving the room to go to the dining room, Rory noticed the Shira had not moved. She nudged Logan. "Josh, you and Rory get the boys settled at the table. Honor, come with me. We need to talk to Mother."

Honor and Logan returned to the room. Shira was just sitting there drinking her cocktail. "Mother," Logan said. "Would you like for us to tell you what we know now, or would you rather wait until after eating and opening presents. I'm asking this because when you sit down at the dinner table, we will have a nice Christmas dinner." Honor nodded her head "I agree Mother. This will not ruin Christmas dinner at your house for the boys." "Explain now. First, let me ask you a question. How old is this child?" "Twelve I think" Honor said. "She lives in London with Cynthia" Shira just nodded. Not saying anything. "Mother, I am sure this is a shock to you," Logan said. Shira scoffed "No, not a shock. I have known about this child for a few years. I am surprised he introduced her. Did you find out Logan or did he tell you? I'm sure if you look into his financial you can see where he has been paying for her." "No Mother. Dad told me. I have not questioned his spending. It has not produced any red flags. You can be sure I had the books checked and rechecked before I took over. The money must have come from his personal accounts" Shira stood up. "I'm ready to eat now." And walked out of the room.

Surprising both Honor and Logan, the rest of the night went very smoothly. The kids opened their presents. Again, surprisingly she did fairly well-choosing gifts for the children. When they left, Logan asked Honor and Josh to come by their house for a while so they could talk.

When they got home, the boys took their Christmas haul to the playroom. Logan asked if anyone wanted anything to drink. Honor and Josh both wanted water. "Ace, what about you?" "No thank you. I'll be right back." Rory to go to the bathroom. She turned the water on. She did not want anyone to hear her. She was nauseous. She threw up several times. She didn't want to worry Logan. They had too much going on with Christmas, his half-sister, and Shira. She washed her face and used mouth wash.

When she returned, she sat on the couch? Logan was in one of her Queen Ann chairs, Honor in the other. Josh was sitting on the couch opposite Rory. Honor and Logan were discussing their parents. After a few minutes, Logan reached to touch Rory's hand and she flinched. "Wow, Ace, What's wrong." "Nothing, my mind was just wondering. You just scared me." "Okay," Logan said.

The two adult children continued to discuss their parents. After an hour or so, they decided to readdress this after Logan and Rory came back from their Honeymoon. They were all keeping their fingers crossed that they would be able to get through the rehearsal supper, wedding, and reception with a fight.