The Aftermath - A Gilmore Girls Revival Fan Fiction

Chapter 21

"So you're really leaving today?  Why?  Thanksgiving is in four days and your whole family will all be here.  Can't you at least stay until after that?" I pleaded with Jess as he was gathering his things from the apartment into his duffel bag. 

"Nah, its no big deal.  We've never really done the traditional holiday 'thing' anyway" he said. 

"Not even since your sister was born?" I asked in surprise.

"When's the last time you spent a holiday with YOUR sister?" He asked. 

I scowled.  "Point taken, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't LIKE to, just means I can't hop a plane to Paris every time I want to see her" I reminded him. 

He nodded.  "I visit with Doula plenty, you know.  And we Skype" he said. 

I raised an eyebrow, more surprised than I expected to be.  He slung his bag over his shoulder and turned to me.

"I'll think about coming back for a couple of hours for dinner on Thursday, and then head back home after.  Would that make you happy?" He asked reluctantly.

I smiled.  "Yes, and I think it'll make your mom happy, and Doula happy, and Luke happy, and..." I trailed off.

"Get over here and give me a hug before I go" he said, outstretching his free arm invitingly. 

I hugged him as best as I could with the bag in the way and smiled.  "Thank you for everything, Jess.  It really meant a lot to me, having you here" I promised.

"I know.  It meant a lot to me too, to have a best friend again.  It's been a long time since I've had that with anyone.  I don't throw that title around easily" he said. 

"I know" I said with another smile. 

"You and the little one better take care of each other while I'm gone" he said.  I nodded.  "See ya, Rory" he said, and then he walked out.

**********

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Logan asked, walking into the office of Mitchum Huntzberger. 

"Ah, Logan.  Go ahead and shut the door and have a seat.  I'll be finished with this report in just a second" he said, almost pleasantly, turning his attention back to the laptop in front of him.  That made Logan even more nervous than before. 

He did what he was told, anxiously awaiting his father's reaction to the event from the morning. 

After what felt like forever, Mitchum closed his laptop and turned his attention back to his son.

"So...  Can you tell me what happened to you today, son?  And why I've been asked by multiple people whether you came to work today drunk or stoned...?" Mitchum started off. 

Logan exhaled deeply and was about to speak when his dad continued, "How do you expect to be good enough for a woman as wonderful as Odette, and her family, if you can't even prove your worth to your biggest client?" He asked.

Logan hung his head in shame, nodding as he listened to his father's words.  "I thought I prepared you better than this, have I just over estimated you?  Saw more in you than what you're actually capable of?" Mitchum kept on. 

Logan knew he had let his father down.  "Dad, I know I screwed up, I get it" he said, in disappointment of himself.

"No, Logan, I don't think you do.  You're about to lose everything that's been handed to you on a silver platter, all because you're still too much of a child to take your life seriously for a change!" Mitchum's voice boomed.  Even his speaking voice could pack a punch when he wanted it to. 

"What do you mean I'm about to lose everything?" Logan asked uncertainly.

"I had to kiss a lot of ass and make a lot of promises that I'm not even sure I can make good on, just to make sure I could keep them from insisting I take you off this project.  You only have one more shot, Logan, and if you mess up one more time, then there's nothing I can do.  You'll be off the project" Mitchum warned.

"Well, I mean, it's certainly not ideal, but there would be other projects..." Logan reminded his dad.

"No, Logan, not for you there wouldn't be.  You don't understand son, but if you lose this project, you lose your reputation.  If you lose your reputation, you lose the job.  If you lose the job, you lose the girl.  If you lose the girl, we lose the plan - which is the whole damn reason we're doing all of this to begin with, damn it!  I've bent myself over backwards trying to lay out your legacy for you, Logan, and I'll be damned if I let you just throw that away!" Mitchum commanded.

Logan was angry now.  "And what about what I want?  Or how I feel about this 'master plan'?  Did you ever stop to think that maybe there's more to life than just money?  That maybe I'm not like you and that the reason I'm going along with your master plan isn't because I believe it's the right thing to do?  Or it isn't because I want endless money, unyielding power or the prestige?  None of that MEANS anything to me, dad!  I just want to make you and mom happy - but I also want to be happy in the process.  Hell, Odette and I don't even like each other!  So no, don't you dare tell me I'm acting like a child, dad, when I'm the one acting more selflessly than anyone else involved," Logan said through gritted teeth. 

Mitchum stood up, looming over his son.  "When are you going to stop being so damn weak and finally grow a pair, son?  You and Odette don't have to like each other to get married.  No one with money ever marries for love.  That's just the cold hard truth, and it's about time you came to terms with it.  You need to do what's right for your family.  This is bigger than you'll ever be.  This is your legacy we're talking about.  You need to wake up and realize the world doesn't revolve around you" he growled.

Logan just stared at him angrily, unable to speak he was so mad.

"Look, if it means that much to you to be happy, after your probation period ends a year in, get yourself a hot young secretary to bang.  But until then, you need to be on your best behavior, and I mean it" Mitchum instructed.