Gilmore Girls: More in the Life

Chapter 74

Luke stood behind the counter, sorting through the paid customer bills. He glanced around and felt a calm wash over him. In all the years he had owned the diner, he had never found it so fruitful as it was now. It gave him a sense of ease to know that he not only chose the right path for him but that he found one that made him happy.

The bell over the door jingled, causing Luke to look at the newcomers. Taylor and Kirk moved through the door and found their way to the counter in front of Luke.

Taylor cleared his throat. "Luke, as you know, Easter is quickly approaching. We will be doing the traditional hiding of the Easter eggs in the town square but we are also hoping to begin a new tradition for the older kids: a scavenger hunt of eggs that are contained around town, including inside local businesses. We have secured the support of many owners so we are hoping you'll follow suit and throw your diner into the ring."

"No Taylor. I'm not having some older kids running around my diner in the hopes of finding hidden eggs."

"Why do you hate this town?"

"I don't hate this town. I hate the stupid "traditions" that you insist on creating every year. I'm running a business here. Customers aren't going to take kindly to loud, smelly kids disrupting their meals all in the name of finding an equally smelly egg."

"I told you that he wouldn't budge, Taylor." Kirk held out his hand. "I'll take my $20 now."

Luke's eyes narrowed. "You bet on this? You actually put money on my agreeing to your ridiculous proposal?"

Taylor's chest puffed out. "I did. I thought the impending arrival of your twins may have softened your heart. I'm sorry to see I'm wrong."

"My heart has softened toward the idea of having more children, not toward you and your asinine wishes."

Taylor harrumphed and turned toward the door. "Let's go Kirk."

Luke laughed. "Don't forget to give Kirk $20!"

******

Logan sat at his computer, knowing he really should get through all the emails he'd been sent that morning. He couldn't concentrate though. It wasn't lost on him that he and Rory were nearing the finish line of the pregnancy and he would soon be able to hold his daughter in his arms.

That thought should scare him, shouldn't it? He should be hyperventilating with sweaty palms and a nervous stomach. But he wasn't. He was excited. He was eager. He was ready.

From the outside looking in, many would assume Logan had a privileged childhood. On most levels, he did. What outsiders didn't see, though, was that for every advantage he had, the cost came in the form of time with his parents. They employed nannies and housekeepers that handled all of the responsibilities with regards to the children. Mitchum and Shira couldn't be bothered with actually being parents to him or Honor.

Once he was in college, Mitchum decided it was time to prune Logan to be his mini-me. Logan rebelled at every turn but, now, he was essentially the company's number two. While he wasn't necessarily happy with how everything had played out, he was thankful he came to his senses and had wised up. The security the company provided for his family was also welcome.

Logan stood. He moved toward the door and walked the short distance to Lora's bedroom. As soon as he entered, a smile lit up his face. Ten weeks until he'd walk in here and see the baby. Ten weeks seemed so far away, yet so close.

All he knew is that he couldn't wait to meet his little girl and prove that he could be the father that his father wasn't.

*****

"Are you serious right now?" Paris looked incredulously at Jamie, who was on one knee in front of her.

"I am. Will you marry me?" Jamie repeated.

"Uh, no. We've only been dating— and casually, I might add— for maybe four months. What in the world made you think proposing would be a good course of action?"

Jamie stood. "Paris, all those years ago, we were both kids. We had no idea what we wanted so when you decided to end things, I picked up the pieces and moved on. I dated around and settled into a relatively serious relationship with Megan but, deep down, I couldn't make it work because Megan wasn't you. Paris Gellar, no matter what has happened in the past, I have never been able to shake you. I don't want to lose you again. So I'll ask for a third time and hope for a different answer: Will you marry me?"

Paris stared at Jamie, her thoughts felt like mud. What was Jamie thinking? She understood the feelings but rushing to get engaged was irrational. She was a newly divorced woman with two children. She needed to reestablish her life without relying on another man. Despite all of her qualms about keeping Doyle around when trying to figure out what field to pursue and what grad school to attend, she swallowed her pride and forged ahead in a relationship with Doyle. And look where that got her.

She wouldn't be so foolish the next time.

As hard as this was going to be, Paris moved toward Jamie and grasped his hands in hers. "No, I don't want to get engaged. Not yet. Jamie, Doyle and I just got divorced a few months ago. I need to be figure out things for myself."

Sadness sprang into Jamie's eyes. "Are you breaking up with me again?"

"No! I just want to let things between us play out farther. I can't rush into another marriage. Not with my kids. I need to connect with them more and make sure they're okay. And let's face it, my kids don't like me as it is so that's going to take a while."

Deflated, Jamie sat down. "I understand. But am I really who you want to be with now?"

"Yes, you are. You are exactly who I need to be with now. You're inspiring me to get to the point where I can't wait to say yes to you."

Paris sat beside Jamie and reached for his hand. She squeezed it lightly, hoping to signify that she meant every word.