Unfinished Business

21

Rory:

There was tension the rest of the night, but thankfully everyone did exactly what I had asked of them and they were civil to Logan. In no way was this what I wanted our last night to consist of.

"Well it think it's time I get going." Logan said, looking at his watch.

"Can't you stay just a little longer?" Logan asked.

Mom, Luke and Jess had said their goodbyes and good nights about an hour ago so just our little family was left at the table.

"It's past your bedtime anyway little miss." I said. "You go get ready for bed and I'll be in shortly. Now say goodnight to Logan."

"But mommy..." She whined.

"Now." I said giving her a stern look.

"Goodbye Logan." She said as she pouted away.

"Goodnight." Logan said to his daughter as he watched her dissappear into the bedroom.

"I'll walk you out." I said, standing up.

***

Logan:

We walked out the front door and Rory closed the door behind us. We were finally alone. 

"Well, that was an...interesting night. " I said, shoving my hands in my pockets. I still wasn't happy about how the night went but Rory had already been through a lot for one evening.

"Yeah. I'm really sorry about all of that." She said to me. "This is not what I was hopping for when I asked you to come over for dinner."

"Yeah. I know. It's just...I don't know." I said not really wanting to give her even more shit than she had already been through.

"What?" She asked. 

"It's just. I don't understand why you feel like you need to give them an explanation." I said. "Especially Jess. What was that all about anyway."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well the way you reacted when he showed up tonight. And then going outside to "talk"? What are you two together and you didn't bother telling me?" I asked, trying not to get angry.

"What? No! I haven't thought of Jess like that for what feels like forever. Even before you were ever in the picture. That's how long it's been." She came back at me, defensive.

"Then what?" I asked.

"Logan. It's been a long night." She replied.

"No Rory. That's my kid in there. And come to find out she's attached to some guy. One of you ex's nonetheless. Do you realize how that makes me feel?" I said, noticeably upset now.

She just looked away.

"Pissed off, Rory. That's how it makes me feel." 

"I'm sorry." She said, looking down at the dirty snow below her feet.

"So why is that?" I asked. I wanted an explanation before I had to leave and get on a plane tomorrow morning.

"Well, Jess. He's been there for me since the beginning." She started.

"Okay go on." I said. 

"He found out shortly after I told mom. He wasn't to keen on the idea of me not say anything to you, but then again he wasn't going to push me on the matter."

"Oh course he didn't." I said rolling my eyes. That guy has some balls, trying to step into my place.

"Can I please finish." She said, looking at me annoyed. When I didn't say anything she continued.

"He wanted to stick around. Be there for me when I needed him and so forth. But I made it clear that no relationship would happen. I told him she had a father and didn't need another one. So he took on the role of a great uncle. He pops in and out when he's in town but he's never tried to be her dad." She said.

"So you two aren't together?" I asked.

"No. We're not." She said. "If we were why would I agree to a fresh start with you."

"Okay. But, why did you feel like you needed to explain our situation to him?" I asked, still confused.

"Because, he watched me go through the hurt of letting you go. He watched me raise Logan as a single mother. He doesn't want to see me get hurt." She said. "Now I'm not trying to condone the way he acted in any sense. But, like I said, I've had a very long night and I just want to put this night behind us. So can we do that please?"

I looked at her tired face. Tonight really had drained her and right now I was trying to be as understanding as possible. But, it still hurt to see my daughter have such a connection with some other guy. 

"I'm still not okay with it." I said. 

"I know. I don't blame you." She replied, letting out a sigh.

"I don't think I ever will be." I continued.

"Well he is Luke's nephew, which does make him her Uncle." She said. 

"Doesn't mean I have to like it." I shot back. 

"Okay. Fair enough." she said, conceding.

"I'm gonna need a little time." I replied. 

"Okay." She said a worried expression flitting across her face. "Are we okay?" 

I let out a sigh before responding. "Yeah. We're okay. I have to go now. Early flight and all." 

"Okay. Well let me know when you get back to the city." She said.

"Okay."

Without another word I climbed in my car and started the engine. I looked out the window at Rory standing there in the snow as it started to light fall from the sky. And here I just wanted a good night before I had to head back to London in the morning. At least I got to know my little girl more. 

I stepped on the gas and was off.