Where They Belong (Gilmore Girls AYITL continued)

Discovering

When we reached Fitz' room, he was crying. I picked him up and checked to see if he had a fever. He was not too warm. His face was getting red as he grunted.

Logan said, "whoa. Is he in pain?"

"Not likely. He must have a little constipation."

I sat down in the rocker in his room and held him. In another minute he seemed to be finished. Looking at Logan, I asked, "how you changed a diaper before?"

"Uh, no."

"Time to learn then, Daddy."

"What?"

"Yes, sir. Get over here and I'll show you what to do. Now, you should always try to be fast otherwise you might get a squirt in the face."

"Ew, yuck."

Yeah, no kidding. It's happened to me. Not fun. Your boy has a really good stream."

"Hey, that's my boy. Do we have bragging rights, Fitz?"

"Logan, eyes on the task. Pay attention."

When all was taken care of, I picked Fitz up. "Does your tummy feel better now? Yeah, I bet it does. Now, there you go back to sleep."

We went back downstairs and outside to clean up everything. Logan and I worked together silently bringing everything back into the kitchen. When all was cleaned up, I turned to ask Logan, "you want another drink."

"I don't want to overstay my welcome. But, I'm game, if you are."

"You have not overstayed. I'm game."

We took our drinks and went into the living room.

Looking around, Logan commented, "I like what you did with this room. All the stiff furniture is gone. It looks so much more comfortable."

"I like the way it turned out. Grandma doesn't say much when she's here, but I know she still feels Grandpa's presence in this house."

"Does Emily know I'm Fitz' father?"

"God, no."

Logan laughed out loud. He had his arm up on top of the sofa cushions and sat facing me. Staring into my eyes, he asked, "did you hear my question before Fitz interrupted us?"

"Yes, I heard it."

"And?"

"Logan, we have so much to get settled and worked out before we should even think about kissing."

"But, it's so much fun and I always liked kissing you." Then he gave me that sexy smirk of his and I wanted to jump in his lap.

"Stop. I think you and I need some serious therapy sessions before we go down that road again."

"Really?! You set it up and I'll go to therapy with you."

"You will?"

"If it will get me back on your good side, sure. We do have to try and be friends for Fitz' sake, right?"

"Yeah, for Fitz' sake."

Logan finished his drink and putting the glass down on the table, he stood up and said, "I think I better be going. It's really been a great night."

"You're welcome to come back in the morning, if you want."

"Can I let you know?," he asked.

Walking him to the door, I answered, "sure, that's fine."

"You'll take my call just to talk?"

"Sure, Logan. Anytime."

"So, do I get a hug, at least."

Giving him a raised eyebrow, I walked into his arms and he squeezed me tight. It felt wonderful—like old times.

"Thanks again for a wonderful night. And, thank you for the best gift I've ever received."

"You're welcome, Logan. You did have a part in it, you know."

"Well, you did do all the hard work." Then, he kissed me on the cheek and quickly escaped, looking back with that smirk.

"Incorrigible," I yelled at him.

"I prefer moxie, Ace."

** * * * * * * * * * * * *

As Logan settled into the car, the smile remained fixed on his face. He thought about how wonderful it felt to hold Rory in his arms again. He had missed her more than he cared to think about. I hope we can work out our differences and find solace with each other. Was she serious about going to therapy? It might be something that could help us understand the actions of our past and bring us closer together. Since it was too late to call his dad tonight, he decided to check into a hotel. He'd have to face the music tomorrow though.

Rory was trying to get the feel of Logan's arms around her out of her mind. She thought to herself how impossible he could be. Smiling to herself, she thought about him calling her 'Ace'--that special term he'd given her all those years ago in college. Shaking her head as she tidied up the kitchen, her phone pinged.

"Hi, thought I'd bring donuts by early in the morning. Any special requests?" L

"You know I like them all. I'll let you pick." R

Logan arrived the next morning at 8 o'clock with a large loaded box of goodies. I was still trying to feed Fitz some cereal. He was pretty much covered in a gooey mess.

"Hey, buddy. What you got going on there?," Logan asked as he looked at me with a questioning expression.

"He's wanting to feed himself these days and keeps trying to grab the spoon from me."

"You keep trying, Fitz. Mommy will cave and you'll win the battle."

"Shush! You want to try this."

"No, way. I'll let you take care of that."

"You want some coffee?"

"Sure. Listen, just a heads up. I'm going to go see Mitchum and Shira this morning and give them the news."

"Oh, hell. I don't even want to think about that conversation. Try to keep your cool."

"Yeah,I 'll try," he said as he looked into my eyes holding my gaze.

Cleaning Fitz up I took him into the living room. Logan and I sat down and he watched his son laugh and grab at his toys. He went over to Fitz and took hold of one of his hands. Fitz looked at him brightly smiling and saying, "da-da." Flailing his arms he said again, "da-da". Logan's face lit up. He looked at me asking, "did he just say 'da-da'?"

"Yes. I think he did. As much as I don't like that he's saying 'da-da' before 'mama,' it is easier for babies to say."

"Aah, I feel so privileged though."

"It might be a sign of high intelligence since he's only heard the term for two days."

"Of course, I'm sure that's it. Isn't that right buddy?" He gave Fitz a little tickle on his belly. "Okay, I guess it's time to head out to the war lords."

"Good luck," I said as I followed him to the door. "Seriously, Logan, call me if you need to vent."

"Thanks, I'll be in touch for sure."

Sweeping out the door, I watched him drive away. A powerful force he was, indeed. It was the way he had always been in and out of my life. Maybe that was part of the appeal of Logan. He was kind of grander than life—with his life and death adventures and over-the-top gestures. He was in-your-face with a challenge. Like the time he,Finn and Colin were looking for that girl's dorm room. He stayed there bantering with me—telling me to call him Master and Commander and then, asking me if that was fun. Stepping in at the Yale alumni meat market party and pretending to be my boyfriend. Logan had learned well from his family about obligation. Had he given up some of that challenging demeanor, though?