Meant to Be

CHAPTER 21 - HOLLY, JOLLY TRUTHS

Logan pulled his Porsche into the driveaway of the Huntzberger estate and turned the ignition off. Katie unbuckled her seat belt, opened the door and hopped out of the car. Logan sat in the driver's seat, working up the nerve to head inside.

"What are you doing Logan? Let's go. I can't wait to see your parents!" Katie said.

That's the problem Logan thought. Was he really engaged to be married to a girl that couldn't wait to spend a holiday with his parents? He shook his head and made his way to the door knowing his only salvation that evening was that his sister, Honor, would be on his side since he clearly couldn't count on Katie to be a team player on this one.

***

Lorelei and Luke sat in the Gilmore drawing room with Richard and Emily when the doorbell rang. Rory ran down the stairs to try to make it to the door before the maid could answer.

"Rory, what on earth are you doing? Let Lola do her job," Emily said sternly.

"Grandma it's my guest! Trust me, it's better if I answer," Rory responded and made her way to the door.

"Paris! I am so glad to see you!" Rory meant it too. What started off as a friendship of convenience at Yale had turned in to a true and lasting friendship. Rory would be lying if she said being friends with Paris was easy, but she respected her bluntness and her loyalty and for that Rory knew they would be friends forever.

"Hi Gilmore. You have no idea what the traffic was like getting out here. I almost turned around three times and went back home but I knew Lorelei would be disappointed to not see me, especially on a holiday," Paris replied deadpanned.

"Well I'm glad you made it. No Doyle?" Rory said.

"No. He has a deadline coming up and you know how anxious he gets. He said the thought of eating figgy pudding would send his stomach in to distress so I left him at home," Paris remarked.

The girls made their way in to the drawing room and Richard offered them drinks. The group moved to the dining room and sat down to the feast that Emily had arranged. Lorelei shared stories of the remolding that she was undertaking at the Inn and Richard spent time going over ways to increase revenue and decrease risk at Luke's Diner (much to Luke's chagrin). They learned that Paris was wrapping up her dual degree in law and medicine and was excited to begin her residency. Rory shared stories from the Plaza that amused the group. As dinner wrapped up Emily had a piece of news to share.

"Sometimes I cannot believe the nerve of Shira Huntzberger. In times like these it is so painfully obvious that she knows nothing of society and decorum. I swear, how she ever wrangled Mitchum Huntzberger I  will never understand," Emily said.

"What do you mean, Mom? What has the crypt keeper done now?" Lorelei asked, looking at Rory with a raised eyebrow.

"She sent Richard and I an invitation for Logan's wedding to that Nichols girl. Why on earth would she ever think we would want to attend that most unholy union?" Emily uttered.

"Mom, let's drop it, ok. Lets not have the Huntzbergers ruin another happy celebration for us," Lorelei said, thinking back to the events that transpired at Rory's graduation.

"Wait a second. How did I not know that the Playboy was getting hitched? Thank the stars above that he will be off the market, although that probably won't stop him from straying too far away from the dating scene. Being in a relationship never seemed to stop him from dipping his toes in to the dating pool, right Rory?" Paris remarked.

"Mom's right. Let's talk about something else, please." Rory said.

The group reached a tentative agreement to move the conversation along as they headed back in to the drawing room for a night cap. Before they could reach the room, Paris grabbed Rory's arm and the two headed upstairs to chat.

"OK, spill in Gilmore. You looked like the cat that ate the canary when Hunztberger was brought up. Is there something you're not telling me? And remember before you answer, I am skilled in Krav Maga so be honest when you answer ... you know I can hurt you if you lie," Paris said.

Rory rolled her eyes and began telling Paris everything that had happened over the last few months. Paris finished the conversation feeling like there was more to the story but she reluctantly decided not to press the issue.

***

Meanwhile at the Hunztberger's, Katie was enthralled in conversation with Shira about the wedding plans to pay too much attention to Logan. Mitchum and Elias were deep in conversation about the upcoming HPG acquisitions so Logan used the opportunity to catch up with Honor.

"Hey baby brother, I am so happy to see you! It's been way too long and I know that dad is practically chaining you to your desk since you've moved back, but this is unacceptable to ignore your favorite sister," Honor said.

"You know what a tyrant Mitchum can be, forgive me," Logan responded.

"You are forgiven. Now come and sit with me and tell me everything that I have missed out on." Honor urged.

"Well I've been working a lot like you said and I've been trying to be supportive of Katie with the wedding plans. I know how difficult mom can be over things like this and I don't want her to get too overwhelmed." Logan said.

"Something tells me nothing overwhelms Katie. It seems like she knows exactly what she wants and exactly how to get it," Honor said trying to be as subtle as she could be. She had never been Katie's biggest fan but she tried her best to keep those feelings to herself as to not upset Logan.

"Yeah, you can say that," Logan said, "So, I ran in to Rory. She works at the Plaza and was actually assigned to our wedding."

"Rory Gilmore? The love of your life, Rory Gilmore?"Honor asked.

"Shhh keep it down Honor. Yes, that Rory Gilmore. She isn't working on the wedding anymore and Katie knows everything that happened between us, but ..." Logan said.

"But what? And don't even think about lying to me baby brother," Honor replied.

"I... I don't know. I'm excited to just be around her. I've been texting with her and it just feels so natural, like no time has passed by at all." Logan answered honestly.

"Logan, your wedding invitations were just sent out. You better figure out what you want before it's too late." Honor replied.

"I know. It's just confusing. Rory didn't want all this, she didn't want me. I know how much Katie loves me and I know that marrying her will avoid a lot of turmoil but, there is just something about Rory. I know that my life will never be as full if she isn't a part of it," Logan looked at his sister as he responded.

"You'll figure it out. You always do." Honor reassured him.

"Yeah. I better figure it out fast." Logan responded earnestly.