Chapter 12

                                    

                                          
"Logan?" Finn asked quietly.
                          
She nodded in assent.
                          
"I've been thinking, Rory," Finn started.
                          
"About what?" she asked curiously.
                          
"This crazy, mixed-up situation: Logan, me, you, the baby...." he trailed off.
                          
"And?"
                          
He took a deep breath and began.  "Well, if you want to give Logan another chance, I won't stand in your way.  This is bigger than me and my feelings.  This is your chance for you and the baby to be a family with Logan.  He's in love with you and always has been.  I will be there for you, just like I have been.  Nothing's changed there.  We are still friends, no matter what," he said solemnly.
                          
"Finn...." she said in almost a whisper.
                          
"You have to do what's best for you and the baby.  You deserve the chance to be a happy family."
                          
"Are you sure?" she asked softly.
                          
"I am, Love," he said, kissing her on the forehead.  "I'll be back in a bit to make sure you're alright."
                          
Finn left the room.  Just outside the door, he saw Logan and gave him a nod.  Logan appeared in her doorway, holding flowers.  He walked to Rory and set the flowers on the table beside her bed.
                          
"The flowers are beautiful, Logan," Rory said.
                          
"I'm sorry about earlier.  I don't know what's gotten into me lately.  I think the idea of losing you has created a monster.  Maybe it's jealousy?  I'm not sure," Logan explained.
                          
"Jealousy?  You have nothing to be jealous about.  Finn is my friend, too, remember?"
                          
"I know, but the idea of anyone else being with you, friend or otherwise, has driven me crazy," he confessed.
                          
"But what about your marriage to Odette?" she asks.
                          
"It was over before it began," he said.
                          
"Really?  You're leaving her?" she said, her curiosity piqued.
                          
"She's not you, Ace," he replied and looked into her eyes.
                          
She felt herself getting caught up in the moment.
                          
"I don't think this is the place to discuss this.  We can talk more when we get home," she said.
                          
"You're right," he started.  "Wait, does that mean...."
                          
"It means I need some time to process things," she said assertively.
                          
Logan's face fell, and she offered him a small smile.  He touched her hand and returned the smile.  The doctor came in and told Rory they needed to do one more ultrasound to make sure everything is still ok.  Rory looked at Logan and saw a familiar expression.  She still knew how to read him after all of these years.
                          
"Would you like to come with and see the baby?" she asked quietly.
                          
"Really?" he said, looking genuinely touched.  "Are you sure?"
                          
"Of course, I'm sure," she replied with a soft smile.
                          
"You have no idea what this means to me," he replied.
                          
She saw the sparkle in his eyes, and the smile on his face melted her.  She missed seeing that smile, the one where his eyes crinkled, and she didn't think he could smile any bigger.
                          
Finn sat in the waiting area.  He started replaying the scene in his mind.  What in the bloody hell did I just do? He thought.  He knew Rory was still hurting from Logan's decision.  He couldn't, in good conscience, pursue a relationship with her until she was ready to move on.  He didn't want to be a rebound or a distraction for her.  He didn't think she was in the position, especially after Logan's proclamations of wanting to risk everything for her and the baby.  Logan had, obviously, been a mess, too.  All he could do, at this point, was be a good friend to her.
                          
He checked his emails while he waited for Rory.  He knew there would be plenty of work-related business.  He welcomed this distraction.  From the looks of things, he was going to have to stay here much longer than he wanted.  Maybe that's for the best.  It will give her time to think and figure out what she wants, he thought.  Another message popped up.
                          
Rory: Dr. wants one more ultrasound before discharging me.  Bringing Logan with so he can see the baby.
                          
Maybe she's already made up her mind, or is she just being the nice person she is, he thought.  Logan is the baby's father, so he should be able to get a look.  Another text brings him back to reality.
                          
Colin: Happy hour tonight?
                          
Finn: Not likely.  I'm in San Francisco.
                          
Colin: What the hell?  You were just there two weeks ago.
                          
Finn: I know, but they are helpless out here.
                          
Colin: You know what happened to Huntz?  He's not answering any texts, and we all know he's not one to miss a happy hour when he's in town!
                          
Finn: He's in San Francisco, too.  Rory ended up in the hospital with food poisoning.
                          
Colin: Rory's there, too?  Is she ok?  What the hell is going on?  This sounds like all kinds of trouble!
                          
Finn: She flew out to surprise me.
                          
Colin: You?  And you didn't say anything to me about this?  I'm hurt, Finn!
                          
Finn: Oh, Buttercup!  You know you're the only one for me!
                          
Colin: Then why wasn't I invited to this party?
                          
Finn: There's a lot more to this story.
                          
Colin: You can't leave me hanging, man!
                          
Finn: Easier to explain on the phone.  I'll call you later.
                          
Colin: I'll hold you to that because the suspense is killing me.
                          
Rory was wheeled to the private exam room for her ultrasound.  Logan looked a little nervous.  She got prepared for the exam.  The tech came in, squeezed some gel on her stomach, and began moving the wand around.  After a minute, she stopped on what appeared to be an alien growing inside Rory.
                          
"There's your baby," she said pointing at the screen.
                          
Logan was stunned.  He couldn't believe that there was actually a baby in there.  It had been this intangible concept before, but seeing the baby moving around made it real.  He held her hand, and she didn't stop it.
                          
"The baby looks like an alien.  Are you sure?" Rory asked.
                          
"Is there something you need to tell me, Rory?" Logan joked.  He was able to relax for the first time in months.  He was so happy to be seeing the baby with Rory.  It wasn't just a picture she'd sent him, and it was just the two of them, together.  This is the way it's supposed to be, he thought.
                          
"I swear, Logan, it's not the Wookiee's!" she replied laughing.  She'd never live down the one-night-stand.  She felt at ease with Logan.  Was I wrong about everything before?  Is this how it's supposed to be? She thought.  She still wasn't entirely sure, but it certainly didn't suck.
                          
The tech moved the wand around again.  
                          
"Would you like to know what you're having?"
                          
Rory and Logan looked at each other.  He flashed her a big smile.
                          
"Well, it looks like today is your lucky day, Dad," Rory said smiling back.
                          
"This is your decision, Rory.  Not mine," he said in a more serious tone.  He put his hand on top of her hand.  He'd love to know, but he's not really in a position to have any influence on her baby-related decisions.  If he wanted to keep her, he'd better not push too hard.
                          
"Yes, we'd like to know," she replied excitedly.