The Only Exception

Broken Strings

Finn sat in his apartment organising where he was going to take Rory for dinner that evening. He was feeling rather content until he thought about the fact that he had kissed his best friend's ex yesterday. His best friend's pregnant ex. He suddenly felt really guilty about it, and debated whether he should cancel. After questioning himself for some time, having finished booking a restaurant, he rationalised that Logan was moving on with his life; and at the same time, his treatment of Rory was not fair. She deserved better; however, the usually confident Australian was doubting whether he could be better, or even just simply good enough for her? He wasn't one for dating in general, and was certainly known by his friends, as well as Rory, for his inability to commit and settle down. However, she was the first person he had ever envisioned doing just that with. She made him want to be that person; to be a better man.

He had witnessed what he believed to be love, and had seen it destroyed before him. It had always been why he chose to never really let anyone in. Sleeping around meant no commitment, no worries, no broken heart. Then he saw Rory that day at Yale and questioned everything; he made no secret of the fact that he'd taken a liking to her, however, when she and Logan became serious, he dismissed his emotions and carried on with his wild antics; drinking, sex, drugs, adventures, holidays... In hindsight they were all distractions. Distractions from settling down. Sure, he had become a fine businessman, one that his family had grown to be extremely proud of. He just wishes his family were still all in one place, and not scattered all over the world.

He moved to Connecticut with his father when he was fourteen. It had not been long before Finn was sent to boarding school and befriended the people he now considered his new family; he then also joined them at Yale. When his mother and father told him they were divorcing, it had completely blindsided him. They had, until then, been an extremely close knit family, or at least that was what he had thought; although it seems that he must have been blissfully unaware. Because of this, his provocative antics and bizarre behavior became even wilder. Finn was happy to be the source of entertainment to his friends, he was happy to be the one that put smiles on their faces. He was happy that when he was around them, he wasn't feeling like he was being pulled in two different directions.

His mother remained in Melbourne with his twin sisters, they had since started a joint business venture and become very successful in the fashion industry. Imogen and Eden, despite not seeing their eldest brother much in their teens, had become very close to him as they had gotten older. They were also constantly trying to get him to settle down instead of sleeping his way through the models they befriended through their work. His brother, Leo, was the youngest and was the most settled and sensible out of the family. He was the voice of reason, and usually the only one to make any headway when Finn needed reigning in. Leo also worked for their father's company with the European holdings. Over the years, Finn and Leo grew closer as brothers, having to regularly meet with respect to working and family commitments. Xavier Morgan was a force to be reckoned with, much like his eldest son he was known as a ladies' man, but he always regretted betraying his wife. She was his grounding force, but when he found himself working all over the world and seeing her and his family less and less; he became lonely. He had sought comfort in the arms of other women, and Eleanor had never been able to forgive him. Just as well, as he would never forgive himself; however he had been a shrewd businessman, and threw himself into making Morgan Holdings one of the largest luxury hotel businesses in the world. One thing Eleanor and Xavier did continue to do together, was try to be good parents and all their children, and maintain a decent relationship with each of their children. This was easier said than done at times, though, with Finn and Leo residing with their father in the states and the twins growing up with their mother in Australia.

Finn had come to the conclusion it was now or never; he needed to try. He needed to at least know what it was like to try and find that love that he had heard his friends speak of. The love he witnessed when Colin and Steph had decided to make it official. The love he had seen when Seth and Rosemary had gotten married. Sure, he had been a skeptic for years, but now he had the opportunity to try it for himself. Even if it meant losing Logan in the process, he knew that she was the only woman that had ever been the exception to all of his self-proclaimed rules. She was the only woman he wanted to settle down with, and whether or not the circumstances were difficult, Rory was the only exception.

He knew that he would not be able to rush this, he knew that he needed to tread carefully and he knew that providing this evening went well, he would need to speak to Logan.

** ** **

Rory sat down at the breakfast table, head in her hands tears rolling down her face. She had expected this, but now it had actually happened she just broke down.

The tears flowed silently, then suddenly changed into body shaking sobs. How could he of all people not believe her? Why was he doing this to her, he didn't need to be around if he didn't want to be. She was coming to peace with that notion, but to do this she just had no words. She got up and went into her room, calming herself and trying to steady her breathing. She picked up her phone and took a deep breath...

"Dad?"

"Hey kiddo, how are you doing?"

"Uh, well I am sorry to ask this of you, but I was wondering if I could come and see you tomorrow and possibly direct me to someone who I could discuss family law with?"

"Um sure kiddo, so im guessing your going to be wanting to give me some information now as well Ror?"

"Uh yeah, dad im sorry, im so sorry. I'm pregnant and I just got served."

Let me hold you
For the last time
It's the last chance to feel again
But you broke me
Now I can't feel anythingWhen I love you
It's so untrue
I can't even convince myself
When I'm speaking
It's the voice of someone elseWhoa it tears me up
I try to hold on, but it hurts too much
I try to forgive, but it's not enough to make it all okayYou can't play on broken strings
You can't feel anything that your heart don't want to feel
I can't tell you something that ain't real
Oh the truth hurts
And lies worse
How can I give anymore
When I love you a little less than beforeOh what are we doing
We are turning into dust
Playing house in the ruins of usRunning back through the fire
When there's nothing left to save
It's like chasing the very last train when it's too late (too late)Oh it tears me up
I try to hold on, but it hurts too much
I try to forgive, but it's not enough to make it all okayYou can't play on broken strings
You can't feel anything that your heart don't want to feel
I can't tell you something that ain't real
Well the truth hurts
And lies worse
How can I give anymore
When I love you a little less than beforeBut we're running through the fire
When there's nothing left to save
It's like chasing the very last train
When we both know it's too late (too late)You can't play on broken strings
You can't feel anything that your heart don't want to feel
I can't tell you something that ain't realWell truth hurts
And lies worse
How can I give anymore
When I love you a little less than before
Oh you know that I love you a little less than beforeLet me hold you for the last time
It's the last chance to feel again