The day had been nearly perfect so far. Instead of a big fancy dinner, we opted for more of a cocktail reception....drinks, music and a little food. It's much more relaxing and intimate. The music being played was like a soundtrack for our lives: Peggy Lee, Chuck Berry, Rosemary Clooney, Mancini, Sam Phillips and Jim Sturgess. It was wonderfully thought out by my mother and Logan. It was so eclectic and diverse. I think I even heard some Hep Alien thrown into the mix. They may not have a record deal, but it doesn't mean we leave them off the playlist.
We spent a great deal of the night mingling with everyone. I hadn't met much of Logan's family, but they were surprisingly nice to me. It was hard to tell if they were genuine or putting on a show for Logan's sake. I didn't spend much time dwelling on their sincerity. My attention was quickly drawn to Miss Patty.
"Rory, honey, who are those gorgeous boys over there?" she said pointing at Robert, Colin and Finn. "Do you know if any of them is single?"
"Oh, Miss Patty, these boys are far too young for you," I replied.
"That's never stopped me before, honey!" she said with a look that confirmed her words.
It was pretty early in the night for any of them to go home with Miss Patty and if she stuck around long enough, it was a pretty good bet at least one of them would get naked. I'd better go over and warn them. She could be very dangerous and the boys are susceptible to womanly wiles after a few drinks, especially Finn!
Unfortunately, Miss Patty moved much quicker than I anticipated. I heard a yelp out of one of the boys, but I wasn't sure which one. I turned to look and see the look on Colin's face that said he was the owner of the noise. I'm not sure what she had done to him, but it certainly surprised him. I've seen the guys get turned down after being quite forward. It was amusing to see the tables turned. I did my best not to laugh audibly.
"Rory, darling, who is that lovely woman?" Finn asked.
"Finn, you take your life in your own hands with Miss Patty," I replied. "She's more woman than any man I know can handle!"
"Do you know who you're talking to, Love? Where's the scotch?"
Finn left on his mission to find a drink. If he wanted to get involved, who am I to stop him? I had warned him, and Colin found out the hard way. I haven't seen Robert since Miss Patty asked about the boys. I'm guessing he took a cue from Colin and made himself scarce. I'll assume he's safe from Miss Patty's grasps. After a quick glance around, I made my way back to Logan.
A few minutes later, Mitchum made his way over to us. I couldn't believe Logan's parents were still here. I figured they would excuse themselves within the first hour. Most of these people are definitely not part of their circle. I guess with a few drinks the walls start to crumble and people become a little more real. Mitchum seems to be doing much better, and that worries me. With his strength returning, I fear the old attitude may quickly follow. I could feel my pulse and breathing begin to speed up. I knew this day had been too perfect, too easy.
"I don't think I've said congratulations to you," he began. "Now, I know that our relationship has been less than ideal."
Maybe my initial fear wouldn't come to fruition. It doesn't mean that the idea would disappear, it will always be in the back of my mind. Maybe after time, it would eventually subside.
Mitchum continued. "I've known about the two of you for quite some time. I like to know when things are going on."
My heart was sinking. Where was this going? I know it's too late to break us up, but it doesn't mean he can't make things a living hell.
"After Logan called off the wedding to Odette, he finally came clean to me. Of course that was while I was lying on a hospital bed, but he told me the story. He told me how he saw you that day in Hamburg," Mitchum recalled.
His face was softer than I'd ever seen. Normally, his hardened expression makes discerning his true feelings, meanings very challenging. This time, I could read him. Not an open book, but a vast improvement. My own fears had subsided, not completely, but enough to slow my heart to a more normal rate.
Mitchum reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out an envelope and handed it to Logan. "Here," he said. "It's all set up. Logan, don't worry about the office. They can handle things for a week without you. I don't want you to make the same mistakes I've made."
"Dad...." Logan began.
"Logan, you have to do this! I'm sorry we can't do more time right now, but take advantage of this. Don't be like me!"
He shook Logan's hand and held out his hands to me. I reached back reluctantly. He gave them a little squeeze. "Welcome to the family, Rory. I really mean it," he said before he walked away.
Logan opened the envelope and looked inside. It was plane tickets for Hamburg. Our flight was Monday morning. There was also information about a hotel reservation tucked just behind. This doesn't seem, at all, like anything Mitchum would do......or support.
"Can you believe my dad did this? He's never been one to advocate for family over work! Even when my grandfather passed away, my dad was back to work less than 24 hours later. He barely took time off for the funeral....of his father. Could he have turned over a new leaf? Is he for real or is this some sort of test?" Logan pondered aloud.
"Logan, this side of him seems foreign to me, too. I don't know him as well as you, obviously, but I know him well enough to know this is not typical Mitchum," I replied. "I don't think this is a test though. It seems genuine. Why else would he send us to Hamburg? He knows what that city means to us."
"I know. I'm just trying to get used to this 'new' Mitchum," he said, thoughtfully.
"Things have definitely shifted in our favor, but it's like an earthquake and we're expecting the aftershocks," I said. "On a happier note, we actually get to take a little honeymoon."
I felt more happiness returning at the prospect of spending a wonderful week with Logan in Hamburg. Logan turned to me and put his hands on my hips, drawing me closer. "I can't wait to go back to where this chapter of our life started. This is going to be amazing!" Logan kissed me and then everything went black.