Chapter Ten – Tears and Rain

I felt numb. There were tears running down my cheeks but I was completely unaware of them. People would come up to me speaking words that I couldn't hear, words of condolence, well wishes, anything to allay their guilt, for them to walk away with a load off their conscience thinking that those inconsequential words would ease the ache, filling the void that my grandfather's death left in my heart with their inane chatter. It was for this reason that I hated Hartford Society. Well that and my mother.

My mother, if that wasn't reason enough to hate the elite world that I had grown up in, I would probably live here. On second thought, I would still probably hate it. Both of my parents abandoned Honor and me to deal with everything and then showed up only to show the rest of their peers that they 'care' and then disappearing again as soon as acceptable. Meaning that we thankfully only had to deal with the Dark Lord and the Ice Queen for the funeral. I just love my family. Speak of the devil…

"Son? Come over here and meet some business associates." The voice of my father cut through my brooding.

I made my way over to his side slowly snarling at Mitchum silently in my head. You do not talk business at a fucking funeral! He has absolutely no respect for anyone, even his own father! That thought brought a spark of realization to me, it wasn't like I had any respect for him either but I think I could make it through Mitchum's funeral without working. In fact I'm sure of it. One more reason that makes me absolutely positive that I will never be my father.

"Ahh, there you are Logan. What took you so long? This here is Jeff Baker. He's the owner of several large publishing firms on the west coast. We've been talking about a potential merger of the publishing houses. We both wanted to know your opinion."

Jeff had absolutely no emotion on his face, and it was obvious that he was trying to cover up his unease at being put in this situation at a funeral. I then turned to my father who was in turn staring at me expectantly.

"I'm terribly sorry Father, Mr. Baker, but I'm afraid that this is not the appropriate place for business talk. I am currently here to mourn my grandfather. If you want to talk business, we'll set up a meeting for an appropriate time. I'm sorry if this inconveniences you or Mr. Barker but I'm afraid I can not continue this conversation right now." I said icily.

Mr. Barker turned away from Mitchum to face me with a relieved smile. "Of course Logan. I agree that this is no place for business chat. I'm here to pay my respects to your grandfather. He was a great man and is well worth being remembered. You're a very dedicated and loyal grandson. It will be my pleasure doing business with you in the future," he said with remorse tingeing his tone, "be sure to give me a call at your earliest convenience so we can set up a meeting."

"Of course Mr. Barker, I'll be in touch. And thank you so much for coming. I'm sure my grandfather would be glad to know he has made such great friends of his work peers."

He gave me a smile in return. "It's been a pleasure meeting you Logan. And Mitchum," he turned to my father, "we will have to continue this chat later. Call my office and we'll talk. Excuse me gentlemen," he said before turning to walk away.

My father rounded on me with a look of pure fury on his face. "And what, may I ask was that?" he whispered hotly. "That stunt may have very well lost us that merger!"

"Damn the merger Dad!" I said just as quietly but with twice as much conviction. "This is a funeral for your father. At least try to act like you care!"

With that, I turned and walked away, never turning to look back at the man I had left behind.

After the funeral, Honor and I still had the visit to grandpa's lawyer's office to go over the stipulations of his will. When the will was sent to us, I was terrified to look at the document, fearing any of the possibilities that were held in those sheets of paper. I neither wanted Grandpa to leave the whole of the company to my father, although it was his birthright, or even worse, if he had left some of it to me. There was no way that I wanted Mitchum to have that much power over my future, having already surrendered the whole of my youth to him, I was reluctant to have him take over the rest of my life that I thought I might have a say in. On the other hand, I was just as reluctant to take over any part of the corporation regardless of how small a part. The money really didn't matter to me.

"Logan?" Honor's pale face appeared in the doorway. "Are you ready to go see Andrew?"

I raised my eyes to meet her.

"Do you want a real answer to that Honor, or do you want to know if we can leave?"

"If you're feeling anything like I am, I already know how you feel little brother. But we really can't put this off any longer, so I really need to know if we can leave."

We let the silence hang in the air a few moments before I finally replied, "Yes. We can go." I stood slowly from Grandfather's great wingback chair in the library that faced out into the vast lawns of the estate and made my way to my sister's side, wrapping my arm tightly around her slim shoulders as we made our way out of the house.

When we reached the office building that housed McCrae and Sons Attorneys at Law we lingered a moment on the threshold, not quite ready to accept once and for all that Elias Huntzberger was dead; although we both knew in our minds, letting go in our hearts was going to take time, and this was one of the steps that had to be taken. There was also the fact that I had no real wish to see Mr. McCrae ever again, after so many legal indiscretions with both his son and Finn in tow, I'm sure he'd breathe a sigh of deep relief to never have me darken his doorstep again.

"Do you think we'll ever be ready?" I asked.

Honor as always knew me well enough to realize what I was talking about.

"Logan, you're already well on your way to being ready for this. We have all seen you grow this year, especially Grandpa. Even if Dad never notices, I will always believe in you and I know you're ready for whatever you need to do." She sighed. "As for me, I don't know that I'll ever have the strength to do what you have to do little brother."

"And I would never ask, or want you to have to Honor. This is my life, and as much as I resent it and have rebelled against it. I need this and want this. I think I always have."

My sister looked up at me tearfully. "Thank you Logan," she said with a tearful smile. "But that doesn't even fool me for one second. I know you used to want to be an architect. I'm sorry that isn't an option for you."

"Don't even think about being sorry for that. I'd do anything for you, and we always promised to be here for each other, and if that means that this is what I do with my life, then so be it." I replied giving my older sister a hug.

A few moments passed where we said nothing, deciding instead just to hold each other and try to forget what we were about to face. A few seconds later we pulled apart gently.

"You ready to go in?"

She gave me a thin smile. "With you here, always."

Slowly, arm in arm, we walked toward the imposing double doors that would remove bandage the final layer of our grief. As always, the two of us against the world and nothing could take that from us.

When we were finally seated in Andrew McCrae's office we were both calm and composed, ready to hear whatever Mr McCrae needed to tell us. And because we were already given copies of his will, we knew what to expect. The company would be transferred fully to my father while Honor and I received a split of other side businesses and investments.

"Logan," Andrew said looking at both Honor and I but addressing me directly, "Your grandfather has made private stipulations in his will that if Mitchum and Shira chose not to come here today that you and your sister are to be the sole recipients of her personal estate. The monies and properties are to be split equally between you both, and if you wish with your parents," he said with a look that said that his grandfather didn't want his neglectful son and conniving daughter in law anywhere near his estate.

I looked at Honor, and she answered for the both of us.

"Logan and I will discuss this later and come to a decision about the Huntzberger mansion and any other properties that Dad and Mom may want. We will be sure to inform you of any properties that will be transferred to them."

"It is your decision," McCrae replied before continuing on. "Honor, as you are now married, it is now important to let you know of the trust that he has for your children, should you have any, and this money will be held in trust for them until their twenty fifth birthdays." He then turned to me, "The Huntzberger trust has been set up for your heir, should you find a wife and produce children. If you do not, the money and title will be passed on to Honor's eldest son, who by tradition would have to take the name Huntzberger. I doubt very much that this will become an issue for us, however. I am just ensuring that you are both aware of the options available to both of you."

We both nodded in understanding. Both Honor and I knew our duties and responsibilities to the family and the name Huntzberger. Now all I needed was find the girl who saw me for me, before the Ice Queen tried to force me to marry some ridiculous fluff ball of Chanel perfume and expense – it was just my luck that I had already found that girl. Now all that was left was to convince her of that.

The first phase of my plan was to be put into action at the Huntzberger party that I knew Rory was attending, and I made sure of it, going as far as to get Tristan to be her escort for the evening. Probably the most idiotic idea I had ever come up with, especially since I had no real intention of actually talking to her. It was purely to set the stage for the next day when I planned to put the full plan in action. Hopefully she would listen to me, but at that point I had no room for doubts. I focused completely on my hope instead of lingering on the doubts. If my grandfather's death taught me anything, it was that I had to fight. It was the only way I could truly live.

This was my chance. I had to find out if I could really make this happen. Maybe this was my chance at something my father never had. Maybe this was my chance for love.

The night of the party dawned bright and clear with a perfect indigo canopy doted with millions of shining stars. A night for lovers, a night for rebirth, a night for second chances. It had been almost three months to the day since I had last seen her captivating eyes and perfect silhouette. Three months too long. Now that I had a taste of perfection and visibility, I never wanted to let it go and these last three months felt like a desert and I was waiting for her presence like parched earth waits for a drop of rain.

I stood in the center to the room with Honor and Josh, greeting guests and keeping my eyes glued to the door, wanting to catch the first glimpse of her.

"Who are you looking for?" A voice from behind me whispered in my ear, making me jump a little.

I groaned internally and turned around. "Hello Jewel."

Jewel flipped her long blond hair over her shoulder focusing her eyes on the door attempting to determine who I was looking for. And really, as much as I love Jewel, I had no wish for her to find out about Rory, particularly since I know how much of a gossip my blond haired friend is. It would be all over the party before she even got there, and then my plans would definitely be ruined.

"No one you know Jules," I said dryly.

"Says who?" The girl said excitedly. "I know everybody!"

I search wildly around the room for someone or something to distract Jewel from her current train of though. Jake! I thought easily picking him out of the crowd.

"Hey look!" I exclaimed, purposefully not answering her question. "Have you met my friend Jake Stanzioni?" I said drawing Jake's attention from where he was trying to inconspicuously blend into the giant draperies. I was then shot a very dirty look from said man who reluctantly came over.

"Jake, this is my good friend Jewel Wenner. Her dad owns—"

"Rolling Stone," Jake interrupted with a stunned look on his face before turning to stare at Jewel.

"Ookay then. I'll just continue the introduction. Jules, this stunned, slightly emo looking man is my good friend Jake Stanzioni. He owns and publishes Nave magazine in London."

"That's an awesome magazine!" Jules exclaimed. "It's so nice to meet you!"

"You've read my magazine?" Jake asked incredulously before turning to me. "Logan, the daughter of the owner of Rolling Stone reads my magazine!"

I snickered. "She doesn't just read it bud, she likes it and I think you're starting to creep her out."

He whipped his head back to the giggling blond girl standing between us before turning to me once again with a scowl on his face.

"Not funny Logan."

"Actually it was," Jewel said before bursting out in another round of giggles.

I shook my head slightly exasperated. I knew this was a good idea but I had had no idea that my plan to distract Jewel would work this well. This was a pairing that definitely had possibilities…

I hadn't realized that their conversation had continued as I was lost in thought. I snapped back to attention as I heard Jake calling my name.

"You want to join us at the bar for a drink?" he asked me.

"No, you two go and I'll meet up with you later. I should stay with Honor and Josh a little longer."

"Okay then," Jewel said leaning up on tiptoe to press a chaste kiss to my cheek while whispering in my ear "Thank you." To which I replied with a soft smile.

Finally I was again alone with my thoughts and had my eyes free to resume their vigilant watch of the entrance.

"Not here yet?" Honor's voice muttered quietly into my left ear, leaning slightly away from her husband to talk to me.

I shook my head sharply never letting my eyes wander away from the doorway. I knew she had to arrive soon.

"She'll be here Logan. She said she would be and she doesn't seem the person to back out an engagement."

I briefly turned my gaze away from the entrance to look at my sister.

"You know, you're making me regret ever telling you about this."

She shot me a cheeky smile.

"You know you would have told me anyways, I'm your favouritest person in the whole world!"

"Not at moments like these you're not," I muttered softly so only she could hear.

"Oh really?" she asked archly, "And what if I were to tell you that a certain tall blond accompanied by a stunning brunette with blue eyes just walked in that door? What then, hmm?"

I turned my head around so fast that I swear I strained the muscles in my neck, searching frantically for the aforementioned pair. I finally caught sight of them approaching the bar and… oh no, Jake and Jewel.

Shit. Shit. Shit. I thought furiously to myself. This is just perfect. Trying to keep my plan out of Jewel's reach seemed almost impossible at this point with both Jake and Tristan already seeming to know the level of my infatuation with the witty brunette. This could get messy fast.

I quickly excused myself from my sister and her husband making my way over to the bar doing my best to avert the disaster that seemed to be forming before my eyes. When I was about halfway between the center of the room and the bar I realized that my charging over there gave Jewel even more reason to suspect and I automatically cursed myself for not sending Honor over in my stead. Oh well, at this point any help was better than none and I had no time or excuse to go back and get Honor to go for me.

Shaking my head to clear it, I cautiously made my way over to the group of my friends, not exactly sure what to say when I reached them. I knew I had to distract them somehow, but since this went against all of my original plans I was doing this off the seat of my pants and there was a 100 chance that this was going to go terribly wrong. I could just feel it in my bones.

Hey Guys, so sorry that this took so long. I really have no excuse but I have a hard time writing this now and it comes slower. Hopefully you haven't all abandoned me yet but if you have, I don't blame you. Big shout out to my beta x3Tinkerbell07 who told me it was worth posting.

Hoping this will be wrapped up in the next couple chapters. Hope you enjoy this one, if you like it, drop me a review, and if you don't I definitely suggest writing a review to tell me so! (Haha, catch the subtle hints for reviews?)

Thanks for reading!

SS