AN - Thank you so much guys, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I forgot to say in the opening message but if anyone hasn't read Pursuit of Happiness and doesn't really fancy a 250K word story to get to this they can pm me and I will give them a briefish description of what happened to catch them up. (I'll be adding the message so sorry if you end up reading that bit twice) Or if you did and want a recap just msg me. Anyways, on with the show so chapter 1 was introducing everyone back in now for some plot beginnings ;). I hope you enjoy let me know what you think. bw Kate x

Chapter 2 – Sugar

As she walked along the street, having dropped the twins off at their childminder for the day, Lorelai zoned in on the three women crowded by the post box. She had been vaguely aware of them as she had walked the twins from the diner but now without the distraction of little voices she was well aware of Patty, Babette and Ruthie watching her intently as she made her way towards where the minivan was parked. At the last moment Lorelai veered towards the diner and headed for the relative safety of Luke's. He gave her a surprised look as she stumbled back into the diner and trudged up to him.

"You forget something?" He mumbled, scanning the counter and table where they had been sat for anything that might have been dropped.

"What it was like to have a waist," Lorelai pouted. "Everyone is talking about it. I'm hovering in fat or pregnant stage."

Luke rolled his eyes. "No you are not."

"Well I'm not obviously pregnant," Lorelai looked down and frowned. When she was undressed it was clear that she was expecting but fully clothed she did just have that thick look that meant she could have just over indulged. "I just look fat!"

"No you don't," Luke sighed and moved over to the stack of donuts and lifted the cloche; quickly he selected a donut with brightly coloured jimmies and set it down in front of her.

"Well that won't help," Lorelai scowled at him, with an angry gesture to her middle.

"I thought we didn't want people to know. One word to Patty and the entire town will know," Luke told her softly. "Do you want that? If you do we can tell them."

"You don't want to," Lorelai sniffed ominously and then reached for the donut, half-heartedly picking at the coloured sprinkles on top.

"It's none of their business but if it would make you feel better then I don't mind," Luke told her with tired sympathy. "You'll just have to put up with them touching your stomach."

"Ugh," Lorelai flopped her head forward onto the counter. "I forgot about the lack of personal space. Why does this bother me so much? It's Patty and Babette. I know they always know everything and they always talk about everyone."

Luke shrugged slightly in response and poured her a small cup of decaf to go. "I dunno."

"Am I being crazy?" Lorelai asked him nervously. "Don't answer that," she stifled a smile as Luke shot her a look that screamed 'do I look like I'm crazy'. "Never mind, I'm going to work where Sookie will spoil me and Michel will just call me fat even though he knows."

"You've told them?" Luke asked quietly as he set the cup in front of her.

"I told Sookie," Lorelai nodded as she grabbed the cup. "We had an insurance meeting and I needed to tell her because of that, surprisingly she's kept it quiet. Though I can tell she's bursting to tell everyone. Michel knows because I almost threw up on his Prada loafers and he was convinced he was going to get my germs. It was like Flugate of '08. He wouldn't shut up, so I told him."

"And he still calls you fat?" Luke scowled.

"Yup!" Lorelai smiled fondly. "He knows I don't like to be smothered so he does the complete opposite while trying to be secretly sweet by pointing out fashionable flats that I can wear when I get huge," she shrugged. "What can I say; it must be a French thing?"

"Right," Luke shook his head in mild confusion. "Well, what do you want to do?"

"Wait till someone asks?" Lorelai looked at him sheepishly.

"Is that a statement or a question?"

"Both?"

Luke rolled his eyes and then leaned forward. "I'm not going to tell anyone, but I won't lie."

"Good policy," Lorelai nodded and leaned forward. "Kiss, while I can still reach you."

Luke gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "You are not fat."

"Who said I was fat?" Lorelai wrinkled her nose in amusement. "Thanks for the sugar, Sugar," she smiled at him and then took a bite out of the donut. "I'll see you later."

xXx

With a tired sigh, April climbed down from the bus and glanced around the street before dashing across in the opposite direction to the diner. Checking she wasn't being watched she darted down Plum Street and quickly made her way down the quiet street. Glancing over her shoulder she made her way up the driveway of a smart white painted house and slipped round the side into the well kept garden and raced to the large oak tree in the base of the garden. Glancing over her shoulder she seized hold of the wooden plank screwed to the trunk and began to climb the make shift ladder up into the small wooden shack nestled in the tree's branches. Catching her breath as she reached the top she pushed back the blue check cloth the covered the entrance and crawled into the warm wooden box. "Hey Jess."

"Hey. Did you get a parking space?"

April shook her head and slipped out of her backpack, dropping it in the corner with a loud thud, before crawling along the rough wooden planks to join the other occupant in a pile of blankets and pillows. With a sigh she slumped down into the cushions beside the other girl and smiled weakly "We got the form in too late. I'll speak to my Grandma see if she can help, she knows the headmaster's wife so it might help."

"So bus until it's sorted? Well that sucks! It takes so much longer." Jessica flipped her long dark hair over her shoulders and gave an annoyed huff. "So much less time together, it's bad enough you're in Hartford every other week."

"I know, I hope Grandma can help out," April gave her an apologetic smile. "How was your day?"

"Boring, we've got a tonne of homework already, reading assignments and all that garbage."

"I'll trade you a reading assignment for a Latin translation," April frowned in the direction of her backpack.

"Oh, God, no." Jessica shook her head in horror and then with a smile reached behind her to pull a small cooler from behind her. "Now, I managed to snag some left over cakes from Weston's yesterday. They are a bit squished, a little bit stale but they still taste good" She gingerly lifted out two cakes and held her hands out so April could take one. "and I got soda."

April giggled and carefully took one of the flattened cakes and nibbled the edge. "Mmm, you take care of me."

"Of course, you need a treat for dealing with those stuck up…"

"They're not that bad, they all just ignored me now," April shrugged. "I mean what's interesting about 'I went up to my Grandparents lakehouse and did some interning for a science facility in New York for a couple of weeks' when they've all been living it up in the Bahamas and wherever." She shrugged once more and then lowered her hand to rest on Jessica's. "It's a means to an end, Chilton gets me where I need to be for college."

"Your Stars Hollow friends are more important," Jessica quirked her eyebrows.

"Some very important," April peered over her brown rims of her glasses and gave Jessica a knowing smile. "Very very important."

"Uh huh, is that so," Jessica took a messy bite of her cake, "Do tell more."

xXx

Rory glanced at the slip of paper in her hands and at the black sign fixed to the white painted walls. Cautiously she made her way down the dimly lit hallway in search of the right number. She grimaced as she peered through the grimy window that illuminated the hallway. It backed out onto the alleyway. The dumpsters were below and judging by the vents they backed on to the buildings cafeteria, which meant in the summer it would stink of food. She looked hopefully at the doors on the other side of the hallway hoping to find the door to her new office. Carefully she moved away from the window and continued down the hallway. She glanced at the paper again, the numbers seemed right but she was running out of doors. It had been Spencer's idea to hire an office for the year, the final two years of PhD revolved around the thesis and she already had lots of research to go through with her supervisor. Last year she had rented the desk in one of the communal desk areas, but it had been loud and full of equally stressed PhD students munching and coughing their ways through their studies. The office was more money but it gave her privacy to focus on studying,. Worth it according to Spencer. With a sigh that was mixed with relief and trepidation Rory reached the door that bore the number she had been allocated. It was on the opposite side of the hallway to the alleyway. These old rooms used to belong to the academics but as the campus had expanded, new buildings and rooms that were more spacious had been built and these spaces had been freed up for the students.

Quickly she unlocked the door and pushed open the dark wood door. She shrugged with indifference; the room was small, just big enough for the desk and bookcase it housed and two chairs. There was the tiniest slither of a window, shared between this room and the one next door. She took two steps forward and peered out. Her view was blocked by the branches of a tree, but at least it was nature and not a cafeteria and at least she would be able to open the window and not get the stink of food, just the normal New York air which was anything but clean. Having returned from Connecticut just over a week ago, she could never get over how thick the air seemed in New York compared to home and there always seemed to be some smell on the breeze.

She set her laptop bag on the desk and glanced at the blank walls, she could make out the faintest shadow of an outline where something had been pinned and she smiled slightly as she imagined the pictures she could put up to make the little space hers.

"Oh good you're here, the office said you'd headed down here."

Rory jumped slightly at the intrusion and turned to find one of the TA's from her department looking flushed in the doorway. The slightly older woman smiled apologetically. "Hi Fliss, Good Summer?"

"Too hot and too much work," Fliss frowned. "All the pre-sessional and summer sessions I had to babysit. Oh to be a proper academic and be able to vanish like Madam does. How was yours?"

"Alright. I did some temporary work at Butler and we went away to see Spencer's Dad and then for the family trip to my Grandparent's lakehouse so it was nice," Rory rested her hip against the desk and looked at the woman warily. Fliss was 4 years ahead of her career wise and because the other woman was so competent had stuff thrown down at her from the academics. To have Fliss at the doorway when she had only just registered was not necessarily a good thing.

"Speaking of family, your Mom, she works at a hotel right?" Fliss looked at her with hopefulness.

Rory narrowed her eyes slightly. "She owns an Inn."

"This is in Connecticut? Near Hartford?"

"It's in Stars Hollow. About half an hour away from Hartford depending on how fast you drive, Why?" She folded her arms and braced for what was coming.

"Madam," Fliss sighed heavily as she referred once more the head of their section who while brilliant was equally scatterbrain and useless on anything that did not relate to her field. "She went to a conference and ran into her counterpart at Tokyo University, there is a delegation of ten academics wanting to come over to visit the Mark Twain House and she wants me to arrange it. She's promised them character and the world, and on no uncertain terms is it allowed to be a chain hotel which is just a nightmare."

Rory gave the woman a sympathetic smile. "Do you have the details, I can ask, she might not be able to take everyone though, it's only small, twelve rooms and if she already has bookings then…" she trailed off as she watched a look of defeat flush across the other woman's face. "I'll ask, and if she's not got space she might know somewhere that will have space."

"I would be forever in your debt. I'll email you the details but it's the second week of January," Fliss gave her a relieved smile. "If you could just ask and if she does have space, provisionally reserve it for me, get the cost and I can then raise a purchase order so she can bill us." The woman ran her hands through her hair and gave Rory a grateful smile. "I'm so glad your back; it's nice to have someone around who isn't stuck up themselves enough to help."

"Sure," Rory sheepishly mumbled, uncertain whether she was being truly complemented or just dumped on.

"Well I'll leave you to unpack, if you could ask your Mom about the rooms," Fliss gave Rory a pointed look and pivoted on her heels.

Rolling her eyes Rory sat down in the chair at the desk and looked around the room. This would do nicely, her own little space just for her, away from everyone, both at the university and at home. Hopefully, its tucked away nature would mean it wouldn't be too loud. She reached for her phone as it began to ring. "Hello you," she greeted her Mom with a smile. "Were your ears burning?"

"No, why should they be?" Lorelai's voice sounded curiously down the phone.

"I just found my office and I got pounced on by a TA who has to organise a visit from some Japanese academics, she apparently has a very good memory because she remembered about the Dragonfly. She wants me to ask if you had space for ten the second week of January."

"Hmm," Lorelai sounded down the phone. "I'll have to check, I don't know I can fit in ten but I will check for you, send me the details. So how is it?"

"My office? Small, but enough, white walls kind of gross carpet, I have a window," Rory told her Mom brightly. "How are you?"

"I'm fine but no patience. Sookie's having a major Sookie freak out. Its first week of school, Davey managed to lose his backpack already," Lorelai told her tiredly. "Normally it wouldn't bother me but today."

"Just remember she keeps you in cookies," Rory pointed out gently. She smiled as she heard Lorelai sigh heavily down the phone. "You sleeping ok?"

"I guess, not well I suppose. I'm waiting for my energy to kick in but nothing yet. At the moment I just seem perpetually hungry, and tired. This pregnant over 40 thing is not so fun."

Rory frowned. "But you're OK?"

"I should charge you quarter every time you ask me that, I'd make a fortune."

"Me, a poor student?" Rory spoke in mock horror.

"Oh yeah so poor Babe with no rent to pay and your bills covered." Lorelai retorted. "I wish you were up here this weekend, it's such a long time between now and your birthday."

"It's only a few weeks Mom, no time at all. Besides I already promised Francine that we could have Gigi this weekend while she sees Christopher in New York."

"Your D…he's in New York?"

"Apparently, it's their annual catch up. He's as interested in Gigi as he was in me," Rory picked at her sleeve self-consciously. "We are going to go to the zoo, she liked that last time."

"And if it rains?"

"Bowling, she like that too." Rory made a mental note to check the weather forecast. "I could maybe come up the following weekend. Spencer won't be able to come up because it's his turn on cover but if you want…"

"You'd do that for little fat me."

Rory smiled as she heard Lorelai's childish voice. "Pregnant not fat Mom and yeah."

"The way people are plying me with cakes."

"Mom!"

"Alright, I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I couldn't fit into my favourite pair of work pants this morning. So what do you need to brighten up the office? I can supply you in amazing artwork from your little sisters and we can go shopping."

"Sounds a plan, something to look forward to."

xXx

Emily scowled at the screen of her computer and then sat up straight. "Allison? what is it doing now?" she looked over at her employee. "It's just spinning."

"It means it's loading Mrs Gilmore,"

"Well, why is it taking so long?" Emily frown deepened and she reached for her coffee. Taking a sip, she grimaced at the tepid nature of the brew and stared at the computer screen in frustration "Why on earth did we change again?"

"It's the new version," The assistant shrugged noncommittedly and continued with her work.

"Well a new version is supposed to be better," Emily set her cup down in annoyance and got up from her desk. Her foundation normally brought her joy and gave her a sense of purpose but after a busy few days with endless computer problems, she was less then enamoured with it. She knew she had annoyed her assistant as the woman had gone quiet whereas normally Allison could be very chatty; often annoyingly so. "I'm going to go to the deli, perhaps it will have decided to work when I get back. Would you like anything?"

"No thank you."

"Alright," Emily seized her purse and marched to the door. She hated computer problems, it always made her feel so inadequate. Her computer skills had come along leaps and bounds in the last two years since she had started her foundation but when they had problems like they had been having this week it always knocked her confidence, which bothered her just as much as her lack of skills. She inhaled deeply as she stepped outside of the office complex, the September air had that note of fall approaching. It was still warm though and she strode across the neat parking lot to the shops that lined the street.

"Mrs Gilmore."

Emily paused as she heard her name called and turned slightly, a smile flushing across her face as she found Rory's friend racing towards her. "Hello Lane."

"Hi," Lane bounced to a stop beside her, "I was just coming to see you."

"Some receipts for me to process?" Emily gave the young woman a warm smile and nodded at the bulging book bag at Lane's side.

"Yeah," Lane gave her a sheepish grin. "That time of the year," she patted her bag. "We couldn't do it without your help. Even second-hand the books are so expensive."

"Don't worry about that," Emily waved her hand good-naturedly. "Did you have to be anywhere or would you like to join me?"

Lane glanced at her watch and gave a nervous smile. "The next bus isn't for forty minutes."

"You get the bus?"

"We don't have a car," Lane shrugged. "Most places are walking distance from home other than college. We prefer pizza and new music to gas and other car expenses."

"I see," Emily raised her eyebrows slightly. "I was just going to the deli, they do this wonderful baklava. All flaky pastry and honey, it is deliciously sinful. I'm having one of those days so I feel the need"

"I can go for pastry and honey," Lane nodded a large smile pulling across her face as she relaxed. "I'm all bamboozled from that registration, my head is spinning, it doesn't get any easier."

"Richard says the same."

"He's at Capital?"

"He teaches Microeconomics there, but mostly he's based at Barney at UHart, he teaches on the Insurance and Finance course, somewhat appropriately." Emily smiled fondly. "He filled in last year at Capital, it's rather incestuous, they all know each other and someone died, so he stepped up and they asked him to stay on. It keeps him busy, and having him stuck marking is much better then him being away in hotels," she rolled her eyes slightly and reached for the door.

The two women slipped inside the deli and Emily approached the counter. "Good afternoon," Emily greeted the familiar staff member "I would like two of the honey and almond baklava and a packet of the prosciutto and a cup each of the pitted olives. Lane would you like anything else?"

"Er," Lane scanned the counter her eyes widening as she took in the prices. "No thank you Mrs Gilmore."

Emily looked the young woman up and down, "and two bottles of vitamin water."

The two women stood quietly whilst the server packed and wrung up Emily's purchases. Emily thrust her credit card and nodded in thanks as her purchases and card were handed to her. Emily nodded to Lane to go first through the door and then gave the other woman another warm smile "Shall we sort out your receipts."

"Thanks," Lane mumbled awkwardly.

Emily looked the young woman up and down and gave a soft sigh. Actually facing the young people she helped like Lane had made her see another side of life that she had known existed but never witnessed. For her, purchasing what she wanted when she wanted was second nature she just did it without a second thought, she had never had to go without unless she had chosen to go without. Even when she and Richard had been first married and money had been tight, other than the tiniest of blips, the sacrifice had been in choosing between one dress or another, not could she afford any dress at all. She reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of the vitamin water and the neat parcel containing the pastry confection. "Here you are. Silly I know," she commented lightly as Lane took the bottle in confusion, "I'm not sure the vitamins actually do anything but it makes a change from plain water all the time. It is very refreshing."

"Oh, thank you," Lane mumbled before giving a sheepish smile.

"You're welcome. Do you need to get back or could you wait for a bit longer?" Emily asked pleasantly as they made their way across the sidewalk back to the office complex. "I could take you back if you like. It would give me a chance to drop in to see Lorelai and the twins."

"They'll be at Luke's," Lane told her. "Wednesday Luke picks the twins up and then Lorelai joins them, they eat at the diner."

"I see," Emily pursed her lips. "Well Luke's coffee is good, even if I don't care for the fare he serves. And I get to spend time with my girls, far better than the maid for company," Emily rolled her eyes as she held the door open for Lane. "Richard is late again tonight, such a busy time of year."

xXx

"Mr Gilmore?" A sharp knock sounded on the door. "Mr Gilmore?"

"Hmm." Richard looked up from his computer slightly dazed, he felt like he was emerging from a cold swimming pool. He had been trying to get the system to display the students who had registered for his class this semester so he could have an idea of numbers and if he could fathom the damn system out, who they were, to see if he had taught any last year. "Oh, yes, did you need something?"

"I just wanted to introduce myself," the young woman hovering in the doorway gave him a beaming smile; she raised her shoulders slightly sending her auburn hair tumbling down her shoulder. "I'm Laura Smith, the section TA. I just wanted to say hello and to let you know that my email is LES10, there are several of us who are L. Smith," she gave him a nervous look, "sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

Richard blinked at her in surprise, for a moment struck by how much the woman looked like Emily had at that age, especially when coupled with the vintage style clothing young woman wore. "Right," Coming to his senses and remembering his manners he pulled himself to his feet and extended his hand across the desk. "Pleasure to meet you Laura, I'm Richard Gilmore," he blushed slightly. "But of course you know that." He nodded self-consciously at the door. "You can call me Richard, may I call you Laura?"

"Oh Sure," she smiled brightly at him. "Was I interrupting something?"

"Just an old dinosaur trying to fathom this damned computer system," Richard stared down at the laptop in annoyance. "Why they can't just give me a list of students I don't know. That familiarisation training was hopeless, the young man spoke so quickly I'd just about got logged in by the time he'd finished."

"I'd be happy to sit with you and give you some more training," Laura offered with another warm smile.

"Yes," Richard blinked at her once more and then nervously rubbed his palms together. "That would be wonderful Emily…er…Laura. I can use all the help I can get."

"Great, I could help now? or would you like me to come back another time?"

Richard glanced at his watch and shrugged, knowing that he had told Emily he would be late tonight anyway. "Now would be perfect."

"Sure," Laura rounded the desk and waited for Richard to sit in his chair before crouching beside him. "OK, if you hit this button, that will take you back to the home screen and we can talk through what you want to do from there."

"Right," Richard nodded forcing himself to look away from Laura and at the screen, trying to concentrate and ignore the familiar scent of perfume that was reaching for his nostrils.

xXx

"Kitty you decided yet?" Luke peered across the counter at the twins sitting patiently at the table. He stifled a smile as Kitty shook her head.

"I don't want fries Daddy," Kitty told him with a tired air. "I want to wait for Mommy."

"I'll make her pick her own food," Luke assured her. He bit the inside of his lip to try to prevent showing his amusement as Kitty gave him a look that could rival one from her grandmother. "I promise I'll try."

"She always take my food!" Kitty asserted, nodding in time with Willow who was nodding furiously.

"Alright, if you want to wait we can wait. You want more fruity water?" Luke asked as he wiped the counter down.

"I'll have some fruity water Luke," Kirk piped up from his position at the counter.

Luke sent him an annoyed look. "That is for them."

"I like fruity water," Kirk gave an overdramatic sad sigh. "Willow shared it with me one time."

Luke pressed his lips together in mild annoyance.

"I'm a paying customer," Kirk pressed his luck.

"It's not on the menu," Luke shook his head.

"I don't mind Daddy," Willow looked at him wide eyed. "Kirk gived me a pink bendy straw."

"Don't bribe my kids," Luke gave Kirk an angry look and reached beneath the counter to bring up a jug of the water with a mixture of fruit held in a trap that was lightly flavouring the water. "If, when Lorelai takes them home, there is some left you can have some," Luke growled as he rounded the counter to refill the twins cups.

"Much appreciated," Kirk crowed happily, returning back to his plate of food.

"Daddy," Kitty shook her head slowly, telling him off lightly.

"I know Kitty, I'm a big softie," Luke poured Kitty's drink and as he stood up, straightened in surprise as Emily strode passed the window.

"GRAMA!" Willow screeched, jumping up in her chair.

Luke grabbed the excited child and set her on the ground so she couldn't injure herself and then took a step towards the table, pressing himself into the edge as Kitty raced round the table. He smiled as Emily walked into the diner and jumped in surprise as the twins threw themselves at her. "Hi Emily,"

"Hello Luke."

"I not know you coming Grama," Willow flung her arms around Emily's leg and squished into Emily's side.

"Lane came to my office and I didn't want her to have to get the bus so I brought her home. And it means that I get to see you all," Emily smoothed the twins' curly hair, with them wrapped around her legs unable to bend down and kiss them properly. "If that is OK?"

"Yes" Kitty nodded excitedly and released her hold on Emily so she could skip back to the table.

"Is that OK? I don't want to interrupt." Emily asked Luke as she tried to take a step forward. "Willow, Precious, can you let go so I can walk."

"I sit on your knee?" Willow peered up at her.

"Yes Precious," Emily stumbled slightly as Willow pushed off her with exuberance and ran to hover by the table. "Is it OK?"

"Sure Emily," Luke held his arm out to usher her towards the table "Lorelai will be here soon. Willow you sit on your own chair when you eat ok?"

"Kay Daddy," Willow gave a soft sad sigh.

"Mommy comin," Kitty pointed outside excitedly. She kneeled up on her chair and waved wildly out of the window, smiling widely as Lorelai stopped and waved back whilst pulling a silly face. Kitty snorted in laughter and sank down in her chair. "Mommy silly."

"She can be yes," Emily muttered as she cast her eyes over the chair before she sat down in the chair and then accepted Willow on her knee.

"Have pie with me Grama?" Willow requested as she settled herself into a comfortable position.

"Dinner first, then dessert," Luke tapped her nose before moving to the door to hold it open for Lorelai. He smiled at her and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "Hi,"

"Hi," Lorelai smiled widely at him before indicating her eyes towards Emily.

"She dropped Lane off," Luke muttered lowly. "You want a burger? The girls wouldn't decide until you got here."

"Mommy takes off my plate," Kitty piped up giving Lorelai a pointed annoyed stare.

"I'm awful," Lorelai rolled her eyes. "What do you fancy Bubba?"

"Nuggets," Kitty nodded resolutely, "and coummber and lettuce."

"Your child," Lorelai gestured at Luke as rolled her eyes and sank into the chair opposite Emily. "Hi Mom."

"Hello Lorelai, how are w…you?" Emily flicked her eyes across her daughter checking her over.

"I'm OK, tired, ready for dinner. I will have my usual burger with 2 nuggets on the side, Wills?" Lorelai looked at her other daughter "What do you want for dinner?"

"Fishsticks, and mato slice, big one," she held her hands up forming a big circle with her fingers to show Luke what she wanted.

"Fries?" Luke asked carefully.

"Um…" Willow thought carefully. "No, mashed patato, and Mommy have a fishstick so she don't take mine."

"Emily?" Luke looked at his mother-in-law curiously.

"It's rude to watch us eat Mom," Lorelai pointed out, quirking her eyebrows.

Emily gave her daughter a frustrated stare. "I will have a piece of pie with Willow."

"Me too," Kitty piped in, grabbing Emily's arm and staring at her Grandmother seriously.

"I'll share a piece of pie with the twins after their main course," Emily nodded with a smile, "just a coffee for now."

"Coming up," Luke finished the order and moved back the counter.

"You do this every week?" Emily looked at Lorelai curiously.

"Yup," Lorelai nodded. "Means we get to spend time together and the girls are super practiced for your fancy dinners, with their manners of no resting elbows on the table, or kicking their legs" she gave Kitty a knowing look and the small child gave her mother an impish grin and repositioned herself to sit 'properly' in her chair. "So Mom, dropping Lane off?"

"She was getting her reimbursement for her new books from the foundation and as I don't need to be home until later because your father is working I thought I would offer her a lift. It allows for me to swing by and see you all. Is that alright?" Emily shot Lorelai a mildly challenging look.

"Sure Mom," Lorelai shrugged and looked over towards the counter. Smiling softly at Luke as he started bickering with Kirk. "If you can handle the diner."

"Of course I can," Emily looked mildly affronted. "Does April join you?" Emily asked glancing at the table and realising they would need extra seats if her other granddaughter were to join them.

"No," Lorelai smiled, "That's reason two. With the homework mountain she needs a bit of peace. It gives her a couple hours to get herself sorted before she gets… well… you know," Lorelai made a vague gesture towards the twins.

"Know what Mommy?" Kitty folded her arms, her face set in a serious expression

"Before you two love her to pieces," Lorelai pressing her lips together to try to prevent smiling too hard at her daughter's expression.

"Mommy," Willow shook her head with a giggle and settled back into Emily with a contented sigh.

"You okay there Willow?" Lorelai smiled happily at the little girl.

"Yes Mommy," Willow gave her a beaming smile. "I havin fishsticks, and pie with Grama and I not know I see Grama. We see Grama Friday, it not Friday. I like surprises" she sat up and slithered down from Emily's knee so she could round the table and hug Lorelai. "I happy, you happy Mommy?"

"I am," Lorelai kissed her daughter on the cheek and patted the seat beside her. She held the chair steady as Willow clambered up and then smiled first at Willow then Kitty and finally at Emily. "Having a slice of pie," she shrugged. "Small things."

"Daddy," Willow sat forward as Luke came back to the table with a drink for Lorelai and Emily's coffee. "You put powder sugar on the pie?"

"Pretty sweet already Willow why you want it?" Luke asked as he handed Lorelai a bundle of napkins.

"It a special surprise night," Kitty voiced, fluttering her eyelashes and giving him the sweetest smile possible, "powder sugar is for special surprises."

Luke's brow creased and gave a faint shake of his head in disbelief. "Sure, why not." He gave Emily an amused look. "Fighting the Gilmore sweet tooth."

"Oh Lorelai gets that from Richard," Emily smiled lightly and turned her attention to Lorelai. "Always sneaking anything sweet when she was a child, except fruit."

"Well I'm liking fruits at the moment. Well oranges. I'm loving the oranges right now," Lorelai shrugged glanced down at her middle. "You think that means something?"

"I don't know," Emily shook her head. "But at least you're eating healthily."

"He wouldn't let me otherwise," Lorelai smiled up at Luke. "If he could stop me eating burgers he would."

"I know when I'm beat," Luke shook his head. "I'll put the order in." He glanced at his mother-in-law looking slightly uncomfortable in the seat. "If you want anything else just shout, Ok?"