Mitchum sat there watching her for a moment longer. When she was almost a block away he knew he had to tell her. He had to speak to her. He couldn't leave things like this. Without another thought he forcefully threw open the car door and went running after her.

"Lore!"

She stopped walking and he stood before her. She hastily wiped what had been tears from her face as she looked up at him and smiled.

"You, mister, are really late," she tried to joke.

"I know I'm sorry I have to— "

She cut him off, "Good thing I don't like you for your punctuality." He wanted to smile. He wanted more than anything to joke with her and forget about the world, but he couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to her and, god, he loved her. He sighed softly as his fingers wrapped themselves with hers.

"We need to talk."

Her face fell instantly. "What do you mean we have to talk? Mitch, what's going on? Why are you late?"

He led her over to the bench and they both sat.

"After I got off the phone with you I uh got a bit of news…"

She tightened her grip on his hand. "Is it your father?"

He smiled at her concern. "No, no he's fine. Perfectly fine, he's probably still holed up in his office."

"Then what—"

"I know you've heard rumors of my reputation. Most of it isn't true… the things people gossip about." He took a deep breath. "Awhile before you and I became… well, I'm not even sure what we are, but I'd like to think it's serious and mutual."

"It is." He smiled slightly at her, his heart felt relieved and pained.

"I was working in this small town for my father. There was another paper he wanted to acquire and he had to have it. What daddy wants daddy gets, I guess. Any way, while I'm there I meet this waitress… she worked in the café I went to every morning. She was just like all the others I've dated; she wanted a way to get out of that town. Apparently she thought I was her ticket. I am her ticket. I was so stupid, Lore. So stupid."

"What are you trying to say, Mitch?" Lorelai had fresh tears streaming down her face even if she couldn't explain why she felt her heart breaking.

"She… she's here… it feels like she waltzed right up to my house and demanded in, I mean she didn't, not really. She was actually nervous, but it doesn't change what she brought with her."

Lorelai turned away her hand gripping his tightly. She took a hitched breath before asking, "What'd she bring?" Though, she felt like she knew the answer.

"A kid… my kid."

"You have a kid?"

"A son… She… She named him Logan."

"Are you sure he's yours? I mean how old is he? Is she even trustworthy?"

"She did a blood test on him with the other guys she'd seen, and we're going on Monday to make sure… but yeah we're sure… I'm sure. He's almost two now."

"Why did she wait so long?"

"I think she was scared and wanted to be as sure as she could before she actually brought him here… and I can't imagine supporting a baby on a waitresses salary can be easy…"

Lorelai nodded, she could understand that on some level.

"She's actually the reason why my father is currently holed up in his office this evening… he's calling in all his favors to run her background. My mother is in absolute heaven though, she loves the children."

"Children?" Lorelai looked up at him questioningly.

"Yeah… Children. Honor. She's Shira's daughter."

"She has another kid? Why doesn't she just go after that guy for money and support?"

"She can't."

"What do you mean she can't, of course she can."

"No she can't… he's dead."

"Oh."

"They were actually married for about a year and she had just had Honor, when he died. It was an aneurism. "

"Oh my g—"

"I know. She's an amazing little girl though."

"You love her."

"Honor?" He smiled as he was looking off into the distance. "She's hard not to love."

"What about Logan? What's he like?"

Mitchum laughed. "He's a handful. I honeslty don't know how she's managed to keep up with him."

"Sounds just like his dad," Lorelai said softly.

Mitchum looked over at her quickly as he eyes became downcast.

"Lore – "

"So, where does this leave us?" She cleared her throat and took a deep breath as she readjusted her position on the bench.

"Lore." He tried to get her to look at him.

Lorelai started crying. "I know what you should do… what you have to do, but is it wrong that I don't want you to? Is it wrong that I want to keep you, us?"

Mitchum pulled her into his arms, holding her tight as she cried harder. "Not at all," he whispered into her hair. "I want nothing more than to stay with you forever. Maybe not necessarily right here though, because it is freezing." Lorelai laughed softly through her tears. She pulled back in his embrace and looked at him in the eyes.

"You're such a dork."

"I would do anything to see you smile, call that dorky if you want." Mitchum shrugged.

"I should get going… the Gilmore Party Extraviganza should be ending and I will be missed," Lorelai said as she began to get up.

"You will indeed," Mitchum replied honestly looking her in the eye.

"You know what just sucks the most? What just makes this ache even more? That I never even got to tell you I love you and hear you say it back. We never had that," Lorelai ranted, "and don't even get me started on the sex thing because had this worked out you better believe that would have happened and – " Lorelai continued, she just couldn't stop herself after she uttered the love phrase. Mitchum smirked as she continued. Rambling herself into a hole on its way to China.

"I love you Lorelai Gilmore and I always will." Lorelai stopped mid sentenced and stared at him.

"I love you, too."

Mitchum stood up and pulled her into a kiss. It was soft and gentle, an 'I'll be seeing you' kiss.

Lorelai rested her head on his chest for a moment before saying, "I wish this changed things."

"Me too."

She pulled herself out of her arms. "Goodbye Mitch."

"Would you like a ride home?"

"No… I think I better walk home."

Lorelai climbed back through her window to find Chris still there. He looked over at her from the illuminated TV screen. His face still contorted slightly with anger.

"Do you have any idea what time it is? Jesus, Lore you've been gone for hours!" He stood up and made his way over to where she was standing when he noticed the tears.

"What happened Lore? Did he hurt you? What did that bastard do to you, I'll kill him."

Lorelai placed her hand on his arm gently. He looked at her his anger defusing into a puddle of concern.

"He didn't do anything to me. We broke up. It was mutual though, Chris, before you go off the deep end."

Christopher at least had the decency to try and hide his happiness at this news.

"Why?"

"Don't pretend you're interested, Chris. You never wanted us together in the first place," she stated as she pushed past him to get over to her closet.

"Oh, come on Lore. Give me a little credit. I never wanted you to get hurt, which is why I was against it in the first place. He's not the guy you should be with anyway."

Lorelai peaked her head out of her walk in closet before she asked, "And who exactly should I be with Chris? You?"

"Yes. I am who you should be with!" He stormed toward her as she walked back out with her arms crossed. He pulled her to him and kissed her. She knew she should push him away from her. She should slap him. Something, but instead she just stood there and allowed him to gropingly assault her with his mouth. She couldn't bring herself to do anything. She just felt so empty and maybe Chris and his obvious love for her could patch up the gapping wound on her chest where her heart used to be.

Chris backed her toward her bed and slowly pushed her down onto it. His dreams were coming true while hers had ended.