A/N I would like to take this time to thank my reviewers for you are actually the people the story is written for. Some of my reviewers have sent me suggestions which have been great and added to the story. So the following please take a bow. Marla's Lost, StevieLUVSAlex (little stevie to me), StarsHollow4ever, Summer2391, Jeremy Shane, Ace4592, Jan, Charlotte, and Maggie, Hopefully I can keep the story fresh and interesting for you. And Sidura. Even though she has not reviewed (Shy) we have had many in depth conversations about the characters and her insight is invaluable.
AFTERMATH
"Call her George call her see where she is going,"
George put his hand on Lindsay's arm. Take it easy dear; she is most likely driving to school. She is upset enough, and doesn't need to be driving and talking on her cellphone."
Lindsay through her sobs kept repeating "She hates me, She hates me."
"No she doesn't honey, she will get over it. I will talk to her."
George then glared at Dean. "Damn you and your whole family. Look at what you have done to mine. Are you happy now?"
Dean angrily stood up. "No, you don't push all this on me, and watch what you say about my family."
The two men angrily glared at each other. Luke walked up behind Dean. "Leave them be Dean, Come over here." He then took Dean's arm and led him back into the kitchen and sat him at a little table that was normally used for breaks. " Dean. I hate to tell you this, but you and Rory are sort of the bad guys in this. Luke then walked over the the cooler and brought back two beers. "Let's sit and talk for a few minutes."
Lorelai waited till her husband removed Dean out of the situation. She was now alone in the diner with the Sanchez's Lorelai approached the table and stood at a respectful distance.
George sensed her presence and looked up from tending to his wife. He looked at Lorelai wordlessly till she broke the silence. "Can I get you something? Is there anything I can do?"
"Your Mark's eh..."
"Grandmother" I am Lorelai, Rory's mother."
"Yes I remember now."
Lindsay had stopped sobbing and sat dejectedly holding on to her husbands arm with both her hands.
"You wouldn't happen to have a drink in here would you?"
"No, George, but I do have my liquor order in the car. Wait I will get it."
"Where is she going George? Where did Rory and Dean go?"
"Rory went after her son. He seems to be quite upset with Elizabeth leaving" Luke took Dean someplace and Lorelai is getting us something to drink."
Lorelai returned with a bottle of Vodka and went behind the counter and found some orange Juice. She then walked to the table carrying a tray with vodka, juice, ice and three glasses. Lorelai placed the tray on the table and said "Help Yourself"
George made a drink for Lindsay and himself and looked at Lorelai; who nodded yes.
The three of them sat silently for a few moments. Lorelai broke the silence. "Lindsay I understand your feelings toward my daughter and Dean, but please understand my grandson Mark is innocent in all of this. From the little I have seen Elizabeth and Mark are quite taken with each other.
"Why do you say that Lorelai?"
"Lindsay the excitement in Marks voice when he told me about Elizabeth. He had me make the reservation for his dinner date.
"Where did they have dinner?"
"Mark wanted to go to a seafood restaurant in New London, which is about thirty minutes from here."
"What is wrong with the restaurants in this town? How come he wanted to take her out of town?"
"George I have no idea, but the place he took her to is one of the finest restaurants in the area."
"I am sorry I just don't understand this.
"George, Lindsay interrupted, You saw them walk in, if you could call that walking. I think whatever they did; the two of them were in agreement.
Lindsay turned to Lorelai "So what now?"
"I suggest you let things calm down. Lindsay I really appreciate you not talking about the affair. I am sure Dean and Rory are also, but it has to come out.
Back in the kitchen Dean and Luke sipped their beers in silence. The Luke spoke "Dean you and I don't always get along that well, but we have a situation here that is going to affect the whole family. You know I have never understood why you and Rory had that affair. Especially in light of subsequent events."
"What do you mean Luke?"
"You had the affair and then turned around and broke up. Then Rory married that ass. Did you take your marriage so lightly to Lindsay that you could just have a casual fling with Rory?"
"I know it was bad Luke, but we were in love"
"Bullshit Dean."
Dean looked up at Luke with anger flashing in his eyes.
" Listen to me. You hit a rough spot with Lindsay and Rory was feeling bad about the Jess debacle. You ran into each other and convinced your selves it was love. Not even close buddy. Sure you two had feeling for each other . You were each others first love. But at the time of the affair no. You two were just being selfish."
"Why do you say that Luke, I knew I was wrong I felt bad a soon as it happened. I did love Lindsay."
"Yeah right Dean" You were in love with the idea of being in love. You have to understand that you crushed that girl. And if you have any compassion for Elizabeth you will have to make her understand what an ass you were. You and only you can make her understand why her mother ran from you."
" I guess you do not have a very high opinion of mine and Rory's relationship?"
"Very wrong, I do have a high opinion of you and Rory."
"Yeah, okay why the change of heart?"
"Because I watched you take a girl who was almost broken and help her regain her self esteem. I also watched you take Mark and treat him as your own son. You grew up Dean and so did Rory. You two married because now you are really in love with each other. You love her son and have taken him as your own. This time it is right, but your going to have to explain to Elizabeth and Mark that you were not the man you are now."
To Rory's surprise Mark did not take off in pursuit of Elizabeth as he threatened to do. He was still in the lobby of the Inn impatiently pacing. Maybe he still does listen; Rory thought to herself.
Mark rushed up to his mother. "Mom she is gone."
"Yes she is. Do you have an idea where she went?"
"I don't know Mom, but I have to find her."
"Mark calm down. Where are you going to rush off to; if you have no idea where she went?"
Mark pondered his mothers words for a minute. I guess she most likely went to her school. or to her relatives in New york City."
"I think she most likely continued on to school. Your going to be in Boston next week for school Mark this is not going to feel good, but I think you need to give her space right now. Let her figure out what is going on in her life."
"Mom it is so weird to find out that Dad is her father. Did Elizabeth and I do anything wrong?"
"Mark lets take this conversation out of the lobby." She took Mark back to her mothers office.
"Mom, this is weird, how would I explain Elizabeth?"
"I would call her my girlfriend if you feel like that towards her."
"Yes, but how do I tell people that her father is my father?"
"You don't. It is none of their business. Besides George is her father."
"But...
"No buts Mark...George is her father just like Dean is your father."
Mark stood up and angrily paced around the cramped office. "Yeah mom what gives with that? Aren't I just like Elizabeth. I have a unknown man out there who is half of me."
"Different situation Mark. He knew about you. He was with me for several years of your life don't you remember him?"
Mark stopped pacing and thought "yes, vaguely I do."
"There is a difference between you and Elizabeth."
"And what is that?"
"Your father, Dean, had no idea Elizabeth ever existed. You biological father knew you existed and had no objections when Dean wanted to adopted you. I think he was happy to be let out of the responsibility of having a son"
"So you have been hiding information about him from me just like Lindsay did with Elizabeth."
"Not at all, I'll tell you all about him if you want me to, In fact I have a letter in my safe deposit box; in case anything happened to me, you would know."
"So all I have to do is ask and you will give me all the info on him?"
"Yes, but I would want your father present and I will warn you in advance your biological father is nothing like George or your father. To be honest Mark you were ainconvenience to him."
"Mom did he treat me badly?"
"No I can not say he did. He actually surprised me. He was quite nice with you.."
"Mother I just do not understand. What did I do that he did not want me?"
"Nothing Mark. Some people just aren't wired to accept children. In fairness to him, he paid child support till Dean adopted you."
"What did he do that was so bad that you left him?"
"Mark like I said I will tell you everything you want to know, but I want your father with me."
"So mom, why didn't Elizabeth's mother tell dad about her? What did he do? What happened?
Rory stood up and hugged her son. "Mark you are a good kid. Your father and I will sit down with you later and try and explain somethings."
Elizabeth was driving north to Boston. She had to pull over once as the tears clouded her vision. Her whole world was crushed. She had never before had a connection with a boy like she had with Mark. She really did not know what she was going to do besides start school. Most of her belongings were shipped ahead via UPS and would be waiting for her when she arrived. Tomorrow she would have to turn in her rental car. Boston had an excellent public transportation system and Elizabeth did not see the need for a car while in school.
Elizabeth arrived at school and checked in and was given her room assignment. Since the dorm was in the city it was like an apartment building. Elizabeth found her room and knocked. No answer so she let herself in. Neatly stacked by her bedroom door were her belongings. She noticed that her room mate was a neat girl. Which gave her a small sense of relief. Her room mates name was Margaret Sullivan. Elizabeth wondered what kind of girl she was.
She did not feel like talking to anyone, but she needed to let her father know where she was. It was something that was ingrained in her. So Elizabeth sent him a brief text message.
Arrived at school
I am OK
Love E.
Elizabeth carried her belongings into her room. She then found the linens and made her bed. Unpacking could wait. Elizabeth then realized that she was still dressed in the shorts and shirt she bought at Misquamiquit Beach. She felt drained and laid down on the bed staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts turned to Mark. She missed him. Elizabeth replayed the whole date in her mind. She had never been so happy in her life. Her thoughts turned to the night they spent together. She wondered if Mark knew she had snuggled up to him. Elizabeth could not help but feel guilty, What did happen that her mother fled her biological father and kept her existence from him. What did he do? Dean seemed like a nice person with a normal wife and a son she knew she was falling for.
Elizabeth heard knocking at her door. She rolled over and saw a tall thin red headed girl with freckles standing there. The girl spoke first. "Hi you must be Elizabeth Sanchez."
Elizabeth nodded, "Yes and your Margaret?"
"Yes, people call me Marge, what should I call you?"
"Elizabeth is fine"
"You know you were sort of expected a couple of days ago. No big deal. I know it was optional, but the coach wanted us here a little early."
"Elizabeth had forgotten that she was there on a basketball scholarship. For a moment she considered quitting the team. Her father would pay for school, but she would have to go to a school on the west coast and Elizabeth had already delayed attending college for two years. "Is she pissed?"
"No not really it was optional, and your not the only one not to show up." Margaret paused. You have been crying are you homesick?'
Elizabeth shook her head, "No, just something going on in my life. If you don't mind I would rather not talk about it."
"Sure, No problem, I'll see you in the morning." Margret left and closed the door behind her.
EARLY EVENING
George and Elizabeth arrived back at their room in Norwich. Neither one of them had any appetite."George I am so worried about her. I hope she did go on to college like you said."
"Dear she will call and let us know where she is. Elizabeth is hurt and confused, but she knows not to worry us."
"What do we do now?"
"I am not sure Lindsay, but I know she needs to know the whole story. I think we should drive to Boston tomorrow and tell her."
"What do you think will happen with her and Mark?"
"I don't know, but if she pursues a relationship with him you may have Dean and Rory back in your life."
"I don't want that. I don't know if I could stand them back in my life."
"Lindsay lets leave it be in regards to Mark. It has been my experience that relationships that start off intense tend to burn out just as quickly."
"I hope your right George. So I guess we go to Boston tomorrow and tell her the rest of the story"
George's cell phone beeped. He checked it. "She is at school. I just received a text message from her.
Lindsay breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God."
Dean arrived home and found his wife and son waiting for him. He glanced at Rory and sat at the table. Rory turned to her son. "Mark there is something you need to know. I think it will help you understand what happened."
Mark looked at his parents. "Are you going to tell me about my father?"
"I will if you want, but there is something you need to know before I do."
"What is it dad" Your going to tell me what happened between you and Elizabeth's mother?"
"Yes I am." He looked over at Rory. She nodded.
"Mark your mother and I were each others first serious relationship. Like most first relationships it ended." Dean paused. I married Elizabeth's mother Lindsay after high school. Your mother was in college. To make a long story short. Lindsay and I were having problems and your mother was going through a rough spot in her life" Dean paused again "Mark with out going into all the details your mother and I had an affair and Lindsay found out. She threw me out and moved away from Stars Hollow a few weeks later."
Mark turned white. He stood up and looked at his mother. Did you two have another affair and that is why you left my biological father? What is with you two? I guess you did not listen to your own speeches about morals and doing the right thing."
Mark walked to the door. "I can't stay here"
Rory turned to Dean and shook her head. Choking back tears. I knew this was going to happen."
Dean stood and walked over to his wife. She stood and he took her into his arms. "Rory he will calm down, actually I can't blame him."
"Rory looked up at her husband. "I hope so. I wish I knew back then what the repercussions would have been. We were selfish."
Mark knocked on his Grandparents door. Luke answered. "Come in Mark what's up?"
"I just can't stay home. I am to angry."
"Come on sit at the table."
Lorelai eyes followed her grandson's walk to the kitchen table. She stood up and joined them. "They told you didn't they?"
"Yes. I am so angry at them. Who knows what else they..."
"Lorelai put a finger over her lips and quietly said. "Your sisters are in the other room. They don't need to hear this right now. Luke why don't you take Mark to your cave over the diner and have a guys night or something."
Luke shrugged. "Sounds like a good idea. Come on Mark. We will talk when we get there."
Lorelai waited till they left. She picked up the phone and called her daughter. "Don't worry Mark is with Luke."
"Thanks mom. I appreciate it."
Elizabeth could not sleep. She tossed and turned. Her mind racing with different thoughts and scenarios. She needed to do something. What was she forgetting?.
Elizabeth picked up her phone and sent a text to Mark.
Please don't hate me
I need to think
Love E.
With the message sent Elizabeth relaxed and fell asleep thinking about how she was cuddled up to Mark the night before.
To be continued...
