Chapter TEN! - He's Baack..and now he's gone.
SPECIAL THANKS TO MY BESTEST BUDDY who is also my beta : Mika!
a\n : I dedicate this chapter to my friend Emily, because I just recently got her addicted to fanfictions. LoL!
I had someone ask me why I picked lasagna for what they're eating I don't know why they asked me..but whatever.
Here's your sometimes unfriendly disclaimer: Not me, i own seasons 1-6 on DVD though...it's an obbsessive thing, I know I have a problem.
----Read On----OH WAIT! Okay, I know In my fic Luke and Lorelai have only been dating a little while..I'm going to move the dating time line up about six months, so everyone and everything else is the same, except they've been dating a long time. Sound good?
Now..Read on.
"Christopher."
"Hey Lor, how are you?" He practicaly pushed passed her and let himself inside, "Where's Rory, I want to see her."
"Chris stop. You can't just come in here, and, pretend you've been around forever. You can't just go in there, see her, and then wait another six years to come back. That is what happend last time."
"Lor, I'm different. I want to be apart of her life, I want to be apart of your life. Come on. Please?" Lorelai looked at him for a minute, the closed her eyes. She stood there, for a moment, her eyes shut tightly, tears trying hard to spill over. Then she remembered, "So I guess we should get married." He had told her in the hospital, the morning she was born, she remembered thinking to herself, 'What the hell is he thinking.' Then just walked away. She saw him once or twice after that, last she'd heard, he moved to California six years ago.
"She won't know who you are. Last time she saw you she was two. She's seven, almost eight now. She'll have no idea." She opened her eyes, after assuring herself the tears wouldn't fall, which they didn't. "I'm not introducing you to her either, if you wanted to know her you would have come back before now."
"Come on Lorelai. Don't do that to me, you told me seven years ago that you wouldn't keep me from her, that that'd be wrong, and you wanted me to have a say in her life. Not letting me see her is doing exactly that! You can't not let me see her."
"I never said you couldn't see her. I said I won't introduce you. You're on your own. Her room is over there." Lorelai pointed, "Don't go in if you're going to just take off, the second you step into that room, you're commiting yourself to that kid, she'll remember this time. You can't go in there, and come out expecting not to come back for a while." She looked down for a second, "You should also prepare yourself for some crying, yelling and possibly multiple questions about you not being here all her life. She's a smart kid. Don't know where she got it from, but she is." Christopher nodded.
"Okay. I'm going to..go in there." He walked passed her, walked passed the kitchen, after passing the doorway, he mouthed, 'Who's that?'
'Luke.' Still puzzled, Christopher, shrugged it off, and walked over to the door. He knocked softly, when the little girl inside said 'come in' his heart sank, he suddenly considered running again, just leaving, without a word, like he'd always done before, when she said "Come In." again, he knew he couldn't. So he opened the door. When he came in Rory gave him a frightened look, she really didn't remember him.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Rory asked.
"Hon, I'm your ugh, well, see..." He couldn't put it into words, I'm your father, sorry I haven't been around all your life, just didn't make the cut.
"I'm a little busy, see, I want to finish this book by tonight, so..not to be rude, but, can you hurry?"
"I'm your Dad."
"My Dad, lives in California, he doesn't visit me." She began to cry.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." He let a few tears fall himself, Rory hopped off her bed, and ran over to him, he embraced her. They just sat there, holding eachother making up for lost time.
--Kitchen---
"Who was at the door?" Luke asked. The lasagna was in the oven, so Luke and Lorelai were sitting at the kitchen table, Lorelai drinking coffee, Luke having some water.
"Christopher." She told him simply.
"Christopher...?"
"Haden."
"Rory's Dad?"
"Yep."
"But you haven't seen him..in..six years?"
"Six years." She sipped her coffee.
"Where is he?" He asked.
"In Rory's room, he said he wants to get to know her, it's a one strike he's out thing though, he screws up. He's done. I won't let him hurt that kid."
Luke got up and squatted down beside her, and let Lorelai lean into him, just hugging him, enjoying him. She was confortable, it felt right. They didn't move for a long time...then, the oven timer went off. "I should, get that." Lorelai nodded, and let go of him. He got up, and grabbed the steaming food from the oven, he then cut a small peice out of the middle, just to make sure it was done, then let it sit, to cool.
"Is he going to be eating with us?" Luke said, almost jealously. Lorelai shook her head ferociously.
"No. He won't. He'll go to the Inn, or something, honestly I don't care, he should have just stayed away, he's going to let her down, he's gonna hurt her. He's going to..I don't know what he's going to do, but he'll do something, and it'll turn our badly. He always leave distruction in his wake. He's toxic." Luke kissed her and she shut up quickly.
"It'll be okay, if he does anything to hurt that kid, I'll hunt him down and single handedly kick his sorry ass." Lorelai smiled at Luke's protectiveness. After a breif moment, Christopher and Rory emerged from the bedroom, Christopher holding Rory's hand tight, as if he'd never let it go.
"I'm gonna split, I'll be back tommorow though, if that's okay with you Lor." He suggested, noticing the close proxcimity between Luke and Lorelai.
"Um, yeah I have to work at 10:30 you can pick her up, and hang out at the Inn, or around town if you want. There's always someone watching around town though, it might be a little safer at the Inn. You guys can have lunch, I'm sure Sookie would make you guys something good." Lorelai suggested.
"Sure, that sounds good. See you at 10:30." Chris kissed Rory's head, and moved to kiss Lorelai too, but again noticed Luke, and just waved as he let himself out.
"Want some lasanga Rory?" Lorelai said after hearing the door close.
"That's my Dad?" Rory asked, sitting at the table.
"Yeah. In all his glory." The last part was mumbled and only Luke heard her, but it was completely true. Luke cut peices of lasgna for the girls first and then himself, joining them at the table.
---
Lorelai insisted that Luke stay over after dinner, he told her multiple times, that he lived three minutes away, but she wouldn't take no for an answer, she was stubborn when she wanted to be, so he stayed. He got up early, made them pancakes and left them in on a plate before he left to open the diner. When Lorelai got up she immideatly smelled the pancakes, she went straight into the kitchen. Pancakes. perfect. She put two on a plate and searched for syrup..finnaly finding it in the fridge. The fridge? Who the hell put syrup in the fridge? Shrugging it off, Lorelai poured the syrup over her pancakes and sat down at the table.
"Mom." Rory began, as she came out of her room, voice still thick from sleep. "When's my dad picking me up." The poor kid still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she'd finnaly gotten to meet her Dad.
"We'll see him at the Inn babe, you want some pancakes?" Rory said yes, and Lorelai got them for her.
---Independance Inn.
Christopher Haden hadn't slept well last night, he didn't think he'd ever get another chance at seeing his daughter. But last night, he did. He'd met her, got to know her, and hopefully this wouldn't be the last time he'd get to see her. Most of his stay at the Inn was spent in the lobby, he couldn't bring himself to sleep so he sat on the couch in the lobby for a while. Just sitting there..he may have drifted off a few times, but he didn't know, and frankly, didn't care.
---
Ann had forgotton to call last night, and she felt bad, so she thought, she'd try again, to knock some sense into her thick headed sister. After driving pretty much aimlessly in her car around Stars Hollow for an hour, she landed at the Inn, still nervous about going in, she drove around the parking lot to see if Lorelai was there yet..she wasn't. She parked her car in a space next to a motorcylce, I hate motorcycles. Their pointless and loud. She walked up to the entrance, and stood there a moment. Thinking about how she got herself into this situation. One slip of the tongue and she was fueding with her sister. She could have fixed it, she should have not told her parents about it, she should have just delt with it herself, let time heal the wounds, but she had to go home and cry to Daddy. As much as she loved and trusted her father, it wasn't like him to keep things from Emily.She knew that, and she sat there and cried in his arms anyway. She loved her Dad, but she loved her sister too, she had to find a way to balence everything. She was good at being organizing, and making sure everything is in order, but she couldn't seem to balance this. It's family, she shouldn't have to balance it. They should learn to live with eachother, let go of what is in the past, because it's IN the past, move on.
When she finaly rebuilt her confidence she turned the door knob and walked in, she went over to the couches and sat down. Then she saw him, he was sitting there, nonchalontly, apparently he didn't recognize her. Understandable, she was 13 last time she'd seen him.
"Chrsitopher."
---
"Chrsitopher" The voice vauguely reminded him of someone. An old friend? No, to bitter, to cold.
"Um, yes?" He answered.
"It's Ann." He stared at her.
"I'm sorry, am I supposed to know you, 'cause I'm sorry, I can't say that I do."
"Ann. Ann Gilmore." Then it hit him. That's why the voice was cold, and bitter. She still hadn't forgiven him after all this time, for getting her sister pregnant.
"Oh, Ann, how, um, how have you ugh, how have you been?" He was nervous, that made her laugh a little.
"I've been great. What are you doing here Chirstopher?"
"I came to see my daughter."
"Bull."
"Ann, don't. You've got to let it go. Leave the past in the past." She'd said it herself, she knew she should just move on. Then the overwhelming feeling that this was his fault washed over her. If he hadn't gotten Lorelai pregnant, then Lorelai wouldn't have let down Emily and Richard, which would mean she wouldn't have run away, which would have meant they wouldn't have faught, so he was to blame for all of this. In her mind at least.
She made a sour face at him, and got up, walking to another couch, far away from him.
When Lorelai came in at 10:30 she walked straight passes Ann, she hadn't noticed her, and she probably wouldn't have cared if she did see her sitting there. She did however instantly notice Christopher, sitting there, fiddling with the collar of his shirt.
"Hey there Chris."
"Hi Lor. Hey Rory."
"Hi Dad."
As Lorelai worked, Chirstopher and Rory found things to do around the Inn. Rory told him about herself, and expressed her interest in books more then once. He'd concluded that she was smart, smarter then the average seven year old, hell she was smarter then the average twelve year old.
"You know a lot about books?"
She then proceeded to tell him everything she'd learned about books. It took quite a long time.
Over at the desk, Lorelai had just noticed Ann,
"How long have you been sitting there?" She exlaimed, putting her hand over her heart mock dramaticly.
"About an hour. You walked passed me a few times." Lorelai said nothin and went about her work. "Come on Lorelai, we've got to talk." The phone rang.
"Independance Inn, Lorelai speaking, how may I help you?"
"Can you direct me to Christopher Hadens room?"
"He's sitting here in the lobby actually, just a moment." Lorelai went over to the couches where Rory and Chris were sitting, "Chris, you have a phone call." Christopher got up reluctantly and answered the phone.
"Hello...Yes, hey boss...this can't wait?..I'm spending time with my daughter though...please...but-...fine. Bye." She'd only heard his side, but she knew he had to leave. "Lor, I'm so sorr-"
"Don't. I don't want to hear your excuses, I'm not telling her you're leaving, that's your problem." She was stern, and forcefull. Chris had never really seen that side of her, he really didn't like it.
"I'm sorry. Lor. Please."
"No. I don't wanna hear it, I knew this would happen. I'm not going to be the bad guy and tell her that her father that she's known for all of less than twenty four hours, has to leave!"
"Lor-"
"No." She stated firmly. Standing her ground. As much as she cared about Rory, and felt bad about the situation, it didn't have to be like this, he didn't have to move to California, he could have stuck around he could have been more involved in Rory's life. But he wasn't, and the situation wouldn't ever change, he'd always be Christopher 'Can't stick around for more then an hour' Haden. They'd all just have to live and learn.
"Hey Rory."
"Hey Dad." She smiled as she said, 'Dad', that didn't go unnoticed.
"Listen, I've got to get going, I'm needed in California, back where I live, so I have to go. But I'll call you every chance I get, and I'll visit real soon, okay?"
With tears in her eyes she said, "Okay. I'll talk to you when you call.". He kissed her on the top of the head, and then the cheek, and went up stairs to gather his things. Rory got up and walked over to where her mother was standing, which was in the hallway leading to the kitchen, "Mom." She began, "Why did Dad have to leave so fast?"
"I'm not sure hon, he didn't tell me."
"Okay." Rory sulked back to her seat on the couch, where she'd left her book.
When Christopher decended down the stairs, he didn't go back over to say goodbye to Rory again, he was going to make his exit as quick and painless as possible. He did catch Lorelai's eye before walking out though, it wasn't a pretty sight, she wasn't his biggest fan at this point. She knew, she always knows.
"How did I know this was going to happen? He always comes in and skates out before we can aclamate to him being here." Lorelai thought, just as Christopher Haden walked out the door, she didn't know when her daughter would see him again.
----
"Independance Inn, Lorelai speaking, how can I help you?"
"Do you think Sookie could watch Rory tonight?" Luke asked.
"Um, what? Who is this?"
"Luke!" He exclaimed, "That's why I always say 'hi it's Luke.' when you answer."
"And everytime I ask you why you say that, and now, I get it. Thank you for clairifying."
"You're welcome?" He paused a second, "So, what do you think, Sookie watch Rory?"
She considered it, "I'll ask her, but I'm not sure, why?"
"I figured we could go out tonight, I love spending time with you and Rory, it wasn't the 'Happy Birthday' I wanted to give you."
"Oh, I see, something dirty in mind?"
"Jeeze, Lorelai, not everything everyone says is dirty."
"To you no. I'll ask Sookie, I'll put you on hold okay?" He agreed, and she walked into the kitchen, "Sookie.."
"Coffee?"
"Sure, that's not what I came in here for though."
"Okay, shoot." Sookie said, handing her a mug, filled to the brim with steaming coffee.
"Do you think you could watch Rory tonight? She'll be an angel, and she'll probably read most of the time anyway. Only if you aren't busy, if you are, it's okay. Be honest, don't like cancel anything for it."
"Sure hon, I'll watch her, you're really funny when you babble..." She laughed.
"Thanks Sook." She walked out, and went back to the phone. "Hey, sorry it took so long, Sookie said she'd watch Rory."
"Okay, good. So, how is Rory adapting to the Christopher thing?"
"She's not."
"She's not..? How is she not, did he like leave or something?!" Luke laughed, when she said nothing he stopped. "He left?"
"Yes. Just now, she's all sad, and reading."
"If she's reading, she can't be sad..she loves reading."
"Yeah but, she was happy and not reading, then she got sad, and started reading again to make her happier. So it's pretty damn obvious that she's upset, and I'm gonna kick his ass." Luke chuckled, "In heals." She added.
"Ouch, you've got some pretty sharp heals too!" He said saracasticaly.
"Lucas. Don't mock." She told him.
"Lorelai. Don't call me Lucas." Impersinating her tone.
"Luke! That's mocking."
"You know I love you."
"I've heard, but by the way you're treating me, I don't know that it's true or not." She said, with a smile.
"Lorelai." He said sternly.
"Joke, Mr.Serious."
"I know it was a joke, I was kidding too."
"Were not." She teased, "I love you Luke." She could hear him shift around and smile like he always did when she told him she loved him.
"I'll pick you up at 7:30?" He told her.
"Sure, 7:30. You know when you tell a Gilmore you're picked them up at 7:30 it means, 7:45."
"Oh really? Your mom seemed a little like the always precisly on time, not early nor late, type. At least that's how she struck me. I could be wrong." From what she had told him, he was right on the button.
"Okay, when you tell a Lorelai Gilmore 7:30 it means 7:45."
"Rory's real name is Lorelai."
"I'm aware that I named my daughter after me."
"She hates being late for anything." He smiled, knowing she was beat.
"When you tell, ME, 7:30 it means 7:45."
"Better."
"Good, I've got to go work now." She said. "I'll see you tonight."
"Okay.I love you, bye." He said.
"I love you too." She replied. "Bye."
----
Ann had taken the hint, and left, after Lorelai ignored her for another hour and a half, she went back to Hartford. Rory went home with Sookie willingly, and Lorelai was left to get ready for her date with Luke. She figured it'd be their usual, dinner and a movie, but Luke had his little ways of surprising her sometimes, he once took her to New York, the town she knew he hated, for a Bangles concert, and again to see a three hour long play, which he also hated, and he'd let Rory tag along, seeing as she had read the book the play was modled after.
"Hey, you look..wow." Lorelai commented when she opened the door to see Luke clad in a dress shirt and pressed black pants, or as he calls them, slacks.
"Thank you. You look, great too." He replied, and that she did. "You, ready to go?" He asked.
"It's 7:40."
"I met you inbetwen, you said 7:45, I said 7:30. It's an excellent comprimise."
"Sure, sure, I was ready at 7:30 anyway." She smiled, and he sighed.
Luke took Lorelai to Sniffy's where they had a great dinner, but Luke had something else on his mind.
"Lorelai, I've got something I need to ask you." He began, stepping out of the booth they sat at everytime they had dinner at Sniffy's.
"Okay, you can't sit and talk at the same time?" Lorelai joked, seeing the serious expression on his face she stopped laughing. "Sorry." She mumbled.
"I love you,"He began again, "and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." She knew where this was headed, tears began forming in her eyes, "Deep down I think I knew it right away, the moment I met you. A weird twist of fate put us both on that bus that day, and I'm not one of those guys that beleives in that stuff, but with you, I'd beleive in anything. I love you, and I'd be honored if you'd marry me." He finished, taking a velvet box out of his pocket. It was one of those rare moments that Lorelai Gilmore was speechless. He waited patiently for a second, then she stood up, tears that were in her eyes now spread all across her cheeks, "Yes." She muttered just before kissing him, "Can I have the ring now?" She asked, afrer a minute.
"Sure." He removed his arms that made their way around her waist, and opened the little black box, to reveal the most amazing diamond ring Lorelai had ever seen. "Luke it's amazing." Before setting it in her hands, he flipped it over, and pointed at the inside, just as he'd done with the bracelet, the words, You're my everything. "Luke." Was all she could say,
"You are my everything Lorelai. You always will be."
----
Eventful? I think so.
I think this deserves some AWESOME reveiws. You guys are always awesome though, anyone who'd give my stories the time of day, are awesome.
I'm thinking maybe 5 more chapters? Tell me how many more you'd like to see. I don't want to drag the story out soo long that people get sick of it, you know? That'd be bad. But I also don't want to cut it off when people want to know more. You tell me.
ALSO, if there is anything you'd like to see happen, I like in incorperate your ideas in with my own...so, again you tell me. If you have an idea that you can't seem to put into writing yourself...I could do that too..I used to do that for people on other websites, and it was a lot of fun, not only for me writing them, but for other people seeing their ideas in writing, and I always credit you with the idea, so if you want me to do anything for you, bring it on, I'm up for it!
R&R PLEASE! There was like 5 reveiws for the last one and over 100 hits. That means over 100 people either read or SAW this chapter and 5(?) people told me what they thought. I don't really care if you get all in depth with reveiws, but I'd like to get your opinions.
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