She looks around the room and suddenly starts to freak out. "Luke...why are there so many machines? Why hasn't the doctor come back yet? Are you sure I'm okay?"
He stands up. "Your okay. Don't worry. I'm not sure why there are so many machines, but I can get a doctor if you want me to." He says stroking her hair.
"Its okay...I just wanted to you tell me that everything is going to be okay."
"Everything will be okay." He says and suddenly finds himself sitting next to her on the bed.
She smiles and finds herself making room for him. "Do I look any better than earlier? Does my face have more color in it?"
"You look gorgeo- I mean yeah you look better." He says.
"Thank god, I wouldn't want to look pale forever." She laughs, knowing that would never happen.
He smiles leaning back on the bed with her.
"Luke...if you want...you could move back home. The guest room we have is really nice, it beats living at that apartment."
"That would be great, but wouldn't it be weird for you? I don't want you to feel weird or uncomfortable around me in your own home."
Lorelai takes what he says the wrong way and thinks he means that he doesn't want to move back in.
". Yeah, its okay. If you don't want to move back in, you could just say it." She says sadly.
He looks at her. "I never said I didn't want to move back in. I'm thinking of you and your feelings. This is not about me. I don't want you to have to feel weird or act differently if I move back."
"Oh," She says, now understanding what he is saying. "Well of course it'll be weird at first. But I think once you are back, we'll get used to it and it won't be weird or uncomfortable anymore. "
"Are you sure? I mean it will be an adjustment for the kids too."
"Yes, it will be an adjustment for everyone. But if we don't start here, what other way is there."
"Your right, I guess I would like to move back in. It be good."
"Great, I'll make sure the guest room is set up nicely for you."
He nods. "Sounds good."
"Great then its settled, you'll move back in by the end of this week." Her smile suddenly turns to a worried look. "Luke..something doesn't feel right." She grips his hand and feels really strange.
"What do you mean something doesn't feel right? What's that matter?"
"I don't know..I just..don't feel very.." Then her eyes close and her head hits the back of the pillow and machines start beeping like crazy.
Luke runs and gets the doctor. "Something is wrong with her. You have to come in now!" He yells.
2 doctors and 4 nurses come running in the room, pushing Luke out of the way. Luke hears one of the doctors yell clear, and then sees Lorelai's pale body bouncing in the air. That happens three times, then they close the curtain, and Luke can't see anymore.
2 hours later the doctor comes out.
"Luke, she's going to be fine. A blood clot formed and blocked passages to her heart, which caused her heart to stop beating. We got rid of the clot and everything looks good. She responded well to the emergency surgrey. You may go in and see her now if you'd like."
Luke nods and goes in.
He sees Lorelai laying there looking so weak. He walks over to the bed and she turns her head to face him.
"Hey." He says.
"Hi." She replies to him, her voice sounded weak and cracking. She's got wiring in her nose for air, and wires running down her arms.
"You so don't deserve all of this you know that right?" HE says taking her hand.
She nods a little, it hurts to move her head too much because she had gotten a really bad headache earlier and from the blood loss. "I know..but why did it?"
"I don't know." He says softly. "That guy is an ass."
She coughs and laughs a little. "I want to go home."
"I know you do, but I'm not sure if you are able to."
She sighs. "The doctor said I had a blood clot...it made my heart fail...is that true?"
"Yeah. He said that's what happened to you."
She can't really move, but she leans over the best she can to try and give Luke a hug. "I'm scared." She whispers.
He sits down beside her and hugs her. "I know, but I'm right here. Nothing else will happen. You will be okay."
"I hope you're right."
After spending 4 days in the hospital, Lorelai was deemed strong enough to go home. Luke and the kids helped her get settled and used to being back at home. Then the kids helped with the thing that they had been looking forward to the most, Luke moving back in.
Except Brendan, he wasn't too happy about it.
All the kids were at Luke's, helping him and Katrina pack, except Brendan, he stayed at home with Lorelai.
"Mom, why is daddy moving back home already?"
"Because, sweetie, we are trying to get back to being a family again. Why? Is there something wrong?"
"Well, he hurt you and your just going to pretend like it didn't happen?"
"Woah little man, when did you turn on your dad?"
"I didn't. Im just confused why he is moving back in. Are you two back together?"
"I understand honey, this is a confusing time. No, we aren't back together. But we want to try and get there someday, and him moving back in will get us closer to that. Plus, he really misses you and your sister and brother."
"Okay. I guess its okay then." He smiles.
"Honey, if something's bothering you about it, don't be afraid to tell me. Okay?"
"I'm okay, but I know you are here. Thanks mom."
She ruffles his hair. "Anytime kiddo."
Just then luke and the kids come in carrying stuff.
"Mommy we're back with daddy's stuff! Because he's moving back in!" Kelsey screams through the house, very excited that her dad is moving back in.
"Thats great sweetie, put the stuff in the guest room."
"Why can't I put it in your room?"
"Because daddy is staying in the guest room."
"Well when he did live here he was in your room and guys shared a room."
"Kelsey we aren't going to be in the same room, end of story."
"But why?"She moans.
"Because your dad and I aren't back together. I'm sorry sweetheart."
"That doesn't mean you guys cant sleep in the same room. you and Steve weren't married and you let him sleep in your room."
That hits Lorelai in the pit of her stomach, she stops what she's doing and runs upstairs. Falling on her bed, not wanting anyone to see her cry.
Back downstairs, Kelsey looks at Luke. "Did I do something wrong?"
Luke shrugs. "Honey just don't mention Steve okay."
Kelsey nods and everyone finishes setting up the guest room.
Lorelai rarely cries, and throughout everything that has happened, she has only cried once in front of someone and that is it. She hates crying in front of people. But today, she didn't care who opened her bedroom door...even if it was Luke.
She hears his voice saying hey as he opens the door slowly. She doesn't say anything back as she continues to cry, with her face in her pillow.
"Kelsey says she is...sorry."
"I didn't...mean...to get so snippy with her." She mumbles through the pillow.
"Its okay. She just doesn't understand what has been going on lately."
"Of course not...she's only seven. I'm 42 and I don't understand it either."
"Lorelai..it's going to be okay. He won't be back."
"What if he does? What if your wrong? He knows where I live Luke." She turns and thats when Luke sees her puffy red eyes, with tears pouring out of them and yet, she's still trying to hide the fact that she is crying.
"Then I will take care of him and you wont have to worry. You hear me?" He says wiping her tears with his shirt.
She nods and grabs a tissue. "Luke....thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?
"Just...for being here for me...for moving back in even though I'm making you sleep in the guest room...for not marrying Allie..just, for everything. Well, except the big thing." She says and they both laugh a little.
He nods and hugs her.
"I'm glad your here."
"I'm glad I'm here too." He smiles.
Lorelai sits up a little more, but still leans on him a little. "Luke, since your home now, I'd spend some father-son bonding time with Brendan." She advises him.
"I know and I will. I'm sorry that I haven't had much time to spend with all the kids one on one, but that can change now." He says and puts an arm around her waist.
"Its okay, but just...work on Brendan okay. He's the most important one out of all of them right now. You know..he loves to play basketball. Maybe you could take him to the gym and sign him up to play a team."
"You think he would like playing on a team?" Luke asks.
She nods. "He's been asking for awhile now, but with all the money we gave for finding Kelsey, things have been tight and it costs 85 dollars to registar him. He'd really love it if you coached him too."
"You could have told me if money was tight, I would have gladly given you money, but sure I can sign him up and coach him."
She smiles and sighs. "This is going to sound stupid....I had to prove that I could make it on my own still like I did when it was just me and Rory. Christopher wasn't around and we did okay. I needed to be able to prove to you and everyone else that I could make it without you around all the time."
"That does not sound stupid at all. That actually sounds like you. You were always independent and never asked for help, I just wish you would have asked me. i wouldn't have told anyone, but I'm proud that you did it."
"Thanks...mmm...I'm so tired." She yawns and begins to fall asleep in his arms. "Sorry about this." She apologizes as she continues falling asleep in his arms.
"It's okay." He says wanting to abide by her wishes of not being in her room "I can um..leave" He says "If you want to sleep."
"Oh....okay." She sits up, she thought maybe he'd want to stay with her. "Actually I can't fall asleep right now. I've got to clean the house, take Kelsey to her friend's house at 3. Then Katrina said she wants to the movies with her friends so I have to drive her to Hartford for 5 because apparently that is the best movie theater. Colin has swimming lessons at 4 and Brendan has nothing unless you end up signing him up for basketball." Lorelai gets up and already starts rushing around her room to clean herself up.
"Lorelai slow down, you just got out of the hospital."
"Can't slow down Luke, there's a million things to do and its already 1:30."
He goes over and grabs her arm and spins her so she is looking at him. "I want you to rest. Let me take care of getting the kids where they need to go, and I will make dinner. EVen if it is just you and me, I can save dinner for the kids." He offers.
"Really?" He nods. "Are you sure?" He nods again. "I can't ask you to run all over the place." Then she thinks about it and realizes that relaxing is really what she needs. "Are you really sure?"
"I don't mind. Go rest. I got it."
"Okay, thanks Luke. I really appreciate this."
"Its not a problem at all trust me. What do you want for dinner tonight?" He asks.
"Anythings fine. Dinner time isn't for awhile anyway."
He nods. "Well I better get going. I will see you later tonight." He says.
"See ya." She waves and then turns on her T.V.
Luke gets downstairs and sees all the kids in the living room, they all start talking at once.
"Dad where's mom? She needs to take me to Sam's house." Kelsey whines.
"And she needs to get ready so that she can take me to the movies."
"Mommy take me to swim."
"And she promised she'd take me to the park." Brendan says.
Luke yells. "QUIET!" And they all shut up and look at him, waiting for him to talk.
"Your mother just got out of the hospital and all of you are demaning she do things for you. Now you all are going to settle down, or no one will go anywhere today." He says.
"Why are you even here? Why don't you go back to your girlfriend!" Brendan yells at his face. All the other kids look at their brother, who used to idolize Luke, with shock.
"Kelsey, Katrina, and Colin, go get in the car awhile, Katrina help buckle in colin in his car seat please."
"Sure." She says and they go.
"What is going on?" Luke asks Brendan when everyone else leaves.
"Why are you back here?" He repeats in a mean tone.
"Your mom and I are trying to be a family again."
"I don't want you here! No one wants you here! It was great when you were at the diner. Go away! Mommy doesn't want you either! Stay away from her!"
"Well I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I'm staying. Your mother is the one who asked me to come home!"
"Fine! If you stay here then I'm gonna runaway!" He threatens him but Luke doesn't think he has the guts to run away.
"No you wont!" He yells.
"Yes I will!" He runs upstairs to his room and starts throwing clothes in his little suitcase. Luke follows him to his room, very angry.
"Get out of my room!" He screams when he sees Luke standing there and throws a shirt at him.
"No! You are not going anywhere. I don't know what has gotten in to you, but I am not going anywhere either!"
"I hate you! And so does mommy! She told me that! Get out of my room!"
Luke just looks at his son and does what he wants, leaves. He takes the girls where they need to go, and Colin to swimming, then later he picks them up and drops them off, not going innside with them. Lorelai was on the couch sitting and Kelsey handed him a note from Luke.
Lorelai,
Maybe it was not a good idea for me to come back. The kids seem to hate me and apparently so do you.
-Luke
"Oh god, Kelsey did your dad leave yet?"
"Not sure, he might still be in his truck."
Lorelai runs to the front door and gets there in time to see Luke's truck leaving the driveway. She sighs, goes back in the house and looks at Katrina, Kelsey and Colin.
"Daddy went bye bye?"
Lorelai nods. "Yeah sweetie, daddy went bye bye."
"Just like Brendan."
"What?" Lorelai runs upstairs and finds that her 9 year old son isn't in his room, but there is a note.
"I HATE THIS HOUSE." Is written in big letters on a piece of paper.
Lorelai quickly dials Luke's number. "Pick up, pick up, pick up." She says to herself as it rings.
"Hello?" He says into the phone.
"Luke! Is Brendan with you?"
"No, he is not. Why?"
"Because he's not in his room, or anywhere else in the house. Thats why! What did you say to him!?" She starts to yell, only because she is scared.
"I didn't say anything to him. He told me he hated me, and that no one wanted me back home and that I should just go back to my girlfriend because you are all happy at home without me and worse of all that you hated me too."
"And you listened to him? Come on Luke, I thought you were smarter than that. Don't you know better than to listen to a 9 year old?"
"I'll go look for him okay?"
"Okay, you look around town, we'll look around our neighborhood." She's about to hang up on him but stops. "And Luke," She waits to hear him say, what, and when he does she says. "I don't hate you."
"Thanks, but my son does Lorelai." He says and hangs up.
Lorelai sighs, then gathers the kids and they go out to search for Brendan.
Meanwhile had already taken a bus to the train station and was now sitting on a bench, waiting for the train to come.
He gets nervous when he sees the train come and realizes what he's doing. As the passengers get off he sees some one familar.
"Brendan?"
"Rory?"
"Hey kiddo, what are you doing here?"
"Running away?"
Rory takes her little brother's hand and goes over to a bench.
"What? Why?"
"I can't take it anymore Rory. Dad is moving back home supposedly and he shouldn't. We were doing just fine without him. Mom was okay with out him. He is going to come back and hurt again. Steve was better." Brendan says, not fully knowing what happened with Steve and Lorelai.
What Brendan didn't know was that Rory secretly dialed Lorelai's cell and put it on speaker phone. Lorelai is hearing the entire conversation.
"Brendan, your dad would never hurt your mom on purpose. What happened was over a year ago and they want to try and work things out. Everything will be okay. I'm sure there's a good reason why Steve isn't around anymore. Your daddy loves you kiddo and I bet he's really scared right now."
"If he loves me then why hadn't he came around to see us much when mom and dad weren't together?"
"If I know your dad, he was too stubborn. There's something you should know about your mom and dad. They are the two most stubborn people on this planet."
He laughs a bit. "Mom is for sure." He then frowns. "I told my dad i hated him."
Rory leans over and gives him a big hug, holding him tightly. "Aw, kiddo, don't worry. I'm sure he knows you didn't mean it."
"I hope so. I do want him and mom back together. I guess it was just all a shock."
"Right now I think I should take you back home, unless of course, you want to continue to run away. Where were you going to go?"
He laughs and shrugs. "I think I want to go home."
"Good choice buddy, tell that to your mom." Rory hands him the phone and he gives her a look.
"Hi mommy I'm sorry I ran away."
"What the hell were you thinking!? You scared me half you death!"
"I..I..I'm sorry. "He says. "I was just so mad."
"We'll talk about this when you get home."
"Okay mommy." He says and gives the phone to Rory.
"I'll take him back to the house for ya mom."
"Thanks kid...what are you doing home anyway?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Alright. See you soon hun." They hang up and Rory and Brendan take the bus back to Stars Hollow.
