As the family was getting ready for the evening, Logan and Josh were outside grilling the lobsters, Honor was playing with the girls in the yard, and Dean and Rory were making the salad in the kitchen.

"So, how is this co-parenting going to work?" Dean asked as he chopped the tomatoes.

Rory stopped what she was doing and looked him in the eye,"we are going to take it day by day. Did you get a chance to read the file I sent over before you came?"

"I read a bit of it," Dean replied. Before Rory had copied the file, she took out the letters she had written and put them in her desk drawer.

"A bit. Did you read about the sudden custody change?"

"Some of it."

"Did you read the part about her being removed from her house because of neglect and abuse from her parents?" Rory let a tear fall from her eye.

"Hey, Rory," Dean wiped his hands on the towel and wrapped his arms around her, "of course I read that part. I'm sorry I wasn't there for her to protect her from that." Rory let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding in. They were soon interrupted by a voice.

"Mommy, where's aunt Honor's purse?" Sophie yelled into the house.

Dean quickly let go of Rory.

"Mommy, where are you?" Sophie called.

"I'm in the kitchen," Rory replied, as she wiped the tears from her eyes "why do you need Honor's purse?"

"The pizza guy is here."

"Okay, I can pay for that," Rory walked away from the kitchen and grabbed her wallet. Dean decided to continue making the salad.

"As great as this dinner is, I think we really need a Luke's burger close to this place," Lorelai said, "Alison, ask your father if he would consider franchising around here."

"I will, but I don't know how far I will get. It was a real struggle getting him to open one up near Princeton and I think it was only because he wanted to make sure that I was always well fed."

"Luke never was a person for change," Dean said.

"Speaking of your parents, tell your mom that we need to have lunch," Lorelai said, "I feel so bad that I haven't seen her in a while."

"I will," Alison replied.

"Good. I miss having a person over who shares my love for extra strong coffee. Rachel is always a good person to have lunch with for that reason."

"I know. It's funny because I really don't like coffee."

"Mom, all your kids drink strong coffee," Will stated.

"Not to Rachel's level."

That night at dinner, they were all surrounded by enough food for the city. They talked all throughout dinner, and it wasn't until towards the end, that the conversation went from everyday events to focusing in Lauren.

"Lauren, do you like the godfather trilogy?" Will asked.

"Yes, I especially enjoy watching Sophia's death scene over and over again," Lauren replied. Will started to laugh.

"Hush you," Rory glared at him.

"Like mother, like daughter, like granddaughter," Will stated.

"So, are you excited to start Chilton?" Gigi asked.

"Excuse me? I'm not going to Chilton," Lauren replied confused, "I'm attending Westmonte Academy."

"Mom, I can't believe you told them," Rory exclaimed, "Nothing is final."

"Told them what?" Lauren asked.

"I got you an interview at Chilton," Rory sighed, "if everything goes well, you will start shortly after the break."

"Why can't she attend her current school?" Dean asked, frustrated to be out of the loop.

"Yes. Why can't I go to Westmonte?" Lauren asked.

"Westmonte doesn't have the reputation that Chilton has. You can't expect to get into college through Westmonte," Christopher explained, "and, our family has connections to the school. Rory, as well as Gigi went and they absolutely loved it."

"People graduate from Westmonte every year and go to college. Why can't I do the same like everyone else?"

"Because you are not everyone else. You are a Hayden." Christopher stated firmly.

"Actually, I'm a Peters. I'm not hungry anymore. Excuse me," Lauren shot back as she got up from the table and went outside. The room went dead silent. Rory watched Lauren walk outside and sit on the dock.

"I'm going to go talk to her," Dean stated as he got up from the table.

"Dean, I think we should give her some space," Logan relied.

"Actually, she's my daughter, I'm going to do what I feel is best," Dean snapped at Logan. Deans phone began ringing. Dean looked at the caller ID.

"Actually, I have to take this, so you win. Lauren will have space. Excuse me."

"Jamie, hey. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. What's the verdict?" Dean spoke into his phone as he left the room.

"Was that really necessary?" Rory asked, "Is it too much to ask that we all try and make Lauren feel welcome?" Rory got up and began clearing the table. Honor followed her example and grabbed the now empty salad bowl as well as the lobster platter.

"You kids may be excused," Honor stated as she made her way around the table.

"Dad, can I watch a movie?" Eli asked.

"It's a little late for a movie bud. Why don't you go and get a book to read?" Josh replied, "I'll help you find a good book in the library. Let's go upstairs."

"We are going to hangout in the den. Let us know if you need anything," Gigi stated as they excused themselves. On their way up, Gigi kissed Lorelai's cheek.

"Okay, have fun," Lorelai responded.

Lorelai stayed in her seat and looked at her husband.

"I'm sorry. It just came out. I should apologize to Lauren," Christopher put his head in his hands.

"I think Logan was right. We should give the girl some space. You know you weren't wrong," Lorelai said, "she's not going to Harvard, Yale, or Princeton for that matter if she stays at Westmonte. But, I don't think you calling her a Hayden helped the situation."

"I know it was a mistake." They were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.

"Hello? We're here. Where is everybody?" Emily called into the house. It was out of the ordinary for none of the kids to come and say 'hello'.

Emily made her way into the dining room and when she saw Christopher and Lorelai alone, she knew something was up.

"What's wrong? Something happened, didn't it? Did Dean do something? I swear to god if he told Lauren about the affair without Rory," Emily started to get very angry.

"No Emily, it was me. I messed up and she stormed off," Christopher explained as he took a sip of his wine.

"Oh, well Richard is getting the bags out of the car. Where is Rory?"

"She is in the kitchen."

"Okay. Well, you two enjoy the rest of the evening."

As Emily walked into the kitchen, she saw Rory and Honor standing at the window and looking at Lauren.

"Would you mind if I go and talk to her?"

AN: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next Chapter, get ready for people talking; Lauren and Emily, Rory and Dean, and a trip to the ER…Please Review :)