AN - Thanks everyone, it's so great reading what you guys think, I'm so pleased this resonated with you. There was actually a pick up scene but it retrospect it made Anna seem like such a b word and while she can be with this situation it's more she's not thinking clearly so I cut it I'm glad you liked the way I took it. So next chapter deals with the immediate concern, I have tried to research court stuff but honestly it's all greek to me so I apologise if I've got it completely wrong. Hope you enjoy let me know what you think.

Chapter 28 - To Be Reviewed

"Hey Babes!" Lorelai answered her cell phone as she clambered out of the minivan in the centre of Stars Hollow.

"I got an interview!" Rory trilled down the phone excitedly.

"That's great! For what?" Lorelai grinned as she glanced around before crossing the street.

"The summer camp programme," Rory told her. "Even with the boat thing I got an interview."

"Well that's great Kid, when is it?" Lorelai breathed a sigh of relief that Rory had at least passed the first hurdle.

"First week of April, on the 6th."

Lorelai smiled, she could hear the bounce in Rory's step. "That's great, well remind me nearer the time so I can wish you luck."

"Baby brain strikes again. You sound out of breath, are you OK?" The joy in Rory's voice tempered slightly.

"I'm just walking, the soccer Mom mobile requires a certain amount of space for parking and as I'm a slow poke this morning I had to park 90 miles away from the diner and the bambinos are running out of space in there, so Mommy's lungs are fair game. And I've always had to write everything down, but it's nice to have an excuse," Lorelai chuckled. "You on your way to class?"

"Yup, 2 hour seminar then coffee with Paris, then library for research on a paper, then dinner with Spencer to fill him in on Gilmore procedure for tomorrow. You're going to be there early, right? Please don't be late. Its bad enough I have to subject him to Friday Night Dinner. I could really use the backup."

"We're going to get there for 6.45 and I'm sure Dad will be fine with him, they've already met remember and you know as you are Mom's best friend she'll love him. Are you going to the Pizza joint again?" Lorelai slowed as she saw Taylor, Patty and Babette very clearly waiting for her at the corner outside Doose's.

"We're gonna try a Pan Asian place," Rory told her. "And I'm not Grandma's best friend."

"Oh Kid you are, after commenting on how fat I am and asking how the babies are, you are her favourite topic. OK I've got a Spanish inquisition quickly approaching, so you have a good day Babes, call me tomorrow, Bye," she closed the call, stowed her phone and braced herself for what was about to come.

"Hi Lorelai Doll," Babette greeted her. "You're looking swell."

"That's very factual, being 32 weeks pregnant does lead to some swelling," Lorelai placed her hand on her belly, effectively preventing Patty and Babette from attempting to touch it.

"Good one," Babette gave a raspy chuckle. "I meant you look good."

"Thanks. Is everything OK with you guys?" Lorelai asked, knowing that as they had been waiting that they wanted to discuss something with her.

"Well we wanted to talk to you about the court case, Luke's one for April," Patty lowered her head conspiratorially.

"Uh huh," Lorelai held her breath slightly.

"Its next week isn't it?" Babette stepped in closer.

"Tuesday," Lorelai confirmed glancing towards the diner.

"We'd like to offer our assistance, but didn't know if Luke would be amenable to us speaking to him about it," Taylor told her softly.

"Assistance?" Lorelai raised her eyebrows surprised that this wasn't a gossip collecting ambush.

"Well," Taylor looked at her nervously. "Perhaps I could provide a statement in my capacity as Town Selectman about Luke's suitability as primary custodian of April, and how welcome she is in town as a permanent resident."

"Oh Taylor," Lorelai smiled gratefully. "I don't know, I can ask him, but it might be a bi…" she trailed off as she noticed Taylor's hand hover over one of his pockets in his brown trousers. "Have you already written it?"

"Well," Taylor looked downwards and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a folded in half envelope to show her.

"We can do one as well," Patty added.

"That's really great guys but I do…" Lorelai trailed off for a second and then shook her head. "I don't thi…" she trailed off again, suddenly feeling like all the blood had drained out of her head, "um…"

"Lorelai!" Taylor took a step closer to her and grabbed her arm.

"Oh Doll!" Babette grabbed her other arm.

"Patty get the chair from the register," Taylor ordered as he stepped in to properly support Lorelai.

Lorelai shook her head trying to make everything make sense but she just felt completely separated from her body and was struggling to stay standing. She gasped as she felt something being pressed into the back of her thighs and let herself sink as Taylor and Babette lowered her into what turned out to be a chair. "I'm Ok," she whispered, her eyes closing as she tried to keep calm.

"We'll let a medical professional determine that," Taylor patted her on the shoulder in a somewhat comforting manner. "Maggie has gone to get Luke and then a trip to the doctors for you I think young lady."


xXx

"Do not even think about attempting to pick me up," Lorelai hissed at Luke as he opened the door to the truck. She slowly slid out of the truck. "I'm fine."

"If you were fine you wouldn't have been put on bedrest," Luke reasoned offering her his arm which she took.

"Semi bedrest, I can potter," Lorelai countered, "but should spend 90% of my time with my feet up."

"Yeah so that 10% counts for your trips to the bathrooms." Luke reasoned as he helped her up the steps to the porch. He let her go, hovering for a moment to ensure she didn't fall over and unlocked the door. He scowled as Lorelai pushed past him and then followed her, watching her every move. "Sit down Lorelai," he gestured towards the living room.

"I have to use the bathroom," Lorelai mumbled and slowly made her way down the hallway to the downstairs bathroom.

Luke sighed and watched her, knowing that they would have an argument if he hovered too much he moved to the kitchen and began to make her a snack. They had been told when they first found out about the twins that it was a possibility that Lorelai might need to go on bedrest but she had been doing so well that with everything that was going on he had pushed it to the back of his mind. Her spell of light-headedness had been something to do with her blood pressure which although had measured in the normal range, had fluctuated over the few checks they had had while she was being monitored and the doctor had decided it was the best thing for Lorelai to be placed on temporary bedrest. Not that Lorelai was happy about it. He wasn't sure if her snappishness was because she was angry or scared, probably it was both. As he finished making her snack he heard her moving out of the bathroom and towards the living room. Luke quickly plated her food and brought it to her as she stood staring at her cell phone.

"Come on sit," he rubbed her back comfortingly.

Lorelai gave a resigned sigh and lowered herself onto the couch, slowly bringing her legs up to stretch out in front of her. "This sucks!"

"I know," Luke handed her the food and then knelt beside her. "Do you want me to get you anything else?"

"I want you to get these babies out of me, I'm done with being pregnant." Lorelai griped as she wriggled, trying to get comfortable.

Luke leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. "You don't mean that, about wanting them here I mean."

"I know," she sighed heavily. "They need to cook longer."

"Yup," Luke tenderly rubbed her belly. "You need to take care of you too."

"I've been doing everything she said," Lorelai scowled. "I've tried to eat right. I've laid off the coffee. I've tried to sleep even though that is impossible."

"You've done everything right," Luke assured her. "It's just a lot of pressure on your body carrying two babies, so you have to take things easy, ok, it's only till next week when she'll review it. If your blood pressure stabilises then she might take you off it and you're allowed up again."

"Did she say that?" Lorelai looked at him in confusion.

"She said that, I didn't think you were listening," Luke leaned forward and kissed her again.

Lorelai sighed heavily and then looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry, this is the last thing you need right now,"

"Don't apologise," Luke shook her head and got to his feet, placing his hands on his hips he studied her. "What do you need?"

"Can you check the phone, I've got nine missed calls, 3 from Mom, she'll have called the house phone as well seeing as I didn't answer. I'll call Patty, she'll get the jungle drums going that we're fine and I need to check in with Sookie to let her know what's going on," Lorelai looked nervously at the phone and then back up at him.

"You want me to call Emily," he guessed. Luke fixed her with a tired stare. "She's being great at the moment, she's just trying to support you."

"I know," Lorelai wriggled as she tried to get comfortable, "but you're so good with her and I have to mind my blood pressure, remember," she looked at him with an immature expression of wide eyed hopefulness.

"Alright crazy lady," Luke kissed her lightly. "Call Sookie, I'll speak to your Mom."

"Thanks Hun," Lorelai started to fiddle with her phone.

Luke gave her another tired look and crossed to the house phone collecting it from its cradle and moving into the kitchen so he could speak with Emily in peace.

"Gilmore residence."

"Hey Emily," Luke braced himself as he heard the sharp intake of breath down the phone line.

"Luke, is Lorelai OK? I've been trying to reach her and she hasn't been answering."

"She's alright Emily," Luke told her softly, "we had to go to the doctor's bec…"

"Why?"

Luke closed his eyes as Emily interrupted him, the panic evident in her voice. "She's OK, her blood pressure…" he pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose as Emily began to interrupt, "she's fine. She's on temporary bedrest."

"Temporary bedrest? That doesn't sound fine."

"She's OK," Luke told her quietly. "She was feeling faint we went to the doctor they monitored her and the babies for a couple hours and we're now home. The doctor is going to review everything next week."

"But they are OK?" Emily sought assurance.

"Everything was normal when we left the doctor," Luke assured her.

"Can I do anything?"

"Well she can't come to Friday night dinn…"

"Oh that doesn't matter. I meant can I come and help or I could contact the maid service, have someone come over to you to help out."

Luke sighed heavily. "No thanks Emily. I don't think Lorelai would like a stranger in the house right now. But I'm going to speak to Patty from town and see if people can pop in to see her, so would you be…"

"I can do any time other than Wednesday at 3, everything else can be moved apart from Tuesday of course," Emily interrupted him yet again.

Luke blinked in surprise. "Tuesday, you're coming," he grimaced as he heard the noise of Emily making a harrumphing sound. "I didn't realise you were coming, Lorelai didn't say."

"Well that doesn't surprise me, yes, I was going to come to support you and April."

"I appreciate that Emily," Luke told her softly. "Can I call you back when I've spoken to Patty?" he breathed a sigh of relief as Emily agreed and he ended the call.

"I don't need my Mommy babysitting me!"

He dropped his head in exhaustion and made his way back to the living room where Lorelai was peering over the couch back at him in annoyance. "I know you don't but I would feel better having someone drop in on you because I know if I stay here you will get mad with the hovering," he leaned over the couch back and kissed her pouting mouth softly, "and you know there is no way I could keep your mother away, at least this way we can control the visit."

Lorelai gave a huff and then a nod. "Fine." She rubbed her belly tenderly. "Hear that you two, as well as making me super fat, you are making me have to deal with Grandma. You better be cute when you finally arrive," she smiled weakly as Luke settled down at the other end of the couch and pulled her feet into his lap. "I'm only doing this for a week."

"You'll do it for as long as the doctor tells you," Luke squeezed her feet. "Now what movies do you want, and what magazines?"

"Can I get the super trashy ones?" Lorelai looked at him hopefully.

"I'll allow it, given the circumstances," Luke pulled out his order pad which was still in his pocket from when he raced out of the diner earlier. "Let me have it."


xXx

Rory squeezed Spencer's hand as they waited for the large wooden door of her grandparents' house to open. In seconds it did with Emily and Richard both standing in the foyer with wide excited smiles on their faces. "Hi Grandma, Hi Grandpa."

"Hello Rory," Emily greeted her.

"Grandma, Grandpa, this is Spencer," Rory gestured the introduction.

"Hello, Mrs Gilmore, Mr Gilmore," Spencer stepped forward offering Richard his hand.

"Call me Richard," Richard seized his hand and pumped it strongly. "Wonderful to meet you again. Did you're fundraising endeavour pay off at The Game?"

"Very well Sir, the alumni are very generous," Spencer took his hand back stretching it slightly from being crushed by Richard's firm grip. "Mrs Gilmore thank you so much for inviting me."

"You are very welcome Spencer, we love meeting Rory's friends, and it's Emily," Emily smiled warmly at the young man. "Why don't we go into the living room."

The group moved as directed and Rory steered Spencer onto the white couch while Richard and Emily took the couch opposite and stared at the young couple in eager intrigue. "So Spencer," Richard folded his hands in his lap. "Tell us a bit about yourself, we simply know Spencer and you work in Cancer Research. What about your family, where are you from?"

Spencer glanced nervously at Rory who gave him a reassuring smile. "I grew up in Washington DC, my parents were both musicians, my Mom was a cellist and my Dad was a violinist…"

"Where do they perform, are they in an orchestra?" Emily asked eagerly as he paused for breath.

"Er…" Spencer looked down at his hands. "My Mom died when I was eleven and because the medical expenses were so much Dad ended up getting his big rig license to try and cover everything. He still plays occasionally but once you're out of the circuit it's kinda hard to get back in to it, and the driving gig pays more. First he did it for Mom, then he did it for my school tuition now he's doing it to save for his retirement."

"Oh," Emily looked awkwardly at her hands. "I'm very sorry about your mother."

"That's OK," Spencer shifted just as awkwardly. "She's why I chose to go into Cancer Research. I guess it's the idea of trying to fix it so someone else doesn't lose their Mom. One day we'll get there."

"Ah noble endeavour," Richard nodded soberly.

Rory grimaced as she could hear the proverbial crickets echoing round the room. "Spencer plays the violin also, don't you?"

"You do?" Emily's eyes lit up, seizing Rory's lead to try and steer the conversation to a happier topic.

"Kind of I'm not sure I'm any good," Spencer chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I soldier on with it. It's kinda relaxing."

"I think you are good," Rory poked his side. "He let me have a go and I sounded like I was murdering cats. It's way harder than it looks."

"I have no doubt," Richard chuckled. "You unfortunately take after your mother in your musical ability, great music lovers but it doesn't translate well into production."

"Mom can sing," Rory pointed out. "My singing is strictly reserved for the shower. No I take my music from a distance," she squeezed Spencer's hand reassuringly. "Grandpa could I trouble you for a club soda."

"Oh yes, Drinks," Richard fumbled forward in his seat. "I was so intent in learning something about you young man I was completely remiss in my hosting duties. What can I get everyone?"


xXx

Luke glanced nervously at the clock in the corridor of the family court. He had been waiting for what seemed like hours when in reality it was only 30 minutes. He had arrived at the requested time, ten minutes before their allocated slot, as had Anna, who had surprisingly arrived with April in tow. After an uneasy ten minutes wait a court clerk had come and collected April. He had no idea why she was there or why she had been called in and he was getting more worried by the second; not even Emily's and Maisy's conversation about his name of Luke versus Lucas was cutting through the worry and he was almost terrified to look at Anna who Buddy was talking to in an effort to remain friendly.

Finally April returned flanked by the court clerk, April's face was flushed and Luke could tell she had been crying. He rose to go and comfort her.

"Mr Danes and Miss Nardini would you come through please." The clerk stepped forward.

"We'll watch April," Maisy assured him. "See if we can track down some hot cocoa."

"Please do not leave the facility," The clerk requested as Luke and Anna filed passed her. Luke shot a look of alarm at the clerk. "Mr Danes, this way please."

"Why can't they leave the facility?" Luke asked as they were led through a small vestibule and into not a court room but the office of the judge. He sat anxiously in the seat he was pointed to beside his lawyer.

"Hello Mr Danes, Miss Nardini," the judge greeted them. "I apologise for the delay but the court received some late submissions of evidence that required clarification."

"Submission of evidence?" Luke whispered studying the judge curiously.

"Yes, along with the material received from your respective counsel we also received several letters submitted without request, including one from the person this case is regarding." The judge shifted some papers on her desk and then sat forward. "I wanted to speak to April to discuss the content of her letter."

"April wrote a letter? What did it say?" Anna asked nervously.

"Her wishes," The judge peered at Anna over her desk. "This combined with the solicited and unsolicited written testimony of many individuals have led me to my conclusion." The judge sighed, "Miss Nardini, it is the court's decision that primary custody be temporarily awarded to Mr Danes." The judge paused as Anna gasped in horror. "I understand you're upset Miss Nardini but the stability of Mr Dane's home situation in comparison with the uncertainty, upheaval and emotional stress that will be caused by your move, has lead me to believe that this is the best decision for April in the short term. To remove her from her life for what is potentially short period of time is not in April's best interest. Whilst I am aware that Mr Danes and his wife will shortly be having a new baby, and this is in itself an upheaval, on balance the continuity of the familiar and protection in continuity of her education outweighs this. Therefore April will remain with Mr Danes and his wife until the 3rd July at the earliest at which point this court will reconvene to determine custody going forward."

Luke exhaled in surprise. "Thank you."

The judge inclined her head as she closed the files relating to her case. "It is a temporary arrangement Mr Danes owing to it being in April's best interest. You are free to leave," she nodded softly towards the door. The judge handed the files to the clerk. "You will each receive a time slot for the review in due course. Miss Nardini please ensure you provide the court with your new address."

Luke rose from his seat and bowed his head respectfully towards the judge. "Thank you, and I understand, can I take April with me now?"

"You may Mr Danes," the judge nodded once more. "But I will leave the immediate arrangements to your discretion however April should reside at your residence from tonight."

"We should speak to her about what she wants to do now?" Luke glanced at Anna.

"You already did that," Anna hissed at him.

"Miss Nardini," The judge called warningly, "as I have stated this is a temporary arrangement. Mr Danes, you may leave."

Luke nodded and quickly made his way out of the judge's chamber. He quickly said goodbye to his lawyer and walked towards April, Buddy, Maisy and Emily with a spring in his step.

"What did she say Dad?" April asked with urgency as she stood up.

"You are staying with us," he grinned as April threw herself at him and held her tightly as the trio of adults all gave an exclaim of delight. "It's only till July, then they review it again."

"But I get to be here when the babies arrive and I don't have to leave," April breathed a sigh of relief "Where's Mom, is she OK?"

"She's talking to the judge, she's upset, but she'll be OK." Luke hugged April tightly not wanting to let her go. "We'll wait to say goodbye and ask her about your stuff and then we'll go back to ours."

"Ok Dad," April hugged him tightly.


xXx

Lorelai looked up from her laptop as the door to the bedroom opened a fraction. "I'm awake."

"I wasn't sure," April stuck her head round the door. "Did Dad tell you what happened?"

"He did," Lorelai nodded, pausing the movie she was watching and held her arms out. "Come here," April scurried across the bedroom and clambered onto the bed beside Lorelai snuggling into Lorelai's side as Lorelai cuddled her. "How do you feel?"

"Weird," April told her softly. "I'm really happy that I get to stay here but I'm sad about Mom, she was really upset and mad," she sighed sadly. "I won't see her for at least three months."

"You can call her whenever you want," Lorelai rubbed April's arm comfortingly.

"But its long distance," April looked up at her nervously.

"We'll work it out" Lorelai rubbed her arm comfortingly again. "You want to watch the rest of the movie with me? It's an oldie but a goodie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks."

"I've never heard of it."

"Considering I was 3 when it came out it doesn't surprise me," Lorelai pulled the laptop closer to her. "It's got Angela Lansbury, pre her being the equivalent of water diviner for murders in Maine plus the Dad from Mary Poppins. Live Action. Disney animation. Singing. Fish dancing. Witches defeating a German invasion and a Lion playing soccer, they do not make it like this anymore!"

"Sounds fun," April looked over Lorelai's belly to the still glowing laptop. "Does Dad not let you have a TV in here?"

"No he has forbidden it even though I am bedbound, he says I can watch TV downstairs but he let me use the laptop, which is stupid seeing as I currently have no lap thanks to the bambinos," Lorelai lifted the laptop onto her belly and then frowned as it bounced caused by the movement from the babies. "Hey play fair."

"Are they moving a lot?" April asked taking the laptop.

"Yes and No," Lorelai told her, taking April's hand and placing it on the top of her belly so she could feel. "Yes they are but not as much as they were. They are running out of space. They are at least 3.5 pounds each now. I'm about to go into uncharted territory of hugeness as Rory was only 7.5 pounds, do you know what you were when you were born?"

"8 something I think, Mom blamed Dad, so…" April giggled as she traced the movement of one of the babies "I'm glad I get to be here when they get here."

"I'm glad you're here too," Lorelai smiled warmly at her. "They are going to adore you."

"I'm going to adore them," April giggled and then gasped at a particularly dramatic movement. "Wow!"

"Wow indeed!" Lorelai tapped her belly. "Pipe down in there. So you wanna watch or do you have things you need to be doing?"

"Can we watch another movie some other time?" April asked hopefully. "I still have things to unpack and I have school tomorrow."

"Of course we can. It will be nice to have someone to watch movies with again," Lorelai shrugged in delight. "Your Dad always ruins them by talking or he falls asleep."

"Oh, I forgot," April shook her head and pushed her glasses up her face. "Dad wanted to know what you wanted for dinner, he said he can make lasagne or something with chicken or he can ma…"

"You pick," Lorelai told her softly. "I'll just change my mind in five minutes anyway. Before you go can you get me my blue fluffy socks out of the drawer my feet are getting cold?"

April moved over to the dresser. "In here?" at Lorelai's nod she opened it and rooted around for the fluffy socks and then brought them over to the bed. "Do you need me to put them on for you."

"No, I can still just about dress myself," Lorelai tweaked her nose. "Thank you Apricot, now go settle in."