AN1 - Thanks everyone. Yeah a little Christmas fluff a few weeks early. Apart from this next chapter the story will be getting happier from here on in, we're on the closing straights my friends. Six months of story timeline left! Chapter 34 or 40 so nearly there. Though not without it's dramas ;) I'm glad you like the April and Emily relationship, it was one of those not planned things that has developed and I really enjoy. 52shari - I know what you mean though timelinewise it is five years of different character development, those grandbabies have smoothed her out :) though she still has her moments. Paola - I did originally write it as the meeting with Chris, but one I hate writing him and two it spoiled the tone of the chapter so I reframed it as a conversation between Lorelai and Rory, it just seemed to work better that way and with Rory being in New York I miss those conversations so it was a chance to shoehorn one in Hopefully it worked :). Thanks for all the great feedback guys I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Heres the next one. As ever all my own work so any mistakes my own, reviews are always welcome, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy x
Chapter 34 - Self Imposed Conditions
Lane gave a growl of annoyance and signalled to the technician to stop. Angrily, she shifted forward and hit the intercom that connected through to the recording studio. "ZACK!"
"What Babe?" Zack looked up at her with a dopey grin.
"Will you play it as written," Lane hissed angrily through the microphone.
Zack blinked at her in confusion. "I am."
"No, you are rushing the pauses or missing the pauses completely." She got up and slipped out the booth and into the recording space. "Please Zack. I've only got about 5 minutes to get this down because Emerson will be here any minute to record the violin." She leaned over and scribbled something on the music score on the stand.
"Who's Emerson?" Zack frowned, watching her bemused.
"She plays violin. I traded me playing drums on her track for her playing violin on mine. See," she stepped back and pointed to where she had scribbled to make the pauses super obvious, showing him exactly what she meant by the symbols. "and 1,2,3,4," she counted out the tempo indicating what she meant. "Please Zack. I've got no time to get this wrong. All seniors are trying to get in here. I don't have another chance to get the tracks laid down. I still have to mix it and I have no time to mess up."
"Ok Babe," Zack nodded, staring intently at the score, "so, 1,2,3,4," he repeated her tempo. "I got it."
Lane gave him a pleading look and then dashed up the steps into the booth. She settled into her chair and nodded to the technician to go. Zack began to play and with a sigh a relief she realised her husband had finally understood what she meant.
"Sounds good with the pauses."
Lane jumped in her seat and turned to look at the doorway, "Professor Marks."
"Julian, please Lane, I'm not your professor now." The man smiled at her. He tilted his head listening to the music that Zack was playing. "Your final piece?"
"Yes Pr…Julian," Lane nodded. "The guitar track."
"And the guitarist?" Julian pointed through the window.
"My husband, he's self-taught, he reads music but not all the symbols," Lane tried to explain. "He…um…started out copying off the radio."
"How many a great player starts. Does he play just for fun?" Julian asked flicking open his cell phone case and lighting the screen. "I'm going to record him play."
"Uh…OK…Um no, Zack and I play in a band and he does session for Dynamo sometimes. Not very often, he's like 3rd alternate or something," Lane scratched her head, nervously looking from her husband through the glass before looking back at Julian. The tall thin man was staring at his screen, his head lightly bobbing to the music as it reached its crescendo and then came down to it final refrain.
"He's good," Julian muttered. "The piece is good too." He snapped his phone case closed. "I look forward to hearing it when it's completed."
Lane raised an eyebrow in surprise. Julian taught 2 modules that she had taken last year, one on Industry regulations and the other on Industry marketing. He was also the professor who ran the label and who she had interned with last year. As Rory had correctly surmised back then, it had been nothing to do with her drumming ability and she had spent most of the time running and fetching for paid employees within the firm. "You listen to them, I thought it was just…"
"The best are played for the department," Julian gave her a wry smile as he turned to leave. "Good to see you again Lane."
"You too," Lane called after him. She chewed on her lip and looked sideways at the technician who had a small grin on his face. "What?"
"He's got a position open," the technician quirked his eyebrows. "You've been shortlisted."
"What?" Lane sat up straighter.
"Every so often he gets an opening, he recruits from the students. Cheaper I guess but, he was sniffing around another student's session as well the other day." The technician pushed a few keys to isolate and save the track. "You've been shortlisted for whatever it is, otherwise he wouldn't be hanging around a student recording session."
"Shut up," Lane gasped, she scrunched her shoulders in delight and then sat back in her chair. "Seriously?"
The technician shrugged and stood up from his seat. "Pattern holds," he hit the microphone that connected the space and the booth. "We got it. I'll come sort the mics out."
xXx
Rory leaned back from her work and gave a hiss of pain. Her neck muscles were cramping from being hunched in the same position for god knows how many hours. She had 3 days in which to finish her thesis. It wasn't technically the deadline for initial submission, that was actually 10 days away but the word that had come down from the older, wiser, been through it post docs at the start of the year was give yourselves enough time with the printers. The need to get the thesis printed and suitably bound meant that she didn't have until the last minute to work on it like she had with normal papers when you could finish it ten minutes before the deadline and then run it down to the professor's office or ten seconds before and send it via email depending on how the professor preferred. She had booked her slot with the best printer, the one who did the 'good' binding. She wasn't really sure what constituted good binding when all the recommended printers offered the same service but she was going to take the advice of those who had gone before.
Her cell phone began to ring, the ring tone she had assigned her mother blaring out loudly around the empty living room. Rory gave a sigh of relief and reached to grab the phone, her wrist cracking from having been in one position for so long.
"You deigned to answer!" Lorelai gasped in surprise.
"You caught me on a break," Rory smiled. She pressed her thumb and forefinger into the bridge of her nose. "I can't read anymore, everything's a blur, my colons and semi colons look alike."
"Well no one needs a messed-up colon," Lorelai chuckled lightly. "Sounds like you need your eyes testing."
"No, I just need to stop reading this damn…"
"Insightful, instructive, written in a language Mommy can't comprehend book, that you have worked very very hard on," Lorelai interrupted her. "How long is you break for?"
"I need to eat something but that requires moving and I've been sat still for so long my body has frozen in place. I think this must be what getting old feels like!"
"You can't be old, that means I'm old," Lorelai whined and then gave a light chuckle. "So beside being old and blind how is everything?"
"Everything is fine," Rory told her bluntly.
"Just fine?"
"We're good." Rory tried to sound upbeat. "Back into the swing of things post holidays. Gigi has started to discuss her birthday she doesn't want a present, she just wants two birthday parties."
"Uh oh. Kid parties."
Rory grinned as she heard her Mom roll her eyes. "One for all her school friends, somewhere fun. I'm not sure what that means. And one with her family and she wants that really nice chocolate cake that the chef lady made and Uncle Luke's burgers."
"In that order?"
"Probably the other way."
"That's sweet," Lorelai gave a slight sigh. "Hopefully I can get the chocolate cake."
Rory listened to the tone of the word cake and grimaced. "Uh oh, you and Sookie fight again?"
"No but Dumbo here was complaining about the lack of flexibility and how it was a requirement for dressmaking."
"Uh oh." Rory tried to sound upbeat.
"Yup, Sookie very nearly took Manny's finger off. But I flubbed it to say I was making something dress up for the twins."
"So…"
"They have new dresses for the dressing up box. But, the order is almost done, the quartet seems very happy. They all have the same style so one long hard week of sewing and thanks to Patty, Babette and Maisy babysitting the bambinos it will be done."
"You sad?" Rory asked carefully. Lorelai had been genuinely excited about being sought out and Rory had seen the sketches and beginnings of the dresses when they had been in Stars Hollow for Christmas. It had been a while since she had seen her Mom so excited about something work related.
"No, well yes, but I have my next project lined up. Something for Lane. And Then my Piece de resistance, bridesmaid dresses."
"Will you be up to that?" Rory asked sitting forward.
Lorelai let out a little whine. "You don't want me to make them?"
"Only if you think you will be OK to do it. 3 dresses."
"For teeny tiny people."
"When you won't be teeny tiny." Rory pointed out carefully. The new baby was due the week before the wedding which meant the run up was going to see Lorelai heavily pregnant and the last thing Rory wanted was for her to stress herself out or overdo it when she should be resting. "I mean you will be really huge by then not to mention the actual having my new sibling."
"Mean," Lorelai hissed and Rory could hear the shrug that was filled with indignation. "I'm sure it will be fine. We find out on Monday what it is, you want me to tell you?"
"Of course," Rory agreed sensing that the topic of bridesmaids' dresses was done at least for today.
"Ok good, and then I want you to help me annoy Luke into agreeing to Luke or Lucy."
"Lucy?"
"Girl version of Luke plus the endless supply of references I will be able to get by linking her to Lucille Ball or Lucy Van Pelt or…"
"Ah," Rory tapped her finger against the table, smiling to herself as she imagined that particular conversation between her parents.
"You don't like it." Lorelai's voice sounded crestfallen.
"He's never going to go for it. He will not like anything that remotely sounds or links to Luke. You'll need a backup."
"Don't you start. Mom is already making suggestions, Henry is suck a lovely name…"
"It nicknames to Harry, lots of Dirty Harry material."
"Moot."
"Convinced it's a sister?" Rory smiled, knowing that her Mom's instincts in this matter had always been right.
"Uh Huh, her girl names are worse. Rosalind…"
"Shakespeare."
"Rosalind Danes. Too many D's."
"Now Mom, you can never have…"
"No! Do not finish that sentence! Mommy's ears are too delicate!" Lorelai giggled. "I'm trying to think of backups but I don't know my last name to pick it's a big deal."
"Lots of time."
"I guess."
"I don't have lots of time."
"No? Is that a hint?"
"I promise once it's in and done I will let you talk my ear off," Rory offered.
"Compromise accepted."
"What?" Rory teased. "You Lorelai Victoria Gilmore compromising?"
"Danes, and yes I have four-year olds. Life is a series of compromises and negotiations. Now go finish the fabulous tome. Do I get a copy?"
"Of my thesis?" Rory's raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Yahuh."
"You want one?"
"You are doing one for Dad, he was crowing about how excited he was to read it."
"He is?" Rory squirmed self-consciously.
"His beautiful angel child granddaughter going to be a Doctor of Philosophy, are you kidding? He's going to be the cream filled cat around."
"Mom!" Rory grimaced
"Yeah" Lorelai snickered "that was dirty, sorry."
"I can do you one but you have to read it not just use it as a doorstep."
"I promise. I'll use it to put the babies to sleep."
"Thanks," Rory huffed.
"It's not the content it's the sound of voice and tone. I could read the phonebook, but at least this way the smarts might rub off."
"They're smart."
"They have high standards to live up to."
"Yeah," Rory blushed. "Mom, I need to go I'm on a deadline."
"Ok, you call me if you need a rescue moment. Love you Babes."
"You too Mom."
xXx
April gave a sigh of relief as she heard the door to the apartment open and close; signalling that her Mom was finally home. After a long hard day of being ignored and having more homework than was feasibly possible thrown at her, she was pleased her Mom was home. Pleased she had someone to talk to. She got up from her bed and pulled her cardigan tight around her. Slipping out of her room she made her way down the narrow corridor. She stopped in the doorway and frowned. Anna was mid change, hopping on one leg as she tried to change her work trousers for some jeans.
"What are you doing?"
"Hey Honey. I'm going the movies with Andy. We're going to go…"
"You said you were going to do that at the weekend," April interrupted, her hands gripping tighter to her torso.
"I know but I have to work now so…"
"So you won't be here?" April bit her lip. She could hear how childish she sounded but she couldn't help it. "You're going to be working on Saturday?"
"Yeah," Anna gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry Sweetie, but people are sick and it's extra money."
"I do understand the concept of economics," April hissed. She scowled at her mother and then gave a defeated huff.
"You had a bad day?" Anna asked grabbing a top from the clean laundry pile. "You want to tell me about it while I finish getting ready? I've got about five minutes before Andy comes, or you could come with us if you want?"
"On your Date?" April raised her eyebrows and looked at her Mom incredulously. "No thanks!"
"I promise we will do something Friday night."
"Sure we will."
"Oh come on sweetie, I can't help work and Andy…"
"I like Andy, I know you like Andy and I'm happy you are happy," April cut her off. "But I don't get why I have to be here when you aren't. It's stupid. In fact it's pointless." She turned, something was snapping inside of her, the need and want to please everyone, to not upset anyone, to keep the status quo. She couldn't do it anymore. All she was doing was making herself miserable. "Forget it I'm done."
"Done? April?" Anna's voice rose with concern and followed her down the hallway. "Honey, what do you mean done?"
"I can't do this anymore," April snapped. She stomped back into her bedroom and dove under her bed for her overnight bag and threw it on the mattress. "I keep trying to please everyone, and it's not working. I was going to wait until I was eighteen but I don't want to do it anymore. I'm moving in with Dad."
"Honey," Anna tried to stop her opening the dresser.
"No, don't honey me. You're never here. You're always working, or your with Andy. I spend all day by myself, the only time anybody even talks to me is when a teacher asks me a question."
"We're talking now," Anna tried to capture her hands. "Come on honey, talk to me."
"No, because you want to spend time with Andy, and I want you to be happy. But I want to be happy. I want to be somewhere where I…I…" The door buzzer saved her and with her Mom distracted for a moment she pulled her hands from her Mom's grip and turned to grab her book bag. "I'm going to Dad's," she whispered, slipping passed her Mom.
"April," Anna followed her, "Honey…"
"I'll talk to you when you actually have time," April muttered, rushing towards the front door as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. "Have fun at the movies." She rushed out of the apartment and into the hallway. Behind her she could hear her Mom calling for her but she had evidently had to stop to get her keys or buzz Andy in. The pause gave her enough time to head the 'wrong way' down the hallway and take the backsteps. The apartment building was big enough to need them. She paused at the base of the staircase and then pushed out the back door, the one that lead to the dumpsters. From here there was two paths, one to the front of the apartment complex and the parking lot and the other down the alleyway where the dumpsters were that led to the street. She didn't want to argue with her Mom. Her Mom would have taken the front steps and this diversion would give her enough time to take the long way round to the parking lot and avoid any more conversation. She walked briskly down the dimly lit alley which seemed so much colder than the air beside the building. Her bag bounced against her spine and she paused for a moment, looking down the street to the apartment entrance. It was empty, which probably meant her Mom had gone back inside when Andy said she hadn't come by. She started to run and crossed the apartment entrance quickly heading for the old beaten up jeep. She pulled off her backpack and scooped out her keys, unlocking the door and then lifting herself in and throwing her bags into the passenger seat in one move. The jeep started perfectly, for once being her friend and she sped out of the parking lot before her Mom could come find her. Gripping the steering wheel she took a shuddering breath. It hadn't been a bad fight, not in terms of what had been said. She and her Mom had had way worse but the intent had been bad. Sure enough before she had even reached the end of the street her cell phone began to ring from deep within her bag. She was driving she couldn't stop to answer it. It was a perfect excuse that wasn't an excuse at all.
By the time she hit the highway she had calmed down a little and her tears had started to make focusing a little hard to see. It hurt to have said what she did. She didn't mean to upset her Mom but she was just so tired. Of everything. The journey to Stars Hollow seemed to take no time at all which probably meant that at some point she had been speeding. When she reached the T junction instead of taking the turn for home she found herself carrying on into town and then taking Plum street. She pulled up in front of the neat white painted house and slowly got out of the car. The downstairs lights were on but she didn't head for the front door, instead she headed for the side of the house. She slipped down the side and made her way to the large oak tree. She climbed the screwed in plank ladder and crawled into the small box like treehouse. It was empty, damp and cold, it felt like she did. As much as she wanted, needed human contact she just couldn't for this second deal with it. In the corner of the treehouse was a box and she crawled over to it and opened it, pulling out a chilled slightly mildewed blanket. She wrapped the blanket around herself and laid down in the centre of the wooden floor, trying to calm the raging uncertainty in her chest. She lay there just listening to her own ragged breathing and the gentle creak of the tree in the January wind. After a time of laying in the darkness a light shone in the garden followed by the sound of someone, Jessica, climbing the ladder. April sat up shielding her eyes against the glare of the torch.
"Oh April," Jessica scooted into the treehouse. She quickly pulled her cellphone out of her back pocket and tapped out a message before stowing it away again. "Just letting everyone know you're here and I got you."
Jessica shuffled forward and lifted up the blanket. Her arms wrapped around April's torso, warm, welcoming and full of love. April rested her head against Jessica's shoulder and then brought her own arms around Jessica's waist.
xXx
Lorelai stirred. She rubbed her eyes and tried to get her bearings. It was just before 1am according to the clock on the mantle. She sat up straight, wincing slightly as her back muscles protested the awkward position she had been in, propped on some pillows. She ran her hand over her hair, pushing it out of her face and looked to her left at Luke. He had been stressed and panicked over April's freakout and having to deal with an equally freaked out Anna but after they had received the message from Jessica and then her parents that April was with them, Anna had gone and Lorelai had done the one thing that worked to calm the rant; give Luke the baby. Sam was now asleep, draped across Luke's torso, with Luke's thick strong arms, protectively cradling the almost eleven month old. She sniffed and then slowly got up from the couch, her hand coming to the side of her stomach she smiled softly as she felt the very faintest of flutters of a kick or punch.
The front door creaked open and Lorelai lowered her hand and moved to stand near but not too near the door. She wanted to be present for April but she wasn't sure what state April would be in. She forced herself to smile as a wide eyed April slid into the house. The young girl's eyes were glassy and the skin beneath her eyes was grey while the rest was red and puffy. "Hi."
"Hi," April returned, she closed the door and then looked at the floor, like she was waiting to be punished.
"Did you eat?" Lorelai asked softly, taking a small step closer. "We have sloppy joes, we have lots of sloppy joes because Willow refused to eat them because it looked like poop. So we also have chicken and salad."
"I'm not hungry," April shook her head.
"You want to go up to bed?" Lorelai took another step closer, coming to within arm's length of April. She reached out and to indicate to April to take off her backpack, using the action as an excuse to be another step closer. Her proximity worked and April took the remaining step throwing her arms around her. Lorelai held the teenager tightly, frowning as April began to cry. After a moment she maneuvered April into the kitchen and over to the table. "You wanna talk?"
"Not really," April sniffed.
"Ok," Lorelai rubbed the teen's shoulder.
"Was Mom mad?"
"She wasn't mad, panicky," Lorelai told her softly. "Your Dad got a little nutty but superbrother to the rescue and he calmed down. You want to see something cool?"
"What?" April looked at her blankly. The teen let out a gasp and realisation flushed across her face. "You had your sonogram today."
"I did," Lorelai moved over to the fridge and took down a picture. "This is your new baby sister."
"You were right," April smiled looking at the new image of the new baby. "She looks good."
"She does," Lorelai smiled fondly at the teen. Her smile faltered as April began to sniff. "Oh Apricot, you sound like you need some major wallowing."
"I don't need to wallow," April wiped her eyes. "I need somewhere I fit."
"Exhibit A," Lorelai gestured the kitchen. "You fit here. I know school sucks and you are having a thing with you Mom, but you always fit here."
"Can I stay here all the time?" April asked hopefully. Her face dropped slightly. "Dad will have to talk to Mom right?"
"Pretty much," Lorelai nodded. "We'll work something out that works for you OK. No one wants you to feel this bad."
"What if it doesn't get better?" April asked quietly. "What if I get into a school and it's the same there? I'm still this loser freak that no one likes…"
"Ah buh buh," Lorelai shushed April. "For starters you are not a loser freak. You will find your group at college. It's so much bigger and so much more diverse then clones r us Chilton. This is only your beginning, you are going to find your place and find your specific academic passion and whatever else it is you need to find and you will be amazing at it and given what you know science wise you will almost definitely change the world for the better rather than the figurative expression I give to Rory. You are going to be amazing and you will find other people who think you are amazing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Lorelai tried to assure her. "You will find your place, I promise. Or your new place or whatever because you always have a place here." She squeezed April's hand making the teen look up at her. "Luke told Rory something before we had the twins, that he loved her the same as he loved you and he chose to love her. I choose that too. Just as Rory is Luke's, you are mine. I will always love you and you always have a place with me."
"But?"
"Why does everyone always assume I have a but?" Lorelai rolled her eyes goodnaturedly. "But," she smiled as April let out a little snort of amusement. "Unlike Rory whose father was…well, you see how that's gone. You do have a mother who loves you."
"I know that," April nodded quietly. "I just…I never see her and I just feel miserable. I want the time I have with her to be meaningful, not ships in the night."
"I know. And we will work on some anchors." Lorelai squeezed April's hand. "But right now, it's really really late and while I can of course lie with the best of them to the school about you being sick, you do need to sleep. So up we go to the land of nod. Everything will look better in the morning."
"Ok" April whispered, suddenly looking twelve.
Lorelai tenderly brushed a tendril of frizzed hair out of April's face "Unless you want to see him. Do you want to go up before I wake your Dad up"
"OK" April nodded. The teen slowly made her way to the staircase and then paused and looked around. "Lorelai."
"Yes April?" Lorelai held her gaze.
"Rory told Dad that she ignores the step. I do too. Not replacing her, just extra." April blushed and gave the smallest of smiles.
xXx
"Mommy, April's Mommy is here," Willow chirped bouncing down from the window seat at the front of the living room.
The child skipped over to her where she was busy trying to put Sam's shoes on. The baby was not in the mood for his brightly coloured dinosaur socks to be covered and was squirming in disgust. Lorelai tried to lift him back into a secure position, but her rounded middle seemed to be helping Sam and hindering her.
"I thought we was going out with Auntie Maisy and Uncle Buddy?" Willow perched on the sofa before bending down and picking up a dropped shoe. "Silly Sam, we gotta wear shoes." She handed Lorelai Sam's shoes and then leaned backwards on the couch raising her legs and tapping her pink and white sneakers together.
"You are going out with them Honeybunch. Anna is here to talk with April and Daddy," Lorelai told her simply. The summit had been hastily arranged first thing this morning. With Maisy and Buddy agreeing to take the kids meaning what happened the day before could be digested without interruption.
"Are you coming too Mommy?" Willow asked sliding off the sofa and picking up a toy to give to Sam to distract him allowing Lorelai to shove the shoes on his feet.
"No she's moderating," April muttered entering the living room with Kitty. The doorbell rang and April sighed heavily.
"What's Moderating?" Kitty asked curiously pivoting on her heels to go open the door.
"Kit Kat," Lorelai stopped her. "Can you and Willow go play in the play room till Maisy and Buddy get here."
"OK," Kitty sighed heavily. She turned back to the door and heaved it open. "Hello April's Mommy." She took a step back and regarded the Anna and April with a curious but serious expression. After a moment she sighed heavily. "Come on," she held her hand out to Willow. "This why Daddy's all grumpy today." The twins took each other's hand and made their way down the hallway.
Lorelai smiled at Anna and settled Sam on her hip. "Hi Anna. Come on in. Scuse the mess. Maisy and Buddy are coming to take the kids in a bit so it should be quiet." She closed the door behind Anna and nodded towards the kitchen. "Go through." She glanced at April who was stood hugging herself and looking at the floor. "Apricot can you take Little Man for me. I'll make some coffee." She thrust the baby into April's arms and then moved into the kitchen forcing Anna and April to follow her "How do you take your coffee Anna?"
"Cream if you have it," Anna requested quietly. "You look well."
"Thank you, my wardrobe would indicate otherwise but everything other then lack of clothes is great." Lorelai smiled overly brightly and opened the fridge. "Apricot, you want coffee?"
"I'm not thirsty," April whispered moving to stand by the counter clutching Sam to her. The baby stared up at her and then padded his chubby fist against her chest as if trying to comfort her.
"Where is your Dad?" Lorelai asked lowly, watching Anna sit awkwardly at the table the other woman's eyes staying firmly on April.
"Kitty sprayed water everywhere, he was cleaning up," April rolled her eyes. "He won't be very long."
"We need to get new taps," Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Maybe those push ones, more kid friendly I think." She put the cream back in the fridge and then moved over to the table. "Here you are. Luke will be down in a minute. Kitty has created waterworld in the bathroom. The taps get stuck sometimes." As if on cue Luke appeared in the archway between the hall and the kitchen. He stood still, his shoulders tense, his arms straight down by his side while his eyes darted from Anna to April and back again. "You want some tea Hun?" Lorelai chattered brightly, trying to fill the room with some noise.
"No I'm good." His head jerked towards the door, hearing the sound of a car pull up in the driveway. "That'll be Maisy and Bud. I should get the seats."
Lorelai smiled at Anna. "Sorry give us a minute to get the circus out the door." She moved to April and took Sam and began the process of getting him and the twins ready and out the door. Ten minutes passed before she could wave the car off and she finally returned to the kitchen. April was still stood seemingly stuck to the counter looking at the floor. Anna was still staring at April and Luke was making himself some tea. Lorelai gave a faint sigh and moved over to April. She placed her arms around April's shoulder and coaxed her away from the counter towards the table. "Apricot, no one is mad. We just need to work out what is best for you."
"Right," Anna nodded quietly, cupping her untouched cooling coffee.
April's head jerked slightly looking at her Mom in surprise. "You're not mad?"
"I'm mad we let it get to this point," Anna told her softly. "I'm mad my kid ran off into the middle of the night and didn't answer her cellphone. I'm not mad that you want to live with your Dad. I don't like it a whole lot, but I am not mad."
"Really?" April whispered lowering herself into the chair opposite Anna.
"Really," Anna nodded. "I just wish you told me you were this unhappy before. I know things have been rough with school and you are stressed about applying to college. I thought that was why you were miserable."
Lorelai took Luke's chair at the head of the table forcing Luke to take beside April. She nodded encouragingly at him, trying to get him to weigh in, but instead he gave her a blank look and focused his attention on his tea. "Oi!" Lorelai muttered dramatically and rolled her eyes. "Fatherly input required."
Luke scowled at her. "I just want what is best for April. I'd love her to be here all the time if that is what she wants but…" he trailed off and looked at Anna.
"April can stay here but not all the time," Anna whispered quietly. "Sunday Night at mine, she can go straight from mine to school in the morning. I never work Sunday nights, even if there is overtime, that can be our night. That is the minimum I want. I'd like to do other things as well and we will need to work out Summer."
"That sound fair," Lorelai looked at April. The teen didn't look happy more surprised. "We just want you happy and you're not a kid Apric…" she made a humming sound. "I shouldn't use the nickname when saying that huh?"
Anna and Luke both smiled while April just sat there looking dazed.
"Honey what did you think would happen?" Anna asked carefully.
"I just didn't want you to get mad. Whenever there has been stuff about where I live before, it always gets weird between you two," April glanced at Luke. "I just didn't want you guys to fight," She sniffed ominously. "I'm sorry."
"It's OK." Luke raised his arm and placed it around April's shoulder. "Are you happy with what your Mom suggested? You stay Sunday night at hers the rest here."
"Yeah," April nodded and sniffed. "I'm sorry I'm so dumb."
"You're not dumb," Luke told her quietly.
"Yes I am" April whimpered, dissolving into tears.
Lorelai took a deep breathe as she watched Luke instinctively bring April into his chest in a warm protective hug. It was familiar to her and she knew how good to be held by him like that felt. She glanced at Anna, taking in the way Anna was trying to respect April's space but was clearly aching to hold the teenager. Slowly Lorelai stood up and nodded to Anna indicating to her to take the chair she had been sat in so that Anna could be nearer to April. Wordlessly Lorelai walked towards the hallway, Luke glanced at her for the briefest of moments, his eyes flushed with thanks. Sometimes, as much as she wanted to think of April as hers there was moments that she had give in to the fact that she was just step mom and take a step back. This was that moment. Right now, April needed to be loved by her two parents. She needed the family that used to be no matter how broken it had been and how long ago it had been happy. April needed her Mom and Dad and that was what Lorelai would give her.
AN2 - So it's a girl :) Name suggestions are welcome because Luke is not going to go for Lucy. I have a bunch of ideas but nothing concrete. Also if you have ideas for names that Emily might suggest that Lorelai is not going to like, I'm making it a bit of a running gag :) Thanks in advance.