Lorelai sat in the diner on her lunch break, holding a cup of coffee, waiting for her food.
"Here you go. Anything else?" Luke put a plate of food in front of her.
"Hmm, a chocolate fountain?"
"I'll see what I can do. Hey, how's Rory?"
"She's ok. Tristan was tested and he's fine. So she should be due to stop stressing in a day or so. Of course she's still upset because Lucas has HCM and she can't see her boyfriend everyday."
"Well, ah, if you guys need anything."
"Thanks Luke. Oh, you know what might cheer Rory up?"
"Let me guess, a movie night?"
"Yeah. We haven't done that since Rory got back. I'm sure she'd love it. Come on, who can resist Gilmore girl time?"
"Ok. Sure, let me know when and I'll work something out."
"Great. Um, well I should eat this and…"
"Get back to work. Right. I'll see you later."
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Keith and Karen sat in the kitchen discussing wedding plans when an entirely different subject came up. Getting excited, they called the boys into the room.
"What's up?" Lucas asked, as they both pulled out a chair and sat down
"Your mom and I have been talking and we wanted to run something by you."
"You should know there's no wrong answer to our question and you can take as long as you need to make a decision."
"Ok," Tristan frowned.
"I, ah, I want to adopt the two of you. I want you to be my sons."
"Really?" Lucas smiled as he stood up.
"Well, I love you both and nothing would make me happier than the four of us becoming a real family." Keith explained.
"It's completely up to you. Whatever you decide is fine with us. So just think it over, talk between yourselves. You know where to find us." They each nodded as they left the room.
"What do you think?" Lucas walked out the front door, Tristan beside him.
"Might be nice to have two parents. I mean I've never had this before. Family."
"It really wouldn't be that different for me. Keith's always been my dad."
"So it'd just be making things official. Legalising things." Tristan agreed.
"We're doing this?"
"I think so."
"Cool." They continued walking until they arrived at the river court. Lucas and his friends had been coaching Tristan, helping him learn the game they all loved. No one was letting Lucas play at the moment but he could still watch and instruct his brother.
"How about a game of one on one?" Luke asked, trying to take the ball Tristan had carried with him.
"You know I can't let you do that Luke."
"Just a quick one. Mom doesn't need to know."
"Ok, first of all; she deserves to know if you're doing something that can hurt you. And second; that's not even what I'm afraid of. If Haley found out she'd kick my ass."
"You're scared of Haley James? That's just too funny." Lucas laughed as he made his way to the picnic table off the side of the court.
"Shut up dude. She may be small, but that girl has a strong arm."
"You think I don't know that? We grew up together. I've probably received more abuse from Haley than anyone else has."
"That makes me happy." Tristan smiled and turned to throw the ball from the free-throw line.
"Nice shot," Lucas stood up, reaching for the ball. "Let's see if you can do this though."
"NO!" replied two forceful voices. Haley grabbed the ball as Lucas stopped and looked between the two.
"Come on you guys. Touching the ball won't kill me."
"No, but if you're not careful I might." Haley told him, throwing the ball to Tristan.
"What happened to that nice girl sitting by my bed in the hospital? Coz I bet she would let me play."
"Oh, yeah, she called, told me to tell you that there's no chance of that until the doctors give you the all clear. But I'd be happy to distract you until then. Well, until five-thirty anyway."
"I'll let you get on with that. Tell her the good news Luke."
"Bye."
"What good news?" Haley asked excitedly after waving to Tristan.
"Keith wants to adopt us. He asked this afternoon and we're going to do it." Lucas explained.
"That's so awesome! Oh, cool." She threw her arms around him and kissed him. "It's great news, really."
"As soon as Keith said it I just felt so great. My mom's happy, my brother's happy, I'm happy. We're finally going to be a real family. I mean, I know we were always a family; even with Tristan so far away he was always in mom's heart, so he was here. But now we're all going to be together for real."
Haley smiled widely, holding Lucas' hand, she kissed him again, softly at first, then deepened it, wrapping her arms around his neck as Luke placed his hands on her hips.
"Aww, if you're not careful, you'll make my heart stop." Luke told once they had broken apart.
"Don't joke about that!" Haley shoved him playfully and Lucas tightened his grip on her.
"I love you." He whispered into her hair.
"I love you." She replied to his chest.
----------------------------------------------------
"She's been back a few times but I'm not letting her anywhere near Jenny. She's caused enough trouble as it is." Jake explained, making up some bottles.
"What did the lawyer say?" Brooke asked, folding Jenny's clothes.
"Nikki doesn't have that much of a chance. But her family have more money, so she could drag things out which I can't afford. And the judge usually puts children with their mother, because that's supposed to be better for them somehow."
"I could ask my parents-"
"No, Brooke, I don't want you to do that. We'll work something out. It'll be fine."
"If you're sure."
"How about we go out for a walk? Take Jenny for some fresh air?" Jake asked, wanting to distract Brooke from the current subject.
"Sure. We've got nothing better to do right?"
"Right."
"Ok, let's go." They got organised and left the house. As they walked down the street that Karen's café and THUD magazine were on, they saw Nikki walking towards them.
"You can't keep Jenny away from me forever Jake."
"I'm her father, the one who's been here for every tear and every feeding. Where the hell were you?"
"Not here, I know that. But I'm back now so-"
"Jenny doesn't need you. There are enough people here to love and take care of her." Brooke spat at Nikki.
"Who the hell are you to tell me whether I'm needed?"
"I-" Jake restrained Brooke by the arm.
"Can you just take Jenny to the café Brooke? Please." She nodded and moved to push the stroller; Nikki stepped into her path. "Nikki, don't do this here. Let them go and we can talk. Come on."
"Fine." Brooke pushed her way to the café, glancing back at Jake a few times.
"What happened?" Brooke asked, standing as Jake entered the building.
"Nothing, she, ah, she's calling her lawyer. Wants to set up a meeting so we can sort out a schedule for Jenny."
"Are you ok with that?"
Jake shook his head. "Nah, no. Not really. But a girl needs a mother right?"
"Only if their mother knows what's best for them, which I don't think Nikki does." Jake sat across from Brooke and lifted Jenny from her stroller.
"Maybe a walk wasn't the best idea, hey? You wanna go home?"
"Well, I ordered some food, cos I didn't have breakfast this morning. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah, I could eat. Thanks Brooke." They ate their food and then headed back to Jake's. They were almost there, when Brooke saw Nikki waiting in the front yard.
She stopped, grabbed Jake's jacket and pulled him close. She had been planning on turning him around but somehow ended up kissing him instead, completely shocking them both.
He pulled back at first, but then relaxed and began to return the kiss, finally allowing himself to feel consciously everything he had been fighting.
Jake's hands moved up into Brooke's hair as hers explored his chest. The need for air soon became a major issue and they separated, not letting their hands leave the other.
"I have wanted to do that for so long." Jake breathed, holding Brooke's face between his hands.
"How long?" She asked with a grin.
"The day you and Lucas broke up you came over to my house remember? You were crying and all I wanted to do was make you stop. I couldn't stand seeing you in pain. When you came back with Jenny, you looked like a totally new person. I wanted to kiss you so much."
"Really?" she smiled and glanced up the street.
Nikki was gone.
"Let's go." She linked her arm through his and they continued on their way, opushing Jenny together.
A/N: I finally did it! That was probably crap, but I don't care, I just wanted them together. Now all that's left is Luke and Lorelai (HELL!) and getting everyone to the wedding. Wish me luck.