Rachel got to Chicago and got off the plane with her bags. She had packed only in carry on to save some money and time also. She looked around and saw Brooke waiting for her. She went over to her, and they hugged each other tight. After the broke from the embrace Brooke grabbed one of her bags and led her out to her car where she put her bags into the truck and started the drive to her place.

"My parents are excited to meet you." Brooke said

Rachel smiled. "I'm excited to meet them too."

They drove talking for a bit

"I do have a question though." Rachel said

Brooke nodded. "What?"

"How much do your parents know about me?" Rachel asked

"Ah. Well, they obviously know Ericka. They know the foster home she grew up in. It was big news after all. They know I met you in Myrtle beach and that you and Ericka were in -a foster home together. I don't know if they figure it was that one or one after that." Brooke told her

Rachel nodded

"But if they do I promise they would never bring it up. Or judge you because of it." Brooke said

Rachel nodded again.

"They also know how much I like you." Brooke said with a smile

Rachel blushed.

Brooke pulled into her driveway and the two of them went inside.

Her parents came out and introduced themselves and shook her hand. Afterwards Brooke showed her around and showed her to the guest bedroom. "And this is your room." She said opening the door and setting her bag down for her. Rachel put her backpack down as well and smiled.

"Your bathroom is right there. It is connected to my room too just so your aware." Brooke said

Rachel smiled and nodded. It wasn't long before they were called for dinner and she and Brooke went down.

"Brooke says you have no allergies. That's correct?" Mrs. Henderson ask.

"That is correct. And I will try anything at least once." Rachel said with a smile

"Adventurous eater. I like it." Mrs. Henderson said

They ate and got to know Rachel.

"I hear you are taking a year off from school." Mr. Henderson said

"Dad. Don't interrogate her please." Brooke said

Rachel smiled. "Its okay. This is nothing compared to what I will have to talk my dad out of asking you when you meet him." She told Brooke

Mr. Henderson chuckled.

"Yes. I'm still not sure exactly what I want to do. I have a job lined up starting in September at the local community centers concession stand. And I will be taking the year to write a book I have been working on." Rachel said

"Oh. What's the book about?" Mrs. Henderson asked.

Rachel took a breathe. "Its an autobiography. About my life in foster care and ending up finding my forever family." She said

Brooke put a hand on her knee under the table to give her support.

"Ah. Yes. Brooke mentioned you and Ericka were in a foster home together." Mrs. Henderson said.

Rachel nodded. "Yup."

Mrs. Henderson could tell that Rachel was starting to feel a little uncomfortable, so she wanted to change the subject.

"You have siblings?" She asked

"Yes. I have an older sister and younger brother. And if things go the way they seem to be with my dad and his girlfriend I will have a younger technically stepsister but sister none the less." Rachel said

"Ooh. Very nice." Mrs. Henderson said

They continued to talk, and everyone got to know each other. After dinner. Brooke looked at Lorelai. "Want to watch a movie?"

Rachel smiled and nodded. The two went to the family room and they put a movie on netflix and watched and cuddled.

The next week was really fun. Brooke took her around the area and showed her some of the tourist attractions. And showed her where she went to school and all the things that she loved about the area she lived in.

They also spent some time just hanging out in Brooke's back yard on a hammock cuddling and getting to know the deep things about each other.

Rachel told her what she had been through even though she figured she knew some because of Ericka she wanted to tell her, her own story herself.

Brooke listened and held her close making sure she knew she was safe with her. She wiped away the tears from Rachel's cheeks as they fell. By the end of the week Rachel had no doubts in her mind. She loved this woman. Brooke was feeling the same way. It was Rachel's last night there and they were cuddled up on Brooke's bed. Her parents were out for the evening.

Brooke sat up cross legged on her bed and looked down at Rachel. "Rach. I know it might seem a little quick, but I don't want you to go home tomorrow not knowing how I feel. I love you."

Rachel sat up too and smiled. "I love you too."

"Really?" Brooke asked

Rachel nodded. "I've liked a few people before but before you the love songs didn't make sense. They do now."

Brooke smiled and nodded. She leaned in and they kissed. They kissed a little more before they heard the door open and pulled apart. They were in love, but they weren't ready for the next step.

The next day Rachel had one final brunch with Brooke and her parents.

They were talking.

"You make sure you tell your dad that he did a good job raising you. You are always welcome in our home." Mrs. Henderson said

Rachel smiled. "Thank you. And thank you for having me. I'm glad I got to know you both."

They ate before Rachel went and made sure everything was packed before heading down with her bags.

She said goodbye to her parents they said goodbye back and gave her a hug before she went off with Brooke who had taken her bags to the car. They started the drive to the airport.

"My parents love you. And that is saying a lot. They hated my last two ex's" Brooke said

Rachel smiled.

"Which I mean they sucked so they were right." Brooke said.

"Well, I never wanted to introduce my ex's to my dad, and I do want to introduce you." Rachel said with a smile

Brooke smiled. "Just a few weeks and I will be there."

Rachel nodded. They pulled into the airport and Brooke took her in and made sure she got through security before she left.

Rachel got on the plane and flew home.

Aaron picked her up at the airport. He took her bags, and they went out to the car.

"How was the trip?" Aaron asked. Rachel had called him to check in a few times during the week, but she only called to let him know things were good not many detail.

"Amazing. Dad. Oh, her parents told me to tell you that you raised me right." Rachel said

Aaron smiled. "I'm guessing that means you made a good impression and were respectful. Glad to hear it."

They pulled into the driveway and went inside. Lorelai, Spencer, and Emily were in the kitchen cooking a welcome home dinner.

Rachel went into the kitchen and hugged them both.

They all had dinner and talked.

"So, dad. You think I wouldn't notice the money you slipped in my bag?" Rachel asked

"I didn't slip money in your bag. I gave you cash upfront." He pointed out

Rachel made a face. "There was an envelope in my bag. Hundred dollars." She said

"Wasn't me." Aaron said

Rachel looked at Lorelai. "Was it you?"

Lorelai shook her head. "Nope."

Aaron caught the look on Emily's face and tilted his head at her.

"It was me." Emily said. "As a thank you for watching Lily."

"You didn't need to pay me for that." Rachel said, "She might as well be my sister at this point."

"Well, I wanted to." Emily said

Rachel nodded. "Well thank you. But don't think you are going to be paying me when I watch her in the future."

Emily chuckled. "Okay."

They finished eating and talking about her trip and the things she got to do in Chicago.

The night ended late. It was a full house. Both Spencer and Emily spent the night. They set up Lily on the pull-out couch. It would only be a few more days before Lorelai moved out and Rachel moved into her room anyways and setting up Lily in Rachel's old room.