Chapter 2

Family Resemblance

Author's Note:  For storyline purposes, I kind of changed things up.  Christopher and Sherri's baby is around a year old, Rory and Jess are seniors, and Chris and Lorelai did sleep together and then he did run off to be with Sherri.  Rory did yell at Chris for leaving her and Lorelai to go 'be someone else's dad'.

"Chris?" Lorelai said, still shocked.

"Hey."  Lorelai suddenly noticed the baby boy Christopher was holding.

"Oh," Christopher said, catching Lorelai's glance, "This is my son, Eric."

"He's cute."

"Thanks."

"Looks a lot like you. More Sherri though I think." Lorelai rambled.

"Yeah."

"Chris, why are you here?" she asked, tired of small talk, finally getting to the point.

"Sherri left."

"What?"

"She left. She decided she couldn't handle Eric anymore, and left."

"So you came to Star's Hollow…"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Christopher paused, "I don't know how to raise a kid Lor.  I was kind of hoping you could help me out…"

"You want me to teach you how to be a parent?" her fury growing.

"Well, yeah I guess…" Christopher stopped, seeing the look of disgust in Lorelai's eyes, "I could just use some help…"

"You know Chris, when something like this happens, one would assume you'd go to someone you've been in contact with consistently for the past few years…"

"Lor,"

"Your mother maybe?  Oh Chris I'm sure your mother would love to have a part in raising her grandson…"

"Lorelai,"

"No really Chris. What makes you think I'd be the perfect candidate for teaching you how to be a parent?  We're not even friends.  I'm just the mother of your forgotten first-born Christopher!  Why would you come all the way to Star's Hollow?"

"Cause I wanted to get my family back."

"Oh I'm sorry, I thought you retired me and Rory for Sherri and her baby! Was I mistaken?"

"Lorelai, you're over-reacting. Please just hear me out."

"No. I have to get to work. Do not call us; do not stop by the house anymore. Just leave me and my daughter alone."

"Our daughter Lorelai."

"No Chris… MY daughter."

Lorelai got into her car and sped off, leaving Christopher, holding his infant son, not knowing what to do next.

Jess and Amber entered the apartment above Luke's.  Jess puts down Amber's bag and the two take seats on the sofa.

"Where have you been?" Jess asked, wondering if that was the right place to start.

"School."

"And why aren't you there now?" As soon as those words escaped his mouth, Jess was shocked at how much he sounded like a parent.

"I took extra classes. I graduated a year yearly."

"Really?" Jess was surprised, "Amber that's great!"

"Yeah… so what's new with you?"

"You think we can just change the subject?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"You left five years ago Amber.  I haven't seen or heard from you since."

"That is not true." Amber insisted defensively, "I sent you birthday presents, Christmas presents, letters, emails… I was the one that never got a response."

"You left.  I didn't think you deserved a response without giving me your explanation first."

"Jess, I'm so sorry.  I had to go.  You understand what it was like… You left too."

"She sent me away.  There's a difference.  Me, she couldn't wait to get rid of. You, though… You she cried over for months.  Do you have any idea how much she put me through because you left?" Jess began to fight back tears.

"Oh Jess, I'm so sorry.  I had no idea."

"I know. There was no way you could have known.  If it was me I probably would have done the same thing." Jess said quietly, "I'm sorry for going off on you."

"It's okay."

"You sure?"

"Of course." She smiled, "Now I have a feeling I don't need to ask what's up with you… cause I think I know…" Amber smirked, showing Jess she'd heard all about what he'd pulled recently.  Jess blushed a little. 

"How about you take me on a lovely guided tour of this place, hm?" Amber asked.

"Yeah okay.  Just let me go get my jacket."

"Okay, I'll go down and tell Luke we're leaving?"

"Yeah, I'll be right there."

"No you may not start a petition to change my menu Taylor."  Luke stated firmly.  He'd re-entered the Diner to continue working.

"But Luke!"

"NO!"

Taylor prepared to begin an argument, when he saw Amber coming down the stairs, "Ah Amber, isn't it?"

"Uhm, yes."

"How are you?"

"Uh, I'm fine, thanks. Hey, Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Jess is going to give me the tour. That alright?"

"Uh, Jess has class."

"Oh, can he skip first period or something?"

"I dunno…"

"Please Luke? I just got here…"

"Oh alright."

Amber smiled and kissed Luke's cheek, "Thanks!"

Jess then came downstairs, "Ready to go Amber?"

"Yeah!" and then they left.  Luke called after them, "Just first period Jess!  You still have to go to school!"

"My Luke, how do you know that pretty young lady?"

"Can it Taylor, it's my niece."

"Your niece?"

"Yes."

"Wouldn't that make the two of you related?"

"Yes… we are…"

"Funny, I don't see any resemblance. I mean it Luke, she's so pretty, and you, well…"

"OUT!"  Luke bellowed, shoving Taylor out of the diner, "What a day…" he said to himself, "What a day."