Author's Note: Hello again! I said it wouldn't be long until the next chapter and look at that! I want to say thanks to all my reviewers! As for the little boy's name (Parker Lucas Mariano), Parker came from Dorothy Parker, and Lucas came from Luke, which is a nickname for Lucas. I got a review saying they were confused. I think that was kind of my goal with the last chapter.... To confuse you guys just enough into wanting more... yeah, odd, I know. But, let me put it this way.... One day Rory comes home to find her house broken into and Jess no where to be found. Hope that clears it up. As for where I'm going with this story, I'm not even sure. So, if you got any suggestions, feel free to let me know. Flashbacks are in Italics.
Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't sue. It's as simple as that.
Missing Chapter Two"I'm worried about her, Luke...." Lorelai said softly, watching Luke make waffles and toast for Parker.
"We all are, Lorelai...." He whispered so Parker wouldn't hear. He glanced over at the kid and sighed. He was engrossed in the Cartoon Network, and laughed along with the funny parts. Lorelai sighed, gently wrapping her arms around his back, hugging him slightly, and tracing small circles on his arm.
They had been through so much together throughout the time they had been dating and then as their relationship progressed as well. They knew now that, together, they could make it through anything.
Lorelai jumped as she heard the screech of a door, hurrying footsteps, and a slam of a door. She took a deep breath and hurried after the noise, leaving a soft kiss on Luke's back as he went back to cooking.
"Rory...." She called through the door, knocking twice on the purple wooden door. She heard the distinct sound of gagging, and whimpering, then left herself in. "Rory...."
It was spoken softly again as Lorelai bent down, holding the young woman's hair back with one hand, and wrapping the other one protectively around her daughter.
As the sickness came to an end, Lorelai reached up and pressed the silver handle down that would flush the toilette, and grabbed a towel, wetting it, and handing it to Rory, who wiped her mouth as Lorelai stroked her long hair.
"How late are you?" Lorelai whispered once Rory had washed her face and taken some aspirin for the pain.
"A lot..." she whispered, feeling more tears burn their way down her cheeks. Lorelai pulled her into another tight hug, and held her. She had a suspicion something was wrong, and it couldn't have happened at a worst time.
---
They pulled up to the apartment building and got out in a hurry. The multi colored lights flashed off the street and buildings from atop of the police cars.
A small crowd had formed. Nosey, information seeking neighbors, wanting news and wondering where the dead body was.
Lorelai took her driver's license out and advised Luke to do so too, or they would never get in the apartment building.
---
Rory sat on the couch, curled up in a ball, hugging a blue throw pillow. Parker was under strict orders to stay in his room or his twice-weekly sundae/movie nights would be cancelled.
Rory jumped up as Lorelai walked in, and hugged her tight. Lorelai held her as she felt her daughters tears mix with her own.
"They don't know anything!" Rory cried, pulling away from her mother and trying to wipe the tears away.
"You're sure he was here, Rory? You're sure he didn't work late and has no idea what's going on?"
"No! I called, the police called, and the office said the same thing. He left after lunch and nobody has seen him since! I called everyone! Lane, Zach, Brian, Grandma, Grandpa, and they all said they'd keep a look out." Her voice was tired, sad, and unsteady as Lorelai lead her back to the couch and looked over to Luke.
He looked like he was about to cry, but stayed strong for the sake of them. Lorelai hurried over to him and hugged him tighter than she ever hugged him before.
---
"Parker, don't," Luke said as he spotted Parker trying to escape to the bathroom.
"But... Mommy might need me!" he cried, pointing. "She's been sad a lot, and I get more hugs now."
"Hugs are good, right?" Luke asked at an attempt to change the subject but only getting a sad nod from the boy.
"Mommy is going through a tough time right now, Park. Look, Nana is in there with her right now, So I am sure she's fine. If she needed you she would call, and even I wouldn't stop you then, okay? Why don't you sit with me and eat these waffles? I've got strawberries, you like strawberries..." Parker nodded, with a small smile, obviously loving the fruit, and clumsily climbed onto the kitchen chair as Luke put down the waiting plate and jar of syrup next to him.
"When's Daddy coming home?" he asked through a mouthful of waffle.
"Hopefully he'll be home soon," Luke said, fighting back tears as he ruffled Parker's hair and poured him some milk.
---
Slowly, but surely, Rory made her way into the living room and flopped onto the couch, grabbing the fuzzy blanket and covering herself. The rain still lashed down and had a sort of calming effect on her.
Lorelai went to check on Parker and Luke, then to get her an appointment with her OB/GYN as soon as possible. Rory settled back, trying to relax and ward off sleep but she couldn't help it. She was exhausted and found herself slipping into the darkness once again.
TBC...