Chapter Seven

A.N. Thanks for all the reviews. They keep me writing that's for sure. You guys are so funny, reading your reviews, I mean, it's so split down the middle. When I have Victoria with Lorelai half of you are like Victoria should be with Logan and the second I hint that the situation will change everyone else speaks up. It's funny...anyway on with the story! And omg two updates in two days! I'm on a roll...plus I'm at home but on vacation (no work! Woohoo) so I'll get a lot of writing done this week!

"Lorelai, we need to talk."

"Of course, come in," Lorelai nods stepping out of the way so that Logan can enter the house. "Victoria's in the kitchen if you want to see her."

"She's feeling better?" Logan questions.

Lorelai nods, "she woke up this morning perfectly healthy."

"Good," Logan passes through the hallway and into the kitchen. Victoria grins at the site of Logan and holds her arms out to him to be picked up, Logan obliges quickly scooping the little girl into his arms before he begins pacing slightly.

"Logan, what's wrong?" Lorelai watches Logan's behavior with concern, he was obviously not himself but she can't pinpoint exactly what it is about him that's off.

"Nothing's wrong," Logan stops suddenly, facing Lorelai completely. "I'm ready to be Victoria's father now, I'm ready to take responsibility for her."

"Wh-what?" Lorelai feels like she's been sucker punched in the stomach, "what do you mean Logan?"

"I want Victoria to come live with me in New York," Logan's words are simple as he gently tickles Victoria, avoiding Lorelai's eye contact.

"Are you insane?" Lorelai demands. "You can't just decide to be someone's father on a whim six months from now you could decide that you're not ready and bring her back. She's a little girl Logan, you can't just do that to her. She needs stability and not a father who walks in and out of her life on his own whims. Christopher did that to Rory all the time and it hurt her so much, I won't let you do that to Victoria."

"I'm not Christopher, Lorelai," Logan shakes his head. "I'm ready to take care of Victoria, I want to be her father. I want to watch her grow up and be there for all of her big moments."

"So come more then once a week Logan," Lorelai can feel the fear rising in her stomach but her voice remains logical. "Victoria is happy here."

"I'm her father."

"You can't have her," Lorelai's calm tone slips and her voice rises.

"It's my right to raise my daughter, Rory specified this in her will," Logan reminds Lorelai.

"The only way you are getting this little girl is if you go through the courts because I'm not just going to let you take her away from me."

"And you know what that son-of-a-bitch said to me after that?" Lorelai had immediately called Luke home from the diner after she put Victoria down for her morning nap. "He said 'then that's what I'll do', as if has every right in the world. He can't have her Luke."

Luke sighs, this is what he's been afraid of for nine months, "Lorelai, Logan has all the rights here."

Lorelai's expression darkens, "he's seen Victoria less then 40 times in her entire life and suddenly he decides he wants to be her father?"

Luke knows the words he's about to say won't improve Lorelai's mood any but they had to be said, "Rory left Logan custody of Victoria. She obviously thought he should be the one to take care of their daughter, Rory was a smart girl...maybe you should trust that your daughter made the best decision possible for her daughter."

"Luke..." Lorelai snaps but Luke cuts her off quickly.

"I'm not saying I think he should have her," Luke states quickly, "because you know my opinion on Logan and we'll get the best lawyer to defend us. But I just...I don't want you to be disappointed when..."

"If," Lorelai cuts in.

"If the judge rules in Logan's favor."

"I'll convince him," Lorelai can feel her chin trembling, "I'll show him that Logan can't be a good father and that..." Lorelai's voice cracks and Luke wraps an arm around her, "that she should stay here...with...with us..."

"We really appreciate you doing this for us, Lane," Luke sighs as she hands Victoria's diaper and overnight bags to Lane.

"It's not a problem really, once a week I get to drive into New York City and pick up some new CDs that's incentive enough."

Luke offers Lane a strained smile, "well we appreciate it."

"How come you're doing the drop?" Lane can't help but ask, for the two months that Victoria had been spending weekends at Logan's, an action that was ordered by the court until the custody hearing could happen. "Usually Lorelai brings her to me."

"Lorelai's not feeling..." Luke begins to tell Lane the lie that he'd been telling everyone all day, that she had the flu. But with a quick shake of his head he sighs, "we got a call from our lawyer today. The scheduled the custody hearing for next Friday."

"But...but...that's the day after the year..." Lane trails. "Poor Lorelai."

"She's having a really hard time," Luke sighs, that was an understatement. He was well aware that when, it was obviously a when situation, they lost Victoria Lorelai would grieve all over again.

"If there's anything I can do," Lane offers.

"We'll let you know," Luke nods. "And again, thank you for everything you've done these past months, we owe more then you'll ever know."

Lane shakes her head, "you don't owe me anything. Rory was my best friend, if the best thing I can do for her daughter is drive her to see her father once a week then that's what I'll do." Lane takes the half-sleeping girl from Luke's arms, "I'll see you guys later."