AN: Obviously, I don't own any direct quotes, but I did try to shift it to fit my own story. It's just a guideline for me and I don't think there are many more chapters including actual quotes.

Luke POV

"Happy birthday, little girl," I heard Lorelai say as I sat down on the floor with my back against the wall. While I didn't join in with the 4 am storytelling, I loved to listen to it, "I can't believe how fast you're growing up."

"Really? Feels slow," Rory murmured, sounding about 10-years-old.

"Trust me, it's fast," Lorelai said and I nodded in agreement, even though I wasn't even in the room, "What do you think of your life so far?"

"I think it's pretty good," She said. I wasn't convinced since she said the same thing every year. This was a whole routine for them.

"Any complaints?"

"I'd like that whole humidity thing to go away," Last year, she mumbled something about oral exams; it was the only thing she changed each year.

"All right. I'll work on that."

"So, do I look older?" Rory asked, and I could just picture her tilting her head up so Lorelai could get a good look.

"Oh, yeah. You walk into Denny's before 5, you've got yourself a discount."

"Good deal."

"So, you know what I think?" Lorelai asked, but I didn't hear Rory respond that time, "I think you're a great, cool kid, and the best friend a girl could have."

"Right back at ya."

I smiled and closed my eyes, thinking about my two favourite people in the entire world.

"Happy birthday," I said, looking up as Rory walked in with Lane. She had immediately looked for the balloons since I did it every year, and her eyes lit up as she spotted the cake.

"Thanks Dad!"

I poured out two cups of coffee for them, and took it over. I kissed her forehead, and she beamed up at me.

"Good birthday so far?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Yeah, but I'm kinda dreading school and the party later," She admitted. I looked at her curiously, so she explained, "Grandma sent invitations to everyone in my year; I found out from Tristen of all people."

I pulled a face, "Are you surprised?"

She laughed humourlessly, "No, not really. I didn't tell Mom because of the pudding and the shopping and things are good with them right now. One night won't kill me, right?"

"No, it won't," I agreed, "Now open your present."

I went back to the counter as the new kid, Dean, came in and ordered a coffee, barely acknowledging me. His eyes were fixed on Rory, who had turned a bright red and was watching him out of the corner of her eye while she unwrapped the present that I had left for her.

"Oh my god..." I heard her mutter, "Dad, you replaced my Anna Karenina!"

I handed Dean his coffee with narrowed eyes before calling back to her, "You read it so often that it's falling apart, so yes, I did, but that's not the only thing I got you. You can open the rest of your presents tomorrow at your party."

"You spoil me," She said, the biggest smile on her face. As Dean left, he mouthed something to her and she blushed, her smile getting bigger, if possible.

I arrived at the party a little late, and it was in full swing, if you could say that. Richard was discussing business with a group of men, Emily was in her element, and the girls were sat together talking quietly. Rory spotted me and stood up to hug me. I wrapped my arms around her, "Happy birthday, baby girl."

"Thanks, Dad," She said, "What do you think?"

"Not my type of party, but it okay," I admitted, smiling at her.

Emily interrupted us and grabbed Rory to introduce her to some friends, and Lorelai stood up, wrapping an arm around me, "I don't miss these parties, you know."

"Lorelai?" A woman approached us and I felt Lorelai tense a little.

"Mitzie, wow, I haven't seen you since..." She got cut off

"Your seventh month."

"I was going to say high school, but OK," Lorelai turned to me, "Mitzie, this is my husband, Luke. Luke, I knew Mitzie in high school."

"Nice to meet you," She said, looking over me for a moment before turning to Lorelai, "What happened with Christopher? Last I heard, he was in prison. Is that hard for you and the kid?"

Lorelai swallowed nervously, "He's actually out on parole but we're no longer in contact with him. Luke actually adopted Rory when we got married, so he's her dad, now."

"But he's not her real dad, though," She said, like she was pointing out the obvious, "Where is she?"

I pointed her out, and Mitzie smiled, "She even looks like him. Is that hard?"

"She looks more like her mother all the time," I said, it being the truth.

Lorelai smiled up at me, "You really think so?"

"Yep," I beamed, "I do."

Mitzie wondered off and Lorelai relaxed, "I can't see Rory, anymore."

"She's upstairs in the library with her school friends," Emily said as she walked by.

I dropped my voice to a whisper, "Emily didn't ask her permission to invite people at school. She just did it, and Rory was dreading this party because of it. I'm going to go and find her."

I climbed the stairs and found the library with ease since it was somewhere Rory loved to hide when she was younger. I found Rory and her grandfather with a blonde boy.

"Who's your friend, Rory?" I asked as I put my arm around her. While I hadn't only just realised that boys would like and be interested in Rory, this morning with Dean had set me on edge.

"This is Tristan Dugray, I actually work with his grandfather," Richard said, "Our Rory has very good taste in friends."

He then wandered off, so Rory turned to Tristan, "Tristan, this is my Dad."

He paled considerably, causing me to inwardly laugh. However, he held out his hand and I shook it, "Nice to meet you, Mr Gilmore-Danes."

I could tell he was unsure about the name, but I smiled at him, letting him know he had got it right. I then turned to Rory, "Your mother was looking for you, but I can tell her you're busy if you'd like."

"No, it's fine," She played along and said goodbye to Tristan, allowing us to leave. As we got out of the library, she breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks, Dad."

AN: Hey, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I know I found it quite light-hearted in preparation for the darker chapters ahead. You always need some good to mix with the bad. Thanks for reading! Please review.