Shit, where did I recognize him from? No, he can't be him, can he? Would that mean? Yeah, that was him. I looked up at the man before me and said, "I think we met in the hospital in 1987?"
A look of recognition came on Tristan's face, "Memorial hospital. I remember now. It was summer of '87, August"
"That was where and when my wife, well now ex wife, became friends with your wife,"
"She and I actually never tied the knot, but yeah, they were conjoining rooms, and you and I just sat there on their beck and call. You had twins didn't you?" He asked me.
"Yeah, Danny and Holly, Holly was the one doing the project at your house today." At his shocked face, I commented, "They grow up fast don't they?"
"Well, I haven't seen my daughter in over fifteen years," Holy fuck, if this was the guy who I met in the hospital than doesn't that mean that he's Maddie's father... I mean use your head here Jess, if he was there with Summer and that was the week when Maddie, Danny, and Holly were born. So, fucking shithead he has got to be Maddie's Father!
"You haven't seen your daughter with Summer?" I asked curiously, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, Summer and I spilt up. Well, things weren't working out; they were hardly ever were working out. We had never really even gotten married so it was just so easy to leave without causing a fuss, I mean we didn't have to have a custody battle or any of that, cause I took our older son and Summer then got my new daughter... God, I wonder how she did, I mean I sent her money and all, but before I spilt we were just living in a crappy apartment,"
"She did fine," I assured him. "After you left she called my wife and I and we helped her to find a house. It took about a year of her saving money, but then our next door neighbours died, so Summer bought the house and moved in. I've been living next door to her, up until last week,"
"So, you know my daughter?" He question anxiously. Oh, fuck, what do I say now? Do I tell him that his daughter is actually in the house? Just answer the question.
"Yeah, she's really good friend with the twins." I replied, not yet telling him the complete truth.
"Is she a good kid?" He questioned me. Shit, he sounded so desperate; maybe I ought to tell him. But, how could a guy who knew he had another daughter in the world never go to see her?
"She grew up fine." I told him, inside fighting an inner battle of whether he should know that she hadbeen at his house tonight, and is now only a room away. Is it my place to tell him? But, then if I tell him then Maddie will find out the truth, and can I do that? We both stood there in silence, he probably thinking of what his daughter has become, while I stood there deciding whether I should meddle in their lives or not.
The silence was broken when Julianna stepped into the entryway, "Hey Dad, how long have you been here?"
"Just a few minutes, Mr. Mariano and I were just getting reacquainted; we met a long time ago." He told her, smiling at me.
"Whoa, That's cool, what a small world eh? Where did you know each other?" She asked him, looking at him curiously. Tristan began mumbling something or other, not even sounding coherent
"Hey, Mr. DuGrey," Ricky greeted as he came to stand in the doorway.
Obviously happy he got out of the hot seat, he smile greatly at Ricky, "Hey Ricky, what did you guys do?" He questioned.
"Watched a movie then we played cards..."
"Yeah, who won cards?" Tristan asked, glad the attention was off him.
"Maddie, she's really goodat cards." At the questioning look that was on his face, Ricky figured that Tristan didn't know who Maddie was. "She's our old next door neighbour, she's just here visiting-"
"Oh, she was the one that was at our house with Holly?" He questioned Ricky, but was looking directly at me.
"Yeah, that's Maddie," Ricky said smiling.
"Hey bud, why don't you walk Julianna out to her car?" I suggested to Ricky, glad when he and Julianna left.
"I saw my daughter tonight? That was her?" He asked me smiling, obviously in some sort of happy fantasy.
"Yeah, I was going to tell you I just didn't know how," I told him, trying to explain myself.
"Don't worry, oh, I'm not sure if I've ever been this happy, I mean, do you think Summer and I could renegotiate this custody thing, I mean I really want to see her, and to have her live with me. I mean that be great."
"Yeah, Summer's pretty understanding, you could probably talk to her about it, but I'm not sure if she'll want to spilt custody. What, I mean is that Maddie's all she has." I explained to him.
"Summer never got married?" He asked me startled.
"While, she's been close, I mean there have been more men at her place than at a Yankees game, but she has never really settled down."
"Oh," He said sounding dejected.
"Don't worry you and she could probably settle something." I said, trying to raise his spirits. Then speaking honestly I continued, "But, Tristan, Maddie might wonder why you've known about her, her whole life and never done anything."
"I th-" Tristan quickly stopped talking when we heard people enter the room.
"Hey Dad?" I looked to the door to see Holly and Maddie. "We were wondering if we could go on a food run..."
"Why? We have food." I replied.
"It's hardly food." She retorted.
"Yeah, Jess, please!" Maddie begged.
"Yeah, c'mon Jess." Holly pleaded.
"What did you just call me?" I asked her.
"Jess," She repeated grinning.
"It's Dad to you." I told her, hating it whenever she called me anything but.
"Maddie gets to call you Jess." She complained.
"Yeah, but I told Maddie to call me Jess," I shot back. "Anyway girls, we have a guest, you've already met Mr. DuGrey haven't you?"
"Hi." They both said together, still looking at me.
"No, puppy dog looks!" I argued. That was my weak side. How can I say no to that? "Look, girls I would let you, but you can'tbe driving without an adult, you only have your G1, and I can't leave because I have to finish up here-"
"I can take them." Tristan supplied eagerly.
"Thank you!" Both girls cried.
"Wait, we cannot just impose on you," I told them.
"No, that's alright. I want to," I insisted he told me grinning.
"Sure, I guess then Julianna and Ricky can come back inside for a bit."
I had always known I had another daughter somewhere out there. But, I never thought, I never dreamt that she would come to Connecticut. I mean, as much as I wanted to see her, when I do I have to explain all this junk to Rory. I mean she knows I have another daughter, I think I told her. I looked in the rearview mirror back to Maddie, I wanted to just look at her and see what features of mine she had, or what she had gotten from Summer.
"So, where do you girls want to go?" I asked the girls.
"Any grocery store is fine thanks" Holly replied.
"I'm just trying to think of the nearest one." I told them as I stopped at the stop light.
"Yeah, I know we live in the boonies. It probably would be better to go into Hartford for the grocery store, because I highly doubt that the only grocery store in Stars Hollow will be open this late." Holly reasoned.
"That sounds about right," I laughed, as I turned down the road leading to Hartford.
"So Maddie where are you from?" I questioned, hoping not to sound too curious.
"New York, Manhattan," She told me grinning.
"Nothing like this then," I said, as we passed a field of cows.
"Nope, in New York for fun you go out clubbing, while here you must go out cow tipping!" She said laughing. I hoped she had never gone out clubbing. Now that I knew my daughter, well knew of her, I wanted to protect her from everything out there.
"Hey, I haven't done that yet, but want to go tomorrow?" Holly joked, looking back at Maddie from the passenger seat. She had called shotgun on the way out to the car.
"Cow tipping is a serious offense," I joked. Turningserious againI asked, "Your parents don't mind you coming up here?" I looked to Maddie, already knowing what she wouldsay in reply.
"My Mom doesn't," She replied.
"What about your Dad?" I questioned knowing I was going too far, but not being able to help myself.
"He could care less. He left when I was born." I gripped the wheel tighter. What did I expect her to say? I had asked for this answer. I just hadn't known it would hurt so much.
"Maybe he did it for the best," I reasoned, hoping to get her understanding.
"Yeah, because not ever having a father and having my Mom cry every night for ten years is totally for thebest," She told me bitterly. "It's doesn't matter though, I got over,"
"He probably has a good reason though," Holly said before I could. I smiled at her sitting next to me. Little did she know that I was Maddie's father.
"Yeah, well I do still want to meet him and all. I just tell myself other things so that if he ends up being a jerk. Then I'm ready for it,"
"That seems logical," I replied. "How is your Mom doing?"
"She's perfect. She paints and travels a lot so she's happy now," I thought of Summer and remembered her love for painting and how she had dreams of traveling everywhere.
"Do you travel with her?" I asked Maddie,
"Not during the school year." She replied. "She doesn't travel that much then anyway,"
"What? She's barely ever home!" Holly commented laughing.
"What does that mean?" I asked them.
"Summer is never home, and if she is she's out with god knows who." Holly stated.
"Is that true?" I asked Maddie.
"Yeah," She nodded.
"Does it bother you?" I questioned her.
"It didn't before, I mean what teenager complains about having the house to herself? It just recently started to get annoying.," She said. Something had happened any idiot could know that. Looking back at Maddie, I again looked at her bruised and beat face I immediately wanted to know what had happened to my baby girl.
"I don't want to sound nosy or anything, but what happened to your face, I mean what's with the bruises?" I inquired. Holly looked back at Maddie worried.
"Oh, I was just trying out for the school's girlsfootball." She stated.
"What position?" I questioned. I knew she was lying and I wanted to catch her or at least make her squirm.
"I'm just trying out, but I want to be... well I don't really know yet," She was just making shit up now. But, not wanting her to feel more uncomfortable or hate me for my questions I decided to let that one go.
"Here we are." I said as we pulled up at the supermarket.
"Thanks," Both girls said in unison as they got out of the car.
"We'll be quick." Maddie said before shutting her door.
"That's alright take your time," I told them, turning on the car radio.
"Weird..." Holly whispered to me, on our way into the store.
"Junk food?" I questioned, ignoring her earlier comment. I had found it just as weird, but didn't want to think about it, especially when I felt such a familiarity with Mr. DuGrey.
"Of course!" She replied, grabbing my arm and leading me to the junk food section. On the way we noticed a rather obese woman line up behind a register with a bunch of junk food.
"Or not," I said, leading her back to the fresh fruit section.
"Yeah, let's go healthy," She agreed.
"Fruit?" I asked.
"Of course!" She told me, grabbing a basket. We grabbed everything we needed and hurried to a cashier. The car ride back was pretty quiet considering the conversation on the car there. We just really listened to the radio.
"Thanks for the ride Mr. DuGrey" I said, once we reached our driveway.
"Yeah, thanks very much." Maddie added as we got out of the car. Looking at both of us Mr. DuGrey smiled.
"Anytime. You girls remind me of my youth." He told us with a laugh, as we all got out of the car.
"Well, thanks." I said, as we turned to head inside.
"See you two around," He waved as he leaned against his car waiting for Julianna to come outside. On our way inside we passed both my Dad and Julianna heading out. I wondered what Dad had been talking about with Mr. DuGrey earlier and what he was doing now going to talk to him. Maddie and I looked at each other confused as we saw Dad and Mr. DuGrey talking like old friends, while Julianna got in the passenger seat.
"Finally, it took you girls forever!" Danny said when we walked in the kitchen where he was sitting with Ricky.
"Yeah, we're hungry." Ricky proclaimed, when he looked greedily at the grocery bags.
"These are not for you, Maddie and I happened to spend our own cash on groceries, you want some, then you're going to have to cough up some dough," I told him, as I dropped the food on the counter.
"How much?" He asked. I looked over at Maddie who was grinning beside me.
"I don't know. Hmm,perhaps twenty dollars?" She joked.
"No way, what kind of food did you get anyway?" He questioning, searching the bags. "Gross it's all chick food, nevermind, I'm not the hungry anyway." He told us, retreating out of the kitchen.
"Hey, Holly can I talk to you?" My Dad asked anxiously coming in the kitchen. I tried to rack my mind to think if I had done something wrong, I mean my Father never really sounded that serious unless something was wrong. Now, he just stood there looking restless.
"Sure, Maddie, I'll be right back." I told Maddie as I put the last of the groceries away in the cupboard.
"This might take a while," My Dad said, looking at me. I couldn't tell if it was a look of despair of disappointment. I don't think it could have been a look of disappointment, I mean what had any of us done wrong? Unless he found our about what happened to Maddie, but how would heoffound out?
Interrupting my train of thought, Danny broke in, "I'll keep Maddie company, there's something I've been meaning to show her in my room." He reassured me. Looking at Maddie she gave me a smile, that I knew meant she would be fine. Then, before I even had a chance to object or ask what he was going to show her, he had led her out of the kitchen.
"Ok, Dad what do you want to talk about?" I asked him, curious as hell.
"Not here, c'mon lets go to my office." Leading me out of the kitchen, to his office I was suddenly worried. What could this be about? I mean how serious is this?
"I have to tell you something." He mumbled as he sat down behind his desk, and nodded for me to sit opposite him. I sat down, not that he really noticed; he was looking frantically around his desk.
"Dad, what's the matter?" I asked, I tried to hide my fear and worry, but it was hard my Father had never seemed this eccentric before. He was muttering under his breath, and now started digging through the drawers in his desk.
"Ah, I knew I left these here..." He murmured as he pulled out of pack of cigarettes. With shaking hands he tried to light the cigarette in his mouth. My Father hadn't smoked in over eighteen years. He had quit right before my Mom had Nick. He didn't want his children to get his second hand smoke, but what was he doing now?
"Dad?" I questioned again, looking at him as if he was a stranger.
"Holly... I found something out today that is a shocking, and the thing is I don't know, if it's my place to tell, I mean so he told me, but it's not my secret to know, but she has to know..." He stopped to take a drag from his cigarette.
I looked at him confused. "Dad you aren't making any sense," I stared at him as if he was out of his mind, what was he trying to say?
"Look, Holly, I know someone, who doesn't know who her Father is, and I found out today, but is it right for me to tell, I mean isn't it her Mother's place?" He asked me. My eyes widened, could this mean?
"Maddie?" I asked. My Father suddenly nodded. "Who?" I asked. "Not... Mr. DuGrey?" My Dad looked at me, and I could tell I was right.
Getting up he went to stub out his cigarette on the windowsill, wiping off the ashes, he tossed the extinguished cigarette in the trash.
"I need an ash tray" He mumbled. Sitting back down, he lit another cigarette, and looked straight at me. "You want the story?" He questioned, I nodded. Sighing, he exhaled and began, "I met Tristan DuGrey back in 1987 in the Hospital. You know how yours and Maddie mothers had been friends, well they met in the hospital, we all met in the hospital. Tristan and Summer weren't married however, although they did have another son..."
"Andrew," I breathed.
I nodded for my Father to continue, "Well, they didn't always get along, so after they were out of the hospital they chose to spilt up and Tristan took Andrew, and Summer got Maddie. That way they didn't have to fight over custody. Tristan moved back to his hometown of Hartford... and well you know what happened to Summer." I was shocked, holy crap how often did this kind of shit happen?
"Does Tris- I mean Mr. DuGrey does he know?" I questioned.
"Yeah. I feel so bad though, I should have known; I can't believe it took me so long to catch on. It's just that I had only seen Tristan in the hospital for the four days we were there. We became great friends, but then he and Summer spilt. So, he had just become some asshole- well that's what your Mother and Summer called him,"
"Are you going to tell Maddie?" I questioned him. This could change her life. I mean, wow.
"I don't know, I mean that's why I talked to you, what, I mean, how could I? Is it even my place to tell her what about Summer?" He wondered out loud. I shrugged this was a hard situation, but I knew Maddie would want to know.
"What does Mr. DuGrey think?" I asked, trying to figure out the situation.
"He wants to have a family with her, he wants her to live with him. But he has no idea how to tell her, he left that in my hands, cause I know her better. It's a tough job." He sighed, putting out his second cigarette and pulling out a third.
"Don't smoke Dad," I whispered. Looking at me, he put the cigarette back in the package smirking.
"Who would have thought," He mumbled the rest of it to himself smiling. "Anyway, Tristan said, if I felt it wasn't my place to tell her, he would tell her... I don't know how, but he has invited us over for dinner tomorrow, all of us,"
"So, are you?" I asked him, overwhelmed over all I had just learnt.
"Not tonight, it's too late. I'll sleep on it perhaps I could tell her before we went so she's cool with it before we get there. I mean I just don't want her to lash out." He confessed, looking down at his hands.
"Maddie's not the kind to lash out, but whatever, can you just tell me before you tell her if you are going to? Just so I know?" I asked.
"For sure, thanks sweetheart." He got up and came around and gave me a hug. I was glad he had returned to his normal self, maybe he had just needed to tell someone. "Tomorrow, I'm going to Star's Hollow to see my uncle, do you want to come?" He questioned, as I was leaving.
"I'll see. Thanks, for telling me Dad." I told him before I left the room. He smiled at me, from where he was now leaning against his desk. He still looked a little antsy, but maybe that was for another reason. Running upstairs I didn't know how I was going to face Maddie knowing something like this. I mean how could I not tell her? I went into my room to find it empty, remembering that Danny was showing Maddie something in his room I went down the hall to his bedroom. The door was slightly open, kicking it the rest of the way I noticed Maddie and Danny kissing.
"Shit!" I shouted, covering my mouth. I couldn't believe I had just shouted out loud. I couldn't believe Maddie and Danny were now lying together. At my exclamation they both jumped off the bed and stood apart. "Sorry! Dad and I just finished talking," I told them as I went to shut the door.
"Wait, Holly!" Maddie called after me. Turning around I saw her pleading eyes looking at me. "Don't be mad, I mean I know I should have told you before I just didn't- well I just didn't know how," She whispered the last part.
"I'm not mad." I told them honestly. I wasn't I wasn't feeling anger now; I was just shocked I mean first that and now this.
"You're not?" Maddie asked me surprised.
"Of course not, if anything I'm happy; I mean we all wanted you guys back together since the day you spilt!" I told them, reassuringly.
"Thanks." Danny said with a smile as he came forward to stand beside Maddie. That one word made me feel better. I had done the right thing, I wasn't going to be like a stupid friend and get all upset now just because Maddie and my brother were caught kissing, I mean they're were together before we became friends. I don't have the right to be mad.
"I'll leave you guys alone." I told them with a smile.
"No, that's alright. I've had enough of him." Maddie joked with a smile.
"Thanks!" Danny said sarcastically. "No, go ahead you girls go gossip, anyway I'm pretty tired, I'm just going to hit the sack,"
"Night!" I told him heading off to my room, knowing Maddie would follow in a minute. I quickly got in my pajamas, just as Maddie came in grinning from ear to ear.
"So?" I questioned, sitting down on the bed. "When did this new development occur?" Giggling Maddie sat next me. Inside I was happy, I was really happy for Maddie and Dan, especially cause of what just happened with Maddie. We sat there talking and laughing until we were both too tired to keep our eyes open.
Later that night, I lay in bed sleepless. My head was spinning, what was going to happen. Maddie was now incredibly happy, but what would happen when she found out about her Dad? But, it be a good thing right? She could move in with him, and we could go to school together! Quietly I got of bed, careful not to make any noise, I needed some air. I hurried down the stairs and was heading out the front door, when I heard a noise.
"Holly?" Nick questioned. I looked behind me and saw Nick come out of the kitchen. "Where are you going?"
"I needed some air. What are you doing downstairs?" I asked him curiously.
"Came down for a snack." He told me. We both headed into the kitchen, where I could see that Nick had been eating a sandwich. Grabbing myself a container of ice cream and a spoon I sat in the kitchen stool next to where he now sat.
"Depressed much?" He asked, when he noticed my food choice.
"Confused," I stated, opening the ice cream.
"About?" He pressed me.
"What would you do if you knew something about a friend that she or he didn't know and it wasn't your place to tell them?" I questioned him, licking my spoon of ice cream.
"What do you know about Maddie?" He asked. Nick had always been able to read me well, sometimes better than Dan, especially when my good twin and I weren't getting along.
"Her Dad," I said, while I got up. "I feel sick, damn, why am I eating this stuff?" I mumbled, as I put the ice cream away and my spoon in the sink. Nick was just sitting there in shock.
"Her Dad?" He repeated dumbly, still staring at me.
"Dad knew her Dad, and well he lives here. In fact you know him too, Andrew's Dad, actually Andrew himself is Maddie's brother." I told him, as I searched the fridge for something out to eat. Nick just continued to stare at me. "Y'know Andrew the guy you were just out with?"
"Yeah, holy shit. That is weird. He did seem familiar, too familiar. What are you going to do?" He questioned me. I shrugged my shoulders giving him a helpless look. Shutting the fridge I walked back and sat on the stool.
"I have no idea." I mumbled, as I put my head in my hands.
"You have to tell her," He told me. I looked at him and nodded. I had to tell her, well I had to tell Dad to tell her. She had to find out from us. I don't know how long Nick and I just sat there thinking until we went up. I knew that tomorrow we'd have to tell her.
I couldn't believe how in just two days my life went from terrible to amazing. I really don't ever want to go back to New York; I mean I am seriously dreading the end of this weekend. Not only that, but I am seriously contemplating hiding out here, now I know that doesn't sound logical, I mean it seems like such a stupid idea, but I think I'd like it.
Last night I heard Holly get up, I was tempted to follow her, but I knew that she wanted to be by herself, but why? I know she said she was happy and all about Danny and my newfound relationship, but is that the truth?
"Hey Madds, can I talk to you?" She asked me, coming into the bedroom. I nodded; I had just finished getting dressed. Holly had been up earlier, but had insisted that I stay in bed, on account she was just going to discuss something with her Dad.
"Sure," I said a bit unsure of what we were going to talk about.
"Let's go downstairs," She suggested leading me to their living room. I was now confused, because if she had wanted to just speak with me, why couldn't we just talk in her bedroom?
"You ready?" Jess, her father asked as he entered the room. What were we talking with him too? Now this was weird? What did they have to say?
"Yeah," Holly answered, sounding a little unsure herself. But nonetheless she sat down, and signaled for me to do the same.
Before I could stop myself I asked the question that was playing in my head, "Um... do you mind if I ask-"
Interrupting me Jess finally spoke, "Look Maddie, I have no idea how to approach this subject or how I am suppose to tell you what I have to, I only know that you should know and well."
"Go on..." I pressed, wanting to know what was so important.
"Yesterday I found out something shocking... I found out something that well, doesn't pertain to me, but it does to you..."
Interrupting I questioned, "You found out about?" I was so worried he had found out what had happened back home in New York or that he had discovered that I actually didn't come on the bus on Friday, but actually on Wednesday.
"I don't know how to say this so I'm just going to come right out and say it. Maddie I found out about your Father, I know who he is." Jess finished. My whole world seemed to stop at that moment. My father? The guy who had deserted my mother and I? It seemed so unreal? I had wished for this my entire life. I had always wanted to meet him, but then I remembered a couple years back I completely changed my mind, because I saw that stupid movie with Britney Spears, Crossroads I think it is, anyway, in that movie she goes looking for her mom and when she finds her well she doesn't exactly have her arms wide open, not only that but she has new children and a whole new family. That was my biggest fear that my Dad had moved on and forgot about me.
"Madds, are you alright?" Holly asked me, she and Jess were both looking at me with concerned eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. This is just... whoa; I'm mean it's just so unbelievable," I smiled at them. "I mean I always knew I had a Dad, but I never thought that this day would come. Jess, does he know?" I questioned. This was when I found out whether my father actually wanted me back in his life or didn't care.
"Yeah, he knows." Jess replied. "He's happy too, what I mean is he wants you to live with him." He told me. My Father wanted me! I could scream with happiness. He actually wanted me in his life.
"How'd you know he was my father?" I asked, looking up at Jess.
"We had met before, a long time ago back when Summer and Paige were in the hospital together; you know when you and the twins were born?" I nodded, I had heard the stories of when our Moms had become friends, and I just hadn't known my Dad was there then too.
"Who is he?" I questioned finally, curiosity getting the better of me.
The moment of truth, "Tristan DuGrey" Jess stated. I nearly fell over backward off my chair, Mr. DuGrey was my father? Holy shit! No wonder he seemed so familiar.
"He wants you to live with him in Hartford." Holly repeated, unsure of whether I thought all this was good or bad. They both looked at me, I knew they were waiting for me to say something, but I had no idea what to say, what do you say after you just found out who your father is?
"Thanks for telling me..." I told them smiling. I wanted them to at least feel that they had done something right. "I mean, I'm glad I heard it from you guys..."
"Are you alright?" Jess asked me, looking at me worried. I nodded in reply. I hope that when and if Mr. DuGrey and I ever get a father daughter relationship, I seriously hope it will be like the one Holly and Jess have. "I was going to go to town, to see my Uncle. Do you girls want to come?" He asked. Holly looked over at me.
"Sure." I replied. I really wasn't sure if I wanted to go, but I knew Holly wanted to go, and I didn't want her not going on my account. And, I was hoping that if I went, I'd be keeping busy and the perhaps I'd forget what I just learnt. Because no matter how much I wanted to find out who my Father was, well Mr. DuGrey has a whole new family, I mean he has... wait a second if Andrew is Mr. DuGrey's son and he is older than me, then is? "Is Andrew my brother?" I asked Jess.
"Yeah, he's was also Summer's child. You see when you're parents spilt up they weren't married, so instead of having a custody battle and such, your Father took Andrew and Summer got you. So, it has never been that your father deserted you." He reassured me. I was wrong, I mean for my whole life I thought my Father had walked out of me and my Mom, but he never did. Right now if I was mad at anyone it probably was my mom, I mean for all these years she led me to believe that my Dad hadn't love me or wanted me. Interrupting my thoughts Jess broke in,
"And, Julianna is your half sister." I guess I'm no longer an only child.
I was glad now that we had told Maddie, I mean she really needed to know. And, the fact that she told us that she was happy to hear it from us just seemed to add. Anyway we just parked and were heading into my Uncle Luke's diner. Since, all the kids had decided to come with me we had to squeeze four in the backseat.
"Hardware store?" Danny read confused.
"I thought you said he ran a diner?" Holly questioned, looking at me.
"That is exactly what I thought when twenty years ago I showed up on his doorstep." I recalled. All these memories of the past of my adolescent were now coming back to me. I didn't want to have to face them, but I knew I had waited far too long. And, not only that, but I hadn't told Holly and Maddie exactly what Tristan had told me. You see I left out one detail; it's only one minor detail however. It is that Tristan new wife, Maddie's step mother is my old girl friend. And, it's not like it was some short fling or anything I really loved her. That is one of the reasons that I needed to see Luke.
"Hey Luke!" I called walking into the diner. It was practically empty, but then again it was only like eleven o'clock, too late for breakfast, too early for lunch.
"Jess, didn't think I'd see you today." He replied, waving to me from behind the counter. Watching as all the kids trailed in behind me. "Are these all your children?" He questioned.
"That's Nick, Holly, Danny, and Rick, and that's Maddie Holly's friend." I introduced nodding towards each kid, while, they all mumbled a word of hello. "Kids this is your great Uncle Luke..."
"Is it true you're also Julianna's grandfather?" Ricky asked, seemingly worried. I looked over at Maddie to see if she had a reaction considering what she had learnt earlier today, but she just stood next to Holly quietly.
"Well, technically only her step grandfather." He replied. Relief washed over Ricky's face.
"That's good, cause you know if you were I'd hate to like someone I'm sorta related to." He explained, blushing after he realized he admitted to liking her.
"Ricky likes Julianna!" Dan teased.
"Look how about you kids go explore the town, I have to speak with Luke alone." I told them, hoping they would all go find something to keep them occupied.
"Dad? Are you kidding?" Holly questioned.
"Yeah, Dad, you're dumping us in practically the middle of a field and expecting us to go entertain ourselves?" Nick asked. All my children and Maddie were looking at me as if I were crazy. I had to remind myself that they were from New York, the big city and were not used to such a small town. It almost reminded me of when I first came to Stars Hollow.
"It's not that small!" Luke said defending the town.
"It's not that big either," Danny mumbled. The rest of the kids laughed.
"Can't we stay here?" Holly asked.
"We'll be quiet." Ricky added.
"You won't even know we're here." Maddie put in.
"Look Jess, don't worry about it, I'll have Caesar whip them up some food, and you and I can talk." Luke suggested. I looked at the kids uneasy. The fact was I didn't want them to over hear what I had to talk to Luke about.
"Sounds great, I'm hungry!" Ricky said, rubbing his stomach and taking a seat at the closest table. The rest of the children agreed that they were all hungry as well and sat down at the table.
"Thanks." I grinned at Luke. Things hadn't changed. He was still helping me out in everyway he could, but now I knew to at least thank him.
Smiling Luke replied, "So what did you want to talk to me about?" He asked, leading me to the counter. I didn't know where to begin, I figured I should at least start off by telling him about Maddie and Tristan, and while I was at that I might as well make him swear not to tell Lorelei his wife. For she was Rory's mother and I wanted her to at least hear about Maddie from Tristan.
After explaining to him how I had known Tristan, and how we had come to find that he was Maddie's father, Luke then just looked at me in shock.
Finally he questioned, "So, that is her over there?" I nodded and we both looked to where the children were sitting, and then to Maddie. "Funny, you can almost see him in her, bone structure." Luke said.
"Yeah, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it before." I replied, looking away from the table. "We're going to dinner there tonight." I told him, hoping for it to just blend with the conversation.
"At Rory's?" He asked.
"Yeah, I know I told you that I didn't want to have to see her, but I can't not go, I mean Tristan invited me in the hope that he and Maddie will get closer, and he also said he hopes we can become better friends again. But, shit, I mean I have no idea how to face her..." I confessed. Luke looked at me with pity in his eyes.
"Well, all I can say is at least you have the upper hand y'know? She has no idea you're living here, yet alone coming to her house. " He told me.
"I'm going to completely freak her out though, I mean I don't want to start a scene in front of everyone and I really don't want to hurt her by coming back." I whispered, looking around the diner, hoping no one could hear.
"Look, y'know if it bothers you so much call Tristan and tell him that you and Rory were once involved, then he can decide whether dinner is not a good thing or whether it is. And, if he decides that dinner is still on then he can at least tell Rory the name of the dinner guest, and then she'll be prepared. I mean for all we know she might already know, the children might have told her your last name." He reasoned. That sounded like a good idea, I would have to call Tristan when we got back home.
"Thanks Luke, I mean I wish I could repay you for all the help you gave and are giving me..." I smiled. "Who would have thought this day would come?" I questioned jokingly.
"Not me." He replied, laughing. "So, tell me more about your children." He prodded. We talked for about an hour longer about the city, Paige, and the kids. Eventually the kids got bored, and came and joined in asking Luke to tell them old stories of my adolescence.
"Your Dad once stole a garden gnome." Luke admitted.
"A garden gnome?" Danny asked incredulously. Shaking my head, I covered my face with my hands.
"Yeah, cripes, I found it in the closet!" Luke laughed. "And, that's not all he hid in the closet..."
"What else?" Ricky questioned curiously, all the children were on the end of the seats, intently watching Luke.
"C'mon Luke, they don't need to hear this." I told him.
"Aww c'mon Dad!" Holly pleaded.
"Yeah Jess, it won't hurt!" Luke said trying to convince me. I shot his a smirk, silently telling him he'll regret all the later. Nonetheless he continued, "I once found a girl in the closet. Your Dad just seems to shove everything in there!" He joked. The children all laughed, looking at me in disbelief. Unable to think I was once their age and not the perfect kid I had them believe.
When we got home I called Tristan warning him I had told Maddie and that she seemed alright. He was ecstatic that she wasn't running home crying or anything. I then told him that when I was a teenage I had dated Rory and that it hadn't exactly ended on a good note. He assured me that he still wanted us over for dinner and the he would mention my name in front of Rory to prepare her for what to expect.
So all was good, or at least it seemed it was. We'll just have to wait till tonight to see how everything goes.