Chapter 26: Happy Sweet 16th

Heather awoke with a smile on her face on October 8th. Her father had always made her birthdays very special for as long as she could remember. However, this year was different. For the first time, she finally knew that she was celebrating her birthday on the actual day. And this year she would be with her mother. The residents of Stars Hollow had always been her extended family. And Aunt Liz had always been fun–when she was sober and not attached to one of her usual neanderthal boyfriends. She smiled to herself as she got ready for school–this year was definitely going to be different.

"Happy birthday sweetheart" Luke said giving his daughter a big hug and kiss as she walked down the stairs.

"Thanks Dad!"

She smiled as she noticed Logan already sitting and waiting for her. Although, she usually took the bus to Hartford, as a special treat, her father was allowing Logan to drive her to school.

Logan smiled at her–"Wow you do look older."

"Stop it. I look the same as I did yesterday."

"You do look a bit more mature..." Luke agreed chiming in.

Heather laughed in response. After a quick breakfast, Logan and Heather left for Hartford. The rest of day passed along uneventfully as Heather eagerly anticipated her birthday party later in the day.

Later that evening...

Lorelai, Max, and Richard made their way slowly into Luke's already crowded diner. "Looks like the party's already in full swing," Lorelai commented looking around.

She spotted the birthday girl nearby. "Heather! Happy birthday sweetheart!" Lorelai exclaimed, giving her daughter a huge hug. Max and Richard did likewise.

"Welcome, there's punch over there. Watch out–the stuff on the left is Ms. Patty's special punch and it has a real kick to it from what I've heard. Food's over there and presents go on the table over there." Heather explained breathlessly.

Lorelai and the others nodded as they took in the scene around them. Luke's diner had been transformed. There were streamers and balloons almost everywhere and wall to wall people. Many of them were familiar faces to Lorelai from the time she had spent in Stars Hollow at the Independence Inn. Two of the familiar faces approached them.

"Heather, this must be your mother?"

Heather nodded. "Ms. Patty and Babette, this is Lorelai Medina, her husband Max, and her father Richard Gilmore."

"Husband eh?" The woman called Ms. Patty said while inching closer to Max. "Too bad.. You're quite handsome."

Max smiled in response, "I'm afraid I'm definitely taken."

"Well, at least humor me and let me show you around the party."

Before Lorelai or Max could protest, Ms. Patty had grabbed Max's arm and was escorting him around the diner.

The others laughed as they walked away. Luke walked up a short while later.

"Welcome, I'm sure Heather has already shown you where the food is?"

Lorelai and Richard nodded.

"Where's Max?"

"Ms. Patty took him. I'm not sure if I'm ever going to see him again..."

Luke smiled. "Some things never change around here."

Lorelai turned to Heather. "Do you have a minute?"

Heather nodded.

"I'd like to give you your birthday present in private."

Heather and Lorelai found a relatively quiet corner away from the bustle of the party. Lorelai handed her daughter a small wrapped package. Heather carefully opened the package and inside found a small box. Opening the box, she found a locket. On the inside of the locket, she found a small picture of a young Lorelai holding a baby.

"Is that.." Heather started.

Tears sprang to Lorelai's eyes. "Yes, hon it's you. Exactly sixteen years ago today right after you were born."

Heather nodded–taking a deep breath as the tears sprung to her eyes as well.

"I... I wanted to give it to you as a reminder of how much I've always loved you–and how I will continue to love you."

Heather took a deep breath. "Thank you it's beautiful... it's..." she stopped in mid-sentence as she gave Lorelai a huge hug. "Thank you Mom."

The tears began flowing freely down Lorelai's face as she heard the one word she had longed to hear Heather say from the day she met her.

"You're welcome," she choked out in response. At that moment, Lorelai was the happiest she could ever remember being. "I love you Heather."

Heather nodded. "I love you too."

Luke watched silently from the other side of the room. He barely noticed all of the commotion going around him–Kirk and Taylor fighting... Michel and Sookie bantering back and forth..Mrs. Kim telling anyone who would listen how junk food was the devil's own creation... His whole world at that very moment was focused on Lorelai and Heather. He could tell that they were having a very special mother and daughter moment. He couldn't be sure–but he thought he saw tears in both Lorelai and Heather's eyes. His thoughts were interrupted as his daughter bounded over to him.

"Dad, look at what Mom gave me?"

Luke glanced down at the locket in Heather's hands and opened it up–seeing the picture of Lorelai and Heather.

"It's nice." He replied simply wondering to himself what this all meant–now that Heather was officially calling Lorelai Mom.

Heather sensed her father's discomfort. She gave him a big hug and whispered into his ear, "Dad, it's ok I'm not going anywhere."

Luke nodded as he finally let the tears spring to his eyes–holding his daughter closely to him.

Suddenly, the private moment was interrupted as Sookie wheeled out a huge birthday cake and the whole crowd broke out into a rousing, yet slightly off-key version of "Happy Birthday."

Heather smiled as she blew out the candles–she was happier than she could remember being in a long time. It had definitely been a wonderful birthday.