Chapter 31: Return of Christopher

"Independence Inn. This is Lorelai speaking."

"Lor, it's Christopher."

Lorelai took a deep breath in surprise. "Chris, it's been a while."

"Yeah I know. Listen, how's Heather doing?"

"She's doing great–we've really gotten close. We had another incident with Emily the Terrible a while back but the situation was handled and she's doing much better now."

"Emily never knows when to quit does she?"

"Unfortunately, no. Chris, why are you calling?"

"Do you think she's ready to know me better?"

Lorelai paused for while before answering. She wasn't sure what to say. Heather had more than proved at the dinner with Huntzbergers that she could handle anything. However, Lorelai and Heather had grown so close. She was afraid that if Christopher came and upset Heather–that Lorelai and Heather's relationship would be compromised.

"Lor, are you still there?"

"Yeah, Chris. I'm still here." She took a deep breath. "Listen Chris, I think we should leave it up to Heather. I think it should be her decision."

"That seems fair. Look, I don't mean to push..."

"I'll talk to her soon, Chris. I promise."

Later that same day at Luke's Diner...

"Hi hon! How was school today?" Lorelai asked her daughter as she came through the door of the diner.

"Oh same old same old. Paris thinks she can beat me at everything but yet she fails every time." Heather grinned.

"Good for you hon."

"Mom, what's wrong?"

Heather could tell from the moment that she had walked in the diner that there was something different about Lorelai that day. She seemed distracted–and very nervous about something. She hadn't been able to meet Heather's gaze since she arrived and Heather had the distinct feeling that she could have said she had a terrible day and her mother's response would have been the same.

"Wow, kid. It didn't take you too long to read me. Did it?"

Heather shook her head. "It's sort of obvious."

Lorelai nodded and took a deep breath. "Ok here it goes. I heard from Christopher today."

"My biological father?"

"Yes."

"What does he want?"

"He wants the chance to get to know you. Hon, he understands that you already have a father. He doesn't want to replace Luke. He's willing to take this as slow or as quickly as you want."

"I don't know. I'm not sure if I could call someone else Dad. I mean..."

"I think he'd be ok with you calling him Chris. Mr. Hayden might be a little formal."

Heather managed a small smile. "I'm just afraid that..."

"You're afraid of how Luke will react, aren't you?" Lorelai quickly finished for her daughter.

Heather nodded. "I don't want to hurt him."

"Heather, I don't want to push you with Chris. If you're not ready, Chris will just have to understand. However, if Luke is your only hesitation, I think you should talk with him. Just be honest with him."

Heather nodded. "You're right. I'll talk to him tonight."

Later that same night...

Luke had been watching his daughter closely all night and clearly there was something that was weighing heavily on her mind. She had been nervous and fidgety all night–dropping things. And Luke could have sworn he was mostly doing a monologue all evening. And he wasn't exactly the articulate type. Needless to say–Heather's mind had clearly been elsewhere all evening. Finally, he decided to break the ice.

"So Heather, do you have something on your mind?"

"That obvious?"

"Yeah, I've spent some time with you."

Heather smiled weakly. "Ok. But before I start, I want you to know that I love you and I always will."

"You're scaring me Heather."

"Sorry. Mom told me today that Christopher wants to get to know me better."

"Your biological father?"

"Yeah."

"And how do you feel about this Heather? Lorelai isn't pushing you, is she?"

"No, Dad she isn't."

"Then what's your hesitation?"

"I don't want to hurt you."

"Heather, you could only hurt me by not doing this only because of me. When Lorelai and Max first came, I admit I was afraid that I'd lose you. That you would be taken away from me. But I've come to realize that those fears were irrational. Lorelai had made it very clear–she doesn't want to take you away from me. I don't think she would encourage you to call Christopher if she didn't think that he felt the same way."

"I love you Dad."

"Right back at you kid."

Luke gave his daughter a hug. A short while later Heather took out the number that Lorelai had given to her earlier in the day and took and deep breath and dialed the number.

"Hello," a male voice answered on the other end.

"Christopher?"

"Yes?"

"It's Heather Danes.

"Heather, I'm so glad that you called. I know we didn't get off to a very good start with one another."

"It's ok. It's been awkward. Listen do you maybe want to get together and have lunch this weekend?"

"I'd love that."