A/N: Here I am once again writing. As a warning to you this chapter is going to get a litte City of Angels/Supernatural (without the murdering ghosts) on you. You'll see. Thanks again to all faithful readers. If I listed all of you it would take most of my note. I hope you like what I have happen to Audrey. Most of this chapter will be her 17th birthday party. So without futher ado, here is...
Chapter 43: Someone Else's Dream Part II
They walked home together. Upon entering the house, they were met by silence. Lorelai was sitting quietly on the couch. Luke, Audrey and Lorelai embraced in a tight hug. Luke and Lorelai felt like a 4000 ton weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Their daughter knew the truth. They could put the baby pictures up. They could unpack the other hidden box of photo albums from the attic at the Gilmore mansion. They could remember their son and not feel guilty about it. They no longer had to watch what they say. For the first time in 16 years January 29th could be spent with genuine happiness.
The next morning, Luke, Lorelai, Rory and Audrey went to the cemetery. It was the first time that Audrey had ever stepped foot in the Stars Hollow Cemetery. Lorelai held tight to her husband's hand as they searched for the right set of gravestones. Luke knelt down and began to pull away the weeds and snow that covered his parent's markers.
"Hi Mom, Dad," he said quietly. "I brought everybody to see you today. All three of my girls. Lorelai, Rory and Audrey.Audrey was crowned Miss Connecticut, she's going to be Miss America."
Audrey had very rarely seen this side of her father. The solemn, sad, simple side of her father. She was used to his gruff exterior. Lorelai knelt down beside Luke and laid a single red rose in between the two stones. Audrey turned away from the cold unfeeling stones at looked over at the bare, leaveless trees.
Walking in the trees there were three people. An older couple and a young man, about sixteen maybe seventeen. He saw Audrey and ran over to her. He was about the same height of her father, with steel gray eyes and tossled brownish-black hair. He had sort of a long pointed nose, like Luke's.
"Hello Audrey," the young man said. "I always thought you'd be taller."
"How do you know my name?" Audrey asked. "Who are you?"
"I know more than just your name, Audrey Avery Danes. When you were four, you had your first sip of coffee and I thought Dad would flip. At nine you missed a high pop fly that came crashing down on your nose, which was how you broke it. Your favorite food to have with Mom is onion rings and popcorn and with Dad it's honey roasted peanuts and fennel salad with goat cheese. Your best friends are Camille Rogers and Tarah Leahy."
"How do you know all this? I've never seen you before in my life," Audrey asked, becoming very afraid. Who was this boy and how did he know so much about her. Why was he calling her parents Mom and Dad? Then it dawned on her. "Christian?"
"Only Dad, Grandma and the Grandpas call me that. It's Chip," he said, smiling that hidden Luke smile."Come on you have to meet Gram and Granddad."
Christian took Audrey's hand and pulled her towards the trees. She stood face to face with the older woman. She was about Audrey's height only about two inches taller. She had long curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. Audrey felt like she was looking into a mirror.
"Grandma Avery?" she whispered. "Is it really you?"
"Yes my dear. It really is me," Avery said, almost crying. "You're so beautiful Audrey."
Avery pulled Audrey into a tight hug and kissed her cheek. She then held her out away from her and looked her over. She could see her son in Audrey's eyes and other traces of the maginficent woman that he married."You're too skinny, just like your mother."
"But I eat," Audrey protested.
"You eat like your father. That Lucas. A real burger every now and then wouldn't kill him."
"Mom and Rory have been trying to tell him that for years. Maybe if you told him, he'd actually listen."
"I can't," Avery answered. "We came here to see you."
"But Daddy would love for you to get to meet Mom and Rory."
"There will be other times," the gentleman said. "Right now you need us more."
"What do you mean Grandpa?"
"We know that things have become more complicated in the past twelve hours. You haveto remember, little girl, that no matter what happens in your life," Willaim said, pointing to Luke and Lorelai. "Those two are the best friends you'll ever have."
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent," Avery added.
"Eleanor Roosevelt said that," Audrey replied.
"Keep that in mind when you see Andie in two weeks."
"When am I going to see Andie again? I'm not at Chilton."
"You will be," William said. "The new semester starts the Monday after your birthday. You'll be back at Chilton. I know you've wanted to go back ever since you left. It's the right place for you."
"Go back Audi, for us," Christian said. "Show them that you won't be beaten."
"We haveto be going," Avery said. "We'll be seeing you. You have a ten to oneoddsup here that you will take Miss America. Do us proud, little girl."
With that Avery and William Danes took hands and walked away from Christian and Audrey. Audrey blinked once and they were gone. Only Christian remained. The brother and sister shared a hug. It was all very surreal for Audrey.
"I have to be going to, sis," Christian said. "I'm playing with Shoeless Joe Jackson and Mickey Mantel in the HeavenAll-Star game, this afternoon. I'm with you always, little sister. Always."
He kissed her cheek and walked into the trees and Audrey saw him dematerialize. For a second she wasn't sure she had actually seen them, but the warmth from her brother's kiss and her grandparent's hug reaffirmed that everything was real.She walked back to her family and thought about what she had been told. She had a decision to make.
Finals week flew by so fast for Audrey. Thursday after her classes she made her announcement to her parents. She wanted to give Chilton another chance. Lorelai called Paris and re-enrolled Audrey. The hardest part about this choice was telling her friends. She knew Ryan and Tarah would be more than thrilled but Camille not so much. She planned on telling them at her birthday party that Saturday.
Saturday morning rolled around. Audrey was seventeen. She and her mother went shopping, just so Luke could move Audrey's car from the garage. He wanted to be able to pull into the drive and surprise her with it. He pulled into his daughter's driveway. He was going to leave the car at Rory's until the party. She was going to help him put the big red bow on the hood.
He walked into the house he had grown up in, taking in all the memories. Cooking with Avery in the kitchen, playing games with Liz before things got so screwed up. As Luke walked around the house he was tackled into by his four year old grandson Matty. Matty hid behind Luke. Seven year old Laura came into the hallway carrying a fur trimmed purse, a purple boa and high heeled shoes. Apparently it was dress up day.
"Which way did he go, Grandpa?" Laura asked.
"Umm, I think he went upstairs," Luke lied.
"Thank you Grandpa," Laura replied running up the stairs.
After Laura was out of sight Matty snuck back to the den and turned on his video games. Luke walked farther into the house and called out for Rory. "Rory?"
"Oh hey Daddy!" Rory exclaimed as she stuck her head out from the kitchen.
"I parked Audrey's car in the driveway. I'll be back about sixish to drive it back over to the house. Did you get the ribbon for the bow?"
"Have bow, will travel," Rory said, with a laugh. She reached into the cupboard and pulled down a bundle of ribbon. "Do you want to do it now or later?"
"We should do it now, because I have no idea when your mom and sister will be home," Luke replied.
Taking Riley's baby monitor with her, Rory and Luke go out to the car. Luke popped the hood to the car and they began to tie the ribbon on.
"Daddy? I have something to tell you and Mom," Rory said softly.
"Good news or bad news?" Luke questioned.
"Good news," Rory said. "Marty and I have been approved to host foster children."
"Wow! Kid, that's great," Luke exclaimed. "Does that mean Marty is going to be home more? I know how much that has been bothering you lately."
"He's going to move his main office from Hartford to here in town and work from there. He's not going to be traveling as much now. His team as moved into the design stage of a new coaster for Universal Studios. We should be getting our first child next week."
"That's really good news Rory. I know Lorelai will be pleased also."
Luke hugged his daughter. He was so lucky to be allowed to have the title of Dad even Daddy with Rory. When Lorelai and he first got together he was worried how he would fit into her life. As it turned out he fit perfectly. He loved that she had Lorelai Leigh Gilmore-Danes on her dipolma from Yale. He loved being there to hold little Laura and Matty when they were born. He loved being her father.
Shopping at the Hartford mall Audrey noticed a ring missing from her mother's hand. Lorelai Danes only wore three rings. Her engagement ring, her wedding ring and the ring from her mother-in-law. That was the ring that was MIA from the middle finger of her left hand.
"Hey Mom?" Audrey asked. "Where's your ring?"
"I'm having it cleaned," Lorelai lied. "I have to go pick it up later, remind me ok."
Around threeish, Lorelai and Audrey returned to the house and found it completely decorated. Food was coming out of the woodwork. The Belleville's had completely taken over the house. Happy birthday banners hung all over the living room. Lorelai was impressed.
Around four thirty everyone began to arrive. Jeffery, Laura, Matty and Haylee ran in between the adults that were gathered. Audrey was huddled in the corner with Camille, Ryan and Tarah. She was having a blast hanging out with the people of her town and her friends. She soon noticed that her father had vanished. Something was up.
"I think it's present time!" Lorelai exclaimed.
A half hour later Audrey had recieved plenty of stuff. Ryan got her a new book of Tennyson's poems, dinner for two at Martelli's and a necklace monogrammed with an "A" in garnet, the January birthstone. The last presnt was a small blue bag. There was no tag or card on it. Audrey opened it curiously. Pulling away the paper she found a small black box. Opening the box a glittering diamond ring shone. Audrey looked over at her mother, noticing that Avery's ring was still missing from her finger.
"Mom? Is this Grandma Avery's ring?" Audrey asked.
"Your dad and I thought you could use a fancy peice of jewelry to wear when you go for the Miss America crown," Lorelai said, smiling and crying happy tears. "Speaking of Luke has anyone seen him?"
Just then a honk came from outside. Lorelai, knowing it's Luke plays out the scene she and Rory had created eariler.
"Rory did Taylor call the cops on us again?" Lorelai asked.
"Not that I know of I could go check," Rory replied, taking a pillow from Matty just before he whacked Morey in the head with it it. "Better yet, Audrey should go check."
Audrey got up from the couch and goes over to the window. She pulls aside the curtain and squeals. "Oh Jiminy Cricket! Mom!"
Audrey runs to the door just barely getting her jacket on and out the door and stops on the porch. Luke is leaning against the car, staring at the sky.
"What are you doing?" Audrey asked.
"Just standing here," Luke answered. "I went to get ice because we were running out and I come back and find this car just sitting here."
"Liar!" Audrey teased. She flew off the porch into her father's waiting arms. "I love it Daddy! Does it drive? Can I drive?"
"Of course it drives. Here," he said, dangling the keys in front of her face.
Audrey grabbed them and waited for Ryan, Camille and Tarah to get outside.
"Shotgun!" Camille yelled as she got to the car.
The four teenagers piled into the car. Audrey tenderly started the car and a huge smile encased her face. Kicking up dirt, she sped off. Lorelai joined Luke in the driveway as the watched the red tail lights fade into the night.
Audrey was having a blast driving with her friends. They got out to a back road and she gunned it seeing how fast she could make her Vette go. Looking in the rear view mirror, sitting in between Ryan and Tarah was Christian smiling proudly. A small tear trickled from her eye and she wiped it away.
"Guys I have some good news," Audrey said, stopping at the red light in front of the diner. "I'm going back to Chilton on Monday."
"Audrey that's great!" Tarah exclaimed.
"Yeah, great," Camille mumbled, sullenly. "I thought you said that Chilton wasn't the right place for you. I thought you only stuck it out for as long as you did because of Ryan."
Camille was upset. Audrey knew they would be having a best friend heart to heart later. Pulling back into her driveway they all climbed out and went in search of cake. On their way in Audrey passed her sister, brother,their kids and her cousins.
"I can't believe you Jess!" Annie was yelling. "You're not 12 anymore!"
"And you!" Rory added, whacking Marty in the back of the head. "You're just as bad as he is!"
Judging on the appearnce of Laura, Matty, Jeffrey and Haylee they had gotten into a cake fight. Jess and Marty were likewise covered in frosting. Knowing her cousin Jess, Audrey figured Jess started the cake fight by throwing it at Marty and Marty retaliated and got the kids involved. Both men were now being scolded and yelled at by their wives. Audrey couldn't help but laugh.
Audrey said goodbye to most of the guests before walking Ryan out to his car.
"Audrey," Ryan began. "We've been together quite awhile now and I have something I need to tell you."
"What?" Audrey asked, taking his hands.
"Like a river flows surely to the sea / Darling so it goes some things are meant to be / Take my hand take my whole life too / For I can't help falling in love with you," he sang, softly. "Or- I can love you like that / I can make you my world / Move heaven and earth if you were my girl / I'd give you my heart, be all that you need / Show you, you're everything that's precious to me if you'd give me a chance / I can love you like that."
"You love me?" Audrey asked all starry eyed.
"Yeah. I love you Audrey Danes."
Standing up on her tiptoes she kissed Ryan. He wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her off the ground and twirling her around.
"I love you Ryan Turner," she whispered.
He kissed her again, entwining his fingers in her curly brown hair. He walked to his car and blew her a kiss. "I'll see you on Monday."
Audrey waited in the driveway waving to him until she could no longer see his tail lights. She walked back towards the house and saw Camille sitting by herself on the porch swing. Audrey cme and sat down next to her friend.
"Cammie are you ok? You seemed rather upset earlier. Cammie, talk to me."
"I liked having you back," Camille said softly. "We were the Cammie and Audi show again."
"We can still be the Cammie and Audi show. Nothing's changed. I still live here, I have my own car finally so you won't have to wait as long for me to get home."
"But you have Ryan and Tarah now. I'm afraid that you won't have time for me anymore. Audi you're Miss Connecticut. Everybody wants to be your best friend. I don't want to lose mine."
"Camille Laine Rogers, I will always be your best friend. You came first, Ryan second and Tarah third. Now and always."
"Thanks Audi. I saw that kiss by the way. What did he say?"
"He told me he loved me. By singing Elvis and John Micahel Montgomery."
"God he's a dork."
"I know, however he's my dork."
Monday morning arrived all too soon for Audrey. She had decidedto throw on a pair of jeans and her mother's Bunny Ranch tshirt before she remembered that she was going back to Chilton. She dressed in the blue plaid skirt, blue blouse and the gray sweater. It was when she was pulling on her blue knee high socks that it actually hit her that she was going back to Chilton. She was going to get to see Ryan and Tarah in classes. She was also going to get to take her beautiful car that her father had built for her, to school.
Students were already talking about the new car in the lot before Audrey even arrived inside the building. She had a renewed sense of strength. She wore her grandmother's ring on her right hand and her Miss Connecticut crown pin on her backpack. She could hear the whispers already. But she didn't care.
"Hey, Miss Connecticut!" James Tyler yelled out to her. "How much for the car?"
"You couldn't afford it James," Audrey retorted.
"Try me."
"Six hundred and three trillion, nine hundred and forty seven billion, three hundred and sixty seven million, one hundred and eighty seven thousand, two hundred and eleven dollars and ninety six cents. (603,947,367,187,211.96)," Audrey replied. "I'll take major credit cards, cash, personal checks and your first born child."
"You're funny. Dark but funny," James smiled. "Turner you're girlfriend's funny."
"Well so much for the sneak attack," Ryan said behind her.
Audrey turned and socked Ryan in the shoulder. He then put his arm around her and they plus James, Hannah and Tarah walked into Mr. Medina's English Lit class. For Audrey the coming semester would be a new adventure. For Ryan it was a chance to make something of himself. For Mr. Max Medina, the coming year gave him another opportunity to try to win back a certain Chilton mom. It was going to be a long semester indeed.
A/N: Duh, duh DUH! Oh who is evil? That would be me. Anyway I hope you guys enjoyed the latest chapter of Collide. Coming up on in the next chapter: A relationship that has stood the test of time and love is going to be tested yet again. A letter, an argument, a retreat to an unknown world and proving that love does conquer all.
Reviews are very much loved in my small little world. Please R&R!