Disclaimer in first chapter.

I know it's been forever since I updated this story but I'm back now and with a long chapter so hopefully that makes up for it. Hope you enjoy!


Lorelai stood in the bathroom in front of the mirror putting one last coat of mascara on her lashes. Once finished, she dropped the tube back down on the counter and sifted through the various makeup products for the lipstick that she needed. The area surrounding her bathroom sink was much more scattered and disorganized than Luke's that only held a few products which were all neatly organized. She vowed to clean her side later but for now she just applied her lipstick and tried to ignore the incessant pacing right outside of the bathroom door that had been going on for at least thirty minutes now but that seemed to be a losing battle. She drew in a deep breath and pushed down how annoyed she felt at the muffled sound of dress shoes padding across the hardwood floor because she knew it was all just a product of how nervous Luke felt about today.

Lorelai checked her appearance one last time in the mirror before she exited the bathroom. "You know if you continue to pace around the bedroom like that, you're going to sweat right through that suit and we'll have to start this whole process all over again."

Luke didn't reply to her comment but stopped the pacing to show that he at least heard her. "Are you finally ready now? Can we leave?"

"Not yet, still need shoes," Lorelai answered as she bypassed Luke and headed straight for the closet. She knelt down and carefully selected a pair of black heels that matched perfectly with her dark blue dress before she moved to sit on the end of the bed.

"You're going to make us late," Luke said, a slight edge of irritation beginning to creep into his voice as he tried to hurry her along.

With her shoes now on, Lorelai turned to look at the clock on the nightstand since she did have the habit of not looking at the time as she took her time getting ready in the mornings. She couldn't help but smirk when she noticed that they had an hour before they even needed to leave the house. At least in her opinion. She stood up from the bed and smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress when Luke began to once again tell her how they were going to be late and how that wouldn't reflect well on his character.

"First of all, we have plenty of time we're not going to be late," Lorelai said as she walked over to Luke. She stopped in front of him and placed her hand on the side of his face, "Second of all, Luke, honey, I know you're nervous about today but you know what the lawyer said and your chances today are amazing."

Luke sighed heavily. "Still he said there was a chance that this might not work out in my favor. I might not get joint custody and then who knows, Anna could continue keeping April from me."

"That chance is very, very, very slim. As slim as my chances of ever giving up coffee," Lorelai replied. She let her hand slide from his face and down to his chest where she straightened out his tie. "Now I know the whole grumpy, sometimes negative view on the world is kind of your thing and I get it, it balances us out in a weird way but this isn't something I want you to be negative about." She met his eyes, "I also know that you're not really that grumpy person you claim to be for the town's benefit. Believe me when I say that everything is going to be okay today. Better than okay, great even."

Luke watched her carefully, there was something about the look in her eyes, the way she spoke, and the way she gently squeezed his hand just now, that began to comfort him. He still had his doubts about today, no matter how many times his lawyer assured him that he was confident in the case and getting the verdict Luke wanted and deserved. But he was glad that he had Lorelai, he loved the way she could comfort him and ease his nerves in just a matter of minutes.

Luke squeezed her hand back. "You really think so?"

"Yes I do," Lorelai replied confidently. "Especially since you ended up going with the lawyer that my father suggested. He isn't going to suggest someone that is terrible at their job, the lawyers he knows can be real sharks. Gilmores' don't associate with chumps."

"He made an excellent case when I spoke to him on the phone. The second time at least," Luke replied. "After I spoke to your father."

"You just had to use your connections," Lorelai teased. Since he made the decision to go with the lawyer that Richard picked out, she liked to tease him over the whole 'son-in-law' connection he used since she knew it did take a lot for him to actually accept the favor from her father.

"I had to do what is best for my daughter," Luke corrected. "And this is what is best for April." He paused a moment before asking, "Are you ready to go now?"

Lorelai playfully rolled her eyes then smiled. "Yes," she answered. She began to follow Luke out of their bedroom and down the staircase. "Still don't know why you're insisting on leaving this early though, we have plenty of time until we need to be there."

Once downstairs, Luke stopped by the desk and grabbed his keys from the small bowl that Lorelai bought recently and insisted it needed to be used for keys even though she never left her keys there. "I just want to make sure I can find a parking spot."

"Ooh do I sense a rant about parking coming on?" Lorelai enthused. She tugged on the sleeve of his suit jacket as she followed him out the door and to his truck. "Come on Luke, I know you have a rant in there somewhere. Just a little bit of one at least. Please."

Luke opened up the passenger side door for Lorelai and waited until she was in the truck before he leaned in towards her. "I'll save the rant for the trip there."


"You know if I had to rank all of the rants I've heard through the years, I don't think the rant on parking would make the top five. Definitely the top ten though," Lorelai said decisively while she and Luke navigated the hallways of the courthouse heading towards the courtroom where they were told to meet Luke's lawyer.

Even though Luke ranted about how parking spots could be hard to find, he had no trouble finding a parking spot in a parking garage near the courthouse. Lorelai eagerly listened on, always being one to enjoy his rants unless they were about her eating habits. When those happened to roll around, which seemed less often these days even though he still did chide her about her coffee consumption, she either made a habit of tuning him out or just smiling through it followed by ordering something even more unhealthy once he was finished which he always served her no matter what his opinion was on her eating habits.

"Don't get me wrong," Lorelai continued on. "I did love the rant, it managed to last all the way until you found a parking spot which is pretty impressive. But just not top five material."

Luke looked over at her, "You're ranking them now?"

"If, I said if I have to rank them," Lorelai pointed out. ""earn to listen hon. Doesn't mean that I am but I could possibly do that one day, if I ever get bored enough."

Luke shook his head. "Crazy idea."

"But if I ever do it you want to know where all your rants rank?" Lorelai asked knowingly.

"Yep."

"You got it babe."

As the couple arrived at the room in which Luke's hearing would be held, Luke looked around for any signs of his lawyer, Mr. Harrison, or Anna and her lawyer but when he was met with an empty hallway, he sat down on the bench that Lorelai had already made her home for the time being. She was playing around with her phone and when Luke asked what she was doing, she informed him that Rory had sent her a text just checking in on things as well as wishing him good luck on the hearing today.

"She just cares about you," Lorelai told Luke, "And she's also confident that things will go right with the hearing today because you deserve to be in April's life."

"I care about her too," Luke replied.

Lorelai smiled and then reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers together. "That I'm very well aware of, especially considering everything that you've done for us over the years."

Luke gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he smiled back at her. "Thank you for coming today."

"Of course. Where else would I be today?"

"You do have work, an Inn, remember? Wasn't your mother supposed to come to the Inn today? A DAR meeting there or something?"

"Wasn't really looking for an answer there babe," Lorelai answered. "Besides Michel and Sookie are more than capable of handling the Inn for one day by themselves. As far as my mom goes, when I explained to her the reason I couldn't be at the Inn today to meet with her she was very understanding and also sends along her best wishes. My job today is to be here as your supportive fiancée even if I'm not allowed in the room and have to sit out in the hallway all day."

"I know but you still didn't have to come today. They have the character reference that you wrote so I don't think they'll need you to say or do anything, if you were even called into the room. I could have come by myself today, it really wouldn't be a big deal," Luke replied.

"Try all you want to get me to leave and say that I didn't have to come today but my butt is going to sit on this bench while you're in that room," Lorelai indicated by pointing her finger in the direction of a set of double doors, "fighting for custody of your daughter. Face it, you're stuck with me."

Luke pressed a kiss to her temple. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

The couple fell into a companionable silence as they waited for the arrival of Luke's lawyer and Anna with her lawyer, both of their minds racing with the possibility of a difference outcome than what was desired today. Lorelai did her best to remain calm and keep Luke focused on the positive side of things because she really did believe that his chances today were amazing yet she still knew that something could go wrong and then things could start to fall apart. She had her fair share of everything going along smoothly and then one day slamming headfirst into a brick wall and having everything shattered. Though she supposed that over the course of the past several months she and Luke both had their fair share of everything turning upside down that now maybe the universe was going to right itself by having today work out in their favor. At least that's what she hoped.

Their silence was broken when a court officer stepped out of the room and checked in to see if they were here for the Danes vs. Nardini custody case to which Luke stumbled through trying to give the man an answer before Lorelai stepped in and helped him out. Once the court officer disappeared back into the room, Luke's lawyer walked up to the couple. The lawyer checked in with Luke answering his client's questions on when he should speak along with what he should say and attempted to alleviate all of Luke's worries by insisting that he knew what he was doing and had a firm handle on the case. Before he walked off claiming that he had to take a phone call, he let it be known that he wasn't afraid to play dirty if it came down to that.

"Play dirty?" Luke questioned once his lawyer was out of sight. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well..." Lorelai started off, with a familiar gleam in her eye that Luke knew all too well and told him exactly what her response would be. He cut her off before she suggested something that would not be allowed in a courtroom and definitely wouldn't help his case.

"Not that," Luke said sternly which earned him a playful and not at all real pout from Lorelai. "I understand what he's talking about, I just didn't want this to turn into something ugly. I just wanted to know that I'll be able to see my daughter. I want this to be fair."

"I know hon," Lorelai assured him. "I'm sure, he'll only play dirty if Anna's lawyer decides to play dirty. Which I know you may not like, it might not be good but it could help you. But in my opinion, I think a judge would seriously question why a mother kept a child from her father for twelve years without any real excuse. To me, her excuse is flimsy at best. For me and Christopher, the door was always open. It was his choice."

Luke sighed heavily. "I know. I'm still worried about today."

"I get it, but Luke you're a great guy," Lorelai spoke softly to him. "The best. Anna might have thought that you weren't good with kids or didn't like them but that's not who you are. With how you're fighting this, any judge could see that you deserve to be around your daughter. No one is going to take that away from you. Trust me."

"I do."

It was at that moment that the faint ding of an elevator could be heard from down the hall. Luke turned his attention that way just in time to see April step out of the elevator in front of her mother who was followed by another lady who he assumed to be Anna's lawyer. While Luke watched them slowly approach, Lorelai watched how Luke actually started to light up, words that were rarely used to describe the man, as April made her way down the hall. She felt as if she could actually see a weight being lifted off his shoulders when his smile grew tenfold as April practically barreled into him to give him a hug and tell him how she missed him recently.

"I missed you too," Luke replied, still holding his daughter in a hug. His lawyer told him that April may be at the hearing today in order to speak with the judge at some point so the verdict was fair, in regards to the parent's wishes as well as the child's. With another tight squeeze, he let April go and gave a curt nod to the girl's mother, "Hello Anna."

"Hello Luke," Anna replied. She cut her eyes over to the woman beside Luke. "Lorelai."

Lorelai smiled politely. "Hi Anna." She moved her gaze from Anna since she could practically feel her eyes boring into her. She gently nudged April on the shoulder and smiled, "Hey kid, missed seeing you around."

"Hopefully, after today, I can come back to Stars Hollow soon," April replied, looking first at Lorelai then at her father.

Luke nodded. "I hope so too kid."

Anna cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Are we early? Can we go in yet?"

"Uhh, I'm not sure," Luke stumbled over his words. He glanced back at the closed double doors, "They might be behind."

No one really knew what to say at the moment so they remained silent. Anna had plenty she wanted to say to Luke, about how she didn't feel like he had a chance, how April hadn't talked much to her since she found out about everything, how she could blame all of this on Luke since he ignored her wishes when it came to her daughter, but she chose to not say anything. She didn't want to say anything in front of her daughter. She could let Luke have a piece of her mind later is she still felt like it.

A few minutes later, Luke's lawyer reappeared and after exchanging pleasantries with Anna's lawyer, they were all escorted into the courtroom, including Lorelai. Just a few minutes earlier she wasn't sure if she was going to be allowed into the room but when she lingered outside the courtroom while everyone else went in, she was informed that since she was Luke's fiancée she was allowed in the courtroom, at least to watch. Since they already had a reference letter from her, they wouldn't need her to speak on Luke's behalf so she was to remain quiet during the hearing.


An hour later and Lorelai was sure that her bottom lip was going to have a sore on it from the amount of biting down on it she was doing to prevent herself from speaking out every time Anna's lawyer made a derogatory comment towards Luke and the life that he led. She figured an outburst from her would not help Luke's case at all so she knew that she had to remain quiet. Luckily for her, for every derogatory comment that Anna's lawyer pinned on Luke, Luke's lawyer had a defense statement prepared. She only wished that she could sit beside Luke to hold his hand and comfort him, especially when she saw him getting frustrated and speaking out of turn which his lawyer quickly shut down. Yet she, as well as April, was directed to behind the proceedings as they carried on.

Lorelai looked down a couple seats from her where April sat intently watching the proceedings going on before her. She could tell that the young girl was getting frustrated as well, especially when it came to hearing her own mother try and keep her from her father. Lorelai hated that April had to sit and watch this but she remembered that Luke had told her April would probably be here today and might even talk to the judge so she figured it was only fair that the girl sat in on the proceedings. When the young girl looked up at her, she smiled and earned a smile back before April quickly and quietly moved to sit in the chair right beside Lorelai.

April spoke in a hushed whisper to Lorelai. "Do you think that my dad will win today?" she asked. "Does he have a chance? I did research and read that the judge tends to side with the mom. I want to be able to visit him."

Lorelai looked up to see if anyone had heard April but they were all too busy arguing over why Luke would be a capable guardian, which she had plenty to say in defense of him but again she reminded herself that an outburst wouldn't be the best thing. Instead she ducked her head and lowered her voice to reply to April.

"I wouldn't worry about it sweetie. With you and this case, it's different than most. Your dad will do whatever it takes in order to fight for you, he always stands behind those that he loves. I know that he has a great chance today."

April smiled and gave a slight nod of her head, "Okay."

Lorelai watched as the young girl unfolded the few sheets of paper and began to study them attentively. She tried to sneak a peek to see what April was reading but with the way she had the papers tilted towards her, Lorelai couldn't make out exactly what the papers said. When trying to figure out what April was reading was deemed hopeless, Lorelai turned back to the proceedings where Anna, alongside her lawyer, were stating their case for why she should be granted sole custody where she would allow some visitation from Luke but visitation that was clearly limited and no where near the amount of time that Luke should be allowed to spend with his daughter. She sensed that Luke was growing more frustrated by the minute and hoped that he wouldn't speak out of turn again since his lawyer warned him a couple time not to but that hope was lost when Luke stood up from the table he was sitting at and began to speak.

"No, no, no, I don't agree. I don't want the limited visitation that you're trying to offer," Luke spoke up. "We both know that's not right, or what's best for April."

"You barely know her," Anna's lawyer, Barbara contested. "You have no idea what is best for April."

"Because I wasn't allowed to even know that I had a daughter for twelve years," Luke argued, his gaze cutting to Anna before he continued on. "I just found out that I had a daughter and I'm trying my best here. I'm trying to get to know her, to have her in the life I have in Stars Hollow. But that chance is being taken from me."

The judge tried to interrupt Luke and get him to sit back down so they could carry on but Luke ignored her and continued on with what he had to say.

"I know that I've made a few mistakes and my previous marriage only lasted a few months and I haven't known April for that long but I do know what is best for her," Luke continued on. "I know that she deserves to spend as much time with her father as she deserves not a father that just pops in whenever he chooses to do so. I've seen that and I've seen the disappointed child that comes along with that father. I do not want to be that father."

This time around Luke's lawyer, Mr. Harrison, as well as the judge tried to get him to sit back down at the table and shut up but again he ignored them both to say what was on his mind.

"I'm her dad," Luke stated, his voice going softer than it was just seconds ago. Lorelai swore that she could hear a crack in his voice as he spoke. "I know what she likes and dislikes. I want to be with her and spend more than just a few hours at a time with her. I know that I will be a good dad."

"Mr. Danes, be quiet," the judge spoke harshly finally getting him to be quiet.

Luke nodded his head and shyly sat back down as he apologized to the judge and then to his lawyer. While his lawyer shuffled papers around and mumbled something under his breath, probably trying to figure out a way to combat Luke's little outburst where he ignored the judge twice, Luke looked over his shoulder at Lorelai who sent him a faint smile and thumbs up in return which he figured was her way of trying to encourage him without saying anything. He gave her a small but weary smile back then turned back around as the judge began to speak again.


A little while later, Lorelai re-entered the court room having stepped out when her cellphone, that she forgot to turn off, suddenly went off with a phone call from her mother. She apologized to everyone in the courtroom before exiting as fast as she could, to save herself from embarrassment as well as so she didn't have to listen to what Anna's concerns were where it involved Luke and the exact visitation rights she wanted in her sole custody agreement. She tried to see from Anna's point of view and for a while she could but today, she could no longer listen to the woman talk of why Luke wouldn't be a capable guardian as if she even knew him and the person he was now.

On the phone call, Lorelai was slightly surprised that her mother was just genuinely checking in to see how the hearing went and if they knew what the judge's verdict was yet. Lorelai spoke to her for a just a few minutes since she didn't want to be out of the courtroom that long and assured her mother that she would call once she knew the outcome of the case. Before she hung up, she thanked her mother for calling just to check in and told her that it meant a lot to her and it would mean a lot to Luke as well.

When she re-entered the room, Luke and his lawyer had just finished pleading his case as to what he wanted versus what Anna wanted. Lorelai knew what he wanted by heart since he discussed it with her several times prior to today. She knew that he wanted to spend more time with April than just a few hours and even had a well thought out plan in which April could even spend a week or two in Stars Hollow at a time if he was allowed to ask for that. She helped him with the plan that involved April staying in Rory's room and her transportation to and from school since it wasn't that far of a trip to make everyday. Lorelai thought it was a great plan since it would allow Luke an opportunity to get to know his daughter even more and it would also allow all three of them to spend time together as a family.

The judge nodded her head as Luke's lawyer finished pleading his client's case. "Alright now that I've had the opportunity to hear from both sides in this case, I'm going to read some personal references into the court record. The first letter is written on behalf of Mr. Danes by a miss Lorelai Gilmore."

As the judge began to read her letter, Lorelai looked down at her lap and silently mouthed along with her written words on behalf of Luke. Though at first she struggled with writing her character reference, she now had every line and every word committed to her memory and wondered why it took so long to write a reference for the man that she loved. A pretty stellar reference in her opinion. A reference that clearly encapsulated who Luke was and what he stood for and why he should be allowed the opportunity to be in his daughter's life.

When she felt eyes on her, she looked up to find the very subject of the character reference staring at her with a look that clearly displayed the love that he felt for her. A look that made her glad she was sitting down because it made her weak in the knees, as cliché as that might have sounded. She wondered why one look from Luke could still affect her like that but she hoped it never changed. She smiled back and mouthed an 'I love you,' which earned her the same response for Luke before he was prompted by his lawyer to turn around just as the judge finished reading her reference.

The judge surprised everyone in the room, especially Lorelai and Luke, when she announced that she had one other character reference to read. One that came from a Rory Gilmore. Lorelai had told Rory that she was writing character reference and even jokingly suggested that Rory write it for her but she had no idea that her daughter wrote her own reference for Luke. She made a quick mental note to ask her daughter about that later. For now, she remained quiet as she listened to her daughter's words.

"To Whom it may Concern:

April Nardini and I are one in the same person. We are both intelligent and high-achieving young woman who were both raised by a single mother who showed us that having a father constantly in your life is not necessary for one's growth. Our mothers also showed us that single woman can raise a successful young woman all on her own merits.

I had the honor of Luke Danes entering my life as a pre-teen and that is something that I will forever be grateful for. I can personally attest to how meeting Luke at such a young age and coming to know him as a father figure early on in my life, helped to shape me into the person I am today. April hasn't known her father for very long, barely a year, but to have that ripped away now would be devastating to her at this vulnerable age.

Unlike April though, I was encouraged to have a relationship with my father. Like April, I sought him out but unlike April, I was met with disappointment where she was met with a man who wanted to get to know her in any way possible. Growing up, my father showed me ways that men can fail; how they can be selfish and unreliable. Luke Danes always showed me the opposite of that; how men can be reliable, loyal, and caring.

I love my dad and he's tried a little harder to be an active part of my life as I grew up but when I think of the man who was there for the most important moments of my life, and some of the least important but still memorable to me, I can only think of Luke Danes. For a court of law to take away the rights of a man who is fully dedicated to his daughter would be a huge misstep.

Thank you for your time,

Rory Gilmore."

Lorelai wiped at the tear that rolled down her face as the judge read off her daughter's name and set the letter aside. When Luke glanced back at her and sent her a questioning look, she could only smile and shrug her shoulders since she knew nothing about the letter. She was definitely going to buy Rory something nice for writing such a glowing and somehow kept-a-secret character reference for Luke.

The judge tucked both of the character references away before she cleared her throat and addressed the group in front of her. "Now I would like to take the time to speak with Ms. Nardini, the daughter," she pointed out to make it clear who she wanted to speak to. "If you would all please exit the room for a few moments."

The group did as asked, Lorelai quickly jumped up to stay by Luke's side as they exited the room. She smiled at him when she felt him grab her hand and intertwine their fingers as they made their way out into the hallway. He surprised her by not stopping once they reached the bench that they sat upon earlier and instead continued a little ways down the hallway away from everyone else.

"What's going on?" Lorelai asked when they came to a stop.

"Did you know Rory wrote a letter?" Luke asked right off the bat. "I didn't ask her to write one."

Lorelai shook her head, "No I didn't. She knew that I had to write one so I guess she just decided that maybe she should try to write one too. I'm surprised your lawyer didn't mention it to you."

"Maybe he thought I knew," Luke replied. He paused for a moment. "She didn't have to right one though."

"Well you heard what she wrote, she obviously loves you." Lorelai smiled. "She's a pretty great kid."

"That she is," Luke agreed. "We are taking her out to dinner or something for writing that reference. She deserves it."

"Can't disagree with that. I'll call her tonight."

Luke reached up and brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face before his face cupped the side of her face. "And your reference…"

Lorelai beamed. "I meant every word."

Luke felt that he didn't need to say anything but still whispered a 'thank you,' as he wrapped his arms around Lorelai and pulled her into tight hug that he needed for comfort after a couple hours in the courtroom where, at the beginning, he thought everything was going straight to hell. He began to smile as she whispered words of encouragement back to him as they continued to hug.


Back in the courtroom, April sat now where her mother had previously sat while the judge set directly across from her. It had been silent for a few moments while the judge read over the questions she wanted to ask April. That gave April the time to hid the notes she so meticulously took since she thought it would be better to speak from the heart instead of reading from her notes. The notes were still guideline for her though.

"Now I'm going to start off by saying that I will not base my verdict solely on what you tell me, I do have other factors to consider," the judge started off. "But I will consider what is said in this room today. I want you to feel free to talk to me, to not be frightened just because I'm a judge. Whatever you say in this room stays between us, okay?"

April nodded her head in response. "Okay."

"You've only known your father for short time, correct?" The judge asked but barreled through another question before April could answer. "You found out about your father through a project you did for your science fair, am I correct?"

April nodded her head again. "You are correct on both of those. I thought it would be a political hit since it seems that's what science fairs are for these days but I didn't win, environmentalism won."

"Is that the only reason you did this? Find out who your father was to win a science fair?"

April sighed, careful not to say the wrong thing since she knew it could possibly sway the judge's verdict. "Growing up, my father wasn't mentioned much if ever. In fact, I had to do my own research for this because my mother gave me so little information on my father. I never gave it much thought, I just thought I had my mother and that was enough. But then I did the science fair and I met Luke. From the beginning, he wanted to be an active part in my life. It took me a little while though because I had someone that I never knew before that suddenly wanted to be a part of my life. Now that I got the chance to know my dad, I know what I missed all those years and wish that I could have known sooner because I know that he would have been there for me from whenever he found out about me if he had that opportunity."

April realized she had started to ramble in front of the judge so she chose a stopping point and simply smiled at the judge as she started to quiet down. She had prepared for this and even spoke to a lawyer again to get even more tips on what to say, though she was really told to just say how she truly felt. She was just a kid so it shouldn't feel rehearsed, her answers should be flow naturally.

The judge gave a nod of her head. "Okay. In the time that you have known Luke and spent time with him, have you enjoyed that time?"

"Very much so," April said eagerly. "The town he lives in is so interesting, I love spending the afternoons there. He and Lorelai threw the best birthday party for me this year. I loved it and so did all of my friends. I know that he seems like kind of a grump on the outside but he's not at all like that. He's a total Hagrid. My friends agree."

"Hagrid?" The judge questioned. "As in "Harry Potter" Hagrid?"

"The one and only, those are some of my favorite books," April replied. "And the Hagrid description fits. Tall, looks like he could be grumpy, but very loveable and great guy. Really it's a compliment although Dad had no idea what it meant. It had to be explained to him."

"I'm familiar with Hagrid." The judge jotted down a few notes before she spoke again. She didn't have many questions that she wanted to ask the young girl and the questions she did have, they already covered. She really was just here to find out what April was interested in and to see if April was capable of making a decision such as this.

She set down the pen in her hand and folded her hands down in front of her. "What do you think of all of this that happened today? Would you be more interested in what your mother wants or what your father wants?"

April took a deep breath. "Personally I don't agree with what my mom wants. I was upset when I found out that she was doing this but when I called my dad about it, he assured me that he was going to fight it. I was glad that he was, I didn't doubt that he would just let her do this because I knew that we had already bonded as dad and daughter. I was barely getting to know him and then this happens. I know he wasn't there for the beginning of my life but he didn't have the chance to be. I want the opportunity to spend time with my dad."

When April paused, the judge took the moment to ask, "Anything else you want to say?"

"Yes." April nodded. "I know that I could spend time with my dad with what my mom wants but that wouldn't be that much time. I like the idea that my dad had, if that's possible. I would like to be able to spend that amount of time with him, instead of dividing the time I spent with him between homework and trying to get back home. I know it might be hard for my mom but I think she would come around to the idea, he's my father and I deserve to get to know him. This summer really upset me because I was supposed to spend time with him but couldn't. I don't want to do that again. I would really like the opportunity to spend more time with my dad."

"I understand."

April spoke again while the judge jotted even more notes down."I know he can come across grumpy but that's not at all who he is, he's kind of like a giant teddy bear. He really does care about everyone around him. He really wants to be a part of my life, just as much as I want him to be a part of my life. Sometimes he can be overprotective but he's a parent, he can't help it."

The judge stopped writing down notes and closed the book in front of her. "I understand." She smiled at the young girl. "I think I've heard enough today. You can go outside and join your parents, I'll be just a moment."

April silently got up and left the room. Once she exited the double doors, she was instantly met by her mother who asked how everything went inside. Just a few seconds later, Luke moved to stand beside Anna also asking April similar questions about her talk with the judge. Once April answered his questions and Anna's questions, he went back to stand beside Lorelai and the lawyer that represented him during the hearing today.

"So what now?" Lorelai asked, looking at both the men. "Do we get the verdict today or should we leave now or wait or what?"

Luke's lawyer, Mr. Harrison, went to answer her question but as soon as he opened his mouth, the double doors opened up once again and out stepped the judge who motioned for the two lawyers to join her. "Just give me a minute."

The couple watched as the judge spoke in hushed whispers with the two lawyers. Lorelai tried to read their lips but that was a skill that she still needed to work on since she couldn't make out anything they were saying. When Mr. Harrison turned around, she tried to read his expression but found that she couldn't make out whether he was going to deliver good news or bad news.

"Good news or bad news?" Lorelai asked before Luke could even think to form a sentence once they were once again approached by his lawyer.

"Neither at this point," Mr. Harrison informed the couple. He went on to explain. "She wants to review the facts of the case again and I will know her verdict by tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" Luke asked.

"Correct. Tomorrow, I will call the moment I know something," Mr. Harrison replied. "Don't worry, I think you'll be happy with the verdict."

He gave Luke a pat on the shoulder before he breezed past the couple and walked down the hallway towards the elevator. Just seconds after his lawyer disappeared, Luke saw that Anna and her lawyer were about to leave as well. Before they left though, April once again made her way back over to her father and gave him a hug before she joined her mother and started to make their way back towards the elevator.

"So tomorrow," Lorelai sighed, already knowing that Luke was going to be a nervous mess until he was called and informed of the judge's verdict.

"Yeah, tomorrow."

"I'm sure it will be fine hon," Lorelai replied softly. She looped her arm with his. "Let's go home."


I did research as best as I could to write a custody hearing and this is what I came up, may not be too realistic but it's fanfiction so it is still accepted.

As always, reviews are appreciated!