Notes:

Back from my long weekend. Isn't family fun? Guess it depends on the family... Okay so here goes for my big giant thankyou:

borncountry88, Ronata, hollywoodgrl, squiddrude, starfire192486, Mirax Corran, OkGoPrettyMuchRules, Robinpoppins, sapphirestar820, Elizabeth Theresa, pixiechick12, Finding Disco, Cherrykisses188, roywthepoodles, litizreal, LukeAndLorelaiAllways, bluedaisy05, Javamaniac, suusje32, tom, LukelovesLorelai, bellybuttonsrcool, sarahb2007, chmelms, TheCoffeeBean, HeartGilmoreGrls, LorLukealways, aries-chica56, Alyssa1120, GGRox07, Gymtig, Lukelorelaichick, sugary sweet, LorelaiAkaCoffeeAddict, EffieLaura, GMB loves Angel, BluJPlover, Nubes, tooky close pin, Rachaellovestoread, Christi06, A-Karana, smileyGGfan, ACE5203, LLfreak8285, scubaluver, JavaJunkieManiac, coffeebean2007, CharmedGurlie, Roxton7, nikkitan89, Babs25, Baron Sengir, mediaMental

Whew! I think I got everyone that reviewed at least a few times. I know I got my regulars in there (and you know who you are and how much I appreciate you) but I went searching to find those that have reviewed a few chapters here or there. So here's a big thank you from me to you for all of your reviews, I've appreciated every one of them, they're really what keeps me writing! And I hope you like the second half of the story as much as the first!

LorLukealways - You know I'm trying not to make this Anna like the one on the show because I disagree with showAnna so much, so I really am not putting much of her except a few lines here or there until I can figure out exactly what to do with her. I don't want her to be a Chris-like conflict, I've already made it pretty clear that Lorelai's okay with her and she doesn't really have much of a problem with Lorelai hanging with April.

Babs25 - You know, I thought it was mashed potatoes only because Luke just go up to get some more, but maybe she was just saying we need more because she was going to take his. I can't really tell. But Luke is a sweetheart, I agree. When I watch GG with my boyfriend I always tease him and say he should be more like Luke.

GMB loves Angel - Glad to get you laughing, that's what my comedy is for. The good lines are the ones I laugh at when I'm editing and forgot what I wrote. But you probably know that. I've been trying to get around to reading your story, it's the longer ones that take me awhile to get to. (Comfort Food is yours right?) Hopefully when school is over in three weeks I'll have more time to sit and read through some of the longer stories I've missed. Isn't writing longer stories hard? I mean, I've had trouble in the past because I guess I just get bored with them.

LukeLorelaiAllways - Very interesting little factoid. Please pass on the message thanking him for my friends going no-carb crazy the past few years. Not me, I love carbs. That's why I run. :)

sarahb2007 - Okay, I'll promise no babies on V-day. I hate Valentine's Day almost as much as Luke, which my boyfriend duly appreciates. And yes, drama is forthcoming.

Robinpoppins - I'm so jealous that you got to go to DC! It's my favorite city in the world, thus why I usually mention Rory moving there in all my stories. I can't tell you what I have planned next but I've already begun foreshadowing it so watch for that. Still working on baby names. I think that I'm just over halfway so the story will be about 90-100 chapters in total and I've already started considering a sequel, so if you like this story then I guess you'll be happy.

Now, on to some real story material.

Luke's Diner

Early in the morning, Luke is getting the diner ready for the day. He's cleaned the tables and he's now sweeping the floor when Kirk walks in carrying a briefcase. "Luke, I was wondering if you like the brand of your muffins," Kirk asks. Luke pauses in his work and glares at Kirk.

"Kirk, it is six-thirty in the morning, how can you possibly care about the brand of my muffins?"

"Well I can see that you don't," Kirk comments laying his briefcase on a table. Luke shakes his head and goes back to sweeping. "What I have here are the recipes of the new muffins currently being made by Mrs. Smith's Baking Company."

"I don't even want to know why you have those," Luke grumps, still shaking his head.

"Recently, I've been hired by the company to promote the new muffins at local dining establishments," Kirk tells Luke.

"And you thought you would try my diner first to see how much you can piss a proprietor off?"

"Well… I…" Kirk trails off, unsure of exactly what to say to get Luke to listen to him. Luke again pauses, glaring at Kirk, who seems slightly shocked by Luke's response. "These are new muffins. I just thought if your current muffins aren't selling well…" Luke sighs.

"Kirk, if my current muffins weren't selling, it wouldn't be because of the recipe. It would be because recently people aren't that interested in muffins," Luke explains logically.

"Oh." Luke shakes his head. He leans the broom against a table and walks behind the counter. "I'm just saying these are really good muffins," Kirk maintains.

"They are? Have you tried them?" Luke asks, knowing what the answer is going to be. He begins arranging items on the counter.

"Well… I… I'm not really a big muffin-eater," Kirk admits. Luke again shakes his head. "I've just heard good things about them…" Kirk pauses for a moment. "I'm guessing you're not interested in trying them out on a trial basis."

"No Kirk."

"Sometime Luke, you're going to learn to like change. Change is good," Kirk comments. Luke glances up at him and sighs. He picks up a towel and starts wiping down the counter..

"I don't mind change," Luke insists. Kirk steps back, having prepared for Luke to yell at him, but stops. Then Luke glances around the diner consideringly. "I repainted the place," Luke notes, waving the towel at the green walls.

"Actually Lorelai repainted the place. And she used the same colors that were already here."

"Well I like those colors." Kirk glances around the place again and then shakes his head. "I don't care if you like the colors, Kirk."

"Luke, your father's sign is still outside. When's the last time this place was a hardware store?"

"It's called an homage Kirk." Luke moves to the tables and starts wiping them down. "It goes back to medieval France."

"Regardless, Luke, you don't like change, plain and simple."

"Okay, Kirk, you're starting to annoy me now." Kirk picks up his briefcase off the table. Luke stops wiping and looks at him. "My life has changed. I'm with Lorelai. I live at Lorelai's. We're having twins. I have a daughter, April. Any of those not a change from a year ago?"

"Yes but you still keep things upstairs, plus I notice you call your house Lorelai's," Kirk mentions. Luke glares at him. "Oh, all right, I'll leave it alone. You don't have to be like me, I'm willing to change my life everyday. But maybe you wouldn't be such a grump all the time if you just changed your life to the way you want it." Kirk shrugs and walks out. Luke shakes his head and goes back to wiping down the counter.

Lorelai's House

"Lorelai!" Sookie yells, banging on the door. Lorelai's on the couch, practically asleep. The banging on the door causes her to open her eyes a crack but she doesn't respond. Sookie gives up and opens the door herself, which is troublesome considering that she's got Davey in her arms. "Lorelai!" Sookie calls again, shutting the door behind her.

When she gets into the living room, she notices Lorelai on the couch. "Oh Sweetie, I'm sorry, I should have called first," Sookie apologizes. Lorelai waves her arm and tries to move with little success.

"No, Sook, it's fine. I'm glad you came over. I missed you, almost as much as I've missed the outside world," Lorelai complains. Sookie frowns.

"When's the last time you got out?" Lorelai shrugs.

"It's been hard this past week. Luke's been really busy and I haven't been feeling very well."

"Oh Honey." Sookie walks over and settles herself on the couch at Lorelai's feet. "I can almost say I know how you're feeling. The last few weeks before Davey was born, I was so uncomfortable and miserable." Lorelai pouts.

"I'm not even in my eighth month for another week!" Lorelai whines. Sookie pats Lorelai's leg, in sympathy.

"Here, something to make you happy, why don't you hold Davey?" Sookie offers. Lorelai moves her hands to take Davey but hesitates, drawing them back, a concerned look on her face.

"No, it's okay," Lorelai says. Sookie looks at her strangely and then shrugs. She looks down at Davey smiling, reaching a finger to pet Davey's little hand. Lorelai, who would normally smile at such as scene, looks a little tense. "You seem like you're doing well," Lorelai comments. Sookie glances over at Lorelai still smiling.

"Yeah, I mean you told me how amazing it is the first time you hold your child, but I never imagined this." Sookie looks back down at Davey. "No I couldn't, could I? No Davey. No." She giggles as Davey gurgles.

"Did Luke tell you that the new freezer will be in on Wednesday?" Lorelai asks, trying to get Sookie's attention back on track. Sookie nods, still playing with Davey. Lorelai sighs. "Sookie! This is important!" Sookie looks back over at Lorelai in surprise.

"Yeah, Lorelai, I heard you! Jeez, I know mood swings, but yours isn't swinging, the pendulum's stuck on grumpy." Lorelai sighs.

"Sorry, Sook," Lorelai responds.

"Oh hey, Tom said to give this to you," Sookie remembers. She takes a piece of paper out of her coat pocket and hands it to Lorelai. She watches as Lorelai reads it, a frown returning to Lorelai's face. "Well that doesn't seem to be good news." Lorelai raises an eyebrow at her.

"When have we ever gotten good news from Tom?" Sookie shrugs. "He said the pipes aren't going to be able to go in the way he planned so he's going to have to take them in a different direction which is going to cost us another couple thousand." Sookie's mouth drops open as she stares at Lorelai. "You have another couple thousand sitting around?" Sookie shakes her head. "Me either."

"I've given you almost all that I can. Jackson's got less business now with us not buying from him and the Independence closing, plus we haven't worked in awhile, plus Davey here isn't the cheapest person in the world," Sookie tells Lorelai, who nods knowingly.

"Boy are you talking to someone who knows what you're saying. Rory's college is paid for but I'm still giving her money as often as I can for food and clothes. Plus, the money for the inn and redoing this place. And then the addition of these two, my money's all gone." Lorelai rubs a hand over her bourgeoning belly, sighing in frustration. "What are we going to do?" Lorelai asks, biting her lower lip, her voice trembling a little. "I feel like we're going to have to give up on our dreams."

"No!" Sookie responds quickly. She reaches over and touches Lorelai's hand. "We can't do that. We won't. There are other options."

"What? I don't think Davey's old enough for us to sell him off to the gypsies."

"Lorelai!"

"Joke. Sorry," Lorelai looks down. She wrings her hands.

"What about Luke?" Sookie suggests. Lorelai raises an eyebrow.

"What about Luke?" Lorelai asks, not understanding.

"Well, you two are raising the twins together, he should be putting in money for them and the house. And maybe for Rory and you could also ask him for a loan." Lorelai shrugs.

"Luke's not Mr. Moneybags himself. Besides, I can't bring myself to ask him for money for those things. When I left my parents, I promised myself that I would never take a handout, I would make it on my own, no matter what I had to do, Rory would have everything she needed and I would get us it, on my own," Lorelai explains. "I can't go be a hypocrite now."

"But Lorelai…"

"No, Sookie. No. I'm still that same person. I'm independent. The one time I gave up that independence was for Rory, so that she could achieve all her dreams, and I've regretted it every day. I don't want to be beholden to anyone, ever. Not even Luke, especially not Luke. I'd feel cheep. I'd feel like less of a person. I'd feel like I'm not strong enough to do it myself. Everyone else can do it but I have to go running to my boyfriend," Lorelai rants. Sookie nods, understanding but not sharing Lorelai's point of view. "Remember in Little Women, when Marmee needed money to go visit Mr. March in the hospital?" Sookie thinks about it, and nods after a moment. "She told Jo to go ask Aunt March for the money. And even though she knew Aunt March would give it her in a heartbeat, she didn't want to feel like her aunt had control over her. Her pride was more important to her. Jo got the money, but she got it on her own."

"Yeah, she had to sell her beautiful hair, one of the things she loved most," Sookie says. Lorelai shrugs.

"But she got the money on her own. She still had her pride, she still felt like she could stand on the same ground with Aunt March and the rest of the world, like she could look them in the eye," Lorelai maintains. Sookie stares at her.

"So what you're saying is that you are Jo March." Lorelai nods. "June Allyson or Winona?" Lorelai scoffs.

"June Allyson of course," Lorelai replies as if it were an obvious choice. She sighs. "I had to give up my pride once and until I paid my parents back I felt like I wasn't good enough, I couldn't do things on my own and I hated feeling like that. I can't do it again." Sookie sighs. "You don't have any more money?"

"I'm pretty strapped," Sookie says. Lorelai wrings her hands, clearly unsure of what to do next.

"Right about now I wish I could be nearly killed by a crook named Quigley." Lorelai pouts. Sookie giggles.

"I can't imagine you getting on a bike right now," Sookie comments. Lorelai slowly smiles, trying to imagine it herself. She looks up at Sookie, shaking her head. "Try to be the optimist you've always been Lorelai. We've got a lot on our plates right now and if you get really depressed I'm not sure I can handle this all on my own. I need you Lorelai." Lorelai nods. Davey whimpers. Sookie looks down at him. "Well, little Davey here is trying to tell me it's time to go. I'll try to stop by after Christmas." Lorelai nods. "Let me know if you talk to Luke or you know, find a thousand dollars worth of change in the couch." Lorelai giggles.

"So that's why this couch is so uncomfortable." Sookie smiles. "Bye Sookie." Sookie stands, waving Davey's arm, and walks out. Lorelai watches her go, her eyes becoming misty again. She closes her eyes and lays her head back. "Kids, you guys got any ideas, cuz Mommy's fuse is getting a little short. Sookie needs me. Your sister needs me. Your daddy needs me. And Tom needs my money. And my parents need me to be Bunny Buttercup." She sighs. "I'm only one person."