Hi! You'll find pieces of familiar scenes and storylines from the original show in this chapter, but please keep note that I will diverge from the OC the further along the story progresses.

Thanks for your kind reviews so far, much appreciated :)

Lorelai POV

"We'll be waiting hungrily!" I call toward Luke's back as he makes his way to the kitchen.

"Did I inadvertently step into something there?" Rory asks.

"No idea!" I admit with a shrug and a frown.

Before I have time to think through her question, Lane is standing at our table with a huge smile plastered across her young face. It's easy to see she's pleased to see Rory and me together.

"Mother and daughter together again and all is right with the world!" Lane coos before turning to me happily. "Hi Lorelai!"

"Hi Lane," I coo back affectionately.

"So next Wednesday night I need you, tell me you're not busy," Lane pleads turning her attention from me to Rory.

Grinning, I take in the sight of my daughter back in the diner with her best friend. It's now that I find that Lane truly has expressed it well, all is right with the world.

Or at least it was for a very brief, succinct moment. Isn't that the way it goes? You can't have everything in the world right for too long, no siree, that would be too easy and life is anything but easy. Didn't Eleanor Roosevelt have something to say about that? Something about whether you're rich or poor blows will come? Prepare? That seems a bit pessimistic to me, but I suppose there's some merit in the thought.

It's true, I may have Rory back, but now there's obviously something going on with Luke. He's normal with Rory and clearly as happy with her return as I am, his awkward 'yay' confirmed that, but his cryptic answers to Rory's questions on whether anything was new was out of character for him. He may keep to himself when it comes to the town, but he's always been open to the two of us.

Until now.

Scanning the room, I allow my gaze to find my man in the bustling sea of customers and food. The sleeves of his maroon flannel are rolled up his forearms, his ever-present blue hat is indeed perched backwards on his head and all appears normal. Except for his taut and tense shoulders.

How in the world did I miss that detail? It might as well be a blown up billboard pointing out something is amiss.

Thinking back, I try to recall when I might have unconsciously taken note that he was wound up and tense. Was it last night? I ran into the diner late last night rambling nonstop, ninety words a minute, sharing the exciting news that Rory was back home, back at school, had gotten a job all on her own and that he and I could finally set a wedding date. I can't recall if anything was off then. Surely I stopped talking long enough to give Luke time to talk, right?

Yeah right.

That sounds just like me.

No. No, it doesn't. I just talked and talked and now that I think about it, he didn't have one opportunity to get a word in. I was too lost in my own happy little world to notice or to pause or to even consider if everything was okay in his.

"I'm not sure, why?" I hear Rory respond to Lane as Luke makes his way across the room.

With the girls fully immersed in their own conversation, I come to the conclusion that my presence is the last thing that would be missed. Jumping up, I begin weaving my way through the jumble of tables and make my to the back storage room where I I find Luke balancing a crate against his hip, loading it with ingredients to restock the kitchen. Clatter from utensils clanking and scraping against dishes and friendly chatter from the diner trickles into the room filling it with high energy.

I shut the door softly behind me, closing the two of us off from the outside world. It makes a noticeable difference, one that causes Luke to glance back over his shoulder to see what has changed.

"Hey, what are you doing back here?"

"Ah, you know, I'm starving," I shrug walking casually over the table in the middle of the room. I maneuver to the side closest to him and lean against it. "I saw you come back here and I wanted to make sure you don't get sucked into a black hole and leave us all to starve to death."

"So what you're really saying is that you're with me for the food," he replies turning and making his way toward me. "Never mind if I'm gone from your life."

"Ah," I pull myself up onto the table to a sitting position. "Yeah, I hate for you to find out this way, but before we get married and with our newly agreed upon no secrets pact, I thought you should know the truth and if you were to die or get sucked into another realm, I'd simply starve to death. So obviously you see the importance of me coming back here and checking in on you."

"Caesar would still be here to cook for you."

"True, but he'd have to go through some serious training to get his cooking skills up to your level of finesse."

"It's diner food."

"It's an art form," I shoot back cheekily, pleased that he still seems to have his dry sense of humor. "I'm still eagerly awaiting your turn to be on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Guy Fieri's going to love you, babe."

A small smile forms on his face as he shakes his head in amusement.

"Well, then, I better get back to it then," he says doing his best to walk past me to get back to work. Instead, I stop him, taking a hold of his arm and causing him to turn and look at me curiously. I look up into his eyes surprised to find them glossy, bloodshot and even a little hard.

How the hell have I been missing these details?!

"Are you ok?"

Inhaling sharply he nods and his lips form a straight line. "Yeah. Of course."

"You're lying."

"I'm not lying!" he snaps, instantly defensive.

Usually I enjoy annoying Luke and having him snap back at me impatiently, but something in his tone strips the enjoyment from this experience.

This is different. This isn't my Luke.

Something is wrong.

His adams apple bobs as he swallows heavily and his guilty eyes turn apologetic before he looks away from me. He offers no response and I do my best to fight back the wave of frustration that begins building within me.

I'll never understand how he can just not talk, especially when something is so obviously bothering him, it's annoying as hell and nothing good ever comes from it. He goes silent. I push. He gets mad. We fight. It's an unhealthy cycle.

"We have to tell each other everything," I remind him pulling on his arm to get him to step closer to me. I run my thumb over his forearm, hoping to silently encourage him to confide in me. He doesn't. When he continues to stand stoic and silent, I go for broke adding his words from just a few nights ago, "That's the only way this is going to work."

And just like that, my words hit their mark. Without a second thought, he lowers the box onto the table next to me, pulls something out of his back pocket and holds it out in the space between the two of us.

Frowning, I bite my bottom lip into my mouth as I take a hold of his offering. Curiosity begins to bloom as I unfold an old picture with a worn crease down the middle where it's been folded to ensure it will fit in his back pocket.

In the picture, a young Luke and a beautiful woman with shoulder length dark hair stand together on the steps in front of the diner. The woman is smiling brightly, her arm wrapped comfortably around Luke's waist. Swallowing, I push away the thread of jealousy that wraps around my heart whenever I've seen Luke with another woman. How I was able to deny my attraction and desire to be with him for all those years, I will never know.

Talk about denial. Talk about the freakin' queen of denial.

Fingering the bent corner wordlessly, I take note of how Luke's attention in the picture isn't directed on the woman but rather on Taylor. The older man is basically the same, though he wasn't yet sporting the cardigans he's now rarely seen without and he has a full head of thick, brown hair. He's standing on the sidewalk on the far side of the photo with a wide, silky red ribbon draped carefully over one arm and a pair of giant scissors in his other hand, the pointed tip resting on the sidewalk. A disappointed expression painted across his much younger face.

I glance up to find Luke studying me as I scrutinize his offering thoroughly. His chest is heaving slightly under his crossed arms; his eyes wide as though he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Is this from opening day of the diner?"

He nods.

"Of course Taylor wanted to make the diner opening a ribbon cutting ceremony," I comment lightly with a chuckle, "And of course, you didn't. I'm guessing you won based off the look on Weary Willie's face."

When I glance up, I find his eyes are downcast and he's working his jaw in such a way that will leave it sore by the end of the day.

"Who's the woman?" I ask softly.

"She was my girlfriend at the time, her name was Anna."

"Her name was Anna?"

He sighs, pivots and leans against the table before glancing at me. "She died a couple days ago in a car crash. The other driver ran a red light and T-boned her car. She died instantly."

"Oh," I look down at the woman, her lively, spunky eyes staring back at me, before studying the man next to me. Death has always been a challenging topic for Luke given his personal experience with it from such a young age. It's a topic he prefers not to talk about often, if at all. "Oh, Luke, I'm so sorry. Did she have a family?"

Letting out a long, shuddering breath Luke nods before raising both hands and rubbing his face roughly.

"Luke?"

"She has a twelve year old daughter," he mumbles pushing up and away from the table.

He stalks over to the other side of the room before turning, shaking his head slowly and placing his hands on his hips.

"Wha-"

"They're taking paternity tests today to figure out who the girl's father is."

My eyebrows lift of their own volition.

"Anna wasn't the kind of woman to go around sleeping with a bunch of men, but apparently she went through a rough patch, got pregnant, never told the dad, and never told anyone who the father of her-" he pauses and an uncomfortable look fills his face.

"Of her kid was?"

"Not even her own mom apparently," he lets out a sarcastic laugh while shaking his head in disbelief. "Which is surprising considering how close the two of them were. That's partially why we broke up, our relationship consisted of me and Anna and her mom. Her mom was involved in every single detail of Anna's life so I'm confused on how she doesn't know who the dad is. She lives in New Mexico now, but Social Services is hoping to place the girl with her father."

"Wow." I don't know what else to say, "This must be unbelievably hard for the girl. Imagine not just losing your mother, but also going and living with a stranger."

He nods and turns away from me, dropping his hands from his hips and bunching his fingers into fists by his sides as he stares at a shelving unit blankly.

"Luke?"

He doesn't glance at me or even acknowledge that he's heard me for several seconds before quietly whispering, "I have to go get tested today, Lorelai."

My breath catches.

I. Never. Saw. That. Coming.

Exhaling, I try to make sense of his words. He turns and his nervous, anxious eyes meet mine wearily. Overwhelmed with confusion, I find that I can't look at him straight on, so instead I look down at the picture and try to imagine what a child between these two would look like. That turns out to be a bad idea when a confusing, indistinguishable emotion swells and threatens to consume me.

"I totally understand if this changes things," he whispers into the dark abyss that has formed between the two of us.

I look up sharply and narrow my eyes at him in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

"You didn't sign up for this! If she's my daughter that is," he says stepping closer to me, his head shaking adamantly. He turns and starts pacing. "You didn't agree to marry some deadbeat dad who missed out on the first twelve years of his daughter's life! You know me, I would have been there for her. I swear, Lorelai, I would have been there for her had I known about her. A real man takes care of his responsibilities, he's there for his family, he does what's right no matter how hard or difficult it is, he's there for the big moments and the little moments and the happy times and the hard times. He doesn't just provide financially but als-"

"Lu-"

"I mean this would change everything. Everything!" his arms swing wide to emphasis his point. "We're talking about a whole new person who wouldn't just be in my life until the day I die, but also your life too if we still get married. And who knows what kind of kid she may be! For all we know she's inherited whatever freak gene on my family tree that made me the curmudgeon that I am and Liz the woman who insists on living in the sixteenth century and Jess the great punk kid that he was and we both saw how unbelievably well I did with him!" he points out with a self-deprecating laugh and a shake of his head.

"If we get married?"

He stops pacing, his shoulders drooping as he looks at me despondently. "I totally understand if you don't want to be with me anymore."

I stare at him, wondering how I didn't notice the thick cords of fear wrapping around his entire being until this moment. His fear is highly palpable; tangible.

I'm really going to have to do a better job at paying attention to the people around me.

The truth of the matter is that he's not wrong about this potential change, it is huge. Life changing. Nothing will ever be the same if he is indeed this girl's father. But as I take a moment to take stock about how I feel about this news, I come to the conclusion that it doesn't change how I feel about the man before me or what I want with him.

I stand to my feet, intent on closing the distance between the two of us, and walk to him. His eyes follow me, he's beyond a mess, and for a second, I swear I see moisture in his eyes. Whether due to tears or lack of sleep, I can't say. So I say nothing, instead opting to wrap my arms around his waist. I pull him into a hug and listen as his heart beats erratically against his chest into my ear. His arms are still tense but he wraps them around me anyway and pulls me as close as possible before leaning down and burying his face in my hair. It's in the way he's tenderly holding me to him that I come to realize he's not just worried about shrinking his responsibilities and being a deadbeat.

No.

He's worried about losing me and the future we've begun to build together.

Which is dumb.

We've always been there for each other. In fact, always being there for each other is what has always bonded us so closely together.

Why would this be any different?

"We'll be ok, hon. We'll get through this together," I mumble against the flannel on my cheek, desperate to ease his fear.

"Yeah?" he asks doubtfully. He pulls away slightly, his arms still wrapped around me, and looks down to search my face.

Tilting my head to the side, I nod and smile at him slowly, hoping to assure him that I'm still in this with him.

The tension in his shoulders and arms melt away. "I was scared I was going to lose you over this."

"You're stuck with me, doll," I assure him, stretching on my tiptoes and pecking his lips with my own. "The only way you could lose me over this is if you kept it from me, didn't let me be a part of it, and pushed me out of your life."

"Not gonna happen."

"Thank god you're not an idiot."

LUKE POV

I had hoped that by leaving the dinner I would feel rejuvenated and not as anxious about what the day has in store. After all, it's one of those beautiful sunny, fall days where just by stepping outside, you instantly feel better. But no, today, it does nothing for me.

To start, Rory is leaving and making her return to Yale. It's a good thing, really, but the three of us are sad to see our time together come to an end. This was the first week we've all spent together since Lorelai and I have been engaged, and though it wasn't all that different from how it's always been between the three of us, there was still a noticeable change. There was a new level of comfort that wasn't present before and we settled in like a real family.

Don't get the wrong idea, Rory going back to school isn't making me anxious at all. I'm more than proud to see the ambitious and driven young woman get back on track. No, it's the fact that after we see Rory off, Lorelai and I are driving over to Litchfield to meet with Alicia and find out the results of my paternity test.

It's been a little over a week since finding out about Anna's daughter. Alicia has been great to work with, but everything is kept discrete with child services. I don't know how many other men have been tested, what will happen next, where the girl is now, or even her name. I know nothing. Zilch.

And to top it all off, my gut feeling about today's possible results has been warring with my head all week. Here's the thing, one thing I'm always careful about is making sure everything is covered when it comes to sex. I've only ever gone without a condom once, and that wasn't even due to irresponsibility or being lost in a drunken haze, but rather because Lorelai intentionally knocked the foil from my hands and then gave me a sexy smile that had me lunging for her and losing my mind. You could have told me that Lorelai got pregnant from that night, and I could have easily (and very happily) accepted that, but Anna's girl being mine seems impossible.

So what's the problem? My gut is telling me that she is mine. And my gut has of yet to be wrong.

I let out a long exhale before deciding it would be better to continue on with the day rather than just sitting in the driveway and slowly being consumed by the unknown. Grabbing the diner bag next to me on the bench seat, I jump out of my truck and make my way into the house. Paul Anka lies sprawled out on the landing on the stairs, only raising his shaggy head to give me a lazily glance as greeting, being anything other than a fierce guard dog.

"Luke, is that you?" Lorelai calls out.

"Yeah, it's me," I say meandering toward the kitchen where I find the the two girls sitting casually at the table. "Sorry I'm late. I tried to get away from the diner sooner but Taylor and Miss Patty were going on about some new town beautification project and I couldn't get away from them. Then every person in town had to ask why I'm not wearing my flannel like it's some big deal that I'm not wearing it on a Wednesday morning. Really, everyone needs to learn to mind their own business." I let out an exasperated sigh and then look to Rory apologetically. "I hope I didn't hold you up too long."

"Not at all," Rory says while standing and grabbing her jacket from the back of the chair. She pulls it on and flicks her long brown hair out of the collar and over her shoulders. "I actually don't need to leave until ten thirty, so I have ten more minutes before I have to vamoose."

Lorelai's head cocks and her eyes narrow skeptically. "You said you had to leave at ten or you'd turn into a pumpkin."

Rory shrugs a shoulder as Lorelai's mouth falls open in mock offense.

"You lied to me!"

"Well, Mom, you have a tendency to drag out good-byes," Rory mumbles unapologetically while buttoning up her jacket.

"I do not!" Lorelai says with a huff standing to her feet. "But now I'm going to do exactly that!"

"I'd expect nothing less."

I lean against the archway with a smile as Lorelai wraps her arms around Rory, plastering the young woman to her side in a fierce hug. "It's not fair, I got cheated this year with our fight."

"I know, I know," Rory mumbles patiently. "But this is good. Really good. You should be happy, I'm returning to Yale just like you wanted."

Lorelai's arms fall and she pulls away, taking her daughter's shoulders in her hands, and turning serious. "Like you wanted right? You want to go back? You're not just doing this because I want you to go back? Because I just want you to be happy and if you need to do something else, that's ok, I just want you to have a plan and not fall off the face of the earth as if there's some sort of apocalypse. It's important that you go because you want to go not because I want you to go!"

"Mom, stop. Of course I want to go back."

"Ok, good," Lorelai nods resolutely. "And you're sure you have to take two extra classes on top of your regular courses? I'm never going to see you, it's hard enough trying to get together with a regular class load."

"I do if I still want to graduate with my class. And believe me, you'll still see me. I missed you too much to go so long without seeing you. I promise we'll see each other and in between visits we'll chat on the phone."

Lorelai gives a small sad smile. " I know you, you'll be back to playing Catch Up Girl and your head will be lost in the books. You won't have time to make the drive and you're not talking to your grandparents so there won't even be the Friday night dinner, even if I was willing to start it back up. The only way I'll see you is if I started attending Yale right alongside you."

"Well, get your application in lady!"

"I'm not smart enough."

"Not true! Plus if Elle Woods can get into Harvard, getting into Yale will be a breeze for you."

"I do have the bend and snap down," Lorelai says pursing her lips and shrugging one shoulder as though that solves all their visiting worries.

"Who's Elle Woods?" I ask, not following.

Lorelai smirks at me, her blue eyes shining in delight and I instantly know I've missed some current reference. I throw out a low hand in their direction, silently communicating not to explain it to me. Another one of our things.

"Seriously, Mom, I need to go now," Rory says leaning forward and placing a quick peck on her mother's brow. "We won't ever go so long without seeing each other again," she reassures her before pulling away completely and making her way into her room.

Lorelai's shoulders sag as she watches her daughter from a distance before looking to me expectantly, "Did you bring the danishes?"

I raise the bag and shake it in response.

"Ah yes! You're the best!" Seemingly shaking out of her funk, she snatches the bag from my hand and then looks around in confusion. "Where's the coffee?"

"I didn't bring any. You and Rory had three cups at breakfast and you have a whole pot right there!" I say incredulously while pointing to the filled coffee pot not even three feet from where she's standing.

She rolls her eyes. "Luke, you know that coffee isn't the same. It could be," she gives me a dirty look, "But it's not because someone insists on not providing diner coffee at home. You know, they say sharing is caring."

"And when we started dating you said you didn't want everything to change," I point out with a lifted brow. "You wanted boyfriend Luke and you wanted diner Luke. I'm just respecting your wishes."

"But you're not my boyfriend anymore," she smartly replies while turning and walking to the table to grab a napkin. "I think being the wife should get me some privileges."

"But you're my fiancé, not my wife."

"So what you're saying is I'll get it when I'm your wife?" she asks as she makes her way to the counter with the coffee pot.

"Not sure. I can't give you everything you want," I tut, enjoying this banter and her comfortable use of the word 'wife'. "You'll get bored and then what use will you have for me?"

"I can think of a few things," she mumbles while opening the diner bag. I watch as she fishes out a cherry danish for herself and places it on the napkin before rolling the top of the bag down and placing it to the side, out of her way. Grabbing a red travel thermos, she fills it to the brim before twisting on the top and placing it with the bag on the end of the counter, ready for Rory when she makes her exit.

I stay frozen to my spot, my eyes taking in the sight of Lorelai as if it's my first time seeing her. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe because today is such a big day and I'm unsure what our future holds. Or maybe because with Rory's return Lorelai has transformed back into the vibrant, happy woman she's always been. Whatever the reason, I allow myself time to take in the sight of her dressed in a long fall floral shirt over a pair of well fitted black pants that taper down into a pair of Lorelai-esk boots. She wears a jean jacket, the sleeves rolled up, with multiple bracelets hanging on her wrist with a matching pair of hoop earrings. Her long hair hangs straight, the ends loosely curled. Her makeup is applied perfectly and her cheeks have a natural pink glow as a result of the continual smiling and laughing due to her reconciliation with Rory. When I raise my eyes, seeking out those deep pools of blue, I find her watching me with a wide, mile-high grin.

"Like what you see?" she asks flirtatiously.

"I love what I see."

An instant blush creeps up her neck to her face at my words and she looks away shyly, pouring herself a cup of coffee and then taking a bite of her danish. I stare at her intensely, unable to wipe the smug smirk that fills my face. It's not often I can flummox her, and I enjoy dwelling in victory when I do, much to her chagrin.

"Stop staring at me!" she chuckles while glancing at me again before quickly licking the cherry filling that spilled onto her thumb. She takes a sip of her coffee and gives me a once-over. "You look really great, by the way."

"Yeah? I wasn't sure about this shirt," I pull the collar away from my neck uncomfortably. "I don't want to look too dressed up but I don't want to look too casual either, you know?"

"It's perfect." Taking the last few steps over to me, Lorelai runs a hand over my striped black buttoned down shirt where I've pulled at it, smoothing it back out, and then rubbing my clean shaven cheek softly with the back of her hand. "I'm glad you shaved too. We want to make a good impression."

"Good," I say before leaning down, and pecking her lips quickly. When we part and I gaze down into her eyes, I can't help but notice the unease that lingers there as she gazes back up at me. She's been beyond understanding about everything that's been happening, but I know this week hasn't just taken a toll on me but also on her. I've been distracted. With the realization that I may not have been given her as much attention as I normally would, I kiss her again, this time more slowly and intentionally, hoping to ease her jitters and silently communicate what she means to me. She responds instantly, moaning softly and appreciatively into my mouth as our lips glide together effortlessly. The hand on my chest lazily slides up to my neck to hold me to her as I pull her warm body up and fully into my arms.

"Hey guys? Oh jeez!" Rory bemoans. We shoot apart quickly to find Rory at her door looking away from the two of us in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You didn't interrupt anything," I say quickly, making sure to respond before Lorelai has an opportunity to pipe in with anything that would further embarrass me and Rory when her eyes light up in mischief. I shove my hands into my back pockets and notice a couple bags lying at Rory's feet. "Do you need help carrying your bags out?"

"Yeah, that'd be great, but maybe in a minute," she says standing by her door somewhat awkwardly glancing wearily at the two of us though the moment of catching us in an intimate moment is long gone.

"You ok, kid?" Lorelai asks.

"Yeah, uh, I just wanted to say that I know today's a big day and I just wanted to let you know that if this girl turns out to be yours, Luke," she steps from one foot to the other and glances behind her into her room before looking back to the two of us. "She can have my room."

"Oh Rory, n-"

"No, Luke, really, I mean it," Rory says stopping me with her words and a raised hand. "I've given it a lot of thought and it's the right thing to do."

I glance down at Lorelai, who's uncharacteristically quiet, only to find her eyes welling with tears. Her arms are crossed over her chest and her bottom lip is caught between her teeth. I instantly hate this moment and conversation.

"That's very nice of you, and I appreciate your support, but no," I say with a shake of my head. "This is your room and if she's mine, she can have the other bedroom upstairs."

Rory's eyes narrow critically. "In that closet? Like Harry Potter?"

"It's not a closet and didn't he live in the closet under the stairs?" I ask, genuinely unsure. "It's not the same thing."

"It might as well be once you put a bed in there. Let me know her birthday and I'll be sure to buy her an owl," she says dryly, shaking her head before continuing on, "I insist she take my room. She just lost her mom," Rory goes on sympathetically, her blue eyes drifting from me to her mom. "If you had died when I was twelve, my world was upturned, and I had to go live with my unknown dad, would you want me to be shoved into a space where I feel like an inconvenience and unwanted or would you want me to have my own room and feel like I belong?"

Lorelai blinks back the tears from her eyes before sweeping them past her fully grown daughter's shoulders and into the room where she proudly brought up her little girl, all on her own. She takes a minute to seriously consider Rory's words before nodding decisively and shrugging the shoulder closest to me. "Ok."

"No!" I shake my head adamantly, shocked by how quickly and readily Lorelai was willing to take Rory's side in this. "First off, we don't know if she's mine. And second, no, it's not happening."

"Luke," Lorelai turns to me and grabs onto my arm. "She's right. If she's yours and she comes to live with us, she needs her own space to grow and grieve and heal."

I pull away, overwhelmed, and make my way to the window over the sink and look outside. I don't care if deep down I know they're right, the last thing I want is for Rory to be kicked out of her room or feel like she doesn't have her own place in Stars Hollow anymore.

"It's not like I'll be here all the time. I'll only be coming to visit. I can sleep upstairs in that tiny room," Rory continues. "Or get her a trundle bed, I'll trundle it up with her. I've always wanted a little sister!"

"You already have a little sister," Lorelai reminds her.

"Oh, right," Rory chuckles with a slightly sarcastic laugh. "Well, that's not exactly the same."

I clench my jaw, irritated, not at the mere thought of Rory having another sister or her words, but rather as to why she doesn't know her own sibling at all. I guess it's no surprise that she wouldn't know her sister when her own father is hardly involved in her life. Granted, he's finally stepping up and paying for Yale, that's what we found out his call from a couple weeks ago was about, but really, it took the man entirely too long to be an active part of Rory's life. How he willingly stayed away from the young, sweet girl I had the privilege of watching grow up, I'll never understand.

"I can't begin to imagine the pain she's going through. Can you imagine losing your mom at such a young age?"

My heart seizes and aches in my chest in a way it hasn't in years.

Unfortunately, I can.