Chapter 2

Loralai, Rory and Lori entered the diner heading straight for their favorite table. They sat down and noticed Luke was no where to be seen. Loralai smiled at the thought of her husband realizing he was probably up stairs working on inventory or receipts. She flagged down Cesar and placed an order of coffee for her and Rory.

Rory looked at her watch and noticed just how late they truly were.

"Mom, I really have to go", Rory said, "I've got a convention of the Chinese Art Group coming in and if I leave them alone with Michel I don't know who will survive."

"Poor Chinese people", Loralai laughed, "don't forget your coffee though."

"Can you take Lori to school for me please", Rory asked getting a to-go cup from Cesar.

"Sure honey", Loralai smiled, "we need to get going too. Lori is going to be late and I need to get to the Inn too."

Cesar gave both girls to-go cups of their coffee. Loralai walked with Lori towards Stars Hollow Elementary and Rory walked towards the Dragonfly Inn.

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Luke left Jess unpacking in the upstairs office. They agreed he might as well stay there for the time being. The place still had a fold out bed and a kitchen area and a bathroom. Anything else he could need, he could borrow from the diner. Also he'd have privacy since Luke no longer lived there. The only issue Luke had was how he was going to tell Loralai and Rory that Jess was back in town. They never left off on a good note. But Jess was family and Luke always took care of his family.

Luke sighed and went to refill the coffee maker when Cesar stopped him.

"Loralai and Rory already came by this morning", Cesar said, "they were in a hurry so they just left."

"Thanks Cesar", Luke mumbled.

"They didn't ask for you so I didn't tell them you were upstairs with Jess."

"Thanks Cesar", Luke repeated.

"Besides", Cesar continued, "I don't know what I would have told Rory. That kid skipped town ten years ago and hasn't been back since."

"Ok Cesar. Thank you", Luke scowled.

Cesar rolled his eyes and walked back into the kitchen to continue making breakfast.

Luke figured he'd better tell the girls of their latest guest before they saw him and died from shock.

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Rory was at the front desk of the Dragonfly Inn checking over her books again. Somehow she'd mixed up the dates of the convention and was frustrated with Michel's constant nagging.

"Rory", Michel whined, "I need my desk back. If I don't have my desk then I can't work. If I don't work then I can't get my oh so gracious paycheck from your mum."

"Michel, can I have a minute please", Rory sighed, "I need to get back on track here."

"Oh just take your time", Michel mumbled, "you are the boss' daughter therefore you can do whatever you please."

Rory rolled her eyes. Michel can be so annoying sometimes.

Just then Rory's cell phone began to ring and she answered it without even checking the caller Id.

"Hello?"

"What's up Rory?"

"Hey Logan… I'm kind of busy… can I call you back…"

"I just wanted to run an idea by you."

"Shoot."

"What do you think if Lori stayed over here for maybe a week or two of her Summer Break?"

"You mean like over night?"

"Yeah… Lindsay made up a guestroom for her."

"Oh your girlfriend made up a guestroom for my daughter", Rory said sarcastically.

"Our daughter Ror", Logan stressed, "I always make it out there. I thought it'd be cool for her to see California. I'd fly over there and pick her up and then fly her back."

Because you can just pick up and go and the drop of a hat, Rory thought.

"I just wanted to run the idea by you and see if you can ask Lori if she wants to."

"Um… sure… If she wants to", Rory sighed. She already knew her daughter would want to.

"Well, we're thinking within the next couple of days because we're going to Disneyland and wanted to take her."

"Sure Logan… I'll ask her…"

"Thanks Ror, you're awesome!"

"Bye Logan."

"Bye Rory."

Rory hung up the phone and suddenly needed a cup of coffee. She stalked into the kitchen, where her mother and Sookie would gather for coffee.

"Rory, baby, you okay", Loralai was suddenly concerned for her daughter.

"Logan wants Lori for two weeks in California."

"What?"

"I've never been apart from her for more than a day…"

"So tell him no."

"I can't deny him wanting to spend time with his daughter, mom", Rory said.

"Yeah, stupid law."

"If Lori wants to then I can't for her not to."

"When does he want her there", Sookie asked.

"Next week", Rory muttered.

"Wow", Sookie said sarcastically, "sure doesn't waste time, huh."

"Lindsay made up a guestroom for Lori and they want to take her to Disneyland. He wants her to like him more so she'll want to live with him."

"Honey, I doubt that's Logan's plan", Loralai smiled.

"No it is… I need to take a break. Clear my head. And I have to pick up Lori from school. I'll meet you at the diner for dinner?"

"Definitely", Loralai said.

"Bye mom. Bye Sookie."

Rory walked out of the kitchen sulking.

"Sook, why is it I can't shield my daughter from any pain", Loralai asked sadly.

"Because if you did", Sookie said softly, "they'd never learn and they'd never grow."

"I hate this."

"I know you do honey. But you went through the same thing with Christopher. You learned and now look at you with Luke. I think Rory needs to skin her knees like you did. And who knows, maybe her Luke is right around the corner."

"I hope so", Loralai mumbled, "I really hope so..."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was going to add two chapters but I had to make posters for a car wash my youth group is doing on Saturday, and now I have to go to bed because I have class. But I promise… this story will be done by the New Year. Even if I don't update it regularly I will be writing regularly. Oh yeah and don't forget to review! I love reviews! Constructive Criticism is always welcome! But please no bashing!