Author's notes: Okay, so yeah...it's only been one day since I last updated...but I got such wonderful reviews that it motivated me to update right now. Hope y'all don't mind, for those that haven't had the chance to read the last chapter yet. This chapter continues directly on from the last. Thanks,

Chloe2007- Loved your review! Daddy's girl or twins? Hm, interesting. Yup, I'm teasing...but hey, they're both surely possible. Jeremy Shane- Something may go wrong, but Luke and Lorelai are in a stronger place right now. Disaster mostly passed.

imissthisshow :- loved your long review! Made me smile. Your comment "I think you've captures the true essence of the characters" really made me thrilled and it's part the reason I'm so eager to write more asap once I've updated this chapter! Multiple kids? Hm, considering both parents work...not likely. When they have another child, totalled they would have 4 kids (counting Rory, April, Richie and new baby). And that's presuming it's not twins! Cute Luke/Lorelai moments are coming soon, don't worry. Loved your review!! Hope to hear from you again :)

Kat321- Yes, I've noticed you've liked Logan (you'll be happy to hear he's in this chapter and more to come). The society life isn't the life Lorelai really wants, but I think she'd now learnt that it's not all bad, perhaps it'll impact her in some way? You'll have to wait and see, but her rebellious side is a part of her, so she won't be able to let it go. I'm glad you love my updates, here's another.Previously...

'I'm ready' Lorelai told him while Richie remained asleep in the car.

'What?' Luke asked. 'For what?'

'Another kid…I'm ready' Lorelai nodded seriously. 'I want another kid, Luke…now' she told him.

--

Chapter Twenty: Valentine Blues

'Lorelai?' Luke asked, still a bit stunned. 'You want another kid, now?'

'Well obviously it'll take nine months, but yeah…I do' she nodded. 'We can start planning, and we have room for a nursery and-'

'Woah, slow down!' Luke butted in. 'I don't think it's a good idea…I mean, right now? Richie's only four! Don't you want to wait a little longer?'

'No! No, I do not want to wait' Lorelai said in frustration. 'Do you not want another kid? Is that what this is about?'

'I didn't say that' Luke frowned.

'Well it certainly sounded like it' Lorelai crossed her arms. 'I'm not going to be able to have kids forever, and this will be the last one. But Luke, Richie needs a younger sibling, someone to play with'

'He has Benny' Luke stated. 'Wait, this is about Richie?'

'No! No, this is about us. I want another baby; I've been thinking and thinking about it and stressing over it, because it felt like too soon. But it's not… it's perfect. The timing is right. I mean Rory's working miles away, April is in college now, plus we have the space and the money' she sighed. 'Luke, please'

'Are you sure? Once you have the kid, you can't just change your mind'

'I know that' Lorelai said.

'And it's not just because of Richie?' Luke asked, unconvinced.

'No!' Lorelai rolled her eyes. 'Oh and one more thing…my parents are going to buy my house back. As well as any extensions we need because I am not happy…this isn't home to me. I need my old house back, I have to have it back'

Luke went to open his mouth but Richie finally woke up and realized where they were. He undid his seatbelt and shoved the car door open as fast as he could.

'Daddy!' he screamed and ran to hug Luke as tightly as his arms could manage.

'We'll talk about this later' Luke told Lorelai, feeling weak at the knees from all the information.

'Looking for to it' Lorelai said sarcastically, crossing her arms again.

Rory sipped the last of her coffee and continued to type away at her article. She frowned and deleted some sections and re-edited it before being satisfied momentarily and continuing to the next paragraphs.

'Hey Ace' Logan said as he approached her desk.

'Oh, Logan…ah, hi' Rory looked up, completely caught off guard. 'What are you doing here? How did you even get in here?'

'Stacy let me in' Logan replied, referring to Rory's assistant.

'Right' Rory nodded, knowing that Stacy wasn't too caught up with the admittance policy yet. 'So um, how are…things?' she asked, not sure what to say.

'Ah, things are fine' Logan nodded, feeling about the same way. 'I actually came for a reason, uh…I was wondering, can we still be friends?'

'Friends?' Rory repeated. 'Um…'

'I mean we can start off small' he shrugged. 'Can we at least try?'

'Friends? Ah okay, sure…I can do that' Rory nodded.

'Cool' Logan breathed in relief.

'But Logan…' Rory added. 'Things can't go back to how they used to be between us…it won't be the same'

'I know' Logan nodded, avoiding her gaze. 'Just friends'

'Yeah' Rory sighed and suddenly felt very awkward...

As Valentines Day arrived, the Gilmore-Danes girls were very miserable. Lorelai, Rory and April all sat cross-legged on the couch and just stared at the bunch of flowers that were sitting on the table in front of them.

'Is this pathetic?' Rory asked aloud.

'I think so' April nodded.

'Defiantly' Lorelai sighed, crossing her arms also.

'Do you think anyone will know we bought these for ourselves?' Rory then asked after another pause.

'Yup' April nodded, sighing.

'Just pathetic' Lorelai agreed.

'So…do we just sit here, or…?' April asked slowly. The three girls looked at each other for a brief moment and then all jumped up from the couch. They grabbed their coats and headed out the door as fast as they could.

Lorelai, Rory and April wondered through the streets of Stars Hollow for several hours but the sight of people coupling up and being spontaneously romantic was making them more miserable and frustrated.

'I'm married!' Lorelai snapped as they sat abruptly under the Gazebo. 'I should be getting flowers, chocolates and pretty little things in boxes wrapped with ribbons and…other pretty things!'

'I have a boyfriend!' April jumped in as well. 'I should at least get a phone call!'

'Hm, yes…lucky you' Rory frowned at them both, feeling very unpopular.

'Oh, sorry hon' Lorelai winced.

'Yeah' April nodded sympathetically.

'Oh, no…no need' Rory sighed. 'I'm a single woman; I don't need a boyfriend…or a husband. I'm perfectly capable on my own!' she nodded. 'I can buy myself chocolates and flowers without looking pathetic or…' she then gave up. 'I suck'

'Eh, join the club' Lorelai grumbled dramatically. She glanced over at the diner and glared. 'No, this is not right…it's Valentines Day!'

'Maybe he's going to surprise you?' Rory shrugged, looking at Luke through the diner window.

'Luke?' Lorelai scoffed and shook her head. 'Nah'

'And maybe Eddie can't call cuz he's going to show up without you knowing?' Rory then said to April.

'Uh huh' April nodded but then shook her head also. 'Nope, he doesn't know where I live'

'Well, I'm out of "Dr Phil" moments…who needs them!' Rory snapped and both girls looked at her. 'I mean if they don't want to celebrate our glorious existence and pamper us with love and pretty things…then screw them!'

'Not literally, hopefully' Lorelai added.

'Mum!' Rory frowned.

'Sorry, dirty' Lorelai nodded. 'But you're right! Screw them! Again, with non-dirty intentions'

'Yeah!' April got up and pulled her cell phone out. 'So what if he doesn't call?' she frowned, putting her phone on silent before shoving it back into her pocket.

'That's a girl!' Rory grinned. 'Mum?' she then wondered how Lorelai was going to rectify her situation.

'Pfth, I'm married' Lorelai said again and strode off towards the diner.

'Oh boy' Rory sighed as she and April followed. 'No!' she then said to April as she took her phone off silent again.

'He might call' April frowned, entering the diner.

--

'Luke' Lorelai said as she sat on a stool.

'Lorelai' he replied, glancing at her. 'Hey girls' he then added.

'Hey dad' April smiled and sat at a table where Richie was drawing pictures.

'Hey' Rory smiled and sat beside her mother. 'Coffee please?'

'Luke' Lorelai said again, accepting the coffee cup he also gave her. 'We're married' she stated.

'Really?' Luke teased. 'Well, that explains the ring' he glanced down at his wedding ring.

'Do you know what day it is?' Lorelai asked, ignoring the way he was flawlessly teasing her.

'Ah…Tuesday?' he guessed.

'Today is Valentine's Day' Lorelai frowned.

'Oh. That' Luke realized that she was saying but didn't give it much concern.

Lorelai gasped and pointed at him accusingly. 'What do you mean "that"?'

'Oh boy' Rory sighed again.

'It's a stupid money-making scheme' Luke rolled his eyes. 'Valentines Day was created so stupid people go out and buy stupid gifts for people that they supposingly like. They spend all the time and effort for no good reason other than to show that they like someone, which is crazy cuz if you like someone you should probably tell them more than once a year. Chances are that if some idiot goes out and buys a gift or takes that special person out to dinner only once a year…then they're not going to have a very good future. Showing affection should be frequent and without some ridiculous price tag that was probably raised for days like these because they know that people are stupid enough to go out and buy them' Luke ranted with a frown.

'You are unbelievable!' Lorelai growled.

'I know, seven good with you?' Luke then asked and reached under the counter for a small, wrapped gift.

'Luke!' Lorelai gasped and smiled at him lovingly.

'Oh goody' Rory said sarcastically and went to join April.

'What's with her?' Luke asked while Lorelai hurriedly unwrapped her present.

'She's single' Lorelai replied and then gasped at the beautiful necklace and matching earring set. 'Oh Luke, they're beautiful!' she said and went around the counter to hug him. 'Did Liz make them?' she asked.

'Ah no…I bought them' he shrugged.

'You bought them?' Lorelai smirked. 'You know, the price tag that was probably raised for days like these because they know that people are stupid enough to go out and buy them' she teased.

'Is seven fine with you?' Luke asked again, ignoring her tease as effectively as she had his earlier.

'Sure is' Lorelai smiled. 'Where are we going? It has to be suitable for Richie right?'

'Yeah, you'll see' Luke smiled and gave her a kiss.

'Oh!' April jumped as her cell phone rang. 'Hello? Oh, hey Eddie'

'Argh!' Rory pouted. 'Hey Richie, you don't have a girlfriend by any chance, do you?'

Richie looked up at her, confused and slightly horrified to the idea.

'Is that a joke?' Richie asked, not sure.

'Ah…yeah' Rory sighed. 'I'm going for a walk' she frowned.

'Avoid Miss Patty's!' Lorelai advised.

'Why?' Rory asked but then pulled a face. 'I don't want to know' she nodded and left.

'Yes!' April grinned as she hung up. 'Eddie saids he's sorry for not calling earlier but he had visitors. He also wants to take me to a concert in New York tonight!'

'Wow, cool' Lorelai grinned. 'What band?'

'He didn't say, but he saids I'll love it' April smiled. 'I gotta go plan my outfit, bye!' she waved and left.

Richie frowned and bit his lip. 'Mum?' he asked worriedly. 'Was Rory joking?'

'When?' Lorelai asked, distracted by Luke's gift.

'She asked if I had girlfriend' Richie said.

'Oh ah…yeah, she was joking' Lorelai nodded and sipped her coffee, watching Luke with a loving smile.

'You're welcome' Luke nodded and went to see what Richie was drawing.

'What's that?' he asked, pointing to the big blue thing that was under a squiggly, green thing.

'An elephant, silly!' Richie rolled his eyes and then wandered off to the toilet.

'Of course' Luke sighed.

'Luke, you can't just ask kids what they drew, you ask them to explain it' Lorelai reminded him. 'That way they tell you what it is anyway and you can act like you knew all along and then tell them how wonderful it is' she said and paused for a moment. 'Get it right with Richie so when the next one comes along, you'll be a natural' she said rather quickly.

Luke watched her turn her back but didn't say anything. They were still yet to discuss it so he wasn't going to argue over that issue in the middle of his diner and with Babette less than ten feet away…and on Valentines Day.

'Have fun' Rory smiled as her parents and Richie left. She hadn't reached the point of calling Luke her "dad" just yet but when he was with her mum…they were her "parents". She considered Luke as her father, but it still felt too weird to actually call him "dad".

'Bye Rory!' Richie waved and smiled, getting into the jeep.

Rory watched them leave and then sighed as another car pulled up.

'April!' she called out.

'Coming!' April squealed and raced down the stairs. 'How do I look? Is this sweater too much? This lipstick? The lipstick is too much, isn't it?' she panicked.

'You look fine, now go…GO!' Rory pushed her out the door and then peaked a look at the guy. 'She has good taste' Rory realized as she caught a brief glimpse of Eddie. He was sort of tall, had light brown hair that curled slightly and he was dressed casually but not too fancy. He even helped April with the door.

'So sweet' Rory smiled and waved goodbye. 'Yippee, what fun I'm having' she said very sarcastically and settled to watch her movie.

Rory muted the TV and reached for her cell phone, confused that someone was calling her.

'Oh' she said once she saw caller-id. 'Ah, hey Logan…what makes you think I'm alone? No, I'm perfectly capable of having a romantic night out, I just ah…chose not to' she frowned. 'Ah…I dunno Logan. Yes, we are friends…oh. Okay, sure…we can just hang as friends…Alright. Where? Okay' Rory hung up and sighed. Logan was on his way to pick her up and take her someplace where they could supposingly just hangout as friends. Rory had a bad feeling about this…

Lorelai sipped at her coffee and then glanced up as her two daughters entered the kitchen, both looking sleepy and as if they had major headaches.

'Rise and shine!' Lorelai teased.

April groaned and laid her head on the table while Rory grabbed Lorelai's coffee cup, making her gasp loudly.

'Luke!' Lorelai complained. 'Offspring number one stole my coffee!'

'What?' Luke frowned and turned around, seeing Lorelai pointing at Rory accusingly. Luke sighed and poured Lorelai some more coffee in another cup.

'Where did you go last night anyway?' Lorelai asked Rory. 'We got home and you weren't here, what time did you come back?'

'Two' Rory replied.

'In the morning?' April glanced up. 'Where were you?'

'Ah…just, hanging with a friend' Rory shrugged. 'So, how was the concert with Eddie?'

'Fine' April said a little shyly. 'He was very sweet. Oh! And how was your night?' April smiled at Lorelai and then Luke once he sat down at the table also, after handing everyone breakfast.

'It was beautiful' Lorelai smiled. 'We went to Sniffy's Tavern'

'Ooh, where you had your first date?' Rory smiled. 'Cute' and nodded an approving glace towards Luke.

'I know! Even Richie enjoyed himself…speaking of which, where is that kid?' Lorelai glanced around but her son was nowhere in sight. 'Richie?' she called out…but again, nothing. 'Richie Honey?' Lorelai got up and started looking around for him frantically.

'Sorry!' Richie came running inside.

'Oh Richie' Lorelai hugged him. 'You scared me half to death! What were you doing?'

'Pepperjack was lonely, since dad locked him outside' Richie frowned at Luke.

'He was annoying Paul Anka honey' Lorelai reminded him. 'And daddy's making Pepperjack a nice little doggie house to live in'

'What?' Luke said. 'I am?'

'Yes, you are' Lorelai nodded at him. 'Pepperjack needs somewhere to sleep'

'Can we paint it?' Richie then got excited at the thought of a building project with his dad. 'Blue! Or…or red! Pepperjack likes blue and red, like Superman'

'Yeah, give him a cape and underwear!' Lorelai joined in. 'Oh, I gotta go' she glanced at her watch. 'You girls, I want full details later' she pointed seriously at April and Rory. 'Bye' she kissed Luke and patted Richie's head. She grabbed her purse and rushed out the door.

'I have to go' Rory sighed. 'I'm going over to see Lane' she smiled weakly and grabbed her car keys.

'Does she seem bothered by something?' April wondered, watching her stepsister.

'Probably' Luke nodded and pointed to the stairs. 'Come on kid, upstairs' he instructed Richie.

'Why?' Richie wondered.

'You're in your pyjamas' Luke told him.

'Oh' Richie looked down and giggled.

April flipped through a magazine and then got up to answer the phone. 'Hello? Oh, hey uncle T.J…what? Oh, my god- yeah! Yeah totally!' April hung up and ran upstairs as fast as she could. 'Dad! Dad!' she yelled.

'What?' Luke asked in panic.

'Aunt Liz had her baby!' April squealed in joy. 'A little girl!'

'Argh' Richie crossed his arms and pulled a face. 'Another Doula' he grumbled with a famous Gilmore-pout.

Lorelai checked a few guests in and then did some errands around the inn, by lunchtime; she was bored again. Michel wasn't being overly difficult and Sookie was far too busy with the menu and staff shortages, for their usual chat. Lorelai walked back into the main lobby just as Luke came inside to drop Richie off.

'Hi mum' Richie smiled. 'Aunty Liz had another Doula'

'She…what?' Lorelai asked Luke, confused.

'Liz had her baby' Luke smiled.

'Oh! Wow' Lorelai grinned in excitement. 'A little girl, I presume?'

'Yeah, they named her Millie' Luke nodded. 'Hey, can I talk to you for a minute…alone?'

'Ah, sure' Lorelai nodded. 'Richie, there are some new games in the library that you might like'

'Cool!' Richie ran off to find them while Lorelai took Luke into her office.

'Okay' Lorelai said, shutting the door and locking it for privacy. 'Is something wrong?' she asked, a little concerned.

'I got a call from Emily' Luke said.

'Urgh, something's wrong' Lorelai groaned. 'What did she say?'

'She wants to know when we're moving out' Luke said.

'Oh…ah yeah, about that-'

'Lorelai, are you really that unhappy in our new house?' Luke asked.

'No! I'm not "unhappy", it's just…well, and it doesn't feel like a home. It doesn't have that vibe'

'Maybe you just need to give it more time' Luke suggested.

'I have' Lorelai said. 'You can't just paint a funny face on a guy and he's a clown, it's not that simple. You should know he's a clown without him painting his clown face on' she said, making very little sense to Luke. 'I love our new house, but it's just not the same. A house has to feel like a home to be a home'

Luke nodded and hung his head for a moment, thinking. 'You're sure? And your parents are paying for necessary extensions? You're okay with that?'

'Yes' Lorelai nodded. 'And I'm sure'

'Alright' Luke nodded with a defeated sigh. 'We'll start packing tonight'

'Thanks!' Lorelai grinned and hugged him tightly, feeling very excited about "re-uniting" with her old house, which she loved so much.

--

After Luke had left, Lorelai went to see how Richie was doing. 'Hey hon' she smiled. Richie was sitting on an armchair in his jeans and blue shirt, his cap on backwards. He was currently enjoying one of the many kid's books from the shelf.

'Hi mum' he smiled, looking up. 'Other kids are playing the games, but I like this book'

Lorelai smiled and crouched down beside him. 'Hey, how would you feel about moving back to our old house?'

'Really?' Richie grinned. 'We can? Can we?'

'We are, are you okay with that?'

'Yes!' Richie grinned. 'I'll miss new house. Pepperjack can come with us right? He hasn't seen old house'

'Of course' Lorelai smiled, giving him a kiss.

'It looks so pretty' Rory smiled, looking up at the old house with her bags in hand. 'Was it always this pretty?' Lorelai asked.

'I think so' April nodded, helping Richie from the car.

'House!' Richie yelled and ran across the front yard until he reached the front door. Richie turned the knob and ran inside.

Paul Anka surprised Luke as he jumped out of his seat and ran onto the porch barking.

'Awe, Paul Anka missed the house too' Rory smiled.

'Come on' April said and shoved Rory towards the house. 'You know you want to'

'You're back!' Babette's yell was heard from next-door as she and Morey came to warmly welcome them home.

Lorelai just stood there and smiled at the house, ignoring Pepperjack's irritating yapping and Babette's continuous chatting. Luke gave her a kiss and then headed into the house also, dragging the rest of their bags with him.

'Home sweet home' Lorelai smiled before following her family inside…

Author's Notes: Okay, that was chapter 20!! We've come a long way, eh? Next chapter will most likely be updated Tuesday...if not sooner. That depends on reviews. Okay so next chapter is Richie's 5th birthday, which I'm sure you'll all like and a few questions etc are bieng answered there. If you have any questions/conerns at all about anything, let me know in your review and I'll check to ensure that they're answered; either in the fic or in my next Author's notes. Okay so you know the drill...please review!

-Mel

p.s One more thing, I was going to end this fic at 40 chapters and then maybe do a sequal of it being several years later...but now I'm not so sure. Would y'all like me to end this fic around 40 and then skip (in sequal) to about...4 or 5 years later? Or would you rather I keep the fic going til about 50 or 60 chapters and then do a sequal? After Luke and Lorelai have their last kid, and he/she is a toddler, the timeframe is rather even paced and very little time skipping at all...so more chapters means seeing more of the kids grow at their current ages (by chapter 40, Richie will be about 8 and the last kid will be about 3). Let me know what you think!