Author's Notes: Okay, so my reviewers surprised me this time! I got a rather harsh one, which was mainly, well harshness because there were no comments how to improve or anything constructive. Then I also got a massive review that made my day so wonderful! To the annoymous reviewer: If you don't like the story anymore, you either stop reading or help me improve. you did neither. 89 reviews for 20-ish chapters isn't bad! I'm proud to have 89 reviews! I don't see how the characters can be OOC and while the fic does move fast at times, it's not too fast. If it was, I'm sure my reviewers would have said so by now and helped me improve it. Please do not review or send me messages again if you're only going to complain. However, thanks to...

Chloe2007-Being back at home will change things for the better and the baby issue will be addressed in this chapter. Jeremy Shane- I don't hurt people for their opinions lol. How do you think Richie is being a pain? Anything specific? Cuz I don't want him to be a pain, so I may be able to fit it.

Loridhhp- WOW! That's one hell of a review! I must say, you're instantly my fave reviewer lol! Your comments were not only helpful but very, very motivating! Thanks a million! Now to address some of it: First off, thanks for the grammatical mentioning, but they are actually mostly correct. "Saids" is pronounced sez or ses. It's an actual word, I know this for a fact. Sleepishly, probably isn't a word...but I used it cuz was only was I could think to describe it. Lorelai saids crazy words like that all the time so i figured it would be okay or fit in, sorry if it didn't. "whom" was mostly right, but other times it didn't make sense to me either, but microsoft word claimed it was wrong unless is used "whom" instead of "who" so I did, thinking they'd know...damn them. You were right on when you decribed Lorelai's stress situation, well done! Exactly what message I was hoping to get across. I would give you more comments etc but we'd be here all day otherwise! I'll try and send you a reply when I can! You deserve it! Anyhow, looking forward to future reviews from you! VERY helpful! Thanks. (also going to read your fics, looks good).

Warning: This chapter, while being very happy towards the last half and the end...in between, there is a high level of sadness and angust, just ye be warned!

Chapter Twenty-One: Birthday Boy

It was a few weeks later and things had been rather calm around the house, everyone was so happy to be back at their home. Lorelai was noticeably happier, especially now that Richie would be spending his fifth birthday at his real home, since the new house had never truly felt like home to them.

'So, what are you thinking this year?' Luke wondered once Richie had left the room to feed Pepperjack.

'Well' Lorelai took a deep breath. 'His first birthday was clowns, heh…that was fun' she smirked. 'His second birthday…zoo animals, he really liked that one and his tiger costume was so adorable! Then when he was three we had that freaky weather…so I went with a snowy theme. That was a hit…and last year' she gave a small giggled. 'Aliens, again…costume cuteness' she nodded. 'And this year it's…Pirates!'

'Pirates?' Luke replied. 'I hate pirates'

'Flannel is very common clothing choice for pirates' Lorelai teased. 'And it's not your party mister. Richie likes pirates'

'Only because you and Rory sat him through Pirates of the Caribbean forty times' Luke reminded her.

'Shoosh you' Lorelai glared.

Both parents then rushed outside as they heard their son yelled frantically and he sounded very upset.

'Richie honey? What's wrong?' Lorelai reached him first and tried to comfort the crying boy.

'Sugah. What's going on?' Babette asked from nearby, also having heard the commotion.

'Pep-Pepperjack…he's gone!' Richie cried, hugging his mother tightly.

'I'll look' Luke nodded once Lorelai gave him a concerned look.

'Yeah, me too' Babette nodded, seeing the poor boy crying. 'Who's Pepperjack again?' she then asked.

'Brown…yappy' Luke replied and she nodded, rushing off to spread the word of the missing dog.

'Shh, we'll find him' Lorelai hugged her son. His crying was hurting her also, Richie was never usually this upset about something and she just wanted to make him feel better, but he was clearly devastated.

'Maybe he just went for a walk?' she offered but even Richie knew that was a long shot. 'Come on; let's go get some ice cream okay? Daddy and Babette are looking for Pepperjack and you know Babette, once she tells Miss Patty…the whole town of Stars Hollow will know stat'

'O-okay' Richie sniffed and wiped his eyes with his sleeve. 'What if Pepperjack doesn't like me anymore?' he then asked as Lorelai carried him towards Taylor's candy store.

'Oh Honey, that's not true! Pepperjack is new to this area, maybe he just got a little lost…he'll be back' she nodded and wished she could guarantee it to her heartbroken, little boy.

As the next day came around, there was still no sign of Pepperjack. Richie was sad in the morning but for the rest of the day, Luke kept him busy.

Lorelai was sitting next to Richie in the diner, going through a book where she had written the guest list for his party.

'What is it this year?' Richie wondered, glancing up from his food.

'Pirates' Lorelai replied, dialing a number.

'Wicked' Richie grinned.

'Hey, mum?' Lorelai asked once Emily answered the phone.

'Lorelai, hello' Emily smiled, a bit surprised by the call.

'Yeah, I am just going over the guest list and I was wondering if you and dad would be able to make it to Richie's birthday party next week?'

'Why of course!' Emily said. 'And we're invited?'

'Certainly' Lorelai nodded. 'It's a pirate theme, but you don't have to wear a costume, it's mainly for the kids'

'Well okay, what time?'

'Ah…say two?' Lorelai checked her notes.

'Alright, Two o'clock' Emily wrote it down. 'We'll be there'

Lorelai hung up and smiled at Richie. 'Grandma and Grandpa are coming to the party'

'Cool' Richie noddeed. 'Did Benny's mum call back yet?'

'Uh…' Lorelai checked the list. 'Sure did, Benny will be coming'

'Yay!' Richie grinned.

'And guess who else is coming?' Lorelai smiled as Luke came from around the back. 'Jess!'

'Jess is coming?' Luke raised an eyebrow in surprise while Richie bounced happily in his seat.

'I think he has taken a liking to Richie' Lorelai whispered to Luke. 'He just won't admit it'

'Should I be worried?' Luke asked.

'Defiantly' Lorelai nodded but Luke couldn't tell if she was serious or not.

Lorelai yawned and wandered into the kitchen. It was a Saturday and she knew Luke had taken Richie with him to work early today since it was Lorelai's day off and she wanted to sleep in.

'Paul Anka?' Lorelai called since she knew it was lunchtime for him. 'Lunch! I've got your favourite' she said but he still didn't come. 'Aren't you hungry?' she asked and wandered around the house in search for him. 'Oh don't tell me you joined the circus too…' she joked but then saw him lying still outside in the backyard. 'Paul Anka? Oh no…Paul Anka?!' she discarded the food bowl and rushed to him. But she then bit her lip and looked down at him sadly. 'No' Lorelai sniffed, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. 'No, no! Paul Anka!' she knelt to her knees sobbing. She placed a hand on his still form but he was warm. Lorelai wiped a tear away and froze. 'Paul Anka?' she choked out, thinking she'd felt his breathing. But after another minute, she realized it was just the wind blowing against his hair. Lorelai took a really deep breath and got off the grass. She wandered back inside weakly and ignored her tears. She grabbed the phone and dialed Luke's.

'Hello?' he answered after second ring.

'L-Luke' Lorelai gasped out, reaching for a tissue.

'Lorelai?' Luke asked. 'Is that you? What happened? Are you alright?'

'Paul Anka…he's… he's gone' she told him.

'Gone, as in…oh' Luke finally picked up on what se was saying, a wash of sadness going over him as well. 'I'll be right over' he told her.

'Where's Richie? Oh God, poor Richie' Lorelai sniffed. 'First Pepperjack, now this?'

'I'll take care of Richie' Luke told her.

'Brooklyn Bridge is looking really good right about now' Lorelai sniffed.

'I'll be there soon, hang in there…and stay away from bridges' he added, hanging up the phone. 'Richie' he called for his son.

The Gilmore-Danes family (even April and Rory had managed to show up) gathered in the cemetery to say goodbye to their beloved dog Paul Anka. Babette, Morey, Sookie, Jackson, Miss Patty, Kirk and even Michel had all shown up to say goodbye also. Lorelai and Richie were the most upset since they had been the closest to Paul Anka, but not a single person wasn't shedding a tear for the dear beloved dog.

As the family got home, Rory and April gave their apologies, as they had to leave again shortly, since school and work won't hold off long enough for a full-blown wallow and grieving. But the moment Luke and Lorelai bid their daughter's goodbye, Richie went to his room quietly and even shut the door.

'Give him a moment' Lorelai sighed and just stood in the foyer, unable to move.

'It'll be okay' Luke told Lorelai as he wrapped her into a warm embrace and she sobbed against him again. He knew it was going to take time, Paul Anka had been like a baby to Lorelai at times, and Richie had really bonded with him before Pepperjack came along. Now that Pepperjack was nowhere to be found, Richie must really be feeling lonely.

'I'll go talk to him' Lorelai said, seeing the look on Luke's face. She sighed and wiped her eyes, heading into Richie's room. The boy was lying on his bed crying, hugging his teddy tightly as he lay in a curled up position.

'Richie?' Lorelai asked softly and sat beside him. He got up and hugged his mother firmly, discarding the teddy.

'Hey, where do you want these?' Jess asked as he brought some supplies for the party inside. Luke gestured to the closet and Jess dumped the boxes there just as Richie and Lorelai emerged from the bedroom.

'Hey, what-' Jess started at the sight of their faces, but saw the look Luke was giving him and decided to shut up.

'Paul Anka's gone!' Richie yelled sadly. 'He's not coming back! And Pepperjack ran away, I'm never going to see them again!' he started crying again.

'Paul Anka? That's the dog right?' Jess whispered to Luke and he nodded. 'And Pepperjack…the stupid brown, yappy thing?'

'That's him' Luke sighed. 'He's run away a few days ago'

'Okay' Jess nodded and shrugged. 'Well, I brought your crap like a servant boy…and now, I'm going' he stated and headed out the door.

'Hey' Lorelai said as Rory showed up a few hours later. 'Everything at work settled? We can finally be blessed with your company?'

'Yeah, I'm free for bit now' Rory said sleepily. 'Are you okay? How's Richie?'

'We'll manage' Lorelai sniffed and glanced over to where Richie was just sitting on the couch, staring at the floor.

'Has he been like that all day?' Rory wondered.

'Pretty much' Lorelai sighed and then the door opened.

'Don't make me bite you' Jess growled and held Pepperjack at arms length. 'Hey, Richie…come and get your stupid dog'

'Pepperjack?' Richie asked and ran over with a grin on his face, hugging Pepperjack once Jess put him down. 'Where did you find him?'

'Ah, around' Jess shrugged as Richie took Pepperjack into the kitchen to feed him.

'You went looking for him, didn't you?' Lorelai teased. 'The moment you saw Richie crying'

'No' Jess lied and pulled a face. 'So?' he then shrugged. 'The kid was crying'

'Admit it, you like your cousin!' Lorelai pointed at him and couldn't help but laugh at Jess's squirming. 'Admit it!'

'Fine, jeez' Jess rolled his eyes. 'It's no big deal, he's got his stupid dog back'

Richie then ran back into the room and nearly knocked jess over as he hugged him.

'Thank you Jess!' Richie said happily before running back to Pepperjack.

'I'm going' Jess sighed, giving Lorelai a glare as she sniggered at him. 'Bye Rory' he added and left.

Lorelai smiled and noticed Rory hadn't even acknowledged what had happened as she fiddled with her phone, getting very frustrated with it.

'Trouble in Paradise?' Lorelai nudged her.

'What?' Rory glanced up, ignoring yet another phone call from Logan. 'Oh, it's nothing' she shrugged. 'So ah…what's new?'

'I got into a fight with your grandmother today' Lorelai told her. 'It was so…refreshing! It's been too long since we fought like that, although it was creepy that we both agreed afterwards that it was a good feeling…weird'

'Yeah' Rory nodded and tried to ignore her phone again.

Lorelai jumped as the house phone rang. She picked it up whilst ignoring all of Rory's protests.

'Hello?' she answered. 'Why hello there Logan' she smiled, making Rory growl childishly.

'Is Rory there?' Logan sighed.

'Gee I dunno, is Rory here?' Lorelai asked and glanced at her daughter. 'What's this about?'

'Mum' Rory said and grabbed the phone from her. 'What Logan?' she asked.

Lorelai sat there and ate from a bag of nuts while Rory did a lot of eye-rolling and brief chatting. Once she hung up with the promise to call him later, Lorelai jumped in.

'What was that about?'

'Ah…Valentines Day' Rory shrugged and went to get a drink of water.

'Ah huh…that friend you hung out with until 2am? Logan?' Lorelai guessed.

'So?' Rory frowned defensively. 'Nothing was supposed to happen'

'But something did happen?' Lorelai presumed from the look upon her daughter's face. 'Rory, what happened?' she then asked worriedly since it wasn't denied.

'We…slept together, okay! Now I don't want to talk about it'

'Okay' Lorelai nodded and backed off. Rory was almost twenty-five after all, not sixteen. Although she really was worried and wanted to hear about it, Lorelai knew Rory would spill the details in her own time.

Lorelai walked into the kitchen and greeted Miss Patty as she came inside with a wrapped present.

'Hey, where's the birthday boy?' she grinned.

'Hiding from you' Lorelai joked, sort of. 'Presents on the table' she pointed. 'Hey!' she then greeted Sookie and her family as they also showed up to celebrate Richie's 5th birthday. 'Wow, nice outfits guys' she smiled at Davey and Martha. 'He's out the back with Doula' she then told them where to find Richie.

'This is quite a party' Jackson grinned, seeing all the decorations.

'Of course, do you not know me at all?' Lorelai asked in a fake offended tone.

'My bad, sorry' Jackson went along with it. 'Wow, that is one big cake' he spotted the treasure chest shaped cake, complete with chocolate coins.

'Courtesy of Sookie' Lorelai smiled.

'I spent all night on it' Sookie said proudly and then lowered her tone. 'Are you parents here yet?'

'They were early, as usual…just follow the screams' Lorelai joked. She then left her guests to wander where they pleased and resumed filling up the punch bowl.

'Oh, hey…I didn't know you were going to be here' Liz said as she saw Jess helping out with the broken piñata rope, trying to find an appropriate branch to hand it from.

'I'm full of surprises' Jess stated. 'I was in town' he then shrugged.

'Of course' Liz smiled but knew otherwise. 'This is Millie' she then introduced the baby girl in her arms; Jess's second little sister.

'Hey' Jess said to the baby. Everyone then started singing happy birthday as Lorelai brought out the huge cake and placed it on a table in the backyard.

'I would like to thank you all for coming' Lorelai addressed the entire group of family and friends. 'I'm so glad that we have so many friends to invite here today, because Sookie over-prepared as usual and we would have been stuck with the leftovers, not that they wouldn't have been great but…it's a lot' she joked, ignoring the protests from Sookie. 'I still find it hard to believe that my little boy is finally five years old, only thirteen more years to go until I can get rid of him' she said and everyone laughed. 'I used to think that Rory was all I needed, and then I was blessed with Luke and April…but I wrong' she smiled. 'Richie is so wonderful and he makes me prouder everyday…so, happy birthday little man' she smiled at Richie, giving him a kiss. 'Now, finally…let's eat!' she cheered, in which the crowd joined in on.

Lorelai watched the group lining up for cake and smiled at her son.

'He's growing so fast' she said, leaning against Luke.

'He is' Luke nodded and glanced over towards the edge of the group where Jess and T.J were getting along, they seemed to have sorted out some issues…which was nice to see since technically T.J was Jess's step-dad.

'Mum, thanks' Richie smiled, his mouth half full of cake. 'This is my favourite birthday party ever!'

'Glad you like it' Lorelai smiled and watch him try to avoid Doula. She sighed a little sadly and felt Luke's arm around her waist.

'You know…' he shrugged after another pause. 'If you really want another kid…I guess we could discuss it. I mean, why not…right?'

Lorelai smiled and looked at him. 'Really?'

'Yeah' he shrugged again. 'The last ones turned out alright'

'I agree' Lorelai kissed him. 'But…only one more' she said firmly. 'After one more baby…this family is complete. Well, until Rory or April drop one out…but let's hope that doesn't happen anytime soon'

'God yes' Luke said, getting worried for a moment there. 'So…it's decided? One more kid?'

'Yes' Lorelai grinned and thought about it wishfully. 'One more egg in our pretty little basket' she said and gave him another kiss...

Author's Notes: Well, tell me what y'all think! Sorry about Paul Anka, but it was his time...technically he was roughly 10 human years old. :( But besides that...I'd love to hear what y'all think, questions etc. You'll love next chapter :) Please review!

-Mel