Author's Notes: Hey, just got home from a friend's house so yeah...here's the next update! Thanks my reviewers,

loridhhp-April did have a good relationship with her mother on the show, although she wasn't too thrilled with moving to New Mexico at first. I've made it this way because April and Anna have drifted apart over the years and that's the reason for the lacking into their relationship. I don't hate Christopher either, I only hate him when he's screwing up Lorelai's life. And yes, twins would work as a disadvantage to this storyline, hense the non-use. oh goody, you're ignoing missing commas etc hehe. yay. Thanks!

imissthisshow:- Yeah, I felt it should be a girl. Eddie was nervous then, trying to impress and was nervous. But later down the track you'll get to see him more naturally and yeah. I think he's quite different than April but at the same time he's a good match. Lorelai and her parents are mending wounds, but Emily and Lorelai are both stubborn so don't expect them to be cuddly too often.

Jeremy Shane- thanks. like2CUhappy24-7- thanks for all the reviews! I see you're not a Christopher fan, well...he's not going to be in it very much as of a few chapters from now...so you've only got to put up with him a little while longer.

Chloe2007- hehe, "daddy's girl" we'll see. GiGi wasn't sure who else to call, so yeah. And Lorelai's number is on Christopher's speed-dial. Lorelai-April bonding is some of my fave stuff at add as I think they have a special kind of connection, like they instantly got along.

Lorelailauren- Christopher keeps coming back because that's what he'd known for, besides, he's also the biggest trigger for issues betwen Luke and Lorelai. I am working on getting the couple past the issues so I feel they need another trigger before they can work through things properly, hense Chris. Don't worry, there is LOTS more Java Junkie stuff in the near future, they've just got some sorting out to do first.

Kat321- Glad you like the non-twins choice and yeah. Rory and Logan? Well, I can say they won't be falling apart anytime soon. I cannot say if they will end up together or if it's only friends...but they will not hate each other. Yes, I have laready written in, but suggestions etc are welcomed. Heh, um...not sure if I've ever had someone say they liked my A/N before but thanks lol. Glad I'm funny, I aim to be entertaining.

Sorry for the long A/N, here's the story...but warnings for some "Partings" and "The long morrow" spoilers.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Chaos, Concerns and…Christopher?

'I don't know how bad' Lorelai hissed to Luke as she found Christopher's apartment. 'Which is why you're here…not that I wouldn't have told you, just…' Lorelai sighed and knocked.

'Lorelai?' GiGi asked as she answered the door.

'Where is your dad?' Lorelai asked and GiGi pointed towards the main bedroom.

'Chris?' Lorelai called out and found him sitting beside the toilet in the private bathroom. 'Wow, behold Prince Charming' she joked and the sight of his tired-eyes and slept-in clothes. 'I heard what happened to Sherry' she said sympathetically.

'Mmhm' he mumbled. 'You didn't have to come'

'Nonsense' Lorelai told him and started cleaning up some of the empty wine bottles and mess.

'You're married' Christopher said groggily.

'Yes I am, and that I will remain' Lorelai nodded. 'What does visiting you have anything to do with that?'

'You're pregnant' Christopher then eyed her stomach. 'Again'

'Okay, people have got to stop adding the "again" to the end of that sentence…you'll make me out as some tramp' Lorelai rolled her eyes.

'Sorry' Christopher mumbled.

'Luke, give me a hand!' Lorelai called out and Luke came into view.

'You' Christopher said, his vision a bit blurry. 'What-'

'Just shut up before you make use of that toilet again' Lorelai sighed and allowed Luke to help Christopher to his feet, shoving him over towards the couch.

'Why is another man pushing me onto a couch?' Christopher asked, very drunk.

'Wow, he's really out of it' Luke frowned and glanced back at almost-nine-year-old GiGi. 'Poor kid' Lorelai sighed. 'Watch him' she pointed at Christopher and walked over to GiGi. 'You okay hon?' she asked.

GiGi shook her head and hugged Lorelai in much need of comfort, but it was also a relief hug.

'There are two of you' Christopher pointed at Luke in shock. 'Why?'

'You're very drunk' Luke reminded him, still not fully understanding what was going on and why Lorelai was so keen on being here. But as he glanced over to watch her with GiGi, he knew why. Luke was disgusted to the fact that Christopher was getting this drunk while he was with his daughter.

'I'm drunk' Christopher said as Lorelai came back over. 'And mad' he realized, making Luke flinch a little since Lorelai was right beside Christopher.

'Yes you are, now Shoosh' Lorelai nodded. 'Chris, listen very carefully…you are not going to do anything stupid, okay? You will call your mother and she will come over. I am taking GiGi with me for the night so you can get some rest and clear your head…okay?'

'You think I'm a bad father?' Christopher frowned. 'That why you're taking GiGi?'

Lorelai knew Christopher was often an angry drunk so she wasn't going to push things, especially since Luke looked ready to pounce.

'Okay, I'll just call your mother and-'

'Why did you leave me Lor?' Christopher wondered. 'Then this wouldn't have happened, Sherry would have gone back to Paris!'

'Luke, don't' Lorelai placed a hand on Luke's chest to stop him. 'He's drunk…I'm going to call his mother' she sighed and grabbed the phone.

'Sorry I scared you' Christopher said to GiGi, straightening up a little. 'This won't happen again, I just don't know how to handle this'

'Clearly' Luke muttered under his breath.

'And you left that kid with her?' Luke ranted as he drove them back to Stars Hollow an hour later.

'His mother was only a few minutes away when we left and Chris was passed out' Lorelai said and decided that now was really not the time for her to announce the gender of their baby, she also wasn't actually sure if Luke wanted to know yet or if he preferred it to be a surprise this time around.

'He got drunk! With his kid right there!'

'They were at Sherry's funeral' Lorelai corrected. 'And the nanny was supposed to pick GiGi up, but she never showed'

'I hate him' Luke frowned but took a breath since he was driving and getting them into a car crash wasn't going to help the situation at all.

'I know' Lorelai nodded. 'They'll be okay…me, however? I need cheesecake…Luke, get me cheesecake!' she begged.

'How many cups of coffee have you had today?' Luke asked with a sigh.

'None' Lorelai told him truthfully.

'You swear?' Luke asked in shock.

'I swear, now…cheesecake!' Lorelai pleaded and saw a cake store up ahead, which Luke turned towards. 'I love you' she smirked teasingly and patted his arm.

'You remember that' Luke said.

'Six months' April announced and placed a sticker on her chart, representing how far along Lorelai was. 'Urgh, this is taking too long!'

'I agree' Rory nodded but didn't glance up from her laptop. 'Are there any cookies left?'

'I'll check' April said and glanced at the clock, seeing it was almost ten. She pushed her bedroom door open carefully but then overheard Lorelai as she was sitting in the kitchen, talking on the phone.

'Christopher! Dirty!' Lorelai hissed but then giggled quietly.

'Ah…Rory?' April gestured and Rory crept over. 'Dad's out tonight, right?'

'Yeah' Rory nodded and listened to her mother, confused but also concerned.

'Oh come on, that was six months ago Chris' Lorelai was saying. 'If anything, you owe me! Besides, I paid for gas to get down there…you so owe me for the trip! I don't care how early you were' she frowned and wiped some cookie crumbs off her large stomach. 'Okay ah, I gotta go…baby is kicking me. Talk to you later, buh-bye' Lorelai hung up and the girls snuck back into the room to avoid being seen as Lorelai got up and left the kitchen to see what was on TV.

'I guess there are no cookies left' Rory said and glanced at April, sharing the same vaguely fretful expression.

Lorelai groaned in frustration and pointed to the top shelf, making Luke reach for the jar there.

'Thank you hon' Lorelai smiled. 'Not you' she then said since she was also on the phone with Michel. 'So everything's okay? Nothing you need me for? Drats, okay bye' she hung up and pouted.

'You're not working' Luke told her again.

'Lunch!' Richie called out and Luke tossed his lunchbox to him. 'Keys!' he then reminded Rory as she was about to head out the door.

'Urgh, thanks' Rory said.

'Hug for mummy and baby!' Lorelai called out, making Richie run back for a quick "goodbye" hug and kiss.

'Come on little bro, school time' Rory told him.

'Bye!' Richie called out and ran after his eldest sister since she was taking him to school today.

'I gotta get to the diner' Luke said, turning to kiss Lorelai and their unborn baby goodbye. 'I'll be home late'

'Okay, bye' Lorelai said and then spoke to her stomach. 'Say bye-bye to daddy…oh! It kicked!'

'Good grief' Luke sighed and left.

'It kicks a lot in the morning' April noticed. 'Maybe I should make a chart for when the baby kicks?'

'Ah…you have five charts already honey' Lorelai said and then grabbed the phone the second it rang. 'Hello? Mary's Mexican…place?' Lorelai asked in a waitress voice. 'How may we assist you today? If you have complaints about the food or you're starting to turn green, please use the emergency number as we hold no responsibility for that' she said while April glanced at her weirdly.

'Nice to know' Christopher said from the other end of the line. 'I was hoping to speak with a one Lorelai Gilmore, she's the pregnant one'

'Oh I'm terribly sorry kind sir, but Lorelai quit last month' Lorelai joked. 'Hey Chris' she then smiled and April looked back down at her study book but listened carefully.

'Hey Lor' Christopher said with a smile. 'Hey um, I was wondering…do you know of anywhere near Stars Hollow that isn't too expensive to spent a night there? Oh, what about the inn? Is it over booked? I heard you saying something about being overbooked last night'

'Oh no, a few rooms cleared this morning, why? You interested in being blessed with my graceful pregnant being?' she continued to joke, being in a rather chipper mood today.

'Something like that' Christopher rolled his eyes. 'GiGi and I are going to visit a few friends and see a show along the way…we'll pass through Stars Hollow around late afternoon tomorrow and I just thought that a hotel room is much more cozier than a car seat'

'That it is, good thinking' Lorelai nodded. 'Hang on a sec' she said and pulled out her cell phone, holding it to her ear. 'Michel? Hi, um…is Room 10 booked? No, okay good…it is now' she then turned to the phone with Christopher. 'How long?'

'Overnight' Christopher replied.

'Overnight' Lorelai told Michel. 'Yes? Okay thanks…to a Christopher and GiGi Hayden…yes. Bye' She hung up and turned to the main phone again. 'You're booked in for tomorrow night'

'Thanks Lor' Christopher said. 'And how's baby?'

'Kicking her mother' Lorelai frowned. 'Oh! That reminds me, I have my baby shower tomorrow…the girls are throwing it early this time, maybe you and GiGi could come along? Since you'll be in town and all'

'Yeah, sure' Christopher nodded. 'We could drop by, where is it and what time?'

'Tomorrow night at six' Lorelai informed him. 'My place'

'Okay, we'll be there' Christopher nodded. 'See you then Lor, bye' he hung up.

'Tell me again' Michel said in a whining tone. 'What is that man and his offspring doing here?' he asked, eyeing Christopher and GiGi from the window for the house.

'It's my baby shower' Lorelai said. 'They're passing through, lighten up!' she handed him a cup of punch. 'And drink something I can't'

'I prefer not to' Michel gave the cup a disapproving glare.

'Impossible!' Lorelai shook her head and went to find Sookie in the kitchen. 'Quite some turnout huh?' She asked, referring to the baby shower.

'Yeah, our last one too!' Sookie said while fixing up the pastries and checking on the chips.

'Well yeah, but then there's Rory and oh god, please not April…not for another lifetime at least' Lorelai said and Sookie laughed.

'Oh hey mum, dad' Lorelai greeted her parents. 'I didn't think you were coming! But, I'm glad you did…both of you'

'Of course we came' Emily said in an offended tone. 'Why wouldn't we?'

'My mistake, have some punch' Lorelai offered a cup.

'What is that?' Emily frowned at it.

'If I tell you…' Lorelai pulled a face. 'Just try it' she nodded and then went to welcome Christopher and GiGi inside.

'What is he doing here?' Emily then hissed to Richard.

'I don't know Emily' he replied.

'Hey GiGi!' Lorelai smiled and gave her a hug. 'You look nice, new dress?'

'Yeah, thanks' GiGi smiled. 'Is Rory here?'

'Sure is hon, look for the girl in the big, pink hat with feathers all over it' Lorelai pointed towards the crowd.

'Wow, do this many people like you?' Christopher joked. 'Or is it the open bar?'

Lorelai gave him a glare and handed him a cup of punch.

'I am not drinking this' he stared at it's strange coloring.

'It's just cordial' Lorelai said with a light shrug.

'Really?' he asked.

'No' she smirked. 'Just drink it mister' but he shook his head. 'Drink it' she frowned, wishing that at least one person would taste her terrible, colored but very-alcoholic drink.

'No way' Christopher laughed. 'Raw chicken dipped in chili…yes, this? No'

'Chicken?' Lorelai pulled a face and then rushed for the bathroom.

Christopher glanced at the drink again and then tossed it into the trash. He then jumped as the front door slammed open behind him and a woman rushed past, searching through the crowd.

'Mum?' April recognized Anna as she approached her and Rory while they were counting the gifts.

'Why are you doing this?' Anna snapped, making everyone go quiet. 'You never told me! You cut me off and then you…this?'

'What did I do?' April asked angrily. 'And I didn't cut you off'

'You're pregnant!' Anna hissed. 'I had to hear it from one of your friends at school, and I show up here to find you celebrating-'

'Mum!' April hissed and tried to push her towards the exit. 'I'm not pregnant! This party is for Lorelai, she's over there' April pointed and Anna (along with the entire crowd of people) looked over at her.

'Oh wow, what?' Lorelai gasped self-consciously as she emerged from the bathroom and everyone stared at her.

'You're not pregnant?' Anna asked April, looking for some form of verification.

'No, I'm not…what are you doing showing up here like that? Ever heard of a phone?' April frowned in embarrassment while Luke made his way towards them.

'Would you have answered? No' Anna hated the audience they had so she made her way back to the front door and left, rather suddenly and awkwardly.

'You okay?' Luke asked.

'I'm fine' April sniffed and Rory put an arm around her.

'You're not though, pregnant I mean?' Rory asked softly.

'No, I swear' April sobbed. 'God, why does she do this? It's all about her!'

'Shhh' Rory said and tried to comfort her.

Luke sighed and then picked Richie up since his shirt was covered in cake. Luke replaced the shirt but once he found Lorelai in the crowd, he was a bit surprised to see her and Christopher getting along so well. Christopher placed a hand on her stomach while they were laughing about something. Luke frowned and figured it to be nothing, until he turned and saw the serious expression Rory was giving them as she watched her parents. Luke glanced back over at his wife and Christopher, becoming very uncomfortable.

GiGi watched Rory and April chatting away and felt very left out. She sighed and stared at her feet a little until Rory noticed her.

'Oh, GiGi hi! You remember April, right?'

'Hey' April smiled.

'Yeah, hi' GiGi nodded.

'You wanna hang out with us girls?' Rory offered.

'Sure' GiGi nodded. She was still feeling very sad though, wishing she were a part of the family more. And she was missing her mum so much. GiGi never got to see Sherry very often, but now that she was gone…it hurt, and left a sense of loneliness.

'I would like to give a toast!' Miss Patty called out loudly and everyone turned to her. 'I can still remember when Rory was an innocent little girl, protected from the real world out there. And we also all remember how Luke had spent all those endless years pining for Lorelai-'

'I was not Pining' Luke interrupted. 'How many times do I have to say it?'

'More than that' Miss Patty frowned. 'Anyway, none of us ever thought that when they finally hooked up…that it was actually going to last!'

'Thanks' Lorelai told her. 'How very supporting of you'

'It's true' Miss Patty said. 'And then you two got engaged, and then you broke up…Lorelai married that Christopher guy…although he has a nice, cute little butt that-'

'There are children here!' Luke reminded her, covering Richie's ears.

'Oh sorry, got a bit carried away there' Miss Patty chuckled. 'My point is, that through it all…you two lovebirds lasted long enough to get eventually married! And here we all are now, welcoming Lorelai and Luke's next child into the world! I'm just so happy!' Miss Patty smiled proudly. 'So here's to them!'

'To them!' the crowd cheered and toasted with wine that Babette had brought with her.

--

A few more rounds of toasts soon followed, but then Lorelai noticed Christopher was gathering his coat and heading for the door.

'You're leaving?' she asked.

'Yeah…it's getting later and we have early morning travels tomorrow' he yawned but then smirked a little. 'Although, apparently I have a cute butt'

'Apparently' Lorelai sniggered. 'Okay well, safe drive' she nodded.

'Yeah, thanks for inviting us' Christopher said and kissed her cheek. 'I'm just gonna get GiGi and we'll be out of here'

'Okay, night' Lorelai nodded, giving him a wave. She turned back around and saw that the party was finally starting to die down and the house seemed a lot emptier, which was a relief because Lorelai was starting to feel a bit tired herself.

'Hey' she smiled at Luke.

'Can I talk to you for a minute?' he asked.

'Sure' she nodded but hadn't been expecting that he would drag her away from everyone. 'What's this about?' she asked.

'I'm probably being paranoid' he said. 'But did you really meet up with Christopher six months ago? …Without telling me?'

'You are being paranoid' Lorelai frowned and bit her tongue. 'It was nothing, I went to visit Christopher because he was going through a really rough time and he need a friend'

'Friend, huh?' Luke frowned.

'Yes! Why? Where is this coming from?'

'You never told me about that' Luke said. 'Why didn't you tell me about it? I'm your husband right? So we're supposed to tell each other these things'

'Yeah, well…you know now' she said and glanced away.

'I was asking April and Rory about the increasing phone bills when they came to visit and they thought I was talking about last night…when you called Christopher…and then Rory let slip you saw him six months ago…why didn't you tell me? We're married Lorelai! We promised to tell each other everything…remember?'

'Yes! Of course I remember!' Lorelai said loudly. 'Luke, what is going on?'

'It is mine…right?' Luke blurted out, nerves and paranoid thoughts getting a head of him.

'What?'

'The baby…I mean you're six months along…you met up with him six months ago…'

'Oh my god, you're honestly asking for confirmation that you are the father of my baby?' Lorelai asked in pure shock and frustration. 'Luke! You're my husband, I married you, remember that? We had Richie and…Luke' her tone then lowered as she began to sort of understand his paranoia. After all, she did sleep with Christopher right after she gave Luke the marriage ultimatum all those years ago, and it was only months after that in which she married him…even if it only lasted forty days, it had hurt Luke pretty deep…

'Christopher and I are over, now we're just friends. And I am so not having this conversation with you now' she said but their chat was then interrupted by Christopher. Speak of the Devil.

'Have you seen GiGi?' he asked, sounding quite worried.

'No' Lorelai sighed. 'Ask Rory'

'Rory hasn't seen her since an hour ago' Christopher said and noticed the tensed look on both Lorelai and Luke's face. 'Ah, did I interrupt something?'

'It's fine' Lorelai glanced a Luke. 'I'll help you look for GiGi' she said and followed Christopher back into the main room.

Author's Notes: Please let me know what y'all think! This was a dramatic and rough chapter, but the worst is behind them now. Luke and Lorelai are soon to be on the strong mend, so expect happier chapters for the future! Please review!!

-Mel