Glad to see you are all still interested! I will try and update soon! :)
The following afternoon, they were all sitting on the porch eating lunch when Emily and Richard's car pulled up in the driveway. Lorelai glanced at her husband knowing that her father had met with the lawyers earlier. She felt her heart start to pound in her chest as she tried to remain positive about what her father was going to say.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" Jack yelled as he hopped down from April's lap and ran over to them.
"There's my handsome boy!" Emily said as she scooped him up, "You are getting so big! I don't know if I will be able to carry you around for much longer!"
"Daddy says if I keep eating my vegetables and not twinkies I'll be taller than Rory ever was!" Jack said with a smirk.
Rory rolled her eyes, "Nice Luke…"
He laughed, "Hey...whatever I can do to make my son steer away from that crap I'll do."
Richard smiled and stepped up on the porch as he reached for Elise, "There's my little princess." He said kissing her cheek.
"Gampa!" Elise yelled as she grabbed his cheeks, "Gampa!"
He laughed, "She really is the sweetest thing…"
Emily stepped up on the porch, "Remember you have two other beautiful granddaughters two Richard…"
Richard smile and handed Elise back to Luke as he opened his arms for April and Rory, "I haven't forgotten. It is wonderful to have you both home."
"Hi Grandpa." Rory said hugging him slightly, "It's good to be home."
"Are you getting excited for school?" Richard asked as he rubbed April's arm.
April smiled up at him, "Excited and a little nervous."
"You are going to love it." Richard said smiling, he glanced over at his daughter, "How are you holding up?"
Lorelai smiled at him, "I'm fine."
Richard nodded, "Good. Well...could I talk to you and Luke privately for a moment?" He turned back to Emily, "You want to take them all down to the lake?"
Rory crossed her arms over her chest, "I want to hear whatever to say too."
"Rory…" Richard said softly wanting nothing more than to protect the young girl.
Lorelai smiled and stood up as she put an arm around her eldest daughter's shoulder, "It's okay Dad. She should hear it too…"
April smiled and knew they needed this time, "Come on Jack...let's take Elise and Grandma to the little fort we were building."
Jack smiled, "Yeah! Come on Grandma!"
Emily smiled and took her grandson's hand and let him lead her down the path to the backyard. Lorelai and Rory sat down on the swing together as Richard sat in one of the wicker chairs and took out an envelope from his briefcase.
"As you know...I met with the lawyers today to discuss the new restraining order." He said taking the papers out of the envelope, "It went...relatively well."
Lorelai grimaced, "What does that mean?"
He sighed, "It means that if I had it my way he'd still be in prison."
Lorelai smiled, "Oh…"
"What are the current terms?" Luke asked curiously, "Can we put Rory on and the rest of the kids too?"
"Rory yes because of the altercation prior to Christopher's arrest." Richard said slowly, "Unfortunately...it may take more action to make sure the rest of the children are placed under the protection of it too. Considering he has had no contact with them the court won't think they are in any danger."
"I don't like that." Luke said quickly, "We don't know what he might do."
Richard nodded, "I agree. Which is why I am going to fight that and see if we can change it as quickly as possible. The children are of course with Lorelai or you the majority of the time so the court may say that keeps them safe."
"But Jack will be starting school soon." Lorelai said softly, "And April will be far away…"
"These are all things I am going to bring up in court tomorrow." Richard said giving her a nod, "I'm not going to let this go without a fight, I promise you that."
Rory interjected quickly, "I want to come with you tomorrow."
Richard opened his mouth to protest but Lorelai cut him off, "We have discussed this and agreed that Rory can go. She needs the closure from all of this. Plus maybe her presence will make the judge see that she doesn't want him around."
Richard sighed, "I suppose we can't keep you from going…"
Rory smiled at him, "I just really feel like I need to do this Grandpa."
He nodded slowly, "Fine. But you will stay with me the entire time, alright?"
"Of course." Rory said smiling softly at him.
"As of right now, Christopher cannot be within 300 yards of you Lorelai as well as your home, The Diner or the Dragonfly." He said glancing down at the paper in front of him, "That's about the size of a football field…"
"Too close." Luke said grumbling, "I don't even want him to be able to look at her."
"Luke…" Lorelai said reaching over to take his hand, "It's okay…"
Luke sighed and glanced at Richard, "What happens if...if makes any contact with her?"
"Even though Christopher is being released he is technically on probation. He is getting out a year earlier than initially expected due to good behavior." Richard said sadly.
Rory scoffed, "I'm sure he sucked up to everyone in prison…"
Richard smiled, "I don't doubt it. But if he does attempt to make contact...he will be violating his parole and would go back to prison. They would have a hearing as to how long he would have to go back for at that point."
Luke swallowed hard, "I want to go tomorrow too…"
"Luke no." Lorelai said standing up and putting a hand on his arm, "You are not going."
He squinted his eyes at her, "I want him to see me. I want him to know that I'm still here and I'm not going to let him hurt you again."
"You'll just provoke him...or he'll get you all riled up. You promised that wouldn't do anything to get yourself into trouble. I need you here babe...the kids need you. I love you for wanting to protect me but please...please just stay away from him." She said gripping his arms and trying to look at him with pleading eyes.
"Lorelai is right…" Richard said, "I understand why you want to go...but under the circumstances I think it would be best if you stay with her."
Luke sighed and leaned against the house, "Fine…"
"Luke…" Lorelai said grabbing his hand, "Look at me…"
He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, "I just…"
"I know…" She whispered leaning forward to kiss him gently, "I know."
He nodded slowly and put an arm around her, "So...there's not much else we can do right now is there?"
"Unfortunately no. Because this was Christopher's first offense...they are probably going to be more lenient. All we can do right now is hope that 6 years in prison has changed him." Richard said sadly.
"That's not something I'm willing to bet on." Luke said with a grumble.
"I guess we wait and see…" Rory whispered, "I hope he's gotten it together…"
"Me too." Richard said nodding, "It would make it much easier for all of us if he did."
"Mommy!" Jack said running up to the deck covered in mud, "I fell in the mud and it was awesome!"
Everyone on the deck laughed and Lorelai smiled, "Did Grandma get muddy too?"
Emily walked around the corner and smiled, "Just my shoes. But I think I'll live."
Lorelai smirked, "My how things have changed." She stood up and took Jack's hand, "Come on you...let's go get you cleaned up. We'll be right back."
Everyone watched as she walked inside and Emily turned to Luke, "How is she doing?"
Luke shrugged, "She's nervous...but trying to stay positive."
Emily nodded, "She's strong...she'll be okay."
"We all will be." Rory said softly trying to sound confident.
"Would you guys like to stay for dinner tonight?" Luke asked trying to break the tension, "I know it would mean a lot to Lorelai to have you here."
"We'd love too." Richard said smiling.
Luke nodded and walked into the house to help Lorelai with Jack. That night the elder Gilmore and the Gilmore/Danes clan ate dinner all together. Sat by the fire outside and counted their blessing. Whatever happened tomorrow...they would face it together.
The following morning, Lorelai snuck out of bed early again and walked into the room that Rory and April were sharing. She smiled when she saw that Rory was wide awake and she quickly crawled into bed with her.
"Hey…" Lorelai whispered as she pulled her close, "You sleep at all?"
"A little…" Rory whispered as she turned to look at her Mom, "It's just weird to think I'll see him today...it's been so long."
"You can still change your mind." Lorelai reminded her, "You don't have to see him ever again if you don't want too."
Rory shook her head, "After today I have no intention of seeing him again. And I want him to know that."
Lorelai sighed and brushed some hair away from Rory's eyes, "No matter how much you've grown...I still think of you as being as tiny as Elise. I hate to think that I won't be with you today...that I can't protect you from this."
Rory smiled sadly, "I don't need you to protect me from this Mom. He needs to know how I feel. I think I'll feel a lot better once I get it off my chest…"
Lorelai nodded and leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "I love you kid."
"I love you too Mom." Rory said snuggling further into her Mom, "And just for the record...no matter how old I get...I will always need you."
Lorelai swallowed her tears and held her close, "And I'll always be here…"
They both fell asleep again together in the small bed. For just a little while longer they were just Lorelai and Rory again like they had been for so many years. Together they could face anything head on. April woke up later in the morning and smiled when she saw Lorelai and Rory curled up in bed together. She walked out into the hallway and noticed her Dad had a strange expression on his face.
"She's with Rory…" April whispered as she shut the door behind her.
Luke let out a tiny breath and nodded, "I should have guessed…"
April smiled at him, "Jack and Elise still asleep?"
Luke nodded, "Yeah I might let them snooze a little while longer. You want some breakfast?"
April nodded and followed him down the hallway and into the kitchen. She sat down at the table and watched her father navigate around the kitchen with ease. Through the years she had come to realize that her father kept a lot of his own personal pain locked away. She knew that this whole situation was going to be difficult for him because he was afraid of what Christopher might do to Lorelai again. He had originally planned to fly out to school with her and her Mom to help her move in the upcoming weeks. But April was beginning to think that him being here was much more important…
"Hey Dad?" April asked as she watched him pour her some juice.
He turned back to her and smiled, "Yeah?"
"I've been thinking…" She shifted nervously, "Instead of taking me to school...I think you should stay here with Lorelai."
Luke stopped what he was doing and turned back to her, "What?"
She sighed, "I know we had this big plan...but I think it is more important for you to be here. Lorelai and Rory need you right now...it's going to be tense for awhile. I am perfectly fine moving in with Mom. And you can come visit when things calm down…"
"It's your Freshman year." Luke said with a frown as he placed her juice in front of her and sat down, "This is huge kid...I want to be there.'
April nodded, "I know you do. But...you also want to be here. They need you more right now...to be honest I'll be a nervous wreck if you aren't around them. During the last six years...Lorelai and Rory have become important to me too. Knowing that they are safe will make me feel better about leaving in the first place…"
Luke sighed, "You're an amazing kid...you know that?"
April smiled sheepishly, "I mean it Dad...I have three more years after that and I promise you can be at every single move in day after this. But right now...you need to be here. I called Mom last night and filled her in on everything...and she completely agreed. She also said that if there is anything she can do to help to please call her…"
Luke smiled, "You're absolutely sure? I mean I moved in Rory to school...I feel like I should be there for you. I missed so much as it is…"
April shook her head and grabbed for his hand, "Dad...it's okay." She swallowed hard, "Seeing Rory trying to deal with all this...I realized that even though I missed out on the first twelve years with you I still got pretty damn lucky. I can't even imagine what she is feeling right now. I have never had to question whether or not you cared about me...or whether or not you would hurt me. But Rory has...and she and Lorelai need you here to keep them safe. It's the right thing to do."
Luke swallowed hard and stood up to pull her into his arms, "I love you kid."
She held him back, "I love you too. Just keep them safe Dad…" She pulled away slowly and looked at him, "And keep yourself safe too…I still need my Dad around."
Luke nodded slowly and kissed the top of her head, "I'm not going anywhere."
Lorelai and Rory walked into the room and spotted them hugging, Luke smiled at his wife and pulled away. "Good morning. Coffee?"
"Yes please." All three of the girls said at once.
He glanced down at April, "Whoa...wait. When did you start drinking coffee?"
April smirked, "When I realized that the more coffee I drink the more studying I get in…"
Luke groaned, "I thought I was safe with you...you don't have any Gilmore actually in your blood."
April smiled, "Don't blame them. This was all on me. Plus Mom let me try it actually."
Luke sighed, "Remind me to talk to her about that." He walked back towards the coffee maker, "Three coffee's coming right up…"
Lorelai smiled and sat down at the table with Rory, "So…" April said, "How are you feeling Rory?"
Rory sighed, "Okay considering...a little anxious. I'll be happy when the day is over."
April nodded, "I can understand that."
"I thought that we could go out on the boat tomorrow." Luke said placing the mugs in front of the three of them, "It's supposed to be a beautiful day. And it might be good for all of us to just get out of here for a bit…"
"I think that's a great idea." Lorelai said taking a sip of her coffee, "Hey before I forget, we need to book your ticket for when you take April to school."
Luke glanced at April out of the corner of his eye, "Actually...I think I'm going to stay here."
Lorelai frowned, "What do you mean stay here?"
April bit her lip nervously, "I told Dad that I think it would be better if he stays around here. Just until things die down…"
Lorelai shook her head, "Oh hon no...he should be with you! This is such a big deal for you."
April nodded, "I know. But...I want him to stay. I want him to keep an eye out on you and Rory…" She swallowed hard, "To be honest it's for my own sanity…"
"April…" Lorelai said reaching for her hand, "I don't want you to be worrying about any of this. You have such an exciting time coming up. You're going to school and you will meet so many great new friends and learn as much as possible. I don't want this to ruin your experience."
April shook her head, "It won't. As long as I know you guys are safe...then I'll be okay."
"April…" Lorelai whispered again, "I just…"
"I know you're not my Mom...not biologically." April said as her eyes welled up with tears, "But I still...I still care about you."
Lorelai jumped out of her seat and pulled the young girl into her arms, "God. I love you too April...you know that."
Luke smiled and put a hand on Rory's shoulder, "I just...I think this is best for everyone. And then maybe you guys can all come visit in a few months? Escape some of the cold weather on the East Coast. It could be fun…" April whispered.
Lorelai pulled away and wiped at her step-daughters tears, "That would be great. But...are you totally and completely sure about this?"
April nodded, "Yes. And Mom's on board too. I talked to her last night...she wants you to call her if you need anything at all."
Lorelai smiled. Throughout the last six years, Anna and Lorelai had tried really hard to maintain a friendship that would make things easier for everyone involved. Whenever Anna and April visited, she made it a point to bring gifts for Jack and Elise. She had become fond of the two young children and they had created a comfortable routine. Luke was incredibly grateful for their ability to be adults about the situation and the fact that Anna had finally learned to accept and embrace the presence of Lorelai in her daughter's life.
"You're a really amazing kid." Lorelai said brushing back April's hair, "Incredibly mature."
April shrugged, "Some things are more important than moving day…"
Lorelai wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Well I owe you one kid. Big time…"
April smiled, "You don't owe me anything Lorelai. Like I said...as long as you're safe and happy that's all that matters."
Lorelai pulled away and wiped at her eyes, "I can already tell I'm going to be a mess today…"
"Everything is going to be fine…" Luke whispered as he looked directly at her.
She nodded slowly, "I know. I know…"
Rory took a deep breath, "Hey Luke?"
He looked down at her, "Yeah?"
"Think you can make me the works this morning? I think I'm going to need my strength." She said looking up at him nervously.
He smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of her head, "You got it. Why don't you go wake up the two monsters and I'll cook for everyone."
Rory smiled as she walked with her Mom and step-sister back to the stairs, "You picked a good husband Mom."
Lorelai smiled winked at Luke as they passed him, "The best…"
Luke shook his head and started to grab things out of the refrigerator. His first mission in all of this, was getting Lorelai through the remainder of the day without her having a full blown heart attack. He knew it wasn't going to be easy to let Rory face Chris but it had to be done. And the rest would fall into place over time…
Two hours later, Richard was waiting in the car as April played with Jack and Elise in the yard. Lorelai and Luke were standing on the front steps waiting for Rory to come outside. When the door opened Luke felt Lorelai tense beside him, but he put a reassuring hand on her back to reminder her she wasn't alone.
Rory walked over to them and smiled, "I'll be back in a few hours."
"I want you to call me as soon as you get in the car to come home." Lorelai said quickly, "I mean it. The second you sit down you call me."
"Mom…" Rory whispered softly as she stepped closer to her.
"And...you know stay with Grandpa. And the lawyers. Don't wander off on your own anywhere. Make sure someone's with you all the time. And just be smart." Lorelai continued to ramble.
"Lorelai…" Luke whispered as he squeezed her shoulder, "She's gotta get on the road…"
Lorelai nodded and pulled her into her arms, "Just be safe. Please."
Rory closed her eyes and breathed her Mother in, "I will. I love you Mom…"
Lorelai swallowed hard and kissed the side of her face, "I love you too. So much."
Rory pulled away, wiped at Lorelai's tears and leaned up to kiss Luke's cheek. "I'll be back soon."
She walked away quickly because she knew one more second longer and she may lose her nerve. She got in the car with Richard who honked the horn and gave a reassuring wave to his daughter and son-in-law. Luke felt Lorelai's shoulders begin to tremble and he turned her around slowly and pulled her close.
"It's okay…" Luke whispered as he wrapped his hands in her hair, "I'm right here…"
"I hate him." She mumbled into his shoulder, "He's her father...she shouldn't be afraid to see him. I shouldn't be afraid for him to be around her…"
Luke nodded and rocked her back and forth, "I know...I wish I could change it."
She clung to his shirt tightly, "I just...I still can't believe that we got here. They always had a strained relationship...but I always just assumed he'd be around…"
"Christopher made his own choices." Luke said rubbing her back softly, "You had no control over what he did...and I don't just mean him hitting you. He could have tried to improve his relationship with Rory for years...but he chose not too."
Lorelai nodded and pulled away, "I know...but I still can't help but feel guilty about it all. If I hadn't of made him think I wanted-"
He shook his head, "We agreed that we can't do that. Your counselor told you it will only drive you crazy...Christopher is an adult. He knew what he was doing when he married you and when he made the choice to hit you. None of this is your fault."
She sighed and looked down the path that her father's car had gone, "I just wish…"
He nodded and kissed her head, "I know. We all wish it was different. But it's not...and we will deal with whatever happens. Okay?"
She nodded and glanced back at him as she played with the buttons on his shirt, "I'm sorry I ever made you worry about going to see him...because this really sucks."
Luke laughed, "Yeah...it wasn't the best hours of my life. I burned just about every order I put through. And I think I spilled scalding coffee on Kirk. But he could tell I was so tense he didn't say a word and still gave me a twenty dollar tip."
She smirked and buried her face in the crook of his neck again, "I love you."
He wrapped his arms tightly around her, "I love you too."
"She's going to be fine…" Lorelai whispered, "We're all going to be fine…"
"Exactly." He said kissing her temple gently, "I'll make sure of it."
Lorelai closed her eyes and breathed him in letting the familiarness of his strength and protectiveness slowly push away her fear. She knew that as long as she had this man by her side she could face anything. But she also knew that the next few hours were going to be torture…
At the courthouse, Rory stood beside her grandfather waiting to be let in to see her father. They had sat through his proceedings and Rory had expressed her concern about her father's release and what he might do to her Mother. But Christopher had taken the stand and described how much he wished he could change what had happened all those years ago. He said he had learned a very important lesson and was hoping to be given a second chance.
Much to Rory and Richard's dismay, the judge had ruled in Christopher's favor. He agreed to the restraining order with both Lorelai and Rory's names on it. And they would re-meet at a later time to discuss adding the rest of the children on the list as well. As Rory waited for her moment to talk to her father, she thought of all the times he had let her down in her life.
There were missed recitals, weekends of planned visits cut short or ones that never even started. He had missed her graduation from Chilton, wasn't there to move her into college and never called when he said he would. He had broken her Mother and Luke up not once but twice. And six years ago he had committed the ultimate betrayal and physically harmed the most important person in her life...her mother.
The door to the meeting room opened and Rory took a deep breath as her Grandfather put a gentle hand on her back. She felt her heart racing in her chest and she tried to remind herself to stay calm and civil during this visit. She barely heard the officer say that she could go in, and she had to have her Grandfather lead her into the room.
Back in the courtroom, Rory had made sure not to look directly at Christopher. But here, the room was tiny and there was no where else to look. She saw a small nervous smile plastered on his face as he sat across the table and waited for her to join him. In some ways he looked the same as she remembered. But in other ways he looked tired and broken. Christopher Hayden had always looked so put together, but 6 years in prison had certainly taken their toll on him.
"Hey kid…" Chris whispered softly.
Rory tensed at his words and stopped short, she felt Richard urge her forward and he stepped back into the corner to give her a moment. She took a deep breath to compose herself, and then took the chair across from him.
""There will be no physical contact during this visit." The officer said beside them, "Even though you are being released soon...this is the only visit you will have. Understood?"
Christopher nodded, "Yes."
Rory turned away from him and looked down at the table, "I understand."
The officer nodded slowly and stepped back slowly to let them speak, "Did you get my letters?" Chris asked softly.
Rory sighed and knew she had to look at him at some point, "Yes...but I didn't read them."
Christopher sighed, "I had a feeling you did...never got any responses."
"I didn't have much to say." Rory said crossing her arms over her chest.
Christopher nodded slowly, "Rory...I know that what I did was terrible. But you have to understand that I just felt your Mom slipping away. I felt like everything I had been working for years coming to an end."
Rory laughed and rolled her eyes, "You didn't work for a damn thing. You had every chance to be with us...and you blew every single one of them."
"I asked her to marry me." Christopher said, "When she was pregnant...you know I did."
Rory nodded, "I know. But you were sixteen. You weren't ready...and even if you had gotten married you both would have been miserable."
"When your Mom said no it decided how it went for you and me kid...don't you see that?" He asked trying to reason with her.
"That is ridiculous. Mom gave you every opportunity to see me. She agreed to drive me all around just to spend time with you and you always disappointed me. And guess who was always there to fix it?" Rory said with a smirk.
Rory saw his face tense but he seemed to ignore her, "Rory...I've had six years to think about what I did. I've missed so much of my life...of Gigi's life and yours…"
"You should have thought about that before you hurt Mom." Rory said staring directly at him.
"Rory...I know that right now the court says that I can't see you. But...I'm hoping that at some point that will change. I'd like to be a part of your life. I want to know what you've been up too in the last few years." Christopher said sadly.
"You want to know what I've been doing?" She leaned against the table and glared at him, "I've been trying to wrap my head around the fact that my own father could possibly hurt the most important person in my life the way he did. I don't care if she had cheated on you with Luke or anyone else for that matter...you should have been an adult about it. But you were a coward like you always have been. You took the easy way out and tried to make her feel weak. You are pathetic. If Gigi chooses to have you in her life...that's great for her. But I want nothing to do with you from this point on."
Christopher swallowed hard, "Rory…"
"For years I wished that you would just be there for me. I didn't need you to be married to Mom...I just needed you to be around. I needed to know that if I need you I could call you and you'd show up when you said you would. But it never happened. You blew me off again and again and I was stupid because I just thought that at some point...you'd get it together. I thought you'd finally love me enough to be my Dad. But you never did…" She said as the tears welled up in her eyes.
"I know that I was a terrible father. But I'm asking for a second chance…" Christopher said leaning into her, "We could start over."
"How can we possibly start over? I will never be able to look at you the same way again." Rory said shaking her head, "When I was little and you would visit I thought you were the greatest man in the world...but you have proven that I could not have been more wrong. You could never be the father I needed you to be. But guess who always was there for me Dad...guess who is still there when I need him...who's waiting at home right now to make sure that I'm okay?" Rory said with a smirk.
Christopher leaned back in his chair, "So she married him?"
"Of course she did. He is the love of her life. And they have an amazing life together. And he has been the most amazing husband and father Mom and I could ever have asked for. You will never measure up to him." Rory spat out at him.
Christopher sighed and put his head down, "Rory...I just want to move on with my life. I'm not going to do anything stupid...I've lost so much time. If you don't want me in your life…" He looked up and swallowed hard, "Then I guess that's something I'm going to have to deal with but...let me live my life okay? I hope that...I hope that you are happy. And that your Mom is too."
"Don't even talk about her." Rory said angrily, "You don't get to ask about her. You don't get to wonder or even think about her!"
He sighed again, "Rory...she was a big part of my life for years. If you think I haven't thought about her in the last six years you're crazy. I've thought about her every single day. I have regretted what I did to her...I have wished I could take it back. If she's happy…" He swallowed hard and nodded his head, "Then...I think that's great."
"And I'm just supposed to believe that? I'm supposed to believe that you are just going to walk away and leave us alone forever?" Rory asked sadly, then she laughed, "It's kind of ironic when I think about it. For years I would have given anything to have you around...but you didn't care. And now...now you want to be part of our life and we want nothing to do with you."
Christopher nodded slowly, "If that's what you want...then I will have to respect that." He shrugged, "It's not like I have much of a choice anyway...the court says I can have no contact with you. And trust me...I have no intention of going back to jail."
Rory smirked, "Well I hope you mean that. Because as of this momen...you don't exist in my life. You will never see me again...never talk to me again. You can wonder all you want about Mom and I but we don't need you. We never really did...at least not after we met Luke. He is the only man we will ever need in our lives. Do you hear me? I never want to see you again."
Richard stepped forward as he felt Rory's composure slipping, "Rory I think it's time to go…"
"You will never again disappoint me. You will never again hurt me or Mom. You are nothing." Rory said as the tears began to fall freely down her cheeks. "I hate you."
"Well...whether you believe it or not...I do love you Rory. I always did...and I always will." Christopher said looking directly at her.
She shook her head sadly as she stood up, "No you don't. And you never did...if you really loved me you never would have hurt me this much. Goodbye Christopher. Have a nice life."
She turned quickly without giving him another look and ran out of the room. Richard glared at Christopher who looked stunned by her words. In that moment, Richard had never been more proud of his Granddaughter for being so brave.
He took a deep breath nodded his head, "You stay away from them. If you don't...I promise you'll have more to worry about than a few more years in prison. Understood?"
Christopher sighed and nodded his head as he looked down at the table again. Richard pulled at his suit jacket, turned on his heel and walked out of the room. He found Rory leaning against the wall crying. He immediately pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.
"Take me home." She said into his chest, "I need to see Mom."
Richard nodded and rubbed her back, "Come on."
Back at the house, Lorelai was pacing in the kitchen after she had put Elise and Jack down for their afternoon naps. April was washing dishes from lunch as she watched her move briskly through the room. She glanced to the left just as Luke walked in the room and she smiled nervously at him.
"Lorelai...you're going to put a hole in the floor." Luke said walking up to her. "You need to relax."
"What's taking so long? Why haven't they called me?" Lorelai asked as she continued to pace.
He grabbed her arm and tried to keep her still, "I am sure that they will be home very soon. You need to take a deep breath…"
"I don't' want to take a deep breath!" Lorelai yelled, "I want to know that she's okay! I want to see her standing right here so that I don't have to worry for another second."
"Lorelai…" April said softly as she stepped up to them.
"I don't care if I sound irrational or stupid. I don't care if I look like the crazy mom who wants to track her kids every move. I hate that I couldn't go with her. I should be with her for this!" Lorelai yelled loudly.
"Lorelai…" April said stepping up to her.
"What?" Lorelai snapped as she turned to the girl.
April smiled knowing she hadn't meant to yell at her, "She just pulled in…"
Lorelai's head whipped around and she walked through the foyer and out the front door. Rory was running from the car as fast as she could and practically threw herself into her Mother's arms at the bottom of the porch steps.
"Hey…" Lorelai said holding her tight, "Aw hon…" She could feel her trembling, "It's okay. You're okay. You're home now…"
"I hate him." Rory cried into her mother's shoulder, "God I hate him so much."
Lorelai heard the door open behind her and she knew that Luke and April were walking up behind her. She looked up as her father stepped up behind Rory and placed a gentle hand on her back.
"What happened?" Luke asked as he stood behind his wife looking worriedly at his step-daughter.
Richard shook his head, "I think it was just a little more overwhelming than she expected...but she was very brave. She said everything she needed to say…"
Lorelai ran her hands through Rory's hair, "Rory…"
Rory pulled back and stared at her Mom through tear filled eyes, "I told him I never wanted to see him again. I told him to leave us alone...I told him we had Luke and that's all we needed." She took a deep breath and looked at Luke, "You are my father. He will never compare to the man that you are...you've always been there. He never was...and he never will be."
Luke sighed and put a hand on her arm, "Rory...I am always going to be here for you. You know that."
Rory pulled away from her Mom and fell into his arms, "Luke…"
He held her close and rubbed her back, "It's okay...it's over. You don't have to see him again."
Rory nodded against him and let him hold her tight. Lorelai wiped her own tears away and looked back at her Dad who looked like he too was about to cry.
He cleared his throat slowly, "The judge agreed to the restraining order...for now you and Rory are the only one's on it. But we are going to re meet later to discuss having April, Jake and Elise placed under protection as well. He will be officially released on Friday."
Lorelai nodded slowly and stepped into her father, "Thank you Dad...for everything."
Richard swallowed hard and held her tightly, "Of course…"
Rory sighed and pulled away, "I need cake."
Lorelai couldn't help but laugh, "What?"
Rory pouted, "I don't know...I just want cake. I'm exhausted and sad and I just...I want cake."
Luke smiled, "Then I guess it's a good thing I grabbed a triple chocolate layer cake from Weston's this morning."
"Angel." Rory said turning back to him, "How did you know?"
He shrugged, "I got cake, pie and those new biscotti's she has been making. I even stopped and got a few gallons of ice cream. I figured I'd cover all my bases...just in case you needed a pick me up."
"What would we do without you?" Rory said softly as she leaned into him.
Luke smiled and put an arm around her, "Probably starve…" Everyone laughed again, "But lucky for you...you never have to wonder about that. I'm not going anywhere."
Rory sighed and let him lead her into the house, "Amen to that."
Lorelai watched as Luke walked into the house with Rory and April on either side of her. She felt her heart squeeze in her chest as her love for her husband grew more than she thought was humanly possible. She felt her father put a gentle hand on her back and pull her close.
"You okay?" He asked giving her shoulder a squeeze, "I know that this hasn't been easy…"
Lorelai sighed, "Did you see him too?"
Richard nodded, "I did…" He have her a satisfied smile as he continued, "Prison aged him."
She smirked, "Good." She turned towards him slowly, "Do you think he'll stay away?"
"He told Rory he wanted to get on with his life...that he was going to leave you all alone." Richard said as he put his hands in his pockets, "He seemed sincere…"
"Or he has been practicing his acting skills all these years…" Lorelai grumbled, "I just keep thinking about how angry he was that night that he found that letter. Now that he knows I married Luke...I can't imagine how angry he must be."
"Lorelai...it's been six years." Richard said, "We need to believe that he has moved on…" He put a hand on her back encouragingly, "I don't want you to let him have this kind of power over you. You'll drive yourself crazy if you feel like you have to look over your shoulder all the time."
Lorelai sighed and wiped a hand over her face, "I know...I know I need to keep it together for Rory and Luke. But I just can't shake this feeling that this isn't over yet…I'm worried that he'll show up. I'm afraid of what Luke will do if he does…"
"Luke loves you." Richard said softly, "He will always protect you."
"I know that." Lorelai whispered, "And I love him for that...but I can't bare the thought of him getting in trouble...I've already hurt him so much in the past. And we have such an amazing life now...this is where he belongs. The kids need him...I need him."
"And he knows that. He isn't going to do anything unless provoked. But for now...we need to believe that Christopher will stay away. Rory made her feelings very clear...I think he got the message." He hoped that his words would help her relax.
Lorelai let out a shaky breath and nodded, "I just...wish I could be certain."
"I know." He leaned forward and kissed her head, "But you're not alone anymore Lorelai. We're all going to get through this together."
Lorelai nodded slowly, "Okay...do you want to come in? We have some leftovers from lunch…"
Richard smiled, "Sure. I'd love to stay for a bit. I should call your mother too. I'm sure she's just as worried as you have been."
Lorelai watched him start to walk towards the house but she quickly called out to him, when he turned she gave him a gentle smile. "Thank you...for your support. It's meant the world to me…"
Richard smiled, "You are my daughter Lorelai...We have been through a lot together. Both goo and bad. But I am your father...I will never let anyone hurt you and get away with it. That's a promise."
Lorelai nodded slowly and walked up to him, she put an arm around his back and he put his around her shoulder. They walked back to the house together and were both hoping that Christopher would actually keep his word for once in his life...
Hope you like it. Reviews always appreciated. I have some time off this week so I should be able to get the next chapter up soon. :)