Once again, thanks for the reviews :) Much appreciated. Here is the next chapter. Will try and write more today or tomorrow.
That Friday, Lorelai was at work trying to get back into the swing of things. She had gone to work the last three days and for the most part...she was okay. There had been a few moments of panic which resulted in her calling Babette way more times than necessary to check in. Luke had even driven to the Inn in the middle of rush hour just to give her a little help to make it through the day on Thursday.
It was close to quitting time and she was standing by the front desk going through the reservations for the weekend. She was ticking things off on her checklist when Sookie walked up to her and gave her a slight smile.
"Hey honey. How are you doing?" Sookie asked as she leaned against the desk.
Lorelai sighed softly, "I'm okay...no major freak outs today. So that's an improvement, right?"
Sookie smiled, "I'd say so. How did it go yesterday at your appointment? I didn't want to ask earlier…"
Lorelai shrugged, "It was fine. It was good to have Luke there with me...he's been so sweet. She basically just said that we need to try and keep our schedules as normal as possible. She said we needed to acknowledge our emotions and fears...and that the only way to handle this is one day at a time."
Sookie nodded, "But you haven't heard anything from him, right?"
Lorelai shook her head, "Nope. Rory hasn't either so that's good. My Mom said she heard he is with Francine and is trying to find a job. I don't know if he will stay in the Hartford area…"
"It's not like he really needs the money." Sookie said with a frown, "He's a trust fund baby...why does he even need a job?"
Lorelai sighed, "I don't know...I mean maybe six years of doing nothing has made him want to do something…"
"Maybe." Sookie said with an eye roll, "He was never really a hard worker before...I don't see why he would now."
Lorelai frowned, "Who knows...I don't care what he does with his life as long as he stays the hell away from me."
Sookie smiled, "I know...but you know what? Let's not think about him. Let's think about your date tonight with your handsome man!"
Lorelai smiled and leaned her elbows against the desk, "I brought all my stuff here to get ready. My parents are picking up the kids at Babette's and he is picking me up here."
"It is going to be fabulous!" Sookie said with a smile.
"Oh Sookie...I knew I loved that man. But lately...God he has just been so amazing. He's been so sweet and kind...he's been there for every minute of this ya know? I don't know what I would do without him...I'd be totally falling apart." Lorelai said with a sigh.
"He loves you." Sookie said smiling at her, "He's always loved you…"
Lorelai swallowed hard, "It's crazy...this whole thing has brought up so many memories ya know? It still amazes me that back then...when Chris…" She sighed and looked down, "I don't know how Luke ever forgave me...I don't know how he dropped everything and came to my side. I'll never be able to thank him for that…"
"Honey…" Sookie said reaching for her hand, "Things happen...you both made mistakes. He realized that. But he also realized he couldn't live without you. And you guys have such a wonderful life now...don't dwell on the past. If you do...Chris wins."
Lorelai nodded slowly, "I know you're right…"
"You're going to go out tonight with your husband and have a fabulous time. You have been married for six years to that man...enjoy every second you have with him." She said giving her hand a squeeze.
Lorelai smiled happily, "It's going to be pretty romantic...just like our first date."
Sookie smiled, "I can't wait to hear all the juicy details."
Lorelai giggled, "You're bad…"
Sookie rolled her eyes, "We tell each other everything. So you can pretend you don't want to tell me everything but we both know you will…"
Lorelai was quiet for a moment and then huffed, "You're right…"
"Are you gonna wear something slutty?" Sookie asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Well I did buy a new black dress just for the occasion. Low cut and short to show off the legs which we both know he loves…" Lorelai said with her signature hair flip.
"Oh he'll be drooling." Sookie said with a laugh, "Poor guy won't know what hit him."
Lorelai shrugged, "What can I say? I want him to remember why he married be six years ago."
"Trust me...he knows." Sookie said squeezing her hand, "I'm gonna head back to the kitchen. Say goodbye before you leave, okay?"
Lorelai smiled, "I will. Thanks for being such a good friend Sook."
Sookie gave her a small smile and then turned to walk back to the kitchen. Lorelai glanced at the clock and saw that she had another half hour before she could head home. She smiled to herself and started counting down the minutes until she could see her husband.
In Hartford Christopher came home after another disappointing day of trying to find a job. He tried all his old connections but they all knew where he had been for the last six years and were less than willing to hire him. He flung the front door open and cried out in frustration as he threw his resume on the floor.
"Christopher?" Francine asked as she walked into the the foyer, "What's wrong?"
"How the hell am I supposed to move on with my life if I can't find a job?" Christopher yelled, "No one will hire me! They all ask what have been doing in the last six years since my last job...they don't react to kindly when I say I was in prison."
"Well I am sure that something will turn up." Francine said trying to remain positive.
He scoffed, "Nothing is going to show up. And you know it! In the kind of world I have always worked in prison doesn't go well with dinner parties and champagne toasts."
"Christopher you have to remain positive." Francine said trying to smile at him.
"Mom! Stop! God just stop!" He said feeling frustrated, "I can't listen to you right now."
"Well why are you even worrying about this? We have plenty of money. To be honest you don't really ever have to work again." She said with a shrug.
But as soon as the words left her mouth she knew it was the wrong thing to say, "So what...my life is just over? I've already lost six years of time! I can't just sit in this damn house for the rest of my life doing nothing! I'm going crazy here! I can't see Gigi unless I have someone there to supervise me. My other daughter wants nothing to do with me and would rather that I was dead! What kind of life is this? I might as well just kil-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Francine yelled as she put a hand over her lips, "Don't you dare! That's the coward's way out! And you are my son. Your father has already left me...you will not leave me too."
Christopher sighed and looked down at the floor, "I'm sorry...I shouldn't have said that. I'm just so...I'm so angry. And I feel so stupid…"
"You made a mistake." She said as she stepped into him forever, "People have made much worse mistakes. We have to believe that things will get better…"
Christopher nodded his head and tried to smile, "I know. You're right…" He sighed and looked back at the front door, "I just need some air...I think I'm going to go for a drive."
Francine frowned, "Are you alright?"
He nodded and reached out to give her hand a squeeze, "Yeah. Yeah...just a rough day. I'll cool off and come right home, okay?"
She nodded slowly, "Alright. I'll make sure dinner is ready."
He smiled at her, "Great. Thanks...be back in a bit."
He turned and walked out the front door and back out to his car. He turned the key and backed out of the driveway but had no real destination in mind...he just needed to get the hell out of his Mother's house.
Back at the Inn, Lorelai was up in one of the vacant rooms and was putting the finishing touches on her make up. She looked at herself in the long mirror and tried to calm the nerves coursing through her body. She had to laugh at herself, this was how she felt on their very first date. So much had happened since then...she didn't need to be nervous about being with her husband.
She was trying to tame her curls when she heard her phone ring, she smiled when she saw Rory's name on the front, "Hello sweet child of mine!"
"Someone sounds happy." Rory said with a smile, "Are you excited for tonight?"
"You mean am I excited to have some alone time with my sexy husband? Why yes I am. I am very, very excited. If you know what I mean…" Lorelai said with a giggle.
"Okay try and remember I'm your daughter not Sookie. As happy I am that you're' happy...I don't need to hear all the details, okay?" Rory said with a laugh.
"Sorry kid. It just feels nice to be excited about something right now. The last week or two has been stressful...and being able to go out and just be Lorelai for a night sounds so wonderful to me." She said with a content sigh.
"I'm glad. It's crazy to think you guys have already been married for six years. It's gone by so fast." Rory said, "And so much has changed."
"I know." Lorelai said with a smile, "It really is crazy to think about. But I love my life. Despite all this other stuff going on...I feel really lucky."
"We do have a very amazing family." Rory said with a smile, "I don't want to keep you from getting ready...Luke will be there soon."
"Yes he will. Grandma and Grandpa already called, they have the kids at the house. I'm sure they will have a great time." She said with a smile.
"I'm sure they will. You have fun tonight, okay? Try and relax and just enjoy your time with your husband. Don't worry about a thing." Rory said.
"I'll try hon. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" Lorelai said as she stood up to look in the mirror again.
"Sounds good. But remember to keep the yucky details to yourself alright? Love you Mom. Say hi to Luke for me." She said with a smile.
"I will. Love you hon. Talk to you later." She hung up the phone and pressed her dress down over her legs just as there was a knock on her door.
Lorelai opened it and smiled when she saw Sookie, "Hey!"
"Look at you!" Sookie said with a smile, "Give me a twirl!"
Lorelai laughed and spun around, "You like?"
"Yes. And Luke is going to love it." She said clapping her hands, "Speaking of which...he is waiting downstairs for you."
Lorelai smiled happily and grabbed her bag, "Well...I guess I'll see you tomorrow Sook. Don't wait up for me." She said with a wink.
Sookie smiled, "Go have fun Lorelai. You deserve it."
Lorelai smiled gave her a wave and then walked down the hallway to the stairs. At the top she stopped, took a deep breath and held the bannister as she walked down the stairs in her heels. She smiled when she saw Luke standing in the doorway with flowers in his hand and a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Hi handsome." She said as she reached the base of the stairs, "Are those for me?"
"They are." He said with a nod as he leaned in to kiss her cheek, "Happy Anniversary."
She pulled the flowers close and smelled them, "Mmm...thank you babe. Happy Anniversary to you too. These are beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you." He said running a hand up her arm which made her shiver, "Did you pick out that dress just to kill me?"
She giggled, "No...I picked it out to make you happy."
He smirked, "Yes I'm quite happy." He leaned forward to kiss her, "I saw the kids before I left. They were excited to be with your parents. I told them to call us if they need anything...but they said they won't."
She smiled and leaned into him, "They know I need sometime with you…"
"We have all night." Luke said running a hand through her curls, "You ready?"
"Born ready babe." She said looping her arm with his, "Let's go!"
Luke led her out to the truck and helped her into the front seat giving her bottom a little squeeze earning him a giggle and a playful slap to the chest. He drove them to Sniffy's and opened the door for her, he glanced over to see her face when she realized that they were the only people there.
"Luke?" She asked as she glanced over at him curiously.
He smiled, "I called in a little favor...we have the place to ourselves tonight."
Her face brightened and she kissed his cheek, "You're amazing."
"I wanted tonight to be special." He said with a shrug as he blushed and looked down, "I wanted you to have a night to relax…"
She sighed happily and leaned against him, "Luke Danes...will you marry me?"
He chuckled, "Yes. But I'm not sure how my wife will feel about it…"
She laughed and kissed him softly, "Thank you for being you."
He winked at her and lead her to their usual table which had candles in the middle and champagne resting in ice waiting for them. "After you…" He said as he put his arm out for her to scoot into the seat.
She slid to her spot and smiled as he joined her, "Where are Maize and Bud?"
He turned to the side, "Well-"
"We're here!" Maize said as she walked in and leaned over to hug Lorelai, "Happy Anniversary you two!"
Lorelai smiled up at her, "Thank you. And thank you for closing the place for us! I feel bad that you are missing out on business…"
Maize shook her head, "Don't worry about that. We are happy to do this for you two. You're our best customers." She smiled and her face softened, "How are you sweetie? We heard about what's going on…"
Lorelai took a deep breath, "I'm okay...doing much better with the help of this guy." She said smiling at Luke as she took his hand. "I'd be lost without him."
Maize smiled, "Well he's a hell of a guy…"
Lorelai nodded, "Yes he is...I'm very lucky."
Maize nodded and turned to Luke, "I know you don't like champagne but it's your anniversary so you have to drink it…"
Luke laughed, "I think I can handle it for tonight."
"Great. Don't' bother ordering...we already have the menu all planned out." She said with a smile, "It will be out soon."
"Thanks Maize." Lorelai said as the woman walked back to the kitchen, she sighed and scooted closer to him "Hey…"
He smiled at her and took her hand, "Hey there…"
"Wanna know a secret?" She said as she leaned further into him.
"If you're about to tell me you're leaving me for Kirk...then no I don't want to hear a secret." He said with a smirk.
She laughed and put her arm on his chest, "Luke!"
He shook his head, "Oh sorry...just wanted to see you smile. I've missed that smile lately…"
She sighed and nodded, "I know...I'm sorry. I'm trying."
He gave her hand a squeeze, "I know you are. And I've told you that you don't have to apologize...this is all a lot to handle." He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss, "But what did you want to tell me?"
Lorelai smiled and squeezed his hand back, "Remember when you asked if I was scared on our first date? After you showed me the horoscope?"
Luke nodded and traced her jaw with his finger, "Yes...what about it?"
She took a deep breath, "I had this moment sitting there...when I thought...run Lorelai. Don't let him see the real you...he won't want you. He'll be disappointed…"
He frowned and cupped her face in his hands, "Lorelai…"
She shook her head and continued, "But then I looked back at you...and for the first time in my life I didn't want to run. I wanted to be right here with you...I wanted you to take me home so I could show you how all in I was. I think I started falling in love with you that very night…"
He took a deep breath and stared into her eyes for a moment, "You could never disappoint me. You know that right?"
She pouted, "I think I have disappointed you a lot over the years...I've hurt you."
He shook his head, "We made mistakes...but we're here now. That's all that matters. But...I am damn glad you didn't run that night. I was terrified telling you about how I felt...showing you the horoscope felt like I was handing my heart to you…"
She leaned in and nuzzled his face, "You still have that horoscope, right?"
"Of course I do. I've gotten new wallets over the years...but that will always stay in there." He said with a smile, "I like to look at it sometimes…to remind myself how far we've come."
She took a deep breath and kissed him gently, "Six years ago...you gave me everything I ever wanted Luke. And then you gave me even more when we had our babies...I never imagined my life could be this good. Thank you…"
He smiled at her, "Sometimes it's still hard to realize your my wife...that you actually said yes. That you wanted me…"
She smiled softly at him, "Luke...I will always want you. You will never have to question that."
He breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good...that's really good."
Maize and Bud came over to the table with plates in their hands as the placed them in front of them. "Hey! This is exactly what we had at our wedding!" Lorelai said in shock.
"We called Sookie." Bud said with a smile, "We wanted to make tonight special for you."
"Thank you!" Lorelai said beaming up at them, "This is so sweet of you…"
"There's even a little cake for later…" Maize said with a smile, "So don't fill up to much."
"You don't have to worry about that with her…" Luke said with a laugh, "I'll never understand where she packs it all away…"
"They will do studies on me someday." Lorelai said as she picked up her fork. "And then all answers will be revealed. Until then though...I'm going to enjoy all the food I can shove in my mouth!"
Luke groaned, "You can tell why I married her...she's so sweet…"
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him, "You'd be lost without me."
"Oh he knows it…" Maize said patting his shoulder, "Holler if you need anything else!" She said as she she walked back to the kitchen with Buddy in tow.
Lorelai smiled at her husband, "Hey handsome...wanna a bite?" She asked holding her fork out to him piled high with food.
He laughed, "I thought that was only for the cake part…"
She shrugged, "Tonight I wanna be adorable and annoyingly cliche. Work with me. Make me smile."
Luke rolled his eyes, "You're nuts…"
She giggled and fed him, "And yet you love me…"
"You bet I do." He said giving her a wink as they began to eat.
Later that night, Luke parked the truck beside the Diner and walked around to help Lorelai out of the truck. She smiled, gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked hand in hand with him to the Diner. She took her spot at the counter and smiled when he went to get her some coffee.
"Just like the first night." Lorelai said with a smile as he slid the mug across to her, "My heart is pounding just like it did then…"
Luke smiled at her, "You surprised the hell out of me when you led me upstairs…"
She blushed and looked down at her hands, "To be honest...it wasn't part of the plan. I figured we'd wait a little…" She took a sip of her coffee, "But you had made me feel so comfortable all night...and I thought about the horoscope. I kept thinking about how long I had known you...and how amazing you had always been to me." She glanced up at him with tears in her eyes, "I didn't want to wait any longer…"
He nodded slowly and leaned across the counter, "I would have waited forever if you needed me too…"
She smiled and leaned her forehead against his as the tears welled up in her eyes, "Which only makes me want you more…"
He frowned, "Hey...no tears." He said lifting his hand to wipe her tears away, "I don't want you to be sad…"
She shook her head and leaned into his hand, "I'm not sad Luke...I'm just so in love with you. And so grateful that we're here...that I have you beside me." She licked her lips and shook her head, "I've been so scared the last few weeks...but having you beside me has been what keeps me going."
He sighed and kissed her gently, "I'm so in love with you too Lorelai...even after all these years. I love you more now than I ever did...and we're going to get through all this."
She nodded and pulled away as she stepped off her stool, "I know. Now...take me upstairs husband. I want to show you how much I love you…"
He smiled, turned off the coffee pot and flipped the light before he took her hand and lead her up the stairs to the apartment. They walked hand in hand through the door and Lorelai smiled as she looked around. Many of his things were at their new house, but something's still stayed the same. She smiled over at the bed in the corner that she had spent so many nights on with him.
She pulled at his suit jacket and let him walk her backwards towards the bed, "I knew it was a good idea to keep this up here…"
Luke smiled as she pushed the jacket down his arms, "It definitely was a very good idea…" He said reaching behind her to pull down her zipper, "We should probably sneak up here more often...maybe a little afternoon delight when you come in for lunch."
She giggled as she cupped his face in her hands, "I could be more than okay with that."
He pushed her dress down her body and groaned when he saw she had no bra or panties on, "Seriously? You've had nothing on underneath all night...the whole time you were sitting beside me at dinner?"
She shrugged and smiled devilishly at him, "After six years of marriage...I still have to have a few surprises up my sleeves to keep you on your toes."
Luke growled and lifted her up making her laugh as he placed her down on the bed. He lay over her and didn't hold back as he showered her with all the love he had to give her. Tonight was about making her happy...making her feel safe. And that was exactly what he was going to do.
The following morning, Jack and Elise were up early which meant Emily and Richard were up early too. But they didn't mind. They loved every second they got to spend with their grandchildren. Jack was jumping up and down on the couch as Emily tried to clean up some of their toys.
"Grandma! Can we go to the park today?" He asked as he continued to hop.
Emily smiled, "I don't see why not. Hey...why don't we go to the park where your school will be. You'll be starting in a few days! You must be getting excited."
Jack jumped one more time and then fell onto the couch with a pout, "I don't want to go to Kindergarten…"
Emily frowned and sat beside him, "How come? You loved preschool, didn't you?"
Jack sighed, "I did. But I didn't have to go all day! I'm going to miss Mom to much. I want to stay here with her and Elise…"
Emily smiled and put a hand on her arm, "Oh Jack...you know Mommy loves to spend time with you too. But she's going to be at work...and Elise will be with her sometimes at the Inn and sometimes with Babette. Just like when you were a baby."
Jack sighed and put his chin on his hands, "But what if I'm not smart like April and Rory?"
Emily frowned, "Oh now Jack...you are a very smart little boy. And that's what you go to school for...to learn more! You are going to have a great time and meet lots of new friends!"
Jack smiled and looked over at her, "You really think so?"
"I know so." Emily said leaning in to kiss his cheek, "Now let's go get Grandpa and Elise and head to the park. It's a beautiful day!"
Jack smiled and jumped off the couch, "Let's go!"
Emily smiled, grabbed his coat and went to follow him into the kitchen.
Christopher Hayden rolled over in bed, he had not gone home last night. He had driven around and around trying to clear his head but only seemed to get angrier. He had checked into a hotel and spent the night raiding the mini bar and even heading to the local package store to stock up some more.
His head was pounding as he tried to sit up. He groaned, looked around and frowned when he saw the status of his pathetic life. He was hungover and sleeping in a cheap hotel. How the hell had this happened? Suddenly the anger was back.
Where was Lorelai right now? It was Saturday which meant she probably wasn't at the Inn. So she was probably at home...with Luke and their kids. They were probably having breakfast together...they'd go to some stupid festival in town together. They had it made. They had the life he was supposed to have with Lorelai. And instead he had spent the last six years stuck in a jail cell while they had been able to be free and happy.
He clenched his jaw, tossed the blankets aside and jumped out of bed. He quickly changed into his clothes from the day before, grabbed his coat and wallet and headed back out to the car. He didn't have a plan...but he knew that he needed to see their perfect life for himself.
Lorelai rolled over in bed and smiled when she remembered where they were. Last night was the first night in two weeks she had slept soundly. She rolled over and smiled when she saw that Luke was already wide awake and smiling at her.
"Hey…" She whispered as she scooted closer and rested her head on his chest.
Luke kissed the top of her head and ran his hand down her back, "Hey. How'd you sleep?"
Lorelai took a deep breath and wrapped her arm around his waist, "I slept better than I have in weeks…"
Luke smiled and kissed the top of her head, "I'm glad." He looked at the clock, "What time do you think we have to head back?"
Lorelai sighed and nuzzled him, "My mom said not to rush...we can hang out for a bit longer."
Luke nodded and continued to massage her back, "You want to run down to the Diner for some coffee? I brought some clothes over for both of us to change into. I brought an extra flannel incase you want to give the Diner another show…"
She started to laugh as she rested her forehead against his chest, "Luke! I told you never to bring that up again!"
He chuckled and pinched her side playfully, "I have never been able to wear that flannel again...you stole it after that."
She smiled and leaned up to look at him, "You've never complained…"
He smirked and rubbed her cheek gently, "Of course I haven't complained. You look good in my shirt...much better than me."
She rolled her eyes, "I don't agree with that. I prefer you in the flannel babe...my handsome lumberjack, Diner man!"
Luke rolled his eyes. "Lord help me…"
She smiled and sat up as she brought the sheet around her, "I would like some coffee though...but you probably don't have the old coffee maker anymore do you?"
Luke smiled, "I dug it out of the closet yesterday and cleaned it out. I put some food in the fridge too...just in case we had time."
Lorelai leaned down to kiss him, "You're an angel…"
Luke smiled and glanced over at the clock, "How much do you need that coffee? Think you can wait a bit…"
She smirked at him and lay back on the bed, "I don't know...what could tempt me more than coffee?"
He smiled, leaned up to her ear and whispered exactly what he wanted to do with her in her ear before he pulled away, "That tempting enough?"
Lorelai squealed with delight as she pulled him closer and quickly forgot all about that coffee…
Back at the park, Emily was watching as Elise played in the sandbox. Jack was running around with one of his friends as Richard joined his wife on the bench.
"Do you think Lorelai and Luke had fun?" Richard asked as he put his arm around her shoulder.
"I hope so. They needed some time alone…" Emily said as she watched her granddaughter, "I've been worried about Lorelai...she's been so sad."
Richard sighed and nodded, "I know. I talked to Luke yesterday...he said that her appointment went well. They were going to try and go again in a week or two. It will probably be good for them to be able to sort through all of their emotions about this."
Emily nodded, "I have been wanting to call Francine…"
Richard shook his head, "Don't open that can of worms Emily. If we try and make any contact he will think that it's his way in…"
Emily sighed, "I know...I guess I just wanted to hear what he was doing. I want to know that he's busy and focussed on other things besides Lorelai…"
Richard nodded, "I know that it's hard...but we have to stay strong for Lorelai. We need to be there for her and help with the kids. We need to stay away from Christopher Hayden…"
Emily nodded, "You're right…"
Richard smiled and kissed her head, "Everything will be just fine Emily." He glanced around and noticed Doose's was close, "I'm going to run over and get us some waters. Keep an eye on the kids. I'll be right back."
Emily gave him a wave and glanced over and smiled as she saw Jack playing tag with his friends. She turned back to Elise and watched her scoop the sand up and throw it over her shoulder. Richard was right...they had to be strong for their daughter despite how scared she was for all of them.
Chris wasn't even sure how he made it to Stars Hollow but he did. He was glad he was in a rental car because no one would recognize him in it. He grabbed a hat in the back seat, threw it on top of his head and parked the car. He glanced to the left and grimaced when he saw the Diner.
He knew better than to waltz in there and show his face, he knew Luke would come after him. And as tempting as it was to provoke Luke, Christopher wasn't in the mood. He just wanted to see their life...he wanted to see what Lorelai had without him.
He began walking the familiar streets of Stars Hollow and kept his eyes low so he wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. It had been six years, but he knew that in this small town he would be recognized easily if he let anyone really see him. As he walked, he stopped dead in his tracks when he suddenly saw Richard walking into Doose's market.
He swallowed hard and stepped back into the shadows, his heart was pounding. If Richard was close by...that most likely meant Emily was in town too. His feet started moving away from the market. He had no destination in mind, he just wanted to get as far away from Richard as possible. Richard's warning about hurting his daughter again was ringing in his ear...and he wanted to put as much distance between them as he could.
Before he knew it, he had made it to the nearby school and saw many kids running around. He spotted Emily sitting on a bench with a baby and his heart sank. That had to be Lorelai and Luke's daughter...he swallowed hard and glanced around wondering if their son was there too. There were lots of kids there that day and he didn't know how he would be able to figure out who was theirs.
And then...he spotted a little boy with a backwards blue baseball cap on his head. He took a deep breath and walked over to him without thinking about what he was doing. "Hey…" He said to the boy.
Jack turned and looked up, he recognized this man's face, "Hey! Are you Christopher?"
Chris was surprised that he knew his name, "Um...yeah. How did you know that?"
"You're Rory's Dad. She showed me a picture of you." Jack said as he stared up at him with wide eyes.
Chris swallowed hard, she had the same big blue eyes as Lorelai. "She did huh?"
"Uh huh." Jack said smiling at him, "Did you come to see her? She's not visiting anymore. She went back to her house."
Chris quickly glanced up and saw that Emily was busy changing Elise on the bench, "Oh well...I was thinking that maybe I'd surprise her. Do you want to come with me to see her? I bet she'd be happy to see you!" The words left his mouth before he could really think them through.
"Yeah! But don't we have to ask my Mommy and Daddy first?" Jack asked as he looked around.
Chris shook his head, "No. I already asked them and they said yes. We'll be home before they even miss you!"
Jack glanced back at his grandma and saw that she wasn't paying attention. He turned back to Chris and decided he wanted to make Rory smile. She said that someday she would see her Dad again and why couldn't some day be now?
"Okay. Let's go!" Jack said as he took Christopher's hand and let him lead him out of the park.
Christopher's heart was pounding in his chest and he had no idea what he was doing. But all he knew for sure was that he needed to make Lorelai and Luke feel a little bit of the pain he had felt in the last few years. He knew it was wrong...but he didn't seen to be able to think clearly at the moment.
Back at the apartment, Lorelai and Luke were sitting on the bed enjoying breakfast together. Lorelai had stolen Luke's flannel from the bag he brought of extra clothes for them. And he had pretended to roll his eyes but really he was happy to see her happy.
"So...successful Anniversary date?" Luke asked as he took a bite of his eggs.
Lorelai smiled up at him, "Definitely. It was a good reminder to me of why I married you…"
Luke smirked, "Good to know." He reached over and grabbed his glass of juice before he took a sip, "You know...we should try and make more time for just us. I know we are busy...and we have the kids. But we still need time for you and me…"
Lorelai smiled and leaned against the headboard, "You're right...I'm sorry if you ever feel neglected. I think sometimes I forget that it's just not me and the kids anymore...I mean I know you've been there since day one with Elise and Jack. But with Rory...it was just me and her."
Luke nodded, "I know...and I love our life. And I love how amazing you are with the kids...but we're important too."
Lorelai smiled and leaned forward to kiss him, "We're definitely very important...I liked your idea last night about sneaking up here from time to time. It's much easier to be naughty when we aren't in danger of being interrupted by the little ones."
Luke chuckled, "Very true...I've missed how loud you can be." He said with a smirk, "You know how that gets me going…"
She smirked at him, "Well I didn't have to hold back last night...or this morning…" She said with a giggle, "Thanks for a great anniversary babe...I love you."
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her gently, "I love you too."
She smiled and pulled away just as her cell phone began to ring. She put her plate down on the bedside table and hopped off the bed to grab her phone, she smiled when she saw that it was her Mom.
"Hey Mom. Have the rugrats worn you out? We can come home soon." Lorelai said as she turned to glance at her husband.
"Lorelai…" She heard her father's voice instead of her mother's, and yet she could hear her mother's voice and it sounded like she was screaming.
"Dad?" Lorelai said as she turned back to look at Luke with a nervous glance.
Luke saw her expression and got out of bed quickly to stand beside her, "What is it?"
"Dad?" Lorelai asked again as she heard her Mom's yelling getting louder, "Dad what's wrong?"
"Lorelai...Jack…" He felt his voice crack with emotion and he was unable to continue.
Lorelai's knees began to tremble as she grabbed Luke's arm, "What's wrong with Jack?"
"He's gone…" Richard said as he started to cry, "He was here...he was playing at the park and now we can't find him."
Lorelai started to collapse and Luke caught her quickly, "What do you mean he's gone? What do you mean you can't find him?"
Luke pulled her close, "What? Where's Jack?"
"Dad where is Jack?" Lorelai screamed against Luke, "Where is he? Where are you?"
"We brought them to the park…" Richard said, "I called the police...they are here. Just...just come down here."
Lorelai shut her phone and glanced up at Luke who was still holding her close, "He's gone...he's not there." Her knees buckled again, "Luke…"
Luke shook his head as his heart began pounding in his chest, "I don't understand…"
She stared to cry harder as he held her, "This is what I was afraid of! It-it-it had to be Chris! Chris took our baby!"
Luke swallowed hard and pulled her up again, "Come on."
He quickly threw on his clothes and helped Lorelai put on hers. He grabbed her hand knowing that she needed him to steady her and they ran down the stairs and into the Diner which caught everyone's attention. Luke didn't stop when Caesar called out to him, he only ran faster with Lorelai by his side.
There was already a crowd at the playground and two police cruisers. Luke pushed through all the people until he spotted his daughter Elise in the arms of his grief stricken mother in law.
"Mom!" Lorelai yelled as she ran to her side and pulled Elise to her, "What happened?"
"I'm so sorry." Emily said through her tears, "I was just...I was changing Elise. Your father went to go get us some drinks at the market...and when I looked up again he was just gone!"
Luke turned to the police chief, an old friend of his and the very man who had dealt with Christopher all those years ago during his arrest. "Jimmy…" Luke mumbled.
Jimmy nodded, "I know what you are thinking Luke...but we can't jump to any conclusions yet."
Luke scoffed, "Are you kidding me? This is Stars Hollow! This kind of thing doesn't happen here! Who the hell else would take my son?"
Lorelai quickly grabbed Luke's arm and felt how tense he was, "Luke…"
"I want you to find Christopher Hayden. Because I guarantee when you do you'll find Jack. And when you find them...I'm going to kill that son of a bitch." Luke said through clenched teeth.
"Luke…" Lorelai called again as Elise began to cry hearing her father yell.
"Luke I understand that this is very difficult...and we are going to do everything we can to make sure that Jack comes home safe." Jimmy said trying to reassure him. "But I need you to remain calm…"
Luke clenched his fists, "That asshole took my kid and you want me to be calm?"
"Luke please…" Lorelai said as the tears poured down her face, "Please…"
He finally turned hearing the desperation in her voice and he softened only enough to pull her close, "It's going to be okay…" He whispered into Lorelai's ear as he stroked Elise's hair. "I'm going to find him...I'm going to bring him home."
Richard suddenly appeared and he had something in his hands, Lorelai let out a sob when she saw what it is, "Oh God…"
Luke turned and saw that Richard had Jack's blue had in his hands. The hat he always wore because he said he wanted to be just like his Dad. Luke felt the lump in his throat grow as Richard walked closer to them.
"I am so sorry…" The older man said as he walked all the way to them, "I shouldn't have left...I should have stopped this."
Luke shook his head, took the small hat in his hands and pulled Lorelai close again, "It's no one's fault Richard…" He kissed Lorelai's head as she sobbed into his shoulder and he tried to stay strong for her but his own resolve was weakening. "We're going to find him...I know we will. He will be home tonight."
Lorelai only clung to her husband and refused to let go of her daughter. Out there somewhere was her little boy. And he was in the hands of the one person that hated her the most. She had taken six years of his life away from him...and now he had taken what was most precious to her. She didn't know what he would do or how he would react towards her son. But one thing was for sure...she wasn't going to give up without a fight. She was going to make sure her son came home and that Christopher Hayden regretted his choices now more than ever.
Okay so...the drama has arrived as you can see hahaha! Will try and write more soon.