Hey guys, here is the next chapter! Thanks for your patience :)
Lorelai sat anxiously in the living room waiting for Sherry and Gigi to arrive. Luke was talking to Rory and one of the officers in the corner. Jess, April and Liz had taken Elise out back to give them all some space. Luke glanced over at his wife and saw the faraway expression on her face again, he excused himself and walked over to her slowly.
"Hey…" Luke whispered taking her hand in his, "You okay?"
She turned to him and offered a slight smile, "I'm trying really hard to not get my hopes up…"
Luke nodded slowly, "I know…"
She opened her mouth to say something else but they heard the knock on the door, she jumped up and practically ran to the door. She knew Luke and Rory were standing behind her as she reached for the doorknob and opened it slowly. She saw Sherry standing awkwardly on the porch and whens he glanced down, she saw a pair of feet peeking out from behind her.
"Hi…" Sherry whispered as she reached behind her to try and get Gigi to show herself, "Um...I'm sorry to just show up like this."
Lorelai tried to smile, "It's okay…" She glanced around Sherry, "Hi Gigi…"
Sherry tried to pull at her arm, "Gigi...it's okay. You know Lorelai...come say hi."
Gigi poked her head around and glanced at Lorelai nervously, "Hi…"
Lorelai swallowed hard, knelt down and tried to keep her voice calm, "I uh...I heard you wanted to talk to me about something."
Gigi glanced back at Luke and Rory who both smiled shyly at her. "I only want to talk to you…"
Lorelai glanced back at her husband and Rory and then turned back to Gigi, "Well...we can do that. Where would you like to talk?"
Gigi glanced back towards the lake, "Can we go over there?"
Lorelai smiled, "Sure...do you want your Mom to come?"
Gigi nodded slowly, "Yes please…"
Lorelai smiled, stood up and glanced at Luke and Rory, "I'll be back…" They both looked at her questioningly but she just shook her head, "Let's go…"
Lorelai lead Sherry and towards the lake, her heart ached because this was one of Jack's favorite spots. The sun was setting over the water and she found it hard to believe that another day was passing without knowing where her son could possibly be. Lorelai stopped when they reached the edge and turned back to Sherry who smiled and pushed Gigi forward a little.
Lorelai could tell the girl was nervous, "It's been a long time since I've seen you…" Lorelai said as she sat down on the grass, Gigi sat next to her, "You have grown up quite a bit!"
Gigi frowned and looked at the water, "You sent my Dad away…"
Lorelai grimaced and began to nervously pick at the grass beside her, "Gigi…"
"I know what he did. And I'm sorry he hurt you." Gigi said sadly as she glanced back at Lorelai, "I always liked you…"
Lorelai sighed and nodded slowly, "Gigi...I'm really sorry about everything. I can't even imagine how confusing this must all be for you. I'm sorry that you had to grow up without your Dad the last few years. I wish it was different…"
Gigi bit her lip, "Mom said that he took your son...Rory's brother."
Lorelai felt her heart start to pound in her chest, "Um...yes he did. Jack. He's five…"
Gigi pulled at the grass at her feet, "Grandma used to take me to see Dad a lot when he was in jail. We talked about all the things we would do when he was home...he was going to take me to Disney World."
"Gigi...your Dad loves you very much. I know that…" She whispered.
Gigi shook her head, "If he loved me he wouldn't do things that would make him be away from me again…"
Lorelai sighed, "Gigi...your Dad just made some bad decisions. It doesn't change how much he loves you. I'm so sorry that-"
"Last time I saw him...he told me about a house his Grandpa left him." She said looking quickly at Lorelai.
Her heart at this point was beating so hard she was sure it was going to stop at any moment, "What house?"
"He said it was in Maine...he was going to take me there as soon as Mom agreed to it. He said we could spend a whole week up there." Gigi said with tears in her eyes, "He also said no one knew about the house except us…"
Lorelai gasped slightly, "Gigi…"
"I don't want my Dad to go away again." She looked over at the lake, "But...I would be really scared if someone took me away from my home."
Lorelai nodded quickly, "Anyone would be…"
Gigi shrugged, "I don't know if that's where he took Jack...but...I thought you should know about it. Just in case…" She shook her head, "I don't know where it is...maybe Grandma does. But…" She had tears welling up in her eyes, "I just...wanted to tell you that."
Lorelai had tears pouring down her cheeks, "Thank you Gigi...you are a very brave young girl. Did you know that?"
Gigi smiled, "Do you think...that sometimes I could come see Rory? And maybe you? Without Dad...I don't have much family other than Mom."
Lorelai's heart ached and she leaned forward to hug the small girl, "Gigi...you are welcome here anytime. We should have made sure you knew that...I'm sorry."
Sherry walked closer to them and put a hand on Gigi's arm, "Come on honey...we should probably go home. I'm sure Lorelai has a lot to think about."
Lorelai glanced up at her, "Sherry…"
Sherry smiled sadly, "Go talk to Francine...I bet she knows more than she is willing to admit."
Lorelai sighed, "I never wanted any of this to happen…"
Sherry nodded as Gigi and Lorelai both stood up, "I know Lorelai...and I don't blame you for a thing. Christopher is an adult...and he made terrible choices. I hope what Gigi told you will help...and I hope you can bring Jack home soon. If there is anything else we can do…"
Lorelai smiled, "Thank you…" She turned back to Gigi, "And thank you Gigi…"
Gigi nodded, "You're welcome…" She took her Mom's hand and they both waved at Lorelai as they began to walk away.
Lorelai waited until her breathing had returned to normal and then she practically ran back to the house. She flung the door open which made Luke and Rory jump.
"What is it?" Luke asked as he rushed to her side.
She glanced at her husband and then at the cops behind her, "Christopher has a house in Maine. His Grandparents left it to him...he told Gigi about it. He said he wanted to take her there...but no one else really knew about it."
Luke let out a shaky breath, "You think he took Jack there?"
Lorelai shrugged, "I don't know...but I can tell you that I'm going to find out where it is and check it from top to bottom."
Luke nodded, "I'm coming with you."
"Me too." Rory said stepping towards her Mom.
Lorelai shook her head, "Rory you need to stay here...I need you to stay here. For my own sanity…"
"Mom...Jack is my brother." Rory said with tears welling up in her eyes.
"I know." Lorelai said grasping her hands in hers, "But if they are there...and your Father is there...I don't want you to see him. Not like this…"
"We would both feel more at ease if you were here with Jess taking care of April and Elise." Luke said, "Liz will stay with you guys too...and we will call your grandparents. You know we will call you as soon as we know something."
Rory bit her lip, "Do you really think he's there?"
"God I hope so." Lorelai said pulling her in for a hug, "I don't know how much more of this I can take…"
Rory held her mother close and glanced out the window behind her, she smiled and pulled away as she turned her Mother towards the window, "Fireflies…" She whispered.
Lorelai's breath caught in her throat, "Fireflies…"
Luke walked over to Lorelai, grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, "Let's get everything in order. I want to leave as soon as possible."
She turned to her husband, "Luke…"
He nodded slowly, "I know…"
She let him lead her upstairs where they began to pack things they would need and even clothes for Jack. Richard and Emily were called and were now on their way to the house. Liz, Jess, April and Rory were told to stay in the house with the supervision of a police officer at all times. Lorelai was putting things in a bag when April poked her head into the room carrying Jack's bunny Oscar.
April's eyes were full of tears, "If he is there...I want him to have this right away."
Lorelai took the bunny from her hands and ran her thumb over the soft material, "I don't know what I am going to do if he isn't there...I'm trying to hard to not get my hopes up." She bit her lip and looked back at her step-daughter, "But if I don't see him today...it is going to break my heart even more than it already is."
April nodded, "I know…"
Lorelai wiped at her tears, zipped up the bag and put the bunny under her arm, "We should get on the road…"
April took her hand and led her down the hallway and down the stairs. Luke was talking to a few officers making sure everyone was safe at the house. When he saw his wife, he stood up straighter, said his goodbyes and let Lorelei say hers. They climbed into the back of the police cruiser and drove over to talk to Francine once again.
She seemed to be waiting for them as the pulled into the driveway, Lorelai's heart was pounding in her chest as Luke helped her out of the car. Francine stepped off the front porch, and walked over to them.
"Francine…" Lorelai whispered softly.
The older woman smiled, "Sherry called…"
"Do you know where the house is?" Luke asked hopefully.
"It was Straub's family home...we never visited. Straub didn't have a good relationship with his parents." She sighed and pulled out a piece of paper, "I honestly haven't thought of the house in years...I didn't even know it was left to Christopher."
"But you know where it is?" Lorelai asked as she felt Luke put a gentle hand on her back.
Francine held the piece of paper out to her and sighed, "This is the address I have for it...I found it in a box of Straub's old things."
Lorelai took the paper with trembling hands, "Francine I…"
She shook her head slowly, "Just go…"
Lorelai swallowed hard, "I'm sorry…"
The woman nodded slowly and wiped at her eyes, "I am too...for a lot of things." She sniffled and waved them off, "Go find your son...I'll be fine." She bit her lip, "All I ask is…" She looked at Luke, "Don't kill him…"
Luke stood up straight and took a breath trying to think of what to say, "I…"
She smiled at him, "I don't blame you for wanting to...and he probably deserves it. But...for my sake...please don't…"
Luke nodded slowly and looked at Lorelai, they both gave her a small smile and then walked back to the cruiser. They gave the address to them and backup was called. And before they knew it...they were on the road to Maine and hopefully their son.
In the cruiser, Lorelai was unable to keep still in her seat. She was rocking back and forth, tapping her foot and smoothing her hands along her legs. Luke finally grabbed her hand and tried to calm her.
"Lorelai stop…" He whispered as he scooted closer to her, "You are going to make yourself sick."
She shook her head, "Luke...what if he's not there?"
Luke sighed and gave her hand a harder squeeze, "Then we will keep looking until we do find him."
"But what if he is there...but he's…" Her eyes welled up with tears and she glanced at him with fear, "Oh God…"
He shook his head, "Don't go there…"
She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself down, "I just...I keep thinking of all the possible scenarios in my head. And it's making me crazy. And until I see him...until I know that he's okay...I'm not going to be able to relax."
"Look...when we get there...we can't just run in there. The cops have a protocol for this type of thing. Plus we don't want to spook Christopher." He said softly, "We need to follow their lead here…"
"I just want to see Jack." She said softly, "I need to see him...I need to know he's okay. And I'm so scared Luke...I'm so scared."
He pulled her close and let her rest her head on his shoulder, "I know. I am too. But Jack needs us to be strong."
She swallowed hard and put a hand on his chest as he held her close, "When he comes home...how do we explain this to him? What if he thinks we didn't want him with us?"
He cringed and gave her arm a squeeze, "He won't think that...Jack knows that we love him. We're going to have get help...talk to people on how to deal with this. Just like we did when everything happened with you. But no matter what...we are going to do this together. Alright?"
She nodded slowly and held him close, "He has to be there…"
Luke closed his eyes, "God I hope so…"
A few hours later in Maine, Jack had not come downstairs again. Chris had sat in the living room alone for awhile going over and over the last few years in his head. None of it seemed real. But he knew time was running out. He had to start making decisions. But at the moment all he could think about was having an ice cold beer…
He pulled himself up off the couch, walked up the stairs and tapped on the door to where Jack was staying. He pushed the door open and found the small boy sitting on the bed staring out the window at the fireflies blinking there.
"I'm going into town...which means you have to stay up here." Jack didn't respond so Chris continued, "Do you want me to get you anything?"
Jack shook his head, "No thank you…"
Chris sighed, turned around and quickly locked the door from the outside. He padded down the stairs, grabbed his wallet and keys and made his way into town. If this was going to be his last few nights of freedom he may as well enjoy them. Jack watched Chris pull out of the driveway from the window. He rested his head on the windowsill and then turned back to the fireflies as they blinked back at them.
"Where are you Mommy?" He whispered sadly. "I want to go home…"
As they reached the townline, the cops pulled over and began to discuss a plan outside of the car. Lorelai and Luke were standing by waiting for them to explain everything to them and becoming anxious to get there.
"We would prefer you two to stay in the car. That way we can assess the situation." The first cop said to Luke and Lorelai, "It will probably be safer for everyone…"
"I want to go in." Lorelai said quickly, "That's my son…"
"Mrs. Danes...I know that this is difficult for you. But we don't know what we are going to find inside the house. We don't know what kind of mental state Mr. Hayden is in...and we don't want to upset him." He said.
Luke took a deep breath, "Lorelai...maybe it's for the best."
She looked at him with shock on her face, "But Luke…"
He grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "We will see Jack as soon as possible. We need to make sure he is safe...and you too. I don't want Christopher to see you. I don't want him anywhere near you."
She sighed and tapped her foot on the ground, "Fine…" She glanced up at the officers, "I need you to take my son straight to us...please. I'm begging you…"
"As soon as we know he is safe and the location is clear...he will be with you. I can assure you that." He said.
She nodded slowly, "Okay...let's go."
Luke pulled her towards the car again and they sat as close as possible as they began to pull down the road. The officers noted that the location was off the regular path so they hid their cruisers as best as possible to not startle Christopher. They sat for a moment and waited. Lorelai felt nauseous, she wanted to run from the car straight at the house. But Luke had his hands on her legs making sure she couldn't go anywhere.
And suddenly there were headlights on the path and Luke tensed beside her, "Luke…" She whispered.
"Breath…" He whispered to her, but he felt his own heart threatening to pop out of his chest.
They waited and watched the car pull up in front of the house. A figure stepped out and Lorelai's breath caught in her throat. She would recognize him anywhere. After years of knowing him and the last few having him haunt her dreams...he was a permanent fixture in her head. She squeezed Luke's hand when he felt the rage begin to course through his body. And suddenly everything was happening so fast, the cops were exiting the car and surrounding him. Lorelai watched as Christopher dropped the bag in his hand, she heard glass shatter and watched him bolt towards the words.
Luke dropped her hand and was out of the car before she could react. She went to scream his name but instinct took over her own body. She felt her legs shaking as she pulled herself from the car and walked as fast as she could to the house. There were a few officers walking into the house slowly and looking around. She sped up and took off through the front door.
Luke was the closest to Christopher and he could hear the police screaming at him to stop. Christopher took a sharp turn and Luke stumbled but found himself hot on his heels within seconds. Christopher glanced behind him as he ran and he tripped, Luke lunged and tackled him to the forest floor.
"You son of a bitch!" Luke screamed as he started pounding into Christopher's face, "You took my son! You son of a bitch!"
Christopher lifted his hands in defeat and tried to stop him, "Luke!" He screamed.
The cops pulled at Luke's arms but he threw them aside and practically growled at them, his hands instinctively went to Christopher's neck and he pressed down hard. Christopher's eyes popped in his head and he grabbed onto Luke's forearms but didn't try to stop him. Luke watched his face turn bright red, he could hear Lorelai's voice in his head but he couldn't stop himself.
"Mr. Danes! Let go!" One of the officers called from behind him.
Luke shook his head and eased up only enough for Christopher to get a few breaths in, "You took my son…" He said in a desperate voice.
Christopher gasped, "You w-wa-want to k-k-kill me?" He could see the fire burning in Luke's eyes and he didn't blame him, "Go ah-ahead…"
Luke's hands stilled at his words and he rolled off of Christopher's bod. He knelt on all fours and tried to catch his breath. He watched as the officers pulled Christopher off the ground. There was blood pouring from his nose and Luke grimaced at the sight.
"Why didn't you kill me?" Christopher asked, he almost sounded disappointed, "Why? I deserve it!"
Luke was still on the ground as he stared up at him, "Death would be to easy for you...God I wish I could. But unlike you...I don't like to hurt the people I love." He pulled himself up and glared at Christopher, "But if I find out you hurt even a hair on my son's head...I can't promise I'll be so forgiving. You better hope they keep you away from me."
Luke turned quickly and started running back to the house. He heard the commotion around him but he didn't care. He needed to see Lorelai and he had to know that Jack was alive and well.
In the house, Lorelai had pushed past the officers and stumbled up the stairs. She checked the open rooms and then spotted a room at the end of the hallway with a closed door. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she walked to it slowly. She heard someone call out to her but she ignored it. She turned the doorknob slowly, inside the room was dark as she stepped inside.
"Jack?" She whispered in a trembling but hopeful voice.
Her breath caught in her throat as the top of a curly head popped out from around the bed, "Mommy?"
Lorelai's knees gave out and she collapsed on the floor, "Oh baby…"
Jack pulled himself off the floor, ran at his Mom and threw himself into his arms, "Mommy! Mommy you came!"
Lorelai was sobbing as she held him close, "Oh Jack...Oh God…" She pulled him away so she could look at him, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" She started prepping kisses along his face, "Jack...my Jack…"
"Mommy…" Jack squirmed trying to get away from her kisses, "Is Daddy here?"
Lorelai hiccuped as she looked him from head to toe still feeling like he was just a mirage, "Jack…"
"I'm sorry I went with him...he said he was going to take me to see Rory. And I thought Rory would be happy if she saw her real Daddy. But he's not nice…" Jack said with a pout, "He lied...and he took me here instead."
Lorelai pulled him close again never wanting to let him go, "I'm so sorry Jack…"
"Lorelai?" A voice screamed into the house, "Lorelai!"
She knew it was Luke, but she could also hear officers holding him back. She lifted her son and walked on shaky legs down the stairs, she spotted Luke and saw the blood on his hands. Her breath caught in her throat as he pushed past the officers holding her back, "Jack…" He whispered.
Jack turned in his Mother's arms and smiled at Luke, "Daddy…"
Luke stumbled towards them and enveloped them both in his arms, "Jack…"
"Are you hurt Daddy?" Jack asked as he looked at Luke's hands which were covered in blood, "Where's Christopher?"
Lorelai's eyes shot up and she glanced at her husband with worry in her eyes, "Luke…"
He shook his head, "Jack...you never have to see him again." He took his son into his arms and held him close, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Lorelai brushed back Jack's hair as he held his father close, "No...he gave me food. But it wasn't good like yours...he tried to make me eat shrimp." He stuck his tongue out and Lorelai and Luke could only laugh. "It was smelly…"
"You are so your Mother's son…" Luke laughed as he kissed his small head, "God buddy...you have no idea how much we have missed you…" He felt the tears pooling in his eyes as he held him close, "I am so sorry that this happened…"
"Mr. and Mrs. Danes? We have paramedics outside, we'd like to have Jack checked out." One of the officers said.
"I don't want to go." Jack said burying his head in his Dad's shoulder, "Please Daddy…I want to go home."
Luke sighed and rubbed his back, "It's alright buddy...they aren't going to take you away from us. They just want to make sure you aren't hurt."
"He didn't hurt me." Jack said shaking his head, "I want to go home."
Lorelai sighed and leaned up to kiss Jack's cheek, "Daddy and I aren't going to leave your side, okay? I promise. It will be okay. Just let them look at you really quick."
"You promise you'll stay close?" Jack asked as he peeked over at her.
Lorelai smiled and smoothed his hair back again, "I promise baby."
Jack nodded and Luke and began to walk him out to the ambulance out front. Luke put Jack down in the back of the ambulance and smiled at him as the paramedics attended to him. Luke and Lorelai never took their eyes off of Jack. Lorelai placed a hand on Luke's arm and whispered to him, "Luke...what happened?"
He tensed and glanced down at his bloody hands and then back up at his son, "Nothing…"
"Luke…" She said softly as she turned to look at his face, "Where is he?"
Luke sighed and turned to the left where he saw a cruiser, he could just make out the back of Christopher's head. "They have him…"
"Did you…?" She whispered as she gestured down to his hands again.
Luke glanced over at her and swallowed hard, "He's alive...that's all that matters, right?"
She opened her mouth to speak but instead she fell into his arms, he held her close and kissed the top of her head. After a minute, Lorelai pulled away and went to sit beside Jack to make him feel better. One of the paramedics pulled Luke aside to tend to the cuts on his hands. After speaking to a few Detectives, they decided to find a hotel for the night because it was so late.
It would be to hard to bring Jack all the way home now. And just for tonight, both Luke and Lorelai wanted to be alone with their son. Once they got settled in, Lorelai went to give Jack a bath and Luke called the house.
"Hello? Luke? Where are you? Do you have Jack?" A frantic Rory called out to him.
"We have him." Luke said softly as he turned to look at the open bathroom door, "He's alright."
"They have Jack! He's okay!" Rory yelled to the rest of her family.
Luke smiled when he could hear the loud chatter coming from behind her, "Look...it's really late. Jack is exhausted and so are we. We got a room to spend the night...and we will be back first thing in the morning."
"What happened with my Dad?" Rory whispered into the phone.
Luke grimaced, "He's...he's in custody right now. We'll know more later. Right now I'm just focussed on Jack…"
"Is Mom okay?" Rory asked, "He didn't hurt Jack at all did he?"
"He was checked out by the paramedics and they said he is fine. Tired and hungry but fine. Jack said he didn't touch him." Luke said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Oh thank God…" Rory said through tears, "Will you give him a hug for me?"
"Of course. We will be back tomorrow." Luke promised, "Call if you need anything."
"I love you Luke." Rory whispered into the phone.
Luke swallowed the lump in her throat, "I love you too Rory...everything is going to be alright now. He's safe...we're all safe."
He heard her breath softly, "He's safe…" She sniffled slightly, "Give Mom a hug too. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Goodnight Rory. Try and get some sleep." He hung up the phone, took a few deep breaths and then pulled himself up off the bed.
He walked towards the bathroom and pushed the door open slightly. He smiled when he saw Lorelai kneeling on the floor in front of the tub as Jack sat in the bubbles and sang with her.
"You are my sunshine...my only sunshine…" Lorelai sang with tears in her eyes.
"You make me happy when skies are grey…" Jack sang back as he pushed at the bubbles around him.
She wiped at her tears and reached a hand out to touch his soapy head, "You'll never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away…" She whimpered slightly and shook her head, "Jack…"
"Don't be sad Mommy…" Jack said smiling at her, "I'm okay now."
She nodded slowly, "I know baby...but I just hate that he did that to you. I'm so sorry…"
Luke walked into the bathroom and sat next to his wife and son, "I just talked to Rory...everyone is really excited to see you tomorrow buddy."
Jack smiled, "I saw lots of fireflies…" He said, "I could see them from my room and I remembered what April said…"
Lorelai gasped slightly, "You did?"
Jack nodded, "Mhm...they made me feel better when I was really scared."
Lorelai leaned forward and kissed his wet face, "We saw them too honey…"
Jack splashed at the water, "Mommy, can I ask you something?"
She wiped at her face again as Luke rubbed her back, "Sure."
Jack bit his lip and nervously pushed bubbles around, "He said he did something bad to you...he said he had to go to jail. What did he do?"
Lorelai sat up straighter and glanced at Luke with a nervous expression. Luke sighed and then rested his arm on the side of the tub. "Jack...it's complicated."
Jack frowned, "But I want to know…"
Lorelai swallowed hard and stared back at her son, "Jack...what else did he tell you?"
Jack shrugged, "He said he loved you a lot...and that he missed you and Rory. He said you were a vault...but I don't know what that means."
Lorelai frowned, "Jack...sometimes in life people make bad choices."
"Lorelai…" Luke whispered softly, not sure if this was the right time.
She shook her head, "After everything he's been through...he deserves to hear the truth." She said softly, Luke stared at her for a moment and then nodded slowly, she turned back to her son and pressed on, "Before you were born...Mommy and Daddy had a big fight. And...we both made some bad choices. And I tried to be in with Rory's father again…"
Jack frowned, "So you were with him and not Daddy?"
Lorelai nodded and shifted nervously, "Yes...but Christopher knew that I still loved your Daddy very much. And...that made him angry." She took a deep breath and pushed on, "And we got into a fight...and he…" She felt Luke begin to rub her back to help her continue, "He hurt me…"
"How?" Jack asked staring at his Mother sadly.
Lorelai reached up and wiped her tears away, "Well he hit me Jack…"
Jack's lip started to tremble, "He-he did?"
Lorelai nodded slowly, "Yes buddy...and that is never okay. No one should ever do that to someone. And so the police came and took him away...but then they let him out. And he was still angry...and that's why he came after you. And I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry Jack. You will never understand how much your Daddy and I love you and how much it hurts knowing what he did to you."
Jack frowned and looked down at the bubbles again, then back at his Mommy, "I'm sorry he hurt you Mommy…"
Lorelai whimpered, "Jack…"
He shivered slightly and started to pull out of the tub, he leaned over and kissed her nose, "I love you Mommy."
Lorelai rested her forehead against his tiny one, "I love you too baby. You will never know how much I love you…"
He pulled away a little, "I'm sleepy…"
Luke smiled and reached for a towel, "Let's get you out of here and into bed." He scooped him up swung him back and forth making the small boy giggle as they walked back to the bedroom.
He toweled him off as Lorelai got his pajamas out of the bags they brought. She smiled and pulled out the stuffed bunny from April. She walked over to the bed and sat down beside Jack as she handed Luke his clothes. Jack stepped into the pants his father held out to him and then into the shirt before he plopped down on the bed.
"April gave me something to bring to you…" She said holding out the bunny to him, "She thought he might make you feel better."
Jack smiled and hugged the bunny close, "Oscar!" Lorelai ruffled his damp hair and smiled at him, "April's home too?"
"Yeah buddy. Everyone is at home waiting for you." Luke said, "But tonight...you need to get some sleep."
"Are you going to stay with me?" Jack asked nervously, "I didn't like being alone in that room…"
Lorelai pulled at the covers and patted the space at the top of the bed, "Come on up here bud. Dad and I are going to be right beside you."
Jack climbed under the covers and Luke and Lorelai lay down on either side of him. Jack snuggled up against Lorelai and she began to run her hands through his hair and hum softly to him. Luke rested his head on his hand and watched the scene in front of him. It wasn't long before Jack's eyes began to flutter quickly and his breathing began to slow down.
Lorelai pressed a kiss to the top of his head and held him close, "It's okay buddy...go to sleep. You're safe now."
Jack let out a soft snore and snuggled his head into her neck before he gave into sleep. Lorelai closed her eyes and tried to keep the tears at bay. Luke seemed to sense the emotions coursing through her. He reached over and put a gentle hand on her shoulder and began to rub small circles there.
"He's safe now...he's with us." Luke whispered softly.
She sniffled slightly and continued to run her hands through her sons hair, "I know…" She glanced up at her husband, "But it still breaks my heart…"
He nodded slowly, "I understand…"
Lorelai lifted her hand from Jack's head and reached for one of Luke's hands, "What happened?"
Luke sighed and flexed his fingers a few times, "I...just couldn't control myself. When I saw him run...I had to get to him first. And I did...did quite a number on his face. Not proud of that...and I tried…"
"You tried to what?" Lorelai said softly unable to take her eyes off of him.
"I just lost it…" Luke whispered, "I wanted to...I had my hands wrapped around his neck. And he didn't even look scared. When I let go...he looked and sounded disappointed. Like he wanted me to do it…"
Lorelai frowned, "He always liked an easy way out…"
Luke sighed, "I'm sorry...I know I promised not to hurt him. But when I saw him run...I just panicked. I was so afraid that he would get away...that he would be out there and able to hurt someone in our family. I couldn't allow that to happen…"
She nodded slowly and reached out to stroke his face, "I understand...but I am glad that you let him go. I need you here...we all need you." She swallowed hard, "I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you…"
He smiled sadly at her, "We're a team, right?"
She nodded slowly and looked down at Jack again, "He's so strong…"
Luke nodded and looked down at his son, "Yes he is. When I saw you walking down the stairs with him...I honestly thought I was going to fall over."
Lorelai smiled, "My knees gave out when I saw him...he was hiding behind the bed. He must have heard all the commotion...but then he saw me and ran to me. I'm surprised I didn't break him in half by how hard I was hugging him…"
Luke chuckled, "I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there...if we were still looking."
Lorelai closed her eyes tightly and shook her head as she kissed Jack's head again, "I don't even want to think about it."
"As much as I want to go home...there is part of me that just wants to stay right here forever. Not have to face the rest of it…" Luke said sadly.
She frowned at him, "I know...I'm afraid of what happens next. Having to go through the trial. What it will mean for Jack...how we help him through it." She sighed and began to run her hands through his hair again, "How I'm ever going to be able to let him out of my sight again…"
Luke nodded, "I know...it's going to be a hard transition for all of us."
She glanced up at her husband, "Luke?"
He looked straight into her eyes and tried to smile, "Yeah?"
She swallowed hard and tried to hold his gaze, "You and I are okay, right?"
He frowned and reached a hand out to caress her cheek, "Lorelai?"
She leaned into his touch, "I just...I feel this insane amount of guilt over all of this. And...Christopher has always been a sore spot in our relationship. And we've been so focussed on getting Jack back...but I need to know that you don't hate me for-"
Luke sat up slowly and walked around the the bed to her side, he sat down on the edge and pulled her close as she held Jack, "I don't hate you. I could never hate you. None of this is your fault. Just like Christopher hitting you wasn't your fault...he made his choices Lorelai. You can't control him." He kissed the side of her face, "I love you. And this doesn't change that. If anything it's made me love you more...made me appreciate what an amazing life we have together. I will do anything and everything to protect our family for the rest of my life. You are my world...don't you ever doubt how much I love you. Alright?"
She let out a shaky breath and turned to bury her face in his neck. She still had Jack pressed into her side as she breathed in the familiar and comforting scent of her husband. She began to cry softly as he held her close, "I love you Luke...I love you so much. I'm sorry I-"
He shook his head and kissed her head gently, "Shhh...stop apologizing. Everything is going to be okay now...we'll figure it out together…"
She nodded against him and felt Jack snuggle closer to her still. She turned slightly so Luke would spoon her from behind and she pulled Jack into her arms. Luke wrapped his arms around both of them as they lay together in the bed and hoped that he was able to keep them safe from the obstacles ahead. He felt Lorelai begin to relax as she rested her head against Jack's curly head. He pressed a kiss to her temple and whispered words of comfort and love until he heard her breath even out.
He lay there for a few moments watching them both to make sure this wasn't all a dream. If he woke up tomorrow to find out that his son was still missing he wasn't sure if he could handle it. As he glanced at his hand that was over his son's shoulder and he saw the red lines from his assault on Christopher's face.
It wasn't the first time he had hit Christopher, he wasn't proud to admit that. But the rage he had felt leading up to that moment was unlike anything he had ever felt. He knew deep down Christopher deserved it, but he wondered if it made him as bad as Chris had been for hitting Lorelai all those years ago. And why had Cristopher been so okay with the idea of Luke taking his life? Is that what Christopher wanted?
What would have happened if they had not found their son today? What would Christopher have done? As his mind bounced from question to question he sighed and buried his face in his wife's curls. Breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo, he willed himself to go to sleep. Even though they had found their son...their was still quite a battle ahead of them.
Even though they have Jack back, there is still more to come. I am working on the next chapter as we speak so I will try and update soon. Thanks!