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The following morning, Lorelai woke with a start. Her dreams were haunted by Jack yelling for her still locked away in the bedroom at Christopher's house. She gasped and looked beside her, Jack stirred slightly and then rolled over away from her. She put a hand over her mouth to keep from crying, but her shoulders shook slightly causing Luke to stir.

He sat up slowly, "Lorelai?"

She whimpered softly and turned towards him, "Sorry...bad dream."

He nodded slowly and then looked past Lorelai to see his son's sleeping form. He kissed the top of her head gently and then crawled out of bed and pulled her up with him. She followed his lead and sat on his lap on one of the chairs in the corner.

"Did you sleep at all?" He asked rubbing a gentle hand up and down her back.

She sighed and rested her head against his, "Yeah...but I just kept dreaming that he was still locked in that room. Still alone…"

Luke gave her a squeeze and glanced over at his son, "He's with us…"

She nodded slowly and looked over at Jack too, "I know…"

He sighed and rested his chin on her shoulder, "Everyone back at home will be anxiously waiting for us...they are going to want to see Jack with their own eyes."

She pulled away slightly and then stood up, pulling at the sleeves of her shirt. She walked back over to the bed and sat down beside Jack on the bed and ran her hands through his hair. "Is he going to be okay?"

Luke frowned, "I don't know Lorelai. We don't know exactly what happened there...he said Christopher didn't hurt him. But I'm sure he's going to have a lot more questions for us. And we will have to figure out how to answer them…"

She bit her lip and looked back at her husband, "Are you mad that I told him what Chris did to me?"

Luke shook his head, "No...I understand why you did it. Jack needed answers…"

She turned back to Jack and placed a gentle kiss on his head, "I just wish he didn't know that there was so much to be afraid of. He was always such a happy kid...so innocent. I don't want this to change him…"

"Unfortunately...it will in some way." Luke whispered, she glanced back at him with tears in her eyes and he sighed, "All we can do is support him now...answer his questions and be there for him in anyway he needs."

She nodded slowly and then stood up again, "You're right…"

Luke walked back to her and placed a kiss on her forehead and then on her lips, "It's going to be okay…"

She smiled softly, "I hope so…"

"Mommy?" Jack's soft sleep filled voice called to her from the bed.

Lorelai turned away from Luke and wiped at the tears in her eyes, "Hey honey…"

Jack sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "Can we go home now? I miss Paul Anka."

Lorelai smiled and walked back over to him and sat down beside him, "Yeah baby. We can go home...everyone is going to be really excited to see you. Especially Paul Anka…"

Jack crawled into her lap and rested his sleepy head on her shoulder, "Thanks for finding me…"

Lorelai closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him tightly, "Jack…"

He pulled away and looked back at his Dad, "I asked him to take me home but he said he couldn't. He said he did a bad thing and would be in trouble. But he said that Daddy was like Superman and you were like Wonder Woman and you'd find me. He said he was Lex Luther...the bad guy."

Lorelai glanced back at Luke, he sighed and sat down beside them on the bed, "What else did he say Jack?"

"He said that he was sorry for taking me. But he didn't think he could bring me home." He said with a shrug, "I don't know why. But he said he was scared…"

Luke cleared his throat, "Jack...what he did was wrong. He lied to you...and took you away from us. He knows what he did was wrong...that he was going to be get into trouble."

Jack nodded, "Will he go back to jail now? He said you'd make sure he did."

Luke frowned, "We're going to do everything we can to make sure he never hurts you again Jack...he is in big trouble. Mommy and I aren't going to let anything happen to you again, alright? I don't want you to be afraid…"

Jack frowned and began to play with his mother's hair, "Is Rory going to be mad at me?"

Lorelai rubbed his back gently, "Why would Rory be mad at you Jack?"

Jack shrugged, "Because her Daddy will be in trouble again...and she won't be able to see him. I thought we were going to see her. I thought it would make her happy...she was sad when she saw a picture of him. I wanted to make her happy...but now she will be sad again."

Lorelai leaned forward and kissed his forehead, "Oh honey...Rory just wanted you to come home. That's all that matters to her...she could never be angry at you."

"But he is her Daddy." Jack said softly, "I would be mad if someone took Daddy away from me…"

Lorelai sighed and brushed his hair back, "I know it is hard to understand Jack...but I promise that she isn't mad at you and never could be. I don't want you to ever worry about that…"

"Are you mad at me?" He asked with tears in his eyes, "You told me never to go with a stranger and I did…but I thought since he was Rory's Daddy…"

Luke sighed and leaned forward to give Jack's shoulder a squeeze, "We aren't mad buddy. But...you should never go with someone without asking us first. You know that now, right? Even if they tell you that Mommy and I said it's okay...you ask us first. And if you are unsure...or you are scared...you yell and scream until someone notices you okay?"

Jack nodded, "Okay...I'm sorry I scared you…"

Luke kissed his son's head, "You're safe now...that's all that matters."

Lorelai sniffled and smiled at her son and husband, "Come on...let's get ready to go home."

Luke scooped Jack off his lap and brought him into the bathroom to help him get ready. Lorelai took a few minutes to compose herself and then walked out to the hallway where there were two officers standing by.

She smiled softly at them, "Hey...are we allowed to go home today?"

The first officer nodded, "Yes. They have Christopher in custody and are already on their way back to Connecticut. We will be bringing you home whenever you are ready. I suggest you call your family and let them know we will be on our way...and to let them know that Jack may feel a little overwhelmed at first. It's probably not good for all of them to run to him...even though I know they want too."

Lorelai nodded slowly, "I didn't even think about that...you're right. He does seem a little overwhelmed…" She ran a hand through her hair, "I'll call them now. We just need to change...and maybe grab something to eat? Then can we go?"

"You let us know when you are ready." He said with a smile.

She stared at both of the officers for a moment and felt the tears burn in her eyes again, "I just…" She swallowed hard, "Thank you...for helping bring my son home. I will never be able to thank you enough for that."

The second officer smiled, "We are just doing our job Mrs. Danes."

She nodded slowly, "Well I appreciate you. Thank you…" They both smiled at her and then she walked back into the room and reached for her phone.

It rang only once before an anxious Rory answered, "Mom? Are you guys coming home?"

Lorelai sat down on the edge of the bed, "Hey sweets...we are getting ready now. We should be on the road soon."

"How does Jack seem? Luke said Dad didn't hurt him…" Rory whispered.

"He's okay...a little confused and overwhelmed. That's actually why I am calling...I know you are all going to want to rush out and see him right away. But I think we need to let Jack do this on his terms. He may be flustered if everyone rushes to him at the same time, you know what I mean?" Lorelai asked.

"I understand." Rory whispered, "It's going to be hard to not scoop him up right away...but we want him to be okay first and foremost."

"Thanks hon." She sniffled slightly, "He's...he's worried you will be upset that Christopher will have to go to jail again. Luke and I told him you only cared about him coming home...but it may take him sometime to process this all. Even though he is coming home...we still have a lot to work through."

She heard Lorelai sigh, "Oh Jack...of course I don't blame him. I feel terrible."

"We're going to be okay." Lorelai whispered to her, "Somehow we will make it through this. I promise Rory…"

"I know." Rory answered back, "Have you seen...Dad?"

"Only glimpses from behind...I don't know how I will react when I really do see him." Lorelai said honestly.

"How's Luke?" Rory asked, "How did he react?"

Lorelai cringed, "He...made his anger known. But...he was able to pull it together. It's going to be hard for all of us kid…" The bathroom door opened and Jack and Luke came out dressed and ready to leave, "I need to finish getting ready though. Jack's eager to come home. I'll call you when we are close…"

"We'll be here. Love you Mom." Rory whispered into the phone.

"I love you too kid. See you soon." She shut the phone, and smiled at Jack, "All set little man?"

Jack nodded and climbed up on the bed, "Uh huh."

Lorelai smiled and leaned forward to kiss his head gently, "Let me get dressed and then we can go, okay? Are you hungry?"

"Yes." Jack said, "Can we get Egg McMuffins?"

Lorelai laughed and looked at her husband, "What do you say Dad?"

Luke sighed, "Normally I'd say no…" He knelt down in front of his kid, "But I think today I can make an exception. You can have whatever you want buddy."

Jack's face brightened and he looked at his Mom, "Should I go for more than an Egg McMuffin?"

Lorelai laughed and shook her head, "That's up to you bud. I'll let you think on it while I get ready."

Jack rubbed his hands together, "The possibilities…"

Luke groaned, "What have I gotten myself into?"

Lorelai smiled and went into the bathroom to change and get ready to head home.

Three hours later, Lorelai had made the call to her family at the house. Lorelai and Luke were sitting in the back of the cruiser with Jack who anxiously clutched Oscar in his arms. Lorelai smiled and gave him a gentle kiss on his head.

"You okay buddy?" Lorelai asked as she gave him a squeeze.

Jack nodded slowly, "I'm a little scared…"

"Of what?" Luke asked reaching for his small hands, "You can talk to us about this…"

Jack looked back at his Dad, "I'm happy to be going home...but scared something will happen again."

Luke frowned and squeezed his hand, "I know Jack...but Mommy and I are going to be right with you, okay?"

Jack nodded and looked out the window as they passed the park that Chris had taken him from, "Did you find my hat? He threw it on the ground before we left…"

Lorelai swallowed hard remember how hard it had been to see his tiny hat when he was gone, "Yeah buddy...it's at home."

Jack looked at his Dad and frowned, "He doesn't like you very much...he got angry when I talked about you."

Luke cleared his throat, "Well...I don't like him very much either Jack."

As they pulled down the street leading to their house, Jack started to bounce up and down a little. Lorelai smiled and looked over at Luke who gave her a wink as they pulled into the driveway. Lorelai climbed out of the car and Jack jumped out and reached up to her. She smiled, picked him up in her arms and held him close as they walked towards the front door. Luke walked behind them and pressed a gentle, encouraging hand on Lorelai's back.

Lorelai pushed the door opened and Jack tensed a little, she kissed the side of his head and whispered, "It's okay buddy...you're home now."

She walked further into the house and smiled when she saw all the people waiting in the living room. They were smiling, but sat as patient as possible to let Jack become accustomed to his surroundings again. Jack peeked at them from his Mother's arms and smiled, "Hi…" He whispered.

Rory took a deep breath and stood up to walk towards them, "Hey Jack…"

Jack pulled away from his Mom a little and smiled at his sister, "Hi Rory…"

She lifted a hand to wipe at her own tears and tried to keep it together for him, "We're really glad you're home little man…"

Jack looked at his Mom who gave him a kiss on his nose to remind him she was right there with him, "Rory...I'm sorry."

Rory shook her head as the tears started to pool in her eyes again, "Jack no...don't you apologize. Come here…" Jack reached out and Lorelai placed him in Rory's arms, "The only thing that matters to me is that you are safe...and that you are home. Don't you worry about anything else."

Jack nodded and hugged her back. April nervously walked towards them unable to keep from hugging him, she had Elise in her arms and looked over at Luke who just gave her an encouraging smile. He took Elise from her arms and April quickly wrapped her arms around Rory and Jack and started to cry with Rory.

Lorelai swallowed the lump in her throat and leaned against Luke who rocked Elise back and forth. "Jack Jack?"

Luke smiled and kissed Elise's head, "Yeah baby...your brother is home."

Jack turned in Rory's arms and smiled at Elise, "Hi Lise."

Lorelai wiped at her tears and glanced back at her daughter, "Hi pretty girl…"

Elise reached for Lorelai who quickly scooped her up, "Mommy…"

Lorelai let out a small breath and held her close as Luke put his hands on her hips and held her against his chest, "Everyone's home now baby...we're all okay."

Jack frowned and looked around, he saw his Grandparents, Jess, Liz, TJ and Doula. But he didn't see Paul Anka anywhere, "Where's Paul Anka?"

Rory smiled, "He's been staying up in your room. I think he's waiting for you…"

"Can I go see him?" Jack asked as he looked at his Dad.

Luke smiled and took Jack from his arms, "Sure bud. Come on."

"Come on Mommy." Jack said excitedly as Luke walked towards the stairs.

Lorelai smiled and handed Elise back to Rory so she could follow her husband and son up the stairs. They walked quietly down the hallway and heard the chatter from the living room. Luke pushed the door to Jack's room open and there was Paul Anka sitting patiently by Jack's bed just as he always had done to watch after him.

"Paul Anka!" Jack yelled excitedly and practically jumped from his father's arms.

When he hit the floor, Paul Anka started barking and ran towards the boy. Jack was laughing loudly as the dog ran around him in circles yipping loudly until he tackled Jack to the ground and smothered him with kisses. Lorelai put a hand over her mouth as the tears sprung in her eyes, but there was also a smile plastered on her face. Luke pulled her against him and smiled at the scene in front of him. It was the first truly happy moment they had had in what felt like forever.

Jack giggled as the dog continued to leave wet slobbery kisses on his little face, "Paul Anka!"

Luke kissed the side of Lorelai's face and whispered to her, "He's home…"

She closed her eyes and pressed a hand on Luke's chest to keep her standing up, "He's home…" She repeated softly.

She breathed him in and reminded herself that no matter what happened next, they would make it through. The hardest part was over, now their son was safe. And they would figure out how to navigate through the rest of the storm together.

Later that night, Jack was sitting in the living room eating pizza with Jess, April, Rory and Elise. Richard and Emily were standing in the kitchen with Lorelai and Luke, their lawyers and the lead detectives.

"What happens now?" Lorelai asked as she watched Jack carefully from her spot in the kitchen.

The Detective sighed, "Well...we have Mr. Hayden in custody which is important. We will put together the case over the next week or so. We have plenty of evidence…"

Lorelai nodded, "Will Jack have to see him again?"

"Well we can have him testify in court...but if you aren't comfortable with that than we can discuss other options." He said.

Lorelai glanced at her husband, "I don't know…"

Luke rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "I don't want Jack to have to see him…" He swallowed hard, "Um...I have a question though."

"Sure. What is it?" The Detective asked.

Luke cleared his throat and looked down at his battered hands, "Am...am i going to be charged with assault?"

Lorelai tensed beside him and grabbed onto his arm, he gave her a small smile then turned back to the Detective, "Mr. Hayden said he would not press charges…"

Luke let out a shaky breath, "But...could he change that answer?"

Richard huffed, "He better not. He has no right to complain about what you did. In my opinion you showed restraint. That man deserves much worse for what he has done."

Luke grimaced, "It was still wrong of me...I broke the law."

Lorelai leaned into him and looped her arm through his, "Luke…"

Luke sighed and looked back at the Detectives, "I really tried to keep it together...but when I saw him run I just reacted. I couldn't stand the idea of him getting away…"

"I understand that Mr. Danes. As of right now Mr. Hayden says he has no plans to press charges and we will have to hope that nothing changes that." He said with a shrug, "I wish I could give you a more reassuring answer…"

Luke tried to smile, "No I understand…"

"The next couple of days are going to be focussed on gathering all our evidence to present to the court. I suggest you focus on your family first and foremost...try not to dwell too much on anything else. Your son needs to feel as comfortable as possible right now." He said.

Luke nodded slowly, "Right…"

Richard smiled, "Luke...we will make sure everything is handled accordingly. I am not about to let anyone take you away from my daughter or my grandchildren."

Luke swallowed hard, "Richard…"

The older man smiled back at him, "Go be with your family Luke. It's late...Emily and I will head home and come back tomorrow. Right now...you focus on them. The rest will fall into place in time."

Luke took a deep breath and nodded slowly, "Okay…" He turned to his wife, "I'm gonna go check on the kids…"

Lorelai smiled, "I'm going to walk my parents out. Meet you in there in a second." She leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss.

He gave her hand a squeeze and then excused himself to the living room. Lorelai took a few cleansing breaths, and then turned back to her parents. They smiled encouragingly, gathered their things and followed the Detectives and lawyers out the front door.

As they reached their car, one of the lawyers gave Richard a look. Lorelai noticed it and braced herself for whatever they were about to tell her. She put her hands in her pockets and waited for them to speak.

"Now that Luke is inside…" Richard said softly, "There's something you should see."

Lorelai bit her lip nervously, "What is it?"

Richard reached into his coat pocket, "This is a copy of a letter they found at the house. I haven't read it...it was addressed to you."

Lorelai lifted a trembling hand and took the letter from him, "Did the Detectives read it?"

Her lawyer nodded, "Yes. And so have I…"

Lorelai bit her lip nervously, "Okay…"

Emily leaned forward and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Whatever that letter says...don't let it break you Lorelai. Christopher made terrible choices. Jack is home now and that is all that matters."

She nodded slowly, "Thanks Mom…" She leaned forward and gave her a gentle hug, "Thank you for everything. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Try and get some sleep." Emily said as she pulled away, "You're going to need your strength."

Lorelai gave her a slight smile, gave her father a hug and then waited until they all left. She took a moment to gather her thoughts before walking back to the porch and sitting down on the front steps. Her hands were trembling as she held the paper in front of her, it took her a few minutes to find the courage to actually begin to read it.

Lore,
I'm not sure if you will ever read this...but if you do it probably means that I'm gone. At least I hope it does. I have spent the last six years trying to move past what I did to you...what I did to land me in jail. And when I found out I was going to be released...I thought I had come to terms with everything. I thought I was ready to move on. I meant it when I told Rory I wanted to start over...that I was going to stay away.
But then I got home...and everything was so different. I didn't know how to start over. And suddenly rage built up in me again thinking about the fact that you now have this amazing life with HIM. And the next thing I knew...I was driving to Stars Hollow. I had no intention of taking Jack...I just wanted to see you. I wanted to see what it was that he gave you that you didn't think I could. I wanted to know why he was so much better than me.
And then I saw your father...and I panicked. Next thing I know...I see this little kid who is an exact replica of his father and something in me snapped. I didn't even realize what I was doing. And then we were driving away and I just couldn't turn back. I wish Jack had been an annoying kid...probably would have made it easier. But he was polite and kind and it made me all messed up.
I know what I did was wrong. And I can't imagine how scared you were when you found out I took him. I didn't hurt him physically...I would never do that. But some part of me wanted you to feel the pain I had felt in the last 6 years. It was wrong and I know that and I can't apologize enough for it.
But the thing is...I can't go back to jail. I just can't handle it. Maybe that makes me a coward...but it's how I feel. And so I have made a decision. I can't bring Jack back because it will make things worse for me. I hope that someone finds him soon because tonight I am planning on taking my life. I'm sorry...I hope that Jack is okay. But I can't handle any of this anymore.

Goodbye Lorelai,
Chrisotpher

Anger and pain bubbled up in Lorelai's chest. She felt like someone had sucker punched her. She was crying so hard, she didn't notice that the front door had opened. She was startled when Luke sat down beside her and put his arms around her.

"Lorelai...hey…" He whispered as he pulled her against him to try and soothe her, "Shhh…"

She reached to the side and clung to his shirt, "That bastard was going to take his own life and leave our son there to rot…" She choked out between sobs.

Luke pulled her away to look at her, "What?"

She lifted her trembling hands and held out the letter, "They found this at the house. It was a letter he wrote to me. He was going to kill himself...and then just hoped someone would have found Jack. But what if we hadn't? What if Gigi didn't know where the house was? God Luke...Jack would have died there all alone! And even if he didn't...he would have seen Christopher and…" She broke off as the sobs took over her body again.

Luke tensed and took the letter as he held her tight to his side. His eyes skimmed every letter on the page and he felt sick to his stomach. "Jesus…"

"I just...I don't understand." Lorelai said softly, "How can someone be that selfish? How can someone be that much of a coward?"

Luke rested his elbow on his knee and looked over at her, "I don't know…"
"Now all I can picture is Jack stuck in that room...hungry and alone...can you imagine that? What if he had died there like that Luke?" She shook her head, "My little boy…"

Luke shook his head, "He's safe now…"

She nodded slowly, "I know...but if we hadn't made it there in time…"

Luke swallowed hard and crumpled up the letter in his hands, "Suddenly I don't feel so much guilt over hitting that idiot…"

Lorelai sniffled and took his battered hands in his, "He's a coward…"

Luke nodded, "As much as I want him dead...I'd rather have him face this. It would be to easy...I don't want him to get what he wants. I want him to suffer."

"None of this even seems real...it doesn't seem like it could ever happen. And yet it did...and I don't know how to fix it for Jack. I don't know how to make him feel safe. I don't know how to make myself feel safe. I want to keep him locked in our house forever where I never have to take my eyes off of him but I know we can't do that either." She shook her head sadly.

Luke looked over at her, "Lorelai…"

"I'm just so angry...and scared. And god I'm so heartbroken for our boy. I still feel like we're moving in quick sand...like this is all just some terrible nightmare. But it's reality." She said as she ran her hands through her hair, "And I know I shouldn't feel guilty...but I do Luke. God I do...I feel so responsible for all of this."

Luke sighed and reached for her again, "Lorelai you can't…"

"But I do." She said as she held onto him, "I do Luke...and I don't know how to not feel that way. My actions lead us here…"

"Well I played a part in it too." Luke said sadly, "But no one could have predicted any of this…"

She nodded slowly and pulled away, "I'm so tired…"

He rubbed his eyes slowly, "Me too...I spent most of last night just watching you and Jack to make sure you were really there."

She turned her head to look him in the eye, "Luke…"

He shook his head, "I feel like I failed you...not just in making sure Christopher didn't hurt any of us. But because...I stooped down to his level."

"What are you talking about?" She whispered as she reached up to cup his face in her hands, "You are nothing like him…"

She watched him swallow the lump in his throat, "I hit him." She opened her mouth to protest, "I almost took his life. And yeah maybe he deserved it...but that's what he did to you Lorelai. He put his hands on you...he was violent and I feel all this rage and it scares me."

She sighed and leaned into kiss him gently, "Luke...I know you would never do that to me. You don't have a malicious bone in your body. You were reacting to someone hurting your family. That kind of anger is normal and expected...I'm not angry with you."

"I promised you I wouldn't do anything stupid." He said with tears in his eyes, "I promised I would stay away and I broke that promise. I swore when we got back together I'd never hurt you or lie to you again…"

"Luke this is so different…" She whispered, "You were protecting us...what if Christopher had gotten away? Where would we be now? Sure we would have had Jack...but I'd be looking over my shoulder at every turn expecting him to pop up. That's no way to live...you did what you had to do. And you stopped yourself before you went too far…"

He nodded slowly and wiped at his tear strained face, "I'm sorry…"

She shook her head and kissed his cheek and then the side of his mouth, "You have nothing to apologize for…"

He quickly wrapped both of his arms around her and pulled her close, "You are my life. You know that right?"

She breathed him in and nodded against the crook of his neck, "I know…"

"I just...I want to make this all right. But like you said I don't know how too…" He whispered softly, "And that scares me…"

She nodded slowly as she pulled away, "We're going to have to do this together...for Jack."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, "For Jack…"

"Don't leave me, okay?" She whispered in a soft voice, "That's the only thing I can't handle...I don't want you to pull away. Or be afraid of how you are feeling. I need you to talk to me…"

He nodded slowly and brushed away her tears, "I will…"

She took a deep breath, "The next couple of days...we should just focus on getting everything settled here like they said. We have the trial and all that to worry about later...but right now we need to take care of the kids. And ourselves…"

He nodded, "I already called Caesar...he knows I won't be coming back to work anytime soon."

She nodded slowly, "I talked to Michel and Sookie too...I can't even think about going back to work at the moment."

Luke took a deep breath and ran a hand over his tired face, "God I'm exhausted…"

She stood up slowly and reached for his hands to pull him up, "Come on…"

Luke let her pull him up and then he pulled her against him and buried his hands in her hair as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He held her close for a moment before pulling away just enough to kiss her gently on the lips and whisper, "I love you Lorelai…"

Her eyes fluttered for a moment and then she whispered back, "I love you too. Always will…"

He kissed her again, and then reached for her hand as they walked up the porch steps. When they walked into the house they noticed the living room was empty but the light in the hall upstairs was on. Quietly, they walked up the stairs and back towards Jack's room. When they opened the door, Lorelai could only smile at the scene in front of her.

Jack and Elise were snuggled up together on his bed and Rory was asleep beside them with a protective arm around them both. On the floor, Jess was leaning against the bed, his head was pressed back into the mattress as he snored softly. Beside him, April had her head resting on his shoulder as she too slept soundly.

Luke put an arm around Lorelai's shoulder, "Should we wake them up?" He whispered.

Lorelai shook her head, "No...they are all probably just as tired as we are."

Luke nodded and looked back at her, "Come with me…"

She gave him a questioning look as he lead her back towards their bedroom. He turned on one light to cast a soft glow across the room. She kicked off her shoes, and then crawled up onto the bed and sat patiently for him. She watched as he went to his closet, and dug through a box before coming back to the bed with a long black velvet box in his hands.

She gave him a curious look, "What is that?"

Luke sighed and sat down beside her as he toed off his own shoes, "I realized I never got to give you your anniversary present…"

She bit her lip, "God...that night seems so far way…"

He nodded and rubbed at her knee, "I know...I hope that what happened doesn't ruin that day for us."

She shook her head, "We won't let it…"

He nodded slowly and held the box out to her, "Here...open it."

Lorelai smiled gently at him and then lifted the lid on the box, she gasped when she saw what was inside, "Oh Luke...it's beautiful."

He smiled sheepishly and pointed to the tree pendent, "It has the four birthstones of our kids. Rory, April, Jack and Elise…"

She put a hand over her mouth as the tears prickled, "Luke…"

"You may not be April's biological Mother...and I may not really be Rory's father...but they are still OUR children. Just as much as Jack and Elise. They are our family...our blood. Our reason…" He whispered as he got choked up, "And when I see you with them...it makes me fall in love with you more and more. You are such an amazing mother...and I feel so damn lucky to be able to share this life with you."

She felt her heart pounding in her chest, "You are the most amazing man I have ever known. Did you know that?" She wiped at her tears, "Even when I feel like I'm at my lowest point...you pull me back to reality. You are everything Luke. You gave me this family...and I love you for that. I will always love you for it. Nothing can change what we have. Not even Christopher…"

He shook his head and leaned forward to kiss her, "You're right…"

She reached a hand up to touch his face, "Now my box seats to the Red Sox with the whole family seems silly compared to this beautiful necklace…"

He smiled at her, "Lorelai...that's an amazing gift."

She rolled her eyes and wiped a tear away, "Not like this…" She glanced back down at it, "It's perfect…"

"You're perfect…" He whispered softly making her look up at him again, he swallowed hard, "Lorelai…"

She bit her lip and nodded slowly, "I know…"

He sighed softly, "I know everything is crazy right now...and maybe this is the last thing you want. And I understand if you don't want too…"

He looked down nervously and she lifted his face to make him face her again, "Luke…"

"I just…" He swallowed hard, "I need you…"

His voice was so full of raw emotion it tore through her from head to toe. She whimpered softly and placed the box down on the bedside table before she reached for him and pulled him as close as possible. Her lips crashed against his and he leaned her back on the bed as she started to pull at the buttons on his shirt.

He pulled away to try and catch his breath, "Are you sure this is okay? It's okay if…"

She shook her head and reached up to pull his face down to hers again kissing him softly, "I need you too Luke...more than you could possibly understand. Love me...make me feel anything other than this pain…"

He sighed softly and leaned into her, "God Lorelai…"

"It's okay…" She whispered as her hands slid up the back of his undershirt, "I'm right here…" She felt him trembling against her, "I'm right here…"

She felt him relax against her as they rolled to their sides on the bed. Clothes were shed as fast as possible and soon they were wrapped around each other. They couldn't get close enough...they wanted to become one. They wanted the rest of the world to melt away and find a way to some sort of peace. And as they lay together afterwards and whispered words of love and assurance...they knew one thing was for sure...they weren't going to let Christopher Hayden break them apart ever again.

I will try and update soon! I wrote a one-shot for Mother's Day called "If You Ever Want To Fall In Love" but it seems people want me to add onto it! So I may work on that at some point too. But this will come first. Check it out and let me know what you think :) It's set pre-series. Working on Chapter 12 of this as we speak so hopefully it will be up soon!