Been crazy busy but finally found some time to write. Hope you enjoy :)

Lorelai and Luke were fast asleep in bed. He was laying on his back with one arm up over his head, his other was resting over Lorelai's hand on his chest. Her head lay against his shoulder and her right leg was thrown over his hip and her foot nestled between his legs. They were breathing softly basking in the feeling of actual real sleep after their weeks and months of fear.

The bedroom door creaked open and a tiny boy tiptoed into the room, Paul Anka pitter pattered in behind him. He glanced at his parents for a moment, then climbed up onto the bed and started poking his father's chest.

"Dad...wake up. Wake up. Daddy wake up!" Jack screamed the last part.

Both Luke and Lorelai woke with a jolt and stared at their son, "Jack?" Luke asked in a groggy voice.

Jack smiled down at his parents, "I get to go to school today! You need to wake up!"

Lorelai rolled off of her husband and picked up her cell phone to check the time, "Jack...it's 5 in the morning. School doesn't start for a few hours…"

Jack pouted softly and his father couldn't help but laugh, he had inherited that from his Mother, "But I've already missed so much! Can't we go early?"

Lorelai reached out and pulled her son to her side, "Why do you want to leave Mommy so soon?" She asked as she held him close and kissed his head.

"I don't want to leave you Mommy but I think school with be fun!" Jack said as he tried to squirm out of her grasp.

Luke chuckled again and rolled over onto his side and gave his son's hand a squeeze, "Don't try and escape her bud...she'll only hold on tighter."

Jack let out a frustrated huff and looked at his Mom, "Mommy?"

She mirrored his pout from earlier and stared at her son with wide, watery eyes, "Yes?"

Jack turned in her arms and held her face in his small hands, "Mommy I'm gonna be okay. I promise. And I'll come right home after school. But if you miss me you can come see me at recess!"

Lorelai smiled as a single tear escaped her eye, "When did you grow up so fast handsome boy?"

Jack shrugged, "I don't know. It just keeps happening."

Lorelai smiled and pulled him close again, "Tell you what...give me ten more minutes to pretend you're still my tiny little baby...and then we'll get up, okay?"

Jack nodded and snuggled into her side, "Okay Mommy. I love you."

She squeezed her eyes tight and reached for Luke's hand as she whispered in a hoarse voice, "I love you too little man…"

Luke smiled and wrapped an arm around both of them to hold them for as long as possible. Lucky for them, Jack soon drifted off back to sleep in the comfort of his parents bed…

By 8:30, Jack was dressed and ready to go. He had convinced Luke to make the special Rory pancakes since it was such a big day. He was now standing on the porch with his oversized flannel backpack and practically jumping in his spot. Lorelai and Luke were getting Elise ready for her day with Rory. Rory stood beside her brother on the porch. Jess had gone back to New York to get the last of his things and April was visiting her Mother for a few days before coming back for the renewal.

Rory knelt down beside her brother and put a hand on his tiny shoulder, "How you feelin bud?"

Jack turned towards her and smiled, "I'm really excited! I wasn't before...I was nervous about school. But now I think it might be fun!"

Rory smiled at him, "It will be fun Jack. And you are going to do great!"

He paused slightly, "Even though I missed a few weeks? You think I'll be okay?"

Rory nodded and scooted closer to him. Luke and Lorelai were now standing in the doorway, Elise was high up on her mother's hip and they stopped to let Rory and her brother have their moment together.

"You are so smart Jack. And you are so determined...I know you can handle anything that comes your way. But your teachers and your friends will help you at school if you need it and when you are home Mom and Dad will help too. And whatever you need from me...I'll be there." She said giving him a wink.

Jack nodded slowly, "Think I can go to Yale someday too?"

Lorelai leaned into her husband and he rubbed her back slowly as Rory lifted a hand to give her brother's shoulder a squeeze, "I think you can do anything you set your mind too Jack. I have no doubt that you are going to do amazing things in this world...and I can't wait to watch it all."

Jack took a deep breath, leaned in and hugged his sister tightly, "Thanks Rory."

She squeezed him tightly, "Have a great first day bud. I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back tonight."

Jack pulled away and looked at his parents, "Can we go Mommy?"

Lorelai nodded and kissed Elise's cheek softly before handing her to Rory, "Sure thing buddy. You still want to walk?"

Jack nodded, "Yes please."

Luke smiled and lifted his son high up in the air, Jack laughed as he rested his legs on his father's shoulders. Rory gave her Mom a kiss on the cheek and watched as the three of them walked towards down and Jack's school.

Rory held Elise close and kissed her cheek, "Looks like it's just you and me pretty girl. But before you know it that will be you heading to your first day of school!"

Elise watched her parents and brother walk away and then turned towards her sister, "Play?"

Rory only laughed and kissed her sister's cheek, "Sure thing kiddo. Let's go play!"

When they reached the front of the school, Jack seemed to tense up on Luke's shoulders. Luke glanced at his wife and she seemed to sense a shift in the mood of their son too. She was trying her best to be strong for the young boy and hoped that she could keep it together enough for him in this moment. Luke carefully lifted his son down off his shoulders and placed in him on the ground. He knelt down in front of him and pulled at the straps of his backpack.

"Hey Jack Jack. You ready to go in?" He asked trying to give him his best and most confident smile.

Jack was quiet for a moment and glanced around at all the other kids running towards the school, "What if...what if I need you?"

Luke glanced at his wife and then back at his son, "Well...you tell your teachers when something is bothering you okay? They know that things are a little different since you are starting school later. They will call us and we will come and get you. We can be here in no time at all."

Jack nodded slowly and glanced past his father, he could make out the Diner from here, "Will you go back to work?"

Luke nodded, "Eventually yes. But not today...Mom and I will be at home and can run right over if you need us. But when I do go back to work I'll be so close to you here and I can come over then too. For anything."

Jack looked over at his Mom, "And Doula is here too?"

Lorelai nodded, "Yes. She's in first grade now but her classroom is right down the hall from yours."

Jack nodded again and glanced back at the school, "It looks bigger than it used too…"

Luke squeezed his little shoulder gently, "Jack...if you aren't ready today we can wait-"

Jack turned quickly and shook his head, "No. I want to go today. I want to do this. Just...a little nervous."

Lorelai smiled, "Everyone gets a little nervous on their first day of school no matter what grade they are going into buddy."

"Even Rory?" Jack asked softly, "Did she get nervous?"

Lorelai giggled softly, "Oh yeah! Every year before her first day of school she'd say she was too sick to go. I'd have to bribe her with treats to get her to go. And then once she got there she loved it! And I know you will too."

Jack smiled softly when he realized he wasn't alone in feeling nervous, "Will you and Daddy be okay?"

Lorelai smiled and knelt down next to her husband, "We'll miss you all day. But we'll be here even before school ends ready to see you! And we will be so excited to hear about all the exciting things you did and all your new friends. They will love you baby."

Jack took a deep breath and glanced back at his parents, "Okay…let's go in."

Luke and Lorelai both stood up and Jack reached behind them for both of their hands. They walked with him in the middle and made their way towards the front of the school. They stepped up the front steps and walked around the other students towards Jack's new classroom. They walked into the room and gazed around at the kids who were already busy playing. Jack let go of his Mother's hand and wrapped both of his arms nervously around Luke's leg.

He placed a hand on top of his son's head to reassure him he wasn't leaving yet. Jack's teacher noticed them and walked over, she gave Luke and Lorelai a smile before bending down in front of Jack. "Hi Jack. My name is Miss Sawyer. I'm going to be your teacher this year. I'm really excited you're here today and your friends are just as excited to meet you!"

Jack held on tighter to his father's leg, "Hi…"

Luke pulled at his hands a little and knelt down with them, "Do you want to check out the room a little?" He asked his son.

Jack shook his head back and forth and reached for his Mom, "Mommy I think I want to go home now…"

Lorelai took a deep breath and tried to keep her tears in as she knelt down again with him "It's alright Jack...Daddy and I won't leave until you are ready."

Jack shook his head again and turned to bury his face in her neck, "Don't go."

She whimpered softly and held him close as she glanced over at her husband, unsure of what to say, "Oh honey…"

"I'm scared. I said I wasn't but I am. I haven't been alone since...since...he took me." Jack whispered into her neck.

Lorelai had no words for her son and stared directly at her husband wanting nothing more than to scoop her son up and run back to the safety of their house. She watched Luke sniffle a little and begin to unzip Jack's back pack.

"Hey Jack I brought something for you…" Luke whispered softly, "Maybe it will help."

Jack pulled away from his Mom a little and peeked over at his Dad curious to see what he had for him, "What is it?"

Luke swallowed hard and pulled out the blue hat that Jack had been wearing the day Chris had taken him. He hadn't worn it since he had come back home. But before the whole ordeal...Jack often wore it when he was afraid or nervous. He said it made him feel like Luke was with him in someway so he wasn't alone.

Luke sighed, "I know you haven't worn this in awhile...but I was thinking that maybe we could change that today. You can wear yours and I'll have mine all day and it will be like we're together. What do you think?"

Jack glanced down at the blue hat in his father's hands, he looked at his teacher as if to ask if it was okay, "It's okay Jack. You can wear it."

Jack reached out and took the small hat, he put it on backwards and seemed to stand a little straighter as he did so. "How do you feel now?" Luke asked.

Jack was quiet for a moment, "A little better…"

Luke gave him a nod and reached out for his small hand, "You can do this Jack. I know you can."

The little boy glanced around the room and noticed all the toys and activities just waiting for him to explore. He saw new friends, some he recognized from around town and suddenly didn't feel so alone. He took a step into the classroom away from his parents, but then turned and lunged at them both, hugging them tightly around the room.

"I'll see you after school." He whispered to them.

Luke and Lorelai held him close and waited for his signal when it was time to pull away. When he did, he gave them both a small wave and then walked over to the truck rug and asked to play with two other boys. One of them handed Jack a fire truck which he gladly accepted and sat down to play with them.

Lorelai and Luke stood up and immediately grabbed for each other's hands. "Luke…" She whispered.

He gave her hand a squeeze, "I know…" He whispered to her.

Miss Sawyer smiled and stood up, "I promise that I will call you guys if anything happens...we have an adjustment counselor coming in soon to monitor things too. He's going to be alright."

Lorelai laughed a little, "It's not him I'm worried about...it's us."

Miss Sawyer smiled softly at her, "I understand…"

Luke pulled at his wife's hand a little, "We should probably go...give him some space before he changes his mind."

Lorelai licked her lips and nodded, "Right...okay."

"He's safe here. I promise." Miss Sawyer said staring directly at Lorelai.

Lorelai took a deep breath and gave her a quick nod, "Thank you."

She turned slowly and stared to walk out of the classroom with Luke right behind her. They didn't say anything as they walked through the hall of the school. They only stopped when they reached the gate leading to the school.

Immediately Lorelai turned and fell into Luke's arms. He wrapped his arms securely around her and held her close, "It's okay…"

She sniffled softly and held him close, "I just hate it...I hate it…"

He squeezed her tight, "I know...I do too. But he is so strong Lorelai. I know he can do this." He pushed her away slightly and brushed some hair out of her face, "And so can we…"

She laughed a little and wiped at her tears, "I'm not so sure about that…"

Luke smiled and brushed at her tears, "We can Lorelai. As much as I'd like to keep with him every second of everyday...he deserves to have these experiences. It will be so good for him."

She nodded slowly and reached for his hands, "I know. You're right...but for a second there when he told me he wanted to go home I was ready to run him all the way home with or without you." She said with a laugh.

He chuckled, "Trust me...I would have been right behind you."

She smiled, took a deep breath and then turned in the direction of their house, "We should go...if we stay out here I'll be too tempted to run inside again."

Luke gave her hand a squeeze and they walked together back towards the house. They were not surprised to see Emily and Richard sitting on the porch with Elise and Rory. Lorelai climbed the stairs and leaned in to hug her Mom.

"Hey…" She whispered to her Mom.

Emily squeezed her tightly, "How did it go?"

Lorelai sighed and sat down on the steps and reached for Elise who crawled up into her Mother's arms happily, "It was hard...but he did great. Had a little moment of fear but then he jumped in head first."

"He's a champ that boy." Richard said with a proud smile, "He's stronger than all of us combined I think."

"There's no doubt about that." Luke said leaning against the railing of the steps, "That kid could take on the world single handedly if he really had too."

Rory smiled, "I wish he'd share some of that strength with the rest of us." She paused and looked at her Mom, "Grandpa told me about...Dad." She nearly choked on the word, "It honestly feels weird still calling him that...he doesn't feel like my Dad anymore."

Lorelai sighed and held Elise closer, "Have you heard anything new?" She asked looking at her father.

"They were able to talk to Christopher yesterday...he seems to have calmed down. He says he wants to plead guilty and accept whatever charges he is given. This would mean there would be no need for a real trial. There is enough evidence against him...some stores and gas stations came forth with video of Chris with Jack as they stopped along the way before getting to the house." He said, "There is no way that he can get out of this...and since he is pleading guilty he will get punished either way…"

Lorelai was quiet for a moment, "It just feels...strange. All of it. It doesn't seem possible. I mean Chris was always…" She smiled sadly, "He was always immature and cowardly but I still sometimes find it hard to believe he could have done any of this."

Emily frowned, "I still can't believe I ever thought that sorry excuse for a man was a good match for you. It makes me sick just thinking about it…"

Lorelai reached out and squeezed her Mother's hand, "Mom...you had no idea any of this would happen. Don't beat yourself up over it now...it's in the past."

Emily sniffled slightly, "Even still...my behavior back then was terrible." She looked over at Luke, "I don't know how you ever forgave me…"

Luke looked down and blushed slightly, "Emily...without you there would be no Lorelai. And that is not a world I want to know. I moved past all that a long time ago...and so should you."

She smiled softly, "You're a good man Luke Danes...a damn good man."

Elise gasped and put a hand over her mouth, she recognized that word, Lorelai laughed, "Yes Elise...Grandma said a bad word!"

Emily laughed, "Oh come here you…" She lifted her slowly, "I was just about to change her anyway before you came home."

Lorelai smiled and stood up, "I'll come with you." She winked at her husband and left him with her father and Rory.

They walked upstairs and into Elise's room. Lorelai leaned against the wall and watched as her Mother lay Elise down on the changing table and began to talk to her as she got what she needed to change her.

Lorelai was quiet for a moment and then spoke softly, "Mom I...I've been thinking a lot lately. About…" She sighed and brushed her hair out of her face, "About how I just left home...back then I was so caught up in it all and sometimes I forget how much it would have impacted you and Dad."

Emily paused only for a moment as she let her daughter's words sink in. This was a topic they often avoided, they had lost so much time and there was no use in rehashing it. "Lorelai…"

"The thing is…" She swallowed the lump in her throat as she spoke, "I'm sorry Mom. I know it wasn't all you...I just...I needed to do it on my own. I felt really lost and I know...I know you and Dad did what you thought was best for me but I didn't want that life. Maybe you will never understand that...and quite honestly I probably never will either but that's just how I felt. I needed to prove to myself that I could do it all on my own. I needed to prove to myself that I was good enough…"

Emily slipped on Elise's diaper and pulled on her clothes again. Lorelai watched as she lifted her granddaughter into the air, place a kiss on her temple and then place her down by her toys on the floor. Emily walked slowly over to her daughter and smiled at her, "Lorelai you were always good enough...and I'm sorry that I ever made you doubt that."

Lorelai bit her lip nervously, "Mom…"

"I spent a long time being angry with you...I thought you were trying to hurt your father and I but I know now that wasn't the case. We pushed you to hard...to be someone that you weren't. And all along I should have realized the person you were was so much better than I realized. I should have seen what an incredible daughter I had." She said in a whispered pained voice.

Lorelai smiled sadly, "Well I'm sure that was pretty hard to do when I was running around drunk every night and sneaking out of the house. I can't imagine it was easy to hear that I was pregnant...I don't know what I would have done if Rory ever told me that at 16. Or what I would do now if April told me or even Elise down the road…"

Emily shook her head, "Lorelai you would have handled it much better than your father and I did. You are so much stronger than I ever could be…"

Lorelai shook her head, "I don't really think that's true...you're a tough broad Mom. No one wants to mess with you."

Emily laughed, "Yes I can be tough. But deep down I'm not strong like you. I mean look at what you have done with your life Lorelai...you took a teenage pregnancy and created a life for your daughter most kids could only dream of. You gave her everything she ever needed and mostly all on your own. And now you have a husband and three other beautiful children...and despite every single hurdle you have faced you have jumped over them and come out even stronger. I am so proud of you...so incredibly proud."

Lorelai felt the tears burning in her eyes again, "Mom…"

Emily stepped forward and took her daughter's hand, "I just wanted you to know that. And to know that I love you and am so glad that you are my daughter."

Lorelai whimpered softly and leaned in to hug her Mother, "I love you too Mom."

Emily squeezed her daughter tightly and let the years of regret wash away from her. Rory poked her head into the room and smiled when she saw her Grandmother and Mother embracing, something she didn't often see.

"Hey…" Rory whispered as she walked into the room.

Lorelai and Emily both pulled away and wiped at the tears on their faces, "Hey...everything alright?" Lorelai asked.

Rory nodded, "Yeah just wanted you to know that Jack's teacher called...she said he is doing great."

Lorelai let out a little sigh of relief, "That was sweet of her to call…"

"She also said that Liz and TJ purposefully dropped off Doula late so they could check on him." She said with a smile.

Lorelai laughed a little, "I'll have to thank her later…"

Rory gave her a nod, "Luke just made some coffee...want some?"

"Is that a rhetorical question?" She asked with a laugh as she watched her mother lift Elise up.

They walked out of the bedroom and down the hallway and stairs to the kitchen. Lorelai smiled when she saw Luke and Richard laughing at something together by the stove. She leaned over and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek as he held out a cup of coffee to her. For the rest of the morning they sat and talked about nothing and everything to pass the time until they could pick up Jack.

Lorelai and Luke were ten minutes early for the end of the school day. They stood anxiously out front not saying much to each other but exchanging small smiles and gentle touches to remind each other they weren't alone. Finally the doors opened and kids started to stream out.

Luke heard Lorelai inhale sharply and saw her eyes begin to frantically scan through the crowd for the one face she wanted to see. Then amongst all the faces, he was there and when he saw his parents he lifted his hand to wave at them happily. He said goodbye to his friends and took off at a run, he jumped into Lorelai's arms.

"Hey little man!" Lorelai said squeezing him tightly, "How was it?"

Jack pulled away and held out a piece of paper to her, "It was awesome! The teacher helped me write out my name and I got a sticker!"

Luke chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, "That's awesome buddy! We are so proud of you! We will definitely be putting that right on the fridge!"

Jack smiled, "And I met lots of new friends. Auntie Liz and Uncle TJ even came to say hi...Uncle TJ said they were lost but I think he just wanted to see if I was okay."

Luke smiled and nodded, "They love you buddy."

Jack gave him a nod and then looked at his Mom, "How'd you do without me?"

Lorelai smiled softly, "It was a struggle...but somehow we made it through. Think you can handle coming back tomorrow?"

Jack nodded, "Yeah! Tomorrow we are have art class and I promise I'll make you something special to bring to work."

Lorelai smiled and kissed his cheek, "I can't wait to see it baby."

Luke smiled lifted Jack from his mother's arms and back up onto his shoulders, "Come on bud. Let's go home."

And once again, the three of them walked together, this time in the direction of the house. No one said it but they were happy to have the first day behind them. The rest of the days would be much easier after this.

That night after Jack and Elise were put to bed, Luke, Lorelai and Rory were sitting in the living room talking. There was a knock on the door and Luke got up to answer it, he smiled when he saw his nephew.

"Hey. You're back." Luke said stepping aside, "Get everything?"

Jess nodded as he walked into the house, "Yup. Just need to set it all up at the apartment. You don't care if I redecorate a bit do you?"

Luke shook his head, "Not at all. Do whatever you want with it."

Jess nodded, "Great. Thanks." He stepped into the living room and smiled at Lorelai and Rory, "Hey. How'd the big first day go?"

"We all survived somehow." Lorelai said as Luke sat down beside her again. "Jack did better than us of course…"

Jess laughed, "Of course…" He glanced upstairs, "I felt bad all day about missing it…"

"Your Mom and TJ dropped in to check on him." Luke said with a smile, "But he was a trooper. He's sound a sleep and already dreaming about what he will get to do tomorrow in school."

Jess smiled, "That's great…" He trailed off for a moment and then looked up the stairs.

Lorelai and Rory both glanced at Luke who watched his nephew for a moment, "Hey uh...wanna help me with something in the garage real quick?" Luke asked.

Jess turned towards him and noded slowly, "Oh...yeah sure."

Lorelai squeezed her husband's hand and watched him walk outside with Jess. Luke walked into the garage first and pretended to be looking for something and then gave up and turned back to his nephew.

Jess seemed lost in thought, "You okay?" Luke asked softly.

Jess sighed and reached into his back pocket, "I uh...I went and got the last of my mail and I found this…"

Luke was silent for a moment as he reached for the piece of paper, he unfolded it and began to read it. Inside was a handwritten letter from Jess's father Jimmy informing him that he was sick and wasn't given much time to live. He was reaching out in hopes of reconnecting with his son after all these years.

Luke looked at the date and noticed that it was a few months old, "Jess…"

"It was shoved way back in my mailbox. I never saw it until now…" He paused and then glanced up at Luke again, "I tried calling the number he left...but the person who answered was his old girlfriend. She said he was gone…"

Luke's heart jumped in his chest, "Jess…"

"And it's weird because he was never around...and part of me hated him but he was still my father. And I always had those moments when I wondered what it would be like to know him." He paused, "But then I was thinking about Rory...and what she's dealing with...trying to wrap her head around it all." He shook his head sadly, "I don't know...I just feel a little confused."

Luke sighed and walked over to Jess, "Look...Jimmy wasn't exactly my favorite person in the world but this really sucks. I wish I knew what to say…"

Jess shook his head again, "You don't need to say anything." He smiled softly, "You were more of a father to me than he ever was…" He frowned, "And truthfully I think that's why I'm getting a little upset."

Luke cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

Jess swallowed hard, "Someday you'll be gone too...and then what happens?"

Luke sighed and reached a hand out to his nephew, "Jess…"

Jess laughed sadly, "Crap I'm sorry...I don't know why I'm getting so emotional about all of this. It's just with everything that has happened in the last few weeks got me thinking about a lot of things. And…" He paused and looked at his Uncle, "If I had never come here all those years ago...if you hadn't agreed to take me in I don't know what would have happened to me. Where I would have ended up…"

Luke let his words sink in, "Jess you are my nephew...I'm always going to be here when you need me. And you have been there for me too...if you hadn't showed up that night when you did after Jack was taken...I probably would have dismantled this garage piece by piece. I needed you to bring me back to reality...and you've been great everyday since then. Lorelai and I appreciate that more than you could possibly know."

Jess nodded slowly, "Yeah well…" He paused and rubbed a tired hand over his face, "I really just wanted to check in on Jack. I was gonna head to my Mom's...let her know about Jimmy. Not sure how she'll feel about it…"

Luke nodded, "She'll probably have mixed emotions...and we are all here for you guys if you need anything."

Jess took a deep breath and then stepped up to his Uncle to hug him tightly, "Thanks Luke…"

Luke clapped him on the back and held him tight, "Nothing to thank me for Jess. It's what families are for…"

Jess gave him a nod then waved softly as he walked out of the garage and out into the night. Luke watched him get in his car and pull down the driveway. He sighed and turned back to the house, he found Lorelai and Rory still in the same spot in the living room.

"Everything okay?" Lorelai asked as he sat down beside her, "Where's Jess?"

"He went to talk to Liz…" Luke whispered as he put a hand over her knee, "His Dad passed away…"

"What?" Rory asked softly, "When?"

"Not exactly sure. Jess was cleaning out his mail box and found an old letter from Jimmy where he said he wanted to reconnect. He tried calling but Jimmy's girlfriend told him that he was already gone…" Luke whispered.

"Oh God…" Lorelai whispered placing her hand over Luke's, "That's terrible...I mean I know that Jess didn't have a great relationship with him but that is still hard."

"Is he okay?" Rory asked softly, despite her past with Jess she always cared very deeply for him.

Luke shrugged, "Not really...I think he's just confused about a lot of things. Everything that's gone on here has made him think about a lot of different things in his life. Including Jimmy…"

Rory was quiet for a moment, "When Grandpa told me that he...that Chris tried to kill himself part of me felt angry about it because he was trying to take the easy way out. And then the other half of me sort of wished he had succeeded just so he'd finally be out of my life for good…But there was this tiny part of me that was sad because...at one point I did love him."

Lorelai sighed and reached a hand out to her daughter, "Come here kid…"

Rory got up and walked over to sit beside her Mom and Luke on the couch, "Why does life have to be so damn complicated?"

Lorelai laughed and kissed the top of her daughter's head, "I've never figured out the answer to that question. You're the smart one...you should figure it out and let me know."

Rory laughed and hugged her Mom as she rested her head on her shoulder, "It just gets so damn messy sometimes…"

"Life is always messy…" Luke whispered, "It's just the way it is...we can either face it head on or just walk way. But where's the good in that?"

Rory was quiet for a moment and let his words sink in, "But in all that messiness…" She said with a smirk, "You two found each other and managed to make it work…"

Lorelai laughed, "Yeah after years and years of finding ways to screw it all up...we managed to make it work somehow."

Rory smiled softly, "I want what you guys have…"

Lorelai smiled and squeezed her daughter's hand gently, "You'll have it someday babe...I know you will."

"Maybe…" Rory whispered and then her face blushed, "Logan called me…"

Lorelai's eyes widened, "What? When? I didn't know you guys were really talking…"

"We haven't really...we've exchanged emails here and there. A few texts…" Rory said with a shrug, "But he heard about what happened with Jack and wanted to see how everyone was doing."

"Well that was nice of him to check in." Lorelai whispered.

Rory nodded, "Yeah...it was. It was very sweet…"

Lorelai smiled at her daughter, "Rory?"

Rory sighed slightly, "Part of me has always wondered what would have happened with us if we had stayed together...I mean we didn't break up because we didn't care about each other. Our careers we're just going in different directions."

Luke had never been a huge Logan fan, but if Rory wanted to be with him he would support her 100%. "Well...do you want to be with him again?"

Rory shrugged, "I'm not really sure...he's coming into town in a few weeks and wants to have lunch. I said I wasn't sure what my schedule looked like but part of me wants to see what it would be like to see each other after all this time."

"You should go." Lorelai said with a shrug, "You'll regret it if you don't."

Rory nodded, "I think you're right about that…"

Luke smiled, "One lunch doesn't have to decide the rest of your life Rory...go and see what happens. If it becomes something more than great...if not then you'll figure it out from there too."

Rory smiled and gave them both a nod, "Okay." She yawned softly, "I think I'm gonna head to bed."

Lorelai leaned forward and kissed her cheek, "Night sweets."

"Night." Rory said giving them both a wave as she got up and walked towards the stairs.

Luke and Lorelai sat quietly for a moment before Lorelai tugged on his hands, "You okay?"

Luke glanced down at her and smiled, "Just...lots of thoughts running around in my head."

"Care to share them?" She asked as she reached a hand up to cup his face gently. "I'm told I'm a good listener when I shut up long enough to let someone else talk…"

Luke chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her, "I don't know really...just thinking about what Jess and Rory are feeling with their Dads...and how I feel towards our kids. It's been making me think a lot about my own Dad…"

Lorelai squeezed his hand softly, "You miss him…"

Luke smiled and turned towards her again, "Even after all this time I still miss him every damn day. I wonder what it would be like if he was still around ya know? My Mom too. I wonder what it would be like to see him with the kids...with you." He shrugged, "I don't know...it is what it is I guess."

Lorelai leaned in closer to him and rested her head on the crook of his neck, "Things like this always make you think about life Luke...it's normal."

"I remember right before my Dad died...I was in the hospital with him. Rachel had been visiting...she came home when she heard he was sick. She was in the hospital with me and had just left to go home and change." He paused and tried to find the right words, Lorelai caressed his hand gently to soothe him, "And when she left he looked right at me and out of the clear blue said don't settle…"

Lorelai glanced up at him slowly, "What?"

Luke smiled at her, "That was my response too...but he just repeated himself and said don't settle." He shrugged, "I didn't understand what it meant for a long time...but I think now I do."

She sat up a little straighter to see him better, "You do?"

Luke nodded slowly, "For so long in my life I was content with settling for whatever I could get. And my Dad knew that...he could see it. And I mean I cared about Rachel...but not enough to marry her. But he knew that I would have settled for her if I felt scared enough…"

"So...he meant don't settle for the wrong person?" She asked softly.

Luke nodded slowly, "The funny thing is...after he died Rachel and I were still together and then you showed up. And for the first time...I thought I could actually have more. I remember wishing my Dad was still there so I could ask him if that's what he had meant. To wait for you…" He smiled softly, "Sometimes I think he sent you to me…"

She swallowed hard, "Oh Luke…"

"You are the best thing that could have ever happened to me." Luke whispered in a cracked voice, "And I don't regret a second of the life we have shared together...even before we became an us. Even today when I wanted to take Jack and run...every time I looked at you I felt stronger. I am stronger with you...I'm better."

She leaned forward and cupped his face in her hands, "God I love you. You have no idea how much I love you." She whispered as she prepped his face with kisses.

He smiled and stopped her only long enough to kiss her back on the lips, "I think I have a pretty good idea…"

She pulled away and shook her head, "You will never understand it Luke...sometimes I don't even understand my love for you and how strong it is. But God I am so incredibly thankful for it. For you…"

Luke smiled, leaned in and kissed her again, "Can I take my wife to bed now? It's been a long day...and I just want to be with her…"

Lorelai smiled and stood up slowly, she turned and held her hand out to him. She didn't need to say anything and neither did he. They walked hand in hand up the stairs towards their bedroom. Luke made love to her that night like it was the first time for both of them. She had never felt so alive and so loved. And as they lay together afterwards she thought about how crazy life really was and how long it had taken them to get to this place. Despite all the obstacles they were exactly where they were supposed to be and they would make it through anymore storms that came their way.

Just a quick note: In "Raging Fire" Logan's proposal never happened so just figured I'd remind people of that. Anyway, I will try and write more soon. Thanks!