A/N: So, although I'm usually begging you not to hate me in this thing, I realized today, you have every right now. I went back and re-read the last chapter, and for me to leave it there…with no updates in what is probably been forever, I'd be pretty mad too. I hope this chapter makes up for that. I'm sorry doesn't even begin to cover it.

Disclaimer: They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, however, it doesn't magically let you own things. They still aren't mine.

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July 19, 1990

Lorelai couldn't help but smile as she grabbed the mail out of the mailbox on her way up the steps. The mailman, Hank, always knew to put the postcard on top, and she was grateful. It was interesting to see where he'd ended up this time. A beautiful skyline was painted across the front, with the words Greetings from Seattle, scrawled in loopy print in the top corner.

This had become a mid-week tradition. Either Wednesday or Thursday there would be another postcard, with another part of the USA on the front, mapping out where he'd been and what he was doing.

The message on the back was very similar every time, hardly ever changing, and always short. It usually consisted of I miss you and Rory, and tell Liz and Jess I'm okay, and sometimes even a messy, almost illegible, I love you or see you soon.

He never gave a return address and was usually moving around so quickly that she couldn't answer him, no matter how badly she wanted to. That was the most frustrating part, not being able to answer him, to tell him how much he meant to her.

It had been a long, hard, road after he left. She'd been the one to close up the hardware store, to try and convince Liz not to leave, and at the same time, explain to her daughter why everyone was disappearing. She was exhausted.

Plopping down on the couch and glancing at the clock, she knew she would have at least thirty minutes to pour over his postcard before Rory would come bouncing in, wanting to see it.

She flipped it over to the backside and held her breath. The note was longer than any other postcard he'd sent before. She pressed her eyelids closed, for just a minute, before taking a deep breath and starting to read.

Lorelai-

Seattle is beautiful and very place a city you would love. It's teaming with coffee, everywhere I look there seems to be another coffee shop. I've been here for several days, and I'm hesitant to leave. Being here reminds me of you. That is a comfort. I hope you are doing well. Give Rory a kiss for me.

I love you,

Luke

She didn't even notice the tears that were streaming down her face until small droplets hit the ink below. It was by far his most thoughtful postcard yet and her heart ached for his return. Pressing the card close to her heart, she decided that Rory wouldn't get all the details of this card. She was keeping it private. She took the stairs two at a time and slipped his words into the protective cover of her diary.

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August 2, 1990

It's really hard Maddie not to get discouraged. I mean, seriously…it's been months. I know he took William's death hard, we all did…but then to just leave me and Rory. There isn't any doubt in my mind that I love him. I always will…and I'm not ready to move on yet, but what if I get to the point that I am.

How long is too long?

Rory has all but stopped asking about him. She still likes to read over his postcards, but as they aren't coming quite as regular anymore…I don't know what I'm supposed to do Maddie. Is there anything really that I can do?

I've tried willing him back here myself and that hasn't worked. I have no phone number or address permanent enough to try and contact him at, when all I really want to do is tell him that I still love him. That I'm still here, waiting.

The looks from the townspeople are getting sadder and sadder. I feel as if I'm in some horrible made-for-TV movie. I think they are starting to loose hope that he'll ever come back.

And sometimes I feel as if I am too.

Liz is gone. She packed up her apartment and took Jess to New York. Said she wanted to get away…that she couldn't take the memories. Can I say I blame her? Not really. But that has left Rory even more alone…and well, me too.

Is everyone going to abandon me Maddie? At least I know I'll always have a friend in you.

I'm trying to keep up a brave and happy face for Rory…but, that doesn't always work. That little bugger is a lot more observant than most kids her age. I've got a little genius on my hands, that is for sure.

We'll be alright, though Maddie. Won't we?

Lorelai set down her diary and took a deep and shaky breath in. She wasn't one to be depressed and sulky, but lately it seemed as if she was spiraling downwards. She really wanted nothing more than Luke to come home and make everything right.

"Mom!" Rory's voice interrupted her thoughts and placed the diary back in it's hiding spot.

"I'm upstairs," she called back and heard Rory's feet on the stairs. Only a few seconds later Rory burst in the room, her cheeks pink with flush. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she answered with a sigh, "but we have mail!"

"Mail?" she questioned, "we always have mail, why do you seem so excited about this one."

Her hand thrust an envelope into Lorelai's and she knew right away what had Rory bouncing all over the place. It was Luke's handwriting. Something they'd both be able to recognize anywhere.

Lorelai was worried though. He'd never sent an actually letter before, it had always been postcards. Taking a breath to steady her heart rate, she pried the envelope open with her fingernail.

"What does it say?" Rory asked within seconds of the letter being opened in Lorelai's hand.

"Calm down Ror," she chided, "I haven't even had a chance to read it yet."

She scanned the letter quickly, wondering what he'd say. This was out of the ordinary for him and she wanted to be prepared.

Nothing seemed out of ordinary.

"MOM!" Rory complained, "what does it say?"

It was then that her eyes caught the fateful sentence. The sentence she knew was going to change everything. The words she had wanted to see for so long they didn't seem real.

But they were.

"MOM!"

"He's coming home," her voice was barely a whisper. "Luke's coming back."

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A/N: Wow, so I wasn't planning on stopping there, but sometimes you just have to go with your gut feelings, huh? I hope this chapter didn't disappoint. I'd love to have feedback…but of course, ya'll know that by now.