As always...thanks for the continued support and positivity! You guys are the best! Here is the next update. More soon!

Almost two hours later, Lorelai walked up the front steps of her house almost dreading what she was about to find. Luke's truck wasn't out front so she assumed he had gone back to the Diner. She stood by the front door for a moment, trying to calm herself. She was angry...but not at Michel or Mia...and definitely not at Luke. She understood their concern.

She was mad at herself and mostly she was mad at Jessica.

Taking a deep breath, she walked into the house and placed her bag down on the desk, "Mia? Are you here?"

"In here." She called from the living room.

She followed the voice and smiled when she saw Mia sitting on the couch, reading as she snuggled up to Paul Anka, "Well he looks happy."

Mia smiled up at her, "He really is a sweet dog. A little eccentric...but sweet."

Lorelai sat down and put her hand on his little head, "He is...he's slowing down a bit. Getting old."

"Aren't we all?" Mia said with a sad smile.

Lorelai frowned and looked up at her, "I told you years ago...you aren't allowed to get old. I need you."

Mia sighed and closed her book, placing it on the table beside her, "Sadly I can't stop time sweetheart."

Lorelai kicked off her shoes and leaned against the back of the couch, "No. I suppose you can't."

A comfortable silence filled the room for a moment before Mia spoke again, "Where is Sadie?"

Lorelai sighed and rested her head on the back of the couch, "Luckily I have an amazing staff. One of the maids Kerri is watching her while Jessica sleeps off the booze…"

Mia frowned, "Lorelai…"

She closed her eyes as she felt the tears burning in the back of her eyes, "Mia I just...I can't turn her away. What if you had done that to me?"

Mia smiled, "Sweetie look at me."

Lorelai looked over at the woman who had saved her so many years ago, "What?"

"I understand why you feel like you have to help this girl. We all do. But there are things you have to consider. Do you think that I didn't stop and think?"

Lorelai looked down at her lap again, "You did?"

"Lorelai you were a sixteen year old girl with a baby in her arms. I had to find out where you came from...if someone was looking for you. If you were in danger or in trouble." She said with a sigh, "Of course I thought about it and I asked around."

Lorelai shook her head, "I never knew that."

"I know. I didn't want you to be mad at me. But you have to understand why I did it." She said.

Lorelai looked over at her, "I guess I do. What did you find out?"

"I found out that your parents wanted you home...don't you remember that I tried to urge you to go back?" She asked.

Lorelai cringed, "Yeah...I guess I do."

"What has she told you about her family?" She asked softly.

"That her parents kicked her out. The baby's father wanted her to get an abortion and when they couldn't afford it...he offered to throw her down the stairs." She said with a sigh.

Mia's eyes widened, "My goodness…"

Lorelai nodded, "She was staying with her Grandmother for a while but she kicked her out too."

"I have every amount of sympathy for this girl. I would want to help her too. But you need to think about how she has acted in the last 24 hours." She said with a frown.

Lorelai stood up and started pacing, "I know getting drunk was wrong...but I remember how terrifying it was to be a single Mom. Don't you think I thought of doing that sometimes? I wanted to run from all of it."

Mia sat up a little and Paul Anka shifted on the couch, "And yet you didn't."

"Of course I didn't." Lorelai said turning back to her, "I wouldn't have done that."

"And why?" Mia asked softly, "Why Lorelai?"

She wiped away a tear and sat down on the coffee table, "Because I loved Rory too much to do anything to put her in danger."

Mia smiled and leaned forward and took her hands, "Despite how afraid you were...deep down you wanted Rory."

Lorelai smiled, "Of course I did. That kid saved me from myself. So did you but Rory...she gave me meaning. She made life worth living. Even on the hardest days she made it worth it."

Mia scooted closer to her, "I think that's the difference between you and Jessica...I'm not sure she wants this responsibility."

"We don't know that." Lorelai said with a shrug, "Maybe she just needs some time?"

Mia sighed and sat back against the couch again, "Maybe...but that's something we need to figure out before you invest to much in this."

"But what about Sadie?" Lorelai asked, her voice cracking, "She's so innocent in all of this."

"I know." Mia whispered, "And we will keep her interest and happiness most important. But...you can't stop your life just because you feel like it's your responsibility. You aren't the only young teenage Mom in the world Lorelai."

Lorelai smiled, "I know. There's a whole damn TV series about it. Should have capitalized on that trademark years ago."

Mia shook her head but laughed, "You really are crazy."

Lorelai laughed and wiped more tears away, "Can I ask you something?"

Mia nodded, "You know you can ask me anything."

Lorelai stared at the older woman for a moment, "Did you ever regret letting me stay?"

Mia smiled and leaned forward, "Oh my sweetheart...never for a moment. From the second you showed up you were willing to work. You never asked for anything without being willing to put in the work. You amazed me and everyone at the Independence Inn every single day. You never missed a shift and always took care of that little girl to the best of your ability. You are one of a kind...you always have been and you always will be.I adore you and Rory as if you were my own."

Lorelai frowned, "Why do I want her to want Sadie so bad?"

"Because you know that Sadie deserves a Mother who cares. She didn't ask for this." Mia said with a shrug.

Lorelai sighed, "That was something I always thought of with Rory. None of the hard parts were her fault…"

"You don't know Jessica's background really. We don't even know if what she told you is true. It could be. But it could also be a lie." She said with a shrug.

Lorelai looked at her for a moment, "What...what did my Mother say to you when you called?"

Mia sighed, "She was angry. Very angry. She wanted me to bring you home...I told her it had to be your choice. I struggled for awhile when I realized you weren't in any danger there...that you would have a roof over your head. I thought sometimes I was doing the wrong thing. I tracked Christopher's parents down too you know."

Lorelai's eyes widened, "Straub and Francine? What did they say?"

"They said that as far as they were concerned...their son didn't have a daughter." She said with a frown.

Lorelai looked down, "Sounds about right. They never acknowledged her."

"Well that is there loss, isn't it?" Mia said with a smile, "She is a wonder. All thanks to you."

Lorelai shook her head, "She's her own person."

"True." Mia answered, "But she would be nothing without you."

"We would be nothing without you Mia." She whispered, "That's why this felt so...so important to me."

"I know." Mia said with a nod, "But I don't think this is the same situation honey. And you can't beat yourself up over something that you can't control. If Jessica isn't willing to work hard and do what is best for her daughter...then you can't change it."

Lorelai sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "I know you're right…"

"But it doesn't make it any easier. I get it." Mia whispered, "But we're all just trying to look out for you. No one wants to see you hurt."

Lorelai frowned, "How mad was Luke when he called you?"

Mia laughed, "Honey he wasn't mad. He is concerned. That man would walk through fire for you...he wants to support you but he also wants to protect you. You know that."

"I was so mean to him." She said with a frown, "What I said about April…"

Mia shook her head, "You two have made it through so much Lorelai. This won't break you. Not unless you let it break you. Just talk to him."

Lorelai nodded, "I will." She looked around, "Are you staying?"

Mia smiled, "For a night or two. Luke set up Rory's room for me. He said she's in New York working on the book."

Lorelai nodded, "She'll be there for a few weeks I think."

"Are you feeling better about the book?" Mia asked.

Lorelai shrugged, "I can't pretend that it won't be weird to know that there is a book about my life for the world to read. But this seems very important to her. And as her Mother I will support her no matter what."

Mia smiled, "And that is what makes you an incredible Mother Lorelai. Putting aside your feelings for her. Remember that."

Lorelai smiled again, "Thanks Mia."

Mia smiled, "Do you need to deal with Jessica?"

Lorelai nodded, "I do. But I don't want to leave you…"

"Babette saw me coming in. I'm going to have dinner with her and Patty. Don't you worry about me." She said.

Lorelai nodded, "Okay...I guess I'll go talk to her and then…"

"And then make things right with that husband of yours." She said reaching out to squeeze her hands.

Lorelai's cheeks flushed, "Husband...still feels so weird to hear that."

Mia smiled, "Weird but good, right?"

"Very good." Lorelai said nodding her head, "He's the love of my life. It's always been him."

MIa nodded, "I know honey. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

Lorelai took a deep breath and smiled, "If you say so." She looked around, "You sure you're good?"

Mia nodded, "Yes. Go on. I'll feed Paul Anka he just went out a little while ago."

Lorelai smiled, "Thanks Mia." She leaned down and kissed Paul Anka's head and then turned to walk towards the door again, she paused, "Mia?"

The older woman looked back at her and smiled, "Yes?"

Lorelai leaned against the wall and smiled, "You know I will never be able to thank you for all that you did."

Mia smiled and shook her head, "All I did was put a roof over your head honey. You did the rest all on your own. You never gave yourself enough credit."

Lorelai blushed again, smiled and then turned to walk out of the house again. She drove back to the Inn and sat in her car for a few minutes, trying to figure out what the right thing to do in this situation was. She had gotten so wrapped up in this idea that it was her job to save Jessica. That she had to be the one to do it. She never stopped to consider that maybe...just maybe Jessica didn't want this responsibility at all.

But what did that mean? What did it mean for little Sadie? What if Lorelai had done this to Rory? How could she have? Sure she was terrified...but the moment the Nurse handed Rory to her she knew that she was there for a reason. That Rory was her life. She knew that whatever she did had to be done to protect this little bundle in her arms.

Yes there had been nights when she cried herself to sleep feeling frustrated and exhausted. Yes there were days when she locked herself in guests rooms while she cleaned them, needing ten minutes to herself. It was hard. All of it was hard...but it was so damn worth it.

Why didn't Jessica see that? Or did she not want to see it? Did she not want Sadie? Poor little innocent Sadie? What would happen to her if she had to turn Jessica away?

With a sigh, she took a deep breath and walked up the steps of her beautiful Inn. She paused in the doorway as she often did, touching the doorframe. She smiled to herself, thinking of that night that Luke had kissed her after so many years of toying the line between friends or lovers. She sighed, felt the butterflies in her belly that that memory always caused and told herself that no matter what she would talk to Luke tonight.

She owed it to him and their to fix this.

Walking into the foyer, she smiled when she saw Kerri sitting with Sadie on one of the couches. "Hey…"

Kerri looked up her, "Hey. You're back."

Lorelai smiled and down beside them, "I wanted to talk to Jessica. Is she awake?"

Kerri nodded, "Yeah. She's upstairs...I brought Sadie back down here to let Jessica shower."

Lorelai nodded, "Thank you again for helping me with this. I'll be giving you a bonus for this week."

Kerri shook her head, "No need Lorelai." She looked down at the little baby in her arms, "She's adorable."

Lorelai smiled and placed a hand on the baby's little born curly hair, "Yes. She is."

"I gave her some formula a little while ago and changed her." Kerri said.

"Thanks." Lorelai said taking her from her arms, "Why don't you head home? I can take it from here. And hopefully Jessica is able to watch her tonight."

"You sure? I don't mind helping out." Kerri said with a shrug.

"I know. And thank you. But...I can handle it from here." She said bouncing Sadie up and down.

Kerri stood up and looked down at her boss, "You okay?"

Lorelai looked up at her and smiled, "Just worried about this little one…"

Kerri smiled and put a hand on Lorelai's shoulder, "With you looking out for her...she'll be just fine."

Lorelai smiled up at her and said goodbye before Kerri grabbed her things and then left the Inn. Lorelai bounced Sadie up and down for a few minutes before giving her a little kiss on her cheek and walked with her upstairs towards Room 2. She knocked on the door gently and waited, "Jessica?"

A groan echoed from inside the room, "Come in."

Lorelai pushed open the door and quietly walked in with Sadie, "Hey…"

Jessica groaned again and rubbed her temples, "My head hurts."

Lorelai sighed and placed Sadie down in the crib again, "You look better."

Jessica laughed, "You'd think I could handle some cheap champagne. I've been drinking for years now."

Lorelai cringed, "Hm…"

Jessica looked over at her from the bed and smirked, "You judging me now?"

Lorelai shook her head and walked closer to the bed, "Not even a little. I was no angel before Rory was born."

"Oh but I'm sure you were perfect once the kid was born." Jessica snorted.

Lorelai felt resentment at her words and sat down on the bed, "Jessica I am nowhere near perfect. I made a million and one mistakes with Rory. I still do even now that she's an adult. I understand that this is difficult but I'm just trying to help."

Jessica rolled her eyes, "I thought if I had her Tommy would change his mind and come back to me."

Lorelai frowned, "I'm sorry."

"What about your kids Dad? What happened with him? He dump you?" She asked.

Lorelai shook her head, "He proposed actually...more to appease our parents I think."

She snorted, "So what you got Divorced from him?"

"Well no." She paused, "I mean we're divorced but…" She laughed, "It's complicated but no we didn't get married when he asked. So then he broke up with me. Wasn't very involved after that. At least not in the early years of Rory's life."

Jessica seemed to ignore her slightly as she sat up, "I could be on your with Tommy right now. And yet here I am in this crap town with a kid."

Lorelai frowned, "This isn't a crap town."

Jessica smirked, "Sorry, did I offend you? Your little Snow Globe town is quite charming."

Lorelai sighed and stood up, "Jessica I'm really trying to help you here. Everyone in my life is telling me to be cautious but I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt but you aren't making it easy."

"What do you want me to do?" She said with a laugh, "Grovel at your feet and do whatever you tell me to do because you gave me a room to crash in?"

Lorelai put a hand on her forehead, "No Jessica. But I want you to take responsibility for your daughter. Don't you think she deserves that?"

"What about what I want?" Jessica asked, hand on her chest, "No one ever asks what I want!"

"Look I know it's hard but once you become a Mother you have to make sacrifices-" Lorelai said.

"I've already made sacrifices." She said through gritted teeth, "And I'm tired of it."

"You have every right to feel tired and scared and yeah maybe a little angry...but Sadie deserves better Jessica. I'm willing to help...but only if you meet me halfway here." She said softly.

Jessica sighed and shook her head, "Look I'm exhausted...can I just crash again tonight and we can talk more in the morning? I think I'll have a clearer head then."

Lorelai hesitated for a moment, she looked over at the crib and saw Sadie staring at them with a curious expression. She smiled when she saw Lorelai looking at her, and something in Lorelai's heart swelled. She sighed, turned to Jessica and nodded, "Sure. But we really need to talk Jessica...I mean really talk."

Jessica nodded and sat back on her bed, "Yeah. Sure. I know."

Lorelai started to walk towards the door slowly, "She ate a while ago...there's more formula. She's been changed too."

"Great. Thanks." Jessica said with a yawn as she snuggled into her pillows.

Lorelai fidgeted by the door, feeling torn on whether or not she should leave, "Right. Okay…So I'll just-"

"Hey...did you and your husband ever think about having more kids? I mean you said Rory was older now." Jessica asked from the bed, her eyes still closed.

That feeling in her chest squeezed at her again, "Oh...well we talked about it from time to time. But I guess it just never happened."

Jessica sighed, "Hm. To bad...you seem like you make a great Mom."

Lorelai smiled weakly, "Goodnight Jessica."

"Night." She said turning over on the bed to fall back to sleep.

Lorelai sighed and walked downstairs where Tobin was setting up for the night shift, "Hey."

Tobin nodded, "Hey." He paused for a moment, "Michel called me…"

Lorelai sighed and leaned against the front desk, "I figured he would."

He watched her for a moment, "You okay?"

Lorelai laughed sadly and sat up, "Just very tired…"

He nodded, "Anything I should know?"

Lorelai sighed and stood up straighter, "If anything seems off to you...give me a call would you? I'll have my phone on."

He smiled softly, "Sure. I will."

"Thanks." Lorelai said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Try and get some sleep Lorelai. I've got things covered here." He said with a smile.

She smiled back, gave him a little wave and then walked back out the front door again. She checked her watch and realized that Luke should be home by now. She drove to the house and smiled when she saw his familiar green truck parked out front.

Walking into the house, she smelled something coming from the kitchen. It was just like him to still want to feed her even when she was acting like a lunatic. She walked into the kitchen and saw Paul Anka sitting by his feet by the stove.

He looked up when he saw her, "Hey…" He whispered hesitatingly.

She could tell he was nervous. He didn't take his eyes off of her. Those beautiful blue eyes...ones she had always imagined seeing on a little baby of their own. She sighed, pushed the thought of her head and walked over to him. "Hi."

He switched the stove off and fidgeted nervously in front of her. "Lorelai-"

She shook her head, leaned up to wrap her arms around his shoulders and held him close, breathing in the familiar scent of him. "I'm sorry."

It took him only a moment to respond to her embrace, his arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, "You don't have anything to apologize for."

She didn't pull away as she spoke, needing his strength to hold her up now more than ever, "Don't I? I've officially gone off the deep end."

He gave her hips a squeeze, "Lorelai…"

Sighing, she pulled away slightly, "Can we talk?"

He nodded once, "Just give me a second in here. Want some wine?"

She smiled, "You really are a wonderful husband."

He smiled, leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her lips, "Go relax."

She sighed and looked down, "Come on Paul Anka…"

She sat down in the living room and Paul Anka jumped up on the couch, resting his head in her lap. She smiled down at him, scratching him behind his ears just the way he liked. She sighed and leaned her head back against the couch, thinking about all the emotions that had been rushing through her in the last few days.

After a few minutes Luke walked into the room and sat down beside her, holding a wine glass out to her and holding a beer for himself in his hands, "Here."

She smiled at him and took a sip, "Thanks hon."

Luke rested his arm on the back of the couch, he held his beer in his lap and used his arm on the couch to play with her hair, "So...talk to me."

She turned to him and smiled sadly, "I'm sorry about how I treated you today. I haven't been fair."

He smiled softly at her, "You're trying to do the right thing. Just like you always do. One of the reasons I fell in love with you actually."

She smiled back, "I've still been a total jerk."

He shook his head, "No you haven't. I get why you were upset with me."

"What I said about April." He cringed slightly but she pushed on, "About not being around when she was a baby." She shook her head, "That was uncalled for. That was totally out of your control Luke. I hate that you missed out on that time but it wasn't your fault. I was just...being defensive."

"I know." He said with a nod, "I know you didn't mean it and I know why you feel defensive. I get it...whether or not you think I do I really do understand where you're coming from."

She sighed and leaned into his touch, "When I saw Jessica standing there...it was like my life just flashed before my eyes. Every single moment. The good and the bad...and it made me think about the choices I made. About what would have happened if I stayed with my parents. If I had agreed to marry Christopher when we were kids. What would Rory's life have been like? Or what if Mia had turned me away...where would we have ended up? Would we have survived? It was just...it was weird and overwhelming."

He scooted closer to her, Paul Anka shifted to let him in, "I know." He kissed her forehead, "I can imagine that it was emotional and difficult."

"I can't help but think she ended up here for a reason. Like I ended up at the Independence for a reason. I may not have understood what that reason was years ago but...it meant something. And I feel like it means something that she ended up here. Like I'm supposed to learn something from it...or do something." She shook her head, "I don't know how to explain it really."

He smiled and squeezed her shoulder, "Just do your best."

She looked over at him, with tears in her eyes, "If I don't protect Jessica and Sadie who will?"

He shrugged, "I don't really have an answer to that Lorelai. I mean...I don't want you to turn the girl away. That isn't what this is about. I just worry that you're expecting to much from it and you will get hurt. I'm not sure that Jessica's situation is the same as yours was."

"No I don't think it is either...I'm realizing that now." She said with a frown, "Which is worrying me even more."

"Did you talk to her again today?" He asked curiously.

Lorelai nodded, "I did. She's so...angry. I mean I get it a little...I know its hard. But it doesn't seem like she really wants to try. She just...wants an easy out."

Luke sighed, "That's what I'm afraid of. I don't want her to take advantage of you. She probably thinks she hit the jackpot having met you. Meeting someone who would sympathize with her."

She groaned, "Great."

"Look…" He squeezed her shoulder again, "If she's willing to work...I'd be happy to give her a job. But she needs to put an effort in."

Lorelai looked at him and smiled softly, "You'd do that?"

He smiled at her and pulled a strand of her hair gently, "You know I would. I'm not a total jerk am I?"

She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him, "No. You are so far from a jerk. You're a wonderful man." He blushed, "The kind of man that supported a young teenage Mother and her daughter long before he ever had a reason too. No questions asked."

He smiled, knowing that she wasn't talking about Jessica and Sadie anymore, "Yeah well...you two were pretty easy to love."

She smiled at him, "Yeah?"

He nodded, "Yeah. Plus...I admired the way you took care of her Lorelai. I still do. No matter what is happening in your life...you put Rory first. I mean when April showed up...part of the reason I panicked was because I didn't think I could live up to your greatness. I wanted to prove to you most of all that I could be a good Father. That was terrifying. You're like Super Mom."

She frowned at him, "Hon you never had to prove anything to me. I knew you would be a good Dad to April because of the way you were with Rory for so many years...and the way you helped Jess."

He smiled at her, "Yeah maybe...but I still don't compare to you."

"Yeah. You really do." She said with a nod, "You've never given yourself enough credit."

"Neither have you." He said shaking his head, "You worked your ass off to build a life for Rory. Be proud of that."

She was quiet for a moment, "Luke…"

He rubbed her back affectionately, "Hm?"

"Tonight...Jessica asked why you and I didn't have more kids. Or if...if we ever thought about it." Her face flushed.

He fidgeted nervously, "Oh?"

"I mean I know that we...we said that it was too late." The tears burned in her eyes, "But I think part of me really regrets that we missed that chance."

Luke took a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah. I thought that might have something to do with this…"

"I'm sorry." She whispered, "I just...I didn't realize how important it felt to me until now. I don't know why we didn't do it sooner...we why didn't do a lot of things sooner but-"

"We weren't ready." He said with a shrug, "I'm sorry it happened that way but...it just did."

Lorelai nodded, "Yeah...I know."

He paused for a moment, watching her carefully to try and read her expression, "Are you saying that you can't be happy with what we do have without kids?"

She turned to him quickly and shook her head adamantly, "No! Oh no Luke! Not at all." Paul Anka hopped off the couch, startled by her outbursts. She sighed and then scooted closer to him, taking his scruffy face in her hands, "Luke I love you. I love our life. I never dreamed I'd even have this...besides we have Rory and April and I'm okay with that. It's just...something I was feeling. It doesn't mean that I'm angry...or that I'm unhappy."

He stared deep into her eyes, knowing that if he did he would know if she was telling the truth. He saw the sincerity there, the love she felt for him shown back at him and he smiled knowing she was being honest. But he wouldn't deny that he didn't wonder what it would be like to have a kid that they raised together…

He wasn't sure why the surrogacy thing or even adoption had scared him. Maybe he just was afraid he wasn't good enough. Or maybe...maybe it made him upset thinking that he should have said something years ago. Either way...he knew that he would be more than happy to have this life with her with or without children. She was his everything...and for now that was good enough.

"Look…" He whispered, "Why don't we deal with this...work on the expansion…" He shrugged, "Then maybe we can have the surrogacy conversation again?"

Her eyes lit up, "Are you serious?"

Luke shrugged, "I think when it came up before...there was a lot going on. Your Dad had just died and you were struggling. It wasn't the right time."

She nodded, "I miss him…"

Luke nodded, "I know you do." He squeezed her hand, "But I promise we will figure this all out."

She sighed and leaned in to kiss him again, "We always do."

He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers, "Yes. We do."

She took a deep breath and leaned back against the couch again, "Man I'm tired...I didn't sleep well last night."

Luke nodded, "I know. I could feel you tossing and turning."

She wrinkled her nose sadly, "Sorry about that…"

He shook his head, "Don't be. I just...don't want you to work yourself up over this."

"Is that why you called Mia? Because you were worried?" She asked curiously.

He nodded, "I was thinking about it...and then once Michel came to see me I knew I had too. I hope you're not mad at me about that."

She sighed and shook her head, "I'm not mad. I was just...surprised to see her. I wasn't mad at you or Michel. I was mad at myself and the situation."

"Lorelai you haven't done anything wrong." He whispered, "You shouldn't be mad at yourself."

"I just mena that...I knew that you were all right. Deep down I did. I knew that I needed to really think about it. But I didn't want too. Sometimes I build up these ideas in my head and when they don't turn out the way I want them too...I panic." She frowned, "I guess in my head I thought that Jessica would be just like me. That I'd help her and Sadie the way Mia helped me. It made me feel like I had a purpose again. Rory's all grown up now...she doesn't need me. It just felt...nice to be needed again." She looked over at him and frowned, "She's off writing a book about our life...I guess seeing Jessica gave me this full circle feeling. Like it was all coming back around again…"

Luke nodded, "I get that. But you forgot about a few things…"

She turned to him, "What?"

"Rory will always need you despite the fact that she is grown up and writing a book...she will always need you. And there's someone else who needs you too." He said softly.

She frowned as she tried to understand what he was saying, "Who?"

Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her lips, "Me."

She smiled and leaned into him, "You need me?"

He held her closer, "You keep me on my toes."

She laughed and snuggled into his side, "Glad I'm good for something."

He chuckled, "You're good for a lot of things Gilmore."

"Can't use that name anymore." She said with a smirk, "I'm officially a Danes."

Luke smiled and tilted her head back, "Yes you are…"

She smiled up at him, "Luke.."

"You are my wife." He whispered, "And I am always going to protect you. But I'm also always going to have your back...whatever you decide to do with this I will support you. Just promise me...we'll make these decisions together."

She took a deep breath and moved to hug him, "I promise."

"Good." He whispered into her hair, "Thats all I ask."

She pulled back and kissed him, "I love you."

He let her settle back against him again, "I love you too. We'll figure this all out...you'll see."

She sighed in his embrace, finally letting herself relax knowing that he was right. He had never failed her before...and she knew now would be no different. She could figure this out...as long as she did it with him. Then everything would be just fine.

Later that night, Lorelai and Luke lay snuggled up in bed together. After dinner, he had drawn her a bath to help her relax more. One look at her puppy dog eyes and he caved and climbed in with her. Afterwards they had made love, basking in the glow of still being newlyweds and being grateful for the relationship they had created.

Soon after, Lorelai had fallen fast asleep clearly exhausted from the days events. Luke fell asleep soon after her, making sure to hold her close to keep her calm as she slept. Sometime near 2 in the morning, Lorelai's cell phone started buzzing on the bedside table.

Luke moved a little in the bed and Lorelai groaned. She missed the first call, but the person immediately called back causing her to open her eyes, "Shut up."

Luke rolled onto his back, "Who is calling you so late?" He yawned.

She sighed and reached over to pick up the phone, "A monster. That's who." He chuckled and rubbed her back as she held the phone to her ear, "Hello?"

"Lorelai?" A frantic Tobin called on the other end.

Lorelai sat up a little straighter when she heard a baby crying in the background, "Tobin?"

Luke narrowed his eyes to try and see her better in the dark room, "What's going on?" Luke asked.

"Tobin what's wrong? Is that Sadie crying?" Suddenly her heart started pounding in her chest and she knew right away that something was very wrong...she just never expected it to be what Tobin was about to say.

"Lorelai...Jessica's gone." He whispered as Sadie continued to cry.

"What do you mean gone?" Lorelai asked quickly throwing the blanket over her legs.

Luke scrambled out of the bed beside her, knowing that whatever was happening was not good.

"One of the guests came down to complain about a baby crying for over an hour. I went up to check on her...no one was answering in the room. I knocked and knocked...finally I realized it was open and…" He paused, "All her stuff is gone...except she left Sadie. She just left…"

Lorelai stopped what she was doing and her eyes immediately fell on her husband. He was staring back at her trying to read her expression but he didn't seem to understand what was happening.

And quite honestly neither did Lorelai…

Out of all the possible outcomes in this mess...this was never a thought that occurred to her.

So what the hell was going to happen next?

I will update as soon as I can! Promise!