Hi guys! Well here we are...at the end of this journey. I had a lot of fun writing this story. Who knew a prompt on Twitter/Instagram could lead to this? This is an epilogue to the story and it jumps around every three years to see different points in our little families story. I thought it would be fun to see some moments as Sadie grew up with her parents and how they would handle certain situations. I hope you like it!

I am hopefully going to get back into "Love Me Now" soon and like I said I also have an idea I'm playing with for another different preseries story. I may or may not write that too. I hope you guys enjoyed this journey and will continue to look for new stories.

Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Three years old…

Lorelai and Luke were fast asleep on a rainy Sunday morning. Luke was sprawled out on his back, one of his arms up over his head, the other wrapped around Lorelai who was draped over his chest. The rain pitter pattered against the roof as the happy couple slept peacefully, happy to both be home on this weekend morning after a difficult night.

Without either of them noticing, a mop of messy brown hair poked up over the end of the bed. Her eyes darted around the room for the easiest way up on the bed. The three year old tip toed towards her Father's edge of the bed and stood up on his sneakers that he had left on the floor. She grunted and pulled herself up on top of the bed feeling her Dad shift slightly but still not wake up.

She huffed, blowing her unruly hair out of her face as she sat down on his knees. "Scuse me." No response, she frowned and leaned forward to tap her Father's nose, "Scuse me." Still nothing, she crossed her arms over her chest and yelled louder, "I said scuse me!"

Lorelai and Luke both jumped up when they heard the shrill sound of their daughter echo into the room, "She's up." Luke said quickly.

Lorelai rolled over to her side of the bed and yawned, "She's up." She agreed.

Leaning sup on his elbows, he squinted his eyes at his wild daughter, "Can I help you little Miss?"

Putting her arms up in the air in a shrug, Sadie whispered, "I tried to be polite."

He chuckled and leaned forward, pulling her against his chest so she could feel the rumble of his laugh in his strong arms. Pulling her down in between them, Lorelai wrapped the blanket around all three of them and breathed in the scent of her daughter, "You did Sadie girl. Good job."

Sadie's head whipped back and forth as she watched as her parents eyes closed again, "No more sleeps."

Lorelai frowned, "Why not Sadie? I thought you loved your Momma."

Leaning forward the chubby little girl held her Mother's face and kissed the top of her head, "I love Momma."

"Then let Momma sleep." She turned and looked at the clock, groaning, "Especially since it's not even 7 am yet."

Luke ruffled Sadie's hair, "One life lesson you need to learn and learn soon Sadie girl is that your Mommy requires much more sleep than the average human being. To try and interfere with this delicate balance is to your own detriment."

Sadie turned her face to frown at her Father, "Huh?"

He just chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her cheek, "Come on. Want to make some pancakes with me? We'll let Mommy sleep a little longer."

Sadie's face lit up like a Christmas tree, "Choco Chips?"

Luke nodded and this time kissed her nose, "You got it."

Sadie quickly scrambled towards the end of the bed and shimmied down to the hardwood floor, "Pancakes! Pancakes!"

Luke chuckled as he watched her dart down the hallway, rolling over Luke wrapped his arm around his wife, "Sleep."

She sighed happily, "Bless you."

Kissing the top of her head he whispered in a gentle, loving voice, "Hey…"

Lorelai's eyes flickered open slowly, "Hm?"

He smiled softly, "Love you."

The corners of her lips twitched up on each side and she pecked his lips, "I love you more."

They kissed once more and then Luke pulled himself up and out of the bed. He stretched when he felt his feet hit the cold floor, rolling his neck he went to walk towards the door when he heard his wife's voice again. He turned around and frowned, "What was that?"

She peeked at him from under her covers, "She's going to ask for him…"

Luke stared at her for a moment then nodded, "I know."

Tears pricked in her eyes as she sat up, "Maybe I should come down too…"

Luke shook his head, "I've got this."

She swallowed hard, "Are you sure?"

Walking back towards the bed, he leaned over and squeezed her foot, "I'm sure."

Lorelai sighed and lay back again, "Okay…"

"We'll bring you some food." He said with a smile, "Try and get some rest."

Lorelai swallowed the lump in her throat and pulled the covers up around her. Luke turned and walked towards the door, he grabbed a hoodie from the bureau beside the door. When he got downstairs and into the kitchen, he found his daughter standing anxiously by the fridge.

Leaning down, he scooped her up and placed her on the chair at the table, "Want some milk kiddo?"

Sadie nodded as he feet kicked back and forth, "Yes pease."

He smiled at the way she always missed the L in that word, he frowned when he remembered she never quite got the L in Paul Anka either, "Hey Sadie-"

"Daddy when will Pau Anka come home?" She asked looking over at the corner of the kitchen where the dogs bowls used to sit.

Luke sighed and turned towards his daughter, she turned towards him with an innocent and hopeful expression, "Oh Sadie girl…" He walked over to her, lifted her up and placed her on the counter beside him, "Remember? Mommy and I told you last night that he isn't going to be coming home…"

She frowned and cocked her head to the side, "Forever?"

Luke swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded, "I'm afraid so. Remember how he was really sick?" She nodded slowly, "Well he's not sick anymore...and he's happy where he is. I know this doesn't make any sense but someday it will."

Sadie frowned, "No more Pau Anka?"

He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by someone else's voice, "Not here at the house honey. But he will always be with you."

Luke turned to see his wife standing by the table, he frowned, "Lorelai-"

She shook her head and walked over to them both, she put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at the little girl, "What are you thinking Sadie girl?"

Sadie was quiet for a minute, "Can I be sad?"

Lorelai smiled sadly, tears welling up in her eyes again, "Oh honey of course you can." She scooped up the little girl, "Never be afraid to feel sad. Paul Anka loved you very much."

Sadie rested her head on her Mother's shoulder and began to suck her thumb, "Momma can we snuggle?"

Lorelai's heart ached and Luke gave her a soft smile, that was Sadie's go to when she was feeling upset. "Of course baby girl."

Luke kissed the top of his wife's head and then Sadie's, "You go in the living room. I'll bring the pancakes in when I'm done."

Lorelai kissed him gently, "I decided I wanted to be with you guys…"

Luke squeezed her shoulder, "He had a good life Lorelai…"

She smiled at him, "I know. At least the house won't be so quiet without him…"

Luke smiled at her, "The house will never be quiet with this little one here."

He looked down and saw that Sadie somehow had fallen asleep already, "She's conked out isn't she?" He heard Lorelai whisper.

Luke chuckled, "Somehow...yes."

She smiled up at him, "I think the pancakes can wait." She cocked her head to the side, "Come back upstairs with us. We can hide for a little while longer."

He smiled, knowing that this was exactly where he was supposed to be. Abandoning the kitchen he follow them upstairs and crawled into bed with his wife and their miracle daughter. Sadie curled up against her Mom's side, breathing quietly as she sucked her thumb. Lorelai gazed down at her as Luke ran his hands through her hair.

"Sometimes even after the last few years...I can't believe she's actually here with us." Lorelai whispered.

Luke nodded, "I know. Sometimes I swear I wake up frantically thinking it was all a dream."

Lorelai smiled and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her smooth forehead, "But she's here."

He nodded in agreement, "She's here."

She swallowed hard, "We're here." Then paused and frowned, "But Paul Anka isn't…"

He scooted closer to them both and held them tight, "We're gonna be okay Lorelai. We always are."

She pressed Sadie to her chest, "I know. I know...still hurts. And she won't understand."

"Someday she will." Luke said with a sigh, "Sadly...she'll grow up and feel that kind of pain. But…" She looked at him hopefully, "She'll always have us."

Smiling softly she nodded slowly, "She'll always have us…"

He nodded once and whispered, "Close your eyes Lorelai. We've got nowhere we need to be today...we can hide as long as we want."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, relishing in the feel of her tiny daughter in her arms and Luke's arms wrapped around them both. There would always be pain in life...but she would always have this. Love. Comfort and safety. And for that she was grateful.

Six years old…

Lorelai walked into the house wondering she was about to find. After adopting Sadie, she and Luke had developed a system in terms of parenting and working. With the expansion, Lorelai was busier but she always found time to spend with her daughter. And much like Rory, Sadie was very comfortable at the Inn and at the Diner. She was a common figure in town and everyone loved her.

Today she had been at the Dragonfly when she received a text that said: "Sadie SOS. Refusing to talk to me. HELP."

Walking up the steps, Lorelai found her husband sitting on the floor, leaning against Sadie's bedroom door. "Hey." He said with a huff.

He looked tired and she smiled, sitting down next to him she squeezed his knee, "What's up buttercup?"

Luke hung his head, "She hates me."

She smiled sympathetically. As with most six year olds, mood swings and temper tantrums were common and Sadie was no different. "What happened?"

He laughed a little and lifted his head, "She asked me to marry her."

Lorelai frowned, "What?"

He chuckled, "I think maybe she has wedding fever thanks to her big sister…"

"Ahh…" Lorelai whispered realizing that Sadie had been very intrigued by Rory's current wedding plans, "She was very fascinated yesterday when we were dress shopping. Her eyes grew ten sizes when she saw all the lace."

Luke nodded, "Yes well...she came parading down in one of her white dresses and declared that she wanted to get married. Then she proceeded to tell me that your Mom told her she should marry the man she loves the most in the world."

Lorelai smiled at him, "Well sweet that that person is you."

Luke smiled, "Yes. Except she didn't quite take my explanation that Daddy's don't marry their daughter's well. She stomped up those stairs in a fit of fire and fury. Slammed the door so hard I thought it was going to fall off its hinges."

"No...that won't happen until she's at least thirteen." She said with a chuckle.

"Looking forward to it." He said with a smile, "But she can't stay in her room until then, so what are we going to do?"

Lorelai sighed and pushed herself up off the floor, "I'll give it a shot. But I would try and soften the blow with some mid afternoon ice cream sundaes if I were you."

He smirked, "Is that for her or you?"

"Both." She said leaning down to kiss him before standing up all the way, she tapped on the door, "Sadie girl?"

"No." Sadie said from the other side of the door.

Luke groaned, "See? You'd think she biologically came out of you with that stubbornness."

Lorelai laughed, "Says Mr. flexible." She turned to the door again, "Honey can I come in? It's just me."

"No Daddy. He's mean." Sadie mumbled from the other side of the door.

Luke pushed himself up off the floor, "I'm gonna go downstairs…"

Lorelai smiled at him, "She'll get over it. I promise."

He smiled hopefully and walked down the hall and down the stairs. "Dad's gone?"

"He went downstairs hon. Can I come in?" It was quiet for a moment before Lorelai heard footsteps on the ground and then the door opened, revealing Sadie in her white dress and a princess crown on top of her head, "Look at you beautiful girl."

Sadie frowned and walked back over to her bed, crawling up, "Daddy won't marry me."

Lorelai smiled softly and walked into the room, "Well…" She sat down beside her daughter, "I know it is hard to understand this Sadie girl but Daddy said no because that's not what happens. Daddy's don't marry their daughters."

Sadie huffed, "How come? Grandma said I should marry someone I love the most. I love Daddy the most. Doesn't he love me?"

"Oh sweet girl…" Lorelai leaned forward and lifted Sadie into her arms. "Your Daddy loves you more than you could possibly know."

"But he can't marry me?" Sadie whispered as she snuggled into her chest.

"No honey. Daddy can't marry you. Partially because he's already married to me. You want to take Daddy away from me?" She said tickling her sides.

Sadie giggled, "You could marry Uncle Kirk?"

"Oh gee thanks…" Lorelai said with a laugh, "But I think if it's okay with you…I'd like to stick with the husband I have."

Sadie sighed and looked up at her Mom, "Okay…"

"Okay?" Lorelai asked with a smile, "So you're not mad at Daddy anymore?"

Sadie shook her head, "No. I love Daddy…" She paused, "Will I love someone more than Daddy someday? Like Rory loves Alex?"

Lorelai smiled down at her youngest daughter, "Someday you will fall in love with a wonderful man. And yes you will love him. But it will be a different kind of love than the way you love your Daddy. You'll see."

Sadie nodded, "Daddy and you loved me so much you fought for me to be here, right?"

Lorelai smiled, they had always tried to be open with Sadie about the fact that she was adopted. They never wanted it to be a secret. But up until now she didn't really ask questions, mostly because she was too young to understand. "We fought very hard to have you here baby. And so did Grandma...and all your friends and family."

"So Daddy loves me...but not like he loves you." She whispered.

"Just a different kind of love honey." She said kissing her brunette little head.

Sadie lifted her head and looked at her Mom, "Mommy, do I get to wear a pretty dress to Rory's wedding?"

"Yes you do. You are going to be the flower girl! We're going to go next week to check out dresses for you. Does that make you happier?" She said with a smile.

Sadie smiled, "Yeah. I think maybe I was jealous that Rory gets to wear a pretty dress. Sounded like a good reason to get married."

Lorelai smiled, "Sounds about right." She kissed her head again, "You wanna go see Daddy? You know he hates it when you're mad at him."

Sadie nodded, "Did I hear you say he should make ice cream sundaes?"

Lorelai chuckled and tickled her again, "It really is a wonder you didn't come out of me…" Sadie just giggled more, not really understanding, "Come on. Let's go see him."

Sadie hopped down from the bed and pitter pattered through the room, with her Mom right behind her. When they got down to the kitchen, Luke was just setting the three bowls of ice cream on the table. He turned to look at them and smiled, "Hey kiddo…"

Sadie took a deep breath and wrapped her arm around his leg, "I'm sorry I called you a mean Daddy."

Luke smiled and caught his wife's eyes knowing she had once again fixed the problem. Sitting down in the chair behind him, Luke lifted his daughter to his lap, "It's okay Sadie girl."

Sadie pulled away and looked at him, "Mommy explained how it works...she said someday I'll find a man that I love in a different way that I love you and I'll marry him. Just like Rory. Just like Mommy did with you."

Luke nodded slowly, "Someday yes...hopefully someday far away from now so that Daddy doesn't have a heart attack."

"Huh?" Sadie asked, cocking her head to the side.

He chuckled, "Daddy has a hard time letting go kiddo. Let me let go of one daughter at a time…"

Sadie smiled, "Okay Daddy."

"So...we're good?" Luke asked with a smile, "We're buddies again?"

Sadie smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I love you Daddy."

He breathed happily and smiled, holding her close, "I love you too Sadie girl. More than you could know."

Sadie pulled away, "Ice cream now?"

Luke smiled, "Ice cream now." He looked at his wife, "Think you can stay for a bit longer?"

Lorelai nodded, "For you two? I've got all the time in the world."

Sitting down beside them, she pulled a bowl closer to her and thought about how lucky they were to be here together navigating their way through this crazy life.

Nine years old…

Luke stood in the living room looking out the window to where Sadie sat on the old porch swing. She was decked out in her softball gear ready for her first game. As excited as he knew she was...there was also a sadness in the air.

One month ago Emily had passed away and Sadie had been very close to her. He knew that she was thinking of her Grandmother on this important day. Walking up behind him, Rory held little Emily Elizabeth on her hip. The 2 year old had been a joy for Emily to see before her passing, and an honor when she realized she was named after her.

"She okay?" Rory asked softly.

Luke smiled sadly, "I think she's missing Emily today…"

Lorelai smiled, "I know. I think she is too…"

He sighed and looked over at his step-daughter and his granddaughter, "I'm glad you're staying with us for the weekend." He smiled at the baby in her arms, "It's been good to see this little one. She's cheering your Mom up."

Rory smiled, "I'm gonna go check on Mom. You got things handled with Sadie?"

Luke nodded, "Yeah. I think maybe we'll meet you at the field?"

Rory smiled, knowing he needed some alone time with his daughter, "You got it."

He smiled and then walked out the front door to sit beside his daughter on the porch swing, "Hey kiddo. Got all your stuff?"

Sadie rolled the bat between her legs, "Yep."

Luke put his arm behind her on the swing, "I was thinking maybe we could walk to the field? Get some nervous energy out?"

Sadie turned to look at him, "Really?"

Luke nodded, "Sure. If you want too. Mom and Rory will meet us there."

Sadie smiled at him, "Okay."

He nodded and stood up, reaching out to grab her bag, "Come on."

Sadie followed him down the front steps and walked by his side. They were quiet for a few moments as they walked, Luke nudged her and pointed towards the left knowing he was going the long way. She smiled, grateful for him knowing her so well.

"So…" Luke whispered softly as they started to pass by the lake, "You wanna talk about it?"

Sadie cringed, "I don't know."

"We don't have too." He said lifting the bag up higher on his shoulder, "But if you want too...you know I'm a good listener."

Sadie stopped for a moment at the edge of the dock, "I miss her Dad."

He stared at her for a moment, "Yeah...I know you do kid. We all do."

Sadie swallowed the lump in her throat and looked up at him, "I don't know...it just makes me think about stuff."

Luke put the bag down beside him and sat down, "Like what stuff?"

Sadie sat beside him and folded her legs up like a pretzel, "Like…" Her face flushed, "How someday...you and Mom won't be here."

Luke took a deep breath, "Oh…"

Sadie looked down at her hands, "I mean...that's how it all works, right?"

Luke frowned, "Sadly...yeah kiddo. That's how it works. Life...it always ends at some point."

"But no one knows exactly when or how?" Sadie asked.

Luke shook his head, "No."

Sadie stared at him for a moment, "Your parents died...when you were young."

Luke nodded slowly, "They did."

"Moms parents were older." She frowned and her face flushed, "Grandma was old…"

Luke nodded, "She was. She lived a good life Sadie. I know it's hard to understand and it doesn't make it any easier but she loved you very much."

Sadie fidgeted slightly, "I...I want to ask something but I'm afraid of how you'll take it."

Luke frowned and sat up a little straighter, "You know you can ask me anything Sadie."

She bit her lip gently, something she often did when she was nervous, "Do you think...my uh...what's that word?" She scratched her nose, "My uh...my biological parents are still alive?"

Luke took a deep breath, "Well...I think so."

She glanced at him carefully, trying to read his expression, "For some reason losing Grandma made me think of them…"

"Sadie you know that your Mom and I have always said that if you want to meet them someday you can." He whispered, "That's up to you."

"And you wouldn't love me any less?" She asked softly, "It wouldn't change anything?"

He smiled at her, "Not for us kiddo. You're our daughter. And we want to do what makes you happy."

Sadie smiled at him, "You're a really good Dad. Did you know that?"

Luke's face reddened, "I'm glad to hear that you think so kid…"

Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself up off the dock, "Can we go to the game now?"

Luke smiled at her, "Sure kid…"

He stood up and they started to walk together again towards the field. "Hey Dad?"

He looked down at her, "Yeah?"

"I don't want to meet her...at least not right now. But maybe someday." She whispered.

Luke wrapped his arms around her shoulder, "Okay."

She leaned into him and followed along the path to the field. When they got there, she ran over to join her team as Luke waited to look for his wife, Rory and Emily. When he saw them, he smiled giving them a small wave.

Rory found a spot on the bleachers as Lorelai walked over to her husband, knowing as the coach he would want to join his daughter soon. "Hey." She leaned up and kissed him, "Rory said Sadie was having a rough time…" She looked past him, "She okay?"

Luke sighed, "She's missing your Mom. She had some questions...we talked a little."

Lorelai smiled sadly, "Yeah...I think we all are."

"Made her think about us…" He cleared his throat, "And about her uh...biological parents." Lorelai's face flushed, "I reassured her that if someday she wants to try and find them...we'll still be right here."

Lorelai smiled at him, "Of course we would."

Leaning forward he sighed, "You okay?"

She shrugged, "I wish my Mom was here too…"

He kissed her forehead, "She is…"

Lorelai smiled and looked at Sadie who was swinging her bat back and forth, "Hey Luke?"

He smiled at her, "Yeah?"

She turned him towards Sadie, lifting up on her toes she rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, "That's the kid."

Her words reminded him of when he had said them so long ago...and how he thought they had missed their chance at all of this. And yet...here they were. With their beautiful daughter and for the moment all was right with the world. He turned to look at his wife and smiled, "That's the kid…"

She smiled, gave him a wink and kissed his cheek before turning to sit with Rory so they could watch the game. Luke took a deep breath and walked over to his daughter, kneeling down in front of her he smiled, "Ready Sadie girl?"

Sadie smiled at him, she turned and smiled at her Mom, sister and niece who all waved at her, "Ready Dad."

He gave her shoulder a squeeze, "Let's win this one for Grandma."

Sadie beamed at him, "For Grandma."

He gave her a wink and clapped his hands together as Sadie ran off to home plate. He looked over at his wife and she smiled at him, he took a deep breath and walked to the side of home plate ready to cheer his girl on. He never expected her...but she was here. And she was the kid...she was their kid.

Twelve years old…

Luke and Lorelai sat in the kitchen going through their normal morning routine. Lorelai was packing up Sadie's lunch as she glanced at the clock.

"Where the heck is that daughter of ours?" Lorelai said, "I told her I'd drop her off but if she doesn't come down here soon to eat we're going to be late."

Luke sighed and plated some pancakes for her, "I'll go check."

Rounding the corner of the kitchen and then up the stairs, Luke tapped on the door to Sadie's room, "Hey sleepy head - if you aren't awake we're going to have issues." There was no response, "Pancakes are going to get cold." Still no sound, he sighed and opened the door, "Sadie-"

"Get out!" A blushing Sadie screamed with a towel wrapped around her, "Get out! Get out!"

Luke cringed and turned around, "Ahh - sorry kid! You weren't answering!"

"Dad seriously! Get out of here!" Sadie said with tears burning in her eyes, "Get out!"

He turned quickly and shut the door behind him, "Crap." He took a deep breath and walked down the steps and into the kitchen, "Uh - Lorelai?"

She looked up from her spot at the table, "Please don't tell me she went back to sleep! She has a presentation today."

Luke sighed, "She didn't answer so I kind of busted in there and she wasn't dressed yet."

Lorelai gasped, "Oh no."

"She had a towel on...but I think she's totally freaked out. But it seemed like she was freaked out about something else before that...like she had been sitting in there for awhile. I don't know." He rubbed the back of his neck, "Either way she currently hates me."

Lorelai sighed, "Uh...okay. Why don't you head to the Diner and I'll do breakfast and get her to school."

Luke frowned, "But-"

"She'll be fine. I'm sure she's just a little embarrassed. I got this." Leaning up she kissed his lips, "Don't worry hon. It will be fine."

He frowned and walked over to the fridge, "Well here...put whipped cream on the pancakes and tell her I'm really, really, really sorry."

Lorelai smiled, "We have an almost teenageer hon. These things are going to happen."

Luke sighed, "God help us."

She kissed him again and pushed him towards the door. When he was gone, she picked up the plate of pancakes, topped them with whipped cream and then walked towards the stairs. Whens he got outside of her daughters room, she knocked gently, "Sadie? Dad went to work...it's just you and me."

She heard a weird noise from inside the room, "Mom?"

Something in her daughter's voice startled her, "Honey can I come in?"

"Yes please." Sadie whispered, Lorelai opened the door and saw her daughter still standing there nervously in her towel.

Lorelai frowned, "Honey...what's going on?"

Sadie fidgeted her toes, "Remember that thing you told me about that happens to girls when they are...get to a certain age?"

Lorelai took a deep breath and quickly put the plate down on Sadie's bureau, "Oh boy. Okay...I get the freak out now. Especially when Dad came in."

"I just don't know what to do." She said with a frown, "I sort of panicked. And I was even more embarrassed when Dad came in...He's going to freak if he finds out."

Lorelai laughed, "He'll want to know that you're okay. That's all."

"Can't you just tell him that I don't know...I went momentarily crazy?" She said with a frown, "Less embarrassing."

"I promise that when I tell him...he won't want to say a word to you about it." She said with a smile, "Never."

Sadie smiled, "Okay." She paused, "But in the meantime...what do I do?"

"Good thing Dad made chocolate chip pancakes...those are going to help. But first things first…" She held her hand out, "Come on. I'll help you."

Sadie paused for a moment then frowned, "Hey Mom?"

Lorelai turned to look at her again, "Yeah hon?"

"Thanks…" She whispered softly.

Lorelai gave her a wink and nodded, "Don't mention it hon."

An hour later after Sadie was all squared away and safe at school with back up supplies, Lorelai made her way to the Diner. She smiled at her neighbors and sidled up to the counter and waited for Luke to emerge from the kitchen.

"Hey." He said wiping his hands on a towel as he leaned forward to kiss her, "Sadie at school?"

Lorelai nodded, "Yeah. She's okay now."

Luke cleared his throat, "She's uh...not mad at me?"

Lorelai shook her head, "She was a little embarrassed...but she just was going through a moment she needed her Mom for."

Luke frowned, "She sick or something?"

She smiled softly and sat up a little straighter, "She's growing up Luke…"

He shook his head, "Yeah. I know that. What does that have to do with anything? We're growing up to. I feel like I'm old as hell. She's growing up...kids grow up and-" He paused, "Oh. Oh. OH!"

She laughed a little, "So you got what I was trying to say?"

"Yeah she...got her uh…" He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck, "I got it."

She smiled, "Just so you know this is not something you need to address with her. In fact it would be better if you didn't."

Luke nodded, "Right. Sure. Got it."

Reaching across the counter she smiled at him, "She's growing up...but she's still our little girl hon."

Luke smiled at her, "I know."

Lorelai smiled, "She loved the chocolate chip pancakes by the way. I can guarantee if you keep those coming...all will be forgotten."

He chuckled, "Noted."

"Just like if you keep me in constant supply of coffee...I'll always love you." She teased.

He smirked and shook his head, "One to go coffee coming right up."

"Angel. You've got wins baby." She said giving him a wink.

He shook his head, "Junkie." He smiled and turned to pour her coffee wondering how the years seemed to be going by so fast.

Fifteen years later…

Luke came home late after a long day, he was feeling older by the day. He walked into the kitchen and found his wife sitting at the table, their new Golden Retriever Bono sitting on the floor, his head resting on her feet. He stopped by the counter and saw the look on her face, he immediately could tell something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" He asked, walking over to the table.

"Sadie didn't come home." She said with a sigh, "She was supposed to be home an hour ago but she hasn't showed up and she didn't call."

Luke frowned, "That's not like her."

"I know." She said softly, "I called. I texted. But I haven't heard a thing."

He sighed and sat down at the table, rubbing the back of his neck, "She didn't come by the Diner at all today. I saw her before I left this morning but she seemed fine."

Lorelai opened her mouth to say something but the back door opened and Sadie stumbled in, "Opps." She said with a giggle.

Lorelai turned and saw her daughter, wearing an outfit she had never seen before and looking a little wobbly on her feet, "Sadie where the hell have you been?"

Sadie pulled at her coat, trying to wrap it around her tighter, "Uh? Out?"

Luke frowned and stood up, "Out? Out where? You know that you have to call us and tell us if you aren't coming home on time."

She rolled her eyes, "Sorry."

"Don't roll your eyes at me." Luke said pointing a finger at her, "You scared your Mom to death."

Sadie stood up a little straighter, "So?"

"Sadie…" Lorelai said softly, "What's going on?"

Sadie tried to walk further into the room but she stumbled on her small heels and her jacket opened, revealing a barely there shirt showing off her midriff. "What are you wearing?" Luke asked angrily.

She huffed, "Oh great here comes the lecture."

"I know I didn't buy those clothes for you." Lorelai said, eyes wide as she watched her wobble again, "Have you been drinking?"

"So what if I was?" Sadie said with a little hiccup.

Luke's pulse quickened and he could hear his heartbeat in his ears, "Where the hell were you?"

Sadie threw her head back, "I'm going to bed."

She tried to walk by her parents but Luke yelled after her, "Like hell you are. You are going to tell us where the hell you were."

"Why?" Sadie asked turning to them, "It's no big deal. I'll never do it again, okay? Trust me. It was a terrible night."

Lorelai's heart started racing, "Sadie...okay we are all going to calm down. What happened? Are you hurt? Did something happen?"

"It doesn't matter." Sadie said shaking her head, "Okay? It just doesn't matter. Drop it. I promise tomorrow I'll be back to normal and we can all forget this even happened-"

"Sadie…" Lorelai whispered, remembering how hard it was as a teen when she would make a mistake and her parents would lash out, "Honey-"

"Sadie I want you to tell me what the hell is going on, right now." Luke demanded.

"You can't tell me what to do! You aren't even my real Father!" She screamed before running down the hall and up the stairs.

Luke and Lorelai stood stock still in the kitchen, Bono cowered under the table. They had always been open about Sadie's adoption. They had told her as she got older about her parents, their names and where they were from. Sadie had never showed any anger towards Lorelai or Luke and said that maybe someday she would want to find them...but she had never lashed out this way.

Luke went to turn to his wife to say something but suddenly Sadie was back in the kitchen, "Dad I'm…"

He turned back to her, "Sadie…"

The tears bubbled up in her eyes and she broke down, covering her face with her hands. Lorelai quickly crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her daughter, "Hey...shh. You're okay. Everything is fine…"

Sadie sobbed into her Mother's chest and Luke's heart ached. Walking over to them, he wrapped his arms around them both. "Sadie…"

"I'm a terrible daughter." Sadie hiccuped into their embrace. "I'm awful."

"Okay…" Lorelai said rubbing her back, "Let's go in the living room...you're shaking."

"I'll get some water." Luke said pulling away, "I'll be right there."

Lorelai lead her daughter into the living room and sat her down on the couch. She rubbed her back, whispering words of comfort to her to try and get her to calm down. Luke came back in, Bono on his heels as he sat down on the other side of his daughter. He watched her take a sip of her water and then put it down on the table.

"I did something stupid," Sadie said with a sniffle, "Astronomically stupid."

Lorelai swallowed hard and looked at her husband over Sadie's head, "Okay...well whatever it is we'll deal with it."

Luke took a deep breath, "I'm sorry I yelled, okay? We can handle anything. Just talk to us."

Sadie took a deep shaky breath and sat back on the couch, pulling her knees up against her chest, "I looked up my uh...my biological parents."

Lorelai froze in her seat, she felt Luke looking at her. Her eyes fluttered up to him and she licked her lips, "You did?"

Sadie sighed and looked at her Mom, "I was just curious...I've always been curious."

"I know." Lorelai said nervously, "But we've never said you couldn't meet them someday. I just thought...we'd do it together."

Sadie frowned, "I felt weird asking you guys to do it with me. I was afraid you'd think I didn't love you…" She blushed and looked at her Dad, "I...I shouldn't have said what I said. I just…"

He shook his head, "It's okay."

She frowned and pulled at the strings on her ripped jeans, "No. It's not okay...because I met my biological Dad and he sucks."

Luke took a deep breath, they had never even meet him, "You met him?"

"I googled their names...and his came up as part of this local band that plays a lot in Boston. So I called some of my friends and they agreed to get me there. That's where I was tonight...we snuck into this club that he was playing at." She said softly.

"Sadie…" Lorelai said softly, "You're 15. You could have gotten in big trouble."

Sadie nodded, "I know. I know...but I just wanted to see him. I don't know why...I just did."

Luke frowned, "So...what happened?"

"The place was really gross." She said with a sniffle, "Everyone was drunk. My friends and I went up towards the stage and the band was setting up. This guy turned and saw me...he looked like he had seen a ghost. And something in me just told me that...he was the person I was looking for."

"Did he talk to you?" Lorelai asked, rubbing her daughter's shoulders.

She licked her lips and looked at her Mom, "He came right up to me...he called me Jessica."

Lorelai took a deep breath, she couldn't deny that as her daughter got older she looked more and more like the girl that had shown up at the Inn all those years ago. "He was your Dad…"

Sadie nodded, "Yeah. He looked totally freaked out when I told him who I was...but he asked if I wanted to come back stage to talk."

Luke swallowed hard, "And what happened?"

"I asked my friends to wait for me...and I followed him." She shook her head, 'It was stupid. He didn't know what to say and neither did I. I didn't think it through." She frowned, "He handed me a beer…"

Luke cleared his throat, "He gave you a beer?"

"We just sat there for a few minutes...in total silence and I felt stupid so I drank it." She scrunched up her nose, "It was gross but I was so confused I drank the whole thing."

"Oh Sadie…" Lorelai said leaning into her, "Honey I'm so sorry…"

She sighed, "He asked about the people I lived with...asked if they treated me right. I said yes." She hiccuped again, "He gave me another beer so I started drinking that one but then my head started spinning…" She started to cry again, "I asked if he had seen my Mom…"

Luke squeezed her shoulder, "You're okay…" He whispered to her.

"He said he heard she lived in California with her family." She sniffled, "Said she has other kids…"

Lorelai cringed, "Sadie…"

"And for a second I just wondered...why didn't she want me?" She asked looking at her Mom, "What was wrong with me? Why wasn't I good enough?"

"Sadie...she was young." Lorelai whispered, "It was different honey. It wasn't about you…"

"You were young when you had Rory." Sadie said softly, "But you didn't just hand her off to someone else. Anna didn't just give up April."

"Everyone makes their own decisions." Luke whispered, "She just wasn't ready then."

Sadie turned to her Father, "I was staring at this guy...he looked like a total mess. He was just there offering a fifteen year old girl alcohol and he didn't seem to think twice. There were other things in the room…" She cringed, "And all I could suddenly thing was...thank God my parents adopted me because I don't want this life."

Luke took a deep breath, "Sadie…"

"I'm sorry." She said softly, "It was stupid. It was all stupid. I just...I wanted to know. But then I realized...it was all wrong. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm supposed to be here with you guys. I'm so sorry I lied...I'm sorry I drank. I'm sorry-"

"It's okay." Lorelai said pulling her into her arms, "It's okay...breathe baby. Everything is going to be okay."

Sadie clung to her Mom, "I don't want them. I just want you guys...I just wanted to know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Lorelai's own tears fell and kissed the top of her head, "You're allowed to be curious hon. I just wish you had talked to us about it first."

"I didn't want to upset you." She said snuggling into her chest, "I never want you to think I don't love you." She pulled away and looked at her Dad, "And then I made it worse...what I said-"

"Is forgotten." He said honestly, "It's okay."

"You don't hate me?" Sadie whispered softly, "I'm still your Sadie girl?"

Luke opened his arms and smiled, "No matter how old I get...no matter how old you get," He tweaked her nose, "You'll always be my Sadie girl."

Sadie started to cry again and fell into his arms, she pulled her Mom with her and they sat together on the couch crying but also reveling in the strength of their family. Bono rested his head on Sadie's knee and Luke kissed her head again, "As much as everything is forgiven...you're burning that shirt in the morning."

Sadie chuckled, "That's fine. And you can also stop worrying about drinking. That was the grossest tasting thing ever. You are all crazy for liking it."

Lorelai squeezed her, "Remember that when someone hands you one at a party…"

"I'll remember." Sadie said softly, she pulled her Mom closer, "Mom? Dad?"

"Yeah hon?" Lorelai asked rubbing Sadie's back gently.

"Thank you for wanting me." She whispered against her Dad's shoulder, "I got lucky."

Lorelai smiled and leaned forward to kiss the back of her daughter's head, "We're the lucky ones Sadie. We're the lucky ones…"

Luke looked at his wife over their daughter's head and smiled, knowing that there would be further discussions later but for now all that mattered was everyone was home and safe. They would figure it all out together just like they always did.

Eighteen years old…

When they first adopted Sadie, there was no real talk about how old they were. Neither of them cared. They wanted her so badly it didn't matter how old they were or would be as she grew up. But now sitting here at her graduation, Luke felt old. He felt very old.

And his wife seemed to sense it, "You're still hot as hell babe."

He sighed when she grabbed his hand, "These other Dad's look like they just got their licenses."

She smirked, "They aren't that young hon...you're just feeling it more because our girl is graduation."

Luke huffed, "I still say there was a mix up and she needs at least one more year at home."

"Nice try Dad. It didn't work with me...it won't work with her." April said turning to look at him, "She's going to college."

"And she's going to love it." Rory said from the other side of them.

"Can I go visit Auntie Sadie at her school?" Twelve year old Emma asked from beside her Mom.

"Maybe." Rory said softly, "But we both know your Dad will be wanting to go with you."

Alex smirked, "She's going to my old alma mater, I need to show her all the best places to hang out."

She smirked at him, "I hate to break it to you hon but I doubt my sister will think the Science Lba is a hot spot to hang out."

"I would have." April said quickly, "I'd have been all over that."

"See that's why we get along so well." Alex said pointing at April, "You're my favorite in the family. Did I ever tell you that?"

"Us science geeks need to stick together." She said reaching across everyone to pound her fist against Alex's.

"Hell yeah." He said pounding back.

Everyone laughed and little Henry gasped on his Father's legs, "Dad said a bad word again."

"I know." Rory said shooting her husband a look, "His swear jar sure is filling up fast."

"Looks like I'll be getting that new bike afterall." Emily said with a smirk, "That was the deal if he fills his up first."

"I'm getting a Dog!" Henry said quickly.

Rory shot her husband a look, "Please stop swearing. We don't need a dog in the crazy house."

"Everyone shh…" Luke said, "People are staring. Plus they are coming to the D names."

"Oh. Oh. Oh! Get your phone ready! I want pictures from every angle!" Lorelai said quickly whipping out her phone.

"On it." April said taking her phone out, "I'll move up closer to get a better angle."

"Thank you!" Lorelai said looking over heads to try and see her daughter.

"Sadie Elizabeth Danes." The person called on the microphone.

Sadie stepped up on the platform and walked across the stage. Everyone else around them was cheering and hollering, their family was the loudest. But for Luke and Lorelai the world around them seemed to stop. The only thing they saw was Sadie as she reached across for her diploma, she shook the Principals hand and then started to walk across the stage.

Just as she reached the other end of the stage, she stopped and turned. Her eyes scanned the crowd for a moment and then softened when she saw her parents. Both of them stared at her in awe. Unable to believe she was all grown up.

It seemed like just yesterday she had blown into their life so unexpectedly. She was the one thing they never saw coming but also the one thing they didn't realize they needed. She had flipped their world upside down in the best possible way. Sadie had brought them closer together as a couple and as a family. She had surprised them all, made them grow, change and face their fears and faults.

And mostly she had made their life totally full.

Sadie smiled and lifted her diploma up towards her parents. She bit her lip and waved mouthing "I did it."

Luke and Lorelai beamed at her as she moved the tassel to the other side of her graduation cap and joined her friends. "She did it…" Luke whispered.

Lorelai linked her arm with her husbands and rested her head on his shoulder, "She did it." She smiled and kissed his cheek, "We did it."

Luke turned and smiled, knowing there was a lot of meaning behind that simple phrase. Leaning in he kissed his wife gently and knew she was right. Somehow they had done this all. He had life a he never could have dreamed of. A life he thought he wasn't worthy of. It may not have happened in the order that the rest of the world seemed to think it should.

But none of it that mattered. All that mattered was what they had...their family was everything.

And in the chaos of all that life could bring somehow everything had come around again exactly how it was supposed to.

Well that's that! I hope you liked the end of the road. Again - thank you for everything! :)