When You Need Me I Will Be There

Chapter 16

One Week Later

Rory felt it was time to start getting back to her normal life. Today would be the first day back at school since her father's accident. Karen Lucas thought that she might be rushing it a bit but she kept telling them she needed this or she would never be able to move on from what happened, so they finally agreed but Lucas would be around if she knew anything at all.

Rory was getting ready to go when Lucas entered the bedroom. He did speak he just watched her for a few minutes just as Rory was finishing her hair she saw Lucas in the mirror. Therefore, she turned to him.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough"

"I'm almost ready"

Lucas gave her a skeptical look.

"Are you sure about this Rory. I mean really sure?"

"Yes"

"Okay I'm just checking if you need to get out of there at any time let me know"

"I will"

She put the finishing touches on herself then headed out with Lucas right behind her. They said goodbye to Karen then headed off.

They arrived at school and as soon as they entered, Brooke and Peyton came up to them. Brooke the first to speak.

"Lucas they all know not to say anything"

"Thank you"

Rory gave them a strange look she wanted to know what was going on.

"What did you do?"

Lucas turned to her.

"We did nothing we just stopped gossip before it could start"

"Thanks"

Peyton was just sitting back and watching as Rory was pretending that everything was fine. She knew otherwise she could see the happy front she was putting up for Lucas so that he would not worry about her. She knew how it felt to lose a parent. They had always had a special bond that they shared only with each other. Peyton knew Rory seek her out when she was ready. Therefore, Peyton just did the one thing she knew Rory needed now she went up to her, hug her, and whispered.

"You know where to find me if you need to talk"

"I know"

Then Peyton walked off down the hall and Rory faced Lucas and Brooke once again.

"Can we just go about our day? I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Sure anything you want" they both replied

Rory gave him a small smile, had, and down the hall with them following behind. As Rory had a deep into her first class the teacher gave her, a sympathetic look she knew it was going to be a long day. She just tried to block it out and not let it bother her. She needed to concentrate on the present not just the past. But by lunchtime she was about to lose it all the look and whispers were getting to her she knew she could no longer handle being there she walked into the cafeteria on the verge of tears and went straight up to Lucas who was standing there in the middle of the courtyard talking to his basketball buddies. She tapped him on the shoulder and he stopped in mid conversation and turned around she did not even have to say a word. Lucas knew right away just by looking at her what she needed.

"Let's go"

Nothing else was said as they head to Lucas's car with his arm wrapped around her shoulders. The ride home was quiet Lucas was just trying to come up with a way to help her while Rory had silent tears flowing down her face. Lucas's heart broke for her. He knew she was not ready to face everyone but when Rory said she wanted to do something, you let her do it.

They arrived home in Rory got out of the passenger side without saying a word and headed inside. Lucas followed behind an entered carrying her book bag which she forgot in the car. Karen gave him a look of understanding

"It didn't go well I assume"

"No it was fine until everyone started giving her looks and sympathy and by lunch she couldn't handle it anymore"

"Poor girl"

"Mom she tried and it's just too hard for her and when it's time to tell about her pregnancy it will only be worse."

"I know and I'm not sure we should let her go to the funeral on Friday"

"Mom she needs closure and anyways we'll be there if she needs us"

"Lucas on just worried about all the stress it is causing her"

"I am too but she needs to say goodbye"

"Lucas had a thought about what if her grandparents show up I'm sure they've heard about Christopher's death. He once told me whom Rory is related to and the Gilmore and Hayden's have a lot of influence where they come from and I am afraid of what they will expect of Rory since she is the heiress to everything"

"If they try anything at the funeral I will step in. Anyway it would be the worst time to make Rory to deal with them"

"But now that Christopher is: I'm afraid what they will do he was the only one that kept her from that world"

"I thought her mother and father's families wanted nothing to do with them once she was born."

"That's what Christopher thought too but while he was gone for his father's funeral he found out that the event of his death everything it handed over to Rory for both families"

"But the Gilmore's are still alive so I'm confused"

"That doesn't matter just with the Hayden fortune alone she is going to inherit millions and will be required to take her rightful place in the family"

"What about her child she is eighteen they can't make her give up her child "

"They will just think it's another mark on the family's name and ask why we have to keep them from finding out."

"Like I said we'll be there if they approach her."

"I just want to give you a heads up on what might happen"

"I can understand why Christopher wanted nothing to do with them"

"Yeah"

"We also have to figure out a way so that Dan and Nathan who she really is or there will be a battle for the baby and her fortune

"I never thought of that, honey they can't find out under any circumstances. Well go check on her she really needs you. You seem to be like keeping here grounded."

Lucas gave Karen a smile and went to his room to Rory he entered and found her sleep but crying and that made Lucas is heart shatter because even in sleep she could not get away from the sadness. So he went over and lay on the bed next to her and wrapped her in his arms and hoped he could take away some of the pain.