Thanks for your continued support! I honestly can't believe I've got this far with this story with these characters and that's all down to you all enjoying it so thank you! :) Here's the next chapter!
Chapter 16
"I can't do this." April said quietly, her heart beating quickly, as she stood outside the police station with Anna, Luke, Lorelai, Charlotte and Jess.
"Yes you can." Luke reassured her. "We're all here for you, ok?"
April looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "What if they don't believe me? What if no one believes me?"
"We believe you, honey." Anna said softly. "And the police will as well."
"You need to do this, April. You will regret it if you don't." Jess said. "What if Toby does this to someone else?"
"Jess..." Charlotte said.
"It's true. Who knows what that monster is capable of!" Jess said.
"April, this is your decision ok?" Lorelai said softly. "But we're all here for you. And we will support you whatever you decide."
"Jess is right though." Anna said. "I know this is hard. Trust me, I know. But this is the right thing to do. Monsters like Toby deserve to get locked up."
"I can't! I just can't!" April cried, turning round and running off.
"April!" Luke called after her, going to go after her but Anna stopped him.
"Let me." She said. "Stay here. I'll be a minute ok?"
Luke reluctantly nodded and watched as Anna walked over to her car where April had gotten into.
"Honey, I know this is hard." Anna said as she got into the car next to April.
"How? How do you know?" April exclaimed.
"Because it's happened to me as well." Anna admitted.
April turned to her mom, her eyes widening. "What?" She said shocked. "Wh..when?"
"Before I was with your dad." Anna said. "I was at a party like you were and...well I was drunk and stupid. I got myself into a situation with this guy and before I knew what was happening, it was too late."
"Mom, I'm so sorry. I...I never knew..." April said quietly, sniffing.
"I never told anyone. Not even your Gran." She admitted. "And I was too scared to report him as well. I was ashamed, really ashamed, and I was positive that it was all my fault."
"Mom..." April said stunned.
"So I know how you're feeling. But I made the mistake in not reporting it." She said.
"So...so the guy that did it to you is still out there?" She asked quietly, biting her lip.
"No. I heard that he got arrested two years later for doing the same thing with two other girls." Anna said. "I felt awful. I could have stopped that. I could have prevented those girls going through what I had." She glanced at her daughter. "I know it's scary. I do know that. But I also know my daughter. And I know you can do this. It's the right thing to do and it will give you closure."
April was quiet for a moment. "Is what happened to you the reason why you haven't really dated since I was born?" She asked.
Anna thought about that. "Yes...and no." She said honestly. "I have to admit, your dad, he was a way of me trying to move on from what happened. He was really caring and kind and I thought it would help. I know it was wrong but your dad had admitted that he was going through something at the time as well."
"His dad just died..." April said quietly.
"Yeah.." Anna said. "I liked your dad, I did. But it was never that serious. Then I found out I was pregnant but by that point, me and your dad had broken up." She admitted. "You were the motive for me to move on. You were the reason I was able to shut out what had happened to me because I had to focus on you. You were my number one priority from day one. You saved me, April."
"Mom..." April said softly, blinking back tears.
"I didn't date much because I needed to put you first. I didn't want you getting attached to someone and then have them disappear from you life suddenly." She said. "Maybe it was because I wasn't sure I could trust anyone as well but...well I was focused on you and my career by then."
"You can't let that guy stop you from being happy with someone again." April said quietly.
"I know." Anna said softly. "The same goes for you."
"Jamie won't want to be with me now. I'm damaged goods." She sniffed.
"April, look at me." Anna said taking her daughter's hands. "You are not damaged goods. You are someone who has had to go through something awful but none of this was your fault. Don't let it affect you like it did for me."
"And reporting him will help me move on?" April said quietly.
"It will give you justice. I'm not saying it will be easy moving on but you've got your family and your friends. And from what I know about Jamie, I reckon he will be there for you as well." She said softly.
"I think I love him, mom." She admitted quietly. She sniffed before glancing at her mom. "Ok..." She finally said.
"Ok?"
"I'll do it. I'll report Toby." April said.
Anna let out a breath. "We're all here for you. I'll be by your side the whole time if you want me to."
April gave her a tremulous smile. "I want you to be."
"Then I will be." Anna reciprocated her tremulous smile. "Ready?"
April took a deep shaky breath before nodding. "Ready." She said nervously.
"Are you ok, Jack?" Emily asked as she noticed her great grandson looking distracted as he played with Mia in their living room.
Jack looked up at her. "What happened to Auntie April?" He asked.
Emily exchanged a glance with Richard. They had been filled in about what happened with April and they were shocked. Charlotte and Lorelai had asked them if they could watch Jack and Mia while they went with April to the police station and of course, they had agreed. "What do you mean?" She said.
"She came to our flat crying." Jack said. "Mummy and daddy thought I was asleep but I wasn't. And then they said they were going somewhere with Auntie April today but they wouldn't say where. Is it a secret?"
"No, it's not a secret." Richard told him gently. "It's just...it's a sensitive issue. You're too young to really understand it."
"I'm not that young. I'm 6! And I'm top of my class!" Jack said indignantly. "I'm not stupid!"
"We're not saying you are, sweetheart." Emily said gently.
"Then why won't anyone tell me what happened?" Jack grumbled.
"Mummy and daddy won't tell me either." Mia said.
Emily sighed and glanced at Richard. "Look, this is something that you can't tell anyone ok? Promise me that."
"Who would I tell?" Jack grumbled.
"Promise me." Emily said sternly.
Jack glanced up at her and slowly nodded. "I promise." He said quietly.
"Everyone is at the police station with April." Emily said gently. "Something bad happened to her and they need to get it sorted."
Jack was quiet for a moment and furrowed his eyebrows. "Did someone hurt her?"
"Yes." Emily answered. "But that's all I can say. This is April's thing. It's up to her whether she wants you to know because it's really upsetting for her. She's going through something really difficult and scary at the moment."
Jack was quiet for another moment. "I don't want her to be upset. I like Auntie April." He said quietly.
"I know you do." She said softly. "She's tough. She'll be ok. But it's something she probably won't want us talking about."
"Ok." He said quietly. "Will you play cars with me?" He asked.
Emily had to smile at the sudden change in the subject. "Of course."
"No, I wanted her to play barbies with me!" Mia said.
"Barbies are stupid!" Jack retorted.
"No they're not!" Mia exclaimed.
"Ok, no arguing now!" Emily said. "How about I play cars with Jack and Richard, you play barbies with Mia?" She suggested. "And then we can swap."
"Sounds like a good idea." Richard smiled.
"Jack? Mia?" Emily said.
"Fine." Jack grumbled.
"Ok." Mia mumbled.
"Good." Emily smiled.
Meanwhile, in London, Rory was walking down a street on the way to a cafe dialling a familiar number as she did. She sighed as there was no answer and reluctantly hung up and put it back in her pocket. She reached her destination and stood outside for a moment before nervously walking inside. She immediately spotted the person she had agreed to meet for a coffee. He had cut his hair shorter but he was still recognisable and she couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach as she walked up to him. "Hey." She smiled.
"Hey Mary." Tristan smiled, getting up and giving her a hug. "I ordered you a coffee. I figured you'd still be a coffee addict." He joked.
Rory laughed. "Definitely still a coffee addict. Thanks." She said as they sat down at the table. Rory sipped her coffee before glancing up at him. "So this is..."
"Weird?" Tristan offered.
"Yeah." Rory laughed nervously. "But good weird." She said quickly. "I was surprised to get your email. It seems all my exes have decided to come to London." She joked, laughing slightly.
"What do you mean?" He chuckled.
"I bumped into Logan the other day." She admitted.
"Logan? Wow! That must have been..." Tristan said surprised.
"Awkward, yeah." Rory said. "But it was nice in a way. He apologised for what happened and it was so long ago now, it was nice to have some closure."
"Yeah I guess so." Tristan said. He glanced up at Rory and he couldn't help the feelings that he felt for her. They never really went away. He tried to brush them aside for now. He knew this meeting was just two old friends catching up. "So how are you doing?" He asked.
"Really good." She nodded. "I'm finally being a journalist overseas which was my..."
"Dream. Yeah I remember." Tristan smiled. "I'm happy for you. I always knew you could do it."
"Thanks." Rory said, trying to hide the blush that appeared on her cheeks as she took another sip of her coffee. When she had received the email from Tristan, it had just been a friendly email to see what she was up to and how he was doing as well. When she found out he was in London as well, she was so surprised. When he found out she was there, he asked if she wanted to meet up for a coffee and she really had to think about it. She had even talked to Sam about it. He had been a bit weird about it, though she could understand why, but then he told her she should do what she wanted. So she replied and told him she would love to catch up. But now sitting in this cafe across the table from her ex, probably her most significant ex, she felt weird as old feelings started to creep up. It was understandable really, considering the way they ended things amicably and how long they were together for but she somehow felt like she was betraying Sam. "So, you said you were travelling the world?" She said trying to stay to a safe topic.
"Yeah. I guess your yearn to travel really rubbed off on me and once I finished my studies and got a job in an office for a few years to save some money up, I decided to take the plunge and just go for it." He said. "I've been to South America and Africa and now I'm doing Europe. Then I'm off to Asia and Australia after this."
"Wow, sounds amazing." Rory commented.
"It really is. It's so liberating." Tristan admitted.
"So how long are you in London for?" She asked.
"About a week." He said. "If you're free again before I leave, we should go for a meal or something."
"Oh..uh.." Rory said surprised. "I'm getting married." She suddenly blurted out.
"Uh..congratulations?" Tristan said confused at the sudden change of subject.
Rory sighed. "I'm sorry. I just...seeing you has made old feelings...well, resurface and it feels..."
"Weird?" Tristan guessed. "Yeah I know. It's weird for me as well." He admitted. "I guess feelings can't just go away no matter how long we don't see each other." He said.
"I guess not." Rory said glancing up at him. "I want you to know...I never wanted to hurt you. You were a great boyfriend. The greatest. I just...I..."
"You fell for someone else." He finished for her.
"What?" She said surprised.
"It's fine. Honestly. You can't help it when things like this happen." He assured her. "Maybe I was hoping you'd be single when I emailed you but I knew someone as amazing as you wouldn't be. Is it him?" He asked.
"Who?"
"That Sam guy. Is it him you're with?" Tristan asked.
Rory ducked her head slightly. "Yeah." She admitted. "But I swear to you, nothing ever happened when we were together. And we didn't start anything until a while after we broke up either."
"I believe you." He said.
Rory sighed. "I'm never going to stop caring about you, Tristan." She admitted. "But I'm committed to Sam. I love him and I can't wait to marry him."
"Well, I'm glad you're happy." Tristan smiled softly.
"I'm sorry if you thought us meeting would mean..." Rory said ashamed. "I shouldn't have let you think that..."
"Oh no, that was all me. You didn't say anything to lead me on. Honestly." He assured her. "I just...when I found out you were here, I just...I wanted to see you. I had to see you."
"Yeah...I felt the same way." Rory admitted, finishing off her cup of coffee. She glanced at her watch and sighed. "I should get going." She said reluctantly.
"Oh yeah, of course." Tristan said getting up. "It was nice seeing you." He said sincerely.
"Yeah, you too." Rory smiled softly. She went forward and gave him a hug, breathing in his familiar smell. "Keep in touch, yeah?"
"I'd like that." Tristan smiled. "And...good luck with the wedding. Sam is a very lucky guy."
Rory blushed again. "Thanks." She said. She sighed and looked at him for a moment. "Bye Tristan." She said softly.
"Bye Mary." He said giving her his trademark smirk.
Rory felt her stomach do flutters again but she couldn't help but smirk. "Always with the nickname huh?" She joked.
"You'll always be Mary to me." He grinned. He watched as she gave him a final smile before turning and leaving the cafe. He let out a breath once she had gone, that he didn't know he was holding. He slowly sat back down and ordered another coffee from the waitress.
Jess walked into the bookstore later that day to find Sam slamming his cell down on the counter. "What has your phone ever done to you?" He smirked.
"Nothing." He grumbled.
"Well someone's in a good mood." Jess commented.
"Sorry." He sighed. "How was it with April?"
"She had a little wobble when we got there but whatever Anna said to her worked because she did it. She reported him. We're not entirely sure what will happen next. I guess it will depend on whether Toby admits it or not." Jess said.
"Poor April." Sam said sympathetically.
"So what's up with you?" Jess asked.
"Nothing. It seems so stupid compared to what April is going through." He admitted sheepishly.
"Well it's obviously put you in a funk." He said.
"It's just Rory. We keep missing each other's calls. It's just frustrating." Sam said.
"That sucks." Jess said. "I remember going through that with Charlotte when I was in Philadelphia without it. There were days that it felt like the universe was against us."
"Yeah, I'm having one of those days today." He admitted. He glanced at Jess. "It's frustrating on normal days but more so today. She was meeting up with Tristan today."
"Tristan? As in her ex boyfriend, Tristan?" Jess said surprised.
"Yeah, apparently he was in London for a bit and asked if she wanted to meet up. She said she'd ring on her way to meeting him but I missed it and then I've tried ringing her since she should be back at her place now but I can't get through." Sam said.
Jess glanced at him. "Are you worried?" He asked.
"About Tristan?" Sam said.
"Yeah."
"No." He said honestly. "I know Rory wouldn't do anything like that to me. But it's still...weird. As much as I know she loves me and want to marry me and that her meeting with Tristan is innocent, she's still halfway across the world and she's with an ex. An ex that meant a lot to her as well."
"I get that." Jess said.
"I just miss her and am feeling sorry for myself, that's all. Just ignore me." Sam said.
"Why don't you go and see her if you're missing her so much?" He suggested.
"I'm seeing her next month, you know that."
"I know but if you're missing her, why don't you surprise her and go and see her earlier?" Jess said.
"I can't do that." Sam said.
"Why not?"
"Well...you need me here..."
"I'm sure I can manage a bit without you. We've got everything up and running. Besides, if I'm going to have to work with the moping person I'm talking to right now, I'd much rather not have to see your grumpy face everyday." He said smirking slightly.
"Thanks." Sam said dryly.
"Seriously though, I'd be fine if you want to." Jess said. "Look, you're my mate and I hate seeing you like this. Go, see Rory, be romantic and then come back."
Sam glanced at him. "Thanks." He said softly. "You know, Charlotte's right. You are just big softy." He grinned just as his cell rang. "It's Rory." He told Jess.
"Go, talk to her and then go book your flight. Before I change my mind." Jess smirked.
Sam grinned. "Don't worry, I promise not to ruin your rep." He smirked.
"Get out of here." Jess rolled his eyes. He did smile though when he heard his friend's happy voice as he finally spoke to Rory. His face lit up when the door opened to the bookstore and Charlotte and Jack came in. "Hey!" He smiled, giving Charlotte a kiss and ruffled Jack's hair. "To what to I owe this pleasure?"
So I hope you liked it! :) Please keep the reviews coming and let me know what you think! :) Thanks again for all your support. It really does eman so much to me. :)