Hey guys, once again I just want to remind you all that I have never seen a real trial. I don't really know how any of this works so while you read this chapter keep that in mind! I did my best but whatever. Okay so here is the trial chapter. I will try and update soon!
The day of the trial finally arrived, by 6 am Lorelai was wide awake and sitting on the bathroom floor of Luke's apartment. She had had another bad dream and had thrown up in the toilet before brushing her teeth and trying to pull herself together.
Back in bed, Luke woke slowly and rolled over reaching for her instinctively. When his hands hit nothing but warm sheets he sat up quickly and looked towards the bathroom. When he saw the door was open slightly and the light was on, he knew just where to find her. Standing up he made his way towards the bathroom, hoping he could find a way to get her through today.
Wiping a few stray tears away, Lorelai wasn't surprised to hear the door creak open as Luke walked into the bathroom. She took a deep breath as he sat down beside her, leaning against the tub he put his arm around her and pulled her close before whispering. "Hey…"
Sniffling, she used the sleeve of his flannel shirt to wipe her tears away. "Hey…" She whispered back.
He kissed the top of her head and ran his hand through her hair, "You okay?"
She sighed and rested her head in the crook of his neck, "Just…nervous about today."
"I know…" He whispered against the top of her head, "I wish I could make this easier for you…I wish I could make it go away."
She wrapped her hand around his middle and held him close, "I just want it to be over…I want to move on and never have to think about it again."
"By the end of today your Dad said there should be a sentence so it will be over. We already signed the restraining order papers so you don't have to see him again after today." He said trying to reassure her.
"I know…" She whispered. "But…I still hate it. Especially that Rory has to go through this…"
"I know…" He said rubbing her back, "But she's a big girl…she'll be okay."
Lorelai was quiet for a moment before whispering, "I just…I never wanted her to hate her father. I know what he did was unforgivable but I still feel guilty that she can't have a relationship with him…"
"She is choosing not to have a relationship with him because she loves you and she is angry for what he did." Luke said.
"I know…but still…he's her father." Lorelai said in a shaky voice, "I just…I just feel guilty about it all."
"We've been over this before…this wasn't your fault." Luke said watching her, trying to read her expression. "Yes you made a few mistakes but that doesn't warrant him laying his hands on you, right?"
Swallowing hard, she tipped her head to look at him and nodded. "Right."
"Okay then…let Rory decide how she wants to handle Christopher after today okay? Right now your only job is to focus on your testimony and getting through the trial. And then after today we will be able to really focus on the wedding and put this all behind us. Everything is going to be okay…" He whispered as he pulled her closer to him. "I'm going to be with you the whole time, remember?"
She closed her eyes as a few more tears slipped out and she nodded her head. "I know."
Leaning his face forward, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I love you."
She breathed a sigh of relief and clung to the t-shirt he was wearing as she pressed against him. "I love you too."
Kissing her once more, he pulled away and wiped her tears away. "Come on…we should go back to bed for a little longer. We don't have to be up for at least another hour and a half."
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep…" She whispered afraid to face her nightmares again.
"Well then I'll just hold you and you can rest a little…" He said rubbing her back affectionately, "Come on…we can't stay in here."
She nodded once and let him stand up before he took her hand and helped pull her off the floor. Cupping her face he tipped her chin up and kissed her lips as he used his thumbs to dry her cheeks. Then he slid his hand down to hold hers and led her back towards the bedroom where he pulled back the covers for her. He watched her crawl in before he lay down beside her and let her snuggle in against him.
With her head on his chest and her hand laying against his stomach, he held her close and traced patterns against the flannel of his shirt that she wore. Occasionally when he could feel her getting upset again he would brush a kiss against the top of her head and whisper words of encouragement. After about 15 minutes, he felt her finally relax against him and he hoped she would get some sleep before they had to wake up to get ready.
By ten o'clock, Luke and Lorelai were at the courthouse where they met Rory, Richard, Emily, Sookie, Jackson and Miss Patty. Rory walked up to her Mom and took her hand and smiled encouragingly at her.
"I figure if we made it through he great Oreo cookie drought in Stars Hollow of 1997 we can make it through today." Rory said trying to make her Mother smile.
Lorelai giggled and squeezed her hand back, "That was a really long week…"
"Yep. Until that moment we found the last stash of them in Luke's store room I thought I was going to lose you forever…" Rory said shaking her head sadly.
Luke rolled his eyes, "I still don't understand how you got back there without me noticing…"
"Mom was starting to get the cold sweats Luke! I had to make a choice and I knew that even though it was dangerous to go back there…it was either face your wrath or let Mom slip away to the deepest darkest depression of her life." Rory said as she placed a hand to her heart.
"I don't think I was ever more proud of you than I was that day." Lorelai said holding her head a little tighter, "You really made a sacrifice for the team and you took it like a champ…"
"Anything for you Mom." Rory said squeezing her hand to emphasize her point.
"Thanks kid…" Lorelai said squeezing her daughters and back.
"You're really going to try and tell me that going without Oreo cookies for a week because Taylor forgot to order more was harder than raising a kid by yourself at sixteen? Or I don't know…graduating high school and college? What about starting your own business?" Luke asked looking at them in disbelief.
"Oh I would totally raise another kid on my own at sixteen before ever having to go without an oreo for a week again!" Lorelai said adementley.
"Yeah, getting through Chilton and Yale was a piece of cake compared to that." Rory said waving him off.
"Oh cake…" Lorelai said with a dream expression, "I am so craving that oreo cookie crumble cake that they make at Westons right now."
"We should pick some up when we get back into town tonight." Rory said pointing at her, "I'll call in a little while and make sure they have some."
"I will never understand you two…" Luke said shaking his head as he tried not to laugh.
"I've told you before Luke…its better to try not to understand us. It will only give you a headache…" Lorelai said smiling at him affectionately.
Luke nodded, "I have to keep reminding myself that…"
"Now Lorelai, you know that you are going to have to testify today. As long as you tell them the truth you will be fine." Richard said walking over to his daughter, "You already went through everything with Michael so just say it exactly like you said it in his office okay?"
Lorelai nodded slowly, "Okay…"
"And don't look at Christopher…" Emily said reaching for her daughter, "It will only make you nervous. Just stare at us, we'll be right in front of you."
"Okay…" Lorelai whispered again.
The guard poked his head into the hall and whispered to them, "The judge will be in in a few minutes."
"Thank you." Richard said to him before turning back to his daughter, "Meet you inside?"
Lorelai nodded and watched her parents and friends walk into the court room. Rory and Luke stood in front of her and waited for her signal. They knew she would need their help walking in and they stood by patiently and let her make the first move.
Lorelai looked at the tall wooden doors before turning back to Rory, "I know you said you want to be here but if it's to hard for you to see Dad I'll understand if you want to leave. I promise I'll call you as soon as it's over."
Rory shook her head, "Mom I already told you…I'm not going anywhere. This is exactly where I need to be."
"I know you said that but this can't be easy for you." Lorelai said shaking her head.
"No not really but it can't be easy for you either. Yes it will be weird to see Dad but I'll deal with it because I want to be here to support you just like you always support me…" Rory said softly.
"And I appreciate that sweetie but I really think-" Lorelai tried again.
"Mom, I love you and I appreciate that you are trying to protect me here but I'm not leaving. No matter what you say I'm not leaving. I am seeing this thing through with you whether you like it or not." Rory said reaching for her hands again, "So stop trying to push me away. It's not going to work…"
Lorelai sighed, "Okay…"
"Good…" Rory said before turning back to Luke, "When this is all over we can all finally move on. Lets just get through today and then we put it all behind us."
"I just…" Lorelai felt her voice begin to tremble, "I'm afraid to see him. I'm afraid once I do I'll lose my nerve and forget what to say."
Luke stepped closer to her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "We talked about this, remember? Christopher is pleading guilty which means this will be a lot easier than a normal trial. You just have to go in there, tell them what happened and answer the questions they ask you honestly. Then the judge will decide on a sentence and then its over." Luke whispered.
"But I am afraid of the questions they will ask me…" She whispered feeling the lump grow in her throat, "What if they try and make me look bad and I get flustered?"
"They will probably ask you questions about our relationship but no matter what, Christopher broke the law. Everyone here knows that…just answer as honestly as you can and keep your eyes on us and you'll do fine." He said trying to smile at her.
Lorelai took a deep breath, "Okay…"
"Okay…come on." Luke said wrapping his arm around her as Rory held her hand and they walked together through the large doors.
Luke gave Lorelai a kiss on the lips and Rory hugged her Mom before they took their seats behind the defendants table. Lorelai took her seat beside her father and her lawyer at the table and relaxed when she felt her father press a strong hand against her back to remind her he was right with her.
Her mind was swirling and she tried to remember to breath as the side door opened and Christopher was escorted out with his lawyer and a police office. She only glanced at him once before turning away, but their eyes met in that moment and that was enough to rattle her nerves.
As the bailiff told everyone to rise, Lorelai went through the motions like a zombie glad to have her father beside her guiding her. She didn't hear any of the opening statements and she wasn't even sure how long she had been sitting there before she heard her name being called to the stand.
"Go ahead…" Richard whispered in her ear, "I'll be right here. Just stare at me…don't look at Christopher and tell the truth."
Lorelai swallowed hard, stood up on wobbly legs and walked towards the witness stand. She had watched enough criminal TV shows and movies to know what she had to do next. She felt like a robot as she placed her hand on the bible and swore to tell the truth and nothing but the whole truth. As she sat in the cool wooden chair, she forced her eyes to look straight ahead at her father who nodded encouragingly at her.
"Miss Gilmore, can you please tell the court the extent of your relationship with Christopher Hayden." A calm voice said to her.
Lorelai glanced at Christopher's lawyer and grimaced at the crisp grey suit and blue tie he wore. His slicked back hair and perfectly trimmed eye brows made her think of all the boys she went to high school with. She swallowed hard and looked back at her father before letting her eyes fall on her friends, mother, daughter and Luke.
Luke smiled at her and she took a shaky breath before turning back to Christopher's lawyer, "I have known Christopher since I was about six years old. Our parents were friends…we grew up together. And…"
"And then you had a child together when you were both sixteen, is that correct?" He asked quickly.
Lorelai was caught off guard by his abruptness, "Y-ye-yes. That's correct."
The man turned to point at Rory, "Is that your daughter there?"
Lorelai swallowed hard again and glanced at her beautiful daughter who looked frightened in her seat. She watched Luke wrap a protective arm around her as her mother placed her hand over her knee to keep her steady. She was grateful to them for comforting her little girl when she couldn't.
"Yes. That's her." Lorelai said never taking her eyes off of Rory.
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, born in Hartford Connecticut on October 8, 1984. Is that correct?" He asked her.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes."
"And what was your relationship like with Rory's father, my client Mr. Hayden after your daughter was born?" He asked leaning against the wooden box that Lorelai sat in.
"Well…Christopher came in and out of her life when he had time." Lorelai said, "He went to school so he was pretty busy…but he saw Rory when he could."
"But isn't it true that he wanted to marry you before Rory was born?" He asked.
Lorelai licked her lips and felt her eyes flicker towards Christopher who was staring down at the table in front of him. "Yes. He asked me to marry him when we found out I was pregnant. But I told him that we couldn't get married because we were to young…"
"Weren't you to young to have a child too?" Christophers Lawyer asked.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes. But I had no intention of giving Rory up. I felt that not getting married was better for us and for Rory. As much as I cared for her father I knew we wouldn't do well together and I didn't want to expose my daughter to an unhealthy relationship even if it meant she had both parents in her life."
Christophers Lawyer was silent for a moment, "So after Rory was born…Christopher came in and out as you say. Did he offer money to support you both?"
"Sometimes…" Lorelai whispered once again stealing a glance at Christopher.
"And as Rory grew up you developed a bond with another man in town, in fact with several other men. Is that correct?" He asked leaning against the side of the witness stand.
Lorelai swallowed hard and her eyes glanced over to Luke who kept his eyes directly on her. "Um…yes…?"
"You were engaged when your daughter was sixteen to her teacher from Chilton Academy?" He asked looking at her, "But you called that off…and then a few years later you were engaged to the local Diner owner Luke Danes all before you were engaged to and married my client Christopher Hayden?"
Lorelai knew he was trying to make her look bad, and by the way he was talking about her he was doing a pretty good job doing so. "Yes…that is true but-"
"How long have you known Luke Danes?" Christopher's Lawyer asked as he glanced over at Luke and Rory in the stands.
She let out a shaky breath before answering, "A-About ten years…" She stuttered.
"And how did you meet him?" He asked turning back towards her.
Lorelai licked her lips and looked over at Luke, he held his head straight and nodded once letting her know it was okay. "I went into his Diner one day for coffee and to get my daughter something to eat…"
"And what would you say was the nature of your relationship in those first years? Were you just his customer or was there something more going on between you two even then?" He asked.
Lorelai watched as Luke's adams apple bobbed in his throat and she knew he was nervous for her. She had heard the question but the truth of the matter was she wasn't quite sure how to answer it. Luke had been her best friend for so many years before they had gotten together, but deep down she had always known he was more than just a friend. But was that something she wanted to admit right now in front of the court?
"Miss Gilmore?" Christopher's lawyer called, "What was the nature of your relationship to Mr. Danes prior to your engagement?"
Her eyes fluttered open and shut for a few moments before she turned back to the man asking the questions. "He was my friend…my very good friend. My best friend…"
"Is it true that Mr. Danes would often take care of things around your house for you? Fixing things that were broken? Mowing your lawn? Did he even let you eat at the Diner without paying at times?" He asked.
Lorelai nodded slowly, "Yes…" She whispered tentatively.
"So…he did all of those things just because you were friends? There was no other reason or motive behind it?" He asked.
Lorelai shook her head, "No. Luke is a good man, he knew that I struggled to take care of myself and Rory and he was always there when I needed him."
"And how did you return the favors?" He asked with a leery smile as he leaned against the railing again, "Did you have some sort of arraingment?"
Lorelai saw her father fidget in her seat and Luke's face turn to stone, "No! It wasn't like that…Luke never asked for anything in return. He just…he wanted to help us. He cared about Rory and-"
"And you?" He asked, "He cared about you too right? I mean you were engaged to him so there had to be some feelings there…"
Lorelai was flustered and she could feel her face growing red, "I…I mean I cared…he cared about me…he meant a lot but it wasn't…we weren't…it wasn't like that!"
"So for…eight years you were just friends? And then suddenly one day you just became more?" He asked.
Lorelai swallowed hard, "I mean…I guess there was always something there but we just…we didn't act on it…we were friends and we didn't want too-"
"Why did you call your engagement off to Mr. Danes?" The lawyer asked as he glanced back over at his client.
Lorelai stopped for a moment and then looked down at her hands, she couldn't bare to meet Luke's eyes. "It was complicated…"
"Complicated, how?" He asked glancing back at her, "Complicated in the sense that Mr. Danes found out he had a long lost daughter and pushed you out of his life to get to know her? And then when things didn't go the way you wanted them to you showed up at my client's door for some consoling because you knew he would be there to support you? Is that how it was complicated?"
Her eyes brimmed with tears and she wanted to run away from here as fast as she could. "Yes…Luke did find out he had a daughter and it complicated our relationship. And yes…" She paused and took another shaky breath, "I did go to Christopher after a fight with Luke…but I didn't…I wasn't trying…" She sighed and closed her eyes, "I didn't mean to hurt Luke or Christopher I was just…I was confuse and-"
"So when Mr. Danes found out about how my client 'consoled' you, he broke off the engagement, correct?" Lorelai could only nod so he continued, "And then after that…you and Mr. Hayden decided to take up your relationship quite soon after."
Lorelai sighed, "I tried to tell him I wasn't ready for a relationship…but he was very persistent and I was very alone and sad…I never ever meant to hurt him or make him think I wanted more…it just all happed to fast."
The lawyer ignored her comments and continued talking, "So Mr. Hayden moved into your home in Stars Hollow, the same home that you renovated with Mr. Danes. Then the two of you eloped in Paris, came home and even though Mr. Hayden wanted to leave Stars Hollow you did not."
"Stars Hollow is my home…its where my job is. I couldn't just leave it all behind…" She whispered.
"So my client had to live in the same town and the same house that you shared with your previous, and might I add SECOND fiancé. Did you think he would be okay with that? Did you think it wouldn't bother him?" He asked.
"I knew…I knew it would be difficult but I love Stars Hollow and I wanted to stay. That is where I raised my daughter-" She started.
"She is Mr. Hayden's daughter too…" He interrupted.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes. But I raised her…"
"Because you did not want to marry him when you were so young, but if you had you would have had someone to help you raise her." He pointed out.
"I did have help! Everyone in Stars Hollow helped me." Lorelai said as the anger began to build in her, he was twisting all of her words around.
"Yes. Everyone including Mr. Danes…" He said looking back at Luke, "I can't imagine what that was like for Mr. Hayden to have to constantly see your former fiancé all around town. It couldn't have been easy…"
Lorelai's eyes wandered to Christopher who seemed to be staring into her soul. "No…I don't think it was easy for him."
"And even though he tried to tell you he wanted to leave you ignored his request. So naturally when he found out that you had written a letter in Mr. Dane's favor so that he could gain joint custody of his daughter…that had to be difficult for him. Right?" He asked turning back to her.
Lorelai knew what was coming next, she flickered her eyes away from Christopher towards Luke. "Yes…"
"And after months of built up anger and frustration, the worry of not being loved by his own wife had to become just to much for Mr. Hayden to take." He said pointing at his client.
"I wasn't his wife. We weren't legally married and he knew that but failed to mention it to me." Lorelai said daring to meet the man's eyes.
"Yes…but he was afraid that you would leave him if you found out that you weren't legally married. He loved you so much that he wanted to do everything and anything he could to keep you in his life." He said swinging back at her to change her words.
"I'm not the type of person that can be 'kept'." She said with challenging eyes, "Christopher knew that…"
He shrugged, "Maybe that scared him…so naturally when all of his fears came to a head he snapped."
"He hit me." Lorelai said quickly lifting her head in defiance, "He hit me, whether he was angry or not it still wasn't right…"
"Miss Gilmore, have you ever been so angry or so hurt that you have said or did something without realizing it? At least not until much later when you would regret it?" He asked with a smirk, "Like…I don't know sleeping with an ex to get back at someone who hurt you?"
Lorelai quickly turned her face away from him unable to look at anyone; the shame took over her mind and body. Christopher's lawyer must have sensed this, he smiled and tapped the railing of the witness stand before walking towards Christopher.
"I have no further questions at this time." He said pulling at his suit jacket as he sat down beside Christopher.
Lorelai didn't lift her face, even as she heard her own lawyer stand up to approach her. "Miss Gilmore…do you think you could walk me through the night of the attack?"
She closed her eyes tightly and tried to remember how to breath but she just wanted to be done with this. She was so flustered she didn't even care if Christopher went to jail at this point, she just wanted to go home and forget any of this had ever happened.
"Miss Gilmore?" Her lawyer whispered to her in a soft voice.
She turned her head to look at him, he was an old friend of her fathers, a man she knew quite well. She studied his face and felt her heartbeat begin to slow down again when she stared only at him.
"I know this is difficult for you…but if you could let us know what exactly happened that night it would be very helpful." He paused, "Do you need a minute or would you like to continue?"
Lorelai took a breath and looked at her daughter who she could tell had been crying, then she glanced at Luke who looked incredibly angry. "No…I don't…I don't' need a minute. I…" She paused again and sat up straighter, "I was cooking dinner…and Chris came downstairs with the letter…I tried to talk to him about it but he was very upset. He kept yelling and I wasn't able to calm him down…"
"Had you ever seen him like that before?" Her lawyer asked.
Lorelai shook her head, "I had seen him angry before but not like that…he was making me nervous and he had backed me up against the counter in the kitchen. I couldn't get away from him as he continued to yell at me…"
"He was angry that you had any contact with Mr. Danes?" He asked her.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes. He wanted to know if I still had feelings for him…he would barely let me answer and then he started pushing me against the counter. He asked if I loved Luke and I told him no and that I loved him because he was my husband and then…" She paused and swallowed hard, "Then…then he hit me across the face."
"What happened after that?" He asked her leaning in towards her to talk in a soothing voice.
Lorelai sighed, "He must have walked out…I didn't really realize it until I saw my neighbor Babette sitting in front of me. She asked if I was okay…and then when she saw the mark on my face she said she was going to call 911 but I asked her not too."
"And why is that?" He asked her.
"I was afraid of what would happen, of what Christopher would do if I did. I was really confused…and I couldn't think straight. "She said with a sigh. "The next thing I remember is that my daughter was there…and she was with Luke…"
"So your daughter was the one who went and got Mr. Danes, not you?" He asked.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes…she thought he would be able to help."
"And did he?" Her lawyer asked.
"I felt safe with Luke there…I knew that if Christopher did come back he would protect both me and my daughter. He and Rory helped convince me to call the police so that he couldn't come back." Lorelai said.
"And yet Mr. Hayden did come back the follow day, isn't' that correct?" He asked.
Lorelai nodded, "Yes. My parents and Luke had gone home for a little while. I was at my house alone with my daughter and Chris snuck by the cops outside and made his way into the house. He said he wanted to talk…but he got angry when he realized we had been talking to Luke. I was afraid that he would hit Rory…"
"So soon the cops outside heard the noise and came in to arrest Mr. Hayden, right?" He asked.
"Yes…" Lorelai whispered softly.
"And then where did you and your daughter go?" He asked her.
Lorelai glanced over at Luke, "We went to Luke's apartment…"
"Because Mr. Danes makes you feel safe?" He asked her.
Lorelai wanted to leap from the witness stand into Luke's arms, but she knew she couldn't. She kept her eyes on her and he only smiled encouragingly at her, but deep down she knew that he was fighting his own inner battle.
"Yes…" She said, "I knew he would keep us safe…and I had to get out of the house. I couldn't stand being there…"
He nodded slowly and thought for a moment, "Is it true Miss Gilmore that after this all happened and you realized you weren't legally married, you and Mr. Danes reconciled and once again became engaged?"
Lorelai swallowed hard again, "Yes. That is true…"
He nodded and walked in front of the witness stand, "I'm sure Mr. Hayden's lawyer has a few things to say about that…but right now I want to talk to you about it. Why did you decide to once again become engaged to Mr. Danes?"
Lorelai glanced back at Luke, he smiled sweetly at her trying to make her feel more comfortable, "Because…I love him. I know that no matter what we have been through, we are always going to be involved with each other. I know that I can always depend on him, no matter what."
"Do you think it was hard for Mr. Hayden to know how strongly connected you were to Mr. Danes?" He asked, "Especially knowing that he was so helpful with raising his daughter when he wasn't around?"
"Yes. I do think it was hard…I just…" She sighed, "I never meant for any of this to happen…I know I played a part in it but…" She felt her eyes well up with tears, "I never thought Christopher could do something like this. And I did love him…just…"
"Not the way you loved Mr. Danes?" He said with a knowing smile.
She nodded once, "Exactly…"
"So you understand why Mr. Hayden was so upset? You think he had a right to be upset?" He asked.
"Yes…" Lorelai whispered, "But I don't think he had the write to hurt me that way…"
He nodded and smiled at her, "Thank you Miss Gilmore…that's all the questions I have for now."
Christopher's lawyer quickly stood up and walked towards her, "So knowing how difficult it was for my client to be constantly reminded of your ex-fiance you still decided to write that letter. Why is that?"
"Because I wanted Luke to have a relationship with his daughter. I probably should have told Christopher about it but I knew he would be angry…" She whispered.
"You wanted him to have a relationship with his daughter, the same daughter that put a rift in your relationship to begin with?" He asked curiously.
"It wasn't all about that…we had other issues we needed to work on too." She tried to reason with him.
"So despite all the problems you had with Mr. Danes you say you still loved him more than you loved Mr. Hayden?" He asked.
Lorelai sighed, "Yes…"
"And just so I have this correct…at this point you have now been engaged four times, twice to the same man?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, "But none of those engagements ever resulted in an actual legal marri…"
Lorelai's hands began to shake, "Yes but-"
"That is quite a track record for someone your age…" He said with a smirk, "Having a kid at 16, having countless engagements, different men roaming in and out of your daughters life. It doesn't seem like you always shad her best interest at heart…"
Lorelai felt her heart drop and saw her lawyer jump as her father looked outraged, "Objection! What does that have to do with this case?"
"Sustained…" The judge said, "That wasn't a question Mr. Walker…do you have anymore questions or are you done with this witness?" The judge asked.
Christopher's lawyer stepped back and put his hands up, "Next witness your honor…"
The judge turned back to Lorelai, "You may step down Miss. Gilmore."
Lorelai quickly stood up and walked directly to her seat beside her father. She never glanced at Luke, Rory or any of her friends but she could feel them all staring at her, especially Luke.
"You did well…" Richard said reaching for her hand. "They will talk to Christopher now and then it will be over…I promise. It's okay…"
"He made me sound like a tramp up there." She said through gritted teeth, "That I deserved this…"
"That is what he is supposed to do…but everything will be okay. I promise. You know who you are Lorelai…you didn't do anything wrong. Just try and relax…don't look at Christopher when he is up on the stand." He said to her.
Lorelai never looked up as Christopher took the stand, she stared at her hands, especially at the sparkling ring on her finger. She could hear Christopher pledging to tell the truth but she felt like she couldn't move.
"Miss Gilmore gave us a little insight to your relationship Mr. Hayden. She made it seem that you weren't involved at all in your daughters life, would you say that is true?" His lawyer asked.
"I wasn't involved as much as I should have…from the beginning I tried to do the right thing by marrying Lorelai but she said no. I guess after that I started to back off a bit…I showed up when I was in town. Tried to call on holidays and birthdays…but I could have done more." Christopher said honestly.
"Mr. Hayden do you love your daughter? Do you think Miss Gilmore did a good job raising her on her own?" He asked him.
"Of course. Rory is such an amazing young woman, I didn't expect to have her when we did but she is still amazing. Lorelai did an amazing job with her, which is something I have never worried about. That's the hardest part about all of this, knowing that my daughter is hurt and knowing that she must be angry with me." Christopher said glancing over at Rory who wouldn't look back at him, when he saw the angry look on Luke's face he turned back towards his lawyer.
"And how does it feel to know that another man…Luke Danes was there for your daughter while she was growing up?" He asked.
"For awhile I was happy because I knew that they had someone to take care of them. But over the years I realized how strong my feelings still were for Lorelai and by then I grew to really despise Luke. When Lorelai and Luke started dating, I had a hard time accepting it. In fact so did her parents, her own mother came to me and asked me to try and break them up because she knew we belonged together." Christopher said.
Rory felt her Grandmother jump beside her at his words and she tried to squeeze her hand to calm her. "So on that night when Miss Gilmore came to your apartment…you knew that she was engaged to Mr. Danes right?"
"Yes. I knew that. But she was so upset…I had never seen her like that. So I invited her in and we talked a lot…we had a few drinks and maybe it shouldn't have happened but it did. And I didn't regret it because I loved her." Christopher said.
"And when Mr. Danes found out…how did he react?" His lawyer asked.
Lorelai felt her heart jump in her chest, she looked out of the corner of her eye and saw the color drain from Luke's face. "He came to my apartment and punched me in the face and then left…"
"He punched you? He actually physically assaulted you?" He asked him.
"Yes. We also fought after Lorelai and I got married in the town square." Christopher said honestly.
"So you both hit each other that time?" He asked.
"Yes. I was angry because I knew that Lorelai still had feelings for Luke…I felt like he was always going to come between us. I wanted her to let him go and just be happy with me but she never could be. It was driving me insane." Christopher said.
"And so that day when you found the letter…you felt betrayed by Lorelai?" He asked, "And you knew that you weren't legally married so you felt her slipping away…"
Christopher nodded, "Yes. I know it was wrong of me to not tell her we were actually married. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it…knowing the woman you love, loves another man is one of the worst feelings in the world. It can make you do horrible things…things you would never dream of doing."
"Do you still love Miss Gilmore?" He asked Christopher.
Taking a deep breath, Christopher looked over at Lorelai. "I will always love Lorelai. She knows me better than any other person in this world and I wish to God things could be different." Lorelai lifted her head slowly to look at him, "As soon as I hit her…I felt sick. I never wanted this…I just I wanted her to love me. I know what I did was wrong but I just snapped…I was at the end of my rope. I knew I had no chance of keeping her and I was angry at myself and at her for lying to me…making me think she loved me and I just reacted. I will never do something like that again…"
"And how do you feel now knowing she is engaged to Mr. Danes again?" He asked.
"Objection! What does that have to do with this case?" Lorelai's lawyer asked.
"Sustained." The judge said, "Mr. Walker ask another question or step down for the prosecution to address the witness."
"No further questions…" Mr. Walker said walking away.
Lorelai's lawyer stood up and walked towards Christopher, "I can understand that you were upset about finding the letter that my client wrote for Mr. Danes. But do you believe that hitting a woman is okay?"
Christopher shook his head, "I have never laid a hand on any woman ever. And I never will again."
"As angry as you were…do you think you could have handled the situation in another way?" He asked.
"I should have talked to her about it but at that point I couldn't control myself. I was so upset I couldn't think rationally and I made a terrible decision. I regret it more than I have ever regretted anything." He said.
"I know that you said that you have loved Miss Gilmore for a very long time…you had a kid together so there will always be a connection. But…I'm just curious…why would you want to be with someone you know deep down doesn't love you the way you want? How could you stay with someone whom you know loves another man?" He asked curiously. "Why didn't you just walk away? Why didn't you just comfort her as a friend that night she came to you and leave it at that?"
"Because I couldn't…when it comes to Lorelai Gilmore it isn't easy to walk away. She is the most amazing women I have ever known and there is something about her that always pulls me back in. I knew that night she came to me after her fight with Luke that I shouldn't let it get to far but I missed her. I just…I wanted her in anyway I could have her. I thought I could handle her feelings for Luke because I figured eventually she would forget about him and love me but she didn't." Christopher said shaking his head.
"But if you really loved her…wouldn't you want her to be happy?" He asked, "Even if it meant being happy with another man?"
"Yes I want her to be happy. But I want to be the one to make her happy…" Christopher replied.
"But when you realized it wasn't going to work, why didn't you just let her go? Why did you let it get to this point?" He asked.
"Because like I said…Lorelai Gilmore is one of a kind. Once you know her its impossible to walk away. I knew that that time if I did I would never have another chance and I was so desperate that I was willing to do anything to keep her." He said.
"You were willing to do anything…like hit her?" Lorelai's lawyer asked.
"Objection!" Christopher's lawyer yelled as he stood up.
Lorelai's lawyer stepped back, "Your witness…"
"Mr. Hayden, you agree that what you did was wrong, correct?" Mr. Walker asked.
Christopher nodded, "Yes. I know what I did was terrible."
"But in that moment you just couldn't control your emotions? You felt like everything was crashing down around you and so you snapped? You acted in a way that you never would under normal conditions?" He asked.
Christopher nodded. "Correct."
"No further questions your honor…" Mr. Walker said stepping back.
"You may step down Mr. Hayden, and now we will hear closing arguments if neither side has any further witnesses." The judge said.
Christopher's lawyer stepped forward again and paused for effect, "My client has been in love with this woman Lorelai Danes since he was young. He agrees that he made mistakes over the years but he tried to do the right thing by marrying her at a young age. However she turned him down…but his love for her still remained. He knows that what he did in both assaulting Miss Gilmore and failing to tell her they weren't married was wrong. However…haven't we all done crazy things when we were in love? Haven't we all ever been that desperate to be loved back that we have made mistakes to keep the person we love? Mr. Hayden found that letter Miss Gilmore had written for her ex-fiancé Mr. Danes and he snapped. In that moment he felt his whole world slipping away again and he couldn't bear to lose her again. He made a choice under extreme duress and now has to live with that regret. How much more can we punish a man who has lost everything?" He stepped back towards his seat and sat beside Christopher.
Lorelai's lawyer stepped up, "Today we have heard from both parties in this case. Miss Gilmore agreed that her relationship with Mr. Danes was difficult for Mr. Hayden to understand. She felt Mr. Hayden's fears were justified. She has agreed that she made mistakes in both relationships…however…" He paused and turned towards the jury. "Under our criminal law…assault is a crime. Yes Mr. Hayden was upset but striking another person, especially a woman is unforgiveable. We have all done things we regret while we were upset but hitting another person is illegal. Miss Gilmore was afraid of him that night, she asked him to stop to let them talk things through but he ignored her. He chose to keep pushing her until he ultimately struck her across the face and then ran away. What he did was wrong…if we let every person get away with a crime because they had their heart broken…there would be a lot of criminals in this world. Mr. Hayden had countless opportunities over the years to try and win back Miss Gilmore but he chose to do it when she was already involved with another man. You cannot fault my client for caring for two men and choosing the wrong one. Physical assault is never okay, and should be punished by law. Remember Miss Gilmore's pain and make the right choice." He said as he stepped away.
As her lawyer stepped back and sat beside her, Lorelai felt completely drained. She heard the judge call a recess while the jury deliberated. She felt her father put his hand on her to let her know they could get up but she was unable to move.
Richard looked back at Luke hopefully, "Hey…Lorelai…" Luke whispered behind her as he leaned over the wall separating them. "Come on…lets get some coffee while we wait."
Lorelai shook her head, "I don't want any…"
"You always want coffee…" Luke whispered trying to get her to turn towards him, "But…lets just go for a walk. Come on…you shouldn't sit here and wait…it will drive you crazy."
Lorelai stood up quickly, "I need to use the restroom. I'll be back before the jury comes back." She stepped around her father and quickly walked down the aisle away from her friends and family.
"Mom…" Rory whispered trying to run after her.
"Let me go…" Miss Patty whispered turning towards Lorelai, "I've had some experience with this…let me talk to her."
Rory stared at her for a moment and then nodded slowly, "Okay…"
Miss Patty quickly followed Lorelai out of the court room and towards the bathroom. When she pushed open the door, she immediately heard Lorelai crying in one fo the stalls. Sighing, she walked towards the sound and leaned against the door knocking gently.
"Lorelai…sweetheart it's me Miss Patty. Can you come out and talk to me? No one else is here but us…" She whispered.
Lorelai was quiet for a moment before she stood up and opened the stall to face her, "I just…I feel so stupid. I can't believe we are even here and I just…I feel like I've screwed up so much in my life. I mean Jesus I never even thought about the fact that I have had so many failed engagements!"
"Oh please sweetie…at least you didn't end up marrying all of them! How do you think I look to people?" Miss Patty asked. "You don't think I know what people have said about me over the years?"
"Well how do you deal with it? Because right now I am so humiliated. I want to go to Luke and tell him to walk away now and find someone else. He deserves so much better than me." Lorelai said glancing down at the ring on her finger.
"Oh honey…that man loves you more than anyone else on this planet. We have all known that for years, way before you ever realized it. And you shouldn't feel embarrassed…who hasn't had failed relationships? Yes you were engaged to Max and Luke, but things happen. Life happens…don't listen to anything anyone says about you. Worry about what you think of yourself…worry about making yourself happy. And Luke makes you happy, doesn't he?" Miss Patty asked.
"Yes. He does." Lorelai whispered.
"Well okay then…screw what everyone else has to say. If you are happy and marrying him is what YOU want to do then do it. Don't let some stuffy lawyer make you feel bad about yourself. It's not your fault that you are so irresistible men love you! Trust me…it's a curse." Patty said with a smirk.
Lorelai chuckled, "So I'm not a completely terrible person?"
Miss Patty shook her, "You are the least terrible person I have ever met. You are amazing Lorelai and I know that you and Luke are going to be happy. And lets be honest…its not like he has the perfect track record when it comes to relationships either. You know he doesn't judge you for your past…he just loves you."
Lorelai nodded, "You're right…"
"Well alright then…lets go back out there and hear what the jury has to say. And then when this is over…you will go back to Stars Hollow with Luke and you two will get married and finally start your lives together. Okay?" She asked.
Lorelai took a shaky breath and wiped away her tears. "Okay…"
"Okay…" Patty said pulling her in for a hug, "Never let them see you cry dear, keep your head up and be proud of who you are."
Lorelai hugged her back and let her lead her out of the bathroom. She wasn't surprised to see Luke standing anxiously out by the courtroom doors. He perked up when he saw her and immediately began to walk towards her.
"Hey..." He whispered nervously.
Patty looked at Lorelai and winked, "I'll be inside…"
Lorelai nodded and then let Luke take her hand, "Hey…"
"Listen I know what is going on in your head right now but don't listen to all that crap, okay? You are an amazing mother and you and I both made mistakes that led to us breaking up. I don't' care that you have been engaged before…all I care about is that we are engaged now and getting married. I love you, no matter what, okay?" Luke was talking so fast she wondered if he had even been able to take a breath.
She smiled at him, "I just…I'm feeling a little insecure right now. Not about us…I know I love you and I know you love me. I'm just…I'm upset with myself."
"We agreed to focus on the future right? No worrying about the things we have done in the past. It can't help us now…none of it can be changed." He whispered.
"I know we need to focus on the future but right in this moment…it's not that easy. Not when I had to be up there…and listen to Christopher and his lawyer. It was just…it was too much. I'm just so exhausted right now…" She said with a sigh.
"I know…" He whispered leaning up to caress her face. "I know…but nothing that either of them says matter to me. All I care about is that you love me…and that you want to marry me. That's all that matters…"
"I do want to marry you…" She whispered staring at him. "I really do…"
"Well good…" He said smiling at her, "Because I want to marry you too…" He stepped closer to her and kissed her forehead gently, "Come on…everyone went across the street to get something to eat. It could take awhile for the jury to come back…you need a break from here for a little while."
She reached for his hand again and squeezed it, "Stay with me?"
He pulled her up beside him and nodded, "Always…" He said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close.
As they walked together out of the court house, they knew that no matter what the verdict was they were going to be together. It didn't matter what anyone else thought of them as long as they knew how they felt about each other that's all that was important.
Okay so hopefully that wasn't to bad! Don't judge to harshly! I did my best :) But the verdict will be in the next chapter, this one was already getting pretty long and I ran out of time. I will try and update soon! Please send in those reviews! They really help motivate me to write :) THANKS!