Chris was nervous as his plane landed in Hartford. He had managed to convince himself that they didn't know it was him who had hit Luke the other night. When Rory called he was terrified that she was going to tell him that they knew and that Luke was dead. But thankfully she just told him that she really wanted him around because Luke was in an accident and Richard's scare had really affected her. She wanted to make things better with him so he could be at her graduation in a few months without it being awkward. Even though things seemed to be working out he was glad that Sherry and Gigi would be coming soon. As he walked off the plane he was starting to feel like his life was getting back on track.
Rory couldn't stop fidgeting and bouncing from one foot to the other. From the moment Chris's flight was marked 'Landed' on the screen. She had almost talked herself out of this plan on her way there but immediately shook off her doubts when she pictured Luke in his hospital bed.
Chris saw Rory and waved. He sped up and smiled, "Hey Kid, I didn't realize you were going to meet me here." He hugged her.
Rory pulled out of the hug, "Are you okay?"
Confused, Chris nodded, "Yeah. I'm good. How are you?"
"I'm still a bit shaken. It's been a really stressful weekend. I'm really sorry I sent you away."
"I get it, you were upset. How's your Grandpa?"
"The doctors are happy with his progress and recovery. And Luke is doing okay too." Rory threw in the last part as a test.
"Oh, that's good," he said casually.
"So you knew about Luke?"
He went white but tried not to appear flustered. "I don't have any other luggage, let's get out of here."
"Did you do it on purpose or did you get scared when you hit him and ran away like a coward?"
"What? Rory!"
"I have spent so much of my life believing your lies, don't lie. Tell me, what happened that night."
Chris exhaled, "Your Mom and I had a fight."
"Because you lied about being married."
"Yeah," he was getting visibly agitated, "She packed up my stuff and insisted that I leave. I was upset. It was pouring rain so I told her I should wait till morning, but she told me to go. Between the slippery roads and my state of mind . . ."
"Did you do it on purpose?!" Rory snapped loudly.
"YES! I saw him and it all came back. Her and him at your Grandparents wedding dancing and all cozy. Him yelling at me that he was your Dad. The fact that she only came to be with me because he wouldn't marry her. She went to see his kid in the hospital. Seeing them holding a baby on the street, smiling and laughing; but she didn't want another kid with me. I thought that if he wasn't around she would really want me."
Rory was furious and had tears streaming down her face, "Look me in the face and say it!"
"Yeah, I hit him on purpose. But I felt really bad afterwards!"
"You felt bad?! You left him on the road to die!"
Chris had switched from remorseful to incredulous so quickly, it was classic Chris. "Oh please! I heard Patty scream. She had probably told the whole town before I was past the Stars Hollow sign."
Rory turned to the man seated near them, "Did you get all of that?"
Chris then noticed that the man was a police officer, "Rory?"
The officer stood up, "Sir, you're going to need to come with me."
"What? Rory, did you?"
"Good-Bye Chris," Rory said coldly. "Thank you for your help, officer. I'm heading to the hospital to see my parents."
With that Rory turned to leave, she could hear Chris trying to plead his case. She took a deep breath and left the airport feeling like a huge weight was lifted. She pulled out her phone from her purse, "Hi Mom, it's done. I'm on my way back there. Yeah, I'm okay. I love you too."
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
Four Months Later
Lorelai and Rory were happily planning their trip to go on as many roller coasters as possible in a four week timeframe. Luke was planning a boat trip with April over the same weeks.
Logan had asked Rory to move to California with him and she asked him to give her some time to hear back from the jobs she'd applied to and they agreed to try long distance scheduling her first visit at Christmas time.
The engagement ring was back on Lorelai's finger and when they returned from their respective trips with their daughters the second wave of renovations would start on Lorelai's house while she and Luke planned their wedding.
Then in one day their plans all changed, Luke got a call from April letting him know that she got into a prestigious science program that would run most of the Summer. He was heartbroken but hid it while he spoke with her. He knew the only way to smile after getting off the phone with April was to hear Lorelai's voice. He was about to call her when the bell over the diner door jingled and he heard two of his favourite voices.
"Hey there, I wasn't expecting to see you two until later," Luke said with a smile.
"We're celebrating and I wanted to tell you right away," Rory explained excitedly.
"What are we celebrating?" Luke asked. "I thought you weren't finished with your finals until Friday."
"I got a job!" Rory blurted out excitedly.
"Congratulations!" Luke exclaimed as he came around the counter to give her a hug. He glanced over at Lorelai and saw that she had her fake smile plastered on her face, it was a good one, the one that fools most people.
"Sit, sit," Luke encouraged. "Are you hungry?"
Rory was beaming, "I could go for some apple pie."
"Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream and a large coffee, coming up!"
Lane came in for her shift and Rory jumped from her seat to talk to her best friend.
Seeing that Rory was distracted Luke motioned for Lorelai to follow him. He led her into the storage room.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah it's just happening so fast. She did the interview a few weeks ago. She thought she didn't get it and that's why she was nervous about going away. Then today she gets the call and she has to be there on Monday."
"What? This coming Monday?" Luke asked, clearly shocked.
"Yeah. Three days from now," she confirmed with tears in her eyes. "I have to cancel the party. We're not going to be able to go on our roller coaster trip. My baby is leaving, I have to be excited for her and help her pack. I can't fall apart for at least three days. Don't let me fall apart."
Luke held Lorelai in his arms, kissing the top of her head and whispering encouraging words.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
"This is a great idea. So the party will be on Sunday?" Sookie smiled.
"Yeah, all day in the square," Luke confirmed. "This way everyone comes to say goodbye to her. She's stressed about finding time to see everyone before she leaves."
"This is a great idea. What's the date so we can get things moving?"
Sookie watched as Luke checked the calendar by her desk and saw him go white.
"Sunday is June 3rd," Luke said.
She put her hand on his arm, "Are you ok?"
Luke nodded and then did what he does best, compartmentalized the pain this date held. "Yeah, I'm good. So you'll handle desserts?"
"Of course. And I'll call Jackson as soon as you leave and he'll have the fruit to go on our dessert table plus any veggies we could need."
Luke hugged her, "Thanks. Now the hard part."
"Good luck with Taylor," she called as he took off.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
After talking to Patty and Babette, placing the meat order (including bratwursts to help out his vendor), and agreeing to let Kirk DJ, Luke met Reverend Skinner at the church so no one would catch on to his plans.
Everyone in Stars Hollow had a job for the party and no one complained, not even Taylor. They all cared so much about Lorelai and Rory that it was all a labour of love.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
"Of course the one day that I want to run all over this crazy town and it's pouring rain!" Rory complained.
Lorelai was driving towards the town square while Rory was trying to get someone to pick up their phone.
The rain was beating down heavily so Lorelai was driving extra slowly.
"I should have made a schedule, or better plans," Rory said, starting to panic.
"We'll track them all down, I promise," Lorelai tried to reassure her. Then she gasped, "Rory, look," she stopped the car.
The Gilmore Girls looked towards the Town Square and saw just about the whole town under a giant tent cheering, there was a Bon Voyage sign for Rory.
"I think you're gonna get to say goodbye to everybody," Lorelai smiled.
Rory was shocked that all these people came out for her, she turned to Lorelai, "Did you…"
Obviously in disbelief herself Lorelai shook her head, "No, I didn't do a thing."
Zack and Jackson rushed the girls to their friends under giant umbrellas. Once they were under the protection of the tarps and raincoats, Rory and Lorelai took in the full scene with amazement.
Everyone was screaming words of encouragement and love.
The town showered Rory with hugs, dances, food and their well wishes.
When Luke saw that Lorelai was having a conversation with her parents he grabbed Rory for a private moment. They stood inside the darkened diner while he made a pot of coffee. He was nervous, so he needed to do something.
"Luke, Sookie told me this party was all your idea. Thank you so much, this really is the best way to spend my last day in Stars Hollow." Rory paused after saying that as the emotion of it being her last day in this town really hit her.
Luke watched her take a seat at the counter with her eyes tearing up.
"You know I would do anything for you, right?"
Rory smiled bashfully, "I know."
"And you know that I would never lie to you."
"I know," she said, really confused at that turn in the conversation. "What's up? Do you think I've lied about something?"
"No, no," Luke insisted while pouring the fresh coffee. "I just want to ask you something and I really need you to be 100% honest, don't say what you think I want to hear."
"Okay?"
