Authors Note: Sorry life got hectic. I had to find some way to pay for this expensive thing they call college, and it turned out that meant more time at that wonderful thing called work. So anyway, schools about to start, no clue how often life will permit the updating to occur. Thanks so much to all you wonderful reviewers, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 4

He had gone to sleep early anticipating a late night wake, but at two in the morning it had yet to sound. Rolling over in bed he stretched his arm across the cold sheets that surrounded him. The cool soft cotton alerted the man that he had once again slept through that wake up call. Rolling off his stomach he sat up slipping his feet onto the wood floor and sweeping the blankets to the side. Pressing his hands into the soft firm mattress he assisted himself into a standing position. He slowly stumbled down the hall listening for signs of life. As he walked into the second room on the right he saw the life he was looking for.

He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb as his feet rested against the other side for support, his head slightly tilted as he stared at her. She was sitting by the window, her back to him as her toes gently pushed off the ground causing her to rock back and forwards. Her hair swayed slightly as her body relaxed into the soft baby blue cushion that rested on the elegantly carved white rocking chair. With her pink Hello Kitty tank top, and matching pants he could tell she was comfortable as she stared out the window.

The moon seemed to float in the sky as it peeked through the clouds. The soft rays of light emitted by the moon danced off the gentle white flakes that were covering the frozen ground. The glistening snow seemed to dance in the wind as it fell to the ground; periodically jumping up from it's resting spot to proclaim its arrival to the world. The restless tree branches collecting an ever so slight layer of snow on the tops as to look frosted. It was like some old scene from a movie, the perfect winter wonderland, or their perfect winter wonderland.

It was a fairytale, his happy middle in the mixed up life he lived. He was beginning to see that finally he had it all. The house, car, career, and every other material item in life seemed like just a perk to what he really had. He had love; He was loved. By so many people, his three sons, his daughter, but most importantly, his amazing wife, the woman in the chair. She was his rock, his life, and the reason his children loved him so much, though she would deny it. She had given him back everything that he believed his childhood had taken away. She had given him a future.

Stepping over the barrier into the room he strolled slowly through it allowing his hand to brush over the white walls. His toes set into the carpet leaving his feet print temporarily imbedded in the carpet. He kept his eyes on her as he came to a stop directly behind her, drawing his hand off the wall he reached out to her shoulder, gently grazing her neck with his fingertips.

"Eik," The squeal was from her mouth before she could stop it as she jumped from her seat quickly and turned to face him, pulling her arms protectively closer to her cradling the bundle she held.

"Dear God," The man spoke as he too jumped backwards from her sudden movement.

"Writing another late night letter I see." The woman spoke as she sat once again and slowly began to rock. "Make sure to ask for more coffee, we're almost out."

"We're what," The pitch of his voice went up three decibels as he eyed the back of her head. "I just brought some home yesterday."

"Yes, but see I have nine months of coffee drinking to catch up on."

"There is no way in hell I am letting you drink nine months worth of coffee."

"Luke Danes," Her voice rose as she stressed his last name and swiveled her head to look at him. "Little virgin ears in the room."

"And they'll never get a drop of coffee," Luke sternly replied.

"Well duh, coffee goes in through the mouth, or in cases of heavy coffee addiction I suggest a direct line, like an IV."

"Wouldn't a funnel be more effective," He replied in mock seriousness.

"I'll have to try that on this one," She cooed as her rocking pace began to even out.

"Lorelai, My sons will not have a drop of coffee while living in this house."

"Your sons," The playful tone in her voice made him worry as he stared into her blue eyes that danced with life. "What makes you think they aren't drinking coffee already?"

"You wouldn't." He spoke, slowly making his way in front of her.

"Wouldn't I," The smirk grew on her face as he knelt in front of her and looked at the bundle in her arms.

"You wouldn't," he said once again as he reached for the two-month-old baby and cradled him in his arms. Bringing his face down to the sleeping child, he sniffed once, twice, and inhaled deeply the third time. Looking down at her skeptically once again he spoke, "Don't you ever ever…"

"You're so cute when trying to deprive our boys of coffee." Standing she took the child from his arms and set him gentle into the crib.

"Lorelai, I'm begging you, don't give them coffee. Three coffee addicts are more than enough."

"Two."

"What?"

"Ben doesn't count. We didn't start him young enough."

"You must be joking."

"Pure shame really, that boy can put the caffeine away when he needs to."

"He downs like four cups a day. You can't tell me he doesn't get that from you."

"I never said he didn't. I just said that he's not an addict. Addict in training maybe, he does prefer the cold beverages to the warm ones."

"You're so hopeless."

"I know." With a smirk, and a wave of the hand she grabbed his wrist and led him down the hall.

"Where are we going?"

"It's like two forty-five in the morning. I don't know about you, but I'm tired."

"Caffeine high worn off so soon?"

"No, we just ran out of the good stuff. We've been over this, forgotten so soon," She teased.

"I'm just worried about those nightmares. Last thing I need is you screaming out for coffee."

"Shush." Throwing her pants at his head she climbed in to bed and looked at him. "You know I'm calling for you."

"Ah yes, the infamous 'give me my coffee Luke" dream. I could do with one less beg for coffee from you."

"You know you love it."

"Even if I denied it you wouldn't believe me."

"You wouldn't deny it the first place."

"You sure about that?"

"Luke Danes. You love me. You know it. I know it. Now come to bed."

The demand in her voice made him smile as he climbing into bed next to her. He didn't think he could feel more at home. He had finally done it, he had gotten the life he never thought he would have, and he was happy. A restaurant, a town full of crazy people, a wife, three sons and a daughter later he was finally happy. He finally had just the life he was looking for. Shutting his eyes as his arms wrapped around her he couldn't help but smile at the life he had helped to create.

Walking up the drive to the large white house he let out a sigh. It had been a surprising three weeks since he had last been to the small mansion of a house he had somehow come to call home. The tall massive white pillars that framed the door seemed more welcoming than confining at that very moment. The large windows all covered over in the late night by the elegant floral print of the deep blue drapes, the once dark shingles of the roof were covered in a light dusting of snow as the moon shone brightly above it.

Running his hand over the snow covered hedges sent a shiver of relaxation through his spine as he reached into the pocket of his black suit with the other. Pulling out the few keys he had he quickly shuffled through them coming upon the one to unlock the massive double doors. Slipping inside he quickly shut the door as it slammed loudly. Flinching a bit as he turned to see that no one was awakened by the noise he quickly proceeded up the foyer stairs two at a time.

Stepping quickly down the hallway he could hear his soft warm luxurious bed calling to him, the cool material of the sheets begging him to cuddle them, the bouncey springs of the mattress begging him to sink into them. Sleep called him, yet so did the room at the end of the hall. He knew it was unlikely, that the maid had probably forgot to turn off the light, but still he went as fast as he could to the room. Slowing his pace as he inched closer he felt his heart speed up as the gentle sound of music flew from the room, either the maid was in the room or she was home.

Creaking the door open gently his eyes scanned the large well-lit room. There seemed to be no one in the room as his eyes traveled from the bed to the desk, stopping at once on the couch. Sleeping, with books strewn everywhere was his daughter, the twenty-two year old light of his life. Setting his suitcase down and removing his jacket by the door he entered the room, making his way for the sleeping girl.

Looking down at her he saw all of the child's mother, and so little of himself. He was unsure of how, but his daughter refused to look like him. He just couldn't see an ounce of himself in her looks, yet he couldn't love her any more. He felt his heart exploding with love as everyday she became more beautiful. She had been his salvation after loosing so much, and he thanked god he had her, his little girl.

Bending down he pushed the books away from her body as he took her in his arms, one under her knees, the other resting mid shoulders as her head leaned against his own shoulder. Moving over to the bed he set her in the already tousled sheets and covered her, watching her for a moment longer before he turned to leave.

"Daddy," A small voice from behind him spoke.

"Go back to sleep Gigi baby." His voice was soft as he turned to look at her, angered by the fact he had woken her at all.

"What are you doing home?" Finishing her sentence with a yawn she began rubbing her eyes of the sleep that inhabited them.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Grandpa said you would be a few more weeks. What happened?"

"That's a conversation for another time."

"Like when?"

"Perhaps when my daughter isn't exhausted from staying up all night with her books." A smile graced his face as he approached the bed once again. "Cramming for another test?"

"Just trying to understand the material."

"If you ever need any help don't hesitate to ask angel."

"I won't Daddy."

"Get some sleep. We'll eat breakfast in the morning."

"Night Daddy."

"Night Angel."

As he turned off the light to the room, closed the door, and walked down the hall he heard her covers rustle sounding she had settled back in to bed. Calmness washed over him as he realized she was home, she was near, and that he would never loose her. He loved that little girl and to loose her in any way would be devastating. He still dreamed that someday her mother would come back and try to take her from him, to steal her heart and love. That he would wake up someday and find Sherry had come and taken his daughter in the middle of the night, much like Lorelai had.

Climbing into bed he shook his mind of all those thoughts. He had Gigi, he had his daughter, and she had filled up his life, had given him the reason he needed to straighten up. He had to straighten up; being the child he had been only caused problems. Now, at thirty-eight, he could see his errors, the mistakes he had made, and the problems he had caused. Yes, Christopher Hayden had made many mistakes in life, he only hoped he could right all his wrongs someday.