Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2026
Lexi’s: Age 16
Jake: Age 10
Joe: Age 37

Lexi is now sixteen years old and this is going to be her Sweet Sixteen party. She and Bobby broke up in October of their freshman year of high school. She is currently single. Now, she is a high school junior. She has been the lead in the school musicals in both her freshman and sophomore years and again has the lead for this year in West Side Story.

Jake is in the fifth grade at Stars Hollow Elementary. On the weekends and after school he helps his father out in the shed developing pictures for the business. He helps Lexi take care of Lucky now that he’s older.

Joe loves spending every free minute he has with his kids. He knows that Lexi will soon be looking at colleges and his baby girl will be leaving him but he tries not to think about it. He only hopes for the best for his kids and wants them to be happy.

Kevin and Lauren are both 39 now and are busy raising their three kids. Brody: 12, Jessica: 6, and Anthony: 2. Not much has changed for either of them at work except Lauren is now the head of Herrmann Publishing after her Uncle passed away in 2025.

Nick and Lana are 37 years old and have become parents again. Little Eric John Jonas is nine months old. Older siblings Andrew and Katherine are now nine years old and love helping their parents with their baby brother.

Frankie is 25 years old and a newlywed. He and his wife Carly married in July 2026. They moved to New Jersey and have a small starter home and work together at the local elementary school. Neither can wait to start their family together.

Denise and Kevin Sr. are still living in Texas and can’t believe their first grandchild is almost an adult. Having eight grand children and hopefully more to come can be exhausting but there’s nothing this power couple can’t handle.

Clark Douglas passed away in January 2025 of a third and final heart attack. Joe and the kids flew out to California for the funeral. Joe’s entire family was there and Marie was over-whelmed by all the love. Joe offered for her to move in with him, Lexi, and Jake in Stars Hollow but she politely declined saying she needed to stay in California. She lives alone in a senior living community and keeps herself busy.

****

November 4, 2026
Lexi’s 16th Birthday

“Morning.” I mumbled as I made my way into the kitchen. Dad smiled at me and gave me a big hug.

“I can’t believe my baby girl’s sixteen.” He said, kissing the top of my head and sitting down at the table. Lucky ran over to me and I picked her up.

“I can’t either.” I said laughing. “I can drive!”

“Oh boy.” He muttered and I rolled my eyes.

“Is it okay if Gabby and I go to Luke’s for breakfast?”

“Yeah sure, I’ll drive you into town.”

“I’ll be ready in twenty minutes.” I said, putting Lucky down and running back upstairs.
After getting dressed I ran back downstairs and grabbed my coat.

“I’m ready!” I shouted.

“Jake’s not.” Dad said.

“Dude! Come on.”

“Chill out.” Jake said, coming down the stairs, his backpack still open.

“Awesome. It’s my birthday and the first thing my little brother says to me is “chill out”. I feel so loved.” I joked.

“Oh geez.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Happy Birthday Lexi.”

“Thanks squirt. Can we go now?”

“Alright, alright,” Dad said, walking in with one arm in his coat, the other digging in his pockets for his keys. “Let’s go.”

****

“You should not have to go to school today.” Gabby said as we walked into Luke’s.

“Have to. I have a Spanish test today.”

“Geez. You have a test in that class like… every other day. When do you have time to learn anything?” she asked as we sat at the counter. She doesn’t take Spanish so she doesn’t know.

“Hey, wrong table.” Luke said.

“Since when is there a right table?” I asked with a laugh. Luke always let me sit wherever I wanted.

“Since the coffee cake I baked for you and the stupid balloons I blew up are at that table over there.” He said pointing.

“You blew up balloons for me?” I asked smiling at him.

“Yupp.”

“Oh, Luke, you old softie.” I said, reaching across the counter and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“I count to three, it’s gone.” He said.

“Thank you.” I said, grabbing Gabby’s hand and walking over to the table. Luke had blown up pink and white balloons and wrote Happy 16th Birthday Lexi on them. No wonder he and my Dad are friends.

Gabby and I picked at the coffee cake Luke had made. For some reason I felt kind of sad but… I didn’t know why. I thought about my life and then I knew why. I didn’t have a Mom here.

“Are you okay?” Gabby asked. “You seem a little quiet this morning.”

“Yeah I just… I wish my mom was still alive. Especially for the big things like today.”

“Have you talked to Joe about this?” she asked, sticking some coffee cake in her mouth. She and I were at each other’s houses so much our parents thought the Mr. and Mrs. crap was too formal.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Every time I bring up Mom he gets all sad. Like… he’ll talk but… I don’t like seeing him sad. And I can’t bring it up around Jake since he’s never had a Mom so in a way I feel selfish because I got to know her and he didn’t.” I said.

“Aw yeah, I’m sorry.” She said, patting my hand sympathetically. I gave her a slight smile and looked up when the bell on the door rang. In walked Ricky, the new guy at school. We had talked a few times… he was cute. He walked to the counter and waited for Luke.

“Coffee to go, please.” He said. While Luke was getting the coffee Ricky glanced over at me and I blushed.

“Here you go.” Luke said, handing him the coffee.

“Thanks.” Ricky said and he turned to go. He looked over at me and opened the door, Happy Birthday he mouthed and I smiled.

“Why are you smiling?” Gabby asked.

“I’m just excited for Saturday.” I said, lying. Saturday was my big party. Dad had rented out the Inn’s ballroom for it. I was excited for it, I just hadn’t told Gabby about my crush on Ricky. I had invited him and he was coming but I was nervous. Especially with my whole family coming, it was going to be one interesting night.

****

Saturday, November 7, 2026
Lexi’s Sweet 16 Party

Finally it was Saturday. Party day. My theme: Wizard of Oz. My dress was inspired by Glinda’s… you know, the good witch. Dad was going to do his introduction dressed as the Scarecrow and then change into his suit whereas Jake was going to intro as the Cowardly Lion and change as well. Even though I was dressed as Glinda instead of Dorothy, Lucky was kind of reminiscent of Toto.

Before anything started I thanked everyone for coming. Even with the light shining on me I could see all of my family and I could see Luke, Madeline, and even Chloe were here. After my little introduction speech I started right off with the candle lighting ceremony. I had sixteen white tapers set on a tape in front of me and I held a lighter in one hand, the microphone in the other. Index cards were on the table in front of me.

“Before the actual fun begins, I want to start off with this candle lighting ceremony. I am going to call up people in my life who are important to me to help me light a candle.” I explained and people turned and smiled and I looked at my first index card. “Through teachers and tests, we’ve had the best. I’d like all of my friends from school to come up and help me light candle number one.”

A lot of my friends were dorky and cheering as they came up. Some of the guys were whooping and jumping up and down. Ricky smiled at me as he came up and I looked down blushing. Everyone crowded around me, a few people grabbing onto my arms and together we lit the first candle.

“From a babysitter to a friend I know you’ll be there until the end. I’d like Chloe to come up and help me light candle number two.” I smiled at Chloe as she walked over to me. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and helped me light the second candle.

“One of you feeds me, one of you taught me, but together you love me. I’d like Luke and Madeline to light candle number three with me.” They walked over to me, holding hands and I hugged them both. They really mean a lot to me.

“Life without you can make me lazy but life with you can make me crazy. I would like for my cousins to come up and help me light candle number four.” I said laughing. I watched as Brody came up carrying Tony while Jessica held Andy’s hand and Katie carried Eric. It was mainly Brody, Andy and I who lit the candle and I saw my Dad and aunts and uncles snap a few pictures.

“My best friend from the very start, as we go on in life we will never, ever, part.” I said with emphasis. “I’d like Gabby to come up and light candle number five with me.”

“Even though California is very far, I talk to my Grandmother on every passing star.” I said, grinning at the stupidity of it. I hate rhyming. “I’d like Grandma to come up to help me light candle number six.”

Grandma came over with a smile on her face and gave me a hug. Together we lit the sixth candle. She started to walk away but I grabbed onto her sleeve and she stepped back giving me a questioning look.

“I know he may have passed on, but Grandpa will never truly be gone. I’d like Grandma to help me light candle number seven since Grandpa could not be here with us today.” I said, a single tear falling down my cheek as my grandmother and I lit the candle. Her hand was shaking as we brought the flame closer and she had her other arm wrapped around me. She gave me one last squeeze before walking back to her seat. I quickly wiped the tear away and shuffled to my next index card.

“The two of you wed in July, the love you have could almost make me cry. I’d like Uncle Frankie and my “new” Aunt Carly to come up and light candle number eight with me.” I said and they both came over and each gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Texas is so far away, I think you should move here to stay. I’d like for Gran and Gramp to light candle number nine with me.” The two of them came up and helped me light the candle. It may sound selfish to say this but I’m glad I’m their oldest grandchild. I don’t know why. There’s just this sort of pride or whatever that I’ve grown up with. I smiled as they walked back to the table.

“Being a Mom of three must sometimes make you sick but to me you are one awesome chick. I’d like Aunt Lana to come help me light candle number ten.” I said, smiling as my aunt shyly walked over to help me light the candle. She never really was one for the lime light.

“Your guitar skills sure are groovy but I find it funny when Dad shows me old home movies.” I said laughing. “I’d like Uncle Kevin to come light candle number eleven with me.” He came over and wrapped his left arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. He grabbed the candle with his right hand and we lit the eleventh candle.

“You gave me my first piano for which I am grateful, I think my musical talent is something that was fateful. I’d like Uncle Nick to come and help me light candle number twelve.” I said. Uncle Nick walked over and gave me a hug. I’d never tell anyone but he was always my “favorite” uncle.

“Happy birthday Lexi girl.” He whispered, giving me a kiss on the top of my head before walking away.

“Whenever things may have turned rough, you were there to help get us out of the scuff. I’d like Aunt Lauren to come and light candle number thirteen with me.” I said, laughing as she rushed her way over to me, a huge smile plastered on her face. She would act this way but I couldn’t help but laugh. She may be crazy but she’s my aunt and I love her to death.

“Sometimes we whine and sometimes we fight, I just want you to know… I’m never letting you out of my sight. I’d like my little brother Jake to help me light candle number fourteen.” I said. Jake walked over and stuck his tongue out at me and I stuck mine out right back causing everyone to laugh. We hugged and lit the candle. “Stay here.” I whispered. He stood next to me as I pulled out the next index card.

“You’re there through the thick. You’re there through the thin. You took care of us when we were sick. When you fed us you would wipe our chins. I know it seems like we’re growing up too quick but you just can’t seem to get rid of that silly little grin.” I said, again with a tear dropping down my face. I looked out into the crowd and saw Dad smiling at me, his eyes looking a little glossed over. “I’d like Dad to come up and light candle number fifteen with Jake and I.”

Dad walked over and wrapped me in his arms. I put my other arm out and felt Jake join our hug. We all pulled away and I smiled up at my father.

“I love you Daddy.” I whispered.

“Love you too Ally-Baby.” He said and the three of us lit the candle. I made them stay up with me for the very last candle.

“You weren’t in my life for very long but I know the love you had for me was strong. Whenever the day seems to be going wrong, all I have to do is sing one simple little song.” I said, more tears falling down. “Dad, Jake, and I will light the last candle together, in remembrance of my late mother, Melissa Anne Jonas.”

Once the last candle was lit, everyone applauded. I saw Grandma walking towards us and I went over to her for a big hug. Wiping the tears from my eyes I looked over Grandma’s shoulder and saw Ricky standing with his hands in his pockets looking at me. I walked over to him and he smiled.

“That was really nice.” He said. I started walking and he followed, our elbows basically touching.

“Thanks. It felt good.” I said, turning to smile at him.

“I have something for you.” he said, sitting down at a table. I sat across from him. I looked up and saw Dad out on the dance floor watching us. Aunt Lauren saw what he was looking at and pulled him away, winking at me.

“You didn’t have to get me anything.” I said.

“Sorry. That’s the rules. You get older, you get a gift.” He said, handing me a small wrapped box. I looked at him and he smiled. I un-wrapped it and took the lid off the box and smiled at the leather strap with the round, metal medallion.

“Oh my God. It’s beautiful.”

“Well, I bought the medallion and I just cut some leather strap and drilled a hole, and well… you like it?” he asked nervously.

“I… it’s… amazing.”

“Good.” He said smiling.

“Thank you.”

“Here,” he said, picking it up and putting it on my wrist. I smiled at him as he tied it on and felt butterflies rise. He took my hand and led me to the dance floor as a slow song started to play.

****

Joe’s POV

The party was winding down. Everyone had eaten and it was mainly just Lexi and her friends dancing while the adults mingled. The music stopped and I looked up from my conversation with Luke and saw Lexi standing at the stage with the microphone again.

“Excuse me everyone. Sorry, last interruption for the night. Again I’d just like to thank all of you for coming. Now… I know it’s my birthday but I have a gift I guess for my Dad. Well… it’s not really a gift… just a little something I put together with Uncle Nick’s help.” she said, smiling at Nick who raised his glass towards her. I gave him a confused look and he just smiled. I looked back up at Lexi who was now sitting on a stool and placing a guitar on her shoulders.

“So… Dad I wrote this song and I thought… what better night to share it with you than in front of our closest friends and family.” She said and I laughed. The lights dimmed and she started strumming.

“You tucked me in,
Turned out the light
Kept me safe and sound at night
Little girls depend on things like that

Brushed my teeth and combed my hair
Had to drive me everywhere
You were always there when I looked back.

You had to do it all alone
Make a living, make a home.
Must have been as hard as it could be.

And when I couldn’t sleep at night
Scared things wouldn’t turn out right
You would hold my hand and sing to me

Caterpillar in the tree, how you wonder who you’ll be
Can’t go far but you can always dream
Wish you may and wish you might
Don’t you worry hold on tight.
I promise you there will come a day
Butterfly, fly away.
Butterfly, fly away.

Catch your wings now you can’t stay.
Take those dreams and make them all come true.
Butterfly, fly away.
We’ve been waiting for this day
All along and know just what to do.
Butterfly, butterfly, butterfly,
Butterfly, fly away.
Butterfly, fly away.
Butterfly, fly away.”

As she sang, I couldn’t help but reminisce on the past ten years. Everything we’d been through: me, Lexi, and Jake. Without Melissa, things were tough but just like Lexi sang, I worked my hardest at making them better. I started to tear up and as I watched my baby girl sitting there in front of me, I knew she wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing up. When she finished the song she had tear stains to match mine. Everyone applauded. She jumped off of the stool and we walked towards each other, embracing in the middle of the dance floor.

“Thank you Daddy.” She whispered. “For everything.”

“No baby. Thank you. You and Jake mean everything to me and make my life worthwhile.”

“I love you so much.” She said, hugging me tighter.

“I love you too.” I said, giving her one last squeeze. I pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Go on… go grow up.”

She smiled at me and gave me one last hug before turning to her friends. I watched as Gabby gave her a hug and then that boy from earlier came over. They looked at each other for a minute before he pulled her to him in a tight embrace. When she pulled away he looked back down at her and slowly leaned in and they kissed.

Not again I groaned. I ran my fingers through my hair as my daughter walked away smiling, her fingers entwined with those of the boy I had yet to meet. She really was growing up.