Disclaimer- Gilmore Girls and the characters associated with the show are not mine.

Chapter One: In The Middle

Lorelai set her coffee cup down on the counter, and narrowing her eyes, watched the love of her life stew. He hadn't shared yet, and it was making her nervous. Trying to remember the last time he acted this way, she caught her breath.

"Luke? Is Jess coming into town this weekend?" Lorelai asked, worried as Rory was supposed to be visiting. She'd finished her Obama Campaign tour, and was coming home while she waited to hear from the papers she had sent resumes.

"No, why would you ask?" Luke wiped down the counter.

"I don't know. Maybe because your shoulders couldn't get any tenser. Maybe because you haven't responded to any of my quips. Maybe because I know something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong. It's… I never know how much I'm supposed to say. Or do I even say anything?"

"What are you talking about? You did a flyby. Whoosh, over my head!" Lorelai replied.

"I'm talking about me. In the middle again. I'm always in middle between them! And when there's news, it's worse," Luke ranted.

"Luke, details, who?" Lorelai asked, glad she was getting more than a grunt in response.

"Rory! She'll slide in here, early to meet you, behind your back, and ask me. She'll ask me if there's anything new. If he's doing well," Luke said, throwing down his towel and adjusting his hat. "I never know how much to say, what she wants to hear. And he does the same thing when he visits. But at least with Jess, I know why he's doing it! He's not over her. With her, I don't know why. And I don't know how much to say."

"Okay, wait. First off, I'm sorry they put you in this situation. But Luke, that was a full on Gilmore worthy rant. I'm so proud of you. So Jess asks about her. I have to admit, I didn't suspect he would. She shared the Truncheon incident with me when she was in Philly with the campaign. She wanted to go see him, but couldn't bring herself to do it because of what happened, what she'd done." Lorelai stared into her coffee cup before continuing, "If I'm honest, I have to admit she asks for the same reason he does. Maybe I've been wrong all this time, avoiding the topic of Jess. I do know she shouldn't have to sneak around me to talk to you. What news were you going to tell her?"

"Jess's second book took off, so they're reissuing his first, and he finished writing his third. Plus, Truncheon is doing well," Luke replied.

"That's it? Nothing about another woman?" Lorelai asked.

"No, I always ask, and he says he doesn't have time."

"Let me tell her this time. She should be here soon. Then she'll know she doesn't have to go behind my back for the information."

"Sounds good to me," Luke said, relieved by Lorelai's attitude. He'd expected anger because it was about Jess, but received help instead. She always threw him for a loop. It's one of the reasons why he loved her, he thought as he pulled her head across the counter and leaned in to give her a deep longing kiss, trying to convey his love and appreciation with the touch of his lips.

"Wow," Lorelai said, as she caught her breath and opened her eyes. Luke pulled away and nodded, unable to speak, before refilling her coffee and getting back to work. He'd ask her to marry him tonight at dinner. Barring poison ivy or swan attacks, he'd ask her.

Opening the diner door, Rory rushed in, threw herself into her mother's arms, and gave her a huge hug.

"I got it! I got the job at the New York Times!" she yelled for the whole diner to hear. Lorelai hopped out of her chair and grabbing Rory, they jumped up and down, hugged again and squealed. Luke stood to the side, and eventually, moved in to hug her too.

"Congratulations Rory, I mean it, this is great," he said, looking at her, pride in his eyes.

"Thank you, Luke. Thank you so much for everything," Rory replied. Luke was her father, as far as she was concerned, he was her father. And she loved him, even if he never married her mom, she loved him.

"This is the best day ever, between Jess's news, and your news! Wow!" Lorelai said, breaking the moment. Rory turned to her mom, surprised.

"Jess's news?" she asked, wary.

"Yes, his second book is doing so well, they're republishing his first! And he'll have a third out soon. Plus, apparently Truncheon is profitable. And you! You're going to be working for the New York Times… Rory, it's huge. Luke! Tonight, Rory has to come with us to celebrate her new job! Specifics! Now!" Lorelai said, watching the expressions on Rory's face change with every word. She was right, and hopefully, doors between her and Rory were open again.

"Sure, yeah, definitely. It'll be a celebration," Luke said, thinking he wouldn't ask Lorelai tonight, it would be Rory's evening instead.

"Luke, that's huge. I can't wait to read Jess's new book. He's an incredible writer," Rory said, trying to reconcile this new side of her mom, giving up and deciding to think about it later. "Well, oddly enough, I owe the job to Mitchum Huntzberger."

"What?" Lorelai screeched.

"Weird right? So, I applied, and during the interview, the editor said 'truthfully, Miss Gilmore, although your writing is good enough, your experience is lacking. You wouldn't be sitting in front of me if Mitchum Huntzberger hadn't seen your app on my desk and told me to hire you. He said although he rarely makes mistakes, he did with you. So if you want it, the job is yours.' Mom, you could have knocked me over. I told him I needed to talk to Mitchum and find out why he said it, because if it was out of guilt, I didn't want any favors. He laughed and said 'Mitchum said you'd hesitate, and told me to tell you it has nothing to do with his son, and everything to do with your writing during the campaign, and your drive. He also said to tell you not to be an idiot.' So I took the job. It's world news. I'll be traveling and sharing a Times apartment with the others on the beat. All I need to do is pack my clothes, some books and stuff and move in. It's furnished and everything. I did call Mitchum, and left a message thanking him," Rory added, sipping her coffee.

"That's great honey, I'm so proud of you," Lorelai said, smiling. Her relationship with Luke was perfect, she knew he'd propose soon. Rory's dreams were coming true. Jess was even making something of himself. Everything was wonderful.