A/N: This was just an idea that hit me last night as I was falling asleep. No idea if it's actually good.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Shocking, I know.
The rain from the night before had come to a slow end as the sun peaked through the clouds in the early morning hours. Lorelai Gilmore drove in silence on her way back to Stars Hollow; her eyes were puffy from crying and she was so grateful for waterproof mascara. Her coffee had grown cold in the cup holder, but she didn't want it anyways. She'd just seen her daughter off at the airport – she watched her grown up, fully adult daughter get pass through security and begin her new life. A new life away from Stars Hollow and far away from her home. Lorelai was happy for Rory – this was a job of a lifetime – but now she really had an empty nest.
Parking in front of Luke's, Lorelai slid out of the Jeep, but didn't have the will to go in. She loved this town and all the caring people, but she didn't want to hear their platitudes. Rory wasn't dead, she was just out on the campaign trail and living on her own – a hell of a lot farther away than New Haven.
"Hey." Luke stepped out of the diner and down the steps.
"Hey." Lorelai leaned against the Jeep.
"You comin' in?" Luke asked as he stood next to her, tucking a brown lock behind her ear.
"Not right now." She breathed, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Lorelai." He whispered and pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her head.
"I watched her plane leave." Lorelai sniffled in the crook of his neck.
"How'd ya know it was her plane?"
"I knew."
He nodded, "I don't doubt that."
"Ya know, I prepared myself for her leaving for college. I knew that when she turned eighteen. She'd leave home and go to another school and slowly the Crap Shack would no longer be home. I expected it." Lorelai pulled away from the hug and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I know." Luke squeezed her upper arm reassuringly.
"But... I didn't prepare myself for this." She wiped at a tear that was threatening to fall, "She's gone Luke. Really gone. Gone in the way that I left my parents home. She doesn't have to call. She doesn't have to write. She doesn't have to come home. She's a grown up. On her own."
"She'll call. She'll write. She'll come home." Luke reassured her.
Lorelai smiled and let out a broken chuckle, "I've heard those words before."
"What can I say, I'm consistent." Luke grinned.
"That you are." She leaned back into his side. Luke was a constant in her world; he always found a way to hold her together in her worst moments.
He pressed a kiss to her temple, "Danish Day?"
"I was thinking more chili cheese fries and a coffee I.V." Lorelai smirked, her arms locking around his waist.
"It's ten A.M.!" Luke's face contorted in disgust.
"I've been up since four!" Lorelai protested, "In Lorelai speak the day is practically over!"
"You're right. I'm wrong." Luke sighed, "I'll go fix your inside-rotting-no-nutrition-at-all food."
"Bless you. Angel you got wings, Baby."