A/N thanks for the feedback, this fic will be short, just 6 or so chapters and as the title suggests it covers just 36 hours from the time of the kiss.
Chapter 2 – The Breakfast
The following morning the girls arrived early, Lorelai parked the Jeep turning off the engine as they looked over to see Luke busy behind the counter in the dimly lit dinner.
"Coffee!" Lorelai exclaimed looking at Rory.
"Sounds like a plan," Rory added as they unbuckled and made their way to the diner.
Lorelai rattled on the door, even though Luke was clearly on his way to open it, "Come on Luke, two Lorelai's in desperate need for caffeine!"
"Keep you pants on," Luke said pretending to be annoyed as he unlocked the door, holding it open as they entered.
Rory went to the table first as Lorelai whispered to Luke, "I better, I think I forgot to put on any underwear this morning, want to check?" she said with a grin.
"Geez," Luke said now slightly distracted as he closed the door, "Just sit down," he added pointing to their table.
Rory rolled her eyes as Lorelai giggled and they sat down.
"So two coffees?" Luke asked as he came back to the table with the fresh pot and two large cups.
"Mmm. The coffee smells good," Rory said drinking some of the dark liquid.
"Hello, old friend," Lorelai added picking up her cup.
"How is it?" Luke asked with a smile.
"Your first pot is always your best," Lorelai added taking a mouthful of her favorite beverage.
Lorelai couldn't stop grinning at Luke, who just smiled back. They ordered some eggs, bacon, hash browns and pancakes to tide themselves over while they talked. Lorelai looking back at Luke every so often to make sure it was not a dream and also to make sure the food was coming.
"What's taking so long?" Lorelai questioned as she got up from the table.
"I told you it's coming," Luke said working at the stove.
"But we're hungry!" Lorelai pouted now standing at the doorway.
"I'll never understand how you do that," Luke said turning down the heat on the hotplate before turning to Lorelai.
"Well you're not me," she said greeting Luke with a morning kiss.
"Thanks God for that, I can barely tolerate the second hand coffee on your lips I don't think I could keep up with your daily coffee intake requirements," Luke chuckled leaning in for a second taste.
"But look how you come back for seconds," she smiled back.
"So how are you?" Luke asked as he placed one hand on her side as Lorelai playfully toyed with her new necklace and smiled back.
"I'll be okay now," she said leaning in for another kiss.
Luke indulging her for a moment as their lips met, before pulling back, "This is not sanitary," he whispered.
"And it's slowing the cooking process," Lorelai returned putting one hand on Luke's chest.
"I'll be right out with the first course," he reminded her before taking Lorelai's hand and kissing it.
Lorelai felt a slight shiver with the kiss and blushed as she returned to her daughter, picking up the pot of coffee as she passed the coffee station.
"What happened?" Rory asked as Lorelai sat.
"Nothing happened," she said, but Rory wasn't convinced, "Well nothing dirty," Lorelai added.
"Not yet," Rory smugly said hiding behind her coffee cup.
"Stop that," Lorelai pretended to slap Rory from across the table.
The girls giggled as Luke approached with a stack of pancakes on one large plate, "Bacon and eggs will be ready in five minutes, I thought this might tide you over till then…" Luke said noticing the coffee pot in Lorelai's hand, "Did you pour your own coffee?"
Lorelai brushed him off, putting the pot down, "Join us," Lorelai said touching Luke's hand.
"It's either me or more food?" Luke replied dryly as he looked at her hand on his.
The girls looked at each other, "Food first," They quickly replied together.
"But next course bring back something healthy for yourself and join us please," Lorelai begged with pouting eyes Luke could not resist.
"I'll be back in four minutes," Luke replied softly.
Lorelai joined Rory in sharing the pancakes.
She was torn about the possibilities with Luke now they were more than just friends again. How quick should they move things along? Should they wait and not jump back into bed? Should they make it official or keep Taylor and the town out of their private lives? So many questions, they would have to talk some more later as the next few hours her focus would be on Rory who would be off to her new job soon enough and by night fall Rory would be several states away, in a whole other time zone.
A few minutes later Luke bought out the rest of the food, the girls had pushed another table up to theirs to Luke's annoyance but they needed the space for the additional plates and Luke. He sat down with his orange juice, high fiber cereal and a grapefruit half, amusing Lorelai.
"Grapefruit?" Lorelai asked.
"I heard it was good for you," Luke said cutting out the first spoonful.
"Luke did you know Grandpa has half a grapefruit every morning?" Rory asked.
Luke nodded as they ate, sharing stories and catching up on what had been missed in the last year. Luke opened up about April making it clear that Lorelai should have been a part of their life and would be from now on. Rory promised to stay in touch with April and would exchange email addresses. Lorelai managed to talk Luke in to getting a wireless connection for the diner for a computer he didn't have so Lorelai could use her laptop when she needed to stay over at the diner or just when she came in for lunch.
After they finished eating enough to feed a normal family, Lorelai went to freshen up leaving Luke and Rory to clean up the table, "Just pile the dishes in the sink, Caesar can do them when he gets in," Luke said as they entered the kitchen.
"You got it Luke," Rory said cheerfully.
"The way your mother cleaned her plate they almost don't need washing," Luke said dryly as he placed the last of the dishes in the now half full sink.
"I think it's to reduce the number of plates that need cleaning at home," Rory added.
"I thought she liked washing?" Luke asked.
"She likes it in theory or when she is mad, why do you think we come here so much?" Rory said before turning to leave the kitchen, at the room she turned back, "Hey Luke."
"Yes Rory," Luke responded as he wiped his hands.
"Don't let Mom mess it up this time," she said looking back at Luke from the doorway.
"It wasn't her fault," Luke said softly.
"Luke," Rory said almost in the same way as her mother had the night before.
After a brief pause Luke continued, "Okay she wasn't the only one at fault… Rory I'm sorry we put you through this. Having your father back then gone again."
Rory stepped closer to Luke, "That wasn't your fault…"
"But…" Luke tried to say.
"No buts. It was Dad being dad, he jumped in too soon and while I might have liked the idea I could see Mom was hiding something," Rory continued, "She was never over you. She told me about the supermarket and how she wanted you to say something, to end the bad dream nightmare she was in but you didn't. She understood why you didn't Luke, but that didn't make it any easier. She cried for most of that night and couldn't sleep for the next week," Rory almost crying herself as she told Luke.
Luke closed the gap and Rory lent against Luke sobbing, "It's okay, it will be alright," Luke said unsure what to do. Luke patted Rory's back the head before she pulled back wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry," she said through the tears, "Just promise to take care of her Luke."
Luke nodded, "I'll do my best, but can I call you if I need help?"
Rory let out a small laugh, "Sure… anytime," Rory finished clearing her eyes. "I just need to freshen up," she said leaving for the diner's rest room.
That's when Luke spotted Lorelai sitting on the edge of the table, looking back at him, "Hi," Luke said stepping out of the kitchen.
"Rory talked to you?" Lorelai asked with a knowing grin.
"Yeah," Luke said walking slowly to close the distance between them.
"She told you?" Lorelai asked.
"Just some stuff," Luke replied.
"About watching out for me?" Lorelai added.
"She knows you, she cares," Luke stated softly.
"And the other stuff?" Lorelai asked still looking at Luke's deep blue eyes.
"I'm sorry I didn't say something… the right things," Luke said taking Lorelai's hands as she stood,
"Like you said, we were both to blame, we both screwed up what we had. It was like a badly written TV show and I just couldn't say what I felt, what I needed to say," Lorelai laughed with a small chuckle.
"Well thank God for second chances then," Luke replied leaning in closer for a kiss.
"Second chances," Lorelai repeated as their lips touched for a moment, "I love you," she whispered between kissed.
"I never tire of hearing that," Luke replied.
"Then I'll say it every day, I love you Luke Danes," Lorelai said louder.
"You don't have to do that," he replied, "You don't have to change for me."
"But I want to tell you how much I love you every day, every time I see you or call…" Lorelai babbled.
"I already know you love me" Luke replied.
"How so?" Lorelai asked.
"Well you're here before six in the morning kissing me, it's a good sign," Luke said with candor.
"But I didn't say it enough before Luke," she said.
"Lorelai we didn't break up because of three little words, I know how much I love you and I will keep telling you that every day but now with meaningless words. I'll tell you by the tings I do whether it's screwing up a batch of brownies with too much coco or fixing a busted window or giving you a foot rub while we watch The Sopranos," Luke stated.
"I want you so much right now," Lorelai said pressing her lips to Luke's, he arms rested over his shoulders before pulling him in closer to feel his body on hers.
Things were getting passionate as the doorbells jingled making Luck jump back slightly, "What now!" he grunted turning to see a surprised Kirk standing in the doorway.
"Sorry Luke I'll come back…" The scared little man said shifting back a step.
Lorelai giggled, "It's okay Kirk, Rory and I have to get going or we'll miss her flight," she said pulling Luke back for one final kiss, then reaching for her purse, "Rory you ready to go?" Lorelai called as she appeared in the doorway.
"Just need to get my bag," Rory said making her way to the table.
"Wait just a minute," Luke said dashing to the kitchen.
The girls looked at each other as Luke appeared a moment later carrying a large green thermos, "I thought you might need this," handing it to Rory.
Rory opened the top and sniffed the contents, "Hello!"
"Strong?" Lorelai asked.
"Not if your name is Lorelai," Rory added.
"I had it inscribed with your name on the bottom, just in case," Luke said as she had a look.
"I want my own thermos," Lorelai pouted.
"I'll get you a new one next week, now you better get going… don't forget to call and email," Luke said holding the door open.
"Look how he can't wait to get rid of his two best customers," Lorelai said giving Luke a quick peck on the cheek.
Rory was about step out after her mother when she turn and hugged Luke, one last time, "Thanks for everything, you've been like a dad to me," she whispered to Luke.
With that they were gone, Luke watched from the diner window as Lorelai started the Jeep, he gave one last wave as they drove off.
TBC…
A/N so what do we think? I still have some more of this story to tell.
