A/N: Hey guys! Sorry not updating recently but I have been busy with school. So here is an update! I also apologize that it is really long but it makes up for me not updating it recently. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I typed this while I was very tired. Enjoy!
The next morning, 5:30 AM
Lorelai woke up the next morning to the sound of her purple fuzzy alarm clock. It seemed to mock her as it served as a reminder that, in a few hours, Rory would be leaving to work on the Obama campaign trail. It didn't help that she thought that she had all summer to prepare herself for Rory leaving. They were supposed to spend the summer hitting the road and riding all the roller coasters they could until they were sick. Now her little girl was leaving.
It wasn't like when she had left for Yale. She wasn't going to be just a couple hours away. She was going to be gone for months on end as she took the journalism world by storm. Then after the campaign trail was over, who knew what would happen? For all Lorelai knew, she would have already gotten a head start on being a foreign correspondent and hopping from one place to the next.
She was insanely proud of Rory and how far she had come. She didn't know a kid who deserved this as much as Rory. Although she was slightly impartial what with Rory being her offspring and all.
Rory's impending departure took over any other thoughts she might have had as she took a shower. She then went back to her room to get dressed. She finally decided on a short sleeve purple v neck t shirt, jeans, sneakers, and the necklace that Luke had given her the other night. She had yet to tell Rory about her and Luke's kiss the other night. Right now she just wanted to focus on Rory and partially because she didn't want the whole town to find out about them until she and Luke had a chance to talk about their relationship.
Lorelai made her way down the stairs only to find Rory already up, showered, and ready to go.
"Ugh I don't know how you are my child what with this insane sense of punctuality you have acquired."
"I guess some people are just lucky. Can you get my other bags out of my room?"
"Sure sweets. Ugh how much stuff did you pack?" Lorelai asked as she brought the rest of her bags out to the living room. She dropped the bags on the couch once she saw Rory struggling to zip her suitcase up.
"Oh honey let me help you with that."
"No I got it."
"Oh no I got it."
"I know how to work a zipper Mom," Rory stated in an annoyed tone.
"Okay that's it huh?"
"Yup."
"Got everything?" Lorelai asked as she gave the room a quick once over to make sure that they hadn't forgotten anything.
"I think so."
"Oh what about this?" Lorelai asked, picking up a blue sweater that was on the couch.
"That's for the plane."
"Oh what about these?" she asked as she picked up a pair of Rory's old sunglasses.
"Um those are old and kind of broken. I have new ones."
Lorelai put the sunglasses down at this remark. She realized there was no more putting off her departure. She glanced at Rory and couldn't help but well up.
"I just feel like I need more time."
"I know."
"I just really feel ambushed you know? I mean I thought I had so much more time, I thought that I had all summer to impart my wisdom about work, life, and your future. And I just feel like I had something to tell you oh! On the bus make sure to you choose a good seat, you know? Because people are creatures of habit and the seat you pick in the beginning could be your seat for the rest of the year you know? Get a window seat honey because there's so much to see and you might want to sit in the back of the bus because people there tend to be more chatty and friendly and I don't know what it is about the front of the bus you know but people up there tend to be more bossy and uptight. It's just been that way since first grade. And honey I know what you're going to say but don't wear shorts. Ok? No matter how hot it is. It's not professional and all that heat and those sticky vinyl seats it'll be like pulling off a giant band aid off your thigh every time you stand up. Don't be too shy. Don't be too forward, but don't be too shy because you make a lovely first impression but you really grow on people too."
"Mom…"
"You need Zip lock bags. You should have them all the time. They're so handy."
"Mom-"
"And I'm going to give you that orange sweater. I know you've wanted it and uh I'm finally going to give it to you."
"Mom… you've given me everything that I need."
"Okay."
"Okay."
"So shall we?"
"What's the rush? It's like 5 AM."
"We've got a stop to make," Lorelai told her as she took the bags to the front door and out to the Jeep.
xxxxxxxxxx
On the way to Luke's
Lorelai had just finished putting the bags in the Jeep and it wasn't but two minutes after they had left the driveway that Rory inquired about what the mysterious stop was that they had to make.
"So are you going to tell me where you are planning on taking me at almost 6 AM? Shouldn't we get coffee before we go to the airport?"
"Wow you are definitely my kid. I was just thinking that we could stop by Luke's for some coffee and food before we head to the airport."
"Ah that explains why we got up so early."
"What do you mean?"
"You obviously want to see Luke."
"No I just want coffee and pancakes. Oh and bacon!"
"Mom come on. Just admit that you want to see Luke."
"Fine I want to see Luke."
"So would this have anything to do with that kiss between you guys last night?"
"How do you know about that?"
"I was wondering where you were last night and Sookie told me about how Luke planned the whole party and that once she told you that, you left. I figured you had left the party to go find Luke to thank him so I headed over to the diner and saw you guys kiss."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night. It's just it happened so sudden and what with you leaving and all. Plus I didn't want the whole town to know about us yet. You're not mad at me are you?"
"No Mom of course I'm not mad. I know that you love Luke and he's been such a big part of our lives."
"Thanks kid. I swear I was going to tell you when the moment was right."
"I believe you mom."
With that, the two Gilmore girls pulled up to the curb of Luke's diner and knocked on the door. Luke greeted them and seated them before disappearing to the kitchen only to appear moments later with a fresh pot of coffee which he prompted poured for them.
"The coffee smells good."
"Hello old friend."
"How is it?"
"Your first pot is always your best."
"Thanks."
"Hey thanks for opening up the place."
"Hey got to take care of my two best customers. So you guys know what you want?"
"Oh hmm I have no idea," Lorelai said as she placed her finger on her chin while she pretended to ponder over the menu.
"What a delightful menu."
"Oh it does look delightful, charming."
"Very charming. Adorable fonts."
"I wish there were pictures. You know I'm going to need a minute. I can't decide," Lorelai said as she sent a not so subtle smile in Luke's direction.
"You take all the time you need," Luke said as he returned the smile.
Rory couldn't help but notice the exchange between the two of them. It was nice to see them getting along and bantering like they used to before everything that had happened between them. Luke had then walked away but it wasn't long until Lorelai shouted out after him.
"But in the meantime can we get some eggs and bacon and hash browns to tide us over?"
"Coming up."
"And pancakes," Lorelai added as an afterthought.
Luke started making their food and putting on a fresh pot of coffee. It was in that moment that Rory noticed the new piece of jewelry Lorelai was wearing.
"Hey I like your necklace."
"Oh you do?" Lorelai asked as she looked back at Luke.
"It suits you."
"Thanks."
"Hey you need to be careful when you drink coffee on the bus. It's bumpy."
"I can handle it."
"I should have gotten you a sippy cup."
"Maybe I should get a flask."
"Oh do they make flasks for hot beverages?"
"Yeah they're called thermos."
"Right I'll get you a thermos that says World's Greatest Reporter to match your cap."
"Oh yeah about that I meant to tell you that I left that cap at home?"
"What?"
"Well it wasn't very flattering."
"How will people know that you're the world's greatest reporter?"
"I don't know."
"I guess they'll have to read your stuff to find out."
"I guess so. Okay so enough about me. Talk to me about you and Luke."
"What about me and Luke?"
"Come on Mom you know what I mean. You guys kissed last night in god knows how long and he gave you a necklace. What does this mean are you guys back together?"
"Yes Luke and I are back together. I mean we still have a lot to talk about but I just have a good feeling about this."
"Well that's good as long as you're happy about this."
"I am kid. I'm really happy about this."
"Here's your pancakes, hash browns, eggs, bacon, and some extra coffee," said Luke as he interrupted their conversation and placed their food in front of them.
"Why such excellent service from such a kind gentleman," Lorelai said in a fake southern accent.
"I'll be in the back. Make sure to let me know before you leave."
"I will Luke. Thanks again."
"Anytime Rory."
Ten minutes later, Rory and Lorelai had finished their food and the extra coffee Luke had brought them. Luke had come out to see if they were finished yet.
"So you guys all finished? How was everything?"
"It was great Luke."
"Yeah we'll make sure to visit again sometime."
"Ha ha very funny. So Rory have a good flight and make sure to take care of yourself," Luke said pulling her in for a hug.
"Thank you Luke. And thanks for everything Luke all these years. You've been like a dad to me. I'm going to miss you."
"You're welcome Rory. I just like to see you happy. I'm going to miss you too. Make sure to keep in touch okay?"
"Okay I will. Oh mom I am going to go out to the car but I will meet you there in a minute okay?"
"Uh okay."
Luke waited to speak again until he knew that Rory was out of earshot distance and already in the car.
"So she's really going huh?"
"Yeah she's really going. I'm not ready for this. I thought I had more time, a whole summer's worth. Now she's leaving and I'm going to be all alone.."
"Hey you won't be alone. You've got me and the whole town. Besides knowing Rory, she'll probably call and write a lot."
"You know something? She was right. You really have been like a dad to her all these years. Thank you. We both really appreciate it."
"No problem. I like seeing you two happy. So are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm okay," Lorelai said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "God you would think I'm watching a bad chick flick or something."
"So let me know when she takes off and call me? I could come over like we talked about last night."
"Yeah that sounds good."
"Okay that sounds great. Goodbye," Luke said as he gave her a quick kiss.
"Bye."
