This really did start as a one-shot! But I got inspired by all the feedback and encouragement I got...so I am going to continue it! Hopefully you will still want more after this chapter! I have never written a pre-series piece so this is new for me! But I am excited and have lots of ideas for it :) Enjoy!
The following morning, Lorelai got Rory off to school and made her way to the Inn. They had been running late this morning and were unable to go to Luke's for breakfast which meant Poptarts and juice on the go. But last night they had indeed gone to Luke's for dinner, and true to his word Luke had treated them to dinner. He even sent them home with leftovers for the following night.
Lorelai's head was reeling from the events of the day. She still couldn't believe that Luke had agreed to help her daughter cook breakfast for her. And of course Rory had let it slip that he had bought the yellow daisies for her as well. How did he know they were her favorite? Had she mentioned it at some point? Did he really listen to her that much that he could actually remember something that trivial?
Rory had talked about Luke practically all day. She mentioned how great of a cook he was. How he was able to fix just about anything around the house. He knew about cars and she had even mentioned that Miss Patty had told her he was able to build things out of wood. Any chance she could get...she brought Luke's name into the conversation.
Lorelai knew why she was doing it. It was no secret that the young girl desperately wanted a father figure around. And since moving into their house in Stars Hollow, Luke had been the closest thing to a father in her life that she had ever had. Lorelai often wished that Christopher would pull his head out of his ass and be the father that Rory needed. Just because she had said no to his proposal when she got pregnant hadn't meant she was giving him a pass to abandon his kid…
Sure he called on holidays and her birthday. He sent postcards from whatever extravagant place he as visiting each month and sometimes rolled in on his Harley. But it wasn't enough. Rory deserved more. And it wasn't that Lorelai didn't want her to have that...she just wasn't sure it was possible.
Luke was a good man...she couldn't deny that. And she also couldn't' deny that she was very attracted to him and not just physically. But being a young single mother complicated any dating scenario's in her life. In fact...Lorelai had made a rule many years earlier to keep from dating until Rory was old enough to handle it. Once when Rory was five, there had been an employee at the Inn who showed great interest in Lorelai.
His name was Michael. He was sweet, accepting of Rory and incredibly funny. Even though she was hesitant at first...Lorelai had eventually given in to his perpetual asking out. And for 8 months it had been great...he took them out to the movies and dinner. He was great with Rory...he would sit on the floor for hours with her and color. He would read to her at night. He even helped take care of her once when she had an ear infection.
Lorelai had fallen hard and fast for Michael and had let herself believe that she could find happiness. That Rory would get the father she truly deserved. But one spring afternoon, after he had brought Lorelai up to one of the vacant rooms of the Inn and they had had sex...he broke up with her.
Lorelai had been shell shocked. He said he wasn't ready to be tied down with a family. That he wanted to live his life a little more. He was moving to California and hoped that they could remain friends. She wasn't sure if she had said anything in return, but he dropped a kiss to her lips, crawled out of bed and got changed before leaving the room.
Lorelai was left to clean up the room on her own as she tried her best not to fall apart. And that night, Rory had asked over and over when they would see Michael again. She had ignored her daughter at first, but after the 100th time she asked Lorelai had snapped and yelled at her daughter. She had told her they were never going to see him again because he didn't want to be with them.
Rory had cried...and of course Lorelai had felt terrible. That night when they lay in bed together, Lorelai had held her daughter close and apologized for yelling. And in that moment...she made a promise to herself never to bring around a man who wasn't worthy of her daughter's time. She couldn't bare the idea of Rory getting her hopes up again just to be crushed…
With a sigh, Lorelai walked into the kitchen and over to the coffee pot, "Hey sweetie!" Sookie said as she spotted her, "How was your Mother's Day? I felt terrible that I couldn't help Rory cook this year…"
Lorelai smiled at her best friend, "Hey Sookie. It was good...Rory found someone to help."
"Who? Babette? Can Babette even cook?" Sookie asked as she popped a piece of bacon into her mouth.
Lorelai smirked, "I have no idea if Babette can cook…" She took a sip of her coffee, "But no. Actually she asked Luke to help her…"
"Luke Danes?" Sookie said with a smirk, "Luke helped her cook you breakfast?"
Lorelai nodded slowly and leaned against the counter, "I was just as shocked as you are…"
Sookie shook her head, "I'm not that shocked. It's clear the guy is crazy about you…makes sense he'd want to do something special for you. He's always at the house helping you out anyway."
Lorelai sighed, "Yes he does repairs around the house...but this…" She shrugged, "This is different Sookie. This is bigger than that...he took time out of his day to wake up early and help my kid cook a Mother's Day breakfast for me. He even brought flowers. He told Rory to say they were from her...but she told me the truth."
"He brought flowers!? What kind?" Sookie asked excitedly.
Lorelai smiled, "Yellow daisies…"
"Yellow daisies!" Sookie said clapping her hands, "Oh my goodness! How did he know?"
Lorelai laughed slightly, "I have no idea Sookie...and now ROry won't stop talking about how. And about how great he is...about how he said I was beautiful…"
"He said you were beautiful?" Sookie asked placing a hand over her heart.
"According to Rory...yes he did." She said with a slight blush, "And after he prepared an amazing breakfast for me...he invited us to dinner at the Diner on the house."
"Did you go?" Sookie asked quickly.
"Well yeah...we eat there most nights...but this felt a little different." Lorelai said with a sigh as she placed her mug down on the counter, "But I don't know what it means…"
"Well what do you want it to mean?" Sookie asked, "You told me you think he is handsome...which I can't argue with. He's very good looking."
Lorelai smirked at her, "Yes. He is...and he's been amazing since we moved in…"
"I'm sensing a but here…" Sookie said with a frown, "Oh! Speaking of butt's...Luke's got a great one! He's caught me staring way too many times than I'd like to admit…"
"Sookie!" Lorelai said with a laugh, "You're bad…"
"And you didn't answer my question...what's the but?" Sookie asked with a shrug, "You think he's handsome...he thinks you are beautiful. He is willing to do just about anything for you or Rory which is a total bonus. Cuz not all guys are great with kids…"
Lorelai nodded slowly, "He is great with Rory…"
"So what's the problem then?" Sookie asked softly, "Ask him out!"
Lorelai groaned, "It's not that simple Sookie…"
Sookie sighed and walked over to her, "Lorelai...just because you have a kid doesn't mean you have to become celibate for life. I don't think they'd accept you as a nun…"
Lorelai rolled her eyes at her best friend, "Sookie that's not the problem. I just...I don't want Rory to get attached to someone who could easily change his mind. Yes...Luke is a great guy. But he has no obligation to stick around. What if we got together...and it was great for a while and then he said...this isn't what I want? It wouldn't just be that got hurt Sookie...it would be Rory too. I swore years ago that I'd never let her get hurt that way again…"
"You mean after Michael…" Sookie said with a frown.
"Yes. After Michael...and all the crap that Christopher has put her through. She deserves so much more. And I can't give her that...I can't guarantee that someone will stay." Lorelai said sadly as tears prickled in her eyes.
"Michael was just a kid...so were you. I mean you were just 21...he wasn't ready to settle down. I'm not saying what he did was right...but he is so different from Luke. Luke's a good person...he'd never do anything if he wasn't sure about it." Sookie said with a shrug, "I've known him longer than you...he's a man of his word."
"I don't doubt that...and he may think he wants…" She paused and shook her head, "It's just complicated...and truthfully I'd rather have him as a friend than risk losing him in my life."
"Even if it meant giving up something that could potentially be really good for you? And Rory?" Sookie asked softly, "I've watched the way he is with you in the last year...the guy would walk through hell and back if you asked him too. He's a good man...helpful. But he doesn't help people the way he helps you...he drops everything as soon as you call him."
Lorelai sighed and put her head in her hands, "Have I been using him?"
Sookie shook her head, "No. You're friends...but I think deep down you want more than that."
"But Rory-" Lorelai started.
"Rory adores Luke too. And at some point...you're gonna have to let your walls down a little bit. Rory wants you to be happy. It's not just about a Dad to her...that would just be a bonus. She wants you to find someone too." Sookie said with a shrug.
"But if he breaks her heart too…" She whispered.
"You can't play the if game Lorelai...if you don't want to be with Luke because you aren't interested then fine. But if you think that there could be something there...you owe it to yourself to give it a try. You've spent the last 12 years making decisions only for Rory...you gotta do something for yourself at some point too." Sookie said pointing a spatula at her.
Lorelai pouted softly, "It would be so much easier if I could see the future and know if it was right or not…"
"Well you can call one of those 1800 numbers if you really feel like it." Sookie said with a laugh, "But last time I did she told me I'd have five kids by now so I don't know how reliable they are…"
Lorelai laughed and grabbed her coffee again, "You're nuts. I gotta get back to work. Thanks for the pep talk."
"That's what I'm here for." Sookie called after her as she walked away, "And to make sure you don't kill Michel…"
Lorelai turned and smiled at her, "Thanks for that...Rory would never survive if I had to go to prison."
"I got your back." Sookie said giving her a thumbs up.
Lorelai laughed and walked back out of the kitchen and towards the front desk. She wasn't any less confused than she was before. But she had a feeling her friend was right...at some point she was going to have to let the walls down. It was just a matter of trusting the person enough to let them in. Did she trust Luke? She knew the answer before she even finished the thought.
With a sigh, she shook her head and reminded herself she didn't even really know what Luke was feeling. Sure Rory had said that he had called her beautiful, but was that true?
Just as she was settling into work, she saw a familiar figure step into the Inn. Her heart sped up when she saw Luke walking towards her slowly. He smiled and gave her a small wave before lifting his other hand to hold out a book, "Hey...Rory left this at the Diner last night. I meant to bring it by this morning before she left for school...but we got slammed. Hope she didn't need it for homework or anything."
Lorelai smiled at his concern and took the book, "Oh. Hey. Thanks! No...this is just one of the 15 books she will read this week." She said with a smirk, "I can't keep up with her. Her bookshelf is going to give way any day now due to sheer weight from the hundreds of books she has in there…"
Luke smiled, "I caught a glimpse of it yesterday. I could come by and try and make it sturdier if you want…"
She swallowed hard, "Oh...that's sweet of you. But...it's okay. I'm sure I'll have to get her a new one at some point anyway."
He shrugged, "Okay...well if you change your mind let me know. I don't mind…"
She stared at him for a moment and then felt the blush creep into her cheeks as she looked down, "Okay...thanks. I'll-I'll remember that…"
He smiled sincerely at her, "No problem…" He pointed back towards the door, "I should get back to the Diner. Will you guys be in later?"
"Not tonight. Rory has her creative writing class after school. And then Lane's Mom was going to drop her off. We will probably just have the leftovers you sent home with us. Thanks for that by the way…" She whispered the last part shyly.
He smiled at her, "No problem." He cleared his throat, "Well...then maybe I'll see you tomorrow then."
She smiled at him, "Most likely yes." She reached for the book on the desk, "And thanks for bringing this by. Rory will be very happy."
He gave her a little wave and smiled sheepishly, "Yeah...no problem. See you around Lorelai."
She bit her lip and answered back softly, "See you around Luke…"
He stepped back and bumped into one of the maids making Lorelai giggle. His face turned red and he gave her a quick nod before exiting the Inn. Lorelai took a deep breath and looked down at the book thoughtfully...he was a damn good man.
After work, Lorelai went straight home. She checked the mail and groaned when she saw more bills she knew she couldn't afford to pay this month. She threw her keys on the little table in the hall and made her way upstairs towards the bathroom. On days when Rory had an after school activity, she tried to take advantage of the little alone time she had.
She walked into the bathroom and began to pull out all her favorite body scrubs and soaps. She turned on the radio in the corner and went to turn the water on. But as she turned the handle the water came pouring out and the actual handle popped off making it impossible to turn off.
"Crap!" Lorelai yelled trying to push it back on, "Oh crap…No! No! Come on!"
She hopped into the tub with her clothes still on and tried to screw the handle back on again. With a frustrated groan, she jumped out of the tub with her wet feet and ran back downstairs to the phone. She grabbed it quickly and dialed the only number she could think of off the top of her head.
"Luke's." She heard him say into the phone.
"Luke! I went to take a bath and the stupid handle of the faucet thingy broke off! And now the water is just coming out and I can't turn it off!" She yelled into the phone.
"Who is this?" He asked into the phone.
"Lorelai! Who else would call you this frantically?" She groaned when she looked up the stairs again, "Please! Can you come over! I don't know what to do!"
"Uh...sure." Luke said into the phone, "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just hold on."
"Hurry!" Lorelai yelled before she hung up the phone and ran back upstairs.
The water wasn't overflowing because she hadn't put the stopper in the tub. But still...the idea of the water pouring out when she could barely afford to be taking a luxurious bath at the moment was driving her crazy. She tried unsuccessfully again to put the handle back on but only succeeded in spraying herself with water.
"Damn it!" She groaned as she looked down at her now soaked through white blouse.
"Lorelai?" She heard him call from downstairs, "Why the hell is your door unlocked?"
"Luke! Don't worry about that now! Just get up here!" She yelled frantically as she sprayed herself with water again.
She heard his boots on the floor and then heard him round the corner to the bathroom, "Geez...what did you do to yourself?"
She pouted and turned towards him, "Make it stop!"
Luke nodded slowly and walked towards her, "Step out for a sec."
Lorelai grabbed his arm and tried to climb out of the tub, but she slipped as she did so and he grabbed her around the waist. They both fell sideways into the tub and started to get covered in water. "Shit!" She yelled, "Oh no! Luke I'm so sorry!"
He rubbed his head where he had hit it against the hard tile behind it, "I'm fine...are you okay?"
She knelt in front of him in the tub and reached to touch his head, "I'm fine. You're the one that hit your head."
Luke looked down and saw that her white shirt was soaked through and he could make out the pink lacey bra underneath. "Um...I'm really good."
Lorelai's eyes followed his gaze and blushed, "Oh my God…"
He looked away quickly, "Geez...I'm sorry. Uh...let me get a towel…"
He tried to stand up but only slipped again and fell ontop of her making her gasp, "Oh!"
He grimaced, "Crap. Crap I'm sorry. Now you hit your head. Are you okay?"
She laughed slightly, "Just a little cold…"
Luke couldn't help but look down again and noticed that she was indeed cold, the evidence showed on her chest, "Um…" He carefully pulled himself out of the tub and helped her out, "Sorry…"
She shook her head and tried to brush back her now soaking wet curls, "I'm fine. Do you think you can turn it off?"
Luke turned quickly, "Oh. Right...um...yeah." He looked around for a few minutes and then managed to find a way to fix the handle and turn the water off.
She sighed with relief, "Thank you…"
He lifted his hat and pushed back his wet hair, "No problem...um…" He turned again to look at it, "You're gonna have to get that fixed for real. I could probably do it...I just don't have the right tools at the moment."
"Oh. Right...um...no it's okay I'll call someone." She said crossing her arms over her chest and trying not to shiver, "I've bothered you enough."
He smiled softly at her, "You didn't' bother me. Diner was dead. Plus if you call someone to do it they will rob you blind. They can tell when a woman doesn't know anything about prices and all that. They'd totally take advantage of you."
Lorelai blushed, "Luke I feel bad asking you to do that...you do so much already."
Luke shrugged, "It's no big deal Lorelai...really. I know how to do it…"
She smiled at him, "Um...well yeah okay. That would be great…" She pushed more of her wet hair out of her face, "Let me...get you a towel."
She walked past him towards the closet with the towels in it. When she turned back around, Luke had taken off his flannel and was now standing there in a skin tight white undershirt which made his muscles pop. "Um…"
He turned towards her and took the towel, unaware that she was staring, "Thanks."
She bit her lip and tried to keep her eyes from tracing his biceps, "Sure…"
He stared at her for a moment and then blushed when he realized what she was doing, "Lorelai?"
She turned away quickly, "Oh my God...I'm sorry."
He cleared his throat, "I got caught too...I'll forgive you."
She laughed slightly and turned back towards him, "Thanks…"
"But you uh…" He awkwardly pointed towards her, "You should probably get your own towel."
"Oh!" Lorelai said spinning and grabbing a towel to wrap around herself, "Sorry. I'm sorry!"
He couldn't help but laugh, "It's...fine."
She smirked at him, "You're lucky you just saved my ass...I wouldn't be so kind if you were anyone else."
He smiled at her, "Good to know…"
She opened her mouth to say something was interrupted "Mom? You home?"
Lorelai's eyes popped, "Uh...hold on Rory!"
"Lorelai?" Another voice called, "I am dropping off Rory as instructed!"
"Oh crap. Oh crap." Lorelai said trying to dry herself off, "Why does Mrs. Kim always insist on walking Rory into the damn house!"
"Mrs. Kim is here?" Luke said frantically looking around, "She scares the crap out of me!"
"Lorelai?" They heard someone coming up the steps, "Are you home?"
"Oh my God!" Lorelai yelled quickly as she shoved Luke back and making him gasp as she walked out of the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.
"Hey!" Lorelai called as Mrs. Kim, Lane and Rory walked up the steps, "You guys are home early."
"Mrs. Holden wasn't feeling well so she let us out early." Rory said giving her Mom a strange look, "Mom? Why are your clothes all wet?"
"Oh…" She looked down at herself wrapped up in the towel fully clothed, "Well...I was going to take a bath. But...I had a little trouble with the knob thingy. And so I got a little wet…"
"How did you get it to turn off?" Rory asked with a smile.
"Oh...you know I figured it out myself." Lorelai said shifting from foot to foot.
Rory opened her mouth to respond but she heard a crash from the bathroom, "Figured it out all by yourself huh?"
Lorelai glared at her daughter, "Sure did. I can be quite handy when I need to be! Thanks so much for dropping Rory off Mrs. Kim...I'll pick them up next week! Have a great night!"
Another crash sounded from the bathroom and Mrs. Kim marched past her, "Do you have a boy in there?"
Lorelai grimaced as she opened the door, Luke stood up quickly and tried to look casual. "Oh...hi Mrs. Kim! How are you?"
Mrs. Kim turned quickly, shut the door behind her and glared at Lorelai, "You have a boy in the bathroom!"
"Um...yeah...I sort of had to call Luke because I couldn't get the water to turn off. And we had a little accident…" Lorelai said looking down. "It's not what you think…"
"You are both soaking wet...you can see parts of your body that a man shouldn't see! You have a daughter!" Mrs. Kim yelled.
"Mrs. Kim please…" Lorelai begged, "It really isn't like that at all...Luke came to help me. We slipped in the water...it was totally innocent."
Mrs. Kim stood up straighter, "Lane...it's time to go." She turned towards Rory, "I'll pray for you."
Lane gave Rory a nervous look and then followed her mother down the stairs and out of the house. Lorelai groaned and turned towards her daughter, "Rory...I'm so sorry…"
Rory didn't look sad at all, she was smiling happily, "For what?"
"I'm sure that this was really embarrassing for you. And Mrs. Kim is scary and-" She started.
Rory shook her head, "Mom...I can handle Mrs. Kim." She walked past her Mom and opened the bathroom door, "You can come out now Luke...she's gone."
He sighed and walked into the hallway, "Hey Rory…"
She smiled at him, "You alright? Sounded like you broke a few things in there…"
"Yeah seriously...what the hell were you doing?" Lorelai asked, "They could have gotten out of here without a hitch!"
Luke's face turned bright red, "I kept slipping on the water...I'm sorry." He lifted his elbow, "Skinned my arm too…"
Rory laughed, "I'll go get the first aid kit…"
Luke watched Lorelai walk away, "I'm sorry Lorelai…"
Lorelai shook her head, "It's not your fault. You're only here because I called you like a lunatic to come over here. You were only trying to help…"
Luke sighed, "Yeah but that Mrs. Kim scares the crap out of me…"
She laughed, "Yeah you mentioned that." She smiled and then waved her hand at him, "Don't worry about her...I'm already the devil in disguise in her eyes. Teenage pregnancy isn't high on her list of wonderful characteristics. It took her six months to even allow Lane to step into the house...and another three months to let her pass the threshold."
Luke frowned, "She's...cracked Lorelai. You're a great Mom...so what if you had a kid young? Doesn't mean anything…"
She smiled sadly, "Luke...she's not the first person to pass judgement on me. And she won't be the last."
He stared at her for a moment, "I'm sorry…"
She shrugged, "It's okay...not your fault."
Rory walked back into the room and held out the first aid kit, "Sorry Luke...all we have left are Barbie bandaids."
He groaned, "Great…"
Lorelai giggled and lifted his arm, "It'll go great with the flannel Burger Boy…"
He smirked at her, "Great. Thanks."
Lorelai placed the bandage on his arm, "All set there buddy."
Luke nodded, "Thanks...uh so...I'll have to come back to really fix the tub. Think you guys will be okay for today? I can come by tomorrow…"
Lorelai nodded, "Yeah. We'll be good. We will just run over to Babette's if need be…"
Luke nodded, "Okay...well then I'll get out of your hair."
"Sorry about your clothes…" Lorelai said with a frown.
"And the cut." Rory said with a laugh.
"And Mrs. Kim…" Lorelai said softly, "I'm mostly sorry about that."
He laughed and shook his head, "Don't mention it. I'll get over it."
"Bye Luke." Rory said with a little wave and a laugh, "Thanks for saving Mom again."
Lorelai grabbed her daughter and pulled her against her side, "Rory…"
He only smirked and gave Rory her own little wave before walking down the stairs and out the front door. Lorelai sighed and leaned against the doorframe, she glared at her daughter who was laughing now.
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore…" Her mother said with hands on hips.
Rory smirked, "Oh boy...you used the full name. Must be in trouble."
Lorelai sighed, "Rory...I know what you are thinking but Luke is just a friend."
"Is he though?" Rory said as she cocked her head to the side, "He's always running over here when you need him. Made you breakfast in bed yesterday…"
"Because you asked for help. He did that for you." Lorelai said stubbornly.
Rory rolled her eyes, "Mom come on...it was for you too. The guy would do anything for you. So why fight it?"
"Rory relationships are complicated. You wouldn't understand…" Lorelai walked past her daughter towards her bedroom to change out of her wet clothes, "It's not a simple as you may think it would be."
Rory followed her mother into her room, "I may only be 12 but I can tell when two people like each other. And you guys like each other. So what's the problem?"
"Rory don't…" Lorelai said as she grabbed a dry shirt, "Just stop…"
"Is it because of me?" Rory asked in a soft voice.
Lorelai sighed and turned her back to change into a new dry shirt, she slipped on a pair of sweatpants too and walked to her bed. Rory waited a moment before joining her mother, Lorelai took her hand in hers.
"Rory...you are my life. And I know that sometimes...it would be nice to have someone else here with us. But...I don't know if that is ever going to happen. I'm sorry." Lorelai said softly. "I really am kid…"
"Luke said he likes me…" Rory said softly, "He said it wasn't about me…"
"Of course it's not about you Rory." She leaned forward and gave her daughter a kiss on the head, "You are an amazing kid. How could he not like you? I just...I don't want you to get your hopes up and then be crushed if something didn't work out…"
"So you're saying you'd rather be alone than risk me getting hurt?" Rory asked.
Lorelai shrugged, "It's not just you...I'm protecting myself here too kid."
"But Luke is a good guy. He's not like Dad...he's stable." Rory said quickly, "He wouldn't do anything to hurt us…"
"Maybe not intentionally…" Lorelai said, "But people change their minds kid. And I don't think I could handle that...or you. And Luke is a big part of our lives...so if we did go out and then we broke up it would be complicated. We couldn't go to the Diner anymore…"
Rory frowned, "So you'd rather be able to go to the Diner than potentially falling in love and having something amazing happen in your life? Seems kind of silly Mom…"
Lorelai groaned and lay back on the bed, "You sound like Sookie…"
Rory smiled and lay back next to her, "We just want you to be happy Mom...and I think Luke could make you happy. And yes...it would be nice to have a father figure around. I mean I'm not expecting him to be my new Dad...I just...it would be kinda nice. For both of us. Don't you think?"
Lorelai smiled and turned to look at her daughter, "It would be nice kid…"
Rory sat up again and stared down at her Mother, "Then go for it! To hell with consequences! I can handle a little heartbreak if it happens...but I really don't think it will. I think Luke is a good one."
Lorelai sat up and laughed, "To hell with consequences? Who are you and what have you done with my daughter? I had to line the road with pillows the first time we took your training wheels off and you had about seven layers of clothes on...consequences scare you."
Rory shrugged, "People change."
"That's what I'm afraid of…" Lorelai said with a pout.
"Well you'll never know what will happen if you don't try…" Rory said giving her a nudge, she could tell Lorelai was still unsure so she smiled and continued to speak, "At least...think about it, okay? For me?"
Lorelai stared at her daughter for a moment. It was one of those times when she realized how grown up she already was. In the blink of an eye she had gone from a teeny tiny baby to a growing young girl who was already wiser than her own mother. She wished she could give her the world. She wished she could keep her from all pain. But in life...pain was often inevitable. So did it make sense to hide from something that could turn out to be great for both of them?
"I'll...think about it. Okay?" She said giving her a smile as she leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek, "Let's go heat up those leftovers...I'm starving."
Rory smiled and hopped off the bed hoping that her little pep talk helped in someway. She was determined to get her Mother and Luke to stop fighting their feelings and finally get together. And the more willing her Mother was...the easier it would be for all of them…
The following morning, the girls had grabbed a quick breakfast at the Diner. As Lorelai was helping Rory pack up to get to school, Luke asked if it was okay to come by around 1:00 to look at the tub again. Lorelai said she would come home on her lunch break to let him in. They gave each other a quick smile and Rory had practically danced out of the Diner making her mother both blush and laugh.
Lorelai pulled into her driveway at exactly 12:59 and saw Luke pull in behind her. She hopped out of the car and smiled as he got out of the truck with his tool box. "Hey." He said gruffly.
She smiled and walked up the porch steps to unlock the door for him, "Hey yourself. Need any helping carrying stuff?"
Luke shook his head and walked towards her, "I got it."
She gave him a nod and held the door open for him, "Thanks again for doing this."
"It's no problem." He said giving her a smile as he walked past her, "Shouldn't take to long."
She shut the door behind him and watched as he walked up the stairs, "Do you want something to drink? Or a snack?"
"Water is fine. And I'm not eating anything from your kitchen. I saw the crap that was in the fridge when I was here on Sunday." He said with a smirk.
Lorelai chuckled, "Just trying to be polite Mr. Grump!"
She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a cup for him. She could hear him rummaging around in his tool box upstairs, and somehow the sound was comforting to her. For so long she had become used to the sounds of the house...the creaks from the old floor boards, the sound of her daughter laughing or singing. But it was new to hear a man hard at work at something. Despite the newness of it...she kind of liked it.
Walking back upstairs she placed the cup of water on the sink and leaned against the far wall, "Stay over there." He said.
She giggled and put her hands up, "Afraid I'll soak you again?"
"Yes." He said with a laugh, "I've got a bump on my head too…"
She smiled at him, "Sorry about that...totally an accident."
Luke started to unscrew a few things as he kneeled in the tub, "You hear from Mrs. Kim last night?"
Lorelai sighed and shook her head, "No. But I'm sure she said about 100 prayers just for Rory's sake last night."
Luke chuckled, "She's an interesting woman…"
"Yeah…" Lorelai said with a soft smile, "But Lane is a great kid...and Rory and her are such great friends. I'd never want to jeopardize that...Rory is shy. It's hard for her to make friends…"
"She is shy." Luke said as he grabbed for something in his tool box, "But she's incredibly bright. Half the stuff she says I don't understand...and she's only 12. I can only imagine what she will be like in a few years."
Lorelai smiled proudly, "She wants to go to Harvard."
"Really?" Luke said looking up at Lorelai, "Wow. I mean I have no doubt she'll get in...she'll knock those admission people off their feet."
"Hope so." Lorelai said with a smile, "I want her to have whatever it is she wants...she's such a good kid. She deserves the world…"
Luke smiled at her, "Well you've given her a great life Lorelai...she knows what she is capable of. And she knows no matter what she always has a safe place to come home too. She's gonna take the world by storm just like you."
Lorelai smiled, "Thanks Luke. But I'm not sure I really took the world by storm…"
"Who are you kidding?" He said with a smirk, "First day I met you...you came tearing into the Diner like a wrecking ball of energy. Stars Hollow has never seen anything like you before."
Lorelai threw her head back and laughed, "A wrecking ball of energy? Don't know how I should take that...I do tend to leave a path of wreckage in my way."
"I didn't mean it like that…" He said with a frown, "I meant that you are a force of nature. You are a hard worker...you get things done. You'd do anything for your kid...you're a strong woman Lorelai. Don't underestimate yourself…"
She swallowed hard and stared at him for a moment, "Thank you Luke…"
He smiled and looked out of the tub, "Can you hand me that bag over there?"
Lorelai pushed herself away from the wall and picked up the bag on the floor, "What's this?"
"Had to get you a new handle. This one is rusted...that's why it popped off so easily." He said taking the old one off.
"Oh." She handed him the bag, "Well how much was it? I'll-"
"Don't worry about it." He said shaking his head quickly, "Wasn't much at all."
"Luke…" She said as she crossed her arms over her chest, "You never let me pay you when you do work around here. At least let me pay for the parts you bought...it's not right."
He smiled at her, "I don't mind helping Lorelai. Sometimes it's good to get out of the Diner. Kirk was there rambling on about some new invention of his. He was making me crazy. Being able to get away from him was payment enough…"
Lorelai sighed and leaned against the sink, "I still don't feel right about it…"
He screwed on the new handle and smiled, "You'll get over it." He stood up slowly and stepped out of the tub, "Let's see if it worked…" He turned the handle and the water flowed out easily, he turned it again and it turned off. "There. Easy fix."
Lorelai smiled at him, "Thanks Luke."
He nodded and reached down to put his tools away, "Anytime."
Lorelai watched him for a moment and before she could think about what she was saying she blurted out, "Do you want to have dinner with Rory and I on Friday?"
Luke dropped toolbox on the floor and quickly grabbed it before standing up to face her, "Um...what?"
"I…" She paused and looked down at her hands, "Rory and I get take out and have a movie night on Fridays...do you want to come over?"
He swallowed hard and stared at her for a second before answering, "Well...sure. I mean...would Rory be okay with that?"
She couldn't help but laugh, "Oh I'm pretty sure she'd be more than okay with it…"
"What?" He asked curiously as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.
She shook her head, "Nothing. It's...it's no big deal if you can't. Maybe you have to work or have a date-"
"I don't have to work...and I don't have a date." He said quickly catching her by surprise.
She glanced up at him and nodded slowly, "Oh. Okay...well…"
"What time should I be here?" He asked nervously.
"Um...7?" She asked pushing some hair out of her face, "Is that good?"
He nodded slowly, "Sure. Want be to bring something?"
She shook her head, "No. We will supply the pizza, the movie and the adorable company." She said with a blush, "Just bring yourself."
He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, "Okay...well great. Sounds fun."
"Yeah…" She bit her lip nervously, "Any preference on pizza?"
He shook his head, "Not really...I mean I like veggies…"
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him, "Ugh...you'll get your own small pizza then."
Luke chuckled, "I can get it before I come by."
Lorelai shook her head quickly, "I'm paying for the pizza. You refuse to let me pay for your repair work...at least let me buy you some pizza."
He smiled at her, "Okay. Deal."
She smiled sheepishly and looked down, "Okay…"
"Okay…" He whispered again, "Uh...I should probably get back to the Diner. Need to make sure that Caesar hasn't killed Kirk."
Lorelai giggled, "Probably a good idea…"
"Right. Good. So…" He started to walk towards the door, "So...I'll see you on Friday." He paused, "Or...maybe before that at the Diner?"
"We'll probably be in tomorrow. Sookie is making us dinner tonight." She said softly.
"Alright. Well then I'll see you tomorrow. And Friday…" He said unable to keep the smile from his face.
"I'll see you both of those thens." Lorelai said with a smirk.
"Great. So…" He backed away and slammed into the doorframe, "Ow."
She laughed, "Careful…"
He blushed and lifted his free hand to wave at her, "See ya."
"Bye Luke. And thanks again for the help." She said from her spot in the bathroom.
"Anytime…" He whispered sweetly to her.
Lorelai felt her heart racing in her chest as she listened to the sound of his boots on the stairs. When she heard the door close behind her she turned quickly and stared at herself in the mirror. She had technically just asked Luke Danes out...yes her kid would be there...but it was kind of still a date. Wasn't it?
She took a deep breath and then looked down at his untouched water and took a big gulp, "What am I getting myself into?" She whispered to herself.
Out in the truck, Luke was sitting behind the wheel staring up at the bathroom window. Lorelai Gilmore had just asked him to have dinner...yes Rory would be there too. But...she had still asked him to dinner. Was it a date? It felt dateish...but is that what she meant it to be? Or was she just trying to say thank you for helping her?
His mind wandered to the day before when he had seen a glimpse of what was beneath her clothes. The image had kept him up most of the night…
He knew what he wanted. He knew he wanted to be with her...but did she want the same thing? Yes Rory had said that she had said he was handsome...but was that true? Or was that just a young girl trying to medal into her Mother's love life? He took a deep breath, began to back out of the driveway and wondered how the hell he was ever going to make it to Friday without having a heart attack…
Hopefully you aren't disappointed! Let me know if you want me to continue :)