A/N: I've decided to post chapter 2 a little bit early since so many people are asking for it, and let's face it - I'm impatient. The final two chapters will be posted tomorrow (Christmas day). One in the morning and one in the evening. Merry Christmas everyone.

Confusion

xxxxx

"I still think it was mean of her not to give you the inn," Melody declared, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.

"She loved it, and she wasn't ready to give it up," Lorelai explained patiently. "Kind of like the way you love your doll house."

The little girl's blue eyes widened. "Oh yeah, no one else can have that, it's special 'cause Grumps made it for me with his own two hands. It's mine forever an' ever an' ever an' ever an' ever." She looked up at Luke, as though waiting for confirmation that she wouldn't have to give up her precious gift.

He laughed heartily. "Of course it's yours, Mel. Lorelai just means that Fran felt the same way about the Dragonfly. She didn't want anyone else to have it while she was alive because it was so special to her."

"Oh, okay." She relaxed in Luke's arms contentedly now that she knew her own property was safe. "Keep going. Mia comes soon!"

Lorelai giggled. For some reason Melody was enamored by Mia, even though she'd never me her. "You really love that part, don't you kiddo?"

Melody nodded, her little pigtails bouncing. "Mia is like Cinderella's Fairy Godmother – she comes in at just the right time and makes everything okay."

Lorelai gazed lovingly at her great granddaughter while she marveled at the 6 year old mind and its amazing ability to simplify complex situations. "Mia, the Fairy Godmother," she whispered softly, tilting her head upwards to catch Luke's eye. "She'd like that wouldn't she?"

"She would," Luke confirmed, "And she would have loved Melody too," he added sadly, acknowledging the hole in his heart that had been left by Mia's passing many years before.

"She would have loved them all," Lorelai said, thinking of their many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"Yeah." Luke leaned down and kissed her softly. She kissed him back, accepting the comfort he offered, and returning it with her own.

A sudden outburst of giggling caused him to pull away. He looked up and saw three more girls from the latest generation of Gilmore-Danes offspring peeking at them through the porch rails.

"Come sit with us if you want to hear the story," he growled at them. They giggled again and scrambled over to their great grandparents, settling in around their feet.

"Now, where were we?" Lorelai asked.

"Mia!" squealed Melody.

"Oh, Mia!" one of the new arrivals shouted.

"I love Mia," another intoned dreamily.

Lorelai laughed. "Okay, Mia. So Sookie and I returned to the inn after Fran had crushed our dream of buying the Dragonfly. Our bout of ennui was to be short lived though, because Michel informed us that Mia had arrived for a surprise inspection."

xxxxx

Sookie and Lorelai were bantering with Rory, and trying to come to terms with Fran's refusal to sell the Dragonfly, when Michel came traipsing into the kitchen with a smug expression on his face. "I would advise at least pretending to look busy, the boss is here."

Rory's face lit up. "Mia!"

"You're kidding! When?" Lorelai asked excitedly.

Michel shrugged. "I just spotted her walking in."

Lorelai grabbed Rory's hand and pulled her toward the exit. "Let's go."

As soon as they entered the lobby, Rory broke away from her mother and ran toward an older woman who was standing near the reception desk.

"Mia!" she shouted, embracing her.

Lorelai caught up, just in time to be pulled into a group hug. "Uh! Oh my babies! Ooh!" Mia cried, squeezing them tightly.

They greeted each other fondly, and after Rory and Lorelai passed Mia's inspection and endured the requisite, "You're too thin" comments, the three of them linked arms and left Michel to take care of the inn while they headed off to explore the town and catch up.

xxxx

Luke looked up and saw Lorelai, Rory and Mia enter the diner. He set down the screwdriver he had been using to fix the toaster, and walked over to them nervously.

He'd been thinking about Lorelai non-stop since their meeting the morning before. He wondered what would have happened if they hadn't been interrupted. Would she have kissed him? And if so, what did it mean? Did she like him? Would it have changed things between them? What would kissing her be like?

He shoved the thoughts aside and greeted Mia jovially. "Mia, hey!"

She hugged him and said, "Nice to see you, Lucas."

Luke saw Lorelai's eyes light up at the thought of a new way to torment him. Like she needs another one.Her mere existence is torture enough - especially in that sweater. My God she looks amazing today. So kissable and – He closed his eyes to clear the image from his brain before turning his attention back to Mia. "You're the only person in the world who can call me that, Mia."

Mia smiled. "I know this."

He looked pointedly at Lorelai. "I'm saying it for others who plan to try it later."

She grinned wickedly and said, "Whatever Lucas."

Luke headed off to get the coffee as the girls began to pepper Mia with questions about Santa Barbara and sat down at the table by the corner window.

Jess came downstairs, and after teasing Luke about his inability to fix the toaster, was introduced to Mia. Jess answered monosyllabically and fled, leaving Luke to apologize for his nephew.

Mia shrugged it off. "Oh please, forget it. You weren't exactly a talkative boy yourself when you were his age."

"That's right, you knew Luke as a boy." The gleam was back in Lorelai's eye. She tried to picture Luke as a kid and smiled at the image that began to take shape inside her brain. But as cute as the imaginary child in her head was, he couldn't compete with the flesh and blood male who stood before her now. Her breathing quickened as she discretely ran her eyes up and down his form. Her gaze settled on his lips and she licked her own, wondering as she had yesterday, what kissing him would be like.

Her face flushed as she turned to see Mia studying her, and she quickly diverted the conversation back to Luke's childhood, breathing a sigh of relief when Rory jumped in and asked questions too.

"Oh my God, oh my God!" Lorelai burst out, after Mia revealed that Luke had been a Trekkie. She and Rory immediately began teasing him, but for Lorelai it was half-hearted. It wasn't the same teasing him now. Whatever had happened yesterday had changed things between them and she wasn't sure she liked it.

She felt his gaze on her and looked up, surprised at the heat that she found there. Her pulse began to race again and she felt an odd energy surging between them. She suddenly wished they were alone, so she could figure out what was going on.

The moment was broken an instant later when Taylor burst through the diner door and began to yell at Luke about a phony murder.

While Rory watched the floorshow in amusement, Mia leaned toward Lorelai and whispered, "What was all that about?"

"All what?" Lorelai whispered back.

"You and Luke."

"Nothing."

"That wasn't a nothing, that was a something. Are you dating?"

"What?" Lorelai jerked her hand, sloshing coffee onto the table. "No. We're definitely not dating."

"But you like him?"

"I'm not sure," Lorelai answered honestly. "I think, maybe I do."

Mia's face broke into a broad grin and she clasped her hands together in front of her face. "Oh, that's wonderful. The two of you together would be amazing."

"You think so?" Lorelai's voice wobbled.

"I know so." Mia patted Lorelai's hand supportively. "You've come a long way from that scared little girl who showed up on my doorstep with an infant in her arms. And he's come a long way, too. You know, he had a really hard time growing up, with his mom dying so young and then his dad getting sick and Liz getting pregnant. He was a very unhappy, and angry young man."

Mia elaborated on some of the details as Lorelai absorbed the information and studied Luke, who was now in a full-scale argument with Taylor. She'd known he'd had a tough childhood, but hearing the details of it filled her with a deep and overwhelming sense of pain for him. She wanted to go to him, wrap her arms around him protectively and never let go.

Her eyes swam with unshed tears as Mia said, "I've known both of you a long time. I think you'd be good for each other. You'd balance each other out." Her tone became more serious as she continued, "He's had a rough life, our Luke; he deserves some happiness. So do you."

Lorelai smiled weakly. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Mia squeezed her hand.

xxxxx

Melody was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing up and down on Luke's lap. "See?" She clapped her hands. "Mia really is the Fairy Godmother."

"No she's not." Her sister Margaret said, joining her cousins Joey, Jessica, and Robin at Luke and Lorelai's feet. "She's just a person."

"Well, duh." Melody stuck her tongue out at her sister just as her mother, Laurie, came out to check on them.

"Melody!" she admonished, "That was rude. Apologize to your sister."

"Sorry Mags," she said automatically, before turning back to her beloved Lailai and Grumps saying, "What happened next?"

"Wow, how have I not heard this story before?" Robin asked.

Jessica laughed. "Probably 'cause you were too distracted by something shiny to pay attention."

"Hmm… you're probably right." Robin looked up at her great grandparents. "I'll be better, please continue."

Lorelai laughed. She loved her family and all their crazy. "Well, I had a bit of a freak-out when I realized that I hadn't told Mia about our plans to open our own inn. I made up my mind to tell her after the town meeting that night."

"Town massacre, more like," Luke grumbled.

xxxxx

Lorelai sat in her office with a cup of coffee and a plate of Sookie's cookies. She had been distracted all afternoon. Not only was she panicking about having to tell Mia that she and Sookie wanted to open their own inn, but she also couldn't stop thinking about the whispered conversation she'd had with Mia that afternoon.

She was haunted by the new things she'd learned about him; the way he'd practically had to raise Liz, how he'd cast aside his plans for college to take care of his ailing father and his failing store, how hard his fathers' death had been on him, the blow he must have felt when Liz got pregnant and proceeded to flit from one bad situation to the next.

No wonder he's such a grump, she reflected, He's had so many things in his life go wrong. His family has basically deserted him and he's alone, running the diner he started himself and cleaning up after Liz and Jess's messes.

And yet, he's the most amazing person I know. Sure, he's gruff on the exterior, but once you get past that you see that he's a man who's hurting. A man who is loyal and caring and loves his family despite their shortcomings. Look at the way he was willing to take in his nephew, and try to help him. That's the mark of a good man, a loving man.

Lorelai absently took a sip of coffee as her mind continued to whirr. He's good to his friends too. Always willing to help. I swear he's practically rebuilt our entire house. It would be rubble at our feet without him. And he's so great with Rory. He's been a better father to her than Christopher will ever be. He's so protective of her, and I know they adore each other.

Was Mia right? Could she and Luke really become more than just friends? Did he want that? Did she? She took a sharp breath as she realized that she did. He was already an integral part of her life and Rory's, and she could easily see him fitting into their family like the missing piece of a puzzle.

Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to go to him and share her newfound revelations with him. She grabbed her jacket and was just walking toward her office door, when Michel burst inside without knocking and began rambling about maids calling in sick and the inn being overbooked. Sighing, she dropped her coat and followed him. Luke would have to wait.

xxxxx

Lorelai tried to dawdle as she Rory and Mia made their way to Miss Patty's for the town meeting that evening. She wanted to be late so she could find out what Taylor meant when he'd said there would be severe consequences the next time they were late.

They passed the diner and saw Luke locking up. Despite her revelation from earlier in the day, she felt nervous now. What if he doesn't feel the same way? What if I say something, and it offends him and it ruins our friendship?

She avoided looking at him as they all walked across the street to Miss Patty's. The four of them entered the hall, only to discover that the meeting was already in session.

"What's going on here?" Luke barked as he stepped through the door behind them.

Taylor hedged, "Uh, nothing."

"Meeting was supposed to start at eight, Taylor. It's a minute to eight." Luke pointed at his watch.

After a bit more evading, Taylor finally admitted that they started early and hadn't invited Luke because they were dealing with the 'Jess' situation.

Lorelai rolled her eyes as Taylor offered ridiculous rationales for his actions. She wasn't a huge fan of Jess, but none of this was Luke's fault. He was doing the best that he could. It was a nice thing, and now these people were throwing it in his face. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Back off, Taylor." She looked at Luke apologetically. At his nod, she continued. "Jess is Luke's responsibility, so if there is a problem, and I'm not saying there is, but if there is, give him time to deal with it before you storm his diner with torches and pitchforks."

"I don't think I know what you mean," Taylor said.

"Ugh." Lorelai groaned in frustration. "Luke is a respected member of our community, he feeds every single one of you on a regular basis and he supports the community even though he doesn't always participate. He's a good man, with a good heart and he's trying to do a good thing by taking in his nephew. He's trying to get him on a better path, and all this?" She gestured at the room in general. "Is not helping. Lay off him and let him do what he needs to, to set Jess straight. In the meantime, find something else to do, 'cause what you're all doing now stinks."

Luke smiled at her gratefully, awed at her outburst. "I'm done here. I'm done with all of you. Oh, and I was gonna stay open later in case anyone wanted to eat after the meeting. Forget that." He cast one last look at Lorelai before storming out and stomping over to the diner.

xxxxx

"Taylor sounds like he's as crazy as our town selectman, Peter." Joey exclaimed.

Luke looked at her and grumbled, "Believe me, Taylor was 1000 times worse than Peter."

The eyes of all five children grew large and round as they contemplated this possibility.

"It's true." Rory came out of the house and stood next to her daughter, Laurie. "Taylor was all kinds of crazy. And Luke seemed to get the brunt of it."

Robin tugged gently on Loreali's sleeve. "Lailai, what about Mia, did you tell her about the inn?"

Lorelai pulled Robin onto her lap and gave her a quick hug. "Yes, Robin, I did."

"Was she mad?" Margaret asked.

"No, actually, quite the opposite. She was thrilled." Lorelai grimaced slightly at the memory.

"She was?" Jessica's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah, she told me that it gave her a reason to sell the Independence Inn."

"But that's where Nana Rory grew up." Joey looked at her Nana in concern then turned back to Lorelai."

"Yes, it was, Joey," Lorelai said softly, reaching out and squeezing the little girls' hand.

"I was pretty upset at the time. In fact, I was so upset that I went to see your Grumps that night, 'cause he always knew how to cheer me up. Even then."

Luke gazed at her adoringly and grinned. "Always," he whispered before turning back to the children. "I'd returned to the diner that night, furious and ready to give Jess a piece of my mind. But Jess wasn't around, so instead I sat in the dark, stewing and filling the ketchup bottles."

xxxxx

Lorelai walked to the diner in a daze, stunned and hurt that Mia was thinking of selling the inn. She'd known she'd have to leave it one day, but the reality of losing it had hit her in the face like a ton of bricks. The Independence Inn was her home, Rory's home, and the thought of someone other than Mia running it broke her heart.

All thoughts of Mia and the inn fled as Lorelai came to the door of the darkened diner and spotted Luke behind the counter, slamming ketchup bottles around violently. He had a haunted look on his face and his shoulders were hunched in a very un-Luke-like manner. She had intended to talk to him tonight, maybe try to figure out what was going on between them, but now she could see that he needed her comfort and reassurance more than anything.

She tapped lightly on the window and he looked up, his face relaxing into a gentle smile when he saw who it was. He strode to the door and unlocked it, holding it open for her as she slipped inside.

"Hi," she said smiling.

"Hey." He gave her a half smile and walked back to his post behind the counter.

She followed him and plunked herself onto her favourite stool.

She observed him in silence as he turned on the coffee and continued to fill the ketchup bottles. When he reached out to pick up the next one she grabbed his hand gently. He stilled, staring at her hand on his. Her skin felt warm and smooth and he felt his anger at Jess and the town wane slightly.

"Luke," she said softly.

He tore his gaze away from their joined hands and looked at her. Her eyes were filled with concern and compassion as she lightly squeezed his hand. "Are you okay? Taylor was out of hand back there. Jess is your business, not theirs."

Luke felt his anger bubbling to the surface again and he breathed deeply, trying to keep it in check. "I'm doing the best I can. Can't they see that? Jess is his own person, I didn't tell him to pull that prank. If he even did it. We don't even know that he did it for sure. Oh, who am I kidding? Of course he did it."

Lorelai didn't respond right away, instead she grasped his hand tighter and led him to a table. She gestured for him to sit. She reluctantly released his hand and settled in beside him, before turning to look at him again. "Luke, I think it's an amazing thing what you're doing, taking your nephew in like this, trying to help him. He's a troubled kid, there will be bumps along the way, but I firmly believe that you can do this. To hell with what the rest of the loons in this town think."

"You really think I can help him? Set him on the right path?" Luke asked doubtfully. "'Cause it sure doesn't feel like I'm doing a whole lot of good. He's angry, he's mouthy, he keeps getting himself into trouble, and I don't have a clue what to do about it."

Lorelai adjusted her chair so that they were sitting knee to knee. She took both of his hands in hers and looked him in the eye. "You'll figure it out. You'll find a way to help him. It's what you do."

"Thanks." Luke began to relax. There was something about the combination of her words and her presence that made him feel like everything was going to be okay. He smiled at her gratefully, frowning as he detected a hint of sadness in her eyes. He leaned toward her and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. "Hey, are you okay? You look a bit upset yourself."

Lorelai looked down, blinking her eyes to try and curb the tears that were threatening to fall. "Mia wants to sell the Independence Inn," she whispered.

He froze for a moment, absorbing the information. He knew that the inn was much more than just a place of employment to her. It had been her home with Rory, her safe haven, her mecca. The thought of Mia selling it must have been tearing her apart.

Luke gathered her into his arms and pulled her across his lap before he even realized what he was doing. Her internal dam broke and she sobbed against his chest as he engulfed her in the safety of his arms. He stroked her hair, letting her grieve for the possible loss as he whispered words of consolation in her ear.

Eventually she ran out of tears. She continued to rest her head on him as she gained strength from the comfort and safety that eminated from him. Her heart began to pound against her ribs as she let her troubles drop away and became aware of him as a man again. She could smell him now, a mix of food and grease and something else, something rustic, manly.

She lifted her chin, and his face was hovering right above hers. She could see the tiny bumps of hairs along his jawline, the smooth curve of his nose, the round softness of his lips. His eyes glazed over as he studied her face carefully. He licked his lips and Lorelai breathed sharply, a jolt of desire spreading through her body, beginning in her stomach and radiating everywhere.

Unable to resist, she closed the distance between them and pressed herself against his lips. He tasted sweeter than she'd imagined and she found herself melting into him as he returned the kiss, his arms holding her firmly in place as his tongue circled the outsides of her lips. She moaned and opened her mouth for him. He thrust his tongue between her lips and found hers, engaging it in an intricate dance.

They paused for a moment, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breath. Lorelai gaped at him, about to say something, but he leaned in again and kissed her thoroughly before she could speak. He showered her with kisses, soft kisses: hard kisses, wet kisses. She felt his desire surge against her leg and it sent shockwaves racing through every nerve in her body. She returned his kisses, her urgency increasing as she wrapped her arms around him.

The bell above the door jingled and they pulled apart.

Jess stood in the doorway, smirking. "Maybe I should come back later."

"No." As Luke spoke, Lorelai shifted on his lap and lost her balance. She tumbled off, a tangle of arms and legs as she tried to catch herself before she hit the floor. "You okay?" Luke asked, offering his hand and pulling her to her feet as she nodded.

He turned to Jess. "You. Get upstairs. I'll be up in a minute and then you and I are going to have a long chat about what is and isn't funny to the residents of Stars Hollow."

Jess rolled his eyes. "Gee, Uncle Luke. Are you sure you don't want me to leave for a bit so you can finish what you've started with your 'lady friend'?"

Lorelai blushed as Luke growled, "Get your smart ass butt upstairs. Now!" He pointed to the curtain.

"Okay, okay." Jess sauntered across the diner. He paused at the curtain and looked back at them. "But are you sur - "

"Go!" Luke barked.

"Your choice." Jess shrugged and pulled back the curtain.

Luke listened to Jess' footsteps on the stairs and the slamming of a door before turning back to Lorelai.

"I should go." She picked up her jacket and moved toward the door. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

Luke didn't like the awkwardness in her tone. He knew they needed to talk about what had just happened between them and he was frustrated that they couldn't do it now, because he had a moody teenager waiting upstairs to be dealt with. "Yes, tomorrow. I was planning to come over and waterproof the Chuppah in the afternoon. Is that still okay?"

Lorelai nodded and opened the door. She gave him a quick wave and bolted. She needed to get home, figure out what had happened, how she felt about it, and what to do next.

TBC