Chapter 2: His Girls

The Gilmore Girls' criticisms of the latest Star Wars movie had all been in jest, of course. Just another improvisational, witty, pop-culture laden rant that left Luke feeling all at once confused and at peace. Those nights with his girls, struggling to keep up, meant more to Luke than he could ever express.

Waking up late to fix the girls breakfast, and under the confidence that Caesar would open up, Luke finally headed to the diner in time for lunch... and his appointment with Connecticut Food and Drink.

Patty LaCosta took a long drag from her cigarette as she contemplated the reporter's questions.

"I've known Luke since he was a boy. He was the star of the high school track team. Probably could have gone collegiate if his mother hadn't passed away and his father hadn't gotten cancer. He stayed home to help his dad at the hardware store. That's what this place used to be..." she gestured all around her. "Then William died and Luke's sister, Liz, ran off. She had a kid, his nephew that he barely saw. All alone, the poor young buck. Turned this place into a diner to stay on his feet; used to sleep high up there in the loft. Shut up for years, all alone. Never got into the spirit of all the town's events here. When William died... a part of that boy died with him."

Lyman Train nodded slowly, intrigued. A reclusive diner owner with a tragic past. "What happened?"

Patty's face lit up the way it did when she had the latest piece of gossip. "Lorelai Gilmore happened. She came tearing in one day, begging for coffee, like she'd die without it and swept Lucas right off his feet." She shook her head wistfully at the memory. "Poor boy was ass over tin cup in love with her for eight solid years. Watched Lorelai go from guy to guy. Oh, they always danced around each other. We had a betting pool going, you know; the town did, about when those two would get together. Meanwhile, Luke would drop everything whenever Lorelai needed him. Pretty much raised her daughter, Rory, like she was his own - the father was out of the picture, you understand. He fell hard for those girls... I swear, if they asked him for his head on a platter, Luke would saw it off himself!"

Patty's soliloquy was interrupted by Luke hustling into the Diner. Over his shoulder, a news anchor was outside, taping a segment on the eatery:

"Luke's Diner has been a staple in this town for the past twenty years. Word on the streets of Stars Hollow says this place has the best coffee on the Eastern Seaboard. There are even rumors that Mr. Danes was given an offer from an unnamed source to franchise the business - an offer he reportedly turned down..."

"Hey, Caesar, I'm here!" Luke called, not noticing Patty and the cameras at first. Lyman Train circled the counter and held out a hand.

"Just the man of the hour I wanted to see! Mr. Danes, I understand besides being an eatery magnate, you are also quite the family man."

"An epic love story!" Patty winked proudly.

Luke gave something between a smile and a grimace. "Well, there's no better source than Miss Patty. She's... quite the raconteur."

"She is at that!" Lyman chuckled. "So, Mr. Danes, I understand you are married? Kids?"

Luke smiled bashfully, but with every word he spoke, his pride seemed to grow more and more. "Yes. My wife, Lorelai, and I married almost two years ago, but we've been together for the previous twelve or so. I have two kids, my youngest from a previous relationship, and then of course my stepdaughter. April's one of the finest scientists I know, getting her doctorate in Germany. And Rory is a best-selling author. And I have a ten-month old granddaughter - cute as a button!"

Just then, the bell tinkled, and Rory walked in, with baby Laurie on her hip. "Daddy Luke, Mom sent me with your keys to the house - you forget them again!"

Lyman wheeled around, and gaped in disbelief. "Oh my God - it's Rory Gilmore!" Understanding dawned as he turned back to Luke. "Rory Gilmore is your stepdaughter! You're... Duke! THE Duke from the book!"

The media and television cameras suddenly descended on a flummoxed Rory; Luke tried to save her by at least diving in and whisking the baby away before the paparazzi flashes made her cry.

All was quiet in the Gilmore-Danes house that night. Lorelai had gone to bed hours before, concerned about the media presence at the Diner; Luke's explanation that he had received a call for an interview the day before did little to alleviate his wife's worry.

Luke was busy cleaning up in the kitchen. In the living room, Rory sat on the couch, going over some bills and with an asleep Laurie nestled in her lap.

"Why don't you take Laurie up to bed?" Luke asked in a stage whisper.

"I'm afraid if I move, she'll wake up."

Luke strode into the living room and plopped down on the couch, planting a kiss on his stepdaughter's temple. Since they had become family by marriage, the Diner owner and best-selling author had allowed themselves to become more affectionate with each other. Sure, Luke and Rory had shared a mutual father-daughter love when Rory was growing up, but Luke's awkward shyness had been somewhat of a barrier. Rory cracked a smirk recalling the first time he had hugged her, upon learning she had been accepted to three of the top Ivy League schools.

"I'm sorry," she got out.

Luke blinked. "For what, princess?"

"Coming into the Diner and stealing your thunder. I overheard you on the phone with Connecticut Food and Drink when I was leaving the Diner yesterday. I should have anticipated a connection might be made. Now there's gonna be a media firestorm, which I know you don't want. I let you down..."

"No, no, no, you... could never let me down, Rory." Luke gave her shoulder a squeeze. "I can take this. I'll figure it out; we all will."

Just then, Rory's cell phone rang. She sighed. "And so it begins..." she murmured, thinking it might be a reporter asking for the latest scoop on Gilmore Girls. Against her better judgement, she picked up. "Hello?... Oh, hi, Aunt Liz... Yeah, Laurie's passed out in my lap; that's why I'm whispering... Doula was the same way? Sleep anywhere; that's hilarious... Yeah, I kind of let the cat out of the bag with the media today - don't worry, they probably won't bother you or TJ... Yeah, they might not make the connection, but warn Jess, will you? Thanks. OK, love you. Bye-bye."

"What's my sister calling you for?" Luke's face creased in bemusement.

"She heard about your interview, and wanted to say how proud she is. Then Miss Patty and Babette informed her about my accidental reveal."

"Let's hope it doesn't last too long, this media hoopla," Luke growled dryly. Yet, his eyes twinkled with a rare warmth. "Although, if it seals that television deal for you, it will probably all be worth it. You Gilmore Girls are some of the only people I've ever cared about."

Rory pecked him on the cheek. "Go to bed. I still have this email I need to write my editor; don't wait up for me. Love you, Daddy Luke."

Luke smiled and ruffled her hair. "Love you too, princess."