AUTHOR'S NOTE: I want to say thanks again to Diane for showing me how to update! If it weren't for her I'd still be staring at my computer like a complete doofus! I want to thank every one who has reviewed or is going to review. You guys inspire me to keep going with this story. I only hope I can do it justice. I love these characters with all my heart and I would never want to tarnish them. With that note… reviewslove so please send some love my way! I need it! Thanks again!
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Chapter 3
Rory waved to her daughter Lori as she stepped out of the Elementary school at the end of her day. She smiled sadly knowing that in just a few days Logan would come and take her for two weeks. Rory hugged Lori tightly, squeezing everything out of her.
"Mommy", Lori said gasping, "too… tight… can't… breathe…"
"I'm sorry baby", Rory said, "I just missed you."
"I saw you this morning", Lori said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Lori was such a smart little girl. She got that wit from her mom and her laziness from her dad. Unfortunately, she also got from her mom the fact that she can't say no to anyone. That's why Rory knew for a fact Lori would say yes to go spend time with her father.
Rory took her daughter by the hand and began walking towards her house.
"Lori honey", Rory started, "you know who called me today…"
"Daddy?" Smart kid.
"Yes, he wants to know if you want to go visit him and Lindsay in California. He wants to take you to Disneyland…"
"DISNEYLAND? I LOVE DISNEYLAND!"
That was definitely the clincher. Lori was officially hook line and sinker.
"So that's a yes?"
"Are you coming mommy?"
"No baby", Rory stopped and kneeled down to the six-year old's level, "this is just you and your daddy…"
"…and Lindsay…"
"And Lindsay, but you like Lindsay."
"I know", Lori said sadly, "I don't want you to be alone."
Rory smiled sadly. Even though she knew this was her chance to have her daughter stay. She knew it was wrong to manipulate her child that way. It was time to let go. It was the right thing to do.
"Don't stay for me Lori. I won't be alone; I have grandma and grandpa here. But baby, if you want to go and spend time with your father then do it."
"I want to go."
"Then it's settled. I'll call Logan and tell him."
"Are you sure?"
Rory paused. Was she sure? It was another opportunity for her to hold her daughter back. Damn her morals and her conscious.
"Yes baby, I'm sure."
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Rory was helping Lori with her homework when she noticed it was almost time to meet up with her mom at the diner for dinner. She helped Lori put her stuff away and they headed towards the center of town where Luke's Diner stood.
"Mommy", Lori said, "can I have a cheeseburger?"
"Yeah honey… but remember you get to pick either the fries or the burger… Grandpa won't let you have both…"
"You and grandma eat both."
"That's because we're older."
"I can't wait until I'm older."
"Trust me… you can…"
Rory and Lori walked into the diner and sat at the usual table where Loralai was already waiting.
"You're late", Loralai said.
"Homework was crazy", Rory sighed, "Now I know what I put you through. Why do they give kids homework for the summer? I don't understand…"
"Too keep them busy", Loralai stated obviously.
Luke brought them their dinners simultaneously.
"So", Loralai said as she finished drinking her coffee, "what's the verdict…"
"On", Rory asked.
"Where Lori will be for the next two weeks…"
"She wants to go… so Logan will be by on Friday to get her."
"Honey that's two days away… that's not enough time to be with her…"
"I know but it's only two weeks and it'll go by fast… I'll just keep working and writing for the Times… I'll be busy… I'm fine seriously…"
"Yeah right", Loralai said, "you're doing the blinky thing so I know your lying."
"Not helping mom."
"Sorry…"
Rory started packing her stuff up to head home. "Come on Lori say goodnight to grandma and grandpa, we're going home…"
"I want to sleep over grandma's house…"
"Honey… grandma is tired… another day…"
"Please mommy…"
"Let her Rory", Loralai said, "It's perfect. That way I spend time with her before Logan gets here…"
"You sure mom…"
"Definitely… Luke will love it."
"Fine", Rory mumbled, "I'm going to go then Lori. Kiss for mommy."
"Goodnight mommy", Lori kissed Rory's cheek.
"Goodnight mom", Rory kissed her mother's cheek and called out to Luke, "goodnight Luke!"
"'Night Rory…" he mumbled from behind the register.
As Rory left home, Loralai tried to gather up her things to leave as well.
"Come on Lori", she said, "let's go home…"
"I want to stay with grandpa…"
"Honey…"
"Leave her Lor… I'm getting out early tonight so I'll be home soon…"
"You're closing early…" Loralai asked.
"Yeah", Luke said.
"Alright", Loralai said and kissed Lori's head, "be careful."
"Duh grandma", Lori said.
Loralai smiled at her very intelligent granddaughter and kissed Luke. "See you at home?"
"Yup, I'll be there soon", Luke said, "Go…"
"If I didn't know any better Luke Danes, I'd say you were kicking me out."
"No", Luke said quickly, "I just know how tired you are… so go home and don't wait up…"
"Alright… see you at home…"
Loralai left the diner in the direction of her house and Luke sighed looking at the clock. That was a definite close call. He sighed when he heard the bell chime and saw his nephew walk into the diner.
"Hey Jess", Luke said remembering he wasn't alone in the diner.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I am literally hanging you all by the thinnest thread I could find. The thing is if I did what I know you all want me to do so quickly in the game you'd get bored. I'm reminded of the conversation Luke and Jess had in episode 3x14 Swan Song, and Jess is saying how with Shane he knew what to expect but with Rory he didn't. Luke said something that struck me and to this day I live and deal with my relationships by that. He said, "And you were bored from day one." So sorry if you feel I'm dragging you on, but it's totally on purpose. But I'm not doing it to offend anyone. So love it or hate it, I guess you don't know when they'll finally meet up again. But I can promise you something, I will definitely do it justice. Be patient, cause its virtue. And don't forget to send me your love! Reviewslove!! Until next time, stay thirsty my friends…
