THREE
It was raining as Lorelai pulled Luke's truck into the carport of the Danes house. It was nearly dinner time when Luke and Lorelai had finished the day's driving lesson. He felt she was making progress, and with more practice would be a licensed driver in no time at all. He ran his hand across his forehead which was damp with perspiration. "A little nervous huh there Duke"? Lorelai teased. Luke glared at her his eyes taking that don't mess with me hue. "There, lesson's done, now out"! He growled reaching over to unfasten Lorelai's seatbelt. "Uh uh no fair, I'm still practicing"! Lorelai pouted like a two year old. "Ah well, may as well call it a night". Luke said unyielding to her childish actions. "Come on, one more time around the block, and then I promise you can be rid of me"! Lorelai propositioned. Luke sat up straighter in his seat, and tried to hide the smile sneaking from behind his lips. "With an argument like that, who could resist"? Luke deadpanned. So excitedly, Lorelai continued driving around the block with a slightly annoyed but chipper Luke by her side.
After Lorelai pulled the truck to its final resting place, Luke noticed Lorelai rummaging through her gigantic black purse. "What are you digging for"? He asked slightly embarrassed by her behavior. "I know I left a mint in here somewhere". Lorelai said continuing to dig. "That's enough, you are not eating a mint for dinner, come with me"! Luke said leading her out of the vehicle. "What are you suggesting"? Lorelai asked teasingly. "Come on, isn't it obvious stay and have dinner with me". Luke said in a friendlier way than before. Lorelai stopped dead in her tracks Luke Danes was inviting her to eat dinner with him? This was not what she was expecting at all. She fidgeted nervously unable to respond to his offer. Suddenly as he began to offer yet another invitation Lorelai was overcome with nausea and she rushed over to the side of the yard.
Concerned, Luke offers to let her inside to freshen up. "Here, the bathroom is up the stairs and is the first door on your right". He informed her. "Thank you, but I'm fine really, I can just get cleaned up back at the Inn". She said beginning to turn away from the house. "No, I insist, please, it's the least I can do". Luke said, taking her by the hand. Lorelai smiled accepting it, and for a moment she forgot about her problems, her pregnancy, her nausea, and for those split few seconds, all was right with the world. Lorelai washed her face, and tried to relax as the feelings of nausea subsided. She wondered if Luke knew about the pregnancy, she hoped she was hiding it well. It really was none of anyone's business anyway, but she couldn't help but feel a slight flutter of her heart when Luke has asked her to eat dinner with him.
She relished the smells wafting from the kitchen as she sat down to the table a tall man with caring blue eyes and cinnamon colored hair joined her at the table. "Hello, there miss, you must be the famous Lorelai, Luke has told me quite a lot about you". The man said extending his hand. Luke turned from the stovetop, where he was stirring a macaroni dish. "Oh, Lorelai I'm sorry, this is my dad William, dad this is Lorelai". Luke said making a shaky introduction. "Nice to meet you Mr. Danes". Lorelai said politely. "Oh, please, Mr. Danes is my father, please call me Will". William said whole-heartedly. So while Luke finished cooking dinner Lorelai sat and got to know Will Danes and as she listened to him she found herself falling in love with Will's son. She felt a slight twinge of pain as she tried to laugh. "You ok there honey"? Will asked touching Lorelai's shoulder. "Yeah, I am May I be excused"? She asked rushing back up the stairs to the bathroom. After she vanished, Will took a seat next to Luke at the dinner table. "Son, I don't know what you're doing, but something tells me this girl is something to be proud of". Will said clearing his throat. "Dad, come on, she's just a friend that's all". Luke said trying to convince himself and not just his father. "Oh, I know better than that, I can tell you like her, and who could blame you"? Will continued. "I just know that she is something you don't want to lose, as for this Rachel girl"… "Dad, come on not this again"! Luke wailed hinting he did not want to discuss Rachel anymore. "Oh come on son, I know Rachel is your girlfriend, but she is not the right one for you". Will said. "Dad, look I get that you like Lorelai I do too, but please don't make this into something that it's not ok"? Luke said slamming the dinner plates onto the table. "When are you going to grow up and quit lying to yourself"? Will said frustrated. "Dad, I'm not going to discuss this with you, ok not here not now, not ever"! Luke said feeling his blood pressure raise. "Alright, son do what you want, but trust me on this one ok"? Will called taking his dinner plate upstairs.
Luke rolled his eyes just as Lorelai returned from the bathroom. "Hey, thank you for dinner, but I'm just not very hungry". Lorelai said inching towards the front door. "Oh, please you have to eat, come on my dad is upstairs it's just the two of us". Luke said not realizing how that sounded. "Oh, if you don't mind then thank you". Lorelai said taking a seat at the table. "So this is a nice little house, you guys have here". Lorelai said gesturing to the walls that were decorated with nice nature-esque paintings and cozy furniture. "Yeah, it's just the three of us, since mom died". Luke said growing tense. "Oh, I'm sorry". Lorelai said. "It's ok she died a while back". Luke said. "So, who is the third person you mentioned"? Lorelai asked. "Oh my sister Liz, she is not around much but yeah she's my sister". Luke said slowly. "How old"? Lorelai asked wondering if she was Luke's age or younger or older. "Oh she's a freshman this year". Luke clarified. "Wow, so you're the big brother huh"? Lorelai said admiringly. "Yeah, that would be the truth". Luke said digging into his salad.
"What about you"? Luke asked. "Me"? Lorelai repeated. "Yeah, what is your story"? Luke asked. "Oh, it's really nothing". Lorelai said growing uncomfortable. "Oh, come on you can tell me". Luke said pushing. Lorelai swallowed hard, unsure of what to do. Should she tell Luke about the baby and about being kicked out? She did not want to lose his friendship or whatever else could come of their relationship. "It's ok if you don't want to tell me". Luke said deciding she did not want him to know. Lorelai smiled relieved. "Ok, so this is really good". She said digging into her pasta dish. After dinner, Lorelai helped Luke clean the kitchen and said goodnight to Will. "You be sure to come on back now". Will call after her. Lorelai smiled and gave Luke a small hug before heading back.
As soon as the door closes, Will calls Luke into the kitchen. He had a bunch of papers strewn across the once-cleaned table and a calculator in his hand. "Dad, what are you doing"? Luke asked gesturing to his father's clutter. "Luke, that girl is staying at the Inn over on Maple, she needs a proper home to live in, and something tells me that you and I should help her out." Luke listened to his father and tried to make sense of what he was planning. "Don't worry, you just have Lorelai come over here one night and keep Liz company, and you and I can go on over to the house and take a good look around". Will said reassuringly to Luke. "So we'll fix it right up and she will have a place to actually live". Will said patting his son on the back. Luke did not argue with his father, it never did any good to argue, so instead Luke just nodded and followed his dad into the living room.
Richard Gilmore carefully sets his briefcase down in his study, hoping not to disturb Emily who was just in the next room organizing another social function. He begins messing with his chess pieces and notices a light blinking on his answering machine, indicating he had a message. He closed the door and hit play on the machine. "Hello Richard, this is Mia from the Independence Inn, I just wanted to inform you that Lorelai is doing well and has a job now, she's working as a maid, cleaning the rooms and such so she is being taken care of, hope you are doing well talk to you again soon bye". Richard quickly deleted the message and began preparing for his next visit to see Lorelai. It's about ten o clock the next morning when Richard begins to leave the Gilmore manor. He loosens his tie and grabs a quick glass of water before heading to see Lorelai. Within seconds of the front door closing, Emily is slightly suspicious and follows her husband out to his vehicle. "Richard, where on earth are you going to"? Emily whined. Richard sighed. "Oh, I have a few errands to run and I'm meeting Floyd at the club this afternoon". He explained. "Oh, well why don't I join you I finished all of my errands yesterday"? Emily said opening the passenger side door.
"No, this is strictly business Emily, it would not interest you in the least". Richard said reclosing the door. "Alright, fine will you be home for dinner or shall I assume you will be out with Floyd"? Emily asked slightly annoyed. "Oh, no dinner will be fine, prime rib right dear"? Richard asked. Emily smiled. "Have a nice time, see you later". Richard drove away and Emily knew something was up. She remembered that Floyd, the man Richard said he was meeting at the club, worked late on Wednesdays and today was a Wednesday. Slightly annoyed she went into the house to devise a plan. She begins rummaging through papers and files on Richard's desk, anything to track him in his act. After rummaging through several drawers Emily finds notepad and scribbled on it is an address. She straightens his desk back up and races to her vehicle.
As she drives, she notices the road signs are heading to a different direction entirely. Perplexed, and enraged, she follows the signs to the given address. She is disgusted as she ventures into a tiny town just thirty minutes outside of Hartford. "Stars Hollow". She reads with a slight scoff. She pulls into the Independence Inn's parking lot and is shocked to see a young woman with dark hair holding the hand of no one other than Richard Gilmore. She watches as they embrace, and in complete and utter horror she realizes that Richard was here visiting their daughter, Lorelai! Infuriated she backs out and returns home prepared to confront Richard as soon as he returned.
"Mia, this is delicious, my compliments entirely". Richard beamed biting into his dinner. "Oh, thank you, but I'm afraid I did not cook this meal". She said. "Oh, but whoever did deserves my gratitude then". Richard said. "Dad, Sookie made the food". Lorelai stated from her chair. "Oh, really, Lorelai"? Richard mused. "Yes, sir, I'm very talented in the culinary arts". Sookie said suddenly materializing from nowhere. "I'll say, you are talented my dear". Richard said. "I plan on studying cooking once I graduate". Sookie explained just as Luke entered the inn. "Wonderful, I'm glad you at least have an idea with what it is you would like to do with your life". Richard said. "Yes, dad Sookie's really good with food, and she actually wants to open her own restaurant someday". Lorelai said boasting for her new friend.
"Well it has been a pleasure, but it is getting late". Richard said adjusting his gold wrist watch. "Yep, dragon lady needs him home by eight". Lorelai stated sarcastically. "That's enough Lorelai". Richard warned. "Ok dad, well thanks for coming see you same time next week"? Lorelai asked. "Yes, indeed you will". Richard said. "What is it"? Will Danes asked from the kitchen. "No, I said will as in the word, Will". Richard clarified. "Oh, ok, suit yourself see you around Mr. Gilmore". Richard smiled genuinely, please call me Richard, and thank you for your kind hospitality". He said shaking the man's hand firmly. "It's our pleasure; you really do have a great daughter Richard". Will said. Lorelai follows her father out to the car. "So dad, hope you had a nice time, but I think it's about time I get to working on my homework. Lorelai said gesturing towards the door. Richard smiled. "Take care of yourself Lorelai". "Thank you dad, for everything". Lorelai said squeezing his hand. "Nonsense, you are my daughter, that is my duty". Richard said hugging his daughter. "Now keep up on your studies and be sure to hold on to that Luke guy". Richard said giving Lorelai a slight wink of approval.
After dinner Lorelai helped Sookie with her Algebra homework and then Lorelai went to meet Luke for their nightly driving lessons. "I will see you tomorrow". Sookie called after Lorelai. "You have got to get better friends". Luke teased as Lorelai took the driver's seat. "Oh, hush now, Sookie's a great friend". Lorelai said used to their friendly banter. "Ok so this time, let's see how you do on the actual road". Luke said. "Are you sure I'm ready for that"? Lorelai asked in sort of a panic. "Of course, I'm sure, don't you trust me"? Luke asked directing her where to drive. "Yeah, for the first time, I actually do Luke". She said pulling the car to a stop. "What are you doing stopping"? Luke asked. "Luke, I trust you, but I know that I learn best through example so would you"? Lorelai asked gesturing towards the passenger's side of the truck. "Yeah, ok what the hell". Luke replied changing sides with Lorelai. "You know you don't need to be afraid, I'm here". Luke said as he pulled onto the main drag. Lorelai tried to focus her attention on Luke's driving but for some reason she was distracted by the hue of kindness in Luke Dane's eyes.
Lorelai was overwhelmed after their driving lesson, so despite Luke's reluctance stopped by the Danes house to cool down a while. "Here, have some coffee". Will said pouring her a cup. "I cannot believe I'm hanging out with a caffeine aholic!" Luke said disgusted from his spot at the table. "Oh now, you just need to lighten up". Will said patting Luke affectionately. "Dad, I'm not drinking that stuff so just get off me alright"? Luke said. "How are driving lessons going Lorelai"? Will asked changing the subject. "Oh, they're going ok I think". She replied a little shakily. "With my son teaching you, they should be going better than ok". Will said. Right as Luke went to interject the front door flew open and a short and gangly blonde haired girl entered the threshold. "Liz, you're right on time, dinner is on the stove". Will called after her. The girl smiled until she saw Lorelai sitting next to Luke.
"So is this your new Rachel"? Liz asked Luke rudely gesturing toward Lorelai. "Liz, no, this is my friend Lorelai, Lorelai this is my sister, Liz". Luke said quickly correcting his sister. "I get it, big brother no worries". Liz called after him heading up the stairs. "So that's Liz"? Lorelai quipped. "Yep, that's her". Luke said. "She seems fun". Lorelai said seeming to search for another word to describe her friend's sister. "Yeah, sure is". Luke agreed. "So where is she when she is not home"? Lorelai asked. "She does her own thing". Luke replied. "She seems pretty cool though, do you two get along"? Lorelai asked. "Look, what is with the interrogation, that's my sister Liz, ok". Luke said angrily strolling past Lorelai. Lorelai was taken aback by Luke's reaction. "I should go, thanks for the nice lesson". She called after him on the verge of tears.
As she is walking back towards the inn Liz stops her. "Hey, you're ok". Liz said. "Excuse me"? Lorelai asked. "I know you're new around here and my brother likes you, so you can't be that bad right"? Liz asked rhetorically. Lorelai shrugged slightly put off by Liz's nonchalant attitude. "When you due"? Liz asked gesturing to Lorelai's nearly flat stomach. "How did you know"? Lorelai asked in shock. "Please, hun, this is a small town, things get around, plus I'm a woman and we can always tell when another woman is expecting". Liz whispered. Lorelai detected a slight scent of alcohol on her breath. "I won't say anything but please, don't wait too long to tell him ok"? Liz asked. Lorelai smiled. "You seem ok too". Lorelai called back to Liz. "You never did answer my question". Liz returned. "Oh, I'm not sure". Lorelai said not really wanting to discuss her pregnancy anymore. "It's cool, it will all work out". Liz said. "Yeah, well I got to head home, the parentals are on patrol". Liz wisecracked. "Hey, if you ever need anything, let me know ok"? Liz called after Lorelai. Lorelai smiled and said "Thanks you too".
