Chapter 4: Is It Time To Meet Yet?

Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls belong to the WB and I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

A/N: Thanks to my betas - DawnDreamer and ktweaver.

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Hospital

Mia sat by Luke's bedside, wondering if she had made a mistake leaving him on his own the last two weeks. But as soon as the thought entered her mind, it was chased out by a screaming voice that sounded suspiciously like a cross between Luke and William, reminding her that he wasn't a child that she couldn't order him around. But still, the guilt remained that her best friend's son was in the hospital. Adult or not, he was going to accept her help this time!

So she grabbed a pen and some paper and spent the next few hours going over plans that included him and Lorelai. She chuckled a bit. This wasn't exactly what she had pictured when she wanted to get them together.

Luke stirred just as she was finishing with Lorelai's work schedule after Luke was up and about. Mia hoped that she wouldn't resist sharing the responsibilities of caring for Luke. After all, Mia did have to be at the Inn once in a while for business. But she noticed there was some anxiety in the girl's eyes earlier; like she was afraid of Luke…or his reaction to her. Mia decided to find out if it was warranted or not. Because she wouldn't allow him to scare the young mother off when she obviously needed a safe place to be.

Mia smiled at him. "Hey Luke*, are you feeling better now?"

Luke grinned back. "A little. But mostly I feel like an idiot for being here."

"Good! Because you are for letting yourself get so run down. I hope you aren't going to give us any trouble when we take you home," she finished with a warning tone.

His eyes opened more. "That's right, you never said earlier who 'we' was. You mean Steve?"

She shook her head, "No. I have a new houseguest. She just moved to town and will be helping me out at the Inn."

"Okay…what's so special about her? You don't normally take in employees. She isn't taking advantage of you, is she?" he demanded protectively.

Mia smiled; even weakened, he wanted to care for those he loved. She only hoped that one day, it would include Lorelai and Katie. "She's a young mother who left a very difficult home life. She did me a tremendous favor once and now I'm returning it. Plus, I really enjoy her and her daughter's company," she added slyly, seeing if he would make the connection.

He sat there, his sluggish brain trying to put the pieces together. When he thought he had it, he asked, "Was she at Mom's funeral?"

Mia saw the hopeful – almost desperate – look in his eyes and inwardly felt her concern melt away. Whatever his response to Lorelai was, it would likely be a positive one. "Yes. Lorelai met Sookie and I in the hospital when she had her baby…Katie." If he was going to freak out about the name, Mia figured it was best to have it happen out of earshot of the girls.

Luke's thoughts slammed in place…Lorelai!!! That was the girl in the library at the Inn. So she was real and Mia knew her! Then the rest of Mia's words sunk in. "Katie?" he whispered. Lorelai's daughter had the same name as his mom?

She nodded, "Like I said, we met just after her daughter was born and she was looking for a middle name that could double as a nickname. I told her about your mom and she was so impressed by the kind of mom Katherine was that she wanted her daughter to share her name."

"When she heard about the funeral from Sookie, she chose to come and pay her respects." Mia decided to leave the rest of the story up to Lorelai to tell if she wanted to.

Luke sat there in shock; the girl who had haunted his thoughts for the last week was connected to his mom – even if it was just in a loose way. He fought to keep the tears that sprang to his eyes from falling.

Mia noticed the brightness in his eyes and, knowing that he wouldn't want her to see it, stood up, saying she was going to find the bathroom before getting the doctor. She was sure that Luke was as anxious as she was to leave. She promised to be back with the doctor in about 15 minutes or so.

Luke just nodded absently, his mind stuck on memories of his mom and also on thoughts of Lorelai. If he understood Mia correctly, he was going to be staying the next few days with both of them…and Lorelai's daughter, Katie. He let out a sharp breath at the name. That night he saw them, he was too focused on the song and the feeling of peace from being in Lorelai's embrace. He didn't really look at the baby at all. But he knew that if she were anything like her mother, she would be incredibly beautiful.

Now he was restless waiting for the doctor to come so he could get his release papers and go to Mia's house. He had to see Lorelai again…now! With that fevered thought, he reached for the call button and almost broke it in his anticipation of leaving the hospital.

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While at the same time…Mia's House

"Do you know which room I should set Luke up in?" Lorelai asked Sookie, who was putting away the groceries she had picked up. When she saw the contents of Mia's fridge, she had moaned pitifully at its bareness.

"Well, I think she kept one of the rooms decorated in a masculine way for when her son, John, visits; you could put him in there," she suggested.

Lorelai nodded. "Okay. I'm going to see if I can figure out which one that is and whether it has fresh bedding. Then I'll run over to Katherine's and see if I can find some clothes for Luke to change into. Geez, this is a little awkward to be going through his things when we haven't even officially met. Except for the funeral – which I don't think he remembers – so it doesn't count."

"No biggie. Just don't stand there and fondle his underwear," Sookie teased. "But hey! Do me a favor and find out if he's a boxers or briefs guy, 'k? Please?"

Lorelai couldn't help but laugh at her friend's silliness. She shot her a mock reproving look as she made her way to the first of the bedrooms that weren't hers or Mia's.

Once she made the bed in the room she guessed belonged to Mia's son, she made sure the bathroom had toilet paper and clean towels. Then she ran across the street and quickly packed his clothes and the male toiletries she hoped were his in the bathroom. But Mia and Sookie hadn't said anything about Katherine having a boyfriend so she figured she was safe.

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She had just finished unpacking his things in the bedroom when the phone rang.

Sookie yelled up the stairs, "Lorelai! It's Mia! She wants to talk to you."

Okay! I've got it up here," she called back. "Hi Mia, how's Luke doing?" she asked when she picked up the extension.

Mia answered with a smile in her voice, "Good. He just woke up and we talked for a few minutes."

Lorelai caught something in her tone – or maybe her wording – that set her on edge. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Mia rushed to assure her. "We just talked about the funeral and you and Katie," she explained.

Lorelai bit her lip nervously. "And…?"

"He seemed really touched that you named her after his mom. And if I were to guess, he's looking forward to seeing you again," she informed the worried brunette.

"So you don't think he's going to be upset about that night?" she inquired cautiously.

"Is that what you were worried about earlier?" Mia wondered.

Lorelai answered, "He doesn't seem like the kind of guy that enjoys sharing his feelings – especially with a total stranger."

Mia was impressed; this young girl of a woman had tremendous instincts. "Well, you're right about that. He's not the touchy-feely type. But he looked so hopeful that the person staying with me was the girl from the funeral," she promised.

"If you say so," Lorelai answered, still dubious. "Umm, I set up the room across from yours for him and grabbed some things from across the street. By the way, Katherine didn't have a boyfriend, did she? I only ask because I grabbed some toiletries but wasn't sure if they were Luke's. Oh, and Sookie ran to Doose's. I think she's planning on feeding the town for the next week."

Mia chuckled, "That's Sookie for you. Why cook for 3 when you can cook for 30? And don't worry, those are Luke's toiletries; Katherine never felt ready to date after William's death. Well, if all goes well with the doctor, we should be home soon. I'll give you a call before we leave the hospital. Is Steve there yet?"

"Yeah. He and Sookie are sharing a Julia Child moment." She paused before asking mischievously, "Would you like me to invite him to stay?"

"It seems only fair that he get to eat the dinner he cooked," she answered nonchalantly.

Lorelai didn't buy it for a second. She smirked as she promised to pass along the request to the cook. Then she ran downstairs to check on Katie. When she saw that her daughter was stirring, she picked her up and tended to her needs. Then she grabbed the stroller so they could go to the market for a few last minute items.

She called out to the two cooks that she was taking Katie for a walk and they'd be back soon. After a second, she popped her head into the kitchen to extend Mia's invite to Steve – and Sookie, of course. He blushed slightly and nodded his acceptance. Sookie appeared confused for a moment but also agreed to stay.

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Lorelai and Katie made their way to the flower shop and got a couple attractive bouquets for the kitchen and dining room. Then she chose a more masculine arrangement for Luke's room, hoping he wouldn't be offended by the girly gesture.

Miss Patty shanghaied her again on her way back, but all she told the master interrogator was that Mia was at the hospital with Luke. Any other news she'd have to get from one of them, she answered apologetically.

When she walked in the door, Sookie was on the phone. "Oh, she just got in! Did you want to talk to her?" There was a pause. "Okay, then we'll see you two in half an hour. Bye!" Sookie finished chirpily.

She turned to Lorelai and smiled when she saw the flowers. "Nice touch with flowers, Lorelai. Mia said the doctor was pleased with Luke's color and stuff so they were allowed to come home tonight."

"Alright. It sounds like I have just enough time to get Katie and myself freshened up. Would you mind taking care of the flowers. This arrangement is for Luke's room.…Do you think that will bother him?" Lorelai asked, once again worried about overstepping her bounds.

"Nah! His mom loved having flowers around. I'm sure he'll appreciate the gesture. I'll take Katie while you get ready. So scoot!" Sookie ordered as she pushed Lorelai out of the room.

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A/N: *Mia will only call Luke 'Lucas' to tease him.

A/N: Next…