Disclaimers, etc. in chapter 1.

Part Four: February 14, 2005 -2:00 P.M.

Luke's is practically empty when I arrive for my afternoon fix of gorgeousness and caffeine. Luke emerges from the kitchen at the sound of the bell and grants me a brilliant smile.

"There he is," I proclaim to the four people sitting at the corner table, "my wonderful boyfriend."

He narrows his eyes.

"He gave me Bangles tickets for Valentine's Day and," I pause dramatically, "he's going to go to the concert with me."

"Get over here," he growls.

"It's the perfect gift!"

"Lorelai, leave my customers alone."

I saunter over to the counter for a kiss.

"It really is the perfect gift."

He grunts, but he's smiling. "You really didn't want candy and flowers?"

"No! I love everything you've given me today."

"Everything?" He sounds confused and I know he's trying to figure out what I'm talking about.

Time to remind him. "The tickets…my wake-up call this morning."

His eyes suddenly darken to indigo and I have an excited Luke on my hands. Mmmmm.

Our little lustful staring contest is interrupted by the arrival of three more people, and Luke heads off to give them menus and I ogle his ass as he walks away from me; he turns suddenly and catches me, raising his eyebrows and reddening. God this is so much fun.

"How are things at the Dragonfly?"

"Busy," I sigh. "All those cooing couples — it's almost sickening. 'I love you,' 'No, I love you more.'" I roll my eyes. "Thank god all of the dishes on Sookie's dinner menu are supposed to be aphrodisiacs. Maybe they'll all just go to bed early."

"That'd be nice."

What would? "What would?"

"Them going to bed early — means you and I can be alone earlier."

My heart melts and we smile at each other dopily and my heart is doing that weird expanding thing again when the door swings open and the bell rings and Kirk's voice rings out, "Lorelai!"

I swivel to face him; he's carrying a huge card and a box of chocolates that must be part of Lulu's present.

"Hi Kirk."

"Thank you again for helping me with Lulu's present. She's very excited about spending the weekend at the Dragonfly."

"Well, I thought you guys would appreciate some time alone."

"Yes. We do. I wanted to wear a costume when I gave her the gift, but Luke talked me out of it."

I move my eyes so I can see Luke as we share a moment of stunned silence as we both picture Kirk in a huge diaper and fake wings carrying a bow and arrow. We break out of our horrified trances and I indicate the items in Kirk's arms, "is that the rest of her gift?"

He sways a bit and looks at his burdens. "These?" He lifts them a little higher.

"Uh huh."

"No, no" he says, swinging his head in an exaggerated gesture of denial. "These are for mother."

Don't look at Luke, don't look at Luke, don't look at Luke.

"That's nice," I say because I don't know what else to do.

I hear Luke's intake of breath and know that he's going to say something that I need to stop.

"Nice that you get your mom valentine's gifts."

Kirk nods, just as exaggerated as when he shook his head, "she wasn't very happy with the idea of Lulu and I spending the weekend together at the Dragonfly."

Don't look at Luke, don't look at Luke. Do. Not. Look. At Luke. Poor whipped Kirk.

"Have you been drinking?" Luke asks suddenly.

Kirk looks at him, "a little. I did have to tell Mother about our plans."

The next thing I know, Luke's taking the candy and card from Kirk and pulling a chair out for him. "I'll bring you some food," he says, moving back towards the kitchen.

Kirk smiles after him with an awed expression. "Luke is really wonderful," he proclaims.

"Yes, he is," I agree.

"No, I'm not," comes an opposing opinion from the kitchen.