1984
Just 2 months after the last chapter
Thank you for everyone's support!
Thanks to: chmelms, BluJPlover, sapphirestar820, and CripticWolf
Luke was working hard in the Hardware store when Bud showed up. Bud and Luke were now taking turns in the shop. Luke came in to work right after school, and worked until 7pm. Buddy took care of it otherwise. Bud and Maisey had lived with Luke for about a month, but Luke made them go home and only help him out at the store. They had done plenty for him- but they needed to take care of their lives too. Bud had thought plenty of times about changing the Hardware store into something Luke could have a future in. because he knew that the Hardware store was not Luke's dream job- but first he wanted to let Luke get himself grounded again before they thought of changing things around. Luke had had enough change, and he needed to heal a little before they thought about the future. Buddy also really wanted it to be Luke's idea to change things. This would be his life, not Buddy's. The thought of changing things up now, right after Luke's life had fallen apart seemed absurd. This was his father's life, and Luke really wanted to honor that at least for awhile. They hadn't even talked about that yet- they probably would soon- but not yet. Buddy meant so much to Luke, especially now, after these couple of months. He and his wife had helped an 18 year old boy put his life back together after he lost everything.
"Hey Buddy!" Luke had been expecting him to show up, but it was still really good to see him. He had become like a father to him. Luke looked at the clock; he still had a little time before he had to go home. Buddy made him go to school and do his homework. Luke had to leave the store every evening at 7pm. That gave him a little time to himself, and time to do his homework. Luke had only the income from the store, and Buddy even gave him what he made there too. But that wasn't even enough to pay for all the bills that Luke was now paying for; his father's medical bills, house payments, and everything else that was left, was all on Luke. These all meant worries for Luke…but he tried to keep them to himself. Buddy and Maisey had done so much for him; there was no way that he could ask for more.
When it was time for him to leave, he grabbed his backpack and left. The walk home gave him time to worry. He would be graduating in the spring, and then he could work full time in the Hardware store. But that isn't what he really wanted, but how could he tell Buddy that he didn't want everything that they were giving him? It sounded ungrateful, and the thought of sounding ungrateful to them, killed him Luke had no idea how to tell Buddy what he was thinking. The Hardware store was not his idea of a career, even if it was his father's life. Life finally getting better again, but Buddy and Maisey couldn't stay and help forever, and he couldn't continue to live like this. His life wouldn't be too bad, if Luke wasn't constantly worried about his sister. Luke didn't feel like he had a life- a future to live.
He wondered about his dad. He was an interesting man, he loved the town of Stars Hollow, and yet family wasn't as important to him as it was to Luke. And that was the exact opposite of Luke's feelings. Luke hated town events; they just seemed stupid to him, after his father chose them over family his whole life. Luke and Liz were always forced to go, and his father made them dress all up. No matter where the family was emotionally, they all stopped fighting, or arguing, or anything else, so that they could all act happy at the town event. That was the stupid part. So Luke put family first, and his dad had put the town first. He had gone to every town event, even when there was trouble with his daughter and wife! He played in the revolutionary war re-enactors; he went out with all the other guys on the team and reenacted parts of the revolutionary war that Stars Hollow was part of. And that was way more important to his dad then his family. To Luke, it was stupid, and he didn't want anything to do with it. He actually enjoyed making fun of the people that did it.
Luke worried about his future. Life wasn't bad right now- it was actually pretty good compared to what it had been like 2 months earlier. But how long could he keep Buddy working at the Hardware Store? He would need to go back to his own life pretty soon. They had just boughten an old tavern, and had halted all plans to fix it up when Luke and Liz were in trouble. They would need to go back to their own lives. Buddy wasn't taking home any money from the Hardware Store either. They gave it all to Luke- who really needed it, but they needed to have money to live off of also. Luke worried and worried, all of this very heavy on his heart and mind. Because he had been the sole caregiver of his whole family for so long- it was weird for him to be on his own. In a way- because it had been so much for him to worry about- he felt like he could breathe again. But he also knew that he would worry about his sister until the day he died. Or the day that she showed a little maturity and left Jimmy. Luke left all of these thoughts for awhile because he needed to finish his homework.
After his homework was done, Luke made dinner. He loved to cook, even if it was just for himself. He found a lot of satisfaction in cooking. The phone rang and Luke absentmindedly picked it up. When there was no one on the other end, Luke sighed and knew it was Liz, his sister Lizzie.
"Liz? Please talk to me. How are you doing? Please talk Liz!" he was desperate to hear something from his sister and practically begged her to answer and talk to him. But she didn't say anything, like always, and he hung up feeling very discouraged. At least he knew that she was alive, and breathing. By now, she was about four months pregnant, and would be showing. He tried to imagine her pregnant, but with her 13 year old body it hardly seemed possible. But yet he had been with her when the doctor said that she was indeed. My baby sister is pregnant. Luke doubted that Jimmy was in the picture anymore. The responsibility of having a baby had probably hit him or would soon. Luke sort of hoped that Jimmy was around- at least that would mean that his sister wasn't alone and pregnant. He tried calling the number back but it just rang continually. He guessed that it was just a pay phone. Then he gave up. Luke was really lonely. He didn't like not having people to look after, to help. Life was just kind of empty. It's not that life wasn't good, because it was, but it felt empty without family in it. And he couldn't live his father's life, something was going to have to change, and with that thought he ran out the door to where Buddy was.
"Hey Luke, your homework done?"
"Yeah Buddy. It's done." He answered, and then thought a minute before saying, "Can we talk in the back or upstairs for a minute?"
Seeing Luke so serious worried Buddy and he dropped what he was doing, nodded and walked up the stairs. Once they got settled, Luke started. He didn't really know what he was going to say, but he knew that he had to let Buddy and Maisey off the hook, and change the course of how his life was going. He didn't really even know what that would look like; he was hoping that Buddy would have ideas.
"Bud, you and Maisey have helped me out so much. And I thank you for everything. But soon, you are going to have to go home. And I will need to take care of my life on my own. I just don't know how to do that- I was hoping that we could talk about it a little before you head home. One problem is that, until I graduate I can't work full time. I think that I should sell the-"
Buddy stopped him when he was starting to ramble. He had been expecting this conversation would come up soon, "Luke, you lost everyone in your life just 2 short months ago. And one hard thing about that is that you can't just let go of your sister. She is still out there somewhere, and you still have to worry. At least you don't have to worry about your parents anymore. You also took care of your whole family for many years. You deserve everything that I and Maisey can do for you. Now I have been thinking about what should happen in your future. And I think that we should sell your parents' house- you don't need a mortgage to worry about. I think that you and I could make a great apartment up here. Then, we will change your dad's hardware store into a diner. I know you well enough to know that you don't appreciate hardware as much as your dad did. And cooking makes you happy. I could help you at the hardware store, and doing all of this, and then when you graduate in June, you could take over your new life. What do you think my boy?"
Luke sighed and looked very relieved. Buddy knew him very well. He had obviously been planning this for some time, and Luke was suddenly very excited. A diner would be perfect for him, and all of this gave him a future that he could live with. All of this meant a life that he could live with, much better then it had seemed earlier. They talked and planned for hours- and they got more excited as they talked.
In February, the men started acting on all the plans that they had started that night. The house went up for sale, and many people were already looking at it. They started changing the upstairs office into a place that he could live- which was difficult because there was a lot of papers and stuff for them to sift through and organize, and because it was such a small space. Luke wanted to keep a lot of the things that reminded him of his father, so a lot wasn't changed at all. Luke was also happier, he had a purpose, and something to look forward to, instead of just worrying all the time. He could move on, he had a new life waiting for him! The plans were going well and both men were very excited.
One night after Luke had been working hard on the apartment, and he was very tired, the phone rang. Dragging himself out of bed, he answered it.
"Hey big brother" Liz said, almost sounding embarrassed.
"Liz!" Luke hadn't even gotten a hang-up call from her lately, and had been very worried. Just hearing her voice was nice.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good, what are you up to?" not wanting to talk about himself, but wanting to hear all about her- any hint of the life that she was living.
"I'm okay Luke, I promise. And so is the baby. The baby is huge! I am showing already. I'm 5 and half months pregnant- almost 6! Can you believe it? Jimmy has been taking me to all of my appointments, and everything is still fine. If we don't talk again till then, I will call you when he's born."
"Liz, don't you want to have the baby at home?" still not understanding why she had run off, and still hoping that she would wake up and decide she really wanted to be at home.
"Nope, Jimmy and I want to have it here, in New York. That's where we are, and where we are living. Everything is so fast-paced here! Not like that dingy old town Luke."
Luke was disappointed. He missed being a part of his sister's life. They had been close most of their lives, and this was hard. She had a new life that didn't involve him until she, by chance thought to call him. "Will you come home before the baby is born then? I'd like to see you, and I'm sure that Bud and Maisey would too." Honestly wanting to see her. He also wanted to ask her about drugs and alcohol, but that was a very sensitive subject with Liz, and it might keep her away from them all.
"Sure bro, we will come around in the next month. And I will probably need my brother right after he's born too. But I want to hear about you!"
"Well, Buddy and I are selling the house and we're making dad's office into an apartment for me to live in. The hardware store will be changed into a diner, so lots of hard work, but everything is going well." Luke was getting tired of the small talk, this was his sister, and he wanted to get into the details of their lives.
"Wow! Bro, you will be all set then!" Honestly excited for her brother.
The silence soon became unbearable, and they both found excuses to get off the phone. Luke sat and thought about his sister for a long time- wondering how she truly was. He just hoped that he would see her again, and see for himself that she was okay. He then called Buddy, and told him everything that Liz had just said. They sounded relieved, and talked about Liz for awhile, and then everyone hung up and went to bed.
Luke walked slowly to school the next morning. It wasn't like it was a far walk; everything in this town was about a block away. But this time, he needed some time to think. It had been 3 months by now, and he still wasn't used to the idea of being alone. Luke was completely alone, and it bothered him a lot. He had taken care of his family from when his mom got sick- 5 years ago, till just now. The last 4 years were an absolute blur for Luke, life started to blur the moment his mother died. Lizzie was never the same- probably none of them were the same. He went from Lizzie and him helping out mom and dad, to Luke taking care of everyone, everything, and dealing with his own grief too. How did he end up completely alone in life? When did that happen? It seemed like a process more then an all at one moment kind of change. There was so many other ways that life could have happened. But it happened this way, and now Luke had no family.
When Luke got to his first class, he sat down quietly and read through his homework, just wasting time before someone he knew came in. He didn't have to wait too long before someone came in wanting his attention. Sookie practically hopped into the room; Luke and she had been pretty close since she moved to town just a couple of months ago.
"Luke! Great news!" there was no stopping Sookie when she got super excited about something.
"What's going on Sookie?" it was almost fun to watch her jump up and down. At least, Luke was enjoying it
"My mom told me right before school this morning that she is making me, her new assistant! The last one quit, and she couldn't think of anyone better then ME to take her place!"
"Wow Sookie! That's great! That is a great opportunity for you! You will get your name out there on the market that way that is really awesome." Luke was honestly excited for his friend, and showed some un-Luke like enthusiasm. But the thought of opportunity also made Luke's heart sink. He didn't have any. The one downside to Buddy helping him open the diner is that Luke didn't have any chance then to go away to college. Not that he would have gone away to college, he wanted to be around in case Liz came back and needed him, and Luke wouldn't admit it but he wouldn't leave this town for anything. It was too important to his family; this town was part of him- even if the people here drove him a little crazy. But the thought that his future was now set in stone- and he wasn't even 19 yet, really bothered him.
In late April, Luke walked home from school very excited. Things were wrapping up in school, and they were all getting very excited to graduate. Buddy had told him that he had some new stuff done in the diner, and so to come as quickly as he could right afterwards. The more Luke thought about it, the more excited he got- things were getting close now to opening. He soon was going to have a new life, one that he could start over in and be excited and happy about. The thought of being happy again, was huge to Luke. As Luke neared the store, he noticed the sign above the door. Flashbacks of his father putting that up came to him, and suddenly he knew that he couldn't take that sign down. Maybe they could put up the new one around that one. And then Luke started thinking about all of the things that he didn't want to change. They would just have to have a talk.
Opening the door to the Hardware store, Luke could tell that it was just about time to close the place down. The store was in complete chaos, as there wasn't nearly as much room for customers or anyone to move around in there. They were trying to stay open as long as they could, because they needed the money, but it was time to shut down. Luke jumped so that he could see over everyone's heads. Buddy was in the other corner of the store, so Luke made his way over there. Buddy had been right; there was some very cool stuff that he had bought. Luke got to see it when they walked up the stairs into the apartment- that was finished now and looking awesome as a bachelor pad. Buddy had bought a sign for his diner, and had some tile and paint that he wanted to show and get opinions from Luke about. Luke was very thankful about everything that Buddy was doing for him, but Luke also was realizing just how painful all these changes would be for him. Change wasn't easy for Luke, and his family was very important, so to change these things, hurt deeply. Luke had no idea how to explain all of this to Buddy.
"Buddy, I-"
"Luke I know this is going to be hard, but we do have to do them." He knew that this would be a fight; Luke didn't like to change things- especially family things
Wow, Luke thought, he just read my mind. "Can we not change everything?"
"Like what Luke?"
"Like, when I was walking here today, I saw the Hardware store sign. I remember my father putting that up! And I was hoping we could leave it, and the paint. The place doesn't look too bad, we don't really need to paint do we? See, there's this place along the counter, that when my dad was just opening the store, he didn't have any paper to write down the order, and he wrote it on the wall. I don't want to paint over that." Talking about it was really hard for Luke, so this was taking a lot out of him.
"Luke there is something's that will need to change; like the shelves. They will have to come down. We will need to buy tables, and that back area will need to be made into a kitchen. But, anything that doesn't have to change now could wait for you to be ready."
Luke stood up and hugged the man. He was a dad to him, he meant a lot to him. He couldn't believe how well he knew Luke. But it meant a lot to him that he did. Okay, things are going to be okay, I can be excited about this again, Luke thought. Getting the right look for the diner was very fun for Luke and Buddy, and they sat and looked through books. A couple of hours later, they were set with tables, chairs and stools. This was a big step in this whole process. Then they walked down the stairs and started working again.
When the bell above the door rang, Luke looked up. He didn't really ever look up anymore, but something felt important about this time. Luke hardly recognized her now 14 year old, very pregnant sister, but here she was.
Luke was too happy to see her to think about what he was doing or saying. "Lizzie!" and he ran through the store to see her. "You said you'd be around within the next month! It's been almost 2 since then, and you had me really worried. How are you?" he could barely get his arms around her middle, the baby really was big by now. Luke, even already knowing that she was pregnant was kind of surprised. It was weird to see her like this.
"Hey bro! I told you I was big! Though that was 2 months ago, I am now almost 8 months pregnant, and feel like I am going to pop. I think this baby wants out! Won't be too long now, but it seems really far off. Jimmy is really excited about the baby, he has bought this shirt for him, and well it's really funny.
"You going to be around for awhile?" wanting to be able to catch up and spend some time with the only family that he had.
"I could stay for a couple of days, and then I need to get back to Jimmy. He couldn't come- had to work. He has a job! A steady job! Things are looking better for him. And we have both been clean again for a couple of months!" sounding very proud of herself. "Can I stay with you bro? Not that you have room now that you are living in your bachelor pad upstairs. But you have some space for your sister?"
You have been off drugs for a couple of months? You are 8 months pregnant! You look like you could give birth anytime! And drinking and drugs affected babies more the farther along the pregnancy was too. Luke was pretty sure. Luke wondered how badly the drugs had affected the baby. If anything happened to his sister- well then Luke really would be completely alone in the world. He prayed that everything would be okay with the baby and his sister. He wished that he could be around until it was born, but if he got to close to her again, she would up and leave, so he had to be careful. He wanted as much say in how this baby lived as he could, and her leaving would take that away. "Of course Liz, you can stay upstairs with me as long as you want. Please tell me that you are taking care of yourself?"
"Sure am! I was at the doctor 2 months ago; Jimmy took me- and he said that everything is perfect. I was in some trouble for doing the drugs while pregnant, and that's why I stopped." Suddenly wanting to change the subject, Liz said "I am tired Luke, can you help me get my bags upstairs so I can take a nap? I have enough trouble getting up the stairs myself now; I don't think that I should try it with my bags."
"Sure, I got 'em, you head upstairs and I will be right after you. And Liz, it's really good to see you again." Luke had to bite his tongue. She hadn't been to the doctor since 2 months ago, anything could have happened since then! Luke knew that he would be making a trip to Hartford, and take Liz to the doctor, even if it was with her kicking and screaming.
"You too bro." and she turned around, and practically waddled towards the stairs, but just then Buddy saw her, and ran towards her.
"Lizzie! Last time I saw you was about 5 months ago! You are huge! How are you and little one here?" patting her huge stomach. She really was very pregnant, she had been so small before; being only 13, that there was no place to hide the baby but out, and so the pregnancy looked much bigger then it really was. She looked about to have twins.
"I'm good Buddy, great to see you" even though the last couple of minutes before she ran away there had been some very harsh words between Buddy, Maisey, and Liz, that was too long ago to matter now.
"Where are you living now?"
"We have a small apartment in New York, and Jimmy has a job and everything. We have a nice little life. Just like you're setting up here for Luke." Liz was really tired, and needed to take a nap and get off of her feet. So Buddy picked up her bags and helped her up the stairs.
You chose that life over family? Luke couldn't understand it, but then, family was nearly as important to Liz. Or maybe it was, and that is why she had to let it all go when it was gone. Someday she would have to deal with all of the feelings that she ran away from. But for now, she was home, and Luke wanted to make the most of it he could.
They had an awesome couple of days, Luke took time off of school, and work, and the two kids just talked out a lot of things that they hadn't been able to before. Some of Liz's walls were down, and it was very refreshing for Luke. Liz didn't particularly want the whole town, or all of her friends to know that she was pregnant, so they mostly stayed around the store. When she had left home, no one could tell, and Luke had plenty to worry about besides telling the town about his pregnant sister. Luke had drug Liz to the doctor, and everything had been going very well. And then, one morning Liz was gone. Luke couldn't have said that he was surprised, but he had wanted to say goodbye, and wish her good luck. And now he wouldn't be able to ask to be there at the birth of her baby. He prayed that everything would go well, and that he would see them again. He also had been glad that Jimmy was around still. Maybe he had grown up somewhat, Luke could only hope so.
Everything for the diner was coming together; it was just to getting to the finalization of everything. Luke was getting more excited the closer the date to his graduation came. On June 9th, the world that he and Buddy were creating would be officially his. But it was a little ways off, and there was plenty to keep him busy. School was burying him in work, and projects to do before he could graduate and he ended up spending less and less time in the diner. Luke was a very good student, and did very well in his classes, but this was crazy. Normally he didn't have to work very hard in school, but for the last month of his senior year, Luke was spending every second on school work. He did well in school, but he didn't really enjoy it. Especially now, it was just something to get through. But, he had the knowledge that it would soon all be over, and the prize, was a new life. Luke also was nervously counting the days to when his sister would be having the baby, he hadn't talked to her since she disappeared in late April, and hoped that she would show up and decide that she wanted him at the birth.
Two days before graduation, Luke got his prayers answered about his sister. When the phone rang at 3 am, Luke barely had enough energy to roll over and grab it. The day before had been the end of his senior year and it had been a crazy day. He was exhausted, but he did answer the phone, and it was Liz. She didn't sound okay, and Luke was instantly worried.
"Luke! Jimmy and I had a huge fight and I think that he's gone for good. The baby was born 3 days ago, and we have been fighting ever since." She was sobbing.
"Liz, where are you?" That Jimmy; what a time to leave!
"I'm sitting in our apartment, we got home from the hospital yesterday, and Jimmy was drunk. We had a giant fight, and Jimmy got violent, and then left. I think that he's gone.
"Liz, I will be there as soon as I can." And he jumped out of bed and into his car.
It was Luke to the rescue again, he couldn't help but think. That wouldn't have stopped him from going, but it hurt that his sister only found time for him when she was in need of something. Luke hated Jimmy for leaving her. Now she had nothing. The apartment was in his name, and they weren't married, so she wouldn't have a chance to keep it for herself.
Luke got to the apartment, and consoled Liz. She was sobbing and the baby was screaming. After awhile, Liz could talk through her sobs.
"What am I going to do without Jimmy?" she cried and cried- she really didn't have anything without him.
Luke tried to comfort her, but he also was worried that Jimmy would come home and be mad that they were there. He would have to pack her and the baby up and get out of the apartment. Luke put her and the baby-his nephew- in the truck, and grabbed everything that he saw that he thought was Liz's.
Luke felt really bad for her, but hadn't been expecting any less from Jimmy. Suddenly Luke had a question for her. "Hey, Lizzie? What's the baby's name?"
She had stopped sobbing quite as hard and was starting to fall asleep, but she answered very quietly. "Me and Jimmy had talked about naming him Jess."
When they got home, Luke put both, baby Jess and Liz to bed. Luke decided to sleep too, but had a hard time because of everything on his mind. The next morning everyone woke up early to Jess crying. This started Liz crying over Jimmy, and Luke had to get up and take care of them both. She was feeling like Luke had after she had run away, but Liz didn't know that. Once the baby was asleep again, Luke and Liz had a long talk about what would happen to her and the baby now. She would stay here for awhile, so that she could decide what she wanted to do. When Buddy got there the next morning, Luke went downstairs to explain everything. Buddy was mad about Jimmy, and agreed that Liz should stay around for awhile. He called Maisey so that she could come over and help Liz with the baby.
Then Buddy turned his attention to Luke, and said "So, how are you feeling, Graduate?" Buddy asked as he slapped Luke on the back saying hello.
Luke hadn't even thought of that since he had gotten the phone call from Liz. "I'm graduating! Tomorrow!"
"This evening Luke, the ceremony is this evening. And then, in the next couple of days, you will own your own business! And have a new life of your very own."
"What are we going to do about Liz? She needs us Buddy. And she can't live with me forever, it isn't fair, she shows up only when she needs something. Buddy, I have the chance for some real happiness! And now she is here, and I could give it all away, and probably will! That is so me, to give up all happiness that I could possibly have, and help others out. Don't I deserve something for myself?" Luke was feeling selfish, but he was also feeling really hurt from his sister's selfishness.
"Luke, your sister does have a way of showing up right when things are looking up for you. You do deserve everything that we have started, and have set up. You are too kind, and have a real heart to help people Luke. And in that, your sister sometimes uses that for herself. But she also really does need some help sometimes. So this is what I would have you do: Let your sister stay with you, but don't count on her being around all the time, live your life however you would, and give her space."
Luke once again hugged Buddy. He was a man with all of the answers. Luke would never have said no to having Liz stay with him, he was just feeling a little taken advantage of for a couple of minutes. "Thanks Buddy."
Later that evening, Luke and Buddy and Maisey were all getting ready for the graduation ceremony. Liz wouldn't be going, Jess was still too new to go, and Liz was still not up to it. She had just had a baby and lost the love of her life in one day. Luke, for once was not thinking about Liz and the baby. He was thinking about himself, and his friends. What everyone was planning to do after graduation, and how his life was going to change. Luke was stepping into a whole new adventure, he was going to own his own store- doing what he loved! None of his friends or classmates had that much of a future ready waiting for them. He also hoped that Liz would be staying with him and starting over again in Stars Hollow.
"Ready Luke?" Buddy asked up the stairs.
"Sure Buddy." And he looked at himself in the mirror one last time. He would be coming back a different man. Then he walked down the stairs, said goodbye to Liz, and jumped into the car.
The ceremony was very boring, like most graduations are, and seemed to drag on forever. All Luke remembered was moving his tassel from one side of his ugly hat to the other side. There, they were graduated, now he was going out with some of the guys to celebrate. Buddy and Maisey took lots of pictures, and wanted lots of hugs, and then the guys were off. They got drunk, and partied, and Luke let go of all of his worries more then he had ever before.
But when he got back home, Luke found the reality of life waiting for him. Liz had put the baby down, and went out and got drunk, she wasn't home yet, and it was 8am. At least she hadn't left till after Buddy and Maisey had gotten back, but she still left her new baby to go get drunk. Yup, this is Liz, Luke couldn't help thinking, but he was tired, and fell asleep in the chair that he had been sitting in when he had heard the news. Buddy went out to find Liz, and Maisey took the baby to get some formula so that he could eat.
Liz came home later that afternoon, and Maisey lost it. She yelled louder then Luke ever heard anyone yell, even with his hangover. At first he panicked and wanted her to stop because he knew Liz would leave, but on the other hand, she could not just leave that baby to get drunk. So he left them to yell at each other. When all was quieter Luke snuck down the stairs. All of the baby stuff was gone, and the baby and Liz were no where to be seen.
"She's gone Luke. And she took that angel with her." Maisey had been crying. "That baby is only 3 days old. She left it to get drunk! How could anyone-? I wish she had just left the baby with me, I would rather take care of it then worry about him with Liz."
"It'll be okay Maisey." That was all Luke could think of to say. But he did hug her for awhile. "It'll be okay" he didn't really believe it, neither did Maisey. But Luke seemed a lot older then he did the last time that Liz had run away. At least she knew that Luke would be okay, and they would all be praying for Liz and baby Jess.
"I was thinking about opening on Monday, gives us all a chance to clean up and get ready. Luke's opening day." The sound of that, made him get excited all over again.
"Sounds good, I'm very excited for you Luke. You are quite grown up, and you deserve this. You really do." Maisey was very proud of Luke, and wanted him to know it.
Everything was ready for Luke to open, the sign was up, and all the food was ready in the storeroom. His life was ready and waiting for him.
Opening day was like a dream for Luke. He got up early and set everything up for people to come in. Luke hadn't known such excitement and happiness for a long time, and he was reveling in it. He wanted to enjoy every moment. At 8am, Luke opened the door to his diner, and there was a crowd waiting for him- news travels fast in little towns like Stars Hollow. Luke had a great first day, everyone had nothing but good things to say about it, and all of the food turned out perfectly. Luke couldn't have had a better opening day.
So the next one might take awhile, I need to do some serious research on Rachel, and Luke's and her relationship. Hopefully I can find some help.