A/N The chapter you've been waiting for, I hope.
Chapter 6 – The Date
Lorelai chastised herself for spending too long in the bath as she rushed down to answer the door in her robe.
Speaking from behind the door, "You're early!"
"Lorelai," the familiar reply can back but it wasn't Luke.
"Mom?" Luke said slowly opening the door a crack."
"Yes, who were you expecting?" Emily answered.
Lorelai was lost for words for a moment, "Mom it you… Um I thought you were Sookie," she covered her tracks as she let her mother in looking to see if Luke's truck was outside.
"Do you always answer your door in so little?" her mother asked in a tone she knew too well.
"Yes mom, I was planning to seduce the cable guy to get free HBO," Lorelai joked following her mother to the living room, "What are you doing here?"
"That's a nice way to great your mother," Emily replied sharply.
"It not… Hello Mother, would you like some water," Lorelai changed her tone hoping to get her mother out of the house before Luke arrived.
"No I can't stay, I just wanted to see how you were going," Emily answered sounding sincere.
"I'm fine, going out with Sookie tonight…" Lorelai said keeping up the pretence.
"I won't keep you then," Emily replied turning to exit.
"So no jeans Friday then?" Lorelai joked gaining a smile from Emily as Lorelai reached past her to open the door, "Luke!"
"Luke?" Emile asked turning back to look at her daughter.
"Hi," Luke added his hand still raised to knock on the door.
Lorelai hung her head for a moment, "Yes Luke," she said before looking up to him.
"So the kiss wasn't a one time thing?" she asked.
"How did you…" Lorelai started to say.
"I'm not blind Lorelai, I heard rumors from Babette and others at the party and then we saw the two of you as we were leaving the party," Emily said with a smile.
"Sorry mom it's all still new. Come in Luke," Lorelai said making way for Luke to enter.
"I'll leave you two then Lorelai, I hope you know what you're doing," Emily said stepping outside.
"I so," she said under her breath as she followed her mother out and watched her go to her car.
"Lorelai you should get Luke to do something about this lawn, maybe build a path," Emily suggested opening her car door.
"I'll get right on that," Lorelai replied with a smile.
"And those gutters don't look like they have been clean in years," she added.
Lorelai nodded, "Hey Mom,' Getting her attention.
"Yes Lorelai," Emily returned.
"I think I've found my canoe," Lorelai said still smiling.
Emily said nothing smiling and giving Lorelai a small wave as she sat in the car and closed the door, Emily back out the drive and was off, Lorelai knowing this time she had given Luke her approval.
Lorelai went back into the house, "What was that about a canoe, you hate exercise and would probably end up in the water in less that a minute…"
Luke only stopping as Lorelai pressed her lips on his, "You're my canoe," she said smiling again before she left the room to change.
About ten minutes later Lorelai came back down the stairs, "That smells good," she said pausing on the landing.
"Wow," was all Luke could say.
Lorelai giggled, "Did you just say wow?"
"Sounds like it… Wow," he repeated.
"You like?" Lorelai asked giving Luke a little twirl before finishing down the stairs.
Luke nodded. Clearing his throat, "You look…"
"Wow," Lorelai added kissing Luke softly.
"Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes," Luke said still mesmerized at the sight before him.
"Smells good," Lorelai replied.
"Beer?" Luke asked reaching down to the coffee table.
"Sounds good," Lorelai said as Luke opened it.
They smile for a moment, "I feel like we should toast or something?" Luke asked.
"To us!" Lorelai said holding up her bottle.
They clinked together, "To us," Luke smiled as they both took a drink, then sat on the couch.
"It smells good," Lorelai said again nervously.
"Lamb and artichoke stew, penne with pesto and potatoes, roasted garlic with rosemary focaccia, tomatoes stuffed with bread crumbs," Luke listed taking another drink.
"You remembered," Lorelai said smiling back at him.
"You seamed to like it last time," he replied unsure whether to touch Lorelai or not.
"Just hope your family doesn't crash the party this time," she joked putting her feet in Luke's lap.
Luke touched Lorelai's legs, "I'll kill T.J. if he comes over tonight," he said beginning to massage her legs and feet lightly.
"Don't kill T.J., I just got you back and don't want you to do twenty-five to life," she replied.
"There's always the popular 'congenial visits'," he joked.
"Or I could tattoo my entire body and pull a prison break to get you out," Lorelai continued the discussion.
"Your the wrong sex," Luke pointed out.
"Sex change operation? Or I can send in Jackson or T.J." Lorelai suggested.
"Okay this conversation just got weird," Luke said.
"It passed weird five minutes ago," Lorelai said with a giggle, "BTW you didn't forget the goat cheese and ricotta cheesecake with amaretto cookies for dessert?"
Luke shook his head, "No. It's in the fridge. I also bought over some coffee, to keep your stocks up."
"I knew there was a reason I loved you," Lorelai said shifting to peck Luke on the cheek. "I missed you," she added, "Did you miss me?"
"You have no idea," Luke replied as Lorelai rested her head in the crook of his neck.
Luke looked around the room, void of the things he knew and then he noticed the new flat-screen television, "Nice TV," he remarked before adding, "its not very you."
"Um Chris bought it and put it up," Lorelai said sitting up, "Are you okay with it, we can get rid of it if you like," Lorelai added in a ramble of words.
"It's a television Lorelai, why would I care?" Luke replied, "I bet the Major League Baseball looks great in high definition," he added.
"I wouldn't know, it's been mostly classic movies and Nick at Night around here," she joked, before adding, "I just don't want you to feel weird, okay," Lorelai said resting her head again.
"Tell you what I'll make a cabinet for it, then when not in use you can close the doors, if you like," Luke suggested.
"Can I have one where the screen pops up?" Lorelai asked with a giggle.
"We'll see," Luke said running his hand over her hair then kissing the top of her head.
Lorelai turned to look into Luke's eyes, "Are you sure you're okay?" Lorelai asked sensing there was a problem.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Luke said defensively, but with a smile.
Lorelai smiled back as she closed the gap between their lips. Kissing Luke with a flurry of pecks Lorelai moved down his jaw-line but Luke didn't react in his usual manor, "Luke what's wrong, I know it's been a while but this usually gets a better reaction from you," she said pushing back from Luke.
"I'm not comfortable," Luke admitted, looking back.
"I know this is not the best couch but you've never complained before, especially when we're making out?" Lorelai suggested.
"It's not the couch… I just feel like he's still here," Luke said looking at his hands as he fidgeted with them.
"Who… Oh," Lorelai said realizing he was talking about Chris, "He's not here and is never coming back Luke," she added.
"The television okay, it's like he's looking down at us," Luke said softly.
"Luke we can get rid of the television, hell you can rip it off the wall right now if you like," Lorelai said getting up and gesturing wildly.
"It's not just that, you changed the whole house, nothings how it was, how it should have been," Luke said ashamed he was acting like a child.
"Luke I'm sorry but I got rid of so much when we broke up, what I didn't throw out I put in your boat before sending it over to you, remember," Lorelai said moving back to sit by Luke.
"I remember… and I kept it," Luke said keeping his hands to himself.
"You what?" Lorelai asked in surprise.
"I kept all that junk," Luke replied dryly as he looked up at Lorelai again.
"All my Luke stuff?" Lorelai asked unable to believe what she was hearing.
"It's in some boxes back at the apartment," Luke said with a smile.
"You kept my Luke stuff," Lorelai still taking in the news.
"I can bring it over tomorrow if you like?" Luke offered.
"Tonight Luke," Lorelai countered reaching for his hands.
"But we are about the have dinner," Luke said not getting up.
"After we eat, we can put things back how they should be," Lorelai said still holding Luke's hands as she sat back down.
"Only if I can cover up that," pointing to the television, "Until I have time to build a cabinet," Luke said with a grin she had not seen in a long time.
Lorelai moved back in wrapping her arms around Luke's neck as she kissed him wildly, "Not in front of the television Lorelai," Luke demanded with a smile.
Lorelai got up and without a word walked over to the nearby closet to find a blanket. Unfolding it Lorelai tossed it over the television, "That better?" she asked turning to face Luke.
"Much," Luke returned with a smile.
"Good to hear," Lorelai said going back to the couch, sitting on Luke's lap.
"You know dinner is almost ready?" Luke said putting his hands on her hips.
"Huh-Mm," Lorelai mumbled as she began to suck on Luke's earlobe, "Thanks for keeping my Luke stuff," she said rewarding him.
"You're just lucky I never cleaned out that closet," Luke side in a low grumble.
Lorelai shifted her focus to Luke's lips as his hands moved from her hips and managed to loosen the top of her dress exposing the strapless bra. Luke breathed in deep as he took in the sight of the lacy bra covering her breast. He laid kissed across her chest and down the newfound cleavage, starting to push aside the material as the phone rang.
To Luke's annoyance bringing an end to the make-out session as Lorelai lunged for the cordless phone sitting on the coffee table.
Lorelai pressed the button on the cordless phone, "Hello."
"Hi mum it's me," Rory answered sitting in her hotel room.
"Me who?" Lorelai joked as she began to cover up, still sitting on Luke's lap.
"Ro-ry, your first and only child," Rory played along.
"Oh that Rory, so how are you going? Do you want to come how yet?" Lorelai asked smiling at Luke.
"Things are fine, I meet some nice people and just got to my room, which I have to share and no I'm not home sick yet," Rory informed her mother, sounding tired.
"Well you get plenty of rest then," Lorelai said.
Lorelai noticed the tone in her voice, "Sick of talking already, do you have someone there?" she asked.
"Maybe," Lorelai said in a guilty tone.
"Say hi to Luke for me," Rory said.
Lorelai looked at Luke again, "Rory says hi,"
"Where are you? Please tell me you're not in bed or at least dressed," Rory
"We are in the living room and yes we are both dress," Lorelai giggled, "Mostly."
"Please tell me you're sitting on the couch," Rory said not really wanting an answer.
"Yes I'm on the couch," Lorelai confirmed leaving out the fact Luke was between her legs.
The oven buzzer went off giving Luke the exit he needed, "Lorelai," he whispered as he shifted to get out from under her. He didn't feel right in that position while Lorelai and Rory talked.
Luke straitened his clothes as he made his way to the kitchen getting the food ready. Luke set the food on the table as he listened to Lorelai when she joined Luke, enticed by the smell of the food he had cooked. She sat in her chair and sounded happy as they talked, Luke was finding it hard to keep up with the topics.
"Hold on I'll put you on speaker," Lorelai said pressing the button, "Go ahead Honey."
"Hi Luke," Rory called from the phone sitting in the middle of the table.
"Hello Rory. How was the trip?" Luke asked.
"The flight was pretty uneventful but the bus had a funny smell," Rory said.
"And you're having dinner soon?" Luke asked as he sat down.
"Yes there's a great looking diner not far from here. I'll let you know how they compare," Rory said before adding, "Okay someone just knocked on the door, I've got to get going. Love you Mom, Luke."
And with that Rory was gone, Lorelai picked up the phone to return it to it's station in the living room.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked concerned as she returned.
Lorelai nodded, "I will be."
There was silence as Luke dished out the food, looking at Lorelai he reached out, "We can see go visit Rory, if you still want to."
Lorelai smiled back with the touch, "I don't want to be the crazy obsessed mother," she said.
"You're not that crazy," Luke replied dryly.
"Thanks Hon. By the way Rory said they will be having a few days of around fathers day so we already have plans," Lorelai said very happy.
"Plans?" Luke asked.
"Yes, nothings final but we were thinking of meeting up in Sandusky Ohio," Lorelai smiled.
"What's in Sandusky Ohio?" Luke asked nervous about what Lorelai was up to.
"The Millennium Force roller coaster at Cedar Point," Lorelai crowed.
"Figures," Luke added.
"It stands over 300 feet tall and we're going to ride it all day or until we throw up. Want to come?" Lorelai asked.
"I'm not getting on a roller coaster with you!" Luke protested.
"Luke you have to!" Lorelai demanded with a smile.
"Lorelai we haven't ever… you know, so it's a little early to start demanding I risk my life for you," Luke scoffed.
"First its safe, as are all the roller coaster at the park. As for the other thing, if you can't say the word then we might just not do it tonight and you can go home early," Lorelai smiled with that trademark devilish grin.
"Tell you what, I'll come with you so you have someone to hold your hair as throw up, but I'm not going on the rides," Luke said dryly.
"Sounds like a plan," Lorelai replied with joy.
"Should we drive or fly?" Luke asked.
"If it was just me I would probably fly, but you hate to fly so…" Lorelai remarked.
"I don't hate flying," Luke said.
"Really?" Lorelai responded the way only she does.
"But…"Luke said pointing.
"I knew there was more," Lorelai added.
"…you have to drive to the airport, find somewhere to park or pay through the nose for a taxi all to wait around for hours before your flight. There's the whole bag check-in procedure and their searches. Then you're forced to sit in a metal tube with a hundred other people for hours with not room too move risking your health from air-born diseases or DVT," Luke set off on a rant.
"Go Luke, rant Luke!" Lorelai cheered.
"I just prefer to keep my feet on the ground. I feel more in control when I'm behind the wheel. You can stop where you want. Now I know statistics say flying is safer and probably cheaper when you take into account for the high gas prices and the accommodation you need along the way but I just prefer driving. We'll get to see more of the countryside and not just fly over it at five hundred mile per hour. And this time of year the countryside will be fantastic and not just a frozen wasteland. Which granted with your love of snow you would probably prefer," he finished letting out a sigh.
"Is that it?" Lorelai asked.
"For now," Luke added with a smiled.
"There is one upside to flying," Lorelai said still grinning.
"And what would that be?" Luke asked with trepidation.
"You could always join the mile high club!" Lorelai replied.
"Sure and then be arrested for an indecent public act," Luke dryly replied with a smile.
Silence fell across the table as they ate before Luke spoke again. "So this will be our first road trip."
"What about the drive to Martha's Vineyard?" Lorelai asked.
"That wasn't a really road trip," Luke replied.
"How so?" Lorelai asked.
Any proper road trip must include at least one over night stop before you get to your destination," Luke replied.
"I really need to read that rule book more closely," Lorelai smiled.
TBC…
A/N Sorry for ending it there, the dirty parts will be in the next chapter.