"What are doing here?" Lorelai whisper snapped at Chris. She felt a giant pit in her stomach. It hurt so much to look at him.

"Lorelai, I love you! We love you! Right guys?!" Chris said drunkenly to his bachelor party behind him.

The boys hooted.

"Chris, you're being irrational. You are way beyond the alcohol limit." Lorelai stated. Her throat started getting sore. Lorelai wanted him to love her. She wanted to make herself believe he wasn't drunk. Make herself believe she meant she. She didn't though. Because of Luke. She remembered him. For once she didn't give into Chris' games. She didn't fall into his arms. She remembered Luke. Sensitive, honest, kind, fatherly, sober Luke.

"Lorelai?" Chris said looking at her oddly.

"Chris, how about you go home." Or to rehab, she thought.

"And abandon the love of my life?!"

"Chris, please, do us all a favor and leave."

"Oh-kay, oh-kay, I'll leave. But I will be back! I will be back! Whoo!!!" Chris said drunkingly and stumbling out the door.

"Thank you." Lorelai said.

She went back inside. Why was life so confusing. Why couldn't she decide on a guy. She hated Chris, she loved Chris, she tolerated Chris, she wanted to kill Chris. Luke was a friend, she was passionately in love with Luke, Luke thought of her as just a friend, Luke was…Luke. She grunted.

"Mom?," Rory said walking into the living room, "are you okay?"

"Yeah, I will be...eventually."

"Listen, I'm sorry I freaked out about you and dad earlier."

"Oh, don't be, you were right."

"Yeah but I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy."

"Yeah but if being with dad is going to make happier, just don't let me stop you. I acted like a brat and I didn't mean to yell. I know he's really important to you, and I know you need someone to help with…everything. I know I'm not always…easy to be around."

"Rory, come here for a second." Lorelai put her arm around her shoulder and they both sat on the couch. "I know this has been hard for you. Yes, Luke and your father are important to me. But they are nothing compared to you. It isn't even a competition. I'm not going to lie, our life isn't always sunshine and daisies, but having you was the best thing that ever happened to me. I've made a million mistakes, but you were never, ever, even for a second one of them. I have no regrets. Please, if you only remember one thing, remember that."

"Thanks, mom."

"That or never go on a rollercoaster after you just ate a chilidog, two orders of fries, and six cups of coffee."

"Noted."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"COFFEE!"

"The power of life!"

"Salvation!"

The Gilmore's yelled as they walked into Luke's.

"Would you two keep it down, there are other people in the diner besides you."

"Yeah but none of them tip you better!" Lorelai said pointedly.

"Considering you don't tip me at all, all of these people tip better than you."

"I'll give you a tip tonight," Lorelai said mock-sexy.

"Don't get dirty in the diner." Luke said.

"You're no fun," Lorelai pouted.

"Please, just take a seat already," Luke said aggravated, but still couldn't manage to stay mad at her for real.

"Fine," Lorelai said pouting again, sitting down.

"Mom, I need to talk to you about something," Rory said sitting down.

Usually Lorelai would say something witty, but Rory's voice and expressions told her that this was not the time to kid around.

"Okay," Lorelai said seriously.

"Um…well…never mind it can wait."

"No, just tell me now."

"It's stupid."

"Rory," Lorelai said putting her hand on Rory's, "I want to know, and now you're scaring me."

"Okay, well it really isn't anything that big."

Lorelai gave her the look that said 'go on.'

"I was kind of thinking of going to dad's wedding."

There was a pause. "Oh, well, okay."

"Are you mad?"

"Of course not, why would I be mad?"

"I don't know, you guys aren't really buddy-buddy right now."

"Yeah but that doesn't mean you can't have a relationship with him," Lorelai plastered a fake smile. She and Rory were going to have a movie marathon that weekend. They were going to have a girls week.

"You're totally upset by this," Rory said regretting saying that.

"No I'm not. Actually I think it's wonderful."

"Do not."

"Do to. This is…great. See happy, totally fine, totally think this is great," she said pointing to her smile. She thought of the words to that song.

Smile

though your heart is aching

Smile

Even though it's breaking

And that's what she did, smiled a big fake smile. Then she saw Luke, the smile turned a little realer.

"Oh. My. God. That dress is gorgeous!" Lorelai cooed outside of the dressing room. She was helping Rory try on dresses for Christopher's wedding.

"You don't think it's cut to low?" Rory said spinning in the mirror looking at the wine-colored dress from different angles.

"Oh, no. You need to show your beautiful skin."

"Are you sure?"

"Honey, it's perfect."

"Okay, if you're sure…" Rory said uncertainly. She always got self-conscious about clothes, especially fancy ones.

"You look beautiful."

Rory looked at the price. "Mom! This is like 300 dollars, we can't afford this," she whisper hissed.

"Rory, relax, I have it covered."

"How?"

"Don't worry about it," she hated it when Rory worried about these types of things. She hated it even more because she was right. She would find a way to make it work though. She should enjoy some fancy things as a kid. Just because she took advantage of it when she was young didn't mean Rory shouldn't get some of these things.

"Okay," Rory said again, still uncertain.

Lorelai was smiling for real, which made Rory start to feel better, plus it was a bright, sunny, unusually warm day. She looked outside at the pink flowers starting to bloom. She was babies in strollers, Lane handing out posters for church, and Ms. Patty keeping time for her dancers in the lawn. She was happy. It ended as fast as it came, though. She saw Dean. He was with a girl she recognized to be Lindsey, from her old high school. He had moved on already. She was that replaceable. They were laughing and talking and walking down the sidewalk while holding hand. Rory tried to be strong, she really did. Then he made eye contact. Only piece of window glass separated them. It hurt. It hurt bad. A single tear escaped her face and slipped down her cheek.

So how are you guys liking it? I am having fun writing it! Suggestions are accepted, appreciated, encouraged, a priority. (Just kidding.) But reviewing does mean the world to me. PLEASE review. I get so excited when I get a new one. Good or bad (but please be nice). Thank you.