Title: Delicate
Author: Karleen
Disclaimer: I am not
affiliated with Warner Brothers, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Dorothy
Parker Drank Here Productions and Hofflund/Polone. This was just
written for fun.
A/N(s):
(1) italicized texts are part of a
flashback.
(2) Please leave me your thoughts, comments or
questions... reviews are always welcomed.
(3) I based Lorelai's
birthday on the airdate of Season 3's 'Happy Birthday, Baby' (April
22). I don't think they specified the exact date. All I know was
that, it was a Friday. (I also searched wikipedia and it said that
her birthdate was April 1968.)
(4) and lastly, Author Response
for:
MoonlightGardenias-Don't worry, it was just a fever.
Alaina Rose-Kirk is such a fun character to write because he can go to any direction, and his character will remain loveable. Thank you for your wonderful feedback, I'm humbled to have rendered you speechless ;)
This long-winded Author's note is over... and on with the story.
Chapter Nine: Birthday Unveiled
"How are you so soft?" He whispered as he nipped at her neck.
"Mmm?" She said as she slightly shifted to face him. "Bright... Sun.. Too early..." He chuckled.
"Happy Birthday." He said simply. "You happy?"
"Depends..." she couldn't help but grin as she opened her eyes.
"On what?" He asked as she rested her head on his chest and he gently stroked her back.
"Our future escapades..." She said seductively as she ran her finger up and down his chest. "Would mimic last night's..." He cocked an eyebrow.
"That can be arranged..." He cleared his throat. "Definitely." He grinned.
"Then yes, I am." She laughed.
- - - -
"What's
the matter baby?" Lorelai asked her daughter as they entered the
diner. She was quieter than normal. "Lenny died."
Her daughter sniffled. "Aww." She gave her daughter
a hug. "It'll be okay." "I should've taken
better care of him." She continued to say. "Honey,
you have." They both sit at the table by the window. "He's
supposed to have turned into a butterfly." "He's in
a better place, my love." Lorelai consoled. "I
didn't even get to say good bye." "Coffee?"
Luke approached them. "Are you all right, Rory?" He asked.
"Lenny died." Rory answered and Luke gave Lorelai a
questioning look. "He was her caterpillar." Lorelai
responded. "Oh." He simply said. "Luke?"
Rory looked at him. "Would you come to the funeral?"
"Sure." He said. "Do you want me to bring some
cookies?" He didn't question any further and agreed to go to
Rory's deceased pet. Luke helped Rory dig soil for the
burial, as ridiculous of a notion that was. He was there for her
daughter, for Lorelai by extension.
"Is Luke really going to Friday Night Dinner with us tonight?"
"Part of our deal."
"Which is?"
"I'd spare you with the details on this one. I don't think you'd want to know." She grinned.
"Oh." Rory responded as she figured out what her mother revealed. "Eww."
"See and I haven't even said anything yet."
"Well the grin said it all."
"Then it does its job fairly well."
"Do you really think it's wise to tell them? I mean it is your birthday after all."
"Wise isn't the word to use for this one, but you know they'll find out sooner or later." She paused. "Why not find more reasons to celebrate?"
"I can't wait."
- - - -
"Maybe Rory's right, they do hate me." He held his phone on his ear as he took some plates to the customers.
"They don't hate you." She said as she walked down the stairs of the Dragonfly with her cell phone on hand.
"Find one occasion in which they didn't find me repulsive." No answer from her. "See, you couldn't even conjure up a time."
"I don't really want to spend my birthday over there but it's Friday. And since I won't see you until much later, my happy meter won't be as high and I don't know... I don't think the sex would be as good as last night."
"You talk to your employees with that mouth?"
"Only to you my dear." She whispered.
"And you're the only one that can talk me into these things." He mumbled.
"God given talent, babe." She proclaimed.
"Pick you up at six?"
"I'll be waiting." She purred and he chuckled as he rolled his eyes.
- - - -
Lorelai, Rory and Luke walk into the foyer. They handed their coats and jackets to the maid and walked into the living room.
"Happy Birth..." Emily stopped as she saw them.
"..day." Rory said, as a distraction. "Hi, Grandma"
"Happy Birthday Lorelai." Richard said as he entered the living room.
"Thanks dad." She said. "Mom, dad... You guys remember, Luke?"
"Luke, dear boy. A pleasure to see you again." He said nonchalantly.
"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Gilmore." He said uneasily.
"Don't be silly, the name's still Richard."
"Ok." He simply responded.
"Drinks, anyone?" He asked.
"Yes please." Lorelai said as she felt the tension shoot out of Emily's stare.
- - - -
"Emily, it's seven fifteen, have you checked with Helena about the roast?"
"Ten more minutes, Richard." She turned to her daughter. "Lorelai, may I have a word with you in the kitchen?" Emily asked.
"Uhh.. Ok." They headed into the kitchen. "What's going on mom?"
"You're asking me... You're back with Luke?"
"Yes, mom. I know what you're thinking..."
"Oh, you do?" She asked ostentatiously. "There is no place for reality in your life, is there Lorelai?"
"Excuse me?"
"You jumped from being married to Christopher, to a sudden divorce and back with the man you was your ex fiancee."
"I did not jump..."
"This isn't any kind of game. This is your life."
"I know that, that's why divorce is the only option. Chris signed the papers as well. We're just waiting for a dissolution"
"It is not the only option. You were supposed to do everything in your power to make things work."
"Yeah, like you did with dad with the whole idiotic separation two years ago."
"That separation made us stronger."
"Don't you think... Don't you think that I tried mom? I tried, the best of my ability. I am not going to wake up one morning and regret anything because I never loved Chris. I've only really loved one man and he's sitting down in your living room tolerating this whole evening because I asked him to."
"Tolerating? Lorelai haven't you learned anything at all?"
"Apparently not, since I thought you'd be happy for me." She paused. "Here I am being completely honest with you and this is what I get in return?"
"What am I supposed to do? Just accept the fact that you've yet to keep a relationship from falling apart?"
"You don't even know the whole story."
"I never do, Lorelai. You've always kept your life separate. I've always had to assume everything that is happening in your life. How do you even know that he loves you back? The man barely has any kind of romantic bone in his body." She muttered.
"You always assumed the worst of everyone." She headed out of the kitchen. "Thanks for the prospect of a birthday dinner."
"Lorelai.." She left before Emily even finished her thoughts.
- - - -
She sat quietly on the passenger seat as Luke drove her home.
He parked her jeep in her driveway.
"I'm sorry."
"About what?"
"I did it again."
"Did what?"
"I shouldn't have, I knew it was such a risk but I did it anyway."
"You've barely uttered a word on our way back here and now you're being vague." He said wanting to lighten the situation.
"I made you do something you didn't want to do..." She trailed off.
"You didn't." She looked away. "I wanted to spend your birthday with you, albeit in a much different scenario..."
"I made you think that this is what you want to do so it'll be okay even if this isn't what you really want. Why do you put up with my baggage when you don't have to?" She looked at him as he took her hand and held it tight.
"You shouldn't have to question it anymore."
"How do you know that I'm not going to mess this up and run?" She continued to ask her diluted questions.
"Because I know you better than that."
"Why do you put up with me?"
"You should know by now..." He said as he looked into her eyes. "I love you... that's why." He sighed. "I said it before and I'll say it again... My life isn't real to me unless you're in it and there is nothing that can ever change that." He kissed her softly and they slowly pulled apart.
"I love you too."
"I know, and I'm grateful for that." He patted his jacket pocket. "Oh, before I forget..."
"What?"
"Just hold out your hand." He said.
"That isn't some kind of worm or something is it?"
"When have I ever given you a hand full of worms?"
"Never, but I don't know... You might decide one day that it's funny to scare the shit out of me."
"Now you've given me an idea." He said as he gave her a smile and she playfully hit him. She held out her hand then he placed the item on it. "This isn't what you think it is..."
"It's the engagement ring that you gave me..."
"Ok then it is... I mean I know that your divorce isn't finalized yet and we've only just gotten back together a few months ago. I certainly don't want you to feel rushed or forced into anything you don't want to do. I just wanted you to have it back."
"Luke..."
"It's more of a promise, the ring..." He looked at her. "You waited for me when I needed time. Now, it's my turn."
"I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything, yet."
"So when I'm ready, we'll..." she held the ring close to her heart.
"Just say the word." They smiled at each other. "Now, let's go inside. You have a perfectly good cake waiting for you in there." He said
"Dirty!" She teased.
"Oh, geez."
to be continued . . .
