Part 10

Luke stared out of the open bedroom window overlooking their yard. The rich orange hues of autumn had already highlighted the trees and plants, illuminating the garden. He felt a sudden breeze of cold air blowing through his wet hair, and shut the window. He might be warm — blooded, but minutes after a shower, with his hair still wet, he felt the cold just like any other.

He slipped the keys and money from the nightstand into his pockets and turned the lights out as he left the room.

"Lorelai let's go," he called out as he descended the stairs.

The living room was deserted and he headed straight for the kitchen. At the entrance, he momentarily stopped short, before rushing to Lorelai's side.

Lorelai looked down at him. "Hey, you ready?" she asked excitedly and paused, waiting for a response, but only got a strange look in reply.

"What're you doing?" she cautiously smiled and furrowed her eyebrows at him, before returning to focus on what she'd been occupied with.

"What am I doing? What are YOU doing?" he intensely looked up at her.

Lorelai stood atop a three — step ladder, which Luke was now tightly gripping, as she nonchalantly continued to wipe the top of the kitchen cabinets with a wet cloth.

"I didn't realize how neglected these parts were up here," she continued to clean. "They're filthy. We use the first shelf daily, maybe the second, if we're out of clean dishes and don't feel like washing any, but everything from the third shelf above, totally ignored. And the top of the cabinets? Disgusting. It's perfect for a dirt bike or mud wrestling…"

"Lorelai, you're standing on a ladder."

"Of course. How else am I supposed to reach my targets? You know, I don't even have vertigo anymore."

"Oh, no vertigo. How nice for you. Come on. We should go," Luke took her left hand and placed his other hand on the small of her back, as he slowly guided her down the ladder.

When Lorelai reached the floor, Luke let go of her. He crossed his arms over his chest and slowly shook his head.

"Unbelievable. That was crazy, it was dangerous," he gestured to the ladder then to the top of the kitchen cabinet.

Lorelai pouted. "I can't help it, I'm nesting."

"Nesting? Nesting? This and then the other day at the Inn when you were climbing on the counter in the kitchen…"

"How did you…"

"I have my inside informants and they tell me you've become Evel Knievel. How is it, that suddenly, ever since we read about it in that pregnancy book two weeks ago, you're so into it, this nesting stuff?"

"Well, we're in sync, the book and I. Good thing we read about it when we did, right? Just in time, when my nesting hormones were kicking in." Lorelai rubbed Luke's arm, seeking approval.

"You've taken it all so literally. Does it all have to be so high up? Does it actually have to resemble tree top nests? You know, ducks nest, too. On the ground," he emphasized.

"Snakes nest on the ground, as well. Are you implying that I should be more snake — like?"

"If it means you never climb another ladder in the near future, yes! Lorelai, it's a baby. What are the chances that he'll climb up there, anyway? How about a little more eye level nesting? What's wrong with painting some stupid band of repeated bunnies or ponies or doggies around the baby's room…"

Lorelai grinned. "You mean a stencil?"

"Whatever. Or, how about cleaning the crib for the hundredth time or organizing all the baby products in nice rows on that cabinet where you put the baby when you need to get rid of his dirty diapers?"

"You mean changing table?"

"Whatever. So, why not give these other safer, saner things a try? I know they probably wouldn't ever actually take place on all those survivor shows, but they're still definitely nesting actions," he gently massaged her nape to make his tone seem softer.

Lorelai sighed, slowly shaking her head, pushing her hair behind both ears. "You're right. I can't believe what I've done. I stopped thinking. I'm such a bad mother. I might as well be driving with him on my lap in the driver's seat," she sighed again, audibly, resting her hands on her big belly. She stroked her stomach and lowered her head. "I'm so sorry, Monty. I promise, I won't be a bad mommy again," she seemed on the verge of tears.

"You're not a bad mother," Luke reassuringly rubbed her back. "You just forgot you can't do everything you normally would."

"When would I ever normally clean so much and so high?" Lorelai made a resigned face.

"What are you talking about? You love cleaning. Just for now, please," Luke ran his fingers through her long natural curls, "call me to help with any nesting above eye level. I can do nesting too, you know?"

"I know," she smiled at him briefly, quickly regaining her confidence.

Luke subtly exhaled in relief. It seemed this wasn't going to develop into a full half hour mood swing.

"It's just so strange, all these uncontrollable urges. I'm sorry. I'll try to call out your name, next time," she took hold of Luke's hand and brought it from her hair to her lips, where she tenderly kissed it. "I guess this craziness won't last for long, now," she walked out, and threw her head back, catching a glimpse of Luke still standing in the kitchen. "And then comes the real work," she added teasingly over her shoulder. "Come on, the Gilmores await."

****

"So, Lorelai, what have you been doing with all the spare time you now have?" Emily inquired, gingerly placing a morsel of roast in her mouth.

Lorelai was alarmed. How did her mother know of her spare time and why was she asking about it?

"What?" She tried stalling, taking a sip of water. The dinner was going to be short, since her parents had an early flight the next morning to Helsinki, to attend the "Insurance in the 21st Century 2006 World Conference".

"You've been working half days at the inn for the past week, have you not?"

"How'd you…" Lorelai gave Luke an accusing look, but he just shrugged at her.

"I called the inn last week and Michel…"

"Michel from MY Inn?"

"Yes, Lorelai. How many Inns do you think I call?

"Mom, I don't know what you do in your spare time."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Michel from your Inn, he was at the reception desk, so naturally he received my call."

"There is nothing natural about Michel receiving calls or guests or instructions at the Inn."

"Well, in this instance he answered my call and when I asked for you, he said that I'd called during the half of the day that you weren't at the Inn. Then he proceeded to fume for two full minutes about how you had to sit all day and could barely fit behind the reception desk and something about him being overworked just because you were having a baby, most of which I couldn't understand because of that thick accent he can't seem to get rid of. He should go to a speech coach or therapist or such. If I can barely comprehend what he says, how can you expect the guests to understand him?"

"He doesn't usually bother to actually talk to them," Lorelai smiled at her mother and proceeded to move her food around on the plate, finally picking a cherry tomato to eat.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"I simply asked how you were spending your extra time, now that you work half days."

"Oh, right. Well, nothing much, you know."

"Lorelai, if I knew I wouldn't be asking. Do you go for walks, read, rest?"

"Yes, exactly, WR&R."

"That's it?"

"Well, you know, the whole idea of working half days is so I can rest and relax till the baby comes."

"Or do some organizing and cleaning," Luke added and Lorelai gave him an intimidating 'If looks could kill' stare.

"What does Luke mean by organizing and cleaning?"

"It's nothing, really," Lorelai continued to stare at Luke, and then flashed a fake smile at her mother. "I also play poker with a bunch of fellas at the gazebo."

"You're organizing and cleaning? What could you possibly have to organize and clean? I don't understand. What do you have a cleaning woman for? What's her name, Lisa, Lizette?" Emily looked taken aback.

"Alice? She comes every other week. Besides, what I'm doing isn't cleaning, it's nesting."

"Excuse me?" Emily looked confused.

"Nesting. Apparently, I'm preparing Monty's nest," Lorelai rested her hands on her belly.

Emily tilted her head and looked at Lorelai. "I've never heard such a thing, have you Richard?"

"Never heard of it, Emily."

"In any case, this Alice woman should come a few times a week now and help you clean and tidy this nest of yours. If you want, I can talk to her. I have experience with these people."

Lorelai snorted. "Yeah, experience, your ex employees' list is ninety feet long," she quipped, but quickly regained her composure. "Mom, do you think bluebirds or those tiny, fragile hummingbirds have help? Even the regal bald eagles do it on their own, without Jeeves. It's my job to prepare the nest."

"Well, with robins, both parents build the nest."

"Mom, I didn't know you were into ornithology."

"Not everything has to be a joke, Lorelai."

"It wasn't a joke. I think ornithologists the world over might take offense, Mom, if they knew that you thought their profession was merely a joke."

"Lorelai, please. If that Alice woman can't help, I would hope that at least Luke's helping."

"His fear of heights and nesting aren't exactly compatible. If only he could share carrying Monty around, like those March of the Penguins penguins…"

Lorelai noticed all intimidating eyes on her as the other three stopped eating at once, as if orchestrated, and looked at her.

"Yes, of course he helps. Mom, Dad, Luke helps all the time, okay? He's the best help I could ask for, even better than the male robin or male king penguin. Really."

"Luke, Lorelai" Richard, who had barely uttered a word all evening suddenly spoke, "your mother and I have something to discuss with you."

"Wow, Dad. Could you be any more dramatic?"

"Lorelai, I'm not trying to be dramatic, I'm simply stating that we have something more to discuss. You've been discussing endless, futile things all evening."

"So it's something endless and futile…"

"No, Lorelai, it's not either, and must everything be so humorous to you?"

"So, it is something dramatic. Sorry Dad, carry on."

"Your mother and I have both inspected your means of transport."

"You inspected our means of transport?" Lorelai sounded alarmed, and she glanced over to Luke.

"Your Jeep, Lorelai, and your truck, Luke. And we have concluded that both are absolutely unsuitable for a family with children."

"Child," Lorelai corrected him.

"You never know," Emily looked at Luke, ignoring her daughter. "You can't be sure you won't have more children, can you?"

Luke felt Emily's stare piercing a hole through his eyes. "No, we can't be sure," he admitted, sharing worried looks with Lorelai.

"The point is, your vehicles are barely appropriate for yourselves, let alone a baby. They are unsafe, old, and have no space to properly seat a baby or child," Richard continued.

"You'll have to put all the brand new baby equipment in the open trunk, exposed to the harsh elements and you can't secure the baby well enough, he will have to sit up front and it's very dangerous, not to mention that there is a certain smell and the interior of both your cars is quite worn, perhaps even ejecting some poisonous chemicals into the cabin. Luke, do you smoke in your truck?" Emily inquired, an appalled expression spread over her face.

Lorelai shook her head and raised both hands to stop her parents. "Okay, just a minute. Enough with the drama, hold your horses, or step on the brakes, with this ridiculous car discussion. We get the point. Just so you know, we're thinking of buying a car, okay?"

"We've actually started looking. We went today at noon to a dealer," Luke notified them.

"Excellent. Which dealership? Did you see anything suitable for your needs?" Richard asked Luke.

"They had a great red car, which I thought was perfect."

Both Luke and Richard looked at Lorelai, horrified.

"Lorelai, the color is the last thing that needs to be addressed. It has no significance whatsoever to the qualities of the car," Richard stated decisively.

"Well, that red car looked quality to me, and it's conspicuous miles away, so that's safe. I know it is."

"Richard, please, just tell them," Emily urged him.

"Tell them what, Mom?" Lorelai turned to her father. "Dad?"

"Very well. Your mother and I wish to buy you the car, as a gift for the baby."

Lorelai and Luke glanced at each other, stunned.

"We know it might seem a bit unexpected, but that has been our plan for some time and we would be very grateful if you accept," Richard added.

After a short pause, Luke and Lorelai both spoke simultaneously.

"Emily, Richard, thank you but we really can't accept."

"Mom, Dad, thank you, it's a wonderful gift."

They immediately turned their heads to look at each other across the dining table. Lorelai had a semi pout, which came off as confusion, while Luke's eyebrows were raised in shock.

"Oh, that's wonderful, Lorelai," Emily ignored Luke. "Richard, tell them what we decided."

"Yes, we were thinking a Range Rover would perfectly meet your needs of safety, quality, comfort and space. We hear you like camping, Luke. This vehicle is just the right one for all such activities for a family, and more," Richard handed Luke a business card. "I've already met Stan Manning. He owns the largest Land Rover dealership here in Hartford. He's expecting your call, that's his direct number," Richard clasped his hands and smiled in satisfaction. "Go there, choose any car and leave the rest to me and Stan."

Luke's eyes pleaded with Lorelai. "That's an eighty thousand dollar car," he mumbled loud enough for her to hear.

Luke felt Lorelai's expression soften as she kept her eyes on him.

Lorelai leaned against the back of her chair, crossed her arms on top of her large belly and took a deep breath.

"Let's take a step back. Luke and I are going to have to discuss this, okay? Give us a few days."

Luke gave her a small, appreciative smile, exhaling in relief.

"What's to discuss. I thought you've already agreed. I don't see the problem. It's a gift to you, our only daughter, our only child and to your husband…" Emily gestured towards Luke.

"Mom, please. Luke and I will decide together and I promise we'll let you know soon. Please."

"Alright."

"Thank you."

"You should decide soon. It sometimes takes a couple of weeks or even longer for cars to be delivered to their owners," Richard dryly added.

"So, who wants desert? Lorelai, you've barely touched your food. Do you feel well?"

"I touched it. It's just that I touched it with my fork. Doesn't it look touched to you?"

Emily simply continued to gaze at Lorelai.

"I'm fine, Mom. Really."

"Would you like me to ask Michaella to fix you anything else?"

"No, thank you, Mom. Actually, I think we'll be going, unless you want desert," Lorelai turned to Luke, who held up his hand in response, signaling that he was fine to leave, as well.

"It's getting late," Lorelai continued "and you probably still have some packing for the early flight tomorrow."

"It's only eight thirty."

"I know, Mom, but I'm sure you have to get all your minks into their cages for the flight. You'll need them in freezing Helsinki. And don't forget to leave water in their cages, and warm coats. It gets very cold and dry in the plane's belly."

"Lorelai, you know I don't have mink coats anymore, or any real fur for that matter. How could I, after you threw paint in protest over two of my finest, most expensive coats."

Lorelai proudly grinned at Luke. "It was oil based paint, and you couldn't clean it off without cutting big holes in them. I was only eleven at the time," she rubbed her belly in self satisfaction.

Luke tried not to laugh as he turned to Emily. "You'll definitely need warm clothes for Scandinavia," he got out of his chair. "Have a safe trip, Emily, Richard," he added as he helped Lorelai out of her chair.

"Yeah, have a safe trip. And if you have any problems with insurance, you'll be in the right place at the right time," she grinned at her mother.

All four of them reached the main entrance to say their goodbyes. Richard left to answer the phone, asking that they wait for him.

"Lorelai, remember we'll be back on the 15th, in the afternoon. You promised to wait with
the baby until we return," she pointed a threatening finger and then quickly brushed her fingers over Lorelai's stomach.

"Well, he's due in two weeks, but with my luck, he probably won't leave till puberty."

Emily did not look amused.

"I promise, Mom, I'll do nothing to encourage him out before you return. I'll put a cork in and shut my legs tight, and I'll eat only his favorite foods and Luke will whisper sweet nothings into his alert ears."

Luke let his head drop momentarily, upon hearing that comment, but quickly regained his posture and started to affectionately rub Lorelai's back as she continued:

"All this and more just so he'll stay put. And if that doesn't work, I'll even ignore any of Monty's attempts to leave his warm, cozy abode, should they occur, until you return. Okay?"

Lorelai and Emily exchanged warm, knowing smiles.

"Emily, Rory wants to speak with you," Richard called out on his way, as he brought her the phone.

"Aw, Mom, she's calling you all the way from that college editors' convention in Boston. She soooo likes you. Tell her we said hi, and Bye, have a wonderful trip," Lorelai and Luke gave the Gilmores a small wave and left.

****

A couple of minutes into their drive, Luke placed his hand on Lorelai's thigh and they exchanged a few quick, coy glances.

"What did your mother mean, asking if I smoke in here? Do you smell anything?"

"It smells perfect in here." Lorelai took Luke's hand in hers, off her thigh. "Know what I need now?" she examined his chiseled profile as he looked straight ahead.

"Nachos?" he smiled at her and returned to watch the road.

"Hmmm, not a bad idea," she pretended to contemplate it for a minute. "Can we stop at the Soda Shoppe?"

"They don't serve Nachos."

"I really need ice cream."

"Ice cream, okay," he nodded in approval.

Lorelai freed his right hand, and Luke returned it to the steering wheel.

"Luke?"

"Yeah?"

Lorelai shut her eyes. "About the car issue and my parents…" she spoke slowly and then opened her eyes.

"Yeah, what happened with that back there?" he glanced at her, confused.

"Actually I was going to say, could we talk about it later?" she shrugged nervously, and playfully licked the corners of her mouth, before pressing her lips tightly together.

"Okay, later," he stroked her thigh again, to reassure her that it was indeed fine.

Lorelai reached over to smooth out the hair at the back of Luke's head, and then left her hand softly resting on his nape, as they drove on towards their town, with the FM radio quietly playing contemporary Irish bands in the background.

Some thirty minutes later, they were parked in front of Luke's.

"Do you have to check up on anything?"

"Nah, it looks like Caesar's just about ready to lock up. Are you coming?"

Lorelai twisted her head to take a look at the Soda Shoppe, which was slightly behind them. "Oh, no, Taylor's there," she sighed.

"He's always there on Friday nights."

"Well, then I can't go in."

Luke frowned at her.

"Don't look at me that way. I'm a hundred and seven weeks pregnant, I haven't been able to see my feet for five hundred and three days and even Lance Armstrong doesn't need to pee as often as I do for his urine samples. I don't have patience for him, okay?"

Luke was warmly smiling at her by then, tenderly massaging her shoulders.

"I know I'm not very nice, and that's what I'm afraid of. If I go in there tonight, I might end up killing Taylor, crushing him with my gigantic belly, and then Monty here, will be arrested the minute he's born and charged as an accomplice…"

Luke nodded. "So what flavors do you want me to get you?"

"Rocky road and lemon, please," Lorelai adorned her sweet, playful voice and expression.

Luke made a disgusting face. "You never have lemon."

"I have to have a sweet and sour combo tonight, don't ask why."

"Okay."

"And if you get yourself some, you should get German Chocolate fudge and mint with those tiny real mint fragments in it."

Luke got out of the truck and saw that Lorelai was getting out as well. He quickly reached her and she grabbed his arm as she stepped onto the pavement.

"I thought you didn't want to go in, remember? Something about possibly crushing Taylor with…" he pointed to her protruding belly.

"I'm just going to sit in the gazebo. Meet me there with the ice cream."

"You'll be cold."

"No, I'm so hot now, I'm practically irresistible," she grinned, and alluringly twirled her tongue in her mouth. "I'll warm you up, as well, hon, but better bring your jacket, just in case," she patted his cheek and started to cross the street over to the square and the gazebo.

A few minutes later, Luke joined Lorelai in the dimly lit gazebo. He sat down on her left, their bodies touching, and wrapped his right arm protectively across her shoulders.

"Here," he handed her the plastic cup with a teaspoon. "Just so you know, Taylor refused to serve those two flavors together. Something about the acidity and the sweetness not harmonizing or clashing or causing some chemical reaction that could result in mouth sores that could bring on a lawsuit, he went on and on so finally, I told him to just put the two clashing flavors in two separate dishes. And then when I asked for this bigger dish, to combine the two flavors myself, he wanted to charge me extra for it."

"Ah! No! See what I tried to avoid?"

"Yes, so I told him I'd charge him extra rent for the extra day in a leap year, and I'd make every year a leap year."

"And he gave you the extra cup, free of charge."

"Yup," Luke flashed a wide, proud smile.

"You're my hero," Lorelai teased, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "So, where's yours?"

"I didn't want any."

Lorelai pouted. "Aw, but I was looking forward to your German Chocolate Fudge and that mint with real mint pieces in it. It was supposed to be refreshing."

"You didn't tell me you wanted any. You said I should get it for myself, and since I didn't want any myself, I didn't…" Luke kissed Lorelai on the temple. "Do you want me to go back to Taylor and get you some chocolate and mint ice cream?"

"German Chocolate Fudge and mint with slivers of real mint in it? Really?" Lorelai beamed at a nodding Luke. "Nah, this is enough," she shrugged and filled her mouth with a teaspoonful of the two clashing flavors.

After a couple of more bites, Lorelai offered Luke a taste of the combination. She spooned a heap on the spoon and brought it to his mouth. Luke reluctantly accepted the offer and mouthed the ice cream.

"Well?" she awaited eagerly for his judgment.

"Okay, I admit it's not too bad."

"See?" she offered another spoonful, which he took, but declined the third, gesturing that he'd had enough for the time being.

Lorelai continued to enjoy the treat, taking small bites at a time, as she leaned into Luke's tight embrace.

After a long silent pause, Lorelai turned to Luke and stared into his eyes, smiling.

"What?"

She sighed. "What a difference some twenty odd years make. I'm getting gifts for having a baby, last time I got nothing but worried looks, shame and pity."

Luke started to stroke her hair, in a soothing, calming manner.

She continued, "And now, lots of gifts, huge baby gifts, like this car they want to buy us."

"So, now is the later to discuss it?"

She nodded. "My parents were talking on and on about it, they had it all planned out. And I just went along. 'Thank you, it's a wonderful gift'. You were rightly stunned, I couldn't believe it myself. But I did say it. The words just poured out, and it was so easy. And you know, all these years, ever since I was conceived, it seems that I've always needed to prove to them that I'm independent and self sufficient and that I never need any help. And it's mostly been true. I barely took a thing, I've been very persistent and stubborn about that, you know me. For Rory I did, I accepted money and you know, it had ties. I always recognized that it had ties or strings or tethers or chains, or…" she paused, and took another taste of the ice cream.

"Fetters, cords?" Luke offered.

"Thank you, my handsome thesaurus," she affectionately bumped her shoulder into his chest.

"So, all those restraints were there for years, but now, I guess, I feel like I just have nothing more to prove to them, and I'm not afraid of the strings either. I feel like I can take from them, because I'm not scared of giving them back, of letting my parents be a part of my life. Even our life. A small part, but a part. I know I can make the ties as tight or as loose as I want and I don't feel as powerless or intimidated by them," she took another taste of the ice cream.

"So, what are you saying?"

"I want to say yes."

"To the car," Luke made sure.

Lorelai nodded and closely observed his reaction.

"The exact car, the Range Rover or just any car?" he needed clarification.

Lorelai nodded yes and shrugged apologetically. "It's what they suggested and requested. I want to say a full, unreserved yes."

"Lorelai, that's an eighty thousand dollar car. We can buy three perfect cars for that price and still have some left over for a house."

"Is it safe?" she plainly asked.

"I guess it's safe. It's the size and weight of a Mac truck," he embellished a bit.

"Is it reliable, comfortable, pretty?"

Luke frowned at her. "We'll need to buy a gas station to go with it. It's a guzzler."

"Well," Lorelai gave him a mischievous grin, "I guzzle all kinds of things all the time, and you still married me. And, you can't even begin to put a price tag on my cost."

Luke sighed. "Yes, you are priceless," he paused. "You know, I'm not going to drive that eighty million dollar car around town."

"Aw, hon, I think that's great. More walking for you, that's pure exercise, so more worshipping your beautiful body from me. You won't find me complaining," she faced him and teasingly stuck another teaspoon of ice cream into her mouth.

"Are you sure about this? I mean they might not have it in red," he smirked.

"Well then, I decline. I'd rather be caught dead if it's not red…. Really, we can say yes? Will you be able to live with it? It won't be too horrible for you, knowing that my parents have invested ninety million dollars in us?" she sighed as it sunk in, searching his face for his real sentiments.

Luke shrugged. "Go ahead, say yes, whatever. But, I'm not driving it in…"

"I know," Lorelai patted his thigh, sympathetically. "I think you should just keep your truck."

"Okay."

"Okay. Now you call them and let them know what we've decided," Lorelai handed him her cell phone.

"No, they're your parents."

"But you know so much about cars. I know nothing, only if they're pretty or not, which apparently, makes me the car lot jester every time."

"It's not as if you need to give them a seminar on the mechanics of the car. Just let them know that we say yes and let's get it over with."

"Okay, but you sure don't sound excited about a new car. Should I be worried? Are you not a true man, one of the masculine species, a real homo sapiens? Please don't let me discover that you also can't possibly grow a beer belly. I'll be devastated."

"Jeez, just make the call," he shook his head in despair.

Lorelai kissed him lightly on the lips. She then placed the ice cream cup next to her on the bench and turned back to Luke, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I love you," she plainly stated, her face a mere inch from his, and kissed him again.

Luke responded with a passionate kiss, exploring her warm tongue and licking her teeth, detecting the mild remnants of flavor from the ice cream.

"I love you, too," he added breathless, as their mouths disengaged. "Call them," he urged.

"You know, that speech I gave before," she locked eyes with him.

"You're not going to make the call? You'll change your mind."

"No, wait, listen. Seriously, it's all because of you. It's ironic that now, when I feel the most open with my parents, and feel the least need to prove my independence, that it comes at a time when I'm really the least independent. I have you, I rely on you, I need you, I want to lean on you, I've never been so dependent in my entire life and I'm not scared of it. It's all your doing. You've made it possible for me to learn to accept help and support and love without being afraid of the ties. And this is what carried over to my relationship with my parents," Lorelai was a bit emotional by now, her eyes welling up, but she gave him a wide grin.

Luke hugged her tightly across her shoulders and placed his warm lips on her temple for a lingering kiss.

"I didn't do anything. Nothing. I'm just here with you, and you're the one who's ready for any changes you want to make," he kissed her again.

"Well, thank you for doing nothing, you're very good at it and I'm very happy with what you've done," she leaned her head against his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.

They remained that way for a couple of minutes, until Luke squeezed Lorelai's right arm.

"Do you want to make the call now or from home? It's getting cold."

Lorelai sat up straight and turned to face Luke as she picked up the phone and dialed. She waited for her parents to answer, keeping her eyes on Luke, alluringly rolling her tongue in her mouth.

"Hi, mom…Yes, something happened, I just gave birth…No, no, everything's fine…I'm sorry, I won't joke anymore, in fact I'm just calling to say that Luke and I have decided to accept…Your offer about the car? Has it expired already?" Lorelai rolled her eyes to Luke, as her mother went on and on about how happy and excited she and her father were.

Lorelai covered the phone's mouth piece. "She's calling Dad now," she whispered informing Luke.

"Hi, Dad…Yes, you heard right…"

****

An hour later they were both in bed, trying to fall asleep, as the faint moonlight shone into their bedroom, creating an abstract mural. Lorelai's head rested on Luke's arm, as he fondly stroked her bare upper right arm.

"What if they really don't have a red design?" Lorelai suddenly asked in a drowsy voice.

"Even if they do, we're not getting a red car."

"I've always dreamt of having a red sports car," Lorelai pouted to herself.

"Well, it's definitely not a sports car, and I'm not driving a red any kind of car."

"But you said that you're not going to drive it anyway, so I can get a red one, 'cause you know, I'd rather be dead if it's not red" she reasoned, and started to rub her large, extended belly, feeling Monty subtly moving. He was probably desperately trying to stretch out, she thought to herself, but barely had any space to do so now that he was so big.

Luke joined her massaging hands with his left hand, and smiled as he felt both Monty move beneath it, and Lorelai's touch on top of it.

"I said I'm not driving it around town, 'cause I'd rather be dead than caught in an eighty thousand dollar, guzzler car instead."

"Ha, nice rhyme, a little long but, pretty nice for this hour. So you are going to drive it?"

"Not around town, I'm not. When we go to your parents or on trips or whatever, you'll probably make me drive. I'll drive it then."

"Aw, I got me a real man, after all. You are excited about it, admit it," she nudged him and turned her head to stare into his eyes.

"I'm not excited, I couldn't care less."

"Sure. So can we at least get a color similar to red?" she persisted.

"What color would that be?"

"Silver."

"Silver, okay," he kissed her forehead.

"Okay...I think Monty approves, too," she smiled groggily.

"Well, it's past his bedtime, he should go to sleep," Luke grinned at her, because he himself wanted Monty still awake, and he couldn't take his hand away from Lorelai's belly, from feeling the sensation of his own son active inside her.

Lorelai turned to her left side, facing Luke. "You're so strict," she kissed him on the lips. "Good night," she whispered, sinking into the soft pillows, closing her eyes.

"Good night," he answered, then Luke got under the covers, "Did you hear? You're getting an obscenely expensive car," he spoke to Lorelai's belly, as she smiled nearly asleep. Luke continued, slowly, whispering: "I know, I'm disgusted, too. But that's life, got to compromise sometimes. I didn't give in on the important stuff, though, like the color. No red!" He kissed Lorelai's abdomen, as usual. "Good night, Monty."

Luke emerged from beneath the covers and settled on his right side, facing Lorelai. Her eyes were closed and her deep, monotonous breaths seemed to indicate that she'd already fallen asleep. Sleep was not something that she could lately take for granted.

Luke watched her beautiful, tranquil features, happy that she could sleep tonight, hoping it would be a full night for her. He suppressed his desire to kiss her, for fear of waking her.

He smiled to himself, remembering that evening's talk. He was happy that she'd said yes to her parents. She'd desperately needed the peace she'd found in her relationship with them for so long. He closed his eyes, keeping his smile, as he dozed off.

Yes, he was relieved that she'd said yes to them, but he still wasn't driving that offensive thing around town!