Hey guys, once again thanks for the reviews! I hope they continue! Just so you know, there are only a few chapters left! So I hope you continue to like them and review :)
Two days later it was Friday again and Lorelai and Luke had set up a meeting with Anna and April after school. They were all going to meet at Lorelai's house to meet properly and discuss what would be best for everyone. Lorelai was nervously walking around the living room moving things around for no real reason other than she was restless. Luke was in the kitchen feeding Paul Anka when he heard her curse loudly.
He walked into the living room and found her grabbing at her elbow, "Lorelai?"
"Stupid funny bone." She growled as she started moving pillows and adjusting them.
He walked over to her and grabbed her arm gently, "Hey...you okay?"
She glanced at him and then around the room again, "Does it look clean enough in here? Neat enough? I don't want her to think I'm a slob…" She grimaced, "At least not yet…"
He smiled sadly, "You're nervous…"
She nodded slowly, "Yes...and I just don't want to mess this up. Anna has to like me in order for this to work...she needs to think i'm responsible enough to take care of April. She needs to-"
"Stop." Luke said grabbing her hands in his, "She is going to like you. I promise. Everyone likes you…" He said softly.
She took a deep breath and looked down at their joined hands, "Sure...I can charm people. But it has never been more important for someone to like me. I need this to work out so that you can be happy and we can be together."
Luke squeezed her hands, "Lorelai….no matter what happens today...it doesn't change us."
"But-" She protested softly.
He shook his head and pulled her closer to him, "I'm not letting you go again Lorelai. I told you that before...we are together now. And we always will be."
Lorelai glanced up at him, still unsure of her emotions. She wanted to say something else, but before she could there was a knock on the door. He smiled softly at her, gave her hands one last squeeze and turned to walk to the door and let them in.
Lorelai stood awkwardly by the couch, she heard them exchange a few words of greeting before he showed them into the house. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, it felt like her whole future rested on this moment...and truthfully it did.
Luke gave her a small smile and joined her by the couch, "And this is Lorelai...you've both met her before but…"
"Hi Lorelai…" April said with a smile and a wave, "It's really good to see you again. I like your house."
Lorelai swallowed nervously, "It's great to see you too April. And thank you…" She turned towards Anna, "Hello Anna…"
Anna nodded slowly, "Hello Lorelai...how are you?"
"I'm…" She paused nervously until she felt Luke's reassuring hand on her back, "I'm good. I'm glad that we could finally all meet like this…"
Anna nodded, "Yes, I suppose it was time."
Luke nodded and glanced around the room, "Should we sit?"
Everyone found a seat, Lorelai and Luke on the couch and Anna and April in the two chairs across from them. They sat in awkward silence for a moment until Luke cleared his throat.
"So...this is Lorelai's house...she raised Rory here." Luke said nervously, "All alone. She did an amazing job with her."
"So you bought this house at 16?" Anna asked with a raised eyebrow, "I did the math...that's how old you would have had to be if Rory is 21."
Lorelai swallowed nervously, "Um...yes I was 16. I didn't buy this house right away. I was...I worked at an Inn that used to be nearby called the Independence Inn. And the owner let us live there for the first few years of Rory's life…"
"You lived at an Inn?" Anna asked as she leaned back in her seat.
"Um...there was this old potting shed out back. And...Mia...the owner...she turned it into a little apartment for Rory and I." Lorelai said as her cheeks blushed, she was beginning to feel really embarrassed and stupid.
Luke grabbed for her hand and placed it on his lap, "Lorelai worked incredibly hard to make sure that Rory had everything and more. She gave her an amazing childhood. She sacrificed so much to make Rory happy...to make sure that she was well taken care of."
Anna narrowed her eyes, "In a potting shed…"
Luke felt Lorelai tense beside him and his resolve faltered, his face turned hard, "Anna...seriously? You're really going to treat her like this?"
Anna crossed her arms over her chest, "I want to know the woman who YOU want to be around my kid Luke…"
"Do you honestly think that I'd allow some monster around April?" Luke asked angrily, he was beginning to lose his patience.
Lorelai squeezed his hand not wanting him to lose his cool, "Luke…"
He shook his head, "No Lorelai...I'm not going to let her speak to you that way." He turned back to Anna, "Lorelai is an amazing woman and an even better mother. I have watched her give up everything to ensure that her daughter is happy. She'd die for her. She works harder than anyone I know and still manages to find time to volunteer her time to the town and her friends. Yes...she had Rory when she was 16 but that doesn't reflect her character. Most girls her age could never do what she did for Rory...Rory is brilliant and is about to finish her Junior year at Yale. She wants to be an editor...she's got her life planned out. Lorelai has a steady job, a business she built from the ground up. She is selfless and smart, incredibly funny and complex, she would do anything for the people she loves without hesitation and she makes me happier than anyone ever has in my life." He swallowed hard as his voice cracked, "I have every intention of marrying her...and spending my life with her. And that means that she's going to be in April's life because April is going to be in my life whether you like it or not. I'm not going to let you dictate this anymore...YOU kept April from me. YOU made all the choices before, and now it's my turn to make some."
As he finished his rant there was silence in the room as everyone stared directly at him. Lorelai's mouth hung open as her eyes bore into the side of his face. He turned towards her quickly and tried to read her expression but she couldn't seem to think of anything to say. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and smiled as a way of saying thank you.
Anna cleared her throat, "Well...I guess you really aren't giving up without a fight."
Luke turned back to her, "No. I'm not."
April nervously glanced at her Mother, "Mom...I really like Lorelai. She's fun...and I feel comfortable around her. And that's pretty amazing considering I've only been around her the night of my birthday party...I get why you're nervous. But...I think you need to trust Dad's judgment. And mine." She said with a small shrug, "I want Dad in my life...you made a choice to keep him out of my life for 12 years. And now...now he's in it and I won't pretend I don't know him. So you...you have to decide what you want here. If you can't trust that I won't let her replace you...and you keep us apart...then you and I are going to have issues."
"April no…" Lorelai said quickly, "I don't want you to fight with your Mom."
April shook her head, "It's okay Lorelai…" She turned back to her Mom, "Right Mom?"
Anna swallowed hard and thought for a moment, "This isn't easy for me...April doesn't have a lot of extended family. She's my world...and I always want to make sure she is safe."
"I understand that." Lorelai said with a smile, "I remember when Rory went to her first sleepover I drove through her friends neighborhood until almost two in the morning." She said with a sad laugh, "I had never let her out of my sight except for school at that point…"
Anna smiled, "I did that too…"
"I understand how hard it is to let go…" Lorelai said swallowing hard, "For a long time...Rory was all that I had. Her father wasn't in my life...not really. And that was his choice. My parents...weren't too pleased with me so I didn't have them. Rory was everything...and I was always so scared to screw it up. But...then I met Luke…"
Luke blushed, "Lorelai…"
She squeezed his hand, "No Luke...it's true and you know it." She smiled as she turned to Anna, "I never, ever would have survived without him. My kid would have starved to death…" She said with a laugh, "I can't cook to save my own life...or hers. Plus half the time I couldn't afford to pay for my own meals but Luke still made sure I ate. And...he even helped me pay for my Inn."
Anna glanced at Luke, "Is that true?"
Luke cleared his throat nervously, "I may have given her a small loan…"
Lorelai rolled her eyes, "It was not a small loan." She said with a laugh, "Luke has been such a huge part of my life...and for years I was afraid to admit that I loved him as more than just a friend. But now...now that we are together I don't ever want to lose him. I know how important getting to know April is to him...I know how badly he wants this to work. And I will do whatever it takes to make sure that it works for all of us. I understand that it is difficult for you to trust that she will be safe with us...but I promise you I will look after her as if she is my own child. But I will never replace you in her life...I never could and I never would want too. When she is here...she will be safe. With both of us." Lorelai said squeezing Luke's hands as she glanced over at him.
Anna's eyes welled up with tears, "I'm just…"
Lorelai nodded, "I know…" She whispered with a small smile, "Please believe me when I say I understand exactly how you are feeling right now. When Rory's father wanted to remarry and they had a child...I felt like I was totally losing her. I hated the other woman...it drove me crazy when they were all together. And I think having gone through that...I respect you even more as a mother."
Anna took a deep breath and leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees, "I would be willing to let April stay here if she feels comfortable enough...maybe on weekends?" She glanced over at April, "Are you okay with that?"
April nodded excitedly, "That would be awesome!"
Anna turned back towards Luke and Lorelai, "Would she be here or at the Diner?"
"Well whatever you would be most comfortable with…" Lorelai said, "We probably have more room here. My daughter Rory doesn't live here so her room is open. Plus we added another room upstairs recently...but if you would rather her stay just at the Diner with Luke I understand that."
Anna shook her head, "I don't see why it couldn't be here...especially if she has her own room."
Lorelai smiled, "You can decorate it anyway you want too. I love painting!"
Luke groaned, "She isn't kidding...she really does…"
"That would be cool." April said with a smile, "Are you sure?"
Lorelai smiled, "Of course. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible here."
April nodded, "Thank you."
Anna cleared her throat and went to stand up, "Well...I'm glad we had a chance to talk."
Lorelai and Luke quickly followed her movements and stood up too, "Thank you for agreeing to it." Lorelai said nervously.
Anna looked towards April, "We should get going-"
"Actually...would it be okay if I stay?" She asked curiously glancing over at her Dad and Lorelai hopefully.
"Well I don't want you to intrude." Anna said with a frown.
Lorelai shook her head, "She wouldn't be. My daughter is coming by tonight...and I know she really wants to meet April formally. As long as you are okay with that...we'd be happy to have April stay."
Anna looked over at her daughter, "I guess I could drop a bag off for you later."
April shook her head, "I already sort of stowed one away in your trunk." She said sheepishly, "Just in case this went well…"
Anna chuckled, "Well you did have a plan…"
April smiled, "Don't think I'm trying to get away from you. I just...I want to get to know them more."
Anna smiled as her eyes welled up with tears, "I understand."
"But if you aren't okay with it...or it's too soon…" April said nervously, "I will come home with you."
Anna shook her head, "No. No. You should stay. Now's as good a time as any...as long as you are sure it's okay." She said glancing back to Lorelai.
Lorelai smiled, "Of course it is."
Anna took a deep breath, 'Well okay then...I guess I will head home and get some work done. You call if you need anything."
"I will. Thanks Mom. I'll come out to the car with you to get my bag." She said walking towards the door excitedly.
Anna watched her go and then went to follow her when Luke called her name, she turned towards him slowly, "Yes?"
"Thank you." He whispered honestly as he wrapped an arm around Lorelai's shoulders.
Anna smiled at them both, "You're welcome." She walked past them and out the front door to say goodbye to April.
Luke turned to Lorelai, "You're sure you're okay with this?"
Lorelai smiled at him, "Of course I am. Are you?"
Luke sighed happily, "I'm more than okay with it. I'm so happy...I get all my girls in one place."
Lorelai beamed up at him, "Man...you're really outnumbered now…"
Luke groaned, "God help me…" He leaned forward to kiss her, "Don't you have to go to Friday Night Dinner?"
Lorelai shook her head as he pulled away, "My Mom came by the Inn the other day...we talked about a few things. She said she understood if we had to skip dinner this week. She won't mind."
Luke nodded slowly, "Guess we're all doing some growing up…"
She smiled at him, "I guess we are…"
April walked back into the house with her bag and smiled at them, "Mom left...thanks for letting me stay."
Lorelai pulled away from Luke and walked closer to her, "Of course! It will be so much fun. Rory and I are famous for movie nights...all the classics and all the best snacks. We torture your Dad with it." She said turning back to Luke, "And now you can join in on the fun!"
April smiled excitedly, "Can't wait!"
"Do you want to see your room? It's not much at the moment...but like I said we can decorate it however you want." Lorelai said with a shrug.
April nodded quickly, "I'd like that a lot."
Lorelai smiled, put an arm around the young girl and showed her upstairs to the spare bedroom. Luke smiled as he watched them go and wondered what the hell he had ever been afraid of. This was exactly what he wanted, a family with Lorelai Gilmore. And now...he was finally going to have it.
Thirty minutes later, April was showing Luke a project she was working on in school. Lorelai watched them talking back and forth and beamed with pride at how naturally Luke looked with his long lost daughter. She quietly excused herself and picked up the phone to call Emily.
"Hey Mom." She said into the phone as she sat at the kitchen table.
"Lorelai, hello!" Emily said, "I was wondering if you were going to call me today."
"Sorry. Work was busy and then I met with Anna and April afterwards." She explained as she bent down to pet Paul Anka.
"Oh you did meet with them? How did it go? Was she mean? Did Luke and her fight? Did you and Luke fight?" Emily rambled.
Lorelai sighed contently, "Actually no, it went great. In fact April is still here...she's going to spend the night. We were hoping to have dinner with her and Rory...have a little movie night. Is it still okay if I miss Friday Night Dinner this week?"
Emily couldn't help but smile, "Of course. I'm really happy to hear that it went well Lorelai. I know how important this is to you…"
"Thank you Mom. That means a lot…" She paused, "April seems like a great kid. I think you'll really like her. She's smart like Rory and tough too...totally held her own against her Mom. Let her know that she wanted to be a part of Luke's and my life. I was amazed."
"Well I am looking forward to meeting her. Whenever Luke is comfortable with it, your father and I would love to come by or you can come here. Whatever you want." Emily said honestly.
"Thanks Mom." She said again.
"I just…" Emily paused, "I want you to be happy Lorelai...that's all I've ever wanted."
Lorelai felt a lump in her throat, "I know Mom…"
"And I may not have always shown it in the best way before...but I do love you. And if this is what you want than I support you 100%." Emily said in a choked voice.
"I love you too Mom. I want you to be a part of all of our lives." She said with a sniffle, "I'm sorry I ran away…"
Emily cleared her throat, "That was the past Lorelai...we just need to focus on the future."
Lorelai heard a car pull up and smiled when she saw it was Rory, "Well...Rory is here. I should probably go. But...I'll call you tomorrow?"
Emily smiled at the thought of it, "I look forward to hear how it all went."
"Great. Bye Mom." She quickly hung up the phone and went to greet Rory on the porch.
"Hey. Think this is too casual for Friday Night Dinner?" Rory asked as she looked down at her outfit.
"We're actually not going to Friday Night Dinner." Lorelai said with a large smile, "April is here...with Luke. And...we are all going to have dinner together...watch some movies...she's going to sleep over too."
Rory's eyes widened, "Wow...seriously? And Luke and Anna are okay with this?"
Lorelai nodded, "We all had a really great talk. I think we are finally all on the same page and April was really eager to stay. So we figured we'd give it a shot...I'd love for you to stay too...but if it's too weird or-"
Rory shook her head, "No. No this is good. I know how important this is to you. And like we said before...April is going to be a part of the family now. I want to get to know her too."
Lorelai smiled and pulled her in for a tight hug, "Thanks kiddo. It means a lot that I have your support on this."
Rory squeezed her back, "Of course."
Lorelai pulled away and led her into the house, they walked into the living room where Luke and April were, "Hey I found this random girl outside…she begged to me to let her in so I did."
Luke chuckled, "Hey Rory."
"Hey." She smiled at April, "Hey April, it's great to see you again."
"Hi Rory." April said a little shyly, "Your Mom showed me your room...you have an amazing selection of books. She said that wasn't even all of them!"
Rory smiled, "Those are just the one's I couldn't fit in my new place."
"Wow." April said with a huge smile, "That's really cool. I wish I had more books...Mom says if I get anymore in my room the house will fall down."
Rory laughed, "Yeah...my Mom tried to pull that one on my too. Don't let her fool you though...it never happened." She shrugged. "You're more than welcome to borrow any book of mine whenever you want."
"Really?" April said, "You had a great Tolkein collection...I'd love to borrow those if you don't mind. I've always wanted to read the Lord of The Rings."
Rory smiled, "They are one of my favorite series actually. I was just about your age when I started reading them I think. Come with me, we will go get them."
April smiled and quickly followed Rory towards her bedroom. Lorelai smiled after them and then plopped down beside Luke who couldn't seem to take his eyes off of her.
She blushed nervously, "What?"
"I just...I feel really happy." Luke said in a hoarse voice, "I don't know why I was so afraid before. I should have known that it would have been okay...I should have known that you would do anything to make me and April comfortable. I just feel like such a fool…"
Lorelai leaned forward and cupped his face in her hands, "Hey...shhh...it's okay Luke. We're moving on to our future, right? Our daughters are so far getting along great. It went well with Anna today...we don't need to dwell on the past. Let's just keep this momentum going…"
Luke leaned forward and kissed her gently, "I really love you…"
Lorelai beamed up at him, "Well good...because I really love you too."
They leaned in to kiss again just as the girls came out, "Dad! Look at all these books Rory is going to let me borrow! I can't believe she has a first edition "Catcher In The Rye"!"
Luke smiled at his daughter, "I'm sure if you look hard enough Rory has just about every book you'd ever want to read. I can't tell you how many times I had to rebuild her bookshelves for her."
Rory smiled sheepishly, "Hey...my hobbies could be worse."
Luke chuckled, "This is true. I'd much rather you have been a reader than a coffee addict like your Mother…" He paused and frowned, "Oh wait...you have that obsession too." He said sarcastically.
Lorelai smiled, "I told you last night it's your fault...if your coffee wasn't so good...we wouldn't need it so much. You're our supplier!"
"That is true." Rory said pointing a finger at him, "So you have to take the blame for rotting our insides."
Luke rolled his eyes, "I don't know why I even bother…"
"Speaking of rotting our insides..." Lorelai said clapping her hands, "Do you like pizza April? We usually order pizza on movie night."
"Who doesn't like pizza?" April asked with a smirk.
"Him." Rory and Lorelai said together pointing at Luke.
April laughed, "Man...they have it out for you Dad."
Luke smiled, "I'm sure you'll be joining in soon enough." He looked towards Lorelai, "I've told you...it's not that I don't like pizza...I just would prefer a salad if-"
"No salad on movie nights Luke!" Rory yelled at him, "You know the rules!"
Luke sighed, "Fine...but I'm getting a veggie pizza."
Lorelai stuck out her tongue, "Okay fine...one small fungus infested pizza. One large one with the works...and what do you like April?"
"The works is good." April said with a shrug, "I'm not picky like my Dad."
Lorelai beamed when she heard her call him Dad, "Well amen to that. I'll go and call now so it is here soon. You girls want to pick out a movie? Luke can help me get the drinks and stuff."
"Sure." April said as Rory led her over to the cabinet to pick out a movie together.
Luke and Lorelai walked towards the kitchen, "Why are you getting drinks so early? The Pizza won't be here for-"
He was cut off by Lorelai pushing him against the wall in the kitchen for a passionate kiss, "Just wanted an excuse to get that kiss the girls interrupted before…"
Luke smiled and rubbed circles on her hip, "Well okay then…"
Lorelai glanced over her shoulder, "Looks like we got about five minutes of make out time before they notice we are missing. Care to join me?"
Luke only laughed and pulled her against him, finally feeling happy that they were back on the right track.
Later that night Luke was taking the trash out and Paul Anka for a walk as the girls picked out another movie. He was waiting for Paul Anka when he saw Babette walk out on the porch.
"Nice night." Babette said smiling at him.
Luke nodded and looked up at the bright moon, "Summer is definitely coming."
Babette watched him for a moment, "How's everything going?"
Luke chuckled and walked Paul Anka closer to Babette's house, "Can't help but be curious can you?"
"Can you blame me?" Babette asked leaning against her porch railing, "We've all been a part of the Luke and Lorelai saga for years now. We want to see a happy ending!"
Luke smiled and looked back at the house, "Well if you must know...things are going well. April is here...spending the night actually. She's inside with Rory and Lorelai now picking out another movie."
"She's a part of movie night? Well that's a big step!" Babbette said with a smile.
Luke nodded, "Yes it is."
"And you and Lorelai are…" She pushed further.
Luke smiled, "We're good...talking...working things out."
Babette nodded, "Good. That's great. Communication is good for relationships."
"We are realizing that." Luke said with a laugh. "I uh…" He cleared his throat, "I'm actually glad you are here...I wanted to ask you and Morey for a favor...Patty to if she can help."
Babette perked up, "Oh really? And what's on your mind shugah?"
Luke rubbed the back of his head, "I know that Lorelai isn't necessarily ready to get married right away...but I was hoping to maybe ask her to marry me again...the way I should have done before."
"You did go modern last time…" Babette said pointing a finger at him.
Luke nodded, "Right...well see I always had this plan for it. I was going to do it...eventually."
Babette chuckled, "Eventually…"
He blushed, "The thing is…" He paused, "Tomorrow is June 3rd…"
Babette's eyes widened, "Man...I didn't even think about that."
Luke nodded, "To be honest...it kind of slipped my mind too. Things have been so crazy and I've been so focussed on fixing this that I didn't realize what day it was." He paused, "I want Lorelai to have a happy memory of June 3rd rather than a sad one…"
Babette smiled, "So...you want to propose tomorrow?"
Luke nodded, "In the way she deserves...yes. Do you think it's too soon?"
Babette looked towards the house, "Luke...if there is one thing I am sure of...it is that that woman loves you. I think it would make her very happy...to see you really showing some commitment to her."
Luke smiled, "That's what I was hoping for."
"Well what do you need from me?" Babette asked with a smile, "We'd be happy to help in anyway."
"Well…" Luke stepped up on the porch and started to explain his plan to Babette and hoped that he was doing the right thing.
Ten minutes later with the plan set in motion, Luke walked Paul Anka back to the house and got him a treat. He took off his shoes, and settled in beside Lorelai on the couch while the girls sat on the floor and ate popcorn and laughed at the movie.
"Hey...I was starting to worry." Lorelai said as he put his arm around her.
Luke smiled at her, "Babette was on the hunt for information…"
Lorelai laughed, "How ever did you manage to get away?"
"I have my ways…" Luke teased as he pulled her close, "What'd you guys pick?"
"Robin Hood Men in Tights." Lorelai said with a knowing smirk, "You know...air pants."
Luke groaned, "Great…"
"I think you'll actually like this movie. It's funny." She rested her head against his shoulder and nodded towards Rory and April, "Look how comfortable they look together…"
Luke kissed the top of her head as he rubbed her arm gently, "I know. It's great…"
"Our family…" Lorelai whispered as she wrapped an arm around his stomach and stared up at him with a glint in her eyes.
Luke looked down at her, kissed her nose and smiled, "Yup. Our family."
She stared at him for a moment and traced the worry lines around his eyes, "You good?"
He gave her arm a reassuring squeeze, "Never better. You?"
She leaned up and gently kissed his lips, "I'm great. And us...we're good?"
He kissed her again, "We're perfect."
Lorelai sighed happily and leaned down to rest against his chest again, "That we are my friend...that we are..."
Luke held her close and watched the girls in front of them. He thanked his lucky stars that somehow they had managed to turn this nightmare into something wonderful again. He just hoped that tomorrow Lorelai would be just as happy as she was now if not happier…
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