I step off the platform at Hartford Union Station and breathe in the familiar, Connecticut air. This past weekend was what I needed, but at the same time, I'm happy to be back amongst familiar surroundings. I walk to the Spruce Street Parking Lot adjacent to the train station and load my roller suitcase in the back of my Jeep before climbing in. Fighting the urge to call Luke, I instead call Rory first to tell her I made it back. We talk briefly as I pull out of the parking lot, but there's something in her tone that gets my mom antennae up.

"Are you okay? You sound kind of down for a girl that's getting four books from McNally Jackson instead of only two. Fess up, is it Logan?"

Rory sighs. "No, it isn't Logan. I saw Luke yesterday in New Haven. He was having lunch with Anna, and it came out that we met before when I went to her store."

"Huh. Was Luke upset about it?" Stupid question, of course he would be upset. He probably thinks I sent my daughter out as a spy.

"No, he was fine, but I still felt bad for keeping it from him. And it was really weird seeing him with Anna, but he said he was trying to make things right. Whatever that means."

I know exactly what that means, but I have to force myself to not get too excited until I hear it straight from the horse's mouth. "Trust me, if Luke was upset, you'd know it. That's probably why he isn't a poker player because the guy shows all of his emotions on his face."

Rory agrees, and we say our goodbyes with a promise of a movie night later on in the week. A half hour later, I take the Stars Hollow exit, and I feel happier than I thought I would as I drive through town. It's only a little after six, so I decide to drop in on Sookie at her house to see how the weekend went.

"Welcome back, sweetie!" she chirps when the front door opens. We hug, and I follow her through the house and into the kitchen where the four of them are having dinner.

"I'm sorry, I should have called first." Instead of protesting, Sookie hands me a plate, and I sit down to join them.

It feels like old times, even with the addition of Martha, and I can't help but think about Luke and all the times he tagged along with me here to have dinner. Not once did he ever complain, and I feel as if I took it for granted. We finish eating, and I help Sookie clear the table while Jackson goes to bathe the kids.

"How are you feeling?" asks Sookie as she hands clean plates to me that I then place in the drying rack.

"A lot better. I have to tell you, I don't know why I was so worried what people would think about Luke and me. None of that matters at the end of the day. All that matters is what we're doing to try and change things. I can't believe I let that get into my head."

"Have you talked to him since coming home?"

"No, we left things on kind of weird note Friday night, and I haven't talked to him since. He knows I wasn't planning on calling while I was gone, that was the whole reason for the trip." I grab a dish towel and start drying off the counter top.

"You might want to call him. I heard through the grapevine that you had a visitor or two at your house today." Sookie gives me a sideways glance, and my interest is now peaked. Who the hell would have been at my house while I was gone?

Instead of calling Luke right away, I decide to head home and at least get comfortable. As I'm walking up the steps towards my darkened porch, a deep voice greets me to my left, and all I can do is scream.

"Hey, it's just me," says Luke with his hands raised in surrender. "I left my house key here because, well…so I couldn't let myself in to turn on your porch light. I didn't feel like breaking in through the back door, so I decided to wait on the seat out here."

My heart rate starts to slow down, and even though it's dark out here, the sight of Luke's face calms me even more. "That's okay, come inside."

Luke follows me in, and I realize it's the first time he's been here since last Saturday. I roll my suitcase to the foot of the stairs and make my way to the kitchen. "You want something to drink? I have water, I think, and maybe a few beers."

Luke opts for water, and I grab one as well. We stand there awkwardly, sipping our drinks, as silence fills the room.

"I'm glad you're back. You look…rested," says Luke, cringing slightly at his lame remark.

Chuckling softly, I say, "Thanks, I am. It's good to be home. I noticed my well-manicured lawn out there, is that your handiwork?"

Luke takes a gulp of water and nods before swallowing. "Yeah, it was looking kinda shabby, so I thought I'd come over and take care of it. That's okay, right?"

"Of course. Did you have someone helping you?"

His eyebrows knit in confusion and he says no. Maybe Sookie misheard or maybe the rumor mill is just that: filled with rumors instead of truth.

"I have some news," says Luke, and judging by his half-smile, I know it has to be something good. I say a silent prayer that it is something good because we really can't afford more bad karma. "I had lunch with Anna yesterday, and we talked about you and me and spending more time with April."

I pull out a chair and gesture for him to do the same. When he sits down, I ask, "How did she feel about that?"

Luke recaps their lunch and the conversation that was had. For some reason I hate that she knows we're no longer engaged—like Anna won somehow—but I push the thought aside. Luke's words to her truly touch me, and no matter the outcome, it pleases me that he was trying to defend me in a way. He also fills me in on seeing Rory, and I confirm that she did tell me about it and that I did get upset at the fact that she went to Anna's store.

"It sounds like it was all pretty civil, not like the last time you saw her."

"No, definitely a complete one eighty which was a relief."

I sigh happily. "This is great, Luke. I'm glad you were able to talk to her. I guess we just have to wait and see what she says."

"Nope. April came to see me today while I was here." Aha, the mystery visitor.

"How did she know where to find you?"

"Caesar told her when she stopped by the diner." He pauses briefly. "She, uh, wants to spend more time with you, and she told Anna that, so it looks like everyone is on board."

Grinning like a fool, I say, "Really?" Luke nods, and I can't help but lunge for him, hugging him fiercely. It's the first physical contact we've had since our awkward tryst at the inn, and my embarrassment over the situation disappears.

Luke threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me in for a kiss, letting it linger for a few seconds. When we separate he asks if I'm hungry, and I tell him about my dinner with the Bellevilles. Afterwards he tells me he has to head back to the diner, and I want more than anything to ask him to stay, but I don't want another disaster evening, so I give him one more kiss and a promise that I'll see him tomorrow for breakfast.

A few hours later I'm unpacking my suitcase when the house phone rings. "Hello?"

"What would you say to a trip to the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol on Friday?" asks Luke.

Chuckling, I answer, "I'd say you have the wrong number."

"Well, it's the only museum in Connecticut that April hasn't been to and I thought…"

"There's probably a reason for that, hon."

Luke sighs, and a feeling of guilt hits me. Clearly he's trying to make this work, and here I am cracking jokes, per usual. Before I can speak, he says, "Well if I think of something else, I'll let you know."

"No, Luke, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made fun of the idea. A museum sounds great, and I know April would love it. I just don't want you to think that you have to plan all of these outings for us. As long as we all hang out together every now and then, I'll be happy."

"Well I was thinking of taking her to Lake Compounce, too. It opens this week."

I gasp. "Can we do both?"

"Are you trying to kill me?"

"Luke," I whine, "Lake Compounce is the best amusement slash waterpark in the state of Connecticut. April would love it, which will make me love it even more, which will make you love it." A few more pretty pleases added in and Luke caves. We hang up so that he can check to make sure the trip is Anna-approved.

The next morning I bound into the diner, and everyone stops what they're doing and turns to stare. I cringe inwardly at the unwanted attention and make a beeline for the counter. The chatter starts to pick up around me, and I can start to relax. Luke appears from the kitchen, and we share a smile and a quick over-the-counter kiss. Take that, townspeople.

"Morning, want some coffee?" asks Luke as he reaches for my favorite mug.

"Please."

He fills up the mug and tells me that Anna is okay with the outing as long as April is back before sundown. A thought occurs to me as I sip my coffee and listen to Luke's plan for Friday.

"So, we've talked a little bit about how Anna feels with all of this, but what are you feeling?" I ask as I pretend to peruse the menu in front of me. When he doesn't immediately answer, I feel myself tense up slightly.

"This is what I want, Lorelai, and it didn't really hit me until she came to your house yesterday how much I've been missing out on by not having all of us together and starting a life, a real life."

His response makes me tear up and fills me with so much happiness. Maybe we can have the middle and end that we deserve after all.

By Friday morning I am a nervous wreck. The good kind of nervous, like not knowing what to expect and wanting nothing more than a perfect day. We stop in Woodbridge to pick up April, and Anna and I exchange pleasantries. She seems okay with the situation so far, and I do my best not to babble on incessantly. As we make our way north towards Bristol, the silence in the cab of the truck starts to get to me.

"The clock museum, huh? Are you as excited as I am?" I ask, putting way too much emphasis on the excited part.

April chuckles. "I'd actually be fine with spending the day at the waterpark. Did you know that waterslides have curved sides because of our body's inertia, and without it, we'd plunge right over the edge?"

"No, I didn't. I always thought it was to keep the water in." I look over at Luke as April continues to babble on about the physics of waterslides, and we share a smile.

Going with April's request, we skip the museum—thank God—and head straight for Lake Compounce. It's not quite noon, but the park is already full. We park the truck and head through the tunneled-entrance to the ticket counter. Since we came dressed for the museum, Luke decides to rent a large locker to store all of our clothes.

"Wow, this is definitely something," says Luke, sounding a little unsure.

Threading my fingers through his, I give his hand a squeeze. "When you see how excited she gets, none of the other annoying things about this place will matter. Trust me."

Luke looks down at me as we walk, hand in hand. "I do trust you."

For a moment, I'm unsure if he means with the park or me in general. Either way, it feels good to hear it. I lean in and kiss him softly before I feel a tug on my arm.

"Lorelai, let's get in line for the Tunnel Twisters!" says April, excitedly.

I look at Luke, silently asking for permission, and he waves me off with a smile. As we walk over to wait in line, I hear a tiny voice calling out "Aunt Lorelai".

April and I both look around as she asks, "How are you an aunt? Do you have siblings?"

"No, I'm an only…" That's when I spot G.G. standing in line for the train with Christopher. "Child."