"Ahem."
Luke sprung away from Lorelai like a gazelle. A big manly gazelle, but a gazelle nonetheless.
"Chris honey, you aren't supposed to say ahem, but you are supposed to cough discreetly. That's what it means."
"Oh. Ok lets try it again? I always thought you said it."
"No. You don't say it."
"Uh, I was just, uh.."
"Luke it's fine. You were just giving her a hug. How are you feeling? Want your meds?"
"Yeah. The nurse person will know."
"What's her name?"
"Oh crap… It's some flower. Daisy or Jasmine or something?"
"How about Rose?"
"Rose! That's it! How did you know Luke?"
"I met her when I came up. She introduced herself to me."
"Oh! That's nice."
"No. It's not like that. She was just there. I said hi. That's all."
"Lore, leave the poor guy alone."
"I am Evil Kanevil's twin sister after all. And this is fun. And I'm sick. You can't tell me what I can and cannot do."
"Fine. I won't. Now I'll go call Rose."
"I'll call her. I was leaving anyway."
"Oh you'll call her Luke?"
"Oh jeez."
Luke went out to get the nurse and see himself out. Lorelai wiggled her eyebrows at Chris.
"This is weird."
"Why?"
"Well, Luke and I didn't go at each other's throats. We were civil."
"That's a good thing hun."
"I know. It seemed… nice between you guys."
"Yeah. We talked. We're good friends. He will always be in my life, and I'll be in his."
"I know. I know how important he is to you. I'm glad things are ok and not strained."
"Thanks Chris."
Rose came into the room and made Lorelai take 3 pills.
"This is the size of my foot! How am I supposed to swallow this?"
"Do you want me to crush it and mix it with honey? That's the way I give it Gigi."
"Are you serious? I used to do that to Rory until I tried it. It's sickening. Please never ever do that to Gigi or me!"
"Really? That bad?"
"Oh I'll make you try it and you will apologise to Gigi everyday of your life I promise."
"Wow. Ok. I'll stop doing that then. Now eat your meds and I promise to make it up to you later."
"Fine. Ugh. Here goes nothing"
Lorelai swallowed the pills making a face the whole time. The calcium was the worst because it was massive and it didn't taste really nice. She hoped she didn't have to take it for too long. Stupid man in the stupid car. She felt her anger rise. He had ruined everything. Now she was freaking bed ridden for 12 weeks. Well 4 weeks and the other 8 weeks, she would have to hobble around on crutches. What a waste. She looked at Chris straightening things out in the room after she was done. She smiled slightly and then grinned when he bent over. He did have a nice rear end.
Chris picked up around the room and was really looking forward to having Lorelai back in Stars Hollow. He hadn't told her yet, but he had already moved into their house with Gigi. She was enrolled in Stars Hollow Elementary and today was her first day there. He still had some boxes that had to be moving in from Boston, but Marcy, the secretary he shared with a colleague was taking care of that. Those boxes were due day after. If all went according to plan, Rory was going to be home on Saturday and they could move Lorelai home. He looked at the time. It was almost 3. Emily was due back any moment and Gigi got off school in half an hour. He had to leave. And he had promised Sookie an update. He liked how she was finally on his side. He knew she didn't trust him after all he had done to Lorelai, but she was warming up to the idea of him.
"Hey mister. Enough cleaning. I thought I was the maid between the two of us."
Chris laughed.
"I have to go now."
"What? Why? You can't leave."
"Sorry Lore. But I have to go. Gigi will be waiting."
"Man. I wish you could stay here. But soon right?"
"Soon."
He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss and got ready to leave.
"Hey! What the hell was that?"
"Huh?"
"If you think that is going to sustain me, you've got another thing coming!"
Chris chuckled at her and gave her a much longer kiss. He would miss her. But he had a million things to do for her home coming. Including making a trip to New York.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Uh, yeah. But Gigi and I will swing by in the evening ok?"
"The evening?"
"Yeah. I have some work stuff in the morning. Sorry."
"That's ok. You've supplied me well. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye Lore!"
Chris left just in time to avoid Emily who had returned from the DAR. She found the house empty and Richard asleep in his study. She was the most upset. Was no one with Lorelai? Where was Christopher? And where were the damn maids! She marched upstairs to see Lorelai watching TV.
"Lorelai! How are you?"
"Hey mom! I'm doing good. Chris was just here. You must have just missed him."
"You weren't alone? That's good. Have you eaten? Or did those infernal maids take off? Have an extended lunch break while my sick daughter is lying up here."
"Mom! Calm down. Everything is fine."
"Good Lord! What are you watching?"
"It's called Friends mom. Haven't you watched it? You'll love it."
"Oh what is that lady doing?'
"That's Amanda. She is showing Chandler her dancing."
"Oh my. You watch this? And Rory?"
"It's out favourite mom."
"Oh it's over. Well, what can I get you?"
"Nothing mom. I'm actually going to sleep for a bit. Those meds really put you to sleep."
"Alright."
Emily left the room to talk to Rose and fire her maid. Lorelai fell asleep and didn't know when Emily came back and adjusted her coverlet and kissed her forehead. Emily was not looking forward to the day Christopher would whisk her back to Stars Hollow. It had been so long since Lorelai had lived here and she had missed her terribly.