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Chapter 12 – Third First Date
During the next week they kept their rekindled love a secret from the rest of the town, some suspected but didn't say anything to the couple. Sneaking around became a challenge for them but they rose to the task, enjoying it at times. Using the Jeep as cover Luke visited Lorelai and of course Lorelai went to the diner for food and coffee to keep up appearances.
LUKE "I'm done." He said tossing the rag on the bench.
LORELAI "It's finished!" Smiling as she said putting her hands together in front of her face, as if to pray.
LUKE "Well it needs to be tuned and checked by Gypsy first but it should be ready to drive you to diner at your parents next Friday night."
Lorelai gave Luke a big bear hugged from behind knowing Babette was out for the day so not spying on the happy couple.
LORELAI "Did I tell you how much I love that you did this."
LUKE "A couple of times." As he said as he returned the hug. "Gypsy said she'd be by tomorrow to finish it off."
LORELAI "Thanks you." Kissing him. "You know I do and I love the fringe befits that comes with having my very own hot and sexy mechanic, you know your much better looking in coveralls than Gypsy."
LUKE "Well I don't know about that."
LORELAI "You are, your very pretty."
LUKE "I'm not pretty."
LORELAI "I want to see my pretty boy." Lorelai started to unbutton his coveralls.
LUKE "We can't do this here again."
LORELAI "Why, Babette's out and we can park the Jeep back in the shed with the top down again…"
LUKE "I want to take you out." Cutting her off.
LORELAI "When?"
LUKE "Tonight, I know this place you'll love."
LORELAI "Where?"
LUKE "It's a surprise but we need to hurry, they're expecting us in an hour."
Lorelai kissed Luke on the cheek and took his hand as they walked to the door.
LORELAI "You made reservations."
LUKE "I know the owners."
LORELAI "Well we better clean up then." She said closing the door behind them.
They decided to have separate shows, knowing if they showered together they would miss their dinner reservations. They were ready in 25 minutes, a record time for Lorelai to shower let-alone pick out the perfect outfit for the night. After a 30 minute drive Luke opened the door of the restaurant just on 7:00 for Lorelai and they entered the familiar place.
LORELAI "Our place." Lorelai said as Luke walked them to the reserved table. "And our table."
LUKE "I thought it was time we came back here."
LORELAI "Do they know."
LUKE "About?"
LORELAI "What happened."
LUKE "Not all the details, just the readers digest version. We had some issues but we are back on track again."
LORELAI "You told them?"
LUKE "I had to when reserved the table, I was lucky I didn't spill all the details."
MAISY "Lorelai." The older lady said as she approached the table. "I'm pleased to see you again."
LORELAI "It's been too long." Lorelai got up to great her with a hug.
MAISY "You both look very nice, is tonight a special night."
LORELAI "It's our third first dated again." Maisy looked puzzled. "We had some thing's to work out."
MAISY "Yes that was unfortunate timing, I heard about April."
LORELAI "Who thought he had it in him."
LUKE "Well we worked things out so I thought what better place to re-new our relationship officially then here so I decided to surprise Lorelai with a nice dinner."
MAISY "Yes I noticed the fancy clothes, Luke cleans up good doesn't he."
LORELAI "Can't complain, as much as I love the lumber jack look, the leather works for him so much better."
Luke blushed as another old friend walked up. Standing they shook hands, Luke welcoming the distraction.
BUDDY "Luke you made it, hello again Lorelai." Kissing Lorelai on the cheek. "You both look nice, too nice for this place."
MAISY "I was just saying that, and Lorelai I like the dress is it from the 70s."
LORELAI "I made it."
MAISY "Really." Lorelai turned to show off the dress. Swirl printed shell design with spaghetti straps, scoop neckline and gathered waist the hem stopping at the knees. "You have a talent." She noted.
LORELAI "I saw it in an old movie and copied the design."
MAISY "Well you did a great job."
LUKE "Sorry I haven't been her in a few weeks."
BUDDY "I understand Luke, Lorelai's been keeping you busy." He said lifting his eyebrows.
LUKE "Yes the Jeep is almost finished." He added knowing what Buddy was thinking.
MAISY "Yes the 'Jeep' has been taking all your time." She added.
Both Luke and Lorelai looked guilty unable to hide their smiles as they sat back down, Luke cleared his throat.
LUKE "So lets order."
MAISY "No need we have the menu planned, we know what you both like so sit back and relax the Champagne will be here in a minute." Putting her hand up to Luke. "And don't say it you're having at least one glass." Pointing to Luke.
LORELAI "Thank you Maisy, Buddy."
MAISY "Don't let her go this time Lucas."
Maisy and Buddy left the couple to settle in.
LUKE "So what do you think?"
LORELAI "Thanks for bringing me back, I know what this place means to you."
Luke leans over and they share a quick but deep kiss.
LUKE "You're welcome. I just thought you deserved a proper date and not hiding this from the crazy town for at least one night."
LORELAI "That won't need to go on much longer."
LUKE "Good, I want to do it right this time."
LORELAI "Do what right?"
LUKE "Well last time you didn't give me the change to ask for your hand in marriage."
Lorelai look change from giggling to more serious.
LORELAI "Luke your not…"
LUKE "Oh no not now, I mean I want to but its too soon yet, isn't it?"
LORELAI "Well I don't want to rush things. I know we are heading that way and we love each other but this still feels new."
LUKE "So we'll wait?"
LORELAI "Like you said the other night at the Inn, we'll know when it's right, we'll feel it."
LUKE "Good to know we're on the same page."
LORELAI "So was that just a pre engagement promise?"
LUKE "If you want to call it that. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea, I love you I want to marry you but I just need to do this the right way."
LORELAI "I get that. So are you going to ask my dad's permission?"
LUKE "That might be going too far, unless you want me too?"
LORELAI "Luke you do what you feel is right, after last year I don't mind waiting as long as I know what the end game is."
When the Champagne came Luke poured two glasses, putting the bottle back in the bucket of ice before handing one to Lorelai.
LUKE "To us, third time lucky!" He said jokingly.
LORELAI "Here, here!"
Clinking their glasses together they toasted their union. As the meal came Lorelai took of the wrap she had been wearing to get more comfortable.
LORELAI "This is a nice thing you're doing here." Leaning in close she quickly kissed Luke on the cheek. "Remind me to thank you later." She whispered in his ear.
After the main meal Lorelai ordered coffee.
LORELAI "We didn't get any of the things we ordered again."
LUKE "And the tradition continues." Luke joked.
Just the Bunny and Maisy returned carrying a cake with 16 candles on top. Lorelai was speechless looking at Luke then back to the couple with the cake.
MAISY "We were going to sing but Luke thought that might be a bit much."
LUKE "Surprise." Luke said smiling even more than he had been all night.
LORELAI "It's beautiful but you do realize my birthday was a couple of weeks ago."
LUKE "I know but I missed that one because we weren't together then so I thought this might make up for missing it."
LORELAI "Thank you." Kissing Luke with a quick peck. "Cheesecake?"
BUDDY "Ricotta cheesecake with amaretto cookies, Luke said you liked it."
LORELAI "Yes I do."
MAISY "I made it just as Luke instructed."
LORELAI "And I'm sure it will taste just as good."
MAISY "16 candles, some kind of inside joke?"
LORELAI "I haven't hade more than 16 candles on my birthday cakes every."
MAISY "Makes you fell younger."
LORELAI "Exactly, plus it's one of my all time favourite movies. Also when you get to a certain point it just becomes a fire hazard."
BUDDY "We won't ask you your real age."
LORELAI "No it's fine, actual this year is the one before the big one." Taking a deep breath. "39" Exhaling. "Wow it's kind of a relief saying out allowed."
MAISY "Well enjoy the year and I'll tell you from someone on the other side of the big 4-0 it only gets better."
LORELAI "Nice to know, okay time to blow the candles out." Lorelai took just seconds to blow them out.
MAISY "Well happy birthday again, well leave you two alone for now. Come on Buddy."
LUKE "Did you make a wish?"
LORELAI "My wishes have already come true." She said leaning over to kiss Luke.
Lorelai cut a piece for Luke and her self, Lorelai taking the first bit.
LORELAI "Just as good as I remember." She said. "Your turn."
Luke not one for cake or dessert normally but this time it was different taking a big spoon full of the cheesecake.
LUKE "Very nice." He said still swallowing the dessert.
LORELAI "You ate it?"
LUKE "I like cake when the occasion calls for it." Finishing off his spoon. "Happy birthday Lorelai."
He said with the sweetest smile Lorelai thought she would melt right there in the booth.
LORELAI "So this was really a birthday dinner then?"
LUKE "Two birds. I figured why not, you had your party with Rory and Sookie a few weeks back, nothing big this year I noticed."
LORELAI "Didn't feel right somehow without you there."
LUKE "So I guess we can save that for next year."
LORELAI "Yes when I'm over the hill, an old maid…"
She was stopped by Luke's finger on her lips.
LUKE "I promises you will be married by then."
He said before they kissed, probably the deepest kiss they had shared in public since the night in the gazebo.
TBC…
Sorry for it being short, I'll update with the next chapter and the rest of their date soon.
