"I don't know... are we... together?" he asked, fiddling with his hands nervously.

"Do you want to be?"

Luke sat there thinking. Of course he wanted them to be together. He'd dreamt of being with Lorelai even before Chris had left. But it was just as it was, a dream and nothing more. She had been taken, but now, she was single... and a mother. But he loved Rory. Besides his nephew, she was about the only other kid he did like. But he wanted to make something clear to her: If they did this, then he wanted it to work out.

"Lorelai, I like you... a lot. And... if we do this, I want you to know that it won't just be some... some fling for me. I care a lot for you and Rory and don't want to do this if it's going to ruin the friendship we already have now." he said seriously.

Wow, he's really serious about this. I don't want to ruin our friendship either. What if something goes wrong? Oh God, then it would definitely be ruined. Do I want to risk that? But what if it worked out? It could be something really good. But I also have Rory to consider. If we did break up, she would be heartbroken. But she might even be heartbroken if we didn't get together. I mean, she actually wished for us to get together. And... I want this. I want to be with Luke. He's everything Christopher wasn't. He's good to me and he's good to Rory. Yes, I want to do this. At least give it a try. You never know... it could go really well.

"Lorelai...?" Luke asked, breaking her from her trance.

"I want to." she said.

"What?"

"I want to do this."

"You do?" he asked, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I do. I have a good feeling about this." she said confidently.

"Good. That's good." he said.

Lorelai laughed. "Can you believe this was Rory's birthday wish?"

"No, I can't. I guess I was right, kids do think big." he said, laughing with her.

"Well, I most certainly have smart kid. She actually made an useful wish. Much better than 'I wish for a kitty'."

Luke laughed and Lorelai smiled at him. Both started leaning in once more and their lips met in yet another kiss. Luke put his hand through Lorelai's soft hair, resting it there.

I could get used to this. Lorelai said, smiling through the kiss.

Luke pulled back and returned her smile. "I better go, it's getting late."

"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow." she said, getting up and walking him to the door.

"Ok, see you then. Bye."

"Bye."

She closed the door and leaned against it, closing her eyes.

Wow.

"Mommy?" Rory said, coming around the corner and standing in front of her mother.

"What are you still doing up, hun?"

"I couldn't sleep." she said, then smiled at her mother mischieviously. "I saw you and daddy kissing. K-I-S-S-I-N-G." she said, in a sing-song voice like she did when she used to see Lorelai and Chris kissing. Lorelai had taught her that a while ago and if felt fun to be using it again.

Lorelai laughed. "You little spy." she said, scooping her daughter up in her arms and carrying her back to her room.

"Mommy, are you and daddy together now?" she asked, looking into her mothers eyes.

"We're going to see how it works out." she told her after thinking of what to say for a minute. "And now, birthday girl, it's time for you to go to bed."

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" she asked, giving her mother the infamous Lorelai pout.

"Sure. Come on." she picked Rory back up off the bed. Rory wrapped her arms around her mothers neck and rested her head on her shoulder. Lorelai carried her upstairs and put her in bed beside her.

xox

She entered the diner, butterflies filling the insides of her stomach. She didn't know exactly why she was nervous. It was all just so new and fresh. She hadn't been in a relationship in six months. She was no longer single anymore. Part of her was thrilled to pieces and another part of her was scared out of her mind. She didn't want this to fail. She wanted it to work out. She was sick of not being able to stay in a relationship. Granted, she had left the past one for a good reason. And she didn't want it to affect her daughter if it did fail, even though she knew it would. It would have a great affect on Rory, especially since she had been calling him Daddy. But, she didn't intend on it going bad. She was going to put all her effort into this. Luke was her best friend, and if she lost him she wouldn't have anyone.

Luke heard the familiar tinkle of the bell above the door and looked up. He saw Lorelai walking in, holding a skipping Rory's hand.

"I want a doughnut, mommy."

"Ok, what kind?"

"Chocolate!"

"Well, you heard the kid." Lorelai said, smiling at Luke and placing Rory on a stool and sitting beside her.

"I swear she gets more and more like you everyday." he told her, handing them each a doughnut. "What ever happened to you liking fruit, Rory?"

Rory made a face and said "Fruit is icky."

"That's my girl!" Lorelai said, shooting a grin at Luke.

Luke rolled his eyes at her.

"My gene has finally kicked in."

"You're insane."

"You know I'm irrisistable." she told him, doing her hair flip and smiling.

Luke laughed. "So... you free Friday night?"

"Yeah, what's Friday night?"

"I thought you and I could go out."

"Why Luke Danes, are you asking me out on a date?" she said flitatiously.

"Yes I am. So are you free?"

"Yeah, I'll see if I can get a babysitter. I'm sure Mia will watch her."

"Mommy what's a date?"

"It means Luke and I are going to go out and spend time with each other." she explained.

"Ohh, watcha gonna do?"

"I don't know. What did you have in mind?" she asked Luke.

"Dinner and a movie?"

"The classic date. Thought you didn't like movies?"

"I can be a movie guy. You like movies."

"Ok then, Friday night. It's a date."

"Ok, I'll pick you up at seven."

"Ok." she smiled. "I better go. Don't wanna be late for work. Come on Rory."

Rory hoped off her stool and followed her mom out of the diner.

A date. A real date! I can't believe it. I'm actually going on a date. What am I going to wear? Ugh, I need more clothes. Maybe I'll go shopping for a new dress. But what kind will I get? Maybe I'll get that little black one I saw at the mall a few days ago.

xox

Lorelai was standing at the front desk when Mia walked up to them.

"Hello Lorelai. Has the mail come in yet?"

"Yeah, here it is."

"Thanks."

"Hey, Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you busy Friday night?"

"No, why?"

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind watching Rory for a little while."

"Not at all. I would love to watch her. What's the occasion?"

"Well," Lorelai said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and smiling shyly. "Luke and I are going out."

"On a date?" Mia asked excitedly.

"Yeah. He's taking me to dinner and a movie."

"Oh Lorelai, that's wonderfull. Lucas was always such a nice boy. I have a good feeling about this." Mia said, smiling.

"Yeah, so do I."

"So, what time do you want me to take her?"

"Well, the date is at seven, so maybe an hour before then?"

"Or, you could just bring her to work with you, bring her stuff, and I can just keep her until you pick her up."

"That would be great. Thanks Mia."

"It's my pleasure." Mia smiled and walked off.

xox

Friday came by fast. Lorelai was about to leave the Inn to go home and get ready.

"Hey hun, mommy will see you later tonight, ok? You're going to hang out with Mia for a little while."

"Ok mommy. I love you."

"I love you, too, babe. Bye." Lorelai said, kissing her daughter's forehead.

"If you need me Mia, here's the number to the restaurant and movie theatre." Lorelai said, handing her a piece of paper.

"Thank you dear, but I'm sure everything will go smooth as glass. For both us, and you." Mia said, flashing her a smile which Lorelai returned.

Lorelai thanked Mia once again for babysitting Rory and left for home.

xox

It was 7:00 and Lorelai was rushing, trying to get ready. She was standing in front of her bathroom mirror, all the contents of her makeup bag spilled out on the counter. She applied some lip gloss and rubbed her lips together to even it out. She walked into her room, over toward her jewelery box, and searched for her bracelet. When she found it, she clasped it closed around her wrist.

Fifteen minutes later, she was perfected and ready.

Thank God he's not one of those guys who always shows up on time. she thought.

Just then, the doorbell rang. She checked her hair, which was in loose curls, one more time before heading downstairs. She opened the door and smiled when she saw Luke.

"Hey." she said.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late."

"Don't worry about it. Would have been freakish if you were on time."

Luke laughed. "You look... beautiful." he smiled, looking at Lorelai in her black dress.

"Thank you. You look nice, too."

"Thanks. You ready?"

"Yeah, just let me grab my purse." she said, walking over to the coffee table and picking up her purse. "Ok, lets go."

The two of them walked out, both a little nervous. Lorelai walked to the passenger side of the door and was about to open it, when Luke interveined.

"Oh, you don't have to.."

"No, it's ok." he said, opening the door for her.

"Thanks." she smiled and got in. He closed the door after her and walked around to the other side, getting in himself.

"So, where are we going?" she asked.

"To this restaurant about fifteen minutes from her called Sniffy's."

"Sounds good. What movie are we gonna see?"

"I think they are showing Footloose tonight."

"Oh, I love that movie!"

"Well, then it's a good thing it's showing tonight." he said, smiling.

She smiled back and they chatted a little during the fifteen minute drive to the restaurant.

xox

"Lucas!" a female voice called out once Luke and Lorelai had stepped foot into the restaurant.

"Maizy, hi." Luke said, smiling and hugging a woman who seemed to be in her mid fourty's.

"And who is this charming young lady standing before me?"

"Maizy, this is Lorelai. She lives in Stars Hollow as well."

"Well, well, well, Lucas finally got himself a girl." she teased and he rolled his eyes. "It's nice to meet you Lorelai. This is a fine young man here." she said, referring to Luke.

"That's the word on the street." she said, smiling.

"Come, I'll take you guys to your seats." Maizy said, leading them to a booth.

They sat down and Maizy handed them their menu's.

"Lucas! Hello, it's nice to see you here again." a man who seemed to be about the same age as Maizy said, coming over and standing beside her.

"Hey Buddy." Luke said, standing up and shaking his hand.

"Who is this you've brought with you tonight?" Buddy asked.

"This is Lorelai, Lucas's date." Mia said, nodding her head and smiling.

"Date? Well, this is new. Lucas doesn't usually bring his girls here."

"Yes, you must be a special one." Maizy added.

"What would you two like to drink this evening?"

"I'll have water and Lorelai?" Luke asked her.

"I'll have a coke, thanks."

(remember guys, she's only 19 and he's 20, so they're both underage)

"Ok, and how about dinner?" Maizy asked Buddy.

"Oh! How about the lasanga?" Buddy recommended.

"That sounds terrific! Oh, you would love the lasanga, Lorelai. You do like lasanga, don't you?"

"Uh, yeah, lasanga sounds great." Lorelai said, a little confused on them ordering for them.

"Oh, yeah, I should have warned you. Don't ever bother with the menu, whatever you order, they'll just bring you something different."

Lorelai laughed. "Well, lasanga sounds great."

"Ok, then, we'll be right out with your orders." Buddy said and whisked Maizy away to the kitchen.

"They know you!" Lorelai said to Luke, suprised.

"Yeah, well, I come here two or three times a week. Just whenever I have time."

"Oh my God, Luke has a Luke's!"

"I've known Maizy and Buddy forever. They were friends of my parents. Buddy helped me open the diner."

"Wow, so you guys go way back."

"Yeah, we do. They're nice people."

"They seem to be."

Luke smiled and Lorelai returned it. Their food came out and they both had a pleasant conversation. All seemed to be going well so far.

x

xo

xox

xo

x

Hey guys. Sorry it's been so long since I last updated. I've been swamped with finals and stuff. And then I just got back from California. But, it's summer now! So, I'll be able to update more. I hope you guys liked this chapter. I'm splitting the date into two parts, cause otherwise it would have been really long. Tell me what you think!