I'd Rather Be in Stars Hollow

Lorelai slapped Luke on the butt as he left the shower, "Come back here mister!" Lorelai said as she lent out of the shower, the curtain clinging to her wet body.

Luke dried himself off as he stood in front of the mirror, "Need to get breakfast started, can't spend all day in here," he said lightly wrapping the towel around hi waist.

"Why not, I've got noting else planned for today," she said rinsing off the last of the shampoo from her hair as she watched Luke.

He ran a brush through his hair before splashing on some deodorant, "I have to get to the diner soon or Ceaser will wonder where I got to," Luke steeped over to the shower and kissed Lorelai as she lent out of the water again. "I'll see you down stairs for pancakes in a few minutes," he closed the curtain and left the bathroom.

Lorelai smiled as Luke left the bathroom, he was a changed man. It was amazing what 24 hours can do after all the pain he went through with Anna and the hearing.

Turning off the water Lorelai stepped out of shower and dried herself before wrapping the towel around her head and slipping on her robe. Opening the body lotion Lorelai applied some to her legs and arms finishing with her stomach and breasts.

Lorelai dressed in some tight jeans and a half sleeve dark green top and black boots before going down to Luke.

Lorelai walked into the kitchen heading strait to the coffee machine, pouring a cup full of the dark liquid she sat at the table to watch Luke cook her breakfast.

Looking over Luke spoke, "Pancakes are almost ready?" he said flipping them in the pan.

Luke was still only dressed in his jeans, t-shirt and no shoes. He put the pancakes on a plate before placing it in the middle of the table.

"Thanks Hun," Lorelai said helping herself to a couple of them, pouring on the syrup she started eating.

Luke joined Lorelai at the table and started eating his grapefruit half.

"So babies?" Lorelai questioned surprising Luke with a moth full of food.

Luke swallowed his food before speaking, "We don't have to…"

"I want to talk about it. We both want it right, that's what you said," Lorelai asked Luke.

"Of course," Luke said without hesitation, "I told you before, years ago."

"Good, so…" Lorelai answered her words trailed off.

Luke looked at Lorelai for a few moments, "So I guess we should get married first?" he said with a cheeky grin.

"How romantic," Lorelai said jokingly with a slight sarcastic tone but a clear smile.

"Sorry," Luke said adding, "If I knew this was going to happen I would have made them into hearts," Pointing at the plat of pancakes.

"No it's fine, trust me I'm over the whole romantic 'lets fly off to Paris and get married' proposal," Lorelai said with candour.

"But I wanted it to be special," Luke said standing up, "Wait here," Luke lets the room, Lorelai could hear him going up stairs and a few minutes later he came back.

Luke knelt by the table, "What are you doing?" Lorelai asked with a smile.

"Just shut up I'm trying to be romantic here," Luke said as Lorelai turned.

Luke opened his hand to reveal a ring, "I'm sorry it's the same ring as before but you kind of caught me off guard here and well I think now is as good a time as any," he said taking her hand.

"Every the romantic," she joked again.

"Lorelai Victoria Gilmore would you do me the honour of being my wife," Luke said slipping the ring onto her finger.

Lorelai looked down at her hand as a tear rolled down her cheek, "We can get a new ring later if you like."

Lorelai shook her head, "No," she said.

Luke was shocked and worried, "No?" he asked.

"No the ring is great, I love the ring and I love you. Yes, I want to be your wife." Lorelai said hugging and kissing Luke.

"Good, good, you gave me a scare for a second," they parted to look at each other.

A few moments later they were interrupted by a knock at the door, "Doll you up yet," they heard Babette call.

"I better get that," Lorelai said standing and helping Luke up.

As she went to the front door Luke whispered to Lorelai, "The ring?"

"They'll find out soon enough, plus this way we don't have to spend money on the newspaper announcement." She said with a smile going to the door.

Opening the door Lorelai was greeted but the neighbour, "Morning doll I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"No just breakfast," Lorelai said wrapping her arms around her body in the cold morning air, "Do you want to," she said gesturing to come in.

"Of course, can't have those carbon emissions jut going out the door, Al Gore would never forgive me," she said as the went inside.

"That's better, can I get you a coffee?" Lorelai asked going towards the kitchen.

"No that's doll, I just came over to borrow Luke," Babette said following Lorelai.

"Me?" Luke said seated at the table.

"And some of your plants," she added looking at the confused couple, "I'm recreating a jungle, in the bedroom and…"

"Enough said, lets get you those plants," Luke said not needing to hear more, "Just give me a minute to put on some boots," he added leaving the room.

"He'll be right back Babette," Lorelai said.

"And not a bad sight in the morning," Babette added under her breath before turning to Lorelai, "So he's here full time now?" she asked.

"I guess," Lorelai wondering if she already knew, "By the way he has shared custody of April now," Lorelai added.

"That's good, he deserves that." Pausing for a moment.

"Yes he does, he's a good father," Lorelai said with a smile.

"So we'll be seeing more of April around here soon?" Babette asked.

"Maybe next weekend," Lorelai added.

Just then Babette noticed the ring and had to say something, "So how did he ask? He did ask you this time didn't her?"

"You he did, it was great, it was impromptu, it was five minutes ago." Lorelai gushed with a huge smile.

"So when's the wedding?" Babette asked without a second thought.

"Well it literally just happened so no plans yet but you'll be the first to know," Lorelai said as the phone rang, "Excuse me," Lorelai said going to the living room to answer it.

"Hi Rory," Lorelai said cheerfully before her face changed, "We'll be right there," Lorelai hung up the phone, "Oh my God!" she remarked as Luke appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Is everything okay?" Luke asked coming off the landing.

"It's dad he had a heart attach at Yale and he's on the way to the hospital," Lorelai said looking pale.

"Oh doll I sorry," Babette said, "You two go now. I'll look after Paul Anka." She said as they gathered their coats.

"Babette take any plants you need, I have my cell so call if you need anything," Lorelai said leaving the house.

--

About 30 minutes later they followed the red line in the hospital, Lorelai talking to Rory as they found each other, "Oh. Hi."

"Hey." Rory replied before exhales deeply and continuing to talk. "Um, they're doing tests, so that's where he is -- blood tests and another E.K.G. They did an E.K.G. In the ambulance, but I guess they're still trying to determine how much damage was actually caused by the heart attack. But that's definitely what it was. It was a myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. And I guess the E.K.G. Tells them how bad the blockage of his arteries is and what degree of coronary-artery disease he has, or C.A.D., As they're calling it, because, apparently, everything is -- what do you call it? An anagram? What's the thing with the letters? Acronym. The C.A.D., C.I.C.U., The E.K.G."

Lorelai pulling her close, "Come here." She said as they hug.

"Hey Luke," Rory said as she sees him standing back, "Come here," Luke cautiously joined them, hugging Lorelai from behind as he rubs Rory's back.

"Are you okay," Luke asked as they pull back.

Rory nods, but unconvincingly, "It's going to okay," Lorelai said once again hugging her daughter.

After a few minutes they make their way to the seats and notice the large amount of junk food, "You've been busy," Lorelai commented.

"Well I couldn't decide so I got one of everything," Rory said as they sat.

"That's my girl," Lorelai added.

"I'm going to be sick," Luke said, looking at the pile of junk food.

Lorelai held Luke's hand, "We'll you're in the right place then," Lorelai joked.

"How about I go find you both some coffee?" Luke said standing still holding Lorelai's hand.

"Thanks Hon, we'll be waiting," Lorelai said as Luke walked off, "Babette was right he does look good walking away," Lorelai said to herself a little too loudly.

"Mum!" Rory cried out making Lorelai turn to face her daughter.

"We'll he does, I'll spare you the details of the shower scene," Lorelai joked with Rory rolling her eye's at her mum.

"So salty or sweet?" Rory asked changing the topic.

Lorelai looked over the selection, "I'm not really hungry, I mean look where we are besides Luke made pancakes this morning," she said resting her chin in her left hand as she lent forward.

"Jealous!" she exclaimed before noticing the ring and taking her hand, "Mum what is this?" she asked.

"Oh I forgot, Luke proposed," She said nonchalant given the reason they were at the hospital.

"He what? When did he propose?" Rory asked looking at the ring, "Isn't this the same ring?"

"Proposed. This morning. Yes," Lorelai said listing off the answers.

"Oh mum I didn't know you were this close again, are you ready?" Rory asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Lorelai smiled.

"So how, why now?" Rory wanted answers taking her mind of her sick grandfather for a few moments.

"Well with Luke winning shared custody. By the way Luke won the case," Lorelai added as Rory listened, "Well any way they subject of babies came up since Sookie is pregnant again. Oh yeah Sookie got knocked up, turns out Jackson didn't quite go through with the vasectomy…"

"What Sookie is pregnant!" Rory yelled a little loud bringing the waiting room to silence, "Sookie is pregnant?" she repeated a lot quieter this time.

"Long story I'll fill up in later. Anyway we both agreed we want more kids, or at least one kid before it's too late, that turned into an early morning proposal and well Luke still had this ring from before when I sent his stuff back to him and we needed something to make it official looking so here we are." Lorelai said out of breath.

"That's all?" Rory asked.

"You know about the TV?" she asked back getting a nod from her daughter, "Then that's about it then, all caught up." Sitting back in her seat.

"So you're engaged again," Rory said.

"Third time lucky," Lorelai joked.

"Forth," Rory added.

"Forth?" Lorelai questioned.

"Max, the Luke, Dad now Luke again," Rory listed off.

"Oh I forgot about your dad," she said dryly as the doctor came up to give them an update.

After Doctor Goldstein left the girl we about to sit when Luke came back, "Here you go," he said handing them the to-go cups.

"Thanks Hon, took you long enough," she joked taking a sip, "Wow strong!"

Rory sat her cup down as she walking around to Luke and hugged him, "Congratulations Luke."

Taking a moment Lorelai flashed the ring before Luke realized what the hug was for, "Thanks," he said adding, "I guess you're okay with this?"

"As long as you go through with it this time," she joked pulling away to return to her seat.

A few minutes later Emily arrived in full rant mode that would do Luke proud complaining about the hospital, nurses, her club before Luke asked if she'd like some tea. Turning Luke down she continued complaining before Logan arrived, Rory standing to greet him with a hug.

"Luke you're here?" she asked.

"Yes of course Luke's here he bought me, we are together now," Lorelai said, not bringing up the engagement.

"Would you like some tea," Logan offered, to Lorelai surprise she accepted.

A few minutes later the doctor returned the update them further.

--

Lorelai took a deep breath before entering the room closely followed by Luke. They stood around the bed, Richard didn't look too bad, a little tired but not what they were expecting for someone who just had a heart attach. Emily informed Richard about his doctor Goldstein's credentials, he was pleased aside for the Harvard part.

After Luke took Lorelai and Emily's jackets Richard noticed the ring and smiled, "So you're engaged again?" he commented, Lorelai looking down at her hand.

"It happened this morning," Rory said cutting in with a smile.

"Yes. We didn't want to say anything given the circumstances." Luke said with one arm around Lorelai's waist.

Emily was surprised she didn't notice the ring sooner and left speech less.

"Well congratulations to the both of you, it's nothing that needed hiding," Richard said before turning to Rory, "I hope I didn't scare you today."

"Oh no don't be silly," Rory said, "I'm just glad you're okay. And you're gonna be more okay after the surgery."

"Thank you," Richard said.

"Are you okay, dad? I mean how are you feeling, considering everything? You look okay." Lorelai said babbling uncontrollably, Luke rubbing her back to calm Lorelai down.

"Well all in all, I think I'd rather be in Philadelphia." Richard stated.

Rory chuckled knowing the quote, "Ronald Reagan."

"Quoting W.C. Fields," Richard informed Rory.

--

A short time later Luke, Lorelai and Emily were sitting in the cafeteria having lunch, Rory and Logan had volunteered to pick up Richards Jag from Yale and then sort out the fish back at the house. Luke was going to help but Lorelai insisted he stay with her at the hospital.

Emily closed her cell phone, "Mom, who was that?" Lorelai asked.

"Do we like this table or are we too close to that man with the IV. Honestly shouldn't there be a separate dining area for sick people, doesn't seem right," she said ignoring the question.

Lorelai insisted on an answer, "Mother you're getting dads will faxed here?" she questioned.

Emily answered with "Yes."

"Why you need to read it right now?" Lorelai asked.

"Well yes." Emily replied honestly.

"You want to make sure he left you the Mercedes and Jag?" She said dryly.

"I don't care what you think, I'm being pragmatic." Emily said with all honesty.

Lorelai looked at her plate then Luke before standing, "You know what I'm not hungry any more," She said leaving the table.

"Lorelai." Luke called after her before standing, "Sorry," he told Emily as he walked off to follow Lorelai.

"What was that?" Luke asked catching Lorelai as she stopped by the coffee machine.

"I know, dad is about to have open heart surgery and Emily wants to read his Will!" She said trying to get the machine to work, "Do you have change?"

"No. Lorelai what are you doing?" Luke asked stopping Lorelai in her tracks.

"I'm trying to get coffee, you've see it a million times," she said dryly.

"No why are you being like this, look at me," he said holding Lorelai's hand.

"Like what?" Lorelai asked unaware of her actions.

"Lorelai I know what it's like to loose someone I love and I know what your mother must be going through. Now I'm not saying Richard is going to dies but please look at this from you mothers point of view," Luke said getting louder towards the end of the speech, "Now go back there and support Emily, she needs you," he said kissing Lorelai on the forehead.

"Thank you," Lorelai said kissing Luke on the lips. They pulled back a few moments later as the moment got a little too passionate for the setting in front of the vending machines.

Luke cleared his throat, "I have to call Ceaser to check on the diner, I'll see you back at the table in ten minutes," he said squeezing Lorelai's hands one last time before walking off to the public phones.

Lorelai smiled as Luke walked off, she turned to her mother eating alone at a different table, away from the patients. Lorelai sighed and moved towards her mother's new table.

Sitting down she checked her food, "Sorry about before, I didn't…"

Emily nodding as she ate, "Lorelai you need to understand I've been Richards wife for most of my life, it's all know how to do. I organise Richards and our life so I'm organising like I know how and part of that is making sure the Living Will is followed and …"

Lorelai cut Emily off by touching her hand, "It's okay I understand, besides Luke just kicked my butt by the vending machine so I'm sorry."

"Luke?" Emily asked.

"Well he can still surprise me sometimes," Lorelai said starting unwrapping her sandwich.

"Yes I suppose he can," Emily said taking a sip of her drink, "Best wishes."

They both looked at the ring, "Thanks mum," Lorelai said looking like she was about to cry.

Luke returned to the table and sat, "Diners fine, the town sends it's wishes by the way." Luke said taking the top off his salad.

There was silence for several minutes before Emily spoke, "So when is the wedding?" she asked in her usual tone.

--

"I don't want to do that again," Lorelai said as they got home in the early hours of the next morning.

"The doctors said he was doing good and will be up and about in a few weeks," Luke said closing the front door.

Lorelai and Luke went strait to the bedroom.

"I need sleep," Lorelai said dropping on the bed.

"Well take your shoes off and get into bed then," Luke said dryly as he prepared for bed himself.

Lorelai didn't move as Luke came to the bed, "Come on move or I'll sleep on top of you."

"Dirty," Lorelai giggled into the sheets as Lorelai started removing Lorelai's boots, "I'm too tired Luke, can we just cuddle," Lorelai joked as Luke turned Lorelai over and undid her pants. "Luke don't!" she giggled.

"Lorelai just stop it and get to your side of the bed," Luke said pushing Lorelai aside.

"Great engaged one day and you don't want me for my body any more," Lorelai pretended to pout as she stripped off her top and bra snuggling under the covers in just her panties.

Luke climbed into bed behind Lorelai in his boxers and t-shirt, "I still want you for your body," Luke joked as he got comfortable.

"Good, I'm cold," she said moving closer to Luke, "Is the alarm off?" she asked.

Luke turned with Lorelai clinging to his body, "It is now," he said pressing a button. "You called Sookie to tell her you'll be in late?" he asked.

"Yes. You called Ceaser?" Lorelai asked.

"I'll be there for the lunch rush and we can see your Richard mid afternoon," Luke said kissing Lorelai on the top of her head, "Now lets get a few hours sleep.

TBC…

Feedback is good.

A/N Yes I know I used some parts and lines from the original episode.