A/N: As you can see this isn't going to be a quick fix kind of story. Rory is going to struggle with her weight and learn some new habits because you can't just go from eating whatever you want to having to watch what you eat without missing a beat. Thanks for all the reviews.

Height: 5'7''

Weight: 153 lbs

Chapter 12

The rest of the afternoon went along just fine for both of them. Rory was able to keep herself from eating anything else that she shouldn't be eating and Lorelai had done her best to keep temptation away from Rory. Rory knew that she should have been studying but there was time for it tomorrow and she just needed a day with her mom.

It was now the evening and they had watched another movie, this time without candy or popcorn. Rory stood up to stretch her a bit. Raising her arms up over her head she emphasized the difference between her smaller upper body and bigger lower body.

"Alright, I should be getting back to school" Rory said. Stars Hollow was her home and it was fun but school beckoned and she had to answer the call.

"Are you sure you don't want to get some dinner before you go?" Lorelai asked wanting to spend more time with her only daughter.

Rory played it over in her mind. "I guess we could go to Luke's" she said. After all going with her mom meant that she'd get a free meal and Luke did have some more healthy salads she could eat.

Lorelai put on a fake smile. "You know that if we go there then everyone in town is going to notice…" she said looking over Rory's body.

Rory let out a sigh; it wasn't like she hadn't thought of it. She knew the way that gossip worked in the town and by the time they walked over to Luke's almost the entire town would have passed her by just to see if the rumor was true.

But it wasn't like Rory could just not go out and about in her own town. She looked down at her bulging stomach and wished it would disappear.

"Let's just go. If people look then they look" Rory said grabbing a jacket. It wasn't freezing but it was cool enough to put on a nice jacket. It did help hide her stomach and chest but it did nothing for her legs and face. One look and people would realize that she was heavier but the jacket gave Rory some security.

"Aww I knew I raised a brave daughter, I bet you could take on a lion" Lorelai said grabbing her jacket and they were out the door. As they walked to Luke's Rory could feel her body sweating just a bit. She looked around to see if anyone was looking at her. She knew it was stupid but she didn't want anyone commenting on her weight after the way that her grandmother had so nicely brought it up.

Before she knew it they were at Luke's and no one had said anything to them. They sat down at the first table that they could find. "I'm going to go and talk to Luke real quick" Lorelai said moving over to the counter. For whatever reason there was a lull right now and other than a couple at the other side of the diner they were the only ones in there.

"Hey Luke, I need a favor" Lorelai whispered when she reached the counter.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Luke asked leaning in closer to her. He wasn't about to ask why they were whispering, after all it gave him a chance to be nice and close to her.

"Look when you come over to take our orders act as if nothing has changed with Rory" she said looking back to find Rory looking at the menu.

Rory was actually only pretending to look at the menu. She knew what he mom was doing for her and she was somewhat grateful. But at the same time she couldn't help but feel a bit mad. She was in college now and she was an adult, she could handle herself.

"What? Did she get a bad haircut or something?" Luke asked looking over at her and noting that it was far more than a bad haircut. "Ahh…" he said.

"Yep, nothing to be concerned about really just a bit too much fun at college. But she'll probably end up ordering a salad so act shocked but not too shocked" Lorelai said.

"So she is trying to lose weight? She's not acting like it's not there?" he asked.

"Yeah and I'm sorry about earlier today. But I did kind of lie earlier, my mother made a huge deal about it and that was why dinner was so bad and I wasn't sure if Rory was okay with people knowing she was on a diet and…well I'm just not sure how to handle it" she admitted.

"Don't worry about it. Get back to her and I'll be right over" he said grinning at her.

"You're the best" she said smiling at him as she went back over to her daughter.

"So what were you and Luke talking about?" Rory asked casually.

"Oh nothing too big" Lorelai said deflecting the question the best she could.

Rory didn't say anything as Luke came over. "So what can I get the two of you?" he asked trying to be natural but he couldn't help himself from looking at Rory a bit longer than usual. Lorelai wasn't kidding when she said that Rory had gained weight. Oh well at least she was doing something about it. She didn't even look bad; she just didn't look like the Rory that had been coming in here for years.

"I think I'll have your delicious burger and fries with a coke" Lorelai said.

"You do realize that it would be the second of each you had today?" Luke asked not believing how this woman ate and that for some reason fate picked Rory to be the one who gained weight. At least Rory tried to eat healthy from time to time.

"Oh I'll be fine, you know me" she said drawing back her usual banter in this case.

"Alright, and what can I get for you Rory?" he asked.

Rory smiled at Luke, he was someone that she could count on, and he wouldn't gawk at her. At least not for too long. "Just get me a salad and a diet pop" she said. She knew that her mother had worked him over a bit to soften him up so he wouldn't say anything. She was grateful for that.

Luke looked at her a bit funny but didn't say anything. "Coming right up" he said. That should do it, subtle but the way he probably would have acted anyway.

Just then Kirk came into the diner and sat on the other side of the diner. He picked up a menu and started pretending to look at it. While the entire time he was actually looking at Rory. Kirk was not as sneaky and subtle as he needed to be; Luke noticed right away what he was doing and came over to him.

"What can I did you Kirk?" he asked preparing himself for something insane to happen.

"Oh um hi Luke, I just think I'll get a Patty Melt," Kirk said keeping his eagle eyes on Rory. Luke rolled his eyes.

"Kirk, what are you doing?" he asked glaring at him.

"What, me? Nothing Luke, I'm just a man who wants some dinner" he said getting a little bit nervous as Luke looked at him. Lorelai and Rory also noticed what was going on and looked over.

"Kirk…" Luke started and Kirk broke.

"Taylor sent me in here to see if the rumor was true about Rory" he said loud enough for Rory to here. She hugged her waist a bit and hung her head. Well at least it still wasn't as bad as grandma.

"Kirk, get out of here" Luke said sternly. Kirk just nodded and started to leave. "Also, when Taylor tells you to spy on someone, don't do it" he said. Kirk didn't say anything and left just as quickly as he came.

"You alright?" Lorelai asked rubbing Rory's arm. Rory just nodded and blinked back a few stray tears.

"I'm fine. I mean everyone was going to find out and I guess it's better than having everyone in town come in here to look at me" she said pain evident in her voice.

Lorelai was about to say something but Luke heard her and he couldn't stop himself from saying something. Rory was not and probably never would be his daughter but it still killed him to hear her in that much pain.

"Hey, just ignore them. They'll forget about this in a day. Just remember that you're still you and the only reason they're looking is because nothing good is on TV. But just imagine the bigger shock on their faces when you lose some weight by then no one will even remember this night. Your dinners will be out in a few minutes" he said walking away. He hoped that did the job.

Rory just smiled at him and felt so much better. She would lose this weight, she could do it. "Thanks Luke…" she said in a small voice. The pain in her stomach and chest had subsided and she was ready for her salad now. She was feeling a bit better so she put a bit more dressing on it than she should have.

Lorelai smiled at her daughter and then back at Luke. That was just what she needed right now. He brought their food back and she just smiled at him as she ate her burger, he really was an amazing man.

The rest of the dinner went swimmingly. Rory ate her salad and didn't cheat at all. After Kirk had been throw out no one dared come in to spy on Rory, overall it was a very pleasant meal. They walked back to the house together and said their goodbyes. Rory wanted to get back tonight so she'd be able to study a little bit and be able to hit the ground running in the morning, something she wouldn't be able to do here.

The drive back flew by. Rory was hungry and wished she had gotten a sandwich or something. But it was too late for that now. She got back and found her legs were still aching from her run this morning. God she was going to have to go for another run again tomorrow. Well maybe she could skip tomorrow and run on Monday. Small steps were the way to do it so she wouldn't just quit.

"Oh there you are, we were wondering if you'd be back tonight" Paris said as she walked into the common room.

"Yeah, well I had some fun with my mom but I needed to get back and study." Rory said shrugging a bit as she started to head to her room.

"Well we were waiting for you, we haven't eaten dinner yet but were talking about making turkey melts, do you want one?" Paris asked.

Rory knew that she should have said no. After all she had just eaten at Luke's. But that was JUST a salad. She was still hungry so she nodded.

"Alright, we're going to go a bit light on the cheese but they should still be great. A nice healthy dinner for us" Janet said walking into the kitchen to start making them. Rory felt a bit guilty but she had eaten so much less today than she would have and turkey was healthy for you. Starving herself wouldn't do her any good.

"That's good, a little something would hit the spot" she said walking into the kitchen and grabbing a diet pop. Her second one of the day but it was diet and it had to be good for you. She thought as she sipped it while the smell of turkey and melted cheese hit her nose.

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