I'm soooo sooooo sorry....I really wanted to update sooner but college stuff has been getting in the way and then I tried to update the other night and it wouldn't let me. Anyway, here's chapter 14. Big shout out to all my reviewers!! You're all really, really great and helpful =D and thanks to people who are still reading! Enjoy the chapter.
"Rory," whispered Lorelai as she gently shook her daughter to wake her up. She lifted her slowly from the crib and laid her in her arms as the baby began to stir. She climbed back into bed, holding Rory close as she looked down into her sleepy blue eyes. "Hey angel," she said quietly. Rory looked up at her, confusion in her eyes as she wondered why she was awake when it was dark outside. It had just turned midnight and it was officially October 8th. "Happy birthday baby." She smiled down at her one year old, the intense shade of blue in her eyes making her melt inside.
"Sorry for waking you, it was payback for when you woke me last year when you were ready to make your entrance into the world. You put me through a lot that day; the pain was unbelievable. I felt like I was doing the splits on a crate of dynamite, it hurt that much. You were totally worth it though and I'd do it all over again, just for you." She looked down into Rory's big blue eyes. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me sweets. I can't believe you're one already, you're so big and you can walk and talk. It doesn't seem like two minutes since I was holding you, exactly the way I am now, bonding with you for the first time. I know I missed a lot of the first year of your life and I am so sorry honey. You know that I wanted to be there with you the whole time but I wasn't allowed, they stopped me. But I hope the last couple of months have made up for that and I hope you're happy here. I know it's not the most ideal living situation but it works right?" She sighed as Rory stared up at her, sleep beckoning her. "Today is gonna be the best day of your life, you're gonna have a party later and you get presents!" she exclaimed excitedly. Rory perked up at Lorelai's excitement and grinned. "I think you're gonna love what I bought you but I'll give you it when you wake up later cause you're probably tired right now."
She settled Rory on the bed next to her and lay down beside her, playing with the buttons on her sleeping suit. "Do you wanna stay up and talk for a little while longer?" asked Lorelai as Rory lay smiling at her. "Ok, things have changed a lot for us since we moved here haven't they? Do you remember the first day we arrived? I was terrified. I had all my suitcases and you sat in my lap as we were on the bus. I had no idea where we were gonna go. I felt like a failure cause I hadn't planned things better for us, for you. But look at us now. We found a place to stay, I have a job, we finally have a proper relationship and we met a great guy that's gonna take care of us no matter what. I know you love Luke, or dada as you like to call him. You have no idea how much I wish Luke was your real dad sweetie, he's a thousand times better than your father. I'm gonna tell you a secret but you have to promise me that you won't tell Luke ok?"
Rory smiled again and Lorelai took it as a yes. "I'm pretty sure I love Luke just as much as you do, if not more. Ever since we went to that hearing for the restraining order, I've fallen for him even further. You should have seen him in the courtroom; he sat next to me holding my hand the whole time. He even did a speech, telling the judge how he's never known anyone like us. We're very lucky to have him and I'm gonna try my very hardest not to let him slip through my fingers. I do such a good job at screwing things up sometimes but I'm not gonna screw things up with Luke," she chuckled a little and Rory looked at her, wanting to know what was funny. "There's a dirty innuendo in that last part but it's not suitable for your ears for another twenty years." Rory shuffled on the bed so she was closer to Lorelai. "I think we should go to the diner for breakfast today honey, what do you think? We can go see dada."
"Dada," said Rory quietly.
"That's right, I'm gonna make your first birthday one you'll never forget. Your party's not till the late afternoon after your nap so I thought we could go some place special with Jess."
"Jesh!" Rory and Jess had become inseparable. They would play together for hours and they even had their own secret language that nobody else could understand. Most of it was baby babble but they seemed to understand each other. Lorelai and Liz had become pretty good friends too and would have play dates with the kids so they could talk, they mainly gossiped about Luke, and Liz told Lorelai embarrassing stories about his childhood.
"Ok sweets, sleepy time." She dug her head into her pillow and put her arm around Rory. "Happy first birthday," she whispered as Rory drifted back to sleep.
"Oh Duuuuke!" called Lorelai as she entered the diner with Rory holding her hand.
"Hey," he greeted as he appeared from the kitchen, a smile on his face. "There's the birthday girl," he exclaimed as he bent down to scoop up Rory. She giggled as she looked at him. He leant over to kiss Lorelai hello then looked back to Rory. "I saved a special table for you," he said as he walked over to the table by the window. There was a high chair already set up with balloons tied to it with 'Happy 1st Birthday Rory' written on them. There was a party hat on Rory's chair and a cake sitting in the middle of the table.
"Luke you didn't have to do all this," said Lorelai in awe.
"I wanted to," he replied as he sat Rory in her seat and put the hat on her.
"You made a cake and everything."
"Yes I did, it's a special cake. It has less sugar in than regular birthday cake so it's not too bad for her teeth."
"I can't believe you did this," she gushed as she wrapped her arms around his middle.
"It's not every day you turn one is it?"
"Get a room you two," shouted Babette from her table causing Luke to blush and pull away slightly. She got up and approached them, pushing past to get to Rory.
"Hey sugar!" she greeted and Rory grinned. "Happy birthday, I've got a gift for ya but I'll give you it at your party later."
"Thanks Babette," said Lorelai. Miss Patty came over as Babette moved back to her table.
"Happy birthday sweet girl," she cooed. "Aren't you the cutest thing? I just wanna eat you up."
"Well don't cause I kinda like her," joked Lorelai.
"Aww Rory honey your birthday is gonna be so special. I'm gonna bring some of my founder's day punch to your party."
"No you're not," protested Luke.
"But it wouldn't be a party without it."
"It's a one year olds birthday party, no alcohol!"
"What's founder's day punch?" asked Lorelai.
"You drink that stuff it'll kill you."
"Hmm like coffee?" she mocked.
"Worse. It's like 75% alcohol, it should be banned."
"Fine I will not bring any to Rory's birthday party."
"Thank god. Last thing we need is for everyone to be wasted."
"I agree," interjected Lorelai.
"Ok I'm sure I can find another way to have fun," she grumbled as she made her way back to her table.
"This town is crazy," said Luke once Patty was out of ear shot.
"They're just excited, that's all." Luke pulled out her chair for her and watched as she sat down.
"So what can I get you for breakfast?"
"Hmm I'll have waffles with lots of maple syrup, bacon, eggs, sausage, coffee and a side of Luke, please," she grinned cheekily.
"A side of me huh?"
"Yup."
"Well I could sit next to you if you want but I don't think I'll fit on a plate."
"Ooh do sit next to me! Eat breakfast with us, please?" she pouted.
"Ok I'll sit with you as soon as your food's done."
"Yay."
"What do you want Rory?" he asked softly.
"Ther," she said as she pointed to the food in front of the man at the next table.
"Pancakes it is."
"Nana!"
"Ok how about I make you banana pancakes?" he suggested.
"Mmm," she hummed as she licked her lips.
"Does she need a drink too?"
"Erm..." Lorelai checked her bag. "Yep I forgot to put one in."
"Ok I've got banana milk if she wants that?"
"Sounds great." She watched as he walked away, checking out his ass as he went. He turned around and caught her staring.
"We're you checking me out?"
"Always."
"Don't blame ya hon," called Miss Patty. "Have you seen that ass?" Luke went bright red.
"It's so firm isn't it?" asked Lorelai, she loved to tease Luke.
"Oh definitely, if only I could cop a feel," she said cheekily.
"Hands off, he's all mine," replied Lorelai as Luke came over with their drinks. He put the hot coffee in front of Lorelai and a sippy cup filled with banana milk in front of Rory. Lorelai reached round the back of him and gave his butt a squeeze.
"Lorelai," he warned as he jumped away from her.
"You go girl," said Patty from her table.
"Don't do that ok?"
"Do what?"
"Touch me like that," he whispered.
"Ever?"
"Not ever, just not in public."
"Oh I see, you're embarrassed."
"Will you stop?"
"Come on Luke, I'm just having a bit of fun."
"Well don't."
"Ok I won't, I'm sorry." He walked towards her again and left a tender kiss on her lips. He pulled away and they smiled at each other. "I thought you didn't like PDA."
"I don't mind kissing," he whispered huskily. "Your lips are too damn irresistible."
"It's the lip gloss," she replied, licking her lips. They stared at each other for a moment before Luke walked away to deliver someone's food. He returned to their table five minutes later with three plates, one for Rory and two for Lorelai. He cut Rory's pancakes up and put the plate in front of her before turning to Lorelai.
"So what have you got planned for today, before the party I mean."
"Well I was wondering if you knew what Jess was doing this morning."
"I'm not sure, why?"
"I thought I could take the kids to Chuck E Cheese."
"You mean that pizza place?"
"Yup, it's so fun! And I have an excuse to go in the ball pool," she said happily, gesturing to Rory.
"You're such a kid."
"I know." Luke heard the bells ring and looked up to see Liz walk in with Jess following her.
"Hey Liz," greeted Luke, standing up to give his sister a hug. "Hey Jess," he said as he bent down to his nephew.
"Wowy!" shouted Jess as he ran away from Luke towards Rory's high chair.
"I guess I've been replaced," said Luke, pretending to be sad.
"Jess, come here," requested Lorelai. He walked round to her and she lifted him onto her lap. "You wanna go somewhere fun today?"
"Fun!"
"You wanna go to Chuck E Cheese with me and Rory?"
"Go wiv Wowy."
"Is that ok Liz?"
"Absolutely," she replied.
"Jess, ask mommy if she wants to come too."
"Moma cum to!"
"Aww I would Jessie but I have a ton of things to do today. I'll be there at the party though, Lorelai."
"It's fine. Do you want me to look after Jess till the party?"
"Are you sure?"
"No she's not," replied Luke. "Lorelai you don't have to take care of Jess all day."
"I don't mind, Rory would love to spend the day with Jess."
"If that's what you wanna do then it's ok by me," said Liz.
"Ok then it's settled."
"Here's his diaper bag."
"Thanks," said Lorelai as she took it. "Well I'll see you at four thirty."
"Thank you Lorelai. Happy Birthday Rory," she said as she ran her hand through Rory's hair. "I'll give you your gift later," she promised. She kissed Jess then left the diner, completely forgetting to order what she came in for. Luke sat back in his seat and smiled at Jess.
"Buddy you have no idea where you're going today," he said sympathetically.
"Jess don't you think it would be such a good idea for Uncle Luke to come to Chuck E Cheese with us?"
"Ucal Luk cum!"
"Uncle Luke come where?" asked Luke.
"Chuck E Cheese," whispered Lorelai to Jess.
"Cuk eese!"
"You want me to go to Chuck E Cheese?" he asked Jess.
"Ucal Luke Cuk Eese!"
"Alright, alright."
"What about you Rory, do you think I should go to Chuck E Cheese with you guys?"
"Eese," said Rory.
"Cheese what Rory?" asked Lorelai.
"Eese dada!"
"That's right," exclaimed Lorelai. "Looks like you're coming to Chuck E Cheese," she said as she poked Luke's arm with her forefinger. Jess copied her, laughing as Lorelai did it harder.
"Stop that Jess," complained Luke. "Lorelai don't encourage him."
"But he's adorable," she replied with her pout. He looked at Rory who was copying Lorelai.
"And don't encourage Rory to pout like that."
"I'm her role model; she'll do whatever I do."
"Not if I've got anything to do with it." He stood up and walked over to a table to take an order.
"Jess, say happy birthday to Rory," said Lorelai. He looked at her confused. "Say Rory."
"Wowy."
"Happy," she coached.
"Appy."
"Birthday."
"Birday."
"Good boy, now say it to Rory. Say Rory happy birthday."
"Wowy appy birday," he said excitedly.
"Well done," she praised and Jess smiled proudly. "Rory say thank you."
"Taku," replied Rory who was still munching on her pancakes.
"Ah close enough." She replied as she put Jess on the floor. He toddled behind the counter, following his Uncle. Luke picked up a spoon and gave it to Jess.
"Buddy could you go put that on the table over there?" he asked as he pointed to a table occupied by an old couple.
"Shpoon," said Jess.
"Yeah it is. Now go put the spoon on that table." Jess took it and walked over to the requested table.
"Shpoon," said Jess again as he held it out to the elderly woman.
"Thank you young man," she replied, smiling at the little boy. "What's your name?"
"Jess," he replied shyly.
"Well Jess, it was nice to meet you."
"Ice met you," he replied.
"You're very polite," she said. "Here." She went into her purse and pulled out a dime. "Spend it wisely." Jess' eyes lit up as he took the money.
"Tank you," he said timidly. Jess ran over to Luke who was stood behind the counter. "Ucal Luk! Ucal Luk!" he called.
"What's up buddy?" he asked as he lifted him to sit on the counter.
"Jess rich!" he said as he held up the dime to Luke.
"Wow Jess is rich," said Luke humorously.
"Down," demanded Jess, pointing to the floor. Luke set him down again and he ran towards Lorelai's table. "Lolai, I rich!" he said happily. Lorelai smiled at him.
"Wow, where did you get that?" she asked curiously.
"There," he replied pointing to the couple. The couple smiled at them as they watched Jess. Lorelai returned the smile. "Wowy," said Jess as he jumped up and down.
"You wanna come out Rory?" asked Lorelai.
"Jesh," she replied. Lorelai got up and lifted Rory from the high chair before putting her on her feet. Lorelai passed her the sippy cup so she could have a drink and Rory went to the counter to see Luke. "Mor!" she shouted, holding the cup up to him. He peered over the counter to see her stood there, like a real customer would.
"You got money?" he asked. Rory stared at him as Jess shouted.
"I rich!"
"Ah that's right. Jess are you gonna buy Rory a milkshake?"
"No, Jess dime."
"Selfish."
"Mor," repeated Rory. He took the cup, filled it and gave it back to her.
"What do you say?"
"Taku dada," she replied as she ran back to Lorelai, clinging onto her leg.
"Is it time to go to Chuck E Cheese yet birthday girl?" she asked. Rory grinned and Lorelai stood up, lifting Rory up with her. "Luke you ready to go?"
"Go where?" he asked.
"Cuk eese!" said Jess.
"Remember you promised the kids you'd go with us," pleaded Lorelai. "Pout Rory," she ordered. Rory copied Lorelai's pout as she saw Luke give in before her.
"Ok come on, let's go." He went behind the curtain and grabbed his jacket. "Caesar I'm going out for a couple of hours, call Ben if you need any help."
"Will do boss. Have a good day at...where did you say you were going again?" he teased.
"Chuck E Cheese," replied Lorelai.
"Oh yeah Chuck E Cheese," he mocked.
"Shut it Caesar."
"Ok boss, have fun Lorelai."
"Oh I will, thank you."
"See ya." They made their way to the door; Lorelai holding Rory, her free hand connected with Luke's and Jess trudging beside them.
"Bye bye," called Jess to the elderly couple with a slight wave of his hand. The couple smiled and waved back as the foursome piled out of the door, heading for Chuck E Cheese.
"I can't believe I'm here," complained Luke as they were greeted by Chuck E Cheese himself.
"Look at their faces," said Lorelai quietly as she smiled at the two toddlers in front of them. Jess and Rory were staring up at the giant mouse in front of them, their jaws on the floor and their fingers pointing. Luke found himself smiling too.
"I guess it's good to see them enjoying themselves."
"I've only been here once," admitted Lorelai.
"Really? I thought you lived here."
"Nope, one time and one time only."
"Did your parents bring you?" he asked, knowing what the answer was.
"God no, my mom wouldn't step foot in this place if her life depended on it."
"Did your nanny bring you?"
"No she would have been fired if she did."
"So...."
"I had this friend, her parents weren't as.....stuck up as everybody else's and it was her birthday. So her mom and dad let her invite six friends over for a slumber party. Anyway, they had this surprise planned and we found out that they were taking us all to Chuck E Cheese for dinner."
"Did anybody's parents find out?"
"Oh yeah, we were never allowed to her house again but it was totally worth it," she finished, smiling at the memory. She looked down to see Rory clinging onto her leg. "What's the matter sweets?" she asked as she picked her up. Rory nuzzled her face into Lorelai's shoulder and threw her arms around her neck. "What's up?" Rory looked at the giant mouse in front of them, a scared expression on her face, as she held onto Lorelai tighter. "Hon it's ok, it's just Chuck E Cheese!"
"Cuk eese!" shouted Jess. Chuck E Cheese patted Jess on the head then patted Rory's back. She looked round at him, tears filling her eyes before she let out a loud cry.
"Uh oh," said Luke.
"Don't cry Ror," soothed Lorelai as she rubbed her back. The giant mouse walked away to talk to the other kids but Rory continued to cry. "Come on, it's your birthday. We came to have fun!" Rory looked at her as she wiped her eye with the back of her hand, small sobs escaping her lips. Luke stepped closer to them and Rory turned to look at him.
"What's going on sweetie?" he asked as he took her into his arms.
"Maybe if we go to the ball pool she'll calm down a bit," suggested Lorelai. She grabbed Jess' hand and guided him over to the massive pool.
"Ball!" screeched Jess as he dove head first into the pool.
"Whoa wait for me!" called Lorelai, crawling in after him. She picked up a ball and threw it at Jess, causing him to squeal in delight. He picked up another and threw it back at her. "So you wanna play it like that eh?" She picked him up and threw him forwards, watching as his smile grew when he landed in the balls. His laughter gained volume when Lorelai began burying him and he tossed the balls away with his hands. Luke and Rory watched from the sidelines. Luke was grinning widely at Lorelai's childish behaviour and Rory was looking curiously at them.
"Do you wanna go in Ror?" he asked softly.
"Ther," she said quietly, her episode from earlier evident in her tear stained cheeks.
"Go on then." He placed her in the pool and Jess went over to her.
"Wowy!" he squealed, throwing a ball at her.
"No Jesh," she replied, gathering some in her arms and throwing them in his direction the best she could.
"Hey guys," interrupted Lorelai. "Don't you think Luke should come in the ball pool too?" she teased, her eyes on Luke the whole time.
"Ucal Luk ball," called Jess.
"I'll stay here thanks," replied Luke dryly.
"Come on Luke," pleaded Lorelai. "It's Rory's birthday and I want everything to be perfect."
"Don't use that against me."
"But I know it'll work," she grinned. "Come on, come and have some fun."
"No, I'll watch."
"Nah ah, get your butt in here," she demanded.
"Make me."
"Alright but you asked for it." She crawled over to where Luke was stood and got up to meet his height. She leaned in to kiss him and snaked her arms around his neck. As they kissed, Lorelai stepped towards the pool, causing Luke to move with her. Before they knew it, they were falling backwards and Luke landed on top of Lorelai in the giant pool. Jess and Rory laughed as Lorelai looked up at Luke. "I knew I'd get you in."
"That was cheating."
"Like you care, you got a game of tonsil tennis out of it."
"Don't call it tonsil tennis."
"It is what it is," she said, smiling up at him. "So err....are you gonna get off me any time soon?" she joked.
"Oh my god I'm so sorry, was I squashing you?" he asked as he rolled off of her.
"No not at all, it was good actually. It's just that this is a family place and they kinda frown upon stuff like that."
"Right."
"Slide!" shouted Rory as she pointed to the twisty tunnel slide.
"Hey shall we ride the slide Rory?" asked Luke.
"Ha you rhymed!" said Lorelai grinning.
"I sometimes wonder how old you really are," he teased.
"You're the one that wants to go on the slide."
"Rory was the one that asked to go on it," he defended.
"And you were like, 'oh I'll go on the slide with you!' Any excuse to go on it without looking like a total dork."
"I don't sound like that," he growled.
"Who cares? You wanna go on the slide," she teased.
"If I'm going you're going."
"Fine, I'll go with Jess."
"Fine."
"Come on guys, we're going on the slide," said Lorelai enthusiastically.
"Slide!" shouted Jess and Rory simultaneously. They waded out of the pool of balls and helped Jess and Rory up the steps. When they reached the top of the slide, there was a short queue and Jess rushed to the front.
"Jess," called Luke as he went after him. He grabbed him and put him on his hip, apologising to the parents in front of him that were waiting. "You have to wait your turn."
"Jess wanna slide!" he protested.
"You can slide in a sec ok? Be patient."
"Jess do you wanna slide with Uncle Luke?" asked Lorelai. Jess shook his head. "Do you wanna go with me?"
"No Jess slide with Jess!"
"You wanna go by yourself?"
"Self."
"Ok then. I'll go down first so I can catch him at the bottom," she said to Luke. "You go down with Rory."
"Ok, sounds good to me." They reached the front of the queue and Lorelai positioned herself at the top of the slide. She looked over her shoulder at Luke's amused expression and pulled a funny face.
"Give me a push," she ordered. Luke gave her back a firm shove with his free hand as he watched her disappear into the tunnel. He waited till he saw her reach the bottom and sat Jess at the top.
"See ya at the bottom buddy," he said as he pushed Jess, softer than he had Lorelai. He heard Jess' delighted squeals as he got further down. Jess flew off the bottom of the slide and landed softly in the ball pool, laughing loudly. Lorelai plucked him from the pool and held him up.
"Did you enjoy that mister?"
"Again!"
"Ok let's wait for Luke and Rory to come down first." She turned towards the slide just in time to see Luke and Rory come hurtling towards them. He flew into her and the four of them ended up on top of each other, buried in the ball pool. Luckily, Jess and Rory ended up on top and were giggling loudly. "Ow!" complained Lorelai as Luke climbed off her.
"Sorry, are you hurt?" he asked in concern.
"I'm ok, warn me next time!" she said, playfully hitting his arm.
"I will, I'm sorry."
"We'd better move before someone else comes outta there." They moved the kids over to a safe place. "Did you enjoy that Rory?"
"Mmm," she hummed.
"Are you having a good birthday?" Rory smiled up at her brightly. "Again!" she shouted, pointing towards the slide.
Three whole hours later, they left finally left Chuck E Cheese. As they climbed into the car, Lorelai smiled at Luke.
"What?" he asked.
"You had fun today," she stated.
"Ah it was ok I suppose."
"Admit it; you were having the time of your life."
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," he admitted.
"Ha I knew it! Caesar is so hearing about this."
"You tell him anything and I'll cut off your coffee supply," he threatened.
"You wouldn't," she said, narrowing her eyes at him.
"You wanna try?"
"Fine, Caesar will think you had a crappy time and didn't ride the slide twelve times."
"Rory wanted to go on the slide," he defended.
"I know but she could have gone by herself."
"It's not safe."
"Ok Mr Protective."
"She could have gotten stuck in there or something."
"Ok, ok, I believe you. You rode the slide cause you wanted to protect Rory."
"That's correct."
"Ok now we have to go, I need to set up for Rory's party before she has her nap."
When they reached Stars Hollow, Luke pulled up outside the inn and held the door open for Lorelai. Luke took Jess and Lorelai took Rory as they ascended the steps up to the front door. Luke held it open for her then they walked over to Mia who was stood at the front desk.
"Hello," she greeted warmly.
"Hi Mia," said Lorelai jollily.
"Happy Birthday Rory," she cooed as she took her from Lorelai. "Where did you go? I didn't see you this morning."
"Oh we went to the diner for breakfast then to Chuck E Cheese."
"Lucas, you went to Chuck E Cheese?" asked Mia, surprised.
"Yeah uh, Lorelai forced me into it."
"Nah ah, Jess did!"
"Jess can't even speak in sentences never mind force me to do something I don't wanna do."
"Well he did."
"He was under your influence."
"And what a good influence I am. Luke had a really great time today," she told Mia with a grin.
"Did not."
"Did too! You should have seen him. He went on the slide with Rory twelve times."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Well it seems like you had fun," she smiled, looking at Luke's bowed head.
"It was fine," he shrugged.
"Is it okay for me to start setting things up for the party?" asked Lorelai.
"Well actually, I've already had the dining room staff do that."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, take a look." Mia led them into the dining room and Lorelai's mouth dropped open.
"Oh my," she gasped. There were banners all the way around the room, balloons tied to everything possible, a long table with a pink tablecloth on waiting to be filled with food and drinks, party poppers scattered around the room and a princess bouncy castle set up in the corner of the room. "Mia it's wonderful," said Lorelai in awe.
"If you go in the kitchen, Sookie should be just about finished with the cake."
"Sookie's making it?"
"Yup, she insisted. When I told the kitchen staff I needed a cake for Rory, she volunteered."
"I'll go see her. Will you be ok out here for a while?" she asked Luke.
"Yeah, we'll go to the potting shed in a little while."
"Ok." She disappeared into the kitchen and stopped when she saw Sookie. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed.
"Do you like it?" asked Sookie hopefully.
"Sook it's amazing!"
"Really?"
"Yeah you should enter some kind of cake decorating contest or something."
"So it's alright?"
"It's perfect, Rory's gonna love it," she beamed. "How did you do this?"
"This is my seventh attempt and hopefully my last."
"It's great," sighed Lorelai. The cake was a Cinderella's castle, the one you see at Disney World. Sookie had made individual Disney characters such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the characters from Winnie the Pooh and put them so they surrounded the castle. She had made individual letters reading 'Happy Birthday Rory' and decorated them with pink frosting; they sat in front of the rest of the cake. "I can't believe you made this!"
"It's one of my better cakes. I wanted this day to be really special for you and Rory and I thought by making this cake, it'd help."
"It has helped, big time. It seems a shame to cut into it."
"I know."
"Where does the candle go?"
"Got it covered," answered Sookie as she stuck a single candle in the roof of the cake. "Perfect."
"It really is, thanks Sook," she said gratefully as she leant in to hug her.
"You're welcome." Lorelai smiled then made her way back out to the front desk.
"Have you seen that cake?" asked Lorelai as she approached Mia.
"It's quite something isn't it?"
"It's amazing!"
"Sookie is an excellent chef; I'm considering offering her a proper job here."
"Really?"
"Yes, Mark is leaving in a month, he handed his notice in this morning."
"What?"
"And Sookie is the only person I trust to do the job."
"You're gonna offer Sookie the job as head chef?" asked Lorelai, her mouth agape.
"I'm definitely thinking about it, she'd be perfect for the job."
"Oh my god this is so great!"
"Don't tell her though; I want it to be a surprise."
"Ok," agreed Lorelai. "I'm gonna go find Luke," she said as she began to walk away.
"Lorelai, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Let's talk in my office," she said as she gestured for Lorelai to go in. Lorelai immediately panicked. Had she done something wrong? Was Mia gonna fire her and kick her out of the potting shed? No she wouldn't do that would she? Thoughts and fears raced through Lorelai's head as she sat in the chair opposite Mia. She flashed her a nervous smile.
"So what's going on?"
"Relax Lorelai, you're not in trouble."
"Ok," she replied, taking a deep breath and loosening her shoulders a little.
"I want to talk to you about your performance at work." Lorelai swallowed thickly. "You are one of my hardest workers Lorelai, you work harder than most of the desk staff," she chuckled. "Now I know you like working afternoons because you get to spend the rest of the day with Rory but I want to propose something to you. My head maid is going on maternity leave next week, you know Marie?"
"Err yeah I know her."
"Right well she'll be gone for a year, meaning there'll be nobody in charge. I know you have only worked here couple of months but I trust that you'll handle the job adequately."
"You're giving me a promotion?" asked Lorelai in shock.
"Yes I am. There are some things I need to go over with you though, working hours, duties, pay, etc."
"Ok," replied Lorelai, unable to contain her excitement.
"At the moment you work twelve through till four, Monday to Thursday. This new job title will bring more hours. You will be expected to work from ten till four."
"Which days?"
"Well I understand Luke has Friday's off and you spend the day together."
"Yeah we do."
"Ok so you could work every day except Friday and Sunday if that's possible?"
"That's perfect," said Lorelai, amazed at the new opportunity.
"On Saturdays you can start at eleven and finish at three, meaning a little more time with Rory. As for pay, you will get a significant pay rise. Your current earnings of $9 per hour will increase to $18 and you will get bonuses during holidays etc. How is this sounding to you?" she asked, noticing Lorelai's astounded face.
"Err....I can't believe it."
"Are you going to accept my offer?"
"Of course I am!" she practically yelled, throwing herself at Mia and capturing her in a tight hug. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome dear. I know you have a baby to take care of and you need all the money you can get. This job will relieve some of the money worries you have. I know it's longer days and you're probably worried about leaving Rory for such a substantial amount of time every day but I won't mind if you want to take her with you while you work."
"Would that be ok?"
"Yes definitely. The job description doesn't change much; you're just in charge of the other maid's as well as going about your own duties."
"Ok."
"I will get Marie to train you up a bit on Thursday. That's the last day you will both be working together so she'll show you the ropes. Of course I would still like to take care of Rory on some afternoons while you work."
"Oh yeah, I know you love taking care of her."
"Ok so that's settled, as of next week, you are the head maid."
"I really can't believe how quickly this is all happening."
"Get used to it."
"Thanks Mia," she said as she hugged the older woman once again.
"You're welcome dear; I'll see you at the party."
"See ya." She left Mia's office wearing one of the biggest smiles in history and rushed to tell Luke the news.
So there you have it. In the part where they were discussing her new pay rate, I had no idea how much American maids get paid seeing as I use English Pounds so sorry if it's inaccurate!! I hope you liked all the Luke/Lorelai/Jess/Rory stuff =D I've figured that you readers like it when they seem like a proper family so I decided to add in a little fun! The next chapter will be the party....maybe a little more, I haven't decided yet but I hope you forgive me if I take a while to update. Hopefully it shouldn't be too long! Don't forget to review, PLEASE! Who doesn't love reviews? =D