Title: What you Get
Disclaimer: Yet again, not mine.
Chapter 14- Of Cities and Smiles
Author's note: So this chapter is a bit lackluster (at least in my opinion), but I wanted to get them to the city to see Jess and Liz and Jimmy. So bare with me, while I take the clan to the city. I hope that you enjoy the chapter, and there will be more soon.
As always comments and critisism are welcome.
Saturday Morning:
"Come on Lorelai, if we don't leave soon, we won't get there until it's dark outside!" Luke shouts up the stairs to Lorelai. He, Rory, and William are already at the door ready to leave for their weekend in the city, Lorelai however, is still packing.
"Come on Mommy! I wanna see Jess!" Rory yells up to her mother. William simply shakes his head at the pair.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Lorelai responds as she appears at the top of the stairs struggling to bring her suitcase down the steps.
Luke sighs and walks up the stairs to take the suitcase from her. She gives him a smile which he responds to with an exasperated growl, although they both know that he wouldn't want her to change a bit. He carries her suitcase out to the car and puts it in the trunk with the rest of the bags. William helps Rory into the car and into her car seat, and then climbs in the back with her. Luke gets in the drivers seat and Lorelai hops into her seat riding shotgun. And with that they're off on the way down to the city.
About ten minutes into the drive Rory asks excitedly; "Are we there yet?" All three adults chuckle. Rory sits in her car seat bouncing with excitement, a grin stretching across her face. She's been waiting with great anticipation for this weekend to arrive, and it's obvious that she wants to get to Jess' house as soon as possible.
"Only about two more hours Ror." Luke responds. Rory nods her head and looks out the window.
Two hours later, the foursome arrives in the city. They park in the garage of Liz and Jimmy's building where they'll be staying for the weekend. Luke and William unload the car while Lorelai helps Rory out of her car seat and tries to keep her from running up the stairs without them.
"But mommy I wanna see Jess!" Rory states indignantly as Lorelai holds her hand firmly and keeps her with the group as the move towards the elevator, bags in tow.
"I know sweetie, we're going to be there in a minute or two. Then you guys can spend all of the time you want together." Lorelai replies, smiling down at her daughter. She's glad that Rory's so happy. This trip came at just the right time.
They arrive on the right floor and make their way to Liz and Jimmy's apartment. William knocks on the door, Rory standing in front of him excitedly. When Jimmy opens the door for them, Jess is standing at his side, a grin upon his face. When they see each other, Rory and Jess shout in excitement and hug each other tightly. Immediately, Jess pulls Rory into his room and starts explaining about all of the books he has. The adults chuckle and greet each other happily. Liz comes into the foyer and greets them as well. Jimmy and Luke move the bags into the living room and they all sit down to chat.
"So, if it's ok with you guys, we thought that Rory could sleep in Jess' room on a mattress." Liz says after they've all gone around about how work is and how everyone's health is doing.
"That sounds fine." Lorelai responds.
"And Dad, you can have the guest room. And Luke and Lorelai, this couch pulls out into a bed. I think we have another mattress around here too if you want it." Liz states.
Lorelai and Luke look at each other and shrug. "We're adults, we can share the bed for a night or two, not an issue, right?" Luke says looking at Lorelai who nods.
"Why don't you guys get comfortable, unpack and whatnot, and Jimmy and I will get lunch ready." Liz says to the group.
"You want any help sis?" Luke asks as they all get up to do their respective tasks.
"No thanks, you just relax. You're our guest." Liz says warmly to her brother. She and Jimmy disappear into the kitchen, while William goes into the guest room to unpack for the weekend. Lorelai and Luke look around the living room.
"I think we'll unpack tonight, don't you think? That way the living room will still be usable." Luke asks Lorelai.
"Sounds good. Let's just relax, like Liz said. You especially mister. You just drove two hours to the city with a four-year-old in the back seat. That's quite a feat." Lorelai states as she plops down on the couch.
"Rory was great. Only one or two "are we there yet." You on the other hand, you're tiring." Luke mocks as he too sits down on the couch.
Lorelai picks up a pillow and whops him in the face with it in return. Luke grabs the pillow and pulls it away from her, grabbing her arms and quickly pinning her down to the couch as he begins to tickle her. Lorelai shrieks and tries to get away, but is unsuccessful. Liz comes into the room and smiles at her brother. It's been a long time since she's seen him this happy. She clears her throat and the pair calm themselves down.
"Lunch is almost ready, could you guys go get the kids ready to eat?" Liz asks them as their breathing slowly returns to normal.
"No problem." They respond.
"Oh, and could you get Rory and Jess too?" Liz smirks at them as she goes back to the kitchen.
"Very funny!" Luke calls after her. When he catches Lorelai's eye, they both begin to laugh at themselves as they go to Jess' room and knock on the door.
"Lunchtime guys." Lorelai calls. They hear the distinctive sound of a book being put down, and the patter of feet coming to the door. Rory and Jess emerge from the room smiling happily as they all go into the kitchen for lunch.
The group passes the rest of the day happily. Liz and Jimmy take them to see the empire state building, a playground in their area, and the public library, where they end up spending two hours instead of ten minutes because of the little bookworms. After the library they all go out to dinner at a nice little Italian restaurant called "Michellos" that Liz, Jimmy and Jess frequent. When they get back Jess and Rory can hardly keep their eyes open, so Lorelai and Liz get them ready for bed and the whole clan piles into Jess' room to say goodnight.
After saying goodnight to the kids, Liz and Jimmy bid the rest goodnight as well. Shortly after them, William says goodnight too, and Lorelai and Luke are left alone.
"I guess we should pull the bed out and try to get some sleep." Lorelai says to Luke who nods. They remove the couch cushions and pull out the bed and put on the sheets and blankets. They each take turns in the bathroom and climb into bed. Luke turns out the lights and they lie there silently for a few minutes.
"You tired?" Lorelai asks Luke.
"Not in the slightest." Luke replies. They chuckle and turn towards each other.
"Rory's so happy to be here, it's really great." Lorelai says happily.
"Yeah. Jess seems pretty jazzed about it too." Luke replies.
"I'm glad that they met. They get along so well, it's really nice." Lorelai says. Luke nods and smiles at her. They lapse into silence for a while. Luke brushes a stray piece of hair off of Lorelai's face. She smiles at the gesture, and tries to stifle a yawn.
"You getting sleepy?" Luke asks her. She nods as her eyes begin to droop. He smiles at how much she looks like Rory when she does that. He pulls her into his arms and kisses her head.
"Goodnight Lorelai."
"Goodnight Luke."
They both fall asleep with smiles on their faces, happy to be happy.