And now *drum roll* for the last and final chapter of The Darkness of the Day....
Chapter 20: Reborn
Lorelai couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, the blankets becoming entangled around her small frame. She had been let out of the hospital that morning, after the millions of tests she had undergone had authorized the doctors to set her free. The freedom was exhilarating but it did not even come close to the soaring feeling in her chest at having her life back. Her memories, they had all returned! The confusion was all gone. It was as if half of her had been repressed for all this time, and now that half had returned, stronger than ever. She remembered everything. Sookie, Chris, the Inn, and most importantly her daughter. And she had remembered Luke.
Unable to spend another moment stagnant, Lorelai climbed out of her bed and made her way to her bedroom window. She lifted up the window and let the cool air blow in. It was so refreshing. Life no longer scared her. She was ready, set to embrace it head on. Without really concentrating on what she was doing, Lorelai grabbed a sweatshirt out of her closet and tiptoed down the stairs. She slipped out the front door, pulling her amrs around herself in protection to the cold night air. And she began to walk. She walked past her house, past Babbette's, finally able to enjoy the memories that these places had created. She skipped past Dosey's market and the bookstore, Rory's favorite place to spend time. Finally she came to a stop in the town square. Across the street the lights from Luke's diner were still on. She watched through the glass windows as Luke pushed the tables to the wall and stacked the chairs on top of them. He took a rag and wiped down the counters, unaware that he was being observed. He paused, throwing the rag behind the counter, surveying his diner. His eyes scrunched thoughtfully as he looked around. Seemingly satisfied, he flicked off the lights, ready to head on up to his bed. It was then that he spotted Lorelai, across the street, standing alone in the Town Square. Bewildered, he made his way out into the cold night air, an abundance of emotion rising in his throat.
"Lorelai!" he called out, running across the street. His breath came out in smoky white puffs. Startled, she turned to him. "What are you doing here? It's freezing out!"
Lorleai shivered, but the warmth was retained in her cheeks. She smiled
"I couldn't sleep," she confessed. "How could you expect me to? I feel like I am finally alive for the first time in months! All the confusion, the hopelessness, that's all gone now."
Luke smiled as he watched her excitedly explain all of this to him. Her eyes sparkled as if she was a young girl.
"And I remembered something very important," Lorelai hinted. "Something I've been struggling to gain clarity on."
Intrigued, Luke moved closer to her, and she drew herself towards him. They were now standing so close, she could feel the heat of his breath on her cheek when he spoke.
"And what is that?" he asked her.
"You." She looked up at him, her eyes clear. "You were the one that was always there as long as I knew you, always one step ahead of or behind me. You acted the part of a loving father to Rory when she needed it. And here you are again," she rested a hand gently on his chest. "Right where I need you." She leaned forward, and there lips met as if pulled together by some magnetic force between them. And there, in the town square, they created another memory.
The End.
I hope everyone enjoyed this story! Thanks to all my loyal readers. I'm sad to see this story go, but I really enjoyed writing it. Now it's your last chance to review :) Until the next story!
~Manhttngal