Chapter 26

Other than some progress being made during the week's session following a heartbreaking ultimatum, unfortunately more was added to their plate that evening when Luke came across tickets to a Yankees game he had purchased months ago he had planned for him and Shelby to go with Nicole since they were her favorite team, were found.

It was a hard reminder knowing that he had bought the tickets for nothing especially when Shelby had been looking forward to seeing a game with not only her dad but Nicole, as well. The kid had been so excited upon finding out Nicole had been a baseball fan which was all the more he thought it would be nice if the three of them went to a game, together.

Luke sat there at his desk, staring at the tickets in his hands. He really did enjoy spending time with Nicole and it was nice she allowed him to be himself around her, and the two did get along so well. Nicole loving and getting along with his little buddy was also a super big plus in his book, and was relieved to know she didn't even mind whenever Luke felt inclined to tell a story about Shelby. A whole lot better than whenever he had shared a story or two about Lorelai, that first date, anyway.

Shelby had come out of the bathroom, freshly showered and in her pajamas while Luke was still sitting there. "Wha's wrong, Dad?" he heard her ask, coming over to stand beside him.

He let out an exasperated sigh. "I found these tickets I bought for us to take Nicole to a game," he replied. Out of the corner of his eye, Luke noticed Shelby frown. Looking up at her, he added, "we can still go if you want, kiddo. Maybe you can invite Alan or someone."

Shelby was staring towards the tickets in his hand, remaining silent that time.

Holding an arm out, Luke invited her in and let Shelby sit on his right leg as he rubbed a comforting hand along her right arm over her long sleeve. Luke knew Shelby had been looking forward to this the most. This was why he had set a rule such as this and did not make long term plans, ever.

He held a gentle kiss to the side of her head.

"Alan's brother, Derek and their dad also likes baseball," she said out of nowhere.

"Well, we only have one extra ticket, though," he pointed out.

"I know. I mean we can let them go instead," she said, sadly while holding her head against him.

Luke looked at her in surprise. "You don't want to go anymore?"

Shelby shook her head, not lifting her head.

Giving her a firm but gentle squeeze, Luke held another kiss to her head. If it was too painful for her to even go to the game then this must have meant a lot more than he had thought.

"When I wen' to her house, I asked if she would ever come to one of my games when I… sss-tarted baseball again and she promised she would." Shelby was staring elsewhere at this point.

Luke continued rubbing her arm. After a moment, he told her, "I'm sorry, kiddo."

Another minute went by before she pointed out, "At leas' Mom is around to see me play." He could tell Shelby was trying to remain positive. "And, even Lor-lai came even though she's no' a baseball fan."

He smiled. "And, don't forget, I'm there."

Shelby nodded.

Luke gave her another squeeze.

So, the final decision was made. The next day at school, Shelby asked Alan if he, Derek, and their dad would want to go see the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium. Alan was very excited to actually get to go see a game in person, and when he told his dad and older brother, they were also excited to go. Ethan being more into video games than sports did not see what the big deal was, though.

Ron and the boys stopped by on Friday to pick up the tickets on their way. While Shelby was a little more nicer in her disappointment, Luke showed his disappointment by barking at people a lot more than usual. Of course it was Lorelai who eventually pointed him out on it. Though, not before Alan told him, he should really watch his blood pressure.

"What do you know about having high blood pressure?" he questioned of the eight-year-old boy.

"I know you probably have it," Alan told him, earning him a hard, annoyed look in which Luke told them to just go and enjoy the game.

Turning to leave, the boys and their dad thanked him and Shelby for the second time before heading towards the door with the tickets in hand. When they were gone, Shelby turned back to lay her head on her folded arms where she was sitting at the counter with Lorelai.

"What is wrong with you two?" Lorelai asked of the two of them.

"Nothing," Luke denied, not too thrilled with her at the moment with having to take a dozen phone calls for Lorelai all day as if she had printed out business cards or something, having missed a phone call from his meat guy because he was discussing a horse's deviated septum with some lady.

"You almost got into a fight with an eight-year-old," she pointed out, "and Shelby's been moping around."

"We're just having a bad day," he told her while clearing a nearby table.

She made a buzzing noise with her mouth.

Luke suddenly looked up at her in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"Day-zzz. You've been stomping around here, barking at people for days, and Shelby, you've been looking like your dog died," the woman looked between the two of them.

"I have not been barking at people," he continued to deny.

Lorelai wouldn't let him deny the fact, though. "Yes, Cujo, you have."

Wiping down the table with a plate in one hand, he stood up to head back over there. "I always talk to people like that," he tried to insist, this time.

She shook her head at him as she told him, "No, Benji, you don't."

Tossing the rag over on the counter and setting the plate down, Luke sat on the stool on the other side of Shelby, leaning his left arm near the edge, and rubbed a comforting hand along her back. "We'll be fine tomorrow."

"Really, Lassie? Why is that?" Lorelai mockingly continued with the dog names.

Stealing a look with one another first, Shelby was the one to answer.

"We were supposed to go to the game with Nicole, tonigh'." The way the kid spoke seemed to break Lorelai's heart as her confused expression turned to a sympathetic one.

"Oh, hun," she told her.

Luke pulled Shelby in to give her a loving squeeze before he resumed rubbing her back as he explained it to Lorelai. "I bought these tickets for Nicole because she's a Yankees fan. I thought it would be nice if the three of us went to a game, together, and Shelby was really looking forward to it back then."

"Oh, man."

So, when I found them and reminded Shelby about it, I realized what a loser I was for thinking I'd still be in a relationship." Luke looked away, letting go of Shelby to wave it towards Lorelai, looking away. "I don't know, it's stupid." He turned back to add, "I broke my own rule. I asked for it, and should have realized it would affect Shelby a lot more." Apologizing to Shelby, giving her another kiss, Luke stood up and went around to the other side of the counter.

Lorelai maneuvered around to face him. "What are you talking about?" she questioned, confused again.

"Never plan for anything more than two days in advance," he said with a pen now in his hand.

"That's your rule?"

He looked up at her. "Yes," he stated. "'Cause, when you make plans, you have expectations, and when you have expectations, then you will get disappointed."

"Having expectations also gives you something to look forward to," Lorelai tried to say with optimism.

"Yes, and then you're looking forward to being constantly disappointed," Luke continued to argue, stubbornly.

Lorelai shook her head at him. "You're not that cynical."

"I am today," he said, barely glancing up at her from writing out the week's order form.

"Hey, I have an idea," she said. "Tomorrow night is usually movie night."

Luke glanced up again to ask, "What?"

"Rory and I would usually rent a bunch of movies, order food. It was our thing," she explained. "Now, she's at school," Lorelai paused to sigh, "and busy, so… Why don't you come over? You and Shelby. It might be fun."

Luke looked up at her. "It'll have to wait until after Shelby's game, but okay." He turned to ask Shelby, "you up for it, Shell?" That was a silly question. The kid never turned down a chance to go over to Lorelai's house.

Shelby perked up at the invitation but not as the adults would expect. "Um, I can'," she suddenly shook her head, signalling she was saying, can't and not can.

"What do you mean? You're home this weekend," he reminded her.

"Uh, no. I forgo' to tell you, I asked Mom if I could come over again this weekend."

Luke jerked back in surprise, not expecting Shelby to want to spend two weekends in a row at her mom's house, considering what happened last weekend. Sure, Rachel and Shelby had been talking a little better over the phone, the last few days but Luke didn't think she would be ready to spend another weekend so soon after the first.

Lorelai, on the other hand, was excited for the little girl. "That's wonderful, Shelby. So, you and your mom are getting along better now?"

"A li'tle," she admitted. "She agreed to mee' with Lauren by herself."

"That's so great," Lorelai continued to show her support. "So, I guess things are finally starting to look up for you both, then, huh?"

"If you're going to your mom's, then shouldn't she have been here by now?" Luke questioned, glancing at his watch.

"Oh, uh, I be'ter go call her to ask." With that said, Shelby suddenly jumped down from her stool and dashed around the counter to head upstairs. There was something really suspicious about his little buddy.

Lorelai brought him back from out of his perplexed thoughts. "That is really great progress that is being made," she said.

"Uh, yeah. It really is great." Luke kept glancing back behind him where Shelby had disappeared off to. "So, what time?" he asked when he finally turned back to his paperwork.

After setting the time for Luke to come over, Lorelai told him, she would stop by the video store to pick up a couple movies. It was then realized that Luke had not seen anything recently, other than a kid's movie, the last one being Mr and Mrs Bridge while he and Rachel were still dating. Not even the movie, Diner when Lorelai sounded desperate. Stating they had work to do, Lorelai reminded him to be at her house at eight o'clock before leaving. Though, before leaving, she quickly mentioned about a package arriving there to have Luke bring it with him when Luke comes over.

Luke just shook his head as he turned back to finish filling out his shipment order.

Ten minutes later, the phone rang while he was making another batch of coffee.

Answering it, Luke put the phone between his ear and shoulder while he continued scooping coffee grounds. "Luke's."

"Hey, it's Rachel."

"Hey, so Shelby's going over to your house this weekend?" he asked. "Shelby just told me a bit ago, last minute."

"Yeah, she just called me a bit ago, too, asking to come over. Not that I'm against it. I'm always glad to have her over. I'm just really surprised."

Luke stared ahead at nothing in particular. "Just now? I thought you both made this plan some time ago? That's what she told me when Lorelai invited us over for a movie night."

"Nope, she just asked me now if she could come over," Rachel said. "Wait, so Shelby turned down to go to Lorelai's to come over here with me?" That was quite a surprise to both of them. But then it clicked on for Rachel first. "Wait, you said Lorelai invited you over for a movie night?"

"Yeah," he replied and explained about finding the tickets and Shelby being upset more than he was, which led to Lorelai inviting them over since Rory was away at college.

"Luke, you do see what Shelby is trying to do, right?" she asked of him.

"What are you talking about?" he denied. "Maybe she just wants to spend more time with you." Luke heard Rachel snicker at his denial. "What?"

"Luke, you are not that clueless," Rachel insisted of him.

"I literally have no idea what you are talking about." Luke dropped the small scoop inside the coffee can and shoved the filter inside it's place.

"Whatever you say, Luke." Thankfully, she changed the subject. In the back of his mind, though, Luke had a guess as to what she was referring to. After all, it was clear what Shelby was doing. But, that would mean for him to accept it. "Anyway, Roger and I had plans to go camping this weekend at this campground our work wanted us to do an article on. Luckily, the campground's also family-friendly and Roger feels letting Shelby come along and give a child's perspective would be good. However, in order for me to not have to shoot around her, I would need the consent of her legal guardian," she paused to let out a small sigh, "which is you."

Luke understood admitted something such as Rachel legally not being one of Shelby's legal guardians was still hard on her. But, he did not understand why she needed his consent.

He asked, "Consent for what?"

"Whenever we take a camping or hiking trip for work, I usually include a photo or two of Roger to add more for the article. You know, give the readers more of an insight to the experience. Include people as one of the subjects."

"So, these photos will go in a magazine?"

"It's an outdoors magazine that shows the best camping and hiking spots around the state of Connecticut," she explained. "A lot of families read it. But, if you don't feel comfortable having Shelby be shown in it, it's perfectly okay. I can shoot around her. Or, I can shoot behind her and not even show her face, if you want. I can take some really great photos from behind if I have to."

"That actually makes me feel a little bit better, actually," he admitted, leaning a hand on the back counter, behind him now that he was facing the other way.

"That's fine, I can do that," she reassured him. "I will print off a copy of the consent form and bring it with me when I pick her up."

"Wait." Luke suddenly remembered. "Shelby has a game, tomorrow night."

"Yeah, I figured that. I thought it was cleared with you to miss it."

He stood there, staring at nothing. Luke didn't like the idea of Shelby not being there for her team, but he guessed it couldn't hurt to miss one game. In the end, Luke did give the approval to miss the game on one condition. Shelby at least had to go to practice that evening so she could let her coach know she won't be at the game since they weren't leaving for the trip until early the next morning.

After finishing the call, Luke told Caesar he was heading upstairs where he found Shelby packing for the trip.

Clearing his throat, Luke walked over to stand at the foot of the bunk bed, holding his hands on his sides.

Shelby looked up at her dad. By the look on her face, the kid knew she had been found out.

He then folded his arms across his chest. "What's this all about?" he asked of her, firmly. "Why did you lie about asking to go to your mom's?"

Shelby was sitting on Jess' bunk, folding her clothes inside her duffel bag. She stared towards it, not answering her dad.

"Shelby," he told her in a firm tone.

He saw her shoulders shrug. "I don' know. I though' maybe you and Lor-lai could spend some time toge'her, alone. You know, since you and Nicole aren' toge'her, anymore."

Luke softened at his little buddy's confession, letting out a small breath of air. Sitting on the bunk across from her, he told her, "Shell, this is just a movie with friends. I'm sure Lorelai wasn't intending it to be a date, otherwise she wouldn't have extended the invitation to you."

"I know, bu' if it was jus' the two of you, maybe something could happen." She gave him a hopeful look.

He leaned forward a little. "Nothing's gonna happen, kiddo. We're just gonna watch a movie and eat take out. That's all," Luke said as he sliced a hand through the air.

Her shoulders slumped as she too let out a breath but through her nose. "Yeah, maybe you're righ'. I mean, the rules say you can' move during the movie, no' even to use the bathroom."

"I highly doubt Lorelai's not going to let me use the bathroom."

"Well, you can, but you will miss a part of the movie because if you do, she won' pause it for you, and you can' talk during the movie unless you're repeating along with it. Bu' if you're watching a 'classic'," Shelby did air quotes with her fingers, "then, there is no talking a' all and then the movie ge's rewinded, and she'll even watch you watch the movie a' cer-ten par's."

"I think you are exaggerating," Luke told her.

She shook her head once. "Nope. I wish I was, bu' I'm no'."

"You're exaggerating to try and ignore the fact you lied about asking your mom," he insisted, leaning forward again. "Shell, weekends at your mom has to be planned by Thursday night. Your mom already had weekend plans. I mean, it was great she was willing to let you come along but you can't throw this on us at short notice. Okay?"

Shelby looked away, ashamed. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was jus' trying to help you and Lor-lai."

"I know you like watching out for me, kiddo, and that's great. But, you don't need to take care of me," he assured her. "It's my job to take care of you. Okay?"

Shelby stared back at him with a heartbreaking look. "Bu', I jus' wan' you to be happy."

"I know you do. That's one of many things I love about ya, but it's okay. Really," he insisted firmly but still kept it gentle. "Lorelai and I are just going to be two people watching movies and eating food as friends, that's all. Okay?"

"Okay," she finally gave in, sounding and looking defeated.

"Now, your mom and I realize you will be missing your game, this weekend. I told her, you still have to go to practice, tonight and I want you," he pointed a finger at her, firmly, "to let him know you won't be there, and there won't be any TV or video games, starting now until next Friday for lying to me. Got it?"

Shelby slowly nodded.

"I really am sorry, Dad," she repeated, sincerely.

"I know you are, but there are still consequences."

"Okay," she said again, but didn't look happy about losing her video games for a week. Getting up from the bed, Shelby grabbed her book she was reading currently on her own, to pack it inside her backpack she had lying on the bed beside her. A glimpse of a mouse riding a motorcycle on the front cover was seen.

Luke left her alone to finish packing.

An hour later, Rachel arrived to pick Shelby up. Heading back upstairs, he let her know her mom was there while Shelby was saying good-bye to Gexie. Putting the little gecko back inside her tank, Shelby went to wash her hands in the bathroom.

On the way downstairs, the two ended up in a fifty dollar bet when Luke continued to tell Shelby she was exaggerating on the rules for movie night. It actually made Rachel laugh at the two, who overheard while they were coming downstairs.

Giving her dad, a hug and kiss, good-bye, after Luke filled Rachel in on everything, including her being grounded, and signed the form, the girls headed out to where Rachel had parked.

Watching them, it did make Luke see how much Shelby was willing to bring him and Lorelai closer together than just friends. Even if that meant choosing to go to her mom's over going to Lorelai's house, whom the kid loved a lot. Of course, this was just a simple movie night between friends. He knew that. She did invite Shelby to come along, as well. But now, it would just be the two of them. No one else. If Luke didn't know any better, he swore he was actually looking forward to this, while still being nervous.

Author's Note:

If you haven't seen my author's note from my Jess story, I recently got a new full time job and won't be able to update as frequently as I used to. I will still try and update on the weekends, though.