Variations in the Key of Luke

by Eledgy

The 'right thing' was what Luke Danes had always tried to do, even when it meant leaving his hometown for five long years. But maybe Luke's 'right thing' has been in Stars Hollow all along. What gets set in motion, by his simple act of finally coming home? (AU, pre-series)

36. Promise Made, Promise Kept

Author's Note: Thanks to deepfriedcake for her usual stellar beta on this LONG chapter! And she also helped me get this uploaded to ff dot net, which does not seem to like my computer's new operating system... so you all owe her thanks as well, for being able to see this! Enjoy.

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Previously:

"I agreed to have lunch with her. In a week or two. Just the two of us."

"Wow."

Lorelai laughed "See? Now you can appreciate what a big deal that is."

"Hey," he stopped her. "I was thinking. I'd like to make you dinner tomorrow night, up in the apartment. What do you think?"

"I think you're trying to get me alone so we can pick up where we just left off, is what I'm thinking." She smiled at him.

"No, I just…"

"And I gotta say, I like that thinking…" she added.

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Promise Made, Promise Kept

Saturday, October 3, 1992

Luke heard a light tapping on the apartment door. "Come in," he called, turning his head only slightly from the sauté pan he was stirring.

"Wow, it smells great in here," Lorelai said in greeting. She crossed over to the couch to leave her purse and jacket, then came over and gave Luke a quick kiss. "What's cookin', good lookin'?"

"Well, that pear tart just came out of the oven," Luke said, pointing his head toward the dessert, cooling on a wire rack.

"Ooh, gorgeous. You made that?"

"I did. I was thinking of apple pie, since the first of the local apples are in, but then I saw the pears and decided to go with them."

"Just as yummy, possibly prettier. Though an apple pie is one of the world's most beautiful things."

Luke smiled and pulled her into a one armed hug. He gave her another kiss. "You look beautiful." With her hair loose and curly, a red top that looked simple but somehow clingy as well, and tight blue jeans - top to bottom she looked amazing, as always.

"Thank you. You look very nice as well, if I do say so myself." Lorelai ran her hand over the back of the corduroy shirt she had given him a few weeks back. "I had a feeling this brown would look good on you."

"Thank you again. It's really comfortable."

"Good. You're sure you didn't mind me buying you clothing?"

"Why would I mind? I hate shopping."

Lorelai shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you think it was presumptuous?"

"Nope. You're my girlfriend, buy away. But not too much," he added hastily.

Lorelai smiled. "So what are you making for dinner, and why haven't you stopped stirring it since I came in?"

"Because constant stirring is the secret to risotto. You add the broth little by little..."

"Ah, risotto, say no more." Lorelai interrupted him.

"You're familiar?" Luke was surprised. "Oh, Sookie, of course."

"Yup. She's been working for two, maybe three years now on her risotto."

"Wow."

"Well, you know Sookie, she's a perfectionist. Her mom and dad travelled to Italy a few years back, for one of their big anniversaries. Her mom came home raving about this risotto she had, and Sookie's been trying to replicate it ever since. She keeps saying she's close but it's not quite right, and she won't add it to the brunch menu until it's perfect."

"She's nuts."

"She is. A genius, but nuts."

"Well, I'm no genius, but I did learn to make risotto in Italy, so maybe I can taste hers and give her some feedback."

"Oh, she'd love that. And if somehow I discover here tonight that yours is better than hers…well, we'll just keep that our little secret."

Luke chuckled. "Yes we will. So if you're risotto savvy, would you like to stir it while I get out other things?"

"Oh no no no – no stirring for me. Sookie never lets me get near until it's time to taste."

"Okay well…there's an appetizer tray over there," he said, pointing to behind the tart. "And I opened a bottle of wine a few minutes ago, if you'd like a glass."

"Yes I would, you?"

"Sure."

Lorelai moved over to the table and examined the label on the wine. "So you're going full out Italian tonight? Yum."

"Actually, a little Italian-French hybrid. The wine is Italian, and so is the prosciutto and mozzarella and roasted red peppers, but the bread is French."

Lorelai passed a glass of wine over to him and held hers up for a toast. "To a yummy dinner."

They clinked and drank, and Lorelai placed the appetizer plate between them. She added cheese and meat to a piece of the bread and took a bite. "Mmm, really good, try some…" She fed him a bite, after he finished adding another ladleful of broth to the pan. "So what about the main course?"

"Well, I'm making chicken française, which is the Italian interpretation of French cooking. The risotto is all Italian, and then we'll have a French green bean salad, but with an Italian vinaigrette. Like the one I made for us all, back before I had a real kitchen, remember?"

"I do. It was delicious."

"And then for dessert the tart is French but I happened to find gelato imported from Italy in the gourmet market over in Woodbridge, so again French-Italian hybrid. And last but not least…"

"There's more?"

"Coffee, of course."

Lorelai grinned. "Of course."

"You'll have your choice, Italian espresso or French café au lait."

"Wow. That all sounds fantastic. You went all out."

Luke shrugged. "Once I had the French and Italian idea I just sort of ran with it."

"Hey – you made a theme!" She clapped her hands. "You do like themes!"

"I wouldn't go that far…"

"Admit it, you came up with a theme, all on your own, and you're proud of it."

He looked over at her. Her joie de vivre wasn't worth even trying to resist. "Okay, you got me." He leaned over to kiss her, and quickly found himself distracted by her soft lips and tongue.

She pulled back first. "Stir," she ordered, reaching for her wine.

"Oh, right." He focused back on the pan.

Lorelai fixed another piece of the appetizer. "You've been busy then today. Thank you for going to all this trouble," she said.

"It was no trouble. I love cooking like this. I took Robbie over to the farmers market, so most of this is fresh and local."

"Did you two have fun?"

"We did. We saw Carol and Dave there. " Luke ladled another spoonful of broth into the rice and continued his slow stirring. "Okay, so, we're getting close to this being done. Can I get you to do a few more things?"

"Sure."

"The salad's in the fridge, if you could pull that out. And then light the candles."

"Ooh, fancy. Candles. "

"Yes, very fancy. "

"Candles plus soft music on the stereo – very romantic."

"Glad you approve, I wanted to make a nice evening for you."

"I do approve, and you already have." She kissed him lightly on the cheek and went to perform the small tasks he requested.

"And now, I really do need you to stir, while I make the chicken."

"Oh, the pressure, the pressure," Lorelai said.

"I'll be right here, don't worry." He handed her the wooden spoon and proceeded to work on the entree. While a second sauté pan heated, he floured thinly sliced chicken breasts and dipped them in an egg wash. Lightly browning them in olive oil was done in a matter of minutes. He transferred them to a small platter, then made the lemon butter sauce in the same pan. He continued to gently stir the sauce while glancing over to check on Lorelai's progress. "I'll make you a cook yet," he commented.

She laughed. "You keep on thinking that, babe. I think we may have reached the apex of my abilities."

"Okay, final stages." Luke poured the sauce over the waiting chicken fillets and placed them on the table. Taking the risotto back over from Lorelai, he folded in thinly sliced carrots and asparagus, added a touch of chopped arugula, then covered the pan to leave the gentle warmth to soften the vegetables to a tender crisp.

Five minutes later, they sat down to dinner. Lorelai was quiet as she dug into her chicken and risotto. As she held a third forkful of the risotto up, she said softly, "One more bite to be sure…"

Luke watched her lips close over the fork as she pulled it slowly from her mouth. Her eyes closed, and she let out a soft "Mmm" as she swallowed. Luke stared at her as she slowly opened them again.

"It's official," she said. "We will not be discussing your risotto with Sookie."

Luke grinned, pleased at her compliment. "You like it, huh?"

"It's delicious. Perfect. Perfect texture, perfect flavor. I don't even mind the vegetables. I like the vegetables." She looked at him. "Are you the devil?"

He chuckled and returned his attention to his own plate. "Maybe..."

"And this chicken. Delicious. Perfect sauce." She chewed happily, swinging her legs like Robbie did when particularly pleased.

"What?" he asked her.

"I'm just proud of myself," she said smugly.

Luke snorted. "For what? Five minutes of stirring?"

"Not that, silly. Although, now that you mention it, I did do a fine job there."

"Yes, your stirring was indispensable," Luke agreed teasingly.

"Good to be acknowledged. No, I'm proud of myself for snagging a man who's not only ridiculously good-looking, kind, thoughtful, perfect in every way – but a damn good cook too. If I had dreamed up a fantasy guy for myself, I couldn't have done a better job."

"Stop," Luke said, feeling embarrassed even though all of her praise was delivered in a light and joking tone.

"Also, the coffee, as has been previously established."

"Ah yes, always the coffee." He took a few more bites of dinner. "I think that's what won your mom over – that, plus the roll."

"The roll?"

"She said it reminded her of the rolls in some café in Paris?"

"Oh, wow – she loves Paris. You are so in, my friend."

Luke smiled.

"So, wait, go back to the beginning. I want to hear the whole conversation you had with my mom."

Luke began with Emily's arrival in the diner and filled her in, Lorelai stopping him from time to time to ask a question or make a comment. When he got to the end, she shook her head and grinned. She ran her finger along her plate, scooping up a bit of the sauce that was the last thing left on her plate, and brought it to her mouth. "I can't believe you called her a snob."

Luke ducked his head. "I know. Although in my defense, she is a snob."

"Oh yeah, no question there. But to actually say it out loud—very impressive.

Luke smiled. "Well, thank you."

He watched Lorelai studying her plate intently. "Are you waiting for more to magically appear?" he asked.

She looked up. "What? Oh no – "

"Salad time," Luke said.

"Oh, I forgot about the salad."

"It's the Italian way, to eat the greens after the main course."

After dinner, they cleaned up together, Lorelai doing the dishes while Luke put away the leftovers and made espresso. They continued chatting easily over dessert, catching up on an extra day's worth of kid and work news. A contented silence enveloped them as they finished up.

When Lorelai excused herself to the bathroom, Luke lowered a few of the already soft lights around the apartment. He turned the music up just a bit, approaching Lorelai when she came out. "Dance?" he asked simply.

"Yes."

The music was soft and slow, and they immediately moved in close to each other. Luke rested his arms around her waist, and felt Lorelai's tighten around his neck.

Luke relaxed into her embrace, trying not to skip ahead to where he hoped their night might be headed.

He decided to set a challenge for himself. To let Lorelai set the pace – to be patient and let her take things to the next step, if she wanted. He felt her fingers running through the hair at the back of his neck, so he allowed himself to move his thumb slowly up and down, against her back. She pulled back to look in his eyes, and he stared back. She pressed her lips to his, he pressed back. Her tongue first, then his. She moaned, he moaned. Lorelai moved her lips to his jaw, his ear, the side of his neck. There was no way he wanted to stop that sequence so instead he countered by tightening his hands on her lower back and pulling her into his increasing arousal. She began unbuttoning his shirt, exposing more of his skin to her questing lips; he slid his hands under her top, the warm skin of her back so enticing. As his hands moved higher, pushing her shirt up along his wrists, Lorelai raised her arms in invitation. Luke lifted her shirt up and off and stared at her in wonder, standing before him in a lacy red bra and tight blue jeans. He pulled off his own shirts. Lorelai moved back to him, running her hands softly over his chest and arms, then stepping in completely to kiss him heatedly. Luke reciprocated and they spent long moments lost in their kisses. They broke apart, both panting. They stared at each other, passion in their eyes, but still Luke waited for Lorelai to initiate the next move. She hugged him, and began swaying to the music once more. "You're such an amazing kisser, Luke," he heard her say softly.

"You too."

"Your skin feels so good, so warm."

He pulled her even closer, running his hands over her back and shoulders, itching to undo her bra, but still wanting to wait for her next move. Suddenly she was kissing him again, intense and deep, and he felt her hands moving down his stomach. She paused her hands and pushed her tongue even more deeply into his mouth. Slowly, so slowly, she began to unbutton his jeans. Luke couldn't tell if she was being hesitant, or seductive. He moved his hands to the clasp of her bra, and paused as well, waiting for her. They stood on the precipice, mouths centimeters apart, fingers poised to unclasp, bodies still swaying slightly to the music.

Luke was torn. Did she want him to take the lead now, push them over the cliff? He pulled back to look her in the eyes, to see what she wanted him to do. She dropped her eyes softly, and stepped back into a hug, starting their slow dance once again.

He cleared his throat. "Should we … do you want to move this to ... the bed?"

She immediately froze, and he quickly amended his question. "Or the couch?"

She remained unmoving in his arms.

"Lorelai?"

He felt her shake her head against his chest. He heard a muffled, "I'm sorry."

"What? No, Lorelai. There's nothing to be sorry for."

She hugged him more tightly, raising her head to put her chin on his shoulder. He could hear her more clearly now but still couldn't see her face. "I want the bed, Luke, so badly…"

"Yeah?"

"But…oh god, you're going to think I'm such a child."

"No, Lorelai, it's okay."

She was silent.

"Talk to me," he urged.

She sighed. "Talking. Talking is good." She stepped back, her head turned away from Luke as she bent down to pick up her shirt. She pulled it back on and headed towards the couch. Luke picked up his outer shirt and crossed over to the couch as he pulled it on and re-did a few buttons.

Lorelai sat in one corner of the couch, her knees drawn up and her chin resting on them. Luke sat down near the middle, giving her some space but also turned toward her, ready for conversation. He waited patiently for her to start, even more sure of his conviction now that she needed to be in charge of this night.

"So…" she started hesitantly.

He looked at her and smiled.

"So…I'm really not being a tease here," she said.

"I would never think that."

"Good, good. I'm so ready, Luke. I want so much to go to bed with you, to make love with you. I trust you…I love you."

"I love you too."

"But…I guess there's this one last hesitancy. That I need to talk about with you. And," she paused. "As much as I love to talk, this kind of talking, explaining my feelings, being really honest. That kind of talking is hard for me."

Luke nodded. "It is for me too, Lorelai. Though…not nearly as hard with you as with anyone else."

"Same here. So…here goes." She took a calming breath, and started. "I've had these rules. For myself and guys. For relationships. Ever since Rory was born."

Luke nodded.

"The number one rule I made, and probably the only one I never broke, is to keep my dating life separate from Rory. I never wanted her having to deal with guys who weren't going to last. To let her get attached and then have them be gone. Having to explain that to a three-year-old, or a five or seven-year-old for that matter…" She trailed off.

"That makes sense," Luke said.

She looked up at him and suddenly laughed.

"What?"

"I just realized I totally broke that rule with you." She smiled and shook her head. "You snuck in under the 'guy who's a friend and married and therefore off-limits exception'." She smiled at him again. "Rory and I were both totally attached to you before I even realized…"

"Is that a bad thing?" Luke asked softly.

"Oh, no! No, Luke. It just shows…how much I trust you. That was another rule. No sex, unless I really trusted the guy. That was a holdover from Chris, I guess. Not that I didn't trust him before we started having sex. I did, even if it was in a fairly naïve, first love kind of way. But – I didn't want to sleep with any guy, risk pregnancy again, unless I trusted that he was a decent guy, who would stick around, who I could picture sticking around, for any possible baby, if not for me. Even if we didn't work out."

Lorelai paused and moved her legs into a pretzel style position. She reached over to touch Luke's arm. "You understand, right? Once you've had one unintended pregnancy – you understand the fear, right?"

Luke thought back to his panic at the thought of Rachel getting pregnant as they were splitting up, and nodded. "I understand."

"So, I dated. I became an expert at one or two dates, and not taking things to the 'next level'." She smiled at her own use of air-quotes. "And if I deemed a guy a nice guy, if they did make it to the next level…somehow, none of them ever made it to the meeting Rory stage. Nobody ever seemed…lasting enough, to take the risk of letting her get attached." She shrugged her shoulders. "Mia and Sookie kept saying it was a self-fulfilling prophecy, that I wasn't really giving any guy the chance." She stared off into space for a few seconds. "Anyway. That's how things went along. One or two dates with a guy, sometimes a longer relationship. No one ever meeting Rory."

"Then?" Luke sensed there was an exception coming up.

"Then – I broke my trust rule. The summer before last. It was this guy, he worked at the Inn, as a waiter. Total flirt, total ladies' man. Cuban accent, intense eyes, killer smile…"

Luke felt a twinge of jealousy at her soft look and nostalgic tone.

"It was fun to flirt, fun to have a crush, fun to be pursued. He asked me out, kept asking me out, and the more I said no, the more persistent he got. Thrill of the chase – he was definitely into that."

"Why did you keep turning him down?" Luke asked.

"I didn't trust him. He was too charming, too superficial. I was tempted, for sure. But it didn't seem like a good idea to date someone at work, and even though Rory had virtually no contact with him, it seemed too close to home, you know?"

Luke nodded. "But?"

"But, he wore me down. It got to be the end of August, and Chris had promised and failed to come visit Rory, visit us, three times that summer. And Rory was upset, and being uncharacteristically sulky and difficult, and I was depressed…

"He found me out on the back porch, late one afternoon. Crying, frustrated. He held me, said all the right sympathetic things – that any man who'd let me down, let his daughter down, was a fool. That Chris was crazy not to want to be with such a beautiful woman. I let him comfort me, and I let him kiss me, and there was enough heat there to make me say, what the hell, let's go on a date. I figured I deserved some fun, a little passion…

"So, we went out. The very next night. Rory stayed at Sookie's, and he took me to East Hartford. To a little gem of a Cuban restaurant. Tiny - with delicious food and the best sangria I've ever had. I was tipsy but fully in command my senses, and…afterward we went to his apartment and we slept together."

The twinge of jealousy was back, a little stronger this time.

"It was…good. Fun, sexy. He asked me to stay, but I didn't feel comfortable being that far away from Rory overnight. I was pretty sure I saw a flicker of relief in his eyes when I told him that. He drove me back to Sookie's, kissed me good night and…that's the last time I ever laid eyes on him."

"What?!"

"Yup. Total disappearing act. He called the Inn the next day and quit. Had his final paycheck mailed to him. Never called me."

"Jesus, what an asshole."

"Pretty much. I couldn't believe how drastic he was. It wasn't like I did or said anything to imply I was looking for some long-term love match." She shook her head. "I felt so stupid, for not listening to my gut. For not realizing just how completely about the chase it had been for him."

"Asshole."

Lorelai smiled. "The hardest part, though, was that I became obsessed with the idea that I might be pregnant. It wasn't logical - I was on the pill, and I made him wear a condom. We were as safe as possible but still, I worked myself up into a frenzy. Worrying about being pregnant and abandoned became my focus. Over and over I would play it out in my mind – having to tell Mia, Rory, my parents. What everyone would say about me – somehow it would be even worse the second time around...

"All the self-hatred and self-recrimination I'd experienced as a 15-year-old…it all came back, even worse, for those two weeks. I was a wreck, and when my period came – right on time, thank God – I have never been more relieved in my life."

Luke stroked her arm soothingly. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said.

"Well, I learned a lot from that. Once the crisis passed, I wasn't even that mad at him, really. Mostly at myself – for being stupid. And I realized, even my 'nice guy' rule wasn't enough. As I obsessed for those two weeks over possibly being a single mom again, I realized it wouldn't be enough for me just to have a nice guy in the picture. I only wanted to have another baby if I could have it all, the whole package. A man who loved me, who wanted to be with me and the baby, and of course Rory."

Luke nodded slowly, trying to understand where she was going with this.

"After those two weeks, after the pregnancy scare that wasn't, I decided that sex wasn't worth it, unless there was love and trust and the promise of a permanent relationship." She said this last part looking down at the couch, but when she finished her explanation she looked up at him, staring deeply into his eyes.

He saw fear in hers, but also determination. He swallowed nervously. "So, you're saying…you don't want to have sex…make love, until we're married?"

A look of surprise came over her face.

"I mean, until you're married?" he quickly corrected.

"Well not necessarily…wait, what?"

"What?"

"You said we."

"I did. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be presumptuous..." Luke trailed off.

"You think of us being married?"

"Well … yeah. Sometimes."

"You do?" she asked.

"You sound so surprised."

"A little. I mean you, we, keep talking about having fun…being young and carefree."

"On our dates, sure."

"What do you mean?"

Luke thought for a moment. "I guess we have said that a lot on our dates, about having fun, about not being parents for a few hours. But the rest of the time…I mean, all the rest of the time- we're parents together, and partners…everything I've always imagined in a marriage."

"Really?" she said with a shy smile.

"I just…it hasn't been that long since we've really been together. And I didn't want to freak you out. It seemed too soon to talk about it … isn't it?"

Lorelai looked at him closely. "I thought it would be, for you. I was worried that you might not even want to get married again, after Rachel."

"No, I don't feel like that. I feel like … what I learned from that is, what a marriage should be. That my marriage to Rachel wasn't what a true marriage should be. We didn't have a full partnership, two people wanting at least basically the same things out of life. Give-and-take. We never really had that – maybe just for little while, before Robbie was born ... And I know kids are hard, and can put a strain on the best of relationships, but a strong marriage adjusts, and people learn to parent together, and learn to be there for each other even aside from the kid. She and I, we never really had that. I wanted that. I want that. I've found that with you, even in this short time. I think we could have that, together…"

Lorelai was quiet for a moment, seeming to absorb his long speech. "Did you ever think about having another baby? Do you even want more kids?" she asked.

"When I was with Rachel, no. We could barely handle Robbie together, it never seemed feasible to bring another baby into the mix. But yeah, I'd love to have more kids. I'd love Robbie to have a sibling. And I'd love another chance to have a baby, raise a kid, but with someone. Lately, seeing Robbie with Rory, I see how much he benefits from Rory being like a sister to him. And, since you and I have been together – yes, I do think about more kids. I can't help it."

"I love being able to help parent Robbie," Lorelai said. "I've never imagined myself with a little boy but he's so…I just love him to death."

Luke smiled. "How about you? Have you thought before about more kids?"

"Yeah, some. I'd want the same as you…a chance to do it again, but to do it differently, to do it better. To have a full partner."

"And … have you thought about us being married?"

"I have, a little. Idle speculation. Daydreaming." She smiled. "Really nice day-dreaming."

"You don't feel like you're too young, or like you'd be…missing out?"

"Missing out on what?"

"Being single, dating, finding some great guy. Or career-wise, being able to move somewhere else for a really great job?"

"You're crazy."

"I'm not crazy. You're … amazing, Lorelai. Smart and funny and full of life and beautiful. Sexy. You could have anybody you wanted. Be anything you wanted."

"I want you."

"But…"

"No buts. Before, when I mentioned Sookie and Mia and their self-fulfilling prophecy theory?"

"Yeah?"

"The thing is – maybe that's true, maybe I could have had a good relationship with one of those guys, if I'd given it more of a chance. But maybe I just knew that they weren't right for me. Maybe I knew to wait for you. To wait for the guy who is right for me. Is perfect for me."

"And it's not just because I slipped in under the 'just friends' radar?" Luke asked.

"No it's not just because of that. I think about it sometimes, about if we had met earlier. If I had met you before you moved away, or if you had come back here sooner, when Robbie was younger. If you hadn't stayed with Rachel as long as you did."

"I've thought about that too."

"And? Do you think we would've ended up together?"

Luke looked at her intently. "I do. I can't imagine not wanting to be with you, no matter when we met."

"Me neither."

"Really?" he asked her.

"Really. Even if I would have tried to limit you to a one or two date guy, or to keep you from Rory, I don't think I could have held out. I'd have known it, felt it in my gut, just like I do now."

"You're sure?"

"I am. I mean, what am I gonna do, break up with you just on the possibility that there's someone better out there for me? Who could be better?"

Luke felt a rush of emotion, a rush of certainty. "No one. No one, Lorelai. No one could love you as much as I do, value you as much as I do."

He leaned forward and held her face softly in his hands. He kissed her, first on one cheek, then the other. Lorelai raised her hands to his, holding them tight and then lowering them to her lap. She stared at them for a moment and then asked softly, "So…if I got pregnant, unexpectedly?"

"That would be amazing. Even if it was sooner than we planned, it would be amazing. And we'd do whatever you wanted. We could get married right away, if we weren't already. A quiet ceremony followed by a big party later, or a real wedding, whenever you wanted – while you were pregnant, or after the baby was born."

"You'd want a formal wedding?"

"Of course, if you did. I've done the City Hall thing – that worked at the time, but a party, a minister, a fancy dress…that would be fine too. Whatever you want. I just…"

"What?"

"The only thing I would want, what would be important to me - I'd want to be living together, all four of us, before the baby came. I'd want us, you and me, to be together for it all."

Lorelai nodded. "I agree." She paused, and smiled. "Is it weird that we're talking about this?"

"No. It's not weird. It's good to get it all out on the table. What else you got?"

Lorelai giggled. "Okay…you asked for it. My parents?"

"What about them?

"In this unexpected pregnancy scenario, you'd come with me to tell them?"

"Of course. Everything, together."

"And…after the baby was born, going back to work?"

"We'd work that out. We could do tag team parenting, or I could bring in more help in the diner so I could take care of the baby most of the time. Daycare, a nanny…I'd be open to anything, as long as we figured it out together."

Lorelai shook her head. "You make it sound so easy."

"It's not, I know it's not, believe me. But … we've both been through it before, the newborn stuff. And we're on the same page. Both of us have jobs with some flexibility. Me because I'm my own boss, you because you have Mia. With both our incomes, even though they're not huge, we could manage. We both love living here in Stars Hollow, we have the same approach to raising kids. We'd work out the details, and would adjust them if we needed to."

"You wouldn't be afraid?"

Luke laughed. "Of course I'd be afraid. I'd be terrified. But you'd keep me from giving into it. And I'd keep you from giving into it."

Lorelai studied his face. "What would terrify you?"

Luke thought about her question, "I guess...the things that were so hard when Robbie was born. The postpartum depression, the colic."

"But you'd know what to do now, if that happened again."

"I would."

"And…I know there are no guarantees, but I had a really easy pregnancy, health-wise, and no postpartum issues. The giving birth part was no picnic…" She half smiled, half grimaced.

"Seeing you in that kind of pain, that will terrify me."

Lorelai's eyes suddenly filled with tears and she launched herself at him. Luke caught her and held her, stroking her hair and making soothing sounds. She moved to settle into his lap, arms around his neck and face buried in the crook of his neck. "I just wish…I'd had you there. When Rory was born. I was so scared, and so alone."

"And I wish I'd had you there those months when Robbie had colic," Luke said. "I know you would've helped me. I know we would have taken care of him, together."

They were quiet then for a few minutes, holding each other.

Eventually Lorelai picked her head up and looked around the room. "Nothing like talking about labor and colic to complete a romantic evening," she joked.

Luke shrugged. "Talking this through, making sure we're on the same page on this, that's more important to me than any superficial romantic stuff."

Lorelai nodded. "And more important than sex?"

"Well, let's not go crazy."

Lorelai laughed. "So…where does this leave us?" she asked, after a pause.

"Well," Luke started. "I think it leaves us with an understanding that we'll someday be married."

Lorelai broke out in a beautiful smile.

"But, we'll wait some time for an actual proposal?" he asked. "For an official, public engagement?"

"Yes."

"What would be too soon, and what would be too long, just so I know?"

"You're assuming you get to do the proposing? So old-fashioned…"

Luke grinned. "Either way works for me. But what's the timetable?"

"Well I'd say, three months would be too soon, three years too long…"

"Way too long."

"Two years?"

"One year. Especially if we're really waiting on the sex thing…"

Lorelai hit him playfully.

"Seriously though, where are we on that?" Luke asked.

"Well, this has been a pretty permanent relationship type talk to have. So, no, I don't think we need to wait until we are married, or even engaged."

"Thank god," he said.

Lorelai laughed and kissed him soundly on the mouth. "Nice to know you're human," she quipped. She kissed him again, then said more shyly, "I…got a new prescription for the pill a few weeks ago."

"You did?" Luke was surprised, given all they'd talked about.

"I did. I had my annual checkup anyway, so it seemed like the smart thing to do. I could start them any time, we just have to use back up during the first cycle or two, to be sure."

"Okay."

"And, I had blood tests too. All good."

"I should do that – I haven't been to the doctor since I've been back."

"Do you worry that Rachel might have…"

"No, I'm pretty sure not. But it's always smart to check, I think."

"Okay. And you'll…take care of condoms?"

"Already done."

"Okay then, once the mechanics are all set…we'll just…"

"Wait for the right moment?"

"Sounds good."

"You'll let me know?" he asked.

"You'll know," Lorelai declared firmly. "But in the meantime…" She moved off his lap and stood in front of him, standing between his legs as he remained on the couch.

"In the meantime?"

"Do you think those…other ways might still work?" She pulled her shirt back over her head.

Luke swallowed hard at once again seeing her in just her bra and jeans. "Yes," he murmured, moving his hands up to cover her lace-clad breasts.

Lorelai closed her eyes and covered his hands with hers, urging him to press tighter. "It's never felt this good with anyone, Luke, and we haven't even…"

"I concur," he said, pulling her back down onto his lap and attacking her neck with his lips. "Just wait until I get you in a real bed…"

"Is that a threat, or a promise?" Lorelai giggled.

"A promise. Definitely a promise…"

---

Tuesday, October 13

"People who like me!" Lorelai declared dramatically as she entered the diner, empty but for Erin and Luke.

Luke straightened up from the cash register, which he'd been attempting to fix during the post lunch lull. "How'd it go?" He asked, as Lorelai leaned over the counter to give him a quick kiss hello.

Lorelai shrugged. "Not terribly, and neither my mother nor I killed each other, so in Gilmore terms, amazingly well."

Luke smiled. "I'm glad."

"Erin! I never see you anymore!" She gave her a quick hug and settled onto the stool next to her. "What brings you here on a Tuesday afternoon?"

"My afternoon class got canceled and the computer labs were all jammed, so I stopped by here to fuel up on coffee, before I head home to work on a paper."

Luke placed and filled a coffee cup in front of Lorelai, then topped off Erin's. "Be careful, she's bored, and she's a psych major. Lethal combo."

Erin grinned. Lorelai smiled at her and then turned to Luke. "You're a captive audience, huh?"

Luke frowned. "Yup. Stupid cash register. Broken three times since I've gotten it. And this one's grilling me about Robbie and how I think being an only child is impacting his psychological development."

Erin shrugged. "I'm taking Psychological Theories of Personality this semester. Last week we learned about birth order theories. It's interesting."

Luke placed a large wedge of apple pie in front of Lorelai.

"Thanks, babe. How'd you know?"

Luke moved back over to the cash register and picked up a long thin screwdriver.

"Well, let's see…lunch with your mom at some froufrou spot that probably serves tiny portions and calls them a meal… "

"Check."

"At least three direct and two veiled criticisms of your life before lunch was even served..."

"Check. "

"And the rest was fairly pleasant, which freaked you out."

"Check."

"Which all adds up to Lorelai needing pie."

"Thanks, you're the best."

Luke watched her take the first bite of the pie, then bent down to his fix-it job.

"So Erin, how's your semester so far?" Lorelai asked.

When she got no answer, Luke glanced over and saw that Erin was staring at him, her chin propped up on one hand. Used to her somewhat quirky behavior, he focused back on his work.

"Earth to Erin?" Lorelai said, snapping her fingers.

"What? Oh," Erin chuckled. "Sorry, I spaced out there for a minute."

"Well drink that coffee, girl!" Lorelai suggested.

Carlos emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of clean glasses and proceeding to place them under the counter. "Lorelai, how are you?"

"I'm great, Carlos. How are you?"

"Can't complain."

"Luke is fascinating, don't you think?" Erin asked.

Carlos snorted at Erin's seemingly random comment and Luke laughed.

Lorelai was looking at Erin cautiously. "Well," she said, "I think so…"

"I mean here he is, sort of a classic introvert. Thinks first, talks second, and sparingly. Needs frequent breaks if forced to spend time with large groups of people. And yet his chosen line of work puts him in the midst of people daily. And not just familiar faces, but random strangers as well. It's interesting."

"I guess…" Lorelai said uncertainly.

Luke chuckled. "You do know I can hear you Erin, right?"

"Of course. I'm just admiring what a great person you are, what a great boss. Isn't Luke an awesome boss, Carlos?"

"He is," the older man said simply, picking up the empty rack and heading back to the kitchen.

"But see," Erin continued, seemingly thinking out loud. "That's also really smart, business-wise. Because you're an awesome boss, you make the people who work for you really happy. And happy workers mean happy diners, so, successful business."

"I guess," Luke muttered, trying and failing to grasp a small plastic element that had fallen loose deep inside the cash register.

"In just a few short months, you've created this awesome place – warm atmosphere, good food, where people are happy to gather, or, just sit alone and eat, enjoying being close to other people. I mean, I just really love it here. Working here."

"Are you angling for a raise?" he teased her. "It's only been three months."

Erin laughed. "Take a compliment Luke. I really admire you."

He heard Lorelai clear her throat. "So, Erin, do you have a boyfriend?"

That made Luke raise his eyebrows, but he managed to keep his focus on his work and not look over.

"What?" Erin asked. "Oh, no, I don't."

"Oh."

"Oh! No! You think…" She laughed. "You think I have a crush on Luke, don't you?"

"No, I didn't mean…well, yeah," Lorelai admitted.

Luke kept his head down, curious to see where this would go.

"Oh, God, don't worry about that."

"I'm not worried…"

"I mean, first of all, he adores you."

"Again, standing right here," Luke put in.

"Yeah, yeah. You adore her. Big newsflash there." Erin turned back to Lorelai. "I mean, I do, I totally have a crush on Luke. But it's totally not a romantic or sexual thing. It's kind of like…having a crush on a really awesome teacher, or professor, you know?"

"I guess…" Lorelai seemed skeptical, and Luke had to smile a little.

"I'm not convincing you, am I?" Erin took a sip of coffee. "Well, you should know then…I don't have a boyfriend. But," she paused somewhat dramatically. "I do have a girlfriend."

"Oh," Lorelai said. "Oh!"

Erin laughed. "So believe me when I say my crush on Luke is purely platonic. No heat here. Just admiration of his general awesomeness."

Luke looked sideways at Lorelai, smiling at the flustered look on her face.

Erin stood up. "Okay, I gotta go get started on this paper. Sorry for worrying you Lorelai." She giggled and kissed her on the cheek. "See you in the morning, Luke."

"See you Erin."

"Bye Carlos!" Erin called.

"Bye Erin," Carlos said, glancing through the cut through.

Luke closed and then opened the cash drawer on the register, hearing a satisfying click when he did so. "Gotcha," he said softly, pleased with his success. He looked over at Lorelai, who was toying with the remainder of her pie. "That was cute," he said to her.

She looked up at him. "What was cute?"

"You getting all jealous, worried about Erin."

"I was not jealous! I was just concerned…for her. For her feelings."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"You were jealous."

"I gotta agree with the boss on this one, Lorelai," Carlos added from the door of the kitchen.

"Don't you have work to do?" Luke asked him pointedly.

"Clean up's all done, boss."

"Well then…"

"Okay, okay. I'm going." He headed back to get changed.

Luke looked at Lorelai, almost laughing out loud at her lower lip protruding in a pout. He walked around the end of the counter and sat on the stool next to her. "You know you have nothing to worry about, right? Even if Erin had a real crush on me, I only have eyes for one woman."

"Yeah?" Lorelai looked up at him through her eyelashes.

"Yeah," he said. He reached out to touch her arm and gently tugged her towards him. She continued to pout and resist for a moment, but finally allowed him to pull her up and over to him. He looked up at her beautiful face, and simply smiled at her. "No other woman in the world for me, Lorelai." He kissed her then, quickly forgetting his surroundings and losing himself in the feel of her lips, tongue, and her suddenly roving hands.

"A little jealousy goes a long way…" Carlos commented, walking toward the door. "Bye Luke, bye Lorelai."

Luke sent him a glare but Lorelai laughed and called, "Bye Carlos."

As soon as the door shut, Luke stood. He lifted Lorelai up and placed her on the counter, moving confidently into her space and causing her to spread her legs to accommodate his closeness. He went back to kissing her, moving expertly to her neck after a few minutes.

"Luke," she gasped. "Stop – we could get busted by anyone in town, not just the kids."

"I'll stop, but only if you admit you were jealous…" He said, using his lips then his teeth to tease the spot where her neck and shoulder met.

"Oh…that feels good… Okay, okay, I was jealous."

"Knew it."

"Yeah, yeah, be smug now, but we're all going to lunch at my parents house on Sunday."

Luke pulled back. "What?"

Lorelai laughed. "Wow, there's a sure way to put a damper on things."

Luke shook his head. "You're joking?"

"Sadly, no. We're all invited there, for a special birthday lunch for Rory."

"Wow. Well. Okay."

"Really?"

"Well, might as well get it over with. Comes with the territory right?"

"Right." She sighed, and pulled him back in for a hug. "Sure you don't want to rethink that 'only one woman in the world for me' stance?"

Luke smiled and hugged her more tightly. "No choice. It's a done deal."

"You really are the best, Luke. Like, totally awesome," she said, parodying Erin.

Luke laughed. "Thanks. You're awesome too."

---

Sunday, October 18

"Wow. Rory's grandma's house is even bigger than Aunt Becky's," Robbie declared.

They all four stood in front of the imposing mansion, looking up.

"It is, bud," Luke agreed. "Want to ring the doorbell?"

"Sure!"

"Wait!" Lorelai put a hand on Robbie's shoulder.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Remember," Lorelai said, "Nobody mentions the clown being arrested at Rory's party yesterday. Balloons, fun, cake – that's our story and we're sticking to it."

"Agreed," Luke said, gently pushing Robbie forward. He listened to the gong-like sound echo through the inside and wondered just how imposing the Gilmore mansion would prove to be.

He got his first answer to that question when a uniformed maid opened the door. Lorelai stepped forward. "Hello. I'm Lorelai. We're here for lunch."

"Yes, of course. Come in."

"Who's that?" Robbie asked.

"She's the maid," Rory whispered.

"What's a maid?"

Lorelai giggled.

Luke handed the maid his coat and said, "I'm Luke Danes. Nice to meet you…"

"Charlotte, sir."

"Nice to meet you Charlotte. Robbie, this is Charlotte. She works for Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore, helping out around the house."

"Hi Charlotte, I'm Robbie," he said, holding out his hand to shake hers.

She smiled and took his hand, then moved to hang up their things on the coatrack in the corner.

Emily entered the foyer. "Lorelai, Luke, you're here. Rory! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you Grandma. And thank you for having us over for lunch," Rory added politely.

"Hi Mrs. Gilmore," Robbie said.

"Robbie, hello," Emily smiled at him briefly. She surveyed the group. "Don't you look nice, all dressed for Sunday lunch 'en famile'."

Lorelai looked at Luke and rolled her eyes. How formally to dress for the day had been a topic of some debate, Lorelai finally ruling skirts not dresses for the girls, and sweaters not ties or jackets for the boys. Emily was dressed in a knit skirt and jacket herself, and was now looking impatiently at her watch. She sighed. "I told Richard to come in by 12:30, and now it's almost 1 o'clock. That man is so exasperating."

"Where is he Mom?" Lorelai asked.

"Oh, he's in the garage, tinkering with those ridiculous old cars of his."

"Cars?" Robbie's interest was immediately caught.

"Antique cars," Emily said.

"What's antique?"

Lorelai answered. "Antique means old. My dad has two…"

"There are three of them now," Emily sighed.

"My Dad has three cars from the 1920s and 30s."

"Wow, three cars." Robbie sounded awed, his eyes shining.

Emily looked at him thoughtfully. "Would you like to go see them?"

"Yes! Can I Daddy? Can I Lorelai?"

"Sure," Lorelai said as Luke nodded.

"Rory, have you seen them before? Come on!" Robbie was bouncing on his toes.

"Let's go out through the back," Emily decided, turning toward a sitting area. Robbie stepped forward and slipped his hand into hers. She looked down in surprise and then smiled. She held her other hand out to Rory. "Let's go then. If Richard won't come to the family, we'll bring the family to him."

She started forward with the kids, and Lorelai fell in behind with a shrug. Taking Luke's hand she murmured, "I guess we're going to see the car collection."

"Looks like." He looked around as they walked. Emily led them through the sitting area onto a huge patio that seemed to run the entire length of the mansion. A set of steps to the left led down to a cobblestone driveway, and a short walk brought them to a large garage that looked more like an old-fashioned, very long carriage house. Robbie danced and skipped in excitement as they approached the building. Six open bays revealed not just the antique cars, but what Luke presumed to be Emily and Richard's everyday cars.

"Daddy! Rory! Look! Not just three cars, five cars! Lorelai, five cars!"

They all chuckled at his enthusiasm, even Emily, who now raised her voice and called, "Richard! Our guests are here."

A tall man with wire-rimmed glasses stepped out from behind one of the cars, its hood open. He was dressed in a coverall, but a bowtie was just visible behind the collar. "Yes, I see. Hello Lorelai. And hello, Rory. Happy birthday."

"Thank you Grandpa."

"Richard, this is Lorelai's friend, Luke Danes, and his son Robbie. Robert?" She asked Luke. He nodded.

"Luke, Robbie, nice to meet you. Pardon me for not shaking hands right away, I'd hate to get grease on you."

"Hello Mr. Gilmore. I love cars."

Richard looked down at Robbie and smiled. "Do you now? Would you like to see mine?"

"Oh yes!" Robbie's nodded eagerly and Richard's smile deepened. "And Rory, I don't believe you've ever seen my collection."

"They're beautiful."

"Well come then, let me show you. Luke, are you a car enthusiast?"

"Well sure, I know my way around an engine."

"Dirty," Lorelai whispered. Luke gave her an admonishing glance as he stepped forward to take Robbie's hand and move toward Richard.

Emily halted their progress toward the cars. "Richard, really. It's almost time for lunch and I'm sure we don't want the children getting all dirty."

"I'll keep them at a safe distance, my dear, and it will only be a few minutes."

"Which means 20 minutes, at least," she said knowingly.

Everyone paused for a moment, looking at Emily to give the final word, car tour or lunch.

She rolled her eyes. "Very well then. Ten minutes for the tour, then I expect you back at the house." She paused for moment. "It's really a very warm day. How would you all feel about having lunch outside, on the patio?"

"That sounds lovely," Richard said.

"Lorelai, would you help me make up a new table outside, while we leave the rest of them to their tour?"

"Um, sure, Mom."

"Very well. 10 minutes, Richard."

"Yes Emily," he answered, gesturing Robbie, Rory, and Luke forward. Luke smiled at Lorelai as she turned to leave with her mom, then turned back himself to listen as Richard began describing the cars.

---

Half an hour later, the six of them were gathered around an oval-shaped wrought iron table on the patio. As Charlotte cleared away their salad plates, Emily spoke. "Rory, I checked with your mother and she said pot roast was a particular favorite and good for a birthday lunch."

Rory bounced a little in her seat. "I love pot roast, Grandma. Thank you."

Lorelai smiled. "Thanks, Mom. Rory is always begging Sookie to make pot roast, but she's been so busy on the weekends lately she hasn't gotten a chance."

"Who's Sookie?"

"She's Mom's best friend and one of the chefs at the Inn."

Lorelai, Emily and Richard fell into conversation about the Inn and restaurant, and Sookie's thriving brunch service.

Luke kept an eye on Robbie and Rory and tried to relax. Things seem to be going well so far. Emily seemed to be making an effort to be less formal, more conversational. Maybe having the kids here was loosening her up.

"So how was your birthday party yesterday?" Luke heard her ask now.

Rory glanced at Lorelai nervously and said, "It was good. Really fun."

"What did you do?" Emily asked. "Who did you invite?"

"Oh, well, most of the girls from my class at school. And a few from last year's class. Mom made us a really amazing scavenger hunt, and then we all went to the diner for food and cake."

"Scavenger hunt?" Emily wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"Just like at my birthday party," Robbie said. "Rory copied my party."

"I did not…" Rory began indignantly, but then stopped to think. "Actually… I guess I did."

"Except you had a clown. I didn't have a clown."

Luke, Lorelai and Rory all froze at his words as Robbie unconcernedly popped a piece of carrot into his mouth and chewed.

"A clown? That's nice," Emily commented, neatly cutting a piece of pot roast, then laying down her knife and shifting her fork to her other hand.

"He had to leave early though," Robbie continued, oblivious to a warning look from Lorelai. "The police came and got him."

"The police?" Emily asked in a horrified tone.

That got her husband's attention as well. Luke closed his eyes, Lorelai rolled hers to the heavens and Rory glared at Robbie, whose eyes widened as he suddenly remembered Lorelai's rule and belatedly clapped his hands over his mouth.

Emily turned to Lorelai and began to speak but Richard cut her off. "Lorelai?"

Lorelai sighed. "Yes Dad?"

"Explain please. Was everyone all right?"

"Everyone was fine. Henry the Clown had parked illegally, too close to a fire hydrant. And when Stars Hollow's finest called in the license plate to the state police, it turns out that he's Connecticut's biggest non-payer of tickets ever. He owed the state over $500."

"My, my," Richard commented mildly and returned his attention to his plate. Silence reigned for a moment. Luke picked up his fork again, searching his brain for a new topic of conversation but coming up empty.

"Well?" Emily asked Lorelai.

"Well what?" Lorelai answered.

"Lorelai, really. You didn't do a background check on the man? Where did you find him, the Yellow Pages?"

"I found him, Mom, through a party planning company we work with sometimes at the Inn. I trust them to vet their vendors themselves, and it's not like he was alone with the kids or anything."

"That's not the point, Lorelai."

"What is the point, Mom?"

Both women were getting frustrated, and Luke placed a calming hand over Lorelai's. She glanced over at him and he felt her relax just a bit.

"The point is," Emily pressed on, "What must all of the other parents have thought, Lorelai?"

"They thought, 'poor Lorelai, she had bad luck with the clown she hired'."

Emily looked at her skeptically.

"Some of them even laughed, once all was said and done. People in Stars Hollow have a sense of humor, Mom."

Emily's lips were still pressed together in disapproval, but she didn't comment further.

"It was pretty funny when the clown saw the state troopers and started to run," Rory said thoughtfully.

Robbie piped back in. "He couldn't go very fast in his big shoes."

"And then when they put him in the police car his wig came off and he was bald!"

Rory and Robbie started giggling, and Luke, Lorelai and even Richard chuckled as well. Emily still frowned.

"At least I'll never forget my 8th birthday," Rory said philosophically.

A loud guffaw burst from Richard, which caused the rest of them to laugh as well. Even Emily smiled. Richard ended up taking off his glasses and dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief. Placing them back on, he looked over at his daughter. "Well, Lorelai," he said. "It's nice to see that even with working hard and growing up so … early, you haven't lost your unique way of doing things."

Luke felt Lorelai tense up slightly, as if examining her father's words for a veiled insult. Finding none, she smiled, one of her electrifying, gorgeous smiles. "Thanks, Dad," she said.

Luke smiled, and glanced around the table. Everyone was eating again except Robbie, who was looking at Lorelai worriedly. Lorelai turned her smile on him and asked, "So Robbie, tell me about the cars, did you like them?"

Robbie grinned at her, relief evident on his face. "I loved them. They were all shiny and curvy and there was a stool I could climb up on to and look inside the engines."

"Cool," Lorelai said.

"Which one was your favorite, Robbie?" Richard asked.

"The Ferrari. It's from Italy. I used to live in Italy."

"Jeez Dad, you have a Ferrari?" Lorelai asked.

"A 1924 Ferrari, I picked it up for a song from Lloyd Sandford, because it needed a lot of work and he was in a hurry to … liquidate assets, shall we say."

Emily gave him a slight frown and turned to Robbie. "Did you enjoy living in Italy, Robbie?"

He turned to her with shining eyes. "Oh, yes. We lived with a big family and there were kids to play with all day and Daddy helped cook really good food in their restaurant."

"That sounds wonderful. And do you remember how to speak Italian?"

"Of course!"

Luke watched his little boy concentrate for a moment, then turn to Rory and say, "Buono compleanno, Rory!"

"Happy Birthday?" she guessed.

"Si," he replied with a giggle.

Emily spoke to him in Italian. "Roberto, si parla splendidamente italiano. E quanti anni hai?"

"Cinque."

"E quando è stato il tuo compleanno?"

"Agosto…otto."

"Ti stai divertendo scuola?"

"Si."

"Well that's just wonderful. And French? Do you remember any French?"

"Oui. Umm.. joyeaux anni…" He looked at Luke for help.

"Anniversaire, I think."

"Joyeux anniversaire, Rory."

Rory giggled. "Merci."

Emily smiled. "Isn't it marvelous, Richard, a trilingual five-year-old?"

"He speaks a little Portuguese as well," Luke told her.

"That's wonderful. And what are you doing to keep up his languages, Luke?"

"Oh, well – we read books. I have a few left from France and Brazil, and the family we lived with in Italy, the Rossis, send him books every few months or so. And he sends back pictures and writes a few words in Italian on them."

"That's nice. But it's very important to keep up the languages. Perhaps he should take more formal lessons?"

"I haven't really thought about that."

"The experts say it's best to learn languages early," Emily said.

"Well, he certainly picked them up quickly. I know they say that the younger you are the easier it is. I was reading an article recently though that said that just the experience of knowing a second language early on leads to greater success in school."

Lorelai looked at him and raised her eyebrows. "Impressive, babe," she said softly.

Emily was nodding. "Still, I think there are language and culture classes here in Hartford. Certainly in New York. For children, even those who are quite young. Perhaps you should look into them."

"Maybe," Luke said.

Lorelai pinched his thigh, and he tried not to jump.

"And Rory, do you speak any other languages?"

Rory swallowed her mouthful of potatoes and wiped her mouth. "We have a Spanish teacher who comes in once a week. And in first grade, there was a Japanese teacher."

"Oh," said Emily, not too impressed.

Rory's face fell a bit.

Richard commented, "Spanish and Japanese are both very practical languages to know in this day and age."

Emily nodded. "I suppose that's true."

Lorelai looked at Luke and rolled her eyes. He gave her a small smile then said, "I learned Spanish in high school, and it's been a big help to me both in construction and restaurant work."

He looked at Emily, challenging her a bit.

She looked back at him levelly but didn't reply. Glancing upwards, she commented, "It looks like it's clouding over a bit. Let's do cake and presents inside. I'll just go see that everything is ready."

A slight breeze had picked up, and after being given permission to be excused, Rory and Robbie were soon dashing around the patio, chasing windblown leaves.

Luke, Lorelai and Richard sat quietly, watching them play. "I don't remember ever having that much energy," Lorelai said.

"Oh you did, believe me," Richard said dryly.

Luke chuckled.

"They get along very well, it seems," Richard commented.

"They do, Dad. It's really nice for Rory, to have Robbie. They get along like siblings, almost ever since we all met."

Luke nodded in agreement, then glanced at Richard. The older man was looking at him appraisingly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Emily came to the door. "Come in, everyone. Time for presents, then cake."

"Yay!" Robbie yelled, grabbing Rory's hand and pulling her towards the doors. Emily led them into the dining room where another table had been beautifully set, including a wrapped box at every seat except one, which had a large pile of gifts.

"Oh my God, mom, what is all this?" Lorelai exclaimed.

"This is Rory's birthday. While shopping for her, I couldn't resist picking up a few other things, for the rest of us."

"'I couldn't resist'– the words every man dreads hearing when his wife gets back from shopping…" Richard commented.

Luke smiled and squeezed Lorelai's hand.

"Well, that's really nice Mom. And the wrapping all looks gorgeous."

"Thank you. Now Rory, you get started."

"Wow, Grandma. Which one first?"

"Open this one – your grandpa found this for you."

Rory began to slowly tear blue and gold paper from a large cube-shaped package. A wooden box was revealed, and when she turned it Luke saw that there were three books inside what was actually a mini bookcase.

"Oh, look," Rory said. "Dickens!"

Richard smiled. "Yes. My book dealer was able to find me a set of three matching volumes. Children's editions, from the 1940s."

"They're beautiful!"

"You had said you were trying Oliver Twist. David Copperfield is long but you should be able to tackle it, and A Christmas Carol is of course a classic."

"Thank you Grandpa!" Rory had pulled one of the books out and was running her fingers along the cover and spine lovingly. Luke watched as she opened the book and sniffed its pages.

Lorelai laughed. "What are you doing, sweetie?"

Rory looked up, startled from her reverie. "Oh! All books smell wonderful, but old books…"

"Old books smell the best." Richard completed her sentence, smiling at her.

"They do," she agreed.

"Well speaking of newer books, open this one now. " Emily indicated another package, wrapped in heavy paper embossed with the beautiful fall leaves. "And this one goes with it."

"Oh Grandma, I don't want to tear it, this paper is so beautiful."

"Rip it!" Lorelai urged her.

Emily gave her daughter an admonishing glance and then turned to Rory to show her how to carefully un-tape the wrapping.

Lorelai gave Luke a mischievous smile, and he couldn't help grinning back.

"Oh! Anne of Green Gables! Four of them!" This time the books were in a cardboard case from the publisher.

"No first edition, but your mother told me you had only read the first of these. I adored these books when I was young."

"Oh they're wonderful. I just love Anne. And Gilbert, and Diana, and Miranda. Oh, and Matthew!"

"I'm pleased. But open this too," Emily said, pushing the second package toward Rory.

Rory carefully unwrapped this one as well. "Mom look!" she said, looking at at Lorelai with shining eyes. "She got me the videotapes too!" Rory held up another cardboard box. "I never got to see this before, on TV."

"Well, now you can see the whole series."

"What show is it?" Robbie asked.

"Anne of Green Gables, same as the books. Oh it's wonderful – you'll love it. Anne is so funny, and she gets in all kinds of trouble."

"Can I watch it too Daddy?"

Luke turned to Lorelai who nodded and said, "It's fine. G rated all the way. Great choice, Mom. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you Grandma."

"You're welcome. Let's give Robbie a turn now. Open this one," she said, indicating a package that looked a lot like a book. Robbie opened his quickly, not worrying one bit about tearing the paper.

"It's a book!" he shouted, holding up for all to see. He studied the cover. "It looks like China," he said. "Ping?" He said sounding out the word and looking to Rory for confirmation.

Emily nodded. "Yes. It's about a wayward duck and a family living in China. The clerk at the bookstore recommended it."

"Thank you, Mrs. Gilmore," Robbie said absently, turning the pages.

"You're welcome, Robbie." She smiled, then turned back to Rory.

"Time for Rory's last gift," she announced.

Rory looked at the large rectangular box in front of her. "Grandma, you already gave me so much."

"Well yes, books, but every grandma loves to buy a special outfit for her granddaughter."

Luke felt Lorelai tighten her hold on his hand. He remembered that 'special outfits' had been a source of conflict in the past. He squeezed her hand back comfortingly.

Rory had removed the paper and the lid of a large white box. She unfolded the tissue paper inside and said, "Oh! It's so pretty!" She lifted up a soft-looking sweater. It was a deep purple cardigan, with a pale yellow, round-collared blouse underneath.

"So pretty," Lorelai agreed.

Next Rory pulled out a matching skirt. It was plaid, purples and blues, with thin yellow lines also running through. "Oh I love these – what are they called?"

"Pleats," Lorelai supplied. "What a cute outfit, Mom. That's perfect for special school days, but also could work for birthday parties and stuff."

Emily looked at her, seeming to search her words or tone for criticism, but Lorelai simply smiled at her. "Thank you, Lorelai, I'm glad you like it. And Rory – there are a few more items."

"More?" Rory looked in the box. "Oh! A headband!" She held it up, showing everyone that it was the same plaid as the skirt. "And tights!"

"No knee socks?" Lorelai murmured to Luke.

"And knee socks!" Rory held up a purple pair, and Luke laughed.

"The knee socks are for school, the tights are better for other events," Emily explained.

But the box still wasn't empty. Rory held up a pair of brown loafers. "To go with the knee socks," Emily explained.

"Completing the preppy look…" Lorelai said softly.

"Oh my gosh! Purple shoes!" Rory exclaimed, holding up a pair of shiny purple shoes with a little strap.

Lorelai laughed in delight. "Oh my God, Mom, where on earth did you find patent leather Mary Janes in purple!?"

"They were right there with everything else. How could I resist purple shoes?"

Rory was hugging them to her chest. "They're perfect," she said. She put them down on the pile of clothes and got up from her chair, throwing her arms around her Grandma in a big hug.

Emily seemed surprised but pleased with the show of affection. "You're most welcome, Rory."

Rory went to the other end of the table and gave Richard a shy hug as well. "Thank you Grandpa."

"You're welcome. Happy birthday Rory."

"What's in the rest of presents?" Robbie asked.

Emily smiled. "Well let's find out. Lorelai, would you like to open yours?"

"Finally!" Lorelai said dramatically, and tore the paper off her box. She opened it quickly and revealed a light purple sweater, very soft looking. "Oh, Mom, wow… It's beautiful. So soft."

"Cashmere."

"Of course. So luxurious."

Luke and Robbie laughed at the way Lorelai rubbed her sweater against her cheek.

"It's a soft as a baby's blanket. Feel."

She held it out to Luke to touch and he agreed, "Very nice."

"I thought it was a good match for Rory's, but without being too cutesy," Emily said. "I can't abide it when mothers and daughters wear matching clothes." She shivered in what seem to be genuine horror. "Now Robbie, you open your bigger one while your Daddy opens his."

"Okay! I can't believe I get presents when it's not even my birthday," he said.

Lorelai smiled at him and then Emily.

Luke pulled a sage green pullover sweater from his package while Robbie revealed his as a dark green sweater in the same style.

"Great colors, Mom. You two are going to look very handsome," Lorelai said.

"Thank you Emily. I really appreciate this," Luke said.

"Thank you Mrs. Gilmore. I like green."

"Well good. I'm pleased you like them."

"You're really good at presents, Grandma," Rory said.

"Why thank you, Rory," Emily replied, smiling.

"You and Mr. Gilmore haven't opened yours yet," Robbie pointed out.

"Oh, you're right. Richard?"

"Finally!" Richard said, teasing Lorelai.

Emily had purchased them matching cashmere scarves, his in rich browns and blues, hers in tan and lighter blues.

"Excellent choice, my dear," Richard said with a smile.

"Thank you Richard," Emily said. "Bergdorf's was having the most wonderful sale on cashmere, especially considering that the season has just begun…"

"Well, you are an excellent shopper, Emily. Thank you for all of this."

"Yes, thank you Mom. Everything is lovely," Lorelai agreed

"Well you're all most welcome. I think it's time for cake."

"Yay!" Robbie said.

Emily had outdone herself on the cake as well. Classic white frosting on the outside, with frosting flowers and Rory's name. But once a wish was made and candles blown out, the two tiers were revealed. One was white cake with a layer of apricot jam, the other chocolate with a layer of raspberry jam. "Your mother told me that you like vanilla and chocolate equally, Rory, so this seemed like the best solution."

They all enjoyed dessert. Luke declined ice cream and only ate half his piece, already full from dinner. He looked around the table at the happy faces, pondering the fact that not only had Emily obviously gone out of her way to make a party that Rory would enjoy, but that Lorelai seemed relatively calm and relaxed in the face of it.

A sudden gust of wind and splash of raindrops against the dining room window startled them all.

"Well, this day took a quick turn for the worse," Richard noted. "No riding in the Ferrari today, I'm afraid."

Robbie's face fell.

"Do you think we should get going?" Lorelai asked Luke. He turned to her, trying to determine whether she was genuinely concerned or simply jumping at an excuse to leave. She looked back at him blankly, seeming to dare him to believe the former.

"Do we have to go? It's fun here," Robbie said. Luke watched Lorelai suppress a laugh at that.

"It has been really nice Mom, could we stay longer?"

Lorelai's eyebrows shot up and now Emily entered the fray. "Perhaps just a little longer, Luke, Lorelai? The rain may let up in a bit. It's coming down awfully hard now. Stay warm and dry and perhaps have another cup of coffee?"

"There's the magic phrase," Lorelai quipped. "Sure Mom, Dad, we can stay a little longer."

"Oh good. Rory, Robbie, would you like to watch the first of the videos?"

Robbie bounced in his chair and Rory looked at Lorelai for permission.

She nodded, and Rory turned to her grandmother. "That would be great Grandma."

"Excellent. Lorelai, will you come help me get them set up in the den? Luke and Richard, how about you move to the sitting room. I'll send Charlotte in with more coffee and tea, or perhaps an after lunch drink?"

Luke squeezed Lorelai's hand once more as she headed out with Emily and the kids, then followed Richard to the sitting area.

"How about a drink, Luke? Brandy, or maybe a finger or two of Scotch?"

"No thank you sir. Another cup of tea is just fine."

"Not a drinker?" Richard asked.

"Well, not on a rainy afternoon after a filling dinner when I need to drive home in the rain with kids in the car." He smiled. "But I enjoy beer, and wine, when a day is ending."

"And do you smoke? I've got some fine cigars in my study."

"No, not a smoker."

"Good, good. Neither am I, except for the occasional cigar. Nasty habit, cigarettes."

"I agree."

Richard sat in one of the chairs and indicated the other to Luke. "So, Luke, tell me about yourself."

Luke smiled at his directness. "What would you like to know, sir?"

"Richard, please call me Richard. Well, Emily said you own a diner in Stars Hollow. How's that going?"

"It's going well. I've only been open since August, so it's too early to show a profit. But on a day-to-day basis I'm breaking even, and once I expand to dinner service, I'm hoping to be profitable fairly quickly."

"Good, good. What would you say is your business philosophy?"

"Philosophy?"

"Your approach."

"Well, I don't often think in those terms. But…well, in the restaurant business, as in all of retail, you want happy customers. Good food, reasonable prices. It's a diner, so it's nothing fancy. But at the same time that's no excuse to serve greasy, poor quality food."

"And your employees?'

"I try to treat them well. Choose good people, let them do their work. Happy workers lead to happy customers. Good tips for them, repeat customers and good word-of-mouth for me." Luke gave Erin a silent thanks.

Richard nodded. "And tell me, do you own or rent the space?"

"I own it. It was my father's, he left it to me when he passed away, almost six years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that he's gone, Luke. What sort of man was he?"

Luke paused, a little surprised at Richard's direct condolences and interest.

"Well, he was hard-working, frugal. But a very warm guy, friendly, always loved talking to people. I see a lot of my dad's personality in Robbie."

Richard smiled. "Yes, Robbie is a friendly sort. He and Rory seem to get on very well."

"They do. She's a wonderful girl."

"I agree, I agree." He paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. "It's been very nice to see her, and Lorelai of course, more frequently. Getting to know Rory again. I regret…" He paused. "We let too many years pass, with little contact."

"That must have been hard, sir. Um, Richard."

"It was. Harder on Emily, I always told myself but now…" He drifted off. "Emily tells me we have you to thank for this…reconnection?"

"Well I don't know how true that is. Lorelai and I had a conversation, early on, just after we met, about parents and growing up… She claims that inspired her to… take a different tactic with you."

"And she has. She's much less touchy, I would say. Which helps Emily, and I suppose myself as well, to be less touchy. So I thank you."

Luke shrugged. "You're welcome. Family is important."

"I agree. So tell me, I understand you are the primary parent for Robbie? That's somewhat unusual, even in this "feminist" day and age, isn't it?"

They continued to talk, Luke filling Richard in on Rachel and Robbie and how their particular parenting arrangement came to be. Luke was beginning to wonder if Emily and Lorelai were ever going to come back.

"Well," Richard was saying, "It sounds like you've made an unorthodox situation work rather well. I can't say we approve of divorce, however."

That got Luke's attention. He wasn't quite sure how to respond. He'd expected a more combative conversation since they'd gotten here, from Emily or Richard or both, but damned if he hadn't been lured into a false sense of security over the course of their conversation.

The words were said mildly enough, but Luke understood the underlying challenge. He decided to keep it simple. "Well Richard, do you believe in bad marriages?"

Richard stared at him for a moment, then smiled. He nodded his head in concession. "So where does that leave things in terms of my daughter?"

"You know, I think I'd rather wait and answer that with Lorelai here."

"What do you mean?

"I mean, Lorelai and I have no secrets from each other. And I understand you must have some concerns, some reservations about anyone she is serious about. But we're getting into territory here that if I talk about with you alone, she's going to be mad."

Richard smiled.

Just then they heard Lorelai's impatient voice. "Mom, you promised me coffee if we agreed to stay longer, not the third degree!" She entered the sitting room, Emily following her, and took a seat on the couch next to Luke. She glared at her dad. "Divide and conquer, Dad? Really? You thought I was going to fall for that?" She turned to Luke. "What's he been grilling you about? The divorce? Your finances?"

Richard chuckled, which only earned him glares from his wife as well as his daughter. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Well, Emily, we tried. Unfortunately, neither of them are stupid. And they appear to be very much united."

Emily sighed.

"Now Luke, you claim you and Lorelai have no secrets," Richard said.

Lorelai turned to Luke. "You said that?" She grinned at Luke, reaching over to take his hand, then turned back to face her parents. "Okay. Fire away."

"Really, Lorelai. Can you for once not be so dramatic?" Emily asked.

"Well, Mom. We had a lovely afternoon. Truly lovely. You made Luke and Robbie feel very welcome here, and that meant so much to me. But now it turns out that that was just a pretext for grilling him to find out if he's a worthy suitor."

Emily rolled her eyes and Richard jumped in. "That is simply not true, Lorelai. Luke and Robbie are welcome here, and we like them both, very much. But we have concerns, your mother and I. We would no matter who you became seriously involved with. As independent as you are, Lorelai, you're still a very young woman. You are our daughter, and as far as we know, you've had very few serious romantic relationships up until now. And, you are the heir, along with Rory, to our assets, which are considerable. It's not unreasonable for us to want to get to know Luke better, and I for one see no reason to avoid a direct conversation." Richard finished speaking, and everyone remained quiet for a moment. "We're four reasonable adults," he added. "I don't see why we can't just talk."

Luke felt Lorelai relax a little. He didn't know if it was wisdom or luck but he knew that Richard referring to Lorelai as an adult was a good tactic.

"Okay," she said now, looking at both her parents. "What are your concerns?"

Emily and Richard glanced at each other, a silent exchange seeming to pass between them.

"Well," Richard said, "Just before you rejoined us – I was asking Luke about his divorce."

"Okay," Lorelai said. "What do you want to know?" She squeezed Luke's hand. Richard paused for a moment, then said, "One question would be legal – is it official? And the other, emotional, I suppose – are there still…entanglements? Strong feelings? On either side."

Luke nodded. "In other words, am I truly free and clear, and available to commit to your daughter and granddaughter?"

"Yes," Richard stated simply.

"We made the decision to divorce in early June, and the final decree from the court came in early August. "

"And you and Lorelai began dating in late August?" Emily asked.

"Yes," Lorelai said.

"That seems fast," Emily commented.

Luke answered. "Yes and no. Lorelai and I became good friends very quickly, almost as soon as Robbie and I moved back to Stars Hollow, in April. And both of us knew, also pretty quickly, that it could be more than that." He looked over at Lorelai and she nodded. "We didn't discuss it openly, and we certainly didn't act on our feelings in any way beyond spending time together, almost always with Robbie and Rory there.

"My marriage had been rocky for years, in that I had been ignoring my own happiness in order to keep the three of us together, in spite of Rachel's nomadic job. I knew that moving back to Stars Hollow would probably end things with her, but there comes a time when a man … a person … needs something for themselves. A job, a business. And, I wanted stability for Robbie, as he started school. So even though it may seem like a hasty decision, it was not. It was many years in the making."

"And your ex-wife, Rachel? She's angry? Bitter?" Emily asked.

Lorelai answered. "No, Mom. She's… lovely. An artist. Totally committed to her work, her craft. Willing to travel all over the world for it. But she adores Robbie, and he adores her. And she and Luke have been very grown up about the whole thing, and get along really well, considering."

"You've met her? And she knows you're involved with Luke?"

"Yes. We get along fine. Under different circumstances, we'd be pals. It's awkward, of course, but … we're doing pretty well. It's all sort of new."

"And Robbie? He accepts you?"

"Well, you've seen us all together today, what do you think?"

"Well, yes, he seems to be fine. With you, and Rory."

Emily turned to Luke. "And you and… Rachel? Things are settled?"

"Yes. Of course is it's been an adjustment. Some sadness, some anger, on both sides. But things have settled down. She's always been away for long stretches of time. Robbie is used to that."

Emily nodded.

"Does she pay child support, Luke?"

"Dad!"

"What? I thought we agreed to an open conversation."

"I don't think it's appropriate for you to ask Luke about his finances."

Luke jumped in. "I don't mind, Lorelai. I understand."

"Understand what?"

"They want to know that I'm not – I won't become – a deadbeat, a freeloader."

"That's ridiculous. You're the most fiscally responsible person I know, besides Mia maybe."

"But they don't know that. Believe me, if I could have interviewed some of the losers my sister's been with…" He said this lightly but he knew that Lorelai understood his guilt, his sense of responsibility when he left Jess and Liz alone for those years. She nodded in understanding, squeezing both his hands in hers and looking at him with soft eyes.

Richard cleared his throat, drawing their attention away from each other and back to him.

Lorelai spoke. "Okay, Dad, ask your questions. But I want you to ask me the same questions first."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I've lived on my own financially for seven years now. Asking about Luke's finances but not mine is sexist."

Richard rolled his eyes. "Lorelai, must we turn this into some sort of feminist exercise?"

"Why yes, as a matter of fact, we must." She looked back at him stubbornly.

He sighed. "Very well, Lorelai. How are you finances?"

"They're good, Dad. What would you like to know?"

"Debt? Savings? Equity?"

"Well. I have no debt. I have a credit card, but I pay it off every month, just like you used to say people should. No equity, but I'm saving up for some big purchases."

"Yes?"

"Yes." She paused for a moment. "Do you remember our money lessons, Dad?"

The somewhat bored, condescending look that had been on Richard's face softened. "Of course."

Lorelai glanced at Luke. "When I turned 10 I got a whole bunch of money, cash and checks from various relatives. The Gilmore and Hamilton clans both like to mark milestones with money. I got a lot again at 13, and 16 as well."

Luke nodded.

"Anyway, Dad sat me down right after my 10th birthday and asked me what I wanted to do with my money."

Richard chuckled. "You had quite a list."

"I'm sure," Lorelai grinned. "I don't remember what all was on it. But Dad listened to it all, and then explained that it was all well and good to buy things I wanted, but that I needed to save too. He recommended 50% as long as I was little, but then later, after college, when I was working, that I wouldn't be able to save as much. But that everyone should try to save at least 10% of their income, preferably 15%."

"Lorelai, why are we talking about this ancient history?" Emily interrupted impatiently.

"Sorry. My point is, Dad, that I try to follow that. I have followed that. I've saved some of every paycheck I've gotten, every gift of money I've received since. I couldn't do 10% right away. It was just too hard. I needed too much for Rory, at first. But I did 5%, and by the end of two years, after a few raises I did 10%."

"That's good. That's very good Lorelai. I'm glad … you listened."

Emily let out a noise that sounded very much like "Harumph."

"Something wrong Mom?"

"I'm not sure why we're praising you for something you didn't need to do. Feeling sorry for you when it was your own choice to leave here, to live on your own. Nobody kicked you out, Lorelai, nobody told you to go live in poverty and be a maid."

"Nobody but me. I had to do it for me."

"Exactly," Emily said bitterly.

Lorelai took a calming breath. "I've been thinking about that a lot lately, Mom. About why I left and how that must've been for you."

"I'm fine. Water under the bridge."

"Okay, well. I would like to talk about it sometime, to explain."

"I see no need to rehash old business, Lorelai."

"Well, I do. Because I think you see what I did solely as a reaction against you and Dad, and it was only partly that. But…" she said, cutting off Emily's next dismissive comment. "I think that conversation is for another time." She turned back to her dad. "So. No debt, and at the moment I own nothing except clothes, furniture, and more books than any eight-year-old should want or have."

Richard gave a small chuckle.

"But I have savings. I've almost got enough for a car, I'm about halfway to enough for a house down payment, and I've got a small start towards college for Rory."

"We'd like to help with schooling fees, if you'll let us," Richard said quietly.

"That would be…maybe. Let's talk about that sometime too. That could be good."

Richard nodded.

"And last but not least, I just opened a retirement account. I got that idea from Luke."

"You did?" Luke was surprised.

"Yes, when you were telling me how John – that's his lawyer – was pushing you and Rachel to open them."

Luke nodded and Richard said, "That's very sensible. Too few people in their 20s think about saving for retirement."

"Oh, and insurance. I have renter's insurance, just like you always said. And life insurance, to protect Rory."

Richard smiled. "Well, Lorelai, it pleases me to know that you listened, all those years ago. I would never have guessed that."

Emily gave a small snort.

Richard ignored her and shifted his attention to Luke instead. "So, Luke. Same questions. Debt, savings, equity?"

Luke cleared his throat. "Well, no debt for me either. Decent savings, and I own the building I work and live in, plus an old but reliable Chevy truck sitting right outside, and several investment accounts that I inherited from my Dad."

Luke kept an eye on Emily as he answered Richard's detailed questions regarding insurance, investments, and his business plan for the diner. She seemed uninterested in asking any financial questions of her own, though she appeared to be listening closely. Luke got the sense of her biding her time, of there being more on her mind.

He tuned back into what Richard was saying. "Well Lorelai, I think I can safely declare your young man here to not be a deadbeat or freeloader, as he so colorfully put it earlier."

Lorelai gave just a slight eye roll. "Thanks, Dad."

"Luke, you seem like a very sensible young man, with a good head for money. I would advise you to look into increasing your ex-wife's life insurance coverage, what with her travel and such. And I could put you in touch with Herb Cohen, an insurance colleague of mine who handles coalitions of small-business owners, he might be able to get you a better rate. In the next year or two, when your business is in the black as I'm confident it will be, I would encourage you to invest a little more aggressively. You're in your 20s not your 50s after all."

Luke chuckled.

"And think about more real estate. Always a good long-term investment."

"Very well sir. I appreciate the advice."

Richard smiled. "More coffee? Cocktails?"

Lorelai looked at Luke's watch. "Maybe we should think about going, Dad…"

Emily cleared her throat. "Just a moment, please."

'Here it comes,' Luke thought to himself.

"Yes Emily?" her husband asked.

"I have something else I'd like to discuss."

Lorelai tensed beside him.

"Christopher."

"Mom… "

"Don't 'Mom' me, Lorelai. We discussed Luke's ex-wife and what impact she could have on your relationship, now let's talk about yours."

"Chris and I were never married, Mom."

"Yes Lorelai, I seem to recall that," Emily said with sarcasm.

"Listen to me, Mom, and Dad," Lorelai said seriously. "Here's everything you need to know about Christopher. Remember when I called you this summer, because the number I had for him was disconnected?"

"Yes," Emily said stiffly.

"And you called Francine, Rory's grandmother, for god's sake, and it took her three days to get back to you?"

"Yes."

"And then I left a message for Chris?"

"I assumed."

"Guess how long it took me to hear back from him?"

"Lorelai…"

"No Mom, guess."

"A week?"

"Three weeks, mom. Three weeks. What if something had actually been wrong, with Rory? What if she needed… a kidney or something? God forbid…"

Luke could feel Lorelai quivering with anger.

"Three weeks, Mom. And when he does finally call, he's been on a motorcycle trip to Mexico. The company he was working for, some computer based thing, went bust, and so he and his other suddenly-unemployed pals took off to Mexico. Which is fine, I suppose. But did he call, did he let me know where he'd be? Did he even think to check in? How to reach him? No. No, he didn't. And that's all you need to know about Christopher."

"He's young, Lorelai, and he's always been unfocused."

"I'm young. Luke's young."

"But you wouldn't marry him. What was he supposed to do, stay tied to here, just to be close to Rory?"

"Um, yeah."

"I think that's unreasonable."

"I think you're unreasonable. Why would you want me to be with someone who's not there for his own daughter?"

Emily was quiet. "But … you told me he is doing better. He's been calling, and sending computer messages?"

"Email. Yes, he has. And that makes Rory really happy. And me as well."

"So maybe he's ready now, to be there for her, to be there for you."

Luke looked at Emily in amazement. He was sitting right here, and she was trying to convince her daughter to ditch him and get back together with her high school boyfriend.

"It's not a package deal, anymore, Mom. If it ever was. I've moved on. I moved on years ago. I can never be with Chris romantically, not anymore."

"But why not?" Emily persisted.

"Aargh!" Lorelai threw up her hands up in frustration, then buried her head in them for a moment. She looked up and tried to speak calmly. "Well, leaving aside for the moment the amazing man I am in love with, and happy with, who's sitting right here taking this abuse…" She offered a small smile to Luke. She thought some again, seeming to turn over in her mind how to get through to her parents. "Mom, Dad, you each had a high school sweetheart, yes?"

"Of course," Richard answered.

"Yes," Emily said.

"And can you imagine being married to them? I mean, maybe you did a little at the time, but now, knowing what you know about who you are, about who else was out there to fall in love with?"

Emily sighed. "No, not really."

Richard nodded in agreement.

"And Chris and I, if I hadn't gotten pregnant – would you have pressed me to stay with him? Do you think we would have lasted?"

"Lorelai, what is your point?"

"My point is, I doubt we would've lasted. We would have gone off to college, most likely different ones from each other. Seen each other at family Christmas parties, reminisced about our teen adventures, and then lost touch. I'd always think fondly of him, I still do think fondly of him. But ours was not a great love, some epic romance. We made a mistake, and are forever bound by the beautiful little girl that came from that mistake, but we are not destined to be together."

Her parents were quiet, absorbing this.

Luke was curious. "Richard, what's your opinion of Chris?"

Richard looked up. "Well, aside from when I wanted to kill him, I've always liked the boy."

"Why?"

"Well, he's charming, he's intelligent. But Emily is right, he is unfocused. And inclined to dress that up as free-spiritedness."

"He's weak," Emily said. "Charming, but weak."

"And me?" Lorelai asked.

"What about you?"

"Do you see me as strong, or weak?"

"Of course I see you as strong, Lorelai. Sometimes too strong for your own good."

"We both do," Richard added.

"And would you want me with a weak partner? Would you want that for me?"

Emily and Richard were silent.

"I want what you have," Lorelai declared.

They looked at her, surprise evident on their faces.

"You two, each in your own way, are so strong. You balance each other. You keep each other in check, for the most part. As hard as I've fought against you, as difficult a time as we've had – I've never doubted your love for each other, or the strength of your marriage."

Emily looked at Richard, who looked touched.

"I want that. I want a strong partner. I want you to want that for me. I don't want someone I can control, or who lets me down. Luke is strong. I think you can see that. We support each other, we get each other. I hope you can see that."

Richard cleared his throat. "I can."

He looked at Emily, who tilted her chin up just slightly. "We both can."

The group of four was silent for a time, seeming to absorb the weighty matters that had been discussed.

Emily drew herself up straight suddenly and turned to Luke. "Luke, I meant no offense. I hope you'll forgive me for my … bluntness regarding Lorelai and Christopher."

Luke looked back at her directly. She seemed genuine in her apology but he didn't think that it was a good idea to give in too quickly. "Well, I appreciate hearing that, Emily. I understand where you're coming from. Christopher is 'blue blood', I'm not. Nothing can change that. And you, well…"

"What about me?"

"Well, as we established the day we first met, you're a snob."

Richard let out another surprised laugh, earning him yet another glare from Emily.

"I most certainly did not agree that I was a snob."

"You want your daughter to marry a man that you yourself don't think is her equal personally, but you're willing to give him a pass because of his family background. Snob."

"It's not just that – parents should be married."

"Even if the marriage is unhappy, and harms the child?" Luke challenged her.

"Well…"

"See, that's why I'll accept your apology. I have hopes that you will try and see people's worth not just in terms of money and family history."

Emily sputtered for a moment but came up with nothing coherent in reply.

"Truce?" Luke offered, extending his hand to her and smiling warmly.

She smiled too, a little taken aback, but did shake his hand. "Truce."

Luke saw Lorelai and Richard exchange a glance, both raising an eyebrow in surprise at Emily's capitulation.

"Well Mom, Dad, I think we should gather up the kids and get on our way. School tomorrow and all."

---

A short time later they were in the truck, heading home. With Rory snuggled up against him and Robbie in Lorelai's lap, Luke was happy to be back to the cozy familiarity of just the four of them. Both kids seemed tired. They'd found them sacked out on the couch in Emily and Richard's den, wholly absorbed in the world of the movie Emily had given Rory, and they both had gone through the gathering up of stuff and goodbyes in an almost trancelike state.

Lorelai was quiet too. Luke glanced over at her several times but she didn't seem upset, just thoughtful, as she looked out at the passing landscape. While they were still on the outskirts of Hartford, she suddenly said, "Oh look, there's a new Joann's in that shopping center."

"Joann's?" Luke asked.

"It's a fabric and craft store. Huge selection." She turned to look at it as they drove past. "Grand opening sale…" she read. Then she lapsed into silence again.

Leaving Hartford behind, they sped down the highway toward home. The rain had passed, but the sky was still cloudy and the late October afternoon felt darker than usual.

Rory spoke suddenly. "I think that's the most fun we've ever had at Grandma and Grandpa's."

Lorelai gave a surprised laugh.

"I really think it was Mom."

"You may be right, sweetie. It was a good visit, overall."

"Did you and Grandma get along? "

"For the most part. We disagreed on some things, but we had a good discussion, the four of us."

"It's like we're a family now," Rory said.

"What do you mean?"

"Before, I didn't really feel like they were my grandparents. Not the way grandparents are supposed to be, like in books and on TV. But now, I feel more like they like me, and I like them."

"That's good, sweetie."

"Do you think it's because we have Luke and Robbie now?"

"Maybe…" Lorelai trailed off, not seeming to be following Rory's thought process here.

"I think it is. When we were just two of us, we were a family, but small. Now we're doubled, and that makes us a stronger family, and that makes Grandma and Grandpa's house less scary. "

Lorelai looked over at Luke and smiled. "So you were happy to have Luke and Robbie with us sweetie?"

"Yes. Always."

Luke asked her, "How about in general—do you miss it being just you and your mom as a team?"

"Of course not. I still have Mom, and Sookie and Mia, plus you and Robbie. And sometimes Rachel. And Grandma and Grandpa now more. And, my dad calls more. Oh, and Jess and Liz too. I like having a bigger family."

Robbie sat up suddenly. "Daddy, if you and Lorelai got married, would Lorelai be my mommy then?"

"No, she'd be your stepmother."

"What's a stepmother?"

"A stepmother is…an extra mother. A woman who marries a man who already has a kid or kids. But your mother stays your mother, no matter what."

"And Luke would be my stepfather. My extra father." Rory nodded. "I like that. It's like having an everyday close-by Dad, and a … faraway dad."

"And I have an everyday mommy, and a faraway mommy," Robbie said in satisfaction.

Lorelai laughed. "Well I'm glad you two have it all worked out."

"Me too," Luke agreed, and gave Lorelai a quick wink.

They were almost to Stars Hollow by now, and Luke headed toward the Inn. Rory leaned forward as they pulled into the parking lot. "I see Mia's car! And Sookie's! Can I go show them my presents, Mom?"

"Can I go too?" Robbie clamored.

Lorelai looked at Luke, who nodded. "Sure, let's just get us four out of here first."

A few minutes later they watched as Rory and Robbie climbed up the steps of the Inn, arms full of boxes.

"Should we help them with the door?" Lorelai asked.

Luke chuckled. "I guess so."

He held the door and Lorelai offered to help carry the packages but they declined. As Luke started to follow them, she grabbed his hand in hers. "Stay here with me for a minute," she asked, leading him over to the side of the porch then stepping into him for a hug. Luke felt her hands move securely around his waist and her head snuggle into the space between his shoulder and collarbone. She took a deep breath and then relaxed further into his arms, and he did the same. It was calm, peaceful, and restorative after the tension of the afternoon.

"Thank you," Lorelai said.

"For?"

"For being there. Rory's right – that's the best visit we've ever had with Mom and Dad. Having you and Robbie there with us…" She trailed off, taking him by the hand and pulling him down onto one of the cushioned benches. She faced him and looked him square in the eyes. "You make me stronger."

"How so?" he asked, thinking that she was about as strong already as any person he knew.

"Maybe that's a cliché, or maybe it's just the most obvious thing to say in the world, but for me - who likes to fancy herself Wonder Woman, from time to time anyway — it's huge. You make me stronger, and you make it easier to handle my parents, possibly to even… get along with them maybe, and I never in a million years thought that would happen."

"Lorelai, it's all you, it's not me."

"No, I know. I know you're not doing it for me but … you have my back. You're in my corner, on my team and any other sports metaphors that may apply. And that just makes all the difference. So thank you."

"Well, you've got my back too."

"Yes, I do." She scooted over closer to him and he took her in his arms. They sat together peacefully.

"Lots of acceptance going on today," he said, thinking out loud.

"My parents?"

"Yeah, in their way."

Lorelai snorted. "It's sad but true that subjecting you to 10 choruses of 'Lorelai and Christopher belong together' was a major step towards acceptance."

"All's well that ends well."

Lorelai giggled. "Very philosophical, babe."

He ignored her teasing. "And the kids, just now…"

"Yeah, that was good huh? I'm glad Rory's happy, that she feels it too."

"Feels what?"

"Us. Permanence. You think Robbie's okay with the stepmother thing? His relationship with Rachel is so much closer than Rory's with Chris, I worry that he'll be confused."

"So far so good. We'll just have to take it as it comes."

"Wow, you're really zen-like today."

"I'm happy. Sue me."

"Well, just don't get lulled into a false sense of security. Emily is still Emily."

"Meaning?

"I don't trust her fully, not yet. Maybe I never will."

"Trust her with what?"

"Well, the kids, for instance. I get that she liked Robbie, but I want her to like him for, you know, shaking the nanny's hand, not just for speaking four languages. There's no way, by the way, that that's the last we hear about language classes. And I want Dad to love Rory for being kind and creative and funny, not just for loving books."

"Yeah, I see what you're saying."

"I want them to see them, both of them, as whole people. Not just as… traits or whatever, to be bragged about and put on display."

"Well, they may get there. I mean, they only just met Robbie today."

"Robbie, man – your kid is awesome."

Luke chuckled. "Thank you. I try to take full credit."

"As you should…When he took my mom's hand… Wow."

"Yeah."

"It was like Cindy Lou Who and The Grinch. I swear I heard a ping or two…"

"He's a charmer."

"It's more than that. He's such a great kid – so open, so honest. And I love that he makes Rory more of a kid too. She can be so serious, so mature… He lightens her up, you know?"

"I do. They're good for each other."

Lorelai nodded and released another contented sigh as they looked out over the Inn's rolling lawns in the deepening dusk.

"I suppose we should go gather up our wayward children at some point, call it a day?" Luke said.

"Yeah," Lorelai agreed reluctantly. "Baths. Maybe a little supper. Bedtime. School tomorrow."

"Yup."

She was quiet again for a moment, making no move to get up. She cleared her throat. "Oh, hey, I wanted to ask you," she said. "Can you take Tuesday morning off, and drive me into Hartford?"

"I think so, why?"

"I have a bunch of errands to do, plus I want to go to that fabric store, maybe find some cute material for holiday dresses, or for projects to make for Christmas gifts."

"Sure, as long as I don't have to actually enter the fabric store."

She laughed. "You can go look at hammers somewhere else. Or baseball bats. Something manly."

"It's a deal. Yeah, Tuesdays are the slowest day, I can ask Diane to come in a little early. We could even go get lunch, if you want."

"I want. It's a date." She leaned up to give him a kiss, which escalated quickly, tongues quickly joining the act, hands beginning to roam.

"Ha! I should've known I'd find you two making out!" Sookie's voice suddenly broke in. "How was the birthday lunch?"

"Sookie!" Lorelai yelped in surprise. Luke wiped his mouth on his sleeve and tried not to blush.

"Come on," Sookie laughed. "Give me a capsule version, I'm exhausted, I need to go home."

Mia and the kids arrived on the scene at that moment, and their peaceful bubble of just the two of them was broken, for now.

---

Tuesday, October 20

The bells jingled and Luke looked up from topping off a coffee.

"You're back," he said.

Lorelai kissed him quickly. "I am. Kids are safely delivered to school."

She followed Luke back toward the counter, where he returned the coffee pot to its station and she slipped onto a stool. "Thanks for bringing Robbie," Luke said.

"Of course. Least I could do after that delicious breakfast. Can I have more coffee?"

Luke frowned but simply chose one of the medium-sized mugs instead of the huge blue one she'd had with her breakfast. Lorelai took a sip and glanced around. "Are you still okay to get away this morning?"

Luke looked around as well. "Sure. Breakfast is winding down, and Diane is coming in at 10 to handle any stragglers."

"Good, good. And hey, is it okay if I take this upstairs? And make a few phone calls from up there? I left before Mia got there this morning, I want to check in with her, see if there's anything she needs in Hartford. And you know, go over my lists, where it's quiet, make sure I don't miss anything since you're doing me a big favor and driving me to Hartford and all."

Luke looked at her quizzically, not sure why she was going into so much detail over something so simple.

"Of course that's fine. Mi casa es su casa."

"Gracias," Lorelai grinned.

Luke headed towards the cash register to ring up some departing customers. "Go ahead up. I'll be there in 20 minutes, 30 tops. Then we can get going."

"Okay, sounds good. I'll be up there. See you up there." She hurried upstairs.

Luke entered the apartment about 25 minutes later. "Lorelai?"

"Right here," she said quietly.

Luke's head snapped over to where her voice was coming from.

His bed. Lorelai was lying in his bed. On her side, head propped up on her hand. Shoulders bare, the sheets and comforter drawn up under her arms, just covering her breasts.

"Um, are you okay?"

"I am. I'm ready."

"To go to Hartford?"

Lorelai laughed. "No. Not to go to Hartford. That was a cover story, to make sure you would have the morning free."

"The morning free to...?"

"To get into bed. With me. Preferably naked."

"Oh."

Lorelai smiled. "Having a little trouble getting blood to your brain?" she asked mischievously, letting her glance fall to below his belt.

"Yeah. Not so much other parts, though."

"Yes, I can see."

Luke blushed, just a little, shifting his feet uncomfortably. He looked back at Lorelai. "You're ready?" he asked softly, seriously.

"I am," she said.

"You're sure? Because you said…"

"I know, I did. But ever since we talked, that night, I've been thinking. Or feeling, I guess you'd say. Feeling sure, feeling certain, that this is it. For me, for you, for us. This is it, and I'm ready."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"And we're good, protection-wise?" Luke asked.

"Yes, just like we discussed. I started the pill right after we talked. You still have the condoms? For back up?"

"Yes."

"Any more questions?" she asked, smiling.

"No."

"Well, I have one."

"You do?"

"Why are you still standing all the way over there?"

Luke laughed. "I have no idea. Just trying to catch up, I guess."

"Well, get caught up soon. We have plenty of time, but let's not waste any more of it."

She looked him straight in the eye and beckoned him with her finger.

It was possibly the sexiest moment he'd ever experienced in his life. The reality of what was about to happen hit him, and he crossed over to her in several strides. As he approached the bed she held out her hand. When he took it she pulled herself up a bit and gave him a lingering kiss. Then she released his lips and hand, falling back on the pillow.

"How about you Luke, are you ready?"

"I am. I … just." He sat down on the edge of the bed and began gently trailing one finger up and down her arm.

"You just?"

"Are you sure…now? I was picturing a nice dinner out, music…you know, romantic." He looked down at himself in his shirt, jeans and work boots. "I mean, I'm dressed for work – I probably smell like bacon."

"And you think this is un-romantic to me how?"

Luke laughed. "You're right, I forgot who I'm dealing with."

She answered him seriously now. "I don't need all that, Luke, all those trappings. I just need you, and me, here in the light of day." She shrugged.

He smiled at her, finally letting himself be in the moment. She was sure. He turned slightly away from her on the bed and bent down to untie his boots and take them off along with his socks. As he did he glanced briefly at her sideways and saw and heard her take in a slightly shaky breath. That small sign that she was not quite as cool and collected about all this as she appeared to be made him feel less nervous. He stood, barefoot, and began unbuttoning his shirt. "Are you really naked under there?" he asked.

"As a jay bird, " Lorelai replied, glancing over at a chair by the bed where she had left her clothes. Luke swallowed when he saw two flimsy scraps of pink lace on top of her shirt and jeans. Lorelai followed his eyes and said, "Next time."

Luke nodded and stripped off his T-shirt. He watched Lorelai rake her eyes over his upper body, and then rest again on his belt area.

"Take it off baby, take it all off," she drawled.

"I feel so cheap," he joked, as he somewhat nervously began unbuckling his belt. He took a deep breath, unzipped his fly, and hooked his thumbs under the waistband of his jeans and boxers both, prepared to bare all, when a movement caught his eye. Lorelai had pulled the covers away from herself, holding them up in invitation for Luke to join her, and revealing her own completely naked self.

Suddenly his pants were off, he was in the bed, and he was holding her, feeling their bodies pressed together, skin to skin. He drew back to look at her, brushing a few curls from her face. "See that, there, what you just did? That's why I love you."

"What'd I do?"

"You knew I was nervous to take off my pants, to stand there completely naked, and so you made it okay. By unveiling yourself. You always do that. You always make it okay. I…"

"What?"

"I just never thought I'd have someone … someone as in tune with me as you are."

"Oh, Luke," she said, and pulled him to her for a heated kiss. They stayed that way for a while, gentle pressings of their lips and soft probings with their tongues, with more intense pressure and entwining in between.

Luke pulled back again. "You do know that I love you, right?"

"I do." She kissed him again, intensely, then more softly. This time she was the one to pull back. "I love you too," she said, simply, a beautiful smile blooming over her features.

Luke grinned back, kissing her once more then moving his lips along her jaw, under her ear, and along her neck. Lorelai moaned, and pressed her body even more tightly against his. She drew her leg up over his, rubbing her foot along his calf. Luke reached down and began to stroke her leg, mesmerized by the softness of her skin. He temporarily stopped his ministrations with his lips in order to watch his fingers as he drew them up the length of her leg, along her hip, up her back to her shoulder and then down her arm. Lorelai writhed against him, pressing ever more closely, but he kept up his exploration of her skin. She began her own exploration, rubbing her hands over the muscles of his back, pulling him in for another round of kissing. She took his hand and moved it towards her breast, encouraging him, while at the same time using her leg to pull their hips closer together.

"Don't rush me," he said, and went back to her neck.

"Don't torture me," Lorelai groaned. "Promises were made…"

"Promises?" Luke asked, in between kisses to her collarbone, inching slowly lower.

"Promises. You said just wait until I get you into a real bed and I said is that a threat or a promise and you said oh that's a promise…oh."

Luke raised his head up and looked at her. "Oh yes, now I remember." He smiled at her mischievously. "Am I not fulfilling my promise? I remember it being fairly vague, after all… "

"Luke!" she protested, but it died on her lips as he reached her breasts. Quiet reigned, as Luke concentrated on his task and Lorelai seemed to be holding back her moans, expressing her enjoyment mostly in frantic movements against the sheets. Luke raised his head and took in her flushed face and tousled hair. Lord, she was gorgeous. He ducked under the blankets.

"Where are you going?" Lorelai asked breathlessly.

Luke popped his head back up above the covers and looked her in the eye. "To the promised land."

"Luke," Lorelai laughed, "You don't have to… Oh. God."

---

Afterwards, they lay on their sides, staring at each other. It could've been unnerving, Lorelai's steadfast gaze locked on his eyes, but instead Luke just found himself mesmerized by the blue of hers, the slightly darker blue circle around the edge of the color, and the little golden flecks he'd never noticed before. He caressed her cheek with a finger, then placed a soft kiss on her lips. "You okay?" he asked as he pulled away and her eyes went straight back to his.

She nodded, not breaking her stare.

"You're quiet," he observed.

She nodded again, then spoke softly. "I tried to keep my eyes open the whole time, because I felt so … connected to you," she said softly. "But then, at the end, it got too intense, and I had to close them. So now I'm making up for lost time."

"Okay," Luke said, not necessarily following her logic but not really caring either. He loved the way she was looking at him, as if she could see into the depths of his being.

"I used to stare at Rory like this, when she was a baby. I've never felt as connected to another person as then. Until now."

"Yeah, I remember that. They're so little, so trusting – and haven't learned yet not to stare, so they just…do."

"That… this… what we just did? Shared? That was amazing."

"It was," he agreed.

"Lived up to all the hype…and then some," she said.

Luke just grinned.

"Right?" Lorelai asked, with just a touch of tentativeness to her tone.

"Right. Just as amazing as expected, even more." He pulled her toward him for another kiss, soft and sweet.

This time when they broke apart, she snuggled into him, laying her head below his shoulder and stroking his chest and stomach with her hand. "You owe me a sex story," she said.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Well, the first time we told each other a sex story, the night of the painting, it was an even trade. I told you how Rory came to be, you told me the same about Robbie. Then, a few weeks ago, I told you the sad story of Victor, the Cuban Casanova, and even alluded to a few others. So now you owe me."

"You really want to be talking about our past sexual encounters, now?"

"Well, you know what they say… you're going to bed with every other person he's been with… "

"I thought that was just regarding STDs," Luke said.

"Yes, but I think it applies to sex in general. The lover you are today is the result of past loves, don't you think?"

"I guess."

"So tell me a story from your past."

"Jeez Lorelai…"

"Who was your first? Rachel?"

"No, not Rachel."

"Thank god," she said.

Luke chuckled. "Why are you relieved?"

"Well, it's hard enough to compete with the woman you married, sexually, let alone if she was also your first, or your only."

"It's not a competition, Lorelai."

"I know. But I can't help being insecure, I feel like you have a much more complete sexual history than I do."

"Believe me, Lorelai, you have nothing to be insecure about. You are… God, you're amazing. We're amazing. Making love with you was fun, and sexy, and… transcendent. The earth moved, my life had no meaning until we first kissed … all of that."

"All of that, Luke?" she asked, a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"All of that and more. More than I can express. You know words aren't my thing." "You're pretty darn good with the words, you know."

"If you say so."

"Even better with the actions."

"Good."

"Not just stamina, but finesse too…"

"Jeez, Lorelai. "

She giggled. "Okay, so who was your first?"

Luke groaned. "You're relentless."

"I am. Who was she?"

Luke sighed. "She worked at Sniffy's. That first summer I was there."

"How old were you?"

"17. It was the summer before my senior year."

"Name?"

"Helena."

"Helena? The one who made you wash extra dishes your first night?"

"How on earth do you remember that?"

"Mind like a steel trap, baby. So – older than you?"

"Yeah, she was, 22? Maybe 23?"

"Wow, much older."

"Yeah. I pretty much thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I couldn't believe she was interested me. Turns out she was mostly interested in me in order to make her ex jealous."

"Ouch."

"Yeah. Took me way too long to figure that out, so there was plenty of humiliation at the end."

"But while it lasted?"

"Best three weeks of my life, up 'til then," he smiled.

"Did she break your heart?"

"No. I mean, I was hurt, for sure. I definitely confused the intimacy with deeper feelings, thought I loved her. I didn't necessarily think she loved me, but… I wanted to take her out, take her to work parties, meet my parents… but she'd have none of that. By that time her ex was coming around again, her plan had worked. They ended up back together and actually moved away at the end of the summer, so my humiliation didn't last for too long. I was happy I was able to keep working at Sniffy's, 'cause I seriously thought about quitting after she dumped me."

"Poor bruised ego," Lorelai said.

"Temporary. After a while that wore off and I ended up feeling.… kind of grateful, almost?"

"Grateful?" Lorelai asked skeptically.

"Well, she was very…instructive."

Lorelai giggled. "I'll bet."

"Served me well, later on."

"You don't say…" She leaned up and kissed him for a while. "Then… Rachel?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "Aren't we even yet?"

"Maybe. But I'm curious."

"No, not Rachel. I went out with a girl that fall, Kristen. She had an ex too, but she was completely up front about the fact that I was revenge."

"And you went along with that?"

"Well sure. I'd kind of had a crush on her all through school—we were on track and cross country together— but she was really bubbly and popular and I never got up the nerve to ask her out. And, I kinda hated her ex, independently of that. He was a tool. The most obnoxious kind of jock—soccer, basketball, baseball, all sports, all the time. And he dumped her, right before homecoming, for a 9th grader. So when she asked me to take her to homecoming, I did."

"You wore a tux?"

"Homecoming, not prom. Just a suit. And I lost the tie and jacket pretty quickly." "Did you have fun?"

"We did. We hung out mostly with the other track kids. And afterwards we went up on Laurel Hill. We built a fire, had some beers, told ghost stories… It was fun."

"And then?" Lorelai asked leadingly.

"And then…we left, but she wanted to stop for a while and keep talking, which led to making out, which led to…sex."

"In your truck?"

"Well yeah…there were blankets, in the back."

"Ooh, you had it all planned, eh?"

"No, they were like, padding for hauling stuff."

"Romantic."

"Hey, it wasn't my idea. I was willing to stop at any time, but she was…eager to keep going. And I wasn't exactly gonna turn her down…"

"Of course not, why would you? So what happened?"

Luke sighed. "I told you the sex part, can't we just skip the rest?"

"But I'm curious."

Luke shrugged.

"Come on, you know I'm going to pry it out of you eventually, you might as well spill."

"Well, after that night, we didn't really see each other again. She sort of … avoided me. Looked embarrassed whenever she saw me. I tried to talk to her, to apologize if I had done something to upset her, but she just said everything was fine and ran off. It was easy enough not to see her – without track practice during the winter we weren't really in the same circles."

"So that was it?"

"No. In the spring, after I started dating Rachel and Kristen had started dating someone else, she waited to talk to me after practice one day. She wanted to apologize for just disappearing, freezing me out. She told me…"

"What?"

Luke sighed. "It turns out that it been her first time. I had no idea, I just assumed… But I guess her reluctance had been one of the points of contention with jerk face."

"Wow, his parents picked a good name for him."

Luke laughed. "Yup. Anyway, she hadn't intended to sleep with me, just got sort of carried away, she said, and felt regretful and embarrassed the next day and just wanted to avoid me and the reminders of that night."

"Poor thing."

"Yeah. I felt bad. Made me wish I'd talked to her sooner, gotten the real story. I was worried maybe I had pressured her, you know, but she said no, she knew what she was doing, she made the choice, even if she later regretted it. Not that it was bad or anything."

"Well, it's good she finally came and talked to you."

"Yeah."

"Does she still live around here?"

"Oh, no. She went to college on the west coast, Oregon, I want to say, and as far as I know never came back here."

"Hmm. So finally… Rachel?"

"Yes. Rachel."

"So?"

"So? I'm not gonna talk about sex with Rachel."

"Why not?"

"Why? Why do you even want to hear about it?"

Lorelai rolled over onto her back, separating herself from him a bit. "I don't know. I guess it's just that it intimidates me a little. I mean, you were married. And together for a long time. I've never had that. I don't know how I compete with that, with your memory of her."

Luke rolled onto his side and looked at her. "It's not a competition. I'm not gonna pretend that Rachel and I had a bad sex life over the years. We didn't. But – as goes the relationship, so goes the sex. Those last few years, as I started to withdraw from her emotionally – started protecting myself from the pain of all the coming and going, the sex did get more detached. Distant. More physical than emotional, and thus less satisfying. In other words, completely opposite from what we just experienced."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. The memories I have of Rachel, of our whole relationship, are in the past. You are my present, my future. Right here, right now. I love you, I love making love with you, I fully intend to make love to you any chance I get from now on."

"You do?"

"Yes." He rolled back the other way and looked at the clock. "And speaking of chances, we've got some time left, especially if we skip lunch."

"Hmm, I'm not sure I can agree to skipping a meal…"

"Well, we better get to it then…" He kissed her, deeply and thoroughly.

And then there was no more talking for a while.