Chapter 52

The tooth ended up being stubborn and taking a while to fall out, even though Shelby kept messing with it, with both her tongue and her finger. All week, Shelby asked for an apple for her after-school snack, biting and chewing on the side of her loose tooth. It wasn't like she wanted a visit from the "tooth fairy" A.K.A, her dad. She just wanted it out already. Just the feeling of having something loose in her mouth drove Shelby crazy.

"Shell, will you stop messing with your tooth," Luke told her while the three of them were at the dinner table, having dinner together. It was one of the rare times Jess has been home in a few weeks. "It'll fall out when it's ready."

"I can' help i'," Shelby replied in a frustrated tone once she removed her finger from the tooth. "I's bugging me."

"I might have a solution," Jess inputted into the conversation.

"Wha'?" She looked over at her cousin.

He shrugged. "Best way to lose a tooth I know of is being punched in the mouth. That'll knock it right out." Jess smirked to show he was teasing.

"Bu' ten you migh' knock out my uh-ter tee'."

Luke stared over at his daughter. "That's what you're concerned about, Shell?" he questioned. "Getting the other teeth knocked out?"

She looked back at him. "Yeah."

"Just that? Nothing about the fact your cousin just offered to punch you in the mouth."

Shelby shrugged, holding it. "To help knock my too-th ow," she said, some spit flying out of her mouth when she tried to say, tooth.

He let out a slight sigh, dropping his head, briefly. Luke told them both to finish eating, and that there will no punching of any kind.

The next day, which the stubborn tooth still did not fall out, Shelby helped her dad in the diner for a short while before she wandered over to him. There was a bit of a lull and things were kind of boring.

"Dad."

Luke was making a fresh batch of coffee. "Yeah, Shell?" he responded, scooping coffee grounds into the pot.

"Um...Can I, um... Can I go ride my bike?"

"You mean out front?" he asked, looking over at her. "Sure. Give me a minute and I'll carry it downstairs for ya." Luke finished scooping the coffee grounds, shoving the filter back into place.

Shelby shook her head. "No, no' jus' ou' fron'. I wan' to ride my bike all the way to the inn so I can say hello to Lor-lai," she told him.

Luke froze. He looked over at his daughter wondering if he heard right. "You want to do what?"

"I wan' to ride my bike to the inn to see Lor-lai. Can I?" she repeated.

"Shell, you're only seven," he pointed out.

"So?" Shelby shrugged. "All ta o-ter kids ge' to."

He stared at her. Get to what? Is the Independence Inn the new hang-out for kids, these days?

"Hunter was here by himself, remember?"

"If Hunter and the other kids jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?" Luke asked.

Shelby just blinked at him, puzzled. "I don' wan' to jump off a bridge. I wan' to ride my bike to see Lor-lai. Please, Dad?"

"Aw, come on, Shell. Can't you wait another year? I promise, this time, next year, I might consider it."

A pitiful, puppy dog face appeared as she stared up at him. It made the guy squirm.

Miss Patty happened to be in the diner at the moment. She overheard Shelby's request and spoke up, "Come on, Luke. What's the worst that can happen?" giving the kid some help.

"Yeah," Babette agreed. "It's a small town, and you know everyone would keep an eye on her for ya."

"I don't know," he said, unsure about letting Shelby go alone. Luke couldn't believe this day has come where his little girl would want to go explore on her own. He hoped he still had at least another couple years.

"Please, Dad?" Shelby continued to plead. The town was fairly small where everyone knew each other, and would definitely keep an eye out for her. Plus, news traveled fast in Stars Hollow, if something were to happen, Luke would know within five minutes. It still didn't stop Luke from worrying. "I promise to be careful, and I know to look bo' ways before crossing the 'tree'"

Luke took a long time to think, debating letting her go, in his head. It scared him to think of his little buddy out there, all alone. Sure, the Inn wasn't that far away. A lot could happen between the diner and the inn. He tried to think of how old him and Liz were once they could go off by themselves. Luke remembered taking his sister next door to buy some candy from Doose's when they were kids while hanging around their father's store. He must have been around Shelby's age. But that was next door, not on the other side of town. But with some encouragement from Miss Patty and Babette, Luke reluctantly agreed to let Shelby go. Though he had her call first, to make sure Lorelai was working and not at home, so in case the bike ride wouldn't be for nothing. Also, to make sure they weren't busy or anything.

Dialing the Independence Inn's phone number, Luke passed the phone to Shelby. Michel must have been working the front desk.

Shelby hesitated at first, but with a look over at her dad, she asked, "Um...is Lor-lai tear?" She was still getting used to Michel since she wasn't around him often, though Shelby has come to nickname the guy, Michel the Grouch, like Oscar the Grouch. Things were quiet as Shelby stood there, waiting, which she informed her dad, she was on hold. Eventually, Lorelai must have come to the phone. "Hi, Lor-lai," Shelby greeted into the phone with much more confidence. There was a pause before she said, "I wan-ted to ride my bike to come see you, bu' Dad said I had to call you firs' to make sure i' was okay... Uh huh, Dad says I can go all by myself. Please?" Shelby suddenly smiled a huge smile. "Tank you, Lor-lai... See you la-ter." Not able to reach to hang up the phone, she held it up to Luke. "Here, Dad."

Luke took the phone, automatically putting it to his ear. "Hello?" All he heard was a dial tone. "There's nobody there, kiddo," he told Shelby.

"I was giving i' so you can hang it up for me."

He reached over and hung up the phone. "Lorelai say it was okay?"

Shelby nodded. "Can you ge' my bike, please, Dad?" she pleaded.

"Sure, kiddo." Even though his head was screaming not to let Shelby go, Luke took her upstairs where her bike was sitting in the hallway. Telling her to grab her helmet off the handlebar, Luke lifted it and carried the bike downstairs. He had Shelby get the door for him as they headed outside. Luke double checked the brakes to make sure they still worked and made sure there was enough air in the tires. He also made sure Shelby put her helmet on and that it was on, snug. "Now, remember, Shell. Look out for cars and obey all traffic signs, and don't talk to anyone you don't know. Got it?"

Shelby nodded.

"Do you remember our phone number and address?"

Again, she nodded, reciting the both of them.

"Good." Luke forced a smile and dug out some change to use for a payphone, telling her to keep it in her pocket. He then pulled his little buddy in, squeezing her in a firm hug, kissing her cheek. "Be careful, kiddo." Luke had to force himself to let go. "Pay close attention to your surroundings."

"I will, Dad." Shelby reached over and kissed her dad on the cheek. Luke held a gentle hand along her side when she did, gently rubbing it. Shelby went over to her bike, kicking the kickstand up. She swung her leg over, sitting right on the bike seat. "Bye, Dad," she waved as Shelby kicked off, pedaling forward. It took all he had not to stop her as Luke watched her pedal toward the Independence Inn.

A lump formed in his throat as he watched until he couldn't see Shelby. Sure enough, like Miss Patty said, people's heads turned, keeping an eye out for his buddy. Even Taylor poked his head out just as Shelby rode passed his store. Even knowing everyone was keeping an eye out for her, it still scared him to death.

Shelby ended up being gone for a few hours. When she returned, Lorelai and Rory were with her, on either side as Shelby pushed her bike, home.

Luke couldn't help blow a sigh of relief, glad she was home, safe. It had been a long, stressful few hours. He went over and held the door open for them. Once the girls were inside, Luke followed them.

"How was it, Shelby?" he asked, wanting details, and hoped nothing happened.

"Grea'" she replied, cheerfully. "I rode my bike all ta way tear and even helped ou' a' ta inn."

"That's great," Luke praised, happily. "So, no accidents or anything?"

She shook her head as Shelby said, "Nope. Can I do i' again? Maybe to E'tan and Alan's house?"

"Sure, if it's alright with their parents."

Shelby ambushed him, hugging her dad around the legs.

Towards the end of dinner, the requests kept coming. While the girls chatted, Shelby asked when the next time she could come over and spend the night since it had been awhile since she last slept over. Lorelai explained she and Rory had a lunch date to go to, to help with getting Rory into Harvard, but since there was a town meeting later that night, maybe they could pick her up right afterwards, if it was okay with Luke.

The rest of the week came and went. Though not fast enough, in Shelby's mind, wanting to go spend time with Lorelai and Rory. Thankfully, she had things to keep her busy, including music lessons with Miss Patty, Thursday and Friday. Whenever Luke asked what Shelby was working on with Miss Patty, she wouldn't tell him. A few hours before the meeting, Shelby asked if she could go over to Miss Patty's. Luke felt a little better letting her go there, since Miss Patty's was closer than the inn and ended up meeting Shelby there.

"Saved you a sea', Dad," she told him when Luke walked over to where Shelby was sitting, with her foot up on the chair next to her and moved it so he could sit down.

Luke leaned in to kiss the side of her head. "Thanks, kiddo," he thanked her and sat down.

"Your welcome," she replied. "I'm also saving two for Lor-lai and Rory, scooting down a few chairs."

"You are, huh?" Luke smirked at her.

Shelby nodded.

Once everyone but the Gilmores arrived, Taylor started the meeting as usual. They took care of a few things before Lorelai and Rory finally arrived, which Shelby waved her over, pointing out the two chairs she saved for them, returning next to her dad so they could sit. That was when Taylor brought the last topic to attention. Something that grabbed Luke's attention real fast, making him shoot to his feet in protest.

Taylor was still pushing to have his old-fashioned soda shop opened in town, having Kirk unveil the model he had built, explaining to the crowd all about it, though everyone was more focused on the model, pointing out the size of the horse.

"You're missing the big picture here, townsfolk," Taylor finally said, in frustration. "Now, this wonderful business belongs in Stars Hollow, whether Luke rents the space willingly or not."

Luke shrugged his hands out as he asked, "How would I not rent it willingly."

Leaning on the podium, Taylor replied with, "I'm talking about eminent domain, my friend. Check the town's bylaws."

Luke tightly folded his arms. He couldn't believe this guy.

"If a three-fourth majority finds it necessary to use a space for a specific function, the landowner must concede."

"That's for taking over houses to turn into hospitals," he pointed out, angrily, "during a national emergency like the Civil War. If you wanna turn this place into a Civil War hospital, be my guest."

Taylor pointed out, "Some would attest that my soda shop is going to offer on the same level as the comfort a hospital can provide."

"You're gonna need a hospital, Taylor," Luke pointed at him as a threat.

Lorelai called out, "Hit him!"

"Which one?" asked Rory.

She shrugged, lowering her voice a little. "Either one."

"Come on, Luke," Taylor continued to try convincing Luke, and waved his hand towards his model. "This shop is based on the original soda shop that was in town, eighty years ago! Don't you see? You are preventing the town..."

Luke cut him off. "From moving backwards," he said, directed at everyone else. "Who here wants to do that?"

There were some murmurs among the crowd before Lorelai spoke in a soft, high-pitched voice, "We like ice cream."

Luke turned to her. "Oh, come on," he told her, holding his arms out.

Shelby, who was quite the master of Lego architecture, had been checking out the model. He turned to his last hope, knowing his little buddy would at least take his side. But though the kid usually did, this time wasn't the case. Shelby was also a fan of ice cream. Great, so now Taylor had not only Lorelai and Rory on board, but his own kid, as well. Luke wasn't going down that easy and told Taylor to be prepared to pay through the nose which Shelby pointed out with a puzzled look that it sounded disgusting and painful.

With a quiet sigh, he informed her, "It's an expression, kiddo."

With excitement, Taylor announced, "We have our soda shop, everybody!" Everyone cheered and applauded. "But before we dismiss, Miss Patty and Shelby would like your attention for just a few moments." He stepped down as Shelby shyly moved up the steps.

Luke watched in confusion what was going on as Miss Patty whispered to her.

Lorelai leaned over to ask, "What's going on?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. All I know is, Shelby came here early long before the meeting." Miss Patty went over to the piano, sitting down on the bench while Shelby remained in front of the podium, holding her hands behind her back. She was looking out at everyone, nervously.

Luke had retaken his seat.

Miss Patty looked back, over at Shelby. "You ready, sweetheart?"

Shelby looked over at the woman and nodded, before looking back at everyone. She stole a glance over at her dad. He smiled for her and saw her relax, a little. Miss Patty started playing which Luke recognized as the piano music from one of Shelby's favorite songs, One Voice, though Shelby did not start singing right away.

Her chest was moving a little faster. She wiped her eyes on her arms before shutting them as if she was listening to the music, then after a few moments, Shelby started to sing out loud. Her very first performance alone. Her soft singing voice echoed through the studio as she sang the words. Everyone else was quietly listening as Shelby stood there with her hands still behind her back the entire time, not opening her eyes at all, keeping in tune to the music. In fact, she didn't open them until Shelby finished and everyone applauded. Not even Shelby couldn't help smile around at them and took a bow, before pointing towards Miss Patty, to send some applaud her way. Afterwards, Shelby stepped down the stairs as everyone made to leave.

Luke was still in shock, but he managed to ask, "What was all that about?"

"Miss Pa'ty and I t'ough' to do tis to help me pra'tice singing in fron' of pee-po," she explained. "We've been pra'ticing twice a week for tis."

Miss Patty came over at that point. "Don't worry, honey. I didn't make her. This was with Shelby's permission," she assured him before he could ask.

"That was amazing, Shelby," Rory complimented, which Shelby thanked her for.

"Hey, Shelby. You think when you become a famous musician you can introduce me to all the greats?" Lorelai asked.

"You mean like George Jones and Johnny Cash?"

"I was thinking more along the lines of Bruce Springsteen," she corrected.

Shelby shook her head. "I don' know who ta is. Does he sing country?"

"Uh, no." Turning to Luke, she asked him, "Good Lord. What are you teaching this kid?"

"I did not teach her about country music oldies. She knew them already," he admitted.

"Well, anyway," Lorelai turned back to Shelby. "You ready to party at our house, sweetheart?"

Shelby nodded.

"Come on, kiddo. Let's go grab your stuff before you leave." Luke took her back to the diner and upstairs while Lorelai and Rory stayed around the dance studio, mingling, meeting them there. After a quick bite, the girls left. But not before a hug and kiss good-bye between father and daughter.

"Are you mad a' me, Dad?"

"For what?" he asked.

"For taking Taylor's side," she said, giving him an ashamed look, barely meeting his eyes.

"Of course not, kiddo. Not at you." Luke held onto her sides. "I don't expect us to agree on everything, especially when there's ice cream involved." He smiled for her.

Shelby returned it.

"Besides, as landlord, I plan to give Taylor plenty of hard times." Chuckling, Luke leaned in, touching his forehead to hers, making Shelby laugh. He then stood up and let her climb into the backseat of Lorelai's jeep. Lorelai then pulled away from the curb, heading for their house.

Luke watched until the jeep was out of sight.