The chime of the bell above the door caused Luke to look past the customer he was helping and smile when he saw Lorelai breeze into the hardware store. He watched her go into the storeroom to put away her coat and purse before taking her place behind the cash register. After quickly finishing with the customer, Luke waited for the customer to pay and then joined Lorelai behind the counter, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey," Lorelai said cheerfully, flashing a bright smile. "I just checked on Jess and Rory in the storeroom. They've colored enough pictures for you to wallpaper the entire store and your dad's office."

"That's nice. I think we should go out."

"I know their drawings are nice and their use of color is wonderful, but I don't think Jess and Rory are capable of managing the store on their own just yet. Besides, you're supposed to be meeting your dad."

"Very funny. I didn't mean now. I meant for Valentine's Day."

"Oh. Do you think William's well enough to babysit?"

"Probably not, but I thought we could ask your parents."

"My parents?" Lorelai asked doubtfully.

"Yes."

"Richard and Emily Gilmore? Those parents?"

"Yes, those parents," Luke insisted. "Things have been going well with them lately. Your mom has been nice. She's been making a real effort to get along with all of us. And they did offer."

"I know," Lorelai admitted reluctantly. "But…"

"No buts," Luke began, pausing when he was interrupted by Lorelai's snickering. When she quieted down, Luke continued, "I think it's time that we give them a chance."

"With our kids?" she protested. "I thought you liked Jess and Rory?"

"I love them."

"Then why would you want to subject them to that kind of emotional trauma?"

"We won't be. Your mom is trying to be a good grandma and we can make sure your dad is there the whole time."

Lorelai hesitated before replying, "I don't know."

"I love the kids, Lorelai. I wouldn't suggest this unless I was sure they would be okay with your parents." Lorelai stared at him. Her uncertainty was clearly written across her face. "I also love you and I think we need a break. To spend time together, just the two of us."

Lorelai wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You sound like Emily."

"Maybe that should tell you something."

"Like what? That my mother somehow got her hooks into you and brainwashed you."

"That's ridiculous," Luke pointed out. "You really think that your mom, who only recently started acknowledging my existence, brainwashed me into wanting to spend time with you?"

"Well, when you put it that way…"

"It sounds insane."

"I guess, maybe, it might sound a little insane," Lorelai conceded, her lower lip sticking out in a slight pout.

"Don't pout." He gently kissed away her pout. "I just want to take you to dinner. The kids will be fine and if they're not, you can say I told you so."

"And pay for years of therapy," she scoffed.

"I seriously doubt Jess and Rory will need years of therapy after a few hours with your parents. They've been making an effort, Lorelai. Now, it's our turn. Let me take you to dinner. A few hours that we don't have to worry about the kids or my dad or work or anything other than ourselves."

"Okay," Lorelai relented. "If my parents will babysit, we can go to dinner."

"Good. I can't wait," Luke told her with a smile.

"Stop gloating," she demanded, rolling her eyes. "I've got things covered here and you need to leave now if you're going to be on time to pick up your dad." She pushed him toward the door.

"Fine. I'm going." He kissed her again. "Just let me say goodbye to Jess and Rory."

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Once he was certain that Jess and Rory were happily reading with Richard and Emily, Luke dragged Lorelai out of the house and to the truck. He helped her into the truck and hurried around to the driver's side, eager to get away from the Gilmore house before Lorelai could change her mind. They didn't even make it to the end of the driveway before she started having second thoughts.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Lorelai fretted anxiously. She twisted around in her seat so that she could see her parents' house through the truck's rear window. "We should go back and get them. It's not too late."

"Yes, it is," Luke countered, pulling out of the driveway. "You saw them. They were happy. All of them. Can we please try to enjoy our dinner without worrying too much?"

Sighing heavily, Lorelai slid back into her seat. "I'll try."

"Good." He reached over to hold her hand, stroking his thumb lightly over her knuckles.

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When they arrived at the restaurant, Luke helped Lorelai out of the truck. He placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her across the parking lot and into the restaurant. His hand stayed on her back as they followed the hostess to their table.

Stopping next to a table set for two, the hostess asked, "Is this okay?"

"It's perfect," Luke answered, pulling out Lorelai's chair.

As Luke sat down, the hostess laid the menus on the table and flashed a smile at Luke. "Great. Your server will be with you soon."

"Thank you," Luke replied politely. He turned to look at Lorelai and was pleased to find she was smiling at him. "So, we're at dinner. Mia is with my dad. The kids are with your parents. Everything and everyone is taken care of. Think you'll be able to relax now?"

Lorelai's smile widened. "I said I'd try and you are making it easy, so yes, I think I'll be able to relax. At least for a little bit."

"Good. I think it would help you relax if we avoid talking about things that stress you out."

"Like?"

"Like your parents and the kids and the fact that your parents are babysitting the kids."

"Fine. We should also avoid talking about things that stress you out. Like William's cancer."

"Deal."

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Lorelai waited until Luke was in the truck and buckling his seatbelt before she said, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Dinner. It was nice. Very relaxing," she told him as he backed the truck out of the parking spot.

"That was my goal."

"You succeeded."

"Good." He drove out of the parking lot and turned in the direction of the Gilmore house. "Let's go get the kids."

"Finally!" Lorelai exclaimed with a deep sigh of relief.

Luke chuckled and pushed a little harder on the gas pedal.

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The moment they arrived at her parents' house, Lorelai opened the passenger door and jumped out of the truck. She didn't even wait for the truck to come to a complete stop. "Lorelai," Luke called, roughly shifting the truck into park. He hurried to get out of the truck and chase after her as she raced to the front door. Lorelai was already knocking on the door when Luke caught up to her. "They're fine," he whispered softly in her ear.

"Mhmm," she mumbled anxiously with a jerky nod.

"They are," he attempted to reassure her.

The front door swung open to reveal a smiling maid. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Danes. Please, come in." Luke and Lorelai exchanged concerned glances and stepped into the house. "I'll let Mrs. Gilmore know you're here."

As soon as the maid left the room, Lorelai turned to look at Luke. "She was happy. Too happy. Nobody has ever been that happy working for my mother."

"It was weird," agreed Luke.

Lorelai opened her mouth to speak again, but Jess and Rory appeared before she could say anything. Seeing that Luke and Lorelai had returned, the kids squealed with excitement and ran toward their parents.

"Daddy! Mommy!" Jess cried, crashing into Luke's legs.

Rory wrapped herself around Lorelai's legs and held up a piece of paper. "Mama, look," she demanded.

Crouching down, Lorelai took the piece of paper and admired Rory's drawing. "What's this?"

"It's a horsie, Mama," Rory informed her mother in a tone indicating the object of the drawing should be obvious.

"A horsie, huh? Well, it's very nice. Did you draw this all by yourself?"

Shaking her head solemnly, Rory pointed across the room and stated, "With Gamma."

"Well, you and Grandma did a good job," Lorelai praised Rory and kissed her cheek.

While Rory chattered about her picture, Lorelai's eyes darted to where her parents were standing a few feet away. Emily immediately noted the look of shock that Lorelai couldn't quite hide. "I am capable of drawing a simple picture with my granddaughter, Lorelai," Emily commented dryly.

"I never said you weren't."

Raising one eyebrow, Emily stated, "You were thinking it."

Lorelai settled Rory onto her hip and stood up. "I'm just a little surprised. That's all."

"I don't see why you should be surprised."

Sensing an impending argument that he desperately wanted to avoid, Luke hastily asked, "How did they behave?"

"Their behavior was exemplary," Richard answered. He was equally determined to keep the peace between Emily and Lorelai.

"Yes," Emily agreed, following her husband's lead and allowing for the change of subject. "We had a very pleasant evening."

"What did you do?" questioned Lorelai, her voice taking on a note of forced cheerfulness. She gently tickled Rory, eliciting peals of laughter.

"Wead books," Jess announced. He pressed himself closer to Luke's legs and smiled when he felt Luke's hand on his head, ruffling his hair.

"Color."

"Blocks."

"Doll."

"Sammich."

"Juice."

The adults laughed at the kids' obvious attempts to one up each other. "Juice and sandwiches," repeated Lorelai, no longer even trying to conceal her surprise.

"Julie insisted that children their age like apple juice and something called a PB and J," Emily explained uncertainly.

"Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are definitely popular with these two," confirmed Lorelai.

"Yum!" Jess chirped causing Luke to chuckle and ruffle his hair again.

Richard joined in Luke's laughter. "They certainly seemed to enjoy what they ate of their dinner, but I think they ended up wearing most of the sandwiches."

"Jam hands," Luke explained. "Kids are always sticky."

"It seems these kids are also picky. Rory would only eat strawberry jelly and Jess would only eat grape jelly."

"Yeah, Mom, three-year-olds tend to be picky eaters."

"We never allowed you to dictate your meals. The children should eat what they are given."

Feeling the sudden tension radiating from Lorelai, Luke hastily ended the conversation. "Well, it sounds like you all had a good night, but we better get on the road. Jess and Rory need to get to bed."

"Of course. Julie, please get the children's coats."

"Yes, Mrs. Gilmore."

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Halfway back to Stars Hollow, Luke placed his hand on Lorelai's knee. "It sounded like the kids had a nice time with your parents. I told you everything would be okay." Lorelai responded by sticking her tongue out at him. "I'm just glad I was right for once."

"Don't let it go to your head."

He grinned. "I won't."