From the rocking chair in the corner of the nursery, Lorelai admired the space that Luke had created for Liam and Ben. The pale blue walls with the teddy bear wallpaper border looked even better than she had imagined. Jess' old crib sat along one wall while Rory's rested against the adjacent wall. One side of each crib was adorned with a blanket made from William's old flannel shirts. The final major additions had been the dresser and changing table that Luke and Lorelai had allowed Emily to purchase as a part of a compromise when they refused to allow her to hire an interior designer. The rest of the compromise involved the large pile of designer baby clothes that Lorelai was folding.

When the pile of laundry had dwindled to just a few onesies, Lorelai called for help. "Luke!" she yelled, loud enough for her voice to carry throughout the entire house.

Luke appeared in the nursery's doorway almost immediately. "Why did you yell? I was just across the hall."

"I didn't know where you were and I need help," she explained, nonchalantly folding the last onesie and adding it to one of the stacks of neatly folded baby clothes.

"You're stuck in the chair again, aren't you?" he teased as he crossed the room to stand in front of her.

"Yes, but I was also hoping you'd help me put all these baby clothes away."

Instead of helping Lorelai out of the rocking chair, Luke picked up the first stack of clothes and carried it to the dresser. "I'll put the clothes away, you stay there."

"I don't really have a choice if you're not going to help me up," Lorelai complained, her mouth twisting into an exaggerated pout.

Returning to pick up the next stack of clothes, Luke paused to give Lorelai a quick kiss. "I will," he assured her. "As soon as I'm done with this."

Lorelai settled deeper into the rocking chair and watched Luke put away the laundry. "How long before we have to leave?"

"Not long. I told Buddy we'd meet him at the diner in about an hour, but you should have enough time to change."

"Why can't I go in what I'm wearing? It's just the soft opening, not the grand opening."

"Nothing's wrong with what you're wearing," he answered, his back still turned to her as he sorted the baby clothes into the dresser drawers. "I just remember you saying that you wanted to look nice and that you were going to wear one of the new outfits you got with your mom, so I thought…" Luke abruptly stopped talking when he turned around and found Lorelai glaring at him.

"What's wrong with how I look?" demanded Lorelai.

Holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender, Luke cautiously approached Lorelai. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You look beautiful. Gorgeous, even." Lorelai continued to glare at him, so Luke gave up trying to reassure her and decided to beg for mercy instead. "Please, Lorelai, just tell me what to say. Or do. I'll do anything," he pleaded while helping her out of the rocking chair.

Suddenly, Lorelai burst into tears and pulled away from Luke. "Just ignore me," she sniffled.

"I don't want to ignore you, Lorelai," Luke protested, reaching for her.

Lorelai pushed his hands away. "I'll go change into something more presentable," she said as she rushed out of the room still crying.

Feeling completely helpless, Luke let his arms fall to his sides in defeat and called after her, "That's not what I meant, Lorelai. You can wear whatever you want!"

L&L L&L L&L

Lorelai spent the duration of the diner's soft opening winding her way around the tables, making minor adjustments to the placement of chairs, straightening menus, and repositioning ketchup bottles. Occasionally she would stop to talk briefly with a friend, but there always seemed to be some small chore that she thought required her immediate attention. Luke found it both endearing and annoying when she folded the rag he was using to periodically wipe down the counter for the fifth time. After she finished with the rag, Lorelai moved toward the storeroom, presumably to organize its shelves.

Chuckling to himself, Luke grabbed the coffee pot and walked around the counter to begin offering refills to the townspeople who had agreed to participate in the soft opening. As he moved through the crowd, he grew closer to Mia's table. She lifted her mug in his direction, silently signaling that she wanted more coffee. When Luke reached her table, Mia said, "Don't worry about Lorelai. She's just nesting. It's perfectly normal."

"I know. She's been doing it at home too," Luke admitted as he poured Mia's coffee. "Our house has never been so clean and, knowing Lorelai, it never will be again."

Mia laughed. "You should see the front desk at the inn. And the supply closet. And my office."

"You know you can tell her to stop, right?"

"I could," Mia agreed amicably. "But I think it's best to let pregnant women do what they want."

"You're right. I got in the way once and I think she seriously considered killing me. Now, I just stay out of the way."

"Smart man."

"I try."

"It will all be worth it when you hold those sweet little babies in your arms."

"Only if I make it though the next three months."

"You'll be okay, Lucas. Ben and Liam will be here before you know it."

"Three months is soon enough. The doctor said twins usually come early, but we don't want them to come too early."

"I'm sure everything will be fine, Lucas."

"Thanks, Mia." Luke offered her a small smile. "Can I get you anything else? I have to get back to work."

"No. I have everything I need." Mia waved him away. "Go on. Tend to your soon-to-be loyal customers."

L&L L&L L&L

Later that evening, Luke held open the front door to let Lorelai and the kids precede him into the house. "Jess, Rory, take off your shoes and then go get ready for bed." Trusting the kids to obey without complaint, Luke wrapped an arm around Lorelai's waist and guided her toward the living room. "You are going to rest while I put the kids to bed," he insisted.

Standing in front of the couch, Lorelai stubbornly rebuffed Luke's efforts to get her to sit down. "I can help," she protested.

Luke was willing to do or say anything that might convince Lorelai to rest, so in an attempt to placate her, he conceded. "I know, but I can handle bedtime alone tonight." Sensing that she was getting ready to argue with him, he hastily continued, "Please, Lorelai. Humor me. You've been on your feet all afternoon and I would really like you to take a break now."

Lorelai sat down, but refused to relax. "You'll send them down to say good night?"

"Of course," Luke promised, kissing her forehead and pushing against her shoulders until she reclined against the back of the couch.

"I guess I could let you put the kids to bed. Just this once. If you let me have ice cream tonight."

"Deal. I'll bring you a bowl once Jess and Rory are asleep. Do you want sprinkles?"

A wide grin spreading across Lorelai's face. "Yes, please!" she accepted eagerly before Luke could change his mind.

"Fine, but I'm not going to bring you any ice cream if you don't stay here. Got it?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Lorelai answered, giving Luke a military salute.

L&L L&L L&L

Lorelai took a large bite of the sundae Luke had prepared for her and moaned, her eyes rolling in her head in pleasure. "Mmmm, this is the best sundae ever."

Pulling Lorelai's legs across his lap, Luke began to massage her feet. "I'm glad you like it." He dug his thumb into a particularly sore spot on the arch of her left foot earning another satisfied moan from Lorelai.

"What's not to like? It's chocolate ice cream with whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles!"

"Don't get used to it," Luke cautioned as he worked his fingers over her ankles and into her aching calf muscles. "This was a one-time bribe, not an everyday snack."

"I know. I know. No coffee. No sugar. No fun."

Luke smirked and lifted her legs slightly so that he could slide closer to her. He ran his hands over her thighs and onto her hips. "No fun?" he asked suggestively.

"Okay. A little fun." Lorelai scooped up a spoonful of ice cream and held it out toward Luke. "Want some?"

"No, thanks. That's not the kind of fun I was talking about." Luke slid his hands under Lorelai's shirt.

"Mmmkay," Lorelai sighed. "Let me have my kind of fun first, then we can have your kind of fun."

"Don't I always let you have your fun first?"

"Yes, you do. You're a very good husband."

L&L L&L L&L

On the day before the grand opening of Luke's Diner, Luke met Buddy at the diner to go over some last-minute details and discuss their plans for the next few weeks when Buddy would be helping Luke until at least one employee could be hired and trained. Lorelai had demanded to go to the diner with Luke, claiming she didn't want to stay home alone while Jess and Rory spent the day with her parents. She spent most of the afternoon and early evening rearranging the storeroom shelves that she had organized during the soft opening. Eventually, when Luke and Buddy had finished their meeting, Luke had to lure Lorelai out of the storeroom with the promise of ice cream.

While Luke locked the diner and slipped the key into his pocket, Lorelai stood on the sidewalk staring up at the old sign for William's Hardware. When Luke joined her on the sidewalk, Lorelai said, "You know, you really should take down your dad's sign."

Luke glanced up at the sign. "No, I don't think so."

"Don't you think it will confuse people?"

"It's a small town. The few people who don't already know that I've turned the store into a diner will figure it out when they come in for a hammer and leave with a cup of coffee."

"I guess that will work. It's going to upset Taylor though."

"Everything upsets Taylor."

"Yes, and it's always funny watching him fly off the handle. Can I please be there when you explain your advertising plan to him?"

"I don't plan to explain anything to him. It's none of his business."

"He thinks everything is his business."

"Well, he can shove it up his…"

"Luke!"

"Can we stop talking about Taylor? He irritates me."

"I know and he doesn't even have to be here to do it. It's like a special talent."

"Aren't we supposed to be meeting your parents for dinner? We should get going," Luke said, effectively changing the subject as he nudged Lorelai toward his truck.

"What about my ice cream?"

"What are you? Five? You can have it later."

L&L L&L L&L

The morning of the grand opening came too early for Luke's liking. It was still dark when the alarm pierced his dreams. Barely awake, Luke turned off the alarm and rolled out of bed. He moved quietly through the house, completing his morning routine and leaving for work without waking anyone else.

Business was steady all morning and, by the time Lorelai and the kids arrived for lunch, the diner was packed with townspeople. Everyone was praising Luke. They all claimed they were certain that the diner was guaranteed to be a success. Taylor was the only dissenter. He argued the William's Hardware sign was misleading and would inevitably lead to the failure of the diner and the destruction of the local tourism industry. Luke responded to the criticism by throwing Taylor out.

As Taylor stormed through the diner, Lorelai pulled Jess and Rory away from the door to give him a clear path to the exit. When he reached the door, Taylor stopped and turned to Lorelai. "Maybe you can talk some sense into your husband," he barked at her.

"Why? I like the sign. It adds character, don't you think?" Lorelai asked, her voice sickeningly sweet with a false innocence designed to antagonize Taylor.

Taylor snorted. "Impossible! All you Danes are impossible."

"We try," admitted Lorelai. Taylor glared at her as he violently wrenched open the door to leave. He let the door slam shut behind him. "And we succeed," finished Lorelai.

With Taylor finally gone, Lorelai led Jess and Rory to the counter where Luke greeted her with a kiss. "It's standing room only down here, so you might want to take Jess and Rory up to the office. I can bring lunch up in a few minutes."

Lorelai looked down at the kids and asked, "Who wants to have lunch in Daddy's office?"

"Me!" chorused Jess and Rory. Jess emphasized his agreement by raising one hand and bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"I guess we'll meet you upstairs."

Luke reached under the counter and pulled out a basket of coloring books and crayons, which he handed to Lorelai. "Hopefully this will keep them entertained until I get up there."

L&L L&L L&L

A short time later, Luke and Buddy stood outside the office door holding enough food to feed an army. With their hands full and the door shut, Luke resorted to lightly kicking the door several times until he heard one of the kids fumbling with the handle. When the door swung open, Rory was standing on the other side, smiling up at her father.

"Food!" she squealed, racing to sit down next to Jess at the child-sized table that occupied one corner of the office. Rory bounced excitedly in her seat, impatient for her lunch. Compared to his sister, Jess was significantly calmer. He was content to wait patiently and entertain himself with his coloring book.

Taking in the scene in front of him, Luke groused, "I guess I see where I rank."

Buddy laughed at him. "Maybe Lorelai will be happy to see you," he suggested, pushing his way into the office.

At that moment, Lorelai walked out of the bathroom and asked, "Did somebody say food?" Without another word, she grabbed the plates Luke was holding and quickly retreated to the desk to eat.

Buddy laughed even harder. "So much for that."

Luke looked at Jess hopefully. "You still love me, right?"

"Right, Daddy," Jess confirmed with a solemn nod. Suddenly worried, he pleaded, "I can still have my lunch?"

"Yes. Buddy, do you think you can pull yourself together long enough to give the kids their food."

Struggling to choke back his laughter, Buddy managed to set the plates he was holding on the table in front of Jess and Rory before excusing himself. "My work here is done. I'll cover the diner, so there's no need to hurry."

"Thanks, Buddy. I'll be down soon."

"Bye, Buddy," Lorelai called around a mouth full of food. After she had swallowed, she said, "Come sit with me, Luke."

"Now she wants me," Luke muttered to himself as he closed the door behind Buddy. He listened to Buddy retreat down the stairs, chuckling all the way, then joined Lorelai at the desk. "How was your lunch?" Luke asked, searching for his own food. Noticing the second empty plate in front of Lorelai, he added, "And mine?"

Lorelai had the good grace to look sheepish. "I'm sorry. Liam and Ben were really hungry and it was really good."

"That's okay. I'll grab something later. Are you still hungry? I can make you something else."

"No. I'm full. For now."

"I'll send something home with you for later. Just in case."

"You're a smart man, Luke Danes," Lorelai said, grinning.

"I better be. Otherwise, the diner is doomed."

"I doubt the town will let the diner fail. They'll make it their mission to keep you in business because they all love you. Well, except Taylor, but he doesn't love anyone."

"We have been busy all morning," Luke confessed. "But it's only the first day."

"It'll stay busy. You'll see. You don't have any competition in town and, if nothing else, people need a place to gossip."

Luke groaned. "I don't want to house the town rumor mill."

"You don't want to be the one person in town who knows what's going on with everyone else? You could take over for Miss Patty."

"No."

"I guess you can just make whoever you hire deal with the Stars Hollow grapevine."

"You think?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"I like that. I'm thinking of hiring at least two people anyway."

"You are?"

"I think I have to. I've already realized that if I don't hire some help, I'll never be home. Buddy and I looked over the books and there's enough money left over from the part of my inheritance that my dad specifically wanted used on the diner to hire a cook and at least one waiter."

"That's great, but I thought you planned to do the cooking."

"I will when I'm here, but I can't be here all the time. I don't really want to raise the kids behind the diner counter."

"Good point. How long do you think it will take you to hire someone?"

"Hopefully not long. Buddy has to get back to Sniffy's and I don't want to be working eighteen-hour days by myself."

"Have you gotten any applications yet?"

"A few. A couple even look promising." Luke paused to help Rory. She had finished eating her lunch and was trying to climb up his legs, so Luke lifted her onto his lap before she could wipe her sticky hands off on his clothes. With Rory snuggled against his chest and already drifting off for her afternoon nap, Luke returned his focus to Lorelai. "If I set up interviews for later this week, can you take Jess and Rory to work with you?"

"Sure. Mia will love to have them visit."

"Go see Mia now," Jess requested from across the room. He smiled at his mother, his eyes shining bright with unwavering optimism.

"Not today, sweet boy, but soon," replied Lorelai, letting him down gently.

"Okay, Mommy," Jess readily agreed and went back to eating his lunch.

To Luke, Lorelai said, "That kid is so easy to keep happy."

"They both are," corrected Luke, standing up with Rory asleep in his arms. He kissed her temple and settled her in the chair he had just vacated. "I have to get back downstairs to help Buddy," he told Lorelai as he crossed the room to kiss Jess' cheek and ruffle his hair. Crossing back to Lorelai, Luke reminded her, "Stop by the counter on your way out. I'll give you some pie to take home for later."

"Oooh, I like pie."

"You don't say?" joked Luke, brushing a light kiss against her lips.

Lorelai grabbed hold of Luke's shirt and pulled him in for a deeper kiss. When she heard Jess start to make noises of disgust, Lorelai pushed against Luke's chest until he took a step back. "We have an audience. You better go before we scar him for life."

"He'll be fine," insisted Luke, kissing her again.

Giggling, Lorelai playfully shoved him away. "Go. We'll be down soon."

"Only because that's where I keep the pie."

"Exactly."

"You're impossible."

"Something you and Taylor agree on!"

"Ah geez. I'm leaving now." When Luke reached the door, he grumbled, "Maybe I can find someone sane downstairs."

"Good luck with that."

L&L L&L L&L

The house was dark and eerily silent when Luke arrived home. For the seventh night in a row, he had missed bedtime, so his first stop was Jess and Rory's bedroom where he adjusted their blankets and gave them their good night kisses even though they were already fast asleep. Satisfied that the kids were safe and sound, Luke crept down the hall to his bedroom.

As soon as he entered the bedroom, Luke noticed that Lorelai was sleeping peacefully, a rare occurrence this late in her pregnancy. He changed into his pajamas and brushed his teeth while making as little noise as possible. When Luke pulled back the blankets and slid into bed next to Lorelai, he thought he'd managed to avoid waking her up until he heard her murmur, "You're late. Again."

"I know. I'm sorry," Luke sighed, rolling over and draping one arm around her. "You didn't have to wait up for me."

"I didn't," Lorelai snapped. "Your sons won't let me sleep."

"I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," whined Lorelai. "It's not your fault. They're just preparing me for all the sleepless nights I'll have after they're born."

"You mean the sleepless nights that we'll have."

"You'll be busy with the diner. You can't work all day and be up all night."

"If that's what I have to do, that's what I'll do, but I don't think it will be that bad."

"Luke, the diner's only been open a week and already you're barely home long enough to sleep."

"It'll get better. I promise."

"How are the interviews going?"

"I had the last one today. Tomorrow, I'll call the two I've decided to hire." Luke pressed a line of kisses across her shoulder and up her neck. "By the time the babies are born, I will have plenty of time to be home with you and all my children."

Lorelai giggled. "Are we a soap opera? Am I Susan Lucci?"

Confused, Luke lifted himself up to hover over Lorelai. "What are you talking about?"

"All My Children is a soap opera starring Susan Lucci."

Flopping back down beside her, Luke commented, "You're crazy. You know that, right?"

"Yep!"

"I'm too tired to deal with crazy. Do you think you can fall asleep now?"

"Probably not, but you go ahead. I'll just lay here and watch you."

"Normally, I'd find that creepy, but, right now, I don't care." Luke tightened his hold on Lorelai, buried his face in his pillow, and mumbled, "Good night, crazy lady."