Lorelai woke up crankier than ever. She had spent yet another sleepless night alone in her bed, and it was frustrating her beyond belief that she still couldn't manage to get proper rest without a certain somebody next to her. She was definitely going to need some strong coffee if she was going to make it through the day without biting anybody's head off. Luckily for her, she knew just the place to go to get it.
She walked through the square, trying her best not to roll her eyes at all the ridiculous firelight festival decorations being put up. It seemed like love was everywhere around her, and today, it made her sick. She picked up her speed a little, on a mission to get away from it all when out of nowhere a papier-mâché star fell in front of her.
"Ahh." Lorelai yelped, scared by the object that broke into pieces in front of her.
"Hey, you okay?" The guy next to her asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Man, that has never happened before!" He said, completely surprised.
"Really? How about that." Lorelai said, walking around the shattered pieces. She found her way to the diner and went inside, heading straight over to the counter by Luke. "I was almost crushed by a papier-mâché star. How's your day?"
"Well, it's looking pretty good now." Luke said, looking over at her.
"Coffee please, and a shot of cynicism."
Luke turned to grab the coffee pot and a mug, setting the cup in front of her and pouring the black liquid into it. "So, why so cheery?"
"I don't know, I'm just in a mood. I don't know why." Lorelai said, picking up her coffee and taking a big sip.
"I think I know a particular reason for this mood."
"Okay, Rory."
"What?" Luke asked, confused.
"Nothing." She said, shaking her head. "I'm just tired."
"I kind of figured." Luke said, shooting her a cocky grin.
Lorelai pointed her index finger at him. "Don't start with me."
"Hey, it's not my fault you can't function when I'm not around."
"Can you pour me another cup of coffee? I'm not sure this one is hot enough to throw in your face." Lorelai joked. From the table behind her she overheard Miss Patty and Taylor arguing about the festival, causing her even more annoyance. "Ugh, can't nobody talk about anything else but this stupid festival?" She said at a volume high enough for everyone to hear. She looked over at Luke who was even surprised by her outburst. "That came out a lot louder than it was supposed to, didn't it?"
"Yup." Luke nodded, taking the coffee pot with him as he walked out from behind the counter.
"Yup." Lorelai said to herself before turning to face them.
"This festival is commemorating the founding of our town, young lady." Taylor said.
"I know, Taylor. I'm sorry."
Luke finished pouring a customer's coffee then looked up towards the older pair. "She's crabby because she can't get enough of me." He said, causing Lorelai to shake her head at him.
Miss Patty set her chin on her hand, looking over at Lorelai. "I understand the dilemma."
"Ah, can I get you two anything else?" Luke asked.
"Oh, no, thank you, sweetheart." Miss Patty said, waiting till Luke was back behind the counter to speak again. "Are you two coming to the festival tonight?"
"Ah, I don't know." Lorelai said. "I got that dinner at my parents' house."
"Oh, but you have to go. It is your first firelight festival as a couple."
"I mean, I guess we could show up after I get back from dinner." Lorelai said, looking at Luke for confirmation.
"You're gonna make me go to the event you called stupid two minutes ago? I thought we were finally on the same page."
"Patty makes a good point, it is our first festival together. It might be nice to go and spend some time together. Y'know, since I can't get enough of you." Lorelai said with an evil grin.
"You have to come." Miss Patty added. "You'll see how magical it is to stand next to that big fire with your sweetheart wrapped in your arms."
"We will be there. Right, Luke?" She said, looking over at him with an expression that meant he had to say yes.
"I guess I will have to be."
"Great, we'll see you both there." Miss Patty said, both her and Taylor standing up from their chairs and making their way out of the diner.
"Thank you for that." Luke said.
"Hey, you're that one that got yourself roped into it."
"Yes, by you."
"Well, I wouldn't be a proper lady if I didn't force my man into doing things he doesn't want to." Lorelai said, smiling over at him as she took another sip of her coffee. "Seriously though, I'm gonna need another cup of coffee if I'm gonna make it till tonight."
"You got that cup five minutes ago, you do not need another." Luke said, watching Lorelai as she got out of her chair and started walking behind the counter with a smirk on her face. "No." He said, blocking her with his body.
"Let me by and I won't make you go tonight." Lorelai suggested.
Luke thought about it a second, then he stepped aside. "So, you're really fine with me not going tonight?"
"I said I wouldn't make you go." Lorelai said, grabbing the pot. "But if you don't, I will be forced to pretend like I'm fine with it, when really, I'm extremely upset. Which will then cause me to ice you out till finally I snap and end up unloading days' worth of pent up anger on you all at once. Again, like a proper lady."
"So, basically I still have to go."
"Yup." She said, smiling at him before she stepped over and started refilling her cup as the diner door opened.
"Hey, how's it going?" A female voice said from the doorway.
Luke looked away from Lorelai, finally noticing who had come in. "Rachel?" He said, surprised.
Lorelai stopped mid-pour, her head snapping toward Luke. "Rachel, your Rachel?" She asked, looking over toward the woman standing by the door. "You're Rachel?"
"Yup, I'm Rachel." Rachel answered, kindly. She waited for any reply, but Luke stood silently as he looked between the two women. "I know you aren't a man of many words, but you could say something. Try a simple hello."
"What are you doing here?" Luke asked, bluntly. "I thought you were in the Congo, or Philadelphia, or something."
Rachel grinned, taking a seat next to where Lorelai had been sitting. "Actually, though very similar to both the Congo and Philadelphia, I was in the Mideast."
"Oh, guess that postcard must've gotten lost."
"Yeah, yeah, well things got pretty crazy over there, not a lot of writing time. But I finished up my assignment, and I flew back to Chicago and I was walking through O'Hare, and I look up and there's a plane leaving for Hartford in like twenty minutes, and all of a sudden I'm on it."
"Nice story." Luke said, sarcastically.
"I should have called."
"No, you didn't have to. It's fine."
"You look good." She said, causing Luke to look over at Lorelai uncomfortably.
"He thinks you look good too, right?" Lorelai asked, looking back at him. When he didn't say a word she looked over at Rachel, trying to escape the awkward silence. "You do look good."
"Thank you." Rachel said, smiling.
"I'm Lorelai."
"Lorelai, nice to meet you." She said, glancing over at Luke a second before looking back at Lorelai. "Do you work here?"
"She ah, ah, she works at the Independence Inn." Luke said, attempting to make an effort in the conversation.
Lorelai looked over at him with squinted eyes, slightly hurt by the demotion he had given her. "I run it actually."
"She runs it." Luke corrected.
"Oh, sorry." Rachel said. "I just figured with you being behind the counter and all."
"Oh, no, I just snuck back here to steal coffee." Lorelai said, setting the coffee pot back down before going back over and sitting at her stool.
"Independence Inn, I love that place." Rachel said, turning her head to face Lorelai. "That must be a pretty big job."
"It is, it's crazy, there's always something happening. Like, we just put these coffee makers in all the rooms, but only half of them work. They just like shake and gurgle, like they're having some kind of a fit." Lorelai stopped, thinking about how much she was explaining to this stranger. "Why were you in the Mideast?"
"I was doing a photo story on how Palestinian and Israeli families have been affected by the violence."
"Ah huh, well, so you understand about the job pressure."
"Yeah." Rachel said with a small laugh.
"I'm gonna go." Lorelai said, standing up.
"Please, don't let me drive you away."
"That's okay, you're not, I have to go sit in a closet or something. So, it was really nice to meet you."
"Yeah, you too."
"Okay, bye." Lorelai said, taking one last look at Luke before leaving.
She couldn't believe what an idiot she had made of herself, going on and on about coffee machines with Luke's ex-girlfriend. She could talk to Anna all the time without babbling like a fool, but as soon as his long lost love Rachel walked in she seemed to have lost all motor skills.
"'Oh, we got new coffee makers.'" Lorelai said, mimicking herself. "Ugh, what was I thinking?"
"Well, you spent a lot of time picking out those coffee makers." Rory said.
"Oh, yeah, I'm Missus Coffee." Lorelai said, taking her stress out on Rory's hair as she brushed through it.
"Ah, okay, hair still attached to the head." Rory said, pulling away.
"Okay, sorry. I'm a little worked up."
"Mom, it's just Luke's ex-girlfriend.
"I know. I just hate that I made myself look so stupid in front of-"
Rory cut in. "Luke?"
"No, Rachel. She was standing there, fresh off a plane, and she had no plane hair at all, might I add."
"And what exactly is plane hair?"
"You know, it's all big and all," She lifted Rory's hair up. "Bah."
"Got it."
"And I'm standing there right next to him and he didn't even bother to tell her who I was. Didn't tell her my name, didn't tell her that I am his fiancée."
"But you aren't his fiancée."
"Yes, but we agreed that is what we would tell people." Lorelai said, brushing her hair roughly again.
"Ow, ow, okay, you are officially off hair duty." Rory said, taking the brush from her and setting it on her dresser.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I just-"
Rory cut her off. "No, it's okay. I just think it's a little early for Dean to see me completely bald."
"Right, that's more a six month thing."
Rory walked over and sat on her bed, Lorelai following her and sitting at the end of it. "This is one of his oldest friends, maybe he knows she can keep it a secret the same way Sookie and I have for you."
"That's different, we tell each other everything. Luke hasn't even talked to this woman in six years, he didn't even know where she was till she showed up."
"It's his childhood sweetheart. They have a connection that goes way back, just like you and dad."
"I lied to Christopher about it."
"We don't know that Luke isn't going to say you are engaged. Maybe he was just shocked to see her and he didn't think about it."
"Or maybe he didn't tell her because he wants her back."
"I highly doubt that."
"I don't." She said, shaking her head. "He told me about this, about how every time she comes back into his life he falls for her all over again. And what if that is what's happening now?"
"Well, what would be so bad about that? I mean, if he wants to be with her." Rory said, pretending she didn't realize the real reason Lorelai was upset here.
"She will just break his heart again." Lorelai said, standing up in frustration. "She will make him fall in love with her all over, make him believe that they have a shot, and then she will just leave, and Luke will be all alone again."
"If it is worrying you this much you should just talk to Luke. Tell him you are concerned about her being here and being around him."
"That will sound like I'm telling him to stay away from her."
"So, then, tell him to stay away from her."
"What? Are you crazy? I can't tell him that."
"Why not? You're the one spending all your time pretending to be with him. If he starts something up with Rachel it will wreck your guy's plan and the whole town will find out that you lied to them."
"I still can't tell him that. He's a grown man that makes his own choices."
"Well, then, just wait and see what happens. You might be getting way ahead of yourself. Maybe he doesn't even want her back."
"Yeah, maybe not." Lorelai said, not believing that could be true.
That night Luke sat alone on a cold park bench, glancing around at all of the festivities around him. If anyone would have asked why he was sitting there all by himself he would have said he was waiting for Lorelai. But truthfully, he was just avoiding walking around in hopes he wouldn't run into Rachel. He had known her since they were kids, so the thought of having to lie to her was a tricky situation. Despite their obvious problems, she still knew him better than most people. He was almost certain that he would tell her and she would just instantly know he wasn't being truthful and call him on it.
He glanced up when he heard the sound of a click, noticing Rachel snapping pictures as she walked toward him. He turned his head to face her as she sat down, watching her remove the used film from her camera. "You getting good stuff?" He asked.
"Oh yeah, the firelight really changes people." Rachel said, smiling. "You know, makes them seem happier, freer. All troubles of the world completely gone."
"I don't think that's the firelight, I think it's the Founder's Day party punch they've been selling."
"Oh yeah, that stuff is good."
"Okay, at some point are you gonna tell me what you're doing here?" Luke asked, bluntly.
"I'm putting more film in my camera." She said, smiling over at him.
"Rachel."
"What? I told you. I was at the airport, now I'm here."
"Oh, well, sure, when you put it like that."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't sound all that happy to see me."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you have a tendency to show up and then leave, quite suddenly. Not one of your more charming attributes."
"So, you're not happy to see me?" She asked, he ignored her question. "Luke, I don't know what I'm doing here. I just missed you, I wanted to see you, I don't know what else to say."
"Okay." He said, both of them sitting quietly for a moment.
"So, since we're both being blunt. What's the deal with Lorelai?"
Luke glanced over at her. "Lorelai and I are engaged."
"Woah." Rachel said, raising her eyebrows. "I did not expect that answer."
"Let me guess, you expected me to be secretly in love with her while she doesn't have the slightest clue about it?"
Rachel smiled. "Well, it did take you twelve years to ask me out."
"We were four when we met. Did you expect me to invite you back to my parent's place for a couple juice boxes?"
"No, but when we were fifteen and I told you that Alex Henderson asked me out, I figured you would stop me from going. The only reason I let him take me on a date in the first place was to make you jealous."
"That is really why?"
"Yes! And it would have saved me from a very awkward night of slapping his hand away from my boobs if you would have."
Luke smiled. "Y'know, I just saw Alex awhile back. He's got a wife and four kids now, so I think you set him straight."
"I think you threatening to break every bone in his body if he treated a girl with that much disrespect again might have helped too." She said, bumping her shoulder into his.
"Seems like such a long time ago now, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does." She agreed. "And now you're engaged."
Luke nodded. "Yeah."
"She makes you happy?"
"She makes me happy, angry, crazy, and about seven other emotions just before noon."
"Well, good. I'm very happy for you, Luke." Rachel said, sincerely.
"Thanks."
"I'm going to go take some more pictures, then I should probably find a room for tonight."
"You can stay at my place while you're in town, if you'd like."
"I don't think Lorelai would be thrilled about that idea."
"No, I don't mean with me. I live at Lorelai's house. Well, my house too now, I guess. But you are welcome to stay at my old place above the diner."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Thank you, Luke."
"No problem."
"I'm gonna get some of that party punch, you want some?" Rachel said, standing up.
"That stuff will kill you."
"Oh Luke, some things never change." She said, walking away from him.
Lorelai appeared a few seconds later, sitting down on the bench next to Luke. "Hey, where the hell's the fire department when you need them?"
"Hey, when did you get here?" Luke asked.
"Just a while ago."
"Did you see Harry and Taylor get into a fist fight?" Luke asked with a laugh.
Lorelai smiled big. "No, I missed that!"
"It was good."
Lorelai looked around the festival. "So, where's Rachel?" She asked, pretending she hadn't seen her sitting with him before she came over.
"She's a Founder's Day punch junkie."
"God, even the nice girls aren't safe."
"Yeah, she's been running around here taking all kinds of pictures."
"She's having a good time?"
"I think so, I hope so." Luke said, looking over at Lorelai. "I told her about us."
"Which about us do you mean?" Lorelai said, hiding the worry she was still feeling.
"That we are engaged."
Lorelai smiled lightly, nodding her head. "How'd she take it?"
"She said she is happy for me."
"Well, that's really nice of her."
"Yeah, she's always been nice."
"So, is she heading off on some new adventure now?"
"I'm not really sure. I offered her my old apartment to stay at while she is here, which probably won't be very long now."
"Does she still have family or anyone here that she visits?"
"No, not really. She pretty much just came back for me." Luke said, the both of them sitting quietly for a moment. "So, how was your dinner?"
"My mother invited some guy over to set me up with."
"Like to date?" Luke asked, curiously.
"Ah, ha. He was an actuary. So, on the plus side she is lowering her standards on the men she'd like me to go out with. I'm anticipating an auditor to be waiting for me at the next dinner."
"Something to look forward to."
"I knew something was up when she let Rory out of dinner so easily, and now I know why."
"So, shanghai aside, how was it?"
"So, so bad. Just awful. I snuck out my old bedroom window and my dad caught me. Luckily, he was just as repulsed by the guy as I was and he ended up covering for me."
"Sounds like an eventful night." Luke said with a chuckle.
"Yes, and thankfully, I'm home safe now."
"Sorry your night sucked."
"It was dinner with my parents, I knew going in that there was a ninety percent chance of extreme mental suffering." Lorelai joked. "But you know what would make my night a lot better?"
"What's that?"
Lorelai grinned. "If you ate some cotton candy."
"It would really bring you that much joy to see me eat strawberry flavored death?"
"Yes, and now I know your flavor preference. I myself go for the blue raspberry flavored doom." She said, grabbing his arm and pulling him with her off the bench. She walked them over to the cotton candy stand, smiling kindly at the man selling them. "One strawberry and one blue raspberry, please." She said, handing him some money.
"Here you go." The man said, hanging her two bags of cotton candy.
"Thank you." Lorelai said, walking with Luke till they were out of anyone's way. She opened the bag of pink candy and pulled a piece out, moving it towards Luke. "Okay, open up for the airplane!"
"If you call it an airplane, I'm not going to eat it." Luke said, squinting over at her.
Lorelai continued waving the piece in front of his face. "Come on, Luke, crash landing, you are the only one who can save them!" She switched to a high pitched voice. "Save us, Luke! Helppp!" She said, flying it towards his mouth. She watched as he rolled his eyes at her then opened his mouth, letting her put the piece inside. "Good?" She asked, grinning as he ate it.
"Worth the extra year off my life."
"I don't think one bite will take off a whole year. Maybe three weeks, four tops."
"It will be a year when I'm done." Luke said, grabbing the bag away from her.
"Ah, I got you to cave!" Lorelai said, excitedly. "You'll be eating deep fried ice cream by the end of the month."
"Not gonna happen." He said, taking another bite.
"Admit it, I broke you."
"Never."
Lorelai smiled over at him then grabbed out a piece of hers. "Here, try the blue raspberry." She said, setting it in his mouth. "You like it?"
"Mine's better."
"Are we four years old now?"
"Try this." Luke said, grabbing out a piece from his bag and putting it into Lorelai's mouth.
"Hmm, that is better. Why have I been buying this blue crap?" Lorelai said, reaching into Luke's bag and grabbing out more.
Luke smiled as he looked over at her happily eating his candy. "Thank you."
"For what?" Lorelai asked, glancing over at him in confusion.
"For making me come tonight."
"I didn't make you, remember?" Lorelai said, smiling.
"Well, whatever it was, I'm glad we're here. It's been a long time since I had someone to enjoy these stupid events with."
"I'd be careful Luke, you say anything else nice and you'll start to sound like you actually like something this town has to offer."
"I definitely wouldn't want to admit to something like that."
Lorelai smiled over at him, linking her arm with his. "It's our first festival as a couple, gotta get into character." She defended, though it was not like he had minded the contact any.
Luke smiled back at her, walking together with her till they reached the giant fire that was lit in the center of town square. When they stopped Luke wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to him. She smiled to herself, resting her head onto his shoulder. They may not have been a real couple like they were pretending to be, but this gesture they shared could have fooled anybody.