Rory unlocked the front door and walked inside. She set her backpack on the floor and headed for the kitchen. As she filled the coffeepot, she heard movement from upstairs. A couple minutes later Lorelai came downstairs.
"You read my mind." She said, watching her daughter
"So how was your evening?" Rory asked, hoping her mom would tell her everything
"Nothing special…actually I fell asleep."
"You fell asleep!! Mom how could you fall asleep."
"It was a very hectic day. The inn was overbooked, there was a wedding to work on and Michel was…well you know what Michel is like."
"But Luke was…"
"Luke was what??"
"Luke was…making a special dinner for you."
"And I feel terrible. Which is why I am going to the diner right now to apologize as soon as I take a shower and get dressed."
Lorelai turned to leave when the phone rang. Hoping it was Luke, Lorelai picked up the phone.
"Hello…Mom. Yes mom, you don't need to remind me to come tonight. Dating…how did you know…Rory told you. Yes, I am dating Luke. The guy you met at the hospital. No, I am not…I'll ask but he'll say no." She looked at Rory, "And Rory will bring her boyfriend too. That's right…Dean." Rory started shaking her head. Lorelai moved the phone, covering the receiver. "What?"
"Dean won't talk to me. I tried yesterday but he wouldn't come out."
Lorelai nodded, removing her hand from the mouthpiece.
"Mom, Rory's boyfriend won't be able to come."
Rory started to shake he head again. Lorelai covered the mouthpiece again.
"What now?"
"Tell her I am bringing someone."
"Mom, yeah…Rory is bringing someone. No, I don't know who…mom I am not going to…bye mom, see you tonight."
Lorelai hung up the phone.
"You told her about Luke."
"Sorry mom. She asked about Mr. Medina and I said you weren't together anymore."
"And Luke's name came up how?"
"She asked if you were dating anyone and it just came out."
"Well now she is expecting Luke to come to dinner tonight. Rory there is no way he will survive dinner with my mother."
"He seemed to get along with grandma when grandpa was in the hospital."
"Totally different scenarios. I cannot take him to their house. It will be like throwing him into a tank of…of…"
"Piranha."
"That's it…a tank of Piranhas."
"I don't think it will be that bad."
"So who are you inviting to the night of horror?"
"Someone who owes me big time." Rory said, picking up the phone
Luke's Diner
Luke leaned against the counter, staring at the black velvet box in his hand. He opened it slowly and looked at the ring inside. The door opened and he snapped the box shut. He shoved it into his pocket just as Lorelai & Rory stepped inside.
"Sit down." Lorelai said, "I'll order our food."
Lorelai walked up to the counter.
"First off, I want to apologize for last night. I can't believe I did that. Yesterday was just so…
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
"Coffee?"
"You have to ask."
He got two cups from under the counter and filled them.
"So the usual?"
"Yes." Lorelai said, "And I have something for you."
Luke leaned forward and she kissed him softly on the lips. As he pulled away, she said
"And I really am sorry."
"Its okay…I understand." He said, "So do you have plans tonight.? Because I was thinking The Tavern, maybe trying last night again."
"Actually I…I was going to invite you to dinner with my parents. Rory's bringing…someone."
"Your parents?"
"My mother wants to meet you."
"She has met me."
"But that was before you were…the boyfriend."
"The boyfriend…you make it sound ominous."
"When you are invited to dinner with Emily Gilmore, its not ominous Luke, its scary."
"It can't be all that bad."
"Tell me that after tonight."
"I'll pick you up both up tonight at 7."
"Okay."
She turned to leave but he caught her arm. Turning back to the counter, she leaned forward and brushed another quick kiss across his lips. As she pulled back, he said
"See you at 7."
Later that evening
Rory knocked on her mother's door
"Its open."
She opened the door to find her mother slipping on her shoes.
"You're actually ready."
"No jokes. Do you know how bad this evening is going to be?"
"Mom, I don't think grandma will be that bad. Besides, she will most likely do the same thing to…to who you are bringing."
Rory started to open her mouth but the doorbell rang. Looking at her watch, she said
"He's early."
She left the room with Lorelai on her heels. She opened the door, seeing the last person on earth she wanted to spend the evening with.
"Good evening Rory." He said, a smile crossing his face
Rory stepped back, backing in to her mother. The young man stepped inside, looking around.
"This is a very nice home Ms Gilmore."
"Thank you…"
"Sorry ma'am." He said, extending his hand, "Tristen Dugray. I go to school with Rory."
"Excuse us."
Lorelai took Rory by the shoulders, steering her into the living room.
"Explain." She whispered, "He looks nothing like the Spawn of Satan."
"The morning you we went to the diner so you could talk with Luke, I went to talk to Dean. He told me that it was over with us and that he moved on. He's with someone name Chrissy."
"So you invited Tristen because…"
"Act of desperation."
"Good answer."
While the girls were talking in the living room, there was a knock on the door. Tristen opened the door to find another man waiting.
"Who are you?" the man asked, stepping inside.
"A friend of Rory's." he said, extending his hand, "Tristen Dugray."
Luke eyed his hand warily. He had heard that name before.
"Where are they?"
"Living room…mother/daughter thing."
A few minutes later Lorelai and Rory appeared. Lorelai's mouth dropped open when she saw Luke. Gone was the baseball cap, the flannel and jeans. In his place stood a man dressed in a nice jacket, shirt and tie, holding a single red rose.
"Luke?"
"Clean up nice don't I."
"Very nice."
"I wanted to make a good impression." He said, holding out the rose. "Are you ready?"
"Let me put this in some water." She said, taking the rose
"Mom, we're going to go. We'll see you at grandma's."
"Okay."
Tristen and Rory made their way out to his car. He opened her door and closed it once she was settled. She watched him until he opened his door, then turned away. He climbed in beside her and shut the door. Turning to her, he said
"So are you going to tell me what this evening is all about?"
"No questions asked remember." She said, "I'll go to the concert with you if you do this for me."
"Fair enough."
He started the car and pulled out of the driveway.
Lorelai looked at Luke.
"You really didn't have to do all of that." She said, pointing to him
"I guess I wanted to." He said, "I know how you mother is."
"Thank you Luke."
"So…shall we?"
"Yes."
Luke led her out of the house and she saw his truck.
"Would you rather take your jeep?"
"No."
He opened the door and let he inside. Once she was settled, he shut the door. She watched as he walked around to the other side of the truck. He opened his door and climbed in the truck.
"So are you ready."
"Yeah…and let me apologize in advance for anything that happens tonight."
The Gilmore House (Lorelai's parents)
Tristen pulled the car in front of the house Rory pointed to. He turned to her.
"Nice house."
"If you like this kind of thing."
"And you don't."
"I don't…feel comfortable here. Its like a…a…
"Museum" they said together
Rory looked at Tristen, not sure what to say. She held his gaze for a moment, then said
"Let's go."
Before Tristen could get out, Rory had her door open and was climbing out of the car. He walked around to her side of the car.
"I could have…"
"Tristen, this isn't a date." She said, "Please remember that."
"Noted." He said, slipping her arm through his, "But we can make it look that way."
They headed for the house.
Luke and Lorelai pulled up behind Tristen's car about 15 minutes later. Luke looked up at the house. Lorelai told him her parents had money but he never envisioned this
"So this is…"
"Scary." Lorelai supplied, "
"Some house." He said, "You grew up here."
"Hard to believe isn't it."
Hard to believe you will be happy with me.
He felt his pocket where the ring box waited, rethinking the whole proposal.
"Luke?"
He turned to her.
"Are you all right?"
"Fine, let's go."
Luke climbed out the truck and walked around to her side. He opened the door and offered his hand. As she climbed out, she said
"Let's get this over with."
They walked up to the front door. Lorelai waited for a moment, then knocked on the door
"You have to knock?"
"I had to give up my key the day I left."
"But…"
The door opened and Emily Gilmore appeared
"Welcome Lorelai. So nice to see you again Luke."
"Thank you for inviting me Mrs. Gilmore."
"Please call me Emily."
She turned and headed down the hall.
"She doesn't seem that bad."
"She's up to something." Lorelai whispered
They followed Lorelai's mother down the hall and into the living room. Rory & Tristen were seated on the couch. Richard was in his chair. He stood as they entered the room.
"Lorelai, so nice to see you again and who is this?"
"Dad, this is Luke Danes. Luke, my father Richard Gilmore."
Luke held out his hand, which Richard accepted.
"Good evening sir."
"A pleasure."
The maid came into the room.
"Dinner is ready."
"Shall we?" Emily said, leading them into the dining room.
Tristen pulled out a chair for Rory, as did Luke for Lorelai. They both sat next to their respective person. The maid began to bring out dinner. Once everyone had a plate, Emily dismissed the girl. Lorelai looked down, wanting to say something, then she felt Luke squeeze her hand under the table.
The dinner conversation was light but at times seemed a little tense. The table fell into an uncomfortable silence so Tristen said
"Luke what do you do for a living."
"I own my own business."
"Wonderful." Richard said, "What time of company is it."
"It's a diner in Stars Hollow."
"A…a diner?" Richard said, "So…how big is your staff."
"No staff, just me. I keep things simple."
Lorelai let out a groan."
"So you are a waiter." Emily said
"No, I am the owner/operator of Luke's Diner. The building was a hardware store owned by my father. When he passed away, I took over and turned it into a diner."
"Lorelai I can't believe you would do this. We want the best for you and you…you…I can't even put into words what I want to say. Richard say something."
"Well Lorelai…your mother and I want the best for you…"
Lorelai set down her fork. She knew that this was coming. Glancing at Rory, she nodded towards the door. Rory nodded, then whispered something to Tristen. When he nodded, Lorelai said
"Mom, dad enough."
Her parents looked at her.
"Luke is a good man. He cares about me and he had been the closest thing Rory has had to a dad growing up. I know you don't think he is good enough but he is. He works hard for what he has, which is why I love him and I always will. If you can't accept that, then it is too bad for you. Luke, Rory, Tristen…I think its time to go."
Lorelai stood slowly and soon the others followed. They walked out of the dining room and down the hall.
"Lorelai wait."
She turned to see her mother in the dining room doorway.
"Mom, when you can accept my choices, give me a call."
When her mother didn't say anything, Lorelai said
"Nice seeing you again mom. Tell dad good bye for me."
They walked outside, stopping my Luke's truck. Lorelai looked at her daughter.
"I'm sorry honey. I…I just couldn't take her anymore."
"Mom its all right."
Luke waited for a moment, then said
"Why don't we go to the diner and I will fix us some burgers."
"And coffee?" Lorelai asked
"You realize you are an addict."
"I know…so you better get used to it Mr. Danes."
Rory watched as her mom wrapped her arms around Luke, resting her head on his shoulder. She realized how much she wanted that again. Tristen leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"You ready to go."
"You can go home if you want." She said, "I can go with Luke and my mother."
"I want to take you home." He said
"Thanks Tristen."
As they started towards his car, Luke said
"See you both at the diner."
"I was…going to drop Rory off sir and head home."
"You are more than welcome to come Tristen." Lorelai said
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Rory said, before she could stop herself
"Then we'll see you at the diner." Tristen said, smiling
Tristen let Rory to his car and opened the door. Once she was settled, he closed the door and walked around. Rory watched him, not sure what was going on inside her head. She reminded herself that this was Tristen.
He climbed in the car and shut the door. Before starting the car, he turned to Rory. There was so much that he wanted to say to her but nothing would come out. Finally he said
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Making me feel like I belong."
With that, he started the car and pulled away from the house.
Luke's Diner
Luke unlocked the door and let everyone inside. He pulled his jacket off and threw it on a bench. As he walked towards the kitchen, he loosened his tie.
"Make yourselves comfortable. I will get things started."
"I'll help." Lorelai said, following him into the kitchen
Tristen and Rory walked over to a booth and sat down.
"About what you said in the car."
"What?"
"About belonging."
"Forget it Rory."
"Tell me what you meant."
"It was nothing."
"Tristen…"
"Fine…I envy you and what you have…There you happy."
He slid out of the booth and walked over to the window. Rory slid out of the booth and followed him. Stopping behind him, she reached out and touched his shoulder lightly. He turned slowly, meeting her eyes.
"Tristen I never knew…how could you envy me…you can have anything in the world…and probably do."
"Except that." He said, pointing to the kitchen
Rory looked over at the kitchen to see her mother and Luke. They had their arms around each other and were laughing about something. She turned back to Tristen.
"Yeah she is great isn't she."
"So is he. You are lucky to have people like that in your life."
Before he could stop himself, his arm stretched out, snaking around her waist. He pulled her towards him. His arms wrapped securely around her waist. Slowly his head bent, inching towards her. His lips touched hers briefly.
"Lorelai, look at that."
Lorelai looked up to see Tristen and Rory.
"Should we interrupt?"
"No, give them a minute."
Slowly, Rory and Tristen pulled apart.
"What was that?" she asked
"Something I wanted to do for a long time. Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
Lorelai and Luke came out a few minutes later, carrying plates with cheeseburgers and french fries. As they set the plates down on the table, Rory and Tristen made their way over to the table.
They slid into one side of the booth. As Lorelai started to sit down, Luke grabbed her hand. He pulled her up so she was standing in front of him.
"There is something that I have been wanted to do since last night."
Rory gripped Tristen's arm, knowing what was coming next. Luke reached into his pocket and closed his hand around the box. He pulled the box out of his pocket and knelt in front of her. Opening the box, he knelt in front of her.
"Lorelai Gilmore will you marry me?"
"Yes." She whispered
Luke slid the ring on her finger and stood up. He gathered her in his arms and swung her around. As he set her back down, she leaned in and kissed him. Tristen slid over, letting Rory out of the booth. Rory hugged Luke and Lorelai together.
"Congratulations mom, Luke."
Tristen came over, shaking hands with Luke.
" Congratulations sir, Ms Gilmore."
"Thank you." Lorelai said, "and call me Lorelai. I think we will be seeing a lot of each other from now on."