Meeting Luke 8


Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews :D I really appreciate it. You guys make me feel so great, you do so much for my self-esteem. Oh, and about Rory's joke in the first chapter, that's my favorite joke too. =)

~*~

"Hey Sookie." Lorelai greeted unenergetically as she entered the potting shed.

"Hey hon, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Lorelai sighed, "remember what I was saying about signs the other day?"

Sookie nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"His sister called, his nephew is staying with him for the next two weeks. She's coming tomorrow."

"It's just a coincidence. Don't let it get you down."

"Yeah well, if one more thing happens, I might have to get suspicious."

Sookie smiled, "What's all over you?"

Lorelai looked down at her clothes, "Oh," she let out a small laugh, "We sort of got into a flour fight."

"How did that happen?"

"I don't really know, but he started it."

"Did you get any actual cooking done?"

Lorelai nodded, "I tried to make cookies. It wasn't good. He told me not to add any more sugar, so of course when he turned around, I added a couple more cups."

Sookie shook her head, "I'm going to go ahead home. See you tomorrow."

"Thanks so much for watching Rory."

"It wasn't a big deal, she's a sweetheart."

Lorelai smiled, "I know she is."

Sookie waved as she left the shed. Lorelai walked over to Rory's bed and kissed her forehead before taking a quick bath to get all the flour off of her, and going to bed.

~*~

"Uncle Luke, can I help?" A little boy asked eagerly as he fidgeted.

"Just call me Luke, drop the uncle. And, no, you can't help. I already told you that. You're too little." Luke answered as he served someone at a table coffee.

"Can I have a PB and J?"

Luke nodded, "Hold on. Go sit in that booth over there and read for a while, and I'll bring you your sandwich."

"Okay." Jess agreed as he picked up his chapter book and sat in the booth that Luke pointed out.

Lorelai and Rory came into the diner shortly after, hand-in-hand. Rory was carrying a book with her as well. The girls went to the counter where Luke was making a sandwich. "I see you got the flour out of your hair." Lorelai smiled.

Luke looked up and nodded, "I see you did too."

"What?" Rory asked in confusion.

"We got into a flour fight last night when he was trying to teach me to cook. It was a huge mess."

Rory pretended like she understood.

"Is your nephew here yet?" Lorelai asked.

Luke nodded, "Yep, he's sitting over there in the corner booth reading."

Rory jumped down from the stool and walked over to where he was sitting. "Hi."

Jess looked up from his book, "Hi."

"What's your name?"

"Jess. What's yours?"

"Rory. What are you reading?"

"Henry and Mudge."

 Rory scrunched her nose, "They aren't as good as Amelia Bedila."

"They're better."

"Nu uh." Rory shook her head.

Luke brought Jess his sandwich and brought Rory a cookie on a plate. Rory looked at it, "This isn't one Mommy made, right?"

Luke laughed, "No, I threw those away."

Rory took a bite of the cookie, "Good."

Jess took a bite of his sandwich, "Thanks Uncle Luke." He smiled mischievously.

Luke just shook his head and went back around to the other side of the counter.

"Aren't they cute?" Lorelai smiled as Luke came back.

"They're five."

"And by definition, they're cute."

Luke looked at them, "The only five year olds who would fight over which books are better."

Lorelai smirked and nodded, "Yep. Coffee please?"

"It'll kill you."

"Doesn't phase me."

Luke rolled his eyes and poured her a cup of coffee.

~*~

Mia approached Lorelai, who was filling out paperwork, "Hi Lorelai, can I speak to you for a minute?"

Lorelai looked up, "Yeah sure."

They went and sat out on the front porch, "I'm moving to California."

"What?"

"I'm moving to California. I'm telling you this because I want you to be in charge."

"Me? Why me?"

"Why not you? You're the hardest working person here. When you came to me nearly five years ago with that little baby and demanded a job, I knew you'd work hard. You haven't failed me."

"What about Sam?"

"He's leaving. Moving to New York. There's a young man from France that's going to be starting at the desk. His name is Michel, it's going to be your job to train him, since you'll be the head manager."

"Mia, I, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll take the job."

Lorelai nodded, "I'll do my best."

Mia smiled, "You always do."

"We'll miss you Mia."

"I'll come and visit. I promise. Where's Rory?"

"Probably in the lobby reading."

"I'll go tell her about me moving."

Lorelai nodded, knowing Rory would also be upset. Mia had done so much for them over the past 5 years.

Several minutes later, a sniffling Rory came out onto the porch and climbed into Lorelai's lap. Lorelai wrapped her arms around her, "I'm gonna miss her."

Lorelai nodded, "Me too babe, me too."

"But she'll visit, right."

"Right."

"It won't be the same." Rory shook her head.

~*~