Nothing but confusion - Chapter 3
by miss.pebbles
A/N: Writing is my new addiction, and it's taking over my life!! I should really be studying for my econ exam in February - ack.. You twisted my arm - here's another chapter to satisfy your needs! :)
Thanks to all who've reviewed so far - too many to mention, but you guys make my day!! :) luv ya lizzie!
Disclaimers - still the same - will they ever change?
********************
Chapter 3.
Luke stopped wiping down the counter to watch Lorelai and Rory got out of the car, in front of the diner.
Lorelai had just been laughing at something that Chris said, before closing the car door and linking her arm through Rory's and walking up the steps.
"Hi Luke!" Lorelai cheerfully called out, snapping Luke out of his daze, and letting go of Rory's arm. Rory quickly disappeared upstairs to find Jess.
"You wouldn't happen to have some coffee left over would you" she asked, sliding into the stool. Luke looked up, and pulled out a cup from underneath the counter. He grabbed the last pot of coffee, and poured a generous amount into Lorelai's cup.
"There ya go" he said, pushing the cup towards her. He picked up his towel and resumed wiping down the counters.
"Mmmm," Lorelai said, taking a sip. She set down her cup, and watched Luke furiously scrub the counter top clean.
"Luke."
"Yeah?" he said, looking up.
"You missed a spot." Lorelai pointed to a spot right in front of her. Luke squinted, and walked over to examine the area.
"It's clean," he said, giving Lorelai a funny look. "See" he pointed out the clean spot.
"Luke" Lorelai said, frustratedly. "Stop cleaning."
"Fine."
"Good."
"So how was your day?" he asked, as he walked around the counter, and began to pick up the chairs and turn them over on to the tables.
"Good, good. I woke up to the phone ringing this mooring because I slept in late, and it turned out to be my mother calling me, lecturing me on how I should be on time to work."
"A horrible way to wake up I suppose," Luke replied, making his way around the diner.
"I suppose." Lorelai responded. "Would you please stop cleaning, or doing something? It's like you're avoiding talking to me, or being preoccupied because you don't want to have a conversation with me. It makes me feel weird that you haven't said more than three words in a sentence at all this evening." Luke looked up, stopping in mid motion.
"I'm not in the talking mood. There - six words in the sentence. Plus, I've got work to do. The diner's completely filthy, and I need to clean it," he replied, lamely.
"Oh," Lorelai said. "I'm in your way then, now aren't I."
She stood up, and went to the foot of the stairs. "Rory - I'm leaving now. I'll see you at home okay?" She briskly walked to the door and opened it, before turning around to face Luke one last time this evening.
"I came by to see how you were tonight. And I wanted to thank you for the danish and coffee you sent home with Rory. I guess I'll see you tomorrow okay?" She closed the door as she left.
Luke stood there, frozen as a statue. His shoulders and head dropped, and he let out a long sigh. He knew he was jealous of Chris, and he didn't know what to do about it. It had only caused more confusion.
~.~
Jess and Rory were huddled up at the top of the stairway, listening to Lorelai and Luke's conversation. Rory had gone up to get Jess, and was on her way down to the diner, when they both decided to leave the two adults alone to do some talking. After Lorelai had left, they both trooped down the stairs, Jess walking Rory to the door. After she left, he turned around to face his uncle.
"Luke?"
"Yeah?" Luke looked up from the floor.
"It is better to try, rather than sitting here and thinking of how it would be like to be with her, you know," Jess said, and walked up stairs.
"Easier said than done," Luke retorted. "Easier said than done," he muttered.
Jess popped his head from the stairs.
"Hey uncle Luke. I did it, so can you."
Luke grumbled something inaudible, and walked off to the storage room. He grabbed the mop and bucket, prepared to clean the diner some more that night.
~.~
"Mom!"
Rory ran to catch up with her mother, walking home. Lorelai stopped to wait for her daughter to catch up with her.
"How was coffee?" Rory asked, breathless.
"I've had better," was Lorelai's reply. She turned to face Rory.
"You're right, you know, he was a little weird today. Not a word out of him today. Very un-Luke like." She paused to open the front door.
"Chris?" she called out. "We're home."
"Mom - I'll be in my room okay?" Rory gave her mom a quick kiss. "Good night." She stopped by her father's side, and gave him a kiss as well. Chris pulled her into a hug.
"You're a good daughter," he said, giving her a kiss on the head.
"You're a great father," she replied, smiling. "Night dad." Rory left the two adults standing alone in the hallway.
"So, Lorelai. I wanted to talk to you."
"Uh huh?" Lorelai answered as she hung her coat up in the hall closet.
"I spent the day, making phone calls, and looking around Hartford today. I've been thinking about moving back."
Lorelai spun around, looking at Chris in disbelief.
"Back?" she said, feeling a little queasy. Maybe it was from the brussel sprouts she was forced to eat during dinner. "Back where? From where?" she asked.
"Well," he said ushering her into the living room, taking a seat. "I want to move back closer to you and Rory. I went to Hartford today again, and saw this great little place, perfect for Georgia and I. Plus, I talked to my parents, and they'd like to spend time with their grand daughter."
Lorelai interrupted Chris suddenly.
"You want to move back to Hartford? And your parents want to spend more time with their granddaughter? Rory happens to be your kid too. What happened to wanting to spend more time with her?" Lorelai stood up, fuming for several different reasons. Chris stood up.
"Lorelai, please, sit back down. Hear me out," he begged, and sat down on the couch with her.
"Okay," she relented and sat down beside him.
"Boston's a busy place, and I don't think I can handle going back to the place where Shelly and I used to live. That's all in the past now, I now have to concentrate on the future, for me and Georgia. Coming home is a good thing, my mom says she'll baby sit Georgie when I'm at work, cutting down costs. The most important thing is I need a good environment for her to be able to grow up in. For Rory, it was here, in Stars Hollow. I want Hartford to be that place for Georgia. Plus, it's only a short drive away for me to come visit you guys, and let Georgia spend time with her older sister."
Lorelai sat there, silent, but nodding her head. It was true, she left Hartford to raise Rory, but the little town she grew up wasn't a bad place to be.
"The most important thing is," Chris continued, "is that I want to try again. Try the whole us thing, Lorelai." He grabbed her hand, and held it in his. "Sherry's gone for good, and Georgia can fit in. I want us to be a family, but I want to take small slow steps. What do you say Lor? You and me again?"
Lorelai froze, her chest beginning to hurt. It felt like her lungs were filling up with water, and that she couldn't breathe. The room started to swirl, but she took in a deep breath, and stared straight into the dark brown eyes staring back at her.
She stood up abruptly, taking back her hand from Chris.
"I, I don't know what to say." Lorelai stuttered. She slowly backed away from the couch, horrified. "Let me think about it?" she said, before turning and walking away into the kitchen. She grasped the door handle of Rory's room, and flung it open, walking in and then closing the door shut.
Rory was lying on her bed, talking on the phone and reading a book. She looked up and saw the frantic look on her face.
"Sorry Jess, gotta go. Emergency - I'll call you back later okay?" she said and quickly hung up the phone.
"Mom, what's the matter?"
Lorelai started to pace around Rory's room, breathing hard.
"Chris wants to move to Hartford. He wants to be closer to us, and let Georgia grow up in a smaller quieter town, instead of Boston." Lorelai said very quickly.
"Uh, okay then," Rory said, not quite understanding her mother's sudden panic attack. "That's not exactly a bad thing, or is it?" Rory asked, concerned for her mother.
"Chris wants to try having a relationship again. Me and him, getting together."
"Hmmm. I see." Rory said, finally understanding why her mother was wearing a hole in the floor.
"Have a seat," she said, motioning for Lorelai to have a seat on her bed. "The doctor is in."
~.~
Jess stared at the phone, confused by the abrupt ending of the phone call. He shook his head and picked up the book back up. Luke marched into his room. Jess stopped again, and looked up.
"What?"
"Do you think Lorelai likes me?" Luke asked, obviously bothered by his previous conversation in the diner with her.
"I dunno. And why are you talking to me about it?" Jess said, annoyed.
"Because you're dating Rory! Plus, you wouldn't tell the whole town about this. There's no one that I can really talk about this to. "
"Caeser?" Jess suggested.
Luke threw Jess a dirty look.
"I think you could, considering she loves you for feeding her greasy food and coffee every day. Give it a try. You guys have lots in common right?" Jess said, picking up his book again.
"Yeah, I guess." Luke said. Luke left the room, wondering how he should make his move. The first thing that he would do in the morning when she arrived would be to apologize for being moody that earlier night.
~.~
"So, Dad wants to give it another try?" Rory asked.
"He does. He wants it to work too, because he wants us to be a family."
"Really?" Rory asked, surprised. "So, what are your feelings on the whole family thing then?"
"I'm not sure," Lorelai admitted. "I don't think I'm ready, at least not for another round with him. What should I tell him?"
"Another round? Are you sure that its the only thing bugging you?" Rory asked, lifting her eye brow. Lorelai eyed her daughter wearily. "Jess and I ended up eaves dropping on your conversation with Luke today at the diner."
Lorelai stared blankly at her daughter.
"Is there anything that you're not telling me about Luke? " Lorelai asked. "Do you know something that I don't?"
"No, and I should be asking you that question," Rory replied. "Plus, why would I know anything that's going out with Luke?"
"You're dating Jess."
"Good point, but still, no. They're two separate entities, you know. Now answer the question please."
"Nothing's going on with Luke. I was curious when you told me he was sad that I didn't come into the diner today. And you're right, he was acting funny today."
"I think, Mom, with the whole dad situation, there's obviously something stopping you. Maybe it's cause you don't want to get hurt again, you don't want me to get hurt, or maybe it's the whole weird Luke behavior situation. Whatever it is, you need to tell dad that maybe you're not ready, and you need to let him down easy."
"Awww. You're such a good daughter," Lorelai said, pulling Rory in for a hug.
"You're a great mother," Rory replied, laughing at her mother at the similar conversation her and her father had earlier on in the evening.
~.~
Chris pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep breath. He was standing on the porch, looking out at the front yard.
**What was I thinking? **
He heard the front door open.
"Lorelai," he said, not turning around.
"Chris. Look, we need to talk." Chris turned to face her. His heart dropped, looking at the sad expression on her face. He knew it wasn't going to work.
"It's not the time for us right now. You need to focus on Georgia, especially if you're going to move to Hartford. Rory and I would love to spend more time with you, but at the moment, I'm going to have to say no to your offer about the whole relationship, me and you thing. I've got to sort things out right now with myself. In part, I don't want to try us again because of how we got burned last time, but you know, Chris, that I'll always love you. Rory and I love you very much."
Lorelai watched as Chris' eyes filled with water, his shoulders dropping.
"I guess you're right Lorelai," he admitted bitterly. "I was foolish to think that you'd want to jump back into a relationship with me right away. I really need to focus on Georgia right now."
Lorelai's heart broke, hearing the sadness in his voice. She walked up to him, and placed her hand on his face, caressing it gently.
"Call me anytime, come visit more often, Chris. It might work out later on, but not right now," she whispered. She stood up on her tippie toes, and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. She took a hold of his hand, and led him into the house.
~.~
"You don't have to do this," Lorelai said, watching Chris pack his stuff, and look around the living room for Georgia's toys.
"Yes, I have to," Chris said firmly, but smiling. "It's okay, I'm going to stay with my parents for a couple of days until I have to go back to work. I'll be figuring out my POA in the meantime."
"POA?" Lorelai asked, looking at him curiously.
"Plan of Action," Chris said, smiling. "Plus, you and Rory have done so much for me and Georgia." He stopped to pick up the car seat with Georgia in it.
"Wait!" Lorelai cried out. "Breakfast, you, me, Rory and Georgie. Wait! That rhymes! You need some food before heading out anyways. "
"Did anyone say breakfast?" Rory asked, yawning as she strolled out of her room. Lorelai marched over to her daughter, and turned her back towards her bedroom.
"Yup, breakfast at Luke's with your dad, before he leaves okay? Get ready please."
"Okay" Rory said, retreating to her room.
"Breakfast it is," Chris said setting down the car seat. "Watch Georgia while I go pack the rest of the car?" he asked, leaving the room. Lorelai sat down, and looked at the gurgling baby. She picked up a stray rattle, and waved it gently in front of the baby. Georgia giggled furiously, with little bits of drool running down her chin.
"Oh dear," Lorelai murmured to herself and the baby." Now we can't have that now can we."
She found a small towel, and gently wiped the saliva away. Lorelai patted Georgia's head lightly, smoothing the soft, silky baby's hair to one side. She picked up the rattle, and shook it gently, resulting in a desired smile from the baby.
"Awww, you like that, now don't you? Yes you do, yes you do!" she said. She set down the rattle and looked at Georgia carefully. She saw the beautiful brown eyes looking back at her, shining. Chris' beautiful brown eyes. Lorelai let out a sigh.
"You know what, sweets?" she asked the baby. "You're one lucky girl to have such a great dad. He's such a super guy, so sweet, and caring. And if he ever gives you grief about anything, you can come talk to me. I'll be the best ever aunt you'll ever have. You're really lucky, Georgia, really lucky." The baby gurgled in response, salivating all over again. Lorelai reached over, and tenderly wiped away the spit. Chris had walked in just in time to overhear what Lorelai had been saying. Things may have not worked out as planned, but he knew that he could always rely on Lorelai for anything. Friends are the next best thing to a family.
Rory leaned over Chris' shoulder, watching her mom play with Georgia.
"I think she likes her, dad, I think she really likes her," she whispered softly.
Lorelai looked up and noticed Rory and Chris watching her. She stood up and picked up the car seat.
"Ready for some breakfast?" she asked, smiling broadly.
"I'm super hungry," Rory announced, following her mother out the door. Chris followed the three, and closed the front door.
~.~
Lorelai sat at the diner, holding Georgia with one hand in her lap, and in her other hand, a saliva filled washcloth. The diner was unusually busy, because it was getting close to lunch. Rory had gone to the counter to say good morning to Jess, and Chris was peering intently into the menu, wondering whether to eat breakfast or lunch.
Rory appeared back at the table, taking a seat. A moment later, Jess appeared with three cups and a coffee pot.
"Good morning," he said, setting down the cups, and filling them with coffee. "What can I get you today?" he asked after he finished pouring the coffee.
"Chocolate chip pancakes, with a side of bacon please." Rory answered, smiling. "Oh, and orange juice too," she added.
"French toast, with scrambled eggs and sausage please," Lorelai said.
"Same as hers" Chris said, smiling.
'Okay then," Jess said, walking towards the kitchen.
"Wait!" Lorelai said, calling out to Jess. "Where's Luke?"
"In the back, refilling some of the new stock. Did ya want me to go get him for you, or something?" Jess replied.
"No, no. Don't worry about it. I'll see him later, when he's done stocking." Lorelai said, smiling.
Georgia was getting heavy on her one knee, so Lorelai quickly shifted her to the other one.
"She's getting really big, fast," she commented to Chris.
"Yup," he answered, admiring the picture of his daughter and Lorelai together.
"She's so cuteeeee!" Rory said, sticking out her index finger and letting Georgia grab it tightly. "She's got a good grip too!" she laughed.
Lorelai smiled, suddenly wishing that she had another baby of her own. Chris opened his arms, and picked Georgia up from Lorelai's lap. She looked at him, and admired the softness in his eyes, the gentle way he handled Georgia. She wished that she he could've held Rory the same way when she was a baby.
Luke watched from across the diner as they played with the baby and laughed out loud. It looked like they were having a great time. An empty feeling over took him, and for a moment, he wished that it was him, sitting with Lorelai, holding a baby in his lap. He didn't exactly detest kids as much as some people thought. If he found the right person to have them with, he'd love his kids forever. Luke turned away, and returned back to the store room. He couldn't face Lorelai just quite yet.
~.~
********************
To be continued... :)
a/n - as I was writing this chapter - I got 7 more reviews since I put up chapter 2. That's fantastic! Keep on reviewing! :)
A quick question though - do you think the chapters are too long, or too short? Or do you like the length as it is right now?
I don't think I'll be updating within the next three days or so, but I promise to hopefully squeeze a chapter in by friday or Saturday, or maybe earlier. There's a lot of unfinished business here - and i wouldn't want to keep you hanging right? Check up once in a while okies?
Thanks to all who reviewed - you guys make my day! ;)
Keep on reviewing, and happy reading,
pebbles.
by miss.pebbles
A/N: Writing is my new addiction, and it's taking over my life!! I should really be studying for my econ exam in February - ack.. You twisted my arm - here's another chapter to satisfy your needs! :)
Thanks to all who've reviewed so far - too many to mention, but you guys make my day!! :) luv ya lizzie!
Disclaimers - still the same - will they ever change?
********************
Chapter 3.
Luke stopped wiping down the counter to watch Lorelai and Rory got out of the car, in front of the diner.
Lorelai had just been laughing at something that Chris said, before closing the car door and linking her arm through Rory's and walking up the steps.
"Hi Luke!" Lorelai cheerfully called out, snapping Luke out of his daze, and letting go of Rory's arm. Rory quickly disappeared upstairs to find Jess.
"You wouldn't happen to have some coffee left over would you" she asked, sliding into the stool. Luke looked up, and pulled out a cup from underneath the counter. He grabbed the last pot of coffee, and poured a generous amount into Lorelai's cup.
"There ya go" he said, pushing the cup towards her. He picked up his towel and resumed wiping down the counters.
"Mmmm," Lorelai said, taking a sip. She set down her cup, and watched Luke furiously scrub the counter top clean.
"Luke."
"Yeah?" he said, looking up.
"You missed a spot." Lorelai pointed to a spot right in front of her. Luke squinted, and walked over to examine the area.
"It's clean," he said, giving Lorelai a funny look. "See" he pointed out the clean spot.
"Luke" Lorelai said, frustratedly. "Stop cleaning."
"Fine."
"Good."
"So how was your day?" he asked, as he walked around the counter, and began to pick up the chairs and turn them over on to the tables.
"Good, good. I woke up to the phone ringing this mooring because I slept in late, and it turned out to be my mother calling me, lecturing me on how I should be on time to work."
"A horrible way to wake up I suppose," Luke replied, making his way around the diner.
"I suppose." Lorelai responded. "Would you please stop cleaning, or doing something? It's like you're avoiding talking to me, or being preoccupied because you don't want to have a conversation with me. It makes me feel weird that you haven't said more than three words in a sentence at all this evening." Luke looked up, stopping in mid motion.
"I'm not in the talking mood. There - six words in the sentence. Plus, I've got work to do. The diner's completely filthy, and I need to clean it," he replied, lamely.
"Oh," Lorelai said. "I'm in your way then, now aren't I."
She stood up, and went to the foot of the stairs. "Rory - I'm leaving now. I'll see you at home okay?" She briskly walked to the door and opened it, before turning around to face Luke one last time this evening.
"I came by to see how you were tonight. And I wanted to thank you for the danish and coffee you sent home with Rory. I guess I'll see you tomorrow okay?" She closed the door as she left.
Luke stood there, frozen as a statue. His shoulders and head dropped, and he let out a long sigh. He knew he was jealous of Chris, and he didn't know what to do about it. It had only caused more confusion.
~.~
Jess and Rory were huddled up at the top of the stairway, listening to Lorelai and Luke's conversation. Rory had gone up to get Jess, and was on her way down to the diner, when they both decided to leave the two adults alone to do some talking. After Lorelai had left, they both trooped down the stairs, Jess walking Rory to the door. After she left, he turned around to face his uncle.
"Luke?"
"Yeah?" Luke looked up from the floor.
"It is better to try, rather than sitting here and thinking of how it would be like to be with her, you know," Jess said, and walked up stairs.
"Easier said than done," Luke retorted. "Easier said than done," he muttered.
Jess popped his head from the stairs.
"Hey uncle Luke. I did it, so can you."
Luke grumbled something inaudible, and walked off to the storage room. He grabbed the mop and bucket, prepared to clean the diner some more that night.
~.~
"Mom!"
Rory ran to catch up with her mother, walking home. Lorelai stopped to wait for her daughter to catch up with her.
"How was coffee?" Rory asked, breathless.
"I've had better," was Lorelai's reply. She turned to face Rory.
"You're right, you know, he was a little weird today. Not a word out of him today. Very un-Luke like." She paused to open the front door.
"Chris?" she called out. "We're home."
"Mom - I'll be in my room okay?" Rory gave her mom a quick kiss. "Good night." She stopped by her father's side, and gave him a kiss as well. Chris pulled her into a hug.
"You're a good daughter," he said, giving her a kiss on the head.
"You're a great father," she replied, smiling. "Night dad." Rory left the two adults standing alone in the hallway.
"So, Lorelai. I wanted to talk to you."
"Uh huh?" Lorelai answered as she hung her coat up in the hall closet.
"I spent the day, making phone calls, and looking around Hartford today. I've been thinking about moving back."
Lorelai spun around, looking at Chris in disbelief.
"Back?" she said, feeling a little queasy. Maybe it was from the brussel sprouts she was forced to eat during dinner. "Back where? From where?" she asked.
"Well," he said ushering her into the living room, taking a seat. "I want to move back closer to you and Rory. I went to Hartford today again, and saw this great little place, perfect for Georgia and I. Plus, I talked to my parents, and they'd like to spend time with their grand daughter."
Lorelai interrupted Chris suddenly.
"You want to move back to Hartford? And your parents want to spend more time with their granddaughter? Rory happens to be your kid too. What happened to wanting to spend more time with her?" Lorelai stood up, fuming for several different reasons. Chris stood up.
"Lorelai, please, sit back down. Hear me out," he begged, and sat down on the couch with her.
"Okay," she relented and sat down beside him.
"Boston's a busy place, and I don't think I can handle going back to the place where Shelly and I used to live. That's all in the past now, I now have to concentrate on the future, for me and Georgia. Coming home is a good thing, my mom says she'll baby sit Georgie when I'm at work, cutting down costs. The most important thing is I need a good environment for her to be able to grow up in. For Rory, it was here, in Stars Hollow. I want Hartford to be that place for Georgia. Plus, it's only a short drive away for me to come visit you guys, and let Georgia spend time with her older sister."
Lorelai sat there, silent, but nodding her head. It was true, she left Hartford to raise Rory, but the little town she grew up wasn't a bad place to be.
"The most important thing is," Chris continued, "is that I want to try again. Try the whole us thing, Lorelai." He grabbed her hand, and held it in his. "Sherry's gone for good, and Georgia can fit in. I want us to be a family, but I want to take small slow steps. What do you say Lor? You and me again?"
Lorelai froze, her chest beginning to hurt. It felt like her lungs were filling up with water, and that she couldn't breathe. The room started to swirl, but she took in a deep breath, and stared straight into the dark brown eyes staring back at her.
She stood up abruptly, taking back her hand from Chris.
"I, I don't know what to say." Lorelai stuttered. She slowly backed away from the couch, horrified. "Let me think about it?" she said, before turning and walking away into the kitchen. She grasped the door handle of Rory's room, and flung it open, walking in and then closing the door shut.
Rory was lying on her bed, talking on the phone and reading a book. She looked up and saw the frantic look on her face.
"Sorry Jess, gotta go. Emergency - I'll call you back later okay?" she said and quickly hung up the phone.
"Mom, what's the matter?"
Lorelai started to pace around Rory's room, breathing hard.
"Chris wants to move to Hartford. He wants to be closer to us, and let Georgia grow up in a smaller quieter town, instead of Boston." Lorelai said very quickly.
"Uh, okay then," Rory said, not quite understanding her mother's sudden panic attack. "That's not exactly a bad thing, or is it?" Rory asked, concerned for her mother.
"Chris wants to try having a relationship again. Me and him, getting together."
"Hmmm. I see." Rory said, finally understanding why her mother was wearing a hole in the floor.
"Have a seat," she said, motioning for Lorelai to have a seat on her bed. "The doctor is in."
~.~
Jess stared at the phone, confused by the abrupt ending of the phone call. He shook his head and picked up the book back up. Luke marched into his room. Jess stopped again, and looked up.
"What?"
"Do you think Lorelai likes me?" Luke asked, obviously bothered by his previous conversation in the diner with her.
"I dunno. And why are you talking to me about it?" Jess said, annoyed.
"Because you're dating Rory! Plus, you wouldn't tell the whole town about this. There's no one that I can really talk about this to. "
"Caeser?" Jess suggested.
Luke threw Jess a dirty look.
"I think you could, considering she loves you for feeding her greasy food and coffee every day. Give it a try. You guys have lots in common right?" Jess said, picking up his book again.
"Yeah, I guess." Luke said. Luke left the room, wondering how he should make his move. The first thing that he would do in the morning when she arrived would be to apologize for being moody that earlier night.
~.~
"So, Dad wants to give it another try?" Rory asked.
"He does. He wants it to work too, because he wants us to be a family."
"Really?" Rory asked, surprised. "So, what are your feelings on the whole family thing then?"
"I'm not sure," Lorelai admitted. "I don't think I'm ready, at least not for another round with him. What should I tell him?"
"Another round? Are you sure that its the only thing bugging you?" Rory asked, lifting her eye brow. Lorelai eyed her daughter wearily. "Jess and I ended up eaves dropping on your conversation with Luke today at the diner."
Lorelai stared blankly at her daughter.
"Is there anything that you're not telling me about Luke? " Lorelai asked. "Do you know something that I don't?"
"No, and I should be asking you that question," Rory replied. "Plus, why would I know anything that's going out with Luke?"
"You're dating Jess."
"Good point, but still, no. They're two separate entities, you know. Now answer the question please."
"Nothing's going on with Luke. I was curious when you told me he was sad that I didn't come into the diner today. And you're right, he was acting funny today."
"I think, Mom, with the whole dad situation, there's obviously something stopping you. Maybe it's cause you don't want to get hurt again, you don't want me to get hurt, or maybe it's the whole weird Luke behavior situation. Whatever it is, you need to tell dad that maybe you're not ready, and you need to let him down easy."
"Awww. You're such a good daughter," Lorelai said, pulling Rory in for a hug.
"You're a great mother," Rory replied, laughing at her mother at the similar conversation her and her father had earlier on in the evening.
~.~
Chris pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep breath. He was standing on the porch, looking out at the front yard.
**What was I thinking? **
He heard the front door open.
"Lorelai," he said, not turning around.
"Chris. Look, we need to talk." Chris turned to face her. His heart dropped, looking at the sad expression on her face. He knew it wasn't going to work.
"It's not the time for us right now. You need to focus on Georgia, especially if you're going to move to Hartford. Rory and I would love to spend more time with you, but at the moment, I'm going to have to say no to your offer about the whole relationship, me and you thing. I've got to sort things out right now with myself. In part, I don't want to try us again because of how we got burned last time, but you know, Chris, that I'll always love you. Rory and I love you very much."
Lorelai watched as Chris' eyes filled with water, his shoulders dropping.
"I guess you're right Lorelai," he admitted bitterly. "I was foolish to think that you'd want to jump back into a relationship with me right away. I really need to focus on Georgia right now."
Lorelai's heart broke, hearing the sadness in his voice. She walked up to him, and placed her hand on his face, caressing it gently.
"Call me anytime, come visit more often, Chris. It might work out later on, but not right now," she whispered. She stood up on her tippie toes, and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. She took a hold of his hand, and led him into the house.
~.~
"You don't have to do this," Lorelai said, watching Chris pack his stuff, and look around the living room for Georgia's toys.
"Yes, I have to," Chris said firmly, but smiling. "It's okay, I'm going to stay with my parents for a couple of days until I have to go back to work. I'll be figuring out my POA in the meantime."
"POA?" Lorelai asked, looking at him curiously.
"Plan of Action," Chris said, smiling. "Plus, you and Rory have done so much for me and Georgia." He stopped to pick up the car seat with Georgia in it.
"Wait!" Lorelai cried out. "Breakfast, you, me, Rory and Georgie. Wait! That rhymes! You need some food before heading out anyways. "
"Did anyone say breakfast?" Rory asked, yawning as she strolled out of her room. Lorelai marched over to her daughter, and turned her back towards her bedroom.
"Yup, breakfast at Luke's with your dad, before he leaves okay? Get ready please."
"Okay" Rory said, retreating to her room.
"Breakfast it is," Chris said setting down the car seat. "Watch Georgia while I go pack the rest of the car?" he asked, leaving the room. Lorelai sat down, and looked at the gurgling baby. She picked up a stray rattle, and waved it gently in front of the baby. Georgia giggled furiously, with little bits of drool running down her chin.
"Oh dear," Lorelai murmured to herself and the baby." Now we can't have that now can we."
She found a small towel, and gently wiped the saliva away. Lorelai patted Georgia's head lightly, smoothing the soft, silky baby's hair to one side. She picked up the rattle, and shook it gently, resulting in a desired smile from the baby.
"Awww, you like that, now don't you? Yes you do, yes you do!" she said. She set down the rattle and looked at Georgia carefully. She saw the beautiful brown eyes looking back at her, shining. Chris' beautiful brown eyes. Lorelai let out a sigh.
"You know what, sweets?" she asked the baby. "You're one lucky girl to have such a great dad. He's such a super guy, so sweet, and caring. And if he ever gives you grief about anything, you can come talk to me. I'll be the best ever aunt you'll ever have. You're really lucky, Georgia, really lucky." The baby gurgled in response, salivating all over again. Lorelai reached over, and tenderly wiped away the spit. Chris had walked in just in time to overhear what Lorelai had been saying. Things may have not worked out as planned, but he knew that he could always rely on Lorelai for anything. Friends are the next best thing to a family.
Rory leaned over Chris' shoulder, watching her mom play with Georgia.
"I think she likes her, dad, I think she really likes her," she whispered softly.
Lorelai looked up and noticed Rory and Chris watching her. She stood up and picked up the car seat.
"Ready for some breakfast?" she asked, smiling broadly.
"I'm super hungry," Rory announced, following her mother out the door. Chris followed the three, and closed the front door.
~.~
Lorelai sat at the diner, holding Georgia with one hand in her lap, and in her other hand, a saliva filled washcloth. The diner was unusually busy, because it was getting close to lunch. Rory had gone to the counter to say good morning to Jess, and Chris was peering intently into the menu, wondering whether to eat breakfast or lunch.
Rory appeared back at the table, taking a seat. A moment later, Jess appeared with three cups and a coffee pot.
"Good morning," he said, setting down the cups, and filling them with coffee. "What can I get you today?" he asked after he finished pouring the coffee.
"Chocolate chip pancakes, with a side of bacon please." Rory answered, smiling. "Oh, and orange juice too," she added.
"French toast, with scrambled eggs and sausage please," Lorelai said.
"Same as hers" Chris said, smiling.
'Okay then," Jess said, walking towards the kitchen.
"Wait!" Lorelai said, calling out to Jess. "Where's Luke?"
"In the back, refilling some of the new stock. Did ya want me to go get him for you, or something?" Jess replied.
"No, no. Don't worry about it. I'll see him later, when he's done stocking." Lorelai said, smiling.
Georgia was getting heavy on her one knee, so Lorelai quickly shifted her to the other one.
"She's getting really big, fast," she commented to Chris.
"Yup," he answered, admiring the picture of his daughter and Lorelai together.
"She's so cuteeeee!" Rory said, sticking out her index finger and letting Georgia grab it tightly. "She's got a good grip too!" she laughed.
Lorelai smiled, suddenly wishing that she had another baby of her own. Chris opened his arms, and picked Georgia up from Lorelai's lap. She looked at him, and admired the softness in his eyes, the gentle way he handled Georgia. She wished that she he could've held Rory the same way when she was a baby.
Luke watched from across the diner as they played with the baby and laughed out loud. It looked like they were having a great time. An empty feeling over took him, and for a moment, he wished that it was him, sitting with Lorelai, holding a baby in his lap. He didn't exactly detest kids as much as some people thought. If he found the right person to have them with, he'd love his kids forever. Luke turned away, and returned back to the store room. He couldn't face Lorelai just quite yet.
~.~
********************
To be continued... :)
a/n - as I was writing this chapter - I got 7 more reviews since I put up chapter 2. That's fantastic! Keep on reviewing! :)
A quick question though - do you think the chapters are too long, or too short? Or do you like the length as it is right now?
I don't think I'll be updating within the next three days or so, but I promise to hopefully squeeze a chapter in by friday or Saturday, or maybe earlier. There's a lot of unfinished business here - and i wouldn't want to keep you hanging right? Check up once in a while okies?
Thanks to all who reviewed - you guys make my day! ;)
Keep on reviewing, and happy reading,
pebbles.