CHAPTER NINE
For the next two weeks, Lorelai and Luke were like two kids in a candy store, couldn't get enough. They spent every evening together. Growing closer and closer each day, they talked about all the things that they had been holding back. Each was surprised by the admission of their dreams, so similar in nature and so telling of the future -- their future. Lorelai wanted to take it slowly and Luke agreed. There was the friendship at stake and other peoples' feelings. Rory was happy-she had seen it coming for years. The whole town was talking but quietly so. They had wanted it too-had wondered for ages how long it would take. Lorelai's parents seemed pleased. Emily bragged that she had predicted it early on. When Luke had told Nicole, she said "That's how I thought this might end" and wished them luck. And Jess had laughed and said "Way to go. I didn't think that light bulb would ever go off in your head. I'm going out to get that new leash now. You're a goner." The only one who didn't know was David. Lorelai needed to tell him in person and he would be home soon. They hadn't talked much while he was gone and they had made no commitments. She didn't look forward to it but when it finally happened it wasn't so bad. He said he had seen it in their eyes that first day at the party. He had hoped he could change it but there was just too much history there and too much love. He had wished them well and hoped he would be invited to the wedding.
Each night when Luke closed the diner, he would stop by the Gilmore house. Rory always made herself scarce. Which wasn't hard, she was leaving on Saturday and had lots to fill her time. Sometimes they went out-a drive to 'their' park or Hartford for dinner and a movie. But their favorite nights were the ones at home. They talked, laughed, planned, and necked like teenagers. They couldn't believe how long it had taken for them to figure it out. But all they had been through alone had brought them to this end, finally together.
They had both decided to take the physical side slowly also. They really wanted to enjoy the courtship. It hadn't been easy but they were determined to wait until just the right time. Luke complained a lot about cold showers and Lorelai loved teasing him about it. But she felt the same way. It was getting more difficult to wait. They were, after all, adults. It was kind of fun to leave each other breathless and wanting more. But each was sure the next step was going to be wonderful. All signs pointed that way.
It was almost time for Sookie to have the baby. And of course, the inn would soon follow. They had grown closer to Jackson and Sookie-finally couple friends. The girls had talked about that for years, growing older together and their children being friends. Luke and Lorelai had decided they wanted a family right away. After all, it was that talk that has finally brought them together. They were looking forward to being Godparents to the new little Sookie/Jackson production--had both been so touched when they had been asked.
They had talked about marriage but not lately. They needed to get Rory settled and the new inn off the ground. And welcome the new baby into all of their lives. Life was full and they had each other. The rest would come soon enough.
Luke arrived early Saturday morning with his truck. He quickly had it loaded and they were all anxious to get on the road. Everyone knows how hectic moving day is on any campus -- lots of cars, boxes, anxious parents, and kids ready to get on with it. Rory and Lorelai were holding up pretty well. They would be seeing a lot of each other--good old Friday night dinners and the weekends. Rory knew Luke would take good care of her and life would take care of the rest. When they finally got her settled, they took her out for one last dinner. Then back to the dorm and the goodbyes. Luke hugged her and told her to call and come home often, promising to take good care of her mom. Lorelai hugged her long and hard, trying to contain her tears. It was difficult but soon they were on their way. Lorelai was quiet on the drive home and Luke pretended like he didn't see the tears. He reached over several times to pat her hand and kissed her at every stop. She appreciated that more than anything he could have said. It said plenty without any words.
Back in Stars Hollow, he walked her to her door and asked if she wanted him to stay or if she needed to be alone. She smiled at her mountain man and invited him in. Sookie had brought over a lovely picnic style dinner for them-lots of junk for Lorelia and healthy stuff for Luke. They ate and Luke held her and they talked about Rory starting the next phase of her life. Rory called to thank them for the day and teased them about being alone in the house. She told them to 'be good' and she'd call the next night and tell them about her first day. Lorelai was tired but she wouldn't let Luke leave. So he held her all night and slipped out early the next morning. It was nice waking up to her in his arms. He looked forward to a lifetime of it.
For the next two weeks, Lorelai and Luke were like two kids in a candy store, couldn't get enough. They spent every evening together. Growing closer and closer each day, they talked about all the things that they had been holding back. Each was surprised by the admission of their dreams, so similar in nature and so telling of the future -- their future. Lorelai wanted to take it slowly and Luke agreed. There was the friendship at stake and other peoples' feelings. Rory was happy-she had seen it coming for years. The whole town was talking but quietly so. They had wanted it too-had wondered for ages how long it would take. Lorelai's parents seemed pleased. Emily bragged that she had predicted it early on. When Luke had told Nicole, she said "That's how I thought this might end" and wished them luck. And Jess had laughed and said "Way to go. I didn't think that light bulb would ever go off in your head. I'm going out to get that new leash now. You're a goner." The only one who didn't know was David. Lorelai needed to tell him in person and he would be home soon. They hadn't talked much while he was gone and they had made no commitments. She didn't look forward to it but when it finally happened it wasn't so bad. He said he had seen it in their eyes that first day at the party. He had hoped he could change it but there was just too much history there and too much love. He had wished them well and hoped he would be invited to the wedding.
Each night when Luke closed the diner, he would stop by the Gilmore house. Rory always made herself scarce. Which wasn't hard, she was leaving on Saturday and had lots to fill her time. Sometimes they went out-a drive to 'their' park or Hartford for dinner and a movie. But their favorite nights were the ones at home. They talked, laughed, planned, and necked like teenagers. They couldn't believe how long it had taken for them to figure it out. But all they had been through alone had brought them to this end, finally together.
They had both decided to take the physical side slowly also. They really wanted to enjoy the courtship. It hadn't been easy but they were determined to wait until just the right time. Luke complained a lot about cold showers and Lorelai loved teasing him about it. But she felt the same way. It was getting more difficult to wait. They were, after all, adults. It was kind of fun to leave each other breathless and wanting more. But each was sure the next step was going to be wonderful. All signs pointed that way.
It was almost time for Sookie to have the baby. And of course, the inn would soon follow. They had grown closer to Jackson and Sookie-finally couple friends. The girls had talked about that for years, growing older together and their children being friends. Luke and Lorelai had decided they wanted a family right away. After all, it was that talk that has finally brought them together. They were looking forward to being Godparents to the new little Sookie/Jackson production--had both been so touched when they had been asked.
They had talked about marriage but not lately. They needed to get Rory settled and the new inn off the ground. And welcome the new baby into all of their lives. Life was full and they had each other. The rest would come soon enough.
Luke arrived early Saturday morning with his truck. He quickly had it loaded and they were all anxious to get on the road. Everyone knows how hectic moving day is on any campus -- lots of cars, boxes, anxious parents, and kids ready to get on with it. Rory and Lorelai were holding up pretty well. They would be seeing a lot of each other--good old Friday night dinners and the weekends. Rory knew Luke would take good care of her and life would take care of the rest. When they finally got her settled, they took her out for one last dinner. Then back to the dorm and the goodbyes. Luke hugged her and told her to call and come home often, promising to take good care of her mom. Lorelai hugged her long and hard, trying to contain her tears. It was difficult but soon they were on their way. Lorelai was quiet on the drive home and Luke pretended like he didn't see the tears. He reached over several times to pat her hand and kissed her at every stop. She appreciated that more than anything he could have said. It said plenty without any words.
Back in Stars Hollow, he walked her to her door and asked if she wanted him to stay or if she needed to be alone. She smiled at her mountain man and invited him in. Sookie had brought over a lovely picnic style dinner for them-lots of junk for Lorelia and healthy stuff for Luke. They ate and Luke held her and they talked about Rory starting the next phase of her life. Rory called to thank them for the day and teased them about being alone in the house. She told them to 'be good' and she'd call the next night and tell them about her first day. Lorelai was tired but she wouldn't let Luke leave. So he held her all night and slipped out early the next morning. It was nice waking up to her in his arms. He looked forward to a lifetime of it.
