CHAPTER TEN L

Luke told Lorelai about the call from Rory. She smiled and told him not to worry. She was sure Rory would be happy for them-she had certainly hinted at as much over the years. Luke was surprised and then Lorelai shared some of the comments other people had made to her about the two of them. He was even more surprised when she mentioned Emily Gilmore.

He told her about the smart remarks Jess had made and then told her about Rachel's parting words. Then it was Lorelai's turn to be surprised.

"Rachel really said that to you? There's another girl, don't wait too long to tell her?"

"Yep. It didn't take her long to figure it out. Heck, even I wasn't sure at that point. She's the one that brought it into focus for me. And then I went to your house......"

"And Max was there..."

"You were definitely in a different place."

"I guess."

"It all worked out." Luke remembered how he had thought he had lost her for good. "And now here we are."

"A good place and probably at the right time. We weren't ready back then."

Luke kissed her, "Speak for yourself."

"And we'll talk about that 'don't wait too long' thing later." Poking her finger in his chest. "I knew there was a reason why I liked that girl."

Hearing the snowplow, they realized their little escapade was coming to an end. Time to get back to the real world and deal with whatever happened next. He gave her one last hug and headed down to the diner. He had to check his supplies and get the coffee started. With plowed streets and clear sidewalks, customers would soon be streaming in.

As Luke flipped his sign to OPEN he noticed Taylor did the same at the grocery. Life was getting back to normal in Stars Hollow. And yet, it would never be quite the same again.

The first two in the door were Miss Patty and Babette. "Hey, sugar, some storm last night, huh? Not a good night to be alone."

Luke smiled remembering, " Well, I had candles and a radio, so I was fine. Nice to have a night off...."

"Ohhhhh......" Babette, wide eyed.

Luke turned to see Lorelai coming down the stairs in jeans and one of his flannel shirts.

"Guess you had more than candles and a radio, hon." "Good morning Lorelai. You're looking mighty happy this morning. Looks like you weathered the storm just fine."

Lorelai winked at Luke and answered, I've always loved a good snow storm."

They smiled at each other as Luke handed her a mug of coffee. When their eyes met, Lorelai couldn't help but giggle. That was all Patty and Babette needed, they were out the door in a flash.

"And so it starts. Our lives as we've known them will never be the same."

"Ah, Luke. Look at it this way; we don't have to tell a soul. It will be all over town before lunch."

"That's what I'm afraid of....this will be a day to remember."

"After a night to remember." And then Lorelai laughed, "And by the way, Rory said to tell you 'nice try' but she read you like a book."

"Geez, you two are just a like. I don't stand a chance."

"Lucky man. Two for the price of one!"

Just then Jackson rushed in the door. "Lorelai, I'm glad I found you. It's Sookie. She's in labor. We're on our way to the hospital, but she wouldn't go until we found you."

Luke told her to go ahead with them. He'd join them as soon as Caesar came in. Lorelai left happily; ready to help her friend and eager to share her news.

Jackson and Lorelai took turns sitting with Sookie. Her labor was slow but steady; it wouldn't be much longer. Luke came in the late afternoon, noticing this part of the hospital didn't bother him so much. But Lorelai still teased him about their last hospital experience. Soon they waved the nervous couple to the delivery room.

It wasn't long before they were standing in front of the nursery window looking at Sookie's newest creation. Luke couldn't believe how tiny the baby was, pink and chubby cheeked. Lorelai was remembering the day Rory was born-she and Christopher looking at her in much the same way. And as she stood there with Luke by her side, she thought maybe, just maybe, she could do it all again. Really wanted to do it again, with time. She smiled up at him and he understood exactly what she was feeling.

They went back to Sookie's room to congratulate the new parents.

"Thanks you guys. I guess we should sort of congratulate the two of you. Took you a while but you finally figured it all out. Only took the biggest snow storm of the decade!"

They all laughed.

"So, Jackson and I were wondering if maybe, the two of you, might consider, might want to be-oh, heck, our baby needs Godparents-and we'd like it to be you."

Lorelai looked at Luke and without hesitation he smiled and said, " I think we'd like that. But only if some day you will do the same for us."

Sookie looked at Lorelai, "Are you....."

"No. Impossible.....not yet....someday....maybe..."

Luke laughed at a speechless Lorelai, "You'll be the first to know. We'd sort of like to have a date or two first. We're funny that way."

Luke and Lorelai said their good byes and headed home. Luke walked her to her door and tried to say goodnight.

"This has certainly been an eventful twenty-four hours. Four lives have drastically changed. Seems strange leaving you here. I kind of got used to having you around."

"Yea, me too. I'm so happy for Sookie and Jackson. They wanted this so much. And happy for us too, we finally found our way." She kissed him goodnight and reluctantly send him on his way.

Just as Lorelai climbed into bed, the phone rang.

"Hey, I just wanted to say goodnight again. And remind you that I love you. Tonight was nice. Just wanted you to know."

Lorelai smiled, "I love you too. It was nice, our first 'couple thing'. Now let me get my beauty sleep. Someone kept me up most of the night, kissing and other stuff."

"Not enough other stuff. We'll work on that. Goodnight, crazy lady."