CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next afternoon, Luke picked Lorelai up for a quick trip to see Sookie, Jackson and the baby. They seemed to be adjusting well and seemed quite the happy family. Luke and Lorelai didn't stay long, not wanting to intrude. When they left, Luke headed the wrong direction.
"Luke, Stars Hollow, the other way, remember? See the sign."
"Lorelai, I know how to get to Stars Hollow--lived there all my life. We, little Miss Know It All, are going on our first official date. Dinner and a movie, any objections? Because we could go back to the diner and work the dinner shift."
"No objections here. A real date, huh? Our first date, weird phrase. We've known each other forever, gone lots of places together..."
"As friends, now we are....."
"What Luke, what exactly are we?" Lorelai teasing.
"We're a couple, a couple on our first date."
"You know I don't kiss on the first date, second if you're really lucky."
"Ok, then it's our third date......how far do you go on a third date?"
"That's pretty personal, buddy. We may not make it to four."
"Ah, so four's the magic number?" "Luke, I think you're hinting at something here. Someone had too much time to think?"
"Not really. Everyone thinks we slept together the night of the storm anyway."
"We did sleep together that night. A couple nights before that too if they're keeping track."
"Never mind. You know what I mean."
"Yea, I know. But this could be fun, no pain--no gain."
"And lots of cold showers."
Luke found a really nice place for dinner. They had a cozy table by the fireplace and the wine and food was good. The movie they decided on was a light romantic comedy about two friends realizing there were in love. The perfect first date. They listened to their favorite radio station on the way home and talked about the inn. Lorelai was excited but starting to get nervous. He reassured her and promised to help whenever he could.
Luke unlocked her door and she invited him in. He built a fire in the fireplace and they watched the flames and had more wine, a nice ending to a very nice day. And even though it was their 'first' date, there was quite a bit of kissing.
There were a lot of dates in the next few weeks. Sometimes they went out for the entire evening or sometimes they just went to her house after work. There were few surprises. They got along in their normal teasing way, still had their little spats, had fun making up, and the town people had left them alone after the initial surprise had worn off. Rory was often there on weekends, but she gave them lots of time to themselves. They all enjoyed being together. The girls had always liked Luke so it was nice having him around even more. Rory would be home soon for winter break. Lorelai was so looking forward to that, and their first Christmas with Luke. They felt like a family already. Even Lorelai's parents seemed pleased. They had never seen her this happy and content. So they were not surprised when one day Luke appeared at their door acting a little unsure. He told them he wasn't asking permission but that he just wanted them to know that he loved her, would always take care of her, and he hoped to make a life with her, if she would have him. His only wish was for their blessing, which they gave and welcomed him into the family, because they were sure she would say 'yes'.
That only left Rory. He met her for lunch one day and they talked for a long time. He told her his feelings and wishes and hoped she would accept him into her life also. She told him he had always been a big part of her life and that she knew her mom would be thrilled.
Christmas at the Gilmore house was always a big production. Lorelai had always loved it, and tried to make it extra special for Rory since Christopher was never around. This year was going to be even better- because this year they had Luke. Luke was not a big holiday person, but Lorelai was determined to change all of that. He had grumbled about tramping in the cold to get the tree-the biggest one on the lot, of course. He had grumbled again when he got the job of first dragging all the decorations down from the attic and then untangling all of the lights. He had made the girls do most of the actual decorating, knowing full well nothing he might do would suit them. He was learning fast about this household. But when it was all done, Luke looked at the tree and knew that this Christmas was going to be something really special. Christmas was a family time and he was now part of this family-well, almost.
He closed the diner early on Christmas Eve, and hurried home to "his girls' as he had started calling them. They were busy in the kitchen-seemed odd- when he got there. They couldn't do much else there but they seem to have the Christmas cookie-baking thing down to a science. Although, he thought it might take the rest of the night to clean up the mess. They were going to have an early dinner with Sookie and Jackson and then spend the rest of the night at home by the fire. Rory was planning on an early night so they could have their first Christmas Eve alone. And of course, just as they were leaving Sookie's, it started to snow. Lorelai winked at Luke and whispered, "Christmas Magic." Rory over heard and made some reference to a certain 'Lorelai-Luke-Santa' dream and made her tell the story to Luke. Luke and Rory teased Lorelai about that dream all the way home.
After Rory went to her room, Lorelai and Luke snuggled by the fire, watching the snow fall outside and remembering another snowy night. They admired the tree and teased each other about all the wrapped gifts under it. There were a couple that had Lorelai curious and there was one big one for Luke that had him intrigued. They talked about how much their lives had changed in a very short time and how they never dreamed they would be this happy.
Lorelai wanted to give him his special gift while they were alone. He opened the box to find a beautiful gold watch engraved with their names and the date of that first night-the night of the big snowstorm. He was touched and surprised. He asked her to get her coat and come outside with him. She thought he was crazy but she followed. Even though the snow was still falling, the moon was full and bright. A Lorelai kind of night, he thought. He told her how happy she had made him and how much he loved her. And she said the same. He held her close as they looked out at their snowy world. Then he teased her about her snow obsession and told her he had no intention of freezing to death while she got her latest fix. "You're no fun!" she replied going back inside.
When she took off her coat and entered her living room she gasped. There were burgundy flowers everywhere, and small white candles added to the glow of the Christmas tree. There was champagne, and soft music. Lorelai looked at Luke.
"Maybe I spoke too soon."
Luke smiled and knew he had never felt so sure about anything in his entire life. There was no way he could go on and not have her by his side.
"When I planned this, I didn't know what I was going to say. I'm not good at putting my thoughts into words. I didn't expect the snow, or how being a part of this family was going to make me feel. But since we've been together, my whole life has changed. I can't imagine it without you, and Rory.....I never want to have to. I'm hoping that you feel the same way. I'm hoping that you want to spend the rest of your life as my wife.......building something more........building a life together." Luke opened a small box that held the most beautiful ring Lorelai had ever seen, as large as Luke's heart and as old fashioned as their love.
"Oh, Luke..."
"Lorelai will you wear this ring, commit your life to me, commit to our future? Marry me and be by my side no matter what? I can't promise it will be easy but I think that we can be happy and together build a good, solid life."
"I imagined this moment a thousand times but never once did those words come out of your mouth. Your words were so much better than anything I imagined. Not a romantic fantasy but heartfelt thoughts about a real life, yours and mine. But my answer is the same. I'm ready to commit to you Luke, all of me to our life together."
Luke put the ring on her finger and they sealed the proposal with a kiss. As she admired her ring, they heard the clock chime twelve times.
"Merry Christmas, diner man. I love you."
"Love you too, Mrs. Diner man. Told you some day you would have it-the whole package. Just didn't mention I hoped it would be with me."
And in the background, they both noticed the music playing was "The Way You Look Tonight.
Lorelai looked up at Luke. "I think we have our song."
The next afternoon, Luke picked Lorelai up for a quick trip to see Sookie, Jackson and the baby. They seemed to be adjusting well and seemed quite the happy family. Luke and Lorelai didn't stay long, not wanting to intrude. When they left, Luke headed the wrong direction.
"Luke, Stars Hollow, the other way, remember? See the sign."
"Lorelai, I know how to get to Stars Hollow--lived there all my life. We, little Miss Know It All, are going on our first official date. Dinner and a movie, any objections? Because we could go back to the diner and work the dinner shift."
"No objections here. A real date, huh? Our first date, weird phrase. We've known each other forever, gone lots of places together..."
"As friends, now we are....."
"What Luke, what exactly are we?" Lorelai teasing.
"We're a couple, a couple on our first date."
"You know I don't kiss on the first date, second if you're really lucky."
"Ok, then it's our third date......how far do you go on a third date?"
"That's pretty personal, buddy. We may not make it to four."
"Ah, so four's the magic number?" "Luke, I think you're hinting at something here. Someone had too much time to think?"
"Not really. Everyone thinks we slept together the night of the storm anyway."
"We did sleep together that night. A couple nights before that too if they're keeping track."
"Never mind. You know what I mean."
"Yea, I know. But this could be fun, no pain--no gain."
"And lots of cold showers."
Luke found a really nice place for dinner. They had a cozy table by the fireplace and the wine and food was good. The movie they decided on was a light romantic comedy about two friends realizing there were in love. The perfect first date. They listened to their favorite radio station on the way home and talked about the inn. Lorelai was excited but starting to get nervous. He reassured her and promised to help whenever he could.
Luke unlocked her door and she invited him in. He built a fire in the fireplace and they watched the flames and had more wine, a nice ending to a very nice day. And even though it was their 'first' date, there was quite a bit of kissing.
There were a lot of dates in the next few weeks. Sometimes they went out for the entire evening or sometimes they just went to her house after work. There were few surprises. They got along in their normal teasing way, still had their little spats, had fun making up, and the town people had left them alone after the initial surprise had worn off. Rory was often there on weekends, but she gave them lots of time to themselves. They all enjoyed being together. The girls had always liked Luke so it was nice having him around even more. Rory would be home soon for winter break. Lorelai was so looking forward to that, and their first Christmas with Luke. They felt like a family already. Even Lorelai's parents seemed pleased. They had never seen her this happy and content. So they were not surprised when one day Luke appeared at their door acting a little unsure. He told them he wasn't asking permission but that he just wanted them to know that he loved her, would always take care of her, and he hoped to make a life with her, if she would have him. His only wish was for their blessing, which they gave and welcomed him into the family, because they were sure she would say 'yes'.
That only left Rory. He met her for lunch one day and they talked for a long time. He told her his feelings and wishes and hoped she would accept him into her life also. She told him he had always been a big part of her life and that she knew her mom would be thrilled.
Christmas at the Gilmore house was always a big production. Lorelai had always loved it, and tried to make it extra special for Rory since Christopher was never around. This year was going to be even better- because this year they had Luke. Luke was not a big holiday person, but Lorelai was determined to change all of that. He had grumbled about tramping in the cold to get the tree-the biggest one on the lot, of course. He had grumbled again when he got the job of first dragging all the decorations down from the attic and then untangling all of the lights. He had made the girls do most of the actual decorating, knowing full well nothing he might do would suit them. He was learning fast about this household. But when it was all done, Luke looked at the tree and knew that this Christmas was going to be something really special. Christmas was a family time and he was now part of this family-well, almost.
He closed the diner early on Christmas Eve, and hurried home to "his girls' as he had started calling them. They were busy in the kitchen-seemed odd- when he got there. They couldn't do much else there but they seem to have the Christmas cookie-baking thing down to a science. Although, he thought it might take the rest of the night to clean up the mess. They were going to have an early dinner with Sookie and Jackson and then spend the rest of the night at home by the fire. Rory was planning on an early night so they could have their first Christmas Eve alone. And of course, just as they were leaving Sookie's, it started to snow. Lorelai winked at Luke and whispered, "Christmas Magic." Rory over heard and made some reference to a certain 'Lorelai-Luke-Santa' dream and made her tell the story to Luke. Luke and Rory teased Lorelai about that dream all the way home.
After Rory went to her room, Lorelai and Luke snuggled by the fire, watching the snow fall outside and remembering another snowy night. They admired the tree and teased each other about all the wrapped gifts under it. There were a couple that had Lorelai curious and there was one big one for Luke that had him intrigued. They talked about how much their lives had changed in a very short time and how they never dreamed they would be this happy.
Lorelai wanted to give him his special gift while they were alone. He opened the box to find a beautiful gold watch engraved with their names and the date of that first night-the night of the big snowstorm. He was touched and surprised. He asked her to get her coat and come outside with him. She thought he was crazy but she followed. Even though the snow was still falling, the moon was full and bright. A Lorelai kind of night, he thought. He told her how happy she had made him and how much he loved her. And she said the same. He held her close as they looked out at their snowy world. Then he teased her about her snow obsession and told her he had no intention of freezing to death while she got her latest fix. "You're no fun!" she replied going back inside.
When she took off her coat and entered her living room she gasped. There were burgundy flowers everywhere, and small white candles added to the glow of the Christmas tree. There was champagne, and soft music. Lorelai looked at Luke.
"Maybe I spoke too soon."
Luke smiled and knew he had never felt so sure about anything in his entire life. There was no way he could go on and not have her by his side.
"When I planned this, I didn't know what I was going to say. I'm not good at putting my thoughts into words. I didn't expect the snow, or how being a part of this family was going to make me feel. But since we've been together, my whole life has changed. I can't imagine it without you, and Rory.....I never want to have to. I'm hoping that you feel the same way. I'm hoping that you want to spend the rest of your life as my wife.......building something more........building a life together." Luke opened a small box that held the most beautiful ring Lorelai had ever seen, as large as Luke's heart and as old fashioned as their love.
"Oh, Luke..."
"Lorelai will you wear this ring, commit your life to me, commit to our future? Marry me and be by my side no matter what? I can't promise it will be easy but I think that we can be happy and together build a good, solid life."
"I imagined this moment a thousand times but never once did those words come out of your mouth. Your words were so much better than anything I imagined. Not a romantic fantasy but heartfelt thoughts about a real life, yours and mine. But my answer is the same. I'm ready to commit to you Luke, all of me to our life together."
Luke put the ring on her finger and they sealed the proposal with a kiss. As she admired her ring, they heard the clock chime twelve times.
"Merry Christmas, diner man. I love you."
"Love you too, Mrs. Diner man. Told you some day you would have it-the whole package. Just didn't mention I hoped it would be with me."
And in the background, they both noticed the music playing was "The Way You Look Tonight.
Lorelai looked up at Luke. "I think we have our song."
