Chapter 10- Not so familiar moments

"Wow." Lorelai blushed.

"Was that too forward? That was probably way out of line. I'm sor---" She looked at him sitting there all flustered. She put a finger to his lips.

"Haven't I ever told you not to be sorry for your feelings?" He blinked and smiled a little. She took her finger off his lips and she kissed them. Her heart was beating fast. She pulled back a few moments later.

*I'm tugging at my hair

I'm pulling at my clothes

I'm trying to keep my cool

I know it shows

I'm staring at my feet

My checks are turning red

I'm searching for the words inside my head*

They sat there in silence, just looking at the counter and occasionally each other. Lorelai contentiously sipped her coffee. She had one hand on her cup and one on the counter. She was quietly tapping her fingers there. He looked down at her hand and had the urge to touch it. It was something he hadn't been able to do before. He'd hugged her and comforted her, but he'd wanted more. He put his hand on top of hers, stopping her tapping. She turned her hand under his and laced her fingers through his.

"There's so much to talk about, so much we've never said." He started.

*If I could say what I want to say

I'd say I wanna blow you... away

Be with you every night

Am I squeezing you too tight*

"I know." She replied.

*If I could say what I want to see

I want to see you go down

On one knee

Marry me today

Yes, I'm wishing my life away

With these things I'll never say*

She took her hand away from his and unzipped her purse. She pulled out her cell phone to call Rory.

"Oh, that's right. No cell phone policy." She remembered. "Can I use your phone?" She asked.

"Go ahead, use your cell phone." He replied.

"Really?" She asked surprised.

"Yeah." He nodded and smiled.

She picked up her phone again and dialed home.

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Earlier-

"Well, I guess I better pack again. Or at least unpack what I don't need." Rory said to her empty house.

She headed to her room where she found her backpack. They discarded most of the things she didn't need. She brought along a few pairs of socks, a black skirt, and a dressy pale pink shirt. A few tee shirts with various designs, two pairs of jeans and a nice pair of shoes. She threw in a few other things too.

I wonder what's going on with Mom and Luke. I hope my little discussions with them helped. She glanced at her watch. 7:30pm. Grabbing a book, she headed to the couch with a blanket to read.

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The couch was where Rory was when the phone rang. It was sitting on the table behind the couch so she reached up and grabbed it.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Hey Rory, sweetie." Lorelai replied.

"Oh, hi Mom, how are you? And where are you, what is it like almost 10 O'clock?" She yawned.

"I'm great, yes it is almost 10, and I'm at Luke's."

"Oh!" She perked up.

"Yeah, I'm coming home now. I might have a guest with me when I get there."

"Okay, point taken." Rory smiled.

"See you in a while, honey."

"Bye, Mom." Rory hung up the phone.

"I did it!" She whispered. 'Mom and Luke, wow. It's finally happening.'

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Lorelai hung up on her end. She looked at Luke, who had watched her the whole time.

"You may be having a guest?" He asked sort of smartly.

"Yes." She smiled

"Someone I know?" He asked playing with her.

"Yes, actually, Kirk." She replied jokingly.

"Really? That'll be a dream come true for him."

"So, you wanna go?" She asked pointing out the door.

"Sure." They got up off the stools. "I've just gotta lock up."

"Okay." She waited by the door as he did so. He grabbed his coat on the way out. She opened the door and they left.

Walking down the street Lorelai looked up at the stars. He hesitantly put his arm around the small of her back and she pulled herself close to him, in reassurance that it was all right.

"The stars are beautiful tonight." She said.

"Yeah, they are."

"I missed all of this. I missed Stars Hollow, while we were gone."

"You're back now. It's like a new beginning." He smiled looking slightly down at her.

"Yeah it is. Rory's gonna be off to school, and well, there's---"

"Us?" He finished.

"Yeah, Us." She replied. He took his hand off her back and found her hand with it. They stayed that way the rest of the way to the Gilmore's house.

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"Rory, we're home, or I mean, I'm home." She opened the door and Luke shut it behind himself. Rory got up off the couch instantly, grabbing her blanket and book. There they were in the entryway, her mom and Luke, holding hands. 'Finally' she thought.

"Hey." She said. "I should get some sleep, gotta be well rested for my trip. See you in the morning."

She hugged her mother, and there was an awkward pause in front of Luke as she turned around to go to her room.

"Goodnight sweetie" Lorelai replied.

She turned to Luke.

"There are a lot of memories here, huh?" She said.

"Yeah, there are." He grabbed her hand again.

"The time you brought me ice, the time you got all defensive with Max. Good times, they were good times." She smiled. "Let's go." She led him into the living room and they sat down on the couch.

"So, the things we've never said. Boy, that's a lot of stuff."

"Yeah, it is."

"Can I start?" She asked.

"Sure." He replied. She sat facing him on the couch.

"Like I said before, you were always there for me. You cared enough to supply me with coffee everyday, and you treat Rory like your own daughter. We're different, but I think that's good for both of us. You're a little too conservative, and I'm a little too crazy so pretty much, I can spice up your life a little. She smiled a little and continued. No matter who I've been with, Chris, or Max, or whoever you've always supported that. You were always there to catch me. I loved you from the word go, and I've denied it that long. You've been tied up with other people, so have I. But it seems like we always end up back here, together."

She smiled and moved a hand over the side of his face.

"Well, I didn't think I'd ever hear those things from you, or be able to say these things to you, but here goes nothing." He paused a minute. "I missed you so much while you were gone, and when you called I was so glad to hear from you. The truth is, no matter how I ever acted toward you, I always cared how you felt. When I got mad at you after Jess hurt Rory, it hurt me to be mad, but it came out and I couldn't take it back. All my other girlfriends have been right. The woman I wanted all along was right in front of my eyes. I just wasn't sure if I ever could have her. When you stayed at my place after the Inn burned down, it made me think about how much I care about you. Lots of things along the way have done that, and I guess it's just fate. I love you Lorelai. I love everything that is you, even if you are a little different. I love your coffee habit, only because I get to see you all the time, but that's beside the point. I love that you were strong enough to raise Rory the way that you did. I love the way you were always a little self conscious around me, and I love your smile. It killed me to see you with other guys, because I wanted to be the one by your side. We've been through so much together and I hoped it would turn out like this."

She had tears in her eyes. He embraced her. She scooted closer to him on the couch.

"I never knew how strongly you felt, Luke." She looked up at him through tears. "This is the first time I haven't hated it when my mother was right."

"She was right, about us?" He asked.

"Yeah, she told me that a long time ago. She said she saw the way I look at you. Funny, huh?"

"Suddenly I like your mother much more." He leaned in and kissed her affectionately on the lips. This was something new, Luke and her kissing, and being something more than friends. There was no doubt she liked it though. They talked some more and finally Lorelai yawned. They got up and she walked to the stairs. She put one foot on the first step.

"You want to come upstairs?" She proposed. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Not tonight. Give it some time. It needs to be right." He took her hands.

"Such a gentleman, I love that about you." She smiled and kissed him. "Do you maybe need some help again, tomorrow night in the diner?" She asked.

"I would love help, thanks." He smiled.

"Goodnight, Luke." She said.

"Goodnight, Lorelai." He replied. He watched her go up the stairs. He flipped of the light switch in the living room and left.

Rory had just nodded off to sleep. She had heard nearly all of their conversation. She slept and dreamt of happy pink bunnies, and other girlish things.

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The next morning Rory woke up, and opened her door. He mother was seated at the kitchen table. She had a cup of coffee in her hand as usual.

"Hi." Lorelai looked up.

"Hey Rory, did you sleep well?" She smiled at her daughter.

"Yeah, I did. I heard you two last night."

"You did, did you?" Lorelai retorted.

"Yes, and I have to say I like what I heard."

"Really bared our souls, didn't we?"

"It's so good to finally hear you two, get over yourselves and be honest with each other."

"I have you to thank for that, missy." Lorelai smiled. "Thank, Rory."

"No big deal. It had to be done. But you are welcome. I'm glad you're happy."

"How do you know I'm happy?"

"I can tell by the look on your face, and your smile. It looks like the one you had when we first saw the gorilla at the shop. That one was because it reminded you of Luke. Where is Mighty Joe, by the way?"

"Oh, he's in the garage, most likely staring broodingly at one of the walls."

"I'm sure, he's good at that. How do you know where he is, by the way?"

"Luke told me the whole story of how he got it off the truck, and how Kirk had to help him get it into the garage."

"Okay. You'll have to tell me that one later. I thought I'd get an early start on my trip. Maybe I can get there by Monday night."

"I know I've given you crap about Jess, but this whole Luke thing has made me realize that you shouldn't leave your feelings bottled up. I still have my reservations, and I hate having to be the mother, but you should go; let your heart lead you. Just be careful."

"Okay, I will Mom. I love you." She got up, hugged Lorelai and put her coffee cup in the sink. Crossing the kitchen back to her room, she grabbed her bag and headed toward the door.

"I'll see you soon, Mom." She said on her way out.

She got her brand new Prius, put the keys in the ignition and started off on her journey.

Lorelai watched her drive off. Life had come full circle. Just a few months ago she had been listening to Rory pine over Jess, now look who was pining. But she wasn't pining. She didn't have to; Luke and she were real now. She only hoped her daughter would find what she was looking for in California.

A/N: Lyrics are "Things I'll Never Say" by Avril. Whoa! Sorry, I know I promised more Lit action and I did none in this chapter. The next chapter will be completely Lit though, or at least 75%. :) I have become such a java junkie from writing this. I mean, I shipped them before, but I am such a deprived romantic that this is cathartic writing about Luke and Lorelai. I am so enjoying this. FF.net has been whacked up lately and I was missing being able to read other peoples stories so I think mine got a little more intense. It lost some of its funny, Gilmore-esque qualities, but it needed to be serious for a while. I'll try to bring it back. Love you all!