Disclaimer:  I don't own any of the characters, just the story idea.

A/N:  Sorry to be away for a few days.  I'm trying to finish up my master's thesis and writing non-fiction is really hard.  Or at least, it's harder for me than writing fanfics.  Thanks for being patient and here's what you've all been waiting for.  Rory's birthday.

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On Saturday Lorelai took Rory out for a day of pampering.  They drove to Hartford where Lorelai had booked a full day for two at a spa and they did mud-packs, massages, manicures, pedicures, saunas, and in general had a fantastic time. 

On the way back to Stars Hollow Rory commented, "That was just about the best day of my life.  I'm so relaxed I can't even concentrate on the idea of homework, much less the reality of it."

Lorelai grinned.  "Well, that was the point.  Are you ready for Phase Two?"

"Only if Phase Two includes a meal because that rabbit food they were giving us back there didn't do much for me."

"Oh, yes.  Phase Two is all about the food."

"Should we go home and change first or are we meeting Luke somewhere?"

"We're meeting him."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise."

"Come on, tell me."

"I could, but then I'd have to kill you."

Rory pouted.  "Fine, but it better be good."

Lorelai shook her head.  "When it comes to food, do you even have to ask?"

Rory pretended to consider this.  "Well, my appetite is only surpassed by yours and since we never starved before, I guess I should trust you.  However, it is my birthday so…."

"Nice try.  Anyway we're here."  Lorelai pulled up outside of the diner and turned the engine off.

Rory looked.  "But the sign says closed.  Wait, that can't be right, it's only five o'clock.  What's going on?"

"Let's go find out, shall we?"

They got out of the car and walked to the door.  Luke had left it unlocked for them and he had just finished pouring two mugs of coffee when they entered.  He was wearing the navy flannel Lorelai had gotten him.

"Hey!  Happy Birthday!"  He smiled wide at Rory and held out one of the mugs to her.

"Thanks, Luke!"  Rory accepted the mug and began to chug.

"Slow down," he tried to admonish.  "You're just like your mother."

Lorelai pretended to be offended.  "Are you sure you want to use that tone of voice when you say those words?"

He handed her the second mug and said, "Forgive me?"

"How can I stay mad at you when you've got my sweet nectar?"

"Okay, eww," said Rory, misunderstanding.

Lorelai burst out laughing.  "The coffee, you dirty-bird!"

Rory and Luke both blushed and Rory tried to change the subject.  "So, uh, you closed the diner?"

Luke nodded.  "For your birthday dinner, yes, we're closed."  To prove it, he walked around the counter to the door and locked it.

"You can order anything you want," he said.

"Oooooh," said Lorelai, "I'll have the surf and turf."

"Anything that's on the menu," clarified Luke with an eye-roll.

After Rory and Lorelai had polished off their burgers and fries, and Luke had eaten his tofu salad, Lorelai said, "Time for cake and ice cream!"

"You got me a cake?"  Rory was incredulous.

"Duh, it's your birthday," said Lorelai.  "We didn't get you anything, we made you a cake."

Rory threw a concerned glance at Luke who said, "Don't worry.  I made it, she watched."

"Oh, thank God."

"Hey!"  Lorelai was indignant.

"Sorry, mom, but cooking just isn't your forte."

Lorelai had to admit that Rory had a point.

Luke brought out the cake and ice cream and the girls ate until their stomachs were ready to explode.

"That was the best birthday dinner a girl could ask for," said Rory when she finally pushed her plate away.

"Well, there's one more surprise," said Lorelai glancing at Luke who began to shift uncomfortably.

"I already opened my presents this morning and the day at the spa was the big gift, so what else could be left?"

Luke pulled out a small box wrapped in silver paper and held it out to Rory.  "This one's from both of us.  Happy birthday," he said.

Rory looked at Lorelai who smiled and nodded.  "Both of you?  But Luke you closed the diner on a Saturday night and cooked us all this food and the cake.  You didn't have to do more."

"I know.  But we wanted to get you something from both of us that wasn't edible," Luke deadpanned.

Rory giggled and unwrapped the box.  "Oh, my gosh!" she said when she saw the charm bracelet.  "It's beautiful!"  Rory jumped up and hugged Lorelai, who said, "Luke picked it out."

Rory's eyes widened and she looked at Luke who shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  "It's not a big deal," he began, but Rory threw her arms around his neck and held on tight.  When she pulled away she said, "Thank you so much."  She held the bracelet out to him and said, "Will you put it on?" 

Luke fastened the delicate clasp around her wrist.  Rory marveled at it.  "It's so pretty and you got all my favorite stuff! Is that the Aster?"

Lorelai giggled, loving how happy Luke had made her daughter.  "Yup.  Luke here picked out each charm himself."

Rory hugged him again.  "Thank you.  I can't believe you knew what the flower of September was."

"Well, that one I cheated on.  The sales guy knew it, not me.  The others I figured out on my own, though."

Rory held her wrist up to the light and watched the charms dangle from the chain.  "It's perfect. I love it." 

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Later that night, after Rory had driven back to New Haven, Lorelai said to Luke, "You really made her happy today."

Luke, who was lying on her bed against some pillows and stroking Lulu's back, said, "She's a good kid.  It was nothing."

Lorelai sat on the bed next to him in a pair of blue striped pajamas.  "It was something to her.  And it was really something to me."  She stilled Luke's hand with her own and forced him to look at her.

Luke smiled.  "Then I'm glad I got it for her."

"Me, too."  Lorelai paused for a moment and then asked, "Do you remember the love spot fight?"

Luke rolled his eyes.  "God, yes.  Do we have to talk about it again?"

"No, not the fight itself, but do you remember my rant?  What I said about Rory?"

Luke did, but wasn't sure where she was going with this.  She had said the Rory loved him and it still made him feel all soft and queasy inside when he thought of it.  Rory felt like the daughter he never had and it was nice to know that she felt the same way, but Luke hated talking about stuff like this.  Feelings.  Still, he knew Lorelai was nothing if not persistent.

"Yes," he answered finally.

"She loves you like you were her real dad.  And the sad fact is, she has a real dad."  Lorelai shook her head.  "Look, I guess just want you to know that I feel very lucky to have had you in our lives for all those years when she was growing up.  I love you."

Luke blushed.  "I was happy to be there," he said simply. 

"Okay," said Lorelai, sensing his discomfort, "now let's talk about Halloween."

"Halloween?"  Luke sounded wary.

"Yes.  I think we should dress up as a couple for Sookie's party.  We could be Chandler and Monica, or Ralph and Alice, or – oh! I know, Fred and Wilma!"

Luke was already shaking his head.  "No, no, a thousand times no!"

"Barney and Betty?  You know you'd have to dye your hair for that, right?

Luke just shook his head and said, "There is nothing you could do to me that would make me say yes to whatever you're planning for Halloween."

Lorelai smiled at him.  "We'll see," she promised.       

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A/N:  Have a suggestion for what they should go as?  Lemme know!  Also, now that this chapter is done, it feels very anticlimactic.  But I guess there's always Luke's first dinner with Emily and Richard to look forward to.