Title: A Wedding Story, Chapter 5 – Green Eggs and Ham

Author: Gluglug

Spoiler Warning/Timing: Late Fourth Season

Rating: PG-13

Summary: His sister's impending wedding leads Luke to make some decisions about his own life. SPOILER WARNING

Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing.

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The following morning, Lorelai walked into the diner and took her usual seat at the counter. She looked around for Luke but didn't see him.

A tall Asian man named Sam was taking orders. Sam always seemed to be around in the diner but she had barely exchanged words with him in all the years he worked there.

"May I take your order, Lorelai?" Sam asked politely.

"Yeah, Sam isn't it?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes, I am Sam. What would you like?"

"Green Eggs and Ham." Lorelai smiled.

"Gee, I've never heard that one before. What can I get you?" Sam asked impatiently.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll have some pancakes and a side of bacon, and coffee, of course."

"No decaf, right? Luke told me you hate decaf."

"Well, that would be right. If you serve me decaf, I won't tip, and that'll be the least of your problems. Speaking of Luke, where is he this morning?"

"I don't know, all I know is he called me very early this morning to open for him. He said he'd be in before breakfast rush ends. Caesar and I could use the help. I'll be back with your coffee."

Lorelai wondered where Luke was and came to the most obvious conclusion. She would bet on the Inn that he was in Litchfield with his "wife."

Just as Sam served her breakfast, Lorelai noticed a familiar green pickup truck pull up in front of the diner. She saw Luke get out of the truck and walk around to the back. He was wearing what she called his "Nicole outfit" – leather jacket over black trousers and a turtleneck. Well it wasn't strictly his Nicole outfit, he wore it for her once, the night of her 'meltdown in the park.' She sighed, remembering how secure she felt when she broke down in his arms.

Lorelai started to eat, wondering if Luke would make an appearance before she left. She wasn't avoiding him but he very well might be avoiding her. She ate her pancakes and bacon slowly, savoring every bite, hoping that he would show. By the time 8:45 rolled around, she had finished her last drop of coffee but he still hadn't showed. She seriously considered going upstairs to his apartment. But she remembered Sookie's advice to give him his space. Coming to the diner was one thing, it was a public establishment, but his apartment was something else.

Lorelai lingered at the cash register while Sam rang up her breakfast. She picked up her purse and took one last longing look at the back curtain and left the diner.

Not five minutes later, Luke came downstairs having showered and changed into his usual uniform. He scanned the diner for his usual customers, Kirk was making Lulu giggle in the corner, Miss Patty was eating too much again, and Reverend Skinner was playing with his oatmeal. But no Lorelai. Luke looked at his watch and realized that he might have missed her.

Damn alarm clock, he thought. Nicole had forgotten to set it for him and he slept right through his usual wake-up time. It wasn't until 7:00 that he woke up when Nicole got up to get ready for work. Nicole apologized profusely as Luke frantically dialed Sam's number to tell him to cover for him. As he dressed, Luke was almost sure she had forgotten on purpose and he angrily left the apartment while Nicole was still in the shower.

Luke came over to Sam and told him he could take a break. "Thanks for covering for me this morning, Sam. I'll make sure that your paycheck reflects that."

"Thanks, Boss."

"Hey, Sam. Um, did Lorelai Gilmore come in this morning?" Luke asked, trying to hide his anxiety.

"Yeah, she did, left a few minutes ago. Why?" Sam inquired, even though he knew the answer. After all he had watched them flirt with each other almost everyday for the past five years.

"Uh, no reason. Thanks." Luke then went to take an order.

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Lorelai and Sookie were sitting in the kitchen at the Dragonfly, making up their guest list for their opening day party.

"Wow, so far we have almost 100 people." Sookie said. "Who knew we had so many friends?"

"Let me see the list." Lorelai said, taking the paper and scanning it. "You forgot someone."

"Who did I forget?"

"A certain boy toy."

"Oh my god, how could I forget Luke?" Sookie exclaimed. "He has to come, this place wouldn't even be opening if it weren't for him."

"Tell me about it." Sookie and Lorelai exchanged looks and knew what the other was thinking.

Lorelai exhaled. "So....do we invite her?"

Sookie shook her head. "I don't know, the list is awfully big and fire code says we can't hold more than 100 people."

"But what if Luke is insulted that we don't invite her? He might get mad and not even come!"

"You have a point, Lorelai. Let's just make it "Luke Danes and guest" and leave it at that."

"Sounds good to me." Lorelai agreed.

"So?"

"What does that mean, Sookie?"

"Have you seen Luke since yesterday?"

Lorelai shook her head. "Well, I went to the diner this morning for breakfast and he wasn't there. But I saw him drive up through the side window - he definitely spent the night at Nicole's."

"How do you know?"

Lorelai gave her the clues. "Do you think he's avoiding me?"

"I don't know, he might be, then again, he might've just overslept."

"Ugh, that means he had a reason to oversleep! I just can't picture the two of them together, you know? I mean Nicole is so skinny, I just don't get how Luke might find her attractive."

"Who knows?" Sookie shrugged, trying to get that particular image out of her head.

"I hate this." Lorelai groaned. "I hate not knowing what's going on with him. And what if my little stunt only makes his marriage stronger? You know how sometimes when people cheat - they become more devoted to their spouse to compensate?"

"I guess so." Sookie shrugged and was quiet for a moment.

"Oh my god! Jackson has been extremely attentive to me lately, if you know what I mean. Things were not really happening after Davey was born and now he's all over me. Lorelai, do you think Jackson's cheating on me?"

"Oh Sookie, no! Not that I really want to get into all the vivid details with you, but didn't you tell me that Davey is sleeping through the night lately and that you've been able to get more rest? I'm sure that has a lot to do with it."

"Are you sure?" Sookie asked, still worried.

"Come on, Sookie. Jackson is devoted to you, Davey and his produce farm. He wouldn't cheat unless it was with a very sultry persimmon."

Sookie laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm sorry I got all paranoid. I feel silly..... so what were we talking about?"

"Luke." Lorelai sighed. "As usual. God, I feel like a teenager again, obsessing over a crush. I haven't done this in years."

"Well, you've got it bad for him, that's for sure. And he is crush-worthy, Lorelai. But you have to remember that so are you."

"Aww, Sookie. Thanks." Lorelai smiled. "Anyway, I've got to meet with the TV guys and make sure they hook up the rooms properly. You busy?"

"Yup, I'm preparing the menu for our party, now that I know how many guests we're having. Oh this is so exciting, I can't wait." Sookie was practically jumping up and down.

"Me, neither." Lorelai beamed and left the kitchen.

TBC