Title: A Wedding Story, Chapter 9 – See ya on the 30th.

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 next morning, breakfast rush at the diner was busy as usual. Nicole sat at the counter eating a spinach omelet and sipped her coffee while Luke took orders and served breakfast. He hadn't slept very well the previous night – he had returned to the apartment and fitfully slept beside Nicole. As far as he knew, she had slept through his running-to-Lorelai-at-2AM freak-out.

Kirk was complaining that his eggs tasted like fish again and Luke was losing his patience.

"Kirk, I'll make you some new eggs but we have a backlog in the kitchen, you'll just have to wait."

"Fine I'll wait. If I don't eat, then I'll pass out and then I won't be able to walk the dogs today."

"You still doing that? Hey, ever find Snuggles' owner?"

"No, my girlfriend and I've adopted Snuggles. We take turns taking care of him. Today is Lulu's turn, she's taking him to the doggie spa for a manicure."

Luke groaned at the word spa, reminded that Nicole had cajoled him into her Queer Eyed plans. He returned to the counter where she was finishing her breakfast and talking on her cell phone.

"I understand, Mr. Stein. I'll be on the next flight to Chicago. Thanks for the opportunity." Nicole hung up her phone.

"What's that about Chicago?" Luke asked.

"Oh, the firm is sending me to Chicago for the next few days. They're thinking of acquiring a boutique firm there and want me to meet with their management. This is the chance I've been waiting for." She said excitedly.

"What about that case you were preparing for?"

"Oh, they're giving it to someone else, which is fine with me. I gotta call my travel agent and book my flight." She dialed another number.

Just then the bell jingled and Liz came into the diner. "Luke!" she called out and came over to the counter.

"Hey, Liz. So, are you getting ready to go back to New York?" Luke asked.

"Yeah, Carrie and I are going to shop for her bridesmaid dress this morning and run a few more errands and then I'll be on the bus back to the city."

Liz looked at the businesswoman on the cell phone with disgust. "God some people are so rude. Hey, Luke, don't you have a 'no cell phone' policy here?"

Luke nodded, "I do, but that's Nicole."

Liz mouthed, "That's Nicole?" and felt embarrassed.

"Can I get you anything to eat, Liz?"

"Oh, no I've had morning sickness today and can't keep down a thing. But some ginger tea would be great, if you've got, it's supposed to help."

"Sure, I'll get a cup." Luke went to retrieve her tea.

Nicole finished her conversation. "A noon flight? Great, I'll get my e- ticket at the airport. Thanks, Leslie."

She hung up her cell phone and looked at the woman sitting next to her. She was wearing a peasant blouse and jeans with a velvet scarf, which contrasted greatly to her conservative black suit.

Liz held out her hand to Nicole. "Hi Nicole, I'm Luke's sister, Liz. It's nice to meet you, finally."

Just then Luke appeared with Liz's tea. "Oh thanks, bro, you're the best," she said taking a sip.

Nicole gave him an accusatory look, "I didn't know your sister was in town, Luke."

Liz saw that look and covered for her brother. "Oh, I'm just passing through town. I'm planning my wedding with my maid of honor. Luke didn't even know I was here."

"Yeah, Liz likes to surprise me."

"Well, it was a nice surprise." Nicole said. "Listen, I have to go pack for my flight."

Nicole leaned over the counter and gave Luke a quick kiss and gathered her coat and briefcase.

"It was nice meeting you Liz, and Luke, I'll call you when I get to Chicago."

Once Nicole hurried out of the diner, it was Liz's turn to give her brother a look.

"That's your wife? Oh Luke."

"What?"

"She's SO not your type, no wonder you're miserable!" Liz exclaimed.

"Will you lower your voice please? You know how the town likes to gossip."

"Oh, come on. I'm not saying anything that they can't see for themselves. Have you thought about what I said yesterday?"

Luke groaned. "I've done nothing but."

"Well, maybe it's time to stop thinking about it, and just do something about it."

"Liz, I really don't want to talk about this right now. I've got customers and I'm busy."

About fifteen minutes later, things started to quiet down in the diner. Liz had finished her tea and was ready to leave. She flagged down her brother and he returned.

"How was the tea?"

"Great, my stomach feels much better. Listen, I gotta go. I'll be back in town on the 30th. Carrie is hosting a small rehearsal dinner at her place at seven. Do you think you can make it?"

Luke nodded, "If Carrie behaves herself. Can I bring Nicole?"

"Of course you can, but I think there's someone else you'd much rather bring."

"Liz...."

"I'm just stating the obvious, Luke." She came around the counter and gave him a hug.

"I'll see you in a couple of weeks. Love ya."

Luke watched his sister leave the diner. Now that she was going back to New York and Nicole was headed to Chicago for a few days, he would finally have some alone time to think. Perhaps he could figure out what to do next.

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Lorelai sat in the kitchen at the Dragonfly. She was eating a three cheese omelet that Sookie had whipped up for her, now that their kitchen was operable. She had overslept that morning due to Luke's 2AM freak-out and didn't have time to head to the diner.

Of course she told her best friend all about the previous night's events and Sookie eagerly listened to the latest chapter in the Luke and Lorelai saga.

"Well, I think you're doing everything right." Sookie said.

"Even the hand-holding thing?" Lorelai asked.

"Especially the hand-holding thing. You're giving him a tiny taste of what he wants without crossing the line of friendship. It's beautiful. Nicole is the nagging wife and you are the supportive friend. Nicole will keep nagging him until he can't take it anymore and he'll keep running to you!"

"Well he did literally run to me last night." Lorelai sighed. "You don't know how much self control I had. He was at my door all sweaty and breathless, and looking sexy as hell and all I wanted to do was grab him and have my way with him right there in my foyer."

Sookie fanned herself. "It's definitely getting all Skinemax in here. Down girl."

"It's just so frustrating. I know he's miserable with Nicole and I could make him happy but I can't do anything because he's still married to her. And she's so damn smug about everything, especially when she told me about her birthday. I wanted to clock her."

"But you didn't, you were polite and sweet about it. Don't sink to her level. She's obviously desperate to hold on to him. Just keep playing the role like you have been and you'll get your man."

"Ugh, I hate this. I don't want to play games or act anymore, I just want to be with Luke."

"I know you do, honey, but just hang in there. It'll be over soon." Sookie assured.

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Around lunchtime, Liz knocked on the kitchen door to the Dragonfly where Sookie was making sandwiches for the staff and remaining workmen.

"Hi Sookie, it smells great in here."

"Oh, Liz you're right on time. Do you want something to eat?"

"No thanks, just some ginger tea if you've got."

"I've got some, I used to drink it when I was pregnant with Davey, it helped with morning sickness, which let's face it is also afternoon and evening sickness....wait - Liz, you're not, are you?"

"I am!" Liz beamed.

Sookie hugged her. "Congratulations, sit sit, can't have a mother-to-be on her feet!"

"Yeah, TJ and I are so excited. And just for the record, he proposed before I knew."

"Oh, this is so great. Let me just bring these sandwiches out to the staff and then I'll make you the tea and we'll discuss your rehearsal dinner."

A minute later, Lorelai came into the kitchen and was surprised to see Liz sitting in the kitchen.

"Liz, what are you doing here?"

"Lorelai, we keep running into each other, huh? I'm meeting with Sookie to talk about my rehearsal dinner, didn't she tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"That I'd like her to cater it for me? I know you guys are terribly busy with all this but it's just going to be a small dinner."

Lorelai crossed her arms. "No she didn't, but it's okay. Did you know that Sookie and I were partners in a catering business?"

"No, I had no idea. I just know that Sookie is a great chef and I thought she could help me out."

Just then Sookie returned. "Oh Lorelai, hi. Liz, I'll get you the tea."

"Sookie, Liz tells me that she'd like to have us cater her rehearsal dinner."

"Oh, I forgot to mention it, didn't I? With everything else happening, it kind of slipped my mind. But it's okay, right Lorelai?"

"Sure, anything else you'd like to tell me before we get started?" Lorelai said, slightly peeved.

"Well, actually yes, Lorelai. I'm pregnant." Liz said.

"You're joking right?" Lorelai looked at Sookie and Liz. "You're not joking! Oh my god, Liz this is wonderful news! Ugh - are you sure you want to be discussing food at a time like this?"

"Well, that's why Sookie's making me some ginger tea. I had some at Luke's this morning and it helped but I think it wore off."

Sookie gave Liz the tea and the three women began to discuss the party and the menu.

"And we'll need enough food for about ten people." Liz said. "It'll be me and TJ, TJ's brother and his parents, Carrie and her husband John, Luke, Nicole, and Jess is a maybe."

"Oh my god, Jess might be there? I totally forgot that he might be at the wedding. I'd better warn Rory about coming home that weekend." Lorelai blurted out.

"Good idea." Sookie agreed.

Liz looked confused. "Who's Rory?"

"Rory's my daughter, she goes to Yale. Um, she and Jess dated a while and didn't end on great terms. He kind of left town without saying goodbye. And then when he was here a couple of months ago, all he did was run away from her anytime she saw him."

"Gee, something tells me you're not so fond of my son." Liz said.

"Well, Liz, Stars Hollow as a whole isn't so fond of Jess...sorry," Sookie said.

Liz laughed. "It's okay, I know as much as anyone that Jess is a handful, to put it mildly. I just didn't know there was a girl here that he liked. Hmm, in that way Jess is a lot like his uncle."

"What do you mean?" asked Lorelai.

"Well, they're both very private about their personal lives. I mean, I didn't even meet Luke's wife until today and that's just because I ran into her at the diner."

Lorelai and Sookie exchanged looks. "What did you think of her?" Sookie asked.

"Oh, she seemed nice although she doesn't really seem like his type. But it's none of my business...." Liz said.

"C'mon Liz, we've known each other for years, since when have you held your tongue about Luke's girlfriends?" Sookie prodded.

"Well, this one's not a girlfriend. She's his wife... oh screw it! She's much too skinny and I think he's miserable. I tried to convince him that he needs to end it but you know Luke, he's stubborn. I just hate to see him so unhappy."

"Lorelai and I were just talking about that this morning, weren't we?" Sookie smiled.

Lorelai shot her an embarrassed look.

Liz glanced at the clock and gasped. "Oh, I'd love to sit around and gossip all day but I have to catch my bus to New York soon. I better get back to Carrie's and get my things. So, ladies, you know what to do for the rehearsal dinner?"

Sookie nodded. "We have everything we need, right Lorelai?"

Lorelai smiled, clearly relieved. "Yes we do. Have a good trip back to New York, Liz and we'll see you on the 30th."

TBC