Lorelai stood there staring at Luke's back stunned for a moment. Upon
processing what just happened she raced to the door and locked it again,
flipping the open sign over again. Luke turned around and faced her, his
hands on the counter.
"What are you doing?" he asked her slightly agitated.
"What am I doing?" Lorelai responded moving toward the counter. "What are you doing? You tell me how you've wanted me forever, you get me to admit that I have feelings for you that are way beyond friendship and you kiss me like that and then you say, 'sorry we can't be together'? What the hell is going on Luke?"
"I don't get it either Lorelai," he said looking down at the counter sheepishly.
"Are you punishing me? Is this punishment for kissing Jason? I said I was sorry. I'm sorry I kissed him. I'm sorry I never told you about him. I told you it didn't mean anything," she yelled tears starting to form again in her eyes.
Luke darted from around the counter and pulled Lorelai over to a stool. He gently placed her on it and he sat on the other and faced her. "Lorelai, I don't even know why I'm doing this, but we can't be together right now. I have imagined the moment when I would finally tell you how I felt and I always hoped you would say you felt the same way and you did. And then I finally got to kiss you and hold you like I've always wanted, but it was too much, too fast."
"It was only a kiss Luke," Lorelai reasoned.
"Yeah, but it was more than that. I realize that we're not ready for this right now," he sighed. "Do you know what gave me the courage to tell you how I feel?"
Lorelai shook her head and looked down at her shoes again.
"It was a self-help tape," he snorted slightly as he let the words out. "I was thinking about how I failed with Jess, failed with Nicole and then I thought about you. You're one of the only people I haven't failed. I was depressed. When I kissed you I realized that I'm not over my marriage yet."
Lorelai quickly glanced up. The correlation between Jess, Nicole and self- help was not making sense. "You're still in love with Nicole?" she tentatively asked.
"No! No, I'm not in love with Nicole," Luke quickly tried to put her fear to rest. "I meant that I'm not over the fact that I got married and failed miserably at it. I think I need to deal with that before I can move on. I was listening to a self-help tape. Doesn't that strike you as odd? Look, kissing you just now was honestly one of the best moments of my life, but I know that as much as I'd like to, I can't escape my problems by losing myself in you," he said taking her chin in his hand. "That kiss was so powerful and scary that I don't want to start anything with you until I know I can be in it 100%. I can't do that right now. And I honestly don't think you can either," he finished.
"I don't love Jason," Lorelai stated. "I'm ready to move on with you. You're not the rebound guy. You're more like the guy I always should have been with Luke," she was silently pleading with him to change his mind. She took his hand and ran her fingers over his.
"Please don't make this harder than it already is," Luke said as he pulled his hand away. "I'm not saying I don't want to be with you because that is the farthest thing from my mind. I want to be with you, but I honestly think starting this now is a mistake. You just broke up with Jason. I just got divorced. The inn is opening and your parents are separated. That is a lot of stress to bring to a new relationship. If we start something I don't want it to be casual and I don't think either of us in ready for that," Luke said quietly.
Suddenly Lorelai realized what he was saying. He was saying that he wanted an exclusive relationship. He wanted something Lorelai was not ready to give. The concept completely frightened her. She wasn't ready for that level of commitment and he knew her well enough to recognize that. She knew her feelings for Luke were new and intense, but they weren't exclusive relationship intense. She also thought about his arguments and they were all valid. Richard and Emily's separation had really messed with her mind. Not an hour ago she let Jason kiss her and the inn was just opening. This, coupled with the fact that Luke had only been divorced for about a week, really made her see his point.
"So, what does this mean?" she asked wiping her eyes again. "Where do we go from here Luke? I mean we've shared more with each other about feeling in the last 15 minutes than we have in the last 15 years."
"I know," he replied scratching the back of his neck. "I was thinking that too. I think we should just be ourselves. You come to the diner, we talk and then when we're ready we can talk about this again, if you want," he added.
"It's just that easy for you to erase the past three days?" Lorelai said in disbelief. She knew full well it would be nearly impossible to forget the feel of Luke's arms around her and the sensation of his lips on hers. She had opened her heart and her mind to the thought of her and Luke and it finally seemed right. She saw his point, but the thought of going back to what they were made her heart ache.
"No I definitely don't think it will be easy," Luke conceded. "But what else can we do? Do you think you're ready for this now? If you tell me that you can give yourself to this relationship 100% I'll do it," he offered.
"Luke, don't do this," Lorelai pleaded. "Can't we just date? The pressure you're putting on this is crazy."
"I don't think it is Lorelai. Do you honestly want to date me knowing that a small part of me is doing it to prove to myself that I am not a failure in relationships?"
"No," Lorelai confessed. "But I thought you had feelings for me Luke? Are you telling me that you don't?"
"No, I'm telling you that I found to the courage to even tell you how I felt because I was tired of failing. That was my motivation. The feelings have been there for years. I have agonized over it for years and I guess I'm scared now. I'm scared of starting something with you on false pretenses. I want to be with you without baggage, strings or anything else. Just you and me." His eyes pleaded with Lorelai to listen to him, to understand that he wasn't rejecting her, just their timing.
"Okay. I guess I don't really have a choice her do I? Friends it is. It can't be that hard right? We've been friends for a long time. Well," she said, standing up and smoothing out her jeans, "I have an inn to get ready." She started to walk toward the doors and it dawned on her that Luke might not come to the party at the Dragonfly. She turned to him and asked, "Luke, are you going to come to the party tonight?"
Luke turned around on the stool and looked her in the eyes. "I wouldn't miss it," he said with a sad smile.
Lorelai nodded and walked out of the diner. Luke put his head down and sighed. He had just done the one of the hardest things he could think of, but he knew it was the right thing for them in the end.
***
It was 7:30 p.m. and most of the guests had arrived at the Dragonfly. Lorelai, Sookie and Michel had been running around all afternoon getting ready for the party. Rory had come home from Yale for the big event and was chatting with Richard and Emily, who were still pretending to be a happy couple for everyone's benefit, maybe even their own. Lorelai scanned the room and saw her family, Miss Patty, Babette, Taylor, Kirk, basically everyone in town with the exception of Luke. She knew she had to start the speeches soon, but she was silently praying that Luke would walk in before she started. Maybe it was too weird for him. Considering all that had happened she couldn't really blame him for not coming. He wasn't ready, and according to him, neither was she. It was funny. It was Lorelai who had the doubts and fears about whether or not things would work. She agonized over the decision to even have a real date with him. But in the end it was Luke's insecurities that had overtaken them, while Lorelai's had suddenly disappeared. The dance was the first step in acknowledging her feelings for Luke were more than she was letting on. But what cemented it most was when Jason kissed her. She once told Luke she was looking for comfort and safety and with Jason she didn't feel safe. Even though he told her he was dropping the lawsuit she knew she'd always be waiting for the shoe to drop. When she was kissing Jason she thought of Luke and how he was always there for her come hell or high water. He was one constant in her life she always seemed to be able to count on when things were bad. When they weren't speaking after Rory and Jess's accident she felt horrible, like she didn't have the security of Luke always being there. Maybe she should have realized her feelings then and there. Maybe if she had they wouldn't be in this mess.
Sookie approached Lorelai and placed a gentle hand on her should. "Sweetie, do think we should get started?" she asked.
Lorelai smiled meekly, "Yeah, you're right," she said. "I'll get everyone together and do the speech then we can start the tours."
Sookie smiled a weak smile at Lorelai. She had explained the events of the day and Sookie was shocked that Luke had been the ones to put the breaks on their relationship. She saw his point, but she knew that both Luke and Lorelai were probably miserable and part of her didn't understand why they should have to be. "He said he'd come Lorelai," Sookie said patting her back. "He probably just got held up at the diner."
"Right," Lorelai said half-heartedly. "I'm sure that's it," she said not believing it since most of the town was at the Dragonfly. She made her way around to the small podium they had set up in the foyer. She took her place with Sookie and Michel following her. Lorelai quickly glanced at her note cards and turned on the microphone.
"Hi, everyone," she started. "I'd like to officially welcome you all here on behalf of Sookie, Michel and myself. We are honored that you're all here to share in this great event. Sookie and I have wanted to open our own inn for quite a while and it's nice to be able to share this dream with all of you. There are many people we'd like to thank for their help and support in opening the Dragonfly. First, thanks to all the construction crews we had in here working night and day to restore the Dragonfly to the wonderful inn it was once upon a time. Your hard work shows in every nook and cranny and we appreciate it."
Lorelai scanned the room again and saw all the faces of the people that mattered most to her. Everyone was there, everyone except Luke. "Next we'd like to thank our families for putting up with our craziness during this time. I know it's been stressful but I think once you get the grand tour you'll see it was worth the long days and busy nights." Lorelai looked up to give Rory a meaningful look of gratitude for putting up with her bare cupboards and frantic midnight phone calls. It was at that moment that she saw a moment to the left of Rory and she glanced to see Luke walk into the inn. He had on a suit and light blue tie that made his eyes sparkle, or maybe she was only imagining it.
"And aside from family, we'd like to thank our friends for all their support and encouragement," Lorelai continued. "There is one person in particular who I owe a special thank you. This person, who will remain nameless, has helped me on numerous occasions and if it weren't for this person the Dragonfly would not have been able to open today. So, you know who you are and I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and thank you for allowing my dream to come true." Lorelai finished without looking directly at Luke as promised. The crowd seemed to look at each other wondering whom Lorelai was talking about. It wasn't until Miss Patty saw Luke standing by the door and she nodded her head to Babette and soon everyone in the room was fairly aware that Lorelai was thanking Luke for something important. A collective ripple of speculation ran through the crowd of people until Lorelai started speaking again.
"I'd also like to thank Sookie and Michel for their help. Without them I wouldn't be here. You are true friends and business partners. So, thank you all for coming enjoy Sookie's fabulous food and tours will start in 10 minutes. Feel free to wander and I officially invite you all to stay at the Dragonfly starting in three weeks because we're booked until then!" Lorelai announced happily. The crowd applauded after Lorelai's announcement and started to disperse throughout the inn.
Rory rushed up to the podium and gave Lorelai a hug. "I'm so proud of you Mom!" she exclaimed.
Lorelai hugged her daughter tight and gave her a kiss on the head. "Thanks sweetie," Lorelai said. "I couldn't have done it without you kid." She gave Rory a smile and a pat on the back.
Lorelai hadn't spoken to her parents since they arrived and as she saw them approach she knew her luck had run out and she was going to have to speak to them.
"Lorelai," Richard said approaching her, Emily trailing behind. "This is a lovely inn. The craftsmanship is remarkable. You should be proud of yourself."
"Thanks Dad," Lorelai replied. She never knew how to respond to her father's praise as it had always come so infrequently.
"The inn is lovely Lorelai," Emily added formally. "So you're really full for the next three weeks?"
"Yes we are Mom," Lorelai replied. "That's terrific news. I'm happy for you. I think I'm going to take a tour now if you don't mind," Emily said to no one in particular walking away from Richard and toward Michel who was animatedly explaining the furnishings in the lobby.
"Yes, I think I'm going to take a look at this horses I've heard so much about. Rory, would you be so kind as to show me?" Richard asked.
"Sure Grandpa," Rory said taking Richards hand and leading him out the front door.
Lorelai scanned the room and saw Sookie with Jackson and Davey. Michel was leading the tour upstairs. It looked like Miss Patty and Babette had gotten their hands on Emily and Lorelai couldn't help but wonder what sordid tales they were telling. Lorelai turned to go to outside and she ran, forcefully, into Luke. Their arms intertwined as they attempted to sidestep each other.
"Sorry," Luke said holding on to her arm.
"Sorry," Lorelai said almost simultaneously.
They stood there for a moment, neither sure of what to say. So much had happened. Things seemed to be on track for them just a few short days ago and then this morning all their hopes were crushed by Luke's refusal to be with her when they both had so much baggage. Luke stuck his hands into his pockets.
"I thought for a minute you weren't coming," Lorelai finally spoke.
"Yeah, I didn't know if I should. I know I said I would, but then I wondered if it would be weird so that's why I'm late. Sorry," he said.
"No, don't be sorry. I mean we're not--it's not like we're together. I get it," Lorelai responded.
"Okay. I just wanted to stop by and show my support. It does look great Lorelai. You did such as nice job. You should feel really proud," he said.
"Thanks. It is pretty nice, isn't it?" Lorelai said with a small grin as she surveyed the inn. "You know I meant what I said in the speech. The Dragonfly wouldn't be here without you Luke."
"Yeah, well it definitely wouldn't be here without you. Everyone has a dream and I happen to think that all yours should come true. I'm just glad I could help." Luke paused for a moment. Lorelai got the feeling he wanted to say something more but he only added, "So I'm gonna take off. Congratulations Lorelai."
"Goodnight Luke," Lorelai said as she watched him walk away. She finally felt it. She finally felt what Luke must have felt for all those years. She felt like she had a hole in her heart as she watched him walk away from her and into the night.
***
TBC A/N: Please don't hate me! It must get worse before it can get better! (
"What are you doing?" he asked her slightly agitated.
"What am I doing?" Lorelai responded moving toward the counter. "What are you doing? You tell me how you've wanted me forever, you get me to admit that I have feelings for you that are way beyond friendship and you kiss me like that and then you say, 'sorry we can't be together'? What the hell is going on Luke?"
"I don't get it either Lorelai," he said looking down at the counter sheepishly.
"Are you punishing me? Is this punishment for kissing Jason? I said I was sorry. I'm sorry I kissed him. I'm sorry I never told you about him. I told you it didn't mean anything," she yelled tears starting to form again in her eyes.
Luke darted from around the counter and pulled Lorelai over to a stool. He gently placed her on it and he sat on the other and faced her. "Lorelai, I don't even know why I'm doing this, but we can't be together right now. I have imagined the moment when I would finally tell you how I felt and I always hoped you would say you felt the same way and you did. And then I finally got to kiss you and hold you like I've always wanted, but it was too much, too fast."
"It was only a kiss Luke," Lorelai reasoned.
"Yeah, but it was more than that. I realize that we're not ready for this right now," he sighed. "Do you know what gave me the courage to tell you how I feel?"
Lorelai shook her head and looked down at her shoes again.
"It was a self-help tape," he snorted slightly as he let the words out. "I was thinking about how I failed with Jess, failed with Nicole and then I thought about you. You're one of the only people I haven't failed. I was depressed. When I kissed you I realized that I'm not over my marriage yet."
Lorelai quickly glanced up. The correlation between Jess, Nicole and self- help was not making sense. "You're still in love with Nicole?" she tentatively asked.
"No! No, I'm not in love with Nicole," Luke quickly tried to put her fear to rest. "I meant that I'm not over the fact that I got married and failed miserably at it. I think I need to deal with that before I can move on. I was listening to a self-help tape. Doesn't that strike you as odd? Look, kissing you just now was honestly one of the best moments of my life, but I know that as much as I'd like to, I can't escape my problems by losing myself in you," he said taking her chin in his hand. "That kiss was so powerful and scary that I don't want to start anything with you until I know I can be in it 100%. I can't do that right now. And I honestly don't think you can either," he finished.
"I don't love Jason," Lorelai stated. "I'm ready to move on with you. You're not the rebound guy. You're more like the guy I always should have been with Luke," she was silently pleading with him to change his mind. She took his hand and ran her fingers over his.
"Please don't make this harder than it already is," Luke said as he pulled his hand away. "I'm not saying I don't want to be with you because that is the farthest thing from my mind. I want to be with you, but I honestly think starting this now is a mistake. You just broke up with Jason. I just got divorced. The inn is opening and your parents are separated. That is a lot of stress to bring to a new relationship. If we start something I don't want it to be casual and I don't think either of us in ready for that," Luke said quietly.
Suddenly Lorelai realized what he was saying. He was saying that he wanted an exclusive relationship. He wanted something Lorelai was not ready to give. The concept completely frightened her. She wasn't ready for that level of commitment and he knew her well enough to recognize that. She knew her feelings for Luke were new and intense, but they weren't exclusive relationship intense. She also thought about his arguments and they were all valid. Richard and Emily's separation had really messed with her mind. Not an hour ago she let Jason kiss her and the inn was just opening. This, coupled with the fact that Luke had only been divorced for about a week, really made her see his point.
"So, what does this mean?" she asked wiping her eyes again. "Where do we go from here Luke? I mean we've shared more with each other about feeling in the last 15 minutes than we have in the last 15 years."
"I know," he replied scratching the back of his neck. "I was thinking that too. I think we should just be ourselves. You come to the diner, we talk and then when we're ready we can talk about this again, if you want," he added.
"It's just that easy for you to erase the past three days?" Lorelai said in disbelief. She knew full well it would be nearly impossible to forget the feel of Luke's arms around her and the sensation of his lips on hers. She had opened her heart and her mind to the thought of her and Luke and it finally seemed right. She saw his point, but the thought of going back to what they were made her heart ache.
"No I definitely don't think it will be easy," Luke conceded. "But what else can we do? Do you think you're ready for this now? If you tell me that you can give yourself to this relationship 100% I'll do it," he offered.
"Luke, don't do this," Lorelai pleaded. "Can't we just date? The pressure you're putting on this is crazy."
"I don't think it is Lorelai. Do you honestly want to date me knowing that a small part of me is doing it to prove to myself that I am not a failure in relationships?"
"No," Lorelai confessed. "But I thought you had feelings for me Luke? Are you telling me that you don't?"
"No, I'm telling you that I found to the courage to even tell you how I felt because I was tired of failing. That was my motivation. The feelings have been there for years. I have agonized over it for years and I guess I'm scared now. I'm scared of starting something with you on false pretenses. I want to be with you without baggage, strings or anything else. Just you and me." His eyes pleaded with Lorelai to listen to him, to understand that he wasn't rejecting her, just their timing.
"Okay. I guess I don't really have a choice her do I? Friends it is. It can't be that hard right? We've been friends for a long time. Well," she said, standing up and smoothing out her jeans, "I have an inn to get ready." She started to walk toward the doors and it dawned on her that Luke might not come to the party at the Dragonfly. She turned to him and asked, "Luke, are you going to come to the party tonight?"
Luke turned around on the stool and looked her in the eyes. "I wouldn't miss it," he said with a sad smile.
Lorelai nodded and walked out of the diner. Luke put his head down and sighed. He had just done the one of the hardest things he could think of, but he knew it was the right thing for them in the end.
***
It was 7:30 p.m. and most of the guests had arrived at the Dragonfly. Lorelai, Sookie and Michel had been running around all afternoon getting ready for the party. Rory had come home from Yale for the big event and was chatting with Richard and Emily, who were still pretending to be a happy couple for everyone's benefit, maybe even their own. Lorelai scanned the room and saw her family, Miss Patty, Babette, Taylor, Kirk, basically everyone in town with the exception of Luke. She knew she had to start the speeches soon, but she was silently praying that Luke would walk in before she started. Maybe it was too weird for him. Considering all that had happened she couldn't really blame him for not coming. He wasn't ready, and according to him, neither was she. It was funny. It was Lorelai who had the doubts and fears about whether or not things would work. She agonized over the decision to even have a real date with him. But in the end it was Luke's insecurities that had overtaken them, while Lorelai's had suddenly disappeared. The dance was the first step in acknowledging her feelings for Luke were more than she was letting on. But what cemented it most was when Jason kissed her. She once told Luke she was looking for comfort and safety and with Jason she didn't feel safe. Even though he told her he was dropping the lawsuit she knew she'd always be waiting for the shoe to drop. When she was kissing Jason she thought of Luke and how he was always there for her come hell or high water. He was one constant in her life she always seemed to be able to count on when things were bad. When they weren't speaking after Rory and Jess's accident she felt horrible, like she didn't have the security of Luke always being there. Maybe she should have realized her feelings then and there. Maybe if she had they wouldn't be in this mess.
Sookie approached Lorelai and placed a gentle hand on her should. "Sweetie, do think we should get started?" she asked.
Lorelai smiled meekly, "Yeah, you're right," she said. "I'll get everyone together and do the speech then we can start the tours."
Sookie smiled a weak smile at Lorelai. She had explained the events of the day and Sookie was shocked that Luke had been the ones to put the breaks on their relationship. She saw his point, but she knew that both Luke and Lorelai were probably miserable and part of her didn't understand why they should have to be. "He said he'd come Lorelai," Sookie said patting her back. "He probably just got held up at the diner."
"Right," Lorelai said half-heartedly. "I'm sure that's it," she said not believing it since most of the town was at the Dragonfly. She made her way around to the small podium they had set up in the foyer. She took her place with Sookie and Michel following her. Lorelai quickly glanced at her note cards and turned on the microphone.
"Hi, everyone," she started. "I'd like to officially welcome you all here on behalf of Sookie, Michel and myself. We are honored that you're all here to share in this great event. Sookie and I have wanted to open our own inn for quite a while and it's nice to be able to share this dream with all of you. There are many people we'd like to thank for their help and support in opening the Dragonfly. First, thanks to all the construction crews we had in here working night and day to restore the Dragonfly to the wonderful inn it was once upon a time. Your hard work shows in every nook and cranny and we appreciate it."
Lorelai scanned the room again and saw all the faces of the people that mattered most to her. Everyone was there, everyone except Luke. "Next we'd like to thank our families for putting up with our craziness during this time. I know it's been stressful but I think once you get the grand tour you'll see it was worth the long days and busy nights." Lorelai looked up to give Rory a meaningful look of gratitude for putting up with her bare cupboards and frantic midnight phone calls. It was at that moment that she saw a moment to the left of Rory and she glanced to see Luke walk into the inn. He had on a suit and light blue tie that made his eyes sparkle, or maybe she was only imagining it.
"And aside from family, we'd like to thank our friends for all their support and encouragement," Lorelai continued. "There is one person in particular who I owe a special thank you. This person, who will remain nameless, has helped me on numerous occasions and if it weren't for this person the Dragonfly would not have been able to open today. So, you know who you are and I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and thank you for allowing my dream to come true." Lorelai finished without looking directly at Luke as promised. The crowd seemed to look at each other wondering whom Lorelai was talking about. It wasn't until Miss Patty saw Luke standing by the door and she nodded her head to Babette and soon everyone in the room was fairly aware that Lorelai was thanking Luke for something important. A collective ripple of speculation ran through the crowd of people until Lorelai started speaking again.
"I'd also like to thank Sookie and Michel for their help. Without them I wouldn't be here. You are true friends and business partners. So, thank you all for coming enjoy Sookie's fabulous food and tours will start in 10 minutes. Feel free to wander and I officially invite you all to stay at the Dragonfly starting in three weeks because we're booked until then!" Lorelai announced happily. The crowd applauded after Lorelai's announcement and started to disperse throughout the inn.
Rory rushed up to the podium and gave Lorelai a hug. "I'm so proud of you Mom!" she exclaimed.
Lorelai hugged her daughter tight and gave her a kiss on the head. "Thanks sweetie," Lorelai said. "I couldn't have done it without you kid." She gave Rory a smile and a pat on the back.
Lorelai hadn't spoken to her parents since they arrived and as she saw them approach she knew her luck had run out and she was going to have to speak to them.
"Lorelai," Richard said approaching her, Emily trailing behind. "This is a lovely inn. The craftsmanship is remarkable. You should be proud of yourself."
"Thanks Dad," Lorelai replied. She never knew how to respond to her father's praise as it had always come so infrequently.
"The inn is lovely Lorelai," Emily added formally. "So you're really full for the next three weeks?"
"Yes we are Mom," Lorelai replied. "That's terrific news. I'm happy for you. I think I'm going to take a tour now if you don't mind," Emily said to no one in particular walking away from Richard and toward Michel who was animatedly explaining the furnishings in the lobby.
"Yes, I think I'm going to take a look at this horses I've heard so much about. Rory, would you be so kind as to show me?" Richard asked.
"Sure Grandpa," Rory said taking Richards hand and leading him out the front door.
Lorelai scanned the room and saw Sookie with Jackson and Davey. Michel was leading the tour upstairs. It looked like Miss Patty and Babette had gotten their hands on Emily and Lorelai couldn't help but wonder what sordid tales they were telling. Lorelai turned to go to outside and she ran, forcefully, into Luke. Their arms intertwined as they attempted to sidestep each other.
"Sorry," Luke said holding on to her arm.
"Sorry," Lorelai said almost simultaneously.
They stood there for a moment, neither sure of what to say. So much had happened. Things seemed to be on track for them just a few short days ago and then this morning all their hopes were crushed by Luke's refusal to be with her when they both had so much baggage. Luke stuck his hands into his pockets.
"I thought for a minute you weren't coming," Lorelai finally spoke.
"Yeah, I didn't know if I should. I know I said I would, but then I wondered if it would be weird so that's why I'm late. Sorry," he said.
"No, don't be sorry. I mean we're not--it's not like we're together. I get it," Lorelai responded.
"Okay. I just wanted to stop by and show my support. It does look great Lorelai. You did such as nice job. You should feel really proud," he said.
"Thanks. It is pretty nice, isn't it?" Lorelai said with a small grin as she surveyed the inn. "You know I meant what I said in the speech. The Dragonfly wouldn't be here without you Luke."
"Yeah, well it definitely wouldn't be here without you. Everyone has a dream and I happen to think that all yours should come true. I'm just glad I could help." Luke paused for a moment. Lorelai got the feeling he wanted to say something more but he only added, "So I'm gonna take off. Congratulations Lorelai."
"Goodnight Luke," Lorelai said as she watched him walk away. She finally felt it. She finally felt what Luke must have felt for all those years. She felt like she had a hole in her heart as she watched him walk away from her and into the night.
***
TBC A/N: Please don't hate me! It must get worse before it can get better! (