Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea.
A/N: See Chapter One for full premise. To sum up, this is an AU (Alternate Universe) in which Jess Mariano never existed. In his place, Jessie Danes, daughter of Liz, has come to live with her Uncle Luke for the summer. This is still not beta'ed to be gentle. I am very pleased that so far people are enjoying this. Reviews are always welcome, no matter how short or long. A special thanks goes out to Lindsay for letting me bounce all my crazy ideas off of her. This story would not be here without her. Literally. She had to talk me into posting it. And another big thanks goes out to my new friend Sarah for taking the time to read drafts of recent chapters.
July: Cowboys and Ballerinas
Chapter Seven
~~
Luke stood at the counter refilling ketchup bottles during the afternoon lull on the first of July. Jessie was with Rory at the library and would supposedly be spending the evening with the Gilmores as well. Something about initiating another into the Movie Night tradition. He was supposed to stop by after the diner closed to pick her up and he could only imagine what he would find. She'll probably be high on sugar, coffee, carbs and whatever else they could entice her with, he thought to himself grimacing.
Capping the last bottle he looked up when the bell jingled on the front door. He nodded at Patty who smiled back. "Luke, I've got some good news," she sang out.
"Kirk's been sterilized?" he guessed.
"Honey that would be great news," she sighed. "This is just good news."
"Lay it on me," he demanded, hands on hips.
"A new beginners ballet class starts next week," Patty explained. "It'll be on Thursday nights from six to seven. Is Jessie still interested?"
"Um, I think so, yeah," Luke replied thoughtfully.
"Just let me know. You can bring her by the studio that night for the first class if she is and I'll bill you. She'll need a black leotard, white tights and ballet slippers. Her hair should be up in a bun and we use the entire hour so pick her up at seven sharp."
"Got it," he said firmly. "Thanks for the heads up."
"Anything for you, darling," Patty simpered as she took her leave.
As Luke put the ketchups back on each table the bell jingled again and he looked up to see Lane.
"Hey, Luke!" she said brightly.
"Hiya, Lane," he answered.
An hour later the diner was packed and by the time they closed at eleven Luke was exhausted. He'd been spending so much time upstairs on the couch with Jessie instead of closing that he'd almost forgotten how rigorous the work was. Scrubbing the stove and cleaning the floors, tables, chairs, countertop…it was a lot. He felt a little guilty that he'd been pawning the work off onto Lane and Caesar. Jessie wouldn't be here forever, though. Even as he thought it, Luke's heart felt funny. He didn't like to think about her leaving.
When he finally locked the door of the diner and walked through the warm night air to the Gilmore house, Luke noted with quiet irritation how hot it was. The diner and apartment above were air-conditioned and the heat outside was a jolt to his system. He immediately felt his back break out in a sweat and in response he peeled off his plaid shirt. The gray t-shirt underneath allowed the fragrant breeze to reach his skin and he was thankful for whatever cool air he could get.
The trip to Lorelai's house took all of five minutes. With his plaid shirt gripped in his left hand, he lifted his right fist to knock on the door. He could see through the front windows a blue glow that could only be the television.
He was greeted a few seconds later by Rory who allowed him entrance.
"Come on in," she said with a smile.
Luke followed her into the living room to find Lorelai and Jessie on the couch with an empty space on Jessie's other side, presumably where Rory had been sitting. Both were engrossed in the action on screen, which appeared to be dancers.
"What is this?" he asked.
"Shhh!" scolded Lorelai. "It's the end."
"Of what?" he pressed.
"Fame," supplied Rory, taking her vacated seat on the couch.
"What is this rated?" asked Luke, suspicious.
"Shhhhhhhh!" Lorelai returned.
Impatient, Luke left the living room and headed for the kitchen where he opened the fridge and helped himself to a beer. If he was going to be shushed he needed a beer. Tossing his plaid shirt down on the cluttered table, he sat in one of the chairs and pulled some open newspaper toward him to read. The overhead light was out, but there was enough illumination from the light above the kitchen sink for him to read by.
After a second, the music swelled and then he heard clapping and cheering. Another second later he heard feet pounding toward him and looked up just in time to see Jessie hurl herself against him.
"Hi!" she yelled as she jumped on his lap and gave him a hug.
"Hi" he answered, returning the hug.
She then jumped down and started bouncing up and down in place. "We had the best time! Rory and me went to the library, then we got candy, and then we got movies and then we watched them ALL! It was so cool!"
"How much junk food have you eaten today?" he asked, noting with apprehension her energy.
Lorelai, who'd been watching from the doorway, made her entrance just then. "Luke! Enjoying my beer and newspaper are you?"
Draining the bottle, he handed her the empty and said, "Yeah, it was good, thanks."
Lorelai took it from him and noted his bare forearms. They looked…good. As did his…shoulders. Ever since that darn Jessie had offered him up like piece of double chocolate cake…. Shaking it off, she deposited the bottle on the counter by the sink, turned back to the two at the table and smiled. "I'm glad you had fun, Jess. You're more than welcome to come back any time."
"What did you watch?" Luke wanted to know.
"City Slickers One and Two, then we took a dinner break and then we watched Fame. It was awesome!" Jessie rolled her eyes back into her head, dropped her head back and opened her arms up wide to drive the awesomeness home. Then she started jumping up and down again.
"What did you give her?" he asked Lorelai. "Cocaine?"
Lorelai shrugged and said, "The usual, fruits, vegetables, Milk Duds, Red Vines, M&Ms, you know…."
Turning back to the still bouncing Jessie, Luke said wearily, "I'm glad you had a good time. Now lets go home, huh? I'm tired."
Jessie took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "I've just gotta get my library books," she answered as she scampered away.
Forgetting his plaid shirt on the table, Luke followed her to the entryway where she collected her bag of books and put on her shoes. "Thanks for having her," Luke said sincerely to Lorelai and Rory as they watched their friends leave. "It looks like she had fun."
"It was our pleasure," Rory assured him.
"She's welcome back anytime," added Lorelai
Pulling the door open, Luke took Jessie's bag of books and they waved a final goodbye. The heat outside had not lessened and it was just now, when Jessie felt the heaviness of the air that she began to settle down and yawn. With her books in one hand, Luke took Jess by the other and led her back to the diner. By the time they reached their destination she was practically asleep on her feet. It was way past nine-thirty, the time he usually carried her into bed at, and even with all the sugar she'd consumed that day, her little body just wasn't used to the abuse she'd heaped onto it.
Setting the bag of books on the floor just inside the door Luke led Jessie into her room. "Put your p.j.s on," he instructed.
"No shower tonight?" she asked drowsily.
"It's too late," he answered. "You can sleep dirty."
"Good," Jessie replied, too tired to see the point of bathing anyway.
He left her to see if there were any messages on the answering machine. There weren't, as usual. She emerged from her room in her pink and yellow pajamas. "Bedtime TV?" she asked with a mixture of sleepiness and hopefulness. Her eyes were already half-closed.
"After three movies and God knows how much sugar? Think again, little lady," he smiled.
"Will you read to me?" she asked, cocking her head to one side.
"That I can do," Luke answered decisively.
Jessie went to the bag and pulled out Charlotte's Web. Luke followed her into her room and she got under the covers. They had added a bedside lamp to her room and this gave off a soft glow as he sat next to her on the bed and began to read. By the time he'd reached the end of the first chapter, Jessie was asleep. Putting the book aside, Luke tucked her in and turned off the light.
~~
Out in the apartment, Luke got ready for bed and turned out the light. Weary to the bone, he gratefully sank into bed and pulled the covers up to his chest. As he drifted off his mind turned to Jessie. After they'd made up she had again started joining him in the middle of the night, this time, though, without asking. There was more than enough room and she seemed to feel that there should be no reason why she shouldn't take advantage.
Luke didn't really mind. With the bigger bed he could stretch out while he fell asleep and not even really notice when she joined him. He kind of liked that she felt comfortable enough to turn to him for security.
He really would miss her when she left. Luke's heart twitched a little and his hands clenched. He didn't like the idea that she'd be leaving him, but he hated the idea that she'd be going back to Liz and whatever boyfriend of the week was sleeping at their place.
But it wasn't his decision to make, he reminded himself. Liz was the kid's mother and that was that. Any interference on his part would only lead to problems. No, he decided as he fell asleep, it was best to just let things go the way they were meant to go.
Hours later, Luke groggily noted the bed shake as he felt Jessie join him. Slipping under the covers and settling her head on the other pillow she whispered, "'Night, Uncle Luke."
"Sleep tight," he whispered back.