It was a warm evening and the night sky was clear and beautiful. Many people were taking advantage, - strewn out across the town square, laughing and eating ice cream. And, as I walked into town, I could see a dim light inside Luke's empty diner. I stopped in my tracks for a moment. Breathe Lorelai. Just breathe. Everything's going to be okay... It has to be okay.

My heart is pounding a mile a minute. In fact, I think I have an entire freakin marching band in there. As I approach the door, I can see him wiping down the counters... and a smile washes over my face. I can actually feel myself grinning like an idiot. God... it's a nice feeling. When was the last time I was so excited to see a man?

As I reach for the doorknob, a wave of hesitation washes over me. Please God...let me NOT screw this up.

I slowly push the door forward and hear the tiny bells jingle over my head...

I'm vigorously wiping away at the counters when the bells jingle above the diner door. My heart stops for just a second, and I slowly look up. Lorelai.

I want to say something... My mouth is agape. I feel ridiculous... but, nothing comes out. I'm just staring at her. Her hair is beautiful and wavy around her face... I love it when she wears it like that.

She's smiling at me, and I can see that her cheeks are flushed, as though she's apprehensive. She slowly walks over to the counter and sits on one of stools. And, as I stand there right behind the counter and facing her, our eyes lock for what seems like an eternity.

I could stare into those eyes all night.

"You know, you're a hard man to track down Luke Danes". I finally hear the words stumble shyly from my lips.

He smiles back, and softly says, "I could say the same about you."

I grin coyly. "What? That I'm a hard man to track down?"

He laughs. "Lorelai," he says with a mock stern face. "You know what I mean."

I take a second to look at him. I mean, to realllly look at him. He suddenly looks different than I've ever seen him before. His blue eyes, if I'm not mistaken, are more yearning than ever. His face is somehow softer.

"So...," I didn't know where to go with this.

"So...," He echoed back. Staring at me intently, he suddenly did something unexpected.

His right hand reached out over the counter that separated our bodies and ever so gradually took hold of mine.

I wasn't sure what I was doing. It was as if my hand had a mind of its own. I looked at our hands resting there together, and then I looked up at her. She appeared as though she was in shock.

"Are you okay?," I whispered.

She nodded. "I am." And, then, as if to prove her point, she took the hand that was beneath mine and laced her fingers with my own.

In that moment, I swear ... if that counter hadn't been between us.

"Why didn't you get back last night?" I questioned softly. "I waited for you, but you never came."

Her eyes darted away, and I could feel her tense up. Had I said something wrong?

"Is everything alright?" I prodded.

I looked away wistfully. "Things are...a bit messed up." Luke's eyes were now filled with concern and compassion.

"Is there anything I can do?" he asked immediately.

I just closed my eyes and shook my head. "It concerns Rory. And, it's not.. it's not something that I can discuss. Not now."

I re-opened my eyes when I felt him unlock his hands from mine. He was walking slowly around the counter... towards me.

Settling down on the stool beside me, he once again took my hand. "I understand. But, if you ever need to talk... I'm here."

I felt a warmth surround my heart. He's always been there for me. He IS always there for me.

"Thank you." My words were barely audible.

We sat there for a while, holding hands in silence. It was odd to think that only the night before our feelings had been expressed with two passionate kisses. And, now, our feelings for one another were just as apparent simply by holding hands.

She gazed into my eyes just then. "Luke... I wanted to come back last night. I need you to know that. I didn't run away from you. I mean, God knows what you must have thought." She suddenly got up from her stool and paced a few steps. "I need you to know that I ... I ... I wasn't hiding from you... from us."

I got up and stood inches before her, reaching lightly for her shoulders. "I wasn't hiding either," I said softly. "In fact, the last thing I want right now is to hide from this. I've been hiding from this for far too long."

She smiled. "I think we both have. Lord knows that this town has a long- standing pool on when we would get together. Maybe we should let them squirm for a while longer. What do you say?" Her eyes danced with mischief.

I slowly pulled her towards me, and held her in my arms. "Drag this out longer? Not a chance."

As we closed the distance between us, we somehow found ourselves positioned exactly as we had the night before, - when we were about to kiss for the third time. His hands grasped my waist, and my arms were wrapped around his broad shoulders.

Only now, there was nothing and noone to stop us.

Our lips drew closer and closer, and when they finally touched, our entire bodies followed their lead, crashing into one another. The kisses were soft at first, and then emblazoned with passion.

Whatever I had gone through to get to this moment was worth it.

Lorelai was worth it.

Every inch of me just wanted desperately to hold on to him, and I never wanted to let him go. I just wanted to lose myself in his embrace. I could stay like this forever. The whole day of frustration seemed so long ago. It didn't matter any more. This was exactly where I wanted to be. With him.

With Luke.

Everything had been worth the wait.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who supported this fanfiction! I greatly appreciate all the positive reviews. I hope you enjoyed the ending!