Lorelai lifted her head from Luke's shoulder finally and smiled tearfully into his face,
"Boy, I am quite the romantic, hunh?" she joked.
Luke thumb-rubbed some of her tears away, "You and I are about more than that."
"Yes, we are," she agreed, "And when exactly did you get so deep, Burger Man?"
"Have been all along," he said nonchalantly.
"I see," said Lorelai in amusement.
She leaned her head back on his shoulder for a few moments and sighed, "Is it cold in here?" she finally asked.
"No, I don't think so, but I'm wearing flannel," he said absently into her hair.
"Hmmm, flannel... Do you think it comes in pink with cute little dragonflies all over it?... Because I could get into that."
"I'll check out the LL Bean catalogue for you," he smirked.
"Great, I do have a birthday coming up."
"Hey, I've had your annual present covered for years now," he said, "Something you take shameless advantage of, by the way."
"Oh no!" She pulled away and looked into his eyes merrily, "The bar is raised my friend! Kissing raises the bar in the present-giving department..."
"Ah, Jeez..."
"And if you think I took advantage before..."
"Are you threatening to take advantage of me now, Lorelai?" he asked her directly.
She held his gaze a moment on that and then looked away quickly.
"Do you think I could steal some Tylenol from you?" she asked as she arose from the sofa, "No sleep, no food, emotional trauma, all ingredients for a big headache..."
He stood as well, knowing the moment was over, "Sure, in the bathroom medicine chest, go help yourself. I'll get you a glass of water."
Lorelai walked directly into the bathroom: Weird, weird, weird, she thought. But good weird. Get it together, Gilmore. You are not being yourself here. He's Luke. He's great. What is going on with you?...
She flipped open the mirrored cabinet door and began searching for the Tylenol: Hmmm... Mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss (naturally!)... Oh, Jeez, Condoms and KY?!... Did not need to see that right now... Nope, did not... He must be pretty considerate though, if lubrication is on the premises.. Or have incredible stamina... Or both....Gah! Stop, Lorelai! Stop thinking now. Do not think these things now... And with that she reached quickly for the bottle of Tylenol (next to the KY, of course, damn it), only to hear Luke suddenly (and uncomfortably?) clear his throat behind her.
"Ah!" she yelped, startled, and afterwards could only remember turning quickly at the sound which was followed immediately by a loud crashing noise as her hand caught on something in the chest....with it all somehow resulting in her sitting on her ass in the middle of Luke's bathroom, surrounded by his meager, though manly, personal hygiene products. He remained rooted in the doorway, his eyes wide with surprise, glass of water in hand.
"What the hell is the matter with me?!" she shouted at no one in particular and then put her head down into her hands.
She was embarrassed. She couldn't look up because she knew he must be beyond embarrassed. And when did she get so tongue-tied anyway? She was always, however horribly inappropriately, the verbal one in these situations. She heard a new sound then and looked up.
And saw Luke laughing, hard.
She had to smile at that and then chuckle too because, God, they were both nearly forty and this was pretty frickin' hilarious.
He slid down the door jamb and sat opposite her and when he'd caught his breath asked, "At the risk of sounding repetitive; Are you all right?"
"No, I think I've lost my mind, along with my sense of balance, propriety, dignity and whatever sex-appeal I may once have held for you."
"I wouldn't worry on that count," he smiled at her.
"Well, good," she smiled and felt nervous all over again, "I'm sorry, Luke, I really am. If we are going to continue seeing each other, I suggest you look into some sort of specialty insurance or something."
"Will do," he winked at her.
"I'd better get going," she said then, "Before I do any more damage."
"Come on," he took her hands and pulled her up.
They walked quietly down into the diner together then, hand in hand. When they reached the front door, Lorelai paused and looked up at Luke.
"Oh, I'll pick you up at six thirty this evening, if that's okay with you."
"Great," he smiled down at her, "What should I wear?"
"Umm...Crash helmet," she said decisively and left into the early morning.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It was noon and all was quiet on the Dragonfly Front. Sookie and Lorelai were munching on tuna sandwiches in the kitchen.
"I can't believe it!" squealed Sookie for the millionth time.
"Yeah, I know. Just don't spread it around, yet. Okay? It's gonna be hard enough in this town..."
Sookie nodded solemnly, then broke into another big grin, "I can't believe it!"
"Sookie, take the shrillness level down a couple of notches, will you, and help me figure this dinner thing out."
"Okay, sure honey: Italian place in town?"
"No."
"Some place fancy in Hartford?"
"No."
They both sat in silence for awhile.
"I've got it!" Sookie squealed again and clapped as well for good measure.
"That high 'C' you've been working for?"
"No, dinner, silly."
"Lorelai?" Michel interrupted, poking his head into the kitchen, "The tall gangly fellow is here to see you."
"What?" asked Lorelai. "You know, the one with the Shetland Pony haircut, the one with the wife more elegant than he deserves...."
"Dean?" Lorelai choked a little.
"Yes, Dean," responded Michel distastefully, "He is in the Great Room waiting to see you."
"Oh, man," sighed Lorelai as she got up to walk out and face the kid. Stupid kid, she thought. Stupid, stupid, stupid Dean... I should have tackled him that day years ago at the market when Luke stopped me...
Lorelai walked into the Great Room and saw Dean sitting despondently on the settle next to the fireplace.
"Dean..." she began. She had no idea where this was going to go, or what to say.
He looked up at her, the pain written on his face, "Lorelai..." he stood up, "Could I talk to you?"
"Sure, honey, "she answered and crossed over, gesturing for him to sit back down on the settle with her.
"I don't really know what to say, but I'll start with I'm sorry," he began, looking down at his hands.
"Okay," nodded Lorelai, "Well, what's going on with you? Start there," she said this as non-committally as possible.
"I know I screwed up," he said morosely, "Big time," he added. He looked up into her eyes, "I want you to know that I did not plan it."
Lorelai sighed. She believed him. "I believe you," she said.
"Thank you," he said, his gratitude sincere. "Things have been bad for me and Lindsay for awhile now..."
"Dean, you don't need to tell me this."
"I want to. We even went to counseling for a few months," he continued. "She told me she was going to move out of our apartment, Lorelai. She told me that." he said emphatically.
"Okay..." said Lorelai.
"I know that doesn't change the fact that we are still legally married."
"No, it doesn't," agreed Lorelai. They were quiet for a moment then.
"I got Rory's letter today," he added quietly.
"Oh." What could she say to that?
"Did she show it to you?" he asked.
"No, she didn't." Lorelai replied.
"So, everything's over now.... Rory's gone to Europe. Lindsay and her family are going down to Florida for the summer and here I am... still in Stars' Hollow, nineteen, alone and about to be divorced...."
The sadness in his voice caught Lorelai unexpectedly: Stupid kid! Poor, stupid kid...
"Look, Dean, nothing I say is going to make this any better for you, I know that. And I could tell you all about time... About how it does make things better, especially when you are nineteen, but I know that's not going to mean anything to you right now. All I can say is that you have to look at this as some kind of opportunity. Some kind of chance to figure out what you really want—not who you want, but what. What does Dean want for himself and his life? You've got to figure that out, kid, because that's how you know who you're gonna be. Once you know that, then it's the time to figure everything else out."
"I'll try," he smiled weakly, "Thanks."
"I mean it, Dean, try to figure out what you want, for yourself." Lorelai repeated directly.
He nodded.
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At precisely six fifteen that evening, Lorelai sat perched on a stool at Luke's Diner. Lane came over and poured her a cup of coffee.
"Wow, Lorelai, great dress," said Lane with enthusiasm.
"Thanks," smiled Lorelai, "How's it going with you, Lane?"
"It's going, my Mom and I are getting together a bit," she admitted.
"Well, that's great," said Lorelai sincerely.
"I know you probably had something to do with it," added Lane, "So thank you."
"Oh, I didn't do anything, sweetie."
Lane went to do the coffee rounds then, and Lorelai cast her eyes back to the curtained entrance and the Luke-stairs behind them. She felt her tummy flutter a little. She had to smile at that. She heard his rapid decent then, and watched him slip through the curtains and in to the diner. He was fiddling with the collar of the black sweater she'd bought him years ago. And he'd shaved.
Wow, thought Lorelai, and watched him some more.
"Lane!" he called, "Have you got everything covered?"
"Sure Luke, I'll be fine, don't worry," she walked over to assure him.
"Yeah, well I've been asking a lot of you lately... And, I might like to take a few more evenings off now and then, so I was thinking I'd like to make you a manager—and raise your pay, too."
God, I love him, thought Lorelai.
"Really?" smiled Lane, "Gosh, thanks Luke."
"Yeah, well you're a great kid. I don't really know what it means to be a manager, because I've never had one before, so I guess it just means you'll still do everything around here, but get paid more." he tugged at his ear.
"Well Luke, you do understand that I am also a drummer, right?" said Lane in all seriousness.
"Yeah, of course," nodded Luke, "Your art comes first. Gigs will get priority scheduling."
"Luke, you are the best," grinned Lane.
"Yeah, well don't let that get around," grumped Luke with a wink.
Lane headed into the kitchen all smiles then as Luke started fiddling with his collar again and peering out the window.
"Hey stranger," she called to him softly, "You look great."
Luke turned in surprise and broke into a big grin, "I didn't know you were here," he said.
"What kind of date would I be, if I picked you up late?" she smiled flirtatiously.
They grinned at each other for a moment then.
"I'm afraid we've got it embarrassingly bad," she laughed finally to break the silence.
Luke smirked, "You're right. Hmmm..." he reflected and then turned serious, "Oh, I know—'Stop drinking coffee, it's bad for you!'"
"I love coffee, I will never stop drinking coffee," she vowed solemnly, "Besides, what do you care?" she added defiantly.
"I don't," he shrugged with a frown.
"Ummhmm," nodded Lorelai knowingly, "Come on, Prince Grumpy..." She walked behind the counter then and grabbed his arm and pulled him out the diner door.
Once they were on the sidewalk and crossing to her jeep, Luke said, "You know Taylor was in there watching us."
"Do you care?" she asked.
"No, I really don't," he said looking at her.
"Good," she smiled, "Me either. Now step this way, kind sir." She opened the passenger side door for him with a flourish.
"Ah, Jeez..." he reddened.
"Now, I know you modern guys acknowledge the need for equality, but everyone likes a little chivalry now and then, don't they?" she asked innocently.
"Yeah, yeah..." he shook his head and got in, trying to keep his grin smothered.
Lorelai walked to the other side of the jeep and got in. Just before she started the engine, she leaned over and smiled at him, "Hello," she said and kissed him softly on the lips.
"Hello," he smiled back.
"Mmm, you smell good," she told him.
"You are beautiful," he told her back.
"Oh, these are for you," she grinned mischievously and handed him a nosegay of greens tied with a plaid ribbon.
Luke looked down at the greenery in his hand, "What's this?" he asked.
"Well," said Lorelai as she started the engine and pulled into the square, "I knew flowers would be far too masculine for a rugged guy like you."
"Uh hunh. So, what's this then?" he asked.
"Herbs from Sookie's garden," she laughed, "Smell them."
He complied, "They smell good," he admitted.
"It's the romantic way to do this, damn it," said Lorelai slyly.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
They drove out of town in happy silence then until Lorelai turned into the newly-gravelled Dragonfly Inn drive.
"Did you forget something?" asked Luke.
"No, I don't think so," Lorelai shook her head thoughtfully as she parked.
"Okay..." Luke was confused.
Lorelai exited the jeep and came around to open the door for him. She offered him her hand as he stepped down.
"I happen to know the most divine little Inn," she said as she slipped her arm through his and walked him to the front door.
"Really?" he smiled, catching on.
"Oh, yes. Very secluded. Very private. Excellent chef. Not even open to the public yet."
"I'd love to try it sometime," he offered as they stepped into the Great Room where they were met by a smiling Dereck.
"Good evening, may I show you to your table?"
"Yes please, the best one you have," said Lorelai. Luke just looked at her in wonder.
Soon they were seated across from one another, the room lit only by candles, a fire burning in the Great Room beyond.
"So," said Lorelai as she leaned in to him, "I gave Sookie free reign with the menu, so it'll be a surprise, I hope you don't mind."
"She could serve burnt toast and it'd be great," he acknowledged.
"True." smiled Lorelai.
Just then Dereck arrived with a bottle of wine.
"Would you like to taste it, sir?" he asked.
"Sure," he winked at Lorelai.
He sipped the bit in his glass, "Wow, that's great," he said.
Lorelai laughed in happiness as Dereck filled both their glasses.
She lifted her glass then and looked him in the eye, "To your new manager, May she get lots of evening shifts," she toasted.
"I'll drink to that," smirked Luke and he did.
And then the first course arrived and Luke began telling Lorelai about chasing Kirk through the woods, and Lorelai responded by telling Luke about Michel's attempt to sneak Paw Paw and Chin Chin into the Dragonfly.
And by dessert (the fourth course, each having it's own wine,) Lorelai was warmer and more comfortable and happy than she'd felt in a long time. She only hoped Luke was feeling the same way.
And as if reading her mind, Luke said, "This is a great date."
"I'll drink to that!" agreed Lorelai heartily and then, "Hey, let's go sit by the fire."
She hurried around the table then and pulled out his chair for him. He could only laugh at it all now. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the Great Room where the settle had been angled in front of the fire by design. Luke stopped mid-room, though. Lorelai turned to him, her eyes questioning. His face had taken a more serious turn.
"Is everything okay?" she asked and bit her lip.
"Yes. Everything is great," he told her and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met without hesitation then, and Luke pulled her body tight to his and Lorelai felt her breasts and hips press into him. She opened her mouth at that feeling and slipped her tongue into his mouth. And when she heard his responding moan, she ground her hips ever so slightly more deeply into him. She felt her reward for this when his hands slid lightly down her back and gently caress then cup her ass with a squeeze. She heard her own moan escape then. They both pulled away, breathing, looking at one another.
"Hi," she said almost shyly.
"Back atcha'" he said, a look of disbelief on his face.
"Let's sit down," she gestured to the settle.
He nodded and joined her as Dereck made an appearance with tray of coffee and tea.
"Oh, thanks Dereck," she smiled up at him, "You can go home now. Thank you so much for everything. And tell Sookie it was the most wonderful dinner ever." She leaned back to sip her coffee and turned in to Luke then, "So, I have to say that I think that my Inn is magic," she proclaimed.
"Magic? There is no such thing as magic," he scoffed lightly.
"Oh, but there is my friend, there is..."
"Hmmm... Maybe, you're right..." he amended and leaned in to kiss her again.
And then her cell phone rang. Lorelai groaned and pulled away from Luke, "I have to get that, it might be Rory."
"It's okay," he nodded.
Lorelai reached to the floor where her handbag sat, retrieved her phone and clicked it on.
"Hello?"
"Mom?" she heard Rory shout. Even Luke recoiled next to her at the volume.
"Rory? Can you hear me?"
"Yeah."
"Honey, where are you?"
"In Paris at Grandma's sister's," responded Rory, "Actually, I'm down the street right now at a café, so I could call you."
"Are you Okay?" asked Lorelai.
"I'm fine." Rory told her.
"How is Aunt Hope?" asked Lorelai retrieving a dim memory from her past of a woman in leopard skin print with fabulous skin.
"She's a hoot!" laughed Rory, "But listen, I've got to tell you that Grandma and I talked!"
"Really?" asked Lorelai in all curiosity, "What about?"
"Dean, of course," responded Rory.
"Dean? You talked to Grandma about Dean?" asked Lorelai incredulously, "Rory, what exactly did you say to her?" Lorelai was getting worried.
"Well, I didn't tell her every little detail... Just some of it... And she was really understanding, Mom..."
"Okay," said Lorelai doubtfully.
"No, really, Mom. She was supportive," Rory insisted.
"Oh, kid, I don't know if that was such a good idea...talking to her..."
"Why not? She was great. Just because you and she can't talk doesn't mean she and I can't," Rory's voice took on a petulant tone.
"No, you're right," sighed Lorelai, "You are absolutely right. I shouldn't have assumed, I'm sorry," Lorelai looked at Luke on this and rolled her eyes.
He put his hand comfortingly on her knee, clearly having heard every word.
"I wanted you to be happy about this," Rory implored.
"I am, Rory, I am. I'm glad you talked to Grandma. I'm glad you have someone to talk to," Lorelai felt Luke's hand squeeze a little tighter at this and she looked all the gratitude she could into his eyes.
"Well, I will call you in a few days, okay?" said Rory.
"Okay, honey, that is great. I love you. Be careful. Don't take any wooden francs or anything..." she ended lamely.
"I love you too. 'Bye."
"'Bye." Lorelai clicked the phone off and stared into the fire a moment, then looked up at Luke still next to her on the settle, his hand on her knee, "So this Inn must definitely be magic, because only the mysterious powers of a magic Inn could possibly make my mother understanding about something like this—let alone supportive..."
"Well," began Luke but was cut off by ringing of the cell phone again, still in Lorelai's hand.
"Hello," she answered automatically.
"Lorelai, what the hell have you been thinking raising your daughter that way?!" Emily shrieked through loud and clear. She and Luke both winced at the sound.
"Thus the magic ends..." commented Lorelai drily.