Luke didn't answer.
Lorelai dropped her hands from her face and met his gaze.
"I was just trying to tell you..." she said seriously.
She trailed off into the silence. Sookie and Michel looked between them, puzzling out the situation.
"Oh wow!" jumped Sookie, "Luke has a tattoo! You have a tattoo, Luke! I never knew you had a tattoo. I mean I've known you forever and I never knew you had a tattoo," she went on nervously. "Did you know Luke had a tattoo, Michel?"
"Well I never thought...." Michel considered.
She turned to Lorelai, "Did you know Luke had a tattoo, Lorelai?"
Lorelai looked at her darkly.
"Oh right!" laughed Sookie, "Of course you knew... duh..."
Lorelai grabbed an arm of each of her friends, "Okay Tweedle Soup and Tweedle Tea, it's time for you both to leave." And she marched them both to the front door.
"Good idea," agreed Michel.
Lorelai opened the door and threw them out then and shut it behind them and turned to face Luke.
"Oh crap, just a minute," she told him and turned to open the door she'd just closed, "Thank you for the soup and tea!" she called out to Sookie and Michel who were at the foot of the stairs talking in some animation.
They looked up at her.
Lorelai sighed, "Michel, why don't you fill Sookie in on our earlier conversation, please."
Michel nodded and she closed the door again.
She turned and met Luke's gaze again, marched over, grabbed his hand and pulled him to the sofa. They sat down and regarded each other a moment.
"Luke, I swear to God, I was mid-sentence telling you when the doorbell rang," she began.
He nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "The only reason Michel knew was that he guessed. Honestly, it was like this fluke thing and he guessed. And, well, Sookie's legendary ability to chat people up is, well, legendary and.... well, you just heard how she found out..."
They were quiet then.
"Luke," she began softly, "I was about to tell you. I was about to tell you first because.... well... not even Rory knows, Luke. I mean I thought about waiting until the tests were over and I knew something concrete to tell you. Something I understood. But then I remembered how you keep telling me that we are together in things now, so I started to tell you.. And it's most likely just nothing, anyway."
Luke sighed.
"And never in a million years would I want you to find out this way. I mean I know how the whole... medical thing.... freaks you out...."
He looked at her. "Tell me now," he said.
"There isn't much to tell," she shrugged. "Lately I haven't been feeling too great. And, though I normally have the grace of Giselle, I kept bumping into stuff and I was feeling cold and tired... Oh boy, was I cold and tired... Anyway, at first I thought 'not enough sleep;' or 'stress;' or 'Luke's making me nervous with his unofficial moves;' or 'not enough bran'... or something...."
Luke lifted his brows at that.
"And maybe it is all that, I don't know. So I went to the doctor. And Jeez was he thorough. I believe I had proddings and peerings and pokings in every orifice of my body... And I'm not talking about in the good way, if you get my drift."
He did.
"I mean these proddings were in no way fun," she frowned, "And then they checked my fluids, just like a car: I'm low on WD 40, by the way."
"That's not a car oil, Lorelai, that's a lubricant."
"Dirty!" she smiled.
"Fluids? You were saying–?"
"Uh, right. So they took gallons of blood and there were none of the indicators for cancer or plague or anything like that, but my blood pressure was pretty low."
"I thought low blood pressure was supposed to be a good thing."
"Me too! I'm like all proud about it to the doctor—'See what lovely low blood pressure I have, doc?' I said."
"And what did he say?"
"He said, 'Don't call me doc...'"
"Lorelai..."
"He said low blood pressure might not be so good for me, and that I need to go get all these boring tests."she admitted.
They sat together for a moment and stared into the empty fireplace.
"Luke, say something, please..."
He sat for another minute.
"Well... Okay, then," he turned to her.
"Okay? Hmm... Okay, he says? Why am I feeling relieved and suspicious at the same time?" she frowned.
"That would be because you are crazy," he said.
"Oh right," she nodded. "So... Okay? --Really?"
"Am I really okay?" he asked. "No, I'm worried. I love you, so I'm worried. But I'm not going to go off the deep end. We still don't know anything, right?" She nodded in response. "So we'll wait and cross that bridge when we come to it."
Lorelai smiled her relief, "Thank you," she said. "And how is it that you are so mature?"
"It comes with maturity," he responded, "pretty novel, huh?"
"You mean you actually mature as you mature?" she gasped. "Huh. I've got to try that. I mean if I am getting older all the time anyway..."
"Right," he agreed.
She snuggled against him then. "I love you," she said softly.
He smiled into her hair at that.
"Hey, would you spend the night?" she asked. "All the way until morning?"
"I'd like nothing better," he agreed.
"I think I could get used to this..." she smiled and pulled him up toward the stairs.
"Don't you want dinner?' he laughed.
"Nope. Just you," she told him over her shoulder suggestively as she climbed to the landing.
He stopped cold at that, "Okay," he said, "Now I really am worried!"
"Ha ha."
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She floated into the diner the next morning. I am literally floating, she thought, and I am propelled along by my glowing beauty and idiot grin, and I don't even care that I am not making sense.
She sat down at the counter.
"Hey," he came to her with an already full mug of coffee.
"Hey yourself," she smiled at him, then leaned in to speak softly, "You are blushing and smiling at the same time—You're blushling."
"I am not blushling," he stage whispered the last word.
"Ha! I got you to say it!" she triumphed, "Now my day is perfect!"
"Well, glad I could help," he grumped, keeping his smile to himself. Almost. "What can I get you?" he asked in his official diner voice."
"Well, I really burned a lot of calories last night," she reflected.
"Really?"
"Yes, I am starting a new exercise regime."
"Well, good for you."
"I haven't stepped on the scale yet, so I'm not sure if it's working or not."
"Well, takes awhile with exercise, before you see the results."
"I guess I'll just have to keep at it," she noted.
"Yep."
"So, I'll have bacon and sausage, an egg over easy, and a chocolate doughnut," she decided.
"Coming right up," he told her and turned away.
Lorelai sipped her coffee. Her life was good in just about every way.
"Lorelai!" she turned her head as Kirk hurried over to her.
"Oh, 'morning Kirk, how are you doing?" she smiled brightly.
"Oh God, you are an amazing woman," he said sitting next to her.
"Well, thank you, Kirk," she tried in confusion.
"So brave," he continued.
"Brave?"
"In the face of adversity..." he nodded, "Mother would have loved you. It's good she didn't live to see this," he sighed.
Lorelai looked over both her shoulders, sure that she was missing something, "See what, Kirk?"
"It's always the saddest when it strikes the young," he added.
"Ah," she said, the penney dropped now. She frowned, "Who told you?"
"Patty," he informed her.
"Uh hunh," she nodded darkly, "Look, Kirk, I'm just having some tests. There is no need to assume that this is anything that serious..." she tried.
"If there is anything you need..." he went on, "Meals delivered, medicinal marijuana, bedpans..."
"Whoa, whoa, there Kirk, I am fine! I don't need any of those things, I assure you."
"Lorelai, you are a role model for us all," he sighed as he left.
She turned back to her coffee then. How had it gotten out so fast? Damn this town, she sighed.
"Lorelai, darling, I came to find you straight away," she heard over her shoulder now.
"Patty," she smiled at the colorful woman, "Not straight away, I hope? I'm sure you had to stop and talk with some of our good, good neighbors en route," she added with a hint of steel in her voice.
"Oh Lorelai, you are so funny," shifted Miss Patty uncomfortably, "I've just heard the news, my dear..."
"Who from?"
"Oh, I don't recall right now..."
"Un hunh..."
"I've just been on the cell with Leslie, dear: If it's Lupus, he can arrange a benefit performance at the club where he works—the owner has a sister in law with the same thing."
"W–well, Patty.... thank you. And, be sure to thank Leslie for me as well. But it's not Lupus, just some tests, that's all, nothing to be at all alarmed about... or to... benefit for."
"All right, honey, I understand. You've got to maintain your dignity. I admire you for it."
"No, you don't understand; I am in no way dignified. I am just...ugh!... I am just hungry! Luke, where's my food?!" she called out in irritation.
"I'll let you eat, honey, and talk to you later," soothed Miss Patty.
Luke returned to his place behind the counter and set a plate down before her.
"What's this?" she asked in dismay.
"Breakfast," he told her casually, looking her right in the eye.
"Luke, this is not breakfast. Breakfast is sausage and bacon, and eggs and a creamy chocolate doughnut," she whined.
"No, this is breakfast," he told her pointedly.
She looked at him a moment.
"Well, what is it a least?" she finally asked.
"An egg white omelette with spinach and broccoli, wheat toast, and melon." he proclaimed and crossed his arms over his chest.
She glared. She sighed. She pouted.... and, finally, she gave up.
"Fine," she grumped and picked up her fork.
Luke nodded at that and walked away.
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"Sooookie? Where are you?" she called into the kitchen in the sweetest voice she could summon. "Oh hey, Dereck," she grabbed the waiter as he passed her, "Where's Sookie?"
"Um, she... uh..." he stammered.
"Yes?" Lorelai asked directly.
"Oh crap, I can't do this when you put the screws to me like that," he caved.
"Good boy, now where is she?"
"She's in the herb garden hiding from you."
"Thank you, Dereck," she whirled and headed out to the garden.
"Sookie!" she yelled as she approached the woman who knelt in the basil.
"Oh, Lorelai!" smiled Sookie brightly, "Hi. How are you feeling this morning?"
"Sookie," growled Lorelai.
"Oh damnit, you know, don't you?" She rose and came over to her friend and grabbed her hands. "Lorelai, I am so sorry! Michel told me you didn't want anyone to know. But I was so upset I needed to talk so..."
"---You talked to Jackson?" sighed Lorelai.
"I am so so sorry."
"Sookie, I haven't even told Rory yet, and now the whole town knows!.... Babette gave me a talk at the post office about shaking off my denial and embracing acceptance. Taylor heard that I was terminally ill and wanted to know what provision I've made for The Dragonfly... And Luke made me eat vegetables for breakfast!" she yelled the last.
"Did you hear the part when I said how sorry I am?" Sookie asked, her eyes glistening.
Lorelai stopped and sighed at her friend, "No, I understand I do. You needed to talk but Jackson... well..."
"...Is incapable of keeping a secret, I know it. He is. It's true. He wears his heart on his sleeve. It's part of the reason why I love the big lug... but he's very upset about it Lorelai."
"Sookie, there is nothing to be upset about! It's just tests."
"Right. Okay. Just tests," Sookie nodded.
"Just tests," Lorelai repeated pointedly.
They were quiet then.
"I am sorry," repeated Sookie.
"I know you are, hun." sighed Lorelai. "Listen, I need to talk to Jackson, could you call him and see if he can come see me this afternoon?"
"You aren't going to hurt him, are you?"
"No, Sookie, I'm not going to hurt him. I might have a job for him."
"Oh, okay."
"You know you could make it up to me...?"
"Oh! How?"
"Well... do you have any chocolate doughnuts in the kitchen?" wheedled Lorelai as she and Sookie wrapped their arms around each other and walked back in.
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Lorelai stepped out of the shower and slipped into her robe later that evening.
She walked over to the phone then and dialed.
"Luke's Diner." she heard.
"Lane?"
"Lorelai?"
"Yeah, how are you kid?"
"Oh working, you know. I'm glad you called though, I really need to say something to you," Lane went on.
"Oh for crying out loud!" yelled Lorelai, "It's just tests! Damnit!"
"Okay..." said Lane, "I just wanted to thank you for that box of stuff you dropped by for us the other day: The dishes and towels and stuff..."
Lorelai sighed, "Oh Lane, I am so sorry. This stupid town has been driving me crazy all day."
"I know," commiserated Lane, "It's been quite the diner buzz. I figured you probably didn't want to talk about it."
"Oh thank you, Lane, 'cause I really don't."
"But are you okay, Lorelai? I'm really worried."
Lorelai sighed again, "I'm fine Lane, I'm just having some tests. There is nothing to even know yet."
"Well okay, good then."
"Yeah, good," agreed Lorelai, "Is Luke–?"
"I mean," Lane went on, "I love you, Lorelai, you know that, don't you? I used to fantasize that you were my mom sometimes, and then I'd have to pray and ask for forgiveness... it actually got to be this whole vicious cycle for awhile...because..."
"Lane?" interrupted Lorelai.
"Yeah?"
"I love you too."
They paused for a moment.
"Honey, is Luke there?"
"Um, no, he went upstairs a minute ago... you should probably call up there," Lane told her.
"Thanks, kid. I'm glad you liked the stuff I left."
"Thanks again, Lorelai."
"'Bye."
"'Bye."
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He found her in the kitchen, still in her robe. He dropped his duffle bag on the floor and walked over and slid his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder. She smiled.
"Hey, you really are making dinner," he said in surprise.
"Well yes, I am. If the reheating of Sookie's soup qualifies," she told him as she set the bowls on the table. She turned to him then for a soft kiss. "Hmm... that was nice," she purred.
He smiled and they both sat down to eat.
"Did you bring your stuff?" she asked.
"Yep," he told her.
"Oh goody! We get to play house again!" she exclaimed. "So, how was your day, dear?" she batted her lashes at him.
"We've got the estate sale lady coming tomorrow."
"Ooo! Fun! Do you need any help? Because I'm meeting with Jackson again in the morning about the maze, but I could come by after lunch," she told him.
"The maze?" asked Luke.
"Oh, that's right, you don't know yet. Well, I told you about the Jane Austen people coming, right?"
He nodded and poured them some wine.
"Well, this is so exciting," she went on "Their head lady came by today and we were talking... And she loves the Inn," added Lorelai, her eyes aglow, "And she wants to make it a regular stop for their group—like maybe several big meetings a year! So, we decided it might be fun to grow one of those English hedge mazes on the back lawn."
"Hedge mazes?" he asked.
"Yeah, you know like in Harry Potter. The English in Austen's time loved them. You plant the hedges like a maze and they eventually grow into walls and you go walk around inside them and get lost trying to find the center, it's a hoot."
"Getting lost is a hoot?"
"Well, it can be if you get lost with the right person," she smiled, "It'll take a long time for it to fully grow in, but we can start it and it'll be fun. Jackson says that we can get some fast growing Rosemary hedge bushes from the nursery for a great price, so the maze will smell really good too. He's so excited about planning it. We went online this afternoon to research them."
Luke grabbed her hand and smiled, "Sounds great," he told her.
"No, you're great," she smiled and leaned in to him, "I'm sorry my hands are cold," she added after a minute.
He looked down at their intertwined hands and began rubbing hers absently to warm them up.
"You know how you were asking me about my parents the other day... about them being together and remembering that?" he asked and looked up into her eyes.
"Yes," she nodded.
"Well, I remembered something this afternoon," he went on.
"Oh, will you tell me?" she asked.
"I remember one time we were all having breakfast. It wasn't a special day or anything. Just us. Just breakfast. And my Dad leaned over and picked up my Mom's hand..."
Lorelai nodded, intent on the story.
"Anyway, my Dad said to her, 'Your hands are cold'. And my Mom says back, 'I must be in love.' and they smiled at each other. That's it. That's all I remember really.... It must have been some old fashioned saying, you know—'Your hands are cold, you must be in love'... Aw, nevermind, it doesn't make sense... Just something I remembered," he looked away and laughed it off.
Lorelai clasped his hands in both of hers then, "They loved each other, Luke," she told him.
"Yeah, they did," he agreed and looked into her eyes again.