Chapter Thirteen




It was warm and comfortable in Luke's arms and Lorelai feel asleep quickly. She slept peacefully for a couple of hours but then awoke with a start. She looked over at Luke and saw he was still sound asleep. Why had she woken up? Then she remembered.

"Luke, Luke. Wake up." She prodded him until he opened his eyes.

"What? Are you alright?"

"We need to talk."

"Lorelai, it's the middle of the night. What could be so important......"

"You did ask me to marry you right?"

Luke smiled and pulled her close, "Yes. It wasn't a dream, if that's what you were thinking."

"We can't."

"What? Lorelai what are you saying?"

"We can't Luke. We just can't. It's too soon. We haven't thought it out. We haven't talked about anything....we have great sex and that just isn't enough."

Luke stared at her. He was wide awake now.

"I didn't ask because the sex is so good. And it is by the way, but that's such a small part of it.'

"Small part? Seems like a huge part to me."

"Sure it is now. But someday it will be old and boring and we will need other things to keep us together."

"That's a reassuring thought."

"There's more here, Lorelai. I promise."

"You have to listen to me. You married Nicole quickly and look what happened there."

Luke thought for a moment before he answered. "Lorelai, I am listening. Now you listen to me. Watch my mouth, hear my words. I love you. Not because of the great sex, but because we have a life here. We've always had it, you and I. We've seen each other almost every day for the last ten years. I have hardly ever made a decision with out talking to you first. And you, how many times have I found you on my doorstep wanting something?"

"Coffee."

"And more. Should I Luke, am I able to Luke, help me Luke..."

"God, I'm needy."

"Yep, and every time I loved it. I loved being the one you asked. I loved being the one guy in your life you could always depend on."

"Didn't seem that way."

"Well, I couldn't let you know how easy I really am."

"Easy, huh? That has come to my attention lately."

"Lorelai, this is important. We've been seeing each other for just a few days really. But we've been 'dating' for years. We've weaved our way through all the tough stuff. I bet there isn't anything you don't know about me. I bet there isn't anything that you don't know my opinion on."

"I guess."

"That's why it never worked with anyone else for either of us. We were already in some way committed to each other."

"But....."

"No buts."

"So we can get married and it won't be a mistake?"

"We can get married and see how it goes. I don't think it will be a mistake. But everything in life is a gamble. But if we don't at least throw the dice, we'll never have a chance at the jackpot."

"Wow, you sweet talker you."

"You know what I mean."

Lorelai softly laughed, feeling better and more secure immediately. She settled into his arms and let out a sigh.

"Luke?'

"Yeah?"

"Can we have some more of that good sex? You know, before it gets boring and all?"

"I don't think it will be boring for a very long time."

"But just in case.....could we......"

Luke pulled her into his arms and kissed her leaving no question of his answer. There was something very special about their lovemaking this time. It was sweet and slow and quiet. Lorelai thought she might burst with all the love she felt for this man. Luke thought it was one of the most perfect moments he had ever experienced.

Later, as they lay snuggled close Lorelai couldn't help but ask.

"Are you still awake?"

"Yes,' he answered sleepily.

"We should talk about everything right?"

"Definitely. What's on your mind?"

"Just stuff.....when, where, how." Lorelai took a deep breath. "When should we tell everyone, should we live in this house, the location of my coupon drawer-- well, first I have to create a coupon drawer......and.......well............how do you feel about babies?"

"Where did that come from?"

"Just curious. Would you like to have a son?"

"Maybe or a daughter like Rory. You're not trying to tell me something are you?"

"No, really I'm not. Everything is safe and secure with this body. Nothing growing in here but hunger pains. I was just thinking about it earlier. Sookie was talking about having another one and I starting thinking that it might be nice. You and I, creating a life. Not now, but something to think about for the future."

"Well, we aren't getting any younger. And I guess if that's what we both want, maybe we should really think about it. You're sure you're not...."

"Fairly certain. We haven't been together in that way very long. And we've been very, very careful.'

"Yes, we have. So maybe, if we decide and all, we could start being not so careful?"

"Maybe, if we decide."

Lorelai thought about it for a minute and then giggled. Luke frowned at her but asked. "What?"

"I was just thinking. In my thirty plus years, I have done everything possible to not get pregnant."

"I'm with you there. It will be strange."

"What if we're not good at it?"

"Lorelai, you don't have to be good at it. It either happens or it doesn't."

"I know."

"We're good at the process. So I guess the odds are in our favor."

"Good odds, yes."

She settled in his arms again and he closed his eyes.

Lorelai poked at him again. "Are you asleep yet?"

"How could I be? I seem to be in bed with Chatty Cathy."

"Whoa, grandpa, you're showing your age."

"No grandpa could keep up with you and this grandpa needs his sleep. Since we've been going out, I've had probably a grand total of ten good hours of sleep."

"Ahh, I feel for 'ya grandpa."

"I can tell. Good night, Lorelai."

"Luke?"

"Luke's asleep."

Lorelai smiled, snuggled close and drifted away herself.

When Luke woke up in the morning, he had to disengage himself from her body parts. During the night she had kept a strangle hold on him and nice as it was, he really needed to get to the diner. He took a quick shower and headed downstairs. Rory was sitting at the table making small neat check marks on her to do list.

"That's a lot of checks you've got going there."

"Yep, all checked but one."

"And that one is?" Luke turned to fill the coffee maker with water.

"Say goodbye to Luke."

Luke turned and gave her a gentle smile. Rory got out of her chair and walked over and gave him a small hug. And Luke hugged back.

"I always had this feeling about you and mom. I thought I was happy that she had such a good friend....in this crazy town, well, you are one of the sane ones."

"I'd take that as a compliment but I know these people."

Rory laughed. "But now, when I look at her...and look at you...and look at the two of you together. Well, I guess I knew it was just a matter of time."

"So you're ok with all of this?"

"What exactly are your intentions young man?" Rory mocked.

"You'll have to ask your mother about that."

Rory was more than mildly curious about that statement.

"Ask her mom about what?" Lorelai walked into the kitchen grabbing a mug.

"You're up." Luke and Rory chorused.

"Ah, the sound of morning people. I hate you both."

"Thanks mom. And me leaving and all this morning."

Lorelai walked over to Luke and wrapped her arm around his waist. "Look at her. All grown up and talking in full sentences before morning coffee. And I tried so hard to bring her up right."

Luke poured his brew for both girls. They both took a sip and both sighed the exact same way and at the exact same time. Luke shook his head.

"I'm out. I'm already late."

Lorelai shot him a glance. "Luke wait. Don't we have something to tell Rory?"

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot."

"Gee, that makes me feel special. We decide something really big, earth shattering big, and you almost forgot."

"Teasing Lorelai. We were just talking about that."

"You told her?"

"No, I told her to ask you.....remember when you came in?"

Lorelai smiled.

Rory was bursting listening to their banter. "So spill! I'm not getting any younger here."

Lorelai looked up at Luke and said, "Well, we decided last night that..." All of a sudden the words wouldn't come out. Saying them out loud would make it real. Telling Rory was big.

Luke looked down at her. "You haven't changed your mind?"

Looking into his eyes she felt reassured and quickly shook her head no.

Lorelai beamed. "We're getting married."

"Wow, mom, Luke. That's great. No big surprise but great none the less."

"No big surprise?"

"Nope, totally expected."

"How could you expect it when I didn't?"

"Easy mom. Outside looking in, remember?"

Luke figured this was his time to leave. When the Gilmore Girl shorthand started, there was no understanding for outsiders.

"Well, you girls have a great day. Rory, drive carefully. Have fun and call if you need anything. Lorelai, I'll see you later?"

"Yep, I've got a busy morning at the inn but later would be good."

Luke gave Rory a quick hug and was out the door.

Rory turned to her mom. "So he proposed?"

"Yep, he did."

"And it was romantic?"

"Very"

"Candlelight?"

"Sort of."

"Moonlight?"

"It was out there somewhere."

"Down on one knee?"

"Not exactly."

"Naked?"

"Well, not when he asked."

"So between the asking and the answering?"

"Nakedness occurred."

"Mom, nice story for the grandchildren."

"Huh?"

"People will ask. Oh, Lorelai, Luke proposed – how did it happen?"

"Rory...."

"They will ask. This is Luke we're talking about-- stoic diner man, very unconventional sort of fellow."

"Exactly. Why would a proposal be conventional from this very unconventional man? I will just tell them that it was romantic and private and I'd like to keep it that way."

Rory smiled. "So naked, huh?"

"Yeah, and it was very romantic." Lorelai stuck out her tongue at her daughter.

"Put that tongue back in your mouth. It has Luke written all over it."

"Really?" Lorelai ran to the mirror and opened her mouth. Laughing, she turned around.

"So, daughter of mine, what do you really think?"

"I think it's great and I'm happy for you. But now I really have to load the car and get on my way. I have to check in by noon."

"I hate this."

"I'll call as soon as I get a minute. Keep me posted on all your plans. I assume this is going to happen fairly soon?"

"I guess. Luke says we're not getting any younger, and then there was some poker crack and some other sports analogy. Men are strange creatures."

"Walk me out?"

"If I have to."

"You do."

The girls grabbed her stuff, loaded the car and hugged one last time. Lorelai waved a final goodbye as Rory turned the corner. Lorelai picked up the paper and heard a shout from next door.

"Hey, Lorelai. Busy night at your house. Rory, Luke, all the music. Lights going on and off all night."

"Rory had to pack for a trip. Takes a lot to get her organized. We were working most of the night and Luke brought us food."

"You put two bags in the car, sugar. And Luke, well, the truck was there all night. It takes three people to pack two bags? I wasn't born yesterday you know."

"I know Babette." Lorelai started to walk into her house.

"I think its great honey. And about time, you and Luke. Bet he's great in the sack. I've seen those hands and those huge feet and the way he fills out those jeans. You know the old saying......"

"Catch you later Babette. I've got to take a shower and get to work."

"Bye honey. I've got some calls to make."

Lorelai whispered of course you do under her breath.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX