Chapter Fourteen

Lorelai got to the Dragonfly just in time to join Michel and Sookie for a late lunch. Sookie had an array of new recipes to try out on them. The rest of the afternoon was spent solving minor problems and making calls. Rory called to check in but couldn't talk long. The drive had been uneventful and she had just unpacked. She had meetings until dinner and then an after dinner meet and greet.

Lorelai was just ready to leave when someone called wanting to plan a small wedding. By the time they had settled on the details for the wedding, it was well past eight o'clock. Lorelai drove to the diner and dragged her body through the door. Luke looked up and flashed a smile and suddenly she felt better.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself. I expected you earlier."

"Something came up."

"Have you had dinner?"

"Nope."

"I know a little place...."

"Can't we just stay here? It's been a long day."

"The place I was going to suggest...right upstairs. I have something to show you."

"I am not playing I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours until I've been properly fed!"

"That's not what I was suggesting, dirty girl. I got something new today and I just wanted you to see it."

"Oh. Don't you have to stay down here?"

"Nope. Lane needs some extra cash so she's closing. I've just been waiting for you."

"Ah, that's nice. You've been waiting for me. It's nice to have some one waiting for me."

Luke spoke to Lane and then he and Lorelai headed upstairs. Luke made her close her eyes as he led her into the apartment.

"Luke, no dirty games until..."

"Ok, open."

Lorelai opened her eyes and giggled. She walked over to his huge new bed and sat down. She bounced several times and smiled up at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Checking bounce ability. It's a very important test for every new mattress. They have to have a certain feel."

Luke laughed. "So does it pass your test?"

Lorelai winked at him. "Not sure yet, I'll let you know later."

Luke busied himself in the kitchen and Lorelai wandered around the small apartment, seeing it with different eyes this time. She ran her hands admiringly over several pieces of his antique furniture and looked at the few pictures he had scattered around.

She picked up a small one. "Are these your parents?"

"Yep. They were about the age I am now and already had this place and a couple of kids."

"They look happy."

"I think they were. They had some rough times but all I remember is feeling safe and secure."

Lorelai walked over to his dresser and noticed a small wooden jewelry box.

"Luke this is beautiful."

"It was my mom's. Open it. Mom didn't have much. Liz took a few things but there are a couple things left."

Lorelai opened the lid and noticed a beautiful necklace. "Pretty."

"Yeah, it belonged to my mother's mother."

Luke walked over to Lorelai and reached into the jewelry box. He pulled out a small box she hadn't noticed yet. He handed it to her and she gently opened the lid.

"Oh, Luke, it's lovely. I bet she treasured this."

"It was her engagement ring. She left it to me to give to someone special someday."

Lorelai looked up at him.

"I know it's small and sort of old fashioned. And I'd be happy to replace it with something big and more modern. But I thought for now that it would be nice if you would wear it. Just until we find something better."

"Luke, there couldn't be anything better than this. Every time we look at it we will think of your parents and how they faced the tests of time. How your mother wore it and how she wanted your wife to wear it."

"Really?"

"It's perfect."

Luke took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her gently. She held out her hand for him to admire. They both thought it finally completed all that had been going on between them the last few weeks.

Lorelai smiled up at him and crinkled her nose.

"What?"

"Something's burning."

"Oh, yeah, dinner. Not burning, I'm just broiling a steak."

Luke left her to finish the meal.

They ate in his kitchen, softly lit by a candle Lorelai had found. They talked and she sneaked several looks at her new ring. They cleaned the kitchen and Luke suggested they go for a walk.

It was a beautiful starry night in Stars Hollow. The weather had been warm all day but the evening was cool and moon was full. They wandered around town holding hands and making plans. They soon found themselves in front of Sookie's. Sookie called to them from her porch. "Hey, come up for a minute and sit."

"Hey, Sook." She and Luke walked up on the porch.

"Luke, Jackson just went in to get a bottle of wine. Why don't you go in and tell him to grab two more glasses."

"Sure."

Luke walked in the house to find Jackson, and Lorelai sat down with her friend.

"So you and Luke, going public now?"

"Just out for a walk on a beautiful summer night."

"You look happy. So does he."

"I think we are. No, I know we are."

Lorelai reached up to brush her hair back. Sookie spotted the ring. "Oh, Lorelai, pretty ring. It looks exactly like you, old fashioned with a certain glow about it. Where did you find it?"

"It was Luke's mom's engagement ring."

"Oh, well, its lovely...... Wait a minute....." Sookie squealed as Lorelai nodded her head yes confirming her suspicion.

Jackson came running out, Luke followed behind. "Sookie, shhh, you'll wake the baby. It took us forever to get him to sleep tonight."

"Oh, Jackson. Look." Sookie grabbed Lorelai's hand and waved it at him. "Lorelai and Luke, they made it official. They're engaged."

"Wow, that's great." Jackson poured the wine and handed each of them a glass.

"I feel like I should say something profound. But I don't do speeches. So, here goes. I hope, we hope that you have a long and happy marriage."

"Perfect, honey."

"Yeah, perfect Jackson." Lorelai beamed at Luke as he walked over to her side.

Luke spoke up. "Thanks Jackson. You guys are the first to know, well, after Rory of course."

Jackson looked at Sookie. "So I wonder who won the pool?"

Lorelai and Luke asked at the same time. "What pool?"

"Oh, honey, this town has had a pool for years, the when will Luke and Lorelai ever realize pool."

"Crazy town. Nothing's sacred."

"Ah, Luke, come on. You two, dancing around each other for years, think nobody noticed?"

"Guess everybody did."

Lorelai laughed and grabbed Luke's hand. "Good night you two, Luke and I didn't mean to barge in on your romantic evening."

"It's ok. I love being the first to know your news. . You two go off and have your own romantic night. We'll talk more tomorrow. And I do want all the details, young lady."

They waved goodbye and headed back to the diner.

All the way home Luke muttered about the crazy townies and their stupid pool and how the news would be all over town before midnight. Lorelai finally broke into his rant ...

"Hey, Luke."

"Yeah?"

"I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours."

And they laughed as they climbed the stairs up to his apartment and that new bed.

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