Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! I don't own Gilmore Girls for this song from a great little film called Love Actually...

I'll See It Through by Texas...
You're all I ever wanted
You're all I've ever needed, it's you
You're all I've ever wanted
And loving you's the right thing to do...

Three days later Lorelai awoke in the comfort of Luke's bed. She heard a high pitched buzz and fumbled for the snooze button, but Luke had moved the alarm clock to the other side of the room, thus forcing Lorelai to get out of bed to stop the incessant buzz. She groggily stumbled out of bed slowly trudged to the dresser across the room. She hit the alarm with force until the noise ceased.

She pushed the hair out of her face and stretched. She hadn't intended to spend the night at Luke's, but things took an amorous turn before she went home the previous evening and one thing lead to another. Lorelai looked down at her sleepwear. She smiled outwardly and ran her hands down each arm of Luke's big flannel shirt. Aside from the briefly ill advised foray into the 90s grunge scene, Lorelai didn't think she'd ever wear flannel again. Of course this was no ordinary flannel shirt. This was Luke's. It smelled like him. It radiated the warmth and comfort of Luke.

Lorelai grabbed her clothes and went to the bathroom to get ready to start the day. She had to go to work and then she needed to get to the airport to greet Rory and Emily from their European expedition. Lorelai dressed and threw her hair up into a messy ponytail as she emerged from the bathroom. She walked over to the kitchen to make some coffee when Luke entered the apartment.

"Good morning," he smiled at her and handed her a cup of coffee.

"Ooh it is now," she smiled back. "That was a pretty dirty trick you pulled moving the alarm clock to the other side of the room."

"Well you told me to wake you up and I know how much you like to throw alarm clocks across the room, so it was for purely selfish reasons that I moved it," he said giving her a kiss and sitting next to her at the kitchen table.

"I missed not waking up with you this morning," Lorelai lightly pouted.

"Oh well I had an interview for another waiter early this morning," Luke told her.

"Another waiter? Look at you! You have Caesar and Lane and now another waiter? Is the diner getting that busy?" Lorelai asked.

"Well I'd like to be able to spend more time with this lady friend I have," Luke said taking her hand.

"Uh-huh," Lorelai said intertwining her fingers with his.

"Besides," Luke said sitting back and placing his hands behind his head, "I happen to be an investor in a very successful inn. I figure I can let those people work for me while I slack off," he said with a small grin.

"Ha-ha," Lorelai said giving his exposed stomach a playful tickle. Luke sat up straight to cover his stomach quickly.

"I still can believe you're ticklish," Lorelai giggled.

"Yeah well believe it," he said swatting her hand away. "You know you looked really good in my shirt this morning," he said seriously.

"Thank you," Lorelai grinned. "I know I've knocked the flannel, but I have to admit that it is pretty comfortable."

"I told you," Luke said. "So what time do you have to be at the airport?"

"I have to be there by four. Are you sure you don't want to come?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Luke said. "You haven't seen Rory in weeks and I don't want to make her uncomfortable or anything."

"Well I'm sure she wouldn't be uncomfortable, but thank you for being so considerate," she said.

"You're welcome," Luke replied.

"So did you hire the new waiter?" Lorelai asked.

"Oh yeah, I did. His name is James. His family just moved here from Boston," Luke said.

"Well good, I'm glad you'll have some more help," Lorelai said. She noticed that Luke was standing up. "Where are you going?"

"Sorry," Luke replied. "I have to get back to the diner. I just came to bring you coffee," he said leaning over and kissing her quickly.

"Oh wait, before you go," Lorelai said preventing Luke from leaving just yet. "Do you think we scarred Woodward for life last night?" Lorelai said gesturing to Woodward the stuffed pig prominently placed on Luke's couch.

"He's an investigative reporter," Luke replied. "I'm sure he's seen worse."

"So you don't think we did him any harm?" Lorelai asked hopefully.

"Harm him? No. Harm to my box spring, now that's another story," Luke chuckled lightly. He walked back over to the table and placed one hand on the back of Lorelai's chair and one hand on the table. He leaned in and kissed her deeply before standing up and walking back toward the door.

"I'll see ya tomorrow night right?" he asked.

"Yep, as long as my Mom doesn't kill my Dad at the airport then we are still on. Thanks for helping out with this," Lorelai said.

"Anytime. I'll see you later," he said walking downstairs.

Lorelai thought for a minute about her mother and father. She had to admit that Richard had come up with a very romantic plan to help win Emily back. Lorelai only hoped that her mother would be so receptive. She absently ran her finger over her lips and took in the taste and scent of Luke from a moment ago. She smiled to herself and got up to go to work.

Richard and Lorelai walked through the airport in silence. Lorelai had met her father at the entrance and she was pleasantly surprised to see that he had decided to bring a bouquet of assorted wildflowers for her mother. Lorelai surveyed her father's appearance. He looked tired. He looked tired and anxious. Lorelai silently hoped that her mother would take his appearance into account when she heard his apology. It made him look very sincere.

"So, do you know what you're gonna say?" Lorelai asked her father.

"I am sufficiently prepared Lorelai," Richard replied shortly.

"Okay, I was just checking," Lorelai said defensively.

"Do you think she'll accept my invitation for tomorrow?" Richard asked her nervously.

"Well I hope so," Lorelai said. "I think she really does miss you Dad." They stood watching the throng of people flood by hoping they wouldn't have to wait too long before they saw Rory and Emily. Finally Lorelai saw them walking through the airport.

"Oh, there they are," Lorelai said waiting in the designated pick up area.

"Lorelai, before they get here, even if this doesn't work, I wanted to say I appreciate your help with this," Richard offered.

Lorelai looked at her father, always embarrassed when things got too serious with her father, replied shyly, "You're welcome."

"Mom!" Rory called seeing Lorelai. She rushed to her with her bag trailing behind. Rory made it through the crowd and threw her arms around Lorelai.

"Hi," Lorelai said excitedly. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Rory replied.

They hugged for a little while longer and Emily finally caught up to where they were standing.

"Hello Lorelai," Emily smiled tightly. She had noticed Richard standing there and she didn't look pleased. She was trying her best to ignore the imposing stature of her husband.

"Emily," Richard said stepping forward. "I'm glad you're back."

"Thank you Richard," Emily replied curtly. "Come on girls let's go it has been an exhausting trip." Emily started to walk away from the group. Richard had a momentary look of horror as she walked away from him.

"Emily wait, please," Richard said. There was a twinge of desperation in his voice. Lorelai was sure her mother heard it because she paused. She didn't turn around, but she didn't continue to walk away.

Richard approached his estranged wife while Lorelai and Rory hung back and observed the situation. Lorelai felt a little uncomfortable watching this interaction. She almost felt like this conversation should be private and yet, in order to make Emily listen, it was being done in a very public place.

"I'm sorry," Richard said quietly. "I know I've said this before, but aside from a very misguided kiss, nothing happened with Pennilyn. I realized my mistake the minute I made it. I will do anything to make it up to you," Richard said.

Emily still had her back to him. Her shoulders were unusually slumped, as if she had given up the fight to be proper.

"This is not the place for this Richard," Emily said simply not turning.

Richard quickly placed his body in front of Emily forcing her to look at him and preventing her from walking away.

"Emily, I love you," Richard said sincerely. "I have loved you from the moment we met. I know saying that here and now is highly questionable, but I will do whatever it takes to make you see that I want you back. I need you," Richard said passionately.

Emily, who had been looking at the ground, glanced up for a moment to look at Richard. Lorelai could see scant tears forming in her mother's eyes.

"Richard, I don't know what to--"Emily started.

"Don't say anything Emily. I'm here to ask you to come out with me tomorrow night. Will you do me the honor of being my date?" Richard asked tentatively handing her the bouquet of flowers.

"Richard," Emily started to protest. Deep inside she wanted to go, but on the surface she was still furious. She still felt unappreciated and hurt.

"Please," Richard said again not giving her time to think about it. "I'll have a car come pick you up at 7 p.m."

She felt cornered and tired from the flight so she relented. "All right Richard," Emily said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you Emily," Richard smiled. "You won't regret this I promise."

Emily gave Richard a puzzled half-smile. "Come on girls let's not loiter," Emily said taking back control of the situation.

Lorelai and Rory walked over to Emily and followed her. Lorelai passed her father and gave him a smile. Richard simply nodded content in the knowledge that he might have another chance with his wife.

Lorelai and Rory had been home for about ten minutes when Rory went into her room to unpack her bags. Lorelai was in the kitchen making a snack when Rory immediately exited her room and threw her arms around her mother.

"Thank you," Rory said quietly.

"You're welcome," Lorelai said. "I was hoping you'd like it."

"I do," Rory said. "We were in Italy and I thought about rearranging the furniture in my room. It probably sounds stupid, but the thought of the room being different helped."

"It's not stupid at all sweetie," Lorelai said smoothing out Rory's hair.

"So, have you seen Dean or Lindsey lately?" Rory asked hesitantly.

"Actually I haven't," Lorelai said taking a seat at the kitchen table. She knew she needed to keep Rory informed, but at the same time she was never quite sure how much to tell her. "But you should know that Babette saw Dean and Lindsey talking outside Doose's the other day. I'm not sure if they're together again, but that is the latest."

"Oh, okay, good," Rory said. "I just want Dean to be happy."

"Would you be upset if they got back together?" Lorelai asked her daughter.

"No," Rory said unconvincingly. Lorelai gave her a look.

"No, honestly," Rory said more forcefully. "It would be weird because of what happened, but I don't love Dean and he deserves someone who does," Rory finished.

"Okay," Lorelai said. "Rory, you'll talk to me about this if you're upset right? You know you can talk to me about anything."

"I know," Rory said picking at the countertop.

"Do you? Because it seems like you started to bottle things up and didn't tell me how you were feeling about things," Lorelai ventured.

"I know," Rory said again. "I'm sorry. I promise I won't keep things to myself," Rory said.

"Okay, good," Lorelai replied. "So is it a pizza night?"

"No Luke's? Shouldn't we help keep your boyfriend in business?" Rory asked with a hint of mocking in her tone.

"I think Luke has plenty of business already thank you," Lorelai said dismissing her comment.

"So Mom, if I'm gonna tell you things how come you're claming up about Luke?" Rory prodded. "Claming? I'm not claming," Lorelai replied.

"You haven't said anything about him since I got back. I think Grandma knows more about you two than I do," Rory complained.

"Grandma does not know more about it than you do," Lorelai said, still not giving up any information.

"Then how come she talked about it all over France, Italy and Greece," Rory said.

"She did?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"She kept talking about how she knew there was more going on than you wanted to admit and how she thought Luke wasn't good enough for you, but she just wanted you to be happy," Rory continued.

"My mother said this?" Lorelai replied shocked and confused.

"Yeah, she said she realized now that you can't stop fate from intervening in your life. She thinks everyone has a path," Rory said.

"My mother said this? Emily Gilmore?" Lorelai repeated.

"Yes," Rory replied emphatically. "She really missed Grandpa but she thought it must have been fate that Pennilyn was always around. Just like she thought it was fate that you and Luke couldn't seem to have successful relationship. She thought it was fate that Dean and I kept running into each other too," Rory explained.

"She thought it was fate? Were you guys on a commune with gypsies in Romania or something? I'm sure if she knew the whole story of you and Dean she wouldn't have thought it was fate," Lorelai said suddenly irritated her mother.

"But that isn't how she meant it," Rory defended Emily. "She meant that she thought fate worked in mysterious ways. Like certain things happen only to trigger a chain reaction to make other things happen."

"Are you sure you didn't go to Amsterdam? It sounds like Grandma was high," Lorelai replied agitated.

"It does make sense. Like Grandpa going out to lunch with that other woman made Grandma realize she wasn't happy. But it might serve as the catalyst for her and Grandpa to remember how much they love each other," Rory continued to explain.

"And you and Dean? How is what happened there helpful?" Lorelai asked.

"Well it made me realize that I'm not in love with Dean," Rory said.

"Yes, but not before a huge mistake was made," Lorelai countered.

"Yes, but it made me realize I'm not in love with Dean so I can move on and stop living in the past. It made Dean realize that I'm not in love him so he can move on knowing that we could never be together. Grandma only said fate had a plan, not necessarily a good one," Rory responded.

"And this made you feel better?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah," Rory admitted sheepishly. "It did make me feel a little better."

"Well if it made you feel better then I guess I'm glad. I think it's a cracked out little theory my mother has, but I'm glad it helped you," Lorelai said patting Rory's hand. She was less irritated with her mother. She was just happy that Rory was able to take comfort in her mother's fate theory.

"So, you and Luke," Rory started in again. "How hot and heavy is this? Are you still bumping into tables, doors, waiters?"

When Rory brought up Luke a smile immediately formed on Lorelai's lips. "It's great," Lorelai said dreamily.

"That's all I get?" Rory said. "I know I wasn't Miss Supportive on the phone, but I'm over that now. Are you really happy?"

"Deliriously," Lorelai replied finally allowing herself to share her happiness with Rory. "I thought it would be strange you know? All those years I'd try not to think of Luke romantically because I thought it would be too weird because we were friends. But now I think how stupid I was because what they say about friends is totally true."

"What do they say about friends?" Rory asked.

"They make the best lovers," Lorelai said with a goofy grin.

"Eww, gross," Rory replied. "I wanted to know if you were happy not how your sex life was. I don't think I can look at Luke the same way again," Rory said pleased that her mother was happy, but also slightly disgusted. She knew that her mother and Luke would have sex, but she didn't really need to know that they had and that it was good.

"Hey you asked," Lorelai said laughing.

"Not about that," Rory still protested.

"Okay, okay," Lorelai relented. "I won't tell you about it. But, seriously, I know you were worried about me breaking Luke's heart, but things with him are so great that I can't imagine not being with him."

"I'm happy for you Mom. I'm happy for Luke too. He's always had a thing for you," Rory said.

"Yeah, how come no one ever told me about that?" Lorelai giggled.

"Because you wouldn't listen," Rory replied grabbing the phone. "So extra cheese, extra pepperoni, extra everything else and cheesy bread?" Rory asked starting to dial.

"Oh get an antipasto too," Lorelai added.

"Salad?" Rory asked shocked.

"Luke," Lorelai shrugged her shoulders as if she had no other explanation for her adding something slightly healthy to her diet.

They caught up and ate dinner before popping in a movie to officially mark Rory's homecoming. Lorelai also filled Rory in on the plan to get Richard and Emily back together. Lorelai, Rory and Luke all had very specific roles in the hopefully reunion of Richard and Emily Gilmore.

TBC