Seal of Approval
By gilmoregirl1979
Pairing: L/L (of course)
Rating: PG-13
Hi! this is your friendly Disclaimer: I own nothing! (except some lovely handbags with DRAGONFLYs on them, thank you EBAY!!!) I just borrow from the POWERS THAT BE at THE WB, I play with the puppets, and then I put them back neatly in their original boxes. I do have the season one box set?(waiting for season 2 , when is it coming DANG IT!!!! I can't stand it, oh I'll just sit.... Much better ahhhhhhhh)
Summary: Future FIC; Luke and Lorelai both have important things they need to get off their chests Dirty !! no seriously, a short future fic in a post Raincoats and Recipies world. L/L pairing (why bother with anyone else.) please R/R.
BETA: I am BETA-less (not exactly sure what a BETA is) so...
WANTED on good hearted BETA, to forgive imperfection, in the Stories I WRITE!!!
Amy Sherman Palladino: if you like you may use this scene, as long as you let me be in the Eppy, like girl #25 walking in the background..... or something. the maid I'll be the maid that weeks eppy, how's that,....
A/N: If you read the first two chapters i wouldn't need to explain.... Go back and read, now March...or Click rather....if you already have please proceed.
A/N2: The given circumstatnces: here are a few notes for this story to make sense.
-Luke and Lorelai have been dating for over a year. Sort of late fall 2005
-In another one of my stories I wrote a scene where Lorelai told Emily about Luke and their new reletionship. Lorelai and Emily are both trying to be a normal mother daughter.
-For this story, Richard and Emily are working on their problems, still married, but more like dating again. Little hostilitiy about being under appreicated, this part of the story is crap, and why I have trouble with them.
R/R: YES PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity, ... so be honest."
I would like to thank those who have reviewed already!!! And those who haven't, this is my first Fan Fic that I've shared with the world. So, be gentle, I'm fargile.(Not really, ... hehehe. ENJOY!)
Previously on Gilmore Girls: (I've always wanted to do that, hehe hehe)
"You what?!?" Lorelai was distressed. "you talk to my parents today? my parent's know already. You don't waste time do you?"
Luke defended himself "hey you went to the doctor without me, now will you just hear me out!"
...
"Sorry." Lorelai was anxious and hanging on his every word.
"Anyway, It happened like this....."
Chapter 3: Mother-In-Law, May I ...?
Luke stood at the Gilmore's grand front door, settling his nervous stomach. He wasn't really comfortable in this suit. It wasn't really him, but this is what they would be expecting. The only thing he liked about the suit was that Lorelai had picked it out for him. Luke had seriously considered just leaving, he looked back at his truck, which seemed so out of place in this ornate courtyard. But he had to walk through that door. Luke was about to enter the Gilmore house; the place where Lorelai "grew up", that term is used very loosely. The place she ran from, the place she dreaded every Friday night, the place he now HAD to enter. There by entering a chess game, every move was crucial, everything said counted. This was real live human chess match, and he had to win. When he found the courage, he rang the door bell. He considered, "Lorelai's dramatics are rubbing off on me."
The door opened and Luke was met by a maid, and she invited him in. He explained to the maid "I'm here to see Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore," the maid showed Luke into the living room and went to get Mr. Gilmore. Richard entered the living room, and was confused as to why Luke needed to speak with him so urgently. He was warm and civil, but all business, and shook Luke's hand "Luke, good to see you again, forgive me I seemed to have forgotten your last name??"
"Danes, Sir, It's good to see you again,."
"Ahhh yes last time was a Friday night dinner a few months back, I believe, but I wish I knew what you were doing in my house today, Mr. Danes."
"Please, Sir, Call me Luke."
"Since it seems this isn't a business call, in that case, Richard." Pointing to himself "Emily should be here any minute. Why don't you have a seat, can I get you a drink?"
Caught off guard, thinking it was a bit early in the afternoon for alcohol, and still wanting to protect his stomach, Luke only got out "uhhh.... I'll have a club soda, please." Richard seemed to approve and fixed his guest the drink, and handed the glass to Luke. "thank you Sir." Luke kept calling Richard "Sir", he felt it was the most repectful thing to do. Luke could count on one hand the number of times he's been in Richard's company. And Luke sat down on a extravagant beige sette, Richard sat across from him in an easy chair with a scotch in his hand.
Luke offered a shaky smile and Richard continued to cut to the chase. "well Luke, what can I do for you today?" Richard almost trying to trap Luke into giving away his hand.
Luke cleared his throat, and took a deep breath. "Sir, I Have a matter I would like to discuss with you and your wife, concerning your daughter Lorelai." Richard lowered his glass suspiciously. "Oh?"
Neverously cleared his throat, again, and Luke continued, "Actually, I would like to wait for Mrs. Gilmore, if that is alright with you."
Richard calmly said "certainly," Forming his own theories, keeping a close eye on this gentleman before him, with concerns over his daughter.
Just then the front door was heard, and Emily had entered the Living room, surprised to find Luke there in such a nice ensemble, after seeing his horrid truck in the front of the house, she had expected him to be there in his uniform of denim and flannel.
She was confused and almost did not recognize him, "Luke?" Luke stood up, since a lady had entered the room, and offered a hand, "Hello, Mrs. Gilmore, it's very nice to see you again."
Emily shook his hand, still stunned to see him showered and shaved, and wearing a brand name suit. "My, my, Don't you clean up nice, I believe the last time you wore a suit was at Rory 's graduation" Richard stood also, "Emily, you remember Luke, and if I recall he was wearing a similar suit when he came to dinner a few months back." Little did Richard know it was the same exact suit, on all counts. And in a snide tone Emliy responded, " yes, yes, Richard, ...I'm surprised you even remember who he is." And Emily, made her way to the bar cart and fixed herself a before dinner drink. She and Richard decided that she would stay for dinner after this "meeting", to serve as a "date". It was ridculous to have to date your own husband. She had a bad day already and didn't need Richard's condescension. She turned to face Luke, and watched him sit back down again. "you are looking well, Luke. how's the diner?" She offered in a even tone. "It's fine, Thank you Mrs. Gilmore, by the way, you are looking very well yourself and I must tell you, you have done a wonderful job decorating the house. It's just beautiful." Emily, smiled at the awkwardly attempted compliment, "at least someone has noticed my handy work" as a jab to her astranged husband, and strolled over to the couch opposite Luke, who was uncomforable with the whole seperation thing. Emily sat down ceromonially at Richard's side, but a safe distance away from Richard himself, to further test Luke she asked, "nice suit, who is it by?" She was aloud to give him a hard time since Lorelai wasn't present. But mentally kicked herself for falling into old patterns. Emily knows she promised Lorelai she would keep an open mind about Luke. But Emily still had her standards for her and her daughter, old habits die hard, I guess.
Luke was a sitting duck, "I'm sorry, mam I really don't know, Lorelai picked it out for me." He half smiled and Richard laughed loudly. "I know how you feel, my boy, Emily here had a habit of constantly buying me the new season of every maker, I could never keep them straight." Luke and Richard's mild laughs subsided, Emily was impressed that Richard had even noticed the difference in his wardrobe since she'd been gone. Richard wanted to get back to the business at hand,"Now, what is it you want to discuss with us? Something to do with Lorelai?"
Emily broke in "Lorelai? Does she know you're here?"
"Uuummm no, mam, and I'd like to keep it that way." Luke cleared his throat again, " well, as you both know, I'm a long time friend of Lorelai's." Luke refused to let his nerves get the best of him, Luke solidly refused to let her parents, their haughty tone, this house, the extravagant couch he was sitting on, or the crystal glass in his hand intimidate him. he began again, "Lorelai and I have known each other for years, and I consider her the most remarkable woman I've ever know. Through good and bad, our firendship has remained intact, and recently, I finally realized just how much your daughter means to me. And as you may recall from my last visit here, I'm sure she told you that we have been seeing each other... More frequently ...ummm" clears his throat "that is more... seriously." this last sentence Luke let out slowly and cautiously. For some reason, he could then heard Lorelai in his head offer a "Dirty" at the number of possible obsure innuendos, he might not understand. If the internal comment was warranted it not; He felt better, having a virtual Lorelai tag along in his mind. Made this seem more bearable, seem to give him courage.
"Yes?" Richard's suspicions returned.
Emily was now surprised, Lorelai had confided in her mother when the couple first started dating. It had now been a little over a year now. Again like a chess game, Emily saw Luke's intentions few moves ahead.
"Anyone who sees the two of you can tell how much you care about each other" she offered, recalling her original impression of the reletionship from as far back as Rory's 16th birthday.
Unsure if Emily was a Friend or Foe, Luke continued. "Well, mam, as I said, we have been seeing each other, and I think we've become very serious."
"Polly want a cracker" the mental Lorelai offered again at his nervous repetition.
Richard sitting up in his chair, he was finally seeing where this conversation maybe going. "yes?" he prompted.
Luke took another deep breath. "Richard, Emily, I would like to ask Lorelai to marry me?"
A silence drew out. Luke was unable to read the faces of his potential in- laws.
Richard was pleased and stunned that someone like Luke, a blue collar worker, a self made man, would go through the "old money" formality and ceremony of asking the parents permission, it showed respect. He was indeed impressed, but kept his pleasure under wraps, "Tell me Luke, why do you feel you need our permission?"
Luke felt like he was at a job interview, and decided just to be honest. "Well, sir, It's not so much that I'm asking for permission, it's merely a declaration of my intentions. I understand the relationship between you, Mrs. Gilmore and your daughter has been, shall we say, rocky, for good reasons from all sides. I wanted to show both of you the respect you deserve. I understand the last time Lorelai was engaged it didn't go over so well. Partly because you both were kept in the dark for so long. And because Lorelai's feelings for Max weren't exactly mutual. I have a very good feeling that Lorelai would say yes to my proposal, ..." his train of thought had run out. "... I have the ring here if you would like to see it." he pulled the box out of his pocket and offered it to Emily, as evidence that he was serious.
Emily accepted the box, she opened it, and her shrewed eyes examined the ring closely. She was in awe by the splender and style. It was a very elegant ring, "It is Lovely, Luke." A genuine compliment for a truly magnificent ring.
"Thank you mam, It was my mother's." Luke smiled sadly. "She wanted me to have it for a woman who I felt deserved it. and it is my opinion, there is no better woman than Lorelai."
"I take it your mother is gone?" Richard asked gently, recognizing that sad smile, knowing the feeling of having recently lost his own mother, "Trix".
"Yes sir, she died when I was twelve. And my father a few years later." Luke Explained.
"So you consider yourself more of a self reliant man." Richard continuing the interview. Emily still admiring the history of the ring that may soon be on her daughter's finger. It was just beautiful.
"Yes sir, I did," he offered with a laugh "until I met your daughter. Now I can't go a day without seeing her."
And Emily probed "And you haven't asked her yet?"
"You have the ring in your hands" not totally a lie, since he really didn't answer the question. "As I said, I only want to show the both of you the utmost respect, and I didn't want to proceed without you knowing. I want you to accept me.... As the man who would do anything to make your daughter happy." Luke noticed Emily's vigulant study of the ring, and to lighten the mood with a joke, he said "if you like, I could have it appraised." He smiled to let them know he was kidding.
The three lightly laughed, and Emily, not realizing she was staring so long, handed the ring to Richard to examine. It was Emily's turn to ask a round of Questions, as Richard listened, focused on the ring.
Emily did like Luke. She will admit when she first saw him as "the Ice Man", she wasn't fond of the idea. But Luke had proven himself time and time again, to be their for Lorelai and Rory equally. She wanted to give her approval, if just to keep her good streak with Lorelai going. But she wouldn't pull any punches."And what makes you think you can provided for our daughter and granddaughter by simply owning a diner."
"Well mam, with all due respect, Lorelai does have a business of her own now. And to clairfy, I don't just own the diner, I own the entire building. I run my diner, yes, but I also collect rent on the soda shoppee next door, and I've rented out my parent's old house to reliable tenants. And should Lorelai and I get married, I would be happy to move into her house, and I could convert my apartment, my dad's old office, above the diner, for rent as well."
"I recall you telling me that you kept your diner, and your father's office, just as he left it. With such a sentimental attachment, you would redecorate the office, so it would make a suitable apartment."
"Yes mam, I will still have the diner the way he left it. and I will have the only thing I really want now, Lorelai as my wife," catching himself to late with the assumption they woud approve.
Richard still evaluating the ring, asked "any other accests or investements?"
"I recently invested in Lorelai's Inn?"not sure what Richard was reffering too. Lorelai's sarcastic voice chime in his head again, Why didn't you bring your stock porfolio.
Emily impressed, "You invested in Lorelai's inn?"
Richard gaped, "How much?"
Not sure how to read their reaction. "Just Thirty-Thousand? She needed it to finish construction, and knowing you were already paying for Yale for Rory, she came to me. Lorelai has promised to pay me back. But, if she would marry me, there really wouldn't be a need. I'd have everything I want." Realizing how that must have sounded; money for marriage, STUPID!! What am I a mail order bride? Virtual Lorelai asked.
Richard and Emily exchanged a look. and Richard observed, "But Lorelai is terrible with money?" Richard leaned forward "you mean to tell me you just handed our daughter Thirty Thousand Dollars, no questions asked? "
"Yes, Sir, she wanted to go through the formaility of a business dinner, but the timing never worked out," not sure if they new about the 'meltdown in the park', he'd just as soon skip those details. "and she was going to ask me for the money any way, so I beat her to it, and just gave it to her. I knew what it was for, I would do anything for Lorelai."
And Emily interjected "What about Rory? Will you provide for her as well?" "Of course, I like to think I've already earned my stripes with Rory."
"How?" Richard posed, protective of his pide and joy Yalie.
"Well, and these are Rory's words not mine, she said she's come to look at me as a father. No offense to Christoper, but he was never really around... I was. And Rory seems to appreicate that. And I've done certain things that any father would do. Like after her first boyfriend, Dean," Luke cleared his throat as if he'd choked on the name, recalling the events Lorelai finally confided in him of the Dragonfly's test run and Dean. "...when he uuhhh ... broke up with her, I sort of got into a fight with him... in the middle of the street."
"Ha!" Richard crowed. He never liked Dean, no direction, no goals; He only put up with him because of Rory, and here was another like minded man, who even got into brawl with him.
Seeing progress, Luke continued, "and with her second boyfriend Jess, who is actually my nephew, I threw him in a river." Leaving out as many details as possible, maybe best with Jess.
Richard could almost picture it. He didn't like that snot nose Jess either.
Emily remained on task "As we appreicate you defending our granddaughters honor, what about financial support?"
"Again, with all intended respect, mam, Rory is on her way at Yale. After that, she is an adult, and I know she will go far and make her own way. But if Rory does need any help, Lorelai and I , of course will be there; And the two of you, of course, will be there and will know if she needs anything."
"You do realize, that if you become part of this family, you will have to attend Friday night dinners on a regular basis." Emily tested.
"If I may, Emily, you are talking to a man who lost both of his parent's before he could vote. My other reletions have never been very dependable. I already Feel Lorelai and Rory are already my family. Lorelai and I getting married would just be a ceremony to make it all offical. I would love nothing better than to have a normal family enviroment, complete with structure and consistency. And after the hospitality you showed me on previous occasions. How could I ever refuse?"
All in all, Honesty was the best policy.
Back to the here and now, the couple sitting on the bridge. Lorelai amazed at the story. "You got my parent's permission.....you asked for my hand in marriage... You charmed my parents into letting you ask me to marry you."
"Yeah, ...I did!" Luke reluctantly admited.
Still in awe, "You walked into the lion's den alone, and you came out their best friend?"
"Well I don't know about that, but your dad did say he'd give me stock tips. And your mother said she looked forward to seeing me at Friday night dinners."
"I can't believe this Luke Danes, at my house, in a suit, captivating Richard and Emily. It's times like this I wish they had survallence cameras"
"They even wanted me to stay for dinner tonight, but I told them I had a date with you that I could not break. I didn't want to arouse your suspisions."
"Understandable. Me, being your future/current fianncee, whatever." And Lorelai remebered "you didn't tell them about baby did you?"
"Lorelai, I'm not an idiot."
"Okay, good." The thought of not being pregnant still made her sad.
"So,..."Luke tried to change gears, as if reading her mind,"...I've worked it all out. And I hope the rest of the plan is okay with you."
"The rest of the plan?"
"Well, we are having dinner at you parent's this Friday, right??"
"We?"
"Well your mother will invited me"
"Okay?"
"Which reminds me, your mom is gonna call and ask you to bring me, and you'll have to give her a perfomance. Act like you don't know, give her your usual hard time"
"HEY, I've been better!"
Giving her a hard look, Luke continued "Anyway, knowing about Friday night dinner, I told them I would propose on Saturday"
"Okay, I'm still with you"
"If all went well, and you said yes..."
"Duh" holding up her left, ring-adorned hand.
"... I would call your father on Sunday, let them know how it went."
"Okay great,..."
"So, I was thinking, you call after the popping of the question, on Saturday, and suggest to your mom or dad that you stop by Hartford for lunch on Sunday with Rory and tell them in person."
"But they already know?"
"No they don't because I'm not calling till Sunday morning. And if you call on Saturday night, wanting to see them on Sunday; It's like you didn't know this was going to happen and you are really excited about something and you want to share it with them, and include them as soon as possible. And it means you have to tell them in person. As we learned the last time, is a very good idea. Plus, by you giving them a heads up on Saturday about the good news, they feel like they have an upper hand for my call on Sunday."
"Alright, ..." considering 'the plan'... , it was very thorough, and she asked "How did you know what to do?"
He shrugged, "Maybe I saw it in a movie once.. Oh there is one more thing"
"What's that?"
"You are never to know that I asked them for 'your hand'." Making air quotes.
"Why?"
"Because you are a proud modern woman and it would mortify you to have your man have to go and ask your parent's permission to marry you."
"Oh , that, but you said it wasn't asking permission, it was a declaration of intentions! I like that! I wish I could use that phrase everyday!!!" And She practiced, "I would like to declare my intentions of eating pancakes."
Lorelai thought of how well laid out this all was and cocked her head toward Luke, "Since when did you become so manipulative?"
"Since I met you? I've learned from the best, I'm getting you you marry me right?"
"Well, now that I know I'm being manipulated, I just don't know?" she teased.
"Please, no Julia Roberts impressions on the big day."
"Alright, but how do you know I didn't manipulate you, and you are the one falling into my palns perfectly?"
Luke just rolled his eyes "yeah, right!"
Lorelai giggled and she looked down at her engagament ring, "Is this really your mother's ring."
"Yes, it is."
"Shame on you, comparing your mom's ring with Cracker Jacks Prizes."
"Would you rather it was cocoa puffs?"
"I would rather have had the truth", she kissed him " it's beauiful"
"You're beautiful" they kissed again. and Luke Smiled,"You know, we have to tell Rory,... about the plan, about ... the baby not coming as soon as we thought."
She sighed, "In little bit.", and she kissed Luke again. The moonlight through the trees made this a very romantic scene, and the location was nice and secluded. When the kiss ended Luke said impressed "Wow you pick me over Coffee, you pick me over Rory, this is getting serious."
"Yeah, I scare you with my parents, I scare you into thinking we're having a baby, I scare you into marrying me. This is getting serious."
"Hey, I'm wasn't scared... and getting married was my idea!!"
"Or so I, the Queen of Manipulation, would have your think," Lorelai smiled wide at this jest and considered "So which version should we tell people, the gazebo version, or the footbridge."
"Footbridge version?"
"Well you brought me here to the foot bridge 'on Saturday night' and proposed in the moonlight, ...We can dress it up more if we need to."
"Hmmmm the footbridge it is, stressful day, romantic night, we know your not pregnant."
And Lorelai offered a suggestive "Not yet?" with as devilish grin in Luke's direction.
And Luke smiled with and replied with "Dirty". And he kissed again, and leading her down to lay on the footbridge with him, and the couple star gazed, held each other close, to keep warm on the cool night, and enjoyed their secret engagement, with an Offical Gilmore Seal of Approval.
END
Insert AWWWWWWWWWs here
Hope you Liked IT!!
R/R on anything you like, my titles, my writing, my take on characters. Help me improve!!!
I Thank You!!!