Disclaimer: These are not mine. Oh how I wish they were, but alas.

Thursday Afternoon- Lorelai's house

"Mom, I'm home!"

Lorelai comes running down the stairs and tackles Rory hugging her and checking her over to make sure she's okay.

"What are you doing?"

"Just checking to make sure you're okay. You were traveling with my mother you know."

"Yes, I know. But she was fine, mopey sometimes, but fine."

As Lorelai helped Rory bring her things into her room, Rory sighed. "It's the same."

"We can change it if you want." Lorelai offered.

"You think?"

"Yeah, we can do that tonight instead of a movie night. Luke will help."

"Ahh, Luke... So how are the two of you?"

"We're good. Fine. Great. Awesome."

"Enough."

"Gotcha. So what do you want to do with the room?"

"New color maybe? Move the bed, change the furniture around. Maybe a new comforter and some sheets?"

"You got it kiddo. I'm just glad to have you back."

"Yeah, but now you and Luke won't have the house to yourselves anymore."

"Yep, no more running around naked."

"Gross."

"Kidding."

"No, you weren't. And that is what is gross." Rory said with a smile.

They grabbed their purses and headed out of the door to get supplies for the room. As they drove into town, Lorelai asked, "So are you hungry?"

"Starved. Let's go see Luke."

"I was thinking more like Al's."

"Liar."

"Who me? What would make you think I would HAVE to go to Luke's?"

"Nothing says you HAVE to, but I know you want to. And I am starving so lets go."

"If you insist."

They walked into the diner and Luke looked up grinning. "Hey."

"Hey Luke." Rory said smiling. "Been taking care of my mom?"

"I try." Luke said. "But you know how she listens."

"Yeah. I do." Rory said smiling.

"I'm standing right here." Lorelai pointed out.

"What can I get for you?" Luke asked.

"Cheeseburger and fries." Rory said with a grin.

"Same here, except with no cheese and make mine onion rings." Lorelai ordered.

"Then it's not the same now is it?" Luke asked exasperated. Why do I let her drive me crazy? "Cause you like it" he answered himself. He turned around smiling to himself.

"Oh and coffee too," Lorelai called after him.

"How many cups have you had already?"

"Not enough." She said as she watched him pour her a mug.

"Here you go," Luke said as he handed over two coffees. "The rest will be out in a minute. So what movies are you two watching tonight?"

"Umm, well, we decided not to watch movies after all." Lorelai began. "And I think we're going to need your help."

"With what?"

"We're going to redecorate my room." Rory explained. "Re-paint and move around the furniture."

"Yeah." Lorelai put in, "And it sure would help to have a big strong man to help us."

Luke just sighed as he said, 'What time?"

"Eight?"

"Fine." He left to get their cheeseburgers and Lorelai and Rory smiled at each other.

"He loves me." Loreali said giggling.

"Yes, he does. Now eat your dinner." Rory told her as Luke put the burgers on the table.

Lorelai's- Evening

"Paint?" Lorelai asked.

"Check." Rory responded.

"Comforter?"

"Check."

"Sheets?"

"Check."

"A big strong man to move things around?"

As the doorbell rings, Rory looks at her mom and says, "Check. And how did you know he was here?"

"I heard the truck." She said as she opened the door for him. "Why didn't you just come on in like usual?" She asked Luke.

"Cause Rory's home now and I didn't know if... Look, I brought food."

"Yummy!" Lorelai said sniffing the bags. "Rory, our big strong man brought food too."

"My hero," Rory said walking up to them. "Hey Luke."

"Hey. You guys want this in the kitchen?"

"Sure." Lorelai said following him.

As they sat down to eat, Rory looks at Lorelai and Luke and smiles.

Friday Afternoon- Gilmore Residence

Luke, Lorelai, and Rory ring the doorbell and Emily opens the door. "Please come in. We will take drinks in the study."

"Hi to you too, Mom." Lorelai smarts as they follow Emily to the study. Luke shoots her a look and mouths, "Please."

When they arrive in the study, Richard stands up and greets them. "Hello Rory, Lorelai. Hello again Luke."

"Hello Richard. Nice to see you again."

"How's the diner going?" Richard asks as he walks toward the decanters of alcohol. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Whiskey. Straight. Thank you. The diner is going well, thank you. Lorelai keeps me in business." He said with a smile.

"Luke keeps my addiction supplied." Lorelai grinned.

"You're addiction, Lorelai?" Emily questioned with a stern look.

"Caffeine, mother. Coffee. Luke makes the best coffee in the world."

"Oh, I see." Emily said as the maid entered. "Dinner is served in the dining room."

"Saved by the bell." Lorelai remarked with a smirk.

As they were seated and eating dinner, Emily kept looking from Luke and back to Lorelai. She finally looked at Richard, who was talking about his business and then back at her plate. Lorelai caught this look and just looked to Rory who shrugged her shoulders and focused on her plate.

After dinner Emily walked into the kitchen and Lorelai excused herself to join her mother. When she entered the kitchen, Emily said, "So, you finally saw it?"

"Saw what?"

"Him. You're diner man."

"What do you mean finally saw it?"

"I mean, the two of you have been together so long, but you kept denying it to everyone including yourselves. Did you ever wonder Lorelai, why you couldn't hold down a solid relationship? Did you ever wonder why you always ran to Luke whenever you needed anything and why he was always there? I'm glad you finally saw it. I am not saying that I think he is good enough, because no one ever will be. But he is better than I think anyone else would be and if you're happy, that is all that concerns me. Now, I have said my piece, let's join the others so we don't appear rude."

Emily walked out of the kitchen leaving a stunned Lorelai standing alone. Lorelai eventually half smiled half frowned and followed her mother.

While Emily and Lorelai had gone to the kitchen, Rory had excused herself to check on a book.

"My mom is really happy. And Luke seems to be happy too. I mean, he's always been like a dad, but better than a dad since I didn't really have the greatest dad. Luke was there when I graduated Chilton and he is here now to help me rebuild my life. I know he'll take good care of my mom and make her happy. I could feel that Luke wanted to talk to Grandpa about something, because he suddenly got so nervous. I hope I did the right thing by leaving the room. I wonder if he's going to ask.....? Wow. Cool. I hope so, although I had better prepare myself for when Mom freaks out, IF she freaks out. Who knows, maybe this time will be different. For Luke's sake I sure hope so."

While Rory was lost in her thoughts and Emily and Lorelai spoke in the kitchen, Richard looked at Luke and said, "So, you love my daughter?"

"Uhh, yes sir. I do." Luke replied nervously.

"Good. That will make this easy. I am happy for her and I am happy for you that she was able to tell you how she felt. I wasn't sure that she would the last time she was here, but I see that she must have and I am proud of her. It takes maturity to admit when one is wrong.

Luke wasn't quite sure what to say, after Richard had spoken. He felt nervous and queasy. He had something on his mind and he was sure Richard could sense his hesitation.

"Richard, there is something I have been meaning to talk to you about......"

Sorry guys. You will just have to wait for the next chapter to see how this goes. Don't you love the suspense?