I own nothing. If I did, we would have Luke and Lorelai 24/7!!

This is just a little speculation about the date. It's spoilerish so if you are of the unspoiled species, go no further!!!

Total speculation while we are waiting for the wonderful way that ASP will spin this!!!

Casual But Special, Easy For Him To Say!

Lorelai walked out of her bathroom, her damp curls falling over the collar of her light summer robe. She had forgotten all about the mess she had left on her bed. Half of her closet was strewn across it, a huge mix of casual and not so casual clothing. It's entirely his fault she thought but she smiled anyway. She was thinking of Luke of course, sweet, handsome and sexy man that he is. Who would have thought after all of these years that she would spend almost all of her waking moments thinking of him.....and most of her sleeping moments as well.

She had stopped at the diner at lunch time and he had mentioned taking her to dinner. He certainly knew the way to her heart this man. When she had asked the time and place, he had smiled secretly and just said he would pick her up at six. Trying to find out more she had asked how she should dress. He continued his smirk and just said casual would be fine. He knew what she was doing and told her she would never guess but then had added it was kind of a special place to him.

So now her dilemma – how to you dress casually for a special place? She had tried on all sorts of combinations but none seemed quite right. They were either too dressy or just too darn casual. She would not call him and ask...he would just laugh at her indecision over his small comment. They had been dating a while but she was still just a tad unsure about where it was going. Well, not really but....

So far everything seemed to be perfect. They hadn't slept together or said those magic words (where they magic, really?). It wasn't as if they had planned the not sleeping together thing. It just never seemed to work out. Every time they got close and thought it might really happen life had gotten in the way. You would think that two people approaching forty could find enough time to have an intimate encounter especially since they both seemed to want it so much. But the timing was always wrong or someone interrupted them or Luke or she had to go to work.

Lorelai set about hanging the tangle of clothes back in her closet. On the bottom of the pile she found her favorite jeans or she should say his favorite jeans. He loved the way they were tight across her butt but hung low on her hips as well. He could run his hands down low on her back when they kissed and fell the softness of her skin. And he could also run his hands down the front and gently feel the softness of her stomach there. She smiled at the thought of his touch, those fabulous hands and what they could do to her. If his hands could make her feel that way she could only imagine what else he could do....if they ever got the chance.

She walked to her dresser and pulled out fresh under wear, her new pink bra and matching lacy bikinis. She had bought them on a whim after he had said he liked her in pink. After disguarding her robe, she slipped them on and checked herself in the mirror. Maybe she should just greet him at the door like this. Just get if over with, right here before dinner, before anything or anyone got in the way. She smiled at that thought. Wouldn't he be surprised? Probably not but she could see the eye roll now. But he was a man after all, a thoroughly deprived man at that. She laughed and looked over at the jeans and then grabbed them and quickly pulled them on. She looked at herself again in the mirror and sighed. And then she remembered the shopping trip with her mom. They had eaten in the food court at the mall and Lorelai had paid. So Emily had insisted that she let her buy her something in return. Lorelai wasn't sure what she needed for fall but fell instantly in love with some cute cotton sweaters. Her favorite had a scooped neck and three quarter length sleeves and was a lovely deep shade of pink (would she ever stop thinking endlessly of this man?). So Emily had snatched it up and another slightly different one in a deep burgundy because she thought it would look great with Lorelai's dark hair.

Lorelai pulled the sweater out of the drawer and held it up to her body, perfect. She slipped into it and loved the way it looked, finally special but casual. She touched her lips with lipstick; the non smearing kind that was so useful now, and misted her neck with cologne....the one he loved the most. She was slowly turning into one of 'those' women and she secretly loved it. Lorelai loved seeing his smiling face and loved knowing she was the reason for it.

She was hobbling down the steps pulling on her shoes when the door bell rang. She had told him a hundred times to just walk in but he always rang the bell. Luke said he loved to catch his first glance of her when she opened the door. He thought it just wouldn't be the same if he just happened in on her. The real reason, she knew, was because there was no middle ground with their attraction. If he wandered in while she was getting dressed, well, she would never get dressed at all. He was a very strange man with atypical male ideas....well sometimes.

Lorelai opened the door and there he stood with a huge fall mum, the football type. She smiled and had an immediate flashback to earlier football seasons when those things were so popular. He smiled and handed it to her. "I saw this at the florist and thought about fall and football and how all the girls in high school loved getting these. I just wanted to do that for you. You make me feel like I'm in high school again and courting the girl I have a crush on."

Lorelai giggled a little and knew exactly what he was trying to say. He followed her into the kitchen while she found a vase and plopped the flower into it with some water. She turned to him and gently wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him not so gently. His hands went around her waist and he kissed her not so gently back. She pulled away slightly and just said, "Hi Butch and thanks."

Luke actually did the eye roll and said 'hi' back and mumbled something about 'hating that name'. Lorelai laughed and pulled him in for another kiss so he would forget she had called him that. It worked and soon they were both lost in an intense wonderful lip lock. Lorelai murmured something about 'skipping dinner' and just going for dessert but that made Luke pull away.

"No way. I have tonight all planned and..."

"Okay spoil sport, Mr. Spontaneity guy you aren't."

"Not right now but later, if you're good, maybe..."

"Yeah, yeah. You look great by the way, casual but special." She winked as she took in his tight jeans and dark blue sweater. It was her favorite color on him because it brought out the intense color in his eyes.

Luke held the door open for her and had to give her a little push to make her leave. He made sure the door was locked behind them. Lorelai smiled as she approached his truck, he always opened the door for her. She couldn't resist a remark. "It's just not the same when I don't have a skirt on, huh?"

He reddened a little not really surprised that she knew he liked to check out her legs. They had discussed many times how he was definitely a leg and breast man. They had also discussed what she liked to check out and it was not nearly as innocent as legs or even breasts.

Luke climbed in the truck beside her and started the ignition. She tuned the radio to a station she liked and rested her hand on his thigh. He loved that and he hated it. Some times it was just too damn distracting.

"So where are we off too?"

"A little place I know."

As they drove away from Stars Hollow and out into the country Lorelai's curiosity got the best of her. "Luke you know I like you and I think you like me a little bit too. So if you are taking me out into the country to get rid of the body, well, you don't have to. I can take it. Just tell me you don't want to see me any more. You have found another girl to not have sex with. I will understand."

Luke laughed at the no sex part. It was so true with the two of them He was beginning to think it was never going to happen. Between their two jobs and other interruptions, there was never enough time to have a proper intimate moment. They had come so close so many times just to run into one roadblock after another.

"Very funny, I'm not taking you to the country to dump the body. Although under different circumstances maybe..."

"Not funny."

Luke laughed and she stuck out her patented pouty lip. "No pouting, you know I can't take it when you do that."

She smiled, "Yeah, I do know."

Luke pulled into the parking lot of a strange looking building out in the middle of nowhere. The parking lot was surprisingly full and from the outside it exuded warmth.

Luke walked around and opened her door. Lorelai took a closer look at the outside of the place. There was something strangely familiar about it but she didn't know what.

Luke leaned into her and said, "It used to be a place of ill repute."

Lorelai pretended shock, "Where single men came when they got there hard earned paycheck for a little 'relief'?"

Luke laughed and shook his head. "Single and not so single."

"And so close to Stars Hollow too. Suppose Taylor had anything to do with this?"

"Rumor is that Taylor's dad ran it."

"No!"

"Not really, just wanted to get you going."

Lorelai tried to push him away but he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the door.

"You're not going to sign me up are you? Cause really Luke I'm not that good."

"Lorelai that was decades ago. Now it's just a great little restaurant. Come on you'll see." He opened the door for her but whispered in her ear. "Guess the other thing remains to be seen."

Lorelai feigned innocence and walked through the door. She was surprised at the warm and friendly atmosphere they walked into. And by the cute older couple that greeted him like a long lost friend as they walked further into the dining room.

"Lucas! Long time no see my boy." The man grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically.

The woman bypassed the handshake and just went in for a huge friendly hug. Which was scary because Luke was huge compared to her and Lorelai was afraid he would smother the small woman.

"Ah, Lucas, so good to see you and you brought someone."

The older couple eyed Lorelai but seemingly approved. As Luke introduced her, she was greeted by warm hugs from both of them.

"Lorelai this is Mazie and her husband Buddy. They run this place, have for years."

"Nice to meet you. This seems like a really nice place." She had felt amazing warmth in their hugs.

Buddy spoke up, "Well, let us know after you've tried the food. Glad to meet you Lorelai. We've heard so much about you over the years."

Lorelai looked at Luke questioningly.

"Lucas never brings his girls here. You must be special." Mazie added, "This calls for the best table in the house." The woman led them to a private table in a somewhat darkened corner. "No prying eyes here."

Buddy pulled the seat out for Lorelai as Mazie headed towards the bar. "I think this occasion calls for champagne."

Luke spoke up, "No Mazie really, we are more beer kind of people."

"Nonsense, only the best for our Lucas and his special girl." Mazie continued on and soon returned with two glasses and a large bottle of their best champagne. "You two lovebirds enjoy and I'll be back to take your dinner order." She winked at Luke and added, "But not too soon."

Lorelai looked at Luke when she walked away, "So they know you?"

"Yeah, well long story, but to make it short, they're old friends of my parents. They were young marrieds together. And when my folks both passed on, well, they have been keeping tabs on me ever sense." Then he added softly, "For my parents."

"That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard. And I thought I knew all about you, Lucas."

Luke rolled his eyes at her reference and poured the champagne. He lifted his glass and touched hers and just said "to us and the future, whatever it may bring". They drank a little to satisfy the older couple who seemed to be watching their every move.

Mazie and Buddy were watching the couple. Mazie whispered to her husband, "I think he's finally found what he's been looking for all these years."

Buddy answered, "It's about time. She's a beauty that one."

Mazie gave him a little nudge but couldn't help agreeing. And also thinking the outer beauty was just a small part of Luke's attraction to this woman.

Luke put his glass down and started to get up. He whispered in her ear, "I'm going to get a beer, want one?"

She smiled up at him and nodded her head. She watched him make his way to the bar and Buddy who was standing behind it.

"Okay, the champagne was nice. Romantic touch and all, but really beer would be just fine."

Buddy handed him two beers. "Ah, you know Mazie, big romantic at heart." Buddy nodded towards Luke's table. "She is a beauty Luke. You're a very lucky man indeed."

"I didn't have anything to do with it. But she is beautiful isn't she?"

Buddy had never seen Luke so besotted before.

"Yep, and you picked her my boy."

"I'm just thankful she picked me in return. If she only knew how scared I was..."

Buddy laughed. "That's the way it's supposed to be my boy. The best ones, the ones that are worth all the trouble, always keep us quaking in our boots."

Luke laughed at how true that statement was. He saw Mazie talking to Lorelai and made his way back toward the table to rescue her.

Mazie sat down a basket of assorted breads and rolls in the center of the table. She then handed Lorelai a menu and dropped one on the other side of the table.

"You've got a good one."

Lorelai smiled up at her and whispered, "I know, probably the best."

Mazie smiled and knew at that moment that this beautiful woman truly had feelings for 'their' boy. Over the years whenever Luke had mentioned the name of Lorelai, well, he had sort of taken on a certain softness, a warm glow. They loved to tease him about this mysterious female'friend' of his but Luke always ignored their comments. He would just say, "She's just a friend, a very good friend." or "We're the only two sane people in that crazy town." and sometimes "She's about my age and we seem to be able to talk or argue about anything." Occasionally there had been rants about that crazy woman but Mazie had quickly seen through that.

Mazie never said anything but thought that for such a smart young man he could be awfully dense sometimes. She told Lorelai she would be back later to take their order. "Take your time choosing. Luke can answer all of your questions. He's had about everything on the menu." And with that she walked away.

Luke smiled at the older woman as he sat down, placing the beers on the table.

Lorelai smiled warmly at Luke and said, "Mazie said you could answer all of my questions.....about the menu."

Luke smiled and hoped their wouldn't be too many questions to answer about the menu or what might happen next.

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