Previously in False Starts:

"Luke!" Lorelai's feet slapped through puddles.

"Lorelai?" Luke squinted against the rain as it bounced off the shoulders of his green jacket. "You're soaked!"

"You can't leave!" She cried over the downpour.

"Why the hell not?" Luke opened his door but Lorelai grabbed his arm so he was forced to face her.

"Because you can't—I—I love you!" Luke let go of the door and caught her in a tight embrace, his wet lips meeting hers, their soaked clothes sticking together.

Part 12

They felt ready to finally let the town know, to let them in on their little secret but decided to wait until Rory came home. The night before, she called from London. "Mom! I'll be home tomorrow! What do you have planned?"

Lorelai laughed, a sense of relief washing over her. This didn't sound like the Rory that had left Stars Hollow a couple months before, this sounded like the Rory that was thrilled to come home from school and spend time with her mom, the Rory Lorelai had known for almost 19 years.

"Well, Luke and I want to talk to you about something when you get here."

Rory was quiet for a second. "Are you engaged?"

"God no!" Lorelai glanced at Luke, who was right beside her on the couch, wondering how much he could hear. Luke bit his tongue to keep from laughing and Lorelai slapped him on the arm. "We have plenty of time for....all those things," she continued vaguely, throwing Luke a look. "We'll tell you when you get here. It's nothing huge, we just want to talk to you about it in person."

"Alright," Rory said a bit warily. "Um, one other thing. If you're bringing Luke to the airport, you should expect--"

"Emily," Lorelai put a hand to her head. She hadn't even considered that.

"She knows."

"What!? How?"

"She broke me!" Rory admitted. "She overheard me say something about Luke when we talked last and she kept asking me questions about it. Just so you're prepared."

"Alright. Well I can be adult about this. We can tell her. No big deal." She noticed Luke giving her a wide-eyed look across the room.

"Really?" Rory sounded shocked. "Wow, mom."

Lorelai walked into the kitchen. "Your advice got me over the edge. I'm totally fine with everything."

"Wow," Rory breathed again. "I guess you don't have anything to worry about then."

"Nope, just excited about seeing you!"

"Oh me too! I'm not going to be able to sleep at all on the plane."

"Luke and I will be there to pick you up. Flight 162 from Heathrow right? Gate 43?"

"Yeah, that's right. Good night mom!"

"Night Rory." She put the telephone back on its stand and walked back into the living room.

Luke looked nervous as he sat on the couch. "So your mom's going to be there tomorrow right?"

"Yeah," Lorelai sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't even think about that. It'll be okay. I think she kind of likes you."

"I guess we'll see." Luke didn't look too reassured. "It's just...I was nervous enough about Rory coming back. She may have to adjust to things a little."

A huge smile spread across Lorelai's face. "That is so sweet. I'm sure Rory will be fine with everything though. It's not like she's not used to seeing you."

"But I'm on her turf. I'm taking you away from her. I'm in your house. It might seem a little odd at first."

"Really, Luke. I'm sure it'll be fine." She leaned over and he wrapped his arms around her, placing his chin on her head. "As long as she knows I'm happy. Did you hear what she said on the phone?" Lorelai could feel Luke shaking with laughter. "I'll take that as a yes. It's not funny!"

Luke pulled back from her, a grin spread across his face, his eyes twinkling. "Oh it is a little funny, you have to admit."

"Luke!" Lorelai was astonished at his behavior. She knew he wasn't going to make huge gestures of how he felt about her, but this was real life, it wasn't a chick flick and the gestures he did make were enough and were heart-felt. "So you don't think...?" She trailed off, realizing she was on dangerous ground.

Luke smiled at her. "You're gorgeous," he whispered suddenly, pulling her towards him again. A minute later he added, "And yes, someday." Lorelai pulled herself up and kissed him longingly on the lips.

"I win." She smiled at him.

"Yes, you always win, Lorelai." He grinned back at her.

"Shit! We're telling my mother!" Lorelai declared the next day, en route to the airport in her Jeep.

"And the town," Luke said calmly.

"But my mother. Oh geez, she'll get all smarmy and know-it-all like. And I will have ketchup as a bouquet! And those damn Romanovs! I hate Russians!"

"I'm Russian," Luke deadpanned.

"No, you're not!"

"No, I'm not. What the hell are you talking about?" For a second, Lorelai contemplated asking him if he remembered her mother asking him about the Romanovs. Instead she looked at him and smiled.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"That's debatable." Lorelai shook his head Luke looked proud of himself.

"So...ya nervous?"

"Ah geez, Lorelai." Luke gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. "Thanks for reminding me."

She squeezed his shoulder. "I'll be right next to you, looking like an idiot."

"What should I call your mom? And should I hug Rory? Or what?" A smile pulled at Lorelai's lips as she watched Luke worry.

"Hug her. And you can call her Emily or ma'am or High Priestess or whatever you want."

Luke loosened a little. "Alright, thanks."

Lorelai drummed her fingers on her leg. Luke eyed her and she noticed. "Don't! Say anything." She flicked on the radio, pressing Luke's preset buttons. "Gah, we're gonna get you some music education. NPR and oldies, really?" Lorelai giggled. "I bet you had a crush on Nina Totenberg."

"Remind why I'm doing this again?"

"You love me," Lorelai gloated. "You want to throw on me on that counter of yours, Grey Poupon be damned and--"

"Dirty," Luke chuckled. Lorelai gasped and bounced in her seat.

"You said it! You did!" She pointed at him and laughed for a minute.

Luke tried not to smile. "Calm down. We're almost there."

"Crap," Lorelai pouted.

"Aren't you excited about seeing Rory?"

Lorelai sighed. "Yes, about as much as you're scared shitless right now."

"Lorelai," Luke rolled his eyes as they pulled in the parking garage.

"You'll be great," she kissed him quickly. "Plus, I like you, they have no choice in the matter."

They only had to wait a few minutes at the gate before passengers began to file off the plane. Lorelai and Rory seemed to spot each other at the same time. Lorelai's grip on Luke's wrist tightened as she called and waved. "Rory!"

"Mom!" Rory's eyes lit up in response and a moment later Lorelai was almost tackled by her daughter. "Hey, hey!" She smiled. As Rory broke apart from her mom, her arms automatically reached out for Luke and although he was surprised for a second, he bent and gave Rory a hug, earning an even bigger smile from Lorelai. While they were reuniting, Luke noticed Emily watching a few feet away. And she noticed him too.

"Hello, Luke. How are you doing?"

"Just fine, Mrs. Gilmore. How was your trip?"

"Lovely, thanks for asking. And you may call me Emily."

"Hey mom," Lorelai turned, an arm around Rory. She slipped her other hand into Luke's. "I brought Luke because, well, we're dating."

Emily nodded, no expression on her face. "That's wonderful. I'm glad to hear it."

"Really?" Lorelai asked, unbelieving.

"Of course." A slight smile escaped onto Emily's lips. "How long?"

"About three months," Lorelai nodded.

"Oh. Well in that case Luke you're certainly invited to the next Friday night dinner. It was nice seeing you again."

"You too," Luke nodded and watched as she said goodbye to Rory.

"Wow, Friday night dinner, that'll be good." Lorelai teased.

"Yeah you're already part of the family." Rory giggled as they head toward the baggage claim.

"Very funny."

"Poor Luke," Rory sympathized.

"Yeah, he's only had to put up with me. Now there's two of us."

"I can handle it." Luke replied, pulling Lorelai in for a kiss on the cheek. Rory pretended not to watch but smiled to herself.

"You look amazing, babe," Lorelai held her daughter at arm's length while they waited for her luggage to appear.

"Really? I don't feel that different." She looked down at herself.

"You are," Lorelai hugged her again. In the best way possible, she thought.

"Oh! That's mine!" She exclaimed, starting to reach for the huge bag.

"Here, I'll get it," Luke grabbed the bag easily.

"Thanks Luke."

"No problem. Come on, you two. If you're good I'll take you out for dinner."

"Alright."

"Ooh," Rory smiled as she walked by her mom's side, noticing Luke's hand in Lorelai's.