Disclaimer: in my own little imaginary world I own the Gilmore girls and this wonderful creation called Luke Danes, but since this is real life, I do not own any of the characters I'm using for this crazy fiction. Which is very sad because who wouldn't want to be the owner of shirtless Luke.
New guy Luke

CHAPTER 16

Wednesday came in a hurry, I guess it was because I wished it would never come. Rory is still convinced that I am paranoid and that everything will be fine. But I know Emily.

At six pm he was standing outside my door wearing a black suit and a black tie. His power suit was sure powerful because it managed to send giant waves of heat through my body.

He looked hot. There was really no other word I could come up with that would do justice to how good he looked. And he was shaved, which was very important, even though I loved the feel of his stubbles against my cheek.

"You look beautiful" he said and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek "where's Rory?"

"Rory is here" Rory said from behind me

"Hey" he said

"Is that your power suit?" she asked him

"Well, it's a suit… I hope your grandmother will approve"

I watched them interact and all I did was stare at him. I guess you could say I was lost for words.

"Are you girls ready?" he asked "Lorelai?" he touched my hand pulling me out of my thoughts

"Huh?"

"Are you ready to leave?" he asked again

"Yeah, sure… lets huh… lets go" I babbled

The ride was short. Every thing is short when you're worried. Time flies by when you want it to go slow.

We took the jeep. I told him I want to drive and he didn't mind. The truth is I didn't want my mom to see his truck. I know I'm wrong to try make him look better then he seems because after all I am comfortable with who he is so why try to make him look different.

In one word – Emily. Well it could be two words – the Gilmores. My father isn't very different from my mother. They had a mutual opinion about who I should be with and why.

We arrived at the house at 7 sharp. The ride to Hartford was quite. Luke noticed I was nervous and whenever we stopped at a red light he brushed his hand on my thigh and smiled when I looked at him. His smile, God it was sweet.

"Hallo everyone" Emily said welcoming us in "Rory dear, you look lovely. Lorelai… Luke, nice to see you again"

"You too Mrs. Gilmore"

"Well come in don't stand in the hall" she gestured "Rory, I'm sure your father would be very happy to see you"

Evil I looked at Rory who saw my expression and whispered in her ear "pure evil"

She didn't answer and followed her grandmother to the main room. I took Luke's hand and we followed them as well "this is gonna be a long night, make sure you get to the alcohol as soon as humanly possible" I said and he just smiled trying to calm me down.

"Lorelai" Chris said standing near my mother well if they like each other why don't they go out together… I thought before saying "Chris hi, this is Luke"

I watched as they exchanged hallo and squeezed Luke's hand a little and he looked at me "you don't have to squeeze it you know, I'm fine" he whispered in my ear, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and wiped a little of the lipstick mark I left there.

My dad came to welcome us and we all said happy birthday. He was in a good mood which was a little odd if you ask me.

Rory was soon talking to her dad in the end of the room. I guess apologizing for her behavior the last time she saw him. They looked like it was all good between them.

As for Luke and me, we were sitting far from everyone. "You see, everything is ok… I told you not to worry"

"The night is young my friend… do not underestimate the Gilmore power and tact"

"Stop worrying"

"Ok, fine… I'm glad you're here"

"Me too"

Dinner was served right on time. I would expect nothing less when Emily is in charge. Rory sat by her dad and I sat next to Luke. For the life of me I cant understand why she invited him, he is not family. if she invited him why not his parents? Well I could go on asking my self why but I will never get into Emily's head, it's too difficult.

"So Luke" Emily said and I thought oh, boy… here we go "what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a carpenter" Luke answered

"How nice, does it pay well?" my dad asked

"Dad!"

"What Lorelai? It's a legitimate question"

"Yes, it pays well Mr. Gilmore, if you're good and if you have costumers"

"Well, every job pays well if you have costumers. Do you have your own business or do you work for someone?"

"I have a workshop. It's my business I guess"

"Very well"

"That's quite a mach, you're a carpenter, and she works at a diner…"

"I run the place mother"

"Yes, I suppose you do…"

She is evil that's all I could say in my head. For some reason I couldn't find a word that would describe her quite like evil.

"What's your problem mother?" I shot at her

"I just think you are wasting your time in this town, you can be so much more"

"You mean like you. To sit around all day and go shopping for things I don't need just because I can… well let me tell you something mother, I hate this life, and I ran away years ago for that reason"

"Don't use that tone with me Lorelai"

"Don't patronize me mother. I can say what ever I want… you just want me to marry a rich guy and be like you… sorry, I love my life. You just go on living yours as you like and leave me to live mine as I choose"

"You think you are happy now? Imagine how happier you'd be when you have someone to provide for you and your daughter"

"I do my best to provide for her and we are both happy. Rory has everything she needs"

"Yes. Except her tuition"

"I can't believe you'd go waving it like this. I thanked you more then once for this money"

"If you'd marry someone appropriate then you wouldn't even bother asking for this money now would you"

"If you'll excuse me, I believe dinner is over"

I got up and left the table to go outside for some fresh air. 2 minutes later I felt Luke's hand in mine from behind me. I turned to look at him and our lips met for a passionate lingering kiss. Seems that we took every chance we got to let our tongues party.

His hands were on each of my cheeks which were burning with anger. Mine were on his waist holding on to his jacket. We just stood there for a while kissing till we needed air.

We broke the kiss but none of us talked, we just looked deeply into each other's eyes. It was intense, like we both wanted to say something but there was no need to say anything because we both knew even without words.

We knew how we felt for each other. We knew that even Emily's words couldn't untie this string that one end of it was connected to my heart and the other end to his. We were unbreakable. That's how I felt that night when we stood there, facing each other.

Hand in hand we leaned in and rested our heads against each other's forehead. I closed my eyes and inhaled the sent of the night mixed with Luke's smell. After the deep breath I took I leaned back and opened my eyes to meet his

"You were great in there" he said

I smiled

"Anytime you want to go just tell me, I'm with you"

I let out a small laugh "you can't wait to got outta here huh"

"You got me there"

"I'm sorry for making you come, I should've told her that you were dead or something…"

"Going out of town wouldn't be enough huh… you just had to kill me…"

I kissed him one more time, slowly this time.

"I'm glad you came though… you are my strength" I said when we parted our lips

"And you are mine"

"Mom" we heard Rory come out of the house towards us

"Hey babe"

"Are you having a moment? I could go back inside"

"No" I laughed "its ok… how's everything in there?"

"Cooler… you can come back in now…"

"Good, good"

I walked back inside the house with my daughter at my side and holding Luke's hand. All the guests looked at us as we stood in the entrance. I felt Luke squeeze my hand a little and we shared a smile.

Luke and I sat at the end of the room again with Rory. We talked for a while and then Rory went to talk to her grandfather.

"So, are you feeling better?" Luke asked

"I don't know… I'm still shocked she brought up Rory's school like that. I mean, in front of all the guests… how could she…?"

"Forget it, from what I've seen they are fine about this money, I can tell they care about Rory, even your mom knows she's doing it for Rory and not for you"

"Yeah, but still… it doesn't change the fact that she takes advantage of every free moment to embarrass me and judge me for not marrying a rich guy"

"To be honest, I feel sorry for her if she thinks that money is the most important thing in the world"

"She does, and I feel sorry for her too. But she chose this life, it's all she knows, I didn't like it so I ran away…"

"Yeah… good thing you did… I can't imagine you in a fancy looking house with all the luxuries"

"So you like me in diner cloths?"

"I like you in my cloths but let's keep it between us"

"I can't believe you made a dirty reference"

"I can't believe you didn't say dirty"

"Dirty"

"I saw that coming"

After he kissed my hand I saw my mother looking at us and then turning away. God, I have this feeling inside… I swear she's planning something, but what? This is killing me, I have to get outta here

"I need a drink" I said

"Here, let me get that for you" Luke jumped

"Ok, thanks"

As I was watching Luke walk away, I felt a hand on my shoulder from behind "hey Lor"

"Chris" I replied dryly

He sat next to me and took my hand. I pulled back from him "what are you doing?"

"Lor, I need you to hear me out now ok" he said and went down on his knees in front of me "you know that I've always loved you"

"Chris, what the hell are you doing? get up"

"And I know you love me too, how can you not, we've been through so much together and we have the most amazing kid in the world"

I smiled at the thought of Rory

"And I know that if you'd let me I can make you the happiest woman in the world" he took a ring out of his jacket

I looked up to where Luke went just a minute ago but couldn't find him. I got scared Luke, damn it don't run on me now… I knew this would happen

"that's very nice Chris… very nice…" I said angrily "who helped you pick the ring my mother? And who paid for it, my father? Cause I know you're broke… I know because you couldn't even by your daughter a book… did they know you were broke before they helped you propose? Huh… did you know that mother?" I raised my voiced and looked at her

"and who did you hire to write this great speech? Shakespeare? Wow… you must really think little of me if you think this would get me to say yes… and what was that about we've been through so much together… where were you when she was crying every night? Or when she took her first step? Or when she cried because everyone at school had a dad and hers was off playing the next Bill Gates? Where were you then Chris? Answer me… I can't believe you would do something like this…" I got up and so did he

"Lor wait"

"No Chris… you went too far this time all three of you… I get it now… its ok when I'm alone… but when I meet someone who makes me so happy someone even my kid likes then you have to make it all go away because he doesn't fit your stupid standards… well I'm through… I'm outta here, and I'm not coming back mother, you hear me? I'm not coming back ever again because I've had it with you and you can wave that Chilton money all you want… the truth is I'd rather go ask for money from the first stranger I see in the street then come to you but this one was for Rory… so you just remember that every time you wave that money like you did tonight you hurt Rory not me… now if you will excuse me I'll let my self out"

And with that I left, to look for Luke.

I went outside to look for him but he wasn't there. I found him sitting near the gate.

"Luke" I walked over to him

He didn't look at me

"Luke" I said again and kneeled in front of him "look at me"

He did, but didn't say anything

"Why did you leave me alone in there?"

"From where I was standing you weren't alone"

"Luke don't be like this. You know I had nothing to do with it"

"You should say yes"

"What?" I was in shock

"He's Rory's dad, it's the right thing to do. And you'll even have your parents blessing"

"I don't care about my parents… Luke come on lets go home"

"You go… I called a taxi"

"What? Luke come on why are you being like this?"

"Don't you get it…? They will never accept me… and they are right, I'm not good enough for you, I can't give you everything you need"

"But I don't need anything Luke you know that. Don't you know how happy you make me? Don't you know how good I feel with you? You are my strength" I said and felt my tears coming down

"Don't make this harder then it already is, please Lorelai… I made up my mind… I'm gonna go… you should say yes, and let Rory have a real family like she deserves" he stood up

"Don't make this decision for me Luke please… I need you" I tried to reach for his hand but he took a step back

"I'm sorry, I can't put you in this position where you have to choose between me or your parents or Rory's dad"

"I don't want Rory's dad" I barely let out through the tears

The taxi the showed up and he walked away

"Luke, don't do this… please… I love you"

He stopped on his track but after a moment he went into the cab and drove away

I stood there looking at the cab driving away, unable to stop my crying. I felt like a part of my heart just burst out of my chest. I guess it was the string, it snapped. Luke was gone.

"Mom" Rory came and held me when she realized I was crying too hard to speak

"Let's go home mom, I took our things… come on, I'll drive"

Rory put me to bed that night. I don't remember how or when, I just remember crying too much. And Rory, sweet Rory, I remember seeing her lying next to me before I fell asleep.

And just like always, she was by my side.

I know I promised no drama, but I had to do something. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Especially for reviewing because that's how I get my motivation.

Thank you ASP for Lucas Danes. Thank you for every rant, every word, every look and every smile. Thank you for making him grumpy, cranky, moody, sad, sexy and sweet. And finely, thank you for casting this amazingly beautiful and sexy man for this great role.

This line – its mine! And ASP's… but that's beside the point.

GO GO GET to review because your review is what keeps me going.

############ No sack of potatoes needed here.