Ok folks, the wait is finally over! Now, allow yourself to be transported once more to the enchanting Alaska – where dreams really do come true! P.S: More Reviews Make For Sweeter Dreams!!
...So there they were, and there they stood, desperately trying to make sense of it all. Lorelai and Luke, Luke and Lorelai – gosh their names sounded good together. So much had happened in the last twenty minutes, it was hard to get one's head around it.
Luke alleviated the silence, perhaps prematurely, "Lorelai...I, well I – I'm sorry." He instantly regretted the words as they departed his mouth.
Lorelai was incredibly confused. She wondered aloud, "Why are you apologizing? Is there...is there something wrong?"
Luke was tired of darting around the issue. The only way to resolve their concerns was to approach the subject directly. "Lorelai, I'm not apologizing – I mean, I am. – Oh hell...we kissed!" That was indeed direct.
Lorelai was startled by Luke's forwardness. For a split second, she forgot herself and spoke completely from the heart. She was taking Luke's lead "We did – we did kiss...and it was a great kiss – amazingly great!" She smiled as she spoke, yet her tone was quite serious.
Luke couldn't hide his smile either. "It was amazing...beyond amazing!" Luke paused briefly to admire Lorelai's reaction, then continued earnestly, "But – it... well the timing, and Nicole – I mean..."
Finally it hit her - like a ton of bricks. Oh god, what about Nicole? Luke was still rambling on about something, but Lorelai was far too consumed with thoughts of Nicole and feelings of guilt to even acknowledge him.
Luke continued, despite recognizing Lorelai's obvious distraction. "Nicole had no right to say the things she said – to behave so irrationally...it just reinforces my questions about our relationship." He was on a tangent; no sense stopping him now, "We've grown apart somehow. Things started out great mind you, but she just became so possessive and jealous – always accusing and never accepting what was right in front of her." Luke was completely draining himself of emotions. He had most definitely surpassed his word limit of the day. "I guess...I, well – I guess I'm guilty of the same thing..." now he was struggling to find the words, "I never accepted what was right in front of me either...all these years – I never accepted the possibility of you, of us – together...until now," he was of course referring to Lorelai and he looked at her expectantly.
Lorelai was suddenly interested in Luke's endless babble. She caught just enough to know that she had caught too much. "Luke, we can't do this now...we both need time to think – let's just think about things first." She was being rather adult about this.
Luke knew Lorelai was right. He wasn't being fair to Nicole – he needed to face her like a man and explain his true feelings. "You're right Lorelai. I have to go take care of some things – but I really want to see you again, tonight..." Luke was interrupted by the sound of an "Unchained Melody" echoing from the ballroom. The party had officially started as the orchestra lit up the stage. This particular song had always been a favourite of his, though he would never admit it.
Lorelai too was entranced by the music. She wanted so desperately to dance – and it didn't help that Luke was standing conveniently close by, with that hair, and that face... and that body. This may have been her only opportunity to dance all evening, and she seized it.
Time seemed to stand still for a brief moment, as Luke and Lorelai naturally gravitated toward each other. They held one another close, swaying gently to the music.
"Lorelai," Luke whispered in her ear, his warm breath awakening her soul, "Promise me something..." he waited in anticipation for her answer.
"Anything," she blissfully sighed.
"Meet me on the Captain's deck at midnight." The Captain's Deck was the top deck of the ship, where the arctic air was chilling and the sunsets were plentiful.
"Alright," she agreed, a little quickly I might add.
"Aren't you going to ask why?" Even Luke thought she was hasty in her decision. Lorelai returned him a sly glance – that's all it took. He continued, "If either of us doesn't show, then we'll forget that any of this ever happened and go on with our lives as normal." Luke knew that he would be there, with God as his witness.
"Ooooh how very "An Affair To Remember" – so midnight it is." Lorelai knew that she would be there.
Luke grinned at her reference. "Just don't pull a 'Deborah Kerr' on me!" he was quite serious. And by the way, it was very impressive that Luke recognized Lorelai's reference in the first place!
"You can pull a 'Cary Grant' on me any day!" Lorelai devilishly countered. Luke smiled again; he was doing that a lot lately.
The song had officially ended several minutes prior to the conclusion of their conversation. With one last sway, they reluctantly separated. Luke winked at her as she departed the balcony and reacquainted herself with the ballroom.
Until midnight then...
Aargh! I hate to end things there – but alas, I must! The next chapter is already in the works and believe me, it's a dandy!! – Stay tuned!
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