Chapter Eight

"Finally." As Luke and Lorelai settled on the sofa, Rory handed Luke a large gift and Lorelai a smaller one.

"It will become quickly evident that I didn't have much time to shop this year. But I hope you like these….you two are really hard to buy for."

"Ah, honey, I'm sure we will love whatever you picked out."

"Rory, you really didn't have to get me anything." But Luke smiled as he pulled a Yale sweatshirt out of his box. "Hey, cool, thanks."

Lorelai pulled a coffee mug out of her package. She read, "Yale University Mom. Perfect babe, thanks. I don't have to tell you that I will put this to good use."

Rory handed her a bigger box. Lorelai gave it a shake and then tore into the paper. "Flannel….cute." Lorelai pulled out flannel sleep pants with Yale in large letters across the butt and a solid color tee shirt that matched. "Sexy, huh Luke? I have my very own flannel."

"Guess the rest of my shirts are safe." Luke laughed as he handed Rory a small box.

Rory opened it and gasped, "Oh, pretty." She let the box fall away as she pulled out a beaded bracelet.

"Liz made it. It's lapis and pewter."

"I love it Luke, thank you." Rory stood to give him a quick hug.

Lorelai smiled and squeezed Luke's leg. "This guy really knows how to pick great jewelry." She looked down at her ring. "Did you notice my ring?"

"I saw it before you did mom."

"Uh, not fair. You knew?"

Rory smiled, "I knew."

Luke shyly smiled, pleased that Rory really seemed to like her gift, pleased that Lorelai seemed enthralled with her ring even though it wasn't a diamond.

Luke grabbed two boxes for Lorelai. She took them eagerly and carefully opened them. She started giggly hysterically when she saw the two books.

Rory smiled but didn't get it; Luke giving her mom reference books.

"Ah, Luke." Lorelai gave him a hug and noticed Rory's puzzled look.

"Little inside joke."

"Is it dirty?"

"Not dirty, just funny. Luke and I were having a little discussion about the way he used a word….he gave me a definition….I called him Mr. Webster. Then I made a smart remark back and he referred to the conversation being about the new word of the day….nevermind, guess you had to be there."

Rory remarked, "Guess so." But she loved how much of a love match they were.

Lorelai found a few boxes for Luke. He smiled as she handed them to him and gave her hand a small squeeze. Luke opened the first box and found a watch.

"I told the guy at the store I needed a rugged watch for a rugged guy. He said this was the best….you can even scuba dive while you're wearing it."

Luke laughed, "Yeah, I do a lot of diving around Stars Hollow. This is great Lorelai. And I really needed a new one."

"I've noticed."

Luke opened the next one and found a deep blue sweater. He smiled and remarked, "Love the color."

"Really? Cause I wasn't sure. You don't usually wear sweaters but this one matches your eyes."

Luke handed her a similar box. She opened it and found a deep blue sweater, practically the same color. She smiled and understood his reaction.

"I thought it matched your eyes."

Rory rolled her eyes, "You too are just too cute for words."

"Shut up and open the rest of your stuff before I decide to keep it all for myself."

"Okay bossy. Your Santa skills could use some work."

"Hey, I just stay in shape so that I can share your clothes."

Rory proceeded to open several boxes of jeans, sweaters and tops. There were also gift certificates for her favorite book store and music store.

As they were opening the rest of the boxes, Lorelai's eyes kept wandering to the huge green object against the wall. Rory and Luke were watching and smiling at her curiosity.

Whenshe could contain herself no longer, "Okay, now the mystery package. Who is it for? Who is it from? What could it possibly be?"

Luke laughed and finally nodded for her to pull the cloth away.

"For little old me?"

"Of course."

"You know this thing is bigger than I am."

"Yep, and almost as noisy." Luke commented as she yanked the cloth off.

"Oh, Luke, I can't believe it. You shouldn't have….but I'm so glad you did."

Lorelai walked over and touched the wood, opened the doors and saw all the equipment.

"You know I will never learn how to operate all of this. You'll have to take up residence here just so I can watch television."

"You'll be fine. Just read the books…never mind….I'll read the books and explain it all to you."

"Ah, the perfect man. Rory, did I ever mention that Luke is the perfect man…jewelry, electronics….and last night…."

"Mom, any thought that starts with what Luke did last night….I just don't need to know. I believe Luke is the perfect man. He puts up with you doesn't he? Enough said."

"You know that sweater would look much better on me." Lorelai tried to grab one of Rory's boxes.

"Just try to take them away from me." Rory giggled, grabbed her boxes and ran to her room.

Luke laughed at the girls and their silliness. He pulled Lorelai into his arms and kissed her. "Thanks. It's been a great Christmas. Best I've had in years."

"You speak too soon. Dinner with the parents remember? I predict your Christmas happiness is all down hill from here."

"I love my watch and my sweater."

"I love my sweater, my TV and did I mention how much I love this ring?" Lorelai flashed it in front of him.

"Only about a thousand times."

"And last night…..you are a very romantic suitor Mr. Danes."

Luke pulled her into an embrace and they kissed…and kissed….and kissed….

"Well, I see you two accomplished a lot while I was gone."

"You're weren't gone long enough to get much done. Plus, I had to thank Luke properly for being such a great Santa." Lorelai pulled away from Luke, licking her lips and straightening her robe.

"Mom, I took a shower, got dressed, packed an overnight bag and put my gifts away. You two just spent at least an hour necking like teenagers."

"And the problem is?"

"I'm out of here. Should I tell grandma you will be there anytime soon?"

Lorelai laughed, "Tell you grandmother that Luke and I eloped to Las Vegas, won the Mega Bucks and are now residing in one of those stucco cookie-cutter houses with a wavy roof."

"So you'll be there by dinner?"

"Yep."

"Bye Luke. Thanks for the bracelet. You will notice I'm wearing it….you do have great taste in jewelry. Try to get her moving soon. Once the coffee wears off she goes into slow motion."

"Bye Rory, drive carefully. I think it's starting to snow again. And we will see you soon, I promise."

When Rory drove off, Luke steered Lorelai upstairs to start getting ready.

"Luke, we could just stay here….I'll tell my mom that we have more gifts to unwrap….and then you can unwrap me."

"Lorelai I think it's important to keep friendly relations with your parents. It is Christmas after all, the time of peace and goodwill toward men….and parents."

"You my friend are no fun."

"I'll take the ring back."

"Never, you made a promise to make a promise and you are stuck now mister. I will not end up the spinster of Stars Hollow….the one with the cats."

"Somehow I can't see you ending up with cats. You'd forget to feed them and they would run away. Like I should have done…."

"But you couldn't because you love me." Lorelai wrapped her arms around Luke's neck and starting doing that thing she does and Luke knew he was a goner. There was no way they were getting to Hartford any time soon….not that he minded the little delay.

An hour later, Luke was practically dragging Lorelai to the truck. They drive was long and slow as the snow had picked up again. But long before she was ready, Luke was pulling her up to the front door of the Gilmore estate.

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How exactly did a short smutty piece turn into this????? I need this hiatus to be over!!