Chapter 2: The Lighter Gets Brighter

He's an amazing man, she thinks. She marvels at his independence. His abilities. The way he built up his diner on his own and takes care of the people around him. He always knows how to fix everything – from porches to back door locks. He was a man of his word- however, few those words may be.

She admired him, although she probably has never said as much.

She knew he'd make a great husband… if he really invested himself. Moreover, she knew he'd make a wonderful father. He would protect his children from the world, yet teach them how to be strong on their own.

And, she knew that when the time came, he would love them with every fiber of his being. Because that's who he is. When someone mattered to him, when they were connected to him, he made them a priority. He made them significant.

She often wondered what his childhood was like. He rarely spoke of his parents, but she is sure that they were good people.

They must have been, she thinks, to have had a son like Luke.

"So what about you – you ever think about having another kid?" He sat there with my broken shoe in his hands, coming to my rescue yet again.

"Oh, I don't know how much fun it would be without biology finals and headgear. . . but sure, if I ever happen to meet the right person, another kid might be nice," I replied shyly.

He nodded at me, shoe in hand, and all I could do was nod in return, suddenly very aware that Luke and I had just had a very meaningful conversation- about kids! We also happened to be sharing avery meaningful stare… as if we were trying to figure out what - orwho-the other person was thinking about.

"Your shoe'll be ready ready in a minute," Luke said, breaking the moment.

I looked down and blushed. "Thank You," was all I could reply.

He never ceased to amaze me. Every time I thought I had him all figured out, he would surprise me by unveiling another facet of who he was. Luke was like a jigsaw puzzle. On the surface,it doesn't seem ALL that difficult to figure out, but once you try to put it together, you realize there's more to it than meets the eye.

I wondered when I would put all the pieces together.

Or, if I would ever get close enough to be able to do so.

But, for now, I would have to settle on figuring outLuke piece by piece - slowly but surely.Tonight, for instance, I had learned that Luke "I don't deal with jam hands" Danes was actually open to the idea of having children… with the "Right Person".

I wondered who she was. The Right Person. Would she wear flannel, and enjoy fishing? Maybe she would know about tools and like Jimmy Buffet?

Or, maybe she wasn't like that at all. Maybe she would be completely opposite from Luke. Maybe...

I stopped my train of thought before I got to the one thought I didn't want to think of... or allow myself to think of.

The thought that was prodding me in the back of my mind.

That I knew the right person. Closely. Intimately. That I saw that person every time I looked in the mirror.

That thought would be saved for another day.

There are relationships in life that are hard to define. The basic labels no longer seem to apply. The relationship between Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore was such a relationship – without specific boundaries or appropriate definitions.

In the beginning, it had been easy enough. Coffee supplier and customer. That was their connection. End of story. But, gradually the connection grew and their relationship transformed to friendship.

As time went by, and their lives became more and more entwined, that label of "friendship" also no longer sufficed.

Only no other appropriate label existed. And, so they continued to fool themselves by hiding behind the so-called status of their relationship.

Their actions, however, proved that something much deeper was at play.

For instance, the way Lorelai reacts to the women in Luke's life is evidence that what they share is more than mere friendship. She knows she gets jealous where he is concerned. She transforms into an ugly, vile, green-eyed monster. The thought of him with another woman drove her insane.

But, even in those fits of jealousy she will not allow herself to fully comprehend why she is behaving that way. Why she feels as she does. To recognize the Potential of their relationship.

She reckons she acts as she does because Luke is her "friend", and she doesn't believe that any woman is good enough for him.

She only wants the best for him.

Afterall, that's what friends are for.

"Because I don't want you to move!" My voice echoed on the chapel's walls as my heart pounded out of my chest.

What was going on here? What am I saying?

His tone became lower and he looked me straight in the eye.

"Why? Why don't you want me to move?"

I couldn't. I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared for this. This moment of… truth? It wasn't the right time dammit!

But, as quickly as the "moment" came, it ended – with Reverand Skinner interrupting us.

Apparently God didn't think I was ready for the truth either.

I avoided Luke for a week afterwards, choosing to go to Weston's every day instead. I hated going there. It wasn't the same. And, I'm not just talking about the coffee.

It just pissed me off! How could he? How DARE he?

It was bad enough that he ran off and got married – MARRIED – on that stupid boat with stupid stupid Nicole in the first place. But, I thought he had come to his senses. That he had seen how dumb an idea that was. That he and Nicole were through.

Apparently, I was wrong. He moved in with her. In LITCHFIELD. The nightmare just wouldn't end.

How could he just leave like that? Without even telling me? I mean, I'm his… his… Friend.

A good friend.

It was my right to know these things.

Stupid Nicole. Ruining everything. Taking away MY Luke. MINE!

Only, he wasn't MINE. Not logically. What claim did I really have over him? None.

So, why did I feel this way?

I knew then that there were things I needed to face. To admit. At least to myself.

But, what was the point? He was married. To stupid Nicole.

And, so I remained in denial.

Sometimes, it just isn't the right time for the truth to come out.