A/N: I went to work again today and I can always write at work. So you are lucky, here is another chapter. I have to admit that I borrowed a bit of the plotline from "Fever Pitch" which I saw this weekend. Very good movie by the way, those who have seen it will know which part. Enjoy.


"You wanted me to call you when something new happened, right mom?"

"Of course, I just didn't expect it so soon. What's up? It must be big." Lorelai replied.

"Jess and I," she paused. "Jess proposed last night, Mom." Her voice was monotone, allowing Lorelai to make her own reaction, non-biased.

"Oh, Rory, that's amazing! Well, what did you say?" She was excited but she didn't want to say the wrong thing.

"Well, I thought about it, and I said yes. I know you never liked him all that much but he's," she paused again. "He makes me happy."

"I'm happy for you. I'm not trying to spoil this for you, but he doesn't have the best track record for staying around. What makes you think this time will be different?"

"MOM!"

"Just want you to think about it." She replied.

"I've thought about that, okay? I can't be sure it'll be different, but it's who he is. I love him, Mom and I'm willing to chance it even if I have to fight him back. I think he's changed though, I really do."

"Well, then you do have that level head I gave you. Good. Say, do you wanna visit for dinner or something? Luke and I would love to see you both again."

"Yeah, I miss Stars Hollow a little. Sure, when?" Rory asked.

"How does Thursday sound? You have classes Friday?"

"Thursday should be fine. I only have one class but I can blow it off to spend sometime back at the hometown with my mommy."

"Fabulous! I'll see you then." She hung up. Lorelai's expression dropped from happiness to confusion. It was the sixth day. She shut of the light and closed the bathroom door at Luke's apartment. He was downstairs now, she could smell the coffee.


"How was your day?" Rory asked kissing him and playing with the diamond on her finger.

"Good, you?" His answer was typical.

"I sold a few books, nothing major though. Want some dinner?" She gestured. "I made Penne with artichoke and feta sauce."

"Your specialty, what's the occasion?"

"Dinner on Thursday with my Mom and Luke, I figured I should make it up to you in advance." She laughed. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"You know me too, well." He replied.


"Luke, can we talk?" Lorelai asked crashing through the diner door at peak meal time.

"Yeah, sure, what's up?" He asked giving Lane a nod and bringing Lorelai into the back and shoving his hands into his pockets.

His rugged face was solid. She really loved him, yet she had no idea how he would take this.

"What's up?" He asked eyes searching her worried but beautiful face.

"I'm late." She finally burst out.


"Lane, make sure you clean up that counter over there." He pointed as he ran out the door. She thought it unusual that he'd leave her alone during the dinner rush. As he disappeared around the corner, she started taking care of customers again.

As he walked down the street, Luke wasn't really sure where he was going. He ended up on the bridge where he'd pushed Jess into the water a few years ago. That'd turned out well, not! He sat there rubbing his forehead. He loosened his hat and put it back on again. He needed to figure out his feelings about this.


"Hello Stars Hollow, it's me, Margaret!" Rory exclaimed as she opened the door to Luke's Diner.

"Rory," Luke shouted. She ran towards him and he picked her up in a hug, twirling her. "What are you doing here? Wow, you have changed." He smiled. Luke shook Jess's hand and mumbled a greeting.

"We came for dinner. Didn't mom tell you?"

"No, things have been a bit crazy lately, so she probably just forgot. Come on, sit down."

"Rory, my daughter!" Lorelai came bounding in the door. She embraced Rory. "Did I forget to tell Luke?" She asked noticing that he looked slightly confused. Rory nodded. Everything was as she remembered it.

"Whatever. He knows now." Rory replied.

"Hi, Jess." Lorelai hugged him.

"Hey, Lorelai," The hug was only a little awkward for him. "How are you?" He asked.

"I am doing okay, Jess. Thanks for asking." She cracked a smile, even though she didn't feel like it. He had changed, he was civil now. It was nice. It was going to be a good time to enjoy her daughter and soon to be son-in-law, she put her other troubles aside.

"I'll have Caesar whip something up for us. What'll you have?"

By nine-fifteen they were enjoying their hamburgers. Well, the girls and Jess were. Luke was having a bit more sensible dinner. It was great to see Jess and Rory again. They were different but somehow the same. Something's never changed.


Lorelai spent all day running around the Inn. Saturdays were especially busy, and the Inn was at full capacity. It was also short on help. Things had changed since she'd talked to Luke about 'it' and she needed to talk to him again. At six-forty five the hotel had settled down. Suddenly there was no one around, no hustle and no bustle. She dropped into a comfy chair in the lobby. She sighed and closed her eyes. It felt nice to sit.

"Lorelai," his calm deep voice requested that she open her eyes and look at him. She opened them.

"Luke, listen I want to talk to you. Sit down."

"Lorelai please let me." He pleaded.

"No, I have to say this first." She demanded.

"Fine," he gave in.

"I got it today. We're in the clear, don't worry." His expression changed from neutral to disappointed.

"Well, that's good." He replied. She could tell he didn't mean that.

"Luke, are you disappointed? I thought you'd be relieved or happy."

"I thought about it, Lorelai. Yeah, at first it confused and scared me, but I really thought about it. I realized that I was actually a little excited too. I mean, you and me have been a long time in the making. Believe me; I'm as surprised as you are. You know I always wanted to be there for you and Rory. I was maybe a tiny bit excited to start something new with you. Something that was ours."

"Luke!" She began to cry and stood up and came towards him. He met her and held her. "That was the most amazing, sweet thing you could have ever said. That you'd have been there for me, for us." She buried her head in his shoulder. "God, I love you." Her voice was muffled in his shoulder as a tear rolled down her cheek, wetting his soft flannel shirt.

He was willing to be the father of her child. He wanted to be with her, he was willing and happy to be there and love her. That was huge in Lorelai's life. No one was ever really stable in her life. Her parents were too stable and in their own way flaky, and Chris had never really wanted to be a part of Rory's or her life. She almost couldn't believe she had denied herself this relationship for as many years as she did.

He kissed the crown of her head and held her closer. "I love you too." He replied. "More than you'll ever know." He whispered. He wasn't letting her go. That wouldn't change. He was there for her, whatever. He had been before and he only cared about her more now. He couldn't ever consider leaving.