Title: Coda: A House is not a Home

Author: Kathea

Pairing: Loralai/Luke

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Nobody else makes any money off of fan fiction, why should I be any different?

AN: I was distinctly disappointed by the Rory/Logan storyline last night. So disappointed that I don't want to even write about it. Not that I wanted them to get engaged but it seemed to so blah for a season finale. Rory is slipping further and further out of the character we know and love. Where's the event integrity? So this popped into my head while I was packing up my room last night to move into my own house. It just came to me. Enjoy. Oh, I also never got to see "Blame Booze and Melville" so that's why there was no Coda for it. From what I can tell, I didn't miss much.

"What?" Luke said, his eyes screaming confusion.

"Marry me" Loralai said quietly. Luke stumbled back a few steps to sit on a bar stool. His jaw was moving, working like he was trying to say something but no sound emerged. "Luke, I was sitting here watching you be a dad to my daughter. Hell, you've always been a dad to Rory. You've been there for her more the Chris ever was or ever wanted to be. I can't even imagine our lives without you in them and so I want you in permanently. Sealed in with concrete, tied up with string, duck taped to a chair in my kitchen. Well maybe not duck taped, since you'd need to be able to cook but definitely in the kitchen."

"Lor…"

"No, you know this is the right thing. I've screwed up the vast majority of my life. Being with you for the rest of it…I know I won't screw it up, you wouldn't let me. I know we've had our fights and disagreements but every couple has them. It's a fact of life."

"Loral…"

"Luke, we've been dancing around this for a while now. I'm just going to say it and get it over with. I love you. I probably always have."

"Lorala…"

"God, will you just let me finish!"

"Loralai!" Luke shouted.

"What?" she shouted back. Clearly surprised by the frustration in his voice.

"I love you too."

"You do?"

"Of course I do, you crazy lady." Luke pulled a fisted hand out of his pocket. Luke motioned Loralai over to stand in front of him. Loralai arched one finely plucked eyebrow and hurried over. "You stole my idea, you know."

"I did?"

"Mhmm." Luke opened his hand and the faint light of the diner caught and sparkled on the diamond ring lying in the palm of his hand.

"Oh, Luke." She went to kiss him but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Loralai wrinkled her brows in confusion. Was he going to say no after all? Had she misjudged him that badly?

"Loralai, I'll marry you on one condition."

"What? Anything, you name it, you got it. I'll…I'll even stop drinking coffee." Loralai said hurriedly. Luke chuckled at her and gave her a pointed look. "Okay, you're right. The coffee comment was a little much." Luke reached up a hand to cover her mouth and stop the rambling.

"The condition is that you have to wear this ring. Can you do that?" Loralai nodded her head vigorously. "Then, yes, Loralai, I will marry you." The smile that broke across Luke's face was a step short of glorious. He gathered a beaming Loralai into his arms and kissed her softly. A different light gleamed in Loralai's eyes and she kissed him back, hard. Thank God for small miracles, Luke thought as Loralai tugged him up the stairs to the apartment.

THE END

AN2: Check my hompage for response to reviews and I hope everyone enjoyed this.