A/N: Hey all! I am updating as promised. Unfortunately, I will not be giving you chapter three today (I wanted this one to be long, so I just finished it a half hour before the show starts. Whew!) but you will hopefully get it in the next few days.
I want to thank everyone for reviewing, especially Muffin Is Injured because she is my new best friend!
Here are the shout outs:
Danagabrielle: When I read that, I feel like I am in love! Thats how good your writing is! Thank you so much for reviewing! You always seem to be one of the first people to review my fics. I have noticed this. I'm glad you're in love (well, as long as you're not in love with me because that would be weird...) and I'm super happy my writing has had such a positive effect on you.
VeroSNM: it seems like we're never going to see the ILY's on the show (yeah, I'm very pessimist at this point) Very interesting name... I like just because it's dirty! Hehe. I'm sorry you are a pessimist now, I'm getting there. It does seem like they'll never say ILY! I mean, there have been plenty of perfect times, but it hasn't happened. I'm sure Amy has plan though, so not to worry!
Navgirl: Well, I'm going to bed with Dirty! Luke thoughts...so thank you... You're welcome! Everyone should enjoy Dirty!Luke thoughts at all times. It's quite pleasurable (dirty!)
Emmzy-Lou: Wow excellent chapter, please continue on ! I am glad to continue! Thank you for the encouragement! (BTW, I was in a play for my drama class and my character's name was Emmy-Kou. It is quite a coincidence!)
ProFfeSseR: So far I love it! I have to read more! And soon if I might add ;) You are always one of the first to review my stories too... I'm glad you are so interested in me. Thank you for loving it! You should get this chapter soon!
Kimmers: Love this so much very enjoyable first part I'm glad it's enjoyable!
Totaltvjunkie: Aw! I love it! Please update soon! I'm feeling the love right now! I am updating!
Waitingtuesday: Omg, I love it. That was really cute. Keep going or I'll cry... I'm very emotionally fragile, my dear... You love it too? I like being cute. I am going to keep going, so don't pull out your hanky yet. And I agree that I am also very emotionally unstable...
Sarah: keep going! keep going! I plan on doing so as of this moment!
Gilmoremajorfan: love it! Do you? I'm happy you do.
LukeNlorelaifan: please continue! I plan on it!
Erica Bing: don't leave me hanging there! Not gonna happen! (I love all of your stories, BTW)
Labryth: Love it! especially the scruff burns part Thank you! Whenever I think of Luke's stubble rubbing against my skin... Whew! I'm getting sweaty! That's dirty...
Freecityy: LOVED IT! Loved how sweet Luke is to her, and how much Lorelai appreciates him. I love how affectionate they were :-) all cuddly and cute.
Especially: "I wonder if I've ever told him how much I love his stubble. It always feels like soft sandpaper on my face...on my neck...on my chest...on my stomach...on my thighs..." That was just great! sigh
The only tensy criticism (so teensy it doesn't even deserve the title, "criticism"), I think "inner" Lorelai was a little off character. I don't think she would be so... gushy... per say? But, I think you had the right idea going.
Can't wait for the next chapter! UPDATE SON! I want it to be "tomorrow" already! I like when they're affectionate to each other, it always makes my day. So I make them as passionate as possible without being too bad. I loved writing the stubble part... Wouldn't it feel good? I mean, seriously, that stubble is SEXY. I'm sorry that Lorelai is a little OOC, but I've never been really that awesome at her character. It's always been a problem with me. And it is tomorrow! Aren't you excited?
Lauren: what does javajunkie mean? sorry if im slow on that im new to fanfiction. you're not slow! There was a time when even I did not know what a JJ was. You don't need to apologize. And welcome to fanfiction! It's a great place. Java junkie is a person who favors the Luke and Lorelai relationship. Java stands for the coffee Luke gives Lorelai and the coffee Lorelai is addicted to, and junkie stands for Lorelai's addiction to Luke's coffee and their addiction to each other. It also attributes to the fact that in the pilot, Luke called Lorelai a junkie. It's a great name, isn't it?
Jeepgirl259: The end of this one was quite sexy. Chapter two is on it's way, and it's much sexier.
Amanda: I can totally imagine Luke still talking to Lorelai even when he is completely exhausted. I know. I think that he is so dedicated that he would console her even if he was on his death bed (knock on wood). I love Luke... :Sigh:
Coffeeluver212: make her say i luv u soon! You just might get your wish:)
And for my new best friend:
MuffinIsInjured: I don't want to put your whole humongous post here, so I'll just say that I love you too! I absolutely love your writing. We do all win! I will continue, doing as best as I can to please you!
Here you all go! I hope you enjoy, even though it might be a little OOC.
PS You guys get a cookie if you can figure out how the title of the chapter is related to its events!
Two: Flirting, Firsts, and Freedom
At eight o'clock the next morning, Lorelai left Luke in bed, making her way quietly downstairs and then to the diner. She stumbled in, still half asleep but on a mission.
"Caesar?" she called. The rather large group of customers watched her curiously, ending most of their conversations to do so. Ignoring them, Lorelai went to the kitchen and looked in. Sure enough, Caesar was manning the stove. "Caesar."
He didn't even turn to look at her. He kept his gaze focused on the burgers he was flipping as he answered. "What is it?"
"Uh...Luke's not coming in today."
He dropped the spatula he was holding and whirled to face her. Her look was solemn and innocent. This couldn't be happening to him! "What! I'm the only one working right now and Lane's not coming in until four. He can't leave me hanging."
Lorelai pouted slightly. "Well, he's still working at the inn and I really need him."
He gave her a hard look. "You tell him that I better get overtime for this."
"I will. And I appreciate it."
Caesar scowled and turned back to the grill, shaking his head. "You're lucky he's head over heels in love with you," he muttered.
Lorelai almost didn't catch it. Almost. "What?"
He shook his head more vigorously. "Nothing."
She eyed him but dropped the subject.
Back at her house, Lorelai crept up the stairs, trying her hardest to stay silent. Halfway up them, though, she accidentally kicked a container of various sewing utensils off a step. There was a waterfall of items that spilled down the steps and a loud crashing noise like the violent shaking of keys.
Lorelai smacked her forehead in a 'Duh' kind of way, sliding it down her face and then dropping her arm to her side.
In her room, Luke shot up into a sitting position and looked to his side, where Lorelai should have been. "Lorelai?" he called out.
"I'm out here, Luke." She shook her head at the mess, vowing to clean it up later. Or ask Luke too...
Dirty thoughts!
Lorelai giggled at her ideas of how to convince Luke to help her and then went up to her room. She leaned against the doorframe and watched him resting against the head board. He was watching her, too.
"What did you knock over?" Luke asked.
Lorelai's mouth dropped open. "Are you indirectly accusing me of being clumsy, mister?" She walked to him purposefully, her expression changing to one of fake anger. She sat on the bed next to him, twisting slightly to look into his eyes. "As a matter of fact, my friend, that container of items that just spilled tried to attack me. It just jumped up, ready to bite, and I defended myself. It was a casualty of the House vs. Gilmore War." She grinned at him, her eyes laughing.
He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her towards him. Just before his lips crashed against hers, she saw the smile he flashed her. He pulled her half on top of him, their kissing deepening. She felt his hands on her sides, sliding underneath her shirt.
Someone wants to get busy Lorelai thought. She let her fingers curl into his chest, tugging the hairs there slightly. Only seconds after he slid his hand into her hair, he pulled away, keeping his mouth a close distance from hers.
"Well, I'm not cleaning it up," he said huskily.
She chuckled. "I'm sure I could convince you otherwise."
Dirty they both thought at the same time.
"Dirty," Luke commented, speaking his mind.
She scoffed at him. "That's my line."
"I don't care."
"So can I persuade you to clean up the mess on the stairs?"
He smiled at her, leaning in. "You can try."
"I will. Oh, I will."
They kissed again, vehemently, and let themselves sink into the familiar feeling of pleasure. Luke rolled them over, so that she was beneath him. He had just run his tongue over her bottom lip when he started kissing her jaw. He reached her ear and started to nibble it, and at the same time rubbed his stubble against her velvet cheek.
She sighed, moaning when he increased pressure on her ear. Then he kissed down her neck, tasting everything he could. She seemed to particularly like the spot between her breasts, something he had learned the first time they had slept together, so he kissed down the v of her shirt and stayed there, massaging the place with his tongue.
"Luke?" she asked suddenly and he looked up. "Will you go out on a date with me tonight?"
Luke gave her an odd look, confused by why she was asking him this during what they were doing. He nodded, though. "Of course, Lorelai."
She smiled. "Good."
And they went back to their business.
It wasn't until noon that they re-awoke, having been wiped out by their morning activities. They were tangled together, by complete accident, still sweaty.
God Luke, you make me scatterbrained and I love it. I've never been happier.
"Luke?"
"Hmm."
"I went to the diner this morning and told Caesar you weren't coming in today."
"Did you?"
She nodded and then pressed herself closer to him. He kissed her head.
I wish you knew how beautiful you are, Luke thought, smelling her hair with his eyes still closed.
"Luke?"
"Hmm."
"I want you to know that you make me happier than any man ever has."
Should I have said that? I'm so mushy.
Luke grinned to himself. The admission was surprising.
I make her happy? I never thought this day would come.
"I'm glad."
"Good. I just thought you should know."
There was silence a moment and then...
"Lorelai?"
"Hmm?"
"You make me the happiest man in the universe."
She smiled widely into his skin.
I love you, Luke. I love you more than I ever thought I could love someone.
She almost said it too, but she stopped herself.
That's why I have a plan. I'll tell him today, no doubt about it.
"Thank you, Luke. Thank you so much."
She kissed him then, her love showing through her kiss.
I love you, Lorelai.
Lorelai made Luke stay at her house to rest some more from the hard work he had been doing the past two days, insisting that she had things to do. She was out for at least six hours and when Luke started to get worried, she called.
"Sorry I didn't call earlier, Hun. I've just been really busy with my errands. I'll be home soon, though."
"Just as long as you're okay."
Her voice softened. "I'm perfect."
Lorelai showed up a half hour later, at least ten bags in her hands. She shooed Luke away when he tried to find out was in them and ordered him to go to his apartment to get ready for their date.
"Pick me up here at seven. I want to go to Sniffy's."
"Sure."
"Oh, and we can't drive through the town square, we have to go the long way."
"Why?"
"Because I guess something happened with Kirk and it's all hectic and...Just, trust me."
"I do."
Before they separated, Luke stopped her at the bottom of the stairs where she was headed for her room.
"Lorelai?"
"Yes?"
"Keep your hair curly. I love it when it's curly."
Lorelai nodded, somewhat in awe of Luke's comment and then pranced up to her room.
I am going to look gorgeous tonight! Just for Luke.
She left her hair curly, just like Luke asked and undressed in front of her mirror. She held up the dress she had bought that day.
This shall be my Luke dress. The dress I wore the first time I said I love you to the perfect man.
She decided to wear her coat over the dress to hide most of its beauty, smiling when she thought of how Luke would react to it in the best light.
Her boyfriend picked her up at seven on the dot.
After dinner, the couple was driving home when Lorelai got extremely nervous. There were butterflies swarming in her stomach.
Do butterflies even swarm? Maybe they're flocking in my stomach...
Oh God, how am I going to do this? I can't believe I'm going to do this. I'm going to tell Luke that I love him.
When they got out of the car, Lorelai grabbed Luke's hand and led him down the street.
"Where are we going? That was your house."
She pulled him against her, linking her arm in his.
"I want to go for a walk."
They barely talked the entire time they were outside, Lorelai too nervous to talk and Luke too busy thinking of what was up with his significant other.
Just down the street from the town square, Lorelai stopped Luke.
"Luke, I'm going to be right back. Follow me after you count to twenty."
She almost ran away from him, heading for the gazebo.
"Lorelai? Lorelai! What are you doing?"
She kept going though, and after he counted to twenty, he followed. The sight he came upon was amazing. As he neared the white structure, he could see the flickering brightness that had to be the flames of candles.
The grass was slightly wet and sparkling and the air was clear and crisp. There was not one cloud in the sky and the stars were glittering and twinkling. Luke's jacket fluttered a bit in a soft breeze, and on this he could smell roses. Around him, crickets were chirping and singing their melody. It was very romantic. When he rounded the edge of the gazebo, he froze. Sitting on the ground and atop the benches were dozens and dozens of candles, gleaming in the gentle wind. Their light was soft and warm, giving the gazebo an air of ambiance.
But the thing that caught and held his attention was Lorelai. She was standing in the center of the gazebo, feet together, delicately fingering a long stemmed rose, its bud hanging towards the ground. She was smiling timidly, giving him the most affectionate look he had ever been given. His eyes studied her dress; the silky fabric clung to her curves, hanging loosely on her frame. It was thin strapped and low cut and the bottom hem of the dress dangling to her mid thighs. It wafted in the wind, sliding and billowing against her legs. It was an elegant, silvery pink that glistened in the candlelight. Her curls framed her blushing face, almost hiding her blue eyes. He didn't even notice that her shoes were strappy and dainty, silver like her dress.
"Lorelai...?"
"Luke, I asked you here tonight because I have something very important to tell you."
He watched her, staggered. She smiled hesitantly.
"Do you like my dress?"
"You...you look breathtaking," Luke managed to get out.
"Good," she sighed, tilting her head slightly. "Because I wanted to look amazing for you tonight. I wanted you to remember this day with me looking amazing," she added lightly, chuckling.
Luke tried to chuckle. It came out as a sort of choking sound.
What is going on? Why is she doing this?
She held out her hand to him and stepped up to her, taking it gingerly in his own.
She leaned up to him, bringing them closer.
"You make me the happiest woman n the universe. I want you to know that you are the perfect man. No other man exists who is as wonderful and magnificent as you." She looked up into his eyes, her own sparkling. "I love you, Luke Danes, and I just thought you should know. I know I shouldn't have made such a big deal about it, setting all this up, but I wanted you to remember this, to remember this moment when I said these words for the very first time. I just wanted it to be perfect. And I now this is all dramatic and overdone and mushy but---"
He cut her off with his mouth on hers.
I like the way this man shuts me up!
He pulled away and pressed his forehead against hers. He kissed the tip of her nose.
"God, Lorelai, I love you, too. I've wanted to say it for so long, I just didn't think you were ready."
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be."
And they kissed again.
"Finally!" she cried, pulling away again. She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her lower body against his, pulling her upper body away from his to look into his blue eyes. "I can say it whenever I want and as much as I want!" She kissed him quickly and went to the post of the gazebo. "I love you!" she yelled. "I love Luke Danes! I love him! I love Luke and I always will!" He quickly pulled her back to him and kissed her again.
This is the perfect way to shut her up.
"I love you, Lorelai Gilmore."
"I love you, Luke Danes. Now, let's go make love!"
"Lorelai!" Luke criticized. She just laughed and buried herself in his arms.
A/N: So, you like? I do. It's mushy and maybe OOC, but I don't care. There is A LOT more to come, believe me. I expect this chapter to have about (maybe more than) 19 chapters. I dunno though. I believe I want to say thank you to all my reviewers, again, because I love you! Next chapter will be posted maybe tomorrow, maybe not until Saturday (due to my crud load of homework and stupid One Acts. Plus! I'm doing the junior paper right now. Do all schools do a junior paper? I've always wondered.) Please read and review and I'll love you forever!