Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait! I didn't mean for it to take so long, honestly. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! They are greatly appreciated.

Corrections: I incorrectly named the Tavern in which Luke and Lorelai ate at in Written in the Stars. It is Sniffy's, not Scruffy's. Also, the house Luke bought is spelled Twickham, not Twickam. Sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls, nor will I ever. I'm just using it for non-profit use.

x-x-x

She's Almost Perfect, but She's Not
Chapter 3: We Have a Winner.

The headlights glared off the dry, hot roads, as the pick up truck sped down the busy highway. The road was familiar to Lorelai, as she had taken it to reach the parent's house many times before. Although, she couldn't think of where else the road could take them that Luke would be willing to venture to.

Slowly, she looked over at him and smiled. His concentration was on the road, both hands placed firmly on the steering wheel, as he drove slightly over the speed limit along with everyone else. Feeling her face flush with happiness, she turned back to watching the trees on the opposite side of the road.

Luke glanced over at her as he felt her gaze leave his face. He shook his head with a small smile as he watched her. She was lost in thought, for she had the same, dreamy look about her as she usually did when she was. His eyes returned to the road once more, as he continued on his way, knowing she didn't expect their destination.

x-x-x

"Luke!"

Lorelai exclaimed, her eyes lighting up and her brow wrinkling in confusion. The expression was justifiable, as they had just pulled into the parking lot of Hartford's mall.

"What?" he asked, playing along, even though the sense of dread was rising within him. He despised malls with every sense of his being. They were dodge-y places with unfair prices. Parking was a horror and all the sales people were always chipper. Why couldn't they just be normal?

"Just, don't expect this type of thing all the time. It's a one time deal, got it?" he stated, pulling into a parking place far enough way from shopping cart cages.

"Yes, yes, yes. Got it!"

She beamed happily, up at him as she latched onto his arm. Slowly, she started walking towards the entrance, when she realized Luke wasn't moving.

"Luke…" she said, dragging his name out. He sighed, catching up with her.

"Why did I do this? We could have easily got one online…" he muttered, but it didn't go unnoticed by Lorelai.

"What are we getting here? I should have been more suspicious, shouldn't have I?"

"Relax, it's a surprise. Come on. We have to hurry, I don't know what time they close."

x-x-x

The female uttered a gasp as she was led into the largest jewelry store in the mall. She saw the look of horror on Luke's face as he walked over to the nearest sales person and asked them where the engagement rings were located.

The sales lady beamed happily at them, with a wistful sigh.

"Ah, there's nothing like a couple in love. You are very wise, sir. You have no clue how many times the guy came in here looking for rings without his partner, only to return it because she found it hideous. How was the engagement? Did you get down on one knee?"

"Uh…" he said, looking at her in complete horror. Nosey people. They should just mind their own damn business, he thought.

"Actually, I proposed to him," Lorelai spoke up happily, willing to re-tell the tale. "And, yes ma'am, I did get down on one knee."

"Hmm… well, you don't hear that one too often. Well, come this way."

"Why are you encouraging it?" Luke whispered to Lorelai as they followed the older woman.

"Encouraging what?" she whispered back in response.

"The conversation!"

"Aha! Here we are!"

They had arrived in a smaller, cozier part of the store on the second level. Lorelai could feel Luke relax a bit, as he looked around, not so intimidated anymore. There were stools placed by the cases of rings, so as they looked they could sit down. And to her relief, Lorelai spotted a coffee machine in the corner.

"May I?" she asked motioning to the machine.

"Help yourself, dear," another woman said coming out of the back. The woman could hear Lorelai mutter, 'Bless you…' and she smiled looking at Luke.

"Have a seat. Now, do you have a general idea as to what you're looking for? The rings are set up in sections according to color, size, setting, et cetera, et cetera."

Luke looked expectantly at Lorelai not having a clue as to what the woman was talking about. He didn't shop for jewelry often, and when he had, his sister was the maker.

"We also have some nice sets. Wedding band and engagement ring."

"Actually, we're just looking for the engagement ring. I already have a maker for the wedding rings," Luke spoke up, turning to Lorelai and mouthing 'Liz.'

"Ooh!" Lorelai said, and nodded, loving the idea instantly. She walked over with her coffee, gulping the hot liquid down and trying not to wince. She sat down next to Luke looking at the rings below her. "Okay. Umm, white gold, small and simple but not too small. Something with flaws and maybe a unique shape?" She spoke off the top of her head, never having really thought about it much before that moment. She didn't want a ring too much like the one Max had given her.

"Okay…" the woman said, going instantly over to one area of the case. "Let's see what we have…"

x-x-x

"I think this is it…" Lorelai whispered, as she looked down at the ring resting on her finger. It was a thin, white gold band with a square shaped setting. The diamond it self was something to marvel at. It was small, but not too small, a one and a half-carat diamond that matched the band and when put together set off her eyes perfectly.

"Are you sure?" Luke asked, looking at it and knowing instantly that it was different than the others. "You can stay here as long as it takes if you aren't." The woman had already given them the okay to take all the time they need, that this was very important and to pay no attention tot he store hours.

"I know, but, this one just… feels right." She had tried on at least half of the white gold rings, each one looking lovely on her but not carrying anything special about it in her eyes. "What do you think?" she asked looking over at Luke.

"It's really… nice." Luke asked, unsure of how to respond. "It looks beautiful on you…" he corrected himself, smiling at her.

Lorelai could tell that she was making him a tad uncomfortable so she smiled and took it off, handing it to the sales lady. "We have a winner…" she stated, pulling Luke towards him and kissing him hard on the mouth, a kiss in which he gladly returned as the woman was in the back room. "Thank you so much, Luke. Really."

For the first time, he saw the tears of happiness fill her eyes. Luke pulled her towards him, wrapping an arm tightly around her and kissing the top of her head. "No problem. I love you…" he whispered into her causing her to smile and tear more.

"I love you, too."