"Alright, Mrs. Gilmore, you convinced me that your daughter is well enough to go home." Dr. Nicholas laughed. "But I don't want her overdoing it. She still needs rest, plenty of liquids, and make sure she takes her medicine. She should be good as new within a couple days."

"You can count on me doc." Lorelai smiled.

"I'm sure I can." Dr. Nicholas replied. "You two have a nice day."

"You ready?" Lorelai asked.

"More than." Rory replied.

"Alright, Luke has the truck parked out front. Let's go."

The two girls exited the hospital. Rory had been dying to read the book Luke bought for her. It was called "The JFK Conspiracy" Rory had always been fascinated with that section of American History. As soon as she was home again she began reading the novel. Lorelai and Luke sat in the kitchen.

"You should get back to your diner." Lorelai said.

"Ceaser is running it fine." Luke replied.

"You're really not worried?" Lorelai asked.

"I care more about making sure you two are alright."

Lorelai blushed, Luke made her feel so special, and that was something Chris had never done.

"Rory is warming up to you more." Lorelai began. "I think she'll be fine with us seeing each other."

"Good." Luke replied. "Cause I think I want to stay around for a while. If it's okay with you."

"I'd like that." Lorelai smiled with a gleam in her eye.

Months passed. Luke and Lorelai had developed a strong and trust worthy relationship. Rory had started high school and was doing excellent as expected. Christmas was coming up quick, and Luke wanted to get Lorelai and Rory both the perfect present. He had been shopping all over Stars Hollow and even parts of Hartford. Finally he found the perfect present for Rory, a piano. Rory had mentioned wanting to take lessons, so when he found an old piano in good shape at Mrs. Kim's antique shop he had to buy it for her.

"400 dollar." Mrs. Kim replied.

"350." Luke responded.

"375." Mrs. Kim squinted. "Final offer."

"Deal." Luke ended. "I'll pick it up the 23rd."

"Fine. But you pay now."

"Fine." Luke wrote Mrs. Kim a check.

"See you 23rd." Mrs. Kim nodded her head as Luke exited the store.

With Rory now taken care of, Luke had one more stop to make and that was in Hartford.

"Hey you know what's weird?" Lorelai asked.

"What?" Rory replied with a mouth full of pizza.

"I haven't seen Luke all day today. He hasn't called or anything."

"Wow, that is weird." Rory replied.

Lorelai finished her pizza and stood up from the table. "I think I'll head over to the diner and see if he's back yet."

"Mom, you shouldn't be so worried." Rory replied. "Maybe he had things to take care of today."

"You're right." Lorelai sat back down.

"Why don't we put up a Christmas tree?" Rory suggested.

"We usually do that on Christmas Eve." Lorelai noted.

"I know, but I figured we could do it a little early this year."

"But then what will we do on Christmas Eve?"

"Caroling." Rory smiled.

"Ugh... Every year." Lorelai rolled her eyes.

"What?" Rory laughed.

"Every year you try to talk me into this."

"So why don't you just finally give in?" Rory asked.

"Why don't you finally give up?"

"Please?" Rory asked sweetly. "I really want to. I saw the song book for this year and it's all my favorites."

Lorelai sighed. "Fine... But only because I love you so much."

"Come on, we have to go get a tree." Rory smiled with pleasure.