Chapter 5 – Of Cats and Frosting

"I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose"

Sarah McLachlan, 'I Will Remember You'

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She didn't cry. Lorelai knew now that she had wasted too many tears on Christopher. She felt relieved, almost. Christopher would no longer be there to interrupt her life. He had always expected her to be waiting for him, pining for him, longing for him. But that was a different Lorelai. She didn't need him now; she didn't need anyone.

She vowed this would be their final breakup. Set in stone. When Chris had kissed her, there was something missing. The spark that had always existed between them was gone. Lorelai didn't feel the usual butterflies in her stomach, so she had taken that as a sign. She didn't love him anymore and he knew it.

She was awake at the crack of dawn. Lorelai rolled out of bed and got dressed, choosing a typical work outfit. She didn't even bother to brush her hair; instead, she pulled it back in a ponytail, stray curls escaping to frame her face. With a little lip gloss and some mascara, Lorelai was ready to start the day. And it was before nine o' clock.

When she pushed open the door of the diner, Luke was behind the counter as usual. He held a coffee pot in his right hand and wiped the tabletop with a rag in his left. Immediately surprised by her early entrance, Luke cocked an eyebrow at her. Lorelai shrugged it off, nearly sprinting to the counter. By the time she reached his side and settled in a chair, Luke had a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. Lorelai, distracted, ignored it. That surprised Luke even more. Knowing her for years, he could tell by the look on her face that a discussion was coming. She started and proved him right.

"Maybe I should get a cat," Lorelai stated.

Luke leaned on his elbows across from her, looking at her like she went crazy. However, he knew better than to comment.

"Long night?" he asked with sympathy.

"I could name it Christopher and Rory could call it daddy," she went on, "and then Emily could feed it sardines and buy it a little collar, you know, with a bell on it that rings every time I do something wrong, and invite it to Friday night dinners without letting me know, and then it would scratch my eyes out in the hallway because I refused to return its calls," Lorelai sighed, giving up.

Luke ogled at her, thinking she had finally lost it. He turned away with a smile on his face, getting control of himself before attempting to find out what happened.

"That bad, huh?" Luke sympathized.

At his comment, Lorelai threw her hands in the air, glaring at him with untamed eyes.

"Yes! We had a screaming match and then he said he loved me but I said he didn't and then he left and then I left and then…" she trailed off, shrugging.

"I'm sorry," Luke said.

She shook her head wildly at this, her entire face glowing as she smiled.

"Don't be. You're looking at the new Lorelai Gilmore. She's a free woman. She's also not going to get a cat, because cats make her sneeze. She would appreciate a donut, by the way, if a certain someone would get if for her," she beamed at Luke, knowing that he would take the hint.

Luke obliged without a word, picking a chocolate frosted one from the top of the pile. He set it in front of her on a plate. Lorelai, obviously shocked at his lack of objection, questioned him playfully.

"What? No 'don't eat the evil donut because the frosting of death will kill you' bit this morning?" Lorelai faked shock, taking the first bite of the donut.

Luke shrugged, watching as she wiped the 'frosting of death' from her face. Lorelai knew something was up and she could not leave it alone.

"How was Rachel?" she questioned slyly, a smirk on her face.

Luke was backed into a corner. He avoided her gaze, shuffling away, faking the need to refill coffees. Lorelai caught him though, and belted out an obscene comment for all to here.

"Oh! Hey everybody, guess what? Luke got lucky last night! Where is she? Did you wear her out?" she turned back to him, grinning.

Luke, obviously mortified, stopped in his tracks. He glared at Lorelai, looking flustered.

"Lorelai!" he whispered, hissing at her under his breath as he began to blush.

"Oh, Lucas, you hunk-a-burnin-love!" she giggled.

Luke started towards her, a threatening look on his face. Taking the hint, Lorelai stopped her teasing.

"Relax, lover boy, I'll stop," Lorelai said.

Luke did relax then, but the flush still remained in his cheeks. It mortified him how Lorelai could tease him about his sex life so openly, and in front of the breakfast crowd! Lorelai, grabbing the rest of her donut, headed for the door after bidding him goodbye. Nearly gone, a thought entered her mind and she turned back.

"Hey Luke… since you're in such good spirits, is there any way I could drag you to the festival tonight? Pretty please?" she smiled widely at him, giving the classic pout.

Even though he hated such functions, Luke could not resist a Gilmore girl pout. Either Lorelai or Rory, both knew how to manipulate him. He sighed, nodding shortly.

"Good! I'll be here at 8," Lorelai said as she made her way towards the door once again.

Luke watched her go, a small smile on his face.

"Oh, and bring Rachel!" she called out of courtesy as she left, although it panged her to say it.

She didn't see the smile on his face fade ever so slightly.