Chapter 8
The bell jingled as Lorelai walked through the diner door, she thought it sounded louder somehow. She looked behind the counter then around the diner but Luke was no where in site. She was about to turn round and leave when Luke walked out of the kitchen. Their eyes immediately locked, both just standing still, staring at the other. Finally Lorelai began to walk towards the counter, she wasn't even aware she was moving; her feet had a mind of their own.
"Hi" She said in just above a whisper.
"Hi" Luke's response was just as soft "Coffee?"
Lorelai nodded and Luke grabbed the pot. He poured her a mug full but didn't hand it to her. "We need to talk"
"Yeah" she agreed.
Luke nodded his head towards the stairs and began to walk up to his apartment. Lorelai followed. The walk up to Luke's apartment felt like the longest walk she has even taken. When they were finally inside Luke handed Lorelai the coffee. They both stood there awkwardly in silence until finally Luke spoke. "I'm sorry"
"No, Luke it's ok" Lorelai responded
"No it's not. I'm sorry you are with Max and I shouldn't have said anything"
Lorelai shook her head "I'm not with Max anymore"
"Oh" Luke responded. "I'm sorry"
"Luke, please stop apologizing. It's not your fault"
"So can we go back to the way things were?" Luke asked
Lorelai whispered "No"
"Oh" Luke looked away, he was angry at himself for really stuffing things up.
Lorelai noticed the hurt in Luke's eyes "I mean no, I don't want things to go back to the way they were because I want things to change. I..." Lorelai stopped she wasn't quite sure how to get it out. "I... why is this so hard"
"Lorelai it's ok. I know things are different but we can go back to being just friends" Luke tried. He was sure she was here to tell him she hated him for ruining things.
"No Luke that's not what I meant. I want things to change. I have feelings for you too." Lorelai suddenly felt very self conscious and not sure where to look.
Luke wasn't sure he heard correctly, surely that's not what Lorelai had said "What?"
Lorelai looked back at Luke and noticed the confused look on his face "I have feelings for you too. I don't want things to go back to the way they were, I just needed some time to realize what I really wanted." After a pause she added "I want you"
That was all Luke needed. He walked the short distance between them, took her in his arms and kissed her. After a short time they both pulled back and smiled at each other until Lorelai leaned back in and they kissed again. Eventually they both came back up for air.
"Wow" Lorelai said panting slightly
Luke nodded "Ah ha"
"I mean wow, if I had of known that was going to be like that" Lorelai struggled "I would of done that long ago. That was wow, big Wow, Humongous WOW"
Luke laughed; she rarely made sense but this time it was because of him. Luke still had him arms tightly around Lorelai's waist as they just looked at each other waiting for their breathing to settle.
After a while Lorelai broke the silence. "Thanks for the goodies this morning"
Luke couldn't help himself "Do you mean the coffee and food or the kiss?"
Lorelai had to laugh "The coffee and food and note. It was really sweet"
"Well I couldn't have you dieing of starvation could I? I bet you were just going to have a pop tart for breakfast"
He knows me so well she thought to herself "No, actually I was just about to whip myself up a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon and toast"
Luke raised his eyebrows "Yeah sure"
They both laughed.
"Is this weird?" Lorelai asked out of the blue
"What... us?
"Yeah"
"Yes and No"
"Yeah, I mean this is you and it's me and it's well ... us and it seems so normal like it's always been"
"Yeah I know" Luke pulled Lorelai into a hug and kissed the top of her head. Lorelai pulled back and kissed Luke again on the lips.
After a long while they pulled apart again. "Wow... I'm never going to get sick of that"
"I'm glad" Luke said with a laugh.
"Luke, I have to go. I'm sorry. I have to go to work I haven't been in for days." Lorelai said needing to go but not wanting to.
"It's ok, I have to get back downstairs." He paused "So...we're ok right?"
"Yeah, we're better than ok." Lorelai kissed him quickly on the lips. "I'll come by after work"
"Ok" Luke kissed her again and then watched as Lorelai walked out of his apartment.
Luke just stood there for a moment trying to take in what had just happened. This morning he had woken up thinking he had lost Lorelai from his life forever, but he was determined to try to make things better and now he was kissing her, she had feelings for him. Luke left his apartment to go back down to the diner with a grin on his face.
On Luke's table, Lorelai's mug of coffee sat there without a single drop being drunk.
Chapter 9
Lorelai ran all the way back home. She made a quick dash up the stairs to change for work. As she was changing she made a quick call and left a message on Rory's voicemail.
"Hey Hon it's me. I did it. I did it! I went in there and told him how I felt and told me and we ... argh.. .ouch ...sorry I fell putting my stockings on. And Rory we kissed and.. ok well I'll see you after school... Bye. Oh and Hon... it was amazing. Bye"
Lorelai clicked the phone off. She was still sitting in the position she fell in, half a stocking on. She sat there and smiled about the mornings events. After a few minutes she picked herself up, finished changing and left for work.
"Sookie, Sookie, Sookie" Lorelai came bounding into the kitchen of the Independence Inn. "Sookie, Sookie"
"Whoa honey... hey you're here. Are you ok?"
Lorelai swung her arms around her friend "It's more than okay. Everything's perfect"
"Wow, what's perfect? What happened?" Sookie asked amused by Lorelai who seemed to be floating on air.
"Well, ok ..um... something happened. Luke and I we..we kissed" Lorelai admitted grinning from ear to ear.
"Argh" Sookie let out an ear-piercing scream. "Oh my god, oh my god What, when, who, why, how?"
Lorelai laughed "What - We kiss, When - This morning, Who - Me and Luke, Why - because we hate each other" Lorelai said rolling her eyes "and how - well the usual way"
"Oh my god, oh my..." Lorelai held her hand up in front of Sookie. "Ok, calm down"
"Sorry, I'm just so excited for you." This time it was Sookie's turn to hug Lorelai. "I knew you two would get your act together eventually"
Lorelai and Sookie spend the next few minutes talking and catching up.
"The whole town is going to flip when they find out" Sookie commented
Lorelai's face fell and it didn't go unnoticed to Sookie. "What's wrong?"
"Um nothing" Lorelai lied
"Lorelai, tell me, what's up"
"The town... I don't know how Luke feels about everyone knowing. We haven't talked about it. You know how Luke is about his privacy"
"Lorelai, I'm pretty sure Luke won't mind this time I mean he's liked you for so long and now well lets just say I think he'll be able to handle a little town gossip."
"I don't know. Hey Sookie can you promise not to tell anyone until I've spoken to Luke"
"Sure, what ever you want"
Lorelai grabbed her bag and made her way to the front door
"And where are you going, you don't show up for days and now you've been here for 15 minutes and you're leaving again"
"Bye Michel" Lorelai called as she walked out of the Inn towards the diner.
Lorelai stood outside and diner for a minute just watching Luke do what he did best. Passing out food orders, refilling coffee mugs. She couldn't help but smile as she watched him.
Luke heard the bell jingle and looked up. They smiled at each other as Lorelai made her way to the counter
"Hey"
"Hey"
"Back so soon?"
"Well don't know if you realized but I didn't have any coffee this morning, I was a little pre occupied"
Luke smiled at her, grabbed the coffee pot and poured her a takeaway cup
Lorelai took the cup and sipped her coffee. "Hey Luke"
"Yeah?"
"Have you got a second, we need to talk?"
Luke felt his heart stop and a feeling of fear washed over him 'I knew this was too good to be true' he thought to himself. He considered saying "No, I'm too busy" in the hope that if they didn't talk he wouldn't hear what he was dreading instead he said "Yeah, sure.. um just let me tell Ceaser"
Luke went into the kitchen and returned a minute later and led Lorelai back upstairs to his apartment. This time Luke felt the walk to his apartment would never end.
Once inside both were standing there, looking at nothing in particular.
Finally Luke spoke "So, you..you wanted to talk"
"Oh yeah um.. Luke this thing" Lorelai said gesturing between them "What is this thing. I mean are we going out because if we are the town will know and I know how you hate your private life out in the public but this is you and I and if we're together the town will know and they'll be talking about it for months and there'll be gossiping and people staring at you and I and well I'll understand if you don't want us to do this thing because I'll understand" Lorelai ramble she only stopped when Luke let out a small laugh. "What?"
Luke walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist
"What?" she asked again
"You're crazy do you know that?" He asked her with a smile
Lorelai just looked at him.
Luke tried to explain "I thought... I thought you were here to tell me you'd changed your mind. I was dreading what you were about to say and all you were worried about is how I'd react to this stupid, nutty town finding out about us"
Luke lowered his lips capturing Lorelai's in a long lingering kiss "Did you really think I wouldn't want to go out with you when the town found out."
"Yeah" Lorelai said a little sheepishly
Luke looked into Lorelai's eyes "I don't care who knows about us. Yes, I'm a private person and yes I know what it's going to be like when every nutter in crazy town knows about us but I don't care." He kissed her again "Well I do, but I can handle it"
Lorelai felt relieved and a little silly "I'm sorry. I just.. I guess I just freaked out. I finally realized what you mean to me and I just was afraid that it was too good to be true"
Luke shook his head
"Ok so now I know. It's all good?"
"Yes, all good"
Luke wrapped his arms further around Lorelai pulling her closer to him.
"This is nice" Lorelai said against his chest. She felt so warm and protected
"Yeah" Luke agreed not ever wanting to let go.
"But I have to go. I'm sorry" Lorelai apologized
"It's ok. Um do you want to do something tonight maybe a movie or dinner?"
"Oh Luke, I can't tonight Rory and I have plans... tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow" Luke agreed
"Ok but I'll probably see you tomorrow morning anyway"
"Ok" Luke kissed her "tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow"
After another few kisses Lorelai and Luke walked down stairs and both went back to their respective jobs.
Lorelai was waiting for Rory when she returned home from school that afternoon. As soon as she heard the door open she ran to her daughter and threw her arms around her.
"Ah ..mom... a little air please" Rory said trying the get her mother to loosen her grip
"Sorry just a little excited, my baby's home"
"Have you been drinking?" Rory asked with a laugh
"Did you get my message?"
"No what message mom" Rory asked with a smirk "Was I an amazing message?"
"Funny. So come sit. I need to talk to you"
"If all you're going to do is talk about how dreamy he is then sorry I have a life"
Lorelai's face broke into a smile "No, well yes he is dreamy but I have to talk to you about something else"
"Ok" Rory put her bag in her room while Lorelai grabbed them a drink each. They sat on the couch and Lorelai began
"Hon I just wanted to make sure you were ok with all this..me & Luke"
"Mom I said I was"
"I know but that was before when I was all hypothetical when I was... I like Luke but nothing will probably happen but now it's happened and well things will be different"
"Mom I know, It's ok. I said before I just want you to be happy and It's true. I like Luke and I know he makes you happy so it's great" Rory said genuially.
Lorelai hugged her daughter "You are the best did you know that?"
"Well yes I did. So what are you two love birds doing tonight?"
"Nothing, I thought we'd do something tonight. I didn't want you to feel like I was running off with Luke and I didn't have any time for you... you know - mother daughter time"
"Oh mom that's sweet but, well I kind of made plans yesterday to go to Lane's and study but I can cancel if you want."
"No Hon, you should go."
"You sure"
"Yeah, of course"
"You should call Luke, go out together" Rory suggested
"Maybe"
"Mom you should, I'll even help with outfit picking before I leave?"
"Sold"
Rory went to her room to get her things together while Lorelai made her call to Luke.
Rory walked back into the room a few minutes later and watched her mother who was starring at the ceiling with a huge grin on her face.
"Well someone looks happy?"
"Yeah" Lorelai said still with a dreamy look on her face
"So you talked to Luke?"
"Yeah, he's coming to pick me up at 6"
"Ok well that gives us some time. I'll help you pick out something to wear then I'll head to Lanes" Rory grabbed Lorelai's arm and led her up the stairs
A few minutes after Six there was a knock at the door. Lorelai was ready. She'd been ready for about half an hour dressed in a little black dress with strapy heels. She was so excited and nervous at the same time. Lorelai stopped took a deep breath and answered the door.
"What are you doing here?" She asked
"Wow you look great" Here these are for you" Max said handing Lorelai a bouquet of flowers
"What are you doing here?" Lorelai asked again
"I wanted to talk to you. Can I come in?"
Chapter 10
"Max?"
"Please Lorelai I just need to talk to you"
Lorelai stepped aside to let Max in. "Max I'm going out you'll have to make this quick"
"A date?"
"Max, why are you here?" Lorelai asked again avoiding the question
"I needed to see you. Things were left unsaid. We ended so quickly. I asked you to marry me and..."
Lorelai stopped him "Max I know, I'm sorry. When I came to see you I was there to tell you it was over between us, I don't feel about you the way you feel about me and it's not fair on you. You deserve someone who can be with you, really with you"
"But I don't want anyone else, I love you Lorelai. That's why I proposed. I love you and we can work the rest out"
"Max, I'm sorry we can't"
"Just tell me why we can't" Max pleaded
"I already have!"
"No, I think you're scared. I'm sorry, I know it was soon and I know I should have asked you in a romantic setting with a gorgeous ring but I honestly love you and I know we can work"
"No we can't!" Lorelai was getting angry
"Why Lorelai, I know deep down you love me"
"No I don't, I don't love you. I'm in love with someone else"
At that moment, as those words came out both Lorelai and Max suddenly stopped both completely shocked. They both stood there in complete silence Lorelai's words running around their heads.
Finally Max spoke "Oh, Ok... um I'm sorry I came here. I just... I just thought. It doesn't matter. I'm sorry and I'll go now." Max walked to the front door before he left he turned around "He's a very lucky man, bye Lorelai" and with that Max left with Lorelai still standing in the exact same position.
As Luke was passing Babette and Morey's house when he noticed a car in Lorelai's driveway, a car he'd seen before. Max, Max's car was in her driveway. He remembered from the last time Max was there. It was the night he told Lorelai how he felt. Max had showed up and he had left. He stopped he truck before her house. What was Max doing at Lorelai's. As he was sitting there when he saw Max walkout of Lorelai's, get into his car and drive off. Luke could feel the pangs of jealousy begin. Luke knew he was with Lorelai now but why was Max there? Luke took a few deep breaths. Pulled into Lorelai's driveway. He sat there for a minute then made his way to the front door.
The front door was open. He knocked softly and saw Lorelai standing in the living room.
"Hey"
The sound of Luke's voice snapped Lorelai out of the little world she was in and turned around "Oh, hey"
Luke noticed Lorelai's expression, she looked sad and she wasn't acting herself. "You ready to go?"
"What ... um.. Luke I..no" she sighed
"Oh"
"No Luke it's just I'm not feeling well I think I just need to lie down. Can we do this another night?"
"Oh, yeah sure" Lorelai could see the hurt on his face but she just couldn't deal with this now "Is there anything I can do for you" Luke asked
"Thanks, I'll be fine. I'm just need to lie down for a while I think. I'll see you tomorrow"
"Yeah sure tomorrow." Luke walked towards the door. He thought about telling her he saw Max, asking why he was here but felt he already knew so instead he just said "Bye" and left.
He got in his truck and drove back home in a daze. He walked in to the diner through the back and went straight to his apartment. 'I knew it was too good to be true' he thought to himself. "Max is back in her life, he's smart and well educated, has a great job of course she'd pick him."
Lorelai had eventually moved her self to the couch and was thinking about the events of the last week and the events of that night. "I love Luke" she said to herself. She was shocked. It was the first time she had said it out loud and really meant it. Yeah she had always loved Luke, he was her best friend but this time she realized she really and truly loved Luke... was in love with Luke as more than friends and the first time she said it out loud was to her ex.
Lorelai picked up her keys and drove straight to Sookie's house. She banged on the door "Sookie, Sookie are you home please be home!"
Sookie answered the door "Hey honey what's wrong"
"Oh my god you are not going to believe my night," Sookie ushered Lorelai into the house and they sat down.
"What happened?"
"Ok, well Luke and I arranged to go out tonight" Lorelai began
"So why are you here?" Sookie interrupted
"I'm getting to that"
"Sorry"
"Well ok so I'm ready for my date. There's a knock at the door and it's Max"
"Oh, what no" Sookie gasped
"Yes and he's got flowers and he tells me he wants us to try again and he wants to get married and he loves me"
"Oh no"
"And he keep pushing me about being in love and why I can't marry him and then I just blurted it out that I love someone else"
"Oh who?"
"Luke Sookie!" Lorelai said rolling her eyes
"Of course"
"So how did Luke take it, you're here, did he not say it back, what am I saying of course he would of said it back... wait why are you here?" Sookie babbled
"I don't know. Luke showed up after Max left and I told him I wasn't feeling well and I needed to lie down and he left." Lorelai sighed.
"Why did you do that?"
"I was in shock, I love Luke. I mean we haven't even been on a date with him and I'm telling Max that I love Luke and I freaked. I love Luke, Argh why is it so hard for me to say"
"You don't seemed to…. to have a problem saying it now?"
"Oh no, I can say it...to myself, to you, to my ex but when Luke came I freaked"
"Honey listen you love Luke and Luke loves you this can only be a good thing" Sookie tried to reassure her.
"I love Luke, I'm in love with Luke" Lorelai whispered to herself. She turned to Sookie with a smile on her face "I love Luke"
"Yes honey you do"
"I love Luke" Lorelai said again.
Sookie laughed "I think you're telling the wrong person, go and see him"
Lorelai left Sookie and made her way to the diner but it was closed. She looked at her watch 8:05pm, he's closed early. Lorelai took out her cell phone and dial Luke's number. She waited for him to answer but he never did. She dialed again and again it rang out.
Lorelai picked up a small stone on the ground and threw it at Luke's window. Still there was no sign of him. "Luke" Lorelai called "Luke I know you're in there". "Luke I'm not going until you talk to me. "Luke, Luke"
Eventually Lorelai saw Luke's head pop out of his window "Luke I need to talk to you..hey why weren't you answering your phone?"
Luke replied gruffly "Lorelai I know what you're going to say..it's ok"
"What, what's ok, what am I going to say?"
"You're back with Max, it's ok"
"What!" Lorelai was shock. A minute a go she was excited, she wanted to tell Luke how she felt and now he was telling her he saw Max.
"I saw him leave your house, You cancelled our date!"
"Luke I'm not with Max! Can you please just come down here and talk to me or do you want this whole town to hear our conversation"
Luke sighed "Fine"
Chapter 11
Lorelai waited for Luke to open the diner and let her in. Luke slowly made his way down the stairs and to the diner door. He had made his decision that he wouldn't talk to her at all that night. He was too angry, too hurt and too afraid of what he would say to her and more afraid of what she was going to say to him. He was determined to go all night with out speaking to her, he would be braver in the morning but she always had a way of talking him into things. He could never say no to her.
He opened the door and she walked in and straight up to his apartment. Luke locked the diner, shook his head and followed her.
"Well" Luke asked gruffly with looking at her.
"Well what?"
"You wanted to talk"
"Why are you so mad at me?"
"Why, gee I don't know. You tell me you want to be with me. We arrange a date, I see your ex leaving your house and then you cancel on me. You're probably here to tell me you're back with Max and you made a mistake about wanting to be with me"
"What! Luke just stop." Lorelai yelled
"Why are you yelling at me?"
"Ah gee I don't know because I come here and tell you I want to be with you, I ring you and we organize a date. It's not my fault Max showed up I didn't invite him ok. I told him to leave and he left. You came and I wasn't feeling well ok. I was stressed and upset and I just needed to be by myself for a while." "I told you I'd see you tomorrow. I told you I wanted to be with you. Does my word mean nothing to you Luke. Do you think I'd come here, tell my best friend I wanted to make this huge change in our relationship and then a few hours later decided it was a mistake and call Max back."
Luke was now yelling as well "Well what was I suppose to think? You cancelled on me after Max left and now you turn up here to tell me something I can only assume it's to tell me you're back with Max"
Lorelai's voice grew louder "This is not how this is suppose to do damn it! I came her to tell you I love you and this is what I get. Dam this is so hard. I can't do this" Lorelai could feel the tears start to prick the back of her eyes. She turned to leave not wanting to let Luke see her cry. She was running towards the door when she felt a strong hand grip her arm and spin her around. Luke pulled Lorelai to his chest and held her tight while she cried. Luke kissed the top of her head and ran his hand down her back. He leaned in and whispered in her ear "I'm sorry, please don't go" Lorelai continued to cry into Luke's chest.
Lorelai's crying eventually slowed and she lifted her head to look at Luke. "I'm sorry"
"No I'm sorry. I reacted badly it's just..." Luke shook his head; he had never been good at this. He took Lorelai hand and lead her to the couch, they both sat down.
Luke continued again "It's just that this thing between us...I've been waiting for this for so long and when you finally said you wanted me I guess I just always thought it was too good to be true. I mean Max is a good guy he's got a good job, he's smart and you and Rory really like him. I just thought I couldn't compete"
"Oh Luke, yeah Max is a good guy and Rory and did like him but we love you. I love you" Lorelai looked deep into Luke's eyes. "I'm sorry I stuffed this up. Yes Max came over tonight I didn't invite him. He came to see if we could work things out. I told him we couldn't but he wouldn't let up and I ended up blurting out that I was in love with someone else. I guess it just freaked me out. I have always loved you as a friend, as my best friend and when it came out like that a released I loved you more than a friend, I realized I was in love with you and I freaked out a little. Not freak out like I was scared and wanted to run, although this is a little scary for me but scared as I blurted it out to an ex when I should be saying it to you." Lorelai sighed and picked up Luke's hand and held it in hers "I'm just scared"
Luke pulled Lorelai to him and she sat on his lap. He held her tight. "I'm sorry I just... I'm scared too. I guess I was more scared about us then I was willing to let myself believe." Luke held her for a while then turned her in his lap to face him "Lorelai I love you and I think I've always loved and yes I'm scared too but we can do this!" Luke looked at her "Can't we?"
Lorelai smiled and nodded, the tears falling this time were good ones "Yeah, we can do this and Luke I promise I'm not going anywhere"
"Good 'cause neither am I" Luke took Lorelai's face in his hands and look directly into her eyes "I love you Lorelai"
Lorelai smiled "I love you too my big protective coffee god"
Luke laughed and shook his head "Have I told you that you're crazy?"
"Oh just one or two... million times but you know what they..." Lorelai was cut off by Luke's lips on hers. They kissed until they were breathless.
Lorelai finally spoke "Yep, Still Wow"
"Ah ha" was all Luke could contribute.
They sat together for about half an hour talking and kissing and laughing and just being close and in love.
"Hey Luke, I should probably go. Rory will be back from Lane's and we both have work tomorrow"
"Ok, let me walk you home"
"That'd be great"
Luke walked Lorelai home in silence. It was a comfortable silence. They held hands and both thinking about what had just happened between them. When the reached Lorelai's house they stood on the front porch just standing in front of each other holding hands.
"So, tomorrow... do you want to maybe try this date again?" Luke asked
"Luke I'd love to but tomorrow's Friday so dinner with the parents"
"Oh fun"
"Oh yeah, Fun. It's right up there with cutting off a finger or walking over broken glass or being poked with a stick... yeah it'll be great" Lorelai sighed "What about Saturday night?"
"Saturday would be great"
They kissed and hugged and said their goodnights and Luke turned and went home.
Chapter 12
"Hey, you're still up" Lorelai walked into Rory's room
"Yeah just finishing off some things I didn't get to at Lane's." "So how was your night? Rory asked in a sing song voice, she then noticed the look on Lorelai's face "Hey mom are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just been an eventful night" Lorelai said
"Oh Mom, I don't want to know about your love life" Rory preteneded to cover her ears
Lorelai had to laugh "No not that kind of eventful."
"So spill" Rory sat up ready to listen to her mother's story
"Well it started with Max showing up here trying to convince me that we could work it out. I was expecting Luke and there was Max and he just wouldn't stop talking about us and how he loved me and how it would all work out between us. He pushed and pushed and I snapped and ended up yelling and him that I was in love with someone else"
"Oh how did he take it"?
"He left I think, it was all a bit of a blur and then Luke came and I freaked and told him I couldn't go out tonight. I told him I wasn't feeling well"
"Why would you do that"?
"I had just blurted out to my ex that I was in love with someone else. I just kind of hit me that this was it. This was the feeling, the thing I've always been looking for and it was with Luke. I can't explain it but I freaked. So Luke left and I went to Sookie's and we talked and I realized it was a good thing and I shouldn't run from it"
"She's a smart one. So did you see Luke, did he add to your excitement" Rory started raising her eyebrows suggestively trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh yeah, so much eventfulness. Your idiotic mother tried to ring Luke who wasn't answering so I went to the diner and Luke was angry at me, I got angry at him and..."
Rory cut her off "Hang on, why was Luke angry at you?"
"Because he saw Max leaving and thought we were back together because I cancelled our date"
"Oh Mom is everything ok now"
"Yeah after the yelling and me screaming at him that I loved him we sorted things out and were good I think"
"I'm glad. So you told him you loved him hey?"
"Yeah, well yelled it at him but then we talked and he told me he loved me too and he admitted he was scared as well. We're going to get through this though. I think maybe Max turning up, as horrible as it all was finally made me see things clearly. I'm not going to run from this hon. I think this one may be it."
Rory hugged her mother "I'm happy for you mom. I'm sure everything will be fine and it'll all work out. Luke loves you and he's not going anywhere."
"Thanks sweets. I'm going to head up to bed I'm exhausted"
"OK night mom"
The next night as Luke was finishing his cleaning ritual for the diner when the bells above the door jingled. He looked up and saw Lorelai standing in the doorway with her usual Friday night face on.
"Hey how was dinner?" Luke could tell what the answer would be but asked anyway
"Horrible" Lorelai walked into the diner and Luke walked towards her. Luke put his hands on her waist and pulled her towards him. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and kissed the top of her head.
"Mmmm, nice" Lorelai told Luke
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just the usual" Lorelai put on her best Emily voice "Was that a joke Lorelai, What do you mean Lorelai, That wasn't funny Lorelai, Lorelai your such a disappointment and so on, just the usual"
Luke sighed, he hated Lorelai being upset. "How about a coffee and there's a donut with icing and sprinkles I was saving for a someone special"
"She didn't come in huh?" Lorelai asked
"She has now" was Luke's reply
Lorelai smiled "That would be great."
Luke kissed the top of her head again and let her go. He walked behind the counter and poured her a mug full of coffee and placed the donut on a plate and set it in front of her. He watched her as she took a long sip of her coffee and pulled her donut apart and started eating it, he noticed her mood lift immediately. "Hmmmm that's better"
"Yes nothing like stomach rotting substances to make a person feel better" Luke said rolling his eyes. Although Luke gave her a hard time about what she ate and the amount of coffee she drank he knew he'd always cave in and give it to her and she knew it too.
"So tomorrow?" Luke began
"Yes it's the day after today" She was definitely feeling better
Luke rolled his eyes "So I thought this date, I could pick you up and we could drive to Litchfield to see a movie?"
"You want to see a movie? I thought you didn't like movies?"
"If you don't want to go..."
"No, I'd love to"
Ok, I'll pick you up at Six and we can eat first as I'm sure you'll be hungry because you always are."
"That's a safe bet and I can't wait" Lorelai finished the last of her coffee and donut. "I'd better go, I told Rory I was going for a walk and although I'm sure he guessed where I was heading I should get back home."
They both stood up and Luke took her hand running his thumb gently over it. "I'm glad you came by, I...um... missed you today" Luke added quietly, he was still getting used to being able to say things like that to Lorelai.
"Really, I missed you as well." Lorelai leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips "Thanks for cheering me up"
"Anytime. I'll see you tomorrow"
Chapter 13
Saturday rolled around quickly. Lorelai and Rory were upstairs preparing Lorelai for her first real date with Luke.
Lorelai had her hair and make-up done and was changing outfits for about the twentieth time.
"What was wrong with that one?" Rory asked as Lorelai looked at herself in the mirror and sighed.
"I don't know, it just didn't feel right. Argh this is so hard" Lorelai flopped down on her bed.
"Mom it's just Luke. Luke will think you look great in whatever you're wearing" Rory reminded her.
"I don't want to look great I want to amazing." Lorelai pouted
"Mom, you know what I mean. Luke doesn't care what you wear."
"This is too hard. I can't do this"
"Do what?"
"This, all of this" Lorelai gestured to the pile of clothes sitting in the middle of the room
"Mom what's really going on?"
Lorelai sighed "I... I don't know. It's just weird. I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm all mixed up inside. I mean Luke & I. We've known each other forever, we're now dating although we haven't been on an official date, we've admitted to each other that we love each other even though we haven't been on a date. I'm just... when I went to see Luke last night everything was like it always was except there's now kissing involved. I love Luke, I do. I'm just not sure... I haven't felt like this before. It's just so much all at once."
"Mom calm down it's ok. Look it's just Luke. You've known Luke for ages and I think you've loved him for ages. Just relaxed and whenever you feel anxious just remember it's Luke and you're safe and Luke isn't going anywhere. Just talk to him"
"I know, thanks hon." Lorelai stood up "Ok I can do this."
Lorelai walked over the pile of clothing and pulled out a pair of black pants and a cream low neck top
"What about this?" Lorelai asked Rory holding up the items of clothing
"Perfect"
Lorelai changed, looked at herself in the mirror and nodded approvingly. She touched up her make-up, added some accessories and she Rory headed down stairs.
At 6:05pm there was a knock at the front door. Lorelai answered and saw Luke standing there in the outfit she had bought him weeks ago. "Hi"
"Hi, you look amazing"
"Just what I was going for" Lorelai smiled shyly. She turned around and kissed Rory goodbye and left.
The drive to Litchfield was done mostly in silence apart for a few safe topics like the weather, Luke asked about Rory & school. Lorelai would look over at Luke then look back out the window, Luke would do the same to Lorelai. Both wanting to say so much but not sure where to begin. Lorelai was staring out the passenger window when she suddenly turned to Luke "Hey Luke, can you pull over?"
Luke looked at her for a second and seeing that she was serious drove a little further then pulled into a shopping centre car park. He turned the engine off and looked over at her. Lorelai didn't say anything she just continued to stare out the window. Luke could feel his heart beat faster. He knew the drive was slightly awkward, not how he wanted the date to start off at all but now he feared Lorelai felt it and was having second thoughts.
"Lorelai are you ok?" Luke finally broke the silence
"Ah yeah... no... Luke we need to talk" Lorelai turned to face him
All the colour ran from Luke's face 'This is it' he thought to himself.
Lorelai noticed Luke's look of sheer panic and reached over and placed her hand on his arm "Luke relax, not that kind of talk. It's just... this is weird. This... us... don't get me wrong I want this I do but it's just so much so soon."
"What do you mean?" Luke had a feeling he knew where she was going, he felt it too, not quite sure how to act anymore.
"It's just this is our first real date and yet we've already told each other that we love each other and I just feel there's all this pressure now."
Luke let out a sigh of relief "I know what you mean."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I mean I've wanted this for so long and now I have it and so much more I'm just not sure where the pace of us is"
"Exactly. This is like finding the perfect pair of shoes that costs more than I earn in a month and you keep going back to the store week after week trying them on, fantasizing about owning them and then when you've finally got enough money to buy you take them home and they are new but they don't feel new, they feel comfortable and like you've had them forever"
"I have no idea what you're talking about" Luke said rolling his eyes
"It's just this is new but it's not new, like the shoes... I think that's what I was getting at. We are not new but us together is new even though it doesn't feel new. Does that make sense"?
"Everything but the shoe reference. Us together is new but we've moved so fast we've kind of skipped all the usual first, date stuff. We love each other but with saying that comes so much pressure"
"That's it! See you did get the shoe thing."
Luke just rolled his eyes again
"I just, can we take this slow? I mean yes we are in love and we do know each other so well but I just need to go slower on the together bit. I'm still getting used to all this. We need to be comfortable"
"We can go at any pace you like but you have to promise me one thing?"
"Ok, I'll let you buy me all the junk food in the world because you want to make me happy" Lorelai said hopefully.
"Yes I want to make you happy, but that's not it"
Lorelai pouted slightly at the thought of not getting lots of junk food.
"Promise me this isn't you backing out. That you want this and you'll tell me what makes you comfortable and tell me when you're not"
"I do want this and yes I will"
"Good"
"Good" Lorelai leaned over and kissed Luke. "Thanks"
With the air cleared and both of them feeling more comfortable Luke pulled out of the car park and headed on to their destination both talking and laughing and just relaxed and happy to be with one another.
Luke pulled into the car park of a little restaurant.
"Here we are"
"It looks really nice Luke"
"I actually haven't been here before but I've driven past a few times. It looked nice, clean and not too flashy just comfortable."
"It'll be great"
They got out of the truck and walked into the restaurant. The inside was nice and simple and felt very relaxed. The owner walked them to their table, on the way Lorelai slipped her hand into Luke's, Luke smiled at her and squeezed it gently. They were seated at a table for two, handed their menus and were left alone.
After a few seconds of looking at her menu Lorelai asked, "So can I order for you?"
"What?" Luke looked at her confused
"I want order your food for you, it'll be fun"
"Fun for who?"
Luke thought for a moment "Ok, you can order for me..."
Lorelai looked very pleased with herself raising her arms to do a little to cheer
Luke interrupted her little celebration "Wait I haven't finished. You can order for me... if I can order for you"
"You're going to make me eat something green aren't you?" Lorelai looked deflated
Luke didn't respond.
"Fine but you have to have dessert, my choice"
"Fine" Luke agreed
Luke picked up his menu reading aloud all the types of salads listed then moving onto on anything that sounded remotely healthy that Lorelai would never touch.
"I can't believe I agreed to this" She said shaking her head
"Hey this was your game not mine" Luke reminded her
"Yeah well you should know me well enough to know that you should never agree to any of my games, especially when I haven't eaten."
The waitress came over to take their orders. Luke pointed to the menu "I'd like to order this for the lady please" The waitress nodded and looked at Lorelai who did the same pointing out the dish she had picked for Luke. After they had ordered the meals Luke leaned his hand across the table placing it on top of Lorelai's.
"Are you ok? You know... I mean.. feeling better?"
"Yes thanks, freak out over" She felt Luke's hand on hers a familiar feeling of calm washed over her "This is nice, just us together away from the town and everything"
"Yeah it is" Luke agreed.
They talked about anything and everything until their meals were brought to the table.
The waitress put a plate down in front of each of them and when she left they both burst of out laughing. Lorelai had sitting in front of her a plate of beef lasagna and Luke a plate of vegetarian lasagna.
"Great minds huh"
Luke laughed. "Yeah you changed what you were going to order didn't you?"
"Yeah well I could just see a plate of rabbit food in front of me" She laughed
"Yeah well I could see a plate of red meat, probably so rare it was still moving so I thought I'd play nice too."
They ate their meals, Luke trying some of Lorelai's and Lorelai even eating some of the vegetarian one.
After they had eaten their meals they just sat and talked and laughed forgetting where they were or that life was going on around them, just being together made them forget about everything else.
"So dessert?" Lorelai finally asked
Luke looked at his watch realizing they'd been at the restaurant for a while "We've missed the movie"
"What time is it?" Lorelai asked
"9:30"
"Well time flies when you're having fun hey"
"Yeah, we can have dessert then if you want some?"
"Hello Luke, stop think and remember who you're talking to" Lorelai pointed to herself and smiled
"You're right, stupid question." Luke signaled to the waitress who was walking past and asked for the dessert menus
"Sorry we missed the movie" Luke apologized
"Don't be sorry, I'm having a great time. It's been a great first date"
"Yeah it has" Luke agreed
"We can see the movie next time"
"I look forward to it"
"So Mr. Danes, dessert. Can I ask have you ever had dessert and I mean real dessert. Vanilla ice cream with fruit doesn't count"
Luke laughed "Yes, believe it or not I have had dessert before."
"What were you Seven at the time"
"More like Four" Luke replied and they both laughed.
"Well tonight my friend, you are having a real dessert"
The waitress came back and Lorelai ordered a piece of double chocolate mud cake, with cream and cherries to them to share. The dessert was put in front of them a few minutes later. Lorelai picked up the fork cut off a small piece of cake, dipped it in the cream and fed it to Luke who took it without any hesitation.
"So, no complaints... I knew you'd like it"
"I like it because of the person who's feeding it to me"
"Hmmm so that's the secret, I can get you to eat anything as long as I feed it to you. I see eggs, bacon and pancakes for you for breakfast tomorrow."
"Ok whatever you want to believe."
They finished the dessert. Luke paid for the meal and walked hand in hand back to Luke's truck.
Luke opened the door for Lorelai who turned around in front of him. She leaned in and kissed him, Luke kissed her back. The kissed depended and Luke moved her gently up against the truck. Eventually they came back up for air.
"Sorry" Luke said looking away from her
"Hey mister you have nothing to be sorry about. I promised I'd tell you if I wasn't comfortable and that was definitely comfortable" She said with a grin.
Luke kissed her again softly on the lips and they both got in the car. Lorelai looked at the clock "11pm, wow it's late."
"Come on let's get you home"
Lorelai shifted across the bench seat. Luke lifted his arms and Lorelai leaned in against him as Luke put his arm around her shoulder. They drove back home in the exact same position, Lorelai never feeling so comfortable, safe, warm and loved in her whole life. She was so comfortable she could feel her eyes closing, she was in that wonderful relaxed position between wakefulness and slumber. When Luke pulled up in front of her house he turned off the engine and lifted his arm. Lorelai grabbed it and pulled it back around her shoulders "Not yet" She said. Luke kissed the top of her head. "Hmmm, nice" Lorelai whispered.
Luke kissed her head again tightening his arm around her.
He moved slightly whispering in her ear "Come on, we're home" Lorelai just snuggled closer to him.
Luke opened the truck door and got out. He picked Lorelai off the seat and carried her in his arms to the front door. Seeing the light was still on in Rory's room he knocked slightly.
"Hey Luke" Rory said as she opened the door
"She fell asleep on the way home" Luke nodded toward Lorelai who was sleeping peacefully in his arms, a huge smile across her face.
Rory stood aside and Luke walked in.
"She didn't sleep much last night. I heard her up early this morning, She was probably exhausted. And there's no waking Mom up once she's asleep"
"Well I'm glad it's not my conversation skills that made her fall asleep"
Rory laughed.
Luke suddenly felt awkward. "Um.. I should... should I... get her to bed?"
Rory noticed that Luke looked a little uncomfortable "Yeah you know where to go. I'm going back to bed to read"
Luke walked up the stairs to Lorelai's room. He placed her on the bed, pulled her shoes off, pulled the covers back and them placed them over her. Luke noticed a notebook and pen on Lorelai's bedside table. He took the book wrote something on a blank page and placed it on the bed next to her.
He leant down and kissed her cheek.
Lorelai shifted slightly "I love you Luke" she whispered
"I love you too" He kissed her again and walked down the stairs. He walked towards Rory's room but felt uncomfortable going in.
"I'll be off" He called from the hallway
Rory came out of her room "Hey Luke"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks"
"What for?" Luke questioned
"Everything. Everything you've ever done for us and for being here for us. I just want you to know I'm glad you and mom are together now"
"So am I" A smile playing across Luke's face as he heard Rory say "together". He'd never get tired of that.
"And I don't want you to feel uncomfortable here. I mean, like tonight with mom and everything I just want you to feel... I don't know... I want you to feel comfortable in this house with mom and when I'm here too. I like having you here." Rory said shyly looking at the ground.
Luke was touched. "Thanks Rory." He wasn't quite sure what else to say but Rory could tell he was overwhelmed.
"And anyway, you've done so many repairs here and rebuild so much of it, it's practically yours" Rory added to lighten the mood
Luke laughed "I'll probably see you tomorrow for breakfast?"
"I think there's a good possibility, night Luke"
"Night"