Chapter 28
At 5:30pm Lorelai, Rory and Dean entered the diner.
"Lukey" Lorelai called out "We're here"
Luke walked out of the kitchen "Don't call me that".
Lorelai just giggled at him. "Can we go now please?"
"Yeah, let me just tell Caesar" Luke said then walked back into the kitchen. He returned a few minutes.
Lorelai grabbed onto Luke's arm smiling "Can we go now" She asked bouncing up and down like a child
Luke had to smile at her excitement.
Lorelai looked at Rory "I can't wait to play the games..."
"... And the rides..." Rory added
"...Oh cotton candy," Lorelai continued
"Yes we have to have that" Rory agreed
Luke and Dean looked at girlsthen ateach other. "And this was your idea?" Dean asked Luke.
Luke shook his head "What was I thinking?"
Once they arrived, Lorelai and Rory dragged Luke and Dean around to all the different stalls. After filing up on hot dogs, ice creams and other junkfood Rory and Dean went off on their own agreeing to meet up with Luke and Lorelai in an hour.
Luke and Lorelai strolled arm-in-arm along the sideshow alley.
"Thanks for tonight" Lorelai said moving closer to Luke "It was so nice of you to suggest this, I'm having the best time"
Luke smiled and kissed her "Anything for you"
Lorelai looked up at Luke and smiled "Luke"
"No" he answered quickly
"But you just said…"
"No way"
"Just one?"
"No"
"Please Luke, for me?" Lorelai asked batting her eyelashes at him
"Lorelai"
Lorelai could tell he was about to cave, so she kept going "Please Luke" She kissed him softly "because you love me?"
"Just one" Luke said caving, he really couldn't deprive her of anything she wanted.
"Yay…ok which one?"
"You choose but remember, just one" Luke said in his usual gruff voice
"Fine" Lorelai said scanning the games. "This one" Lorelai giggled as she pointedto the one she'd chosen.
"No!"
"Come on"
"No. You're doing that on purpose. I'm not playing a game that requires me to pick a yellow rubber ducky out of water. Look, it's a kids game"
"You said ducky" Lorelai giggled before continuing "But the number on the bottom gets you a prize and you'll look so cute amongst the 4 years old" Lorelai laughed
"Lorelai"
"Ok, ok... Oh I know" Lorelai grabbedLuke's hand and pulled him towards the strength tester "This one"
Luke sighed; this one was a little less embarrassing than the last game, just a little. "Fine"
Luke paid the guy and grabbed the hammer.
Lorelai began to instruct him "Ok you have to hit the spot there with the hammer as hard as you can and..."
"I know" Luke said as he swung the hammer over his shoulder, the swung it back and slammed it down on the mark. Ding, ding, ding, ding the lights and sirens went off as Luke's hit sent the float to the top.
"Well done" The guy behind the stall said "You have pick of the top shelf"
Lorelai jumped up and down "Oh my god Luke, I knew you were strong but wow"
"Just pick something please" Luke said embarrassed by all the commotion
"I want the gorilla" Lorelai said excitedly
The man from the stall handed Lorelai a huge stuffed gorilla toy "He's so cute" she said hugging him
As they walked away Lorelai continued to hug the stuffed toy. "He's so soft and cute and I love him. I think I'll call him ... Graham yeah Graham Gorilla."
"It's just a stupid toy"
"Is someone jealous? Lukey my big strong hero you don't have to be jealous of Graham, you' re much cuter"
"Glad to hear it" Luke said rolling his eyes
"And less hairy, and stronger and taller, and a better kisser" Lorelaiadded looking up at him. Luke took the hint and leaned in and kissed her passionately. When they pulled back trying to catch their breath Lorelai leaned her head against Luke's chest "Defiantly better"
Luke and Lorelai strolled hand-in-hand with the Gorilla on Lorelai's hip like a baby. Lorelai spotted Rory and Dean and pulled Luke over to them.
"Rory, look" Lorelai said holding the Gorilla up to her daughter.
"Wow, he's huge and so cute" Rory said hugging him "How'd you get him?"
"Luke won him for me" Lorelai said hugging Luke "He's so strong"
"So what did youname him?"Rory said still hugging the toy
"Graham Gorilla" Lorelai answered proudly
"Cute"
"Hey remember he's mine." Lorelai pointed to her daughter
Dean looked at Luke, then at Rory and Lorelaifussing over the toy, then back at Luke. Dean then turned and stormed off.
"Dean" Rory called after him "Where are you going?"
"To win you a gorilla" Deancalled over his shoulder.
Rory and up to him and put her hand on his arm "Hey I was only joking, I don't want one"
"I want to win you one, look at all the little crap you've got, you deserve a big toy" Dean said holding up a small bear and the over-sized novelty glasses they had won. Dean continued to walk to the strength tester. Rory turned to look at Luke & Lorelai then followed Dean.
"Oh no, that doesn't look good" Lorelai said grabbing Luke's hand and walking after her daughter.
Chapter 29
Lorelai and Luke turned up at the Strength tester as Dean was swinging the hammer back, he swung forward and hit the mark. It went ¾ of the way up then back down again.
"You get the pick of the middle shelf" the man said pointing at the toys in the 2nd row
Dean turned and looked at Luke standing there clutching the gorilla "Give me another go" he said pulling more money out if his wallet
"Dean you don't have to, I don't want one" Rory said
"I want to get you one. It can't be that hard, I mean if Luke can do it anyone can."
"What?" Luke said stepping forward
Lorelai put her hand on Luke's arm, Luke stopped and looked at Lorelai, her eyes pleading with him to leave it.
Dean tried again and again it didn't reach the top.
"Dean" Rory said softly
Dean ignored her as he paid for another go. Rory looked at her mother hoping she'd know what to do.
"Dean" Lorelai and Rory said at the same time
"Just leave me to do it" Dean snapped at them
They both jumped back slightly caught off guard by Dean's tone.
"Hey" Luke jumped in. Dean's face began to grow red "Luke it's none of your business" he yelled at Luke
"It is my business, you don't speak to anyone like that, especially not ladies and especially not your girlfriend"
Lorelai grabbed Luke's arm again and pulled him back. She whispered, "He's just a kid, he's angry"
Lorelai put her other arm on Rory's shoulder and guided her back slightly. They watched as Dean swung the hammer back again and this time hit the mark with such force it sent the sirens and lights off.
"Well Done, anything from he top shelf" the guy behind the game said
"See I knew I could do it" He turned to Rory "What would you like?"
"I'd like you to grow up" Rory said before storming off
Lorelai went to run after her then turned back to Luke worried if she left the two boys together there would be blood when she got back.
"Luke I have to go after her, please, please, please don't do anything stupid…for me and for Rory"
Luke nodded and Lorelai ran off after Rory
"Rory" Lorelai called running after her "Hon, mommy can't run anymore"
Rory stopped and turned around with tears in her eyes
"Oh sweetie" Lorelai pulled Rory into a hug. Rory cried for a while then looked up at her mother "What was that?"
"I don't know" Lorelai said shaking her head "I think his intensions were good"
"It was his stupid male pride, he didn't care that I didn't want a Gorilla he just wanted to one up Luke. He was so angry"
"I know." Lorelai rubbed her daughters back trying to figure out what to say to her. Lorelai was less than impressed with Dean's behavior but she wanted Rory to be happy.
"Just talk to Dean and see what he has to say, he can't help it he's so in love with you he wants you to have the best of everything."
"Maybe" Rory said sniffing
"Come on, lets go back and make sure the guys haven't killed each other" Lorelai said it as a joke but in the back of her mind she was worried it was true.
Luke watch Lorelai run off until she was out of sight then turned back to Dean who standing in the same spot starring at his feet. Dean looked up and saw Luke starring at him
"What?
"Hey, nothing to do with me. I'm just waiting for Lorelai"
"Yah, you're just perfect aren't you"
"Hey what's your problem, I've done nothing to you"
"Not directly"
"What?"
Dean shifted his feet "Ever since you and Lorelai have been together... Rory keeps..."
"What?" Luke asked softly. Even though he didn't really like Dean, Luke loved Rory like his own daughter and he wanted her to be happy.
"It's always about how happy Lorelai is and what you have done for her and then with the Gorilla...I can't compete with you"
"You're not competing with me"
"Not directly with you but ... I don't know but with what you do for Lorelai, Rory's always saying how happy Lorelai is now"
"I don't think Rory says that to make you feel inadequate more that she's happy for Lorelai, you know they're freakishly linked and I think she's just happy for her and well, Lorelai talks about how happy Rory is too only you don't hear that"
"Maybe"
"You should talk to her or something"
"Yeah maybe"
Just then Luke caught sight of Lorelai in the corner of his eye, he watched her and Rory walk back towards them
Lorelai breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the two boys talking. When Dean saw Rory he walked over to her. Rory looked at her mother "We'll just..." she said pointing
Lorelai nodded "Take your time, we'll meet you at the car when you're ready"
Rory nodded and she and Dean walked off
Lorelai walked over to Luke and hugged him, he hugged her back tightly
"Everything Okay?" Luke asked
"Yeah it will be, everything ok with you?"
"Yeah"
"I saw you two talking?"
"Yeah"
"And?"
"And well.. I don't know... he just, he was feeling insecure of something, he said Rory always tells him how happy you are and he thought that meant that she wasn't or something" Luke shrugged
"Oh" Lorelai though for a moment "They'll sort it out"
They hugged for a little while longer then Lorelai spoke "I am you know"
"Sorry?"
"I am... really happy"
Luke kissed the top of her head "Good, so am I"
Luke took Lorelai's hand and they began walking back through the carnival making their way towards the car.
"Wait" Lorelai stopped walking "I'm hungry"
"When are you not?"
"I'm just going to ignore that and let you buy me some cotton candy"
"How very nice of you"
Lorelai giggled, "Hey you want me to continue being happy don't you?"
Luke rolled his eyes "So your happiness with me depends on whether or not I let you rot your insides?"
"Not my whole happiness with you but if you want me to be happy at this very moment then yes and if you don't want me to be sad and miserable then yes and if you don't want to see me pouting then yes and if…."
Luke put his hand up to stop her "Ok I get it" Luke pulled out some money and paid for three.
"Wow all for me" Lorelai clapped her hands excitedly
"Ah no, one for you and the other two are for Rory and Dean"
"Very sweet but what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Where is yours?"
"Lorelai you know I'm not going to eat that crap"
"You will if you want me to be happy and if you don't want me to pout and if you.."
Luke cut her off "Ok we've been through this. So me eating this stuff which you know I don't like will make you happy even though you know I don't like it and it would make me unhappy?"
"Huh?"
Luke thought for a moment then smiled "If you make me eat it then I will be unhappy and I'll be sad and then I'll pout" he tried Lorelai's line of reasoning
"Oh pouty Luke" Lorelai giggled "I want to see that"
"Lorelai" Luke rolled his eyes and began to walk off.
"Hey wait for me" Lorelai called after him still giggling
Luke and Lorelai made their way back to the car and got in.
"Mmm that was good" Lorelai said as she took the last bite of her treat "Do you think Rory and Dean want theirs?"
Luke just looked at her
"Ok fine" Lorelai picked up her gorilla and gave him a cuddle then put him down near her feet. "I really had a good time tonight Luke, thanks" Lorelai looked over at Luke who was staring at her. Luke was busy watching her, how happy she was and her smile as she hugged the toy. He loved her smile it as infectious.
"What?"
Lorelai voice startled him "What?"
"What? What's with the look?"
"Nothing"
"Luke?"
"Nothing, I was just looking at you, because you're really beautiful" Luke said slightly embarrassed. Lorelai didn't say anything hoping he'd continue. After a moment he did "I was just watching you smile and it makes me happy that you are... you know.. Happy and stuff"
"I am Luke " Lorelai said as she took his hand in hers and rubbed her thumb over it.
"Good" Luke nodded "I'm really happy too, happier than I've ever been." Luke looked into her eyes, emotions suddenly taking over "I love you so much" he said as he pulled her into a hug.
"I love you too" Lorelai said hugging him back. When they pulled apart Lorelai looked at him "Hey, you ok? What's this about?" She asked noticing a touch of sadness in his eyes
"It's nothing" Luke said looking away
"Luke?" Lorelai asked softly
Just then there was a tapping sound on Lorelai window, she turned around to see Rory and Dean standing there. Lorelai opened the door and got out
"Hey you two everything ok?"
Rory nodded "Yeah we're good" Rory held up a huge stuffed panda bear "We went back and got it, you know so Graham there would have a friend"
Rory got in the car and Dean was about to follow but stopped "Lorelai ah.. I'm sorry for you know.. um….."
"Dean it's ok" Lorelai said smiling at him
"Thanks"
On the drive back to stars hollow Rory and Dean ate their cotton candy and talked about the carnival and their plans for the next day. Lorelai looked over at Luke who had barely said a word the entire trip. When they arrived back at the Gilmore's Rory told Lorelai she and Dean were going for a walk to talk some more but promised to be home in an hour at the latest.
Lorelai looked at Luke who was still very quiet "Luke"
"I'm going to go" Luke said then kissed her cheek
"Hey Luke, what's going on?" Lorelai asked softly rubbing her hand up and down his arm
"Nothing. I'm just tired" Luke said
"Come on" Lorelai said grabbing his hand "Let's go inside"
"Lorelai I just want to get home"
"Luke I don't know what I've done wrong but I want to sort this out now"
Chapter 30
"I'm going to go" Luke said then kissed her cheek
"Hey Luke, what's going on?" Lorelai asked softly rubbing her hand up and down his arm
"Nothing. I'm just tired" Luke said
"Come on" Lorelai said grabbing his hand "Let's go inside"
"Lorelai I just want to get home"
"Luke I don't know what I've done wrong but I want to sort this out now"
Lorelai pulled Luke into the house, her mind racing. She wasn't sure what had made Luke do a complete turn around. One minute he was telling her he loved her then he seemed sad and distant.
"Luke" That's all she could get out, her voice shaking
"It's nothing you've done" Luke said without looking at her
"What then?"
"Nothing's wrong ok, why would you think anything's wrong"
"You just haven't said much"
"You say I never say much" Luke's tone was much harsher than he meant it to be
"You were all lovey dovey Luke one minute then nothing, it must be something I've done… please Luke" Lorelai's voice crackled as she tried to keep her herself from crying
Luke heard the tone in her voice and immediately looked at her noticing she was almost in tears.
"Hey hey" Luke got up and pulled her into a hug feeling horrible he'd made her this upset "it's not you it's me ok, I just... I need to just… I have to go" Luke hugged her and kissed the top of her head. Lorelai watched Luke leave then sat on the couch. She was in the same position when Rory came home about half and hour later.
"Hey mom" Rory said as she entered the living room "Dean and I talked, we're all good. I think his talk with Luke helped. I don't know what he said but I should thank him. Is he still here?"
At the mention of Luke's name the tears started to roll down Lorelai cheeks.
"Mom what's wrong?"
Lorelai sniffed "Nothing Hon"
"Mom tell me, did you and Luke have a fight?"
"I don't know. Luke and I were talking in the car and it was really nice you know and then he went all silent and I tried to talk to him and he just wanted to leave"
"What?"
"I don't know what's going on with him or what I've done."
Rory hugged her mom "Mom I'm sure it's nothing you've done he loves you too much. Why don't you go talk to him?"
"No, he wanted to leave, he didn't want to talk" Lorelai was silent for a minute composing herself "I think I'm going to go to bed"
"Okay. You know where I am if you want some company"
"Thanks hon"
Rory watched her mother walk up the stairs then heard a light knock on the door. Rory answered to find a Luke standing on the doorstep, hands in his pockets.
"Luke"
"Hi Rory..Is your mom here?"
"Ah yeah, she's just gone up to bed though"
"Oh.. I'll come back..um... tomorrow" Luke turned to go
"Luke I think she'd want to see you now"
Luke hesitated for a moment then entered the house and at Rory's nod walked up the stairs. Luke stood outside Lorelai's door and took a deep breath before knocking lightly "Lorelai it's me"
There was a moments silence before Luke heard her footsteps then the door open
"Hi, can we talk?"
Lorelai nodded and walked over to the bed and sat down, Luke stood up and started to pace the room. "This, emotions… talking about this stuff ok, I'm just... tonight in the car I was just watching you and I was hit by this wave of emotion, I just .. It was .. I didn't know how to deal with it, I ... I don't know… " Luke sighed loudly "It's stupid" he said "You know I love you and the more time I spend with you the more time I want to spend with you and I didn't think it was possible but the more I love you…. I'm just…this Lorelai. I suddenly got angry, it doesn't make sense but I did, I got angry at myself for wasting so much time, so many years we could of had this then… I got sad I don't want to waste anymore time. I thought back to the time when we weren't together and I just .. I don't know, I got upset or something I just suddenly remember what it felt like to not be with you and then with the love I feel for you I just didn't want to feel so much incase I couldn't anymore"
"Sorry Luke I'm not sure I understand" Lorelai said softy watching him walked up and down
"I just, I don't, and the thought of losing you scares me. To be so in love with you incase something happens between us and you know..." Luke looked away sheepishly "I just, I didn't want to talk about it ok, I just wanted to go home and everything would be fine tomorrow"
"Hey hon, we have to talk about it or it will just get worse and tear us apart"
"I hate talking about it" Luke said gruffly
"I know, I know feelings like this scare you and they scare me too... remember my little freak out?"
Luke nodded "I just, I don't get sacred you know. I have been able to be in control most things in my life but" Luke paused for a moment and looked into her eyes "You're it for me"
Lorelai stopped for a moment "You're it for me too" she realized that she really and truly meant it. There was no one else in the world she'd rather be with and she'd known that for a long time too.
"I'm sorry I ran off, I just needed to get me head around things. I went back to my place but realized I didn't want to be there, not without you. Forgive me?"
"Of course" Lorelai stood up and hugged him "But no more running mister. I'm the crazy, nutty, freaky one here"
Luke laughed and kissed her, Lorelai pulled away "So need a place to sleep tonight?"
"Yep"
"I here the local YMCA has a few spare cots"
"Crazy" Luke muttered and kissed her again
"Hey can you wait here I just remembered I need to talk to Rory about something." Lorelai kissed him quickly then ran out of the room.
Chapter 31
"Rory" Lorelai knocked on her daughter's door "You still up?"
"Yeah, you okay? Where's Luke?"
"I didn't care for what he had to say... so I need your help to bury the body"
"Mom!"
"Ok I want to talk to you about something "Lorelai said sitting on her daughters bed
Rory sat up ready to listen to what Lorelai had to say "Okay...Shoot"
"Um look I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I used to think about what it would be like before Luke and I were even together which is strange because now when I think about it I realize that maybe I was kidding myself before and I did ..."
"Mom" Rory interrupted her mother's rambling, "What's going on? Where's Luke?"
"He's upstairs"
"You know it's ok for him to stay tonight if that's what you're trying to ask me"
"Oh... well yes and no." Lorelai took a deep breath "Hon, um… how would you feel about Luke staying over... for good"
"You mean move in here?"
"Yeah" Lorelai said softly "How would you feel about that?"
Rory thought for a moment "I think it'd be great"
"Really?" Lorelai asked
"Really"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure"
"Really sure?"
"Mom what is this, you want me to say no?"
"No I just... I really want you to think about it and be really sure that you are okay with this. I mean this is huge, having Luke living here and I need to know that it's really okay"
"Mom it's really fine. Not all that much would change, Luke has been around in our lives forever and to be honest.. I guess... I have been thinking about it too. Well since you two got together anyway" Rory admitted
"And you don't think it's too soon?"
"Not for me but that's really up to you and Luke... Have you spoken to Luke about this?"
"No but something he said tonight makes me think he wants this too"
Rory hugged her mother "I'm really happy for you mom for both for us"
"Thanks sweets. Come on lets tell him together"
"Luke" Lorelai called from down stairs "Can you come down here please"
After a few seconds the girls heard Luke start to walk down the stairs. He saw Lorelai and Rory standing in the living room smiling up at him "What's going on?" Luke asked
"Well" Lorelai began "Rory and I have had a discussion and we've decided that to make up for your behavior tonight you have to run around the living room in your underwear" Lorelai said seriously
Luke's eyes widened "What?"
"Mom!" Rory said shocked
Lorelai smirked "Or you could agree to move in with us, whichever" she said with a shrug
"What?" Luke asked again
Rory chimed in "I think what mom is trying to say is we want to know if you'd want to move in here.."
"...With us" Lorelai added
Rory looked at her mother and rolled her eyes "No really? because otherwise we'd have to find somewhere else to live"
"Oooh we could move into Luke's place… think of it… all that diner food for us, whenever we want" Lorelai said excitedly
They both turned to look at Luke when he started speaking…
"So my other option is the running around the living half naked thing?" Luke asked with a smile "That seems theleast painfuloption"
"Hey" Both girls said then pouted
Luke laughed, "Are you sure about me moving in?"
Rory and Lorelai looked at each other "Well after that comment..." Rory said shaking her head
"Yeah I'm not sure anymore" Lorelai agreed
"Ok I'm sorry. But I mean are you really sure? Rory?"
Rory nodded
"Okay well..." that was all Luke could get out before Lorelai jumped into his arms and kissed him with all the love she felt for him. Luke kissed her back with as much intensity.
After a few minutes Rory piped up "Hey kid in the room" she said pointing to herself
Luke looked at her embarrassed "Ah sorry"
"I'm going to bed" Rory walked over to Luke and hugged him. Luke hugged her back tightly. Rory the leaned up and whispered in his ear "I'm glad you're moving in" then kissed his cheek "Night"
"Night" Luke said as he watched her walk to her room then he turned to Lorelai who had a tear running down her cheek
"Yes I know I'm crying again but.. She really loves you Luke"
"I know, I love her too" Luke said as he hugged Lorelai." You know I never actually said yes"
"But you are going to aren't you" Lorelai said with a knowing smile
"Not sure. Can you go wait upstairs I need to talk to Rory something" Luke told her
"She already said she was fine with this"
"I know.. I just want to ask her something"
"What?"
"Lorelai"
"Okay,fine, you've got 5 minutes" Lorelai said as she walked up the stairs to her room
Luke knocked gently on Rory's door. "Come in" Luke heardher call out.
"Hey Luke"
"Hey Rory I need to talk to you about something" Luke said looking slightly uneasy
"Luke I meant what I said, I want you to move in here"
"I know and thanks but I haven't actually said yes"
"But you will"
Luke shook his head 'More and more like her mother' Luke thought to himself
"No I mean ... ok I'm not sure how much you know about what happened tonight but I kind of freaked out. I got scared about what's going on with your mom and me but then I thought about it and I went back to my place and I got this out of my safe" Luke said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. Luke opened the lid to produce a beautiful sparkling diamond ring "It's an engagement ring, it was my mother's."
"Wow, Luke look you know I love you but it's more a fatherly thing, I don't think it'd be right for you to propose to me, especially when you're seeing my mother" Rory giggled
"Yep just like her" Luke muttered and shook his head
"What?"
"Nothing"
"Luke really, it's beautiful"
"I want to ask your mom to marry me but I wanted to check with you first" Luke took a deep breath "I really love your mom and you too and I want to know that you'd be happy if I asked her" Luke asked sincerely
"Oh Luke" Rory hugged him "Of course I am"
"Thanks Rory" Luke hugged her back then stood up "Okay wish me luck"
"Good luck, not that you'll need it"
Chapter 32
Luke stopped at the bottom of the steps and took a deep breath. He knew he wanted to propose but hadn't really thought any further than that. He walked into the kitchen and made a cup of coffee...bringing her coffee couldn't hurt. As he was waiting for the coffee Luke looked out the window then ran out the backdoor. A minute later he walked back in, poured a mug full of coffee and made his way back into the hall and up the stairs. He stood in the doorway for a second watching Lorelai as she was lying on the bed reading a magazine. His heart stopped as she lowered the magazine and looked up at him smiling.
"You were gone a while, I missed you" Lorelai said with a smile
Luke stood, smiling back at her, both his hands behind his back out of her sight. Luke brought his right hand and the mug of coffee from behind his back. "Forgive me?"
"Oh, is that what I think it is?" Lorelai said excitedly
"Well that depends on what you think it is" Luke lowered the cup and Lorelai sat up and clapped "Wow you're bringing me coffee without me having to ask and it's late at night and there's not fight or a lecture. I'm gonna love having you living here."
"Well about that..." Luke stopped and looked at her "I'm not sure I can move in just yet"
Lorelai put the coffee on her bedside table "What, why not?"
"There's something I need to talk to you about first?" Luke said seriously
"What? Hang on does this have anything to do with Rory?"
"Sort of"
"What Luke, what did Rory say? She's fine with it right?" Lorelai started to panic
"Yes she's fine if I move in"
"Luke I don't understand... you don't want to live with me?"
Luke put his right hand out and when Lorelai took it, he pulled her up from the bed so she was standing in front of him. Luke then brought his left arm from behind his back producing a flower he picked from the garden "Lorelai I don't just want to move in with you..." Lorelai opened her mouth but Luke put two fingers against her lips to stop her from speaking. "You know I love you, more than anything in the world. I would do anything for you and for Rory. I have loved you for so long and I will love you forever. I would love to move in with you but..."
"Luke"
"Shhh still my turn" he said softly "But I don't just want to move in with you, I want to be with you forever." Luke pulled the box out of his pocket and got down on one knee.
"Oh my god" Lorelai whispered
"Lorelai Gilmore, I love you... will you marry me?"
Lorelai stood there staring from Luke to the ring then back to Luke. She went to speak but nothing came out. Tears began to flow down her face. She nodded and pulled Luke to his feet. Lorelai pulled Luke into a passionate embrace, kissing him like it was the first time, never wanting it to end. Eventually they pulled their lips apart and rested foreheads together.
"Oh my god... Oh incase you missed it that was a 'yes'" Lorelai panted
"Yes?"
"Yes" Lorelai nodded.
Luke tightened his arms around her waist, lifted her up and twirled her in the air "Yes, yes, yes" Lorelai giggled, she'd never seen Luke so happy and she'd never felt so happy herself.
Luke put her down and pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger giving her hand a gently kiss before letting it go. "I love you so much" he whispered before kissing her again. Lorelai smiled "I love you too"
Lorelai held up her hand and stared at the ring. "Oh Luke, it's so amazing"
"It was my mothers"
"Oh Luke, are you sure?"
"What about?"
"This... Me... the ring... You know out of everyone in Stars Hollow I am probably the one who's most likely to lose it well…. After Kirk anyway"
"Yes I'm sure about you… more sure about this than anything I've ever been sure about before and I want you to have the ring, my mother would of wanted you to have the ring and I trust you"
Lorelai kissed him again "Wait is this what you talked to Rory about? Does she know?"
"Well she knows I was going to propose I wanted to run it by her but she doesn't know you said yes"
"Can we go tell her?'
"Of course"
Luke took Lorelai's hand and they made their way down the stairs to find Rory sitting on the couch waiting for them
Lorelai nodded and Rory screamed and ran to her mother and hugged her. She then threw her arms around Luke and hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy for you both" Rory said with an arm around each of them.
"Thanks Rory" Luke said smiling. They talked for a few minutes before Rory announced she was going to bed
"What, now?" Lorelai asked
"Yeah well, I figure you two should have some time alone now and we'll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow" Rory hugged Luke again and then her mother. "I love you mom" Rory whispered in her ear.
"I love you too kid"
Luke and Lorelai walked back upstairs in silence, they entered the bedroomand shut the door behind them.
Chapter 33
Several hours later, the happy couple laid in bed waiting for their breathing to return to normal, arms and legs still tangled together. Luke leaned over and kissed Lorelai's cheek.
Lorelai smiled at him "You proposed"
"I know"
"And I said yes"
"I know"
Lorelai looked at the ring on her finger "We're getting married"
"I know that too" Luke said kissing her again
"So.." Lorelai took her attention away from the ring and looked at Luke "So I guess this means you're moving in then"
Luke nodded "Guess so"
Suddenly Lorelai groaned
"What?" Luke asked concerned
"I just realized you're going to want half my closest aren't you"
"Well I will need somewhere to put my stuff"
"You know, now I'm actuallyrethinking this whole moving in together thing."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. Sorry hon, no one comes between my clothes and me. Where would they all live if your big manly shirts are in there?"
Luke sat up getting ready to get out of bed "Oh well... I'd better get going then you know... before I become too attached to you" Luke shrugged
"Hey" Lorelai grabbed his arms trying to pull him towards her. Luke fell back on the bed and Lorelai leaned over him giggling "Very graceful"
"You pulled me down"
"Yeah so I could do this" Lorelai kissed him passionatly on the lips "Ok on further inspection I think I prefer you I mean my clothes usually live on the floor and who needs clothes anyway when we can stay naked and do this all day long" Lorelai said kissing him again.
"Glad I'm of some use" Luke said getting himself more comfortable on the bed. Lorelai cuddled up next to him and let out a yawn
"Tired you out did I?"
"Ah ha" Lorelai said trying to get closer to him. She shut her eyes just listening to his heartbeat. Luke circled his arms around her and kissed her forehead. As Luke's eyes began to close he heard Lorelai whisper, "I'm getting married" Luke just smiled and they slept happily in each other's arms.
The next morning at 5am Luke silently got out of bed and quickly threw some clothes on. He leant down and kissed Lorelai softly before walking out of the room. Luke crept out of the house and made his way through Stars Hollow to the diner. "Hey Caesar, before it gets too busy can you whip me up some bacon, eggs and toast and I'll do the choc chips pancakes". Luke grabbed muffins, danishes and cookies and headed into the kitchen to start the pancakes
"Wow boss, you sure you got enough food? You feeding a small country this morning?"
"No just the Gilmore women"
"Well then you definitely don't have enough. I'll throw some more bacon on" Caser laughed
Once Luke had everything he needed from the diner he made his way back towards Lorelai's house, making one final stop before he was done. Luke let himself back into the house and headed towards the kitchen. First he switched the coffee machine on the pulled all the contents of the bags and arranged them on the table. He then poured a mug full of coffee and headed back up the stairs. Luke stood in the doorway for a good 5 minutes just watching Lorelai sleep. Luke shook himself out of trance, he could just watch her all day, and walked over to the side of the bed. He took the mug full of cold coffee that Lorelai didn't drink the night before and swapped it with the mug of hot coffee. Luke sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hand up and down Lorelai bare back.
"Mmmmm" Lorelai murmured sleepily
Luke leant down and kissed her bare shoulder, then her neck then her cheek, the moved to her lips. "Mmmmmm" Lorelai said again and slowly opened her eyes "Hey there"
"Morning" Luke said before kissing her again
"Do I smell coffee?"
Luke leaned over and grabbed the mug "Here"
Lorelai sat up and took the mug,then leaned up against Luke. Luke put his arms around her, watching her sip her favorite brew. After a few minutes Lorelai turned and looked at him "Hey you have far too many clothes on. Who said you could get dressed?"
"Well I had to get dressed so I could go to the diner and get you a surprise breakfast"
Lorelai giggled
"What?" Luke asked confused
"I'm just picturing you walking down to the diner naked" she said giggling again then she stopped "Wait did you say breakfast surprise?"
"Maybe"
Lorelai jumped out of bed, grabbing the closest items of clothing she could find and ran down the stairs "OH Luke" she squealed when she reached the kitchen noticing the kitchen tabled covered in all the food she loved plus a two huge bunches of flowers on two of the chairs. Lorelai threw her arms around Luke and kissed him.
"Okay someone better have a good excuse for waking me up before 8am on a Saturday morning" Rory said rubbing her eyes as she walked into the kitchen.
"Oh he does" Lorelai said pointing at the table full of food, then she turned to Luke "Wait it's before 8?"
Rory laughed "You didn't notice, wow Luke how'd you get her up... wait do I want to know?"
"Coffee" Luke added quickly
"Oh" Rory said understanding and relieved
Luke picked up the flowers and handed a bunch to each of the girls. "Now don't expect this every morning." He said as he moved over to the coffee machine pouring them each a cup full.
"Wow they're beautiful," Rory said smelling the flowers
"Luke, you didn't have to" Lorelai said smiling at him
"Wanted to" Luke said with a shrug
Later that morning as Rory was about to leave to go shopping with Lane she turned to her mom and Luke who were sitting on the couch.
"Bye mom, bye Luke"
"Hey hon can you come here a minute" Lorelai asked patting the seat beside her
Rory walked over and sat next to Lorelai.
"Hon Luke and I have decided not to tell anyone about the engagement just yet. We want to have this time to ourselves before we have to answered a hundred questions about how, when, why etc..."
"Stupid town" Luke muttered
"So if you could hold off telling Lane just for a few days"
Rory nodded "Yeah of course, what ever you want."
Lorelai hugged her daughter "Thanks. I promise first thing Monday we'll announce it to the world. Well I want to tell Sookie first and you can tell Lane then we can tell everyone else"
"I'm making sure I'm not working on Monday so I don't get trapped at the diner" Luke added
Lorelai and Rory giggled at Luke's response "Okay well I'm going now, have a good day" Rory said as she left the house
Luke and Lorelai spent most of the morning in bed, happy to have the time alone together and sharing this special time. Around lunchtime they emerged from the houseand headed to the diner to eat.
At the diner Lorelai took a seat at a table while Luke went into the kitchen to check on things and order lunch for the two of them. Lorelai sat at the table smiling as she watched Luke walk around the diner. Lorelai was in such a trance she didn't hear Miss Patty walk up to her "Hello Lorelai dear"
"Woah.. Oh hi Patty.. Sorry didn't see you there"
"No well your eyes were pretty securely fixed on that gorgeous coffee man of yours"
Lorelai giggled and smiled "Yeah well, someone has to keep an eye on him, make sure he's getting me my coffee and not trying to slip me decaf"
"Well dear you do look happy"
"I am" Lorelai said absently playing with the ring on her finger which didn't go unnoticed to Patty.
"So Lorelai, is there something you want to tell me dear?"
"Ah... no.. not that I can think of, why?"
"Well I was just admiring that lovely piece of jewelry on your finger. Is it new?"
Suddenly the color drained from Lorelai's face, how could she have forgotten about the ring. "Oh...ah..."
"Luke has good taste, well congratulations" Patty said before she rushed out of the diner leaving Lorelai in shock.
Chapter 34
Luke walked up to Lorelai and placed a cup of coffee in front of her "Here you go"he said before heleant down and placed a kiss on the top of her head
Lorelai didn't move "Lorelai" He noticed how pale she was "Are you okay?"
"They know"
"What?" Luke asked confused
"Patty...here...ring...stupid" Lorelai put her head in her hands
Luke placed his hand on her shoulder "Lorelai you'll need to speak in full sentences"
"Patty was here, we were talking.. She saw the ring on my finger, I'm so so sorry Luke. I should have taken it off. We didn't want people to know and now they know because I was stupid and didn't think about taking the ring off" Lorelai rambled on "I'm so sorry Luke"
"Hey" Luke grabbed Lorelai's arm and led her upstairs to the apartment. Once inside Luke put his arms around her.
"I'm sorry" she said again
"Lorelai you have nothing to be sorry about. So she saw the ring, big deal. They'll talk about it, we'll answer questions then it will be all over. The sooner they know the sooner they'll stop talking about it" Luke said gently rocking her back and forth. He had wanted to keep it to themselves for a day or two but it wasn't her fault.
"I should have taken it off"
"Lorelai no way. You're never to take it off. We just didn't think it through we should of known but look it's okay. I love you, you love me, we're getting married and that's all that matters"
Lorelai looked up at Luke his eyes shone when he talked about marrying her. "You're right. Thanks" Lorelai kissed him "Oh no, we have to tell Sookie before she hears from someone else, I don't want her to be mad at me"
"Okay"
"Come with me?"
"What now? What about lunch?"
"Sookie always has food"
Lorelai grabbed Luke's hand and pulled him out of the apartment. Lorelai ran out the back of the diner, and into the alley. She stopped Luke and poked her head around the corner.
"Lorelai"
"Hang on" Lorelai said looking from left to right
"What are you doing?"
"Checking that the coast is clear" Lorelai said as if he should know
"Right" Luke said rolling his eyes
"Ok I can't spot the enemy... lets roll" Lorelai said grabbing his hand again and pulling him along. She began to run down the street. "Come on Luke, keep up" She added pulling him along
Luke stopped running and stood still. "Luke come on"
"No"
"Luke"
"Lorelai stop please"
Lorelai stopped and looked at him "Come on Luke they'll see us"
"No" Luke said standing his ground
Lorelai slowly walked back to him "What's going on?"
"I'm not going to run and hide Lorelai. I asked you to marry me because I love you. Yes we were going to keep it a secret for a few days but it got out..big deal. I'm not going to spend the next few days running around, looking around corners and hiding because I'm not ashamed of our news. Yes I don't want to answer all the stupid questions that are going to be thrown at us but this is our news... good, exciting news and I want this madness to stop now."
"Luke...Sookie" Lorelai tried again
"If you want to go tell Sookie then we can walk to her house and tell her... no more running it's just crazy"
Lorelai looked at him for a moment "I am crazy"
Luke laughed and hugged her "I know"
"Still want to marry me?'
"Yes"
"That makes you crazy too"
Luke shook his head, grabbed her hand and began walking towards Sookie's.
When Sookie's house was in sight Lorelai looked at Luke "Well made it without the enemy spotting us.. Good job"
As if on cue they heard Patty and Babette call from behind then "Lorelai, Luke"
"Oh Geez" Luke sighed
"Ok just pretend we didn't hear them"
Luke grabbed Lorelai hand and began to run
"Hey what happened to not running from this?"
"Well that was when the enemy wasn't standing behind usand you said it yourself I'm crazy so run"
They ran up to Sookie and banged on the door.
"Hey guys where's the fire?" Sookie asked
Luke and Lorelai ran into the house "Quick close the door"
Sookie did as she was told and then joined Luke & Lorelai in the living room
"Ok someone want to tell me what's going on?"
"Well" Lorelai started "We have something to tell you and well it kind of got out and well we wanted to tell you first but we decided to keep it secret for a little while and thenshe saw the ring and.." Lorelai stopped her rambling when Luke gave her knee a squeeze. She took a breath and grabbed Luke's hand "Sookie... Luke asked me to marry him?"
"Any you said yes?" Sookie asked
"Yes Sookie I said yes... we're getting married"
"Arggghhhh" Sookie let out and ear piercing scream and ran and hugged her friend "This is so great..Wow ... amazing..." Sookie then hugged Luke "I'm so happy for both of you"
"Oh I'm making the cake and food and organizing the..."
"Whoa Sookie we haven't discussed anything wedding wise yet"
"So I'm not doing the food because you know Lorelai"
"No Sookie of course your doing the food it's just well we haven't discussed what sort of wedding we'd like yet" Lorelai looked over to Luke.
"Oh ok but you'll let me know right?"
"Right"
Sookie hugged Lorelai again "This is so great"
"Well we think so" Lorelai said smiling
Lorelai and Sookie talked about dresses, materials, and hairstyles all things girly. Luke contributed where he could. He was just happy though to sit back and watch how excited Lorelai was talking about the wedding. When it was time to go Lorelai asked Sookie to go outside and make sure Patty and Babette we're hiding in the bushes waiting for them.
"Ok looks clear to me"
"Thanks Sookie"
"Have a good afternoon you two"
"Oh we will" Lorelai said raising her eyebrows making Luke blush
In the kitchen of Lorelai's house Luke was making Lorelai some coffee
"Wow we managed to avoid them on the way back here, I'm surprised Babette wasn't camped out on the front lawn ready to pounce" Lorelai said as shewalked over to Luke and slipped her hands around his waist "What type of wedding do you want?"
"I don't care"
"Luke come on this is our wedding day you must care"
"No, all I care about is that at the end of the day you are my wife"
"Um Lorelai.. I know your parents will want... they'll insist but... I um..." Luke stammered
"Luke what is it?"
"I want to pay for our wedding, I mean us to pay if that's okay with you. I know your parents have lots of money and it would be easy for them to write a cheque but I want us to be in control"
"I agree"
"You do.. you don't mind?"
"No, I was well... I was going to bring it upaswell" Lorelai admitted "and I just want a small wedding, simple and elegant"
"Whatever you want" Luke said kissing her head
"Well good it's settled.. a nice small wedding and we'll pay" Lorelai said kissing him
"What about a date?" Luke asked
"Well hon if I'm marrying you I won't need to bring a date will I"
"You know what I mean"
"A date...um.. " Lorelai grabbed a calendar and had a look at the dates "well... what about March... the 16th?"
"Why then?"
"Well that's our three month anniversary, I though it would be cute to do it that day, easy to remember then, the date we first kissed and our wedding day?"
"If that's what you want then that's when it'll happen" Luke tightened his arms around her. Lorelai looked up at him "Luke, will you move in here?"
"I think that's part of the agreement when I asked you to marry me unless you're thinking of having one of those strange celebrity marriages where they live in separate houses"
"No Luke I mean now. I don't want to wait over 2 months for you to live here. I want you to move in here now, today, this second"
Just then the phone rang, Lorelai ran to answer it "Hello"
"Hi, Yeah he's here"
Lorelai handed Luke the phone and listened to his side of the conversation "Yeah, ok, no it's fine I'll be there in a few minutes"
"What's wrong?" Lorelai asked when he hung up
"Caesar needs me to come down there, the diner's really busy. Sorry I have to go"
"Hey it 's okay." Lorelai grabbed her car keys and handed them to Luke "Here take the jeep it'll get you there faster and it means you have to come back here tonight"
"Thanks" Luke gave her a quick kiss
"And it means you can start to bring some of your stuff over tonight"
"Okay" Luke kissed her again "Hey I'm sorry I know I promised to spend today with you"
"It's okay.. go..go oh and to make up for it you can bring me back a burger for dinner"
"No"
"Luke please"
"No"
"You know you're going to"
"Yeah I know"
Lorelai giggled "Ok go, scoot, see you tonight"
Lorelai smiled as she watched Luke drive away in her jeep. Life was good