Chapter 35
Luke walked through the packed diner and into the kitchen."Hey Caesar"
"Sorry boss I know you didn't want to be disturbed today"
"Its okay, you needed to call" Luke said as he looked around the diner. Hegrabbed some plates and started to distribute them to the hungry customers. They worked solid for half and hour before the crowd died down.
Luke was wiping the counter when the bells above the door jingled. "Oh no" Luke said to himself"Luke honey what are you doing here?"
"Patty what can I get you?"
"I thought you'd be with your lovely new fiancée" Patty said waiting for his reaction.
Luke tightened his grip around the dishcloth and took a deep breath 'ok let's get this over with' Luke thought to himself "Ok Patty I asked Lorelai to marry me last night. It's only new and I hope you'll appreciate that we'd like to have some time to our selves to sort out all the details. When we know what we're doing everyone will be told"
"So I suspect you'll be having a huge fairytale wedding" Patty said ignoring Luke "Oh she'll look so beautiful ...large white dress, you in a tux oh you'll look gorgeous. It'll be perfect and she for one definitely deserves the best. Oh a fairytale" Patty said excitidly
"Patty.." Luke started but then stopped "Every girl dreams of?"
"Yes dear. Everygirl dreams of her wedding day. What it'll be like, the dress she'll wear, the huge wedding.. I mean I'm sure this will be her only wedding, it should be a grand affair... make her feel like a princess."
"Lorelai only wants a small wedding Patty"
"Oh honey of course she'll say she only wants a small wedding. She's thinking that's what you want but trust me she'll want a huge wedding - every girl does"
"Huh" Luke said. He thought for a moment maybe Patty was right. It was his idea for them to pay for the wedding maybe she was trying to save them some money
"Any dear I must be off"
Luke called her back "Patty please don't bombard Lorelai with lots of questions just give us a little time"
"Whatever you want dear" Patty said as she left the diner
Luke shook his head knowing Patty wouldn't listen.
Later that evening Lorelai and Rory were lying on the couch watching TV and talking about the wedding. Lorelai heard a car pull into the driveway.
"He's here" Lorelai said running to the window with the excitement of a child
Rory smiled as she watched her mother "You're really happy aren't you mom?"
Lorelai nodded "And not just because he's got our burgers...what about you kid, you happy?"
Rory smiled and nodded like her mother had just done.
When Luke walked through the front door Lorelai and Rory ranto him. Lorelai grabbing the diner bags and handing them to Rory who took them into the kitchen.
Lorelai threw her arms around Luke's neck "I missed you" she said kissing him
"I missed you too" Luke said kissing her back "Patty came in to the dinertoday and I told her we wantedspace, I'm not sure if she'll listen though"
Rory walked back in with the food and some plates.As they all sateating their food, Rory looked at Luke "So mom told me about Patty and the ring and she said you've picked a date and it's going to be a smallish wedding"
Luke put his plate down and looked at the Rory and Lorelai "Ah.. On that... um.. I've been thinking this is going tobe ouronly wedding right?"
Lorelai smiled and nodded
"I ...um... I was thinking that I want a day to remember ...a big wedding" Luke said
"What, you hate all that stuff, people watching you etc..."
"I know, usually yes but this is our wedding, the only one I'll ever have I'd like it to be a great day, a day we'll look back on and tell the grandkids about, get the whole town involved" Luke lied trying to do the right thing, he wanted to give Lorelai the wedding she deserved.
"Ah...um.,.. If that's what you want" Lorelai asked looking quizzically at Rory who just shrugged at her mother
"It is" Luke lied again
"Ok...Well a big wedding it is" Lorelai agreed wanting to give Luke what he wanted
Chapter 36
"So he wants a big wedding?" Rory asked Lorelai as they sat in Rory's room
"Yeah, looks like it" Lorelai sighed
"And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"You don't want a big wedding do you?"
"Well… I guess not but I haven't really thought about it. I just wanted a small wedding, it just seems... I don't know... At our age and time in life a big wedding just seems" Lorelai struggled to find the words "but Luke wants it …"
"Mom you should tell him"
"Rory look… If I tell Luke I only want a small wedding then he'll say he wants the same, I know he'd do anything for me and I don't want him to sacrifice what he wants when I can live with a big wedding if it makes Luke happy"
Rory shrugged trying to understand "Okay, it's your decision"
"Yeah" Lorelai kissed her daughter goodnight and went back out into the living room where Luke was sitting on the couch flicking through the channels.
"Nothing sporty" She said watching him
"I think it's my turn to choose" Luke replied
"How do you figure that"?
"Because you always choose and it's always a strange movie or a nutty TV show or that one time you made me watch cartoons"
Lorelai giggled remembering "Yeah well it's my house, my TV, my choice" Lorelai stopped when she realized what she said, "I mean for now, you haven't officially moved in yet" Lorelai tried to make it better
"Yeah, just the three boxes of stuff I lugged upstairs" Luke mumbled under his breath
Lorelai sighed and sat next to him "Hon I'm sorry. I didn't mean it... it's just well I'm so used to everything being just mine that it's going to take some getting use to… but I do want to…get use to sharing I mean... it just might take a while"
Luke nodded
"But I do want this, you here, our stuff…" Lorelai stopped "Ours" she said again and smiled
Luke had to smile too. "It's ok, I understand. It would be the same if you moved into my apartment" He leaned over and kissed her
After a while Lorelai pulled back and grabbed the remote "So our TV or not there will be nothing sporty"
Luke leaned forward and grabbed it off her changing the channel until he found the first sport he could find which happened to be basketball, just to get a reaction back from her.
"Hey no fair" Lorelai said jumping up "your arms are longer than mine"
She ran around the back of the couch and leaned over but Luke stood up.
"Luuuukkkkke" Lorelai whined, "I hate sport"
"I like sport" Luke said holding the remote over his head
"So?" Lorelai said giggling
"So I like sports. I let you watch what you want to watch all the time"
"Fine" Lorelai sat and pouted.
Luke flicked the channels finding the baseball game he wanted to watch
"So what sport is this?" Lorelai asked smiling
"Baseball"
"And the guy the bat... what's his job?"
"To hit the ball"
"Ah ha.. and the guy throwing the ball?"
"Lorelai"
Lorelai smirked and continued "and the guy…"
"Ok you win" Luke gave up and handed her the remote "So this is how it's going to be?"
"Pretty much" Lorelai smiled then leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips, she pulled back then leaned in again kissing him for longer. She kissed him again this time with more passion letting her tongue find it's way into his mouth gently massaging his. Luke moaned softly and Lorelai pulled back again smiling "This is how it's going to be when you let me win.. Any complaints?"
"No, I'm a good loser" Luke said leaning in for another kiss but Lorelai moved her head back. "So baseball?"
Luke shock his head "I can get the score tomorrow"
Lorelai giggled, "How about scoring now?" she got up grabbing Luke's hand and pulling him up the stairs.
The next morning Lorelai woke before Luke. She rolled over and watched him sleep. She smiled and touched his face, she couldn't help it "I love you" Lorelai whispered thinking Luke was asleep.
"Love you too" Luke mumbled sleepily
"Sorry didn't mean to wake you" Lorelai said running her hand back over his jaw line
"Best way to be woken" Luke said opening his eyes and smiling at her. He pulled her to him and cuddled her. "So any complaints about our first night living together"
"Apart from that pesky baseball thing, which we resolved quickly, all is very, very good"
"Good" Luke said kissing her "So this wedding thing we're doing, if we're going to go with March 16th and if we're going all out we should probably start planning soon"
"Oh yeah, we should" Lorelai agreed trying to sound enthusiastic about planning a huge wedding
"When are your parents back?"
"Some time today. I can't remember when but I'm sure Emily will be on the phone as soon as they are"
"When are we going to tell them?"
"I hadn't really thought about it. I guess we should do it in person"
"Well if you want to go over tonight I'll go with you"
'Um okay, yeah. ..Maybe. Let's just see if they call first" Lorelai said wanting to put the conversation off as long as possible. She began thinking how her mother would react when she heard they were having a huge wedding. Emily would be Emily and organize everything bigger than Ben Hur.
That afternoon when Luke went to check on things at the diner Lorelai went to Sookie's for a bit of a girl chat.
"He wants a big wedding? Luke… grumpy Luke… Luke who never participates in any town things wants a huge wedding in front of everyone in the town?" Sookie asked in shock
"I know... apparently as this is going to be his only wedding he wants a day to remember?"
"Any what do you want?"
"I just wanted something small, you know all our close friends…simple"
"So tell him"
"That's what Rory said but I can't Sookie. He's been so good, amazing.. He's been Luke. He's given me everything I've wanted, he's given in to everything for me and if he wants this I want to do this for him"
"Well honey that is very selfless but I just can't see him in a tux parading in front of hundreds of guests"
Lorelai sighed, "It's not going to be that bad right. I mean I'm still getting married, I'll still get to be Luke's wife at the end of the day"
Later that night Luke & Lorelai lay in bed watching TV, cuddling and kissing and talking about their day.
"So tomorrow night we have dinner with your parents?" Luke asked
"Yeah, let me tell you Emily was shocked that I wanted to go to dinner, she asked me about a hundred times if I knew it wasn't Friday"
"So you didn't tell her why?"
"No just said that the three of us wanted to come to dinner, hear how their trip went, that sort of stuff"
As Lorelai was talking Luke got off the bed and grabbed a pamphlet he's placed on the dresser earlier. "I forgot to show you this" he said as he handed the pamphlet to her. "It's for a reception center in Hartford, very flash. I'm sure your parents have probably been there before. I thought it might be nice for our reception?"
Lorelai looked at the pamphlet. The picture of the hall, lots of glass, very ritzy…just the kind of place Emily would love. "Yeah…it… ah…looks…nice" Lorelai tried before she turned it over an looked at the price "Luke no we can't afford this place"
"We can Lorelai"
"It's more than I make in 6 months and it's only for one night"
"Our night" Luke reminded her
"Luke … we can't" Lorelai shouted
"I'm doing this for us"
"Luke I can't do this anymore" Lorelai began in frustration
"Can't do what?"
"This wedding"
"What?"
"I don't want this" Lorelai began to shout
"Fine" Luke said storming out
Suddenly it hit her "No Luke I didn't mean this wedding I meant a wedding like this, huge, fancy"
Luke kept walking
"Luke?"
"I don't want to talk about it Lorelai, fine let's not get married, lets not bother at all"
"Luke no… I'm sorry."
Luke stormed out of the house.
Rory came running out of her room "Mom what's wrong?"
"Luke, he just… I snapped I told him I didn't want this wedding but I meant like this whole huge affair" Lorelai stopped "This huge wedding meant more to him then I thought… I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have said anything"
"Oh mom, he'll be back… he just needs to calm down" Rory tried to comfort her mother.
Chapter 37
Luke stormed down the street towards the diner mumbling angrily to himself. Suddenly he stopped, turned and began walking back the way he had come. He walked into the Gilmore house to find Lorelai and Rory sitting on the couch.
"We need to talk" was all he said before making his way upstairs.
Rory looked at her mother "It's ok hon, go back to bed. We'll be fine"
Rory nodded "I know, Luke can't stay mad at you for long"
Lorelai looked into her bedroom to find Luke sitting on the end of the bed, his elbows rested on his knees, his head in his hands.
"Luke" Lorelai said softly
Luke looked up and patted the bed next to him. Lorelai walked over to him and sat down. They both sat in silence for a few minutes until Luke spoke. "I'm sorry, this wedding thing got to me more than I thought,I'm really trying to give you the wedding you want"
"No Luke, I'm sorry. It's not your fault..." Lorelai stopped "The wedding I want?"
"I know but all this pretending has me walking on egg shells, I'm sorry"
"OK Luke...stop… back up... What are you talking about?"
"I know you said you wanted a small wedding because I said we'd pay for it but you shouldn't have to sacrifice your dream for that, we can afford a big wedding"
Lorelai shook her head "I don't want a big wedding"
"But Patty said..." Luke began but stopped
"What?" Lorelai asked "Patty said what?"
"Patty said every girl dreams of their wedding day, this huge day where she is treated like a princess"
Lorelai looked at Luke for a moment trying to work out whether he was serious or not "Let me get this straight, you don't want a big wedding?"
Luke shook his head "No, I'm sorry"
"And you only said that because you thought I did?" Lorelai asked just to make sure
Luke nodded sheepishly "Yeah"
Lorelai threw her arms around him "You don't need to be sorry, I don't want a big wedding" Lorelai said smiling "Thank goodness"
"But Patty…"
Lorelai interrupted him "Luke you should know by now not to listen to the crazy towns folk and especially not a woman who has Elizabeth Taylor as her marriage role model"
"So you don't want a big wedding and it's not just because of the price?" Luke asked hopefully
"No, I don't want a huge wedding.. I'm so relieved I thought you wanted one"
"I only said that because..."
"Yeah I know" Lorelai started to laugh "Oh my god, I was having nightmaresof having to wear a dress with a skirt that went for miles, you in tails, an orchestra, a horse and carriage, butterflies and doves being released" Lorelai continued to laugh
"I can't believe I listened to her" Luke grumbled
"Oh hon, you did it because you we're being you. You were trying to make me happy and I love you for that and I was just as bad not telling you that I didn't want it" Lorelai kissed him "But from now on we have to agree to talk to each other when we have concerns. Us... " Lorelai said pointing between them "has happened so quickly. We know each other so well in some ways but we have to learn to talk about what we are really feeling... I want this to work.. I know we will work but we have to be honest with the other when something in bothering us" Lorelai smiled and nodded
"You are amazing" Luke said kissing her and pulling her into a hug "Of course we're going to work... I love you so much"
"Back atcha baby" Lorelai giggled.
"Come here" Luke said pulling her into bed
"Oh wait" Lorelai jumped up and ran down stairs "We're all good" she yelled.
"Good" A sleepy voice called back
Lorelai ran back up the stairs
Luke looked at her in confusion "What are you doing?"
"Well I knew Rory would be worried so I just let her know that her mommy and the hunky coffee supplier were all good"
Luke rolled his eyes and shook his head "and I just coming back for more" he smirked
Lorelai giggled "Yes you do my beautiful burger boy"
"Lorelai!" Luke warned
"My sexy salad server"
Luke didn't respond
"My love muffin"
Luke again didn't respond
"So you're just going to ignore the name thing now?" Lorelai pouted
"Yep"
"Because you think it'll make me stop?"
"I can only live in hope"
Lorelai giggled "awwwe my dashing danish dude, my handsome hamburger flipper, my passionate pancake..." That was all Lorelai could get out before Luke had had enough. He knew she wouldn'tstop if she knew it was bugging him, she'd continue for hours so he did the best thing he knew to shut her up, placing his lips over hers and kissing her soundly.
"My kissing ketchup king..." Luke rolled his eyes and kissed her again.
"My…"
"Are you just doing this now so I kiss you?"
Lorelai nodded and smiled sweetly
"All you have to do is ask?"
"My ways much more fun"
"We'll see" Luke said as he pulled her down and kissed her sending shivers down her spine and making her heart skip a beat
Chapter 38
"Get up" Lorelai said jumping on the bed
"Go away"
"Come on sleepy head" Lorelai jumped up and down again
"Don't you have a fiancé to annoy?"
"He left for work hours ago. I'm bored, come play with me"
"Mom I have to get up for school soon"
"I know,get up now so we have some time together"
Rory sat up, giving into the fact that Lorelai wasn't going to let her sleep anymore.
"Oh my god, you're dressed and ready for work" Rory said in shock
"Ah ha" Lorelai said proudly
"It's early how can you be up and functioning?"
"Well when Luke left I was lonely I can't sleep when he's not there" Lorelai pouted "So I got up and got ready so I could spend some time with my favorite daughter"
"So you're going to be like this every morning?"
"Every morning Luke has to open the diner"
Rory groaned "He needs to hire some help"
"For the diner or me?"
"Whichever way I get to sleep"
"Come on get up. We have heaps of time and I believe there will be donuts with our names on them and lots of lots of coffee"
Rory slowly got out of bed and made her way to the shower.
Half and hour later the two girls were walking through town on their way to the diner. Lorelai was practically bouncing up and down
"I still can't believe you're up this early" Rory said shaking her head. She watched her mother for a moment "You're really happy aren't you?"
"Yeah and oh I didn't tell you the best news.. Luke and I talked and he doesn't want a small wedding"
"No?"
"No, he just said that because he thought that's what I wanted"
"But I thought you'd already told him you wanted a small wedding"
"Well Patty said something"
"Ok say no more" Rory nodded "So we have dinner with Grandma and Grandpa tonight?"
"Yep we're going to tell them"
"How do you think they'll take it?"
"I don't know. When we saw them before the trip mom seemed to be making a real effort but I'm not hoping for miracles. Whatever happens, I love Luke and we're happy and we're getting married"
"Good"
Lorelai was silent for a moment "Hon?"
"Yeah"
"You are happy right?"
"For the millionth time yes I'm happy"
"Good just checking. Because you know if there's anything…"
Rory stopped her "Mom I've told you I'm really happy, Luke's great and I've never seen you so happy and that makes me happy and…" Rory stopped and looked away
"What?" Lorelai asked softly
"Nothing, it's stupid"
"Come on you know you can tell me anything"
"Ok. Well .. I … it's like ever since I can remember Luke has been there for us, he's been in our lives and helped us out a lot and he's always been there when dad wasn't… I guess..." Rory went silent for a moment "I guess I always thought that that's what a dad would be like..You know putting us first and I kind of feel like our family's together now… stupid ha"
"Hon no, that's not stupid at all"
"I mean I have a dad but he was never around and I know he's been better lately but I guess I just feel closer to Luke. He gets us, he kind of feels like my dad"
Lorelai put her arms around her daughter "That is the least stupidest thing I've heard. You know Luke loves you like a daughter and it's ok to love Luke and your dad"
When the girls walked into the diner Luke was placing plates of food in front of the customers. He walked over to them and kissed Lorelai quickly "Morning" he turned to Rory "Morning"
Rory stepped towards Luke and hugged him "Morning Luke"
Luke blushed slightly but couldn't stop smiling. "So I saved you the sprinkled donuts you like"
Lorelai and Rory rushed to the counter excitedly, waiting for their donuts.
Rory was half way through hers when she looked at Luke "Hey Luke, I think you need to hire some more staff, you work too hard. I really think you deserve a good sleep in"
Luke looked at Rory then at Lorelai. "She's just cranky this morning, she couldn't sleep" Lorelai said
"Yes, because I had a visit from your fiancé who apparently couldn't sleep meaning no one else was allowed to sleep" Rory glared at her mother "So if you could not be the one to open the diner on a weekday I'd be very grateful"
Luke laughed, "I'll see what I can do"
"So any chance there's a pile of pancakes with our names on them back there" Lorelai asked hopefully
"Go sit down I'll bring some out" Luke said rolling his eyes
"You're the best" Both girls called out to him
Chapter 39
That night Lorelai was upstairs getting ready to go to dinner at her parents. She was standing in front of the mirror wondering if the skirt/blouse combination she had chosen was working. Luke walked into the bedroom and slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.
"You look beautiful" Luke said still kissing down her neck
"Guess that answers my question" she whispered
"Sorry?"
"Nothing how was work?"
"Not bad, Taylor only came in once today but I managed to avoid him and no one mentioned the wedding to me today"
"Or me, well other than Sookie" Lorelai replied "Maybe Patty actually listened for a change"
"Here I got you a present or maybe it's more for Rory" Luke said handing her a piece of paper.
"What's this?" Lorelai asked looking at what was in her hands
"What does it look like?"
"Employee form for Michael Patterson?"
"Yep... I thought about what Rory said and she was right, I need some extra help and I'll need someone anyway when we go away on our honeymoon so I thought why not... and this way I get to spend more time with you"
"This is the best present," Lorelai said kissing him "So Michael Patterson, do I know him?"
"Not sure... he's only been living in town for about a month. He's 17, lives with his parents. He came into the diner today looking for some part-time work like after school & weekends so I thought why not. Seems like a really nice kid"
"I'm glad"
"I'm going to have a quick shower, how long have I got before we have to leave?"
"Ah... 55 minutes" Lorelai replied
"Is that Lorelai time?" Luke asked with raised eyebrows
"Why?"
"Because I know that your time isn't always the same as everyone else's time and I don't want to be late to your parents. It's not a great way to start the evening"
"Fine, 30 minutes till we have to leave"
Luke started to walk out of the bedroom towards the bathroom
"Want any company?" Lorelai asked following him
"Yes but I'd like to be on time remember" He kissed her "Maybe later"
Lorelai, Luke and Rory stood outside the Gilmore's front door. Lorelai looked over at Luke and grabbed his hand "You nervous?'
"A little" Luke admitted "You?"
"No" Lorelai lied as she rang the bell
The maid answered and took their coats telling the three that Emily and Richard were waiting for them.
"Ah they're here" Emily announced when she spotted Rory walk into the room first, followed by Luke and Lorelai who were still holding hands
"How was your trip Grandma?"
"Very nice we had a lovely time"
"Hi Mom"
"Lorelai, Luke"
"Mrs. Gilmore, Mr. Gilmore" Luke said shaking Richard's hand
"Richard please"
"Well I have to say I was a little surprised that you asked to come over tonight Lorelai, seeing as it isn't Friday" Emily said
"Well we wanted to hear about your trip and..." Lorelai paused and looked at Luke her gave her hand a little squeeze "We have something we wanted to tell you"
"Oh yes, what's that?" Emily said as she sat down next to her husband. Luke, Lorelai and Rory sat on the opposite seat.
"Well Mom, Dad ... um...wow this is harder than I thought... um ...okay...Luke asked me to marry him... and... I said yes" Lorelai said holding up the left hand to show off the ring "I'm really happy and so is Rory"
"Very funny Lorelai" Emily laughed" I suppose Luke is also moving"
"Well actually mother no, Luke has already moved in"
"Lorelai, please" Emily said still laughing
"Mom" Lorelai said in frustration
Luke tried "Mr. & Mrs. Gilmore I know this seems sudden but I love your daughter and grand daughter with all my heart"
Emily stopped laughing "You're not joking?"
"No mom we're not"
"But you've only been dating what a few weeks unless you've lied to me about that too and you've been together all along"
"No mom, Luke and I have only been together a while, well as a couple but we've been friends for years now and I love Luke and..."
Emily interrupted her daughter "Lorelai I've heard enough, you are not marrying this man"
Lorelai's jawed dropped, she couldn't believe her mother was behaving like this and in front of Luke. She looked at her father who hadn't said a word "Dad?"
Richard looked at his daughter then at Luke "Luke can I talk to you in private please" Richard asked before standing up and walking out of the room
"Sure" Luke stood up but Lorelai grabbed his arm "Luke no you don't have to go"
Luke placed his hand on top of Lorelai's "It's okay" he said before left the room following Richard into his study.
Lorelai looked at her mother "Mom"
"Not now Lorelai" Emily said before she walked out of the room
In Richard's study Luke stood there waiting for Lorelai's father to speak. "Luke I'm sorry for what my wife said but you need to know this isn't about you, not really. This goes back a long way, even before Lorelai left this house as a 16 year old. Emily was brought up into this world we live in and she tried to bring Lorelai up the same way. When Lorelai ran away it hurt my wife more than she will ever admit. Emily felt like she had failed as another and as a lady of society. Lorelai was always been different, independent and Emily doesn't know how to deal with that. Now Emily has always had this fantasy that if Lorelai and Chris worked things out she would be the mother and lady she was raised to be. Now this may not make sense to you or I but it does to my wife. I on the other hand would have liked nothing more than for Lorelai to marry Christopher and raise Rory together but that was then." Richard stopped and looked Luke Square in the eye
"I believe you love my daughter and granddaughter"
"More than I've ever loved anyone or anything in my life" Luke answered not looking away. Richard was about to begin again but Luke stopped him "Look Mr. Gilmore I know I'm probably not the person you'd pick to be with your daughter but I do love her. I love everything about her and my world revolves around those two crazy girls out there" Luke said with a smile "and I may not make millions or own a fancy car, or house or belong to one of your fancy club's but I do own my own business, I work very hard and it does make a good profit. I have money put away and a few shares my father left me. Even though I don't have the wealth Lorelai and Rory will never want for anything" Luke took a breathe and began again "and I know this seems sudden but I have been apart of their lives for years I have watched both Lorelai and Rory grow and mature and become the amazing people they are today. Lorelai and I have wasted enough time and I promise you we will work and we will be together"
Luke stopped and tried to read Richard's expression "Well that was quiet a speech and if you had of let me get a word in I was going to congratulate you, but well that speech didn't hurt...I would be happy to have you as a son-in-law" Richard said shaking Luke's hand "But if you do anything to hurt..."
"I won't"
"I believe that. We just need to give Emily some time to adjust. If she accepts you she has to accept that Christopher and Lorelai will never be together"
Luke nodded. He was felt torn, torn between the relief that Richard had accepted him and the fact that Emily hadn't and probably never would because he wasn't Christopher.
Lorelai hadn't moved from her seat. She was too afraid. She wasn't quite sure of what. Maybe her mother and what she would say, maybe what she'd say back to her mother or maybe it was the fact that Richard had Luke alone in the study and was probably doing a good job convincing him to leave Lorelai alone. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts she failed to see Rory slip out of the room.
Chapter 40
"Grandma?" Rory said softly as she approach Emily who was pacing back and forth in the kitchen. Emily didn't seem to notice her "Grandma" Rory tried again moving in front of her
"Rory I don't feel like company now please"
"Grandma I know you're upset but mom is really happy"
"How can she be happy with…with ...him" Emily answered in anger
"Grandma stop, you don't even know him"
"I know enough"
"No I don't think you do. Luke is a great guy, he really loves mom and he loves me"
"What about your father Rory. What about him Lorelai should be marrying Christopher not some poor small town food preparer. Don't you want your family to be together?"
"My family is together"
"What about your father? What about him and Lorelai?"
"Grandma stop please. I love my dad but he's not right for mom. Luke is family. He has always been there for mom and for me. When I was growing he was the one to fix our house, to make things for me, he even watched me a couple of times when mom was stuck. He's made me birthday cakes and put up balloons. He's given me presents and he feeds us every day. Luke has been like a dad to me and I love him like a dad. Luke is great and he really loves mom."
"Rory I don't think this is any of your business"
Rory was starting to get angry. She'd seen and heard her mother's fights with Emily and she was beginning to realize how Lorelai felt all those years. "Grandma look, I don't want to fight with you and neither does mom. She came here tonight to tell you she was marrying a great guy who loves her and will always be there for her and for me. Mom was letting you into her happiness and you just took that away from her and I won't let anyone make my mother unhappy. Grandma please for mom and for me, please"
Emily just starred at Rory. Then she walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs without saying a word.
Rory walked back into the living room and sat next to mother who was still sitting in a trance. Richard and Luke walked into the room shortly after Rory.
Lorelai turned her head to look at them fearing the worst.
"Lorelai" Richard began "I have just had a long conversation with Luke and I do believe he will make a fine husband. Congratulations"
Lorelai sat there staring at her father, she could feel tears prick the back of her eyes. She jumped up and hugged him, something she hadn't done...well ever "Thank you daddy" she whispered into his chest. Lorelai pulled back and threw her arms around Luke who held her and rubbed her back"
"Well I think this calls for a celebratory drink" Richard announced looking around the room "Where's your mother?"
"Um... grandma went upstairs" Rory said softly
"When, why?"
"I tried to talk to her and she turned and went upstairs. I think I was too harsh with her. I should go up and apologize"
Just then Emily walked into the room holding a small silver box she walked up to Lorelai and handed her the box
Lorelai looked at her mother quizzically then she opened to lid and found a silver and diamond tiara.
"It was what I wore on my wedding day" Emily said softly
Lorelai stood looking between the tiara and her mother "Mom I…"
"How are the drinks coming along Richard?" Emily said walking towards her husband
Luke placed his hands on Lorelai's shoulder. Lorelai looked up at him and nodded. She realized her mother didn't want to talk about it but this was her way of telling her daughter she would make an effort.
The five ate a wonderful dinner together although no one brought up the wedding. Lorelai deciding let her mother have time to really adjust to the news. When it was time to leave Lorelai told Luke and Rory she'd meet them at the car.
"Mom I just wanted to say thank you, the tiara is really beautiful"
"You don't have to wear it"
"I do and I will"
"Okay" Emily nodded and looked away
Lorelai was silent for a minute "Mom I was wondering if you would...um.. Like to ... Sookie, Rory and I are going to try on dresses this weekend, you know for the bride" she said pointing to herself "and the bridesmaids. I was just wondering if you'd like.. um ... would you like to come with us. I'd like your opinion?"
Lorelai watched Emily's face, after a moment of silence Emily looked at her "that would be nice"
Lorelai smiled "Okay well I'll give you all the details on Friday night"
"Alright we'll see you then"
Lorelai contemplated walking forward and hugging her mother but decided against it. They were making slow progress and Lorelai was happy for that.
Lorelai got in the car and looked at Rory "I don't know what you said to her kid but I think she actually listened to you... thank you"
"I'm glad she did but I think I was a little hard on her" Rory said still worried
"She'll be fine. She's agreed to come dress shopping with us on Saturday"
"Really?" Luke & Rory said in unison
Lorelai nodded "Yeah. Come on let's go home"
That night Luke & Lorelai were upstairs getting ready for bed.
"So my father wasn't too hard on you really?" Lorelai asked for the third time
"No he was fine. I don't think I'd be the guy he'd choose for you but he understands how I feel. What about your mom?"
"She'll be okay, we just have to give her time"
Luke looked at Lorelai in her light pink silk nightie and smiled. The last few weeks had been amazing, he'd never been this happy. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched her brushing her hair.
After a few minutes Lorelai turned to look at him "Hi there"
"Hi" Luke replied
"Whatcha looking at?"
Luke smiled "You?"
"Ah ha"
"Come here" Luke said, "I need to talk to you"
"Ok this doesn't sound good"
"Not that kind of talk"
Lorelai walked over to Luke and sat next to him "Well after tonight I thought maybe you'd decided it was all too difficult"
"Hey I've put up with harder things for you over the years"
"Dirty"
"Geez" Luke said rolling his eyes, he'd walked into that one
"What's on your mind?'
"I just... I wanted to tell you how happy I am. I know I'm not good at this thing and I just wanted to make sure you knew, that I tell you enough"
"I know"
"You make me so happy. I can't wait to marry you"
"Same here"
"Good" Luke nodded
"Anything else?"
"Just I just wanted to make sure you were happy too, with everything. You know if you aren't you can tell me"
Lorelai smiled "I know and yes I am happy. Very happy. It was touch-and-go with the sport thing but we compromised and it all worked out"
"Compromised. How was that a compromise?' Luke asked
"Well I didn't have to watch sport and you... well... got to participate in my kind of sport" Lorelai said raising her eyebrows "I though you liked our way of compromising?"
Luke thought for a moment "Well now that you mention it.. I am very keen to catch the game that's on now but if you want to compromise?"
Lorelai nodded and giggled