Chapter 3
After a quick shower, Abbie joined Lorelai downstairs where Lorelai had been organizing the staff for the day ahead. When she caught Lorelai's eyes she grinned and reached a hand out to her, a gesture that was still new to both of them, but incredibly comfortable and easy. "Ready to go exploring?" Lorelai questioned with a smirk. "I called Rory while you were in the shower, and her seminar gets out this afternoon, so she's going to join us for dinner if that's alright with you. Just a totally casual dinner. Don't worry."
"Um, sure, that sounds good." Abbie replied nervously. She relaxed slightly as Lorelai pulled her close and whispered "There's nothing to worry about. She'll love you..." Lorelai paused there, thinking to herself 'As much as I'm coming to.'
The sound of someone clearing their throat caught the attention of both women, who turned and saw Sookie standing just inside the lobby with a questioning look on her face. "I don't believe that we've met." She stated, moving towards Abbie with an outstretched hand. "But apparently the two of you are old friends." She finished with a smirk, shaking Abbie's hand in a friendly, easy-going manner.
"Sookie, this is Abbie Carmichael. She's here from New York for a few days, stranded while Gypsy works on her car." Lorelai made introductions with an ease that belied the tension in her stomach. She had said that Sookie would be supportive, but one never knows until push comes to shove. This was the first hurdle, and would be a barometer of how future introductions would proceed.
"Ah, so you're the captive that Gypsy was chirping about yesterday. Something about an all-expenses-paid vacation to Disney World, compliments of some 'hoity toity city girl who doesn't know enough to check the oil in her engine once in a while' as she phrased it." Sookie joked, immediately making Abbie feel comfortable.
"Geez, when I talked to her yesterday, the bill was only going to cover Atlantic City. I think she's dismantling my car and then charging me to put it back together again. I'm really thinking that I should've bought a sporty little Mustang or a nice Thunderbird, something American."
"From the sound of it, you're going to be our captive for longer than expected. Good thing you met Lorelai. It seems that she's made you quite at home." Sookie couldn't resist a little bit of teasing. Seeing her best friend whispering into this beautiful woman's ear, leaning in with a flirty grin that Sookie had only seen Lorelai use on men, Sookie's curiosity was piqued. Who was this woman and what were she and Lorelai up to?
"Sook, Abbie and I were heading to Luke's for some coffee and a bite to eat, then out to see the sights of Stars Hollow. We'll head back by here for lunch so that I can show Abbie some real fancy dinin'. Show her how it's done down-home." Lorelai ended with a slight twang, and a broad grin for Abbie.
Twenty minutes later, the two women walked into Luke's Diner, smiling, and strode up to the counter.
"Coffee?" Luke asked unnecessarily, with a questioning gaze directed at Lorelai's companion.
"Luke, you remember Abbie? She'll be a guest in Stars Hollow until Gypsy sees fit to return her car in good working order."
"Ah, so you're the owner of that BMW Gypsy's been singing about. I believe I heard her mumbling something about a cruise on the Mexican Riviera."
"The Mexican Riviera!" Abbie looked shocked. "Sookie only mentioned a trip to Disney World. At this rate, I'll be personally paying for her world tour!"
Lorelai smirked at Abbie. "Looks like you have officially been sucked into the Twilight Zone that is Stars Hollow. I hear there's an opening at the county DA's office. You might wanna look into that. I can only allow you to mooch off of me for so long."
"Mooching?" Abbie leaned in and whispered into Lorelai's ear. "I think I earned my keep last night." She smiled at Lorelai's reaction, enjoying the pink flush that colored her cheeks.
Lorelai quickly picked up the to-go cups that Luke had filled with coffee and headed out of the diner, Abbie following close behind, a wide grin still lighting up her face. As soon as they were outside Lorelai turned to face Abbie. "You're enjoying this far too much." She stated firmly, the sparkle in her eyes betraying her.
"More than I thought possible." Abbie replied softly, reaching for Lorelai's hand. Lorelai fought the impulse to pull away, realizing that if this was what she truly wanted, she'd just have to get used to the prying eyes and confused stares. Instead of worrying further, Lorelai looked down at their entwined fingers and back up into Abbie's hopeful eyes. 'This is something that I could enjoy forever.' She thought with a smile. 'I could spend the rest of my life simply holding this woman's hand and looking into her eyes. Of course, the sex is pretty good too.' She thought wryly.
"Lorelai? You look like you were thinking something serious, and yet dirty." Abbie's voice pulled her out of her reverie.
"You're like a mind reader. I was reliving the events of last night and hoping for an encore performance." Lorelai's voice turned serious as she continued. "And I was thinking that maybe you might want to consider becoming a more permanent player in this drama that I call my life."
"Are you sure Lorelai? I mean, this is something that I came to terms with years ago, but it's all new to you. Take some time to think about it. Honestly, I wasn't expecting this. Hoping, maybe, deep down, but I told myself that all I wanted from my stay here was a good time with an incredible woman. I wasn't looking for a commitment from you. After all, it's only been two days. Take your time before deciding something this important."
"I have been thinking about this. Contrary to what my actions may have shown last night, I don't just jump into bed with someone the moment I meet them. I'm sure that you don't either. Taking that into consideration, you have to agree with me that what's happening here is something pretty special and I'm not tossing it away because of other people's opinions." Lorelai replied, flustered. "And if you really thought that I would..." She turned away, walking towards her house. She needed her safe haven right now, someplace where she could sit for a moment in peace and sort through the thoughts churning in her head.
"Lorelai!" Abbie called after her, walking quickly to catch up. "Hold on, let's talk about this!"
"Lorelai stopped in her tracks, turning to face Abbie. "It's alright, there's nothing to talk about. You've made yourself perfectly clear."
"No, I don't think that I have. Listen to me..." Abbie retorted sharply.
"I don't want to have this conversation in the middle of the street!" Lorelai stubbornly began walking again.
"Dammit!" Abbie exclaimed, grabbing Lorelai's arm. "If you would just stop moving for a second. You're always rushing around, not taking a moment to breathe, to listen. I think I may love you Lorelai Gilmore, and yeah, it's more than I bargained for, and hell yeah it scares the shit out of me, so when I said that I had only planned on a good time with this, I meant that as an out for you. Like I said, I've made my peace with my preferences, but this is new to you. I don't want you to wake up one morning thinking 'What the hell am I doing!' And you're right, I'm generally not a 'fling' sort of girl, but with you I was prepared to ride this thing as far as it will take me, and if that was only until my car was ready, I'll take that and be happy for the memories that it provides. Don't you get it? How can you have thought otherwise?" Abbie's words poured out in a steady stream, as if she was afraid that any pause would give Lorelai the excuse to run away again.
Lorelai just stared down at her feet. Sure, she was scared and uncertain. Her feelings for Abbie had hit so suddenly and forcefully that all Lorelai could do was stand in the eye of the storm wondering when the calm would come and she could think clearly again.
"Lor?" Abbie was genuinely concerned now. Had her message been received?
Lorelai's blue eyes met Abbie's brown ones, and in them she saw her own hurt and confusion mirrored. Tears welled up in Lorelai's eyes, threatening to spill over. She angrily wiped them away. "I do not want to discuss this in the middle of the street!" She looked around the town square. People were going about their daily routines, but she knew that Miss Patty would have this outburst spread all over town in no time. She grabbed Abbie's hand and pulled her along as they briskly walked to Lorelai's house.
As soon as they reached the porch Abbie stopped. Lorelai turned to face her and saw the anxious look on Abbie's face. "Please Lorelai. Just stop for a second. Talk to me." She pleaded.
Unable to stand against such an emotional plea, Lorelai reached forward and pulled Abbie into her embrace. "I overreacted. I'm so sorry. I'm going to be honest here..." She said softly into Abbie's ear. "I'm scared to death. And not of what people might think, but of what I'm feeling. God, it's incredible, this feeling. I can't get enough of you, talking to you, just being near you. And it's so intense that I don't know what to think..."
They stood like that for several moments, just holding one another, enjoying the comfort and ease that they felt, gaining strength from that feeling.
"Mom?" Rory questioned.
The two women, startled, turned to look at Rory who stood there, her confusion slowly turning to concern and even anger.
