Chapter 10: Big winter plans

Lorelai realized that being without Rory was a lot harder than she could have thought. She knew how hard it was when she left for Yale, but this was at least a hundred times worst. They called occasionally, but the time difference made it more difficult. Lorelai had told her that it was okay to call at any time, even when it was in the middle of the night, but of course, Rory didn't, not when there wasn't an emergency. The best way of communication was by email. They mailed each other at least once a day, more than once if possible.
Lorelai was glad that Luke lived with her now. The house was very empty without Rory. Even more empty than last year. She remembered the first day she came home after she brought Rory of at Yale. That's when she realized how big the house was. Even though it wasn't that big, it seemed like a huge castle. It was so quiet. It had taken her a lot of time to adjust. It wasn't until she started dating Luke that she actually liked having the place for herself some times. They made agreements about Rory not coming in unannounced. But right now Lorelai would be more than happy if Rory just walked in, but she knew that wouldn't happen. So there where the emails and sending pictures and the occasional phone calls. And if they where lucky they where online at the same time and they could talk through the web cam and actually see each other. Lorelai thought it was a nice way to see her daughter, even though she was miles and miles away. She noticed how happy Rory seemed and that made it easier, even though it was just a little bit.
She was feeling more sad when she realized that the holidays where coming up. No matter how much time they spent away from each other before, there where always the holidays. She couldn't even imagine what Christmas would be like without Rory. This could be the first year that her favourite part of the year wouldn't be that great...

What she didn't knew is that Luke was planning some things to make her winter a lot better. He know how she felt about the winter that was approaching and he didn't liked it at all. There are only a few things she really loves in her life, she can't live without. The first thing is Rory, the second thing is coffee and the third thing is snow. He didn't knew exactly where he was in that list, but he hoped somewhere before the coffee. She always said that all good things happened when it snowed. He knew that she thought that without Rory that couldn't happen this winter. So she didn't even wanted it to snow. He wanted to change that for her. To show her that good things can happen all the time, no matter how far apart you are from the people you love most.

It was a nice quiet afternoon at the end of November when Luke went up to his old apartment to make a phone call. Some of his stuff was still there. He couldn't take everything with him when he moved in with Lorelai. So they left it there. The plan was to redecorate the place and than rent it to someone else. But he didn't had the hart to do that yet. Even though the place was small he loved living there a lot. Many good things had happened there. His first night with Lorelai for example. He used the place as an office now. Or he came up here when he wanted some time for himself, just like now.

He picked up the phone and dialled the number. While waiting for her to pick up he checked his watch. It was a little after 2 ó clock. The phone rang 4 times till she picked up. "Hello?"

"Rory?"

"Yeah."

"Hey, this is Luke."

"Oh, hi Luke. How are you?"

"Fine, how are you?"

"Great. So how is mom?"

"Well, you know, still the same."

"What do you mean?" Rory sounded worried.

"Notting to worry about, she just misses you."

"I miss her too."

"I know."

"So, what's up?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you something." Luke sounded nervous.

"What?"

"Well you know. With the winter coming up, especially the holidays, your mother misses you even more. And I..." He thought for a moment before continuing. "I was just thinking that maybe if I could do something really special for her, she would be more happy you know."

"Mm... yeah.."

"Well you know how much your mother loves the winter right?"

"Yeah, what's not to know right." Rory smiled, but wondered where he was going.

"It's only like a month till it's Christmas right?"

"Yeah it is."

"So I was thinking..."

"What?? Rory prompted nicely.

"Rory, I would like to.. do you mind if..." Luke sounded really nervous now. "I would like to propose to your mother."

"Really?" Rory sounded happy now.

She sounded happy. She was sounding happy. She was okay with it, was she? "Are you okay with that?"

"Do you really have to ask Luke? It's great. My mom loves you a lot. You already live together and she's expecting your child. Of course I'm okay with that."

"Good." Luke smiled now to.

"Just promise me one thing."

"What's that."

"Don't have the wedding until I'm back."

"I think we can do that. I just want her to know that I'm there for here and that I'm not going anywhere."

"I think she knows."

"Yeah, well, just to make sure."

"Yeah."

"So, that was the first thing I wanted to ask you."

"There's more?"

"Yep. How do you feel about..............................."

After he hang up he went to the closet. He opened a drawer and found what he was looking for. He picked it up and put it in the pocket of his pants. After that he went back downstairs. There were only 3 quests, including Kirk. "Lane?"

"Yeah?"

"There is something else I have to do. Do you mind if I leave for a while?"

"No, not at all."

"Good. I'll make sure to be back before dinner time."

"Yeah, okay."

With that Luke left. First he drove to their house to change in something a little more formal.. He was glad Lorelai was at the inn so she wouldn't get suspicious. He picked some black pants and a dark blue shirt. After changing he went into the bathroom to fix his hair. He placed his regular clothes in a plastic back so he doesn't has to come back here to change again. He picked what he had put in his pocket early and replaced it the pocket of his new pants. And with that he left.

He drove to Hartford. He was kind of nervous. Maybe even more nervous that when he called Rory. Because he knew she was okay with it. But what would they say? He remembered how angry they where when Lorelai told them about the baby. But everything had changed after that. Emily was actually getting along with Lorelai. And with the baby they would probably be very glad that he wants to marry her, but it still made him nervous. When he entered their street he started thinking. Maybe they aren't even at home. It's the middle of the day. Richard is probably working. He parked his truck on the drive way and got out. After he rang the bell, a maid opened the door. Surprisingly enough, it was the same one there was the week before.

"Hello, I'm Luke."

"Yes I remember. You're dating Mrs. Gilmore's daughter if I'm correct."

"Yes. Is she in?"

"Mrs. Gilmore's daughter?"

"No Mrs. Gilmore.

"Yes, she is?"

"And Mr. Gilmore?"

"He's there to. He's working home today."

"Okay."

"You can follow me." Luke followed the maid into the living room. Emily sad on the couch, reading a book. "Mrs. Gilmore. There's someone here to see you."

Emily looked up. "Oh, hello Luke."

"Hello Emily."

"What brings you here?"
"I wanted to talk to you and Richard about something."

"Okay. Christine, offer Luke here something to drink and get Mr. Gilmore for me please."

"Yes ma'm. Sir, do you want something to drink?"

"Some tea would be nice, please."

"Yes sir. Do you want something to drink yourself ma'm?"

"You can bring me some tea as well."

"Yes ma'm." Christine left.

"You can take a seat Luke."

"Oh yes, of course." He didn't even noticed that he was still standing. Luke sat down and played with his fingers nervously, waiting for Richard. Emily studied the man her daughter was in love with. She noticed that he was acting different than usual and wondered what brought him here. He and Lorelai came to the occasional Friday night dinners, but neither one of them came her unannounced at different days.

Richard entered the living room 5 minutes later, Christine following with the drinks. Richard shook Luke's hand. "Hello Luke."

"Hello Richard."

Richard sat down next to his wife, asking: "What brings you here?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay."

Luke waited till Christine left the room, before he continued: "Well, as you know Lorelai and I have been together for over a year now..." Luke sounded very nervous. "With the baby coming in a few months I think that it's time for me to," his hand slid in the pocket of his pants and he picked out the box he pulled in earlier, "if you are okay with it I would like to propose to Lorelai."

He handed the box to Emily. She opened it and was surprised. "Wow, Luke, that's an beautiful ring."

"It was my mothers. My father gave it to me before he died. He told me to give it to a very special woman one day. I'm taking it to the jeweller later to fix the size. My mother had bigger fingers than Lorelai has. I just wanted to show it to you first."

"That's really kind of you Luke."

Even Richard was impressed. "You came to us, before you asked Lorelai?"

"Yes. With everything that happened before I thought, well I just would like to have your permission."

"I know that we had our differences but I really appreciate it that you came here to ask for my approval. And yes you can marry our daughter." Richard looked at Emily.

"Yes, you are very welcome in our family."

"Thank you."

"When are you going to ask her?"

"I was thinking Christmas eve. But it depends what happens. It may be sooner. Rory and I discussed it earlier and we talked about some great ideas."

"You talked to Rory as well?"

"Yes of course. I had to know how she felt about this as well."

"That's very generous of you."

Luke stopped by the mall on his way home. He hates malls but he had a good reason to go this time. He'd do anything for Lorelai. He was glad that everyone was okay with his plans. When he arrived at the diner it was 5 ó clock. He was surprised to see Lorelai in there. He hadn't expected her to be there. He looked at her to see if it was time to go back home to change first, but she already saw him, so he walked in.

She was sitting at the counter. He walked towards her and kissed her. "Hey, your off early."

"Sookie told me to go."

"Everything okay?"

"I was just tired. Most of my work was done anyway so."

"Okay."

"So, where have you been."

"Business meeting."

"You didn't mentioned you had one."

"No, I forgot about it," he lied.

"Oh."

"Yes, sorry. I had to drive all the way to Hartford." He decided to tell as much of the truth as possible.

"Lane didn't told me you had a business meeting, she said you just left all the sudden."

Luke thought about a proper reply. There was no way he could tell her the truth. "So, you want to go out for dinner?"

"Don't change the subject."

It was worth trying. "Look, I just forgot about the meeting. I was upstairs running trough the books and than I suddenly realized. I had to leave real fast because I was already late. I had to go home and change so I didn't had the time to explain where I was going to Lane."

"Oh..." She didn't knew if he was telling her the truth.

He kissed her. "Don't worry, I would tell you if something was up, okay?"

"Really?"

"Of course. So, do you want to go out for dinner, I'm in my good clothes already."

She smiled. "You look very pretty." She leaned in to kiss him once more. "Can we just go home and have dinner there? I don't really feel like going out."

"Sure, we'll do whatever you want. Why don't you go home already, take a bath and just relax for a while. Than I stay and help Lane in here for a while. I'll come home around seven and bring us some dinner."

"I think I like that plan. I'm exhausted and a bath does sound great. So I'll see you at seven right?"

"It's a date. He smiled. She kissed him one more time, before she stood up and left.