A/N While I was writing this chapter I realized that I kind of mixed up ascend and descend in the last chapter. So from now on I'll pay attention to that. This chapter takes place the next morning. This chapter covers the morning and the afternoon, my next chapter will cover Christmas dinner. I don't know when I have that one done, because school is keeping me busy like always. My boyfriend commented that there's a link between busy and my name, so maybe it's my parents fault ;)
Oh, and for those who wonder when the baby gets born, somewhere at the end of February. I have already made up my mind about the details as sex and name, but I won't reveal them until the chapter comes up. I don't know when that chapter comes up, because there are a few things I want to write first.
Lorelai woke up early that morning. Luke was laying on his back, his arm still around her. She turned on her side and watched him while he was sleeping. She was thinking how amazing it was that he was going to be her husband. She wondered if anything would be different, but realized that it wouldn't really. It was like they where already married, just not official. But she definitely wanted to make it official. There was nothing else she wanted more than to be Mrs. Danes. She smiled at that thought. It sounded really good. Lorelai Danes. Yeah, it sounds great. She lifted herself up a little so she could see what time it was. 8.00 ó clock. It was unusual that Luke was still sleeping at this time. Normally he woke up early, even on his days off. Why wasn't he awake now. It was Christmas. Why would he take this particular day to sleep in. She moved closer to him and placed a kiss on his mouth. Than she laid her head on his shoulder. She moved one of her hands to his chest and started playing with his chest hair. It wasn't long before he wake up. She felt his hand move to her hair. She lifted her head so she could look at him. He was smiling at her. She kissed him deeply before saying "Good morning."
"Morning." He kept smiling.
"What you're thinking?" She smiled back at him.
"I was thinking that I'm the happiest man alive."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Waking up with you in my arms and knowing that I can do that for the rest of my life makes me very happy."
"Me too." She kissed him again.
"So, have you thought about a date?"
"For the wedding?"
"Yeah."
"Not really, just somewhere after February."
"Why?"
"Well, that's when the baby is due. I don't want to get married looking like this."
"Like what?"
"Well, you know, fat."
"You don't look fat."
"Oh come on, have you seen me the past few months?"
"Yes I have and you look very beautiful."
"Oh come on. I don't."
"Yes you do. But it's okay if you want to wait till after the baby is born. That way we can tell her that she was at our wedding."
"Her?"
"Yeah, don't you think we're getting a baby girl?"
"I don't know. It can be a boy you know."
"Well, that fine to. A boy, a girl, it doesn't matter. It's going to be perfect anyway."
"That's true." She smiled again.
"We still have to decide on baby names."
"Yeah I know. But we've got another two months. I didn't named Rory until after she was born. I never really thought about a name for her."
"You didn't?"
"Nah, I was to busy with other stuff you know."
"I can imagine."
"But it's different now. I just want everything to be planned. So it's nice if we decided on a name before the baby is born, but if we haven't we'll decide when we see it."
"Have you thought about it already?"
"Yeah, sometimes. But I haven't made up my mind though. Have you thought about it.?"
"Yeah I did."
"Where did you came up with?"
He didn't answered.
"Come on Luke, tell me."
"I didn't really came up with anything good."
"Oh, well we can decide later. I'll stop by the bookstore later this week and pick up a book with baby names."
"Yeah, I like that. But what about our wedding?"
"Umm.. well, I was thinking about the summer. Rory will be leaving again after the holidays." The look on her face went a little sad, just thinking about it. "And she won't be home again until June. So I was thinking, July, maybe August."
"A summer wedding huh. I can deal."
"We can have an outside wedding in the garden of the inn. With Rory as my maid of honor. And the baby will be there."
"It will be perfect."
"Yeah, it will be."
Lorelai was silent after that. "What are you thinking about?"
"Well, all sorts of thinks. About the baby and the wedding."
"And?"
"And about Rory leaving again."
"You shouldn't think about that yet. Just enjoy the time you can spent with her."
"I will." She waited before she said. "Hey Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for taking her home for Christmas. I know it will be even harder to miss her after she's gone again. But at least we got this time together. It really means a lot to me. And I'm sorry I went angry with you last night. I didn't meant to get angry with you. I just don't know what got into me. It's just.."
"Hey, we already did this last night. I know how you feel and I know that you're glad she's back and I know that you didn't meant to get angry."
"But…" He cut her off by kissing her. When he pulled back he said: "Let's go downstairs, get some breakfast, open presents. Rory's probably awake already."
"I'm not sure about that. It's still early."
"Yeah, but she does has a jetlag."
"Maybe you're sure. Let's go find out." She kissed him once more before she stepped out of the bed. She puts on a robe and went into the bathroom.
Luke stepped out of the bed also. He took some clothes from the chair and changed into them. He met Lorelai in the hallway, who was just about to go downstairs. She took his hand in hers while the descend the stairs. As Luke expected, Rory was already sitting on the couch, reading a book.
"Morning."
That's when Rory noticed she wasn't alone anymore, so she turned around and saw Luke and her mother standing holding hands. "Good morning. So you guys made up?"
"Yeah, I couldn't stay mad at him. He gave me the best Christmas present ever."
"Which is?" Rory smiled.
"The marriage proposal and the change to share the joy of the engagement with you."
"Smart answer." Luke smiled. "Morning Rory."
"Morning Luke."
"So, I'm going to fix us some breakfast." He kissed Lorelai on her cheek and walked into the kitchen.
Lorelai sat down next to her daughter. "So, now tell me everything about London."
"What do you want to know? I e-mailed you at least once a day to keep you updated."
"Tell me the things I don't know yet. What about boys. You never wrote about boys. Aren't there cute boys in England?"
"Well, there are some cute boys, but none of them I'm interested in the way you are talking about. I didn't go to London to meet a boy, I went there to study and that's what I do."
"Sometimes I wonder if you are really my daughter." Lorelai smiled
"I don't think there's any question about it." Luke had entered the living room again.
"Why?" Lorelai looked at him.
"Oh come on. She's just like you."
"Yeah, maybe she is." Lorelai looked at her daughter. "I can't believe I haven't seen you in 4 months."
"Neither can I." They both ignored the fact that they have to spent the next 6 months apart also. They knew it was there, but not this week. This week was about being together.
"Breakfast is ready in 10 minutes."
"Okay." Luke went back into the kitchen.
"So, you made any decisions about the wedding yet?" Rory took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Yeah some. We decided that we want to get married late in July or early in August. We haven't decided on an actual date yet."
"Want to wait so long?"
"Well, not much choice is there. There's no way we can plan a wedding in a week, besides, I don't want to look this fat on my wedding pictures."
"You're not fat."
"Yes I do, but that's okay."
"But what after the baby is born."
"Well, I'm not getting married without you by my side. And I figured it be nice if we can plan some parts of the wedding together, so I have to wait till you get back here in June. That's how we got to late July."
"Oh." Rory looked sad when she realized it was her fault her mother had to wait 7 months before she could get married.
"Hun, it's okay. All that matters is that we are getting married. Luke and I waited a long time to get together. And it's not like we have to wait another 8 years to get married. It will be the summer. It takes time to plan a wedding anyway. Besides, Luke already lives here so I see him every day. I don't want anything else than marry him, but I can wait a few months. All that matters is that one day my family will be complete. And you will be there and the baby will be there, and of course Luke will be there. That's all that I need to get a perfect wedding. Rory smiled. "So you're okay with waiting."
"Absolutely." Lorelai hugged her daughter. "So, you want to be my maid of honor?"
"Of course. I would love to."
"Good."
At the same time Luke called from the kitchen. "Breakfast is ready."
"Come on. Lorelai took her daughters hand and leaded her towards the kitchen."
After breakfast it was time to open presents. Each of them got two presents. When they had all opened their presents there was still one present left underneath the tree.
"Whose is that?" Lorelai asked.
"It's the babies." Rory answered.
"Honey, you didn't had to."
"I know, but I wanted to."
Lorelai opened the present and a few tears appeared in her eyes when she saw the rattle in it. It was simple but beautiful. "I love it, thank you so much." Lorelai pulled her daughter into an embrace.
"I have another present also." Lorelai let go of her daughter and turned to face Luke."
"You do?"
"Yeah, just follow me upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
Luke helped Lorelai up and led her up the stairs. Rory followed. Luke stopped in front of the babies room. "Ready?"
Lorelai nodded. He opened the door and they all entered the room. Lorelai looked around. The place was filled with furniture. The most beautiful furniture she had ever seen.
"Wow, Luke this is beautiful. How did you do this?"
"I made it."
"When. How?"
"I used the apartment above the diner. Every time the place was slow, I went upstairs. I know you wanted something special, so I knew buying wouldn't do it."
Lorelai started walking around. "This is amazing. Wow. This is really amazing."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Like it, I love it! This is so beautiful. Wow" She didn't knew what else to say. After a while she stopped in front of him. Looking in his eyes she said: "Thank you so much." After that she kissed him. When she pulled back she saw him smile. She just loves to see him smile. She leaned in to kiss him again. After he pulled back Lorelai realized Rory was still in the room so she turned around to face her daughter. "Oh, sorry."
"That's okay." Rory smiled when she saw her mothers happiness. "The room is really beautiful Luke."
"Thanks." He said.
"Do you guys mind if I go take a shower?" Lorelai asked.
"No, of course not."
While Lorelai went into the bathroom, Luke and Rory went back downstairs.
"Coffee?"
"Yes please." Luke went into the kitchen to make coffee for Rory and tea for himself. He came back after 5 minutes or so.
"There you go."
"Thanks."
"So," he asked, sitting down next to her, "happy to be home?"
"Yeah. It's great to be home again. Honestly, I don't really feel like leaving again."
He picked up his cup and took a sip. "I tell you the same I told your mother this morning, don't think about that yet. Just enjoy the time you can spent together. And than, you leave again to continue the program in London and before you know it will be June and you can come home again."
She also picked up her cup. "But I'll miss so much. The baby getting born and it's first few months. The first time it will laugh all those sort of things. And your wedding has to wait till July."
"Don't worry about our wedding. All that matters is that we're finally getting married, not when it happens. And about the baby. I'll make sure we'll catch all the good moments on video, so you can watch them. And we'll send you pictures and maybe some parts of the movies. And like I said, you'll be home before you know it." He placed his cup onto the table.
"But..."
He picked up her cup and placed it onto the table next to his. After that he took her hand in hers. "Rory, this program is very important. You're growing up and getting a life of your own. But you don't have to be afraid of not being a part of your mothers life anymore because you will always be the most important thing in her life..."
"But you and the baby…"
"We're important too, but that doesn't change the fact that you where here first. It was you and your mother for such a long time and now things are chancing. I know that's scarred, but you don't have to be afraid. You will always be a part of your mothers life, of our life. When your mother first told me about the baby I was afraid. I was afraid that I wasn't going to be a good father. I really screwed up when I had to take care of Jess. I know that in the end it worked out but that wasn't because of me. But than I thought of you."
"Of me?"
"Yeah. You are like a daughter to me and I know you turned out so well because of your mother. But there where situations where I had time to practice some parental skills with you and with the way you turned out, there is no way I had to be afraid. And trust me Rory, the baby will never replace you. I promise you that."
"Thanks." Even though Rory already knew that, she felt relieved to hear those words. The truth was she was afraid about the things Luke mentioned. Of course she would never admit it to her mother. It made her feel like a little kid, being jealous on a baby that isn't even born yet. But now she knew there was nothing to be afraid for. "I think I had a little to much time to think in London. Getting all these weird thoughts in my mind."
"Well, I guess that's natural."
Rory smiled. "Luke?"
"Yeah."
"You're like my father too. You were more a father to me than Christopher has ever been."
"Thanks." Luke smiled to. Than he pulled Rory into a hug. "I love you Rory."
"I love you too Luke."
They pulled back after a few seconds when they heard Lorelai descending the stairs. Luke stood up and walked towards the stairs. "I'm taking a shower now."
"Okay". Lorelai kissed him when she passed him. While Luke went upstairs, Lorelai sat down next to her daughter. "Where were you two talking about?"
"Oh nothing."
"Rory, what's with the hug?"
"We were just talking about the baby and than he told me that I was like a daughter to him and I told him that he is like a father to me."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And you know it."
Lorelai smiled. "I do. It's just… I never knew you saw it that way."
After lunch they started watching old Christmas movies. They watched a Christmas Carol and White Christmas and a Christmas to remember. After the third movie finished it was time to leave for Christmas dinner at Richard and Emily's. They didn't knew about Rory being back, so there was a big surprise waiting for them.