"So, did I impress you at all tonight?" Matthew asked as he turned his car into the Gilmore driveway.

"You impressed me a great deal." Lorelai smiled. "I had a wonderful time tonight."

"Good." Matthew grinned. "And I know just the thing to top off this enchanting evening."

"What's that?" Lorelai asked. Matthew reached in the backseat and pulled out Lorelai's make up exam. He handed it to her. "Oh my God…" Lorelai laughed. "A 98?"

"You earned it, Lorelai, congratulations." Matthew got out of the car and walked around to Lorelai's side, and opened the door for her.

"Thank you, kind sir." Lorelai joked as she got out of the car. Matthew walked her to the door. "Well, I guess this is the end of road." Lorelai noted.

"Guess so." Matt replied.

"I really had a great time." Lorelai repeated. "And you was right, that was the best damn sushi I have ever eaten."

They both laughed for a moment and then silence fell. "Go out with me again." Matthew said gazing into Lorelai's eyes.

"When?" Lorelai asked captivated by his stare.

"Tomorrow. We can have lunch." Matthew offered. "I know a place that has the best coffee in the world."

"Couldn't be better than Luke's." Lorelai replied.

"Just remember the sushi." Matthew smiled. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Good night." Lorelai said as she watched the handsome man walk down the steps of her porch.

(The next morning)

When Lorelai opened her eyes the sun was shining brightly through her bedroom window. It looked as if it was going to be a beautiful day. She rolled over and peeked at the clock 8:00 am. She could almost bet that Rory was still sleeping. If she hurried perhaps she could make a pot of coffee, and take a cup to her. She opened the door and slowly walked down the stairs, trying to not make much noise. As she turned the corner to walk into the kitchen she came face to face with her daughter.

Lorelai jumped. "You're supposed to be asleep!" Lorelai exclaimed.

"What?" Rory asked.

"I was going to bring you coffee."

"I've already made coffee." Rory pointed to the coffee pot. "I was just about to come wake you."

"Oh." Lorelai noticed Rory was fully dressed. "Are you going somewhere?" Lorelai asked.

"I thought we were spending the day together today?" Rory replied.

Lorelai's heart stopped, how could she have done this…. Again. "Right…" Lorelai smiled. "We are."

Rory noticed the strangeness but decided not to question it. "I figured we could go to the mall. The bookstore is having an awesome sale on novels. And I hear JC Penny is having a sale as well. So not only can we be smart, but look smart as well."

Lorelai thought for moment. Could it be possible to pull this off? "Um.. Ror I know this is really, really, forgetful of me… but I promised Sookie I would stop by the inn today and go over the books with her."

"But Sookie doesn't work on Sunday's." Rory replied.

"I know. See, Michelle was supposed to the books Thursday… and he didn't … so Sookie and I are going to go over them today. It'll only take a couple of hours. And then I promise we can spend the rest of the day together." Lorelai smiled, hoping her story was convincing.

"Mom…" Rory replied heartbroken. "You're lying to me."

Lorelai sighed depressingly and sat down at the kitchen table. "Rory… sweetie I'm so sorry. Matthew asked me to lunch today."

Rory stood with her mouth gaping. "Mom… this was your idea." Rory replied hatefully.

"I know…" Lorelai gazed at her daughter. "I really like him Rory. I REALLY like him. When he asked me to have lunch today, I just immediately said yes. I swear I'll never do it again. I'll go and have a quick lunch with him, then I'll meet you at Luke's and I promise I'm yours for the rest of the day."

"It's okay." Rory replied. "I'll just go to the mall alone."

"Rory… come on." Lorelai begged. "I.. "

"Don't bother…" Rory snapped as she turned and left the house, slamming the door behind her.

(At a café in Hartford)

"You're being awfully quiet over there." Matthew stated across the table.

Lorelai faked a smile. "I've got a lot on my mind."

"Penny for your thoughts?" Matthew asked.

"No, it's okay." Lorelai replied.

"Doesn't seem okay to me. Come on, maybe I can help."

"I had planned on spending the day with Rory. But I didn't think about that when you asked me for Lunch today."

"I see." Matthew replied. "Well, it's only 12:30. I could take you back now, and you could spend the rest of the day with her."

"She's already mad." Lorelai sighed. "I bailed on the movie marathon last night, and today I ditched her for lunch. I'm a horrible person."

"Hey, don't say that." Matthew said scooting his chair closer. "If I had known that you had today planned with Rory I never would have interfered. You're a great person Lorelai, and that's why I like you. You're a terrific mom. I know you are." He smiled, and received one as well. "Tell you what…" Matthew paused. "I have a cabin in the woods outside of Hartford. By this time of the year there is usually snow a foot deep. We could go there next weekend, you Rory and I. We can celebrate Christmas a little early… we could cut down a tree… decorate it… build a nice warm fire. It'll be fun."

"Oh, Matthew, I don't know." Lorelai replied shocked that he would offer something so extravagant.

"It'd be a great way for me and Rory to get to know each other. I'm sure we'll make lots of memories. It'll be just like in a storybook. We'll be away from everything. We can pretend we're pioneers celebrating our first Christmas in the new country." Matthew laughed.

Lorelai giggled. "Okay, I'll talk to Rory about it."

"Good." Matthew gazed into Lorelai's deep blue eyes. "God, I love those eyes." He whispered as he leaned in and kissed her gently.