A/N- Thanks for the reviews, everybody! They really make me want to write more. Sorry that this chapter took so long. Also, sorry that it's ridiculously long... I guess a lot happened that year. Lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter, please continue RRing!
A/N 2- To all the RRers who were asking about if Luke was going to get Jess earlier, originally I didn't even consider it. But now I think I'm going to have that happen. So thanks for giving me story ideas, guys!
Disclaimer- Don't own'em... don't think I want to... that'd be too much work... This is just lots of fun to do
Age One
Kirsten pushed Ryan and Seth through the mall in the double stroller Sandy's office had bought for them when the boys were born. As she walked into The Children's Place and past a pretzel stand, she heard an exasperated whine come from the carriage.
She stopped walking and let go of the carriage, walking around to the front. She found Ryan struggling against the seatbelts as Seth slept peacefully. He really can sleep through anything, can't he? Kirsten asked herself, bending down to comfort Ryan.
"Mommy!" Ryan called, putting out his arms. She kissed him on the forehead and unbuckled him, picking him up and standing.
"What's the matter, Ry?"
"Hungry," Ryan answered, putting his hand on his stomach for dramatic effect. They really need to learn that they're eighteen months old. They're such drama queens. She thought, remembering an incident last week where Ryan, barefoot, had stepped on Seth's finger and Seth wouldn't stop crying for an hour.
"You just ate, sweetie."
"Hungry," he repeated desperately.
"All right, sweetheart," She looked around the mall, eyeing the food choices. She didn't want to give him McDonald's- he had had that the day before, and she had a once-a-week rule for the boys and fast food. Her thoughts returned to the pretzel stand, "Do you want a pretzel?" Ryan nodded and Kirsten tapped her cheek; he leaned over and kissed her as she pushed the stroller with a sleeping Seth still in it.
"One pretzel and a Diet Coke, please," Kirsten requested, paying the teenage girl standing inside the stand. She turned her attention to Ryan and ripped off a piece of the pretzel as he greedily grabbed it from her,
"Hey, Mr. Cohen! What do you say?"
"Kank oo," He mumbled through his mouthful of pretzel.
"He's so adorable," Commented the girl in the stand.
"Oh, thank you," She smiled warmly at the girl.
"Are they twins?" The girl asked. It was an innocent question, and one that came Kirsten's way almost every day. She had found it easier to just answer with a simple,
"Yes." After all, they basically were. They were brothers with the same birthday, and they were closer than best friends or usual brothers- they had a twin connection.
"He looks just like you," The girl commented, motioning to Ryan and making faces at him, prompting a laugh. Kirsten sighed, keeping the smile plastered on her face, but inwardly angry that she had to face this yet again. It isn't her fault. She doesn't know. And for that matter, he kinda does. She really didn't feel as though Ryan was adopted at all. It actually didn't even occur to her unless someone reminded her or she looked at the adoption plaque hanging next to the baby-naming sheets on the boys' bedroom wall.
"Thank you," She added as she heard Seth begin to stir in the carriage.
"Mommy?" He called in a small voice. Bending down next to him, she brushed the hair out of his eyes as he yawned, eyes closed, and spoke again, "Ryan go?" She smiled, loving that he was concerned and that he noticed that his brother was missing from where he had been when he had fallen asleep.
"Ryan's right here, sweetheart," She answered in a quiet, motherly voice.
"Hi, Eth!" Kirsten laughed as Ryan called to Seth, raising his hand in a wave which Seth returned, eyes still closed. Ryan still couldn't pronounce the letter "S"- it was a particularly difficult one for him.
"Mommy, pretzel?" Seth asked as Kirsten put a flailing Ryan back into his side of the carriage.
"Ryan, stop it. Stop or no more pretzel," Ryan suddenly relaxed and allowed himself to be buckled back in,
"Sure, Seth. Here you go, sweetheart," She gave each boy another piece of pretzel and turned to the girl from the pretzel booth, "Thank you. Bye."
"Bye," She called.
"Bye," Ryan turned around and waved goodbye as the girl squealed in delight.
"All right there, Mr. Friendly, we still need to get you some new clothes," She told Ryan as he laughed and blew a kiss to his mother, "Love you, boys."
"Love you, mommy!" They both called.
-
Lorelai danced happily around the potting shed, Rory shrieking gleefully in her arms. She and Rory had lived there for almost six months already, and Rory was flourishing while Lorelai was finally happy.
In the six months that they had lived at the inn, Lorelai felt a surge of growth. She finally understood why she'd always had a burning sensation to leave the house and do something- she had a natural work ethic unrivaled by any of the other maids. She could change a bedspread faster than anyone else, make sure a quarter could bounce off of it, and manage to answer phones in the main office whenever Mia asked. She had taken to making everything.
She would spend spare time making jewelry, including matching necklaces and bracelets for herself and Rory. They were beautiful, and Mia asked if she could have one; Lorelai obliged, and made a necklace and bracelet set matching the ones she and Rory had, giving it to her on her birthday. She used old t-shirts that were too small for her or that she didn't wear so often to make Rory more clothes- she always looked adorable in a tiny AC/DC onesie. Rory's outfits were adorable, and all of the customers at the inn complimented her on them, asking where she had bought the clothing. Mia always told them, proudly, that Lorelai had made them herself.Lorelai knew her mother would never condone making Rory's clothing.
She really liked Mia; she felt like the mother-figure Lorelai had never had. While Lorelai kept Rory with her sometimes as she moved from room to room, Mia often took care of the little girl, even designating a space in her office to be Rory's "play area". When Rory's birthday rolled around, two weeks after she and Lorelai had arrived, Mia threw a surprise party for the little girl in the cafeteria. She invited all the staff, had the chef bake a cake, and even bought Rory new toys. Lorelai had been floored. She couldn't believe someone could be so generous, and repeatedly told Mia not to buy her anything since she'd been so overly-giving with Rory. Mia told her that she made no promises and left a speechless Lorelai with a wink.
She hadn't seen her parents since the day that she and Rory had left, but she had called when she got there, and again on Christmas. Since the holidays were only two months after her "emancipation", she refused to return home.
"Well, why not?" Her mother had asked shakily on the phone.
"Because," Lorelai said, allowing her emotions to run into her mouth, "It's too soon."
"What's too soon? Christmas is in a week. It is most definitely not too soon."
"No, mother. It's too soon for me to come back. I left that world, and I know that if I come back, you're going to try and get me to stay, and I won't have it. Knowing you, you probably will hire a lawyer or ask the cops to come and force me to stay. And that's not what I want. That's not what Rory needs. I'm happy here, and so is she."
"Lorelai, you can't honestly mean that- wherever you are, it can't be like home." Lorelai hadn't informed her mother of her whereabouts, as she knew Emily would come and try to snatch her away in the middle of the night and force her to return to the prison that they called a home.
"I wouldn't know... As far as I know, where I am right now is home."
"You cannot do this to us."
"Do what to you, mother?" She asked- her patience was wearing thin.
"You cannot take that girl and just leave, especially right before her birthday. You don't tell us where you are, or what's happening in your life- I wasn't even able to give my granddaughter a birthday present when she turned one. It's not right."
"Mom, it's so right that you would not believe. I belong here. Rory belongs here. We're happy. And just to let you know, not everything is about you and not everything is about money and presents. I was just calling to wish you a Merry Christmas, and if you can't take that with a grain of salt, then I might as well tell you goodbye."
"Fine, Lorelai. Be stubborn. But eventually you will realize that you belong here."
"No, I don't, Mom. You belong there. Merry Christmas." She heard her mother sobbing on the other end,
"Wish Rory a Merry Christmas from us."
"Bye, mom." And with that, she hung up, and didn't speak to her mother for another three months.
And she was perfectly alright with that.
-
Kirsten kneeled on the floor of her and Sandy's room, attempting to pull a sweater over Seth's head, which was flailing violently.
"Honey, you need to put on this sweater."
"No!" He answered forcefully, now bringing his arms into the picture. This kid is good, Thought Kirsten.
"Yeah, you need to wear this sweater for today- for when grandma and grandpa get here."
"No! Yucky Sweater!"
"Seth Ezekiel, you need to put this sweater on right now!" At this point, Seth was sobbing- boy, did he hate this sweater.
"NO!" This one was more forceful, but she realized that it hadn't come from Seth. At least Sandy's dealing with the same thing. As if on cue, Ryan came running in from his and Seth's bedroom (Sandy and Kirsten had thought it a better idea to change the boys separately- they gave up easier when they didn't have the other to back them up), sweater over his neck, but arms still only through his undershirt.
"Mommy!" Ryan called, and ran to Kirsten, crying into her shoulder. Sandy came trailing in.
"Man, that kid is fast," He commented, out of breath. Kirsten suppressed a laugh and motioned to Sandy to try with Seth- maybe with a different parent, the boys would listen.
"Ryan, honey, what's the matter?" She asked, kissing his hair.
"Yucky Sweater! Bad daddy!"
"No, honey. You need to wear the sweater."
"No!"
"Yeah, you do. Look, Seth's wearing one, too."
"No!" Usually that works, Kirsten thought helplessly, hearing Sandy tell Seth that Ryan was also wearing a sweater, eliciting the same response. Time for a different approach, I guess.
"Sweetheart, you need to wear this sweater to show Grandpa and Grandma how handsome you guys are."
"NO! NO NANA!" Ryan screamed, terrified. Kirsten was take aback by the reaction as her son slowly reverted to a sobbing heap on the floor. She knew the boys could sense the hostile tone that their grandmother took to Kirsten when she visited, though she was nice to them (Although she knew they hated her cheek pinches and wet kisses) She picked him up and attempted to soothe him,
"No, sweetie. Not Nana. Grandma. Shh. Come on. No more crying." She danced around with him until he was merely inhaling deeply every now and then. With his head on her shoulder, Kirsten couldn't see his face, but she could see Seth's as Sandy danced with him, using the same method to calm him as she had Ryan. She quickly realized that Seth had fallen asleep on Sandy's shoulder and whispered,
"He must have tired himself out."
"Is he asleep?"
"Yeah. Is Ryan?" It struck her as odd that her son hadn't said anything. Sandy leaned over and peered into his son's face.
"Completely out."
"Good," They both said, and each began to tenderly put the sweaters on the boys, then carrying them to their rooms and gingerly putting them in their cribs for a nap. Sandy put his arm around Kirsten's waist and whispered,
"Our turn."
-
Lorelai had taken easily to the town of Star's Hollow. She loved the quiet, the simplicity, and the innocence. She loved the people- Miss Patty, who had quickly fallen in love with Rory, Taylor, who oftentimes gave the little girl a free cookie to munch on while her mother food-shopped, and even crazy Kirk, who was around her age, but seemed to want to be a social outcast- he made her laugh. She loved her new best friend.
She had met Sookie St. James one day after school let out. It was a cool March afternoon when she had taken her daily break to take Rory for a nice walk around town. She happened to be walking past Stars Hollow High School when a flustered-looking girl came running down the stairs out of the school. The girl's apron that she wore over a Saturday Night Fever t-shirt was covered in something powdery- sugar, Lorelai assumed, and her hair was pulled into a messy bun.
As the girl ran, she suddenly tripped, spilling the books she had in her hand. Lorelai stopped pushing Rory's stroller and bent down to help the girl collect her scattered belongings.
"Oh, thanks... I'm such a klutz," The girl said, blushing.
"That's ok, everyone's allowed a klutzy moment now and then."
"Yeah, well if now and then means every sixty seconds, then I'm within boundaries." Lorelai laughed. This girl was funny... and around her age. She hadn't had much contact with anyone her own age since... well, since her seventh month.
"What are you running for?"
"Oh, well I dropped my batter for the thing I was cooking and now I need to run over to Doose's and get new ingredients. My teacher told me to go quickly."
"Mind if I tag along? I was heading over there anyway."
"Sure. It'd be nice to have some company... I'm Sookie."
"Lorelai." "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Do you go to Stars Hollow High?"
"Ummm... no." "Chilton?"
"No..."
"Then where do you go?"
"Oh, I don't go to school."
"Oh..." Sookie wasn't sure how to react to this- she'd never met anyone who was her age and not in school. It was then that she noticed the stroller that Lorelai was pushing. Lorelai watched her glance with curiosity at the carriage and then quickly bring her eyes forward again.
"This is Rory," Lorelai offered. Sookie sighed with relief and turned to Lorelai,
"Little sister?"
"Daughter."
"Oh..." Again, she didn't know how to respond. How could this girl be so calm about all of this? Lorelai tried to re-initiate the conversation- she couldn't take the silence.
"Ummm, yeah... I work over at the Independence Inn. I'm a maid there. I ran away from home and Mia, the owner, was really nice about it. She gave me a place to stay and she's really been helping out with Rory."
"Oh... I've met her before. She seems pretty nice."
"The nicest," Lorelai corrected her, smiling as they entered the market, starting a lifelong friendship.
-
Later the same day, Kirsten was brushing Seth's hair (Ryan's had been easy, other than the fight he had offered as she tried to manage his straight blonde bowl-cut.), fruitlessly attempting to tame his wild curls. She got it as good as it could be and lifted her son, kissing him and twirling while he giggled hysterically.
Suddenly, she heard the doorbell ring,
"It's showtime," She said quietly to herself and ran down the hallway, Seth bouncing in her arms. She arrived at the door to find Sandy holding Ryan,
"You ready?"
"As ready as you are."
"Which means neither of us is ready. You ready, boys?"
"No." They both said in unison.
"You have no idea how much." With that, she opened the door to greet her mother, father, and younger sister, Hailey.
"Hi, everybody!" Kirsten greeted cheerfully, shifting Seth on her hip.
"Hey, there, Kiki!" Her father greeted enthusiastically, affectionately hugging his daughter who awkwardly returned the hug.
"Hi, dad."
"Hey, Alice," Sandy greeted- she was his favorite in-law, and he knew his wife was so proud of her mother- they were extremely close. She hugged him warmly.
"Sandy. How are you treating my grandchildren?" She teased, hugging him.
"Oh, you know. We just let them out of the dungeon about an hour ago, so pretty good, considering." She laughed heartily and Kirsten's heart jumped. She loved that laugh- it always warmed her heart and made her feel safe and at home. She ran to hug her mother,
"Mom!"
"Kirsten! You look wonderful!"
"Look who's talking!" Kirsten answered, tears beginning to well in her eyes as she warmly embraced her mother, the woman she always aspired to be, even with her parenting techniques. They rocked back and forth in each others' arms and pulled apart two minutes later, looking into each other's tear filled eyes and then returning for another hug.
Across the room, the atmosphere was quite different.
"Sanford," Caleb greeted bluntly.
"Hi, Cal," Sandy attempted, trying to appease Kirsten. He had promised he would be civil, as long as her father was, too. Caleb put out his hand for a handshake as Sandy awkwardly repositioned Ryan, who was a quivering wreck, clutching tightly to Sandy (he didn't deal well with new people), to his left side in order to offer his right hand.
It didn't go unnoticed by Sandy that, while Ryan had not exactly jumped into Alice's arms, he had still been more relaxed around her than he was around Caleb. He glanced over at Seth, who had been clinging to his mother and anxiously looking around the room, searching for any escape, but he now seemed calm- he was even smiling. Yeah, well, children sense things that adults don't. I mean, this one's pretty obvious, but at least the boys have a good judge of character He thought, bouncing Ryan and kissing the crown of his head to comfort him.
He turned to find Kirsten already hugging Hailey, who seemed awkward and uncomfortable in this world- a wholesome family environment. Kirsten's little sister had always been a troublemaker, but she was so excited when the boys were born. She eagerly tickled Seth's stomach, who giggled, still holding tightly, though a little less so, to his mother.
"Hey, Hailey!" He called as he ventured over to her, lifting Ryan up in the process.
"Sandy! How's my favorite brother-in-law?"
"I'm pretty good. And yourself?" They pulled into a friendly hug.
"I can't complain. Is this my other handsome nephew?"
"No this is your handsome brother-in-law," She laughed, "Oh! You mean him! Why, yes, this is."
"Well, I know that this is Seth- I've been told. So, my guess is, that this is Ryan?" Ryan turned at the mention of his name from the window, where he had been diverting his attention in an unconscious attempt to calm himself.
"This is indeed Ryan. Say hi, Ry," He tickled Ryan's stomach and Ryan buried his head, laughing, in Sandy's neck.
After that, the boys seemed to loosen up- at least around Alice and Hailey. The women all laughed as the boys played together on the floor, building houses and engaging in mock-adult banter. As Alice and Hailey made faces at the boys, Kirsten watched on, glad that her family was together again.
She noticed, however, that Sandy and Caleb were still engaging in their awkward, vengeful small talk the next room over. I guess some things will never change. She thought helplessly.
At 7:30, after dinner had been served and the boys were sitting on the floor, clutching teddy bears and watching TV, Sandy noticed Seth and Ryan begin to yawn,; this prompted a glance at the clock.
"Bedtime," He announced softly, so the boys wouldn't hear him. Kirsten stood up beside him and he lifted Ryan, while Kirsten picked up Seth.
They made their way to the boys' bedroom with Kirsten's family trailing behind them. When they entered the room, they put the boys on their individual changing tables (They had found it easier to have two so that the boys could be changed at the same time), and began to talk to them.
"Seth! Who's mommy's big boy?"
"Me!" He called, and raised his hand.
"And who does mommy love?"
"Me!"
"And who does daddy love?"
"Me!"
"And who does Ryan love?"
"Me!"
"Who's sweet?"
"Me!" This was a game that she had started with Seth and Ryan when they were about thirteen months old, and both boys knew how the game was played. She continued to talk to him as she heard in the background,
"Daddy. Elmo, please!"
Kirsten smiled as she heard Sandy bend down to get Ryan his Elmo doll and laughed as she heard Ryan's delighted giggle- the one that meant Sandy had blown a "sherbet" on Ryan's stomach. Ryan sat and played gleefully with his Elmo doll and the process of changing him and Seth was going smoothly, as usual. That is, until Caleb interrupted.
"Kiki, I thought you said it was their bedtime."
"It is."
"Then why are you indulging them?"
"Doing what, dad?"
"Indulging them. You're speaking to Seth. You're keeping him awake longer and playing with him. Your husband is allowing Ryan to play with a toy and speaking to him."
"We're bonding with them, dad."
"Diaper changing is not a bonding time, Kiki."
"Actually, dad, any time is a bonding time," Her patience was wearing thin. She picked up the now pajama-clad Seth and turned on her heel to meet Sandy and Ryan on the other side of the room. Sandy picked up Ryan and he and Kirsten put the boys in their cribs.
"Goodnight, Seth. I love you." Kirsten said, kissing his forehead.
"Night-night. Love you." Seth answered automatically.
"Goodnight, Ry. I love you." Sandy said at the same time, kissing Ryan good night.
"Night, daddy. Love you." They switched sides and said goodnight to their other sons and allowed everyone else to say goodnight to the boys before turning off their light and heading downstairs.
Ten minutes later, everyone was sitting around, talking on the couch while Caleb distractedly listened to the babbling on the baby monitor.
"What is that?" He asked, genuinely confused. Kirsten listened for a second, then answered simply,
"Seth and Ryan."
"You're letting them stay up and play with each other?"
"They're not tired yet. They'll fall asleep when they are."
"Kiki, this never would've been allowed at our house. I can't believe you're allowing all of Sanford's crazy hippy parenting techniques to take charge."
"Dad! This is my house, these are my kids, that is my husband. I know what is right for them and I cannot stand your constant judgment. This is how the boys are being raised. This is the way it is, so if you can't deal with it, then leave." Everyone sat there, shocked by Kirsten's uncharacteristic outburst, until Caleb finally spoke up,
"Fine. If this is the way it's going to be, then so be it." They all sat in silence for a few more minutes, and then the polite banter picked up again.
Three days later, when it came time for the Nichols to return to California, everyone was distraught, even the once-shy boys.
"Grandma! No! No go!" Ryan cried.
"Aunt Hailey no bye-bye!" Seth screamed. Neither of the boys screamed for Caleb not to leave, but that did not phase him from giving them his usual unaffectionate goodbye,
"Goodbye, Ryan. Hope to see you soon. Goodbye, Seth. It's been a pleasure." Sandy leaned over to his wife,
"Does he know they're not forty-year-old businessmen?" Kirsten stifled a laugh and said goodbye to her family, crying as she hugged her mother.
"I'm going to miss you."
"I'll call. Every day."
"You'd better."
"Love you, mom."
"Love you, too, Kirsten." They waved goodbye as the cab pulled away, and Sandy noticed tears streaming down Kirsten's face. As he pulled her close to him and engulfed her in a hug, she whispered,
"I just want to be as good a mom as she is."
"Then let's go play with the boys," Sandy whispered simply, kissing her temple and leading her back inside.
-
Lorelai had made another connection that she really enjoyed- with Luke, the diner owner. While most people saw him as gruff, rude, and evasive, Lorelai thought he was sweet, and they quickly became friends. She still remembered the first time they'd met, a scene she'd played over and over again in her head while she was working.
"Coffee!" She'd called desperately as she entered the diner. She looked around and took in her surroundings; she liked it there. It was warm and welcoming, clean and a bit old-fashioned. Something her mother would've called "rustic" to the owner's face, but a "crap-pile" behind his back.
She sat at the counter, Rory perched next to her, and waited to be served (not patiently, mind you). The diner owner, Luke, had noticed her the minute she'd walked in. She was beautiful- thin, tall, with piercing blue eyes that were the first thing that Luke had been drawn to when she walked in. As the waiter was about to bring her coffee, Luke stopped him with a simple,
"I've got this one." The waiter knew what it meant and backed off, allowing Luke to take the coffee pot and walk purposefully towards the Gilmore girls.
"Hi," he smiled at her as he began to pour her a cup.
"Coffee! Bless you!" She breathed, and began to watch the man in front of her. He was about two years older than she was with blue eyes, unruly brown hair, and muscles peeking out from under his flannel t-shirt. She was instantly attracted to him, as he was to her.
"You seem stressed."
"Compared to when you usually see me?"
"No, you just seem stressed."
"Just in desperate need of caffeine."
"Fine, fair enough... your niece?" He asked, motioning to Rory, who was looking around the diner curiously.
"My daughter," Lorelai answered between sips of coffee. Luke was taken aback,
"Oh! Um... do you... go to school?"
"Nope. I work at the independence inn," She answered simply.
"Oh... I'm Luke." It was the only thing he could think to say.
"Lorelai. This is Rory." She was clinging to the cup of coffee for all it was worth.
"Well, would you and Rory like something to eat, or is one cup of coffee going to be it for the two of you?" He'd recovered pretty quickly from calling her daughter her niece and wanted to make a better impression.
"Mmm," Lorelai swallowed the mouthful of coffee sitting behind her lips, "Yes, please. I will have a hamburger and french fries and she will have a muffin."
"What kind?"
"I don't know. Surprise me." She loved the friendly flirting that they had going on. Luke returned five minutes later with two plates and a sippy-cup of milk with a straw for Rory.
"Oh, that's so sweet. You didn't have to do that," Lorelai thanked him, taking the cup and giving it to Rory.
"Oh, I have a nephew her age. My sister left some of the cups here last time they visited. It's no big deal."
"It's very nice of you. Say thank you, Ror."
"Thank you," she chimed in before slurping the milk. They engaged in polite banter and were happy to be able to tell each other when Lorelai left,
"See you tomorrow."
Lorelai was really happy. She loved that Luke was so attentive when she and Rory visited the diner, always serving them, always taking time to speak to them. He was very caring around Rory, bringing her surprises, talking to her, and giving her a cookie "for the road" every day before they left. They soon began talking about their backgrounds- how Luke had lost his mother when he was a little boy and his father the year before, how Lorelai didn't speak to her parents and hoped that some day they could come to terms with her and Rory's lifestyle. They understood each other and truly enjoyed each others' company.
What they both really, truly enjoyed, however, was their attraction to one another. They'd both felt it since the first day she'd walked into the diner. Every day he anxiously looked up at the door every time he heard the bell ring, hoping it was her. Every day she refused service unless it was Luke who served her. Every day, they were excited to see each other and become closer to each other than ever before.
Luke considered her his best friend. He didn't know anyone else who he could be so open with, and no one else knew everything about him the way that Lorelai did. She made him laugh and she could lighten any mood. Truthfully, he just loved to look at her. He'd never felt this way with anyone before- not even with his high school sweetheart, Rachel. She made him feel happy and complete.
Lorelai found him to be an excellent companion. He was fun to talk to and easy to open up to and so sweet and considerate. She loved how he was with Rory- he was becoming more of a father to her than Christopher had ever been or tried to be. Rory was excited to see Luke every day when they entered the diner and he always made her laugh. With every passing day, Lorelai found herself more attracted to him.
The problem, however,was thatneither of them knew how to act. Lorelai didn't know if she should ask him out or not. Does he respond to assertive women? Is he old fashioned- would he like me asking him out? Does he even like me like that?
Luke struggled with the same problem. Would she date me, or is she still not dating? Is she turned off by guys forever? Does she even like me?
This question was answered every day by Miss Patty and Babette, two of the women that Lorelai had met in town. The two would sit across the diner and watch, gossiping, as Luke and Lorelai flirted.
"Those two belong together."
"I know. They're both attracted to each other."
"Look at him. In all of the years that you've known him, have you ever seen him that way around a woman? He's happy!"
"And around Rory. I tell you, that man adores that little girl."
"I don't know why they don't ask each other out on a date."
The two soon got their wish as Luke began to muster the courage to ask Lorelai out. A few days before Rory's second birthday, Lorelai entered the diner with the little girl bouncing happily on her hip.
"LUKE!" Rory called.
"Hi, Rory! Hey, Lorelai," Luke smiled as he entered from the back room, wiping his hands clean. They took their usual seats and he appeared at Lorelai's side, clutching a coffee pot. He poured Lorelai a cup and gave Rory her usual sippy cup, today filled with apple juice.
"How're you guys?" Luke asked.
"We're fine. And yourself?" Lorelai played along.
"I am just fine today."
"Alright, enough with the polite crap," Luke laughed, "Hey, Rory's birthday party is on Saturday at the inn. You're invited."
"You don't need to do that."
"She really likes you. And so do I for that matter. 12:00 sharp." She smiled at her not-so-subtle hint.
"I'll be there." It had been six months since they'd first met and they found themselves being drawn closer together day by day. They sat and ate, talking to one another as they did every day. Asthegirlsbegan to pay and stand up to leave, Luke allowed himself to blurt out,
"Hey... what are you doing this Friday night?"
"Are you asking me on a date?"
"Well... no, Caesar's closing and I have reservations to a restaurant I made last month and... yeah, I am. And now I'm rambling." Lorelai smiled and cheered inwardly.
"Yeah, I'm free."
"OK. I'll pick you up at six. It's just dinner and a movie. Casual dress."
"Great. See you then." She smiled and picked up Rory, bidding him a goodbye and leaving with the little girl, dancing with her back to the inn.
Friday night at five, Lorelai had showered and was picking her outfit for the night. As Rory played on the floor, Lorelai spoke to her,
"Ror, you're going to spend a little while with Sookie tonight, ok?" Rory nodded, too distracted by her toy to answer, "What do you think, Rory? This one or this one?" She pulled out two outfits- one a little black dress with a pink suit jacket to wear over it and the other a long, flowy black skirt with flowers and a low-cut pink sweater.
Rory glanced up from her toy and pointed to the flowered-skirt outfit.
"I agree." She got changed and soon there was a knock on the door. Lorelai got up and finished hooking her earring, opening the door to find Sookie, wearing jeans and a cardigan set with her hair in a messy bun, standing patiently outside.
"You look beautiful!" was Sookie's greeting.
"Thanks," Lorelai blushed and hugged Sookie hello.
"I can't believe you're going out with Luke!"
"I know!" The two girls squealed and began to jump up and down, "I really, really like him, Sook. I've never felt this strongly towards anyone, including Christopher."
"Rory's father?"
"Yeah... it's just... he's so sweet and different from other guys." Sookie smiled and the two spent the next twenty minutes discussing Lorelai's possible relationship with Luke. When it was five to six, Sookie stood up,
"My mom is expecting me back. She's so excited to spend time with the baby. C'mon, Rory." Rory put up her arms for Sookie.
"Hey, Sook, I wrote down the number for where I'll be in case she freaks. She can eat pretty much anything and whenever she passes out, she passes out. It's not a big deal. Bye, sweets. I love you."
"Love you, mommy." Lorelai pecked Rory's cheek and Rory and Sookie set out.
Five minutes later, there was another knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Lorelai asked cheerfully, her heart pounding inside her chest.
"Your knight in shining armor."
"Oh! Do you have a horse?"
"Lorelai, just open the door." There was no need for politeness between the two of them. She opened the door and smiled at him.
"Wow, you look... gorgeous," He said, breathless.
"Why, thank you. You look rather dapper yourself."
"Shall we?"
"We shall." And they set out on their date.
Luke took her to a restaurant near Hartford whose name she was skeptical about,
"Sniffy's? Really?"
"The owners are friends of my parents. Great people." They went into the diner and sat at a reserved table. After some polite conversation about Luke whacking someone before the end of the night, a nice conversation with Maisy and Buddy, the people who owned the diner (in which they told her that Luke was "a special one". Yeah, like I didn't know that. She thought to herself.), and a trip to the movies (a romantic one, where Lorelai cried and Luke held her to him), Luke returned Lorelai home.
"I had a great time," He said.
"Me too."
"So, we should do it again sometime?"
"Sometime soon, definitely."
"So..." Neither of them knew what to say. But they both knew what to do. Slowly, they leaned into each other, kissing each other, first slowly, then deeply and passionately. The kiss lasted for three full minutes and they both reluctantly pulled apart.
"Great... so, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yup... See you tomorrow." And she opened the door to her house as he left, both of them looking forward to tomorrow.