Chapter Two

It was a full fifteen minutes before Lorelai had calmed down and stopped crying, thanks to Luke and his encouraging comments.

"I'm sorry Luke, this is so unlike me. I've just been kinda stressed at work and, I don't know, I've probably done too much thinking about stuff like this. Why is it that I always end up crying to you?"

"Shh, I'm glad to help you. I mean, I'll be donating this shirt to you later, but really, I'm glad," Luke said calmly,with the beginning of a smile.

Lorelai pulled back from hugging him. There was a rather large spot of tears on his shirt. She laughed at it through her tears, and just kept hugging him.

"Hey Lorelai?" Luke said as he held her. "Yeah?" sniffled Lorelai. "Are you ok? You know it's Rory, nothing could separate you two. Don't ask me how or why I thought of this, but why don't you have a girl's weekend this weekend? Just the two of you?"

Lorelai paused to consider. "Maybe going somewhere with just she and I would help. Like the infamous Harvard visit". Oops, thought Lorelai, now he's gonna ask about Max…! Luckily for Lorelai, Luke kept quiet. "That's good, I think I'll call her tomorrow and we'll go on a road trip Friday… wanna watch a movie?" Lorelai asked.

After telling her yes, Luke shook his head, wondering how she could jump from subject to subject so easily. Oh well, he thought, that's part of why I love her. WHOA? I love her? I love her. I love her! Of course I love her, I've loved her for eight years…!

As Luke reeled from these thoughts, he realized he'd wait until Lorelai would be able to say them back. Maybe then he could tell her about the house. Their house.

Luke made his way over to the couch. The opening credits were playing for Willy Wonka, and Lorelai was beaming. As he sat down, she continued to look at him, smiling. "What?" Luke asked, a little gruffer than he'd intended. "Nothing," Lorelai said with a giggle, "I just still say you're sexier than Willy Wonka, top hat or no!" Luke sighed. This would be an interesting night.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Lorelai woke up smiling. She couldn't remember the dream very well, but it had involved Luke and pie. What a wonderful combination! As she rolled over, there was no Luke, but a note was pinned to the pillow:

Lorelai,

Didn't want to wake you. Breakfast at the diner, I'll see you soon.

Don't worry, it's all going to turn out ok.

Luke

Lorelai smiled again. What a wonderful man she had! Luke's so sweet, he's so easy to love. WHOA! Did I just say I loved him? I've never told a man I loved him before! But it's Luke…

In New Haven, Connecticut, a cell phone rang to the tune of Ace, by Jimmy Buffet. Odd ring tones are what happen when you leave your cell phone at Logan's dorm.

A frazzled Rory Gilmore came flying into her room, hearing the incessant ringing. "Gah! Where did I put that darn phone!" she exclaimed.

The room was suddenly transformed into a torrent of flying clothes, schoolbooks, more laundry (dirty this time). The ringing pursued: once, twice, three times, then, during the fourth ring, Rory tossed aside a purse and there was her phone.

"Hello?" she said breathlessly.

"Hey kid! I've got exciting news!" Lorelai's voice rang out loudly.

"Really? What?"

"We're taking a road trip this weekend! Just you and me! We can go anywhere! Just lets get away!"

"Oh my gosh, Mom, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. How's Luke taking it? How are you?" said Rory, assuming the worst.

"What? I, for once, cannot comprehend what my charming daughter is saying," said Lorelai, a look of confusion written across her face.

"You and Luke broke up right? That's the sudden urge for a road trip…" said Rory gently.

"Um, no! We're fine! More than fine! In fact, I think, well, I think I might love him. Love! Isn't it crazy?" Lorelai rushed. This phone call already made her feel better and she'd shared more with Rory than she had in awhile.

"Wait, you thought we'd broken up? Do you think we'll break up?" Lorelai said, uncertainty rising in her voice.

"No! I just figured that's what we did with Max and all…Actually, I think you and Luke will be forever. Minus a few obstacles, you're forever. "

Forever. The word sounded good to Lorelai. Not quite as frightening as before.

"So," Lorelai pressed on, ignoring Rory's comments, "You can come down Friday, we'll eat then take off driving and see where we end up! Sounds fun huh?"

"As long as I'm back for school on Monday, it's a plan!" Rory said. It's Mom, she figured, just another crazy plan of hers. This should be interesting, at the very least.