Two days passed and Lorelai begun to gradually get better. She now only had a minor cough and stuffy nose. Luke wouldn't leave her just incase, though. She was glad for that. She really enjoyed his company. It was getting really lonely without Rory here with ehr. It was nice to have someone to talk to at night. Nice to have someone who didn't mind getting up in the middle of the night to give her medicine and place a wet rag on her head and stay up with her untill she fell asleep.

He's everything I want and more! she thought. I would love more than anything if he wre here to stay for good. What am I thinking? God! If he knew what I was thinking he would flip! I would totally scare him away. But it's true. I wouldn't mind being with Luke for the rest of my life. I wonder if he might even just a little bit think of me as more of a friend. The whole town says he does, even Rory, so maybe...I don't know. But I shouldn't be fantasizing about something I don't have the guts to do. I could never ask him out. It was never an issue with the other guys, but he's...different. In a good way!

She was sitting in the kitchen, watching Luke make breakfast. It was Christmas Eve and Rory was coming later on. They had spent the past few days wrapping gifts for people in the town and Rory. Luke wasn't much of a wrapper, so she let him put the little gifts in bags and stuff tissue paper in them.

He sat the plates out and served them both. He had made pancakes with yummy cinnamon butter and bacon. Just as they begun to eat, the phone rang. Lorelai answered it. It was Rory.

"What's wrong babe?" she asked concerned.

"It's snowing here like there's no tomorrow! They are starting to block off some of the roads. I don't no if I'll make it tonight if it keeps up like this!" she panicked.

"Hun, calm down. Maybe it'll stop."

"Hmph. They are saying it's going to get worse. It's heading your way. I hate this! This is my first Christmas as a college student and I want to come home! I miss you!"

"I know babe. I do too. Listen, maybe you could come here earlier."

"I still haven't finished packing and they have blocked the road over there!"

"Ok, ok. Well, just stay the night there-"

"Mom, no. I can't be away from you. What about our tradition? What about "It's a Wonderful Life" and hot chocolate?" she cried.

"Honey, the roads are to dangerous right now. I'll have Luke with me tonight. I won't be completely alone. Just stay there tonight and come tomorrow morning. Things should look up by then." she said.

Rory sniffed. "Ok. I'm sooo sorry mom!"

"Babe, it's ok. It's not your fault. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

"Ok."

"Stay warm! I love you!"

"I will. I love you too. Tell Luke I said hi."

"I will. Bye sweets."

"Bye."

Lorelai hung up and sighed. She had been really looking forward to tonight.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked.

"Look's like it's just you and me tonight. Rory's not going to make it. She said it's snowing hard there and that the roads are blocked. It's heading our way."

"Oh. Is she ok?"

"She was really upset, but she'll be fine. She's coming tomorrow if the roads are unblocked. She said for me to tell you hi."

"Oh, ok. I'm sorry she's not going to be here. I know how much you were looking forward to tonight with her."

"I'll be fine. I'm just glad I won't have to spend Christmas Eve alone. Thanks again for everything. Staying with me tonight and all and all the other nights."

"No problem. It was nothing."

"It was something. I really do appreciate it Luke."

"You're welcome. Come one, let's eat."

Lorelai sat back down and they continued their breakfast with slight conversation.

oooooooo

Later that night, Luke made a ham and rolls and mashed poatoes and gravy. They sat down and ate and talked. He had managed to cheer Lorelai up a little since this morning. Now they were sitting by the tree on the floor on a palet next to the fire. Silent Night was playing softly in the background as they sat in silence.

"Do you ever sleep talk?" she asked Luke.

"Uhh, no, why?"

"When Rory was a little girl, she used to sleep talk at night. I have no idea why or where she got it."

"I think I do." Uh-oh. Did I say that out loud? Now she's going to want to-

"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.

Busted.

"Oh, um, well...You were talking in your sleep a few nights ago." he told her.

"Really? What did I say?" she asked.

"Well, uh, you said my name. I woke up, thinking you needed something, but you were just sleep talking." he said, hoping she would leave it.

"Oh. Did I, uh, say anything else?"

I guess she won't leave it.

"Um, well, uh, you said...you said you, uh, loved me." he stated.

"Oh." she looked down and then at him.

Now was her chance. Take it or leave it. She had to do it! She would regret it later if she didn't.

"Luke?" she asked shakily.

"Yeah?" he asked, looking up.

"I love you." she said quietly, with some much caring and passion.

Luke looked at her for a moment.

Did she just say what I thought she said? Oh my God. She did!

Lorelai looked into his eyes sheepishly. She looked so angelic with the firelight dancing around her hace, lighting it up. Making the beautiful, crown curls in her hair sparkle. Her blue eyes looked like two crystals shining with the deepest ans sincere love. He could see it in her face. She wasn't lying. She really and truly loved him. One look in her eyes said that.

He pulled her in closely and kissed her softly on the lips. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was gentle and passionate all the same. It was something Lorelai had never experienced. Something inside of her exploded as their lips met. It was a whloe jumble of emotions. Passion, caring, security, happiness. But most of all, love. When they pulled apart. She heard the words they had both longed to hear and say.

"I love you too." he said softly and kissed her once more.

He finally had it. Her. All he ever wanted. And she too had everything she had ever wanted. Him. Just him. She fell into his arms and cried with joy.

"I've waited so long for this. I can't believe this is happening." she whispered.

"Me too. I've been thinking about this all week. I've wanted this for eight years."

"So have I. Having you here, taking care of me, has been the best thing ever. No guy has ever treated me with such kindness." she said and kissed him.

"I love it. Taking care of you. That's all I ever wanted to do and all I ever want to do." he held her and smiled at her.

"That's all I ever want to do."

They popped in "It's a Wonderful Life" and he held her as they watched it. She fell asleep in his arms and they both lay there. The perfect couple. They both wore smiles on their faces and held each other tight.

oooooooo

Rory walked in the door quietly. She wanted to surprise her mother. She walked into the living room to find that she was the one being surprised. There lay her mom and Luke in each other's arms, smiling.

"Woah," she whispered. "I think Santa finally came to his senses and left them the right Christmas gift this time."

She smiled to herself. It was finally happening! The thing she had dreamed of for so long! She knew they belonged together. It was so obvious. Especially now.

"Surprise!" she shouted.

"What the hell?" Lorelai said as she sat up and looked around. Luke did the same. "Rory! Oh, hi. I didn't think you'd be here so early."

"Hmmmm. I guess not. You two seemed to be pretty wrapped up in one another." she teased and laughed at their uncomfortable expressions.

"Um, yeah, about that..." Lorelai left the sentence hanging, not knowing how to say it.

"No need to explain mom. I know. Finally!" she shouted and jumped up and down.

Luke and Lorelai looked at each other in confusion.

"Oh don't pretend. Everyone knew this was going to happen! Babette and Patty have had a running pool going around town for years about how long it would take you guys to get together."

"What!" Lorelai shouted.

"Are you serious!" Luke shouted too.

"Yup. But forget that. I'm soo happy for you guys!"

Rory bent down and pulled them both into a huge hug.

"We're happy to, kid." she said and smiled at her daughter and her Luke. Her Luke.

"Good. Don't screw this up you guys! This is big! Great!" she told them and hugged them again.

Luke patted her back and smiled at his Lorelai.

Later, after Rory had calmed down, they opened gifts.

"Oooo! I love my fuzzy, purple alarm clock! My old one broke!" Lorelai told Rory.

"You're welcome. I love my encyclopedia set! I've wanted it for so long! And I love the book Luke!"

"No problem. Thanks for the flannel shirt. I need a new one."

"You're welcome."

"Here, Lorelai." he said, handing a black box with a red bow on it to her.

"Oh, Luke you didn't have to." she said and opened it. She gasped. "Luke! I love it!"

Inside was a neclace with a small, heart dangling from the chain. It was studded with tiny diamonds around the edges.

"It's beautiful!" she said and she kissed him.

"You're welcome." he said and smiled at her.

"Here. It's not as good as your gift, but anyway." she said and handed him a little wrapped box.

He took it and opened it up. Inside was a very nice watch.

"Thanks Lorelai. I really needed a new one." he said and kissed her.

"I love you." she said.

"I love you too." he replied and they kissed one more time.

Rory was crying softly. She was so happy for them!

"Merry Christmas!" she said and hugged them both tightly.

"Merry Christmas!" they both said.

They all three sat there hugging each other. It was a very, Merry Christmas indeed. Luke took Lorelai in his arm and kissed her again.

oooooooo

Merry Christmas you guys! Thanks for reading my story! I enjoyed writing it. It's funny cause I dreamed of this when I was sick back in October and Lroelai got sick at Christmas. Now I'm sick and it's Christmas! lol. I'm good though. Thanks again for reading! I am so grateful for your support! And thank you sooo much Jamie, my beta! I couldn't have done it without you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!