"Do you think you can eat another ice cream cone?" Luke asked teasingly.
"Do you?" Rory asked in return.
"Only if you can."
"I can." Rory professed proudly.
"Alright, then, another ice cream cone it is." Luke scooped Rory onto his shoulders as he glided them down the street.
"Can we play putt-putt golf next?" Rory asked as she sat high upon Luke's shoulders.
"Sure." Luke replied. "But I'll warn you, I'm good."
"I've never played." Rory commented seriously. "It looks really fun though."
"Well, I can teach you to play." Luke boasted. "You'll be playing like a pro in no time."
Rory smiled brightly. This day had been going absolutely great. Lorelai never let her have more than once ice cream cone a day and Luke had already given her three. Lorelai never was much for playing any type of games either, she despised sports and had never encouraged Rory to play them. Rory was definitely beginning to like the idea of having a dad. Once again, the question occurred to her.
"What should I call you?" Rory asked casually.
Luke lifted Rory down from his shoulders as they reached the ice cream stand. "What do you mean?" Luke asked as he handed the ice cream man a five dollar bill. "The usual." Luke directed to the man.
"I mean, should I call you Dad or Luke?" Rory rephrased.
Luke was silent for a moment. "Well, um, I don't know." Luke honestly replied. "I guess whatever your Mom thinks is best."
"She said I should ask you." Luke handed Rory her ice cream cone, she took it but awaited Luke's answer.
"Oh." Luke said letting out a deep breath. "Well, uh, you can call me whatever you like." Luke smiled. "I'll answer to almost anything."
Rory pondered this thought for a moment. "You don't really look like a dad." Rory noted. "You look like a Luke."
"Okay..." Luke shook his head. "I could see where you get that from." he agreed.
"But..." Rory added. "I think I'd rather call you Dad."
Suddenly, Luke felt a tingle go through his heart. "Yeah." Luke nodded. "I like that."
After solving her dilemma Rory finally took a lick off her ice cream. Later that evening, Luke returned to Lorelai's apartment with a peacefully sleeping Rory in his arms.
"What did you do to her?" Lorelai teased as she beheld the limp little body in his arms.
"I think she's met her playmate match." Luke grinned.
Lorelai opened the door to Rory's bedroom and Luke gently placed her in her bed.
"Sorry if we're a little late." Luke replied. "Our game of putt-putt ran long."
"Putt-putt?" Lorelai asked rasing an eyebrow. "Rory doesn't know how to play putt-putt."
"I taught her." Luke answered proudly. "She did pretty well for her first time."
Lorelai narrowed her eyes in response. "Well, athletic ability must be something she gets from you."
"Yeah, who knows, maybe I should try her out for baseball next time." Luke replied happily.
"I wouldn't push it." Lorelai answered.
"Aw, man, Lorelai, being with her today was wonderful. I never knew how much I had been missing."
Lorelai lead Luke back into the living room and they took a seat on the couch.
"She's an amazing kid." Lorelai stated. "She's going to Harvard one day."
"Harvard?" Luke asked impressed.
"Yes, Harvard." Lorelai replied smiling.
Luke stared at Lorelai for several moments without saying a word. "I've missed you, Lorelai."
"I've missed you too." she confessed.
"Now that you're back, and Rory is here, all I can think about is spending time with you guys." Luke positioned himself more comfortable on the couch. "I want to be around, a lot." Luke said surely. "Is that okay?"
"Sure it is." Lorelai answered. "Rory needs her father."
"I don't mean just for Rory." Luke clarified. "I want to be around for you too."
"Oh." Lorelai said softly. "Luke, I ... I'm okay... you know, I don't need you to look after me." Lorelai blushed.
Luke took Lorelai by the hand. "Oh, yes, I know." he said. "You made that clear years ago. You may not need me, Lorelai, but I know without a doubt, I need you."