Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls, nor have I ever owned them. I also do not own Brad Paisley or Allison Krauss. sniff Ah well.

A/N: This story is based on the song "Whisky Lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss; and deals with themes of alcoholism and suicide. Thank you all for reading this and I look forward to reading what you think.

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That night, he made sure his will was in order and out in the open where someone could find it. He already had his funeral arrangements made. He did that when Uncle Louie died. As he read over the papers, tears began coursing down his cheeks. When Lorelai and he got engaged, Luke updated his will to include her, Rory, April, and Jess.

Lorelai would get the deed to the building; Rory would get the boat and a few of his personal affects. As soon as he'd found out about April, he had created a college fund for her, so she would receive that and also a few personal items. Jess would inherit the diner. He'd wanted Lorelai to have it, but she refused, saying that she could never run the diner without him… It would hurt too much and besides, she couldn't cook to save her life.

Once he was certain all the legal stuff was in order, he decided to get his goodbyes out of the way. He didn't call anyone. That would be just stupid because someone might come over and talk to him. Instead, he got out a pad of paper and a pen from the kitchen drawer and began to write.

Rory,

Hey Kid. I want you to know how much I love you. You were always "My Rory" even if we weren't related by blood or legally. I've always loved you as a daughter. That will never change. I am really proud of you and the young woman you have become. You are going to do wonderful things. Don't be too disappointed in me; I just couldn't go on without your mom. Take care of yourself, Princess. I'll always be looking out for you.

Love,

Luke

He sat back in his chair and wiped away the tears from his cheeks. God, he wanted a drink. He needed a drink, but he couldn't get one until this was done. He wanted… he needed to be sober to finish writing these. He needed to feel the pain full force once more to convince himself this is really what he wanted. He took the letter he had just finished writing, ripped it off the pad, folded it, and stuffed it in the envelope labeled Rory. He then went back to the pad before him and began writing again.

April,

My Daughter, I want to let you know how much I love you. I am sorry for not being there in the beginning of your life and even more sorry that I am going to miss the rest of your life, too. You are an amazing little girl… correction, young lady. Be good to your mom and I'll be watching you. I love you.

Love,

Dad

Once again, he had to stop writing. This was so much harder than he expected. The room was beginning to close in around him and he fought for air. He really needed that drink… maybe just a little one… NO. He had to finish what he started. So he folded the letter, shoved it into the envelope marked April, and went back to writing.

Jess,

You came to me a broken teenager, hell-bent on making everyone around you miserable. I know things were hard, and I didn't help any of that. I am so sorry for that, but I am so proud of the man you have become. You have always been like a son to me, from your birth until now. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Don't let your love wait and don't quit being persistent. Take care of Rory; she is going to need someone. And don't forget to make Lorelai some coffee every once in a while… I'm sorry I can't tell you this in person. I just can't handle this anymore. I will love Lorelai until I die, and loving her hurts too much for me to live without her. I love you, Jess. I don't say that enough, or show it enough… but I do... I love you and am so proud of you.

Love,

Uncle Luke

This letter went into the envelope marked Jess. Three down, two more to go and then this hell would be over. Luke got up, suddenly aware of his body. It was shaking. He was getting jittery like he'd been drinking coffee all day. Now he really needed that drink. He reached for the bottle of Jameson's on the table, then thought better of it… he needed a drink, he didn't need to get drunk… not yet, anyway. He went to the fridge and grabbed a beer. Just enough to stop the DT's and buy him a little time. Once again, he sits at the table.

He finished the next letter, took a swig of beer, and picked up the pen for the last time.

Dear Town,

I'm saying dear town because I have no idea who will read this first. I am taking this opportunity to say goodbye to you all. I am sorry for any burden I put on you. I loved this town. As crazy as you all were, I loved you and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else, that is, until now. I can't live here anymore. I can't live at all, anymore. I will love her until I die, and probably after I die. Please forgive me for not being stronger and please know that I tried. Thank you, Stars Hollow citizens.

Luke.

He took one last look over at the table. The bills for the diner were up to date and stacked neatly on the table. His will was laid out next to the bills and the four letters in their respective envelopes were laid out next to the will. All that was left to do was a quick cleanup of the apartment and then… well… he didn't want to think about that right then.

At last, everything was done and he could drink himself into oblivion. Carefully, he removed his ball cap- the blue one that Lorelai had given him so many years ago. He reached over to the bedside table and grabbed the bottle of pills he found there. Tylenol PM. He took a handful and washed them down with a bottle of whisky.

All of a sudden, his head began throbbing and he began losing control of his body. It felt like someone had thrown a lead blanket over him and as his eyes began to close, he saw her face swimming past his mind's eye one last time. His final thought before unconsciousness claimed him was "I love you, Lorelai. I always will." Then, it was over. He'd finally stopped loving her.

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The town would never forget the day they found that their beloved local diner owner had passed away from an overdose of alcohol and sleeping pills. The news sent shockwaves through the town. Things like that just didn't happen in Stars Hollow.

It was Caesar who found him. Luke hadn't been down to open the diner and hadn't answered the phone, either. Kirk was having a fit because he wasn't able to have his regular breakfast and went and got Lane. She called Caesar to open because Luke hadn't given her a permanent set of keys, yet. So, Caesar trudged over to the diner, opened the door, and went looking for his boss.

He couldn't find him downstairs, so the next logical place to look was upstairs… in his apartment. It wasn't his favorite place to go… maybe Luke was sick or something and forgot to call? It didn't sound like Luke, but possibly.

Caesar reached the door to the flat and stopped. Something didn't feel right about the situation, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Gently, he knocked on the door. No answer, not even the sound of someone snoring… or breathing. He tried the knob and found the door was unlocked. Again, something didn't feel right.

Cautiously, Caesar pushed the door open. "Boss? Hey Boss? You there? Bo-….. oh!" Caesar rounded the corner to see his employer face down on the bed clutching a pillow to his body and a piece of paper crumpled in his fist. He wasn't moving. On the table beside his bed, Caesar spotted the open bottle of pills and the empty liquor bottle on the floor next to him. It was then that Caesar knew what had happened to his boss and why he wasn't moving. He would never move again. He was dead.