So I keep forgetting to post new chapters, I'm sorry about that and I'll try to post more often from now on. Hope you like this chapter, I didn't want to go down the route of an evil Rachel cos she really wasn't like that in the show, bowing out when she knew she couldn't compete with Lorelai. Please review and if I get lots of replies I'll post again tomorrow
"So this is the stables and I'd like you to meet Cletus and Desdemona" Lorelai opened the larger door and led Rachel in. They had already been round the surrounding countryside and round the inn. Rachel took a couple of snaps of the horses.
"They're beautiful" Lorelai stood in the doorway while Rachel moved further in.
"Yeah they are, we nearly couldn't afford them, but I fought hard to keep them"
"Glad you did" Rachel stepped up to Cletus and stroked its mane. "You scared of them?" Rachel asked Lorelai humorously.
"This is about as far as I can go for the next nine months, safety precaution"
"Sorry, I forgot" Lorelai waved her hand.
"S'okay" Lorelai smiled. "How about that lunch then, Sookie's bursting to try a new recipe on us"
"Lead the way" Rachel put her camera away in her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She followed Lorelai back up to the front door and inside to the dining room.
"I'm glad we have this chance to catch up, didn't get to say goodbye last time" Lorelai spoke as her food was put in front of her by one of her waiters.
"I left in a hurry, I'm sorry"
"Luke never did tell me why you left" Rachel put her knife and fork down and looked straight at Lorelai.
"It was because of you" Lorelai's head snapped up.
"You and Luke were the only people not to realise you were meant for each other. There was no way I could compete with you. So I packed my bags, told him to do something about it and left" Rachel explained.
"Wow"
"So how long did it actually take him?"
"Our first kiss" Lorelai started, a smile on her face as the good memories came back "Was the test run of the inn, nearly two years ago. Of course I was totally blind to his advances. We went to his sister's wedding together and we danced but I thought we just went as friends. He then turns up at the test run with a bunch of flowers"
"Wow, he never bought me flowers"
"Apparently, he'd never bought anyone flowers before. So, the test run was going okay until my ex-boyfriend Jason shows up saying how he wants to get back together and telling Luke that we were still together"
"What happened next?"
"Luke starts ranting about me and Jason and his intentions and flowers and moments etc. He storms out onto the porch so I follow him and then he kisses me."
"In a bizarre way, that's actually quiet romantic"
"Until Kirk comes running down the stairs naked, interrupting us"
"Well of course, this is Stars Hollow after all" Rachel and Lorelai laughed. "So what was the wedding like?"
"Well it was kinda a spur of the moment thing. We were already engaged and were meant to get married November 21st but two weeks before, something happened between me and Rory and the next thing I know me and Luke are in a car to Hartford on our way to get married"
"What about the wedding that was planned?" Rachel asked with interest.
"We had that one too!" Rachel laughed.
"I can't believe Luke Danes, eternal bachelor, has got married and has a baby on the way"
"Me either, I can't believe this has all happened. I'm married and pregnant and Rory's a published author, living in new York with her boyfriend and pregnant"
"I read her book, it's amazing"
"She's the amazing one" Lorelai smiled proudly.
"I don't know how you did it"
"Did what?" Lorelai looked at Rachel questioningly.
"Raised her, Built your own inn, everything"
"The answer is to have a coffee pushing, burger flipping, nice guy to lean on once in a while"
"Ah, I know the type of person your talking about" Lorelai smiled, pausing before speaking again.
"Rachel, there was something I wanted to ask you"
"Go on"
"Are you really okay with me and Luke? I saw they way you were looking at me and Luke together this morning and it was exactly the same look that I always had on my face when I saw you and him together"
"Honestly?" Lorelai nodded "I think I'm more jealous of what you have than who you have. I've always wanted to settled down and start a family but I'm cursed, damned to be a nomad for the rest of my life"
"I'm sure that's not true"
"It's okay, really. I met this journalist in Australia. He travels more than I do!"
"Ohh, what's he like?" Lorelai was always interested in other people's love lives.
"Well I was in Sydney shooting and I literally bumped into him. He let me apologise my taking him out to lunch. His name's Derek and he's very cute"
"Cuter than Luke?"
"You do realise I can't win if I answer that" Lorelai laughed. The two chatted about everything they could, each sharing stories about Luke and Lorelai shared some more little titbits of her and Luke's life together.
"Promise me you'll call more often. It was great catching up"
"I promise, and it defiantly was great to catch up, we'll have to do it again next time I'm in the area"
"It's a date" The two hugged and then said goodbye as Lorelai watched Rachel walk away.