Chapter 3:

An Uncomfortable Dinner

Lorelai glanced at the clock. 5:45 the bright red numbers read. She turned back to the mirror and picked up the necklace Luke had given her a couple of weeks after their first kiss. They had matched the earrings he gave her the year before. She slipped it around her neck and began to fumble with the clasp. Just then she felt a breath on her neck. She looked up at the mirror and saw Luke behind her. He gently took the necklace from her and clasps it. Lorelai smiles up at him. Luke slips his arms around her waist. He gently lays his hand on her stomach. They stand in silence.

"Are you excited?" Lorelai asks a smiling Luke.

"Yes."

Lorelai smiles at Luke. She turns around in his arms. They kiss tenderly. Luke breaks away and lays his forehead against hers.

"How about this one?"

Luke looked up from the magazine he was flipping through to see Lorelai in a tight fitting black dress. It flared out at her knees and it had a deep v-neck cut. He couldn't take his eyes off of her.

"Perfect." He manages to say.

Lorelai smiled at Luke then looked over at April who was reading one of Rory's old books.

"Do you like it April?"

April looked up from the book at Lorelai. She smiled.

"You look very pretty."

"How about you pick out a dress?" Luke said looking at April.

Both April and Lorelai looked at Luke. Lorelai smiled at him. She knew he wanted his daughter to have a nice dress.

"Really?" April said closing the book she was reading.

"Yep, and I'll help."

April got up and hugged Luke tightly. He patted her on the back and smiled.

"Thank you...dad." April whispered in Luke's ear.

She got up and went over to a rack of dresses. Lorelai smiled at Luke and then walked over to April. The both of them began to go through the dresses. Luke just shook his head and went back to flipping through the magazine.

When the three left the dress shop, they all had new outfits on. Luke had on a black suit with a red tie. Lorelai was wearing the black dress she had picked out with a red shaw laid on her shoulders. April had on a lavender dress that fell right below her knees. It had a curved neck line. All three looked like they had just walked out of a fashion magazine. They got into the car and Luke started it up. They drove off a moment later towards the Gilmore house.

Lorelai, Luke, and April stood in front of the Gilmore house. Luke reached over and rang the doorbell. After a few moments the door was open and there stood Emily smiling.

"Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving mom."

Lorelai, Luke, and April walked through the front door. Emily took each of their coats then looked at April questionably.

"Who's this?"

"Mom, this is April, she's...she's Luke's daughter."

"Oh." Emily said and turned towards the living area.

Lorelai looks at her mother walk off and follows her. Luke and April follow suit.

When they arrive in the living area they are greeted by Rory.

"Mom!"

Rory gets up from her place on the sofa and runs and hugs her mother.

"Hey hon."

"Hey mom. How's the inn? How's Sookie and Jackson? How's..."

"Slow down kid! Your going to fast." Lorelai said hugging Rory again.

"The inn is busy. Were packed this Christmas." She pauses to sit down next to Luke. Rory takes a seat across from her next to April. "Sookie and Jackson are doing good, but Rune is back in town."

Rory started to laugh.

"I know. He's staying with them and Sookie is..."

"Enough chitter chatter girls. Lets be polite." Emily pauses and turns to April. "So your Luke's daughter?"

"Mom!"

"Please Lorelai, I'm trying to talk to our guest." Emily interrupted Lorelai. "How long has Luke known about you?"

"Almost a year." April says nervously.

Emily turns to an upset Luke.

"So you and...Anna...is it?" Emily turns to April who shakes her head yes. "Had a child together."

"Mom, please. Those things don't matter." Lorelai says before Luke can speak.

"I'm just making small talk. Again, Luke, you and Anna had this little...girl?" Emily says in a snotty tone.

"Mom!" Lorelai yells. "Leave it alone. I really don't want to here about the things in the past."

The room is quiet for a few moments then Emily speaks up.

"I think you should leave now."

"We haven't even ate dinner." Lorelai says angrily.

"Just go Lorelai. Take your family and leave."

"Fine. Let's go."

Lorelai gets up and walks out. Luke follows behind her with April at his side. Rory stays to talk with her grandmother.

"That was very rude of you grandma."

"Don't start with me Rory."

"Do you even here the things you say? Mom has tried so hard to keep you in her life. She hasn't shut you out and I don't think she plans on it, but after how you acted tonight I wouldn't doubt she does."

"Your just like your mother."

Emily gets up and walks out of the living room towards the kitchen with Rory on her heels.

"Yes I am. I now see why she left this house. Why she left you!"

Rory storms out the front door and gets into her car and drives off. Emily sinks into a nearby chair and tears flood down her face.