Summary: Set after "Bridesmaids Revisited". Lorelai decides to make one last effort to repair her relationship with Luke but could end up losing everything.

Disclaimer: Lorelai, Luke and their entire relationship do not belong to me. And no references made in this chapter or in the entire story belong to me. (you'll see what I'm getting at)

Notes: Okay, well due to the overwhemling response to my first chapter and the fact that when I started I wasn't intending on breaking up Luke and Lorelai, I have decided to continue, and I think I have some idea where this is going. But be sure to review and tell me what you think! And for all my readers of When Hearts Collide, it has been updated and they will be celebrating Thanksgiving today, although I'm only covering one of their many dinners. Back to this story…

Her Biggest Mistake

A few nights later, Lorelai opens the door to Luke's diner, the bells causing him to look up and notice her. He presses his lips together and looks back down at what he's doing. Lorelai feels a little let down by his response but not surprised. "Hello," she says softly. Luke doesn't respond. She glances around, suddenly noticing they're not alone in the restaurant. April is sitting on one of the stools by the end of the counter. "Hi, April." She flashes April a half-smile.

"Hi Lorelai," April responds, smiling back. Lorelai raises an eyebrow at Luke, a little surprised that his daughter knows her on sight, but Luke doesn't look up to respond.

"Well, it's nice to know I'm not some person you meant once, claimed she wasn't a strangler and stalked out of here," Lorelai comments. April laughs.

"You did do that, but I know who you are. Dad talks about you all the time," April says. Lorelai looks impressed. She looks over at Luke who is still staring down at his work. She sighs, seeing that her going there has changed nothing, and she swallows the lump that has formed in her throat.

"I'm sorry," she whispers, her eyes once again filling with tears.

"I have nothing to say to you," Luke responds, not even looking up for a second. Lorelai's mouth drops open, amazed that this is his response.

"2 years together, 10 years knowing each other and we're reduced to this? I have nothing to say to you?" Lorelai cries. April glances between them but knows to keep quiet. Lorelai shakes her head, willing herself not to cry, not in front of April and especially not in front of Luke. "Unbelievable." She opens the door and walks out.

Luke glances up as the door slams behind her and frowns. He glances over at April and then back at his work. "Finish your homework, April," he grumbles. April raises an eyebrow. Not hearing her go back to work, Luke looks back up at April. "What's wrong?" She shrugs, her lips pursed as she stares at him quizzically.

"I'm just trying to decide," April says. Luke sighs, wishing Lorelai hadn't picked that moment to come in. He puts down his work and walks over to stand in front of April.

"Trying to decide what?" Luke asks, reluctantly.

"Whether this is more like when Jo turned down Laurie's proposal or when Anne turned down Gilbert's proposal," April replies. Luke raises an eyebrow, having no idea what she's talking about. "I mean in both cases the guys walked off, ignored the girl for months, and ended up feeling pretty bad about the whole thing, wishing he hadn't acted that way. But Anne and Gilbert ended up together and Jo and Laurie didn't."

"She didn't turn down my proposal."

"You broke up with her?" April asks in shock. Luke shrugs. "I take it back, you're Heathcliff."

"I don't even want to know."

"Yes, you do," April contends. "Heathcliff didn't listen to Catherine long enough to find out that she wanted to be with him, that she loved him, that she believed he was a part of her and she wouldn't be whole without him, before he left her. And then he made everyone miserable. It was his fault that Catherine died as well as her husband and his wife and his son. He ruined everything all because he didn't take a moment and listen." Luke crosses his arms staring at her.

"You know I have no idea what you're talking about," Luke claims.

"You may not know who Heathcliff is, but you know what I'm saying," April replies.

"April, these aren't real people, they're characters in books."

"To me they're just characters in books, but I'm only twelve years old, what do I know about love? You're older, to you they should be life lessons," April comments. Luke looks down, not responding. "Dad…"

"You think I should go after her?" he asks, cocking his head uncomfortably. April nods.

"Don't be Heathcliff," she responds. Luke glances up at the door and April follows his gaze. "You don't even have far to go, from here it doesn't look like she got past the gazebo."

"Looks the same to me," Luke mumbles. He glances at April and nods. "You'll be okay here?"

"I'm twelve years old! And also, that gazebo isn't that far away. And also, nothing ever happens in this town," April reminds him. Luke half-smiles, remembering he's said that himself before. "You know you want to, you made up your mind awhile ago, she had you at hello." April grins at her own joke. Luke sighs, nodding.

"She had me at hello," Luke agrees. He steps out from behind the counter and walks towards the door. As he opens it, Luke glances back at April and asks, "that Heathcliff character, what happened to him?"

"After Catherine died, he said my favorite line ever and then slowly let himself waste away."

"What was the line?"

"I cannot live with out my life. I cannot live without my soul." The words written years before by Emily Bronte fill the room, still true a century and a half later.

Luke turns and walks out of the diner. He shoves his hands in his pockets as he saunters over to the gazebo, as if it were just on his way to somewhere else. Quickly climbing the stairs, Luke sees Lorelai more clearly. She's sitting in the middle of the bench, her arms wrapped around her stomach, tears running down her cheeks. But Lorelai manages to look up at Luke, allowing him to see the pain and sadness in her eyes, taking Luke's breath away. He's instantly choked up, realizing that he's the one who did this to her, he did this to his love, his life, his soul. "I'm Heathcliff," he mumbles to himself.

In a heartbeat, Luke is on the bench next to Lorelai. He puts an arm around her shoulders, reaching to the back of her head, pulling her face to his shoulder. She covers her face with her hands as she sobs into his chest. Luke kisses the top of her head, wrapping his other around her tightly, just allowing her to let go, letting her be her and letting her know that he's not out, not now, not ever.

TBC...