Kiss with Open Eyes
Chapter 4: Last One out Please Shut the Door
Disclaimer: You know it's not mine.
Summary: Lorelai's world is falling apart. He is the only one who can make her smile and she just wants to be happy…
A/N: Do, do, do... The Patriots kicked some major ass this weekend... so I am o so happy... and the Colts lost, too, which also makes me happy... I'm sure I'll get a nice share of angry reviews from angrycolts fans, but whatever.
So, how was everyones weekend? It is 11:03 on Sunday... so, we pretty much have 57 more minutes of weekend... what better way to spend those 57 minutes than to read my beautiful update? OK... anyway...
"It's just… You've been there every day this week… I don't know… You've been spending a lot of time with Luke, haven't you?" Rory said.
"So what if I have? We're friends. I'm allowed to have friends." Lorelai said, feeling like a teenager.
"I know… Dad's coming home tomorrow." Rory said, quietly.
"I know." Lorelai said.
"Are you going to Stars Hollow tomorrow, too?" Rory asked.
"Maybe." Lorelai said.
And, on to the story...
"Lorelai, honey, how are you?" Miss Pattie waved from the doorway of her dance studio.
"Oh, you know me… can't function without my coffee!" She smiled as she pointed to Luke's where she was headed.
"No Sally, you need to go left! Left! And point your toes more!" Miss Pattie yelled to one of her girls in the studio. "Okay, bye honey!" Miss Pattie waved to Lorelai. "No! Left, Sally, left!" Miss Pattie yelled.
"Bye Pattie." Lorelai smiled and kept walking. She walked past Kim's Antique's, where Mrs. Kim was greeting some children for their Tuesday Afternoon Bible study.
"Hey Lorelai." Andrew greeted her as he walked up to her.
"Hi Andrew." Lorelai said.
"That book for Rory came in yesterday, come by the store later and I'll give it to you." He told her.
"Ah, Andrew! Thank you, thank you!" Lorelai cried. "You have no idea how much I love you right now, Andrew! I have been looking for this book everywhere! You are my hero… I'm serious, the statue's going up tonight!" She called, as she kept walking.
"Alright, see ya Lorelai," He smiled.
"Bye, Andrew…. And if you hear someone outside your window tonight, with a horrible guitar-playing skills and an even worse singing voice… singing the all time favorite… My Hero… it's just me, so don't throw anything too heavy down!" She smiled.
"I won't." He laughed.
"Bless you." She told him, before turning around and picking up her speed. She watched as a tall, brunette boy, ran all the way down the street, putting on his Doose's apron on the way. She was amazed he didn't trip.
She looked over to the football field, where the cheerleaders where practicing for the big game on Friday. They had cute, matching uniforms that they had just bought with the money from their fundraiser they had last week. Lorelai and Rory went to it, because they thought it would have some great mocking material. It was right in the square, which was decorated with millions of lights and streamers. They danced all night, with their duffle bags open in front of them, for people to put tips in. Lorelai and Rory gave each one $10, and Lorelai was glad that her money had at least gone towards cute uniforms.
And then, she heard Kirk calling her name.
"Lorelai!" Kirk ran up to her.
"Hey Kirk." Lorelai said, still walking at the same pace.
"Do you know the muffin man?" He asked, in a completely serious voice, as he scribbled something down on his clipboard.
"What?" She asked.
"The muffin man… I'm taking a poll, Lorelai." He said, still completely serious.
"I don't think I know a muffin man." She said.
"Lorelai, this is a yes or no survey… Yes or no?" He asked.
"Uh… No?" She said.
"OK, and have you ever… Lorelai! Stop!" Kirk cried, because she was walking way too fast.
"Hammer time." She quipped.
Kirk dropped his clipboard, which made her stop and turn around.
"Go with the flow. It is said that if you can't groove to this than you are probably dead, so wave your hands in the air. Bust a few moves, run your fingers through your hair, this is it for winter. Bust a few moves, run your fingers through your hair. Dance to this and you're gonna get thinner, move slide your rump, just for a minute, let's all do the bump. Bump, bump, bump." Kirk sang, as he started doing a funny dance, and Lorelai, who had finally stopped walking, watched in amusement.
"Yeah, you can't touch this. Look man, you can't touch this. You better get hyped, boy 'cause you know ya can't… You can't touch this. Ring the bell, school's back in… Break it down." Kirk said, finally stopping and grabbing his clipboard.
"Whoa." Lorelai said, as she watched Kirk brush off his knees. "Where did you learn that, Kirk?" She asked, trying not to laugh.
"My oldest brother… He wanted to become a rapper." Kirk said simply. "I thought it would impress the ladies." He added.
"Did it?" She asked.
"Not really. Maybe they just weren't fans of MC." Kirk said.
"Maybe." Lorelai said, still holding in the laughter.
"So, you don't know a muffin man?" Kirk asked.
"No, Kirk, I don't." She said.
"And have you ever thought it was funny that muffin men don't make English muffins?" Kirk asked.
"I actually never have thought about it, Kirk." She said.
"Well, I have a few minutes." Kirk said.
"What?"
"Think about it." Kirk said.
"Now?"
"Yes."
"OK… uh… do, do, do." Lorelai said, looking up at the sky, and putting on her best 'thinking face.'
"You know, Kirk… it is pretty funny." Lorelai said, hoping that was the right answer.
"OK thanks." He said, before scribbling something down on his clipboard, and then turning and walking away.
Lorelai shook her head, and made her way to Luke's.
"Hey Lorelai?" Gypsy said, as Lorelai walked by her. She was leaning against the mail box, holding her finger.
"Hi Gypsy."
"Do you have a band-aid?" Gypsy asked.
"What happened?" Lorelai asked, walking up to her.
"Just a little hangnail incident… Stupid Kirk." She said.
Lorelai smiled, and began digging through her purse. "I'm pretty sure I got one somewhere." She said.
"Here." She said, holding up a few band-aids. "Barbie or Miss Piggy?" She asked.
"I'll take the Piggy one." Gypsy said, a little unsure.
"Alright here." Lorelai said, putting the band-aid over her finger.
"Thanks, Lorelai." Gypsy said.
"No problem." Lorelai said, waving as she walked away.
She had only been in this town about 11 times. It had only been 19 days since she had come here the first time, yet, she already knew almost everyone. She still couldn't believe how friendly and welcoming they were. She had forgotten that there was a world where people didn't manipulate and stab people in the back for fun. She had forgotten there was a world, where not everyone wore pearls and shoulder pads. It was nice, very nice.
"Lorelai, take a flyer… There's a coupon at the bottom." Taylor Doose's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh, what's it for?" She asked.
"5 percent off the corn starch." Taylor said.
"I meant the flyer." She said, taking a flyer.
"Oh… The Firelight Festival." He said. "It's in two weeks and we're starting to put the decorations up, so I thought I better get the flyers out… it's celebrating the founding of Stars Hollow, you know. You've heard the story, haven't you?" Taylor asked.
"Oh yeah, at least 12 times… Probably more." Lorelai said.
"Well, not many people know the right version…" Taylor said.
"Oh, I'm sure I've heard the right version at least once, Taylor." Lorelai said.
"What is it?" He asked.
"What?"
"If you know it, enlighten me."
"Oh, well, you already know the story, Taylor… and I'm not a very good storyteller, you know? When Rory was in preschool, the teacher asked me to come in for story time and well… It didn't go well, so you wouldn't want me to tell you the story. I might ruin it for you… and it's such a great story… and I don't want to waste your time, when you have so many flyers to hand out." She rambled on.
Taylor rolled his eyes.
"And- and I really, really need my coffee, Taylor." She said, practically begging.
"Fine, go." He said.
"Thank you!" She said, as she started speed walking down the street.
"But don't expect me to tell you later! It's now or never, Lorelai!" He called after her.
She rolled her eyes and finally opened the door to Luke's.
"You know what I've decided?" She asked Luke, as she sat at the counter in front of him, trying to catch her breath.
"That you're going to try and live past your 40th birthday and order tea today?" He said.
"No way, Buddy." She said, waving her arms around.
"I decided that I need one of those golf-carts… or no, maybe those shoes with the roller blades that pop out…" She said.
"Why?"
"Exercise is bad for me… Very, very bad." She said.
"OK." He said, sliding a cup of coffee towards her.
"You're pretty." She smiled at him, after taking a sip.
He rolled his eyes, and began checking over a receipt.
"Hey, have you seen Kirk's performance of U Can't Touch This?" Lorelai asked, with a smile.
"Yup." He said.
"When?" She asked, her eyes wide.
"Uhh… I don't know, after the song came out." He said. "He went around, singing and dancing to it for at least 3 months…Everyone has seen it…He thought he'd pick up woman." Luke said.
"You know… I didn't think it was possible to love this town more, but it just keeps proving me wrong." Lorelai said.
Luke didn't answer; he was focused on the receipts in his hand.
"Hey, do you know a muffin man?" She asked.
"I already took the poll." He answered.
"Well do you think muffin men should make English-"?
"I already took that one, too." He said.
"Well… Did you know a blue whale weighs 220 tons and is as long as a jet plane?" She asked.
He looked up at her. "What?" He asked.
"I read it on the back of the shampoo bottle this morning." She smiled.
He rolled his eyes, and she smiled some more.
"What'll you have?" He asked.
"Uh… Blueberry muffin… and coffee, lots and lots of coffee."
He came back a minute later with coffee and a muffin.
"Hey, does this make you my muffin man?" She asked.
He rolled his eyes and walked away.
"Well, hey don't you think it's weird that the muffin man doesn't make English Muffins?" Lorelai asked Rory, as she watched her pack.
"I don't know any muffin men." Rory said.
"Me either."
"So, how do you know they don't make English muffins?"
"I don't." Lorelai said.
"So… maybe they do." Rory said.
Lorelai thought for a second, but shook her head and watched as Rory threw some things into her over night bag.
"So, tell me again why you are sleeping over Paris's house? Aren't you afraid she'll kill you in her sleep?"
"I thought I'd slip some Benedryl into her drink once I get tired." Rory said. "She'll pass out… It'll be quiet… I'll be alive in the morning."
"I knew you had a good reason for going to that smart school of yours." Lorelai laughed. "Just, make sure you have a pot or something near you, before you go to bed."
"A pot?"
"That way, if the Benedryl wears off and Paris starts attacking… you can hit her over the head with a pot." Lorelai explained.
"Right…" Rory laughed.
"Is Dad home, yet?" Rory asked.
"He's taking a shower." Lorelai explained.
"What are you guys doing tonight?" Rory asked.
"Nothing, why?" She asked.
"Oh, just wondering." Rory said.
"Well… I don't know. I might go down to the Hollow and go to the 'Big Game' with Sookie." Lorelai said, complete with hand gestures.
"Big Game?"
"Football."
"You hate football."
"Yeah… Well, maybe it will be fun? It's supposed to be a huge deal and there's lots and lots of food… I don't actually have to watch the game."
"Why don't you bring Dad?" Rory asked.
"Oh, I…" She started.
"He loves football."
"No he doesn't."
"He does a little." Rory said. "And he loves food."
"I don't know, I don't even know what I'm doing yet, Rory."
"I was just saying... You and Dad never do things together anymore."
Lorelai wanted to tell her that they never did things together. The last thing they had done together was on her parent's balcony, and led to Rory's conception. They didn't do things together, not just the two of them, anyway. Rory would always be there, too. When Rory was not around, they usually avoided each other, or made some small talk, but that was usually it. She knew she couldn't say any of that to Rory.
"Sure we do." She said.
"Like what?" Rory challenged.
"Well, I don't know…. Things…" Lorelai said. "We went to dinner last week!" She said.
"Yeah, because your parents made you!" Rory said. "You weren't alone. You were having dinner with Richard and Emily."
"We were alone that whole car ride." Lorelai said. Little did Rory know, that the entire car ride, Lorelai had her Metallica CD blasting, which annoyed the hell out of her husband, and the couple did not say much to each other.
"I'm just saying…" Rory said.
"I know hon. I'll talk to your Dad about it, OK?"
"Yeah… Well, I'm all packed." She said, trying to change the subject.
"OK, do you have the Benedryl?"
"Paris probably has some." Rory said.
"What if she doesn't?"
"Well, you know their family… They're bond to have something that will make Paris pass out."
"Or want to go in your pants." Lorelai joked.
Rory made a disgusted face, grabbed her bag, and walked out of her room. Lorelai got up and followed her into the kitchen.
"So, you'll be home tomorrow at…?" Lorelai asked.
"Probably around 12ish… We're going to the library early tomorrow. Paris says if we don't go right when it opens everyone else will have already taken out all the books on the French Revolution." Rory said.
"Because everyone else starts their projects on the Saturday, right after it's assigned." Lorelai said sarcastically.
Rory nodded. "It's Paris." She shrugged.
"Someone really needs to introduce that girl to our friend, Mary Jane… or some Ritalin." Lorelai said.
Rory rolled her eyes and kissed her Mom on the cheek. "Bye."
"Bye."
"What are you watching?" Chris asked, as he came into the living room, drying his hair with a towel.
"Stuart Little." Lorelai answered.
"Rory used to love that movie, didn't she? Remember when she wanted to be Stuart Little for Halloween?" He asked.
"She wanted to be the Mom in Stuart Little… not Stuart… Stuart is a boy and Rory didn't want to be a boy." Lorelai told him.
"Oh, that's right… and she wanted a baby brother so he could be Stuart Little and they could match." Chris said, sitting down on the couch.
"Yeah." Lorelai said, still not looking at him.
"Hey Lor, I've been thinking." Chris said.
"Your father would be proud, Chris." Lorelai said, still focused on the TV.
"Lor?" He asked, practically begging her to look at him.
"What?" She asked, turning to look at him, and jumping a little when she realized he was a little too close.
"I think we should think about having another kid." He told her.
Her mouth dropped open, and she didn't speak for a while. She just stared at him, wondering what the hell he was on, searching his eyes to see if maybe he was drunk, looking at him like he was crazy.
"I think it could be really good for us." He told her, in an effort to get her to speak.
"Good for us?" She repeated.
"Yeah." He said.
"OK. Please just explain to me, Chris, how a baby could be good for us?"
"Rory is 16, Lor." Chris told her.
"I know, Chris." She told him.
"She doesn't need us anymore… not like she used to." Chris told her.
"So?" She asked.
"Well… We were a lot happier when Rory was a baby." He told her.
She shook her head, and got off the couch, and began walking away from him.
"You're crazy." She told him. "You're completely insane. We cannot have a baby." She said, trying to think why the hell he would even suggest this. Maybe he was just trying to get her in bed. Maybe he was just trying to get her to do the thing that led to the having the baby part. It had been a really, really long time since they had done that, and the last 10 times they had done that, they had been too drunk to even know what was going on. He must want to have sex. Why else would he want them to have a baby?
"Why can't we, Lor? You know… My parents would be so happy. My Dad could get the grandson he always wanted…" Christopher started.
So, that's why. He doesn't even want to get her in bed; he just wants to please his father.
"That's what this is about? This is just another attempt to make your parents happy? C'mon Chris, aren't you sick of just trying to make everyone else happy?" She yelled, facing him again.
"I'm sick of us not being happy!" He shot back at her.
"Well, so am I!" She told him.
"So then… Let's be happy." He said, lowering his voice, and walking towards her.
She took a step back. "A baby won't make us happy, Chris. It will just add more stress and more responsibility and it will only make this thing… it just… it won't end if we have a baby… it'll never end… it'll too long..." She said.
"What will take too long to end?" He asked, completely confused.
"Us." She said, in one short breath. She was completely shocked by what she had just said. She wasn't even sure what it meant or what was happening. She was shocked.
"Us?" He asked.
She didn't answer.
"What? Are you saying you want a divorce?" He asked, so, so angry.
"No… No, I… I don't know, Chris." She told him. Her head was almost spinning now. She couldn't even think straight.
"Then what the hell are you saying?" He yelled.
"I- I… What do you think will happen once Rory goes to college, Chris?" She asked, beginning to think a little clearer.
"I don't know, Lor." He said, his voice lowering a little bit.
"The only time we ever talk to each other is when Rory is around… like we're putting on some kind of show for her or something. But when she's not here, we don't talk at all… Married people don't do that." She said.
"We're talking right now!" He said.
"We're fighting! …All we ever do is fight." She told him.
"I don't want us to fight." He told her.
"But we do. We fight a lot." She said.
"I know." He said.
"We got married for Rory… but what happens when Rory doesn't need us together?" She said, completely surprised by the words coming out of her mouth. It felt as if she couldn't control what she was saying, her mouth just had a mind of it's own today.
"Divorce? You're seriously suggesting divorce?" He asked, getting angry once again.
"Chris… I… I-"
"I can't believe you're suggesting a divorce." He said, starting to pace around the kitchen.
She tried to say something. Her mouth was open, but no words were coming out. She had suggested divorce, but why? She had never even thought about it before this conversation. It had never been an option. It was an option now however, wasn't it?
"What the hell would our parents say?" He asked her.
"God Chris, why does everything have to be about them?" She yelled, finally finding the ability to speak. "We can't stay together for other people… We- we have to do what's right for us!" She said.
"A baby! A baby is right for us!" He told her.
"No! A baby isn't right for us! God, a baby is so, so wrong for us." She told him.
He didn't answer. He was looking at his feet, and she looked up at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
"I told my Dad that we were having a baby." He told her quietly.
"You- You what?" She asked, pointing at him.
"I told him we were trying…" He said.
"You… You told him… Why?" She asked.
"He was giving me all this shit… Just about everything… Princeton… the job… everything I messed up… and, and I… I was just trying to get him off my back… I don't know." Chris said.
Lorelai was speechless. What the hell? She was so angry, so disgusted, so stunned, and so annoyed.
"Why the hell would you do that?" She screamed at him.
"I'm sorry." He told her; as if he did not think what he did was such a big deal.
"I can't talk to you, Chris." She said, starting to walk away.
He grabbed her wrist, so she would stay. "I'm sorry." He told her, more forcefully than before.
"Chris… I can't, not right now." She told her, trying to get away from him.
"Don't tell Rory." He warned her.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Let me go, Chris." She said.
She grabbed her purse and left, slamming the door on her way out.
It was 7:30 and the dinner rush was coming to an end. It was still pretty crowded, but was beginning to die down. Luke wiping down the counter, when he saw somebody sitting outside on a bench.
He opened the diner door and looked outside. It was her. It was Lorelai. He walked outside and stood in front of her. He handed her a cup of coffee in a to-go cup. She looked up and smiled. He could see tears in her glassy, blue eyes. Her make-up was running a little bit, and her face looked a little wet.
"Thank you." She said, taking a sip.
"You OK?" He asked.
"I've been better." She sighed.
"You want to come inside? I can make you something." He offered.
She smiled sincerely at his offer. "Thanks… I was going to come in… It's just crowded, you know? I don't feel like being around too many people right now." She said.
"Well I was just about to go out to eat… You want to come? You look like you need to talk to somebody." He told her. "I'm willing to listen." He said with a shrug.
She nodded, stood up and followed him.
"Caesar, I'm going to Sniffy's… It's your night to close." He told Caesar when they went inside the diner.
"Sure thang, Boss." Caesar called.
"Ready?" Luke asked, as he opened the diner door for her.
"Yeah." She said, going out the door and heading towards his old, green truck.
Once they were inside, and it had been at least five minutes, Luke spoke up. "So… Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"Not yet." She answered simply.
"OK." He nodded.
Another minute of silence went by. Luke was not used to being the talkative one. Usually he couldn't get Lorelai to stop talking, but he knew that might not be the case tonight.
"So, Kirk decided what he wants to be for Halloween." Luke said.
"Halloween isn't for months." Lorelai responded.
"I know, but it's Kirk." Luke shrugged.
"What did he decide?" Lorelai asked.
"Flava Flave." Luke said.
Lorelai laughed quietly. "Wow." She said.
Luke smiled, relieved that she was laughing. "What?" He asked.
"I didn't even know you knew who Flava Flave was." Lorelai said.
Luke rolled his eyes. "I know who he is, Lorelai." He said in that annoyed tone of his.
"Well, can you blame me? You're practically a hermit." She said.
"I am not." He told her.
"Whatever." She said.
"I'm not a hermit… I'm going out right now. I'm not a hermit."
"Jeez, Mr. Sensitive. I'll bring a box of tissues next time." She said.
Luke sighed. He was happy Lorelai seemed to be feeling a little better, and was beginning to go back to her normal self.
"I wouldn't want to watch Titanic with you." Lorelai continued.
"I didn't cry during Titanic." He argued.
Her mouth dropped open. "You've seen Titanic?" She asked, laughing.
"Aw, jeez." He said.
"Oh my God. You've seen Titanic." She said.
"It wasn't my idea." He said.
"You've seen Titanic." She repeated, still completely surprised.
"I was forced into it." He argued.
"By who?" She asked.
"My girlfriend… Ex-girlfriend…" He said.
"Oh." Lorelai said. For some reason, knowing about Luke and his girlfriend made her feel funny. Maybe because now she knew he had… well, she knew for sure that he had… sexual relations… Oh, God, she sounded like a health teacher. It was just weird. That's all, just weird.
"Yeah, she made me see it… and I didn't cry." He told her.
"OK." Lorelai shrugged.
"So, where are we going?" Lorelai asked.
"Sniffy's." He answered.
"Interesting…" She said.
"It used to be a whore house." He informed her, knowing she'd appreciate the information.
"You're taking me to a whore house?" She asked.
"No, no it used to be one." He said.
"And what is it now?" She asked.
"A restaurant." He told her.
"OK, just checking." She said.
"I know the owners… Friends of my parents." He told her.
"That's nice… That you have family friends… God, if I was friends with my parent's friends… Oh God, I mean they, they are just not the type of people I want to be friends with. They all have plastic noses." Lorelai said.
"Well, I think you'll like Buddy and Maisy." He told her, not even wanting to ask about her last comment.
"You know, you never talk about your parents… You've mentioned your sister once or twice, but never your parents." Lorelai said.
"Well, I don't talk much… You talk enough for the both of us." He said.
She slapped his arm, lightly. "But, really… Why don't you ever say anything about them?"
"Well, uh, they are… gone." Luke said.
"Oh…" Lorelai. "I'm sorry." She told him, mentally kicking herself for bringing it up.
"It's OK, you didn't know." He told her, patting her knee to make sure she didn't feel guilty.
"You hungry?" He asked her.
"I'm starving." She said, holding her stomach.
"OK, we'll be there in a few minutes." He told her.
"Thank God."
"I just- I can't believe he would tell his Dad that we were thinking about having a kid… Well, yes I can… I mean, while normal parents were teaching their sons how to fish or color in between the lines… The Hayden's were teaching Christopher how to become a top- notch manipulator, and boy did they succeed." Lorelai babbled on as she stuffed her face with food.
"Straub will probably show up at my doorstep, with baby toys and books and all these things that a baby boy will need to become a smart, young, man… because you know, I can't raise a 'smart, young man, by myself… I mean, I did so bad with Rory, right?" She said, sarcastically.
"He'll somehow manipulate me into actually becoming pregnant… I'm not sure how yet, but it will happen, because let me tell you, they are good. He'll get Francine in on it, and then he'll get my parents… Then, he'll somehow convince Rory that I should get pregnant, too… That she really wants to have a little baby brother, so that she can dress up as Mom and her brother can be Stuart." Lorelai said. Luke had lost her now, he had no idea what she was talking about, but he didn't stop her. He knew she needed someone to talk to.
"He'll get Rory to convince me to have a baby, and then I will… Maybe they'll drown me in alcohol or give me a hit of ecstasy… I'll fuck Chris and I'll get pregnant… Chris and I will have a baby and then I'll be married to him for another 18 years." Lorelai said.
"Are you getting a divorce?" Luke asked.
"I don't know. I hadn't even thought about it until tonight." She said.
"You sound kind of sure about it." Luke said.
"I don't know… It's not working. We won't make it. I always knew we wouldn't make it." Lorelai said. "We used to be friends… Best friends… but boy, did that fly out the window." She said.
Luke nodded, and opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted.
"How are you guys liking everything?" Maisy asked.
"It's amazing, Maisy." Lorelai said. "Don't tell Luke's, but I'm thinking about cheating on it with Sniffy's." She said, jokingly.
"Your secrets safe with me." Maisy said, playing along.
She nudged Luke. "So, where have you been hiding this one? You said you weren't seeing anybody." Maisy said. Luke was going to say something, but was again interrupted. "You know, Luke never brings his girlfriends here, you must be special."
Lorelai smiled and laughed, completely amused by the situation.
"She's not my-" Luke started.
"Well, I better get back to the kitchen, before Buddy sets another potato on fire." Maisy said. "Have fun, you two." She said, before skipping away.
"Um…" Lorelai said, smiling.
"She gets carried away sometimes." Luke said.
"She's nice… They are both such nice people."
"Yep, they are."
"So… how's your food?" Luke asked.
"Mm, Mm, good!" She said.
She looked over to his plate, where he had a salad and some other healthy things she didn't recognize.
"That's a very healthy meal you got there, are you sure you aren'tMr. Roger's?" She asked with a giggle.
He rolled his eyes, and continued eating.
"C'mon Maisy, I hate when you do this. I'm paying you." Luke said.
"No, no, no Lucas, don't give me anything." Maisy said.
"I'm giving you a really big tip!" He called, as she walked away. She waved her hand in the air, and he reached for his wallet.
"Here, how much do I owe you?" Lorelai asked, reaching for her purse.
"Oh, I got it, don't worry." He said.
"No, really, it's fine." Lorelai said.
"Lorelai, I got it." He told her.
"But doesn't that make this a date?" She asked.
"No." He replied.
"But the guy always pays on a date."
"Friends can treat each other to dinner, Lorelai." He said.
She smiled. Friends. They were friends. Luke was her friend. She liked that.
"OK, but next time I have a meltdown and we decide to go to an ex-whorehouse, its my treat." She said.
"No problem." He agreed.
"Do you want me to drive you home?" He asked, once they were in the car.
"No… My car is in the Hollow." She said.
"OK." He nodded, starting the car.
"So, you OK?" He asked, once they were on the highway.
"Eh… I'm better… Thanks Luke, really." She said.
"No problem." He shrugged.
"Hey, when's your bedtime?" She asked, a few minutes later.
"Why?" He asked.
"Well, do you want to watch a movie or something? Hang out? We can play cards again? … I don't really want to go home yet." Lorelai said.
"OK, sure." Luke said.
"I think I have Pretty in Pink in my car." Lorelai said.
"Is that a chick flick?" He asked.
"What? You'll watch Titanic, but not Pretty in Pink?"
"You're never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope." She replied.
"Great." He said, sarcastically.
"Near, far, wherever you are- I believe that the heart does go on. Once more you open the door- and you're here in my heart- and my heart will go on and on." Lorelai sang.
"Lorelai." He groaned.
"And he knows the soundtrack, too! Don't tell me? You're a huge undercover Celine Dion fan, too? You should join Michel's fan club." She teased.
"Aw, jeez." He said.
Lorelai giggled, but stopped when he glared at her. "Jeez, Luke- it's called a sense of humor- you should get one, they're nice." Lorelai said.
He rolled his eyes at her.
She started drumming her fingers on the side of the car, humming to nothing in particular.
Then, she broke out in song, again.
"Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man? Oh, do you know the muffin man, who lives down Drury Lane?" Lorelai sang with a smile.
"I'm going to kill Kirk." Luke grunted.
"Oh, eat my shorts, Muffin Man." Lorelai said. "Molly Ringwald awaits!" She said.
Lorelai woke up 5 hours later, to a blaring TV. She opened her eyes, not sure where she was. She looked around and it slowly came back to her.
She was in Luke's apartment, on Luke's couch. She looked over to Luke, who was sleeping beside her. The events of the night played in her head.
They had gone up to his apartment, he grabbed the beers as she put the movie in. They played 3 rounds of 5 card draw, during the previews and then sat down on the couch once the movie started.
She must have fallen asleep pretty quickly because she couldn't remember much of the movie. He must have turned the movie off and put on ESPN, when she fell asleep because there was a hockey game on the TV now and it was blaring.
She looked over to Luke, who was still very sound asleep. Man, once he was out, he was really out.
Suddenly, she realized that it was late and she had to get home. She glanced over to the clock. 3:03. Crap.
She got up slowly, trying not to wake Luke. She grabbed her purse and her jacket, then found a piece of paper and a pen to scribble a note for Luke.
Luke,
Thanks for dinner and for hanging out with me. I really needed it.
See you later
Lorelai
It was stupid and simple, but it was way too late and she was way too tired to think of anything clever and funny.
She put it on the coffee table in front of him, before taking a blanket and putting it over him. Then, she ran out the door.
She unlocked the door and opened it quietly, praying Chris wouldn't wake up and know how late she was. That, and she didn't want to answer any of his questions.
She dumped her purse, shoes, and jacket at the door, and tiptoed around the house. She sat down on the couch, grabbed a pillow, a blanket, and lied down. She didn't bother changing out of her clothes or taking off her make-up, she just wanted to sleep.
She let a few tears escape before she fell asleep on the very familiar wet pillow.
Well, there you go.
Please review and tell me what you liked or didn't like… or whatever else you feel like telling me.
Thank you.
A Different Path should be updated by Wednesday… maybe before then.
Sneak Preview at Next Chapter:
September Never Feels This Cold: Family Dinner with the Haydens and the Gilmores… Can't you just smell the fun?
This was a nice, long chapter... so, please review!