Author's Note: There is a mess up with the title of the last chapter. It was supposed to be titled "The Day Before Europe: Part I" but I accidentally titled it as Part II. This chapter is Part II. There is another author's note, but it's at the end of this chapter. Sorry this chapter has taken so long to post.
Previous Chapter
Lorelai gets up and puts her book in her luggage for Europe. She tries to straighten up the living room, but with the entire luggage, it is almost impossible. She straightens as much as she can then she sits on the couch and watches T.V. She hears Luke's truck pull up about ten minutes later. She gets up and heads to the front door to let him in.
Lorelai: Rory, he's here.
Rory: Ok.
The doorbell rings and Lorelai answers it. She opens the door to find Luke in his usual uniform of jeans and a plaid shirt.
Lorelai: Hey Luke.
Luke: Hey Lorelai.
He steps past her into the house and spies the pile of luggage in the living room.
Luke: Wow!
Lorelai: Yeah, tell me about it.
Luke laughs.
Lorelai: Come on in and get comfortable.
Luke follows Lorelai into the living room and they sit on the couch.
Chapter 10: The Day Before Europe Part II
After getting comfortable on the couch, Luke and Lorelai sit in silence for a few seconds.
Luke: How was your day?
Lorelai: Well it's been good. We already have almost everything we need for the trip packed except for a few we couldn't pack until right before we leave.
Luke: Wow! You're almost completely packed? Are you excited about Europe?
Lorelai: Yeah, it's one of the two things that have been on my mind these last few days.
Luke: Oh yeah. What's the other thing?
Lorelai: Well, it's not really a thing I think about it's you.
Luke looks surprised and then he smiles.
Luke: Oh really. You and I have something in common then. I've been thinking about you for the last few days as well.
Luke and Lorelai smile at each other. Just then, Rory enters the living room with a book in her hand.
Rory: Hi Luke.
Luke: Oh hey Rory. Are you ready for Europe?
Rory: Yeah. I'm excited about the trip.
She goes over to the luggage and puts her book into one of the bags. Then she sits on the floor facing the couch.
Lorelai: Was that the book you were reading today?
Rory: No, I finished that one so I picked out another book to take its place.
Lorelai: Oh, why does that not surprise me?
Luke: When did you start that book?
Rory: Today.
Luke: Wow!
Rory laughs.
Rory: Does that surprise you?
Luke: That you read a book in one day? Yeah.
Lorelai: She once read three books in one day and they were pretty thick books.
Luke: Wow, I'm impressed.
Rory: Thank you.
Luke: You're welcome. They obviously didn't pick you for valedictorian because of your looks.
Lorelai and Rory laugh at the astonished look on Luke's face.
Lorelai: Why are you so surprised at her ability to read a book so fast?
Luke: I knew she could read a book quickly if she wanted to, but I just never heard of someone reading so many books in one day.
Rory: Well I can. I usually try to pace myself when I read a book, but sometimes I get carried away and I read the book to fast.
Luke: Oh, well that makes sense.
Luke shares an amused look with Lorelai and they start to laugh.
Rory: Are you two laughing at me?
When they continue to laugh, she gets offended.
Rory: Fine make fun of me. (She sticks her bottom lip out and pouts.)
Luke: You're adorable you know that.
Rory sticks her tongue out at him, which causes Lorelai to start laughing again.
Luke: Oh now you're acting like your mother.
Rory: Hey Luke, newsflash, I act like my mother a lot of the time.
Luke (grabs a couch pillow and throws it at her): Oh you're really funny.
Rory giggles, grabs the pillow and throws it back at him. The pillow hits him square in the face causing Lorelai and Rory to burst into laughter.
Luke: You got lucky with that throw try again. I'll bet you'll miss this time. (He tosses the pillow by her legs)
She picks the pillow up again. Lorelai smiles at her encouragingly. She pulls her arm back, aims for his head, and lets fly. Like the last throw, it hits him square in the face.
Luke: For someone who hates sports, you've got really good aim.
Rory: Thank you.
Luke: You're welcome.
He picks the pillow up where it had fallen on the floor. He puts the pillow beside him on the couch. They sit in silence for a few minutes until Luke breaks the silence.
Luke: I'm glad I got to hang out with you two crazy girls tonight before you leave tomorrow.
Lorelai and Rory both laugh.
Luke: Oh yeah. (He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two calling cards which he hands to Lorelai.) Here you go.
Lorelai: Oh, thank you.
Luke: You're welcome. There are 200 minutes on each card. Hopefully, that will be enough since I figure I won't only be talking to you but to Rory also.
Lorelai: Of course you will talk to Rory. (She puts them on the coffee table.)
Rory: Good I'm glad I'll get to talk to you during our trip.
Luke: Good. I'm glad you're happy.
They sit in silence for a few seconds before Rory breaks it.
Rory: Hey Luke, would you want to watch a movie?
Luke (looks at Lorelai who smiles at him and nods): Sure I would love to watch a movie with you. How about "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?"
Lorelai and Rory look at each other and then at Luke with surprised expressions on their faces.
Lorelai: Are you sure?
Luke: Yeah. I figure if I start dating you, I need to have a better understanding of your fetish with the movie, that's all.
Lorelai: Oh. Ok if you're sure. Rory, can you put the movie in?
Rory: Sure.
She scoots over to the entertainment center and locates the movie. She takes the DVD that is in there out and puts the other one in, in its' place. She then scoots back over by the couch where she leans up against it.
Luke: You can sit by me. I don't bite.
Rory: I know you don't, but I'm comfortable here. (She points to the pillow beside Luke.) Are you using that?
Luke: Nope, you want it?
Rory: Yeah. (He hands her the pillow and she sticks it beside her on the floor.)
Luke: If you're comfortable, then why do you need the pillow?
Rory: So I can use it during the movie.
Luke looks at Lorelai confused. She takes pity on him and what Rory meant.
Lorelai: She asked for the pillow so that halfway through the movie, when she gets tired of sitting on the floor, she has something else to sit on.
Luke: Oh now that makes sense.
The main screen comes on that indicates all the options. Lorelai and Rory start to get excited. Luke can't help but be amused by their excitement.
Rory grabs the remote from the coffee table. She turns her head to look back at Luke.
Rory: Are you ready to laugh your head off, Luke?
Luke: Sure.
Lorelai: You're going to love this movie. Rory start the movie.
Rory pushes play and all three settle back to watch it. Almost two hours later, the movie is ending and all three of them are trying to stop laughing.
Luke: Well I can see why you two girls love this movie. It makes you two seem normal.
Lorelai: You liked it didn't you?
Luke just shrugs his shoulders.
Rory: He liked it. I heard you laughing at the Oompa Loompas. Mom has a thing for the Oompa Loompas.
Luke turns to look at Lorelai who immediately starts to turn red.
Luke: The Oompa Loompas? You have a thing for the Oompa Loompas? (He starts to laugh as Lorelai gives Rory a look.)
Rory, seeing the look her mom gave her, just smiles innocently at her.
Rory: You know it's getting late, I think I'm going to go to bed.
She gets up off the floor then leans down and gives Luke a hug. He immediately hugs her back.
Rory: Goodnight Luke.
Luke: Goodnight Rory. Sleep well. Have a fun and safe trip.
Rory: Thanks. Bye Luke. See you in a couple months.
Luke: Bye Rory. See you in a couple of months.
Rory goes to her bedroom and closes her door.
Luke: Then there were two.
Lorelai (smiles): Yep, then there were two. Unfortunately, I have to agree with her. It is getting late.
Luke: I guess I need to go.
Lorelai: I'll walk out with you.
They both get up and head for the door. When they reach it, Luke opens the door then holds it open for her. She gives him a smile and walks past him into the night. He closes the door behind him as he steps out after her.
Luke: I had a fun time tonight, what with Rory hitting me in the face with a pillow twice and then the movie tonight was better than I would have imagined.
Lorelai: I'm glad you had a good time. I'm glad you were able to come here earlier than originally planned.
Luke: Yeah me too. (A few seconds of silence pass between them.) I'm really going to miss you while you're gone.
Lorelai: I'm going to miss you too, Luke.
Luke looks around them at the yard.
Luke: Did you get somebody to mow the lawn while you're gone?
Lorelai: Oh shoot. I knew I was going to forget about something.
Luke: I'll mow it for you while you're gone that way you don't waste money on some company.
Lorelai (smiles at him): Thank you Luke. Well I need to get inside and into bed. Rory and I have to be up by seven-tomorrow morning.
Luke: You up at seven? I would love to see that.
Lorelai smacks him on the shoulder.
Luke: Well I guess I'll leave and let you get some sleep.
Lorelai: Ok.
She steps forward and hugs Luke. He puts his arms around her and they stand there for a few minutes just hugging each other. Finally, Lorelai pulls back and steps away from him.
Lorelai: Goodnight Luke.
Luke: Goodnight Lorelai. Have fun and be safe. I'll see you in a few months.
Lorelai: Yeah, I'll see you in a couple of months. Bye Luke.
Luke: Bye Lorelai.
She turns around and goes back inside. He gets in his truck and drives away. Though neither of them knows it, they are both secretly hoping that the next few months go by fast.
TBC
Author's Note: I'm going to skip the whole backpacking trip through Europe. I thought I was going to, but I couldn't figure out where to go with it. So the next chapter I write will be when Lorelai and Rory get back from their trip. I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long to post. I had it ready just a few days after I posted the last chapter, But Hurricane Katrina hit and then a few weeks later Hurricane Rita hit so it was a little crazy for a few months throughout Shreveport and the rest of Louisiana. My sister was also in the process of planning her wedding and being the maid of honor, I was helping her when I could. I also work forty hours a week so I don't often have a chance to type up a chapter or often I am just to tired to sit at a computer and type up a chapter. I am posting two chapters at once to make up for the delay in me updating. Thank you for continuing to read this story and as always please review.