Chapter 3
FLASHBACK
'Look can we just put all this behind us and go back to the way things were?' Luke asked
'Of course we can! You are one of my best friends, and you're so special to me, I would never want to lose you.'
'Well in that case, I have something really important to ask you. And I hope you don't think I'm being to forward with this, but it's something that needs to be said now' Luke requested.
'Yes of course, anything' She said quickly, not wanting to lose the moment. This is it she thought, he finally going to ask me out. Her face was getting closer to his now, it was so close, that he could count her eye lashes.
'Would you ummm..'
'Yeah anything' Lorelai jumped to conclusions.
'Great, so you won't mind helping me out with Ellie? It's just that I'm really finding it hard here, Rachel used to look after her'
'Oh, help with Ellie?' Her tone of voice changed immediately to one of disapointment.
'Why? Is that a problem? 'Caus it will not bother me if you can't or haven't got time' He asked, not wanting to get in her way, but not wanting her to say no. After all this was the only way to get close to her, to be with her.
'No, no of course it's fine. Sure I'll help ya out' She reassured him. Well, she thought to herself, is this is my best way to be near him, then I'm gonna take it.
'Rory! Honey, my favourite daughter! The sweet sweet child to whom I gave life!' Lorelai called as she entered her house.
'In here!' Rory called from the kitchen, as Lorelai followed the sound of her daughter's voice. 'What's up?' Rory asked, not looking away from the many school books she had laid out on the table.
'I went to talk to Luke' she answered as she took a seat at the table, placing her head on the top as she did.
'Well, Mom that's good...' Rory began before noticing the look on her mother's face, '...Isn't it? Mom what happened? Did you and Luke have another fight?'
'No. it's nothing like that' Lorelai answered, while getting up to pour herself a large cup of the worlds strongest coffee, 'Well, we went upstairs to his apartment-'
'Oh my God! Mom what have I told you about too many details?' Rory cut in, worried about where this conversation was going.
'God, Rory, no! It was nothing like that! Although-' Lorelai began, sending herself into her own dream world. Noticing the look on her mother's face, and realising what she must be thinking, Rory brought her back to reality.
'Mom! Will you stop thinking about Luke naked for once second please, and tell me what happened?'
'I was not thinking about Luke naked!' Lorelai tried to lie before Rory shot her a 'nothing gets past me look' 'Fine maybe I was. Well, anyway there was this angry customer and he hit Luke. So I took him up to his apartment and cleaned his face up. Then we, we-' Lorelai began, remembering how good it felt to have Luke so close to her, it felt good.
'You what Mom? You've got to give some details here, or I can't help you' Rory reminded her distracted mother.
'We started talking, thats all. But he was like this far away from my face' Lorelai told her, putting her own face about an inch or two away from Rory's to show her, moving away again when Rory pointed out that she was a little uncomfortable 'And then he said he had a very important question to ask me. So i'm sat there thinking, finally,this is it, he's gonna ask me to dinner or something'
'You mean he didn't ask you out?' Rory asked, obviously amazed, to which Lorelai just shook her head. 'Nothing?' Rory asked
'Nothing!' Lorelai mimicked to her daughter, in a dissapointed tone.
'So what did he ask you?'
'He wants me to help him with the baby, and I said yes'
'Mom, the baby has a name, you should really start using it if you're gonna be helping out' Rory pointed out to her mother.
'Yeah I guess you're right. Man, I can't believe I said yes!' Lorelai shouted out loud.
'Then why did you say yes?' Rory inquired.
' I just wanted things to be like they used to be. I wanted Luke back, my Luke back-'
'Your Luke? Rory cut in, giving her mother a cheeky smile as she said it.
'You know what I mean! He's one of my best friends, I want that back. Plus it felt so good, just being that close to him again' Lorelai said dreamily
'So...you've been that close to Luke before then have you? And it felt good?' Rory questioned her mother
'I..I. Well we, umm, subject change please!' Lorelai pleaded after failing to string a sentence together. Rory simply shook her head, knowing that her mother would eventually give in, which of course, she did. 'Okay, damn it! When I was helping him pick out paint samples, we had to hide from Taylor behind the counter. And he...he was leaning over me, he was so close and it felt really good. If I hadn't of moved, I think I might have kissed him' Lorelai told Rory, hiding her red face.
'Then why did you move if you like him, Mom?
'Well I thought I was just caught in the moment. I didn't want to ruin our friendship!' Lorelai answered
'Sometimes, wonder if I know you at all, Lorelai Gilmore' Rory laughed at her mother 'Well it looks like you and Luke will be spending a lot of time together in the near future, maybe another 'behind the counter moment will come up again'
'Yeah maybe' Lorelai replied, once again in her own dream world thinking about how long it had taken her to realise that she felt like this, and how things could be between her and Luke.
A/N Lorelai and Rory have always had to go to the Gilmore's friday night dinners. Oh and I know that in the first chapter I said that it was the middle of summer break, well I meant winter break!
The next day as usual, Lorelai and Rory headed to Luke's for breakfast. Lorelai loved the town at this time of year; everything was covered in decorations ready for the christmas season. The only thing that made it look better was snow, but that hadn't happened yet although she knew it was coming, she could smell it. On their way to Luke's they were stopped by a very happy looking Miss Patty.
'Good morning girls' She greeted them.
'Morning Patty. The town looks beautiful, Taylor did a good job this year.' Lorelai answered as they stopped to talk to the dance teacher.
'Yeah, I was just thinking that myself. So, Lorelai I saw you taking Luke up to his place yesterday, you naughty, naughty girl' Patty laughed
'N...no Patty, it was nothing like that! I just helped him to clean his face up, is all' Lorelai told her, trying to set the story straight.
'Oh...a girl can hope. Anyway I'll see you girls later, enjoy your breakfast, and not just the veiw' Patty told her as she shot her a wink, as she walked away.
'What is it with this town, do they have nothing else to talk about?' Lorelai asked a little too loud, as every stopped to watch her and Rory.
'Don't worry Mom, lets just go get some breakfast' Rory reassured her, as they walked into the diner . Taking a seat at the counter, Lorelai called Luke over.
'So I'm guessing the friday usual hasn't changed? Lets see, eggs, bacon and hash browns?' He asked, with a smirk on his face.
'You remembered!' Lorelai squealed 'You must really love me. I mean us' She teased. If only she knew, he thought to himself.
'Well you are my best customers' He said, unable to take his eyes off Lorelai for a moment before coming back to reality. 'So, I'll go get your food' He finally said, making his way to the kitchen.
'And Luke-' Lorelai began to shout.
'Coffee coming up!' He replied, returning with two huge mugs and a fresh pot of coffee, then walking back to the kitchen and bringing their food over and placing it in front of them.
'So, when do you want me to come and help ya out?' Lorelai asked after taking a gulp of Luke's amazing coffee.
'Well how 'bout tonight?'
'Can't sorry, it's dinner with the parents on fridays, remember?' She replied, already thinking of a way to get out of it; as usual she came up with nothing.
'Oh yeah, can't believe I nearly forgot about those' He replied. Lorelai noticed the dissapointment in his voice, and decided to come up with a plan.
'But, hey I can come over after if you want'
'Yeah sure. I mean if that's want you want' He answered, starting to get nervous.
'It is, thats why I suggested it' Lorelai pointed out. She loved seeing him get nervous, it was so unlike Luke.
'Well okay then. I'll see you tonight then' He began as he walked away, until he remembered something he had to ask her. 'Hey listen, can you grab something from the store for me on the way back for Hartford?'
'Yeah, sure, what is it?' Lorelai asked, wondering why Luke couldn't just go into Taylor's market.
'Just some diapers, I tried to get some in the market earlier but they were sold out. And also, I don't really know what size Ellie needs and I've only got a few left.' Luke replied, looking slightly embaressed.
'Shes about eight months, right?' Lorelai asked just to make sure she didn't get the wrong size.
'Yeah, are you sure you don't mind? Because I can get 'em if you want.' He said, still nervous.
'Luke. I said I would help, so let me help' Lorelai reassured him, placing a soft hand on his arm as she talked. He loved her touch, but he could never tell her that, what if she didn't feel the same? He couldn't risk that, couldn't risk losing her.
'Listen, thanks this really means a lot to me' he told her, moving his arm and adjusting his baseball cap as he did. She could tell he was becoming uncomfortable, he always played with is hat when he was uncomfortable. Lorelai, herself, turning a lovely shade of crimson was finding this difficult, but why? She had never been like this around Luke before, so why now? Not realising they hadn't taken their eyes off each other, they both came back to reality when another customer shouted for a menu. 'Great, so I guess I should get back to work' He finally said. God it was hard to look away from those eyes, that beauty he thought to himself.
The rest of the day was pretty much uneventful, apart form Sookie's accident with the electric whisk, which of course, meant a trip to the emergency room.
That night Lorelai was in a suprisingly good mood as she and Rory arrived at the Gilmore mansion. Ring ring the doorbell sounded as Lorelai pushed the button on the wall outside.
'Good evening, please come in' the maid greeted them as she answered the door 'May I take your coats?'
'Oh yes thank you. Listen, just incase tonight doesn't go that well, could you please have our coats ready just incase we need to make a run for it?' Lorelai said, handing over their coats.
'Yes Miss Gilmore, I remember your instructions from last week' The maid answered her.
'Hey that's right, you were here last week! Congratulations, you lasted a week with the wicked witch of Hartford!' Lorelai tried to joke before a voice came from the living room.
'Hello girls! Lorelai would you please stop trying to confuse our maid with your silly comments?' Emily said
'Hey Mom! I see you managed to keep a maid for longer than a week. What are you bribing them to stay?' Lorelai tried to annoy her mother, as they entered the living room.
'Hey Grandma!' Rory cut in, giving Lorelai her death stare in the process. 'Hey Grandpa' Rory added as Richard came down the stairs.
'Well hello Rory! Would you girls like a drink?'
'Martini with a twist please dad' Lorelai replied. Just as soon as Richard had passed out a fresh round of drinks, the maid entered to annouce that dinner was ready.The rest of the evening went well, even Lorelai's jokes about the salad got a few laughs. But as she knew too well, things didn't stay that way at the Gilmore residence. As they were stood by the front door ready to leave Rory, obviously not thinking, brought up the subject of Luke:
'So, Mom do you want me to drive, so I can drop you off at Luke's then go home?' she asked
'Yeah sure honey, oh and we have to stop and get theose diapers fo-' she began to answer, before Emily cut in.
'Lorelai, did I just hear you say you were going to Luke's?' I didn't know he was back'
'Uh, yeah Mom he got back a few days ago. And I'm helping him out with a few things' Lorelai told her, hoping Emily wouldn't dig any deeper into the situation. Of course, she was wrong.
'So you're helping him out? And where do the diapers come into it?
'Wel he, uh has a baby now Mom' Lorelai replied, pushing her hair behind her ears nervously.
'Well why are you helping him Lorelai? Where is this baby's mother, can't she take care of her own baby?' Emily asked in her usual dissaproving tone.
'She...she left him while they were in New York, so he came back to raise his daughter. He asked for my help and I agreed, so I'm helping him' Lorelai replied staring at her feet, with her arms crossed at her chest just waiting for a typical Emily Gilmore answer. She could hear it now: Lorelai, this is not your job or your responsibility and you cannot help this man. You cannot every time he messes up! Yes, that's just what she expected of Emily, her putting Luke down whenever she got the chance. But wait, could she be wrong? She couldn't hear Emily's usual rant, instead its was something Lorelai had not been expecting.
'Well in that case, tell Luke he is invited to next weeks dinner' Emily said with a smug look on her face.
'W...why would you invite Luke to dinner, Mom?' Lorelai asked, already dreading the answer.
'Because, Lorelai he is an active part of you life, not to mention a friend of ours. It is simple good manners to welco-' She began before Lorelai cut in.
'What do you mean a friend of yours? You barly recognise Luke as a friend of mine, and if I remember correctly the last time you spoke to Luke, you made it clear he was not worthy enough of my friendship! And I will not subject him to your criticism anymore!' Lorelai shouted
'You will remember, Lorelai, that our agreement was for your Father and I to have an active part in your life. This includes meeting and getting to know those close to you!' Emily shouted back at her daughter. Rory noticed how close to a full blown argument this was becoming, and decided to try and calm the situation down.
'He proably won't be able to get a babysitter for Ellie anyway' She added in, trying to be the voice of common sense.
'Nonsense, he can bring it with him. We can set up your old playpen in your Father's office' Emily said, a smug smile still on her face.
'It's Ellie, Mom! The baby's name is Ellie! I'm not sure he'll be able to make it anyway, he's only been back in town for a few days and he has a business to run' Lorelai stated, desperately trying to get her friend out of this.
'So, you'll tell him to be here at seven?' Emily answered her triumphantly.
'Yes mother, I will see what I can do. But don't count on it' Lorelai said, admitting defeat as she sulked out of the Gilmore house.
'I'm sorry for bringing that up...about Luke I mean. I wasn't thinking' Rory said to her Mother as they got in the car.
'Aww, honey don't worry about it. She would have found out anyway, my Mother has spies everywhere. I just...I can't believe the nerve of her!' Lorelai started, feeling the anger rise 'I mean, the last time he met Luke she practically insulted averything about him! This is just another way for the great Emily Gilmore to have control over my life! As if forcing me to come to these stupid dinners isn't enough, now she wants to screen test my friends!' She makes me so mad!'
'I know she does, Mom. Hey lets just go get these diapers for Luke and head back to Stars Hollow. At least then you can talk to Luke about next week's dinner. Let him decide if he wants to go' Rory answered, trying to calm her Mother down.
'Yeah I guess, come on lets go' Lorelai told Rory, signalling her to drive on. She had calmed down now, thanks to Rory. After all, her daughter had always been the voice of reasoning, the sensible one in the house.
The drive back to Stars Holloe seemed longer than usual. Maybe because Lorelai was so lost in her own thoughts, trying to find a way out of this, a way to save Luke from her Mother. Or maybe it was the time they spent in the store, arguing with the asisstant about the price of the diapers. An argument, which of course, Lorelai had won. Either way, she was glad to be back home when Rory pulled up outside the diner. Getting out and grabbing the diapers, she told Rory to go on home. As soon as Rory had gone, Lorelai turned to the diner. Most of the lights were out, apart from the few above the counter and the sign was turned to close, which she ignored and entered anyway.
'Hey!' Came Luke's voice from behind the curtain that hid the stairs that lead to his apartment 'So you wanna come on up and help me, she won't settle tonight' He told her.
'Yeah sure' She answered. Thats when she knew she had fully calmed down, right when she saw his face. Tonight was going to be fun.
