A/N: Oh my GOD guys I am so sorry. This chapter just took FOREVER to get out for some reason. I hope you like it. The inspiration for the end of it came today during my rehearsal (whoops, bad Stage Manager not paying attention!), so I hope you like it! I'm working on the next chapter right now, and like I said, I'll get more written faster once I get my laptop back. Damn the people at HP. DAMN THEM ALL!
Play It Again, Sam
"I don't know how you get me to agree to this." Luke grumbled as he spread out a blanket on the grass to the right of the gazebo in the middle of town.
"Because I'm having your baby and you want to do anything to pacify me." Lorelai said, plopping down on the blanket and smiling up at him. She'd taken a long lunch from work and brought a picnic basket she'd had Sookie make for her during the downtime between breakfast and had spent a good twenty minutes in the diner convincing Luke to take the next hour and a half off and come eat with her.
"Please?" she had said, pouting her signature pout and unobtrusively resting one hand on her abdomen and subtly glancing down at it and back up at him. With that one look he'd surrendered, as he so often did.
Now here they were sitting on a blanket in the middle of town and Lorelai was unloading an inane amount of food from a basket that at this point, didn't appear to have a bottom to Luke. She kept pulling out more and more food, like the thing was the blasted bag from Mary Poppins.
Lorelai spread out the impressive spread of food Sookie had thrown together. Sandwiches and salads and all kinds of treats lay all over the blanket by the time she was done, and she looked up at Luke, eyes shining, as she pulled out a bottle of sparkling white grape juice and two champagne flutes.
"Since we can't have the real stuff, at least I can't, and you hate it anyway. I figured this was the next best thing." Lorelai said, motioning for Luke to open it and pour it into the glasses. He rolled his eyes and did as he was told, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
He handed Lorelai her flute of grape juice and she raised it in toast form.
"To new beginnings, adventures, and swollen ankles" She said, clinking her glass with his before taking a sip and making a face. Luke mimicked the same face after taking a sip of his own.
"I think this is worse than the real stuff." He said, eloquently wiping his tongue on a napkin. Lorelai nodded and took a bite out of a carrot stick to get the taste out of her mouth.
"I think that's the first time I've ever seen you eat anything even remotely healthy without being commanded to do so." Luke said, smiling smugly and crossing his arms.
"Oh don't even start. Or I know someone who won't be getting any tonight." Lorelai said, crossing her arms and staring him down. That comment made him cave, and he smiled and she scooted closer to him. They ate in amicable silence, only because what they really wanted to talk about couldn't be talked about in a town where walls have ears. And speaking of ears, the two of them had spied Ms. Patty lurking by a tree near by waiting for something to happen so the gossip could start flying.
An hour later they had finished their salads, and main courses and Lorelai was nibbling a Double Chocolate cookie and Luke was finishing off a piece of pound cake that Lorelai had forced on him assuring him it was the least of the evils spread before him. They were sitting comfortably, in what Lorelai had always called "the comfy way". She was situated leaning against his chest with her body between his legs. For the longest time he'd teased her about it being her favorite way to sit and watch TV and such because she was such a sexual person. She'd never admit it, but that really was partly it, but it also had to do with she felt protected that way.
He finished his cake and wrapped his arms around her middle as she still nibbled away at the cookie. He'd never seen her take so long to eat a cookie, and he was even more astounded when she sat it down and laced her fingers with his and held his arms around her.
"I don't think I've ever seen you not finish a cookie" He said, in all honesty.
"Well, it doesn't want chocolate right now…and to avoid a rather violent puking episode like I had this morning when I tried to eat an orange and it didn't want me to…I'll just stop eating it now." She said, leaning her head back on his shoulder.
"Maybe this kid will take after me after all." Luke said.
"Maybe. But like I said, it didn't like the orange…at all." Lorelai said, wincing at the memory of being hunched over the toilet in the bathroom off of her office at the inn and convincing Sookie it was a bug she'd been trying to kick for a couple days and that she'd be fine.
"Well there's still hope for vegetables." Luke said, laughing at little and kissing her temple. She smiled and closed her eyes and let the warmth of the spring sunshine hit her face.
He watched her close her eyes and bask in the sun. He watched the mid-day sunlight dancing across her cheeks that were turning a rosy pink from the warmth, and through her multi-faceted brunette hair. She reached a hand up and idly twirled the ends of her hair with one hand while she was lost in thought and letting him protect her from the world around them while she did so.
All the times I have sat and stared,
As she thoughtfully thumbs through her hair
He ran his free hand up and down her arm, which she let fall back to her side and smiled as she felt his feather light touch and even though it was the smallest possible touch, it sent shivers through her entire body.
He loves it when she just sits there, silently and plays with her hair, absently running her fingers through it as she's lost in thought or mesmerized by a movie. Their hands eventually find their way back to each other and their fingers entwine together as their hands rest on Lorelai's thigh.
"What are you thinking about?" Luke whispered in her ear, jolting her from her day dream.
"Just you, me, us." She replied honestly. "I kinda got lost in a world colored with pink and blue."
"I do it all the time, you don't have to explain yourself to me," he said, kissing the top of her head gently.
"I should let you get back to work. We're still on for a movie tonight right?" she asked, scooting away from him and turning to face him.
"I guess so. I still don't get what's so great about this movie." Luke said, pulling his legs up and starting to clean up the picnic mess.
"It's just funny, and random, that's all. I mean, an African tribe's world gets turned upside down by a coke bottle." Lorelai said, as she helped clean up.
"Funny and random, seems to me I know a person like that." He said, smiling and looking up at her.
"Ha ha, very funny." She said, leaning over and leaving a lingering kiss on his lips. They finished cleaning up and they walked back towards the diner, hand in hand and Luke carrying the picnic basket.
"Hey doll!" Lorelai heard Patty call after leaving her place behind a bush. "You two look just like a couple out of the 50s, coming back from a picnic and necking in the park."
"We weren't necking Patty." Luke said, a small growl present in his voice. Lorelai poked him in the side with her elbow.
"Thanks Patty. I convinced him to go on a picnic with me because we haven't seen much of each other lately." Lorelai said.
That's a lie. She's gonna know that's a lie and then she's going to ask all kinds of dumb questions and the whole town will know she's pregnant before we know it. Luke thought, his grip tightening on Lorelai's arm.
"Well that's nice honey, it sure is a breath of fresh air for this town to see you two together and happy again." She said, scurrying off in the other direction.
"Skirted disaster with that one." Lorelai said, leaning into Luke's side.
"Barely. I should get back inside." Luke said, turning so she was leaning into his chest. "We're still on for tonight right?" He asked, snaking his arms around her waist.
"But of course. You voluntarily going to a movie? I wouldn't miss it. I should be home by 6, and the theatre is showing Casablanca at 7." She said looking up at him, blue eyes shining with excitement. Luke rolled his eyes and she grinned at his unenthusiastic-ness. She loved how he would do anything for her without question, most of the time. Of course sometimes he gave her a little bit of lip when it came to her eating habits, but it was never serious.
She turned around and breathed in the scent that was distinctly him before looking up at him and smiling.
"Kiss." She said raising up on her tiptoes a little. Their lips brushed together softly, sparks flying between the two of them. Even the smallest touch between the two of them ignited a fire in them, and they both loved that. It solidified that everything they were doing was right. She cupped his face with her hands and his arms wrapped around her and pulled her into him, letting them meld into one person. They pulled apart, and he rested his forehead against hers and they stared into each others eyes.
"I love you. I'll pick you up at 6:30." He said
"I love you too." She said, she laughed as he nuzzled her nose, something he normally only did when they were in the privacy of their own home.
Our home. Wow, I don't think I've ever said that before, it just kind of slipped, but it seems logical. That is the next step after all. Maybe it's still too soon, but maybe not. I'll have to talk to him about it at some point soon.
Lorelai got in her car and gave one last fleeting look to the diner before driving over to the inn. She gave a coy wave to Luke as he went inside and set about her merry way. Fifteen minutes later she'd arrived at the inn and was sitting in the kitchen with Sookie.
"So how are you?" Lorelai asked Sookie, who was so big with her third kid she could barely reach the counters.
"Ready to pop it feels like. I'm glad I didn't end up on bed rest this time, last time I was ready to kill myself by the time Beth was born. But the doctor said it shouldn't be too long now. But I refuse to stop working until I have to." Sookie said.
"Which as we have determined is this coming Monday Sook, I mean it." Lorelai said.
"I know, I know. Monday is it." Sookie said, reaching over to pick up a whisk. "So tell me about you and Luke, everyone's been talking about how touchy feely you guys have been lately. Babette was in here for lunch earlier and informed me of all the goings on at the picnic you guys had. I'm guessing the food I made you was a success."
"Very much so. Nothing happened, we sat, ate, talked, kissed a little and that was about it." Lorelai said.
"Babette said that Patty said you didn't finish cookies. Are you sick?" Sookie asked.
"No, I'm not. I just wasn't in the mood for a cookie." Lorelai said, praying Sookie wouldn't pursue the question with a follow up. She didn't, and Lorelai exhaled loudly.
The day went off without a hitch, Lorelai spent most of her time in the office or behind the front desk taking reservations and reading a parenting magazine when no one was looking. Or so she thought.
"Lorelai…what are you reading?" Sookie asked from over her shoulder making her jump a mile.
"Nothing…" Lorelai said sitting on the magazine. Sookie reached over and pulled it out from under Lorelai's butt and gasped a little and smiled.
"Does this mean what I think it means?" Sookie asked, bouncing a little.
"No Sookie, look around. It's either this or Golf Pro. The reading material here is very slim, I should invest on a Cosmo subscription for the inn. Then maybe I could be reading up on how to "Spice up my Sex Life"." Lorelai said, inwardly panicking but attempting to keep a calm exterior on the outside.
"Good point. I guess I didn't notice…Parenting and Baby magazines are the only things I read these days. I miss the days of Cosmo and Vogue." Sookie said, sighing into her hands.
"You'll get those day back soon Sook. I promise." Lorelai said, then checking the clock. "Shit. Luke is picking me up in a half hour. I have to go. Leave before 7:30 okay Sook? I have the night guys coming in early so that you can go home."
Sookie promised and Lorelai grabbed her purse and keys and drove as quickly as possible without being reckless towards the house. She threw the car in park and hurried inside to change before Luke got there. She barely had time to throw on a pair of jeans and a dark purple sweater before he was at the door. She yelled for him to come in and she touched up her makeup and hair before hurrying downstairs.
Luke barely had a second to think before Lorelai ran into him and threw her arms around him. He stumbled backwards a few steps and once he'd regained his composure and balance he wrapped his arms around her, reciprocating the hug.
"Well, hello to you too." He said
"It's been a long day, I'm ready for the movie. I need to chill." Lorelai said, bouncing a little. Luke put his hands on her shoulders to keep her from bouncing up and down. He gave her a quick peck and she grabbed her purse and scooted out the door, ready to get going. They walked along, hand in hand, towards the movie theatre in town. He'd wanted to drive but she said she needed the exercise, and who was he to deny her exercise?
They got to the theatre a few minutes before the movie started, but with just enough time for Lorelai to get popcorn, red vines, gummy bears, and a soda. Luke had secured them a seat on the couch, right behind Kirk and Lulu, to the left and rear of Babette and Morey, and to the right of Ms. Patty and her current beau. He knew they'd be watched the entire time and that didn't bother him, but it didn't stop him from hoping that the group of teenagers in front of them would do something more distracting.
The opening song played, and the opening credits rolled, and Lorelai situated herself on the couch. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned her head on his shoulder, relaxing into the couch and gluing her eyes to the screen.
I wonder if he remembers. Probably not. I mean, why would I expect him to remember that we'd been watching this movie the first time we said "I love you". I remember laying there, in his arms, warm and happy and then rolling over as the credits rolled and staring at him. Studying his face intently. He asked what I was thinking about and I said 'you'. He gave me the look that only he can give, and I reached up a little and kissed him. Nothing heated like we always do, but just a soft, sensual kiss that only lasted about ten seconds. I pulled back and we rested forehead to forehead, nose to nose, and then I said it. I said it first. It still blows my mind but I did. I whispered it just loud enough for him to hear, and no one else. Not that there was anyone else to hear me say it, but I wanted it to be private, just me and him. I remember the way everything about him, well almost everything, softened, and he held my gaze for a few seconds that seemed to last years. I was so afraid he wasn't going to say it back or that I'd said it too soon…and then he did, just as softly as I had said it. He said it too. I'd said I love you to Christopher, and to Max…but it'd never felt the way it did when I said it to him. That's when I knew. I just…knew.
I bet she remembers this was the movie we were watching when we said 'I love you'. I'd always hated this movie until that night. She'd spent the night calling me Humphrey, and insisted on me calling her Ingrid. I'd done it once and it'd delighted the hell out of her. The movie was almost over when she turned over in my arms and stared at me. It made me so uncomfortable, and I'd finally asked what she was thinking about, trying vehemently to get her to stop staring at me. She said 'you' and my heart melted. I'd been in love with this woman for 8 years, and we were laying on her couch, a couple, and she was saying that she was thinking about me while watching one of her most beloved movies of all time. She leaned up a little and kissed me, one of those soft but mind blowing kisses, leaving you breathless for more. I sat there trying to figure out how to say exactly what I felt, and by the time I realized the only words I had to say were 'I love you'…those exact words were coming out of her mouth. She'd beaten me to the punch in such a typical Lorelai way. She whispered it just loud enough for me to hear, as if we were standing in a crowd of people and she only wanted me to hear it. I stared back at her, and when I caught a small glimmer of fear cross her eyes I'd realized I'd been silent too long and said it back. It felt amazing, I'd never felt like that before. And now here we are, sitting here watching this movie again, for the first time since then, and she's carrying our child and we're the only ones who know. Kind of like that night, no one else knew what we'd said. Only us.
Lorelai shifted so that she was seated more sideways than she had been, and his arm slid around her waist and laced with hers. They watched the movie, but not completely. They were both completely lost in thought and in each other. Luke slowly rubbed his finger up and down the ribbing of her sweater beneath his hand. She shivered and smiled. She shifted so their hands were more over her midsection, knowing they were both thinking about the same thing. He kept running his finger up and down those two rows of ribbing and Lorelai gently squeezed his hand. She looked up at him upside down and he smiled and leaned over and kissed her softly and upside down.
"I love you" he whispered into her lips.
"I love you too." She whispered back, "You did remember." She said, smiling, her eyes tearing a little.
"How could I forget the day my old life ended and this wonderful new one began?" He said back. A tear slid down her cheek and he brushed it away with his hand. She burrowed into his chest and they watched the rest of the movie until the credits finally rolled. Lorelai stood up and extended a hand to pull Luke up off the couch, he stood up and slid his arm around her waist and they walked out into the crisp air together, almost joined at the hip. She stopped him in the middle of the street and turned to face him.
"Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time." She said, purring a little. He leaned in and kissed her, their lips melding together. She tugged a little on his lower lip as she sucked it into her mouth, knowing full well that that one small act drove him crazy. He slid his tongue along the lower edge of her top lip and she readily opened to let it in. Their tongues swirled together, dancing an intricate dance together and their bodies melding together right there in the middle of the street. Her hands crept up, one in his hair and one on his chest, and his held her pressed against him on the small of her back.
They pulled apart and she blushed and looked down like some shy teenager who'd just been necking for the first time. He tilted her head up and smiled.
"Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." He said. She giggled and he slid his arm back around her waist as they walked towards the house.
"Will you always be my Humphrey?" She asked him, later that night as they lay in bed, completely exhausted from both the day and the activities that had just occurred in that bed.
"As long as you'll be my Ingrid, and we don't end up the way Rick and Ilsa did." He replied, kissing her on top of the head.
The two of them fell asleep lost in each other, both dreaming in black and white.