Walking Away

Chapter 4: We Gather Together

Lorelai had spent an hour trying to decide what to wear to her two Thanksgiving dinners. Should she wear slacks? A dress? Her mad scientist costume? That would rile up Christopher's mother. Instead, she opted for a blouse and skirt that could be worn to both dinners and wasn't constricting enough to stop her from eating to her heart's content.

As she looked around for her keys, her cell phone rang. It was Rory.

"Happy Thanksgiving, or Happy Thursday, as they are probably saying there," she said.

"Hi. They're not big on the turkey over here, but Logan ordered us a small feast. I swear, I couldn't eat another bite."

"Not even a dinner mint?"

"Ha, ha. So, where are you going today? Are you and Dad doing something special or are you going to Grandma's?"

"Yeah, I'm meeting your dad and Gigi at his Mom's house tonight since I couldn't bear a dinner Emily while there is a child present. She almost had a heart attack the last time Gigi came to eat and dropped her chicken on the dining room chair."

"You're only eating one meal? Are you trying to starve?"

"Actually, I'm having lunch at Luke's. I talked to him last night because Paul Anka ran away and I asked Luke to help find him. We talked about what happened, and I got a lunch invite."

"That's good, Mom. I'm glad you and Luke are talking again, and I know you have missed his cooking and his coffee since the breakup."

"I have. I know we aren't getting back together, but I have also missed his friendship."

"Well, have a good time, and don't forget the flowers."

"I won't. Hey, I miss you, and I love you. Happy Thanksgiving."

"I love you, too, Mom. Don't eat too much."

"Oh, I will. I'll call you tomorrow."

Lorelai hung up the phone, and tried to decide which shoes went best with her outfit. She wanted to make her best impression for Luke.


It usually took Luke about 20 seconds to dress, but today, he couldn't decide what to wear and it was frustrating him. Sure, he had gotten up extra early to cook, but now that everything was ready, he had returned upstairs to shower and dress.

Most Thanksgivings, Luke wore what he always wore, a plaid shirt, jeans and a baseball cap, but today, it was out of the question. First, it was the first time Julie was coming for a special event, and he wanted to look nice for her.

Then, there was the matter of Lorelai. She was coming and had no idea about Julie, since she ran off before he could tell her. He thought about calling her, but he figured it really shouldn't be that big a deal.

"Lorelai's been living with another man for six months. Should she be surprised I'm seeing someone new?"

No matter how many times he said that to himself, he still felt like he was doing something wrong. He opted for a blue button-down shirt and a pair of black slacks. Luke checked the clock by his bed. It was 11:07. Lunch started in less than an hour. He headed back downstairs to wait for his guests and check on the meal.


At 11:30, April and Anna arrived at the diner. April wanted to help serve at her first Thanksgiving with her dad, and went into the kitchen to get instructions from Caesar.

Anna and Luke chatted about scheduling for Christmas holidays while a few other invited townspeople started to arrive. When Julie appeared, Luke met her at the door with a kiss and asked her to join him upstairs.

"Oooh, a special rendezvous before dinner, I feel so special," she said putting her arms around his neck and kissing him again. I missed you last night,"

"I missed you, too. Uh, Julie, before lunch starts, there's something important you need to know. Last night, Lorelai called here and asked for my help with her dog. We talked about what happened last May."

"Are you two getting back together?" she said, moving away from him and sitting at his kitchen table.

"What? No, but she asked to come to Thanksgiving today. I said yes."

"Oh. I guess that's okay, if you're okay with it. Luke, I would never presume to tell you that you couldn't have someone at your home or business. If you want her here, then I will be happy to meet her."

"Thank you, Julie. I know this is going to be awkward, I just wanted you to be ready. Are you ready to eat?"

"I am starving and whatever you are making smells heavenly."

Julie took Luke's hand, and headed down the stairs.


When Lorelai arrived at the diner, flowers in hand, several of the tables were already filled with people who looked very surprised to see her.

"Hi, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving. I guess Luke didn't tell you I was coming."

Several townspeople got up to greet her, but she was taken aback when April came running out of the kitchen.

"Lorelai!" April almost squealed as she ran up and hugged her. "I'm so glad you came today. I have wanted to see you since my birthday. You had such good ideas about hair and makeup, and Mom refuses to see I'm almost 14."

"Hey, anytime you want, feel free to call me at the Dragonfly. Remind me to give you that number and my cell for major emergencies."

"I was sorry about you and my dad. I was hoping I'd get a chance to see you more now that I stay here on the weekends."

"You stay upstairs?"

"Sure. He put up a door for me and let's me keep Ralph up there."

"Ralph?"

"My gecko. He even feeds and takes care of him. I'm here a lot now, and I go out with him and Julie on the weekends."

"Julie?"

"Yeah, his girlfriend. I don't see her as much though since she works pretty long hours, but we usually all go out together on Saturday night."

"Wow, that's great," Lorelai said through a now fake smile. "So how long has your dad and Julie been seeing each other?"

"About two months. She's a lot of fun, but she's pretty serious. I think it's because of her job. She takes care of sick babies."

"She's a doctor?"

"No. She's a nurse. You'll like her a lot."

"Great," Lorelai said, sitting down, trying to catch her breath.

He's seeing someone, she thought. Why didn't he tell me last night? Probably because you ran away the second you found Paul Anka and didn't give him a chance.

She was sitting there for about a minute trying to process it all when Luke came down the stairs holding the hand of a woman she'd never seen before, and assumed to be Julie.

When his eyes met Lorelai's, he let go of Julie's hand and walked over to her.

"Uh, Lorelai, hi. I'd like you to meet Julie Jones. Julie, this is Lorelai Gilmore."

"It's nice to meet you, Lorelai," Julie said, shaking her hand. "Your inn is very beautiful."

"Oh, thank you. It's nice to meet you, too. April tells me you're a nurse."

"Yeah, for about ten years. I love it. It's wonderful to help people, especially preemies, who need so much."

"That's really great. Hey Luke, Rory wanted to make sure you got these."

"I don't have a vase."

"You do, too. I bought you one. It's upstairs on the top shelf with the glasses."

"Oh, yeah. I'll just run up and get it."

"No, Luke, I'll get it," Julie said. "You get dinner going for everyone."

"Okay," he said as he went into the kitchen.


After the initial awkwardness, the dinner went well. Lorelai mostly stayed quiet, observing Luke and his new girlfriend. She was pretty, and could see Luke with her more than she could with Nicole. She seemed to be down-to-earth and funny, but she could also fell the twinge of jealousy. She didn't want to see Luke happy with anyone else but her.

As she sat there eating turkey and cranberry sauce, she realized that all this time apart had not cured her of the one thing she hoped it would. She was still crazy in love with Luke. She still wanted her middle, but the question now was, would she be brave enough to put herself out there to get it?

She decided that before she could dream about any future with Luke, she'd have to put her past with Christopher behind her for good. She smiled as she took a bite of turkey and cranberry sauce.

For the first time, she was hopeful again about her future. She only hoped Luke felt the same way.