Chapter 10 - Dinner at the Danes
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"Patty cake patty cake.." Lorelai said as she reached for her child's hands. "Baker's man. Make me a cake as fast as you can." Rory was thoroughly enjoying this and giggled like crazy. "Roll it and pat it, mark it with a R, but it in the oven for Rory and me."
"Mama." Rory said.
"Did you like that sweetie?"
Rory nodded.
Lorelai smiled. "Good." she kissed Rory on top of her head. "Let's do it again."
Rory laughed and clapped her tiny hands.
"Patty cake patty cake..." Lorelai started but she heard Mia calling her.
"Yeah Mia." Lorelai called back.
"Come here and look at these flowers. They're beautiful."
"Stay right here sweetie, I'll be right back." she said to Rory and she went over to where Mia was admiring the flowers. "Wow. They are really pretty."
"These pink ones are so vibrant. I really must thank the gardener."
Lorelai bent down to smell the flowers. "Mmmmm. They smell good too."
"Where's Rory?" Mia asked.
"Oh she's over there." Lorelai said without looking up.
"Over where?"
"Over.." Lorelai turned around and saw that Rory wasn't there. "Oh my god. Oh my god!" she ran over to the spot where they were playing. "Rory!" she called. Tears began running down her cheeks. Mia walked over and hugged Lorelai.
"It's ok hon. We'll find her. She couldn't have gone far."
"Oh my god. Why did I leave her there? I left her alone."
"I'll get some of the staff to help and you start looking."
"Ok."
Mia entered the inn to get reinforcements and Lorelai quickly ran to the shed and called Luke.
"Hello." he answered.
"Luke! Oh my god." she said frantically.
"Lorelai, what's wrong?"
"Rory. Rory...she's..."
"Rory's what?"
"Rory's lost. I can't find her. I just went to see the flowers and then I looked and she was gone."
"I'll be right over."
He hung up and Lorelai ran outside to join others who were looking for Rory. After a few minutes Luke arrived and Lorelai ran into his arms.
"Oh Luke." she sobbed.
"It's gonna be ok. Don't worry." He said as he held her tightly.
"I'm such a bad mother. I lost my kid."
"Don't say that. You're a great mother. Come on." he took her by the hand and they began to search behind the shed.
"Rory!" they both called. They looked for a little longer but Lorelai sat up against the shed and put her head in her hands. Luke walked over and sat next to her. He kissed her on the top of her head and pulled her closer to him.
"Hey." he said suddenly. "Look."
Lorelai lifter her head up and saw Rory sitting next to some flowers. "Rory!" she yelled and she ran to her daughter. Rory looked up at her mom and smiled as if nothing had happened. Lorelai picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Rory. I'm so glad you're ok. Oh my god." she whispered. Luke walked over and put his arm around Lorelai.
"Hey there." he said to Rory. "Felt like exploring, huh."
"Thanks." she said to Luke.
He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "I gotta pick my dad up from the hospital now, but I'll see you tonight?"
"Your dad's coming home today?"
"Yep."
"That is so great!"
He nodded. "Bye."
"Bye. Tell your dad I said hi."
"I will."
They kissed goodbye and Luke got back in his truck and drove to the hospital. Lorelai informed the search party that she found Rory.
When Luke got to the hospital he went to room 211 where his father was finishing getting dressed.
"Hey dad." Luke said as he entered the room.
"Son!" he walked over and they hugged. "Where's Liz?"
"Oh, she had a dance lesson so I just figured I'd come get you."
He nodded. "So how have things been?"
"Well, good, I guess. They'll be great with you back."
William smiled as he finished buttoning up his shirt. "How about that girl. Uhhh what was her name?"
"Lorelai."
"Yes. Lorelai. How is she? Are you still dating?"
"She's good. And yes. We are still dating."
"We should have her over for dinner. I would like to get to know her."
Luke raised his eyebrows. "Dinner?"
"She could bring her child to."
"Uhh...maybe..."
"You don't want me to meet her?"
"No. It's just...I dunno it might be weird."
"Well sometime then."
Luke nodded. He wanted to tell his father how he felt about Lorelai but for some reason he couldn't. He wasn't really sure why. Maybe he was scared. Scared that Lorelai didn't feel the same. Maybe she just wanted this to be a casual thing. Who has a serious relationship at their age? He knew deep down in his heart that he loved Lorelai and would always love her.
As soon as his father was home and settled he went over to Lorelai's. He was going to ask her to come to dinner. No big deal. Except that his palms were sweating and heart was racing. His hand was shaking as he knocked on her door.
"Hey." she greeted.
"Uh..hi." he said, trying to cover up his nervousness.
"Ya wanna come in?"
"Oh, yes."
They both sat on the bed and Lorelai knew something was bothering him so she decided to kiss him hard on the lips. He returned the kiss and pretty soon they were lying down making out.
"Oh. Did you come for something?" Lorelai asked as she gasped for air.
He had totally forgotten. "Oh. Yeah. I did."
She sat on top of him, straddling him. "So..."
Luke was distracted by her current position but he managed to speak. "My dad wants to meet you so...I guess I was wondering if you wanted to come for dinner or something."
"Yeah. Sure sounds great."
He was surprised by her enthusiastic response. "You can bring Rory if you want."
"Oh, cool. Ok. So...when?"
"Tomorrow night?"
"Sounds good. So...can we um..."
"Yes." he said pulling on her shirt as she laid on top of him.
The next evening Lorelai stood in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear. She really had no idea what to wear. She wanted to make a good impression on his dad. She looked over at Rory who was sitting on the floor looking at her.
"What should I wear?" She asked Rory.
"Da ba ba a ba da la." Rory answered.
"Hmmmmm. The black flowy skirt with the flower top?"
"Ba ba da."
"Sounds good. Thanks babe."
When Lorelai had finished getting ready she picked up Rory and walked over to Luke's. She stood in front of the door for a minute and took a deep breath. She knocked on the door and looked at Rory for encouragement.
"Hey." Luke answered the door.
"Hey." she kissed him quickly.
"Come on in. Dad and Liz are in the living room." he put his arm around her waist for support and Lorelai was grateful for it.
"Ummm...Dad, this is Lorelai Gilmore."
William stood up and walked over to them. "Hello Lorelai. I'm William." He extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you." she said politely as she shook his hand.
"And who's that adorable baby."
"Oh, this is Rory." Lorelai said.
"She has your eyes." William said.
Lorelai smiled. Liz ran over to join the group.
"Lorelai, can I hold Rory?" Liz asked.
"Sure." She handed Rory to Liz and she carefully held Rory in her arms.
"Be careful." Luke said nervously.
"I am!" Liz said, annoyed.
"I gotta go check on dinner. Be right back." William said as he walked towards the kitchen.
"Ya wanna sit?" Luke asked.
"Sure."
They both sat down on the couch and Lorelai laid her head on his chest.
"Everything's ready." William said. "Liz, can you help me set the table?"
Liz got up and handed Rory to Lorelai and skipped into the kitchen.
"I guess we should go."
Lorelai laughed softly. "Yep. I guess we should."
The five of them enjoyed a delicious dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and various vegetables. When they were done Luke and William cleared the table and Liz went to watch tv. Lorelai heard them talking in the kitchen and decided to listen. She got up and hid in the corner of the living room.
"You really like her." William said.
"Yeah. I do." Luke said softly.
"I used to look at your mother that way."
Luke looked confused. "What way?"
William smiled and looked up from the dishwasher. "The way you look at Lorelai."
"Oh, uh...um... really?"
"Yeah."
There was a silence besides the noises of dishes clanging and water running.
"I - I love her." Luke said just above a whisper.
"I know." William said as he put the last of dishes in the dishwasher.
Lorelai felt tears in her eyes. Oh my god. She thought. This is for real. She suddenly was overcome with fear. She did love Luke, but she was 16. Wasn't she supposed to experience more things? Wasn't she supposed to date more? She didn't know if she was ready for that kind of commitment. She couldn't picture her life without him and the days they were apart were the worst days of her life. But something just didn't settle right with her.
"I have to get back to inn. There are a lot of people coming." Lorelai said as she walked into the kitchen. "Thank you so much for dinner, it was great."
"Your welcome." William said.
Luke walked Lorelai to the door and they kissed. "Do you want me to walk you back?"
"No. That's ok." she picked up Rory and put her on her hip. "Thanks for dinner."
He nodded as he opened the door and she left. He stood there for a minute, watching her fade into the streets. Something seemed wrong. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was wrong. He shrugged and went to join Liz in the living room.
Lots of you have said that I should keep this story going, so, for you, my loyal fans, I have decided to keep this story going for a while longer. I hope you like it :)
