Chapter 11 - College Boy

Lorelai had been a maid for awhile now so she did it without thinking. This was good, at least for today, because it allowed her to think about Luke. And her. She kept thinking about how much she loved him and how good he made her feel. He was only person who deeply cared for her. There was Rory and Mia, but Luke... was different. She had originally thought that she was too young to love someone or settle down. Then she remembered Rory. Not many 16 year olds have kids of their own. That, she decided, made her mature enough for real love. She was lucky to have found someone as amazing as Luke. She smiled as she finished making the last bed. She was in love with Luke Danes and there was no way she was going to screw it up. They had a love most people only dream of.

She shut the door and ran down the stairs to find Mia. She was standing at the front desk playing with Rory, who was sitting on the desk.

"Hey!" Lorelai said.

"Hello honey." Mia greeted.

"I did all the rooms...so...I was thinking I could go to the hardware store."

Mia smiled. "Suddenly interested in tools?"

"Yes. At least the tool men."

Mia laughed. "Did you have lunch?"

"No. But I'm ok. Can you watch Rory for a little?"

"Sure."

Lorelai kissed Rory and ran out the door to find Luke. She couldn't wait to tell him how she felt and what she was thinking. She knew he felt the same. She had heard him. She smiled the whole way to the store and opened the door. She looked around and didn't see anyone so she went to look behind the counter and in the back room.

"Hello?" she called.

Luke appeared from behind a shelf. "What are you doing back here?"

"Hello to you too." she said. "I couldn't find you so I came to look back here."

"You're not allowed back here."

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Come on. I'm the girlfriend." she walked over and kissed him.

"I see." he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "And that is supposed to get you special privileges?"

"Yes." she whispered as she kissed him again, harder. All the emotions she was feeling were coming to the surface.

"Geeze." he said softly. "You really must like this store room."

She giggled softly and he began kissing her. He guided her to an open wall and pushed her against it. He began kissing her neck and the top of her chest. She let a soft moan and tilted her neck to the side. She began to undo the button of his pants when they heard a gasp. They immediately sprang apart and looked towards the door.

"Ummmm dad told me to ummm find you." Liz said, eyes widened. "Something...uh about the mail...or something."

Lorelai looked at the floor. "I guess I'll go."

"Yeah. Ok. I'll see ya later."

Lorelai quickly slipped past Liz and out the door. Liz made kissing noises and Luke about to tackle her but William appeared.

"What's going on here?" William asked.

"Nothing." Luke said quickly.

"Except you and Lorelai were ..." Luke put his hand over her mouth.

"So...dad , Liz said something about the mail?"

"Making out!" Liz shouted as soon as Luke took his hand off her mouth.

"Liz what the hell is wrong with you!" Luke yelled. "I can't wait until you start to date and you see what it's like to have someone constantly telling on you!"

Liz stuck out her tongue. "You're just mad because I interrupted you."

"Liz can you give me and Luke a few minutes?" William said.

"Well I'm not going in the store room, if that's what you mean."

"Liz!" William shouted

"Ok ok sorry." she left the store and headed home.

"Sorry dad. Really. She just came and..."

William smiled. "It's ok."

"So...the mail?"

"Oh, yes. You got a letter from the University of Connecticut today."

"Really?"

William handed Luke the envelope. "Open it."

Luke tore the envelope open and skimmed the letter that was inside. "Oh my god." he said. He looked up from the letter. "I'm accepted!"

"That's wonderful!"

"And I get a full scholarship for baseball."

"Oh my god! That's great!" William and Luke hugged.

"Holy shit." Luke said with disbelief.

"You should tell Lorelai. She will be so happy for you."

Luke's heart sank. Going to college meant leaving Lorelai. Luke put the envelope on the counter.

"I'm gonna go for a walk." Luke said.

He walked out the door and started to walk down the streets of Stars Hollow. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't realize he was heading for the inn. He looked up and saw Lorelai playing with Rory under the oak tree. Lorelai smiled when she saw him but he quickly turned his head and walked the other way, pretending he hadn't seen her.

Lorelai was about to call him name but she stopped herself. He obviously did not want to be bothered. She wondered what was wrong but she knew he would tell her later. She turned around to resume playing with Rory.

Luke had arrived home and he walked upstairs to his room. He flopped on the bed and let out a sigh. He really wanted to go to college but he couldn't imagine his life without Lorelai. Maybe they could work something out. Maybe he could come home on weekends to see her. What if it didn't work out? Would he choose school or Lorelai. His heart ached at the thought. He knew he wanted to pick Lorelai, but a full scholarship to college is pretty impressive. He decided to was ready to tell her. They needed to talk about this.

When Luke arrived at the inn, Lorelai was no longer outside so he knocked on the door of the shed. Lorelai walked out of the inn and saw him. She walked up behind him.

"Hey!"

"Oh geeze, Lorelai! You scared the hell out of me!" Luke said, trying to compose himself.

Lorelai laughed. "Sorry." She noticed that he looked nervous so she kissed him to try to make him feel more confident.

"Can we talk?" Luke asked softly.

Lorelai nodded and took his hand. They sat under the tree and Luke leaned against the huge tree trunk. Lorelai sat nest to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"So..." Lorelai said. "You wanted to talk."

"Yeah. Ummmm..."

Lorelai lifted her head up and looked into his eyes. She took his hand and held it tightly.

"I got accepted to the University of Connecticut."

"Wow." Lorelai said. "That's great."

Luke knew she didn't really mean that. He knew she didn't want him to go.

"I got a full scholarship for baseball." Luke continued.

Lorelai's eyes widened. "Wow." she said again. She knew what was coming next. He was going to say that they would have to break up because he was going to college. She closed her eyes to try to stop the tears from spilling over.

"I was hoping we could figure something out."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Luke said, gazing into her eyes. " I love you Lorelai."

"I love you too." she whispered as she threw her arms around his neck.

"We can make this work. I know it."

Lorelai smiled. "I know."

"I'll still miss you."

"I'll miss you more."

Luke got up and helped Lorelai up. He put his arms around her and leaned her head on his chest.

"So...you're a college boy now."

"I guess I am."

"Wow. I'm dating a college guy. If I was in high school I would be the coolest girl."

It's a little shorter than my other chapters but I have some BIG plans for next chapter. I heart reviews :)