Chapter 12 - Happy Birthday Rory!
To my reviewers I say THANK YOU SO MUCH:)
Lorelai was fixing up room 6 when she discovered that the pillows were missing. She looked under the bed, in the bathroom, and under the sheets. "Did someone take the pillows?" She said to herself. "Why would you steal pillows?" She finished making the bed and went downstairs to tell Mia.
"Mia, the pillows from room 6 are missing."
"Really? Well, I guess you can just get two pillows from the store room." Mia said, confused.
"Who steals pillows?"
Mia laughed. "I guess whoever took them."
Lorelai shrugged and picked Rory up off the desk. "Hey babe."
"It's almost her birthday, ya know."
Lorelai's eyes widened. "Really?" She put her available hand over her face. She gazed at the calender. "Crap!"
"I was thinking we could have a party here out in the gardens."
"Yeah! And cake. Can't forget cake."
"Yes cake would be good."
Lorelai held Rory in the air. "You're gonna be the big 1!" Rory giggled and Lorelai kissed her on the cheek.
"Is this Saturday too soon?" Mia asked.
"No. That sounds great!"
"Great. I will handle everything except the guest list. You can do that."
Lorelai smiled. "Mia you are so amazing!"
Mia smiled. "Go make that guest list."
"Ok!" Lorelai ran to the shed and grabbed some paper and a pen. "Ok Rory who do you want to come to your fabulous birthday party?"
"Mama."
"I get to come to your party?"
Rory nodded.
"Oh yes! I must be really cool then." Lorelai beamed at her daughter. Wow Rory is almost one year old. That means me and Luke have been dating for almost a year. Lorelai finished the list and gave it to Mia. Then she grabbed Rory and headed over to the hardware store.
"Hey!" She said as she entered the store.
Luke looked up from sweeping. "Hey."
She walked over and greeted him with a kiss. "Guess what?"
"What?"
"No you have to guess!"
"No I don't."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't"
"YES you do!"
Luke rolled his eyes. "Ok, you're going to try to not be annoying?"
"You're so funny. No. I could never do that." She sat Rory on the counter and turned her to face Luke. "Rory is almost one!"
"Wow. One year old. She grew up fast."
"I know."
"So, that means..."
"We have been together for almost a year." Lorelai finished.
"Wow."
Lorelai smiled. "So, Saturday at the inn gardens. Be there."
He nodded.
"Liz and your dad can come too. They are on the list."
"Oh, there's a list?"
"Hell yes there's a list. It's a very exclusive party. You should be honored that you're invited."
"I am." He leaned in and they kissed.
"Ya wanna go sit in the gazebo?"
"Sure."
They started to walk out of the store when Luke saw that Rory was still sitting the counter.
"Ummm Lorelai, you forgot Rory."
She looked up at him. "I thought you would get her."
"Oh, ok."
He walked over and scooped up Rory off the counter. Lorelai smiled. He was so cute with Rory. Rory nestled her head in Luke's soft, warm shirt and shut her eyes. Lorelai began to laugh softly.
"What?" Luke asked.
Lorelai put her finger up to her lips. "Shhhhhh. Look." she pointed to Rory.
"Is she asleep?"
"Yeah. I think so."
Luke looked terrified and this made Lorelai laugh harder.
"She must really like you." she whispered.
"I guess."
"She has good taste." Lorelai said as she grabbed his available arm and they walked outside.
"Maybe you should take her home."
"Yeah. I guess. Walk me home?"
He nodded and she grabbed his arm again.
The rest of the week passed by very quickly. Saturday was here and Lorelai was really excited. She kind of missed having a birthday party. Not the ones her parents gave her. The ones her friends gave her. Those were some crazy parties. She had changed a lot from last year. But, a lot had happened since last year.
"These plates are so cute Mia." Lorelai said as she was setting the table.
"I thought monkeys would be perfect."
Rory was sitting on the ground chewing on a plate.
"I guess Rory likes them too." Lorelai said as she picked Rory up.
Mia laughed. "How do they taste sweetie?"
"Goo." Rory said. Rory saw Luke approaching and she pointed at him.
"Look babe, it's Luke!"
Luke waved to them but Rory was mesmerized by the box wrapped in shiny paper.
"Hey." Luke said as he placed the present on the table.
"What did ya get her?" Lorelai asked.
"It's a surprise."
"I promise I won't tell her."
"Nope."
"Luke! Come on!"
He kissed her and Rory clapped with approval.
"You always do that when you want me to shut up."
He nodded. "So everything looks really great."
"Yeah. Check out the monkey plates." Lorelai said pointing to the plate Rory was chewing on.
"Oh yeah. I like them. Especially if they taste good."
William and Liz arrived to the party later along with some of the inn staff. They had cake, which Rory stuck her hand into, and opened the presents. Rory was more interested in the shiny paper and the boxes than the actual presents. After everyone had left Luke stayed to help Lorelai and Mia clean up. After all the various cups and plates were thrown away and they tables and chairs were put away Luke and Lorelai sat under the big oak tree. She rested her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head. He could see sadness in her eyes.
"You ok?" He whispered.
She sighed. "I'll miss you."
He knew that she was referring to him leaving for college.
"It's not that far away and I can come visit you on weekends." Luke said as he pulled her in closer.
"I know. It'll just be weird. I mean, going from seeing you multiple times a day to not seeing you for weeks or..."
"No. Week. One week."
"Luke you can't come home every weekend. You'll have work to do and people to hang out with. Not to mention the parties."
"I don't have to go to parties. I'd rather be with you."
Lorelai smiled. "You're sweet."
"Thanks."
"Things are going to change though."
"Not really."
"Luke. Stop. You don't have t keep comforting me." She sat up and faced him. "I'm not a little kid. You don't have to protect me."
"Ok, not much will change."
Lorelai rolled her eyes. She knew that were a lot of temptations at college. She knew that there would be a lot of pretty girls and crazy parties. But, she knew Luke. And he loved her. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her. She rested her head on his shoulder again and they sat there feeling the breeze and enjoying each others company.
Ok so I know I said I had big plans for this chapter. Well, I did, and I those plans will show up next chapter. I just thought that there needed to be something in between. Anyway...is anyone else nervous about the finale and the next season? Because I am. I am scared that Chris and Lorelai and going to end up together. I have heard a lot of people saying that. If that happens I would probably cry. sighs I guess we'll see what happens :)
