Written in the Stars
By Gilmoregirl1979 (the reigning Quote Queen)

Rating: PG-13

Hi this is your friendly disclaimer: I REJECT ASP's REALITY AND SUBSTITUE MY OWN! Once again, I don't own (DAMN IT! DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!), No Harm No Sue. (JUST GIVE ME A JOB and we will call it even!)

R/R: yes please I love reviews; I wanna marry them (as previously stated, I have strange passions.)

Summary/ The Q: What if LL hooked up when they first met? What if things had moved … a touch more quickly…?

FEATURED BETA: localizy, thank you for putting up with my compulsive, anal, and persnickety changes… to which she responds…

(drum roll)

its cool

(insert crash of symbol!)

A/N: everyone can relax my hits for WITS are well above there previous 2500, it's nice to be popular… but I am disturbed by the lack of reviews… I don't expect you to review EVERY chapter… or redo all 600 odd some of the previous reviews… but that would be nice… If you are so inclined… lol

Like Lorelai going to the David Bowie concert!

A/N: got tissues?
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Chapter 25:
Do You Love Me?

With Rory covered in lotion, in fresh PJs, tucked in with Colonel Cluckers, and with a fresh cup of tea on her nightstand, she was under strict orders to rest, with a promise Luke and Lorelai would take her to take her to the doctor in the morning. Lorelai wanted to ask Luke to move the easy chair into Rory's room so she could watch over her daughter in comfort, and she found Luke at the sink, washing random dishes from the morning's breakfast, "You don't have to do that."

"I want to."

There was something short about the answer, so Lorelai pressed, "Is something wrong?"

"Lorelai…" and Luke took a deep breath, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Lorelai she half smiled, curious as to what wrong this wonderful man could have done, and she went to his side.

"I didn't tell you sooner… she just said she had a stuffed up nose, I didn't think… there would be… other symptoms…a fever…a rash… I didn't tell you because she told me not to worry… and she promised she would tell us if she got worse…and then she didn't tell us…and…"

Trying to put the rant on pause before Luke went completely into a full tirade, "Luke, its okay, there wasn't any blood this time… Rory wasn't crying or in any pain… so you didn't know anything was wrong…I didn't know anything was wrong, it's fine." Lorelai placed a hand on his chest, "You handle blood and broken bones… and I'll handle the more subtle illnesses…okay?"

Subtle illnesses? Luke immediately thought of his father. They had no clue about the cancer till it was too late. William was older, short of breath at times after years of smoking, with a persistent cough, and far too busy and stubborn to go to a doctor. There was nothing Luke could do to help his father; nothing except watch him waste away, and after seeing the pain his father went through, Luke decided to take care of himself, the way William never had. William made Luke promise to have a family of his own one day, so Luke won't be alone, and Luke would always have someone to take care of, and with kids of his own, Luke would get a glimpse of just how proud William was of his only son. However, coming back to the present, Luke did smile at the way Lorelai talked about them handling Rory together… as if they were a team, a real family, the other day she said he was … fatherly… that was new from her, and Luke liked hearing it. "Okay" he agreed.

With the easy chair and a chair from the kitchen table now added to Rory's room, Luke and Lorelai, were comfortable themselves, changed into their own pajamas, and went back to Rory's side, together a team, to keep her from scratching and scarring herself. Rory made a special request, "Luke, would you read to me? You have such a great speaking voice, Ooooohhhh you could totally do like voiceovers and stuff, like on cartoons or commercials or something…"

"Umm thanks?" his brow furrowing over the strange compliment considering how much he hated the greedy commercialism that had swept the country; yet he recalled the first time he read to Rory, that first night he slept over, remembering how Rory found his voice comforting then and easily fell asleep, "You still on Dorian Gray?"

"Yes, he just met this singer/actress lady, her name is Sybil …I think he really likes her," she handed Luke the book from her nightstand, momentarily free from Lorelai's grasp.

"Well okay," and Luke smiled across the bed at Lorelai, who quickly took Rory's hands again, to make good on her promise, and all parties settled in for story time with Luke.

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"I can't believe they are letting my kid read this stuff," Lorelai jeered, "This is SO stupid."

"Lorelai," Luke admonished, "you are interrupting again."

"But this hero, if I can call him that, is ridiculous! He loves this Sybil Vane woman… believes virtuous and pretty, a diamond in the rough, and all that, and they get engaged even though she only knows him as Sir Tristan, she doesn't even know his real name, red flag right there!"

Luke interjected, rolling his eyes, "I know the story…" I just read you the story…

Lorelai continued, "…And to him she sings like an angel on earth, she's so talented, what a pity she is so beneath me blah, blah, blah, and every one is against them…. I mean her brother, what was his name… James? James thinks Dorian is just out to get laid, and Dorian's friends don't like her because she's so far below Dorian on the social latter, and then they have the nerve to dare him to sleep with her before they get married, to somehow prove how much she loves him or not… or to prove or disprove … you know… her outstanding purity…or whatever…"

Luke couldn't help but wonder if the class warfare was striking a more personal cord with his girlfriend, and if that such a dispute was in his own future. "Lorelai," Luke tried to stop her again, but she continued since she was on full steam.

"…So he invites her over, and gives her an ultimatum, threatens to call off the wedding if she doesn't sleep with him that night… and because she loves him and doesn't want to lose him, she does sleep with him, as he requested… and then the next morning, he calls off the wedding anyway. Oh no, not to her face… he sends her a letter! He took the time to hand write a letter to blow off his fiancée because she wasn't virtuous enough to wait for their wedding night… then she kills herself for the shame of it all… and of course, the stupid man regrets tricking her and wants her back but she's dead now and believing there is no good left in the world, he turns to a life of pleasure and sin… only to live in the moment and for …opium…"

"Lorelai?" Luke rolled his eyes.

"Mom, please," Rory wanted to help Luke calm her mother down, she was almost asleep and they were almost done the chapter.

"What?"

"Do you mind?" Rory said weakly from her pillow, and turned back over to Luke, "Could you start from the last paragraph…" her arm limp around Colonel Cluckers.

"Sure."

Snapped out of her rant, Lorelai finally saw what was before her, a man reading to her daughter, Luke reading to Rory, and she briefly recalled Chris has never done that. Lorelai remembered Luke asking "You still on Dorian Gray?" he knew what book she was on. He knew Rory's favorite foods and color; he knew all the little things father's paid attention to. Now that Rory's arm was limp, Lorelai settled back in her chair, pulling up the blanket she got from the closet a chapter ago, to watch the pair of them and enjoyed the sight.

Rory was so focused on the story and Luke's voice that Lorelai didn't need to hold her hand anymore. Lorelai watched as Rory fell asleep, completely trusting and safe with Luke. Lorelai never had help before when it came to Rory being sick. There was a time when Rory had jaundice as a baby, when they still lived at the Gilmore manor, and Emily was too involved and so critical; Lorelai couldn't even remember what the doctor's instructions were. Really Lorelai, this is your child's health and you didn't even pay attention to the doctor's advice, Lorelai recalled rolling her eyes at her mother's input.

"Hey? You okay?" Luke had a hand on her shoulder.

"Umm yeah," Lorelai merely shifted in her seat, not realizing she had been dozing off with the memory.

"She's out cold… you coming upstairs?"

"Just a few more minutes… I don't want to leave her just yet."

"Okay," Luke kissed Lorelai's forehead to let her have a moment with her daughter and he went up stairs.

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After forty-five minutes Luke couldn't take it anymore; he whipped off the covers and went to check on both of them.

Luke found Lorelai asleep in the easy chair and he smiled at her dedication to Rory. Luke took Lorelai in his arms, carried her up the stairs, and tucked his girlfriend into her own bed.

Luke went back down to check on Rory, and decided he'd take a shift watching her. Just as he settled in the chair, Rory woke up; her eyes were heavy and squinting, her voice sounded tired and weak, "Luke?" recognizing the silhouette.

"I'm here, Rory."

"Where's mom?"

"She fell asleep… you'll have to put up with me for a while."

"I'll take it" she half smiled. "Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you make me some more tea? With some honey in it?"

"Sure, you want peppermint?"

"Please."

"Okay," he smiled that even though she was sick, Rory was still Miss Manners.

Luke went to the kitchen and made two cups of tea with honey as quickly as the bags could seep. He returned to Rory's side, and helped her sit up to take a drink. "I hate being sick… I'm so hot…and I just feel gross and goopy with the lotion on now…"

"Well at least it wasn't during school," he recalled her thankful observation from earlier. "You want something cold for your head?"

"Sure. Thank you, Luke."

Once again Luke was off on an errand eager to help; he found a clean washcloth and soaked it with cold water. He wrung the excess water out and folded it for Rory's head. As he swabbed her forehead to ease her fever, Rory watched him. She knew he probably never took care of a sick child before, but he was really good at it. She began to wonder if this was a talent naturally ingrained into all humans, how to take care of each other, how to be a good parent. Then she remembered that wasn't the case with her own father, or the people you see on the news. Good people and good parents were a rare breed, and somehow Rory knew that even though Luke wasn't a father, he was quite possibly the best of them.

This was a rare opportunity for Rory, her mother wasn't around, and since she was sick her judgment was just impaired enough to ask Luke, bluntly, "Do you love me?"

Luke nearly choked on his own sip of tea, "I'm sorry … what?"

Rory simply repeated, "Do you love me?"

"Umm" Luke set down his cup on her nightstand, and blinked a few times to make sure he was awake; he really didn't know what to do with the question.

Rory clarified, shyly playing with one of the Colonel's wings "I mean… I know you love mom, because you know, you get to kiss her and stuff, but… how do you feel … about me?"

Her big blue eyes shone in the darkness, and Luke pulled the easy chair closer to the bed, and leaned forward. He took Rory's small limp hand in his own, and assured her, "I love you too," realizing for the first time he had said it to Lorelai, but had never thought to say it to Rory. "You are very special to me. I'm glad I started dating your mother, because as a result… I got to meet you. You are smart, and funny, and I consider myself very lucky to know you. Do you think I'd go in to a collapsing building if I didn't care about you? Teach you all my cooking secrets if I didn't like to spend time with you?" Luke looked at their clasped hands and wondered if he was over stepping his bounds again, but Lorelai wasn't there, and Rory apparently needed to hear his words. "You know, my father taught me to judge a person by their actions. So let me ask you… how would you judge me by my actions?"

Rory considered, her mind was so tired, but she knew this was a serious conversation. She thought about the last few months with Luke and her mom, the cooking lessons and the movie nights, the dinners at the diner and the festivals in the square, the picnic at the Dragonfly and his tending to her while her mom was asleep. "I'd say… that you loved me… like I was your own daughter."

"And there you have it…" Luke smiled that they had the same conclusion.

Since she was already being blunt, Rory asked, "Are you gonna marry my mom?"

Luke wondered if his intentions were written all over his face… or if Rory merely considered the words of William Danes further. That Luke's actions told young Rory that he wanted to be more permanent with the Gilmore girls. Staying over almost every night, having dinner together all the time, like a real family. He said honestly, "I don't know… I'd like to, but it still maybe a little early to think about that."

Rory took a deep breath, and released it, "I hope you do."

"Me too, but… I think that's really up to your mom."

"If you want… I'll work on her for you? Make her come around to the idea…"

Luke laughed, "I'd like that."

Then Rory changed the subject, "Luke? I'm hungry…"

"What do you want? Anything you like…I'll make it," even know the best advice was to feel a cold and starve a fever; he wanted to do something for her to make her feel better.

"But it's the middle of the night?"

"What's the point of being sick if you don't get what you want?"

Rory had to laugh at him, "You sound like mom."

"She has that effect on me. Come on, anything at all …"

Rory thought about it, she knew she wanted some sort of comfort food, so she considered all the things that Luke could make well and in a timely manner. He did say anything.

"Mashed potatoes" she smiled.

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Lorelai woke up surprised to be so rested, and in her own bed, alone. How did I get here? She did remember changing into her PJs for Luke's story time, and the stupid plot of Dorian Gray. Lorelai pulled the covers aside and crept down stairs in her bare feet. She remembered Rory was sick, and she didn't know if Luke had left for the diner already. Following her hunch down he stairs, she had the motherly instinct to check on Rory. When she entered the kitchen, there was a mess of dirty dishes, an electric mixer, and potatoes peels on the table, which surprised her. How did this happen? Luke cleaned up last night. I didn't even know we had potatoes. I didn't know I had an electric mixer. Lorelai came into her daughter's room and stood at the foot of the bed and admired the sight before her. Rory was passed out… again, with her mouth slightly open as she breathed her left arm limp again over Colonel Cluckers. Luke was hunched forward, leaning on Rory's bed, he was holding her right hand, his head resting on his left forearm, and his right arm limp over the copy of Dorian Gray.

On the nightstand, Lorelai saw two coffee mugs, Rory's other books, a wadded up washcloth, and an empty bowl of something with a spoon sticking out. What happened last night?

Rory opened her eyes, as if psychically hearing her mothers question through their unique bond, looking up at her mother all she said was "Hey".

"Hey," Lorelai said brightly, "looks like you had a busy night," but she was still curious as to what she had missed.

"Yeah," Rory agreed, she remembered everything that was said, about her mom, and Luke wanting to marry Lorelai, but most importantly how Luke loved Rory very much. Rory decided to keep these thoughts to herself for now, just another little secret in the special bond she developed with Luke. Rory shook the hand Luke held to wake him up, "Luke?"

"Hmm?"

"Mom's here?"

Luke sat up, instantly regretting hunching over all night, suddenly discovering a pain that had settled in his back. He rubbed his eyes with his free, right hand, still hanging on to Rory's hand with his left, "Morning," he said acknowledging his girlfriend, forcing him self awake with a deep yawn and a few blinks.

"Luke?" Rory wanted his attention now that he was awake again.

"Yeah?"

"I want some more."

"Rory you've had two bowls already?"

"That was hours ago…it's time for breakfast," in a weak "it will make me feel better" whine.

"You want mashed potatoes for breakfast?"

"Yes, with extra butter please, I'm sick…remember."

"Only because you are young," thinking of how extra butter would clog his own arteries at his age; so with a warm smile Luke kissed Rory's forehead, and went to prepare her request.

Luke leaned into kiss Rory's forehead and Rory closed her eyes to accept the fatherly affection. After seeing this, Lorelai felt like she had missed a lot by falling asleep; my boyfriend made mashed potatoes for my daughter… in the middle of the night? He is kissing her forehead; he's never done that before…it's… just like a dad? Why mashed potatoes?

Lorelai approached her daughter's bed, wanting the scope from her daughter, "So… what did I miss?"

In her weakened state, Rory thought Lorelai was talking about the book, and gently ranted "Oh My God, Mom, you were so right about this book… Dorian Gray now has designs on the painter's niece, Gladys, you know the little girl, but now she's all grown up. I mean, there is like 20 year age difference, Dorian knew her as a little girl and now is making the moves on her… it's just gross…and no one finds it weird that he hasn't aged a day in 20 years? Oh yeah and he killed her uncle too the one who painted the portrait… but she doesn't know that yet… can't wait till that blows up in his face…I'm usually not disappointed with Oscar Wilde, but today I have to say I am. This is just too philosophical and …weird," for lack of a better word. There was a hint of the usual Rory as her rant went on.

"Umm well glad you see things my way…" Lorelai knew she was still missing a few pieces, "I'm just gonna see how Luke's doing…"

When she came in the kitchen, Luke had placed something in the microwave, as the mashed potatoes reheated, Luke used Lorelai's phone and started to knead his back with his free hand. "Well, what do you want me to do? I already had the morning off, Ben. I'm sorry, I didn't plan this, Rory is sick …Ben, don't you have kids? … Well, Lorelai needs my help…Look, I already told you, just put a sign in the window, there are bound to be some high school kids needing a job for the summer… well with the tourist season starting we'll need the extra help, why are you fighting me on this?... well you'll just have to get used to the new people… Ben… Jeez alright, alright… HEY, I know this is my business, don't you think I see the sign that says Luke's out front …thank you so much for that reminder." Luke hung up the phone and then noticed Lorelai.

"Lover's quarrel?" Lorelai asked as she came up beside him and massaged his back to assist with the pain.

"Aw Ben's just giving me a hard time… I mean, I want to be here for Rory, you know…I remember when I had chicken pox I was in bed for three weeks and miserable… So I told Ben to put up a sign and hire more people… but he says that I'm the boss and that I should do the interviews… but at the same time he doesn't even want any new people, with the hassle of training and dealing with new personalities… and I told him it was only temporary…but I can't…" and Luke looked disappointed, "I can't go to the doctor with you guys… I gotta conduct interviews or hire more people or something…" his last sentence conveyed how tedious he thought the formality process was. When his rant concluded so did the microwave's reheating cycle.

"Luke its okay…really… you have the diner to worry about… Aw Jeez… I have work; I have to call Mia…" Lorelai accepted the phone from Luke as he automatically handed it to her, and then turned his attention to the microwave and Rory's mashed potatoes. Lorelai watched Luke as he lovingly poured milk in the bowl, to make them creamy again, and added the requested extra butter. "Um hey yes this is Lorelai Gilmore is Mia there? ... Hey Mia, you are not going to believe this… Rory has Chicken Pox… I know… that was the problem… Yes, I did over react," wincing at that little confession being overheard, since she was the one telling Luke to relax. "Yes, I'm going to take her to the doctor… so umm I need today off… and… I don't know how long… this will be an issue…okay thanks… I'll keep you posted…bye Mia."

Luke thought he'd offer, "you know… I could help with Rory… you know be here if she needs anything… we could… split the time… like last night…" he shrugged.

"Um yeah okay, I appreciate that." Lorelai was still not used to having help with Rory and still trying to figure out the mashed potato mystery.

"Okay… when you get back from the doctor… she seems to be on some sort of carbohydrate comfort food kick. If she still wants mashed potatoes, there is more in the fridge. All you have to do, Put it in the bowl; minus the spoon, of course, cover it with cellophane… microwave for 3 minutes… stir some milk if its lumpy or dry…add a pat of butter… and serve… you think you can handle that?" knowing Lorelai wasn't the gourmet Rory was turning out to be.

"Um sure?" Lorelai nodded and had to ask, "Why is my kid eating mashed potatoes?"

"It's what she wanted," Luke shrugged, a little embarrassed.

"So you made them for her …in the middle of the night?" Lorelai smiled at the gesture.

"Well we had some potatoes because she wanted to make her own chili cheese fries… and…"

"Luke… it's … really sweet, thank you."

"Sure, and I'll clean this up…" referring to the mess on the kitchen table.

"Okay, good cause if you think I'm going too…HA!"

"I'm gonna deliver these," and he took the bowl into the patient.

Lorelai watched from the door, how cute her boyfriend and child were together, the way Luke apologized that he couldn't go to the doctor with her this time, how understanding Rory was about it, and she reminded him to pick up another bag of potatoes for dinner. Luke did a quick clear of the dishes and potato skins, so the table would be free and clean again. Luke said good-bye to Rory, wishing her to get well with another kiss on her forehead; and Rory again scooped happily into the puréed carbohydrate with her spoon.

Luke and Lorelai said goodbye and kissed him at the door, "Thank you again… for all your help…and we'll have that make up date soon," she promised, and Luke smiled and left for work.

It was so surreal to Lorelai. Last night with the discovery of Rory's Chicken Pox, and Luke reading to her, making her a special request meal. She wondered if this was how a regular family dealt with illness, splitting time, accommodating schedules, each giving and taking and making sacrifices. It was like Luke was the dad of their little family unit. She had those observations last week at the picnic, and now dealing with sickness. It was new and strange to see Luke fit so well in that role, and yet… it was like it had been that way the entire time, the two of them together… handling Rory, and for a moment Lorelai almost forgot about Christopher.

Luke poked his head back in the front door with one last comment, "By the way, you are right… that book is just weird," and off he went to hire more help and handle the hungry hordes of Stars Hollow. "See you tonight."

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A/N: alternate title for this chapter was Dorian Gray Is Weird.

A/N: CALM DOWN! It's Sir Tristan… not actual Tristan… not in my stories, OY! Give it up TRORIES!

A/N: the Dorian Gray Rant is of course my own opinion of the book, but I really should re-read it… it is fun and Deep … but it's like Woaw Dorian… way to give up on the human race and your immortal soul there buddy!

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"That was all God given talent..." why thank you Luke!
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R/R: PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity, ... so be honest."
Please be specific with R/R; name one (or as many as you can think of or want to mention..…) At least one specific thing you liked

Please! It makes me feel good...inside (Dirty!)

Hence the Rant option below.

Insert Rant here V
A/N: if not completely satisfied with this chapter, please return unused portion for a full refund...