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.
R/R: Yes, please I love reviews; I wanna marry them (as previously stated, I have strange passions.)
Summary/ The Q: AW If you DON'T KNOW BY NOW! HURUMPH!
LUVZ: I MISS YOU MOST OF ALL SCARECROW!
FEATURED BETA: Localizy, WONDER TWIN POWERS ACTIVATE
A/N: I have to say it now... I... Am...So ... DAMN... PROUD OF THIS CHAPTER
worth the wait? for QUALITY FAN FICTION? you tell me... R/R
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Chapter 43:
Steadfast Hearts
With Jess and Liz settled back in New York things settled down once again in Stars Hollow; everyone was back into his or her routine. Rory was studying hard, Lorelai and Luke were working hard, and life's routine blurred into every day. Only certain special events stuck out in the Gilmore/Danes family memories as fun and surprises broke up the monotony of the every day.
One especially memorable event was the morning that Luke took a day off since he was still beat from moving things around for Liz and Jess and just needed a day to recover. Lorelai had just finished getting ready for work when Luke woke up and saw her in her blouse and dress pants and commented, "Nice top."
"Thanks, the only thing I hate about it is the beading keeps popping off which of course I can fix but still it's a hassle."
"The things you do for sparkle," Luke rubbed his eyes.
"And why are you still in bed my manly man."
"I'm the boss; I can take a day off if I want. Especially since I was rearranging furniture all weekend," he stretched in their bed.
"Yeah, I know you're so beat you weren't even up for fooling around last night," Lorelai wryly smiled. "That's never happened before," she raised a brow archly.
"Maybe I'm up for it now?"
"Ha ha, I have to go to work now, see you tonight," she meant to give him a harmless peck, but as always things were never simple. Luke kept her close and pulled her down on the bed with him. "Mmm Luke, not funny."
"Who's laughing?" as he rolled her on to her back.
When her mouth had a free moment from his kisses, "Luke, I have to go to work. Not fair…" she still laid there for a few more minutes making out with her man. "Seriously, you're going to make me lose more of my beads… I have to go…"
"I'll see you tonight," Luke smiled when he released her.
"Yes, you will," Lorelai ran her finger along his jaw line, then got out of bed again. "Mmmm I got my coffee in the morning and my man at night, do do dodo do do da do de do," Lorelai sang to herself as she walked out the door.
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Most everyone in Stars Hollow were kept warm in February by the prospect of Valentine's Day, well those with sweethearts that is.
Lorelai almost hadn't even noticed Valentine's Day was sneaking up on her until Rory mentioned she needed to pick out some for her classmates. Another telltale sign was Sookie had started complaining. Sookie, while usually sweet, was easily stressed and upset, particularly when under pressure from a Grand Chef like Raul. Sookie was getting a chance to prove herself in Raul's estimation, prove she was more than clumsy and ditzy, however it was too much stress helping plan a menu for the big night of all the impending couples that would stroll and flaunt in the faces of those who were single, not that Sookie was at all bitter. Yet, Lorelai kept her mouth shut about her own evolving Valentine's plans and enlisted Rory's help.
Lorelai didn't know what to expect from Luke on Valentines Day. The last one she had was in school where mandatory cards were exchanged and she was pretty certain that Rory was conceived around that time in '84. Luke and Valentine's Day was the subject of every conversation when he wasn't around; the girls would brainstorm on the nights he would close and pretend they had just watch a movie all evening when he came home.
February 14th arrived on a Friday, so not only was it date night, it was a holiday. Luke came up to office to put something in the safe and happened upon Lorelai in his old apartment, specifically in his kitchen. Naturally stunned to see her when she said she was working until seven he asked, "How did you…?"
"What are you doing here?" Lorelai admonished her boyfriend caught off guard herself.
"What am I… what are you doing here?" he approached her in the kitchen. "I was in the diner I would have seen you…"
"Aw man, you're spoiling my surprise," Lorelai pouted.
"What surprise?" as Luke finally took in the mess Lorelai was making in his kitchen.
"Well, I thought I'd make you dinner again…" She shrugged, wearing Rory's Luke's apron, "Surprise… It's Valentines Day…" she gestured to the beautifully set table.
"I thought we were going to Sniffy's tonight."
"Well, while I love Bud and Maisy, I wanted to be alone with you on Valentines Day. Besides, our anniversary is in a few weeks," she casually reminded, "I wanted to save Sniffy's to recreate our first date…and maybe parts of our second," she smiled wryly, stepping towards him.
"We recreate parts of our second date year round…"
"Well, Rory's recipe says this has to simmer, so we could recreate those parts now?" she stepped forward to kiss him, snaking her arms around his neck.
"The place could catch on fire… and the diner's open…"
"So close it…," she whispered.
It nearly broke Kirks heart to be kicked out of the diner on Valentine's Day since he and Luke had been reliable bachelors for so long. The fact that Luke had someone else to hang out with sent the poor, odd man off to spend the night for sweethearts with his aging mother. As he ran from the diner, he took one last look at Luke, the once reliable bachelor, locking the door and scurrying up the stairs, not even taking the time to put the chairs up on the tables. He shook his head and continued on his way, hoping that maybe next year he would have someone like Luke had Lorelai.
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With schoolwork and "work work" keeping everyone busy February flew by and suddenly it was March. With March came the impending Firelight festival, which reminded Lorelai of one thing; not the fabled founding of her beloved town, but that it was the year anniversary of her and Luke's first date at Sniffy's. Granted, March brought along with it Easter and no doubt another visit with her parents, but Lorelai was going to focus on the good of the month for as long as she could.
Lorelai wondered if Luke would remember the anniversary at all, now that he didn't have Liz occupying his every worry and thought.
On the anniversary morning of that fateful first date, Luke hadn't said anything when he woke up. Lorelai had smiled at him as she had dozens of times before, and withheld her scoff until Luke was in the shower. It wasn't her job to bring it up first, though she thought it would have helped that she reminded him about the special day on Valentine's Day. Luke had gotten up early and showered, like usual, and was already making Rory breakfast, just like any normal day. Lorelai pouted upstairs for a bit, but then figured she had to make an appearance. . Luke kindly asked if she wanted pancakes when she came in the kitchen and threw herself into a chair. It was like any other morning and suddenly Lorelai understood why women got so upset when their husbands forgot things, it seemed like they didn't care. Granted Luke wasn't her husband but it hurt just the same. Lorelai nodded to him and saw the paper on the table; Rory was already casually reading the world news while she waited for her breakfast and Lorelai followed suit. Lorelai quickly skimmed arts and leisure, thoughtfully slid the sports section towards Luke's seat, and then she opened up the style section to see her horoscope just for fun.
Lorelai's jaw went lax and then turned up into a smile. Under Aries, there was an addition to her horoscope scratched in Luke's unmistakable penmanship.
You have been very fortunate over the last year, and the future only looks brighter. Happy Anniversary.
Lorelai looked up at Luke as he put her plate of blueberry pancakes in front of her and he leaned down to kiss her, while Rory giggled at how cute they were. Lorelai was so happy she stood up and really kissed him, which prompted Rory to raise her paper to her face and give them some privacy.
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That evening Luke took Lorelai to Sniffy's, as promised, while Rory spent the evening with Sookie and Lane at the Firelight festival until Luke and Lorelai were done with their date. Maisy was impressed, "A whole year with the same girl…Buddy! Buddy get your ass out here and wish Luke and Lorelai a Happy Anniversary…Buddy, oh where is that man…" Luke and Lorelai chuckled across the table and reluctantly accepted a complimentary bottle of champagne to mark the occasion.
After dinner, Luke was driving to the square to meet up with Rory and Lane, but instead Lorelai insisted, "Turn right."
"Lorelai? The square is left…"
"I know… turn right," she whispered as she rubbed his thigh.
If they had gone left, they would have gone to the crowded center of town littered with bond fires, all their neighbors, and music. By going right, they had their big empty house all to themselves.
Alone in their room, Lorelai's hands were still roaming Luke's body under the covers as smiled up at him, observing, "To think …I've been sleeping with the same man for a year…"
"Hmmm , tired of me yet?" he asked, still loving the sensation of his chest pressing into hers. "You want a trade in?"
"No," she said firmly but with a playful tone.
"Not curious at all? At what else, who else, is out there?"
"Nope, you're all I need," Lorelai sighed. "Besides, you keep surprising me," Lorelai said suggestively, as she rubbed her foot on the back of his calf. "Honestly, I thought this morning … you forgot, even though I reminded you at Valentine's Day… and I was so angry for like ten seconds. Then I saw what you wrote in the paper…and you're right, the future only looks brighter," she sighed happily, snuggling closer to him and kissing his neck. "It's brighter because we're together," The future isn't scary at all.
"Did you save it?" Luke asked about the horoscope.
"Of course, I saved it…" Lorelai scoffed. "It's in my wallet right now… bringing me good luck…" as she nibbled on his earlobes.
Luke grinned to himself. Everything was on track and her words encouraged him to move forward with Lorelai. Luke was thinking about the future, and Lorelai seemed to be too. He was thinking of what Mia said about a certain safety deposit box and its contents.
Lorelai tapped his shoulder since he seemed to have gone off somewhere far away in his mind, "Hey, did you look into those baseball games? I still owe you those from Christmas."
"Yeah, I know…" Luke smiled again at Lorelai, at his bright future with Lorelai. "I think the Red Sox play the Yankees coming up… I'll check…"
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Rory saw Luke and Lorelai enter the square hand in hand, and the sight was enough to warm her even though she had a prime spot by a bon fire. "How was your date?" she asked them.
"Still on it," Lorelai said wryly holding up their clasped hands. "Where's Lane?"
"Her mom came and picked her up because it was past her bedtime," replied Rory, grabbing Luke's other hand.
Lorelai thanked Sookie for watching Rory and the family walked home, happy with the way the last year has been going.
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Lorelai had a staff meeting with Mia and her co-workers at the Inn and to accommodate most people's schedules they had this one it at night. Lorelai knew she didn't have to worry, she could trust Luke and Rory would be fine and would enjoy hanging out together; they made Curried Chicken with Raisins and Couscous for dinner and, of course, Rory wore her special apron.
Rory could tell Luke had something on his mind while they cooked. "Is everything okay?" she asked him.
"Umm Yeah." Finally, Luke decided to just get it over with, "Hey, let's sit for a second," as he turned off the burners on the range.
Rory stepped off her step stool, and sat at the table, Luke can and sat right next to her. "Rory, do you realize it's been like…well, a year since we've known each other."
"Well, yeah. You and mom just had your anniversary."
"A lot has changed in that one year, huh?"
"I guess," Rory shrugged. "For the better, I mean, I can tell mom is really happy. I know I am."
Luke nodded, appreciating her declaration, "Rory, when you were sick, remember when you asked me if I was going to marry your mom?"
Rory sat up with interest, "Yes?"
"Well, would be alright if I asked her now?"
"Yes, absolutely yes!"
Luke chuckled at her enthusiasm, "You sure?"
"YES! I've been hoping for that, well, since you moved in with us, that she'd wake up and you'd be married by Christmas, but sometimes, I guess, she needs a push in the right direction."
"Well, good, so… you'll help? I mean I've imaged asking the big question before… but now I know who it is specifically and well, I really want to make it special for your mom."
"I am totally your little helper!"
"Good," Luke was happy to have her on his side. "There is one other thing…" he said shyly, if he thought proposing marriage was tough and nerve wracking, the knots in his stomach doubled as he was about to pitch his hope to adopt Rory as well.
"Yeah?"
"Well, you remember asking me if I loved you…"
"Yes?"
"I told you to look at my actions and judge how much I cared about you, and you said that I loved you like you were my own daughter…"
"Yeah?"
"Well, I was thinking, if your mom and I get married," Luke took a deep breath, "what if, well, what if you where were my own?"
"Huh?" Rory cocked her head to the right, trying to see his point.
"Would you let me adopt you?"
Rory blinked a few times, "What?"
Being named as Jess' guardian had Luke thinking in legalese and thinking about logistics should anything happen to Lorelai. "Well, just because your mom and I get married, well, umm that is, if anything were to happen to your mom… it's possible that… we," he pointed between the two of them, "we may not stay together."
"What? Why not?"
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but well, your grandma doesn't like me too much."
"I've noticed," Rory said glumly. "That's just because they don't know you…" trying to make Luke feel better.
"Well, I've only met your grandma once and well, she seems really decided in her opinion of me, so, well by adopting you… just in case … you know, something happens, if I am legally one of your guardians, and well, that way we can stay together…no matter what. So, I was wondering if you'd be okay with that… you know with me… as your dad…officially."
Rory didn't have to think about it, and was almost tearful, "I'd be okay with it," she said quickly, "I've seen you that way for a while now."
"Good," Luke's nerves were eased a bit and he finally exhaled, "Well, let's get this dinner finished, and maybe you can explain you r mother's fascination with oompa loompas."
Rory stood up and hugged Luke as he still sat in his chair. He was her father figure; he wanted her to be his daughter. It was too good to be true; she'd have a real father. To Luke, Rory was a blessing, not a mistake, not a burden, not someone to be avoided. He was someone who would to think of her first, some not having to be reminded that she was around.
"Rory?" he didn't know why Rory was crying in his shoulder, he was hoping it was because she was happy. "Rory, you okay?"
"Mmm Hmm," she nodded only her head, clinging to her future father. "Just a little longer, please."
Luke tightened his hold to support her, to let her cry if she wanted, and to let Rory know he would always be around.
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A few days later, Rory was sitting on the porch steps thinking. It was very similar to a situation from a year ago, when she was watching Luke work on her mother's jeep not knowing what to say to the man. This time around, Luke and Rory didn't have any problems talking to each other; Rory was trying to help Luke come up with ideas while he worked on his truck. The same question on both their minds; when and where? "Well, what about the baseball games?" Rory suggested.
"What about them?"
"You could ask her there. I mean…I've seen people do that with the jumbotron at basketball games; why not baseball…"
"Your mom doesn't really like baseball."
"But she does like to be the center of attention…"
Luke arched his eyebrows and conceded that point, "The first game we are going to is like in May and besides, in front of all those people like that… not really my style…" Luke dismissed. "I know her she'll want something… special…and magical… and romantic…"
"You're romantic," Rory said encouragingly.
"Aw, I don't feel romantic. I only got her PJs for Christmas…"
"She loves those PJs and you got her that snowflake set too, hmmm," Rory scrunched and twisted her mouth again as if that would help her think better. "Well, her birthday is coming up…"
"Well, knowing your mom I'd still have to get her a real present too."
Rory shrugged, "You're keeping with the jewelry theme…"
Pondering her idea, Luke approved of the logic as he eventually nodded in agreement.
Suddenly Luke and Rory, thick as thieves, clammed up when they saw Lorelai pull up in her Jeep. "Okay! I am happy now, I have a found the perfect combination. An Easter dress that is me, that I will wear more than once, and Emily can't say anything bad about it…what's going on?"
"Nothing much," Luke wiped his hands on a rag.
Rory asked, "Mom? Are we going to tell grandma and grandpa Luke is living with us at Easter?" The direct question was enough a misdirection to stop Lorelai from asking Luke and Rory what they had been up to while she was gone.
Lorelai seemed fazed by the question, "Umm, well honey, I don't ...umm, I don't know…if that would go over real well."
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"Happy Easter Grandma!" Rory said enthusiastically, while carrying in some Tupperware.
"Welcome Rory," Emily said brightly. "What have you got there?"
"Luke and I made Easter Eggs for you and Grandpa."
"Why…" Emily was taken aback, "… thank you, Luke." She seemed almost annoyed that he was still in the picture. "Nice to see you again," she said primly, looking at his shoes as if he would traipse mud all through her home on her beautiful things.
"Like wise Mrs. Gilmore," Luke simply nodded. Luke's family always had an Easter breakfast and he had never heard of an Easter dinner before, leave it to the rich.
Rory continued, "Luke says you can never have enough Easter eggs, well not the yoke, because it's like all cholesterol, but the egg white is fine, it's actually the most perfect protein, and when in doubt, eat protein. Right Luke?" Rory was still trying to help the elder Gilmore's see what a wonderful find and influence Luke was for her and Lorelai.
"Right," Luke had to chuckle as Rory jabbered to put him at ease as they headed into the living room.
"We even used Luke's special recipe to avoid that gross greenish ring around the yoke."
Emily seemed to stare after her unusually lively granddaughter, puzzled by her behavior; Rory was so talkative and happy, as opposed to how she normally acted when she came to their house. As soon as Rory handed off the eggs to her grandmother, she linked hands with Luke to escort him into the living room. Emily then turned back to her daughter Lorelai.
"Mom," Lorelai politely greeted with a nod.
"Lorelai," Emily returned; and then… nothing, there was nothing else to say for the moment. Emily did gaze an appraising eye to Lorelai's dress, and Lorelai felt uncomfortable under the assessing glance. "Well, I suppose I should give these to Greta for the table," looking bitterly at the brightly colored eggs in her hand and went into the kitchen.
Lorelai entered the living room to see Rory disengaged her hand from Luke's to brightly greet her grandpa, "Hi grandpa," as Rory actually hugged Richard.
Richard was naturally taken off guard, but his heart was warmed by the affectionate greeting from his estranged granddaughter. "Well hello, Rory. You are certainly in a good mood."
Rory couldn't help herself. "Oh, you know, spring," Rory mused. "All the flowers and animals are out again and I got a new dress." Spring was also the season for romance and love. The real reason for her good mood was she knew Luke was going to propose to Lorelai any week now and she was going to help anyway she could. Her wish was finally being realized, by the end of the summer, they would truly be a family.
When Emily returned to the living room, she still had a discerning eye set on Lorelai, but listened as Rory explained Luke's egg boiling technique to Richard, "…So you remove the eggs from the boiling water, and immediately put them in cold water and ice. The green ring comes from some chemical reaction if boiled too long."
At the table, Emily didn't make much conversation as she meticulously cut her ham; and Lorelai could swear her mother kept alternating between staring at Lorelai's plate, keeping track of how much she was eating and staring at her stomach, Oh God, she probably thinks I'm pregnant again and that is why Rory is so happy, for the love of Coffee. However, Richard took advantage of Rory's good mood and asked her more about Stars Hollow and her interests.
"Here Grandpa, this egg has Luke's logo on it," pointing to an egg on top in the serving bowl, as she handed it to Richard.
"His logo?" Richard brought out his reading glasses to see the yellow coffee cup painted on the egg Rory offered him.
"Yeah, it matches my apron," Rory giggled, still thinking of Luke asking her mom to marry him.
"Apron?" Emily piped up, recalling a visit to the Independence inn years ago, when Lorelai was just a maid, and an apron was part of her uniform; My granddaughter to following her mother's footsteps.
"Luke gave me an apron for Christmas."
"Really," Emily said snidely, "How thoughtful."
Lorelai defended the gift, "Yes, it was, since she loves to cook so much."
"He had it printed with his logo just for me," Rory said happily.
"Is he hoping you will someday follow in his footsteps? Be nothing more than a servant in a diner?"
"Mom!" Lorelai hissed.
Emily clammed up again and focused on her meal.
Fifteen minutes later, Emily ambushed Lorelai outside the bathroom, "How long do you plan to keep up with this lunacy?" Emily asked.
"Well, that depends, mother, what lunacy, there is so much in my life it's hard to keep track," Lorelai said dryly. If you mean coming back here year after year… yeah, that is just insane.
"Fine, you've made your point, you don't flit from man to man."
Lorelai tried to ignore her mother's assumptions to her love life the last ten years, "God, you didn't know me when I was living here and you certainly don't know me now…."
As usual, Emily wasn't even trying to listen to her daughter's point, "Now if we could get you a quality man who wasn't so decidedly beneath you. I know," Emily perked up. "How about I set you up? Many of my friends have sons, all of them are very handsome and about your age …"
"Yeah, mom that's because we all went to school together."
"…they are established, come from good families…"
"Mom, I am with Luke. We are established, we are a couple, and he does come from a good family."
"Please," Emily scoffed.
"Not a murderer or rapist among them…" Lorelai quipped.
"That you know of," Emily said cynically.
Learning about the late William Danes over the last year, Lorelai was offended on Luke's behalf, "Mom, he owns his own business…"
"A Diner."
"Yeah, a diner, that's how we met, I love coffee he brews it, and bam we are in love."
"In love? You don't know the meaning of the word?" Emily doubted.
"And you do?" Lorelai shot back, "Oh wait, yes of course, love of money…"
"How dare you? You doubt what I feel for your father?"
"Well, you doubt how I feel about Luke!"
"There is nothing wrong with money, Lorelai. It makes the world go round. It means security. I want to know that if you refuse to accept my help or live under my roof, that you and Rory are taken care of…"
"Well, ease your mind mother, Luke provides all that and then some!"
"With that hash joint? How could he possibly provide for you, not to mention Rory and all the expenses that come from raising a child…"
Lorelai crossed her arms, "Well, his hash joint is very popular; obviously you've never had one of his famous burgers. HA, that's a thought, you eating a burger. You'd probably cut it with a knife and fork! I'd pay money to see that!"
The shouting filtered through to the dining room, making Rory's happy mood diminish. Richard looked simply embarrassed and sympathetic to his unwanted guest. Luke sat quietly and seemed to have expected another blow out. Luke's heart swelled at Lorelai's quick defense of him and their relationship. He smiled at Rory, she offered a lame half smile in return, almost apologizing for Emily, but when Luke winked, reminding Rory of the planned proposal, she slyly hid her wide grin from her grandpa, trying not to let the secret get out too soon.
Luke was driving on the way home, wondering at the silence in the jeep. He realized that Easter ham had conked Rory out in the back seat and saw that Lorelai was staring out the window, reliving and weighing her mother's words again.
"Thank you," was all he said.
"For what?" Lorelai turned back to him.
"For all that you said to your mother…thanks."
"You heard all that," she winced, although she expected as much from the averted glances when she reentered the dining room.
"The Easter bunny heard all that, but thank you."
Lorelai took his right hand from the steering wheel; unable to speak but hoped he could see all she wanted to say in her actions and eyes. Luke smiled at her, brought her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss, and then set their joined hands back down the middle console before focusing his full attention on the road again. Lorelai just smiled at him and went back to looking out the window, thankful that Luke would always be there, no matter what Emily said or did.
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A/N: Harry from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang just saw season 6 reruns, and his review of the season is:
Harry: This is every shade of wrong.
A/N: the word steadfast always reminds me of …
A glorious future lies before you - you, the destined hero, of a charming fairy tale come true. Behold - King Stephan's castle. And in yonder top most tower, dreaming of her true love, the Princess Aurora. But see the gracious whim of fate - why, 'tis the self-same peasant maid, who won the heart of our noble prince but yesterday. She is indeed, most wondrous fair. Gold of sunshine in her hair, lips that shame the red, red rose. In ageless sleep, she finds repose. The years roll by, but a hundred years to a steadfast heart are but a day. And now, the gates of a dungeon part, and our prince is free to go his way. Off he rides, on his noble steed, a valiant figure, straight and tall! To wake his love with "loves' first kiss"! And prove that "true love" conquers all! MUHAHAHAHAHA!
Anyone else love Maleficent as much as I do?
A/N: purple ribbons for season seven... even though I'm not watching...
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"That was all God given talent..." why thank you NON POD 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...