I know, I stink. I really meant to update, but I had severe, and I do mean severe writer's block. So this chapter may be bad. Sorry! Plus side? I managed to write three chapters for this and a one shot. Bad Side? I have no idea when I'll find the time to type them and post them. And, I have no idea where to go with The Incredible Sinking Luke. So, help me out if you can! R&R PLEASE!

Chapter 9- Rory Returns

Rory smiled as she walked into the diner, hearing the familiar jingle above her head.

It was one week before the wedding, and Rory was meeting Lorelai here for lunch before some serious mother-daughter bonding.

Rory walked up to the counter. She noticed that Lorelai, as well as Luke, was no where to be found. The only employee to be found was Caesar.

"Caesar, is my mom upstairs?" Rory asked. The ever-helpful Caesar only shrugged in response.

"Could be," he replied.

"Great. Thanks," Rory said sarcastically before heading behind the curtain and up the stairs. Unsure of exactly what her mother and Luke could be doing in the apartment; Rory figured it better to knock first.

A few moments later the door swung open. Rory's jaw dropped in shock, her face similarly mirroring that of the person who opened the door.

"J-Jess," Rory stammered, trying to regain her composure.

"Uh, Rory, hey," Jess greeted her awkwardly.

"So, uh, you're…….here."

"Yup."

"Great, well, um, I'm guessing my mom's not up here, cuz ya know, knowing how much she talks I would've heard her by now, so I'm gonna go," Rory said quickly before darting back down the stairs.

Jess shook his head with a smirk before closing the door and going back inside the apartment.

Rory was sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee when the diner bell jingled. Rory turned to see Lorelai and Luke enter, hand in hand, Luke smiling and Lorelai laughing. Rory smiled when she saw them. She could tell they were absolutely in love. The wedding was a week away, and everything was perfect. Sure, there'd been the occasional obstacle in planning the wedding, but for the most part, everything had gone off without a hitch. And best of all, there was no sign of Lorelai fleeing. This really was it for her.

As they made their way over to the counter, Lorelai was gazing up at Luke lovingly. She was so intent in Luke that she didn't notice the table in front of her, and she tripped and fell into it, similar to the time after Liz's wedding. This time, however, Luke caught her, laughing, before she actually hit the table or knocked anything over. Rory burst out laughing.

"Nice one mom," she called out from her seat at the counter. Lorelai looked up, noticing Rory for the first time since they'd entered the diner.

"Rory!" She exclaimed, running over to her daughter and wrapping her in a hug.

"Hey Rory," Luke greeted with a smile as he, too, gave Rory a hug. Lorelai sat next to Rory at the counter.

"Sorry I'm late," Lorelai apologized. "Have you been here long?"

"Not too long. You'll never guess who I ran into," Rory said sarcastically. Lorelai winced.

"Hey, hun, did ya know Jess is in town?" She asked innocently. Rory gasped.

"No! Really?" Rory replied dryly.

"Did I forget to mention that before?"

"Kind of."

"Oops."

"Yea. Oops," Rory said, rolling her eyes jokingly. Lorelai smiled sweetly.

"So, are you ready for mother-daughter bonding week before the big day?" Lorelai asked.

"Totally. Let the games begin." Rory replied with a grin.

A few hours later, Rory and Lorelai were strolling through Hartford, arms weighed down with shopping bags, talking and laughing. Rory looked and her mom and smiled.

"What?" Lorelai asked, confused.

"Nothing. It's just-, your face," Rory said, giggling.

"Oh, gee, thanks hun," Lorelai replied sarcastically.

"No, I mean you've had this dreamy look on your face all day."

"Have not."

"Mom. Yes you have."

"Yea, well, being in love can do that to people. I mean, I'm finally getting my whole package. The Happily Ever After. Wow I sound cheesy." Rory laughed.

"Aw, but it's so cute. You're in love." Lorelai smiled as she put and arm around Rory's shoulders.

"So kid, things are gonna be seriously different around here in another week. It's not just gonna be the two if us girls anymore."

"I know. But that's a good thing. Luke's always been like family to us. Now it's just gonna be official." Suddenly, Rory was filled with dread. "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No! Never. Not this time. I just wanted to make sure that you were okay with all of this."

"I'm better then okay. I'm great," Rory assured her, slinging and arm around her mother.

"Good. 'Cause there's no way you would have been able to talk me out of this wedding."

"I wouldn't dare try."

"Good. Because I'm happy. Really happy. And the two main contributing factors to said happiness are you and Luke. You disapproval would put a serious damper on the happiness."

"No disapproval here," Rory said firmly.

"Good," Lorelai said, smiling.

"Very good." Rory agreed with a nod. "So, am I going to be seeing mini-Lukes running around any time in the future?"

"Oh yea. Definitely. Flannel, baseball cap and all."

TBC!

I hope it wasn't completely horrible. Please, please, review. I would really like to get at least 10.

Up next- The night before the wedding, and the morning of the big day.

Review!