I step into the diner slowly and smile at his shocked face.

"You do know that the sun isn't up yet, right?"

I nod. "I needed to talk to you. I spent all night trying to work this out on my own, but I can't. I really, really, really can't."

He moves over to the door and locks it before flipping the sign to close. "What's up?" he asks, pulling me close.

"I think I'm losing my kid." I whisper into his chest. "I mean, college was one thing, you know? Being away, not completely living at home. She was still Rory though."

"And now?"

"She grew up. I don't know what to do with a grown up Luke."

"What happened at the dinner last night?"

"I didn't get much in the way of an answer on that one. Best I can tell she ran into a friend from Yale. Some, rich, society pretty boy she knows. And she broke up with Dean. Or he broke up with her, but either way they're done. Luke, she came home drunk. My baby girl. My baby, the good kid, you know? And not even on keg beer like any other college student. No, my kid went and got drunk on three-hundred dollar a bottle champagne and watched some Australian re-enact the Passion of the Christ."

I feel his hands run through my hair. "Lorelai, you need to breathe." He whispers.

"I don't think I can Luke. Rory has been my life for nineteen years. I was a kid when I had her." I breathe him in slowly, revelling in the feel of him next to me. "I'm not sure who I am without her."

He pulls back and holds my face to lock eyes with me. "First of all, you're not losing her. She's still Rory, and yes, she's growing up. Second, you're Lorelai. You're energetic, you're thoughtful, and you're hardworking. You're the best thing that ever happened to this crazy little town. You're an organizer, and a business owner. You're the fresh air that keeps me and everyone around you going. And no matter what else you ever do with your life, you will always still be her mom. She's always going to be your little girl Lorelai."

I smile. "I don't know how to parent a college student. I was a mom when I was her age."

"You taught that girl everything you could; and she's an amazing student. She knows what she should be doing in life. She's got a good head because you did your job right."

"Did I? I worked so hard to keep her out of that life Luke. To keep her safe."

"She is safe. She knows her limits. And if she gets in over her head, she's smart. She'll come to you."

I bite my lip. "What if she doesn't?"

His lips touch mine softly. "She will. Even you went to your mother when you were in over your head. And, in her own way, she acknowledged that." His soft eyes keep me from commenting. "Yes, it was self-serving, but she just wanted a chance to have you in her life. Think about what you're feeling right now, with Rory going out on her own. Your mother went through that when you were sixteen."

"Did you really have to go and make sense with that one?"

He nods. "It's what I do. And really, isn't that why you came in here?"

"That, and coffee."

He laughs softly. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

I kiss him softly. "Thank you. You know, for being you."

"Anytime." He nods to the door. "Would you mind letting Kirk in? He's starting to get antsy." He moves around the counter and plates a pastry quickly, then fills a glass of juice. I turn and open the door to let Kirk in.

"What happened? I got here at 6:23 like I do every morning and the doors were locked. Why were the doors locked?" he asks, sitting down at the table Luke has put the plate and glass on.

"Relax Kirk, I fell a little behind. It's on the house today."

I move to the counter and smile as he pours me a mug of coffee. "You're just a big old softie, aren't you?" I ask softly.

He grins a bit. "Don't let it get around."