"Fun fact: your back wouldn't hurt that bad if you slept in something like, oh you know, an actual bed."
"Good morning to you too."
"Is that for me?", she inquired, gesturing toward the steaming cup of coffee in his hand.
"Yea," he said, handing her the cup. "You were stirring a lot. I figured you'd be waking up soon."
"Thank you."
He went back into the kitchen, once again supporting his lower back with his right hand. When he returned, he handed her a plate loaded with eggs, bacon, and pancakes, kissing the top of her head before struggling back to his recliner.
"Luke, you need to go home tonight. That recliner is killing your back."
"No way. You're not healed yet. I'm not leaving you until you are."
"What good is it going to do either of us if you're cooped up in bed just like I am now?"
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. You're in pain. You've been sleeping on that chair every night for two weeks."
"And I will continue sleeping on it every night until you can be left alone."
"I'm not alone. Rory's here."
"Rory has school every day. She can't be up all night worrying about you."
"There's nothing to worry about."
"You can fight me until you're blue in the face, but I'm going to out-stubborn you for the first and probably only time on this one."
"Okay. I give."
"Good. I'm going to go make sure Caesar hasn't burned down my diner yet and then I have to run a few errands. I'll be back in about 3 hours. I left some snacks and a few bottles of water on your night stand and Babette is going to come check on you a
few times while I'm gone. Here's the remote and I already put the first season of Three's Company in the DVD player. Do you need anything else?"
"No, I think you've covered everything. You're perfect. Thank you."
"My pleasure. Call me if you need me."
"I should be ok. Go take care of yourself for a while."
"I will. See you later."
She watched as the door closed behind him. She felt dizzy. The good kind. He was amazing. He'd been waiting on her every need for exactly fifteen and a half days. He'd been risking his time, comfort, and sleep all for her. It only took her a minute for
the realization to dawn on her: he'd been doing that for 5 years. At the ring of a telephone, he would drop everything for her. And for Rory.
He's perfect.
He's everything I never knew I wanted.
How did I not see this?
I mean, this entire town has been telling me this forever.
Why didn't I give it a chance sooner?
L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L
"What the hell is she thinking?" Lorelai was done.
"I know. She's nuts."
"Speaking of nuts, pass the chocolate covered peanut clusters."
"I'll trade you for the marshmallows. I mean Joey and Pacey? Really?"
"Seriously. Also, what kind of idiot passes up the beauty that is James Van Der Beek?"
"I can't believe Michel talked us into watching this stupid show."
"I can't believe you let him give you the first two seasons on DVD."
"I can't believe you're blaming me. I mean you're the one who works with him. Control your employees," Rory retorted.
"Let's be friends again. Monica and Chandler are tying the knot tonight."
"Nice pun, mom."
"Hahaha. Let's be friends again."
"You're four."
"Mommy, why are all the other girls in preschool staring at these things on my chest?"
"Oh jeez."
They both turned to see Luke standing in the doorway, holding two bags that clearly contained food.
Lorelai held out her hands, repeating a grabbing motion like a 6-month-old taking his bottle from his mother.
Opening the bag eagerly, she was pleased to find the works.
"Burgers, fries, mac & cheese, AND pie? Somewhere in our youth or childhood…"
"We must have done something good," Rory finished.
L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L&L
The girls were nearly in food comas as Joey Tribbiani pronounced the chef and "transpondster" husband and wife. Then came the audible gasp as the camera zoomed in on Rachel Green.
"No."
"Freaking."
"Way."
The girls sat frozen on Lorelai's bed, eyes fixated on the television, jaws dropped.
Luke turned to them.
"So she's pregnant. What's the big deal?"
"Dump him, mom. Dump him now," Rory said, attempting to sound as serious as possible.
Lorelai's head turned quickly and she glared at him for several intense seconds before speaking.
"What's the big deal?! Hm, let's see. What is the big deal? Rory, what say we is the big deal?"
"Indeed there is a big deal, my dearest mother. But is this man worthy of such information?"
"Rachel Green is an icon. A hero to us all."
"The inventor of style," Rory added.
"The most versatile pourer of coffee."
"I thought I was the mo-"
Lorelai held up her hand. "Shh, you may not yet speak."
"Lover of Ross. Well, ex-lover, but we acknowledge their break-up about as much as we acknowledge the No Cell Phones sign in your diner," Rory continued.
"Oooh what if he's the father?"
"No way, it's gotta be that Tag kid."
"Rory. My love. My everything. The fruit of my loins. There are a lot of social injustices in this world that I can accept. Child labor, dirty water, the wage gap. But, my pretty, pretty daughter, I will not, under any circumstances, accept scooter boy
as the father of Rachel Green's child. No, nope, nada, nah. It cannot happen. It will not happen."
"Well, since I'm clearly not going to win this battle, I'm gonna go study. Sweet dreams, mommy-dearest," she said exchanging cheek kisses with her mother.
"Good night, my little brainiac."