Chapter 2: I Volunteer

In the weeks after Luke fixed Rory's shelves, Lorelai and Rory became regulars at the diner. Luke and Lorelai developed a steady banter, which was usually flirtatious, though neither would admit it, and they had also become close enough for them to know a lot about each other's personal lives. As far as Luke's relationship with Rory, it continued to grow. With Chris's continued neglect of his child, Rory began to rely on Luke as the sole male influence in her life.

Just as they did most nights, Lorelai and Rory strolled into the diner for dinner one Tuesday, but this time, something was different.

"Hey Luke. I'll take my usual," Lorelai said gloomily as she reached the table in the corner of the diner.

"Ooh, me too! I'll have what mommy gets," Rory said hopefully as she sat down at the table and pulled out a book.

Noticing Lorelai's mood, Luke didn't put up an argument about their unhealthy habits. Rather, he grabbed the largest mug in the diner, filled it with coffee, and gave it Lorelai willingly.

"You're giving me the big mug today? What's the special occasion," Lorelai questioned.

"That's the question I wanted to ask you. Is everything alright?"

"Uh, yeah," she replied sipping her coffee and shooting her glance to Rory and back to Luke.

"Oh okay," he answered, realizing she didn't want to talk about it in front of Rory. "By the way, I've got those things for you in the storage room. Did you want to come look at them?"

"What things," she answered, confused by his sudden change in topic. Quickly, though, she realized that he just wanted to talk to her. "Oh… oh yeah, those things. I'll take a look at them now. Hey Rory, you stay put here, and I am gonna go with Luke really quickly."

Before walking out of the room, Lorelai noticed Patty at another table and asked her to watch Rory while she talked to Luke. "Oh yes, dear! I'll definitely watch her while you talk to Luke," she said with a wink."

Ignoring her implications, Luke and Lorelai both headed towards the store room and shut the door behind them.

Before Luke could even start the conversation, tears started falling down Lorelai's cheeks. "Hey, hey, hey, what are the tears for," Luke asked as he pulled her into his embrace. He had very little experience with people crying, so hugging her was the only thing he could think of.

Still leaning into his shoulder, she began to explain. "Rory's school is having a family picnic this Saturday, and she keeps asking for Chris to come, but I don't know how to break the news to her that he can't." She began to cry harder and continued," He has moved to California, and he won't even answer my phone calls. I'm so tired of him letting her down!"

After hearing about Chris and his carelessness over the past few weeks, Luke wanted to rant about how much of an ass Chris was, but he knew that Lorelai needed his support instead. Before he knew it, he began to reply, but what came out of his mouth was something that neither of them expected. "Umm, if you wanted, I could come with you. I know I am not her father, and we aren't dating and all. Plus, she may not even want me to come, but I am willing to if it will make her feel better about not having her dad there."

Shocked by how much he seemed to care for Rory, Lorelai had no words. Instead, she let her actions speak and pulled him closer. When she finally had a coherent thought, she questioned quietly, "You would really take time off from the diner to spend the day with a five-year-old and her emotional mother just to make them feel better?"

Blushing, Luke pulled back and looked Lorelai straight in the eye. "I know we haven't been friends for long. Well, I don't even know if you consider us friends, but I have grown to care a bit for Rory… and for you." Hearing that she smiled and he continued. "If it means that it saves you from a sleepless night or saves Rory from being let down, then I am up for anything, especially something as simple as this picnic." Oh goodness, did I really just tell her that I care for her. What if this freaks her out?

Did he just say he cared for us… for me? How did Rory and I get so lucky to find him? He is an amazing guy. "Wow, um, thanks Luke, she said nervously, "Honestly, I can't thank you enough. We are pretty lucky to have you…I'll definitely talk to Rory about it and let you know."

As soon as it was no longer evident that she had been crying, they turned to head back into the diner. Before they completely emerged, Lorelai stopped Luke, smiled brightly, and whispered, "For the record, I do think of you has a friend. Don't tell Sookie, but I think you may be my best friend."

Without allowing him to respond, she turned and pulled him with her into the diner.

Despite a meltdown over Chris not wanting to come, Rory was relieved that Luke was willing to take her dad's place. The morning of the picnic, Lorelai and Rory were busy getting ready.

"Hey Rory, have you seen my black tennis shoes? I checked the shoe basket, but they aren't in there."

"Mommy, didn't you throw them under the bed and try to kill that spider the other day?"

"Oh yea," she cringed, "Don't remind me. I guess I won't be wearing those today, or ever again."

Instead of getting a laugh out of Rory, like she normally would, Lorelai noticed that Rory suddenly became quiet. "Rory, is everything okay?"

"Huh, umm yeah. I am fine."

"Kid, I know you've got something on your mind. You didn't even laugh at my irrational response to spiders like you normally do. What's wrong?"

A tear slid down Rory's cheek, and she ran to Lorelai's side. "Mama, I am worried."

Oh gosh, she called me Mama. She hasn't called me that since she was two. She must really be upset. "Aw hon, what has you so worried that you are crying?"

"Do you think Luke will leave us?"

"Leave us? You mean at the picnic? No Rory, he said he would be with us all day."

"No, not at the picnic mommy, I mean, do you think he will leave us like Daddy did? I like having Luke around. He is really nice, he cooks for us, he fixes my shelves, and he helps make you happy. I know you were sad at the diner the other day, and he helped fix it."

"Oh Rory," Lorelai began, but she was cut off with more tears and more cries from Rory.

"Mommy, I just don't want him to turn his back on me like Daddy does!"

On the verge of tears herself, Lorelai bent down, picked up Rory, and pulled her close. "Oh, my baby, I can't promise that Luke will be around forever, but I know that he cares about you and wants to be around you. He told me himself...Why don't we leave a little early so we can talk to him about this?"

Sniffling quietly, Rory softly replied, "Okay, let's do that."

When Lorelai and Rory walked into the diner, Luke was faced with a mid-morning lull, leaving the perfect opportunity for them to talk to him. As was the case when they came in on Tuesday night, Luke once again noticed that something was off, but this time, it was Rory that was upset.

"Hey hon, why don't you go choose a table to sit at while I go talk to Luke really quick?"

"Okay, make sure you hurry though," Rory replied, not wanting to let Lorelai go.

As she approached the counter where Luke was standing, she began to whisper, "Hey, you got a minute?"

"Yeah. I don't want to get involved in something I am not supposed to, but what's wrong with Rory? Is she having second thoughts about me coming to the picnic, because if so, I am fine with not going," Luke replied with hesitation.

"Actually... it's just the opposite," she said while walking around the counter and pulling him into the kitchen. "She had a little break down this morning while getting ready. Um, I don't really know how to approach this topic, but are you planning on staying around a while?"

"Staying around? You mean at the picnic? I already told you I'd be there all day."

Giggling a little bit because of how similar his answer was to hers earlier, she continued, "Um, no. I mean as a friend to me and to Rory?"

"Didn't we…" he began to reply, but she cut him off, knowing what he was about to say.

"I know that we just discussed the other day how you care for us, but I just don't want Rory to get too attached if you aren't planning on staying for the long run. With all the shit that Chris has put her through with his broken promises, I don't want her to have to face that again if you decide to jump ship all of a sudden." It would hurt me if you left too. Wait, did I really just think that?

"Lorelai," Luke began gently, "I don't know about you, but, uh, I, um, like how things have been lately. It's nice having the two of you around. I haven't been this, uh, close to anyone since… you know, my parents… and I have no intentions of leaving you, I mean, the both of you any time soon."

She released the breath she didn't even realize she was holding, and replied thankfully, "Okay good. Um, if you don't mind, would you tell Rory that too?"

"Of course, it's no problem."

Leading Luke out of the kitchen, Lorelai pulled him to the table with her, and they both sat across from Rory. "Hey hon, so Luke has something he wants to ask to you about."

"Hey Rory, I heard that you might have had a little bit of a problem this morning while getting ready, did you want to talk to me about that?"

Hesitantly, Rory turned to Luke and began to speak quietly, "Umm, I was wondering if you were gonna stay mine and Mommy's friend for a long time? I don't want to sound like a baby, but I don't want you to leave like Daddy does."

Realizing how desperate Rory was for reassurance, Luke thought about his response carefully. When he was satisfied with what he came up with, he began gently, "You know Rory, I don't know what the future holds, but there is one thing I know for sure. You and your Mommy are very special to me, and I enjoy spending time with the both of you. Can I make a promise to you?"

"Are you going to keep your promise," Rory replied carefully.

"Of course, and just to be extra safe, we can do a pinky promise" Pinky promise? Where did that come from. I haven't done one of those since I was five.

"Okay," Rory replied happily, "Mommy and I always do pinky promises, and she always keeps her promises."

"Alright then. Rory, I promise that no matter what happens, I will use all of my power to stay friends with you and your Mommy. I don't want to leave you." I have never been surer about anything in my life.

Satisfied with what he said, Rory quickly linked their pinkies and ran around the table, throwing herself to Luke for a hug. "You're the best Luke! You are so good at making me and Mommy feel better! Now, let's get this show on the road and go to the picnic!"

Watching this scene unfold, Lorelai realized just how amazing her friendship with Luke was. He is so good with her. She has never trusted anyone this much. Scratch that, neither of us have ever trusted anyone this much. I really hope he keeps this promise.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe you actually got me to do that! I haven't done a three-legged race since I was in middle school," Lorelai exclaimed in a fit of giggles as she, Rory, and Luke entered the diner.

"Mommy, you and Luke looked so funny! It was even funnier when you fell, and Luke had to pick you up and carry you the rest of the race!"

"Aww, why are you so mean to Mommy," Lorelai asked with mock sadness, turning to Luke, "Sorry about that by the way. I warned you though! I am terrible at anything that requires the slightest bit of athletic ability!"

Chuckling, Luke replied, "Well at least Rory and I were able to win the water balloon toss. Hey Rory, who taught you how to throw like that? I thought you said that you have never played any kind of sports before."

"I haven't, and normally I am reeeaalllyy bad at games that require me to throw and catch things. You are just a good partner," Rory stated happily, "Oooo, I forgot what are we going to do with this," she asked, holding up her trophy, "Can we put it on the shelf here?"

"Well…" Luke began, before Lorelai cut him off. "I don't know hon, there's not a lot of room on the shelves. Plus, Luke doesn't like changing the decorations in the diner, remember?" Lorelai was referencing a conversation in which Luke revealed to them that he hadn't changed any of the decorations since his dad died.

"Right… Sorry Luke, I didn't mean to forget. I really don't want to mess up anything your daddy did."

"Oh, no Rory, it's fine," Luke said reassuringly, "You earned that trophy, so we need to display it, and I think I know just the spot." With one quick motion, Luke lifted a surprised Rory onto his shoulders and allowed her to place the trophy on the center of the shelf behind the counter.

Once they made their way back to the table, Rory pulled at his sleeve so he would bend down. Immediately, she put her arms around him and said graciously, "Thank you for letting me put my trophy here. I want people to see it here, because you helped me win it… You did a good job being my daddy today. I know you aren't my real daddy, but I'm happy you acted like you were."

Hearing her words, Luke glanced at Lorelai nervously. Did she just say imply that she thought of me like her dad? I hope this doesn't freak Lorelai out. As if she knew what he was thinking, Lorelai gave him a small smile of reassurance, and began to speak, "Alright hon, I know you had a great time with Luke today, but I think we need to be heading back to the inn."

"Awww, Mommy, I don't want the day to end yet! I'm not tired," Rory replied, trying to hide a yawn.

"I don't know Rory, you seem pretty tired to me."

"I promise, I am not! Can Luke come over and watch a movie with us?"

"Ummm… I have no problem with it, but what do you think Luke?"

"Well, if you don't mind, then I don't mind."

"Yay! Movie night with Luke," Rory exclaimed happily.

With that, the happy "family" made their way to Luke's truck and back to the inn.

On the short drive to the inn, Rory had fallen asleep, just as Lorelai suspected she would. While Lorelai carried Rory in to tuck her in bed, Luke carried the rest of the stuff they brought to the picnic back to the shed. After he sat their stuff inside, Luke motioned as if he was going to leave, but Lorelai stopped him. "You know, just because Rory went to sleep doesn't mean that the offer to stay a while doesn't still stand. If you want to stay and hang out with me, you can." Oh my gosh, why am I offering him this. This is going to make it sound like a date! Wait, why doesn't the prospect of a date make me nervous. Do I like Luke? Yes! Wait, no! No way, I can't date him. I don't want something to happen to make him break his promise to Rory.

Is this like a date? I wish. No! There is no way she likes me like that. Plus, she has to worry about Rory. "Uh, sure. Just to let you know, though, I am not the most experienced when it comes to movies, so you'll have to pick."

"You know, as great as a movie sounds, I was hoping we could talk about what happened back at the diner first."

Aw jeez, I knew that Rory referring to me as her replacement dad would freak her out. "Uh yeah sure," Luke replied hesitantly, as he walked to the kitchen table to sit down.

"Look," Lorelai started cautiously, "I know that Rory referring to you as her replacement daddy for the day might have freaked you out, but I promise, I am not in this… um, whatever you call our relationship… to find a new dad for Rory"

"Wait, you thought I would be freaked out," he replied confused, "I thought you would be freaked out about it. To be honest, it doesn't bother me at all. I know I am not her father, nor am I looking to be, but I care a lot about Rory. If she wants to see me that way, then I have no problem with it."

Releasing a sigh of relief, Lorelai softly replied, "Luke, how are you so good with these things? Most guys would run as far away from this situation as quickly as possible."

"Lorelai," he said, looking at her lovingly, "If guys run away from something as amazing as you and Rory because of something so simple, then they are idiots,"

Oh gosh, I love when he looks at me like that. Not knowing how to respond, Lorelai just stood up, slipped her arms around his neck, and whispered, "Thank you." Surprised by her gesture, Luke just held her in silence, waiting for her to make her next move.

"Okay," Lorelai said suddenly, trying not to think about how great it felt to be in Luke's arms, "Um, now that we had our serious chat, how about that movie?"

"Uh okay, sure."

As soon as Lorelai picked the movie and placed it in the VCR, they both retreated to the couch, sitting on opposite ends. Before the movie even started, Luke noticed that Lorelai began to giggle. "What? What's so funny," Luke asked confused.

Looking back at him, she laughed and began to explain, "You know Luke, I don't bite…you can scoot a little closer." Please scoot closer.

I was hoping she wouldn't mind. "Yeah. Okay," he said as he moved closer to the middle. As soon has he got resituated, Lorelai leaned against his shoulder. Unsure of whether he should or not, Luke apprehensively placed his arm around her and rested it on her side. Oh gosh, please don't let me have screwed this up. A small grin grew across her face, and she snuggled a little closer. Relieved, both settled down to watch the movie, but not without constantly sneaking glances at each other. Unbeknownst to either of them, they were both thinking the same thing. I could get used to this.