Chapter 3: Luke to the Rescue

The following Thursday afternoon, Luke was faced with his afternoon lull, and as usual, he spent the time cleaning the counter. Suddenly, the silence of the diner was broken by the cries of a certain five-year-old girl.

"Luke, I need your help," Rory called as she ran into the diner with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh gosh Rory, are you hurt? Where's Mia? Do you need me to call her?"

"No Luke," she said while sniffling, "Mia is over at Doose's, and she knows I am here…I'm crying because of Mommy."

"Um, okay," he said confused, waiting for her to explain.

"This morning, I realized that Mommy's birthday is on Saturday, but I don't have anything for her! She's the most amazing Mommy ever, and I don't deserve her because I don't have anything to give her to thank her," she cried even louder.

I can't stand to see her cry. I have to do something about this. "Oh Rory, come here," he said, bringing her into his embrace. He began stroking her hair and whispered to her softly, "Don't worry. You will get something for your mom…How about this, I'll talk Lorelai into letting me watch you tonight, instead of Mia, and we'll go out and get her something."

"Really? You'd do that for me?"

"Rory, I would do anything for you."

"Aww, you're the best Luke! Me and mommy are so lucky to have you," she said while wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.

Later that evening, Luke and Rory walked hand in hand into the mall. "Alright Rory, where do you want to start?"

"Umm, I had an idea of what to get Mommy, but she might think it's silly."

"Rory, your mom will love anything and everything you get her. So tell me, what's your idea?"

"Well, while Mommy was in the shower the other day, I found these pictures," she said as she pulled them from her pocket, "And I wanted to make Mommy an album of just me and her. I want to make it look really pretty, and then, at the end, I want to write her a note telling her how amazing of a mommy she is and how much I love her."

Unable to hide the smile on his face, Luke told her reassuringly, "You know what, I think that's a great idea."

"Really," she questioned with a bit of hesitation and Luke quickly nodded. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go shopping," she said while pulling Luke towards the arts and crafts store.

Saturday quickly came, and to Lorelai's surprise, Rory was ready to celebrate the day….at 7 am.

"Happy Birthday Mommy!" Rory shouted, as she hopped on top of Lorelai on the bed.

"Oh thank you baby," she replied drowsily as she realized how early it was, "Rory, why did you wake me up so early?"

"Well, I was gonna wait until later, but I couldn't because I am so excited! I want to give you your gift!"

"Aww hon, you didn't have to get me anything. I've got you, and that's all I need."

"I know Mommy, but you are the most wonderful Mommy ever, so I wanted to get you something," she said happily while pulling the photo album from behind her back. On the front of the white album, she had written in pink glitter glue Mommy and Me and surrounded it with sparkly stickers.

"Oh…" Lorelai said softly as her breath caught in her throat. As she flipped through the album, tears welled in her eyes, but those tears didn't compare to the ones she cried when she read Rory's letter.

Dear Mommy,

You are my favorite person in the world and the best mommy a girl could ask for. I love how you always hug and kiss me when I am sad. I love how you sing lullabies to me and read books with me when I am sick. I love when you sing silly songs, paint my toe nails, and watch movies with me to make me happy. You will be my best friend forever, Mommy.

I love you,

Rory

"Rory," she said through her cries, "I love you so so much kid, you have no idea. You are the best thing to ever happen to me."

"I'm glad you like I Mommy," Rory replied through tears of her own, "Before I told Luke about it, I was sad and crying because I didn't have a gift for you. I thought the photo album would be silly, but he said you would love it."

"Luke helped you with this," she asked, unable to hide the astonishment in her voice That man never ceases to amaze me

"Yeah, that's why he asked you if he could babysit me the other day. Mommy, we are so lucky to have him."

"Oh kid, yes we are; we definitely are," she replied quietly, pulling Rory closer for a long hug.

After wiping the remaining tears from her face, Lorelai slowly pulled herself to the edge of the bed. "So hon, I have the whole day off. What did you want to do?"

"Mommy, it's your birthday! Why are you asking me? This day is all about what you want to do," she said and planted a big kiss on Lorelai's cheek, "By the way Mommy, we can do whatever you want, but Luke said that we needed to come to the diner tonight around 6. I think he has a present for you. Oh, and you need to wear something pretty!"

Noticing the mischievous grin on her daughter's face, she knew something was going on, but decided not to press her for information.

As six o clock rolled around, Lorelai and Rory strolled towards the diner. Lorelai figured Luke had something planned, but just like with Rory's surprise this morning, she had no idea of what was about to happen.

"Happy Birthday Lorelai," everyone shouted as she and Rory opened the diner door.

Astonished by the number of people in the room, she turned to Rory. "Rory, did you know that there was going to be a party for me tonight?" she asked with mock seriousness.

"Not at all, Mommy," Rory replied with a wide grin on her face, "I just happened to suggest to Luke that maybe we should invite a few people to the diner tonight. It didn't have anything to do with your birthday. Not at all."

"Oh hon," she said softly, pulling her Rory in for her hundredth hug of the day, "You really are the best kid ever."

"Alright Mommy, present time!" Rory exclaimed.

"Yes! Present time! Let's do this!" Lorelai replied with the same enthusiasm.

After getting through the gifts from Mrs. Patty, Babette, Sookie, and some of the other town folk, Lorelai grabbed a box that was carefully wrapped in plaid. "I wonder who this could be from," she stated sarcastically, shooting a flirtatious look in Luke's direction. When she opened the box, she pulled out a big, bright blue coffee mug with Lorelai engraved on the handle in beautiful script. Inside the mug laid a necklace with a stone the same color blue as the mug. Her breath caught in her throat, and all she managed to get out was, "Oh, Luke…"

All eyes turned to Luke, and Miss Patty shot him a knowing look. A sheepish grin appeared across his face as he turned and walked back into the kitchen.

"Lorelai, honey, that is gorgeous! They both match your eyes," Babette exclaimed, as Miss Patty followed with, "Apparently, someone has an admirer."

"Uh, yeah," was all Lorelai managed to get out. She was still in shock over how thoughtful Luke's gift was.

As the party dwindled down and people began to leave, Lorelai decided now was the perfect time to talk to Luke.

"Hey Rory, why don't you go over there and talk to Lane? I'm gonna go see if I can talk to Luke really quick." She scanned the room and noticed Luke staring at her from back near the storage room. Once she made her way to him, she pulled him along into the room and closed the door behind them.

"Luke," she began quietly, "I planned on coming here tonight to thank you for helping Rory with her gift to me, but I guess I have a lot more to thank you for."

Blushing, Luke responded, "Lorelai, helping Rory was no big deal. She was the one that suggested the photo album. I just helped her get the supplies and put it together."

"But Luke, this is a big deal! Rory told me you helped calm her down when she was upset. Then, you went even further and helped her make the album, and, now, you've organized this amazing party for me. You have done so much more than I could ask for." Taking a breath, she continued sincerely, 'And your gift. Oh gosh, your gift. Luke, aside from Rory's album, yours was the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given to me."

"Well, I know how rough these past few months, well, who am I kidding, the past five years have been on you. I just want you to, you know, have something special... I wanted you to be happy."

Taking in his answer, hesitantly, she began to speak again, "Luke… can I ask you something?"

"Um, yeah, shoot."

"Why are you so good to me and Rory?"

"What do you mean?"

Thoroughly thinking out her response, she gently replied, "I know this isn't exactly a discussion to have on my birthday, but, I mean, why are you so set on staying around and helping me and Rory. I know we already talked about this, but guys in the past all ran screaming once they realized how crazy my life is, but for some reason, you have stayed."

"Lorelai, to be honest, I could ask you the same question. Everyone in my life is gone. My parents are gone, Liz left, and Rachel, well, you know what happened with her. For some reason, you've stuck around me too."

"Yeah, you're right… I guess we just understand each other," she said with a small grin on her face, "but really, thank you. Not just for my gift, but for helping Rory, for spending the day with us at the family picnic, for fixing Rory's shelves, for being there for me…. For everything."

For a moment, neither of them knew what to say, instead, they just stared into each other's eyes.

Wow, I really want to kiss him right now. But I can't. I can't ruin this friendship. Ugh… I just can't let these feelings go, though. I'll just test the waters. Hesitantly, she leaned in slowly and kissed him on the cheek, waiting to see his reaction. Not knowing how to respond, Luke just stood silently, trying to resist the urge to grab her and kiss her back.

Thinking she overstepped her boundaries, Lorelai quickly interjected, "Well, uh, I better get Rory home. She's probably about to crash as we speak."

"Uh, yeah," he responded, trying not to sound disappointed that their moment was ending. Before she could leave, Luke interjected nervously, "Lorelai! Will I see you tomorrow,"

"You can count on it."