Chapter 6: His Princess
The beginning of May flew by, and finally, the school year was coming to a close. The whole year, Rory was able to avoid getting sick, that was, until the last week.
"Luke's"
"Hey Luke, it's Lorelai. I didn't want to have to take you up on your offer so soon, but please tell me the diner isn't busy right now!"
"Uh, well, it's not empty, but I could get away. What do you need?"
"The nurse at Rory's school just called me, and apparently, she has the chicken pox."
"Aw jeez, that's awful. Did you need me to go pick her up?"
"Could you? One of the other maids called out, so I have to take her rooms, and I can't get away."
"It's no problem. I'll head down there as soon as I can."
"Thanks, you're amazing. I'll call the school and let them know you're coming."
"Hi, I'm Luke Danes. I'm here to pick up Rory Gilmore."
"Oh yes, Mr. Danes, Miss Gilmore called ahead and let us know you were coming. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to Rory."
Walking into the nurse's station, his fatherly instincts immediately kicked in after seeing Rory curled up on the small cot. Sitting down on the floor, he immediately kissed Rory's forehead and began stroking her hair. "Hey Rory. How're you feeling?"
"Luke," she mumbled, "I'm all itchy, and I'm cold… Where's Mommy?"
"She's stuck at work, so I'm here to get you. Come on, let's get you home to your own bed," he said while picking her up.
Immediately, her arms wrapped around him and nestled her head into the crook of his neck. "Thanks Luke," she replied half asleep, "You're the best."
"Where's my baby," Lorelai asked frantically, running into the potting shed. Not receiving an answer, she grew silent, and from the bedroom, she heard soft snoring. Upon entering, she saw Luke, laying on his back, with Rory halfway draped across his chest, and his arm around her. Just when I thought he couldn't get any better…Ooo I've got to get a picture of this and show Sookie. Quietly, she rustled through the top drawer of her dresser, and pulled out a camera. As soon as the picture developed, she snuck out and ran back to the inn.
"Sookie, Sookie, Sookie! I need to talk to you now," Lorelai exclaimed and pulled her into the pantry.
"I thought you left already because Rory has the chicken pox! What's up?"
Grinning widely, Lorelai began to explain, "Well Luke picked Rory up from school, and I just assumed that he'd stay there with her and watch tv or something. You have to keep this a secret, but look at what I walked in on when I got home!"
"Oh Lorelai! That has to be the cutest thing I have ever seen! I never thought I would see the day where Luke Danes took care of a sick kid!"
"I know! Rory has him wrapped so tightly around her finger! You should see him, Sook, he is soooooo good with her!"
"Awww, Lorelai, I'm so happy for you and Rory."
"Oh Sookie, you have no idea how happy he makes me. I know he is gruff and grumpy around everyone else, but gosh Sook, he is the most amazing man I have ever met!"
After chatting with Sookie for a few minutes longer, Lorelai headed back to the shed. When she walked in, she was greeted with the smell of Luke's cooking. Strolling into the kitchen, she snuck softly and snaked her arms around Luke's waist while planting a kiss at the base of his neck. "Hey babe, thanks for picking Rory up. Whatcha cooking?"
"It was no problem." Turning around he planted a warm kiss on her lips. "Rory wanted mashed potatoes, so I thought I'd make her some."
"Well it smells amazing…so I'm assuming you enjoyed your nap."
"Uh yeah," Luke replied hesitantly, "How did you know I napped?"
"Wellll," she began while handing Luke the picture.
"Aw jeez. Did you really have to take a picture?"
"Of course I did! It was the cutest thing I've ever seen."
"Lorelai, please tell me you aren't gonna show this to people…"
"Sorry, but I already showed it to Sookie, and I was going to show it to Mia... I'm not going to show it to anybody else though. Big, sexy teddy bear Luke is my little secret," she replied as she placed a kiss on his chest and pulled him a little closer.
"Mommy? Are you home," Rory called quietly from the other room.
"Well, that's my cue. I'll be back in a minute."
Walking towards the bed, Lorelai immediately noticed the large red spots covering Rory's body.
"Aww my baby, I'm sorry you're sick."
"Mommy," Rory whined, "I'm itchy again."
"Okay baby," she leaned over and felt Rory's forehead, "Oh sweets, you're warm. I'll get you some medicine, and let me see if I can get Luke to run out and get some oatmeal. When he gets back, we'll get you in the bath to make you feel better… Hey Luke?"
He came into the room quickly, "Yeah, Lorelai? Is everything okay?"
"Uh, yeah it is, but can you do me a favor? Can you run to Doose's and get me some oatmeal so when can put her in an oatmeal bath?"
"Actually, I've already got some in the kitchen. I grabbed that and some calamine lotion before I picked her up from school."
Smiling at this thoughtfulness, she replied lovingly, "Luke, you really are amazing."
Later that night, Rory was asleep while Luke and Lorelai watched tv and talked movies.
"Are you serious Luke? You are honestly telling me that you have never seen Casablanca?"
"If it doesn't come on ESPN, then no, I haven't seen it."
"Ugh, Luke, you are so movie deprived! You know what that means, don't you?"
"It means that you'll leave me alone about movies and let me watch tv in peace?"
"Nope," she replied, "It means that we need to spend more time together."
"Now that I can live with," he replied and kissed her soundly. When Luke tried to back away, Lorelai placed one hand on his cheek and the other on the back of his neck, urging him closer and deepening the kiss. Skillfully, Luke parted her lips with his tongue, but just as things grew passionate, they were interrupted.
"Daddy?" The sound of Rory's cries rang throughout the shed. "Daddy, I need you."
Lorelai, wide eyed, pulled away and said frantically, "Luke! She's never asked for Chris before! What am I supposed to do?"
"Lorelai, calm down. She probably has a fever, so she may not be thinking clearly. Let's just go check and see what she needs." Quickly, Luke pulled Lorelai off of the couch and into the bedroom.
"Rory, hon, Daddy's not here," Luke whispered softly, "It's just me and Mommy. Do you need something?"
"Daddy, I don't feel good," she cried louder, reaching for Luke.
"Rory, Daddy isn't…" Luke began before Lorelai cut him off.
"Luke, I think she's talking about you," she said hesitantly.
"Lorelai… I… Are you okay with that," he asked seriously, searching her eyes for an answer.
"Luke, right now, what she wants is her daddy, and you are the closest thing to that. I'm fine with it if you are."
Making his decision quickly, Luke leaned over and pulled Rory into his lap, leaning her against his chest. "I'm here Rory."
"Daddy," she whispered, going back to sleep, "I love you."
"I love you too princess," he replied and kissed her hair.
Looking over at Lorelai, he noticed her eyes glistening with tears. "Lorelai, are you sure you're okay with this?"
"Luke, yes… Thank you," she replied softly through her tears, "Please tell me you're staying the night."
"I wouldn't dare do anything else." He leaned over and kissed her, and all three of them snuggled close on the tiny full sized bed.
Around 4:45 am, Luke woke up by habit. Noticing Rory had retreated to Lorelai's embrace during the night, he removed himself from the bed and decided to go to the diner to get some food for breakfast. After fixing some more mashed potatoes for Rory and some oatmeal for himself, he decided to head to the couch, knowing it would be a while before the girls woke up.
About 8, he heard some stirring. Deciding it wouldn't be long until Lorelai appeared, he made a batch of coffee and poured her a mug. He brought it with him into the living room, waiting for her to come through. Soon after he got resituated on the couch, Lorelai entered yawning.
"Morning sleepy head," Luke remarked playfully, holding the mug out to her.
Jumping, she put her hand over her heart and replied, "Oh my gosh Luke, you scared the hell out of me! I forgot you were here." Taking the coffee out of his hand, she joined him on the couch and continued, "Wait… why are you still here? Don't you have to be at the diner?"
"I took the day off. Ceaser and his cousin are running it today."
"Luke, you didn't have to take the day off. I already did so I could take care of Rory,"
"Well then I'll stay here and help you."
"Luke, really, you don't have to do this. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of Rory myself," she answered, taking a big gulp of her coffee and sitting it on the side table.
While pulling her into his lap, he replied, "Lorelai, I am well aware that you can do it, but I don't want you to have to."
"But Luke, if you came every time I needed help with Rory, you would never be able to leave. I'm fine taking care of her all by myself, I've been doing it for years. You have a business to run."
"Well, the diner is covered, and I am not leaving. It's up to you whether I help or not."
"I'm not going to win this argument, am I," she replied softly.
"Probably not," he smirked, "So how's the little one doing?"
"Well, she woke up a little while ago complaining about being itchy, so I put another layer of lotion on her, and she went back to sleep… Thanks for the lotion, by the way."
"No problem," he replied while wrapping his arms around her middle, "So, we know how Rory is doing, but how is her Mommy?"
"Meh, I'm alright…I do have one problem though."
"And what is that?"
"Well, I have been sitting in my boyfriend's lap for over a minute now, and he has yet to kiss me."
"That's a shame," he simpered, "How do you suppose you'll fix that problem?"
"I guess I won't," she replied playfully, trying to pry herself from his arms, "I'll just go find my other boyfriend instead."
"You can't have another boyfriend. There's no way there are two people on this planet willing to date someone as crazy as you." He began holding her tighter so she couldn't squirm away.
"Oh really," she replied, bringing her forehead to his, "If I'm so crazy, then what does that make you?"
"It makes me crazy too…crazy about you," he remarked, quickly capturing her lips with his.
"Oooo, very smooth Mr. Danes," she mumbled against his lips, pulling back for a moment, she continued, "And very sappy." Turning to straddle his lap, she looked into his eyes and spoke sincerely, "It's so nice to hear it, though."
"And I'll always do my best to tell you. I'm not so good with words, but I'll try for you."
"Ditto, babe," she replied smiling, bringing her forehead back to his, "Now, where were we before I decided to comment on your sappiness?"
"Mommy? Luke?"
Luke began to chuckle as Lorelai sighed, sliding herself off of his lap, and spoke softly, "So close."