Chapter 28: Decision to Make

As soon as Richard left Stars Hollow, Lorelai reentered the diner to see Rory at the counter. Walking up and placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder, Lorelai spoke happily, "I see you were able to work your magic for some pie. Was it the pout or the eyes?"

"It was both," Rory spoke softly with a giggle.

"I see I taught you well…Is that the new book grandpa got you?"

"It is. It's a little harder to read, but grandpa said I could take as long as I wanted to read it, so I'm gonna try it."

"Okay...I'm going to go talk to Luke for a minute, but holler if you need me."

Knowing her daughter was safe in the main room of the diner, Lorelai walked over to the curtain and called out to Luke, "'Hey, Luke. Can we talk a sec?" Before he could turn and respond, she disappeared into the stairwell.

Seeing that the dinner rush wouldn't begin for another half hour, Luke knew that he had the time to chat. As he made his way behind the curtain, he was met with Lorelai sitting on the bottom few stairs. Sitting beside her, he spoke plainly, "Hey, how's it going?"

When she looked over at him, he was met with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Sighing, she responded, "It's actually going pretty well. Aside from his visit to the shed, it was decent night."

"That's great. I know how much this going well meant to you." Taking her hands in his, he continued, "I can tell there's something on your mind, though."

A small laugh escaped Lorelai's lips. "You're always able to see right through me."

"That's because I know you… and why else would you ask me to talk here instead of bugging me endlessly at the counter," he smirked.

"Hold on." Taking a second to check on Rory, Lorelai peered around the curtain quickly, and saw her daughter safely in the same spot she left her. Turning back to Luke, she bit her lip and ducked her head in embarrassment, "I just need to talk to someone about somethings, and I figured that since you're my boyfriend and all that you'd be okay with it. I don't know if you'll be able to help, but I kinda need to get this stuff out. I've got Sookie, but she hasn't met my parents, so she doesn't really understand. Plus, I…"

To cut off her rambling, Luke planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Well, that's one way to get me to stop talking," Lorelai joked.

"And it's a method that I have no problem using," he grinned. "So…you know you can talk to me about anything. What's up?"

"Um, okay… Do you think it is wrong to be jealous of your own kid?"

Cocking his head to the side, Luke glanced at her with a clear look of confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… you should have seen Dad with Rory. He was attentive and listened to her stories, no matter how wild they were. He didn't stop holding her hand practically the whole visit. He kept telling her that she's smart and can be whatever she wants to be." Lowering her voice, she quietly continued, "He never did that with me."

"I'm sorry, Lorelai."

Taking a sudden interest in the floor, Lorelai avoided looking in Luke's eyes, knowing that if she did, he would see the moisture gathering in them. "Thanks, but you don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault. My dad raised me the way he was taught to. I know I tell you this all the time, but I really did come from a different world. Dads… they don't spend time with their kids. It's just how it is. They don't take their daughters to the mall… They don't listen to their hopes and dreams… They don't buy them the Barbie." With a soft sigh, she regained control of her emotions and looked up hopefully, "Sorry to go on a tangent there… it's good that he's trying now, right?"

When she met his eyes, he could see her need for reassurance. Despite his unsure feelings about her parents, he knew she needed him to be supportive. "Exactly… Maybe this visit can be a turning point or something."

"I just don't know where to go from here. I know he wants me to try to start talking to my mother again, but I just don't know whether I am prepared for that."

"What does he want you to do?"

"That was something else I wanted to talk to you about. He said that when they get back from Martha's Vineyard, he wants us to come for dinner. They are leaving this weekend, and they aren't coming back for a month and a half or so, but it is still scary. Look what happened the last time I actually tried to reach out… my mother tried to destroy our relationship."

"Oh trust me, I remember," he joked, attempting to lighten the mood. "Maybe your dad can convince her to back off a bit."

"Yeah…Do you think I should do it? It's hard to sway my mother once she has her mind set on something, and I don't know if it's worth the risk of her manipulation."

Shaking his head, he responded carefully, "I don't know. It's your decision to make. I gave my input last time, and it completely blew up in your face… I'm really sorry for that, by the way. They are your parents, and you know them better than I do. I'll just go along with whatever you do. You'll make the right choice."

"And if I don't?"

"You will."

"You'll be here?"

"The whole time," he reassured.

With a bright smile, Lorelai leaned over to kiss him tenderly. "Thank you."

Instinctively, Luke pulled her into his arms. "C'mere."

Automatically, Lorelai leaned in closer and nuzzled his neck. Planting a kiss to the top of her head, he spoke confidently, "For the record, I'm very proud of you. It takes a lot to try to open up to people who have hurt you badly in the past. Hell, even I can't say that I would do it."

"Thanks," she spoke into his chest, "Thanks for listening, and thanks for dinner. It was a lot easier having you here." Leaning back, she reached her hand to the back of his neck, bringing him into a sweet, lingering kiss. They kissed leisurely for a few moments, using up the rest of the time they had before he had to get back to work.

When he broke the kiss, Luke saw the glimmer return to her eyes. "There is one more thing you can do for me before you have to relieve Ceasar."

"And what is that?"

"Well…" Somehow, Lorelai moved in even closer, where her lips hovered teasingly above his, barely brushing against them as the spoke, "I was hoping you would be willing to give me some more coffee."

With her back to her teasing self, Luke knew all was right again. With a playful sigh, he stood up. "You're such a tease. I don't know why I hang around you."

"Life would be so boring without me…"

"Yeah, and much easier too… you're hard work."

With mock insult, she scoffed, "Uh, I'm insulted. I will now proceed to pout."

"I saved you some ice cream," he deadpanned as he pulled her with him into the diner.

"Ooh, the pouting has left the building."

As the day began to wind down for the Gilmores in Stars Hollow, things were just getting started at the Gilmore home in Hartford.

Returning home from his visit, Richard walked in the door, and was immediately faced with his wife.

Emily's expression was mixed with worry and anger, and she roughly spoke, "Where have you been? I have been trying to get a hold of you for hours! I even called your office, and they said you were gone."

"Emily, I simply had a meeting with Joseph Talbot. There's no need for concern."

"See," Emily seethed, "That's what Marjorie said, but you'll never guess who called… Joe's wife. And while I was talking to her, she mentioned that you weren't with him because he was at home."

Proceeding to work off his tie, Richard decided to reveal some bit of truth. "Fine. I was not with Joe. I had an important meeting with someone else, however, it does not matter where I was. I am home now."

Emily grew stiff and responded sternly, "It most certainly does matter! Where did you go that required your office and you to lie to me?"

"I just had a meeting with someone…"

"And why won't you tell me who it was?!"

Sighing in frustration, Richard finally gave in. "Emily, I was with Lorelai and Rory."

Stunned by his admission, she answered in a lowered tone, filled with hurt, "Lorelai and Rory? And you didn't think to tell me you were spending time with our daughter and granddaughter?"

"Well, need I remind you that you are not Lorelai's favorite person at this point in time? I don't enjoy hiding things from you, but I was forced to in order to remain in contact with our daughter."

Becoming defensive again, Emily answered harshly, "I did what I had to. You saw that man she was with. There is no way she could have any sort of successful relationship with him! Men of his status are only after one thing!"

"You might want to rethink that notion, dear. After what I saw and heard tonight, I believe we've met our future son in law."

"Oh, please, Richard. This is just one of her flings. You and I both know that she is too stubborn and flighty to stay in a relationship."

"I don't think so. Things seem different… Emily, our daughter seems different," Richard spoke with conviction, "Although, who knows, maybe she's the same she's always been. Maybe we just never took the time to notice."

With a scoff, Emily replied, "You make it sound like we neglected her. We gave her everything she could have wanted, and to thank us, she chose to take Rory and leave."

"I'm still hurt by her choice, but there's no need to dwell in the past. She's opened the door for us, with that man's help, I might add. We better make the most of this opportunity while we have it."

"His help? How does that man have anything to do with our relationship with Lorelai and Rory? I was the one who sent the party invitation!"

"Emily, I will not argue with you over Luke's standing in Lorelai's life, because I believe that you know how likely it is that he is going to be with her into the future… You simply do not want to admit it to yourself. I proposed the idea of the three of them coming to dinner after we return from Martha's Vineyard… She said she would consider it, and I truly believe that she is. I have to warn you, though. If you continue to try to interfere, she may shut us out completely. I don't know about you, but I would like to have some sort of contact with her."

"I would like to have some sort of relationship with her," Emily spoke softly and sighed. Her momentary lapse of vulnerability quickly disappeared, when she continued strongly, "However, I simply cannot approve of how she is living her life."

Deciding to contain his anger, Richard replied clearly, "I don't know how to convince you, but you must know that Lorelai has turned into a wonderful young woman. While I don't prefer the situation she is in, she is fundamentally living her life in the way I hoped she would. Lorelai is hardworking, ensuring that she has everything that she and Rory need. She seems to have such a bright outlook on life, and she is doing a wonderful job with Rory. In terms of Rory, goodness Emily, she is a very bright girl, much like Lorelai when she was younger. I know all of this, but in order for you to see it yourself, you'll have to find a way to stop trying to manipulate her life. I have opened the door for us… Now you have a decision to make."

For a moment, silence grew between them. With slightly slumped shoulders, Emily stood, dropping her gaze to the floor momentarily. "Well, alright then." Before Richard could respond, she turned and began walking upstairs. "I'll be back down in a while. I'm going to go and call Tweeny and discuss our upcoming event."