Chapter 40: He's a Softie

Confused by the scene in front of him, Luke looked at Lorelai questioningly. "Is there some event that I am forgetting here?"

"No," she responded plainly, "We talked about having dinner with everyone a while back, and I thought that it might be fun to have a family dinner tonight, so I just pulled it together." Reaching to the floor beside her, she held out a cold, unopened beer. "Here, this is for you."

"Hold on a sec." After going into the kitchen to put something in the fridge and coming back in to set his keys on the desk, Luke walked over to her, taking the drink. "Uh okay."

Standing up, Lorelai grabbed his hand and pulled him to the seat she was sitting in. Once he was seated, she plopped down on his lap. "There, now get comfortable and enjoy the rest of the night."

Slightly embarrassed of Lorelai in his lap with everyone around, Luke's cheeks reddened. Reacting how he knew best, he rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Yeah, okay. With you sitting here that's gonna be possible."

Smiling, she countered impishly, "Well, I guess I could get up, but then I'd have to go all the way to the kitchen and bring a chair in here, and then I'd have to take it all the way back when we eat. I also could probably fit on the couch, but I don't want to squish our guests. That would be rude. But it's up to you. Whatever you want me t…"

Luke put a finger over her lips. "It's fine, just stay here."

"Well, since you're offering…"

Chuckling at their antics, Buddy took a sip of his drink and commented, "She sure knows how to get her way. I've never seen you give in to someone so easily."

"Bud, you haven't seen anything," Mia informed him with a knowing tone, "Can you imagine our boy here dancing along to Dirty Dancing?"

Luke turned quickly to Lorelai gaping. "You told her?"

"Oh, take a chill pill, Lucas," Mia laughed, "Of course she told me."

Taking in Lorelai's look, Luke saw her bright smile and knew she was thinking about the memory of that date. Remembering the three little words said that night, he immediately lost his attitude. "Oh, okay."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Maisy spoke up. "You're telling me that Lorelai convinced Mr. I-Hate-All-Things-Fun to do something other than gripe at a movie?"

"You bet I did… I have my ways," Lorelai answered with a naughty smile.

Snorting a laugh, he added, "Yeah… If she can't convince me to do something, there's no doubt she can annoy me into doing it."

Her jaw dropping, Lorelai gasped. "Hey!"

All the adults and Rory laughed. Luke squeezed Lorelai's thigh in reassurance, and she saw the playfulness in his eyes, knowing that he was kidding.

Smiling back, she showed the smile she only wore for him. With a quick peck to his cheek, she turned back to the couch. "So, now that Luke is here, I guess we can eat, right?"

Nodding, Buddy answered, "Dinner is ready when you are."

"Alright then," she announced as she hopped off of Luke's lap, "Let's eat."

"Buddy! Luke!" Lorelai reached next to her and swatted Luke's thigh playfully, "I can't believe you guys did that!"

"What," Luke questioned with a laugh; taking a sip of his beer, he sat it back on the table. "The guy was a jerk! He deserved what he got!"

"But taking your sister's 16-year-old boyfriend "snipe hunting" and then leaving him out in woods he's never been to before is mean! What if he didn't find his way back?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Luke smirked. "Then he'd get eaten by wolves or something…"

Taking in Lorelai's look of disbelief, Buddy added in, "Hey, it's not like we left the kid. We just went back to the truck and waited for about 10 minutes, and then we went and got him."

"You should have seen that boy when they got back to the house," Maisy laughed, "The poor thing was still shaking."

"That's awful," Lorelai laughed.

Putting her fork down on her plate, Mia added in, "Mais and I thought so at first, but imagine how you'd feel if Rory dated someone like him."

Groaning, Lorelai frowned. "Don't even bring up dating. She's gonna be six next week, not sixteen! Don't rush my time away!"

Beside her, Luke had a reaction of his own. Grumbling, he added in, "She's not allowed to date until she is married."

Laughing at the adults, Rory smiled. "Boys have cooties. I don't want a boyfriend."

Accepting her answer, Luke pointed at her with his fork. "That's my girl. Remember, all boys are gross."

Eyeing him curiously, Rory questioned, "What about you and Buddy and Grandpa?"

"Me, Buddy, and Grandpa aren't gross, but every other boy is."

"Even Taylor."

Two different reactions were seen at the table. Mia and Lorelai busted out laughing while Luke rolled his eyes and responded, "Especially Taylor… He's the grossest of them all."

Maisy, not one to hold back from telling stories, casually spoke. "Speaking of Taylor, Lorelai, have you heard about the time when Lucas cut off all of the roses on Taylor's rose bushes?"

"Luke," Lorelai asked as she turned to him quickly, "Why would you do that? How old were you?"

"I was somewhere around 15, and he was annoying then too," Luke grumbled, as Taylor was not his favorite topic of choice. "He tore down Dad's advertisements without permission and put up fliers about some stupid town even in their place."

"So you destroyed his rose bushes?"

Shaking his head, he confirmed. "Like I said, I was 15; it seemed like a good idea that the time… By the way, what is this, patronize Luke night?" He questioned, shooting his gaze around the table, "Does everyone have a story to tell?"

"Oh don't be such a sourpuss," Maisy countered, "It's all in good fun."

"So it's okay if I tell a story about you from when you were younger," Luke questioned with a smirk.

Nodding, Maisy crossed her arms and leaned back confidently in her chair. "Well, since Bud and Mia already know all my stories, the only ones who could be surprised are Lorelai and Rory."

"I don't know. I think I know of one story that they haven't heard, or at least Mia hasn't…"

"And what would that be?"

Taking the same arrogant stance as Maisy, Luke smiled. "The one dad told me about when you and Mom egged Mia's house and blamed it on the Rossi twins so that she would break up with Matthew Rossi."

"Maisy," Mia gasped with a laugh, "I knew it was the two of you!"

"Lucas, I have kept that a secret for over 20 years," Maisy chastised. Turning to Mia, she shrugged her shoulders. "Katherine and I hated that guy. Jack was a much better fit."

Grinning, Buddy chuckled. "Well, who knew my wife was such a rebel."

"Yeah, a rebel and a vandal," Luke remarked teasingly.

"Excuse me, son. What do you call cutting up rose bushes," Maisy countered, pointing her spoon at him.

"Touché."

When dinner finished, everyone gathered back in the living room for dessert.

"Oh my gosh Mia, this cheesecake is amazing," Lorelai moaned, taking the first bite of her second piece.

Looking down at Rory, who was sitting on the floor with a book, Lorelai held her fork down to her. "Are you sure you don't want some, hon?"

Shaking her head, Rory grimaced, "I don't like cheesecake. It's mushy."

"Mushy," she questioned with a laugh, "So are cake and pie."

"It's a bad mushy… It's gross."

"Hey Rory, come here," Luke called. Scampering over to him, she stopped in front of him as he whispered in her ear.

Gasping, a bright smile spread across her face as she exclaimed, "Really!"

At Luke's nod, Rory ran into the kitchen. Seeing everyone's questioning look, Luke shook his head. "Just wait a second. You'll see."

Running back in, Rory held a king-sized bag of M&Ms.

Seeing her daughter's "treasure" Lorelai gaped. "Where did that come from? You're telling me that I've had candy in my house and I didn't know it?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "No, it hasn't been here for long… Trust me, if it had, you would have found it by now. That's what I put in the fridge when I got here. I didn't want them to melt or something."

"You, the health nut out of all of us, voluntarily bought M&Ms," Mia questioned with a small grin, "I must say, I'm shocked. Half the time, you won't even look at a pack of candy, nonetheless buy it."

Shaking his head, Luke's face grew red. "I didn't have any to put in her milkshake earlier this week, so I owed her. I grabbed some when I had to go too Doose's today for extra cream."

"Aw, Luke, you big softie." Lorelai smiled.

"I'm not soft," he grumbled, narrowing his eyes at her.

With a laugh, Buddy added in, "I don't know. You're looking pretty soft to me."

With a smile, Maisy joined the consensus, "Me too. First we hear about you changing your menu and now you're buying candy…"

"Those are just two instances," Luke frowned.

Sitting back down on the floor, Rory hugged his leg tightly. "Thank you, Daddy Luke."

Rubbing her hair, he looked down at her and smiled. "You're welcome, princess." Looking up, he saw everyone smiling and raised his hands in surrender, "Fine… I'm a big softie. I get it. I know."

Buddy and Maisy both laughed as they stood up. "Well everyone, I think it's time for me and the wife here to head out. We've got the breakfast shift to handle tomorrow."

Hopping up off of Luke's lap, Lorelai pulled him up with her and went to give the couple a hug. "Thank you so much for coming."

"You're welcome, hon. Thanks for inviting us," Maisy answered as she pulled her in for a tight hug.

Luke was soon brought into a hug as well as he added, "Really, I know this was last minute, but it's been a good night. We should do it more often."

"That we should." Maisy smiled.

Dropping her book after marking her place, Rory quickly appeared at Lorelai's side. "Do I get hugs too?"

Leaning down, Buddy picked her up and squeezed her. "Of course you do… Now you keep your mom and Daddy Luke out of trouble when we leave, okay?"

Nodding with a smile, she responded brightly, "Okay!" Leaning over to Maisy's arms, she continued, "Bye Maisy."

"Bye sweetheart."

The trio walked them to the door, and as they entered back into the living room, they were met by Mia. "I think I'll get going too."

"If you have to, I guess we'll let you go," Lorelai joked with a laugh, "Thank you for coming too."

"It was a good time." Reaching over to hug Luke, Mia teased, "Now, you should be rid of that bad attitude. After a night like this, you have nothing to complain about, you old grump."

"I know," Luke resigned, "Thank you for coming, Mia."

"And now for my favorite out of the three of you." Extending her arms out, Rory jumped into her embrace. "I'll see you soon, honey. I know you turn six next week, but don't go growing too much between now and then, okay?"

"Okay," Rory smiled, squeezing Mia's neck, "Are you coming to my party?"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Putting the little girl down after one last squeeze, she smiled. "You guys have a good rest of the night."

After helping put Rory to bed and cleaning the kitchen, a task Lorelai fought him tooth and nail about because it was "his night" and he "shouldn't have to clean a kitchen after working at a diner all day," Luke marched upstairs, finally ready to start relaxing.

Reaching her room, Luke leaned back against the door frame, watching Lorelai pull her pajama shirt and shirt for the following day out of her dresser.

Despite not hearing him coming, Lorelai knew he was there because she could feel his eyes on her. After pulling her shirt over her head, she called out, "You know, you don't have to stay outside. You can come in. There's nothing showing that you haven't seen before."

Slowly, he walked over to her, the floor boards creaking under his feet. Placing his hands on the exposed skin of her waist as she closed the top drawer, Luke spoke a soft, "Hey."

Putting the work blouse she was holding on top of the dresser, she turned around to face him with a sincere smile. "Hey."

In unspoken agreement, they both leaned in for a warm, sweet kiss. Knocking off his cap and tangling her fingers in his hair, Lorelai continued until breathless and nuzzled into his neck. Continuing to run her fingers through his hair, she suddenly stopped. Leaning back, she met his gaze curiously.

Luke, noticing the furrow of her brow, questioned, "What?"

Running his hair between her finger tips, she cocked her head. "Did you not take a shower before you came? Your hair isn't as soft as usual…"

Sighing, Luke spoke quietly. "Yeah, about that… I need to use your shower."

Knowing he still felt uncomfortable using her bathroom, she prodded, "You know I don't mind… but what happened?"

"Well, when I went upstairs to take a shower before I came over, I found out that the hot water heater for the apartment is out… Someone is coming to fix it tomorrow afternoon."

As hard as she tried, Lorelai couldn't help but be in awe at his bad luck. Planting a kiss on his cheek, she laughed, "Oh Luke, I'm sorry. This week has just sucked for you!"

Chuckling with her, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against him. "I know… It was pretty damn bad." Stroking up and down her back, Luke grew a bit more serious. "But you made it better tonight…"

Smiling, Lorelai answered. "It was the least I could do. So, you had a good time then?"

"I did. I can't tell you the last time I had dinner with Buddy, Maisy, and Mia all together. It was probably back when Dad was sick."

"I'm glad I could make it happen, then…" Running her hands down his chest, she brought them to rest on his waist. "It was a lot of fun. I like hearing them talk about you when you were younger. I can just imagine you defending your sister's honor with that "awful boyfriend" of hers."

"Yeah, well, I was the only brother she had. It was my job."

"And the story about your Star Trek days was pretty cute too."

Groaning, Luke shook his head. "I can't believe they told you about that. That was supposed to be a family secret."

"Well you think of me and Rory as family now, so it's only right that we get to hear the stories too."

"Yeah… I guess." Bringing a hand up, he pointed sternly at her. "But if I hear a word of this from Patty or any of Hello Magazine, I'm blaming you. I know they saw me in the shirt, but that doesn't mean that they have to bring it back up or know anything else."

"Don't worry babe, your secret is safe with me." Lorelai smiled, holding up her hand in "Spock" form.

Rolling his eyes, Luke grabbed her hand and laced his fingers through hers. "Stop," he commanded gruffly.

Playfulness lit her eyes as she countered, "What are you gonna do if I don't? Use your phaser on me?"

"You are the only person in the world who can make the word phaser sound so dirty," he chuckled with a grin.

"What can I say," she responded with a flip of her hair, "It's a talent." Leaning up to him, she planted a soft kiss on his lips.

Pulling back, Luke rested his forehead on hers and spoke sincerely, "But really… Thanks for tonight. It makes up for all the crap that's happened this week."

"You're welcome. I love you."

Smiling, he answered, "I love you too."

Placing one last peck on his lips, Lorelai squeezed his hand. "I'm guessing that since you're showering here, you're also planning on spending the night, right?"

"I don't open tomorrow, so I will if you want."

"I want," she answered as she patted his chest. "Alright, in that case, go take your shower, and I'll set us up a movie downstairs… Once you get out, we'll have a mini date, just you and me, and sack it out on the couch. How does that sound?"

Shooting her a knowing look, Luke answered, "It sounds like I'll be carrying you up the stairs to bed around 1 because you won't want to actually sleep on the couch and you'll be "too tired" to move..."

"You know me so well… But if you do, I'll make it worth your while," Lorelai countered, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

"How could I say no to that?"

Before she could leave, Luke captured her hand. "Please, no pop tarts and no red vines. We had plenty of dessert with dinner."

Frowning, Lorelai poked out her bottom lip. "But I barely had any of the cheesecake! I only had two slices."

Sighing, he shook his head. "Fine... Go look at the top shelf of the fridge. I saved you the last piece, and the chocolate sauce that goes with it is in the container on the shelf below."

With bright eyes and a smile to match, Lorelai sauntered her way out of the room. Stopping at the doorway, she turned around and spoke suggestively, "Now I'm really gonna make it worth your while."

"Yeah, yeah," Luke smiled, "Just go get your dessert and I'll be down in a few."

"Lorelai, is there a reason that I now have four different flannels here? Are you making it your goal to steal as many as possible for your…" Luke called out gruffly as he descended the stairs. Faltering off as he reached the landing, he saw Lorelai curled up asleep on the couch, an empty dessert plate and Casa Blanca on the coffee table. Smiling, Luke walked over, planting a kiss on her forehead and making his way to sit down at the other end of the couch. Placing her feet in his lap, he reached over for the remote and turned on the baseball game.

A number of innings later, Luke felt Lorelai stir slowly. Looking over at her, he admired her sleeping form. The Lorelai he saw during the day was always slightly tensed, as she tried to present her best self. But in moments like this, he could see the relaxed, carefree Lorelai, a Lorelai he thought was just as beautiful... and all his. Out of nowhere, he was brought out of his daze by a hoarse command.

"I thought I told you to stop staring at me. It's creepy."

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips as he reached for her hand. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was." Opening her eyes, Lorelai looked at him with a soft smile, "But you were off in your own little world when I woke up, and you were staring."

"Sorry."

Sitting up, Lorelai turned to where she could lay her head in his lap. "So, what were you thinking about?"

"When?"

"Just now; when you were staring at me."

With his other hand on her stomach, Luke began tracing shapes, a motion he knew that she loved. Shaking his head, he answered unconvincingly, "Nothing."

"Was it me," Lorelai questioned innocently.

Not answering with words, Luke merely nodded with a small grin.

At his response, Lorelai couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Moving closer, she planted a kiss to his stomach.

Sitting in silence, Luke watched the game as Lorelai laid with her eyes closed. Neither made a move for a long time, simply enjoying the quiet moment they found themselves in.

Before she could fall back asleep, Lorelai caught herself and spoke up softly. "Hey Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go to bed? I'm tired."

"Sure."

Despite their agreement, both remained still. Waiting a few more moments, Lorelai spoke up again. "Hey Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Will you carry me?"

Rolling his eyes with a short laugh coming from his lips, Luke stood up slowly. Slipping his arms under her, he lifted Lorelai up as she draped her arms loosely around his neck, and he proceeded to carry her honeymoon style up the stairs.

As he moved up towards the second floor, he felt Lorelai begin to trail her lips across his jaw. "I thought you were tired."

"I am," she mumbled, not moving her lips from his skin.

A shiver jolted through his body as he felt her bite at his ear lobe. "If you want to get dropped, then keep doing that," he growled.

Taking her ministrations back to his neck, Luke barely made it up to the top. "Lorelai, Rory is downstairs."

Pulling back, she sighed. "So? She's asleep, and it takes a freight train to wake her up."

Finally reaching the room, Luke put her down next to her side of the bed "I know… but I still don't feel comfortable doing that with her here."

Frowning, Lorelai dolefully admitted, "I know." Pecking his cheek, she continued, "But I promised you that I'd repay you for that cheesecake."

Pulling her against him, Luke dropped a kiss to her head. "I'll just take a kiss for now," he murmured, bringing her lips to his. As they broke apart, Luke turned to look at the clock. "Look at that. It's midnight… You were an hour earlier tonight."

"Oh shush you," she smiled. Patting his chest, she replied, "Come on Burger Boy; let's get to bed."

Moving back the covers from his side, Luke got under them and joined Lorelai. As he normally did, he pulled her close, initially burying his nose in her hair and stroking her stomach.

"Mmmm," he heard her sigh quietly. Suddenly, she pulled away. "Uh uh uh, take your head out of my hair, mister, and stop with the fingers on my stomach. Don't think you can shoot me down and then get all sexy and snuggly next to me."

Leaning his head back, Luke propped himself up on his elbow to look at her. "Are you serious?"

Flipping over to her other side, she faced him with a with a stern expression. "Serious as a heart attack my friend."

"Lorelai, I just don't feel comfortable doing things with Rory down stairs."

"And I get that sleeping over with her in the house is something you are still getting used to, so we won't, but you can't do all of that stuff that you know drives me crazy. I would never deny a snuggle, but you have to keep your head and your hands from traveling elsewhere."

Flopping back onto his pillow, Luke resigned. "Fine." Pulling her to him, she laid down on his shoulder.

Planting a kiss to his chest, Lorelai smiled. "Good night."

Laughing, he questioned, "So I'm not allowed to do anything, but you're allowed to do that?"

"Are you complaining?"

"No."

"Well then get comfortable babe." Stopping to plant another kiss to his chest, she continued, "We've got a full night of non-naked cuddling ahead of us."

Rolling his eyes, he smiled. "Goodnight, Lorelai."

Looking back at him, she smiled right back. "Goodnight Luke."

A/N: 40 Chapters in... I can't believe it! Thank you sooooo much for reading this fic! When I started writing it, I honestly didn't think this many people would read it, so thank you! I know I've said this before, but if any of you have suggestions or scenes you would like to see, just let me know, and I will see if I can make them fit!

I know some of y'all said you want me to finish the storyline with Richard ASAP, and I will, trust me. I just like to throw in some "fluffy" scenes between big events, and this is one of those scenes. I hope y'all enjoy it!