CHAPTER 43: Prepare for Battle

One day the following week, Lorelai sat at the inn desk, filling out the book for yet another moved booking. Out of nowhere, the phone rang loudly, pulling her from her thoughts and making her jump.

"Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking."

"Hello, Lorelai, it's your mother..."

Tensing slightly, the sound of her mother's voice didn't help her heart rate calm; it probably made it worse. She tucked a curl around her ear before answering. "Uh, hi mom. What can I do for you."

"I was calling to confirm that you are still coming to dinner tomorrow night."

"Yeah, we are..."

"Wonderful." By the tone of her voice, Lorelai could tell there was something she was going to add, so she remained quiet. After what sounded like the ruffling of paper in the back ground, Emily continued. "Now, is there anything specific that you or Luke would prefer for the meal or for dessert?"

Having never been consulted before, Lorelai was caught off guard. "Is there a reason you're asking?" She couldn't help herself but question.

"You have not been to dinner since your engagement and your birthday. Your father and I assumed that you would like to choose the menu since we will be celebrating."

"Oh..." She answered softer than she expected. "Well, as long as there isn't anything like liver or kidney or other random body part, I'm okay with anything for dinner... as far as dessert goes, Luke isnt much of a sweets person, so if you wanted to do something like chocolate cake for the rest of us but put a fruit salad on the side that he can eat, we'd really enjoy it."

"Alright. Are there any other specifications you have?"

"None that I can think of..."

"Alright, I will let Marilynn know. See you Thursday, Lorelai."

"Bye mom." Hanging up the phone, she stared at it for a moment before speaking a quiet, "Huh..."

Grabbing the phone again quickly, she dialed the familiar number and waited for a response.

"Luke's" Luke barked into the phone loudly, covering the noise of the chatter that filled the dining room.

"Hey, it's me. Are you busy, or do you have a minute?"

Looking around the room for a second, he answered. "Uh, Ive got a minute. What do you need?"

Accepting his answer, she jumped right into it. "She called."

"She called?" He questioned her, oblivious to who "she" was

"Yes, she called, and I don't even know what to think about it!"

-"Lorelai..."

"I mean, she's never asked my opinion before, so why now!?"

"Lorelai..."

"Is this some kind of joke? Is she asking me and then going to do the exact opposite to upset me?"

"Lorelai!"

"What?" She stopped her rant suddenly, surprised by his commanding tone

"You think you could let me know who she is before you continue to fly off the handle?"

"Oh. Yeah…she is my mother."

Sighing, Luke stepped back in the kitchen to get away from nosy ears. "So, let me see if I heard you right. Your mother called and asked your opinion on something, and you're confused as to why?"

"Yes." She stressed. "She asked what we would want for dinner and dessert when we go there tomorrow... I don't understand why."

"Okay..." He answered slowly, trying to process. "Did she give a reason?"

"She said that she wanted to celebrate our engagements and my birthday."

"And you don't believe her..." He finished her sentence.

"Of course I don't."

"So what other reason are you thinking?"

"I don't know, but she's my mother. She's always had an ulterior motive."

Taking his hat off, he sat it down and ran a hand through his hair. "It does seem a little weird."

"A little?"

"Okay, a lot..."

"Exactly. It's a lot weird. She has never asked my opinion on dinner my entire life. Why now?"

"Okay. Hear me out..." At her silence, Luke assumed her acceptance, so he continued. "Is it too early to say that maybe she's changing some? Maybe, after the engagement call she realized that she should just accept your life and she's really trying to accept you."

"Shhh! Don't jinx it," Lorelai interrupted quickly. "You said that last time and then all hell broke loose about the loan I took out to buy my house."

"You're the one that wanted a reason, and I'm just trying to give you what would be the most ideal."

"I know..." She frowned. "Let's just try to make it through this strange dinner in one piece before we start thinking she's actually trying with me."

Hearing a loud noise in the diner, Luke looked out to see a group of tourists come in the dining room. "Look, I gotta go, a group just came in and Caesar is on his break. Are you coming in for dinner later?"

"Unless you expect me to turn into Donna Reed in the next few hours and cook you a meal, that's a yes."

"Okay... We'll talk about this then, just try not to freak out yet."

"Ill try but I can't guarantee I'll succeed. Bye, doll."

Hanging up the phone with a sigh, she stared off into the lobby until her thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice.

"Everything okay, Lorelai?"

Blinking away her reverie, she turned to see the older woman. "Oh, hi Mia... Yeah, everything's fine. I just got off the phone with Luke."

"A call to Lucas in the middle of the day," She questioned with an arched brow. "And you expect me to believe everything is okay?"

Laughing shortly, Lorelai shook her head. "I know...It was worth a shot."

"Maybe one day it will work," Mia agreed. "So, anything you want to share, or was he able to solve whatever it is that's bothering you?"

"It's just my mom. She's being oddly considerate, and that worries me. I vented to Luke, and he listened. We said we'd talk more later."

"If there's one thing that boy is good at, it's not talking," Mia laughed. "Well, I'm here if you need me."

Feeling a little weird about the conversation, Lorelai cleared her throat before Mia could get too far away. "Uh, okay... is that all?"

Smiling, she stepped back over and patted her hand. "I have something that I want to talk with you about, but it can wait."

"Oh, no, Mia, it's fine. I'm fine. What do you need?"

"It's nothing pressing," She answered, waving her off. "It's fine. You worry about your mom today and we'll have the Norris wedding here and you'll have dinner with your parents tomorrow, and you can come talk to me next week when you're well rested from your vacation."

"Are you sure?"

"Completely. I'll check in on you again in a little while."

Normally such a vague conversation with Mia would bother her, but before she could even have time to think about it, a customer arrived to check in and took her attention elsewhere.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lorelai called out the following evening as she busted into the house. Hurrying in, she ran into Luke as she tried to enter the living room.

Reaching out out of instinct, he caught her and himself with a gruff, "Woah..."

"Sorry I'm late." She blurted. "I thought I would be here faster, but things went crazy with the wedding clean up and Mia asked me to help. If you give me 15 minutes, I think I can..." Stopping suddenly, she looked him up and down. "You're completely ready."

Smirking, Luke raised his eyebrows. "Did you think I had to wait on you? Last time I checked, I've been getting ready all by myself for 20 or so years now."

Opening her mouth to answer, she was cut off before she had the chance to respond.

"Rory is almost ready too. We managed without you and she's brushing her hair right now." Taking her shoulders, he guided her to the stairs. "Now, you go get dressed, and I'll make sure everything else between myself and Rory gets done to Emily Gilmore standard."

Stopping at the foot of the stairs, she turned and pecked his lips with a smile. "You're a life saver. I'll be down as soon as I can."

Twenty-five minutes later, Rory sat on the couch with a book as Luke walked up the stair case. Entering the bedroom, he watched as Lorelai somehow slipped into her high heels without even the slightest stumble. "You know, one day, one of those pin thin heels you call shoes are gonna snap and your ankle will too." He grumbled.

"Been there, done that, and I still have both my ankles, babe," She quipped back without hesitation. Looking in her full-length mirror, she smoothed out her dress, eyeing her outfit to ensure everything was in place. Spreading on one last coat of lip gloss, she dropped it on the dresser and turned back to see Luke wearing a concerned look

"You've broken a heel before?"

Flicking a careless hand, she moved to grab her purse. "Of course I have... Every woman has."

"And yet you still wear the death traps as though it never happened." He deadpanned

"Without the heels, I'm more likely to get forehead kisses because of our height difference." She grinned. Walking over to him, she took his hands in hers and pulled him to her, placing a soft kiss on his lips. "With my death traps we're even, and I get more action."

Responding to her kiss with one of his, he pulled back with a grin and ran his fingers through her hair. "Trust me. Heels or no heels, I'm just as willing."

"And that's one of the many things I love about you." Straightening out his tie, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Are you ready to enter the potential war zone again?"

"Ready as I can be."

"There might be lots of conflict, maybe even a little bloodshed," she continued.

Taking her left arm, he laced his fingers through hers and his thumb ran over her ring as he spoke. "And if there is, we'll be fine..." Planting a kiss to the back of her hand, he made her smile. "We can head to Boston tomorrow and forget all about it if it does go bad. Just think, all we have to do is make it through this one dinner and we're on vacation til Monday."

"I can't wait." Squeezing his hand, she pulled him in for one last kiss then with her out of the room. On her way out, she caught sight of the clock and added, "Come on. We're already gonna be a little late. I don't need to give Emily more ammunition than she already has."

Ringing the door bell, as per usual, they were brought in by the maid. As they entered the living room, they found Richard and Emily already in there. After greetings were announced and drinks were made, they all settled into their typical seat.

Trying to avoid any awkward conversation topics, Luke remained quiet and hoped that someone would take the lead to end the deafening silence of the room that always seemed to linger at these dinners.

"It was a shame you were sick on your birthday. Are you feeling better, Lorelai," Richard finally implored, sitting in his chair after handing them their drinks.

"Uh, yeah, Dad. I'm feeling way better; thanks for asking." Lorelai answered with a small smile.

"Of course. Strep is such a terrible thing to catch."

"Rory did not catch it, did she? It can be rough on children." Emily questioned, looking at Lorelai strongly.

"No, she didn't. She was pretty much quarantined downstairs until I wasn't contagious." Seeing her mother open her mouth, Lorelai immediately knew where she was going.

"And she was cared for in the mean time?"

"She was." She responded quickly, ready with her answer. Her hand that was on Luke's knee squeezed it as she continued. "I found this crazy thing called a Fiancé that, for some reason, likes me enough to take care of my kid when I can't. It's amazing what a help-wanted ad in the paper brings in nowadays."

With an eye roll from her mother and a short chuckle by her father, talk turned to Rory.

As her parents chatted with Rory, Luke leaned over and whispered in Lorelai's ear. "How did they know you were sick?"

"They called while you were at work to wish me a Happy Birthday."At his surprised look, she nodded. "I was pretty surprised too. At least they remembered this year, though. And that's where those flowers came from that are on the kitchen counter by the window. Apparently, they were a small birthday gift for me."

"Huh…" He answered, remembering the bouquet he came home to seeing. "Is it still too early to say their trying?"

"Why don't we wait til' the end of this dinner to say that. I've been proven wrong one too many times about them."

At his nod, they both turned their attention back into the conversation in the room to hear Rory describing the card she made for Lorelai for her birthday.

"That sounds quite nice, Rory. I'm sure she loved it…So, Lorelai," Richard began, shifting the conversation back her way. "I'm assuming due to your sickness, it would be unnecessary of me to ask if you did any celebrating."

"We didn't really do anything." Lorelai answered with a shrug. "I watched a movie with Rory at night after passing the 24-hour antibiotic deadline, but it wasn't much of a celebration. Luke just made spaghetti for dinner, and we stayed in."

"You made spaghetti and meatballs?" Emily suddenly questioned genuinely.

"I did..." Luke responded slowly an arched brow, confused as to why she'd ask.

Trying to hide a grin behind her glass, Emily took a sip of her drink before speaking. "Even I know not to make that." She spoke slyly. "It is notorious for being Lorelai's fight food. There was always some sort of conflict between Lorelai and myself on the nights we had spaghetti when she was younger, and I wouldn't be surprised if she passed it on to Rory."

Taking a drink of his drink, Luke looked over at Lorelai with knowing eyes. Catching his gaze, she looked down at her lap with a smile. This exchange was not missed by Emily.

"I'm guessing you figured that out?" She smirked, rolling her drink around her glass.

"You would be correct." He confirmed with a nod

"Luke is still here and I don't have blue streaks in my hair in an act of rebellion, so you've probably gathered that it couldn't have been that bad." Lorelai interjected smartly, reminding her mother of their argument so many years ago.

"Oh, those blue streaks," Emily rolled her eyes. "I thought we were never going to get those out of your hair. You're lucky you didn't get yourself expelled from school."

"And I guess almost a decade later, you still haven't realized that was my goal." Lorelai answered nonchalantly, tossing Luke a knowing grin.

Before they could speak any further, the conversation was cut off by the maid informing them dinner was ready.

As everyone took their seats, another awkward silence took over the room until Luke spoke up.

"This is delicious, Mrs, Gilmore."

"Thank you, Luke." She nodded. "I'm sure Lorelai mentioned that this menu was picked specifically with the two of you in mind, so it is nice that you are enjoying it."

"Ah, yes. We're celebrating tonight." Richard interjected. "Pardon my forgetfulness. Congratulations on your engagement, Luke, Lorelai."

"Thank you, Dad," Lorelai answered, shooting Luke a smile. Any time the engagement was brought up, couldn't help herself.

"Yes, Congratulations." Emily spoke up. Whether her remark was genuine or out of obligation, Lorelai wasn't sure. "And the wedding? Has anything been set in stone, Lorelai?"

"Um, so far, only the date. Everything else is pretty much up in the air still." Nudging Luke with her foot under the table in warning, she continued. "We are planning on having the wedding on September 7th."

"Lorelai!" Emily gasped loudly, causing Rory to jump and drop her fork. "That's only about 5 months away from now!"

Handing Rory her fork that she had yet to use, Lorelai reassured her with a soft smile before turning back to her mother "Okay... we know that." She answered her plainly.

"That's nowhere near enough time to plan a wedding! There's no way we can get you into the club on such short notice. The wait list is at least a year long!"

"Woah, woah, woah. Hold on!" Lorelai interrupted, her eyebrows furrowed. "Who's we? Unless that's me and Luke, I don't know what you're talking about."

"What do you mean who's we? Of course, I mean your father and me. You're the bride, Lorelai, and it's only formal that as parents of the bride, we pay for and help plan the wedding."

Seeing the anger building on Lorelai's face, Luke interjected himself into the conversation quickly. "With all due respect, Mrs. Gilmore, it really is up to Lorelai and myself whether or not you pay for the wedding."

"Exactly. I don't see how you could just assume you were paying for it without even consulting Luke and me first," She answered bitterly while she felt Luke squeeze her hand under the table.

"It's not an illogical thing for me to assume, Lorelai. It's merely the tradition for weddings." Emily countered harshly with an eyeroll. "Though knowing you have never done anything the traditional way, I shouldn't be surprised you don't want your father and me involved."

"It's not that I dont..." She began loudly then caught sight of Rory's confused face. Releasing a breath loudly, Lorelai shook her head. "You know what? This is not the time to argue about this. We'll discuss this later."

"So you mean we'll discuss it never, then."

Shooting a cold stare over to his wife, Richard cleared his throat. "How about we finish this now but in a calm way." He spoke to both of them. Turning to his daughter, he looked at Lorelai knowingly. "Surely there is some sort of comprise that the two of you could come up with," He suggested, staring her down.

"Is there, Lorelai," Luke questioned, looking at her. She would kill him for saying it later, but, having seen how fast things could get out of hand, he knew the faster they could get out of the conversation, the better.

The stare down between the two women ended with Lorelai rolling her eyes. "Because compromising goes so well for us."

"You've never really tried to compromise, Lorelai." Emily said plainly, though slight haughtiness was evident in her voice

"Well neither have you!" She countered, her tone rising again.

Before she could start on another rant, Richard interrupted again. "Well, then we will start compromising now... Obviously you would prefer that we didn't pay for the whole wedding, but is there anything you would allow myself and your mother to bear the cost of?"

Begrudgingly, Lorelai looked up to the ceiling. Feeling Luke's eyes on her, she decided to genuinely think about the question. "I haven't decided the budget for the dress yet." She spoke up quietly, looking over at Emily as soon as the words left her lips. She was surprised to see a bit of excitement in her mother's eyes.

"Would you be willing to allow us to pay for it?" Her father inquired.

"Luke?" At his shrug, she knew he was letting her know it was her call. "Fine, Dad. You can cover the cost of the dress."

"The dress and the invitations," Emily countered confidently

"Mom, really?" Under her expectant gaze, Lorelai looked over at Luke and conceded. "Fine...The dress and the invitations..." she agreed, scooping a bite of her appetizer awkwardly with her spoon. Before she brought it to her mouth, she dumped it back onto the plate and pointed to her mother and added, "But neither of you can try to hold this over my head. This is out of the kindness of your heart. It's not a bartering chip for the future."

"This is not a bartering chip," Richard agreed. Despite the conversation's resolution, an air of tension settled over the room. Trying to lighten the mood, he continued. "Now that that is settled, let's take this conversation to a safer topic, shall we?"

At the lack of response by all parties, Richard decided to go with the safest option. "So, Rory, are you doing anything fun this week? Have you been assigned any new books?"

"I am reading Charlotte's Web. Have you read it, grandpa?" Rory inquired hopefully.

"I have. What do you think? Is it a good book?"

"Mhmmm! I'm almost done. I am trying to finish it before we go to the baseball game."

"Baseball game?" He questioned, now looking over at Lorelai and Luke.

Speaking up hesitantly, Lorelai divulged the details carefully, knowing her mother would probably find something wrong with it too. "I got Luke some tickets to a baseball game for Valentine's day. It's this weekend, so we're going to Boston tomorrow and staying the whole weekend."

Nodding, Richard smiled. "Well that sounds like it will be a nice time."

Lorelai could see the disapproval in her mother's eye but ignored it. "Luke says it's fun, so I'm sure it will be." She agreed.

"I got a book on baseball rules, too, grandpa," Rory spoke back up.

"Studying the sport before you watch it. That was a very good idea. "

"That's what my Mommy said."

"Well your mother is a very smart woman...You'll have to tell all about the game next time at dinner."

The still tense mood was interrupted by the maid bringing in the second course, allowing everyone in the room a few moments break. Leaning over as the second course was being laid out, Luke whispered in Lorelai's ear. "Just a few more rounds of battle and we're out of here. You think you can make it?"

Laughing softly, her tense mood left her, as she whispered back. "As long as your highness over there stays cordial, I think we'll end the night with no casualties other than the steak in front of us."

"Alright, now that everyone is finished, I believe it's time that we move on to dessert." Emily spoke up, gesturing to the maid standing by the kitchen door. "Is the cake ready to be served?"

"Cake?" Lorelai perked up immediately, looking towards the kitchen. "There really is cake?"

"That is what you requested, isn't it? Did you think I was joking when I asked during our phone call?"

Much to Lorelai's relief, Emily somehow missed the smirk that appeared on Luke's face at her question. Slyly, she shoved him with his elbow, making him scowl immediately.

"Mom, you didnt have to do this," Lorelai implored as she watched the maid disappear into the kitchen.

"Nonsense. It's your birthday celebration, Lorelai. You get cake." Her mother countered with a no nonsense tone.

"And what if I wanted ice cream instead of cake?"

"Do you want ice cream, Lorelai?"

Under the stare of not only Emily but Richard too, she shook her head. "No, cake is fine... plus it's more fun to watch Luke cringe when he has to eat the icing."

As if it was an automatic reaction, Luke grimaced at the mention of the word icing. "Or, I can avoid eating the cake all together, and just stick to the fruit bowl that is sitting in front of me."

"Uh, uh, uh. You know the rule." Lorelai countered, shaking her head adamantly. "It's a Lorelai Gilmore tradition to eat dessert on everyone's birthday."

"Last time I checked, my name is Luke Danes, so that rule only applies to you and your daughter."

"Well," She drew the word out, bringing her left hand up dramatically in front of his face. "This ring sitting on my finger says that you're going to become Mr. Lorelai Gilmore not-so-far into the future, and what's mine is yours, so you have to do it."

Taking a deep breath, he caught sight of Richard's smirk and shook his head. He wasn't even going to try because knew he wasn't going to win. "Fine, one piece, and it has to be small."

"Thank you."

"Now that you've gotten your way," Emily interjected, "Shall we sing, or are we just going to let the candles melt all the way down into your cake?"

"Sing away," Lorelai waved dramatically with a smile.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Lorelai, happy birthday to you."

As the last notes rang out, Rory held her final "you" out longer and louder, sending her mother a bright smile. "Happy Birthday again, Mommy!" She added.

"Thank you, hon. Thank you, everyone." Shooting her eyes all around the table, she continued. "I think we can all agree that there is nothing better to sing about than the day of my birth."

Ignoring her comment, Emily waved the maid over once again. "You can take the cake into the kitchen now, Teresa."

As she lifted the cake from the table, a horrified look on Rory's face was revealed. Gaping widely, she exclaimed, "But Mommy has to blow out the candles!"

"Yeah, mom," Lorelai agreed, "Aren't I supposed to blow them out?"

"Oh, Teresa can do that."

"We always blow out candles, Grandma." Rory explained, looking at her grandma expectantly. "We like to make a wish."

Agreeing with her daughter, Lorelai added, "Exactly. it's tradition for the person whose name is on the cake to do the blowing."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought only children liked to do that." Emily responded haughtily. "Should we bring it back out and relight it?"

Shaking her head, Lorelai rolled her eyes. "No."

Amused by the whole scene, Richard added a teasing, "Well, would you like to make a wish and blow out the tapers?"

Her jaw dropping open, Lorelai looked at Luke in disbelief. "I can't believe this! Why am I being mocked on my birthday?"

Spearing into a piece of watermelon in the bowl in front of him, Luke shrugged. "To get a taste of your own medicine... and it's not your birthday."

"But we're celebrating like it is, so can it or only speak if your being nice to me."

Feeling that Lorelai was about to start another round of banter, Emily immediately rose from her chair. "Let's not start this again... Let's move into the living room for our dessert, shall we?"

Watching as everyone else stood up from the table, Lorelai shrugged and rose herself. "Let's shall."

The following morning, as the day was in full swing for everyone else, things were just getting started at the crap shack.

"Lorelai!" Luke yelled in frustration from their room.

Giggling from the living room, she sauntered up the stairs wearing a mischievous smile. It was almost time for them to head out for Boston, but before they could, she knew she was going to have to do some negotiating. "Yes, dear? You called?" She drawled teasingly as she entered their room to see him standing over her luggage with crossed arms and a frown.

"We are going for three days. Why the hell do I see two suitcases and a duffle bag?"

"Because I need them." She grinned at the deepening of his frown. "If you want me to look like this," She gestured to herself dramatically, "Each day, I need all my supplies."

"You mean the whole bathroom? There is no way you're bringing all this. Whittle it down into one suit case." Luke countered finally, moving to leave the room.

Catching the bill of his hat, she stole it from him. At his scowl, she backed away towards the dresser. "If I don't get all my luggage, you don't get your hat."

Taking a set towards her, he arched a brow at her, the look sending a shiver through her. "Is that right?"

"Yep."

"You know I have other hats, right?"

"You used to." She informed him with a smirk. "I figured you would say that, so I hid them all earlier this morning in anticipation of this conversation."

Sighing loudly, he walked over to her and looked down at her coolly. Grabbing the hat from behind her back, he slipped it on her head backwards before tilting her chin up to his. "You anticipated getting on my nerves."

"Nope." She answered, shaking her head, her eyes lit with a teasing light. "I anticipated you complaining about my luggage, so I had to come up with a plan."

"You have to fit the stuff in the duffle bag into a book bag, and you have to get rid of one suitcase." At her pout, he kissed her before continuing. "Stick your lip back in. You're lucky I don't take away the book bag too."

Sliding her arms up his to his shoulder, she pulled him a little closer. "If you take away the duffle, you lose all your flannel."

Stepping forward, he pinned her loosely against the dresser. "One suitcase, one duffle. That's my final offer."

Leaning up, she captured his lips with hers, her arms coming to rest around his waist. Pulling back breathless, she leaned her forehead against him and whispered. "Deal."

Before they could dive in for round two, at the sound of little footsteps growing from the hall, they jumped apart, Luke snatching the hat and putting it back on his head.

"Mommy?" The call came loudly from outside the door.

"You can come in, sweets."

Stepping into the room, she was holding what looked like Lorelai's makeup bag. "Did you lose this? It was in my suit case."

"Lorelai!" Luke berated her immediately. "Don't tell me you are sticking your crap in Rory's bag too."

"I'll have you know, everything in that bag is not crap." Stepping over to Rory, she took the bag. "No, hon, I didn't lose it. I just didn't have room in my suitcase. You think you could keep it safe for me in yours?"

"Mhmmm!" Taking the bag back, Rory smiled. "I put it right back where it was." As she ran back out of the room, Lorelai turned to see Luke shaking his head.

"You're shameless."

"Nope, no shame at all. What good are kids if you can't use them to help you?" Skipping out of the room ahead of him, she stopped at the top of the stairs and smiled brightly when he appeared with her bags. "By the way, thanks for agreeing to one suitcase and one duffle bag. That other suitcase was a decoy."

The entire drive flew by quickly, but as they approached the city, Lorelai noted how Luke grew quiet every time she mentioned the hotel. As soon as they pulled up outside where they were staying, she immediately knew why.

"You booked this hotel?" Lorelai questioned, looking out the window, her voice filled with disbelief.

"It's so big," Rory added, amazement entering her voice as she observed the tall building.

"Um, not exactly." Pulling all of the bags out of the back and on to the sidewalk as Lorelai grabbed Rory, Luke handed the jeep keys to the valet. Turning back he was met with Lorelai holding Rory's hand to keep her close while staring at him with a scowl.

"Care to explain how we ended up at this place, then?"

"Nope. Not right now." At her arched brow, he subtly threw his eyes down to Rory and back up. "We'll talk about this later."

As they made their way up the elevator and to their room, as soon as the door was opened, Rory ran in to observe the abnormally large space. "This is so pretty!" She exclaimed, running over to the large window that overlooked the streets.

"It is a nice view, hon," Lorelai agreed, her fake voice not evident to her daughter but clearly evident to Luke.

Remembering the car ride they had, the juice Rory drank on the way up to Boston caught up with her as she turned back to Lorelai. "Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom. Where is it?"

"If I had to guess, it's right through that door over there," She pointed to the single door to her left.

"Okay! I'll be back!"

"Alright, spill." Spoke up in a harsh whisper as soon as the door closed to the bathroom. Knowing Rory, this conversation would have to be quick and quiet.

Cutting right to the chase, Luke looked at her unwaveringly "Your father booked it."

"My fa- my FATHER booked it?" She exclaimed, her voice still in a loud whisper. "Luke! You let my father pay for this?"

"No, I didnt let him," he countered harshly.

"Well then how the hell did we get here? Did he just cancel your reservation somewhere else without your permission and force you to come here?"

At his lack of answer, she groaned. "You better explain this to me now!"

Taking her hand, he pulled her over to the furthest part of the room from the bathroom and began to talk at a normal volume. "Look, we were in his office last night talking about the trip and he asked where we were staying. I told him, not thinking anything about it. This morning, I got a call that he canceled our reservation and moved us here. Apparently, we're supposed to think of it kind of like an engagement gift."

"I cant believe this..."

"Neither can I but there's nothing we can do. He canceled my other reservation, so we take this or we have to find something else, and with the Yankees in town, it's not likely."

"I know…" Releasing a loud breath, she looked around the place for a second, actually taking it in, then she nodded slowly. "It is really nice in here, and we do have a room separate for Rory and for us... You know, with it being our anniversary weekend and all, that may not be a bad thing, if you know what I mean."

"Knowing you, you could only mean one thing."

Walking a few steps over, she ran her hand across the top of the couch. "I still don't like that they paid for this."

"I know..." At her still depressed look, he spoke a quiet "hey," causing her to look back at him.

"What?"

Stepping towards her, he held his arms out in invitation. As she submitted, he wrapped his arms around her. "You can yell at me and him later, if you want, but don't let this room thing ruin the weekend."

"You won't get mad if I yell really loud or call you mean names?"

Chuckling, he kissed her temple. "Nothing I haven't been called before."

"Are you sure." Pulling back with a grin, she poked his chest. "I've got that fancy private school education. You won't believe the big worded insults I can come up with."

"I think I can handle it." Just then the bathroom door opened. Giving her a soft shove, she looked back at him with a cocked head. "You should go wash up or whatever the hell you do so we can go get dinner. We can discuss this more later but its only so long before you start getting hungry… You probably already are."

"And if I'm not hungry?" She taunted him.

"I'm hungry, mommy," Rory interjected.

"And you wouldn't be Mommy's little girl if you weren't." Lorelai smiled. Planting a kiss to the girl's forehead, she skipped off to the bathroom. "I'll be out in a few sweets, so try not to starve to death too fast."

A/N: Welcome to part one of this two chapter scene! As I started writing this chapter it was soooo long, and I didn't want to make you wait for me to finish it, so I have split it into two. I hope you enjoyed it!