Disclaimer in first chapter. Thanks for all the support! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
"Your appointment is on Tuesday at 2:30."
Lorelai sighed audibly into the phone she had pressed against her ear and nearly rolled her eyes as her mother repeated herself for the fourth time since this phone call began. "I know that Mother. You've already mentioned it. Quite a few times actually."
Walking beside her, Rory snickered at her mother's expression and reply as it was obvious to even her that this conversation had repeated itself over and over and that wasn't just because of her mother's insistent replies that she heard her mother the first time. And the second time.
"Well Lorelai," Emily began in a tone that was frequently used between the two of them as she tried to get her daughter to listen. "You do have a tendency to pretend you don't remember the things that I tell you, why you think that's fun, I'll never know. I'm just making sure that there will be no way you can pass this off as not remembering when I have clearly told you several times."
Lorelai smiled and waved at Miss Patty as she passed, using her free hand to gesture that one of her little pumpkins had fallen over behind her. "Tuesday at 2:30, got it."
"Actually is Luke around?" Emily asked. "I'll tell him the time that way both of you will know and there will be no miscommunication for this appointment. This way you won't be late."
"He's not around," Lorelai answered.
Which was only a white lie since all it would take for him to be around was for her to step through the diner door that now stood before her. As soon as she locked eyes with him though, he gave a shake of his head and pointed to the no cell-phones sign. Between the look her gave her and Rory tugging on her arm for her to remain on the sidewalk since she liked to follow the rules of the diner, Lorelai retreated back to the sidewalk.
"But I will be sure to tell him," she tacked on. "Wednesday at 9, right?" she asked, stifling a laugh as she waited for her mother's reaction.
"Honestly Lorelai," Emily exclaimed into her end of the phone call.
"Relax Mom, I was joking," Lorelai explained to which Rory shook her head but still laughed. "Tuesday at 2:30, I got it. I'm marking it down on my calendar as we speak."
"No you're not."
She rolled her eyes this time. "Well if I had a calender with me I would be," she replied. She ran a hand over her face. "I'll mark it down in my date book as soon as I can. Luke and I will be there, no need to keep reminding me." Rory came back into her view. "Actually Rory is with me so I'll tell her, if that will make you feel better."
At that, Lorelai held the phone close to Rory who repeated the date and time back to her grandmother and assured her that her mother would remember this appointment. When Rory was done, Lorelai lifted the phone back to her ear. "Good enough?"
"Good enough," Emily replied. "I'll see you Tuesday Lorelai."
Before Lorelai could fully comprehend her mother's statement, the line clicked off and she was left with the dial tone trilling in her ear. She stood on the sidewalk staring at her phone for far too long before she flipped it close and slid it into the pocket of her pink coat. She scoffed.
"Unbelievable."
"What?" Rory asked, now following her mother into the diner where they quickly claimed a table right in front of the window. She decided to take a guess. "Grandma coming with you to your real estate appointment?"
"Bingo," Lorelai confirmed. She smiled when Luke came into view with two coffee cups and a full coffee pot without her having to prompt him. "Bless you."
Rory wrapped her hand around her cup just as Luke finished filling it with the delicious beverage. "Thanks Luke."
He smiled at her. "Good to have you home for the weekend Rory."
"Very good," Lorelai agreed with a smile. As Luke turned to walk away, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back to her. "One quick thing. Earlier when you refused to let me in the diner..." she began only to be interrupted by Luke.
"Because cell phones in an eating establishment are a nuisance, it's rude to sit there and talk on your phone while people are trying to eat. I have the rules for a reason," Luke interjected and Rory agreed with a nod of her head.
"I've seen the sign," Lorelai said. "Anyway, back to my first point, that was my mother on the phone. We have an appointment with her real estate agent on Tuesday at 2:30, and apparently she is joining us."
Luke set the coffee pot in his hand down on the table. "Your mother is coming with us?"
"Did you really think that we could look at a house that my parents are interested in buying for us without my mother?" Lorelai asked even though she was a bit taken aback just moments earlier. She took his silence as her answer. "Thought so. The appointment is at 2:30, can you make that?"
"I'll be there," Luke answered. He looked between the mother and daughter. "You two ready to order?"
"Cheeseburger and fries, apple pie for dessert," Rory rattled off quickly. "It's been too long since I've had a burger from here, I'm going through withdrawals."
"I'll put extra cheese on that burger for you," Luke promised, bringing forth a grin from Rory. He focused on Lorelai. "Same for you?"
"Extra cheese on mine too."
"Got it." He picked up the coffee pot and went to walk away again only to be called back by Lorelai once again. "What now?"
"Kiss," Lorelai requested, puckering her lips as she did so. She smiled when he leaned down and pressed a fleeting kiss to her lips. "That's all I needed."
"Your lunch will be ready soon."
This time when he walked away there was no pulling or calling him back to the table, instead Lorelai enjoyed the view of him walking into the kitchen before turning back to her daughter. Since April wasn't staying with them this week, Lorelai was thrilled when Rory decided to stay in Stars Hollow for the weekend; especially considering it had been awhile since they had been able to any time together just the two of them. And with Luke working today and the inn covered by Michel, she deemed today perfect to spend with her daughter.
"So I was thinking that after lunch, we'll head to Hartford and do some shopping," Lorelai announced as if they hadn't discussed their plans in detail over movies after the usual Friday night dinner the night before. "I figured while we're doing that, I can try and find somewhere that will take the wedding dress."
Rory hesitated for a quick second but then nodded her head, agreeing with her mother. "Sounds good to me. Now that you're returning the dress, I think it's safe to tell you that I never really liked it."
"What? You didn't like the dress?" Lorelai questioned. "Why didn't you tell me? You're the maid of honor, you're supposed to speak up about these things."
"You were so happy about it and I didn't want to ruin your happiness," Rory admitted. She gave a shrug of her shoulders. "And I don't know, I figured that if you loved it that much, then you should wear it. It's your wedding, not mine."
"Well that's very sweet and a very you thing to do," Lorelai said, placing her hand over her daughter's as she did so. "But this time when we all go shopping, I need honesty about the dresses. That's one of your duties. I'm planning on my mother to be completely honest and that goes for everyone else."
"You're going to invite Grandma to look for wedding dresses?"
"Well yeah," came Lorelai's late reply. She pulled her hand back from her daughter's and acted like it wasn't a big deal. "I mean if I don't then there will be a fight, I already invited her to help with the planning, so I figured she could go with us to look for dresses whenever we go. I already know she won't like anything I pick out but at least she can't say that she wasn't a part of it."
Rory grinned at her mother in response but didn't say anything. Truthfully, she was happy that her mother and grandmother were getting along much better than in years past. There was always so much back-and-forth between the two, fights that her mother assured her that she wouldn't understand because they knew two different sets of people, but now they seemed to be finding a little common ground with her mother actively trying to involve her grandmother in her life. She knew it made her Grandmother happy to forge this new relationship and even though her mother wouldn't admit it to anyone but her, she knew that it made her happy too.
Before their lunch could arrive, Kirk approached their table to see if Lorelai had any interest in his new business which was really just an old business that he was offering to revamp for the upcoming and highly anticipated wedding. Kirk's Yummy Bartender's. After telling Kirk that she was putting wedding plan aside today for the sake of spending time with Rory and having him ignore that to tell her the new stipulations of his Yummy Bartenders, a waiver the bartenders were to sign saying they wouldn't flirt with Lulu, Lorelai made sure that he knew she would discuss the possibility with Luke but for now there was no decision.
Kirk eventually left their table when he was prompted to by Luke but not before he slid a business card Lorelai's way that was merely a collage of failed business names that were always replaced by new ones. She informed Luke that she would tell him what Kirk was up to later then slid his business card into a zippered pouch on her purse while her and Rory's lunch was placed in front of them with promises of dessert to come later once their food was gone. It didn't escape Lorelai or Rory that along with the extra cheese on the burger there was also double the lettuce and even what appeared to be a small side salad served up beside their food.
"Luke is expecting us to eat the salad too, isn't he?" Rory asked, preparing her burger with the necessary ketchup and mustard but not moving the lettuce from the burger.
"He's trying to keep us healthy," Lorelai insisted.
Rory shook her head. "The nerve of that man."
"I know," Lorelai played along. "What are we going to do with him?"
Rory pretended to think but really used the time to munch on a few on her fries and take a couple bites of her burger. "Well I have to say that he makes pretty good food and coffee, he seems to be a nice guy so I'm thinking that we should keep him around."
Lorelai nodded her head as Rory spoke. "I think that's very wise." A smirk flitted across her face as she lifted a fry to her mouth. "He's pretty great at a few other things too."
"I'm eating," Rory pointed out to avoid her mother continuing on. "And I'm your daughter, and we're in the diner. Please don't finish that thought."
"Fine, I'll stop. Better kept to myself anyways."
"And I thank you for not scarring me for life."
Lorelai waved her off with a flick of her hand, "I've already given you plenty to scar you for life and so your future therapist will make a lot of money, I'll save the rest for someone else."
"And again, I thank you."
Though she said earlier that she was going to set the wedding planning aside for the day in order to spend time with her daughter that wasn't fully comprised of talks of wedding details, Lorelai did fill Rory in on the narrowing down of things that she hadn't filled her in on recently. There really wasn't much planned, most of the planning still had to be done, but they were making some progress. Halfway through telling Rory about the phone call she received earlier that week from her mother about wanting to throw them a party to celebrate their engagement since she wasn't allowed to throw them a wedding, only help a little with the planning, she was nudged on the shoulder and made to direct her focus to the diner counter where Kirk was busy talking to Luke who was glaring over his shoulder at her.
"Oh what is Kirk doing now?" Lorelai as she pushed up from her seat. "Be right back."
Her last comment was directed at Rory as she walked away from their table and over to the counter to stand beside Kirk. She shook her head when she saw an identical business card to the one that was stuffed in her purse lying on the counter in front of Luke. "Kirk, what's going on?"
"I was just telling Luke about my business of Yummy Bartenders," Kirk answered. "I told him about the waiver I was going to have them sign so they won't flirt with Lulu. I offered to put your name on there too since you'll be a wedded woman and shouldn't flirt with yummy bartenders."
"Right," Lorelai gave a sharp nod of her head. "But didn't I tell you that I would talk to Luke about this?"
"You did but I figured I was in the diner and so was Luke, it seemed like a good time to bring it up," Kirk replied. "I even offered to make sure that none of the bartenders are yummier than Luke so he doesn't get jealous."
"I see." Lorelai placed her hands on Kirk's shoulders and gently turned him away from the counter and more towards the door. "Kirk, honey, let me talk to Luke about this. I'll let you know when a decision has been reached."
A response from Kirk came her way but she opened the diner door and led him out, once again telling him that she would discuss this with Luke and until then, he shouldn't bring it up. Once Kirk was out the door and on the sidewalk, Lorelai walked back inside the diner and over to the counter where Luke was still glaring that she hoped was all because of Kirk and nothing that did or didn't do.
"Him coming to you, not my fault," Lorelai made clear as soon as she approached the counter. "He came to me with the idea and I told him that I would talk to you but you know Kirk, he does things his own way and doesn't follow direction well or at all."
"I'm not angry," Luke assured her. "It's just Kirk."
"He's an enigma."
He picked up the business card, reading the scrawl that read 'Kirk's Yummy Bartenders,' located at the bottom of the business card, he flipped it towards Lorelai. "Kirk's Yummy Bartenders," he asked. "What in the hell is that?"
"Bartenders that are yummy," Lorelai answered. It was obvious to her. "He had them at Lane's wedding, which was a total disaster. Not the wedding but Kirk's business. He wants to bring yummy men to the lonely women of Stars Hollow."
Luke held his hand up to stop her explanation. "You don't need to explain, Kirk already did."
"So what has you upset?" Lorelai asked, a twinkle of mischief in her eye. "Is it because Kirk referred to you as yummy because coming from him, it's a little creepy, but you are very yummy. And if we do hire them for the wedding, you don't have to be jealous because I will only have eyes for you. People do like to drink at weddings."
He tapped his knuckles against the counter. "We'll discuss it later."
"It's a plan."
He looked over her shoulder at the table where Rory still sat. "You and Rory ready for your pie now?"
"Yes please," Lorelai answered. Since she was at the counter and Luke had made no move to walk away just yet, she leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "Yep, definitely yummy."
He jerked his head in the direction of her table. "Just go sit down. I'll bring the pie over."
"So demanding," Lorelai tossed over her shoulder as she made her way back to her table. "Kirk thinks Luke is yummy," she informed her daughter as she sat down across from her.
"He never ceases to surprise me."
"And he probably never will."
Her arms laden down with bags, Lorelai managed to twist the doorknob and then push the front door open with a bump of her hip. Her shopping bags were deposited in the entryway soon to be followed by Rory who carried fewer bags but had her cellphone pressed to her ear. The delicious smells that wafted towards them ushered them into the kitchen where Rory quickly asked what was for dinner before ducking into her room to take her phone call to Logan in private. Meanwhile Lorelai walked over to the counter-top where Luke was busy and greeted him with a kiss that she lingered on for a few seconds. She pulled away first, using her thumb to wipe away a smear of her lipgloss from his lips.
"Sparkly lipgloss isn't such a good color on you," she noted.
"I'll remember that the next time I fix my face," Luke deadpanned. "You two have a good day?"
"Great day," Lorelai confirmed with a grin. "I am now officially wedding dress-less. We found a shop that was willing to take it. Although one worker at the shop believed it was bad luck to return a wedding dress that didn't work out."
"Crazy," Luke muttered. "How's the damage on my credit card?"
"I think I heard I crying out 'help me' as we left one store," Lorelai replied, a teasing lilt to her voice. "No, we actually didn't do much damage. We just picked up a few things, spent some time together."
"I'm glad you two had a great time together, nice to have her home," Luke commented. He looked towards Rory's door before focusing back on his task of preparing the garlic bread to go along with their lasagna. "She on the phone with that Logan kid?"
Lorelai chuckled then nodded her head, "Yep. She's on the phone with Logan. Tough with him being so far away."
"And we approve of him? Isn't he the one that was with her when she stole the yacht?"
"He's Logan," Lorelai said lamely. "And Rory really likes him and I'm being approving of the relationship as long as there is no more yacht stealing. You're free to form your own opinions of him."
"I will do that," Luke replied in such a way that is caused Lorelai to laugh again. He finished with the garlic bread and slid it into the oven. "What do you think about June 9th?"
"For what?" Lorelai asked.
"Our wedding," Luke clarified before continuing on. "While you and Rory were gone today, I took a look at your wedding planner and it was one of the dates open for the Dragonfly. I think it sounds like a good day for a wedding."
"I can't think of anything else I have to do that day," Lorelai replied. She smiled. "I have to agree, it sounds like a perfect day for a wedding."
"June 9th it is then."
"I'll mark it down in my planner." She was giddy, happy that they decided a date which made it a lot easier for other aspects of planning to fall into place. "Let's just hope June is good to us this time around. There is a history."
"It will be."
The door to Rory's bedroom opened and she joined the two adults in the kitchen, now free from her phone call from Logan. Lorelai informed her daughter of the date chosen for the wedding and even she had to agree that it sounded like a good day to get married. Dinner was finished and they all gathered around the table with Lorelai helping Luke to serve the food since she wanted to help out in some way.
"So I have some news about Logan," Rory announced.
Lorelai stopped the forkful of lasagna mid-way to her mouth and looked over at her daughter. "What kind of news?" She shared a look with Luke. "Good or bad?"
"Good, sort of," Rory answered. "We were talking about the holidays and he thought that he was going to be able to come home for Christmas but he says that he doesn't think that will be possible anymore. He invited to come spend Christmas with him."
"Spend Christmas with him in London?" Lorelai asked and Rory nodded her head to answer her mother's question. "But we always do Christmas together, I mean of course we have to, we're a family. And along with Luke, we'll have April to celebrate with this year."
"I know," Rory assured her mother. "And I told Logan about that but I think we can work it out where I go to London for Logan and spend time with him since I haven't been able to in a while and still be able to spend Christmas time with you. I'll probably be home after Christmas but we still have some Christmas time together."
"We have our traditions," Lorelai insisted.
"I know and we can still do them, we have to do them," Rory replied. "And who know Logan might be able to come home for Christmas and I can invite him over here. There's no definite plans yet."
"Either way, you do what makes you happy," Lorelai finally said after a beat. "We'll figure it out."
Luke noticed Lorelai's expression and mentioned that he wasn't sure if they would even be able to spend Christmas day with April seeing as he and Anna were still working out how they were going to split up the holidays which seemed to help with the revelation that Rory might not be spending Christmas at home this year. She suggested postponing Christmas if Rory's plans for London worked out, which at first seemed crazy but with being unsure of both Rory and April's plans, the more the idea seemed to be logical. The holiday conversation was pushed aside for other topics such as sharing their shopping trip with Luke and bringing up the house that Emily and Richard wanted to buy for the soon-to-be-wedded couple that would provide them with the room needed for their growing family.
At first, Lorelai felt weird mentioning to Rory that there was a small chance of them possibly not living in the house that they had moved into so many years ago but after doing a drive-by of the house before their shopping trip, Rory seemed more at ease than she did about the very possibility of moving. Lorelai assured Rory, which was more for her benefit than her daughter's, that they were just doing a look-through and nothing was set in stone but a bigger house would be good for all of them.
After dinner and clean-up, Lorelai and Rory retired to the living room insisting that Luke join them this time for movie night since he bailed the night before using the excuse that he was tired and that Lorelai should spend time alone with Rory since that hadn't happened recently. But those excuses didn't work on them this time as Lorelai pulled him onto the couch next to her and declared it family night for all three of them and soon they would work on having a real family movie night with both Rory and April included.
Needed some more Rory in this story. Just really setting things up. Anyway.
As always, reviews are appreciated.
