A few days later, Luke went to see the doctor. A little less than a week after that he receives the results and they're normal. The doctor also told him that it was very unlikely that he would get cancer.

Rory returned to Stars Hollow for Christmas that year. The whole family traveled to the airport to pick her up. Lorelai saw Rory walking towards them first. She grinned as soon as Rory noticed her. Rory started walking faster, and soon Lorelai and Rory collided in a big hug.
When they pulled apart, Lorelai asked: "How was your flight? And, oh how does it feel to be twenty eight?" Rory wasn't able to come home for Thanksgiving or her birthday that year, so Lorelai hadn't seen her in months.

"It was fine. You asked me about being twenty eight on the phone the other day, remember? I don't really feel any older… anyways I thought you'd ask to see my ring as soon as you saw me." Rory replies.

Lorelai gasps "Oh, that's right… I haven't even seen your ring in person! Give me your hand."
Rory holds out her hand to Lorelai and she gawks the ring for a full minute. Luke comes up behind them and clears his throat.
"Luke! Hi, how are you?" Rory asks.

"Hey Rory. I'm good, you?"

"I'm fine, thanks."

Lorelai turns to face Luke and says: "Hey Luke, I'm sorry to tell you this, but this ring has the one you gave me beat by a long shot." Luke just rolls his eyes, knowing that she's just trying to tease him. Lorelai smiles, "But don't worry, hon. I still love you."
Rory greets Will while Luke goes to get Rory's luggage.

When they return home, they're surprised to find Richard's car in the driveway. After Luke pulls in behind them, they watch Richard and Emily get out of the car. Lorelai and Rory get out of the car as Luke moves to the backseat to take Will and Sam out of their car seats.
"Rory! Welcome home!" Richard greets Rory as she and Lorelai approach them.

"Hi Grandpa." She gives him a quick hug.

"Rory! Your mother told me that you're engaged. How could you get engaged to a man that your grandfather and I have never met?" Emily demands, a scowl on her face.
Lorelai gives Rory an apologetic look as Will comes running up to her;

"Mommy! Can we go have hot chocolate?" He asks.

"Sure, honey." They go inside together. Luke comes up behind Rory, carrying Sam.

"Um, Grandma…why don't we go inside and catch up." Rory says to Emily. They both head inside.

"Luke, how are you, son?" Richard asks Luke.

"I'm good, thanks." Luke responds.

"And how is little Samantha here?"

"She's good too… do you mind taking her inside so I can get Rory's bags?" Luke asks.

"Sure." Richard replies and Luke passes Sam to him. "Hi sweetheart." Richard whispers to her. Luke turns around and walks back to the car.

When Luke walks into the house, he hears Rory telling Emily, "Grandma, Jeremy and I live in Chicago and he works and I work, so it would be really hard for us to both have time off at the same time to come here so he could meet you."

"Well, you're mother and Luke have met him." Emily replies.

"That's because they came to visit for a day."
Luke doesn't hear Emily's response, as he walks out of hearing distance. He finds Lorelai and Will in the kitchen, sitting at the table drinking hot chocolate.
Before Luke can ask where Richard and Sam are, Lorelai tells him: "My dad is putting Sam down for her nap." Luke smiles. He's happy that their relationship with Lorelai's parents is better than it was a few years ago.
"Alright, I'm going to take Rory's bags upstairs and call April to make sure she got home okay."
Lorelai nods and Luke leaves the room.

A half an hour later, Luke returns downstairs to find Emily and Richard leaving. After they walk out the door, Lorelai tells Luke, "So, we're going to their Christmas party tomorrow."

"Oh? But I thought you couldn't get a babysitter for the kids?"

"Grandma said they can come since it will just be family." Rory tells him.
Luke just nods.

"So, how's April? Does she like college?" Rory asks Luke.

"She's great and she loves it. She made a few new friends and she really enjoys all her classes."
"That's great." Rory says with a smile.

"Oh, and she told me that she has a boyfriend." Lorelai says.

Luke frowns at her, "When did she tell you that? She didn't mention it to me."

Lorelai grins, "She texted me the other day, I don't think she told you because she probably thinks you'll freak out. But she never said that I couldn't tell you."

Luke thinks for a few seconds before replying. "She could have told me, I'm not mad or anything… I just don't want her to be with a guy that doesn't treat her right…" He mutters

Lorelai smiles softly at him: "I know, you're just a protective dad and I think that's great."
Rory remembers how Luke acted when he found out that Dean broke up with her and when he and Lorelai found her with Logan at Richard and Emily's vow renewal.
"Hey Luke, April's lucky to have you as a dad… so are Will and Sam" Rory tells him sincerely.
Luke flashes her a smile.

Later that night, Lorelai notices that Luke still seems a little upset.
"Luke, I'm sure April wanted to tell you, she was probably just waiting for the right opportunity."

"I know, I was just thinking about what it will be like when Sam starts to date."

"Oh, no… that won't be for years, I'm not ready for her to grow up. She can't grow up as fast as Rory did, I won't allow it." Lorelai says.

Luke smiles at her "I feel the same way, how about we don't let her date until she's thirty?"

Lorelai returns his smile, "I don't think she'll like that, but it sounds like a plan."
He lies down next to her on the bed and she leans in to kiss him goodnight. He turns off the light and they drift off to sleep.

Author's note: Thanks for reading, following, and reviewing this story.