Notes: Hey all, since I didn't post anything yesterday, today's will be a little longer.

And today is my birthday! Yay! So, write me lots of happy reviews, I love what I've read so far. And as my birthday present to you: lots of Luke and Lorelai! Yay! Okay, back to the story...

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Luke's Diner

Lorelai walks in, glancing around, not seeing Luke, she sits down at a table. "Lorelai! Surprised to see you without that big hunk you're always dragging around the town!" Babette exclaims, coming up to the table.

"Do you mean Chris?" Lorelai asks.

"I mean that gorgeous man who put that rock on your finger," Babette replies, motioning to Lorelai's hand. Lorelai glances down at the ring, biting her lower lip. "That's a great ring you got there Lorelai, a great ring from what must be a great guy, although you never introduce him to us!" Lorelai smiles, tightlipped.

"Sorry, Babette. I'll work on that. He actually works in Boston during the week so I usually only see him on the weekends."

"Well that'll all change when you get married, won't it? Are you gonna move?" Babette asks, just as Rory walks in the diner. Lorelai glances over at her daughter, relief washing over her face. "Oh, I should let you girls have your time. Don't forget Sugar, I wanna meet that man of yours." She points at Lorelai, making sure Lorelai's gotten the point. Rory smiles at Babette and sits down next to Lorelai. Babette walks out. Lorelai breathes a sigh of relief.

"You okay there?" Rory asks, concerned but smiling. Lorelai shrugs.

"I thought Dean was meeting you here," Lorelai says. Rory nods.

"Yeah, he'll be here. He had a hockey meeting after school. He wants to play hockey this year."

"You could have waited for him."

"No, I wanted to bring you this," Rory says. She hands Lorelai a big envelope, her eyes sparkling. Lorelai opens in, her eyes going wide.

"Your Harvard application!"

"Yes!" They hug. Lorelai glances at her hands.

"Oh, I feel like my hands aren't clean enough to hold this!" Lorelai exclaims. She throws the envelope into Rory's hands and wipes her hands with a napkin. "Wait, you have to wipe your hands too!" Luke walks over. Rory attempts to hand Luke the envelope. "Don't give it to him, you think he's wiped his hands lately?"

"I'd get mad but that would mean I want to know what you're talking about," Luke grumbles. Rory hands the envelope to Lorelai and wipes her hands.

"Rory's application to Harvard is here. If we get it dirty they take points off," Lorelai explains.

"I don't really think it works like that," Luke responds. Lorelai scoffs. Rory laughs quietly. "What can I get for you that won't get your hands dirty?" Luke asks Rory.

"Chili fries."

"And that won't get your hands dirty?" Luke shakes his head at Lorelai. "She's your daughter." Lorelai winks at Rory.

"That she is. Speaking of daughters, where's yours?"

"April? She's coming tomorrow."

"Oh…" Lorelai tries to keep her face from betraying her. "I thought she was supposed to come on Mondays. Didn't you ask me to join you guys?" She hit his arm playfully.

"Oh yeah, well, Anna brought her by on Friday for a little while because she couldn't bring her over today," Luke explain. Lorelai nods, tightlipped smile.

"So, you and Anna, that's working out?"

"Uh, no, me and Anna aren't a thing. I mean, not really. We were, you know, years ago, but no, we're over. She's not, she's not my type, I guess," Luke stammers. Rory smiles watching the two of them behave like middle schoolers. Lorelai nods. She reaches for the envelope from Rory.

"Well, you'd better go get us those chili fries, we have some major application work to do. This could take us all day. We need all the help we can to get into Harvard, we'll call Reese Witherspoon if we have to," Lorelai says. She begins to flip through the application. Luke nods and walks away. Rory looks confused at what just went on, but leans over Lorelai's shoulder to read the application.

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Dance Marathon

Chris had to stay in Boston so Lorelai still took Rory as her dance partner in the Dance Marathon. It is now the last hour of the marathon and Lorelai has just broken her shoe and convinced Dean to take care of Rory while Lorelai tries to get Luke to fix her shoe. They're sitting in the other room as Luke tries to glue the shoe together.

"These are not shoes made for this type of dancing," Luke comments.

"What type of dancing were they made for?" Lorelai asks, playfully. Luke gives her a look.

"None, these shoes shouldn't even be worn if you like your feet at all."

"But they were on sale! And they're cute! And they called my name!" Lorelai whines. Luke nods, smiling slightly. He puts the glue on and is pressing the heel to the shoe.

"So, did Rory get her application for Harvard in?" he asks. Lorelai nods.

"Yup. She'll be crimson in no time, at least that's what the alumni-er-us said." Luke nods. He doesn't look at her. "What's on your mind Charlie Chaplin?"

"You going to leave Stars Hallow?" Luke asks. Lorelai's mouth drops open.

"Why would I leave?"

"For Boston."

"Rory's the one going to Harvard, she's going to Boston. Not me," Lorelai says, shaking her head.

"But you're getting married," Luke mentions, motioning towards the ring, still not looking at her. "And he..."

"Christopher." Luke sighs.

"Christopher. He lives in Boston. Doesn't he?"

"Yes, but… I have a life here. I have the inn and my house and my friends," Lorelai insists.

"Is he going to move here?" Lorelai raises an eyebrow. "Haven't you talked about where you're going to live after you're married?" Lorelai shrugs.

"No, not really." Luke sighs. "What?"

"Nothing. It's just… this happens every time you get engaged," Luke says.

"What happens?"

"This miscommunication thing. With Max. With Christopher."

"No, it doesn't."

"Fine." Luke hands her the shoes. Lorelai looks cross. "Do you even love him?"

"He's the father of my daughter. I'm marrying him! What is with the twenty questions?" Lorelai's getting frustrated trying to shove the shoes onto her feet.

"It's just. If you don't love him, you shouldn't marry him," Luke answers. Lorelai stares at him for a moment.

"Why do you care?" They look at each other. Luke sighs as Lorelai finally gets the shoes on her feet.

"Because I want you to be happy." Lorelai doesn't seem pleased with this response.

"You know what? You! You are what happens every time I get engaged!" She jumps to her feet. "You ask all these questions like, what about the coupon drawer, and where are you going to live, and, uh, what movies do you watch. You are the problem! Stop butting in! Stop trying to help."

"I just fixed your shoes." Luke motions to her feet.

"Thank you! And that's the last thing I'll ever ask you to do. From now on, let me do it myself!" Lorelai stomps off into the dance area. Luke sighs, letting the glue drop to the ground.

"And Kirk wins again!" Patty announces.

"No! I'm here! I'm here! I have my yellow card!" Lorelai exclaims, waving the yellow card as she runs into the room.

"I win!" Kirk yells.

"No, I – where's Rory?" Lorelai wonders. Kirk picks up the trophy, holding it high above his head. Rory walks in the other side of the gym, tears streaming down her face. "Rory?" Lorelai walks quickly over to Rory, wrapping her arms around her daughter, holding her tight. "Are you okay? Hun, what happened?" Rory doesn't respond. She just sobs in Lorelai's arms.

Luke walks in the gym, watching Lorelai and Rory. Lorelai looks back at him over Rory's shoulder, a sad expression on her face. They share a look. Lorelai looks like she she wants to say something but just pulls Rory in tighter. Luke stares at her a moment more and walks out.