Notes:
Robinpoppins I totally know what you mean. I was eating an M&M when Lorelai opened the door to Luke and told him her parents were there and I laughed so hard almost choked. (When I said I almost died I wasn't kidding.) And it comes on late here so my roommate came downstairs to tell me to stop laughing so loud, but I couldn't stop. And then Lorelai added the Ed McMahon line which made it even better.
bluedaisy05 You name the date and time and I'll be there with a new script for ASP and a hair straightener for LG!
And for those who are writing and begging for Luke and Lorelai to get together already and for other things I would recommend the next few chapters, because they're gonna be whoppers.
Finally, be sure to check out my new fic The Inner Lorelai!
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Lorelai's House
Lorelai pulls up in her jeep following a full day of work. She smiles as she sees Luke mowing the lawn. Getting out of the car, she waves at him. Luke stops the mower and takes a look at her with her cream turtleneck covering the bruises under her black suit. She reaches into her purse and takes out a hair tie, pulling her hair back, revealing the purplish bruise still covering the right side of her face.
"Hey there John Deere," Lorelai says brightly. "Nice job you're doing." She glances over the half-mowed lawn.
"Yeah," Luke grunts. Lorelai raises an eyebrow.
"You just thought since it was the nicest day we've had in awhile, you'd come over here and mow my lawn?" Lorelai asks.
"Actually, I was hoping to run into you."
"On my front lawn? I don't think that's called 'running into' me," Lorelai mocks, air quoting. Luke grimaces.
"I wanted to check on you." Lorelai smiles softly. "You've been in and out so quickly this week, grabbing a coffee to go and then you're gone. We really haven't had time to talk."
"That's sweet, but I'm fine," Lorelai responds sweetly, giving him a flirtatious smile..
"Fine? You're fine?" Lorelai smile disappears as her expression hardens.
"I'm fine," she repeats. Luke lets go of the mower, his hands going to his hips.
"Stop that, stop lying Lorelai. This is me you're talking to. The one who picked you up in Boston, who found you broken on his doorstep and brought you back and took care of you."
"I called you for a ride not to rescue me from anything," Lorelai responds coldly. Luke gives her a look.
"Lorelai, I saw the look in your eyes that night." Lorelai presses her lips together.
"Well, I'm fine now. I'm healing. It's in the past," Lorelai maintains. Luke looks at her like she's crazy.
"This is how you do it, this is how you always do it. You hide it all inside. But you can't do that Lorelai. Not this time. I won't let you," Luke vows. Lorelai tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
"I have to put this in the past, Luke. I have to move on. If it keeps coming up, if I keep talking about it, I'll never get past it, and I need to. I can't let one night change me."
"But, Lorelai, if you don't talk about it, you'll never forget it," Luke responds. Lorelai gives him a sorrowful look.
"I may move on, but I'll never forget it," she says evenly. They stare at each other for a moment, letting her words sink in. "Chris is out of my life, but he's still Rory's father, he'll always be Rory's father, I can't change that. And he should be allowed to have whatever relationship with her that he wants. She deserves that. She shouldn't be left with the consequences of my actions."
"Your actions? Lorelai, you didn't make him do this. Just because we slept together, doesn't give him permission to lay a hand on you. Nothing you could do would allow him to treat you like that," Luke asserts. Lorelai nods slowly.
"I know," she whispers. "But one stupid night shouldn't ruin his life." Luke shakes his head. "Hey, Ted Kennedy might have killed a woman but it didn't ruin his life. He's known as one of the greatest senators in current times."
"Yeah, but not back then," Luke notes. Lorelai shrugs. Rory walks up the drive causing the two to stop their conversation.
"Hey, Honey, how was your day?" Lorelai asks as Rory walks over to her.
"I'm just thanking George Burns that this is the last week before spring break," Rory crabs. Lorelai puts an arm around Rory's shoulders.
"Oh, my poor overworked daughter," Lorelai says sympathetically, squeezing Rory's shoulder. Rory grimaces.
"Nice job on the lawn, Luke. Edward Scissorhands would be impressed," Rory teases. Luke glares at her. Rory grins. "Hey did you hear that my mom is the world's biggest klutz?" Rory smirks at Lorelai who plasters on a smile.
"Uh, yeah…" Luke replies lamely. Rory raises an eyebrow, since Luke normally would not refuse a chance to harass Lorelai.
"I'm the klutziest of them all," Lorelai says lightly, giving Luke a hard look. Rory nods.
"So, um, Mom, since he's here and not at the diner, what's for dinner?" Rory asks, flinging her hand towards Luke when she talks about him.
"I was thinking we would just heat up the rest of the Chinese from the weekend," Lorelai suggests. Rory's eyes light up. "Good idea?"
"Great idea!" Rory exclaims, suddenly happy. "You want to stay for dinner Luke?" Luke raises an eyebrow.
"And watch you two eat piles of crap covered in sauce?" Luke asks sarcastically.
"Wow and my appetite is gone," Lorelai kids.
"I need to get back to the diner soon anyways," Luke says. He and Lorelai share a look. Lorelai glances over at Rory.
"Hey, Sweets, why don't you go inside and start warming it up and I'll be inside in a moment?" Rory nods.
"Kay, I've gotta get this monster of a backpack off my back anyways," Rory replies. "See ya Luke." She kisses Lorelai on the cheek, waves to Luke and walks inside. Lorelai watches her go, waiting until Rory closes the door behind her before turning back to Luke. She takes a deep breath, folding her hands in front of her.
"Thank you, Luke. You know, for not saying anything," Lorelai says softly. Luke shakes his head.
"You should tell her," Luke maintains. Lorelai shakes her head.
"No. Let me be the mother and you be the friend." Luke nods. She turns to walk into the house but stops and walks over to Luke.
"You're not going to do anything, are you?" she asks vaguely. Luke stares at her, pretending he doesn't understand, but he does. She touches his wrist lightly. "Please, Luke, leave him alone." Luke looks down, not wanting to look into her pleading, misty eyes. Lorelai presses her lips together, waiting for his response. "For me?" Lorelai holds tighter to his wrist. Luke looks up at her, taking a deep breath.
"Fine," he grunts.
"I just want to let this go. Move on. And I can't…" She shakes her head. "I can't get past it if I have to deal with you and him." Luke grits his teeth, not wanting to give in.
"He shouldn't have touched you." They stare at each other, each trying to stand his or her ground.
"I know," Lorelai finally whispers, biting her lower lip. "But, I need to move on. I have to. I can't let this get the best of me. I'm stronger than that."
"Mom! Dinner's ready!" they hear Rory call. Lorelai glances back at the house and then looks back at Luke. He nods.
"Thank you," she whispers. Lorelai stands on her tip-toes and kisses his cheek. Then she squeezes his wrist, gratefully. "If you keep this up, I'll get you your own white horse." Lorelai smiles and then walks up the steps. Luke doesn't watch her go, not wanting to believe he's given in. He shakes his head and starts the mower again. Lorelai watches him for a moment, smiling softly. A light blush covering her cheeks as she realizes that this man is the only one who's always been good to her, always stagnate, always kind. And she knows she couldn't do it without him. And she knows what she feels for him is more than friendship, so much more. But she's made her promise. She's put her daughter first. And so, though all she wants to do is run to him, throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until they're both breathless, she remains on the porch. Watching him from afar. Time will tell what may come for them, she knows. So she swallows her feelings and walks inside the house.