Notes:
So I did my best with the proposal, tried to not make the whole thing too sickly sweet, but I'm not sure accomplished that. If you're wondering at all why Lorelai's response was what it was to the proposal, read my notes at the end of chap 8 or beginning of chap 10.
I hope you guys didn't think that was the end! A few people thought I seemed like I was ending it there and I really couldn't, there's so much more story to go!
Rach - Yes, I see your point about Rory's development and that sometimes we haven't really seen any. In fact, when I watch the pilot episode, I often wonder if she was more mature then, than many times throughout the series (case in point, visiting Anna's store when Lorelai specifically told her not to and then getting pissy when Lorelai got mad that she had gone to the store). No, the fic won't be never-ending. There is an end, but it's far from over. When it's the end, you'll know it.
scubaluver - Hmmm... ominous music, you really have been reading ;) That comment cracked me up.
GMB loves Angel - I didn't know that about European Christmas. Being Jewish, I really know very little about Christmas so I didn't know that. I'm sending you... I don't know... all the writing powers I can to help you get your writing groove on. I know what you're saying about distractions. This whole weekend was such a distraction that I wasn't able to get any chapters done on any story I'm working on, but today I reread what I have so far in It Was Never Uncomplicated and suddenly I knew where I wanted to go next. So weird. Guess those writing grooves just come and go.
Luke's Diner – December 31st
Luke is wandering around the diner, helping all the customers. April's at the counter eating a cheese sandwich, chatting with him as he works. "So did you guys pick a date for the wedding yet?" April asks.
"No, I think Lorelai wants to concentrate on giving birth first," Luke replies as he sets a plate of french-fries down in front of a customer. April grins.
"That's smart of her."
"I'll let her know you agree," Luke responds, quickly walking behind the counter to grab the customer a new ketchup bottle.
"But I get to be in the wedding?" April asks, hopefully. Luke smiles at her as he pauses his pace in front of her.
"Of course, you're my daughter. You excited to finally be a big sister?" April nods her head vigorously.
"Yeah! It's probably my only chance," April remarks. Luke nods, walking back behind the counter to get the coffee pot.
"Your mom doesn't want to have any more kids?" Luke asks. April shakes her head.
"No, Mom always says she was never planning on having kids, so I'm lucky. Not that she doesn't love me…"
"Yeah, your mom never seemed like the mothering type, you know, back when," Luke notes, as he pours coffee for a few customers.
"So have you chosen names yet?" April wonders. Luke shakes his head. He walks back to put the pot away.
"No, well, we're on our way at least, we made a new deal."
"Like Lyndon Johnson?" April asks. Luke glances over at her.
"What do you know about Lyndon Johnson?" April shrugs.
"Mom bought me this book about the presidents when I was like 8 or something and I read it cover to cover until I memorized it. I loved it. I mean it wasn't Dickens, but, hey, I was only eight," April replies. Luke raises an eyebrow, even more amazed with his daughter. "I learned lots of things from that book, like about how John Quincy Adams used to like to swim naked in the Potomac."
"I don't think I want you to know that," Luke mutters. April laughs. He starts the coffee pot again and walks over to stand across the counter from April. "So the new deal. I choose our son's first name and our daughter's middle name and Lorelai will do her first name and his middle name, and I reserve the right to name our daughter after her mother if she tries to name our daughter after the lead singer of the Bangles or something." April giggles. "Rory got lucky, let me just say that," Luke says, giving April a pointed look.
"So have you thought of any names for him?" Luke shrugs.
"You have any ideas?" Luke asks.
"Well, do you just want a name you like or do you want to name him after someone?" Luke sighs and starts wiping the counter.
"I was thinking about naming him after my father, your grandfather." April frowns, eyebrows raised, as if she agrees. "Have I ever told you anything about him?" April shakes her head. "My dad was a family man, after my mom died he was all Liz and I had. And although he always wished things had gone right with Liz, he tried his best. He really loved her. But he worked hard, he started his own store and ran it right up until the day he died. He lived and breathed for that store. He loved this town and the people in it. He would do anything for this place. But he never let people believe that things were as important to him as they were."
"So a lot like you," April comments. Luke looks down and slowly smiles to himself. She reaches out and touches his hand. "I think William is the perfect name." Luke nods, still smiling, as Sookie walks in the diner.
"Luke, how's it hanging?" Sookie calls, walking up to the counter. Luke gives her a withering stare. "Wow, so good mood, huh?"
"It was until you came in here. Can't you and Lorelai use phones like everyone else? I'm getting close to quitting my job as your messenger," Luke complains. Sookie frowns in sympathy.
"Aw, poor Luke, has to do his poor pregnant girlfriend a favor, life must suck for you, huh?"
"Hey, watch what you say in front of my kid," Luke warns but April just laughs, having gotten used to the banter that goes on in Stars Hallow.
"I was just wondering if you knew if Lorelai had heard back from the bank," Sookie says. Luke pauses his work and stares at her. Sookie realizes that he has no idea what she's talking about. "Oh… you know… maybe I should just go see her…"
"Sookie, why is Lorelai waiting to hear back from the bank?"
"She's thinking about getting a job there?" Sookie suggests.
"Sookie!" Luke shouts. Sookie gives him a timid look. Luke glares at her waiting for her to tell the truth. Sookie sighs.
"She's waiting to hear about a loan…"
"A loan? For the inn?" Sookie nods. "Is she in a lot of financial trouble?" Sookie shrugs. "Is that what she's been so worried about lately?" Sookie shrugs again.
"I think there's more to it than that, but she is worried about the money…" Sookie sighs again. "She's going to kill me for telling you."
"No, I just feel bad that she couldn't come to me. I mean she should have."
"Not in her mind, in her mind she's Jo March and you're Aunt March," Sookie replies. Luke looks confused.
"What?"
"Oh, Little Women!" April exclaims. Luke glances over at April, a blank look on his face. Sookie just shakes her head, telling him to leave it alone.
"Luke, just give her a break," Sookie insists. The phone rings and Luke walks over towards it, still looking at Sookie.
"I am, I just want her to know she can come to me. This whole marriage thing is never going to work unless we talk. You know?" Sookie nods knowingly. Luke nods and then picks up the phone. "Luke's."
"Luke!" he hears Lorelai's scared cry over the phone.
"Lorelai?" he asks, his heart dropping. Sookie and April share a look.
"Luke! There's something wrong. Oh God Luke, you have to come, come now!" Lorelai cries.
"I'll be there!" Luke slams down the phone. Not even acknowledging that there are people in his diner, Luke runs out the door. April looks up at Sookie worried.
"He'll let us know when he knows something," Sookie promises the girl, but her face reveals how scared she is for her best friend.