Luke's Diner

April sits at the counter, holding Liam on her lap. There's a half eaten cheese sandwich in front of her. "So you ready?" April asks.

"Ready," Luke answers, grabbing a meal from the window.

"Da-ad," April whines. "Seriously."

"I'm ready!" Luke insists. He puts the meal down in front of the customer. "More coffee?"

"Water, please," the man replies. Luke nods.

"Where's the paper?" April asks.

"Right here," Luke replies, tapping his head. "I promise you April, I learned this in fifth grade too."

"Oh-kay," April says in disbelief. Luke shakes his head, filling a glass with ice and water. "I'm ready."

"We'll start easy. Texas," Luke says. He walks over and places the cup in front of the customer.

"Austin, that was easy," April answers. Luke nods.

"Don't forget to eat," Luke reminds her. April rolls her eyes but takes a bite of the sandwich. Then she plays with Liam's hands. Luke watches her, almost smiling. "Georgia."

"Atlanta." Luke nods as Liz walks in.

"Jeez…" Luke grumbles.

"Hey there big Bro!" Liz cries. She walks up behind Luke, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Liz," Luke whines, wiggling out of her embrace. As he turns to face her, Liz grins back at him. "I didn't realize you were coming back so soon."

"Well I missed ya!" Luke rolls his eyes, walking back behind the counter.

"Connecticut," Luke says. April rolls her eyes, almost exactly like Luke just did.

"Hartford," April replies shaking her head.

"Last time you missed me, I hadn't seen you in three years. This time just a few months, what gives?" Luke asks Liz, who sidles up to the counter, sitting down next to April.

"I have news," Liz answers. "Hey April. Oh is this one of the little ones?"

"That's Liam," Luke tells her.

"Aw! Can I hold him?" April glances at Luke, who nods. She hands Liam over to Liz.

"Aw, he's adorable. He's got your nose," Liz tells him. Luke sighs.

"Liz, you can't possibly know that, he's only twelve weeks," Luke insists. Liz just grins, bouncing Liam in the air. "So what is this news?" Luke asks. "Ohio," he adds, glancing at April.

"You're never going to believe it," Liz says excitedly.

"Okay, I'm preparing my face of disbelief," Luke grumbles.

"I'm getting married!" Liz exclaims.

"Wow, congratulations!" April exclaims. Luke shakes his head at her. "Columbus," she says. Luke nods.

"To who…?" Luke stares at her, thinking it over and then realizes. "No."

"Oh Luke, TJ's great. He didn't steal a thing when we were moving Jess out," Liz maintains.

"No."

"Luke, this isn't Party of Five, you're not the big brother that's going to run my life now that the parents are dead."

"And I never said I was. Was I running your life when you got pregnant at 18? Was I running your life when you married that bozo, Jimmy? Or any of the other 18 million losers you've married?" Luke throws back at her. Liz sighs, her once excited face becoming sad. She hands Liam back to April.

"Luke, you can be as displeased with my decision as you want, but I love TJ and he loves me, and I'm going to marry him," Liz states. Luke stares at her, actually listening to what she's saying. He sighs.

"When?" he asks.

"A week from Friday. And Carrie's going to be my maid of honor."

"Oh, jeez, really?" Luke asks, annoyed.

"She's my best friend, and don't pretend you don't like her. She said you were checking her out last time she was in here," Liz teases. Luke shakes his head.

"I was not."

"I won't tell Lorelai." Luke presses his lips together and then walks over to the window to get another meal for someone. Liz glances over at April, who looks down. "Luke, where's your daughter?"

"Which one?" Liz gives him a look as he sets the meal down in front of the customer. "She's with Lorelai today."

"Where is Lorelai? I want to tell her about the wedding." Luke takes a deep breath and walks over to the coffee maker.

"I don't know," Luke mumbles. He glances over at April. "Nevada."

"I know she'd want to hear. Did you guys set a date yet?" Liz asks. Luke dumps some coffee in and starts the machine. "Luke?"

"No."

"Well you've been engaged since Christmas, when are you going to set a date?"

"I don't know, some of us don't get married the moment it hits us. We can't all be Zsa Zsa Gabor," Luke replies. He glances at April. "Nevada," he repeats.

"What is this, capitals?" Liz asks April, who nods. "Las Vegas."

"No," Luke grunts.

"Carson City," April answers.

"Correct," Luke answers with a nod. Liz raises her eyebrow at April in surprise.

"Smart kid," Liz comments. "So Luke, tell me, why haven't you set a date?" Liz asks, folding her hands on the counter. Luke sighs, sharing a look with April.

"We had a fight," Luke tells Liz.

"You and Lorelai? Well, Luke, it'll work out, all couples fight," Liz insists. Luke shrugs, tapping the coffee machine. "Luke, I know you, it will work out." Luke presses his hands into the counter, looking down between them. He huffs and then glances at April.

"Alaska," he says to her. April frowns, thinking. Luke turns around leaning against the back counter, watching her.

"Juneau?" April asks. Luke nods, glancing up as the bells ring on the door.

"Sookie," Luke says. April giggles.

"Not a state," April says. She follows Luke's gaze. "Oh." Sookie nods to April and then looks back at Luke, who rolls eyes, thinking she's there to make amends between him and Lorelai.

"So who's TJ's best man?" Luke asks Liz, blatantly ignoring Sookie.

"Well… uh…" Liz stammers, glancing again at Sookie. "Maybe I can get Jess to come…"

"Jess is not coming. He's not getting near my family. Not after what he did," Luke claims.

"He's awfully sorry about that Luke. I think he can change," Liz responds. Luke shakes his head.

"Sorry doesn't fix what happened," he argues.

"And sorry seems to be the hardest word," April quips, trying to ease the tension. Luke glances over at her.

"Nebraska," he says. April furrows her eyebrows in deep concentration. "I thought we weren't switching the kids until tomorrow," Luke says, glancing up at Sookie.

"That's not why I'm here," Sookie answers. Luke looks back at April.

"Nebraska," Luke repeats. Sookie walks up behind April.

"It's a president," Sookie whispers in April's ear. April grins.

"Lincoln," April correctly answers, a smile spreading over her face.

"Do not give my daughter hints," Luke tells Sookie.

"I was just trying to help," she replies.

"You've helped enough," he spits back. Then he sighs, knowing Sookie really has helped. "Sorry." Sookie nods.

"Lorelai's grandmother died," Sookie tells him. Luke's mouth drops open.

"Oh that's terrible, is she doing okay?" Liz asks. Sookie's watching Luke but finally drags her gaze over to Liz and smiles softly.

"She's Lorelai, she's She-Ra, Princess of Power. She can handle anything," Sookie tells her. She looks back over at Luke. "You know, Lorelai, she keeps everything locked inside."

"Yes, I know Lorelai," Luke agrees. Liam gurgles, breaking the silence and April bounces him in her lap. Luke takes a deep breath and walks over to the coffee maker, grabbing the coffee pot. "Florida." Sookie rolls her eyes. Luke walks over to the tables and begins pouring them coffee.

"Luke, you can't just ignore this. She needs you," Sookie contends.

"If she needed me, why couldn't she come herself?" he asks.

"Because she's in Hartford trying to get her father to eat, trying to keep her mother from attacking her and trying make arrangements for the funeral. It's a lot for her to handle, especially with the test run coming up," Sookie tells him. Luke finishes pouring the cup of coffee, setting it on a nearby table, and walks over to stand in front of Sookie.

"The funeral's on Friday?" he asks. Sookie nods.

"And they'll be receiving guests at Richard and Emily's afterwards," she tells him. Luke runs his thumb across his forehead, mulling this over.

"Luke, you have to go," Liz presses.

"You know where Richard and Emily's is?" Sookie asks.

"Yes, Sookie, I know," Luke answers with a sigh. "Okay, we'll see." Sookie nods.

"I just thought you should know. I'll pick up the twins that morning so they can be with Lorelai at the funeral and after," Sookie offers. Luke nods. "I hope you decide to do the right thing." Sookie turns and walks out. Luke sighs again, his hands going to his hips.

"Tallahassee," April says. Luke glances over at her. He watches her play with Liam for a moment, a smile playing on his lips. He nods.