A/N: Ok, so my incorporation of Hinder songs into this fic are now over. I will be using new songs be different bands, great songs mind you…none of that boy band/barbie doll bullshit. So here is the next installment of this story, a chapter that I hope you all will enjoy…

Disclaimer: not mine…

Sleep could not come soon enough for the exhausted lovers. Although they had made love five times neither could be sated, their time apart leaving them emotionally ready to continue their sinful deeds. Their bodies however were a different story, their lovemaking taking its toll on them physically. Simultaneously they sighed in contentment, a slight whimper of disapproval rising from Lorelai as Luke extracted himself from her. Their breath still slightly labored Luke pulled Lorelai to him, kissing her flaming cheek as they snuggled up against one another.

"I love you Luke." Lorelai sighed, drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness. Despite her condition his whispered reply rang through her ears, encompassing her soul and sending her into a peaceful oblivion. Closing her eyes she found herself drifting away as he repeated those three words yet again.

Without opening his eyes he felt her out, the back of his hand resting on her stomach as it rose up and down with each intake of her breath. After opening his eyes he quickly turned to watch her, smiling at the sight of her, relishing in a feeling that he had thought to be forever lost. Besides kissing her Luke loved to watch her sleep. This could be due to the fact that she was asleep, innocent, quiet. She was dead to the world as she slept, her hair falling over her eyes and her lips twisted into a slight smile even as she slept. Taking her hand in his he began a practice that he had long since perfected, watching her breath as her chest rose and fell.

I catalog these steps now, decisive and intentioned

Precise and patterned especially to yours

I'm talented at breathing, especially exhaling

So that my chest will rise and fall with yours

He had no clue why he had even started doing this, this breathing. There was no wrong way to breath, however when he held her hand, when he saw and felt her chest rise and fall along with his… How could he possibly describe the feeling? They were one in a non-physical way and yet the connection seemed to run deeper than that of their lovemaking although it was almost neck and neck.

I'm careful not to wake you, fearing conversation It's better just to hold you and keep you pacified

I'm talented with reason, I cover all the angles

I can fail before I even try…

As their breathing began occurring simultaneously he began reliving the events of yesterday, of all that led to their beautiful reconciliation. Without meaning to however he also began to think of what led to their split. Would he make the same mistake again? HELL NO! He had lost her twice now, both break-ups making it pretty self-evident that it was impossible for Luke Danes to live without Lorelai Gilmore. There was no debate, no question about the truth in that statement and as he lay there watching her he vowed never to do anything that would part them for more than a day…no matter what the cost.

Try to understand there's an old mistake that fools will make

And I'm the King of them, pushing everything that's good away

Won't you hold me now? (I will bend and not break)

Won't you hold me now? (I will bend and not break)

He had pushed her away in the last couple of months. He had left her out and made her feel insignificant, as if she wasn't even a part of the equation, like she wasn't important to him. He knew this, she had told him this and he had not listened. Everyday it had been in her eyes, piercing him, haunting him, but being the man that he was he chose to ignore this and tell himself that he was seeing things, that it wasn't as bad as she had been making it seem. Looking back now he knew that he had known about her unhappiness, that stress added onto his plate would have been too much however, so he ignored it, pretended it wasn't there when almost everyone in Stars Hollow knew. He should have made Lorelai a part of his daughters life, as soon as she had come into his. He should have talked to Anna and made it perfectly clear that they were a package deal. Lorelai was going to be his wife and would be April's dependable stepmother. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, though would not make up for his previous actions, but now he had the opportunity to make things right. And while watching her he chose that moment to vow his absolute devotion to her….

A/N: Dashboard Confessional's Bend and Not Break. This is only half the chapter, I'm tired…more tomorrow, including the rest of this song. C-Ya….oh PLEASE REVIEW!