Thanks a bunch for the reviews gang! I'm incredibly overwhelmed and hungry for more! I love all the words you've suggested for the Word Game. You'll have to wait and see which one I've chosen for this chapter. Keep suggesting words as they pop into your lovely heads and the game shall increase in its pleasure! One thing I forgot to mention is the fact that along with 'Digger,' Nicole is very much out of the picture as well. Woohoo!
Shall we then?
Every face was plastered with shock. Luke seemed to be the only levelheaded one in the bunch. He needed to be. As he placed Lorelai's fragile body ever so delicately on the chair before them, he instructed Sookie to obtain a cool cloth. Meanwhile, Babette fetched a glass of water and Patty stood and fanned Lorelai's flushed face. The others watched the scene unfold.
"Lorelai, talk to me," Luke pleaded.
"Yeah?" she barely uttered.
"How are you feeling?" Luke was certainly shaken.
"Uh, I'm a little dizzy actually." She reached for the glass of water Babette was holding.
"Here doll, I'll help you with that," Babette held the glass to her mouth and Lorelai took several large gulps. Sookie adeptly patted her face with the cloth and Patty's arm grew tired of fanning so devotedly.
"I, I don't know what came over me. I just lost my balance I guess. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle any of you," Lorelai apologized.
"I'll tell you what came over you," Luke snapped. "Your body has finally responded to the lack of fuel you're giving it – that's what came over you!" He was frustrated, understandably so.
His tone was unexpected and infinitely unwelcome. "Who the hell are you to tell me what I'm feeling? I'm perfectly fine. I just had a little vertigo – that's it. Now you can all sleep at night!" Lorelai snapped back.
"You must think I'm a fool…and I would be if I believed you!" Luke retorted.
"You know what? I've had enough of your badgering for one evening," Lorelai pushed Sookie's cloth away and rose to her feet, "I have things to do, now if you'll excuse me…"
That was most certainly the last straw. Luke stepped in and swept Lorelai right off her feet, clinging her protesting form tightly to his chest. He had a very determined look in his eyes.
"What are you doing?" she screamed.
"Something I should have done a long time ago," he responded without missing a beat. He carried her towards the staircase, past the myriad of stunned expressions. And they disappeared out of sight, although Lorelai's disputing wails could be heard five counties away.
Once Luke's apartment door slammed shut, the wailing receded and the chatting commenced.
"Are they going to have sex?" Kirk spoke first, naturally.
"What's he sayin?" Babette inquired.
"Because it's too early in the day for sex." Kirk unnecessarily added.
"It's never too early for sex!" Patty cooed.
"Sex leads to fatigue, and Lorelai is already physically exhausted. I know when Lulu and I are finished the act, I'm down for the count." Kirk's social skills were as good as ever.
"Good god Kirk, quit talking about your sex life…in fact, just stop talking period." Jackson quipped.
"But Luke did have a certain look in his eyes," Sookie admitted. She was a hopeless romantic.
Patty smiled saucily, "I don't think I've ever been too tired for sex."
Babette nodded in agreement, "Nah, that's against your religion."
Meanwhile, Luke had managed to muffle Lorelai's reservations as he skillfully removed her heals and tucked her snuggly into his bed. She was much too exhausted to refuse his forced hospitality.
He leaned over her relaxed form and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Lorelai smiled slightly and squeezed his hand with her own. "I'm so sorry Luke," she offered.
"I know. Just get some rest. We'll talk later." He was so good to her. He understood her completely.
Lorelai nodded and closed her eyes briefly. "Hey Luke?" she asked, eyes now open, "why are you so good to me?"
Luke, who had made his way to the kitchen, turned slightly at the sound of her voice.
"Because I…because I care about you," he was being genuine, real.
Lorelai contemplated briefly his answer before responding, "Thanks for caring." She sighed happily and her eyes once more drifted shut.
Luke waited until he was sure Lorelai was sleeping soundly, and quietly removed himself from the apartment. Silence ensued in the diner as Luke entered. He knew better than to ask what they were talking about.
The silence was on the verge of becoming awkward when Patty finally spoke, "Everyone, listen up! I have a wonderful idea!"
The townies tuned in with bated breath.
"I think we should volunteer at the Dragonfly! Do whatever we can to get that place ready for business. Who's with me?" Patty was a facilitator to the core.
The proposition seemed to inspire the crowd.
"Oh, I can look after the wood! I love lumber!" Kirk shrieked with delight. "And Lulu can look after the horses. She's crazy about horses! She sometimes calls me her wild stal…"
Luke graciously interrupted, "For the love of god Kirk, stop now!"
As the laughter died down, Babette piped up, "I can sew pillows! I've got a mean stitch!" she beamed.
"I've got the grounds-duty covered," Jackson stated with pride.
"I'll finalize our meal plans and whip up some food for all you hungry volunteers!" Sookie giggled with excitement.
"I can look after the door installation and any electrical problems," Luke modestly offered.
"Not without my help," Gypsy warned. She was indeed a handy-woman, bossy too.
"All right, the rest of us are on paint/clean-up duty," Patty instructed.
The smiles in the room were contagious.
Patty was thrilled by the overwhelming response, "So it's settled then. We'll meet bright and early on Saturday morning." Heads nodded in agreement.
With parting grins and contented sighs, the happy volunteers exited the diner in an orderly fashion. Funny that Luke never even turned the stove on. If it was possible, everyone was entirely too cheerful to eat!
Luke attended to his closing chores, reveling in the warmth and generosity of the townsfolk that he'd grown to love over the years…although he'd never admit it. He left a pot of coffee on, and returned upstairs to his sleeping patient.
To Be Continued…
Keep the Words coming!