Disclaimer: I own nothing

Author's Note: Thanks to Kirsteen. I hope you like the story so far.

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When they were a feet away from Luke, Lorelai squeezed April's arm and started talking to him.

"Hey, look who I brought."

Luke turned around to face her and then froze. Some awkward moments passed without anyone speaking. After a while, Luke stood up and opened his arms. April wasted no time moving into them.

"Oh Dad, I missed you. I knew something was wrong, despite what Mom said."

"How are you kid?"

"Good, and better now," she said, hugging him again.

Lorelai watched the father daughter interaction from some distance, without interfering, but she could clearly see Luke muttering a silent "thank you" as he hugged April.

They all sat, enjoying the beautiful day and the wonderful food. April filled Luke in her latest accomplishments, including an award in a math contest, while Luke explained why he hadn't told her about his illness. They all (including Lorelai) engaged in happy banter, commenting on everyone and everything.

After an hour or so, Lorelai's phone rang. "It's Anna. She wants me to take April back."

Luke got up and took his daughter's hand.

"In a few weeks I will be out of the hospital and I promise to make up for the lost time."

"Can I come and visit in the meantime?"

Luke was hesitant, and Lorelai butted in to "save" him.

"Well kid, when your father feels better, I'll give you a call and we'll go visit, deal?"

April was obviously not thrilled but she agreed. Father and daughter hugged one last time before Lorelai took her back to Anna.

When she returned, she found Luke deep in thought. She sat without saying anything, waiting for Luke's reaction. When she got none, she decided she would have to be the one to speak first. Reaching for his hand, she spoke softly.

"I'm sorry for interfering like that. I just thought that seeing her would make you feel better. I thought the way I would think, which is not always good, but remember once you told me to keep thinking like I think and that's what I did, which I don't know if…"

Lorelai felt Luke squeezing her hand and her babbling instantly stopped.

"I stand by my statement back then," he said with a smile.

Lorelai let a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You were too quiet, even for a monosyllabic guy like you, and I didn't know what to make of it."

"I was just thinking."

"About?"

"How stupid I was for keeping April from you."

"Luke don't, that's not why…"

"I know, it just made me wonder what would have happened if I had properly introduced you, which made me think about how sad you looked the night you gave me that ultimatum. And you know what I've realized? That look was on your face far too long and I didn't even notice. I was too wrapped up in my own mind. If I had just looked at you… Damn!"

"Luke, you don't have to do that. I should have told you, I should have said something. You gave me so much, you supported me with the whole Rory fight, and when you really needed me to be there, I kept my mouth shut and slept with…"

"Don't," he cut in harshly. "You know, seeing how vulnerable you were that night when you walked away, I wanted to punch his lights out for taking advantage of you. But what hurt like hell was seeing you in a relationship with him so shortly after we'd been together."

"I guess I tried to convince myself that I went to him that night because I was interested in him. I don't love him though, Luke, you have to believe me. I never did."

They were silent, their soul searching exhausting for both of them.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Is it possible for you to forgive me for keeping April from you?"

"Oh Luke, I forgave you a long time ago. There was never a possibility I wouldn't forgive you, but I still don't understand why you did it?"

Luke laughed bitterly.

"You know, what I told you when we were shopping for April's gift was the most lame excuse ever. God I was so stupid! You should have dumped me right there!"

Lorelai let Luke rant. He needed to get it out.

He took a deep breath and continued.

"I wanted to prove I could be a good father. I wanted you to see me succeed with her and not fail like I did with Jess. I didn't want you to reconsider having kids with me." Luke drops his gaze to his shoes. "I'm sorry, I really am."

Lorelai reached for him and rubbed at a spot on his neck that she knew helped him relax. It didn't matter that he didn't have hair to play with; she just wanted to soothe him. At first he stiffens, but later relaxes into her touch.

"I would never have reconsidered having kids with you, Luke. I forgave you long time ago. I just wish I had been a little more patient. If I had waited, if I had gone to Rory or Sookie instead…"

Luke stopped her by covering her mouth with his hand, but Lorelai pulled back.

"No, Luke, I have to tell you this. I was stupid for doing what I did that night, but the fact is that I did and now I have to face the consequences. I want you to be able to forgive me one day."

"I have already forgiven you, Lorelai, long before you came to the hospital room to support me. Once I realized my share in the mess, I was able to forgive you."

Lorelai smiled for the first time since the conversation started. She leaned towards Luke and his eyes grew wide.

"What are you doing?"

"Would you just stand still?"

They start to laugh. "You know, that's my line."

They closed the remaining distance and meet in a kiss. At first they were both hesitant, but when neither one pulled back, they let passion take over.

Eventually they separated, and Luke caressed her cheek.

"So I take it you want this too?"

Luke gently kissed her cheek and hugged her as tightly as possible considering their position as he said, "I never wanted anything else."

They lay together on the blanket, holding each other for a while longer.

When they returned to the hospital it was late afternoon. As they entered the lifeless room, Luke's face immediately fell, which didn't go unnoticed by Lorelai.

"Hey, one more month right?"

"Yeah, one month."

Lorelai's eyes lit up.

"Uh oh, I don't like that look."

"Shush, you! Well, I was thinking, now that we are an "us" again," she waited for confirmation, which she got when Luke nodded his head with a smile, "I could take you home and bring you back for your chemo."

"Nah, it's okay. I've been here so long that one more month is nothing."

"But Luke…"

"Really, it will be more of a hassle than an enjoyment. Besides, when I go back I want to be healthy and look as good as possible."

Lorelai understood and didn't push him, but she wasn't happy.

"I would prefer to have you home, but I can deal with one more month."

Luke kissed and hugged her goodbye.

"Thanks for today. It was a really nice break."

"Anything you want me to bring? Clothes, underwear, food? Name it and you'll have it."

"Well there is something missing. It's something that I keep in my closet. You'll probably recognize it."

"What is it?"

"My hat."

Lorelai faked ignorance.

"Honey, you already have your hat on."

"Well I have a better one. A blue one."

"So you want THAT hat back?"

"Yeah, I like that one better," he said, grinning at her.

They kissed goodnight.