After their night out, Luke walked the girls back to their new townhouse. They stood out on the porch for several seconds and then Rory decided to head indoors, leaving Lorelai and Luke standing on the porch together.

"I had a great time tonight." Luke smiled.

"Yeah, so did I… and I'm sure Rory did too. Thanks for taking us out."

"It was my pleasure." Luke replied.

"I'd invite you in…" Lorelai began "but there's nothing in there but some take out food, an air mattress, and dirty laundry."

"I bet you can't wait for you stuff to arrive from London."

"Yeah, we've really been pioneering it this last week. We can make it a couple more days though I'm sure." Lorelai paused. "So…"

"So… I'll make an extra strong pot of coffee in the morning at the diner."

"That'd be great. Thanks."

"No problem." Luke smiled. "And when you're stuff comes in from London, I mean hey, don't even hesitate to ask me for help."

"You'll be the first we call." Lorelai assured.

"Great. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night."

Luke turned to leave but quickly turned back. "Hey, Lorelai…"

"Hm?"

"Would you be interested in dinner again tomorrow night?" Luke asked.

"Well…. Um, sure. It'll save me and Rory from eating the take out food in the fridge, which I'm pretty sure has spoiled."

Luke rubbed the back of his neck. "How about we order Rory some fresh take out…"

"Oh…" Lorelai's eyes widened. "Oh… you mean just you and I go out to eat … Oh." Lorelai's face went blank. "Well, I… yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes." Lorelai repeated.

"Okay then." Luke took one final look at Lorelai. "Good night." He slowly turned and walked towards his old Chevy truck.

Lorelai could feel her face turning red as she opened the door to the town house and walked inside. Rory suddenly appeared out of no where.

"Geeze!" Lorelai shrieked as she grabbed her chest. "You're lurking skills have improved drastically."

"Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you." Rory replied. "So, what'd he say?" Rory tried to keep herself from acting too excited.

"We're you spying on me?" Lorelai asked before replying.

"No… but you two were obviously talking about something."

"Well, it could have been about the weather or sports or… how bad that movie sucked tonight."

Rory gleamed. "Did he ask you out again?"

Lorelai finally broke down. "Yeah… for tomorrow evening."

"Aw, mom that's so sweet. Please tell me you said yes."

"I did." Lorelai replied. "I have to admit, he was really charming tonight. I had a good time."

"I kind of thought you did."

"Oh really? And why is that?"

"Your eyes." Rory stated. "They've not sparkled like that in a long time. It was nice to see you get your sparkle back."

"Aw." Lorelai smiled. "You really believe it's meant for me and Luke, don't you?" Rory shook her head yes. "Well, I'll tell you a secret, but you have to promise you can't tell anyone else."

"I promise."

"I mean even if the president asks you to tell, you have to swallow the suicide pill."

"Mom, I promise." Rory repeated. "What's the secret?"

"I really want it to be meant for me and Luke." She said softly.

Rory smiled and pushed her hair back behind her ear. "So, I'm enforcing a strict curfew for tomorrow night, young lady. I want you home by midnight."

"Meh, we'll see." Lorelai played along. She glanced down at her watch. "Hey, looks like it's someone's bedtime right now."

"Yeah, this bedtime thing…" Rory began. "Not too many 14 year olds still have one."

"Oh, well, I must not have gotten the memo." Lorelai guided her daughter towards the bathroom.

"Well, maybe they do still have one, it's just boosted up a little… I mean a 10:00 bedtime is kind of harsh."

"Sweetie, you know it's to help you stay on track for school." Lorelai handed Rory her pajamas.

"Well, since I am getting ready to start high school, it kind of seems practical that my bedtime would get an extra boost. I mean I'll be dating soon and then you'll have to give me a curfew, and well if my bedtime is 10:00 that would make my curfew like 9:00 and that's just completely unheard of." Rory continued on with her banter.

"We'll check into it. For now, just abide to the bedtime." Lorelai closed the bathroom door.

(The next morning)

Lorelai's morning had been going exceptionally well, and she was looking forward to seeing Luke and indulging in her special pot of coffee made just for her. She walked into the diner, and noticed it was empty. Luke suddenly appeared from the back room.

"Wow, business is really slow today." Lorelai noted as she sat down at the counter.

"Business isn't slow. I ran everyone off." Luke replied.

Lorelai looked shocked. "I never thought you'd actually go through with it. Threaten, of course, but actually kick everyone out, this is really gonna boost you're bad boy image."

"Lorelai, I'm leaving." Luke bluntly replied. "I ran everyone off because I have to close down the diner for a while."

"What?" Lorelai asked at a complete loss for why Luke would be leaving.

"My sister… she was in an accident." Luke hung his head.

"Oh, Luke I'm so sorry." Lorelai said sympathetically. "Is she okay?"

"No." Luke muttered. "No… I have to go to California for a while. Take care of some arrangements and make sure Jess is okay."

"Jess?"

"Liz's son. My nephew."

"Oh… oh…" Lorelai tried to not appear too disappointed. "When do you think you'll be back?"

"I'm not sure… It could be a about a month or so. Maybe more." He paused and looked at Lorelai he could see the pain in her eyes. The last thing he ever wanted to do was leave her. He had already lost her once, and he never wanted to lose her again. "Lorelai, I'm so sorry."

"Oh, Luke, no I'm sorry. I mean losing your sister and having to abruptly leave for California and close down your diner, I mean I can't imagine how hard this must be on you."

"Not as hard as having to leave you." Luke replied. He stepped closer to her. "Come with me."

"Luke…" she began to object.

"It'll just be for a few weeks I'm sure."

"Luke, I can't… I have to work at the inn… and Rory has school and our stuff is coming in from London." Lorelai's eyes batted back and forth quickly. "I'll be right here when you get back." She whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."

Luke leaned across the counter and kissed her passionately. "I love you, Lorelai Gilmore. I'll call you as soon as I get to California." He pulled a bag out from behind the counter and tossed it over his shoulder. "Tell Rory goodbye for me."