A knot ties in his stomach. He hasn't seen her in such a long time and he's nervous. He steps into the inn, looking for her. She spots him first, and he is assaulted from behind.
"Lukey-kins!" She cries, jumping on his back and clinging to him. He shakes her off, turning to face her. All of a sudden her face is serious. "I'm so sorry about Liz." She says solemnly.
He smiles uneasily and nods. She wraps her arms around his neck and holds him in her warm and vanilla-scented embrace. He is stiff, but comforted. "Thank you." He whispers.
"Lets go for a walk." She says, grabbing his hand and leading him out the door.
They're moseying through the square, enveloped in a comfortable silence. Luke decides to break it.
"Why so quiet?" He asks. She stops and looks him straight in the face. In her heels, she's eye to eye with him.
"I just- there are no words that can describe how happy I am to have you back." Her gaze is full of question. She wonders if he understands.
"I feel the same way." He says finally. She nods and continues forward. "Liz's funeral is the day after tomorrow." This time it's his gaze that is full of question.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." She assures him.
"Good." He sighs.
"Guess what Miss Patty did the other day?" She begins. He smiles.
"What?"
She locks arms with him and leans her head on his shoulder. With that, she begins her story, "Well, while Rory and I were..."