Title: A Perfect, and Somewhat Dysfunctional, Family

By: bokayjunkie

Summary: Luke and Rory has always had a special father/daughter bond that no one can break. But what happens when someone comes along to ruin that bond. Set in Season 1. Luke and Lorelai are NOT together…yet.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything…my life sucks.

A/N: So, anything you need to know about this story is, basically, Luke and Lorelai have known each other since Rory was two. Ever since then, Luke has fell completely in love with Rory, and with Lorelai, but a different kind of love. Chris has never contacted the girls whatsoever. The last time Chris saw Rory was when she was born, and then hightailed his way out of Connecticut. And Rory has always admired Luke as a father.

-Now, this will not be just all about Luke and Rory. There will be plenty of java junkie stuff too.

A/N: From episode 1.06 (Rory's Birthday Parties). Though some scenes and dialogue's will be changed for story benefits.

CHAPTER 2: It's Her Birthday, He's Gotta be Here

"Is he here yet?" asked Rory eagerly for the thousandth time.

"No honey, not yet." replied Lorelai in a sympathetic voice.

Rory sighed. "Oh."

Feeling her daughter's sadness, she decided to lighten her mood by urging her to open her presents. "Open your present. Open your present." she said excitedly, tapping the big box, wrapped in glittery wrapping paper.

Rory smiled at her mother's eagerness. She knows that she's only trying to make her feel better. She kneeled down in front of the box. Everyone gathered, anticipating on what Lorelai could have bought Rory.

Rory carefully unwrapped the present, trying not to ruin the wrapping paper, which Lorelai subtly booed at. Rory rolled her eyes. She opened the gift faster which revealed an iBook.

"NO!" she shrieked.

"Do you like it?" asked Lorelai. In reply, Rory jumped her mother on the couch. "I can take it back."

"Don't you dare." she threatened. "I love it. It's perfect."

"It's blue and it has a handle." Lorelai admired.

"It's way too expensive."

"I know, that's what I told the guy at the store." Lorelai giggled.

Then Sookie came out with the cake.

"Wait, he's not here yet." yelled Rory.

"Hun, he'll be here. Now blow out your candles." assured Lorelai.

"But I want him to see me blow out my candles." she whined.

"We'll take pictures." said Lorelai.

Rory sighed. "Ok, on three cause I'm gonna drop it." squealed Sookie. "One, two…"

Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' to Rory. Rory smiled despite the loss of his presence.

"Make a wish." smiled Lorelai.

She made her wish, the same wish she made ever since she was five, and blew out her candle.

"All right everybody, I need your attention," called out Lorelai, standing in the middle of the room. Everyone all turned their attention to her. "This is a very serious moment." she paused for dramatic effect. "Two priests, a rabbi, and a duck-"

Everyone combined a groan and a laugh.

"Mom."

"All right I'm kidding." she giggled. "Um, I would like to propose a toast, to the one thing in my life that is always good, always sweet, and without whom I would have no reason to get up in the morning. My pal Rory. Cheers."

"Happy Birthday." cheered Babette.

"And in honor of this very special girl," continued Lorelai, "I now invite you all to help me eat her face."

"And you may have the first cut." smiled Sookie, handing Rory the cutting knife.

"There's something very strange about hacking into my own head." Rory joked.

-

After blowing out her candle and trying to break the tension between her mom and grandmother, Rory sat in the living room with her friends, talking and eating. She saved a piece of cake, just for him. The part with her eyes cause they're so blue, just like his.

After a moment, Rory went up to her mom, "Is he here yet?" she asked hopeful.

"Not yet honey." Lorelai sighed.

"When is he gonna get here?" she whined.

"Soon. I'm sure he's just very busy."

"But it's my sixteenth birthday party. He's suppose to be here. He has to be here." Rory panicked.

"Don't worry, he'll be here. He's just late."

"What time did you tell him to come?"

"Seven."

"It's seven thirty. He's not gonna come." she said sadly.

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "He's coming. Don't worry."

Rory grumbled and walked back to her friends. Lorelai shook her head and walked back to the kitchen. Sookie popped up somewhere panicking about no more ice. So as always, Lorelai calmed her down and went on her way out to get more ice.

Just as she was about to leave, Luke walked in with two bags of ice. "Oh! Oh my god!" she shrieked. "You're a vision. Sookie we have ice!"

Sookie, once again, popped up somewhere, "Hallelujah." then disappeared.

"How did you know?" Lorelai asked him.

"Well, a good rule of thumb is you can never have too many ice." replied Luke.

"Oh you're the best." she beamed, and gave him a big hug. Then she pulled back (much to Luke's dismay). She turned and saw her mother standing over the threshold of the hallway. "Oh, hi mom. This is Luke."

"How are you doing?" Luke asked.

Emily smiled politely. "Fine thank you."

"Luke?" came a shriek from the living room. Then Rory came launching into Luke's arms. "You're here!" she cried.

"Hey kid," he smiled, "Sorry I'm late. Hope I didn't scare ya too much."

"Nah." she shrugged.

Lorelai scoffed. "Right."

Rory rolled her eyes. Then turned serious on Luke. "Why were you late?" she pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. "You missed me blowing out my candles."

"I'm sorry kid. I had to close up."

"Hmph. You've never missed me blowing out my candles." she grumbled. Not since...ever. "What if my wish doesn't come true because you weren't here?"

Luke rolled his eyes. "It'll come true, don't worry."

"How can you be sure?" she pouted some more.

"I'll make sure it comes true." he assured her.

You better. Rory smiled a bit. "Fine. But I'm still mad at you for being late." she pouted.

Luke chuckled. "I'll make you coffee?"

Rory smiled. "Forgiven."

"Hey, can I get in on that deal too?" asked Lorelai.

Both Luke and Rory rolled their eyes. "Come one, I saved you a piece of cake." Rory said excitedly, grabbing his wrist. "And yes, you have to eat it."

"But the ice."

"I'll take them." offered Lorelai, taking the ice out of Luke's hands. Rory immediately pulled Luke to the living room as Lorelai went in the kitchen.

Emily had been watching their exchange ever since Luke had arrived. At first, when Rory had been asking Lorelai if 'he' was here yet, she assumed that they were talking about Christopher. After all, he was her father. But it wasn't. Emily sighed.

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REVIEWS!-yes, please. I would love to know what your thoughts on this chapter/story. And any SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, and/or REQUESTS for this story, or any other story of mine for that matter, is welcome.

♣bokayjunkie♠