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. A little RD also.

Disclaimer: you've lost me on this.

CHAPTER 13: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

After one last glance at her mother, Rory went back to her room. She sighed as the door closed. She went over to her bed and sat down. She pulled out a picture frame underneath her pillow and rested her back against the headboard. She looked at the picture. It was a picture of Luke, Lorelai and Rory at the June Wedding Festival on the summer of 96. It was a one time festival that Taylor thought would be a good idea.

They had all of the women dressed up as brides, and the men dressed up as grooms. And they would have some kind of fake wedding. Lorelai really wanted to go to the festival but felt a bit pathetic not having a groom for her. Rory suggested that Luke should be the groom. At first Luke was a little resistant, but one look at the two girls with their pout and puppy eyes and he caved. As always.

She loved that day. It actually felt as if it were a real wedding. She wished it was their real wedding. She looked at the picture again. Lorelai and Luke were standing under the gazebo. Lorelai in her wedding gown and Luke in a tux. With a twelve year old Rory in a bridesmaids dress. The three looked very happy. It really looked like a real wedding. Heck, they even had wedding rings made.

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A/N: I don't really know if the whole, Wedding Festival idea would actually stick. And they would atually have one in the show. But it is a great idea don't you think? I mean, just picture it, Lorelai wanting to be part of the festival, roping Luke in being a part of it too. He becomes her groom. And it's like a real wedding.

-that could be another story for another time.

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It wasn't until little droplets of tears that landed on the picture itself, that Rory realized she was crying. She wiped away the tears. For as long as they've known Luke, her mother has never been with anybody else. Never dated anyone. No one. She'd always thought that her mother reserved that for Luke. But now, now she wasn't sure. With Mr. Medina in the picture. Was her mother seriously going to date her English teacher?

Rory laid down on her bed, hugging the picture close to her heart. She sighed. Her mother sounded happy. Though unsure when they talked. Her heart broke at the thought of her mother dating somebody else other than Luke. Should she tell her mom that she didn't want her to date Mr. Medina? She could always use the excuse that he's her English teacher and that would be too weird for her. But that would be too selfish. Her mother's gone long enough without getting involved with someone. Granted she wanted her mother to be with Luke. But she wanted her mom to be happy.

This was getting complicated. Rory restored the picture back under her pillow. Then she noticed her bracelet on her right wrist. She smiled thinking about Dean. She lulled herself to sleep, holding onto the bracelet.

Lorelai tired to read into what her daughter was thinking last night. As they talked, Rory put on a blank expression. Not knowing whether or not she would be happy if her and Max would get together. Just like Luke. Luke had a way to hide his feelings by putting on a blank expression. She didn't know how Rory developed that.

Lorelai decided to ask her daughter again that morning. But Rory already left before her. She went in to the diner in hopes to catch her there but Luke had told her that she went to Lane's, who had some kind of epiphany that she wanted to share with her.

And that's the other thing. What about Luke? Though here is nothing going on there, but how would he feel if she dated. And not just anybody, but Rory's teacher. Why should I care? It's not like he owns me! It's not like we went out before. Though Lorelai felt if she dated Max, or anybody else for that matter, that she would be cheating on Luke somehow. Luke and I were never together!

So why do I feel like I just stabbed him in the back and that I'm having an affair?

Maybe it's because he's been like a father to Rory, and you've been playing house for a long time now, that it's like being married to him without being legally married to him. So it feels like your cheating on him.

Yeah. That's it.

But sitting down on the counter at Luke's, Lorelai couldn't help but feeling guilty about thinking of dating somebody else. Specially since Luke was just at close proximity to her. And, she didn't even know if she wanted to date Max. What about Luke? she keeps asking herself. If only she knew what Rory was thinking. If Rory says it's ok, then she will. If not, then she wont.

I have to talk to her.

"Okay, how does this sound? Maple sugar snowflakes on all the pillows." Sookie asked as she walked out of the kitchen and into the lobby.

"Oh, that's sounds wonderful!" Lorelai exclaimed.

"Make them in the shape of a buttock," Michel groused, "get people used to them."

Sookie looked at Lorelai confused. "Okay, is that a real suggestion?"

"Sookie, please, who is speaking?"

"Michel, right, okay. Snowflakes it is." Sookie went back to the kitchen. Just then, Rory enters the inn, rummaging in her backpack, as Lane, clad in her band uniform, talked.

Lorelai thought of this as the perfect opportunity to talk to her daughter.

"I just can't believe it. I mean, I sat next to him at practice for months, and then one day I look over and it's Rich. Rich Bloomingfeld." Lane went on.

"Where is my chemistry book?" still looking in her backpack. "I had it at your house yesterday, didn't I?"

"Rory, focus, please."

"I'm sorry. I just can't find my book."

"Hey babe." Lorelai approached her daughter. Then to Lane, "Sergeant pepper."

"Mom, do you know where my-"

"Big scary chemistry book is?" she finished for her. Rory nodded. "Behind the desk."

Rory sighed from relief. "Oh, thank God." then went to get the book.

Lorelai glances over at Lane and her outfit.

"Wow." Lorelai commented.

"Yeah." she mumbled.

"So, is Sookie in the kitchen?" Rory asked, returning with the book in hand.

"And there she'll stay." she exclaimed. Then turned nervous, "Hey Rory, can I-"

"Sorry mom. Lane and I have to talk." then turned back to Lane. "Okay, so where were we?"

"I just met my soul mate." Lane says dreamily.

Lorelai sighed and went into the kitchen. Looks like she'll have to wait till later to talk to her daughter.

Seeing as how Rory was gonna be stuck in Hartford for the night, Lorelai thought that she should just celebrate the snowfall with Luke. There have been many times in the past where Luke was with them to celebrate the first snow of the year.

She walked around town, enjoying her present, trying to put the Max thoughts aside. At least until she talks to her daughter. She walked towards the diner in time to see the re-enactors getting ready to take their positions. And coincidently, Luke was out there also, but he's the only one out of uniform.

"Harry, come on," Luke said, "stop this before somebody drives through town and thinks the local mental institution has bad padlocks."

"Luke, you ought to be ashamed of yourself." Harry said, wagging his finger at him. "Your father was a re-enactor."

"Yes, and I thought he was crazy also."

"Who's stepping on my musket?" Taylor grouched.

Kirk spoke, "That'd be me."

"Well, stop it."

The re-enactors walked towards their standing area as Lorelai approached Luke.

"There goes the fire chief, the police chief and the one paramedic with a valid license. I feel safe, don't you?" she smirked.

"Look at them," Luke said. "all relatively intelligent men, but there they are dressed up in costumes, standing out in a snowstorm, and for what?"

Lorelai shrugged. "Because it's tradition."

"Tradition is a trap, it allows people to stick their head in the sand. Everything in the past was so quaint, so charming. Times were simpler. Kids didn't have sex. Neighbors knew each other. It's a freaking fairy tale. Things sucked then, too. It just sucked without indoor plumbing."

"I think some traditions are nice." she says. "Birthdays. Holidays. Taking a walk in the first snow of the season."

he smirked. "I didn't get the Hallmark card for that one."

"It's my favorite time of year." she smiled.

He loved it when she smiles like that. "I know."

"When I was five, I had a really bad ear infection and I had been home in bed for a week and I was very sad." she probably already told this story a thousand times to him before, but she didn't care. "So I wished really hard that something wonderful would happen to me, and I woke up the next morning and it had snowed. And I was sure that some fairy godmother had done it just for me. It was my little present."

"Your parents never explained the concept of weather to you?"

"I am making a point, Mouthy McGee." she rolled her eyes. "Of course, many years later, I realized that logically, the snow was not there for me personally. But, still, when it snows, something inside me says, 'hey, that's your present.' I don't think it'll ever change."

Luke and Lorelai glanced over at the re-enactors. "I remember when William was one of those guys." she said quietly.

"Yeah." he replied. "I remember my mom would always get him to go, even if he didn't want to."

She smiled. "Really?" This was a very sore subject their getting into. But Lorelai always loved it when he talks about his parents.

"Yeah. He would grump about. But in the end, he'd always cave for her. He loved her that much." Just like I love you. "He stopped going after mom died."

"But he went when we met him." she reminded.

"Yeah. He did.' he smiled. "That was the first time he's ever participated in the re-enactment, after my mom died. He went specially to show Rory what a lovely town this is."

Lorelai smiled even wider. trying not to cry. William had always done anything and everything to make Rory happy. "I remember, whenever Rory and I took our traditional walk of the first snowfall of the season, she would always carry her Scooby-Doo thermos filled with hot cocoa and always saved a cup for him."

He smiled at the memory. "Yeah. She would insist that they go to the standing area just to see him."

"The hours we spent in the cold, because Rory didn't want to leave Will alone." she wanted to cry. A single tear excaped her eyes. Luke wiped it away. she smiled at him shyly. Sharing a moment for William.

"Come on in," he said, after a moment of silence, "I'll get you some coffee."

"Uh…" she thought about saying yes. She wanted coffee, but "No, thanks. I'm gonna walk around. Enjoy my present a little."

Luke nodded somewhat disappointedly, and went in the diner. Lorelai couldn't help but shake the feeling that she should have taken up on his offer and went with him for coffee. But shook them off and continued to walk around in the snow.

The snow was falling, Lorelai smiled. She kept on walking and thought about Luke. About their almost kiss the other night. About his invitation earlier. She thought of what would happen if they had kissed. Would they be together now? If she had went with him for coffee, would they be kissing by now?

She wanted to. She wanted to kiss him and be with him. She smiled and thought back to her dream. Waking up next to him. It may have been a dream, but it felt amazing. To wake up next to him, kissing him. Then Rory snuggling to them.

-

1993

"Happy birthday honey!" Lorelai smiled, kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Happy birthday kid." Luke smiled as well, and kissed her cheek.

Rory sighed happily, as she settled down in her blankets, snuggling closer to Luke and Lorelai. The living room was set up for another sleepover with Luke. Per Rory's request. Since it was her birthday.

That night, the three were sleeping, Rory was cuddled with Luke, Lorelai's back was to them. Luke's arms were draped protectively over Rory's waist, his hands landing on Lorelai's abdomen. He really had long arms.

Then, Rory stirred from her sleep. She squinted her eyes open. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, trying to adjust. She didn't seem to notice that she was sleeping on the living room floor between her mom and Luke. She was still half-asleep. She stood up from the floor, then groggily walked towards the bathroom.

Lorelai, feeling a shift from the blankets, turned her body around, though still sleeping, she was now facing Luke. His arms still on her waist. Luke, feeling as if the loss of contact with Rory, snuggled himself closer to Lorelai, thinking she was Rory. Lorelai snuggled herself closer to him as well.

Rory walked out of the bathroom, yawning. Seeming to forget about the whole slumber party, she walked back into her room and fell asleep immediately once her head hit the pillow.

Lorelai woke up with a smile. Her eyes still closed, but her body felt relaxed. She breathed in, and couldn't remember the last time her pillow smelled so good. Or felt this warm and comfortable... ...Or breathed. She willed herself to open her eyes, and was shocked to see a strong jaw with stubbles. Her eyes widen and now she was really awake. Her head was in the crook of Luke's neck. She was snuggled up with him. His arms around her protectively, and possessively, as if he owned her. Which she didn't have a problem with. It felt so good to be in his arms. And his scent was unbelievable. Inhaling made it hard for her, because every time she does she just goes delirious.

She backed her head slightly, she saw his slumbering face. His eyes were closed, his mouth was slightly open, he was snoring peacefully. She couldn't believe how wonderful it felt to wake up next to Luke. Next to him, in his wonderful, glorious, protective arms. Seeing him, peacefully asleep, and his lips so luscious. So wonderful.

She didn't know what possessed her to do it. She just did. Before she could even realized what was happening, she was kissing him. Her lips were on his. He was still asleep. Even though she was the only one doing the work, It was so wonderful. The feel of his lips on hers. He tasted so sweet. She continued to kiss him, then felt him kiss back. She backed away quickly. Putting distance between them. Then realized, he was still asleep. He was subconsciously kissing her back.

He stirred in his sleep. Lorelai quickly laid back down, her back to him, and pretended to sleep.

-

Lorelai never forgot the feel of his lips on hers. As far as she was concerned, whether he was asleep or not, it was a great kiss. She could still taste his lips. The feel of it against hers. She remembered how panicked Luke was waking up with no Rory beside them.

It wasn't until Luke woke her up to ask her where Rory was that it struct her that Rory was missing. She didn't even wonder where Rory was when she woke up in Luke's arms. She seems to have forgotten everything just by inhaling Luke's scent, and kissing him. Then they found Rory in her room, peacefully asleep. And Luke decided to make breakfast.

She smiled at the memory. She could be kissing him again if she went with him for coffee. She started to ponder on whether or not to go back to the diner, but then somebody caught her eyes as she passed Gypsy. It was Max.

A/N: I'm hating my self more and more, just to let you know. Ugh. Please no more tomato's.

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REVIEWS!-yes, please leave a review. I'd just love to know what you think of this chapter/story. And any SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, and/or, REQUESTS you'd like see, please do tell.
♠bokayjunkie♣