Presenting … Lucas Danes?
By GilmoreGirl1979 (the Reigning Quote Queen)
Friendly disclaimer: see Chapter 1
LUVZ: hey you get your own SECTION!(cause you're pretty!) How am I doing? Feel better pixie pal, there will be little Gilmore-Danes' running around soon enough! Sigh… (PS upstage me upstage ME!) hey did you like the "webijiah" A/N in the last chap? Lol
THIS JUST IN
LUVZ told me THIS FIC deserves MY "EPPY WORTY AWARD"! to quote my purple pixie princess… she said " …the fic is SERIOUSLY GOOD...its one of my favorites now! …. WOW...it was like an eppy"
Thanks pixie HUGS
Shout outs: (MY GOD, they've taken over!)
Pink88: have you been mauled by a wild boar? Where are you? update GO GO GET!
gcmel: YOU'RE ALIVE! Yeah, I thought I was going to have to send Luke out with a search party, but now I know you're OK and he can continue to feed me grapes. Forgiven! Because you are SPECIAL (not in the eating the paste kinda way!) Lol, I know the need to watch the show OVER AND OVER AND OVER(Luz and I usually watch the new eppies like… 3-4 times, THEREBY committing the new quotes to memory (wild boars and what not….) that is why we are living with "crowded heads." But hey the voices won't get lonely then… (PS my sis and I have always seen Chris… as the dead beat, we saw through his snake-like charming abilities from day one… GRRRRR why why why did she have to stand Luke up W/painting, … just when things are getting good in her life… )
jeepgirl: BUT ARE You loving it like a 2 whore? the Porsche line- thank you! It is a jab at Chris, but also AT some of the kids I went to private school with… WINK butt-faced miscreants every last one of em! And thanks for reading A/Ns too!
Cbelle: THANK YOU! HUGS
screaming truth: the tailor is all sewn up! I did want to fix that thank you, SCREAMING TRUTH, you live up to your name! ROCK ON! (hey is your theme song Scream by collective soul? Cause it would be perfect for you!)
Franala: Wait for it! I will deliver!
Llmeantb: Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it, Wait for it-WINK!
ProFfeSseR: thank you for the encouraging words… I will… HUGS I'm amazed how how close I was, on 100 I'm kinda freaked out… where do I sign so I can write for the show.. lol wink..and glad to be entertainment "on the go" … DIRTY!
Scubaluver: you're ALIVE HUGS missed ya buddy! Enjoy!
Spuffy4ever2: I love it. I'm so upset that they are going to be "on a break" on the show! I REALLY HATE CHRISTOPHER AND EMILY-TESTIFY SISTER! DEMONS BE GONE!
obsessedwGG: well sit right back and enjoy another chapter of sexual tension goodness!
Sarah: I appreciate that Luke was very awkward and unsure of himself asking Rory b/c in the past he has gotten flustered when doing something for her!-YES, true to character! And Dean and Luke are saints to being doing this for their Gilmore Girls-yes they are, and if you notice… Dean and Luke … are not related! OOOOOO AHHHHH (of course NOW I think dean is an evil mophead, but is nice to remember good times…good times.)
wolviesgal: A warm body.- OH YEAH! SO awkward while offering to be Rory's 'fatherly' escort. Very sweet. –I KNOW/I love him more and I wrote that scene! LOL. "He doesn't hurt my eyes" –another sister banter line we like to use… and she was caught off guard, you know..! oh no I've been spotted!
Laswen Silmeiel the Celtic Elf: I gotta tell ya, I love the enthusiasm! Thank you..
-Okay boys and girls, Let's all hate the Bastard … TOGETHER!
Observation of the day:
You can't write a Luke rant, without a run on sentence… seriously I've tried (I have my degree in Luke rants…). I think they all end up as run ons… hmmmmmmmm …
Now where did I put all my A/Ns:
A/N: I think Lorelai making Luke ask Rory… to be her escort… is another very true to character moment. Lorelai raised a dynamic brilliant young woman(though I think season 5 Rory is letting us down … anyway!) Rory was raised to make her own choices and decisions. She chose to do this ball thing… SO she should be able to choose who could be invited… or who is to escort her down the stairs. I really think this is how is should've gone… but we all know why Amy did it … and we love her just the same.
Previously on Gilmore girls:Favs I missed from the last chapter
-by suffering on the alter of dignity himself.
-Shave and a hair cut/two bits exchange…
-"You might need to shave." Rory suggested, Probably why I don't do that often.-they just keep talking about shaving him!
-who isn't wearing a bra at this time of night, God help me-HARD TO THINK straight with her SQUISHED UP BOOBS right there!
-a D.A.R. Ball SHIN DIG, LOL oh LUKE!
-Luke didn't want Patty's help for … obvious reasons ; … He didn't want to tell you, for … obvious reasons
-this was your idea! in the tailor shop…
-Recall the watermelon in January conversation… just go with it!
Prediction time: in about 830 words there will be a collective DAMN IT! LOL!
Gilmoregirl1979 inhales deeply : AHHHHHHH I love the smell of SEXUAL TENSION in the morning!
ENJOY!
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Chapter 3:
Whatever Dreams, … Or Awkwardness, May Come
Debutante Saturday morning-
Lorelai was lying in bed, on her right side. Suddenly, on her left shoulder she felt soft lips trailing kisses up her neck. "Luke?" She opened her eyes and she shifted in bed to look at who was behind her. It was indeed Luke, smiling down at her. "Hey" in that sexy gruff voice of his.
"Hey, " she sleepily said, " you're on my side!" she seemed to realize.
"You're on My side." He countered.
"Well, you left, I thought I had the bed to myself."
"Well, Someone wanted watermelon in the middle of the night."
Lorelai gasped "Did you get it?"
And Luke presented her a plate of fresh watermelon, cubed and seeded. She can crave all the fruit she wants, at least it's not the "black death".
"You are such a good provider," She cooed. And she put the plate on her ribcage.
"Don't do that, you might hurt the baby."
"Luke, a little biology lesson, the baby is down here." She patted below her belly button, " but if it makes you feel better, .." she slid the plate up a little, away from her belly button. "… happy?"
"The happiest I've ever been." And Luke kissed her.
Lorelai beamed at him. Must be my pregnant glow! "So where did you find watermelon in January?" picking up the fork he had supplied on the plate.
"Ahhh, Jackson has a green house, " and Luke lovingly caressed her still flat stomach where the baby resided, as she enjoyed her midnight snack. "so the baby is down here?"
"Yes,"She grinned through a mouthful, as he tickled her stomach a little.
"Right here?" Luke doubled checked, with a raised eyebrow. Then he focused on her stomach, "Hello there, I'm your daddy" and he kissed Lorelai's stomach. Between bites, Lorelai marveled at how cute Luke could be when he really tried. This was a side of him very few in Stars Hollow got to see. Since the ball cap was off for the night, Lorelai played with Luke's hair as he talked to the baby; About baseball, about the benefits of your fruits and veggies, the difference between flat and Phillip's head screwdrivers. Then Luke seemed to listen to the baby "What's that? …" he paused to take in the baby's words. " … okay, I'll tell her." Luke grinned as he looked up at Lorelai, "… He says he doesn't want two heads, so stop drinking coffee while your pregnant." He came back up to kiss Lorelai's mouth again.
"Wow! That kid knows some awfully big words for being the size of a walnut."
"Well, his really smart for his age. From his mother's side, of course… "
"Flattery will get you no where. I'm the mommy, and he …" pointing to her stomach, "… gets no say, …"
"What about me? Do I get a say?"
"Hmmmmmmmm sometimes… and why is 'it' all of a sudden a boy?"
" 'Cause I don't like the idea of call him … 'it'."
"How about 'baby' till we are sure."
"Decaf?" Luke bargained sternly.
"Deal!" Lorelai was giving it up anyway, she too wanted a happy, healthy baby.
"Fine. We will refer to our child in the third person." Daddy grumped, though inside he was happy because he thought he won. For once!
Lorelai giggled, "a little third person," thinking of her growing family. Then, she smiled in that all too familiar tone. "Luke?"
"Aw, Geez, What are you craving now?" how long do these last again?
Lorelai winced, unable to believe it herself. "Pickles and Peanut Butter." I can even gross myself out! There's a first.
Luke had to confirm, "I'm sorry, I need a judge's ruling on this one. … Pickles and Peanut Butter?"
"It's what baby wants?" Lorelai shrugged, and put on her best pouty lip.
"Definitely inheriting your palate" Luke flinched at the suggestion; Knowing he was probably going to kiss her again later in the evening. To kiss her AFTER she ate that combination. Pickles and Peanut Butter? "Geez, I thought your eating habits were disgusting when you weren't pregnant!"
"Hey, … that is no way to talk to the woman carrying your baby."
"It better be my baby, I'm your husband." And he kissed her again, slowly savoring the opportunity. Better do it now before she eats anything else.
"Ah, yes I remember it well," Lorelai smiled at him again through the pecks and memories of how her condition came to be. Dirty, She took a deep contented breath,.. well not dirty.. but Lovely… "Luke?" as she stroked his hair again.
"I'm going, I'm going," and Luke went down stairs to fill her bizarre request.
"Make sure their Dill ! … and Thank you!" she called after him and stabbed another piece of melon.
His voice called from the stairs, "Stop saying thank you!" Luke was all to happy to do it for his wife.
The next thing Lorelai knew, she was jarred awake by a bouncing Rory in her bed. "MOM! " Rory shouted, she sounded annoyed now, having tried several times to wake up her mother.
"GEEZ, Rory are you crazy! In my condition!"
Rory stopped confused, "What condition?"
Oh wait, I'm not pregnant? No stupid, It's November! That was a dream, … a really weird dream, … a really cute dream,… but weird… "uuhhh never mind. I meant my … getting old, … and stuff, … you might break my hip … or something …" Lorelai tried to cover. However, Rory knew better.
Rory was up bright and early on this particular Saturday. This was it, tonight, her big debut, and for Grandma's sake, she wanted to make sure everything was perfect. That meant attempting the impossible, and to try to get Lorelai up before 9 am, … on a Saturday. Easier said than done. Well, when Rory entered her mother's room, as expected a deeply snoozing Lorelai was still in bed. Rory figured, Okay, we'll start off gentle. "Mom?" she whispered, nudging her mother slightly. And Lorelai groaned, but a crystal clear "Luke" escaped her lips when she sighed. Rory was taken aback, her eyes were wide, and she couldn't help but smile. She's dreaming of him. That is so cute, recalling Lorelai's unconvincing dismissal from the other evening in the diner's staircase.
Rory, … Nay, the Entire TOWN knew that Luke had a thing for Lorelai, even if both Luke and Lorelai, separately, denied it. Yet, the one thing in question was how did Lorelai feel about Luke? Everyone knew they were good friends, and many thought it would be a good match. If only one of them would make a move. They figured Luke was afraid of ruining their friendship or simply of being rejected y the girl of his dreams. However, for the smart, witty woman that Lorelai was, she could really be oblivious to the diner man's obvious feelings, or was she too simply in denial that anything could happen between them? Did she not see what a great guy he was? For the rest of her life, would she go from guy to guy; date any guy, except Luke? Rory was pleased to discover that Luke had invaded her mother's subconscious. Stifling her chuckles at her mother's little crush, Rory tried again, a little more forcefully. "Mom?"
And it happened again, Lorelai rolled away from Rory, "Luke."
Wow, I hope it's nothing dirty. What to do? So Rory plopped on the bed and shouted "MOM!"
That is when Lorelai woke up with a start ""GEEZ Rory are you crazy ! In my condition."
Now you are all caught up. Still pondering her mother's "condition", and what sort of Luke dream her mother had. HA! she was dreaming of Luke, hehehe. She soooooooo likes him. Rory only smiled, "Hi."
"Hi," Lorelai yawned and stretched, "… ready to become a lady."
" Sure" How to get it out of her? the direct approach… "Hey, Mom, did you have any … weird dreams last night?"
Me? Weird Dreams? uuuhhh, I am not from your country… "What? Why?" Lorelai was a little too quick to defend.
A little defensive, okay, misdirection…. "I was just wondering , you know cause I'm a little nervous, " take the spot light off her, good one, Gilmore! " … and I had a weird dream, and …. "
"OH" It's not about me, no it's about her, of course, why am I such an egotist. "Really, good, bad, dirty. Though, you're a lady now, so you can't get dirty."
Rory lied, and made up something, "I dreamed that … I couldn't dance to save my life, oh wait that's true isn't it… and for the father-daughter dance I … had to stand on Luke's steel toed boots to get through it. You know like how kids do with their dads." Well most kids anyway! but I'm not bitter!
Luke? "Well that's not embarrassing." Lorelai offered with sleepy sarcasm, " … It didn't end up like Carrie? Did it?" She dreamed of Luke too? Weird.
"No, more like Princess Diaries, I knocked over some candles and set fire to myself, and ruined your old dress."
"Woo Hoo!" Lorelai cheered.
"Thank you for your concern over my safety…"
"Hey, it was just a dream,
"Did you know if you dream you are falling and you hit the ground in your dream, you DIE!"
"… I was celebrating the demise of that dress ..." Lorelai argued.
"It was just a dream, and it's a very pretty dress.."
"It's symbolic, okay, … I said WOO … HOO!"
"Soooooo," Okay, now spill, and Rory casually asked "Did you have any… dreams … last night?" about Luke?
Now it was Lorelai who lied. "Not that I can remember…."
"Okay?" Rory was now disappointed, maybe she really didn't remember, aww poor Luke.
"Hey kid, you want first crack at the shower. Ladies first, And all… "
"What does that make you?…. "
"No comment!" Lorelai forced a smile. Apparently I'm a sex starved single mom dreaming about having a certain diner man's baby!
Rory kissed her mom's cheek. She'll tell me later, … "Don't fall back asleep."
"I won't" not after a dream like that …
Lorelai remained in bed. She heard Rory go down the stairs. She heard Rory come back up the stairs. She heard Rory close the bathroom door. She heard Rory start the water for her shower. The whole while Lorelai simply lay there staring at the ceiling, and relived her dream, over and over. Then she snuck a glance to her right, at "his" side of the bed. She put her hand on the cool sheet, only slightly warm from bouncing Rory's wake up call. Lorelai couldn't figure out why this dream bothered her so, as she clutched the blanket closer to her chest.
It had felt so real, she had felt his lips on her shoulder, his hand on her stomach, she really did want to eat the pickles and peanut butter. YUCK!
Why am I thinking like this? I mean, sure Luke is very cute, but we argue all the time. Then she recalled the tailor, he and his wife argued everyday for 47 years of marriage. This is ridiculous, I don't have feelings for Luke. It's just, … I'm seeing Luke differently, … in a fatherly role, with Jess, and now for Rory, with this ball deal. It's all for Rory. That's it, in the dream I saw Luke doing all those fatherly things that Chris has never done … like his doing now in real life…. Like he's always done. In the five years we've known him.
Lorelai sat up in her bed.
But does that explain why Luke got me the watermelon… in January? Why he kissed me? Why I was … married to him? With out thinking, Lorelai rested both her hand on her vacant stomach, as she sadly observed;Why he was so happy with me and … 'baby'? When she realized where her thoughts were taking her…. No no, of course not, Luke has done all the things Chris has never done. That's it, that's all, Nothing more! In the dream he took care of my cravings, was involved with the pregnancy, married me… Luke is the … Anti-Christopher… Luke is doing this Ball thing, Luke knows how to use a hammer, he cooks for us, he takes care of us; Luke is always there for me and Rory, The list could go on and on …
Woaw!
Only she couldn't think about that now, focus on Rory must focus on Rory; today was about Rory, and survival, by any means necessary. And Lorelai sighed at her non existent married life with Luke, and saw his tux hanging on the back of her door. If Luke lived here, he'd be home now.
GAH! Stop IT!
Lorelai threw off the covers, to get a cup of coffee to clear her head. Stupid little tailor, … planting watermelon seeds in my head.
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Saturday afternoon, (about 2 with an "ish")
A few hours after the Gilmore girls were showered and "coffeed", the primping had begun, and there was a knock at the front door of the Gilmore house.
"Rory! Could you get that! " Lorelai called from the upstairs bathroom.
"Ladies don't get doors, I can't do anything myself remember!" Rory was busy trying to get her hair to behave, and stay up in the bun. Stupid straight lifeless hair!
Oh sure, you listen to me when is serves your purpose! Lorelai sprinted down the stairs in her robe. "You're doing your hair by yourself, you're a hypocrite! Maybe we should call grandma's stylist!"
"Don't you DARE!" was called from Rory's bedroom.
Another series of knocks, "Coming, coming, coming!" and Lorelai hastily opened the door. "Luke?" OH GOD!
"Hey? Sorry, am I early?" That's a really nice, .. uhhh robe. Oh man! Why did I agreed to this …
Lorelai hadn't seen Luke since that morning in bed, … No, that wasn't real, this morning was a dream; Last night, I saw him last night,… "ummm" clutching at the neckline of her robe, suddenly Lorelai was self-conscious around him, "Well actually you know, I'm probably running late. " she laughed, when she noticed something in his hand."Is that Coffee?"
"Oh ummm, … yeah" Luke was now embarrassed by his stupid gesture, so he tried to explain it away."You two didn't come in this morning, so I thought… "
He's so thoughtful, "Thank you, ummm come in, please."
He couldn't help but look her up and down again. With you … just in a robe? Being in the same house with two primping girls wasn't exactly what Luke had in mind. "If you guys need a minute … I … I can wait …" He was now kind of scared to enter the house.
"Please, you only give us a minute, you don't know girls …" of course he doesn't; he's a hermit man… stupid! But,.. he knows us?
"Lorelai, really, … I can… " he stammered, uncomfortable around a half dressed Lorelai.
"Luke get in here, " she pulled him in, instantly noticing his clean shaved face. "Wow."
"What?" Luke was his normal shade of self-conscious.
I can see your face! "You shaved, … it's nice," and for some reason she stroked his cheek, wanting to feel the now smooth skin. She cleared her throat as she pulled her hand away. "Like a baby's … butt." BABY? Our baby, Oh My God, pull it together, Gilmore! … Why am I so Stupid around him now … Why do I care if I'm stupid around him now? Rory must focus on Rory… "ummmm anyway … "
Luke tried not to enjoy her fingers on his cheek. And it quickly turned to concern over how Lorelai seemed stressed and distracted. "Is there anything I can do to help?"; of course he wouldn't know how, not knowing anything of the daily beauty rituals of women.
"Here in Sephora Land, ummm well, You can be on zipper duty" thinking of her dress, wait Luke helping me get dressed? Not such a good idea. Luke helping me.. get undressed? BAD THOUGHTS !
"On what?" wow, she is even worse than normal.maybe Coffee was a bad idea!
"Never mind, right now, ummm I need to … finish my make up and you, sir, … need to turn into a penguin." And she started to push him toward the stairs, "Now go, your tux is in my room. You can change there." Luke is gonna get naked in my room. NO! no no, he's changing, briefly naked and then … immediately back in clothes. Right, okay, why am I thinking of naked Luke,… again?
"Where are you gonna be?"
"Bathroom. Make up, … "
"Okay," he was a little unsure of the arrangement. And they both stared at each other a moment longer.
"I'm gonna check on Rory. Let me take these." And she grabbed the take-out tray out of his hands. Lorelai needed an excuse to get out of Luke's sight in nothing but her robe, and headed toward the kitchen.
Luke went up the stairs to her room. There it was, the required formal wear, hung on the back of her door. He felt strange being alone in her room. He'd been in there a hundred times before, fully dressed, fixing various things. But now he felt strange having to change here. This was her room, this was her intimate space, this is where she and Max would have slept, … if she had gotten married. Then I'd feel really weird, well then I wouldn't be here, Max would have stepped up! who knows! He tried to push the awkward thoughts and feelings out of his mind, focusing on the fact that he was the one who stepped up. He was the one who was in this room. Wait, this isn't … my room… Geez. You are not with Lorelai! He recalled his own advise to Rory, I only have to make it through this one night. Then everything will be back to normal. Just as before.
Meanwhile down stairs, "Oh My God," Lorelai tried to calm herself down. where are the men with butterfly nets, cause these thoughts of Luke are crazy, insane, honey roasted NUTS! Rory, must focus on Rory, stupid dream.
"Mom?" noticing she seemed to be freaking out of some reason.
"Hey? Luke brought Coffee," Lorelai blurted out. "or… do you want some tea or something, Luke keeps going on and on about how calming tea is supposed to be… Aw geez, now I'm rhyming … 'cause it's all in the timing… " she laughed nervously again, My God, she is gonna think I've lost it. "… I don't know why I'm nervous I mean it's your night…right?"
"Mom? what's wrong?" Rory was naturally confused, she seemed fine this morning? What changed? …. Oh, Luke is here… is it Luke? Is she freaked cause of Luke…, maybe she does remember her dream….
I'm thinking of Luke naked that's what's wrong! Lorelai hated to keep stuff from Rory. How could Lorelai tell Rory about her insane Luke thoughts, it might freak her daughter out. Frankly, it kinda freaked Lorelai out. So Lorelai let go of what she could, "I'm worried about ...my parent's fighting, … I'm worried what hole Chris has fallen into. I'm worried that you might actually have a good time tonight and want more of your grandparent's world than mine, and be everything that I wasn't to them." Woaw! Insight!
"… I'm worried…. " that I may or may not have feelings for one of my best friends, No! not feelings.. an…unexplained attraction… yeah that's it.. attracted to my friend … who is now naked, ummmm … changing his clothes, … in my room. Of course, revealing her Luke observation to Rory might gross the teen out, as well as afore mentioned freak herout! No need to mention it now,… at this present time when I'm not even sure … what the hell this is... not that it's anything...of course. "… I'm just … all around worried ….", as she leaned against the stove. Nice to know it's good for something.good sturdy stove.
Rory could tell there had to be more, but did what she could with the information she had. "Okay? First off, calm down. Secondly, make the tea, cause Luke likes tea, and he might be a little on edge too, we all are. And I think more coffee in your system could be dangerous." Eying the thoughtful take out tray. Rory took her mother's hands "Mom, this night means nothing to me; this thing is all for grandma and grandpa. Of course, I want a little bit of their world, cause they are my grandparents. But I refuse to let them smother me, and you won't let them anyway. " she smiled.
"Oh kid, there is one more thing,… "
"What?" Oh please say its the dream.
"Well, I never got a chance to explain that … Chris wasn't coming, … to your grandma,… "
"Oh? " okay, not the dream.
"And she doesn't know Luke is filling in."
"OH!" Rory's eyes now wide at the seriousness of the situation.
"Yeah, … you know how she likes surprises … I just don't know how she'll … react to Luke. I guess the plus is ... she won't make a big scene about it, right? I mean in front of all her friends, the possibility of embarrassing you by extension, Right? nothing to worry about, right?"
"ummmmmm Mom?…"
Lorelai's face fell into her hands…, "Yeah, I know, I suck…"
"Hey Lorelai, … " Luke came in to the kitchen. He was in his black pants, but his tux shirt was still open.
And the girls both turned and gave him forced smiles.
"Am I interrupting?" he was suspicious at their plastered expressions.
There's a man in my house! "No, no I was making tea, ...you like tea,…" Lorelai was eager to fill the silence.
"Yeah I do.." still finding her behavior weird and stressed.
"And you know, … it might uhhh calm us down… "Somebody please stop me from talking!
Rory elbowed her mother to keep her from babbling further. Rory thought it was cute how nervous and shy Lorelai was around Luke now. Her dream the possible culprit. Maybe it was dirty! That would explain why she can't look him in the eye.
Luke narrowed his eyes, "Riiiiiiight, … " what is wrong with her?
Lorelai focused on his open shirt. "Did you need something?"
"Well, … yeah, ummm okay, I know I'm a grown man but these damn buttons, …. I accidentally broke a few off." Showing her the tiny remains in his large hands.
"Aww, well, … I'll sew 'em back on, I'll meet you upstairs." Luke nodded and left.
Lorelai caught the grin on her daughter's face. "What?"
"Nothing,… "
"What?"
"Not a peep from me, I've got my hair to finish." Rory went back to her room to finish hair spraying her bun and putting on her face. "…go sew on your escort's buttons!"
"When you say it like that it sounds … dirty! … and don't use Luke and escort in reference to each other again."
"What should I call him?" Rory hoped the answer would finally get the truth out. your DATE?
ummmmm I don't know, … exactly. And Lorelai went upstairs without answering her daughter.
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Luke was sitting on the bed, on "his" side, there are no assigned sides, this is my room, my bed, all mine! He was just in his plain white undershirt and pants, putting on his dress shoes. The assaulted tuxedo shirt lay next to him helpless on the bed.
"Hey," she smiled. Just act normal, but, … usually I am wearing more clothes. Lorelai was not used to seeing Luke in short sleeves. Hello Mr. Biceps!
"Hey, sorry about this." Still concerned about her, not wanting to be the cause of any more stress for her.
"It's okay," and she went to her sewing table for the needle and thread.
"Are you alright?" he asked, figuring if she could just put whatever was bothering her into words, she might feel better.
OH GOD he knows, he knows, he knows, he knows! "I'm good, really, I'm just wanting today to be over. … how about you?"
"Same." Just want today to be over...She was usually the only one he could talk too; But as fidgety as she was, he felt guilty to burden her with his own nerves. Well maybe it will make her see that… it's happening to all of us, I'm sure Rory's nervous too. "Lorelai, … I'm not sure I can do this."
She sat down beside him to work on the shirt. The shirt, only focus on the shirt. "What? You haven't mastered the double knot yet?" inspecting his shoes with a glance, unable to look him in the face. Then, Lorelai noticed, perhaps for the first time, that he was tense, too. Probably for much different reasons than mine.
He shot her a look. " I meant, … tonight, can you give me some sort of clue of what's going to happen, not your sarcastic glossing over?"
"Luke?" she stopped her sewing before it began.
"What the hell was I thinking, … that I could pull this off?"
He's really worried, awwww "You were thinking of Rory…" like always.
That is the perspective I need to cling too. doing this for Rory,... He was eased onlyslightly, "but… I'm not gonna … be in my element. Who am I gonna talk to? What the hell am I gonna talk about, fishing? Hell I am the fish out of water… Geez."
He really is cute when he's nervous. "Luke you'll do fine, .." she wanted to put a hand on his shoulder, but was afraid of what thoughts would pop up if she touched him. We are having a nice moment here. He really does have nice shoulders though….
"And aren't people gonna know I'm not Christopher, I'm not her father, … isn't that the scandal and embarrassment we were trying to avoid? What do we tell people?"
Not really caring what other's thought, she consoled his concerns."The truth, one of my best friends is filling in. Besides, it really should be you anyway?" tearing her eyes from his muscles through his shirt, and focused, back to her needle and thread.
He glanced over at her and her project. One of her best friends? Luke never heard Lorelai refer to him in that way before. It Should be me? "What?"
"Well, … " her dream and thoughts had betrayed her, she had let that slip out, Damn it! "… you have been more of an influence in Rory's life than Chris has."
"Lorelai, he is her Dad!" At least "the guy" had a hand in Rory's creation, … don't think like that, MAN, don't, don't …
"AND He is not here. You are. You have been there for her more than …" she trailed off, not wanting her point to get side tracked, I will no dwell on he who shall not be named. "… Luke you offered to do this for her, and she accepted. She picked you, you should've heard some of our brain storming. I mean, Taylor, Kirk, The cable guy, …"
"Kirk? Really?"
"We were desperate. And it was just a thought mind you.."
"I see, " and I'm still second fiddle.
"Luke, you saved the day, we needed a hero, and you came through. and It means a lot to her, to have another familiar face there. Lane and the rest of Stars Hollow can't be there; Man, that would be like … the Clampets go to Buckingham Palace. "
"Great!" not feeling any better.
"But look at you Luke, your all cleaned up and powder fresh …"
"I am not powder fresh."
"Still, you will pass the test. Just talk about ... being in the restaurant business and … be as vague as possible."
"So, in other words act normal."
"Well, I said talk, not bark, but Yes, be yourself."
"Only not in flannel."
"Exactly." She focused on the sewing project.
It was then Luke noticed her robe had slipped and her bare leg was exposed. Oh Boy! "I'm gonna … check on the tea, while you finish that up." and he walked out her bedroom door. You can't think like that man, that is not what tonight is about.
She smiled as he left the room, hoping she helped, and she finished reattaching his buttons. I'll need to help him put this on, I guess.hey, things …. seem back to normal… oh Thank God! I got through a conversation with him… and I did't freak out…
Luke went downstairs and saw Rory reading at the kitchen table. "Well, you seem very relaxed," Nice counter point to your mom, though she seems better now."you want any tea?"
Rory made a face, it's not coffee. "Do we even have tea?"
Luke checked the cabinets, "Looks like your mom has peppermint, and there is a box of green tea I gave from three months ago, … which I see still has the shrink wrap on it." he grinned.
Green tea? Rory considered, and then she remembered; Luke had given it to Lorelai because he read that just one cup a day would keep cancer away. "With all crap she eats, she needs any help she can get." He informed Rory, Luke cares about her, wants her to be healthy, so she's around for a long, long time.Hmmmmm peppermint tea, in this house? … and that's Luke's favorite… interesting … Mom considering his likes too; knowing he probably would come over, and then she'd have something to offer him while he repairs whatever we needed to have fixed that week. "I'll try the peppermint, I guess" Rory shrugged. She wondered if her mom and Luke would ever know how well they played off each other, even when they weren't in the same room together.
"You want honey in it?"
"Honey? Why not sugar?"
"Well, honey dissolves more quickly, AND it's twice as sweet as sugar, with half the calories."
Rory was impressed, "Sold, honey it is."
Luke let the tea bags seep, he placed a mug in front of Rory, as he sat down at the table with her, "Soooooooooo? What are you reading?"
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Back upstairs, Lorelai held out the shirt good as new, and went to return the needle and thread to her sewing table.
Lorelai then noticed Luke's jeans and flannel on the chair of her sewing table. She picked up his blue and green plaid flannel that he had worn earlier. She held the two shirts side by side, and compared them in her hands. One was crisp and sterile, the other was soft, and warm. One was too dressy to wear everyday, and the other was always a comfortable fit. One had nothing to do with Stars Hollow, and the other's philosophy was "anything for Rory". She smiled at the simple metaphor in her hands for the complicated man who still remained much of a mystery to her. Then she inhaled Luke's scent from his flannel shirt, the fabric soft against her chin. She savored it a moment, and her mind, and maybe even her heart, opened up a little bit.Thinking of how he was always her hero, yet he seemed to rely on her too. Maybe, … I do think of him, … that way?
Pushing those thoughts aside, NO, you can't think like that Lorelai, that is not what tonight is about. Lorelai returned the flannel to where Luke left it, and headed downstairs. Lorelai over heard talking. Luke and Rory?
Luke seemed concerned, "Wait, Wait Wait, THAT was all on one test?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded.
"That is insane! And you have 3 book bags, and only tiny half locker? I should build you a real locker… hell a wagon to lug all those books around with."
She laughed at the suggestion. "I don't think a wagon would fit on the bus?"
"Is the bus wheel chair accessible?"
"Yes, but not for wagons. It's okay really, you get used to it."
"Does your locker still stick? I could take a look for you … ?"
"No, it's fine now, it was just one of those 'first day everything that could go wrong did' sorta things."
"…but how can you lug around three book bags?" she's so tiny! Tall but tiny!
"Well you explain how you know how to dance? "
"Alright, the subject is officially dropped. " Backing off, leaning back in his chair. Then Luke had an idea, "Hey since your mom is busy, you wanna try ... the dance again?"
"Sure, let me just get the heels on…" and Rory ducked into her room for a quick change of footwear.
Lorelai decided to hide in the foyer, so maybe she could still sneak a peak.
"Okay now, if I start with my right, you start with your …" Luke quizzed.
"Left."
"Right, I mean correct."And Rory laughed, Luke instructed "now we don't have much room here so let's just do the basic step nice and slow."
"It's like king and I."
"That was a polka, this is a waltz."
"and you know the difference how?"
"God given talent,… " he rolled his eyes.
"Seriously, how do you know how to do this?"
"Maybe later,"
She gave him a frustrated "Luke!" , but Rory had accepted that, and dropped it. She knew their was only one woman who could charm it out of him.
Lorelai enjoyed the preview of the father daughter dance.She felt better about being around Luke, their little talk upstairs calmed her down, things are normal again. Luke and Rory did seem to really get along well. He is gonna make a great dad, Stop that! Just keep things light, and bantering, and normal. Lorelai hated to interrupt. "Okay good as new." She came into the kitchen brightly, none of her earlier jitters present. Luke turned to accept the shirt form Lorelai. "Thanks," he smiled.
She nodded and focused on her daughter. "Rory, you all set?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna grab a book for the wait, and put my dress on there."
"Sounds like a plan." as Rory went into her room, "mommy's gonna need your help to get into her dress."
"Okay" Rory called from her room.
"Thank you" she then smiled at Luke "I'm not as flexible as I used to be." Dirty! Okay that was flirting! Then she noticed Luke put the shirt on back of a chair and cleared the mugs into the sink. "Hey , you want tea?" he called over his shoulder.
He's so comfortable here, it's like he lives here… GAH! Stop it! Still noticing his muscles through the undershirt. "No time. Ummm You want help, … with your shirt?" a little nervous again.
"Oh, Ha ha", and despite her, Luke took the shirt and put his arms in the sleeves.
Light and bantering. "I'm serious, I have a huge fabulous dress I need to get into … I won't have time to sew again." seeing he was struggling already with the buttons. "Oh just let me do it, you big oaf." And she walked over to him, and started to button up the shirt for him. She was really close to him. She started at his waist and worked her way up. She felt his eyes on her, watching her carefully work with the uncooperative buttons. As she finished she met his eyes and smoothed the shirt out with her hands on his chest. "there, … picture perfect." She smiled.
He still stared, and took her hands from his chest and held them in his. She searched his face for some clue as to what he was thinking.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Your welcome."
The uncomfortable silence grew, as he still held her hands. Is he … getting closer?
Suddenly, Dean's voice burst in the house, "Anybody Home!"
Damn you, Dean! Lorelai cursed.
Thank God! Luke praised. He hastily let go of her hands and took a step away from her. He felt it, he wanted to kiss her. He had almost kissed her! Almost ruined the evening before it began. What the hell am I thinking? why now? Why that moment? That would be a story to tell, she was dressing me and I kissed her.
Lorelai didn't know if that was real, or if her imagination getting the best of her. Stupid dream. That moment felt so baited, it felt like something was supposed to happen. Thanks to Dean she'd never know.
Rory noticed Dean coming from the window at her desk. And with a frown she saw half of Stars Hollow was behind him. He should've changed here. She turned to tell her mother, when she saw Luke and her totally absorbed in a staring contest. Luke took her mother's hands, not realizing they were being watched. And it looked like Luke was tilting his head so he could … kiss MOM?
Then Dean's voice burst into the house, "Anybody home!" Crap! Rory thought, and she watched as the spell in the kitchen was broken, Luke took a few steps away from Lorelai. Both unable to look at each other.
Coming out of her trance, and like a flash, Lorelai went into the living room. "HEY Dean, the girls are still getting pretty. Rory! I need you upstairs!"
Rory watched Luke with sympathy, her mom didn't even acknowledge Luke's attempt. The expression on his face was almost of guilt, like he shouldn't be thinking of Lorelai that way. As he shook his head he tucked the shirt in, and nodded by way of greeting to string bean Dean, who was all ready to go.
Rory sighed, If only there was a way to get her to just admit it. That in reality, she did see him that way. Not just in dreams that she is probably denying happened. Rory went upstairs after her mom, maybe she will spill now.
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When Rory found her mother, she seemed rushed and was only in her slip. "Rory, shut the door, will you?" Was that real? Was he going to kiss me?… no no, not Luke.. he wouldn't do that …Open my heart my ass! To Luke? I mean … this is my Luke, NO! he's the town Luke one of my best friends. This can only lead to disaster… what if I hurt him, he knows everything about me …
OH GOD! He knows everything about me … OH GOD why would he want to be with me? I'm everything he hates… AW GEEZ! I'm tormenting and teasing myself over nothing, there is nothing there! Do I want there be something there? GAH! Something that should never happen. WILL never happen. why won't it happen?
"Mom? What happened?"
"Nothing, nothing I just … can't get my stupid dress … to cooperate." As Lorelai struggled to step into the dress properly.
"Mom? Calm down."
Now Lorelai fumbled with the zipper. "But we are going to be late, and Dean's here and Luke is ..." dreamy " … done ... and I'm holding every one up … and I don't wanna go… cause of my stupid parents and that vapid world, and my God, is that the entire town outside?" As she noticed the crowd on her lawn, struggling to keep the strapless dress up and remain decent now that she had an audience.
"Mom, please, … relax. "
"What is everyone doing on our street?"
"They sorta … followed Dean here. … and you know Patty, … she knew about my little coming out."
"Oh NO! This is bad," Lorelai sunk to her bed. "It's gonna be on the front page tomorrow! And after I promised Luke… oh man!"
"What?"
"I promised he wouldn't have to deal with the attention of all this… oh man… and now, … stupid nosy town! Oh My God, Kirk is setting up a tripod!" she stood for a better view out the window
Rory recalled the "mum's the word attitude" to Luke's involvement. Rory silently took care of her mother's zipper, inside happy that a promise to Luke meant so much to Lorelai.
"Maybe we still can keep that promise?" Rory figured, again with the problem solving.
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The girls, all ready for the big night, stepped out on to the porch. Lorelai in her dress and wrap, Rory in jeans with her dress in a garment bag. The crowd cheered, upon seeing the girls make their exit.
And Babette's scratchy voice was heard " hey Rory, where's that tall drink a water of yours?"
Rory answered honestly "Oh, Dean's gonna meet us there?"
The crowd murmured in confusion, "but we just saw him go in your house?" Taylor argued.
Lorelai and Rory looked at each other and looked at the mob as if they were from mars."I think we'd know if her 10 foot tall boyfriend was in our house, Taylor." Lorelai scoffed,as she went to the passenger side of the jeep, and the crowd rumbled again.
"But we walked over here with him?"
"What's going on?"
"I can't see!"
"Sorry folks but we are running late, so if you don't mind." Rory suggested so they would move out of the driveway and clear the street, so the jeep could get through.
"Hey Lorelai, don't you have a stud for your arm?" Babette inquired again.
Patty chimed in "Yes, whatever happened to that charming Christopher? Did you ever hear from him?"
Uncomfortable at the mention of Christopher, they had been so good up till now! Lorelai hoped Rory's plan would still work, wanting only to escape these people who needed to get their own lives. "Umm nope, " It was true we never heard from Christopher." I'm flying solo," Till we meet the boys later.
The crowd deflated and disappointed, still wishing the girls luck, and still pondered where Dean had disappeared to.
Lorelai was about to gather up her dress in the passenger side, when Kirk walked up to her open door, his tripod already pack in it's carrying case. "Lorelai?"
Dreading whatever it was he had to say to her. "yes Kirk?"
"I hate the thought of a beautiful woman going to a … ball was it.. by herself. "
"I appreciate that Kirk." Now please go away.
"I was wondering, would you like me to escort you? I still have the tux I used for my magician act when I was a children's entertainer." In his usual unfeeling monotone.
WOW, I'm so glad I was kidding when I suggested Kirk. "Ummmm that is really sweet of you to offer but… the black tie requirements are … very very strict. And you know we are alreay running late. So Ummmm, Thank you for the thought, … but we'll be fine." Cause we have a Luke. Thank God for a Luke.
Rory was on the driver's side cause she could actually see the pedals in her outfit. Lorelai had packed and bundled the mounds of fabric into her side of the car. And still managed to shut the door.
Now the girls were in private conference inside the Jeep, Rory started the engine. "Time for phase two of operation: sneak Luke out."
"This operation needs a better name."Lorelai recommended.
"Well, you can think of it while we go meet the boys." And Rory backed out of the drive way and headed down the street.
"At the rendezvous point? I love this spy talk!" Lorelai giggled.
Well, she seems normal again.
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About three streets away from the unsuspecting mob, Rory pulled the Jeep up to another waiting car, where Luke, Dean and Mr. Forester were talking.
Lorelai clapped her hands together, "OOOOOO I've got it! how about… Operation: Escort Escape!"
"Nice use of alliteration." Rory waved to the escorts, humoring her mother.
"Thank you."
The girls watched from the jeep as the Luke shook Dean's father's hand. You see, Rory's plan was to have the girls go out the front door as a misdirection tactic, while the escorts left out the back door. Everyone focused on the girls and the jeep, the boys cut around Babbette's gnomes. Through the ally to the next street, they were able to walk to Apricot Lane. They had called Dean's father before they left and explained they needed to borrow the car. Mr. Forester was a sport and agreed to lend it to his son. The boys were now finished changing their shoes from cutting threw the woods, as to not mess up the dress ones and were now hiding the spare foot wear in the trunk.
Lorelai watched Luke pace around in his tux, dress shoes back on, hoping no one would see him. He patiently waited for Mr. Forester to finish explaining the responsibility of borrowing the car to his son. Okay, sound cool. Sound casual, sound indifferent. Lorelai turned to her daughter, "Hey, do you wanna ride with Dean?"
"What?"
"You know, you ride with Dean, and I ride with Luke? sort of a get to know your escort on the drive …"
"I thought we weren't using escort and Luke in reference toe each other?"
"Rory."
"Mom, I'm already here in the driver's seat. And you are already packed away, You can't find the pedals in that dress."
"Well,…. Luke could drive the jeep."
Rory turned to her mother "You'd let Luke drive the 'Mocha Mobile'?" You just want to be alone with Luke, ADMIT IT!
"Well, don't you want to arrive with your escort?" she reasoned. I'm doing this for you, it has nothing to do with me wanting to be with Luke, .. Gah spend time with Luke. That sounds better.
"This isn't exactly the red carpet flash photography treatment, I'm changing there."
"Hey if you don't like your boyfriend anymore far be it for me… to argue … what's wrong, Are you sick of him already?
"Mom"
"Did he hold you to the battle bots promise and now you are reconsidering the whole relationship."
"MOM!"
"Were you gonna break up with him on the stairs? Or right after the curtsy?"
"Fine," and Rory unbuckled her seat belt, and got out of the jeep. She took her dress bag and makeup bag from the back and headed to the boys. Rory gave her mother another glance before she walked away, She soooo likes him.
Lorelai watched as Rory seemed to explain the new arrangement to the escorts. Oh NO, what is she telling them! That I'm a crazy woman who needs my diner man with me? He's not mine, he's not mine! Maybe this was a bad idea. I'm gonna be alone with Luke for the entire ride! So much for normal!
Too late now, Lorelai saw Rory get into the car with Dean and Luke headed towards the Jeep, with the plastic bag that held his boots. He opened the door, noticing her fidgeting again with her dress. "You okay?"
"Ummmm yeah I just … seemed to have lost my feet." She giggled lamely. Someone shut me up!
"Alright?" confused, but Luke got in the drivers seat, placing the boots on the floor in the back. Lorelai admired his cleaned up, suave look as he adjusted the mirrors and buckled in."Oh, yeah remind me to trim some of those branches in your back yard."
"Sure," always thinking of us.
"You know, you're lucky our tuxes didn't get ruined with that little stunt."
"Luke, I swear I didn't say anything."
"Oh I know, apparently Dean's mom let it slip at the market that … I … may put in an appearance, that is the only reason why the head cases came. And why Kirk had a camera. For documentation."
"Really?" Lorelai felt so bad for him.
"Yeah, then when Babette saw me come over, today of all days,well she figured it was true. So she called Patty who called everyone else…. And so on."
"Oh Luke," never one to be the center of attention.
"It's alright, we're out, they are none the wiser… Rory's with her fella, we are on our way." And Luke considered the teens in the still stationary car in front of him. "He is a good kid, isn't he."
"Yeah, he is." Always so protective of Rory.
"Rory's a good judge of character right?" Luke was still trying to convince himself that it was okay that Rory dated, she is a teenager ... after all. "And she seems to like him a lot, I mean, she couldn't go 20 minutes with out talking to 'her man'?"
"Yeah, how about that…" Lorelai laughed lightly, since the car arrangement was really her idea. "Well when you're in love …" Oh, God I'm the teenager here!
"Are you sure he's a good driver?"
"Luke."she whined.
"Not just good, I mean, a safe driver?"
"Luke" she warned.
"I mean, that is you're only child, you sure you don't want her to ride with us?"
Lorelai thought his vigilant concern was sweet, and very fatherly. "Luke, what did we talk about? … best behavior!"
"Right, right," he grumbled as he gripped the steering wheel. "Their not going to be …. You know, …. making out at the stop lights are they…?"
Once again clearly protective of Lorelai's little girl. Well he's getting into character, Hell, he's been in character for the last five years. how could … being … with this man end in disaster? I mean… he's already embedded in our lives. Would it be so bad if that was a little more… Permanent? more Apparent?
"Just drive." She smiled at him.
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fav parts: the parts that make my self laugh (OW OW OW OW)
-the "my side" argument? –Luvz, you know I have my THINGS! LMAO
- Lorelai hadn't seen Luke since that morning in bed, …LMAO
-Luke was his normal shade of self-conscious.
A/N: THINK the transition from dream to reality was … abrupt? Yes it's on purpose THAT WAY! You feel the jarring effect it's LIKE YOU'RE THERE! Ain't it COOL!
A/N: Okay another dream that I am Damn DAMN proud of… I know, I know the Lorelai dreams she is married to Luke and is PREGO (Luke Danes style) has been done to death.. BUT HEY! This one has SUBTEXT! IT's SYMBOLIC THAT WAY! Wink… TJ ironic.. and that was some deep dream analysis and she didn't even need Rory's help to figure it out! it's like she's growing… fond of LUKE!
A/N: BTW I have no idea if it's called the "mocha moblie" it seemed to fit... they like to name things, and she always seems to drive the jeep, never lets him(cept that dinner with emily... maybe..) ... or Rory for that matter. Lorelai is the usually thedesignated driver.. and the jeep is brown you know! brown coffee, chocolate, and every good thing... well, that may be a stretch... I mean mud dirty no. 2 those aren't... really good...
A/N: FOR ALL WHO HATE THE BASTARD!
Anti-Christopher?
Anti-Chris?
Anti-Christ?
Coincidence! I THINK NOT!
(especially for gcmel and jeepgirl, wink!) dude we should make t-shirts!
A/N: the one scene, when Luke comes to the house to change… it looks an awful lot like eppy 100 when Luke picks em up… but with my putter as my witness, I wrote it before I even knew that existed! Honor BRIGHT!
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"that was all God given talent..." why thank you Luke...
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R/R: PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity, ... so be honest."
Please be specific with R/R; name one (or as many as you can think of or want to mention..…) at least specific thing you liked
Please! It makes me feel good...inside (Dirty!)
Hence the Rant option below.
Insert Rant here V
A/N: if not completely satisfied with this chapter, please return unused portion for a full refund …