Chapter 22
Editor's note: so do you want to know what happens? LOL that you can find out next chapter! Just kidding. Thanks for the reviews I appreciate them.
Lorelai opened the door with a resigned sigh and let Luke in. She knew she could be too stubborn at times and now maybe wasn't a good time to be. Lorelai would never like the fact of Jess in Stars Hallow but the fact remained he was probably coming back.
Luke handed her the flowers she took them and her expression softened.
"Look I can't change how you feel about Jess." Luke began. Lorelai nodded. "But I promise if he comes back he won't go anywhere near Rory. I'll make that loud and clear and if I have to get violent I will." Luke said.
"Violence isn't going to teach the kid anything except hate Lorelai and Luke because they tell him what not to do. Well that'll be mainly your job since." Lorelai's voice trailed off.
Luke put his arm around her. "Come with me to Liz and who knows what kind of insane guy she's picked up this time."
"Ok I guess I will can I bring a dagger to throw out Jess?" Lorelai asked.
"No despite what you might think his mother does love him she just has never been the responsible one in the family." Luke said making a face.
"Well I know what it's like to be the odd crazy child in the family but I couldn't imagine life without Rory." Lorelai said.
Luke kissed her softly.
Rory watched Luke bang on her mother's door. She wondered how that would go. Her father had stopped her in the lobby and demanding to talk to her. Rory had but wouldn't give him much to go on Luke's and Lorelai's relationship other than that they were doing well and for him to but out.
Rory opened her door after hearing a knock on it.
"Mom? Is everything ok between Luke and you?" Rory asked worriedly.
"Yeah we're fine sweetie we're going to Liz's place to talk about arrangements for Jess ok do you want to come? It'll be a fun show we can bring popcorn." Lorelai said grinning.
"No mom I'll be ok I'll just stay put I bought some new books I'm going to read all right?" Rory said.
"Feel free to put it on the bill and order a movie if you want." Luke said.
"Thanks da I mean Luke." Rory said.
Luke smiled. He escorted Lorelai into a cab. They went into one neighborhood of crowded small apartments. Luke looked at the address.
"Liz lives here?" Lorelai asked.
"Yep what a gem huh? That's my sister always looking for a diamond in the rough." Luke said shaking his head. He paid their fee and they walked up to apartment B1.
Liz peered out and gasped in shock.
"Luke it's great to see you! Tj and Jess are out getting dinner I forced them on an errand to get to know one another! Whose this charming young lady? If I had known company was coming I'd have worn something different!" Liz said excitedly bringing them in.
Lorelai looked around a small apartment it was a one bedroom. A bed was made out on the couch that was clearly Jess's. He had a small number of books at the foot as well as a pile of clothes. Liz was working on the kitchen counter chopping up vegetables. She wore blue sweatpants and a tank top.
"Who's TJ?" Luke asked.
"My new life partner. Ah he is wonderful." Liz said.
"Better then Jess's father?" Luke asked.
"He was wonderful in his own way but now I have TJ and he has me." Liz said.
"Um I'm Lorelai Gilmore." Lorelai said.
"Oh so you're the girl Luke thought was pretty all those years now I know who he was talking about maybe I should visit Stars Hallow more often can't keep up with my brother's love life." Liz teased.
Luke's face slackened. "You have no need of doing that. Liz I wanted to talk to you about sending Jess back to Stars Hallow." Luke said.
"I thought you didn't want him or family there." Liz said half joking half meaning it.
"Well I realize I may have been a bit harsh…" Luke said.
"Luke he had a bruise on the arm same size as Texas." Liz said.
"It wasn't that big the kid exaggerates and so do you." Luke said.
"I had you going for a second though didn't I? Why don't you ask him yourself he should be back any minute?" Liz said.
"Mom I took the change is that ok?" Jess said coming in. He hadn't noticed Luke and Lorelai yet.
"That's fine baby. Where's TJ?"
"Right behind him man he runs fast stole the change right in front of my eyes. We have guest who the hell are you people?" TJ asked.
"This is your prize? Um hi TJ I'm Luke her older brother." Luke said.
"Oh oh whatever tales she's been telling all lies you know how women are." TJ said sweating a little.
"Hey whatever happened between you to is your business if you hurt her I'll kill you."
"Well if it isn't Uncle Luke and Miss Gilmore." Jess said with a mock of a solemn look on his face.
"Hey it's that clown I saw at the circus." Lorelai shot back. Jess hid a smile.
"You'll stay for dinner?" Liz asked.
"Sure why not." Lorelai said before Luke could say no.
Luke gave her a warning look but they sat down at the table.
Liz spread out the KFC all around and poured a beer for the adults.
"It's good to see you." Liz told Luke.
"Yeah why are you here Lucas you've never swung by our neck of the woods before too proud now that you're a Diner owner and moved up in the world?" Jess asked sarcastically.
"Hey he's come to do something nice for you so don't be an ass." Lorelai said. Liz snickered into her dish.
"Oh really what's that?" Jess asked.
"Look it's an open offer but here it is. You come back to live with me when you're not in school and your willing to earn extra pocket money you can work in the diner but you will finish school and you will stay away from Rory. Open invitation you can come back." Luke said.
"Oh is Rory your daughter? I'm so sorry about what happened I feel completely responsible." Liz said.
"It wasn't your fault." Lorelai told her reassuringly.
"No but it was mine wasn't it? I'll have to think about it Luke." Jess told him.
"Fair enough here's a bus pass in case you change your mind." Luke told him.
"Is that why you haven't sent my stuff yet?" Jess demanded.
"Maybe Liz and TJ it's been a pleasure." Luke said.
"You sure you won't stay its poker night in the Liz and TJ house." TJ said.
"Nah I don't gamble and neither should you. Night sis." Luke said.
Liz called a cab for them.
"Hey big brother?" Liz said.
"Yeah do you need a check for something Liz?"
"Not yet maybe next month but hey come back by don't make yourself a stranger. You two Lorelai I'll make sure Jess doesn't go near Rory." Liz said.
"You had nothing to do with that." Lorelai said.
"I don't know maybe if I hadn't raised such a wild child." Liz said regretfully.
"Being a single mother isn't easy." Lorelai told her. Liz smiled.
"This isn't the hotel." Lorelai said a moment later as they pulled near the first park Lorelai had seen.
"No your right it's central park which is right by the hotel." Luke told her.
"Awe Luke you didn't have to." Lorelai said resting her head on his shoulder.
"I know stop here please." Luke said.
Luke helped Lorelai out of the cab. He led her down one of the many trails around central park.
"I feel like our relationship has progressed don't you?" Luke asked.
"Yes." Lorelai said.
"I want to know if your on the same page I'm on because I'm all in." Luke told her.
"Well I'm all in two and nothing petty like Christopher's actions should get between us." Lorelai said allowing him to drape his arms around her.
Luke found a bench for them to sit on.
"So what are you getting at?" Lorelai said.
"Well it's like you said my office is the ultimate bachelor's pad. I'm not one any more. Now I know it'd be out of the question for Jess to live there in your home I wouldn't put that upon my enemies even but he is my responsibility so maybe if I gave him the office over my store with the understanding I will still be coming in and using it occasionally but how would you feel if I moved in with you and Rory?" Luke said.
Lorelai smiled.
"That is a big step Luke I have to ask Rory why don't you and I both ask her tonight?" Lorelai said.
"Does Lorelai Gilmore have an answer for Luke?"
"Well my heart tells me yes so I think so." Lorelai said.
"Good. We'll ask Rory when we get back." Luke kissed Lorelai. They sat under the shade of the tree and only a few passersby saw them. Luke released Lorelai after a good five minutes.
"Lorelai Gilmore I have loved you since you came into my diner that day." Luke told her.
"I love you Luke Danes." Lorelai said.
"Good. I'll help you to deal with Jess as much as I can. And anything else you need from me don't hesitate to ask." Luke said. Lorelai smiled.
"I won't." They sat on the bench in peace and quiet and nothing but the hum of two hearts becoming one.