Chapter 23
Editor's note:
Thanks for the reviews guys! Sorry it takes me so long to get a chapter up but seeing as I'm at a place where I can't get on as much as i used to (it sucks) but anyways here's a new one for yeahs.
The ride home from New York was a quiet one. Lorelai and Jess rode in the back and Rory and Luke up front. Lorelai true to her word had not said anything to Jess even though already she wanted to change that face of his from it's true form. Luke on the other hand had yelled at Jess twice and almost had to physically place him in the car if he was coming then. Jess had taken his time deciding so Luke decided for him..
Lorelai kissed Luke after he bought his luggage in.
"I'll be bringing some of my stuff by when I get off work from the diner. You girls up for a town meeting?" Luke asked them.
"You'll go?" Rory's jaw dropped.
"Yeah of course I'll go. Only if you promise to hold my hand cause one of these days Taylor Doose might just end up dead." Luke said only half joking. Lorelai grinned.
"Mom there's a message from your mom she wants all of us even Luke to come to Friday night dinner." Rory said.
"God only knows what that evil woman has planned yeah since we have to do Friday night dinners anyway." Lorelai said.
"Hey hon we're still holding that midevial type dinner how about we posion Jess's wine?" Lorelai said teasingly.
"You'll let him come even though I'll be there?" Rory asked surprised.
"Yes and he has to stay at the other end of the room on a leash designed by me. I'm going to the Inn hopefully Sookie hasn't stopped preperations. I need to reserve a room from Luke and myself." Lorelai said.
"All right I'm going to read a few books then maybe get something to eat."
Lorelai fished in her purse.
"Here's a ten." Lorelai said.
"I already have some of the money Luke gave me." Rory said.
"Have I taught you nothing? When your given money no matter how small you don't refuse it! Save that other money for books." Lorelai left.
Rory had pulled out a book when someone came knocking on the door. She wondered momentarily if it was Jess but it was Dean. He looked worse for the wear to. He even had a black eye.
"Um Dean?" Rory asked.
"Rory I had to come to see if your all right." Dean said in a hoarse whisper.
"I'm fine they didn't send me off to Military school." Rory said almost amused. She was touched Dean was concerned but almost dissappointed it wasn't Jess. True Lorelai had threatened Jess with the I have video cameras set up and I'll smell your sent if you so much as go near my home or my daughter. Anything removed from my property to the include of Rory your hands will be on it.
"Actually Luke and Lorelai showed up half way through my semester and rescued me we went to New York. I was about to order a pizza do you want to come in?" Rory asked him.
"Sure."
Michelle was on the front porch of the Independence Inn with his arms crossed and an upset look on his face when Lorelai walked up the steps. She sighed sometimes she wished she could go on vacation permantly.
"What's the problem Michelle?" Lorelai said.
"You and Sookie are both playing hooky while I am the only one working. I demand my vacation time next week. I DEMAND It." Michelle said.
"Sookie's in the kitchen." Lorelai said warily.
"No she's not go look. She has left others per usual doing it for her. I want my vacation time." Michelle growled.
"If you shut up and leave me alone I'll give it to you and not more one word about how hard Sookie works you can have your vacation time and if you don't I won't." Lorelai said.
"Fine thank you at last." Michelle went inside. Lorelai rolled her eyes and went into the dining room.
Sookie was sitting at a table in front of a woman Lorelai barely reconizged. She had a spread of tarot cards in front of her.
"Sookie why aren't you in the kitchen? Hello I'm Lorelai Gilmore I'm Sookie's boss." Lorelai said. She didn't really care but she was curious and wondering why this woman was doing readings in her kitchen.
"Oh! Your the person in charge. I'm Sarah Lepas I was just giving her a reading she looked like she had a probing question so I am answering it." Sarah said.
"Interesting and what do the cards say?" Lorelai said. It was very hard not to mock.
"The cards won't answer if you have no faith." Sarah said.
"Never trust something if you can't see where it keeps it's brain. However if you need to and if other customers are interested you can use the dining room to do readings." Lorelai said.
"Your not mad are you?" Sookie asked anxiously.
"Nah just Michelle being a baby as usual."
"You'll want a reading from me one day." Sarah said.
Lorelai turned. "Well perhaps I know where to find you but welcome to our Inn."
Sookie caught up with Lorelai in the kitchen a few minutes later. Lorelai got a pot off coffee on.
"I went on a date with Jackson while you were gone with Luke." Sookie said.
"Oh sweetie that's great I'm proud of you." Lorelai said.
"He wants to go on another one." Sookie said looking somber as if she were going to go to a funeral.
"And that's bad becuase he grinds his teeth to loud when he eats." Lorelai suplied.
"No." Sookie said giggling.
"Because he's got dirt underneath all his fingernails?" Lorelai teased.
"No! I'm just nervous what if he decides he doesn't like me?" Sookie said.
"Wouldn't he have decided that already?" Lorelai asked.
"Maybe or maybe this is a bet." Sookie said.
"Who'd he make the bet with his vegetables?" Lorelai said.
"That didn't help." Sookie said.
"Look I swear on my mother's soul Luke and I will make the next date if it makes you feel better you call Jackson and pick a day. Town meetiing tonight and my mother the next night." Lorelai said making a face.
"Ah are you bringing Luke?" Sookie wanted to know.
"Yeah. How's that cooking coming for our special Stars Hollow Dinner?" Lorelai asked.
"It's good you have to try this bread recipie I found it's divine." Sookie said.
"Mmm this is totally good." Lorelai said taking a bite.
"Good. How was your mother's reaction to that Luke was coming?" Sookie asked Lorelai as she began to start on dinner for the Inn's guest.
"Well he doesn't deserve you why didn't you stay with Max at least he had some source of income that was respectable and Rory's teacher to. Oh yes followed by Bitty arranged this especially for you and you snap my granddaughter out to rescue her you didn't rescue yourself young lady. That's when I put the phone away from me ear and pretended to be listening while i went through coupons." Lorelai said.
Sookie shook her head.
"Your mother is a pistol."
"Don't I know it. Hey do you think maybe the Lorelai and Sookie could plan a girls night out?" Lorelai said.
"Plan on it." Sookie said.
Lorelai went to the desk and got busy.
Luke came into Lorelai's and threw his stuff on her bed. He had caught Rory and Dean making out. Sometimes he hoped that her good influence would rub off on Jess. But Lorelai wouldn't alow her anywhere near him if she could help it and Luke was already in a bad mood because of dealing with people at the diner. He heard Lorelai's car pull up to the garage and softened a little. Walking downstairs to meet her he saw that Dean and Rory had moved to the bedroom.
"Keep that open." Luke said.
"I guess you like watching us makeout after all." Dean said. Rory blushed.
"Keep it open."
"Except I know it's what you'll be doing with Lorelai."
Lorelai walked in and Luke kissed her.
"Awe that was sweet what was that for?" Lorelai asked.
"To prove my point. Hi Lorelai." Dean said.
"Dean it's good to have you back. Come on let's eat." Lorelai said.
"Come with me." Luke pulled her by the hands and led her into the kitchen.
A boquet of new blue roses had been placed there surrounded by food from Luke's diner. Included in the middle were a handful of danish's with coffee.
"Awe Luke that's so thoughtful of you how wonderful! Dean I hope your hungry actually no I hope your not I could eat this all to myself." Lorelai said.
"Well we ordered a pizza but I could eat again." Rory said.
Dean smiled. "Yeah I could to."
They all sat around the tables.
Luke cleared his throat. Dean and Rory both jumped.
"So Dean Dean what are your intentions with Rory?" Luke growled. Lorelai gave him a warning look.
"My intentions? My intentions well you got me I'm going to leave Rory after what Jess did to her. I'm coming after her to kiss her then break her heart." Dean said.
"Now you do that I'll chase you out of the village by myself." Lorelai said half smiling she knew Dean was being sarcastic.
"That had better not be -" Luke started to rise.
"Luke their kids." Lorelai said.
"And dangerous."
"Look i know your concerned but the only way I'm going to leave Rory is if she decided its over." Dean said.
"It's not." Dean looked at Rory. "I know."
Rory smiled.
"All right. Lorelai if I catch him making out with her I?"
"Do nothing. It's fine. Now if it's the removal of the clothing you remove him from the house unless they tell me first and then during the ciggerette." Lorelai teased. Rory rolled her eyes.
Dean and Rory went to her bedroom. Rory picked out a book and they began to read.
Lorelai knocked on Rory's door. Rory opened it.
"Yeah mom?" Rory asked.
"It's time for the next town meeting." Lorelai said.
Luke who had come behind Lorelai made a choking face at Rory. Dean saw and laughed.
"Don't get sucked in the tradition Luke watch out. You'll never stop going."
"I might consider going just to give Taylor Doose hell." Luke said.
"That's a good a reason as any that's why Lorelai goes." Rory said.
"Hey I resemble that I mean resent." Lorelai said. They all laughed.
They were last to arrive in the town meeting. Taylor was talking he hadn't seen them come in. Lorelia and Rory had begged Luke for another danish and he consented.
"It could be bad for business people start taking sides - Um Lucas hello." Taylor said.
"My full name is Luke. And what could be bad for business?" Luke asked. Patty looked anxious.
"Look I say we vote on it and then delegate someone to tell them." Taylor said.
"Vote on what?" Luke asked in a dangerous tone. Jess stirred in the back.
"Your and Lorelai's relationship could effect town business."
"Okay HOlD On. There will be no voting on our relationship. It's hers and mine not yours not the towns hers and mine got it?" Luke walked up to the front and snapped Taylor's demenstration board in half.
"Anything else?" Lorelai was trying not to giggle.
"Go Luke!" Rory and Dean cheered. Taylor looked disgusted.
"He's right Taylor it's not something we can vote on." Patty said sighing.
"Not while we're here? Well I'm sorry the dumbass who approaches me to tell me to break up with her is going to end up with a broken nose." Luke said his fist still raised at Taylor.
"Okay but she is still committing adultry."
"She's got divorce papers." Luke said.
"Has she signed them?" Taylor said.
"Work on your own sins preacher. Anything else?"
"Well there is a matter of Jess coming back."
"Jess is here to stay unless you kill him in that case be my guest. But give him a chance first before you slip the posion." Luke said angrily.
"Well a new item of business." Taylor began but Luke hardly paid attention to him. Lorelai had grabbed him and made her sit next to him. He kissed her long and good. To interupt Taylor Dean suddenly got an idea.
"Ow ow!" Dean said loudly. Rory elbowed him blushing watching her mother make out with Luke.
Heads turned. Babbette and Miss Paty both said in unison, "Awe."
Lorelai stood up. "Yes Miss Gilmore?" Taylor asked curtly.
"Well as some of you may or may not know the Independence Inn was supposed to hold a medieval dinner and outing for a big group of freaks. Anyways now the Inn will be completely empty but we've already hired everything and everybody so we'll have lots of good food a buggy ride or two and carols and well I'm sending an invitation to everybody. You'll need to call me to tell me if your coming or not but it will be a Stars Hallow specialty holiday style." Lorelai said.
Taylor nodded approvingly.
"All in favor of going?"
"Aye!"
"Done then call Lorelai Gilmore." Taylor said.
Luke walked out of the town meeting. Jess nodded curtly to Lorelai then grabbed Luke's arm.
"You're not exactly who I wanted to walk home with." Luke joked.
"Did you mean what you said about me staying?" Jess asked.
"Yeah i did why?" Luke asked.
"Nevermind. Thanks. I gotta get going." Jess turned and walked away. Luke reached Lorelai's house feeling puzzled.
Lorelai snuggled next to Luke on the couch. The weather was getting colder so she had the perfect excuse.
"So I'm going to be staying with you this week." Luke said.
"And hopefully the week after. Or do you plan on spending every other weekend at Luke's placed. We're not products of divorced parents your here to say." Lorelai said.
"So Rory has no curfew and is allowed to make out with her boyfriend?" Luke asked.
"Well not no curfew she does have to call. Luke she's old enough let her explore the world get into trouble not to much but just enough. I used to have a Tequila when my parents weren't looking." Lorelai said.
Luke laughed. "Okay sometimes I was a hell raiser."
Lorelai wrestled with him and pinned him down. Suddenly she stopped.
"What?" Luke asked.
"Nothing. Just...I smell it." Lorelai said.
"Smell what?" Luke said.
"Snow."
"What? How could you possibly smell it?" Luke asked.
"Don't question the oracle now come on. RORY! DEAN get your coats on now."
Rory slid on her coat. "What is it?" Dean asked her puzzled.
"My mother has just smelt the snow." Rory puzzled.
"Shouldn't she be doing the weather report on the news?" Dean asked.
"Oh very clever." Rory said trying hard not to laugh. Dean slid on his coat and pulled her into him and kissed her gently.
Luke and Lorelai were standing in the middle of the street. Next to them were Dean and Rory. Luke and Lorelai had their arms wrapped around each other. Nothing could be more perfect then snow softly falling down on them.