Chapter 18 – Round Two

So, wow. It's been a month since I updated. I had no idea it had been so long. Where did that month go? Anyone know? Because I don't. I guess I've been really busy. So I'M SO SORRY it took me so long to update. I am on break now and I've got the urge to write so I'm sure I will update again soon. :)

"Hey Sookie!" Lorelai said as she walked into the kitchen at the inn.

"Hey sweetie." Sookie greeted.

Lorelai walked over to the coffee maker and discovered the pot was empty. She picked it up and showed it to Sookie.

"What is this?"

"I'm sorry. I guess I forgot to make more."

"Sookie, you can never forget. You can never ever…" She stopped when she realized Sookie was staring at her oddly. "What?"

Suddenly a huge smile spread across her face and she tightly wrapped her arms around Lorelai in a huge hug.

"Umm, Sook, mind filling me in here?"

"I knew it would happen. I mean you guys are perfect for each other!"

Lorelai was still confused.

"You're engaged!" Sookie shrieked excitedly.

"Oh….yeah…"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I dunno. It just happened and then my mother…"

"Does she know?"

"No. We just went to dinner."

"Lemme see!" She said as she grabbed Lorelai's left hand. "Wow, it's beautiful."

"It was his mom's."

"Oh my god. That is so romantic." Sookie said wistfully.

Lorelai smiled. "So, could you maybe keep this to yourself."

"People are gonna notice, honey. There is a ring on your finger."

"I know. But I would rather them figure it out themselves, ya know?"

"Ok. Whatever you say, Mrs. Danes."

"Coffee?" Lorelai said.

"Oh right." Sookie said as she walked over to the coffee maker. "This is so great. I mean, you're gonna get married and then have kids." Sookie said as she poured the coffee grounds into the coffee maker. "I mean, oh my god, you're finally gonna have the whole package. Everything."

Lorelai smiled. She hadn't really had time to think about it. She had been so busy with other stuff. Sookie was right. She was going to have the whole package. Finally.

"I'm going to go out for a little." Lorelai said.

"What about the coffee?"

Lorelai smiled. "I'm going to go get it from my finance."

----

"Luuuuuuuuuuuuke!" Lorelai called as she entered the diner.

"I thought you had to go to the inn?' Luke asked as he poured her coffee.

"I did. But I couldn't stand not seeing your gorgeous face serve me coffee."

Luke rolled his eyes. "You want anything to eat?"

"Nope. Coffee is good."

Luke opened his mouth to give his 'breakfast is the most important meal of the day' speech but Lorelai spoke instead.

"I know, I know. Eat breakfast, got it."

"No matter how hard I try…"

She smiled. "You'll never be able to change me."

"So, I was thinking about your parents…"

"Ew! Why?"

"I think we should tell them that we're engaged."

Lorelai's eyes widened. "Are you serious? Were you at the same dinner I was?"

"Lorelai…"

"Luke, no. We have to wait longer."

"If we don't, your mother will just find out anyway. And that will be a bigger mess."

Lorelai sighed heavily. "Just a little longer?"

"Fine. A week."

"A week?!"

"Ok, two."

"Ok. Two weeks." She said reluctantly. "I gotta go." She got up off the stool and leaned in and kissed him quickly.

"See ya tonight?" He asked as she headed towards the door.

"You know it." She winked seductively.

------

"Can you believe this stuff?" Lorelai said as she looked at the package of tater-tots.

Rory looked up from her book. "What?"

"This!" Lorelai held up the bag.

"Tater-tots?"

"Yes! This bag is smaller and it's the same price!"

Rory studied the bag. "It is!"

"Those cooperate bastards…"

"This is what our world has been reduced to."

"So, I never really asked you..." Lorelai started as she poured the tots on a baking sheet.

"Yeah?"

"How do you feel about, ya know, me and Luke? Ya know, the engagement."

"Are you serious? I think it's the best thing ever. I mean you guys are perfect for each other and you're both so happy."

"I know. But, are you happy?"

"Mom, come on. I love you and I love Luke. You know that."

"I know, but a lot of things are gonna be different. I mean he's gonna be living here."

"So? He's here a lot anyway. And besides, he'll cook us breakfast and make us coffee!"

"Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you were ok with all this."

Rory frowned. "Are you ok with this?"

"What? Of course I am. I love Luke."

"I know that. But it seems when Max wanted to start to move his stuff in here you kept 'forgetting' the key."

"You're reading way to much into this. I was just asking you how you felt because you're a part of this family too."

"I just don't want things to get messed up."

"Oh, and I'll mess them up?"

"No, well, sometimes you get scared and then you just freak out and then things are all screwed up."

"I can't believe this. I was just trying…"

"I know!" Rory yelled. "Sorry."

There was silence besides the noise of Lorelai pouring the tater tots on a baking sheet. The buttons beeped as Lorelai set the oven timer. She sighed heavily and sat down next to Rory.

"I'm sorry too." Lorelai said. "You look out for me."

"I didn't mean to say it like that."

"I know." She looked down at her hands. "I hate that you know me so well."

Rory smiled. "It's our curse I guess."

"I'm scared."

"I know."

"I've never lived with a guy before."

"I know." She smiled again. "But I know it's gonna work out."

"I'm actually excited." She sighed. "Excited, scared, happy…"

"Wow. You've got quite the emotional combo there."

"So, Luke wants us to tell the parents."

"About the engagement?"

"Yep."

"Well I agree."

"Rory!"

"What? You should and you know you should. It's gonna be bad but you have to tell them."

"What if I told them over the phone? Then I could escape if it was getting really bad."

"When we go to Friday night dinner…."

"Right, I forgot about that. Damn."

"Wait until next week and tell them at dinner."

Lorelai groaned. "I guess."

--------

"Well, here we are again." Lorelai said as she stood in front of the Gilmore mansion.

"Stop being so dramatic." Luke said.

"This is gonna be bad."

"It might not be."

"You're an idiot."

"I'm ringing the door bell." Rory said.

"Wait! We didn't review the plan!" Lorelai said.

"There is no plan." Rory said.

"We tell them after dinner. I do not want my mother around anything sharp."

"Um, excuse me?" Luke said. "You think she's gonna stab me?"

"Mom, come on. You know grandma. She's gonna notice that ring on your finger the moment you walk in the door."

"Are you going to ring the doorbell or just stand there all night?" Emily asked as the door swung open.

"Hey mom." Lorelai said nervously.

"Hi Emily." Luke greeted.

Emily stared at Luke disapprovingly. "Hello Luke. Please come in."

"We can still leave. It's not too late." Lorelai whispered to Luke as the maid took their coats.

"Lorelai…." Luke warned.

They walked into the living room at sat down. Rory looked over at her mother and rolled her eyes. Why did she have to make everything so difficult?

"So, Rory, how's school?" Emily asked, just like every week.

"School's good. It's a lot of work, but it's good." Rory responded.

"Well that's good." There was a short silence until Emily spoke again. "So, can I get anyone a drink?"

"Martini." Lorelai said quickly.

"Soda please." Rory said.

"Luke?" Emily asked.

Luke sighed. "A scotch would be great, Emily."

She poured the drink and placed them on a tray. She walked over to the group and everyone grabbed their drink. She noticed Lorelai's hand instantly.

"What is that?" She asked.

"What?" Lorelai asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She looked at Luke and he mouthed 'ring' to her. Her eyes widened and she realized her hand was still extended towards the tray. She grabbed her drink and look up at her mother.

"Mom, Luke and I are…"

"Hello everyone." Richard interrupted as he walked out of his study.

"Richard, Lorelai has something to tell us." Emily said.

"Oh? What is it?"

Lorelai took a deep breath. "Mom, dad, Luke and I are…. engaged."

As soon as Lorelai finished her sentence there was complete silence. No one moved. No one spoke.

"So, I guess we should go." Lorelai said as she started to get up.

"Sit down." Emily said sternly.

Lorelai did what she what she was told and she looked nervously at Luke. Luke cleared his throat and prepared to face the infamous Emily Gilmore. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but he loved Lorelai and he had to do something to defend their engagement.

"Emily, Richard…" He started. "I love your daughter very much. I would do anything for her and Rory. They mean more to me than anything else in the world and I promise I will never let anything happen to them."

"That's a difficult thing to promise. In fact, it's impossible." Emily said dryly.

"Well, yes, it is…but…."

"I suppose we knew this would happen eventually. I mean, you have been pining for each other for quite some time. I was wondering when you would get your act together."

"Can't you just be happy for us?" Lorelai said angrily.

"Lorelai, I am just trying to get the facts." Emily said.

"What facts?" She yelled. "There are no facts! Luke and I are getting married, mom. Whether you support it or not."

"Oh I see. You're so independent. You don't need anyone."

"No. That's not true!" She yelled again. "I need…" She sighed. "I need Luke."

Emily's eyes widened. She had never heard Lorelai talk about a man this way. Perhaps this was something real. Something that would last. But, Luke? Diner man Luke?

"How do you plan on supporting your family? I mean, you will have children, right?"

"Emily, perhaps this is not the best time to discuss this." Richard offered. "Let's enjoy our meal and talk about this later."

"Fine." Emily said as she headed for the table.

Lorelai grabbed Luke's hand and squeezed it tightly as a thank you for saving her. She looked behind her and saw Rory with a supportive smile on her face. Maybe this would be ok. After all, they did out number the Gilmores.

"So, Rory how's Chilton?" Richard asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the engagement.

"Oh, school's good. Lots of work and it's hard, but it's good. I like it." Rory responded.

"Well, that's wonderful." Richard said. He looked across the table at his wife who refused to look up from her plate. "Isn't it Emily?"

"Oh, yes." She looked over at Rory. "That's wonderful, Rory."

"Thanks grandma."

Lorelai stared at her plate and started mixing all the food together. It started to turn a deep orange color and she made a disgusted face at the food.

"Lorelai, if you don't want to eat it just leave it alone. Don't be disgusting." Emily said.

Lorelai rolled her eyes and put her fork down. She looked across the table at Rory who was making a you're-being-impossible face. Lorelai quickly stuck out her tongue and took a sip of her drink.

"So, I never got an answer to my previous question." Emily stated.

"Emily…" Richard warned.

"No, it's ok dad." Lorelai said. "Mom, we do plan to have kids. We're not sure how many or when. We will work it out when it happens. We know what we're doing. We're not kids anymore. So, I would appreciate it if you would back off."

"I don't see what the problem is." Emily said. "I am just interested in your plans."

"No mom, you are just trying to ruin this. You can never be happy for me. You always have to ruin things and I am tired of it. I won't let you ruin this for me. This is the best thing that has happened to me, besides Rory being born."

"You're such a drama queen, Lorelai. You always have to make things bigger than they are."

"No mom, you always have to force your opinion on everyone!" Lorelai yelled. She shut her eyes in frustration and took a deep breath. "I can't do this anymore."

And with that, she got up and walked towards the door. She grabbed her coat and slammed the door on her way out. Luke looked over at Rory hoping she would know what to do, but she didn't.

"Well, I guess we'll see you next week." Rory said as she got up. "Thanks for the dinner grandma. Bye grandpa." She hugged both her grandparents and motioned for Luke to follow her.

"Uh, thanks for dinner." He said. He was about to leave the house when he turned around and walked back into the dining room. "Richard, Emily, I am sorry that you do not agree with our engagement. I know that I am not the kind of man you wanted Lorelai to be with, but I have to encourage you to trust her and accept her decision. This is right. Maybe you can't see it, but it is." He took a deep breath. "Thanks again for dinner."

Richard and Emily sat they stunned. They had never anticipated such a forceful speech from Luke. He was scared of them. He was intimidated by them. Wasn't he?

So, I guess that's kind of a weird place to end, but this chapter was getting too long. The current season has made me more inspired to write some good LL because this season is making me SO sad. Everyone keeps saying "It'll get better." But WHEN? When will it get better? sighs I miss my show….

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!