Luke, Lorelai and Sookie had come up with a plan for the party pretty easily. Sookie was doing the food, Lorelai was taking care of the decorations and Luke was doing the cake. Mia was happy to let the trio use the back lawn for the party. It was still early enough if fall that it wouldn't be too cold.
Luke was sitting at the kitchen table scribbling out a shopping list for the strawberry shortcake he was going to make. He assumed that with Lorelai 'the choco-coffee queen' for a mom she'd want something more decadent. But Lorelai had informed him that her daughter loved strawberries, so he was more than happy to make her one. It was a simple dessert he could probably make in his sleep. If only the gift were that easy.
"Hey son."
"Hey."
"What are you doing?"
"Oh, Lorelai is throwing a party for Rory's second birthday. I'm just making a grocery list for the cake."
"That's nice son. So, do I ever get to meet the effervescent Gilmore Girls?"
"I thought you met them when they moved in at the Inn?"
"Hardly a meeting. You should bring 'em by here sometime."
"Well, you could come to the party. It's Saturday at 2:00. Sookie St. James is making the food and we're having it on the back law at the Inn."
"Well, I think I will do just that. So what are you getting her for her birthday?"
"I don't know, I guess I could get her books, Lorelai says she likes being read to."
"Why don't you let me give her books. Maybe you should give her something a little more personal."
"Thanks dad, no pressure there."
"You'll figure it out."
Lorelai had the streamers and she'd ordered some balloons from Mia's party guy. She'd borrowed some tables and chairs from the Inn. All the food was covered. She'd made Rory a pretty yellow party dress. She'd sent all the invitations except one.
"Richard Gilmore's office, Marcy speaking."
"…um…This is Lorelai Gilmore, may I speak with my father."
"Hold one moment Ms. Gilmore."
Lorelai started having second thoughts the moment she heard a voice on the other end. God what am I doing, he may not be as bad as mom but he doesn't want to come to a kids birthday party. This is going to be awkward and terrible and if he does come we might argue and ruin my baby's birthday. What if he tells mom?
"Lorelai?"
"Yeah. Hi dad."
"Is something wrong Lorelai, is Rory sick?'
"No, no dad she's fine."
"I'm well aware you wouldn't be calling to chat or ask for money, so why don't you tell me why you're calling."
"Well. Next Saturday is Rory's 2nd birthday and I'm having a small party for her. And I was wondering if you'd like to attend?"
Richard was quite obviously shocked; "You're inviting us to a birthday party?"
"Not exactly. I'm inviting YOU to a birthday party."
"Lorelai-"
"No dad, listen please. I know that you and mom have your own opinion of how I should raise Rory. But the difference is that Mom will not resist the impulse to criticize the party, my choices, my home and everything else. While I know you'll keep your opinions from affecting your granddaughter's day." Lorelai had plenty more she could say, but she doubted it would help case.
"I know it seems crazy for me to be asking favors, but please don't tell mom about this. I know I can't avoid her forever but this is supposed to be a happy day. And I know you and I are on shaky ground but I've seen you with Rory and I know you think the world of her."
Richard paused before inhaling deeply, "When is my granddaughter's birthday party Lorelai?"
Lorelai breathed a relieved sigh and gave him the details. Thank God that's over.
After mulling it over in his mind almost constantly, Luke had finally decided on a gift. He'd been working on it constantly before and after work. The party was the day after tomorrow and he'd just put the last coat of stain on the gift. It should be dry just in time to wrap it up Saturday morning. After that he'd make the cake.
Luke walked into the kitchen to see his father wrapping some books for Rory is brightly colored paper. "Hey son, are you going to need this to wrap your gift?"
"I think I'll need a whole new roll."
"That must be a big gift, did you get the girl her first car?"
Luke smiled slyly, "You'll see."
William smiled. "Is it going to match her pretty blue eyes?"
"I'm not making her a dress dad, that's Lorelai's area."
William continued smirking but his eyes were sentimental and soft. " Lucas, when are you going to show that girl how you feel?"
Luke didn't bother to deny it, he had passed that point. Besides, having his father know wasn't as potentially humiliating as say, Lorelai knowing. "Haven't I been doing that?"
William shook his head. "Do remember how I used to fix all the crap your mom broke? And listen to her when she had a bad day?"
"Of course."
"Now do you remember me fixing crap for Mia, listening to her problems?"
"Yeah."
"Those are the things you do for people, for friends. But could you ever confuse the way I felt about your mom with the way I felt about Mia?"
"No way, you loved mom like crazy."
"Exactly. And it's all the other stuff that showed her that. You need to make your moment with her Luke. Don't just help her, care for her. Do you understand the difference?"
"Yeah dad, thanks."
The party had just started and Lorelai was surprised at the number of people that had showed up. Everyone from the Inn was there, though they were rotating out so that the Inn could still actually function. Almost every business owner in town had showed up. Lorelai assumed that an 18 year old with an adorable baby left an impression. Sookie was running in and out of the kitchen, thrilled to be working in there, even if it was just temporary. Luke's beautiful cake was waiting in the fridge. He'd even bought little plastic letters to sit on top that spelled out "Happy Birthday Rory". There was a small pile of brightly colored gifts on a table, Lorelai was almost choked up at the caring gesture from her adopted town. I knew I was right to pick this place.
Lorelai had left the birthday girl with Sookie while she checked up on things. She turned around in a circle looking for her friend's red head but found nothing. After closer inspection she saw Luke and Rory having, what appeared to be a very serious discussion about Luke's hat. Lorelai smiled. She rarely had the opportunity to observe Luke and Rory. He'd helped her out a few times, watching her while Lorelai ran errands. But she'd never been able to just watch. They look happy. But it was more than that. Lorelai had been feeling little twinges during her friendship with Luke. The clenching in her stomach at the thought of his ex-girlfriend, the flutter when she was gifted a smile she knew was rare. But this was different, this was a warm steady glow that took over her body. My two favorite people in the world together. She would have gasped at the thought, if it hadn't felt so natural.
Richard arrived 15 minutes late for the party. Emily had been her usually chattering self as he was leaving the house but she hadn't seemed suspicious. He hated the thought of lying to Emily, but more than that he hated not knowing anything about Lorelai's life. This is an 'in' to her life, someday Emily will be grateful you were here. He had to admit he was a little intimidated by the gathering. They all looked pretty crazy. And there are dozens of them. Richard looked around and made his way over to the least eccentric looking person he could find.
"Excuse me, could you tell me where the hostess of this party might be?"
William tore his eyes away from the sight of his son and Rory to address the man beside him, the man wearing a suit. "Lorelai's been running in and out supervising things. It's amazing how much she can plan around work and Rory."
"Yes well, she was always an industrious girl. If only she'd directed that toward something."
William regarded the man beside him curiously, eyes widening in understanding, "Are you by any chance Lorelai's father?"
"Yes I am, Richard Gilmore," he extended his hand.
"William Danes. Your daughter is quite something."
"Thank you. I was hoping to see my granddaughter actually."
"The little princess is over there in the shade," he pointed to where Rory was laughing as Luke bounced her around.
"Is that boy experienced enough to care for my grandchild?"
William chuckled, "Yeah, I raised him right."
Richard turned "I'm sorry that was rude of me, he's your son?"
"Yeah Luke, he spends a lot of time with Lorelai and Rory. He actually met Lorelai on the bus to Stars Hollow and helped her get set up here."
"Really."
Richard watched as Lorelai walked over to Luke and Rory. She smiled brilliantly at the pair and reached for her daughter. Rory giggled in her mother's arms and puckered up her lips for kisses. Lorelai and Luke chatted while he ran a hand gently over the back of Rory's head. Richard found himself taken aback by the interaction, instantly flashing back to holding Lorelai as a baby.
"Mr. Danes-"
"Will, please."
"Will is my daughter dating your son?"
William had a serene smile on his face. "No, but that hasn't seemed to deter them from falling in love."
Richard felt like he was having some sort of out of body experience. "I've never seen my daughter like that before."
"Can't say I've ever seen Luke like that either. He's a good kid, happy enough, but too serious sometimes. But your girls seem to put a little spark in his eyes."
Richard watched them intently. He couldn't say much about Luke having never met the boy but Lorelai had always had a bit of a sparkle. But she seemed different now…calmer. There was a peace in her countenance he'd never seen before, not even when she'd held Rory the first time.
Lorelai looked up at that moment and spotted her father. She smiled demurely at Luke and said a few words before heading off. Walking towards him her peaceful aura had become decidedly tense. "Dad, hello."
"Lorelai."
"Will, I didn't know you were here," Lorelai smiled.
"Well Luke invited me. And Mia's been bragging about the incredible Lorelai Gilmore so I figured I'd come see how you'd fared since training day."
Lorelai smiled proudly, "So far, so good. So dad, when did you get here?"
"Just a few minutes ago actually, there was some traffic from Hartford."
"Of course. Well why don't you come with me and we'll get you something to drink, would you like to hold Rory?"
"Yes, let me take my granddaughter."
Lorelai led her father inside, "Well this is the Independence Inn, where I work. Umm this is the sitting room and the reception area. The dining room and kitchen are through there."
"And you're a maid here?"
"Really I do whatever needs to be done. I work the desk some days, I waitressed a few times but I'm not coordinated enough."
"And what do you do with Rory when you work?"
"Well when Mia's in her office, she owns the Inn, she lets Rory play in there while she does the payroll and things like that."
"If Mia's out then Rory comes with me while I work. If I have to work the reception desk then Luke will take her to the store."
"Luke?"
"Oh, yeah. You were standing with his dad, Will?"
"Yes I recall. What exactly is your relationship to this 'Luke'?"
Lorelai was a little stunned by the question, "Luke and I are friends dad. He helps us out a lot and Rory's really comfortable with him."
Richard noticed the obvious flush at his questions, "I see."
Lorelai wasn't sure what to make of the comment, but she was determined not to ruin this day, so she simply nodded.
The entire day had gone very well. Rory was giggling happily and everyone else was enjoying Sookie's food and Luke's cake. Lorelai had made the rounds, greeting and chatting with everyone while observing her father. His face showed nothing but Lorelai could tell he'd been discreetly observing their activities.
The party was winding down, most of the townsfolk had started off home. All that remained were the two Danes, the three Gilmores, and Mia. Lorelai left Will and Luke to say goodbye to her father.
"Thank you for coming dad."
"Of course Lorelai, she is my granddaughter after all."
"I just appreciate you coming here and not telling mom."
"Well Lorelai I certainly don't enjoy lying to your mother. However I think it is impractical to not accept an opportunity when it's offered. I will be checking up on you, but the next time you extend an invitation I expect it to be for both your mother and I."
"I'll try dad. Just try to subtly hint to mom that I'm not going back to Hartford. And frankly now that I'm 18 she can't change that."
"Alright. Thank you for having me it was a lovely party."
He said goodbye to both mother and daughter and headed to his car.
Lorelai bid William goodbye and headed over to help Luke move Rory's gifts inside. Luke set up the small pile of gifts while Lorelai explained the wonder of REAL birthday presents to Rory.
"Now sweetie, I know at your last birthday you got silver rattles and engraved picture frames and stuff. But birthday presents are actually fun. I bet you got only fun stuff you can play with."
Luke was now a little worried about his gift. Damn it I should have just gone with toys. Damn it.
"Luke which one is yours? We want to open it first."
"Umm…well.."
"Nevermind we'll just look at the tags…hmmm…oh here! Luke it's huge."
"Yeah, I…well.."
"Come on sweetie help mommy rip the paper." Rory giggled and attacked the gift with her tiny fingers. When they finally had it unwrapped, Lorelai just sat staring. "Luke…"
"I know it's probably not a good kid gift. My mom had one. I varnished and sealed it so it should hold up well through the years. I know it's engraved like the frame but-"
"Luke, you MADE Rory a hope chest? Luke that's- it's so- Oh, Luke it's beautiful."
"Really?"
"Luke it has her full name and birth date caved on the top."
"Yeah the sides say Rory, since your name is Lorelai I doubt she'll be switching back." Babbling, the woman makes me babble.
"Luke, it's amazing. Someday Rory's going to be older, graduating from high school, going to college and she can open this up and see all the things from when she was a kid. God I wish I had something like this as a kid. My mom always said you shouldn't hold on to clutter, but this box will be like an heirloom. Our first family heirloom." Lorelai's voice was soft and filled with tears. She'd never understood the thrill of antiques, but this was a piece of her family. And Luke gave us our first piece of family history.
Lorelai was tired of waiting she'd always gone after what she wanted. I walked up to Christopher and kissed him just to see what it was like, I can do this. Lorelai sat Rory down in her crib and walked over to Luke, staring up into Luke's eyes. His breath caught in his throat. Oh God. Lorelai's face turned up to his and-
"Lorelai! Annie went home sick, I need you on turn-down service tonight," Mia called through the door.
Lorelai tried to choke out a response. She cleared her throat looking away briefly, "Coming Mia."
Luke walked home, agonizing over the lost moment. It was all about timing and he'd managed to sidestep every other moment. And when Lorelai had finally been the strong one and taken the reins…God damn it.
Luke walked along, head down right up his front walk.
"Hey Luke."
Luke was dumbstruck, "Rachel?"
