Chapter SIXTEEN
Lorelai sighed and wrapped the Ace bandage tightly around Rory's stitched hand as she had been instructed to every morning. She made sure Rory was set and then grabbed her sweater and purse and a few books for Rory. They walked to the diner.
After the door jingled, announcing their entrance, they slid into one of the tables.
"Coffee, please," Lorelai requested when Luke came by.
"Sure. So how's Rory?" He asked.
"She's good, aren't you, Rory?" She turned to her daughter.
Rory nodded numerous times and then returned to her coloring.
"So what am I getting for her?" He asked.
"Uhm…coffee and chocolate chip waffles," Lorelai ordered for her.
"Coming right up," He nodded, slipping the pad into his back pocket.
Rory, being the curious little girl she was, began playing around with the bandage and trying to peek under it.
"Rory, don't mess around with that. It could get infected and then it'll look like you have that creature from 'Alien' on your hand," Lorelai said, looking innocent and completely serious.
Rory hesitantly dropped her hand and went back to coloring.
"Good girl," Lorelai added.
Luke returned with their breakfast and placed it in front of them, while Rory offered him a big "Thank You".
"So what's on your itinerary today?" Luke asked.
"Well, I'm pretty much staying home making sure nothing happens with Rory's hand since it's the day after and watching 'General Hospital'," She explained. "You're welcome to join."
"Nah, I think I'll let you stick with your 'General Hospital-ing" alone, but thanks," Luke nodded, chuckling.
"You're loss," Lorelai shrugged, then devoured her muffin.
Once they had finished eating, Lorelai offered to pay and was once again reprimanded. Then they left and went back to their dinky apartment and began watching their soaps.
Around 10 o'clock, the phone began to ring. Lorelai hopped up to answer it.
"Hello?" She answered curiously.
"Hello, it this Lorelai Gilmore?" A woman's voice replied.
"Why yes it is," She replied.
"Hi, this is Mia. From the Independence Inn. I just called to tell you that you got the job, you've been hired as a maid," The woman said.
"Oh my God! Thank you! Thank you so much! I love you! When should I start?" She asked, excited.
"Actually, tomorrow at noon would be great," Mia answered matter-of-factly.
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow at noon then. And thank you once again," Lorelai smiled.
"See you then. And thank you," Mia added, before hanging up.
Lorelai hung up the phone and stood in the mini-kitchen, stunned for a moment. Then she began to jump up and down excitedly. She ran into the living room.
"Rory! Mommy's got a job!" She squealed happily, scooping her daughter up in a hug and spinning her around.
"Yay!" Rory yelped.
Then Lorelai proceeded to skip around the apartment singing 'Walking On Sunshine' for about ten minutes, repeating the only verse she knew over and over.
"Come on, we're gonna celebrate," Lorelai said to Rory, grabbing her hand and leading her out the door.
They sauntered down the sidewalk and to the diner for the second time that day.
"Luke! I got the job!" Lorelai burst through the door happily.
"That's great!" Luke replied, genuinely happy for her.
Lorelai ran over to where he was standing near the counter and gave him a large hug. And if she wasn't mistaken, she definitely felt some sparks, and there was some odd electrical feeling that kept her holding on for longer than she usually would with "just a friend".
"Hugs are free today!" She smiled.
"Well it's great about the job. Can I get you anything?" He asked.
"Two coffees, to go, please," She nodded.
Luke nodded and went behind the counter to get the coffee for them. He handed them the cups and then they actually found themselves calling for a cab to take them to Woodbury, where they'd heard there was an amazing ice cream parlor. They got two ice creams, both triple scoop, and raced to see who could finish the first scoop.
They arrived home in the evening and Lorelai collapsed onto her bed. Then she realized she still had to bathe Rory so she took care of that and put her to bed, then finally went to bed herself.
------
Luke reflected on the day's events. It had been quite a blur. The morning was business as usual, Lorelai with her way-too-perky demeanor and Rory being curious beyond her years, but the afternoon had been more of a surprise.
Lorelai had come in. And she had gotten her job at the Inn. He was happy for her. Proud. He knew that she really wanted (and needed!) that job. Then there was the hug. God, that hug. Something about it. He couldn't tear himself away. There was something there. And then Lorelai said they were free for the day, and for a moment he was about to ask for another. He wouldn't mind another one.
Luke mentally slapped himself and snapped out of it. He tried not to fall asleep with Lorelai on his mind, but in the end she had won. And thoughts of her brown hair and blue eyes were taking over his brain as he drifted off.
------
Lorelai hopped up around 9 the next morning. She showered and got dressed, then woke Rory. They got coffee to go at Luke's then went back home, since they had a busy day. For some reason, Lorelai noticed that Luke had been acting a little funny. But she shook it off, thinking about her new job instead.
She practically counted down until it was 11:45. She took Rory to a new friend's house. It was Lane Kim, the girl they had seen on their first day in Stars Hollow. After dropping her off, she headed down to the Independence Inn. She heaved a heavy sigh and walked inside.
"Hello Mia," She greeted, recognizing the woman who she'd had her interview with.
"Hi dear," She nodded to Lorelai.
"So, what'll I be doing today?" Lorelai asked, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.
"Well, it'll be more like a training course today. Monkey see, monkey do. Follow the other maids, take note of what they're doing in the rooms. They'll tell you pretty much what needs to be done. The basics, setting up towels, the bedding, explaining services to the customers, et cetera," Mia explained.
"Okay, great," Lorelai nodded.
"Your uniform is in the back," Mia pointed the way.
Lorelai went into the small back room and grabbed her uniform off the hanger: A pale blue short sleeve polo shirt with an "Independence Inn" logo on one side and a knee-length black skirt.
"Gah, this definitely needs spicing," Lorelai noted.
She put it on and hiked the skirt up a little higher and left the shirt un-tucked, as apposed to the other maids. She stepped out of the room confidently and went back to the front desk to find one of the other maids.
"Nice uniform," Mia smirked.
"Thanks," Lorelai shrugged, then did a small turn, showcasing it.
Lorelai was assigned to follow another maid and got to work making beds and delivering towels.
------
Rory and Lane sat in the Kim kitchen, munching on Soy cookies with Lactaid milk.
"So guess what!" Rory added.
"What?" Lane asked expectantly.
"You know that guy, Luke, at the diner? Yeah well I think my mom wants to marry him," Rory nodded knowingly.
"Really? My mom says that men are the devil's playthings put on this earth to make women lose their morals and that only few are qualified for marriage," Lane replied innocently, as though she was reading it directly from a book.
"Well my mom hugged him yesterday and they both looked at each other all funny. And he's always around for her," She pointed out.
"So your mom wants to marry the diner man?" Lane asked, her eyes wide.
"Mm-hm," Rory nodded. "I think so."
Author's Note: I decided to end it at that point. Sorry I haven't been posting for a while. I've barely been home for more than 2 hours lately. And of course, all my shows are back on, so that takes up my night computer time. But I'll try to work on the chapters as much as possible. Thanks for being patient. Review if you can! I'll update ASAP!