A/N Okay sorry for the delay and the fact this one uses a bit of the original script with a few changes because Luke and Lorelai are together, Jason and Nicole are gone.
Luke's Lake
Chapter 23
Lorelai didn't know how it happened. The week had started so we, they finally had the phone connected at the Dragonfly Inn and their first booking but now they were in trouble. Money was running out fast and if something wasn't done Tom would have to stop construction any day.
She didn't have many options, asking her parents was out of the question, Jackson didn't have any spare money and Michael had already put in all he could.
Lorelai stepped into the diner, her messy hair covered with her Bon Jovi baseball cap.
"Lorelai," Luke called.
"Hi Hon," Lorelai said giving Luke a quick peck on the cheek before turning to Lane standing near by, "Hey Lane."
"I really, really want to thank the both of you," she smiled.
Lorelai confused turned to Luke then back to Lane, "Aww, you're very, very welcome. For what?"
"For letting me stay with you," Lane replied.
"You're staying with us?" Lorelai asked still confused, looking at Luke.
"Apparently Rory called you," Luke replied
"Ha, ha, Rory told me, yeah," Lorelai said getting out her phone.
"She did tell you, right? She said she was gonna call," Lane said getting a little upset she might have no place to stay.
"Ahh, I guess you're staying with us," Lorelai confirmed listening to the message left by Rory.
"Is that okay?" Lane asked.
"Yeah, its okay, if it's okay with Luke," Lorelai said turning to him.
"Of course it's okay," Luke replied.
"Just make sure your mom knows," Lorelai added.
"Okay, I will. I'll see you both at home and thanks, Luke, I'll see you later." Lane said exiting to diner.
"Oh, we'll be here," Ed called.
"Sit down, Ed," Luke said moving to the counter, "Pigs, gluttons," he added.
"Or customers?" Lorelai asked before adding, "Now can we talk about Lane?"
"How could people eat this much?" Luke asked the rhetorical question at the start of the rant.
"Well, this is not all from one person, Luke," Lorelai added.
"It's disgusting. It's making me sick to my stomach," Luke said.
"Well then, Hon have you ever thought that maybe you're in the wrong industry?" Lorelai joked.
"I should get rid of the plates, make 'em all strap on a feed bag, you know, hang bells around their necks. Enter them in county fairs," Luke continued.
As some customers left Lorelai spoke to the diner again, "Come again, soon. See ya!" before turning to Luke again, "Listen, Luke, could you hit the pause button on the rant for just a sec?"
"What do you need?" Luke said seeming not picking up on Lorelai's vibe.
"Well your attention for one thing," Lorelai said.
"You've got it," Luke said.
"First Lane, we have a house guest," Lorelai said.
"I heard as much," Luke replied smiling again.
"Well what are we going to do about it?" Lorelai asked.
"What is there to do, she's staying with you," Luke said.
"She's staying with us. Remember you spend five or six nights a week their now," Lorelai replied.
"Sorry, I'm still getting used to there being an 'us'," Luke said.
"So that's not going to be a problem?" Lorelai asked.
"Not from me," Luke said.
Lorelai was a little disappointed but this was Luke, he's do anything for his friends, "That's good, I was just wondering if it will… cramp your style," she joked.
Luke leaned across the counter, "Don't worry it won't," he said kissing Lorelai for a moments.
"I was also wondering if we could go out for dinner tonight?" Lorelai asked.
"Sure, but don't we have that thing with you grandmother today?" Luke asked.
"Yes but we'll be done with that this afternoon," Lorelai said.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked sensing something was wrong.
"I will be," Lorelai replied, "How about Silvano's at 8:00?"
"Why the mystery?" Luke asked but not wanting to push.
"No, mystery I just think we need a night out. Not that I don't love your cooking but change is always good," Lorelai said with a smile.
"You have to wear a tie at Silvano's?" Luke asked.
"No, just a jacket and you can take it off the minute we sit down," Lorelai reminded him.
"Okay, what time where you picking me up?" Luke asked.
"11:00, that will give us plenty of time for you to meet with my grandma before lunch," Lorelai said smiling.
Lorelai started to leave, "Love the hat," Luke added.
"Livin' on a prayer, baby," Lorelai said exiting the diner.
-----
"Your hair is fine Lorelai," Luke said as they walked to the front door.
"Fine?" she questioned, "Fine! It was great just 15 minutes ago!" Lorelai added trying to make it look better.
"I could have helped with the sink," Luke said about to knock on the door.
"Now you tell me," Lorelai said dryly.
"I did offer but you wanted to do this on your own," Luke said a little upset he was left out of helping with the Dragonfly Inn once again.
"You were busy at the diner," Lorelai said.
"I still could have helped, they eat too much anyway. It would do them good if I closed the dinner for a few hours and put the whole town on a diet," Luke ranted.
"Next thing I know you'll only serve Veggie Burgers and the whole place will be gone Soy!" Lorelai said dryly.
"Maybe I should!" Luke fired back.
"Okay we should end this fight before we both say something we shouldn't, okay?" Luke nodded in response, "So once again how do I look," Lorelai asked with a smile.
"You always look great," Luke said leaning in for a kiss as the door opened.
Lorelai giggle at being caught making out with Luke, "Hi. I'm Lore…" she said before Emily appeared dragging her inside.
"Get in here right now!" Emily said.
"My gran must be here," Lorelai said turning to Luke
"Jersey, close the door and get those nuts in the living room," Emily said to the maid as she hurriedly yanked Lorelai out of her coat.
"Well.. Ow," Lorelai said amused.
Luke said nothing as he took of his coat.
"I've been alone with that woman for over two hours now," Emily continued.
"Real arm in the coat, Mom," Lorelai complained as the coat was removed with force.
Emily turned to Look at Luke, "You look presentable, nice suit."
"I bought it for him," Lorelai replied with a smile.
Turning back to Lorelai, "Your father's late," Emily said, "You're late."
"We're not late, I'm just in pain," Lorelai said.
"Get in the living room," Emily said taking hold of Lorelai's arm as they walked.
"We can't arrive before the nuts," Lorelai joked.
"Don't start with me," Emily warned.
"Here she is, Mom, Lorelai. The party just gets bigger," Emily said.
"Hi, Gran, how are you doing? You look great," Lorelai said, "This is…"
"Emily, what is the matter with her hair?" Trix said looking at Lorelai.
"Oh, well..." Emily tried to make an excuse as Lorelai fussed with her hair.
"I know my granddaughter. If she had received proper notice of my arrival, she would have done something about it," Trix commanded.
"I told her in plenty of time, Mom," Emily tried to say.
Lorelai backed her up, "She really did, Gran. I swear."
"I think it is admirable of you to cover for your mother. The importance of family loyalty simply cannot be measured…" Trix said before stopping as she finally saw Luke, "And who is this?"
"This is Luke, my fiancée," Lorelai said with delight.
"You're engaged? Why wasn't I told?" Trix asked turning to Emily.
"It was Lorelai's discussion," she said defending her self.
"Yes I wanted to tell you, it only happened last week," Lorelai added.
"And young man, Luke is it?" Trix said turning to Luke, "You look like a hard worker," she added.
"Yes mama," Luke said unsure what to say.
"Call me Trix," She replied.
"Yes Ma… Trix," Luke smiled back.
"Better. So Luke what do you do for a living?" Trix asked.
"I run my own business, a diner," Luke said with nervously.
"You work long hours?" Trix asked.
"Fifteen hours most days," Luke said.
"That doesn't leave much time for my granddaughter," Trix commented.
"Not as much as I would like, but she does come into the diner for most of her meals," Luke smiled.
"And you know Rory?" Trix asked.
"Since she was about twelve years old," Luke said feeling more relaxed.
"So you probably know them better than I do," Trix said to Luke before turning to Lorelai, "I like him Lorelai. Sit, dear. Emily, perhaps the guests would like a drink?" she asked sending Emily off to get them as they talked while waiting for Richard.
---------
Luke and Lorelai arrive back at the house on their way to dinner.
"Lunch took longer than I planned," Lorelai said in an apologetic tone.
"It was good though, I like your grandmother," Luke said turning to Lorelai sitting in the passenger set of the Jeep.
"And I think she likes you," Lorelai said looking back, "Can we skip Silvano's?"
Luke nodded, "Sure, I can find us something for dinner now your kitchen is properly stocked," he joked reaching for the door latch.
Lorelai reached across to stop him, "Luke I… we need to talk," she said with a tear in her eye.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked reaching to wipe it clear.
Lorelai nodded, "I will be," she said drawing a deep breath in, "I've been trying to find the right way to ask and don't want to do it inside."
"Ask what?" Luke questioned.
"We're in trouble, Sookie and I," Lorelai started.
"What, did she get you pregnant?" Luke joked.
Lorelai chuckled, "You always know how to make me laugh. Luke we're out of money. Tom might have to stop construction if we can't pay him next week and I don't know what to do. We were trying to do this together and I know we're together but I wanted to keep something for myself, if that makes sense?" Lorelai said.
Luke nodded, "I think I do, but I want to help."
"I know you do," Lorelai replied, "You always do, you're good that way."
"So what do you need," Luke asked squeezing Lorelai's hands, "I have some savings, which I was planning to use for the wedding but we have time to save for that now."
"Luke you are constantly full of surprises," Lorelai said leaning to kiss the man she loved. Lorelai pulled back after a few tender moments, "We can work out the details later, okay," she added kissing Luke again.
Luke placed his hand behind Lorelai's neck as the kiss deepened, as the passion built they stopped as a light come on at the front door, breaking their lip lock.
Looking over Lorelai smiled, "It's our house guest," she said with a chuckle.
"I see," Luke added sitting back in his seat.
Lorelai opened her plastic window, "Hi dear, we'll be in shortly," she said. Lane cold from the night air waved in acknowledgment and went back in and closed the door.
Lorelai turned back to Luke, "I was thinking," Lorelai said.
"Theirs a scary thought," Luke joked.
"Why don't we see if Lane would like to move into your apartment?" Lorelai asked.
"I'm not sure?" Luke said.
"I think she can handle it, plus it will be just sitting there empty and I'm sure before long she will move back home to Mrs Kim," Lorelai said.
Luke smiled, "I guess it could work, I hear the commute to work is easier," he joked.
Lorelai smiled, "I don't think I've loved you any more than right at this moment," she said leaning in for another kiss.
TBC…
Feedback would be good