Chapter 4

Java Jive

"Ahhh, coffee," Richard sighed as he took a big whiff of the invigorating aroma on his way into the gleaming kitchen. The antique white cabinetry and brushed stainless steel appliances were set off by charcoal gray marble counter tops.

"Good morning…" Luke greeted him then went back to whipping something in a low mixing bowl.

"Good morning," Richard replied going straight to the coffee pot. He filled one of the sea green mugs that had been set out and raised it in Luke's direction with a nod, "You're a good man."

"Thought the least I could do was make breakfast," he explained with a shrug.

"Very nice of you," Richard said before taking another sip of his coffee. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Uh…" Luke took a quick look around. "Not much else to do until everyone else joins us… unless you'd like to eat now."

Richard leaned back against the counter. "Emily should be out shortly. I think we can wait and all eat together."

"Morning, Dad, Mr. Gilmore," April greeted cheerily walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning," Richard answered jovially.

"Hey." Luke smiled and nodded at her. "Juice?" he offered opening the refrigerator and taking out a pitcher of orange juice.

"Sure," April nodded and thanked him as he poured her a glass.

"Good morning, April, Luke," Emily said breezing into the kitchen. "Ah you made coffee," she said to Richard eying the pot on the counter.

He poured her a mug, but replied, "No, Luke made the coffee. He's making breakfast for everyone this morning."

"That's very nice of you, Luke, but it wasn't necessary." she said with a smile noticing the neat arrangement of bowls and pans set out behind Luke on the counter and stove.

"I know it's not necessary, but I wanted to help out. I hope you don't mind," he said sincerely.

"I don't mind." She gestured nonchalantly with her mug and took a sip leaning against the counter next to Richard. "Mmm, this is excellent coffee, Luke"

"Thanks," he said acknowledging the compliment.

"So what's for breakfast," Emily asked brightly as Richard slipped his arm around her. She shot him a questioning glance out of the corner of her eye and tensed slightly.

"Blueberry French toast, sausage, and fresh fruit," Luke rattled off the menu he had in mind.

"Sounds wonderful," Richard remarked. "Now all we need is for Lorelai to make her appearance."

"Ah, do I have timing or what?" Lorelai announced dramatically from the kitchen doorway and curtsied on her way into the room. "Hold your applause everyone, just give me COFFEE!"

April laughed, Emily rolled her eyes and Richard poured her the requested beverage.

"Morning," she said to the room in general, kissing Luke on the cheek as she walked passed him and took the mug her father was holding out to her. "Thanks, Dad."

"Well, Luke can we help with breakfast?" Emily asked.

"Food's all ready to go," he answered giving the batter a quick whisk. "Maybe set the table. I wasn't sure which dishes and linens you'd want to use," he suggested.

"I think we can handle that, right girls?" Emily answered putting her half full coffee mug down on the counter.

"Sure," April put down her juice and followed Emily out of the room.

Lorelai took several quick gulps of her coffee and picked up the pot to refill the mug.

"Lorelai," her mother called from the dining room.

"Coming, Mom," she yelled back as she shoved the pot back into place and hurried out of the room firmly clutching her mug in both hands.

Lorelai blinked a few times as she regarded the people sitting around the table. Her whole world was tilted on its axis. The seating arrangement in Cape Cod was a different as everything else seemed to be here. Her Father sat at the head of the table and she was along one side, but that was all that seemed normal. Her mother had taken the seat across from her, Luke to her side at the end opposite her father and April on her other side.

"Luke that was really wonderful French toast," Emily raved, "and the cinnamon butter is a brilliant touch."

"Yes, Luke, very good indeed" Richard agreed finishing off his second helping with a last few hearty bites.

"Definitely in the top five of your breakfast repertoire," Lorelai added. "It's the cinnamon butter that puts it over the top, just edging out your banana nut pancakes."

"Yeah, Dad, it's really good," April joined in the round of compliments.

"Thanks," Luke said with a brisk nod, "a cook's only as good as his ingredients. Emily, this is really great bread, where did you get it?"

"Oh there's an excellent bakery in the village," Emily answered enthusiastically. "It's better than any in Connecticut. We'll stop there later."

Lorelai's eyes got bigger, "This bakery has more than just good bread, right?"

"Yes, Lorelai, they have sweets too," Emily replied as she stood up.

"They have simply outstanding éclairs, and a black and white cookie to die for," Richard added.

Lorelai smiled at her father. "Cool."

"Richard, you are not going to load up on desserts," Emily declared as she stood and picked up his plate and mug.

Richard, knowing his wife's admonition stemmed from her somewhat justifiable concern for his health, stood and placed a soothing hand on her back. "All things in moderation, my dear, I promise not to load up on desserts as it were."

"See that you don't." She looked up at him briefly and offered him a half smile, then strode into the kitchen.

Richard collected his wife's place setting and followed her. She was at the sink loading the dirty dishes into the dishwasher. Without comment she took those he was holding, rinsed them under the running water and placed them into the machine. She straightened up and turned to go back to the dining room and was startled to find him standing right behind her. "What are you doing?" she hissed in a low voice.

"I'm enjoying a moment with my wife," he answered as he wrapped his arms around her resting his joined hands on the small of her back.

She glared up at him and pushed against his chest. "Honestly."

"Hey where do you want – whoa, guys offspring present!" Lorelai came to an abrupt halt, the remaining plates and silverware in her hands.

Emily glared at Richard who released her and stepped back. "Just give them to me," she replied reaching out and taking the plates from Lorelai.

Luke and April brought in the remainder of the dishes from the table which Emily efficiently rinsed and loaded into the dishwasher. Lorelai gaped as she watched her mother work. Luke sidled up next to her with a grin and murmured, "Close your mouth."

Richard had picked up the soiled napkins and taken them into the laundry area off to the side. He reentered the kitchen rubbing his hands together. "Everyone ready to go?"

Emily closed up the dishwasher and hit the button to start it. "I think we should all freshen up and meet in the living room in ten minutes."

Lorelai turned to April, "She means go to the bathroom."

April replied, "I actually figured that out myself."

"Ah, that's right, honor student," Lorelai said seriously as she patted April's shoulder and edged passed her, "and yet, I always beat you to the bathroom," she teased as she sauntered out of the room.

April shrugged, "I know, upstairs." She sighed and left the room. Luke followed her out.

Emily turned toward the other end of the house and the master bedroom. As she walked in front of Richard he gently swatted her on the rear end. She whirled around to face him. "What has gotten into you? You're acting like a randy teenager." Her voice was low in an effort to keep anyone from overhearing.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "Just can't keep my hands off of my lovely wife is all. You don't usually mind."

She glanced down then back up at him. "Just stop doing it in front of people, okay?"

"They're not people, Emily. They're family or as good as," he reasoned.

Emily closed her eyes took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. She lightly patted his chest a couple of times then turned away. "We need to get going."

Notes: Thank you very much to everyone who has reviewed since I last posted: GilmoreGirlsnOCRock, Emily&Richard4ever, pjt-gg, Emily-RichardFan, Mary, J.Stone, Valerie, morzsa, Miss GoodManners, gilmoregirlsalwaysforever, gilmorefanforever.

I know these last chapters haven't been very long, but I promise there are longer chapters yet to come.