Disclaimer: I do not own anything…what a wonderful world it would be if I did.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews with the first chapter. I'm glad ya'll have liked it so far. Here's chapter 2, tell me what you think! This does contain some spoilers in the series/season finale, enjoy.
Lorelai woke the next morning to sunshine and the distinct smell of coffee ant hat meant just one thing, Rory was already awake. She rolled over to check the time, 9:30, man, she had overslept. She grunted as she got out of bed, cursing herself for not getting up on time.
"Morning sleeping beauty, coffee is ready." Rory greeted her and Lorelai simply grunted again.
Rory was seated at the kitchen table, coffee mug in one hand and a pen poised in the other.
Her stupid organized self, probably already has a mile-long list for today's party planning, Lorelai though to herself as she sat down across from her daughter.
"So, I've got the day planned and prepped for the reenactment party planning, and by God you and doing most of the work since you are forcing me to do this. There is a ton of stuff to handle; food, decorations, and well, at least the stupid stage should already be up. Taylor was going to handle that yesterday since he insisted we have a real stage anyways…mom…mom are you even listening to me?"
Lorelai looked up guilty. "Sorry hon, the coffee hasn't quite kicked in all the way yet, but I know there's lots of planning and stuff to prep. And darling, don't forget we have Friday Night Dinner today with the grandparents as well."
"Oh, I remember and have already factored that in. Now, up and at 'em! Lots of ground to cover today and I want to do some shopping in Hartford. Up, up, up!" Rory encouraged cheerfully, clapping her hands as she talked.
Lorelai sighed, grabbed her coffee cup, and headed upstairs to get ready for the very long day.
Several hours later the two Lorelais stood in the town square surrounded by Taylor, Babette, Miss Patty and Kirk discussing reenactment details. Miss Patty and Babette were going on and on about making sure the stage was set right, so it could be just like Rory's original graduation days before, Taylor was yammering on about some code violation and Kirk was offering some service, but at this point Lorelai has just tuned them all out.
Instead her thoughts…and eyes…kept drifting to that all familiar Luke's sign that was dangling in the wind. She hadn't been in there, well since he had given her the cold shoulder after the whole Karaoke incident.
"Mom, earth to Lorelai Gilmore," came Rory's voice and it dragged Lorelai back into the present.
"Yes daughter of mine?"
"Well, we are pretty much done here. Taylor and Kirk are handling the rest of set up, Sookie called and confirmed she would have the cake ready for a 2 o'clock delivery tomorrow, and all I have to do before we can head to Hartford for shopping and dinner is check with Luke about the food." Rory said, checking things off her list as she went.
"Luke?" Lorelai asked quietly, not sure if she had really heard that right.
"Yup, it's my party and nothing would be better than Luke's hamburgers and fries, except maybe his onion rings and mac and cheese as well. You wanna come with or should I meet you at home?" Rory asked, either ignoring the blank and pale expression on her mother's face or she simply didn't notice it.
Lorelai figured it was the former. "I'll…I'll meet you at home hon." She stammered.
Rory nodded and they separated directions.
As Lorelai walked home her heart was heavy with several emotions; regret, sadness, loneliness, and…and love. She sank down into her couch and buried her face into her hands.
Love, for Luke Danes.
She smiled through her tears and thought, Yeah, I will always love you.
Luke had been distracted all morning and it had been evident. He'd spilled two complete platefuls of food and broke five coffee cups, one of which still had the coffee in it.
Rory's words were still in his head, "she meant it…" played over and over again, just like a broken record. And it hadn't helped when he saw the Gilmore's in the town square, no doubt getting stuff settled for Rory's big graduation party.
"Damn it," he grumbled, make that three platefuls of food. "Caesar, remake the tuna on wheat, plate slipped outta my hand."
"Got it boss," was Caesar's simple reply. He'd questioned Luke's behavior earlier in the day and had received a gruff "Nothing," and he hadn't asked again.
Just then the bell chimed on the door and Luke's breath caught. When he turned and saw Rory approaching the counter…alone…he exhaled slowly.
"Hey Luke," her cheerful voice greeted as she sat down on a stool at the counter. "I gotta favor to ask."
"Shoot," he responded, cautiously, after their conversation the night before he wasn't sure what to expect.
"Well, I was wondering if you would provide the food for my graduation party. You know, the works; cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings, mac and cheese, etcetera." Rory asked sipping the coffee Luke had instinctively placed in front of her.
"Uh…sure. Whatever you want," he answered, that was not what he had been expecting, at all. "I thought Sookie was doing the food."
"Nope, she's got desserts covered; this huge glorious cake and my favorite cookies and such, but I wanted your food. You sure you don't mind?"
"Of course, it'd be my pleasure."
"Great!" Rory exclaimed, finishing up her coffee. "That was the last thing on my list. Now I can finally relax. Party planning is exhausting."
"I'm sure. You headed home now?" Luke asked, more interested in finding out where her mother had gone off to.
"You bet. Picking up mom and then we're headed into Hartford for some de-stressing shopping, then of course dinner with the grandparents. It is Friday."
Luke handed her two to-go cups, "Have a good time."
"Thanks Luke. Maybe I'll see you later for some de-stressing pie after dinner." Rory suggested, getting up to leave.
"Yeah, maybe," he offered watching her walk outside.
Maybe if she's back later, he thought, her mother will be with her.
That thought was enough to put a smile on Luke Danes' face for the rest of the day.
A/N: Tell me what you think! I need your opinions as I continue. That's what gets these chapters done.