A/N:

First of all I want to apologize for not updating for ages, but I haven't been able to write anything with the new season going on. But then I made a decision. The Lorelai and Luke love affair might be over on our TV-screens (and computer screens for those of us who doesn't live in the USA, but are forced to download them). But the greatest couple of all time will never die if we keep them alive here on So I sat down and wrote.

Let me know what you think, thank you.

Lyrics: Dreams come true, The Backstreet boys

Chapter 24: God bless Bert

Dialogue borrowed from "The ins and outs if Inns" written by Daniel Palladino.

She stirred for a while… and enjoyed the warmth from the body beside her. The body that was supposed to be there. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw the empty space beside her. Suddenly the bed felt so big and then sheets so cold. She had never thought of that before. All her life she had had her very own bed and hated the thought of somebody else sharing it. But now it was so big and an emotion she had never known existed, awoke in the inner of her heart. Slowly it rose to her head, and she could feel the unshed tears of the loneliness she had suffered for so many years. And now suddenly she actually has someone to share her life with. At least when he was around.

It felt like a cool breeze ran through her veins and paralyzed her body for a short moment, before she shivered. In a slow move, she managed to swing her legs over the edge of the bed and let her feet hit the floor. The floor too, was freezing cold. With a sigh she slid down the bed, so she was sitting on her knees. Then she maneuvered to get herself down on the floor, even though the shivering only increased by this action. There under the bed she found her beloved slippers. She slipped them on her feet, grabbed her robe, put it on and walked down the stairs. When she entered the kitchen she found her daughter already preoccupied with her school books. Not that it was new to her, but on a Saturday morning. And also when the first snow had fallen from the sky.

Snow was a wonderful thing in itself. Even if it was only a few flakes, she could always feel when it was coming, and this year it, the feeling had been particularly strong. And he had been there with her. But it seemed like they weren't going to take the first walk in the snow together this year. She walked over to the table, pulled out a chair and sat heavily. Her daughter looked at her with a broad smile,

"There's coffee in the pot" Coffee? That sounded good, especially upon this unique cold morning. She got up and walked over to the small coffee-pot that she had an idea of being Casanova. She wasn't exactly sure, she could just remember that a special tool-box was named Bert. God bless Bert.

She poured herself a good cup of the hot beverage, and as soon it ran through her body, she felt as he was there.

"You didn't make this, did you?" she asked her daughter

"No, mother of mine. Your dear beau did just before he left ten minutes ago."

"Ten minutes? He left only ten minutes before I woke up? He could at least have awakened me, or waited."

"The diner" The daughter reminded her.

"Oh, right.. So what are you doing?" Now she was her old mood, and right now that mood included some teasing of her daughter.

"What does it look like?"

"Geek-ish stuff."

"You were the one who wanted me to go to Harvard, remember."

"Oh, daughter of mine you surely disappoint me."

The daughter, also know as Rory just rolled her eyes and returned her attention to the book in front of her.

Dreams are there to show you the way
(Better take a look inside)
Close your eyes find out what they're trying to say
(You gotta take a look inside)

The coffee pot was emptied, there was no more to heat her up. She needed some more, even though she had already had three cups. But that wouldn't do for her usual five. And breakfast was needed too.

"Let's go"

"You go to Luke's.. I have a test, and that means: studying!"

"Oh, seriously daughter of mine…" she was interrupted.

"Could we please skip the whole British combined with the "Gone with the wind" thing we got going on? That would make the whole concept of studying old Southern history a little more serious if I didn't have to think about whether Scarlett and Rhett will get back together or not"

"You're obsessed, admit it! And you, who've read "Gone with the wind" twelve times and the sequel at least 10 times."

"Mom!"

"Rory! Look at the world around you, forget the books for once and join me on the first walk in the snow, which "my beau" decided to skip."

"What? … Snow…" Rory looked pass her mother and out the window, where her eyes fell on a white, snow covered world.

"Oh no, no, no, no, no… I've lost my gift, I didn't feel it coming"

Only ten minutes later they were on their way into town, when they ran into a very special neighbour.

"You got competition." Said Babette as she approached. For a quick second Lorelai feared that Rachel was back in town, but then Babette spoke again.

"Taylor wants his own TV-channel. And he's strongly considering to dump the magazine. SHTV or SHN or SHTVWNAG"

"What?" They both asked at the same time. Not for the fact that the magazine was being dumped. Everyone in town had known for weeks. First it had been published once a week, then once every second and now it was once every second month. In a small town like Starts Hollow there was no way to find gossip enough to keep a gossip magazine alive for a very long time.

"Well it means; Stars Hollow TV, Stars Hollow News and the last one Stars Hollow TV with news and gossip. I think they're going with the last one. Kirk's suggestion."

"Ah… Well, that's very sad for the magazine. Rory here will be crying her self to sleep for weeks and weeks."

"Poor thing" Babette reached out to caress Rory's cheek, but she quickly made a move and escaped.

"Uh, mom… You forgot your... Bert's dead."

"Who's Bert?" a confused Babette asked, but never got an answer before the two girls hurried on. Soon they saw the diner and hurried inside.

Only for a minute
Just to make a start
Imagine what you wanna see

The bells jingled for the 47th time this morning. 10 of them had been Kirk, because he had gotten some idea that he had to enter and leave ten times in a row before he could sit down and eat. Luke looked up and smiled when he saw the two panicked girls storming into his business. Now the peaceful morning was over, no doubt about that, but on the other hand, he didn't bother.

"The town's gone mad"

"More than usual?"

"Yes, more. And now give me some coffee" For once he just gave it to her, though with a certain look that told her what he usually commented on her craving of coffee…

She took one sip, but quickly put it back down with a frantic "Wah!"

"What?"

"You've poisoned me" she pointed her finger at Rory, who immediately found he baby-face.

Then he finger pointed at Luke.

"That is Clark Gable!" Somebody in the back of the diner laughed a little.

"Who's that?"

"Oh dear… Rory, this man who's about to marry into the family. He's never seen "Gone with the wind", it's a scandal"

"Run Luke" Rory suggested, before she pushed her doughnut over to her, rambling mother.

Wake him up the wizard
Sleeping in your heart
Just imagine what you wanna be
Don't you know that...

The snow had been falling all the time for three days in a row now. The snow covered ground was so covered in snow, that there was nowhere to see the real ground underneath the snow. Christmas was fast approaching, as was the wedding. Lorelai and Luke had let the news slip at a town meeting and the town went crazy. Since they had decided for a town wedding, Taylor was out of his mind, the town square needed cleaning, which of course, Kirk volunteered for. Miss Patty had right away offered to teach her 10 year old ballet class to learn a bridal-ballet, what ever that was, but they had both politely reclined. Babette had offered for Morey to play his piano at the wedding, and Gypsy suggested that she would fix up an old car for them to drive away in. But since they both knew it would only drive 100 feet before it broke down, they said 'no thank you' to that too.

One thing they just didn't know was that the town was still planning their secret engagement party. Rory had been put in charge of most things, since the town felt like she was the only one who knew Lorelai inside-out. And she did. She knew exactly how her mother would have wanted it to be… the only problem was that the town didn't listen. Miss Patty insisted on her bridal-ballet, even though Rory did her best to prevent it.

The day after the town meeting another Friday came, along with another Friday night dinner. And on this particular Friday Luke decided to attend. The Gilmores were rather surprised when they opened the door, but they did their best to be polite towards the man their daughter had decided to settle with. When Lorelai took Luke's hand during drinks and announced the date, Emily jumped out of her seat and ran to the nearest phone calling the best decorator she could think of at the moment. Richard congratulated them and went back to his office, he had some calls to take. 40 minutes later he came out with a broad smile. Emily looked at him with a questioning look, he nodded in response and the rest of the evening they were unnaturally well-behaved. At the end of the night, Richard even pulled Luke into his study for a real "guy-talk". Which turned out to be a financial talk and about how to support a family. He suggested he should go global with the diner, at least have a few more diners around in Connecticut. In the end he admitted that he's taken a look at Luke's financial situation, and he personally thought he had a pretty good income, which seemed to be enough to support his soon-to-be family. Emily and the girls stayed at the table and Emily was just babbling about this fabulous decorator, who would make the wedding a dream wedding. The decorations of course had to match the room, so when Lorelai announced that the wedding was going to take place in the gazebo, Emily's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"You can't have a wedding outside, when it's 40 degrees, Lorelai!"

"Mom, relax. There'll be heaters and blackets. It's all going to work out."

Emily rolled her eyes, and let her daughter go on with her crazy ideas. She just needed to accept the fact that her parents were going to plan the wedding, and pay for it of course. Lorelai faked a smile and in the end came to the conclusion that it was for the best not to protest. So in the end things worked out with the Gilmore too.

Dreams come true they do
Dreams come true
From all of us from all of us to you dreams come true
Don't you know that dreams come true
Love is just a second away
(Better take a look inside)
Make that magic rule, let the miracle stay
(You gotta take a look inside)

Sookie had been so happy about it, that she had spend three days in a row trying to make the perfect cake, but she still hadn't found the real thing. Jackson one day even came to Lorelai demanded that she sent Sookie home when it was past 6. She promised, and Sookie did leave at the right time.

But when Lorelai came into the kitchen next day, her eyes had almost left eye-suckers. There on the mid-table was the most beautiful cake she had ever seen. All over a sudden Sookie appeared with a "Tadah!"

"Sookie" Lorelai stuttered. The cake was in seven floors, with white frosting, and soft flowers all over.

"This cake is called "Vision". It came to me in a dream. I was sitting on a chair in Weston's, waiting for you apparently. We were going to ask Fran something about the Rachel-property. And you entered wearing your wedding dress with tears all over your face. I asked you what was wrong, and you just replied that you had gained weight, though you looked skinnier than ever. But then I looked at you again and saw this huge belly, I mean really huge. And you were still crying even harder than before. You said something about all the junk food you had eaten through your life finally started to show, and it had just come like that…"

"Sookie…" Lorelai tried, but Sookie was in a rant.

"Let me finish. I hugged you to comfort you, and then felt something against my stomach. Again I looked at you and realized that you were actually pregnant. With a child! Luke's child. And I told you, that you were going to become a mother again, and then you started laughing when you realized what was going on. And then Fran came out with this gigantic cake, this one! And you ate it all, so I woke up and knew I had to make it before I forgot it completely."

"Oh, Sookie" Lorelai had tears in her eyes.

"You don't like it."

"Oh, no Sook. I love it."

"Then why are you crying."

"These are happy tears" She walked over to her friend and wrapped her arms around her.

"Thank you…" she wiped away a tear. "I was really pregnant?"

"Yes… Oh my God, you're pregnant" Sookie jumped up and down, suddenly over exhilarated.

"Sookie, calm down. I'm not… pregnant." It was a little hard to say the word she suddenly realized. And in her head Sherry appeared again. It was really hard to see that skinny lady fat, but it might suit her.

"But you want to be" Sookie exclaimed. And for the first time in years Lorelai couldn't find the words to answer. She really didn't know whether she wanted to be or not. It seemed like everything suddenly fell into place, but was it too early? Maybe she had just collected the puzzle too quickly, and misplaced a piece, so there was something that didn't match entirely. She wasn't sure, but she had to figure it out.

Only for a minute
It's not a fantasy
Just imagine what you wanna be

"Oh, no. I'm doing it again, pull me out" she though out loud later to add, 'cause Sookie immediately questioned her.

"Get me out Sookie. Make me not worry."

"Okay. How?"

"I don't know. Say something, anything. Anybody's getting married, having kids?"

"Us?"

"No, celebrities."

"Uh... Not what I know of. But it seems like Patty is looking for husband number… what will it be… 6?"

"No idea… but keep going"

"Uh, and Kirk got a date."

"Okay, now we're getting somewhere. With whom?"

"A colleague I guess."

"From what job? He has like 30"

"42 the last time he told me."

"Oh, but from what job?"

"I think it's in the beauty store. Dylan."

"The Drew Barrymore look-a-like. Wicked. But she's just as weird as Kirk"

"No one is, Lorelai."

"Right… Thanks Sookie, I feel much better now."

She looked at the cake again, it sure was beautiful. In fact it was perfect. Sookie had been doing so much to get her wedding in place, now it was about time if they started to think about hers.

"Sookie?"

"Uh?"

"Why are you baking all night to make me and Luke the perfect cake?"

"You're my best friend, you deserve it."

"Why thank you, but it case you haven't noticed you're getting married yourself soon too."

"You are first!"

"Right, but…" she never made it any further, before Michel walked into the kitchen with an envelope in his hands.

Don't you know that...

Don't you know that dreams come true
Don't you know that dreams come true
Only for a minute
You can make your dreams come true

"Here, this came in ten minutes ago. It does not involve the Independence Inn, therefore delivering it was beyond my official obligations, so I am taking an extra long lunch break." After handing the envelope to Lorelai he took off.

"He's so genuine." Sookie said, looking at Lorelai with curiosity while she opened the newly arrived letter.

"Oh my God."

"What?"

"It's the title search for the Rachel property. And guess who owns it."

"Tell me it's not that bastard Donald Trump."

"Fran."

"Fran from Weston's Bakery?"

"Sweet little Fran, the cupcake lady. Not some cigar-chomping, dirty dealing city slicker."

"Ooh! That's good. Hey! 'The Country Slicker.' Funny name, cutesy idea…"

"Mm, it's a little much."

"It's way too much."

"I'll call Fran."

"'Fran's Old Place'! It'll be like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. People will be trying to figure out who Fran is. Or 'The In Inn'! It's like an inn that's in with the in crowd. . .I'm gonna go sit down. "

"Do that sweetie."

"Okay." At the same time Rory walked in with a bunch of books in her arms.

"Hey…" She studied her mother and Sookie. They were both standing there with a dumb look on their faces.

"What up with you two?" Lorelai just grinned and handed Rory the papers.

"Fran?"

"I can believe I actually dreamt that she owned the inn, and then she does! I'm a psychic!" She did a little swinging with a spoon above her head, but yet again Michel entered the kitchen.

"I would advise at least pretending to look busy. The boss is here"

Rory jumped out of her seat.

"Mia!" she shouted. It had been way too long since they had last seen her. Her mother had written her letters every now and then, but left out the little detail of her engagement, actually about the whole relationship with Luke.

"You're kidding. When?" Lorelai questioned Michel.

"I just spotted her walking in"

"Let's go!" she left the kitchen followed by her daughter. Rory couldn't help but think: "Perfect" Mia would be around for the surprise engagement party the following weekend, and that was probably the best present Lorelai could get. Rory had grown up with Mia as a grandmother figure, and of course she did love and respect her grandparent of flesh and blood, but there was something about Mia. She had opened her arms to her mother, when she was just the age Rory was now. As a 17 year old girl, she had entered the Independence Inn asking for any job, and Mia had taken her in despise her lack of education and recommendations. She had treated the two of them with love and warmth, given them a place to sleep and something to eat. Thanked to Mia, Lorelai had been able to afford Rory's school equipment, clothes and much more. She was like a part of their little family, soon to be extended.

So that was the end of the 24th chapter. And good news, I'm almost already done with chapter 25. Doing progress here. Sorry for the little "Gone with the wind" freak out, but it's taken cursed me. I'm kind of obsessed with it at the moment. But hey, it is a great movie.

So, let me know what you think, by pushing the little pretty button beneath and write a review, even bad words are appreciated.

Cheers, Asta