Final Scene 11 Part 1

Lorelai pulls up on the driveway and shuts off her headlights. She turns to Paul Anka, who's sitting on the passenger. "Sorry about my mom. You now know she can be a real...handful...at times. Well, most of the time, actually." She shuts off the engine. "Boy, Paul Anka, you sure know how to make the whole town of Stars Hollow go crazy over you. Do you even know how much trouble you've put all of us through?" She pauses. "Of course not, you're a dog. All dogs know is when they're gonna get their bone to chew, or a belly rub after a nice scrubbing in the bucket. Don't get any ideas," she says sternly, pointing at an unassuming Paul Anka. Lorelai sighs and turns to the dog. "You know, I missed you. You've helped me get through that whole empty nest syndrome thing that I thought I would magically be immune to. But it's so true. And being a mom, avoiding the feeling is impossible. It's like someone is taking your heart and repeatedly stepping on it with pink crocs. And that's why I can't have you running away ever again, ok?" Lorelai says to Paul Anka sternly, who is staring out the window and then down to the bottom of the passenger seat. "What did you see while you were running away? What did you hear? What was it like being out on your own? I bet you must have been scared." Lorelai looks over at him, half-expecting a reply. "Sorta reminds me of my own experiences. You know, with Luke, the backwards cap-wearing guy? If only you knew of the many things left unsaid. How there are so many things I want to tell him but I can't. How much I want Luke to want me the same way." She stares straight ahead at her house, taking it in. She turns to Paul Anka. "I just want him to like me...for *me*, you know? Like, not some kind of infatuation type of relationship. I want a real relationship. And with him this time. And with Rory gone and after patching things up with him, I feel like this is a real opportunity to seal the deal. What's your say in this, boy? Talk to me once and make me feel a little better for stupidly talking to you and thinking you'll reply." Paul Anka just huffs and yawns. Lorelai twists her mouth and stares ahead again. "Yeah I agree. Good talk." A few moments later, she gets out of the car and walks around to open the passenger door. Paul Anka eagerly jumps out and they both make their way to the front door. Lorelai opens the door and flicks on the light.

"Home sweet home. Sorry we're out of ginger snaps but I'm sure you've had your fill." Lorelai tosses her key in the glass bowl and takes off her coat, throwing it on the rack. As she makes her way to the kitchen, her phone rings. "Hello?"

"Oh, so glad you answered. I've been trying your house phone for the past half hour." Luke answers, while rummaging through a few boxes in his apartment.

Lorelai peeks over the at the blinking light on the house phone. "And that would explain the 12 missed calls. *Someone's* got a crush."

"Very funny. So is everything alright? Is Paul Anka home safe and sound once again?"

Paul Anka barks a few times. "Evidently," Lorelai replies. "And currently, Paul Anka is running around the house and sniffing every corner. You know, the ol' re-familiarization ritual."

"Wow, that's something your parents were able to find him for you." Luke studies a few papers.

"Definitely something."

A pause. "Did I miss something?" Luke asks, mildly confused while setting down the papers.

"No, nothing at all. Paul Anka's home and that's the important thing."

"Right."

"Except my parents weren't actually the ones who found him."

"Oh, really? So who found him?" Luke straightens up in his seat.

"That's the thing, it's a mystery."

"I'm sure once you tell the mysterious person there's a $1000.00 reward for him, they won't be so anonymous anymore."

"Sounds logical, right?" Lorelai looks over her shoulder, watching Paul Anka furiously eat the day-old dog food in the bowl. "Seems like he's satiating a huge appetite."

"Not surprising, seeing he's been scouting the entire area of Stars Hollow for almost a day."

"Maybe he didn't enjoy the gourmet treats at my parents' house as previously thought."

"Hm," Luke says.

"So you going to Friday dinner with me tomorrow night? Well tomorrow is today since it's past midnight. Anyway, you'd be my guest."

"Right, Friday dinner. Isn't that the one with your mom and dad-"

"And many an awkward silences?"

"Right."

"That would be the one."

"So, are you sure you're up for it?"

"Well, you invited me, so I guess I have to be."

"Gee, I can feel the excitement all the way over here."

"I'd love to," Luke corrects himself.

"Great. I'll drop by the diner tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good. Oh, and Lorelai?"

"Luke?"

"Is there...some sort of...dress code or anything?"

"Just don't wear a Hawaiian shirt, cargo pants, or anything that says 'Est.1987' on it. Oh! And as much as I love it on you 364 days out of the year, no backwards cap."

"Noted. Should I bring a gift of some sort?"

"Just your smile, which you won't have after 30 seconds of being there."

"Good to know," Luke says. "See you then, Lorelai."

"Goodnight." Lorelai hangs up her phone and smiles to herself. She looks at the clock: 12:02am. A moment later, she decides to call Rory.

Rory is passed out on her bed in the apartment she shares with a fellow job intern named Tessa, who's currently not in the room. Rory's phone rings a few times. Rory shifts in the bed a little, waking up. She reaches for the phone, checking the phone ID. She stretches a little and sits up, turning on a light. "Hey mom."

Lorelai gasps. "Oh no, were you sleeping? This one hour difference thing is getting hard to remember."

"No, I'm up. Just a little nap." Rory rubs her eyes and becomes more aware. "So what's the latest?"

"The latest is that the Gilmore family is once again complete!"

"Paul Anka's home? That's great!"

"I know, it's so great looking over and seeing him making a mess with his food. I'm actually looking forward to cleaning it up, I can't believe it."

Rory smiles. "I'm happy for you, mom."

Lorelai smiles and pauses. "Is everything alright over there, hun?"

"Everything's..." Rory pauses, frowning a little while playing with a loose thread on her blanket. "Everything's just great over here."

"But you don't sound like it. Are you sure?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Rory asks more confidently.

"I don't know, I guess it's mom radar."

"Well I mean, of course I'm having a wonderful experience here so far, the food's awesome. The people are awesome. The weather's nice. But at the end of the day, I guess I just can't help but miss home and the epic dog search that doesn't happen often. I guess I just feel like I missed a big part of Stars Hollow history, newspaper coverage and all." Rory pauses while Lorelai frowns. "I guess I just miss you, mom."

Tears well up in Lorelai's eyes, trying to refrain from crying. "I guess I just miss you too, honey. TONS!" Lorelai laughs while wiping away tears. "And contrary to what you might be thinking, I am not crying."

Rory laughs and smiles. A pause.

"Losing Paul Anka for that short amount of time really put things into perspective, Ror. You know? Losing you to Iowa and then losing him? It's been a wave of emotions ever since you've left."

"Aw mom," Rory sighs. "We have to remember that my going away is for a greater cause: getting a paycheck for following the Presidential hopeful and his entourage around."

"Yeah, that's quite something."

"And it's all scary and fun and interesting and challenging and cool. All at the same time. Every single day is different, no day is the same." Rory pauses. "I think you'll feel better once I say...that I think I made the right decision."

Lorelai smiles and looks down at the table. "Where you lead, I will follow."

Rory smiles and looks down. "Thanks for being my number-one fan, mom."

"Anytime." A pause.

"So are you still going to dinner tomorrow night?"

"Ohhhh yeah," Loreali nods sharply.

"I smell revenge."

"I'm inviting Luke."

Lorelai gasps. "No way."

"Yes way. I don't think it's gonna be a big deal." Lorelai shrugs.

"But mom, this is Luke we're talking about. What did grandma do now?"

"She didn't do anything," Lorelai says stubbornly.

Rory crosses an arm over her stomach. "C'mon, she must've done something to provoke this impromptu decision to invite Luke."

"Nope, she's just being regular, old Emily."

"Alrighty then," Rory replies, half satisfied. "Well, I better hit the hay. Another long day tomorrow."

"'Hit the hay.' Ha ha, I get it. Since it's...Iowa and...there're lots of farms there. I'm assuming." Lorelai adds.

On the other line, Rory laughs and yawns. "I had no idea I even made that into a pun."

"Well sleepyhead, I should let you go and resume your line of zzzzz's and I hope you kept track of which number sheep you stopped on."

"Oh, I don't count sheep."

"Good to know. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Ror."

"Goodnight, mom."

Lorelai presses the button to hang up. Setting the phone aside, she gets up and walks around the living room, moving to a picture of her and Rory embraced in a hug, both wearing winter sweaters. She takes it off the mantle and smiles while looking at it. Paul Anka comes running up to her side. Lorelai pets him with one hand. "She's great, isn't she?" She continues looking at the picture and smoothing a hand over Paul Anka.

Meanwhile, Rory sits up in bed, looking at the desk over by the window. She moves the blanket away while getting up to the side of the bed, walking over the desk. She focuses on one candid picture from graduation of her and Lorelai looking at one another in mid-laughter. Her smile fades as she remembers that Logan was the one who took the picture. She resumes smiling, recalling that special day. She moves back to her bed, pulling the covers over her and getting comfortable, while still staring at the picture from a distance.

The next day

Lorelai opens the door a crowded Luke's diner, Paul Anka in tow. "What is this, a Hartford business convention overlay?" She asks no one in particular.

Suddenly, everyone turns around. "CONGRATULATIONS!"

Lorelai clutches her heart and smiles. "Wow!" She looks around at the people clapping. She sees Taylor, Kirk, Babette, some random diner patrons, Miss Patty, Lane and Zack, and Sookie and Jackson. Sookie runs up to her, embracing her in a hug. "We're so happy for you, Lorelai. We were worried you weren't gonna be here. We've been waiting all morning for you."

"I might have told someone I would be here this morning," Lorelai replies while slowly turning to Luke. "Was all this your doing, Mr. Danes?"

"Maybe," Luke replies while rearranging a few things on the counter.

"So, I'm sure everyone wants to know who the mysterious passerby is who found Paul Anka," Taylor remarks. Everyone agrees in unison.

Lorelai looks back at them blankly. "Uhh..." She begins. "...can't a girl get some coffee around here?" A second later, Babette hands a cup of coffee over to her. "That may have possibly been the fastest service I've ever received in my life." Lorelai smiles earnestly at Babette.

Babette continues. "So tell us, honey. Who's the mystery guy or gal?"

"I honestly cannot say because I honestly do not know. My parents just told me some random person tracked him down and then he was off to Gilmore manor."

"Interesting. You know what they say, over 60% of those who return dogs remain anonymous," Miss Patty remarks.

"Really? I thought it was more like 61% if you want to be really accurate," Kirk adds matter-of-factly. Miss Patty rolls her eyes. Lorelai quietly sips her coffee.

Luke makes his way over to Lorelai, slinging a towel behind his shoulder. "So, tonight's the big night."

"Yeah, it should be casual. Nothing too serious, so don't feel like you need to pull a last-minute chicken out excuse."

"Darn. Plan's folded," Luke jokes.

Lorelai sets down her coffee, folding her hands. "So. Whatcha wearing?"

"I was thinking my bright yellow dress shirt with my camouflage pants, as well as my equally-yellow mountain hiking boots."

"Ok, not only is that a Gilmore faux pas, that is definitely a fashion faux pas."

"Hmm I don't know. I thought it seemed sensible."

Lorelai points her spoon at him. "No."

"Ok, ok. I guess I'll settle wearing my dark blue blazer and tie, and my gray shirt and dark blue jeans," Luke offers.

Lorelai lifts her hand to fake hold a microphone. "You, sir, have been nominated as next month's featured GQ model."

Luke blushes.

"Luke, that sounds incrediby sexy and macho and business-y. All at the same time. I can hardly wait," Lorelai looks over at Paul Anka, panting. "See? Even Paul Anka's salivating at the idea."

"Ok, that's just weird." Luke begins cleaning a table.

Lorelai shrugs and begins to get up. "I would love to stay for the rest of this party, but I've gotta get to the Inn." Lorelai moves over to Luke for a quick kiss. "See you at 5?"

"Like we've planned." Luke kisses her back. "See you later, Lor."

Lorelai smiles while walking out of the diner with Paul Anka, passing Miss Patty and Kirk having an intense discussion about dogs and statistics.

"So it turns out the crazy dog lady was Lorelai?"

"Apparently, Zack. But let's leave out the word 'crazy,' alright?"

"Fair enough. Oh hey guess what?"

"I dont know. You grew two more earlobes?"

"No even better. Our band just got called to play Hartford tomorrow night."

"Congratlations, Zack."

"Thanks, man. But just promise me you won't tell Lane about this. She's expecting me to be home with the babies this weekend but I'm not so sure I can watch them with her the entire weekend."

"Zack, I'm no expert here, but shouldn't you be obligated to tell your wife anything and everything? I mean, she is your wife after all."

"Yeah true, but marriage is all about trust and balance in freedom, right?"

"Yeah...right..."Luke replies.

"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be thinking about proposing to Lorelai sometime? Didn't she propose to you one time before?"

Luke stops and sighs. "Maybe I would get around it if I didn't have so much work to do around here." He looked sternly at Zack.

"Point taken." Zack gathers a few dishes and enters the kitchen, leaving Luke to look out the window and ponder.