A/N no you're not seeing things I deleted the original ch13 to get the chapter numbers back in order so this is new and is chapter 15, enjoy!
Ch15 – Will You Be My Partner?
Luke had mixed feelings walking back into the diner, he had just sold Kirk his fathers boat, well technically it was his or was it Lorelai's they never did say much about that at the time but it was gone now and Luke was glad but a little upset that part of his past would now be owned by the man pushing the trailer down the street barely missing two parked cars.
Lorelai stepped out of Doose's Market talking on her cell phone, "Good to hear it went so well on New York honey, so I'll see you back in town in the a few hours, love you," she said leaving a message for Rory.
She looked up just in time, "Kirk!" Lorelai shouted as she watch him crash his new boat into some bushes. Checking the traffic, which had come to a stop she ran over to him, "Kirk, what are you doing with Luke's boat?"
"Lorelai, is that you?" Kirk asked buried in the bushes.
"Yes Kirk… Here," she said helping Kirk to his feet.
"Sorry I didn't hit you did I?" Kirk asked standing up.
"No I'm fine, now what are you doing with Luke's boat?" Lorelai asked again.
"I just bought it," Kirk proudly said checking it over.
"You bought it?" Lorelai still confused.
"Yes, paid 600 for the beauty," Kirk added.
"I'll see you at the shower then," Lorelai said walking away.
A few minutes later Lorelai entered the diner, "Luke how could you sell it?" she said coming to the counter.
"The boat? It was mine to sell," Luke said going about his work.
"That's debatable," Lorelai replied.
"You gave it back to me," Luke said still wiping down the counter.
"But why didn't you talk about it?" Lorelai asked.
"You've been busy with the baby shower all week and I didn't want to worry you. This way I can make a fresh start, maybe buy something bigger and better later on?" Luke added opening the register.
"But what about the boats history Luke, and your dad. I thought you wanted to finish off what he started?" Lorelai asked feeling left out of the process.
"I'm sorry Lorelai, I didn't realize it still meant so much to you. After I moved it to my sisters I all but forgot about it. Look it's for the best but if you feel so strong about it I can probably buy it back from Kirk." Luke said moving around to touch Lorelai on the shoulder.
Putting her hand on his, "No it's okay, I over reacted, I've been doing that a bit lately," Lorelai said sitting on the nearby stool.
"So you have time to eat?" Luke asked, going back behind the counter.
"I always make time to eat, fish burger and fries please Hon," Lorelai said as Luke got the coffee to go with it, "Can I have a juice with that, orange."
Luke stopped pouring and turned to Lorelai, "Are you feeling okay," putting his hand up to feel Lorelai's forehead.
"Stop that," Lorelai said pushing his hand away, "I'm fine I just feel like some juice."
"And a fish burger?" Luke added.
"Fish is good for you," Lorelai said, "And I like fish, so are you going to take my order?" Lorelai said getting irritated with all the questions.
"Okay fish burger and juice coming right up…" Luke said turning to the kitchen before stopping at the doorway, "Oh and by the way the ramp will be ready at four. I have all the parts and we just need to put it all together," Luke said disappearing into the kitchen.
--
"One more putt and I win," Lorelai boast proudly lining up the shot.
"Just do it already. There are others waiting," Luke said as he stood on the sidelines.
"You can't rush a professional," Lorelai said hitting the little white ball, "Yes I win, again," she laughed at her fiancé, "You really suck at this. Maybe I should try out for the US Open!," Lorelai said dancing around Luke on the last hole of the putting green.
"I'll let Tiger know," Luke said dryly.
"Hey I beat you mister," Lorelai said stepping over to Luke.
"Yeah well golf's not my thing," Luke said brushing it off.
Lorelai held onto Luke's waist, "Luke this is putt-putt golf Luke, anyone can play it. And lets not forget who hit more balls in the batting cages!"
"I'm having an off night," Luke said looking defeated.
"I win the night, two to nothing mister, just admit that I'm the grand champion!" Lorelai said punching the air.
"You know most people are gracious winners, they don't mock others having a bad night," Luke said taking hold of Lorelai hand, "Lets go."
"Do you want to kiss the winner?" Lorelai asked with her puppy dog eyes.
"So you want to kiss a loser?" he asked.
"Will you just shut up and kiss me," Lorelai smiled leaning in for a tender kiss only interrupted put the next group on the course, "We better get out of here before they start throwing thing," Lorelai joked as they parted, Luke agreeing.
--
"This was a great date," Lorelai said as they drove through New Haven, on their way home.
"Say's the winner," Luke added with his usual deadpan tone.
"Don't be like that, you still get to make out with me when we get home," Lorelai joke reaching for his hand.
"What pity sex, maybe I need to open the diner early in the morning, Kirk has been asking if I can open an hour earlier," Luke said looking across at her hand.
"Hey I still have my little friend in the nightstand," she reminded him, "Can we stop at a drug store or Seven Eleven to get some batteries?" Lorelai smiled.
"Okay this is getting nasty now," he said, "Okay if you really want sex…" Luke said before abruptly stopping on the side of the road.
"Luke I love you and all but I'm not a teenager and we're not having sex on the side of the road, well at least not until we're out of New Haven," She joked as Luke looked ahead.
"Look," he side pointing to the yard and sign.
Lorelai looked up, "It's a boat yard… so you want to look at boats at ten at night?" Lorelai asked alarmed with Luke.
"I never noticed this yard before and look, that's the boat I want," He said getting out of the truck.
"Luke wait!" Lorelai said quickly following him.
"It's perfect," Luke held on to the fence.
"It's used," Lorelai noticed.
"Well I can't afford a new boat," Luke added.
"I know Hon, but I didn't picture this when you said you wanted a boat. Isn't it a bit big?" Lorelai said looking at the half cabin cruiser, which appeared to be about twenty foot long.
"It's not that big, look," Luke said pacing out the length, "it's only a couple feet longer than the old one." He said stopping at the front of the boat.
"Luke it's late, lets write down the details and you can call them in the morning," Lorelai asked going back to the truck.
"Yeah your right," Luke said taking a last look before turning back to Lorelai who was now looking through her bag.
"Hey Luke where's your pen?" Lorelai asked not finding one in her small bag.
"Again with the pen, I told you I don't… Oh wait there might be one in the glove compartment," Luke said climbing back in the truck.
After a short search, "Ah got it, here you write down the details and I'll take a couple of pictures with my phone." Lorelai said handing Luke the pen and some paper.
Luke watched as Lorelai took several pictures as he noted the name and phone number, which seemed to be a waste of time since Lorelai now had photos of the sign and boat.
--
"Alright I'll be there before three," Luke said ending the call and hanging up the phone.
"Three… so you're doing it? Lorelai asked as she nibbled on her carrot sticks.
"I'm just checking it out, nothings been signed but I'd like too, do you think it's too much?" Luke asked topping off her coffee.
"Thanks," Lorelai said taking a sip, "I don't know, what is the going price for a used nineteen foot half cabin cruiser?" she asked, reading the notes Luke had made.
"I made some calls to a few other boat yards and checked the papers, it looks like a good deal," Luke said crossing his arms as lent on the counter to looked at Lorelai.
"Well as long as you checked it out," Lorelai replied still feeling left out from the whole debate.
Luke noticed something and lent in further, "You want to come with me, get a better look that's not through a chain-mail fence?"
Lorelai nodded and smiled, "That would be good," leaning forward they shared a quick kiss before Luke went back to serving other customers.
--
"I know it needs some work but it's easy stuff and you like painting," Luke reminded Lorelai as he looked over the inside of the boat.
Lorelai pulled aside a curtain to look through the small window, "Why am I here?" she asked.
"To look at the boat," Luke said opening a cupboard.
"But do you need me, you sound like you've already made up your mind," Lorelai said sitting at the small table.
Luke joined her, sitting at the table, "Lorelai I don't need to buy the boat. Look this is a joint decision, you say the word and we'll go," he said holding her hands.
Lorelai looked at their hands, "Luke I don't want to say no…"
"But?" Luke said, knowing what was coming next.
"It's a big decision and since we are engaged we need to make this together," Lorelai added.
"I agree… and that's why you're here," Luke said with a smile.
"Luke," Lorelai said dragging out his name before leaning in for a kiss, "So are you ready to make a decision," she asked as they parted.
"I'll ask the sales man if we can have some more time," Luke said.
"Sounds like a plan," kissing him again but this time with more passion, "Do you think they'll mind if we test drive the bed," Lorelai said turning to look at the birth in the bow of the boat.
"They might not like that," Luke said with a grin.
"Come on then lets get home or to the nearest motel," Lorelai said talking Luke's hand as she stood up.
TBC…
Feedback is good.
A/N yes I know this is the second time I've used the batting cages in one of my other stories but Amy never did so I thought I'd make to most of a classic Luke date.