A/N thanks again to samvalasam for doing the beta and providing feedback and some changes to make the chapter better.
Also you may notice this one is much longer than the last, enjoy!
Ch16 – Three Gilmore's and Luke
Luke knocked on the door as Lorelai fussed, "There, your tie is straight now," she said kissing Luke on the lips with a quick peck.
"I hate ties," Luke grumbled.
"Yes I know Hun, but since they invited us over I thought we'd better dress up a little," Lorelai said turning as the door opened.
"Luke, Lorelai, you made it. Come in we don't want to let the heat out," Zach said ushering the couple inside.
"Thanks Zach," Lorelai said leading the way as Luke put his hand in the small of her back.
"Hi guys," Lane said waddling over from the bedroom door, "Wow you look different Luke," Lane said not used to seeing Luke in a suit and tie.
"Well it's a special night so…" Luke snorted with his usual chuckle.
Lorelai smiled at Luke before turning to Lane, "Yes we thought why not! It's not every night we get invited to Lane and Zach's for dinner."
"Sit, sit, it's almost ready," Lane said going back to the kitchen.
"Would you like a drink?" Zach said before noticing the bottle Luke was holding, "You bought a bottle too?"
"Yes Zach, it's the proper thing to do," Lane told her husband.
"I picked it out especially," Lorelai said as she shared a look with the clueless guys.
"It's sparkly and non alcoholic, so Lane can have some," Luke added handing the bottle to Zach.
"We did the same," Zach said showing off their bottle, "Great now we have two bottles for the night," he said filling the four glasses.
"Here it is," Lane said coming back with the large dish of curry.
"It's curry," Luke said, not really liking the food.
"We can get you something else if you like," Lane offered starting to get up.
"No I told Luke he'll eat what he's served," Lorelai joked stopping Lane from leaving the small table.
"I'll eat around it," Luke said giving Lorelai a dirty look.
Zach picked up his glass, "So let's toast?" he offered as the others joined him, "Friendship!" he said as the smiled and clinked the glasses together, "Friendship!" they said together.
--
A short while later the main meal was finished off, Luke to his surprise loving the curry, "The food was great Lane, I never had a curry like that before."
"Was it your mother's recipe?" Lorelai asked.
"No actually I found it online, I haven't been able to do much with the bed rest so I spent sometime online," Lane said sitting back in her chair.
"Lane has gone crazy for curry with the babies," Zach added.
"Tell me about it, with Rory I had all kinds of weird cravings. Apples mainly but a lot of fruit and raw vegetables, onions were the worst but I loved them," Lorelai said.
"Something to look forward to," Luke joked.
"So are you…" Lane asked pointing at Lorelai with a smile.
"No," she said turning to Luke, "Well not that we know of," laughing at the idea, "We just got back together be maybe one day, after the wedding we'll have to buy a few small blue baseball caps," Lorelai joked with a smile.
A few moments of silence followed, "Well maybe we should be going, don't want to over stay our welcome and I have the diner to open in the morning," Luke said looking at Lane then Zach.
"You can't go before pie," Zach said adding, "Home made peace pie."
"You made a peach pie?" Luke asked.
"Well, actually you made it, at the diner, which is technically your home, but I paid for it," Zach confessed.
Lorelai giggled, as Luke replied, "I'll have one quick piece."
"Lorelai?" Zach asked.
"I always have room for pie," Lorelai answered, "And some times I don't even pay."
"You rarely pay," Luke added before turning to Lane, "You know this is really nice of you guys to invite us over."
"What do you expect, man? You mean a lot to Lane and me," Zach said getting the pie.
"You too Lorelai; you're like the king and queen of Stars Hollow," Lane proudly said.
"And we feel really close to you Luke and not just you know as employees," Zach added making Luke uncomfortable.
"Yeah, uh, me too," Luke said moving in his seat.
"When it comes to extended family, Zach and I don't have much. I mean I've got my mom, but she's not so much a family member as she is a probation officer," Lane joked.
"Yeah and my old man ran off when I was like ten! No note, no nothing. So I got the feeling, you know, he didn't want me to follow him," Zach said sitting back at the table.
"Mm-hmm," Luke said looking at the couple, "So, you guys need money or something?"
Zach put his hand on Lane's as they looked at each other before turning to Luke and Lorelai, "Lane and I would like you two to be godparents to our twins," Zach said.
"Oh, really? Godparents?" Luke said looking at Lorelai then to Lane and Zach.
"We just want to make sure we have a strong parental influence for our boys," Lane said looking at the other couple.
"Are you sure, I got knocked up at sixteen and Luke as a grumpy old man image to uphold," Lorelai joked.
"Yes, we couldn't think of two more worthy people to be there when the worst happens," Zach said needing an answer.
"Well…" Luke was unsure as he looked at them then Lorelai.
"There's no paperwork involved," Zach added.
"Right. We just…" Lorelai was also unsure seeing Luke's hesitation.
"No notary public," Zach added.
"No, I know. It's just," Luke sighed and looked at them again before tuning to Lorelai, receiving a smile.
"I think we can do it," Lorelai added looking back at Luke.
"Yeah, okay, sure," Luke said turning to Lane and Zach.
Lane squealed before Zach spoke again, "Oh, man. That is so great," he said high-fiving Lane then Luke.
"There you go," Zach said before remembering the wine, "Maybe we should toast this?"
"I think the high fives said it all," Lorelai joked as she ate her pie.
--
"I can't believe they trust us as godparents," Luke said packing for their trip.
"Well they also have Rory who is their 'Lorelai Gilmore', like I was to Lane," Lorelai reminded Luke.
"Well that explains it then," Luke joked under his breath as Lorelai went back into the bathroom.
"I heard that!" Lorelai said coming back moments later.
"You what else I can't believe," Luke said.
"No, what Hon?" Lorelai asked with a smile packing her toiletries into their new matching bags.
"That I'm going on a road trip with Emily Gilmore," Luke replied.
"Me neither, but she talked herself into it and she's bringing the nice car," Lorelai agreed looking at the matching luggage.
"I like the new bags, thanks for buying them." Luke said smiling back at Lorelai.
"Well Emily would never allow your old one in the car and you know my opinion on that other one," she said sitting on the bed.
"Yes I got that message when Paul Anka used it as a chew toy," Luke said sitting on the other side of the bed.
Lorelai moved over to Luke, "You look tense," she noticed.
"I'm going to be in a car with your mother for 800 miles," Luke reminded Lorelai.
"Well let's see what we can do about that," Lorelai said kissing Luke slowly, her hand moving down his chest to his jeans.
"Wow Lorelai we can't… Rory," Luke said moving her hand.
"She's seeing Lane before we go," Lorelai moved her hand back this time feeling Luke's crotch.
"But…" Luke tried to stop Lorelai's advances, but not too hard.
"It's going to be a long trip," she reminded Luke.
"Yeah," Luke said changing his mood.
Rolling on to his side Luke placed his hand on Lorelai stomach as she lay back on the bed, moving his fingers slowly Luke rubbed her stomach, "You know once we're married we better get started on other things," Luke said lifting her blouse.
"Other things?" Lorelai asked with a grin, fully knowing what Luke was talking about.
"Well I guess the town expects we'll have a child at some point, and while I hate to do anything to please the town I'd like it also," Luke said in a soft voice.
"I think we can do that, but it's been so long since I had the last one, maybe I'm too old?" Lorelai said still smiling.
"We'll just have to practice a lot until we get the job done then," Luke said kissing Lorelai as he pushed her to the bed.
He started to unbutton Lorelai's top before she rolled them over to be on top straddling Luke's legs. Pushing his dark flannel shirt up Lorelai pulling his t-shirt out, that was neatly tucked into his jeans. She kissed the exposed skin, moving back on his legs and started to unbuckle his pants only stopping when they heard a car outside.
Lorelai sighed collapsing on Luke, "It's my mother," she said looking at Luke, "Can we do this in less than a minute?" she joked.
"Not if you want it done right," Luke returned holding Lorelai.
With one last kiss they separated, Lorelai rolling back onto her side of the bed as Luke got up off the bed. Making sure nothing was unzipped Luke picked up some of their bags, "I'm taking these down to the car. Then I'm going to the diner, Caesar called and Kirk is trying to take over again. So can you pick me up from the diner in about half an hour?"
Lorelai nodding as she pouted before getting up off the bed to greet her mother.
Emily got out of the Jag and look across the yard at the boat blocking her view of the house, "What is this?" Emily asked seeing Luke and Lorelai come around the bow of the boat.
"It's a boat Mom, Luke's new boat," Lorelai replied smiling at Luke.
"When did you get a new boat?" she asked the couple.
"Last week, Luke sold the old one and decided to upgrade," Lorelai said running her hand down the side.
"And you're keeping it here?" Emily asked getting a closer look.
"Just until we find a suitable boat yard to store it at," Lorelai grinned, "We are the newest 'white trash' family in town."
"Geez…" Luke said putting the bags by the car, "I'll be off then," Leaning is for a kiss from Lorelai, "I've got some business to take care of at the dinner so if you can pick me up at the dinner," Luke asked Emily.
"Of course Luke, we'll see you there," Emily said as Luke walked off.
Emily turned to Lorelai when Luke was out of earshot, "So why is Luke coming?"
"Because he's known Mia longer than just about anyone else in town and she invited him to be there," Lorelai told her mother as she stepped over to the Jag, "Where's the trunk release Mom?"
"Here," Emily said triggering the release from the keys.
Lorelai started to put the bags in as Emily watched before looking at the boat again, "Crazy Lady" Emily said reading the name off the boat with surprise, "Why is the boat named 'Crazy Lady'?"
"Come on lets have some coffee before we go," Lorelai said walking toward the house without answering.
--
"Mom, just let me have it down… oh, my god," Lorelai said trying the window again.
"Lorelai, stop playing with the window," Emily demanded working the controls on the drivers door.
"I'm not playing. I just want it down. And you're making it go… are you kidding me? Plea… mother, I'm putting it… I'm putting it…" Lorelai gasped, "What… uh… mom!" Realising the window was not working anymore.
"It's called a child lock, appropriately enough," Emily said with a cheeky tone.
"Just leave it Lorelai," Luke asked sitting back in his seat behind Emily.
"Do you have enough room back there, Luke?" Emily asked.
"Plenty of room, is this the same car I picked up when Richard was in the hospital?" Luke asked looking around and trying to be part of the conversation.
"Actually it is, this is bigger then my S-Type, with more leg room in the back, Richard will have to make do without his XJ Sports, not that he's used it since the hospital," Emily replied.
Lorelai smiled as she lent over to rest her head on Luke's shoulder and whispered to Luke, "You okay?"
Luke nodding, "I'm fine, looking forward to seeing Mia again," he said kissing Lorelai on the temple.
"I wonder what she will say?" Lorelai said.
"About?" Luke asked.
"Us Luke, I didn't have much time to speak to Mia but I think someone in town filled her in, I just have this feeling she knows all," Lorelai told him.
"Sounds like Mia, she always seemed to know everyone's business, I think she was a founding member of the Hello Magazine crew," Luke commented.
"What are you two talking about back there?" Emily asked.
"Nothing Mom, just Mia stuff," Lorelai said smiling.
"So Grandma did you know they were made Godparents to Lane's up and coming babies," Rory said looking back at Luke and Lorelai.
"Really… Well I'm sure you'll both make good Godparents," Emily said reaching for the CD player, "So, do we all like show tunes? I found this marvellous CD when I took the car to be washed."
--
After a long days driving and some of the night they arrived at the Best Western, Luke got the room keys with Lorelai as Rory and Emily waited with the car. A short time later they went off to their rooms, Luke with Lorelai and Rory sharing a room with Emily.
Luke and Lorelai kicked off their shoes to rest for a spell on the bed as they caught up with some news on the TV, "Who knew sitting in the back of a luxury sedan for 8 hours would be so tiring?" Lorelai said, as they lay side-by-side.
"I think I have D.V.T." Lorelai said dryly.
"D.V.T.?" Luke asked.
"Deep Vein Thrombosis," Lorelai replied.
"Right… I don't think I can even move to have a shower," Luke said focusing on the ceiling.
"I'm not going to move until morning," Lorelai said not moving.
"Why did your mother insist on doing all the driving?" Luke asked.
"I have no idea, she did trust you to pick up the car from Yale," Lorelai said turning to Luke, "You know I'm not that tired," she said with a tone Luke knew well.
"I thought you couldn't move?" Luke said moving slightly to look at Lorelai.
"I always put certain things above sleep, you know that," Lorelai insisted.
"We can't do that with Rory and your mother in the next room," Luke said sitting up, as Lorelai got closer.
"You're no fun," Lorelai pouted.
"Not with your daughter and mother in the next room," Luke reminded Lorelai as he stood up, "I'm washing up before bed."
"Can I help?" Lorelai said quickly getting up.
"I'm just washing my face," Luke said unzipping his bag to find what he needed.
"You know if we have a shower they won't be able to hear us," Lorelai said starting to undress.
"But I'll know," Luke said looking at Lorelai stripping, now down to her bra and panties.
"Luke I've been confine to the back of the car all day sitting next to this hot stud and I couldn't even make out with him, I need you!" she said removing the last of her clothes.
"How can I say no to that," Luke said dryly.
"Yay, the seven little words every woman wants to here," Lorelai said rushing to Luke and kissing him, "Now get naked and I'll get the water running," she said rushing into the bathroom.
--
The next morning the four off them arrived at Mia's house and went straight in, much to Emily dismay, "Lorelai, you didn't even knock."
"Well, that's okay. Mia leaves the door open," Lorelai said causally like it was no a big deal.
"She likes people to just come on in," Luke added as he followed the ladies.
"She's probably too busy to greet everybody, grandma," Rory said as they went in.
"Well, of course she is. She should have someone greet people for her," Emily said, clearly in some mood being forced to come after Mia called Lorelai's cell before arriving at the Best Western.
"Oh, look at all these great pictures, Luke it's you," Rory said noticing the display as they entered the house, "Oh and this must be Howard. Look. Here we are."
"I remember that one; did you send it to Mia?" Luke asked a guilty looking Lorelai.
"Oh it's cute. You at the diner, you must have been no more than 25 there?" Lorelai said always enjoying poking fun at Luke.
"I this it was a few weeks after I opened the diner, I think Taylor paid Kirk to take the photo," Luke said accepting that he couldn't do anything about it now.
"Isn't that the rug where you used to spin around at the Independence Inn? I bet you threw up just seconds after that picture was taken," Lorelai said.
"Yep," Rory answered.
"Precious memories," Luke said with a sarcastic tone.
From across the room, "Lucas, you came?" Mia called.
Luke smiled seeing his old friend, "Hi-ya Mia," he said as they hugged, "Of course I came."
"Well I know you Lucas, there was always a chance you'd back out," Mia said as they continued their embrace.
Lorelai looked on smiling, "Not with me in his life," she said, glade to see the happy re-union.
Luke stepped back, "Hi there Lorelai," Mia said as Lorelai moved in, "And Rory," she said as the younger Gilmore joined in the group hug.
"I hope these girls haven't been too much of a hand full for you Lucas?" Mia asked and Luke smiled back blushing.
"I know how to handle them, I have the coffee," Luke joked as the girls stepped back.
"Lets see that ring," Mia demanded holding Lorelai's hand up, she proudly showed it off, "It's beautiful, and Luke picked it out?" she asked. Lorelai just nodding, "Well he always did have an eye for this stuff," Mia said knowing Luke well.
"I thought so," Lorelai added.
Turning her attention, "Rory you've grown so much," Mia said looking at the younger Lorelai, "You look so much like your mother when I first met her."
"So did you find the house all right?" Mia asked looking at her friends.
"Yeah, Mom's got the GPS. Apparently it's great if you know how to use it," Lorelai joked, "Good thing Luke bought some street maps."
"But we ended up seeing a lot of your neighbourhood… Very nice," Rory added.
"Oh, those damn GPS drive me crazy. Whatever happened to asking the guy at the gas station?" Mia said.
"I don't trust them, the GPS, ever since we watched that movie or TV show we saw late one night where they caused people to crash and drive the wrong way up a freeway," Luke said in a mini rant.
"Hon I think that was a 60 Minutes special." Lorelai answered.
"We did stop at a gas station to get our bearings," Emily said felling left out, "Hello, Mia. Thank you so much for inviting me to this special occasion."
"Well I know it's not what you planned but I'm glade you came, maybe later we can talk about the girls, I have so many questions." Mia said taking Emily arm and leading them into the main living area.
--
After the ceremony and speeches people were mingling and dancing, Emily took some time out sitting on the couch before finding coffee with one of Lorelai friends from her early days at the Independence Inn.
"Is your mother making a friend?" Luke said joining Lorelai on the couch.
"Maybe… I don't know if it was a good idea for her to come?" Lorelai said greeting Luke with a quick kiss as they held hands.
"I think she'll be fine," Luke said as they watched Emily at the drinks table, "Is that Donna?"
"Yes… I didn't know you two had met," Lorelai asked curiously.
"She used to come into the diner when it first opened, before we met. All I remember is in the summer she would come in wearing very short skirts and low cut tops, it was very distracting," Luke said in his usual dry tone.
"Oh I'm sure it was," she joked, "I remember sun baking at the lake one time, she went topless and almost caused Andrew to crash his boat into the jetty," Lorelai told Luke.
"Topless… did you... join her?" Luke stuttered to say without blushing too much.
"Luke you've got a dirty mind… and I love you for it," Lorelai joked, kissing Luke, "So you're having fun, did Howard ask you for a dance yet?" Lorelai asked.
"Not yet, besides I'm not the dancing type," Luke said.
"You dance great, I still get goose bumps thinking of your sisters wedding," Lorelai admitted, turning to rest against Luke with his arms around her.
"Just for you," Luke joked as he brushed his hand over her leg, "By the way I'm loving the boots and dress," Luke whispered into her ear.
"Luke stop it, or at least can we move this into the bedroom where they put the coats, did you even want to do it on a bed covered in clothes?" Lorelai whispered back.
"Hello you two," a familiar voice called out.
Luke clearing his throat, "Mia, there you are," he said as Lorelai giggle.
"I'm not disturbing you, am I?" Mia asked before sitting on the end of the couch, facing the couple.
"No not at all, just some dirty talk between consenting adults," Lorelai said.
"Aw Geez," Luke let out under his breath as he pushed Lorelai off his lap, Luke not even remembering how she got on there.
"I wanted to talk to the both of you, is it a good time?" Mia asked.
"Well I'm not getting up for at least five minutes," Luke said trying not to make eye contact with Mia at that time.
Lorelai giggled before turning to Mia, "So what's on your mind."
"The both of you, are you doing okay now?" Mia asked concerned.
"Never better, I know we had a rough patch a few months back but we're on track for a summer wedding," Lorelai told Mia.
"We're talking more now then ever, you know feeling and things," Luke said.
"I know you both have very strong personalities and from what I've heard you sometimes drive each other crazy sometimes," Mia said with a smile.
"Hello Magazine?" Lorelai said receiving a nod from Mia.
There was a moment of silence before Luke spoke, "Mia we will be sending out the official invitations later but we'd like to ask you now, would both like you to come our wedding" Luke asked his old friend.
"Try and stop me," Mia replied as she hugged Lorelai before reaching out to touch Luke's hand, "And don't worry I'll get Howard some dancing lessons before we go.
--
"So you noticed how Mia and Emily were planning our wedding before we left," Luke said sitting back on the bed after changing into come comfy clothes to sleep in.
Lorelai just got back from saying good night to Rory and her mother was letting her hair down in the bathroom, "They even exchanged contact details, so now I have two mothers planning my wedding," she said stepping out into the main room.
"And I have two mother-in-laws," Luke joked, "Stop!" he said, Lorelai looking up.
"But my feet hurt," Lorelai complained.
"Well come here and I'll massage them," Luke said liking the offer.
"I love you right now, will you marry me," Lorelai joked.
Lorelai walked over to the bed with the remote, lying face down, "Come on Lucas give it to me," she said turning on the TV.
Luke shook his head and smiled as he slowly unzipped her boots, "You know these are nice, but I do like the leather stiletto ones better," slipping the left one off.
"So how long have you had this boot fetish?" Lorelai asked resting on her arms as she flicked through the channels.
"It's not a fetish," Luke protested rubbing her foot slowly before moving to remove the other boot.
Lorelai moaned softly as Luke used his magic fingers on her tired feet, "God Luke you're good. You know if the diner thing doesn't work out for you, you could always do this for a living," Lorelai said as she turned down the volume and sat up facing Luke.
"I'll get right on that." Luke said dryly.
"Hey I'm not marrying you if you're touching any other women," she said moving to straddle Luke.
"So you'll be my only client?" Luke joked pulling Lorelai toward him using the tie around the top of her dress.
"Yes," she said kissing Luke.
"Might limit the earning potential," Luke added as they began to make out.
Right on cue they heard a knocking at the door, Lorelai sighed, "Who is it?"
"Mom it's me," Rory called.
"Rory?" Lorelai answered moving off Luke's lap.
"No you other daughter," she joked from behind the door.
Lorelai straitened her dress before opening the door, "This better be good kid I was trying to make out with Luke."
"Well I didn't hear the shower so I thought it would be safe," Rory returned stepping into the room.
Luke uncomfortable at being almost caught with his pants down greeted her, "Hi Rory, we weren't…"
"It's okay, I'm not a kid any more Luke," Rory joked as she pulled out her phone, "Lane called, they had the babies!"
"Wow already?" Lorelai said looking at the phone.
"They were over due a week," Luke added getting off the bed.
"Zach sent photos," Rory added finding them on her phone.
"Oh, cute!" Lorelai said.
"Aren't they cute?" Rory said as Luke came over.
"Okay this is a good use for a cell phone," Luke said standing next to Rory as they looked at the phone.
"I have some more," Rory said flipping through the pictures, "I'll send them to you phone and see you in the morning."
"Bright and early," Luke said.
"Five?" Lorelai asked.
"More like seven," Rory said being more realistic.
"Why don't we aim for six and see how we go?" Luke suggested.
"Good idea, okay you two can get back to your dirtiness, Grandma is about to start 'The Pursuit of Happyness' so you're covered for the next two hours," she joked closing the door.
Luke and Lorelai turned to each other, "They had the babies," Lorelai said with a tear in her eye.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked pulling Lorelai in for a hug.
"Yeah I will be, it just brings back some bad wedding day memories, and it could have been us?" Lorelai said resting on Luke's shoulder.
"It will be one day, soon, I promise," Luke said rubbing her back.
Lorelai's phone beeped letting her know there was a message, "That will be Rory."
"Do you want to look at them again?" Luke asked.
"No I want to start tonight," Lorelai said, Luke pulling back lightly to look at her.
"Do you mean…?" Luke asked leaving the question open.
"Hey what better story to tell the kids 'hey kids you were conceived at a Best Western in Charlotte," Lorelai joked.
"We're not telling them that," Luke said with a slight snorting chuckle.
"So we're doing this?" Lorelai asked.
"I guess we are," Luke said, Lorelai walking them to the bed as they kissed.
"Did I tell you how much I like those boots?" Luke said between kisses.
"They won't fit you and I'm not putting them back on tonight mister," she said as they fell onto the bed.
TBC…
Feedback is good.
A/N okay so I changed the order of a few things having the dinner with Lane and Zach before the trip but I think it works better.