Sorry for the delay with this chapter but here it is :) As promised there will be one more after this even though I only initially intended on writing 20 chapters. But there will be 21 :) Hope you enjoy!
The following morning, Lorelai woke to the gentle rock of the boat and the sound of seagulls flying overhead. She rolled over in bed expecting to find her husband, but her bed was empty. She stretched out, feeling the crack of her bones. Throwing the sheet aside, she threw her feet over the side of the bed and grabbed one of Luke's flannels. She tip toed up to the top deck and shivered in the cool fall air.
She smiled when she saw Luke steering them towards shore, "There's my husband…"
Luke looked behind him and smiled at her, "Hey. You're up. I figured I'd let you sleep. You seemed tired."
She smirked as she wrapped her arms around him from behind, "You wore me out last night…"
He chuckled and put one hand over hers on his stomach, "Hey...it was our wedding night. Had to make it memorable."
She smiled and kissed the back of his neck, "Oh you did…"
"I figured we could get breakfast on the mainland. Call the kids just to check in." He said giving her hand a squeeze.
She smiled and hugged him tighter, "You know me so well…"
He tugged at her arm, signaling to her that he wanted her beside her, "I just know...that as much as we need this we both worry…"
"We do." She said snuggling into his sides.
Luke kissed the top of her head and gave her behind a pat, "Why don't you go get dressed. We'll be docking soon."
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then started to pull away, she paused and turned back to him. He gave her a questioning look and she lifted a hand to hold his face gently, "I love you."
His face softened and he leaned in to kiss her sweetly, "I love you too."
Lorelai tip toed back down to the lower deck and began to get ready for the day. Twenty minutes later they docked and Luke helped her climb out of the boat. They walked hand in hand to a restaurant on the main road, after they were seated she pulled at her phone and dialed the familiar number.
After a moment a voice called into the phone, "Mommy?"
Lorelai smiled at Luke, "Hey Jack Jack! Are you having fun without us?"
"I just finished my ice cream sundae for breakfast! And Jess said we can wear our pajamas all day if we want too!" Jack said excitedly.
Lorelai giggled, "Well clearly Jess knows how to have a good time! I'm jealous! You want to talk to Daddy?" She waited for his answer and then handed the phone to Luke.
"Hey Bud. Ice cream for breakfast huh? Better than my pancakes?" Luke asked.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" Jack asked.
Luke chuckled, "Guess not. But I can't really blame you. Besides the ice cream...are you having fun? Behaving yourself? Helping with Elise?"
"Yes Dad. April is giving Elise a bath right now because she got her ice cream all over her." Jack said into the phone.
Luke chuckled, "Sounds about right."
He heard muffled voices before Jack came back, "Daddy Rory wants to talk to Mom."
"Okay. You have fun and listen to what your sisters and Jess tell you please. I love you buddy. Bye." Luke said before handing the phone back to his wife, "Rory wants to talk to you."
Lorelai smiled and pressed the phone to her ear, "Rory?"
"Hey Mom." Rory said into the phone, "Logan called...wants to have lunch today. And I'm kind of having a wardrobe crisis. Can I borrow something from your closet?"
"Of course. Where are you guys meeting?" She asked curiously.
"That new Sandwich shop near Grandma and Grandpa's. I was gonna stop in there after and check in actually. Jess is hanging with Elise and Jack for the day and April has some old friends she is going to meet up with. Is that okay?" She asked.
"That sounds fine. Jess should have fun now that they will be on a straight sugar high." She said with a laugh, "How are you feeling about seeing Logan?"
"It feels a little weird...I don't know how I will react to actually seeing him. It's been a long time...and so much has happened to both of us. But...we'll see how it goes I guess." Rory said with a sigh.
"Well service is kind of spotty on the boat...but you can try and call or text if you need me." Lorelai said softly.
"I'll be fine Mom. I want you and Luke to enjoy yourselves while you're away. Don't you worry about a thing. Did you pack that cute red blouse? I feel like that is casual enough but still says hey I'm still attractive." Rory said.
Lorelai laughed, "No I didn't pack it. It should be in there. Take whatever you need hon. Everything will be fine."
A loud crash and a giggle sounded from behind Rory, "I think that's my cue...the sugar has definitely hit Jack. Say hi to Luke and have fun! See you soon! Love you Mom!"
Lorelai smiled, "Love you too hon." She hung up the phone and placed it back in her bag.
"So I take it Rory is having lunch with Logan today?" He asked curiously.
Lorelai nodded slowly, "She is...sounds a bit nervous. I don't blame her. Meeting up with an ex is always awkward…"
He chuckled, "Can't argue with that…"
She was quiet for a moment as she thought about her words, "Did you hate talking to me when we were broken up?"
He smirked as he lifted his tea to his lips, "Which time?" She rolled his eyes and shrugged, "It was hard...there were always so many things I wanted to say every time I saw you. But it never seemed right...or I'd chicken out."
She nodded, "Yeah...I get that." She took a deep breath, "Remember the Fiddler on the Roof play? During the first break up?"
Luke nodded slowly, "Of course I do. The only reason I went to that stupid thing was because I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you…"
She frowned, "Why didn't you?"
He leaned back in his chair, "Because I was stupid and stubborn...and scared."
She nodded slowly, "I wanted to tell you I loved you that night...but I didn't think it was right. I didn't want you to feel...bad for me. Or really I guess I couldn't take the rejection again if I had…"
He sighed and leaned across the table to take her hands in his, "I wanted to tell you I loved you too…" He gave her hands a gentle squeeze, "But we weren't ready then I guess…"
She shook her head, "No...I guess we weren't."
He smiled softly at her, "But we're ready now…"
She chuckled a little, "Well I hope so! We just got married for a second time! If we aren't in love now than this all seems a little silly…"
He smiled and pulled his hands away, "Well I hope that it goes well for her…"
Lorelai smiled, "She's strong. She can handle this...no matter how it turns out."
His smile grew, "She's strong because of you…"
She leaned forward and rested one of her hands in her hand, "Luke…
He nodded slowly, "I mean it. We're all strong because of you. The last few months…" He shook his head and looked down, "Lorelai there were so many times I felt like my resolve was just going to break...but then I'd look at you and I'd be able to hold it together. You keep us all together…"
She swallowed hard, "You keep me strong Luke...we do that for each other. That's what couples are supposed to do, right?"
He smiled and nodded, "Yeah. But...you...you've always been strong. Stronger than you realize and it inspires me everyday."
She leaned further into her hand and smiled up at him, "You were right...we should get married every damn year."
He chuckled and reached across the table for her hand again. They held each other's gaze for a few moments and reveled in the feeling of happiness and love again.
Later that afternoon, Lorelai pulled up in front of the restaurant she was meeting Logan at. She took a few deep breaths, pulled at her mother's blouse and then exited the car. She pushed the door open and smiled at the hostess, whispering that she was here to meet someone. She looked around, and stopped when she saw the familiar face. He stood up slowly and gave her a slight wave.
Her feet moved forward and she was suddenly right in front of him, "Logan…"
He smiled at her, "Hey Ace...you look great."
She blushed slightly and leaned in for a hug, "It's really good to see you…"
He hugged her back, "It's good to see you too. I was glad this worked out." He pulled away and motioned to a chair for her, "How is everyone doing? How's your Mom? I spoke to your Grandpa recently...he said they were having another wedding ceremony."
Rory smiled and sat down across from him, "Yeah. It was yesterday actually. They went off on Luke's boat for a little getaway. They needed it...it's been a crazy few months."
Logan nodded, "I know. When I heard what happened with your Dad…" He shook his head, "I couldn't believe it...how is Jack?"
She shrugged and glanced down at her hands, "He's dealing with it. Somedays are easier than others I think...but for the most part he has been so strong. He's had a lot of questions...and we are doing our best. But...he seems good."
Logan smiled softly and reached across the table for her hands, "And how are you?"
Letting out a shaky breath she shrugged, "I'm...actually okay. I'm learning to let it go in some ways...it's been hard. But…" She smiled softly, "Luke legally adopted me...and in a way that's been a good way of letting Chris go…"
Logan's face softened, "Wow. That's great that he did that. I know that he cares about you like you are his own."
Rory nodded, "Yes he does. He's been great...not just the last few months or years...but since I've known him. It just...felt right."
Logan smiled and pulled his hands away, "I'm happy for you Ace...you seem...content."
She took a deep breath, "I am. I'm actually moving back...I'm at Mom's place now but I'm moving into an apartment in Hartford soon. I got a job at Yale."
"I heard a rumor about that...those students will be very lucky to have you as a Professor." He said honestly.
"Thank you Logan...that means a lot." She nervously pushed back her hair, "So...enough about me. How are you?"
Logan's face turned slightly red, "Oh...well...I've been working a lot and…" He cleared his throat and then sighed, "I'm...I'm getting married…" He blurted out.
She sat up straighter and her mouth fell open slightly, "Oh...oh wow. Logan that's great! Congratulations-"
He cringed, "It just happened recently right before I heard everything that was going on with your family…" He sighed, "But...I felt like I needed to tell you this in person. Considering…" He shrugged, "For a long time I assumed it would be you I married…"
She felt a tug at her heart but strangely she wasn't jealous, just surprised, "Logan...it's okay. We…" She paused for a moment, "We just grew apart...it happens."
He nodded slowly, "I did love you…"
She smiled and nodded in response, "I loved you too Logan...but sometimes it isn't enough." She cleared her throat again, "So...who is she?"
Logan smiled, "Her name is Jessica...she went to Princeton...she works at an art gallery in Boston. We met through my Mother believe it or not…" He laughed a little, "But she's...wonderful. And I'm really happy…"
She smiled at spoke honestly, "You look happy Logan...and I'm happy for you. And this Jessica…" She said softly, "You tell her to be good to you...or she'll have to deal with me."
He smiled, "I just...want you to know that no matter what...if you ever need anything I'm here."
She nodded slowly and reached for his hand, "Thank you Logan...that means a lot. And...I'll always be here for you too."
He squeezed her hand and then picked up a menu, "So...that stomach of yours still lined with iron?"
She chuckled and picked up her own menu, "It is...and I hear this place has massive sandwiches! But...I might need two…"
Logan and Rory fell into a comfortable conversation like no time had passed. And though it had turned out differently than Rory had expected...in some way she felt at peace with it. After everything she had been through in the last few months, she realized everything happened for a reason. And things would happen when they were supposed to...she just had to be patient.
After lunch, Rory drove to her Grandparent's house and parked in the driveway. She smiled at the maid as she took her coat and walked into the foyer to find her Grandmother reading.
"Hi Grandma." Rory said stepping up to her.
"Rory!" Emily said happily as she stood up, "What a wonderful surprise." She hugged her tight, "What a wonderful day yesterday was. Have you talked to your Mom yet?"
"I spoke to her this morning. She sounded like she was having a great time." She said as she sat down beside her.
"Wonderful. They deserve to have a nice break…" Emily said as she sat down beside her, "What brings you here? Everything alright?"
Rory nodded, "Oh yeah. Everything is fine. I was just having lunch nearby and decided to stop by. Hope that's okay. Where's Grandpa?"
"It's more than okay. He's in his office meeting with your Mother's lawyer and his new intern. Who did you have lunch with?" Emily asked curiously.
Rory tucked her hair behind her ear, "Logan Huntzberger…"
Emily raised an eyebrow, "Oh...I saw his mother recently and heard he was-"
"Getting married." Rory said with a smile, "Yes...he told me."
Emily smiled, "I wasn't sure if I should tell you...with everything else going on I decided not too. Are you alright?"
Rory shrugged, "It was a little weird when he first told me...and there was a moment of sadness. But to be honest I'm okay with it. Logan and I weren't meant to be together...he's a great guy but we just...we didn't work. And that's okay. I'm happy for him."
Emily squeezed her hand in hers, "That's very mature of you Rory." She opened her mouth to speak again but they heard voices coming from Richard's office. "Richard look who stopped by!"
Richard turned and smiled at his grand daughter, "Rory! What a wonderful surprise."
"Hi Grandpa." She said standing up to greet him, she turned towards her Mother's lawyer, "Hi Phillip. Everything going well with the case?"
"Seems to be. Since your Father is pleading guilty there isn't much to do at this point. It's really just waiting to see what the sentence is." He turned to the man behind him who Rory had barely noticed until now, "Rory this is my intern Ben Meyer. He'll be working closely with us. If you ever have questions but can't get in touch with me, you can refer to him."
Rory let her eyes linger over the tall, dark and handsome male. He had slightly shaggy dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. He had a number of freckles on his face and a bright smile that made her heart jump in her chest. She watched as he put his hand out to her to shake, "Hello Rory. It's nice to meet you."
When their hands met she swallowed hard but forced herself to speak, "Hello Ben...it's nice to meet you too."
"Ben went to Yale too." Richard said proudly, "Graduated a few years earlier than you."
Rory nodded slowly, "Oh wow. A fellow bulldog…" She said nervously, "You must be a great lawyer then."
Ben smiled, "I'm hoping to be. Your Grandpa said you are going to be a Professor there?"
Rory smiled nervously, "Yes. I start after Christmas...I'm teaching creative writing and helping out with the Paper."
"That's great." Ben replied, "I'm still on campus a lot so maybe I'll see you around…"
"Maybe." Rory said feeling a blush grow in her cheeks, "Although I'm sure I'll see you before then...with the trial coming up."
Ben nodded, "Right." He reached into his pocket and held a card out to her, "If you have any questions please feel free to call me."
She took the card and smiled nervously, "I will. Thank you."
"Well we should get back to the office." Philip said to Ben before he shook Richard's hand, "I will call you if anything changes."
"Thank you." Richard said softly, "I'll see you out."
Rory watched as her Grandfather escorted the two men towards the front door. She slowly turned back towards her Grandma and sat down beside her, still clutching the card in her hand. Emily smiled at her grandaughter, "Your cheeks are flushed…"
Rory looked up quickly, "They are?" She pressed a hand to her cheek, "They feel warm…"
Emily chuckled, "He's cute…"
"Who?" Rory asked looking back down at the card, "Ben? Yes...yes he's...he's handsome."
Emily smiled and reached for her hand, "I know you had lunch already...but would you like to stay for some coffee?"
Rory smiled as she looked up at her Grandma, "I'd like that…"
"Good. Come on...I know Ben's family well. I can tell you all about him." She said wrapping her arm around her granddaughter as they walked towards the dining room.
Lorelai and Luke were walking through the small New England town they were staying in for the night. They had decided to check into a Bed and Breakfast for at least this night to have a shower and enjoy time on the mainland. They were taking a walk near the beach, and Lorelai was balancing on a wall overlooking the ocean. Luke stood on the pavement beside her, his hand firmly in hers to make sure she didn't fall.
She giggle as she swayed slightly, "Sick of me yet?"
He laughed and squeezed her hand as she jumped over a crack in the wall, "Not even a little bit."
She stopped and turned back towards him, reaching out for his shoulders. He smiled, grabbed her by the hips, lifted her slowly and placed her down in front of him. She lifted her arms up and wrapped them around his neck, giving him a gentle and happy smile, "Well that's good to hear."
He reached up and pulled a lock of her hair, "You sick of me?"
She shook her head, "Nope. I happen to like spending time with you." She wrapped her arm around his and they began to walk again, "Think the kids are driving Jess nuts yet? He had them alone for most of the day."
"Serves him right for feeding them ice cream for breakfast." Luke said with a chuckle, "It will be the best form of birth control for him."
Lorelai laughed beside him, "That's true…" She was about to speak again when she heard her phone ding, she lifted it out of her pocket and smiled when she saw Rory's name on the front. "I wonder how lunch went."
She flipped it open and saw the words "So much to tell you! Logan is getting married. Don't worry I'm okay. And...your lawyer has some new eye candy working for him. ;) Hope you are having fun! See you soon.
"Eye candy huh?" Luke whispered reading over her shoulder, "Interesting…"
Lorelai laughed, "Sounds like a conversation we will have to have in person…" She slipped the phone back in her pocket and then wrapped her arm around his waist, "At least she doesn't seem upset about Logan…"
Luke squeezed her shoulder, "She was too good for that Huntzberger kid anyway…"
Lorelai laughed, "You think everyone is too good for her...April too."
"And I'll feel the same way about Elise when she gets old enough to think she can date." Luke said quickly in response.
"When she think's she's old enough to date?" Lorelai asked with a laugh, "What does that mean?"
"It means she will never be allowed to date as long as I am alive...and even after that I'll probably haunt any guy who thinks they can even look at her. She's my little girl and I plan on keeping her that way." He said stubbornly.
Lorelai laughed and held him closer, "Luke...you're the one that always tells me we can't keep them from growing…"
He sighed, "I know...but sometimes I hate to think about them growing up. I hate to think of things changing…"
"I know." Lorelai said softly, "You know I feel the same way. But I guess it's all apart of life...besides we have great kids babe. They are all going to take the world by storm. I can't wait to see what they decide to do...who they will become."
Luke smiled, "Me neither…"
She was quiet for a moment as they continued to walk, "Do you worry about what kinds of questions they will have when they are older?"
"You mean about Christopher?" Luke asked as they walked on, he felt her nod beside him, "Yeah. I do...Elise may not remember much. But Jack will...and he'll have questions and I wonder how it will all affect him. But all we can do now is do our best to be there for him...get him any help that he may continue to need. He seems well adjusted...but time will tell I guess."
Lorelai stopped and sat down on the wall she had been walking on earlier, "You're right…"
Luke stared down at her and lifted her face slightly, "Whatever happens...we will deal with it together. Just like we always do."
She smiled up at him and nodded, "I know."
He traced the line from her ear to her chin and frowned, "What's wrong?"
She shook her head, "Nothing. It's just weird...I mean sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday I found out I was pregnant with Rory. And in the blink of an eye all these years passed...she's in her late twenties and I have these other kids...this whole life I never expected to have. Sometimes it all seems like I will wake up and realize it's been a dream."
He nodded, "I understand that. Some of it has been a giant blur...but it isn't all a dream Lorelai. It's real...this is our life. The good and the bad."
She smiled and leaned into his touch, "Despite the last few months...there has been more good than bad. Much more good…"
He smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips, "I think so too…" He pulled away and looked around, "You know this reminds me of a place I would visit when I was helping Liz and TJ during the Renaissance Fair."
She looked around, "Oh really?"
Luke nodded, "Yeah. One day TJ was making me mental...well more so than usual." Lorelai laughed, "It was about a week into me being there...and I was frustrated mostly because I hadn't seen you...and I was still unsure about what was going on with us. So I went for a drive and ended up by the water...it had a wall like this and I just sat there and thought."
"About what?" She asked as she pulled him down beside her.
Luke straddled the wall so he could stare at her, he smiled sheepishly, "You mostly. Us...trying to wrap my head around what was happening."
She smiled and reached for his hand, rubbing it gently, "Luke…"
"I had wanted us to be together for a long time...and then I had my chance and had to run away right after our first kiss." He looked back at her with a smirk, "I was going crazy…"
She giggled, "I was going pretty crazy too...trust me."
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her shoulder, "I had had a taste...and I wanted more. But mostly...I just wanted to know if we were on the same page...I was afraid we weren't."
"Sometimes...I think it was probably good that you had to leave after it first happened...I was always worried I would have pushed you away if you were home that summer." She said softly, "Because I was scared...and somehow talking to you on the phone was easier than talking to you in person...which is strange because we had known each other for 8 years at that point."
Luke nodded, "I agree though. We had crossed that line between friends and something more...but we didn't have to be face to face. Made it easier to be more open on the phone…"
She nodded, "There was this one time that after we got off the phone that I really wanted to see you...needed to see you. And I swear I was about ready to drive all the way up to Maine and find you...but I chickened out."
He smiled, "Trust me...there were many times I packed up to come back home too. I was missing you like crazy…"
She lifted her hand and ran her thumb along the lines in the corner of his eyes, "When you came home...I still didn't know what to expect. And then you took me to Sniffys…and afterwards we…" She blushed softly, "I don't think I'd ever been so scared...yet so...ready at the same time." She laughed slightly, "That probably made no sense…"
He shook his head, "No...I get it. I felt the same way…"
She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, "I'm lucky you still like me after all these years...I don't know how I haven't driven you to the loony bin."
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "There have been a few close calls…" She shoved him playfully and he smirked, "But yeah I still like you after all these years…"
She smiled and gave him a slow nod, "You know...it's getting a little chilly." She said with a playful smirk.
He glanced around, "It is? I feel fine…"
She rolled her eyes and stood up, "No. It's cold. And there's a nice warm jacuzzi tub back at the Bed and Breakfast that we should use to warm us up…"
Luke's eyes widened and the stood up quickly, "Suddenly I'm freezing!" He said pretending to shiver slightly.
She laughed and linked her arms with his, "Come on Burger boy…"
Luke smiled as they walked together back towards where they were staying for the night. Despite all the questions and concerns about the future...he knew they would be fine as long as they stuck together.
Back in Stars Hollow, Jess was fast asleep in bed by 7:00pm with Jack after a sugar filled day. Elise had finally given in too and had gone to sleep in her own bed. April was sitting on the couch filling out college applications and Rory was finishing up cleaning in the kitchen when she heard a knock on the door. She dried her hands and walked to the foyer to open the door.
Her heart jumped in her chest when she saw who was on the other side, "Ben. Hi…"
He smiled sheepishly at her, "Hi. Sorry for the late call...but Phillip forgot to give you some paperwork when he saw you earlier. He said he wanted you to have a copy of the terms of your Dad's guilty plea. I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
She smiled and shook her head, "Oh no. Not at all. My brother and sister are already asleep. I'm just cleaning up dinner."
Ben smiled, "That's nice you are watching them. Phillip said your parents are away on a second honeymoon."
She nodded, "Yeah. Just a quick getaway. They needed it." She stepped aside, "Do you want to come in for a minute so I can look over the papers?"
Ben smiled, "Um sure...that'd be great."
Rory led him into the foyer and through the hallway to the kitchen, she caught April's eye. She gave her a look that said, 'who's the hunk?' but Rory only stuck her tongue out at her and moved further into the kitchen. She motioned towards the table and Ben smiled as he opened his folder and began to take papers out, suddenly his stomach rumbled and he blushed nervously.
She smiled, "We have some leftover pizza...do you want some? Should be still warm."
He shook his head, "Oh no that's okay. I can't ask you too-"
She smiled wider, "It's no big deal. You're an intern. I'm sure you barely have time to sit let alone eat. We have plenty. Do you like pepperoni?"
He nodded, "Yes. Thank you."
She went towards the pizza box on the stove and put two slices on a plate before bringing it over to him, "Want some water?"
"That would be great." He said sitting down as he slid the papers across the table to where she would sit.
Rory got him a glass of water and returned to the table, "Have you seen my Fath-" She paused briefly, "Have you seen Christopher at all?"
Ben swallowed his bite of pizza and shook his head, "No. I haven't met him yet. I probably won't see him until the day of the trial." He paused and reached for his glass, "I've finally caught up on everything with the case...this can't be easy for you."
Rory blushed nervously and looked down, "It's been challenging that's for sure...I was never very close to him as it is. He was a very absentee father...but I never expected any of this."
Ben watched her for a moment, "I was raised by my Dad...my Mom left when I was a baby. I've only seen her about two times in my life. I'm not sure where she even lives now...but my Dad and I are extremely close. I can understand difficult parent relationships though."
Rory frowned softly, "I'm sorry she did that to you...I know how confusing it can be."
Ben nodded, "That's for sure...and it doesn't get any easier as you get older like you'd think." He shrugged, "My Dad remarried when I was in High School...I love my Step Mom but...there's always that part of me that wonders about my real Mom and why she didn't want me."
"I can understand that." Rory whispered, "Luke has been in my life since I was young...he didn't get together with my Mom until I was much older but he was always there when we needed him. It wasn't until this last year really that I really let my own Dad go and let Luke really fill that hole. I should have done it years ago but I couldn't…"
"Somethings are not easy to let go of...family relationships are usually the most complicated." He said honestly.
"You're right about that." She said leaning back in her chair.
Ben watched her for a moment and then looked down at his plate, "Um...I don't know if this is overstepping my boundaries but...do you think you'd like to get dinner with me sometime?"
Rory blushed softly and pushed her hair behind her ear, "I...I'd like that."
He let out a breath of air, "Wow. Really? Totally expected you to say no…"
She laughed slightly and cocked her head to the side, "Why?"
He shrugged, "You're...incredibly beautiful. Definitely out of my league."
She smirked and shook her head, "I don't think that's true. Besides...you're a fellow Bulldog. We have to stick together."
Ben smiled and lifted his slice of pizza, "You know...I almost went to Harvard. But at the last minute I changed my mind."
She smiled, "Really? I thought I wanted to go to Harvard forever! But I changed my mind too!"
Ben leaned against the table, "Well Ms. Gilmore...I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Rory smiled wider, "I think you may be right about that Mr. Meyer…"
Her heart flip flopped in her chest and she relaxed into a comfortable conversation with him. It had been a long time since she had felt this at ease with a guy and she had a good feeling about it.
In their room, Lorelai flipped open her phone to see a picture from April. It was a picture of Rory sitting at the kitchen table with a young man with the caption, New Lawyer friend is quite the looker!
"Who's that?" Luke asked glancing over her shoulder as he toweled his hair off.
Lorelai smirked, "I have a feeling it's the eye candy Rory was mentioning from earlier…"
Luke leaned in and glared at him, "Looks like a tool…"
Lorelai rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully, "You would say that."
Luke plopped down on the bed beside her and shrugged, "Just being honest. She could do better."
She giggled and threw her phone aside before cuddling up beside him, resting a hand on his chest as she stared down at him, "Someday you're gonna have to let go of all three of them you know…"
"No I don't. In fact I've been thinking I should invest in a shotgun." He said with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes again, "You don't believe in guns!"
"When it comes to keeping all the morons in the world away from my three daughters yes I do." He said turning to stare at her.
She smiled and leaned down to press her lips to his, "You're adorable...but crazy."
He sighed, "I just...I don't want them to get hurt." He paused and reached up to twirl a lock of her hair, "I get scared sometimes...I think about that day that I…" He swallowed hard, "That day that I saw you after Chris hurt you and it kills me. I felt like I couldn't breath when I saw you...and the idea that someone could do that to my girls too…" He shook his head, "I can't shake that fear."
"Aw hon…" She stroked his face gently, "Luke...you can't think like that. It will only drive you crazy."
"Trust me. I know. It drives me crazy on a daily basis." He sighed and rolled over on his side so he could face her, "I just want them to be happy...and Jack...and Jess...and you."
She nodded, "I know. And we all will be babe. We are now...despite everything that has happened we are happy and our kids are smart...and so is Jess. They are going to have their share of pain in their lives but they all have good heads on their shoulders. They'll make good choices...find good people to love."
He nodded and held her hand firmly in his, "Yeah I know...I just wish I could keep you all in a little bubble to make sure you're safe 24/7."
She giggled and leaned forward to press her lips to his, "I know...but we also need to let them live too."
"So they can't stay at the house with us forever?" He said with a pout.
She laughed and scooted closer to him, "Sadly no...but at least they will all be closer now."
"That's true." Luke said with a sigh, "And I guess we have some built in babysitters now...I can actually take you on dates occasionally."
She smiled and reached her free hand up to trace the worry lines on his face, "That would be nice."
He smiled gently at her, "So...second marriage…" He paused, "Well our second marriage...together…" He rolled his eyes and she chuckled, "You know what I mean…"
She nodded, "I do."
He smiled, "Any regrets? Or are you happy with the way things have turned out so far."
"No regrets." She said shaking her head, "I love our life...our family. And I love you...more now than I did years ago which is saying a lot."
He nodded in response, "I feel the same way…"
She sighed dramatically and rolled him back onto his back, "And although you refuse to give me another baby...can we do the baby making process thing?"
He chuckled, "Really? That's what you want to call it?"
"It sounded better in my head…" She said with a laugh, "Would it be better if I just said you wanna do it?"
He smiled and rolled her over onto her back this time, "How about you say...do you want to make love?"
She blushed slightly and then licked her lips before repeating his words, "Do you want to make love?"
"Yes." He said leaning forward to kiss her gently, "I do. I definitely do."
She pulled him closer and let him take the lead as their bodies reacted instinctively to one another. Six years of marriage...eight years of being romantically involved and almost 16 years of friendship...and she couldn't love another person more. He was everything to her. And she felt damn lucky to still have him by her side.
I will try and write more as soon as possible! Also working on "If you ever want to fall in love" and "Luke and Lorelai: A Playlist" still so keep an eye out for those too :) Thanks again for all the support!