A/N: Hello again fanfic world! I've got another chapter here for you. I wasn't originally going to take it this way, but then my fingers just went there, so I guess I did too. It is actually going to make this story a little bit longer. I'm just not sure how much longer. I guess it just depends on what you, the readers, want.

A/N: I don't own GG. Never have, never will…boo.

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August 4, 1990

I still can't believe it Maddie. I've carried around his letter with me for the last two days so when I decide it really can't be true I can pull it out and re-read it again. And again. And again. I haven't been this happy about something in a long time. A really long time Maddie.

He's coming home.

And he loves me.

Things are really starting to look up for me. I'm going to head over to the store tonight and clean it up some. I'm not sure what Luke is going to want to do with it, but I want it to be ready when he comes back.

Rory is thrilled too. And I'm so happy that she's smiling again. Me too. I can't stop smiling. Miss Patty asked me what was up today, I just kind of shrugged her off. I'm not sure if Luke is going to want the whole town to know when he's coming back.

Then again, I don't really know when he's coming back either. Just that he is. The letter didn't say when, I'm not sure if he knew. But that really doesn't matter to me. Just that he is going to means the world to me. Of course, I'd like it to be soon, like today, but I've had patience up until now, what is another week. Nothing really…

And now I've got something to look forward to.

Yeah, things are defiantly looking up for us Maddie. And I think it is about time.

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"Lorelai?" Taylor's voice came through the front of the store, "Lorelai are you in here?"

Lorelai forced a grin onto her face and wiped a hand across her forehead before answering. "I'm right here Taylor. What can I do for you today?"

"What may I ask are you doing in here?" Taylor asked and Lorelai could tell he wasn't going to let this go easily. "This is not your property."

"I know that Taylor," Lorelai calmly answered, "but this is the Danes' property and building. I'm just keeping it up while Luke is out of town."

"Did you get permission to do that?"

"Permission?" Lorelai asked, "From whom?"

"From…the town, Luke, anyone."

"I have a key Taylor," Lorelai explained patiently, "I've always had a key. I'm allowed to be here. And I don't think I would need permission to come in and work if I wanted to. I'm not bothering anyone."

"As town selectman…"

"I know Taylor," Lorelai interrupted, "but I'm in a building owned by a friend, in which I have permission from them to be. I don't need to get your permission, or the permission of the 'town'. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work."

"Well," Taylor hissed, "we'll see about this. And with Luke skipping out and Liz moving to God only knows where, the building should be put under the authority of the town. I'm going to have to see about this Lorelai."

"Good luck Taylor," Lorelai answered sarcastically as Taylor scoffed and slammed the door on his way off.

"Mom," Rory interrupted Lorelai's thoughts, "why didn't you just tell Taylor that Luke is coming back?"

"Because sweetie," Lorelai told her, "I'm not sure if Luke is going to want lots of people to know that before he gets here, especially Taylor."

"Oh," Rory answered, "I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah," Lorelai smiled, "okay, let's get back to work."

They started back on straightening everything up, dusting, and just simply cleaning. It wasn't Lorelai's favorite thing to do, or Rory's, but they went at it with excitement. It was starting to get dark when they finally locked up and headed home. After heating up some leftovers for dinner, they settled in to watch some TV.

Lorelai carried Rory to her room after she'd fallen asleep, much later than she normally would have let her stay up, and kissed her forehead before sneaking quietly out of her room. She grabbed another cup of coffee before settling in again on the couch. She pulled the letter out of her pocket again and studied the words.

It was real. She knew that, but she had wished for it for so long that she wasn't sure she could believe it.

But she was learning to.

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August 6, 1990

I'm still excited. It's only been a few days really, so there isn't anything to worry about, right?

No, of course not. I'm over-reacting. Just like normal. I don't know why I'm panicking so much. I trust him. And I know that he is going to do what he says, I just have no patience.

It's something I'm working on. I've never really had patience…I'm not sure I ever really will, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.

I think I passed that on to Rory too. She's getting impatient for him to come home. She's still so young though, she doesn't really understand everything that is going on. My poor girl has been jerked around so much in her life, it really is hard on her.

Shit, I'm late. Mia is going to kill me, it is the third time this week! Hope she doesn't fire me…she won't, right. I should get to work. Bye.

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"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Lorelai cried as she burst into the Inn's main lobby. "I know, I'm late and I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Lorelai," Mia comforted her from behind the desk, "it is nice to work every once and awhile. I should do this more often."

"I think you work enough," Lorelai chuckled, "I really am sorry I was late. I got distracted."

"I really don't mind," Mia assured her, "so, have you heard from Luke lately? You haven't mentioned anything for a few days."

"Uh," Lorelai stuttered, "he sent a letter a couple days ago. He's doing good. He is actually, uh, thinking about coming home."

"Good," Mia nodded, "do you know when?"

"No," Lorelai shook her head, "unfortunately not. He said soon, but no time specific was given. That is a little frustrating, but I'm just remembering that he will be coming. I am working on patience."

"That is something everyone could use more of," Mia said with a laugh, "I'm glad to see you working on that though. And trust Luke, he's a good boy."

"I know that."

"I'm sure you do," Mia said with a sly grin, "well, I'm going to get out of here and let you do your job. Bye Lorelai."

"Bye Mia," Lorelai waived and watched as her boss shook her head on her way out. She wasn't sure what she was thinking, but knew Mia was imagining little Luke's and Lorelai's running around Stars Hollow in the near future.

Lorelai wasn't sure she was ready to imagine that, but she sure wasn't against it either.

It was going to be a long day.

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August 9, 1990

Another postcard today, a lot like the ones before the letter. But…I'm still not giving up hope. He sent it from Chicago this time. That is closer, which is a good sign, right Maddie? I sure want to think so.

It didn't say much though and that makes me nervous. What if he is rethinking it? God, I'm such a mess. I hate being this girl. The girl that is all dependant on a boy. But…he's the boy for me. I know he is.

I've never felt this way about anyone before. Not Chris, not anyone.

Wow. I haven't thought about Chris in awhile. I wonder what he is up to. I hope he's good. Contrary to what people may think, at least those who know about him, I don't actually hate him. I don't.

I mean, he fathered the one perfect thing in my life. I would change my life with Rory for anything…

And I really don't hate Chris, but things happen in life to make him not my favorite person in the world.

But Luke…Luke is the type of guy I want to grow old with. I think I knew that the first time I saw him…or, okay, that was a little strange, but when we started actually becoming friends…

That is when everything started to change.

I hope he hurries up and gets here. I miss him a lot.

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August 12, 1990

The lazy Saturday afternoon was really taking a toll on Lorelai's mental well-being. She was frustrated Luke hadn't shown up and she could tell Rory was too. She would catch Rory watching out the living room window when she thought Lorelai wasn't looking. It was breaking her heart. That was something she'd talk to Luke about in earnest when he did eventually show up.

It was even harder she didn't have anything to occupy her time with either. Other than work and the normal day to day stuff. The store was spotless. There really wasn't anything else she can do with it.

And it was really driving her crazy.

"Mom," Rory called from her room, "can we go to the library? I want a new book."

"Sure thing sweetie," Lorelai answered and grabbed her jacket. "Let's go."

Two hours and a whole armful of books later they started the walk home. When she looked up to the porch of her incredibly clean house, she noticed a body there. Someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Dad?"

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A/N: Ha-ha…nobody expected that, did they? Does anyone want to know why he's there? You should review so I'll tell you…review!