Author's note: Hey, thanks everyone for reading and reviewing! Just an FYI, sometimes they may feel a little out of character, but that's only because in my mind, they wouldn't be the same people they are when they're older, everyone grows and changes as they get older. Maybe Luke acted differently when he's 21 compared to an older person... Just the way I see it :) He has to learn from things, just like the other characters.
I so appreciate any and all ideas and any constructive criticism!
Hope you guys still like it!
"Thanks again for tonight."
He nods. "See you around Lorelai."
"See you around."
She smiles, gets out of the car and waves before turning and going into her house. Luke watches her close the door, then leaves.
Lorelai walks over to the couch and shakes her sister awake.
"Hey, Janie."
She yawns and moves the blanket, smiling at her sister.
"Hey, how was your night?"
"It was interesting."
"You get drunk?"
"No, I had a few drinks though."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Good."
"But, you had fun?"
"I think so." She smiles.
"That's great, I'm glad you went."
She laughs and sits on the couch with her sister.
"You're glad?"
"Yeah, you work hard and take care of that little girl 24/7, you needed some time out, away from being a mom."
"I gotta admit, it was kind of nice, but I did miss Rory."
"That's what makes you an amazing mom."
"Yeah, she is my girl."
"I know."
"She was good?"
"An angel."
"Good."
"So, I told mom and dad I was crashing here."
"Of course."
"I am not ready to sleep yet."
"Uh oh.."
"What?"
"What's on your mind?"
Jane hugs her knees to her chest. "I don't know."
"Come on, talk to me."
"Are you sure you're up for talking?"
"Always, I only have a couple drinks." Lorelai promises her.
"I don't know what I'm doing.."
"What do you mean?"
"After you moved out when Rory was a baby, mom and dad have gotten more and more intense, it's like they care but then they don't. You know I made high honor roll last school year, and I wanted to go on a trip with my friends this summer but they won't let me."
"Why won't they let you?"
"They're..."
"Let me guess, Paris?"
"Italy."
"And you have to go?"
"They say it's the last big trip before I go to college."
"Geez."
"How do I get out of it?"
"Wanna use my method?" She teases.
"Uh, no offense, but no thanks."
"Not taken, I would definitely not recommend it."
"Any useful suggestions?"
"Just explain to them that you don't want to go."
"To mom and dad?"
"Yes."
"Yeah right."
"You could try."
"I have. Won't work."
"They aren't budging?"
"Nope."
"Hmm..move in with me."
"Because that will go over well."
"True."
"I'd be better off getting pregnant." She teases.
"Please don't."
"It's looking better and better these days."
"Sweetie, you don't have to get pregnant to get out of mom and dads house."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Avoid them as much as possible during your senior year, and then find a college far, far away from here."
"But that means being far away from you."
"Hey, don't worry, you and I are always going to be sisters. No matter where you go to school, we'll be close and talk all of the time. I'll even come visit."
"Really?"
"Yeah, of course."
"And bring the munchkin?"
"Her too."
"Sounds wonderful."
"Ugh, you sounded like mom."
"Sorry."
"Don't do that again."
Jane laughs. "I'll try not to."
"Good."
It gets quiet.
"So, dad is pressuring Yale again."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"What are your thoughts?"
"I really don't want to go there."
"Then don't go."
"But dad really wants me to."
"So what?"
"He says it's a great school, and it won't be that hard for me to get in."
"Yeah but you don't want to go there."
"I don't know...maybe I'll like it."
"Jane.."
"What?"
"You need to stop doing everything mom and dad tell you to."
"Why?"
"Because they aren't right."
"They're our parents."
"Doesn't make everything that comes out of their mouth true."
"I guess."
"You need to do what makes you happy."
"I will."
"So, choose what school you want."
"I will."She smiles.
"Good."
It gets quiet again.
"What's up?"
"Nothing..just..really glad you're my sister." Jane says.
"I'm really glad you're my sister too."
"So you had fun at the party?"
"I did."
"What's that Luke guy like?"
"Can't quiet figure him out yet, if anything, it's nice finally having a friend around here."
"That's good."
"Yeah, it really is."
"Did you kiss?"
"Jane!"
"Well..."
'No, but we danced."
"Really?"
"And it was nice."
"Danced, how?"
"It wasn't a slow jam."
"Then what was it?"
"Just like, I don't know, group dancing sorta I guess."
"So really, no kissing?"
"I barely know him."
"Never stopped you before."
"Hey!"
"Your words from before, not mine."
Lorelai laughs. "Whatever, no, just group dancing, having fun. It was fun."
"Good."
"He is good looking."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, but still hard to figure out."
"Why?"
"He is just different."
"Different how?"
"It's hard to explain, he's very polite, but kinda of grumpy and unfriendly, yet friendly at the same time."
"Sounds confusing."
"It is..and then there's the whole mean thing he did."
"Huh?"
"He said something, I don't know, I think I might have overreacted. I think maybe he was just showing off."
"Or he's a jerk."
"He's not a jerk."
"How do you know?"
"He is not. I just think he is nervous."
"nervous?"
"He got a little touchy during dancing."
"Oh."
"And we were drinking."
"That could do it."
"I don't know many people in this town yet, might as well start somewhere."
"Good for you."
"I'm heading to bed, thanks again for tonight." She pulls out her wallet to pay her.
"Don't worry about it."
"Jane, take the cash."
"Lor, you can't afford to pay me, it's okay."
"Let me give you a little something."
"No, I enjoyed it. I wasn't after money."
"You sure?"
"I'm good."
"Thanks."
"We should sleep."
"Night sis."
"Night."
Jane lays back down on the couch and Lorelai heads to her room, thinking about her night and smiling.
The next morning, Jane has coffee made for Lorelai and breakfast (waffles in a toaster) made for breakfast for them.
"Morning."
"Mommy! How was your party?" Rory asks, happily sitting at the table eating waffles.
"It was great sweets, but I missed you."
"I missed you too!"
"You did?"
"Of course. I thought about you all night."
"Wow."
"You bet. You're my girl."
"Aunt Jane made waffles."
"I see."
"They're yummy."
"Want some?"
"I'd love some." Lorelai joins them and smiles at them, wishing more than anything that Rory could have the kind of family she deserves.
Soon after breakfast, Jane heads home and Rory and Lorelai go about their day.
For the rest of the month of July, Rory and Lorelai get settled into their new house, meet a lot of crazy, but sweet town folks and even attend weekly town meetings. Everyone in town loves them.
Luke and Lorelai have gotten to know each other more, and have become friends quickly. It's not August 2nd, one more month until Rory starts kindergarten.
For the past week, Lorelai hasn't spoken to Luke much, so they decide to stop by the hardware store to check up on them.
"Mommy, can I go look at the hammers?" Rory asks weirdly.
"Sure honey, but don't touch them."
"Okay!"
"Luke? Mr. Danes? Are you guys around?" Lorelai calls out around the store.
"Hey." Luke says, coming out from the back.
"Hi."
"What brings you here? Dresser of track again?"
"No."She laughs.
"Oh okay."
"Just stopped by to see how you were."
"Oh good."
"Your dad?"
"Good. He is actually picking up a shipment."
"Cool."
"You bring the kid with you?"
She laughs again. "Yes."
"She looking at hammers again?"
"Yes she is."
"You have a weird kid."
"Hey!"
Luke laughs and moves some things around.
"Kidding."
"Uh huh, you better be."
"It's kind of cool that she is interested in it."
"I think it's just the fact that there are so many."
"True." Luke laughs.
"So, how are you?"
"You asked that."
"Did I?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well okay."
He laughs.
"You want to grab lunch somewhere when my dad gets back?"
"Lunch sounds great."
"Good...good.."He says, not sure why he's nervous.
"Do you mind if Rory tags along?"
"Uh, sure. I don't mind."
"You can say no ya know."
"I like Rory, she's a cool kid."
"I know you do, but it doesn't mean you have to want to eat lunch with her. Maybe your dad can watch her."
"Yeah?"
She nods, smiling still. "It'd be fun to go grab lunch and catch up."
"I'll ask him. I am sure he won't mind. He actually likes her."
"And Rory loves him."
"Crazy girl." Luke teases.
"She is one of a kind."
Rory comes running over to the aisle they are in.
"Mom! Guess what?"
"What?"
"There are 5 different kinds of hammers and 15 of each kind."
"Wow!"
"And there are 20 screwdrivers."
"Cool, Rory, did you say hi to Luke?"
"Hi."She says and turns back to Lorelai.
"She loves says.
"Yeah, it's weird."
"She counted them too."
"I know."
"And she is not in school yet?"
"Not yet."
"Impressive."
"She's very smart."
"Mommy, are you guys talking about me?" She asks, getting embarrassed.
"Sweetie, we are just talking about how smart you are."
"Oh."
Luke's dad gets back a few minutes later and enters from the back.
"Hey, look who's here."
"Mr. Danes!" Rory shouts, running over to him.
"There's my favorite customer."
"I need to buy some nails."
"You do, do ya?"
Rory nods, very serious looking. "I decided I'm gonna build a butterfly book shelf."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yup, but I can't touch the hammer, mommy says no."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah and mommy isn't handy with the tools either."
He laughs.
"I am sure Luke can help build the shelf."
"Can't you do it?"
"I could, but butterfly shelves are Luke's forte."
"They are!?"
"That's the word on the street."
"Cool."
"So if you ask him, I bet he says yes."
She turns around and smiles.
"Luke?"
"Uh oh."
"Will you please, pretty please with sugar and sprinkles ,build me a butterfly bookshelf?"
"Thanks pops."
"No problem. Answer the girl."
He looks at her. "I'll see what I can do."
"If I add a cheery, will that help?"
"It might, like I said, I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you!"
"Yeah."
Luke looks at his dad and notices that he looks a little different.
"Dad? You okay?"
"Me? Yeah, I'm good, just tired."
"Tired?"
"Yeah. Feeling tired."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Son, I am fine. Just tired."
"Okay."
"Why don't you and Lorelai go out."
"We were going to go get lunch, but..."
"What?"
"Was going to see if the munchkin can hang here."
"Sure. Go, go, we'll be fine. She can help me count things."
"Great, thanks."
"Yeah, thanks Mr. Danes."
"For the last time Lorelai, call me William."
She smiles and then kneels in front of her daughter.
"Sweetie, you want to hang out here and help Mr. Danes in the store?"
"Okay."
"I'll be back soon."
"Where are you going?"
"To lunch with Luke."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye."
She runs off.
"Guess she doesn't care." Lorelai says and they laugh and leave. They head to a little pizza place in town.