Authors Note: Thank you to everyone who reviews and gives ideas! I really appreciate hearing all of the thoughts! If you have any ideas, feel free to let me know! Happy Holidays!
"I'm still willing."
"Great."
"So we're doing this?"
"So it seems."
"You're my girlfriend."
"It looks like it."
"And I'm your boyfriend."
"Yes you are...just so we're clear, I don't usually jump into bed with guys I've only been on one date with."
"No judgement here. We've been friends for the past couple months."
"I guess that's good."
He nods. "It is." He says, kneeling down and kisses her.
"I hope I can do this girlfriend thing the right way."
"You will."
"I haven't..."
"In two years, I know."
"I am not good at it."
"You'll be fine."
"Thanks, now get out of here."
He laughs and kisses her one more time.
"I will talk to you tomorrow."
She nods. "Talk to you tomorrow."
"Bye." He says, kissing her, getting up, dressing and then leaving.
Luke walks in his house, quietly, going to his room.
Lorelai washes up, changes and then climbs in bed.
'What a night."
She wakes up the next morning and wakes up rory.
"Wake up cupcake."
"Mommy?
"Yes, morning."
"What time is it?"
"Time to get ready for school."
"I"m still sleepy."
"Come on, up, up."
"Five more minutes."
Lorelai laughs. "Didn't think she'd use that line on me till she's at least 10, no, up now kiddo."
"So sleepy."
"Let's go. I'll make you hot chocolate."
"Yummy!"
"You have to get up."
"I am."
She pulls the covers off the bed.
"Now silly girl."
"Ah, ,mommy, it's cold."
"The blanket thief stole everything, you better get dressed fast."
"Oh no! Not the blanket thief!"
"That's right, hurry, hurry."
She gets up and gets dressed, Lorelai drops her off at school and then she heads into work.
"Hello Lorelai."
"Hi Mia."
"How are you sweetie?"
"Good. Yourself?"
"Fine. Just fine."
"That's a pretty big smile for being just fine."
"I have to get to work."
"Ohhhh no, dear you need to spill those beans this instance." She pulls her off to the side.
"Miaaaaa." She whines but smiles.
"Out with it now, it's a boy isn't it?"
"He's definitely not a boy, he's a man." She says dreamily thinking back to last night.
"Ah. Who is he?"
"His name is Luke."
"Danes?"
"Yeah. You know him?"
"Yes. He is a nice boy."
She smiles. "He is very Nice."
"Mhmm...you had a good night I take it?"
"Yes."
"Its written all over your face."
"Rats," She snaps her fingers. "Can't hide it, can I?"
"Not even a little bit dear, you seem happy."
"I am."
"Happier than you have been."
"Thanks Mia, I really am. Who knew one night could make a person feel like this."
"With the right guy."
"So he's a good guy right? Is there anything I should know?"
Mia smiles. "I think you're in good hands my dear."
"Okay."
"He comes from a great family."
"Okay. Good."
"So, good night?"
"Very good. It was amazing."
"You deserve it, and you better let me know when you need me to babysit that precious little girl."
"I will. I should get to work before my boss fires me."
"Ah yes, I hear she's a really stickler."
Lorelai laughs and heads off to start working...about an hour later, she is in the laundry room, shoving piles of sheets in the washer.
"Get in the damn washer, ugh, finally." She exclaims, slamming it shut, she huffs, wipes her forehead and when she looks over, she sees a young girl, about her age walking in circles looking confused.
She has red/auburn hair, a little on the heavier side but not overweight and looks friendly enough.
"Hi...are you lost?"
"I'm supposed to be interning here."
"Interning as a maid?"
"No, no, as a chef, or a cook, or a dishwasher, I don't know. I'm looking for the kitchen, some guys pointed me this way and started laughing, I am beginning to think they were just guests in the Inn or maybe they work here. I am sure there are child labor laws about that, or maybe not...I'm Sookie." She speaks very, very quickly, sticking out her hand.
"Wow. I didn't think someone could speak faster than me."
"What?"
"I'm Lorelai."
"Nice to meet you."She says, shaking her hand.
"You too. Now come on, Mia is this way.
She walks with her and they find Mia.
"Mia, have someone for ya."
Mia claps her hands once and smiles.
"Sookie, fantastic you're here."
"I got a little lost, this place is huge"
"Do not worry , it's alright. I see you've met Lorelai."
She nods.
"Lorelai, Sookie is going to be interning with our head chef here for the rest of her school year."
"Cool, where do you go to school?"
"The culinary , but they're paying me and counting it as school credit for my last year, to intern here."
"That sounds good."
"Yeah, I want to be a chef eventually. Figured, I need to start somewhere."
"That's true."
"So, she chose to come here." Mia says.
"I should get back to work." Lorelai says.
"Or you can show Sookie around."
"Are you sure?"
"She needs to be familiar with the area, and you could use some friends."
"Mia!" Lorelai protests, embarrassed.
"I am not so great at making friends either." Sookie chimes in. "Not many people want to be friends with the fat, klutzy girl."
"I wouldn't call you fat." Lorelai says kindly and Sookie smiles.
"Thanks."
"Come with me, I'll give you a tour."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Thanks Lorelai."Mia says.
"Sure."
She smiles as the two girls as they walk away.
"So, you're a maid?"Sookie asks.
"I am."
"Ah. Is that fun?"
"It pays the bills."
"Bills, yeah, you have a lot of student loans too?"
"No I uh, I actually don't go to college."
"Oh...how old are you?"
"21."
"Did you graduate already?"
"Never went actually, I never got the chance. I'm hoping to someday." She explains, not sure if she wants to tell this new stranger about her having a kid.
"That's great, ooo what's this?" Sookie says as they walk down a hallway, Lorelai laughs.
"A closet."
"What's it like being a maid?"
"Depends on the day."
She laughs.
"I mean sometimes it's ok, but when the rooms are trashed, different story."
"That's gotta be rough."
She shrugs. "Yeah."
"So, you and Mia, related?"
Lorelai laughs.
"No, but she is like a mother."
"You've known her for a while?"
"Just about 5 years."
"Did you grow up here too? I don't remember you."
"Oh um, no, I grew up in Hartford."
"Oh, nice, fancy."
She laughs. "Eh, I guess."
"Did you get to live in those big, fancy houses I see sometimes?"
"Get to? Or forced to?" She jokes.
"Ah. You did."
"Yes."
"Not a good experience?"
"I'd rather bite my fingers off."
"Ouch."
"Living there hurt more."
"Can't wait to hear that story."
"If you want to hang out sometime, we can grab some pizza or something." Lorelai offers.
"That'd be great!"
Lorelai finishes her tour and they end in the kitchen.
"Here's the kitchen."
"Great, thanks."
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
She nods.
"I should get back to my work."
"Right."
"See ya around."
"See ya."
Lorelai goes back to work and Sookie tries to figure out where she belongs in the kitchen.
It's been a busy day for Lorelai, so busy that she looks at the clock and sees that it's 3:45, Rory needs to be picked up at 4 from school.
"Shit, I'll never make it in time." She paces in the maids quarters, she finds one of the phones on the wall, dialing the hardware store's number.
"William's hardware, Will speaking."
"Mr. Danes, great, is um, Luke around? It's Lorelai."
"He is..."Luke just walked in.
"Right here."
He motions for him to come.
"Hello?"He says.
"Hey, it's Lorelai."
"Hi."
"I need a huge favor."
"Ok..."
"I uh...need you to pick Rory up."
"Wha...Lorelai, I don't know if I can do-"
"Please? I wouldn't ask unless I there was no other way. She's easy, I just need you to get her and bring her to the store, I'll swing by and pick her up in like an hour."
"But I don't know anything about kids."
"She takes care of herself, let her count the hammers or something, and she'll be fine."
"I don't even like kids, they throw up and cry and-"
Lorelai snorts and smiles. "Rory doesn't throw up or cry, I promise you'll be fine. It'll just be for one hour."
He sighs, rubbing his head. "Alright."
"Yes?"
"Yes."
"Oh god, THANK YOU Luke!"
"You're welcome."
"I've gotta go."
"Right."
"See you in a bit."
They hang up and Will looks at Luke.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Uh huh..."
"I'm uh doing Lorelai a favor."
"By?"
"Picking up her daughter."
"Oh are you now?"
"I am." He says and walks down one of the aisle's.
"Are you sure that's a good idea son?"
"What's the big deal?"
"You shouldn't be getting too attach to that little girl."
"I'm not, I'm just picking the kid up from school and bringing her back here. It's fine."
Will laughs and shrugs. "Alright son."
"I will be back in a few."
Luke walks over to the elementary, leaning up against a light post waiting for Rory.
A bunch of kids get let out of the school at 4, running off to different places.
Rory looks around and notices Luke in the distance.
"Hey Rory, you remember me right?" He calls out and she walks hesitantly over to him but keeps her distance.
She nods. "You're Luke."
"I am."
"What are you doing here?"
"We'll, I am here to pick you up."
"Why?"
"Your mommy is working."
"Oh. She always picks me up."