Here's the next chapter! Thanks for all your support so far! :)
Chapter 20
Luke had been discharged from hospital the day after he had woken up. He kept his promise to Lorelai by resting at their house, even if it was reluctantly. He got up early the following day just because he was used to it. He went into the kitchen to get breakfast. However it was much harder than he thought with his shoulder restrained and as he was cooking some bacon, he hastily tried to get some juice out of the fridge but it slipped through the fingers and spilt all over the floor.
"Great!" He muttered.
"Hey, what are you doing?" A voice said from the doorway.
"Trying to make breakfast." Luke grumbled.
"You're meant to taking it easy. I'm meant to be looking after you, not the other way round." Lorelai said softly.
"I'm more than capable to make breakfast." Luke grumbled, leaning down to clean up the juice but wincing as he jerked his shoulder.
"Come on hon, sit down for a minute." Lorelai said gently leading him to one of the kitchen chairs.
"I'm not an invalid! I'm perfectly capable of mopping up some juice and making some bacon!" He exclaimed frustrated.
Lorelai sighed. "I know." She said softly. "I know it's hard..."
"You don't know! How can you know how hard it is to have a broken shoulder? To not be able to do daily stuff that you normally do? To feel useless?" He snapped.
"Luke..." She said softly.
Luke sighed. "I'm sorry." He said gruffly. "It's just...I hate this. Not being able to do anything."
"I get that." Lorelai assured him. "I remember when I broke my leg and I couldn't work much at the inn. Rory had to do a lot for me which just felt wrong. I do understand. At least you know the diner's in safe hands."
"They didn't have to all help out. Jess probably has better things to do with his time back in Philadelphia and Rory and April should be enjoying their break." Luke said.
"They wanted to help." Lorelai assured him. "It was their choice."
"I know. I just still feel bad. I can't do anything." Luke said.
Lorelai rubbed his back comfortingly. "I know it sucks but you don't want to risk making your shoulder worse. It'll heal. It just takes a bit of time. How's the pain?"
"It's there." Luke grumbled.
"Ok, well I'll get your tablets for you and then how about I clean up the mess in here? You can have this bacon and then I'll head to the diner and get some more food." Lorelai smiled.
Luke sighed. "Yeah ok." He relented.
"Ok go sit in the living room and I'll be with you in a minute." Lorelai smiled. She turned around to lean down to mop up the juice when she felt a hand on her back. She turned round and smiled as she saw Luke stood there.
Luke gave her a kiss. "Have I thanked you for putting up with me?" He said.
Lorelai smirked. "I'm not putting up with you but yes you have."
"I do appreciate it." Luke said sincerely. "I just..."
"It sucks, I know." Lorelai smiled. "It's ok, Luke." She said softly.
"I love you, you know that right?" Luke said softly.
"Well that's good considering we're getting married." Lorelai grinned.
Luke chuckled. "True."
"I'll see you in a bit." Lorelai smiled.
Luke nodded and headed into the living room.
Lorelai entered the diner a while later to find the place pretty full. She smiled as she watched Rory and April walk around with a good flow, working well together. She walked up to the counter where Hayley was making more coffee and Rory was handing April two plates of food. "Table by the window, Elma." She joked.
"Got it Gertie!" April grinned and took the plates away.
Rory spotted her mom and smiled, heading over to her. "Hey!" She said.
"Hey! It seems to be going well in here." Lorelai commented.
"Yeah, it's been pretty busy but we've managed to keep on top of it." Rory smiled.
"That's a sight I never thought I'd see." Lorelai said nodding towards the kitchen where Tristan and Jess were cooking together, chatting civilly.
"Yeah...it's still a bit weird to me but it's nice. I'm glad they're getting on." Rory said.
"I guess it will make it easier at the wedding." Lorelai smiled.
"I'm still trying to suggest we go on a double date but I don't know if that's going to happen..." Rory joked.
Lorelai laughed. "That would be something." She said. "Thanks Hayley." She smiled at Hayley as she gave her a cup of coffee.
"How's Luke doing?" Rory asked.
"He's annoyed, frustrated...need I go on?" Lorelai sighed.
"Poor Luke." Rory said sympathetically. "It must be hard for him not to be here everyday."
"Yeah I think he misses it. But he really appreciates all of your help." She smiled.
Rory smiled. "So did you want to order some food?" She asked getting her pad out.
"Oh yeah! Can I get your biggest cheeseburger and fries and a turkey sandwich and a salad for Mr Healthy? To go as well please!" Lorelai said.
"Coming right up!" Rory grinned writing it down and giving it to Tristan and Jess in the kitchen. "Make it quick please!" She grinned at them.
"Yes ma'am!" Tristan gave her a mock salute.
Jess smirked and glanced across at him. "So where did you learn to cook then?" He asked.
"Oh well...you know...had to fend for myself a lot when I lived at home so I sort of had to teach myself." Tristan shrugged.
"Oh ok.." Jess said not pushing him any further. He glanced over at him. "So..uh..Rory has it in her head that she wants us all to go on a double date..." He said.
Tristan chuckled. "Yeah she mentioned that. I thought maybe she'd forget but I just heard her mention it to Lorelai."
"Rory never forgets." Jess smirked.
"True." Tristan smirked. He glanced across at Jess. "It would be kind of awkward though..."
"Oh very awkward!" Jess nodded.
Tristan looked at him. "It would mean a lot to Rory though.." He said cautiously.
"Yeah I know." Jess sighed.
"I mean, if it will be awkward for you two..." Tristan said hesitantly. "I know what it's like with exes..."
Jess glanced at him and sighed. "Look, you have nothing to worry about with me and Rory ok? Yes we dated and yes I would never regret the relationship we had because Rory is one of the important people in my life. She, like Luke, was one of the few people who believed in me and I will be forever grateful to her because of that." He said. "But we've both moved on. I'm really happy with Hayley. I haven't told her yet but I love her. And I've never seen Rory this happy with a guy since...well ever." He admitted. "You don't have anything to worry about."
Tristan nodded and glanced over at him. "Ok." He said. "Thanks."
Jess nodded. He then smirked. "We're not going to be able to get out of this double date are we?"
Tristan chuckled. "Probably not."
"I'll talk to Hayley about it and then maybe we can set something up before we all have to leave." Jess said.
"Ok. I'll let Rory know." Tristan said.
"Come on, we better get this food cooked or else Lorelai will be in here otherwise!" Jess smirked.
Tristan smirked. "Yeah. I'll make the burger and fries and you make the sandwich and salad."
"On it." Jess nodded starting to make the sandwich.
Tristan looked over at him. "You know, you're not half bad Mariano." He said. "I can see what Rory saw in you."
Jess smirked. "Yeah? Thanks." He said. "You're not half bad yourself. Much better than that blonde haired dick she was with before you." He smirked.
Tristan laughed. "I think even Kirk would be a better boyfriend than that jerk."
Jess chuckled. "True."
That evening Rory, Tristan and April returned to the Crap Shack. Jess and Hayley were staying at the apartment above the diner until they were heading back to Philadelphia after the weekend.
"I have so much respect for Luke now. I don't know how he does that everyday by himself! I'm exhausted!" Rory exclaimed dramatically as she opened the front door to the house.
"It was unusually busy today." April commented.
"Yeah...it was like the whole town wanted something to eat today." Rory yawned.
"We managed it though. I think that was down to our amazing front of house hosts." Tristan smiled.
"Always the charmer." Rory rolled her eyes but smiled and gave him a kiss. "Thanks for your help today."
"It's no problem. I was happy to help." Tristan smiled.
"Hey mom, hey Luke!" Rory smiled as she saw her mom and Luke snuggled on the couch.
"Hey hon!" Lorelai smiled.
"How was the diner?" Luke asked.
"Good. Busy today so we made a lot!" April smiled.
"Lots of tips as well." Rory said holding out the bag of tips towards Luke.
"Keep it." Luke waved her off.
"What?" Rory asked surprised.
"You earned them. Keep them. I know you both have some books you've had your eye on." Luke said.
"You're the best dad!" April grinned giving him a gentle hug. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit better. The pain's gone a bit but I've taken the tablets so that's probably why." Luke said.
"I'm sorry you're so unhappy." Rory said sympathetically. "But it's better to make sure it heals well instead of making it worse isn't it? I'm sure the time will go quickly."
"I doubt it but thanks." Luke sighed.
"Hey! What's the saying, time flies when you're having fun right? And with me as your nurse, how can you not have fun?" Lorelai joked.
Luke smirked slightly. "I guess you can be mildly entertaining."
"Huh! Thanks for the compliment!" Lorelai mock pouted.
Luke smirked and gave her a kiss. "You've been great." He said softly.
Lorelai smiled. "Well I am the best nurse. Right Rory?" She grinned at her daughter.
"Oh sure! Freaking out about making mashed potatoes for me when I had chicken pox and after making a disaster zone in the kitchen, running to Luke for help did make you best nurse ever." Rory joked.
Lorelai pouted again. "I don't like it when you two gang up against me. It's not fair!"
Rory grinned and gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. "I love you really. You know that."
"Sure whatever, traitor!" Lorelai said.
Rory grinned. "I'm going to go do some studying and then head to bed. Night."
"Night sweets." Lorelai smiled as she watched Rory and Tristan head to Rory's room.
"Night." Luke said.
"Yeah I think I'm going to follow suit." April yawned. "Things will get better, dad." She said giving Luke a kiss on the cheek. "Night!"
"Night honey." Luke smiled at his daughter.
"Night hon!" Lorelai smiled as she watched April disappear off to Rory's room as well. She then turned to Luke. "We're lucky aren't we? To have them."
Luke smiled. "We've got amazing kids." He agreed.
Lorelai smiled and snuggled back down next to him. "I love you." She said softly focusing her attention back to movie they were watching.
"I love you too." Luke said softly kissing the top of her head. "And you're right. You are a pretty amazing nurse so thank you."
Lorelai smiled and enjoyed leaning into the warmth of his body. "Well I wouldn't be anywhere else." She said softly.
Hope you liked it! Please keep the reviews coming as I love reading your comments so thank you! :)
