Luke woke at 8:30 the next morning. That was unusual for him as he was used to waking up early to the open the diner. But the past couple had months had changed his habits. He found it was better to sleep in until at least 8 most mornings. Lorelai would usually stay in bed a little longer after he got up. He would make breakfast and she would come downstairs once it was cooked. Some mornings they would wake up around the same time and just lie in bed.

This morning, Lorelai was not there. Luke had gotten a good sleep without her, but he still missed waking up next to her. After stretching, he slowly got out of bed and walked over to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, he scratched his chin. His beard itched. He decided to shave after showering. A half hour later, he was facial hair free, not even leaving any stubble.

Downstairs, he started cooking breakfast for himself and Rory. He expected she would wake up to the smell of bacon cooking. When he was almost done cooking, Rory came out of her room.

"Morning Luke,"

"Morning. Is bacon and eggs all right with you?"

Rory smiled softly. "Yeah, sounds great. Thanks."

Luke just smiled back and put her food on a plate and brought it over to her as she took a seat at the table. They chatted as they ate and after they were finished, Luke told Rory he was planning to clean up the house. They would be heading back to the hospital in a couple hours to take Lorelai home.

"Want some help?" Rory offered. She wasn't in the mood to do schoolwork. She would be heading back to Yale the next day.

"Sure. Do you mind starting on the living room? I'm gonna work on the kitchen." Luke glanced around the kitchen.

Rory headed to the living room while Luke started the dishes. An hour and a half later, the whole downstairs was spotless and Luke was tidying up the bedroom when Rory came upstairs.

"Ready to go?" She asked.

"One second." Luke replied. He was putting a picture in a frame. It was the picture of him and Lorelai that was taken at the Vineyard. The girl had emailed it to Lorelai as promised and she had printed it. She didn't get around to putting it in a frame.

Luke placed the picture on top of the dresser. Rory walked over and looked at it.

"Aww. That's a cute picture. It was taken right after you proposed right?"

"Yep," Luke smiled. He glanced at the picture for a few seconds before turning to leave. Rory followed him out the door.

A little while later, they were in Lorelai's hospital room. The doctor had cleared her for release and she was sitting on her bed, waiting for them to bring a wheelchair. It was hospital policy for all patients to leave in a wheelchair.

"You feel okay?" Luke asked, concerned that she was in pain.

"I'm still sore but I've got a prescription for pain meds we need to pick up."

Luke just nodded. A nurse came in with the wheelchair and helped Lorelai into it. Luke pushed her and Rory walked beside her.

"We went to Sniffy's last night. It was nice, even Grandma and Grandpa liked it." Rory told Lorelai.

"Really? I thought you would have gone to a restaurant in Hartford. My parents liked Sniffy's? Are you sure they weren't body snatched when you weren't looking?"

"I thought I'd take them there so they could meet Maisy and I wanted to show your parents my life… let them get to know me better. They are going to be my in laws." Luke said.

Lorelai giggled a little. "Well I'm happy to hear that you guys enjoyed your time together. I love that my parents have become more accepting of you."

"Maisy was really sweet and the food was great. I'd love to go back there one day and I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa would come too." Rory added.

"Well, we'll all have to go together one day." Lorelai said softly.

They got to the Jeep ten minutes later. Rory helped Lorelai in to her seat and Luke went to return the wheelchair.

"Hey mom?" Rory said her tone serious.

"Yeah hon?"

"I didn't tell you yesterday, but Dad was here and he left after they told us the surgery went well. He told me to tell you he's glad you're okay." Rory tried not to show her disappointment,

"Oh, well it's good he showed up but too bad he couldn't stay… for you." Lorelai didn't know how to feel. She wasn't sure how Rory felt either. Obliviously she couldn't control when Christopher showed up and Rory was a twenty one year old. She and Christopher could decide things for themselves.

"Yeah, at least he was there for a little while. He had to leave to pick up Gigi."

"And um you're fine with him coming and going as he pleases? I mean you don't wish that things were different?" Lorelai bit her lip.

"No. I've learned to accept that he'll be there when he's there and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm okay with our relationship, really. Besides I had Logan there and also Luke was there for me." Rory replied. She didn't want to tell Lorelai that Luke had left for a bit. That was his decision, whether to tell Lorelai or not.

Luke returned at that moment. He started up the Jeep and asked Lorelai if she wanted the radio on.

"You don't mind?"

"Nah," He shrugged.

"Okay turn it on then… and Luke?"

Luke looked at her, eyebrow raised.

"Thank you. For staying with Rory in the waiting room while I was in surgery."

"Of course," He answered.

Lorelai smiled and Luke pressed the button to turn on the radio.

When they arrived home, Lorelai immediately noticed how clean the house was.

"Did you clean the whole house?" Lorelai gasped. She was looking at Luke.

"Yeah, it needed to be done." Luke said simply.

"And I helped." Rory piped.

"Well thank you." Lorelai said. "The house hasn't looked this good in years."

"You're welcome." Luke placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you want some coffee?"

"That'd be great thanks."

"You too?" Luke asked Rory.

"Sure thanks Luke."

Luke went into the kitchen.

"You want to watch a movie or something?" Rory asked. She figured Lorelai would want to relax.

"Um I think I'm gonna have a nap after my coffee. That sounds weird since I'm drinking caffeine but I didn't sleep much in the hospital." Lorelai admitted.

"Okay. You need your rest."

They walked into the kitchen to find Luke pouring their coffee. After drinking their coffee, Rory went into her bedroom to study and Lorelai headed upstairs. Luke followed her.

"Aw you framed the picture. I've been meaning to do that." Lorelai picked up the picture and gave Luke an affectionate look.

"It's a nice picture, isn't it?" He said.

"It's very cute, and it's our first picture together. Our first one as a couple at least," Lorelai remembered the picture Rachel had took of them at the Firelight Festival.

"Oh yeah it is." Luke nodded.

"Most couples take pictures to announce their engagement but we didn't because of… well because of the different circumstances." Lorelai said quietly.

Luke stepped closer to her. He put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him. "You're okay with that right?"

"Of course, my health comes first. I'm just happy we're engaged, that we're going to spend the rest of our lives together." She grinned and turned, put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him.

It was a quick kiss but he gave her a peck when she pulled back. He couldn't help but smile at her.

"You shaved! I was surprised when I saw you this morning." Lorelai ran her thumb over his chin.

"Yeah my beard was getting so itchy and I didn't want it to get any longer." He explained.

"Well I like shaven Luke but I also like facial hair Luke." She squinted at him.

"Good to know." He said, sounding confused.

She laughed. "I love you either way."

He just smirked and pulled her in for another kiss. They shared a few tender kisses.

Lorelai took her jeans off and put on a pair of sweatpants. She got in bed and patted the spot next to her.

Luke lied down next to her, lying on top of the covers. "Is there anything you need?" He asked.

"Nope. I'm good. I should be able to sleep."

"Want me to stay?" He rubbed her arm.

"If you want to," She closed her eyes for a second. "It is nice to be next to you again. It was only one night but I missed sleeping next to you."

"Me too," He said in a low voice.

She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes again. "It's good to be home." She whispered after a minute.

He pressed a quick kiss to the top of her head then put his arm around her waist. She was lying on right side, the opposite side of the surgery site.

Luke lied there until she fell asleep. He shut the door behind him quietly and headed downstairs. He called Mia to update her on Lorelai then ate lunch with Rory. Lorelai woke up a couple hours later and they all watched a funny movie together. Right as the movie ended, the phone rang.

Lorelai picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hello Lorelai." Emily answered.

"Mom hey, what's up?"

"I'm just calling to check up on you. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, happy to be home. How are you and Dad? I heard you went to Sniffy's last night." Lorelai

"We're all right. Yes, it was a nice little place. I was surprised actually. The food was very good and Luke's friend… what was her name?"

"Maisy,"

"Yes, Maisy, she was very friendly. Your father and I had a good time." Emily said.

"I'm glad to hear that. Thanks for going, it meant a lot to Luke and me and Rory too."

"Well it was a nice evening." Emily let out a breath. "So are you following the doctor's orders?"

"Yes Mom. I had a nap when I got home and I took my pills."

"All right. I was calling to ask if you and Rory and Luke are coming for Thanksgiving dinner in a couple weeks."

"Oh um yeah I think we should be able to come." The past couple weeks flew by and Lorelai forgot what date it was.

"We'll see you soon." There was a noise on Emily's end. "Your father wants to talk to you."

"Put him on."

"Lorelai, hello," Richard said.

"Hi Dad, how's it going?"

"Well, thank you. Are you feeling okay? Is your recovery going well?"

"Yes. I'm just happy to be home." Lorelai answered.

They chatted a little more before Richard asked to speak to Rory. He and Rory talked for a little bit.

Luke yawned.

"Ready for bed hon?" Lorelai asked rubbing his leg.

"Yeah, are you two staying up?"

Rory looked at Lorelai. "I think I can watch another movie. How about you?"

"Yeah, I'm up for it." Lorelai told her. "We can watch a chick flick without Luke complaining." She teased.

"Goodnight." Was all Luke said before he gave Lorelai a quick kiss and stood up.

"Night," Lorelai and Rory called after him.

Rory put a new movie in then sat next to Lorelai. They snuggled up close. Rory hit the play button and started the movie.

"Hey, you know what would be good right now? Red Vines." Lorelai whispered.

"I think we have some." Rory said. She started to move.

"You don't have to get them. We just got comfortable." Lorelai frowned.

"I don't mind." Rory got up quickly. She didn't pause the movie. She was back in a few minutes.

"Luke must have moved them to the higher cupboard, but I found them." Rory held up the bag of Red Vines.

Lorelai grinned. "Don't tell him that you found them."

"We'll just eat the whole bag and hide the evidence." Rory snickered.

"Good plan."

Rory sat back down. She opened the bag and held it out to Lorelai. Lorelai took a piece of licorice and bit it, "Mmm" She mumbled.

Rory smiled and took a piece. They watched the movie in silence.

When Lorelai got in bed later that night, she woke up Luke.

"Oops didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep." She muttered.

"It's okay." He whispered. He reached for her. She curled up to him.

Pressing a kiss to his neck, she grinned in the dark. "It's so nice to be home." She said again.

"Mmm hmm." He ran a hand up and down her back. They were asleep in minutes.

A couple weeks later, they went to the Gilmore's for Thanksgiving.

"Luke, have you thought about when you'll reopen the diner?" Emily asked suddenly.

"Um, no I haven't given it much thought."

"You said you were gonna wait until after I was completely done treatment right?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah. I think it'd be best to wait until then."

Emily seemed pleased with his answer. "Does the town know that you're engaged?"

"Of course they know, it's Stars Hollow. They knew within minutes of Babette finding out, I knew she'd spread it around town. The people I've seen have said their congratulations." Lorelai answered.

"That's nice. I wonder if your friends would plan an engagement party once everything calms down." Emily said.

"Maybe… I think Sookie might want to plan a wedding shower or something when the time comes but I'll let you be involved too Mom, don't worry."

Emily managed a smile.

"And how did your appointment go the other day? Richard asked.

Lorelai had an appointment to check how she was recovering the other day. "Great. I'm recovering at the normal pace. Radiation starts in a couple weeks, a couple weeks before Christmas actually." She realized this as she said it.

"Oh then you could have all this behind by the end of the year?" Richard questioned.

"No. I need multiple radiation treatments daily for a few weeks…" Lorelai informed him.

"Oh all right." Richard gave a short nod.

Richard and Luke talked a little bit about business before Lorelai changed the subject to Rory. She could tell that Luke wasn't really into business talk. He thanked her silently.

"How are you and Logan?" Emily asked Rory.

"We're good. He's been busy with school lately, we both have actually. He's working hard to graduate next year."

"And how are his parents? We haven't seen Mitchum and Shira for a long time."

"I think they're good. I don't talk to them…" Rory bit her lip.

"Rory aced her exam the other day." Lorelai changed the subject.

"Yeah, I thought I had missed a few questions but it turns out I didn't." Rory smiled shyly.

"That's great. We're very proud of you, aren't we Richard?"

"Yes, very proud." Richard responded after a few seconds.

"It seems like dad is ready to hit the hay soon. What's for dessert?" Lorelai said excitedly.

"Pumpkin pie and ice cream, I'll go tell Sarah to bring it out." Emily got up.

After dessert, Lorelai Luke and Rory said their goodbyes and left.

"That was the longest Thanksgiving dinner I ever attended." Luke rubbed his face.

"I hear ya." Lorelai looped her arm through his. She and Luke had had a couple drinks so Rory was the designated driver.

"Come on kids, let's get you home and in bed." Rory joked.

Luke and Lorelai both smiled at her and got in the Jeep.

Once they were home, they said their goodnights and headed to bed. Before Lorelai drifted off to sleep, she poked Luke and whispered:

"Hey I wonder when the first snow will come? Before or after I start radiation…"

Luke groaned and rolled over. "Probably before, why?" He wished she would just go to sleep instead of thinking about these kinds of things.

"Because it's magical when it snows. And you know I'm gonna drag you out of bed and we're going to watch the first snow together." She laughed.

"Yeah right," He said sarcastically.

"You know I can get you to do anything." She kissed his cheek, his jaw then nibbled his earlobe. "I have ways of persuading you."

"Lorelai. Go to sleep." He grumbled.

"Okay Grumpy Pants." She huffed. She kissed him softly then rolled over.

"Love you." Lorelai said before she closed her eyes.

"Love you too." His response came immediately.

She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting this story.