Hey guys, here is the second to last chapter! This is the day before the wedding. The last chapter will obviously be the wedding and then I am still trying to decide about a sequel or not...but I will let you know when I post the next and final chapter! I hope you enjoy this chapter :) Thanks again for all your reviews and support!
The day before the wedding was suddenly upon them. Lorelai was asleep in her bed, the sun started to shine in through the window and her eyes began to flutter open. The corners of her lips turned up into a smile when she saw that Luke was staring back at her.
"Hi…" She whispered in a hoarse voice full of sleep.
He smiled and reached over to brush a curl out of her face, "Hi. Its your last full day as Lorelai Gilmore…how do you feel about that?"
Her smile grew and she stretched her arms out around her, "Mmm…I feel happier than I have ever been."
He smiled and leaned forward to try and kiss her, "Good."
She pulled away, "Mmm no you can't kiss me! I probably have horrible morning breath!"
He chuckled, "Lorelai…we are getting married tomorrow. I'm gonna have to deal with morning breath and so are you. Otherwise we're going to have a very kissless marriage."
"Well that wouldn't be good…" She said with a small frown.
He smiled, "No. It wouldn't. But seeing as I get up way earlier than you most days anyway I guess we won't have many morning breath issues."
She shook her head, "No way. Once we're married I expect you to wake me up every morning before you go to work so I can say goodbye properly."
Luke laughed loudly, "Yeah right…that will last for all of a week and then you'll get pissed at me for getting you up so early."
She laughed back, "Yeah…you're probably right."
He scooted closer to her, "So…can I kiss you now or what?"
She smiled and lifted her hand up to her mouth and breathed in, "Eh…I guess it's not so bad." She smirked at him, "Lay one on me mister!"
He chuckled as he pulled her closer and pressed his lips against hers, "I love you crazy lady."
She smiled against his lips and pecked him back before pulling away to snuggle into the crook of his neck, "Mmm…I love you too Burger Boy."
Luke held her closer and rubbed her back, "Did you ever think we'd actually make it here? I mean I always hoped we would…"
She smiled against him and nuzzled his collarbone gently, "To be honest I never thought I'd marry anyone. I didn't think anyone would want me…"
He squeezed her gently, "I want you. I've always wanted you…"
She pulled away a little to look at him, "Can I tell you something?"
Luke stared at her for a moment, "Lorelai if this is the time you are choosing to tell me that you are secretly in love with TJ or that you want to become a man…I'd say you have very poor timing."
Lorelai burst out laughing and rolled away from him, "Oh my God!"
He smirked at her and tried not to laugh, "I'm serious Lorelai…if you drop some bombshell like that on me things might take an ugly turn."
She continued to laugh and turned back towards him, "You are crazy…"
"Must be all the time I am spending with you." He said laughing as he pulled her closer, "You're crazy is turning into my crazy…"
"Well once we are officially married it could get really bad. Plus we're having a kid together so just think what we're about to create!" She said playfully pinching his side.
He groaned, "God help us…"
"I think it's more like God help the world…" She said as she continued to laugh.
Luke smiled and kissed her lips again, "I suppose you're right." He kissed her again and pulled away. "But really…what did you want to tell me?"
She let laughter subside for a moment and then she cupped his face in her hands, "Do you remember that night you told me that you and Nicole got married?"
Luke tensed for a moment and licked his lips, "Yes…"
She ran her hand along his stubble slowly, "I felt like my heart had burst out of my chest. I knew I had no right to feel angry or jealous…but God I did. I was so upset Luke…I felt like my world was crashing down around me."
"Lorelai…I married her because I thought I'd never have a chance with you. I married her because I was drunk and it just happened. But it never meant anything…" He whispered.
She stared at him for a moment, "At Rory's graduation you asked me if I thought it was okay to go…we're you asking me if I cared?"
He shrugged, "In a way I think I was…"
She sighed, "I should have said something…but I didn't know how."
He nodded, "Lorelai it's okay…"
"And then that night we broke the bells you kept asking me why I cared…and I had the words on the tip of my tongue." She swallowed hard, "But I just…I couldn't force them out. I couldn't open my heart to you knowing you were married to someone else and it wouldn't matter."
"It did matter…" Luke whispered squeezing her hips gently, "It always mattered. You always mattered…I think I knew then but I was all screwed up. I knew I didn't love Nicole but I didn't know if I could walk away…I was afraid to be alone."
She sighed and leaned forward to kiss him again gently, "I know we said to forget about the past…but I just wanted you to know that I have cared about you for a lot longer than I have been able to admit. I always pretended like I didn't…and you were so honest with me about the horoscope. I just…I want you to know that you've always been the one Luke. I just…was too afraid to tell you. You have always meant so much to me and I was afraid I'd lose you…" She laughed sadly, "And then I did…"
"We're getting married tomorrow. That's all that matters, right?" He asked looking deep into her eyes. "I love you and you love me…and we're getting married."
She smiled at him, "We're getting married…"
He nodded slowly, "And having a baby…"
"Well I think I'm the one actually having the baby…" Luke chuckled and she smiled, "But yes technically we're having a baby together…"
"Lorelai…" He said as he continued to chuckle.
She smiled, "After tomorrow I get to wake up with you every morning…and go to sleep with you every night. I get to be loved by you…" Her eyes welled up with tears, "God I am so lucky…"
He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her, "I will love you forever. That I can promise you. I can't promise that it will always be easy…or that we won't have hard times. But I promise that no matter what I will love you…every part of you. Always."
Her smile grew, "Where's Archie? You're practically saying your vows now. Lets make it official!"
He smiled, "Believe me, I would if I could. I don't want to wait anymore. But I think your mother would actually kill us if we did that."
"Not to mention the fact that it would be a little awkward since we are both naked. And he can't ever see a naked woman right?" Lorelai asked with a smirk.
"Archie is married…Priests are the ones that can't get married. But yes I do suppose it would make it a little awkward for him." He said with a chuckle.
"Can you promise to always laugh like that? I love hearing you laugh…" She said with a dreamy smile, "It makes me so happy."
"I'll do my best…" He said with a soft smile.
Lorelai smiled and then glanced over Luke's shoulder to see the clock, "We have a lot to do today…"
Luke nodded, "Yeah…"
"But we don't get to sleep together tonight…" She whispered with a pout, "I'm going to miss you. We haven't had a night apart really since we got back together."
He nodded slowly, "Well the good news is we don't have to spend another night apart after tonight…"
Her pout quickly turned into a smile again, "That is really good news…"
He sighed, "But the bad news is…we only have about thirty minutes left of uninterrupted alone time before we have to face the day."
She smirked, "Well then…what are you waiting for buddy? This is your last chance to fool around with an unmarried woman!"
Luke laughed, "I personally can't wait to make love to my wife…but I would like to fool around with Lorelai Gilmore one more time."
"Better make it good Mr. Danes…I need something to remember once I become an old maid and my hubby refuses to touch me." She said with a wink.
Luke chuckled again and shook his head, "Well hold onto your hat there little lady…its gonna be a bumpy ride."
She giggled, "Mr. Danes! Be gentle with me! I'm so innocent!"
Luke growled and rolled her onto her back before attacking her lips with his. She held him close and reveled in the knowledge that tomorrow he would be hers forever.
Later that evening, they had the rehearsal at the Inn and Sookie cooked a big dinner for the whole dinner party and the Gilmores. They gathered together in the Inn dining room and ate and laughed, telling old stories about the soon to be married couple. Then they began to split off into their different groups, Luke led Lorelai to the front door where they had shared their first kiss.
She glanced around and smiled, "Well this seems awfully familiar…"
He nodded and put his hands on her hips, pulling her closer. "Yes. It does. But this time around I'm hoping that we don't yell at each other and that a naked Kirk doesn't interrupt us…"
Lorelai laughed, "Well I could put up a fight if you want me too…but I'd rather do without the naked Kirk as well."
Luke shook his head, "No fighting please…just kissing."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Just kissing…"
"We could sneak up to room 7 if you want to do more…" He mumbled against her lips.
She smirked, "Nope. No more goods for you until you put a ring on it tomorrow mister! You had your last chance with THE Lorelai Gilmore this morning…"
"And what a chance it was…" He said with a proud smirk, "I think I did some of my best work…"
She smiled, "I can't argue with that…it was pretty damn impressive."
"Well I was highly motivated." He said with a smirk, "After years of dreaming about THE Lorelai Gilmore I had to make the last one count…"
She shook her head, "God I love you…"
"Good. Because I love you too." He said with a smirk as he leaned forward to kiss her, "Besides…if you didn't this whole getting married thing would be a little pointless."
She smiled and gently played with the hair at the nape of his neck, "You know…I remember feeling so scared that night when you kissed me. But nothing had ever felt as right as that…"
"YOU were scared?" He said with a chuckle, "I figured I was about to get slapped or worse! I didn't know what the hell you were going to do. But…I just couldn't wait anymore to kiss you…"
"Well I'm glad you didn't…" She whispered, "I'm glad you made your move."
"Me too…" He whispered rubbing her hips gently, "Sorry it took us so long to actually get here…"
She shrugged, "Better late than never…"
He nodded once, "I suppose you're right…"
"Alright you two…" Rory said with a smirk, "It's time to say goodnight. Mom and I have plans! You have the rest of your life to play kissy face…"
Luke laughed and tried to pull away but Lorelai only held him closer, "Can't he stay with us tonight? Please!?"
"No…" Rory said with a laugh, "He is spending his last night in his apartment with April and Jess and you and I are spending our last night at the house. You know this…besides it bad luck. And you two don't need anymore bad luck!"
Lorelai stuck her tongue out at him, "Meanie!"
Rory rolled his eyes, "You're hopeless…"
Luke smiled, "Give me 30 more seconds and then she's all yours…"
Rory nodded and looked at her cell phone, "You're on the clock. Starting now!" She smiled playfully at them and then turned her back to give them some time alone.
Luke pulled Lorelai closer by her hips again and smiled, "I guess it's only right that our first kiss as a dating couple started here…and so will our last one. Tomorrow once I kiss you…you'll be my wife."
Lorelai's face beamed, "Your wife…"
"Yep. All mine." He said with a proud smile, "And it's about damn time…"
Lorelai laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Shut up and kiss me Burger Boy…our times almost up."
He smirked and pulled her closer until their lips met in a soft yet passionate kiss. Lorelai melted into him and pressed her body against his, relishing in the feel of being in his arms. This very spot had been the beginning of everything and in a way it was ending something too. But at least this time it was also paving way for a whole new future that they got to share together…the best kind of ending.
She pulled away and rested her forehead against his, "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Luke nodded once, "I'll be the one in the monkey suit at the end of the aisle."
Lorelai giggled, "And I'll be the one in the pretty, pretty white dress…"
He closed his eyes and breathed her in, "You will look so beautiful. You always do."
She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him, "I love you."
He kissed her back softly, "I love you too Miss Gilmore…"
She smiled and pulled away and smiled that smile she only saved for him as she held his hand until she couldn't hold it any longer. He smiled at her as Rory grabbed her arm and led her towards the car and he chuckled as Lorelai leaned out the window blowing kisses to him as she went.
He didn't care that he looked like a love struck teenager. He didn't care that his nephew and daughter were watching the scene from afar. He didn't care that at any moment anyone could snap a picture of that goofy grin on his face and forever shatter his tough guy exterior. All he cared about was that in less than 24 hours, Lorelai Gilmore would finally be his wife…
He took a deep breath as he watched the jeep drive away in the distance. Then he walked down the steps and joined his daughter and nephew who were waiting by the truck.
"So I'm assuming from that little display of affection I don't need to pack up the truck tonight and plan a route for us to Oklahoma?" Jess said with a smirk.
Luke glared at him, "If that is your subtle way of asking me if I want to run…the answer is hell no."
Jess smiled and wrapped an arm around his Uncle's shoulders, "Smart man…"
Luke smiled back and held the door open for April who climbed into the middle seat of the truck. Then Jess climbed in beside her as Luke walked around towards the driver seat. They drove away from the Inn and back to the apartment for Luke's last night as a bachelor.
When they were upstairs, April quickly ran and picked out one of her favorite board games; Monopoly and set it up ontop of a box that had replaced the old coffee table. Most of Luke's things were all in boxes except for the two beds and kitchen supplies. Luke, Jess and April sat around the box and began to play together enjoying the comfortable quiet.
"So…" April whispered, "What do I call Lorelai once you guys are married?"
Luke smiled at her, "You can just call her Lorelai still…she doesn't expect you to call her Mom or anything. She doesn't want to replace the Mom you already have."
April nodded, "I know. I guess I was just curious if I should call her something different." She paused for a moment again and then smiled as she took her turn, "You know…I really am glad that you guys got back together. You always seem a lot happier with her around…"
"When you are older you will understand what makes him so damn happy." Jess said with a smirk.
Luke's face reddened, "Jesus Jess!"
"What? She doesn't know what I'm talking about." He said with a chuckle.
April smiled, "You mean he's happier cuz he's getting laid…"
"April!" Luke said with a shocked face as Jess fell on his side convulsing with laughter. "Where did you hear that?"
April laughed, "You and Mom have to talk to more about what you both say to me. She's pretty open about stuff…she's told me all about sex. I mean did you really not think I knew how Lorelai got pregnant?"
Jess continued to laugh as Luke stumbled to find the right words to use, "I…I mean I didn't…I just figured you'd…" He sighed, "I don't know! I don't want to think about what you may or may not know regarding…"
Jess and April waited for him to finish his sentence but when he didn't they both said in unison, "Sex."
Luke grimaced, "Aw Geez…"
Jess laughed and clapped his Uncle on the back, "Come on Uncle Luke…you can say it. It's not a dirty word. Say SEX."
Luke glared at him, "Okay this conversation is over now…taking your damn turn and someone change the freaking subject."
April laughed and looked at her cousin, "You were right. It is a lot of fun to make him uncomfortable. His face is like fifteen different shades of red right now!"
"It was my favorite past time when I was living here…" Jess said with a smirk.
Luke rolled his eyes, "Gee…thanks for all the love and support the night before my wedding you too."
April smiled, "Sorry Dad…we're only joking around. You know we really are happy for you."
Jess nodded in agreement, "Yeah…I mean you and Lorelai have been dancing around each other for years. I knew that the moment I came to Stars Hollow. I always figured this would happen eventually and I am happy for you…for both of you."
"It's not awkward since you dated Rory?" Luke asked curiously.
Jess shrugged, "I mean maybe a little but…we're just friends now. I want her to be happy…and I think she wants me to be happy too. Besides I have Meg now and she's really great…I wish she could have come this weekend but she couldn't get the time off of work."
Luke nodded, "Well I'm sure that Lorelai will want to make a trip to New York soon to see Rory. We will have to set up a time to get together then. I'd like to meet her too. She seems like she's been good for you…you seem settled."
Jess smiled, "She's been great…doesn't take any of my BS."
"You can say bullshit in front of me you know…" April said with a smirk as she moved her piece around the game board.
Jess chuckled, "Man you are in so much trouble with this one…" He said pointing a finger at his young cousin.
Luke groaned, "Trust me…I know."
"And to think you have another kid on the way that is half Lorelai Gilmore…" He shook his head, "Man you are so screwed."
"I have a feeling my hair will be falling out quite soon…" Luke said with a groan.
Jess chuckled again, "I wouldn't worry too much. I mean Lorelai is obviously a great Mom…look how great Rory turned out." He cleared his throat nervously and shrugged, "And you did a hell of a lot for me…I wouldn't be where I am today without you."
Luke's face flushed and he looked down at the dice in his hand, "Oh well…I mean you're my nephew, I was just trying to help you and your Mom out."
Jess nodded, "Right…yeah I know."
"I don't think it was that big of a deal…" Luke said still afraid to meet his eyes, "I just gave you a place to crash for awhile…that's all."
Jess smirked and said sarcastically, "Yeah…that's all you did."
Luke stole a glance at him for a moment and then turned away again as did Jess. April watched the scene before her as she collected her money from the bank and shook her head at them both.
"Geez…no wonder it took you eight years to tell Lorelai you liked her. You're like a blubbering baboon talking about emotions." April said with a chuckle.
Jess laughed again and Luke only rolled his eyes, "Alright…enough of lets pick on Dad okay? Can I take my turn or what?"
April smiled, "Sure…go ahead Dad…"
Luke returned her soft smile and rolled the dice before taking his turn. He looked around his small apartment as they continued to play the game and thought about what it looked like when it was his fathers office. He remembered the first night he had spent here alone and the countless nights after that.
Part of him had started to believe that he would grow old up here all alone. He thought he wasn't worth of love, that he didn't have a chance in hell at happiness. And yet somehow, here he was the night before his wedding to the love of his life. It was sad to think this chapter of his life was over but he couldn't wait to see what the next chapter had in store…
Back at the house, Lorelai and Rory climbed the porch steps arm in arm as they walked to the front door. Lorelai turned the knob and they walked in for what would be there last night in their very first home. They walked through the foyer into the living room that now was full of boxes and the only pieces of furniture that were left was a mattress and an old TV set sitting ontop of a box at the foot of the bed.
Rory smiled, "It's like déjà vu…except on our first night here we didn't have a TV yet."
Lorelai smiled, "We slept on a mattress in here for almost four months before I mustered up the courage to ask Luke to help me move it in upstairs. I couldn't afford to hire movers…"
Rory smiled, "I remember…Luke was horrified that we had slept on the floor for that long. Remember how he brought over old stuff from his storage unit for us to use because he knew we couldn't afford a lot of furniture at the time."
Lorelia smiled as her eyes welled up with tears, "I remember…he has always taken care of us. Always…"
"And he always will…" Rory said as she gave her Mom's arm a squeeze.
Lorelai nodded once and then took off her heels and plopped down on the mattress. "I am so exhausted…and yet I could stay up all night and talk to you."
Rory smiled and plopped down next to her, "Just like the good old days…"
Nodding once, Lorelai turned towards her daughter and smiled, "Are you all ready to move? I feel like I haven't been able to help you much with all the wedding preparations…I feel bad."
Rory shook her head, "Don't. Grandma and Grandpa have been helping a lot, in fact I'm pretty sure when I get to my apartment Grandma will already have had it decorated for me. You know how she is…"
Lorelai smiled, "You're probably right." She paused and looked down at her hands that were clasped in her lap. "But I do feel bad that I won't be there the day you move in. Luke and I could probably still push back the day of departure for our honey moon. We will come help you move in…and then take off."
Rory shook her head, "No. I don't want you to do that. You and Luke have spent so much time taking care of me…now its time you focus on your relationship. Besides, you won't have much time as husband and wife seeing as the little one will be here before we know it. Go enjoy your alone time…" She said giving her mother a nudge.
"Yeah I guess you're right…we'll just have a few short months of alone time before the munchkin comes along." She said as she placed an affectionate hand over her growing belly.
Rory smiled, so glad to see her mother this happy. "I still can't believe you have a baby in there…"
Lorelai chuckled, "It is pretty weird…and its been awhile since I was pregnant with you. In a way it all feels new again…"
Rory nodded, "But you're feeling okay right? The Doctors said you are healthy and so is the baby?"
Lorelai nodded, "Yep. We made sure it was safe for me to fly and Grandma found a great doctor down in St. John just in case…but everyone says I have nothing to worry about."
"Good. That's good…" Rory said with a slow nod, "I really am happy for you…I hope you know that."
Lorelai smiled and reached for her daughters hand, giving it a gentle squeeze she whispered. "I know kid. I know…"
Rory swallowed the lump in her throat and began to speak again, "I know how alone you felt for a long time…how much you wanted to find someone to share your life with."
Lorelai felt her own tears burning and she shook her head, "Only sometimes honey. The truth is I realized I had you to share my life with…that was as good as having any man beside me. Less stressful and less heartache…"
"Not all the time…" Rory whispered, "I caused my fair share of stress and heartache…"
Lorelai shook her head, "It doesn't matter. None of that matters…I could sit here and list the million and one times that I screwed up with you but it won't change anything. It won't change how much you mean to me and how grateful I am that I had you when I did…"
Rory cocked her head to the side, "You don't ever wish things had turned out differently for you? You don't wish you could have gone away to school like a normal kid?"
Lorelai smirked, "To be fair…I was never, ever a normal kid. From the day I was born they basically created a whole new category for me. There was boy, girl and Lorelai Gilmore."
Rory couldn't help but laugh, "I think Grandpa told me that once…yes."
She smiled back, "But truthfully, no. Maybe when I first found out I was pregnant I thought about what things I could do later. But once I held you in my arms…I knew you were the best thing that would ever happen to me. You made me want to be better…you made me want to work hard and make something of myself."
"You've always worked hard Mom…I always knew no matter what you would always take care of me. You sacrificed so much to make sure that I was okay…I didn't really realize it as a kid but I do now. I hope you know how thankful I am for all that you did and still do…" Rory whispered.
Lorelai couldn't hold the tears in any longer and she shook her head quickly, "Oh God…I'm already emotional thinking this is our last night together in this house. But now with the baby I feel like I could cry a freaking river."
Rory smiled, "We can stop talking about this stuff if you want…"
Lorelai stared at her for a moment and then took a deep breath, "I want you to remember that no matter where you go…no matter how old you are or who else may join our family…" She paused and took another shaky breath, "That I will always love you as much as I did the day you were born. Whatever you need…you can count on me."
Rory gave in to her own water works and fell against her mother and they both cried both happy and sad tears together. They stayed like that for as long as they both needed to before pulling apart and getting ready for bed for the last time in their perfect little house.
When they were settled, they cuddled together on their make shift bed and turned on the TV. Lorelai smiled when the familiar music from Charlie and the Chocolate factor played through the speakers.
"What a classic…" Lorelai whispered as she settled into her pillows.
Rory nodded and reached beside her to pull up a large box, "I know. And I made sure to get all the fixings to last us through the night."
Lorelai peered down into the box and cheered, "Red Vines, cheettos, Milk Duds, Oreos and beer?"
Rory smiled, "Well I had to improvise and make it root beer…gotta preserve the little one's brain cells at least until it comes out. Then we can rot them away with candy and too much TV."
Lorelai chuckled, "That does seem fair…at least give him or her a fighting chance while we can."
Rory laughed and popped off the caps of the bottles and handed her mother one, "Here's to the start of something new and exciting…and the end of the best life in our little old house."
"I'll drink to that…" Lorelai said as she clinked her bottle with her daughters and then turned back to the movie.
They sang all the songs, and ate their weight in junk food before an exhausted Rory fell asleep beside her. The last scene of the movie played as Lorelai quietly pulled herself off the bed and reached for her cell phone before tip toeing to the front porch and sitting down on the top step.
She glanced around her yard and smiled at her first ever home and then pressed the 2 on speed dial. She waited patiently, fully expecting to hear a recorded message she was ready to leave a message when a familiar husky voice answered.
"Hello? Lorelai? Why are you calling? Is something wrong? Are you getting cold feet?" Luke asked in a deep nervous voice.
She smiled to herself, "I'm sorry if I woke you…I didn't think you'd actually have your phone on. I was just going to leave you a message…"
"For what? Tell me you were already half way to India by now to become some sort of Indian Princess?" He joked.
She laughed, "God no. You know I'd never make it in that heat! If I was every going to flee to somewhere…it would have to be somewhere cool like Florence or Athens where I could eat my weight in delicious food everyday and ogle perfectly sculpted young men!"
Luke rolled his eyes, "Nice…I'll be replaced as your food provider and as your sex object."
Lorelai laughed harder, "Luke…you could easily be replaced as my food provider but never as my sex object."
He chuckled, "At least I know you love my body…"
"But only as long as you keep your six pack…I was serious about that part." She said with a joking smile.
Luke grumbled, "Yeah, yeah…"
Lorelai took a deep breath and looked around her yard once more and listened to the soft steady breathing on the other end of the phone. "Are Jess and April asleep?"
"Yeah. Jess crashed on the couch and April is passed out in her bed…we had a fun night though. It's weird sometimes…I forget just how grown up April actually is. And even more so I forget how damn smart she is!" He said with a chuckle, "Nothing gets by her…"
"Yeah she is an amazing young girl…" She said with a smile. "You should be proud of that."
Luke shrugged, "I only wish I could say I was involved more…"
"You did the best you could with the time you were given." Lorelai said, "That's all anyone can ask of you…" She paused, "Besides, we have a new one on the way and you'll be involved from day one."
Luke nodded, "Damn right I will."
She smiled and pulled her sweater around her tighter feeling the familiar signs of fall coming in, "I hope you know that I'd never run from you…at least not again."
"I know. And I hope that you know that even if you did…I'd run right after you this time around." He said with an honest, deep voice. "I will never let you go again."
She sighed happily, "I was calling to tell you that I loved you."
He smiled, "I believe you told me that earlier at the Inn when we said goodbye…"
Lorelai shrugged, "I know…but I wanted to say it again. I could say it all day if you'd let me."
"I have no objection to that." He said with a proud smirk, "Especially if it was while we were naked in bed…"
Lorelai giggled, "You really are a bad boy Mr. Danes…"
"You like me that way and you know it…" He said in a small whisper, when he heard her laugh again he smiled, "But I am glad to hear you say it…in any context. And…I love you too. I promise I'll be better about saying it…"
"You already are." She said with a happy smile, "Every time you do say it I swear my heart skips a beat…"
"I know the feeling…" He whispered back, "Did you call for any other reason?"
"Well I wouldn't be opposed to a little phone sex…" She said with a chuckle.
Luke groaned, "You would say something like that while my daughter and nephew are in the same room as me."
She giggled, "Aren't you glad that you'll be moving into a house with walls and separate rooms and everything? We can have all the phone sex we want!"
Luke laughed, "Well I hope we'll be having regular sex once we are actually married and living together…"
She smiled, "Oh we will. Trust me! Although once the baby is born…we won't have as much time anymore."
Luke nodded, "That's true…but that's okay too. I can't wait to be a parent with you."
"Can I get that in writing? You may be changing your tune once you are waking up every half hour to a screaming, poopy little baby!" She teased.
"Nope. You're getting up for all of that crap." He said with a joke, "No pun intended by the way."
"Oh no way mister! I plan to take full advantage of the fact that I have a partner this time around. You will be doing equal the amount of work as me." She said sternly.
He chuckled, "I'll do it happily."
She smiled, "Me too…"
They sat in silence for a minute, enjoying the fact that they felt so close even when they were in separate places.
Finally Luke looked over at the clock and said, "It's officially past midnight…"
Lorelai's smile grew, "Then it is officially our wedding day…"
"Is it bad luck to talk on the phone the day of your wedding too?" He teased.
Lorelai shook her head, "Nah…I don't think so."
"Maybe not…but I do think if you don't get your allotted 8 hours of sleep you will be a crank pot all day tomorrow." He joked.
She sighed, "You're probably right…but I don't want to hang up the phone."
"The sooner you go to the sleep…the sooner we'll be married. It will go by faster. Ya know?" He said with a happy smile.
"I can't wait…" She whispered softly.
"Me either." He said softly, "You think you're gonna call me again or should I turn off my phone?"
Lorelai smiled, "Turn off your phone…I want to leave that message I was gonna leave anyway. But don't you dare listen to it until tomorrow before the wedding!"
"What more could you have to say? We've been talking all day and we're on the phone now. Just say it now." He said with a laugh.
She pouted and she knew he could sense it on the other end of the phone, "Because I'm trying to be romantic Luke!"
He chuckled, "Alright…leave your message crazy lady."
"You know…if you want to leave a message for me too I wouldn't be upset that you stole my idea." She teased.
"I'm hanging up the phone now Lorelai…" He said as he continued to laugh.
"But Luke…" She whined into the phone.
"I love you. And I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Miss Gilmore…" He whispered in that husky voice that drove her crazy.
"Goodnight Mr. Danes…" She whispered back, "I love you."
They both hung up the phone and Luke smiled as he rolled over in bed, clicked off his phone and went back to sleep. Lorelai waited a minute and then called his number again to leave him a message. Then she hung up her own phone and stood up, she walked in the front door as quietly as she could and then she walked towards the kitchen. All the appliances were still there, they were leaving them for the new family moving in.
She laughed when she looked at the stove that she never really used, and remembered how it had driven crazy when she dried her socks in it. She looked at the kitchen table, the same table that she had watched Rory draw as a child and later work late into the night on her homework.
She turned towards Rory's bedroom and walked in, she looked around the empty room and thought about how much Rory had grown here. She remembered how excited she was to give her daughter her very own room. She had spent late nights making sure it was decorated perfectly while her daughter slept up in her own bed upstairs. And then, even when the room was finished, for that first six months they spent the night together in Rory's room because they were so used to sleeping together like in the potting shed.
So much had happened to them in this house. They had loved and lost, learned and grown both separately and together. This was the first real home for both of them, and Lorelai did feel a sense of loss knowing she would never again call this home. But she knew deep down that in order to put the past behind her and focus on her future with Luke and their growing family it was time to say goodbye to this chapter of her life.
Though she would miss this place, she couldn't wait to create brand new memories in the beautiful house by the lake. It was the perfect place for them to raise their child together, to watch April and Rory continue to grow and to grow old as a couple. Yes…this was the last night in this home, and it was sad but she couldn't wait to start her new future.
As quietly as she could, she tip toed back into the living room and smiled at Rory who was still fast asleep in bed. In some ways she looked exactly like the little girl that had slept in this very spot that first night in the house. And in other ways, she looked so grown up and really ready to be off on her own. Slowly, she pulled the covers back on the bed and slipped in beside her daughter before drifiting off to a peaceful sleep…
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