A/N: The title is really all you need. Basically, what if L&L talked that night and it wasn't a dream that Lorelai came to him. I hope you enjoy my version of events.
Luke could not stop staring at Lorelai in the red dress the entire day. He had no idea how she managed to look classy, elegant, sweet and yet incredibly sexy. The scoop neck of her dress was driving him crazy. Her hair was just the way he loved it, curly. Playful, yet alluring, whenever she wore it that way he always had to fight the urge to reach out and twirl the curls around his fingers.
He had waited on the sidelines as The Gilmores gave Rory a car. He watched the family smile and chat before the grandparents hugged Rory and headed off. Lorelai and Rory chatted briefly before Rory rushed off into her new car. Luke approached Lorelai and whispered, "Has anyone told you how beautiful you look today?"
Lorelai shivered from the shock of him being suddenly so close behind her and his warm breath tickling her ear. A smile bloomed across her face and she turned to face him. "Well, you should talk. Look at you Mr. Haircut And Shave. You're looking pretty good yourself."
"Good how?" Luke teased.
"What are you? In high school?" She rolled her eyes.
"Well, actually…" he looked at the building.
They laughed together and for a moment got lost in each other's eyes.
"So, um I told Sookie and Jackson I would drive you home. She wanted to get the food ready for the party later."
"Oh, great!" Lorelai mentally kicked herself for sounding so eager to be alone with him. "Let's get going."
Luke smiled when he saw Lorelai blush and pointed the direction his car was parked. As they began to walk he placed his hand on the small of her back. She slowed her pace, suddenly wanting the walk to take as long as possible.
"So will you be there?" Lorelai asked.
"Where?"
"The party tonight at my place."
"Oh, uh …. well," he started to stammer, kicking himself for being nervous, but he had gotten distracted by her dress again.
"I know you're not a party guy," she interrupted. "So it's okay if you want to skip it."
"No. I don't want to skip it."
"Oh, great! So you'll be there," Lorelai smiled.
He just smiled in response.
Once they were settled in the cab of his truck and he began to drive, Lorelai began to get nervous so she started talking, "I have to thank you again for coming. It meant so much to Rory. And to me."
"Hey, I was thrilled when she invited me. I know she would rather have her Dad there, but I'm happy to substitute since he couldn't make it."
Lorelai chuckled, "She didn't ask him."
"What?"
"Besides my parents and me, you were her first choice."
Luke turned to see if she was messing with him. "What? No."
"Luke, each kid got four tickets. Her four were me, my parents and you! She was able to get two extra for Sookie and Jackson because she was the valedictorian. But if she couldn't get the extra it would have been the four of us."
"Why not Chris?"
"She said that she didn't want to be let down. That you were the one that has always been there for her. She thought if she asked him she would either be disappointed because he would say no immediately or that he would bail at the last minute. Plus she said that you are a big part of her life."
Luke tried to ignore the emotions that were bubbling to the surface hearing how Rory felt about him, "And Chris isn't upset?"
"If he is, he's not saying anything to me. We spoke just the other day, he was asking about the graduation and didn't seem bothered at all. He was going on about his newest girlfriend and job. Sometimes I think he forgets who he's talking to."
"Are you jealous that he has a girlfriend?"
"What? God no! Chris and I wouldn't work, I'm not pining for him. What I mean is he talks to me about all the things going on in his life and what he makes time for. It's like he forgets that I'm the mother of the child that he so rarely visits or calls. Yes, we go back a long way and are like old buddies, but sometimes I just wish he wouldn't tell me stuff so I didn't know that he has devoted 138 hours so far to getting his pilot licence but he hasn't seen Rory in months."
"I'm sorry," Luke said sincerely.
She just turned and shrugged with a half smile, "It's nothing new."
He pulled up in front of her house, "Do you need any help with this party?"
"Maybe you could bring some ice? You saved the day for her 16th," she smiled.
"You got it."
With that, they shared one last smile and lingering look before she got out of the truck and headed inside.
XOXOXO
A few hours later, the party was in full swing, the kitchen was full of Sookie's food; Lane was keeping the tunes going; Miss Patty, Babette, and Gypsy were regaling Emily with stories about Rory; Morey, Jackson, Kirk and Richard were playing poker on the porch; Rory and Lorelai were doing their best to pop in to each group and give them all some attention. Lorelai outwardly was the perfect hostess as always, she was refilling drinks, adding to conversations, bringing chips and snacks to the poker table but inside she was anxious. She kept looking at the door, waiting for Luke. As she wandered into the living room she saw Patty and Babette telling Emily another story, both very animated as they were on their second cups of Patty's punch.
"She was amazing, the way she took over and made everything happen. It was inspiring to see how in control and calm she was," Patty said.
"Yeah! And believe me, most people were runnin' around like chickens with no heads, but she was the picture of poise. She's definitely my first call if anything ever goes wrong, that day just cemented it. We were all so proud of her."
"What great Rory story are you guys telling this time?" Lorelai asked as she collected some abandoned paper plates.
"Oh they have moved on to singing your praises," Emily smiled. "Apparently you knew just what to do when there was a fire at the Inn. You made it sound like it was no big deal."
Lorelai blushed, "Oh you know how it is Mom, in a moment like that someone has to be the strong one, the one who others look at and know things will be okay. Plus stuff had to get done so I just made sure it all got done. I mean I didn't do it alone, these two were a huge help," she smiled at Patty and Babette.
"US? We just answered phones with that prissy French guy! You made everything run so smoothly that people wanted to stay in town," Babette exclaimed.
"Where did they stay?" Emily asked.
"Lorelai rallied people in the town to take guests into their homes. She even gave up her entire house." Patty smiled
"'Where did you and Rory go?"
"Rory stayed with the Kims, you know Lane is her very best friend," Patty explained. "But where did you end up Honey? Did you stay with the Kims too?"
The three ladies were staring at her, she was sure they could read her face because all she could think about was her night with Luke."
"She stayed at my place," Luke said from behind her.
'REALLY?" Babette smiled and waggled her eyebrows at them.
"Come on Babette, you know Jess was living with me at the time. I slept on the couch, Jess was in his bed and Lorelai was in my bed. We had a grand ol' time."
"Oh yeah, Jess," Babette sounded disappointed,
Luke smiled at Lorelai and held up two bags of ice, "As promised, I brought ice."
"Right this way. Excuse me ladies," Lorelai excused herself from her mother and the town yentas.
Luke leaned forward as he followed her so only she could hear him, "I was hoping you would still be in that dress you wore today."
She smirked as she turned to him, "And here I thought you liked these jeans." She added a sway to her walk. He looked to see she was indeed wearing his favourite jeans of hers. They were so tight on her that he wondered if there was room for underwear. He then realized he needed to think of something else immediately.
"Hey Luke!" Sookie greeted in the kitchen.
"Wow! This is some spread! Sookie, you've outdone yourself again! What are you doing over there?" He handed Lorelai the ice one bag at a time to dump in the coolers on the porch.
"I forgot grilled cheese, it's one of Rory's favourites," Sookie answered while she assembled some sandwiches.
"Sook, I want you to enjoy the party too!" Lorelai sighed.
"I'm having a great time. Rory was really excited about the grilled cheese and then the poker guys got wind of it and apparently it is one of your Dad's favourites too. OH! Your Mom loved the broccoli tarts!"
Luke and Lorelai were exchanging smiles as Sookie spoke and became more animated. Neither of them noticed that Sookie had been watching them or that Emily was approaching.
"Sookie, I know you have a full time job at the Inn but I was wondering if you ever did private catering jobs?" Emily asked. Her voice shocked Luke and Lorelai back to reality.
Sookie spun around in excitement, "Wow, Mrs. Gilmore I'm honoured. Normally people who want my cooking just book their function at the Inn. But for you, I would do anything."
"Why for me?"
"'You're Lorelai's mother!"
"See Mom," Lorelai smirked, "It's not what you know, but WHO you know." Emily had thrown that phrase around a number of times to Lorelai either when bragging about herself or more recently when Richard was able to help Rory get certain things she wanted at Yale.
Emily shook her head and returned her focus to Sookie, "Well we must exchange numbers before I leave, I have a few events coming up that your food would be perfect for."
"I love that idea," Richard beamed as he joined them in the kitchen, "Sookie, that was the best grilled cheese I've had in my life. You should open a restaurant in Hartford."
"Hey!" Lorelai snapped, "Sookie will have her own restaurant in Stars Hollow when we open our Inn. Stop trying to steal her away from me."
"Oh, right. Sorry." Richard smirked.
"BUT," Sookie jumped in, "With the Inn closed from the fire and me being pregnant I'm happy to make extra money now. Maybe Lorelai and I can work together to cater your events. She's great at the planning and execution of events, I'm just good in the kitchen."
Lorelai glared at Sookie, "Well this isn't something we've talked about."
"But we need money to tide us over, right? Your trip isn't going to be cheap and now you're not working."
Lorelai sighed, "We'll talk tomorrow. But yes, this makes sense."
"Well thank god she has you Sookie," Emily said. "Richard, are you ready? It's getting late and we have to make the drive home."
Luke noticed Lorelai's whole body relax at the mention of her parents leaving.
"You know Mrs. Gilmore, I can also cater parties with the food from my diner."
Richard smiled, Sookie turned back to the stovetop, Lorelai desperately tried to stifle the giggle trying to burst from her lips and Emily remained as poised as possible.
"That's very generous of you Luke," Emily stated. "If I'm ever doing something with a hoedown theme I'll consider it."
"I know the guys at my cigar club would appreciate burgers and Montecristos over the salmon puffs," Richard added.
"Something to think about for sure," Emily patted Richard's arm. "Well good night all. Lorelai, thank you for inviting us."
"Glad you guys had fun," Lorelai said sincerely.
When her parents were gone Lorelai burst into laughter, "Oh my god Luke!"
"What?" He asked, faking to be oblivious. "She was looking for caterers, and I have a fully functioning kitchen right now."
Sookie turned around to reveal her red cheeks and tears of laughter spilling down her face, "I almost died when she said hoedown."
The three of them laughed together.
XOXOXO
Rory was fast asleep after the long day. She had been up extra early, even for Rory. Lorelai stood in her doorway wondering how her daughter managed to look so grown up while giving her amazing valedictorian speech yet while she was asleep in her bed she looked like a little girl.
After checking the fridge one last time, pretending to look for something to eat, she wrote a note for Rory before heading out the door.
The late June evening was warm but with a slight breeze that made her wish she had grabbed a hoodie. She picked up her pace, hoping he wasn't asleep yet. When she got to the Town Square a smile instantly emerged when she saw him organizing receipts by the register. She hurried up the steps and tapped on the locked door.
Luke smiled when he saw her and came from around the counter to unlock the door.
"Hey, I thought you would be fast asleep by now," he greeted.
"I can't sleep," she explained. "Do you have some coffee made?"
"Do you think you should be drinking coffee if you are having trouble sleeping?"
"Oh Luke, stop with your crazy talk," she teased. She sat on her favourite stool and waited for him to give her some coffee.
Luke grabbed a large mug and then paused. He turned to her, he looked shy, "Instead of old coffee do you want to go upstairs and have some scotch?"
Lorelai's smile grew and she tried to hide the fact that she had butterflies in her stomach, "That sounds nice."
He flipped a switch, turning the coffee machine off and began towards the curtain.
They made their way up the stairs quietly. He unlocked the door and motioned for her to go in. The room was lit by a lamp beside his couch and the lights from the street spilling in through the windows.
Lorelai made herself comfortable on the couch while Luke poured the drinks.
"I still can't get over the size of that school," Luke mused as he handed Lorelai her drink. He sat beside her, but not too close. "All the marble and statues, certainly a far cry from Stars Hollow high."
Lorelai nodded, "Oh yeah."
"How are you holding up?" The sincerity in his voice killed all her desire to be sarcastic.
"Oh I'm fine, good even. It was a really nice day."
Luke put his glass down after draining it. He moved closer to her and placed his hand on her knee, "Lorelai, it's me. I know you. Rory just graduated high school, she's moving out in a few months, how are you?"
She turned to look at him with unshed tears in her eyes. She shrugged and exhaled through her nose, "I haven't stopped to think about it. There's just been so much going on. I didn't get a chance to tell you about the money drama."
"Money drama?" Luke absently reached out and twirled her hair.
Lorelai jumped at the contact but quickly recovered and relaxed so he wouldn't stop. "Yeah, I got notice that we weren't going to get any financial aid for Yale and so I told Sookie I couldn't buy the Dragonfly. But then Sookie told Rory, I mean she thought Rory knew, and when Rory found out she went to my parents behind my back and made a deal that they would loan her the money for Yale, so then the Dragonfly could happen. It was so much in such a few days."
Luke continued to play with Lorelai's hair, "You know you could always ask me for money, I would help."
Lorelai turned to look at him marvelling at the love and sincerity in his eyes. "I know. But I've leaned on you too much over the years. I can't take your money too."
"We've leaned on each other."
"Cause we're friends," she whispered, unable or willing to break eye contact. She shifted closer on the couch and with the scotch coursing through her veins she harnessed the courage she needed. "Luke?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you do me a favour?"
Luke scootched closer, "Anything, what's up?"
Suddenly Lorelai got shy, she looked down and placed her hand on his chest, "Don't go away with Nicole."
Luke's brow furrowed, he touched her chin to silently ask her to look at him, "Why?"
"Luke," she whispered.
"Why don't you want me to go?"
"I hate her. She isn't right for you, she doesn't get you."
They couldn't get closer, their thighs were touching and her hand was still on his chest.
"Lorelai" his hand held the back of her head, his fingers tangled in her curls. "She's just someone I'm dating. Why do you hate her? I'm tired of being alone all the time and she's sweet and smart and I deserve someone like that, right?"
"Of course you deserve someone in your life who loves you and who you love. Do you love her?"
Luke paused, he was trying to come up with an answer that didn't seem forced or a lie she would be able to see through. "Honestly, I guess I'm not in love with her, but we haven't been together that long."
"Luke, are you settling?"
"What?"
"Can't get what you really want or are too scared to go after it so you're settling for something easier?"
Luke suddenly stood up, "You know what? I've watched you with Christopher and Max and the random other few guys that you didn't seem to be in love with."
Lorelai was shocked at the instant sadness from loss of his physical contact. She jumped to her feet, "I'm sorry." She said and headed to the door.
Luke knew that if he let her go he might never get this chance again, "Don't go."
She stopped, but she remained with her back to him. Luke softened and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "You don't owe me any explanation about who you're with or why you want her."
"I'm sorry too. You're not wrong," he responded.
"About what?"
"Please look at me," he begged.
She turned, he kept his hand on her shoulders, "I'm settling" he admitted. "I can't get who I want, so I'm trying to be happy with who I can get."
"Who do you want?" She said barely above a whisper.
His hand slid from her shoulders up her neck and when they reached her cheeks he pulled her towards him. He was slow and deliberate with each move. Giving her no room for confusion and plenty of time to resist if she wanted to. He watched as she tilted her head, resting her cheek against his palm, her lips slightly parting.
His lips were soft, an arousing contrast to the roughness of his stubbly face. She grabbed onto his shirt and pulled herself closer to him. His hands stroked her cheeks lovingly before gliding to the back of her head. Their lips hadn't separated, they were both getting drunk on the kiss. She slipped his buttons through the small holes and let her hands run over the soft cotton of his tshirt feeling his muscles rippling under her touch. Suddenly his arms were around her and he began to walk backwards, bringing her with him as he made his way towards the bed. When his legs bumped against the bed he finally broke from the kiss.
"Tell me why you don't want me to go away with Nicole."
Her eyes were still closed, hoping that he was going to kiss her again, but his words shocked her. She looked at him, and she saw everything she wanted. She knew if she asked him, he would give her the world, all she had to do was be honest with him and both of them could have everything. It was equally exhilarating and terrifying.
"I don't want you to go away with her, because if this was any other Summer I would change my plans and be with you. So I know it's asking a lot, but I'm asking that you stop seeing her. That you wait here for me while I go on this trip with Rory. Then, when we come home and I get her off to school I can start a new chapter of my life."
His smile was small, like he almost heard what he wanted.
"WE can start the next chapter of our lives, together," she corrected.
His smile grew from small to radiant, she was sure she had never seen him smile like this before. Her heart melted knowing that it was her that made him smile like this.
"Done," he stated quietly.
"What's done?"
He kissed her cheek and continued to plant soft, wet kisses along her jaw and down her neck, "I mean I'll happily do what you asked. I'll stop seeing her, I won't go away with her and I will wait here until you are back from Europe to start our future together. You just have to promise me one thing in exchange."
His lips on her skin were making her wild, "Anything!" She gasped.
"Don't change your mind," he kissed her. "Don't fall for any hot European studs over there," he kissed her again. "And promise me I'm not dreaming." He kissed her hard and hot, stealing her breath and enveloping her in his arms possessively.
Lorelai's arms snaked around Luke's neck and she pressed her soft curves against his hard chest, desperately trying to convey how much she wanted him.
The phone on his desk rang and they both jumped. It rang a second time and they were staring at each other trying to read the other's face to know if the call was going to be answered or ignored. Before they could form words or fully disengage from their embrace the answering machine clicked on. After the beep Rory's voice filled the room, "Hi Luke, it's Rory. Sorry to bug you so late, I hope I didn't wake you. My Mom left a note saying she was out for a walk and her walks usually lead to coffee so I was hoping to catch her. Anyway, sorry again for bugging you." The machine clicked letting them know Rory hung up.
They both smiled and she said the last words she wanted to at this moment, "I guess I should go."
Luke tried to smile, "Yeah."
"I don't want to. But -"
"It's okay," he said, cutting off her explanation. "Rory comes first. She's home alone worried about you."
"Yeah. Thanks for understanding." She started to fix her clothes and her hair while she headed to the door.
"Let me give you a ride home, it's late."
Lorelai shook her head, "No, Babette will hear the car and tell the whole town."
"Fine," Luke shook his head. "Then I'm walking you home."
"You know what? Let me just call Rory so she's not worried. Then we can take the scenic route home."
Luke smiled, he couldn't really recognize the feeling that flooded him when it was clear that Lorelai wanted to spend more time with him. He watched her face light up and get animated when talking to Rory, he smiled when she giggled in response to one of her daughter's comments.
When she hung up the phone she tilted her head shyly when she saw him staring at her, "What?" She asked.
"You're so beautiful," the words fell out of his mouth before he even thought about it and they both blushed.
They walked down the wooden steps and out the back door in silence. They fell into step easily and walked side by side heading towards her house.
When they got to the centre of the square Luke finally broke the silence, "I don't know which way the scenic route is, so you gotta lead the way."
Lorelai tilted her head towards the lake and linked her arm with his. Luke felt his heart rate quicken when he felt her press his arm between her breasts before she started speaking.
"Rory couldn't sleep, she's having a hard time with my itinerary for our trip."
"What's your itinerary?"
"Don't have one. I know of the hostels I want to stay at in each city we're planning to visit. But I don't want to determine how long we're staying in one place before we get there. If we hate one city I want to be able to leave immediately or if we fall in love with a certain spot I want to really be able to enjoy it. Or maybe once we're there we'll hear about a festival or some great event in a town we weren't planning to visit at all."
"But Rory doesn't like this idea?" Luke asked knowingly.
Lorelai giggled, "My list making, schedule following, by the book girl is funnily enough NOT thrilled about my fly by the seat of our pants kind of planning.
"She likely has her own schedule tucked away that she'll try to get you to follow," Luke smirked.
"No way!"
"Wanna bet?" Luke offered.
"I'm sorry, you think that you know my daughter better than I do?" Lorelai asked incredulously.
Luke only responded with a devilish smile.
"Okay, let's bet!" Lorelai insisted. "What do you want to bet? Winner picks the place of our first date? Loser pays for our first eight dates? Winner gets to be on top the first time we have -"
"LORELAI!" He tried to scold her but there was a chuckle in voice.
"So what do you want the bet to be?"
Luke shook his head, "I'm not betting with you about this."
"Why?"
Finally he couldn't contain his laughter, "Lorelai, I'm not going to bet about this with you because I saw Rory making the itinerary at the diner. She had guidebooks, maps and a calendar.
"Why that little …" Lorelai pretended to be shocked and mad, making Luke laugh harder.
"So what time do you leave?"
Lorelai sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just that I'm so happy that I got the nerve to ask you to stay. And being with you now, my lips still tingling from kissing you, holding on to your arm, I don't want to leave. So part of me is happy knowing while I'm away I won't be picturing you and Nicole, but the other half is going to miss you even more now. I won't just be missing my friend, I'll be anticipating our first date."
"Are you just saying this so I will come with you and carry your bags for you?"
The pair laughed as they reached her house. When they got to her door they were quiet again, looking at each other, not sure what to say or do.
"You never told me what time you're leaving," he finally broke the silence.
"Our flight leaves at ten but you know how they say you need to be at the airport three hours early for international flights? Rory booked the cab for six, even though it should only take twenty minutes to get there. I mean it takes half an hour at most. But she's mean that way."
"Well then I guess you won't be by the diner to say goodbye?"
"I would love a final Luke's coffee. But I am seriously contemplating going to sleep in full makeup and completely dressed so she can wake me when the cab gets here and I will be ready."
Luke smiled, "I get it. You're not a morning person."
"I'm really going to miss you."
"Me too."
They both moved in slowly and kissed goodbye. It started out soft and sweet, but one small moan from her spurred him on and suddenly she was up against the wall and he was pressed against her,
The door opened and Rory looked out, "Oh. OH MY GOD!"
Luke jumped back and looked guilty. Lorelai was smiling and biting her bottom lip to not laugh and Rory's stunned face and Luke turning beet red.
"Oh! Sorry!" Rory stuttered and tried to get back into the house but bumped into the door.
"I was just saying goodbye," Luke tried to explain. "You know, you guys are going to Europe." He mentally kicked himself for sounding like an idiot.
""Yeah!" Lorelai laughed, "He couldn't send me to Europe without a French kiss."
"Okay," Rory finally laughed. "I'll just wave."
"Can I have your kiss?" Lorelai continued to tease.
Luke looked at Lorelai in horror then back to Rory, repeating this a few times.
"It's okay Luke," Rory said. "You guys just surprised me. She walked up to him seeing the shock still on his face. "I'll see you in a few weeks." Rory then smiled at him and gave him a hug.
Still in an embarrassed state of shock, Luke returned Rory's hug. "Have a good time, Kid. Make sure your Mom doesn't get into any trouble."
"I will," she smiled. "I'll even keep her away from all the men."
Finally Luke laughed, "Thanks!"
Rory pulled from the hug, "I'll be inside." She then disappeared into the house, closing the door behind her.
"Cat's out of the bag," Luke shrugged.
"You pinned me up against the wall in clear view of Babette's house. Honey, the whole town will know by your lunch rush." She sauntered over to him, stopping inches away. She whispered, "I wish I wasn't going tomorrow and at the same time I'm so excited to go with her."
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her to his chest, "Go. Enjoy the trip. Make amazing memories with her. I'll be here waiting."
She pulled away only enough to be able to look up at him, "Promise."
"I'm actually considering growing a moustache and carrying your bags."
She laughed, "I love you!"
There was immediate silence. She was horrified that she let those words just fall out. Of course she loved him, but they hadn't been on a date yet. Surely he would turn and bolt. Leave it to Lorelai Gilmore to ruin the best thing she ever had before she even got it.
He was looking at her with his poker face intact.
"I love you too," he smiled.
"You do?"
His answer was simply leaning down and kissing her. The kiss told them both everything they wanted to know but what they both were scared to say. They were in love. They both knew this was the start of the last romantic relationship they would ever have. This was it. It all started now.