Luke pulled the shirt that she loved from his drawer, he had kept it folded tightly in his bedside table since the last time she wore it. He had to fight the urge to sneak into the washroom and join her in the shower. While he waited for her he set up the TV he used to have for her watch in bed and left the remote on what would always be her night table. Then he sat at his desk and wrote up some orders and notes for the diner, desperate to keep his mind off what she was doing. He averted his eyes when she emerged from the bathroom wearing only a towel and holding her clothes. Her hair was up in a messy bun with loose tendrils framing her face.

"I'm going to shower quickly," he said before closing the door behind him.

Lorelai smiled at the awkwardness between them. In her heart she knew that they would be back together soon. Completely and publicly. There was no way for Chris to talk his way out of this. It was never supposed to be Chris anyway. It felt like she had been under a trance for months and after talking to Luke, the fog had lifted. Sure, it felt weird now because it had been so long and they had hurt each other so deeply. She wasn't sure how this night was going to go, she knew he wanted her to stay. She wanted to stay. But their issues were not fully resolved. She had to actually apologize for running to Chris and he had to apologize for shutting her out. Though standing in his apartment in just a towel, hearing him shower, it felt like old times. So much so that she placed her clothes on his dresser opting to wear only the shirt he left out for her. She sat up in his bed, the giant comforter pulled up over her legs, and flipped on the TV. When Luke came out of the washroom with his hair slicked back and his classic t-shirt and sweatpants sleepwear, Lorelai pretended to be engrossed in the episode of 'I Love Lucy' on the screen.

Luke paused in the doorway, seeing her in his bed, in his shirt, watching TV, almost made him cry. He never thought he'd have this again, have her again. He ducked his head, trying to hide his glistening eyes from her, and climbed into bed.

They watched the episode in silence, their eyes locked onto the screen but neither focusing on the show.

"It almost feels like no time has passed," she said with no emotion, her eyes still on the TV.

He turned to look at her, "I missed you so much."

Without another word she hurled her body at him and he wrapped his arms around her. Her face was buried between his neck and shoulder and her body shuttered with her sobs.

He was stunned. Of all the things he thought might happen in bed together, her violently crying was not high on the list. Thankfully his instinct, his need to take care of her was stronger than his shock and he continued to hold her tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Luke. I'm just so sorry," she managed to gasp.

He enveloped her further, letting her know that he wanted her close, that he would keep her safe. His hand stroked her back then his fingers tangled in the long, raven, curls he loved so much.

"I know. It's okay. I'm sorry too."

"My life is such a mess. Nothing has felt right since -"

"I know."

She slowly backed away and looked him in the eye, "Do you? Do you really know that things didn't feel right before the ultimatum? Do you know how heartbroken I was after Martha's Vineyard when you promised that things would be different but came home and did exactly what you were doing before? Do you know how wrong it felt that you were practically my daughter's surrogate father from the moment you met but you wouldn't let me be a part of your daughter's life? Do you know?"

With tears in his eyes, Luke nodded. "I know. Trust me. After MANY conversations with Liz, Sookie and even April, I know how wrong I was. The fact that what you did could be seen as worse than what I did, fed my ego and stubbornness. It didn't matter what I did, because you slept with him. HIM. Of all people."

"I want you back," she whispered while staring at his chest.

"I'm yours."

She made eye contact and caressed his cheek, "But we have to mean it this time. NO secrets. We tell each other how we're feeling. We talk about our interactions with others, ESPECIALLY exes! We tell the other if someone like Emily or Anna is trying to control this relationship. We trust each other one hundred percent because we both agree to NO secrets."

"Deal," he smiled and held his hand out for her to shake.

She gave him a sad, sheepish smile and shook his hand. And once the deal was made she slumped her shoulders and closed her eyes, "I'm so tired."

"Comere" He said, holding his arms open.

Almost instantly they fell into their favourite cuddle position, him laying on his back supported by a few pillows, his left arm wrapped around her, she was cuddled into his side with her head resting on his chest up near his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head.

"That's the first time you've kissed me in seven months," she whispered.

Luke held her chin and tilted her head up so he could see her face. They shared a smile before he leaned down to gently, timidly but lovingly brush his lips against hers. Her lips parted with a small gasp then pressed herself against him fully while deepening the kiss.

"I love you," she whimpered between kisses.

"I love you," he answered immediately.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo

Luke quickly shut off the alarm that started buzzing just before five am. He then let his arm fall possessively over Lorelai's midsection and cuddled into her back. He knew he would have a hard time falling back asleep but he kept his eyes closed and tried to take in every sensation waking up with her in his bed provided. He pushed his nose closer and inhaled the incredible scent of her hair. He remained silent to hear the little sighs and moans she made while sleeping. Then he started to let his hand wander over her body. He knew he shouldn't, that she might not be ready, but he couldn't help himself. His hand found her smooth thigh and stroked it gently. He would go towards her knee and then up to the hem of his flannel shirt she wore. Every time he touched the shirt it slid higher up on her thigh. The idea that she may not be wearing anything at all under his shirt was suddenly all he could think of.

Lorelai woke slowly and quietly. At first, before she remembered where she was, her stomach dropped. She was worried the man touching her was Chris home early. But coming into the conscious world confirmed it was not him. The gentle, romantic way she was being held, the strong chest pressed against her back, the size of what was poking her bottom, and the smell of Irish Spring soap, wood and leather, all told her that she was with Luke in his apartment. She sighed happily and rubbed her butt against the bulge in his pants.

"Good morning," she whispered.

"Good morning," he responded before kissing her neck.

"Did you sleep ok?"

"Better than I have in months. You?"
She tilted her head to give his lips better access to her throat, "Me too." She shifted slightly causing his hand that was still teasing her thigh to slip letting him know that she was indeed naked under his shirt. Her lips found his, they met in a searing kiss and it wasn't long before their reconciliation was solidified.

A little while later she collapsed on his chest and he played with her hair.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Still really early, just after six."'

"Don't you open soon?"

"Caesar is opening today. I'm going to let him know soon that I'll be taking today off."

"You're going to stay with me?"

"Yup."

"Yay," She smiled and then fell asleep.