GGFic: Something That You Said (2/3)
Title: Something That You Said (2/3)
Author: LorelaiSquared
Rating: R
Characters: Luke, Lorelai,
Word Count: 6949
Summary: Luke never went to the renaissance fair. Instead, he goes over to Lorelai’s house as originally planned but both of them are a bit nervous about the new developments in their relationship. Based on a challenge by Alleycat86.
Authors Notes: Here's chapter two! This chapter is almost the same timeline as the first one only it's from Luke's POV so there will be some overlap. Only one more chapter after this one. I'm hoping to have it up within the week. And there just might be a rating change involved. :)
I've had a few emails asking about the SDNF sequel - don't worry, it's in the works. I've had report cards and parent conferences to deal with in the past few weeks so I had to slow down on the writing for a while. But now it's spring break so I should be able to catch up and get back to my regular writing schedule very soon.
Speaking of writing, there's another author's auction coming up April 3-6 (more info at supportstacie.net). I'll be auctioning myself off again (for a 5000-10000 word story!) so if you have an idea you've been dying to see my take on, start saving your pennies and come out and bid. There are some other fabulous authors up for auction as well. It's for a great cause and it's a lot of fun. I'll also be participating in the Chat-a-thon that's happening that weekend as well so if you have any burning questions for me, be sure to remember them and ask away. I'll be posting my chat time on my author page once I've got it.
As always, my extreme gratitude goes to my extraordinary beta Jewels12 who had to talk me off the ledge several times during the writing of this chapter. (Luke's POV is not an easy one to write my friends).
My thanks also to Olivia_Jane who helped me to make Luke a little more conflicted.
Once again, title credit goes to the Bangles.
Chapter 1,
Something I Have Dreamed About
I couldn’t hear myself think, let alone whatever Lorelai was babbling about. The diner was packed, Caesar was calling out orders every three seconds, and several customers needed my attention. I quickly wiped the counter while I tried to decipher her words. She said she needed to talk and I couldn’t help hoping that she wanted to talk about our kiss the night before.
I heard a baby screaming in the background on her end of the phone followed by a loud crash. “Hold on,” I told her as I navigated my way past some customers and stretched the phone cord to the storage room.
“You hold on, too,” she called. After a moment the screaming was suddenly quieter and she said, “I’m good.”
I closed the door behind me and settled myself on some boxes. “I’m good, too.”
“So... “ I said, hoping my voice sounded relaxed. “You wanted to talk.”
“Yeah. I just realized that, uh, you know, when I got back last night, I was, um, a little distracted.” I’d never heard her sound this nervous before. Usually her words were flying at 3000 miles per hour and I was lucky if I could understand half of what she said. But now she was hesitant. Why? I wondered. Is she hesitant because she’s about to let me down gently?
I tried to sound casual. “Hey, no big deal.” But it was a big deal. To me, anyway. I’d been waiting a long time for this. I’d been dreaming of those velvety lips of hers for years. I felt a knot forming in my stomach as I anticipated the rejection that was sure to be coming any second now.
“ Uh, no, no, it really was a big deal. I just, um -“ The knot in my stomach tightened.
This was it. This was the part where she told me she just wanted to be friends. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that. “Seriously, you don't need to -“
“ We kissed.” My heart leapt hopefully. I felt myself smile involuntarily as I remembered that kiss. She was so sweet, so soft, so feminine. I must have been silent for longer than I thought because the next thing she said was, “You and me, we kissed?”
“ I remember.” And I remember how you smelled, and how beautiful you were, and how right it felt kissing you. I added silently.
“ And it was...unexpected.” Unexpected? What did that mean? Was that a bad thing? Or a good thing? I wasn’t sure. I needed to know, but I couldn’t just come right out and ask her.
Instead I decided to give her the easy out. “Lorelai, relax. I'm fine if you want to just forget it ever happened, really.” Inside my brain was screaming, No, please don’t forget about it. I know I won’t forget about it. Ever.
“ No, I don't want to forget it ever happened. It was a great kiss.” An overwhelming sense of relief flooded my whole body. I wouldn’t have to pretend that one of the most incredible moments of my entire life never happened.
“Yeah?” I was smiling again.
“If one of us had been a frog, it would have had some seriously impressive consequences.” A frog? What the hell did she mean by that? I searched my brain frantically for everything I’d ever heard about frogs.
Suddenly it clicked, and the knot in my stomach turned to flutters of anticipation. “ Okay.”
“So, what do you think?” She sounded uncertain, as though she was worried that I would reject her.
Oh, Lorelai, if only you knew. “I think I'm really relieved you feel that way.”
“So you concur?” The brightness and enthusiasm that I loved was back in her voice.
“ Dear God, yes.” I finally let myself believe that this was actually happening.
“ Good. So, then, I guess we'll discuss this later.” It sounded to me like she was smiling.
I quickly contemplated if I could get away from the diner tonight. I’d make it work. I had to see her again, and soon. “Tonight?”
There was a pause, and my breath caught for a moment as I thought perhaps she’d changed her mind. “Tonight,” she agreed.
I released the breath I was holding and smiled. “Okay. Thanks for the call.” I winced at my formal tone.
“Well, my pleasure,” she said, as though we had just finished a successful business call. After she hung up, I stared at the phone for a moment, her final word ringing in my ear. Pleasure. For a moment I let myself fixate on a very different meaning of the word. I’d dreamt of her many times over the years, and now I was realizing that I may finally have the chance to make those dreams become a reality. I couldn’t wait to show her how I felt about her.
I shook my head, dragging my thoughts back from the gutter. But you’re going to do this right, Danes. You’re going to take it slow, follow social decorum. If you want forever with this girl, you have to do it right. I told myself.
The buzzing of the dial tone startled me and I soon became aware of the sounds of chaos in the diner. Reluctantly, I left the storage room, grabbing the coffee pot on my way to hang up the phone.
xxxxx
Things were insane in the diner all day and the war that was waging in my head didn't of I finally have a date with Lorelai mingled with thoughts of What if I blow it and scare her away? I was excited about our date and yet doubt continued to plague me.
Still, I felt myself smiling without reason. I even listened to Taylor when he came in for a cup of tea after lunch and yammered on about French loafers and shoe shining. Nothing could irritate me today. The woman of my dreams finally knew how I felt. Well, she sort of knew, anyway. I don't think she knew about the forever part just yet, but that would come. At least I hoped so. Oh god, what if she didn't want forever?
I was standing behind the counter during a lull, contemplating Lorelai's feelings for me, when Kirk entered the diner. He came and hovered near the counter but didn't sit down. Normally this would have annoyed me, but today I found it amusing.
"Have a seat, Kirk," I suggested, knowing full well why he wouldn't want to.
Kirk glanced at the stool nervously and took a step back, shaking his head. "NO!" he shouted, attracting the stares of the few customers that remained in the diner.
I rolled my eyes. This man could be such a drama queen at times. He cleared his throat and said more softly, "Um, no, thank you, Luke. I'll just stand."
I shrugged. "Suit yourself. What will you have today, Kirk?"
He looked anxious all of the sudden as he glanced around the diner. "Well, actually, I need your advice," he said in a panicked whisper.
"Aww, jeez." Not again. I thought. Why the hell did he keep choosing me as his confident? Was I giving off friendly vibes or something? I'd have to ask Lorelai later. The smile returned as I thought of her and I barely noticed Kirk grabbing my arm and yanking me into the back room.
"Luke," he said desperately, "I think Lulu wants to move in together and I don't know what to do. Mother would never allow it."
I blinked and tried to block my thoughts from straying to Lorelai again as I processed Kirk's words. "Kirk, you are a grown man. You can do whatever you want."
"But mother is allergic to Lulu. They couldn't live in the same house."
"What?" I felt myself doing a double take. "Why the hell would you live at your mother's house?"
Kirk stared at me blankly. "Where else would we live?"
"Lulu's maybe?" Good Lord. Kirk was worse than a four year old sometimes.
"Oh no. Mother says that Lulu's house is too close to the seedy part of town. She doesn't even let me visit."
"The seedy part of town?" I could hear my voice getting louder. I guess Kirk could still annoy me despite the happiness I was feeling. "What seedy part of town? This is Stars Hollow."
"But mother says -"
"For crying out loud, Kirk. You are not a child. You don't have to listen to everything your mother says anymore. If you want to live with Lulu, you should live with Lulu. You're old enough to make your own decisions." I could hear the phone ringing in the diner. Maybe it was Lorelai, again.
"I do want to live with Lulu. I love her."
"Then talk to her and make it happen." I edged closer to the curtain and pointed in the direction of the phone with my thumb. "I gotta get that."
"Thanks, Luke," Kirk exclaimed with outstretched arms.
"Welcome," I muttered as I quickly ducked through the curtain and successfully avoided his hug attempt.
I watched Kirk meander off as I picked up the phone. "Hello?" I said hopefully. My smile faded when I heard the dial tone on the other end. I set the phone back on the cradle and sighed. I looked at the clock. Only 2 hours until our date. The smile was back. So were my doubts.
xxxxx
Lane arrived for her shift, and after a few quick instructions, I slipped upstairs to get ready for my date with Lorelai. For the first time since our phone call that morning, I gave my full attention to the thoughts that had been threatening to overwhelm me all day. I finally let myself think about her, about how far we'd come.
I entered my apartment, smiling as I pictured how she looked the night before. Her eyes had been so vibrant when we'd fought, and I'd never seen her look more beautiful than in that moment just before I finally kissed her. I let myself relive that moment, reveling in the scent and taste of her. My breathing began to quicken. I pulled my clothes out of the closet and laid them on the bed before heading to the bathroom for a cold shower.
As the cold water beat against my shoulders, I thought again about the night before. I was still kind of mad at Kirk for interrupting us. If he hadn't come down those stairs at that exact moment, I wouldn't have spent the evening feeling so uncertain of Lorelai's feelings. It had been so crazy afterward that we never had a chance to talk. She had forms to fill out and guests to attend to, so I'd just gone to bed. I'd spent a restless night in room 7, knowing that she was sleeping just across the hall, wondering what she was thinking.
I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. I heard the phone ringing so I quickly wrapped the towel around my waist and ran to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Luke, hi, it's Liz," I heard my sister say brightly.
I smiled and tried to ignore the knot that was threatening to form in my gut. Usually when Liz called out of the blue like this, it wasn't good news. "Hey, Liz. What's up?"
"Not much. Just calling to see how my big brother was doing."
Well this was a first. Liz rarely called unless she was in trouble or needed help or money. "Uh... I'm good. Actually, I'm getting ready to go out."
"Really? You, Mr. Antisocial, are going out? Where?"
"Just out," I grumbled. My sister was the last person I wanted to discuss my social life with.
Liz's voice got higher, in that annoying, high-pitched way of hers. "Oh my God. You're going on a date, aren't you? With who? Is it Lorelai? Oh, I hope it's Lorelai. You two are just so perfect together."
In the background I could hear TJ's voice saying, "Luke's going out with Lorelai? She's hot. He's one lucky gu-- Hey!"
"TJ!" I held the phone away from my ear as Liz continued to scream at my new brother-in-law. Oh yeah, this marriage was going to last. I rolled my eyes.
"What? I'm not allowed to notice when another girl is hot? She's a looker, that's all I'm sayin' -- Ow, Liz."
"We'll discuss this later," Liz said firmly before turning her attention back to me. "So?"
"So what?" I really didn't want to talk about this with her.
"Are you going on a date with Lorelai?" Liz persisted.
Apparently I was in this discussion whether I wanted to be or not. I started to get dressed as I sighed. "Yes. I'm going on a date with Lorelai."
I held the phone away from my ear again as she squealed. "I knew it! I thought there was something going on at the wedding, TJ didn't believe me. But I knew. You are my big brother after all. Poor Carrie, she's going to be so disappointed."
"Aw, jeez," I groaned.
Liz ignored me, as usual. "I'm so happy for you Luke. You know, I think Dad would have really liked her."
I sat on the bed and glanced at the picture of my parents on their wedding day. They looked so happy, so full of life. I swallowed hard, suddenly overcome with unexpected emotion. "Yeah, he really would have. Mom too."
"She reminds me a bit of mom, actually," Liz said softly, her voice breaking. "Just like TJ reminds me of dad."
I had to cough to cover up my chuckle. Only Liz would try to compare TJ to a man like William Danes. I cleared my throat. "Well, I should really get going. I have to pick Lorelai up soon."
"Yes, you don't want to be late for your date. You're taking her somewhere nice, right? Not some dive like Buddy's."
"Hey," I scoffed. "Buddy has a nice place. I think Lorelai will like it."
"Luke, just because you like it there doesn't mean she will. She --"
"Butt out, Liz."
"Okay, fine, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
"I'm hanging up now, Liz."
"You better call me with details later." I rolled my eyes. Liz was incredibly nosy when she wanted to be.
"Goodbye, Liz."
"Goodbye, big brother. Good luck."
I hung up the phone, suddenly realizing that I'd just had a whole conversation with my sister while wearing only a towel. Oh Jeez, I thought to myself, feeling very uncomfortable. I frowned in the direction of the phone for a moment before drying off and putting on the navy slacks and the blue dress shirt I'd laid out earlier. I momentarily considered a tie but quickly shrugged off the idea. I hated wearing a tie. It was bad enough that I was wearing fancy clothes. I'd much rather wear my flannel, but this was a date, and it didn't seem right to wear flannel on a date.
I checked the clock, and decided I had enough time to shave before I had to leave to pick her up. As I applied the shaving foam, I recalled Lorelai's reaction when she'd first seen me without my usual scruff. She'd given me a look that night that had shocked me to the core. For the first time since I'd met her, I started to hope that maybe she felt something too. That night was the first of thousands of moments between us that had finally culminated in our kiss last night. I finished shaving and ran a comb through my hair, smiling as I relived that kiss for the millionth time. It really had been better than I'd ever imagined. I could have kicked myself for not taking the risk and kissing her sooner.
I did another time check and quickly slipped on my shoes before grabbing a jacket and heading out the door. In less than 10 minutes I'd be seeing her again. I couldn't wait.
xxxxx
I pulled up to her house. The light was on in her bedroom and I could see two silhouettes moving about the room. I grinned, not at all surprised that she was still getting ready. I think if Lorelai were ever on time for something the world might actually implode.
I took my time getting out of the truck and slowly walked to the front door. I was about half way across the lawn when a loud, raspy voice caused me to jump about a mile.
"Hiya, Luke. You look han'some tonight," Babette called, waving enthusiastically from her front porch. "Doesn't he look han'some, Morey?"
"Very," Morey said in his usual dulcet tones.
"Whatcha doin' all dressed up like that?" she inquired nosily. Seriously, the people in this town needed to learn to mind their own damn business.
"Um, ahh..." I stuttered. I wasn't really sure what to say. Lorelai and I hadn't had a chance to discuss what we wanted to tell other people. Heck, we hadn't even had our first official date yet.
"Oh my God!" Babette squealed at a decibel level that would make a hound dog howl. "Are you and Lorelai?" She pointed from me to Lorelai's bedroom, her eyes bugging out. "Oh my God! MOREY, Luke and Lorelai are dating. I gotta call Patty. East Side Tilly ain't got nothin’ on us." With that, she ran into her house, slamming the door in her excitement.
I couldn't help chuckling, even as I rolled my eyes. I was truly surrounded by a bunch of nut cases in this town. I glanced up at the window again. I was about to go out with the biggest nut case of them all. I guess that made me crazier than the rest of them put together. I started to walk a little faster, the corners of my lips turning up involuntarily as I approached the door and rang the bell.
I heard footsteps racing down the stairs and guessed it was probably Rory coming to answer the door while Lorelai scrambled to get ready last minute.
My suspicions were confirmed when the door swung ajar and I saw Rory's flushed face poking through the gap. "Hi, Luke," she said brightly, gesturing for me to come in. "Mom's just getting her shoes, she'll be down in a minute."
"Okay, good." There was an awkward silence as we stood in the foyer staring at each other for a moment. "So, uh, how's Yale?"
"Yale's good. I'm done for the year."
"Oh, right. Big plans for the summer?"
She shrugged. "Not really. I'm probably going to pick up some hours at the bookstore, spend time with mom and Lane. You know, the usual."
I nodded. "That's good. It's always great to have you around."
Rory shuffled her feet. "Um, Luke?" The nervousness of her voice caught me by surprise.
"Rory? What is it?" I tried to catch her eye, suddenly worried.
When she spoke again I could barely hear her. "Don't let her break your heart."
I frowned. "What?"
Her next words came out in a rush. "It's just that mom really likes you, but she has a tendency to get scared and try to push people away when they get close. I'm pretty sure it's different with you, but just in case. If she tries, don't let her get away with it, okay? I think you could make her really happy, Luke. I want her to be happy. You too." Rory finally looked at me, her eyes shining with the sincerity of her words.
"I promise you, Rory, I'm in this thing one hundred percent, and I will do everything in my power to make your mom happy. I lo--, I mean, I care about her a lot. " I was rewarded with a giant smile and a hug.
"Thanks, Luke." We both turned toward the living room as we heard footsteps padding down the stairs.
I emerged from the foyer just as Lorelai reached the landing. Our eyes met and a jolt of electricity coursed through my veins. My breath hitched as I took in the beauty before me. I recognized the dress instantly. It was the one she'd worn on the night of the dance-a-thon last year. It was the one that had plagued my dreams for weeks afterward. I'd almost kissed her that night, when we were on the bleachers and I was fixing that damn shoe. We'd been talking and joking and there'd been a moment between us. For an instant I'd wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms and kiss her until she was breathless. But we'd been interrupted and the moment had passed, and I was haunted by the memory of yet another missed opportunity. Now, though, she looked even more beautiful than she had that night.
She started to descend the last few stairs, her eyes never leaving mine. I felt something stirring deep within my gut that had nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with wanting her. When she reached the second to last step she tripped and I saw her lose her balance and start to fall. Without thinking, I raced toward her, reaching her just as she screamed and tumbled forward. She landed in my arms, and I slid my hands around her waist, supporting her as she partially regained her footing.
She tilted her head up toward me as I looked down at her, my lips pursed in concern. "Are you alright?" I whispered.
She nodded, resting her hands against my chest. I gently lifted her, lowering her from her awkward position on the stairs to a steady position on the floor. She slid her arms around my neck and all coherent thoughts fled from my consciousness. She was staring at my lips and I leaned forward, my breath quickening as I caught the scent of her fruity shampoo. Her breath felt warm and soft against my cheek as I closed the last few centimeters of distance between us and captured her lips with mine.
She sighed against my lips, and it was the sweetest sound I'd ever heard. I deepened the kiss, my tongue seeking hers as I savoured the taste of her; coffee mixed with French fries and a hint of something fruity. I kissed her thoroughly, letting her know without a doubt how much I wanted her.
Behind us, someone cleared their throat and I reluctantly pulled away, sobered by the reminder of Rory's presence in the house. I kept my hand on the small of her back, tracing lazy circles with my thumb as we both turned toward her daughter.
Rory was gazing intently at us, and I immediately felt my cheeks flush. I glanced at Lorelai, comforted by the matching blush that was emerging across her cheeks.
Rory spoke calmly as she held up a bag, "I just wanted to tell you that I’m headed to the inn to meet Grandma."
Her statement confused me slightly. The Dragonfly wasn't officially open yet. What was Emily doing there? I made a mental note to ask Lorelai about it later.
Lorelai moved away from me to hug Rory and instantly I felt a void. They said their goodbyes and Rory walked toward the door. "You two kids have fun," she called over her shoulder.
I walked over to Lorelai, running my hand through my hair nervously. After that kiss, I was even more anxious to get our date, and our future started. "I guess we should get going." I tried to keep my voice even as I picked up her jacket and held it out for her.
She beamed at me as I helped her into her jacket. "I guess so. Where exactly are you taking me, Luke Danes?" she asked, a hint of laughter in her voice.
I knew she was trying to bait me so I simply smiled while I held the door open for her and said, "You'll see."
She closed the door and was headed toward the truck. I stayed behind, my brow furrowed. She hadn't locked the door. Didn't she know how foolish that was, how unsafe? How could I keep her safe if she left the door unlocked so anyone could just walk in?
"You coming?" she called from the lawn.
I jerked my head toward the door. "Aren't you going to lock it?"
She shrugged flippantly, as though it didn't matter. “Nah, no one would bother trying to break in with ‘Babette’s Neighbourhood Watch’ right next door."
I made my way to her, frowning. "You really should lock it anyway. It’s not safe." I didn't like the way she was so casual about her safety. And Rory's.
Lorelai resumed her trek to the truck, her shoes swinging in her hand. She wasn't even wearing her shoes? She could hurt her feet doing that. And then I'd be stuck carrying her. Sheesh, this woman was going to be the death of me. "Aww, it’s sweet that you’re so worried. I’ll consider it." Her tone indicated that we would probably have this discussion a million times and she'd win it a million times.
I sighed and settled myself into the driver’s seat. “That’s the best I’m gonna get, isn’t it?” I started the engine.
Lorelai nodded emphatically and gave me two thumbs up. “You got it, dude!” she said in a funny voice, a huge grin on her face.
I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Aren't you going to put on your shoes?" I asked dryly. So much work, I thought, casting a quick glance her way. I smiled. Good thing I don't mind.
She leaned over and slid her foot into one of the shoes, using her finger to adjust the strap. She did the same with the other and sat up. "Happy now?"
"Overjoyed."
"So where are you taking me?" She was bouncing in her seat. I was pleased to see how excited she was.
I repeated my earlier words, "You'll see."
"Can't you give me a hint? Just one, teeny, tiny hint?"
"No." She crossed her arms and stuck out her lip in a pout. I wasn't about to fall for the guilt trip. I was determined to surprise her. Instead, I changed the subject. "What was all that about Rory and her grandmother?"
Lorelai stopped pouting and groaned. "My mother blindsided me into letting her stay at the inn for a while."
"But why? Doesn't she have a perfectly good house in Hartford?"
"That's what I said. But she insisted that she couldn't remain under the same roof as my father and pretty much forced me to let her stay at the inn even though we haven't officially opened yet."
My eyes widened in surprise. "Your parents are having marital problems?"
Lorelai sighed. "Apparently. I'm not exactly sure what's going on but I think it started after Gran died."
"Wow." I always thought that Emily and Richard were one of those couples that were together for life. That's the impression I'd had on the few occasions I'd met them, anyway.
"Who knows what's going on? I'm sure they'll patch it up soon. They have to, she's barely been at the inn a day and already she's driving me insane. Thank god Rory covered for me tonight."
"You didn't tell your mother about our date?" I had to admit, a part of me was a little hurt by that.
"Oh god no." Lorelai must have caught my wounded expression because she quickly added, "Not because I'm trying to hide it or anything. It's just that my mother disapproves of everything I do and everyone I associate with. I couldn't bear it if she disapproved of you too."
I nodded, feeling comforted by her confession. "That's got to be rough."
"It is. My whole life, all I've wanted is her approval, yet no matter what I do she never seems to be satisfied. Somewhere along the way I just gave up trying and decided it was best to keep her in the dark as much as possible. So far, it's worked pretty well for us."
"Are you sure about that?"
"No. But that's the way it is. Let's talk about something less depressing. Like, where are you taking me?"
I laughed. "You don't give up, do you?"
"Never. Come on, Luke. Where are you taking me?"
I pulled into a parking stall. "Here."
Lorelai looked at me, clearly confused. "Where?"
I gestured to the sign above us. "Here".
"Sniffy's Tavern," she read. "Sniffy's? You brought me to a place called Sniffy's?"
"Just come with me," I said, a hint of annoyance in my voice.
She climbed out of the truck and followed me into the tavern. As soon as we entered her eyes lit up. "Oh, I like this, it's like a cross between the Cheers bar and The Leaky Cauldron."
I didn't have a clue what she was talking about but before I could ask, Maisy came up to me and gave me a huge hug. "Lucas! What a pleasant surprise."
I took Lorelai's arm and guided her toward the older woman. "Maisy, I'd like you to meet Lorelai."
Maisy's eyes widened. "You brought a girl? Lucas never brings his girls here, you must be pretty special. I'm giving you our best table." As she led us through the restaurant she called out, "Buddy."
Lorelai blushed for the second time that evening. "Lucas?" she inquired, raising her eyebrows at me.
"I come here at least once a week."
Lorelai gaped at me. "Oh my God. You have a Luke's!"
I shrugged. "I guess I do." I took her coat as she slid into the candle lit booth that Maisy had set up for us. I slid in beside her just as Buddy appeared.
I introduced him, and he and Maisy immediately started bickering about what they should serve us. After a moment they disappeared and I turned to Lorelai.
"Buddy and Maisy are like family to me. Maisy went to school with my mom and Buddy helped me out when I wanted to turn my dad's store into a diner." I gazed after them, wistfully. They were the last remaining connection I had to my parents and they really meant a lot to me.
Lorelai seemed to sense this and she took my hand in hers, squeezing gently.
I stared at her hand, suddenly struck by how similar it was to my mother's hand. My thoughts shifted to Liz's comment about how Lorelai was a lot like mom. She was right in a way. They shared a lot of qualities. Lorelai laughed at something on the menu and a distant memory floated through my mind.
I was 8 and my mom and dad were chasing me and Liz around the backyard. Suddenly my dad stopped chasing us and started tickling my mom. She threw her head back and laughed, the clear, joyful tone ringing through my ears. I remember watching them in fascination, admiring the obvious love they had for each other. In that moment, I decided that was the kind of love I wanted to have one day. I looked at Lorelai again; she was reading the menu aloud intently, clearly enjoying herself.
She finished reading and I cleared my throat. "Lorelai. " The emotion in my voice startled me, and it clearly had a similar effect on her because she instantly looked at me, her head tilted in concern.
"Luke?"
I tried again, "Lorelai, this thing we're doing, you and me. I just want you to know that I'm in. I'm all in."
She stared at me, and for a moment I was worried that maybe I'd said too much too soon. Then her face blossomed and she flashed her teeth in that vibrant smile of hers. "I pictured our wedding today," she confessed softly.
I blinked. Wow. "You did?"
She nodded. "Well, kind of. I was thinking about how I should have kissed you that night on the bleachers, and how if I had, then maybe you never would have married Nicole and we would be married by now instead."
I laughed. "I wanted to kiss you that night. I wanted to kiss you so badly, just like I'd wanted to a thousand times before, but I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid I'd scare you away, ruin a great friendship. I needed to have you in my life, even if it was only as a friend."
"I needed that too, Luke. But I've come to realize that I need more that that. You've been more than a friend to me for a long time, I just didn't want to acknowledge it. I trust you more than I trust anyone other than Rory. You look after us, you feed us, you put up with our teasing and our mocking. You worry about us. I value your opinion and I love spending time with you. I care about you and I was physically hurt when I found out you married Nicole. It should have been me, Luke, I wanted it to be me so badly." Her eyes were brimming with tears and I felt my breath catch as I listened to her heartfelt confession. I reached out and brushed away her tears with my thumb, the palm of my hand gently grazing her cheek.
"I wanted it to be you," I whispered, leaning forward ever so slightly. "Now it is. Now I finally have you and I'm never going to let you go." My lips hovered over hers.
"You promise?" Her voice was raw and vulnerable.
"I promise." I crushed my lips against hers, sealing my promise with my actions. Her lips parted and I found her tongue, joining it in a celebratory dance. I hugged her to me, reassuring her as I deepened the kiss.
"Oh my." Maisy's voice caused us to bolt apart. "Sorry to interrupt, but your dinner is ready."
I blushed. "Thanks, Maisy."
She set down our plates and quickly vanished.
Lorelai reached for her fork, shifting slightly so that her thigh was pressed lightly against mine. Although I was grateful for the contact, I also found it incredible distracting. How was I supposed to concentrate on eating when all I could think about was Lorelai and the way she smelled, sounded and felt?
She took a bite of her meal and moaned, sending another wave of desire rippling through my body. "Oh god, this is to die for. Try some, Luke."
Before I could process what was happening, she wound some noodles onto her fork and was shoving them into my mouth. I was instantly assaulted by a delicious cacophony of flavours that caused me to echo Lorelai's earlier moan.
"Wow. That is incredible," I managed to gasp, reaching for my water.
Lorelai nodded. "An orgasm on a fork," she said earnestly as she loaded another mouthful.
I choked on my water, nearly spitting it all over her. Luckily I managed to swallow it instead, but the whole ordeal left me coughing.
"You okay?" she asked, shoveling more pasta in her mouth.
"Uh, I'm fine," I said, picking up my fork and digging into my own meal.
"Just checking."
We finished the meal mostly in silence, our thighs touching the whole time. Once in a while she'd move her foot and her ankle would brush against mine. Each time it happened I felt more and more like a hormone crazed teenager. It took every ounce of my focus to concentrate on the meal in front of me.
During dessert we resumed conversation, talking amiably about everything from Yale and the Dragonfly, to Liz, TJ, and Kirk. I filled her in on my encounter with Babette and she laughed, claiming it was better that way since it saved us having to tell anyone.
When it was time to go, Buddy and Maisy came out to bid us farewell. They refused to accept payment for our meals so I ended up slipping some money into Maisy's apron when she hugged me goodbye. God that woman could be stubborn sometimes. After promising that we'd be back soon, I took Lorelai's hand in mine and we left the tavern.
"What now?" Lorelai asked. "I'm not ready for the night to end."
"Me either," I admitted. "How about a walk? The ocean isn't far from here."
"A walk would be nice." Lorelai squeezed my hand again, beaming. "This has been a really nice first date so far."
I pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. "Yeah, it has."
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