Title: Tea and Sympathy
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Third Season, post "Take the Deviled Eggs"
Rating: PG
Summary: Sherry has given birth and Lorelai is feeling angsty. Guess who offers her a shoulder to cry on?
A/N: I decided to change the ending slightly, due to some great feedback I received from jewls13. I will probably continue writing at some point but want to leave it as a stand alone.
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing. =========================================================================
It was Friday night and Lorelai Gilmore fled Boston in her Jeep, she couldn't get out of there fast enough. If she kept at the speed limit she would make it home in under two hours. Twenty four hours ago, Sherry had given birth to her daughter, Gigi. It was a difficult birth, not the easy C-section that was planned. Sherry was going to have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to recover.
Yesterday, Chris had called asking Rory and Lorelai to be there. In spite of her discomfort, Lorelai drove Rory to Boston so she could meet her baby half-sister. Lorelai tried to push her jealousy and resentment aside and be happy for Rory, Chris and Sherry. After all, the little baby was innocent, and the poor thing would have to grow up named after a film about a French prostitute. She hoped that Gigi would know how lucky she was to have a big sister like Rory.
She thought she would be all right, until she saw the picture she was dreading. Sherry in her hospital bed, looking exhausted but radiant, Chris the proud father, and Rory holding little Gigi in her arms for the first time. The four of them together, they looked like a family in a Norman Rockwell painting. And Lorelai was not in that picture, she was peering through a window at them, feeling like an outsider. The nurse had told her, immediate family only. She felt like crying but kept her tears at bay.
When Rory came out of the room to tell her how cute the baby was, she just hugged her daughter tightly. Rory knew this was very difficult for her mother and told her she could go back to Stars Hollow. Rory planned to stay with Chris for a day or two and help him prepare for the baby's arrival home. So Lorelai left - it was better that way. Better to be alone at home than having to stand by and smile at the happy family picture.
Just after 10, Lorelai took the Stars Hollow exit and drove through the town. She passed the town center and spotted Luke. He must have just closed the diner for the evening and she was surprised to see him walking around. It was a cold mid-November night, crisp and clear. She pulled over and honked at him. "Hey, Luke."
"Hey, Lorelai, you shouldn't be honking this time of night, some folks are trying to sleep."
"Unlike you - aren't you usually hitting the sack about now?"
"I wanted to take a walk, I've been cooped up in the diner today and wanted to look at the stars."
"Star gazing in Stars Hollow?"
"Something like that."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Luke was always happy when Lorelai wanted to spend time with him. Especially when it was night, under the stars, who knows what could happen?
Lorelai was in no hurry to go home to an empty house and be alone with her bitterness. She parked her jeep on the curb and exited. She joined Luke on the sidewalk. The town center was dark and no one was around.
"So, where were you tonight? Is Rory at home waiting for you?"
"No, she's in Boston with her dad, Sherry and their new baby, Gigi. I just came from the hospital."
"So, Sherry had the baby."
"Yup."
"And she named it after a French prostitute?"
"Yeah, poor kid."
"How are you doing? I mean, I know this must be hard for you."
Luke and Lorelai found a bench and sat down. Luke remembered how upset Lorelai was when she told him about Chris and Sherry and the baby. Sherry had everything Lorelai wanted, well, what Lorelai thought she wanted. At least Luke hoped that's what it was.
"Oh things couldn't be better." She chuckled bitterly. "Tonight was probably one of the strangest nights, I've never felt so isolated. I mean, I was looking at Rory holding the baby, she was in the hospital room with Sherry and Chris. Sherry looked gorgeous, she had that "new mom" glow, Chris was playing the proud and loving dad to the hilt. And Rory, she had the most angelic smile when she saw her new sister, and everyone was just so joyful. And meanwhile, I'm looking at them and I just wanted to scream! Am I a terrible person, Luke?"
He smirked at her. "That's a loaded question." Then he paused and looked at her soberly. "I don't think you're a terrible person for wanting something you can't have. But I know you can rise above that."
"I tried to, I tried so hard. I was fine until I saw the four of them in that room. All I could think about was how wrong the scene was. That it shouldn't have been Sherry in the hospital bed, it should've been me." Lorelai finally let the tears flow that she had been holding back. "Luke, I wanted it to be me!"
Luke pulled Lorelai into his arms. "It's ok, Lorelai, it's ok." Lorelai held onto Luke tightly and he stroked her hair and back as she sobbed. A minute or two later, her tears subsided and she pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Luke. I know you hate it when I cry."
"It's ok. I've seen you cry before, and I'll probably see you cry again. But I hope it's a long time before that happens. I just don't like to see you hurting. Hey, do you want to come upstairs for a bit? I could make you some tea and you can blow your nose."
"I'd like to, but won't Jess mind?"
"He's probably in bed already. He's working the early shift at Wal-mart this weekend."
"Jess is working at Wal-mart? You're kidding. Is that where he got the money to buy the junky jalopy he's been riding around in?"
"Truth is stranger than fiction."
They got up from the bench and started to walk to Luke's apartment.
Lorelai was starting to forget about her day at the hospital. "Hey, I'll let you in on a secret, promise you won't tell Jess."
Luke raised his eyebrows. "What secret?"
"Well, remember a couple of weeks ago, when Jess's car was egged? I have it on good authority that a certain outlaw mother/daughter team may be responsible."
"Ooh -I'm gonna out you at the next town meeting. I'm not really surprised that it was you. And Jess, he kind of had it coming. But I gotta tell you, he is surprising me these days, he's not such a bad kid."
"Well, I think a lot of it has to do with his uncle."
"You give me too much credit."
Luke and Lorelai walked upstairs to his apartment. The place was dark, so Luke flipped on the kitchen light. "Let's keep our voices down, so we don't disturb him." He handed her a tissue box so she could blow her nose.
"So, I'm making you tea. You'll drink it if I go to the trouble?"
"Sure, I'll have some of that chamomile stuff. I think my nerves need it."
Luke put on the kettle and got a mug from his cupboard. "This will be a watershed moment, Lorelai Gilmore drinking tea."
"Well don't get your hopes up. I'm only drinking it because I've had one of the suckiest days of my entire life." She reached for another tissue to wipe her face of the tears. "Although, things don't seem so bad now that I'm here with you."
Here was one of those potentially watershed moments, when Luke never knew what do next, if he only did or said the right thing...nah, forget it, Lorelai's not ready for that, this is an inappropriate time A few seconds passed in awkward silence. Luckily the tea kettle whistle saved them, he got up and poured the hot water into a mug and submerged the teabag. He brought it to the table and placed it front of Lorelai.
"Careful, it's hot. You might want to let it cool a bit."
"Thanks." Lorelai blew on her mug and took a small sip. "The tea's not bad." She paused. "You know, I was just thinking about what I said about wanting to be in Sherry's place. I really didn't mean it, I mean I want that happy family picture one day..."
Luke interrupted her. "You mean the whole package?"
She nodded, recalling their conversation in the diner a few months ago. "Yes. But I made a decision 18 years ago not to marry Chris and I still don't regret that. I think what got me was seeing Rory with them. I know it's irrational but I felt in that moment I was losing her. I guess with the prospect of her leaving for college, having this new little sister to love, I feel like she has things in her life that have nothing to do with me. For so long it's been the two of us against the world, and I have to face the fact that she's growing up and doesn't need me anymore."
Luke looked at Lorelai's sad face and handed her the tissue box. "Here you go, just in case." He hoped he could say the right words to make her smile again.
"You know Lorelai, everything you said may be true about Rory, but she'll always need you. You're the closest mother/daughter team I have seen, to the point of freakishness. Sure, Rory's growing up, but she'll always be your daughter and your best friend. I think you know she loves you more than anything in the world."
Lorelai's eyes teared up again but this time she was smiling. "Oh, Luke, you always know exactly what I need to hear." She reached over and took his hand in hers. "How do you always know?"
Again, here was one of those moments. Two in one night and Luke was getting uncomfortable. So he just relied on a familiar line. "Because I know, ok?" As much as he liked holding Lorelai's hand, he knew he wouldn't want to let go if he held on any longer. He pulled his hand away.
Lorelai wished Luke hadn't pulled his hand away. She paused. "Ok, let's see how you do with this one. What am I gonna do when Rory goes to college and I'll be living on my own for the first time?"
Luke smiled. "That's easy. You're going to start focusing on yourself, your dreams. You know, owning your own Inn, starting a Go-Gos cover band and maybe finding some nice guy to settle down with?"
"Hey, that's not so easy. Well, the Inn and the band, a piece of cake. But the nice guy part, I don't know if that's gonna happen. I don't have the best track record, you know. And the last date I went on was pretty painful."
"Was it that Doogie Howser guy or did you wind up going out with Kirk?"
"Neither. I went on a date with an Aryan from Darien that I met at an auction. He was handsome and charming but once we went out all he talked about was his Jaguar, his money and his wine cellar. And to add insult to injury, I was roped into going to a Bowie concert with him. I'm a huge fan but I think I'll never be able to listen to "Space Oddity" again without cringing."
Luke felt a twinge of jealousy but was relieved that it didn't work out and he tried to hide his relief from Lorelai. "My sympathies. Um, so, Lorelai, this nice guy- in your mind's eye, what is he like?"
"Hmm, good question. When I was younger, he had to have a killer record collection, have great hair and make me smile with his wit and personality. Now I'll settle for someone who makes me smile. I guess he would also have to make a heavenly cup of coffee, put up with my endless chatter and be able to shut me up with a great kiss."
"Well, that's a tall order to fill. Where are you going to find a winner like that?"
"Oh, I have a strong feeling that one day in the future when I'm not looking, he'll fall right into my lap." Lorelai gave Luke a knowing look, telling him she wasn't quite ready yet, but she would - someday.
Luke met her gaze and hoped he was reading her right. "Well, I hope to be there to see it happen."
Lorelai looked at her watch, it was almost midnight. "Oh Luke, it's getting late. I should go and let you sleep."
Luke yawned in agreement. "Yeah, it's time for bed, should be a busy day tomorrow."
"With all the driving today, I'm exhausted, so I think I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. But I'll be at the diner for a late brunch. Make me waffles?"
"Waffles, sure."
Lorelai stood up and Luke followed her to the door. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy." She gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "See you tomorrow, sleep well." With that, Lorelai left the apartment and walked downstairs and back to her Jeep.
Luke shut the door and locked it. As he settled into bed for the night, he had a feeling that he was going to have dreams of falling into Lorelai's lap and shutting her up with kisses.
Lorelai drove home and reflected on the days events. Luke was right, it was time for her to start thinking about her own future and what she wanted. Rory was about to start a new life of her own and it was about time she did, too. She entered her empty house and didn't feel as lonely as she dreaded. She had the whole place to herself that weekend, and plenty of quiet time to dream.
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Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Third Season, post "Take the Deviled Eggs"
Rating: PG
Summary: Sherry has given birth and Lorelai is feeling angsty. Guess who offers her a shoulder to cry on?
A/N: I decided to change the ending slightly, due to some great feedback I received from jewls13. I will probably continue writing at some point but want to leave it as a stand alone.
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing. =========================================================================
It was Friday night and Lorelai Gilmore fled Boston in her Jeep, she couldn't get out of there fast enough. If she kept at the speed limit she would make it home in under two hours. Twenty four hours ago, Sherry had given birth to her daughter, Gigi. It was a difficult birth, not the easy C-section that was planned. Sherry was going to have to stay in the hospital for a couple of days to recover.
Yesterday, Chris had called asking Rory and Lorelai to be there. In spite of her discomfort, Lorelai drove Rory to Boston so she could meet her baby half-sister. Lorelai tried to push her jealousy and resentment aside and be happy for Rory, Chris and Sherry. After all, the little baby was innocent, and the poor thing would have to grow up named after a film about a French prostitute. She hoped that Gigi would know how lucky she was to have a big sister like Rory.
She thought she would be all right, until she saw the picture she was dreading. Sherry in her hospital bed, looking exhausted but radiant, Chris the proud father, and Rory holding little Gigi in her arms for the first time. The four of them together, they looked like a family in a Norman Rockwell painting. And Lorelai was not in that picture, she was peering through a window at them, feeling like an outsider. The nurse had told her, immediate family only. She felt like crying but kept her tears at bay.
When Rory came out of the room to tell her how cute the baby was, she just hugged her daughter tightly. Rory knew this was very difficult for her mother and told her she could go back to Stars Hollow. Rory planned to stay with Chris for a day or two and help him prepare for the baby's arrival home. So Lorelai left - it was better that way. Better to be alone at home than having to stand by and smile at the happy family picture.
Just after 10, Lorelai took the Stars Hollow exit and drove through the town. She passed the town center and spotted Luke. He must have just closed the diner for the evening and she was surprised to see him walking around. It was a cold mid-November night, crisp and clear. She pulled over and honked at him. "Hey, Luke."
"Hey, Lorelai, you shouldn't be honking this time of night, some folks are trying to sleep."
"Unlike you - aren't you usually hitting the sack about now?"
"I wanted to take a walk, I've been cooped up in the diner today and wanted to look at the stars."
"Star gazing in Stars Hollow?"
"Something like that."
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." Luke was always happy when Lorelai wanted to spend time with him. Especially when it was night, under the stars, who knows what could happen?
Lorelai was in no hurry to go home to an empty house and be alone with her bitterness. She parked her jeep on the curb and exited. She joined Luke on the sidewalk. The town center was dark and no one was around.
"So, where were you tonight? Is Rory at home waiting for you?"
"No, she's in Boston with her dad, Sherry and their new baby, Gigi. I just came from the hospital."
"So, Sherry had the baby."
"Yup."
"And she named it after a French prostitute?"
"Yeah, poor kid."
"How are you doing? I mean, I know this must be hard for you."
Luke and Lorelai found a bench and sat down. Luke remembered how upset Lorelai was when she told him about Chris and Sherry and the baby. Sherry had everything Lorelai wanted, well, what Lorelai thought she wanted. At least Luke hoped that's what it was.
"Oh things couldn't be better." She chuckled bitterly. "Tonight was probably one of the strangest nights, I've never felt so isolated. I mean, I was looking at Rory holding the baby, she was in the hospital room with Sherry and Chris. Sherry looked gorgeous, she had that "new mom" glow, Chris was playing the proud and loving dad to the hilt. And Rory, she had the most angelic smile when she saw her new sister, and everyone was just so joyful. And meanwhile, I'm looking at them and I just wanted to scream! Am I a terrible person, Luke?"
He smirked at her. "That's a loaded question." Then he paused and looked at her soberly. "I don't think you're a terrible person for wanting something you can't have. But I know you can rise above that."
"I tried to, I tried so hard. I was fine until I saw the four of them in that room. All I could think about was how wrong the scene was. That it shouldn't have been Sherry in the hospital bed, it should've been me." Lorelai finally let the tears flow that she had been holding back. "Luke, I wanted it to be me!"
Luke pulled Lorelai into his arms. "It's ok, Lorelai, it's ok." Lorelai held onto Luke tightly and he stroked her hair and back as she sobbed. A minute or two later, her tears subsided and she pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Luke. I know you hate it when I cry."
"It's ok. I've seen you cry before, and I'll probably see you cry again. But I hope it's a long time before that happens. I just don't like to see you hurting. Hey, do you want to come upstairs for a bit? I could make you some tea and you can blow your nose."
"I'd like to, but won't Jess mind?"
"He's probably in bed already. He's working the early shift at Wal-mart this weekend."
"Jess is working at Wal-mart? You're kidding. Is that where he got the money to buy the junky jalopy he's been riding around in?"
"Truth is stranger than fiction."
They got up from the bench and started to walk to Luke's apartment.
Lorelai was starting to forget about her day at the hospital. "Hey, I'll let you in on a secret, promise you won't tell Jess."
Luke raised his eyebrows. "What secret?"
"Well, remember a couple of weeks ago, when Jess's car was egged? I have it on good authority that a certain outlaw mother/daughter team may be responsible."
"Ooh -I'm gonna out you at the next town meeting. I'm not really surprised that it was you. And Jess, he kind of had it coming. But I gotta tell you, he is surprising me these days, he's not such a bad kid."
"Well, I think a lot of it has to do with his uncle."
"You give me too much credit."
Luke and Lorelai walked upstairs to his apartment. The place was dark, so Luke flipped on the kitchen light. "Let's keep our voices down, so we don't disturb him." He handed her a tissue box so she could blow her nose.
"So, I'm making you tea. You'll drink it if I go to the trouble?"
"Sure, I'll have some of that chamomile stuff. I think my nerves need it."
Luke put on the kettle and got a mug from his cupboard. "This will be a watershed moment, Lorelai Gilmore drinking tea."
"Well don't get your hopes up. I'm only drinking it because I've had one of the suckiest days of my entire life." She reached for another tissue to wipe her face of the tears. "Although, things don't seem so bad now that I'm here with you."
Here was one of those potentially watershed moments, when Luke never knew what do next, if he only did or said the right thing...nah, forget it, Lorelai's not ready for that, this is an inappropriate time A few seconds passed in awkward silence. Luckily the tea kettle whistle saved them, he got up and poured the hot water into a mug and submerged the teabag. He brought it to the table and placed it front of Lorelai.
"Careful, it's hot. You might want to let it cool a bit."
"Thanks." Lorelai blew on her mug and took a small sip. "The tea's not bad." She paused. "You know, I was just thinking about what I said about wanting to be in Sherry's place. I really didn't mean it, I mean I want that happy family picture one day..."
Luke interrupted her. "You mean the whole package?"
She nodded, recalling their conversation in the diner a few months ago. "Yes. But I made a decision 18 years ago not to marry Chris and I still don't regret that. I think what got me was seeing Rory with them. I know it's irrational but I felt in that moment I was losing her. I guess with the prospect of her leaving for college, having this new little sister to love, I feel like she has things in her life that have nothing to do with me. For so long it's been the two of us against the world, and I have to face the fact that she's growing up and doesn't need me anymore."
Luke looked at Lorelai's sad face and handed her the tissue box. "Here you go, just in case." He hoped he could say the right words to make her smile again.
"You know Lorelai, everything you said may be true about Rory, but she'll always need you. You're the closest mother/daughter team I have seen, to the point of freakishness. Sure, Rory's growing up, but she'll always be your daughter and your best friend. I think you know she loves you more than anything in the world."
Lorelai's eyes teared up again but this time she was smiling. "Oh, Luke, you always know exactly what I need to hear." She reached over and took his hand in hers. "How do you always know?"
Again, here was one of those moments. Two in one night and Luke was getting uncomfortable. So he just relied on a familiar line. "Because I know, ok?" As much as he liked holding Lorelai's hand, he knew he wouldn't want to let go if he held on any longer. He pulled his hand away.
Lorelai wished Luke hadn't pulled his hand away. She paused. "Ok, let's see how you do with this one. What am I gonna do when Rory goes to college and I'll be living on my own for the first time?"
Luke smiled. "That's easy. You're going to start focusing on yourself, your dreams. You know, owning your own Inn, starting a Go-Gos cover band and maybe finding some nice guy to settle down with?"
"Hey, that's not so easy. Well, the Inn and the band, a piece of cake. But the nice guy part, I don't know if that's gonna happen. I don't have the best track record, you know. And the last date I went on was pretty painful."
"Was it that Doogie Howser guy or did you wind up going out with Kirk?"
"Neither. I went on a date with an Aryan from Darien that I met at an auction. He was handsome and charming but once we went out all he talked about was his Jaguar, his money and his wine cellar. And to add insult to injury, I was roped into going to a Bowie concert with him. I'm a huge fan but I think I'll never be able to listen to "Space Oddity" again without cringing."
Luke felt a twinge of jealousy but was relieved that it didn't work out and he tried to hide his relief from Lorelai. "My sympathies. Um, so, Lorelai, this nice guy- in your mind's eye, what is he like?"
"Hmm, good question. When I was younger, he had to have a killer record collection, have great hair and make me smile with his wit and personality. Now I'll settle for someone who makes me smile. I guess he would also have to make a heavenly cup of coffee, put up with my endless chatter and be able to shut me up with a great kiss."
"Well, that's a tall order to fill. Where are you going to find a winner like that?"
"Oh, I have a strong feeling that one day in the future when I'm not looking, he'll fall right into my lap." Lorelai gave Luke a knowing look, telling him she wasn't quite ready yet, but she would - someday.
Luke met her gaze and hoped he was reading her right. "Well, I hope to be there to see it happen."
Lorelai looked at her watch, it was almost midnight. "Oh Luke, it's getting late. I should go and let you sleep."
Luke yawned in agreement. "Yeah, it's time for bed, should be a busy day tomorrow."
"With all the driving today, I'm exhausted, so I think I'll be sleeping in tomorrow. But I'll be at the diner for a late brunch. Make me waffles?"
"Waffles, sure."
Lorelai stood up and Luke followed her to the door. "Thanks for the tea and sympathy." She gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "See you tomorrow, sleep well." With that, Lorelai left the apartment and walked downstairs and back to her Jeep.
Luke shut the door and locked it. As he settled into bed for the night, he had a feeling that he was going to have dreams of falling into Lorelai's lap and shutting her up with kisses.
Lorelai drove home and reflected on the days events. Luke was right, it was time for her to start thinking about her own future and what she wanted. Rory was about to start a new life of her own and it was about time she did, too. She entered her empty house and didn't feel as lonely as she dreaded. She had the whole place to herself that weekend, and plenty of quiet time to dream.
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