Fight for Us

Ch. 14 – What's Mine is Ours

~*~*~

A/N: Once again, I have to thank my awesome, beta Jewels12 for doing a fantastic job betaing this chapter for me. Your feedback is so important to me, I can't express what an honor it is to have you read, and contribute to my stories. You've been an inspiration, and I thank you so much.

Hey, JavaCat! Thanks for being so supportive of my stories. You really make my day!

~*~*~

When Lorelai reached Luke's place, there were several boxes waiting for her at his door. Caesar had already brought them up, as Luke had asked. She used her key to let herself in, kicking some boxes ahead of her, and dragging some others behind as she staggered in, cursing and tripping. She paused in the middle of the room and spun on her heels, wondering where to begin.

Lorelai looked around Luke's cluttered, but neat apartment. It was no secret that between the two of them, he was the tidier, by far. She thought that was probably true of their minds, as well. But she supposed that bit of information would never need to be announced. Besides, with his concrete-linear thinking, she figured he'd already be privy to that little slice of insight. There was no hiding the fact that her brain fell under the category of diehard abstract-random. Theirs certainly was a case of polar opposites attracting.

She looked around at the framed photos he had displayed in the room. She'd been in this apartment hundreds of times, but she was usually with Luke. If he wasn't with her, then she was most likely sleeping until the alarm woke her, and she had to high-tail it to her place to get ready for work, without a moment to spare.

Alone in his domain, she took a moment to really observe his space. It was cozy, masculine, and warm. She felt safe, nestled there in the midst of all of Luke's possessions. The family photos that, at first glance, seemed to be haphazardly placed, were actually grouped among other mementos that held meaning for him. He had several pictures of Liz and him when they were small, usually on outings with their parents, and always smiling. There were also shots of him partaking in numerous outdoor activities, such as fishing, skiing and hiking. Each revealing a different facet of Luke's past. Most of them were taken before his time was constrained by the responsibilities of owning the diner.

And he had dozens of framed art pieces on his walls. They didn't seem expensive, but they each had an interesting quality about them. Lorelai ran her fingers over a unique frame, and smiled at the line drawing of a rainbow trout. It was so traditional, yet so entirely Luke, that she imagined it had always been in the exact spot where it hung. She could also visualize it hanging at their house, and she knew just the place for it.

Looking at the trophy case was like walking through a "This is Your Life, Butch Danes" episode. He had rows upon rows of shiny trophies, jammed next to each other so closely, that she had to be careful not to knock the others over when she lifted one with the figure of a runner, poised, mid-stride on top. There were likenesses of athletes in dozens of postures, batting, running, and jumping. They were for every track and field event conceivable, at the local, state, and regional level. Brushing a fine film of dust off the placard that had his name on it, she read, "1st Place. 1981, All County, Varsity Track Meet."

As she carefully placed it back in its spot, she wondered which trophies he was most proud of, and which he'd want to display prominently at their house. It was easy for her to imagine Luke as a teen, so intent and focused on the task at hand, just beginning to develop the masculine swagger that he honed over the years. She wondered if he thought he'd stay in Stars Hollow, of if he ever imagined his wife would be someone who was as crazy about him as she was.

Glancing around and appreciating his apartment, Lorelai realized that she needed him to expound on these items, which were much more than mere things. They represented his life, and his parents' lives. Suddenly, she was overcome with a wash of emotion. This was more than Luke's apartment, this was Luke's home. She was in love with the person who magneted her silly birthday poem on his refrigerator, and the man who kept a throw on the back of the couch because she was always freezing, even though he was usually warm. The same man who hooked up a TV in his bedroom, even though he could fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He did this for her, he explained, because he loved having her near him.

Her heart raced erratically just thinking about the man who owned the most obnoxious plaid sheets she had ever seen, but who made her forget all about them, at his first tender touch. She loved him so much that emotions sprang to her eyes, and she could scarcely breathe. The reality, that in just a few weeks he would be her husband, was finally sinking in.

The furniture here, which seemed dark at first glance, was actually made of good quality, solid wood. Given enough space around it, any piece could be comfortably incorporated into the décor of their house, or even at the inn. There was no way she could choose what to take without knowing what each piece meant to him. This wasn't her decision to make alone, but if it were, she'd choose it all. She wanted all of him. She longed for the walls to absorb her, and to incorporate her, just as they had all of the things that Luke loved.

Standing near the closet, Lorelai could detect the hint of Luke's fragrance as she ran her fingers across the long sleeves of his flannels. She lifted the garments to her face, and inhaled deeply, realizing that bringing Sookie up to help was about as good an idea as filling the Hindenburg with hydrogen. She'd explain it to her best friend as soon she arrived, she decided, meanwhile, she sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Sookie was so late. Instead of packing, they'd go straight to lunch; she'd even talk about the wedding if she had to distract her. When Lorelai heard the footsteps on the stairs and the door open softly, she said, "Hey, Sookie! I don't need any help after all."

"See, I was right; you don't want any of my junk." His deep voice caught her off guard and her face erupted into a smile that reached her eyes. She dropped his shirtsleeves, and without hesitation, ran to him. He had just enough time to set down his golf bag before she threw her arms around his neck. He automatically returned the embrace. They held each other for a few moments, before Lorelai breathed, "You're back!"

"Yeah, I'm back," he said, stroking the back of her hair affectionately. "This is a nice greeting."

"I missed you so much," she said, holding him tighter.

He smiled. "I missed you, too."

"Yeah?" she asked, holding his face in both of her hands. "I'm so sorry."

He rested his hands on hers. "Sorry about what? Did something happen?"

"No. It's just… I've been looking around…"

"… and none of this stuff fits," he finished.

"No. It's not the stuff. It's… I'm sorry that you have to move. When we were looking for a new home one that could be ours, I refused to leave my house. And you didn't complain; you just made my place work for both of us. And, now that I really look at your home, with all the memories here, I realize that you must love this place. But you're willing to leave it. I didn't even think about how you'd feel."

He hugged her closer. "Lorelai, the walls aren't the key ingredient here. This was never meant to be my permanent home. It was convenient, and the price was right. You know how set I am in my ways. The years went by and I didn't see any reason to move, until now." His velvety soft lips caressed her cheek.

"So, you don't mind moving?"

"Moving my possessions isn't a big deal. My life is with you. My home is with you. Wherever you are, that's where I want to be. And your house happens to be a lot bigger than mine, so we'll make our home there."

"So, you're not attached to this place?"

"I'm not as attached to it as I am to you," he said, reeling her back in for a reassuring hug.

She laughed into his chest and let out a muffled, "Literally."

He grinned and eased up on his grip. "How about if you call Sookie and tell her that I'm going to help you pack?"

"I don't know. She'll be bitterly disappointed," Lorelai teased. "She was really looking forward to checking out your spice rack." He shook his head while she baited him. "Is Patty still down there? Maybe she can help. She always wanted to peek inside your drawers."

"Aw, jeez," he muttered. "Let's order lunch, then we'll go through the apartment together."

"Yes. I'll call Sookie, then get us some food. You can change out of those preppy clothes, if you want."

"Oh, I want," he said, already lifting his stiff, new golf shirt over his head.

~*~*~

Lorelai returned with plates of food, chattering as she entered. "Well, Sookie wasn't too terribly disappointed. It turns out that she fell asleep waiting for Jackson to get home. That's why she was so late. She wouldn't have been able to make it anyway." Luke was sitting on his couch near an old, battered leather suitcase, surrounded by piles of photographs. "Hey, you got started without me," she said, frowning as she placed the plates down on the table.

"Not really. I knew all along that I'd bring these," he said, picking up a stack of black and white glossies and bringing them to the table.

"I haven't looked at these in ages," he said, smiling at the memories. "I always liked this one." He handed her a photo of a young couple, looking every bit the American dream in the early '60's. A man, with a brush cut and a smile, stood behind a beaming woman, his chin on her shoulder and his arms wrapped around her protectively. She wore her hair cut bluntly and flipped up at the ends. Her hands were resting lightly on his upper arms. They were obviously in love. "These are my folks. This was taken on their first wedding anniversary. They didn't know it yet, but she was pregnant with me."

Lorelai inspected the photo, sensing their energy jumping right off the paper. "You look just like your dad. Did he have blue eyes?"

"Yeah, he had a fair complexion. I got his eyes, but the rest of my coloring is from my mom."

"She was beautiful," Lorelai said of the woman whose only adornments were her shining wedding ring and sparkling gemstone earrings.

Luke nodded. "Here's another one, about a year later."

"Oh my god! Look at that chubby baby!" she cooed, smiling brightly at the image of the young couple adoring their new son.

After admiring a few more photos, they turned their attention to lunch and ate leisurely, spending time together as Luke shared photos of his home, his family, and his life. She asked questions, and he answered as best he could. He gave anecdotes and background stories to many of the pictures. Luke had an excellent memory and frequently recalled the events leading up to many of the snapshots. Lorelai recognized several of the pieces of furniture and wall hangings in photos that were taken inside the Danes home. She had the feeling that their newly redecorated house was going to be a lot cozier once they moved him in.

When they were finished, and had cleared the table, they piled the pictures and put them safely back in the suitcase. Luke placed it near the door. It would be the first item to come home with them.

"Hey, what's with the really tall card catalog over there? I always wondered about that." Lorelai pointed to the large chest with dozens of small, deep drawers that dominated the living area of his place.

"Yeah, it does look like a card catalog, doesn't it? I think it's called an apothecary chest. But it's really just a place to keep little pieces of hardware, like nuts and bolts. It was needed in the hardware store, but I couldn't use it in the diner. For some reason, I had it moved up here. And, well, there it sits."

"What's in it now?" she asked, moving closer to take a look.

"Probably still some screws and things."

She stifled a snort. "Screws!"

He rolled his eyes as he approached the piece.

"I've always thought it was interesting. What can we use it for?" she asked, standing beside him, her fingers skimming along the drawer pulls.

"I have no idea," he said, opening some of the narrow drawers, and finding a few pieces of hardware and obsolete keys, but most of them came up empty.

"Well, we'll think of something," Lorelai declared. "It's way too cool to be locked up here all alone."

He turned to face her, and said in a sincere voice, "Lorelai, you don't have to do this."

"Do what?"

"Find a place for all my stuff, just because it has a history."

"I know, but I love your history," she responded with an exaggerated pout.

He slid his hand over her arm. "You do?"

"Yeah. It lets me feel connected to you. Like, somehow I missed out on a huge part of your life, and you telling me about it makes me feel closer to you."

"You didn't miss much," he said with a touch of self-deprecation.

"Speaking of history, you remember the first time we made love?" she asked, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"Of course I do. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you."

"Or your hands." She gestured to his hands that had migrated from her forearms, almost to her shoulders.

"Or my hands." He nodded his agreement with a smile.

"It was right here, in this very apartment," she hinted.

"On that very bed," Luke said, casting a glance toward his neatly made bed.

She moved in closer to him and looked up with a seductive grin. "Well, isn't that a coincidence?"

"It sure is," he said, resting his forehead against hers. They stood, leaning against each other for several beats.

Lorelai lifted her head and asked, "Were you nervous?"

"No. I wasn't nervous," he scoffed.

"Not even a little bit?"

Maybe a little," he admitted.

"What were you nervous about?"

"Lorelai," he said, slightly embarrassed.

"Come on. I never thought big, strong, macho man in plaid, Luke Danes would be nervous."

"I just… I didn't want to ruin everything. You know, our friendship."

She prodded, "What else were you thinking?"

"You really want to know?

"Don't hold out on me now, Danes."

"Okay. I couldn't get over the fact that I was finally with you. You were so beautiful, and you actually wanted to be with me. I was also thinking that it was so right between us."

"It was," she agreed.

"I remember I kept trying to tell myself to take it slow."

Lorelai laughed softly. "But I wasn't very patient."

"No, you weren't very patient."

"Did I ruin it for you, by rushing things?" she asked, concern creasing her forehead.

"Are you kidding? There was nothing you could have done to ruin it. I was already in love with you."

"You were?"

"I was."

"You were so sweet, and thoughtful, and prepared," she said, remembering fondly.

"I'm glad we don't have to worry about those preparations anymore."

"Yeah, me too," she said thoughtfully. "Luke?"

"Yeah."

"We should talk about that."

"Oh? Okay."

"My prescription for birth control will be used up this month. And, well, I didn't get the prescription filled. I wasn't sure what to do." She watched his face to see any kind of reaction. His opinion wasn't immediately apparent, so she added, "I could still get them. It's not too late. I'd just have to go to the pharmacy."

He considered her words for a few moments. "So, you want to stop taking the pill?"

"They'll run out in about a week," she said, then held her breath.

He tucked a strand of hair gently behind her ears, so he could see her eyes when he asked, "Then you could get pregnant?"

She nodded.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes, but only if you want it, too. There are two of us… " she started, but his kiss interrupted her. It was a tender, loving kiss that held a tight lid of control over the passion beneath it. She allowed his lips to caress hers, then she gave way to them not merely covering, but possessing her own. He still took her breath away after all this time together. From the first passion-filled kiss on the Dragonfly's porch, to this one. She felt herself melt into him, as he changed the angle of his head and deepened the contact. His arms encircled her waist and hers met his, as her lips parted and she invited him to taste her. They remained savoring each other for several minutes, remembering how this entire relationship was changed with just one kiss.

"You want to have a baby?" he asked, whispering between kisses.

She filled his heart when she said, "I want to have your baby."

He held her face in his hands, and stared into her eyes. Then, deliberately and slowly, he covered her mouth again. They exchanged one sweet kiss after another. Kisses filled with the promise of love, and a life, and a future together. Her knees almost buckled as he crushed his mouth to hers. The space between their bodies disappeared as the intensity heated up.

"So I take it you like the idea?" she asked.

He blinked slowly, and hugged her to his chest. Nodding before he could choke out a single word: "Yes."

~*~*~

"We didn't do much packing today, did we?" Lorelai said, snuggling deeply into the side of Luke's body, with her head on his shoulder.

"Nope," he exhaled.

"We should get some things boxed up. Don't you think?"

"Yep."

She kissed his arm and smiled. "Oh, I almost forgot. After we make love, you only have enough energy for monosyllabic grunts."

"Mmmpfff," he groaned playfully, rolling on his side to pull her in closer.

"See what I mean?"

He nodded, burying his face into her hair.

"I guess I could ask you for anything right now, and you wouldn't be able to deny me."

"Ya think?" his muffled voice resonated against her throat.

"Oh, almost two syllables. Folks, he's bouncing back." She giggled. "Can we have doves at the wedding?

He lifted his head. "Doves?"

"I don't mean squab, either, so you can keep your shot gun in the cabinet – yeah, that was dirty. I'm talkin' white symbols of peace, that we and the guests release, and lucky you can get to say an impromptu poem, and do an interpretive dance, as they fly off into the sunset…"

He looked at her with tightly knit brows.

"… in honor of our everlasting love… an eternity of happiness and… not buying it? Huh?" She laughed.

He shook his head.

Lorelai gave off an exaggerated sigh of dejection, "I've lost my touch."

"You've lost it, all right." He rolled his eyes and hugged her.

"And, he's back, ladies and gentlemen."

They laughed softly together.

"Oh, what about butterflies?"

"Lorelai!" he growled an affectionate warning.

"Okay, I'll stop." She giggled. "You didn't tell me how golfing went with my father." She turned to her side, resting her head on her arm, so she could admire him while listening.

"Oh, your father."

"Yeah, six-four, bow tie, look of disappointment permanently etched on his face. Can't miss him."

Luke chuckled. "He doesn't wear a tie while he's golfing. And he didn't seem to be disappointed in either of us today."

"Really, what did you do? Sink a putter?"

"That's 'sink a putt'. And yes, I did sink several putts. But he was more interested in the Dragonfly. I'm supposed to ask you what your plans are for it. Long term."

"Oh. He gave you an assignment? And you talked about The Dragonfly?" She propped her head up higher, with her elbow on the bed, so they were both on their sides, facing each other.

"Among other things. But, I realize we," he moved his hand, pointing to her, then to himself, "haven't talked about it in a while. Richard mentioned tons of options. You can sell it, accept outside investors, consult for other operations, open new inns, expand the one you have, franchise it, or turn it into a chain."

"Say it ain't so!" she gasped, in mock horror. "You've been Gilmored!"

"You have to admit, he makes a good point. There are so many ways you can go. I had no idea. I think we should talk about it, you know, before the wedding."

"Okay, the inn," she said, taking a more serious tone. "I want to keep it, just as it is, for a long time. Maybe we'll consider expanding, once we have more than one weekend in a row at full capacity."

He let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. "Good. Keeping it is good," he said, picking up a lock of her hair and twirling it through his fingers.

"And I don't want to go anywhere. I want to be with you," she said softly, closing her eyes to relish the sensation of him toying with her hair.

He tugged on another lock and twisted it the same way. "You sure? Because we can postpone the whole trying to have a baby thing. I know this inn has been your dream, so if you have your heart set on expanding, or consulting.… "

"No!" She shook her head adamantly.

"I just want to see you happy. And I don't want you to feel limited, just because I'm set in my ways."

"I have my heart set on you." She looked at him and placed her palm on his cheek. "And if we're lucky enough, on our baby."

He pulled her in closely, and kissed her forehead. "You sure?"

"Positive."

"I love you," he whispered huskily into her forehead.

"Babe, you have no idea," she replied. They held each other, eyes stinging and filled with emotion. Lorelai rested her head on his chest, entranced by the beating of his heart.

His quiet, but definitive words resonated through his chest. "I'm going to the groundbreaking at Yale on Friday."

"You are?" She looked up at him apprehensively. "Um, you know he'll be there, right?" she confirmed, not daring to mention Rory's father by name.

"I know."

"Nobody would hold it against you if you passed."

"I don't need to pass. I'm going for Rory, for April, and for you."

"Your girls." She smiled lovingly at him.

With a single nod, he said, "My girls."

Lorelai reflected back to the insecurities that Rory divulged about the status of her relationship with Luke. She worried about her daughter feeling upset that she was losing Luke as a father figure, now that he knew about, and was being such a great dad to April.

"Hey, Luke. When you see Rory, do you think you could yell at her?" she asked leisurely.

"Why would I yell at Rory?"

"Maybe just snap at her, bark at her, use an excessive amount of sarcasm?"

"What are you talking about?" he groused.

"Boss her around? Give her some unsolicited advice; embarrass her in front of all her friends?

"Lorelai?" he said, clearly perplexed.

She took a deep breath and plunged forward, "Hunker down, Honey. We have one more item on the agenda."

"Aw, jeez," he said, dreading the notion.

~*~*~

TBC