A/N: I want to say a special thanks to Jewels for being such a wonderful beta! I would not have been able to complete this story without her!

On the morning of the wedding, Lorelai wakes up in nervous anticipation of her first date with Luke. She can't believe that she can put date and Luke in the same sentence. She has missed him so much the last few days. Their lives have been so chaotic.

Luke has been busy with meeting the demands of his sister for the wedding, and Lorelai has been wading through her to do list for the inn. They have barely seen each other, their conversations consisting of food orders and quick, polite chitchat.

Lorelai is thankful that the notes have continued despite the busyness. She looks forward to this bright spot in her otherwise hectic day.

One particular day, along with his note, Luke sent over to the Drangonfly a framed copy of their Firelight Festival picture. A frame that he made. It was beautiful. On the back he wrote: The only things in life you regret are the risks you didn't take. I want no regrets. I am willing to risk it all.

Lorelai put it in her office, and she couldn't stop grinning the rest of the day. Of course, Sookie figured out something huge was happening between Luke and Lorelai, and she made her business partner tell all. Squealing and jumping ensued.

The kiss has not been repeated to Lorelai's dismay. She has been dreaming about the moment since it happened. Although, reality is much better than her dreams. The kiss was one of those curl your toes, knee collapsing kind of kisses. It was something she has never experienced with anyone else. She felt a spark ignite and travel throughout her body. Every nerve was on fire with desire with just that one kiss. She wonders what would have happened if Liz hadn't interrupted them.

Luke is supposed to pick her up late afternoon, so she decides to go into work for a couple of hours to get a few things done, leaving plenty of time to return home and make herself beautiful.

As she walks into the Dragonfly, she is greeted by an irate concierge.

"Lorelai, thank God you have finally come in. Please tell this...creature that we cannot accept such a tacky floral arrangement. We did not order it for the inn," Michel sneers, gesturing to the flowers that Kirk is holding.

"I already told you. They are for Lorelai, not the inn. Sign this," Kirk says shoving a clipboard at her.

Lorelai signs her name, and hands the clipboard back to take the flowers from Kirk. She begins to walk away, but hears Kirk clear his throat.

"Yes, Kirk," She says without turning around.

"Please don't concern yourself with a tip. Luke gave me enough money for the delivery and tip. Why is it that Luke is giving you flowers?" Kirk asks. Wanting to not only satisfy his own curiosity, but also to possibly be the first to get the biggest scoop the town has had in a long time.

"Goodbye Kirk," Lorelai says continuing on her way. She knows that he is digging for information, and is not willing to give him any.

Once she gets into her office, she closes the door, and sets the vase of flowers on her desk. She looks at them admiring their beauty. It is a simple arrangement of white Calla Lilies with accents of pink and purple.

Lorelai eagerly looks around the flowers trying to locate the note that she knows Luke wrote. She finally sees it nestled in the flowers and gingerly removes it. She slides the note out of the envelope and reads it.

Lorelai,

Our date is in a few hours. I am looking forward to seeing you, and actually having a conversation that consists of more than ten words.

As much as I have enjoyed our letters, I prefer being in your presence more. Your smile brightens my day, and I find myself coming out of funks when you're around. You have this amazing ability to make everything better by just stepping into a room.

Even though I give you a hard time about all the talking you do, I secretly enjoy hearing your chatter. I realize how much I miss it when it isn't there.

When the wedding is finally over, I plan on helping you with whatever you need done at the inn to alleviate some of your stress. I am quite handy to have around. No, I don't mean that in a dirty way.

Until later,

Luke

Lorelai feels downright euphoric. She delights in the giddy feeling she has whenever she contemplates the future with Luke. She has never before been in a relationship with a man that she can completely see herself having the whole package with, and they have barely gotten started. She was never able to discern the future with any other man, because the view was always obstructed. But with Luke the path is clear.

She thinks, On a clear day you can see forever.

Lorelai sighs and quickly decides that she needs to accomplish something if she is going to enjoy tonight. She would rather just sit in her office reread the note, stare at the flowers, and think about Luke. However, duty calls.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Luke, unfortunately, is dealing with a problem, and his name is TJ.

Luke is trying to keep a serene attitude, but is having a hard time controlling his thoughts of pulling the 'air pants' up over TJ's head. He could kick himself for offering his apartment as the place that TJ could get ready.

As Luke gets ready, he wonders how tonight is going to go. Will Lorelai expect him to hold her hand? Is he allowed to kiss her whenever the mood strikes? Are they finally going to be able to have the talk?

He doesn't worry that she is going to run, because he knows partially what she is thinking from her letters. He is only concerned that his feelings for her are stronger than hers for him. He realizes that, although it is soon, he has very strong feelings for Lorelai. He doesn't want her to be overwhelmed by that. Yet, he considers that this is eight years in the making. He isn't sure how much he should reveal now.

His desire is to be with her completely. She is it for him. Whenever he considers his future, he has tunnel vision. All he can see is her. He wants...no, needs this to work, and he will do everything he can to have an open channel of communication with her. Thankfully, the notes have enabled them to start off this relationship with candor.

With that last thought, he looks at the time and decides he should probably walk over to Lorelai's to meet her.

Approaching her house, he tries in vain to get the pesky butterflies under control. He knocks on her door and waits with a concerned look on his face.

He gives himself a pep talk.

"It is just Lorelai. She's your friend, and you have successfully spent time with her before."

All of the sudden, Lorelai is standing there before him. She is a vision in her floral dress that is somewhat in keeping with the theme, but not terribly fruity. He notices with a smile that she has the floral wreath nestled in her hair.

"Hi," Lorelai says reaching to give him a hug.

As he becomes enveloped in her arms, he hugs her back and is instantly at ease.

"Hi," Luke returns. "You look fantastic."

"Why thank you, kind sir. You don't look too shabby yourself."

They look at each other from the safety of the others arms, and Luke is compelled to lean in for a kiss.

Lorelai is only too happy to oblige.

The kiss begins like a slow dance, but soon tongues become involved and the heat turns up several notches. Luke finds his right hand in her hair, and his left holding her tight against him. He feels Lorelai's arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He decides that if he doesn't pull back now, they may never leave.

He reluctantly moves away from her.

Breathlessly, he looks into her eyes and says, "I missed you this week."

At the moment, her only response is a huge smile that reaches her eyes and illuminates her face. Luke wonders if anything could be more beautiful.

"Shall we go?" he asks gesturing toward town.

"Yes, we shall," she says finding her voice.

Once they are down the steps of her porch, Lorelai grabs his hand and leans on his arm as they walk into town.

She is amazed by how natural this feels. She thought it would have been a harder transition going from friends to...what are they? She doesn't know for sure what title to give them. She guesses they need to talk about that too.

Each absorbed in their own thoughts, they silently walk to the town square where the wedding is being held, and take a seat.

Lorelai looks around at all the decorations.

"They certainly transformed the square into a renaissance extravaganza," she declares.

"Liz went all out, and I did more than my fair share of the work," he says in an exasperated tone.

Lorelai squeezes his arm and whispers in his ear, "You are a good man, Charlie Brown."

He shivers from her close contact, and looks at her with a smile. He feels elated sitting here with her. These happy, fluffy feelings he's been having aren't anything he is too familiar with, but he knows he likes them. He wants them to continue.

As the music starts, he takes her hand and grins at her.

"Let the mocking commence," he says with a smirk.

After the ceremony, they walk over to where the reception is set up to find their seats. Their faces hurt from all the laughing they were trying to stifle.

They hear "Lucas! Oh, Lucas!" being yelled into the crowd.

Luke groans, knowing exactly who is trying to find him.

"Quick. Hide me," he says in a voice near panic as he glances over his shoulder. "Too late," he sighs, defeated.

Crazy Carrie approaches Luke, giving Lorelai a once over.

"Butch, your seat is over here next to me," Carrie tells a red-faced Luke.

"What do you mean next to you? I have a date," he says incredulously.

"I thought you two were just friends so I set her on the other side of me next to TJ's brother," Carrie says in her most flirtatious voice. "I was in charge of seating so I thought I would rescue you from her incessant talking, and give us a chance to reaquaint ourselves, if you know what I mean."

"You did what? You don't even know Lorelai," Luke exclaims.

"Oh, I know her," Carrie says with disgust.

Sensing that Luke is going to go into full blown rant mode and make a scene, Lorelai leans into him and says soothingly, "It'll be okay. We can make the best of this situation with a little ingenuity."

"I don't think it's possible," Luke says through clenched teeth, but allows Lorelai to pull him over to their table to sit.

"Quick, hand me your pen," she whispers to him before she sits down.

"Why do you always assume I have something to write with?"

"You don't?" she asks.

"I do, but just because I take orders doesn't mean I keep a pen or pencil with me at all times when I am not taking orders," he states.

"Well hand it over."

"What are you going to do with it?" he wonders.

"You'll see," she remarks with a wink as she takes her seat.

They sit there and listen as Kirk gives instructions for the buffet line. Their table is in line second to go through, so they wait until they see Liz and TJ's table finish before heading over to get food.

Luke feels Lorelai put something in his pocket. He cocks his eyebrow at her in question.

"Don't take it out until we get back to the table," she says quietly.

They move through the line and fill their plates with food.

Lorelai notices that Luke has very little on his plate and comments, "That's all you are going to eat."

"You'll eat enough for the both of us," Luke says knowingly.

"Hey!" Lorelai says hitting him in the chest.

Luke chuckles.

Back in their seats, Luke takes out the napkin and the pen Lorelai shoved in his pocket. It dawns on him what she is planning to do with their unpleasant situation. Having two people in between him and Lorelai, is not what he had in mind for this date.

He opens the napkin under the table trying to be discreet.

He reads:

Not ideal, huh? Are you sure you don't want to go for Carrie? She seems really into you. Heheh! Although, she may suffocate you with those boobs.

I'm looking forward to that dance!

L

Luke takes the pen and jots his reply. He contemplates how he is going to get it back to her.

He decides to distract Carrie when he sees that Lorelai has engaged TJ's brother in conversation.

"So Carrie, where is your husband tonight," he says turning towards her. As she replies, he tries to maneuver his arm behind Carrie without touching her. He reaches out toward Lorelai with the pen and napkin hoping Lorelai will see it.

Lorelai notices movement behind her dinner companion, and realizes that Luke is awkwardly trying to pass her the note. It falls right behind TJ's brother's chair.

"Great. I forgot my drink. I'll be right back," Lorelai says to no one in particular.

She gets up, quickly bends down to retrieve the items, and walks toward the drinks.

Alone at the drink table, she glances at the napkin.

NOT funny! She is called crazy for a reason.

This stinks.

I never said that I would dance with you.

She giggles and uses the table to write her reply before walking back to her seat.

As she passes Luke, she brushes her hand against his shoulder and drops the stuff in his lap.

She hears him snort from her seat, and knows he read it.

She wrote:

I thought it was funny.

You will dance with me and enjoy it. I told you I have my ways.

Think about it. Dancing will get you away from Carrie.

After they have finished eating, Luke gets up from his seat and walks behind her.

"Can I get you some dessert?" he asks leaning over the back of her seat guiding the pen and note into her hand.

"Sure, a big piece of cake is exactly what I need," she says smiling up at him.

"Be right back."

His note says:

You're full of threats, but have no follow through. I am interested to see what ways you are talking about. I can think of a few things that would make me agree to dancing.

Luke comes back with her cake and sets it before her. He sees the note on her lap and curls it into his hand. He reads the note walking back to his seat.

Wait and see.

Kirk announces that the dancing is open to all couples, and Luke waits to see what Lorelai is going to do.

"Dance with me, Luke," Carrie says leaning close to him, practically shoving her bosom in his face.

"I'll pass," he says with repulsion turning his head away from her.

"I'll get you to dance with me yet, Butch," she says, standing up to find another victim.

"Over my dead body," he mumbles.

He glances Lorelai's way and sees her just sitting and grinning. He wonders what is going on in that devious mind of hers.

He watches as she moves slowly his way. She takes his hand pulling him up off his chair, and leads him away from the crowd.

"I thought you were going to get me to dance. Where are we going?" he questions.

"Somewhere quiet," she replies.

"Okay."

She leads him over toward Miss Patty's.

"I thought we could have our long awaited talk now since we are alone, finally," she says, walking to a bench. She can hear the music wafting over to where they are.

"Uh, sure."

"So, I guess I'll start," she says, pausing to collect her thoughts. "I know we have communicated a lot through writing, but sometimes you just need to hear things straight from the horses mouth."

She looks at him, and he nods for her to continue.

"You're my best friend, and there is no other person that I feel safe enough with to give my whole self to. You put up with all my quirks and insane behavior. You know me better than anyone, and yet you still like me which is astonishing really." She takes a breath and resumes, "To me you are my Aragorn. I would willingly and freely give up my immortality just to be with you. My life would be incomplete without you in it, and I cannot begin to tell you how glad I am that we are in this place right now," she says waiting for some response from him.

He sits there in stunned silence. As her words soak into his brain, his reaction is to put his hands on her face, and pull her lips toward his. He puts every ounce of emotion he is feeling in thet kiss, and she feels it overwhelm her.

She pulls back and whispers, "A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

"Byron?" he asks.

"Bergman," she replies.

"Of course," he comments getting up to pace. "I suppose it is my turn. I have wanted this longer than I can remember not wanting it. At some points of time, it may have only been in my subconcious, but it was still there. I guess, I never thought you could ever see me as the guy for you. I mean, look at you. You are stunning and vivacious, and I am grumpy and cantankerous. The one thing I do know for sure is that you make me a better person. You have the ability to make me do things that no one else can do. I want this more than I want my next breath."

"Well, it's kind of hard to have this," she chuckles gesturing between them, "without breathing. What is this, exactly?" she asks after a moment.

"It is a relationship. One that, hopefully, will be the forever kind."

"Who knew Luke Danes was this sweet?" she declares.

"Don't let it get around."

She snakes her arms up around his neck, pulls herself flush against him, and says, "It will be our little secret." She kisses him softly. "Are you ready for that dance now?"

"Here?"

"It's private, and we can still hear the music."

"Wait a minute. I thought you were going to use your feminine wiles to lure me into dancing with you," he says giving her a challenging look.

"Oh, you mean like this," she says as she begins to kiss his jaw. "Or this." She journeys down to his neck and starts nibbling.

She feels Luke swallow hard.

"That will do it," he says huskily. "Let's dance."

They glide around the grass enjoying being in each other's arms. They are secure in their own little world.

They aren't aware that they're being watched. And have been for the last few minutes.

Finally, Miss Patty decides to make her presence known.

"Well, well, well. What have we got here? I didn't believe Carrie when she told me that you two snuck off, but now I have seen it with my own eyes," she says. "You look awfully cozy out here all alone."

Luke and Lorelai just stand there staring at her. Neither one is sure how to respond.

"Liz is looking for you, Luke. She needs your help with something."

"Luke, I probably should get home anyway. Please, tell Liz best wishes for me," Lorelai looks at Luke and says. "We will continue this later."

"Let me at least walk you home," Luke says cursing Liz for her timing.

"If Liz can spare you a few extra minutes," Lorelai says looking at Miss Patty.

"You two go ahead. I'll let her know you will be back in a few."

"Thanks, Patty," Luke says as they walk off in the direction of the Crap Shack.

Luke grabs her hand. He loves being able to touch her. He just wishes that he wasn't so dependable, because he would rather spend his time with Lorelai than helping Liz.

"Well, I guess it will be all over Stars Hollow by morning that we are together," Lorelai states.

"Probably, but I don't really care."

"Me either."

They reach her house and climb the steps.

"Will I see you in the morning at the diner?" Luke asks.

"Rory and I will be there with bells on."

"I had fun. We can talk later about our next date."

"Sure thing," she says kissing him on the cheek. "Good night, Luke."

"Good night, Lorelai," Luke responds.

Luke watches as Lorelai walks into her house and closes the door. It takes every ounce of energy he possesses to drag himself off her porch and back to the reception.

Later, after everything has been torn down and cleaned up, he wearily heads back to his apartment. Walking up to the door he sees an envelope taped to the glass. He takes it off, walks in, and falls on the couch. He smiles when he sees her familiar handwriting.

Luke,

Despite the seating snafu, I had a wonderful time.

I am so happy that we had that talk. I already know that this is going to be different than any other relationship I have been in. It is going to be good, really good.

I want you to know that I am in this completely. I can't wait to see what's in store for us.

I don't think I properly thanked you for the flowers. Remind me to do that later. They were perfect!

I was thinking about the lists we made that started this amazing journey. They were more than words written on paper. They are the truth...they are everything.

Sweet dreams,

Lorelai

Luke thinks that his dreams are going to be sweet indeed.

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