A Night to Celebrate...(S4-E10)

It's Sunday night, Laura sits on the couch eating a tub of vanilla ice cream, while she waits for her sister Michelle and her boyfriend Benjamin to show up. The four of them are going out to celebrate Luke and Laura's engagement. Laura has slowly been working less and less hours at the restaurant but, she has been helping the owner Jett find a new chef to take her place. She doesn't plan on coming back to work anytime soon after the baby is born.  Today she took sometime to get some much needed chores done, like Luke's laundry...

Feeling quite accomplished with what she got done today. She relaxes and savors every bite of ice cream. Until.....she is startled out of her little state of zen when Luke hollers from upstairs.

*Luke* "Babe! Where is that laundry you said you washed?...."
*Laura replies with a mouthful of ice cream* "It's down here!!...."
Laura is sitting on the couch devouring ice cream when Luke comes downstairs.

*Luke* "What did you say? I didn't understand a word of it...."
*Laura*  "I said, it's down here....it's on the floor behind you. I never got around to taking it upstairs..."

Luke turns around to grab the basket and take it upstairs.

*Luke* "When is your sister and Benjamin getting here?"
*Laura* "They should be here soon..."

*Luke* "Okay...." *he smiles* "Enjoying yourself?"
*Laura* "Yeah...this ice cream tastes so freaking yummy..."
*Luke laughs* "I can see that....you got some on your nose, Babe."
*Laura she wipes her nose* "Oh!..."

Luke comes back downstairs completely dressed and ready to go as soon as Michelle and Benjamin show up.

*Laura* "Here....I'm done."

*Luke* "Had enough?"
*Laura* "Yes, take it away before I eat the whole thing...."
Laura hands the ice cream over to Luke so he can put the rest of it away. While he is at the fridge, Laura stares at the ring on her finger that he gave her just a couple days ago...

*Laura* "I am so glad your Grandmother saved this ring, it's so pretty!. Your Grandfather had good taste in jewelry...."

*Luke* "Yeah, luckily my Grandmother was smart and saved some stuff for me. Otherwise....I wouldn't have been able to open my shop without the small inheritance she left me."

Luke walks back across the room and leans over the couch to look down at her.
 

*Luke* "I only wish she could be here to see that ring on your finger...You would have loved my Grandmother...." 
 *Laura* "I'm sure I would have. She sounds like she was a sweet lady....."

*Luke* "She was. I probably would have gotten into less trouble as a teenager if she hadn't had died so suddenly..She was more of a parent than my Mom ever was."
*Laura* "Oh, Luke don't say that. You turned out just fine.....I love you exactly the way you are...." 
Luke kisses her softly then pulls back.

*Luke* "Mmmm....Ice cream...."
*Laura laughs* "Good. huh?"
 

*Luke* "Have any idea where we are going tonight?"

*Laura* "Um...no we never decided on a place....Oh! The baby just kicked!"

Laura takes his hand and Luke sits pulling her up onto his lap.
*Laura* "There....do you feel it?" 
*Luke* "No..."
*Laura moves his hand down her belly*"Mmmm....I think the baby stopped kicking."
*Luke* "You look gorgeous....."
*Laura smiles* "Oooo!...there did you feel that one?"
 *Luke laughs* "Yeah! I think you gave him too much ice cream...."
*Laura* "Or her..."
They sit quietly for a moment just enjoying each other and waiting to see if the baby kicks again.

*Luke* "Where are they? It's taking them forever to get here..You sure they are on the way?"

*Laura* "Yeah, they should be...."

Luke slides her off his lap and then leans over.

*Luke* "I don't think they're coming lets just have our own little celebration.."

*Laura* "Luke! Your relentless, you know what the doctor said. I have to watch my blood pressure."
*Luke sighs* "I know....I know...I'll go slow."
*Laura smacks him on the top of his shoulder* " You are incorrigible, you know that? I'm sorry, Baby but, you're just gonna have to wait. I don't want to take any chances....."

Luke is about to plead his case again when the doorbell chimes.

*Luke* "Saved by the bell....."
*Laura* "I told you they would be here soon."

Luke gets up to answer the door and Laura too, so that she can greet them when they come in. Luke and Benjamin shake hands and strike up a conversation immediately.

Michelle embraces her sister in a warm and loving hug, then demands to see the ring on her finger.

*Michelle* "Oh, wow! It's pretty...So have you two decided on a date yet?"
*Laura* "Thanks....and no. We have been so busy with other stuff that I have been too tired to think about it."
*Michelle* "Mom isn't in your face about?"
*Laura* "Actually.....She has been so preoccupied with the other wedding stuff that she hasn't asked me about it."

  The girls continue to chat and catch up with each other. While Benjamin and Luke talk.

As everyone is in engrossed in conversation. Luke's phone chimes and vibrates with a text message.

He walks over to check what it is....

*Luke shocked by what it is* "How the f*cking hell did sh...?"
*Laura* "Luke, what is it? Is everything okay?"

*Luke looks up at her* "Huh? Oh, it's nothing sorry. Just a...."
*Laura* "What? Is it Jacob or something?"
Luke is about to speak again when his phone starts ringing.

He looks down at it. He does not recognize the number but he knows who it is.  He dismisses himself from the room, so he can take the call.  He takes the stairs two by two and answers the phone just in time.

*Luke in a hushed voice* "Rufus your f*cking crazy, you know that? How the hell did you get my number, anyways?"
*Rufus* "Awww! Didn't you like the pics I sent you?"

*Luke* "Hell! No! I deleted them the second I saw what it was. I told you the other day I moved on."
*Rufus completely dismisses what he just said* "You can have the real thing if you come over here...I'm waiting for you."
*Luke* "That sh*t isn't gonna work anymore... I don't want to be with you Rufus. I don't want to try. Nothing, none of that. Just give it up and move on...."

*Rufus* "If this is about the fact the you have a girlfriend, I'm okay with it. We can keep it a secret....."
*Luke* "Wow! You are completely delusional. I'm a one woman man now Rufus...." 

*Rufus* "Yeah, but she's just your girlfriend it's not like your married..."
 
*Luke frustrated* "Rufus...Don't call, text, write, whatever. I am not interested in getting back with you. And to make it more clear to you. I am getting married and on top of that she is pregnant with my baby. Goodbye Rufus!"

*Rufus* "What?! Hello? Luke?...."
But it's too late, Luke has already ended the call. A flood of guilt washes over him and he suddenly feels horrible. Luke flops down on the bed. He cannot believe she is here doing this to him. Of all the times to show up and she picks the worst most delicate of them all!

What bothers him even more is how did she know exactly where he would be that day in the park and how did she get his number. He just hopes she doesn't pop up somewhere with Laura around. He is afraid Laura might stress herself into an early labor. Luke gathers himself together and heads back downstairs.

*Benjamin* "Are we ready?"
*Luke* "Yeah, let's get outta here."
*Benjamin eyes him suspiciously* "Good. You look like you could use something to drink, so I'm driving."
*Luke* "Perfect. Where are we headed, Bull Tavern?"
*Benjamin* "Yeah, I guress and it's my treat so eat and drink all you want."
So everyone loads up in Benjamin's truck and heads out for dinner and drinks. Meanwhile back at Rufus's luxurious hotel room. She sits and pouts.

*Rufus talking to herself since there is no one else there* "What?! Ahhhh!...she didn't tell me he was getting married or that his girlfriend was having a baby...Her and I will have to have a little chat."

*Rufus* "Hmmmm....I think he is conflicted. Why else would he not have told me all about her the first time....Oh!...who are you kidding, Ru?! He has obviously moved on..."
She flops back onto the bed, daydreaming of how she could get him to change his mind.

You can check out Rufus's daydream on my Flickr 
OneSixthAvenue

That's it for now 

^_^

A Not So Chance Meeting in the Park...(S4-E9)

Luke took a couple hours for a lunch break and left Fionna in charge of the record shop.  This was something he planned to do in the summer but since everything has changed, so have his plans. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, Luke stopped at a bank where he has a safe deposit box. The items the box itself contained were moved down here from Seattle when he moved here permanently. He has not been back to that bank since he put the items in there over 5 years ago.

Now he sits on a secluded park bench only minutes away from his record store. He knows he needs to get back to work but he just needs a little more time to think. So....he thinks and he stares down at small shiny object in his hands.  

Every few minutes or so someone walks, runs or bikes by him on the sidewalk but he doesn't look up.  That is until a set of black boots and a familiar voice distract him out of his deep thoughts and back to reality.

*Woman* "Whatcha got there?....."
Luke looks up and stuffs the ring in his pocket.

*Luke* "What are you doing here?"
*Woman* "Oh, I think you know why I'm here...."





*Luke stands to look at her face to face* "Rufus, you shouldn't be here."

*Rufus she steps closer* "Well...I'm here and I want you back, Luke. You were the best thing in my life...We were good together."

She runs her hands across his chest and over his shoulders. 

Luke tries to step back away from her but the park bench he was sitting on is in his way. So he grabs her hands and pulls them down into the space between them. Then releases his grip.

*Luke* "Rufus....Are you insane? We...Our...Wh...what we had was a mess! It wasn't a real relationship! Have you forgotten all the crazy sh*t that happened!?"

*Rufus pouts* "Oh, Lukie....you don't mean that. We were in love. Besides, you made touring bearable for me and kept me sane...."

*Luke* "Don't call me that....I've moved on Rufus, I thought you did too."

*Rufus* "I tried to Luke, I really did! I cleaned up my act and thought time would make my love for you go away...."

*Luke* "Ru, ...I...I'm..."
Rufus doesn't let him finish. She quickly pulls her to him and kisses him,

 greedily wanting to taste him again..

*Luke pushes her away* "Kissing me is not gonna change my mind.....It's over between us, Rufus. I have a..a...I gotta go...." 

*Rufus* "You called me Ru....You do still care about me."
*Luke* "N..no...no I didn't." 

Luke sidesteps to walk around her, and begins to walk away. Rufus hooks her arm around him to stop him from leaving.

*Rufus* "Luke....I'm serious. I want to try for real this time. Just you and me....no touring, no band, none of that..."

*Luke* "It will never work..."
*Rufus* "All I'm asking for is a chance, Luke....just think about it." 

She tries to kiss him again but this time Luke isn't falling for it. 

He pushes her hands away from him and walks away....Hoping she doesn't follow him.

 *Luke* "No, Rufus. We are done and, don't come looking for me again."

Rufus watches him walk away but is not deterred by what just took place. She pretty much expected him to reject her on this first encounter but she is not letting it stop her....
*Rufus mumbling to herself* "I know you still care about me, Luke.....I could see it."

 Much, much later into the evening that very same day. Luke has finally finished and closed up shop for the day. He stands by the stairs and is still in a bit of shock after what happened earlier today. He gently pats the pocket of jeans to make sure the ring is still there.  Then realizes he is standing in the same place the night he found out Laura was pregnant.

Laura's footsteps are now sounding down the stairway. She turns, smiles at him and walks over to kiss him.

*Laura pulling back from their kiss* "Finally...what took you so long to get home?"
*Luke feeling a little tense* "I just had some extra things that I needed to take care of...."

 *Laura* "Oh, okay....Are you alright? You seem a little...off. Something bothering you?"
*Luke* "No, no....I'm fine, Babe." *he reaches into his pocket* "I have something for you.* 
 *Laura* "Oh, yeah? What is it?"
 Luke holds his hand out flat with his palm up, the ring glinting and catching light.

*Laura gasps* "Is...is this it? Your grandmother's ring?"
*Luke nods* "I know, this is not how you imagined me proposing to you but, I...Laura, I love you...more than anything. I want to spend the rest of my life with you...."

*Laura tearing up* "Oh, Luke! I....I...oh, just put the ring on my finger you know I'm gonna say Yes!..."
Luke takes the ring and slides it onto her finger.

Laura takes a moment to stare down at the ring that is now encircling her finger.

*Laura* "It's beautiful...."
*Luke pulls her close and kisses her cheek* "Yeah.....but your more beautiful. I love you, Babe."

*Laura smiles and relishes the moment* "Mmmm, I love you too,....are you hungry?"
*Luke* "Starving...."
 Laura serves him the dinner he missed, since he came home so late. Then the two of them sit quietly on the couch for awhile and watch some TV.

*Laura* "We still need to pick a date.."
 *Luke* "I know...I'm ready for bed what about you?"
*Laura* "Yeah...yeah I am. It's been a long day...."
Thinking back over the day makes him think of Rufus and his face changes at the thought of it.
*Laura* "You okay? What's on your mind?"
*Luke* "Nothing...nothing, Babe. I'm fine. Let's just go to bed."
*Laura a little reluctant to concede but to tired to press on* "Okay....."

So the two of them head off to bed. Laura is beyond happy with the new ring that is now on her finger. Luke is apprehensive, he just hopes that Rufus doesn't show up somewhere again and that she got the message the first time. Seeing her was hard, a lot of emotions where welling up in him and most of all he doesn't want trouble. Which she is with a capital T!

The End...for now ^_^