Luke watched in dismay as Lorelai attached a mistletoe above his diner door. 'Why do I always get suckered into what she wants?' He knew the answer to that question but dismissed the thought. 'We're just friends. That's it.'

"What do you think, Luke?" Lorelai looked over to him, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I like it. I love this time of year!"

As Lorelai stared off into space, Luke couldn't help thinking how beautiful she looked. 'Stop it, Luke. She's just a friend.' Somehow his thoughts weren't too convincing to him.

"It looks good" Luke said in a low voice. Still wondering how he let Lorelai talk him into hanging a mistletoe in his diner. 'Taylor will never let me live this down!'

Luke was startled when Lorelai grabbed ahold of his hand and pulled him closer to her. Now the two of them were standing under the mistletoe together.

What is she doing? Luke wondered.

Lorelai had a smirk on her face. She looks so cute when she does that. Luke shook his head. She's just a friend... Yeah, just keep telling yourself that, pal. Maybe someday you'll believe it. His inner voice told him.

Lorelai was moving in toward him.

Suddenly, the door opened and Rory walked in. The two jumped apart quickly. Rory looked at them with a funny expression, "What are you two doing?"

"Oh. Uh..I just put up a mistletoe. What do you think?" Lorelai stumbled over her words.

Rory looked suspicious but replied, "It looks pretty." She looked over at Luke, "You agreed to this?"

Luke turned red and grumbled, "Yeah." He walked back towards the counter.

Lorelai watched his back then turned to Rory, "We should get going for dinner."

Lorelai and Rory turned to leave. Lorelai glanced over at Luke again then closed the door behind her. 'Uh, these Friday night dinners can be such a pain!'
***********************
Later that night, Lorelai and Rory were walking to the diner.
“Oh my god, that woman can be such a pain,” Lorelai moaned.
“She wasn’t that bad tonight,” replied Rory.
“That’s because she loves you. You’re like, the daughter she wishes I was.”
“Come on, that’s not true.”
Lorelai just nodded and they walked into the diner. Patty, Babette, Morey, Kirk, Taylor, and a few other townspeople were seated.
“What are they all doing here?” Lorelai whispered to Rory.
“No idea,” she responded, half smiling.
Lorelai shrugged. “I’ll order, you get a table.”
“Will do.”
Lorelai approached the counter and waited for Luke to come over to take her order. He walked behind the counter and rolled his eyes.
“I have no idea why they’re all here, and frankly, it’s a tad bit irritating,” he told her.
“I was wondering the same thing.”
“What’ll it be?” he asked, taking out his notepad.
“Um, two burgers, side of fries, and two coffees, please,” Lorelai replied cheerfully.
“Ok, it’ll be ready in a few minutes.” Luke walked over to Taylor and Kirk and took their order and Lorelai sat down with Rory at their table.
Patty and Babette were grinning at Lorelai, and she rolled her eyes and turned to whisper to Rory.
“Why are they smiling like that at me?” she questioned Rory.
“Beats me. Maybe they recently had facelifts?” supplied Rory.
“Damn Botox.”
Luke came over with their food and Patty, Babette, and Taylor all started whispering. Lorelai glanced at them and raised an eyebrow. They looked over at her, giggled, and continued whispering.
“Ok, this is really getting annoying now,” Lorelai said.
“Just ignore them,” Luke comforted. “Whole town needs to be put on medication. Mainly them, though. And you, of course,” he added.
“Aren’t you the comedian,” Lorelai commented dryly.
“Hey, uh, Mom?” Rory asked.
“Yeah.”
“Um, why don’t we…uh, go look at the carolers?” she suggested.
“What’s with the stuttering?” Luke said.
“Nothing, I just really want to go see the carolers. Here, Mom, we can get a really good view from over there,” she pointed to a window near the door.
Lorelai got up with Rory. “Ok, let’s go see.” They walked over, and giggles were heard from Babette and Patty. Lorelai rolled her eyes and looked out the window with Rory.
“Luke, sweetie!” called Babette.
Luke walked over. “What is it, Babette?” he asked impatiently.
“Um, I noticed something odd about your door,” she replied nervously.
“Something odd about my door? What about it?”
“Well, it…”
“Here, let me show you,” Patty interjected, leading him over to it. “No, come here a little. Yes, right there.” Luke was standing directly under the mistletoe and Patty shared a smile with Rory.
“I don’t see anything, Patty,” Luke responded irritably.
“Oh, honey, I’m positive there was something wrong with it. Here, Rory, why don’t you come over here, you noticed it too.”
Rory walked over to them with Lorelai. “Yup, here, see that hinge?”
“No,” Luke answered. “What are you two talking about?”
“Mom, why don’t you show Luke what I’m talking about?” Rory said to Lorelai.
“Rory, I don’t-“
Rory and Patty walked back to their tables and left Luke and Lorelai alone, standing under the mistletoe. Lorelai looked at Luke and shrugged.
“Ok, what’s going on here?” Luke asked them.
“Um, Luke?” Rory said.
“What?”
“You and my mom are standing under the mistletoe.”
Lorelai and Luke looked up, and, sure enough, the small green leaf was hanging above them. They looked at each other awkwardly.
“So?” Luke replied, his face turning red.
“So…you guys have to kiss,” Rory laughed.
“No, it’s just a corny Christmas myth to get two people to kiss, I’m not doing it.”
Lorelai tapped his shoulder. “What harm can it do? It’s not a big deal, Luke. We’re not in fifth grade.”
Luke sighed, and turned so he was fully facing her. “I guess.”
Rory, Patty, and Babette all had their fingers crossed and were grinning from ear to ear. Luke and Lorelai both leaned in, and their lips touched every so slightly in a sweet kiss. It deepened, as Lorelai threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her in closer to his body with his strong arms. Patty, Rory, and Babette were all cheering, and even Taylor and Kirk were watching in awe. Lorelai and Luke finally pulled apart, and they smiled awkwardly at each other.
“Hey, Luke?” asked Lorelai softly.
“Yeah?”
“Let’s go up to your apartment,” she said shyly, taking his hand.
“Um…ok.”
They walked up the stairs to his apartment following the cheers and applause of the townspeople.