Chapter 45

                                    

                                          
The doorbell rang announcing Luke and Lorelai's arrival.  Finn answered the door with Tori strapped to him in a moby wrap.
                          
"Well, if it isn't the Australian version of Mr. Mom," Lorelai greeted him with a smile.
                          
"Dang, I was hoping you were a big Hollywood agent and this would be my big break!" he replied with a chuckle.  He ushered the couple inside and closed the door.
                          
"What the hell?" Luke asked sounding stunned and slightly confused by the apparatus attached to Finn.
                          
"You've never heard of Mr. Mom?" Lorelai asked him.
                          
"I remember Liz making me watch it once.  What is that?" Luke asked pointing to the wrap.
                          
"This is a moby wrap.  It's designed to keep the baby close and your hands-free," Finn explained.
                          
"Oh," he said nodding his head in understanding.
                          
"Speaking of babies, where's my daughter?" Lorelai asked and immediately began trying to peek at the sleeping baby.
                          
"She's upstairs getting ready," Finn replied.
                          
He pulled down the wrap gently to reveal Tori nuzzled next to him.  She gave the baby a quick kiss on the head and went upstairs.  He could hear her calling out to Rory as she disappeared up the stairs.
                          
"So, why did I need to come along?" Luke asked bluntly.  He couldn't figure out why he had to take the day off from work to go to Hartford.  He assumed it was a rouse to get him to babysit while Rory and Lorelai got pampered.
                          
"I thought you'd like to spend some time with your granddaughter," Finn said.
                          
"You need me to babysit?"
                          
"No, that's not it at all.  I figured we could get to know each other a little better, too," Finn clarified.
                          
"Don't tell me this is one of those male bondage things, is it?"
                          
"I think you mean male bonding," he replied.
                          
"Ha ha.  I knew it didn't sound quite right," Luke said with a chuckle.
                          
"Bondage is something very different.  It's whips, chains, handcuffs -"
                          
Luke put his hand up to Finn and interrupted, "I'm going to stop you right there."
                          
"I mean, if you're interested, I know this guy..."
                          
"Lorelai would never go for that, and I'm sure as hell not going to be tied up!"
                          
There was an awkward pause between them.  Finn hadn't expected such a revelation from Luke, and it had rendered him a bit speechless.  At the same time, he was also amused, but he kept his laughter on the inside.  Luke also seemed to be a little embarrassed by his lack of filter.  He was first to break the uncomfortable silence.
                          
"Are you sure you don't just want me to babysit?" Luke asked once again.  He didn't think he needed to get to know him any better.  He thought Finn was an alright guy but didn't like the idea of being forced to spend time with him to 'bond'.  Is that what you do after they get married? Luke thought.
                          
"If you want to spend some time with Tori, just say the word, and I'll make myself scarce for a little while.  I've got a few things I could take care of around here," Finn replied as he began to make a mental list of things to do if he agreed.
                          
"Yeah, why don't you do some stuff around here, and I can hang out with the baby," Luke agreed.
                          
The Lorelais bounded down the stairs, excited for their day of pampering.  Rory paused next to Finn and pulled the wrap back from her daughter's head.  She gave her a gentle kiss and then stood on her tiptoes to give Finn one as well.  He put his hand on the side of her neck, pulling her a little closer for a more sensual kiss.