Chapter 1: How Would You Feel?
"Hey, Rory," Luke Danes called as he entered the living room of Number 37, Maple Street. "You wanna take a drive with me?"
Looking up from where she was typing away on her book, Rory Gilmore smiled at her stepfather. "Sure."
The pair got into Luke's beat-up truck, and began their drive through the little town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Stepfather and stepdaughter went along in silence at first, Luke keeping his eyes resolutely on the road. At last, the diner owner spoke.
"Rory... there's something I want to ask you."
"Ask away," Rory encouraged, beaming at her stepfather's awkward adorableness.
"You know that I love your mother very much," Luke prefaced.
Rory giggled. "Yes... you are married to her now..."
"And you know that I... love you very much..." Luke continued.
Rory's eyes pricked with tears. Luke had never been the type to be overly clear in his affections, or to be sentimental. "Luke..."
"So... how would you feel if... if your mother and I... had a baby?" Luke pulled the truck over to the sidewalk so he could focus on his stepdaughter's answer.
Rory shrugged. "I would be fine with it. You and Mom deserve the chance to parent together." She smirked. "Even if you kind of already did with me."
Luke blinked. "Really? You wouldn't be... jealous?"
Rory grinned. "Nope. I'm grown up. I would absolutely love to have a little brother or sister."
Luke beamed. "Well, great. Because your mother and I... are pregnant."
Rory gasped. And then she squealed. She threw her arms him and hugged him tightly. "Congratulations! I can't wait! I love you, Luke!"
Luke grinned softly and hugged her back. "I love you too, Rory."