This story begins five years after the series ended on television. Lorelai and Luke are now married and having a baby. Rory has been on the road, writing for various magazines. She's not married or currently dating anyone. The rest will be told in the story. Enjoy! Please feel free to comment!
Chapter One
"Don't push, Lorelai, not yet!" I hear Sookie's voice encouraging her as I race down the hallway of the hospital.
"Where is Rory? Why is she not here yet?"
"Mom? I'm here." I slide through the doorway, barely avoiding colliding with Luke.
"Rory! I'm so glad you're here. You've got to get your grandmother out of – ohhhh no! Sookie! Hand, hand!" Sookie moves back to her position at Mom's head and grabs her hand.
"Sookie? Where is the doctor? Why can she not push?" I look at Mom, red-faced, sweating, and tears running down her face.
"The doctor is on his way here. He should be here any minute now. I don't know what's taking so long." Sookie looks like she's about to cry too. She has a wet cloth, wiping Mom's face and looking concerned.
"Mom, what about Grandma? She's here? Where? What is she doing here?" The only people in the room with us are Sookie and Luke.
"Her and Dad went down to the cafeteria to get something to drink. Rory, she's driving me crazy. I'm stressing out enough without her here adding to it. I need her to leave – ohhhh! Sookie!" When this one hits, I move closer to Mom and grab her other hand.
"Lorelai! What is all that racket about? Don't you know this is a hospital? There are sick people here." I look up from Mom's face when I hear Grandma's voice. As usual, she's dressed impeccably, head to toe.
"Mom, I am in labor! Do you expect me to be quiet every time a contraction comes on? If you think I'm making too much noise, you can leave!"
"Lorelai Gilmore! You know better than to speak to me like that!"
"Mrs. Gilmore, you and Mr. Gilmore should go out in the waiting room. One of us will come and get you once she has the baby. And her last name is Danes, Mrs. Gilmore. It has been for three years now." I look at Luke in surprise. Yes, it's been a few years since I've been home, but I'm surprised he's talking to Grandma and Grandpa like that. He must have had enough finally. Go Luke! I silently cheer for him, smiling to myself.
"Fine then. Richard, let's go." Grandma and Grandpa take one last look at Mom and turn back around toward the door. I can hear Grandma complaining as they walk toward the waiting room.
"Hey Mom, Luke, Sookie." I finally have a minute to breathe since entering the room.
"Hey hon." Sookie leans over the bed to hug me. Mom squeezes my hand, smiling as much as she can. Luke looks at me, smiling.
"I'm glad I made it before the baby. I drove as fast as possible to get here. You would have been proud of me, Mom." I laugh as she smiles at me. I know she's tired. It was eight-something this morning when Sookie called me to let me know Mom and Luke were heading to the hospital. I look down at my watch. It's almost three in the afternoon.
"Hand! Hand!" As this contraction ends, the doctor walks quickly into the room. He must be new in town, because I've never seen him before. I've only been gone about five years. I wonder if he still…I shake my head to avoid finishing that thought. I can't think about him now. I have to concentrate on Mom.
"Mrs. Danes, how are you doing?"
"How am I doing? I've been in labor for seven hours now and you want to know how I'm doing? Give me some drugs! Then I'll tell you how I'm doing."
"Okay, Mrs. Danes. Let me just see how far you're dilated and we'll go from there."
Luke moves to the head of the bed as the doctor checks on Mom. I don't blame him. I don't want to be at the foot of the bed either. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. I might not be as squeamish as I was when Sookie went into labor in front of me, but that doesn't mean I want to see anymore than I have to.
"Alright Mrs. Danes, the next time you feel a contraction coming on, you can push. We're past the point of being able to give you an epidural, but you're doing great. Just push and I'll be here to catch the baby." The doctor gives us a smile that is meant to reassure us. Mom doesn't take it quite so well.
"No drugs? You want me to push this thing out of my body without drugs, alcohol, or anything? Are you crazy? Luke, this is all your fault. You're never touching me again!"
"Okay honey, whatever you say." Luke smiles at Mom. I can feel the love across the room. I'm so happy for the two of them.
"Alright Mrs. Danes, I see there's another contraction coming. I want you to push really good for me now. Ready? One, two, three, push!" The doctor gets into position as Sookie and I grab Mom's hands and she pushes.
