It's the Christmas poem, the same one that has graced the cover of The Gazette for decades now!"
Rolling her eyes at Charlie and Esther, who had both turned to see what the commotion was, Rory pushed away from her desk and stood up to greet a very red faced Taylor Doose, who had just stormed into the Stars Hollow Gazette. "Most people just reply to a text, Taylor."
"Most people have more respect for a decades old tradition, young lady!" Taylor replied indignantly coming to stand in front of her, hands on hips. "I have never met anyone so intent on bucking tradition as you are since you have taken over as editor. In all his years of manning the helm of this fine newspaper, Bernie Roundbottom and I never had as many dust ups as you and I have since just this summer."
"Oh come on Taylor, Bernie Roundbottom was on autopilot for at least the last twenty years and you know it! Now, if you had read my text correctly you would see that I am not trying to replace the Christmas poem, simply supplement it with poems from the local schools. I spoke to the principals of the elementary, middle and high school over a month ago and they agreed to hold a competition amongst their students, the best holiday themed poem would grace the front page of The Gazette"
"This was not mentioned at this months school board meeting!" Taylor huffed but took the three pieces of paper Rory held out to him. "Dreidel Fun," by Anna Feinstein," He read out loud.
"I think it adds a bit of diversity to our paper," Rory said pointing out the next poem entitled 'The Yule Glow.' And I also thought a small prize donated by local businesses might be a fun way to encourage the kids to consider entering next year. This is how traditions are created after all."
Stroking his beard thoughtfully Taylor nodded slowly considering the possibility of free advertising. "Doose's will provide the prizes of course. I suppose you're right, diversity and showcasing local talent is always a good thing."
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes again Rory plastered a smile on her face instead. "I totally agree." She turned to return to her desk when the scent of Charlie's tuna fish sandwich wafted her way and with little to no warning she was bent over her waste paper basket losing her lunch.
"Oh dear, oh my," she could hear Taylor flapping around in the background as she slowly stood back up frantically thinking of an excuse for what had just happened.
Startled by the hand holding out the paper towel she took it gratefully trying to ignore the all too knowing look on Esther's face. "The first few months are the worst. It'll pass." she announced in her usual monotone before shuffling back to her filing cabinet
"The first few months…" Taylor whispered looking at Rory as if she had grown two heads. "Does that mean…?"
"I don't suppose you're going to believe that I have the stomach flu now, huh?" Rory asked tossing the paper towel she had wiped her mouth with into the garbage before remembering what it's contents were.
"Well, I must say I'm surprised but I do believe congratulations are in order." Leaning over Taylor awkwardly hugged Rory before moving back quickly as he had gotten up wind from the offending garbage can. "Fantastic news! I have to be off but you take care of yourself and carry on with the Christmas edition."
Dropping her head to her hands Rory only gave herself a moment to wallow before she reached for her phone. She had to text her mother and let her know the cat was well and truly out of the bag.
"This town is full of lunatics," Luke muttered later that evening as he and Lorelai crossed the square where a large banner proclaiming 'Congratulations Rory!' was strung up between light posts.
"Very loving and supportive lunatics," Lorelai agreed cheerfully linking her arm through her husbands. "Taylor spilled the beans less than three hours ago and I've already gotten at least five cards, two flower arrangements and a pie. This town loves a new baby."
"I guess things could be worse," Luke agreed grudgingly patting Lorelai's hand as they approached Kim's Antiques. "Now you're sure we're not going to get yelled at for anything in there?"
"I have been wracking my brain and the only thing I can think of is that I gave Steve and Kwan my old Megadeth Cds a couple of months ago. Those kids really like their heavy metal. But I'm almost positive they wouldn't have ratted me out. Just in case though, I brought her a poinsettia as a peace offering, that should get us off with a stern lecture and nothing more."
Looking doubtful Luke reached out to knock on the door only for it to be flung open before his hand even made contact with the wood. "Luke, Lorelai, right on time. Come in, come in." Mrs. Kim greeted ushering them into the store, locking the door behind them and turning the open sign to closed.
Seated at the kitchen table the couple kept exchanging looks as Mrs. Kim bustled around preparing tea and a tray of flax seed biscuits before taking her seat at the table. "Now, I know you must be curious as to why I have asked you to come here today," she stated as she began to pour tea.
"Well, yes," Lorelai finally admitted after a moments silence. "Your friendship…" she paused for a moment searching for the right words. "Our relationship has always meant a great deal to me, to both of us," She motioned to Luke "and I would hate to think that we'd done something to offend you."
"You think I've called you here because I'm upset with you?" Mrs. Kim asked letting out a sharp, short bark that they took as a laugh. "That's ridiculous!"
"Oh, well that's good then." Luke said nudging Lorelai under the table in a silent plea to stay quiet and definitely keep any knowledge of contraband heavy metal cds to herself.
"I asked you to meet me tonight because I have some information that the two of you might find interesting. Do you know Ed and Lois Wilkie from Woodbury?"
Exchanging puzzled looks they both shook their heads. "They own Woodbury Antiques." Mrs. Kim prompted.
"Oh, I've been there several times. I got the cutest little desk that I'm getting refinished for the new hotel there just a few weeks ago…"
Reaching across the table Luke gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I don't think Mrs. Kim wants to discuss antiques at the moment."
"No, I don't" Mrs. Kim agreed in her abrupt manner. "And Lois had mentioned that you had been in recently."
"Well with the new hotel and spa opening I need to start thinking about refurbishing it and of course you are always my first choice…" She trailed of as Luke muttered for her to focus.
"Anyway, I do know Lois and Ed. Not well of course but I have been in their shop several times over the years. They're lovely people."
"They are good, Christian people." Mrs. Kim agreed with an approving nod. "They have had more than their fair share of heartache over the years though. I'm telling you this in the strictest of confidence now. Ed has not been in the best of health over the last few years and Lois has found managing the business on her own to be a strain. And then this past September their daughter Laura, their only child died suddenly. A drug overdose." She said with a sad shake of her head.
"Oh, those poor people," Lorelai murmured.
"Laura had been a wild child, willful," Mrs. Kim continued, her emotions back in check. "They had not heard from her in years and only found out about her death several weeks after the fact. Social Services had gotten in touch with them, it seems that just over a year ago Laura had given birth to a baby boy. He'd been born addicted to drugs and she had abandoned him at the hospital just hours after he was born. He has been in foster care for the last several months.
"Now Ed and Lois would love nothing more then to bring their grandson home and raise him but at this point in their lives they know it wouldn't be in his best interest. Instead they were hoping to find a couple that would love and cherish him and allow them to be a part of his life."
Startled both Luke and Lorelai stared at Mrs. Kim in dead silence. "I thought of you two." Reaching behind her she took a picture of a little boy with dark curly hair and big blue eyes from the counter and held it up for them to examine. "His name is Nathan and he's almost 14 months old."
"Oh, oh," Lorelai stuttered covering her mouth with her hands.
Reaching for the picture Luke studied it for a long moment before turning it around for Lorelai to see. "That's the kids," he said simply.
Nodding, wiping the tears that had already started to fall Lorelai jumped up and raced around the table to embrace her husband. "That's the kid," she agreed in a whisper. "That's our kid."
smiled.
