Chapter 2: Luke Pulls an Anakin
The surroundings were hazy. Through the mist, only one thing stood in clear and sharp relief: Rory's face, overcome with tears. She now cried out in pain.
"Ahhhhh! Daddy! Please! Help me!"
Another voice cut through the mist: "Don't give up now, Rory..." Underneath the cacophany came the wails of an infant...
The vision was sucked into oblivion, as Luke Danes sat bolt upright in bed. He was panting hard, as if he had been running. Sweat pored down his face and bare chest.
As soon as his breathing calmed somewhat, Luke swung both legs out of the bed he and Lorelai shared. He put his head in his hands, trying to banish the last vestiges of the horror he had envisioned. At last, he shakily rose, grabbing for the first article of clothing he found: a Yale jumper; Rory had gifted it to him at her graduation. Aside from his classic flannel shirts, as well as an MIT Tee-top from his daughter, April, Luke wore this jumper often, and he wore it proudly.
Lorelai did not stir or even wake as Luke padded out of their bedroom. But someone else did notice his exit. Leaving the bathroom, Rory noticed her stepfather shuffle down the hall and down the stairs. Curious, she followed.
She found him in the kitchen, a cup of coffee in hand, staring stoically out the window into the quiet night. "Luke?"
No response. Rory tried again to reach her stepfather. "What's bothering you?"
"It was a dream," was all Luke could disclose.
"Bad?"
"Like the ones I used to have about my father, just after he died."
The conversation lulled into silence. "And?" Rory prodded.
Luke slowly turned to look her in the face properly. "And it was about you."
Me? Rory thought it bewilderment. Not Mom? Surely he'd be more worried about Mom?
"Tell me," Rory said gently.
Luke sighed heavily. "You died in childbirth."
Rory gasped, her hand instinctively going to her abdomen - a habit that had increased more and more lately. "And the baby?"
A prolonged silence. Luke finally shook his head. "I don't know." Another pause and he waved his concerns away. "It was only a dream," but even his voice sounded as though he was unconvinced.
Rory smiled and kissed his cheek. "Of course. This baby and I will be healthy. And you are going to make an amazing dad. I know because you were to me."
Luke and Rory hugged, just enjoying each other's soothing presence in the wee hours of the morning.