Paris brought two potential surrogates to Luke and Lorelai's house. They all sat down with coffee and snacks. Lorelai asked most of the questions. Once Paris and the surrogates had left, Luke asked if Lorelai had made a decision.
"It's your decision too." She nudged him playfully.
"I know. I just wanted to know what you think."
"I think they're both good candidates. They're both sweet, caring, they're both mothers. They've been surrogates before. This is going to be a tough choice." Lorelai frowned.
"I think Isabelle is the better choice. I don't know she just kind of gave off this vibe for me." Luke shrugged. "I feel like she understands us and what this means to us."
Lorelai smiled, "Yeah I got that too. Jessica was nice but I think Isabelle is a better fit." She agreed.
They were silent for a couple minutes, lost in their own thoughts.
"So we'll have to go back to Paris' office and sign all the necessary papers." Lorelai got up from the couch. "I'll call her tonight."
Luke just nodded.
About three weeks later, everything was set. Lorelai, Luke and Isabelle had health screenings, contracts and agreements were signed, and financial matters were handled. Lorelai was started on a fertility drug and Luke was scheduled for sperm donation.
When Lorelai caught Rory up to speed on all of the surrogacy plans, Rory asked if she had spoken to Emily recently.
"Why?" Lorelai asked, her voice lacking emotion.
"Well shouldn't you tell her that you and Luke are trying to have a kid? She should know that she might become a grandmother again."
"I don't know. I'd rather be sure that it works out first… the odds are against us, kid." Lorelai said sadly.
Rory let out a breath. "Fine, but I know she probably misses you. She probably regrets fighting with you… I think you should cut her some slack."
Lorelai didn't respond.
"I mean she lost her husband. Did you ever imagine a time where there'd be a Grandma without a Grandpa?"
"No." Lorelai said honestly.
"Check on her." Rory said.
"Fine, I'll check on her." Lorelai agreed.
"Good."
Their conversation went on a little longer, it ending with Lorelai reminding Rory to break up with her boyfriend.
Lorelai went to see Emily the next day. The place was disastrous. There were boxes piled outside and people carrying various objects through the house. Lorelai wondered where Emily was and why she was letting these people do this.
She found Emily coming down the stairs. Emily was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Jeans and a t-shirt. This caused Lorelai to mutter a profanity under her breath.
Emily explained that Berta and her extended family were helping her declutter her life. Lorelai poured drinks for them and urged Emily to sit and taste it. They toasted. Lorelai didn't know why she did it or why she said "cheers" but it felt right for some reason.
They talked and Lorelai felt upset about what Emily was saying about her processions bringing or not bringing her joy.
"Mom, nothing is going to bring you joy right now." Lorelai said in a dejected tone. "Nothing, your husband just died…"
"I don't know how to do this." Emily admitted.
"Do what?" Lorelai said dimly.
Emily went on to say she didn't know how to live her life, didn't know what to do without Richard. She pointed out that she had been married for fifty years and although Lorelai expressed sympathy, Emily said she didn't understand because she's not married.
Lorelai was immediately offended by that. "Luke and I are as good as married." She stated.
"No you're not. You're roommates. And someday you'll just go off and find another roommate…"
Lorelai didn't want to argue about that. Luke was her life partner. They didn't need to get married to prove that. The fact that Emily felt this way about them made Lorelai not feel sorry about not telling her about the surrogacy.
Lorelai asked if Emily was still going to her grief group. Emily told her that she stopped going. Lorelai suggested seeing someone one on one. Emily objected to seeing a therapist. She said she wasn't crazy.
"No, you're in pain." Lorelai urged her to consider it.
Emily claimed she would. She promised.
Lorelai went through the egg extraction procedure a week later. They only managed to get one egg, but it was viable and they would fertilize it as soon as possible.
A few weeks later, Emily called and told Lorelai that she had found a therapist. They talked about the therapist and Emily actually thanked her for suggesting she find one.
"I'm so glad mom, really." Lorelai was touched and happy that Emily had found a therapist that clicked with her so fast.
Emily expressed her desire for Lorelai to meet the therapist. Lorelai agreed to this, seeing no harm in meeting the woman. Luke suddenly started gesturing at her. He was clearly objecting.
Lorelai ignored him and ended the call after they agreed to a meeting time of Tuesday at three.
"What sort of attack are you having?" Lorelai asked Luke.
Luke asked if she was crazy.
"Why?" Lorelai was confused.
"You're going to therapy with your mother."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
Lorelai insisted that Emily just wanted her to meet the therapist. She was full of pride, happy that Emily had finally taken her advice. Realization slowly came over her.
She placed her hand on Luke's shoulder and frowned, "Oh crap, I'm going to therapy with my mother." She cringed and looked down.
Luke also cringed then stepped closer and wrapped a comforting arm around her. They walked slowly towards Gypsy's. Right before they got to Gypsy's, Lorelai's phone rang again.
"It's not your mother again, is it?" Luke pondered, sounding a little frightened.
"No, it's Paris."
Lorelai pulled back from Luke's embrace and answered her phone.
"Hi Paris,"
"Hello Lorelai. I've got some great news. Can you come to my office this afternoon?"
Lorelai gasped. Luke gave her a concerned look. She reached down and took his hand.
"I don't think I'll have time to make it there today, can you tell me over the phone?"
Paris was silent for a moment. "Well I suppose I can. Congratulations, the implantation was a success; Isabelle is pregnant with your baby."
Lorelai put her other hand to her mouth. She was in shock. She had doubts that they would make it this far. She thought her eggs wouldn't be healthy enough or the fertilization process would go wrong.
"Lorelai?" Paris and Luke said at the same time.
"Could you hold on a second?" Lorelai said to Paris. Without waiting for a response, she pulled her phone away from her ear and turned to Luke.
"Isabelle is pregnant with our baby." She told Luke with a grin on her face.
Luke smiled brightly. "That's great… I wow…" He was shocked too.
Lorelai quickly hugged him then raised her phone back to her ear.
"Thanks so much Paris. Yeah he's right here… okay we'll keep in touch with you and Isabelle. Bye."
Luke pulled Lorelai back into his arms. "This is amazing." He whispered.
"It's a miracle. We're so lucky." She whispered back.
Neither of them spoke about the chances of Isabelle miscarrying the baby. They were trying to remain positive.
Luke pulled away. "Let's go get your Jeep."
Lorelai nodded and took his hand. They walked hand in hand.
When they got home that night, Luke got a couple of beers out of the fridge.
"I think this calls for a little celebration." He said.
Lorelai raised her eyebrows. "It does!" She said excitedly. "Let's go upstairs."
Luke chuckled. He followed her upstairs, carrying the beer bottles in his hands.
Author's note: Thanks for reading. Reviews are always appreciated. I took some dialogue from the revival… this story will be mostly following the revival plot, with the addition of the surrogacy.