A/N I want to thank all who are reviewing this. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know that you enjoy the story. I had fun with this one so I hope it pleases you. Thanks again for your time and input.

I own nothing

Ch 4 I'm Your Father

Lorelai woke Saturday morning and it was seven o'clock. She had a moment of happiness to have slept in so long before the familiar nausea hit and she raced to the bathroom. Luke stumbled in shortly afterwards. As he held her hair he talked to her.

"Hey, you made it until seven. That has to be the first step in the right direction right?"

Lorelai was waiting for the second wave of nausea to hit, but instead her stomach calmed down. She sat back on the floor and Luke handed her a glass of water. She rinsed her mouth out and sighed.

"We may be looking at the other side of this morning sickness." Lorelai leaned against Luke who held her tightly.

He was so happy that his wife may soon be able to sleep through the night again. He stood up and held out his hand to her. She took it as she stood up slowly.

"You know I actually am starved this morning." Lorelai smiled widely, she usually had to wait a few hours before she was able to feel like eating. Luke kissed her temple and sighed deeply as he held her.

After breakfast Lorelai went to the inn and was behind the front desk when Sookie came up and stood with her hands on her hips.

"Lorelai are you mad at me?" Sookie looked like she was ready to cry. Lorelai was startled at the suggestion.

"No Sookie, why would you even think that?" She was very confused at Sookie's assumption.

"You haven't been into the kitchen to talk to me in a month. Whenever I want to talk to you I have to come find you and it's always here behind your desk. You never eat lunch in my dining room anymore." Sookie was working hard to keep from crying and Lorelai realized she was going to have to tell her friend.

"Sookie, come into my office and let me talk to you." Lorelai ushered her into her office and had her sit down.

"Sooks, I have something to tell you but you have to promise me that you won't say anything to anyone and I stress anyone meaning Jackson too. Can you promise me that?"

"Gee Lorelai, I want to, but you know that Jackson and I are real close now. We're almost living together. If this is really big I don't want to tell him, but it might be really difficult to keep it from him." Sookie was waffling between wanting to hear Lorelai's news and knowing that she probably was going to tell Jackson.

"Sookie, it won't be forever, just a couple more weeks. Could you do that for me?"

"I guess I could keep something from Jackson for a couple of weeks if there's a really good reason to keep this from him." Sookie was hedging her bets.

"Ok, there's something I want to tell you and it's exciting if it happens. But if for some reason it doesn't happen then for me to have to deal with the town would be really, really hard and I'm not sure I could go through that. Is that a good enough reason to keep it from Jackson?"

Sookie nodded her head slowly. "You know if it's going to hurt you Lorelai my loyalty is always with you."

"Well, the exciting part is that Luke and I are expecting a baby."

Lorelai had never put it in those words before even when she told her parents she'd let Luke spill the beans and the news to Rory followed the April news. So this was the first time she had just said to someone that she was pregnant. Lorelai got a little giddy thinking that this would actually be ok. Sookie on the other hand squealed very loudly.

"Oh, m'gosh Lorelai! That's great! Why don't you want anyone to know about this?" Sookie was bouncing up and down and Lorelai calmed her down.

"Sweetie, I'm still not through the early phase of pregnancy where something could go wrong so we're waiting until the doctor says we're through the first trimester to tell anyone. No one in town knows about this. I've been having a really hard time with nausea and that's why I haven't been in the kitchen. While I usually love your cooking, the strong aromas just send me to the bathroom. This kid's also got me off coffee completely."

"It's so Luke's kid." Sookie nodded solemnly.

"That's what I told him." Lorelai nodded in agreement.

"So do you think something's wrong Lorelai?" Sookie asked tentatively because she wasn't sure what was really going on with her friend.

"I don't know Sookie, I told you about April and we found out about the baby the same week. I guess I'm afraid that Luke's already got a kid, I've got a kid, what happens if this one doesn't survive? It's not like the world is paying Luke back with a kid anymore for all the good he's done. If we have one it's just one more. You know even voicing it out loud it sounds stupid. But that's how I've been feeling."

"Oh Lorelai, Luke loves you. If anyone deserves a child as an expression of love it's you two. It doesn't matter if you two were the Brady Bunch, you still deserve a child together."

"Thanks Hon. I've just been a little scared because the morning sickness, which actually happens in the middle of the night and in the evening has been intense. But this morning it's been better. Plus Luke's been real good about making me food that the baby will let me eat. I have to get used to the idea that it'll be another seven months before I get a hamburger."

"Let me know if there are any dishes that I can make for you. I'll even have them served to you in your office until you can stand to be in the same room with food again. Oh, Lorelai I'm so happy for you and Luke. I know he… I mean she… what do you want, has Luke shown any preference?"

"I think right now we just want a healthy baby. He She or hermaphrodite." Lorelai giggled.

"Oh Lorelai, it's going to be one or the other not genderless." Sookie joined her friend in her giggles.

"Thanks Sookie, it was good to just talk to someone else about this. It helps me see that maybe I'm worrying for nothing." Lorelai felt more relaxed and now wanted some mashed potatoes.

"Hey Sook, how would you feel about making me some plain mashed potatoes? Maybe some real butter and cheddar cheese on the side?"

"Lorelai, it's ten thirty in the morning…" Sookie stopped and rethought what her friend had just told her. She realized at that second how thin Lorelai was getting. She'd just thought she was getting some extra exercise at the new house. Sookie giggled as she thought 'dirty.'

"I'd love to make you mashed potatoes Lorelai. I'll even have John bring them to your office. Do you want anything to drink?"

Lorelai smiled and said, "Would you mind calling Luke and getting the recipe for the eggnog he makes? He cooks the eggs first so I don't have to worry about salmonella. It's amazing and I can keep it down all day."

"You got it chief! I'll give him a call first thing. Thanks for telling me Lorelai. I promise not to tell anyone including Jackson until you give me the all clear. After all, you let me tell Patty that you and Luke were an item." Sookie smiled widely and hugged Lorelai.

Lorelai was in her office later when she looked up to see Luke in her doorway. "Luke! What a great surprise what are you doing here?"

Lorelai threw her arms around her husband and kissed him deeply. She realized how long it'd been since they had done that and her desire for him was immediate. Luke returned her desire as he held her tightly against him.

"Sookie called to ask about the eggnog for you and it takes about five hours so I gave her the recipe but swung by the house to bring you some that I made last night. You seem more yourself today. Feeling better?"

"So much so. I'm really hoping that we're on the upswing of this pregnancy and maybe the worst is behind us." Lorelai was playing with the hair by the back of his neck when Luke extricated himself from her grasp.

"Lorelai, as much as I want you and you know I want you, Jess is the only cook at the diner this morning. Caesar is off but I wanted to make sure my beautiful wife and mother of my unborn child was taken car of."

Luke was holding Lorelai's hands and she was looking very unhappy until he said the last line and she giggled.

"Taken care of. Dirty."

"Yep, walked right into that one. Well, you all set for now?" Luke gently kissed Lorelai on the lips and she quickly went to deepen it.

Luke stepped back and whispered, "I'm really looking forward towards finishing this up at home. I love you and I love you too baby." He leaned forward to kiss her stomach as he was getting ready to leave.

Lorelai was pouting as he got ready to leave. "While that does continue to work on me, today I'm very busy and I'll see you at home early. Unless I stay here and then Jess won't close for me because I left him alone for too long."

"Fine, but I'm holding you to that promise. I really have missed our alone time that doesn't center around a porcelain fixture."

Lorelai stood with her hands on her hips and Luke laughed. He was so happy that she seemed back on the road that it took all he had to leave her there.

"Yes, but someday soon we'll miss our special tile time. Oh, I assume you told Sookie since she asked for the eggnog?" Luke remembered why he was here in the first place.

"Yeah, she thought I was mad at her because I can't go into the kitchen anymore. But I asked her not to say anything for a couple of weeks, just until we get into the second trimester."

Luke grinned and nodded. He had suspicions from the way Lorelai was acting that they were very close to the second trimester. His book for new daddies which she would have mocked unmercifully warned him about what was coming next. Or to look at it another way, gave him something to look forward to. He thought that it was nature's nice repayment for the mood swings, morning sickness and worry of the first trimester.

He went back to work with a good anticipation of what was going to follow that evening. His amorous wife would be making a reappearance for at least three months and maybe longer. He grinned as he flipped burgers and filled orders throughout the afternoon. He was making a cold pasta salad for dinner and he'd already assembled most of it the night before.

When Luke got home around four he looked for Lorelai in the living room but she was nowhere on the first floor. He went to their bedroom and found her lying under the covers with the shades half drawn. The room was nice and cool after the heat of the day.

"Hey. I'm surprised you're in bed. Are you feeling ok?" Luke was concerned that she had a relapse after he left her in the morning.

Lorelai purred, "I'm good." She giggled. He suddenly realized what was going on. He looked at her as she languorously stretched in bed and the covers shifted to expose her breasts. Luke sharply inhaled and felt himself grow hard with want.

"Lorelai, I really need to shower. I'm sweaty and I smell like hamburger and grease. Before I get near you, I'm going to wash at least most of this off. I'll be right back."

Luke was backing towards the bathroom door and when his hand hit the frame he threw his clothes off his back and jumped into the shower. Using the hottest water he could stand he scrubbed off as much of the smell as he could. In his mind he saw them at a very critical point when his baby would make her sick from the smell of the diner so he wanted to lessen that possibility. He finally rinsed all the soap off his body and toweled dried in the shower.

As he stepped out of the shower area he almost ran into Lorelai who was standing before him completely naked. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her deeply. She returned his kiss and he took her there the first time, standing in the bathroom with one of her feet on the tub and her back against the sliding shower door. As they finished Luke was a bit ashamed of his lack of control. He kissed her and ran his hands through her hair.

Lorelai looked at him with her eyes shining as she giggled. "Well, that certainly is a new bathroom memory to add to our others these past few weeks."

Luke laughed and held her tight to him. He then gently picked her up and carried her to the bed where he continued to make love to her until it was almost seven. He went downstairs to get the salad together. His hair still wet from his second shower of the evening, this one not alone. Lorelai had wanted to fully commit to this one as well, but he was concerned that if she fell the baby would be in danger so they compromised. He smiled at the thought. That's what makes a great marriage right? Compromise.

Rory walked quietly into the kitchen and watched Luke work. He was so at home in the kitchen, his movements were sure and economical as he prepared their food. She could see him also thinking of other things as he worked. When she saw his smile it made her feel like she was intruding on his private thoughts so she cleared her throat and he started a bit.

"Hey Rory, I made a cold salad for dinner tonight. How's that sound? Your mom's still upstairs I think she's changing into pajamas or sweats for dinner."

"Hey Luke, sounds great. It seems like mom is feeling better doesn't it?"

Luke smiled that smile again and Rory wondered if it was because her mom was feeling better and he worried less now.

"I think she's starting to Rory. She didn't get up until seven today and she had mashed potatoes for lunch which she's kept down all day. So I hope things are on the upswing." Luke grinned and continued to prepare dinner.

Monday morning found Lorelai back in the bathroom at five o'clock. She knew part of this was nerves about meeting April for the first time. Luke was holding her hair and she felt guilty since he needed his sleep as well. They went back to bed but neither was able to go back to sleep. Luke just held Lorelai in his arms and she stroked his cheek.

"I probably should shave before we meet her." Luke was thinking about what if his little girl wasn't used to seeing men in beards. He might frighten her.

"Well, I like you scruffy, but April might not have experience with men with beards," Lorelai whispered.

Luke nodded and kept wondering what the day was going to bring. He'd decided to not go into work today, the sudden mood shift would get the town speculating and he couldn't deal with Kirk or Taylor without yelling and throwing one or the other out of the diner. Lorelai also stayed home and they straightened the house and Luke cut the grass with his new riding lawnmower. The first time he'd tried to do all ten acres without one but after the first three acres he gave in and bought a riding mower.

Rory and Jess had decided to wait to meet April until the second or third meeting so she wouldn't be overwhelmed. They were working a the diner during the morning and early afternoon shift.

At ten til three Lorelai and Luke arrived at Ashley's Ice Cream Parlor and went inside. They sat at a booth with Luke and Lorelai on one side facing the door. At five after Rebecca entered with a small girl with brown hair and big brown eyes. Rebecca smiled at Luke and led April over to the booth. The slid into the other side and Luke smiled at this little girl who looked so serious.

Luke introduced Lorelai to Rebecca first and then Rebecca spoke. "It's nice to meet you Lorelai. I'd like to introduce you to April. April, this is Luke and Lorelai Danes."

April looked at both of them and said, "Hello."

She then looked directly at Luke. "Are you my father?"

Luke started a bit, he wasn't sure how to answer that so he figured straight forward was best. "Yes, April. I'm your father."

Lorelai started to giggle and she knew she was on the verge of a laughing jag so she excused herself as best she could as Luke glared at her. All she could hear in her head was "I'm your father, Luke." Or like Star Wars, "Luke, I'm your father." She knew she had to get a hold of herself but she was having real difficulty.

Rebecca excused herself as well and followed Lorelai outside. Lorelai was now laughing full blown and Rebecca was looking at her concerned. "Are you all right?"

Lorelai nodded her head as she continued to laugh hysterically.

"Hormones," was as much as she could get out of her mouth before tearing another laughing streak.

Rebecca sharply inhaled. "You're pregnant." She said it more as a statement then a question. By this time Lorelai got her self under control.

She nodded and said, "Just barely. Four days after we found out about April I found out I was pregnant. I'm really sorry, it's just that there are times when I have absolutely no control of my emotions and unfortunately this was one of them. Oh my God we left those two alone in there!"

Rebecca smiled, "I'm sure they're doing fine. April has a lot of questions about Luke and his life. I didn't know she was going to get a half brother or sister so soon. Does Anna know?"

Lorelai looked uncomfortable, "Probably not. We haven't told the town yet, I'm not even out of my first trimester so we're keeping it quiet or trying to. I'm sure Luke will want to tell April if that's all right. If it wasn't for my inability to keep my emotions in check right now you wouldn't have known. Could you not tell April please? Let Luke tell her when we know the baby will be safe."

"Is there a concern?" Rebecca thought Lorelai looked healthy enough.

"I've had a difficult pregnancy so far with morning and evening sickness so we have another appointment with the doctor tomorrow and she should be able to tell us how things are going."

Rebecca nodded slowly and said, "I'll let Luke tell April when he feels everything is moving along. I probably shouldn't tell Anna at this time either, after all you said if there are complications why get April's emotions involved in that right?" Rebecca smiled at Lorelai who felt so much better.

While Lorelai and Rebecca were outside April was grilling Luke inside.

"My friend Susie's dad doesn't live with her and her mom." Luke nodded and wasn't sure what he should say.

"Susie's dad lives in another city and she goes to see him a lot. Will I see you a lot?" She was still very serious and Luke felt like he wished Lorelai would get back in there.

"You can see me as much as you want April. Your mom and I talked about that last week."

"Will we see you here or will we go to your house?"

"Well, as long as you want to meet here or in a park we can do that. Then when you want to we can meet at our house in Stars Hollow." Luke could feel the sweat start to build up in his chest and in his palms. Where the hell was Lorelai.

April nodded at his last statement. "Will mommy come to your house?"

"I don't think so April. You have a room at your mom's house and you can have a room at Lorelai's and my house as well. But your mom will stay at her house and Lorelai and I will stay at our house. Then when you come over there will always be a place for you."

April seemed to be processing this. Just then Lorelai and Rebecca came back in and Luke exhaled audibly. Lorelai took his hand and apologized.

"April, I'm so sorry to have left like that. I was so looking forward to meeting you and then something happened and I have a hard time controlling my laughter at times. I bet you don't have any difficulty with that do you?"

April looked at her solemnly and shook her head.

"You're very much like your dad that way. Luke doesn't have problems with losing control of his laughter either." Lorelai smiled at him and he squeezed her hand realizing the hormones had taken over.

April nodded her head seeming to ponder Lorelai's words.

"Do you like to read?" April was addressing Luke.

"Sometimes I like to read. I like stories about people who are good and win over people who are ev… I mean not good. Do you like to read?"

April again nodded. "I like 'Harold and the Purple Crayon.' That's my favorite book."

At that moment the ice cream got there and Luke sighed as they all relaxed to eat a bit. Lorelai grinned as she saw that April had ordered strawberry just like Luke.

"So April, do you go to kindergarten?" Lorelai decided to enter the fray.

April shook her head. "No, I'm going into second grade this year."

"Really? Are you looking forward to that?" Lorelai was a bit surprised because she knew April wasn't seven yet, she wasn't sure she was six yet.

"Sort of. I like to read but some of the kids don't like to play with me because I'm younger than them." April was toying with her ice cream and didn't want to look up.

Lorelai nodded her head. "When I was young like you all the other kids liked to do things I didn't. It was hard to find kids I called my friends. But when I got older I got the best friend I ever thought I'd find."

April looked up at her and smiled a bit. "Really? Are you still friends?"

"Yep. My best friend in the world is your dad." Lorelai smiled at her and April looked at Luke with new eyes and smiled at him.

Luke squeezed her hand under the table and smiled back at her.

April looked at him and asked, "Is Lorelai your best friend too?"

Luke nodded and said, "Yep, has been for five years now."

"Huh." April had finished her ice cream and she looked at Rebecca. "Are we going to go to Luke's house next time?"

Rebecca was surprised and nodded slowly. "If you'd like to we could go there."

Luke spoke up, "Lorelai has a daughter too April and your cousin Jess lives with us right now so if you want you could meet them next time too. You can see our house and Stars Hollow and my diner. Or we can do this again. What ever you want to do you just name it."

April looked at him and Lorelai. "I think I want to see your house ok?"

Luke smiled and said, "Absolutely."

"Ok. When can we do this? Tomorrow?" April was standing getting ready to go.

Luke looked at Rebecca and said, "Well tomorrow Lorelai has an appointment in the morning but we're free in the afternoon or we can do this Wednesday. But why don't you and your mom and aunt talk this over and your aunt can call me to tell me when the best time is for her. OK?"

April nodded and stuck out her hand. "It was nice meeting you Luke. I think I'm going to like having you as my dad."

Luke tried hard not to smile as he took her hand in a shake and said, "April, I know I'm happy you're my daughter."

He smiled warmly at her as she and Rebecca turned to leave. Luke called out, "Rebecca?"

She turned to look at him.

"Thanks." She nodded in return.

They went out the door and he could see them get into a car. Luke crumpled in the booth shaking. Lorelai held him and crooned soft words of encouragement to him.

After a while he began to breathe easier and he drew her into an embrace. He kissed her gently and asked. "What set off the laughter?"

Lorelai smiled and said, "When you said 'I'm your father'."

Luke looked out at the parking lot thinking and then nodded his head as he looked at her.

"Star Wars?"

She nodded as she bit her bottom lip grinning.

He chuckled and then did a Darth Vader impression by breathing heavily into her ear.

She laughed out loud and several patrons turned to look at them.