Waking up in the rocking chair Rory found Gigi in her lap staring up at her.
"Gigi," said Rory.
"Hi," squeaked Gigi.
"Let's get some breakfast," said Rory putting Gigi off her lap and getting up.
As soon as Rory was standing Gigi latched to her waist, and she understood in a way. She just hope this wouldn't last long. Walking out of the room and made her way to the stairs. Stopping there Rory picked up Gigi, and went downstairs. Going onto to the kitchen Rory found her mom feeding Victoria, and Luke was cook something that smelled wonderful. Taking a seat at the table her mother gave her a sympathetic look as Gigi held tight like she'd disappear any minute.
"What smells so good," asked Rory.
"Maple bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes with black walnuts, cinnamon swirl toast, and Mountain Roast coffee," said Luke.
"You are the best ever," said Rory as he came and sat a big plate full of everything in front of her.
"Gigi, do you want some," asked Luke and she shook her head yes.
"Get in that chair right there," said Rory pointing to the one next to her.
Reluctantly Gigi went to the other chair, but when her food came she forgot her displeasure of not sitting in Rory's lap. Seeing Gigi was okay Rory started to eat her food, and then the phone started to ring. Getting up Rory went and retrieved the phone.
"Rory Gilmore please. This is Francine Hayden," said Francine.
"This is her," said Rory.
"I buried my son today in the Hartford Memorial Cemetery. Thought you should know. I might not be able to do anything about that will, but I could control this. I wasn't going to have The Mistake, and that child there," said Francine and she hung up.
Standing there in unbelief that someone was that heartless, and she stood there. After sometime she felt someone take the phone from her and she looked up to see her mom. "Rory," questioned Lorelai hanging the phone up.
"She buried him without telling us," said Rory.
"Francine?" asked Lorelai.
"Yeah," said Rory.
"I'm sorry," said Lorelai wrapping her arms around her.
"How could someone be that heartless," said Rory as tears slipped down her face.
"Rory," came a small voice causing Rory to look down to see Gigi.
"It's okay," said Rory wiping the tears away.
"You are crying," said Gigi.
Rory looked to her mom and she nodded.
Taking Gigi's hand Rory took hers she ushered the girl into the living room sitting her down on the couch. Sitting next to her Rory took Gigi's other hand into hers.
"Grandma Hayden thought it would be better if we didn't go to dad's funeral, so she had it today. She thought it might be too much for us," said Rory.
Jerking her hands from Rory's hands Gigi stood up with her lip trembling and fighting back the tears swelling in her eyes. Gigi ran off towards the front door, and Rory got up to go after her. As Rory made her way to the front door she felt a hand grab her hand. Looking back she saw Luke holding her hand.
"Let me," said Luke, and Rory nodded.
Letting Rory go Luke went out the door, and went around back finding Gigi sitting by the back door. Going to her Luke picked her up putting her in his lap as he sat down. She just sobbed into his shirt, and held tight. This small little girl was almost swallowed in his embrace, and it surprised Luke how comfortable it was to comfort someone so small. At one time a child's tears would have freaked him out, and now he was holding a sobbing child. Rocking Gigi back and forth and soon she cried herself to sleep. For a while Luke just sat there making sure she was a sleep. Then he saw Lorelai coming towards him.
"Give her here," said Lorelai taking Gigi from Luke.
"She cried herself to sleep," said Luke getting up.
"It's going to be hard," said Lorelai.
"Don't I know it," said Luke as they made their way to the front.
"Rory had kind of went from zero to sixty in no time," said Lorelai.
"She'll be okay we raised her," said Luke.
"This time around we were doing it under the same roof," said Lorelai.
"Just as long as you change the diapers," said Luke teasing.
"Then you get up for late night feedings," said Lorelai.
"Deal," said Luke.
"Fine, deal," said Lorelai.
"I'm not giving the talk either and she can't date till she is fifty," said Luke.
"Who says it's a girl?" asked Lorelai.
"I do, a mini Rory," said Luke.
"Mini Rory," said Lorelai.
"Yes, she was a good kid," said Luke as they went up the porch steps and made their way inside.
Lorelai closed the door behind them as Luke headed into the living room, and laid Gigi on the couch. Taking a cover off the couch Luke put it over Gigi.
Upstairs a bit later Rory heard someone open the door as she put Victoria in her bassinet. Looking up Rory saw Logan and she turned back to her daughter putting the cover over her. Then Rory went and took a seat on the bed running her hands through her hair.
"Logan, what are you doing here?" asked Rory.
"Your mom let me in, and I heard about your dad," said Logan leaning against the frame of the door.
"Logan," said Rory.
"I just wanted to see how you are," said Logan.
"Let see! Christopher died. I'm now the mother of a newborn and a five year old. His mother buried him today without me. My little girl didn't get to say good by to her father. I got a scared little girl downstairs. Guess how I'm doing," said Rory as the tears spilled down her face.
Going over to her Logan knelt in front of her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Shhh," said Logan.
"What is wrong with me," sobbed Rory.
"You lost your father," said Logan.
"Christopher broke my heart again and again," said Rory through the tears.
"He still was your father no matter what," said Logan.
Logan just let her cry, and get it out. It was so much to deal with and all Logan wanted to do was be there for her.
"Rory?" said April coming in the room.
"I'm fine," said Rory a little quick out of frustration.
"I..." said April retreating to the door.
"I'm sorry," said Rory realizing what she had done.
"It's fine. I got to go. Homework," said April frazzled, and she left.
"What is wrong with me? I can do this I have two children to take care of," said Rory.
"Why don't I take everyone out? You could stay here and just have sometime for yourself," said Logan.
"I can't be selfish," said Rory.
"Be selfish for your children. You are no good to them if you aren't okay," said Logan.
As much as she wanted to tell him where he could stick his offer because of what he did early that week she knew he was right. Dang him for being right, and for being caring when she wasn't ready to give up her anger. Logan could see the wheels in her head turning looking for a reason to turn him down.
"Okay, but Victoria and Gigi are to ride with my mom," said Rory.
"Okay," said Logan.
"Don't stay out late," said Rory.
"Okay," said Logan.
"Don't go to any place that has a lot of smoke or drinking," said Rory.
"Okay," said Logan.
After everyone had left Rory cried in her bed for a while, and she got up pacing the floor. She wondered why she had let Logan take her family out. Then Rory headed downstairs as it started getting dark. Going into the kitchen Rory headed strait to the fridge opening it up to find it surprisingly filled. Luke had been shopping because her mother never shopped like this. Grabbing a bag of salad and Ranch dressing Rory closed the fridge, and made her way over to the silverware drawer getting a fork. Walking into the living room taking a seat on the couch, and she sat her fork and Ranch dressing on the coffee table. Carefully Rory opened the bag of salad, and sat it on her lap. Next Rory grabbed the dressing opening it, and pouring some in the bag. Closing the dressing back Rory put it on the coffee table, and grabbed her fork and the remote. Eating with one hand Rory turned on the TV with the other flipping through the channels. A bit later Rory settled on Jane Eyre The Movie. In reality she really wasn't watching it, but just staring off. For a long time Rory sat there eating, and not really there. When her salad ran out in combination with a evil laugh from the movie snapped Rory back to reality as it was. Putting the remote back on the coffee table Rory retrieved the dressing and went back into the kitchen. Dropping her fork in the sink, and throwing her bag away on the way to the fridge almost mechanical. Opening the fridge, and putting the dressing away was the last straw for her. With that Rory screamed, and then sobbed as she sunk to the floor. What was wrong with her? Why did she feel this way? Were all thoughts running through Rory's mind and a hundred million like them. Would she be a good mother? Could she do this on her own? All at once it hit her she could do this. Everything would be okay. Deciding right there on the floor Rory knew she would not let herself sink to self pity. Gilmore Girls were strong, independent, lively, surviving, and determined women. No more crying for her cause she had two little girls to be strong for. Getting off the floor Rory closed the fridge door, and went to the bathroom. Cleaning up Rory made herself presentable.
Going back upstairs Rory changed into her pajamas, and then head back downstairs. Making her way outside Rory took a sit on the swing pulling her knees to her chest.
"Knock. Knock," came Jess's voice causing her to look seeing him coming up the steps.
"Hi," said Rory.
"You okay," asked Jess as he came over and set next to her.
"I kind of had a mini meltdown," said Rory as Jess sat next to her.
"Where is everyone?" asked Jess.
"Logan took them all out, so I could have some breathing room," said Rory.
"How is that working?" asked Jess.
"I want to go get my daughter, but I know I can't," said Rory.
"Lay it on me," said Jess.
"You know how someone says something you know is right, but you hate that they are right," said Rory.
"Yeah, it stinks," said Jess.
Just then it started raining and Rory got up. Grabbing Jess's hands Rory pulled him up.
"Dance with me," said Rory as she lead him down the steps, and into the rain.
"Okay," said Jess as he wrapped one hand around her waist, and they began to dance.
Feeling the grass under her feet and the cool rain Rory began to relax.
"I like this side," said Rory.
"I like all of your sides," said Jess spinning her out and then spinning her back to where she faced out.
"Can I keep you?" asked Rory.
"Always," whispered Jess low enough she didn't hear.
Leaning against Jess she listened to the rain, and was there in the moment as he held her tight. Neither of them saw Babette with a umbrella running towards them.
"You two are going to catch your death," said Babette trying to cover all of them.
"Babette," questioned Rory.
"You two need to get inside, Babe," said Babette.
"We'll go in now," said Rory.
"Yeah," said Jess.
All three of them walked onto the porch.
"I get the romantic aspect to dancing in the rain, but it was getting worse," said Babette.
"We'll go in right now," said Rory.
"Okay. I've got to get back to Morey," said Babette.
"Bye," said Jess and Rory together as Babette left.
"We need to go through the back door," said Rory.
"Okay," said Jess.
Running like mad men Jess and Rory made their way to the back door, and went into the kitchen. Sliding across the floor Rory got two towels from the closet, and through one to Jess.
In Hartford the rain had gotten worse as time went by. Standing wait for their cars Logan knew the rain was getting worse by the minute.
"This isn't the best weather to drive home in let me put you up in a hotel," said Logan.
"You are right, but we'll go to my mothers," said Lorelai looking at Luke.
"Yeah," said Luke.
"Well at least let me get you a cab," said Logan.
"Okay," said Luke.
"I'm going to call Rory and let her know," said Lorelai.
"Alright," said Luke as she took her cell out of her purse, and handed her purse to Luke.
Walking away Lorelai hit herself in the head as she realized what she had done. Bells were going off in her head, and what had possessed her to do this to herself or her family. Hours of exposer to Emily Gilmore could be damaging to a infant. Taking a deep breath Lorelai knew it wasn't as bad as her head was screaming. Plus now that Luke was on board there was no going back. Flipping the phone open Lorelai dialed the house number.
"Hello," came Jess's voice on the other end after one ring.
"Jess?" questioned Lorelai.
"Yep," said Jess.
"Where is Rory?" asked Lorelai.
"She is changing," said Jess.
"Changing? Why is she Changing?" asked Lorelai as her hormones kicked in over drive.
"We were dancing in the rain," said Jess.
"Oh how romantic," said Lorelai as she went from one extreme to the other.
"Here she is," said Jess handing the phone over.
"Mom, is everything okay?" asked Rory.
"The rain is really bad, so Luke, the girls, and I are going to crash at your grandparents," said Lorelai.
"Just call me when you get there," said Rory.
"I will. Now I have to call your grandmother's. Any last minute advise?" asked Lorelai.
"Rip that bandaid," said Rory.
"What?" asked Lorelai.
"When you have a bandaid just rip it off quick," said Rory.
"I got to go. Sending your poor mother to the firing squad. Bye," said Lorelai.
"Bye," said Rory and they both hung up.
Dialing her mother's number it rang for a bit.
"Lorelai, what on earth are you calling so late?" asked Emily answering the phone final.
"How?" asked Lorelai.
"Caller I.D.," said Emily.
"Mom, we went out to let Rory have some space. Anyways we are in Hartford, and it is raining really hard. Can we crash at your house?" asked Lorelai.
"Of course," said Emily.
"We are grabbing a cab and we'll be there in a while," said Lorelai.
Fifteen minutes later crammed into a cab abandoning the car for the night. Logan said he'd take care of the jeep. Getting out of the cab they ran up to the door where Emily stood in the door way. Quickly she ushered them inside, and sat them in front of the fire in the living room where Richard was reading his evening paper. As soon as he got sight of Victoria he took her out of her seat. A doting Richard made Lorelai smile for she only saw that with Rory and him. That was because of their shared interest in books, and Rory took a interest in a thing Lorelai never understood as a child. He seem completely consumed by Victoria. Victoria seem to be just as wrapped up in him. Although she was not that old Lorelai was for sure she had saw her granddaughter reach up toward her father. Meeting her half way Victoria grabbed his finger. Emily started handing out hot tea, and insisting it would warm them. Without a word Lorelai took the tea and drank it not complaining about the horrible taste. Maybe it was because of the calm. Remembering she had to call Rory she got up, and excused herself from the room. Making her way upstairs Lorelai and went into her old room. A wooden
cradle stood by the bed, and Lorelai was in awe that her mother had did that. Flipping her phone open that she still held, and dialed home one more time
"Mom?" asked Rory after one ring.
"We're fine," said Lorelai.
"Good," said Rory.
"Well I guess we'll see you tomorrow," said Lorelai.
"Yeah, Good night," said Rory.
"Night," said Lorelai.
"Give my girls a kiss for me," said Rory.
"I will, bye," said Lorelai as she went and sat on her old bed.
"Bye," said Rory and they hung up.
"Rory?" came Emily's voice from the doorway.
"Yeah, I was telling her we made it alright," said Lorelai.
"That's good," said Emily.
"Where did you get the crib," asked Lorelai.
"It was yours for your baby doll Molly. You insisted she have a real cradle, so your father spent a week carving you a real cradle," said Emily.
"Dad?" questioned Lorelai.
"He got so many splinters, and we caught you trying to lay in it yourself," said Emily.
"I can't believe you kept it," said Lorelai.
"Well your father is a pack rat and it ended up in his stuff," said Emily.
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To Emily's dismay April slept at the foot of Lorelai's bed on a blanket, and Gigi in between Luke and Lorelai. Laying there after all the kids had gone to sleep Lorelai looked over at Luke who was still awake.
"One day it could be our kid sneaking into bed with us," said Lorelai.
"As long as he or she doesn't wet the bed," said Luke.
"What if your little girl is scared?" asked Lorelai teasing.
"Wrap her up in plastic wrap," said Luke.
"Luke," said Lorelai laughing.
"Do you want your bed wet," asked Luke.
"Impending fatherhood has made you crazy," said Lorelai.
"You are as crazy as I am if not more so," said Luke.
"I took the test at work," said Lorelai.
"And?" asked Luke.
"I'm pregnant, and Sookie is about to have a talk with me about eating her fruit," said Lorelai as she reached over Gigi taking Luke's hand, and placing it on her belly.
"A baby," said Luke.
"Did I ever tell you about the time I dreamed I was married to you, and was pregnant with twins?" asked Lorelai.
"No," said Luke.
"I did, and never set more than one alarm clock," said Lorelai.
"Huh," said Luke.
"Just don't," said Lorelai.
"Okay," said Luke.
"Sookie has been slipping me decaf at the inn. She doesn't think I know, but I so do," said Lorelai.
"Have you told Sookie?" asked Luke.
"No," said Lorelai
"You didn't tell her when you found out," asked Luke.
"I haven't told my best friend, but we had a full house at the inn today," said Lorelai.
"So that's where you went," said Luke.
"Paperwork piles up, so I went to play catch up," said Lorelai.
"Beep!" "Beep!"
"What is that?" asked Luke.
"Baby pager!" said Lorelai grabbing her purse, and digging out the pager.
"What?" asked Luke.
"Sookie is having her baby," said Lorelai.
"Go," said Luke.
Scrambling out of bed Lorelai made her way to the door.
"Luke," said Lorelai stopping at the door, and looking back.
"Go, I'll take care of the girls," said Luke.
"Don't let my mother hire a nanny while I'm gone," said Lorelai opening the door.
"Promise," said Luke and Lorelai shut the door behind her.
Running downstairs Lorelai went to the phone in the living room after realizing she had forgot her cell upstairs. Quickly she called for a cab, and then got up going to the door.
"Lorelai, where are you going," asked Emily coming down the stairs.
"Sookie is in labor," said Lorelai.
"Be careful," said Emily as the cabbie honked his car horn.
"See you later, Mom," said Lorelai as she opened the door, and went out shutting the door behind her.
