Truce
Reviewing her desk calendar Rory noted the date, January 16, 2017, or aka week #15, well into her second trimester. At this point, Rory was not only feeling, but also starting to look her pregnant state. All in all, it wasn't so bad.
The immense exhaustion she felt in the first trimester had given way to a newfound energy. She considered herself fortunate that so far her pregnancy had been uneventful. She recalled Paris and her first pregnancy where she was perpetually nauseated and was seemingly throwing up every five seconds. Seeing that her first trimester was fraught with other stresses, Rory was thankful that her pregnancy was going smoothly thus far.
To stay on top of her quickly filling calendar, Rory set up standing appointments with her OB every third Monday of the month. Today's doctor's appointment was particularly worrisome, as it would mark this first time she would see Logan in over a month. Since their blow-up in the diner, communication between them had been restricted to "need-to-know" texts. How are you feeling? Anything new? Time and location of the appointment? How long will it take? All communications were short and right to the point, no dwelling or second guessing.
Rory arrived at the doctor's office to find Logan already there and immersed in a parenting magazine. As she walked to him she saw that he was looking at baby gear, something she found that a bit endearing. "Hi", she said as casual as possible. "Hello, yourself" Logan replied in a neutral tone.
"Been here long?"
"About 10 minutes. I thought it would bad to be late on the first day', Logan said without looking up from the magazine.
Rory sat in the seat next to him "What are you looking at?" she asked.
"Baby gear. It's amazing what it takes to raise a baby these days. You know that there are germ repellent seat covers for shopping carts?"
"Yes, I remember Paris received one after her son was born. She opened it and launched into a 20-minute tirade on the benefits of germs and how our overly clean society is turning Americans
into paranoid immune challenged zombie snowflakes. It was a really fun Bris!"
Logan smirked. "So are you clear on what is happening today?" Rory asked.
"Yes, you're having your general check-up, blood work, and an ultrasound."
"Have you given any thought as to whether or not you want to know the sex of the baby?" "I'd like to know. I'd like to be prepared. I am kind of through with surprises for a while." "I hear ya"
"And you?"
"I'm still deciding. It will probably be a curtain-time decision." "Ok, you're choice."
"Logan..."
Rory was interrupted by the nurse calling them in. As soon as they walked in Rory was handed a cup. She then headed to the bathroom while Logan went to the exam room. A minute or two later Rory joined him.
"What happened there?" Logan inquired
"I have to pee in a cup every exam. Check for preeclampsia. We must escape the fate of Sybil Crawley." Rory matter-a-factly replied
Making a note in his head to research preeclampsia. "Yes, that would be good."
The nurse took Rory's weight (5 lbs. weight gain) and blood pressure (normal). "Everything looks good. So just change into your gown and the doctor will be in shortly." After the nurse left Rory stood there contemplating the hospital gown and looking at Logan with some concern.
"What?" He asked
"I have to change into this gown," Rory replied.
"So?"
"Which means I have to take off my clothes."
"And?"
"Well, you're here. Can I please have some privacy?"
"Are you serious? Need I remind you that getting naked that got us into this situation in the first place."
"Our circumstances have changed?"
"You know what? Fine. Let me know when you're ready."
Logan left in a huff.
Rory changed and laid down on the exam bed. She didn't know why, but she always found exam
beds weirdly comfortable. Rory was on the verge of falling asleep when she heard a knock on the door. After giving the all clear, Dr. Miller her OB and Logan walked in.
"Hi Dr. Miller, nice to see you again. I see you've met Logan."
"Yes, we just got acquainted outside. Ok, shall we start?" Replied Dr. Miller.
Dr. Miller proceeded with the exam. They discussed how Rory's feeling (I finally got my energy back), her diet (my stepfather refuses to serve me french fries and has been pureeing kale in my milkshakes). The three discussed testing and debated amnio vs. Marker Test (Marker Test; less evasive.)
"Any movement?"
"I feel some fluttering now and then."
The look of frustration on Logan's face was evident.
"Ok, so do you have any questions for me?" Dr. Miller continued.
"Yes," Logan said, "so when is the due date?"
"July 8th. But remember that is an estimate it can happen before or after the date. This is one of those things one cannot predict."
"Unless we decide to induce or have a C-section," Rory interjected
"Have you talked about that?" Dr. Miller responded
Logan and Rory looked at each other uncomfortably.
"I am open to whatever you want to do, right up to delivery time." Dr. Miller reassured them. "So who is permitted to be at the birth? And will you be there?" Logan asked the doctor.
"That depends. We work on rotation here, so if I am not on call or am not available then one of my colleagues will attend the birth. We all have the same approach so I assure you no matter who you get you will have the best of care. As for who is permitted to be in the room well, of course, there will be Rory, the delivery team and me and after that, it depends on you. Some fathers want to be there, others wait outside. Some just want just the parents-to-be, other have invited the whole neighborhood. It's up to you, just no video cameras please."
"We still have to discuss the specifics," Rory said. "Sure," said Dr. Miller, "Again, you have plenty of time."
The exam ended and Logan and the doctor left the room to let Rory dress. Afterward, Rory and Logan proceeded to the ultrasound room. Logan helped Rory onto the exam bed and then sat down. The tension between them was palpable.
"Have you thought about whether you want to be in the room during the delivery?" Rory asked trying to ease the tension.
"Yes, I would like to be there."
"My mom was planning to be there too. I mean if you don't mind."
"Sure, you are, after all, the one who is steering this ship." Rory became visibly irritated, "What is that suppose to mean?" "What do you mean?" The equally irritated Logan responded. "You have just been a total pill this entire morning."
Logan reached exasperation. "I just meant that since you are the one who is going to be pushing a brand new human out of your body, that you should have control on who is spectating. That's all."
"Okaay."
"Is there anything else?"
"No."
"So, you've been feeling fluttering? You didn't tell me that."
"We haven't exactly been chatty lately."
"Well, that's pretty important, you didn't think to even mention it?"
"Honestly, I didn't think that is was worth mentioning."
"Well, I would like to know about things like that."
"Sorry."
"Yes, because we know this is all about you, your timeline..."
Rory looked at Logan incredulously, "Are you STILL upset about that? "
Logan, equally incredulous, "Yes! Would you have told me by now if we hadn't run into each other, or would it have been Lorelai that is here with you right now?"
"Oh my God, you need to let it go!"
"You know you didn't even apologize for waiting so long."
Before Rory could respond the ultrasound tech arrived. Rory laid down and pulled up her shirt, revealing the early stages of a baby bump. The Tech began the ultrasound.
"Ok...hold on...there!" The tech turned the monitor towards Rory and Logan who bewilderedly looked at the screen as the tech pointed out aspects of the ultrasound; the baby's head, the torso, the arms, and legs. They saw and heard the heartbeat. At one point the baby turned its head, seemingly looking straight at them.
"So you want to know the sex?"
"No." they both answered in unison and in awe. They looked at each other surprised. "Ah, a couple that likes mystery."
The ultrasound finished. The tech printed copies of the images and handed them to Logan while Rory cleaned up. Rory and Logan thanked the tech and she left the room.
Logan looked at Rory, "Can I buy you lunch?" He asked in a conciliatory tone. Rory looked at him and smiled.
about an hours later, Rory and Logan were sitting in a pub-type place eating burgers, and fries. "Please don't tell Luke I ate fries," Rory playfully pleaded.
"I wouldn't dream of it," he answered smiling.
"What time do you have to be back to work?"
"I took the day off."
"Really?"
"Big day Ace."
After a few seconds of silence, Rory told Logan "I'm sorry." "No Rory..."
"No, let me finish. I'm sorry. You were right, I should have told you sooner. It was just such a shock when I found out. It took 20 positive tests over a span of a week until it finally sank in. And then my mom and Luke got married, and then I had to tell my mom, and well that didn't go well."
"What do you mean?"
"She has been really and supportive and wonderful, but it was a bit of a shock for her, and she initially didn't take it well. She not only didn't take it well, but she was mad at herself for not taking it well, and that became a vicious circle. To her, it was history repeating itself, and she kind of felt like she failed."
"At what?"
"At being a parent. The one thing a parent does not want it to have their children repeat their mistakes."
"Yea, but she was 16 with very little options. You are 33, with options and lots of support." "Yes, but still, the circumstances..."
"You DO know you have support right?"
"Yes, I do. Anyway, this does not excuse me waiting for so long. After our confrontation at the diner, I laid in bed that night with the scenario of you coming home from your honeymoon to the news that I was pregnant playing over and over in my head. Ugh, it was awful. That would have been a stellar way to start a marriage."
" Well, knowing what we know now, it would seem that a surprise pregnancy resulting from a torrid affair would have been the least of our problems. But, thank you for your apology."
"Thank you for accepting my apology. So have you told anyone?" "Honor knows and I assume Josh knows too."
"How did she take it?"
"At first she was scared because she thought I was talking about Odette. Honor never really bonded with Odette. She always felt there was something not right about her."
"You sister is insightful."
"She was excited when she found out it was you."
"Well, I always liked her."
"Yes, and she always liked you. She was kind of crushed when we broke up the first time."
Rory looked away, a bit uncomfortable. She changed the subject, "When are you going to tell your parents?"
"Well, Mitchum is in Dallas this week and gets back tomorrow. Shira is at a spa and gets back the day after. Honor has arranged to have a "family dinner" Friday evening at her house. She figured if we double team them the initial fallout will be minimal."
"You have a great sister."
"She's the best. So Ace, where are we?" "In a pub eating junk food, hello?"
"No, I mean where are we relationship wise? How are we going about this? I accept that we are not together, I don't like it, but respect where you are in terms of your life, but we are going to have to function if this co-parenting thing is going to work."
"Yes, I know."
"Can I call you? Can we Facetime? Because this only texting all the time leaves a lot to be desired."
"Yes we can call, Facetime, e-mail, text, send smoke signals."
"And your appointments are every third Monday?"
"Up until the last month, when they are once a week, and then every other day if we are overdue." "And you're still ok with me being there?"
"Yes, but they are not that long, so it's ok if you don't makeall of them."
"Well, I will certainly try..."
"Thanks"
"Good. And if you ever need anything, just let me know."
"Thanks. I will be sure to keep you apprised of flutters or any other news."
" Good. So what are your plans? Now that Emily's sold the house where are you going to work?"
"Well, I didn't tell you, but I started the job at MN Designs. So I will actually be in the city three- four days a week."
four days a week."
"Really? Congratulations!"
"Thanks! Yes, I've been doing this commute for about two weeks now. I'm staying with Paris and Doyle while I'm there."
"Wait, I heard she was pregnant again and due any day now."
"At the end of January. Doyle is being a bit obsessive this time around so I am kinda acting as a buffer between them."
"Brave girl. And when you're not in the city you're staying with your mom and Luke?"
"No, I found an apartment! I am living in the space above The Gazette. It's a great place. Good vibe. I'm glad to be in my own space. You should see it sometime."
"I will make sure of it. So how is the book?"
"Good! I've written about 10 chapters. I'm feeling a bit blocked. Jess is seeing if he can get an editor friend to review it."
"Jess?"
"Luke's nephew, he was with me at Olivia's reception? He's is part owner of a press..."
"Yes, I remember Jess."
"Oh, yes...well anyway, He's also been talking to me about how to pitch the book. Hopefully, it will get picked up."
"Well you know you have an "in" in the business"
"Yes, but I would rather use the channels I already have first." "Fair enough Ace. I'm sure it will be great. You're a great writer." "Thanks for being my cheerleader."
"Anytime! So, let's toast."
They both picked up their respective glasses of lemonade. "Truce?"
"Truce."
"To cooperation, co-parenting, and little baby Huntzberger." "Gilmore"
"Gilmore-Huntzberger"
"Sounds good to me."
They clinked their glasses. Next Logan took the ultrasound images out of this pocket and the two soon-to-be parents spent the next hour admiring the images of their baby.
