One Night Changes Everything

By Gilmoregirl1979

Provider of Quality Fan Fiction

Special Thanks to GURO JENN and LIZ

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Chapter: 9
Doctor, It Hurts When I Do This…

It was amazing how two words could change a man's life.

"I'm pregnant."

To say Luke was suddenly distracted at both of his jobs was an understatement. Whenever he had a quiet moment or was on his break, Luke's mind would automatically drift to Lorelai and… their baby. What was Lorelai doing in that moment? What was she feeling? What other discomfort was her changing body putting her through? Did she need help?

Luke was constantly being called out of a far away looks as he spaced out on the job, dangerous in the trade of construction, but he couldn't help his mind drifted back to Stars Hollow, back to the Independence Inn, back to the night that changed everything.

Luke strained to recall any details of his mother when she was pregnant with his younger sister, Liz. All he could remember as a small boy was that he couldn't sit on his mother's lap toward the end, and then all of a sudden…everyone was congratulating him on becoming a big brother when he had done absolutely nothing to contribute to earning the new title.

Then he focused on the more recent memory of that same sister's pregnancy. How slowly over several months Liz's belly developed then he got a phone call that he was now "Uncle Luke", once again having no choice in the change of his title or status. He naturally went to see Liz in the hospital with their dad, William. Then Jimmy, the no good scumbag that conned his naive sister into marrying him at such a young age, said that he was going out for diapers only to never be seen again. Luke couldn't help but wonder if Lorelai had gone through a similar ordeal when Rory's father, whatever his name was, when he decided to leave town and his child.

Luke wondered about Rory, what disappointments has she gone through without her father there; He's seen first hand what a toll it's taken on Liz's son, Jess. Luke felt bad for both kids, from the few times he had met Rory, she seemed like a really sweet girl, and she was about the same age as his nephew. Luke wanted to call Liz for advice, she was the only family he had, she had at least been through this before, but Luke was hesitant. Liz wasn't exactly and ideal mother figure or ideal sister to be getting any kind of advice from.

Liz got into a lot of trouble, did a lot of things Luke didn't approve of, but he was desperate. Luke got so far as to dial the area code for New York before hanging up the phone, thinking better on it. The last thing he wanted to hear was to hear Liz cackling over how her straight laced brother knocked someone up. Luke rolled his eyes just at the thought.

A few days after Lorelai's "visit" to his apartment, Luke still had trouble sleeping. He was trying to come to terms with the fact that he that was going to become a father. Talk about life changing, one week his girlfriend had left him, and while facing a future alone, the next he met Lorelai, then they had one romantic, incredible evening together and now they were going to have a baby without being seriously romantically involved. Luke still didn't know what to expect with this arrangement; they were going to be mere friends with a baby? Lorelai had told him he didn't have to do anything for Rory, explained that she wasn't looking for a father for both of her children, but Luke thought that was somewhat unfair. He didn't want to ignore Rory, and he didn't think it was right that he should treat the new baby any differently from Rory. He also didn't think it was right that Rory's father was getting such a pass from any responsibility and wasn't as involved as he should be; still that could only complicate things. Perhaps Luke should be thankful what's-his-name was so hands off. It will be just the three of them… that is, four of them, when the baby came. Rory's father wasn't his business anyway. Luke knew that he wanted to be at the very least Rory's friend, and if the young girl would let him, maybe he could be a positive male role model that she was missing.

Still, Luke hadn't heard from Lorelai for two days. He had given her his number to reach him if she needed anything, but she failed to give him her number in return. He had still been in such shock from her news he really didn't think to ask for it. After all, she had come to him, it seemed as though she wanted his help, and all she had to do was ask for it. Luke had no way to reach her to ask about all the questions forming in his solitude. He could always call the Inn, but what if Mia answered?

Two days. Lorelai hadn't called him for two days. What was going on? She said she wanted his help? She said she was going to let him be involved. How was he going to help or be involved if he didn't know what to do or what she needed from him? Maybe she hadn't told Rory yet. Maybe she was waiting till the right moment then she would call? But each hour that passed was an hour closer to the baby arriving. Time seemed to drag on yet at the same time, things were happening too fast. Was he the only one feeling the pressure and confusion about their situation? Was Lorelai completely relaxed because she had been through this before? She had said she was willing to do it on her own, does that mean she really didn't need him at all?

Yet, they agreed, she told him about the baby, and he said he wanted to be involved, so why wasn't she letting him be involved? They needed to talk, they needed to plan, they needed to figure things out, tell people their news, which he wasn't looking forward to. Miss Patty and Babette elbowing him, "You and Lorelai, huh?" Luke rolled his eyes at the mere thought.

As he lay in bed, Luke didn't know what he was supposed to do. He offered help, but maybe Lorelai needs him more when the baby is out in the world, not so much during the pregnancy? So, what? She's just not going to talk to him for eight months? What about when she goes into labor? What about doctor's appointments? Luke knew he would be ragged and tired the next day at work due to his lack of sleep, but he couldn't help it. Luke couldn't turn his mind off.

Luke was going to be a father.

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Finally, Lorelai called. Three days and she finally called! Luke came home from work, and immediately saw his answering machine was blinking. Few people had his number, so he hoped it was Lorelai as he hit play.

"Hey Luke, Wow this is so weird, I haven't called a boy in a long, long, time. Well anyway, if you want to stop by the Inn later so we can talk more about… well, you know what. So, if you could come by the Inn, that would be great. See you later bye."

That was it? He waited three days for that? Not specific time, no specific location, no number to call her back to clarify details, which was infuriating. So, Luke picked up his phone and called the Inn and asked for Lorelai.

"Thank you for calling the Independence Inn, this is Danielle, how may I help you?"

"Um, hi. I need to speak with Lorelai Gilmore right away."

"Certainly, may I ask what this is regarding?"

"Does that matter?" Luke asked defensively.

"Um, I suppose not," Luke could tell his tone had been a little ruder than he intended, because the woman on the phone echoed his tone, "Can you at least give me your name? So I can tell her."

"It's Luke. just tell her it's Luke." after he was put on hold, Luke blew out a frustrated breath; was this how it was going to go every time he needed to talk to her? They had to hunt her down wherever she was at the Inn? What if she had gone home for the night? He had to ask for her home number to make this a little easier.

Finally Lorelai came on the line, "Hello?"

"Lorelai, its Luke."

"Yeah, Danielle said, hey there," she said in an ever carefree voice.

"Hi," he said a little impatient.

"So…what's up?"

You're carrying my kid that's what's up! "You didn't say what time to meet you, or where; I was at work most of the day, so I didn't get your message till now."

"Oh, right, sorry. I forgot you're not a local worker. I guess I'm going to have to get your schedule so we can work things out better."

Get my schedule? What about you offering some information to me, "Yeah, and specific times would be good. And a phone number where I can reach you directly…" so we can communicate better,

"Calling the Inn is fine, everyone knows me here and where to find me," she said quickly.

"What if I need to call you when you're not at work?"

Lorelai was insistent, "Trust me, just call here and they will find me."

"You don't have a direct number? Like your apartment or something?"

"No, I don't," Lorelai said stiffly.

"Okay," Luke waited for further explanation, but Lorelai didn't offer any. For someone who wanted him to participate so badly, she was awfully guarded about the whole thing; "So what did you want to meet about?"

"Well, I was thinking it might be a good idea for Rory to meet you again. You know, so you both can get better acquainted since… you'll be you know, around her more."

Luke raised a brow, Lorelai sounded like she really didn't want the meeting to take place at all, as if she was suggesting it against her will; like she was begrudgingly letting Luke into her secret world. So Luke was going to prove to her how enthusiastic he was about meeting Rory again, "Great, I can't wait. When and where?"

"Easy there, fella. This is just so she can meet you and see you again; you know get comfortable around you so when I do tell her it won't be as big of a shock.

"You haven't…. told your daughter yet?"

Luke heard the hesitation and shame, "No, not yet."

"Why not?"

"Look, I hope you can understand and appreciate the delicate situation I'm in over here. Rory and I have a great relationship, but I really don't know how she will react to this. Me springing some guy on her, springing a…" Lorelai lowered her voice into the phone as if she didn't want those around her to hear, "…a sibling on her. It's been just her and me for so long and now…everything's changing so quickly. And every time I want to try to sit her down and tell her, I see those innocent eyes, oblivious to the evil in the world….and I chicken out."

"What do you mean?" Was Luke some evil villain that cursed Lorelai with a baby? Sure, he started the kissing but he just wanted to take her out to dinner at a normal pace. She had suggested going inside the Inn for a room, and Luke could have left anytime he wanted to; they both were to blame.

"Look, I can't talk about it right now; I'm at work. Just what time is good for you and we'll talk then."

"Okay," Luke nodded in agreement even though she couldn't see him over the phone. "When do you get off work?"

"Hmmm, looks like two hours and twenty-seven minutes."

Luke assumed she had been looking at a clock, "Okay, well I'll see you then."

"Oh yeah …and do you have a day off coming up or something?"

"Um Sure, Sunday…"

With a hint of annoyance, Lorelai clarified, "Is there a way you could switch that to a weekday?"

"Well, I do have two jobs, so that's a bit tricky on such short notice; why?"

"Well," Lorelai paused, and her voice sounded more vulnerable, "I was going to make a doctors appointment and since you said want to be there and be involved… I thought you could come along." Lorelai shrugged it off, "If you don't want to, I understand. I'll handle it."

Lorelai had flipped again, she now sounded sweet, like she really missed him, like she really wanted him to go with her, to be there. For as apprehensive as she was about telling her daughter, that's how much she seemed to want Luke's support at their first doctor's appointment.

Luke didn't want her to have to go alone. He briefly wondered if what's-his-name went to their first appointment together. "I'll see what I can do, but you have to give me a specific date and a time," Luke assured.

"Okay," Lorelai sounded insecure and timid again. "Maybe after the doctor's appointment, if everything goes well, and well, if Rory meets you a few more times… I'll find the nerve. And I was thinking since you'll be up here, whenever we tell Rory, it maybe a good time to … tell Mia… about our situation, too."

"Tell Mia?" Luke gulped. Luke was starting to realize the ripple effect that amazing night was having on his sphere.

"Well, yeah, she's my friend and my boss, and I guess she's your friend too, so… I think it would be best if she hears if from both of us… before it circles around town three times."

That was the one other thing Luke had forgotten, this wasn't just happening to him and Lorelai, and Rory; the entire town would be affected by the change in the relationship, or whatever it was they had now. A new resident will be coming to the Hollow, and every biddy in the town limits were going to want to hold that baby and pinch their cheeks. Luke's stomach knotted, "Yeah, speaking of which… how are we going to handle that?"

"I don't know yet," Lorelai exhaled, "I'm just trying to work down the list; tell Rory, tell Mia, tell the town, and if I absolutely have to, I will tell my mother but she's always on the bottom of the list."

That comment made Luke sad; Lorelai was completely taking for granted that at least her parents were still alive to give advice; What Luke wouldn't do for a chance to just have another 15 minutes with his father on the subject of parenthood.

Luke heard Lorelai again, "Look, I have some people waiting for me, come up here and we'll talk about it."

"Where will we..?" Luke frowned at the phone as he heard her click the conversation to an end. He hung up his own phone starting to see a pattern; things had to be on Lorelai's terms, dealt with in a way she was comfortable with. She had most of the control in this situation; she knew Luke's number, where he lived, where he worked, she was carrying his baby hostage wherever she went.

Luke calmed down his rising annoyance from over reacting, but still was Luke going to have to bend over backwards the entire nine months?

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Luke came by the Inn because Lorelai only told Luke to meet her at the Inn since she was off in a few hours. Once again, specifics not her strong suit. And Why at the Inn? Why not at her place? Or Luke's place? Luke had a theory about that too; he figured Lorelai must have wanted some neutral territory. Not wanting to tip Rory off too soon that something was out of the ordinary. Granted the Inn was technically her territory, so she knew she would be comfortable there. Also, in regard to Rory, Luke knew they had to do this the right way. Lorelai wanted Rory to meet Luke a few more times and get comfortable around him, maybe even like him… so Luke was going to work with that.

Luke walked the grounds of the Inn, hoping to run into them and finally he saw them. Both sitting on a blanket near the old potting shed, beneath the tree Luke and Lorelai had met underneath on the Fourth of July. Luke didn't have time to wonder if Lorelai was camped there on purpose or if Rory had chosen the picnic spot.

He watched them for a minute. How Lorelai smoothed her daughter's hair, how Rory was reading aloud on her own. Lorelai seemed more interested in admiring her daughter than the story Rory was narrating. There really was something special about watching Lorelai with her daughter, some secret kind of magic.

Luke took a deep breath and headed toward them. He announced himself, "Um, hi."

Both girls looked up with two pairs of striking blue eyes that struck Luke to the core and he forgot what his opening line was.

"Luke?" Lorelai said nonchalantly.

"Hi Luke," Rory smiled at her hero from the town meeting. "What are you doing here?"

"Just checking some stuff out … for Mia," He lied, and he prayed it didn't show, "I saw you two over here and thought I'd …say hello. You're not working today, Lorelai?"

"Actually, I worked earlier, but I'm off now, so… spending it with Rory," trying to figure out what he was doing? They were supposed to talk alone away from Rory first. Maybe that's why he always wanted specifics. Still, she commended his effort to act like this was the first time they had spoken that day.

Rory was some what surprised to see Luke, she knew he was her mother's friend, knew he helped Mia from time to time, but usually they just ran into each other on the street. Luke had been her hero at the town meeting but now Luke seemed to tower over her, his long shadow hid the sunlight from her book and hid some of the features of his face.

It was strange for Luke too; trying to relate to an eight year old girl; he really didn't hang out with kids at all, and he could barely handle his nephew when he went to help out his sister, Liz. Suddenly remembering the book he had been carrying in his hand. "Um, I got you a book," Luke knelt down to offer it to her, "Sort of a congratulations on," Luke saw the alarmed look on Lorelai's face, "you know, for winning the library thing at the meeting."

"Thank you, you didn't have to," Rory took the book. She could see him better now that he had stooped down to hand the book to her. Luke had a kind smile and eager blue eyes. She was surprised at the sheer size of his hands and feet. To her, Luke seemed something like a giant, but Rory could tell he was just as nervous as she was. Rory didn't understand why he should feel intimidate by her; She was just a kid.

Luke shrugged, "Well, I wanted to."

Rory didn't understand why he was giving her a gift, but she looked down at the book he had given her and smiled, "Little Women."

"Yeah, now you won't have to worry about depriving Taylor of his copy from the library."

That elicited a giggle from Rory, and Lorelai didn't get the joke. Lorelai assumed it was from the town meeting she hadn't gone to when Luke saved the day over the library policy. "Well if he likes it so much why doesn't he buy it? Thank you again, you didn't have to do that. Hey? If you were working for Mia and just coming over to say hello, why did you have the book with you," ever deductive, detective Rory was on the case.

Rory couldn't see the second alarmed glance her mother had sent to Luke, but Luke thought fast, "Well, I know your mom works here so I figured at least I could have given it to her, but… I'm glad I got to give it to you in person."

"Thank you; I don't have this one yet."

"Well, I'm glad I can help fill in the gaps of your library."

"How did you know about my library?" Rory's brow furrowed.

Luke honestly stated, "Your mother told me about it."

Rory looked back at her mother and saw the way Lorelai was smiling at Luke, then Rory studied Luke and the way he was looking at her mom. It was clear something was going on, or at least starting to go on. Rory would have to ask her mother about it later.

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After their little meeting, Luke was just having dinner by himself at his kitchen table, alone in his apartment. He was a little frustrated because the visit had been short, they spent the entire time with Rory, which was sort of the point, but at the same time Lorelai and he still didn't have a chance to talk privately about what came next with the baby. Then Lorelai cut it short, saying her and Rory had to have dinner with Sookie. Luke wanted to suggest they eat together, but that would have been inviting himself into their plans and Lorelai had said her goodbyes before Luke could raise the suggestion anyway. Suddenly his phone rang, a rare occurrence in this particular bachelor's apartment, he hoped it was one person, "Hello?"

"What are you doing giving her a book?" Lorelai snapped.

A confused Luke defended himself to Lorelai, "I heard she likes to read?"

"Yeah; But…why did you get her a book?"

"I thought it would help."

"Offering my daughter a bribe would help? How?"

"Like you said, trying to make her comfortable around me; trying to be her friend."

"Unless you know how to French braid hair, I don't want you to be her friend."

"Okay, well she's the big sister to my kid, chances, are I'm going to see her from time to time. You yourself wanted me to meet her so she knows who I am, so when the four of us are together it won't be torturous or awkward."

There was a long stream of silence, and Lorelai admitted, "You're right, I know, you're right."

"Well, it was your idea first so you were right originally."

"I'm sorry; I'm all mixed up lately," Lorelai sighed, "It's the pregnancy, it …makes you crazy. I don't even know why I'm upset about it."

I wouldn't know anything about that because you don't share, Luke thought begrudgingly.

"I'm just …not used to other people buying things for Rory. I'm the mother, I'm the provider, and I felt stupidly territorial. I'm sorry; it was a very nice, thoughtful thing for you to do."

"I'm not trying to buy her love, Lorelai; I'm trying to have a …" Luke searched for an appropriate word, "friendship with her. And one with you too, I might add…" which you make increasingly difficult…

"I know, and you should, that's a good thing, hopefully it will make things easier later on. Look, I've scheduled my first doctor's appointment which is just very ceremonial, to confirm I am pregnant, confirm how far along I am…but I think we both know that one… "

"When is it?"

"Wednesday morning; I just need to figure an excuse to tell Rory. It's hard because she's out of school now, and she's usually with me when I work or at least knows where I am while I'm working. I mean, if I say I'm going to the doctor, she'll be concerned, but I don't want to lie to her either. If I say anything else she'll ask me why she can't come too."

"Can Sookie help keep her busy? You said she knows right?"

"Yeah, we'll see. Can you get off work?"

"I'll ask tomorrow first thing."

"Okay, let me know as soon as you can. Bye"

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Later that evening, when Lorelai had returned from her secret phone call to Luke; Lorelai was in the designated bathroom area of their one room potting shed apartment, Rory was on their mattress studying her mother's actions, contemplating the events of her day and the new book in her possession. Mother and daughter were alone; Lorelai was just brushing her teeth and washing her face for bed. Lorelai hadn't noticed that Rory had taken to staring at her rather than reading from any of her books.

"Are you dating Luke?" Rory asked plainly.

Lorelai froze, her face dripping water from rising off her facial cleanser, "What?" blinking rapidly, hoping not to get stinging soap in her eyes.

Rory explained her theory, "Well, it's all a little funny to me. I mean, Luke has come out of no where all of a sudden. I first met him at the market, and you seemed to know him already."

Lorelai flushed her eyes again and explained, "I met him at the Inn. He was doing a favor for Mia." Which was true. Jeez, Why does she have to be so smart?

"Then we meet him again on the street, and he saves the day with the library policy at the town meeting which he said he wasn't going to go to… now he shows up here with a book as a gift for me…is he trying to get in my good graces for some reason?" the wise Rory probed her mother.

Lorelai steadied herself by leaning on the sink and focusing on her reflection in the mirror; at this rate, Rory would piece it all together before they had a chance to tell her Lorelai was pregnant, "Maybe he likes you?" Lorelai suggested, casually grabbing the towel to pat dry her face.

"Mom, I think he's cute, but he's like …twenty years older than me. There are laws! Aren't there?"

"Yes, there are laws. I think he got you the book just to be nice. A victory present, like he said," Lorelai hadn't known the book was part of the plan. She told Luke to just show up so they could talk, not try to bribe her kid. Lorelai calmed the green eyed monster of pride again; she did this, invited Luke into her world, so naturally he may get Rory a gift from time to time, like a birthday or Christmas.

"Actually he's closer to your age?" Rory considered her last point.

"What?"

"Well, do you think Luke is cute?" Rory countered.

"Um sure, in some respects, sure," Did Lorelai want this to work out this way? Maybe if Rory thought they were dating, it would be easier to tell her about the baby. Maybe if Rory thought them getting together had been her own idea, some "parent trap" stratagem, Rory wouldn't be so hurt when they told her the whole truth about the baby.

"Has he asked you out yet?" Rory asked eagerly.

"What?"

"You know, on a date?"

"No," Technically Luke had, but that was before he learned of Rory and before they found out Lorelai was pregnant, before life made things complicated. Lorelai folded her towel back up and put it on the rung.

"Well, if he did ask, what would you say?" Rory asked curiously.

"Are you trying to set me up?" and Lorelai jet out her hip as she leaned on the sink playfully, almost enjoying Rory's interrogation, if it wasn't so alarming that they weren't being as careful with their secret as she had hoped to be.

"No, I'm just trying to …understand what's going on with him," Rory shrugged, "I want to know his intentions."

"Maybe he wants to be our friend. And that's it."

"Well, what about Dad?"

Lorelai gulped and looked at the floor, in looking at the floor she could see her stomach, and knew what was inside of her. She could only imagine the spiteful, hurtful, callous jokes and things Christopher would say if he learned she had gotten pregnant so carelessly again. "What about your dad?" Lorelai echoed.

"Well, if you start dating Luke, does that mean you won't ever get back together with dad?"

The look on Rory's face was sad, yet hopeful. Lorelai went to sit on the bed with Rory, "Rory, the chances of your dad and me getting back together were already very, very slim."

Rory frowned. "I know, can't blame me for hoping though."

"I know, and I am sorry," Lorelai sighed, "but your dad has just been away too long. He has his own life and it… rarely includes us in it. And we have our own wonderful life, too, so…"

"So, with dad not in the picture, you'd be open to dating Luke, if he asked you out?"

"Perhaps, let's wait and see if … that is Luke's intention. Come on, bed time for both of us."

Rory crawled under her side of the covers, putting the book she hadn't been reading on a make-shift night stand made out of wood and milk crates. Lorelai lay down on her side and thought about Luke. They couldn't pretend to be dating… they didn't feel that way about each other, people would see right through it.

Though they had to come up with something. Some explanation for Rory and the town that would do. Lorelai stared out their small window, wondered what Luke was up to. Was he going to bed too? Was he a night owl? A morning person? She really didn't know. Maybe when they went to their doctor's appointment they could talk more and get to know each other better.

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Wednesday morning, Luke and Lorelai had arranged for Luke to pick Lorelai up at the Inn's front porch. Sookie was keeping Rory busy in the kitchen by baking cookies. Once Rory's hands were covered in flour and sticky cookie dough, she was committed to the project and Lorelai announced that she had to run an errand and Rory was so occupied with the sticky goo on her hands, she merely nodded that she had heard her mother's announcement and Lorelai was free to go to the front porch and drive off in a green truck with Luke.

It was a quiet ride to the doctor's in Hartford; Luke had picked Lorelai up and drove straight to the interstate to avoid people in the main square seeing them together in his recognizable truck. Lorelai tried not to be judgmental of the oldest truck known to man, after all she didn't have a car at all, so who was she to judge. She had to ask, "Ever consider an upgrade? Something within the last five or ten years?"

"No," Luke said flatly seeing how she wrinkled up her nose at the obvious seventies interior of his car. "This one runs fine, I restored it myself."

"Well, that makes me feel better," Lorelai said sarcastically.

"It's fine."

Curiously Lorelai opened the glove compartment.

Luke scolded, "Would you close that please; you want to lose my registration!"

"It's like a time capsule in here…Look it's the old Wrigley's double mint gum wrapper…" Lorelai snarked

"Put that back! Please!"

Lorelai did as requested, putting the papers back in and closing the glove box, "Have you even seen the newer, shinier trucks? I'm sure you could find something…"

"I like this one. Besides, I already own this one, and won't have to spend an extra dime. It runs fine."

"Except when a part gives out. And the older your truck gets the harder and harder it will be to find replacements. What does this clunker possibly have that the newer ones don't have?"

Luke gripped the steering wheel tighter; his eyes were straight forward as he muttered through his teeth, "This was my dad's truck."

Lorelai then realized why it was so important to him, and kept her mouth shut the remainder of the trip; so much for talking and getting to know each other.

Once at the office building in downtown Hartford and a short trip up the elevator, Lorelai checked in at the desk, found a seat and started flipping through some magazines. Luke on the other hand, sat beside her as if he was going to be sea sick. "Are you okay?" she asked naturally concerned if he was going to hurl on her shoes.

"I'm fine, I just don't like hospitals."

"We're in an office building,"

"Fine, doctors, medical buildings, whatever, I don't like them."

Lorelai suddenly remembered, Luke's dad had been sick, "Because of your dad?"

Luke frowned and sighed, "Yeah, because of my dad."

Obviously, his father's sickness had also taken its toll on Luke's sensitivities. Trying to be his friend, Lorelai had an urge to reach out and touch Luke's arm, a small sign of friendship or comfort; he hated hospitals and doctors and now she was sending him in a whirlwind of monthly doctor's visits and medical buildings, which again would remind him of his father. Lorelai's name was called before she had the courage to make her hand reach out to Luke and they headed toward the examining rooms together.

The nurse led them down a hallway, "this way please." They turned a corner. "Would you sit here, ma'am. I'll have to draw a little blood to run your tests."

"Okay." Lorelai plopped in the black chair and offered the nurse her arm to find a vein to draw from. Lorelai saw Luke practically flush against the wall to be far away from the needle as he could be. Lorelai didn't like shots or having blood drawn, but it was just a pinch really and necessary to get the answers they needed.

Lorelai held the cotton swab in the crook of her elbow until the nurse taped it down for her then the nurse lead Lorelai and a squeamish Luke to their exam room and instructed Lorelai "put this gown on, the doctor will be in a moment."

"Luke?" Lorelai caught his attention.

"Yeah?"

"Would you hold my purse, I need to change."

"What? With me in here?"

"It's nothing you haven't seen before," shoving her purse into his arms.

"Still um… I'll...just…"

"…face the wall?" Lorelai suggested. "Don't open the door."

"Yeah, okay that works." It was the second time he was in the room with Lorelai while she was getting naked. This time he had the advantage of being sober and clothed himself.

"Ready." Lorelai said and Luke turned around to see her sitting at the end of the exam table in a cloth gown. Lorelai let out a patient breath waiting for the doctor to come. Luke didn't know what to say, she seemed to be an old pro at this so he kept his mouth shut so he wouldn't ask any stupid questions.

"Ms. Gilmore, are you ready?" was muffled behind the door.

"Yes, we're ready…" Lorelai answered.

Then a woman in her thirties entered, "Hello, there, I'm Dr. Harrison."

"Oh, um I thought I had a …male Dr. Harrison…." Lorelai said a bit alarmed by the woman about to examine her. "I'm mean, If you've changed your mind about being a male over the years…I'm okay with that, I like being a girl too," she tried to joke.

"Jeez," Luke muttered.

"No, the Harrison you are thinking of is my father, recently retired, but I took up the family business, you might say. And this is…?" noticing Luke in the corner.

"My Father, well, that is the father of my baby," Lorelai introduced awkwardly.

"Ah, well congratulations, Mr. Gilmore," Dr. Harrison turned her glasses toward Luke

"Um, no, we're not…" Luke looked at Lorelai nervously.

"We're not married," Lorelai explained, "His name is Mr. Danes."

"I see. Nothing wrong with that, you can't stop love right?" Dr. Harrison joked, while Luke and Lorelai exchanged a wary glance. "So you think you're pregnant? Do you suspect about when you conceived?"

"Fourth of July," Lorelai said with a smile of certainty.

"That's very… specific, and helpful; well, that makes it easier; those must have been some fireworks," Dr. Harrison joked again.

Lorelai nodded, "Trust me, they were…amazing," glancing at Luke enjoying his embarrassment.

"Why don't you lie back," Lorelai complied, Dr. Harrison massaged and examined Lorelai's stomach, "And you haven't gotten your period since before then?"

"No; but I took three home pregnancy tests last week, all positive."

Dr. Harrison did the math in her head, "Hm, so about 9 weeks. Well, given how much time has passed, those home tests are pretty reliable, and we may not need to wait for your blood work results."

"Wait," Luke interrupted, "The Fourth of July was only 7 weeks ago…"

"Yes, but in pregnancy terms we start counting from the last menstrual cycle before conception…I'm just hazarding a guess, but if you like specifics we will run the appropriate tests. Now, Ms. Gilmore, I saw in your file you had a previous pregnancy…"

"Yes."

Dr. Harrison flipped through a folder she brought in with her, "and that would have been eight years ago…when you were…" Dr. Harrison paused at the mother's birth date in her medical files, then looked at Lorelai then Luke, and decided on closing the folder. "So, we waited eight years to have our second child?"

"Sort of," Lorelai admitted, "and this is with …a different father."

"I see," Dr. Harrison nodded her bunned head, "Well, let's see how we are doing?" Dr. Harrison adjusted the exam table to pull out the stirrups.

Lorelai used to the stirrups automatically put her feet in the appropriate places and saw how Luke's eyes went wide and mouth gaped, when he asked, "Should I go?"

"No, you don't want to miss the show," the doctor soothed, "Why don't you head up there by your girlfriend. You are going to be a father and she'll need your support the entire pregnancy; even when you or she is uncomfortable."

Luke gulped, and went to Lorelai's side. She grinned at him, looking relaxed and casual as if she was sunning herself on the beach, with an arm tucked behind her head, she asked Luke, "You okay?" considering he suddenly went pale. "You want to hold my hand?" offering the hand at her side closest to him.

"Sure," Luke took it and tried to focus on a spot on the wall, but the walls were covered with diagrams of the inner workings of the female reproductive anatomy. One poster even had a baby smiling at Luke from inside the fictitious mother's uterus. He trained his focus up and stared at the corner where two walls and the ceiling met.

"He doesn't like doctors. No offense," Lorelai explained, finding being mistaken as his girlfriend hilarious.

"Well, you better learn to love me…" Turning on a monitor, "Not only will you be seeing me every month till the due date, but I am the one who is going to help bring your baby into the world."

"Mmm hm," Luke had closed his eyes, and was extremely uncomfortable. A doctor was poking around Lorelai's nether regions and cracking jokes.

"Don't stare up there too long you're going to miss the best part,"

"What do you mean?" Luke turned just in time to see Dr. Harrison slide some clear gel on a probe of some sort.

"What are you…Aw Jeez," as the good Doctor inserted the probe into Lorelai, Luke turned his head again, noticing how Lorelai squirmed with mild discomfort over the probes insertion.

Lorelai squeezed on Luke's hand, "that's cold!"

"Sorry, should have warned you," the Doctor smiled apologetically.

Luke was dying; some woman he just met was sticking some kind of probe up Lorelai's … you know where, and he had to be there to hold her hand through it.

Suddenly, the black monitor began to develop grey and blue curvy lines as Dr. Harrison explained, "Okay, you see this here, that's the cervix, and right over here this small circle, is your baby."

Slack jawed, Luke focused on the monitor, and saw the glob of grey, it didn't look like a baby, then one section was pulsating quite rapidly, "what's that?" Luke asked, squinting at the image.

"Ah, that's the heart beat, good strong rhythm," the doctor observed.

Luke felt Lorelai's hand squeeze his again, he looked over to her, and her bottom lip was quivering as she was seeing the small circle of cells that was their child.

"I'd say the 9 week estimate is right on target. Alright, let me print you a picture," and the doctor removed the probe, and she put the stirrups away.

Luke smiled at Lorelai, who still seemed to be tearing up, "I didn't know there was going to be a sonogram, I would have brought Rory."

"She doesn't know yet; remember?" Luke reminded.

"Oh, yeah," Lorelai thought sadly.

Then the doctor was on the opposite side of Lorelai, massaging her stomach. "So, any morning sickness?"

"Yeah, that was actually my first clue," Lorelai answered, "I was nauseated for like over a week straight."

Luke hadn't known that. Lorelai hadn't shared that with him, before Luke could ask if she was still feeling nauseous, Dr. Harrison asked "And now...?"

"Now, little bit of insomnia mixed in with it, but it's not as bad. I can keep food down now."

Lorelai was sick? Vomiting and Luke never even knew about it. didn't notice? Didn't even thing to ask, and he felt appropriately guilty.

"Good," The Doctor nodded, "It's important to keep your stomach full now. So, you can snack throughout the day, but don't use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want because you're going to get fat anyway. You need to eat lots of colorful things…"

"Like Cheetohs and jelly beans?" Lorelai asked hopefully.

"Like salad, carrots, tomatoes…we're building a brain in there," Dr. Harrison gestured toward Lorelai's stomach.

"Rats," Lorelai teased.

"I suspect you'll serve as the food police," Dr. Harrison said to Luke, assuming the couple shared meals together, which they so far hadn't. Then the doctor held her clipboard to her chest. "So, it's been eight years since your last pregnancy," the doctor's voice took a grave tone.

"Yes?" Lorelai noticed the change of her Doctor's mood immediately.

"Well, I just want to remind you… the first trimester is a very critical stage, and there is always the risk of… well, miscarriage," the doctor was reluctant, but dutiful to bring up the subject.

Lorelai gasped, at the word, and Luke felt Lorelai squeeze his hand harder; Luke knew exactly what the word meant.

The doctor tried to ease, "I don't mean to upset either of you; I only want to caution you. Prepare you. Take care of yourself, relax, you're going to have to deal with your everyday and feeling tired and the morning sickness."

Luke seemed scared as well, and clasped his other hand over Lorelai's, "How will we know… when she's in the clear … I mean the risk for …miscarriage goes away..."

"Usually, if you make it to second trimester, week 12-13 you should be fine… that's not too far away now. I only bring it up because it has been so long since your last pregnancy, and well its common after such a long hiatus, your body well, may reject the fetus, considering it doesn't remember what exactly to do with it..."

"Is there anything I can do?" Luke eagerly asked, and Lorelai blushed a bit at how protective he was being, trying to draw on his strength through osmosis of their clasped hands; Finding his concern sweet and endearing.

"As I said, she needs to rest and take care of herself. You can help more around the house, cook healthy meals for her, encourage your…well, her other daughter to help more around the house too, so Lorelai can take it easy. Well, unless you have any other questions, I'll see you both in a month. And we can have that next sonogram. It was nice to meet you both."

The doctor left them stunned, and it took Luke to remind Lorelai she had to get dressed first so they could leave, she was so dazed she would have walked out in the gown they provided. As she dressed, even from just looking at Luke's back, Lorelai could tell how anxious, nervous, and unsettled he was by the doctor's caution.

They were silent on the elevator ride down to the parking garage. Digesting the information on the ride back to Stars Hollow, both trying to problem solve, to relax and not think of the doctor's warning,

Once back at the Inn, before Lorelai opened the truck door, Luke put a hand on her arm to keep her from leaving, "Lorelai… are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Luke I'm fine…" as she stared at his hand on her as it was an intruder.

"Well, I think we should talk about this…"

"About what?"

"About… the baby. Miscarriages, your diet…"

"My diet is fine."

"Well, I don't know that, we've never shared a meal together. Look… I want to make you dinner."

"What?"

"Dinner, for you and Rory; you both can come to my place and I'll…"

"Luke, that's not necessary…I can take care of myself," wanting to make her escape.

Luke gently grabbed her arm again, "I think it is necessary. It will give us a chance to talk, a chance to meet Rory again, Rory gets comfortable around me and maybe we can tell her about the baby together."

"Luke, I'm not ready for this…"

"Well, when are you going to be?"

"Look, like the doctor said… if this … pregnancy doesn't …take…. Why upset the apple cart before it hits the rock."

"What? That's not even a real idiom."

Lorelai was confusing her idioms, "Look, I have to go. Rory is waiting for me," and Lorelai quickly hopped out of the truck and slammed the door before Luke could stop her again.

Luke gripped the steering wheel tightly, tried to expel his frustration with a heavy, heavy sigh, then pressed his foot to the gas pedal spewing up gravel in his tire's wake.

Lorelai hurried up the steps to get away from him, hearing the anger and frustration in his truck as he sped off. She didn't want to talk, she didn't want to deal, she just wanted her baby to live, to make it. Granted a miscarriage would resolve a lot of issues, but she was just getting used to the idea of having another child and she would never wish anything so cruel or horrible to happen to anyone.

"Mom?"

Lorelai turned and saw Rory on one of the porch benches with a book.

Lorelai turned on her smile, "Hey sweetie, cookies done?"

"Yeah, they've been done. We've been waiting for you… where did you go anyway? You didn't say what the errand was?"

"Oh, I needed …" thinking of Luke, of the Doctor, of the fate of her baby, "…a new card from the video store…" She lied.

"You lost it again??" Rory cocked her head to one side.

"I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached," Lorelai didn't want to lose anything, particularly her unborn child.

"You seem upset, are you okay?"

That was her darling perceptive best friend angel, "I'm fine really."

"Was that Luke's truck?"

"Yeah," Lorelai admitted, not wanting to think about him, "he saw me walking, and offered me a ride back."

Rory smiled and teased her mother, "that was nice of him, he must really like you."

"He's just a friend, Rory," she lied again, and Lorelai went inside to calm herself down and deal with her hormones and emotions in private. She headed straight through the lobby, not stopping or smiling at anyone. Lorelai headed upstairs, looking down every hallway, and she saw her unlikely savior, Maria, leaving a room she had just finished cleaning.

Lorelai pounced on the opportunity, "Maria… are you done in there?"

"Well, Yes."

"I need the key to that room."

"Lorelai, I just finished cleaning it…"

"Yes, I know I just need… to check something please…I'll make sure everything is pristine for the next guest."

"Check in is at three."

"Plenty of time, if there are any complaints, I'll take responsibility. Please!"

"Are you alright? You don't look so good."

Lorelai steadied herself, keeping her emotions in check for just a minute more. "I'm fine," she lied, "Please just …open the door for me."

Maria complied and Lorelai went inside and shut the door. Leaning against the wood door, Lorelai's face tightened up, tears pricked at her eyes, and Lorelai sunk to the floor against the door, and had a good cathartic cry alone. She just needed four solid walls and some privacy. Away from Rory, away from Mia and guests; the second floor would ensure no one would over hear her.

It was probably her hormones out of balance, but the idea of suddenly cruelly losing her baby overwhelmed her. She couldn't turn to her friends for help, they didn't know the extent of her plight; Luke was Luke, Sookie was working, and Rory and Mia didn't know she was pregnant. Lorelai had to be strong, deal with this on her own, but she also needed to be weak and vulnerable to get her tears and her fears out of her system.

Would Luke even care that they lost the child? Then he wouldn't need to be around for her or Rory; he'd be off the hook. In a way a miscarriage would solve all their problems. Lorelai could afford the house she wanted for her and Rory. Luke could go on … doing … whatever it was Luke did. There was little chance of rekindling their attraction if she lost the baby, so that would protect Rory from Luke ever leaving. Yet, they were already becoming friends. Luke was still handsome, and sweet, when he wanted to be. Did Lorelai want this baby after all? Even if her and Luke weren't together? Were just friends with a kid?

Her sobs slowed and ceased, as she sat on the floor against the door, focusing on the details of the room, just in case Maria had missed something minor. She hadn't. Lorelai steadied her breath and got off the floor heading for the bathroom to wash any trace of tears away. Careful not to use the fresh towels, she used the paper towels and pocketed them when she was done, so she didn't leave any evidence of her presence behind, not even in the trash can.

Lorelai examined her reflection, and her eyes couldn't help but wander to her stomach. Though still flat, she put her hands about where the baby would be, trying to recall when she would feel it move. By now the baby's heart beat was beating, and Lorelai knew she wouldn't feel the rhythm on her own. "Hold on, little one," Lorelai said out loud, "don't leave me … just when I'm getting used to the idea of having you…okay?"

Calm and cleaned up, Lorelai swallowed the last of her emotion for now, mentally prepared to rejoin the world. The door would lock automatically when she left, so she headed out into the hallway, startling Mia.

"Oh, Lorelai, there you are," Mia had her hand over her heart at her employees surprise appearance. "What are you doing in there?"

"Um, I thought I'd do a …. Surprise inspection? Maria was just in here so I thought an impromptu … assessment would keep the cleaning staff on their toes… Yeah, Maria passed," Lorelai cheered, ashamed of how good she was becoming at lying.

"You do realize that isn't necessary," Mia smiled wryly.

"Well, I'm just trying to keep our guarantee of a fresh room for all our visitors. Keep the standards high, right?"

"How... thoughtful, now, I've been looking for you."

"You have?" Lorelai tried to hide her nerves. Had Sookie spilled the beans? Did Mia now know already?

"Yes, I need your help with this retirement party. Let's meet in my office, and Rory said something about you looked like you …needed a cookie?"

Lorelai grinned, "Yes, I do." Chocolate was always a happy comfort food. "She made some with Sookie this morning."

"Well, let's have some together and talk retirement party."

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Luke was fuming on the drive home. He wanted to talk to someone, but those he would usually turn to, Mia, Charlie, Bud and Maisy, none of them knew Lorelai was pregnant yet, they didn't even know who Lorelai was, and Lorelai didn't want Luke to tell anyone about the baby yet. Luke wondered if Lorelai was even concerned about a miscarriage, she seemed scared when the doctor brought it up, what if she was just biding her time; why make a big deal if the pregnancy doesn't take. No, no that's not the Lorelai he knew, well, what little he did know; She seemed just as surprised and scared as he was. Yet even when he offered to have them talk it out together, offered some comfort and support, she shunned him again; once again preferring to deal with it on her own.

Luke needed someone to talk to though. He was so scared for Lorelai and the baby, so angry, so frustrated with their lack of communication. He hated the up in the air feeling that followed him everywhere these days, and it seemed as if he wouldn't be hitting the ground anytime soon. Luke parked his truck sloppily on the street and headed up to his place to be alone.

In his apartment he thought, he fumed, he paced, he pleaded to his late father and mother for some divine intervention, some insight on how to handle this situation, a poltergeist possession of Lorelai to help her see his side of things. He was twenty-seven, he was going to be a father, but the mother of his child wasn't giving him anything. She was distant and cold, guarded, a far cry from the warm, fun, friendly woman he made love to weeks ago. Luke was huffing and puffing like the Hulk, wanting to yell, wanting to grunt like a lunatic, certain that if he didn't do something soon he would spontaneously combust for thinking as much as he was. Scolding him self again for being so reckless with such an infuriating, beautiful woman! Wasn't Lorelai scared? Didn't she need someone to talk to, too? Luke thought they were in this together, but once again Lorelai needed things on her own terms and her own schedule.

Luke went to his closet, shoving aside hanger after hanger until he found an old grey sweat shirt, finding the matching pants he changed into the sweats and headed back down the stairs. Luke stalked his way down the sidewalk of the square and going to do what he had learned in high school, work out his frustrations by Running. Long distance, cross country running, it needs stamina, endurance, it's just you and the path ahead, one step at a time. Some how the rhythmic pace always made Luke think clearer, the physical activity always removed any anxiousness or figeting, leaving only a calmer clearer thinking Luke Danes. Just as he was about to make a break for it, and traverse the rural paths outside of town, in the predinner hour, Miss Patty couldn't help but comment as soon as she saw Luke and his mood. "My, my Luke, you look awfully brooding today."

"Patty, in case you didn't notice I'm not in the mood," he said from the side of his mouth, wanting to start off on his run, knowing the obese woman would never catch him.

"You're never in the mood, but, but perhaps if you let me set you up with someone you could work out your frustration more… constructively."

Luke stutter-stepped, then froze, he knew exactly what Miss Patty was alluding to, and he knew she didn't know anything about the complications of his current situation. As calmly as he could he turned to her, and he could tell how taken aback Miss Patty was by actually having to look at him eye to eye. "Honey, what happened?" she said truly concerned.

"I don't want you to set me up, I don't need a date, I don't want you to play your little dating game with me," Luke stated for the fifty-seventh time. "You want me to work out my frustration so I'm a 'kinder gentler Luke' for my neighbors? That's why I'm going for a run. Just me and the path ahead; simple."

"Did you hear from Rachel?" Miss Patty asked curiously, trying to decipher what had happened to set him in such a downward spiral and for the scoop, of course.

"None of your business," Luke said sternly, the he turned and headed off who knows where to run and be alone, and think through some of his problems.

Luke didn't understand Lorelai. She had said she wanted his help, but still she kept her distance. Well, she didn't exactly say she wanted Luke's help, she had said she was just informing him so if he saw Lorelai with a baby in a few months he would know why. Still, Luke would have thought after having Rory's no show father, Luke offering to be there every step of the way would have been refreshing to Lorelai. Why wasn't she taking advantage of his offer? Was she trying to push him away and get rid of him? Would Lorelai prefer this pregnancy on her own?

What if Lorelai loses the baby? Then what?

TBC

PS Doctor, It Hurts When I Do This… (Natural response… don't do that)

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"That was all God given Talent" - Thank you Luke

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TBC…what's going to happen NEXT!!! EEK!

A/N: Thank you all for READING and REVIEWING.

I love you all!

"Cause your memory it lingers and the time moves so slow, I just never been that good at letting go…"

R/R: PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity ... so be honest."
Please be specific with R/R; name one (or as many as you can think of or want to mention…) At least one specific thing you liked
Please! It makes me feel good...inside (Dirty!)
Hence the Rant option below.
Insert Rant here V
A/N: if not completely satisfied with this chapter, please return unused portion for a full refund...