Chapter 9: First Words and Groceries

It was a beautiful morning on Number 37, Maple Street. Summertime. Rory was at home for the weekend with her parents, feeding Laureen breakfast.

Laureen was a few weeks beyond her first birthday. The whole of Stars Hollow had thrown a big birthday bash for her in the square; Lorelai had set it up with some help from connections at the Inn.

Now, Rory was trying to get some oatmeal into her year-old daughter. "Come on, come on! Open wide for Mama!" Nothing. Rory frowned, getting another idea. "Eat up, sweetie! Say 'Mama'!"

"Blah, blah!"

Rory gasped, nearly dropping the spoon. "Oh my gosh! Dad, Mom, did you hear that? Her first word! Where's the baby book?" Rory scrambled for the book of Baby Firsts she had purchased at one of the convenience stores in town.

"Now, honey, I don't think that's a word..." Lorelai tried to explain delicately.

"Of course it is! 'Blah, blah'? It must be!" Rory shook her head as she made to write down the entry.

"Rory, maybe you should put it under the Baby's First Sound page," Luke suggested diplomatically.

"You're right!" Rory gasped. "I'm calling Jenny!" She dove for the phone and dialed the Forresters' number.

"Hello?"

"Jenny? It's Rory. Laureen just made her first sounds!"

"Oh my gosh, that's wonderful! Congratulations!"

"How's Winnie?"

"Burping up her breakfast at the moment. New babies are so hard..."

"... but we love them anyway!" Rory finished. "I've gotta go run an errand. Thanks for listening, girlfriend. Bye!" Placing Laureen in her stroller, and explaining how she had to run to the grocery store, Rory left.


Taylor Doose's was not that far a walk. And Rory needed her exercise anyway. Pushing Laureen's stroller through the sliding doors, she returned Taylor's friendly wave. Going aisle to aisle, she picked up some fruit, vegetables, making sure not to overload. She still had a budget, after all.

Taylor smiled as Rory approached the counter. "I remember when you were that small and Lorelai would bring you by. So many memories..."

Rory smiled at the elderly grocer. "Me too. Did you know Laureen made her first sounds today?"

"She did?" Taylor gasped. "Well, I think that calls for a treat!" Before Rory could protest, he took out a fruit and peeled it, before breaking off a slice and presenting it to Laureen with a bow. "Italian oranges. Delicious!"

Rory laughed as she paid and took her bags. "Thanks for the treat, Taylor! Bye!"