AN - Thanks guys. That was the meltdown now we deal with the fallout. There will be stuff about what happened in the past but not right now, that comes a bit later, for now it's her immediate concern which is feeling better in time for baby. Thank you for saying you think it seems so well planned out I do try. I kind of start with my beats, i.e. wouldn't it be cool/interesting if this happened and then I work backwards and forwards, somethings that seem innocuous actually have meaning later on. You will notice I won't comment on some things because it will spoil it but hopefully you can see things develop. In this case, I knew I wanted to do a particular plot for Lorelai and I had to work out how I could get her to the point where she would make a particular decision, so that is why Richard had his dumbo moment because I thought the most effective way to push Lorelai would be for Emily, who she has gotten close to, to push her buttons. I hope you guys think it's effective and that you like where it goes. As ever thank you for reading, Reviews are always welcome and I hope you enjoy x

Chapter 10 – Making sense

Lorelai looked over her shoulder as the bedroom door opened. She smiled warmly as Rory came in carrying a tray, the twins trotting behind her, one carrying a tiny vase, the other a large flower. "Morning."

"Good morning," Rory gave a mock curtsey. "We bring breakfast in bed for the lady of the house."

Lorelai slowly rolled onto her back and then pulled herself into a seated position. "You guys."

"Daddy said we gotta look after you," Willow told her seriously as she trotted over to the bed. "Rory said that means you gotta feed."

"That's not quite what I said Willow," Rory stifled a giggle, "but close enough," she took a step forward and hovered. "Hmmm the lap tray might be a problem."

"I have a lap," Lorelai flicked her eyes skywards. She held her arms up to take the tray.

"Scrambled eggs and strawberry pop tarts," Rory announced as she set the tray down on Lorelai's lap.

"The breakfast of champions," Lorelai chuckled as she took in the plate of eggs, a piece of wheat toast and a small portion of berries with a plate of pop tarts beside it.

"Wait Mommy," Kitty demanded, climbing on the bed so she could add the tiny vase she was holding. Willow copying her a moment later adding the bright red daisy flower. "Now you can eat Mommy," Kitty nodded her head.

"Thank you, my gorgeous girls," Lorelai smiled at her daughters.

"Ok, you two go play," Rory tapped the twins' heads. "I'll be down in ten minutes and then we got to go," She grinned as the twins filed out obediently "You should have seen them trying to make the eggs. Don't tell them, I binned their effort and remade them."

"For which I am grateful," Lorelai shook her head in amusement. "You're going out?"

"Yeah, there's the festival happening in the square. I figured it would keep them busy. Give you a bit more peace and quiet. Luke's going to come back at lunchtime and then I'll bring the twins back a bit later." Rory told her, studying Lorelai nervously. "You look better though, are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," Lorelai nodded as she ran her hands over her hair. "Amazing what three days of doing next to nothing can do."

"You need you're rest," Rory nodded sagely. "You want anything else?"

Lorelai shook her head. "No I'm good."

"Sorry it's just eggs. I was going to do bacon, but it didn't really work. Despite Spencer's best efforts some things are beyond me," Rory grinned self-deprecatingly. "He wants to know if there is anything you want him to bring with him when he comes back up."

"Just him," Lorelai crinkled her eyes at Rory. "I like that boy."

"Me too."

"Thank you for doing this," Lorelai reached and took Rory's hand. "I mean this," she gestured into the air. "Not just this," she pointed at the breakfast.

"You're welcome," Rory smiled and then looked over her shoulder towards the door as the sound of the twins shouting at each other echoed up the staircase. "I better go prevent chaos. Get some more rest."

Lorelai watched Rory as she walked out of the room. Rory being here had been a godsend the last few days allowing her and Luke to deal with her meltdown. They had spoken to the doctor who had advised it could be hormones or it could be mild depression and she had been told to rest and keep a note of symptoms. For three days she had done this, resting as much as she could and finally giving in to how exhausting she was finding the pregnancy. Not battling that was already making her mind less fractious, it was already easier to reflect as oppose to obsess.

She ate her breakfast slowly, smiling as she listened to the sound of her daughters as they noisily made their way out the house. After she had eaten she slowly got up; putting on the comfiest pair of sweats she owned and bundling up in a big fluffy jumper that Rory had bought her for Christmas. One which made her look like the cookie monster but she found unspeakably comfortable. Slowly she made her way downstairs and began to potter around tidying away the chaos that came with three year olds, before munching on some carrot sticks that Luke had left. Once she had made herself a drink she moved to the living room and settled into the couch. Snuggling down she switched on the tv, choosing the lifetime channel and settled in to watch something harmless while she silently processed how she was feeling.

After what seemed like no time at all the front door opened and she looked up over the couch back smiling softly as Luke walked in, his hands clenched against the cold. "Hi, Kiss?" She requested. He gave a soft nod and happily obliged giving her a warm tender kiss. She wrinkled her nose. "You're cold! Did you walk?"

"Yeah," Luke scowled. "This crazy town festival. Taylor blocked the truck in with some stand selling toy penguins. I mean what has this town got to do with penguins anyway?"

"He probably got them cheap," Lorelai shook her head. "Come sit. I'm toasty, I can warm you up."

"You want anything to eat?" Luke asked hesitating for a moment. "I was going to make you lunch?"

"I'm not hungry right now," Lorelai shook her head. "Could we talk instead, I've been thinking."

"Yeah?" Luke slowly shrugged off his green coat and chucking it on the newel post at the foot of the stairs.

"I think maybe I should step back from the Inn a bit," Lorelai told him softly.

"Step back?" Luke brow creased in a mixture of surprise and confusion. He slowly rounded the couch and settled on the coffee table. Leaning towards her he held her gaze. "What does that mean?"

"It means that I step back." Lorelai slowly sat forward, bringing her feet off the couch and putting them between Luke's, their knees touching as she reached to take his hands and rubbing some warmth into his cold skin. "I'm still involved in major decisions and financial stuff but not in the day to day running of it." She squeezed his hand tightly. "Michel is more than capable of taking care of that. I mean we basically pay him to do the job anyway and he could take over the extra bits that I do."

"You mean go on maternity leave early?" Luke looked her up and down.

"Yes, but also not go back so quickly. I was thinking for like next year," Lorelai looked at him nervously. "I can spend time with you and the kids more. I want to enjoy it. Enjoy them. I will still be working a bit. I still have the accounts to do for the Inn and the diner but this way I will feel like I have some breathing space."

"A year?" Luke repeated slowly. "You want to be a stay at home Mom?"

"A part time stay at home Mom. I'd still do the books for the inn and the diner," Lorelai repeated. "A bit of breathing room will help me find my way and what I want to do…"

"What you want to do?" Luke looked at her carefully. "You mean after the year, you might not go back?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I mean the idea of the inn came from necessity. I needed a job I got one. Mia may have employed a little bit of nepotism on the managerial front. Michel is way more qualified then I was," she shifted uncomfortably as the baby kicked strongly. "The idea of owning my own inn was this pipe dream that weirdly happened. But, it was that. A dream. And I got to live it. I got to pull that place together. And I loved it, doing all that, designing it and project managing it. I mean the money headache and the stress wasn't exactly fun but the rest of it…" she paused and wrinkled her nose. "Now all I feel like it's doing is taking away from you and the kids. I don't need to be at the inn every day. It's no longer a dream because I have it. It's no longer something I need to strive for."

"You need another thing to strive for," Luke nodded in understanding.

"But I have no idea what that is." Lorelai sighed and gave him a soft smile. "but I think I need to focus on bringing Little Man into the world first."

"Good idea," Luke nodded, he raised his eyebrows as she shifted uncomfortably again. "You Ok?"

"He's jabbing his foot into every organ he can," Lorelai frowned downwards. "It's like he's trying to stretch out of me. Here," she brought his hand up to rest on the side of her stomach where something hard was poking out. "I think that's his knee."

Luke grinned as the baby moved somewhat forcefully. "He's strong."

"Yeah he is," Lorelai smiled before looking up at him. "So? What do you think?"

"About the Inn? If you think it's best then OK," Luke squeezed her hand gently. "But I think you should talk to Sookie."

"I will. I just wanted to talk to you first, in case I was being crazy," Lorelai wrinkled her nose in amusement. "So am I super crazy or regular crazy?"

Luke chuckled. "Regular crazy."

"Good."

"You look better," Luke noted quietly.

"All this sleeping does a girl good. There's a reason sleeping beauty is known by that moniker and not her true name Aurora, sleep forever you look amazing," she giggled and then leaned forward lowering her head conspiratorially. "I hope, because there is also the danger of looking like Sloth in 7even and that scene is horrifying. Did I look bad?"

"You looked tired," Luke admitted to her softly.

"But better now?" Lorelai gave a contented sigh as Luke nodded once.

"You feel up to a trip out?" Luke asked looking at her hopefully, his grinned as her eyes narrowed warily. "We were supposed to go see Maisy and Buddy, we rainchecked so we could cash it if you feel up to it."

Lorelai brightened. "You think Buddy can do that guacamole chicken thing?"

"I'll take that as a yes," Luke shook his head in amusement. "I'll go give them a call."

xXx

"April!"

April turned as Kitty gave tearing across the square. She held her arms out catching her little sister "Hey Kitty."

"I not know I see you till next week," Kitty hugged her tightly as Willow joined her hugging April tightly around the waist. "How come you here?"

"Well who can miss a Stars Hollow carnival," April lowered her to the ground. "Besides all my friends are here," She pointed out a group of teenagers and then nodded to Jessica stood beside her. "You remember Jessica."

"Yep," Kitty nodded. "You make good cakes."

"Thank you, and that's good because it's my job!" Jessica grinned at the little girl. "You guys having fun?"

"Yup," Willow nodded. "We having fun with Rory."

"We're having soo much fun," Rory shook her head tiredly. "We've eaten too much carnival food and watched Taylor and Mrs Kim have a fight."

"Taylor and Mrs Kim had a fight?" Jessica pouted. "No fair. I would have loved to see that."

"There will probably be a repeat performance, Kirk was refereeing." Rory inclined her head in the direction they had just come from. "I better get going, someone needed the bathroom a moment ago."

"Well enjoy the rest of your day," April waved to her little sisters as Rory dragged them off towards the diner. "So? do you want to go see if there will be a rematch?"

"Are you kidding? Of course," Jessica looped her arm in April's. "Way more interesting then whatever that is supposed to be," she pointed at the man stood in the gazebo surrounded by water glasses. "Taylors idea of entertainment is weird."

"I think it was Kirk's idea," April rolled her eyes. "Which boggles the mind. I mean. I sincerely believe he has the emotional…" she stopped as Kirk came hurtling across the square. "Oh! We're missing it!" She frowned as her phone started to ring and she glanced at it. "Ugg it's my Mom."

"Why is she phoning you?" Jessica looked at her quizzically. "I thought she was working all day."

"She is, but it's probably her break," April answered the call. "Go watch the fight," she shooed Jessica away from her. "Hey Mom."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at Stars Hollow, there's the carnival on," April answered with a sigh.

"You were supposed to let the furnace man in," Anna hissed down the phone.

"You said he was coming Thursday. It's Tuesday Mom," April responded, instantly going on the defensive at her mother's harsh tone.

"Well we missed him and now he can't come for 2 weeks," Anna huffed.

April rolled her eyes. "You said Thursday Mom."

"I don't need this April. I asked you to help me. You know I am swamped with work. We've got sickness and I'm having to do extra," Anna ranted down the phone. "You are a…"

"Mom!" April cut her Mom off. "You told me Thursday. I was going to be there, but today is Tuesday and you don't have to do extra you are contracted for a number of hours and they can't make you take the extra shifts, you have rights. And It's just a box store, you…"

"April, do not start!" Anna hissed down the phone. "We need the money…"

"Mom I get it, but you said Thursday!" April sighed heavily. "You can't be mad at me because you told me the wrong day!" she smiled slightly as Anna went quiet at the other end of the line. "Do you want to shout at me some more or can I carry on having fun with my friends?"

"You're out with friends?" Anna's voice softened.

"Yeah."

"Alright, well, be safe when you drive home," Anna said softly. "Have a good time."

"Ok," April frowned, staring at her phone in surprise as she closed the call off, surprised by her Mom's sudden change in tone. She shook her head and stowed her phone quickly wending her way through the crowd of people to join Jessica as the town gathered to watch Taylor and Mrs Kim shouting at each other. "Who's winning?"

xXx

Luke held the door open as he ushered the twins into the bustle of Sniffy's Tavern. He grabbed their hands, preventing them from rushing over to greet Maisy who was busy serving a customer. "Give her a second," he jiggled their hands making them giggle. "Come on, we're over there," he led them over to the booth in the back which bore a reserved sign and lifted first Willow and then Kitty onto the bench.

"Sure it's reserved for us?" Rory asked as she came up behind him.

"This is our booth," Lorelai explained, studying the booth for a moment. "Go in first," she pushed Rory to sit and once Rory had scooted round to sit beside Willow slowly sank into the seat. "Urgh, we might have to switch out over the next few weeks though."

"Hello everyone," Maisy came over to greet them. "Seating yourselves again I see," she patted Luke on the shoulder. "You never learn."

"I didn't think you'd want those two causing havoc," Luke nodded at the twins.

"I don't know, they were very good waitresses the last time you were here," Maisy smiled indulgently at the little girl,s who were kneeling on the bench so they could reach the table.

"I like bein a waitress," Kitty giggled.

"Please tell Grandma that," Lorelai requested with a soft amused shake of her head.

"Hello Lorelai, how you feeling?" Maisy switched her focus, studying Lorelai with interested concern.

"Feeling better," Lorelai told her softly. "Sorry we couldn't come on Saturday."

"Oh it's no bother," Maisy waved her hand. "Buddy's working on that Guacamole chicken for you and there is a whole caramel apple pie with your name on it."

"You know me too well," Lorelai shook her head in amusement.

"We do dear. Now, I best get you two some booster seats," Maisy grinned at the twins, "and some food and drinks. Would you like some chocolate milk?"

"Yeah!" Kitty and Willow bounced excitedly

"Two Chocolate milk. Or is that three? Or maybe four?" Maisy looked expectantly at Lorelai and Rory who nodded with wide smiles. "Don't say anything," Maisy pointed at Luke, without looking at him. "Now you come help me with the drinks," she jerked her head, indicating for Luke to follow her to the bar.

Luke obediently followed the small woman to the bar and waited patiently as she rounded it and bent down to the under counter fridge from which she brought out a large carton of chocolate milk.

"I know better than to ask you if you want this," Maisy peered at him over her glasses, as she pulled the tetrapack apart. "So how is she really?"

"She's basically slept for three days but she's feeling better for it," Luke sat on the barstool nearest to him.

"You look like I should be pouring you a shot," Maisy gave him a sympathetic look. "Has she spoken to her mother yet?"

"Other than to say goodbye on Saturday, no. Emily hasn't called either, she's letting Lorelai come to her," Luke sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead, "for now at least."

Maisy nodded in understanding. "Probably wise. So what else is going on?"

"She wants to stop working at the inn," Luke told her quietly.

"That doesn't bother you, you'd let that girl be an astronaut if she wanted to," Maisy finished pouring the milk and closed the carton. "Or is what bothering you that she's lost her way?" She set the glasses on a tray and then reached beneath the counter for a glass and began to pour Luke a beer from the tap. "Now don't you worry. She's a little lost right now because she has all kinds of crazy hormones surging round her body. Let her have the baby and get settled into the new routine and then she'll figure out what she wants." She set the beer in front of Luke and patted his hand comfortingly. "She will be OK."

"I know."

"Tell your face. She'll notice the hover soon," Maisy gave him another pointed look and then pointed towards the booth. "You take those over. I'll get the booster seats and we've got the twins a present. A little toy cash register, it looks like the one from the diner. Before or after food?"

"After," Luke put his beer on the tray and stood up. "Thanks for this."

"We're always here Lucas," Maisy patted his hand again. "Try and relax yourself, enjoy your family."

xXx

Lorelai slowly made her way down the street from the town square to Sookie and Jackson's house. Deciding what she wanted to do was the easier part, speaking to Sookie was not something she was looking forward to. She forced herself to smile as Davey and Martha spotted her from the window, the children waving excitedly at her as she slowly made her way up the path.

"Hey Lorelai," Jackson opened the front door and smiled widely at her. "How you doing?"

"I'm doing OK," Lorelai climbed the porch. "Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Oh you know with kids. Loud. early" Jackson gave her a knowing smile. "We had some great rutabaga potatoes, Sookie did them with Polenta!"

"That sounds great," Lorelai gave him an obligatory smile not in the least bit interested in potato recipes.

"Sookie's in the kitchen. She's doing some baking," Jackson nodded his head a few times, "and I was about to take the kids out to help me at the greenhouses. Go on through."

"Thanks Jackson," Lorelai moved slowly through to the living room. "Hi you guys," she greeted the two children quietly.

"Come on you two, let's get out of Mommy and Aunt Lorelai's hair," Jackson beckoned to his two children.

"Hi Auntie Lorelai, Bye Auntie Lorelai," Davey grinned at her as he rushed passed Lorelai to get his coat. "We're mixing fruit,"

"Further experiments with Cross pollination!" Jackson explained brightly as he held out Martha's coat for her. "Go though."

Lorelai nodded slowly and made her way across the living room to enter the kitchen. As with the inn it was organised chaos, Sookie stood in the middle of trays of baked goods and ingredients of half made batches. "Hey Sookie."

"Hey Poptart," Sookie turned around mixing bowl in hand. "Move the cookies. Use the cloth. I already burned my hands."

Lorelai gingerly moved the tray of cookies and sank onto the chair. "Sook, what is all this?"

"Oh Jackson had a glut of vegetables from his greenhouse, so I'm trying some really cool world war 2 recipes from England. Very little sugar just the vegetable, those are beetroot," she nodded at the cookies, "that's why they are pink. They had to ration sugar and this was how they got around it. Pretty neat and lots of fun."

"Right," Lorelai nodded eyeing the cookies warily. "Sookie can…"

"Are you feeling better?" Sookie asked as the timer on the stove went off. "Luke said you weren't feeling good."

"I'm getting there," Lorelai told her softly. "Sookie, I need to talk to you, could you…" she nodded at the chair opposite. "Could you sit?"

"Ok," Sookie shoved the batch she had just removed from the oven into a slither of spare counter space and then moved to the table to unearth a chair. "What is it?" Sookie looked at her nervously; her attention fully focused on Lorelai as she took in her appearance. "Are you Ok? Is it the baby?"

"He's fine," Lorelai rubbed her stomach. "But I've not been feeling so hot because of him and that's why I haven't been myself. I um…I've had a think and I have decided I need to step back from the Inn for a bit."

"Till he arrives?" Sookie's brow creased. "For how long after 3 months? Six?"

"Longer. I want to step back for at least next year," Lorelai almost whispered.

"Why?" Sookie breathed in dismay. "Is it me? because I can be more organised."

"It's not you Sookie. It's me, I need…well I'm not sure what I need but I can't do everything," Lorelai told her quietly, looking down at her hands as she felt unable to look at Sookie. "I'm so tired all the time and I feel like I'm missing out on the kids and Luke and I don't need to be there every day. Michel can do it."

"But after the twins you said you needed to work for you," Sookie pointed out, reaching forward to take Lorelai's hand. "What about that?"

Lorelai nodded. "I know, but things change, and I feel like I'm missing out on everything and doing a half assed sucky job of everything."

"No!"

"Yes! I can't let the kids slip and I won't let Luke slip, time away from the day to day will help. I will still be there for staff meetings and major decisions and do all the financial stuff." Lorelai told her gently finally looking up and holding her friends gaze. "But the planning and the organising, all that day to day stuff, Michel can do. It's what we pay him to do and he does it now, we just butt heads over how things should be done. He's good at it."

"What happens after a year?" Sookie asked gently "Do we say to Michel it's just cover and only temporary?"

Lorelai nodded. "Yeah, I think that's how we should do it. Hopefully he will be OK with it."

Sookie looked her up and down and gave a heavy sigh. "You think this will help?"

"I hope so Sookie," Lorelai smiled weakly.

"You're not doing a sucky job on any of those things," Sookie told her with a warm smile. "You are great at everything."

"Thanks Sookie," Lorelai smile warmed. "I just have to, you know?"

"I get it," Sookie nodded. She looked over her shoulder as another timer went off, "Oh brownies," she rose and quickly pulled out a pan of brownies and set them on a wire rack. "Those are proper brownies, with normal sugar."

"Can I have some?" Lorelai looked at her hopefully. "Or are you mad at me?"

"Of course not," Sookie waved her hand. "To the mad thing. the brownies you can have. As if I would deny you cake. You should let it cool down though. it will burn your mouth if you try and eat it right now," she looked at the freezer. "I can make you a milkshake as well if you would like."

"Milkshake would be great."

xXx

Lorelai padded down the staircase, tucking her hands under her arms to ward off the chill as the heat had long since turned off for the night. She paused in the entrance to the living room, the cold light of the tv the only illumination in the room. Luke sat draped wide across the sofa loosely clutching a beer in his hand. She padded over and lowered herself on to the couch. After a moment Luke's nearest hand patted his knee, silently indicating for her to put her legs across his. She did so, wriggling slightly to get herself comfortable. She gave a contented sigh as Luke began to rub her legs, his eyes still firmly on the game of ice hockey he was watching. Lorelai watched him, smiling as he rolled his eyes and let out little annoyed huffs or subtle winces at the action on the screen. Finally the game went to commercial. "Who are we cheering for?"

"Neither, it's just on," Luke shrugged he took a swig of his beer. "Your feet are swollen."

"I shouldn't have walked to and from Sookie's," Lorelai frowned and stared at her feet. "They aren't that bad."

Luke gave another faint shrug, carefully balanced his beer on the arm of the couch and took one of her feet into his hands his strong fingers massaging the sole of her foot before moving towards her calf.

"Careful," Lorelai stopped him. "I haven't shaved for a week."

He gave her a bemused look and moved to her other foot. "I don't mind that," he muttered softly as he began to work.

"I'd like to retain some allure. if that is at all possible," she winced as Luke hit a sore spot in the arch of her foot. "It's late Hun."

Luke reached for the remote. "Was it keeping you up, it's on low," he checked the volume, nodding at the tv screen to confirm to her his consideration.

"It wasn't, I just missed you," Lorelai told him with a gentle smile, "and I wanted to make sure you get enough sleep; seeing as you are doing everything."

"It's fine," Luke settled back into the couch, "I'm fine."

"But still," Lorelai wiggled her toes, "busy couple of days, Spencer's up, Mom and Dad, New Year's shenanigan's in town."

"We're not going to those?" Luke looked at her aghast.

"No, but the skyflowers might wake the twins up," Lorelai told him quietly.

"Skyflow…you mean the fireworks?" Luke rolled his eyes. "I guess they might." He shook his head. "It's fine."

"Ok," Lorelai whispered, she studied him for a few moments. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," he shook his head. "I just needed to unwind for a bit."

"Ok, you promise?" Lorelai sought assurance.

"I'm not mad," he patted her leg. "You should go get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

"Hmm," Lorelai vocalised. "I'm still not sure what I want to say to her."

"Just be honest with each other. She's just happy you are alright, she was pleased when I invited them," Luke gave her a pointed look. "Come on," he nodded at the screen as the commercials came to an end.

"Alright," Lorelai dragged her legs off of his and slowly got to her feet. She moved in front of him blocking his view of the tv and leant in to give him a soft kiss. "Night Hun," she smiled as she straightened. "If you want a real show I can put a bit of jaunt into it if you want."

"You can still jaunt?" Luke smirked and patted her on the backside as she turned away from him. "Go on give it a shot"

Lorelai sauntered as best she could before giving an amused snort. "Anything?"

"I think I'm better with them," Luke smirked and pointed at the TV, "but A plus for effort," he snorted as she stuck tongue out.

xXx

Lorelai took a deep breath as the doorbell faded and she paused in front of the oak door. Self-consciously she smoothed her cardigan down over her hips and then slowly opened the door. Her parents were stood on the other side wearing wide well practised fake smiles that did little to hide their nervousness. "Hey come in." She stepped backwards to let them in and closed the door quickly behind them to prevent the heat from escaping.

"Hello Lorelai," Richard leaned in and took hold of her shoulders squeezing them tightly as he kissed her on her cheek. "You look well."

"I'm better," Lorelai nodded. "A week of rest and only three trips out, does a girl wonders," she held her hand out to take their coats, conscious that Emily was silently observing her, her mother's dark eyes flicking up and down her giving nothing away. "The twins are in the back. They're working on a story using their hand puppet theatre. So far we've had several stories. Their narrative and plotting leaves something to be desired but it's amusing." She looked warily at her parents and gave them a bright smile "Did you want to see them or would you like a coffee or tea or water? We have juice, I think."

"No Rory?" Richard asked looking around the house.

"She's gone to get Spencer from the bus and they're going to have a little R and R before coming back," Lorelai told them quickly.

"Well, I had a coffee before we came out" Richard clasped his hands and looked back and forth between his wife and daughter. "I think I shall go help the girls with the narrative structure," he pointed down the hallway. "Down there?"

"Yeah, don't interrupt them though, they get pretty mad if you do," Lorelai told him, watching Richard leave with an air of forlornness. She turned and faced her mother, Emily now firmly studying her face in an attempt to make eye contact. "So, drink?"

"Tea would be lovely," The falseness of Emily's smile increased.

"Right," Lorelai moved into the kitchen and deposited her parents' coats on the back of one of the chairs. She moved to the counter and gathered the kettle and then moved onto the sink, infinitely aware that Emily was following her and inching closer. She chewed her lip as she filled the kettle and turned to face her Mom. Emily now stood almost directly beside her with all pretence of cool uninterest gone, instead her mother's eyes were wide and nervous concern was oozing from her being. "We're Ok Mom. The baby is fine and I'm feeling better, following advice and being an excellent patient."

"You saw with the doctor?" Emily asked quickly. "That was one of the trips out?"

"Yes one visit, two phonecalls. I have to rest; Little Man is fine. He just hasn't got the memo that the others have about looking after me," Lorelai smiled slightly as her hand traced the baby's movement. "But seeing as he's snug as a bug in a rug in there and trying to make his house bigger it's not surprising, but we will both be OK. I just have to…"

"Rest," Emily finished for her looking her up and down. "Are you on bed rest?"

"No," Lorelai shook her head. "It's nothing like that. I just need to take things easy."

"I see." Emily nodded. "What about work?"

"I'm stepping back from the day to day," Lorelai gave her half the truth. "Basically it will be one day a week to do financial stuff, if that."

"That's good," Emily nodded once more before clasping her hands in front of her. "Lorelai…"

"It's OK Mom, I know," Lorelai gave her a soft smile.

Emily seemed to vibrate slightly. "Know what? you don't know what I was going to say."

"You were going to say sorry for saying what you did and that you really aren't trying to take the twins and that you do…" Lorelai swallowed. "That you do love me."

Emily straightened her shoulders. "Yes I was."

"OK then," Lorelai set the kettle on the side of the sink as she realised that Emily was not about to let her pass "Mom I'm not…ready to go into it OK, to talk about anything else…about then."

"Will you ever?" Emily looked her up and down.

"I don't know," Lorelai swallowed. "Are you? One day OK, but not now." She studied her mother, watching as Emily assimilated, she breathed a sigh of relief as Emily finally smiled. "I'm sorry I ruined Christmas."

"You didn't ruin it," Emily waved her hand dismissively. "It just didn't go as we planned…"

"Story of my life," Lorelai joked softly.

Emily's eyebrow raised in annoyance slightly, "but it's just a day. As long as you and…Little man are ok."

"You can call him the baby if that's easier Mom," Lorelai smiled at Emily's uncomfortable use of the nickname.

"Perhaps," Emily nodded. "And you're sure…"

"As we can be," Lorelai interrupted, she followed Emily's gaze onto her stomach. "Mom, would you like to feel him?" she held her hand out to Emily, taking the momentary thrill of the excited look that flushed across Emily's face.

Eagerly Emily gave Lorelai her hand and Lorelai pressed Emily's palm against her stomach. She smiled as Emily's face transformed into one of excited awe, all pretence dropped. After a moment Emily pulled back and turned away so she could subtly try to wipe her eyes. "Thank you Lorelai." Emily swallowed and turned back to face Lorelai. "I can't wait to meet him."

"You and me both," Lorelai pulled her top down. "I can't decide if 9 weeks is fast or forever away!"

"No time at all and yet the longest time in the world," Emily chuckled, she reached and took the kettle. "Sit and rest."

"I'm not an invalid," Lorelai rolled her eyes. "I can make tea, just about," she took the kettle back from Emily. "Why don't you do help Dad with the girls?"

"I'd rather stay with you if that is OK?" Emily asked softly.

Lorelai looked her mother up and down and gave a soft nod, "Ok Mom."