Oh, big milestone! Tenth chapter, yay! I'm so glad you guys have stuck with me. Now without further ado, chapter ten.

Ch.10: Hard Labor

The last two months of Lorelai's pregnancy were going great. Luke had surprised her with his old crib and rocking chair that he and Liz had had as babies, Sookie and Mia had helped her decorate a little corner of the shed that was opposite the bed so Lorelai would be able to reach the baby easily. On October 6 Lorelai was sitting on the bed, flipping through a magazine while Sookie was putting stuffed animals in the crib. "So do you have a name?" Sookie asked.

"Not really, but I was thinking Susanna."

"Susanna?" Sookie turned and stared at her best friend.

"The Bangles." Lorelai said as if Sookie had just asked 'what is pizza?'

"Oh, I get it." Sookie laughed. "That's cute."

"Yeah, but I don't really know. I figure it'll just come to me."

"So where's Luke?" Sookie asked as she sat on the bed.

Lorelai didn't lift her eyes from the article on how to get rid of stretch marks, "Working?"

"You don't know?"

Lorelai shrugged. "Things have been weird." In reality, Luke had started becoming overly protective of Lorelai since she was due any day. Lorelai knew he meant well but he had been starting to get on her nerves. It didn't help that Liz had started falling back into old habits. Luke had caught her smoking in the bathroom and spent a full hour yelling at her and searching the apartment for anything else.

"Well, you know he means well." Sookie said patting her friend's hand.

"Yeah, it'll be easier when this thing finally pops out." Lorelai said pointing to her stomach.

Sookie smiled and then stood up. "Well, I have to get going, I'll see you later."

"Bye Sook." Lorelai smiled at her friend then fell back on the bed, praying for Luke to calm down.

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Lorelai opened her eyes wide on October 7. She sat up in bed and sniffed the air. She broke out into a big smile. "Luke wake up." Lorelai started shaking his shoulder.

"What, why?" Luke grumbled.

"You need to get up." Lorelai said, then grabbed his amr and pulled him out of bed.

Luke glanced at the clock and groaned, "It's four in the morning. I need to get up in an hour to open the diner."

"Stop complaining and come on." Lorelai put her slippers on and raced out the door. Luke followed behind her and stopped when he saw her standing just outside the door taking deep breaths.

"Is it the baby?" Luke asked.

Lorelai shook her head and smiled at Luke. "I smell snow."

"What?"

"I smell snow. It's going to snow today." Lorelai said excited.

"Lorelai, you can't smell snow."

"Oh, but I can. Every year since I was 6 I have been able to predict snow. I have a very special connection with snow. Almost all of the best things of my life have happened when it snowed. This one seems like a giant storm. Perfect."

"Lorelai it's the beginning of October, it shouldn't snow yet."

"But it's going to."

"I'm going back inside."

"No you have to stay out here with me."

"Why?"

"I'm cold." Lorelai gave her signature pout. Luke sighed and turned around putting his arm around Lorelai and they stayed for a little while waiting for snow.

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Lorelai made her way to the inn at noon. In the course of eight hours, the cold air had produced flurries which then turned to flakes. Even though she was cold, she was excited. She had a special connection with snow and she knew today would be a good day.

"Hey Mia." Lorelai said walking up to the desk.

"Hello dear." Mia smiled at the girl. "Listen, I know I scheduled you to work today, but I have had so many people cancel that it would be a waste of time to work today."

"Oh, okay. I don't really have anything to do."

"How about I drive you into town. I don't want you walking anywhere."

"Okay, just let me go change."

"I'll see you in twenty minutes."

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Lorelai walked into the diner and sat down. Luke appeared with a cup of coffee.

"Thank you." Lorelai said as she grabbed the cup.

"Please tell me you didn't walk here."

"Mia drove me."

"Remind me to thank her." Luke turned around and made his way up the stairs to the apartment. "Liz." He called out. When he didn't hear her reply, he raced to the bathroom. He tried the knob but found it was locked. He pounded on the door. "Liz!" he yelled. He heard a cough, then Liz saying, "Go away."

"Are you smoking again?"

"No."

Luke went back downstairs and motioned for Lorelai to come upstairs. "What's wrong Luke?" She asked as he opened the door and started pacing.

"Liz is locked in the bathroom." He said pointing to the door.

"Okay, you go back downstairs, I'll check on her."

"Okay."

Lorelai walked to the door and knocked lightly. "Liz, you okay?"

"I'm fine." Lorelai heard her cough again, and memories flooded back to her.

"Do you have morning sickness?"

Liz paused, "Yeah." She said in a quiet voice.

"How about you let me in."

Lorelai heard Liz shuffle and then heard the lock click. Lorelai walked in and saw how awful Liz looked. Her hair was ratty, she was pale, and her eyes were bloodshot.

"Wow, you need some crackers and water."

"I'm fine."

"Really?"

Liz sunk down to the floor. "I hate being pregnant."

"Wait til you reach my stage. I haven't been able to see my feet for four months."

"I hate Jimmy. He's such an asshole. Getting me pregnant, then kicking me out."

"I know. There have been times when I've wanted to rip Christopher's face off." Lorelai moved over to the tub and sat on the edge. "But, I think if so many women in history have gone through this, it must be worth it."

"Yeah, you're right." Liz glanced over at Lorelai. "Are you nervous?"

"More excited really. I mean, I don't know."

"You'll be a great mother."

"You will too. How about I go get that water and crackers?"

"Please do." Lorelai made her way down to the diner. When Luke saw her, he rushed over. "What happened?"

"Just a little morning sickness. She's fine."

"Okay, does she need anything?"

"Some crackers will help."

"Alright." Luke walked into the kitchen and grabbed a box of crackers. "Here."

"Thanks, don't worry she'll be fine." Lorelai kissed his cheek and went back up to the diner.

Luke smiled at how well Lorelai took care of Liz, but couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen.

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"Luke can I have a sandwich?" Lorelai asked as she turned down the volume on the tv. It was 7 at night and the flakes had turned into an all out blizzard. Luke had closed the diner early and made his way to the shed before the roads got too bad.

"Yeah, then I need to take a shower, I smell like burgers and fries."

Lorelai got up and waddled over to where he stood. "I love the smell of burgers and fries." She said flirtatiously."

Luke smiled and kissed her forehead. "You go sit back down, I'll get your sandwich."

Lorelai sighed overdramatically, "Okay."

Luke quickly made her a sandwich and then headed off to the bathroom. As the warm water cascaded down his back he started scrubbing his face, trying to clear his head. He knew he was being too over protective of Lorelai, but he couldn't help himself. After losing both of his parents he didn't want to risk losing Lorelai either. He shook his head and put his back against the wall. It'll be okay, she's not going to leave.

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Lorelai waited for the water to start running before settling in with her sandwich and the TV. Suddenly a sharp pain erupted in her stomach. She gasped. She set the plate down and tried moving off the couch. The pain came again, this time a little higher up. This is it. Lorelai eased her way off the couch. "You have really great timing." She muttered to her stomach, when she felt a football being thrown into her stomach. "Okay, I take it back." She gasped as she reached the bathroom door. "Luke!" She yelled, banging on the door.

Luke turned off the water and stuck his head out. "What?"

"It's coming."

The color drained from Luke's face. "You're in labor."

"Yes!"

"Are you sure?"

Then he heard Lorelai gasp and heard a thud. That was his answer. He flew out of the shower, pulled his clothes on, and opened the door. Lorelai sat on the floor by the door, gasping. The look on her face told Luke everything. He knelt down and scooped her up and raced for the door. The snow crunched as Luke made his way to the truck, carrying Lorelai. When he reached the truck, he saw it was locked. He looked at Lorelai. "I don't have the keys."

Lorelai pulled a hand from around his neck opened her fist. Luke's keys were there. She smiled, "I knew what you would do."

Luke smiled. He took the keys and unlocked the door, helping Lorelai in. He then ran around and got into the driver's seat and took off for the hospital.

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Richard and Emily were getting ready for bed when the phone rang. "Now who would be calling at eleven at night?" Emily grumbled as she walked towards the phone. Richard turned over drifting off to sleep when Emily called, "Richard, get dressed, we need to go!" Emily walked to the closet and began changing her clothes.

"Why, what's wrong?" He asked, picking up his keys and following her to the front door.

"Hartford Memorial just called. They admitted a 'Lorelai Gilmore' a few hours ago. We need to go now." Richard nodded and began getting ready. Twenty minutes later, Emily and Richard made their way to the jaguar and sped off for the hospital.

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Lorelai sat on a hospital bed, trying to breathe through a contraction. Luke sat next to her holding her hand. She had been going through labor for three and a half hours, and she was starting to get exhausted. When the contraction finally passed, she collapsed against the pillows. "This is worse than all nine months combined. "She whined. Luke just stayed quiet unsure what to say. Finally he said, "You'll be fine."

Lorelai looked at him and smiled, "Thank you for being here, I can't imagine what I would have done if I had to go through this by myself."

"Luckily you won't have to. I'm here for you." He pushed a stray hair away from her face and kissed her forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too." Lorelai kissed him sweetly and then pulled him into a tight hug. Their sweet moment was interrupted by a screech, "LORELAI GILMORE!" Luke and Lorelai shot apart, and Lorelai's eyes went wide, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Who's that." Luke asked looking back at her.

Lorelai's voice was barely above a whisper, "My mother."

Luke turned to the woman wearing a fur coat and looking like her head was about to explode.

"Lorelai Gilmore, you do not run away from home when you find out you're pregnant. You say, "Excuse me Mom and Dad, I'm pregnant, can you take care of me? This is unforgivable Lorelai. You're sixteen, what have you been doing? Living on the streets, living with this…lumberjack?" She yelled while staring at Luke. "How could you do this, your father and I hired a private investigator. We looked for weeks. Do you realize what you put us through? Do you realize you are having a baby Lorelai?"

"Well, that explains the stomachache!" Lorelai shot back. "What are you even doing here? If I'm such a disappointment, why did you come here?"

"I got a call that my daughter was in labor, so I came down." Lorelai could tell Emily was eying Luke wondering who this man was who was hugging her daughter. "Now who are you? How do you know my daughter?"

Lorelai rolled her eyes, her mother was never the subtle one, "This is my friend Luke. He was with me when I went into labor, he drove me here, and he stayed with me."

"Well, thank you Luke." Emily said coolly. She knew what she had walked in on was more than 'friends', but let it slide for now. "Well, I should thank you for getting my daughter here." Lorelai noticed how she really hadn't thanked Luke.

Luke noticed Lorelai's heart rate started going up and her annoyed expression turned to a wince. "Another contraction?" He asked softly.

"Lorelai nodded and whimpered a little. Luke took her hand and started rubbing her back trying to calm her. "Deep breath."

Emily just stood there, watching the little scene play out: This Luke fellow rubbing Lorelai's back, whispering to her, her trying to relax. It reminded Emily of when she had gone into labor with Lorelai. Richard had stayed with her the entire fourteen hours.

She came back to reality when Richard entered and just stared at the teens on the bed.

As Lorelai's contraction ended, she eased back and her eyes fell on her dad. "Hi, daddy." She said lightly.

"Hello Lorelai." Richard said. His gaze shifted to Luke, who was shifting uncomfortably on the bed. "Who's your friend?"

Lorelai smiled at Luke, "This is Luke Danes, he was with me when I went into labor. He drove me here." Lorelai patted Luke's arm affectionately and Luke smiled back at her. Richard saw how much they both meant to the other, and in a way felt relieved that it seemed his daughter had been safe. "Well, I'm going to go get some coffee, Emily would you like to come with me?"

"I'm fine right here Richard." Emily muttered, her eyes never leaving Luke and Lorelai.

"No Mom, go get some coffee, it's going to be a long night."

Emily thought for a moment. "Alright, let's go Richard." Emily brushed past him and walked out the door, with Richard close behind.

Luke turned his head back to Lorelai, "So those are your parents."

"Yeah, also known as Adolf and Eva." She groaned as she closed her eyes, exhausted.

Luke noticed she was starting to drift off, and he had to keep her awake, "That's not really fair to call your dad Adolf."

"No, that's my mother." Lorelai said sleepily.

"Lorelai, you need to stay awake."

"Too tired."

"I know you're tired. I'm exhausted too." Luke pulled her up slightly, and Lorelai opened her eyes to look at him. "I'm going to stay awake with you until the baby's born. Don't worry Lorelai. I'm here for you." Luke leaned forward and kissed her sweaty cheek, and she smiled. "I love you." He said firmly.

"I love you too." Richard and Emily emerged back into the room moments later and settled in.

Over the next three hours, they all waited anxiously. When Lorelai had contractions, Luke held her hand and rubbed her back, trying to soothe her, while Emily and Richard stood off to the side watching. Finally around three a clock in the morning, Richard had gone to look for a paper, Luke was getting tired, and Lorelai's contractions were coming closer and closer together. When Luke went to the restroom, Emily decided this was the best time. "Lorelai, where are all of your possessions?"

Lorelai opened her eyes and glanced over to where her mother sat. "I have a little place near to my work."

"You have a job?"

"Yeah, I've been working there about six months."

"Well, you'll need to quit."

"Why?" Lorelai had started to dose off.

"Well, there's no way you can keep a job when you come home."

Suddenly Lorelai was wide awake, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, your father and I decided when we found you, we would take you back home."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I am."

"I'm not going back to your house. I'm happy where I am."

"Lorelai, you'sixteen years old. You can't live by yourself."

Lorelai narrowed her eyes at her mother. "How would I be able to provide for my baby in your house?"

"We decided what to do about that as well."

"Lorelai began feeling hot. "What?"

"We decided it would be best if you gave the baby up for adoption."

"What?" Lorelai yelled. Luke heard her yell and raced out of the bathroom. He saw Lorelai crying and staring at her mother angrily. Uh oh. Luke quickly sat down on the bed and looked at Lorelai, "What's wrong?"

Lorelai pointed a shaking hand at her mother, "She wants me to put my baby up for adoption."

Luke froze, "What?"

"She wants me to come back home, she wants to put the baby up for adoption just so her reputation isn't ruined!" Lorelai yelled. "How heartless are you? I'm NOT going back to your house. I have my own home and I love it! AND I'm NOT giving MY baby up for adoption. This is MY child. You can't tell me what to do!"

Emily just stared at her daughter. A small evil smile crept over her lips. "It's your child until Richard and I get custody from you.

Lorelai opened her mouth, too shocked to speak. "Y-y wouldn't do that."

"Lorelai, you are sixteen years old. You in no way can be a fit mother. Richard and I can sue for custody then give the baby up and you can't do anything about it."

"GET OUT!" Lorelai screamed, tears streaming down her face. "You can't come in here and threaten to do that. Do you know why I ran away? Because I didn't want my kid to grow up with you. You made my life a living hell and I never would want my kids to be around you for fear of contracting Society Bitch Syndrome! Now get your fur coat and get out of my room!

Emily just stared at her daughter, trying to remain emotionless , but the tears were already starting to form. Luke and Lorelais' attentions were diverted by a nurse entering.

"Ms. Gilmore, we are going to transport you to the delivery room now. You can have one person in there with you."

"That'll be me." Emily said before Lorelai could open her mouth.

Lorelai turned to face her mother, "Yeah after hell freezes over and I suddenly get amnesia." She growled. Lorelai looked at Luke and smiled lightly, "Will you go with me?"

Luke smiled and smoothed down her curly hair, "I wouldn't be anywhere else."

Lorelai, noticing Emily was still watching them, grabbed Luke's shirt and pulled him into a passionate kiss. Lorelai heard Emily gasp behind them. That'll show her.

Lorelai released a dazed Luke and looked at the nurse. "Alright, I'm ready."

"Okay, let's get you to delivery."

Right before she was wheeled out of the room Lorelai turned to her still stunned mother, "Oh Mom, I hope you're gone before I get back. Tell Dad it was nice to see him again."

And with that she was gone. Emily stared at the door, unbelieving what had just come out of her daughter's mouth. What did I do for her to turn into a monster? Emily quickly grabbed her and Richards' things and left the room. Emily found Richard in the gift shop and shoved the keys into his hand. "Let's go." She said, turning around and walking out of the store.

"What happened Emily?" Richard called as he chased after her. "Has the baby been born?"

"No, and I don't care."

"But Emily-"

"Richard please," Emily turned around, tears flowing down her cheeks. "I will tell you what happened later. Can we just go home. I'm tired and I have a DAR meeting in the morning."

Richard looked at the current state his strong, stubborn wife was in. "Let's go."

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"Give me a big push Lorelai." The doctor sat in front Lorelai, waiting for the baby to come.

Lorelai began grunting, trying to get through the pain. Luke was right next to her, stroking her head. He never thought he would be in this position, helping his pregnant girlfriend give birth to another guy's baby. Well, you never know what life has in store. Luke came back to reality when Lorelai grabbed his arm tightly, her nails leaving marks on his skin.

"That's great Lorelai, I can see the head." The doctor looked up at the young girl and smiled, impressed with how brave this girl was. "That's great Lorelai almost there."

Lorelai pushed once more, desperately and collapsed. Then she heard crying, wailing actually, but she was done. She was now a mother. She looked up and stared at the tiny baby the nurses were cleaning off and looked at Luke, tears streaming down her cheeks. Luke wiped her tears away with his thumb and smiled at her. "You done good kid." He said as he kissed her forehead.

Lorelai put his shirt so he was face to face with her. "I love you Luke." She whispered, kissing him softly. "What time is it?"

"I left my watch at your place."

Lorelai groaned. "Hey you." She said to a nurse. "What time was my baby born?"

"4:03 AM." He said before walking away.

"4:03." She turned her attention back to Luke. "Remember that."

"Ms. Gilmore," The doctor walked to Lorelai's side, carrying a small pink bundle. "Would you like to meet your daughter?"

"Nothing would make me happier." The doctor handed Lorelai the baby and went to the other side of the room to look over some notes. Lorelai peered through the blankets and saw the little face that that looked back at her. "Hi, baby." She said quietly. The baby opened her eyes and Lorelai saw the baby had bright blue eyes, just like her. "I'm your mom." She was trying not to cry, but was failing. "I'm going to be a great mom. I'll be there for you no matter what." She then positioned the baby so she was facing Luke. "And this is Luke. He's mommy's boyfriend. He's not your dad," Lorelai frowned. "But I wish more than anything that he was. And he will be soon." She said, looking up at Luke.

Luke smiled back down at her. "So what are you going to name her?" he asked, reaching down and putting his finger by the baby's hand. She immediately grabbed it and Luke laughed.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore." Lorelai said.

Luke cocked an eyebrow. "You're naming her after yourself?"

"Well, men name their sons after themselves, so why not women."

"Don't you think it could get confusing if you're both Lorelai?"

"You're right. She needs a nickname." Lorelai looked at the baby and smiled, "Rory."

"Rory?"

"Yeah, Rory Gilmore."

"Rory it is. Welcome to the world Rory. You'll do great things."

"She's going to be an important person, I can feel it." Lorelai kissed the top of Rory's head and looked up at Luke. "See Luke, I told you the best things happen in my life when it snows."

"Luke just smiled and looked down at her. "Crazy lady."

"Crazy lady?"

"That's your new nickname."

"Fine, Burger Boy."

"Burger Boy?"

"Your new nickname."

"You can never call me that in public."

"Okay I will never call you Burger Boy in public, that's a lie, but I love you so you won't care."

"That's true. I love you Lorelai Gilmore. And I love you Rory Gilmore. He bent over and kissed both of their foreheads.

"We love you Luke Danes." Lorelai looked down as Rory fell asleep and for the first time realized that everything was going to be okay.

Yes, Rory is born! Yay! Okay before any of you leave a review over this. I'm fifteen. I've never had a kid, or been in labor. Or know anone who was in labor, except for my sister, but that doesn't count. So, I tried my best. Please don't leave a review pertaining to that. Also on the things Lorelai said to Emily: Yes, that was a little overdone. But I tried to write it in Lorelai's mind. She's in labor, she's sixteen, she and her mother don't get along. I was kind of just releasing sixteen years of pain out at once. So, please review on anything else but those two topics. Anyway again, I'm so happy you guys have stuck with me for so long and I hope you stay with me for the remainder of this story. Thanks again!

Betsy