Hey, it's me again. I'm sick today so I spent my day off writing this for you. Please enjoy! Also, ignore the title. Even though it says Merry Christmas it's not a very Christmas chapter. Anyway, enjoy.
Ch. 12: Merry Christmas
"Ugh, how can one baby be so much work?" Lorelai groaned as she collapsed on her bed. She had brought Rory home two months ago and already wished she was eighteen.
"Well, I've heard babies are hard work." Sookie said as she made dinner for her friend.
"Don't get me wrong, I love her with all of my heart, but I have to feed her every four hours, she sometimes won't fall asleep, and then the stuff with Luke-"
"What's going on with Luke?"
"Stuff."
"Like?..."
"Well, he's never around anymore. He's spending all of his time with Liz, and I understand, but I miss him you know."
"Aw, don't worry sweetie. I have something that can take your mind off your troubles."
"What?"
"I met someone."
Lorelai's eyes went to her best friend immediately. "You did? Who is he? What's his name? Details!"
"Okay, so his name is Jackson Bellville."
"Isn't he the produce guy?"
"Yeah, we've been kind of flirting for a little while-"
"So you were stuttering and injuring yourself around him?"
"Pretty much, and then he asked me out yesterday."
"Oh my god, why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because you have a newborn. You haven't left the shed in three weeks."
"That is a lie."
"Oh right, you ordered pizza last week, and went to get it."
"Okay, so maybe I haven't been Ms. Social Butterfly lately but I wish you could have told me earlier. So when are you going out?"
"Oh, I'm not sure."
"Why?"
"Well, when he asked I said I'd think about it. I mean, what if it doesn't work out? Then work will be weird and-"
"Sookie, call him."
"You think?"
"Yeah, I mean, Jackson seems like a nice guy. So what if it doesn't work out? It could still be fine."
"Well, okay, I'll call him."
"Good."
"You need to talk to Luke too. Tell him what's bothering you. He'll understand."
"Yeah, I guess."
"Is there something else that's bothering you?"
"Well…okay. You know how Luke wasn't comfortable having sex while I was pregnant?"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, and I went to the doctor last week and he said that it was okay for me to have sex again."
"Oh, so have you and Luke had sex yet?"
"No! That's what's bothering me."
"Well, does Luke know you're ready?"
"I would hope so. I've been trying to have sex with him since he found out I was pregnant."
"But he said he wasn't comfortable having sex because of the baby."
"Yeah, but it didn't stop me from trying. Then, the night we got home from the hospital, Rory fell asleep really fast and I asked Luke if he wanted to stay and he said he had early deliveries and he left. Then since I told him last week, he's avoided me even more."
"What do you mean avoided?"
"Well he's refused to be alone with me."
"Refused?"
"Yes! Like last Friday, I asked if I could come over that night and he said sure. So I made sure to look really good. Mia volunteered to watch Rory for me, so I only had to worry about myself. So I wore the light blue halter with that black shrug and the jean mini skirt and the black knee boots."
"And Luke didn't have sex with you?"
"I know! When I got there, his eyes did bug out of his head, which I thought was a good sign. We ate dinner than started making out on the couch. Everything was going fine, until Liz comes bursting in."
"Oh, that's awkward."
"Well, Liz just smiled mischievously and left but Luke jumped away from me and thought it would be better if I left, then went racing after Liz."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, you seriously need to talk to him."
"I know. I actually have a meeting scheduled with a lawyer for tomorrow and he needs to come with me."
"For the custody battle?"
"Yeah. Ugh I'm not looking forward to this. First I need to go to court with my parents, then I need to go against Chris so Luke can get custody."
"Yikes."
"Yeah."
"I wish I could help."
"Thanks, being here is enough." The two hugged tightly, glad to have each other. After a moment Lorelai spoke, "Your Mac n' Cheese is on fire."
"Oh shoot!" Sookie gasped as she raced across to the burning pot.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Luke was wiping the counter down as the last of the customers filed out of the door. He was thinking about his problem with Lorelai. Ever since she got back from the doctor's last week, she had been insane. Every time they were alone, she would jump him. Then the dinner on Friday, Luke shook his head, trying to get the image of her outside his door out of his head, he was sure if Liz hadn't have come in when she did, something would have happened. It's not that I don't want to, it's….I don't know.
In all honesty, Luke was just nervous. He had only had sex with one other person, his ex Rachel. They had dated all through high school, and Luke planned on proposing to her, but when his dad got sick, Rachel went to the back of his mind.
Then when his dad died, he expected Rachel to show up for the funeral, but she never showed. Later that night Luke found a note on his window. It was from Rachel, telling him she got a job as a photographer and was leaving. She wasn't coming back.
Luke's heart was broken. Rachel was his first love. He wanted to marry her, at least he thought so. I know this is for the better. If Rachel hadn't of left, I would never be dating Lorelai.
XXXXXXXX
Lorelai finished bundling Rory up in her blankets and set her in her car seat. She walked across the snow laden lawn to the Inn quickly, wanting to get out of the cold. She walked into the Inn and made her way to Mia's office. "Hi Mia."
"Lorelai, how are you?" Mia stood up and walked across the room top take the car seat.
"Pretty good, just kind of nervous."
"Don't worry, this is just a meeting. It'll be fine." Mia wrapped an arm around the teenage girl, hoping to reassure her. "You should get going dear."
"Yeah, thanks Mia." Lorelai moved over to the car seat, "Alright, Rory. Mommy has to go do something, but I'll be back soon. I love you." Lorelai kissed Rory's forehead and hugged Mia before setting off for Luke's.
XXXXXXX
Luke was sitting at the counter after the lunch rush, his head in his arms. He had been feeling sick all day. He told Caesar to take over cooking and he would serve, but the entire time he was worried he would sneeze on the food.
His health did not go unnoticed. All during lunch everyone was looking at him and several customers had asked if he was feeling alright. He had merely grunted a reply and went back to work.
Luke heard the door open and heard Lorelai's voice, "Luke are you okay?"
Luke lifted his head up, "Yeah, just a little tired."
Lorelai walked up and turned to him, "Oh my god, Luke."
"What?"
"You're sick."
"I'm not sick."
"Luke, you look like you're about to faint." Lorelai held her hand against his face and pulled away, "Luke, you're burning up. Come on." Lorelai pulled Luke up and started towards the stairs.
"Lorelai, I'm fine." Luke tried taking his weight off of her and stumbled before she caught him again.
"No, you're sick. Now you are going to go get in your single bed and rest."
"There's nothing wrong with a single bed." Luke mumbled as they walked up the stairs.
When they reached the top, Lorelai guided Luke to his bed and he collapsed on it exhausted.
"Okay, do you want anything?" Luke merely grunted in response.
"How about some tea?"
"Sure."
"Okay." Lorelai walked downstairs to the kitchen. "Hey Caesar."
"Hey Lorelai is Luke okay?"
"He will be. Could you make some tea for Luke?"
"Sure."
"Great, thanks. Could you close up too? You shouldn't have to handle this on Ben's day off."
"Thanks Lorelai."
"No, thank you."
Lorelai reentered the apartment five minutes later, tea in hand. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Luke, clad only in his boxers, looking through the wardrobe across from his bed.
She walked over silently and when she was right behind him, she put her hand on his back. Luke jumped about a foot in the air, "What the hell!"
"Sorry." Lorelai said sheepishly. "What are you doing?"
"Oh I was going to go take a shower. Try and clear my head."
"That's a good idea. I have your tea." She handed him the glass and he drank it all within a minute.
"Thanks." Luke leaned in to kiss her but stopped an inch from her lips, "I probably shouldn't kiss you when I'm sick."
"Yeah, probably not." Lorelai said disappointed. "Oh, the meeting." She walked over to Luke's phone and called the attorney's office. "Hello. This is Lorelai Gilmore I had a meeting with him at 2…..Yes, I have to reschedule…..Some things came up….When is he available?...January 3rd . All right. That's fine. Thank you."
Lorelai hung up and walked back to Luke. "The meeting's rescheduled."
"Sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Lorelai kissed Luke's cheek, then started moving across his jaw and down his neck.
"Lorelai…"
"Sshh." Lorelai looked up at him and kissed him on the lips lightly.
"Lorelai, you can't get sick."
"I'll drink a ton of orange juice." Lorelai started kissing him again, but Luke stayed motionless. Lorelai groaned and pulled away, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why will you not kiss me?"
"I'm sick and you have Rory, she can't get sick."
"Why won't you have sex with me?" Lorelai sat on the bed and wrapped her arms around her.
Luke was shocked, he didn't expect Lorelai to ask that. "What?"
"Luke, you're a nineteen year old guy. You're supposed to jump at the chance to have sex. I've been throwing myself at you. Why?"
"Well..I.."
"Am I too young?"
"No, it's.."
"Am I not pretty enough?"
"You know I don't-"
"What is it Luke. Tell me what the problem is and I'll try and fix it, just tell me why?" Lorelai was bawling by this point.
Luke wasn't sure what to do, so he did what he did before: he grabbed her and kissed her. Lorelai relaxed immediately. After a few minutes they parted and Luke kissed the tip of her nose. "I think you are the most beautiful, mature, wonderful person I have ever met."
"Then why won't you have sex with me?"
"Because…I've only slept with one other person."
"So have I."
"No, she was my girlfriend all through high school and…I was planning on proposing."
"Oh." Lorelai moved away from Luke. She had no idea he had been so serious with someone. "What happened?"
"Well my dad got sick and I blocked Rachel out. Then when he died, I planned on apologizing to her for everything at the funeral. But she never came. That night I found a note on my window from her. It said, she had gotten a job and was leaving."
"Oh, Luke I'm so sorry." Lorelai wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek.
They sat in silence for a little while, both thinking deeply. Finally Luke spoke, "I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry."
"I'm glad Rachel left though."
"You are?"
"Yeah, if Rachel never left, I would never have dated you." Luke smiled and kissed Lorelai's forehead. "I love you Lorelai."
"I love you Luke." She kissed him sweetly. "You should go take your shower."
"And you should get back to Rory."
"I'll call you later okay."
"Look forward to it." They kissed once more and then they went their separate ways, both thinking about their relationship.
XXXXXXXXX
Two days later Luke was feeling better and was working in the diner again. He was giving Lorelai her lunch when they heard a noise from upstairs. Luke looked at Lorelai before going to the curtain cautiously, "Liz, you okay?"
When Luke got no response, he ran up the stairs and flung open the door, finding Liz in there, clutching her stomach. "Luke, I think the baby's coming."
Luke ran to his sister, "But you're not due for two and a half months."
"Tell that to my stomach." Liz winced and Luke knew he had to get her to the hospital.
"Come on Liz. Let's go." Luke picked up his sister and started walking down the stairs.
When he appeared through the curtain, Lorelai saw Liz and immediately got worried. "What's wrong with Liz?"
"She's in labor." Luke walked ahead to the door while Lorelai grabbed his car keys and raced outside after him.
"I'm going to get a ride from Mia. Okay Liz I'll see you at the hospital." Lorelai smiled at Liz before kissing Luke. "Be careful okay. The roads are icy."
"You be careful too. See you later." Lorelai raced back inside to call Mia and Luke drove off to the hospital.
XXXXXXXXXX
An hour later, Luke and Lorelai sat in Liz's hospital room awaiting the doctor's arrival. Liz was groaning in pain. Finally a doctor appeared. "Hello how are we?"
"Terrific." Liz groaned again.
"Well, Mrs. Mariano, you are going to have a baby tonight."
"Is that safe? I mean she's nearly three months early." Luke asked.
"Well, premature labor is dangerous and there is a chance the baby won't make it."
Liz looked at Luke, frightened. Luke held her hand, "What caused the premature labor?"
"Oh a number of things can cause premature labor. It could be a medical condition like high blood pressure or a clotting disorder. The most common causes are lifestyle choices."
"Like what?"
"Like drinking, smoking, doing drugs while you're pregnant."
Liz looked nervously from Luke to Lorelai and burst out crying. "I'm a horrible person."
"No, you're not Liz." Lorelai walked over and hugged her. Luke walked over to the doctor and whispered, "Liz has an addiction to those things.
"Ah, well. Since she got here early enough, there's a better chance the baby will survive but it does have a higher chance of having birth defects or mental deficiencies."
"Thanks, probably shouldn't mention that to Liz."
"Yeah, good thought." The doctor turned from Luke back to Liz and smiled reassuringly, "Alright Mrs. Mariano. Let's get you into delivery."
"Luke will you come with me?"
"Of course Liz." Luke turned back to Lorelai. "Are you gonna be okay by yourself?"
"Yeah, I'm just going to call Mia and see how Rory's doing."
"Alright. We'll see you later." Luke kissed Lorelai and then he and Liz left, leaving Lorelai alone. Lorelai sat alone for a few minutes thinking, and then took off.
XXXXXXXXX
Lorelai walked in front of the big house that had held her captive for fifteen years and walked slowly up the driveway. She stood in front of the door, trying to work up the nerve to ring the bell. Finally, her fingers found the bell.
Moments later her mother opened the door. "Lorelai?"
"Hi, Mom."
"What are you doing here?"
"Can I come in?"
"Well it's almost time for dinner so we can't serve you anything and-"
"That's okay, this will just take a moment." Lorelai walked through to the living room and sat down on the couch. Emily walked in moments later and sat down on the chair across from her.
That sat in silence for a few moments neither knowing what to say. Finally Emily asked, "Where's the baby?"
"Rory's with a friend of mine."
"Rory?"
"I named her Lorelai, but her nickname is Rory."
"Oh. So, you can't handle being a mother?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, you gave birth two months ago and already hand her off to other people?"
Lorelai smirked, shook her head and stood up, "You know what? I don't know why I came here." Lorelai stood up and started walking towards the door, but Emily was right behind her.
"Why were you here? Did you want to tell me I was right? Because if you want to come crawling back home then we'll have to make other arrangements for that child and-"
"No Mom! I didn't come here to say you were right! Rory is with my friend because I was at the hospital with Luke and Liz!"
"Who?"
"Luke, my boyfriend! The guy who's been there for me for the last nine months! The guy who has made me coffee and food and drove me to the hospital!"
"I remember the lumber jack. Who's Liz?"
"His sister, she is at the hospital right now, giving birth two months early because she drank and smoked while she was pregnant and the baby might not make it and Liz is so terrified that she is going to lose this baby and in some weird demented way, it reminded me of us. I mean, we don't get along. We've both made mistakes and we're too stubborn to try and work out our problems so we'll probably always be like this, but I just thought, that if this baby lives through this, then it will give me the courage to try and work out something between us but now I know that won't happen, so that's it."
Emily just stood there not sure what to say. Finally she said coolly, "I think you should go now Lorelai."
Lorelai looked at her mother and started to leave. "Oh and Mom," Lorelai said turning around. "This is so far the longest I've been away from Rory. The first time was an hour, then half an hour, now today. I am missing her like crazy right now, but I can't go home because I need to be at the hospital to support Luke and Liz through this. So, good night." Lorelai huffed before storming out of the house.
XXXXXXXX
Lorelai made her way back to the maternity unit when she saw Luke. "Hey, is she okay? Is the baby okay?" she asked as she hugged him.
"Liz is okay. They had to do an emergency C-section about twenty minutes ago." Luke said, kissing her head.
"How's the baby?"
"He-"
"It's a boy?"
"Yeah. He's…he's weak."
"Oh, no. Where's Liz?"
"Asleep. She opted to be out when they did the surgery."
"Why?"
"In case the baby didn't make it."
"Can I see him?"
"It's family only."
"Oh."
"Hang on." Luke started walking towards the doors to the NICU and said to the nurse, "Hey, Luke Danes and this is my other sister, Lorelai Danes." The nurse hardly glanced at Lorelai before saying, "Sign in here."
They both quickly signed in and walked inside. Lorelai saw five incubators, four of which had numerous people around it. The fifth one made Lorelai's heart sink. In the incubator lay a tiny pale infant. Lorelai walked around to the other side and saw the paper taped to the side:
Baby Boy Mariano
Born: 12/22/84 Parent(s): Elizabeth Mariano
Weight: 2 lbs. 3 oz. Length: 10 in.
Lorelai looked up at Luke, tears in her eyes, "He's so small."
"Yeah, I know. He looks exactly like Jimmy."
"I figured."
"He looks a little like my dad too." Luke looked down and Lorelai moved across and kissed his cheek. "He'll make it through."
"I hope so."
"I know so." They looked down at the small life in front of them, praying to god for a miracle.
Okay, kind of a sad chapter I know. But I will try to make the next one happy. I think I will have three chapters left for this story, but I do have an idea for a sequel so we'll see what happens. Until next time. Bye!
