Author's Note: I'm so sorry I made everyone wait for this update. Things have been so crazy lately, and I was sick last week. If it's any consolation, I think that you'll enjoy this chapter, though. As always, reviews are like coffee to me, so please leave me one!

Chapter Thirteen: Along Came Molly

The shrill sound of her phone ringing broke Lorelai from a reverie of sleep. Groaning, she carefully turned in Luke's arms to pick it up. "It's two in the morning..." She whined.

"Lorelai, I'm sorry to wake you. But I...Sookie-" Jackson began.

"Jackson, calm down." Lorelai said, forcing herself into a sitting position. "Is something wrong?"

"It's the baby. Her water just broke, and I have to get her to the hospital. But the kids are here, and I didn't know who else to call." Jackson continued, all the while trying to soothe his hurting wife.

Lorelai groaned, prying Luke's arms from around her waist, inadvertantly waking him. "Shh, it's okay." She said to him while trying to pull on a pair of jeans. "Listen, Jackson...tell Sook not to worry. I'll be right over. Ow-" She cried, having bumped her elbow on the dresser.

"Thank you so much, Lorelai. The kids are still sleeping but-"

"Is that Lorelai?" She heard Sookie ask. "No, she can't just stay here with Martha and Davey. She...she has to...I mean, I-"

"Listen, Jackson?" Lorelai called, trying to gain his attention. "Tell Sook that I'll be right over. I'll come get the kids, and Luke can..."

"Luke can do what?" Luke asked, now fully awake. Seeing the look in her eyes, he shook his head. "Lorelai, the diner opens in-"

"In a few hours." Lorelai said, sighing. "Hon, Ceasar can open the diner if he has to. It'll only be for a little while, and you know Babette is right next door. I'll even let her know that they're here so she'll stop by." She struggled with pulling a sweater on, all the while holding her cellphone. "For me?"

"Fine." Luke sighed, swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

Lorelai offered an apolegetic smile before turning back to the phone. Hearing Sookie groaning, she knew that they had to hurry. "Okay, Jackson...just keep her calm. I'm coming." She hung up, and took a look at a tired and stressed Luke. "I'll be back, really."

"All you have is sugared cereal in your cabinet." He mused, thinking of what he could possibly give the children to eat.

A hand went to ruffle the curls that rested on his head. "Babette probably has something. Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"You might have." Luke said, offering Lorelai a shy smile. He leaned in to kiss her, knowing that she had to go. "Hey-" He said as she reached the door. "Call if there's any news."

She nodded, pulling on her shoes. "Don't worry. And Luke? I meant it. I really do."

"Listen, sweets-" Lorelai said several hours later as she was trying to calm Sookie down. "I'm just...the hallway, okay? I'm gonna call Luke and check on the kids. Everything's gonna be okay."

Sookie nodded, turning to Jackson could offer her ice chips. "You don't know that, Lorelai. This could be it. Oh no, the...I mean, the Inn. I was preparing the cake for the Stevens wedding on Saturday. If it's not ready, the bride's mother is gonna go all Bridezilla on me."

"Just relax, Sookie." Lorelai assured her. She gave an exhausted look to Jackson, who simply shrugged.

"Lorelai's right, honey. You need to stay calm. If you're stressed, then the baby will be, too." He said.

"Well I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you." Sookie sighed, leaning her head against the pillow. "I'm sorry honey, I really am. But I'm tired, and it's just taking so...long. " She sighed, turning her head in Lorelai's direction. "Are you sure Luke will be okay? I feel bad just putting all of this on him."

Lorelai shook her head, knowing that she was genuinely sorry. "He was a little nervous about it, but I'm sure that he'll be okay. So..about that, I'm just gonna go call. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Sookie nodded, fighting back against the pain she was feeling. "Okay. And hey...if they're awake? Tell them I love them."

Lorelai nodded, her hand reaching to open the door. "Don't worry, I will." She shut the door, immediately leaving to find the nearest waiting room. She shuddered, remembering the last time she'd been in the hospital. So much was different; she wasn't scared for Sookie like she had been for her father. But none the less, Lorelai found herself wishing that the ordeal would be over as soon as possible. She dialed the correct number, contemplating quietly what would happen when Luke answered.

"Hey, Suga...how's everything at the hospital?" Came Babette's voice.

Lorelai frowned at the phone, caught between wondering what was wrong and being glad that Luke didn't answer her angrily. "Sookie's doing alright. They said she's going to have to wait for a little while, but everything is running smoothly." She said, leaning against the wall. "Babette? Where's Luke?" Lorelai asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"Oh, he's fine, Lorelai. He's just-" Babette paused, apparently trying to find where he was. "He's in the livin' room with Davey. Something about cartoons or somethin'. Listen suga, I'll tell 'em that you called but right now I've got oatmeal cooking. You know, not that instant stuff. It can burn if you're not careful. Tell them congratulations for me, will ya?"

Lorelai laughed, trying to picture Luke arguing with the child over what channel the T.V. was on. "Alright, I'll do that. Thanks, Babette."

"Anytime." She replied. "But I'll have to go home for a minute after breakfast. Morey's got this thing where if I don't have everything ready for him when he wakes, he'll-"

"I understand." Lorelai said, shrugging. "I've gotta get back to Sookie. Oh, but make sure you feed Paul Anka. He gets cranky if you don't." She said goodbye to Babette and slipped her cellphone back into her purse. Rubbing her arm, Lorelai realized for the first time how cold it was in the hospital. Shaking her head, she went in search of coffee.

Lorelai returned to Sookie's side shortly after, but was soon asked to go and wait by the doctor who came in. Sookie insisted that Jackson stay though, and that Lorelai was free to go home and check on everyone if she wanted. Promising that she'd come back as soon as she could, she hurried home hoping she'd catch Luke in time.

"Hello?" She called from the doorway, almost afraid of the silence. "Luke?"

"In..here..."Luke said, leaning down as he was wiping something off of the kitchen floor.

"Hey." Lorelai said, setting her purse on the table. "Something happen?"

"No, just-" Luke sighed, throwing the washcloth into the sink. "Some juice spilled."

Lorelai sighed, rubbing his cheek with her hand. "I'm really sorry you had to do this. You know that if I could have stayed..."

"I know." Luke muttered, watching the glint in her eye. He didn't have to ask to know that she was forming a plan. "Lorelai." He warned.

"What?" She asked innocently. "Just thinking of ways I can make it up to you later." With a wink and a playful slap on his backside, she sauntered out into the living room.

Luke rolled his eyes, feeling his cheeks burn a bright shade of red. He quickly followed her, not knowing if she'd take it the right way. "Lorelai, Ceasar's been at the diner by himself for a while now. I guess Zach came in too, but I just...I don't wanna stay away for the whole day."

She smiled at him before handing Martha a toy that had fallen off of the couch. "Yeah, just go ahead. I'll let you know if there's any news."

Without even thinking about it, Luke leaned in to kiss her. He offered a slight smile, but recovered quickly, knowing he couldn't stay home for the whole day.

"I'll stop by as soon as I can."

With a nod and a wave, Luke was out the door.

"Come on, it's this way..." Lorelai said, pulling Luke down another hallway.

"You said that last time, and we've been down three different hallways since then. Admit that you're lost." Luke sighed, yet was willing to be lead by her. He hated to admit it, but Luke had grown to love the behavior Lorelai took on when she was in search of something. He wouldn't call it 'cute' though.

Lorelai turned to look at him, shaking her head. "No, I'm not." She replied as they turned another corner. Pointing to the sign, Lorelai told him they were in the right department. "See? You'd be lost without me."

"I'm sure I would." Luke mused, sighing as Lorelai again quickened her pace. "Lorelai, I'm sure they're gonna be there once we get there."

"Yes, but you're missing the point. Babies attract attention. We need a spot at the window." Lorelai spoke in a hushed whisper. "Ah, there...see." She said once they reached the glass window. Just inside, Sookie and Jackson were carefully cradling a small bundle. The only other person in the room, save for a few other newborns of course, was a neonatal nurse. Lorelai heard something beside of her and turned to see Luke rubbing at his nose. "Are you...Luke, you're crying."

"No...what?" He asked, quickly coughing. He really hadn't been crying, but the sight of Lorelai's face lighting up was enough to make his breath catch in his throat. "I wasn't crying. I don't...cry."

Lorelai shrugged, pretending to put it off. She waved at Sookie, who offered a tired smile, gesturing to the sleeping girl in her arms. She poked Luke with her elbow. "You so were."