A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates recently, everyone. The new uni term is absolutely kicking my butt. I am however going to try to update more often. Thank you for the reviews and let me know what you think of this chapter.

Conspiracy theories gone wrong

A couple of weeks later, Rory walked into her mother's house, finding her and Will sitting on the living room floor, playing with some toys. Smiling as she sat down next to them, she unbuttoned her coat, throwing it on the couch.

"Hey."

"He still won't walk." Lorelai pouted, looking at her son who was playing with a toy train.

"Mom…"

"Yeah, I know. But you were walking by the time you were his age. What if he'll never walk?"

"Then we'll get him a really big stroller and that'll be that." Rory laughed, moving to the couch.

"Oh, funny."

"Mom, you're stressing out over nothing."

"What if by having a baby when I was my age I've somehow scarred him for life and he'll never be a normal human being?"

"A child of yours…normal? Sure."

"Jess is getting to you, he's got you convinced you're not normal!" Lorelai laughed as well, sitting on the couch next to her daughter. "How's it going?"

"Better. I'm so glad the first trimester is almost officially over, so I can stop being worried about this."

"Ha!" Lorelai snorted, shaking her head. "You think you'll stop being worried? How adorable."

"What?"

"Kid, from now on, worried will be your constant state of mind. Sure, you'll no longer be worried about having a miscarriage. Until you read a newspaper or watch a TV show or someone decides to tell you some awful story about their hairdresser's cousin's dog walker, who lost her baby at 35 weeks, because there is nothing people love more than imparting stories of tragedies and scaring pregnant women. Then, if that stop for even a second, there's the 'oh my God, what if the baby has an extra arm growing from its head!' panic. Which, of course, it doesn't, but try telling your brain that. And the nightmares…oh, Christ, the nightmares."

"What?"

"I had nightmares about everything, from the baby pulling a Ripley and having some sort of monster shoot out of my stomach to Luke leaving us. And when all that is over and the baby is born and everything is ok, the awful, gut-wrenching panic sets in when you realize that you're completely responsible for this whole other human being and why would they even let you take it out of the hospital, do they not realize that you're not fit to do this and you're going to drop that baby on its head and you're going to hurt it and someone better take it away from you before that happens!"

Resting against the couch, Rory took a deep breath, looking at her mother, a terrified expression on her face.

"So…from now on…?"

"Yeah. Pretty much constantly worried."

"Can I change my mind now?"

"No." Lorelai shook her head, putting his hand on Rory's arm, rubbing it sympathetically. "Because despite all those things and the moments of sheer terror, having a kid is completely worth it. It makes you sick and huge and it's as far away from comfortable as it gets but it's all so worth it. And you're going to be a great mother."

"Promise?"

"I swear." She nodded, picking up her son from the floor and kissing his cheek quickly. "First time you hear the heartbeat, first kicks, first kick that's strong enough for Jess to feel…that one's the best. I don't think I'd ever seen Luke smile as much as he did the day he felt Will kick for the first time. First night it doesn't wake up, first smile, laugh, babble, time it recognizes you…the bad times don't even stand a chance."

Wiping her eyes quickly, Rory smiled, chewing on her lip. "Thanks."

"Then of course, said kid gets pregnant or gets his significant other pregnant, and you get to scare them with horror stories like I do."

Laughing softly, she shook her head. "Very generous of you."

"I know. Payback for teenage years, babe."

"Hey, I was a good teenager."

"Yes, when you weren't running around, making out with a certain hoodlum in the alley behind the diner or the upstairs apartment or sneaking off to Distillers concerts without telling me in advance or…you know, that sort of thing. Not to mention letting said hoodlum get you pregnant. All his fault." Lorelai grinned, trying not to laugh.

"Yes, how dare he, ten years after high school. Two adults that love each other and have good jobs, a nice place to live and generally good lives, having a baby. We're both irresponsible."

"Terribly so. You must move back in with me, it's the only way of saving you from his terrible influence."

"Mom…"

"I miss you! I have no one to watch movies with! You're not home often enough!"

"I'm here every other weekend. I'm spending the week before the wedding here. Be a grown up and remember that I have a job that I need to keep in order for this baby to have something to eat."

"Should have just married rich. Then you could have lived here, with me!"

"Definitely. I'm sure my husband would have had no problems with me living with my mommy instead of him."

"That's why you had to marry rich and stupid."

"Too late now, stuck with Jess." Rory grinned, her fingers playing on her stomach.

"Speaking of the hoodlum, where is?"

"Stopped by the diner to talk to Luke. He's meeting us there to head to the inn and go over whatever's left to do for the wedding."

"What does he have to talk to Luke about?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to try my wedding dress on without him being around."

"Nice. Then go on, dresses wait for no woman!" Lorelai stood up, still holding Will and started heading up the stairs, Rory following closely.

A while later, they walked into the diner, finding Jess sitting at the counter, reading. Wrapping his arms around his waist from behind, Rory smiled, kissing his shoulder.

"How's the dress?" He mumbled, turning around.

"Still perfect."

"Will you listen to me next time I tell you that?"

"No." Rory shook her head sitting next to him.

"You two are nauseating, I hope you know that." Lorelai chuckled, sitting next to her daughter, none of them noticing East Side Tilly seating a couple of chairs down from them. "Luke, food please."

"What do you want?"

"Cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, bacon, pie."

"Seriously?" He looked at her incredulously and Lorelai grinned.

"I've been chasing your son through the house all morning, I need energy."

Shaking his head, Luke looked at Rory. "What can I get you?"

"Um…" She paused for a few seconds, looking through the menu. "Pancakes?"

"For lunch?"

"Please?" She looked at him, biting her lip and Luke nodded.

"Fine." Pointing at his wife, he grinned. "Don't get any ideas."

"But Luke!"

"No." He shook his head again, disappearing in the kitchen.

"It's official, I need to get pregnant again, then he'll feed me anything I want!" Lorelai grinned, leaning forward and looking at Jess. "Jess, be a darling and get us coffee, will you?"

"You can't wait 2 minutes for Luke to be back here?"

"No." The two women answered in unison, making him chuckle.

"If he kills me for being behind the counter, you'll be responsible."

"I'll make sure your epitaph says I am to blame." Lorelai grinned as Jess walked behind the counter, filling two mugs quickly and dropping them in front of the girls.

"Here."

"My hero." Rory gushed, chuckling and kissed his cheek, making him shake his head.

"Mine too!" Lorelai grinned, then tilted her head. "At least until Luke bring me lunch. Oh, bachelorette party!" She remembered and Rory looked at her.

"Seriously?"

"We need to give you an almost proper send off to married life. Since us getting drunk would be no fun for you, I've planned this over with Lane."

"You've been meeting up?"

"Hon, this is Stars Hollow. It's impossible to not see someone."

"I miss living here."

"You could always move back." She smiled again.

"Sure. The commute would be awesome."

"Find a job in Hartford."

"And Jess' job?"

"Erm…leave Jess?" Lorelai offered and he glared and her.

"Hope you don't expect me to get you coffee again after that comment."

"I'm not worried, Luke will be back here any minute."

"Mom, plans for the party?" Rory redirected the conversation, squeezing Jess' hand.

"Oh, yeah. We were thinking either manicures or a massage or both during the day, then all you can eat movie night on the Thursday before the wedding. Wedding themed: The Wedding Crashers, 7 brides for 7 brothers, Bride of Chucky, Cake or 27 Dresses. Or anything else we can think of."

"Sounds good."

"Good. Jess, do you have any plans on how you're going to celebrate your last few days as a free man?"

"Oh, please, I haven't been free in years." He chuckled, running his hand slowly over Rory's leg. "Matt and Chris want to go out drinking."

"I hate you." Rory sighed, smiling at him.

"I can always get so drunk that I have a hangover the next day, then we'll both feel the same."

"Sure. It will be exactly the same." She stuck out her tongue at him, laughing.

"Food." Luke smiled, putting the plates in front of the girls. "What did I miss?"

"We were talking about their bachelor and bachelorette parties."

"You're having one?" Luke looked at Jess incredulously and he shrugged.

"Matt and Chris are pushing me. You're more than welcomed to come."

"Pass."

"Luke…" Lorelai glared at him and Luke shook his head.

"As long as it's here. I'm not driving to Philadelphia." He shot Lorelai a look before focusing his attention back on Jess.

"If they decide to have it after Christmas, then it'll be here. That's as much as I can give you."

"We'll talk."

Later that night, Rory and Jess were walking down the street to the diner when they spotted a couple of groups of people walking inside Miss Patty's studio. Nodding in that direction, Rory smiled.

"Can we go see what's going on?"

"Can you go see while I go back to the apartment?" He smirked, tightening his grip on her and she turned her head to look at him, pouting softly.

"Please, Jess."

"Fine." He sighed, kissing her quickly. "You get away with far too much."

"Probably." She agreed, letting go of his waist and taking his hand instead, starting to drag him towards the dance studio. As soon as they reached it, she opened the door, finding almost everyone in town gathered in the small room with Taylor presiding. Jumping up from her seat when she saw them, Patty wiped her cheeks quickly, trying to calm down.

"Rory!" Walking to her, the woman hugged her, tears streaming down her cheeks again.

"What's going on?" Rory asked, wrapping her arms around the older woman quickly.

"Oh, honey, why didn't you tell us?" She managed to whisper between sobs, making Rory even more confused.

"Tell you…what?"

"It's ok, we know now." Letting go of Rory, Patty pulled a chair closer to her. "Go on, honey, sit down."

Sitting down and looking at Jess, who was looking equally confused, Rory took a deep breath. "Know…what?"

Patty tried to answer but started sobbing again so she sat down. Looking around her, Rory noticed that almost everyone's eyes were red and tissue boxes were scattered everywhere. Standing up again, she looked at Jess, shaking her head.

"Jess, call mom, tell her to come over." She whispered before she turned around to look at everyone else again. "Ok, guys, this is ridiculous! What's going on?" Taking a deep breath when no one would answer her, she walked to the centre of the room, crossing her arms against her chest. "I know I don't technically live in Stars Hollow anymore but I did live here for a very long time, I spend every other weekend here, I'm getting married here, so you hiding whatever this is from me and mom and Luke is just not nice! You're seriously freaking me out, so please stop!" Letting out a breath, she looked at Jess who'd just walked back in the room, nodding to let her know Lorelai was on her way.

"Taylor, I swear, if this was your idea and you're telling everyone some terrible story about Jess to get them on your side, I will be so mad, you have no idea!"

When the man didn't answer her, she sighed again, walking to the door. "Fine, you don't want to tell me what's going on, great! I hope you don't expect me to care!"

"How long, sugar?" Babette whispered from her chair, wiping her eyes.

"How long…what?"

"How long do you have?" Patty sobbed as well, making Rory turn around to look at her.

"Guys, no one is making any sense! What do you mean?"

"Rory, there's no use hiding it from us any longer. East Side Tilly heard you today in the diner."

Looking at Jess, she took a deep breath, shaking her head. "What did she hear?"

"We know you're not drinking, sweetie! And that you're not feeling well." Babette nodded, pulling more Kleenex out of a box.

"And food!"

"What about food?"

"You barely touched your lunch." Patty answered, making Rory sigh.

"Plus you're barely ever in the diner any more, and you look so pale and tired all the time…"

"Everyone, you're reading far too much into this, ok?"

"Thanksgiving!" Kirk shouted, making Rory and Jess look in his direction.

"What about Thanksgiving?" She asked again, walking to her fiancé and taking his hand, trying to keep him calm.

"I dropped by Lorelai's house and you were both upstairs!"

Laughing softly, she shook her head. "And from this you reached the conclusion that I was sick?"

"You are getting married very fast, doll!" Babette chimed in again, this time calmer.

"Guys, Jess and I have been together for years. If we can get married now, does anyone here actually see a point in us waiting?"

"Suppose not…" Someone mumbled and a few other voices joined in.

"I am not sick, I am definitely not dying, everything is ok. I swear."

"Are you sure?" Kirk yelled from the back and Rory nodded again, smiling.

"Yes."

"Then what's going on?" Patty asked again after a few seconds of silence, making Rory blush and look at Jess, squeezing his hand.

"Uh…nothing."

"Rory, what is it?" Babette inquired again just as Lorelai walked in.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, we solved it." Rory reassured her.

"You did not solve anything, young lady!" Taylor protested, looking at her. "We demand to know what's going on!"

Looking from Jess to her mother, Rory took a deep breath, biting her lip.

"Can I tell them?" She whispered in Jess' ear and he shrugged, rubbing her back slowly.

"Are you sure you want to?" He whispered back, looking at her, while all the people in the room watched them.

"I…maybe?"

"You don't have to tell them anything, Ror." He whispered again and Lorelai nodded. "We can just leave."

"I want to." She decided after thinking about it for a few seconds and Jess nodded, kissing her cheek.

"Ok."

"Is that ok with you?"

"Your town, your decision." He smiled softly, his arm still wrapped around her. Kissing him quickly, Rory turned around to face the town again, holding his hand tightly.

"First, I really appreciate your concern. Organizing a meeting over this is just…uh…exactly what I expected from all of you. And I really wasn't kidding when I said nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is pretty much the opposite of wrong."

"Honey, just say it already!" Someone yelled from the room and everyone else mumbled in agreement.

"Ok." Breathing in again and releasing the air slowly, she squeezed Jess hand even harder, biting her lip. "The reason for all of this is…well…I'm pregnant. Jess and I are going to have a baby."

Everyone in the room was silent for a few moments, while the three waited for their reaction.

"Are you serious?" Someone asked and Rory nodded, biting her lip.

"We wanted to wait until it was safer before we told everyone, but yes. Very serious." She grinned, glancing at Jess quickly.

"How far along?" Someone shouted from the back.

"Boy or girl?"

"Have you thought of a name?"

"Yes, are you naming her Lorelai if it's a girl?"

"Are you moving back here to raise it?"

People started asking from every corner of the room and soon enough, everyone was asking something, while Rory was trying to keep up with all of them.

"Enough!" Lorelai stepped in when she saw her daughter being overwhelmed by people trying to hug her and ask questions. "Let the girl breathe, you're going to hug her to death. One question at a time, ok?"

Pointing to a chair, Babette grinned. "Have a seat, doll." After a second of silence, everyone started asking questions again, making Jess chuckle while Rory and Lorelai were trying to answer all of them as best as they could.

"What happened first, baby or engagement?" Someone from the crowd asked again and everyone else went silent, waiting for Rory's answer.

"Engagement." She lied, squeezing Jess' hand. "We found out about the baby a few days after."

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Patty tried to ask something else but Rory stood up, taking a small step away from everyone.

"I know everyone has a lot of questions, but it's late and I'm very tired, so can we please wait until tomorrow?" Suddenly everyone stepped back, making her giggle. "Thanks."

"Are you ok, sugar?" Babette asked, concerned and Rory just nodded.

"Yes. Tired, that's all. I'll see everyone tomorrow." Taking Jess's hand, she quickly squeezed through the crowd and outside, with Lorelai following them, leaving everyone else behind, talking.

"They're all out of their minds, I hope you realize that!" Jess chuckled, hugging her close to him as they started walking towards the diner again.

"What did I miss?"

Rory quickly filled her mother in, laughing.

"They seriously thought…?"

"Yes."

"Crazy." Lorelai shook her head, pointing to the diner door. "Go get some sleep. I'll hide you from them tomorrow."

"Thanks, mom. Night." Hugging Lorelai quickly, Rory walked inside the diner, with Jess following her up the stairs into the apartment. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she just crashed back, Jess sitting next to her, his hand playing in her hair.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't have to tell them anything."

"I know. I was just tired of hiding this. I'm glad everyone knows now, I was getting so tired of hiding it. And…I don't know, if something bad happens, it would be nice to have their support."

"Nothing will happen." He reassured her, lying down next to her and waiting for her to curl up to him. "Why'd you tell them it happened the other way around?"

"I don't know." Rory shook her head, kissing his chest softly. "None of their business, I think. And it would have lead to far too much gossip and guessing about why we're getting married and I didn't want that."

"Ok."

"Did it bother you?" She looked up at him, biting her lip.

"As I said, your town, your call. I don't care." He smiled softly, rubbing her arm. "Go to sleep, it's late."

"You're going to stay up?"

"I was going to read for a while."

"Ok." Rory stood up, taking her shoes off and motioning towards the bathroom. "I'll take a shower and then be back."

"Need company?" Jess smirked, making her shake her head, laughing.

"How generous of you. You'd think that after all this time, you'd stop trying to suggest stuff like that in Luke's apartment."

"Never." He chuckled, picking up his messenger bag from the floor and rummaging through it, looking for his book. Almost half an hour later, Rory walked back in the room, crawling in bed next to Jess. Smiling when she saw the title of his book, she kissed his shoulder.

"I love you."

"Hm?" He looked away from his book, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You don't have to read pregnancy books with me, Jess." She offered but he shrugged, kissing the top of her head.

"Might as well. This way I can let you know if you've missed some essential milestone, like the kid growing a spleen or something." He smirked and Rory laughed, curling up closer to him.

"I love you."

"Go to sleep." He rubbed her arm slowly, looking at her and Rory shook her head, laughing softly before she closed her eyes.

"Good night."