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Two weeks later Rory headed to Stars Hollow. Lorelai and Luke are going to Nantucket the next day, and Rory helps her mother check she has everything packed.
"Extra jacket?"
"Check!"
"I think you're good to go, Miss Daisy."
Lorelai zips up her suitcase with a grunt of effort and sighs in relief.
"Thanks, kid."
"No problem, Mom."
Lorelai looks at her daughter carefully and asks, "Is everything okay?"
"I had a fight with Jess."
"You did? When?"
"A couple of weeks ago."
"You didn't say anything about a fight!"
"I didn't want to get into it," Rory says. "And we've talked since anyway."
Talking is a very generous term. Rory and Jess have called and texted intermittently, checking in, but their conversations are stilted and unnatural. They sound almost cool with each other and, against her will, Rory feels a big lump form in her throat and she sniffles.
"Hey," Lorelai says gently. "Let's get some coffee and talk about it."
They go downstairs and Rory sits at the table whilst her mother brews a pot. Paul Anka gives Rory's hand a comforting lick and she absently tousles his head as her mother brings the cups over.
"Start from the beginning."
So, taking a sip of coffee, Rory hesitantly tells her about Logan showing up, her argument with him and then Jess coming in and the fight stemmed from that.
"Wow," Lorelai says, staring over the rim of her cup. "Logan just showed up?"
"Just like that."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to dwell on it."
Rory takes another big sip of coffee and says, "I feel horrible. Logan said all this awful stuff to Jess -"
"Like what?"
"How he wasn't the father. And then Jess got mad at me for not standing up for him, and he was right, but it was all in such a rush and then Logan was gone and Jess and I were fighting and now -"
Her voice trails off and Lorelai aks gently, "Now what, Rory?"
"Now he's on a conference tour and I'm scared he'll want to break up with me."
Two fat tears spill into Rory's coffee and her mother lays a hand on her arm.
"Oh, honey. That's not going to happen."
"How do you know?"
"Jess is crazy about you."
"I feel like it's all gotten too complicated," Rory says in a wobbly voice. "What if he doesn't want to be with me anymore?"
Lorelai is silent for a moment and then says,
"Look, I don't know Jess as well as you, but he's been part of this family for a while. I know him pretty well and I don't think he wants to end things. You've been in each other's lives for so long."
"I don't know what to do."
"It'll be okay," Lorelai says, lifting her hand to her daughter's chin. "Maybe you both just need some space. It'll work out."
"Maybe I should have listened to you. Remember how you said it was a weird time to start a relationship?"
"But you've been together for a few months now. It sounds to me like you're crazy about each other."
Rory nods, looking away, and Lorelai leans over and kisses her cheek.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay? You don't want us to cancel?"
"What?" Rory asks, shaking herself. "Oh Mom, I'm fine. I want you to go."
"Gee thanks," Lorelai jokes but she sounds relieved.
"This break will be good for you, and good for me too," Rory continues. "I've nearly finished my first draft and I'm going to be able to get so much done. It's nice being home."
"Nice to have you home," Lorelai says, smiling. "And just think - next time you're home, you'll have the baby!"
"Oh, don't!" Rory exclaims but she laughs. She and Lorelai finish their drinks and Rory slowly gets up.
"I'm going to get some air."
Opening the back door, Rory steps out into the evening. It's so warm now she doesn't need a jacket and Rory stretches her arms. She's glad she won't still be pregnant in the middle of summer, as she's already feeling too hot and it's early June. Rory takes in deep breaths of the sweet air, closing her eyes, when a sound breaks the spell. Rory opens her eyes and heads over to the garage, where she can hear the noise of a buzzing, and goes in to find Luke bending over some wood with an electric saw.
"Hey."
"Jeez!" Luke jumps, dropping the saw and turns to see Rory. "I thought you were helping Lorelai pack!"
He bends over, turning the saw off, and Rory tells him, "I was but we're done. What's all this?"
Luke moves to block his project, looking guilty, but he relents and steps to the side.
"Take a look."
Rory peers over, unable to bend now, and gasps as she takes in the sight of a rocker.
"Oh, Luke, a cradle?"
"Going to be," Luke says sheepishly. "I need to put the bed on the rocker and fix the headboard, and then it'll be ready. Of course, it won't stay in the garage, I guess we'll put it in your own room or - ah, well. Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful," Rory says in admiration. She picks up the headboard which is on the shelf next to her and reads the engraving ABC on it.
"Thought you'd like that," Luke says. "It's kind of educational, and if it's anything like you that kid'll read its weight in books. Of course, it's a baby so it'll probably chew its way through them first."
Rory laughs loudly and puts her arm around her stepfather.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Luke gives her a sideways hug and kisses her cheek, which is unexpected but nice. "You doing okay? With everything, I mean?"
"I'm fine," Rory says but her voice must be uncertain as Luke looks at her knowingly.
"I had a fight with Jess," she admits. She leans against the wall and Luke picks up a chair in the corner, putting it beside her.
"You shouldn't stand," he says evenly. Rory sits down and silently Luke turns back to the cradle. Rory thinks for a minute and says, "It was a horrible fight."
"Yeah?" Luke sounds curious but he doesn't turn, letting Rory find the words. That's something she's always loved about Luke. He always lets her take her time, not hammering her with questions before she can think.
"Logan came over." Rory sees Luke stiffen slightly but he stays silent. "I didn't know he was going to. I just came home, from the baby shower and staying with Mom, and he was there. He hadn't called or anything. He was in New York for some work thing and dropped in."
"Really?" Luke asks, his tone somewhat sour. "How'd it go?"
"Not great. I was so mad at him. And then he was asking about the baby and I let him feel the baby kick and then Jess came over and we got into a fight."
Rory stops for breath, staring at her hands. Luke doesn't say anything and Rory rushes on,
"Logan said all this terrible stuff to Jess and I didn't say anything, and I know I should have done but it was all so fast, and then Jess was mad at me. We yelled at each other and then he went on a conference and I came here and we haven't spoken properly. I'm scared I've pushed him away."
Rory wipes away a tear and Luke says gently, "Impossible."
"How do you know?"
"My nephew is infatuated with you."
"It was such a bad fight," Rory says miserably. "Jess was mad about Logan coming over and saying it's not right that he's the father because he's never around, and he's right, but I can't stop Logan being the father. And I just - I don't think it's right if Logan never shows up, but I feel like I have to give him a chance. Maybe I screwed up."
"You weren't wrong to tell him," Luke says, straightening up and turning back round. "I was so hurt when Anna didn't tell me about April. I think it's good Logan knows."
"It's all such a mess," Rory says, fighting the lump in her throat again. "I don't think it's fair that Logan keeps it secret, but I don't know what to do. What if Jess thinks it's too hard? I wouldn't blame him. What if I've pushed him away?"
"You haven't pushed him away," Luke says seriously. "I don't have the answer, Rory, but I know he loves you. And Logan - some guys aren't fit to be fathers. You can give him a chance, but if he does it wrong it's not on you to fix it. Look after your kid and love it all you can. Protect it all you can."
"What if it blames me?" Rory asks, her voice caught. "What if it thinks it's their fault?"
"Parenting is hard," Luke says, after a pause. "But Rory, your kid will be so loved. Tell it that. Tell Logan what you want. It's on him to be a decent father."
"What if it's too complicated for Jess?"
"It's not," Luke says simply. "Rory, months ago I went to stay with Jess. You guys had had a fight about something - it was when Logan got married, I think. And Jess missed you but didn't know if it was right anyway and I asked him - ah jeez, this is all so Lifetime, but I asked him where he saw himself next year. If he wanted you around. And he just nodded, and said he was so sure, and I said he had to give it a shot. Rory, he loves you. Ever since you two met there's been something. And he doesn't care about how complicated it is. He just wants you - and the baby - in his life."
Rory smiles and Luke adds,
"When April came into the picture I never wanted to make things simpler. Not without Lorelai, I mean. And I didn't tell her that enough. Be honest with each other, don't let pride screw things up. The rest will take care of itself."
"You think?" Rory asks and Luke nods.
"I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I know he wants to be with you. You'll figure things out."
Rory nods and says quietly, "Thanks, Luke."
Luke gives her another hug and kisses the top of her head.
"You're going to be an incredible mother, Rory."
"And you'll be an incredible grandfather," Rory says. They both smile at each other, not needing to speak, when they're interrupted by Lorelai calling,
"Hey, where are you guys?"
The next morning, Luke and Lorelai leave early. Rory and Paul Anka wave them off, Lorelai stopping to kiss Rory goodbye for the third time.
"I promise to call when we get there."
"I know. Give my love to Grandma."
"I will, and everyone else. Look after yourself, kid."
"I promise."
"I mean it, Timmy. No falling down the well."
"I wouldn't fit," Rory giggles. "Now go before you hit traffic!"
"Plus I want to get road snacks," Lorelai grins, groaning as Luke shouts, "We've been through this! No unscheduled stops!"
"Killjoy!" Lorelai teases. "Okay, I'm coming. Paul Anka, look after Rory."
Paul Anka whines at this and Rory says bluntly, "He's a terrible guard dog. I'll look after him."
"Remember he's afraid of watches. Okay, I'm going before Luke bursts a vein. Love you, sweets."
"Love you too, Mom. Bye!"
Rory waves and waves and Paul Anka barks until the truck is out of sight. Rory looks at Paul Anka and says, "Ready to watch the homestead?"
Paul Anka barks in reply, putting his paws up, and Rory laughs. She goes back inside, unused to the quiet, and puts on some coffee.
The next few days pass smoothly. Rory orders pizza the first night but, after Joe's exclamations over how huge she is bring over Morey and Babette to chime in, she decides to use what's in the fridge. Lane comes over to watch a movie, bringing supplies, and the rest of the time Rory blissfully writes in peace, aside from when Paul Anka needs her. It's disorientating, waking up in her childhood bedroom, and sometimes she half convinces herself she's sixteen again. It works until she looks down, or if the baby gives a hearty kick, and Rory laughs.
"But you know, Mom was sixteen when she had me," she says to the bump. "Isn't that a crazy thought?"
One day Rory is out of snacks. She tries to forget about it but cravings overtake her and, giving in, she grabs her purse and makes her way to Doose's market. Trying not to think about how a pair of eight-year-olds outstrolled her, Rory grabs a basket and throws in some nuts and milkduds. Tossing in some extra things she's out of, Rory heads to the register in relief, but then jumps as Taylor loudly says behind her,
"Rory, just look at you!"
Rory slowly turns around, an awkward smile forced to her face, and Taylor spreads his hands.
"Are you sure it's not twins?"
"Oh, I'm sure. Just got one in there."
"Well, it's certainly big enough. You look ready to burst!"
"That's not in my plans."
Rory tries to turn back round to pay but Taylor says happily,
"I'm so glad it's going to be born before July. We can put it in the summer parade!"
"No, you won't," Rory says flatly. "It'll be about two weeks old."
"Well, you can still enter it in the baby pageant. You'll win a month's supply of Doose's coupons and we'll hang its picture over the register!"
"Oh boy."
"Did you say it's a boy?"
"No, I -" Rory pauses, shaking her head. "I don't know what it's going to be. Look Taylor, it's really nice of you, but I can't promise anything. I'll be in New York and the baby will be so little that -"
"Rory, you have to promise to try," Taylor exclaims. "You were star of all our parades! Promise at least one celebration?"
"Maybe one," Rory compromises. "I'll see."
"And you'll let me teach it ballet?" Miss Patty asks, coming in. "Maybe this one will inherit a gift of dance!"
"Not from me," Rory says ruefully and bites her lip as Miss Patty cries, "Was its father a dancer? Oh Rory, do tell us who!"
"He wasn't a dancer. Guys, I'm sorry, but I really need to go."
"Oh, of course honey. You know, I was born in a dance studio," Miss Patty says smugly. "That's where they said I got my talent for show!"
"Well, I plan to give birth in hospital," Rory says, handing over her money and taking the bag. "But I promise that it can have lessons, if it wants to."
"Maybe this one will cheer for Harvard too! Goodbye, angel."
"Bye, Miss Patty. Bye, Taylor."
"Goodbye," Taylor says. "And do tell us when it's born? I've got a bet going with Andrew if it's a boy."
"You've what?"
"Er, nothing," Taylor says, coughing as Rory frowns. "Enjoy your day, dear."
Rory is grateful to get home. She shuts the door with a sigh, feeds Paul Anka, and makes a small dinner for herself.
"I wonder where you'll cheer for," Rory says to the baby between kicks. "Harvard or Yale? Or somewhere else? Let me know when you've chewed through your books."
The baby kicks again and Rory giggles.
"Just kidding. No pressure, kid."
After watching a movie, Rory goes into her room and opens her laptop. She writes and writes and writes, not looking at the time, and stops only to go to the bathroom. Rory works into the night, not tired at all, and when she stops it's three in the morning. Amazed, Rory saves her work and sits back in her chair. It's done. The first draft, at last, is finished and a slow smile spreads across her face. Rory squashes the urge to reread right away and get caught in another hour's work and closes the computer, stretching. Getting up, she yawns and lies sideways on the bed. Rory intends to only close her eyes for a moment before getting ready for bed properly, but then wakes with a start a few hours later. Wide awake, she slowly gets up and pushes open the curtains, letting the early light stream through into the room. The posters and books are suddenly glossed with sunlight and Rory smiles. She imagines sliding her own book onto the shelf someday and, shaking her head at herself, goes into the kitchen and makes a cup of coffee. As she does so, a pain spreads across her back and Rory ignores it. It soon fades and she walks out to the back porch to sip her drink. A few moments later the pain comes again and Rory puts a hand on her back.
"Hey, what's up?" she asks her bump. "Are you cranky with me about something?"
The pain recedes and Rory sits down, drinking the rest of her coffee. No sooner has she finished when the pain starts back up, encroaching all around her.
"Ow!"
Rory is starting to feel mildly worried and tries to calm herself. It's probably that thing they went through in class - Braxton Hicks - and will stop soon enough. It's too soon for anything to happen. Rory sits back, determined to relax, but then the pain comes again. Rory puts a hand on her stomach and it's gone rock hard. The pain is insistent and as it fades, the bump relaxes, but Rory does not. She's sure now and frantically shakes her head.
"You can't come now," she says desperarely to the baby. "It's too early, it's too soon. Mom's not here. You aren't due yet."
Some time passes again but the ache wraps around her and Rory gasps in blind panic. It's too early but it's started to happen. She's gone into labour.
