Chapter 28
The following morning, the couple awoke wrapped in one another's arms. Rory got out of bed and padded toward the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" Finn asked.
"The baby decided to use my bladder as a trampoline," she replied and Finn chuckled.
When she came back into the room, he was sitting on the side of the bed. She went over to give him a kiss. As soon as she leaned down, he pulled her onto his lap. His plan backfired as it caused Rory to fall on top of him. He hadn't taken into account how her center of gravity had shifted with the growing baby.
They laughed at the mishap. He loved that they didn't take everything too seriously. They stayed there and savored the moment. A minute later, it was interrupted by the baby moving around. Rory grabbed Finn's hand and put it on her stomach.
"Hey, baby girl! How are you?" Finn asked speaking to her stomach.
Once again, she responded to the sound of his voice. It amazed Rory that she became so active when he talked to her.
"I keep telling you that she likes you more than me," she stated and smiled.
"Can you blame her?" he replied with a wink and smile.
"She's a baby and doesn't know better yet," Rory joked.
"Oh, I'm offended," he said acting hurt.
Rory laughed and then reached up to kiss him. They shared a sweet kiss.
"I'm still feeling a little offended..."
"Don't push your luck, Mister!" Rory replied and the baby started kicking more. "I guess someone is defending you!"
"It seems one of you lovely ladies has finally succumbed to my arrogance and charm."
"You aren't nearly as arrogant as you were ten years ago," she said smiling.
"Are you saying you're surrendering to my charm?" he inquired with a wink.
"I'll plead the fifth," she replied and gave a blushing smile.
Finn looked into Rory's eyes for a moment. He could see the sparkle returning and felt her warmth begin to radiate once more.
"I see," he retorted with a smile. "So...have you thought of any names yet?"
"I have, but I'm not totally sure where Logan stands in all of this."
"I didn't ask about him, I asked about you," he replied softly.
"Well, Lorelai is kind of a tradition in my family. My mom named me after herself, and she was named after her grandma," Rory explained.
"So, you'll carry that on?"
"I'm not sure yet. I've still got time and I'm open to other suggestions."
"You can always name her after your favorite Aussie," Finn recommended with a sly grin
"So, I should name her Kylie?" Rory countered jokingly.
"Very funny, Love, but you know I am her favorite," he explained.
"Well, what do you really think I should name her?"
"Are you asking me for baby names?" he asked a bit surprised she'd want his input.
"Yes, I am," she replied positively. "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want your ideas."
"I guess I hadn't really thought about it," he said. Wow, this is huge that she's asking for my involvement in the naming process. I know she doesn't have to include me, but I'm excited that she is, he thought.
"I can't ask my boyfriend for suggestions?" Rory asked disappointedly.
"Hmmmm..." he said. "What about Imogen? Charlotte? Isabelle? Amelia?"
"Are you serious about these, or just naming old girlfriends?" she asked jokingly.
"Damn! I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out!" he retorted and paused for a moment to think. "How about Victoria?"
"Victoria is actually my mom's middle name. I hadn't really considered it before," Rory replied. Maybe he has thought about this, she thought happily.
"I didn't know that. It was my Momu's name."
"Momu? Your grandma?" she asked for clarification.
"Yes, my mum's mum," he replied.
"Ok, slight change of subject, but I can't believe you got this suite for us! It's so...perfect! I didn't really get the chance to tell you last night," she said.
"It's called the Fitzgerald Suite. It was designed by Catherine Martin as a tribute to the Jazz Age and F. Scott Fitzgerald," he explained.
"That's exactly what it reminds me of! I feel like I should be dressed like Daisy! I need one of those cute flapper dresses, a headband with a feather, and a long strand of pearls," Rory replied still thinking. "Now, I'm picturing you in one of those cream-colored three-piece suits."
"I could make that happen if you'd like," he said with a cheesy grin.
"Right now, I think I'd be good with some food and coffee," she replied with a heavy hint.
"How about I get some coffee going while you grab a shower?" he suggested.
"Real coffee?"
"It's the only one you're getting," he warned with a smile.
"Maybe I could do a 50/50 blend now and a second one later?" she asked pleadingly. She gave Finn her best doe-eyed look.
"Damn you and your blue eyes, Gilmore!" he cursed jokingly. "You know how to get me, don't you?!"
"It's a gift really," she replied with a big grin.
After she took her shower, Finn brought her a 50/50 decaf blend while she got ready for the day. She opted for a comfortable melon-colored jersey dress with dark grey leggings. She paired it with ballet flats. Wisely, she'd invested in a pair of Tieks. They came everywhere with her and had been her saving grace now that most of her dress shoes were becoming uncomfortable to wear. She threw her hair into a low ponytail and put on some light make-up. He didn't know how she did it, but she managed to look beautiful with almost no effort.
"So, what's the plan?" she asked.
"I thought we'd start off at Chelsea Market and go from there. I did manage to pull a few strings for a show tonight, so I made reservations for an early dinner," Finn said laying out his plan for the day.
"We'll have time to come back and change?" she asked.
"Yes, we will," he responded. "Hold on, you're not going to ask what show or where we're going for dinner?"
"I'm trying this new thing where I don't ask and let you have your surprises," she answered smiling.
"Ok," he replied. "Shall we head out in search of some brunch?"
"Lead the way, Finn," she said with a big smile.
A short while later, the duo arrived at Chelsea Market. They wandered around for a bit, taking in all of the wonderful smells. Rory was drawn to Los Tacos No.1, and Finn took a liking to Tuck Shop. He was always looking for a bit of home, and he'd found just the place. They took their food to go and grabbed a nearby bench.
"Oh, wow! My mom needs to try these tacos!" Rory exclaimed. "I don't know how I lived in NYC so long without trying this place."
"I'm not sure you can beat these meat pies, and yes, I know how incredibly dirty that just sounded," Finn said laughing.
"Better than Luke's?"
"This one is more refined, and Luke's is like my mum's," he replied.
After their meal, they went back into Chelsea Market, where there was an ID Pop Shop happening. There were many local designers' goods from which to choose. They enjoyed browsing the unique offerings. Once Finn was fully satisfied with the abused state of his credit card, they made their way back to the Plaza. They had just enough time to change for their dinner date.
Dinner at Trattoria Trecolori breezed by quicker than either had anticipated, and they didn't even have time for dessert. Finn and Rory walked to Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. When she saw the marquee, her eyes lit up in excitement.
"Oh, my gosh! I had just been reading some early reviews about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This is one of my all-time favorite movies," Rory gushed.
"We'd better hurry because the show starts in ten minutes," he replied with a grin.
They made it inside just as the lobby lights flashed to indicate the show would be starting in a few minutes. Finn had managed to get some great seats thanks to some business contacts. He put his arm around Rory, and they settled in for the show. She sat in amazement as one of her favorite movies came to life on the big stage. At the intermission, they found the concessions stand for some quick snacks.
"I swear the actor who plays Willy Wonka looks like the twin brother of the guy who played the lead role in the Stars Hollow musical," Rory noted. "Hold on, I think I've got a picture on my phone."
She dug her phone out and scrolled through the pictures. Finn watched as she continued to look. "A-ha! Here it is," she said flashing her phone to him. "See! Except for the facial hair Carl is sporting, they look exactly alike!"
"Nope, I'm not seeing it. I think you keep seeing things that aren't there, much like I don't think I look anything like the chap who plays Christopher House on Roadies," Finn replied.
"Really? Maybe the pregnancy is messing with my brain once again. Mom told me that Sookie used to think everyone and everything looked like someone famous," Rory recalled. "I remember one time I woke up to Sookie shaking me, telling me she wanted the baby out!"
"I had no idea pregnancy was such a rough ride! Wait a minute. Go back to the part about the Stars Hollow musical. There is such a thing?" Finn asked, brow raised.
"Taylor thought it would help put us on the map," Rory explained. "This one turned out to be a big hit with the town, except my mom. She was on the advisory committee and got into it with Taylor over her criticism."
"And Taylor is?"
"Oh, he runs the ice cream shop next to Luke's. He's also town selectman, which is kind of like the mayor. He's always coming up with harebrained schemes to make Stars Hollow rich or popular."
"Has anyone ever thought of using Stars Hollow for a case study?" he asked jokingly.
"Not to my knowledge, but it would certainly make for an interesting paper!" she said. "Speaking of papers, the woman playing Mrs. Teavee reminds me of Esther. She was administrative support while I was editor of the Stars Hollow Gazette."
"Maybe she's moonlighting as a Broadway actress," Finn suggested.
"I don't know. She seemed pretty attached to her filing. Probably just seeing things again," she replied laughing.
Once again, the lights in the lobby flashed to signal the patrons. Rory slid her arm through Finn's as he escorted her back to their seats.
