AN - Thanks everyone glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the continued kind words and support. Ahh Emily ;) read on macduff. I think this chapter means we're three quarters of the way through so getting there. Enjoy, let me know what you think x
Chapter 37 - Little Talks
Lorelai glanced up from her paperwork as she detected a change in the movement from the babies on the play mat at her feet. Pushing aside the electric bill she fixed her attention on Willow as the baby raised her legs again. Lorelai stifled a squeal as Willow half turned herself so the baby was lying on her side. The baby looked shocked for a moment, stuck, unsure what to do with her arm so rolled back of her back. Lorelai remained perfectly still, watching as Willow attempted her new trick again, using her legs to roll herself onto her side and then flop onto her belly. Willow made a squeak, her hand caught under her but she lifted her head hesitantly and pulled her chubby little hand out from under her, balancing on her belly as she rocked with her legs kicking and her arms flailing as she tried to hold her head up. Lorelai gave a little clap and then got to her knees. "Who's Mommy's clever girl?" she praised the baby, letting the child rock on her stomach. "Did you roll over all by yourself!"
Willow vocalised and gave a little chuckle before flopping down as her muscles lost their energy, after a moment the baby tried to raise her head again failed and began to whimper.
"Oh no, no tears," Lorelai scooped the baby up, stopping any crying and laid the baby on her back again. She tickled Willow's tummy making the baby kick and squeal in delight. Lorelai sat back on her heels and watched as Willow began the process again.
After a few more times of Willow refining her new move but not being able to roll over from her belly to her back, Lorelai left the baby propped on her front and collected her cell phone off the table. She quickly hit her speed dial shortcut and waited for the call to connect.
"Luke's!"
"Guess what your super amazing awesome daughter just did?" Lorelai grinned at the baby.
"You want to narrow it down for me, and do it quick. I'm slammed in here today," Luke muttered down the phone.
"Aww, you're no fun!" Lorelai pouted. "I want you to guess."
"Lorelai!" His exasperated reply sounded down the phone. "At least tell me which kid I'm thinking about. We've got 4 daughters, anyone of them could be described as super amazing awesome."
"Willow."
"She started talking."
"At just turned four months!" Lorelai giggled. "Nice idea but think smaller."
"Take this it's over there," Luke spoke to someone at the other end of the line. "Give me one sec."
"I dunno," Lorelai shook her head, smiling at Kitty as the baby kicked her legs. "Your Daddy is busy all day long."
"Ok go," Luke sounded. "I'm in the kitchen so I've got about thirty seconds before Cesar starts complaining."
"Guess."
"Lorelai, seriously?" The sound of an exasperated sigh echoed down the line. "She's four months so I dunno, she grabbed something, or sat up or rolled over or…"
"Ding ding ding we have a winner!" Lorelai raised her arms in mock congratulations as the babies made chortling noise.
"She rolled over?"
"You're smiling, aww, Willow you made your Daddy super proud," Lorelai tickled the baby's feet. "She did, she can only go from back to front so she is looking like she's superman right now."
"Next step crawling."
"Oi," Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Maybe you should make a baby run."
"It might be a good idea," Luke laughed.
"Kitty isn't doing it yet. do you think that means anything?" Lorelai asked nervously.
"April did it when she was a bit older."
"So did Rory," Lorelai chewed her lip. "So I'm worrying over nothing, we've just got a super advanced Bubba."
"Sounds like we do. I gotta go now. Make sure she doesn't tire herself out so she can show me her trick when I get back."
"I will," Lorelai smiled down the phone. "Bye Hun," she closed the phone call and then rolled Willow onto her back and scooped up Kitty. "Watch Kitty, watch Willow," she pointed at the other baby. "Look, can you do that?" She giggled as Kitty made a raspberry noise, the baby kicking her legs in delight. "Oh I see, you're our chatterer and Willow is our mover," she smiled as Kitty made the noise again.
xXx
"ROOORRRRYYYY!"
Rory jerked awake a fraction of a second before the weight of her four year old sister landed with full force on her ribs. She groaned as Gigi started to bounce on top of her. "I'm awake," she pushed the little girl off her and onto the mattress. "How are you so full of beans?"
"I not full of beans," Gigi slumped down onto the mattress giggling excitedly. "I hate beans, they yucky."
"I agree." Rory wiped the sleep out of her eye and glanced at the clock. It was 8.00am, early in holiday time but to her excited four year old sister it was clearly the time to be awake. Gigi had woken her at the exact same time yesterday.
When she had arrived the day before last Gigi had initially been wary of her but as with their visit at Christmas once Rory had got down and played with her Gigi had warmed to her, the key moment had been when Rory brought out a notebook of new stories and Gigi had finally twigged who she was. It was clear eight months was a long time for the four year old and while she didn't recognise Rory physically she did recognise the stories she received via Francine. Ever since that moment Gigi had been stuck to her like glue. "So, I guess I should get out of bed," Rory yawned.
"YEAH," Gigi slid off the mattress and ran to the end of the bed grabbing hold of Rory's foot and trying to pull her out.
"I'm getting, I'm getting," Rory pulled her foot out of her sister's strong grip and slid out of the welcoming bed. "What are we doing today?"
"Beach!" Gigi shouted excitedly.
"So I suppose I better get my coat," Rory joked as she pulled on a light cardigan.
"NO!" Gigi shook her head as she gave a sparkling laugh, "bathing suit."
"Oh I see," Rory hefted the child into her arms. "Lets go find your Nanna and check if we are going shopping first. I don't want to wear my suit to the store," she put Gigi down as she exited her bedroom and her sister immediately grabbed her hand, swinging it back and forth. "Where is she?"
"Kitchen," Gigi started to run dragging her down the hallway to the kitchen of the beautiful holiday bungalow they were staying in. "Nanna, we go shopping?"
Francine looked up from her breakfast and smiled at her granddaughters. "Perhaps later. Good Morning Rory,"
"Good Morning," Rory gave a contented sigh as she smelt the rich aroma of coffee. "Gigi said we were going to the beach."
"In the afternoon," Francine held her hand out as Gigi ran round the table and tried to clamber onto her lap. "Gigi can you be a big girl and play by yourself for a little while, Rory needs to have her breakfast and wake up a little."
Gigi gave a dramatic sigh and her shoulder sagged. "Not be long."
"I won't be long," Rory promised her. "I just need some coffee."
"Kay," Gigi trotted out of the kitchen with a small smile.
Rory faced Francine with a nervous edge, she could sense something was about to come but she wasn't sure what it was, or if she was awake enough for it.
"I spoke with your fa…I spoke with Christopher last night," Francine told her lightly as she got up from the table and moved over to the coffee maker to pour Rory a large cup of coffee. "I pressed the issue of you seeing Gigi on a more regular basis."
"Yeah?" Rory rested her hip against the granite counter, folding her arms around her nervously.
"I told him how happy Gigi was," Francine held out the coffee cautiously. "He has agreed that you may see her once a month."
"Really?" Rory took the coffee and held it in her hands.
"It would mean that you would have to see me also," Francine told her gently.
"That's OK," Rory took a sip from the cup letting the bitter warmth flood through her.
"We can come down to New Haven, if this is easier, when you are back at school," Francine clasped her hands nervously in front of her.
"We can work it out, what works best each month," Rory nodded giving her a weak smile. "Why did it take him so long to agree?"
Francine swallowed and moved over to the fridge she rummaged inside, bringing out items that were needed for a cooked breakfast to delay her response. "He doesn't like to be told what to do," Francine set the breakfast foods on the counter and gave Rory a nervous smiled. "I also spoke to him about the inheritance."
"What?" Rory looked at her in surprise.
"Your inheritance from Straub's father, and also from Straub," Francine swallowed nervously. "I told Christopher that it was only fair that you get half of what was allocated for Gigi or more to the point Christopher's descendants."
"I don't want anything," Rory shook her head.
"I thought you might say that," Francine gave her a weak smile. "Your fa…Christopher was reluctant also but I feel you are entitled."
"Francine, I really don't…"
"I'm only telling you, as you will be contacted by the lawyer in due course" Francine turned attention to the breakfast foods. "Now, how would you like your eggs?"
"Scrambled," Rory whispered staring at her grandmother in surprise. As she opened her mouth to protest she caught sight of Gigi running back towards the kitchen and she put her coffee mug to one side. "Gigi I haven't eaten yet," she gave her little sister a large smile as the child hurtled into the kitchen.
"Ohhhhhh!" Gigi slammed into her. "Story till you eat?" the blond haired child looked up at her hopefully out of the top of her eyes.
"Oh go on then," Rory hefted the child into her arms again. "Let's go find my notebook!"
xXx
Lorelai nestled her head into the crook of Luke's arm and stared up at the tree branches above. It was their date night, or date afternoon. They had had big plans following the conversation at Lane's wedding 2 months ago but circumstances of having two small babies had meant they never quite got there, so date night had become them having an hour together, when they weren't working or doing chores. April was inside the house and the twins were asleep and they both knew at any moment that their time alone could come crashing to end.
"You want anything?" Luke asked lazily stroking her bicep.
"Nope," Lorelai sighed contently. "I like this, just us."
"Not a proper date though is it?" Luke whispered.
"It's the perfect date, not quite April 25th but still perfect," Lorelai rolled into him, resting her chin on his chest as she looked up at him. "It's you, it's me, its food, our pretty garden," she sighed and ran her hand across his chest. "It's just us."
"You missed it?" Luke smiled warmly at her.
"We never really got a chance to be it," Lorelai sighed. "Well we did I suppose, but everything was about the wedding, and then everything was about babies. We have to make sure we are us, and not just when we get frisky. We have to appreciate the little moments. For example I am very appreciative that you made me my favourite burger."
"It's what I'm here for," Luke held her tightly. "You're happy though right, with everything?"
"I'm happy."
"You don't sound it," Luke's voice dripped with concern.
"I'm happy, I have you, we have us, our beautiful amazing daughters, we have our house, and I'm looking forward to getting back to work."
"But?" Luke pressed, he held her tightly, feeling as if he could hear the cogs of her brain working.
After the longest pause she breathed the answer. "Mom."
"What about Emily? She's been great" Luke frowned slightly. "Other than the whole buying everything under the sun."
"Everything is kind of great right now. She just seems down. Upset. I'm not sure why," Lorelai whispered. After a moment she let out a large huff. "It's our date time and I'm thinking about my mother, she gets everywhere."
"You talked about her yesterday as well, five times, unprompted. It almost eclipsed the six phone calls from the inn," Luke pointed out. "Maybe it would be better if you just talked to her, then you can enjoy what moments we have," Luke reasoned.
"You're right," Lorelai nodded and trailed her hand across his chest once more.
"How about after you feed the twins," Luke pressed gently.
"Today?"
"No point on it weighing on you," Luke lifted his chest slightly in lieu of nudging her. "That way we can enjoy tomorrow."
"Kay," Lorelai mumbled and rolled off his chest resuming her position in the crook of his arm. "Oh!" she raised her arm pointing up at the clouds visible just beyond the trees. "Look!"
"At the clouds?"
"They look like elephants," Lorelai told him. "And that one looks like a teddy bear."
"Just clouds,"
"You have no joy Oscar."
"Huh?" Luke looked down at her.
"Sesame Street," Lorelai muttered as if it explained with a roll of her eyes. "Find the joy. See, that one looks like a boat."
"Whatever you say," Luke shrugged slightly, laughing lightly as she continued to point out random non-existent shapes in the fluffy clouds.
xXx
Lorelai smiled gratefully as her parent's newest maid permitted her entry into the house. With a polite smile the small woman gestured to the back of the house and Lorelai made her way through the house to the patio. Her mother was sat on the stone bench tending to a plant, her normally immaculate hair crushed beneath a straw hat to ward of the sun.
"Hi Mom," Lorelai called brightly.
Emily gave a start and looked up at her in surprise. "Lorelai?! What are you doing here?" she looked Lorelai up and down. "Where are the girls?"
"With Luke," Lorelai approached and joined her mother on the stone bench. "I wanted to see how you were."
"Why?" Emily stared at her with surprised incredulity. "You couldn't do that over the phone?"
"Well, a lot of what you say is what you don't say." Lorelai smiled, keeping her voice calm and level. "You'd just tell me you were fine."
"I am fine," Emily snipped, somewhat aggressively snipping the plant.
"You're not sick or under the weather?" Lorelai checked.
"No," Emily bristled.
"So I don't need to get you any vitameatavegamin?"
"What on earth are you talking about?" Emily looked at her in confusion
"Never mind," Lorelai grinned cheekily at her. "So, not sick and you're not down in the dumps."
"I am fine."
"So, you say but I think something is bothering you."
"You do, do you," Emily nearly decapitated a flower in her effort to appear busy.
"Uh huh," Lorelai nodded and studied Emily intently. Emily shivered under her gaze and tried continue with her gardening. Sensing that her mother wasn't going to engage unless prompted Lorelai sighed and inched closer towards her mother. The slight movement made Emily freeze and look at her warily. "See on my way over here I was thinking. Why am I worried that Mom is upset? Why does the fact that she seems unsettled over not seeing April every week or that she didn't wig out over my adult daughter getting drunk a few weeks back bother me?" she smiled gently. "Why do these things matter? And I realised they are bothering me because my Mom doesn't seem so her. She seems less particular about things. And you being particular about things has been a pretty good guide post for me over the years, it lets me know where I stand," she smiled as Emily's hands lowered from the plants. "So I was driving along thinking why would Mom be upset? Because everything is great with Dad, she's got beautiful grandbabies and other sundry granddaughters who she adores, she's busy with her clubs and associations, we're not fighting, and then it hit me, we're not fighting but we're not talking as much as we were when I was pregnant and then something Rory said to me in the hospital struck," she paused and looked pointedly at Emily.
After a moment, Emily rolled her eyes and gave an annoyed sigh. "And what was that?"
"That you are lonely," Lorelai told her carefully.
Emily scowled at her, her shoulders tightening and her grip becoming vice like on her secateurs. "I'm not lonely. I have plenty of friends. As you said I'm busy with my clubs."
"I know you have lots of friends through your clubs. But are they people that you can talk with. Shoot the breeze. Chew the fat. Spin a yarn. Are they friend friends?"
"Lorelai!" Emily frowned at her.
"So I figured that I'd offer the aforementioned spinning," Lorelai smiled at her, "you know in the interest of maybe not being so mother and daughter always."
Emily's expression softened for a moment and she gave a soft smile, futzing with the plant in front of her.
"So?" Lorelai prompted. "Let's spin a yarn."
"We don't need to have a conversation," Emily shook her head, her face hardening slightly. "There is nothing that needs discussing."
"Ok," Lorelai smiled warmly at her, "but if you feel like it, even if you think it's silly. Coz I don't know if you've noticed I'm good at silly. The only thing I draw the line at is anything bedroom related between you and Dad. Because ew!"
"Lorelai!" Emily looked flustered.
"I mean, I'm perfectly content with thinking you only di…"
"Please do not finish that sentence," Emily closed her eyes and grimaced. "I appreciate the sentiment," she opened her eyes and regarded Lorelai for a long moment before sighing. "You aren't going to go until we talk about something are you?"
"Nope."
"So stubborn," Emily shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine, perhaps I am feeling a bit out of sorts, but I'm not lonely."
"I apologise for insinuating," Lorelai held her hands out to indicated her apology. "Why do you think you feel a bit out of sorts?"
Emily sighed dramatically and flopped down onto the bench. After a moment she repeated her sigh. "I'm stuck still, everyone's lives are moving forward and here I am doing the same things."
"So you're bored?" Lorelai asked carefully.
"I don't see how I can be bored, I'm so busy, I can't do more associations, I don't have the time!" Emily grimaced at the thought.
Lorelai stifled a smile "Ok, so you're not fulfilled."
"Yes, that is a good description," Emily nodded and gave her a weak smile, suddenly a flush of realisation spread across her features and she shivered. "Oh this is a stupid conversation," she started to get up but Lorelai grabbed her hand preventing her from rising.
"It's not a stupid conversation Mom," Lorelai held Emily's gaze, keeping her hand on Emily's arm holding her still.
"What do you want me to say Lorelai?" Emily shivered her voice laced with anger.
Lorelai shrugged. "I'd just like you to talk."
"How very expansive," Emily rolled her eyes. "Alright, fine, I'm bored, I have the same frivolous conversations with the same people every week, it gets dreary and yes, maybe a little lonely."
"Ok good, well not good but good," Lorelai gave her a beaming smile, "so how are we going to fix this? How about learning a new skill, that could be fun and you would meet new people."
"Lorelai," Emily shrugged out of her grip and stood up. She grabbed her gardening basket and started striding to the house.
"What about Christine?" Lorelai followed. "Why don't you offer to do something with her. I'm sure she's bored. You could do something together or Maisy, or one of the people you don't find boring."
"I don't have the time," Emily pushed into the utility area and set her gardening tools on the side. "This is all rather pointless."
"It's not pointless," Lorelai raised her hands to signify retreat as Emily shot her a look that told her in no uncertain terms to drop it. "Alright, I'll leave it for now, but you know think about it, and you are allowed to call me if you want. I know you are doing your whole I know my place thing but if you want a chat you can call me."
Emily swallowed and gave a curt nod. "Alright."
"And you know you don't have to limit your baby time to just Friday night dinner," Lorelai smiled encouragingly. "If you want you can come over on a Friday when I'm working from home or we can come over a bit earlier and you can see them when they are not in the land of nod. Or at the weekend. All you have to do is call and we can set something up."
Emily's face relaxed and she gave a soft nod. "Alright."
"Ok," Lorelai gave her a beaming smile. "You want to put something in your book now. I have two wide open weeks before I go properly back to work."
Emily nodded once more her face pulling into a delighted smile. "Give me a moment, I'll get it!"
xXx
Rory rolled her eyes as a horn sounded in an obnoxious spritely pattern. Guiding her case along the pathway she followed the noise to a bay where Lorelai's bright red minivan was parked at a skewwhiff angle. She gave a wave, echoing the one from her mother in the driver seat and dashed to the back of the vehicle to throw her suitcase in the trunk.
"Daughter," Lorelai beamed at her as Rory sat in the passenger seat.
"Hi Mom," Rory smiled back, she glanced over her shoulder to the middle row where the car seats containing her gurgling four month old sisters were. "Hello Kitty Willow," she grinned as the babies kicked their legs excitedly. "I missed you too. Cuddles when we get home for sure."
"They are looking forward to it, but not before cuddles with me, Okay, I take first dibs." Lorelai demanded as she began to guide the car out of space. "So how was it? How was the flight? How was the other grandmother?"
"Flight was fine, but no peanuts so hungry. Francine was fine, she tried too hard and is a bit nervous about what to say but it was good once she chilled out a little." Rory settled into her seat and smiled. "Gigi is so cute, though she liked to jump on me. she's really strong too. I'm covered in bruises." She glanced sideways at Lorelai. "Christopher has agreed that I can see her regularly, so we're going to meet up once a month."
"That's great!" Lorelai smiled. "That's what you wanted right?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded, she opened her mouth to carry on talking but paused as Lorelai neared a complicated merging lane and waited until her mother had pulled into the flow of traffic before she started talking again. "I just hope he won't change his mind."
"I'm not sure Gigi would let him," Lorelai muttered as she turned onto the road that would lead her to the highway. "If you want something to eat I have some snacks in the diaper bag."
"Thanks," Rory grabbed Lorelai's multi-coloured fabric bag from the floor and rooted out a bag of cookies. "Were you storing up?"
"Didn't know how long you would be, so," Lorelai shrugged. "So was that why her fancy pants lawyer called for you? He wouldn't say anything just to get you to call him," Lorelai asked cautiously.
"Francine told Christopher that she thinks I should get some inheritance," Rory sighed. "I told her I didn't want it but she kept on about it. I'm more concerned about getting to know Gigi properly. I didn't realise they would call so quickly."
"Well, it's good I guess. That she wants you to have that." Lorelai sighed slightly. "Money helps Babes. we both know that. It might be $100 for all you know, unlikely, but don't get your nickers in a twist over it. Deal with it as it comes," she looked over and gave a brief smile before returning her attention to the road. "So, what's the plan, are you with us till you go back to school or are you boyfriend bound?"
"Eighty Twenty," Rory nodded. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can before I go back to school, but I do miss the boy," she shrugged good naturedly.
"I hear you," Lorelai smiled. "Do you have some space to squeeze some Grandma time in there as well?"
"I was going to but is there a reason I should?" Rory looked across at Lorelai curiously.
"Well, marvel at the miraculous but I, a few days ago, actually got Emily I-don't-talk-about-my-emotions-because-I'm-secretly-a-Vulcan Gilmore to admit she is bored and lonely," Lorelai quirked her eyebrows. "I've got a couple play dates with the bambinos booked in and I suggested she tries to learn something new but wouldn't hurt if you tagged in as well."
"You got Grandma to admit that?" Rory stared at her incredulously. "Wow! How things change."
"I know. I blame them in the back," Lorelai glanced in the rear-view mirror at the twins. "You two do freaky things to people," she smiled as Willow responded, gurgling in response. "Oh I see."
"What do you imagine they say when they make noises?" Rory peered over the back of the seat.
"No idea, I just chat to them," Lorelai grinned. "I get it wrong sometimes, both of them do a dead on Mom impression when I talk to them in a way that doesn't match what they think they said. Luke thinks I'm crazy for doing it," Lorelai shrugged. "I did it with you and you are perfectly chatty so I figure it works."
"Well, it taught me your wicked ways." Rory giggled as she nibbled at the cookie. "Are these Sookie's?"
"Uh huh. We have a cornucopia of baked goods at home, she's practicing for her Fall menu," Lorelai grinned. "You have to eat most of them all because there is no way I am getting that fat again."
"So I can?"
"Your metabolism isn't screwed."
"Neither is yours," Rory pointed out. "The fatness was them two," she inclined her head backwards. "You look mighty skinny these days."
"Only because you are so used to me being fat. I tried the work pants on this morning. You know the type with zero stretch. They were tight with a capital T!" Lorelai sighed and indicated that she was changing lanes.
"Not sure it's because you're fat Mom," Rory grinned at her. "Think it's more your shape changed after the gestating. But you know what it means?"
"What?" Lorelai sighed as she remained focused on the road.
"Shopping!" Rory gave her an excited smile. "We should hit the mall, new wardrobe for you, new wardrobe for me. Ready to face the return to work and school."
"That my angel child, sounds like a very good idea," Lorelai nodded.
"And you never know, I might be able to treat you for a change," Rory shimmied her shoulders. "What do you think little sisters does Mom deserve a treat?" she giggled as the baby's responded back to her in coos and gurgles. "I see a pretty dress and a cute skirt, they have your fashion sense."
Lorelai glanced across at Rory for a moment, "I missed you Kid."
"I was only gone a week."
"Felt longer. I missed the little talks."
"Well, we'll squeeze as many little talks as we can before I head back to school," Rory smiled at her. "Few more weeks and then senior year!"
"High school right? You can't possibly be graduating college, seems not five minutes you were that size," she inclined her head backwards at the babies. "My baby girl all grown up."
"I'm not grown."
"Oh Babes you are," Lorelai shot her a wistful look, "but just so you know I intend to infantilise you to prolong the experience."
"Such a healthy relationship," Rory poked out her tongue. "Ooh!" she pointed as she spotted the sigh for Stars Hollow. "Home."