AN: No place for a note, just a shoutout to my faithful beta, Steph!
Asta-Gilmore - Well, I accepted the first episode since I was promised a breakdown in episode two. But the horrible second episode does make the first seem worse than it did when I watched it first time around. I've decided to stop watching GG season 7 until I hear better news. And seeing the new promo, I wanted to throw up, so I'm even gonna keep from watching the promo. And YES, someone else reacted at the "dad" thing. Lorelai never said "dad" when she referred to Dopey. She said "your dad" or "your father", but never just "dad". They're ruining my beloved show. The ending of season 6 was far better than this and that says a lot.
fee-kh - LOL, keep'em coming. Oh no, not planning on making a trashy romance plot. Romance, yes. But I want it to be romance in the true LL style. The little every day moments. The actions that speaks more than words do. The flirtatious banter over the counter. And most of all, the friendship they've managed to keep throughout it all.
cywen69 - If I made the story move quicker, it would much sooner be over and do you really want that? The longer the journey is, the longer the destination is as well. Think about that.
flcrkr - You bring up a good point in there and it's one that will be adressed at a later point... lol, can I be more cryptic?
Gymtig - I just had Luke answer what I think he would've felt about the idea of fatherhood at that precise moment. If he'd known he had a kid, he'd take responsibility, because that's who he is. But I don't think Luke at that moment could envision himself as a dad. And about the weapons. Lorelai wasn't the one who brought weapons, someone else did.
Babs - The first episode Luke's reaction was dead on, but he got missing in episode 2. It was like the punch drained him of his Luke-ness and left a shell behind. I've decided to stop watching. I don't want to see my show run down into the ground.
smileyGGfan - I make a shoutout when there's actually something to answer... lol Well, without giving anything away, Luke will like the idea of fatherhood, once little blank gets born. Another Gilmore to have him wrapped around the finger... lol
A-Karana - Without sounding like a broken record. I'm just saying this. You've heard from Steph to keep up faith and Steph knows the future, I think that should be enough to keep your spirit up... lol
LukeNLorelaifanatic - I know which one you're talking about and thank you for not posting it here, so my spoilerfree readers doesn't read it by accident. And about the length, well I'm here to break records... lol
Lorelai stood frozen on the steps of the Gilmore mansion. Any other person would believe that the worst was behind her. After all she'd already been to the house since her return and both her parents now knew about her condition. But whoever believed the worst was behind her was a fool. There was no way her condition, life situation, not to mention her love life wouldn't make it into the conversation tonight. Emily Gilmore wasn't one to just let things be. And although Lorelai knew there was no way Richard hadn't been told by now, this would still be the first time her father would see her pregnant form since when she was still carrying Rory. Lorelai also knew that her not attending the last two Friday night dinners surely wouldn't help her case. She grabbed her daughter's hand as she turned to meet her gaze.
- Are you sure about the whole spending your weekend at Yale?
- I have to, her daughter replied. - The whole keeping Paris and Janet from killing each other and keeping Tanna from being caught in the crossfire has cut into my whole study time and I have to catch up.
- So study at home, Lorelai suggested, knowing that by the end of the evening she would be in a great need for her daughter's consoling.
- Yeah, Rory remarked. - Because that would be very efficient.
- Hey, you did it all the time back at Chilton.
- The only way I managed to get any studying done was if you were occupied or if I'd bribed you with promising to take you shoe shopping, Rory replied, dryly. - Besides, I have so much to do, I wouldn't have time to make good on my promise and you know how much I hate to break a promise.
- Wouldn't the feud between your suitemates be just as distracting, Lorelai enquired, hoping her kid would reconsider.
- Nope. Paris and Janet are both gonna be away for the weekend and Tanna's pretty much as quiet as a mouse. Now, ring the bell.
- What about Jess, Lorelai asked.
- What about him, Rory asked.
- Has he been cutting into your study time?
- No.
- No? You haven't seen him at all? Doesn't he, I don't know, live in New Haven, now?
- Yes, he's in New Haven, Rory sighed.
- But you haven't seen him, Lorelai asked, with her brow raised.
- Of course I've seen him. The bookstore isn't that far from campus, you know.
- And you're still together?
- Of course, Rory replied.
- So you spend a lot of time together, then, Lorelai pointed out.
- Where are you going with this, Rory wanted to know.
- Nothing, I'm just surprised, since you spend so much time with him, it's a bit strange you didn't include him in your list of distractions.
- He's not a distraction. Yes, we spend a lot of time together, I go to that store several times a week. But I study while I'm there.
- I didn't know you changed your major to human anatomy, Lorelai joked.
- Nothing's happened, Rory replied, rolling her eyes at her mother's joke, then silently added. - Yet. He works every day, after school, at the store to pay for food and shelter. Luke's offered to help him out, but Jess wants to do things on his own. But the store has a great backroom, with great lighting, a desk and a comfortable chair, so I often go there to study. Combined with the background noises from the store's customers it's the perfect place to study. I get a lot done while I'm there and whenever Jess has a break or the store's going slowly, we hang out.
- So are you going over there this weekend? Does he know you're staying behind?
- We're both doing our schoolwork over the weekend, but if we both finish up before Sunday, we're gonna go see a movie or something.
- Okay, seriously. I know he's all improved and everything, but I can't envision Jess sitting home during the weekend, doing his homework, Lorelai replied. - I just can't buy it.
- He's more serious about school now, Rory defended. - I don't think he has any plans on going to college, but he wants to get his GED so that he doesn't have it hanging over his head the rest of his life.
- Still, I can't imagine him studying for a whole Saturday. Didn't he use to have a problem concentrating for even five minutes back when you were tutoring him?
- How often will I have to convince you that he's changed?
- That much, Lorelai asked, in disbelief.
- Unless it was to prove a point, he wouldn't make the honor roll, Rory admitted. - But he does go to school and he keeps up with the work. No one is forcing him to go to school. He's going by himself. If he didn't want to, he could've just taken up a full time job at the book store. Believe me when I say he's already gotten the offer.
- I don't want you to be disappointed, Lorelai sighed as she reluctantly continued. - But I guess you made a point with his not needing to go, so maybe I can give him the benefit of the doubt.
- And maybe you can quit stalling and actually ring the door bell, Rory suggested.
- Can't we just pretend I never came so I don't have to do this, Lorelai pouted.
- You can't just avoid them completely. You've already told Grandma, so her and Grandpa already knows about the baby. Besides, Grandma already called me to make sure you actually came this time, so if you bail on me, I'll never hear the end of it.
- You owe me, Lorelai grumbled.
- Duly noted.
- You can start paying your dept by coming home this weekend.
- Mom, I can't, Rory groaned.
- How can you expect me to endure Emily Gilmore's incessant questioning for two plus hours to just bail on me in the moment of my greatest need?
- If I have to, I'll hold a therapy session in the back of the Jeep, I just can't go back to Stars Hollow this weekend. I promise, next weekend and the one after that and the one after that again, I'll be home to follow your every whim.
- Even making prank calls to Taylor?
- If I have to, Rory nodded.
- You are my favorite daughter, Lorelai sighed.
- For now at least, Rory chuckled, her eyes wandering to her mother's expanding stomach.
Lorelai knew it was just a joke from her daughter's side, but she couldn't help but wonder how it would be if she turned out to be having a girl. A part of her cursed her decision on not finding out what she was having. The suspense of not knowing was killing her. At least if she knew she'd be able to prepare more. There were just so many questions. Would Rory feel abandoned as her baby sister would require a lot of attention? Would the girl envy her and Rory's relationship and resent her for not being able to give her new baby the same? Lorelai herself was an only child, so she'd never had to worry about living in someone else's shadow, but she knew enough to know she wouldn't want any of her daughters, or sons for that matter, to feel like that.
- Don't worry, Rory told her, as though she'd read her mind. - I know that no matter if the baby's a boy or a girl, it won't make a difference for the relationship you and me have.
Lorelai smiled and pulled her daughter into a hug. Hearing the oh so familiar sound of the door bell ringing, the smile turned to a frown. Letting go, she gave her daughter a look.
- Traitor, she muttered.
- Sorry, Rory shrugged. - Someone had to do it.
As per usual, the maid opened the door and the two girls handed over their summer jackets, as it was still too warm outside to bring out their coats just yet. It took Emily less than a minute to appear on the scene. The maid was still holding the jackets, as though she was waiting for her employer's instructions on where to put them.
- The coats go in the guest closet at the end of the hallway, Martha, Emily sighed. - I've told you this a million times.
- But these aren't coats, the maid replied. - They are jackets. Do they also go in the guest closet?
- Yes, Emily sighed. - When a guest hands you their outerwear, no matter if they're jackets, coats, ponchos or whatnots, it all goes in the designated guest closet.
- Alright, the maid replied. - I'll go right away.
- You do that, Emily said, annoyed, before turning her attention to her girls. - I swear, the girl has the mental capacity of a door knob.
- Hi Grandma, Rory said, giving her grandmother a hug.
- Rory, Emily smiled. - Don't you look absolutely adoring. I really do like that top on you. The color just seems to bring out your beautiful eyes. Where did you find it?
- Oh, mom picked it out, Rory said.
- Oh yes, hello, Lorelai, Emily said, calmly, taking in her appearance with a somewhat disapproving expression. - Well I'm glad you at least decided against wearing that tacky shirt you wore last time.
- Yes, it was a one-wear-stand, Lorelai quipped.
Emily rolled her eyes and Lorelai could clearly hear her mutter 'honestly' under her breath.
- Well, don't just stand there. Come in, she said out loud, ushering them into the livingroom, turning her head towards her husband's study. - Richard, the girls are here!
- I just have one more call to make, I'll be out in five minutes, came the answer from the semi-closed door.
- For the love of.., Emily muttered. - Richard, the girls are here now!
Receiving no reply, Emily motioned for Lorelai and Rory to sit and went over to make drinks.
- Gin martini, Lorelai, she asked.
- Grandma, Rory exclaimed.
- Oh, right, Emily muttered, shaking her head. - Is Club Soda good, Lorelai? Or would you rather have some apple juice?
Taken aback that even after almost two decades her mother still remembered her old pregnancy cravings, it took Lorelai a minute to answer.
- Club soda's perfectly fine, mom.
- Are you sure, Emily asked. - Back, when you were having Rory, you couldn't even leave the room without bringing apples in one form or another with you.
- That was with Rory, mom. It's different with this baby.
- Then, what are your cravings? I'm sure whatever it is I can have Martha make it.
- Well, my cravings are a bit less consistent this time around, Lorelai shrugged. - I don't really have a hankering for anything right now.
- You are eating right, I hope. It's highly important to have a healthy diet. I still can't get over your insisting to drink coffee. Do you have any idea how damaging this can be for the baby?
- I had coffee all the time while I was pregnant with Rory, mom, Lorelai pointed out.
- That was then, Lorelai, Emily lectured. - You're older, now, more receptive of certain risks. Not to mention your coffee habits have skyrocketed. Adding this to your usual diet, it can become really serious if you're not careful.
- I eat well, mom, Lorelai insisted. - The baby has me eating all sorts of gross healthy things. Not to mention Luke doesn't let me have any of my favorite treats anymore.
- Is that the father's name, Emily asked.
- Mom, Lorelai replied, feeling the panic in her chest growing by the second.
- Luke's the guy who feeds us every day, Grandma, Rory elaborated. - Remember?
Lorelai was impressed to say the least on how Rory managed to save the crisis without uttering a single lie. The student really had surpassed the master.
- Of course, Emily muttered. - How silly of me. After all, Luke isn't exactly a hispanic name, now is it?
- What are you talking about, mother, Lorelai asked, confused.
- About what you refuse to tell me about the baby's father.
- Which is?
- That he's of spanish origin, Emil pointed out.
- What on earth gave you that idea, Lorelai asked, failing to suppress a laugh.
- I have my sources, Emily shrugged.
- I can't for the life of me, remember a single time where I've said anything like that to anyone.
- Rory's suitemate seemed to think otherwise.
- When have you ever talked to Rory's suitemates, Lorelai asked.
- What? I can't talk to the people in my granddaughter's life, Emily challenged. - Is there a law against it?
- There's no law, mom, Lorelai groaned. - I'm simply asking a question.
- I was calling Rory to find out what to give her as a housewarming present and one of the other girls answered and told me Rory was out. Instead of hanging up we started talking and she told me everything.
- Okay. Let me get this straight, Lorelai said. - One of Rory's suitemates told you that my baby's father was hispanic?
- Apparently you told them about it at some slumber party you had with the girls. She said something about the man leaving something on the bedside table. Honestly Lorelai, there are certain things you do not share with your daughter, no matter how close you are.
- Mom, Lorelai stated. - Which suitemate was this?
- What on earth has whoever told me anything to do with it?
- Mom, Lorelai asked again.
- She said her name was Tanna. She was a little odd, perhaps, but other than that a rather sweet girl.
- Suddenly everything makes a whole lot more sense, Lorelai sighed. - Mom, I was joking with something Rory had said. No one in their right mind would take any of it seriously.
- Tanna seemed to believe it.
- Well, have you met Tanna?
- The girl's a Yalie, Lorelai. I think she can at least distinguish between what's a joke and what's not.
- Fine you got me, Lorelai sighed. - The father's name's Don. I never got his last name. He came riding into town on his black stallion one day. With his mask and his cape, he was a mysterious man and swept me off my feet. Nature took its course and I woke up the next morning, his mask on my bedside table and the letter 'Z' carved into my bedpost.
- Lorelai, for once, be serious.
- See, you too immediately knew it was a joke, Lorelai pointed out.
- There are things you just don't joke about, Lorelai, Emily said sternly.
Lorelai sighed, preparing herself for the inevitable lecture on proper etiquette, when Martha, the maid walked in.
- Dinner's ready Mrs Gilmore, she announced.
- Has Mr Gilmore come out of his study yet?
- Not yet, Mrs Gilmore. Do you want me to go get him?
- Yes, Martha, Emily replied. - Tell him I don't care if he's talking to the president himself. He is to hang up immediately and come out for dinner.
- Yes, Mrs Gilmore, the maid replied, bowing as she exited the room.
- Alright, Emily announced. - Lets go to the dining room.
- Saved by the dinner bell, Lorelai muttered, silently so only Rory could hear.
- What was that, Lorelai?
- I have to go to the bathroom, Lorelai covered. - I'll be there in a minute.
- Well, don't take too long, Emily replied, as she and Rory both headed for the dining room.
Although she hadn't really needed to go to the bathroom, she went all the same and as she was washing her hands, she stared into the mirror. If drinks, which usually were the more enjoyable part of the evening, other than the actual leaving of the house, was anything to judge by, dinner was simply bound to be horrible. Especially since she was now about to come face to face with her father after he'd been told about her condition. She really didn't want to be here. However there was nothing she could do. Rory was right. No matter how much she'd rather avoid having to deal with her parents, she couldn't cut them out, just out of convenience. They were still her parents and even though they didn't approve of her world, they still loved her in their own weird way.
Besides, who was she to deny her own child to have grandparents. Up until the forced Friday night dinners, Rory had very little contact with either of her grandparents. The Hayden's refusal to accept the girl as their granddaughter was none of Lorelai's fault. The Gilmore's lack of participation, however, was. Although the situation was on the mend and Rory had a great relationship with her grandparents, it still didn't erase those first sixteen years where they were but strangers to her. And she didn't want to take that choice away from her new baby either. She would probably never come to a complete understanding with her parents, but thay shouldn't stop her children from having them as a part of their lives.
When she finally entered the dining room, Richard was already in his seat. Lorelai plastered on a smile as she slid onto her chair.
- Hi dad.
- Lorelai, he acknowledged. - You look well. Are you well?
- I am, Lorelai replied.
- Well, that's good, Richard replied, politely.
Conversations with her father had almost always been short and awkward. That was, when he wasn't lecturing her on something. It seemed to her that he was trying his best to keep any thoughts he had to himself. With Emily having the opposite approach, Lorelai was grateful she didn't have to deal with both their wraths at the same time. The maid came bearing the salads and soon, all four of them engrossed themselves in the food. Having never been a salad person, Lorelai blamed the pregnancy-altered taste buds for her actually enjoying it. As Emily put her fork down, Lorelai could just feel the lecture building up in her mother, so she turned her focus towards her father.
- So dad, she said. - You sure took time in the study. I take it business is going well?
- Business is going very well, indeed. I think you would probably say it was booming or something to that effect.
- I'm sure I would, Lorelai chuckled.
Emily had yet to join the conversation, but as all four of them had put down their forks, she called out to the maid.
- Martha, clear the plates and bring out the main course.
The maid did as told and the room once again fell silent. Once again, the opportunity for Emily to start her lecture or maybe come with yet another ridiculous accusation regarding her pregnancy, was apparent and Lorelai had just about had enough of it for the day.
- So anything new, dad, she asked.
- Funny you should ask, Richard said. - I'm sure Rory's told you about my going into business with Jason Stiles.
- Can't say she has. Who's he?
- Surely you remember Jason, Lorelai. He's Floyd's son. Didn't the two of you go to summer camp together, or something?
- Digger, Lorelai asked, a flash of her younger self falling head first into the lake coming to mind. - You're gonna work with Digger Stiles?
- Come off it, Lorelai, no one's called him that in years. Quite frankly he's very sensitive about it, too.
- I didn't know you were looking for a partner.
- I didn't, Richard replied. - Jason came to me and he gave me a very fruitful proposal.
- He went down on one knee in his Miss Chiquita outfit, Lorelai asked.
- Must everything be a joke to you, Lorelai, Emily asked, annoyed.
- He offered to bring all his current clients with him and all he wants in return is to share the desk and stationary.
- You forgot 'screwing over' his father, Emily said in distaste. - I really don't like you going into business with this boy.
- Yet two weeks ago, when I didn't even want to take his call, you were all for it, Richard countered.
- That was before I knew his intention. He has no regards for his family, the people who clothed him, fed him, gave him everything he could ever want for.
With her parents continuing to argue over Jason all throughout dinner, there was no more mentioning of Lorelai's pregnancy, father candidates or any other rumors or accusations. Before she knew it, she and Rory were standing in the foyer, waiting for the maid to search for their jackets. Then the next time Lorelai blinked, they were outside.
- Still need me to delve into psych mode, Rory asked her.
- No, I'm fine, Lorelai replied. - You go and finish up all your work, because there's no way I'm letting you do any of the sort when you come home next weekend.
- Duly noted, Rory said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. - I love you, mom.
- Love you too, kid, Lorelai replied.
- Remember, if you need me, the phone will be with me the whole time.
- Good to know, Lorelai nodded, getting into the Jeep.
The drive back to Stars Hollow was uneventful and lonely. The radio played nothing besides plastic pop and had to be turned off. As she passed Luke's, a part of her wanted to stop and get some coffee. However the other part, the one that just wanted to go home and crawl into bed, or at least the couch, was the one who won. Her house seemed the same, except the fact that the porch light was on and working. It hadn't been working since back when they had moved Rory into her dorm. If she'd been her normal self, Lorelai would've pondered this further. But having had no caffeine in her system since sometime in the early afternoon as well as the physical strain the extra weight was having on her, she just didn't.
She parked the Jeep and made a quick trip to the mail box to see if her mail simply had had a delay. It hadn't. She unlocked the door and had just placed her purse by the answering machine when a horrendous sound started ringing in her ears. Searching around the immediate room, she tried to locate the source. It seemed to be coming from everywhere. Holding her hands over her ears, she moved slowly around, trying to wrap her mind around what was going on. The baby, awoken from its slumber had started doing the merengue in her stomach. Then as she had reached the corner of the room, the noise stopped. Freezing in mid move, Lorelai slowly removed her hands from her ears. Making a silent croak, she tested that she had not in fact suddenly gone deaf and she breathed out relieved. The baby was still somewhat active, probably less than pleased with the abrupt wake-up call.
Having stood still for two minutes, Lorelai finally dared to move again. She turned around and took in the sight of the room. Nothing really looked different. It was then she spotted three foreign objects on her living room table. A card, a note and to her distaste, a gun. Continuously gazing around the room, she finally noticed some electric thingamajig on the wall near the staircase. Taking one step towards it, nothing happened. Taking a second step, it was still silent. However mid-third step, the noise returned. Backing quickly, Lorelai held her hands over her ears until the noise stopped.
Deciding to instead go sideways to reach the objects on the kitchen table, Lorelai successfully managed to get a hold of both the card, that said 'Stars Hollow Security Company' and the note, which turned out to be from Kirk. Shaking her head at the content she looked around the room, trying to locate her phone. Luckily her last call had been by the couch, so with some minor maneuvering she managed to grab it without angering the alarm. She quickly dialed the number on the card. The phone rang once... rang twice... after the fifth ring, someone finally answered.
- Yeah?
- Um, hi, Lorelai replied. - Who's this? Do I have the right number?
- Well I'm Meg, but if you have the right number, that depends on who you're calling, the woman answered.
- Stars Hollow Security Company?
- Well, then, yeah, you have the right number.
- Great, Lorelai sighed. - I just came home to find an alarm installed here. Now it's ringing and ringing, unless I stand in a specific corner of the room. How do I turn it off?
- Honey, I'm not much with the technical stuff. I just sweep up the place. You have to call during the day to get any help, I'm afraid.
- But what do I do until then?
- Stay in the corner until morning? I don't know. Didn't they leave you a code or something?
- Just a note, a card and a gun, Lorelai sighed.
- Well, then I don't know what to say. Try staying with the neighbor or something. I'm really sorry, but I've got to go back to work. Hope it all gets sorted out.
- Isn't there anything you can do?
- I can take a message, but that's about it, I'm afraid.
- Well, then tell Kirk that Lorelai called and wants the alarm uninstalled as soon as possible.
- I'll write it down. Hope it gets sorted out for you. Bye
- Bye, Lorelai replied with a sigh.
Taking just a minute to take a breath, she dialed a new number. It took only two rings before someone answered.
- Hello?
- We have an alarm, Lorelai informed her daughter.
- Mom?
- I came home and opened the door and just three steps into the house the frickin' thing went off and it's loud.
- How did we get an alarm, Rory asked confused.
- Well, apparently Kirk...
- Oh no.., Rory interrupted.
- ...broke in and installed it sometime today.
- Where did Kirk get an alarm?
- If I was to guess, from his latest job, the Stars Hollow Security Company.
- Of course.
- So now, whenever I move, the thing starts screeching, the baby does the rumba, my ears start bleeding and Meg just sweeps up the place. So now I have to spend the night in the corner of my living room waiting for Kirk to uninstall the whole thing. How big of a chance do you think I have at learning to sleep standing up?
- I'd say slim to none. Who's Meg?
- A cleaning lady and coincidentally the only person present when I called the alarm-response center.
- First we have a Security Company and now an Alarm Center?
- And apparently only part time.
- Whatever happens in Stars Hollow?
- I'll tell you what. People break into your houses and install alarm systems, that's what.
- Oh boy. So what are you gonna do?
- I don't know. Right now I'm gonna see if I can plan a route to get me up to the bedroom without triggering the damn thing.
- Good luck with that.
- Love you, hun.
- Love you, too, mom.
Putting the phone down, Lorelai bent down on all fours. Keeping low to the floor, she made her way across the room, towards the stairs. Keeping against the wall, she slowly got up and rounded the corner. Taking one step up, the room remained silent. She took a second step. So far, so good. On her third step, her foot got stuck in the loose carpet on the stairs and as she bent down to unhook it, the alarm went off. Clutching her ears as she made it back to the safe corner, she knew it was gonna be a long night.
TBC