Written In The Stars II
By Gilmoregirl1979 (the reigning Quote Queen)
Provider of Quality Fan Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Hi this is your friendly disclaimer: I REJECT ASP's REALITY AND SUBSTITUTE MY OWN! Once again, I don't own (DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!!), No Harm No Sue.
R/R: yes please I love reviews; I wanna marry them (as previously stated, I have strange passions.)
Summary/ the Q: What if they did the show… MY WAY (Like Frank!)
Beta : SOLO ME (One thing I know... that I've always known... I am my own best friend...)
Dialogue borrowed from Paris is Burning...
Written by: Joan Binder Weiss & Directed by: David Petrarca
A/N: To quell questions before they are asked; I will NOT be watching NBC at 10pm tonight.
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Chapter 38
The Pregame Show
It had been a horrible week, just another gem in the diary of Lorelai Danes; not that she had kept a diary since high school. Why would she need to pour her feelings into the pages of a journal when she had her wonderful husband and like minded daughter to confide in.
But this week really took the cake; Not only did she have to suppress her own nightmares from high school , but she had created a brand new scarring episode for her daughter. Accused of having some kind of secret affair with a teacher, accusations made by a vengeful student, sworn enemy of afore mentioned beloved daughter, stress and suffering for her beloved husband; Yet, Luke took it all in stride and probably handled it the best of the three former or current Gilmore girls.
Worst of all, the false accusations had made it to the ears of Emily Gilmore, who was so ready to believe the lies and think the worst of her own "beloved" daughter.
Lorelai pushed the awful memories of the previous night's dinner away as she pulled her covers closer around her, determined not to emerge from her warm cocoon until she was ready to face the day. Becoming more awake and aware of her position in bed, she felt her husband flush against her body, and Lorelai could only contently sigh, drifting back to sleep in the arms of her understanding husband.
Only she couldn't go back to sleep because Luke's hand was keeping her awake; not in a good or dirty sort of way, but in an annoying, "what the hell are you doing?" sort of way. Hadn't he been at that dinner last night? How silent and strained the meal was from salad to dessert? Of course, he was the only one who spoke up and defended his wife against her mother's belief in silly, false gossip.
So Why was her husband interrupting her sleep-in morning, by slipping his hand down the front of her lounge pants and panties; "Luke honey, usually I love it when you are frisky in the morning like this, but don't you think that's a little forward right now? I really just want to sleep in today," she begged, adjusting her head back on her pillow..
"Lorelai, what is that?" Luke asked, his hand almost clinically examining Lorelai's stomach.
"Um... it's kind of distracting..." Lorelai said sardonically.
"Will you be serious?"
"Says the man with his hand down my panties?" she cheekily replied.
"No, that," Luke rubbed her stomach again.
"What are you talking about? That's my stomach..."
"Feel this..."
"Feel what?" Lorelai barked annoyed, "I'm not going to feel my stomach, I feel it all the time, I can feel it right now without lifting my hand..."
During Lorelai's objection, Luke took her hand and led it to the spot on her tummy that had his attention, a firm mass that seemed to appear overnight below her belly button. "There.."
"Luke what are you.... Oh," Lorelai's eyes grew wide as her own hand came in contact with her own stomach, and Luke was right, something was different. Lorelai rolled on her back and pulled off her warm cocoon of blankets, and pulling down the waistline of her lounge pants to see for herself. "Oh my God!" Lorelai smiled in awe.
"Should we call the doctor?"
"No, Luke everything is fine," Lorelai assured, as she smiled again at the little pouch already forming below her belly button, "that's the baby," she sweetly informed her husband. Lorelai had a firmer and slightly raised spot just below her belly button, "the baby is just saying 'hi daddy'."
"The baby? Already?" Luke asked in disbelief, unable to help the smile that appeared on his face.
"Yeah, you know, I think I read that in subsequent pregnancies you can start to show earlier."
Luke just smiled at the just noticeable bulge, he only noticed it because he had his arm around Lorelai's waist, and in his early morning stirring, he noticed his wife's stomach felt different. "That's our baby," he said with wonder, truly moved by the experience.
"That's our baby," Lorelai started to tear up, as both her hands caressed the spot, admiring it, "I have my very own celebrity baby bump." Lorelai turned her head back toward Luke, who was propped up on his elbow beside her, "This is good right? I mean this is a sign everything will be okay? I mean, the baby is taking root down there, I'm showing... so... this is good."
"I'd say this is very good," Luke grinned, putting his hand on top of Lorelai's
"I can't believe it... just when I needed it most, kiddo, you find a way to make mommy smile.... thank you, baby." She kissed two of her fingers and placed them on the firm raised spot. Then Lorelai switched gears, "You know what this means, it means we have to tell the town soon..."
"Just a few more weeks till your second trimester."
"Well, I don't know if baby can keep her mouth shut for that long," her hands highlighting her new baby bump, "She is my daughter after all."
"or son?"
"Or son," Lorelai repeated, "Luke, this is serious. Isn't your super ball thingy coming up?"
"The Super Bowl is next week, and the party was your idea..."
"Well, we needed a manly tradition in the family when we first got married..."
"And you and Rory thoughtfully picked the Super Bowl to have some guys over for me, when I clearly told you you didn't have to do that, I preferred to watch the game without the fanfare.... but then the guys started coming over, then the women started to come to meet the guys, and now it's become a Stars Hollow Favorite; your fault for being such a great hostess."
"I know, but I can't hide this for long!" smoothing her hands over her stomach again, "I'm only going to get bigger you know!"
"A few more weeks. That's it...then we can tell people..."
Lorelai gasped, "Bud and Maisy!! We're going there to night, they are expecting us!! What if they notice..."
"Then they notice! And they will be happy for us! There not the ones we're worried about!"
"But what if something bad happens...."
"Hey, we had our fill of bad things this week, take this good sign and enjoy dinner tonight."
"Okay,... you're right,... again!"
"Good. Now It's my day off, so I want to enjoy this," Luke settled backed down flush with Lorelai, and she smiled, with fingers intertwined over the baby bump. She had a few hours before she had to be at work, then Date Night with Luke to look forward to.
That evening Lorelai was getting ready for her date, and Rory was helping her pick out her ensemble.
"Everything is too tight," Lorelai flopped on her bed defeated, wearing only a silky black slip.
"Hey! Be gentle with my sibling! And everything was too tight before you got pregnant," Rory grinned, while rummaging through her mother's closet.
"Just because I like to keep up with the latest trends!"
"Here," Rory pulled a red wrap dress from the back of the closet. "Top off your slip with a decorative camisole, and you're good to go."
"Ha! you have been reading my magazines!!"
"I like to keep up to date too, Mom."
Lorelai rose from the bed to claim her outfit, "Still it's reassuring that I've gotten through to you on some level."
"Mom, can I feel the baby one more time before you get dressed?" Rory asked.
For a second, Lorelai thought Rory looked twelve years old again, in awe and excited as a child over the new baby, even though her daughter was practically a woman herself.
Mother and daughter shared another moment, feeling the firm spot on Lorelai's stomach.
"This is just... so cool!" Rory couldn't help but smile at her siblings appearance.
"I know. Remember not a word to anyone... just a few more weeks and we'll be in the clear."
"My lips are sealed... have fun with dad tonight... and don't think about... you know...the thing we're not trying to think about."
Lorelai grinned, there were a few things she was trying to forget, "Smooth. And I won't, right now I'm thinking about the baby... and what I want for dessert."
"Oh bring me back one of those molten chocolate cake things."
"You got it!"
"Lorelai!!," came from down stairs, "Come on!!"
Lorelai called back to her husband, "I'm sorry, your budding offspring has made it difficult for me to get dressed!" slipping her arms through the sleeves of the dress.
"Rory, aren't you supposed to be helping her?"
"I'm just finishing her off now!!" Rory called back, tying off the wrap dress, "She's worth the wait, isn't she?!!"
Without a retort from down stairs, Lorelai congratulated her daughter,"Good one!"
"And Dad, I think mom needs to go shopping for maternity clothes!"
Both Danes Dames heard the grunt of frustration as they shared a high five for another trip to the mall.
Forty minutes later, Lorelai and Luke were greeted with hugs as soon as they walked in the door of Sniffy's. "AW no," Maisy said dramatically, "I know that face..."
"We've had a rough week," Luke explained for his wife.
"You're still not pregnant, are you?" Maisy asked point blankly.
Lorelai and Luke exchanged a knowing glance, "Nope. not yet," Lorelai lied hoping she wouldn't go to hell for lying to such a sweet old lady.
"God Dammit!" Maisy swore in her unique voice, then hollered to her husband in the kitchen, "Buddy!! Light another candle will ya!!"
"What?" Buddy replied from the back.
"The candles... on the window sill!! with the statue!! Light another one, Luke and Lorelai are here!!"
Lorelai and Luke were a bit embarrassed by the attention and bewildered by the public conversation their old friends were having in front of their customers. Luke asked, "What are you talking about?"
"I've got a statue of Saint Gerard Majella in the kitchen."
"Who?" Lorelai asked.
"The patron saint of expectant mothers," Maisy explained, "Jesus, Luke don't you go to church anymore?"
Lorelai and Luke exchanged another amused glance; Only Maisy could be indignant about their not going to church, while swearing and taking the Lord's name in vain.
"Every little bit helps I guess," Lorelai shrugged when they were seated at the table and alone. Automatically Luke's hand reached across the table and held Lorelai's, knowing their prayer had already come true.
"I feel guilty not telling them," Lorelai whispered, "Especially now that the baby is peaking out, I don't know how much longer we can hide it."
"Just a few more weeks, and we'll be in the clear."
77777777777777777
As Rory entered the cafeteria at lunchtime on Monday, Rory could feel the eyes still on her; apparently the weekend's excitement hadn't dulled the interest of the rumor mill. Rory shrugged it off, as her father told her, she was strong, she could take it, no matter what they threw at her; Even ignoring Tristan sending mock kisses her way.
Rory thought about her weekend, how her parents had a much deserved date, and how Dean and her enjoy some unchaperoned time together. Dean let her vent about the situation again, and even served as a distraction, with dinner, a movie, and some good old fashioned making out with her fella.
As soon as she settle at a table alone, to read a book while eating her lunch, the taunting trio came up behind her.
Louise said loudly, so Rory would hear, "See, I told you he wouldn't date a teacher."
Paris glowed with victory, "I wish my mom would sleep with my teacher, it would make midterms a lot easier."
Rory slammed her book closed, and stood up to face them, "Madeline, Louise, would you excuse us for a minute?"
"Ooh cat fight," Louise grinned.
"Go," Rory said firmly.
"You're not going to kiss me too, are you?" Paris raised a brow.
Rory scowled, "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing I'm great."
"Are you? Are you really?" Rory challenged, "You've just spent the past two weeks with all of your family's private problems printed in the newspaper for everyone to read and talk about. I saw how you walked around here! I saw how much you hated it. And then you turn around and pull something like this? Doesn't that seem crazy to you? Do you have any idea how many people you've hurt? Forget me and my parents, what about Mr. Medina? He likes you, he encourages you. He hold up your papers and tells the class how great you are. And then you turn around and spread lies about him." Rory was overcome with pity and disgust that someone could sink so low, Rory tried to cling to her father's sympathetic picture of Paris, That somehow this was all derived from some great pain, but she wasn't big enough to do that. "Whatever, forget it. You have no idea what I'm talking about," Rory quickly gathered her stuff to leave.
"I do like Mr. Medina," Paris finally spoke, seeming to feel genuinely guilty.
"Well, I'd take some dance lessons cause the way you express yourself needs a little work."
"I...probably shouldn't have told people what I saw."
"You didn't see anything, you assumed, and you know what they say when you assume..."
Paris gulped, "I'm sorry... it's just, things have been...well...not good lately."
There was that pang of sympathy gnawing at Rory again, her father's explanation of Paris' behavior and that same sad vulnerable look Rory and Lorelai saw when Paris' mother abandoned her on Parent's day; "I know."
"I just didn't want them talking about me anymore, that's all."
Rory rolled her eyes, and let out a heavy sigh, "Well, it worked."
"Yeah," Paris frowned.
Rory couldn't believed the idea that popped in her head, but she found herself offering, "You know, if you want to ...talk."
"Hey, we are not friends," Paris said defensively.
Rory feigned, "Oh that I know. But if you ever do...want to talk about ... whatever..."
"I will, if I want to," Paris stipulated.
Rory nodded, "Okay."
"But I probably won't."
"That's fine too."
"But if I do..."
"I'm around."
"Ok," and Paris almost smiled at Rory, " I'm going now."
"Bye."
"Bye," Paris started to leave, but turned around, to assure, "I doubt I will."
"I'm not holding my breath," and Rory started to walk away as a teacher came up.
"Miss Geller, Headmaster Charleston wishes to see you."
"Me?" Paris sounded confused, as Rory left for her next class.
Rory hopped off the bus at the perfect time to see her boyfriend walking toward Dooses'
"Dean," she called out to get his attentions so she could catch up with him.
"Hey," he smiled, "I'm sorry, Taylor has been in high dungeon all week. Super Bowl preperations."
Rory kept pace with him, "I know, and I wanted to ask you what you were doing for Super Bowl?"
Dean stopped at the bizzarre question; Was Rory actually going to ask him out on a date on the same night as the biggest sporting event on the American Calender??
"Well, nothing special, I was going to watch the game at home, I usually watch it with my dad…"
"Me too," Rory grinned.
Dean chuckled, "Well, this year he is going out of town for a sales conference."
"Doesn't he install car stereos?"
"Well, yeah but he has to sell them first…it's like a manufactiory show, inform the sales about the new systems."
"Okay, well, you and my dad seem to be getting along better so umm I didn't know if you wanted to come over and watch the game with us. We're having a super bowl party, it's sort of an annual tradition we started when my folks got married, and well I wanted you to come."
"Thanks, I'll check it out with my mom."
"Okay Good. and she and your sister can come too if they want. My mom doesn't really watch the game, she just watches for the commercials."
"Okay I'll invitre them."
"Great, and call me," Rory leaned up on her tippy toes to kiss her beau goodbye and good night for his shift.
Everything was just coming togeher; a vast improvement from last week. Paris was getting her comeupants, her mom was happy because of the baby's appearance, her boyfriend would come to the super bowl party; that is, if her dad said it was okay.
Rory entered the Danes Den and upon enter the kitchen she saw her dad putting away groceries; "Hey Dad," she said a little too sweetly
"Hey, hope you don't mind I took the liberty of going to the store, it's crazy in there, probably because of Super Bowl. Oh and Lane called, something about how you could sneak her over to the party?" Then he noticed the plastered smile on his daughter's face; Luke became immediately suspicious of the look he had seen a thousand times on Lorelai's face, "Alright what do you want?"
"What makes you think I want anything? Maybe I'm just in a good mood," Rory said innocently
"Because you are wearing your mother's smile; something is up."
"I had a good day," Rory insisted. "Paris has dentention till Easter break."
"Really?"
"Apparently Grandma pulled a few strings and cleared up everything on the Chilton front with headmaster Charleston."
"Aw that's great news!" Luke grinned, reminding himself to call and thank his mother-in law; she seemed to like little gestures like that. Yet, Luke still saw a little twinkle in his daughter's eye. "You still want to ask me something..."
"Okay," Rory shrugged, and sat down at the counter, "Well, I had an idea I wanted to run past you. Two actually."
"Shoot," as he put back the box of Mallomars, knowing he'd if he simply threw away the world's best cookie, Lorelai would never forgive him.
"Well, I thought maybe we could invite grandma and grandpa to this year's super bowl party."
At that suggestion, all the boxes came tumbling out of the cabinet. Luke turned to his daughter, "What?"
"You know, include them in some of our traditions," Automatically, Rory started collecting the boxes to go back into the cabinet.
"Rory, That is really … thoughtful of you, but I don't think your mom is gonna go for that. I mean she can barely get through the obligation dinner every week we have."
"Well, things have been getting better, you know, since grandpa's hospital... thing."
"But after what happened last week…"
"Grandma fixed it, it's okay now."
Luke tried to word it delicately, "I just don't think your grandparents are… football people." he was also worried they would discover Lorelai's pregnancy before his wife was ready to tell them.
"Well, we weren't football people until you explained it to us," remembering hours from Sundays past on the couch with her new adoptive father as he explained the rules to American football; Rory was so eager to learn because she knew it was important to her dad and wanted to bond with him over more than just cooking and books.
"Your mom still doesn't understand what a safety is or what the refs exactly do."
"Well, she doesn't pay attention like we do, but she still watches because she knows it's important to us."
"And what makes you think that your grandparents would enjoy the game at all."
"Well, after everything that happened and almost happened over Christmas with Grandpa… I don't know… I just think we should spend more time with them. As much as possible"
As much as your mother can stand, Luke added in his head, but he appreciated Rory's thoughtfulness. She didn't want to have any more regrets about not spending time with her grandparents. She already missed out on one set, well, two sets if you included Christopher's parents. "Okay, Friday you can ask, but don't be surprised if they say no."
"Great," Rory hugged her father.
Luke accepted the hug and anticipated his daughter's next request, "and yes, Dean can come too," though his gut told him that maybe the pilot light to implode the evening.
"Thank you, Daddy," Rory kissed his cheek.
"Family! I'm home and I'm hungry!!" Lorelai called as she walked through the front door, ready to sit down for dinner.
Tuesday, after her business class, Lorelai didn't want to go into the coffee shop. Naturally , being a coffee shop, it smelled like coffee in there and her new baby bump didn't like the smell of coffee, it made her sick now; but Lorelai really wanted a hot beverage for the ride home, a long, lonely forty-five minute drive until she could swing by the diner and get a free hot chocolate from her husband.
Go in, or drive home? Go in or drive home? Save some money and wait for free stuff from husband, or instant gratification. Lorelai playfully scowled down at the slight baby bump making her jeans too tight at that moment. "No need for a paternity test. You are definitely Luke's kid!" she said to unborn offspring for hating coffee even before she/he knew what it was
Lorelai ventured in when she saw the line was short to hopefully minimize her exposure to the Coffee smell.
"What can I get you?" the cashier asked.
"Um, peppermint hot chocolate, extra milk!"
"Okay," the teenager rung it up, "Whipped cream?"
"Yes please," Lorelai deviously grinned; Luke would never know.
"Name?" the cashier held a marker to a cup.
"Lorelai..." and then one of the patrons at the counter dropped and broke their ceramic mug. Naturally, Lorelai and everyone else turned toward the noise and there she was staring at Max Medina who had just spilled his coffee over the counter.
"I'm so sorry," Medina paid for the broken mug and Lorelai quickly paid for her own drink and went to wait for it by the barista station.
Of course, Mr. Medina just had to follow her over after settling his accident with one of the baristas.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she replied politely, clearly not wanting to be around him. He had spilled some coffee on himself and now smelled like the odious beverage.
"I want to thank you..."
"For what?" hasn't she made his life a living hell? pining for her? getting him in trouble at work with false accusations?
"For clearing my name..."
"I did? How? Aren't I the one who seduced you or something..."
"Well, as I understand it from headmaster Charleston, your mother is the one who insisted on saving my job and punishing Paris Geller for her ... lack of forthrightness."
"She's been punished? Rory didn't say..." though when she thought about it, Rory seemed happier at dinner yesterday; she would have to get confirmation when she got home.
"Yes, and in the Chilton world, it would take a lot for Paris to come back and be valedictorian. so maybe that leaves hope for Rory."
"Rory? Valedictorian?? Wow... planning ahead are we?"
"You never know," Max smiled.
"Okay then," Lorelai nodded able to see her daughter in cap and gown clearly, A graduation that was what? two years away... the baby would be a toddler by then.
Max brought her out of her mini day dream by asking, "I assume things are okay... with your husband... I mean that he knows what was said about us?"
"Yes, he knows. and he's very understanding cause we all know nothing happened ."
"Good. he seems like a good guy."
"He is. He's the best," Lorelai affirmed.
"Well, he's very lucky," Max said simply, "and good luck to you and your husband and ... to your baby."
"Thank you."
"Lorelai? Hot chocolate, extra milk, with whip!" a barista called at the counter.
"That's me... I have to get home..."
"Good, well take care of yourself," Mr. Medina nodded and went back to his book at the counter.
Lorelai claimed her cup, and with a sigh of relief exited the coffee shop.
Lorelai entered the Inn's kitchen to see her staff and their leader Sookie bustling around like always; Sookie could cook and argue with Jackson at the same time, usually this practice led to Sookie having an accident.
" I can't believe you won't just sell them to me," Sookie shook her head.
Jackson argued, "And I can't believe you're being so small minded."
Sookie countered, " My stuffed fried squash blossoms are extremely popular with the customers."
"Yes I know."
Waving a whisk in Jackson's face to confirm her point, getting some egg mixture on Jackson's shirt then in a sweeping motion flinging it sideways, the egg mixture nearly missing Lorelai's shoes; "People come from all over and demand the fried stuffed squash blossoms,"
"That's exactly my point!"
Lorelai recalled her and Luke arguing in such a manner just before they started dating, "Could I get a hot chocolate, Sookie?"
Sookie was too into her argument to fulfill Lorelai's request, " 'What'll you have sir? Anything that comes with the stuffed fried squash blossoms.' That's what I hear day in and day out," returning to her whisking.
"Yes, great, I know," Jackson conceded, "but all I'm asking you is to try stuffing something a little different this time huh?," and he held up his latest vegetable creation.
"A zucchini tush?" Sookie barked.
Jackson was defensive, "Just a temporary name."
"You want me to serve my customers a genetically engineered vegetable that's named after a butt? "
" Hey this is an all natural vegetable hybrid that's perfectly safe, completely delicious, and yes it looks a little odd but you
can put in on the map!"
"The bride specifically asked for them, I want the blossoms," Sookie raised her voice again.
"Fine. You wanna think small, think small. I'm done," and Jackson left in a huff.
Waiting for the dust or vegetables to settle. " Jackson invented a new vegetable again?"
" Yup," Sookie began whisking angrily.
"It's too bad that bowling league didn't work out for him."
"Yeah," Sookie nodded, "You wanted hot chocolate."
"Yes Please," Lorelai grinned, seeing the obvious chemistry between the chef and the produce guy, nonchalantly remarked, "I remember all that."
"What? Zuchinni tushes?" Sookie handed her friend a mug of hot chocolate and went back to her food prep.
"No, the fighting, the arguing, the banter."
"Of course you do, it just happened?"
"No, I mean with me and Luke."
"Okay?" Sookie wasn't following she was focused on whisking.
"Sookie, I'm talking about you and the produce man."
"Yeah… I know," Sookie said absently.
"No, Sookie what about you and the produce man?" Lorelai emphasized.
"Huh?" Sookie finally stopped preparing food.
"What about Jackson?"
"What about him?"
"As a, you know… male companion,"
"What? Are you crazy? He drives me nuts, he's always late, and he's experimenting on Vegetables like some mad
scientist, pushing them on me when I specifically ask for something."
"I just think you two have a lot in common?"
"He's… he's…" Sookie couldn't think of anything to say, so she went back to whisking like dogs were chasing her.
"Come on Sookie, when did you last go on a date? You haven't been in a relationship in years," Sookie's whisking immediately halted, as she slowly, sadly turned toward Lorelai. Instantly realizing what she said, Lorelai apologized, "Wow! Zero to jackass in 3.2 seconds."
"No, you're right… it's true… forget about it."
Lorelai went to her freind, "No! It's never ever ok for me to talk to you like that. I'm so, so sorry. Please honey, forgive me…"
Sookie put down her bowl, and pretended to wipe her hands on her kitchen towel, "I understand … really. You know it's not like I don't want a relationship."
"I know that. I didn't mean anything by it. I just want you to be happy, too, you know. Blame hormones making me say things I wouldn't normally say."
Sookie let out a frustrated sigh, "It's just …it's hard with my hours. I'm always at the inn, or at the market or at the hospital. Besides the guy is supposed to ask… so no one has asked me because …." Sookie visibly sunk.
"Honey, please … forgive me."
Collecting herself, Sookie summed the courage to say, "Of course, and you shouldn't blame… you know, that on that," discreetly pointing to Lorelai's stomach, "you want your second to turn out as great as your first right?"
"Right, Okay," and Lorelai turned to leave with her mug.
Sookie said back, "You think Jackson and I have a lot in common?"
Suppressing a grin, Lorelai turned back, "Forget I mentioned it," she said innocently, but planted the final seed before exiting the kitchen with her mug, "I just think you two would be cute together," leaving her friend to consider the proposition, while making her way back to her office, Lorelai victoriously sipped her hot chocolate, despite the rude speed bump.
Wednesday evening, Lorelai was downstairs watching one of her late night shows, and Luke was in bed trying to think of a strategic way to tell Lorelai about Rory's idea for the super bowl party as it related to the Gilmores. Suddenly he heard the stairs creak, a sign his wife was heading up to join him.
The bedroom door slowly opened, and it seemed like Lorelai was trying to be quiet and not disturb her husband. Luke found the "creeping" walk his wife adopted very amusing, so he just watched her.
Lorelai suddenly froze, the light from the hallway providing enough for her to see her husband was still awake."Hey baby? You still up?" she whispered.
"Yeah."
"Anything wrong?"
"Not really," Luke hated to put the burden of Rory's invitation to her grandparents solely on his daughter, yet he felt he should at least give his wife a heads up about the plan.
Straightening back up to walk normal, Lorelai went to her dresser to get some sleepwear, "Hey, since you're up, I wanted to talk to you about the party on Sunday."
Luke's head shot in the direction of his wife wondering if she had ESP. "Yeah?" at first he thought maybe Rory had informed Lorelai of her invitation plans already, but Lorelai still seemed happy and looking forward to the party. So he decided to keep his mouth shut till they found a way to break the news to Lorelai.
Lorelai started to change in to her PJS, not thinking twice about stripping infront of her husband., as she told Luke, "Yeah, today I went into the inn's kitchen for some hot chocolate, and Jackson was there with his delivery, and they started arguing about a zucchini hybrid he grew…"
"It's the middle of winter??"
"Greenhouse."
"Right; continue," Luke said dully, settinling in for whatever information Lorelai wanted to share with her story.
"Anyway, I got to thinking that Sookie and Jackson have a lot in common…"
Luke was confused, "They do?"
"Well sure, Food for one. I mean he grows vegetables and fruits, and Sookie transforms them into amazing creations, and it kind reminded me of us."
"I'm a farmer all of a sudden?"
"No, Luke McDanes, but we had stuff in common, you brew the best coffee, and I only consume the best coffee, not lately mind you, but then… and boom we got married."
"I think you're glossing over a few details of our drawn out courtship."
"The point is," Lorelai stated, as she crawled under the covers with Luke, "We started out as friends, and Jackson has been in town for over a year. He's my produce guy and your produce guy, he argues and banters with Sookie just the way we used to over coffee."
"So what are you saying?"
"Well, I think we should invite Jackson to the Super Ball Party."
"Super Bowl," Luke corrected, "and why?"
"So he and Sookie can see each other outside of the work environment. Not see each other as produce man and chef, but as a guy and a girl who have a lot in common."
Luke sighed, "Lorelai, you're meddling.."
Lorelai was offended, "I'm not meddling, I just want my friend to find someone and be happy like I am."
"So you are setting her up with her produce guy, Dolly Levi?"
"Luke when I told her about the baby, you should have seen her face… she was ecstatic for us, but I could tell, underneath she was … wistful. She sees us and wants the same thing. Besides both her and Jackson are, you know, quirky…"
"And gossips," Luke rolled his eyes, since it was a trait in both their friends that annoyed him.
"See, they are perfect for each other. So I was wondering if you could invite Jackson to the party."
"Me? Why me?"
"Because it will be more natural coming from you, you know, guy to guy, and it's sports." Lorelai lowered her voice to a masculine tone to demonstrate to Luke how he should go about with the invitation, "'Hey Jackson, me and the wife are having a super bowl party. Why don't you come over, have a beer, watch the game'…"
"Lorelai…"
"Luke if I do it, it's going to look fishy. Plus, the only time I see Jackson is when Sookie is around … and I don't want her to know what I'm up to."
"See, this sounds a lot like meddling."
"Please Luke, don't you want our friends to be happy."
"Yeah sure, but together?"
"Why won't you help me?" she sounded very accusatory.
"Well, maybe Jackson would like to be the guy and ask her out, if he even likes her."
"What's not to like?" Lorelai scoffed sharply.
"What?" confused why she was getting so upset.
"You saying Sookie, my best friend, isn't good enough for your stupid produce guy friend?"
"He's not my friend, he's your produce guy too, and of course she is."
"Damn, right she is, better even, the best," Lorelai contended.
"How did this turn into an argument?" Luke sat up in bed to better defend himself.
"You know if she wanted she could be on television. It's got food and drama, everyone waiting to see what her next injury would be…that is dynamic television my friend! Call Food Network right now!"
"Alright, I'll invite him."
With the lip of a swtich, Lorelai smiled triumphantly, "Thank you," she kissed her husband and they both lay down in bed. Lorelai snuggled up with her hubby while Luke shook his head wondering if that had been a pregnancy mood swing he had heard so much about.
At Friday night dinner, Emily behaved as if last friday hadn't happened; everything was cleared up, so there were no problems anymore. However, Lorelai was still pushing food around her plate, as if she was missing all the fun in the world by spending a few hours with her own mother once a week for a simple meal.
Rory wanted to keep Emily occupied so she wouldn't examine Lorelai too long and hard. Lorelai was wearing the same wrap dress from her date night the previous Saturday, it was they easiest thing Lorelai could wear because it adjusted easily to fit her changing body; granted the small bump hadn't grown that much in a week, however, it paid to plan ahead. They were surpised by the baby bump, but they are going to plan for the rest of the pregnancy.
"So do you two have any plans for the weekend?" Rory looked at her dad and Luke knew what was about to happen.
Luke brought up the napkin to his mouth and whispered to his wife, "Get ready."
"For what?" Lorelai asked not fully hearing him.
"Let's see, I believed that is the 28th?" Emily thought off the top of her head.
"Correct," Rory nodded.
"I don't think we have anything really planned, Why?"
Rory continued, "I was just curious, because I was wondering if you and grandpa were doing anything this Sunday?"
"Do you have something in mind Rory, that we could do to occupy ourselves," Richard asked, while carving into his steak.
"Well, it's just since mom and dad have been married, we've had a super bowl party every year, and well I thought maybe the two of you would like to come this year."
Lorelai was stunned, but hinted she didn't like the idea by her tone, "Uh Rory, are you sure football would be of interest to your grandparents?"
"Why Lorelai? Do you not want us to come?" Emily was offended, figuring Lorelai must have held some grudge still from last week's arguement.
"No, mom it's not that, it's just well, I mean, you're always so busy; with charity auctions and fund raisers, D.A.R. This might not be your thing; I don't want you to be bored, and it would mean mingling with the colorful inhabitants of Stars Hollow, junk food, people screaming at a TV as if the players can actually hear them," Lorelai lamely laughed as she painted the most unpleasant picture of the usually fun party.
"Well, I seemed to get along fairly well, with Miss Patty, Babette at Rory's birthday party."
"Yeah, well what about dad's heart. I mean all that excitement."
"I'm not an invalid, Lorelai?" Richard straightened up to defend himself.
"I know that... I'm just ...concerned, is all."
Richard clarified he was fit to cheer on a football game, "Well, thank you for that daughterly concern, but I'll have you know we go to the Harvard-Yale game every year."
Emily concurred, "The super bowl is the same game, just different teams."
"…But that was before dad's …condition manifested," Lorelai dodged.
Richard sighed, "Frankly, Lorelai, I wouldn't mind getting out of the house. While your mother has been taking excellent care of me, I'm afraid something may happen if I'm not around other people soon."
"Wonderful," Emily smiled, "it's settled. Should we bring anything?"
"Bring anything?" Lorelai asked.
"Well yes, isn't it customary to bring something when you are end gating?"
"You mean tail gating?" Rory corrected.
"Um yes, of course."
Rory chuckled and explained, "We aren't exactly tailgating at the house. Usually, Dad, Sookie and I make stuff for everyone. We just have some friends over for a party, some people watch the game, mom only watches for the new commercials, Miss Patty and Babette usually gossip in a corner. Just bring yourselves."
On the ride home, Lorelai was in the passenger seat silently fuming. Luke knew it, even though he had his eyes on the road, he could feel it pour off of Lorelai. Upon entering Stars hollow, Rory saw Dean heading from Dooses', "Dad, stop the car!!"
"What why?" Luke asked.
"Dean is getting off work, we can get two invites in one night, I'll be right back," Luke had to get out of the driver's seat to let Rory out to talk to her beau. Luke sat back in the jeep with his wife and with his eyes no longer focused on the road he could finally see the look on her face. "You okay?"
"I'm trying to picture my mother 'end gating'" Lorelai turned to look pointedly at her husband.
"What?" Luke shrugged.
"You knew. You knew Rory was going to invite them and you couldn't get me a little more warning; Just a clearing of the throat before she drops the bomb."
"I knew you would try to talk her out of it."
"Damn right, why would we ever invite them back to the house after what happened with the Dance fisasco."
"Lorelai, it was Rory's idea, it means so much to her, and frankly I thought you'd be happy I'm finally on your mother's good side."
"Yeah, she credits you with saving dad. You just have to pull the superman the rest of our marriage and we'll be all set.."
"You'll be busy with your Dolly Levi scheme with Sookie and Jackson, what's two more people at the party?"
"Luke, I can't socialize with my parents. Okay, I'm not comfortable around them; and what if they find out I'm pregnant while they're there."
"Well, we aren't going to bring it up at the party. It's not like 'hey touchdown, like I scored with my wife last month'"
"Luke," Lorelai couldn't help but laugh at the uncharacteristic pun her husband made.
"Lorelai, no one knows yet. The only way it's going to get out is if we slip up ourselves. Rory wants to spend time with them. They are the only grandparents she has, and after what happened with your father's heart, well she wants to know them, really know them before they go."
"Sure, make me the bad guy," Lorelai shifted uncomfortably at the thought and huffed.
"Lorelai, it's just one extra day. extenuating circumstances. Make like the birthday party and avoid your mother."
Then Lorelai started to giggle, "What now?"
"I was just thinking about your completion rating," Luke didn't follow, so Lorelai explained, "I'm pregnant now."
"Ahh," and Luke rolled his eyes at her lame attempt at sports humor and her lack of understanding of football statistics and what they actually meant.
Meanwhile, outside the jeep, Rory was extending her invitation to Dean.
"Hey," she jogged over to him.
"Hey," Dean smiled, slinging his green apron over his shoulder, "Just get back from your grandparents?"
"Yup, I wanted to warn you, my grandparents will be at the party too."
Dean grimaced, "Oh, should I not come, I mean after the dance, you said your Grandma was pretty upset."
"It will be fine, we'll protect you. and you can meet my Grandpa."
"Okay? if you're sure."
"Great, call me. Well, good night," Rory kissed Dean and hurried back to the Jeep.
PS sometimes it lets me do the 7777777s some time it doesn't! go fig!
Thas was all God Given Talent!!
NOTES: I'm sorry my schedule has been a little hectic and it SEEMS like i'm not interested in my stories any more, like children they require constant attention to grow and thrive. I will admit i'm a bad fanfiction mother... thank you for sticking with me so long!!
"Cause your memory it lingers and the time moves so slow, I've never been that good at letting go…"-Massacoustics
R/R: PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity ... so be honest."
Please be specific with R/R; name one (or as many as you can think of or want to mention…) At least one specific thing you liked
Please! It makes me feel good...inside (Dirty!)
Hence the Rant option below.
Insert Rant here V
A/N: if not completely satisfied with this chapter, please return unused portion for a full refund...