A/N: Just a quick note to say thank you for your reviews and continued interest. I hope that you enjoy it!
A Rose by Any Other Name
They lay entwined on the bed, fingers laced, her leg thrown over his, and her head cushioned on his chest as she listened to the steady strum of his heartbeat. "Twins," Luke whispered with a smile.
"Unreal, isn't it?" she asked.
"I keep telling myself over and over, but it doesn't really sink in," Luke said with a chuckle. "Hey, we don't have to keep this a secret, do we?" he asked, craning his neck to look at her.
Lorelai snorted and said, "Like you'd be able to."
Luke chuckled and then said with a heavy sigh, "I guess we should tell your parents before we tell anyone else."
"You're ready to burst," Lorelai said tapping on his chest.
Luke bristled a little and asked, "And you're not?"
Lorelai laughed and said, "I am. I wanna tell Sookie in the morning. I guess word will spread fast enough. We'll tell my parents Friday night at dinner. If my mother gets upset about not being the first to know, she'll just have to deal," she said firmly.
"So, tomorrow?" he asked.
"Tomorrow the world can know. Tonight, it's just us," she said as she snuggled closer to him.
"And Rory," Luke added with a chuckle.
"She's part of the 'us' thing," Lorelai said distractedly.
"Yes, she is," Luke agreed as he kissed her head. "Hey, hang on," he said a moment later as he rolled over to reach for the phone.
"Hey, it's not midnight yet, it's still today," Lorelai pointed out as he dialed.
Luke just shook his head and said, "The guys at the bakery should just be getting in for the night." He turned to the receiver and said, "Hey, it's Luke. Yeah, good, good. Hey, I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. I'm gonna run a promotion tomorrow. Can you guys make twice the amount of Fran's sugar cookies for tomorrow?" he asked quickly. "Yeah? Okay, good. Alright, talk to you soon. Thanks," he said before hanging up.
Lorelai frowned and asked, "I thought the bakery was doing well? Why are you running a special? Has business fallen off?"
"Business is fine," Luke said as he settled back and pulled her close again.
"Is Jess doing okay? I mean, I thought things were going well there," Lorelai asked, her voice riddled with confusion.
"Jess is fine. Great actually. He really seems to have a knack for running a small business," Luke told her.
"Then what's with the cookies?" she asked as she leaned up on her elbow to look at him.
Luke smiled and tucked a curl behind her ear. "Tomorrow, for the first and probably the last time, Luke's Diner and Weston's Bakery will be running a two for one sale," he said with a pleased smile.
Lorelai returned his smile and said, "Okay. Well, the cookies, I get, but what are you gonna do at the diner?" she asked as she nuzzled her nose into his neck.
"Coffee to go?" he asked.
Lorelai laughed. "What? So they can congratulate you and then leave?" she asked with a snort.
"Precisely," Luke answered with a grin.
"Very cynical for a guy who wants to brag," Lorelai told him.
Luke laughed and said, "Lunch special. Buy one burger, get a second free?"
Lorelai shook her head and said, "You've seen these people eat when there's free food, you'll go broke."
"Pie?" he asked.
"The bakery is covering the sweet stuff," Lorelai pointed out.
Luke frowned and said disappointedly, "Well, I'm out."
Lorelai grinned and said, "I have a suggestion."
Luke grinned back at her laughing eyes and asked, "Is it dirty? 'Cause, I like the dirty ones."
Lorelai shook her head and said, "PB & J's"
"PB & J's?" Luke asked.
Lorelai pressed a kiss to his chest and said, "You might as well get used to the jam hands now, Hon."
XXXX
Luke lingered in bed with his warm sleeping bride as Caesar and Joe opened the diner. When Lorelai's alarm went off at seven, Luke's mind was whirring at full speed, and she rolled over and found him wide awake. "Hi," she mumbled as she pressed her face into his arm.
"We need a bigger car," he blurted.
"That's nice, Hon," Lorelai said sleepily as she burrowed under his arm and onto his chest.
"A safe one, one that will be easy to get two car seats in and out of," Luke continued unabated. "I also need to get started on the second crib, and maybe another chair. That way we can both rock them," he said with a nod.
"Murrumph," Lorelai agreed.
"You need to hire a manager for the Inn. Soon the place will be up and going full speed, and you're pregnant and Sookie just had a baby," he ranted. "You can't do it. Don't women who have twins and triplets and quadruplets go into labor earlier? I think I remember hearing that or reading that somewhere." He nodded quickly and said, "You'll need a manager, full time, for days as well as the night manager," Luke said decisively.
Lorelai opened one eye and mumbled, "What are you talking about?"
"Lorelai, you're gonna need help at the Inn. You can't possibly do it all. Sookie can't cook with a baby strapped to her chest, and you can't be on your feet all day," Luke said insistently.
Lorelai pushed her hair back from her face and began to sit up saying, "Whoa, whoa! What?" she asked incredulously.
"You need…" Luke started to repeat himself.
Lorelai held up one hand and asked, "Coffee? Breakfast? A shower? 'Cause if it's anything other than the things I just listed, I'll tell you, this is not the best time to reason with me," she warned.
"I'll make you breakfast in a minute," Luke said offhandedly.
Lorelai raised her eyebrows and said, "I strongly suggest you feed me before you start dictating my life."
"I'm not dictating, I'm just trying to be realistic," Luke insisted.
"How long have you known me?" Lorelai snapped at him.
Luke blinked and jerked back from her. "Uh, six or seven years," he stammered.
"And you really think that you should start the day by ordering me around before I have had coffee? Because, let me tell you, even that decaf crap would be a better wake up call than what you've given me here," she said angrily.
"I've just been thinking about all of this stuff," he said defensively.
"My eyes aren't even open yet!" Lorelai said as she tossed back the blanket and swung her legs out of bed. She hopped up and then reached for the footboard as she swayed slightly. She took two huge gulping breaths, and stood still for a moment before she dashed to the bathroom and knelt before the toilet.
Luke rushed after her and reached to pull her hair back from her face, but she batted his hands away before she gripped the edge of the toilet again. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Luke murmured softly.
"Get away from me," Lorelai gasped.
"Lorelai," Luke pled softly.
"Asshole," she muttered as she tried to catch her breath.
"Hey!" Luke said drawing his brows together in a frown.
"Get out!" Lorelai snapped at him.
Luke sighed and said, "Fine," as he pushed himself up and strode back into the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed in his boxers with his shoulders slumped as he hung his head, waiting for the next round to begin. He heard the water running as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. A few minutes later, she stepped into the doorway and glared at him. Sensing her presence, Luke looked up and said softly, "All morning long all I could think about is how much we have to do. How much more preparation we'll need, and how many more precautions we'll have to take." He hung his head again and said, "I wasn't trying to tell you what to do. Honestly. I was just trying to work it all out."
Lorelai drew a deep breath and blew it out with gusto. She pushed herself from the doorframe and walked slowly to the bed. She stood before him and said, "I will decide what I need to do for work. I don't tell you how to run your diner, I don't tell you what to do with Weston's, and I expect the same respect from you." When Luke nodded she said, "I know that the fact that we are having twins is going to make things more complicated. I know that there is a good chance that this pregnancy will not go full term, so yes I do need to be more careful. But Luke, I do not need you to tell me that and I really don't need you to make decisions for me," she said with quiet steel in her voice.
"I really wasn't. I was just putting it all out there," he said quickly.
Lorelai snorted and said, "Then, I would suggest that you choose your words more carefully."
Luke bristled a little and said, "I would suggest that you stop calling me names."
Lorelai smiled at him coldly and said in a soft, dangerous tone, "I would suggest that you go to work now."
Luke frowned and said, "No. Not while were fighting."
"This would really be the most opportune time for you to leave," Lorelai said as she spun around and went back into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her and locking it.
Luke braced his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward and rubbed his hands over his face, trying to figure out how things had gone so wrong. Finally, he got up, pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and went down to start breakfast. Lorelai could smell the food as soon as she opened the bathroom door. "Mule," she muttered as she walked over to the closet and pulled out a pair of black stretch pants and a loose pink top. She padded down the stairs barefoot and walked into the kitchen to find him setting the table for two. She crossed her arms over her chest and asked, "Ready for round two?"
"Nope, ready to talk like we're adults though," Luke said sternly. He turned to her and asked, "Let me start over, please?"
Lorelai slid into her chair and said offhandedly, "You can try."
Luke nodded as he went to get her plate and her favorite coffee mug. He placed them in front of her, and Lorelai took a silent sip and nodded appreciatively. She set the mug down and said, "Pulled out the big guns, did you?"
Luke shrugged and said, "A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do," as he set his own plate down and pulled the tea bag from his mug. "Okay, so, I woke up at my usual time this morning, and I didn't want to disturb you, and I didn't want to leave, so I just let my mind start wandering," he said slowly.
"Did you lose it?" Lorelai asked with a smirk.
"Apparently," Luke said as he returned her smirk. He chuckled a little and said, "I was as bad as Jackson, freaking out over every little thing. Anyway, since I had a couple of hour's head start, I was ready to discuss as soon as you woke up," he said with a rueful smile.
"Knowing that mornings are not the best time for me, especially now?" Lorelai asked as she shoveled eggs into her mouth.
"I never said it was smart," Luke said with a quirk of his lips.
"Don't go getting a cute on me now, I'm mad at you," Lorelai said with a pout.
"I noticed. Yesterday you adored me, today, I'm and asshole," he said with wide eyed innocence.
"Yes," Lorelai answered succinctly, trying desperately to hang onto her anger.
"Do you still adore me, even if I'm an asshole?" he asked playfully.
A giggle escaped her before she could clamp her hand over her mouth. She lowered it slowly and gave him a genuine smile. "Ladies and gentlemen behold the power of the mood swings," she pronounced grandly.
"I really wasn't trying to tell you what to do," Luke said sincerely. "I was just thinking out loud."
"Good, 'cause you are not the boss of me," Lorelai said with a little pout.
Luke laughed at her choice of words and said, "So not the boss of you. Can we talk about this?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, we can talk about it," Lorelai said as she waved her coffee mug at him.
Luke smirked and said, "Back to the decaf now," as he got up to get the pot of decaf he had set to brew before sitting down.
"Asshole," Lorelai whispered.
"I heard that," Luke called from the counter.
XXXX
Luke drove her to the Dragonfly later that morning. As he pulled to a stop at the door he turned and asked, "Are we okay?"
"We're fine," she assured him quietly.
"I really am excited," he told her sincerely as his eyes searched hers.
"I really do adore you, even if you are an asshole," she said as she laid her palm to his cheek.
Luke nodded and turned his head to press his lips to her palm. He looked up at her through his dark lashes and whispered, "Good to know."
XXXX
As soon as he reached the diner, he grabbed two pieces of paper and scrawled across them. He strode out the door and over to the bakery. Jess looked up from behind the counter when he saw Luke rush in. "Hey," he said with a nod.
"Hey. You got any scotch tape back there?" Luke asked.
Jess jerked his head toward the back office and said, "On the desk."
Luke went to the back and attached four pieces of tape to the sign he had made, and then strode back to the door of the bakery and stuck it to the glass. Jess came out from behind the counter and asked, "What's that?"
"Special today," Luke said with a cryptic smile.
Jess scanned the paper that read simply 'Two for one sale. Sugar cookies – Buy one, get one free. Today only.' Jess turned to his uncle with raised eyebrows and said, "Well, that would explain the mountain of cookies in the back. What brought this on?" he asked with a frown.
Luke smiled and pulled his nephew to him in a quick, manly hug. When he released him he said, "Twins. See you later," and fled out of the door.
Jess stared at his uncles retreating back and let out a low whistle. "Huh. Way to go, Uncle Luke," he muttered as he went back behind the counter.
XXXX
"Excuse me, Luke?" Kirk asked hesitantly.
"What do you want, Kirk?" Luke snarled in his customary fashion.
Kirk fidgeted at the counter and said, "I'd like to inquire about the special you have posted on the door."
"What about it?" Luke asked gruffly.
"Well." Kirk began nervously, "you don't usually have a special like that," he pointed out.
"No, I don't," Luke said shortly as he wiped down the counter.
"Okay, well, I was wondering," Kirk hedged, biting his lip.
Luke heaved a sigh and asked with infinite patience, "Wondering what, Kirk?"
"Do you have to eat them both here, or can you take one to go?" Kirk asked in a rush.
"I don't care how you eat them, Kirk," Luke growled.
Kirk shrugged and said, "Well, I wasn't sure if it was a 'dine in only' kind of special or if, you know," he trailed off as he saw Luke glaring at him. "I'd like the special, please," he said quickly.
"Squares, triangles or Stars?" Luke asked with his pen poised.
Kirk eyed Luke nervously as he tried to make up his mind. "Uh, um, squares on one," he said slowly nodding his head. "And, stars for the other. Wait! No! Triangles, triangles," he corrected quickly. "You lose too much crust on the stars," he said with a nod, pleased with his decision.
"Squares and triangles coming up," Luke said shaking his head as he walked away.
"Hey Kirk!" Babette called from the table where she and Patty were swapping the latest gossip.
Kirk turned on his stool and said blandly, "Oh, hi Babette."
"What's with the PB & J special?" Babette said gesturing to the door.
Kirk's eyes rounded with self importance as he told her, "Oh, well, you can have one here and one to go, or both here, or both to go. Luke will also cut them into shapes, if you want him to."
"No, she means, the two for one thing. There's a sign at the bakery too," Patty chimed in. "Fran's sugar cookies," she said with a nod.
"Breakfast of champions!" Babette said patting her stomach with a chortle.
"Oh, I don't know. I guess Luke just needs more business," Kirk said nonchalantly.
"But the place is usually packed," Patty said incredulously.
"You can't even get a seat in here for breakfast until after eight!" Babette said with a nod.
Kirk shrugged and said, "Well, they do have a baby on the way."
"And, Lorelai just opened that beautiful inn," Patty said with a nod.
Babette shook her head and said, "And a new house. Poor kids, they must be strapped!"
Patty frowned and said, "Maybe we should order more than just tea." When Luke emerged, Patty waved to him calling, "Luke, Sweetheart, we've changed our minds, we are hungry after all."
Luke nodded and came over to refill their glasses. "What can I get ya?" he asked.
"Hmm," Patty purred. "I'm feeling decadent. What's the most expensive thing on the menu?" she asked him batting her eyelashes.
Luke snorted and asked, "Huh?"
"We wanna splurge," Babette told him with a nudge.
"Well, it's all about the same," Luke said in a bewildered tone. "I guess if you're feeling like going wild, I can add an extra patty to the patty melt," he said with an incredulous chuckle.
"Perfect!" Patty cooed. "Bring one for each of us," she said with a decisive nod. "With fries," she added.
"And onion rings," Babette said with a nod.
Luke shook his head and said, "You'll never eat all of that."
"We're famished," Patty said dramatically.
"Besides, anything we don't eat, we can take home. You know a snack for later!" Babette added excitedly.
Luke shook his head again and muttered, "You girls have been hanging out with Lorelai for too long," as he walked away.
Not to be outdone, Kirk waved his hand and said, "Hey Luke, make me up another special to go. Triangles and squares. I'll take it to Lulu as a treat," he said with a magnanimous smile.
"Lucky girl," Luke said rolling his eyes as he ducked back into the kitchen.
Patty leaned over and whispered loudly, "We need to tell people that Luke needs more business."
Kirk nodded and whispered back, "I'll start the phone tree as soon as I get home."
Babette nodded and told Patty, "I'll take the east side, you take the west."
XXXX
At a little after six that evening Lorelai strolled into the diner with Sookie in tow to find the place packed. Luke rushed from the kitchen with an armload of plates, and she smiled at him. "Hey, your special seems to be attracting quite a crowd," she called after him.
Luke delivered the orders and rushed back over to her. "It's so weird. It's been like this all day," he told her.
Lorelai shrugged and said, "Well, you do make a mean PB & J."
Luke shook his head and said, "The only one who even ordered that was Kirk, and that was this morning."
"Oh my God!" Sookie said in a hushed tone.
Luke blinked as Sookie began to bounce up and down on the balls of her feet, waving her hands wildly. "What's up with her?" he asked Lorelai with a wary glance at Sookie as her eyes filled with tears.
Lorelai smiled and said, "I just told her on the way over. Delayed reaction. I think it just sank in."
"Oh my God!" Sookie squealed loud enough to draw the attention of the packed diner. "Oh my God!" she yelled as she wrapped an arm around both Lorelai and Luke and squealed, "Twins! You're having twins! I mean, I know you just told me, but now I get it! Two for one!" she shouted. She turned to face the diner and yelled, "Two for one! They're having twins!"
Patty looked up from her second patty melt that day and asked, "So, you're not going broke?"
"What?" Luke asked, his head snapping around as he focused on her.
"You aren't having money problems?" Babette said as she dropped her burger back onto her plate.
"Money problems?" Luke asked blankly.
Babette sat back and rubbed her stomach. "Oh my God, I'm full!" she screeched. "I have never eaten so much in my whole life!"
"We thought you were trying to drum up business," Kirk said as he tossed the crust of his sixth PB & J down on his plate.
"What?" Luke asked as he shook his head at them in wonder.
"Twins!" Babette shouted as she jumped up, turning her chair over in the process.
"Cool," Morey said with a nod. "Twins are very cool."
Patty gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide as the news struck home. "Twins," she whispered, lowering her hands slowly.
The Rabbi rushed over to shake Luke's hand and said, "I guess I should have said 'Mazel Tov, Mazel Tov!' before, eh?"
"How wonderful!" Lulu cooed with a dreamy expression on her face.
Kirk's eyes darted nervously between his girlfriend and the grinning parents to be and mumbled, "Oh, well sure, if you're into that kind of thing."
Luke laughed at his panicked expression and said, "I am, Kirk, but you don't have to be."
"Jackson is going to be so excited!" Sookie said, still bouncing.
The diner exploded with good wishes and well meaning, but still prying questions. They stood like a couple of deer in the headlights as they tried to answer as many as they could
Finally, Luke wrapped his arm around Lorelai and looked at the groaning friends and neighbors who had been stuffing themselves silly between the diner and the bakery all day. He shook his head, held up his hands in surrender and said, "Okay, you nut jobs, dinner's on me. Let's all just head home now, okay?" he asked, gesturing to the door behind him.
Lorelai grinned and said, "'Cause you all know Luke's motto, eat it then beat it!"
After their friends filed out in a flurry of hugs and pats on the back, Lorelai began to help Luke clear the tables. She heard him chuckle behind her and asked, "What's so funny?"
"All day, I was wondering why no one asked me why I had a two for one sign in my window. Kirk was the only one who asked about it, and all her wanted to know was if he had to eat them both here," he said with a chuckle. He grinned at her and said, "They thought we were broke."
Lorelai smiled and said, "They are crazy, but they're very sweet."
Luke nodded in acknowledgement of her sentiment and carried a load of dirty dishes into the kitchen. "Lock the door, would ya?" he called over his shoulder.
"It's early," Lorelai said as flipped the sign to 'closed' and turned the lock.
"I doubt anyone will be hungry," Luke said with a laugh.
"Here," Lorelai said as she picked up a stack of plates and followed him into the kitchen.
Lorelai loaded the dishwasher as he turned off the grill and fryers, the two of them working in companionable silence for a few minutes. Finally, Luke turned from the stove and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hey," he said with a soft smile.
"Hey," she whispered back.
"I'm sorry about this morning," he said gently.
"Forgotten," she assured him, giving him a peck on the lips.
"Good," he answered, kissing her against and letting himself sink into her.
A minute later, Lorelai pulled back and looked up at him with dancing eyes. "Whatcha tryin' to cook up here, mister?" she asked.
"A big pretty dish of lovin' with a spoon made just for me," Luke teased as he bent to nibble on her neck.
They heard the diner door open and the bells jingle. "Hello?" Jess called back to them.
They jumped apart guiltily as his nephew rounded the corner. "Hey," Luke said wiping his palms nervously on the back of his jeans.
Jess smirked and asked, "Going for triplets?"
Luke blushed and growled, "Don't think it works that way."
"Hey Jess," Lorelai said with a grin, enjoying Luke's discomfiture.
Jess nodded and said, "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Lorelai said with a genuine smile.
Jess looked at Luke and said, "We were swamped all day with your two for one thing, and then suddenly it came to a screeching halt about a half hour ago. I guess you finally explained it to the other inmates?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah," Luke said as he began to bustle around the kitchen again.
"Did they all worship at the altar of your manhood?" Jess teased, causing Lorelai to giggle.
"I gotta finish up," Luke said as he tried to ignore his nephew.
Jess smirked at his uncle's back and turned to Lorelai. "You feeling okay?" he asked.
Lorelai opened her hands and said, "As good as I was when I thought it was just one."
"Good, okay, well, I'm going up," he told them as he pointed to the ceiling.
"See you tomorrow," Luke said shortly.
"See ya," Jess said with a wave as he turned to leave. He stopped and turned back saying, "I'll help with the other crib I'm sure you'll be building. I mean, not the fruity carving and stuff, but the other stuff."
Luke nodded and said, "Thanks."
"Night Jess," Lorelai said with a smile.
"Night," he told her as he quickly disappeared.
"And that concludes the 'he-men express their feelings with torment and grunts' portion of our show, ladies and gentlemen," Lorelai said in her announcer voice.
"Stop," Luke growled as he plunged his hands into soapy water to scrub a pan.
Lorelai walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist as he worked. She pressed her cheek to his back and said, "He's actually turning out to be pretty sweet. Kind of like his uncle," she added as she pressed a kiss to his flannel clad shoulder.
Luke smirked and said gruffly, "Well, you used to think that he was the asshole, so I guess there's hope for us all."
Lorelai laughed and hugged him tighter as she said, "But, apparently, not forgotten on your part."
XXXX
As Luke helped Lorelai from the Jeep the following evening he said, "Hey, try not to call me names in front of your parents, okay?"
"Okay, stop. Enough. It's over. The horse is dead. Quit beating it," she said pointing a finger in his face.
"I'm just saying," Luke said with a shrug.
"Oh, thank God," Lorelai said as Rory pulled up behind the Jeep. She rushed to her daughter's door and opened it. "Quick! Save me!" she cried.
"From what?" Rory asked as she climbed out of the car and into her mother's arms.
"From overly sensitive husbands whose tender little feelings have been hurt," Lorelai said in a baby voice.
"Oh, did the mean old Lorelai hurt little Lukey's feewings?" Rory cooed at Luke.
"Cut it out," Luke growled at them.
Rory released Lorelai and hooked her arm through Luke's saying, "Don't worry. The minute dinner is over, I'll put her in time out," she promised.
"Good," Luke said with a nod.
Lorelai laughed and said, "You'd better just get used to the name calling. I plan to make up whole new words just for use during the labor and delivery," she told him with an excited grin.
"Goody," Luke whispered as he pressed the doorbell.
"What did you call him?" Rory asked Lorelai.
When Lorelai opened her mouth, Luke cut her off saying, "No need to repeat it."
"Why not? You've been repeating it over and over for the last day and a half," Lorelai accused.
"I was hoping to mock it out of you," Luke said as he rolled his eyes and looked up at the porch light.
Rory frowned at the still closed door and asked, "It is Friday, isn't it?"
"According to my 'Nuns Having Fun' calendar," Lorelai said as she reached across and pressed the bell again.
"Do you think they went out?" Rory asked in a bewildered tone as she tried to stare through the front door.
"I don't know, aren't you using your x-ray vision?" Lorelai teased. "Careful what rooms you look in, they may not be dressed," Lorelai said ominously.
"Ew!" Rory said as she jerked her gaze from the door.
"Thanks for that," Luke groused.
The door swung open and Emily stood staring at them with a frown. "Well are you coming in or not?" she demanded imperiously.
"Do we have a choice?" Lorelai mumbled.
"What was that?" Emily asked quickly.
"Good to see you, Emily," Luke said loudly, shooting Lorelai a glare.
"Hi Grandma," Rory said as she filed past.
Lorelai glanced around the foyer and whispered, "Did you kill the maid?"
Emily rolled her eyes as she closed the door saying, "Honestly, Lorelai."
"Seriously, should I go rent an industrial strength wood chipper?" Lorelai asked as they followed her into the living room.
"I was on the patio, Lorelai," Emily said with exasperation. "I do think Suzette may be hard of hearing, though," she grumbled. "What can I get you to drink? I have sodas, juice, water, flat and sparkling," she offered.
"What kind of juice?" Lorelai asked.
"Apple, orange and cranberry," Emily said as she pursed her lips at the bottles.
"Ooh! Ooh! Apple juice for me, please!" Lorelai said, waving her arm wildly in the air.
Emily shook her head at her daughter's antics and asked, "Beer, Luke?"
"Water is fine for me, Emily," Luke answered. "Let me help," he said as he walked to the drinks cart. "Rory?" he asked.
"Manhattan, lots of cherries," Rory answered nonchalantly. When all three whipped their heads toward her she held up her hands helplessly and said, "I can't let Grandma drink alone. What would people say?" she gasped.
Emily shot Rory a glare and said, "You are getting more like your mother each day."
"Oh Grandma, I'm just teasing. I'll have a Coke, please," Rory called to Luke.
"Is Richard out of town?" Luke asked Emily as he poured a glass of white wine for her.
"He'll be home shortly. His meeting ran long," she explained. They heard the front door close and she looked up with a smile. "Speak of the devil," she said with a smile as her husband entered the room.
"Hello, all. Sorry I'm late," Richard said as he crossed the room to kiss Emily's cheek. She smiled up at him as she held Rory's Coke and Lorelai's juice. Richard clapped his hands together and called to Luke, "Barkeep, I'd love a scotch. Neat."
"Coming right up," Luke answered as he turned to hand Emily her wine. Once the ladies were settled with their drinks, Luke poured Richard two fingers of scotch and a glass of water for himself before he went to sit next to Lorelai on the sofa.
"So, Lorelai, how are you feeling?" Richard inquired politely.
"Like I'm pregnant," Lorelai responded with a cheeky smile.
Richard rolled his eyes and said dryly, "Then all is right with the world."
Luke nudged Lorelai and she reached for her purse. "Actually, I feel okay. The morning sickness is mainly just nausea now. Constant nausea, but not as bad as before," she said as she opened her purse and rummaged through it. "I've been pretty tired, but that might be a combination of the pregnancy, the inn, and stuff," she said offhandedly. She pulled out the ultrasound print and handed it to Luke. She looked up at her parents with a smile and said, "We have something to show you."
Luke handed the picture to Emily who frowned at it and asked, "Is this a Rorschach?"
"It's an ultrasound," Lorelai said with a nod as Richard got up to peer over Emily's shoulder.
"What am I looking for?" Emily asked as she puzzled over the picture.
Luke leaned over her other shoulder and said, "Here," as he pointed to one of the babies.
"Oh," Emily said as she began to make out the image. She cocked her head and then looked up with a frown. "Is it double exposed or something?" she asked.
Luke smiled gently and said, "No, it's not film." He glanced at Lorelai and she gave him a nod, a happy smile spreading across her face. "We're having twins," Luke told them in a proud, quiet voice.
Emily gasped and covered her mouth as she held the paper in her trembling hand. "Twins?" Richard asked in a bewildered tone. They both looked up at Luke and then at Lorelai and Rory, and were met with nods all around.
"Twins," Emily breathed softly. "Oh, Lorelai," she whispered.
"Are you excited? 'Cause, boy, we sure are," Lorelai asked as she fidgeted nervously.
Richard stared at his daughter for a moment and then said, "Excited? We're astounded!"
"So were we," Luke assured him.
Emily blinked and said, "But the inn. Surely, you can't work now," she said dismissively.
"Says who?" Lorelai shot back, straightening her spine and bracing for battle.
"Lorelai, really," Emily said shaking her head.
Luke placed his hand gently on Emily's shoulder and said firmly, "Lorelai will work as long as she feels up to it. Michel is there to take over when she's not, and they have hired a great staff. The Dragonfly will be fine," he said with finality.
"But," Emily started to protest.
"It's Lorelai's decision," Luke said as he walked back to the sofa to sit next to his wife. He took her hand in his and squeezed gently as they waited for the next volley.
Emily pursed her lips as she sized them up. "Well, I'm sure you'll do what's best," she said primly.
"I will," Lorelai answered firmly.
"This is marvelous," Richard said gleefully. He looked down at Emily's worried face and said softly, "Emmy, think of it like a bonus."
"A two-fer, if you would," Rory offered with an encouraging nod.
"Two-fer?" Richard asked with a chuckle.
"Two for the price of one," Rory said with a shrug.
"A two-fer. I like it," Richard said as he settled back into his chair and raised his glass to them. "I'd offer champagne, but Lorelai can't and Luke won't drink it," he said with a chuckle.
"Save it for their birthday," Lorelai said, trying to shake off her defensiveness.
Emily snorted and said, "Yes, because I am sure that you'll give birth and then say 'bring me a glass of wine',"
"Beats, 'Let them eat cake'," Lorelai grumbled.
"Yes, it does," Richard agreed with a chuckle. He looked into his glass for a moment and then at his daughter and son-in-law again. His eyes softened with moisture, and he swallowed thickly before saying, "This truly is fantastic news. Congratulations. We're so happy for you both."
"Thanks, Dad," Lorelai whispered in a choked voice.
"Oh no. No crying," Rory said quickly, waving her hands at them. She looked at her grandfather and said, "If you get all weepy, Hortense Hormone here will start bawling."
"Hortense Hormone?" Lorelai asked with a laugh.
"Your new nickname," Rory said with a shrug.
Lorelai's jaw dropped in offense as Luke started to laugh. She turned on him and said, "Hey, husband, father of my unborn children, defend me please," she commanded.
Luke shook his head and said, "If the name fits."
Lorelai sneered at him and said, "Wait 'til you hear the new ones I picked out for you."
Emily watched the two of them bicker back in forth for a moment before Luke leaned close to Lorelai and said, "But, you adore me."
Lorelai sighed in defeat and said, "God help me."
Rory snickered and said, "You've both flown too far over the cuckoo's nest for anyone to help you."
XXXX
The following afternoon, Lorelai was at the front desk when she saw her mother walk in holding at least ten stuffed carrier bags. Emily approached the desk and said cautiously, "Hello Lorelai."
"Hi Mom," Lorelai said as she eyed her mother warily, still trying to puzzle out Emily's uncharacteristic silence during last night's dinner.
Emily placed the bags on the floor and asked, "Can we speak in private for a moment, please?"
"Uh, sure. Let me just go get Michel," Lorelai said jerking her thumb toward the kitchen door. "You can wait in my office if you'd like," she offered as she opened the door behind her.
"Thank you," Emily said as she picked up the bags and swept into the office.
Lorelai sighed and headed for the kitchen. As she pushed through the swinging door she called, "Michel, I need you to cover the desk."
"I'm on my ten," he pouted.
"You're management now, baby, you don't get a ten anymore," Lorelai said with a laugh. "Please? My mother's here," she said with a grimace as she poured a cup of coffee and added cream and sugar for Emily.
Sookie looked at Lorelai's concerned expression and asked, "Didn't go well last night?" in a shocked tone.
Lorelai shrugged and said, "It was okay, just the usual Emily Gilmore weirdness. I'm sure she's here now to give me the rest of her opinion, since Saint Luke isn't here to play peacemaker," she said with a smirk.
Sookie's eyes widened as she said quickly, "You can't let her get you all upset. You have to take it easy now."
"I know, Sook. I'll be fine. I'll just let her pass judgment and then she can go away triumphant," she assured her friend. She turned back to Michel and asked, "Please?"
"Fine," Michael said as he pushed himself off of the stool he was perched on. "But you will make sure that she," he said pointing to Sookie, "makes me scones tomorrow."
"Fine," Lorelai said with a dismissive wave.
"Hey, this is my kitchen and even Lorelai can't tell me what to do in here," Sookie said heatedly as she planted her hands on her hips. Trying not to let her dimples flash as she jerked Michel's chain.
"Would you both please just let me go in there and let my mother berate me?" Lorelai snapped. "It really shouldn't take long, she's had decades of practice!" she assured them angrily as she spun on her heel.
Sookie and Michel each took a step back and nodded silently as Lorelai swept from the room. As they watched the door swing behind her, Sookie waved Michel out of the kitchen saying, "Holy hormones, Batman, you'd better scoot."
XXXX
"I brought you a cup of coffee," Lorelai said as she cautiously stepped into her office.
"Oh. Thank you," Emily said as she reached for the cup and saucer. She took a dainty sip and said, "Good. But not as good as Luke's."
Lorelai laughed and said, "No coffee in the world can compare to Luke's."
"Has he ever told you what he does to it?" Emily asked.
Lorelai shook her head and settled into her chair saying, "I really don't want to know. It's part of the magic that is Luke," she pronounced with a chuckle. "I don't want to spoil the mystique," she added with a smile.
"Yes, well," Emily said soberly as she settled the cup onto the saucer in her hand. "Lorelai, I really am happy about your news," she said softly.
"Thank you, Mom," Lorelai said graciously, but suspiciously.
Emily lifted her dark eyes to meet her daughter's bright ones and said with a small shrug, "I worry."
Lorelai blinked in surprise and asked, "About what?"
"You, of course," Emily said with a tinny laugh.
"Me?" Lorelai asked. "Why would you worry about me? I'm happy, I'm healthy, I have everything that I have ever dreamed of," she said incredulously.
"Mother's worry," Emily said simply. "No matter how things have been between us, you are still my daughter. I will always worry about you, just as you will always worry about Rory, and now, these two," Emily said softly. She looked down and said, "You work so hard. You're always on the go, always doing something. You're far too stubborn and you won't take anyone's advice," Emily accused.
Lorelai drew a deep breath and said, "I am perfectly willing to listen to advice, but I will not let anyone make up my mind for me. Not Rory, not Luke, not you," she said firmly.
"But twins, Lorelai. There are so many complications that can come with multiple births," Emily said anxiously.
"I'm aware of that, and you can rest assured that I will not let anything happen to these babies," Lorelai said as she covered her stomach with her hand.
"But you. Will you take care of yourself?" Emily asked softly.
Lorelai softened a little and said quietly, "I have to. They're counting on me."
Emily nodded in acceptance and said, "I won't stop worrying. You can't make me," she said imperiously.
"Fine, you worry all you want. As a matter of fact, I think I'll let you worry for me too," Lorelai offered with a chuckle.
"I will," Emily answered primly. "Thank you."
Lorelai eyed the bags at Emily's feet and said, "So, have you finally decided to ditch Dad and become a bag lady? I know where all of the good aluminum cans are dumped," she teased.
"Oh! No, I was just doing a little shopping and I saw these things," Emily said with a faint blush creeping into her cheeks.
Lorelai looked on in amazement as the color flooded her mother's face. She shook her head in disbelief as Emily began to pull dozens of tiny sleepers, onesies, itty bitty shoes made from butter soft leather, tiny fancy booties, crib sheets, receiving blankets, and dozens of other assorted baby accoutrements from the bags. She laughed and asked, "Did you clean out the infant's department?"
Emily looked around her chair in dismay and giggled. "I think I may have," she admitted. "I just wanted to help get your layette started," she said in a slightly defensive tone.
"They're beautiful. Thank you," Lorelai said with a warm smile.
Emily shrugged and said, "Well, I am their grandmother. This is my job," she said with a nod. She leaned forward and pulled two sleepers from the stack on the desk. "You mentioned something about ducks," she said as she spread them out on the desk and smoothed the soft material with her hand.
Lorelai couldn't help but smile at the itsy bitsy white sleeper covered with even tinier yellow ducklings. "Oh Mom," she sighed happily.
Emily sat back in her chair with a smug smile. "Baby Dior," she said proudly.
Lorelai laughed and said, "But, of course," as she smoothed her hand over the sleepers. She grinned at her mother and said, "Let's see what other big names you scored."
"Oh, let me show you…" Emily said excitedly as they dove into the piles on the desk. "Ralph Lauren!" Emily crowed as she pulled out two more matching sleepers.