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Gilmoregirl19

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls.

Fifty-three missed calls. Rory nervously clicked her cell phone open and closed as sat on the backseat of the limo on her way home from the Huntzberger Offices. She debated whether to call Logan now, or face him when she got home. She knew he had to be furious as she quickly did the math on Logan's calling habits. The first call was logged at 8:15 that morning and she had received his last message a few minutes ago, at 12:15.

That gave him four solid hours to call. She imagined him fuming, stuck in the morning traffic, as he angrily or perhaps worriedly, pressed the redial button on his phone.

It also depended on how much Lorelai had told Logan. Maybe her mother had been evasive about her whereabouts exactly, and just told him she needed to get back to New York. However, the more she thought about it, the more unlikely that seemed. Her mother probably figured Logan had the right to know, considering his wife was pulling an Emily Gilmore and meddling.

Fifty-three missed calls. Four hours to call. That means her boy roughly averaged thirteen calls an hour or 0.2 calls a minute. She could not help smile at his impressive, albeit creepy and borderline stalker-ish accomplishment. She stifled a yawn. Her morning meeting with Mitchum tired her out and she was not looking forward to doing a similar battle with Logan. Fed up, she tossed her cell in her bag and decided that she was in desperate need of some coffee.

"I'm so sorry," she said, practically yelling as she burst through the apartment door. The giant macchiato with a triple espresso shot worked wonders on her fatigue.

"Babe, I know I should have left a note, or texted you or something, but I was just so excited last night. I just went and I'm so sorry," she continued rambling as she walked to him.

Logan stood silently at the kitchen counter, gently resting his arms on the marble countertop. The look on his face spoke volumes. It wasn't that he was mad, per say, but his wrinkled forehead, the bags under his eyes and pursed lips did not bode well for Rory.

"I just – I don't know – I had to go," she continued her rant, "Chalk it up to maternal instincts or something," she shot him a soft smile, hoping to see him mirror her expression but he didn't.

"Okay," she said, noting her defeat as she ran a hand through her messy hair. "I didn't want to give these to you now, but you've left me no choice."

She held out a white paper bag and smiled at him as she waited for Logan to take it, but he didn't.

"I got you make-up muffins from the coffee place you like so much, babe," she smiled at him, once more, but again with no avail.

She was slightly taken aback as this was much harder than she thought. Typically, her apologetic rambling, a sweet treat and her innocent sweet smile was all it took to melt his anger away.

Logan exhaled deeply, "How much coffee have you had?"

She frowned at him, quickly, since her caffeine consumption was not the topic at hand. "Uh, just the usual," she paused, "With a triple shot of espresso…."

There was no point in lying, since she knew he had coffee radar. She shot him another winning smile, as if that would cancel out her slight caffeine misstep, but he didn't bite.

He pointed at the muffin bag. "Better eat something," he said flatly, "Maybe that'll sop up some of the caffeine…"

Rory swallowed a deep sigh. He was trying to change the subject and she really didn't feel like a muffin, but she took one for Logan's sake.

"I think you broke some sort of record," she said, breaking off a piece of the baked good. She wanted him to reply and then they would fall into the same old routine of banter and making-up; but, he remained quiet.

"You average about 13 calls in an hour," she shrugged, "Or 0.22 calls a minute. To me, that's Guinness Book of Records worthy, but I'll have to call to find out," she managed a chuckle.

He opened his mouth to say something, but sighed deeply instead, letting her know that he was not in the mood for joking. All Rory wanted to do was explain to him why she felt so compelled to intervene.

She felt Logan's eyes follow her as she propped herself up on the barstool. "So, 53 calls," she broke off another piece of the muffin. "You must be pretty upset…."

"No…" Logan interrupted, but he didn't follow through. He was distracted, as if he was trying to figure out exactly what to say.

"Logan," Rory said, "Why are you so mad about this?"

"I'm not mad," he shot back immediately, though it was obvious in his tone.

"This," Rory waved her finger at him, "Is not mad?"

He sighed heavily, hating that she could always call him out. "I'm disappointed," he clarified.

"Disappointed?" she winced. Typically, 'disappointment' was far worse than just plain mad.

"Yeah," he nodded, 'Come on, Rory, how could you just go to Mitchum without me?"

The tone he used cause a wave of guilt to wash over Rory. He was truly confused and he had every right to be. She had broken their pact and hurt him. However, she was sure that if Logan heard her motives he would understand.

"Well…' she started to explain herself, but Logan cut her off.

"You know how I feel about him," He spoke with disgust, "I don't ever want to go back to HPG and he lured you there with his big promises and empty words …."

"That's not true," she interjected, but he didn't seem to hear her.

He quickly ran a hand through his hair. "Why'd you go, Rory?" he asked urgently.

"For us," she explained. "You need that job. You won't admit it, but that's what makes you tick. You love it. All the negotiating, the million dollar ulcer inducing business deals, the swanky networking parties…"

Logan's features softened slightly at the mention of his job, but they quickly changed as he realized that it was all in the past.

"Well," he said bitterly, "That ship has sailed. Besides, you never liked me working there and it's not like we need the money," he shot her a pointed look as he knew he was right. Money wasn't the issue.

"Please," Rory scoffed, "It's not about the money!" She pointed at him, "You need that job to keep you from going insane. You've never worked for the money; you work because you like it; because it makes you feel like you are contributing. And I need you to have that job, for your sake, for our sake and that of the baby!'

She deliberately left out the part about her not wanted him to work there, because that much had been true, before, of course, she renegotiated his contract. However, that was something she didn't want to reveal just yet. So, she stayed quiet as she let the words sink in on her husband.

"Whatever," he shrugged his brilliant comeback, "If it's that important to you I'll get a job at McDonalds. Nothing says self-actualization like flipping burgers."

"Mature," Rory sighed, resting her hand on her chin, "Why can't you just say it's about your Dad? You don't want to work at HPG because of Mitchum."

"Any sane person wouldn't deliberately sign up to work at HPG," he exclaimed as he threw he hands up in frustration.

"Six months ago you said something different," Rory reminded him.

"Yeah, well," he spat, "That's before he chose Milton over me!"

"Aha," Rory said triumphantly, "So that's what this is all about!"

Logan's features softened, letting her know she had been right all along.

"He didn't know about Milton, Logan," she said tenderly and he shot her a disbelieving look.

"Just… you have to trust me on this," she pleaded, "He honestly had no idea his best friend would do that to him and besides, Mitchum got his payback, too."

"So, what's this?" Logan questioned hotly, "You are taking his side now?"

"I'm always on your side, Logan," she was offended he doubted that. Instead of arguing about that, she decided to go with the 'Mitchum-got-his-payback' route.

"Without you, Logan, HPG is nothing…"

This caught his attention. "Mitchum fired Milton because he realized he had made the wrong choice. Granted, it took him a while to realize that, but still…," she waved that thought away, "And now he's paying for it. The entire staff went on strike, out of solidarity with you!'

"Big deal," Logan shrugged as if it didn't matter, "Mitchum will hire a new team like that," he snapped his fingers to prove his point.

"You really think so?" she asked, raising her eyebrow slightly, "Who's he going to find that knows the business like you? Where is he going to get another Mary-Lou that can whip up a spread-sheet like nobody's business, or another guy in graphics who can fit every article into the copy? Without you, HPG might just as well close its doors!"

Silence fell over the apartment building as Logan contemplated Rory's words. It was mean of her to lay the guilt trip on so thick, but Rory knew she was right. He loved his job and all the craziness that went along with it. Deep-down, he liked working alongside Mitchum; he was just too stubborn to admit it. She watched as his features softened and realization dawned on him.

"Jesus, Ace," he whispered, cracking a smile for the first time that day, "You really are Emily's granddaughter."

A huge smile broke over her face. "I should be offended, but I'm not," she quipped, happy that their battle was over.

"So, what am I going to do now?" he asked, walking over to her.

"I'm glad you ask," she said happily, digging through her purse.

"What's this?" he asked as she handed him a thick legal document.

"The contract I negotiated with Mitchum!"

"What?" He was stunned.

"What?" she shrugged casually, "you didn't think I'd be all gung-ho if Mitchum wanted you to go back to working hundred-hour weeks!'

He let out a loud laugh and pressed a kiss on her forehead, "You, my dear Ace, are amazing!"

She smiled contently as she watched him quietly flick through the pages.

"I told Mitchum he wasn't to finalize a thing, until you had your say," Rory said seriously as he was finishing up reader, "I mean, you are the boss…"

"It's perfect, Ace," he sighed elated, "You know, we could take over the world with your super powers," he smirked.

"Nah," Rory laughed, "I couldn't – I'd miss all the good TV-shows."

The couple shared a much needed laugh and Logan pulled her into a hug.

"I'm glad you aren't mad anymore," she said, looking up to meet his gaze.

"I should be," he warned jokingly, "You practically gave me a heart attack this morning, when I woke up and realized you weren't there. You lied to me, talked to my father behind my back, robbed me of my manhood by asking my dad for my job back and negotiating a contract and waltzing in here, thinking some muffins could make up for it!" He spoke in mock-anger, causing a smile to play at Rory's lips.

"Blueberry muffins," she was quick to point out, "Your favorite."

"I know," Logan nodded, before continuing, "But I can't be mad, because you were right to go." He released her from their embrace, "So, where's your contract?"

"Oh," Rory waved his question away, "I don't have one." She shot him a quick smile.

"What?" Logan asked in disbelief. "You had Mitchum Huntzberger right where you wanted him and you didn't even you that to your own personal advantage?"

"I did," Rory let him know, "I made your contact, remember?"

"Yeah," he sighed, "but what about your career?"

"There's wiggle room at HPG for me…."

"But nothing specific," he finished for her.

"Right," she nodded.

"Why," Logan asked again, trying to understand her.

"Because I have more important things to deal with," she explained, patting her tummy, "Right, G?"

"Ace," Logan laughed, "You are too much!"

"Logan!" she exclaimed, "How can I possible work when I have to read scary chapter nine on birthing methods and watch baby week on TLC to prepare for the birth…and besides, we haven't even decided on the hardest part!"

"And that is?" Logan asked, humoring her. He knew she was dreading the actual birth of the baby.

"Naming Baby G!" she exclaimed in surprise.

He let out a small laugh. To his mind, naming the baby was the least of their problems.

"It's not funny," Rory frowned at him.

"Ace," he drew out, "We are having a girl so we are naming the baby Lorelai."

He smiled at her surprised face. "Really?"

"Yeah, Ace," he smirked, "What else?"

"I don't know," she shrugged, feeling the tiniest bit silly for making a bigger deal out of this than it was. "Maybe you've been harboring a secret desire to name your child Esmeralda or Fiona?" she asked dramatically, "Who am I to stand in the way of that?"

He laughed at her suggestion. "Who am I to stand in the way of a perfectly good tradition?" he countered teasingly, "Though Esmeralda Huntzberger has a pretty nice ring to it," he laughed.

She smiled lovingly as he continued, "Ace, our baby girl should be named Lorelai. She may be a Huntzberger by name, but she's going to be a Gilmore Girl at heart," he nodded sincerely, "I can tell."

She paused for a moment, taking in his tender words. However, her expression soon changed as she realized this left them with a much bigger problem.

"Oh crap," she pounded her fist on the counter, "What about a nickname?"

He started to open his mouth, but quickly shut it as Rory continued, "And I don't want anything cliché like Lola!"

"Okay," Logan nodded and scurried off to the living room. He returned with his trusty laptop.

"You know," Rory said pointing at the computer, "you have an addiction."

"I do not," Logan replied taking mock-offence, "The Google School of Medicine diagnosed you just fine and I'm sure Google will cough up a good nickname."

Rory watched as Logan feverishly punched in a few keys.

"How 'bout Oriel?" he suggested after a few moments. "If I remember correctly from my limited Latin knowledge it means Golden…"

"Oriel," Rory repeated, trying it on for size, "Oriel, time for dinner!" She scrunched up her nose. "It sounds like Oreo…," she laughed, "Mom would die laughing."

"Okay," Logan nodded, "The Golden One is out!"

After a few more key strokes, he came up with "Ilea".

"Ilea?" Rory asked, "It is I….lea," she put on a deep voice, causing Rory and Logan both to laugh.

"Okay, so that's out," Logan sighed. "Well, at least we can always choose from Lori, Lola, Lo, Lore, Lea, or Elli… "

Rory's face fell. "This isn't working!" she exclaimed, "Are you sure you don't have some secret baby name wish?"

His lips curled into a small smile. "What about Charlotte?"

"Charlotte," she repeated slowly.

"Lorelai Charlotte Huntzberger," Logan said, "Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

"Yes," Rory nodded excitedly, "Lottie, for short."

"Lottie for short," Logan nodded in agreement.

The pair was silent as they let the name sink in.

"Wait," Rory suddenly said, breaking the silence, "Who is this Charlotte? Because if she's some former lover or the name of your pet gerbil you had a freaky adoration for, then we are going with plain old Lola" she rambled.

Logan should have been offended, but he laughed at Rory's outrageous pregnancy induced outbursts.

'No, no former lovers or pet names," Logan assured her, 'Charlotte was Elias second wife. She died when I was in high school, but she was a great woman. Reminded me of your Mom a little bit… "He trailed off, smiling at the memory.

"Well then," Rory sighed satisfied, "That's the perfect name."

The baby responded with a strong kick letting her soon-to-be parents know they were on the right track.

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