Disclaimer: Only in my dreams do I own anything remotely associated with the Gilmore Girls and/or Logan Huntzberger.
"You ruined it!!" Steph's screeching voice entered the apartment where Colin, Logan, Finn, Seth, and Rory sat in the living room.
"Ruined what sweetheart?" Colin asked, confused at her sudden outburst that seemed to be directed at him.
"I told you that I didn't want to know the sex of the baby! I wanted to be surprised! And what do you do? You tell your mother the sex of the baby! And she just left a message on the apartment phone saying how excited she was that it's a girl!" she huffed, her eyes burning into him.
He looked guilty and upset at her distraught nature, but was obviously struggling for an acceptable response.
Sensing his need for help Rory interjected, "Stephie…I don't think Colin meant for you to find out."
He nodded vigorously, "I didn't. I had no idea she was going to call." Once again he was at a loss for words beyond the ones he'd just uttered.
"But hey," Logan helped, "you're having a little girl." His smile seemed to be contagious for the almost eight and a half month pregnant, blonde-haired beauty standing before him.
As her anger subsided, she finally allowed the realization to sink in. A baby girl. "Colin," her tone was different, almost in awe, "We're going to have a baby girl." She paused momentarily before continuing, screeching this time, "Ahhhh!!! A baby girl!!!!"
Everyone smiled as they watched her mood turn positive.
"Congratulations guys," Logan smiled, patting Colin on the back, and moving to give Steph a kiss on the cheek.
"Indeed loves, this is delightful news," Finn exclaimed exuberantly.
"Awww Stephie," Rory cooed, "This is so great!!"
"I would suggest a toast," Seth laughed, "But the lady of the hour cannot drink."
"Thanks Seth, it's the thought that counts." Turning to Rory she asked, "Ror, what time do we have to be there?" She was speaking in reference to the last dress fitting that was scheduled for late that afternoon.
"Not until four-thirty," she answered. "But my doctor had a cancellation, so I finally got an appointment about these headaches I've been having. That's at two-thirty. Do you want to come with me there, and we can go to the fitting after? Or do you want to meet me at the dress store?"
"Sure I'll come. Maybe I'll be able to swipe a few more of those parenthood pamphlets. I only had enough time to grab a few from the assortment when you went in for that stomach flu last month."
Everyone began to laugh at her seriousness. "Okay then. We should get going then," she said, noticing the time on her watch. Throwing a light jacket over her outfit, she kissed Logan goodbye, and went to help Steph rise from the armchair.
"Bye boys!!" They both echoed on their way out.
Back in the apartment, Logan went to fix the boys a round of drinks.
"Is Rory O.K.?" Finn asked Logan worriedly. "She's looking worn out lately—like she's lost some weight. And now the headaches."
"Yeah, I think she'll be fine once this wedding planning is over. My mother and her grandmother have been running her into the ground with all of the details and decisions. Plus, her mom and Luke are broken up, so she's been helping her mom deal with that."
"She's been so great with Steph throughout the whole pregnancy," Colin started. "Even though things are going so well between us, sometimes I can't figure out how to deal with her and these hormonal mood swings. But Rory steps right in and calms her down in a way that I can't even comprehend. If it weren't for her, I'm sure Steph would've kicked me out by now," he said semi-seriously, causing the boys to chuckle.
Logan smiled proudly, "She does have a way with people, doesn't she?"
"I still can't believe that Logan Huntzberger, Hartford's biggest playboy, is going to be married in two weeks."
"Ex-playboy," Logan corrected.
"It was an unexpected turnaround, mates! Alas, we couldn't be happier about it!" Finn proclaimed boisterously. Quieting, and becoming uncharacteristically more sober, "You two give the rest of us some hope that there is someone out there meant specifically for us."
"That's sweet Finn," Colin laughed. "Very touching."
"I'll drink to that," Logan remarked as he finished distributing the drinks, holding up his glass.
"Ms. Gilmore?" the receptionist called through an open door.
"That's me," Rory answered. "You don't have to come if you don't want to. I know that you don't like blood or needles," she said to Steph.
"Of course I'll come, that's what friends are for. Besides, you hate having blood drawn more than I do. You'll need someone to hold your hand, if you have to have any of that done."
They both followed the woman to the triage station, where they recorded Rory's weight and blood pressure. Eventually the woman led them to a small examination room. "Doctor Evans will be right in."
"Thanks," Rory responded to the nurse. As she left, Rory turned to Steph, "I hate going to the doctor."
"I know you do. I'm not very fond of it either. Just think, in less than two months I'll be confined to a hospital bed, squeezing a child the size of a watermelon out of my body. To be honest, I'm convinced that my child is the size of the jolly green giant."
Rory laughed out loud, "I'm sure it just feels that way." As she continued to giggle at Steph's serious face, the door to the exam room opened, and Rory's doctor walked in.
"Hello Rory, how are you today?" Dr. Evans inquired.
"I'm doing well. You remember my friend Stephanie."
"Ah yes I do. Glowing even more than the last visit you accompanied Ms. Gilmore to. How much longer do you have, dear?"
"About a month and a half. It's a girl," Steph boasted proudly.
"A girl! How wonderful!!" Dr. Evans smiled brightly. "Congratulations sweetheart," she said, touching Steph's belly lightly.
"Thank you very much."
"Now Rory, what brings you here today?"
"In general I've been feeling sort of under the weather lately. However, I'm sure that is most likely due to the stress of the last minute wedding preparations. But I've been having consistent headaches as well."
"How long have you been getting these headaches?"
"For the past month or so."
"Any other symptoms?"
"Just general fatigue. I've been very stressed, as I mentioned."
"Our records show that you've lost a significant amount of weight since you're last visit," she stated. "Twelve pounds to be exact."
"Stress?" Rory questioned.
"Possibly. Have you been sick at all? Any vomiting?"
"Well I came in last month complaining of the stomach flu. You gave me some antibiotics, but they didn't really touch it. It's been sort of off and on since then. I've been eating though,"
"Enough?"
"Like I said, I've been stressed with the planning."
"Well sweetie that could be the cause. A lack of nutrients is a viable explanation for headaches."
"So eat more?"
"In general, yes. But I still want to run a blood test, just in case."
"In case of what?" Steph interjected.
"The antibiotics that I gave her for the flu last month should have worked. And if she's still having symptoms, along with the current ones she's citing, I just want to be absolutely sure that all is okay. The triage report says that you're running low grade fever as well, which is abnormal, and a concern."
"Okay…" Rory said hesitantly.
"No worries dear. I'll just go get the nurse and we'll draw the blood right in here, O.K.?"
"Sure."
Minutes later Dr. Evans returned with an older woman, "Rory, this is Nurse Goodrich. She'll be drawing your blood today."
"Hi," was the meek response from Rory.
Steph moved to her side, noticing her reaction to the needles that the nurse was currently setting up.
"Hello sweetie. We'll try to make this as quick as possible," the old woman smiled gently, putting Rory at slight ease.
"Now Rory," Dr. Evans interrupted. "I'm going to take this opportunity to ask you just a few more questions. It'll also help to keep your mind off the needle."
"Okay," she responded, fidgeting nervously, still unable to take her focus off the old woman's actions.
"Do you take any vitamins dear?"
"No."
"How often do these headaches occur?"
"They're pretty consistent, generally. For the past month I've had a headache about every other day, if not everyday."
"Do any other symptoms present as consistent with the headaches?"
"Just the overall fatigue, and the occasional nausea from the flu I can't shake," she explained as the nurse began to draw her blood, causing her grip on Steph's hand to tighten. Looking away from her arm and to her doctor, the doctor was nodding as she spoke.
"Are your menstrual cycles regular?" Dr. Evans continued her questioning.
"Typically yes."
"And the date of the beginning of your last period?"
"September 16th."
"And all was normal?" the doctor pressed.
"It was almost a week early, and very light. Not exactly normal, but a period nonetheless. That happens sometimes, I guess."
"Yes, yes it does."
"Okay, all done Miss," the old woman said, placing a bandage where she had extracted the blood.
"Is that all the questions Dr. Evans?" she asked, relieved that the needles were being put away.
"Yes, dear. Now just a urine sample, and that will be it," Dr. Evans replied, holding out a specimen cup for Rory to take.
Taking the cup Rory smiled at the older woman, "Thank you Dr. Evans. I appreciate it."
"No problem dear, it's what I do. Now do you have any questions for me?"
"When will I receive the results of these tests?"
"Well we have our own lab in the building, so the tests will be done aw soon as we get them down there. It shouldn't be more than a half hour or so, if you'd like to wait around for the results. Once I look over the report, I could discuss it with you. Otherwise I can have the receptionist schedule a follow-up appointment so that you can come in and we can go over everything."
"I think I'll wait," she said, fingering the cup in her hands. "If you don't mind Steph."
"Of course not. We can go to the café next door and come back after."
"Yeah, I could use some coffee. I'm exhausted."
"Now just leave the specimen in the bathroom when you're finished, and we'll see you in about a half hour."
"Okay," she nodded, prodding off to the ladies room, leaving Steph alone with Dr. Evans.
"Do you think everything's okay?" Steph asked hesitantly.
"Oh yes dear. I wouldn't worry. I have a feeling things are just fine."
"Really? Because I felt like you were getting at something in there?" she stated the question.
"I shouldn't say much sweetheart, but why don't you do her a favor and treat her to coffee. Decaf," Dr. Evans winked slightly before disappearing back into one of the exam rooms.
At the mention of decaf, a small smile appeared on Steph's face.
"What's with the smirk?" Rory asked as she appeared from behind the bathroom door.
"Nothing. Just thinking that in a month or so I'll have a little girl to take care of." Rory only smiled in response. "Come on. I'll treat you to a cup of coffee."
"As much as I will always be appreciative of coffee, I have to admit that that cup was a bad one. Ugh, almost like decaf."
"Should've gone with the hot chocolate," Steph smiled at her knowingly. "The whip cream was delicious."
They reached the doctors office quickly and opened the main door.
"Ms. Gilmore!" the receptionist noted her entrance almost immediately. "Dr. Evans is ready for you."
"Already?" 'That was quick,' she thought.
"Already."
"Come on Steph," Rory pulled her round friend along through the corridor and to the destination office.
"Ah, there you are," Dr. Evans looked up from her seat at her desk.
"Are we late? I didn't think we'd been gone nearly a half hour."
"No, the tests were quicker than planned. Why don't you two have a seat?"
The two girls entered the room fully, closing the door behind them, and settling into the plush chairs in front of the desk.
"So, what's the verdict? Am I dying?" she joked lightly.
"Actually the opposite."
"Well that's good to hear, I like living," she continued. "So…"
"You're pregnant."
Steph smiled widely.
"I'm what?" Rory was confused and shocked at her statement.
"Pregnant," Steph repeated. "With child. As I am."
"But…how?"
"Well, generally when a man and a woman," Dr. Evans began to joke as well.
"I know that. But this is impossible."
"On the contrary," Steph argued. "You told me that you're not on the pill anymore. And I know for sure you're having sex…generally, that's all it takes." Dr. Evans nodded.
"No, it's not possible. I got my period in the middle of September. Logan left for London that same week. He got back two days ago. We haven't had sex since he got back because I haven't been feeling well." She was beginning to look distressed; Steph could tell.
"Dear," Doctor Evans began, "It is entirely possible. Only an ultrasound will confirm the final conception date, but I suspect that you got pregnant during the first week of September."
"But I got my peri—."
She was cut off by Dr. Evans explanation, "You had implantation bleeding." Rory looked confused. "About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping. That is considered implantation bleeding, and it is what I assume you experienced beginning on the 16th of September. And with today being October 26th, rough calculations would make you nearly seven and a half weeks pregnant."
Her hand went to her stomach immediately, a disbelieving look on her face. Steph's hand found her other hand and squeezed it gently.
The doctor continued, "Pregnancy explains each of your symptoms; the headaches, fatigue, and nausea are all common signs of pregnancy. The low-grade fever is also a common symptom of early pregnancy. The weight loss can be attributed to the morning sickness, as well as not eating enough. That's something I'm going to have to ask you to work on. I don't want you to lose any more weight."
Nodding in understanding, then looking to her right at Steph, and then back at the Doctor she finally spoke, "So…really?" she asked hopefully. "You're sure?"
"Yes sweetheart, both the blood test and the urinalysis confirmed it. You can celebrate, because it's for real."
Rory let out a breath that she wasn't even aware she'd been holding, as happy tears streamed down her face. "Steph!" Even before she got the word out, Steph had already pulled herself out of her seat, and had wrapped her arms around her best friend.
"Congratulations mommy," she smiled through watery eyes, using the nickname Rory had used so frequently in the past eight months for her.
Pulling back only slightly, she let the word wash over her. Mommy.
A/N: Review pleaseeeeeee.