1) First off, I've written a smutty one-shot that has nothing to do with this story, but it's kinda me testing out if people want to see smut or not when the opportunities start presenting themselves. So those who want smut, can check out "Lucky Number Seven" (and hopefully review)
2) I am through with any more attempts at being archived at BWR. My beta (Steph, you're wonderful as always) offered to convert my one-shot to "bunny ears" to please them, but they still rejected my story (because of punctuation and my honest AN). I've decided to say to hell with them. There are several other stories, great stories that I've read, that they've also refused for no good reason. I don't need BWR. I don't even like BWR, not after I found out how they treat their prospective authors (not just me, I've heard of cases much worse than mine). I've never before encountered a more snobbish and judgemental community. Just because we are foreigners doesn't mean we can't write good stories in English. Honestly, several of us have a better grasp of the English language than many of the native English ficwriters out there. Fanfiction dot net might not be the worlds best archive, due to troubles, update alerts going bad, no spoiler check, but at least we are being treated equally.
smileyGGfan - You think you were miserable? I was so mad, cause I could see that there were reviews. As for LL reunion, I want it to be realistic. I want them to first lash out, be angry, completely vent, get everything out in the open and learn from their mistakes. I want them to realize what keeping things to themselves can do to both themselves and their partner. Only then can they truly be reunited stronger than ever.
purtyinpink71121 - Although I don't like Chris at all and I find him annoying I do think he's smart enough to know when he's not fathered a baby. lol
gilmorian - I don't think I'll manage another week with daily updates again. At least not anytime soon. I know what you mean about the show. I'm refusing to watch any scenes involving Lorpey, I download the Luke stuff through gilmorefan dot com. He at least has a wondeful storyline. I love daddy Luke.
cywen69 - A bit mean, maybe. But out of character? Remember that she didn't tell her parents about her engagement for a long time, both times she was engaged. I am trying to keep up the show's balance with annoyance with the older Gilmore's and the sympathy. It's a difficult relationship they have with their daughter and vice versa.
Gymtig - Your questions are about to be answered.
bianca89 - Don't you mean until Nicole's gone? lol. Emily simply did the math and as she has no idea about Lorelai's boyfriend at the time or what happenened between Lorelai and Luke, it's a probable conclution that she thinks of Chris.
As with most babies, William didn't really get to experience his 'coming home' as he was sound asleep by the time Rory pulled onto the interstate. He wasn't awake when his mother unstrapped him from his car seat and carried him in. Nor did he notice when she laid him down in the bassinet that was going to be his bed for the coming months. He didn't hear when his father came bearing fresh coffee for the two Gilmore's, caffeinated and everything. Throughout it all, William kept on sleeping, oblivious to everything around him, his hand grasped around the silky tag of the blue bunny his mother had placed beside him.
Lorelai didn't notice him grasping the tag until the next morning when she woke up a little too early for breakfast, his, not hers. She had fed him right before going to bed, then once again when he woke her up in the middle of the night. As expected she was already exhausted and needed more sleep, but her body simply refused to let her. Glancing over at her alarm clock she knew she had half an hour, an hour tops until her son needed feeding. Knowing this was probably going to be one of the few times in the near future where she had the opportunity of freshening up before starting her day, she decided to grab it and have a quick shower, bringing the baby monitor with her into the bathroom.
Of course it was the precise moment where she had all the soap in her hair that she heard the hungry cry through the device. Taking only the time needed to quickly rinse the soap out, she was still wet underneath her bathrobe when she went to pick up her son. Shivering as the room felt extra cold against her moist skin, she crawled under the covers. She lied sideways on the bed, stroking the dark patch on her sons head as he ate.
Lorelai's plan of avoiding her fellow townies on the day of William's homecoming had backfired immensely as her house was completely without food, just as it had been the morning she'd gone into labor. As her and Rory had just been to dinner, Luke had only come bearing coffee. Also any restaurants who delivered take-out wouldn't be opening until sometime into the afternoon, as ordering take-out generally was an afternoon/evening thing to do. This and the sheer convenience of it was what had started her and Rory's pop-tart breakfast tradition for whenever they were, due to timing or some other reason, unable to get their breakfast at Luke's. The 'other reason' part often referred to whenever her and Luke were fighting or in some other way having a disagreement that made her temporarily unwelcome at the establishment.
Of course William wouldn't suffer for the temporary lack of food, but Lorelai would, and Rory for when she would wake up. With William grabbing her full attention, Lorelai managed to ignore her hunger as she simply couldn't take her eyes from the baby boy for even a second. Then when the clock neared ten and it was soon time for William to eat again, Lorelai simply couldn't ignore her hunger for a minute more and gently knocked on the door to her daughter's room. Rory emerged two minutes later, her eyes narrow as she was still very sleepy.
- We're hungry, Lorelai announced.
- Then grab a pop-tart or something, Rory said, breaking into a yawn.
- There's no food in this house whatsoever, Lorelai informed her daughter. - No food, no coffee, not a thing. Not even a stale pop-tart to munch on. I need you to go get breakfast.
- Give me ten minutes, Rory simply answered, closing the door again.
Lorelai was in the middle of feeding William when Rory left and was on her way downstairs after changing him when she heard the front door open.
- You come bearing food, Lorelai called out.
- Yeah, Rory replied, closing the door behind her. - Luke wanted to know why you didn't just call him instead of sending me over.
- You went to Luke's, Lorelai asked, peaking into the doorway.
- Amongst other places, Rory said, gesturing to the two Doose's bags she'd placed on the floor beside the Luke's bag. - Just so you know, your plan backfired.
- What do you mean, Lorelai only managed to ask before the door behind Rory opened again.
- My goodness, Babette exclaimed as she spotted the baby in Lorelai's arms. - Ain't he the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen?
Lorelai gave Rory an understanding nod as she needed no further explanation on what plan she was referring to or how it had backfired.
- Yes, Lorelai nodded, looking down at the squirming baby boy in her arms. - Yes, he is.
Knowing very well that not even hints as big as anvils would make Babette realize that perhaps this was not the best timing in the world for William to be introduced to the members of the Stars Hollow community, Lorelai simply stepped aside to let her nosy neighbor into the living room and followed.
- Come on, Babette said. - Don't leave me hangin'. What's his name, doll?
- Luke didn't tell you, Lorelai asked, puzzled.
- Honey, Luke ain't said squat to us about anything, not even when Patty asked him. We wouldn't even known it was a boy if Pete hadn't been at the store looking for his nephew's birthday present.
- Big Pete?
- Little Pete. His sister-in-law's kid. Anyways, if he hadn't seen the bunny...
- Bunny, Lorelai asked, pretending to be clueless.
- Oh, I'm so sorry, doll, Babette exclaimed, franticly. - I thought he already gave it to you since he was heading to the hospital and all. Oh, no, now I've ruined the surprise.
- Relax, Babette, Lorelai laughed, pointing to the bunny her son still was clutching with his tiny fist. - I'm just messing with you.
- Geez, Lorelai, Babette sighed. - Try and give me a heart attack here.
Rory, having kicked off her shoes and hung her coat up, entered the living room carrying the Luke's bag. The smell of food almost killing Lorelai, she was that hungry.
- What did you get, Lorelai asked.
- Well, since you didn't say anything specific I thought I'd get the works, Rory replied. - In bag number one we have the cheese omelet with a side of bacon and sausages, bag number two has rye toast with ham, sourdough toast with jam...
- You just ordered that to make the rhyme, Lorelai grinned.
- Anything to make you happy, Rory replied. - Bag number three was gonna be just pancakes, but Luke made some pumpkin pancakes and threw in homemade cinnamon butter with them.
- Luke made pumpkin pancakes?
- I guess all that nagging you did all those years finally paid off, Rory shrugged.
- Yes, score, Lorelai exclaimed, throwing her free hand into the air. - Now I'm only one step away from ruling the diner.
- What's the remaining step, Rory asked.
- Well, chili topped pringles on the menu, of course, Lorelai replied, then made a slight pause. - Wait, Halloween was yesterday, how'd we miss it?
- For starters we spent the entire evening at the Gilmore house, Rory pointed out.
- We got there around seven, how did we miss all the trick or treaters?
- It was closer to seven thirty, Rory corrected. - And not that many kids go trick or treating anymore.
- It's true, doll, Babette butted in. - Ever since that story about the razor blade in the apple, city folks don't let their kids out on Halloween. Especially not after dark. Taylor even tried banning it at the last town meeting.
- How am I missing all of this, Lorelai wondered out loud.
- Well, you were having a baby, Babette shrugged. - It happens.
Lorelai turned back to Rory.
- Did you get coffee, she asked.
- I'm not stupid, Rory pointed out, as she pulled out two steamy Luke's take-out cups.
- Angel, Lorelai sighed as Rory put the cup at the table in front of her.
Then the realization hit her. She couldn't exactly be drinking hot beverages while holding her son, now could she?
- Hand him over, sugar, Babette said, as though she'd read her mind.
Lorelai carefully placed her snoozy baby into the woman's open arms. William didn't object to the move. Instead he brought both his hands to his mouth and started sucking on them, his right hand still clutching the silky tag of the blue bunny. He seemed to really like the feel of the tag.
- My God, Babette exclaimed. - He's gonna be such a heartbreaker, this one.
Lorelai smiled at the comment as she took her first big gulp of coffee. Rory, having forgotten to get plates, took a quick trip to the kitchen and returned with two large dinner plates.
- Be glad we're not eating at Luke's today, she said. - The place was completely packed. Even the looser mini-table was taken.
- No, Lorelai said in disbelief. - That's always open, who had that one?
- I don't know, I think he might've been a tourist, Rory shrugged. - At least an out-of-towner. But that's nothing compared to the other piece of news I come bearing.
- What is it, Lorelai asked, curiously.
- Luke's hired in help.
- Really? Who is it? Anyone I know? Don't tell me it's Kirk. I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from laughing if it's Kirk.
- It's not Kirk, Rory replied. - But don't count your blessings just yet. He hired Brennon Lewis.
- Who, Lorelai asked, confused.
- Brennon, Rory responded. - I went to Jr. high with him.
- You went to Jr. High with a lot of people, Lorelai pointed out. - Doesn't mean I learned all of their names.
- He's the boy who dissected a frog, did not wash his hands, and then ate a sandwich, Rory reminded her.
- No, Lorelai exclaimed in disbelief. - Ew. Froggy? He hired Froggy? Luke can't possibly know about that. Did you tell him about the whole frog incident?
- No, Rory sighed. - He was just so happy and cheery. And you know how rare that is for Luke. I don't think I can get myself to bring him down like that.
- Have there been any incidents since the frog?
- Not that I can think of, but I haven't seen him in years, so who knows.
- Well, then, Lorelai shrugged. - Maybe he's changed. Anyways, Luke hired him, so we should give him a chance.
A frantic knock on the door interrupted the conversation. Lorelai opened the door to find a flushed Miss Patty gasping for air on the other side. She appeared to have just been running. She was leaning on her knees trying to catch her breath.
- Came... fast... could, she panted.
- Patty, slow down, Lorelai pleaded with the large woman. - Why were you running?
- Patty, Babette called out. - We're in here.
Despite Miss Patty looking as though she was seconds away from collapsing on the porch, she surprised Lorelai with hurrying inside the living room, almost instantly beginning to coo over baby William, who was now sleeping soundly in Babette's arms.
- What took you so long, Babette asked.
- These legs ain't made for running, Patty replied, her breathing slowly returning to normal again as she sat down. - Aww, isn't he adorable? I bet he's gonna be popular with the girls.
- That's what I've been telling Lorelai, Babette said.
- You should have him take one of my dance classes, Patty suggested. - I'd love to have more boys in them.
- He's one week old, Lorelai chuckled. - At least wait until he does more than sucking his fist before you start mapping out his dance career.
They were startled by the sudden noise of an electric guitar coming from the kitchen area, or more correctly, the garage.
- And cue the music, Lorelai quipped, as the bass joined in on the guitar.
William who had abruptly awakened by the music started to cry. Lorelai immediately turned and picked up her baby boy, holding him close to her body as she gently swung from side to side. The noise level seemed to have increased slightly and Lorelai gave her daughter a pleading look.
- I'll take care of it, Rory promised, running in direction of the garage.
William's crying had decreased slightly due to his mother's comforting touch, but it hadn't stopped. Lorelai noticed his diaper being heavy and decided to get him changed.
- Listen, she told her visitors. - I'm just gonna go and change him. I'll be right back.
- Take your time, sugar, Babette replied.
- Yeah, we can entertain ourselves, Miss Patty promised.
Lorelai continued to soothingly stroke her son's back while whispering comforting words into his ears. Halfway up the stairs the music thankfully stopped. She put her son down on the changing table and quickly removed the wet diaper. His crying had now stopped and he seemed to more fully calm down as the diaper came off and his skin was freed from the wet element. He brought his hands back up to his mouth and happily started sucking on whatever part of his fists he could manage. Lorelai smiled at the sight. As she reached for the stack of dry diapers, she heard the distinctive sound of something falling to the floor.
- Careful, she heard Babette exclaim.
She didn't hear what the reply was or if there even was a reply, but then Babette's voice emerged again.
- Did you find anything, Babette ask asked.
- Hospital bracelet, Miss Patty replied. - Not much help though, it says 'baby boy Gilmore' on it.
- Well, that makes it potentially more difficult.
- Hey, I am always up for a challenge, Miss Patty said. - Are you finding anything?
- Yes, score, Babette exclaimed, happily. - A baby book. I wonder if she's started writing in it yet.
Lorelai inhaled a sharp breath and stopped moving immediately as she heard Babette say it. She began wondering if she had written Gilmore or Danes as William's last name. Had she even written a last name for him? It was as though her memory had been completely erased regarding the content in this book. She held her breath as she waited. It seemed to take the two women forever to open it.
- She named him William, Babette suddenly exclaimed.
- My, my, Miss Patty replied. - Isn't that interesting?
- You think Luke knows?
- Well, he was at the hospital with her, so I'd be surprised if he didn't.
- What do you think this means, Patty?
- I don't know, Miss Patty replied. - Last I heard he was back together with Nicole.
- That's what I heard as well. East-side Tilly said she'd seen the two of them leave the diner on Thursday, going someplace out of town.
- What more does it say, Miss Patty asked.
- She hasn't written squat about the father, Babette replied.
Lorelai sighed in relief.
- Surely you don't think...
- Nah, Miss Patty dismissed. - We would've known.
- Do you think he looks like him, Babette asked.
- It's hard to tell, Miss Patty answered. - He looks like he could belong to any of her guys.
- Yeah. She does seem to have a great taste in men.
- Maybe she doesn't know, Miss Patty suggested. - Not that I'd blame her.
William started fussing on the changing table. Lorelai immediately turned her focus back to him. As she fastened the clean diaper and started redressing him, she studied her sons features. Although some babies carried very recognizable features, one really needed to compare baby pictures to see how alike he was to his parents. Lorelai owned no baby pictures of herself, so the only thing she had to compare him to were the old baby pictures she had of Rory. And she saw some similarities there. The baby blue eyes, not that it was much of a surprise, really. She knew from having looked into Luke's eyes often enough that her son's eyes would remain blue.
His nose was more pointing up, more like hers than Luke's, but his chin was broader, less pointy than hers. Same with his shoulders. And his neck was thicker than Rory's had been. At this point it was easier to spot the resemblance if one knew there was no doubt that he was Luke's. She was sure that once he got bigger he would be carrying more of his father's features than hers.
William's hands once again found his mouth and he happily curled up on the changing table sucking on whatever part of his hands he could get to. Lorelai picked him up and decided to face the music, well the gossip queens and the band, at least. Miss Patty and Babette were back on the couch, as though they had been there the whole time.
- Everything alright down here, Lorelai asked. - I thought I heard some noise.
She immediately caught the guilty looks in both women, but decided to pretend she hadn't.
- Um, yeah, Miss Patty replied. - I was going to look at those pictures of you and Rory up on the mantel and I accidentally knocked the lamp over on my way there. I'm a bit clumsy, you know.
Lorelai glanced over at the lamp that indeed was lying on the floor.
- Well, it doesn't look worse for the wear, she told the woman.
- Anyhow, Babette told her. - We really gotta get going. I promised Morey I was gonna listen to his new song.
- Right, Miss Patty said. - And I have that dance class starting up in a few minutes. But it's been great seeing you.
- Yeah, Babette agreed. - That's a real cutie you have right there.
Before Lorelai could really form a goodbye, the two women were on their way out the front door. Lorelai walked over to the window and saw both of them heading down the road, no doubt in her mind that they were heading towards 'Hello! Magazine' to share their findings.
TBC
