Reclining Room Only
Lorelai and Rory walked through the curtain closing off Emily's cubicle in the emergency room. "Hey, Grandma," Rory said softly.
"Rory," Emily said with a tired smile. Her eyes darted to Lorelai as she asked, "Your father?"
"Luke has been with him," Lorelai answered. "His ankle is broken and his shoulder is pretty badly bruised," she reported.
"The doctor said he was going to immobilize his arm for a few days to give his shoulder a chance to heal without aggravating it further," Rory told her.
"They're putting the cast on his ankle now," Lorelai finished with a nod.
"Thank God it wasn't any worse," Emily murmured with an exhausted sigh.
"How are you doing?" Rory asked as she took her grandmother's hand in hers.
Emily favored her with a wan smile and said, "My head is killing me."
"Have they given you anything for it yet?" Lorelai asked.
"Yes, they just did," Emily said softly. "How big of a fool did I make of myself out there?" she asked.
Lorelai shook her head reached out to pat Emily's arm comfortingly as she said, "You were more worried about Dad. That's natural."
Emily saw her daughter wince a little as she dropped her arm, and her eyes sharpened. "What's wrong?" she demanded.
"Nothing," Lorelai said quickly, flashing a bright smile.
"You winced. Are you in some kind of pain?" Emily asked quickly.
"No, not really, I just," Lorelai said as she glanced around uncomfortably.
Rory turned to look at her mother with a concerned frown and asked, "You just what?"
Lorelai rolled her eyes, her mind flashing back to Jake's quick bedtime snack as she took a deep breath and said in a rush, "I haven't really nursed the since earlier this evening. It's kind of uncomfortable."
"Oh," Rory said blankly.
Emily frowned and asked, "Can't you do something about that?"
Lorelai laughed shortly and said, "I didn't think to grab my milking machine on the way out of the door, no."
Rory frowned in thought and then said, "Maybe if you went up to the maternity ward, they could, uh, help you."
Lorelai raised her eyebrows, pursing her lips as she thought it over. "Maybe," she said thoughtfully. "I'll ask in a little bit," she assured her daughter. "So, Mom," Lorelai said uncomfortably, giving Emily a quick overly bright smile. "Luke and Rory and I were talking. Dad isn't going to be able to use crutches until his shoulder mends, that means he'll need a wheelchair for at least a little while," she started.
"And you can't be left alone tonight, and Grandpa is on painkillers," Rory chimed in with a nod.
"So we were thinking that you could, uh, come home with us," Lorelai said hesitantly.
"No, absolutely not," Emily answered quickly.
"But Grandma, Grandpa can't make the stairs at your house, where will he sleep?" Rory asked reasonably. "If you come to our house, you can stay in my room. Excellent kitchen access," she added with a smile and an encouraging smile.
"We couldn't possibly impose like that," Emily said, dismissing the idea.
"See, Mom, I don't think you really have much of a choice here," Lorelai tried to reason with her. "If we can't guarantee them that someone will be watching over the two of you, they won't release you, and Dad can't manage on his own," she said firmly.
"It will just be a few days, until you can get your feet under you again," Rory said quickly.
"But I want to be in my own home," Emily said in a bewildered tone.
"I know," Lorelai said quickly. "I totally understand, but you can't right now," she said gently.
"Hey, look at it this way," Rory said brightly. "It will give us a few says together before I head back to school, and you can spend more time with Josh and Jake," she said with a smile. "You know that Luke is an excellent cook, and Mom and I can wait on you hand and foot," she offered.
"Speak for yourself," Lorelai muttered with a snort. When Rory shot her a look, Lorelai rolled her eyes and said, "Yeah, Mom, you'll be trading up from a maid/cook combo, to and upstairs/downstairs set of maids and a cook."
"It would be too much trouble. You have the babies to look after," Emily pointed out.
"Yes, and if you're feeling up to it, I'm sure Mom would appreciate the help," Rory said as she shot Lorelai a pointed look.
Lorelai smothered a sigh as she said, "They can be a handful now that they're moving around more. They're rolly polly bugs," she said with a grin.
"What a lovely description," Emily said dryly.
Lorelai grimaced and said, "Well, it's going to be a little bit until Dad is released. You think it over. I think I'm going to, uh, go upstairs," she said with a little shrug. "You'll stay here?" she asked Rory.
"I will, and I'll have her all worn down by the time you get back," Rory assured her with a nod.
"Okay, well," Lorelai said shifting awkwardly.
"Go," Rory urged.
"Be back in a little bit," Lorelai said as she parted the curtain and wound her way out of the emergency exam rooms. She found a bank of elevators and took one up to the third floor. She went directly to the nurses station and said, "Excuse me," to the redhead behind the desk.
"Can I help you?" she asked with a smile.
"Uh, hi," Lorelai said with a sheepish smile. "This is kind of embarrassing, but I need help. My parents are being treated down in emergency, they were in an accident tonight," she explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Are they alright?" the nurse asked politely.
"They'll be fine, thank you. Just banged up," Lorelai said quickly. She licked her lips nervously and said, "Uh, I'm nursing, twins. Born here actually, back in February," she said quickly as she shifted from one foot to another. She leaned over the desk and whispered, "Here's the thing. We had a dinner tonight, so I haven't really nursed since this evening. I mean, Jake had his little bedtime snack, but it really wasn't much, more of a comfort thing, you know?" she babbled. "Anyway, we've been down there for a little while now, and I'm," she said holding her hands out in front of her breasts with a meaningful look.
"Oh!" the nurse said as understanding dawned. "You need to pump," she said with a nod.
"Yes, but I left the house in a hurry," Lorelai started to explain.
The nurse looked around and then said in a low voice, "I don't think I can help you if you're not admitted."
"Please, I'm begging you. They're killing me," Lorelai said in a harsh whisper. "Just let me use one of those little hand pump things. I'll sneak into the ladies room. I don't need a bottle, I can pump and dump," she pleaded.
The nurse looked around again and when she saw that no one was near, she said, "Give me a minute," as she pushed her chair back and disappeared into the nursery. She came back a minute later with a small manual pump. "The ladies room is right down there," she pointed out quietly.
Lorelai took the pump and smiled with a relief. "Thank you so much," she said in a rush as she hurried down the hall. She walked into the deserted bathroom muttering, "Ow, ow, stupid boobs." She settled herself in one of the stalls, and quickly set about trying to get some relief. When she was finished, she dumped what she had just pumped into the toilet and flushed it with a sigh. "All that work for nothing," she mumbled, flexing her sore fingers. She poked her head out of the ladies room and looked down at the nurses' station. The same woman was sitting there, so she hurried back down the hall. She smiled at her and said, "I can't thank you enough."
"Oh, you're welcome," she said with an understanding smile.
"I washed it out as best I could in there," Lorelai said, holding the small pump up awkwardly.
The nurse smiled and said, "That's okay. This is one of the ones we use to demonstrate for new moms. We usually just toss them if the mom doesn't take it home. The manufacturer provides them," she explained.
Lorelai nodded and said, "Well, that must be a new model. The one they gave me was different, the trigger pump thingy was not as easy," she said with a nod. "Okay, well, I'll just, uh, thank you," she said again as she backed away. "I'd better, uh, get back," she said with an awkward smile. "Thank you," she called again with a little wave as she turned and hurried back to the elevators.
As she was waiting, two other nurses rounded the corner chattering away. "Hey, you remember that cute Dad that was here with the twin boys this past winter. Scruffy one, big blue eyes?" one asked the other.
The other nurse frowned and said, "I don't think so."
"Oh, you do, believe me. Would come in with that blue hat on backwards, plaid shirts, stood at the nursery window every time his wife went to sleep," she prodded as they passed Lorelai.
"Oh him," the other nurse said with a nod. "Yeah, I remember him," she added with giggle.
"He's down in emergency," the first nurse told her.
"Admitted?" the second nurse asked as they turned the next corner.
Lorelai smirked as the elevator dinged and the doors began to open. She looked down at the breast pump still clutched in her hand and shook her head as she quickly stuffed it into a nearby trash can rather than carry it around. She stepped off the elevator moments later, and glanced into the waiting room to see Luke sitting in a chair, his arms crossed over his chest as he rested his head against the wall behind him with his eyes shut. Lorelai took the opportunity to press a soft kiss to his lips, making him jump in surprise. "Hello, Sleeping Beauty," she whispered, her face close to his.
Luke smiled and blushed at being caught napping on the job. "Hey," he said softly.
"They still working Dad over?" she asked as she settled into the chair next to his.
"Almost done they tell me," he said with a nod. "How's your Mom?" he asked.
"She's okay. Stubborn. Doesn't want to come to our house. I left Rory to work on her," she said with a nod.
"Oh. Where did you go?" he asked with a frown.
"Third floor. I had to sweet talk a nurse out of a breast pump before my boobies exploded," she whispered with a grin.
"Wouldn't want that," Luke murmured, the color rising on his cheeks.
"So, you're still remembered fondly up there," she said teasingly.
"Huh?" he asked.
"Heard a couple of nurses talking about the cute dad from last winter with the twin boys and the blue ball cap. They said he was down in the emergency room," she teased.
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "Sure."
"I'm serious! I was waiting for the elevator and they were walking by talking about you," she said with a grin. "They remember you," she teased.
"You're making that up," he grumbled.
"You can give me the biggest stack of bibles in the world, and I will swear on them all," she said shaking her head. "When we get home, I'm keeping you under lock and key," she told him.
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "You're nuts."
"Ah, the standard line when you know I'm right," Lorelai said with a grin.
Luke shook his head and said, "The standard line when you're talking crazy."
Lorelai looked over at him and said, "Sorry about tonight."
Luke smiled tenderly and brushed her hair back from her face. "Me too," he said softly.
"Sorry I fell asleep on you this afternoon. I should have known that we'd never get to have nighttime sex," she whispered.
"Shh," he hissed, glancing around even though he knew no one could hear them. He smiled and said, "I liked the nap too."
Lorelai smirked and said, "Sad, sorry day when a good nap ranks right up there with a good, you know."
"Well, you know, we're not getting any younger," Luke said with a smart ass smile and a shrug.
"Speak for yourself, Geezer," she said with a grin. She leaned over and whispered, "I'm a MILF, remember?"
He looked her up and down with a devilish gleam in his eye and said, "I'd like to."
"Don't start what we can't finish," she said with a playful pat on his leg. She rested her head on his shoulder and said, "We'll both be passed out the minute we hit the pillows tonight."
"True," Luke said as he turned to kiss her head.
He looked up at a nurse walked in and told them, "We're working on Mr. Gilmore's discharge now. There seems to be some confusion about Mrs. Gilmore's after care?" she asked with raised eyebrows.
Luke shook his head and said, "No confusion, they're both coming home with us."
"Very good. We'll print off a list of instructions for each of them, and you should be ready to leave shortly," she informed them.
"Thank you," Lorelai said as she stretched her legs out in front of her. She turned to Luke and said, "Have you told Dad the plan?"
Luke nodded and said, "I told him when I came back in. He's so looped out on pain medication, he thinks it sounds like 'great fun.'" he told her with a smirk.
Lorelai nodded and said, "Okay, well, I call I get the happy loopy one, and you go deal with the cranky stubborn one. If Rory hasn't managed to convince her, I'm sure you can flirt her into it," she said as she nudged him with her elbow.
Luke shrugged as he stood up and said, "I'll tell her she has no choice."
"You do that," Lorelai drawled as she followed him back to the warren of cubicles. She poked her head into Richard's and said, "Hey Dad."
Richard smile beatifically and said, "Lorelai! I have scrubs, just like on television."
"Very nice," Lorelai said with a grin as she stepped into the cubicle.
"His clothes were ruined," the nurse explained.
"So they gave me these to wear home," Richard said with a sage nod. "They're very comfortable."
"I'm glad you like them," Lorelai answered, trying not to laugh. "So, Dad, Luke told you that we're going to take you and Mom back to our house, right?" she asked cautiously.
"I can't wait. It will be like a bunking party," Richard said with a nod.
"Yes, we'll freeze your bra first," Lorelai said with a somber nod.
"Very funny, Lorelai," Richard said dryly. He thought for a moment and then said in a serious tone, "I think we should do Emily's first."
Lorelai had to turn away as she smothered a giggle and said, "Mom's it." She gestured to his cast and said, "That's nice white sock you've got there."
"Yes, very white," Richard agreed with a nod. He frowned and said, "I see children these days with colored casts and such."
"Yes, Rory's was blue, remember, when she broke her wrist?" Lorelai reminded him.
"That's right," Richard said softly. "I should have asked for a green cast. I like green," he said simply.
"Oh, man this is gonna be fun," Lorelai mumbled to herself as the nurse came back with a wheelchair.
She smiled and said, "Your husband has made arrangements to rent the chair. It should be good enough until Mr. Gilmore is able to use crutches."
"Thank you," Lorelai said as the two of them helped Richard from the table and into the chair.
Once he was settled, he looked up at Lorelai with a boyish smile and said, "Let's go pick up my date."
Lorelai leaned over to the nurse and asked, "What did you give him, and can I have some?"
The nurse shrugged and said, "It's very mild actually. Medications effect people differently."
"I guess so," Lorelai muttered. "I wish I felt this good after my surgery," she said as they wheeled Richard to the desk room where Luke, Rory and Emily were already waiting.
"We've given your husband their prescriptions and instructions," the nurse told her as they approached the group.
"There's my pretty Emmy," Richard boomed loudly, causing Luke and Rory to smother their chuckles.
"Hello dear," Emily said with a soft smile as she bent to kiss his cheek.
Richard took her hand and asked, "You're alright?"
"Just a bump on the head," Emily answered calmly, shooting Luke a look of exasperation.
"You have a concussion," Luke growled.
Emily rolled her eyes and told Richard, "Just a little headache. I'll be fine by morning."
"They gave me scrubs to wear," Richard told her proudly.
"And some happy pills," Lorelai added.
"You look very handsome. Just like Dr. Kildare," she told him with a smile.
"I brought the car around," Luke said pointing to the exit.
"Well then, let's go!" Richard said loudly, causing Emily to wince.
"Uh, Dad, you might want to speak a little softer. Mom has a headache, remember?" Lorelai prodded.
"Oh, that's right," Richard said quickly. He pulled Emily's hand to his lips, kissed it and asked, "Forgive me, Emmy?"
Emily looked down at his hopeful face and smiled. "Anything," she answered softly.
"Let's go," Luke said with a nod.
They loaded everyone into the car, seating Richard in front, where he would have more leg room. As they pulled out, Emily started, "We really should just go home. I can arrange for a bed to be brought in for Richard's study."
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "Emily, its one a.m., how are you going to do that?"
"The same way I had Lorelai's chair upholstered," Emily said with a smirk.
"Aha! She admits it!" Lorelai said pointing a finger at her mother.
"We have no clothes, nothing," Emily fretted.
Luke nodded and said, "That's why we're stopping at your house so that Lorelai and Rory can help you pack what you'll need. Richard and I will wait in the car," Luke said firmly.
"I want to sleep in my own bed," Emily said stubbornly.
"I want to go to Lorelai's," Richard said as he stared out of the windshield. He turned to Luke and whispered loudly, "We're freezing Emily's bra."
When Emily turned to glare at her daughter, Lorelai held her hands up and said, "He was the one that nominated you."
"There will be no bra freezing. You are coming home with us. Its late, I'm tired, you must be exhausted, we have two babies waiting at home, I have to work in four hours, and I'm not going to discuss this anymore, so just pipe down, all of you," Luke commanded.
"Uh oh, someone's in trouble," Rory muttered under her breath.
"That goes for you too," Luke said as he glanced up into the mirror. They rode in silence to the Gilmore mansion, and the men waited while the women went inside to collect what they needed. Then they rode in silence to Stars Hollow.
"Your husband is very bossy," Rory whispered over the back of Lorelai's seat.
Lorelai nodded and said, "You've gotten used to sweet at-home Luke. You've forgotten cranky-Luke."
"True," Rory admitted with a nod.
"Insufferable man," Emily fumed.
"He is not!" Lorelai whispered defensively. "If the shoe were on the other foot, you'd be insisting that we stay at your house, but it's not. Mom, you know we're right," she tried to reason with her. Emily simply turned to gaze out of the window in a huff.
When they came to a stop in Lorelai and Luke's driveway, Richard's eyes fluttered open and he stared around for a moment, trying to process where he was. "Emmy?" he asked softly.
Emily smiled as she touched his hair and said, "I'm right here, Richard. Come on. It's time for our slumber party."
Richard smiled sleepily and said, "I wasn't really going to freeze your bra."
"I know," Emily said as she stepped out of the car as Luke unfolded the wheelchair and helped Richard into it.
The others preceded them in through the back door as Luke pushed Richard's chair up the ramp and then into the kitchen. "Very handy ramp," Richard said with a nod as Luke parked him next to the table and Emily took a seat there.
"Built it for the stroller," Luke said as he set the kettle on to boil and moved easily around the kitchen as Rory and Lorelai readied her room for their stay. "Tea?" he asked them.
"Please," Emily answered.
"None for me, thank you," Richard said holding up his hand.
Luke reached into the freezer, pulled out a bag of frozen peas and handed them to Emily. She looked up at him questioningly before Luke pointed to the side of her head. "Oh," she said softly as she held the bag up to her pounding head and offered him a tremulous smile.
"Your tea will be ready in a minute," Luke said with a nod. "I need to go up and check on Babette and the boys," he told her.
"I can get the tea," Emily said as she stood up, but had to steady herself against the table.
"Sit," Luke said sternly. "I'll finish this and then I'll go up. I imagine they're all asleep anyway," Luke said with a shrug as Emily sank back down into the chair. He placed a cup of tea in front of her and noticed that Richard was dozing off in his chair again. "I'll go help Rory and Lorelai. He needs to get to bed," Luke said nodding to his father-in-law. He gave Emily a worried look and said, "You do too. Just sip this, okay?" he asked as he went into Rory's room. "How's it coming?" he asked them.
"Almost ready," Lorelai said as she spread the comforter out over the freshly made bed.
"Fresh towels in the bathroom," Rory reported as she stepped into the room and began gathering her things to move to the guest room.
"Did you bring their suitcase in?" Luke asked tiredly.
"Right there," Rory said as she pointed to it. "Their pillows are on the bed and their robes are hanging in the bathroom. I'll help Grandma unpack in the morning," she said with a nod.
Luke nodded and said, "Okay, let's clear out so that we can get them settled in." He turned to Lorelai and said, "Your Mom may need help getting your Dad changed."
Lorelai made a face and then said, "Okay."
They stepped out of Rory's room and Rory dumped her armload of stuff on the island. "Okay, we're ready for you," she said cheerfully.
Luke took the handles of Richard's chair and wheeled him into Rory's room. He turned to Emily and asked, "Do you need help getting him into his pajamas?"
Emily studied her dozing husband and said, "Let's leave him as he is. He seems comfortable enough."
Luke nodded and said, "I'll help you get him into the bed." Lorelai pulled the bedding back as Luke gently shook Richard's good arm and said, "Richard? We need you to get into bed now. Richard?"
When Richard didn't stir, Emily smiled and said, "Let me." She gave Lorelai and Luke a look that had them stepping back and turning away as she whispered softly into her husband's ear. A moment later, Richard stirred and asked, "Emmy?"
"Let's get into bed," Emily told him gently.
"I broke my leg," he told her.
Emily nodded and said, "Yes, your ankle."
"I can't walk," he told her softly.
"I know, Luke is gong to help you. Aren't you, Luke?" she called in a more normal tone.
"Right here," Luke said as he stepped over to help Richard up from the chair.
As he helped the older man onto the bed, Richard said, "This is Emily's side."
"Well, okay, but I think you should sleep on this side so Emily doesn't accidentally bump into your leg or shoulder," Luke explained.
Richard smiled at him and said, "Good thinking. You're a good boy," he said as he patted Luke's cheek softly.
Luke chuckled and said, "Thank you. There you go. I'll leave you two to get settled," he said awkwardly.
"You know where to find us if you need anything," Lorelai told her mother.
"We'll be fine, thank you," Emily said tiredly.
Luke nodded and said, "I have to go in to work in the morning. I'm going to come in to check on you before I leave, okay?"
"You don't have to," Emily assured him.
Luke pulled a sheaf of papers from his back pocket and waved them at her as he said, "Yes, I do. I just didn't want to startle you. I'll be in early, and then Lorelai will be here," he said firmly.
"Very well," Emily said coolly.
Lorelai sighed and said, "We're all tired. We still need to get Babette home. We'll see you in the morning," she said as she ushered Luke out of the room.
The three of them trudged tiredly upstairs. Rory ducked into the guest room while Lorelai and Luke proceeded directly to the nursery. The nightlight glowed softly as they saw the twins sound asleep in their cribs and Babette dozing in the recliner. After looking in on the boys, Lorelai walked over and gently shook Babette's shoulder whispering, "Hey, Babette? We're home."
Babette stirred and said, "Hi Doll."
"Hi. We're they okay?" she asked.
"Woke up about midnight, I fed them both. Josh was hungry, but Jake was just toying with me, the little heartbreaker," she reported as she shifted in the chair. "Your Mom and Dad?" she asked.
Luke nodded and said, "We brought them home with us."
"And they're okay? You said they were okay when you called," she said to Luke anxiously.
"Battered and bruised, but they'll be fine. They just need help for a couple of days, and it's easier to do it here," Lorelai said with a nod. "Thank you so much for coming over."
"Ah, it's nothing. You know there's nothin' I wouldn't do for you and those little rugrats," Babette said with a wave of her hand.
"Come on, I'll drive you home," Luke said with a nod.
Babette yawned and grinned at him as she said, "Best offer I've had in a long time."
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "Or Lorelai will take you."
Lorelai leaned forward to hug Babette and said, "You're the best, but if you touch my man, I'll break your hands."
"Aw, I'm just teasin'," Babette said as she scrambled from the chair. "What would a big hunk of man like this want with an old broad like me when he has this hot little number at home?" she asked with a shake of her head. "Come on, handsome, give an old girl a thrill," she said as she headed for the door.
"Be back in a minute," Luke said as he gave Lorelai a peck on the lips.
"I'll make sure everything else is secured, Sarge," Lorelai said softly. She leaned over each crib and kissed her sleeping boys before going back downstairs to turn out lights and lock the front door. She turned into the living room and pulled up short when she saw Jess asleep on the couch. Quietly, she took a throw from the chair and spread it over him before she tiptoed to the lamp and switched it off. She smiled as she locked the front door, and checked to be sure everything was off in the kitchen before heading back upstairs.
She was washing her face when Luke walked into the room and began tiredly unloading his pockets onto his dresser. When he walked into the bathroom in his sock feet, Lorelai smiled and said, "Hey, my knight in shining armor."
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "I'm too tired to even think of a come back."
"So, you really have to open?" she asked softly as she dried her face.
Luke nodded and said, "Caesar's off. Early delivery. I need to get things started. Joe's in at seven and so is Lane. If it's not busy, I'll come home then," he said as he plucked his toothbrush from its holder.
"I'm so sorry," she said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his back.
"Things happen. I'm just relieved that it wasn't worse than it was," he said as he squeezed toothpaste onto his brush. When Lorelai moved to leave, he pressed his hand over hers and said, "Stay with me."
Lorelai smiled and pressed her cheek to his back again, holding on to him as he brushed his teeth and washed his hands. "You know, we could just stay up until you have to go in," she suggested.
Luke laughed as he dried his hands and said, "If we were eighteen and didn't have two kids who will be waking us up in an hour or two anyway, I'd say okay."
"Yeah, there is that," Lorelai grumbled as she stepped back and followed him back into the bedroom. She watched him pull a pair of cut off sweat shorts from his drawer and a fresh t-shirt and toss them to the bed before he began undressing. "Won't you be hot in those?" she asked.
"I'm not sleeping in my underwear with Rory down the hall and your parents downstairs," Luke grumbled.
Lorelai nodded her understanding and asked, "Did you peek into the living room on your way back up?"
Luke blinked and said, "No, why?"
Lorelai smiled and said, "Jess is crashed out on the couch."
"Really? I thought he'd go home," Luke said shaking his head.
Lorelai smiled as she slipped into a t-shirt and shorts of her own and said, "I think he likes us."
"Well, for God's sake, don't say anything about it," Luke said rolling his eyes. "He'll never admit it."
"I won't. I did cover him up, though," she said as they climbed into bed.
As they settled onto their pillows, Lorelai snuggled under Luke's arm and asked softly, "Is it okay if I wrap you in cotton wool before sending you out into the big bad world again?"
Luke smiled and kissed the top of her head as he said, "Sure, as long as you don't mind either."
"Shakes you up. Makes you think about how precarious everything is," she whispered.
"Makes you think of how precious everything is," he corrected, squeezing her gently.
"I love you, Luke. I don't know what my life would have been if I never met you, but I know it wouldn't have been complete," she said as she tilted her head up to look at him.
Luke smiled tenderly and said, "I love you too. We don't need to worry about that. We know. You and me, we know," he said as he kissed her softly.
XXXX
Two and a half hours later, Luke was up and dressed, trying to walk softly as he carried his boots into the kitchen instead of putting them on. Steeling himself with a deep breath, he turned the knob on Rory's door and poked his head into the room. When he heard Richard snoring softly, he crept into the room and to the opposite side of the bed. He knelt down and whispered, "Emily? Emily, wake up."
"I'm awake," she answered drowsily.
"Are you in pain? Can I get you anything before I leave? Do you need some medicine? A cold cloth?" he whispered.
"Yes, please," she answered weakly.
"I'll be right back," Luke said quickly. He went into the kitchen and pulled out the small packet of prescription strength Ibuprofen that the hospital had given them and filled a glass with water. He brought the tablets back to her and held his hand out to steady her as she pushed herself up to take the pills and wash them down with the water. "Have you been able to sleep?" he whispered.
"A little," she answered.
"Would you like an ice pack?" he asked.
"Just a cool cloth would be nice, please," she whispered as she lay back down. Luke nodded and set the water on the nightstand. He went into the bathroom and ran a washcloth under the cold water and wrung it thoroughly before folding it neatly and bringing it back to her. Emily frowned and asked, "Are you really going to work?"
Luke nodded and said, "I have early deliveries. I'll leave as soon as Joe comes in to take over the grill."
Emily studied her son-in-law for a moment and then said, "You work too hard."
Luke smiled and whispered, "I hardly work at all since I married your daughter. I used to work sixteen and eighteen hour days." He stood up and said, "Try to sleep. I should be home in time to make you all breakfast."
Emily blinked up at him and said, "I give you a hard time. We both tend to want things our way," she said with a small smile. When Luke nodded and returned her smile she sighed and said, "You are a good man, Luke."
"Thank you, Emily. I kind of like you too," he said with a grin.
"Now, get out of my bedroom," she said as she rolled her eyes and then closed them.
"I understand, you can't trust yourself around me," Luke whispered.
Emily snorted softly and covered her eyes with the cool cloth. "That's it," she said sarcastically.
XXXX
Lorelai had her wake up call at six in the form of a classic Jacob Danes rant. She stumbled down the hallway with her eyes still closed and scooped up the squalling boy before he could wake his brother and get him going. She sleepily kissed his head as she stumbled back to their room and settled on the bed, lifting her shirt and shifting him so that he could nurse. She closed her eyes, grimacing a little at the initial discomfort, and then settling back against a pile of pillows to close her eyes again. When she felt the insistent tugging cease what seemed like a moment later, she opened her eyes to find him looking up at her solemnly. She smiled and said, "Mommy's not a very good date, is she? Falling asleep on a good looking guy like you," she cooed softly as she rubbed her tired eyes. "What do you think, Jaluke? Will you keep me anyway?" she asked softly.
"I imagine he will," Emily said from the doorway.
"Oh!" Lorelai said as she jumped a bit. She pulled her shirt down quickly and asked, "Why are you up so early?"
"My head hurts too much to sleep," Emily said with a tired sigh.
"Oh, Mom, I'm sorry," Lorelai said sincerely. Can I get you anything?" she asked.
"Luke brought me some pain reliever and a cool cloth before he left, but your father is snoring," she said with a wave of her hand. "I was going to lie down on the sofa, but it seems it's taken too," she said with a wry smile.
Lorelai nodded and said, "I guess Jess was worried." She looked around and then scooted over onto Luke's side of the bed. "You can take my side," she offered.
Emily hesitated and then said, "You're having your quiet time."
"Come on," Lorelai said with a jerk of her head. "Jake likes the ladies, don't you?" she asked him softly. She grinned when she was rewarded with a smile. "See? He likes having women fawn over him," Lorelai cooed. "Come on, Mom. Snuggle up with a real hottie," she said as she nodded to her pillows.
Emily walked into the room, carefully sliding her slippers off and holding her robe closed as she climbed onto Lorelai's said of the bed. She looked down at the alert baby and said, "He is gorgeous."
"I think so," Lorelai said as she cuddled him close. "Every morning, I have to get a smile and a giggle out of them, and I'm good for the day. Josh is easy, but Jake makes me work for it. But if I get one, then everything else is just gravy, isn't it Jaluke?" she asked.
"Jaluke?" Emily asked.
"Shh, don't tell Luke," Lorelai said with a grin. She looked at Jake and said, "It's our secret name, isn't it?" She smiled at her mother and said, "Jake and I share secrets. Well, he doesn't really yet, but I tell him all sorts of things and he's as silent as the Sphinx," she explained.
"That's nice," Emily said with a nod.
Lorelai nodded and said, "Josh is a playboy. He's all over the place, charming anyone who's near. But Jake, he likes the one on one time. He's an awfully good nap partner," she said with a nod. She looked over at her mother and said, "Maybe a good snuggle is what you need to help you sleep."
Emily smiled at her grandson and said, "Possibly."
Lorelai nodded and said, "Let me go attend to some morning business with the little man, here, and we'll come back and see if a nice dose of Jacob can help you."
Emily nodded and said, "That sounds fine."
Lorelai carried Jake down to the nursery where she quickly changed him and put him in a fresh romper for the day. When she carried him back to the bedroom, she found Emily gazing listlessly at the bureau. "Mom?" she called softly.
Emily turned her head and said, "I'm sorry we've been so much trouble, disrupting your household."
Lorelai shook her head and placed Jake in the center of the bed. "We want you here," she said softly. "I was just telling Jake last night what a good time we all had at dinner," she said as she climbed onto the bed, bracketing the baby between them.
"It was fun," Emily said softly as she watched her grandson hook his leg over and rock back and forth. When he managed to get enough momentum, he flipped onto his stomach and lifted his head up like a turtle.
Lorelai made a soft gasping sound and clapped her hands quietly. "First flip of the day! Well done," she congratulated him.
When Jake turned his head toward Emily she smiled and said, "We're very proud of you."
Jake celebrated by dropping his face to the sheets and rubbing his nose back and forth while he kicked his legs. "Such a talented boy," Lorelai said with a grin as she patted his diaper clad rump.
Emily studied her daughter carefully for a moment and then said, "I've never seen you so happy."
Lorelai blinked and then shrugged a little and said, "I have a lot to be happy about. You and Dad are fine. Rory's thriving. I have two nutty little boys that I'm nutty about, and I have Luke."
"You're very blessed," Emily said with a nod.
"Yes," Lorelai agreed. She looked up at her mother and asked, "You wanna hear the best sound in the world?"
Emily blinked and said, "I suppose so."
Lorelai smiled, rolled Jake back over and unsnapped his romper, exposing his plump belly. She looked at her mother and asked, "You ready?" When Emily nodded, Lorelai lowered her lips to his tummy and blew a big raspberry, making Jake squeal and giggle. Jake waved his little hands, catching in her tangled hair. Lorelai carefully removed them and pressed her lips to their dimpled softness and whispered, "That is the best sound in the world. Pure joy."
Emily smiled at the two of them and said, "Yes, it is."
They stayed there with the tiny boy between them as they talked softly to him, admiring his tricks, and praising his skills until they were all worn out. As Jake began to fade a little, Lorelai placed him in the crook of Emily's arm and said, "Put Grandma down for a nap like you do with Daddy." She dropped her head to the pillow watching her mother hold her baby boy close and stroke his soft hand as they both drifted off to sleep. She smiled contentedly and closed her eyes, hoping to catch a little more sleep before Josh woke her.
When Luke walked in an hour later, he smiled as he found his wife curled up with her mother on their bed. Jake was tucked against his grandmother, and there was a soft smile on his wife's lips as she slept. He walked down to the nursery and saw that Josh was still sleeping. Knowing it was just a matter of time, Luke mixed a bottle of formula and put it in the warmer to heat. When it was ready, he lifted the sleeping boy gently and carried both him and the bottle to the recliner. When Josh opened his eyes drowsily, Luke smiled down at him and asked, "Grandma stole my spot, can I hang with you?"
