Rory and Logan were wrapped in a blanket on their couch with Rory's laptop resting on Logan's crossed legs. The temperature outside had dropped below 20 degrees that afternoon, surprising everybody. It was nearly 10 PM and Logan had just 40 minutes earlier returned from the Annual Educational Book Conference in New York. It was the event of the year in his new line of work and he had to attend. Unfortunately it had coincided with the date or Rory's 12 week ultrasound. He'd been heartbroken once he had realized that, and he had texted Rory probably twenty times during that day wishing he could be there. Her test results had been normal and the baby was doing great. To make him feel a little better Rory requested a recording of the ultrasound and had brought home his favourite Vietnamese Pho, which he had thankfully gulped down on an empty stomach.
The galloping sound took over the room once again, and the two sat silently watching how the tiny heart beat flickered on the black and white screen.
"Could she tell whether it was a boy or a girl?" he asked curiously, a few minutes later. He missed using accurate pronouns.
"Actually no, she said the angle was poor," she replied.
"Full of surprises that fellow," he sighed, adding, "wants to keep us guessing."
"I kind of feel like it's a boy," Rory added.
"You do? What does a boy feel like?" Logan replied with a smirk.
"Well it's not like I have anything to compare it to, but it's just a gut feeling I suppose. Like if I picture raising him, as strange as that image in itself still feels, it's like I can only picture boyish things. I think he's going to be a lot like you," she explained.
"We certain will have our hands full if he's anything like me," he smirked.
"Not if I can help it! I only have the methodology of Lorelai Gilmore to work with here so if anything we'll have an unhealthy codependency," she replied laughingly.
"Oh yeah," he laughed.
Rory tried to picture what it would be like. Her mind kept going back to her own childhood in Stars Hollow. The over the top town holidays, movie nights with her mother, all the books she devoured, the caring, loving and slightly nosy community just to name a few. She had been raised by the town and her mother as her best friend. More than anything she wanted her baby to experience the same kind of love. She wondered that was possible anywhere else than Stars Hollow.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Logan inquired a few minutes later, seeing Rory lost in thought.
"Was just thinking about the way my mom raised me. I mean I've been writing about it and all, but I never really thought about how it must've been on her side - like how to parent, you know," she explained.
"She did a pretty good job, didn't she?" he said.
"I wouldn't say that, neither of us is without flaws, and she was still a kid herself when she had me," she replied.
"Well I think a teenage single mom is still better than what I had," he said bitterly.
"Maybe," she replied, not wanting to make him feel any worse. She didn't envy his childhood based on what she had heard in the past. His face already looked a little sad as he'd said it. Logan rarely spoke about his childhood.
"I had a great nanny, Dora, Dorothée for long, and every toy and book imaginable," he commented. "Dad was in New York or London mostly, mom had her parties, her cocktails and girlfriends. Other than presenting us at certain events as their kids, there was little affection there," he added.
"Logan, I'm sorry," she said, and trying to steer him towards the positive, asked, "What was Dora like?"
"She was this tiny but incredibly strong woman. I never could really tell her age, middle aged I suppose. She was French, but also spoke English well. She fed us, bathed us, clothed us, played with us, taught us to read and write, took us to ballgames. She had this amazing purse that always contained some sweets, bandaids, napkins, change of clothes, you name it. When I was about 8, she returned to France, at least that what mom told me. After that it was just Honor and I," he described.
"Sounds like a mom," she said.
"I suppose she sort of was, a good substitute at least," he sighed.
"Logan, I have no doubt you'll be a great dad," she added after a moment's pause.
"I don't exactly have the best reference, Ace," he commented.
"But you know what he did wrong. And you are not him, are you?" she justified. He was here after all.
"Ace, can you promise me, you won't let me turn into him?" he added frightfully, a moment later.
Rory closed her laptop and placed it on the coffee table before wrapping her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"Dad, I have some news," Rory called next morning.
"Hey kiddo, how are you?" Christopher replied cheerily. It had truly been a while since they'd spoken. He'd finally caved and gone back to work for his family's company, and the change of pace had been hectic.
"I'm having a baby," she said hastily, wanting to get it off her chest. "Logan Huntzberger is the father. We are back together," she added, wanting to add all the important details without the awkward questions. She was sure he'd heard about his prior engagement and preferred to skip that topic.
"Wow, that is big news," he commented. When he'd first met Logan at Yale, he'd quite liked the man. He'd been well-spoken, smart and seemed to be treating her daughter well. When Rory had broken up with him at her graduation, he had been a little surprised. After all they seemed to be in love and things seemed to be going well for them. But on the other hand, Rory was Lorelai's daughter, and neither of them was very good with commitment and running or hiding seemed to be a pattern they shared. Hence, deep down he wasn't surprised she hadn't leapt head first into marriage.
"Are you happy? How's he taking the news?" he asked, picking just a few out of the million questions that popped into his head. When he'd found out about Lorelai's pregnancy he'd been unfunctional for days, just going through the motions. But then again, neither her daughter or Logan, were in their teens like he'd been.
"I am, we're taking things slow, well, as slow as it is possible in this case. It was a bit of a surprise, but he is really happy. I can tell," she replied happily.
"Well you sure sound good," he sighed.
"What are you working on these days?" he inquired after a brief pause.
"I've been doing some content writing for Morgan & Pence actually. Part time. Nothing too exciting, but it pays at least. It got me insurance and maternity leave," she explained, adding, "and I am writing a book."
"A book - really? What's it about?" he asked.
"About me and mom, how she raised me," Rory said briefly, knowing it might be a bit of a touchy subject for his dad.
Christopher did turn hesitant for a second. He knew Lorelai had done an amazing job at raising her, and he, still lost in the world, had a lot of catching up to do.
"Listen, why didn't you tell me you were struggling with insurance, I could've helped," he said, changing the subject slightly. He worked in the insurance business after all.
"I had basic coverage from the Stars Hollow Gazette, it just worked out well that I could have an upgrade with Morgan & Pence when I found out I was pregnant," she replied.
"Rory, I could've helped you with that or with a job, it might not have been writing, but I would have found a way to help you," he continued.
"I managed. And you work in Boston, dad," Rory said, not sure why his father was all of a sudden so eager to support her. He'd gone through fazes of offering money every now and then, and she'd taken him up on it by having him pay for her studies, but she thought he had accepted that she didn't like accepting charity.
"Ok, fine, I didn't quite think it through when I said that. I just feel like I haven't supported you enough. I know I wasn't the model father to you, I am sorry for that. And now, when you have a baby on the way. I feel like I'd really like to try to be a better grandfather at least," he said hopefully.
"Dad, we've talked about this. We can't change what happened and there is no point feeling guilty about it, you were young," she replied.
"But I really would like to help you. I have money to help, help you get a house or whatever you need, just say the word," he offered.
"Dad, really, I'm fine. We're renting a place in Hartford right now," she explained, thankfully.
"Just keep it in mind if you change your mind," he added. He knew Logan was probably more than capable of providing for his daughter, but knowing the kind of person Rory, like Lorelai, was, he had difficulty believing Rory would be very open to accepting the lifestyle the Huntzbergers lived.
Telling Luke at Friday night dinner at their house went as expected. Hugs and congratulations were followed by an offer to update the menu at the diner according to her cravings. Rory knew there was little point arguing with Luke's intentions to spoil her with food and his joint front with Logan at limiting her caffeine intake.
"So, who else have you told?" Luke asked, curious to whether this was open knowledge. He felt as if he was becoming a grandfather in a way, and frankly he couldn't wait to share the news.
"Couple of my friends know, I called dad this morning," she listed. "We're telling Logan's parents and grandma when we go for Christmas dinner," she added.
"Sorry for saying this, Logan, but didn't that family treat you horribly the last time you were there?" Luke asked, turning to Rory.
"Well I am not expecting it to be very warm and fuzzy but we're older now, Honor will be there too. I am sure we can handle telling them. It's not like we can avoid it," Rory explained.
"Luke, just so you know, I am not making her go. I don't want to upset her either," Logan added. He really felt at this stage he could've just done this himself. While going to Christmas dinner with his significant other would be the norm in most families, subjecting her to that kind of atmosphere that likely waited, was not what he wanted at all.
"Logan, I told you, I'm fine. We're going together," she confirmed. She was getting a little tired of being treated as a fragile piece of glass, and even if she felt like that at times, she desperately wanted to shake it. A mother lion needed to be able to stand up for her cub, right?
AN: Ideas and thought what will happen at the Huntzberger's are welcome (review or PM) Having a bit of writer's block with this one. Got something, but willing to accept alternative viewpoints.