Lorelai headed back downstairs after her shower. She found everyone in the kitchen. She stood in the doorway watching Luke stir something at the stove while talking to William who sat at the kitchen table holding Jess and Rory.
Luke seemed to sense her presence first and turned to look at her. He simply gazed at her for a long moment before commenting, "You look better."
"Gee, thanks," Lorelai quipped sarcastically.
"No, I just meant that you look like you're feeling better. You do look great though."
Lorelai felt a deep blush heating her cheeks and mumbled, "Thanks."
William watched the interaction between the young parents with a slight smile. Noticing Lorelai's blush, he took pity on the embarrassed girl and called for her attention, "Hey, Lorelai, your little girl is sweet as sugar."
Lorelai turned to look at William and smiled at the sight of her daughter sleeping peacefully in William's arms. "She was good?"
"A perfect angel."
Lorelai crossed the kitchen and gently took Rory from William. "Hi, sweet girl," she cooed.
William smiled. "Sit down, Lorelai. We can get the unpleasant talk of house rules out of the way while Luke finishes cooking dinner."
"Dinner?" Lorelai asked as she sat down across from William.
"Grilled cheese and tomato soup," Luke answered from the stove.
"Can I help? I'm not great in the kitchen, but I'm sure I could do something. I could stir! I bet I'd be good at stirring."
"Luke has it under control," William explained with a chuckle. "In fact, he does most of the cooking around here. You don't need to do anything except sit here and talk to me."
"Oh, okay." Lorelai swallowed nervously. "So, um, house rules?"
"The basic rules are simple. No drinking. No drugs. No overnight guests."
"No problem," Lorelai responded without hesitation.
William raised an eyebrow, silently calling for her to elaborate.
Lorelai sighed heavily. "I didn't drink that much or that often before I got pregnant and obviously haven't had a drink since. I've never done drugs. I can't imagine ever wanting to have an 'overnight guest' again," she explained, understanding William's euphemism.
"I'm sure that will change."
"Rory comes first."
"Good," William said with a firm nod. "Now, we've talked about what you're expected not to do, so let's talk about what you're expected to do."
"Um, okay."
"If you live here, you have to help out. Luke tends to handle the cooking, but beyond that we share the housework. You need to clean up after yourself and help with the housework."
"Okay, but fair warning, I've never done any housework before."
"You'll learn," William told her confidently.
"Yes. I will," Lorelai agreed with a wide smile.
"You also need to get your GED."
Lorelai's smile fell from her face. "And a job."
"Right, but one thing at a time. Let's start with this: how old are you?"
Lorelai looked William in the eye, daring him to judge her, as she told him, "I'm sixteen."
William didn't even blink. "Okay, well, I talked to the guidance counselor at the high school and you have to be seventeen to take the GED exam in Connecticut. When's your birthday?"
"April 25."
"Hmm. Well, that rules out the January GED class and April exam. We'll just get you registered for the class that starts in May and the August exam. It's a three month class, so you'll finish just before the exam. How's that sound?"
"Can I take Rory?"
"I think you'll learn more if you leave her with Luke and me while you're in class."
"I can't ask you to babysit."
"You didn't."
"Oh. I guess it sounds good then?"
"As for a job, I talked to my friend Mia Bass about hiring you. She owns the Independence Inn and is always looking for new maids. The job is yours if you want it. Otherwise, you can find a job at one of the stores in town."
"Looks like I'll be getting lots of practice doing housework."
William laughed loudly. "I guess you will."
"When can I start?"
"January."
"January?"
"Yep."
"What am I supposed to do until then?"
"Spend time with Rory. Explore Stars Hollow. Get to know the townspeople."
"How am I supposed to provide for her until January?"
William took hold of Lorelai's hand, "Enjoy getting to know your daughter. As long as you meet the conditions we've discussed, everything else will be taken care of."
"But, I can't…"
Luke interrupted the conversation by setting bowls of soup down in front of each of them. "Breathe, Lorelai, just breathe. Accept our help. Get your feet under you before you take on more," Luke told her as he walked back and forth across the kitchen bringing the rest of their dinner to the table.
"So, that's it? For the next three months, I do nothing except take care of Rory. Then, I start a job that you've found for me. Then, I get my GED. Just like that?"
"It's going to be hard work, Lorelai," William said patiently.
"I know, but it's for Rory. I can do it for her."
"We know you can," Luke assured her.
"I have a plan."
"You have a plan," Luke agreed.
"I have help."
"You have help," William confirmed.
"Everything's going to be okay."
Luke placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Lorelai, everything's going to be okay."
"I like having a plan that doesn't involve marrying someone who doesn't want to be a father, a bunch of nannies, or pretending that Rory's not mine."
Luke and William shared a grim look at Lorelai's description of her parent's plans. William spoke first, "We're happy to help."
"I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank either of you."
"No thanks are necessary." William squeezed her hand in a final reassurance before picking up a grilled cheese sandwich. "Now, let's enjoy our dinner."
A/N This isn't my favorite chapter, but I thought it was important for William. I also wanted to get a chapter posted before I get busy with work and family over the next couple of weeks. I'll post again as soon as I can.