Stars Hollow, the park
"Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight," said Lucy.
"Okay."
"Your mother..."
"My mother."
"EMILY Gilmore."
"Yes, that one."
"Invited your boyfriend over for dinner."
"Every Friday."
"And he doesn't have a trust fund?"
"No."
"Is she okay?"
"Apparently. I called my dad. Well, after the shock died down."
"Wow..."
"That seems to be the key emotion lately," said Lorelai.
"Well... that's good, right? She's accepting him... or plotting..."
"I hope not."
"No, she wouldn't. I mean, no matter what has happened, she IS your mother, so..."
"I guess. Thanks for coming, Lu," she smiled.
"Sure, anytime." They looked up from the bench to watch Tara and Eva running and playing.
"You know what we could do?" Lorelai asked Lucy.
"What?"
"We can go to Hartford tomorrow and go shopping for some baby things."
"I don't know..."
"Come on! We can make it a girls' day out, with Tara, Eva, Rory, you, and me! Please, I want to look at the tiny baby stuff," she pleaded.
"Alright, alright," Lucy laughed. Just then, Luke and Rory walked up.
"Sweetheart, darling," she greeted her daughter and boyfriend with a nod at each.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Rory asked her mother.
"Yeah, it's fine," Lorelai assured, "Hey, Rory, got any plans tomorrow?"
"No, don't think so. Why?" she asked.
"Lucy, the twins, and I are going to Hartford tomorrow to get cute stuff for Lucy's baby. Wanna come?"
"Sure, I'd love to," Rory smiled.
"Oh thanks, Rory," said Lucy, as she slowly got up, with Luke's help, "With us three girls, Tara and Eva won't be as hard to keep up with." She laughed a bit and yawned. "Hey, I'm gonna head back to the Inn... getting kinda tired. Call me tonight, okay?" she asked Lorelai.
"Yeah, absolutely. Do you need me to drive you back?"
"No, no, I'll be fine."
"Alright." As Lucy, Tara and Eva were walking away, Luke turned to Lorelai.
"Three?" he repeated from what Lucy said.
"Yeah, sorry Luke. It's just us girls."
"Oh... okay. Yeah, that's perfectly fine."
"You COULD come. Be the male opinion on what we buy."
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass."
"Fine, it's your loss," Lorelai shrugged as she turned to Rory, "This is so exciting! I haven't gone shopping for stuff like that since, well... you."
"I'm sure the fashion's changed," said Rory.
"Let's hope so, because honestly, no matter how cute those clothes looked back then..."
"Yeah, I get the idea." Lorelai looked up at Luke.
"Hello?" she called, waving her hand in front of Luke's face, as he seemed lost in his thoughts. He didn't move. "Hey, what's Taylor putting in the diner's window?" Lorelai called over-dramatically. Luke spun around so fast that Lorelai nearly fell back. When he saw it wasn't true, he turned to Lorelai, who was almost bent in two from laughing.
"That wasn't funny," he muttered.
"Yes, it was," Lorelai insisted.
"What were you thinking about?" Rory asked him.
"Uh... nothing," Luke mumbled.
*
Friday morning, Luke's diner
"I don't think I ever saw a snake this long before," Lorelai said as she carried Tara in, while Lucy had Eva.
"It WAS kind of impressing," said Lucy.
"Had fun at the zoo?" Luke asked them.
"It was fun, wasn't it?" Lorelai said, looking to Lucy. Her friend was still looking at Luke. She could tell there was something on his mind.
"Yeah, it was. I'm gonna take a cab back to the Inn, okay? I think the girls have had a long day."
"Alright," said Lorelai, handing Tara back to Lucy.
"Say hi to your mother and father for me, okay?"
"Sure." Lucy gave a short nod to Luke before walking out. "Am I missing something, here?" said Lorelai.
"I've missed you this week," Luke said slowly, looking down at the counter he was wiping.
"Oh, Luke, I'm sorry," said Lorelai, realizing. "I'm such an idiot."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am. I was so caught up with spending time with Lucy, I completely ignored you."
"Really, it's nothing. The woman was your best friend for over a decade and you just saw her for the first time in almost fifteen years a week ago..."
"I am so going to make it up to you," Lorelai said.
"You don't have to," Luke started. Lorelai gave him a look. "But if you must, I won't stop you."
"That's more like it!" she grinned happily.
*
Late afternoon, Lorelai and Rory's home
Luke rang the doorbell and after a minute had passes and there was no answer, he opened the door and walked in. "Hello?" he called. He heard talking coming from upstairs, so he climbed the stairs to go see. When he entered Lorelai's room, he had to quickly duck to avoid being hit in the face by a shirt Lorelai had just thrown aside. Rory was sitting on her mother's bed, observing the scene while obviously trying not to laugh.
"Hey, Luke," she greeted him when he entered. Lorelai almost jumped out of her skin when she spotted him.
"Sorry," he said, "Everything okay?"
"Well, I don't know. I'm going to my parents' home for the first time in three whole months, and at the same time I'm introducing you to them as 'my boyfriend', and this could very well end in a disaster, so I'm feeling just a tad nervous, okay?" Rory grinned from her seat. Lorelai looked at Luke's outfit and smiled. "You wore them! I was sure you'd returned them."
"Well, they WERE, what, 1000% off?"
"Just about," she confirmed. "You look great," she nodded.
"So do you," he smiled.
"Are you sure, because I'm not..." she started, but was cut off when Luke stepped up and kissed her. Rory looked away uncomfortably.
"Get a room," she fake-huffed. They broke apart.
"Hey, this IS my room," Lorelai winked.
"Can we go already? Wouldn't want to be late, would you?" Rory nodded at the clock.
"Crap. Let's go," she said. The three of them quickly filed out of the house and got into Lorelai's car. "Now, if you wanna back out at anytime, the closest border out of the country is that way," Lorelai said, pointing outside.
"I think I can handle it," said Luke.
"I never said you couldn't," she said, driving out to the road, "But don't say I didn't warn you."
"Mom, this is dinner with your parents, not a war," said Rory from the back seat.
"Yeah," Lorelai nodded, "If you say so."
*
Later, in front of Richard and Emily's home
"Now remember, under any circumstance, do NOT show fear," Lorelai said when she parked the car.
"Mom!"
"What?" she defended herself.
"You ready?" Luke asked Lorelai.
"Oh... sure," she mumbled. After a few more minutes of arguing, Lorelai, Luke, and Rory stood at the front door. Before giving Lorelai the chance to reconsider for another hour, Luke quickly pushed the doorbell button. "Luke!" she blurted out.
"Someone had to do it," he shrugged.
"Traitor," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Seconds later, the door was opened. Emily stood on the other side of it. There wasn't a sound coming from any of them for a minute.
"Emily?" they heard someone call from inside. They came to life as Richard came up behind his wife.
"Please... come in," Emily said, looking to each of her guests. They moved into the lobby.
"Mom, Dad, I think you've met Luke," Lorelai said.
"Yes, I believe we met at Rory's birthday party," said Richard, and Luke nodded.
"Hello again," Emily said, with an honest smile.
"It's a pleasure to see you both again," Luke said.
"Well, why don't we move to the table," Richard suggested. They did so slowly, and everyone took their usual seats. On Lorelai's side though, her place had been pushed nearer to Emily, to make room for Luke. Dinner was served. There was a general awkwardness around the table. "So, Luke. I remember Lorelai saying you owned a diner," Richard started, "How's that going?"
"Oh, it's good," Luke answered.
"It was your father's business, correct?" Emily jumped in, "Before it was a diner."
"Yes, it was my father's store."
"Well, we'll have to visit sometime," Richard said.
"Of course," said Luke, "You're always welcome." Lorelai smiled.
"Hey mom, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked Emily.
"I would love to," Emily smiled.
"Okay." The two headed into the kitchen as Richard was talking to Luke.
"What do you serve in this diner of yours?"
Lorelai and Emily stepped into the kitchen. "Mom..." Lorelai started, but was interrupted when Emily stepped up and hugged her. She hadn't expected the gesture at all, but welcomed it completely. When they separated, she was once more surprised at the sight of tears in her mother's eyes.
"I lost you once, I don't want it to happen again," she said, taking her daughter's hands. Lorelai was speechless. "I know I've been horrible to you for so long and I wanted you to know... I'm sorry. I was too busy with what I wanted in your life... to see what YOU wanted." Lorelai couldn't stop the tears from coming out of her own eyes at her mother's statement.
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry about it," Emily said, carefully wiping the tears away from her daughter's eyes. "It's a find man you have there, Lorelai."
"Thanks, mom," she said, "We should probably go back there."
"Yes, I think we should fix ourselves first," she said as she picked up a few tissues and handed one to Lorelai.
"Yeah," she laughed as she wiped at her eyes. "Alright, I think we're good now," she said.
"After you," said Emily. They threw away the tissues and returned to the dining room.
"And you have to try the coffee," Rory was telling her grandfather, "It's the best in town."
"Rory, stop, you're gonna make Luke blush," Lorelai said with a smile. Just then, her cell phone rang. 'No sign to tap,' she thought as she looked at Luke. "Hello?" she answered the call.
"Hey, Lorelai, it's Sookie."
"Oh, hey, what's going on?"
"I'm at the Inn."
"What are you doing at the Inn at this time?"
"Oh, I left something in the freezer and I came to pick it up."
"So that's why you're calling me?"
"It's not. I walked into the kitchen and I found Lucy sitting on the floor. She said she'd come looking for a snack, like I told her she could, when she started having contractions. I got in there like a minute after the first one."
"Oh my... is it time for sure?" she asked, concerned for her friend's well being.
"Yeah. We're waiting for an ambulance right now, because well... I'm too nervous to drive."
"Will they get there soon?"
"Yeah," Sookie confirmed.
"What hospital are they taking her to?" Lorelai asked.
"Hospital?" Rory asked her mother as everyone in the room listened. Lorelai held up a finger to quiet them as Sookie told her.
"Alright, we're on our way." She hung up.
"Lorelai, what's going on?" her mother asked.
"Uh, Lucy went into labor."
"She did? When?" asked Rory as she, Luke, and Richard stood up.
"Just a few minutes ago. We should..." Lorelai started to head for the door before she stopped and turned back to her parents. "You two should come, I'm sure Lucy would appreciate it."
"I don't know..." started Emily.
"Mom, please?" Lorelai asked. Emily looked up to her husband.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go." Immediately, they moved into action.
"I'll drive myself, Rory and Luke and you guys can follow behind," said Lorelai as they all walked towards the door. Each quickly picked up their jackets on their way out of the door.
"Alright. We'll meet you there," said Emily.
*
Not long after, the hospital
They hurriedly walked up to the woman at the desk. She looked up at them and almost did a double take.
"You again?" she said, looking at Emily.
"I don't believe it," Lorelai grinned, recognizing the woman from when her father had been taken to that very hospital the past Christmas. Before a fistfight started, she quickly spoke. I'm looking for a friend of mine, she's about to have a baby. Her name is Lucy Cooper." The woman looked it up.
"One floor up, two rooms to your left once you get off."
"Thank you," said Lorelai as she grabbed her mother's hand and dragged her to the elevator.
"Can you believe that woman?" Emily was saying as the group walked.
"Keep moving," Lorelai instructed, then looking back, "Luke, you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine," he said. He walked behind Rory, holding her shoulders and keeping his head down, as she lead him forward while trying not to laugh.
"Is he alright?" Richard whispered to Lorelai.
"He's fine, hospitals just make him uncomfortable," she explained. They got into the elevator and followed the nurse's directions. Finally they entered the room and found Lucy and Sookie.
"Lorelai!" Lucy breathed in relief.
"Finally," said Sookie, "I'm gonna go get coffee for everyone, okay?"
"Sure," said Lorelai. Her friend looked panicked as she got out of the room.
"I think I spooked her a bit with all the screaming," Lucy explained, just as another contraction began.
"Breathe," Lorelai instructed. Lucy obeyed. When it stopped she looked up at Lorelai.
"Thanks for coming."
"Hey, no problem." Lucy looked up to see the others.
"Did I interrupt your dinner?" she asked.
"It's okay," Lorelai insisted.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore... long time no see," Lucy greeted Richard and Emily.
"It's good to see you again," Richard smiled.
"How are you?" Emily said, going to Lucy's other side.
"I'm good. Considering my... current position, I'm doing great," she laughed.
"Hey, where are the girls?" Lorelai asked.
"They're back at the Inn, with Jackson. He drove Sookie thee and he gladly accepted to watch them while I was..." she stopped as another contraction began.
"Well it looks like you're almost there," Rory piped in. Lucy smiled.
A couple hours later, all except Lorelai were waiting outside the room. Lucy had asked her childhood friend to stay with her, not wanting to be left alone. Lorelai had proudly said yes.
There wasn't much action. Richard read a newspaper; Rory had the book she'd brought along to dinner. Emily sat in silence, while Luke was bent forward with his head between his knees. They all looked up when they heard the door open and Lorelai stepped out.
"It's a girl," she smiled.
*
A few minutes later
They'd waited until the medical staff had exited. Finally, they entered quietly, Lorelai in the lead. Rory, Luke, Emily, and Richard followed. Lucy was holding the newborn, who'd been cleaned and wrapped up.
"She's beautiful," Lorelai whispered. Lucy looked up from the girl, the smile on her face refusing to go away.
"Doesn't this seem familiar?" she laughed, remembering the day Rory had been born.
"Yeah," Lorelai nodded with a grin.
"What will you be naming her?" Emily asked.
"She will be Margaret Cooper, or Maggie." The others smiled.
"She looks just like you," said Richard as Maggie cooed in her mother's arms.
"Thank you," said Lucy.
A short time later, after Richard and Emily had left and Sookie had driven Rory back home, Luke and Lorelai remained at the hospital. They sat side by side as Lorelai rocked a sleeping Maggie. Lucy had wanted to take a nap, so she'd asked her friend to watch over her daughter.
"Well... this was an interesting night," said Luke, "Are all those Friday dinners this exciting?"
"Oh... this is nothing," Lorelai smiled up at him. He laughed. He observed the tiny girl, and Lorelai caught him. "Here," she said, handing the baby over to him.
"No, I couldn't," said Luke, holding up his hands.
"Of course you can, come on." He sighed and picked her out of Lorelai's arms. He gasped when he thought he'd awakened her, but she simply settled in his arms, her sleep undisturbed. He smiled.
"Wow," he said.
"See? You're a natural," she patted his arm.
"Yeah, well don't start getting any ideas." She rolled her eyes.
"Trust me, I'm not quite ready to do THAT again just now."
"Good," he smiled. He looked up at her, and suddenly, the thing that he'd been debating in his mind all night seemed resolved.
"What?" she asked as she saw the expression on his face.
"I know the last time we discussed this it... didn't really end well, but..."
"But what?" she asked.
"I know you don't want to move into MY place because it's too small for you... But if you suggested I'd move in with YOU again, I might say yes..." She laughed quietly, so that she wouldn't wake up anyone.
"Luke?"
"Yes?"
"Will you move in with me?"
"Yes." They smiled and kissed slowly.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?" they heard a sleepy voice say. They looked up to see Lucy was awake.
"Did we..." asked Lorelai. Lucy shook her head 'no'.
"So... what did I miss?" she asked. An idea came to Lorelai and she walked up to Lucy.
"Lucy... what are you gonna do now? I mean you have to find a more permanent home, somewhere other than the Inn..."
"Yeah, I guess I should..."
"What if you stayed in Stars Hollow?" Lorelai asked.
"Do you... have a place in mind?" Lucy asked.
"Actually," she looked back to Luke. He seemed to understand what she was implying, and he nodded. "Since Luke will be moving in with me... his place is free..."
Lucy smiled and looked at Luke. "Really?" she asked him.
"Hey, having this little girl right upstairs from the diner would be not so bad at all," he said, looking down at Maggie.
"Wow," Lorelai whispered with a grin.
"Then you have yourself a deal," said Lucy.
*
A few days later
"Where do I put this one?" Rory said as she walked in, carrying a box.
"Upstairs," Lorelai instructed as she put a box in a closet.
"You're kidding," Rory mumbled, "Another one?"
"Afraid so," Lorelai smiled sympathetically.
"Damn it," said Rory as she went to climb the stairs.
"Here comes the last load," said Luke as he carried in a box.
"I don't get how you can have that much stuff in that tiny apartment," said Lorelai, throwing her hands up.
"Well it wasn't all in there," he explained.
"Whatever," she said as she looked around their home of now three occupants, "We... we'll find the space."
"Okay."
"Hey," said Rory as she came down the stairs, "I think we need to tell him about the rules."
"Rules?" Luke repeated.
"Yes, the rules," Lorelai grinned. He looked to one then the other.
"Fine, bring it on." Lorelai and Rory grinned at each other.
"I think I'm gonna like this," Rory smiled.
"Don't expect any midnight service, here," Luke smiled.
"Was worth a try," said Rory. Lorelai smiled at him.
"Welcome home."
THE END??
"Wait, wait, wait, let me get this straight," said Lucy.
"Okay."
"Your mother..."
"My mother."
"EMILY Gilmore."
"Yes, that one."
"Invited your boyfriend over for dinner."
"Every Friday."
"And he doesn't have a trust fund?"
"No."
"Is she okay?"
"Apparently. I called my dad. Well, after the shock died down."
"Wow..."
"That seems to be the key emotion lately," said Lorelai.
"Well... that's good, right? She's accepting him... or plotting..."
"I hope not."
"No, she wouldn't. I mean, no matter what has happened, she IS your mother, so..."
"I guess. Thanks for coming, Lu," she smiled.
"Sure, anytime." They looked up from the bench to watch Tara and Eva running and playing.
"You know what we could do?" Lorelai asked Lucy.
"What?"
"We can go to Hartford tomorrow and go shopping for some baby things."
"I don't know..."
"Come on! We can make it a girls' day out, with Tara, Eva, Rory, you, and me! Please, I want to look at the tiny baby stuff," she pleaded.
"Alright, alright," Lucy laughed. Just then, Luke and Rory walked up.
"Sweetheart, darling," she greeted her daughter and boyfriend with a nod at each.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Rory asked her mother.
"Yeah, it's fine," Lorelai assured, "Hey, Rory, got any plans tomorrow?"
"No, don't think so. Why?" she asked.
"Lucy, the twins, and I are going to Hartford tomorrow to get cute stuff for Lucy's baby. Wanna come?"
"Sure, I'd love to," Rory smiled.
"Oh thanks, Rory," said Lucy, as she slowly got up, with Luke's help, "With us three girls, Tara and Eva won't be as hard to keep up with." She laughed a bit and yawned. "Hey, I'm gonna head back to the Inn... getting kinda tired. Call me tonight, okay?" she asked Lorelai.
"Yeah, absolutely. Do you need me to drive you back?"
"No, no, I'll be fine."
"Alright." As Lucy, Tara and Eva were walking away, Luke turned to Lorelai.
"Three?" he repeated from what Lucy said.
"Yeah, sorry Luke. It's just us girls."
"Oh... okay. Yeah, that's perfectly fine."
"You COULD come. Be the male opinion on what we buy."
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass."
"Fine, it's your loss," Lorelai shrugged as she turned to Rory, "This is so exciting! I haven't gone shopping for stuff like that since, well... you."
"I'm sure the fashion's changed," said Rory.
"Let's hope so, because honestly, no matter how cute those clothes looked back then..."
"Yeah, I get the idea." Lorelai looked up at Luke.
"Hello?" she called, waving her hand in front of Luke's face, as he seemed lost in his thoughts. He didn't move. "Hey, what's Taylor putting in the diner's window?" Lorelai called over-dramatically. Luke spun around so fast that Lorelai nearly fell back. When he saw it wasn't true, he turned to Lorelai, who was almost bent in two from laughing.
"That wasn't funny," he muttered.
"Yes, it was," Lorelai insisted.
"What were you thinking about?" Rory asked him.
"Uh... nothing," Luke mumbled.
*
Friday morning, Luke's diner
"I don't think I ever saw a snake this long before," Lorelai said as she carried Tara in, while Lucy had Eva.
"It WAS kind of impressing," said Lucy.
"Had fun at the zoo?" Luke asked them.
"It was fun, wasn't it?" Lorelai said, looking to Lucy. Her friend was still looking at Luke. She could tell there was something on his mind.
"Yeah, it was. I'm gonna take a cab back to the Inn, okay? I think the girls have had a long day."
"Alright," said Lorelai, handing Tara back to Lucy.
"Say hi to your mother and father for me, okay?"
"Sure." Lucy gave a short nod to Luke before walking out. "Am I missing something, here?" said Lorelai.
"I've missed you this week," Luke said slowly, looking down at the counter he was wiping.
"Oh, Luke, I'm sorry," said Lorelai, realizing. "I'm such an idiot."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am. I was so caught up with spending time with Lucy, I completely ignored you."
"Really, it's nothing. The woman was your best friend for over a decade and you just saw her for the first time in almost fifteen years a week ago..."
"I am so going to make it up to you," Lorelai said.
"You don't have to," Luke started. Lorelai gave him a look. "But if you must, I won't stop you."
"That's more like it!" she grinned happily.
*
Late afternoon, Lorelai and Rory's home
Luke rang the doorbell and after a minute had passes and there was no answer, he opened the door and walked in. "Hello?" he called. He heard talking coming from upstairs, so he climbed the stairs to go see. When he entered Lorelai's room, he had to quickly duck to avoid being hit in the face by a shirt Lorelai had just thrown aside. Rory was sitting on her mother's bed, observing the scene while obviously trying not to laugh.
"Hey, Luke," she greeted him when he entered. Lorelai almost jumped out of her skin when she spotted him.
"Sorry," he said, "Everything okay?"
"Well, I don't know. I'm going to my parents' home for the first time in three whole months, and at the same time I'm introducing you to them as 'my boyfriend', and this could very well end in a disaster, so I'm feeling just a tad nervous, okay?" Rory grinned from her seat. Lorelai looked at Luke's outfit and smiled. "You wore them! I was sure you'd returned them."
"Well, they WERE, what, 1000% off?"
"Just about," she confirmed. "You look great," she nodded.
"So do you," he smiled.
"Are you sure, because I'm not..." she started, but was cut off when Luke stepped up and kissed her. Rory looked away uncomfortably.
"Get a room," she fake-huffed. They broke apart.
"Hey, this IS my room," Lorelai winked.
"Can we go already? Wouldn't want to be late, would you?" Rory nodded at the clock.
"Crap. Let's go," she said. The three of them quickly filed out of the house and got into Lorelai's car. "Now, if you wanna back out at anytime, the closest border out of the country is that way," Lorelai said, pointing outside.
"I think I can handle it," said Luke.
"I never said you couldn't," she said, driving out to the road, "But don't say I didn't warn you."
"Mom, this is dinner with your parents, not a war," said Rory from the back seat.
"Yeah," Lorelai nodded, "If you say so."
*
Later, in front of Richard and Emily's home
"Now remember, under any circumstance, do NOT show fear," Lorelai said when she parked the car.
"Mom!"
"What?" she defended herself.
"You ready?" Luke asked Lorelai.
"Oh... sure," she mumbled. After a few more minutes of arguing, Lorelai, Luke, and Rory stood at the front door. Before giving Lorelai the chance to reconsider for another hour, Luke quickly pushed the doorbell button. "Luke!" she blurted out.
"Someone had to do it," he shrugged.
"Traitor," she muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Seconds later, the door was opened. Emily stood on the other side of it. There wasn't a sound coming from any of them for a minute.
"Emily?" they heard someone call from inside. They came to life as Richard came up behind his wife.
"Please... come in," Emily said, looking to each of her guests. They moved into the lobby.
"Mom, Dad, I think you've met Luke," Lorelai said.
"Yes, I believe we met at Rory's birthday party," said Richard, and Luke nodded.
"Hello again," Emily said, with an honest smile.
"It's a pleasure to see you both again," Luke said.
"Well, why don't we move to the table," Richard suggested. They did so slowly, and everyone took their usual seats. On Lorelai's side though, her place had been pushed nearer to Emily, to make room for Luke. Dinner was served. There was a general awkwardness around the table. "So, Luke. I remember Lorelai saying you owned a diner," Richard started, "How's that going?"
"Oh, it's good," Luke answered.
"It was your father's business, correct?" Emily jumped in, "Before it was a diner."
"Yes, it was my father's store."
"Well, we'll have to visit sometime," Richard said.
"Of course," said Luke, "You're always welcome." Lorelai smiled.
"Hey mom, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked Emily.
"I would love to," Emily smiled.
"Okay." The two headed into the kitchen as Richard was talking to Luke.
"What do you serve in this diner of yours?"
Lorelai and Emily stepped into the kitchen. "Mom..." Lorelai started, but was interrupted when Emily stepped up and hugged her. She hadn't expected the gesture at all, but welcomed it completely. When they separated, she was once more surprised at the sight of tears in her mother's eyes.
"I lost you once, I don't want it to happen again," she said, taking her daughter's hands. Lorelai was speechless. "I know I've been horrible to you for so long and I wanted you to know... I'm sorry. I was too busy with what I wanted in your life... to see what YOU wanted." Lorelai couldn't stop the tears from coming out of her own eyes at her mother's statement.
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Don't worry about it," Emily said, carefully wiping the tears away from her daughter's eyes. "It's a find man you have there, Lorelai."
"Thanks, mom," she said, "We should probably go back there."
"Yes, I think we should fix ourselves first," she said as she picked up a few tissues and handed one to Lorelai.
"Yeah," she laughed as she wiped at her eyes. "Alright, I think we're good now," she said.
"After you," said Emily. They threw away the tissues and returned to the dining room.
"And you have to try the coffee," Rory was telling her grandfather, "It's the best in town."
"Rory, stop, you're gonna make Luke blush," Lorelai said with a smile. Just then, her cell phone rang. 'No sign to tap,' she thought as she looked at Luke. "Hello?" she answered the call.
"Hey, Lorelai, it's Sookie."
"Oh, hey, what's going on?"
"I'm at the Inn."
"What are you doing at the Inn at this time?"
"Oh, I left something in the freezer and I came to pick it up."
"So that's why you're calling me?"
"It's not. I walked into the kitchen and I found Lucy sitting on the floor. She said she'd come looking for a snack, like I told her she could, when she started having contractions. I got in there like a minute after the first one."
"Oh my... is it time for sure?" she asked, concerned for her friend's well being.
"Yeah. We're waiting for an ambulance right now, because well... I'm too nervous to drive."
"Will they get there soon?"
"Yeah," Sookie confirmed.
"What hospital are they taking her to?" Lorelai asked.
"Hospital?" Rory asked her mother as everyone in the room listened. Lorelai held up a finger to quiet them as Sookie told her.
"Alright, we're on our way." She hung up.
"Lorelai, what's going on?" her mother asked.
"Uh, Lucy went into labor."
"She did? When?" asked Rory as she, Luke, and Richard stood up.
"Just a few minutes ago. We should..." Lorelai started to head for the door before she stopped and turned back to her parents. "You two should come, I'm sure Lucy would appreciate it."
"I don't know..." started Emily.
"Mom, please?" Lorelai asked. Emily looked up to her husband.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go." Immediately, they moved into action.
"I'll drive myself, Rory and Luke and you guys can follow behind," said Lorelai as they all walked towards the door. Each quickly picked up their jackets on their way out of the door.
"Alright. We'll meet you there," said Emily.
*
Not long after, the hospital
They hurriedly walked up to the woman at the desk. She looked up at them and almost did a double take.
"You again?" she said, looking at Emily.
"I don't believe it," Lorelai grinned, recognizing the woman from when her father had been taken to that very hospital the past Christmas. Before a fistfight started, she quickly spoke. I'm looking for a friend of mine, she's about to have a baby. Her name is Lucy Cooper." The woman looked it up.
"One floor up, two rooms to your left once you get off."
"Thank you," said Lorelai as she grabbed her mother's hand and dragged her to the elevator.
"Can you believe that woman?" Emily was saying as the group walked.
"Keep moving," Lorelai instructed, then looking back, "Luke, you okay?"
"Oh yeah, I'm fine," he said. He walked behind Rory, holding her shoulders and keeping his head down, as she lead him forward while trying not to laugh.
"Is he alright?" Richard whispered to Lorelai.
"He's fine, hospitals just make him uncomfortable," she explained. They got into the elevator and followed the nurse's directions. Finally they entered the room and found Lucy and Sookie.
"Lorelai!" Lucy breathed in relief.
"Finally," said Sookie, "I'm gonna go get coffee for everyone, okay?"
"Sure," said Lorelai. Her friend looked panicked as she got out of the room.
"I think I spooked her a bit with all the screaming," Lucy explained, just as another contraction began.
"Breathe," Lorelai instructed. Lucy obeyed. When it stopped she looked up at Lorelai.
"Thanks for coming."
"Hey, no problem." Lucy looked up to see the others.
"Did I interrupt your dinner?" she asked.
"It's okay," Lorelai insisted.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore... long time no see," Lucy greeted Richard and Emily.
"It's good to see you again," Richard smiled.
"How are you?" Emily said, going to Lucy's other side.
"I'm good. Considering my... current position, I'm doing great," she laughed.
"Hey, where are the girls?" Lorelai asked.
"They're back at the Inn, with Jackson. He drove Sookie thee and he gladly accepted to watch them while I was..." she stopped as another contraction began.
"Well it looks like you're almost there," Rory piped in. Lucy smiled.
A couple hours later, all except Lorelai were waiting outside the room. Lucy had asked her childhood friend to stay with her, not wanting to be left alone. Lorelai had proudly said yes.
There wasn't much action. Richard read a newspaper; Rory had the book she'd brought along to dinner. Emily sat in silence, while Luke was bent forward with his head between his knees. They all looked up when they heard the door open and Lorelai stepped out.
"It's a girl," she smiled.
*
A few minutes later
They'd waited until the medical staff had exited. Finally, they entered quietly, Lorelai in the lead. Rory, Luke, Emily, and Richard followed. Lucy was holding the newborn, who'd been cleaned and wrapped up.
"She's beautiful," Lorelai whispered. Lucy looked up from the girl, the smile on her face refusing to go away.
"Doesn't this seem familiar?" she laughed, remembering the day Rory had been born.
"Yeah," Lorelai nodded with a grin.
"What will you be naming her?" Emily asked.
"She will be Margaret Cooper, or Maggie." The others smiled.
"She looks just like you," said Richard as Maggie cooed in her mother's arms.
"Thank you," said Lucy.
A short time later, after Richard and Emily had left and Sookie had driven Rory back home, Luke and Lorelai remained at the hospital. They sat side by side as Lorelai rocked a sleeping Maggie. Lucy had wanted to take a nap, so she'd asked her friend to watch over her daughter.
"Well... this was an interesting night," said Luke, "Are all those Friday dinners this exciting?"
"Oh... this is nothing," Lorelai smiled up at him. He laughed. He observed the tiny girl, and Lorelai caught him. "Here," she said, handing the baby over to him.
"No, I couldn't," said Luke, holding up his hands.
"Of course you can, come on." He sighed and picked her out of Lorelai's arms. He gasped when he thought he'd awakened her, but she simply settled in his arms, her sleep undisturbed. He smiled.
"Wow," he said.
"See? You're a natural," she patted his arm.
"Yeah, well don't start getting any ideas." She rolled her eyes.
"Trust me, I'm not quite ready to do THAT again just now."
"Good," he smiled. He looked up at her, and suddenly, the thing that he'd been debating in his mind all night seemed resolved.
"What?" she asked as she saw the expression on his face.
"I know the last time we discussed this it... didn't really end well, but..."
"But what?" she asked.
"I know you don't want to move into MY place because it's too small for you... But if you suggested I'd move in with YOU again, I might say yes..." She laughed quietly, so that she wouldn't wake up anyone.
"Luke?"
"Yes?"
"Will you move in with me?"
"Yes." They smiled and kissed slowly.
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything?" they heard a sleepy voice say. They looked up to see Lucy was awake.
"Did we..." asked Lorelai. Lucy shook her head 'no'.
"So... what did I miss?" she asked. An idea came to Lorelai and she walked up to Lucy.
"Lucy... what are you gonna do now? I mean you have to find a more permanent home, somewhere other than the Inn..."
"Yeah, I guess I should..."
"What if you stayed in Stars Hollow?" Lorelai asked.
"Do you... have a place in mind?" Lucy asked.
"Actually," she looked back to Luke. He seemed to understand what she was implying, and he nodded. "Since Luke will be moving in with me... his place is free..."
Lucy smiled and looked at Luke. "Really?" she asked him.
"Hey, having this little girl right upstairs from the diner would be not so bad at all," he said, looking down at Maggie.
"Wow," Lorelai whispered with a grin.
"Then you have yourself a deal," said Lucy.
*
A few days later
"Where do I put this one?" Rory said as she walked in, carrying a box.
"Upstairs," Lorelai instructed as she put a box in a closet.
"You're kidding," Rory mumbled, "Another one?"
"Afraid so," Lorelai smiled sympathetically.
"Damn it," said Rory as she went to climb the stairs.
"Here comes the last load," said Luke as he carried in a box.
"I don't get how you can have that much stuff in that tiny apartment," said Lorelai, throwing her hands up.
"Well it wasn't all in there," he explained.
"Whatever," she said as she looked around their home of now three occupants, "We... we'll find the space."
"Okay."
"Hey," said Rory as she came down the stairs, "I think we need to tell him about the rules."
"Rules?" Luke repeated.
"Yes, the rules," Lorelai grinned. He looked to one then the other.
"Fine, bring it on." Lorelai and Rory grinned at each other.
"I think I'm gonna like this," Rory smiled.
"Don't expect any midnight service, here," Luke smiled.
"Was worth a try," said Rory. Lorelai smiled at him.
"Welcome home."
THE END??
