A/N: I think I should address the dream sequence that Dave had about two
chapters ago. I think a few of you were confused by it. The whole thing
where Rory and Jess are fighting was not foreshadowing that they would
start bickering constantly, I purposely wrote them out f character, in
dream sequences things are supposed to be a miss, see Dave wasn't really
clear that he was dreaming so things like Rory and Jess fighting and their
baby's name being Bert were supposed to be clues to Dave that it was a
dream. I'm actually writing this today, it's Wednesday by the way but I
just found out ff.n is down so you probably won't get this until Thursday
or Friday. My hope is to have this story finished by next mon-tues, to be
honest the story in my mind is dragging a bit so I'd rather finish it up
soon than linger on with filler chapter which I've done before. And I
actually have some great ideas for my prequel so that may be started early.
Ok enough blabber my long a/n's must be annoying by now.
Two Weeks Later: Rory is now 7 ½ months pregnant.
Wednesday 2pm.
*The inn:
Lorelai is sitting at the front desk dialing her cell phone.
"Vhat are you duing?" Michel asks arrogantly.
Lorelai sends him an irritable glance but says nothing.
"You can not make calls while you are working."
"Sookie said I could." Lorelai says innocently.
"Is she in charge here?" Michel shoots back.
"You're right, she's not...I am!" Lorelai grins.
Michel pouts.
"Look I'm just calling to leave a message for Rory, I'll be two seconds and then I won't make anymore calls."
"Oo Rory! Why didn't you say so, did you send her the booties I made?"
Lorelai giggles; despite the fact that Michel has been knitting for over 5 years it is still hysterical to see a Frenchman with knitting needles.
"Yes, she loved them Michel."
"Let me say hello! Please!" Michel whines.
"Fine just wait until the machine picks up."
*Rory/Jess Apartment.
The phone is ringing, on the third ring Jess picks it up.
"Hello?"
A small noise is heard on the other end.
"Uh, ok hanging up now."
"No wait!"
"Lorelai?"
"What are you doing home?" Lorelai asks.
"Study day...finals are next week."
"Oh right."
"Let me talk!!" Michel whines.
Lorelai waves her hands around, "You don't want to, it's just Jess."
"Humph." Michel crosses his arms. "The punk."
Lorelai giggles.
"Glad to see I'm so loved." Jess retorts. "What are you doing calling now anyway, you know Rory doesn't get home until 6."
"Yeah but I wanted to leave her a funny message, I haven't talked to her all week and I miss her."
"Do you want me to hang up so you can call back and leave your message?"
"Yes...but not right now, as long as I have you on the phone I might as well chat."
"You're so considerate."
"So what are you doing with your day off......you're not reading are you?"
"No we got rid of all those books."
"Thank God." Lorelai says. "So what's this I hear about you two ditching those breathing classes?"
"You would have had a field day with it, it was just 8 couples sitting on the floor panting and shit.....2 of the couples were over 35, 5 were under 23 years old and then there was me and Rory. The instructor talked to us as if we were all five year olds and she kept saying things like, "Ladies you must be strong for your men, don't let them see you cry."
"Uh oh, I'm guessing Rory didn't take well to that."
"No not really, last time we went they had us all discuss what we've been eating lately, and Rory told them how I made her ziti this week and the Instructor told her that she, the woman should be cooking for her husband, because that is what she agreed to do apparently when we got married. Rory explained calmly that she can't cook well and the instructor was like well you should take some classes we have them here and then I explained that we both work and that I get home first, and the instructor went a-wall and started lecturing on how mothers need to stay home it's there job to cook an keep the home clean and raise the kids."
"So exactly when did we get pulled back 100 years?" "So yeah after that we left, it was too creepy anyway that place made me feel old."
"Why?"
"There were only two other couples there who didn't already have kids."
"I thought you said 5 of them were like under 21."
"I did."
"That's sick."
"No what's sick is that all the under 23 crowd were married before they even had kids."
"Ew."
"Yeah so we've decided we're just not very sociable people."
"Man, what kind of town do you live in?"
"I don't even know anymore, I think once the fall comes we're going to look into moving."
"What about your job?"
"Well they're actually looking for an English teacher in Hartford, and my boss recommended me."
"Hartford?! As in only 20 minutes away from me Hartford?"
"Yeah, but don't get all excited I haven't even talked to Rory about it yet."
"When do you need to give them an answer by?"
"July."
"ee! My baby may be coming home!"
"I don't know, I mean I don't want to make Rory give up her job at Nbc for this, I mean she makes more money than I do and her job means a lot to her."
"Yeah." Lorelai says sadly. "Well at least discuss it with her."
"I will."
"Ok well Michel is giving me the evil eye I better go."
"Bye." Jess hangs up the phone, a moment later it rings again he let's the machine pick up this time.
*10 minutes later the buzzer in the apartment goes off.
"Yeah?" Jess asks.
"Delivery for Mr. and Mrs. Jess Mariano."
"Alright I'll be right down."
"It's pretty big......why don't I just send my guys up, you got an elevator."
"Yeah, right down the hall."
"Alright buzz us in."
Jess obliges."
*5 minutes later there's a knock at the door.
Jess opens it as two burley men quickly move past him with a humongous rocking chair.
"Sign here." A small heavyset man appears at the door.
Jess signs the clipboard and hands each of the men two dollars.
As the men turn to leave Jess examines the chair, "Uh does it say who sent this on that clipboard thing?"
"A Mrs. E. Gilmore.....uptight lady, good tipper."
Jess nods, "Thanks."
*6:15
Rory enters the apartment.
"I'm home!" Rory announces.
No answer.
"Jess?"
"Oh hey, I didn't hear you come in." Jess replies kissing Rory on the cheek. "Hey come see what your grandmother sent you."
Jess leads Rory into the nursery.
Rory steps inside and immediately her eyes travel to the mahogany rocking chair placed in the corner.
Rory puts a hand to her mouth, her eyes become misty, "Oh my God."
Jess wraps an arm around Rory's waist.
"I should go call her." Rory states.
"Why don't you try it out first?" Jess whispers in her ear.
Rory sits down on the large chair, "Wow, this is amazing, it's huge you could probably even fit on here right now."
Jess laughs, "Only one way to find out." He takes a seat next to Rory, putting his arm over her shoulder. "How about that, perfect fit."
Rory smiles, "I missed you today."
Jess buries his face in Rory's hair, "Missed you too."
"What'd you do on your day off today?"
"Cleaned, made some chicken for dinner, talked to your mom."
"She called?"
"Yeah she left a message for you."
"Yay!" Rory says getting up.
"How was work?"
"Good, we taped that piece I've been working on, it came out pretty good and then Jonathon came in and asked me if I'd be interested in interviewing the mayor in 2 weeks, so of course I said yes and then we worked it out that once that was done, I'd start my maternity leave."
"That's great, I'm sure that the mayor will love you."
Rory suddenly remembers something, "Oh remember how we couldn't find where the hospital was last week? Well on my lunch hour Jaclyn and I went searching for it."
"Oh yeah?"
"Jess there is no way in hell I'm ever stepping inside that place."
"What? Why?" Jess smiles.
"It's run by the same organization as that rec. center."
Jess' eyes go wide, "You're kidding?"
"No." Rory pouts, "And I looked into it the only other hospitals are like a 45 minutes away."
"We'll figure something out don't worry about it, anyway why don't you go call your mom and grandma and I'll heat up the chicken."
"Ok."
*On the Phone:
"Hello?" Lorelai's cheery voice answers.
"Mom!"
"Rory! Did Jess play you my message?"
"Yes." Rory giggles.
"And did you say hi to your knee like I told you to?"
"No."
"Come on say it.....hi-knee. Hinee he he."
Rory laughs.
"So how are you....you must be huge by now."
"Thanks mom."
"That's a compliment."
"Sure, ok."
"So how's work?"
"Great, I'm going to interview the mayor!"
"Yay! You really are a star reporter."
"Yep."
"Oh! Did Lane get our flowers, Luke said they might not have gotten there in time for her graduation."
"No, they did she said thank you. Her and Dave are actually going to be in Stars Hollow this weekend."
"Really?"
"Yeah well Mrs. Kim hasn't seen Lane since before she and Dave left for New York."
"Fun."
"Yeah, hopefully Dave will come home unscathed."
Lorelai giggles. "I wish you were coming here this weekend, I really miss you."
"I miss you too, I really want to come home before August but I don't know if that's going to happen."
"Why do you have to live so far away?"
"I know; I don't even know why we're here anymore."
"Aw, you don't sound happy.....I thought we were ecstatic about interviewing the mayor. "
"I am." Rory sighs, "I'm just cranky, you know we've been living in this place for two years now and have never had the need to find the hospital."
"Uh huh."
"So today I figured I'd go look for it since in another 6 weeks I'll be giving birth in it.....mom it's run by the rec. center people."
"How is that possible?"
"The hospital funded the center, it also hires all the staff that instructor was a certified nurse there for 25 years."
"Ugh, you mean you're going to have one of those flighty nurses there telling you not to scream?"
"It's a possibility." Rory says sadly.
Lorelai's eyes light up as a thought comes to mind, "Hey sweets have you talked to Jess yet?"
"Um, a little bit I just got home like 10 minutes ago."
"Well what if while he goes to Hartford next month you come stay with me, Jess and you are both off you could stay until the baby's born, you could go to Hartford Hospital..which you've been to before...."
"Wait why is Jess going to Hartford?"
"Oh I thought you just said you talked to him."
"Yeah, about the rocking chair grandma sent us and about the hospital, mom what's in Hartford?"
"My mother sent you a rocking chair? Look Hon, I should go. Just talk to Jess."
*2 minutes later: Rory enters the kitchen.
"Great you're off the phone, dinner's just about ready." Jess explains.
"Why do you have to go to Hartford?"
"Shit!" Jess says.
"Jess, what's in Hartford?"
"I told her to keep her mouth shut."
"Jess what the hell is in Hartford."
"A new job, ok."
"A new job, what new job?"
In Hartford, they're looking for a new head for the English department, and Radcliff recommended me to the school principle."
"Wow."
"I was going to talk to you about it tonight, after dinner I swear."
"So....Are you going to take it."
"I don't know, I don't see how I can I mean even though I'll be making more over there I still won't be making as much as you, and you love your job I'm not going to ask you to give it up."
"You'd be the head of the English department, you'd set the curriculum for the entire English department.....Jess that's your dream job."
"And journalisms yours, Rory." Jess places a plate of chicken on the table next to the potatoes and broccoli, "Come on let's just eat."
Rory sits down.
5 minutes pass in silence, the only sound heard is the scrapping of knives and forks.
Finally Rory breaks the silence, "I hate it here."
Jess looks up, "Stop it, you love it here."
"No, I love this apartment, I mean this is our first place. When I got my job at NBC we decided to move in together...it has a lot of history, but other than that how much time have we really spent outside of this place. We go to the movies, the park and a few restaurants."
"Yeah but you have your job."
"I could ask for a transfer, they have a studio right near Hartford, and let's face it who knows if I'm going to go back to work after August I may decide to stay home."
"You won't." Jess smiles.
"Ok, but Jess if you want to take this job I'll go with you."
"Do you really hate it here?"
"It's like a parallel universe, did you not see that we were the third oldest couple in those classes....I mean come on it seems like they marry their kids off at 13 here."
Jess laughs.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to go down there and talk to the principle."
"Great." Rory smiles, "And you know my mom had a great idea"
"Uh oh."
"No, no it will solve our whole hospital debacle and everything."
Jess rolls his eyes.
"What if when you go down to Hartford I come with you and I could stay with Mom and Luke."
"Ok. That'll be good we can make a long weekend out of it."
"No, Jess I mean what if we stayed there until I had the baby?"
"I don't know that'd be almost a month with your mom and Luke."
"Yeah, but then I wouldn't have to go to the bad hospital, I could go to the one in Hartford it's a really good Hospital it's where my mom had me."
"You know you're going to be a spectacle right, I mean everyone's going to be crowding you....remember how much you didn't like ol' lady Schneider touching your stomach, just wait until Miss Patty and Babette see you."
"They're like family, it'll be fine and I haven't seen them all in forever."
Jess sighs, putting down his fork.
"Jess come on these last few weeks have been a nightmare, we've both been working around the clock and with Lane and Dave in New York now we have no one here to hang out with, I need to see a friendly face, please."
"Did your mom discuss this idea with Luke?"
"What do you think?"
"Stupid question, ok look if Luke's ok with it then sure.....and if he's not we'll just rent a room at the inn."
Rory grins, "Thanks Jess!"
*After dinner Jess called Luke, Luke thought that it was a good idea so as soon as Rory's interview is over she and Jess will be leaving for Stars Hollow. Rory called her grandmother to thank her for the rocking chair the next day, by that time Lorelai had apparently already spoken to her mother. Emily offered to put in a good word for Rory at NBC Hartford; apparently the wife of one of the Anchormen is a member of her DAR group. The next two weeks passed quickly, Rory and Jess have been packing everyday. They have so much stuff to bring with them that Lorelai managed to sweet-talk Luke into driving up to help them bring it down. With the use of Luke's truck Rory is able to pack her rocking chair, which she has become quite fond of.
*July 8th: Rory is standing in the lobby of the NBC building taking to the mayor as she waits for Jess.
"That was a wonderful interview, you focused on the important details and didn't stray from the facts, Mrs. Mariano I'm impressed." The mayor says happily.
"Thank you Mayor, and please call me Rory."
"So Jonathon told me this will be your last interview with the station."
"Well this branch anyway, my Husband and I are relocating to Hartford. As soon as I'm ready to go back to work I'll be starting at the Hartford station."
"Fantastic, Hartford's got quite a staff, you should feel right at home there."
Rory smiles as Jess pulls up.
"Well that's my husband so I have to go, it was very nice meeting you thank you for this wonderful opportunity." Rory says shaking the mayor's hand.
"The pleasure was all mine, Good bye Rory and congratulations."
"Thank you." Rory says before walking out.
Jess is leaning against his car; Luke's truck pulls up behind it.
"Hey." Jess says sweetly. "How'd it go?"
"Good, I think."
"I'm sure you did great."
"John said it'd be on tomorrow's broadcast."
"Great."
Luke gets out of the truck.
"Luke!" Rory says walking over to him.
"Hi." Luke replies.
"Thank you so much for your help."
"Not a problem."
Jess looks at his watch, "Ok, it's almost three let's go I want to be there by 4."
"Slave driver." Rory mutters.
Luke grins.
"What?"
"Nothing."
*3:56: Stars Hollow.
As Jess' car drives through the streets townspeople start to way at him and Rory.
"It's starting." Jess mutters.
"Be nice."
*5 minutes later:
Lorelai is standing at the door waiting for them.
Rory hops out of the car as soon as it stops.
"Mom!"
"Just got off the phone with Miss Patty she said she spotted you passing the diner."
Rory laughs.
"Oh my God look at you!"
Rory rolls her eyes, "Tell me about it."
Lorelai watches as Luke and Jess start to remove things from the car.
"Come on, I just bought this cool new smoothie maker....how does non- alcoholic, well for you anyway strawberry Daiquiris sound?"
"Mmm. But don't you think we should help unload stuff first?"
"Honey you're 8 months pregnant you don't have to help do anything."
"Ok, but what's your excuse?" Rory smirks.
"God you've got to stop doing that, pretty soon you'll starting using words like huh and before you know it you'll stop using full sentences."
Rory grins.
*Inside Rory enters the living room, where stacks of presents have been placed in the middle of the room.
"Mom? What is all this?"
"OK, well I knew you swore off having a baby shower after Sherri's shower for Georgia but when everybody found out you were coming, well they all got excited I mean after all everybody's watched you grow up since you were a baby."
"Aw, now I feel bad, like I disappointed everybody."
" Don't I'm sure they'll all be standing outside in another 5 minutes anyway, just be cautious Michel sent you something...I think he knitted the baby a jacket."
Rory makes a disgusted face.
"What's the face for?" Jess asks as he slams down one of the bags.
"Michel's been knitting again."
Jess mimics Rory's face.
Lorelai turns to Rory, "I can't believe you're here for a whole month!"
"I know!" Rory squeals.
"And when you leave you'll have a baby!" Lorelai grins.
"Scary isn't it."
"I'm too young to be a grandma."
Jess rolls his eyes playfully.
"Oh um, your Dad called by the way." Lorelai says.
"Oh shit." Jess replies.
"Did you tell him we were coming here?"
"No, I just told him I'd have you call him if I heard from you."
"Good." Rory replies, "Um, excuse me I have to pee."
"Ok, so what's going on?" Lorelai asks Jess.
"Nothing...we've just been screening our calls."
"Oh ok."
"Rory thinks that Sherri's going to insist on being there when she has the baby, and Rory doesn't want her there."
"Ah it all makes sense."
Rory exits the bathroom, "I guess I should call dad."
"Yeah but don't mention that you're here because then they'll come down and we all don't want that." Lorelai replies.
"Thanks mom."
Luke enters the living room, "It's starting." He says to Lorelai nodding his head towards the door.
Lorelai peers out the window, outside Miss Patty and Babette wave happily. Lorelai waves back. "Let them in." Lorelai says to Luke. "Jess go get Rory."
Luke opens the door.
"Thank you sugar." Babette says.
"Luke Darling, you look good as always." Miss Patty winks at Luke.
"Patty, Babette." Lorelai greets the women.
"Lorelai you must be delighted, having Rory back for a whole month and becoming a grandmother at the same time." Patty grins.
"You are one lucky gal, sugar." Babette exclaims.
Jess enters the living room, "She's just finishing up with Chris." He says to Lorelai.
"And here's the daddy-to-be looking adorable as ever." Miss patty smirks at Jess.
"Hi." He waves at the ladies.
"Don't just stand there sugar, sit down have some ice tea, you do have ice tea don't ya Lorelai?"
"Um I should, let me check." Lorelai walks away in search of ice tea, Luke follows her.
"So Jess," Patty says putting her hand on Jess' knee, "You must be so happy."
"You kidding, it's a fairy tale." Babette replies.
Rory reluctantly enters the living room.
Babette stands up to greet her, "Rory dawling you're a big as a house."
Rory smile faintly, "Um thank you."
"Babette really," Patty says, "Rory you look beautiful....like a big plump plum."
Rory walks over to Jess and sits down, Jess takes Rory's hand and squeezes it.
"Aren't they adorable?" Babette exclaims.
Luke and Lorelai reenter with 3 ice teas and 3 strawberry daiquiris.
"Here ya go sweet, just like I promised you." Lorelai grins.
"Thanks mom."
"Here one for you too Jess." Lorelai says leaning in close, "A little surprise in there for you."
"Lorelai dawling you must have this whole month planned out tell us everything." Babette says.
Jess takes a sip of his drink and coughs as the hearty taste of alcohol passes his lips.
"You ok?" Rory asks.
"Fine, surprised but fine."
*20 minutes later: Babette and Patty are still there bombarding Rory and Jess with personal questions, Lorelai is engrossed in her drink, Luke looks on sympathetically, finally he can take no more.
"Rory how are you doing?" He asks calmly.
Patty and Babette turn to look at him.
Rory gives him a quizzical glance, "I'm doing ok."
"Are you sure because you look tired, really tired." Luke raises an eyebrow at Rory.
Rory catches on, "Well actually I didn't want to say anything but the whole ride here has made me just exhausted." Rory fakes a yawn.
"Aw sugar you should have said something, we can come visit anytime, you, you need your rest." Babette says standing up.
"Yes thank you Lorelai sweetie call us if you need anything."
With in moments the two women are gown.
Communally Luke, Lorelai Jess and Rory exhale.
"Wow, I never knew you were so quick on your feet." Lorelai says nudging Luke.
"I just couldn't take anymore of that yammering." Luke says huskily.
Jess and Rory laugh.
"So what now?" Luke asks.
"Movie time!" Lorelai exclaims.
"I'm starving." Rory says dramatically clinging onto Jess.
"Well we could start the movie while Luke makes burgers."
"Mmm burgers, I haven't had a Luke burger in the longest time." Rory replies.
"Well then a burger you shall have right Luke?"
Luke rolls his eyes playfully, "Jess come on."
"What? Don't tell me I have to get off this couch....I'm not being paid to work at the diner why should I have to help?"
"Jess now." Luke replies gruffly.
Jess stands up giving Rory a quick grin before walking into the kitchen.
"So what movie are we going to watch, and please don't say Willy Wonka; after Mrs. Patty's pleasant statement today, I don't think I could stomach the plum scene."
Lorelai laughs, "I think you just made a pun."
Rory sticks out her tongue.
"No I want to watch Steel Magnolias."
"Why?" Rory says with a curious smile.
"Me and Luke were watching it last night."
"Luke watched steel magnolias with all the women crying and talking about sex and hairstyles?"
"Hey he lost the bet that the baby was going to be a girl so instead of giving me 50 dollars I get to pick the movies we watch up until the baby's born." Lorelai grins.
"That's horrible I bet Luke wishes he'd just given you the $50."
"Yeah he keeps trying to slip it into my purse but it's too late, a deal is a deal."
"So what made you want to watch it again, I thought you said that one could only handle so much Sally field at one time."
"Well I was watching and Julia Roberts made me think about you, I mean what if when you have the baby you suddenly need a kidney, and so I spent the whole night trying to decide whether or not I'd give you my kidney and...."Lorelai pauses for dramatic effect.
"Well?"
"I've decided that I'll gladly give you one of Luke's."
Rory giggles, "Some how I don't think that'd work."
A/N The king of all filler chapters, but I promise a new chapter with tons of action next time which will be on Friday since I work out of my sister's room and prefer to write when she's not here. For those who haven't seen Steel magnolias the story is basically about the trial and tribulations of 5 southern women. In it Julia Roberts has diabetes and after marrying the gut from the practice, she goes against doctors orders and has a baby. Which causes her kidney's to give out so her mom, sally fields gives her one of hers, eventually Julia Roberts does die in it though..it's a bitter sweet movie but really funny, seems like something they'd watch. Oh well, needless to say I watched it today. Well bed time, got to be up early because tomorrow I'm becoming a red-head yay! Life long dream for me. Ok till next chapter please read and review.
Two Weeks Later: Rory is now 7 ½ months pregnant.
Wednesday 2pm.
*The inn:
Lorelai is sitting at the front desk dialing her cell phone.
"Vhat are you duing?" Michel asks arrogantly.
Lorelai sends him an irritable glance but says nothing.
"You can not make calls while you are working."
"Sookie said I could." Lorelai says innocently.
"Is she in charge here?" Michel shoots back.
"You're right, she's not...I am!" Lorelai grins.
Michel pouts.
"Look I'm just calling to leave a message for Rory, I'll be two seconds and then I won't make anymore calls."
"Oo Rory! Why didn't you say so, did you send her the booties I made?"
Lorelai giggles; despite the fact that Michel has been knitting for over 5 years it is still hysterical to see a Frenchman with knitting needles.
"Yes, she loved them Michel."
"Let me say hello! Please!" Michel whines.
"Fine just wait until the machine picks up."
*Rory/Jess Apartment.
The phone is ringing, on the third ring Jess picks it up.
"Hello?"
A small noise is heard on the other end.
"Uh, ok hanging up now."
"No wait!"
"Lorelai?"
"What are you doing home?" Lorelai asks.
"Study day...finals are next week."
"Oh right."
"Let me talk!!" Michel whines.
Lorelai waves her hands around, "You don't want to, it's just Jess."
"Humph." Michel crosses his arms. "The punk."
Lorelai giggles.
"Glad to see I'm so loved." Jess retorts. "What are you doing calling now anyway, you know Rory doesn't get home until 6."
"Yeah but I wanted to leave her a funny message, I haven't talked to her all week and I miss her."
"Do you want me to hang up so you can call back and leave your message?"
"Yes...but not right now, as long as I have you on the phone I might as well chat."
"You're so considerate."
"So what are you doing with your day off......you're not reading are you?"
"No we got rid of all those books."
"Thank God." Lorelai says. "So what's this I hear about you two ditching those breathing classes?"
"You would have had a field day with it, it was just 8 couples sitting on the floor panting and shit.....2 of the couples were over 35, 5 were under 23 years old and then there was me and Rory. The instructor talked to us as if we were all five year olds and she kept saying things like, "Ladies you must be strong for your men, don't let them see you cry."
"Uh oh, I'm guessing Rory didn't take well to that."
"No not really, last time we went they had us all discuss what we've been eating lately, and Rory told them how I made her ziti this week and the Instructor told her that she, the woman should be cooking for her husband, because that is what she agreed to do apparently when we got married. Rory explained calmly that she can't cook well and the instructor was like well you should take some classes we have them here and then I explained that we both work and that I get home first, and the instructor went a-wall and started lecturing on how mothers need to stay home it's there job to cook an keep the home clean and raise the kids."
"So exactly when did we get pulled back 100 years?" "So yeah after that we left, it was too creepy anyway that place made me feel old."
"Why?"
"There were only two other couples there who didn't already have kids."
"I thought you said 5 of them were like under 21."
"I did."
"That's sick."
"No what's sick is that all the under 23 crowd were married before they even had kids."
"Ew."
"Yeah so we've decided we're just not very sociable people."
"Man, what kind of town do you live in?"
"I don't even know anymore, I think once the fall comes we're going to look into moving."
"What about your job?"
"Well they're actually looking for an English teacher in Hartford, and my boss recommended me."
"Hartford?! As in only 20 minutes away from me Hartford?"
"Yeah, but don't get all excited I haven't even talked to Rory about it yet."
"When do you need to give them an answer by?"
"July."
"ee! My baby may be coming home!"
"I don't know, I mean I don't want to make Rory give up her job at Nbc for this, I mean she makes more money than I do and her job means a lot to her."
"Yeah." Lorelai says sadly. "Well at least discuss it with her."
"I will."
"Ok well Michel is giving me the evil eye I better go."
"Bye." Jess hangs up the phone, a moment later it rings again he let's the machine pick up this time.
*10 minutes later the buzzer in the apartment goes off.
"Yeah?" Jess asks.
"Delivery for Mr. and Mrs. Jess Mariano."
"Alright I'll be right down."
"It's pretty big......why don't I just send my guys up, you got an elevator."
"Yeah, right down the hall."
"Alright buzz us in."
Jess obliges."
*5 minutes later there's a knock at the door.
Jess opens it as two burley men quickly move past him with a humongous rocking chair.
"Sign here." A small heavyset man appears at the door.
Jess signs the clipboard and hands each of the men two dollars.
As the men turn to leave Jess examines the chair, "Uh does it say who sent this on that clipboard thing?"
"A Mrs. E. Gilmore.....uptight lady, good tipper."
Jess nods, "Thanks."
*6:15
Rory enters the apartment.
"I'm home!" Rory announces.
No answer.
"Jess?"
"Oh hey, I didn't hear you come in." Jess replies kissing Rory on the cheek. "Hey come see what your grandmother sent you."
Jess leads Rory into the nursery.
Rory steps inside and immediately her eyes travel to the mahogany rocking chair placed in the corner.
Rory puts a hand to her mouth, her eyes become misty, "Oh my God."
Jess wraps an arm around Rory's waist.
"I should go call her." Rory states.
"Why don't you try it out first?" Jess whispers in her ear.
Rory sits down on the large chair, "Wow, this is amazing, it's huge you could probably even fit on here right now."
Jess laughs, "Only one way to find out." He takes a seat next to Rory, putting his arm over her shoulder. "How about that, perfect fit."
Rory smiles, "I missed you today."
Jess buries his face in Rory's hair, "Missed you too."
"What'd you do on your day off today?"
"Cleaned, made some chicken for dinner, talked to your mom."
"She called?"
"Yeah she left a message for you."
"Yay!" Rory says getting up.
"How was work?"
"Good, we taped that piece I've been working on, it came out pretty good and then Jonathon came in and asked me if I'd be interested in interviewing the mayor in 2 weeks, so of course I said yes and then we worked it out that once that was done, I'd start my maternity leave."
"That's great, I'm sure that the mayor will love you."
Rory suddenly remembers something, "Oh remember how we couldn't find where the hospital was last week? Well on my lunch hour Jaclyn and I went searching for it."
"Oh yeah?"
"Jess there is no way in hell I'm ever stepping inside that place."
"What? Why?" Jess smiles.
"It's run by the same organization as that rec. center."
Jess' eyes go wide, "You're kidding?"
"No." Rory pouts, "And I looked into it the only other hospitals are like a 45 minutes away."
"We'll figure something out don't worry about it, anyway why don't you go call your mom and grandma and I'll heat up the chicken."
"Ok."
*On the Phone:
"Hello?" Lorelai's cheery voice answers.
"Mom!"
"Rory! Did Jess play you my message?"
"Yes." Rory giggles.
"And did you say hi to your knee like I told you to?"
"No."
"Come on say it.....hi-knee. Hinee he he."
Rory laughs.
"So how are you....you must be huge by now."
"Thanks mom."
"That's a compliment."
"Sure, ok."
"So how's work?"
"Great, I'm going to interview the mayor!"
"Yay! You really are a star reporter."
"Yep."
"Oh! Did Lane get our flowers, Luke said they might not have gotten there in time for her graduation."
"No, they did she said thank you. Her and Dave are actually going to be in Stars Hollow this weekend."
"Really?"
"Yeah well Mrs. Kim hasn't seen Lane since before she and Dave left for New York."
"Fun."
"Yeah, hopefully Dave will come home unscathed."
Lorelai giggles. "I wish you were coming here this weekend, I really miss you."
"I miss you too, I really want to come home before August but I don't know if that's going to happen."
"Why do you have to live so far away?"
"I know; I don't even know why we're here anymore."
"Aw, you don't sound happy.....I thought we were ecstatic about interviewing the mayor. "
"I am." Rory sighs, "I'm just cranky, you know we've been living in this place for two years now and have never had the need to find the hospital."
"Uh huh."
"So today I figured I'd go look for it since in another 6 weeks I'll be giving birth in it.....mom it's run by the rec. center people."
"How is that possible?"
"The hospital funded the center, it also hires all the staff that instructor was a certified nurse there for 25 years."
"Ugh, you mean you're going to have one of those flighty nurses there telling you not to scream?"
"It's a possibility." Rory says sadly.
Lorelai's eyes light up as a thought comes to mind, "Hey sweets have you talked to Jess yet?"
"Um, a little bit I just got home like 10 minutes ago."
"Well what if while he goes to Hartford next month you come stay with me, Jess and you are both off you could stay until the baby's born, you could go to Hartford Hospital..which you've been to before...."
"Wait why is Jess going to Hartford?"
"Oh I thought you just said you talked to him."
"Yeah, about the rocking chair grandma sent us and about the hospital, mom what's in Hartford?"
"My mother sent you a rocking chair? Look Hon, I should go. Just talk to Jess."
*2 minutes later: Rory enters the kitchen.
"Great you're off the phone, dinner's just about ready." Jess explains.
"Why do you have to go to Hartford?"
"Shit!" Jess says.
"Jess, what's in Hartford?"
"I told her to keep her mouth shut."
"Jess what the hell is in Hartford."
"A new job, ok."
"A new job, what new job?"
In Hartford, they're looking for a new head for the English department, and Radcliff recommended me to the school principle."
"Wow."
"I was going to talk to you about it tonight, after dinner I swear."
"So....Are you going to take it."
"I don't know, I don't see how I can I mean even though I'll be making more over there I still won't be making as much as you, and you love your job I'm not going to ask you to give it up."
"You'd be the head of the English department, you'd set the curriculum for the entire English department.....Jess that's your dream job."
"And journalisms yours, Rory." Jess places a plate of chicken on the table next to the potatoes and broccoli, "Come on let's just eat."
Rory sits down.
5 minutes pass in silence, the only sound heard is the scrapping of knives and forks.
Finally Rory breaks the silence, "I hate it here."
Jess looks up, "Stop it, you love it here."
"No, I love this apartment, I mean this is our first place. When I got my job at NBC we decided to move in together...it has a lot of history, but other than that how much time have we really spent outside of this place. We go to the movies, the park and a few restaurants."
"Yeah but you have your job."
"I could ask for a transfer, they have a studio right near Hartford, and let's face it who knows if I'm going to go back to work after August I may decide to stay home."
"You won't." Jess smiles.
"Ok, but Jess if you want to take this job I'll go with you."
"Do you really hate it here?"
"It's like a parallel universe, did you not see that we were the third oldest couple in those classes....I mean come on it seems like they marry their kids off at 13 here."
Jess laughs.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to go down there and talk to the principle."
"Great." Rory smiles, "And you know my mom had a great idea"
"Uh oh."
"No, no it will solve our whole hospital debacle and everything."
Jess rolls his eyes.
"What if when you go down to Hartford I come with you and I could stay with Mom and Luke."
"Ok. That'll be good we can make a long weekend out of it."
"No, Jess I mean what if we stayed there until I had the baby?"
"I don't know that'd be almost a month with your mom and Luke."
"Yeah, but then I wouldn't have to go to the bad hospital, I could go to the one in Hartford it's a really good Hospital it's where my mom had me."
"You know you're going to be a spectacle right, I mean everyone's going to be crowding you....remember how much you didn't like ol' lady Schneider touching your stomach, just wait until Miss Patty and Babette see you."
"They're like family, it'll be fine and I haven't seen them all in forever."
Jess sighs, putting down his fork.
"Jess come on these last few weeks have been a nightmare, we've both been working around the clock and with Lane and Dave in New York now we have no one here to hang out with, I need to see a friendly face, please."
"Did your mom discuss this idea with Luke?"
"What do you think?"
"Stupid question, ok look if Luke's ok with it then sure.....and if he's not we'll just rent a room at the inn."
Rory grins, "Thanks Jess!"
*After dinner Jess called Luke, Luke thought that it was a good idea so as soon as Rory's interview is over she and Jess will be leaving for Stars Hollow. Rory called her grandmother to thank her for the rocking chair the next day, by that time Lorelai had apparently already spoken to her mother. Emily offered to put in a good word for Rory at NBC Hartford; apparently the wife of one of the Anchormen is a member of her DAR group. The next two weeks passed quickly, Rory and Jess have been packing everyday. They have so much stuff to bring with them that Lorelai managed to sweet-talk Luke into driving up to help them bring it down. With the use of Luke's truck Rory is able to pack her rocking chair, which she has become quite fond of.
*July 8th: Rory is standing in the lobby of the NBC building taking to the mayor as she waits for Jess.
"That was a wonderful interview, you focused on the important details and didn't stray from the facts, Mrs. Mariano I'm impressed." The mayor says happily.
"Thank you Mayor, and please call me Rory."
"So Jonathon told me this will be your last interview with the station."
"Well this branch anyway, my Husband and I are relocating to Hartford. As soon as I'm ready to go back to work I'll be starting at the Hartford station."
"Fantastic, Hartford's got quite a staff, you should feel right at home there."
Rory smiles as Jess pulls up.
"Well that's my husband so I have to go, it was very nice meeting you thank you for this wonderful opportunity." Rory says shaking the mayor's hand.
"The pleasure was all mine, Good bye Rory and congratulations."
"Thank you." Rory says before walking out.
Jess is leaning against his car; Luke's truck pulls up behind it.
"Hey." Jess says sweetly. "How'd it go?"
"Good, I think."
"I'm sure you did great."
"John said it'd be on tomorrow's broadcast."
"Great."
Luke gets out of the truck.
"Luke!" Rory says walking over to him.
"Hi." Luke replies.
"Thank you so much for your help."
"Not a problem."
Jess looks at his watch, "Ok, it's almost three let's go I want to be there by 4."
"Slave driver." Rory mutters.
Luke grins.
"What?"
"Nothing."
*3:56: Stars Hollow.
As Jess' car drives through the streets townspeople start to way at him and Rory.
"It's starting." Jess mutters.
"Be nice."
*5 minutes later:
Lorelai is standing at the door waiting for them.
Rory hops out of the car as soon as it stops.
"Mom!"
"Just got off the phone with Miss Patty she said she spotted you passing the diner."
Rory laughs.
"Oh my God look at you!"
Rory rolls her eyes, "Tell me about it."
Lorelai watches as Luke and Jess start to remove things from the car.
"Come on, I just bought this cool new smoothie maker....how does non- alcoholic, well for you anyway strawberry Daiquiris sound?"
"Mmm. But don't you think we should help unload stuff first?"
"Honey you're 8 months pregnant you don't have to help do anything."
"Ok, but what's your excuse?" Rory smirks.
"God you've got to stop doing that, pretty soon you'll starting using words like huh and before you know it you'll stop using full sentences."
Rory grins.
*Inside Rory enters the living room, where stacks of presents have been placed in the middle of the room.
"Mom? What is all this?"
"OK, well I knew you swore off having a baby shower after Sherri's shower for Georgia but when everybody found out you were coming, well they all got excited I mean after all everybody's watched you grow up since you were a baby."
"Aw, now I feel bad, like I disappointed everybody."
" Don't I'm sure they'll all be standing outside in another 5 minutes anyway, just be cautious Michel sent you something...I think he knitted the baby a jacket."
Rory makes a disgusted face.
"What's the face for?" Jess asks as he slams down one of the bags.
"Michel's been knitting again."
Jess mimics Rory's face.
Lorelai turns to Rory, "I can't believe you're here for a whole month!"
"I know!" Rory squeals.
"And when you leave you'll have a baby!" Lorelai grins.
"Scary isn't it."
"I'm too young to be a grandma."
Jess rolls his eyes playfully.
"Oh um, your Dad called by the way." Lorelai says.
"Oh shit." Jess replies.
"Did you tell him we were coming here?"
"No, I just told him I'd have you call him if I heard from you."
"Good." Rory replies, "Um, excuse me I have to pee."
"Ok, so what's going on?" Lorelai asks Jess.
"Nothing...we've just been screening our calls."
"Oh ok."
"Rory thinks that Sherri's going to insist on being there when she has the baby, and Rory doesn't want her there."
"Ah it all makes sense."
Rory exits the bathroom, "I guess I should call dad."
"Yeah but don't mention that you're here because then they'll come down and we all don't want that." Lorelai replies.
"Thanks mom."
Luke enters the living room, "It's starting." He says to Lorelai nodding his head towards the door.
Lorelai peers out the window, outside Miss Patty and Babette wave happily. Lorelai waves back. "Let them in." Lorelai says to Luke. "Jess go get Rory."
Luke opens the door.
"Thank you sugar." Babette says.
"Luke Darling, you look good as always." Miss Patty winks at Luke.
"Patty, Babette." Lorelai greets the women.
"Lorelai you must be delighted, having Rory back for a whole month and becoming a grandmother at the same time." Patty grins.
"You are one lucky gal, sugar." Babette exclaims.
Jess enters the living room, "She's just finishing up with Chris." He says to Lorelai.
"And here's the daddy-to-be looking adorable as ever." Miss patty smirks at Jess.
"Hi." He waves at the ladies.
"Don't just stand there sugar, sit down have some ice tea, you do have ice tea don't ya Lorelai?"
"Um I should, let me check." Lorelai walks away in search of ice tea, Luke follows her.
"So Jess," Patty says putting her hand on Jess' knee, "You must be so happy."
"You kidding, it's a fairy tale." Babette replies.
Rory reluctantly enters the living room.
Babette stands up to greet her, "Rory dawling you're a big as a house."
Rory smile faintly, "Um thank you."
"Babette really," Patty says, "Rory you look beautiful....like a big plump plum."
Rory walks over to Jess and sits down, Jess takes Rory's hand and squeezes it.
"Aren't they adorable?" Babette exclaims.
Luke and Lorelai reenter with 3 ice teas and 3 strawberry daiquiris.
"Here ya go sweet, just like I promised you." Lorelai grins.
"Thanks mom."
"Here one for you too Jess." Lorelai says leaning in close, "A little surprise in there for you."
"Lorelai dawling you must have this whole month planned out tell us everything." Babette says.
Jess takes a sip of his drink and coughs as the hearty taste of alcohol passes his lips.
"You ok?" Rory asks.
"Fine, surprised but fine."
*20 minutes later: Babette and Patty are still there bombarding Rory and Jess with personal questions, Lorelai is engrossed in her drink, Luke looks on sympathetically, finally he can take no more.
"Rory how are you doing?" He asks calmly.
Patty and Babette turn to look at him.
Rory gives him a quizzical glance, "I'm doing ok."
"Are you sure because you look tired, really tired." Luke raises an eyebrow at Rory.
Rory catches on, "Well actually I didn't want to say anything but the whole ride here has made me just exhausted." Rory fakes a yawn.
"Aw sugar you should have said something, we can come visit anytime, you, you need your rest." Babette says standing up.
"Yes thank you Lorelai sweetie call us if you need anything."
With in moments the two women are gown.
Communally Luke, Lorelai Jess and Rory exhale.
"Wow, I never knew you were so quick on your feet." Lorelai says nudging Luke.
"I just couldn't take anymore of that yammering." Luke says huskily.
Jess and Rory laugh.
"So what now?" Luke asks.
"Movie time!" Lorelai exclaims.
"I'm starving." Rory says dramatically clinging onto Jess.
"Well we could start the movie while Luke makes burgers."
"Mmm burgers, I haven't had a Luke burger in the longest time." Rory replies.
"Well then a burger you shall have right Luke?"
Luke rolls his eyes playfully, "Jess come on."
"What? Don't tell me I have to get off this couch....I'm not being paid to work at the diner why should I have to help?"
"Jess now." Luke replies gruffly.
Jess stands up giving Rory a quick grin before walking into the kitchen.
"So what movie are we going to watch, and please don't say Willy Wonka; after Mrs. Patty's pleasant statement today, I don't think I could stomach the plum scene."
Lorelai laughs, "I think you just made a pun."
Rory sticks out her tongue.
"No I want to watch Steel Magnolias."
"Why?" Rory says with a curious smile.
"Me and Luke were watching it last night."
"Luke watched steel magnolias with all the women crying and talking about sex and hairstyles?"
"Hey he lost the bet that the baby was going to be a girl so instead of giving me 50 dollars I get to pick the movies we watch up until the baby's born." Lorelai grins.
"That's horrible I bet Luke wishes he'd just given you the $50."
"Yeah he keeps trying to slip it into my purse but it's too late, a deal is a deal."
"So what made you want to watch it again, I thought you said that one could only handle so much Sally field at one time."
"Well I was watching and Julia Roberts made me think about you, I mean what if when you have the baby you suddenly need a kidney, and so I spent the whole night trying to decide whether or not I'd give you my kidney and...."Lorelai pauses for dramatic effect.
"Well?"
"I've decided that I'll gladly give you one of Luke's."
Rory giggles, "Some how I don't think that'd work."
A/N The king of all filler chapters, but I promise a new chapter with tons of action next time which will be on Friday since I work out of my sister's room and prefer to write when she's not here. For those who haven't seen Steel magnolias the story is basically about the trial and tribulations of 5 southern women. In it Julia Roberts has diabetes and after marrying the gut from the practice, she goes against doctors orders and has a baby. Which causes her kidney's to give out so her mom, sally fields gives her one of hers, eventually Julia Roberts does die in it though..it's a bitter sweet movie but really funny, seems like something they'd watch. Oh well, needless to say I watched it today. Well bed time, got to be up early because tomorrow I'm becoming a red-head yay! Life long dream for me. Ok till next chapter please read and review.