***************Chapter revised*************
Ok, I went over this chapter and realized I had made it so Rory was only in labor about 8 hours, which I know for a fact is very unrealistic plus I found that there was no real reason for the doctors to be neglectful of Rory.....so I made up a reason oh and this chapter is now broken into two, mainly because there are appearances by other characters and I felt it'd be better for you to read the dialogues in two separate chapters so here you go!
*It is two days later: Saturday. Rory and Lorelai are walking around town they are still on the subject of kidneys. Jess has an interview with his new boss today. Luke is working.
"I still can't believe you won't give me one of your own kidneys." Rory says to Lorelai.
"I can't believe you have a problem accepting one of Luke's" Lorelai say huffily.
"Luke didn't offer me one of his, you did." Rory exclaims.
"Minor detail, now be quiet and eat your ice cream."
"Mmm this is so good."
"See, Taylor's soda shop really was a good idea."
Rory nods enthusiastically.
"Uh oh, I think Luke saw the ice cream he doesn't look happy." Rory says glancing into the diner.
"That's nothing want to see him really bug out?"
Rory smiles.
The bell over the diner door rings. Rory and Lorelai make a bee line for the counter where Luke is serving coffee.
"Get out of here with that stuff." Luke barks.
"But Luke we just came in to say hello." Lorelai says sweetly.
"Out."
Lorelai pouts, turning to leave Rory goes to follow.
"I uh didn't say you had to leave." Luke says to her.
"Oh well in that case." Rory takes a seat at the counter grinning at her mother.
"Hey why does she get to stay AND eat her ice cream in here?" Lorelai screeches.
Luke grins, "Because I like her better besides........."Luke motions towards Rory's protruding stomach.
Rory smirks at her mother, putting a hand on her stomach.
"That's unfair, I could come in here looking like that too, of course you'd have to leave work early to make that happen." Lorelai say enthusiastically, making Luke blush.
Rory laughs.
Luke glares at them both, "Alright both of you out."
"But Luke I thought you liked me better!! And what about......." Rory looks down at her stomach.
"You egg her on, you pay the price, go." Luke replies, a smile breaking onto his face.
Rory pouts, "Fine but if I go into labor on the walk home it's your fault."
Luke's face contorts.
"Yea." Lorelai replies.
"Why is it so much fun to embarrass Luke even after all this time?" Lorelai asks.
"I dunno, I guess it's one of life's mysteries.
*That night: 6pm Dinner:
"So I'll have my own office, I'm required to hold a English department meeting once every two weeks and I'll be teaching four classes of my own." Jess says happily.
"Wow that's a lot of responsibility." Lorelai says.
"Yeah but you're going to love it." Rory says putting her hand on top of jess'
"I hope so." Jess replies. "So classes start on the 10th of September."
"That's great, and you guys can stay here until you find a place closer to work." Lorelai suggests.
Rory and Jess exchange glances, "Well mom we were actually hoping on getting out on our own a little sooner."
"Oh ok.......I didn't know you could go through all the paper work for a house in a month." Lorelai says, a little bit hurt.
"Well we can't." Jess replies, looking at Luke.
Lorelai picks up on the exchange and puts down her fork, "Ok what's going on?"
Jess clears his throat.
Luke puts down his fork, "I offered them the space above the diner."
Lorelai gives the three of them a wounded look.
"Mom, we just thought it would be better this way......it's not necessarily comfortable for both if us to be holed up in my old room, it was never meant for two people especially not for a pregnant woman and someone else."
Lorelai nods sadly.
"Lorelai, they'll be much better over there, they'll have their own bathroom, a king size bed, a kitchen, cable and telephone right away." Luke says.
"Ok as long as the three of you have everything planned out I guess it's not important for me to be here." Lorelai says walking away from the table.
"Mom!" Rory calls after her.
Jess puts his hand over Rory, "I'll take care of it." Jess walks away.
Rory and Luke exchange glances, "I'm sorry we put you in the middle of this, Luke."
"Don't be, I'm the one who suggested it."
*Outside:
Lorelai is standing on the porch. Jess approaches her.
"Come to tell me something else.......have you picked out a name for the baby? Decided what college he's going to?" Lorelai says coldly.
"Look we only decided this today.........I just talked to Rory before dinner, she didn't even have time to really process it, there was no reason to keep it from you, and we weren't, look Luke and I just didn't know how to bring it up."
Lorelai sighs, "So when are you moving in?"
"Well we were looking into being in by next weekend, the place is already set up with some furniture from when Luke and I lived there, it just needs a little cleaning and it's livable, and then in another two weeks, once Holden is born we'll drive up and get the rest of our stuff."
"Holden huh?"
"It's not definite so don't get upset, I just threw it in there."
"It's nice, I like it."
"Rory picked it out, it's from Catcher in the Rye."
Lorelai nods.
"Look I'm sorry, I don't want you to be upset, believe me I want these next three weeks to be as stress free for us all as they can be..........Rory and I just need our own space."
Lorelai smirks, "Yeah space to do the dirty thing."
Jess laughs, "Hey better there than here."
"I guess Luke is right, you two will be better off over there and at least I can start walking around naked again." Lorelai smirks.
Jess laughs.
*2 weeks later: *Rory and Jess have moved in over the diner. Jess has been helping Luke with the morning rush ever since, Rory spends most of time at the inn with her mom and Sookie, at the counter of Luke's or walking around town with jess.
*Rory and jess are taking one of their walks.
"Do you want to turn back?" Jess asks.
Rory sighs, "Not yet."
"Ok."
"Hey Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Do my sneakers match?"
Jess scoffs, "Yeah, are they not supposed to?"
"No, it's just that I realized this morning that I can't see my feet anymore."
"Another 10 days, that's it." Jess says kissing Rory's hand.
"I know that just seems like so long from now."
"Are you kidding me, 10 days is like nothing." Jess retorts.
"Says the 130 lb man."
"Come on you look beautiful."
Rory rolls her eyes, "Alright I'm ready to go back now."
Jess touches Rory's arm tenderly, "Rory you look amazing don't give me that face."
"Jess I'm huge."
"You're 9 months pregnant."
"Thanks." Rory replies turning to walking away.
"Rory! Come on I'm sorry...........I just, I don't know what to say anymore." Jess confides.
Rory sighs, "I know, I know. Don't be sorry, I mean you've been so good about everything."
"There was nothing to be good about."
Rory stares hard at Jess, "Jess come on, the cravings, the outbursts, throwing up on you.......3 times, I have not been very sexy these last 8 months."
Jess moves in closer to Rory, wrapping his arms around her, "You are the sexiest woman I've ever met...now more than ever."
Rory smiles broadly.
*They are now in front of the diner.
"Wow." Jess breathes.
"What?"
"Your smile just reminded me of you on our wedding day."
Rory blushes.
"You had white flowers in your hair, and during the ceremony I reached out and touchd one and you smiled, just like you did right now." Jess runs his fingers through Rory's hair.
"How do you always know what to say?"
"It's a gift." Jess smirks.
Rory eyes the diner, "I think I'm hungry again." She says timidly.
*Inside the diner: Lorelai is sitting at the counter badgering Luke.
"But I need one more cup, just one more before I go home."
"No." Luke barks.
Rory and jess approach the counter.
"Rory, dear sweet child of mine tell Luke to give me coffee!"
Rory shakes her head.
"Traitor!" Lorelai mumbles.
"I'll be right back." Jess says kissing Rory's cheek. "Turkey sound ok?"
Rory nods.
"Hey Luke! Jess just went behind the counter, he's not working he's not allowed."
"But he's making me dinner." Rory says innocently.
"Hey we ate dinner together we had burgers remember two hours ago." Lorelai replies.
"But I'm hungry again." Rory replies.
"Fine." Lorelai sighs. Perking up, "Come sit by me!"
Rory grins taking a seat next to her mother.
Jess reappears with Rory's turkey sandwich, "Here you go."
"Thank you." Rory beams at him.
"I'm going to go upstairs and shower, if you need me call me." Jess says sweetly.
"I'm sure nothing's going to happen to me between the time you shower and I finish my sandwich," Rory replies waving jess off.
"Sheesh someone's a little clingy." Lorelai teases.
"No, he just loves me." Rory replies defensively.
Babette and Maury approach Rory.
"Aw Dawl face, you look great." Babette says.
"Thank you." Rory says quietly.
"When's the big day again?"
"Any day now." Lorelai replies.
"Any second if you ask me, Rory dawl you look like you could pop at any moment." Babette grins.
Rory frowns. Lorelai rubs her arm reassuringly.
"Well good luck, Maury and me have got to go, dawl early morning tomorrow.......we're taking Patty's new couples sunrise walking class..... Bye Rory, Lorelai."
Lorelai and Rory wave to them as they leave.
Luke reappears at the counter. "Alright I should be done here in a half hour if you want to wait."
"Perhaps if you gave me some more coffee I would consider it, after all, we all know how afraid you are of walking home alone."
Luke rolls his eyes but pours her another cup anyway.
Rory giggles.
"What about you? I have some decaff in the back."
Rory yawns, "No I think I'm going to go up to bed."
"It's 9 o'clock, babe."
"Tell me about it, but I can't sleep past 7 anymore so I need to sleep when I can."
Lorelai smiles sympathetically at Rory, "It'll all be over soon sweets."
"That's what everybody keeps telling me." Rory mutters rubbing her back as she climbs the stairs to the apartment.
Luke and Lorelai watch her leave.
"Poor kid, she's exhausted."
"She turned down coffee, not a good sign."
Lorelai nods.
*Upstairs apartment.
Upon entering the apartment Rory collapses onto the bed. Jess exits the bathroom with out a shirt; his hair is still a little bit wet.
Rory grins at him.
Jess walks over to the bed with a smirk, "What are you smiling at?"
"You." Rory replies motioning for jess to sit down. "You look pretty good without a shirt." Rory wiggles her eyebrow.
"A bold comment coming from such an innocent girl." Jess' smirk broadens.
"I'm not as innocent as you think." Rory replies. "I've been around." Rory drapes her arm over her stomach.
Jess leans in and kisses Rory's stomach. Rory runs a hand through jess' wet hair. Jess sits up again, leaning in to kiss Rory gently on the lips.
Rory wraps her arms around Jess, deepening the kiss.
Jess runs his hand across Rory's back; she shivers.
Jess pulls out of the kiss, "You ok?"
"mmhm." Rory nods, kissing Jess' neck.
"I love you." Jess muses tightening his grasp on Rory.
Rory kisses Jess' lips tenderly, this time Jess takes it to the next step running his free hand along Rory's thigh.
Rory lies back. Jess leans in awkwardly, his eyes settling on Rory's stomach.
She looks up at Jess quizzically, "What?"
"I'm not........am I hurting you?"
Rory shakes her head, "Don't worry I'm fine." And with that Rory pulls Jess into a passionate kiss.
*Next morning: 5am
After tossing and turning for a half hour Rory, quietly struggles to climb out of bed without waking Jess.
10 minutes later Rory enters the bathroom and turns on the shower.
*6am
Rory walking back and forth across the apartment stirs jess from his sleep.
"Rory?" Jess hoarse voice cuts through the dark room.
"Did I wake you?" She whispers.
Jess croaks, "No, but the other pregnant woman pacing back and forth in front of my bed did."
"Sorry." Rory replies.
Jess leans over and turns on the light, "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep." Rory replies unconvincingly.
Jess stares her down, "Come here."
Rory sits on the edge of the bed in front of jess.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing...........my back is just a little sore."
"See, I knew last night was a mistake."
Rory turns around, flinching slightly, "Last night was not a mistake.........after the last two weeks, I really needed last night." Rory smiles at jess.
Jess runs a single hand through Rory's hair, "Are you sure it's just your back."
Rory nods.
"Well then let's see what we can do about that.......show me where it hurts."
Rory puts her hand on the small of her back.
Jess rubs his hands together momentarily proceeding to move them back and forth along Rory's back, Rory moans.
"Is that ok?"
Rory nods, "Much better."
9am: Jess is standing in front of the mirror straightening his tie; he has a staff meeting in an hour. Rory is watching him from the bed, Jess has insisted that Rory stay in bed until he leaves claiming she needed her rest after last night.
"How does that look?" Jess asks her.
"Perfect." Rory replies lazily.
Jess lies down on the bed next to Rory, "You going to be ok with out me today?" Jess moves a strand of Rory's hair behind her ear. "How's your back?"
Rory makes a small noise, "Much better than before."
Jess looks down at her with concern.
"I'll be fine, mom and Luke are downstairs and you'll have your cell phone on right?" Rory rests her forehead against Jess'.
"Right." Jess replies, "But seriously I can call them and tell them I can't make it."
"Jess you're going to miss two other meetings next week because of this, you might as well go now while you can that way you're not completely unprepared when classes start up."
Jess smiles at Rory, "Ok I'll go, but I'm going to tell them I have to be home by 3 because my wife needs me." Jess leans in and kisses Rory.
"You better be going." She says, squeezing his hand.
Jess stands up, "Ok. I love you........and stay in bed! There's no reason to go out today."
"Go." Rory mouths as jess turns towards the door.
As Jess closes the door behind him, Rory's head hits the pillow as she starts to drift back to sleep.
*Downstairs:
"Hey!" Lorelai exclaims.
"She's upstairs and she's staying in bed." Jess says as he maneuvers his way past dozens of grinning townspeople.
The door to the diner closes behind Jess.
Lorelai puts her coffee mug down, and stands up.
"Lorelai." Luke says tauntingly.
"What? I can guarantee you he's keeping her up there against her own free will."
"Or, she could still be sleeping..........somehow I don't see her faking that yawn last night."
"Just let me check on her." Lorelai reaches for a cup of orange juice that is conveniently placed on the counter, "And look I'll bring her juice it's 100% vitamin c." Lorelai waves the glass at Luke.
"It's also mine." Luke replies.
Lorelai scoffs, "Luke you don't have cooties, we're all family here."
Luke sighs, "Fine, 5 minutes but then leave the poor girl alone."
*Upstairs: Lorelai knocks on the door.
"Come in." Rory says incoherently.
"I knew jess was lying you're not sleeping."
"No, but I am extremely tired." Rory replies with a yawn
"Long night?" Lorelai raises an eyebrow at her daughter.
Rory blushes.
"I told Jess you'd be getting down and dirty in here."
"Mom." Rory says, clearly embarrassed.
Lorelai laughs, "I brought you juice, straight from the hands of Luke."
"Thanks." Rory replies stretching. "But I'm really not thirsty and I'd really like to sleep a little bit longer if that's ok."
Lorelai smiles at Rory, "Of course it is, I know if I were in your position I'd never want to leave my bed...........besides Babette was right you do look like you could burst at any minute, and I don't want you bursting this early in the morning, hell we're still in single digits, if it weren't for Mr. rise with the sun down stairs I probably would still be in bed myself."
Rory stretches, groaning, "You would not because you have work today."
"Ah, that is where you are wrong my sweet. I annoyed everyone at work with my up to date Rory pregnancy news reports that Michel and Jackson told me I either had to stop talking about it or stay home until there was nothing left to talk about, so I opted for the later."
Rory grins sleepily, "Hehe, Jackson and Michel are wimps."
"I know." Lorelai says happily.
Rory yawns.
"Ok, I'll leave you alone now."
"Will you come back and get me in a little bit."
Lorelai nods, "Sure thing babe."
"No later than 11:30." Rory calls to her.
Lorelai nods, closing the door behind her.
*Downstairs:
Lorelai places Luke's juice glass on the counter.
"Here Luke, Rory says you have cooties and she doesn't want your stinkin' juice."
"Still sleeping huh?"
"Not exactly........but definitely not all there."
Luke nods.
Lorelai leans over the counter, "Hey Luke."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I'll be a good grandma?"
Luke rubs the back of his neck, "I never really gave it much thought."
"Oh." Lorelai says, deflated.
"But, with your energy and um, personality I'm sure you'll be a great grandma."
Lorelai smiles at Luke, "I'll teach them all about vegging out and drinking coffee....."
"And I'll take the coffee away from them." Luke smirks.
Lorelai pulls Luke's cap down, "And you'll cook all our Saturday night dinners."
"Saturday night dinners?"
".......well I haven't discussed it with Rory yet, but I'm thinking that maybe my mother wasn't so crazy when she implemented that on us......of course our dinners will be much cooler." Lorelai grins.
Luke laughs out loud.
*11:25am
Lorelai enters the apartment.
"Ror." Lorelai coos. "Hon it's time to----"
"Mom I'm up.......well I'm not up, I'm awake." Rory says, lying on her back looking straight up at the ceiling.
"I thought you were going to go back to bed babe." Lorelai says setting her self down at the end of the bed.
Ror lifts her head up, "I did for a little bit, but I just couldn't sleep anymore.
Lorelai nods, "Do you want to go downstairs, have some breakfast....or do you want to shower first?"
"Already showered, I'm dressed actually...well if you could call it that." Rory lifts the covers revealing her stretchy black terry cloth pants and a short sleeve gray shirt.
"Cheerful today aren't we?" Lorelai says sarcastically.
"I feel like a beach whale, a beach whale who was up at 5 this morning."
"Poor baby." Lorelai replies. "What happened?"
Rory sighs, "Nothing I was just very uncomfortable."
Lorelai looks at Rory sympathetically, "Are you hungry do you want me to bring you up some food."
"I could eat.....but I'll come down this place is starting to get on my nerves."
Lorelai nods.
Rory goes to stand, making a small noise.
"You ok sweets."
Rory rubs the arch of her back zealously, "Fine, I've just had this little shooting pain in my back all morning."
"Oh yeah?"
"It's nothing, Jess was massaging it before."
"I bet he was." Lorelai smirks.
"But it's pretty much gone now."
Lorelai nods, "So what do you want to do today?"
Rory looks guiltily at her mother, "I was hoping to take it easy today."
"Not a problem, "We can just bug Luke all day."
Rory smiles, "Just let me get some shoes on." Rory walks over to the bed, touching her back again.
It doesn't go unnoticed by Lorelai, "Hey hon, how long has your back been bothering you."
"A few hours, but it's nothing it just comes and goes."
Lorelai nods, "Uh huh, sweetie I could be wrong but that sounds like a contraction to me."
Rory's eyes go wide momentarily before she shakes her head, "No, there's no way.........it seriously isn't really bothering me it's definitely not a contraction."
"They usually aren't bad when they first start sweetie."
Rory sighs, "I swear I'm fine."
"Ok. Ok. Come on let's go downstairs." Lorelai replies.
Rory pushes on her shoes, and after a moment stands up.
Lorelai holds the door open for Rory, carefully eyeing her daughter. As soon as Rory is through the door Lorelai makes a quick grab for Rory's overnight bag and closes the door behind her. As Lorelai enters the diner she carefully stuffs the bag behind the counter. Luke looks up at her questionably. Lorelai puts a finger to her mouth signaling Luke to be quiet.
"Come on ror, let's sit at a table today."
"K." Rory replies walking over to a booth in the corner.
"I'll get us drinks." Lorelai says to her.
Luke leans over the counter to talk to Lorelai, "What's going on?" He mutters.
"Nothing yet.........but I'm pretty sure today's going to be the day."
Luke nods, "Here." Luke hands Lorelai a cup of coffee.
"Where's Rory's?"
"Do you, uh think it's really good to be having that if what you say is true."
"If I'm right then that girl needs to have coffee right now while she can, even if it is decaff." Lorelai scrunches her nose.
Luke smiles.
Lorelai walks back to the table.
Rory takes her cup from Lorelai, "mmm." She sighs.
"Think about it, pretty soon you won't have to deal with decaff anymore." Lorelai grins.
"I don't know I was kind of thinking about staying with the decaff."
Lorelai and Rory both break out into laughter.
Rory takes a sip of her coffee, grasping the end of the table as she drinks.
"Back again?" Lorelai asks.
Rory nods.
Lorelai smiles faintly, "Come on finish your coffee then we'll make a quick Doose's run and pick up magazines...new people just came out....John Cusack's on the cover." Lorelai grins.
Rory drinks her coffee quickly, "Ok. Ready."
Lorelai waves to Luke, "We'll be back."
*Outside: Lorelai and Rory are walking to Doose's Lorelai cell phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai."
"Mom."
Rory gives Lorelai a sideways glance.
"Do you have any idea who stopped by for early visit this morning?" Emily asks.
No....but I'm sure you're going to tell me.
"Christopher and Sherri."
Lorelai chokes, "What?!"
"They said they were on their way to visit Rory and Jess and thought they'd stop by before heading up to see them."
Lorelai giggles.
"This is not funny Lorelai, they were on their way to visit Rory at her apartment, and they had no idea that she was here."
"I know mom."
Rory rubs her side, looking curiously at her mother.
"Well why would you do such a thing?"
Lorelai eyes Rory, "I have my reason."
"Lorelai."
"Hold on a second mom, Ror why don't you start looking around I'll be4 in in a minute."
Rory nods walking away slowly.
Lorelai waits for Rory to be inside before speaking, "Ok mom, here' the thing Rory does not want Sherri around for this thing. Chris called a few weeks ago and Rory never told him that she was here because she didn't want to deal with Sherri."
"Well, I guess I can't blame her........she's definitely not the most sophisticated woman I've ever met......but still Christopher is Rory's father he has a right to his daughter before she has a baby."
"Yes, yes he does and normally I would call Chris right up and invite him over but I don't think that's possible."
"What, why?"
"......uh because I'm pretty sure Rory's in labor right now."
"Lorelai! Why didn't you say something?" Emily screeches.
"Uh because I didn't want you to get all excited and scream, look mom I'll talk to Christopher but if Rory says she doesn't want them here than I'm going to respect Rory's wishes."
"Alright, how is Rory holding up?"
"Fine, look mom I'll call you back later ok?"
"Well when are you going to the hospital?"
"Not for a while, but I'll call you when we get there."
"Alright."
Lorelai hangs up the phone and enters Doose's.
*Doose's: 12:15
Rory is perusing the magazine rack while Lorelai attacks the candy aisle.
"Rory!" Taylor greets Rory.
"Hello." Rory says sweetly, grasping the magazine rack.
"Getting pretty close to the big day huh?"
Rory nods, "So I'm told."
"So where's you're er husband." Taylor asks his eyes determined.
"Oh at a business meeting in Hartford." Rory replies.
"He left you alone. Punk." Taylor mutters the last part.
"It's ok really." Rory inhales quietly, "I told him too, besides my mom's with me."
Lorelai approaches them "Hi Taylor."
"Lorelai." Taylor replies. "Well have a nice day ladies."
Taylor walks away.
Rory touches her mothers arm, "Mom."
"Yeah sweetie."
"I think you may be right about the whole contraction thing."
Lorelai smiles faintly at Rory, "Well I'm glad you finally came around, that's why we're here, to pick up magazines for when we leave."
"Leave?"
"For the hospital...."
Rory looks at her mother in panic, "We're not going now are we?"
"No......but probably another hour or so.......I mean we are taking no chances I'd rather you be sitting around a hospital for 10 hours than you give birth in a hallway."
Rory smiles at the thought of Sherri.
"Come on, let's go back to the diner you can call Jess and when he gets here we'll leave."
Rory nods.
*At the diner: 12:30
Rory heads straight for the phone. Lorelai heads straight for Luke.
Rory dials Jess' cell phone number.
"What's going on?" Luke asks.
"She's calling Jess, and once he gets back here we're going to leave."
Luke nods.
Rory hangs up the phone loudly.
"He's not picking up."
"Did you leave a message?"
"The little message option never came up." Rory replies.
"Ok. Sweets why don't you just have seat we'll try him in a little bit."
Patty overhears he conversation and approaches Lorelai, "Is something the matter Lorelai?"
"No Patty, everything's fine."
Patty's eyes wonder towards Rory, who sitting at the booth looking miserable.
"Rory darling are you ok?"
Rory shakes her head, and sniffles, "I can't get a hold of Jess."
"Poor baby." Patty takes a seat next to Rory. "Don't cry it's no big deal, I'm sure he'll check in soon."
Rory sobs.
"Oh my, unless it is a big deal! Oh my God, congratulations darling."
Babette enters the diner and sees Patty consoling Rory, "What's going on sugar?"
"It's time." Patty says dreamily.
"Oh! Rory's having the baby great news! Say where's the daddy, sugar?"
Kirk turns around, "Wait she's not going to have it here is she?"
"Don't be ridiculous Kirk." Babette says. "So Rory where is Jess?"
Taylor walks in overhearing the conversation, "He's out of town." He says snidely.
Rory starts to tremble.
"Aw sugar, he left you....that good for nothing......"
"I never liked that guy, knew he was trouble form the start." Bootsie cuts in.
Rory looks helplessly up at her mother.
Lorelai makes her way quickly through the small crowd of people who have gathered around Rory. 'Sweets I'm here." Lorelai holds her hand out to Rory.
"Ok! Everybody out!! Luke's is now closed, free coffee the next time you come in, just go!" Luke screams pushing everyone out the door.
Within fifteen minutes the diner is deserted except for Rory, Luke and Lorelai.
"Thanks Luke." Rory says sadly.
"Uh, what now?" Luke asks.
"I'm going to try to get Jess on the phone......you put some coffee in a cup to go and take Rory's bag out to my car."
Luke nods and walks off.
"W-we're going?"
Lorelai nods.
Luke returns with a Styrofoam cup, Lorelai slams the phone down, "Damn it."
"Still no answer?" Rory asks.
"No but don't worry I have my cell we'll keep trying him and he's already in Hartford so by the time we get there he might already be in the lobby waiting for us." Lorelai smiles reassuringly at Rory.
"Ok." Rory replies standing up.
*An hour later: 1:45 Hartford Hospital: There is still no word from Jess.
*Maternity Ward:
The maternity waiting room is occupied by 6 pregnant women and about two dozen other people.
Lorelai and Rory enter the maternity ward; Rory is clinging to Lorelai's arm nervously. Luke is behind them holding Rory's bag.
A petite nurse greets them, "Hello."
"Hi." Lorelai replies.
"Are we here to visit someone?" The nurse asks naively.
Luke rolls his eyes.
Lorelai speaks up, "No..............we're here to admit someone."
"Alright, and are they here with you now?"
Rory is becoming agitated.
"Yes, she is, this is my daughter Rory, we are here to admit my 9 month pregnant daughter Rory."
"Alright," The nurse smiles at them. "You'll just need to fill out these forms and I'll call an orderly down."
"Come on sweets." Lorelai and Rory walk over to the waiting area.
"What are the education requirements for becoming a nurse?" Luke asks.
Lorelai scoffs, "Apparently you just need to fit into the uniform."
Rory laughs, clutching her side.
Lorelai squeezes her hand.
Rory's eyes wander across the room where a woman, two times her size is talking to a man with a camera. The woman grins at Rory. Rory grimaces.
Lorelai notes Rory's wandering eyes, "Is it just me or are you the smallest one here?"
Rory nod warily.
"Alright back to the paper work," Lorelai scribbles down Rory's information periodically asking her questions, "What's Jess' middle name?"
"Anthony.........is that really important?"
"It's under required fields so it must be.....ok, social security number?"
"456-68-8906" Rory says, short of breath.
Lorelai eyes Rory, her contractions are becoming more noticable
"ok, Sign here and we'll be all set." Lorelai hands Rory the pen.
Rory signs her names hastily, pushing the clipboard back to her mother.
Lorelai gets up and hands the nurse the forms just as an orderly with a wheelchair enters the ward.
"Alright......." The nurse says glancing down at the clipboard. "Mrs. Mariano we're ready for you."
Rory looks at Lorelai nervously, "D-do I have to go in alone?"
"No, sweets I'll come in until Jess gets here."
Rory smiles, relieved as she sits down on the wheelchair.
"Hi, I'm Michael." The orderly shakes Rory's hand.
"I-I'm Rory."
"Nice to meet you." He says kindly." Rory that's a unique name."
"It's short for Lorelai."
"That's a great name, well we've got one of the best rooms set up for you.......you got lucky you got one of our single rooms."
Rory brushes her hair away from her face, "Oh that's good."
"Yeah this place is pretty busy they usually stick you single girls in the little rooms at the end of the hall but some how you lucked out you're in room number 24 which is real nice."
"Oh I-I'm not single, my husand's just at a meeting right now."
Michael laughs, "No not single like that.......I guess no one told you about what this hospital specializes in."
Rory looks up curiously, "No....."
"This maternity ward actually takes up the whole floor, it specializes in multiple births........all those women in that waiting room are having 2+ kids, they check in a week or two ahead of time to be monitored."
"Oh."
"Yeah we only get maybe a dozen or so ladies like yourself in here a week most head over to New Haven hospital or one of the other smaller hospitals not many want to deal with the chaos of this place."
Rory cringes.
"Oh, I didn't mean to scare you, this place is great it's just the patients can be real oddities."
Rory laughs.
"So your husband's not here, is someone coming in with you? He asks.
"My mom.........until Jess gets her
Michael nods, "So who's the big guy?"
"That's uh, Luke mom's boyfriend."
"He can come in too if you like.........since it's a single room and you're just going to be hanging out for a while there's a 4 person limit."
Rory nods, "Good. So you think I'm going to be here a while?"
"Could be, is this your uh first?"
"Yeah." Rory says breathing in.
"Then I'd say you've got a good ten hours ahead of you, I know when my wife had our daughter, Emily we were here for 17 hours.......and I'm told that's a short time."
Rory laughs nervously, "So you have a daughter?"
"Yep she'll be two next month, got another one on the way though in October........that's why I'm here I usually work night shifts but I've been doing doubles lately to save up some extra cash."
Rory nods.
"Well here we are, Rory."
"Thank you." Rory smiles at him.
Rory stands up and walks into the room.
"Here, let me help you." Michael takes Rory by the arm and leads her to her bed. "And don't worry about uh, Jess is it?"
Rory nods.
"He'll make it in time........probably with time to spare."
"Good luck." Michael says before turning towards the door.
"Thank you." Rory says.
Lorelai appears in the doorway.
Michael nods to her as Lorelai slips him 5 dollars.
"Nice orderly." Lorelai comments.
Rory nods, sitting back.
"How you doing?"
"Ok, I just wish Jess was here."
"I know Luke's going to keep trying him."
Rory nods sadly.
"Come on don't worry, everything will be fine, "Here babe read people."
"I'd rather have Blender."
"Ok. Here you go!"
Rory smiles.
*An hour later: 3:00 Rory's contractions are coming more steadily now. Lorelai is talking Rory, attempting to keep her mind off of her contractions.
Rory tenses up as a contraction begins.
"M-mom?" Rory asks.
"Here babe." Lorelai holds out her hand.
"No, could you go, and ow look through my, oh bag my concentration point is in there."
"Your what?"
"It's a big picture of Tuscany, you now the Villa where Jess and I stayed on our honey moon, there's tape in there too to tape it on the wall."
Lorelai looks ferociously through the bag, "I see tape but sweets there's no picture in here."
Rory groans, sitting back, "I can't believe we forgot to pack it."
Michael the orderly walks past stopping in front of the door away at the sound of Rory groaning.
"Something wrong?" He asks.
"I forgot my concentration point."
"Hon it's no big deal we'll just pretend you have it."
"Mom," Rory sits up agitated "it doesn't work like that."
Lorelai sighs.
Michael pulls out his wallet, "How about you use this." He holds up a small picture.
"What is it?" Lorelai asks
"Emily Amber my two year old, come on what do you say, you already have the tape."
Rory smiles, "Thank you."
Lorelai takes the picture form Michael and tapes it up on the wall.
"Anytime.......hey has anybody been in to see you yet?"
Rory shakes her head.
"Alright I'll track somebody down, you hang in there." Michael smiles at them as he leaves.
"Nice guy." Lorelai comments.
"Yeah." Rory says huffing as another contraction begins.
*10 minutes later: A stout doctor enters, he seems very uninterested in Rory.
"Ok, let's see what we got." The doctor says lifting up Rory's blankets. "Uh huh, ok you're at 6 centimeters right now, it'll be quite a while yet best thing you can do is walk around a bit.......I'll be back later."
The doctor leaves before Rory or Lorelai can say a word.
*5 minutes later: Lorelai has suggested they take a walk around the hallway.
Rory's arm is hooked with Lorelai, she looks very scared, she flinches as they pass the other rooms where women are screaming and throwing things.
A nurse walks by and grins at them.
"The nurses here are too happy." Rory gripes.
"Eh they're just trying to make you feel better."
"Then they should have this baby for me."
Lorelai laughs.
"What time is it?"
"3:15."
"Jess' meeting should have been over by now." Rory comments.
"Well I'm sure he'll take the diner closed sign as a hint."
Rory grasps Lorelai's arm.
"Hon what's the-"
"S-something's happening." Rory mutters.
Lorelai eyes Rory with concern.
"Mom." Rory whispers.
"What?"
"s-something's dripping down my leg." Rory mutters.
"Oh.............. Oh!" Lorelai's eyes go wide.
"What!?" Rory says, panicking.
"Come here babe, real slow." Lorelai leads Rory towards the nurses' bathroom. "Do you mind?" Lorelai asks a nurse passing by.
The nurse shakes her head.
*10 minutes later: A very scarlet-faced Rory exits the stall.
"Honey don't be embarrassed."
"I can't help it." Rory says folding her arms.
"Believe me no one cares, it's expected, I mean you can't give birth until your water breaks."
"Yeah but I didn't even know what was happening." Rory says quietly.
"Rory it's fine, sweetie I didn't either when I had you, lucky for me one the maids explained it to me before we left for the hospital.
Rory laughs.
"Ready to get out of here?" Rory nods, "I guess this is it huh?" Rory bits her lip anxiously.
"Nah you've still got a while..........believe me this stuff takes a long time, don't worry he'll be here."
Lorelai and Rory exit the bathroom as a very significantly large tummied woman is being wheeled down the adjacent hallway in a gurney with a scrawny man chasing after her.
"I swear to God this is the last time you will touch me ever!!" The woman screeches.
Rory winces.
"She's having quadruplets." A voice from behind says.
Rory and Lorelai turn around to see a young woman, 23 years old tops staring back at them.
"O-oh." Rory says shakily.
"Don't worry, not everybody here is like her. She's been here for two weeks she came in a few days before me." The girl says placing a hand on her stomach. "I'm Kayla Donner, by the way."
Lorelai and Rory nod.
"I'm having triplets myself."
"Congratulations." Rory says.
"Thank you, it really was a shock I mean Gerald and I, that'd my husband were so thrilled when I found out I was pregnant we've been trying for over a year, and then at Christmas my mother conveniently mentions that multiple births run in my dad's family.....we were never really close to them so I never met my cousins or anything, a week later I went in and they told us it was triplets."
Rory and Lorelai nods awkwardly.
"Yeah everybody down this hallway is two or more, my Sister in law Debbie just went in this morning, she's got twins on the way. Everything's so crazy here today I mean you got Laura Pronti down the hall in delivery having quints, Maya McGregor went into labor bout an hour ago, it was the craziest thing she came in to visit her mom actually, Betty Hart who's been in labor since late last night next thing we girls know they got her on a gurney herself going down to delivery, yep she was a fast one, but she's done this twice before."
"Oh my."
"Yeah but we're all one big happy family here, you know you should really come down and sit with all of us."
"Us?" Lorelai asks.
Kayla points towards a circle of large couches where half a dozen extremely pregnant women are sitting.
Rory's eyes bulge as she clutches her side.
"Uh actually i think we should probably be heading back, right Rory?"
Rory nods enthusiastically.
*Down the hall:
"Thank God that is not you babe." Lorelai replies putting an arm around Rory.
Rory sniffles.
"Oh sweetie don't cry."
Rory looks up at her mother with annoyance, "I have been here since 1:45 it is now almost quarter after four, Jess is no where to be found, everywhere we go in this damn place there's some woman screaming at her husband for doing this to her, and I-I can't even do that because he's not here."
Lorelai rubs Rory's back, "I know I'm sorry."
"H-he didn't even want to go today, but I made him he knew better than I did and I pushed him out the door..it's my fault I'm here all by myself."
"Rory, you're not here by yourself......."
Rory takes a deep breath, "Yes I am, I mean I know you and Luke are here and I'm grateful for that but Jess is supposed to be here by my side.......mom it's just like when Luke works late and you get lonely, you always call me up but it's never the same because I'm not Luke, well you're not Jess." Rory replies as tears stream down her face.
Lorelai sighs, wrapping her arms around Rory, "I'm sorry babe, I wish he were here too....come on go lie down I'll go find jess."
"R-really?"
"Hey my daughter's in pain, the least I can do is track down the guy who caused it so he can stand by while she screams obscenities at him."
Rory smiles.
*Lorelai and Rory head back to the room where Luke is waiting outside.
"Here sweets, you go in and lay down I'll be in in a few."
Rory nods.
Luke watches Rory leave and then turns to Lorelai, "I-Is she ok?"
"Well besides being in labor, yeah she's good."
Luke grimaces.
"She's just upset ok."
"I still haven't gotten a hold of him, I called the apartment, the house I even had information connect me with that school, and they said he left over two hours ago."
Lorelai takes a deep breath, "Alright I'm going to go try and find him."
"What? No you stay I'll go."
"No, go in and sit with Rory."
"She doesn't want me, she wants you."
"She wants Jess."
"Yeah but you should stay because she's doing all that breathing crap and this is a woman's issue...i don't know how to deal with that, I'm sure she'd want you in there over me."
"No, I think I'm starting to get on her nerves, she needs a new face........Look I'm going to make some calls and if he's not here in 20 minutes I'm going out to get him.."
"But...."
"Please, Luke."
Luke sighs, turning to enter Rory's room.
Rory looks up tiredly expecting to see Lorelai, "Oh hi Luke."
"Uh hi Rory, you're mom said I should come in and sit with you, but if you want me to get her I can probably still catch he-"
"No Luke it's ok, sit down."
Luke obeys.
Rory leafs through People; Luke eyes her cautiously.
Rory looks over at him, "You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry it's just, I'm nervous this is kind of weird."
"Luke it's just me, Rory......Rory that you've known forever, just me and you sitting in a room together."
"Yeah I know but you're..........." Luke trails off.
"If it really makes you uncomfortable you can go outside, I won't tell mom."
Luke sighs, "I'm not going to leave you in here alone."
A sad expression crosses Rory's face.
"Rory, he's going to---"
"Be here, I know." Rory finishes. "It's just.........I'm so scared, everything's too real here, everyone's screaming, the doctors don't care, mom tried to console me but s-she can't things were different for her.....I'm not as strong as she is, I could never do this alone like she did, and everybody keeps telling me it's going be a long time before anything happens and Jess will get here in time, but I don't want him to get here in time I want him to get here now, I've never done this before and I mean it's been great having you and mom here, I really appreciate it, I do it's just you're not him.........."
"I know." Luke nods.
Rory sits up clutching her back.
Luke looks on awkwardly.
An stubborn expression appears on Rory's face as she clenches her fist.
Luke holds out his hand.
Rory manages to give him a perplexed glance.
Luke nods towards his hand suggestively; Rory takes it and squeezes it.
*5 minutes pass: Rory loosens her grip on Luke.
"Is it, uh over?" Luke asks.
Rory nods breathing heavily.
Luke stands up "can I get you anything....a towel, ice?"
Rory nods, "Ice please."
Luke rushes out.
Mike the orderly walks by and waves.
Rory waves back.
"How's it going?"
"Ok." Rory replies resignedly.
"Making some progress I guess." He says warmly.
"Progress hurts like a bitch." Rory replies.
Michael laughs, "Well hang in there."
Rory smiles, "Thanks."
"Bye, Rory." Michael leaves.
*Luke returns.
"Hey." Luke greets Rory. "You doing ok."
"Yeah." Rory sighs. "What time is it?"
"Quarter to 5."
"Already?"
"Yeah"
Rory sobs.
Luke sits on the edge of the bed putting an arm around Rory, "Shh, calm down. It's going to be ok." He says soothingly.
Rory looks up at him and smiles, "What happen to me having the plague?"
"You know I can't handle people crying."
Rory nods.
"Besides, like you said it's just you."
Rory tenses up in Luke's arms. Luke offers his hand again; she takes it.
*Maternity Waiting room Lorelai slams down the pay phone.
"Damnit."
"Language please." The nurse calls to her.
Lorelai send her a nasty look before exiting the ward heading for the lobby.
A few minutes later: Lorelai exits the hospital struggling to find her keys. "Got them." She says to herself as someone severely knocks into her. "Hey watch it!" She exclaims.
The man half turns, his mind preoccupied, "Uh, excuse me...uh..sorry....my......" He replies continuing to walk.
"Jess?!" Lorelai screams.
Jess stops short, coming out of his stupor. "Lorelai!?" He shouts. "Oh my God where's Rory.........where are you going?"
"I was going to go find you! Where were you we've calling you all day...........you were supposed to have your phone on!"
Jess runs his fingers through his hair nervously, "The battery died! I called the diner but no one was there, so I left the meeting early and came right home......Miss Patty stopped me halfway to Luke's telling me you guys left three hours ago. So I rushed over here but there was an overturned tractor trailer on the expressway, I've been sitting in traffic for 2 ½ hours."
"Oh my God!"
"Where's Rory, please don't tell me I missed it."
Lorelai shakes her head, "Come on!"
Jess and Lorelai run feverishly towards the elevators.
*Upstairs.
Rory is grasping Luke's hand tightly, seething with pain.
Luke watches as nurse passes by without a second glance.
Rory is sitting forward, counting through the pain.
The nurse passes again.
"Hey." Luke says. The nurse ignores him, "Hey!" He barks.
The nurse walks back, a horrified look on her face.
"We've been here since 1 o'clock, the doctor's been in here once; two hours ago, this woman is in pain and no one has offered any kind of medication or anything your damn orderly's offered more comfort than any of you, do you think we could get her some pain medication?" Luke barks hoarsely at the nurse.
The nurse looks at him sourly, "I'm sorry Sir, but she'll have to wait her turn, our doctors are very busy with much more severe cases than, than this."
Rory makes a small noise
Luke glares at the nurse, "I don't care how busy your doctors are this is flat out neglect Damnit!" Luke's voice booms through the room.
The nurse gives Luke a malevolent glance before turning on her hells and leaving.
Rory squeezes Luke's hand one more time before releasing him from her grasp.
Luke smiles at her reassuringly. Rory sits back closing her eyes, "Thanks Luke." She whispers.
"Don't worry about it, this is ridiculous this is a hospital for Christ sake you'd think they'd be in here all the time."
Rory laughs hollowly at Luke's passion.
Rory sits up again.
"Ice?"
Rory nods, "Please."
Luke hands her the bucket of ice. She takes a piece and begins to chew loudly. Luke wipes her forehead with a towel.
"And you thought you wouldn't be any good at this." Rory says looking up at Luke.
"Hey, I'm just filling in."
"Well you're doing a really good job........did you clock the last one?"
Luke nods, "10 minutes apart from the other one."
Rory lies back again.
Luke kisses her hand, "You're doing good though."
Rory nods sleepily, "I guess they're going to be coming in with the big needle soon."
Both Rory and Luke grimace.
"You're going stay for that right? I've never been very good with needles." Rory looks up at Luke, resembling a small child.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Good." Rory replies closing her eyes again. "Hey Luke?" Rory asks fatigued.
Luke looks up from the floor, "Yeah."
"Thanks for being here......I know this isn't the most comfortable situation for you."
Luke pulls his chair in closer to Rory, "Don't worry about how comfortable I feel, the only thing that matters today is how you feel, besides I'm kind of glad to be her."
Rory looks at him with shock.
"What?"
"You're afraid of anything that has to do with "women issues."" Rory replies.
"Yeah well....."
"You hate when people cry or scream......and you threw up after watching baby story with mom two weeks ago."
"Well I'm not going to lie, I'm scared shitless right now, and I really didn't think I wanted to be in here, but now that I'm here......" Luke trails off.
"What?"
"Well this is probably the last time I'll get to be witness to this, I mean I always thought that once I found the right woman it might be nice to uh, do this...........but your mom and I found each other too late."
"You could still have kids......hell if Dad can so can you."
"I don't want to be 65 when my kid turns 20." Luke replies.
Rory nods, noticing the mistiness is Luke's eyes. Rory puts a hand over Luke's
Luke takes it.
"You know I consider myself your daughter." Rory says, tears running down her face.
"You have no idea how much that means to me." Luke replies.
Rory sits forward, "I love you, Luke."
Luke wraps his arms around Rory, swept up in emotion it is the first time Rory has ever said that. "I love you too kid."
Rory tenses up as Luke pulls out of their embrace.
**5:45* In the hallway loud voices are heard.
"I'm sorry we can't have people running back and forth through the ward, you'll have to wait outside with everyone else." The nurse says smugly.
"Trust me he's fine, he's the father he can go in!" Luke hears Lorelai's voice escalating, most likely as a result of the ditsy nurse refusing their entrance.
Rory grunts squeezing Luke's hand. Luke nudges Rory. She groans loudly opening her eyes just as Jess rushes in.
"Rory!"
Rory releases her grip on Luke, breathing heavily, "Jess!"
Luke moves out of the way, towards Lorelai.
Lorelai looks at Luke with respect, placing and arm around his waist.
Jess leans in and hugs Rory, "Baby I'm so sorry everything that could have happened today happened."
Rory runs her fingers through Jess' hair, "It's ok, you're here now......that's all I care about"
Luke approaches Lorelai, "Come on lets give these two a few minutes."
Lorelai nods following Luke out.
*In the hallway:
"Looked like you handled things pretty well in there." Lorelai smirks at Luke.
"I just did what I had to do." Luke replies.
"Uh huh, you know." Lorelai says turning serious, "Seeing you like that made me wish I was Rory, I think that'll be a life long regret, not finding you sooner......are kids would have been beautiful." Lorelai muses.
This time Luke smirks, "Are kids are beautiful, they're right inside that room.......and they're about to make us grandparents."
Lorelai leans in and kisses Luke.
*Inside:
"Are you ok, oh my God I'm so sorry I left you alone"
"I wasn't alone mom and Luke were here.........believe it or not Luke's a really good couch."
"Huh." Jess smirks kissing Rory tenderly. "Ok, so what can I do."
"Nothing." Rory replies. "We just have to wait."
"Wait for what?"
If on cue Rory tenses up grabbing Jess' arm.
"Oh." He says, slightly embarrassed.
*5 minutes later: You're doing good, I love you so much focus on something, breath, alright ow, ok.........good job." Jess says as Rory's grip loosens.
Rory breathes heavily, wiping her forehead, "They're getting worse."
Jess kisses her cheek, "You're doing good though."
Rory nods, "You don't have to keep telling me that, you're not my cheerleader."
"Right sorry." Jess say, a little bit hurt.
"Just stick to counting..........oh and telling me how much you love me."
"Gotcha." Jess says turning to the wall where moments go Rory's eyes were fixated. "Hey what's that taped on the wall?"
"It's a picture of Emily Amber."
"And who is that?"
"Mike the orderly's daughter."
"I see........making friends are we?" Jess smirks
"Well when mom was going through my bag she couldn't find my concentration point, we forgot to pack it so about 3 hours ago when Mike came in to check on me he taped his daughter up there."
"Well I'm glad you were in good hands."
"Yeah but I still haven't been given any medication yet, I've only seen a doctor once and the nurses are mad because Luke and mom keep yelling at them."
Jess laughs.
Rory lies back, "It's been such a long day and its only 6......my water broke 3 hours ago and my contractions are still 10 minutes apart." Rory fills jess in. "And everybody says it's still going to be a while."
Jess puts his hand to Rory's face, "Well I'm here now so we'll sit her and wait it out together."
Rory smiles at Jess as a loud scream is heard from outside.
Jess' eyes go wide, Rory grimaces.
"Did I mention that everybody here is pregnant with quints and septuplets and like to scream and throw things?"
"I think you left that part out."
Rory whimpers at jess, "I don't want to throw things at you."
"Well that's good."
"B-but what if I do, like later on?"
"I won't complain, I swear." Jess smiles at Rory.
"I'm so scared, Jess."
"I know." Jess replies kissing Rory's forehead, "But hey I've got just the thing to take your mind off of it." Jess pulls a paperback of 'Oliver Twist' out of his back pocket.
"You came prepared."
Jess nods as he opens the book.
Ok, I went over this chapter and realized I had made it so Rory was only in labor about 8 hours, which I know for a fact is very unrealistic plus I found that there was no real reason for the doctors to be neglectful of Rory.....so I made up a reason oh and this chapter is now broken into two, mainly because there are appearances by other characters and I felt it'd be better for you to read the dialogues in two separate chapters so here you go!
*It is two days later: Saturday. Rory and Lorelai are walking around town they are still on the subject of kidneys. Jess has an interview with his new boss today. Luke is working.
"I still can't believe you won't give me one of your own kidneys." Rory says to Lorelai.
"I can't believe you have a problem accepting one of Luke's" Lorelai say huffily.
"Luke didn't offer me one of his, you did." Rory exclaims.
"Minor detail, now be quiet and eat your ice cream."
"Mmm this is so good."
"See, Taylor's soda shop really was a good idea."
Rory nods enthusiastically.
"Uh oh, I think Luke saw the ice cream he doesn't look happy." Rory says glancing into the diner.
"That's nothing want to see him really bug out?"
Rory smiles.
The bell over the diner door rings. Rory and Lorelai make a bee line for the counter where Luke is serving coffee.
"Get out of here with that stuff." Luke barks.
"But Luke we just came in to say hello." Lorelai says sweetly.
"Out."
Lorelai pouts, turning to leave Rory goes to follow.
"I uh didn't say you had to leave." Luke says to her.
"Oh well in that case." Rory takes a seat at the counter grinning at her mother.
"Hey why does she get to stay AND eat her ice cream in here?" Lorelai screeches.
Luke grins, "Because I like her better besides........."Luke motions towards Rory's protruding stomach.
Rory smirks at her mother, putting a hand on her stomach.
"That's unfair, I could come in here looking like that too, of course you'd have to leave work early to make that happen." Lorelai say enthusiastically, making Luke blush.
Rory laughs.
Luke glares at them both, "Alright both of you out."
"But Luke I thought you liked me better!! And what about......." Rory looks down at her stomach.
"You egg her on, you pay the price, go." Luke replies, a smile breaking onto his face.
Rory pouts, "Fine but if I go into labor on the walk home it's your fault."
Luke's face contorts.
"Yea." Lorelai replies.
"Why is it so much fun to embarrass Luke even after all this time?" Lorelai asks.
"I dunno, I guess it's one of life's mysteries.
*That night: 6pm Dinner:
"So I'll have my own office, I'm required to hold a English department meeting once every two weeks and I'll be teaching four classes of my own." Jess says happily.
"Wow that's a lot of responsibility." Lorelai says.
"Yeah but you're going to love it." Rory says putting her hand on top of jess'
"I hope so." Jess replies. "So classes start on the 10th of September."
"That's great, and you guys can stay here until you find a place closer to work." Lorelai suggests.
Rory and Jess exchange glances, "Well mom we were actually hoping on getting out on our own a little sooner."
"Oh ok.......I didn't know you could go through all the paper work for a house in a month." Lorelai says, a little bit hurt.
"Well we can't." Jess replies, looking at Luke.
Lorelai picks up on the exchange and puts down her fork, "Ok what's going on?"
Jess clears his throat.
Luke puts down his fork, "I offered them the space above the diner."
Lorelai gives the three of them a wounded look.
"Mom, we just thought it would be better this way......it's not necessarily comfortable for both if us to be holed up in my old room, it was never meant for two people especially not for a pregnant woman and someone else."
Lorelai nods sadly.
"Lorelai, they'll be much better over there, they'll have their own bathroom, a king size bed, a kitchen, cable and telephone right away." Luke says.
"Ok as long as the three of you have everything planned out I guess it's not important for me to be here." Lorelai says walking away from the table.
"Mom!" Rory calls after her.
Jess puts his hand over Rory, "I'll take care of it." Jess walks away.
Rory and Luke exchange glances, "I'm sorry we put you in the middle of this, Luke."
"Don't be, I'm the one who suggested it."
*Outside:
Lorelai is standing on the porch. Jess approaches her.
"Come to tell me something else.......have you picked out a name for the baby? Decided what college he's going to?" Lorelai says coldly.
"Look we only decided this today.........I just talked to Rory before dinner, she didn't even have time to really process it, there was no reason to keep it from you, and we weren't, look Luke and I just didn't know how to bring it up."
Lorelai sighs, "So when are you moving in?"
"Well we were looking into being in by next weekend, the place is already set up with some furniture from when Luke and I lived there, it just needs a little cleaning and it's livable, and then in another two weeks, once Holden is born we'll drive up and get the rest of our stuff."
"Holden huh?"
"It's not definite so don't get upset, I just threw it in there."
"It's nice, I like it."
"Rory picked it out, it's from Catcher in the Rye."
Lorelai nods.
"Look I'm sorry, I don't want you to be upset, believe me I want these next three weeks to be as stress free for us all as they can be..........Rory and I just need our own space."
Lorelai smirks, "Yeah space to do the dirty thing."
Jess laughs, "Hey better there than here."
"I guess Luke is right, you two will be better off over there and at least I can start walking around naked again." Lorelai smirks.
Jess laughs.
*2 weeks later: *Rory and Jess have moved in over the diner. Jess has been helping Luke with the morning rush ever since, Rory spends most of time at the inn with her mom and Sookie, at the counter of Luke's or walking around town with jess.
*Rory and jess are taking one of their walks.
"Do you want to turn back?" Jess asks.
Rory sighs, "Not yet."
"Ok."
"Hey Jess?"
"Yeah?"
"Do my sneakers match?"
Jess scoffs, "Yeah, are they not supposed to?"
"No, it's just that I realized this morning that I can't see my feet anymore."
"Another 10 days, that's it." Jess says kissing Rory's hand.
"I know that just seems like so long from now."
"Are you kidding me, 10 days is like nothing." Jess retorts.
"Says the 130 lb man."
"Come on you look beautiful."
Rory rolls her eyes, "Alright I'm ready to go back now."
Jess touches Rory's arm tenderly, "Rory you look amazing don't give me that face."
"Jess I'm huge."
"You're 9 months pregnant."
"Thanks." Rory replies turning to walking away.
"Rory! Come on I'm sorry...........I just, I don't know what to say anymore." Jess confides.
Rory sighs, "I know, I know. Don't be sorry, I mean you've been so good about everything."
"There was nothing to be good about."
Rory stares hard at Jess, "Jess come on, the cravings, the outbursts, throwing up on you.......3 times, I have not been very sexy these last 8 months."
Jess moves in closer to Rory, wrapping his arms around her, "You are the sexiest woman I've ever met...now more than ever."
Rory smiles broadly.
*They are now in front of the diner.
"Wow." Jess breathes.
"What?"
"Your smile just reminded me of you on our wedding day."
Rory blushes.
"You had white flowers in your hair, and during the ceremony I reached out and touchd one and you smiled, just like you did right now." Jess runs his fingers through Rory's hair.
"How do you always know what to say?"
"It's a gift." Jess smirks.
Rory eyes the diner, "I think I'm hungry again." She says timidly.
*Inside the diner: Lorelai is sitting at the counter badgering Luke.
"But I need one more cup, just one more before I go home."
"No." Luke barks.
Rory and jess approach the counter.
"Rory, dear sweet child of mine tell Luke to give me coffee!"
Rory shakes her head.
"Traitor!" Lorelai mumbles.
"I'll be right back." Jess says kissing Rory's cheek. "Turkey sound ok?"
Rory nods.
"Hey Luke! Jess just went behind the counter, he's not working he's not allowed."
"But he's making me dinner." Rory says innocently.
"Hey we ate dinner together we had burgers remember two hours ago." Lorelai replies.
"But I'm hungry again." Rory replies.
"Fine." Lorelai sighs. Perking up, "Come sit by me!"
Rory grins taking a seat next to her mother.
Jess reappears with Rory's turkey sandwich, "Here you go."
"Thank you." Rory beams at him.
"I'm going to go upstairs and shower, if you need me call me." Jess says sweetly.
"I'm sure nothing's going to happen to me between the time you shower and I finish my sandwich," Rory replies waving jess off.
"Sheesh someone's a little clingy." Lorelai teases.
"No, he just loves me." Rory replies defensively.
Babette and Maury approach Rory.
"Aw Dawl face, you look great." Babette says.
"Thank you." Rory says quietly.
"When's the big day again?"
"Any day now." Lorelai replies.
"Any second if you ask me, Rory dawl you look like you could pop at any moment." Babette grins.
Rory frowns. Lorelai rubs her arm reassuringly.
"Well good luck, Maury and me have got to go, dawl early morning tomorrow.......we're taking Patty's new couples sunrise walking class..... Bye Rory, Lorelai."
Lorelai and Rory wave to them as they leave.
Luke reappears at the counter. "Alright I should be done here in a half hour if you want to wait."
"Perhaps if you gave me some more coffee I would consider it, after all, we all know how afraid you are of walking home alone."
Luke rolls his eyes but pours her another cup anyway.
Rory giggles.
"What about you? I have some decaff in the back."
Rory yawns, "No I think I'm going to go up to bed."
"It's 9 o'clock, babe."
"Tell me about it, but I can't sleep past 7 anymore so I need to sleep when I can."
Lorelai smiles sympathetically at Rory, "It'll all be over soon sweets."
"That's what everybody keeps telling me." Rory mutters rubbing her back as she climbs the stairs to the apartment.
Luke and Lorelai watch her leave.
"Poor kid, she's exhausted."
"She turned down coffee, not a good sign."
Lorelai nods.
*Upstairs apartment.
Upon entering the apartment Rory collapses onto the bed. Jess exits the bathroom with out a shirt; his hair is still a little bit wet.
Rory grins at him.
Jess walks over to the bed with a smirk, "What are you smiling at?"
"You." Rory replies motioning for jess to sit down. "You look pretty good without a shirt." Rory wiggles her eyebrow.
"A bold comment coming from such an innocent girl." Jess' smirk broadens.
"I'm not as innocent as you think." Rory replies. "I've been around." Rory drapes her arm over her stomach.
Jess leans in and kisses Rory's stomach. Rory runs a hand through jess' wet hair. Jess sits up again, leaning in to kiss Rory gently on the lips.
Rory wraps her arms around Jess, deepening the kiss.
Jess runs his hand across Rory's back; she shivers.
Jess pulls out of the kiss, "You ok?"
"mmhm." Rory nods, kissing Jess' neck.
"I love you." Jess muses tightening his grasp on Rory.
Rory kisses Jess' lips tenderly, this time Jess takes it to the next step running his free hand along Rory's thigh.
Rory lies back. Jess leans in awkwardly, his eyes settling on Rory's stomach.
She looks up at Jess quizzically, "What?"
"I'm not........am I hurting you?"
Rory shakes her head, "Don't worry I'm fine." And with that Rory pulls Jess into a passionate kiss.
*Next morning: 5am
After tossing and turning for a half hour Rory, quietly struggles to climb out of bed without waking Jess.
10 minutes later Rory enters the bathroom and turns on the shower.
*6am
Rory walking back and forth across the apartment stirs jess from his sleep.
"Rory?" Jess hoarse voice cuts through the dark room.
"Did I wake you?" She whispers.
Jess croaks, "No, but the other pregnant woman pacing back and forth in front of my bed did."
"Sorry." Rory replies.
Jess leans over and turns on the light, "Is something wrong?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep." Rory replies unconvincingly.
Jess stares her down, "Come here."
Rory sits on the edge of the bed in front of jess.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing...........my back is just a little sore."
"See, I knew last night was a mistake."
Rory turns around, flinching slightly, "Last night was not a mistake.........after the last two weeks, I really needed last night." Rory smiles at jess.
Jess runs a single hand through Rory's hair, "Are you sure it's just your back."
Rory nods.
"Well then let's see what we can do about that.......show me where it hurts."
Rory puts her hand on the small of her back.
Jess rubs his hands together momentarily proceeding to move them back and forth along Rory's back, Rory moans.
"Is that ok?"
Rory nods, "Much better."
9am: Jess is standing in front of the mirror straightening his tie; he has a staff meeting in an hour. Rory is watching him from the bed, Jess has insisted that Rory stay in bed until he leaves claiming she needed her rest after last night.
"How does that look?" Jess asks her.
"Perfect." Rory replies lazily.
Jess lies down on the bed next to Rory, "You going to be ok with out me today?" Jess moves a strand of Rory's hair behind her ear. "How's your back?"
Rory makes a small noise, "Much better than before."
Jess looks down at her with concern.
"I'll be fine, mom and Luke are downstairs and you'll have your cell phone on right?" Rory rests her forehead against Jess'.
"Right." Jess replies, "But seriously I can call them and tell them I can't make it."
"Jess you're going to miss two other meetings next week because of this, you might as well go now while you can that way you're not completely unprepared when classes start up."
Jess smiles at Rory, "Ok I'll go, but I'm going to tell them I have to be home by 3 because my wife needs me." Jess leans in and kisses Rory.
"You better be going." She says, squeezing his hand.
Jess stands up, "Ok. I love you........and stay in bed! There's no reason to go out today."
"Go." Rory mouths as jess turns towards the door.
As Jess closes the door behind him, Rory's head hits the pillow as she starts to drift back to sleep.
*Downstairs:
"Hey!" Lorelai exclaims.
"She's upstairs and she's staying in bed." Jess says as he maneuvers his way past dozens of grinning townspeople.
The door to the diner closes behind Jess.
Lorelai puts her coffee mug down, and stands up.
"Lorelai." Luke says tauntingly.
"What? I can guarantee you he's keeping her up there against her own free will."
"Or, she could still be sleeping..........somehow I don't see her faking that yawn last night."
"Just let me check on her." Lorelai reaches for a cup of orange juice that is conveniently placed on the counter, "And look I'll bring her juice it's 100% vitamin c." Lorelai waves the glass at Luke.
"It's also mine." Luke replies.
Lorelai scoffs, "Luke you don't have cooties, we're all family here."
Luke sighs, "Fine, 5 minutes but then leave the poor girl alone."
*Upstairs: Lorelai knocks on the door.
"Come in." Rory says incoherently.
"I knew jess was lying you're not sleeping."
"No, but I am extremely tired." Rory replies with a yawn
"Long night?" Lorelai raises an eyebrow at her daughter.
Rory blushes.
"I told Jess you'd be getting down and dirty in here."
"Mom." Rory says, clearly embarrassed.
Lorelai laughs, "I brought you juice, straight from the hands of Luke."
"Thanks." Rory replies stretching. "But I'm really not thirsty and I'd really like to sleep a little bit longer if that's ok."
Lorelai smiles at Rory, "Of course it is, I know if I were in your position I'd never want to leave my bed...........besides Babette was right you do look like you could burst at any minute, and I don't want you bursting this early in the morning, hell we're still in single digits, if it weren't for Mr. rise with the sun down stairs I probably would still be in bed myself."
Rory stretches, groaning, "You would not because you have work today."
"Ah, that is where you are wrong my sweet. I annoyed everyone at work with my up to date Rory pregnancy news reports that Michel and Jackson told me I either had to stop talking about it or stay home until there was nothing left to talk about, so I opted for the later."
Rory grins sleepily, "Hehe, Jackson and Michel are wimps."
"I know." Lorelai says happily.
Rory yawns.
"Ok, I'll leave you alone now."
"Will you come back and get me in a little bit."
Lorelai nods, "Sure thing babe."
"No later than 11:30." Rory calls to her.
Lorelai nods, closing the door behind her.
*Downstairs:
Lorelai places Luke's juice glass on the counter.
"Here Luke, Rory says you have cooties and she doesn't want your stinkin' juice."
"Still sleeping huh?"
"Not exactly........but definitely not all there."
Luke nods.
Lorelai leans over the counter, "Hey Luke."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I'll be a good grandma?"
Luke rubs the back of his neck, "I never really gave it much thought."
"Oh." Lorelai says, deflated.
"But, with your energy and um, personality I'm sure you'll be a great grandma."
Lorelai smiles at Luke, "I'll teach them all about vegging out and drinking coffee....."
"And I'll take the coffee away from them." Luke smirks.
Lorelai pulls Luke's cap down, "And you'll cook all our Saturday night dinners."
"Saturday night dinners?"
".......well I haven't discussed it with Rory yet, but I'm thinking that maybe my mother wasn't so crazy when she implemented that on us......of course our dinners will be much cooler." Lorelai grins.
Luke laughs out loud.
*11:25am
Lorelai enters the apartment.
"Ror." Lorelai coos. "Hon it's time to----"
"Mom I'm up.......well I'm not up, I'm awake." Rory says, lying on her back looking straight up at the ceiling.
"I thought you were going to go back to bed babe." Lorelai says setting her self down at the end of the bed.
Ror lifts her head up, "I did for a little bit, but I just couldn't sleep anymore.
Lorelai nods, "Do you want to go downstairs, have some breakfast....or do you want to shower first?"
"Already showered, I'm dressed actually...well if you could call it that." Rory lifts the covers revealing her stretchy black terry cloth pants and a short sleeve gray shirt.
"Cheerful today aren't we?" Lorelai says sarcastically.
"I feel like a beach whale, a beach whale who was up at 5 this morning."
"Poor baby." Lorelai replies. "What happened?"
Rory sighs, "Nothing I was just very uncomfortable."
Lorelai looks at Rory sympathetically, "Are you hungry do you want me to bring you up some food."
"I could eat.....but I'll come down this place is starting to get on my nerves."
Lorelai nods.
Rory goes to stand, making a small noise.
"You ok sweets."
Rory rubs the arch of her back zealously, "Fine, I've just had this little shooting pain in my back all morning."
"Oh yeah?"
"It's nothing, Jess was massaging it before."
"I bet he was." Lorelai smirks.
"But it's pretty much gone now."
Lorelai nods, "So what do you want to do today?"
Rory looks guiltily at her mother, "I was hoping to take it easy today."
"Not a problem, "We can just bug Luke all day."
Rory smiles, "Just let me get some shoes on." Rory walks over to the bed, touching her back again.
It doesn't go unnoticed by Lorelai, "Hey hon, how long has your back been bothering you."
"A few hours, but it's nothing it just comes and goes."
Lorelai nods, "Uh huh, sweetie I could be wrong but that sounds like a contraction to me."
Rory's eyes go wide momentarily before she shakes her head, "No, there's no way.........it seriously isn't really bothering me it's definitely not a contraction."
"They usually aren't bad when they first start sweetie."
Rory sighs, "I swear I'm fine."
"Ok. Ok. Come on let's go downstairs." Lorelai replies.
Rory pushes on her shoes, and after a moment stands up.
Lorelai holds the door open for Rory, carefully eyeing her daughter. As soon as Rory is through the door Lorelai makes a quick grab for Rory's overnight bag and closes the door behind her. As Lorelai enters the diner she carefully stuffs the bag behind the counter. Luke looks up at her questionably. Lorelai puts a finger to her mouth signaling Luke to be quiet.
"Come on ror, let's sit at a table today."
"K." Rory replies walking over to a booth in the corner.
"I'll get us drinks." Lorelai says to her.
Luke leans over the counter to talk to Lorelai, "What's going on?" He mutters.
"Nothing yet.........but I'm pretty sure today's going to be the day."
Luke nods, "Here." Luke hands Lorelai a cup of coffee.
"Where's Rory's?"
"Do you, uh think it's really good to be having that if what you say is true."
"If I'm right then that girl needs to have coffee right now while she can, even if it is decaff." Lorelai scrunches her nose.
Luke smiles.
Lorelai walks back to the table.
Rory takes her cup from Lorelai, "mmm." She sighs.
"Think about it, pretty soon you won't have to deal with decaff anymore." Lorelai grins.
"I don't know I was kind of thinking about staying with the decaff."
Lorelai and Rory both break out into laughter.
Rory takes a sip of her coffee, grasping the end of the table as she drinks.
"Back again?" Lorelai asks.
Rory nods.
Lorelai smiles faintly, "Come on finish your coffee then we'll make a quick Doose's run and pick up magazines...new people just came out....John Cusack's on the cover." Lorelai grins.
Rory drinks her coffee quickly, "Ok. Ready."
Lorelai waves to Luke, "We'll be back."
*Outside: Lorelai and Rory are walking to Doose's Lorelai cell phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai."
"Mom."
Rory gives Lorelai a sideways glance.
"Do you have any idea who stopped by for early visit this morning?" Emily asks.
No....but I'm sure you're going to tell me.
"Christopher and Sherri."
Lorelai chokes, "What?!"
"They said they were on their way to visit Rory and Jess and thought they'd stop by before heading up to see them."
Lorelai giggles.
"This is not funny Lorelai, they were on their way to visit Rory at her apartment, and they had no idea that she was here."
"I know mom."
Rory rubs her side, looking curiously at her mother.
"Well why would you do such a thing?"
Lorelai eyes Rory, "I have my reason."
"Lorelai."
"Hold on a second mom, Ror why don't you start looking around I'll be4 in in a minute."
Rory nods walking away slowly.
Lorelai waits for Rory to be inside before speaking, "Ok mom, here' the thing Rory does not want Sherri around for this thing. Chris called a few weeks ago and Rory never told him that she was here because she didn't want to deal with Sherri."
"Well, I guess I can't blame her........she's definitely not the most sophisticated woman I've ever met......but still Christopher is Rory's father he has a right to his daughter before she has a baby."
"Yes, yes he does and normally I would call Chris right up and invite him over but I don't think that's possible."
"What, why?"
"......uh because I'm pretty sure Rory's in labor right now."
"Lorelai! Why didn't you say something?" Emily screeches.
"Uh because I didn't want you to get all excited and scream, look mom I'll talk to Christopher but if Rory says she doesn't want them here than I'm going to respect Rory's wishes."
"Alright, how is Rory holding up?"
"Fine, look mom I'll call you back later ok?"
"Well when are you going to the hospital?"
"Not for a while, but I'll call you when we get there."
"Alright."
Lorelai hangs up the phone and enters Doose's.
*Doose's: 12:15
Rory is perusing the magazine rack while Lorelai attacks the candy aisle.
"Rory!" Taylor greets Rory.
"Hello." Rory says sweetly, grasping the magazine rack.
"Getting pretty close to the big day huh?"
Rory nods, "So I'm told."
"So where's you're er husband." Taylor asks his eyes determined.
"Oh at a business meeting in Hartford." Rory replies.
"He left you alone. Punk." Taylor mutters the last part.
"It's ok really." Rory inhales quietly, "I told him too, besides my mom's with me."
Lorelai approaches them "Hi Taylor."
"Lorelai." Taylor replies. "Well have a nice day ladies."
Taylor walks away.
Rory touches her mothers arm, "Mom."
"Yeah sweetie."
"I think you may be right about the whole contraction thing."
Lorelai smiles faintly at Rory, "Well I'm glad you finally came around, that's why we're here, to pick up magazines for when we leave."
"Leave?"
"For the hospital...."
Rory looks at her mother in panic, "We're not going now are we?"
"No......but probably another hour or so.......I mean we are taking no chances I'd rather you be sitting around a hospital for 10 hours than you give birth in a hallway."
Rory smiles at the thought of Sherri.
"Come on, let's go back to the diner you can call Jess and when he gets here we'll leave."
Rory nods.
*At the diner: 12:30
Rory heads straight for the phone. Lorelai heads straight for Luke.
Rory dials Jess' cell phone number.
"What's going on?" Luke asks.
"She's calling Jess, and once he gets back here we're going to leave."
Luke nods.
Rory hangs up the phone loudly.
"He's not picking up."
"Did you leave a message?"
"The little message option never came up." Rory replies.
"Ok. Sweets why don't you just have seat we'll try him in a little bit."
Patty overhears he conversation and approaches Lorelai, "Is something the matter Lorelai?"
"No Patty, everything's fine."
Patty's eyes wonder towards Rory, who sitting at the booth looking miserable.
"Rory darling are you ok?"
Rory shakes her head, and sniffles, "I can't get a hold of Jess."
"Poor baby." Patty takes a seat next to Rory. "Don't cry it's no big deal, I'm sure he'll check in soon."
Rory sobs.
"Oh my, unless it is a big deal! Oh my God, congratulations darling."
Babette enters the diner and sees Patty consoling Rory, "What's going on sugar?"
"It's time." Patty says dreamily.
"Oh! Rory's having the baby great news! Say where's the daddy, sugar?"
Kirk turns around, "Wait she's not going to have it here is she?"
"Don't be ridiculous Kirk." Babette says. "So Rory where is Jess?"
Taylor walks in overhearing the conversation, "He's out of town." He says snidely.
Rory starts to tremble.
"Aw sugar, he left you....that good for nothing......"
"I never liked that guy, knew he was trouble form the start." Bootsie cuts in.
Rory looks helplessly up at her mother.
Lorelai makes her way quickly through the small crowd of people who have gathered around Rory. 'Sweets I'm here." Lorelai holds her hand out to Rory.
"Ok! Everybody out!! Luke's is now closed, free coffee the next time you come in, just go!" Luke screams pushing everyone out the door.
Within fifteen minutes the diner is deserted except for Rory, Luke and Lorelai.
"Thanks Luke." Rory says sadly.
"Uh, what now?" Luke asks.
"I'm going to try to get Jess on the phone......you put some coffee in a cup to go and take Rory's bag out to my car."
Luke nods and walks off.
"W-we're going?"
Lorelai nods.
Luke returns with a Styrofoam cup, Lorelai slams the phone down, "Damn it."
"Still no answer?" Rory asks.
"No but don't worry I have my cell we'll keep trying him and he's already in Hartford so by the time we get there he might already be in the lobby waiting for us." Lorelai smiles reassuringly at Rory.
"Ok." Rory replies standing up.
*An hour later: 1:45 Hartford Hospital: There is still no word from Jess.
*Maternity Ward:
The maternity waiting room is occupied by 6 pregnant women and about two dozen other people.
Lorelai and Rory enter the maternity ward; Rory is clinging to Lorelai's arm nervously. Luke is behind them holding Rory's bag.
A petite nurse greets them, "Hello."
"Hi." Lorelai replies.
"Are we here to visit someone?" The nurse asks naively.
Luke rolls his eyes.
Lorelai speaks up, "No..............we're here to admit someone."
"Alright, and are they here with you now?"
Rory is becoming agitated.
"Yes, she is, this is my daughter Rory, we are here to admit my 9 month pregnant daughter Rory."
"Alright," The nurse smiles at them. "You'll just need to fill out these forms and I'll call an orderly down."
"Come on sweets." Lorelai and Rory walk over to the waiting area.
"What are the education requirements for becoming a nurse?" Luke asks.
Lorelai scoffs, "Apparently you just need to fit into the uniform."
Rory laughs, clutching her side.
Lorelai squeezes her hand.
Rory's eyes wander across the room where a woman, two times her size is talking to a man with a camera. The woman grins at Rory. Rory grimaces.
Lorelai notes Rory's wandering eyes, "Is it just me or are you the smallest one here?"
Rory nod warily.
"Alright back to the paper work," Lorelai scribbles down Rory's information periodically asking her questions, "What's Jess' middle name?"
"Anthony.........is that really important?"
"It's under required fields so it must be.....ok, social security number?"
"456-68-8906" Rory says, short of breath.
Lorelai eyes Rory, her contractions are becoming more noticable
"ok, Sign here and we'll be all set." Lorelai hands Rory the pen.
Rory signs her names hastily, pushing the clipboard back to her mother.
Lorelai gets up and hands the nurse the forms just as an orderly with a wheelchair enters the ward.
"Alright......." The nurse says glancing down at the clipboard. "Mrs. Mariano we're ready for you."
Rory looks at Lorelai nervously, "D-do I have to go in alone?"
"No, sweets I'll come in until Jess gets here."
Rory smiles, relieved as she sits down on the wheelchair.
"Hi, I'm Michael." The orderly shakes Rory's hand.
"I-I'm Rory."
"Nice to meet you." He says kindly." Rory that's a unique name."
"It's short for Lorelai."
"That's a great name, well we've got one of the best rooms set up for you.......you got lucky you got one of our single rooms."
Rory brushes her hair away from her face, "Oh that's good."
"Yeah this place is pretty busy they usually stick you single girls in the little rooms at the end of the hall but some how you lucked out you're in room number 24 which is real nice."
"Oh I-I'm not single, my husand's just at a meeting right now."
Michael laughs, "No not single like that.......I guess no one told you about what this hospital specializes in."
Rory looks up curiously, "No....."
"This maternity ward actually takes up the whole floor, it specializes in multiple births........all those women in that waiting room are having 2+ kids, they check in a week or two ahead of time to be monitored."
"Oh."
"Yeah we only get maybe a dozen or so ladies like yourself in here a week most head over to New Haven hospital or one of the other smaller hospitals not many want to deal with the chaos of this place."
Rory cringes.
"Oh, I didn't mean to scare you, this place is great it's just the patients can be real oddities."
Rory laughs.
"So your husband's not here, is someone coming in with you? He asks.
"My mom.........until Jess gets her
Michael nods, "So who's the big guy?"
"That's uh, Luke mom's boyfriend."
"He can come in too if you like.........since it's a single room and you're just going to be hanging out for a while there's a 4 person limit."
Rory nods, "Good. So you think I'm going to be here a while?"
"Could be, is this your uh first?"
"Yeah." Rory says breathing in.
"Then I'd say you've got a good ten hours ahead of you, I know when my wife had our daughter, Emily we were here for 17 hours.......and I'm told that's a short time."
Rory laughs nervously, "So you have a daughter?"
"Yep she'll be two next month, got another one on the way though in October........that's why I'm here I usually work night shifts but I've been doing doubles lately to save up some extra cash."
Rory nods.
"Well here we are, Rory."
"Thank you." Rory smiles at him.
Rory stands up and walks into the room.
"Here, let me help you." Michael takes Rory by the arm and leads her to her bed. "And don't worry about uh, Jess is it?"
Rory nods.
"He'll make it in time........probably with time to spare."
"Good luck." Michael says before turning towards the door.
"Thank you." Rory says.
Lorelai appears in the doorway.
Michael nods to her as Lorelai slips him 5 dollars.
"Nice orderly." Lorelai comments.
Rory nods, sitting back.
"How you doing?"
"Ok, I just wish Jess was here."
"I know Luke's going to keep trying him."
Rory nods sadly.
"Come on don't worry, everything will be fine, "Here babe read people."
"I'd rather have Blender."
"Ok. Here you go!"
Rory smiles.
*An hour later: 3:00 Rory's contractions are coming more steadily now. Lorelai is talking Rory, attempting to keep her mind off of her contractions.
Rory tenses up as a contraction begins.
"M-mom?" Rory asks.
"Here babe." Lorelai holds out her hand.
"No, could you go, and ow look through my, oh bag my concentration point is in there."
"Your what?"
"It's a big picture of Tuscany, you now the Villa where Jess and I stayed on our honey moon, there's tape in there too to tape it on the wall."
Lorelai looks ferociously through the bag, "I see tape but sweets there's no picture in here."
Rory groans, sitting back, "I can't believe we forgot to pack it."
Michael the orderly walks past stopping in front of the door away at the sound of Rory groaning.
"Something wrong?" He asks.
"I forgot my concentration point."
"Hon it's no big deal we'll just pretend you have it."
"Mom," Rory sits up agitated "it doesn't work like that."
Lorelai sighs.
Michael pulls out his wallet, "How about you use this." He holds up a small picture.
"What is it?" Lorelai asks
"Emily Amber my two year old, come on what do you say, you already have the tape."
Rory smiles, "Thank you."
Lorelai takes the picture form Michael and tapes it up on the wall.
"Anytime.......hey has anybody been in to see you yet?"
Rory shakes her head.
"Alright I'll track somebody down, you hang in there." Michael smiles at them as he leaves.
"Nice guy." Lorelai comments.
"Yeah." Rory says huffing as another contraction begins.
*10 minutes later: A stout doctor enters, he seems very uninterested in Rory.
"Ok, let's see what we got." The doctor says lifting up Rory's blankets. "Uh huh, ok you're at 6 centimeters right now, it'll be quite a while yet best thing you can do is walk around a bit.......I'll be back later."
The doctor leaves before Rory or Lorelai can say a word.
*5 minutes later: Lorelai has suggested they take a walk around the hallway.
Rory's arm is hooked with Lorelai, she looks very scared, she flinches as they pass the other rooms where women are screaming and throwing things.
A nurse walks by and grins at them.
"The nurses here are too happy." Rory gripes.
"Eh they're just trying to make you feel better."
"Then they should have this baby for me."
Lorelai laughs.
"What time is it?"
"3:15."
"Jess' meeting should have been over by now." Rory comments.
"Well I'm sure he'll take the diner closed sign as a hint."
Rory grasps Lorelai's arm.
"Hon what's the-"
"S-something's happening." Rory mutters.
Lorelai eyes Rory with concern.
"Mom." Rory whispers.
"What?"
"s-something's dripping down my leg." Rory mutters.
"Oh.............. Oh!" Lorelai's eyes go wide.
"What!?" Rory says, panicking.
"Come here babe, real slow." Lorelai leads Rory towards the nurses' bathroom. "Do you mind?" Lorelai asks a nurse passing by.
The nurse shakes her head.
*10 minutes later: A very scarlet-faced Rory exits the stall.
"Honey don't be embarrassed."
"I can't help it." Rory says folding her arms.
"Believe me no one cares, it's expected, I mean you can't give birth until your water breaks."
"Yeah but I didn't even know what was happening." Rory says quietly.
"Rory it's fine, sweetie I didn't either when I had you, lucky for me one the maids explained it to me before we left for the hospital.
Rory laughs.
"Ready to get out of here?" Rory nods, "I guess this is it huh?" Rory bits her lip anxiously.
"Nah you've still got a while..........believe me this stuff takes a long time, don't worry he'll be here."
Lorelai and Rory exit the bathroom as a very significantly large tummied woman is being wheeled down the adjacent hallway in a gurney with a scrawny man chasing after her.
"I swear to God this is the last time you will touch me ever!!" The woman screeches.
Rory winces.
"She's having quadruplets." A voice from behind says.
Rory and Lorelai turn around to see a young woman, 23 years old tops staring back at them.
"O-oh." Rory says shakily.
"Don't worry, not everybody here is like her. She's been here for two weeks she came in a few days before me." The girl says placing a hand on her stomach. "I'm Kayla Donner, by the way."
Lorelai and Rory nod.
"I'm having triplets myself."
"Congratulations." Rory says.
"Thank you, it really was a shock I mean Gerald and I, that'd my husband were so thrilled when I found out I was pregnant we've been trying for over a year, and then at Christmas my mother conveniently mentions that multiple births run in my dad's family.....we were never really close to them so I never met my cousins or anything, a week later I went in and they told us it was triplets."
Rory and Lorelai nods awkwardly.
"Yeah everybody down this hallway is two or more, my Sister in law Debbie just went in this morning, she's got twins on the way. Everything's so crazy here today I mean you got Laura Pronti down the hall in delivery having quints, Maya McGregor went into labor bout an hour ago, it was the craziest thing she came in to visit her mom actually, Betty Hart who's been in labor since late last night next thing we girls know they got her on a gurney herself going down to delivery, yep she was a fast one, but she's done this twice before."
"Oh my."
"Yeah but we're all one big happy family here, you know you should really come down and sit with all of us."
"Us?" Lorelai asks.
Kayla points towards a circle of large couches where half a dozen extremely pregnant women are sitting.
Rory's eyes bulge as she clutches her side.
"Uh actually i think we should probably be heading back, right Rory?"
Rory nods enthusiastically.
*Down the hall:
"Thank God that is not you babe." Lorelai replies putting an arm around Rory.
Rory sniffles.
"Oh sweetie don't cry."
Rory looks up at her mother with annoyance, "I have been here since 1:45 it is now almost quarter after four, Jess is no where to be found, everywhere we go in this damn place there's some woman screaming at her husband for doing this to her, and I-I can't even do that because he's not here."
Lorelai rubs Rory's back, "I know I'm sorry."
"H-he didn't even want to go today, but I made him he knew better than I did and I pushed him out the door..it's my fault I'm here all by myself."
"Rory, you're not here by yourself......."
Rory takes a deep breath, "Yes I am, I mean I know you and Luke are here and I'm grateful for that but Jess is supposed to be here by my side.......mom it's just like when Luke works late and you get lonely, you always call me up but it's never the same because I'm not Luke, well you're not Jess." Rory replies as tears stream down her face.
Lorelai sighs, wrapping her arms around Rory, "I'm sorry babe, I wish he were here too....come on go lie down I'll go find jess."
"R-really?"
"Hey my daughter's in pain, the least I can do is track down the guy who caused it so he can stand by while she screams obscenities at him."
Rory smiles.
*Lorelai and Rory head back to the room where Luke is waiting outside.
"Here sweets, you go in and lay down I'll be in in a few."
Rory nods.
Luke watches Rory leave and then turns to Lorelai, "I-Is she ok?"
"Well besides being in labor, yeah she's good."
Luke grimaces.
"She's just upset ok."
"I still haven't gotten a hold of him, I called the apartment, the house I even had information connect me with that school, and they said he left over two hours ago."
Lorelai takes a deep breath, "Alright I'm going to go try and find him."
"What? No you stay I'll go."
"No, go in and sit with Rory."
"She doesn't want me, she wants you."
"She wants Jess."
"Yeah but you should stay because she's doing all that breathing crap and this is a woman's issue...i don't know how to deal with that, I'm sure she'd want you in there over me."
"No, I think I'm starting to get on her nerves, she needs a new face........Look I'm going to make some calls and if he's not here in 20 minutes I'm going out to get him.."
"But...."
"Please, Luke."
Luke sighs, turning to enter Rory's room.
Rory looks up tiredly expecting to see Lorelai, "Oh hi Luke."
"Uh hi Rory, you're mom said I should come in and sit with you, but if you want me to get her I can probably still catch he-"
"No Luke it's ok, sit down."
Luke obeys.
Rory leafs through People; Luke eyes her cautiously.
Rory looks over at him, "You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry it's just, I'm nervous this is kind of weird."
"Luke it's just me, Rory......Rory that you've known forever, just me and you sitting in a room together."
"Yeah I know but you're..........." Luke trails off.
"If it really makes you uncomfortable you can go outside, I won't tell mom."
Luke sighs, "I'm not going to leave you in here alone."
A sad expression crosses Rory's face.
"Rory, he's going to---"
"Be here, I know." Rory finishes. "It's just.........I'm so scared, everything's too real here, everyone's screaming, the doctors don't care, mom tried to console me but s-she can't things were different for her.....I'm not as strong as she is, I could never do this alone like she did, and everybody keeps telling me it's going be a long time before anything happens and Jess will get here in time, but I don't want him to get here in time I want him to get here now, I've never done this before and I mean it's been great having you and mom here, I really appreciate it, I do it's just you're not him.........."
"I know." Luke nods.
Rory sits up clutching her back.
Luke looks on awkwardly.
An stubborn expression appears on Rory's face as she clenches her fist.
Luke holds out his hand.
Rory manages to give him a perplexed glance.
Luke nods towards his hand suggestively; Rory takes it and squeezes it.
*5 minutes pass: Rory loosens her grip on Luke.
"Is it, uh over?" Luke asks.
Rory nods breathing heavily.
Luke stands up "can I get you anything....a towel, ice?"
Rory nods, "Ice please."
Luke rushes out.
Mike the orderly walks by and waves.
Rory waves back.
"How's it going?"
"Ok." Rory replies resignedly.
"Making some progress I guess." He says warmly.
"Progress hurts like a bitch." Rory replies.
Michael laughs, "Well hang in there."
Rory smiles, "Thanks."
"Bye, Rory." Michael leaves.
*Luke returns.
"Hey." Luke greets Rory. "You doing ok."
"Yeah." Rory sighs. "What time is it?"
"Quarter to 5."
"Already?"
"Yeah"
Rory sobs.
Luke sits on the edge of the bed putting an arm around Rory, "Shh, calm down. It's going to be ok." He says soothingly.
Rory looks up at him and smiles, "What happen to me having the plague?"
"You know I can't handle people crying."
Rory nods.
"Besides, like you said it's just you."
Rory tenses up in Luke's arms. Luke offers his hand again; she takes it.
*Maternity Waiting room Lorelai slams down the pay phone.
"Damnit."
"Language please." The nurse calls to her.
Lorelai send her a nasty look before exiting the ward heading for the lobby.
A few minutes later: Lorelai exits the hospital struggling to find her keys. "Got them." She says to herself as someone severely knocks into her. "Hey watch it!" She exclaims.
The man half turns, his mind preoccupied, "Uh, excuse me...uh..sorry....my......" He replies continuing to walk.
"Jess?!" Lorelai screams.
Jess stops short, coming out of his stupor. "Lorelai!?" He shouts. "Oh my God where's Rory.........where are you going?"
"I was going to go find you! Where were you we've calling you all day...........you were supposed to have your phone on!"
Jess runs his fingers through his hair nervously, "The battery died! I called the diner but no one was there, so I left the meeting early and came right home......Miss Patty stopped me halfway to Luke's telling me you guys left three hours ago. So I rushed over here but there was an overturned tractor trailer on the expressway, I've been sitting in traffic for 2 ½ hours."
"Oh my God!"
"Where's Rory, please don't tell me I missed it."
Lorelai shakes her head, "Come on!"
Jess and Lorelai run feverishly towards the elevators.
*Upstairs.
Rory is grasping Luke's hand tightly, seething with pain.
Luke watches as nurse passes by without a second glance.
Rory is sitting forward, counting through the pain.
The nurse passes again.
"Hey." Luke says. The nurse ignores him, "Hey!" He barks.
The nurse walks back, a horrified look on her face.
"We've been here since 1 o'clock, the doctor's been in here once; two hours ago, this woman is in pain and no one has offered any kind of medication or anything your damn orderly's offered more comfort than any of you, do you think we could get her some pain medication?" Luke barks hoarsely at the nurse.
The nurse looks at him sourly, "I'm sorry Sir, but she'll have to wait her turn, our doctors are very busy with much more severe cases than, than this."
Rory makes a small noise
Luke glares at the nurse, "I don't care how busy your doctors are this is flat out neglect Damnit!" Luke's voice booms through the room.
The nurse gives Luke a malevolent glance before turning on her hells and leaving.
Rory squeezes Luke's hand one more time before releasing him from her grasp.
Luke smiles at her reassuringly. Rory sits back closing her eyes, "Thanks Luke." She whispers.
"Don't worry about it, this is ridiculous this is a hospital for Christ sake you'd think they'd be in here all the time."
Rory laughs hollowly at Luke's passion.
Rory sits up again.
"Ice?"
Rory nods, "Please."
Luke hands her the bucket of ice. She takes a piece and begins to chew loudly. Luke wipes her forehead with a towel.
"And you thought you wouldn't be any good at this." Rory says looking up at Luke.
"Hey, I'm just filling in."
"Well you're doing a really good job........did you clock the last one?"
Luke nods, "10 minutes apart from the other one."
Rory lies back again.
Luke kisses her hand, "You're doing good though."
Rory nods sleepily, "I guess they're going to be coming in with the big needle soon."
Both Rory and Luke grimace.
"You're going stay for that right? I've never been very good with needles." Rory looks up at Luke, resembling a small child.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Good." Rory replies closing her eyes again. "Hey Luke?" Rory asks fatigued.
Luke looks up from the floor, "Yeah."
"Thanks for being here......I know this isn't the most comfortable situation for you."
Luke pulls his chair in closer to Rory, "Don't worry about how comfortable I feel, the only thing that matters today is how you feel, besides I'm kind of glad to be her."
Rory looks at him with shock.
"What?"
"You're afraid of anything that has to do with "women issues."" Rory replies.
"Yeah well....."
"You hate when people cry or scream......and you threw up after watching baby story with mom two weeks ago."
"Well I'm not going to lie, I'm scared shitless right now, and I really didn't think I wanted to be in here, but now that I'm here......" Luke trails off.
"What?"
"Well this is probably the last time I'll get to be witness to this, I mean I always thought that once I found the right woman it might be nice to uh, do this...........but your mom and I found each other too late."
"You could still have kids......hell if Dad can so can you."
"I don't want to be 65 when my kid turns 20." Luke replies.
Rory nods, noticing the mistiness is Luke's eyes. Rory puts a hand over Luke's
Luke takes it.
"You know I consider myself your daughter." Rory says, tears running down her face.
"You have no idea how much that means to me." Luke replies.
Rory sits forward, "I love you, Luke."
Luke wraps his arms around Rory, swept up in emotion it is the first time Rory has ever said that. "I love you too kid."
Rory tenses up as Luke pulls out of their embrace.
**5:45* In the hallway loud voices are heard.
"I'm sorry we can't have people running back and forth through the ward, you'll have to wait outside with everyone else." The nurse says smugly.
"Trust me he's fine, he's the father he can go in!" Luke hears Lorelai's voice escalating, most likely as a result of the ditsy nurse refusing their entrance.
Rory grunts squeezing Luke's hand. Luke nudges Rory. She groans loudly opening her eyes just as Jess rushes in.
"Rory!"
Rory releases her grip on Luke, breathing heavily, "Jess!"
Luke moves out of the way, towards Lorelai.
Lorelai looks at Luke with respect, placing and arm around his waist.
Jess leans in and hugs Rory, "Baby I'm so sorry everything that could have happened today happened."
Rory runs her fingers through Jess' hair, "It's ok, you're here now......that's all I care about"
Luke approaches Lorelai, "Come on lets give these two a few minutes."
Lorelai nods following Luke out.
*In the hallway:
"Looked like you handled things pretty well in there." Lorelai smirks at Luke.
"I just did what I had to do." Luke replies.
"Uh huh, you know." Lorelai says turning serious, "Seeing you like that made me wish I was Rory, I think that'll be a life long regret, not finding you sooner......are kids would have been beautiful." Lorelai muses.
This time Luke smirks, "Are kids are beautiful, they're right inside that room.......and they're about to make us grandparents."
Lorelai leans in and kisses Luke.
*Inside:
"Are you ok, oh my God I'm so sorry I left you alone"
"I wasn't alone mom and Luke were here.........believe it or not Luke's a really good couch."
"Huh." Jess smirks kissing Rory tenderly. "Ok, so what can I do."
"Nothing." Rory replies. "We just have to wait."
"Wait for what?"
If on cue Rory tenses up grabbing Jess' arm.
"Oh." He says, slightly embarrassed.
*5 minutes later: You're doing good, I love you so much focus on something, breath, alright ow, ok.........good job." Jess says as Rory's grip loosens.
Rory breathes heavily, wiping her forehead, "They're getting worse."
Jess kisses her cheek, "You're doing good though."
Rory nods, "You don't have to keep telling me that, you're not my cheerleader."
"Right sorry." Jess say, a little bit hurt.
"Just stick to counting..........oh and telling me how much you love me."
"Gotcha." Jess says turning to the wall where moments go Rory's eyes were fixated. "Hey what's that taped on the wall?"
"It's a picture of Emily Amber."
"And who is that?"
"Mike the orderly's daughter."
"I see........making friends are we?" Jess smirks
"Well when mom was going through my bag she couldn't find my concentration point, we forgot to pack it so about 3 hours ago when Mike came in to check on me he taped his daughter up there."
"Well I'm glad you were in good hands."
"Yeah but I still haven't been given any medication yet, I've only seen a doctor once and the nurses are mad because Luke and mom keep yelling at them."
Jess laughs.
Rory lies back, "It's been such a long day and its only 6......my water broke 3 hours ago and my contractions are still 10 minutes apart." Rory fills jess in. "And everybody says it's still going to be a while."
Jess puts his hand to Rory's face, "Well I'm here now so we'll sit her and wait it out together."
Rory smiles at Jess as a loud scream is heard from outside.
Jess' eyes go wide, Rory grimaces.
"Did I mention that everybody here is pregnant with quints and septuplets and like to scream and throw things?"
"I think you left that part out."
Rory whimpers at jess, "I don't want to throw things at you."
"Well that's good."
"B-but what if I do, like later on?"
"I won't complain, I swear." Jess smiles at Rory.
"I'm so scared, Jess."
"I know." Jess replies kissing Rory's forehead, "But hey I've got just the thing to take your mind off of it." Jess pulls a paperback of 'Oliver Twist' out of his back pocket.
"You came prepared."
Jess nods as he opens the book.