CHAPTER SEVEN
Lorelai was ready long before Luke came to pick her up. She had been pacing the living room, trying to think of a pleasant way to break the 'baby' news to her parents. Rory had called. She was already on her way to Hartford, and anxious to help. By the time Luke walked in the door, Lorelai was in a state.
"Wow, you look great. Jacket, turtle neck, very metrosexual."
"I'm going home to change."
"Oh, no you're not. You look really handsome. My mother will love it."
"We can only hope. You look great Have I ever seen that dress before?"
"Nope, it's new. If ever a occasion called for a new outfit...."
"If ever? All occasions call for a new outfit with you."
"True, but tonight.....I need all the help I can get.....to soften the blow .."
"You're beautiful. You're glowing, pregnant lady." He pulled her into a hug. "Ready to go?"
"Do we have to?"
"Look around. The next time you see this room, it will all be over. Your parents will be fine and you will be......well, still pregnant."
"Hey, Rory's meeting us there. Think that will help?"
"I'm sure of it, even if it's just for moral support. You've got to calm down. This can't be good for the you or the baby."
"You're right. How bad can it be.......a little yelling, some sharp barbs...."
"OK, that's it. Lorelai, get a grip! I'm been very patient with you about all of this. I think you've let your hormones get the best of you. You're way past thirty, engaged to marry a fairly decent guy, one who your parents actually can tolerate. And for some reason, your only child seems to like him too. You're getting married in a few weeks....isn't that enough? This wasn't an accident; we planned it. We're happy that it happened. If you let your parents continue to brow beat you at every turn....well....I don't know what else to say."
Lorelai realized Luke was really upset with her, and she totally understood why. She had been dumping on him for days, fussing and whining.......and what for? She was afraid of what her 'mommy' might say? Agh...... I'm sixteen again. She looked up at him and gave him a genuine smile.
"You know why I'm marrying you?"
"Well, your pregnant, for starters. And evidentially it's all my fault."
"Yeah, that.....and the fact that you put up with my stuff. But only to a point, and then you give me a much needed dose of reality. You always have, no matter what the problem. I have dumped a lot on you over the years. And we have had some horrendous battles........"
"Not that bad."
"Luke."
"OK, a couple small battles."
"A couple huge ones and a whole lot of small ones. Does the phrase 'go to hell' ring any bells? One long summer without speaking, that new girl Mimi?"
"One very long summer, and then Mimi -- pretty girl, much nicer than you." He smiled, remembering that night.
"But through it all, you've always been here, by my side. So, let's go get this over with. Who cares what they think? We know this little guy is going to be a wonderful addition to our lives......the purest proof of our love. And if they can't see that, and accept it........well, that's their problem."
"That's the old Lorelai talking. Let's get out of here before you change your mind."
A great feeling of peace had come over her. Luke was right. All they really needed was each other, and Rory. With a great sense of relief, she hopped in the car and they were on their way.
Richard answered the door, and took their coats. Rory was already there, and deep in conversation with her grandmother. Both the women looked up when the three entered the room. Richard rubbed his hands together and offered drinks.
"Luke, I stocked up on that beer you like. And Lorelai, what can I get you?"
Rory stepped in. "Grandpa, just sparkling water for mom and me. We're watching our calories so we'll look good for the wedding."
"You two don't need to diet. You're both perfect just the way you are. Isn't that right, Luke?"
"Yes, sir. They are both perfect. But you know how women are."
"OK, water with a twist it is. But I still think its silly."
"Lorelai, you look especially nice tonight. New dress? I love that color on you. Makes your complexion simply glow. Or is that because of Luke? "
"New dress and Luke, I think,"
"Nice to see you again, Luke. You're looking very handsome tonight. The two of you make a very nice looking couple. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures."
Lorelai looked at Luke and he winked back. "Thanks mom. We clean up pretty good."
"Yes, well. I just told Rory that she's getting to be quite a beautiful young lady. Seems like just yesterday she was a baby.......pink and round......I missed so much of it"
"She's all grown up, my beautiful girl."
Richard moved in to hand them their drinks. "Cheers, everyone. Here's to the wedding. Have you set a date yet?"
Luke cleared his throat. "Actually, we have. Three weeks from tomorrow."
Emily looked stunned. "Three weeks? That's not enough time to plan a proper wedding."
"Ah, mom. It will be fine. It will be small and informal and exactly what we want."
"I take it the plans have all been made?"
"Pretty much."
The maid slipped into the room to announce dinner.
As they were sitting down at the table, Rory commented on the wonderful aroma filling the air. Luke was a little worried about Lorelai, but she seemed fine and not the least bit green. Thank God for small favors. The last thing they needed was one of her little dashes to the bathroom. Just a few more minutes....
While the wedding plans were the main topic of the dinner conversation, Lorelai couldn't help but notice her mother's distraction. She seemed mainly interested in watching her daughter.
The men continued to talk, and Richard agreed that the wedding was in capable hands and well under control. Luke assured him the Inn would be ready in time. He raved about the hard work the girls had put in and how quickly it was coming together. He invited them to come by any time to check the progress for themselves.
Rory noticed her grandmother's watchful eye also. Only the two men were oblivious.
Emily finally spoke up. "Jason said he stopped by the inn yesterday. He seemed impressed with the progress, but he thinks you've been working too hard. He mentioned you were a little under the weather, and I have to say you do look a little tired or something tonight. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine mom. I've been busy, with the inn, the wedding plans, and Luke and all. But there is something else....."
Luke piped up, "Yes, something important we want to share with you. We hope you'll be as excited as we are.......all three of us." He looked over at Rory.
"Oh, my, God. I remember the last time I saw that look. The look of dread, softened by that soft glow..... I've been trying to figure it out all evening."
"Uh, mom...."
"Emily, what are you talking about?"
"Richard, I think Lorelai is..."
"Luke and I are going to have a baby. We're thrilled about it and we hope that you will be too." She took a breath and waited for the explosion.
"Grandma, isn't it exciting? I've always wanted a little brother or sister. And you'll have another grandchild to spoil."
Reality finally sinking in, Richard looked at Emily and waited for her reaction. Emily, meanwhile, was strangely silent. All eyes were focused on her, waiting...............
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"
Lorelai was ready long before Luke came to pick her up. She had been pacing the living room, trying to think of a pleasant way to break the 'baby' news to her parents. Rory had called. She was already on her way to Hartford, and anxious to help. By the time Luke walked in the door, Lorelai was in a state.
"Wow, you look great. Jacket, turtle neck, very metrosexual."
"I'm going home to change."
"Oh, no you're not. You look really handsome. My mother will love it."
"We can only hope. You look great Have I ever seen that dress before?"
"Nope, it's new. If ever a occasion called for a new outfit...."
"If ever? All occasions call for a new outfit with you."
"True, but tonight.....I need all the help I can get.....to soften the blow .."
"You're beautiful. You're glowing, pregnant lady." He pulled her into a hug. "Ready to go?"
"Do we have to?"
"Look around. The next time you see this room, it will all be over. Your parents will be fine and you will be......well, still pregnant."
"Hey, Rory's meeting us there. Think that will help?"
"I'm sure of it, even if it's just for moral support. You've got to calm down. This can't be good for the you or the baby."
"You're right. How bad can it be.......a little yelling, some sharp barbs...."
"OK, that's it. Lorelai, get a grip! I'm been very patient with you about all of this. I think you've let your hormones get the best of you. You're way past thirty, engaged to marry a fairly decent guy, one who your parents actually can tolerate. And for some reason, your only child seems to like him too. You're getting married in a few weeks....isn't that enough? This wasn't an accident; we planned it. We're happy that it happened. If you let your parents continue to brow beat you at every turn....well....I don't know what else to say."
Lorelai realized Luke was really upset with her, and she totally understood why. She had been dumping on him for days, fussing and whining.......and what for? She was afraid of what her 'mommy' might say? Agh...... I'm sixteen again. She looked up at him and gave him a genuine smile.
"You know why I'm marrying you?"
"Well, your pregnant, for starters. And evidentially it's all my fault."
"Yeah, that.....and the fact that you put up with my stuff. But only to a point, and then you give me a much needed dose of reality. You always have, no matter what the problem. I have dumped a lot on you over the years. And we have had some horrendous battles........"
"Not that bad."
"Luke."
"OK, a couple small battles."
"A couple huge ones and a whole lot of small ones. Does the phrase 'go to hell' ring any bells? One long summer without speaking, that new girl Mimi?"
"One very long summer, and then Mimi -- pretty girl, much nicer than you." He smiled, remembering that night.
"But through it all, you've always been here, by my side. So, let's go get this over with. Who cares what they think? We know this little guy is going to be a wonderful addition to our lives......the purest proof of our love. And if they can't see that, and accept it........well, that's their problem."
"That's the old Lorelai talking. Let's get out of here before you change your mind."
A great feeling of peace had come over her. Luke was right. All they really needed was each other, and Rory. With a great sense of relief, she hopped in the car and they were on their way.
Richard answered the door, and took their coats. Rory was already there, and deep in conversation with her grandmother. Both the women looked up when the three entered the room. Richard rubbed his hands together and offered drinks.
"Luke, I stocked up on that beer you like. And Lorelai, what can I get you?"
Rory stepped in. "Grandpa, just sparkling water for mom and me. We're watching our calories so we'll look good for the wedding."
"You two don't need to diet. You're both perfect just the way you are. Isn't that right, Luke?"
"Yes, sir. They are both perfect. But you know how women are."
"OK, water with a twist it is. But I still think its silly."
"Lorelai, you look especially nice tonight. New dress? I love that color on you. Makes your complexion simply glow. Or is that because of Luke? "
"New dress and Luke, I think,"
"Nice to see you again, Luke. You're looking very handsome tonight. The two of you make a very nice looking couple. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures."
Lorelai looked at Luke and he winked back. "Thanks mom. We clean up pretty good."
"Yes, well. I just told Rory that she's getting to be quite a beautiful young lady. Seems like just yesterday she was a baby.......pink and round......I missed so much of it"
"She's all grown up, my beautiful girl."
Richard moved in to hand them their drinks. "Cheers, everyone. Here's to the wedding. Have you set a date yet?"
Luke cleared his throat. "Actually, we have. Three weeks from tomorrow."
Emily looked stunned. "Three weeks? That's not enough time to plan a proper wedding."
"Ah, mom. It will be fine. It will be small and informal and exactly what we want."
"I take it the plans have all been made?"
"Pretty much."
The maid slipped into the room to announce dinner.
As they were sitting down at the table, Rory commented on the wonderful aroma filling the air. Luke was a little worried about Lorelai, but she seemed fine and not the least bit green. Thank God for small favors. The last thing they needed was one of her little dashes to the bathroom. Just a few more minutes....
While the wedding plans were the main topic of the dinner conversation, Lorelai couldn't help but notice her mother's distraction. She seemed mainly interested in watching her daughter.
The men continued to talk, and Richard agreed that the wedding was in capable hands and well under control. Luke assured him the Inn would be ready in time. He raved about the hard work the girls had put in and how quickly it was coming together. He invited them to come by any time to check the progress for themselves.
Rory noticed her grandmother's watchful eye also. Only the two men were oblivious.
Emily finally spoke up. "Jason said he stopped by the inn yesterday. He seemed impressed with the progress, but he thinks you've been working too hard. He mentioned you were a little under the weather, and I have to say you do look a little tired or something tonight. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine mom. I've been busy, with the inn, the wedding plans, and Luke and all. But there is something else....."
Luke piped up, "Yes, something important we want to share with you. We hope you'll be as excited as we are.......all three of us." He looked over at Rory.
"Oh, my, God. I remember the last time I saw that look. The look of dread, softened by that soft glow..... I've been trying to figure it out all evening."
"Uh, mom...."
"Emily, what are you talking about?"
"Richard, I think Lorelai is..."
"Luke and I are going to have a baby. We're thrilled about it and we hope that you will be too." She took a breath and waited for the explosion.
"Grandma, isn't it exciting? I've always wanted a little brother or sister. And you'll have another grandchild to spoil."
Reality finally sinking in, Richard looked at Emily and waited for her reaction. Emily, meanwhile, was strangely silent. All eyes were focused on her, waiting...............
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