CHAPTER NINE

The next week was full of activity. The wedding plans were going ahead full speed. Sookie was in charge of the food and the cake, of course. Everyday she had new ideas and new things for them to sample. The inn was in great shape for the ceremony and one room upstairs was already finished for the first night of the honeymoon. Emily had her party planner take over everything that Sookie didn't have time for. Lorelai and Luke were thrilled that she had offered. They really felt like they had her parents full support and it meant a lot.

Emily and Richard had also insisted on sending them on a honeymoon. Something Luke and Lorelai had planned to skip for a while. But her parents wouldn't hear of it. They thought she needed some time away from the inn. She looked tired and seemed to have very little energy. They were worried that she was doing too much and when they talked to Luke, he had to agree. A few days on a warm beach, and eating wonderful food, would have to give her a much-needed rest. Soon after they had told her parents about the baby, her morning sickness had disappeared, and her appetite had reappeared with a vengeance. They were both looking forward to getting away from Stars Hollow and taking their first trip together.

Luke took over a few of her jobs at the inn so she could have a little more free time. Wasting no time, she and Rory made plans for a girls' day out. They had lots of shopping to do, dresses for the wedding, of course, and honeymoon clothes. They went to a little shop her mother had suggested and after much discussion and trying on, they both found just the right dresses. Lorelei's was perfectly cut to minimize her changing figure. She loved the off white color and the way it flowed when she walked. Rory picked out simple yet elegant ones for Sookie and herself. They were a beautiful deep lavender color and had the same flow as Lorelai's. Then they headed to a maternity shop for beachwear. Lorelai found a bikini she thought Luke might like but she wasn't sure he would let her wear it in public. Luke noticed that even though she was pregnant, other men still liked looking at her. She was showing a little but mostly she just looked a little more round than normal, and very, very busty. He loved it but he didn't like it that other guys did too. So she also picked up the matching cover up, hoping that would appease him.

They parted outside the maternity shop, Rory had an evening class and Lorelai needed to get back home. She was tired so she couldn't resist a quick stop at a small coffee shop near her parked car. She ordered a small decaf, and found a small sofa to sit on. She put her feet up and closed her eyes for a minute. When she opened them, she noticed Jason watching from the next table. He waved and started walking over.

"Hey,"

"Hey, yourself."

"So, I hear you're getting married soon."

"Yep, a couple of weeks."

"I don't have to tell you your parents are excited."

"Yeah, they are. I sure didn't expect that."

"Well, I think they're excited about more than that."

"Oh, you think."

"Come on Lorelai. Unexpected engagement, quick wedding.... Think I can't tell you're pregnant? Once upon a time, I knew that body pretty well. In fact, I've even took a little mental calculation..."

"I was on the pill Jason."

"Nothing is full proof."

"It never failed me before. You do know this baby isn't yours?"

"Yes, I do. Believe me, if there was any question at all..."

"You would do what?"

"I'd want proof."

"Well, there's no chance. So... It's getting late, and I have a little drive yet. Nice seeing you again."

"Goodbye, Lorelai."

"That sounds pretty final."

"It is. I'm tired of carrying the torch. You look happy. I can compete with another man, but another man and his baby. No way."

"Thanks Jason. That's the nicest wedding present you could have given me."

" Tell Luke the best man won and I hope there are no hard feelings."

"Yeah, well, maybe I'll do that. Bye, Jason. Good luck."

Lorelai picked up her cup and walked to her car. She smiled as she turned the key in the ignition. Life was just getting better and better. Cranking up the radio, she headed back to Stars Hollow. She got to the diner a little after seven. It was pretty deserted and Luke looked relieved when she walked through the door. That's when she realized she finally had the whole package. The man smiling at her, this new life growing inside of her, and the new life ahead of both of them. She knew she had it all.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself. Have a nice day with Rory?"

"Oh, yeah. Perfect. Found some nice things...some nice things for our honeymoon."

"And you expect to wear these nice things?"

"Sure, it's our honeymoon."

"My point, exactly." Luke gave her a wicked grin.

"You dirty old man. I'm a pregnant woman and I need my rest."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah,"

Luke fixed her a light dinner and they sat down by the window to catch up on their day.

"I ran into Jason today."

"That's never good."

"It was this time. He's over it, given up to the 'better man'."

Luke smiled, knowing it took a lot for Jason to admit that.

"That's good. I still don't trust him but if he really said that..."

"He did...and he knows I'm pregnant."

And...."

"Nothing.... just thought I'd tell you that he knows."

"Well, it is becoming more obvious with each passing day."

"You look like one proud daddy."

"I am. Nice to see my woman with my child."

"Your woman, huh? Cave man Luke is back."

"Hey, it means a lot to me."

Lorelai smiled at him, "Me too, cave man."

"It's a very special time for a man, to see his wife grow with his child."

"His wife...that will soon be me." They both laughed. With all of the wedding preparation, they had almost forgotten about the aftermath.

Lorelai watched as Luke did all his little closing chores. He drove them home and they headed up to bed. They never bothered with night ware anymore. They loved the feel of their naked bodies melding together. Luke held her gently. Now that she was starting to show, he wasn't always sure how to treat her new body. But she soon started kissing him and running her hands over his body, and he quickly knew exactly what she wanted. They made love much more gently now. He was so afraid of hurting her, or the baby. She laughed at him but she loved that he was such a caring man. The sexual antics could wait until after the baby was born. Right now, she was happy with his gentle touch. He was going to be a great husband and father. They fell asleep, naked bodies entwined and spent.

Lorelai woke up in the middle of the night with a start.

"Luke. Luke, wake up." She poked at him until he opened his eyes.

"What? Are you OK?"

"I'm great. Just thought you might like to feel the first kicks of your offspring."

She smiled and grabbed his hand, putting it on her slightly swollen stomach.

"I don't feel anything..."

"Give it time."

Luke eyes grew wide, "Wow, that's amazing."

"Great timing, this kid. Must be on his father's early bird schedule. Hope he doesn't always decide to practice soccer kicks at three a.m."

Luke pulled her close and they fell back asleep.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I need encouragement here. Please R&R