Hospital Waiting Room.
"E-excuse me?" Jess stutters as he approaches the nurses' station.
Two nurses turn towards him, smiling, amused at his nervousness, "Yes, darling what can we do for you?" A heavyset nurse asks him sweetly.
"My wife's in labor."
The other nurse nods, "First time father?"
"Uh yeah." Jess replies carefully.
"Ok, first things first, calm down."
"Second, where is the little lady?" The first nurse asks with a laugh.
Jess looks over his shoulder as Rory enters the hospital with Lorelai and Luke.
"I'm guessing that's her right their, shirl."
"Mmhm, quite a pretty one you got there."
"Uh thank you." Jess replies, his throat becoming dry.
"Yeah Debbie, you don't see that much now a days, a beauty like that with a straggly one like this."
Jess sighs, becoming annoyed.
"One of life's mysteries I guess—it's the Christy Brinkley David Copperfield thing all over again."
"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt coffee hour, but my wife—the pretty one by the door is in pain, sub-sequentially because of me. And so if you could just call who ever you have to or give me whatever paperwork we need to fill out so she can be admitted that would be great." Jess says forcefully, gripping the edge of the nurses' station.
"Deb, we got ourselves a feisty one---maybe scraggly's the way to go."
"Who knew?" Debbie replies crossing her arms.
Jess stares at them angrily.
The two women ignore him, instead ushering Rory towards them.
"Come here honey." They say sweetly.
Rory looks to Lorelai and Luke before approaching the nurses' station.
Jess puts a protective arm around her waist before the nurses begin to address her.
"What's your name sweetie?"
"Rory." She says quietly.
"Rory, now that's a name you don't here ever day." Shirley says soothingly.
"It's short for Lorelai." Rory continues.
"Now isn't that a pretty name." Debbie replies, nudging her coworker.
"It sure is, now Rory, you and uh---"
"Jess." Rory replies, softly.
"You and Jess wait right here, Shirley is going to call an orderly to bring a wheelchair and show you to your room."
"Thank you." Rory replies, forcing a smile.
"Ok honey, now tell your man to relax, if he's freaking out now, he's going to inconsolable later." Debbie laughs, before joining her coworker at the telephone.
Rory looks stricken at Jess, "What's she talking about?"
"Nothing, weird sense of humor I guess." Jess replies, avoiding her eyes.
Rory nods warily at him.
"You ok?" Jess asks soothingly.
"I guess." Rory shrugs.
"Lorelai Mariano?" A tall athletic man wielding a wheel asks.
"Hi, you can call me Rory, actually."
"Alright Rory actually," The orderly replies with a grin, "Ok, I know lame joke, sorry I tried."
Rory giggles in spite of herself, "It's ok."
"I'm Jeff, and I'm here to take you to your home away from home."
"Oh boy." Rory rolls her eyes, as Jess helps her into the wheelchair.
"Ok Rory, so you ready to go?" Jeff asks brightly.
"I think so. Wait what about Mom and Luke?" Rory asks staring at Jess.
Jeff follows Rory's gaze, "Parents?"
"Yeah." Jess replies.
"Bring them along for the ride, they can wait in the maternity waiting room—it's much nicer up there, everybody's pretty cheerful you know it's the whole bringing new life into the world thing rubbing off on the masses." Jeff replies, motioning for Luke and Lorelai to follow them.
"Bye Rory—name that child something gorgeous, and Mr. Copperfield you hang in there." The nurses exclaim
"See Rory, now you've got you're very own caravan." Jeff continues as they head for the elevator.
5 minutes later:
"Ok, here we are, its lucky you're here so early in the morning, you managed to snag the first private room of the day, so enjoy if you need anything this button of here by the bed will have some one in here within seconds. Oh and Mom, Dad," Jeff approaches Luke and Lorelai, "You're more than welcome to hang out in here as long as you like since it's a private room there's really no limit to the amount of visitors a patient can have, as long as they don't get in the way of the doctors and nurses blah blah blah." Jeff rolls his eyes.
"Thanks Jeff." Lorelai replies, matching his enthusiasm. "We'll call you if we need anything."
Jeff waves good bye and then disappears into the hallway.
"Is it just me or does everyone working here seem to be out of their minds?" Jess says dryly.
Oh come on Jess, he probably just really loves his job." Lorelai replies, helping Rory onto the bed.
"He's probably on something." Luke replies
"God how did Rory and I end up with such cynical men?"
"Hey I'm with them, no one should be as cheerful as Jeff, I was waiting for a talking bunny to show and do a tap dance with him." Rory says grumpily.
"Oh no, they've gotten to you too." Lorelai feigns shock.
Rory props herself up, reaching for Jess, "Ugh,"
Jess stumbles forward, allowing Rory to grab onto his hand.
"No it's not them, its these." Rory grunts, through another contraction.
Luke grimaces, turning towards the wall.
With a small noise, Rory releases her grip on Jess.
Lorelai eyes, Luke's pale form. "Babe, can I get you anything? Ice. How about ice?"
Rory nods, "Ice is good."
"Ok! Come on He-man." Lorelai replies dragging Luke with her.
Once Luke and Lorelai are gone, Jess sits on the edge of Rory's bed, "Rory?" He says bewildered.
"Yeah?"
"I-Is there anything I can do?"
"Sure." Rory replies, stroking his arm.
Jess watches her expectantly.
"Stay with me."
"I-I'm not going anywhere you know that, don't you?"
Rory nods, "I mean don't turn into someone else."
"You lost me." Jess replies, his fingers playing with a thread on his shirt.
"You're scaring me."
"I don't understand."
"You're speeding all the way here in the car."
"Well I---"
"Freaking out at the nurses' station, stuttering---"
"I'm sorry I'm nervous."
"I know but you're never like this, you're supposed to be the strong one."
Jess scoffs, "First of all, I never claimed to be the strong one—tough, sure but any smart ass can pretend to be tough, second Rory this is something entirely different than anything we've been through before, I don't know how to act."
"I know, just try and be more like you---this you, unsure and fumbling, it scares me and I'm already so scared." Rory sobs into Jess' shirt as he wraps his arms around her.
Jess buries his face in her hair, "Shhh I'm here, I promise to do my best." Jess whispers.
Lorelai and Luke appear in the door way, "Maybe we should wait outside." Luke mutters."
Lorelai nods, "I'll just leave this on the table."
Jess glances over at Lorelai as she deposits a bucket of ice on the table.
Lorelai smiles at him, squeezing his arm encouragingly on her way out.
The Hallway.
Luke is leaning against the wall waiting for Lorelai.
Lorelai exits the hospital room, "Poor Rory." She says sheepishly.
Luke nods, "She'll be ok, Jess is with her."
Lorelai smiles faintly, "He is, isn't he."
Luke nods, putting his arm around her waist. "Come on I'll buy you some coffee."
"Ok."
Hospital room
Jess is still cradling Rory in his arms, "Ror?" He says quietly.
Rory sniffles.
"Come on, if we're going to be here a while I think we can do better than cry the whole time, even though I will admit its been nice completely abandoning my male pride for the last 15 minutes."
Rory makes a choking sound as she laughs through her tears.
Jess rubs her back, "Ok, so there's a deck of cards in your bag, some magazines, a book, and a coloring book---"
"And travel scrabble." A grin appears on Rory's flushed face.
"There is not."
"Mom shoved it in there the other day when you out getting the pizza."
Jess rolls his eyes, "And of course you want to play."
"It'll keep me occupied." Rory replies knowingly.
"Ok, I'll get it."
Jess turns to get up, but Rory tenses in his arms, her hand clawing his back.
Jess grabs her by the wrist, taking his position next to her.
A Few minutes later:
Jess wipes Rory's forehead with a towel.
"Thanks," Rory says through a mouthful of ice.
Jess ignored her comment, concentrating on the task at hand.
Rory brings her hand to Jess' forcing him to release the towel in his hand, "Come on I thought, scrabble." She eyes the bag by the door.
"Right." Jess scramble to the door, sifts through the bag and holds of the travel scrabble.
4 hours pass as Rory's contractions become more consistent.
Maternity Waiting room:
A weary looking Jess appears in the waiting room causing Luke and Lorelai to jump to their feet.
Jess simply shakes his head.
Lorelai and Luke approach him, "What's going on? Is Rory ok?"
"As good as she can be I guess," jess replies hoarsely. "She just wanted to talk to you for a minute." Jess nods in Lorelai's direction.
"O-ok, I'll be right back, I guess."
Jess eyes the cup in Lorelai's hand, "Is that coffee?"
"Of Course?"
"Not decaff right?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Right, do you mind?" Jess asks, reaching for the cup before Lorelai can answer.
"No problem, finish it." Lorelai replies walking towards Rory's room.
"Wait a minute." Luke says with confusion, "You willingly gave your coffee away?"
Lorelai looks over her shoulder, "Believe me he needs it more than I do."
"You don't drink coffee, do you?" Luke mutters to Jess.
Jess shakes his head, "Not really but if I don't have something my brain might explode."
"There's a vending machine down the hall, come on."
In front of the vending machine:
"So how are you holding up?" Luke asks, putting a dollar into the machine and choosing a Milky Way bar
"Wait did you just---"
"Yes. If you're going to drink coffee, I can have a candy bar---you know this is not my ideal choice of residence at 6am."
"You love it." Jess replies with a tired smirk.
"Love it no, glad I'm here, yeah." Luke replies warmly.
Jess looks down at the floor.
"So you never answered me, how are you holding up?"
Jess shrugs.
"Come on, enough tough guy. Honestly."
"I hate this."
Luke nods.
"She's in there in pain because of me, and I can't do anything about it."
"Jess, its uh natural, you can't feel guilty about it---I'm sure Rory knows you feel bad, its probably the last thought on her mind right now."
"I just, I feel helpless Luke."
Luke pats him on the back, "It's ok."
"I just hate her being like this, I mean I read the damn book I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn't know it was going to be this."
"Jess." Luke says sternly. "You have to pull it together, that's all you can do for Rory."
Jess nods, as he and Luke engage in an awkward hug.
"Now, come on I'll walk you back."
"Ok. Thanks Luke."
Luke pats him on the back again as they head back towards the waiting room.
Rory's Room:
Rory is walking around the room, her eyes focused on the floor.
"Hey hon." Lorelai says sweetly
"Mom." Rory replies looking up from the floor.
"How's it going kiddo?"
Rory groans, "They just came with the big needle."
Lorelai grimaces.
"That's why I sent Jess to get you, he looked like he might pass out when the nurse came in with the epidural."
"Poor Guy. Poor You." Lorelai replies, rubbing Rory's arm.
Rory shakes her head, "I'm ok, better now that Jess has calmed down."
"Who would have pegged him as being so sensitive." Lorelai laughs.
Rory smiles faintly, "I would."
Lorelai nods, knowing exactly what her daughter is talking about.
Rory sighs, "I just want this to be over."
"I know, it will be soon."
"Hours from now." Rory says glumly.
"Babe."
"No, its ok don't sugar coat it. I know the score, the doctor's been in here every half hour, my contractions are still over 5 minutes apart, I won't be in delivery before noon time."
"Well hang in there."
"Yeah, so how'd Jess look when he came to get you?"
"Tired......" Lorelai says carefully.
"Mom."
"He drank the rest of my coffee."
"Oh no!"
"I know, he's going to feel it later, you can't just not have coffee like ever and then gulp down a whole cup in 3 seconds."
"I guess I'm really doing a number on him." Rory replies climbing carefully back into bed.
Lorelai helps Rory into bed, "Aw sweets, he's just nervous. I'd say he's handling things pretty well."
"Yeah." Rory replies, anxiously, grabbing her side.
"Can I come in?" Jess' hoarse voice asks.
"Just in time, Coach. Take my spot." Lorelai says warmly. "Bye sweets, I'll check in later."
Lorelai lingers in the doorway a moment, watching Jess take Rory's hand, soothing her pain with his touch.
Luke approaches Lorelai from behind, resting his head on her shoulder, "Come on, we should wait outside."
Lorelai smiles, "Yeah I know, but just look, look at them."
"I know, come on." Luke wraps his arms around Lorelai dragging her towards the waiting room.
Waiting Room.
"I think you should start making calls." Luke says taking a seat next to Lorelai.
Lorelai yawns, "Now? Its still early."
"At least your mom, she's going to flip that you haven't called her already, and I guess Chris—give him enough time to get down here."
"But I."
"They should be called Lorelai."
"I know but can't we--."
"No, now go. I'll wait here."
3 more hours pass: Lorelai made the phone calls with more of Luke's urging. Emily and Richard arrived shortly after 8am, Chris with a sleeping Georgia in his arms walked in around 10.
Lorelai is dozing on Luke's shoulder.
The orderly Jeff, Looking oddly comatose enters the waiting room.
Luke nudges Lorelai.
"Huh, what?" She groans. Lorelai looks up to see Jeff, "Oh its you." She says groggily.
"Ok, Mr. Daddy to be wanted me to come out and let you know they're on their way to delivery." Jeff says happily.
Lorelai grins, "Luke!" she exclaims embracing her husband.
Luke envelops her in a hug.
Lorelai pulls away, standing up she takes a deep breath, "This is it."
"We're going to be grandparents." Lorelai exclaims, tears in her eyes.
"Well I'll be, Richard we're going to be great-grandparents." Emily says with a smile approaching her daughter.
In an odd moment, Emily and Lorelai embrace one another.
They pull apart, "Well Lorelai, now you'll know how it feels."
Lorelai smiles at her mother, "I just hope and I can be as a good of a grandma as you have."
Emily scoffs, "Come on now, I was terrible to Rory."
"No you weren't."
"Lorelai." Emily says sternly.
"Ok you had your moments, but you've mellowed a lot.....and now you're going to be the best great-grandmother a kid could want."
Emily grins smugly, "I'm going to spoil this one."
"Get in line." Richard cuts in.
The entire group laughs, happy conversation erupts from everybody. Engrossed in wistful banter no one notices an extremely disheveled jess appear in the waiting room door way a half hour later."
Luke is the first to notice him, "Jess." He says gruffly.
All eyes turn towards him.
"So?" Lorelai asks expectantly.
Jess smiles lazily, "You have a granddaughter 8 pounds 6 ounces."
Tears stream down Lorelai's face as she throws her arms around her son in law.
Jess wraps his arms around her; it's the first truly intimate encounter between the two people who at one point considered one another enemies.
"She's a big girl," Lorelai says into Jess' ear.
"S-she's beautiful." Jess replies, choking up.
Lorelai rubs his back affectionately, "So does she have a name?"
Jess nods, pulling away from her, "But Rory wants to tell you herself."
"When can we see her?" Lorelai replies, wiping her tears away.
"Now if you want. Two at a time." Jess addresses the group. "Lorelai, Emily. I think you should go first."
Emily looks to Luke, "Oh I'll go in with Richard, Luke should go with Lorelai."
Jess shakes his head authoritatively, "I'm under strict orders, and call me crazy but I don't think it's a good idea to go against the wishes of the woman who's been in labor for 12 hours."
Everyone laughs, as Jess ushers the women towards Rory's room.
"Rory, you have some visitors," Jess says his voice, oddly quiet and warm.
Rory's face brightens, "Mom! Grandma!"
Jess follows them inside.
Lorelai watches Rory cradle a pink bundle in her hands, "Is that he?"
Rory nods, "Mom, Grandma, I'd like you to meet my daughter---Emily Lorelai Mariano."
"Oh Babe." Lorelai touches her hand to her mouth.
Jess sits down on the edge of the bed, taking Emily from Rory. "I'm going to take her outside to show everyone else."
"Ok." Rory replies kissing Jess on the cheek before he leaves.
Rory sits up slowly, "There was never any discussion about names once we found out it was a girl, I knew I wanted to name her after the two strongest, bravest women I've ever known."
Emily and Lorelai, grasp each other's hands.
"I mean if she's going to be a fighter---and all Gilmore's are, she need a strong name."
"Babe."
Rory looks anxiously at her mother and grandmother.
Both women approach Rory, hugging her tenderly—tears streaming down all of their faces.
Waiting room:
Richard is holding Emily as Chris coos at her.
"You did good, kid." Luke says to Jess whose eyes are on his new daughter.
"Thanks Luke."
Lorelai and Emily enter the waiting room.
Jess grins at them, "So what do you think?"
"I think it's terrible, you didn't warn me beforehand so I didn't wear waterproof mascara." Lorelai holds up her hand, which has gray smudges across it.
"Sorry," Jess says in an amused tone.
"Ok." Emily says assertively. "I think its time that you gather your daughter---"
"Wow, that sounds so weird." Lorelai replies as Luke puts his arm around her waist.
"And" Emily continues, "I think its time for us to all go home for a while and give Rory and Jess a break."
Jess looks at Emily with appreciation, "Thank you," He says hugging her.
"Ok everybody lets go." Emily ushers the group out.
2 minutes later: Jess appears in the doorway of Rory's room.
"Hey. Sorry I was gone so long."
"I was starting to think you bailed on me." Rory replies with a smirk.
"Well you know, the kid was begging me to go get her some coffee, but you know I'm not the kind of guy to give in so easily."
Rory laughs, "So you going to stand there all day or do I get to hold my daughter."
"Our daughter." Jess says meaningfully, as he hands Emily to Rory.
Rory sighs happily, "She is beautiful."
"Just like you." Jess whispers, as Rory slowly dozes off.
Jess takes Emily from Rory again, "Now the fun begins kiddo." Jess whispers as he cradles the cooing child.
A/N Ok probably next chapter shall be the last. Sorry to end on a sappy note but in this story I like the fact that Jess is more emotional and willing to show his feelings. Please review let me know what you think.
"E-excuse me?" Jess stutters as he approaches the nurses' station.
Two nurses turn towards him, smiling, amused at his nervousness, "Yes, darling what can we do for you?" A heavyset nurse asks him sweetly.
"My wife's in labor."
The other nurse nods, "First time father?"
"Uh yeah." Jess replies carefully.
"Ok, first things first, calm down."
"Second, where is the little lady?" The first nurse asks with a laugh.
Jess looks over his shoulder as Rory enters the hospital with Lorelai and Luke.
"I'm guessing that's her right their, shirl."
"Mmhm, quite a pretty one you got there."
"Uh thank you." Jess replies, his throat becoming dry.
"Yeah Debbie, you don't see that much now a days, a beauty like that with a straggly one like this."
Jess sighs, becoming annoyed.
"One of life's mysteries I guess—it's the Christy Brinkley David Copperfield thing all over again."
"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt coffee hour, but my wife—the pretty one by the door is in pain, sub-sequentially because of me. And so if you could just call who ever you have to or give me whatever paperwork we need to fill out so she can be admitted that would be great." Jess says forcefully, gripping the edge of the nurses' station.
"Deb, we got ourselves a feisty one---maybe scraggly's the way to go."
"Who knew?" Debbie replies crossing her arms.
Jess stares at them angrily.
The two women ignore him, instead ushering Rory towards them.
"Come here honey." They say sweetly.
Rory looks to Lorelai and Luke before approaching the nurses' station.
Jess puts a protective arm around her waist before the nurses begin to address her.
"What's your name sweetie?"
"Rory." She says quietly.
"Rory, now that's a name you don't here ever day." Shirley says soothingly.
"It's short for Lorelai." Rory continues.
"Now isn't that a pretty name." Debbie replies, nudging her coworker.
"It sure is, now Rory, you and uh---"
"Jess." Rory replies, softly.
"You and Jess wait right here, Shirley is going to call an orderly to bring a wheelchair and show you to your room."
"Thank you." Rory replies, forcing a smile.
"Ok honey, now tell your man to relax, if he's freaking out now, he's going to inconsolable later." Debbie laughs, before joining her coworker at the telephone.
Rory looks stricken at Jess, "What's she talking about?"
"Nothing, weird sense of humor I guess." Jess replies, avoiding her eyes.
Rory nods warily at him.
"You ok?" Jess asks soothingly.
"I guess." Rory shrugs.
"Lorelai Mariano?" A tall athletic man wielding a wheel asks.
"Hi, you can call me Rory, actually."
"Alright Rory actually," The orderly replies with a grin, "Ok, I know lame joke, sorry I tried."
Rory giggles in spite of herself, "It's ok."
"I'm Jeff, and I'm here to take you to your home away from home."
"Oh boy." Rory rolls her eyes, as Jess helps her into the wheelchair.
"Ok Rory, so you ready to go?" Jeff asks brightly.
"I think so. Wait what about Mom and Luke?" Rory asks staring at Jess.
Jeff follows Rory's gaze, "Parents?"
"Yeah." Jess replies.
"Bring them along for the ride, they can wait in the maternity waiting room—it's much nicer up there, everybody's pretty cheerful you know it's the whole bringing new life into the world thing rubbing off on the masses." Jeff replies, motioning for Luke and Lorelai to follow them.
"Bye Rory—name that child something gorgeous, and Mr. Copperfield you hang in there." The nurses exclaim
"See Rory, now you've got you're very own caravan." Jeff continues as they head for the elevator.
5 minutes later:
"Ok, here we are, its lucky you're here so early in the morning, you managed to snag the first private room of the day, so enjoy if you need anything this button of here by the bed will have some one in here within seconds. Oh and Mom, Dad," Jeff approaches Luke and Lorelai, "You're more than welcome to hang out in here as long as you like since it's a private room there's really no limit to the amount of visitors a patient can have, as long as they don't get in the way of the doctors and nurses blah blah blah." Jeff rolls his eyes.
"Thanks Jeff." Lorelai replies, matching his enthusiasm. "We'll call you if we need anything."
Jeff waves good bye and then disappears into the hallway.
"Is it just me or does everyone working here seem to be out of their minds?" Jess says dryly.
Oh come on Jess, he probably just really loves his job." Lorelai replies, helping Rory onto the bed.
"He's probably on something." Luke replies
"God how did Rory and I end up with such cynical men?"
"Hey I'm with them, no one should be as cheerful as Jeff, I was waiting for a talking bunny to show and do a tap dance with him." Rory says grumpily.
"Oh no, they've gotten to you too." Lorelai feigns shock.
Rory props herself up, reaching for Jess, "Ugh,"
Jess stumbles forward, allowing Rory to grab onto his hand.
"No it's not them, its these." Rory grunts, through another contraction.
Luke grimaces, turning towards the wall.
With a small noise, Rory releases her grip on Jess.
Lorelai eyes, Luke's pale form. "Babe, can I get you anything? Ice. How about ice?"
Rory nods, "Ice is good."
"Ok! Come on He-man." Lorelai replies dragging Luke with her.
Once Luke and Lorelai are gone, Jess sits on the edge of Rory's bed, "Rory?" He says bewildered.
"Yeah?"
"I-Is there anything I can do?"
"Sure." Rory replies, stroking his arm.
Jess watches her expectantly.
"Stay with me."
"I-I'm not going anywhere you know that, don't you?"
Rory nods, "I mean don't turn into someone else."
"You lost me." Jess replies, his fingers playing with a thread on his shirt.
"You're scaring me."
"I don't understand."
"You're speeding all the way here in the car."
"Well I---"
"Freaking out at the nurses' station, stuttering---"
"I'm sorry I'm nervous."
"I know but you're never like this, you're supposed to be the strong one."
Jess scoffs, "First of all, I never claimed to be the strong one—tough, sure but any smart ass can pretend to be tough, second Rory this is something entirely different than anything we've been through before, I don't know how to act."
"I know, just try and be more like you---this you, unsure and fumbling, it scares me and I'm already so scared." Rory sobs into Jess' shirt as he wraps his arms around her.
Jess buries his face in her hair, "Shhh I'm here, I promise to do my best." Jess whispers.
Lorelai and Luke appear in the door way, "Maybe we should wait outside." Luke mutters."
Lorelai nods, "I'll just leave this on the table."
Jess glances over at Lorelai as she deposits a bucket of ice on the table.
Lorelai smiles at him, squeezing his arm encouragingly on her way out.
The Hallway.
Luke is leaning against the wall waiting for Lorelai.
Lorelai exits the hospital room, "Poor Rory." She says sheepishly.
Luke nods, "She'll be ok, Jess is with her."
Lorelai smiles faintly, "He is, isn't he."
Luke nods, putting his arm around her waist. "Come on I'll buy you some coffee."
"Ok."
Hospital room
Jess is still cradling Rory in his arms, "Ror?" He says quietly.
Rory sniffles.
"Come on, if we're going to be here a while I think we can do better than cry the whole time, even though I will admit its been nice completely abandoning my male pride for the last 15 minutes."
Rory makes a choking sound as she laughs through her tears.
Jess rubs her back, "Ok, so there's a deck of cards in your bag, some magazines, a book, and a coloring book---"
"And travel scrabble." A grin appears on Rory's flushed face.
"There is not."
"Mom shoved it in there the other day when you out getting the pizza."
Jess rolls his eyes, "And of course you want to play."
"It'll keep me occupied." Rory replies knowingly.
"Ok, I'll get it."
Jess turns to get up, but Rory tenses in his arms, her hand clawing his back.
Jess grabs her by the wrist, taking his position next to her.
A Few minutes later:
Jess wipes Rory's forehead with a towel.
"Thanks," Rory says through a mouthful of ice.
Jess ignored her comment, concentrating on the task at hand.
Rory brings her hand to Jess' forcing him to release the towel in his hand, "Come on I thought, scrabble." She eyes the bag by the door.
"Right." Jess scramble to the door, sifts through the bag and holds of the travel scrabble.
4 hours pass as Rory's contractions become more consistent.
Maternity Waiting room:
A weary looking Jess appears in the waiting room causing Luke and Lorelai to jump to their feet.
Jess simply shakes his head.
Lorelai and Luke approach him, "What's going on? Is Rory ok?"
"As good as she can be I guess," jess replies hoarsely. "She just wanted to talk to you for a minute." Jess nods in Lorelai's direction.
"O-ok, I'll be right back, I guess."
Jess eyes the cup in Lorelai's hand, "Is that coffee?"
"Of Course?"
"Not decaff right?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
"Right, do you mind?" Jess asks, reaching for the cup before Lorelai can answer.
"No problem, finish it." Lorelai replies walking towards Rory's room.
"Wait a minute." Luke says with confusion, "You willingly gave your coffee away?"
Lorelai looks over her shoulder, "Believe me he needs it more than I do."
"You don't drink coffee, do you?" Luke mutters to Jess.
Jess shakes his head, "Not really but if I don't have something my brain might explode."
"There's a vending machine down the hall, come on."
In front of the vending machine:
"So how are you holding up?" Luke asks, putting a dollar into the machine and choosing a Milky Way bar
"Wait did you just---"
"Yes. If you're going to drink coffee, I can have a candy bar---you know this is not my ideal choice of residence at 6am."
"You love it." Jess replies with a tired smirk.
"Love it no, glad I'm here, yeah." Luke replies warmly.
Jess looks down at the floor.
"So you never answered me, how are you holding up?"
Jess shrugs.
"Come on, enough tough guy. Honestly."
"I hate this."
Luke nods.
"She's in there in pain because of me, and I can't do anything about it."
"Jess, its uh natural, you can't feel guilty about it---I'm sure Rory knows you feel bad, its probably the last thought on her mind right now."
"I just, I feel helpless Luke."
Luke pats him on the back, "It's ok."
"I just hate her being like this, I mean I read the damn book I knew it was going to be bad, but I didn't know it was going to be this."
"Jess." Luke says sternly. "You have to pull it together, that's all you can do for Rory."
Jess nods, as he and Luke engage in an awkward hug.
"Now, come on I'll walk you back."
"Ok. Thanks Luke."
Luke pats him on the back again as they head back towards the waiting room.
Rory's Room:
Rory is walking around the room, her eyes focused on the floor.
"Hey hon." Lorelai says sweetly
"Mom." Rory replies looking up from the floor.
"How's it going kiddo?"
Rory groans, "They just came with the big needle."
Lorelai grimaces.
"That's why I sent Jess to get you, he looked like he might pass out when the nurse came in with the epidural."
"Poor Guy. Poor You." Lorelai replies, rubbing Rory's arm.
Rory shakes her head, "I'm ok, better now that Jess has calmed down."
"Who would have pegged him as being so sensitive." Lorelai laughs.
Rory smiles faintly, "I would."
Lorelai nods, knowing exactly what her daughter is talking about.
Rory sighs, "I just want this to be over."
"I know, it will be soon."
"Hours from now." Rory says glumly.
"Babe."
"No, its ok don't sugar coat it. I know the score, the doctor's been in here every half hour, my contractions are still over 5 minutes apart, I won't be in delivery before noon time."
"Well hang in there."
"Yeah, so how'd Jess look when he came to get you?"
"Tired......" Lorelai says carefully.
"Mom."
"He drank the rest of my coffee."
"Oh no!"
"I know, he's going to feel it later, you can't just not have coffee like ever and then gulp down a whole cup in 3 seconds."
"I guess I'm really doing a number on him." Rory replies climbing carefully back into bed.
Lorelai helps Rory into bed, "Aw sweets, he's just nervous. I'd say he's handling things pretty well."
"Yeah." Rory replies, anxiously, grabbing her side.
"Can I come in?" Jess' hoarse voice asks.
"Just in time, Coach. Take my spot." Lorelai says warmly. "Bye sweets, I'll check in later."
Lorelai lingers in the doorway a moment, watching Jess take Rory's hand, soothing her pain with his touch.
Luke approaches Lorelai from behind, resting his head on her shoulder, "Come on, we should wait outside."
Lorelai smiles, "Yeah I know, but just look, look at them."
"I know, come on." Luke wraps his arms around Lorelai dragging her towards the waiting room.
Waiting Room.
"I think you should start making calls." Luke says taking a seat next to Lorelai.
Lorelai yawns, "Now? Its still early."
"At least your mom, she's going to flip that you haven't called her already, and I guess Chris—give him enough time to get down here."
"But I."
"They should be called Lorelai."
"I know but can't we--."
"No, now go. I'll wait here."
3 more hours pass: Lorelai made the phone calls with more of Luke's urging. Emily and Richard arrived shortly after 8am, Chris with a sleeping Georgia in his arms walked in around 10.
Lorelai is dozing on Luke's shoulder.
The orderly Jeff, Looking oddly comatose enters the waiting room.
Luke nudges Lorelai.
"Huh, what?" She groans. Lorelai looks up to see Jeff, "Oh its you." She says groggily.
"Ok, Mr. Daddy to be wanted me to come out and let you know they're on their way to delivery." Jeff says happily.
Lorelai grins, "Luke!" she exclaims embracing her husband.
Luke envelops her in a hug.
Lorelai pulls away, standing up she takes a deep breath, "This is it."
"We're going to be grandparents." Lorelai exclaims, tears in her eyes.
"Well I'll be, Richard we're going to be great-grandparents." Emily says with a smile approaching her daughter.
In an odd moment, Emily and Lorelai embrace one another.
They pull apart, "Well Lorelai, now you'll know how it feels."
Lorelai smiles at her mother, "I just hope and I can be as a good of a grandma as you have."
Emily scoffs, "Come on now, I was terrible to Rory."
"No you weren't."
"Lorelai." Emily says sternly.
"Ok you had your moments, but you've mellowed a lot.....and now you're going to be the best great-grandmother a kid could want."
Emily grins smugly, "I'm going to spoil this one."
"Get in line." Richard cuts in.
The entire group laughs, happy conversation erupts from everybody. Engrossed in wistful banter no one notices an extremely disheveled jess appear in the waiting room door way a half hour later."
Luke is the first to notice him, "Jess." He says gruffly.
All eyes turn towards him.
"So?" Lorelai asks expectantly.
Jess smiles lazily, "You have a granddaughter 8 pounds 6 ounces."
Tears stream down Lorelai's face as she throws her arms around her son in law.
Jess wraps his arms around her; it's the first truly intimate encounter between the two people who at one point considered one another enemies.
"She's a big girl," Lorelai says into Jess' ear.
"S-she's beautiful." Jess replies, choking up.
Lorelai rubs his back affectionately, "So does she have a name?"
Jess nods, pulling away from her, "But Rory wants to tell you herself."
"When can we see her?" Lorelai replies, wiping her tears away.
"Now if you want. Two at a time." Jess addresses the group. "Lorelai, Emily. I think you should go first."
Emily looks to Luke, "Oh I'll go in with Richard, Luke should go with Lorelai."
Jess shakes his head authoritatively, "I'm under strict orders, and call me crazy but I don't think it's a good idea to go against the wishes of the woman who's been in labor for 12 hours."
Everyone laughs, as Jess ushers the women towards Rory's room.
"Rory, you have some visitors," Jess says his voice, oddly quiet and warm.
Rory's face brightens, "Mom! Grandma!"
Jess follows them inside.
Lorelai watches Rory cradle a pink bundle in her hands, "Is that he?"
Rory nods, "Mom, Grandma, I'd like you to meet my daughter---Emily Lorelai Mariano."
"Oh Babe." Lorelai touches her hand to her mouth.
Jess sits down on the edge of the bed, taking Emily from Rory. "I'm going to take her outside to show everyone else."
"Ok." Rory replies kissing Jess on the cheek before he leaves.
Rory sits up slowly, "There was never any discussion about names once we found out it was a girl, I knew I wanted to name her after the two strongest, bravest women I've ever known."
Emily and Lorelai, grasp each other's hands.
"I mean if she's going to be a fighter---and all Gilmore's are, she need a strong name."
"Babe."
Rory looks anxiously at her mother and grandmother.
Both women approach Rory, hugging her tenderly—tears streaming down all of their faces.
Waiting room:
Richard is holding Emily as Chris coos at her.
"You did good, kid." Luke says to Jess whose eyes are on his new daughter.
"Thanks Luke."
Lorelai and Emily enter the waiting room.
Jess grins at them, "So what do you think?"
"I think it's terrible, you didn't warn me beforehand so I didn't wear waterproof mascara." Lorelai holds up her hand, which has gray smudges across it.
"Sorry," Jess says in an amused tone.
"Ok." Emily says assertively. "I think its time that you gather your daughter---"
"Wow, that sounds so weird." Lorelai replies as Luke puts his arm around her waist.
"And" Emily continues, "I think its time for us to all go home for a while and give Rory and Jess a break."
Jess looks at Emily with appreciation, "Thank you," He says hugging her.
"Ok everybody lets go." Emily ushers the group out.
2 minutes later: Jess appears in the doorway of Rory's room.
"Hey. Sorry I was gone so long."
"I was starting to think you bailed on me." Rory replies with a smirk.
"Well you know, the kid was begging me to go get her some coffee, but you know I'm not the kind of guy to give in so easily."
Rory laughs, "So you going to stand there all day or do I get to hold my daughter."
"Our daughter." Jess says meaningfully, as he hands Emily to Rory.
Rory sighs happily, "She is beautiful."
"Just like you." Jess whispers, as Rory slowly dozes off.
Jess takes Emily from Rory again, "Now the fun begins kiddo." Jess whispers as he cradles the cooing child.
A/N Ok probably next chapter shall be the last. Sorry to end on a sappy note but in this story I like the fact that Jess is more emotional and willing to show his feelings. Please review let me know what you think.