WHAT IT IS: A sequel, to my other Trory, What Happens When. Now, I had no
intentions at all to do a sequel. However, you're getting one, because of
all the Jess/Dean/Rory angst currently on the show—it's stressing me out.
So, since I had decided that fluff was probably all I'd get out of a sequel
and fluff is what I need right now (it's either fluff or unbearable angst
coming out of me right now)—here's a sequel.
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
It had taken a million years to fill out all the necessary forms to get Rory checked into the hospital. She was attempting to 'relax' in her wheelchair until an orderly came to take her to her room, but Tristan asked her so many questions about the forms that she took them from him and started doing them herself. Lorelai had driven separately, bringing the list of phone numbers and Rory's bag with her. She came in to see Tristan sitting next to Rory looking out of place and Rory filling out forms. She frowned and approached them gently.
"Uh, guys, why don't you guys go with the nice orderly here, and I'll finish up these forms. Tristan, take the bag here, and I'll keep the phone list. You two get settled, and I'll make calls after I finish the forms."
"Thanks," Tristan looked relieved. Rory reluctantly handed over the clipboard.
Lorelai smiled at the orderly and extended her hand. "I'm Lorelai, and you are?"
"I'm Paul."
"Nice to meet you Paul, this is my daughter Rory and son-in-law Tristan. They're new to this, take care of them, huh?"
"You got it," he smiled at her, and started to wheel Rory towards her room. Once they got her settled into the bed and gave them the general run down of where to find what, and what to do if they need anything, Paul left the prospective parents alone. Rory looked over at Tristan, who looked a little less out of place, but not much better than before.
"Can I have a magazine?"
"Oh, sure." He turned his full attention to finding the magazines in her bag.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just feeling like I have very little to do."
"There isn't much to do right now other than wait."
"I know, it's just, I feel kind of stupid. I'm supposed to encourage you, but I have a feeling you'll knock me in half if I try to be cheerleadery when you're in labor," he smiled at her.
"Yeah, that's probably a safe assumption. All I really want you to do is be here and be yourself. Unless you're trying to tell me you were a cheerleader at one point in your life," she stifled the laugh that lilted her voice.
"Damn, now you know my darkest secrets," came his sarcastic reply.
"So, you aren't going to freak out on me again, are you?"
"No, I think I'll be good. Let's read some magazines," he agreed, handing her the latest copy of Jane magazine. Taking Rolling Stone for himself, he pulled a chair up next to her bed and they started reading.
Lorelai finished the forms as best as she could, and gave them to the nurse at the station. Pulling the list from her pocket, she started dialing the numbers on her cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Lorelai, this is a surprise. What do you need?"
"I don't need anything."
"Alright, then enlighten me as to why you are calling."
"Because for some unknown reason my daughter saw fit to put you at the top of her 'to call when I go into labor' list."
"Rory's in labor?"
"No, this is an elaborate prank. We have everyone fooled, Mom, right down to the guy who gives out the Demerol."
"Be serious, Lorelai!"
"Yes, Mom, Rory is in labor. Early stages, so take your time getting down here. Make Dad go the speed limit."
"Oh, how wonderful! We'll be there as soon as we can!"
"Good, good. I'll see you then."
Hanging up her phone, she hung her head. How was it that even at her age, Emily still managed to tire her out with just a five-minute phone conversation? She decided to call Luke next.
"Luke's."
"Are you still working?"
"Just on my way home. How's Rory?"
"It's time, Luke."
"You're already at the hospital?"
"Yeah, so drop Will off at Sookie's. I cleared it all with her before I left for Rory's."
"Okay. You okay?"
"Well, other than talking to my mother just a second ago, I'm great. I'm going to be a grandmother," she said in awe.
"I know."
"Be here soon."
"I'm on my way."
Hanging up again, she took another crack at the list. After a half hour, most of that time spent on the phone with Tristan's mom, she was finally done calling people. Putting the list back into her purse for safekeeping, she decided it was time to head up to see how Rory was doing. Just as she got outside her door, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai, it's Jess. Where are you guys now?"
"We're at the hospital. Where are you?"
"I just picked Lane up, we're leaving JFK."
"What can I do for you?"
"Can I talk to Rory?"
"Uh, I was just going into her room. Hang on a second."
Lorelai walked into the room, to find Rory squeezing Tristan's hand. His knuckles were white, and with his other hand, he was rubbing gentle circles on her back. As the contraction passed, she opened her eyes to see her mother standing there with the cell phone held out.
"Hey, you made it."
"Yeah, and I called everyone. Jess is on the line, he wants to talk to you."
Rory took the phone from her mother. "Hey, Jess."
"Rory, I don't have the best connection, but I have someone here that wants to say hi to you," Jess informed her. She could hear the smirk on his face.
"RORY!" came Lane's voice over the line.
"LANE!"
"We're on our way, I just wanted you to know that I landed safely and we'll be there soon, so don't have the baby until we get there!"
"I promise! Hurry!"
"I'll tape his foot to the floor, I promise."
"Good. See you soon!"
"Bye!"
Rory hung up and handed the phone back to her mom. "They're on their way."
"Man, Jess and Lane in one car, that can't be safe," Lorelai commented.
"What's wrong with that?" Tristan asked, trying to massage his hand that Rory had been gripping onto during contractions.
"Uh, you could say that Lane wasn't the biggest fan of Jess' in high school."
"And she never got over it," Lorelai pointed out.
"What did he do?" Tristan asked knowingly.
"He generally irritated her in school, she didn't like him always trying to get to me despite the fact I had a boyfriend, pick any number of things. Usually just his existence was enough to piss her off."
"Wow. Lane doesn't let things go, huh?"
"That's not true. Jess just has a special quality when it comes to annoying people. He's good at it."
As they got out of the city, Lane was still talking excitedly at Jess. In fact, she hadn't stopped talking the entire time, since she stepped off the plane. Jess hadn't said much, just took out his phone and dialed Lorelai's cell phone when Lane couldn't get a hold of Rory on hers.
"Do you ever stop talking?" he finally asked, exasperated.
"Hey, I'm excited! Aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. But I don't feel the need to yammer until the other person in the car is so bombarded with words that they actually need to throw me from the car."
"Ah, I see you are the same old Jess."
"And you're the same old Lane," he came back.
"There's nothing wrong with me," she informed him.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Oh, come on, Jess. Let's not do this."
"You're the one saying there's something wrong with the guy that dropped everything to come pick your sorry ass up and take you to the hospital where your best friend is giving birth," he pointed out.
"You're right. I'm sorry. But I still say you haven't changed much. I don't care what Rory says."
"And what did Rory say?"
"This isn't high school, Jess."
"Really? You don't say. Here I thought we were just running late to math class."
"She just said that you'd matured. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now."
"I see. Well, you know Rory has spent a lot of time with me recently. She should know."
"So, where is this girl you're marrying?"
Jess sighed. "You mean Erin?"
"I was expecting Bambi or Barbie, but if you insist."
"Thanks."
"I suppose I should give you some credit. Not all the girls you dated were bleach blondes."
"She's still in the city. She had to finish up some class work and she's coming up later."
"Class work? How old is she?"
"She's 25, she's a graduate student in the English Department at NYU."
"Wow. Okay, so now I'm maybe considering that you've changed," Lane said quietly, not meeting his gaze as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. They got out of the car and headed in. Lane decided to browse in the gift shop before heading up, so Jess went up alone. Jess found the room and joined the three of them and Luke, who'd just arrived.
"Hey, Jess," Luke nodded.
"It's a regular party in here," Jess commented looking around the room.
"Where's Lane?" Rory asked after she greeted Jess.
"Gift shop."
Rory nodded and went back to playing War with Tristan. The doctor came in and scanned the room. He noticed a pattern forming here.
"Alright, some people need to head down to the waiting room. We can circulate people, but it's up to the parents," he told them. Lane came running into the room, with balloons and a large bag. The doctor glared at her, and she stopped immediately.
"Guys, go on, the doctor needs to check my progress again anyway. Luke and Jess probably won't be able to take that."
Lorelai giggled, agreeing with her daughter. Everyone but the doctor and Tristan left, and Rory was actually relieved for the break from company. The doctor placed her legs in the stirrups and disappeared under the sheet. Tristan smoothed back some hair that was now moistened by sweat on her forehead. She leaned her head into his chest as the doctor continued to check out her progress.
"Well, Rory just another hour or so, I'd say."
"Really?'
"Really. You're at eight centimeters now, so it could be anytime. We'll just have to wait and see how fast you progress the last two."
"Thanks."
"And just keep the number of people in her to a minimum, okay?"
"Alright, we will."
"Alright. Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Dr. Matthews and Tristan stepped out into the hall; after Rory nodded that she was okay alone. Once in the hallway, Tristan looked worried.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, Rory and the baby are both fine. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with being in the delivery room."
"Definitely. I want to be there."
"Good. I just like to check in before, make sure you aren't going to pass out and require medical attention yourself."
Tristan smiled at the doctor and nodded. "You couldn't pry me out of there."
"Okay. Now, your job is just to make sure she's happy. And that there aren't too many people in that room. Can you handle that?"
"I'll do my best."
"Great. Now get back to her, and I'll check back in about a half hour. Call if anything happens sooner."
Nodding, he turned and went back into the room. Rory was leaning back with her eyes closed. She turned her head towards him and opened her eyes when the door closed behind him.
"Well?"
"He wanted to make sure I wasn't going to pass out."
Rory giggled, "You aren't going to, are you?"
"If I could watch that birthing video in Lamaze class and not pass out, I think I'm fine here. It's not like I'm going to be doing the doctor's job."
"Right."
"So, how are you feeling?"
"It's definitely getting worse." She shifted uncomfortably.
"Why won't you take the drugs?"
"Because it makes the kid all loopy, and me all loopy, and I want this to be a natural as possible."
"Whatever you want. Thirsty?"
"Actually, I was hoping to speed this along. Can we take a walk?"
"You sure?"
"They said it would help speed it along."
"You know there are other things to help speed it along, that are much more fun," he hinted, but she wasn't in the mood evidently.
"Tristan, I'm in pain. And I would really like it to be over quickly. I am the one that gets to push this child out of me, and I say we're taking a walk!" she snapped.
Moving quickly, he pulled back the covers for her and helped her to her feet. Another contraction hit her just as she stood, and her knees almost buckled under the pain. He held onto her, and steadied her. She held onto him, trying to breathe the way they told her to in Lamaze. She couldn't see where breathing funny helped, but it was the only thing she could do. The pain subsided, and they made their way into the hall and towards the waiting room and nurses' station, where Lorelai was pacing the hallway. She saw Rory and approached them.
"Decided now was time for a stroll?" she joked.
"It's supposed to move it along."
"Aren't you close?"
"Eight centimeters."
"You should get back into bed."
"I wouldn't argue with her," Tristan warned.
"Right. So, everyone's here, just waiting. All prospective grandparents and great-grandparents, cousins and best friends. I think all are on the edge of their seats."
Another contraction hit her just then. They were now coming much faster. As she gripped onto Tristan, he looked up at Lorelai.
"I think it's time to head back, what do you say?"
Rory said nothing, just nodded against him.
"Do you want a wheelchair?"
She shook her head, breathing deeply. Emily came out into the hallway, and hurried over to them.
"For God's sake, get her into a bed! What are you doing letting her out of bed!" she exclaimed.
"Come on, Mom, it's not going to be much longer. Let's just go wait, huh?"
"Lorelai, women aren't supposed to be roaming the halls having contractions. They're supposed to be strapped to a bed, numb from the neck down!"
"Mom, she didn't want drugs," Lorelai explained as Tristan steered Rory back to the room.
"Didn't want drugs? Is she crazy?"
"That's a strong possibility. Come on, let's go find some coffee."
Back in the room, after having yet another contraction, Tristan helped Rory back into bed. They hit the call button, and a nurse came in to check her vitals.
"Can the doctor check her again? I think it's about that time."
"I can check her, and if it's time, I'll get the doctor," she said, moving the sheet to examine Rory quickly. As she looked up at them, she nodded.
"Yep. That was quick, but it is time."
"Told you," Rory muttered, exhausted.
The nurse smiled at Tristan, trying to hide her amusement. She promised to go get the doctor, telling them to be ready to move to the delivery room. Tristan stayed with Rory until the doctor came to make the final call, then he ran down the hall to tell everyone they were going into delivery. He returned and the nurse gave him a pair of scrubs to wear in the delivery room.
He came out of the bathroom all in green scrubs. Her eyes twinkled at him as she gave him the once over.
"Hey, feeling like a piece of meat, here," he informed her.
"You should."
"Just remember, that's how you got into this position in the first place."
"Right. But those pants do make your butt look exceptional."
"Rory, they're just scrubs."
"We should get you some of those," she said, still staring at his posterior.
"Alright, you are about to be someone's mother. Stop staring at my ass," he said low in her ear, kissing her head. "You ready?"
"I hope so. Are you?"
"Yeah. I am. Let's do this."
An orderly, not Paul as his shift had ended quite some time ago, came to move her into the delivery room. Tristan walked along beside her, and they passed their family as they moved past the waiting area. They were all crammed into the entrance, wishing them well. After they saw them disappear into the double doors, everyone moved to sit back down and wait some more.
AN: AH, you didn't think the birth would be just one chapter, did you? Silly, silly readers! Would I do that? I think not. Besides, my bed is sounding pretty good right about now. But I promise there will be a baby Dugrey in the next chap!
WHAT I OWN: Nada.
RATING: PG-13, just to be safe. It is fluff after all.
It had taken a million years to fill out all the necessary forms to get Rory checked into the hospital. She was attempting to 'relax' in her wheelchair until an orderly came to take her to her room, but Tristan asked her so many questions about the forms that she took them from him and started doing them herself. Lorelai had driven separately, bringing the list of phone numbers and Rory's bag with her. She came in to see Tristan sitting next to Rory looking out of place and Rory filling out forms. She frowned and approached them gently.
"Uh, guys, why don't you guys go with the nice orderly here, and I'll finish up these forms. Tristan, take the bag here, and I'll keep the phone list. You two get settled, and I'll make calls after I finish the forms."
"Thanks," Tristan looked relieved. Rory reluctantly handed over the clipboard.
Lorelai smiled at the orderly and extended her hand. "I'm Lorelai, and you are?"
"I'm Paul."
"Nice to meet you Paul, this is my daughter Rory and son-in-law Tristan. They're new to this, take care of them, huh?"
"You got it," he smiled at her, and started to wheel Rory towards her room. Once they got her settled into the bed and gave them the general run down of where to find what, and what to do if they need anything, Paul left the prospective parents alone. Rory looked over at Tristan, who looked a little less out of place, but not much better than before.
"Can I have a magazine?"
"Oh, sure." He turned his full attention to finding the magazines in her bag.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just feeling like I have very little to do."
"There isn't much to do right now other than wait."
"I know, it's just, I feel kind of stupid. I'm supposed to encourage you, but I have a feeling you'll knock me in half if I try to be cheerleadery when you're in labor," he smiled at her.
"Yeah, that's probably a safe assumption. All I really want you to do is be here and be yourself. Unless you're trying to tell me you were a cheerleader at one point in your life," she stifled the laugh that lilted her voice.
"Damn, now you know my darkest secrets," came his sarcastic reply.
"So, you aren't going to freak out on me again, are you?"
"No, I think I'll be good. Let's read some magazines," he agreed, handing her the latest copy of Jane magazine. Taking Rolling Stone for himself, he pulled a chair up next to her bed and they started reading.
Lorelai finished the forms as best as she could, and gave them to the nurse at the station. Pulling the list from her pocket, she started dialing the numbers on her cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Lorelai, this is a surprise. What do you need?"
"I don't need anything."
"Alright, then enlighten me as to why you are calling."
"Because for some unknown reason my daughter saw fit to put you at the top of her 'to call when I go into labor' list."
"Rory's in labor?"
"No, this is an elaborate prank. We have everyone fooled, Mom, right down to the guy who gives out the Demerol."
"Be serious, Lorelai!"
"Yes, Mom, Rory is in labor. Early stages, so take your time getting down here. Make Dad go the speed limit."
"Oh, how wonderful! We'll be there as soon as we can!"
"Good, good. I'll see you then."
Hanging up her phone, she hung her head. How was it that even at her age, Emily still managed to tire her out with just a five-minute phone conversation? She decided to call Luke next.
"Luke's."
"Are you still working?"
"Just on my way home. How's Rory?"
"It's time, Luke."
"You're already at the hospital?"
"Yeah, so drop Will off at Sookie's. I cleared it all with her before I left for Rory's."
"Okay. You okay?"
"Well, other than talking to my mother just a second ago, I'm great. I'm going to be a grandmother," she said in awe.
"I know."
"Be here soon."
"I'm on my way."
Hanging up again, she took another crack at the list. After a half hour, most of that time spent on the phone with Tristan's mom, she was finally done calling people. Putting the list back into her purse for safekeeping, she decided it was time to head up to see how Rory was doing. Just as she got outside her door, her phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai, it's Jess. Where are you guys now?"
"We're at the hospital. Where are you?"
"I just picked Lane up, we're leaving JFK."
"What can I do for you?"
"Can I talk to Rory?"
"Uh, I was just going into her room. Hang on a second."
Lorelai walked into the room, to find Rory squeezing Tristan's hand. His knuckles were white, and with his other hand, he was rubbing gentle circles on her back. As the contraction passed, she opened her eyes to see her mother standing there with the cell phone held out.
"Hey, you made it."
"Yeah, and I called everyone. Jess is on the line, he wants to talk to you."
Rory took the phone from her mother. "Hey, Jess."
"Rory, I don't have the best connection, but I have someone here that wants to say hi to you," Jess informed her. She could hear the smirk on his face.
"RORY!" came Lane's voice over the line.
"LANE!"
"We're on our way, I just wanted you to know that I landed safely and we'll be there soon, so don't have the baby until we get there!"
"I promise! Hurry!"
"I'll tape his foot to the floor, I promise."
"Good. See you soon!"
"Bye!"
Rory hung up and handed the phone back to her mom. "They're on their way."
"Man, Jess and Lane in one car, that can't be safe," Lorelai commented.
"What's wrong with that?" Tristan asked, trying to massage his hand that Rory had been gripping onto during contractions.
"Uh, you could say that Lane wasn't the biggest fan of Jess' in high school."
"And she never got over it," Lorelai pointed out.
"What did he do?" Tristan asked knowingly.
"He generally irritated her in school, she didn't like him always trying to get to me despite the fact I had a boyfriend, pick any number of things. Usually just his existence was enough to piss her off."
"Wow. Lane doesn't let things go, huh?"
"That's not true. Jess just has a special quality when it comes to annoying people. He's good at it."
As they got out of the city, Lane was still talking excitedly at Jess. In fact, she hadn't stopped talking the entire time, since she stepped off the plane. Jess hadn't said much, just took out his phone and dialed Lorelai's cell phone when Lane couldn't get a hold of Rory on hers.
"Do you ever stop talking?" he finally asked, exasperated.
"Hey, I'm excited! Aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. But I don't feel the need to yammer until the other person in the car is so bombarded with words that they actually need to throw me from the car."
"Ah, I see you are the same old Jess."
"And you're the same old Lane," he came back.
"There's nothing wrong with me," she informed him.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Oh, come on, Jess. Let's not do this."
"You're the one saying there's something wrong with the guy that dropped everything to come pick your sorry ass up and take you to the hospital where your best friend is giving birth," he pointed out.
"You're right. I'm sorry. But I still say you haven't changed much. I don't care what Rory says."
"And what did Rory say?"
"This isn't high school, Jess."
"Really? You don't say. Here I thought we were just running late to math class."
"She just said that you'd matured. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now."
"I see. Well, you know Rory has spent a lot of time with me recently. She should know."
"So, where is this girl you're marrying?"
Jess sighed. "You mean Erin?"
"I was expecting Bambi or Barbie, but if you insist."
"Thanks."
"I suppose I should give you some credit. Not all the girls you dated were bleach blondes."
"She's still in the city. She had to finish up some class work and she's coming up later."
"Class work? How old is she?"
"She's 25, she's a graduate student in the English Department at NYU."
"Wow. Okay, so now I'm maybe considering that you've changed," Lane said quietly, not meeting his gaze as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. They got out of the car and headed in. Lane decided to browse in the gift shop before heading up, so Jess went up alone. Jess found the room and joined the three of them and Luke, who'd just arrived.
"Hey, Jess," Luke nodded.
"It's a regular party in here," Jess commented looking around the room.
"Where's Lane?" Rory asked after she greeted Jess.
"Gift shop."
Rory nodded and went back to playing War with Tristan. The doctor came in and scanned the room. He noticed a pattern forming here.
"Alright, some people need to head down to the waiting room. We can circulate people, but it's up to the parents," he told them. Lane came running into the room, with balloons and a large bag. The doctor glared at her, and she stopped immediately.
"Guys, go on, the doctor needs to check my progress again anyway. Luke and Jess probably won't be able to take that."
Lorelai giggled, agreeing with her daughter. Everyone but the doctor and Tristan left, and Rory was actually relieved for the break from company. The doctor placed her legs in the stirrups and disappeared under the sheet. Tristan smoothed back some hair that was now moistened by sweat on her forehead. She leaned her head into his chest as the doctor continued to check out her progress.
"Well, Rory just another hour or so, I'd say."
"Really?'
"Really. You're at eight centimeters now, so it could be anytime. We'll just have to wait and see how fast you progress the last two."
"Thanks."
"And just keep the number of people in her to a minimum, okay?"
"Alright, we will."
"Alright. Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?"
Dr. Matthews and Tristan stepped out into the hall; after Rory nodded that she was okay alone. Once in the hallway, Tristan looked worried.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, Rory and the baby are both fine. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with being in the delivery room."
"Definitely. I want to be there."
"Good. I just like to check in before, make sure you aren't going to pass out and require medical attention yourself."
Tristan smiled at the doctor and nodded. "You couldn't pry me out of there."
"Okay. Now, your job is just to make sure she's happy. And that there aren't too many people in that room. Can you handle that?"
"I'll do my best."
"Great. Now get back to her, and I'll check back in about a half hour. Call if anything happens sooner."
Nodding, he turned and went back into the room. Rory was leaning back with her eyes closed. She turned her head towards him and opened her eyes when the door closed behind him.
"Well?"
"He wanted to make sure I wasn't going to pass out."
Rory giggled, "You aren't going to, are you?"
"If I could watch that birthing video in Lamaze class and not pass out, I think I'm fine here. It's not like I'm going to be doing the doctor's job."
"Right."
"So, how are you feeling?"
"It's definitely getting worse." She shifted uncomfortably.
"Why won't you take the drugs?"
"Because it makes the kid all loopy, and me all loopy, and I want this to be a natural as possible."
"Whatever you want. Thirsty?"
"Actually, I was hoping to speed this along. Can we take a walk?"
"You sure?"
"They said it would help speed it along."
"You know there are other things to help speed it along, that are much more fun," he hinted, but she wasn't in the mood evidently.
"Tristan, I'm in pain. And I would really like it to be over quickly. I am the one that gets to push this child out of me, and I say we're taking a walk!" she snapped.
Moving quickly, he pulled back the covers for her and helped her to her feet. Another contraction hit her just as she stood, and her knees almost buckled under the pain. He held onto her, and steadied her. She held onto him, trying to breathe the way they told her to in Lamaze. She couldn't see where breathing funny helped, but it was the only thing she could do. The pain subsided, and they made their way into the hall and towards the waiting room and nurses' station, where Lorelai was pacing the hallway. She saw Rory and approached them.
"Decided now was time for a stroll?" she joked.
"It's supposed to move it along."
"Aren't you close?"
"Eight centimeters."
"You should get back into bed."
"I wouldn't argue with her," Tristan warned.
"Right. So, everyone's here, just waiting. All prospective grandparents and great-grandparents, cousins and best friends. I think all are on the edge of their seats."
Another contraction hit her just then. They were now coming much faster. As she gripped onto Tristan, he looked up at Lorelai.
"I think it's time to head back, what do you say?"
Rory said nothing, just nodded against him.
"Do you want a wheelchair?"
She shook her head, breathing deeply. Emily came out into the hallway, and hurried over to them.
"For God's sake, get her into a bed! What are you doing letting her out of bed!" she exclaimed.
"Come on, Mom, it's not going to be much longer. Let's just go wait, huh?"
"Lorelai, women aren't supposed to be roaming the halls having contractions. They're supposed to be strapped to a bed, numb from the neck down!"
"Mom, she didn't want drugs," Lorelai explained as Tristan steered Rory back to the room.
"Didn't want drugs? Is she crazy?"
"That's a strong possibility. Come on, let's go find some coffee."
Back in the room, after having yet another contraction, Tristan helped Rory back into bed. They hit the call button, and a nurse came in to check her vitals.
"Can the doctor check her again? I think it's about that time."
"I can check her, and if it's time, I'll get the doctor," she said, moving the sheet to examine Rory quickly. As she looked up at them, she nodded.
"Yep. That was quick, but it is time."
"Told you," Rory muttered, exhausted.
The nurse smiled at Tristan, trying to hide her amusement. She promised to go get the doctor, telling them to be ready to move to the delivery room. Tristan stayed with Rory until the doctor came to make the final call, then he ran down the hall to tell everyone they were going into delivery. He returned and the nurse gave him a pair of scrubs to wear in the delivery room.
He came out of the bathroom all in green scrubs. Her eyes twinkled at him as she gave him the once over.
"Hey, feeling like a piece of meat, here," he informed her.
"You should."
"Just remember, that's how you got into this position in the first place."
"Right. But those pants do make your butt look exceptional."
"Rory, they're just scrubs."
"We should get you some of those," she said, still staring at his posterior.
"Alright, you are about to be someone's mother. Stop staring at my ass," he said low in her ear, kissing her head. "You ready?"
"I hope so. Are you?"
"Yeah. I am. Let's do this."
An orderly, not Paul as his shift had ended quite some time ago, came to move her into the delivery room. Tristan walked along beside her, and they passed their family as they moved past the waiting area. They were all crammed into the entrance, wishing them well. After they saw them disappear into the double doors, everyone moved to sit back down and wait some more.
AN: AH, you didn't think the birth would be just one chapter, did you? Silly, silly readers! Would I do that? I think not. Besides, my bed is sounding pretty good right about now. But I promise there will be a baby Dugrey in the next chap!