Ch 18: Big News, Bigger News and Potentially Life Changing News...

Lorelai: "Rory! You're home, at last! Where have you been and what have you done? Not down at the docks again? I told you, no sailors until you are at least 25!"

Rory (laughing): "Who would have thought I would have missed your crazy speeches! You're freaking me out, Mom! It's so good to see you!"

Luke: "Oh come on you two, you just saw each other last Friday night at dinner! You act like it's been a year or something!"

Lorelai: "Yes, but that was at the Gilmore's fancy, no breathing allowed torture chamber museum. Seriously, Luke, there is still so much you have to learn! A reunion in Stars Hollow is so much different than at my parent's house!"

Luke: "How could I forget?" Turning to Rory, "How are you, Rory? Do you want some dinner?"

Rory: "Hey Luke. I'm good. I ate before I left."

Lorelai: "My baby isn't hungry? Now is that what I taught you? Remember - never, ever turn down food! "

Rory: "Mom, seriously, what is your big news? Lane said you have big news..." Rory glanced down at that moment and gasped...she just saw the ring on her mother's finger... "Oh...are you...(glancing between her mom and Luke)...seriously? Oh my god!"

Rory gave her mom a huge hug and then turned to Luke.... "Luke, I am so happy for you ...both! (glancing back at her mom, smiling) But, are you sure you want to take her on? I mean, you do know her, right?" Rory jokingly questioned Luke.

Luke: (laughing) "Yes, I believe there was a caffeine induced chance meeting."

Rory: "Okay...just so you know what you are getting into...(turning to Lorelai): You did tell him about the house rules, right? And the snoring? You told him about the snoring, right?"

Lorelai: "Oh, no ... I forgot about the house rules, and it wasn't a snore! How many times will we go over that? (feigning a dramatic sigh and quickly changing the subject.) So, you alluded to some news as well? Out with it daughter of mine before I have to take desperate measures to hear of it myself!"

Rory: "Oh? And, what measures would those be? Thinking of hiring a private eye to follow me around, or is there an agent already in place who has given me a code name that doesn't make any sense at all and will generally put fear into all who come up to talk to me? And, it was too a snore. I was there. It was loud and woke me right up - from a very peaceful sleep, I might add."

Lorelai: "Um, well, first, I am not my crazy ex-boyfriend's private eye hiring father and second I don't work in the West Wing of the White House so there will be no secret service code names. And, it was not a snore - I had a cold."

Luke: "Oh, geez, how do you two ever get to a point?'

Lorelai: "Patience my dear. Patience. We just take the scenic, more interesting route," slapping Luke lightly on the arm.

Rory: "Okay, okay, do you want to here or what?" Rory felt like she was going to burst if she didn't tell them soon. "I was just accepted into a study abroad program...in France..." she blurted out quickly.

Lorelai: "Oh Rory! That is fantastic! I am so proud of you!" Enveloping her daughter into a huge hug before hearing the rest of what she had to say.

Rory: "Mom? Space, please... I can't go if I can't breathe..."

Lorelai: "Oh, sorry..." Lorelai stepped back, giving her daughter some space. "So when is the big trip scheduled for? Next summer?"

Rory: "Actually, it's for the next six months...after Christmas vacation of course."

Lorelai glanced over at Luke upon hearing this news. Six months? So soon? Oh god! Her daughter didn't know about the next part of her potentially life changing news. Lorelai rushed this thought through her brain as she pondered how her life would be...Rory - gone for six months; Lorelai - pregnant and not married yet; And, the wedding, when was that going to be? She wasn't going to wear a maternity wedding dress, that was for sure! They would just have to plan the wedding either soon or have a long engagement, long enough to lose all the pregnancy weight she had heard that is put on with a second child......Oh god, they really hadn't thought this through yet at all....

Rory: "Mom? Are you okay? You look as white as a ghost!"

Luke: "Lorelai? Do you want to lie down?"

Lorelai (coming to her senses again): "No, I'm fine...Rory, there is something else I have to – I mean, we have to tell you...."

Rory: (Glancing once again between her mom and Luke): "What is it?"

Lorelai: "Well, we're going to be having a baby..."

Rory: "What?! Oh my god! When did you find out? This is so great! Oh! I can't go to France now! You'll need all the help you can get! We can buy baby clothes and baby proof the house and plan your wedding...oh, man - when are you getting married? Before or after the baby is born?"

Lorelai: (holding up a hand) "Woh! Slow down there! Nothing has been planned for the wedding yet. And, I just found out I am pregnant this morning. The doctor hasn't even confirmed it yet. Rory, I beg you, keep this to yourself - and you too, Lane (Lorelai glanced over to where Lane had remained standing) - just in case. The home tests aren't always 100 percent accurate, you know. And, you are not turning down your study program. This is an awesome opportunity. And, I will have plenty of help here. You are going. That is final."

Rory: "Wow, I don't think you have talked to me like that since I first met Dean and almost dropped out of Chilton before my first day of school there had even started," laughed Rory, "Okay, okay, I'm going to France!"

Luke: "Okay, now! It's time to get this place closed up. Lorelai? Should we move this to your house now?"

Lorelai (smiling over at him): "I think you can practice calling it our house, now ... what do you think? Should we move in together? We better know how to live with each other, after all, I am having your baby..." Lorelai reached for Luke's hands as Luke pulled her toward him for a light kiss on the lips...

Luke: "If it's what you want...anything for you..."

End Scene.