Author's Note: You guys are wonderful. I can always count on going to my mailbox and finding several reviews. Thank you all so much. That said, I have to say, I didn't mean to make the last chapter so serious, LOL, but it was something I wanted to do (reconciling Lorelai with her parents) because I'm ending this story in about five more chapters (an even ten), so I wanted to get that out of the way now so I can concentrate on how I want the story to end. Don't worry; you will know whether Luke & Lorelai have a boy or girl. I wouldn't leave you in suspense like that. ;-)
And now, on with the show!
I'm Pregnant
Main Characters: Luke/Lorelai
Chapter Five: Baby's command performance
"Lorelai! Are you ready yet?" Luke called out impatiently. He was waiting for Lorelai to appear so they could go to the doctor's office. Today was the day they would hear their baby's heartbeat for the first time.
"I'll be down in a minute," Lorelai called down to him. "I have nothing to wear."
"You have a whole closet so full, I can't even close the door sometimes," Luke told her.
"Yeah, but nothing fits!"
"I told you to lay off the coffee cake last night," Luke teased her.
Lorelai poked her head over the railing. "It wasn't the coffee cake, burger boy."
"Just wear what you've got on," Luke told her, "it'll be fine. Don't you have to undress at the doctor anyway?"
Lorelai stepped onto the landing of the staircase. She was wearing one of Luke's plaid shirts over her "fat" jeans.
Luke's eyes glazed over. "Damn," he muttered, barely audible. "You look better in my clothes than I do." He took the two steps up to meet her and pulled her in for a kiss. Pulling back briefly, he asked, his voice husky, "exactly how much time do we have?"
Lorelai smiled coyly. "I thought you were in such a hurry, mister."
"This is a small town," Luke reasoned, "nobody's in a hurry."
He kissed her again, lifting her up at the same time. He carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom. Setting her back on her feet, they pulled at each other's clothes and tumbled onto the bed.
Fifteen minutes later...
"Okay, now we're really late," Luke said, as he pulled his t-shirt over his head.
Lorelai hugged him from behind. "Yeah, but it was so worth it."
Luke turned around and pulled her into his arms. Kissing her forehead, he sighed. "You're always worth it."
"Aww, Luke Danes, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," Lorelai cooed.
"Yeah? You'll get more of that if you get ready now."
Lorelai made a face. "But what will I wear?"
"I told you," Luke reminded her. He picked up her discarded clothes from the floor. "I've never seen you look more sexy."
Five minutes later, they were on their way to the doctor's office. Since it was beautiful July day, they decided to walk.
Miss Patty was standing outside her dance studio as they passed by. "Hey, you two," she smiled, "have you been to the doctor's yet?"
"We're heading there now," Lorelai told her. "We'll let you know how it goes."
"You'd better," Patty told her, "I don't want to hear the news from east-side Tillie."
As Luke and Lorelai went on their way, Patty stepped inside the studio. "No, girls, you're swans, not ducks," she instructed to her group of young girls. "Glide around the room, don't waddle."
When they reached the doctor's office, Luke took a seat while Lorelai signed in.
"Dr. London will be with you in a moment, ma'am," the young nurse told her.
"Ma'am? Wow, you just made me feel 150 years old," Lorelai said. "Please call me 'Lorelai'."
The nurse smiled as Lorelai took a seat beside Luke. She picked up an old copy of 'Highlights' magazine. "Let's see who can find the hidden pictures first," she challenged.
"Let's not."
"I'll give you a kiss for every one you find," Lorelai offered.
"Well, give me a kiss now, cause I just found the spoon," Luke told her, pointing to a spoon hidden in a tree trunk.
Lorelai kissed him. "You're good at this game." For the next couple of minutes they were engrossed in the picture before the doctor stepped into the room.
"Lorelai Gilmore-Danes?" When they looked up, Dr. Andrea London led them into the back office.
Lorelai had a seat on the table while Luke sat down on the stool beside the table. "So, this is your first child?" Andrea asked, sitting in the other stool in the room.
"It's my second, his first," Lorelai informed her.
"I see." She glanced down at her chart. "I see you've already filled out your family history and it doesn't look like there's anything to be overly concerned about. This should be a fairly normal pregnancy."
"Can you tell me how the baby is affected when the mother is a caffeine addict?" Luke asked.
"Don't mind him," Lorelai said, "he thinks I drink too much coffee."
"How much do you drink?" Andrea asked.
"Umm…"
"Too much," Luke interjected.
"Well, I can tell you that there's nothing wrong with drinking coffee when you're pregnant," Andrea began.
"Hah! See?" Lorelai pointed at Luke.
"But only if it's done in moderation," Andrea continued.
"Aha!" Luke pointed back.
"I suggest, if you feel that you can't get your day started without that cup of coffee, limit it to two or three cups a day," Andrea told them, "and that does include some soft drinks that contain caffeine."
"Okay, if that's all the questions you have, let's get started with the matter for the day," Andrea continued. "Hearing the baby's heartbeat."
"I'm so excited," Lorelai said, "I didn't get to do this when I was pregnant the first time. I was already six months pregnant with my daughter by the time I went to the doctor."
"I think every mother should hear their baby's heartbeat early on in pregnancy," Andrea said, "it makes it more real for them. And the father."
Luke's smile spread at the prospect of what was about to happen. He watched with eagle eyes as Andrea prepared the machine and skooched the waistband of Lorelai's pants down past her belly and spread the jelly. Andrea gave a running commentary on what she was doing for his benefit.
When she turned on the machine, she looked at Luke and Lorelai, the paddle poised ready to place on Lorelai's belly. "Ready?"
They nodded silently as Andrea placed the paddle on the jelly and moved it around in small circles.
At first, there was silence but soon, the machine came to life as they heard a faint thumping sound.
Lorelai gasped. "Is that it?" she whispered, straining to hear.
She looked over at Luke, whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "Luke, that's our baby."
Luke swallowed deeply. His throat felt tight. "Uh-huh," he uttered.
"It sounds good, steady, very strong and steady." Andrea told them. Sensing that they needed a few minutes alone, she excused herself from the room. She showed Luke how to maneuver the paddle so they could continue listening.
"This is amazing," Luke whispered. He couldn't tear his eyes from Lorelai's stomach, knowing his child was inside.
"I know." Lorelai was awed. She felt this pregnancy was so different from her first. For one thing, she wasn't going through it alone. She knew that Luke would be with her every step of the way. For another, she was older this time. When she was pregnant with Rory, she had no idea what she was doing or what to expect; this time, she felt more prepared and wasn't scared in the least.
After they left the doctor, they walked back to the diner. Luke reminded Lorelai that she had already had four cups of coffee that morning, so she was officially cut off the rest of the day. Surprisingly, Lorelai didn't argue. She was still on a high from hearing the heartbeat so she didn't need any coffee.
As she sat at a table by the window, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Rory's cell. Unfortunately, the voice mail picked up immediately. "Hey! Where are you? Call me when you can," she said quickly before disconnecting and dialing another number.
"Hello?" Emily answered the phone on the first ring.
"Hi Mom," Lorelai said, "guess what?"
"Hello, Lorelai," Emily greeted. "What do you mean, 'guess what?' How am I supposed to guess when I don't know what you mean?"
"It's a game, Mom," Lorelai told her, "but never mind. I'll tell you." She took a breath. "We heard the baby's heartbeat today."
"Oh, Lorelai, that's wonderful!" Emily enthused. "Richard! Come here!"
Lorelai could hear her mother relay the news to her father and soon Richard was heard on the other extension. "Hello Lorelai," he said, "I heard the news. How's my grandson?"
Lorelai laughed. Richard was convinced she was having a boy. "He or she sounds good, Dad," she said.
They talked for a few minutes before Luke brought over her food. Disconnecting the call, she smiled at Luke as he surprised her with one more cup of coffee.
"Happy now?" he asked.
"I couldn't be happier if I was twins," Lorelai giggled as she took a sip.
(A/N: Squeee! I hope you like this as much as I loved writing it. Just wait till they see the sonogram! Anyway, remember...review, which I know you will, but it never hurts to ask, eh? ;-) )