Hey everyone. Thanks again for the amazing reviews. They all made me so happy. I hope you are all still with me and are enjoying my writing. I tried my best to check the grammar and spelling before posting it but we all make mistakes so please forgive me. So, lets get on with the story
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, though I do have a copy of about 30 episodes of random seasons of Gilmore girls on tape or computer.
Luke kept his promise as he always did and was there for Lorelai more than he ever was before. He spent almost every other night at the house with her, helping her with cooking, cleaning, anything really. He wanted her relaxing like the doctor said and because they didn't want the town to know anything was wrong with the pregnancy they tried to keep up normal pretenses around town.
Lorelai cut back on working hours and so did Luke. He wasn't going to be able to for much longer unless he hired new help as Lane was going on tour with her band and Caesar was going on a holiday to Europe.
It was a quiet Friday night and Luke and Lorelai were alone cuddled up on the couch. Rory was meant to come over but phoned from the grandparents saying it was late and she would pop past in the morning. They had eaten a decent meal and Lorelai was doing well. She had put on a lot more weight around her stomach and the baby was still as active as ever.
They had just finished a movie and were going to go off to bed when the baby kicked hard. It gave Lorelai a bit of a fright, as she was half asleep. They decided to sit on the couch a bit longer; each had a hand on her stomach and revelled in the feeling of their son moving. The feeling was never going to get old as they both enjoyed it too much.
They slowly drifted off to sleep. They were comfortable until Lorelai jerked up with cramping in her stomach.
Lorelai: Owww, oh God
Luke; Lorelai? What is it?
Lorelai: Braxton Hicks contractions again
Luke: Do you want to go to the hospital?
Lorelai: No its ok, its false labour remember
Luke: Ok, lie back down and let me rub your stomach
Lorelai had had Braxton Hicks contractions earlier that week and rushed to the hospital in a blind panic. The doctor there told her everything was ok and that it wasn't time yet. Lorelai passed the pains off as Braxton Hicks contractions once more and snuggled back down in Luke's arms.
Lorelai: 7 weeks and counting
Luke: Seems like a long time still
Lorelai: Yeah but it will go quickly
Luke: I'm sure it will. Good night Lorelai
Lorelai: Night Luke
They both closed their eyes and found no problem in falling back asleep.
At approximately 2am, Lorelai woke up with much greater pains in her stomach. They were definitely not Braxton Hicks contractions so she shook Luke awake.
Lorelai: Luke! This is no time to sleep through anything…. Luke!
Luke: What?
Lorelai: I need you to get me to the hospital
Luke: What?
Lorelai: Its sore Luke, please God, Luke please hurry
Luke rushed Lorelai out to the Jeep and helped her in. Lorelai curled up on the seat with both arms gripped tightly around her stomach. Every time Luke tried to touch her she would flinch and pull away. Luke could see the pain in her eyes but she wasn't screaming. She was just humming to herself no doubt to try and block out the pain.
It took the just under 20 minutes to get to the hospital in Hartford. There was no traffic at that time in the morning. Luke had phoned while driving there, so Dr Shepard was on his way.
About half an hour later Lorelai had been booked in and connected to many machines, all of which were showing signs that the baby wasn't doing well. When Dr Shepard arrived, the decision was made that they couldn't stop the contractions and it was in the best interests of the baby to get him out as soon as possible. Lorelai was given a jab to help speed up labour and a jab to help with the devolvement of the baby's lungs. Luke watched on, frightened for the life of his baby boy. He couldn't do anything; he couldn't even comfort Lorelai as she kept pushing him away and screaming at him. So he sat in a chair in the corner of the room and watched her rock herself back and forth. She was in extreme pain and he couldn't help her. Why did she still insist on doing this alone? He was there; she should have let him help.
Every so often the nurse would come in and check on Lorelai and the progress of the labour. When she was sufficiently dilated Dr Shepard moved her up into a delivery room and had the NICU team stand by. Lorelai didn't say much unless she was asked a specific question. She just held her stomach and looked over to the bed and doctors that were going to look after her baby when she gave birth. The pain in Lorelai's stomach was so intense she couldn't tell when the start or finish of any contraction was so she was hooked up to yet another machine and notified when to push.
By this time Luke was up out of the chair and standing near Lorelai's head. She had given in and extended out her hand for Luke to hold. He did hold it willingly but when the doctor asked if he would like to assist in the birth he let go and moved down to Lorelai's legs. While she pushed for the first few times he held tightly on her knee. She would hold on to his hand even if she were pushing.
Luke: I see the head!
Dr Shepard: Your doing a great job Lorelai. Give me two more pushes and we should have your son out.
Luke: Keep going Lorelai
Lorelai was still in great pain but she has to smile inwardly at the sight on Luke's face. He was intently staring at the crowning head of his son with a goofy grin on his face.
On the next push, Luke was instructed to put his hand under the baby and help guide it out while supporting its neck. The shoulders had come out and all was left was one more push to help get the legs out. Lorelai took one last deep breath and pushed. The labour had been pretty easy considering the baby was so small, but the pain was unbearable and before she could get to see her son, Lorelai had passed out.
Dr Shepard took the baby from Luke's hand and showed him where to cut the cord. Luke did so and the baby was rushed over to his table and was immediately prodded and injected. Luke watched as the nurse tried to wake Lorelai and as the doctors tried to get his son to breathe. He didn't know what to do or where to be. He felt sick to his stomach. He definitely hated hospitals.
When they had managed to intubate the baby they rushed him upstairs to the NICU unit. Luke turned his gazed back to Lorelai who was still unconscious. She had been given an oxygen mask and had a new IV in her arm. Luke walked over to her and sat on the edge of the bed.
Luke: Hey Lorelai, you have to wake up soon. I don't know what I'm doing. They just took our son away. I think he is ok. I will go and check but you have to promise me you will wake up soon and come see him too. I will phone Rory later so that she knows where we are.
With that, Luke placed a kiss on Lorelai's forehead and headed out into the hall to find where they had taken his son.
It was mid morning before Lorelai started to wake. When she opened her eyes she saw Rory and Sookie sitting in chairs. They both had a worried look on their face.
Lorelai: Hi
Rory: Mom! What happened? Are you ok?
Lorelai: what?
Sookie: Hey Lorelai, they wont tell us what happened and we can't find Luke
Rory: Luke called and left a message on my phone saying you were in the hospital, no details so I phoned Sookie and she didn't know so we came here and asked to see you and Luke, but they wont tell us what happened.
Lorelai: I had the baby, but I don't know what happened after that. Rory will you go see if you can find a doctor or nurse to come here
Rory: sure
Lorelai: I'm so scared Sook
Sookie: I know sweetie, but they would have told you if something was wrong.
Lorelai: maybe
Nurse: Miss Gilmore
Lorelai: Yeah, where are Luke and the baby. How is my baby?
Nurse: I'm not sure, they went upstairs and I haven't seen any of them come back down. I can try finding out for you
Lorelai: Thanks
Nurse: Just relax and I will be back as soon as I can.
Lorelai: Sorry but what happened to me?
Nurse: You passed out with the pain just as they got the baby out. Mr Danes was freaked out. He did a great job with the delivery though. Now rest please, otherwise they will have to leave.
Nurse had indicated to Sookie and Rory who were still sitting there. A small smile appeared on Lorelai's lips as she remembered Luke helping with the delivery
Sookie: Did I just hear her correctly?
Lorelai: Yeah, Luke helped deliver the baby and he was acting so cute
Rory: He would be so upset if he heard you call him cute
Lorelai: Tough, he abandoned me down here, that's the least I could do. I was so horrible to him earlier though
Sookie: What do you mean?
Lorelai: I wouldn't let him touch me and I kept screaming at him. I was scared and in pain, I just didn't want him comforting me
Dr Shepard: Sorry to interrupt but the nurse said you were awake. How are you feeling?
Lorelai: Anxious, I want to know how my son is doing?
Dr Shepard: I was up there about an hour ago and they had stabilised him. He is breathing with assistance and he is connected to a lot of machines. Luke hasn't left his side. He is scared to death.
Lorelai: Can I go see them?
Dr Shepard: I will get the nurse to come unhook the machines and then I will show where to go before I leave.
Lorelai: Thanks
Lorelai continued to fill Rory and Sookie in about the problems she had with the pregnancy and apologized for not telling them sooner. When the machines were unhooked Lorelai got in a wheelchair, as she felt very weak and Dr Shepard took her upstairs. Sookie and Rory stayed behind and made a list of things they could get Lorelai and Luke.
When the got to the door of the NICU unit, Dr Shepard explained who Lorelai was and they let her in. Dr Shepard left Lorelai by the door so that she could make her way in at her own pace. He said his good-bye and left. For a few moments, Lorelai just sat there watching Luke. He was hunched over with his head in his hands and was sitting next to an incubator Lorelai could only assume held her son. She was still sitting there when Luke looked up and saw her. He immediately rushed over to her and gave her a hug.
Luke: How are you feeling?
Lorelai: Ok, I guess
Luke: I was so worried. I'm sorry I left you down there.
Lorelai: It's ok Luke. How is our son doing?
Luke: Not great. They have had to so many things to him. The have in on a ventilator to help with his breathing. He is so small Lorelai.
Lorelai: Will you push me over there to see him?
Luke: Sure.
Luke pushed Lorelai slowly over to where he was sitting before. He didn't go to quick, as he knew the sight that was awaiting Lorelai. He had had several hours to get used to it and it still shocked him when he looked at his son. He didn't want rush Lorelai, so he slowly helped her out of the wheelchair so that she was standing. She could see into the incubator and Lorelai had to catch her breathe at the sight. Lorelai quickly collapsed down on the chair where Luke had been sitting. Luke pulled up another chair and held Lorelai into a tight embrace. Lorelai buried her head in Luke's chest and cried.
Lorelai: He's so small
Luke: I know
Lorelai: All those wires are bigger than he is
Luke: I know
Lorelai: did you see they strapped his arms down?
Luke: Yeah, they said it was so that he couldn't pull the IV out if he moved. They have him sedated at the moment so that he doesn't fight the respirator.
Lorelai: Luke, is he going to be ok?
Luke: I don't know, they wont tell me anything other than we will have to wait and see. They say if he makes the first 72 hours, he stands a good chance. He has made it 6 hours so far
Lorelai: I want hold him
Luke: You can touch his hands through the hole in the side. That's it for now. We should be able to hold him when he is breathing on his own.
Lorelai stood up and placed her hand through the hole. She placed her pinkie in the palm of her sons' hand. She was overcome with emotion but managed to stay standing with the help of Luke who was behind her with his hands on her waist.
It was then that Lorelai noticed the name on the side of the incubator.
William Gilmore-DanesLuke: I hope you don't mind, but they asked for his name cause they say they believe it helps.
Lorelai: Of course I don't mind, but you said for the past seven months that you would never name him after your father
Luke: I know, but as soon as I held him this morning, I knew he was a William. I mean look at that face, that's no Craig or Paul that is our William
Lorelai: Thank you
Luke: It's my pleasure
Lorelai leant back on Luke and he pulled her into him tighter
Lorelai: I'm sorry for all of this
Luke: What? You have nothing to be sorry for
Lorelai: He should still be inside me. I should have rested more
Luke: You rested more than I have ever seen you rest. He was ready to come into this world. There was nothing you or I could have done differently
Lorelai: But….
Luke: No buts. He is here now and that is all that matters. Ok?
Lorelai: Ok.
Luke: I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself
Lorelai closed her eyes and Luke held her tight. It felt good to be in his arms. Lorelai opened her eyes and stared at her child. She noticed for the first time that he looked so much like Luke already.
Lorelai: He looks like you, you know
Luke: I was actually thinking he looked like you
Lorelai: We will have to get a third opinion
Luke: Lorelai?
Lorelai: Yeah
Luke: Thank you
Lorelai: No, thank you
Lorelai let go of her sons' hand and turned around in Luke's arms. She kissed him passionately. It took Luke by shock to start but he caught up quickly and returned the kiss. They broke apart and Lorelai laid her head on his shoulder.
Lorelai: I love you Luke
Luke: Oh God, I love you too Lorelai. More than you will ever know
Well that seemed like a good enough place to end the chapter. I hope you all like it still as it was longer than usually and seemed to waffle on a bit. If there is anything you wanted to see happen and I didn't put it in please let me know and I can try put it in in another way. I look forward to your reviews.
Thanks again for reading