"Do you think she'll be okay?" I said, barely above a whisper.

"I think she's already perfect."

Chapter 13

I smiled at Luke. He could be such a softy sometimes.

"She needs a name," I said.

"So soon? You can take your time, ya know."

"I know, but I'm tired of being sad about how she came into the world. It's time to give her a place in it, and that starts with her name."

"You never cease to amaze me, Lorelai Gilmore," he said with a smile. It was the first time anyone had smiled in hours, and I have to say, it was a nice change of pace.

"I want it to be something with meaning. I don't want to just slap a name on her just because it sounds pretty. It's gotta mean something."

"Okay. Got any ideas?"

"None."

He looked like he was about to say something. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, opened it, and closed it. "What? Say it."

"No, it's a stupid idea. I can't believe I even thought it. If I tell you, you'll yell at me."

"I'm not up to yelling today, trust me. Just say it."

"No, Lorelai, I can't. I won't."

"Fine… So, she's still nameless."

"It seems that way."

Something about her seemed intoxicating. I don't think either of us took our eyes off of her during our entire conversation. After a few minutes, I finally said, "How about Rose?"

"Why Rose?"

"They're pretty, and delicate, and they are full of meaning. Like, red means love, white means innocence, and yellow means happiness. She's loved, she's innocent, and she brings happiness."

"It's perfect."

"Hi there, Rose." We both watched as she lay there, helplessly. I couldn't help but wonder what goes on in baby's minds. I know some great philosopher said that everyone is born with a blank mind, and it gets filled in during the course of your life. If that's true, little Rose' first impression on her mind wasn't good. It was filled with fear, and terror, and lots and lots of stupid cords that were bearing her down, not letting her be free. I bet after being cooped up inside of me for 6 months, she wanted to stretch out her arms and legs and use then the best she could for a newborn, but being in that incubator must've been so constraining, and frightening. Then again, it's all she knew. She didn't know what it was like to lie in her mother's arms, or in a crib, or in one of those things with all the flashy colors and lights. So, if it's all she knew, how could it be frightening? How is it fair that that was all she knew? I was determined to make sure that her stay in the hospital would only be as long as it had to be.

"What about a middle name?"

"Hm… I wish Sookie was just her nickname. Otherwise, I'd use her real name as Rose's middle name."

"Well, we can't all get what we want."

"How about Olivia?"

"Why Olivia?"

"It's pretty."

"But I thought it had to have meaning?"

"The first name has to have meaning, Luke, the first name. The middle name can be as meaningless as we want, as long as it's pretty."

"Ok, then. Rose Olivia Gilmore. I like it."

"Good….Who all is here?" I asked. I knew people wouldn't show up around the time I went into the hospital. It was way too late. But now that it was about 10 in the morning, I knew half of Stars Hollow would be in the waiting room, waiting to see the newest citizen of the town.

"Everyone. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. They're trying to convince some lady to let them all in here at once."

"Hey, guys!" Rory said, as she entered the NICU with half of Connecticut following behind her. She hugged her mother and Luke, and motioned for everyone to circle around the incubator.

"Hey, Lorelai!" Sookie said, giving her a hug. "We've gotta make this as quick. It took a lot to get that nurse lady to let us all in here."

"Okay. Thanks for coming, everyone."

"Of course, Sugar. We wouldn't miss this for the world," Babette said, rubbing her back.

"Hey, everyone, gather 'round. We're doing official introductions."

"Lorelai, she's not going to understand," Taylor said.

"Humor me… This is your Auntie Sookie and Uncle Jackson. You'll love them. Sookie will make you all your birthday cakes and Jackson will give you zucchinis that oddly resemble Mother Goose nursery rhyme characters."

"Hey there, little one."

"Next is Miss Patty. She'll teach you how to sing and dance."

"She's the next Broadway star, I can tell already."

"Next are Babette and Morey. They're the best next door neighbors anyone could ask for. And when you've got a problem, Babette's brownies are sure to cheer you up."

"Hey there, Doll."

"Next is Taylor. So, do you approve of Stars Hollow's newest resident?"

"I think she'll fit in just fine."

"Kirk is next. He'll be there for all your, gutter cleaning, dog walking, choreographing, real estate buying needs."

"Next Tuesday, I'll be your newest mail carrier as well."

"And after Kirk is our fine Frenchman, Michel. He'll be sure to tell you all about Celine Dion, and carefully monitor your blueberry intake."

"Hello, there."

"And then there's Gypsy and Andrew. Gypsy'll fix up for first car after you inevitably crash it into the garage, and Andrew will be sure to have your "My First Words" book in stock whenever you need it."

"Hi there, baby."

"After them is Lane. She'll teach you all about the hippest bands, and how to hide your Offspring obsession from your mother."

"Not even I would help her hide Offspring."

"This is Rory. She's your big sister. And next to her is Luke. He's my guy. He's been wrapped around your little finger since the day he found out about you. Just bat your eyelashes at him and you've got whatever you want."

"You bet she does."

"Your daddy isn't here right now, but wherever he is, be sure that he loves you very much."

"Actually, Mom, he's right here." Christopher popped out of the back of the crowd.

"Hey, Lor. I just got here about 10 minutes ago. Rory called me last night, and I hopped on the first plane I could catch."

"Thanks, Rory. Hey, why aren't you over here giving me a hug?" I asked Chris.

"Oh, sorry." He walked over to me, and hugged me lightly, as if he was afraid to hurt me.

"Now, on with the introductions."

"Who else do you have to introduce?"

"Well, her, of course."

"Oh, right…"

"And you, little girl, are Rose Olivia Gilmore, and don't you ever forget that. You're here, you're mine, and everything is going to be great."

Tbc.

I know I said I was going to have this chapter up a few hours ago, but I don't think I did too badly. I seriously considered not posting this today because there's obviously something wrong with the alert thing, cuz I haven't gotten any alerts on new chapters or reviews, but I'm sure once it starts working again, everything will be fine. Anyway, I like this chapter. I kinda like it a lot. I hope the meaning of the chapter titles is coming into focus for you!

I need to thank one of my reviewers from last chapter. She told me about my technical mistakes concerning the c-section, so let's just pretend they didn't happen, lol. I'd go back and fix them, but it would change the story line, so just go with it. To this reviewer, I have a question for you. Since you can't get up to see the baby that soon, when do you get to see it? I'm just wondering. I mean, if it were me, I'd want to go see my baby the second the c-section was over. I'd probably get up out of my hospital bed nd walk right over there, no matter what, lol.

Anyhoo, Review!

Random Question: If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?