Chapter Twelve
The phone rang four times before Lorelai answered it. It was 9:15 a.m.
"Mom! Are you okay?"
"Huh? What? Rory? Yeah. Of course I'm all right. Why do you ask?"
"Because this is the fourth time in a row I've called the house and the machine kept answering. I tried calling your cell after Sookie said you weren't at the inn. I almost called Babette."
"Oh, god! Don't do that! That's all I need!"
"So what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Sweetie, I just had a late night, that's all."
"Are you sure? Because I just have this feeling things aren't all right."
"I'm fine, really. So how was the flight?"
"It was good. No turbulence, or anything. Logan had a limo waiting for me at the airport because he was in a meeting and couldn't get away. But right after I got to his flat he showed up. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner but with the five hours difference, and getting settled in . . . ."
"And the fabulous I-missed-you-forever-and-ever sex?"
"Mom! Civilized people don't discuss such things, especially with their daughters!"
"Well, whoever said I was civilized? But moving on, you and Logan are good?"
"We're great! I missed him so much!"
"Well, I'm happy for you. You were getting kind of edgy all of last week. But I guess Logan took the edge off, huh?"
"Hey! Civilized, remember? Butmoving on,again, what were you doing up so late?"
"Um, well, I just couldn't sleep."
Rory was silent for a few seconds.
"What happened?"
"What do you mean, what happened?"
"I know you, Mom. And I know something happened. And I know it wasn't good. So, spill."
It was Lorelai's turn to be quiet.
"Mom."
"Well, after you left yesterday, I went to Weston's like I said I was going to, and April saw me and came in. And we had a very nice, short, conversation. Which was interrupted by a very angry Luke. Apparently he wants April and me not to ever talk to each other again, or to even see each other."
"He said that?"
"Pretty much. And he never wants to see me either, which I get. But he was just being so -- I don't know, so infuriating about it. Anyway, I lost my cool and proved to the good citizens of Stars Hollow that I don't need tequila to make a fool of myself."
"What did you do?"
"I yelled out at him that I was pregnant."
"Oh my god, you yelled?"
"Yep. He was about a half a block away, and I yelled."
"Loud?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure Anna heard me in Woodbury."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing. I guess he had to get back to the diner to make sure April's sensitive ears were covered."
"And you haven't heard from him at all?"
"No. But you know Luke, he's probably processing. So this time next month, or the next, he'll probably have some kind of response."
"Are you going to tell him it's not his."
"Well, obviously, I'll have to. Which is another conversation I'm not looking forward to."
"Mom?"
"Yeah, Babe?"
"I think I need to come back home."
"What? Are you crazy? You just got there."
"I know. But you need me there. You need someone on your side."
"Rory, nothing would make me happier than to have you here 24-7-365. But what would Logan think? You can't come running home every time some little crisis happens in my life. You're in a relationship with a man you love. You have to think about how this will affect him."
"He'll understand."
"He'll say he understands, and possibly he will. But the fact is, you'll still be leaving him to go running home to your mother, leaving him to wonder just how important HE is in your life."
"But you're the most important person in my life. You know that."
"Yes, I do. I do know that. But if you want a normal, not a Lorelai-Can't-Keep-A-Man, relationship with Logan, you have to start putting him first sometimes."
"But . . . ."
"No buts, missy. You stay there with Logan, I'll be fine here. And if I need someone to talk to, you'll be the first on my list. Okay?"
Rory was silent again.
"Rory? Okay?"
"Sure, okay. But we're going to talk – a LOT."
"Yes, we will. But right now, go make sweet, passionate love to the man you love. Let him know how important he is to you."
"Mom."
"Yeah, Babe."
"I love you."
"Right back at you, a million times over. 'Bye, Sweetie."
" 'Bye."
Rory slowly hung up the phone, a very concerned look on her face.
Logan walked over to Rory, waited a few seconds, then asked, "Everything okay at home?"
"You didn't hear?"
"No, I was talking to Paris while you were talking to Lorelai."
"Since when do you and Paris have anything to talk about?"
Logan chuckled. "Paris, France, not Paris Gel-psycho."
"Oh. Well, things aren't so good."
"I can have you on a flight this evening – if you want."
Rory looked up at Logan with appreciation and love in her eyes.
"If I had my way, I'd take you up on it. But Mom said I should stay here and spend time with you."
"And you always do what she says?"
"I try to."
"You're a good daughter."
Rory put her arms around his neck, and pulled him close, brushing his lips with hers.
"She said I should show you what a great girlfriend I can be," she whispered.
"You're a good daughter," he repeated, as they lost themselves in each other's passion.
T B C
