Sorry about the long wait. I don't think it was that long, but I can't remember when I last updated, though it can't have been more then a week.

Cheers!

Oh, and

Disclaimer-I don't own Gilmore Girls, that belongs respectively to the CW station, David Rosenthal, and the late, great, Amy Sherman Palladino and her husband.

Please Read and Review!

"Rory!" Jill greeted her, looking considerably plumper then from when Rory had seen her last. The harried pregnant woman hugged Rory tightly, and Rory's bones felt like talcum.

"Jilly," Rory said in a sing song voice, laughing, "Sweetie, I don't want you hurting that baby,"

Jill let go, sniffling, "I'm sorry, but there's only one more week to go, I have all these awful hormones, and-" Her voice began to crack, "I can't see my toes!"

Rory knew better by now then to laugh. She had gone through the same thing with Scout and Allie. Seeing ones feet were actually more important then most people thought.

"Where's Finn and the boys?" She asked

Jill scoffed, "I'm so angry at Deacon that I decided that he's going to be spending the rest of the pregnancy with Finn's sister. Finn's driving him down now, and the other two boys tagged along,"

"Poor Deacon," Rory said, knowing what Finn's crazed health-kick sister would be like toward the little boy.

"Last year, Julie was an advocate for all these no smoking people," Jill explained, "I expect she can teach Deacon the horrors of tobacco and cigarettes,"

"All I did was ground Scout for two weeks," Rory admitted, "He hadn't been smoking, anyway, but hadn't told me that Deacon was,"

"Scout's a sweet boy," Jill admitted, "Popular with the ladies, from what Deacon tells me,"

"You thrive on gossip, don't you?" Rory asked, her eyes twinkling. She gave Jill a trashy magazine and Jill squealed

"Thank you, Rory!" She laughed and sat back down, opening the magazine, "But seriously, Deacon told me that Scout's even thinking about having a boy girl party at your house for his birthday,"

"Scout's eleven, Jill," Rory said, "All he cares about is football, video games, and drums," She made a slight face at the latter, having listened to him at midnight and other odd hours.

"Rory, Deacon started having crushes when he was Scout's age," Jill pointed out, "And having heard many stories about Tristin's childhood, I don't think Scout will be a late bloomer,"

"Tristin may be his father," Rory countered, "But I didn't have my first boyfriend until I was sixteen," She sat down

"But," Jill grinned, "Scout takes after his father, you can't deny that,"

"Rory, it's this little boy," Tristin said excitedly, "He's got ten fingers and ten toes-"

"Where is he?" Rory asked groggily

"They're testing him," Tristin explained, "He was born a little early, so they wanted to make sure he was safe, especially considering that you were in a drugged sleep and he wasn't breathing at first-but the doctors say he should be back soon,"

"I didn't get to see him," Rory said sadly

"Sweetie, you slept through the entire thing," Tristin said laughing, "I have it all on tape, of course," He held up the video camera, grinning, "He has no hair and he's this tiny little thing,"

"Did you get to hold him?" Rory asked, smiling

"No, I told them that you would want that honor," He said, stroking her hair, "He's beautiful, Rory,"

"Baby Boy DuGrey?" The nurse came in, holding a little baby in a blanket

"That's me!" Rory said, sitting up straighter, almost in shock, "Oh god, Tristin-"

"Here you go, Mom," The nurse said, handing her the baby.

"Mom," Rory giggled, "Yes, that's right, I'm your mommy!" She said, holding the little baby. Tristin stroked his little head, marveling at their little wonder himself.

"He's four pounds, two ounces," The nurse explained, "His early delivery was alarming, especially since this was the first pregnancy, but he passed all the tests,"

"We can go?" Tristin asked

"Well, NICU wants to hold him overnight, just in case, but it's just protocol for all premies," The nurse said, "Does he have a name?"

"Rory?" Tristin asked, looking at her

Rory smiled, "Scout, definitely. He's a Scout,"

"Scout DuGrey," Tristin repeated, smiling, "I like it,"

"It's from To Kill A Mockingbird," She admitted, "First big-kid book I ever read,"

"Scout's a girl's name in that book," Tristin pointed out

"Well, I don't care," Rory said


"Is there a middle name?" The nurse asked

"Something manly," Tristin said quickly

Rory smiled, "Manly," She thought for a few seconds

"Tristin?" Tristin suggested, "Janlan?"

"No, I hate these names," Rory said, making a face, "They don't go well with Scout," She smiled, "Heathcliff. I always thought he was manly,"

"Heathcliff?" The nurse said, smiling, "I know what you mean,"

Tristin sighed, "I'll figure out which book that fellow's from later, but Scout Heathcliff sounds good to me,"

"Scout Heathcliff DuGrey," The nurse wrote it down on Scout's birth certificate, "Original name," She smiled

Rory looked down at her newly named baby, and smiled, "You're going to be so cute that no girl will ever be good enough for you, Mr. Scout,"

"And the little nicknames have begun," Tristin said, "Sure you won't rethink Jesus?"

"Scout, this is your daddy," Rory said, "Hopefully, you'll just have the cuteness and none of the idiocy,"

"I love you, Mary," Tristin kissed her softly, and smiled, "I love you, Scout,"

"Hey!" Rory said, "You said it first!"

"Nothing wrong with being second," Tristin countered, "In fact, the second time is usually better then the first,"

"Really?" Rory asked, she smiled, "Scout, I love you," She pecked him on the head, "I kissed him first," She said gloatingly.

Tristin roared with laughter.

"Mom!" Rory hugged her mother, laughing. Lorelai only held her daughter even tighter, "Oh Mom, it hasn't been that long,"

"I've only got Luke and Charlie now!" Lorelai sniffled, "And did you know that April visits us every two or three weeks even though she's at MIT?"

"Well, my stepsister is a certified genius who probably doesn't have two sons," Rory countered, "How's Charlie and Luke?"

"Charlie's sixteen, so what do you expect?" Lorelai sighed

"What age was he when he started looking at girls?" Rory asked, looking at him with Scout and Allie, playing some sort of game on the tire swing Luke had built on their property.

"Eleven," Lorelai said, without thinking about it, "Remember? I was calling you, asking you why he was putting up posters of half naked girls in his room?"

"Well, Scout's eleven and everyone's been telling me that he's a ladies man," Rory sighed, "I would love to meet these girls and rip their heads out,"

"Sweetie, Scout's father is Tristin DuGrey. The hottie with a six pack, remember?"

"It is not at all disturbing to hear my mother say that about my dead husband," Rory said dryly, "Besides, Tristin and Scout grew up in different worlds,"

"Like father, like son," Lorelai shrugged, "The trick is just knowing how much to let go, of the apron strings,"

"Well, what did you do about Charlie?" Rory asked

"I let him hang the posters, but I drew the line at the Playboys that began showing up in the bathroom-"

"Ew," Rory said

"He started casually dating when he was thirteen," Lorelai shrugged, "Told me that he got his first kiss at twelve-"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you first again," Rory repeated, "Twelve? Scout turns twelve in a matter of weeks,"

"And he's had the same girlfriend for two months now," Lorelai said proudly, "I hated the girl at first, but she just grows on you,"

"Is he doing anything with her?" Rory asked

"He would tell me first," Lorelai said, "Especially after I told him the entire story about your first time,"

"Mom!" Rory yelled, a little embarrassed

"I wanted to make sure that Charlie would tell me everything," Lorelai said, "I screwed up in not making sure that you'd inform me first,"

"What about April?" Rory asked thoughtfully, knowing how much Anna and Lorelai were like each other.

"She started dating at eighteen," Lorelai said, smiling, "Now she's engaged to John, the sweetheart that she brought home for Christmas and asked Luke beforehand,"

"I remember that," Rory smiled, "Luke was just beaming at being asked, and I didn't see him frown once that day. John seems perfect for her though,"

"Like you and Tristin," Lorelai said smiling,

"Do you think there's only one person out there?" Rory asked, "One person who gives you that look? The look of being in a sort of magical love?"

"There was for me," Lorelai said softly, "Rory, Tristin was an original and I don't think you'll ever find someone with the same magic, but there's someone out there that you can find some kind of magic with,"

"I think I've already done the looking," Rory confessed, "He's even met the kids, and they...like him enough," Rory knew that Scout barely tolerated Logan now, but that was a big step up from openly insulting him.

Lorelai smiled, "What's he like?"

Rory smiled again, "He's a wonderful man who makes me smile, Mom. I can't get him out of my head," She laughed

Lorelai laughed, "Rory, my dear sweet girl," She tucked a piece of loose hair behind her ear, "You're in love all over again,"

"It's nice to be loved again," Rory admitted, turning a little pink, "I don't know if I feel the same way about Logan,"

"Logan?" Lorelai asked, cocking her head, "Rory, not Logan Huntzberger?"

Rory nodded

"Logan who broke your heart?" Lorelai asked, "You wouldn't get out of bed for weeks and I was constantly at the door, getting pizza and Chinese food from Joe.

"Tristin's just one chapter of a book," Rory admitted, "Logan told me that he loves me, Mom,"

Lorelai sighed, "So you're just dropping off the boys?" She asked, "Spending the weekend with Logan over your own mother?"

"I know you have a big client at the Dragonfly, Mom," Rory smiled, "Send Luke my love and I'll call you tonight," She turned to the three horseplaying boys, "Boys!"

They looked up, grinning. Rory laughed and waved, before getting back in the car.

Lorelai sighed, "Why is that girl attracted to the rich playboy blonds?" She mumbled, but waved anyway, smiling.

"We're just meeting my mother," Rory said, "And Luke," She hesitated, "And Charlie and April and Anna,"

"Who's Anna?" Tristin asked, sitting in the driver's seat, his eyes on the road and one of his hands holding Rory's.

"April's mother," Rory explained, "Luke is April's father, but Luke didn't know until she was ten or so,"

"Okay," Tristin nodded once


"Luke then married my mother, who he knew for nine years beforehand," Rory said, "It might've been ten. Then they had Charlie. He's two,"

"I got it," Tristin grinned, "You're nervous, aren't you?" He asked,

"How do you know?" Rory asked,


"You're sweating," He held up his hand,

"Well, I just want them to like you so much," Rory defended herself, "When Luke met Logan, it wasn't too pretty a sight,"

"Has he liked any of your boyfriends?" Tristin asked, cocking an eyebrow, "And you weren't this worried when we had dinner with your grandparents,"

"Two and, duh," Rory rolled her eyes, "You took a class in schmoozing rich people like my grandparents. Luke's different. He needs a reason to like you,"

"Well, why did he like your other two boyfriends?" Tristin asked


"Dean, because my mother liked Dean-"

"The ass?" Tristin asked

"This was before she and I were exposed to his ass state," Rory said, rolling her eyes, "When Dean and I got together again in college, Luke was insulting him on our only double date with my mother,"

"So don't act like Bag boy," Tristin nodded, "I can do that. What about the other one?"

"Jess?" Rory asked

"Jess and you dated?" Tristin asked, surprised, having met Jess and his very hot and loyal wife, "I thought you were cousins?"

"Before Luke and my mother dated," Rory explained, "And Luke only liked him, because Jess was his nephew and I was helping to get his grades up,"


"Some job you did," Tristin laughed, "He told me that he was a high school burnout,"


"Shut up," Rory laughed, "You need to get my mother to like you, because my mother is the key to Luke's heart, and Anna too, would be helpful,"


"So don't piss anyone off," Tristin nodded, "It'll be fine, Rory," He said, smiling, "Trust me," He grinned.

"That'll be a first," Rory said, and smiled anyway

"Hello beautiful," Logan greeted her at her apartment, smiling, "Want to take a walk to my place?" He offered, holding out his elbow.

"Are you trying to be suave?" Rory asked, raising an eyebrow

"Would you rather I was a bumbling idiot?" Logan asked, "Because that's how I feel when I look at you and wonder how I ever let you go the first time. The whole suave thing is just a front,"

"Well, I bet that silver tongue of yours has saved you from many corners," Rory said, smiling, "My boys are off in Stars Hollow mucking around with Luke and I'm free for the entire weekend," She smiled

"I know we had plans that consisted of minimal clothes," Logan said, "But I promised Finn that we would hang out with him for a while first. He's at my place right now with Colin, setting up the poker table,"

Rory groaned, remembering poker from their college days. Logan laughed.

"It's not as bad as it sounds, baby," He said, smiling, "Jill and Paris will be there with Colin's kids,"

"Paris had the baby and no one told me?" Rory asked

"Bouncing baby boy," Logan said, "Paris forgot, I assume," He shrugged

"Well, I forgot about Paris, anyway," Rory laughed, "How old is he?"

"One week," Logan grinned, "His name is Logan Colin McCrea,"

"No," Rory said, looking at him, shocked. Logan laughed.

"You're right, no," He said, smiling, "Paris shot down that idea faster then Colin,"

"What's his real name?" Rory asked, grinning

"Elijah Benjamin," Logan admitted softly, "It goes well with Ella, doesn't it?"

"Eli and Ella," Rory laughed, "That's so cute!" She started running toward the apartment, wanting to see the new baby.

"Mary," Tristin looked at her smiling, "How do you feel?"

Rory sniffled, "Do you have to go do this stupid SEAL thing?"

Tristin laughed, "I'm a SEAL, honey. It's my job,"

She nodded, "Come back home as soon as possible and don't be brave,"

"Don't be brave?" He asked

"If you're brave, there's a bigger risk that I won't see you again," She explained softly


"Honey, I'll always be here," He said, holding her heart, "Right there,"


Rory laughed, "That's so corny,"

"Works with Allie and Scout," Tristin explained, smiling. He pecked her on the cheek, "I love you, no matter what, Mary,"

"Hello Rory," Finn said, knowing that she knew his little secret.

Rory looked him over, thinking he looked paler and a little more gaunt then the last time she had seen him.

"Oh Finn," She whispered, hugging him, "How are you?" She mumbled

"Today's a good day, Rory," He said smiling, "Now, I have to get these losers' money and buy a crib for the baby," He clapped his hands, grinning madly.

"Rory!" Jill greeted her, waving from outside, on Logan's balcony. Rory took that moment to look around, impressed with Logan's digs. It was bigger then hers, with a giant kitchen, media room full of electronics, a few closed doors, and a giant poker table where a kitchen table usually stood.

Rory went outside, impressed to see a hot tub, grill, one pregnant woman, and a fussy mother cooing over her son.

"Paris," Rory said, coming over, "How's the baby?"

"Eli's not much of a screamer like Ella," Paris admitted, laughing, "He sleeps through most of the nights and Ella's starting to sleep in her own bed,"

Rory glanced at the three year old girl who was currently splashing around the little tub, with a pair of floaties and several baby pool toys.

Pregnancy wasn't flattering on Paris, Rory had to admit, but motherhood did suit her in the oddest way.

"You're so lucky," Jill said, sighing, "You got a boy and a girl, and on the first try!" She looked as if she might cry.

"You don't want three boys?" Rory asked, chuckling

"Who would?" Jill asked, laughing, "They make such messes and they're impossible, but," She rubbed her tummy, "I wouldn't give them up for a girl,"

"What are you going to name it?" Paris asked, smiling. It was a bit odd to see Paris smile, but Rory was used to it by now. With Ella, she had been on edge for months, worried that Paris would explode at any moment from all the smiling.

"I wanted to name her Allie at first," Jill admitted, "But then everyone began calling Rory's Holden Allie-"

"I'm sorry," Rory laughed, "But Holden didn't seem right for such a cute little baby. And then Tristin suggested nicknaming him Allie, after Holden Caulfield's youthful brother. It suited him,"

"I got over that," Jill assured her, "Then I settled on Laurie, but then Teddy's son just HAD to be called Laurie,"

"They named him Theodore after his father," Rory protested, laughing, "Teddy and Theo were already taken, so they had to call him Laurie,"

"I also got over that," Jill said, a little crabby, "Now I've settled on Avery Grace Morgan,"

"That's beautiful," Rory admitted, "Deacon, Miles, Sawyer, and Avery,"

When she thought of that, she couldn't help but picture a boy. She didn't want to, knowing how much Jill wanted a girl, but Jill just seemed destined for boys.

"Finn suggested Jonah Indiana for a boy," Jill added, as a side note.

"That sounds like Finn," Paris admitted. Rory laughed as well.

"Well, we won't need Finn's choice, because in four very short days," Jill beamed, "I'll have my little Avery Grace in my arms,"

"I love your confidence, Jill," Rory said, smiling, "But remember when you were positive that Miles would be a girl?"

"I let Finn pick a name this time!" Jill countered, "And not everyone even knows that Miles' middle name is Angelina!"

"I thought you changed it to Angelo?" Paris asked

Jill smiled slightly, "We'll tell him the truth when he's eighteen. I doubt it'll matter to him by then,"

"Jill, how did you know Finn was the one?" Rory asked

Jill smiled, "Finn and I were on our fifth date. We were walking along the pier in Martha's Vineyard and Finn was telling me some story I don't remember," She smiled thoughtfully, "The sun had begun to set, and he pointed it out to me,"

Jill's eyes were glossed over in thought, Rory smiled.

"I made some comment and looked at him," Jill said thoughtfully, "He had this look-like there was nowhere else he'd rather be but with me. That's when I knew,"

Rory nodded thoughtfully, "Logan told me that he loves me," She admitted, "I haven't said it back,"

"Why would you?" Paris asked, her usual scowl coming back to her face, "He's an ass,"

"Paris," Jill sighed, "Rory, you shouldn't say it back unless you mean it. I didn't tell Finn until we were dating for a year or so," She shrugged, "Didn't want to scare him off,"

"I thought he was going to scare you off," Paris said, honestly, her lips curving into a smile.

"Logan loves me," Rory laughed, "I think this is the first time I've felt ready to move on from Tristin,"