A/N: I am so sorry that I haven't published in such a timely manner! Things have been crazy between moving, a sick baby, me getting sick babies cold, and the end of the school year rapidly approaching. I try to write on my planning period, but those right now are few and far between. Bare with me these last few weeks, and I promise to crank it out in a more timely manner! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!
"Lorelai?" A familiar voice crackled across the line.
Her body froze, too stunned to process who it was at first. "Logan?"
"I wasn't sure if this was still your number."
There was an awkward pause, for once in her life she was rendered speechless. She had said lots of different things to Logan in her head, the conversations varying in her use of colorful, explicit language depending on the day. She knew it was not all him, that Rory had been an equal participant in creating this pregnancy, but she still harbored resentment towards him.
"Lorelai? You there?" Logan asked timidly.
She sighed, knowing that she had to reign back her feelings. Logan was now the father of her grandchild, forever embedded in her life. It wasn't about her, or Logan, or Rory for that matter. All that mattered was the baby. "I'm here." She said, a little more assertive than she had wanted.
"I've been trying to reach Rory, but she isn't returning any of my calls or texts. I know I screwed up but we need to talk."
"I'm not trying to pry, but what exactly happened? She's been moody and withdrawn the week that she's been home, and won't really talk to me about it."
"Please don't hate me more than you already do ok?"
"
Logan, I don't hate you."
"The reason I didn't call her right away when I got her letter. . . .I was . . . I still am scared. I was trying to sort through my feelings, you know, gather my bearings, and she. . ."
"She didn't get a chance to process it." Lorelai finished for him.
"Yes, that's exactly it. I feel terrible about it. I should have called, or text. . . I could have even sent a message with Finn, I just didn't know what to say! I was in shock! I understand that it wasn't fair, and that she deserved an answer right away, but I can't go back and undo what I did.. Lorelai, I love this baby more than I love. . . loved Rory. I want to be there, but I can't when she's locked me out! It's like she resents me for getting her pregnant"
"You need to realize how Rory grew up. Remember spork city all the way? Rory remembers when it was more fork than spoon, I'm sure. She remembers living in a potting shed. She remembers our cheese sandwich dinners, or the time she had to read by candlelight because our electricity got cut off because the bill was due the day before I got paid. She saw me struggle. When you didn't answer, she assumed the worst, because that's what Rory does, and saw that struggle for her and the baby. She knew that I put my whole life on hold for her, and she already started planning to do the same. Your silence meant her having to give up everything she's worked so hard for,while you followed your dreams. She was scared too. Her whole life is changing and by you not responding, she thought that it was changing without you. She thought she was going to have to do it alone. "
Logan sighed. "I really need to talk to her."
"Yes, I agree, you two do need to talk."
"I'm headed back to Hartford tonight, my flight leaves at seven thirty. Do you think there's any way for me to get Rory to meet up with me? Could you try to convince her to at least talk to me?
"I'll do my best. She's telling my parents tonight, so she's a bundle of nerves."
"I should be there with her." Logan lamented.
"Oh you'll face them soon enough. I'll try to get Rory to at least text you. If she hasn't contacted you by next week, call me back ok?"
Lorelai could hear Logan's voice relax a little bit. "Thank you Lorelai. Really, I mean it."
"You're welcome." She said, hanging up the phone. She sighed loudly, not sure if she liked this budding comradery between her and Logan. She glanced outside, watching Rory solemnly sitting on the steps.
Lorelai stepped out onto the porch, a slight breeze blowing, letting all of Stars Hollow know that fall was soon arriving. She sat down next to Rory on the steps of the porch. "Hey."
Rory didn't even glance her way. "Hey."
"I talked to Logan."
Rory let out a deep sigh. "I was hoping he had lost your number."
"Rory, you can't just freeze him out."
"Why not? He got his time to process, Maybe I need time to process his reaction."
"Is that what all this is about?"
Rory turned to face her mother. "It's just. . . he's so arrogant. . . and selfish. He said he didn't contact me for those three weeks because he needed to 'process', this baby was changing his life. . . but his life hasn't changed in the least!"
"He's just found out that he was going to be a father with a woman who denied his marriage proposal. You're thrust back in his life, when you basically told him you didn't want him in yours just a few months ago and now, he's got to try to figure out how to be there for you and this baby, while getting a business off the ground on the other side of the country. I'd say his life is changing too."
"That's hardly anything."
"Those are big changes for him. Maybe not as big of a change as your life, but still changes.
It's not just your life that's changed Rory. This baby is changing all of our , Logan's, Luke's, Mine. . . "
Your life? Oh you get to be a grandma now, and spoil a baby. Terrible changes in your life.."
Lorelai couldn't believe the self centeredness her daughter was displaying. "My life hasn't changed? My life has changed quite a bit actually. I'm sure you didn't know this but Luke and I toyed around with the idea of having a baby .. . But do I do that now? Some sort of Father of the bride moment . . have a kid the same age as my grandkid? I can't be there one hundred percent for you during your pregnancy, if I'm dealing with my own pregnancy. Is that selfish? What's the right decision there? And you don't know this yet but you're going to learn very quickly, when your child is hurt, you're hurt. happiness, confusion, fear, anger, anxiety, shock? All of those feelings you're feeling, I'm feeling them right along with you. You're not the only one going through it right now Rory."
Rory looked up at Lorelai, her big doe eyes as big as saucers."You and Luke wanted to have a baby?"
Lorelai nodded. "Can you imagine? A grumpy little coffee fiend that can't stop talking. Combining our genetics, the perfect way to highlight that Luke and I really are the odd couple."
"You. . . you still could."
Lorelai shrugged her suggestion off. "Nah, that ship has sailed. I'm looking forward to being a grandma. All the fun and cuddles, but none of the sleep deprivation. "
Rory could feel the heaviness settle in her chest, the tears beginning to form. "I. . . I didn't mean to take that from you."
"You didn't take that from me, it just wasn't in the cards apparently. This was the sign from the universe we were looking for. I didn't tell you that to make you feel bad. I'm only trying to get you to see that this is impacting everyone. Including Logan. He's really trying Rory, and I've got to say, I really admire him for that. He's stepping up, he wants to be involved. He's already went to an ultrasound. . . that's more than your dad ever did. If I were you, I would let him in. "
"I need to call him. There's just. . . so much to say, but I don't know how to say it."
"You'll figure it out Rory, you always do. Words are your speciality." Lorelai glanced at her watch "We should probably start getting ready to go to my parents."
Rory's eyes widened once again, this time full of panic. "I feel sick."
Lorelai patted her on the back. "You've got to tell them Rory."
"No I don't. Not right now at least. We could keep this on a need to know basis for a little while longer. . ."
"And what? Show up at Christmas with an infant? Here's a sweater I made grandma. . . oh and a child that I also made!"
Rory swallowed hard. "When does this whole baby thing get easier?"
"You're 23? And it still hasn't gotten any easier."
"Gee thanks."
"Rory,'' I told them when I was 16 and still in high school. You're a grown adult, and an ivy league grad! Not to mention the golden child. It's not going to be as bad as you think."
Rory solemnly stood up. "Guess I better go get ready for my funeral."
…
"Aw ladies! Welcome! I was just freshening up my drink, can I get you anything?" Richard asked, as they entered the living room. Rory's stomach was on edge, her stomach flip flopping.
"I'll have a martini, two olives please." Lorelai said as they sat down on the sofa.
Rory nervously began to fidget with the skirt of her dress, her heart rate soaring. She had chosen the light pink frock because she thought it concealed her beginning baby bump well, but now she felt like she was smuggling a basketball underneath it.
"Rory? Anything for you?" Richard asked.
She shook her head a little too excitedly. "Oh none for me tonight. No sir. Sobriety is my top priority!"
Lorelai shot Rory a confused glance before turning to her father. "Those quirky campaign kids! They have so many slogans! What a square huh?"
Richard glanced at Lorelai deadpanned. "Lorelai, sobriety is a noble choice and if Rory chooses that path how wonderful of her."
There was a loud crash from the kitchen followed by some yelling. Lorelai and Rory could make out Emily's voice, yelling relentlessly at one of the servants.
Richard handed Lorelai her martini. "I should go check on that. Martha is rather. . . sensitive, and I'd rather not have your mother get into another lawsuit." He glanced at Rory. "The bar cart is right there, should your priorities change." and then he scurried off into the kitchen.
Lorelai jumped up as soon as he left the room. "Sobriety is my priority?!"
"I panicked!" Rory squeaked. "What was I supposed to say?!"
"I don't know, no thank you? Just a club soda for now? I'd go as far as even taking a drink and not drinking it, before that line!"
"I'm not going to make it until after dinner! You have no idea what it's like to hide a pregnancy from them! They're very intuitive!"
Lorelai shot Rory a dirty look.
Rory held up her hands in protest. "I understand where I went wrong there."
"Rory, they worship the ground you walk on. They might be upset at first, but they will still love you no matter what."
Rory hugged her mom. Lorelai squeezed her gently. "Ten bucks says my mother turns this around on me somehow."
"Turns what around on you?" Emily asked,appearing in the doorway.
"Rory is thinking about getting a nose ring." Lorelai blurted out.
"It's all that trash television you let her watch when she was younger." Emily said nonchalantly. "Now enough of this, dinner is served. I had Martha make her specialty since we had the pleasure of Rory joining us tonight. Beef Wellington."
Lorelai and Rory exchanged glances. Week 14 of pregnancy had ushered in a new adversion for Rory. . . beef. Kirk had sat next to them at the diner, and ordered a burger. One hint of the greasy, ironess scent, had instantly turned Rory into the exorcist. That day had also ended the days of Rory's pregnancy flying under the radar, Babette and Miss Patty spreading the news all around town before the color had even returned to Rory's face.
"Just breathe through your mouth." Lorelai hissed as they entered the dining room.
Rory sat down, her heart practically in her throat. Martha placed a plate in front of her, Rory slightly relieved to see that the meat was safely enclosed in a golden brown puff pastry, just a tiny bit of the meat peeking out. She breathed through her mouth, trying hard not to inhale, as her grandparents made small talk.
"So Rory, we were so excited to hear that you were joining us tonight!" Emily cooed. "How ever did you get a break?"
Rory felt the blood rushed to her cheeks. "Oh, I. .. . it's just a small break. Senator Obama's campaign trail has been grueling these past few weeks, and my boss thought I should take a breather."
Lorelai nodded in approval of Rory's slight exaggeration of the truth.
Richard stabbed a piece of beef with his fork. "You know Rory, the guys were watching CNN at the club the other day, and they were talking about Obama. I think he just make it!" He waved his fork around as he talked, the medium rare piece of beef on the end of it taunting rory. "I wouldn't take too long of a break, just think of what being on the president's campaign trail would do for your career." He accentuated each word with his fork, the beef coming dangerously close to Rory's face. Rory's stomach lurched, and she couldn't take it anymore. She clasped a hand over her mouth and made a mad dash towards the restroom.
…
"How far along is she?" Emily whispered, keeping her eyes low.
"Emily what on earth are you implying?!" Richard snapped.
Emily looked up at Lorelai, her features sharp and harsh. "That run from the table looks eerily similar to the 'stomach flu' you had in 1984."
"I knew this was going to come back on me." Lorelai muttered.
"I'm 14 weeks along." Rory said timidly, entering the dining room.
"And Logan is the father?" Emily asked, crestfallen.
Rory nodded.
"Does he even know?"
Rory nodded again. "He went to the ultrasound with me. He says he's going to be very hands on."
Emily clasped her hands together. A hopeful spark lit up her eyes. "So does this mean you're accepting his proposal after all?"
Rory and Lorelai's faces scrunched up, their noses crinkling in confusion. "What? No grandma, we're not getting married, we're not even together! We're strictly in contact just for the baby."
"You're not?" Emily cried.
Richard hit the table. "YOU WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO KNOCK UP, BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MARRY?!"
"DAD!" Lorelai snapped. "CALM DOWN!"
"I will not calm down!" Richard yelled, his face growing redder by the minute. "Rory is still a suitable bride. . . even in her. . . condition. When I get hold of that smug Huntzberger. . . I swear he's just like his father. . ."
"I'M THE ONE THAT DOESN'T WANT BACK TOGETHER!" Rory yelled.
Richard and Emily turned to her, stunned at her confession.
"You're the one. . . .choosing this?" Emily sputtered. She just couldn't believe what her granddaughter was saying. So much like mother, like daughter.
Rory nodded. "Grandma this is 2007. . . We don't have to be together to have a baby. We chose to part ways, we shouldn't get back together just for the baby."
"What in the new aged, feminist nonsense. . . this is absolutely absurd, this is. . ."
"This is Rory's baby and she will do whatever she chooses." Lorelai hissed as she stood up from the table.
She grasped Rory gently, and led her to the door. As Rory stepped outside, Lorelai turned to face her parents, their faces distorted in shock. " "you're doing with her, exactly what you did with me. I suggest you tread carefully with her, because Logan's loaded and unlike Christopher, he is committed to providing for this baby. If you drive Rory away right now, there won't be any school tuition bribes to bring her back to you." She slammed the heavy wooden door, leaving a deafening silence in her wake.
