The third installment in Literati domestic fluff!
Rory sets down a sentence of completion, closing the laptop with a satisfied click. She's finished the last of the edits for an article that's been haranguing her for weeks, and is daring to believe it's done. Rory enjoys the air of achievement settling around her. The article is done, Richie is with Jess at Truncheon and Rory doesn't have to pick up Charlotte from school for a whole hour. She sits back in her chair and lets out a contented sigh.
"Done."
Rory grins at her assistant, Maya, who smiles back in disbelief.
"Seriously?"
"Well, I'll have to give it a final read-through, but it's looking good to me. We're done on all the major edits."
Rory picks up the apple she bought earlier and takes a big bite, enjoying the sweet sharpness erupting in her mouth. She finishes chewing and looks over at Maya, who seems amused.
"What? Do I have apple stuck in my teeth?"
"No, it's not that. It's just weird to see you eat fruit. I don't think I've seen you eat an apple in the entire time I've worked here."
"I guess it is a little unusual," Rory admits. "I just saw it earlier and it looked really good."
"And is it?"
"Yes," Rory says but she throws the half-core in the trash. She has suddenly lost her appetite. An icy, cold feeling is wrapping around Rory's throat, replacing the light happiness from seconds before. She doesn't say anything, continuing to make smalltalk with Maya until she leaves, but the thought has thudded into Rory's brain. There have only been two other occasions which she can remember craving an apple. Those two occasions are now seven and four years old and Rory is suddenly dizzy. When was her last period? She was late but then it showed up, didn't up? It was very light, Rory remembers now, and she'd just figured she'd got lucky that month. Does that count? Has she missed one period, two? Shit!
Rory grabs her keys. She can't wait until after picking up Charlotte to do this. Locking up, she runs to the store across the road, runs back and throws herself in her car. She can't buy a test there - everyone knows her. Rory doesn't want to discuss it with anyone. She drives as fast as she dares to a big supermarket across town, practically speeds home and barricades herself in the bathroom with the test. The two minutes are unbearably slow but Rory knows the result before even checking. Positive. She is positively pregnant at forty years old and Rory lets out a loud groan.
Rory buries her head in her hands, not even caring that she hasn't washed them. Pregnant. How the hell has this happened? Well, Rory knows how it happened - she and Jess don't have issues in that department - but she has never had a scare since Charlotte. She and Jess planned Richie and they were done. They have always been careful and Rory let herself relax. What the hell happened? What is she going to do? Rory lets out a yelp of surprise as an alarm goes off on her phone, reminding her to pick up Charlotte from school. Dazed, Rory buries the test in the trash and methodically washes her hands before driving, considerably more slowly this time, to Charlotte's elementary school.
"Mommy!"
Rory sees Charlotte run across the playground, her curly brown hair flying out behind her and a huge smile on her face. Rory reaches out her arms, trying to match her smile.
"Hey, sweetness!"
Charlotte stuffs her face onto Rory's chest, smearing the juice stain on her purple shirt onto her mother's blouse. Rory barely notices. She lifts up Charlotte's pink backpack and exclaims, "This weighs a ton!"
"I needed all the books!"
Rory helps load Charlotte into the back of the car who stares at her, bouncing up and down in her seat. Rory starts to feel that she's missing something.
"What did you need the books for?" she asks. Rory assumed Charlotte just wanted extra reading.
"My book report," Charlotte says, her face falling. "Right before lunch."
"Oh," Rory says, feeling horrible. She and Jess had helped Charlotte practice all last night. "I remember now! How did it go?"
"It was okay," Charlotte says, still subdued but slightly mollified. "My teacher said I used big words."
"You sure did," Rory says, giving her a kiss. She climbs into the front of the car and Charlotte chatters some more. Rory tries to nod in the right places but she can't concentrate. All she can think of is being pregnant. What is Jess going to say? What is her mother going to say? Rory lets out a miserable laugh at that and sees Charlotte frown in the back.
"I wasn't laughing at you," Rory says quickly. Charlotte nods, but she looks suspiciously at her mother, who grits her teeth and focuses on parking the car. When they get inside Jess and Richie are already back and Rory gives Richie a hug and Jess an absent kiss. He doesn't pick up on her mood, instead, he bends down and exclaims, "Charlotte! How did the book report go? Did you blow them away?"
"I think so."
"I know so," Jess says proudly. "That's my girl!"
He lifts Charlotte up for a moment, giving her a kiss and Rory asks, "So what did you boys get up to?"
"Oh, tons of manly stuff. Richie fixed the pipes and I rewired the building."
"Uh huh," Rory says, amused, and Jess adds, "Richie spent the day mostly in the corner with the new shipment of kids' books and I unloaded boxes."
"Well, that's kind of manly."
"Right," Jess says and laughs when Charlotte says indignantly, "I can do that too, I'm manly too!"
"You're a very smart girl, Charlotte. You don't need to be a guy to unload a box, Mommy and Daddy are just being silly."
Jess picks up Richie and then manages to lift Charlotte with his other arm, making her squeal. Rory smiles as she watches Jess set them on the counter, preparing a snack for them, but feels herself tense back up. What is her husband going to say to a potential third kid?
Once Charlotte and Richie are settled in front of a TV show with their snack Rory takes a deep breath.
"I need to tell you something," she says, leading Jess into the bedroom. Firmly closing the door, she turns to face Jess who's looking somewhat panicked.
"What?"
"You might want to sit down."
"Rory, what is it?"
"I'm pregnant," Rory says. She stares at Jess who gazes back, his face slightly pale.
"Pregnant?" he whispers. "Are you sure?"
"I ate an apple," Rory tells him. "And the test was positive, but seriously, the apple was proof enough."
"But tests can be wrong sometimes - the doctor needs to check, right?"
"Jess, I ate an apple," Rory moans. "I'm pregnant."
She sinks down on the bed and Jess sits with her, taking her hand.
"Hey," he says gently. "Are you okay?"
"No," Rory sniffles. She looks at Jess who is staring anxiously at her. "Jess?"
Jess lets out a stifled groan, rubbing his knuckles across his forehead and then turning back to look at Rory.
"What do you want to do?" he asks. He holds her hand tightly and asks, "Do you want to keep it?"
"I don't know," Rory says honestly. "I can't even think about it. I can't believe this."
Rory hasn't felt this sensation since she found out about Charlotte. Rory hadn't thought about it in years but here it is again,clear as day in her memory: the feeling that something was off, wanting different food and then the uneasy knowledge she'd missed a period and that she could be pregnant. Rory had felt like a teenager who'd gone and got knocked up and had vowed never to let it happen again. She loves Charlotte, she wouldn't change what happened, but Rory never wanted to experience an unplanned pregnancy again. How did she screw up? There is a massive lump in her throat and then she feels Jess put his arm around her, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
"I love you," he says softly. "And whatever you want to do, I'm with you. You know that."
Rory nods, sniffling, and lays her head on his shoulder. For a while they simply sit and finally Rory lifts her head, wiping her eyes.
"It's just - we were done," she says in a wobbly voice. "We have our kids."
"I know."
"And we're older now too."
"We are."
"I don't know if we can have another kid."
"Rory," Jess says, "I think we can do it. If you're scared we can't do it, I swear we can. If you don't want to have the baby that's okay, but if you do and you're scared...we can do it together."
Rory takes a shuddering breath, looking at Jess. It's not really like last time, she thinks. She's doing it with Jess. Although that's true for last time, she realises. He's always been there.
"I love you," she says and Jess kisses her.
"I love you too."
"I want to sleep on it," Rory says. "I can't decide right now. I don't know what I feel."
"Okay," Jess nods, squeezing her hand again. "Are you okay?"
"Relatively. How about you?"
"I'm in shock."
"Well, that makes two of us."
"I guess I should start dinner," Jess says, dizzily getting to his feet. "Wow. I can't believe after this I still have to make dinner."
Rory giggles and, once Jess has left, she lies down on the bed and falls into a deep, dark sleep. She feels no less confused once she wakes up but the endless circle of thoughts have ceased to her relief. Richie and Charlotte eat their dinner heartily, unaware that anything is wrong. Rory watches Jess heap food onto their plates, calling them his boy and girl. Are they going to add another one to the mix? What would it be?
Rory wakes up early the next morning. She looks over and Jess is still fast asleep. Easing herself out of bed, Rory makes a pot of coffee and drinks it whilst staring out of the window. It's a beautiful morning. Rory grips the mug tightly and says out loud, "At least you're not putting me off coffee." She finishes the cup, thinking, and goes back to the bed, crawling back under the covers. Jess stirs sleepily and Rory gives him a kiss.
"Hey."
"Hey," Jess says. He smiles, his voice concerned and Rory smiles too, snuggling closer to him.
"I think maybe we should have the baby."
"Really?" Jess asks. He sounds cautious and Rory nods.
"I think we can do it. And I am kind of scared, and I don't like not having a plan, but a third kid could be cool."
"Of course," Jess says, taking her arms. "It's our kid. We make great kids."
Rory laughs and Jess looks into her eyes.
"Hey. Are you totally sure? Because it's your body and if you're not -"
"I am," Rory says. "I wasn't when I found out, but I want to do it - have it. We can figure it out."
"We're having another baby," Jess says and then a smile starts to spread across his face. "We're going to have another kid!"
He gives Rory a big kiss, hugging her to him, and she laughs out loud.
"Hey, don't get too excited. We just got out of the little kid stage and you know what this means - diapers, midnight feeding and potty-training and oh, did I mention the diapers?"
"Worth it," Jess says firmly. "It'll all be totally worth it."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
The doctor tells Rory she is ten weeks pregnant. The baby is due in June. Swallowing, Rory asks, "And is it okay? I mean - will the baby be okay? I know I'm older."
"We'll do tests," the doctor says, "But for now everything's okay. I advise you to rest a lot though. Relax as much as you can."
That's a joke, Rory thinks. She's driving to Stars Hollow to see Lorelai. The doctor told her it was completely safe, but Rory still drives at a crawl, earning lots of angry sounding of horns behind her. When she parks the car Lorelai is waiting on the porch and says in disbelief, "You're late."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"I didn't think it was possible for you to be late."
Lorelai has two cups of coffee waiting on the porch. It's a sunny afternoon, autumn leaves breezing around on the lawn, and Rory settles down with a blanket left on the chair for her.
"Mom," she says hesitantly and Lorelai absently asks, "Yeah, hon?"
"Mom, I've got some news," Rory says, taking a breath. "You know how you said I was late? It's kind of to do with that."
Lorelai is staring, utterly lost. "Your news is about traffic?"
"What? No! Mom, I'm pregnant!"
Lorelai blinks and then gasps, "What?"
She is showing almost the same expression as when Rory told her she was pregnant with Charlotte. That morning feels like a dream now, a limbo in memory, but Rory can clearly summon their sitting on the gazebo steps, the morning starting to wake around them. Stars Hollow was asleep but Rory had shaken their world with her news. And her mother had stared and stared and now Lorelai asks, just as she did then, "How? Well, I know how, but when?"
"I don't know," Rory says helplessly. "I mean - I couldn't tell you when exactly. But I'm ten weeks along."
Lorelai lets out a breath. "When did you find out?"
"Yesterday. I ate an apple."
"There's your proof," Lorelai says. "That's almost definite. Have you told Jess?"
"Yes. I told him last night."
"How did that go?"
"He was pretty shocked but okay."
"And you?" Lorelai asks, taking her daughter's hands. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm scared," Rory says honestly. "But I'm happy - I want to do it. I wasn't sure, when I found out, but I am now."
"Really?" Lorelai asks doubtfully and Rory asks, "Do you think I shouldn't do it?"
"No! Of course I'm happy for you, and I'm thrilled to get another grandkid - jeez, that always sounds weird. But this is a shock for you and I know you didn't want more kids."
"I didn't," Rory admits. "I didn't plan on more. But I think this is good - I want to see what this kid'll be like."
"If it's like me, it's already fantastic," Lorelai teases, putting her arms around Rory. "But you know that."
"Always so modest."
"That's my reputation."
"So what do you think it'll be?"
"How should I know?"
"You don't have a feeling?"
"It's a little early on," Rory argues but her mother is smiling and Rory sighs. "I haven't thought about that yet - not much. But I think maybe it'll be a girl. I don't know why."
"I know why - we're Gilmores!"
"But my last baby was a boy!" Rory laughs and Lorelai exclaims, "He was your exception. This one's a girl."
"You're going to have to wait a while to find out."
"You're not going to find out what it is?"
Rory shakes her head. "I like having the surprise."
"And you're the girl who hates surprises," Lorelai says, shaking her head. "Fine. I guess I'll be patient. I'll probably strain something trying!"
Rory doesn't argue with that. She takes a sip of coffee and looks up to see Lorelai smiling, looking a little teary. She lifts her cup to Rory's and says, "Here's to another Gilmore."
"It's a Mariano too."
"Doesn't stop it being Gilmore. Cheers!"
Rory and Jess tell Charlotte and Richie a few weeks later. They sit them on the sofa, Charlotte complaining about missing the end of her show, and Rory looks at Jess before saying, "We've got some news, guys. I'm having a baby."
"You're going to have a little sister or brother!" Jess says excitedly. "What do you think about that?"
Charlotte and Richie stare blankly at their parents and then Richie asks, "Where's the baby?"
"In her tummy, doofus," Charlotte says and Jess says sharply, "Hey, that's not the way to say things."
Charlotte shrugs and Richie asks, "How did the baby get in your tummy?"
"We'll talk about it later, bud," Jess says and Charlotte says, "I know. Gross."
"Come on," Rory says, taking a deep breath and sitting down with them. "We're going to have a new baby! What do you guys think about that?"
"Is it coming tomorrow?" Richie asks and Rory smiles, trying not to laugh. "No, sweets. Not until summer."
"When?" Charlotte asks and her face tightens when Rory says, "June."
"My birthday's in June."
"I know, angel."
"I want a brother," Richie says and Rory says, "It might be a boy. Or it might be a girl."
"Either way, you're going to have a new baby brother or sister," Jess adds. "Isn't that cool?"
"Yeah!" Richie says but Charlotte gets up.
"Can I go to my room?"
"If you want," Rory says. "But -"
Charlotte has already gone, and Rory is distracted by Richie asking again, "How did the baby get in your tummy?"
After Richie has been given a very basic rundown and shown a kids' book on the matter, Rory goes to Charlotte's room. She knocks softly on the door and looks round to see Charlotte at her desk, working on something from a textbook.
"Wow, what's this?"
"I know we're going to study Ancient Greeks next grade," Charlotte says. "So I'm studying them now."
"You're such a smart girl," Rory says fondly. She remembers how she used to assign herself extra credit work on Fridays and, after watching Charlotte finish her next answer, asks gently, "Do you have any questions?"
"About what?"
"About the baby."
"No," Charlotte says angrily. "I know you Did It. Ugh."
Rory bites back a smile and says, "I mean, questions in general. You're going to be a big sister!"
"I'm already a big sister," Charlotte says witheringly and Rory says, "I mean, you're going to be a big sister again. The baby might be a girl and then you'd have a little sister! Isn't that cool?"
Charlotte shrugs and Rory adds, "Richie wants a brother. Do you want another brother or do you want a sister? Not that I can decide which it'll be, but -"
"When in June?" Charlotte interrupts, putting her pen down.
"What?"
"My birthday's in June. I don't want the baby to have my birthday."
"Oh - angel, I'm not sure. But it'll still be your birthday."
Charlotte picks up her pen and starts angrily scribbling. Rory tries a different tack.
"You're going to be such a help," she says eagerly. "You're going to be so important to the baby."
That line had worked when Richie was born but it doesn't work now. Charlotte looks up at her mother and asks, "Why do you need another baby?"
"Sweetheart," Rory says, moving over so she can sit next to Charlotte. "We don't need another baby. It was a wonderful surprise, just like you were. Daddy and I are very excited."
Charlotte doesn't reply and Rory says gently, "It's okay not to be excited. It's a big deal, I know."
"I don't want the baby to have my birthday," Charlotte says quietly. "Promise me, Mommy."
"Angel. I can't promise you that."
Charlotte sniffles, looking angry, and Rory adds, "I promise that your birthday will always be your birthday. I can promise that."
"Okay," Charlotte says, but she doesn't sound appeased. Rory sits with her a little longer but leaves not knowing how happy Charlotte is with this information.
The following months pass in a strange paradox of horrendously slowly yet hideously fast. Everything looks okay from the tests. Rory has been ordered to rest as much as possible and Jess is very strict about it, checking that she has her feet up and taking regular breaks from work. They watch a lot of movies, even for them, and everything just feels more. Rory doesn't remember feeling as terrible when she had Charlotte or Richie. There's been more morning sickness, more aching and everything has swelled up. It is a not a pretty picture. There were a few magical moments, such as when the baby kicked for the first time, but Rory is ready for this pregnancy to be done. Rory watches as a baby arm or leg pokes beneath her skin and says wearily, "Come out soon, please!"
When June arrives it's unbearably hot. Rory can't imagine it's going to be much fun looking after a newborn in this heat, but being pregnant is impossible. Lorelai moves in with them the week before the baby is due and Rory is so grateful she doesn't even think about how she might want space. It gets hotter and hotter as Rory gets bigger and bigger and she worries that the baby might be born on Charlotte's birthday after all. It's due that week. Of course, Charlotte was early and Richie was a little late, so who knows? One day Logan calls and he sounds a little awkward when Rory answers. She told him she was pregnant when he called a couple of months ago and Logan had hung up after an uncomfortable congratulations.
"Is Charlotte there?"
"She's out with Jess and Mom. Do you want to call back?"
"No - I was just checking if my gift arrived."
"It did." Rory hasn't opened it but can see from the box it's a large, pink dressing table with a unicorn hairbrush. She doesn't think Charlotte will love it but doesn't like to say so. "Thanks."
"Good." There's an awkward pause and then Logan asks, "So how are you? Still pregnant?"
"Sadly, yes. This is miserable."
"Do you know what it's going to be?"
"No...it's a surprise. I just want it to be born."
Logan laughs awkwardly and says, "I hope it goes okay. You know what I mean."
"Yeah. Thanks." Rory knows he's remembering Charlotte's birth, and how he flew over to see her with a giant teddybear and not much else.
"Give Charlotte my love, okay?"
"Of course. You sure you don't want to call back?"
"No, it's okay. Bye, Rory."
"Bye."
Rory passes on the message but Charlotte seems underwhelmed. She's already upset that she can't have a birthday party, and Rory feels terrible. She considered letting her have one but Jess said no. They both knew what the doctor said - no stress - and they both know stress would come from it.
"I'll take her to the pool and she'll have a blast," Jess says. "She can have her party after the baby's born."
Rory wakes up on Charlotte's birthday feeling heavy and hot, but that's the usual start to the day now. It's so early Jess stays fast asleep. Slowly, Rory walks into Charlotte's room and lies down in her daughter's bed.
"Happy birthday, sweetness."
It is five in the morning and Charlotte stirs sleepily. "Mommy?"
"Hey!" Rory whispers, kissing her cheek. "My little baby is eight years old today! How's that possible?"
"I'm nearly grown up," Charlotte says proudly and Rory laughs. "Not quite. But you're such a big girl! And it doesn't seem like eight years ago I was lying in a hospital bed throwing up and having you..."
Charlotte dozes off in her mother's arms and Rory smiles, feeling the new baby kick around a little. She's glad it has held off being born, at least for today.
That thought is wiped away after breakfast. They have all had a slice of birthday cake, wrapping paper scattered around them, when Rory feels a twinge in her back. She gasps, trying to hide it, but when Jess asks what's wrong she shakes her head.
"Nothing. Charlotte, do you like Logan's gift?"
Charlotte nods but she doesn't seem impressed. She was given a big stack of books by Jess and they had to be coaxed out of her hands. "When can we go to the pool?"
"Not much longer," Jess tells her. "We just need to clear this stuff away and then your friends should get here."
Another twinge hits Rory and this time she can't hide it. Jess goes over and demands, "Are you having contractions?"
"I don't know - maybe."
They stare nervously at each other and then Jess snaps into action.
"We're going to the hospital," he tells Lorelai. "We might be there for the day."
Lorelai nods and then a small voice pops up, "What about the pool?"
Charlotte is staring, bereft, her party hat drooping and Jess says gently, "We can't go to the pool, honey. The baby's coming."
"Angel," Rory says. "I'm so sorry."
Charlotte looks away, her chin wobbling, but before Rory can say anything else her back is engulfed by another contraction.
They are not going home from the hospital. Rory is put straight in a room, hooked up to a machine, and tries not to think about how it resembles a horrible sci-fi movie she and Lorelai once saw. Jess is trying to get her to laugh but Rory can tell he's nervous. This is a more risky birth and Rory tries to take steadying breaths. Hours trickle by and Rory whispers to her stomach, "Calm down. We're going to do this together."
When the time comes, Rory is less confident. Sweat is sheeting all down her face and arms and she's already been sick three times.
"Your sister did this with me too," she says, trying to make a joke to her bump. "Have I made you mad already?"
But it's more anxiety than sickness that's Rory feeling. Jess won't let go of her hand. A team of doctors are swarmed around Rory, barking out orders, and Rory tries to breathe evenly. "It's going to be okay," she murmurs. "It's going to be okay."
Finally, they ask her to push. With Richie, her body seemed to know what to do, but this time Rory feels unsure again. She's scared of pushing too hard or not hard enough and hangs onto Jess's arm, breathing heavily.
"Push!" the doctors encourage. "Push as hard as you can, Rory!"
Rory pushes, gasping, and then they tell her to hold off. Which is it? And what is the use of the iced chips the nurse keeps bringing her? If Rory could talk she would ask, but right now she only groan in pain. Is it ever going to be over?"
"You're doing perfectly," the doctor says cheerfully and Rory wishes she could voice her doubts. "Almost there. A few more pushes - you can do it."
"No I can't," Rory manages to whimper and Jess tucks some sweaty hair behind her ear.
"Yes you can. I know you can, you can do anything."
"It's been forever."
"You're almost done. You can do it, I swear it. And then you can get back at me for this for making me change every diaper."
Rory laughs at that which turns to a grimace at the next contraction, but she feels less helpless. She pushes and breathes, pushes and breathes, and finally gasps as something slicks out.
"That's it, there's the head! Keep going!"
Jess holds Rory's hand as tightly as possible as she keeps pushing and then, with a loud gasp, she does it. The baby is whimpering in the doctor's arms and she says proudly, "Well done, Rory! It's a girl!"
"It's a girl?" Roy exclaims. "Really, it is?"
"It is," the doctor says. The baby isn't crying, more whimpering, and Rory stares at her desperately as the cord is cut and the placenta is delivered. Jess is saying something soothing into Rory's ear but Rory can't hear him. Her heart is too full of longing for her new baby girl. She reaches for her and then the doctors are taking the baby to the corner and Rory tries to sit up.
"Let me hold her!"
"They're just making sure she's okay," Jess whispers. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay - I just want our daughter."
"She's coming right back," Jess promises. Some tears are trickling down his cheeks and he says, "We've got a girl!"
The doctors are back in minutes which seem more like hours, laying the baby in Rory's arms.
"Here we go. She's fine."
The doctors finally leave them alone, letting some silence settle in the room. The baby stares up them with big blue eyes and Rory's own blur up with tears as she snuggles the baby close to her chest.
"Hi, little one," she says softly. "Here we are. We're okay."
The baby snuffles and then finally starts crying properly, making Rory and Jess laugh.
"There's my girl," Jess says. He bends down to give the baby a kiss and then kisses Rory's cheek. "A girl. I can't believe we have a girl!"
"I can," Rory says. A deep happiness is swelling all through her. "I knew she was."
"A girl," Jess says again, shaking his head and Rory laughs at him.
"Are you happy?"
"Are you kidding? I'm the happiest guy on earth right now."
"I'm just teasing. Are you surprised? You keep saying she's a girl."
"I can't believe she's here," Jess clarifies. "I can't believe we have another baby."
"Believe it," Rory says, kissing the baby again and slowly handing her over to Jess. "There, say hi to your daddy."
Jess gently takes her, gazing into her eyes. "Hi, kiddo. I'm your dad. You're my girl."
"Hey, we have two girls," Rory says and Jess laughs at her this time.
"No kidding."
"What are we going to name this one?"
"You said we'd figure something out."
"I'm still totally tapped! I used the girl name I had on Charlotte."
"We can't call her Daughter Number Two," Jess says, sitting down on the bed and Rory shakes her head.
"Be kind of cruel."
"How about another author?" Jess suggests. "Like Austen - Jane, I mean."
"I don't know," Rory says, wrinkling her nose. "I love Jane Austen but not so fond of it as a name."
"Doesn't have to be her name. Something along those lines. Maybe a book character?"
Rory gently rocks the baby and then says loudly, "Hey, I know!"
The baby startles, snuffles back into sleep and Jess whispers, "What?"
"My favourite Austen novel is Persuasion and I always liked the name Anne."
"Anne," Jess says, trying it out, and Rory adds, "Plus there's three Brontë sisters. Anne Brontë was Charlotte's sister. What do you think?"
"I think that works," Jess says, grinning. "It sounds kind of fancy though."
"How about Annie?" Rory asks, gently tracing her daughter's face with a finger. "Do you like that?"
"I love that. What about a middle name?"
"I was thinking Emily," Rory says. "Originally for Grandma, but Emily was a Brontë sister too. So that works even better."
"Are you going to tell Emily about the Brontë reasoning?"
"Um, no. I want to survive Christmas with her."
They both chuckle and Rory tries out, "Annie Mariano. I think it has a good ring to it."
"So does Annie Gilmore," Jess says, giving Rory a kiss. "You know that's her name too."
They smile down at Annie, who's squirming a little in her sleep, and blinks her blue eyes open.
"Hi, Annie," Rory says, kissing her hands which are wrapped around Rory's fingers. "That's your name, do you like it?"
Annie blinks again and although it's impossible, Rory is sure she sees the hint of a smile.
Jess calls Lorelai to tell her the news and she promises to come by with the kids in the morning. Rory manages maybe two hours of sleep and can barely muster the energy to shower after the excuse of breakfast she's given. She manages to feed Annie, who falls straight back asleep, and has to convince Jess to sit back down.
"She's fine," Rory promises but Jess is unwilling to walk away from the crib.
"Just making sure."
They are interrupted by Lorelai bringing in Richie and Charlotte.
"Well, I don't like to say I'm always right," Lorelai says, ignoring Rory and Jess's snorts. "But I was right! She's a girl!"
"Of course she is," Rory beams. "Hey guys, come and meet her!"
Richie is so excited he runs straight for the bed and Jess grabs him, hugging him to a halt.
"Slow down, bud," he says gently. "No jumping on the bed."
Richie carefully climbs onto the bed where Rory gives him a hug.
"I missed you! Do you want to meet your sister?"
Richie nods, thumb in his mouth and Rory gently lifts up Annie to show him.
"Here she is. We've named her Annie! Do you like that name?"
"It's okay."
"You're her big brother," Rory tells him. "Do you want to hold her?"
Richie nods and Jess sits him back against the pillows, carefully placing Annie in his arms. "There you go."
"She's okay," Richie says matter-of-factly. "I wanted a brother but she's okay."
Rory stifles a laugh. "Good to know."
Richie holds Annie a little longer, smiling at his sister, and then loudly announces that he needs the bathroom.
"I'll take you," Jess says. "Come on, kid."
Lorelai expresses an urge for coffee so follows the two out. Rory looks over at Charlotte who's standing in the corner.
"Sweetheart?"
Charlotte slowly walks over and Rory says softly, "Do you want to hold Annie?"
"Okay."
Charlotte climbs on the bed, sitting close to her mother, and Rory says, "I'm so sorry she was born right by your birthday."
Annie was born at two in the morning, so technically the girls don't share a birthday, but Rory knows it's close enough. Charlotte nods and then takes Annie in her arms. At first she looks unsure but then a small smile starts on her face.
"She's your little sister. How about that?" Rory says. "We've got another girl in the house. That's pretty cool, right?"
"Pretty cool," Charlotte agrees and gasps as Annie reaches out and grabs her finger.
"She's holding my finger!"
"Of course," Rory says, giving Charlotte a kiss. "You're her big sister. She knows."
The door opens and Rory looks up to see Jess come in, smiling at them.
"How are my girls?"
"We're fine," Rory says confidently, looking down at her daughters. "We're all three of us fine."