Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls is the creation of Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Chapter 38: The Innocent Can Never Last
Hartford, Connecticut, 42 North Main, Rory's Bedroom, Friday, June 2, 2017, 6:00 am EST
Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six-o'clock alarm would never ring
Logan stirred at the sound of a song playing nearby. Was that...the Monkees?
But six rings and I rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
The shaving razor's cold and it stings
Cheer up sleepy Jean
Yes, it was the Monkees. Logan couldn't recall ever in his life -with Rory, without Rory - waking up to the sounds of the Monkees.
Not that there was anything wrong with the Monkees. If anything the group's inauspicious manufactured boy-band beginnings unfairly saddled them with a perceived lack of credibility as well as an undeserved lack of appreciation.
"Ace?" Tightening his hold, he pulled her closer, nuzzling the sweet spot where her shoulder and neck joined. "Shouldn't we be getting up?"
"Why didn't I reset the alarm?! It's so early!"
"Ace. Big day today." As he shifted out from under her, he maneuvered so he could drop featherlight kisses along her shoulder.
"No!" Rory whined. "Pillow!"
"Come on. Junior'll think we forgot him if we're late."
That woke her up. Sitting up, she turned to look at Logan.
"Logan! That's terrible! That happen to you? Your parents forget to pick you up?"
Logan snorted. "Please. Look at who you're talking about! I was never left somewhere unattended cause there was always somebody who's job it was to deliver me and pick me up."
"Oh. Yeah." Eyes closed, Rory settled back down with her head right back on his bare chest.
"What about you? Lorelai ever forget you somewhere?"
"Hm. I remember she slept through the alarm my first day at Chilton. That was fun. I can't remember her outright forgetting me. She might've not been able to be there but she would've arranged with someone. Sookie. Or Mia."
It was a sweet torture lying there with Rory but he knew they needed to get up.
"Come on, Ace. We really shouldn't be late today." Leaning in Logan dropped a kiss on her temple. "We've got eighteen years to screw him up. We don't have to start today."
"We're not even expected there until later. We have a whole schedule. The doctors. The car seat specialist. The vision specialist. The other specialists. Even if we hadn't been up half the night, I meant to set the alarm for later." Rory fell quiet as she yawned. "But I forgot."
Rory pulled the coverlet up to her neck and burrowed further into Logan's shoulder.
"Who's the sloth now?"
"You know I get no sleep. Those," pausing, she raised her head to glance over Logan at the clock on the nightstand, "four hours were the best I'd had in months."
Logan smiled. No regrets then. He hugged her tightly before lessening his grip.
"I'm gonna be here to help so you should have plenty of well-rested nights in your future."
"Unless your boobs start producing milk, I'm going to disagree on that."
The two lay entwined in a peaceful cocoon until Logan ended the silence.
"Hey, what's with The Monkees?"
"It's Lucas's playlist. So do not mock. Remember. We have eighteen years..."
"Lucas has a playlist?" Not even out of the hospital yet and the kid's got tunes. "How'd he let you know which songs he liked?"
"Most of the songs are from an NPR list of songs for newborns. Mom, Lane, and Sookie helped me come up with some more. You know if you're putting together a playlist for your baby, it's really important you like the songs too."
"Yeah, unless you're gonna keep the kid by himself in a soundproofed room."
"They say babies get used to music they hear in the womb. They may be more alert and active when they hear the songs later. So I played him his playlist - and some classical music too - before he was born. My plan was to play it for him now that he's here and see if he responds."
Logan chuckled. Junior wasn't even home yet and Team LoRoLu already had a quirky family game to play.
"Can I add to the playlist?"
"You'll have to discuss it with him. I'm not getting in the middle."
"Hm. I'll do that." Pulling Rory in, he kissed her cheek. "Shut off the tunes?"
"Go for it."
Logan shifted out from underneath Rory and leaned over her to switch off the iPod. Then he returned to his spot on the bed, gently lifting Rory and replacing her head on his chest. If they really didn't need to be at the hospital until later, then maybe another hour of sleep was permissible.
"Mother. Daddy."
Logan's close-eyed smile was replaced by a squinty-eyed cringe. Two's company. Three's a crowd.
"Oh my God...What..?"
"Finn! Why are we hearing you?!"
"And -more importantly- is he hearing us?!" whispered Rory.
"You obviously don't remember telling Finn to test the baby monitors yesterday."
And Colin makes four.
"Logan! You didn't! Did you?!"
"Of course not, Ace. Cause I'd be afraid of him doing this very thing." His words, low, were directed only to Rory. Raising his voice, his next words were directed at Colin and Finn. "How long you two been watching?"
"Watching?!" shrieked Rory. Horrified, she turned on her side, pulling her pillow up over her head. "I can't believe..."
"Just a few minutes." Pause. "Here and there."
"Yes, he still had to make it through sniffing the red vegetables last night so he couldn't devote all his time to it."
"I'm pretty sure I'd rather he shallow sniff me from head to toe than watch us having sex!" grumbled an unhappy Rory.
"Tit-for-tat, Love."
"That's right. You've seen us naked plenty of times."
"Not on purpose, Colin! I can't help it if you guys strip on days that end with the letter "y"! And I never took pictures!"
"I beg to differ, Love."
"Okay. Maybe once or twice. When I got that new camera. But that was ten years ago!"
"If it makes you feel better, Rory. It was kind of an accident."
"How did you accidentally watch us having sex?"
Silence.
"Well, the watching wasn't the accident as much as the sex," admitted Colin. "I mean we didn't know."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Love."
Logan grimaced. This was exactly why his friends were good in small doses. And Robert should be there to keep Finn better occupied. Although what the hell was he thinking? The only good thing about this is that Robert - the one who had a crush on Rory - hadn't witnessed a damn thing.
"Finn!" Logan's tone was sharp as he warily watched an increasingly upset Rory.
"Finn has a point, Logan. We've heard you two many, many times over the years and with our imaginations -"
"We've pictured you doing quite depraved things is what Colin -"
"Oh my God..." Rory's eyes shut tight.
"- is trying to say. So actually seeing -"
"Oh my God..."
"-with our own eyes how quite normal -"
"Oh my God..."
"- and wholesome it all is has been quite life-affirming."
"You guys should know Finn's tearing up."
"Thanks for Finn's mental health update, Colin. Glad we could help ground you during your existential soul-searching phase, Finn."
"Yes, well. It has been helpful. Did you know this baby monitor has an interchangeable optical lens? You can customize the angle and the zoom..."
Rory groaned. "Just when the horror was receding..."
"What are you two doing up, anyway?" asked Logan.
"The alarm - " Colin started to explain before he was cut off by Finn.
"Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings
The six-o'clock alarm would never ring -"
"And there's another song ruined by Finn."
"Aw, come on, Logan. That's unfair."
"It's six AM!" Rory replied to Finn. "None of this is fair. Go back to bed."
Logan eyed Rory, who had finally removed the pillow from her face so that he could see the extent of her annoyance.
"If I were you two, I'd listen to Rory."
"All righty, then. What Mother says. Wake me up when September ends."
"You do look good, Rory."
Rory groaned again. "Shut up, Colin!" Rory started to lay back down before shooting back up and facing the baby transmitter. "And turn the damn receivers off! No more peep shows! I mean it!"
Hartford, Connecticut, St. Joseph's Hospital, Friday, June 2, 2017, 11:30 am EST
"Good morning, Lucas's parents!" Ashley the social worker greeted Logan and Rory in her sing-song voice. "How are you this beautiful day? Excited to have Lucas coming home with you?"
"Yes!" Logan and Rory replied simultaneously before glancing at each with a smile.
"Good morning, Ashley."
"Hey, Ashley," nodded Rory. "We're done with talking to the doctors. We just need the car seat expert -"
"Your CPST! I think you have Laura! Laura's terrific! You'll love her! She's so dedicated to being a CPST she says she'd do it for free but then she'd be homeless and no one would let her near their babies so ultimately market forces preclude its viability as a workable concept. She's very smart. She might be a socialist now that I think of it. Not that there's anything wrong with that. We try to keep politics out of the nursery. Although the White House is reminding me a little of Romper Room these days. Oh, shoot! Was I running my mouth off? I have to stop doing that! It's just really good seeing you two! I always feel like this when I'm reunited with family members after a week. Oh, not that you're my family members. That'd be weird. I don't. Think that. I'm not. Weird that is. At least I don't think so." Ashley paused for a breath. "So how're you two doing? You ready?"
"Yes," replied Rory, a tightlipped smiled on her face. Logan bit back on his laughter. "Do we know when Laura will be here to talk to us?"
"I'll call her and let her know you're ready. Hang on." With that Ashley stepped away from Logan and Rory
"I think she dethroned you on the non-stop soliloquy."
"Hey!" Rory punched Logan playfully on his shoulder. "Baby Mama? Aren't you supposed to be nice to me?"
"Oh, I think I'm very nice to you. I think I was especially nice last night." Logan leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. At first, gentle with closed lips they both opened their mouths at the same time. Logan felt Rory's arms wrap around his waist and pull him close.
This. This was as near as perfect as his life would ever be. It had nothing to do with what happened in a board room. Or the mast of a newspaper. Or what was in his wallet or his bank account.
Rory and he were together and they were taking their son home.
Team LoRoLu.
"Oh! Already thinking about making Lucas a big brother?"
Rory pushed Logan away at the social worker's interruption.
"Not quite-" replied Rory.
"Not yet," added Logan, his eyes smiling as they met Rory's widened stare.
"No. Not at all."
"Yet."
Rory groaned. "You're impossible."
"I'm sorry. That was inappropriate for me to say, wasn't it?" Ashley whispered. "You guys are so gorgeous together. I didn't realize you were a couple. I don't know how I got that wrong. Looking at you, you two seem perfect -"
"I agree." A woman's voice was heard approaching the group.
Logan looked up behind Rory, behind Ashley. Emily.
"Grandma! What're you doing here?"
"I was coming in for the weekend. I'm not used to the charter plane. I got here so early it occurred to me I might as well go to hospital. Your mother told me you'd be here."
"Mom still not coming?"
"No, Rory. Lorelai's working today. Besides as Little Lucas's great-grandmother, I'm the one who needs to make the most of the time -"
"Grandma! Don't talk like that. You're gonna be around for a long, long time."
"I hope so, Rory. I would've liked for your grandfather to be here."
"I know. Me too."
"He would've loved not being the only male in the family." Emily shot a look at Logan before continuing. "Don't worry about your mother. She'll come around."
"I know. She said she'd probably stop by on Sunday."
Logan, mystified, turned his gaze from Rory to Emily and back again. There was definitely a subtext he wasn't following.
"Ace? Did I miss the script update?"
"Mom's not too thrilled right now."
Oh.
"Fair enough." Logan grinned.
If he was reading things correctly, Lorelai wasn't happy about him. About them. Lorelai's disapproval hadn't prevented them from being together in the past, so he wouldn't allow it to mar their day. Besides, he'd won Lorelai over in the past. He'd just have to do it again. It wasn't just about him now. Team LoRoLu needed all its members. Lorelai - no matter what her opinion of him - couldn't deny that.
"Pay no mind to Lorelai. She's always had a hard time accepting when things don't go exactly her way."
Rory, frowning, glanced between Logan and her grandmother.
"Let's not talk about this. New topic."
"Yes. We have much happier things to discuss." Emily's eyes went to Logan. "Did Rory ever tell you how the baby's name flipped between Richard and Lucas?"
Rory groaned in frustration. "Not a better topic," she mumbled.
"Apparently I said 'Little Richard' too many times -"
"Grandma. I'm sorry. I just kept getting ear worms and -"
"Ear worms? That sounds horrible. What is it?"
"It's when you get a song stuck in your head. Every time you started to talk about 'Little Richard', I kept hearing 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Good Golly Miss Molly' in my head. Not to mention the visuals."
"Hm." Emily turned to look at Logan. "She tell you where 'Lucas' came from?"
Confused, Logan's eyes shot around to Rory.
"How does a woman honor her mother when she has a boy?"
Something clicked in Logan's head. Naming the baby Lucas was more for Lorelai than for Luke. The baby was named after Luke but for Lorelai.
"I couldn't name him 'Victor.' He'd never forgive me."
Logan's eyebrows quirked up. "Lorelai's middle name isn't Leigh?"
"No. It's Victoria."
"Good name for a girl." Emily commented innocently before looking up at the ceiling.
"Oh, now. Don't you start. If he'd been on time, I'd still be pregnant. Let me be for a while without the sibling talk."
Logan averted his gaze downward so she couldn't see the satisfied look on his face. She'd no doubt view it as him being smug.
Emily smiled. "Fine. I'm going to see Little Lucas."
"You go keep him company, Grandma. They know we're out here and that he's getting out today." Rory smiled.
With that Emily left Logan and Rory to wait in the lounge area outside the NICU nursery for Laura the CPST. Although expecting the woman, the couple started at the booming voice that seemed to come out of nowhere and echoed off all surfaces.
"Hi! I'm Laura! You the Gilmore-Huntzbergers? Damn that's a mouthful. I hope you're not giving the kid a first name too?"
Rory stared at the woman.
"What? Do I have a stock market feed ticking across my forehead?"
"No. Of course not. You just remind me of someone."
"Don't say Celine Beauchamps. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that. I'd take all that money and buy myself a tiny house."
"You know Celine Beauchamps? My grandmother -you just missed her- is close with Celine. She designs and dresses us for all our major family events. She just did my mom's wedding last fall."
"Well that's great. For your mom. Celine. And maybe your mom's husband. All I know is I've been working at this hospital five years and all the old bats on the board and the dusty fundraising yentas are always telling me I remind them of Celine Beauchamps. I tried to be flattered -because what the hell am I if not gracious? But then I googled old Celine -and boy, do I mean old! The broad's 102! I know I'm no Christie Brinkley but I do not look 102!"
"Oh. You know something? I think it's your facial features. I'm not sure about Celine. You actually remind me of this harp player who used to play at my mother's inn"
"A harp player? I didn't even know people still played harps. Thought that died with Harpo. What I do know is car seats! Did you know 90% of newborns leave the hospital in a car seat with at least one major installation or harnessing error?"
"No. We did not know that," replied Rory, who shot a concerned look over to Logan.
"That's according to a 2014 study by the AAP. Do you know what the AAP is?" The woman's vaguely dismissive gaze switched over to Logan.
"American Association Of Physicians?" he guessed.
"Nice try. It's the American Academy of Pediatrics. If I got my way parents who can't answer that question wouldn't be allowed to take their kids home. Did you know car crashes are the number one cause of death for children under 14?"
"No." Logan shook his head.
"Did you know the NHTSA estimates half of all child crash fatalities could've been prevented if the moron parents had installed the seats right?"
"No on that as well."
"A rear facing car seat -properly installed -reduces the chance of death by 96%. A forward facing seat -better than nothing I suppose - reduces the threat by 77%."
"Ace?"
"It's rear-facing. We got it from Paris."
Laura glanced at the carseat that sat on the floor by Rory and Logan's feet.
"I see you got a Nuna Pipa. Good if expensive choice. I sense you're not members of the proletariat."
"Good guess," nodded Logan.
"You two know how to read?"
"What?" asked Rory.
"I'm asking you if you read."
Logan and Rory exchanged puzzled looks.
"We both read. We're both writers actually. We went to Yale." Rory finally answered, somewhat defensively. Logan just stared at the woman.
"Well, it's good you're not letting your education get in the way of your ignorance. So here's the deal. This car seat is very intuitive. Any moron should be able to install it properly. As long as said moron reads the manual. Comprende?"
"Yes."
"No one ever does. Which is ridiculous since it's the most important piece of baby equipment you'll ever buy and it could save your child's life some day." Laura paused. "I'm thirsty. I'm gonna go get a Red Bull then we can get started on your car seat safety tutorial."
Once Laura was out of earshot, Logan whispered to Rory.
"Hey. Ace?"
"Hm." Rory had opened up the carseat manual and was diligently reading.
"Maybe we should leave him here until he's fifteen."
"Logan, it'll be fine. We'll install the thing right. Then we'll just take it slow on the drive home."
Although Junior's homecoming was not on his mind when he took the apartment, Logan found himself thrilled 42 North Main was only a few miles from the hospital.
A few hours later - Lucas having passed his hour-long angle tolerance test with flying colors - the family was finally on the road.
"How's it going back there?"
"Fine."
"He still awake?"
"Yep. I think he likes the new car smell. Right, Lucas?"
"He breathing okay?"
"Yes, Logan. Are you? I don't know when I've ever seen you this nervous."
"I'm fine." Logan hesitated. He felt like an idiot but there it was. "I'm just a little nervous about my driving. I never gave much thought to those "Baby on Board" signs before."
"Well, you're doing fine. We're only going ten over the speed limit. You only ran one red light. And I've only had to catch him once."
"Ha ha."
"You're doing great, Huntzberger. Can you get us home, now, please?"
"You got it, Ace. A few miles still. Shouldn't take more than an hour."
"Lucas! Look what you did to Daddy? Mommy's gonna have to teach him how to drive."
Hartford, Connecticut, 42 North Main, Rory's Living Room, Friday, June 2, 2017, 2:30 pm EST
Upon finally arriving at 42 North Main, Logan and Rory settled in at Rory's apartment. The terrifying drive behind them, the proud parents were thrilled to be home. Logan in particular. Lucas safely ensconced in his SNOO, Logan and Rory stood in the doorway of her bedroom watching the baby sleep.
"I like the outfit you chose, Ace."
He did, too. It was grey and the baby onesie version of a seer sucker suit. Kid might've only been a few weeks old but he looked dapper.
"It's understated but classy. I figure there's plenty of time for the message onesies. Though I did order a couple for you yesterday."
"Onesies? For me?"
"Not for you to wear. Not quite ready to go there. For you to dress him in. Or for him to wear while you're watching him. You'll see."
Logan couldn't help but smile at Rory's offhand words. This was really happening. It was starting to sink in.
"Ah. Can't wait."
"They should be delivered tomorrow."
Smiling, Rory shifted her gaze from Logan back to the baby.
"When should we introduce him to the boys?"
"When he's 21?"
"How about in an hour when he's up for his feeding?"
Was she suggesting having Colin and Finn in the same room as she breast fed their son?
"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
"What do you think I'm suggesting?"
"Breastfeeding Lucas in front of Colin and Finn."
"Hell, no! I'm still mad at them for using the baby monitor for their own x-rated amusement! I just meant I need to wake him to feed him. After he's done, we can introduce him to his -" Rory cleared her throat -"uncles."
"Yeah. Okay."
Two hours later, Logan texted Finn and Colin that 'Logan Jr.' was ready to make their acquaintance. Sure, Logan could've left Rory and Lucas for the five minutes it would've taken to walk next door and issue the invitation in person but he decided he didn't want to do that. It was their first day as a family -a real family - and he didn't want to miss a second. At the rate he was using his iPhone camera and video recorder, he'd be out of space before the end of the day. It was ridiculous that he didn't have his digital camera with him but he'd really only packed for a few days in London. Absurdly he still had suitcases packed and sitting in the townhouse for his never-to-happen honeymoon.
As for having a digital camera, maybe he could make some phone calls and have something delivered.
As Rory sat in the rocker with Lucas in her arms, Logan sat on the sofa, watching them with a new feeling of intensity. His. They were both his. To love. To cherish. To protect. Rory was right. He'd have to reconnect with his parents at some point. But he didn't feel that he - that they - owed them anything. Not at the moment. Not considering what they had done in coming between him and Rory. Yes, he was laying blame on both. His mother may have blocked his phone, but Mitchum hadn't exactly been an advocate in righting the wrong. The man had continued to push the marriage to Odette even after finding out about Lucas.
"Logan? Logan?"
Finally Rory's voice caught his attention.
"Yeah?"
"The door. The guys are here."
"It's not locked. Why don't they just come in?"
"Well, we did yell at them this morning. Maybe it sunk in."
Logan rolled his eyes. As if it were possible to train his friends using negative reinforcement. If anything scolding them would make them more determined to do that thing for which they were being scolded. Mildly irritated that he had to step away from the other two members of Team LoRoLu, Logan made his way down the hallway to the apartment door. Swinging it open, he saw why they hadn't just let themselves in. Colin and Finn were actually weighed down carrying gifts.
"Finally!" whined Colin. "You know I need to be careful with my knee."
He zipped past Logan toward the living room.
Finn was next. Wearing an equally exasperated look.
"Finally! You know I get bored standing."
With that pronouncement, he too flew past Logan down the hallway.
Logan turned to follow. Finally reaching the living room, Colin and Finn had taken a seat - Logan's spot- on the sofa across from Rory holding Lucas on the rocking chair.
"I think he looks like both of you."
Colin's words made Logan smile.
"With his eyes closed he looks quite like Logan sleeping."
Finn's words just reminded Logan of the creepy nocturnal sniffing incidents.
Rory must've caught his frown. She quickly sought to redirect the conversation.
"Hey, guys," she glanced at them both. "You know you didn't have to buy him all this stuff. You got him that ginormous teddy bear. And Logan and I are just happy you're both here."
God, Rory was something special; her hostess skills were unparalleled. As for Logan, his patience was non-existent; he was ready to help both of them to the door. With his foot.
"So what's in all these boxes?"
Logan followed Rory's gaze. Some of the boxes were big, some small. Some obviously held clothes while some were so oddly shaped, there was no telling what they held.
"Love, what's the most priceless gift one can be given?"
"Love?"
"No."
"Good health?"
"No."
"Appreciation for culture?"
"Now, I'm second-guessing our gifts."
Colin shot Finn a look of irritation. "How are you the face of your family's hotels? 'Maybe you'll like our hotels. Maybe you won't.' Rory, we're giving Lucas the gift of laughter."
"Oh, goody," she smiled. "He was just saying he wanted to learn some new jokes."
"How precocious."
"I'm kidding, Finn," Rory shook her head. "He's a baby. He doesn't know any jokes."
"Well," nodded Colin, "when he's ready to learn jokes, he'll have his uncles to teach him."
"In the meantime we picked him up some clothing with rather clever, if somewhat ribald, sayings."
Rory groaned. "Let's see them."
Later, after Colin and Finn had returned to Logan's apartment, Rory and Logan sat on the living room floor surrounded by open gift boxes. Or, according to Rory, the source of her own existential soul-searching phase.
"I don't know, Huntzberger. Would you put any of these on Lucas?" A look of amazement still etched on her face, Rory shook her head. "I don't even understand half of them." Her eyes fell on one. "'Don't Hate Me Cause I'm Gay; Hate Me Cause I Stole Your Girl'? Or this one. 'I'm not a Lesbian but my Girlfriend Is'? I can't even figure out if they're appropriate for the Stars Hollow Gay Pride Parade! I have no idea what they mean!"
Logan, grimacing, looked around at the boxes.
"I think the 'World's Cutest Tax Deduction' could actually be worn in public. The 'Feed Me You Peasants' - maybe in Hartford. The 'I'm going to need you to turn down your psycho' is perfect for visiting his Huntzberger grandparents -"
"Oh, we couldn't..." Rory started to laugh. "You think Finn'll really have an adult size made of that one he likes?"
Logan followed where Rory gestured with her hand.
"Was it the monocle one? 'Ah Good Sir I do believe that I have shat in my pantaloons'? Seems a little tame for Finn."
"Nope. The one next to it."
"'Last night is a blur. I remember sucking titties and then shitting myself.' Yeah. That's something Finn would wear. Proudly."
Rory, eyes closed and hinting a ghost of a smile, shook her head.
"I can't believe it."
"Which part?"
"All of it. You?"
"It's sinking in. Wanna guess which one's my favorite?"
"Favorite onesie? Is it 'Party in my Crib! Let's get tit-faced'?"
"No."
"'I'm too sexy for my onesie'?"
"No. I don't think you're really trying, Ace. You should've gotten it."
"Is it 'Sorry Ladies. My Daddy is Definitely Taken'?"
Logan nodded, a smirk on his face.
"And you knew all along. You just wanted to feed my insecurity..."
"No. No. Just keeping you humble, man."
Logan shifted over closer to Rory. Throwing an arm around her shoulders, he laid a kiss on her cheek.
"You can keep me humble. You can keep me however you want. As long as you keep me."
"Don't make promises..."
"Fully intend to keep them, Ace."
"Just be honest with me, Logan."
"Ace-?" Where was this coming from? "Something wrong?"
"No, no." Rory shook her head. "Just we're doing this. It's not just about you and whether you'll stay at HPG. Or Lucas and which onesies he'll wear. It's about me too. My book. My writing." Her eyes met his. "I'm trusting you with a lot here, Huntzberger."
"Ace, come on. You know I've always been your number one supporter. Your number one fan." At her raised eyebrow, he nodded, laughing. "Not in the creepy Kathy Bates way. You know me, Ace. I want you to finish the book. Then to write another. And another. Hey, if you sell them to Hollywood, maybe I can stay home and be your house-husband." Logan cringed. He did not want to spook Rory with talk about marriage before she was ready. Even in jest. "Or your live-in pool boy."
"Oh, now. Let's just see how you are changing diapers before I leave Lucas solely to your care. Or our imaginary pool, for that matter."
"Deal."
At the sound a small cry, they both fell silent.
"You might have a chance right now to test the waters..."
At Lucas's full throat cries, Logan rose to his feet and held a hand out to Rory. She stood too.
"Let's go."
"Let's go."
AN: Special thanks to Summerbelle for her contributions to this chapter. The date obviously went well. I do not write 'lemons.' (Trust me it's for the best; I'd probably have them talking throughout.) Use your imaginations. Numerous comments last chapter on how romantic/sweet things were in developing. RhiaReed plants the seed that Colin/Finn catch R/L in the act. Of course I go with her brilliant suggestion. Laura the Child Passenger Safety Technician is portrayed by Alex Borstein. Of course. All onesies referenced throughout the fic truly do exist. There are some very disturbed people designing baby clothes.
11/10/2017