Chapter Eighteen

"Rory!"

"Hi, grandma." Rory leaned in and embraced her grandmother warmly. Emily stepped back and held Rory at arms length.

"Well, look at you. You look wonderful, Rory."

Rory smiled. "Thanks, grandma. You look great too, Nantucket agrees with you."

Lorelai made her way from the hire car to the door. "Hi, mom."

"Hello, Lorelai. You need a haircut."

"Oh, I'm fine mom. Thanks for asking. How are you? Oh, good, good."

Emily tutted and folded her arms across her chest. "Honestly, Lorelai. I just spoke to you yesterday. You know exactly how I am and I know perfectly well that you're just fine."

"Well, it's polite to ask. Sheesh."

"Where's Luke? He is here, isn't he?"

"He's just getting the bags, mom."

Emily looked over to the car as Rory fidgeted nervously. "Who's that with him?" Emily asked, as Luke and Logan headed over. "Well, Logan Huntzberger, as I live and breathe! What on earth are you doing here? How is that lovely fiancée of yours? Hello, Luke."

Luke dropped the bags he was holding next to Lorelai as Logan came to a halt beside Rory and muttered under his breath. "I can't believe you didn't tell her."

Raising his voice, he addressed Emily. "Well, hello, Emily. It's nice to see you. And as for my fiancée, well, you can ask her yourself." Logan stared pointedly at Rory.

Emily looked around, confused. "Is she here? Rory, you should have-" Emily cut off abruptly as she caught sight of the large diamond ring on Rory's left hand. Her puzzled expression slowly dissolved into a smile.

Rory grinned sheepishly. "Surprise."

"Well, it's about time. I always knew you two were made for each other. Oh, congratulations. Have you set a date?"

"Well…" Rory trailed off. I don't think she can handle two surprises at once, she thought with a grimace.

Logan jumped in and saved her. "As soon as possible, Emily. We've wasted too much time already."

"That you have." Emily said, before she turned to her daughter. Her voice was stern. "I suppose you have a good reason for not telling me about this?"

Lorelai's mouth dropped open. Throwing a deathly stare at Rory, she answered her mother. "Not my news to tell, mom. Can we go in now?"

"Yes, yes. Come inside. Your rooms are ready. Go freshen up, dinner is at-"

"Seven, mom. We know." Lorelai finished for her.

At seven PM sharp, the five of them were seated at the dinner table. Emily smiled from the head of the table. "So, Rory. What's new with you?"

Rory remained silent, so Logan opened his mouth to speak. "Actually, Emily- OW!"

Emily frowned. "Ow?"

Rory smiled hastily. "Sorry, grandma, I accidently kicked him."

"How do you accidently kick someone? Honestly, Rory, you get more and more like your mother everyday."

"Hey, what did I do?" Lorelai asked indignantly.

Luke tried to diffuse the sudden atmosphere. "This soup is great, Emily."

"Thank you, Luke. Now, Rory. Tell me whatever it is that you felt you had to kick Logan to prevent me finding out."

Rory blushed scarlet. "Erm, ok. But you have to promise not to freak out."

"Oh, God, you're leaving the country, aren't you? You're moving to England. I should have seen this coming."

"No, grandma." Rory took a deep breath. "Logan and I have an announcement to make."

"We're pregnant." Logan chimed in.

A deathly silence fell over the table. Emily froze, her spoon suspended in mid-air. Rory threw a helpless look at her mother. Lorelai just shrugged. Logan reached out and grabbed Rory's hand, as if to offer reassurance.

Luke nudged Lorelai, who rolled her eyes. "Mom. Speak."

"Did you know about this?" Emily's tone was icy.

"Again, mom, not my news to tell."

Rory flinched at her grandmother's tone. "Grandma? Are you mad?"

"Of course I'm not mad, you silly girl. Not with you, anyway." Emily gave Lorelai a dirty look. "This is wonderful. Of course, it means we need to plan this wedding as soon as possible."

Lorelai looked at Luke. "How? How is it always my fault?"

Luke shrugged. "Two days, and we're home again." He muttered.

Emily finally smiled at Lorelai. "Oh, and of course, I'm going to have to move back to Hartford."

Lorelai glared at Rory. "This is all your fault."

Rory just laughed. "We can't wait to have you home, grandma."