Chapter Twenty-one

That was Odette. She's pregnant. The words reverberated around Rory's head causing her to close her eyes against the tidal wave of emotion that was attached to them. I can't believe this. This is not happening right now.

It all changes on the blink of an eye, she thought sadly. Yesterday we were picking my dress, and today my fiancé is in England trying to find out if his ex is actually having his kid.

Alone in the kitchen of her mother's house, Rory sat at the table staring blankly at the wall. She could hear Lorelai and Luke talking in hushed tones in the sitting room, but couldn't make out what was being said. Figuring they were probably discussing the new development, Rory headed out to see her mother.

Lorelai and Luke were sitting side by side on the couch. As Lorelai caught sight of Rory, she shoved Luke to move him out of the way so hard he almost fell off. She held her arms out to Rory without a word, and Rory sank gratefully onto the couch and into the familiar embrace. Finally, the tears came.

Lorelai rocked her slightly. "Oh, honey. Have you heard from Logan?"

Rory sniffed. "Just a quick text to say he had arrived in London and would call as soon as he knew anything."

Wave after wave of emotion crashed over Rory in a relentless flood. She started to cry, her face screwing up as a torrent of jumbled thoughts poured out with the tears. "I should have known, mom. I should have seen this coming. It was too perfect, I was too happy for it not to happen. I am you, after all."

Luke silently slipped from the room as Lorelai lifted her daughters head up. "Whoa. What do you mean, you're me?"

"I'm you. I'm your carbon copy. Of course I'm now making the exact same mistakes. This is exactly how it happened with you and dad!"

"Oh, Rory. Honey, no. You are not me. I mean you look like me, you have my eyes and my determination and my love of caffeine and junk food, but you are not me. And Logan is not Christopher. This is so different, hon. Logan loves you. I've seen it. He is all In, Rory. You just need to have a little faith."

Rory managed a watery smile. "You really think so?"

"I really do."

"You know, I like Logan." Luke interjected as he walked back in carrying coffees.

Lorelai wrinkled her nose. "Well, that was really helpful. Such insight you have."

"I was only saying…"

Rory reached out for her coffee. "Thanks, Luke. Is this-"

A sudden, familiar knock sounded at the door. Rory glanced questioningly at her mom, who raised her eyebrows. "That sounded like-"

"Paris!" They said in unison.

Rory got up to get the door, wondering how on earth Paris managed to make a knock at the door sound so Paris. Arranging a smile on her features, she pulled open the door. "Hey, Paris."

"What on earth has that rich playboy done to you now?" Paris asked, as she barged her way in the house without saying hello.

Rory rolled her eyes at her friend. "Well, come on in Paris. How are you?"

"What? Oh, I'm just great. I love having to run out here in the middle of the night-"

"Paris, it's not even two p.m."

"Not the point! You call me in a state-"

"I text you. All matter-of-fact and emotionless, as it goes."

"Look, I came here to offer you comfort in your hour of need. The least you can do is be grateful. Hi, Lorelai. Luke."

Lorelai stifled a laugh. "Hi, Paris. Would you like a drink?"

Paris nodded. "Coffee would be perfect."

"What are you doing here, Paris?" Rory asked as Paris seated herself in the spot Rory had just vacated.

"I came to cheer you up, obviously."

"Where are the kids?"

Paris smiled happily. "Doyle has them. Lorelai, can I stay at the Dragonfly please?"

The house phone started to ring, and Rory reached over to grab the phone. "Hello?"

Instantly turning her back on the room, Rory lowered her voice. "Logan? Slow down, I don't understand. Who had a what now?"

Rory was aware of all the eyes in the room being firmly fixed on her back as Logan spoke again. She turned back to the room and locked eyes with her mother.

"Oh my… I'll get on the next plane… Are you sure? Logan, I-" Rory paused as she listened intently. "Ok. Call me as soon as you hear. I love you."

Rory put the phone down slowly. "Mom… I'm going to London."

"What's happened? The baby...?"

"Um, no, he didn't say. Mitchum had a heart attack. It sounds bad, mom. Really bad. I didn't think to ask about Odette. Logan told me not to go, he doesn't want me to fly."

Lorelai nodded. "But you're going anyway?"

"He needs me, mom."

"Ok. Well, I'm coming too."

Paris looked from Rory to Lorelai with a delighted smile. "We're all going."