It's not like I've stayed away from writing all together the past month and a half. I started a story together with Akarana under a new account called Thecooperation. The story is called Her dream and it's a story based on spoilers, starting where 7.7 ends. If you haven't read it yet, please do!!
This chapter jumps a little bit in time. It's half July now and Lorelai is about 36 weeks pregnant. I hope you all like it. Please let me know :)
Chapter 30 – Baby shower
By the time July was half over Lorelai wouldn't stop complaining. It had been over 30 degrees Celsius all week, she felt like a whale and couldn't take the hot temperatures anymore. Luke took Lucan to work with him every day and tried to make things as easy as possible for her.
Lorelai felt as if Luke was avoiding her, but the air-conditioning in the house felt too good to walk to the diner and say something about it. Most of the time, when he finally came home, she was already asleep. She couldn't wait for the babies to be born, even though she had still a couple of weeks left. She had seen every DVD she owned at least twice by now and there was absolutely nothing on TV. With a sigh she hit the power button on the remote and threw it on the table. She reached next to her and found a magazine. She looked through it and then threw it on the table next to the remote. She read every single magazine in the house at least twice as well.
With a sigh she stood up and looked around the living room. There was nothing else she could do. She hated being alone. Her parents were on vacation and Rory was working and with Luke avoiding her, her days were lonely and boring. That's when she decided to go to the diner. She couldn't stay within the walls of her house any longer, or she'd go crazy. She had no choice but to go out, even if that meant facing Luke and their recent problems.
Once she stepped outside she already regretted her decision. With the air-conditioning on she forgot how hot it was outside. She couldn't stand another minute in the house however, so she decide to continue her walk.
"Lorelai, sugar."
"Hey Babette." Lorelai forced a smile when she ran into her neighbor while she didn't even reach the street yet.
"How are you doing sugar? We haven't seen you for a week. Are you and the babies okay?"
"We're fine Babette."
"I'm so glad. Morey and I were so worried about you." She turned around and yelled towards her house. "Morey, Lorelai's fine."
Lorelai shook her head. "If you don't mind, I'm on my way towards the diner."
"Of course not sugar. I don't want to keep you. Say hello to Luke for me okay?"
"I will." Lorelai left before Babette had a chance to say anything else. She hoped she wouldn't run in to anyone else before she reached the diner. But her silent prayers were unheard as she ran into Miss Patty.
"Lorelai honey, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine Patty."
"Oh, that's wonderful news. We started to worry about you. Luke has been taking that beautiful son of yours to the diner every single day this week, and we haven't seen you at all. I tried talking to Luke, but he refused to say anything."
"Well, I'm fine. The babies are fine, so stop worrying. I better go now. I was on my way to see Luke. Bye Patty." Lorelai was already tired from her walk. Carrying twins was heavy, but carrying them in the heat….. Nonetheless she found all the energy she had inside her and quickened her pace before Miss Patty could say anything else. She almost reached the diner when Taylor stepped out of the soda shop.
"Lorelai, I'm glad to see you."
She sighed. "What is it Taylor."
"You have to do something about that husband of yours……."
-xxxxxx-
Luke was walking around with the coffee pot when he glanced outside the window. He was surprised to see Lorelai talking to Taylor. He turned to face Lucan. "See who's here?"
The little boy walked towards the window and put his nose on the glass. He stared at his mother for a few minutes and then turned around with a big smile. "Mama." He walked towards the door and tried to reach for the doorknob. But even when he was standing on his toes, he was too small.
Luke smiled and placed the coffee pot on an empty table before helping his son. "There you go." He opened the door and took Lucan's hand in his while they walked down the stairs.
"Mama." Lucan pulled his hand away from Luke and ran towards his mother.
Lorelai turned around in relieve when she heard his voice. She took his hand in hers. "Sorry Taylor, I've to go."
"But I'm not done yet."
Lorelai ignored Taylor's protests as she walked towards the diner where Luke was watching her with an amused smile. She shot him an angry look as she climbed the stairs and entered the diner.
Luke turned around to follow her when suddenly Taylor was standing in front of him. "You better go talk to your wife. It's very rude to walk away in the middle of a conversation. I've received several complains about her behavior over the past few weeks and I didn't believe them at first, but this is unacceptable.
"Shut up Taylor." Luke pushed past him and entered his diner, slamming the door in Taylor's face.
Lorelai was the one with an amused smile now, but it quickly faded when she remembered how Luke acted towards her the past few days.
"What are you doing here?" Luke picked up the coffee pot and walked behind the counter.
"What? Am I not allowed to come here anymore?"
"I didn't say that. Of course you're allowed to come over. Any time you want."
"Then why have you been avoiding me the past few days?"
"What makes you think I'm avoiding you? That's crazy."
She looked at him, hurt. "Now I'm crazy? I haven't seen you for days. You leave first thing in the morning with Lucan and you don't come home until after I fell asleep. I know you're avoiding me Luke."
"Lorelai no, I would never avoid you." He walked around the counter and sat down on the stool next to her. "I love you Lorelai, and the only thing I was doing was making sure you had your hands empty. I know how hard it is for you to be around Lucan without actually being able to carry him around. I want everything to be perfect for you."
"But normally you bring me some food. You didn't do that. You sent Lane."
He sighed. "I know, and I'm sorry. It's been crazy around here. But you're right, it does sound like I was avoiding you. I didn't intend to though. I really missed you the past week."
She gave him a tearful look. "I missed you too."
He pulled her in a hug and tried to get as close to her as possible. Then he felt something pulling at his pants. Letting go of Lorelai he stared in the eyes of his son.
"Dada." Lucan had his arms in the air and both Luke and Lorelai laughed.
Luke lifted him in his lap and placed a kiss on top of his head. "Looks like he's feeling left out too."
Lorelai took Lucan's hand in hers. "I missed you too buddy. Have you been a good boy to your daddy?"
Lucan raised his shoulders and smiled, putting his head against Luke's chest.
"What's he been up to?"
"Nothing really. He was perfect."
"Good." She leaned forward and kissed Luke.
Then suddenly they heard tapping on the window. They stared at the door first, but then moved their heads towards the Soda shop. Taylor was standing there, looking really mad.
"Oh oh." Lucan smiled.
Luke stared in Lorelai's eyes. "What did you say to him?"
"Who, me?" Lorelai gave Luke an innocent look. "He wanted to talk about you. He told me you've been acting grumpy the past few weeks and received a few complains about you. What did he say to you?"
"About the same thing, only about you."
Lorelai shook her head. "I wonder what he's up to now." Taylor was still tapping on the window, trying to get their attention. "Why doesn't he just come in here?"
"Because I told him to stay outside and threw the door in his face."
Lorelai smiled. "That's my husband." She leaned in for another kiss and placed a kiss on top of Lucan's head as well. "So, what's the reason you were so grumpy the past few days?"
He looked down as he confessed. "I missed you."
"I was right at home. All you should have done was come over there and I would have been right there, waiting for you."
He sighed as he looked up. "I know. And I'm sorry."
"Me too."
"So what are you planning on doing this afternoon?"
She raised her shoulders. "I was hoping I could spend some time with my husband and my son. But I understand if you have to work. It's pretty busy around here."
He could here the sarcasm in her voice and even if her voice would have been even, the sarcasm was obvious as the diner was almost empty. "What did you have in mind? I can go home with you for a few hours if you want."
"Can I just hang around here for a while?"
"Sure. Of course. But the stools aren't comfortable."
"I'll try the chairs and if my back starts to ache there's always that nice couch upstairs."
"Good." Then he shot Taylor an angry look. "If he doesn't stop soon he's going to break the window."
"Well, then he won't be able to tap it anymore."
"No, then he can just yell at me without the window blocking out his voice."
She smiled widely. "You better do something to stop him then. He's going to scare away your customers."
Luke stood up, placing Lucan on the floor. Then he walked outside and into the soda shop.
Lorelai watched how Luke went to Taylor and started yelling. She smiled when Lucan pointed his finger towards the window. "Dada ugh."
"Your daddy is mad. Do you think we should go there and help him out?"
"Dada."
"Yeah you're right. Your daddy can handle it. He's a big boy."
-xxxxxx-
Half an hour later Lorelai had gone up to the apartment together with Lucan. Her back started to ache from the uncomfortable chairs and when she started complaining, Luke send her upstairs. He looked up when the doorbell rang and a few of the Stars Hallow woman and Kirk entered.
"Hello Luke. Is Lorelai around?" Kirk asked.
"She's upstairs."
"Oh good." They were about to head up when he stopped them.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Oh Sugar." Babette stepped forward. "We are having a baby shower for Lorelai. We were planning on having it at the house, but then she came over here so we decided to move the party here as well. You don't mind do you? She's been in the house for over a week. She will love the distraction."
"Yeah exactly." Miss Patty was standing next to her friend.
Sookie was standing in the back so Luke turned to her for help. "Does she know about this?"
"No, but I'm sure she'll love it. She's feeling left out at the inn, and this is something to distract her before the babies are born. And they all brought gifts and you know how much Lorelai loves those."
He nodded, ready to give in. "Let me just check upstairs if it's okay with her."
They all cheered when Luke started climbing the stairs.
He knocked on the apartment door and stepped inside. "Lorelai?"
"Hey." She was lying on the couch, watching TV. "What's going on down there?"
"There are some people here to see you. If you're up to it."
Before Luke had the chance to say anything else, they all entered the apartment. "Welcome to your baby shower."
Lorelai smiled and nodded to let Luke know it was ok. "You might want to take Lucan downstairs. I don't think he can handle this."
Luke nodded and took the boy in his arms. "We men are downstairs if you need us."
"I don't think so. But we'll call if there's something."
They watched until Luke was gone before they started emptying their bags. "We have games and presents. And Rory will be here in ten minutes. We were supposed to get here all together, but she ran into some heavy traffic on the way here so…"
"Rory's coming too?" Lorelai smiled widely. "Thanks you guys. This was just what I needed."
"No problem."
Sookie sat down next to her friend. "So, are you ready to open your present."
"Absolutely."
Everybody brought something. There were lots of clothes and toys for the twins. And a few brought gifts that were more for Lorelai than for the babies. Shower gel, perfume, shampoo and Miss Patty brought a sexy negligee. "For after the twins are born," she said with a wink.
Lorelai smiled. "Thanks you guys. Was this all?"
"You haven't received my gift yet." Rory entered the living room and Lorelai's smile became even wider.
"Hey honey."
"Hey mom." Rory hugged her mom and handed her two small boxes.
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Lorelai nodded and carefully opened the boxes. Inside were two small golden bracelets.
"One for each twin. I will let the jeweler engrave their names inside after they are born."
"Rory, it's beautiful. Thank you." Lorelai pulled her daughter in a hug. "I love it."
"Your welcome. I knew you would."
"So, are you ready for some games?" Kirk was holding roles of toilet paper in his hands.
"Uh sure…."
They teamed up and one had to play the 'baby' and the other had to make a diaper out of toilet paper. The team who did it fastest won. Lorelai and Rory were together, and since Lorelai spend the past year and half cleaning a lot of diapers, they won. Sookie and Babette were a close second. Kirk and Gypsy were third and he kept complaining that it was her fault they lost because she didn't stand still.
"Oh Kirk, you're such a baby." Gypsy yelled at him and everybody laughed.
After this game they played several other games. "What to do if the babies… and think of as much baby names starting with a…. name as many baby items as you can…. How well do you know the mommy to be, where they had to write down what who they think the babies will look like most, baby bingo and baby Pictionary.
Luke provided them with drinks and cake and some other junk food. Rory had told him that she was the one who planned the party together with Sookie and reminded him how much her mother loved crazy parties like this. He hung around a little bit longer than he needed to when he was up there, and inwardly smiled when he saw how much fun Lorelai was having.
After everybody left he went upstairs to check up on Lorelai. He found her asleep on the couch. She looked exhausted, but completely satisfied. With a smile he went back downstairs, knowing how right they had been when they said it was just what Lorelai needed.
After he cleaned up the diner he went upstairs to get Lorelai. She was still asleep so he placed a kiss on her front head.
She slowly opened her eyes. "Hey. What time is it?"
"Almost eight thirty."
"Where's Lucan." She sat up and looked around."
"Downstairs. He's asleep in his playpen."
She wiped the sleep out of her eyes. "Are you ready to go home?"
"Yeah. Let's go get Lucan and go home. I packed us dinner."
"Dinner sounds good." She smiled. "I need some help here."
He helped her up and placed an arm around you. "I told Lane that I'm not coming in tomorrow. We can do whatever you want."
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. I want to spend as much time with you as possible. It's going to be really busy around the house after the twins are born, and we should spend as much time together as we can now."
"I agree."
They walked downstairs where Luke took Lucan out of the playpen. They went outside where Luke closed the diner.
"Are you up for a walk or do you want to take the truck?"
"I don't think I could make it home walking."
"So the truck it is." He opened the door for her and placed Lucan in her lap. He lay with his back against the door and his head rested on her stomach. He was still asleep.
"He fits there perfectly."
She nodded with a smile. "Yeah he does. I miss holding him you know."
"I do." He started the car and they drove home in silence, enjoying spending a few minutes together. When they arrived home Luke walked around the car and took Lucan so Lorelai could get out. She carried the food in the house and went to the kitchen to gets plates, while Luke walked upstairs and put Lucan to bed.
When Luke came downstairs he found Lorelai in the kitchen. She set the table and lit a few candles. She smiled at him. "Hey."
"Hey." He kissed her before he sat down across from her at the table.
They ate together while Luke caught her up on his week and she told him all about the baby shower.
"You really enjoyed it, didn't you?"
She smiled. "I did. I mean, the games are stupid and all, but I like it. I just wish my mother could have been there."
"She would have hated it."
"You think?"
He raised his eyebrows pointedly.
"Okay, maybe you're right. But still, she would have to loved to be included in it. Even if she hated all the gifts they gave me and the stupid games we played."
"Talking about your gifts, we forgot them in the diner."
"That's okay. We can get them tomorrow. It's not like I fit in the negligee Patty gave me right now anyway."
"What?"
"I'm sure you'll like it. I'll show it to you in a couple of months. But right now, all I want is going to bed. I know I slept for a couple of hours already, but I still feel exhausted. Plus, I missed falling asleep in your arms the past few days. I tried to stay awake, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open."
"I'm here now, and I'll be more than happy to hold you in my arms. Why don't you go upstairs and change, and then I'll clean up here?"
"Sounds perfect." She stood up and climbed the stairs. She entered Lucan's room first and smiled when she saw that he was asleep with his hands into fists next to his head. She ran a hand through his hair as she couldn't reach far enough down to kiss him. She watched him for a few more seconds before she walked into the bathroom to change. Luke joined her in the bathroom and they brushed their teeth together. Then they went into the bathroom where Lorelai lay down on her side and Luke spooned behind her, putting his arm over her side onto her abdomen. He traced circles with his hand as he enjoyed the feeling of having her in his arms.
When he leaned up a couple of minutes later so he could kiss her, she was already asleep. With a smile he lay back down and soon fell asleep himself.
T.B.C.