A/N: Once again thanks to all of you who read and reviewed the last chapter. It hasn't been that long since I last updated so I'm really proud at myself. I hate to keep you waiting. For those of you who don't know it yet, my great friend Akarana and some others started a ficathon with the name "Leopold and Loeb – JJ Baby ficathon. You should check out her profile if you want to participate. It's going to be fun!! Please let me know if I have to send you the link.
As the title says, this chapter is all about the twins. Please leave me a review!!

Chapter 31 – The twins

-xxx July 28th xxx-

Lorelai just finished folding the laundry when she felt a sharp pain in her back. She didn't realize what it was at first so she didn't tell Luke when he helped her with the laundry basket, but when she felt the same thing again an hour later and an hour after that, she realized they were contractions. They weren't strong but they definitely were contractions. She smiled and hoped it wouldn't be long before the babies would come now.

-xxx 4 days later xxx-

When Lorelai opened her eyes she stared in the eyes of Luke. He seemed concerned. She stared at him for a few seconds and then looked around the room. It didn't seem familiar at first, but then she remembered where she was.

"Are you okay?" Luke asked, as he took Lorelai's hand in his.

She nodded. "Yeah."

"Good." He placed a kiss on her forehead. "The doctor will be here to check up on you soon."

She nodded again. "Have you called my mother to check up on Lucan?"

"Yeah. He's fine. He slept through the night and didn't wake up until 8 this morning. They gave him breakfast and he's playing with your father at the moment. He loves staying at your parents."

"Good." She closed her eyes for a few seconds before she opened them again. "How long did I sleep?"

"Half an hour or so."

She sighed. "That explains why I feel so tired."

He smiled slightly and placed another kiss on her forehead. "You're doing great."

"Yeah. I hope so. I feel like I've been here forever."

"Just for a couple of hours."

Then another contraction hit her. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. He flinched in pain as she did the same, cursing that he did this to her. When the contraction subsided she fell back into the pillow, exhausted. "I wish they'd come out already."

"I would do it for you if I could, but I can't."

"Yeah yeah. The men only have to do the fun part in this. As long as you know that I'm never going to let you touch me again."

He had to keep in the smile, knowing that would only piss her off at the moment. He knew that in a couple of weeks she'd forget all about the delivery process and would think completely different about the subject. But he wisely kept his mouth shut. He simply said. "I know."

Then dr. Elder walked in. "How are you feeling Lorelai?"

"Perfect." With sarcasm obvious in her voice. "Couldn't be better. Isn't it time for an epidural yet?"

"Let's see how far you are."

Lorelai nodded.

Dr. Elder performed her examination and checked the monitor to see how Lorelai's contractions were going. Then she stood next to the bed. "You're 3 centimeters dilated. The contractions are about 15 minutes apart. It's a bit too soon for an epidural."

"Ugh.." Lorelai looked defeated. "How much longer?"

"It depends on how fast the labor is progressing. Right now I feel like it's going a bit too slow. Maybe we have to consider a c-section."

"What, no." Lorelai looked at Luke, who was looking at doctor Elder with a shocked look on his face.

"Why?"

"Because Lorelai is not progressing as fast as we want. It's been almost 10 hours since her water broke. When she was brought in a couple of hours ago she was 2 cm dilated and now she's 3. Considering her age it may be better to do a c-section. And if we are doing one, it'd better be sooner rather than later."

Lorelai shook her head. "I don't want a c-section. I know that I don't like these contractions, but I know that I can do it. Isn't there something else we can do?"

"We can give you a medicine called Pitocin through your I.V. It's a medicine that stimulates contractions and will help speed up the pace of labor."

Lorelai nodded. "Do it."

Luke however wanted to know some more. "Are there disadvantages to this drug?"

"It can speed up the labor so much, that the contractions may become difficult to handle."

Lorelai turned to look at Luke. "Let's try it okay? It's better than a c-section."

He sighed and then nodded. "Okay. If that's what you want."

"It's what I want."

They both turned to look at doctor Elder. "I'll tell one of the nurses to give you the medicine and I'll be back in half an hour to check up on you."

"Okay."

Lorelai watched how dr. Elder walked away and then focused back on Luke. "Did you call Rory?"

"She asked if she should come over. I told her that she shouldn't take the day off and that I'd call her if you're getting closer to delivering the twins."

"Good. That's good." She smiled slightly. "And Sookie?"

"I told Sookie the same thing I told Rory. And I also told her to keep it quiet that we're in the hospital so that the waiting room won't be filled with Stars Hallow citizens soon."

"Smart thinking." She heard the door open so she turned to look who entered.

"Hello Lorelai. I'm Sally. I'm going to be your nurse today." She shook Lorelai's hand and then turned to Luke. "And you must be Lorelai's husband."

"I'm Luke."

"Nice to meet you." She showed Lorelai the syringe she was holding in her hand. "Dr. Elder told me that we're going to give you a drug with a hormone called Oxytocin. Your body produces this hormone as well and it helps with the stimulation of contractions. Since you've been in labor for some time now and it's not really progressing, we decided to give your body some help. The drug takes a few minutes before it starts working and then your contractions should become stronger."

Lorelai nodded. "Okay. Do it"

"There it comes." Sally injected the medicine into Lorelai's I.V. "We are starting with a low dose to see how you react to it."

"Okay."

"I'll be back in a few minutes to check up on you. Is there anything you need. Some ice chips maybe?"

"That would be nice."

"I'll be right back."

Lorelai turned back to Luke. "Now all we can do is wait."

"Are you sure you don't want a c-section."

"I'm sure. I can do this myself. I know I can. I did it with Rory and with Lucan."

"But this is different."

"I don't care. I don't want a c-section unless there is no other option."

"Ok."

After a few minutes Lorelai felt another contraction. She grabbed Luke's hand and squeezed it again. This contraction lasted longer than the once she'd been having for hours now. She was relieved when the contraction was finally over. "I hope they'll give me that epidural soon."

"We have to wait and see how your labor is progressing before we call the anesthesiologist." Sally walked in again with the ice chips.

She looked at the monitor. "Dr. Elder will be here in 25 minutes or so to check up on you. If there will be any reason I can always page her before that."

Lorelai nodded. After a few minutes another contraction hit her. It was as strong as the one she had before. She breathed through the contraction as she squeezed Luke's hand tight. The contractions were much more painful than the ones she had before and by the time Dr. Elder came back in she was really tired.

"How are you doing Lorelai?" Dr. Elder asked when she checked the monitors. "It looks like your contractions are much stronger and come every 4 minutes now."

Lorelai let out a tired "Yeah. Is it time for the epidural yet?"

"Let's check how far you're dilated first, but I think we're getting to the point where an epidural is a good idea." Dr. Elder examined Lorelai. "You're 5 centimeters dilated now. You're doing very well. I'm going to call the anesthesiologist and call him down for the epidural."

"Finally." She looked relieved and then grabbed Luke's hand as another contraction hit her. Once the contraction was over she turned to dr. Elder. "How are the babies doing?"

"They're both doing fine. Their heart rates are strong and they are still in a good position."

"Good."

It wasn't long until an anesthesiologist came in for the epidural. "Hello, I'm doctor Holden." He shook both Lorelai's and Luke's hand. "Have you ever had an epidural before?"

Lorelai shook her head. "When my daughter was born they gave me other drugs and my son was so quick it was too late for an epidural."

"Okay. Let me explain the procedure first. You're going to sit down on the edge of the bed and lean forward. I'm going to give you local anesthetic where I'm going to insert a hollow needle into your lower back. Through this needle I'll insert a catheter. The pain medication will be given to you through this catheter."

"Will it hurt?"

"A little. But that's why I'm giving you the anesthetic first."

"Okay. Do it."

Sally and Luke helped her sit up on the edge of the bed. Luke was told to stand in front of her so that Lorelai could lean on him. Sally assisted dr. Holden through the procedure. They had to stop once because of another contraction. But once the epidural started to work, the contractions became easier for Lorelai. She even managed to fall asleep again. Dr. Elder checked up on her occasionally and it was almost 1 o clock in the afternoon when they told Lorelai it was almost time to go to the delivery room. Because both babies were still in a good position it wasn't necessary to go to an operating room. A normal delivery room was chosen instead.

While they wheeled Lorelai to the delivery room, Luke went to make a few phone calls. He first called Emily.

"Gilmore Residence."

"Sophia, this is Luke. Is Mrs. Gilmore there?"

"Of course. Just a second."

"Luke?" Emily's voice was heard seconds later.

"Yeah it's me. They're bringing Lorelai to the delivery room now. It won't be long."

"Good. Do you think I can come over?"

"I don't know if this is such a good place for Lucan."

"Richard can stay with him. We just put him down for a nap anyway."

"Okay. I'll see you soon." He felt someone tap his shoulder. "Emily hold on.." He turned around and looked at Sally.

"You have to come in now."

"Okay." And then to Emily. "They're telling me to go back in. Can you do me a favor and call Rory for me?"

"Of course. I'll call her and then come to the hospital. Give my love to Lorelai okay?"

"Okay." He hung up and followed Sally into the delivery room." He stood next to Lorelai's bed as Dr. Elder explained what they were going to do.

"You're fully dilated and baby number one is ready to get born. I want you to start pushing on the next contraction, okay?"

Lorelai nodded. "Okay."

"Luke, I want you to support Lorelai through the contraction. It's easy for her if you try and hold her up, okay?"

"Okay."

When the next contraction came Luke put an arm under Lorelai's back and hold her up while he hold her hand in his other hand. She pushed as hard as she could for ten seconds, then drew in another deep breath and pushed again. When the contraction was over she let herself fall back into the pillow.

"Very well done Lorelai. The baby is crowing. A few more pushes and you can hold your baby."

She nodded. When another contraction came they repeated the procedure. After 3 more contractions dr. Elder told them she could see the babies hair. After 2 more pushes the head was out and Lorelai was told to stop pushing. Dr. Elder suctioned out the babies nose and mouth and told Lorelai to start pushing again. After one more push the baby was out completely. It didn't take long before the baby's cries filled the room.

Lorelai's eyes filled with tears and when she looked at Luke, she saw his eyes were filled with tears as well. He placed a kiss on her mouth and another one on her forehead while dr. Elder quickly checked the baby and cut the cord. After that she put the baby on Lorelai's chest. Lorelai put her hand on the babies back and kissed the top of it's head. "Hello little baby." She smiled at Luke and he leaned in for another kiss. Then she realized that they didn't know the sex of the baby yet. "Is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's a girl." Dr. Elder told her.

"We have a girl Luke. A baby girl."

He nodded with a smile.

"Okay Lorelai. We have to take your baby girl away from you now, because there is still one baby in there waiting to be born."

Lorelai nodded as she let a nurse take the baby away. She focused on Dr. Elder again.

"I'm going to check if the baby is still in a good position."

"Ok."

She looked at Luke while dr. Elder performed her examination. "I love you" He whispered.

"I love you too." Then they looked at dr. Elder.

"I'm sorry, but the baby turned into a breech position."

"How is that possible? He was in the right position before right?"

"Yes, but sometimes after the first baby is born the second baby turns because it has suddenly more space. I'm going to try and turn your baby."

Lorelai nodded, suddenly feeling scared. She took Luke's hand and squeezed it tight.

"Okay Lorelai, it's important that you try and relax."

"Okay." She took in a deep breath and let it go. She focused on Luke and tried to ignore what dr. Elder was doing.

"You're doing great honey." Luke whispered. "You're amazing."

She let out another deep breath.

"Soon this will be over and we'll be able to hold our son and our daughter. Your mom will be here and Rory will be here and your father will bring Lucan over so he can see his little brother and sister."

She nodded. "Is my mom here yet?"

"I don't know. I'm sure she is. We'll be able to tell her soon that she's a grandmother again." He kissed her forehead. "I'm so proud of you."

She took in another deep breath that quickly escaped when suddenly one of the monitors started beeping. "What's happening?"

"The baby's heart rate is dropping. We have to get him out now. I was able to turn the baby so you have to start pushing again."

Lorelai nodded tiredly.

"You're almost there Lorelai. A few more pushes and you'll get to meet your son."

When another contraction hit her she squeezed Luke's hand again and started pushing with everything she had inside her. In 3 pushes the babies head was out and after another one the baby was out completely. They all held their breaths and waited for the baby to cry. When the baby started crying both Luke and Lorelai did the same.

"Luke, do you want to cut the cord?"

He nodded as he took the scissors.

"Okay, right here between the clamps."

"Here?" Luke put the scissors on the cord. When dr. Elder nodded he cut the cord.

"Well done. Now you can hand your son to your wife."

Luke took the baby in his hands and carefully placed him on Lorelai's stomach. Luke kissed Lorelai and then kissed the top of the baby's head. They watched their son while he kept crying. They knew that in the next couple of weeks his crying would drive them crazy, but right now it was the most beautiful sound they had ever heard.

-xxxxxx-

Emily was pacing in the waiting room when Rory arrived. "Grandma?"

"Hello Rory."

"Are the babies born yet?"

"I don't know. They won't tell me anything."

"I heard some crying coming from that room earlier but I don't know in which room Lorelai is. They just told me to sit down here and someone would come to me as soon as there is news."

"I'm sure mom and the babies are fine."

"I hope so Rory." Emily sat down and Rory did the same.

"Is Lucan with grandpa?"

"Yeah. Lucan is napping and your grandfather had some business to take care of. He will come here as soon as Lucan wakes up from his nap."

Rory nodded. Then the door where Emily heard the crying coming from earlier opened and Luke stepped out. A proud look on his face. Both Emily and Rory stood up and asked "And?"

"Both Lorelai and the babies are doing fine."

They let out a sigh of relieve and walked towards Luke. "Can we see them?"

"Of course." He walked back into the room and stopped next to Lorelai's bed. She was sitting up with both babies in her arms. She was still tired but feeling a lot better after being able to shower and change in something else.

Rory hugged her mother and kissed her cheek. "Congratulations mom."

Emily followed her granddaughter's example and hugged Lorelai as well. "Congratulations Lorelai."

"Thanks." Lorelai smiled widely. "Are you ready to meet your granddaughter and your grandson?"

"They are beautiful Lorelai."

"Yeah mom. They really are." Rory sat down on the bed and looked at her brother and sister. "Lucan is going to be so jealous."

"Speaking of which, where is he?" Lorelai looked at her mother.

"He was asleep when I left. Your father will bring him over as soon as he's awake."

"Good. I want him to meet his little brother and sister."

"What are their names mom?"

"This, she pointed at the boy, is Samuel Richard Danes. We will call him Sam." She looked at Rory. "Do you want to hold your baby brother?"

She nodded happily and carefully took her baby brother in her arms. "He's so tiny."

"You were that tiny too one day. And so was Lucan."

"It's hard to believe that."

"I know. Both of you are growing up so fast. I can only hope these two will stay this small forever."

Rory smiled. "I guess you just have to enjoy it as long as they are. I don't think you can keep them this small."

"Shhh you." Then she turned to Luke. "Why don't you hand our daughter to my mother so they can meet?"

He stood up and took the baby from Lorelai. He walked around the bed and carefully placed her in Emily's arms. "Meet your granddaughter."

Emily looked at the little girl in her arms. "She's so beautiful. She looks exactly like you as a baby."

"Don't say that. I was an ugly baby. I had a head the size of a watermelon."

"No. You were beautiful. And so is she. What's her name?"

Lorelai and Luke looked at each other and smiled knowingly. Then they turned to Emily. "Here name is Emilyn Mia Danes, with Emilyn as her first name."

Emily's eyes filled with tears immediately as she looked up at her daughter. "You named her after me?"

Lorelai nodded. "We did."

"Thank you. Thank you so much." Emily stood up and handed the baby to Luke and then took the remaining step to the bed and hugged Lorelai. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

"I think I do." Lorelai held her mother tight for a few seconds and then released her, kissing her cheek. "I love you mom."

"I love you too Lorelai."

Emily sat back down and Luke handed her the little girl again.

"So mom, what's the story behind Sam's name? I mean, I get Richard but…"

"Luke's mother was named Samantha. We named him after her."

Rory turned to look at Luke. "Your mother's name was Samantha? I didn't know that."

"Oh hon, there's so much you don't know about Luke."

Rory smiled, knowing her mother was probably right. "And you do?"

"Not yet. But that keeps things interested. He doesn't know everything about me either."

-xxxxxx-

Both twins were asleep in their bassinet when Richard walked in with Lucan. The little boy struggled to get out of his grandfather's arms the minute he saw his parents.

"Dada." He ran towards the chair his father was sitting and lifted up his little arms.

Luke put his son in his lap. "Hey buddy. Did you have a good time with your grandpa?"

Lucan smiled and then turned around. "Mama." He reached his arms towards his mother who took him in her arms. Lorelai hugged him tight against her, as she hadn't been able to do it for way too long now.

"It's so good I can hold him again." She kissed both his cheeks, his nose and his forehead. It made him laugh and he placed his wet lips on her cheek. They all laughed when Lorelai wiped away the spit. "Do you want to meet your new brother and sister?"

Lorelai let Luke take him and climbed out of the bed. A bit uneasy she walked towards the bassinet where both babies were lying. "look" Luke pointed at the bassinet and Lucan looked down.

"This are your little brother and sister. Sam and Emilyn."

"Ugh."

"No ugh. Baby. Can you say baby?" Lorelai looked at her son. "Baby."

"Buh."

She smiled. "Close enough."

"They're beautiful Lorelai." Richard hugged his daughter. "You did a great job."

She nodded. "Can you help me back to the bed?"

Richard supported her and slowly they walked back to the bed. There Lorelai started to tell about how the labor wasn't progressing at first and they had to give her medicine to help with the contractions. She told them how Emilyn was born first, and how little Sam had given them a scare after that. They talked until Lucan started to get bored and annoyed and both twins woke up hungry and crying.

"I think we're going to take Lucan home so you can feed the twins." Emily looked at Richard who nodded in agreement.

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow to let you know what time we're going home so you can meet us there."

"Okay sounds good." Richard took Lucan from Luke. "Say bye bye."

He waved with his hand. "Ba ba."

"Bye honey." Lorelai waved at her son and watched how her parents walked away.

"I'm going to go too. I'm sure Warren has dinner ready by now. I kind of forgot to call him."

"Oops." Lorelai smiled and hugged her daughter. "Do I see you tomorrow too?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss the twin's homecoming for the world. I missed too much with Lucan, and I plan on missing nothing with these two."

"I'm not sure if that's going to work, but we'll be happy to see you as much as possible."

Once Rory left Luke and Lorelai were left alone with the twins. Luke took both of them from their crib. "Which one is going first?"

"Uhm… which one seems more hungry?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, Emilyn then since she's older."

While Lorelai fed their daughter Luke walked around with their son. After Emilyn had enough they switched and Lorelai started feeding Sam while Luke let Emilyn burp and changed her diaper. He handed Emilyn back to Lorelai once Sam was done eating and did the same with him. Then he sat down on the bed next to Lorelai where they just watched how their two children slowly drifted to sleep. And when a nurse came in fifteen minutes later to check up on them she smiled at the sight in front of her. Both parents were asleep with the babies on their chests. She took a blanket from the closet and covered them, knowing they'd need as much sleep as possible.

T.B.C.