Notes:
Well now I know what it takes to get Kasia to review. Glad you like that I'm using the name Liam!
I guess it's a good thing that middle names are almost never used since quite a few of you don't like the name Gilbert. I like the name Gilbert, makes me think of Anne's Gilbert.
Lorlukealways - No, the twins are definitely Luke's. No fear.
You've Got Wings Baby - That is saying something. Thank you.
Babs25 - I'm glad that the first moment of the chapter is what you chose to comment on because that was actually my favorite part.
Katiegg108 - See, the fact that I was able to use April in a way that brings LL closer should say something to ASP. I do like the girl, she's cute.
acceb - Glad you're liking the story! I too liked Anna the first couple times she was on but the scene when she dropped April off at the birthday party rubbed me the wrong way and I already started disliking her before the horrible scene with Luke and then Lorelai. I'm glad that you appreciate Rory thinking of Luke as her dad.
kelli - Sorry to say, but I don't think it was a record. Katie read it in 3 hours. But I'm glad you read it and liked what you've read so far!
Lorelai's Room
"Hello, hello," the nurse calls, wheeling a rolling a baby carrier with Liam inside into Lorelai's room. Lorelai is sitting up in bed, fully dressed now in her sweats. Luke is sitting in the chair by the bed. "Ms. Gilmore, there's a young man who wanted to see you." Lorelai has a hesitant smile on her face as she sees her son again.
Luke stands, his hands going to his hips. "You okay?" he asks Lorelai, seeing that she looks a little peeked. Lorelai nods slowly, not taking her eyes off of Liam.
"Let's try having you hold him first and then we can try breast feeding, how about that?" the nurse suggests.
"Okay," Lorelai says quickly, the uncertainty in her voice showing. Luke rubs her shoulder.
"Here I'll get him," Luke offers. He walks over and lifts Liam carefully out of the baby carrier. Lorelai smiles fondly at them, proud of Luke for his instant ease with his son. "I think I'm getting the hang of this," Luke says proudly.
"Yeah, you'll be playing ball in the front yard with him in no time, training him for the big leagues," Lorelai says. Luke grins.
"You think he's more of a Roger Clemens or Hank Aaron?" Luke asks, walking over to the side of the bed with Liam.
"Who was the one that was a good pitcher and hitter?"
"Babe Ruth?"
"Yeah, that's it." Lorelai looks lovingly down at her son. "Of course, if he's like me and Rory, he'll won't even be able to hit a tee ball."
"You can't it a tee ball?" Luke asks, a little surprised.
"Hey, it's not hard to miss the ball – three times in a row…" Lorelai blushes. Luke looks at Lorelai as she finally tears her gaze away from Liam and up at Luke.
"You want to take him?" Lorelai takes a deep breath, her self confidence quickly disappearing. "Lorelai, you're not going to hurt him. People should be more afraid of me handling a child than you."
"That's not what I'm afraid of," Lorelai says quietly. She looks back at Liam. Reaching out she runs a finger over his forehead and down his cheek. Swallowing, she finally nods. "Okay," she whispers. Luke watches her to make sure she's really going to do it as Lorelai slowly reaches her arms out to hold her son for the first time.
Luke leans over allowing Lorelai to take Liam from him. She holds Liam very carefully as if he were made of porcelain, slowly bringing him to rest against her chest. Luke squeezes her shoulder, letting her know how proud he is of her. Lorelai lets out the breath she was holding once she knows Liam is secure. She glances up at Luke and smiles, although still tightlipped.
"Ms. Gilmore, you're going to be a great mother," the nurse says.
"She already is," Luke tells the nurse, his fingers playing with Lorelai's hair. "Is Rory stopping by today?" Lorelai shakes her head, unable to take her eyes off the little person in her arms.
"I talked to her this morning when she was on her way to her first class, they started today. She said she'll come by this weekend after Friday Night Dinner." She smiles down at Liam. "Don't worry, Babe, we won't subject you to the House of Usher anytime soon," she promises. Luke chuckles. "Well, if he's going to appreciate anything I do for him, that should top the list."
"He'd also appreciate it if you don't give him coffee until he's at least 30," Luke adds.
"You're the coffee provider," Lorelai reminds him with a raised eyebrow.
"Against my will, you're the addict."
"And proud of it." Lorelai grins.
"So, does he have you?" Luke asks, motioning with a nod to Liam. Lorelai looks back down at Liam.
"Yeah… yeah, he does," Lorelai says, a little more sure than before.
"Do you want to try breastfeeding?" the nurse suggests. Lorelai nods. "This isn't your first, right?"
"No, I know how to do it, my last was a little biter though, hopefully Little Liam here's a little nicer to Mommy," Lorelai kids. She glances up at Luke. "Are you going to be uncomfortable with this?"
"No, this is fine, he's my son. You're not sitting in the middle of my diner in the middle of the afternoon," Luke responds.
"No, but I could," Lorelai says, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Don't even think about it," Luke warns. Lorelai giggles.
"Okay kiddo, lunch time," Lorelai says to Liam. Luke helps her take off her jacket and helps her with her shirt so that Liam can reach her breast. Lorelai tries to lay Liam correctly to get him to latch on, but he doesn't. She shares a worried glance with Luke.
"Premies sometimes have trouble, try tickling his lower lip," the nurse suggests. Lorelai does as told, but Liam just closes his eyes and goes back to sleep.
"Oh," Lorelai gasps, a little upset by this. The nurse walks over to the side of the bed and tries to help but Liam just keeps sleeping. Lorelai looks up at the nurse, clearly growing more upset by this every second.
"Ma'am there's nothing to be worried about," the nurse says, touching Lorelai's shoulder comfortingly. "Premies can have trouble with this, they'd rather sleep than eat. How about I take him back to the nursery and we can try this again in an hour?" Lorelai nods, a tear trickling down her cheek. "Ms. Gilmore, you have nothing to worry about. This isn't your fault, it just happens sometimes." Lorelai shakes her head as if she doesn't actually believe the nurse.
"Just take him," Lorelai whispers. The nurse shares a concerned look with Luke as she takes Liam from Lorelai. She motions for Luke to walk over to the baby carrier with her. With a glance at Lorelai, who's adjusting her clothes and putting her jacket back on, Luke walks over to the baby carrier. The nurse lays Liam down on his back.
"Mr. Danes, you might think about talking to her doctor. It's not unusual for mothers of premature infants to suffer a little depression." Luke nods looking back at Lorelai, who's curling up in fetal position on the bed.
"You think it's post-partum depression?" he asks. The nurse shrugs.
"I can't tell you for sure, but if the doctor thinks so, he can prescribe some medication to help out until she can get back on her feet again," the nurse suggests. "Try to decrease her stress too." Luke nods.
"Okay, thanks." He smiles at Liam as the nurse wheels him out. Luke walks back over to Lorelai, standing in front of her. He reaches out and rubs her arm, sitting down in front of her on the bed.
"Lorelai, you're not Mother Dearest, these things just happen," he says softly.
"They didn't happen when Sookie had Davey and they didn't happen when I had Rory," Lorelai replies, biting her lower lip. Luke places his hand on her chin, stroking her cheek with this thumb. "I think he knows." Another tear trickles down her check and Luke pulls her into his arms, holding her tight.
"There's nothing to know, Lorelai. You're doing great," Luke assures her, but for a slight second, he wonders if he's actually telling the truth.