Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Most characters, settings, and some dialogue are property of the creators of Gilmore Girls, and this story is not intended to make money. I own nothing except the plot and creative control of this fanfiction.

Loralie Emily Gilmore was born on May 26th 2008. Lola for short. She had vivid red hair, almost like Emily Gilmore's but darker and much brighter, like a crimson colour. Everyone just assumed it was the father's hair colour, but Rory knew it was Finn's mother who Lola had inherited her hair colour from. Her eyes were as green as her father's and just as captivating.

The day Lola was born was the happiest day in the world for Rory. Up until the minute she was holding her in her arms, she was scared and worried, and even angry. But once she held her, all her fears melted away. She could still remember it as if it were yesterday…

*Flashback*

"Congratulations Ms. Gilmore, it's a beautiful baby girl," the doctor announced.

"Oh, Rory she's adorable. How are you doing?" Loralie asked.

"Better."

"Would you like to hold your daughter?" Asked the doctor.

Rory didn't have to answer, Dr. Carlson had already handed over the baby.

Loralie quickly slipped out of the room with the doctor to give the two a moment alone. The time that passed while Rory was in the hospital alone with her daughter for the first time, was the most cherished time Rory had ever experienced.

Lola's mother watched as she ran around the room with her best friends, Steve, and Kwon. She could hardly believe that it had already been five years. It seemed like just yesterday Lola had spoken her first word.

*Flashback*

Loralie had agreed to watch over her granddaughter for the day while her own daughter had a few errands to run. The first thing the two did was go to Luke's for breakfast.

"Coffee, coffee, coffee," Loralie placed her order in her own hyperactive way.

"Would you like a stroke, with your heart attack?" Luke, the dinner owner and Loralie's fiancé replied sarcastically.

Later on Loralie and Lola went back to Luke's for lunch, and ordered a burger and coffee, along with some strained peas for Lola. But, not before Loralie had brought Lola into the kitchen at the Dragonfly. Suki was trying to decide on whether she wanted to use zucchini or tomato that night.

"Here, Loralie. Try these," Suki grabbed Loralie, and dragged her over to try the vegetables.

"They're both delicious, but I really just wanted coffee."

When Rory came home, she was exhausted, so she took a nap. A bit later on the older Gilmore girls minus Emily tried to get Lola to speak her first words. Eventually they gave up for the night.

"Hey hon, I'm going to get a drink, do you want anything?" Loralie asked making her way to the kitchen.

"Coffee," squeaked the smallest of the Gilmore's, shocking both Rory, and Loralie.

Rory loved Lola with all her heart, but at the moment she was staring straight into her eyes. Every time Lola looked into Rory's eyes, it reminded her of Finn. Part of her had always regretted not telling him. Even though she had always wondered what would be different if he knew, she was always worried that he would see them walking down the street, or in a grocery store, and just know Lola was his.

These weren't the only problems Rory Gilmore had when thinking of her child's father. She didn't know why but she missed him. It was weird, but she didn't know how she had gone five years without hearing about his crazy antics. While he was around, Rory had never known the extent of her feelings for him, but she was glad. If she had known how she felt, it would have made everything ten times harder. And, so she muddled through those tough times when she was reminded of him, and slept with a stuffed koala bear in her arms on the really tough nights. Like most traditions this one started out somewhat randomly…

*Flashback*

"Hey kid, you have to get this koala. It's just got that look," Loralie told her very pregnant daughter, while they were out shopping for the nursery.

The funny thing was, it did have 'that look'. It sort of reminded her of Finn. It just had this energy, as strange as it sounds. Rory debated getting it for a moment or two before realizing that it wouldn't be bad, if her child had a little piece of its father. Even if that piece had very little to do with him.

"Okay mom, put it in the cart."

The koala stayed in the nursery until the baby was born, but then Rory had to take it out, because Lola hated it. Whenever she saw it she started to cry. Loralie thought it was just a fluke, and Rory tried to convince herself it was, but deep down she knew it was because the koala was a lousy replacement for the man that should be there.

Somehow the stuffed koala ended up in Rory's room. The first anniversary of the night Finn, and Rory conceived Lola, was really hard on Rory. Every night since Lola had been born, Rory tucked her in, and she looked into Rory's eyes. Normally, Rory would have to get up several times during the night, so she never had enough time to dream in her sleep. This time Lola stayed asleep all night, which left Rory to fall asleep with the image of piercing green eyes in her mind. At first it was fine, and she was dreaming of pushing her daughter on the swing, but then the one person who she knew had the same eyes popped into her head. The person who she had tried to forget over, and over but never really succeeded. After her dream was over, she tried to fall asleep again but couldn't. She tossed, and turned, and even tried to sleep with her head at the foot of the bed, and her feet where her pillows were. Nothing worked, until she grabbed the koala. It was comforting, and gave her dreams of the Aussie, she had to leave behind. The nights she slept with the stuffed animal, were the only time she allowed herself to be weak. Even though it was a lousy replacement, Rory loved it, and it would have to do.

"Rory? Are you okay?" Lane, Rory's best friend had started to get worried, she hadn't spoken in a while.

"Wha…? Oh, sorry Lane, I was just thinking," Rory looked at her watch to see how long she had zoned out. "Oh, but Lola, and I have to go. She has a dentist appointment in Hartford, in forty minutes." She turned to her daughter. "Come on, sweetie. You can play with Steve and Kwon tomorrow."

The girls got in the car, and drove to Hartford. The appointment was quick and painless, so afterwards both Gilmore girls were relieved.

"I'm so proud of you kiddo. No cavities. You must be brushing really well-Hey, how about we get some ice cream, as a reward."

"Yeah!" Lola responded very enthusiastically.

As the girls walked out of the ice cream shop down the street from the children's dentist, Rory was watching her daughter, and didn't notice the three people walking in her direction.

"Reporter Girl?" Colin couldn't believe that Rory Gilmore was right in front of him, and with a little girl grinning from ear to ear.

"Ace?" Logan was shocked to say the least. The first girl he had ever loved was standing right in front of him with a kid.

Finn was speechless.

"Colin? Logan?... Finn? Oh my God," Rory started hyperventilating.

Colin and Logan just thought she was surprised to see them after five years but Lola knew her mother was scared.

"What's wrong mommy?" came a small voice.

That's when Colin got a good look at Lola.

"Oh my God, Finn has a kid!" Finn's face went pale, and he just about passed out, as Colin accidentally yelled out the first thing that came to his mind.

"Oh my God, you slept with Finn!" Colin yelled again, as he came to a sudden realization.