CHAPTER NINETEEN

RORY

I woke up with a start, not realizing I fell asleep. I sat up on the bed, hearing rumbling from the living room. I got up difficultly. I was so big, at least 10 pounds heavier than I was with Cameron. I looked so fat. Even though Logan insisted that I wasn't, my views couldn't be changed. I walked into the kitchen and poured some coffee, it was late afternoon and Logan was trying to put a table together.

"What are you doing up? You're supposed to be resting." Logan said when he saw me. He wanted me to rest until I gave birth. My due date had come, and past, almost three weeks ago. I was tired of resting.

"I have been resting for 3 weeks Logan, plus my Doctor said walking around might induce labor." I looked at him struggling with the table. "What are you doing?"

"Poker game tonight, remember." I didn't, actually. "We talked about it last week."

"Oh crap, that's tonight?" I said, suddenly remembering. "Well, play your game, Cameron and I will finish decorating the nursery." It had been almost finished for a month now. I kissed Logan and called for Cameron to help me.

"It's starting to look really nice Mommy." It really was. All I had to do really was put away the laundry the sheet on the crib.

"Come on Cammie, let's fold some laundry."

LOGAN

I sat down to play poker with my friends, whom I hadn't seen much of lately and I wasn't complaining at all. I loved my time with my family.

"Who's dealing?" I asked. We were going old school tonight. Finn started to raise his hand but Colin smacked it down. "I'll do it. Finn had three drinks before we left." Everyone knew what that meant. Finn was one drink away from doing music idol impersonations, anywhere from Elvis to Brittney Spears. Colin dealt out the cards. I studied my hand, thinking of my next move, probably get rid of that 2 and keep the pair of aces. I wondered if Rory needed any help, she was 'overdue'; she shouldn't be doing anything to stress herself out.

"Logan, you in?" Colin asked me. I looked at my hand one more time.

"I'm in." We played a few hands and I was losing terribly. My mind kept drifting to Ace. If she was doing too much, if maybe her or Cameron were hungry. I couldn't help it. She invaded my thoughts. I raised my cards and tried to focus on playing the game. "Finn, that's the third hand in a row you've won." I observed. I hadn't played with him in a while, when did he get so good?

"That's because he practices playing with Cameron."

"You've played poker with my six year old daughter?"

"Hell yes. She's good too, beat me a few too many times for comfort though." Cameron was a smart little cookie that was for sure. She could cure cancer one day if she wanted to. Colin handed us new cards. One more deal, then I was going to check on them, maybe bring them some food. The sound of running footsteps through the hallway caught my attention.

"Daddy!" Cameron yelled, appearing in front of the table.

"What's wrong Cameron?"

"Mommy fell. She said it hurts." I got up from the table quickly and ran into the nursery, Colin and Finn following behind me. Rory was laying on the floor, clutching her stomach. I felt like I was swallowing my own heart.

"Rory, what happened?" I was instantly by her side.

"My water broke. It's time."

"It will be ok." I told her. "I'll go get the car. Don't go anywhere." I was so nervous, my hands were shaking.

"Oh yeah sure." I kissed the top of her head. "Colin, Finn, stay with Rory." I went back into the living room, telling the rest of my friends to go home. I put Cameron in the car and ran upstairs.

"Can you walk?" I asked Rory, no matter how many pregnancy books I just happened to pick up didn't prepare me for this.

"Yes, I can Logan." I helped her up and we walked outside so I could help her in the car, my hands never leaving her waist.

"Are you guys going to meet us at the hospital?" I asked Colin and Finn

"Yes. In the safety of the waiting room." Finn answered. I was about to leave.

"Logan, Rory's hospital bag?"

"Shit." I totally forgot about the swear jar on the fridge. Colin handed me the bag. "Thanks man. I'll see you there." I drove to the hospital in 10 minutes flat, while calling Lorelai on the way. We left Cameron with Colin and got a room almost immediately. The Doctor said it wouldn't be long until she could go into delivery.

"Logan." She said out loud. Very calm, very surreal.

"Yes Ace?"

"I hate you for doing this to me." I knew she didn't mean it. I kissed the top of her head.

"Just think about it Ace, in a couple of hour, we'll have a brand new baby." She started to smile. "He or she will have your brown hair and blue eyes."

"Come here." I sat on the bed and she kissed me. A contraction pulled us apart. I let her squeeze my hand, even though the wasn't much else I could do. "You are never touching me ever again Logan." She said in a very serious tone. How I thanked God I was a man. There were coming closer together and last longer, so they moved us into the delivery room. I was hardly paying attention to the Doctor telling Rory to push. I concentrated more on encouraging Rory and making sure she didn't smack me. It wasn't long until our baby's cry filled the room. They placed the baby in Rory's arms and she let out a sob.

"It's a boy." Rory announced. It was the most emotional scene I had ever taken part in. He really was beautiful, something Rory and I made together. As soon as Rory was in recovery I went to the waiting room to announce the birth of my son.