Disclaimer: Although I do own a handful of characters in this chapter I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its

characters. Sorry.

Lorelai and the boys arrived in typical Lorelai fashion. She had Rory settled on the couch while she attempted to make dinner.

The boys could be heard in Jake's room. The laughter and excited chatter were a nice change from the tense friction from a few days before.

Tristan sat next to Rory with his head rested on the back of the couch. He had tried to help Lorelai in the kitchen; but she had chased him out with a meat cleaver. Maddie sat on the floor next to the couch doing her homework.

The three of them had been relieved of their responsibilities as soon as Lorelai got there.

"The three of you need a break. Let me take care of Jake."

"What about the boys?"

"I can handle them too."

"You're sure?" Tristan asked looking skeptical.

"Do I have to kick you out of the loft before you get it? I've got this. I run an Inn. I'm used to taking care of people's needs."

"You have a point." Tristan said nodding his head.

They'd had that conversation half an hour ago and she hadn't had any problems. Even Jack was content to lie at Tristan's feet without wanting to jump on the couch.

Jake came into the room followed by Landon. Jake lay next to Jack using him as a pillow. Landon came to sit at Rory's feet leaning against the arm of the couch.

"Where's J?"

"He fell asleep." Landon said before opening a book.

Rory smiled down at him knowing he liked looking after his younger brother and nephew. Even if JJ was only five minutes younger and he had been four years old when Jake was born he was like a third parent to them. Lorelai said

even though he was only seven he was exactly like Rory.

XXXX

The day of Rory's baby shower started with a jolt. She bolted upright in bed. The dog stared at her with his beady eyes. She raked a hand through her hair with a sigh. Tristan turned over in bed with a grunt. Jack lay across Rory's

stomach looking from Rory to Tristan.

"Get the devil dog down."

"Down Jack." Tristan said sternly before shoving the dog off of Rory.

Rory rubbed her stomach with a wince.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, but that really hurt." She said falling back against the pillows.

"I'll go put him in the laundry room."

Rory nodded as she closed her eyes. She knew it was more than Jack jumping on her that was the matter. The baby was starting his transition so that he would be ready for when Rory went into labor, a week and a half early.

She let out a deep sigh before getting out of bed. She passed JJ in the hall on her way to the living room. She gingerly sat down on the couch hoping to downplay the pain. She didn't want everyone to worry about her.

She knew the transition process could take hours or possibly days. So she didn't know what she was in for. Megan walked out of the kitchen with her youngest daughter on her hip. Makensie was a lot like Jake in some ways. They

were both two year old balls of energy. Amy was five and more like Billy. Makensie reached for Rory but she didn't notice. Megan gave her a worried look before going to look for Tristan. She found him in Jake's room with the boys.

"Do you know what's wrong with Rory?"

"Jack jumped on her stomach earlier. Is she still in pain?"

"I think so."

"She said she was fine." He said with a sigh.

Tristan left the boys with Megan while he went to check on Rory. He stood in the living room archway watching her. She rubbed her stomach with a pained expression.

"Rory?"

"I'm fine." She said giving him a forced smile.

"Don't lie to me."

"You can't tell anyone else."

"Is it serious?"

"The baby's moving around a lot. I think he's getting ready for when I go into labor."

"But you're not due for another week and a half."

"Tell that to the baby." She said wincing.

"How bad is it?"

"He's kicking me in the ribs. Other than that it's not so bad."

"Can you handle it?"

"I'll let you know if it gets worse."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes."

"Because I can take you to the hospital if you want."

"I don't want to scare anyone. I'll wait it out. If it's get worse I'll tell you."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Did I see Cory bring cookies in with her when she came in?"

"They're for later. But I think I can get you a couple."

"And a glass of milk?"

"With milk." He said before walking into the kitchen.

He came back a minute later with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. He sat the plate on Rory's stomach and the milk on the table beside her.

"Are you saying that I'm as big as a table?"

"I like you this way." He said before brushing a piece of hair out of her eyes.

"I'm doing better. He finally settled down."

"Good. I'll come and check on you in a little while then." He said before kissing her forehead.

Rory hoped that the baby was done torturing her ribs. He wasn't usually this active. That let her know that something was wrong. She wanted to make it through the rest of the day without any distractions.

XXXX

The baby shower was in full swing when Rory felt the first sharp pain in her back. She held her breath and counted to ten when it came back ten minutes later. When it went away she turned her attention back to Lane who was in

charge of passing out the gifts. Megan wrote down the gifts in the baby book while Lorelai took pictures. Cory put the presents in a pile on the table by the door.

Rory took a present from Lane hoping that the pain wouldn't come back.

"This is from Grandma." Rory said reading the card.

Megan made a note of it as Rory opened the gift. She pulled out the set of silver picture frames for everyone to see.

"One is for Aiden's room. And the other is for in here." Emily explained.

"Thank you Grandma." Rory said with a smile.

The pain came back as Megan brought the cake in a little while later. Rory gripped the arm of the couch hoping no one would notice. Once the pain subsided she asked Cory to help her stand.

"You okay?" Lorelai asked noticing Rory's worried expression.

"Mm hmm. I just need to use the bathroom."

Once in the bathroom she gripped the counter wishing that she had let Tristan take her to the hospital. Now she had to tell everyone that something was wrong. They would make a fuss; and then she would get agitated. This was not going to end well.

She felt a warm trickle run down her leg and she groaned. Now she did need to get Tristan involved. She grabbed a towel and mopped up the puddle with her foot. She made her way to Jake's room and opened the door. Tristan sat in the floor with Makensie on one knee and Jake on the other. While the boys and Amy sat in the corner playing with Legos.

"Are you guys done already?" He asked looking up.

"No. Can you come out into the hall? I need to talk to you."

"Yeah, Amy can you watch your sister and cousin for a minute?"

"Yes." She said putting down her Lego's.

Tristan stepped into the hall and Rory pulled the door shut behind him.

"Something's wrong." He said as it dawned on him.

"You could say that. I'm in labor."

"Are you sure?"

"If the puddle I just cleaned up in the bathroom means anything than yes."

"How far apart are your contractions?"

"They were ten minutes apart."

"Were?" He asked giving her a stern look.

"It didn't start until an hour ago."

"How far apart are they now?"

"Eight minutes."

"Who should we ask to watch the kids?"

"I'd put my money on Cory. She can call Jess and ask him to come over and help. Megan will probably take the girls home."

"Even in labor you're strategizing." He said rolling his eyes.

"I can't help it." She said giving him a helpless look.

"Let's go tell everybody." He said draping an arm over her shoulders and leading her down the hall.