AN: Thank you for the reviews

Luke sat across from Liz in his apartment, staring blankly at his little sister. "Pregnant?" he finally asked.

"That's what I said," she replied. Her shock had worn off a little, but not completely.

"Are you sure?"

"I asked that too." She nodded. This was pretty much word for word her conversation with her doctor earlier that morning.

"But... I don't... I mean, I just..."

"Put on a dress and a little lipstick, you could be me an hour ago." She joked.

"You're really, I mean, you're pregnant? For sure?"

"Yep,"

"Does TJ know?"

"Not yet. I kind of just sat there for a while and then drove here. I think; I'm not really sure how I got here, but then you were in front of me so, I'm guessing I drove myself here. But TJ's meeting with Tom to see about doing some construction work. He really like's working at the bank, but he's also said that he'd love to build things, you know, so hopefully that'll work out. And it'd be really good too, with a baby, to have that little bit of extra money coming in."

"Congratulations Liz!" Luke jumped out of his chair and moved around the table to hug her. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks big brother. And you know, this works out so great. I mean, I know we haven't been married all that long, and it's not like I would actually change anything about my life with Jess, but still, this situation is so much better than last time. I'm out of high school for one."

"That's true.

"TJ and I both have jobs, we have a little bit of money, and, you know, I started to think about this pretty much as soon as Sookie found out she was pregnant, not actively, really, just sort of in the back of my mind." Liz added excitedly. "And I just kept picturing the two of us getting huge together and shopping for baby clothes and all of that, just like when... last time with Lorelai." She finished, a little quieter.

"Yeah, that's good. Good for you, you get another pregnancy buddy," Luke replied. "When are you going to tell Jess?"

"Oh, I'm not sure, tonight probably. I guess I'll tell TJ today and we'll decide together how to do it."

"Well this is really great, I'm very happy for you."

"It's ok that you're shocked. I was shocked, I understand."

"No, I'm just... just thinking of the hell that you and Sookie are going to put me through together."

"Oh, no, we wouldn't dream of-"

"I was here last time, I remember it all."

"Ok, well, I promise I'll try and be nicer, how's that?"

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"I should get going. TJ's probably done by now, so I'll meet him back at the house and give him the news."

"Ok, well congratulations again." Luke told her, wrapping his arms around her again. "Let me know how it goes."

"I will." Liz replied, returning Luke's hug before leaving the apartment.

"Jess, honey, can we talk?" Liz asked, later that night as she came and sat beside her son on the couch.

"Sure Mom, what's up?" he asked, putting his history book aside.

"Well, I kind of have something that I need to tell you." She explained. TJ had gone for a walk after dinner because she'd told him she really needed to talk to Jess privately about the baby. "Something important,"

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah, of course. I feel fine. Well, at least for now, you never know, really. I mean that could change in an instant, but before it does we need to discuss something."

"Is... is something wrong?"

"No! Of course not, I'm sorry if I scared you, I didn't mean to do that. I just, I have something that I need to share with you. And I'm not sure how you'll take it, but hopefully you'll be as happy as TJ and I are about it."

"Okay,"

"I went to the doctor this morning," she began,

"Are you pregnant?"

"How did you know that?"

"Well, you're happy about what you learned at the doctors, which rules out cancer and any other life threatening diseases. We probably wouldn't need to sit down and discuss a perfect bill of health, so by process of elimination the next obvious choice would be a pregnancy."

"Sometimes I wish you weren't so smart." Liz grumbled. "It gets annoying."

"Sorry about that, but it's not really my fault."

"Well don't look at me. Or your father, you're not like either of us in that regard. Sometimes I think we brought the wrong kid home last time. I'll be extra careful with this one." She added, talking more to herself than Jess. "So what do you think about this?"

"I think uncle Luke may want to kill himself in a few months, after having to deal with both you and Sookie, pregnant at the same time."

"No, no, I already promised him this wouldn't be like the last time. I'm going to be good so that he survives and doesn't harbour too many murderous thoughts."

"Well that's nice to know, because I don't know how happy the town would be with you if they suddenly had to start cooking for themselves every day."

"Seriously Jess, tell me what's going through your mind here, are you happy, are you pissed? What are you thinking?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I mean, as long as you're happy I'm happy for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, sure,"

"You're really sure?"

"Mom, this is great news for you. I am not really sure what my response is supposed to be, but-"

"It's not supposed to be anything. Whatever you feel, that's what I want you to tell me. I mean, I'm still processing this myself, so now would probably be the best time for screaming and tantrum throwing, if that's what you want to do."

"No... I don't think that's... I think I just need to take a walk actually. Think about this for a bit and let it sink in, if that's ok?"

"That's... yeah. Sure, that's fine sweetie. I'll just be here if you wanna talk."

"Ok." Jess stood up and started walking to the door before he turned back and returned to his mother's side. "Congratulations," he told her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Liz smiled up at him and he moved out of the room.

Rory looked up at the sound of footsteps and turned around to find Jess slowly making his way along the bridge. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked, grinning at him.

"Just walking, thinking. Why are you here?"

"Well, I was on my way to Mom's from the diner, just thought I'd stop here for a minute."

"This isn't the way to your Mom's though."

"No, I know, this is a little out of the way, but I like coming here sometimes, just to see who else is out and about. If you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I ah, I just had to get out of the house for a bit. I just had a talk with my Mom, and I... I needed to get out of there."

"Is everything ok? TJ came into the diner just as I was leaving and he looked a little strange. Even for TJ,"

"Oh, yeah, well, I guess, I mean, technically everything's alright. Not exactly normal, but ok,"

"Ok, now I really want to know what's going on. What's happened?"

"My mom just told me that she's pregnant." Jess replied.

"Wow! Are you serious?"

"Yep,"

"Oh, wow, that's... not good, is it?" Rory asked, noticing the look on his face, "You're not taking it well are you?"

"I have no idea how I'm taking this. That's why I'm here, trying to work it out."

"Right. Ok, well I should probably go then, let you get on with your thinking." she decided, getting ready to leave.

"No." Jess shook his head. "Can you... do you mind staying for a while?" he asked, grabbing her hand.

"Course not." She replied, squeezing his hand. "I'll stay as long as you want."

"Ok." They sat for a few minutes, not saying anything. Jess just stared out at the water, while Rory watched him. "She's happy." He finally said and Rory nodded. "And I'm pretty sure that TJ's odd behaviour was his own way of showing happiness as well."

"Well that's great for the two of them, but what about you?"

"I'm not angry or anything, I know that would be stupid."

"No it wouldn't."

"Well I'm not anyway. I just think, I keep thinking... what about me? It's mostly been just the two of us forever and that all changed with TJ coming into the picture and it's about to change again. But it's good, I know, it's just... it'll be a big adjustment."

"I'm sure nobody would expect you to be doing cartwheels over this just yet. Because you're right, it is a big adjustment, surely everyone would understand if it took you a while to get excited."

"Really?"

"Yeah, of course,"

"Ok. Good. That's good... When did you become the rational one?" Jess asked, turning to look at Rory.

"Oh, I think, right around the time that you started to freak out."

"Right, makes sense."

"We can switch back any time that you want."

"Good to know. You should probably get to your mom's soon, right?"

"Probably," Rory agreed. "But, I could always just show up later and say I got lost."

"It's two blocks." Jess pointed out.

"And yet, it's already taken over twenty minutes. Clearly I've lost my way."

"Clearly,"

"I guess, maybe I was hoping someone would come along and rescue me."

"I don't think you've needed rescuing a day in your life."

"Probably not, but a girl still likes to have her very own knight in shining... denim." Rory added, looking over Jess' jacket.

"In that case, can I offer you an escort to your destination?"

"That would be very much appreciated, thank you." They walked quietly most of the way, but as they reached Lorelai's street Rory slowed down and looked over at Jess. "So?" she asked as he matched her pace.

"So?" he repeated.

"What are your thoughts on the baby?"

"They're good. Well, better anyway. On their way to good,"

"So you'll be ok to go back home? Because, if you want we can always sneak you into my room and you can tell your mom you're staying at the diner."

"We have caller ID, and she can always tell when I'm lying. But thank you for the suggestion."

Rory shrugged. "I had to give it a try. Call me if you need to talk about anything, ok?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"I'll see you later."

"Hang on, what are you doing here?"

"Don't tell me you've forgotten. We just discussed this, my mother lives here and I'm staying with her for the night, remember?"

"I know that, what I mean is why tonight? It's Tuesday,"

Rory shrugged. "Just thought I'd give a different night a try, see how it goes."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's no big deal; it's just like a Friday or a Saturday, except I have school in the morning. Speaking of which, you should probably get going, but I'll meet you at the diner tomorrow, ok?"

"Sure." Rory smiled, kissed Jess and walked inside.

"I can not wait for Easter!" Tristan announced, dropping his lunch tray onto a table in the cafeteria across from Jess later that week. "This whole school thing is getting very tiresome and I for one think it's about time we got a break."

"It's April." Rory pointed out, frowning in confusion at him.

"I'm aware of that,"

"We've only been back at school three months."

"Yes?" he replied, drawing out the word.

"And there have been at least three holidays since we got back after new years." *

"I, I'm sorry I'm not following, do you have a point?"

"How could you possibly be so burned out that you need a break already? Are you working harder than the rest of us?"

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. But in any case I'm looking forward to my chocolate bunnies."

"Ahh, now I understand..."

"Of course you do, the language of chocolate is universal."

"You're an idiot." Rory finished.

"Jess, are you just going to sit there and let her speak to me like that?" Tristan demanded in mock outrage.

"Yeah, I think, I kind of am."

"Fine! Be that way. But the next time Luke screws up a batch of chocolate brownies and can't sell them, find someone else to eat them with you, because I won't be there!"

"Hello, that's why I'm here," Rory informed him. "And I thought the language of chocolate was universal,"

"So?"

"Well, shouldn't that mean that for the sake of chocolate, all is forgiven?"

"A person can't forgive another person until they receive an apology."

"That's not true. The first person could just take the high road and move on, even if the second person doesn't say they're sorry."

"Well I don't-"

"Oh my god! I don't know why I thought my mom having a baby would be such a big thing. I deal with babies all the time hanging around the two of you!" Rory and Tristan looked at one another before each affecting their own hurt look and turning back to Jess. "You're proving my point for me here, you know that right?" Rory pushed her bottom lip out in a sad pout while Tristan glared. "You're two! The both of you are two years old."

"How dare you say such a thing?" Tristan objected. "I'll have you know I am three and a quarter!"

"I stand corrected, I'm so sorry."

"See Rory, some people can admit when they're wrong and apologise for it."

"I can admit when I'm wrong."

"I'm waiting," Tristan pressed when she didn't continue.

"You're right, I'm sorry. There have been at least four holidays since the semester started. How could I have made such a mistake?"

"I'm never talking to you again!"

"Don't tease," Rory grinned as Tristan sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, acting every bit like the three year old he claimed to be.

"I think I should move out," Rory announced to Luke, taking the plate he'd just washed up and drying it.

"You... why?" he asked, letting the glass he was cleaning drop to the bottom of the sink.

"Well, it's just... I kind of think you're going to have a lot going on pretty soon and maybe it would be better if you didn't have to worry about me."

"Nothing's going to change here, it's not like I'm having a baby."

"No, I know that. But Liz and Sookie-"

"Will be in their own houses with their husbands and their lives. Not here any more than usual. What really brought this on?" Luke pressed, taking a seat at the table.

"Nothing, really, I just feel as if I've been imposing on you for way too long. And I've resisted going to Mom's for so long that it's beyond ridiculous, but I think it's about time I stopped. We're better now and I'm pretty sure I'm ready for it."

"Rory you were never an-"

"What are you planning on doing with me?" Rory asked, reminding him of some of her less than shining moment. "You could be trying to drug me... Sorry, you were saying?"

"Ok, yes. So maybe it took some adjusting, having you here, but I was happy to do it, for the most part. Even though it was a struggle,"

"Yeah, I know and I appreciate you resisting the urge to smack me over the head with a frying pan or smothering me in my sleep in those first few weeks, but really, it's time."

"Have you talked to Lorelai about this?"

"No. But I'm fairly certain she'll jump for joy. That was the reason she moved here, right, so we could be closer?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. And I really can't stop you, so if you're sure about this..."

"I am. It's time." She repeated. "Plus when I live with her it'll be easier to sneak Jess into my room; oddly enough she doesn't watch us quite as closely as you do."

"Oh good, I'm glad you'll be having so much fun over there,"

"But I could stay here sometimes too, if I have to start early or finish late. Or even if you just want an excuse to order pizza."

"Yeah, sure, I appreciate that. When were you thinking of all this?"

"Just now while we were doing the dishes, I'm a multi tasker."

"I see that."

"And, you know," Rory added, "if you and my mother are going to start dating, then you'll probably be glad to have this place to yourselves, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"It's not like she said anything to me, if that's what you're worried about, but Luke, come on, we're teenagers, not blind morons."

"I really have no idea-"

"No idea what I'm talking about, yeah, I figured you'd say that. Fine, cling to your cover story, but I'm here to tell you it's getting very tired, so if we could move on to the next act at some point soon, that'd be great." Rory told him before turning and heading to her room.

Lorelai stood by the coffee maker in the kitchen at the inn the next morning, listening to Sookie rave about her inspiration for the Watson retirement party while she thought about what Rory had said to her at the diner earlier.

"What would you say about me staying with you more often?" She had asked once they were in the apartment. "On a more permanent basis,"

"I don't... you mean like three or four nights every week?"

"No, I mean like seven. Depending on my hours here, I'm talking about me possibly moving in with you."

"Are you serious?" Lorelai grinned.

"Yeah. I've been thinking about it for a couple of days and I discussed it with Luke already. I think that we could make this work, if you wanted to."

"Oh! Rory, honey, yes! I would love that! Absolutely,"

"It probably won't be every night, always. Luke wouldn't know what to do with himself if I wasn't here from time to time. But it would be almost like us living together in New York. Without my legal troubles or me sneaking out and stuff,"

"Oh good, so when you were eight, then?" Lorelai joked.

"Exactly," Rory grinned. "But, you know, without the sirens and all the traffic."

"Rory you have no idea what this would mean to me. I'd love it, so much!"

"Good. Now we just have to get Luke used to the idea. It seems he's become attached to me, when I brought this up the other day he actually looked a little upset."

"It's the irresistible Gilmore girl charm," Lorelai explained and Rory nodded. They returned to the diner and then she had headed off to work.

"Doesn't that all sound so great?" Sookie was asking now. "Lorelai?"

"I'm so sorry, Sookie, I was somewhere else entirely. I didn't hear any of that."

"Well, where were you? Ibiza? The south of France? Colorado?"

"Colorado?"

"Yeah, you know, Denver."

"No, I know where Colorado is, but why would I be there?"

"All the mountains and national parks, so pretty! And the skiing, ooh, John Denver!"

"You know he wasn't actually from there, right?"

"He wasn't?"

"Nope."

"Oh well, that's a shame. Wait, what were we talking about?"

"Where I was in my head when I was supposed to be listening to you."

"Right, so, was it the south of France? Or Copenhagen?"

"No, Sook, it was Luke's,"

"Oh! Does that mean-"

"Rory told me this morning that she wants to move into my apartment." Lorelai finished before Sookie could continue.

"She does?" The chef asked, completely excited for her friend, but for a whole different reason now.

"Yeah, she does."

"That is so great! We should celebrate. We'll have a dinner!" Sookie decided, "We can have it here, I'll organise everything. Luke will come, and Jess and Liz..."

Lorelai just leaned back against the countertop and sipped her coffee as her friend made all the plans, totally forgetting about the party she was supposed to be preparing for.

AN2: *I looked it up, but I'm not entirely sure what holidays are actual holidays. Anyways, thanks for reading.