A/N: Sorry again for being late, I'm trying to keep up with a regular posting schedule, but due to a lot of things that's probably not going to happen any time soon. Thank you for the patience and the reviews.

Family time

"Yay, you're here!" Liz yelped happily a while later, wrapping her arms around Jess while Rory watched them, trying not to laugh at his expression. "I hear my granddaughter's kicking!" She grinned as she hugged Rory, while Jess exhaled loudly, relieved. "Ok, come in before I smother you both with hugs." Leading the way to the living room, she stopped when her daughter ran into the room, crashing into Jess and wrapping her arms around his legs. "Though I make no guarantees about her…" She finished her thought as Rory covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh at Jess, whose eyes were yet again pleading with her to rescue him.

"I missed you, Jess!"

"Can I get a hug as well?" Rory leaned down slightly after letting him suffer for a few seconds and the little girl let go of her brother before looking at Rory, hesitantly.

"Will it hurt the baby?"

"No." She reassured her, smiling and Doula wrapped her arms around her. Ruffling her hair, Rory looked down as Jess sat down, watching the two. "What have you been up to today, Doula?"

"I went to the park with the Steve and Kwan and Vivian and then Davey came by and he tried to take my doll but Mrs. Lane told him to leave me alone and then he…" She started rambling again while Rory tried to keep up, making a mental note to tease her best friend about being Mrs. Lane now.

"Doula!" Liz called her and the little girl sighed, stopping midsentence.

"I know." She pouted before sitting down in an armchair, her feet dangling over the edge.

Sitting on the couch next to Jess, Rory took his hand, looking at Liz. "Yeah, the baby's kicking. It's fun."

"Still feeling ok?"

"Yeah." She nodded.

"How are you holding up, Jess?"

"As long as she doesn't kill me before the baby comes, I'm good." Jess smirked, watching as his sister stood up again and left the room, clearly bored with the conversation.

"Hey, I'm not that bad!" Rory elbowed him, making a face at him. "He keeps complaining like he's the one getting fat."

"Nah, just the one that's constantly cooking to satisfy your cravings."

"Oh, my, I'm touched. Poor you." Rory laughed, squeezing his hand. "Sorry. We get distracted." She focused her attention back to Liz, but the woman waved it off, grinning.

"You kiddin' me? I don't care what we talk about, I barely get to see you as it is."

"When's the fair starting again?" Jess chimed in, trying to avoid the guilt trip.

"We're leaving as soon as Doula's out of the school for the summer, but we're going to stick close by, just so we can drive over and meet the baby after she's born."

Smiling a bit, Jess nodded, squeezing Rory's hand at the same time. "What else is new?"

A couple of hours and coffee later, Rory and Jess walked out of Liz's house and started heading towards the diner again.

"That was very nice of you." Rory remarked, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her.

"What was?"

"Staying that long and actually talking to her."

"I'm in a good mood. It will pass." He smirked, kissing her head.

"Man, you actually said that after spending time with Liz. Are you dying?"

"I'm just giving it my best try. Per your request, I might add. I can stop if you want."

"Thank you." Rory smiled softly, lifting her head and kissing his cheek. "Isn't it easier when everyone gets along?"

"Not really." He chuckled, running his hand up and down her waist a couple of times. "You going to Lorelai's for movie night?"

"Probably. Want to come or are you going to stay in, writing your mystery thing?"

"It's not a mystery thing."

"Then why can't I read it?"

"And hear you complain for three days after that I misspelled some 15-letter word?"

"I'm just saying 'deciduousness' isn't…" Seeing him roll his eyes, she bit her lip, before placing another kiss on his cheek. "Sorry." Hugging him closer, she continued to look at him. "But you're just using that as an excuse to not let me read anything you write until it's done."

"What are you going to do about it?" Jess smirked, opening the door to the diner.

"Whine mostly." Laughing, she sat at a table. "Can you go get me coffee and a burger?"

"Why can't you ask Luke?"

"Because he doesn't put bacon on it unless I ask for it and then grumbles about me already passing horrible eating habits to my unborn child."

"Forget about Luke, I'm slightly horrified by your eating habits." Jess stood up, chuckling before placing a kiss on her lips. "I'll be right back. With coffee as well."

"You're my favorite husband ever."

"I'm your only husband."

"That you know of."

"Bigamy is still punishable by law, I can assure you." He smirked before heading for the kitchen. As soon as he was gone, Kirk walked up to Rory's table, a clipboard in his hands.

"Excuse me, Rory?"

"Yes, Kirk." She smiled at the man, looking up at him.

"I was wondering if it would be ok to ask you a few questions?"

"Sure." She pointed at one of the free chairs. "Have a seat."

"I prefer to stand." Taking the cap off a pen, he made a small note on the paper in the clipboard before looking at Rory again. "Lulu and I are thinking of having a child and I'm polling people on advantages and disadvantages of said situation. I have already talked to a few people about kids in general, but I am really trying to get the feel of issues concerning pregnancy, for Lulu. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your experience with pregnancy so far?"

"Kirk, that's rather personal."

"But you said I could ask."

"I figured you'd want to talk about movies or something."

"I don't watch television anymore. Or go to the movies."

"Maybe you should." Rory smiled sweetly, looking for any sign of Jess.

"Are you willing to discuss your finances and the amount of money it's…"

"No."

"Co-sleeping versus separate…"

"No." She cut him off again, shaking her head.

"Breastfeeding…"

"No!"

"You're no help!" The man huffed, heading back to the counter. Walking to the table and dropping two cups filled with coffee on the table, Jess smirked, pointing his head in Kirk's direction.

"What was that about?"

"Don't ask." She shook her head, laughing. "Where's the food?"

"Luke's making it. He seems to be quite annoyed with me popping in and out of his kitchen as you and Lorelai see fit."

"I'll tell mom to talk to him."

"Clearly, that is the correct answer."

"Clearly." Rory grinned, squeezing his hand.

Walking into the kitchen of her mother's house later that night, Rory smiled, seeing Lorelai and Luke sitting down, exhausted looks on both their faces.

"What's up?"

"I think it's too late to warn you against having kids, isn't it?" Lorelai shook her head, looking at the door leading to her son's room.

"Probably." Rory rubbed her bump, grinning. "Though I suppose I could always give her away…"

"Don't you dare!" Lorelai laughed, standing up. "I'm going to get the Red Vines out."

"That's my cue to leave the room before I see all the crap you're going to…"

"I love you, Luke." Lorelai chuckled, kissing her husband before pushing him gently towards the door.

"One week of healthy food."

"I ate decently while I was pregnant, never again!" She protested while Rory watched their interaction, smiling. Shaking his head, Luke kissed her one more time, quickly, before waving at Rory.

"Good night, Rory."

"Night." She waved back, sipping from her coffee cup.

Opening a cupboard as soon as her husband was out of the room, Lorelai started digging out bags filled with junk food, smiling. "By the way, stay away from Kirk, he's…"

"Doing a poll. Yeah, he got me."

"Did Jess glare at him menacingly?"

"Nope, he was in the kitchen, getting me food. I don't think Kirk would have come to my table if he'd been there."

"Nicely trained that husband of yours, I like it. Twinkies while we wait for pizza to get here?"

"Oh, yeah." Looking slightly concerned, Rory picked up the phone from the counter. "I feel bad for making Luke go to bed this early, though. It's like I'm kicking him out of his house."

"You're not. He loves it when you're here, it gives him a chance to go to bed ridiculously early without feeling guilty about me being up by myself."

"You sure?"

"He may have learned to delegate a bit when it comes to the diner so he can spend more time with me, Will and April when she's around, but that doesn't mean he likes it."

"How's April doing at Yale?"

"She loves it. It was to be expected, really. Luke's really happy having her near as well, it's sweet." Turning her head towards the door to her son's room, she lifted her hand in the air, motioning for Rory to be quiet while she listened. "Ok, we're safe. Living room." She grabbed the bags of food while Rory took the phone.

"I'll call for pizza."

"Hey, dad!" Rory greeted the man the next day, hugging him while Jess stood by, watching them.

"Hey, kiddo. You're…"

"Fat?" She interrupted, laughing.

"I was going to say glowing."

"Such a nice lie." She grinned, finally letting go of the man before they all sat down.

"I was not lying." Chris smiled at his daughter before turning his attention to her husband. "How are you doing, Jess?"

"Fine. You?"

"Holding in there. Gigi's nanny is going to drop bring her over in a bit, she was in her Judo class all morning."

"How's Sherry doing with the change?"

"She keeps sending her ballerina outfits. We have about 5 right now in a closet, so if you know anyone, and I do mean anyone that wants one, even if it's to use as a lampshade or flag or something? We keep giving them away but Sherry sends more over."

"Doula might like them." Jess shrugged, looking at Rory and she smiled back.

"I think she'd love them. Mom can alter them to fit her."

"Great, I'll call the nanny and tell her to bring them over."

"Dad, you don't have…"

"Nuh-uh, you said you someone wants them, you're taking them. I'm begging."

"In that case, sure, we can drop them by Liz's place on our way back." Rory smiled and the man stood up, grinning.

"I'll be right back. Thanks!"

Leaning over and placing a kiss on Jess' cheek, she grinned as soon as Christopher was outside. "You were very sweet to think of Doula."

"I just…"

"You can't take it back." She laughed, shaking her head. "I know you're just a sap."

"Did you not have enough confirmation of that with all the crap I do for you and her?" He smiled, looking at her stomach.

"It never ceases to amaze me. Not because you're not nice, because I know you are, but being openly nice and letting someone other than me see it? Especially dad? And after we spent time in Stars Hollow and I got to remember you in all your teenage surliness…" Rory teased him, running her fingers through his hair.

"Brett's never hearing any of those stories."

"Never?"

"Not until she's 25, at least."

"I believe that is a very good call." Rory smiled before kissing him quickly, her hand rubbing her stomach. "Your dad's not the example to follow."

"Don't worry, kid, there are stories you won't hear about your mother either, as much as she likes to pretend they never happened."

"What have I done? Other than the boat thing?" Rory tried to protest, pouting.

"Jumped on a bus and came to see me, to begin with."

Blushing, she bit her lip. "That was your fault. You called me!"

"Whatever."

"Anyway, that's two things. Bet you can't think of a third."

"Ignored your mother who I'm sure she told you not to get in cars with hoodlums driving? Went out of town to a concert without letting her know?" Leaning closer to her ear, he started whispering. "Kissed me while you were technically dating the tall idiot and the blonde idiot?"

"Clearly, all my questionable decisions had to do with you." Rory chuckled, kissing him.

"Ok, just for that, I'm not cooking for you all week. That includes bacon. Really, first implying I'm a jerk, then that…" Jess smirked, placing rapid kisses on her cheek and neck.

"It's ok, I can fry my own bacon." She pulled away from him, laughing.

"I'll make sure to get payback tonight then."

"Promise?" Rory smiled.

"What did I miss, guys?" Christopher walked back to the table before Jess could reply.

"Nothing much." Rory grinned, squeezing her husband's hand under the table.

"Gigi and the nanny will be here in half an hour or so."

"Great."

"So, how's the baby doing? Are you feeling ok?"

"Oh, yeah." Rory nodded, confirming. "And she's great. Kicking a lot, which is fun. I've emailed you the latest ultrasound pictures, haven't I? I swear, I can't remember anything these days."

"Yeah. They're stuck to the fridge."

"Not even we have them on the fridge." Rory chuckled, shaking her head.

"Sure, 'cause there's definitely room with all your lists."

"They keep me organized." Looking back at her father, she smiled. "Anything else new with you?"

"Same old. Emphasis on the old." Christopher laughed as the waitress came to their table.

"Everyone ready to order?"

Throwing himself on the couch, Jess sighed, closing his eyes.

"Never again."

Sitting next to him, Rory ran her fingers through his hair, smiling. "I'm sorry."

"'S ok." He mumbled, opening one eye to look at her.

"Probably a bit too much family time for one weekend for you, wasn't it?"

"A bit?" Jess smirked, his hand running down her leg.

"Ok, a lot of family time." Leaning down, she kissed him quickly. "Don't worry, you get to decide what we do next weekend."

"Stay in bed and ignore everything?"

"Ok." She smiled, messing up his hair again. "I'll go call for dinner, anything you want?"

"For you to explain to me how you can eat this much?"

"It's a superpower." She stood up, smiling. "So?"

"Thai food?"

"Seriously?" Rory made a face and he smirked.

"Ok, you're not really getting the hang of this whole 'I suffered through Stars Hollow time all weekend for you' thing."

"Fine, Thai food it is, you poor, tortured soul."

"Glad you noticed." Jess chuckled. "Anything in particular you want to watch?"

"Nope, you pick."

"Ok." Sighing, he stood up, walking to the DVD collection. Hearing his phone ring in the hallway where he'd left it, he grimaced, kissing Rory's cheek.

"If it's work, I'm not saving their asses."

"You don't have to." She smiled back, pointing at the door. "Go before it stops ringing, I'll order the food and pick a movie!"

"Nothing boring." He threatened, walking out of the room. A few minutes later, Jess walked back in the room. Sitting on the couch, he smiled when she started rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, leaning closer and placing a small kiss on his shoulder.

"Did Matt or Chris…"

"Nope. Jimmy."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah." Jess nodded, turning around to kiss her quickly. "He's going to be around next week and wants to meet for lunch."

"Oh…" She hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"He said something about meeting with a supplier or something."

"You going?"

"All by myself?" He smirked, cocking an eyebrow.

"I just…didn't know…" Pouting, she looked down, making him laugh.

"You think I want to spend time alone with Jimmy?"

"Well, he's your father!"

"I'd go with sperm donor, but that's bound to make you blush if you ever try to say it."

"I'm a grown up, I can say stuff like that!" She tried to protest, burying her face in his shoulder and he kissed her temple, chuckling again.

"Sure you can."

Sticking out her tongue, she slapped his arm. "Whatever. Are we going?" She stressed the word 'we', grinning.

"Do you want to go?"

"Not my call." Rory shrugged, kissing him.

"It's lunch, it can't be that bad."

"You seemed to get along at the wedding. At least now you've been talking on the phone more often than before, which should make it even less uncomfortable."

"Or leave us without conversation topics."

"You're trying to be difficult now?"

"Maybe." He smirked, sighing. "I suppose that means…we're going?" He hesitated, grimacing.

"Not if you don't want to."

"I think it's more my self-preservation instinct telling me it's a bad idea." Jess smirked. "What do you think, baby?" He rubbed Rory's bump, chuckling.

"I don't think she has an opinion. Anyway, what's the worst that can happen? We waste a couple of hours?"

"Trust me, I could find a better use for that time."

"Like work?"

"Sure, why not?" Laughing, he leaned back against the couch, cupping her face in his hand. "We'll go. I'll call him back tomorrow."

"Good." She smiled, kissing his palm.

"This is what I get for wishing for two weeks without family." Jess chuckled as she cuddled closer to him. "What movie did you pick?"