A/N: Thank you for the reviews. You're all awesomely awesome :).

You can get what you want

"You busy?" Rory asked, peaking her head into their office on Wednesday afternoon and Jess looked away from his computer, shaking his head.

"Not particularly. Why?"

"We need to talk."

"If you're leaving me, you chose a really shit time to do it." He smirked, pointing at her bump.

"I wouldn't tell you about it, silly." She laughed, sitting down in the arm chair. "I'd leave you a note on the dresser."

"Remember, darling don't smoke in bed?"

"Something like that. I'll even leave you my wedding ring." She smiled as she rested her hands on her stomach. "So… ?"

Pushing his foot against the desk, he made the chair roll closer to her. "What's up?"

"Doctor's appointment is tomorrow."

"This means we can't avoid the subject any longer, doesn't it?"

"Afraid so."

"Ok then." He nodded once, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "What do you want?"

"Nuh-uh. What do you want?"

"I don't think I should get much, if any say in this." Jess shrugged. "You're the one giving birth, I get to do what you say, be it pace around the corridors or hold your hand through it. Whatever you want." He stressed again, smiling.

"I want you to… "

"If you say do what I want, I'll scream."

"We are going in circles, aren't we?"

"I'm getting dizzy." He laughed, leaning over and kissing her quickly. "So?"

"I want you there. I've been thinking about it and I really can't imagine you not being in the room for as long as you want to be."

"The want thing again?" He smirked, rolling his eyes dramatically. "I'm letting you pick whatever the hell you want, yet you keep trying to give me a choice. You're going against everything Lorelai's ever tried to teach you."

"I'm nice."

"Yes, you are."

"You ok with being in the room?" Rory asked, rubbing her bump. "Calm down, Adrian, your parents are trying to have a serious conversation here."

"I think comparing our daughter to the spawn of Satan is a bit harsh." He smiled, moving one hand to her stomach as well, running his fingers over it.

"Trust me, it's not."

"I want to be there." Jess admitted, still smiling. "I think it would be pretty cool to see her officially joining the real world."

"Good." She breathed a sigh of relief, ruffling his hair. "Because now that you said that I can be really excited instead of feeling guilty about forcing you to sit through that slime bath for my happiness."

"You thought I wouldn't… ?"

"No." Rory shook her head, smiling lovingly at him. "Given how involved you've been in this, I really couldn't picture you missing the big event. But it's nice to get confirmation." Motioning for him to move closer, she kissed him, trying not laugh. "Sorry, I can't bend that far."

"I'll sacrifice and move to kiss you. It's fine."

"How nice of you."

"I am a terribly nice guy." Jess picked up her hand, kissing her palm as she ran her fingers over his face. "Anything else?"

"A couple more things. I'm guessing from the first part of this conversation that you don't want to have an input in any pain management techniques I use."

"How clever of you. The Yale degree makes total sense now." He replied sarcastically, shrugging one shoulder. "Your body, your choice."

"Even if that means my method will be crushing your hand until it's broken?"

"Sure. But a cast would put me out of play for diaper duty for a while, so I'd give it a bit more thought."

"Damn it, you're right." Rory made a face before bursting out laughing. "I'm pretty determined to have an epidural, so that's that."

"For what it's worth, I think that's the best idea."

"I can show you my research on it. I have a list with potential risks for her and… "

"Ror, what did I just say?"

"No one ever wants to see my lists." She pouted, making him laugh.

"Leave it on my desk, I'll glance at it later."

"Thank you." Her face lit up with a smile and she picked up his hand, kissing it quickly. "Oh, I've already asked mom to be in the delivery room, that's ok with you, right?"

"Rory." He groaned, lowering his head in his hands.

"Fine, forgive me for thinking of your comfort."

"Honestly, Rory, even if I had an objection to it, which I don't… " He clarified. "… I still don't think it's my place to say who can be in that room and who can't, unless we're talking your secret lover or something."

"At least if you came to blows, you'd be in a hospital."

"It's nice to know you think of my safety."

"I was thinking of his." Rory giggled and Jess fake glared at her, moving his hand to her side, sneaking them under her shirt in the same move.

"Say that again." He ran his fingers over her skin a couple of times, trying to tickle her. "I dare you."

"Mean husband." She pouted again. "No cookie."

"You're insane." He sighed, leaning over and kissing her again. "Next. Go on, we postponed this talk so much, we're running out of time."

"Do you mind if we call grandma and grandpa as well and see if they feel like spending some time in the waiting room?"

"Nope."

"Really?"

"It's their first great-grandchild, they should have the choice of being there."

"I checked the hospital website and they said we can have as many people as possible in the waiting room."

"I take it that was your indirect way of saying you'll want your dad as well?" Jess asked, his hand moving over her bump again.

"I think it would be easier if everyone got to meet her at the hospital instead of coming over here after we're home. Plus, I don't want to be the one that tells anyone that they can't be there when she's born."

"Chances we call all these people and then we decide we'd rather have time alone with her?"

"I'm gonna say high." She laughed. "But this isn't all that crucial anyway, it's more for my peace of mind. I reserve the right to change my views on this at any time."

"Don't you always?"

"I am offended by that!"

"Really?"

"Maybe offended was too strong of a word." She stuck out her tongue, looking at the door. "Bathroom break. Can you go make coffee?"

"Your wish is my command."

"Help, please?" She blinked rapidly a few times and Jess smirked, standing up and extending his hand.

"What do you do when I'm not around?"

"I have a system, but it involves some grunting and grabbing random things. Very un-lady like, I wouldn't want you to see me like that. We should have bought less comfy furniture." She smiled, placing a quick kiss on his lips before walking out of the room. Joining him in the kitchen a couple of minutes later, Rory ran her fingers down his cheek. "Thank you for the coffee."

"Any time. So your mom, Luke I assume… "

"Sookie's going to be on standby for babysitting purposes."

"Ok. Your grandparents, your dad… anyone else?"

"Liz?" She almost whispered biting her lip. "If everyone else is going to be there, it feels weird excluding her."

"Don't tell her."

"Jess, can you consider it for a minute?"

"I have. No." He shook his head, taking two cups out of a cupboard. "I'll send her pictures, call, whatever, but I really don't think I'll want to deal with her during that."

"Ok." Rory nodded, kissing him softly. "Sorry, I had to bring it up."

"I know." Jess smiled. "Tell you what, I'll even call Jimmy to let him know after she's born."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Placing another kiss on her lips, Jess turned around, pouring coffee in the cups before handing her one, tilting his head towards the living room door. "Couch?"

"Sure."

"You sure you don't want to wait until after she's born to call your grandparents and your father?"

"You think we should?" She asked, sipping from her coffee cup.

"I think it might be nice to be with her by ourselves for a while before we haul her off to meet your clan. Lorelai's one thing, but we won't get a lot of room to breathe with all of them there."

"Yeah, I suppose. Tell you what, how about we ask them?" Rory offered a solution, smiling. "That way, it's their call if they want to be there even though there is the potential they'll have to wait for a while after she's born to see her."

"I'll call it less potential, more very real possibility."

"You're being sweetly possessive again."

Smirking, he nodded. "Maybe. But I'd like to have you both to myself for a bit."

"Ok. We'll tell them that's how it is and let them make the call."

"And, as you so wisely pointed out, we're going to be in a hospital, so if your dad and Luke get in a fight, the emergency room won't be too far away."

"And what a great consolation that is." She laughed. "Gah, I know I had more things to talk to you but I can't remember what the hell they were. Pregnancy has made me a complete moron."

"Assume I'll be ok with whatever you want and leave it at that. No need to talk about it."

"But we made coffee and everything."

"Is that the new rule? Talking must happen if there's coffee?"

"Yes."

"Ok then. Tell me about your day." Jess replied, drinking from his cup.

Walking in the nursery on Friday evening, Jess smiled, seeing Rory standing in front of the changing table, folding clothes. Walking to her, he wrapped his arm around her from behind, kissing her shoulder.

"Hey." Rory greeted him, still folding.

"I'm really going to miss you being pregnant when it's done."

"Why?"

"Because you're incredibly beautiful right now."

"It's ok, we'll get your eyes checked next week." She replied, still blushing slightly despite her sarcasm.

"I'd demonstrate, but I'm waiting for a call from a writer." Leaning closer, he kissed her cheek, smirking. "I'll take a rain check though."

"Tease." Rory smiled, twisting her neck to kiss him.

"My turn for a change, don't you think?"

"I have no idea what you mean by that."

"Sure you don't." He snickered, sitting down after one more kiss. "What are you up to?"

"Not much. Organizing things around here."

"Why?"

"I was bored and you're working, so it gave me something to do." Lifting a white ruffly dress in the air, she rolled her eyes. "Really? Have any of these people ever gone near a baby?"

"Of course not. That's exactly the sort of crap you'd pull out for photo shoots before shoving the kid back in the nanny's arms." Looking at the pile, he smiled. "Need any help?"

"I'm good. Take a break."

"You sure?"

"Jess."

"Fine." He smirked.

"I can't believe this is so close." Rory said after a few minutes.

"It's weeks away."

"It's close." She smiled, picking up another dress. "I hope she looks like you."

"Ok, I know she's making you uncomfortable with all the kicking and squirming, but there's no reason to with that on her."

"Don't mind your dad, Brett, he's silly." Rory looked at her bump, giggling.

"If she doesn't have your eyes, I'm disowning her." Jess whispered in her ear after taking the few steps separating them. "Or feeding her to the wolves."

"Where are these wolves that you keep threatening her with? We live in Philadelphia, not really wildlife country."

"We'll go camping." He shrugged, laughing at the same time. Crouching down, he kissed her stomach, caressing it at the same time. "Hear that, spawn?"

"What's she supposed to do, color them in if they're the wrong color?"

"Yes." He grimaced as he straightened up. "I'm too old to do that." Before Rory could reply, they heard the phone ring. "I'll be back in a bit and we'll see about that rain check."

"Promise?"

"Oh, yeah." He chuckled before leaving the room.

Hearing some scuffling in the hallway, late Saturday night, Jess walked out of the room, curious to find the source of the noise. Seeing Rory standing in front of the door, trying to put her shoes on, he smirked, cocking one eyebrow.

"What are you doing?"

"I need cake." She explained, shrugging. "I was gonna go to the store."

"And telling me about it… ?"

"I was just going to come do it, as soon as I was done with this." She pointed at her feet. "Putting shoes on is complicated when you can't reach your feet. Do you want anything?"

"Yes, for you to be sane for five minutes."

"Go to hell."

"You're gonna definitely speed up the process." He smirked, walking to her and putting his hands on her arms. "What kind of cake?"

"Chocolate raspberry. Why?"

"Because you're going to go sit down in there… " He pointed at the living room. "… While I go to the store."

"You don't have to."

Rolling his eyes, Jess sighed. "Ok, think of any movie you've ever seen that deals with pregnancy and midnight cravings. Who's the one that goes to the store?"

"It's not midnight." She argued and he lifted his hand, showing her his watch.

"Close enough."

"I didn't know it was this late."

"And that makes it better?"

"It makes it slightly better." Rory smiled, running her fingers through his hair. "You don't mind going? Because I'm about a minute away from unleashing the furry of a thousand banshees."

"If I can't find that one, can I get chocolate cake and raspberry jam and then Frankenstein them together?"

"Only as a last resort."

"You're making up for missing out on this in the past few months tonight, aren't you? Wanting something easy to find was too much?"

"I was going to go myself." Rory protested as she watched him put on his shoes. "There's no need to be dramatic about it."

"Yes, there is. I'll get some sort of badge that says 'suffering husband in a desperate attempt at satisfying wife's cravings'. It'll get me to the front of the line."

"Whatever gets you back faster."

"Going." He sighed, placing a kiss on her lips. "Sit down."

"I love you!" She yelled after him, laughing.

"I have cake."

"You found some?" Rory exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands together.

"Took three stores, but yes. I did." Handing her the slice of cake with a plastic fork, he smiled. "There's more, don't worry."

"You're amazing and incredible and I love you." She grinned, starting to eat the slice of cake.

"Be sure to mention this to your mother. It will get me points with her and everyone else in your army of protectors, because we both know she'll pass the story along."

"Why are you interested in getting points? We're already married, it's not like she can do anything about it now."

"I can never have too many. She's bound to decide she hates me eventually for something, I like having stuff working in my favor."

"Fine." She mumbled, taking another bite. "This is so good."

"It better be the best freaking piece of cake ever."

"Just about, yeah."

"And here I was thinking I was going to make it out of this without having to do a midnight run to the store."

"It will give you something to play martyr about with the other dads at the playground."

"Not great consolation, but I'll take it." Jess smirked, watching her as she kept eating. "Feeling better?"

"Much. Thank you."

"Can we go to bed once you're done with that?"

"I thought you were writing tonight."

"I was. But it's now one in the morning, I'm tired and I really don't feel like doing anything more tonight."

"Ok. Sorry I interrupted."

"It's fine." Jess pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling. "You should have everything you want. If that requires me to run around in the middle of the night, so be it."

"Damn you, you're going to make me cry."

"Don't. And if there's a next time, don't bother with the shoes, just tell me."

"Will do." She smiled, swallowing the last bite. "Done."

"More?"

"Maybe later."

"At least you didn't change your mind completely before I got back." Jess smirked, standing up and extending one hand, holding the bag in the other. "I'll go drop the cake in the fridge, I'll see you upstairs."

"Thank you again."

Crawling in bed next to Rory a few minutes later, Jess sighed, rolling to his side to be able to see her. "Everything ok?"

"Thinking about mom." She smiled.

"What about her?"

"How bad it had to have been for her to do this without anyone there."

"Do what?"

"Have a baby. I can't even begin to imagine for hard it would be to be 16, pregnant and not have anyone there to support you. I don't really see grandma helping her up or sending someone to the store in the middle of the night because she had a crazy craving."

"She made up for it by torturing Luke this time 'round." Jess smirked, kissing her forehead.

"I don't think that's the same." Rory smiled as well.

"I know."

"Do I thank you enough for everything you do? Because I would be so… "

Lifting a finger up to her lips, he shushed her.

"You do."

"Sure?"

"Yes." He leaned closer, kissing her while his hand played in her hair.

"It sort of makes me sad that we can't name Brett after her. If there was anyone I would want her to have as a role-model, mom would be that person. Except for the whole teenage pregnancy issue, even though she handled it so well."

"We still can if you want to."

"Nah, there would be too many of us so she can't use it if she hates her first name."

"She could find a different nickname. I recommend Trix, just to see if I can make Emily kill me."

"She probably would." Rory laughed. "I don't want that to happen."

"I can't think of many others. Lo, maybe?"

"A bit too Lolita. Not sure it's a message we want to send."

"I'll give you that." He kissed her again, smiling. "Your mom's middle name?"

"Victoria, but seriously, I was just making a comment. We won't do it, I was entertaining the though."

"If you're sure… "

"I am."

"Ok. However I do believe I've made it clear that I have to do anything I can to stop you from being sad, even if it's sort of. And if that would require me to agree to a name you wanted, that's that. I'd do it."

"I know you would. And you do do everything. More than that, actually."

"Good to know. I love you, Rory."

"I love you too. Especially when you bring me cake." She snickered, trying to stifle a yawn. "Sleep time?"

"Yes. Night."

"Good night."