A/N: Sorry, guys. I'm in my last few weeks of university and projects and exams and presentations are all piling up, not to mention all the other stuff to do with graduating. In better news, three weeks until (temporary) freedom! Wish me luck and kick my ass if you see me updating again before then, okay? Love you all and thank you for the reviews.

Ten pound octopus

"I think you're missing the rest of that sandwich." Jess made a face as he walked in the kitchen.

"What's wrong with what I'm eating?"

"It's barbeque sauce on toast." He pointed to the bottle next to Rory, lifting his eyebrows. "Do I need to explain to you why that's weird?"

"I was in the mood for barbecue sauce and just eating it with a spoon seemed silly. They put it on pizza, I don't see what the big deal is." Rory argued back, shrugging one shoulder as she continued to munch on her sandwich.

"It's crazy when it's on pizza as well." He smirked. "And how come eating with a spoon is silly but on toast it isn't?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"You'd think I would have accepted by now that, no matter how hard I try, I will never fully understand your logic. Or lack thereof."

"Pft, I make perfect sense." Rory giggled.

"To yourself, maybe."

"Mom gets me too."

"Insanity loves company just as much as misery does." Jess pointed out, opening the fridge door.

"Whatever. Go away and let me eat my silly food."

"If you insist." He placed a kiss on her cheek as he grabbed a soda. "I'll be in the office."

"Go in peace, Michael Scott."

"Lunatic." He kissed her cheek again before heading for the door.

Looking up from his book, Jess noticed his wife looking at her hand, a sad look on her face.

"What's wrong?" He kissed Rory's temple.

"I had to take my rings off." She pouted. "My fingers are too swollen by the end of the day and it hurts."

"And?"

"It's ugly and empty." She lifted her hand in the air to show him. Taking it in his, he kissed a trail from her finger to her palm, smiling.

"It's only for a while. And it's definitely not ugly."

"I could wear them in the morning since it's not that bad then but I don't want to lose them."

"Sh, it's ok. Whatever doesn't hurt you." Jess leaned closer, kissing her softly.

"But they're my rings. I know it's stupid and it doesn't matter, but I really can't stand not having them. And this woman in the supermarket actually gave me a lecture about young unwed mothers and how they are what's wrong with society."

Chuckling, Jess pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's not funny."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it's not."

"Slightly funny?" He smirked. "What did you say?"

"That it was none of her business what people did with their lives, young mother are much better than people like her who go around judging others for their decisions and, oh, by the way, I'm 28, married and I really didn't appreciate her tone." Pointing at her sweats, she shrugged. "I really shouldn't have worn this."

"Yes, your nut job shield would have been much better." He smirked again, making her laugh. "You should buy a necklace for your rings. It's not the same, but at least you'll…"

"Already done." She interrupted, showing him her necklace. "Thanks for listening."

"Any time."

"I'm fat, I'm waddling and I need someone to commiserate with." Rory whined, walking into the inn's kitchen, finding Lorelai and Sookie chatting. "Jess tries but he doesn't really get it."

"Make him gain ten pounds, that should help drive the point across. And carry a live octopus with him at all times."

"Ten? That was the nicest thing anyone has said to me. Ever." She giggled, looking around her. "Is there any decaf?"

"Here, pumpkin." Sookie handed her a cup, smiling. "Do you want something to eat?"

"Chocolate, please."

"I can make you chocolate covered bacon, would you like that?"

"That sounds fantastic."

"Hey, let someone else do that and have coffee with us."

"No way! This is for Rory, I'm not letting anyone else touch it."

"Sookie, you don't have…" Rory protested as well, but the other woman interrupted.

"Quiet, angel and go sit down."

"You are amazing."

"Aw, it's ok." Sookie grinned, rubbing her arm. "Anything you want."

"I like being here."

"Go sit down, I'll bring the food out in a few minutes."

"Are you really, really sure?" Rory hesitated but Sookie smiled, pointing at the door.

"Go!"

Sitting down in the dining room with her mother a few seconds later, Rory sighed, hands rested on her bump.

"Three, two, one, whine!" Lorelai counted down, making her daughter laugh again.

"I don't even know where to begin." She took a deep breath. "My hands and feet are swollen and my shoes barely fit any more but I don't have the energy to go shopping for new ones since the fatigue is back with a vengeance and my stupid back hurts and she's getting too big and her kicks are less sweet, more ow and did I mention the ridiculous heartburn?"

"Rory, it's…"

"Not done. Plus, I feel horrible for thinking all that and feeling this way and complaining because it's not like I want her to be born now and screw it, it's a few more weeks but I am really tired of being pregnant."

"You can always complain. It's not like anyone expects you to be perfect."

"Not perfect, but better than this. Movies have lied to me!" She whined again, sighing. "Every pregnant woman in movies and commercials is always smiling and jumping around freaking fields of flowers or something. I've got to tell you, I don't feel like skipping."

"I don't think the skipping is mandatory." Lorelai giggled. "Honey, everyone feels like that."

"You sure?"

"Oh, yeah. Woman in ad if she is in fact pregnant and not just hiding a pillow under her shirt? Sitting on the couch and putting her feet up the second shooting is over. While hugging a bucket of fried chicken."

"If she's anything like me, she's not, because it makes her heartburn worse. Ice cream maybe." She laughed bitterly, biting her lip at the same time. "I'd give up bacon, but it's the only thing stopping me from going on a homicidal rage most days."

"I know the feeling." Rubbing Rory's arm sympathetically, Lorelai smiled. "I am so sorry you're going through this."

"Tell me it's worth it."

"It it totally worth it."

Looking at her stomach, Rory pretended to frown. "If you dare to be overdue, I will ground you for life. I mean it. No books, no TV, no guys, nothing."

"Don't worry, Brett, she's kidding." Touching Rory's bump lightly, she smiled. "One look at you and she'll forget about all of this."

"I would mention you're completely undermining my authority, but she has no idea what you're saying so I'll give you a pass." Rory smiled at her mother. "You're not lying? Is this really ok?"

"What?"

"Feeling like this?"

"I know I must have ranted to you when I was pregnant with Will."

"Maybe." Rory shrugged. "But I…don't know."

"You figured I was being over dramatic, like I am so often accused of being?"

"And for no reason whatsoever." She snickered. "No. I didn't think of it, that's all."

"You should have."

"Sorry about all the complaining. It's really not all that bad most of the time, I've just had a few bad days and needed to vent."

"You know I'm always here for that."

"Yeah, I know. And appreciate it tremendously." She smiled. "I swear, I feel like I go mental every two weeks and need to rant incessantly about how horrible I feel."

"It's actually every week. At least. If, you know, we're being accurate."

"How about we take a 2004 elections approach to this?"

"Accuracy is overrated, got it."

"Here you go, sweetheart." Sookie smiled, walking to their table and pushing a plate in front of Rory.

"Are you feeding Rory or the entire dining room?"

"She has to eat." Sookie answered Lorelai's comment, sitting down. "What did I miss?"

"Lots of whining." Rory answered, picking up a piece of bacon. "Sookie, this is so good. Thank you."

"Any time, muffin."

"Hey, Sook, wanna go shopping with us after Rory's done eating?"

"We're going shopping?" Rory looked up, confused.

"You can't complain to your mother about not having shoes that fit and then expect her to not do something about it."

"I said they barely fit."

"Same thing."

"We'll just come back with a ton of baby clothes again." Rory pointed out.

"Don't say that like it's a bad thing. As long as we get you shoes, I don't see a problem with a grandmother spoiling her grandchild."

"Other than the fact that said grandchild isn't even born yet and after the shower that the great-grandmother organized, she's set until she starts kindergarten? Me either." She smiled, grabbing another slice of bacon.

"Good, we're in agreement."

"Or we're going to pretend we are, since you ignore my protests anyway."

"Potayto, potahto!" Lorelai laughed. "Sookie, what do you say?"

"I'm in. Lunch is taken care of, Bob can deal with everything until the dinner shift."

"Great. We'll stop for cake."

"I knew I shouldn't have let you go to the inn." Jess sighed as Rory walked in the diner apartment, holding a couple of bags. "See, Will? This is what happens when your mother and sister are left alone. They buy even more frilly dresses."

"Hey, Sookie was there as well!" She protested, taking up the young boy from Jess as soon as she's put the bags on a chair. "Don't listen to Jess, he's silly, isn't he?"

"Silly!" Will laughed.

"Consensus achieved." She kissed her brother's cheek, smiling at him. "How did the child minding practice session go?"

"Not bad. I think I can finally change a diaper without gagging."

"Progress."

"I like to think so."

"Ok, I have to give him back to mom now. We'll head over to her place and get dinner there, want to come?"

"Pass."

"I don't think he likes us very much, what do you say, Will?"

"Silly!" The toddler laughed again.

"Close enough." She leaned closer, kissing Jess quickly.

"Dirty!" Will interrupted, clapping his hands.

"Lorelai got to him."

"I'm sure Luke is so excited." Rory agreed before Jess covered the young boy's eyes, kissing his wife again.

"Have fun with your mom." Jess smiled. "Careful with him, he tends to kick." He pointed at her bump and Rory smiled.

"I'm good, don't worry."

"I have to worry, it's part of the contract." Ruffling Will's hair, he kissed Rory's cheek. "Bye."

"Bye." She started to head out, before changing her mind. "Wait, shoes!"

"What?" Jess asked, taking the toddler from her arms as she held him out.

"I got new shoes because.…"

"Your feet hurt."

"God, I do whine too much. Yeah, that." She started digging though a bag, pulling out a box. With a quick look at the shoes, she let them fall to the floor as Jess watched, amused.

"What are you doing?"

"I can't bend!" She pointed at her bulging midsection, laughing. Kicking her shoes off, holding on to the chair, she slipped on the new ones with a sigh of relief. "This feels so good."

"I'll kick your ass if you don't put your feet up the second you're at Lorelai's."

"Don't worry about it, Luke's coming home early and he'll glare at me if I dare not to."

"Good man."

"Seriously going now." She took Will from him again, smiling. "Bye."

"Goodness, you're beautiful!" Liz gushed the next afternoon, hugging Rory. "Don't even dare to argue." She smiled when Rory tried to say something. "Sit, sit." She pointed at the couch, letting go of her and giving Jess a quick hug. "Go on, you too." Liz waited for them to sit down. "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, water, soda?"

"Soda's fine." Jess nodded.

"Me too."

"You sure? I have decaf if you want some." Liz added.

"In that case, I'll take the decaf." Rory replied, smiling.

"I'll be back in a second."

"I really hate the hugging." Jess smirked, whispering in Rory's ear.

"I know." She placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Jess!" Doula yelped, jumping on the couch next to her brother, wrapping her arms around him. "I missed you!" Moving away from him in the next second, she looked at Rory, mouth opened wide. "Woah…"

"Oh, now I feel awesome. How are you, kiddo?" She laughed.

"I'm good." Letting go of Jess, Doula crawled closer to Rory across his lap, whispering in her ear. "Is the baby still a girl?"

Laughing, Rory nodded. "Yes, she is."

"Are you sure? Because I was at ballet and Lisa said that her mother said she was going to have a baby sister and then the baby was a boy and I really don't want to be an uncle!" She rambled, pulling her knees up and hugging them to her chest, now sitting between the two.

"I'm sure." Rory confirmed, ruffling the girl's hair. "And even if baby was a boy, you'd still be an aunt, not an uncle."

"How?"

"Luke is your uncle even though you're a girl, isn't he?"

"Oh, yeah…" She realized, biting her lip.

"Doula, are you bothering them?" Liz asked, walking back in the room, putting a cup and glass in front of the two.

"I'm not!"

"At least sit down nicely."

"Fine." The young girl drew the word, turning around and sitting on the couch. "Jess, did mom make you sit nicely when you were young?"

"Yes." He lied quickly, smirking. "Otherwise you'll get a hunch and we'll have to find you a bell tower to live in."

"Like the hunchback! I saw the movie last week!"

"Very good. I'll get you the book one day."

"Promise?" She looked at him, a hopeful look on her face.

"Yes. But you'll have to wait until you're older."

"As old as I have to be to read your books?"

"You can probably get away with being a bit younger."

"Ok, Doula, stop driving Jess crazy." Liz put a stop to her questions when she saw the girl was ready to open her mouth again and Doula crossed her arms over her chest, pouting. "How are you two?"

"Pretty much the same." Rory shrugged, smiling. "Jess finished setting up the bassinet and all the stuff that needed assembling we got at the baby shower, so we have nothing but wait now."

"And fight over putting the stupid car seat in or not."

"It's not too soon!" Rory protested, rolling her eyes.

"Yes, it is."

"We are not starting this again!" She sighed, turning her attention back to Liz. "Where's TJ?"

"He went to the store, he should be back any minute."

"Great." Jess mumbled under his breath.

"I'm bored!" Doula announced, jumping off the couch. "Rory, do you want to play with me?"

"Doula, come on, we've talked about you interrupting adults." Liz scolded her. "I don't care if you're bored – either sit quietly or go to your room."

"Mom!" She drew out the word, pouting, her hands on her hips.

"Boy, you're getting a really early start on being a teenager, aren't you?" Jess smirked. "Tell you what – I'll come read with you and we can let them talk in peace."

"Rory, will you come read with us later?"

"Yes." She promised, smiling.

"Ok." Extending her hand, she took Jess's, prancing out of the room with him following.

"Sorry about all of that, she's just so excited about seeing you guys."

"Don't worry about it." Rory smiled, hands resting on her bump. "She is however making me doubt I have enough energy to deal with this one."

"You get used to it. After the sleeplessness, they get more and more hyper and you learn to deal."

"I hope so." She laughed. "She's kicking, do you want to feel it?"

"Yes!" Liz exclaimed excitedly, moving next to Rory on the couch. Taking her hand, she put it on her bump.

"Here."

"That was totally a foot!"

"Yeah, she does that. You can even feel her toes sometimes."

"I keep forgetting how fun pregnancy can be."

"I think I'm going with more weird than fun." Rory laughed.

In the meantime, in Doula's room.

"Hey, Jess?"

"Hm?" He asked as they both sat on the floor in front of the bookshelf.

"Is the baby going to be a lot of work when she's born?"

"So they keep telling me, yes." He smirked, looking at his sister.

"A lot, a lot?"

"Yes."

"So you and Rory are going to be really busy, aren't you?"

"Yes." He confirmed again.

"Does that mean you'll never come and visit us?" She asked, voice barely above a whisper, avoiding his eyes.

"Nah." He smirked, nudging her shoulder with his thumb. "She's got to see her aunt, doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does." She grinned, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm gonna be a really good aunt."

"I'm sure you will be." Picking up a book from the shelf, he put it in front of her. "Want to read this one?"

"Yes." The little girl nodded, letting go and grabbing the book from him.

"You've been in hyper dad-to-be mode this weekend." Rory teased later that evening as they were back in their bed. Turning to his side, putting his book on the nightstand, Jess smirked, cupping her face in his hand.

"Practicing."

"I think you're just melting." She smiled, kissing his palm.

"I will tickle you." He pointed out.

"Oh, scary. I take it back, you're horrible and mean." Rory stuck out her tongue, motioning for him to move closer and kiss her. "I love you, you big softie."

"Love you too." He whispered back, placing one more kiss on her lips. "I'm excited." Jess admitted before ducking down, kissing her bump. "We get to meet you soon, spawn. And you'll make our lives a living hell while everyone else we know coos over you."

Running her fingers through his hair, Rory smiled, watching as he kept massaging her bump.

"And if your mom doesn't kick my ass, I'll read you The Hunchback of Notre Dame and a lot of other things as soon as you're old enough to not have nightmares. But she's not swaying me from bringing out Hemingway the second I get you alone."

"You have to read her Hemingway."

"What?"

"She's going to hate us for naming her Brett unless she's as insane about that bore as you are."

"See what I have to put with?" He addressed her bump again, smirking. "Though whatever logic your mom uses that means I get to read you Hemingway works for me." Placing one last kiss on her stomach, he moved back up, kissing his wife again. "And now sleep time before you either mock me or start crying."

"Yes." She agreed, nodding. "Good night."

"Night, Ror."