A/N: Reviews are like candy, rainbows and puppy cuddles! Share the love.

This is Stars Hollow

"Lorelai! Rory! Come in!" Emily greeted them on Friday evening, quickly whisking them inside the house.

"Sorry we're late, grandma, I asked mom to wait for me to get here from Philadelphia."

"Don't worry about it, I understand. Are you alone tonight?"

"Yes, just us." Lorelai confirmed, handing the maid her purse as Rory did the same. "Luke and Jess stayed in Stars Hollow to help set up the party tomorrow."

"I thought the town was throwing it." Emily remarked, guiding the girls to the living room and pointing at the couch. "Drinks?"

"Water, please." Rory smiled.

"Martini for me, mom." Lorelai leaned back on the couch, fixing her skirt. "The town is throwing the party, Luke is just helping with the food. We have no other events planned for June, so it's the official monthly bash."

"It's sort of mind blowing that they're going to this much trouble for me."

"It's half because you're awesome and half because we need a good excuse for a party."

"You are coming, right, grandma?"

"Your grandfather and I will stop by, yes. Not for long though, we have another function to attend."

"However long you can make it is fine, I'd just like to see you both there." Rory smiled, taking her glass from Emily before the older woman sat down.

"Speaking of dad, where is he?" Lorelai asked, sipping from her glass.

"On the phone. One of the club members can't pay his fees and they're trying to decide what they should do."

"My, how scandalous!"

"Lorelai."

"What did I do now?" She protested, sighing.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Emily replied, picking up her glass again. "How's William?"

"He's fine, sleeping soundly when I left. Matt was looking after him."

"Matt?"

"You've met him a few times, grandma, he works with Jess." Rory chimed in.

"Ah, yes, right."

"He hasn't been sleeping well lately so I didn't want to wake him up once he was finally down."

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah, just a growth spurt of something." Lorelai shrugged. "You'll experience that fun soon enough." She grinned at Rory.

"Can't wait."

"How are you doing, Rory?"

"I'm more excited than I was two days ago." She smiled. "Still a bit worried but I'm sure I'll be fine. Somehow."

"You have nothing to worry about." Emily reassured her with a smile. "Let me know if we can help with anything."

"You've done far more than enough, grandma."

"I've done nothing." She waved it off. "I'm going to go see what's holding up Richard, we should have started dinner already."

"We'll be here." Lorelai smiled, drinking again. "Have I told you how much I love you being pregnant?"

"Designated driver?"

"Oh, yeah. Makes these dinners so much easier." She snickered, surreptitiously refilling her glass.

"Oh, my god." Rory exclaimed the next afternoon, walking out of the diner, looking at the decorated town square. "This is insane." She giggled, looking around her, trying to take it all in, from the balloons and streamers hanging on the trees to the crowd of people.

"I did stop them from putting a throne for you in the gazebo."

"I want to think that's a joke." She laughed, squeezing Jess's hand. "Are you able to deal?"

"Hey, your party, I'll stand in the sidelines. No one cares about me anyway."

"You're half responsible for that kid, you should get some credit." Lorelai noted.

"If that's your attempt at telling me I have to wear a sash, nice try. No cigar."

"I think you should." Matthew chimed in, holding Will. "It's only right."

"Stay out of it." He smirked, trying to sound threatening.

"Rory!" Taylor called, waving her closer to him. "Good, you're here."

"I can't miss my own baby shower, no matter how over the top it is."

"This?" He looked around him, confused. "How is this over the top?"

"Never mind, it was stupid as soon as I said it. I lived here ling enough to know better."

"Right, Jess, you have to…"

"That sentence better end with do absolutely nothing but be here, Taylor."

"But…" The man protested and Jess let out a breath.

"I can rephrase that to make it clearer if you want."

"Fine, whatever." Starting to walk towards the gazebo, he held on to Rory's arm. "Couldn't you have married a nice man? Oh, well, what's done is done." Pointing at the stairs, he clapped his hands a few times, trying to get everyone's attention. "Rory is here, everyone, we can start the party."

Blushing furiously, she looked down, waving. "Hi, everyone. Right." She braced herself, taking a deep breath. "I just…really can't believe you're all here for this. Thank you so much. I made really wonderful memories growing up here and I really do hope Brett will love it as much as I do. I'm definitely signing her up now for the part of Thanksgiving pilgrim, that I know. Thank you again." Wiping her eyes, she flashed the crowd another big smile before stepping off, hurrying to Lorelai and Jess.

"You ok?" Jess smiled, rubbing the small of her back.

"Yeah. Emotional, that's all."

"Aw, it's ok, hon." Lorelai reassured her. "Let's go get you some food to distract you."

"The Gilmore answer to everything." Jess remarked, smirking.

"I like that you at least acknowledge that, despite getting her to change her last name, but she's still a Gilmore." Lorelai shot back.

"I didn't…"

"You're to blame for everything." Lorelai cut him off, laughing and he rolled his eyes.

"Apologies, I keep forgetting."

"I tell him often enough, mom, I promise." Rory chimed in, brushing her fingers over his hand.

"That she does."

"Good, it's not all wasted."

"So, food?" Rory asked and Lorelai nodded.

"Definitely. Jess?"

"Pass, I'll go find Matt or something."

"He's over there." Lorelai pointed to a bench. "Will's with him, it takes about 25 years until you get to relax and not worry about where your kids are at all times."

"Good to know." Jess replied, placing a quick kiss on Rory's cheek. "Find me if you need help."

"I will. Back at you."

"Thanks."

"Rory!" Liz called a while later, making her way to her. "Hi!" She greeted her, wrapping her arms around her in a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm great. You?"

"Also great. Let me look at you." She grinned, pulling back. "You look amazing. How are you feeling?"

"Fat." Rory laughed. "Jess is around, do you want me to find him?"

"I was just with him, he's playing with Doula." She waved it off. "How is everything with you? I need information, Jess said I should ask you."

"I'm great, Liz."

"Excited?"

"Oh, yeah."

"I'm sorry, you must have had this conversation about 50 times already today."

"About that, but you get a grandmother-to-be pass." She laughed, rubbing her bump. "Plus if you're here, you can distract me from my current kill Kirk mission, as he tried to initiate a guess the bump size game."

"He never learns, does he?"

"It's part of his charm."

"Rory! Hi!" Doula hopped to their side, her hand holding Jess's. "When's the baby gonna be born?"

"Next month."

"So I'm gonna be an aunt next month?"

"Yes, you are."

"And can we come see her after she's born?"

"I…uh…we'll bring her here, anyway." She saved it quickly, looking at Jess. "I don't know how up for visits we'll be with a small baby." She tried to come up with an excuse, more for Liz than Doula. Seeing her friends running up to a pinata, Doula looked at her mother, asking for permission and Liz smiled, nodding.

"Go."

"Bye!" She yelled, running to join them.

"How grateful are you going to be when I tell you one of Kirk's earliest drafts for the pinata involved it looking like a pregnant belly?" Lorelai snickered, walking up to the small group. "Hey, Liz."

"Hi."

"Eternally." Rory laughed. "This is why Kirk shouldn't be involved in anything."

"It's the first time he was allowed to plan and be in charge of an event completely on his own, the power may have gone to his head." Shaking her head quickly, she smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I'm taking over a conversation I'm not even supposed to be in, as I'm only here to kidnap Rory since she's needed to be the judge of the play dough baby contest."

"My work is never done." She sighed jokingly. "We'll catch up later, Liz?"

"Definitely. Go, I see some cotton candy that's calling my name."

"I'm guessing you're going to pass?" Rory looked at her husband and he nodded.

"Ten points for a correct guess."

"You're missing all the fun." She giggled, kissing his cheek quickly before looking at her mother. "Lead the way."

"Does this mean I get to bug you for a bit, now that Doula isn't here to demand your full attention?" Liz addressed her son and he shrugged.

"I won't run."

"How are you doing with the baby being almost here?"

"I'm good."

"You know I'm more than happy to help with anything you need, right?"

"I know."

"And you'll let me know if there is something you need?"

"I will." Shoving his hands in his pockets, Jess looked around, trying to find a way to escape. "I'm going to go get a burger, can I bring you something?"

"I'm okay, thanks. The cotton candy's in the opposite direction."

"Ok. I'll see you later." He mumbled, heading towards the hot dog cart.

"Hi, Michel. I didn't think you'd come." Rory walked up to the man, waving.

"Your mother used her really annoying voice."

"Aw, I'm sorry."

"You do seem broken hearted about it." He scoffed, handing her a neatly wrapped package. "Here."

"Michel, you didn't have to get me anything."

"Did I mention the annoying voice?"

"Thank you." She gushed, accepting the gift. "It's very sweet of you and I wouldn't begrudge it if you left immediately."

"Oh, and here I was worried." He replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Your grandmother is here? This may have been worth postponing my yoga session after all." He suddenly perked up seeing the older woman walking towards them.

"Rory, what are they do over there?" Emily waved her hand to indicate a group of people.

"I think that's the 'pin the diaper on the baby' game, grandma. It's more of a baby themed carnival than a traditional baby shower." Rory tried to explain.

"This is absurd."

"This is Stars Hollow." Rory giggled, not knowing what else to say.

"Michel, I'm sorry, I didn't see you. How are you?" The older woman directed her attention to Michel.

"I'm very well. You?"

"I'm fine, thank you." Turning back to Rory, Emily sighed. "Did your mother sanction this…thing?"

"I don't know, grandma, I wasn't told anything about it until today. How about I got get you a drink while you relax?"

"But…"

"I know it's not exactly to your tastes, but it's fun. I'm really enjoying it and I love that this many people came just to celebrate Brett." She rubbed her bump pointedly.

"Yes, it is a nice gesture." Emily conceded.

"So…drink?" She offered again, hoping to appease the woman even more.

"A drink would be good."

"Ok, let me go find you something that isn't Miss Patty's punch." She replied with a grin. Walking up to her mother, she rolled her eyes. "Grandma's here, she's driving me crazy, help me find her something to drink."

"This way." She directed her towards a cart. "What's up?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Why do you have wine hidden in there?"

"I assumed they'd be coming." Lorelai shrugged. "As much fun as it would be seeing mom on punch, I don't think my psyche can take it."

"True."

"Let me go give her this, you relax for a bit instead of letting her get to you. Find Jess, give him a hug." She advised her daughter with a smile.

"Mom, I can…"

"Sh, you're pregnant, getting stressed is bad." She snickered, closing the bottle again and hiding it. "Plus I don't want to risk letting you near booze, you haven't had any in months, I don't know what you're capable of."

"This is ridiculous!" Rory called after her mother, laughing. Shaking her head when Lorelai was too far away, she scanned the place, heading off towards Jess as soon as she found him. "I've been told to hug you." She smiled, placing a quick kiss on his cheek as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Something wrong?"

"Nah, grandma's here, mom overreacted."

"Will saying 'as usual' get me kicked to the couch tonight?"

"Maybe."

"Good thing I asked first then." Jess smirked, kissing her. "How's the baby treating you?"

"She's ok. I think I'm beyond the point where she can be good."

"How long until the "just be born already, you evil spawn"point?"

"I'm gonna say two weeks. She's full term after that, no matter what the stupid due date calculations say. Don't even dare tell me otherwise."

"I wouldn't." He chuckled, placing another kiss on her lips. "Has anyone bugged you about sitting down in the past ten minutes?"

"Three people."

"Did you listen to any of them?"

"Yes. Mostly because Luke threatened to not give me any more food if I didn't sit down while he made it."

"Good man."

"Completely overprotective."

"Same thing."

Rolling her eyes, Rory ran a hand through his hair. "I should go find grandma again as she's bound to throw a fit if I don't."

"Your grandfather's here too, he was looking for you."

"Thanks, I'll find him in a minute." She smiled, kissing him before heading back to find her grandmother.

"I can't believe this is still going." Rory sighed, sitting on a bench next to Lane. "Where are the boys?"

"Zack took them to home. Bed time was a while ago." Lane gushed. "How are you holding up?"

"Tired. I think it may be my bed time too."

"Yeah, I remember the tiredness. I was in bed most of the time and I still couldn't get enough sleep with all the kicking."

"I want to gloat about only having one baby, but I get the feeling that would be mean. I'll revel silently in knowing it could be worse."

"Sounds like a plan." Looking at her best friend, Lane smiled. "You know I think you're going to be a great mom to that baby, right?"

"I hope so." Rory admitted. "If I'm half as good as you, I'll be alright." Seeing Lane open her mouth to protest, she grinned. "Nope, you're not allowed to argue."

"Fine." Lane gave up with a nod. "Can I at least volunteer to run away with you if you ever feel like doing so?"

"We'll share a house."

"Just like old times."

"Any chance you feel like having another kid soon so Brett can have a best friend that's close to her age and related to you?"

"Sorry."

"It was worth a try." Rory smiled, yawning. "I really should head back to the diner before I fall asleep on here. Camping may be a great pastime, but not for me. Lunch tomorrow?"

"You're on."

"I'll come pick you up."

"Did you have fun?" Jess smirked, looking up fro his book as Rory walked in the apartment.

"When did you sneak away?"

"Couple of hours ago."

"You'd think someone would have noticed." She replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"They were too busy fawning over you." Jess moved from his spot, leaving his book behind and placed a kiss on her shoulder. "So…the madness?"

"I loved every minute of it."

"Good."

"I am however ready to collapse and die now."

"Should I stand back?"

"Might be wise." Pouting, she turned her head to look at him. "Why didn't you remind me to brush my teeth before sitting down?"

"Screw teeth, no one needs them."

"Oh, you'd still love me if I was toothless?"

"Think about what you just asked for a second and then tell me if I can answer it." Jess smirked, cocking an eyebrow. Blushing, Rory burst out laughing.

"You're a pig."

"You make it too easy." He kissed her neck, running a hand down her back. "Need help getting back up?"

"I'll do it." She smiled, pushing herself up with a grunt. "Jess…?" She poked her head out of the bathroom a couple of minutes later, holding her toothbrush in her left hand.

"Hm?"

"Thanks."

"For?"

"Not looking too bored all day even when you got congratulated for the millionth time."

"I'm sure I would have been killed if I'd looked anything less than thrilled."

"Probably. Not by me, but everyone else…yeah, death." She laughed.

"It wasn't that bad." Jess admitted. "It made you happy, I can't complain too much about it."

"Your dad's a sap." Rory grinned again, poking her stomach.

"Five minutes ago I was a pig."

"Things change, get over it."

"Come over here and I'll show you how quickly they can change back."

"Give me a minute." She nodded playfully before putting her toothbrush back in her mouth.