The Fourth Trimester

June 2017

West Hartford and Stars Hollow

Lorelai left around 2 am, leaving Rory and Logan alone to enjoy their baby and to "keep the relatives at bay." Before parting, she warned them, "Do NOT let anyone else know you had the baby before you are well rested and ready."

Rory and Logan stayed up soaking in their baby. They determined that he was Harry Potteresque; the spitting image of Logan with Rory's blue eyes. Finally, around 4 am Rory could no longer keep her eyes open, falling fast asleep once she handed the baby over to Logan.

Logan stayed up longer, feeding the baby his bottle when he was hungry, and changing him when needed. He got out his phone showing him pictures of the family, including Uncles Colin, Finn, and Robert, "who will always be there to bail you out, but never ever take their advice."

Together they watched the sunrise, with Logan taking selfies of them as the sunlight peeked through the windows. Logan could not help but marvel at his son; he couldn't believe he was his.

Around 7 am when the nurse came to do her rounds and take the baby for a hearing test. She succeeded in convincing Logan to let her take the baby to the nursery so he too could get some sleep. It was well past 1 pm when Rory and Logan finally woke up. They took their time to ready themselves for the onslaught of relatives, making sure to eat and wash up before making phone calls. Within an hour of placing those calls, the relatives began to arrive. Lorelai, Luke, April, and Selah were first, bearing bags of food and flowers, followed by Mitchum, Shira, and Honor. Christopher, Gigi, Francine, and Emily arrived soon after. Christopher was the last to walk in the room, where he beelined to his daughter who was in sitting bed, " Hi Dad" she greeted, motioning to Emily to hand the baby over to Christopher. As Christopher held the baby, Rory made the introductions, "Dad, I would like you to meet Hayden Richard Gilmore- Huntzberger, Hayden this is your Grandpa Chris."

Christopher looked at Rory happily stunned, "Really?" he confirmed.

"I figured this generation should have more than just a few facial features."

The rest of the afternoon was a flurry of activity of relatives coming and going. The baby was passed around so much that Rory only saw him when it was time to feed. At around 6 pm, Mitchum rounded everyone up for a celebratory dinner.

Lorelai volunteered to stay behind with Rory. Upon shutting the door after the last person she exclaimed, "Finally! I thought they would never leave!"

"So much activity and partying lately. I can't wait for quiet." Rory replied.

"Oh, honey you're a mother now. It will never be quiet again."

"Thanks, that makes me feel so great," Rory deadpanned.

"You did great kid. Such grace under pressure. Me? I was screaming bloody murder the whole time."

"Well, I had a great support system. Thanks, Mom, thanks for everything. I wouldn't have made it without you."

"Of course you would have, but yes, anytime. Thank you for letting me be part of this. Definitely in the top four coolest experiences ever."

"Top four?"

"Yes, behind your birth, marrying Luke, and sneaking onto the main floor during the Duran Duran and being hit by Simon LeBon's sweat."

"Eww, I would hope that Hayden's birth comes before Simon's sweat."

"Depends on his level of worship of the great Czarina Lorelai," Lorelai replied with a grand gesture.

"Czarina? Really?" Rory asked sarcastically.

"I think it has a nice ring to it." Lorelai relied indignantly. "So Hayden huh? That was nice."

"Logan and I had the hardest time finding a boys name. Nothing really fit. I thought of it after that talk I had with Dad, and Logan agreed. Really, that kid, name wise at least, is all Gilmore."

"As it should be." Lorelai said mockingly maniacal, "So question, what would you have named the baby if he was a she?"

"Lorelai"

"Really?"

"Yes, surprisingly enough, Logan really wanted to continue it the tradition. He likes the name and plus the fact that it would annoy certain members of his family was an added bonus."

"Middle name continue that tradition too?"

"Yes, it's only fitting."

"So in continuing the tradition of honoring the non-Lorelai side, I am Lorelai Victoria after Grandpa Charles' mother, you are Lorelai Leigh after mom's mother, and imaginary granddaughter would have been?"

"Lorelai Lucille.

"Lucille? Who was Lucille? Shira or Mitchum's mother?"

"Shira."

"Shira's mother's name was Lucille? Really? Huh, kinda badass."

"Isn't it though? Logan really liked her. Apparently, she was rather charming, irreverent, and fun."

"And what would you have called her?"

"I don't' know, maybe Trix, Jr.?"

"Oh, Heaven forbid." "

Yea, I think Grandma would disown me."

"Oh well, you can save that for the next time."

"Mom, I just delivered less than 24 hours ago. Please don't start talking about the next time, there may never be a next time."

"A Czarina can dream, can't she? This grandkid thing is pretty addicting."

Two days later, Rory, Logan, and baby Hayden were headed home. Rory and Logan had mixed feelings about leaving the hospital. While they were happy to be able to be home, it meant leaving the safe confines of 24-hour care. They had been warned and read about how hard an adjustment a new baby could be, but nothing prepared them for the reality. Rory and Logan found that every cliche, every comedic portrayal, every dramatic moment associated with being a parent to a newborn was true and then some. The combination of an adjusting baby and parental hypersensitivity made for many tense times. Added to Rory's stress were her post-partum hormones which sent Rory into crying fits, extreme fatigue, and insomnia. They both found that the hardest adjustments came in things that were unexpected; leaving the apartment just to go on a simple errand became a production, everyday baby materials such as diapers, wipes, clothes, carriers, strollers, and such took up more room than expected. Everyday things that they took for granted such as clean laundry, washed dishes, even taking a shower became lost. Both were so grateful for Luke and Lorelei's help. Luke provided a steady stream of meals, while Lorelai went to work late, making sure that Rory and Logan could get a decent amount of sleep. In the afternoons after work she and Luke would take the baby for a walk, assigning the new parents activities to help get them back on track ("We'll be back in an hour or so. Take that time to clean up the dishes, put away the laundry, or take a shower!")

Along with Lorelai and Luke, came the parade of friends and relatives that came to visit. Logan and Rory were never short of hands to hold the baby or for food. The first weekend found The Huntzbergers spending time in Stars Hollow, where a very excited Charlotte and Theo fawned over their new baby cousin, while Chris, Gigi, and Francine would come and visit several days during the week. Emily came the following week, giving more sleep time for Logan and Rory while she minded Hayden at Lorelai and Luke's house.

By the time Hayden turned a month old, Rory and Logan had adjusted into a solid routine. Hayden would get up early in the morning around 5:30 am, fall asleep again around 9 am, wake at 11 am and then fall asleep again at 2 pm. He would then wake at 4 pm and then fall asleep again for the night at 8 pm, waking up for a night feeding and change between midnight and 1 am. Rory and Logan split their time, with Rory staying up to do the late night duties, and Logan taking care of the early morning. With Hayden's schedule becoming somewhat predictable, Logan and Rory fell into a routine. Logan made sure to have breakfast for ready Rory every morning while Rory would make sure Logan had time to run or go to the gym in the afternoons. At night before putting Hayden to bed, the three of them would curl up on the couch and read books ranging from Sandra Boyton to Mo Williems, to Huckleberry Finn to Far Side comics. While Hayden napped or was in the care of someone else, their time would be spent on everyday household duties; laundry, paying bills, as well as running errands, and doctors' appointments. Late night allowed Rory to work on her book, while morning naps allowed Logan relax and read.

It was during that month milestone that Rory and Logan felt ready to venture beyond Stars Hallow and to New York City. With the end of Logan's leave fast approaching, the realities of life outside of their new parent bubble began to creep in. For Logan, this meant not only getting mentally prepared to of back to work but also finding a bigger apartment in his Tribeca neighborhood so to stay within walking distance of work. Rory's list was more daunting. Along with finding a place to live and finding a job, Rory also had to deal with the intricacies and realities of her personal financial situation. Between living simply in Stars Hollow and Paris and Doyle's place in New York, Rory was able to save a fair amount of her salary from her job and MN Designs. She had meetings planned in the days ahead with Emily and her lawyers and financial advisors to discuss how to tap in and use her trust funds set up by both Richard and her Great Grandmother Lorelai I. It was during those meetings she learned that with the money in her

trust fund, Rory would be able to put down a sizable down payment on a decent apartment, with enough money to spare to have her live up to a year. Although she did not want to use up so much of the proceeds of her trust, it was what she needed to do.

Then there was childcare, perhaps the most eye-opening issue of all. The cost of a full-time Nanny, which involved not only salary, but also employer taxes, social security, and other miscellaneous expense rivaled the rent of a one bedroom apartment. $45K/ year?! Rory text Paris when she learned the average number.

45? For a totally legal childcare? That's cheap. Paris texted back. Really? You could pay more if you get into a poaching situation.

Her financial situation loomed over Rory's head in the days leading up to their trip to New York. Sitting in the gazebo with Lorelai and Hayden, Rory started to lose it. "This is just so sobering," she told her mother. "Why oh why is this happening?"

"I know honey, it sucks. But this is life, this is life with a kid. You will never feel like you have enough. You just have to plow through."

"It's just so daunting. I can't stay here because Logan lives in New York, but I can barely afford to live in New York."

"Can't you move to a cheaper neighborhood?"

"I could, but it not in a neighborhood that would be safe or close enough to Logan.

"Does he have to stay in his neighborhood?"

"He works late nights as it is. Commuting would only add to that."

"Well, you have a year to find a job.

"And then what?"

"And then what nothing. Focus on the here and now, not on what happens a year from now. If you don't you will only make yourself crazy."

"I just feel like I wasted so much time the last 10 years, chasing a journalism career that did not work out. There so much I could have been doing, now I have nothing,"

"Whoa! No Rory! You have an education and experiences and contacts. Plus you have a kid whose father is financially well off and will to do whatever he can to help. That is not "nothing". You have it so much better than the vast majority other women out there. Seriously, you need to get a grip and capitalize on what you do have."

"I have that job with Mitchum. PR. He says I can do it."

"Do you think you can? Do you think he means what he says?"

"Well, he was right about the journalism thing wasn't he?"

"I don't know. Why do I feel like you're Belle and you are on the brink of giving up your freedom to save your father and live with the Beast?"

"Well, she was a martyr, but look how it turned out for her?" "Stockholm syndrome?" "Survival of her family. I mean it's not like I am selling my soul."

" You haven't even tried to look for anything else. Like you said, you have a year."

"But if I can't find anything then what? I lost an opportunity. Again, that would have been fine if I were on my own, but I have a child to think about. I can't afford arrogance."

'You have time right?" "About a month."

"That may be enough time to get you a couple of leads. Don't give up yet. You should at least try to find something else, that way if you do take this job, you can say that you tried."

"Yes, I cannot give up without trying first."

"And if you do take it, remember to be careful. This is a slippery slope. He is Hayden's grandfather. Any conflicts can affect him too."

Rory and Lorelai looked up to see Jess approaching them.

"Hi!" Rory greeted Jess with a hug.

"Well, this is a surprise," Lorelai said.

"Well, I thought I would drop by, check in on you, meet the little guy," Jess responded as he leans in to look at Hayden who is snuggled in Rory's carrier.

"Oh, I think you're in luck because he is waking up."

Rory took Hayden out of the carrier. "Hayden, this is my friend Jess."

"Hey there little man," Jess greeted Hayden, "He's great Rory. How are you doing?"

"Oh, you know, we're adjusting. We're good...we're good."

Jess saw that she seemed a bit concerned. He had to fight the urge to ask her to elaborate.

"Well, I'm glad. Hey Hayden, I got you something."

Jess reached into his bag and pulled out the book Knuffle Bunny. This made Rory laugh.

"Oh, I love him! We are way deep into Piggy and Elephant right how"

"Well, the Knuffle Bunny trilogy is a must. Mo Williems is after all the Moliere of Children's Literature."

Jess sat down with Rory, Lorelai, and Hayden and proceeded to read the book to Hayden, with voices and all. His performance made Rory and Lorelai laugh hysterically. At the end of the book, Lorelai and Rory gave Jess a rousing round of applause before Lorelai left them to check on the renovation at the Annex.

"So how are you really?" Jess asked Rory.

"I'm good, really good. The adjustment was difficult at first, but we now have a routine which makes life much easier." Rory replied.

"And how is he adjusting?" "Logan is doing well. He's been a rock really. I would not have made it without him." "So things are good?" "Yes, things are good." "Look, I'm sorry the way I acted the last time. If you trust him, then I will too."

"Thanks for being protective, but regardless, Hayden and I will be ok." "Well alright then."

Rory, Hayden, and Jess stood up and headed toward the diner. In the distance, standing in front of Doose's Market, the upset Logan watched the scene before he walks back to the apartment.

About two hours later and Rory and Hayden arrive at the apartment to find Logan packing up. "Hey," She said when she walked in, "there you are." "Here I am." "I thought you were going to join us at the diner for lunch."

"Well, I just got caught in something here and lost track of time." "Oh, ok"

Rory took the sleepy Hayden out of his carrier and gently places him in his crib. relief, "Ok, two-hour stretch."

"Two-hour stretch." "So what are you going to do? Do you need to go out? I can stay here..."

She exhaled in

"I'm actually starting to pack up. We are going the day after tomorrow, so I want to make sure I've got everything."

"Ok, well that is a good idea. There is so much stuff, I don't even know where to begin."

"I think just the basics, we can get the rest later once we are settled into our respective places."

"Yes, that's a good idea."

Rory sensed Logan's distance.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"You just seem preoccupied."

"The gravity of our situation is weighing on me. We are going back to the real world now and I am not feeling too great about it."

"Yes, I understand." "So how was your afternoon...with your mom?"

"Oh good. We had a talk about transitioning to New York. She said that she could come down on the weekends to help out until we get settled."

"Great."

"She and I also talked about my job prospects."

"Really?"

"Yes, I am seriously considering that job with HMG"

"Really, are you sure you want to sell your soul to the devil himself?"

"Well, it's a sure thing."

"True. No other prospects out there?"

"Well one, but it's not an option."

"What is it?"

"Naomi Shropshire called me. She was apologetic and wanting to work with me again. Apparently, there is another author who is going to write an unauthorized biography and she wants to beat her to the punch."

"Wow, talk about a gift from Heaven."

"Yes, it is, but I am not taking it."

"Why not?"

"That would mean me having to spend a significant time in London. And I can't do that."

"Why London?"

"Because she lives there?"

"She can't come here for interviews?"

"This is a biography Logan, I have to follow her, you know that."

"I mean yes, but she wants you to do this. I assume she knows you are a new mom."

"Yes, she told me," Rory imitated Naomi, "Dahling just bring the baby to London, we have the best Nannies..."

"When did she make this offer? I don't remember you talking to her."

"It was before Hayden was born. The day you moved in."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" "Because I knew I wouldn't take it."

"And why is that again?"

'Well, because that would mean a major change in our living arrangement. It would be hard to do the joint custody thing separated by the Atlantic."

"Well, if you told me about it, we could have perhaps arranged something."

"Really? It's that easy?" "

Maybe, maybe not, but it would have been worth it to ask the question."

"No Logan, it would have been hard."

"You don't know that! If you told me then maybe we could have worked out something."

"You essentially just started again back here in the States and now you will go off to London? Seriously, think about it."

"I don't want you resenting me later for not taking this job because of me."

"While you are certainly a factor, you are not the sole reason for not taking this job. Naomi is crazy and really I can't take that right now. Plus, she is so unpredictable, I mean who knows what could happen? I could rearrange my life and find that she changed her mind once I got there. At this point, I cannot take a job that has so many unsure factors."

"So what are you going to do then?"

"Like I said, I am seriously considering the job with HMG"

"Really? I thought working for my father again wasn't ideal."

"Well, the reality of having to support a kid and pay a mortgage changes one's concept of ideal."

"It's not what you dreamed of doing."

"Dreams change."

Logan went quiet. It was an uneasy quiet. Rory wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but he looked as though he wouldn't tell her the truth. She lets the silence go on.

Finally, Logan said, "You know, I think I will go running. I need to clear my head." "Ok," Rory said. Logan quickly changed and left the apartment.