Logan and Rory were sitting in the waiting room for a doctor's appointment. They had discussed on whether of not they wanted to know the gender of the baby and after much consideration they had decided earlier that morning that they wanted to have a gender reveal for the families. Rory was slightly anxious about this appointment. She needed everything to be okay with the baby, this entire pregnancy was stressful and not because of the actual baby because of all the outside factors. This was also the first time that Logan would be able to see the baby and she wax excited to be able to share this with him. During all her previous appointments she wanted him beside her and now he was here. She could feel his nervous energy next to her and it made her smile and grabbed his hand.
"You okay?" she questioned as she squeezed his hand.
He turned to look at her and she read the anxiousness in his eyes. "Nervous," he breathed as he moved their hands to place on her stomach and they both smiled when they felt the baby kick. The feeling made him think about the first time he felt it not long after he moved in with her. They were sitting on the couch the day after the first therapy session and while there was so much, they needed to talk about they were trying to put that to the backburner and watch a movie.
Rory and Logan sat on opposite ends of the couch watching Netflix when she suddenly moved and let out an uncomfortable groan.
"Is everything okay?" Logan asked as he worriedly moved to her, kneeling in front of her. He watched as she slightly grimaced.
"Yeah," she replied as she gently rubbed her stomach. "The baby is just using my bladder as a kickball."
He looked at her stomach in amazement, "Can I…" he started to ask tentatively not sure if she would let him feel.
She smiled and grabbed his hand, positioning it low on her stomach and after a few seconds a smile bloomed across his face as he felt the baby kick. Tears pooled in his eyes at the amazing feeling. "That's the baby?" he asked in awe and she nodded. "That's amazing," he breathed out.
"Yeah it is," she answered with a smile. "But in the middle of the night when I just want to sleep its not so great," she told him with a laugh. "I think it takes after you and is going to be a night owl."
He chuckled as he felt the baby continued to move around. "I hope it takes more after you," he told her and gently moved forward to place a kiss on her stomach. "Hi baby," he whispered.
Rory was amazed at how tender he was being, and it made her wish again he had been there from the beginning, he missed so much.
They were brought out of the moment when the nurse called her name and they both stood up. Logan was unsure what to do and just followed her lead as she moved into the room where they got her vitals and then moved to behind a small curtain to change into a gown and then sat on the edge of the bed. He walked around the room trying to distract himself from the fact she was changing and studied the pictures and grimaced at some of the images. While they had made progress they hadn't moved to anything intimate, there were some heated make-out session but both were afraid to move to the that level of intimacy when there was so much they were trying to work through.
She laughed at the look on his face, "I thought you ready the pregnancy books?"
"I did," he replied as he turned to look at her. "And I've researched but the pictures of the size of the baby just freak me out a bit."
"Imagine how I feel," she replied with a giggle. "I'm the one that gets to push the baby out."
Before he could reply the doctor walked in.
"Hello Rory," the older woman greeted and was surprised to see a male accompanying her and not Emily, Paris or Lane.
"Hi Dr. White," Rory said as she looked at the women's confused face. "This is Logan, the dad." She picked up the confused and slightly worried look and sighed. "It's a very long, tiring story… but he is here and will be a part of the baby's life."
Dr. White studied the woman for a minute and when she didn't see anything in her eyes that was concerning, she smiled and extended a hand to Logan. "It's nice to meet you."
"You to," Logan answered with a slight sigh. He knew that Rory had been alone for all of this and it still stung that he missed so much but he didn't blame her and he knew she didn't blame him, they both needed to move forward from the past.
"Okay, Rory, let's check to ensure you aren't dilated," she stated, and Rory moved to put her legs in the stirrups and move to the end of the bed. Logan watched and it was strange to see someone between Rory's legs, so he focused on her face and grabbed her hand. "Everything looks good," the doctor told them as she let Rory put her legs down and scoot back on the bed. "There is no dilation so now let's check on the baby." Rory adjusted and the doctor turned on the ultrasound machine and placed the wand on Rory's stomach.
Logan watched in awe as the image on the screen appeared. That was their baby he thought to himself as the doctor moved around taking measurements. Suddenly the room was filled with a whooshing sound and Logan turned to look at Rory and he saw the tears in her eyes, "Is that…"
She nodded her head, "that's the babies heartbeat," she told him and he felt the tears stream down his face at the sound and he moved down and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
"Thank you," he whispered not caring about the emotions he was showing. "This is the most amazing sound I have ever heard."
Dr. White watched the two of them and a smile graced her features. She didn't know much about the father but knew that there were issues between them, and that Rory had been admitted to the hospital a few times for panic attacks and anxiety regarding the issues between them. But watching them now, it gave her hope that these two would be able to work things out, there was an obvious love between them. She hated to break the moment but gently cleared her throat. "Do you want to know the gender?"
"Can you please write it down," Rory murmured not wanting to break the moment. "We want to throw a small gender reveal."
"Of course," she replied and moved the wand slightly to get a picture of the entire baby and smiled. "I'm going to print out some images," she told them. "Okay Rory," she said as she turned off the machine and went to wipe the gel off Rory's stomach. "Everything looks good with the baby and you are measuring at 29 weeks. Just keep the stress down and I want to see you again in two weeks to make sure everything is still good,"
"Okay," Rory replied and turned to look at the older woman. She was handed a few pictures and a sealed envelope with the gender.
The doctor said her good-byes and Rory slowly got off the bed with Logan's help and she moved behind the curtain to put her clothes back on. Logan stared at the picture in wonder and yet again felt thankful for the twist of fate that placed Finn in that café to see Rory. He missed so much and refused to miss another moment; this right here was everything he needed in life. Rory moved from behind the curtain and took a moment to study the man she had loved for pretty much her entire adult life. They had been through so much, had so much to work through still but the look of wonder and amazement on his face proved to her more than his words ever could, he was there and wouldn't be leaving. This moment confirmed for her that they were both done running from each other, for the first time since she found out she was pregnant she felt complete, she knew they would be able to work this out.
"Wow," Logan exclaimed as Rory walked down the stairs dressed in a simple long sleeve grey sweater dress and knee-high black boots. The dress clung to her curves, highlighting her baby bump, to him she looked like the most stunning woman he had ever seen. Seeing her with her baby bump made his heart swell and he felt honored that she was carrying his child, all of his dreams were slowly coming true.
"You look pretty wow yourself," she told him with an impish grin as she looked at him dressed in a pair of black slacks and a pale blue button-down shirt. The years had been good to him and if possible, she thought he looked better than he did in college. He still had a muscular figure, and she knew he ran and worked out every day, looking at him could still make her lose her train of thought. "Are you ready for this?"
After they left the doctor a few days prior they had called Chris, Francine, Emily, Lane, Paris, Colin, Finn, Honor and Mitchum and invited them to a small party at the house for a gender reveal. They were all excited and promised to be there and both Logan and Rory couldn't wait. They had given Livy the small envelope and she was excited to make a meal and special cake for this announcement. Rory had even asked that she, Paula and Ingrid attend for a bit to celebrate with them, while the three were employees they had been there for Rory and helped take care of her when she needed it most.
Soon the doorbell rang, and the guests started arriving. Everyone was so happy to see Rory looking well and her family all noticed the changes in her demeanor and were happy that she was looking like her old self again. Finn and Colin were both careful with her, both remembering how she looked in the hospital, but they were glad that she and Logan seemed to be working through their issues. The group socialized for awhile before Mitchum pulled Chris to the side.
"I know that my family has caused some issues," Mitchum told the other man with a slightly ashamed look. "But I want you to know how happy I am that Rory is carrying Logan's child. I know we have had our… differences but I want to move forward from that."
"That's great," Chris replied with a tight smile. "But you need to be telling Rory this, not me."
"I know," he sighed. "I just don't know how. After everything that I did while she was in college, everything my family did… I just don't know that she will ever forgive me."
Chris looked at the man sympathetically. "Rory is the most forgiving person I know. You being here tells me that she is willing to try and move forward."
Mitchum nodded his head. "This entire situation has made me realize how my actions and inactions have affected my kids. I'm just glad to know that Rory will never let Logan become me."
"The kids told me it was quiet a confrontation with Shira and Odette," Chris told the man. He wanted to know more but Rory seemed like she wasn't ready to see the confrontation and he had to agree with that. But as a father he wanted to know what the meeting entailed.
"It was," Mitchum told him. "I have the video if you want to see it."
"I do," he agreed. "I wanted to talk to Logan about it, but I know Rory doesn't want to see it right now. She knows that things were probably said… she even avoided the media circus that surrounded Logan after those pictures of Odette and another man were published. I was surprised you spun it that way, or that Odette's family allowed it."
"Henri didn't have much of a choice. The alternative was more embarrassing for his entire family and this way, while slightly embarrassing for Odette was nowhere near as bad as it could have been for her. Mt PR team and I hope that when news of Rory being pregnant comes out it will also shield her and the baby from too much gossip. With Logan's statement about the engagement ending last summer it will help with rumors that the pregnancy caused the end of the engagement."
Chris nodded thoughtfully but before he could respond Livy came out and announced that dinner was served, and the group moved to the dining room.
Rory was happy to be with all these people and be able to celebrate this event with them. Just a few short weeks ago she would have never imagined being in a room with Logan, Honor, Josh, Mitchum, Colin and Finn and the conversation around them being pleasant. It was weird to her how everything had changed but she still felt on edge waiting for something to happen. She tried to shake off the feeling and started talking to Honor about her pregnancy and what had happened since the two had last seen each other. After her and Logan had started seeing each other again Rory and Honor had rekindled their friendship and they talked until Odette had moved in, after that Rory started distancing herself, she couldn't hear about Logan's life and not feel sadness for what she would never have. Honor had understood why Rory pulled away and through the years she had tried to talk to Logan but she knew not to push to hard and had let things go, now she wished she had tried harder over the years, maybe it would have saved everyone a lot of heartache. For now, Honor was happy, Rory was having Logan's child and they were trying to work things out between the two of them. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding out hope that Rory and Logan would find away to be together despite how much pain they had caused the other through the years.
The meal of pot roast, potatoes and carrots passed with easy conversation and banter between all the guests. Lane, Zach and Finn were in a deep discussion about bands, Colin and Paris were debating about the presidential election and Mitchum and Chris were talking to each other about trust funds for the baby. Logan was happy to see this group together and felt a slight melancholy that he had not fought for this life sooner but like the therapist kept telling them it was normal to wish they could go back but they needed to focus on the now and move forward. He laughed with Lane and Zach as they told stories about the twins and reminisced about the baby years. Honor and Josh joined the conversation and talked about their son and daughter and how happy they were the toddler years were behind them and good naturally teased Rory and Logan about the upcoming sleepless nights.
After the meal Livy brought out a stunning two-tiered cake that was covered in blue and pink roses. "Now, I did not make this," she told the couple as they admired the work. "One of my friends is a baker and created this for me so I am as in the dark as you are. She told me that the color of the bottom layer will tell the gender and the top layer is for you Rory, it is a chocolate crunch,"
"Thank you," Rory exclaimed as she stood to hug the other woman. "This looks beautiful."
Pictures were taken of the cake and Logan and Rory moved to cut it like a wedding cake. As soon they lifted the slice cheers erupted throughout the room.
"It's a boy," Rory sighed as she looked at Logan.
He pulled her into a hug and kissed her temple. "I didn't care what it was," he sighed. "I am just so happy that we are having a baby and can just hope this is the first of many things we celebrate together."
"Me to," Rory told him and leaned back to place a soft kiss on his lips. The action caused surprise and happiness to be murmured through the room. She noticed what she had done and buried her head into Logan's chest to hide her blush. He let out a laugh but was to happy at the moment. She sighed and pulled back slightly looking at the room. "We have both realized the mistakes we each have made but we figure we owe it to ourselves and our son to try and move forward." She focused on both of her grandmothers and gave a small, pointed smile, "so we are moving slow but we both have hope for the future."
Logan looked at the woman in his arms and couldn't contain his happiness at her words and the announcement she just made. He knew this was it, now he just had to be patient and wait for her to be completely ready.
Emily and Francine exchanged smiles and they were both already working on wedding plans in their heads. They knew the couple had things to work out but hoped sooner rather than later they would be able to make this official.
Soon everyone had left, and Rory and Logan cuddled together on the couch to watch a movie. They had both changed to sweats and were enjoying the silence.
"Do you have any name ideas?" Rory asked with her head against his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"I was thinking Richard," he told her. "He was a great man and supported you through your life."
"Thank you," she whispered against his chest. "I was thinking that to but didn't know how you would feel."
"Ace," he said as she adjusted to look at her. "I need you to tell me what you're thinking, what your feeling, okay. I know we have to work on this communication thing but I'm not going anywhere." He gave a small chuckle as he gently cupped her face. "Our inability to communicate has been our biggest problem. I also know something is bothering you…"
"I know we need to communicate," she told him with a sigh. "And for what's bothering me…It's just… I can't help this feeling that something is coming but I don't know…" Pausing to try and get her words together she took a few deep breaths and he studied her. "There is just this feeling I keep getting that something bad is going to happen. Not you, not the baby… just something. I keep thinking I haven't heard from my mother and maybe that's where the feeling is coming from. I haven't said anything because I really don't know what is bothering me."
He gently kissed her temple and sighed. "I know this has been so hard on you and I can't even begin to know how you feel. My parents and I never had a good relationship and so for you to go from having one to what you have now…"
Rory sighed and moved so she was sitting next to him. "Going through therapy it has made me think about so much. I wonder if we had a good relationship or just a manipulative one, my entire life my happiness relied on pleasing her, following her rules. What's going on now is just like the yacht incident except now no one will step in and try and help fix the rift. Emily is done and from what I can tell has cut her out of her life and Lane… well Lane doesn't talk to her either. Paris told me she called her a few days ago but as soon as she realized it was Lorelai Paris hung up on her. Dad won't get involved because he too has his unresolved issues with her."
Logan moved to pull her into his lap and rubbed her back. "I know this is something you need to work through on your own and while I wish I could fix this I know I cant so I will be here and you can talk and I can listen. Like Dave told us, I can't make your decisions for you, but I can support whatever you decide."
"Thank you," she sighed and moved to give him a kiss.