Like Mother, Like Daughter

by Junebugsm

Lorelai is given with the same challenges that she faced 16 years ago when Rory reveals that she's pregnant. Will Lorelai be able to handle the situation differently than her own mother did and will she be able to support Rory through the experience?

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

Author's Note:

In the original show Rory was already seeing Jess when she admitted to Lorelai about thinking about sex.

Lorelai and Christopher only had a small fling at Sookie's wedding but nothing ever came of it and Sherry was never pregnant with Gigi.

Max never left Chilton after Lorelai broke up with him.

Rory came out of her room very quietly on Thursday morning so as not to wake her mother. She wanted to be out of the house as soon as possible. So far her plan had been working all week but she knew that eventually her mother would catch on – and today happened to be that day.

Lorelai was sitting at the table, staring into an un-touched, now cold cup of coffee with a frown on her face. She looked up into Rory's frightened eyes and her expression immediately softened.

"Sit down Rory" she said softly with a hint of worry in her voice.

"I have to leave for school" was her reply.

"Actually hon, I already called Headmaster Charleston last night and told him that you weren't gonna make it into school today because you weren't feeling too well. He said not to worry and to take tomorrow off as well and then go straight on Monday. He said if anyone could afford to miss a few days it was you. His words, not mine. So, have a seat."

Rory wearily dropped her backpack on the floor and sat down.

Lorelai gave her daughter a few minutes to see if she had something to say but when Rory remained quiet and avoided eye contact she took a deep breath and said, "Hon, I'm not sure what's wrong but you've been leaving for school extra early and coming home after nine, rushing off to do your homework and leaving for school again before I wake up.

Call me crazy but I have a feeling that you are avoiding me." She added after a pause in an attempt to keep the conversation light and humorous for Rory's sake.

However she didn't feel very humorous at the moment and kept a close eye on Rory for any hints about what was going on. She'd never seen her daughter so nervous before and the fact that Rory obviously felt that she couldn't confide in her mother made Lorelai worry all the more.

When Rory didn't respond she added, "Rory, you know that you can tell me anything right? Whatever's wrong, we'll find a way to work it out. But hon, I can't help you if you won't tell me what's bothering you."

"Tell me what's wrong, baby." She pleaded as she placed a hand on Rory's arm.

As soon as Rory felt her mother's touch she jumped up and started to cry, "Don't you get it? I can't tell you, I don't want to tell you." And with that she ran out of the room. She tried to make it out the door but Lorelai was right behind her and grabbed her around the shoulders before she could get away.

All attempts to keep the conversation humorous and light rushed out of Lorelai's mind as she realized that whatever it was that was troubling her daughter was too serious and had to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Once Rory had calmed down she pulled her to the couch and they sat down. She kept a hold on Rory in case she tried to run again. As she looked into her daughter's tear-stained face she searched her own mind for the best way to approach the girl.

Rory sat next to her mother staring at her feet, and although she was leaning against her she felt rigid in Lorelai's arms.

"Honey…" Lorelai began, but before she could finish Rory turned and buried her face in her mother's chest, tears pouring down her face. Lorelai quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter and hugged her tight.

"What's wrong baby? Tell me." She said as tears welled up in her own eyes.

"I'm sorry mom," said Rory, "I didn't mean to make a mess of things."

"Honey," Lorelai said, raising Rory's face so she could look into it. "What happened? Tell me sweetheart, and we'll sort it out, I promise"

"I'm pregnant." Rory whispered as she buried her face again sobbing uncontrollably. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh Rory" Lorelai sighed as she shut her eyes to wrap her mind around what her daughter had just said. "Honey, are you sure?"

"Yeah mom, I'm sure, I took a test on Saturday. And I know you're disappointed. The one nightmare you were always afraid of is coming true all because of me. I didn't want to tell you because you've been so great to me and so supportive of everything I do and I go and throw it all back in your face. I'm so sorry mom. I really am. I wish…"

"Shhh. Rory honey, calm down." Lorelai said as Rory started to get hysterical. "Calm down and we'll talk about this okay. We'll work it out."

They sat like that for a few more minutes until Rory slowly raised her head.

"Mom, aren't you disappointed? Do you hate me?"

"Oh Rory, honey, I could never hate you. You're my whole world and nothing you do could ever change that." Lorelai said firmly. She pulled her daughter even closer and held on tight.

After a while Lorelai said, "We're going to have to talk about this, you know that right? I know it might be embarrassing for you but honey, it's really important."

She tried to turn Rory so she could look at her but Rory struggled, "Don't look at me mom, I'm so ashamed."

"Rory," she said, stroking her hair. "I'm your mother and I love you and I will always love you, unconditionally, no matter what happens. Nothing in the world could change that, not ever. "You got that?" she asked as she planted a kiss on the top of Rory's head.

Rory nodded and slowly lifted her head to look up at her mother. Lorelai was shocked at how small and child-like Rory looked. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and then said, "Like I said, we have a lot to talk about and a lot of important things to do." But when she saw the dejected look come into Rory's eyes she added with a smile, "but maybe we can just take it easy for today."

They sat curled up together for quite a while until Rory finally fell asleep, exhausted from all the crying.

Lorelai was grateful that Rory was asleep. The girl needed the rest and at this point it wasn't good for her to be so upset and depressed. But Lorelai was also grateful that she had a bit of time to herself to digest all that had happened. She carefully eased Rory's body off her own and settled her on the couch. She then went up to her own room, buried her face in her pillow and cried until her head felt full and heavy.

When she was sure she'd gotten all the tears out of her system she raised her head to look at the time. Twenty minutes had passed since she'd left Rory.

She washed her face with cold water and then tiptoed down the stairs and went to check in on her daughter who was still fast asleep.

Lorelai went to the kitchen, threw out the coffee that was still in her mug and filled herself a fresh one.

She went out the front door and sat down on the steps. As she sipped her coffee thoughts about her own pregnancy and the familiarity of the whole situation passed through her mind. She remembered the day she found out she was pregnant with Rory as though it were yesterday. She remembered how lonely she felt the first month when she hadn't yet told anyone. And how equally lonely she felt once she had told her parents. How disappointing and heartless they made her feel. She then thought about how Rory must have felt this past week. She made a promise to herself never to let Rory feel alone at any time even after all this was over.

It was Thursday and Rory had said she'd found out on Saturday. That was when Lorelai noticed that Rory was avoiding her. She'd tried to confront her a few times but never pushed because she felt Rory would come around in her own time. But when things got more awkward and she saw less and less of Rory she decided to confront her. She'd woken up at five-thirty that morning determined not to miss her daughter. She'd imagined something pretty big was on her daughter mind – like the pressure of finals or worrying about getting into Harvard even but it had never crossed her mind that Rory might be pregnant.

She didn't even know that Rory was that sexually active. They had talked about it a few months ago and Rory admitted that she had been thinking about it for a while but she had also assured her mother that she wasn't ready to put those thoughts into action.

Obviously something had changed between then and now. Then suddenly Lorelai knew what had changed – the boy. When they had had the talk Rory had been dating Dean but now she was with Jess. They hadn't even known each other very long and had been dating only three months. It was unlike Rory to take such a big step so quickly. Had Jess been putting pressure on her?

The sound of movement in the house brought Lorelai back from her thoughts. She quickly got up and walked into the house to find Rory missing from the couch. She looked around the house and found her in the bathroom curled up near the toilet, her head on her knees.

"What happened hon?" She asked as she went in and hugged Rory.

"I went to the fridge to get some cold water and the smell of the leftover Chinese we had last night made me sick." She said dejectedly.

Lorelai looked into her daughters face and her heart went out to her. "I remember only being able to eat fruits and raw veggies for the first three months that I was pregnant with you. Everything else made me so nauseous."

Rory looked down at the floor tiles and began rubbing an imaginary spot with her fingers.

"What's on your mind hon?" Lorelai asked in a gentle voice.

"How come you're so calm mom?" Rory asked softly without looking up. "Aren't you disappointed in me?"

"Oh baby," Lorelai said, stroking Rory's hair. "I admit that I'm a little upset and disappointed in the situation, but like I said before – it doesn't change how I feel about you. Everybody makes mistakes. God knows I did. I know how hard this situation is and although I managed to overcome a whole bunch of stuff basically on my own I want to give you all the support I possibly can – all the support my parents couldn't find to give to me."

At this Rory began to cry again. Lorelai pulled her into a hug saying, "Oh hon, it's just the hormones, they tend to work overtime when you're pregnant."

"No mom," Rory said, "It's not the hormones. It's you. You're the best mom a girl could ever wish for. You gave me everything I could ever dream of. You even borrowed money from grandma and grandpa for me, something I know how much you hated doing. And after all that I go and throw everything away for one stupid night with a boy I hardly know. I know I shouldn't have done it. I knew then that we shouldn't have done it. I don't know what came over me or why I let myself go so easily. Oh mom, I'm so sorry, really I am. I…"

"Stop Rory, don't work yourself up into a frenzy again okay. You need to stay calm." Lorelai said worrying about her daughter.

"Rory, there's something I need to ask you and I need to know the answer now. It might make you upset or be hard for you to talk about but honey I really need this one answered okay." Lorelai said as she turned Rory's face towards her own.

Rory looked up at her and nodded but didn't say anything so Lorelai continued, "Jess is the father, isn't he?" Once again Rory nodded and looked a little scared. "It's okay. It's okay that it's him. I'm not mad at you for it…"

Before Lorelai could continue Rory interrupted, "I know you don't like him and he's rude and inconsiderate and not at all whom you'd want to be the father. But I never thought this would happen. I mean I knew it could happen, I just didn't think it would happen." Rory stopped to take a breath and Lorelai took the opportunity to stop her daughter.

"Rory, I'm not asking this because I don't want it to be him or because I don't like him. You said it was one stupid night with a boy and that you knew you shouldn't have been doing what you did. And you said that you aren't sure why you let yourself go so easily. Honey, what I'm trying to get at here is did he put pressure on you or force you in any way to do it?"

"No mom, it wasn't like that." Rory said and Lorelai let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I knew what we were doing but I just didn't want to stop him. It felt good." She said and looked away as her cheeks turned a shade of pink. Lorelai smiled sadly to herself. "I knew that sex made people feel great but I never really imagined what 'great' would be until that night. I also knew that it would hurt and it did hurt like hell but after a while it started to feel good and I blocked out all the voices in my head telling me to stop." Her head was still turned away, too embarrassed to look at her mother.

Lorelai still held on to Rory but didn't say anything for fear of scaring her. She suddenly realized that as mature as Rory was she was still just a kid and Lorelai felt a satisfaction in knowing that her daughter still needed her.

"Mom," Rory said after a while.

"Yea hon," Lorelai said, looking down at Rory's head.

"How am I going to tell people about this? I mean dad, grandma and grandpa, the town, Luke? And Jess. Mom, how am I going to tell Jess?"

"We'll tell them one at a time honey. We'll do everything one at a time. And we'll do it together." She reassured her daughter.

Finally Rory turned and faced her mother. "Thanks so much, mom. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well honey, it's what mothers do. And I'll keep doing it for as long as I live, no matter how old you are or where you may be. Now, let's get out of the bathroom because it's high time you had something to eat." She said as she started to get up.

"No mom, please, the thought of food makes me feel sick." Rory protested as Lorelai reached down to pull her up.

"I know that feeling Rory. It's horrible but you still have to eat. We'll find something that won't upset your stomach but you can't go hungry."

They went into the kitchen and after going through many choices Rory finally found an apple that managed to stay down.

After eating her apple Rory went to have a shower and Lorelai went to make a few phone calls.

First she called 'Information' and got the number of an OB/GYN in Hartford. She then called the clinic and got an appointment for the next day. She contemplated calling her mother to cancel Friday Night Dinner for the next day but decided it could wait until later. The less time her mother had to ask questions the better.

She then called Sookie at the inn. "Hey Sookie, it's me." She said.

"Oh hey Lorelai, you on your way in?" Sookie asked.

"Yeah, um listen, I can't make it to work today. Something's come up. I won't be in tomorrow either. Can't say about Saturday from now but if there are any emergencies I'll have my cell phone and you can reach me there."

"Okay Lorelai, don't worry about anything. Everything's running smoothly here. But hey is everything all right? You sound a little down." Sookie asked.

"Yeah well, Rory's kinda in a mess right now. She's… well she's pregnant. Can you believe it? She's pregnant. What am I going to do?"

"Oh my God," Sookie replied, "Rory? Are you sure? It's so unlike her."

"Yeah, that's an understatement. Look I'll tell you everything but I can't right now, Rory should be out of the shower any minute and I need to be there for her so I really can't afford to break down right now." She said as her voice began to crack.

"Hey Lore, don't worry okay. We'll talk later. I'll drop by after work and we'll go for a walk or something." Sookie said sympathetically.

"Thanks Sook," Lorelai said. "Oh and hey, can you bring some food over when you come? Something healthy okay, no junk. Oh and something bland. She can't stomach much right now. Also bring over that blue folder on my desk that I was working on yesterday I'll see if I can get it done this weekend."

"Sure I'll get the folder and see what we've got in the kitchen and whip up something great. Hang in there and I'll see you tonight." And with that they hung up.

Lorelai went back into the kitchen to clear up. She then made a list of all the foods Rory couldn't stomach and stuck it on the fridge.

Just as she was putting the list up the phone rang. It was Paris calling to see if Rory was okay and to give her the homework she had missed so far. She also told Lorelai that she would get the rest of that day's homework as well as the next and make a copy of all the notes.

After hanging up the phone Lorelai checked the time. It was a quarter to twelve. She went to the bathroom and knocked on the door.

"Rory, are you alright? You've been in there for almost an hour."

When there was no answer Lorelai opened the door and found Rory lying in a tub of hot water fast asleep. Her face was red and streaked with tears.

"Oh hon, wake up." She said as she patted Rory's face.

Rory opened her eyes and looked around. Her eyes were red and swollen from all the crying. She took a deep breath and buried her face in the water.

Lorelai pulled her by the arm and brought her to her feet. "Rory come on, let's get out of here okay." She said as she grabbed a towel and wiped Rory's face. She wrapped the towel around Rory and helped her out of the tub. She then pulled the stopper from the drain to let the water out.

She took Rory out of the bathroom and sat her on the bed in her own room. Rory looked so sad and helpless and she wanted so much to take away her pain.

As Rory dried herself Lorelai went to Rory's room to pick out some clothes for her to wear. When she came back she found Rory standing naked in front of the mirror with her hands on her stomach. As soon as Rory saw Lorelai she turned away from the mirror looking embarrassed. Lorelai walked over to Rory, handed her the clothes, kissed her cheek and left.

Rory got dressed and came downstairs to the kitchen. As she sat down at the table Lorelai put a plate of cheese toast in front of her. "Now, no fussing." Lorelai said. "You've got to eat to keep your strength up."

Rory slowly picked up the cheese toast and took a bite. She didn't take her eyes off the table the whole time. Lorelai stood at the counter making a fresh pot of coffee and watched her daughter. She didn't know what to say. They'd both always been talkers and Lorelai should have had a lot to say especially since she'd been through the same situation herself. But for once she was at a loss for words. There was nothing she could do or say that would take her daughter's pain away. There was no way she could stop this from happening. But she could make it easier for Rory. Just a little. She took a deep breath and walked over to the table.

"Honey," she said, "After you're done with your toast why don't we go lie down and talk about some things okay."

Rory nodded but didn't say anything nor did she look up.

"We'll keep it light for today but there are some things we need to figure out. We'll take it slow."

Rory didn't move. Lorelai gave a small sigh, picked up Rory's empty plate and left it in the sink. She then led Rory out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room.

They were sitting on Lorelai's bed. Rory was up next to her mother and Lorelai had her arm around her daughter's shoulders.

Lorelai stroked Rory's arm as she asked, "Hon, is there anything in particular that you want to talk about? Any questions? Anything?"

Lorelai waited for a response but didn't get any. "Okay then. How about I ask you some questions and you answer them for me, okay?"

No response.

"Rory, honey, please talk to me. I know you're scared and unsure of what's going to happen and I know that everything seems so difficult and huge right now but we'll work this out. Okay. It's not the end of the world. Whatever's on your mind, I want you to talk to me about it. I'm here for you and I'll support you one hundred percent. I promise."

Still no response.

"Rory?" Lorelai cajoled

"I'm scared," Rory said after a long pause "I'm so scared. I don't know what's going to happen to me. I don't know what I'm going to do and I'm so scared right now."

"What do you mean 'happen to you'? Nothing's going to happen to you hon." Lorelai assured.

"I mean what am I going to tell people and what will they think of me once they know. Where am I going to stay and how am I going to raise a baby?" Rory said rather desperately.

"Honey," Lorelai replied sounding shocked "You're going to stay here with me. I'm not going to send you away. Don't you know that? I told you, we're in this together."

"Yeah but for how long can I stay here? I can't stay forever. Not with a child in tow. When you had me you had to leave and I wasn't even a year old when you left." Rory said panicking.

"Rory, things were different back then. This salutation is different…" Lorelai began.

"How? How is this different? It's exactly the same. I am seventeen years old and I'm pregnant." Rory yelled becoming hysterical again.

"Yes honey, but times are different. It's no longer the end of the world when a young girl gets pregnant. And I'm not my mother. I'm here to help you, support you and give you whatever you need." Lorelai said, desperately trying to assure her daughter. "You need to stay calm right now Rory. It's not good for you to get hysterical."

Lorelai held Rory close and they sat in silence for a while. She then asked in a low voice, "When did this happen Rory? You said you found out on Saturday but when did you actually have sex with Jess?"

"Remember that day when Jess and I had a fight about Dean and I went over to Lane's?" Rory asked.

"Yeah" Lorelai replied.

"Well, I never actually made it to Lane's 'cause Jess caught up with me and convinced me to go and talk things through. He said Luke was out so we'd have the place to ourselves for a few hours at least." Rory said, looking up at her mother wearily.

Lorelai looked back at her daughter, trying desperately not to show any judgment, but she didn't say anything.

"Well I finally agreed to talk and we got upstairs and it was awkward at first 'cause neither of us really knew how to start. He then suddenly started apologizing and saying that he was jealous of Dean but that he couldn't help it. So I told him that if I still wanted to be with Dean then I would be but I chose to be with him and that should count for something. He said that he really loved me and that he was so afraid of losing me and then he kissed me and…" she trailed off. "It's kinda embarrassing" she said looking down at her hands.

"I know it is hon," Lorelai said squeezing her daughter "just go slow okay. You don't have to look at me if you don't want to. Here put your head on my lap." She said as she changed position so Rory could lie down.

Rory lay down with her face turned away from her mother. She continued as Lorelai stroked her hair. "He kissed me and then he touched me. Through my clothes at first and then he put his hand under my top and he – squeezed." She said as her voice cracked.

Lorelai sat very still for fear of stopping Rory. She knew how difficult it was for Rory and while she could guess the gist of what must have happened after that she knew that it was good for Rory to talk about it. She was bound to have questions and she wanted to make sure Rory got the right answers.

"I stopped kissing him then," Rory continued. "I was so shocked. And so he apologized again and asked me if I wanted him to stop. I didn't, but I couldn't say it so instead I…" She trailed off again and buried her face in her mother's lap.

"It's okay hon," Lorelai said and pulled Rory towards her. "Let's talk about something else."

Lorelai was quiet for a minute and then she said, "Okay this happened the night of the fight so that would make you about three weeks pregnant." Then she added, "What made you decide to take the test?"

"Well when I went to Weston's with Lane on Saturday I suddenly felt like throwing up as soon as we got in and so Lane started joking around and saying that I might be pregnant. I just told her I wasn't feeling too well and wanted to come home and I took the bus to a pharmacy in Hartford and bought a test. I knew I couldn't get one here without the whole town finding out."

"Why didn't you come and tell me? It couldn't have been easy this past week knowing something like this and not being able to talk to anyone."

"It wasn't. When I got home that night I tried so hard to act normal but I was so sure you'd be able to see right through it. Like you'd know instantly that I was pregnant. I was so afraid."

"Afraid of telling me? We tell each other everything. That's what's special about us."

"I know, I was just afraid of your reaction, of how you'd look at me and what you'd do to me."

"Did you really think I'd look at you any different than I always have? Don't you know that you can come to me with anything no matter what?"

Rory didn't answer. After a moment she began to cry again. Lorelai turned Rory and looked into her face.

"Why are you crying Rory? What are you feeling? Tell me."

"I disappointed you by getting pregnant mom. I threw all your hard work out the window and on top of that I hurt you more by not telling you right in the beginning. I'm a horrible daughter." She had to stop to catch her breath.

"Rory, I'm not upset that you didn't tell me. Honey, I know how scary it must have been for you. I didn't tell my parents for over a month. What I meant to say was that you can come to me for help. That's what I'm here for. I just want you to know that. I don't want you to be afraid of coming to me. I know we have a rather 'unorthodox' mother-daughter relationship – as my mother calls it – but I'm still your mom and I will help you with anything you need. Always." She added afterwards for emphasis.

Rory looked up at her mother and nodded. "I guess I normally know that. This is just not a normal situation and I don't feel like myself. I feel like I'm having a nightmare and I'm going to wake up any minute. I guess I just need time to get used to all this. I know that I have your support though and I know that you won't kick me out or treat me like grandma and grandpa treated you."

"Ah, finally! My regular, sensible daughter is back." Lorelai said with a smile. Rory smiles too and relaxed a little.

"Okay, so enough talking for today. Let's go do something completely unrelated to all this and just have some fun for a while. What do you say?" Lorelai asked as she got off the bed.

Rory nodded and got up, looking extremely grateful.

Rory went to wash her face while Lorelai looked for something fun for them to do. When Rory came downstairs Lorelai had Pictionary Junior all laid out and ready to play.

"Wow," Rory said "We haven't played this since I was like ten."

"Yeah well, I though right now we could both use a little childish break." Lorelai said with a smile.

They played Pictionary for over an hour and then moved on to Monopoly and Uno. Lorelai kept an eye on her daughter but Rory seemed to have forgotten things for a while or at least put them out of her mind. She was glad to see Rory laughing and having so much fun and she wondered sadly how long it would be before she would see that again.

Sookie arrived at seven while they were in the middle of their second round of Uno. As she took the food into the kitchen Lorelai watched Rory's face get small again. And although she wished their time together hadn't come to an end she was glad to have something proper to feed her daughter.

Dinner was very quiet and awkward. Sookie tried to keep up a friendly chatter by telling the girls about the day at the inn. Lorelai also pitched in a bit and talked but Rory remained quiet through it all.

Somewhere at the beginning of dinner Rory felt nauseous at the smell of a salad dressing and had to run to the bathroom. Lorelai followed her and stayed with her till she was done. She then sat with Rory for a few minutes till she was ready to go back out. In the meantime Sookie had taken the salad out of the house and left it on the front steps to take home with her when she left.

As soon as dinner was over Rory excused herself and shut herself in her room. Sookie and Lorelai drank a cup of coffee each and then Lorelai went to tell Rory that she and Sookie were gonna be just outside. "Yell if you need anything okay hon."

"I'm fine mom," Rory said "I'm just really tired so I'm going to bed."

So Lorelai and Sookie went for a short walk to talk.

"So" Sookie began "This is really happening isn't it?"

"Yup, it is." Lorelai said, trying to keep it together.

"Hey, I know this is major and I think it's great that you're being so strong for Rory's sake but right now Rory isn't here and it's okay for you to freak out a little." Sookie said soothingly.

Lorelai took a deep breath and finally let it all out.

"I don't know what to do Sookie. This is a nightmare and I just want to wake up. This is me all over again. She is me and the last thing anyone needs is another 'Me'. She had such a bright future and she may not have to throw it all away but there are still going to have to be some major changes. I know circumstances are different for her than they were for me and that makes things a little easier but that doesn't change the fact that she is going to be a mom at seventeen. I know how hard it is to be responsible for another human being at that age and even though she will have more support than I did, it doesn't make it much easier. God I thought I was doing things right. My mom is going to have a field day with all the blame she can lay on me. Oh god how am I going to tell my mother. I mean, Rory was the daughter I could never be. She is polite and they love showing her off to all their snooty friends and she went to Chilton and she's got a good chance of getting into Harvard. Everything I threw away she managed to get. Don't get me wrong I'm so glad that she's doing so well. Even if it is more what my parents aimed for I'm so glad that she's made it so far and that she'll eventually do better than me but I would have been content with just having a happy, healthy kid who wouldn't have been under the kind of pressure I was under. I tried to be the parent that my parents could never be and I thought that since I was still so young I'd be able to do it right because I would still remember what it felt like to be a kid but obviously it backfired. It's even worse than when I got pregnant. I was always getting into trouble and doing my own things my own way so no one was really surprised when I got knocked up but Rory, Rory's different. She always does things right and she's always been the sensible one so this is really shocking for me. And it will be devastating for my parents and her future was so clear but now it's all just so uncertain. God I wish I could change this. Change whatever I did wrong. I should have seen it somehow. The day Rory found out she was pregnant she said she was so sure I'd be able to see right through her act but obviously I didn't. But I should have. I should have been able to tell what was wrong with my own daughter. And even when I realized that something was wrong I waited four days before I did anything. I wanted to give her some time to come to me. I thought she'd come around and come to me herself. I didn't want to push her but instead of getting closer she moved further and further away until I hardly saw her at all. Then I knew that I had to interfere. I needed to know what was wrong. And the worst part is, now that I know what's wrong I don't know what to do about it. I can't fix it for her. I can't take the pain for her. I can help and make it a little easier but that's not enough. I can't deal with the emotions for her or go through the pregnancy for her. She has to go through them herself. Most times I don't really know what to say to her. All I keep telling her is that it's going to be okay and that I'll be there for her but… it's just not enough."

She finally stopped to catch her breath. Sookie remained quiet through it all. She knew Lorelai needed to get all her thoughts and feelings out.

"I tried so hard the whole day not to let Rory see me freak out. I didn't want her to think that I couldn't handle things. She needs to have someone she can depend on. I mean, I promised I'd help her through. I have to be the strong one right now because she sure as hell can't be and she shouldn't have to be. She's the kid and I'm the mom. It's my responsibility. But I really don't feel strong right now. I'm so worried and so scared for her." She finally stopped.

"I know how freaked out you must be Lorelai." Sookie finally said. "But no one in this situation knows exactly what to do. You just do the best you can. You're definitely doing better than your parents did. At least Rory knows that you're here for her and that you won't judge her or make things more difficult. That's a start right. It's all so new still so it seems so raw, but give it time. Things won't seem so huge after a while. You'll figure it all out and we're all here to back you up. The whole town loves you and Rory and would bend over backwards for you." She smiled and then added, "And there is nothing wrong with another 'Lorelai'."

Lorelai smiled back. "Hey Sookie, thanks for being here. I really needed to get that out. I know that Rory wishes that I hadn't told you but I don't think I could have managed it on my own."

"Hey, that's what friends are for right?" Sookie said.

"Yeah, I guess. I better get back to Rory. I don't want to leave her alone for too long." She said and she turned.

"Sure thing. Don't worry too much. It's all gonna work out. Just relax and try to get some sleep tonight. It'll do you both some good. And I'll be by tomorrow to drop off some more food for you guys. And I promise no Italian dressing this time." She smiled again.

Lorelai thanked Sookie one more time, gave her a hug and then went back to the house.

Lorelai first went to check on Rory who was fast asleep. She stood at the doorway for a long time watching her daughter. She then when up, pulled the covers around Rory and kissed the side of her head. "It'll all be okay baby, I love you." She whispered and left.

She quietly shut Rory's door and then went to the kitchen and cleared up the dishes.

Lorelai lay in her bed thinking. She was exhausted from the events of the day and all the emotion and her head was already throbbing but she just couldn't fall asleep. She was relieved however, that Rory was asleep. She was so worried about Rory. She tried to come up with some sort of plan, but nothing seemed to be enough. She couldn't fix it all. She thought about all the things that had to be done. The appointment with the doctor was already set for the next day; dinner with her parents would have to be cancelled. They would have to be told about Rory eventually. So would Christopher, Luke and Jess. She didn't even want to think about their reactions as yet. She was glad that she herself hadn't gotten upset with Rory when she first heard the news even though she had felt like her world had stopped turning. She'd always liked to believe that her reactions to certain situations would be different from those of her parents but she had never been completely certain. Though now she felt that she had handled things pretty well. She hadn't known quite what to say at the time but she began to realize that supporting and reassuring her daughter was the best she could have done.

Her thoughts continued for a while longer but then at some point she must have fallen asleep because she was woken by a sound. She looked up to find Rory standing at her door crying. The clock said that it was nearly three in the morning.

"Hey hon," she said gesturing for her to come into bed next to her "What are you doing up?"

"I didn't mean to wake you I just woke up and couldn't fall asleep again." She said as she got under the covers. "I didn't want to be alone."

"Well it's okay. You stay here with me." She said as she hugged Rory tight and closed her eyes.

"Mom" Rory asked.

"Yeah babe." Lorelai replied.

"How did Sookie react when you told her?" She asked in a small voice.

Lorelai opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. "Oh hon, she was fine about it. She's not going to think of you any different because of this. Nobody is. It might take some getting used to for some people but look how it turned out for me. Everyone has accepted it."

"Did she say anything about it?" Rory asked.

"Yes, actually she did." Lorelai replied.

Rory looked uncertainly at her mother. "What?" she asked.

"Well," Lorelai began, "She said that you were a great kid and that the whole town loves you and would support you through all this." She smiled at Rory.

Rory gave her a questioning look.

"I promise that's what she said." Lorelai assured.

After a moment Lorelai said, "Hon, I'm sorry that I told Sookie without telling you first but I needed her to bring over some food and I really needed someone to help me. I'm in this just as much as you and sometimes it helps to get an opinion from someone outside. I needed someone to talk to." She said apologetically.

Rory nodded.

"I made a doctor's appointment for you at noon tomorrow." Lorelai informed her and she felt Rory tense up.

"What's the matter hon?" Lorelai asked.

"I guess this just makes it more real. Sometimes I manage to just pretend that this isn't really happening. It's easier that way." Rory admitted.

"Is that what you were doing while we were playing games earlier today?" Lorelai asked.

Again Rory nodded.

"Honey, this is happening. I know it's scary and hard but it is happening." She said firmly "and being in denial isn't going to make things easier at all. In fact it makes it harder. The sooner we accept this and figure out a plan the better we will be at handling it. I know it's easy right now to ignore it because there aren't really any major changes yet but sweetie, the changes will come all too soon and we really want to be prepared for them. We have to make sure that you're healthy and that the baby is healthy. We can't avoid the doctor." She said hoping to get the importance of the doctor through to Rory.

"I know that mom." Rory said defensively. "I just can't help it. This is all just bigger than me."

"I know hon," Lorelai sympathized. "But we'll get a handle on it. Now close your eyes and go to sleep and I'll be right here next to you."

With that they both closed their eyes and settled into bed. Rory had her head on her mother's shoulder and soon Lorelai could hear her daughter's deep, even breathing.

Lorelai was unable to sleep for the rest of the night. At seven she finally got up and went downstairs. She started the coffee machine and then went to the living room to get the folder that Sookie had brought. She took it to the kitchen table, filled herself a mug of coffee and began to go through the papers. She tried to concentrate on the work before her but her mind kept wandering.

After a half an hour she finally gave up and went into the living room. She pulled out a picture album of Rory as a child from the bookshelf and began looking through it. She went through the pictures and tried to remember when and where they were taken. She found one of Rory on her first day of Kindergarten in an altered Chico and the Man t-shirt with a huge grin on her face. Another was of Rory standing outside the Gilmore House on Christmas in a green dress that Emily had given her to wear for the annual Christmas Party. Yet another was of Rory and herself standing in front of their house the day they moved in. There were more of birthdays, town events, school, and many others. There were also pictures taken at the Inn when Rory was a little girl. Mia had taken so many pictures and at the time Lorelai had felt like it was an extra burden on Mia but Mia had insisted and now Lorelai was glad that she had. Mia had been such a huge help and guide when Lorelai was living with her. Her thoughts drifted to Mia and she decided that she would call her to tell her what was going on and to ask her for some advice. Mia would be a good person to talk to. With that decided she put the photo album away.

By now she had finished her third cup of coffee and she went back into the kitchen to get a refill. She sat down at the table again and gave the work another shot.

Two hours later Lorelai had finished signing checks, placing orders for more supplies and had written the replies to two letters, one from a woman who wanted to know if it was possible to have her daughter's wedding reception at the inn, and the other from the insurance company informing her that her insurance premium had been raised.

Lorelai put all the papers away and reset the coffee machine. She then went upstairs to wake Rory. They had an hour before they had to leave for the doctors.

"Hey sweetie, rise and shine." She said as she kissed her daughter.

Rory turned around and pulled the covers over her head.

"Hey, you gotta get up Rory; we gotta leave in an hour." She said as she pulled the covers down again.

Rory reluctantly got up and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Lorelai got dressed and then knocked on the bathroom door. "Come down when you're done, I'll get your breakfast ready." With that she left.

Fifteen minutes later Rory appeared in the kitchen. She looked over at the table and made a face at the bagel her mother had left for her. "Oh mom do I have to eat now? Can't I have it when we get back?"

"No hon, you gotta eat. It's just a bagel with a little cream cheese on it. You should be able to keep it down." She said as she pushed the plate towards Rory.

It took Rory nearly twenty minutes to finish the bagel and as soon as she was done Lorelai said they had to leave. She got her bag and their coats and they walked out the door.

The drive to the doctors seemed longer than the half hour it took. Rory was very quiet and kept to herself the entire time. However, once they reached the parking lot and they got out she held on to her mother's arm and refused to let go. Lorelai put an arm around her daughter as she led her into the building. Once inside the clinic she took Rory to a seat and then went to tell the receptionist that they had arrived. She was told that they'd have to wait a while so Lorelai sat down beside Rory and began filling out some forms that the receptionist had given her. There were two other patients waiting as well. One of them was probably in her thirties and heavily pregnant. The other was in her early twenties and was sitting beside her husband. Rory avoided looking at them especially the pregnant one.

"Ms. Gilmore" the receptionist called after about forty minutes "The doctor will see you now."

Lorelai looked over at her daughter as they got up and walked over to the door. She had never seen Rory so scared before.

"Welcome. I'm Sarah Foster. Please call me Sarah." The doctor said as she stood up. "Why don't you have a seat?" She gestured towards the chairs in front of her desk.

All three of them sat down and then Sarah continued. "Would you like to tell me why you're here?" She asked Rory.

Rory looked down at her hands but remained silent. Lorelai looked over at her and then back at the doctor with an apologetic look.

"Okay how about we have your mother start for you." She said sympathetically and turned towards Lorelai.

"Well, I'm Lorelai and this is my daughter Rory." Lorelai began. "She's seventeen and we are pretty sure she's pregnant."

Sarah nodded as Lorelai looked over at Rory to judge her reaction. There was none.

"How far along do you think she might be?" Sarah asked.

"About three weeks or so." Lorelai answered. "She found out on Saturday after taking a home test but I only got to know yesterday."

"Okay well, we'll just have a blood sample taken to confirm the pregnancy and to make sure she hasn't contracted any STD's." She said as she pushed a button to call the nurse.

Lorelai suddenly froze. She was so worried about Rory being pregnant that she hadn't thought about STD's.

Sarah saw the look on Lorelai's face and smiled. "Don't worry already. I know it's not easy but why don't we wait for the results to come back before we start panicking."

The nurse entered and Sarah asked her to take Rory and get a blood sample. Rory and the nurse left.

Sarah turned back to Lorelai. "I see from the chart that you were also quite young when you had Rory." She said.

"Yes, well I got pregnant when I was sixteen." Lorelai admitted "It wasn't the easiest thing in the world and I didn't have much support from my family. But I managed pretty well on my own. Of course I'm not going to let that happen to Rory. I know firsthand how tough this is going to be for her." She sighed.

"Go on." Sarah encouraged.

"She's not the kind of kid who normally gets into trouble. She's usually a good kid. But things changed once she met this new boy in our town. She had a boyfriend for two years before that but he was also a good kid. I know they'd never slept together. We had talked about it once when they were getting more serious but she said that they weren't ready. Then Jess came along and she started dating him. They've only been dating for about three months and now she's pregnant. I've never been too happy with him and I tried to discourage it at first but she got so defensive and things got bad and I finally had to accept it. She would have stayed with him anyways. I mean I couldn't watch her 24/7 could I?" She asked desperately.

"She's a great kid. She goes to Chilton and she's hoping to get into Harvard. But since she met him things have been different. She and her boyfriend at the time kept fighting because of him then she broke her arm when he was driving and they got into an accident and she skipped school to go see him in New York and now she's pregnant. I want to be so mad at him and I want to get rid of him but Rory really likes him and she's convinced she can help him change. And I just don't want to upset her further." Lorelai said as she closed her eyes to compose herself.

Just then Rory came back into the room.

"I'd like to talk to you some more about this Lorelai but right now I'm going to do a complete physical on Rory." She turned to Rory. "Rory, would you like your mother to stay in the room with you or wait outside?"

"Stay here mom, please." She pleaded with her mother as she climbed onto the examining table.

"I'll be right here babe." Lorelai assured as she took hold of Rory's hand.

After the physical was over and while they were waiting for the results Sarah gave Rory a brief idea of what she needed to do and what she should expect over the next nine months.

"Your body will go through a lot of changes." She began. "You will gain weight, but that's a good thing because it means the baby is growing well. For the first three months you'll probably feel nauseous but that will pass. You have to eat though. Even if you feel like throwing up you need to eat. I'll give you a list of foods that are good for you and that you should be able to keep down. Most people find it easier to eat a little every two or three hours rather than a full meal three times a day but there's no hard and fast rule so you can see what works for you."

She stopped for a moment to give Rory time to take in what she had said.

Then she continued. "As the baby grows it will take a lot of nutrition from you. Vitamins, minerals, fats, carbs, and most of all calcium. So along with healthy food you're going to need to take supplements to keep up your strength. They're just little pills that contain these things to help the baby grow."

"The pregnancy should last between thirty-eight to forty-two weeks and if all goes well and there are no complications you will have a normal delivery."

The nurse knocked on the door and handed Sarah a folder. She took the folder and said. "Anyways that's still a long way off. We'll go more into detail as we progress."

She then opened the folder and took a minute to read through it.

"Well Rory," she said "your test was right you are pregnant. But the great news is that you did not contract any STD's."

Lorelai sighed with relief and gave Rory a one-armed squeeze.

Sarah smiled and continued. "You seem to be a healthy young girl and if you follow what I've just told you then you should get through this with minimal problems."

Rory was still very quiet and this worried Sarah a little.

"Rory," she said. "Here is my card. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call me or ask me the next time you come. Now I'd like to talk to your mother for a minute so would you please wait outside."

Rory took the card and looked uncertainly at her mother.

"It's okay hon, I'll be out in a minute." Lorelai assured.

Once Rory left the room Sarah turned to Lorelai, "I won't keep you too long but I'm concerned about Rory. She seems rather insecure. Is she usually like this?"

"God no," Lorelai said. "She's usually very independent and pleasant but she's been like a deer caught in headlights since I confronted her yesterday. I could tell something was wrong all week but she's usually able to come to me with problems. Only this time she got so distant that yesterday I had to confront her. She was so scared while telling me and she'd been that way since. I'm worried about her going into depression. She's also sleeping most of the day. Like she's so exhausted."

"I don't think it's that bad" Sarah said. "It's a difficult situation and she's not sure how to react. Let's give it a week."

She handed Lorelai a sheet of paper. "This contains all the foods she needs to eat and those she should avoid. It also has three different supplementary pills. All three are good. The first one is chewable and is therefore more popular but the other two are just as good. I'd like you to comeback next Friday and see me. Try and get Rory to stay calm. Nothing too stressful right now – physically or emotionally. It won't be easy but try. Let her sleep this week if she wants to. It'll be better than having her panic. After a week we'll see if there is any change."

Lorelai nodded and put the sheet into her bag.

"Oh and Lorelai," Sarah said with a smile. "You're doing great. Don't worry so much we'll take great care of her together."

"Thanks Sarah" Lorelai said. "I'll do what you've said and bring her back next week."

As soon as Lorelai walked out the door Rory got up and came to her with a big question mark on her face.

"What did she say?" She asked

"Nothing hon, just that you should rest and take things easy for a while and that you need to come back in a week." Lorelai assured.

Rory sighed with relief. "Can we go now?" She asked.

Lorelai nodded and they walked out of the clinic together.

During the ride home Rory was still quiet. Once home Lorelai pulled into the driveway and looked over at her daughter and noticed that she was crying. She turned towards Rory.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? She asked as she pulled Rory's arm to make her turn her head.

"Nothing! Just let me go okay." Rory said bitterly as she tried to get out of the car.

"Honey, tell me what's going on. Maybe I can help." She offered

"You can't help okay." Rory shouted "Just leave me alone. I don't want your help." With that she yanked her hand away and got out of the car.

"Rory!" Lorelai said as she got out too. She was shocked at her daughter's outburst.

"Just leave me alone. I don't need you." Rory said as she climbed the steps.

"Fine." Lorelai said exasperatedly "I won't try to help you." and as Rory was about to slam the front door she added "but you know where to find me if you change your mind."

Lorelai stood out on the front lawn. She couldn't figure out what to do. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her daughter. From the time Rory had told her that she was pregnant she'd been clinging to Lorelai and now all of a sudden she wanted nothing to do with her. She decided to give Rory some time to calm down.

Lorelai climbed the steps to the house and found three containers left on the table outside. There was a note on top from Sookie.

Hey,

Here's the food. There's the same chicken as yesterday since Rory was able to eat that. I also made some potato salad with no dressing and my Magic Risotto. Let me know how they go down.

Sookie.

Lorelai smiled to herself as she took the food into the house. Sookie was her best friend apart from Rory and she wouldn't know what to do without her.

Lorelai went into the kitchen to put the food away. She then went over to the table and sorted through the mail. She hadn't had time for that in two days and so the pile had built up. She separated the bills, catalogues and magazines from the junk and then sat down on the couch with latest issue of In Touch. She was a few pages in when she heard Rory scream. She threw the magazine down and rushed to Rory's room.

When Lorelai opened the door she found Rory curled upon her bed, quivering and crying uncontrollably. She rushed to her side and gave her a big hug.

"What's the matter Rory?" She asked desperately "Are you in pain? Are you feeling okay?"

Rory continued to quiver and cry.

Lorelai noticed earphones in Rory's ears connected to her laptop. She used one arm to turn the laptop around while keeping the other one tight around Rory. Looking at the screen and gasped.

"Rory! Honey, why are you watching this?" She asked, referring to the you-tube video of a woman screaming in pain while giving birth.

Rory did not answer.

Lorelai pulled the earphones out of Rory's ears and shut the lid of the computer. She moved it out of the way and went closer to hug Rory.

After a while Rory finally calmed down enough to stop crying.

Lorelai tried again. "Why would you watch that thing sweetie?" She asked.

"I wanted to see what it was like." Rory said, still trying to catch her breath.

"Oh honey, now was not the time." She said. "There's still lots of time for that and when the time comes you'll be ready for it. Right now just accepting this situation is the most important thing."

"You need to stay calm right now Rory. You can't work yourself up okay." She stroked her hair. "We'll take one step at a time. Jumping over five steps isn't going to help anyone. Just forget about the video for now okay. Go wash your face and we'll have some lunch. She kissed the top of Rory's head and then released her.

Rory got up to wash her face and then turned around again. "I'm sorry for what I said in the car. I do need you. I don't know what I'd do without you." She said as she started crying again.

"I know hon," Lorelai said. "We all get upset and say things we don't mean. Forget about it. I'm always here for you, no matter what." She pulled Rory back and gave her a hug.

"Okay, I'll go get lunch ready." She said and then left.

Lorelai was setting plates on the table and heating the chicken and risotto when Rory entered the kitchen.

"Hey Sookie brought over more of her chicken if you want that. But there's also potato salad and her famous Magic Risotto." Lorelai said as she pulled the chicken out of the microwave.

"Risotto please, maybe its well-known healing properties will help clear my head." Rory smiled.

As Lorelai passed her the Risotto she smiled and said. "Wow, you seem a whole lot chirpier."

"Yeah, I guess I just needed some cold water on my face and a hug from my mom." Rory smiled back.

"That's good. And I think I remember seeing rice on that list the doctor gave me. Though I'm not sure if it was under the 'good' column or the 'bad'." She smiled. "We're gonna have to go through that list soon. And get you those pills she talked about."

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

"So, you wanna tell me what happened after the doctors?" Lorelai asked as she began to eat.

"I guess I just freaked out. Everything seems so huge – too big for me to handle." Rory said. "And when she said 'normal delivery' I panicked. I know I'm having a baby it just never struck me that I would have to push out a baby the size of a watermelon through an opening the size of a green-pea. I just wanted to see what it was like."

"I wish I hadn't though." She added after a pause. "Now I'm going to have nightmares about it for the next nine months. How did you do it mom?"

"Well, I'll admit it hurts. But over time you get to love that tiny kid growing inside of you. It becomes a part of you and you'll do anything for it." She smiles. "And by the end of nine months you're so sick of it being inside you that you just can't wait for it to come out." She joked.

"Gee thanks, that's reassuring." Rory smiled back. "I do feel a little better though. Like eventually I will get a hold of all this. Or at least you will for me. She smiled again.

After they finished eating Rory said, "I'm kinda tired mom, I'm going to lie down for a while okay."

"Sure thing hon," Lorelai said. "You go lie down. I won't disturb you. But no more of those birthing videos okay." She smiled. "I'll be on the couch if you need anything. And I'll call your grandparents and tell them you're not feeling well so we can't make it today."

"No don't." Rory said sadly. "Let's just get it over with okay. I don't want to prolong it."

"Are you sure sweetie?" Lorelai asked gently. "It's a pretty major thing telling my parents something like this. It can wait till you're ready."

"It was pretty major having to tell you too. Though you reacted a whole lot better than I thought. I just want to get it over with. And besides you'll be there with me right?" Rory said. "Wake me up in a few hours." And with that she went into her room and shut the door.

Lorelai cleared up the kitchen and then went to call Sookie at the inn.

"Hey Sookie, it's me." She said.

"Oh hey, how's Rory?" Sookie asked.

"She's doing okay. Resting now." Lorelai said. "Hey, thanks for lunch. The risotto went down pretty well. She didn't try the salad but I loved it."

"Hey no problem. So how'd the doctor's go?" Sookie asked.

"It was okay." Lorelai replied. "Rory was a little nervous and freaked out but she seems okay now. I did get this list of stuff she should and shouldn't eat. I wanted to go over it with you. You know, since you're so generously going to volunteer to be our chef for the next nine months 'cause according to this list the stuff I'm feeding my daughter is not fit for a mother to be and her unborn child." She joked. "How soon can you come over?"

"Well I'm almost finished here so I should be there in about an hour. Okay?" Sookie asked laughing.

"That'll be great Sook, thanks." Lorelai said.

After hanging up with Sookie, Lorelai went back to the magazine she had been reading earlier. She began flipping through the pages without really paying much attention to them. Her mind was more on the conversation she would be having with her parents later in the day. She had to agree with Rory, the sooner they got it over with the better but she was still dreading it greatly. She just hoped that her parents would treat Rory differently from the way they'd treated her. Their opinion was very important to Rory and for them to lose their pride and expectations in her would upset her greatly. And right now Rory could do without being upset further.

After about an hour of flipping through the magazine with minimal concentration Lorelai heard Sookie's car pull up.

"Hey Sookie," She said as she opened the front door.

"Hey Lorelai." Sookie said as she entered.

"Can I get you anything? Cup of coffee, coke?" Lorelai asked as she led the way into the kitchen.

"Just water thanks. I don't stuff myself with all that caffeine like you guys do." She said as she smiled. "I hope coffee is first on that list of 'foods to avoid' you told me about."

"It is." Lorelai said. "I just haven't told Rory yet, I don't know how to. I mean the doctor did warn me to avoid all things that would upset Rory. I can't think of anything that would push her over the edge more." She joked.

"Except maybe the conversation we're going to have to have with my parents tonight." She added as an afterthought.

"Oh," Sookie said surprised. "I thought you were going to cancel that."

"I was but then Rory said she wanted to just get it over with. Said she didn't want to prolong the feeling of fear of telling people." Lorelai said.

"Well, I guess she's got a point." Sookie admitted. "Call and let me know how it goes. And let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks babe, I will" Lorelai smiled.

"Okay let's go over that list." Sookie said, changing the subject.

She and Lorelai sat down at the table and they went over the list together.

"Foods to avoid during pregnancy." Lorelai began. "One. All caffeinated products such as sodas, coffee, some teas, etc. God I'm dreading breaking that news to Rory." She joked.

"Two." She continued. "Raw meats, fish, shellfish and eggs. Thank God I'm not pregnant. Just look at what I'd be missing. Three. Deli Meat. Four. Fish that contains Mercury. Smoked Fish. Soft Cheeses. Unpasteurized Milk. "God there's a lot out there that's bad for you."

"Oh No!" She exclaimed jokingly. "No Alcohol, Tobacco or Drugs – Oral or Otherwise. God, and I thought telling her about the coffee was going to be bad."

Sookie began to laugh. "Tell you what. I'll take the list and use it to make some stuff. I'll bring it over every two days or so. And I'll have Jackson send over some vegetables and fruits. The best ones he's got."

"Thanks Sookie. This list is insane." Lorelai handed her the list. "Oh wait, I need the names of those pills at the bottom."

She took the page back and wrote down the three names at the very bottom on a sheet of paper and handed it back to Sookie. "Rory has to take one every day." Lorelai explained. "I should probably pick some up on my way to my mother's." She added with disgust in her voice.

"Oh poor you. Don't worry, it'll be over before you know it." Sookie smiled sympathetically. "I gotta go. Jackson's waiting for me. Call me if you need anything and let me know how it goes okay." She said as she got up.

"I will Sook," Lorelai promised. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Bye" They both called out as Lorelai shut the front door.

At six o'clock Lorelai went to wake Rory.

"Hey babe, are you sure you want to go for dinner? There's still time to change your mind." Lorelai said as she tapped Rory.

"Yeah mom, I'm sure. I just want to get it over with." Rory said.

"Okay well then you'd better get up and get ready. We'll have to leave in half an hour."

Rory got up and walked to her closet. Lorelai went up to her room to change.

Twenty minutes later Lorelai came downstairs and went into Rory's room. Rory was wearing jeans and a top and looking at herself in the mirror. All around her clothes were thrown about.

"Oy kid, what's with the hurricane?" Lorelai asked as she moved some of the clothes on the bed so she could sit down.

"This never used to be this tight on me, right?" Rory asked turning sideways.

"Aw honey, you're worried about your weight?" Lorelai asked sympathetically. "Don't worry sweetie, you won't show for quite a while still."

Rory yanked off the top she was wearing and threw it on the floor. "They'll know. The minute they open the door they're going to know that I'm pregnant. Nothing I own fits me like it used to." She sat down on the bed next to her mother.

"Rory, sweetie, you're not even a month pregnant yet. Trust me you're not showing. Nobody can tell just by looking at you. I didn't tell anybody till I was nearly two months pregnant and no one knew. Just wear whatever you're comfortable in and everything will be fine." Lorelai said as she patted Rory's back.

"Promise?" Rory asked as she picked up the top she had just thrown on the floor and began to put it back on.

"Cross my heart and hope to die!" Lorelai said. "Now hurry up we're already late and we still have to stop and buy the medicine." She said looking at her watch.

Fifteen minutes later they were in the jeep and on their way to dinner. Lorelai was thinking about the evening ahead when Rory interrupted her thoughts.

"I'm scared mom." she said.

"I know you are babe." Lorelai said.

"Were you scared when you had to tell them?" she asked.

"Scared is not the word for it," Lorelai smiled at Rory. "I was terrified. And I knew that they wouldn't really listen to anything I had to say. They wouldn't ask me what I wanted to do with the baby or about my future. I knew they'd just plan it all for me. Which is why I finally left. I couldn't follow that plan. It just wasn't me. I couldn't even tell them where I was going because then they'd just bring me back. I decided to make something of myself before I told them so that they wouldn't have a reason to stop me."

They had reached the pharmacy in Hartford and Lorelai got out to get the medicine. She used the time to put the thoughts she was trying to get across to Rory into words. When she got back she continued.

"What I was trying to say is that no matter what their reaction is tonight we'll get through this and things will finally come around. Okay. It's going to be a shock for them as well so they're probably going to react the only way they know how. You need to give them some time to digest this. They really love you and they deserve some time for it to sink in."

"Yeah, but you're relationship with them never really mended." Rory pointed out sadly.

"Hon, my relationship with them was dammaged long before I ever got pregnant." Lorelai assured her. "And you are very, very, VERY special to them so don't worry about anything. Whatever happens in there tonight I'm with you and we'll sort it all out okay. We'll give them a little time to accept it and then by next week things should be better."

"Okay" Rory said with a sigh and Lorelai hoped that what she had just said was true.

They had reached the house and Lorelai turned off the jeep. She turned to Rory.

"Okay" Lorelai repeated. "So let's go in there and get this over with."

They both got out of the jeep and walked to the door. Lorelai rang the bell as Rory caught her mother by the hand and held on tight.

"You're late" Emily said as she opened the door.

"Just by fifteen minutes mom," Lorelai said as she took off her coat. "It's not the end of the world."

"Richard, they're here." Emily called out as they walked into the living room then replied to Lorelai's remark. "No I guess it's not but a call saying that you were going to be late would have been nice."

"It's just fifteen minutes mom." Lorelai said again.

"Hello girls" Richard said as he came out of his study. "Can I get anyone a drink?"

"Gin Martini" Lorelai said.

"Nothing for me, thanks" Rory said softly.

"None for me Richard. Thank you" Emily said.

"Get a drink mom." Lorelai said as she and Rory sat down.

"But I don't want a drink Lorelai." Emily said "Is there any reason why I have to have a drink if I don't want one?"

Emily gave her an odd look as Richard handed Lorelai her drink and then went to make his own.

"So Rory, how are you doing? How's school?" Emily asked with a smile.

Rory didn't answer. She first looked at her mother and then down at her feet.

"Rory, is something wrong?" Emily asked when she got no reply.

"Honey?" Lorelai said turning to Rory.

"I can't, I'm sorry. You tell them" Rory pleaded nearly in tears.

"Okay honey, it's okay" Lorelai took Rory's hand.

"Tell us what?" Emily asked sounding a little worried. "Lorelai what's going on?"

"Dad, could you sit down for a minute." Lorelai said and waited for him to take a seat.

"Okay we're all sitting." Emily said impatiently once Richard was seated. "Now tell us what's wrong."

"Well, there's no easy way to say this so… Mom, Dad, Rory's pregnant." Lorelai said and looked at her mother.

No one said anything for a few seconds and then Emily broke the silence.

"Please tell me this is one of your jokes that I never seem to get." She said to Lorelai.

No answer.

"Richard, did you hear that?" Emily turned to her husband.

"Yes, Emily, I did." He said and then drained his drink.

"Lorelai how could you let this happen?" Emily asked when she realized that her husband was not going to say anything further.

"I didn't let it happen mom. It just… happened." Lorelai said.

"These things don't just happen Lorelai." Emily shouted. "You obviously did something wrong."

She turned to her husband. "Richard, help me out here."

"Yes mom, I obviously did do something wrong. But I'm also doing something right. I'm sticking by her and supporting her and making things as easy as I possibly can for her. And that is a whole lot more than what you did." Lorelai shouted back.

"Oh don't give me that. You were always a wild-child and you refused help when you had Rory remember? You took her and left without even telling us where you were going." Emily said disgustedly.

"Yes I did but you were smothering me. You wanted to control me and I'm not that type of girl. I needed to make it on my own. I made a mistake but I took responsibility for it. I found a good job, a good home and enough money to raise my daughter." Lorelai said defensively.

"Yes you did and now she's growing up to be just like you." She turned to Rory. "So Rory how do you enjoy being a tramp just like your mother?"

Rory began to cry and Lorelai turned towards her.

"Rory, go and wait for me in the car." She said.

"What…" Emily began

But Lorelai interrupted her. "Now" She said firmly.

Rory slowly got up and without looking at anyone she turned and left.

As soon as Lorelai heard the front door close she turned back to her mother. "Okay, listen up. You can yell and be mad at me all you want but she is my daughter, she belongs to me and you have no right to talk to her that way. If you can't be supportive or at lease civil to her then you won't get to see her again. Not as long as I'm alive anyways. I will not let you hurt her like you hurt me. I was strong enough to take it all and make something of myself. But Rory's different. She's polite and sensitive and she needs to know that she's loved. For reasons beyond my understanding you're opinion matters to her and I will not let you take that away from her. She's made a mistake and she knows it and she does not need you to rub her face in it. So you decide. If you want to see her again then practice an apology or else we walk out of your life again. You think about it and get back to me. Until you make a decision we won't be coming over for Friday dinners." Lorelai said and walked out of the house.

Lorelai got into the jeep and began to drive. She turned the first corner away from her parent's house, turned off the engine and turned towards Rory.

"Well, that went well." She said as she pulled Rory closer to her.

"Rory," she continued. "All that in there was about me. To them it was just a flashback from hell. They weren't seeing you at all. Yes, you made a mistake but everyone does. And you have made so few compared to all the things you've achieved."

Rory looked up at Lorelai with tears in her eyes.

"Sweetie, I know their opinion is important to you but I know a couple of people out there whose opinions are equally important and haven't changed just because of this. You can't please everyone all the time honey. Sometimes you're going to disappoint some people. And that's okay."

"You didn't do anything wrong." Rory finally said.

"What do you mean hon?" Lorelai asked.

"When grandma said you were raising me wrong you agreed with her – but you didn't. I screwed up." Rory said firmly.

"Rory, honey, it's a little more complicated than that." Lorelai tried to reason with her.

"No it's not. If grandma blamed you for becoming pregnant so young then she should blame me for this. And if she must blame you for this then she is to be blamed for your pregnancy." Rory said trying to defend her mother.

"Rory…" Lorelai began.

"No mom." Rory interrupted. "You may not have done things the way they would have but you still did great. You gave me everything I could ever dream of. Because of you I live in a place where people actually care about me and will support me instead of with people like grandma and grandpa and their friends who only gossip and judge. You showed me how to believe in myself and that I can make all my dreams come true. You taught me how to earn what I want. That it's more rewarding when you work hard and achieve something rather than have someone drop it in your lap for you. You taught me that even when a person makes mistakes you forgive them because they're human and nobody's perfect and they still need love and support."

Lorelai was crying now too. She hugged Rory tight and kissed the top of her head.

"Aw honey, that is so sweet. And I do love you so much and I always wanted the best for you and I do believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. I always wanted to give you the space to make mistakes and to try new things. I just wonder if that by trying to be different from my parents I went to the other extreme. Just because something is wrong doesn't mean that the opposite is right. Sometimes the best is somewhere in the middle. That's what I meant by doing something wrong." Lorelai tried to explain.

"I guess that makes sense." Rory said thinking about what her mother had just said "but I still think that your extreme was way better than theirs. I mean this way I still feel loved. With them I'd rather be dead. I understand now why you felt you had to leave." She paused for a bit and then added with a smile "and I'm really glad that you did."

Lorelai smiled back at Rory and said. "Well I was right about something else too. I may have done something wrong but I'm obviously also doing something right."

Lorelai wiped Rory's eyes and kissed her forehead. She started the engine again and they drove home.

The next morning Lorelai and Rory slept late. They were both exhausted. Sometime just after ten Lorelai woke up and went downstairs to see whether Rory was up. When she saw that Rory was still asleep she went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. As the coffee was being made she went upstairs to have a shower. Ten minutes later she came out of the shower and found Rory lying on her bed going through a magazine.

"Hey kid," She said. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was." Rory answered. "I just got up and came to see what you were doing.

"Well since you were still asleep I thought I'd finish my shower and then make some breakfast." Lorelai said as she dried off.

"I think I'll just have some cereal for breakfast." Rory said and went to brush her teeth.

"Oh okay, well you have that and I'm going to have eggs with bacon and sausages and maybe even some cheese grits." Lorelai joked as she got dressed.

"Yuck," Rory said making a face. "Just the sound of it makes me want to throw up."

Lorelai laughed and they both went downstairs.

Rory filled a bowl with cereal and poured some cold milk over it as Lorelai got the box of prenatal vitamins out of her bag and handed it to Rory.

"You have to take one every day after breakfast." She said.

"Yuck." Rory made a face as she put the box on the table.

"It's chewable so it should be too bad." Lorelai said as she picked up the box and looked at it. "Prenatal 90+DHA." She read.

"What's DHA?" Rory asked.

Lorelai turned the box over and read "Docosahexaenoic Acid." Then she looked up at Rory with a smile and said "can you say that five times fast?"

"I can't even say that once." Rory said disgustedly.

Lorelai laughed as she poured herself a mug of coffee.

"It's not fair." Rory said looking over at Lorelai's mug.

"What?" Lorelai asked.

"Nine months of no coffee. How am I going to survive?"

"Hey, I did it." Lorelai said and smiled "That's why you turned out so good."

"This is all your fault you know." Rory informed her.

"Oh, yeah. How so?" Lorelai asked.

"You got me addicted to coffee." She explained. "When all the other kids brought milk boxes to school I was bringing cappuccinos and lattés."

"Ah but see while all the other kids fell asleep during class you were wide awake and paying attention and you're at the top of your class because of it." Lorelai justified. "See I was thinking ahead."

"Um, good point." Rory admitted as she picked up her half-finished bowl and dumped it in the sink.

"Hey are you done?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah. I really can't stomach anymore right now. I'll have something more later." She promised.

"Well okay," Lorelai said rather doubtfully. "As long as you eat more later."

Lorelai sipped her coffee quietly for a few minutes and then said "Oh Sookie's bringing over some personalized meals for us today. She's gonna follow all those rules the doctor gave us and try to accommodate the whims and fancies of your stomach. Luckily Sookie's the one making it. If it was anyone else all that healthy food would taste like crap."

"You're probably right. Under normal circumstances I'd dread eating that food but in this case I'm curious to see what she does with it. Rory said.

"Well let's hope it meets our expectations 'cause whether we like it or not we're gonna be eating it for nine months." Lorelai said

Rory smiled and then went up to take a shower. Lorelai refilled her mug and went outside."

For the next fifteen minutes Lorelai was sitting on the front steps sipping her coffee and wondering what decision her mother was going to make when she saw Luke drive up in his truck.

"Hey," She said smiling "what brings you here?"

"Well," Luke began. "You haven't been to the diner in two days. Usually the longest you manage without coming in is the few hours between breakfast and lunch."

Lorelai was still looking at him and smiling but she didn't say anything.

"So…" Luke continued awkwardly "I just thought I'd come by and check on you guys. Is everything okay?"

"You missed us." Lorelai teased with a big grin on her face.

"I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." Luke denied.

"You missed us." Lorelai said again.

"Well I asked around town and no one seemed to have seen you…" He trailed off.

"You missed us." Lorelai said one more time.

"Fine, I missed you okay?" Luke admitted and gave her a defeated look.

Lorelai continued to smile.

"So why haven't you been in?" Luke asked. "Is everything okay?"

The smile disappeared from Lorelai's face and she took a deep breath.

"Hey" Luke said and sat down next to her when he saw the look on her face. "What's the matter?"

"Luke, there's something I need to tell you and I need you to keep an open mind okay?" Lorelai said softly."

Luke nodded skeptically. "Okay, What's wrong?"

"Luke, Rory's pregnant." She said.

"What?" Luke sounded shocked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes Luke, I'm sure." Lorelai said.

"Wow, when did this happen? How did this happen?" He asked slightly confused. "Who's the…" and then he trailed off.

All of a sudden he realized why Lorelai had asked him to keep an open mind and to stay calm. Only he couldn't keep an open mind or stay calm. He wanted to kill Jess, torture him even. As much as he wanted the best for Jess he was always more protective of Rory. She'd become like a daughter to him. He'd watched her grow up and thinking of her pregnant at her age made him want to kill the jerk that did it even if it was Jess.

"Luke," Lorelai interrupted his thoughts. "Listen to me." She said desperately. "It's not the end of the world. It's just a mistake. People make mistakes."

"Only Jess could do it." Luke said almost as if Lorelai hadn't said anything at all.

"Do what?" Lorelai asked rather confused.

"Do What? Do what? Luke shouted. "Take a perfectly innocent girl like Rory and turn her into this. That's what."

Lorelai was stunned for a minute but then began to explain some things to Luke.

"This wasn't entirely Jess' fault, Luke." She said softly. "Rory was just as much at fault as he was. They made a mistake but it's okay. We all make mistakes. I made this same mistake myself."

"That doesn't make it right." Luke argued.

"No Luke, it doesn't." She said. "But it does help me understand their situation. I know what they did was wrong. Rory knows that what they did was wrong. But Luke, they don't deserve to be punished. The changes that they're going to be forced to make will be hard enough. They're just kids Luke. They're just kids who are now in a very difficult situation and I'm going to do whatever I can to help them. Jess needs you Luke. He has no one else who will support him through all of this and I know how hard it is to try and do it on your own. Don't make him go through it alone. You have every right to be angry and disappointed but you still have to stick by him. That's our job as parents and guardians."

"God! This is…" Luke couldn't phrase what he wanted to say.

"I know it is." Lorelai said as she took his hand.

"Wait. Does he know?" Luke asked. "Because he hasn't said anything to me."

"No, not yet." Lorelai said. "Rory needed some time. She found out last Saturday and I only got to know on Thursday. Other than that only Sookie and my parents know."

"Your parents?" Luke asked. "That couldn't have been easy."

"Oh god it wasn't." Lorelai admitted. "They were even more disappointed than they were when I got pregnant. And to have to tell them something like this twice in one lifetime… But Rory really needed me to tell them. She was so miserable and then my mom attacked her like she does me and I just couldn't stand by and watch it. I told her she had to accept this about Rory or we walk out of her life one more time. She's supposed to get back to me with a decision."

Luke nodded but remained silent.

Just then Sookie drove up. She stepped out of her car with a couple of bags and started towards the house. When she noticed Lorelai was with Luke and the expressions on their faces she left the bags on the grass, got back in her car and drove away.

"Luke," Lorelai continued. "We need to tell Jess about this. You should come with us and just be there for him. If there's one thing I learned from my parents it not to be like them."

Luke nodded again.

"Okay well then I'm going to get Rory, see if she's up for telling him now." Lorelai said as she got up.

She opened the front door and ran straight into Rory.

"How long have you been standing there?" Lorelai asked.

"I was gonna come out just as I saw Luke drive up. I couldn't face him so I stayed here." Rory admitted.

It's okay, Hon." Lorelai said.

"Mom." Rory said. "I'm sorry I made you tell grandma and grandpa. I never thought about how you'd feel."

"It's okay Rory." Lorelai assured her. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."

"Did you really tell them that you'd walk out of their lives again?" Rory asked.

"Hey kid, if they ever make you feel even a smidgen as bad as they made me feel then they don't deserve you." Lorelai said.

Lorelai released Rory and asked. "Are you ready to go and tell Jess? We don't have to do it right now but I think the sooner we do it the better. And Luke's offered to be there to help Jess. Although if you'd prefer to go in alone that's fine. We'll wait outside."

"No," Rory said quickly. "I want you to come. I can't do it alone. And Luke should be there because if I need you to be there then Jess is probably gonna want someone to be there for him too even if he won't admit it."

"Okay, well then let's go." Lorelai said and grabbed her bag.

Lorelai and Rory walked out the front door. Luke saw Rory and immediately stood up. Rory got embarrassed and looked at her feet.

"Rory," Luke said awkwardly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." Rory replied.

"Okay well get in the truck and we'll go." Luke said turning away from Rory.

Lorelai quickly changed those plans. "Why don't we follow you in the Jeep that way if you need to stay with Jess I can bring Rory home. She may not be up for a walk at that time."

"Okay" Luke said and got into his truck.

Rory gave Lorelai a grateful smile as they got into the jeep.

"I'm so nervous." Rory said as they pulled out of the driveway.

"I'm sure you are honey. It's not an easy thing to do. But remember you have me there. I'm always here for you." Lorelai assured her.

They were quiet for a while and then Lorelai said. "Be gentle while telling him okay. He's…" She stopped for a minute to find the best way to phrase what she wanted to say. "He's not one to show his feelings. He may seem fine but remember this is pretty major for him too. Give him some time. And don't expect too much from him right now. He may not be very understanding. He needs time to wrap his mind around all this just like we did okay."

"Wow, I can't believe you're standing up for Jess." Rory smiled a little.

"Yeah well. I'm just saying that his reaction when you tell him may not be what you hope but it may also not be what he really feels. Give him time so that he himself can figure out what he wants. Just don't expect too much okay." Lorelai said.

Rory nodded.

They reached Luke's and they both got out and walked to the door. Luke followed them in. They looked around for Jess but he was nowhere to be found.

"Caesar," Luke called out "Where's Jess?"

"He's gone upstairs Luke." Caesar said. "He was looking for something."

"Okay thanks." Luke said. "Caesar, we'll be upstairs. You're in charge. Yell if you need me."

"Sure thing Luke" Caesar said.

Luke began to climb the stairs to his house and the girls followed. Just as Luke was about to open the door Lorelai stopped him. She turned to Rory and gave her hand a squeeze.

"You ready babe?" She asked.

Rory nodded but looked so scared.

"Just remember what I told you okay." Lorelai said. "And I'll be right there with you."

Again Rory nodded.

Lorelai turned to Luke and signaled for him to open the door.

As soon as he heard the door open Jess looked up from his books. At first he didn't pay much attention to Luke but then he noticed Lorelai and Rory. He slowly stood up and tossed the books on the table never taking his eyes off Rory.

Rory looked at her mother for support and then back at Jess. "Jess I need to talk to you."

"What, the silent treatment's over already?" Jess asked sarcastically.

"Watch your mouth, Jess." Luke warned.

"Don't tell me to watch my mouth." Jess said. "She's been avoiding me all week. Like she's mad at me or something but she won't tell me why. She wouldn't talk to me or return my calls or anything."

Rory began to cry and Lorelai put an arm around her. Luke got angry as started to walk towards Jess but Lorelai stopped him.

"Great, she starts crying and I become the bad guy." Jess said.

"Jess, I'm pregnant." Rory blurted out.

"Oh Rory." Lorelai said wishing her daughter had broken the news a little more gently.

"You're what?" Jess asked completely shocked.

"Pregnant. With your baby." Rory said beginning to get annoyed with Jess.

Jess walked out of the room and down the steps to the diner. Rory followed him still angry.

"I tell you that you're going to be a father and the first thing you do is walk out?" Rory called after him as he walked out of the diner. "I guess that is the best thing you could ever do for your kid."

Rory was crying uncontrollably now and Lorelai grabbed her and held her tight. Luke looked uncomfortably at Lorelai and then they both looked around the diner and realized that the news was now out in the open. Caesar, Babette, Miss. Patty, Kirk and the others in the diner had all stopped what they were doing to watch the scene. However no one said a word.

"I guess I better go after him." Luke said as he began to walk to the door.

"No," Lorelai stopped him. "Let me go. Okay."

"You want to go after Jess?" Luke asked uncertainly. "You're not going to kill him are you?"

"No." Lorelai smiled. "I think I just have a better understanding of what he's going through and what to say to him."

Luke nodded his agreement.

Lorelai then released Rory and said. "Honey, why don't you go back upstairs with Luke okay? I'm going to talk to Jess for a minute."

Rory looked up at her mother and then around the diner. When she saw everyone staring at her she ran up the stairs back to Luke's apartment.

Lorelai saw the look on Luke's face and said. "Stay with her. Just give her some time and she'll be okay. I'll be back in a bit."

Luke nodded uncertainly and started to climb the stairs.

Lorelai walked towards the door and then turned and asked, "Hey Luke, Where will I find Jess?"

"Probably at the lake." Luke says.

As soon as they were gone the whispers started in the diner.

Lorelai got out of her car at the lake and began walking down the bridge. She could see Jess sitting half way down looking into the water.

As Jess heard the footsteps get closer he asked without turning around. "Is this really happening?"

"Yeah, it is." Lorelai replied.

Jess heard her voice and spun around. "I thought you were Luke."

"I figured." She said as she sat down next to him.

They were silent for a minute and then Jess said "So you gonna kill me now or yell at me first?"

Lorelai turned towards Jess and said, "No yelling. I'm not mad at you."

Jess gave her a weird look. "Then why are you here?"

"I thought we could talk." Lorelai said. "This is all pretty major and I figured I'd be more help than Luke."

Jess wasn't sure what to say so he remained silent.

"I had Rory when I was even younger than you. It wasn't planned. I had made a mistake. It happens. I understand that more than anyone. I also understand how it changes your whole life. It's not easy. It's not at all easy. But it is the most amazing thing I have ever done and I am so glad that I did it. She is my entire world and there is nothing I wouldn't do for her."

She paused for a minute and then smiled. "Even if it means being nice to the guy that knocked her up."

"I had to do it alone Jess." She continued. "Her dad took off when I refused to marry him and my parents weren't exactly helpful or supportive. They would have paid for a whole lot of stuff but that's not the life I wanted for Rory so I left and I did it alone. But it is still nice to have someone there to help. I know you don't have a whole lot of people you can depend on. Luke's great and he'd do anything for you but he's not really sure what to do when it comes to this kind of stuff. What I'm trying to say is that I'm here. I know we've never really gotten along and I wasn't too happy when Rory started dating you but you are the father of her child and if you need anything – advice, help, someone to talk to, I'm here. I know that I should be mad at you for all this but I'm not. Rory is as much to blame as you are. And maybe I am too. So I'm not mad at you so you don't have to be scared to come to me for anything."

Jess was still silent.

"Do you want to say anything?" She asked when Jess made no sound. "Do you want me to leave you alone for a while?"

When there was no reply Lorelai turned to get up and give Jess some time.

"Once." Jess finally said. "We just… It only happened once."

"Sometimes once is all it takes." Lorelai admitted.

"I'm not ready." Jess said sadly. "I don't know how to be a father."

"Neither did I," She said. "I had to learn as I went along."

"But what am I going to do? How will I know what's right?" He asked desperately.

"You're going to do the best you can. That's all anyone really can do. And we're all here to back you up." She assured. "We'll give you guys whatever you need. You won't be alone."

"Hey," She said as she put a hand on his shoulders. "There's still time. You don't have to figure it all out today."

"You think she meant it when she said that the kid would be better off if I left it alone?" Jess asked looking miserable.

"Not even a little bit." Lorelai assured him. "I know that she wants you to be a part of all this. She just scared as well and she wasn't sure what you wanted so I suppose she thought she was giving you a way out.

Add that to the overworking hormones and she'd say just about anything." She added to help him relax. "Go talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Be honest."

"Thanks Lorelai." Jess said sounding more sincere than she'd ever heard him before. "I'm sorry."

"I know kid, it's okay." She started to get up. "Now let's go. I gotta get back to Rory."

They walked slowly back to the jeep and drove to the diner in silence.

When Lorelai and Jess walked back into the diner all the customers were different.

"I guess the news is all over town by now." Lorelai said as she began to climb the stairs.

"Yeah, I hope Rory isn't too mad about that." Jess said looking miserable.

"Don't worry about it." Lorelai assured him. "She'll be fine. Remember what I said about the hormones?" She said with a smile.

She opened the door to Luke's apartment and found Rory sitting on Luke's couch looking very lonely. Luke was sitting uncomfortably on a stool in the corner just staring.

When Rory saw Lorelai she visibly relaxed, but when she saw Jess walk in behind her she tensed up once again.

"Hey hon," Lorelai said. "Why don't we go home and get some food into you. You hardly had any breakfast this morning."

Rory got up and walked towards Lorelai.

"Go on ahead. I'll be down in a minute." Lorelai said.

Rory left the apartment without saying a word. Lorelai walked over to Luke.

"I need to talk to you. First I need to make sure Rory eats and gets some rest. I'll call you when she's settled. Will you come over?" She asked.

Luke nodded and turned his attention to Jess who was still standing near the door.

Lorelai also looked over at Jess and then back at Luke. "Go easy on him okay. He's scared and he needs you."

Rory was waiting in the car when Lorelai left the diner. She climbed into the Jeep smiled at Rory.

"How're you holding up, kid?" She asked.

"I'm okay." Rory said. "I just wish I knew what Jess was thinking."

"He's scared hon." Lorelai said as she began to drive. "He's just as scared as you are."

"Do you think I did the right thing by telling him?" Rory asked uncertainly.

"Of course you did." Lorelai said firmly. "He has every right to know about this Rory. And he wants to be there. He wants to do the right thing too. He's just not sure what it is yet."

Rory thought for a minute and then asked, "How come you went after Jess? You didn't yell at him did you?"

Lorelai smiled. "No I didn't yell at him. I just thought it would be better for me to go for lots of reasons. Luke isn't exactly the best when it's stuff like this. I know what you guys are going through. I've been through it myself. Jess isn't one for talking so he probably wouldn't say anything and Luke wouldn't know what he was thinking. He's also going to be a part of our lives forever now and I wanted him to know that I don't judge him or look down on him. I told him that I am here for you and that I'd be there for him too. I wouldn't leave either of you to figure it out on your own."

Rory smiled.

"I also did it for you. I want you to know that I'm okay with Jess. I admit he's a little messed up and gets into a lot of trouble but he's a good kid. He cares about you and he cares about the baby and that counts for a lot as far as I'm concerned. I know you like him Rory and as long as he's in your life he's welcome in mine. You don't have to hide or keep things from me. I'm here for you and I'm always going to be here for you. We'll get through this together. Nobody is going to be alone."

"Thanks mom." Rory smiled. "That does make me feel better."

They reached the house and got out of the car.

"Mom," Rory said as they walked into the house. "Can we call dad and tell him? He's the only one left and I really want to get this over with."

"Okay let's call him." Lorelai said. "But we'll see if he can come down here before we tell him okay. We shouldn't tell him over the phone."

"Do you think he'll come?" Rory asked.

"Let's see. He's been great lately and showing up a whole lot more. Let's get you some lunch and then I'll call him okay." Lorelai said.

Rory nodded and followed Lorelai into the kitchen.

Lorelai heated the risotto and chicken in the microwave. Once it was done she spooned some onto a plate and handed it to Rory. "Now I want you to finish it all. No fussing. You haven't eaten properly since all this began.

Rory took the plate from Lorelai and sat down. She watched as Lorelai picked up the phone and dialed Christopher's number.

"Chris." Lorelai said after a few seconds.

"Hey Lore, Haven't heard from you in a while. How's it going?" Christopher asked.

"I'm okay. How've you been?" Lorelai replied.

"I've been great. Been swamped with work but at least I have work now so that's good." Christopher said. "How's Rory? Is she there? I'd like to apologize for not calling in a while."

"Yeah she's here but um… Chris, is it possible for you to come down here for a while tomorrow? I know it's sudden but something's come up and I don't want to tell you over the phone." Lorelai said.

"Okay this sounds bad. Is Rory okay? Are you okay?" Christopher asked sounding concerned.

"We're both fine." Lorelai assured. "It's just you should really be here."

"Well okay then, I'll be there. Is nine too early?" Christopher said.

"Not at all. I'll see you tomorrow then." Lorelai said "And hey Chris. don't worry okay."

Lorelai hung up the phone and looked over at Rory who was sitting at the table and watching her. She hadn't even begun to eat.

"So he's coming tomorrow." Rory said.

"Yeah he said he'd be here by nine." Lorelai said as she said down and spooned some food onto a plate for herself.

She began to eat and watched as Rory pushed the food around her plate. "You have to finish it Rory."

"How mad do you think he'll be?" Rory asked softly.

"Honey…" Lorelai began but Rory cut her off.

"I know he's my dad and all but I don't really know him. He's always been an outsider really. He's never been a part of my real life. He's never seen me screw up before." She said sounding sad.

"Hey Rory." Lorelai said as she put her fork down and moved closer to Rory. "Your dad, my parents, they all may be mad at you right now and disappointed in this whole thing but they will never stop loving you. They'll all come around. I know your dad hasn't been around much and you don't know him very well but I know almost everything there is to know about him and I know that he loves you very much, and so do your grandparents. They're just not great at showing it. Soon everything will go back to normal. I promise. We just need to give them some time. Okay?"

Rory nodded.

"Okay then please eat," Lorelai pleaded "You're not eating nearly as much as you need to and I'm really starting to worry."

Rory reluctantly picked up her fork and started eating.

After a few minutes of silence Lorelai asked "You still thinking about your dad?"

"No." Rory said.

"Then what?" Lorelai asked.

"Last week at this time I was sitting in a restroom in Hartford hoping the stick wouldn't turn pink." Rory said miserably.

"Oh, sweetie." Lorelai hugged Rory.

"I was so scared." Rory admitted.

"I'm sure you were." Lorelai said. "I wish you'd come to me."

"Me too." Rory said softly.

After lunch Rory went into her room and Lorelai called Luke.

"Hey, how'd it go?" She asked once Luke had picked up the phone.

"Not too great." Luke replied sounding exhausted. "I started out being calm and controlled but he just wouldn't talk and I had no idea what to do so I started asking question to figure out what exactly had happened and he refused to answer and I lost it; I started yelling and I told him to get it together or to get lost and so he said 'fine' and walked out. He's been gone for like a half hour. I need to go look for him."

"Oh Luke" Lorelai sympathized. "Give him some time to calm down okay. He needs time to digest all this and so do you so come over here for a bit and we'll talk and figure out a plan and then find him."

"Yeah that's probably a good idea." Luke agreed. "Right now I have no idea what I'd say even if I did find him."

"Okay then I'll see you in about ten minutes okay." Lorelai said.

"Yeah I'll be there. Bye" Luke said and they hung up the phone.

As Lorelai hung up the phone Rory came out looking for it.

"Where's the phone mom?" Rory asked. "I want to call Lane."

"Here hon." Lorelai said handing it to her.

"Thank." Rory said as she took the phone from her mother.

"Hey, why don't you ask her to come have dinner with us tonight?" Lorelai suggested hoping that having Lane over would raise Rory's spirits.

"Okay, I'll ask." Rory smiled as she went back into her room.

Ten minutes later Luke drove up to the house and found Lorelai sitting on the steps.

"Hey" She said as he sat down next to her. "Want some tea?"

"No, thanks" he said "How's Rory?"

"She's okay. She's in her room right now. Not sure what she's doing though." Lorelai said looking at the ground.

"At least you know where she is. I have no idea where Jess is or what he's doing." Luke said.

"Give him some time Luke." Lorelai said as she looked up at him. "He's so afraid and so confused right now. He needs some time to himself so he can wrap his mind around what's happening. I know he seems like a troublemaker and always up to no good but he didn't mean for this to happen. It's as much a shock to him as it is to all of us. And he's not ready for it. He's gonna need help and you're going to have to give it to him. You're all he's got."

"Yeah? Well what good am I?" Luke asked.

"You don't have to know exactly what to do. But you do have to show him that you'll be there for him. That he can come to you if he needs to. Don't get angry with him or judge him that'll only make him more distant. That's why I told you to come here instead. You need to get yourself together before you can help him." Lorelai continued.

"Yeah I know," Luke replied sounding depressed "I just feel so… I can't even name it."

"Afraid, angry, insufficient, useless, protective, desperate, unsure of what's ahead, miserable like you've failed and you've let everyone down… stop me when I get to one you aren't feeling right now." She finished for him.

"Yeah" Luke said looking very surprised. "How did you know that?"

Lorelai gave a small laugh. "How do you think I feel?"

"You feel it too?" Luke asked.

"Of course I feel it too. I'm so worried about Rory right now. She's so young and she has her whole life ahead of her. She's not ready to be a mother. She's scared. She doesn't know what's going to happen. She's totally freaking out. She's worried about how people will look at her from now on. She's afraid of the pregnancy and the birth. I don't know what to tell her. I mean I know I've been through it before and a lot about this situation is very similar to mine but it's still so different. And while I've been through her side of the situation I've never been on this side. I don't know how to comfort her. All I can think to do is convince her that she's not alone. I can't do too much more. Whatever she's going through she has to go through herself. All I can do is be there for her and make it a little easier. But she's different from me. I was stronger and I could take the pressure. The constant tension and the bickering and yelling from my parents were what gave me the strength and determination to make it on my own. By her age I'd been drunk more times than I could count. I'd been suspended from school and thrown out from camps. Everyone knew I was a troublemaker and sort of always suspected some kind of scandal from me. But with Rory, she needs to do the right thing and to have people to like her and accept her. She's soft and kind and she hates disappointing people. And she's my little girl and I…"

Lorelai was starting to get emotional now and Luke put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him so her head was resting on his shoulder.

Lorelai took a deep breath and whispered. "Everyone just expects me to know what to do; to be totally calm because I also got pregnant when I was young. Believe me I'm not calm. I'm so worried. I just have to keep it together for Rory. She really needs me to make things seem manageable. I can't afford to let that façade slip."

"Well you're doing a terrific job on that." Luke said. "You haven't only convinced her that you're in total control but you managed to convince me too. But, you know, you don't have to do it alone. I'm here too. I may not be much help but I can listen and I can do whatever I'm told."

Lorelai looked up at Luke and smiled "Thanks" She said.

Luke suddenly brought his face down towards Lorelai's and kissed her very quickly but firmly on the lips. When he pulled back Lorelai just looked at him. He lowered his face to kiss her again but this time just as their lips met Lorelai came to her senses.

"Whoa, what the hell are you doing?" She asked as she got up.

Luke stood up and took a step towards her and reached out to take her hand.

Lorelai pulled her hand away and stepped out of Luke's reach. "This is crazy. We can't do this. We…"

"Why not?" Luke interrupted "Why can't we do this?"

"Because!" She replied as though it were obvious. "It's you, it's us."

"Is that so bad?" He asked sounding hurt.

Lorelai softened a little. "It's not bad it's…" She paused to find the best way to say what she was thinking. "It's not real. It's just the situation. It's confusing and worrying and we're both in it. It can't be real."

There was an awkward silence between them until Lorelai said. "You should go find Jess and I need to go check on Rory."

Luke gave a small nod and Lorelai disappeared into the house leaving a very miserable Luke behind her.

Lorelai leaned against the wall still staring at the front door as if she could see right through it. Luke had kissed her – twice. She'd managed to get a grasp on reality just in time. What a disaster it would have been if she hadn't come to her senses. Although… it had felt great and there had definitely been a moment when she had wanted it to go further. NO! What was she thinking? It was Luke. Things would never work out. And then they'd fight and she'd never be able to go back to the diner again. Yes, it was definitely just the tension. It couldn't happen again.

Lorelai was still distracted by the kiss as she sat down to dinner with Rory and Lane. Lane had come over a couple of hours earlier and she and Rory had been in Rory's room talking. Lane was a great friend to Rory and Lorelai was so grateful to her for trying to keep things as normal as possible. Lorelai knew that while they were alone in the room they hand no doubt talked about the pregnancy and Rory would have probably told Lane how she really felt about the whole thing but right now Lane was talking about some kid at school who got caught spray-painting on the wall of the boy's bathroom. Rory was laughing away as Lane told the story and Lorelai was relieved to see Rory smile.

"Anyways," Lane continued. "He has to clean up all the graffiti in all the bathrooms including the girls' and he has to help with the backdrop for the school play since he's 'so interested in art'. I'm not sure which he thinks is worse."

"Wow." Rory said. "I wish I could have seen it."

"It was pretty good." Lane said. "That kids got talent."

The conversation continued for another half an hour until Lane finally got up and took her plate to the sink.

"I should get going." Lane said. "My mom wasn't too thrilled that I was coming here and I promised not to be too late."

Lorelai looked over at Rory to see her reaction.

"I'm glad you came." Rory said sadly.

"Hey, I'll keep coming." Lane said kindly. "I'm a pro at hiding things from my mom."

"I think I have you beat." Lorelai said with a smile as Lane walked out of the house.

"She's a really good friend." Lorelai said to Rory as she cleared away their plates.

Lorelai looked out of her bedroom window at the sound of a car pulling up outside her house. She watched Christopher get out of the car, look towards Rory's bedroom and wave. She then made her way downstairs. She saw Rory come out of her room giving her a very nervous look. She put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a small supportive squeeze.

"Hey Kiddo," Christopher said as he entered the house. Rory didn't answer as she slowly went to give him a hug. "Lor, it's great to see you."

"Hey Chris, how's work?" She asked as Rory went and stood by her.

"Oh, you know how it is trying to pretend to know what you're doing." He said with a mischievous grin.

"So kiddo, how's school?" he asked turning his attention back to Rory as he followed Lorelei into the living room.

"Good"

"Everything okay? You don't seem yourself. Are you sick?" He asked looking concerned.

Rory didn't answer.

Christopher turned to Lorelai "Lor, what's the big important thing? You told me not to worry but obviously something's wrong."

Rory looked uncertainly at her mother as Lorelai motioned for Christopher to sit down.

"Chris, we're in a bit of a… situation." Lorelai began.

"What kind of a situation?"

Lorelai took a deep breath and said, "Rory's pregnant."

There is no response from Christopher.

"Chris?"

"I can't believe this Rory." he suddenly burst out. "This isn't like you. How could you be so completely stupid?" He began yelling.

"Chris stop, this isn't helpi…" Lorelai defended Rory.

"And what were you thinking?" he turned his anger towards Lorelai. "How could you let this happen? After what we went through… Why weren't you watching her?"

"Stop it, stop blaming her." Rory suddenly burst out. "Everyone's blaming her and it isn't fair. I'm the one who got pregnant and it was my mistake. All of you are blaming mom for all this when all my life she's the only one who's always been there for me."

"Rory," Lorelai went to her and hugged her. "It's okay, calm down."

"No, everyone blames you, grandma blames you for this, well by that same logic wasn't she at fault for your pregnancy?" Turning to Chris she added. "What the hell have you ever done for me that gives you the right to get mad at me?"

"I'm your father and I have every right to yell at you." Christopher replied with just as much anger.

"Chris, you're not helping." Lorelai said as she ushered a struggling Rory to her room. "Let me talk to him okay hon, give us some time. I'll handle this."

Lorelai closed the door and went back to Chris. "Well that was helpful."

"Well what do you expect? That is the stupidest, most irresponsible thing she could possibly do. She has to have known better than that." He said still in a harsh tone.

Lorelai sat down and calmly waited for him to let it all out.

When he was finally done he had a disappointed look on his face. He noticed Lorelai sitting calmly watching him he asked "How come you're not mad? She needs to know what she's done is wrong."

"What she needs is support Chris." Lorelai tried to reason with him. "Don't you remember what it was like for us? You're doing to her exactly what our parents did to us and we hated them for it. Is it fair to her to subject her to that?"

She gave him a minute and then added "We're her parents; if we aren't there to support her who is she supposed to go to? She made a mistake and she knows it but that doesn't mean she knows how to deal with it. God knows I didn't have a clue when this happened to us. It wasn't easy and that's not what I want for her."

"And this is what you want for her?" He asked still frustrated but calmer.

"No! Of course not but it is what it is and now it's our job to help her though it. Remember how controlling and thoughtless our parents were. All we wanted was for them to stop for a minute and think of us and what we wanted. Don't you think she deserves that too? Of all people you and I should understand that the most. She may be young and she may need our help but she still has feelings and opinions that we need to consider before we make any decisions.

Christopher was finally began to calm down and saw the similarities in his own situation and realize that things weren't so bad.

"You're right. I am acting exactly like our parents did but now I understand why – when your child is in trouble you sorta lose it."

He sat down on the couch next to Lorelai. "She's right." He said dejectedly.

"About what?" Lorelai asked as she took his hand and pulled him back against the couch.

"I have no right to be mad at her"

"What are you talking about Chris?"

"I've never really been there. I missed the birthdays and the Christmases, the school events and dance recitals. I missed it all." He said unhappily.

"Oh Chris, you did the best you could" Lorelai nudged in to him. "Rory always knew that you loved her."

"Love, yes. But she never needed me or wanted me – not like she wants and needs you. I screwed up by being M.I.A."

"Well there's still time to change that. You're here now and she needs us now more than ever." Lorelai said encouragingly.

"Gosh Lor, I don't know how you do it." Christopher said with awe.

"Do what?"

"Everything. You're able to take anything and make it work. First when you got pregnant. You wanted to keep her and raise her differently than the way we were raised and so you left. Everyone thought you'd fail but you did everything you had to do to give her the best. You got a job, as a maid of all things, and now you practically own the whole inn. You've raised our daughter on your own and she has turned out better than all of us put together and now when the roles are reversed you're able to deal with it so calmly. She was absolutely right when she said that no one has done even half as much as you have for her. She's a great kid Lor and you are totally responsible for that."

"She is a great kid Chris," Lorelai said emphatically. "You don't know the half of it. She's everything our parents wanted us to be. It's kinda strange how that worked out, isn't it?"

"Yeah. How much our parents pushed us to be exactly like them. And the more they pushed the further we ran. I can just imagine what our lives would have been had we followed their plan."

"You'd be sitting in an office at my dad's company in a ridiculously expensive suit and a hideous tie talking about numbers and percentages and dead people, and I'd be at some extravagant scary event in a pant suit gossiping about the neighbor banging his secretary." Lorelei replied with a laugh. "And Rory of course would be out drinking or smoking or doing something else we disapproved of just to spite us and would hate us for what we were forcing her to become. The situation would have ended up the same just one generation down."

"Totally" Chris agreed.

"Honestly though, I love the life I'm living." She continued. "I'm doing everything I really wanted to do and I know it's been a struggle but still I've actually earned it all. That really makes it so much more worthwhile. Had we listened to our parents and gotten married like they wanted us to then I probably would have had a lot more in terms of money and stuff but I wouldn't have appreciated it as much as I do the life I have now. In fact I think I probably would have resented it even more than I did then, you know what I mean?" She asked turning to Christopher.

"Yeah, though I can't say that I've really reached that stage in my life. I know that I wouldn't have been happier then but I still haven't completely gotten my life together yet. You really seemed to have thrived from your independence. I love my lifestyle too now but my work still needs some working on."

"It'll happen Chris. It's not easy and it takes a while but eventually it will. I'm just glad we got the opportunity to make lives for ourselves."

"You were right about us not being ready to get married. I didn't agree with you at the time because it seemed like the best thing but in retrospect I realize we weren't ready, that we were too young." Christopher said.

"We were too young. And don't you even suggest that they get married or I'll kill you." Lorelai said firmly.

"You may have been a rebel but you did have a good head on your shoulders." Christopher smiled.

"I wish my mother saw it that way. All she saw was stubbornness and the determination to do the exact opposite of what she asked."

Chris turned to Lorelai with an excited smile on his face. "We were too young back then Lor, but what about now?

"Excuse me?" She asked slightly confused

"This time we can do it right. We know we get along great, we already have a child together, and our careers are doing well. Rory would love it and it would make our parents really happy – and that'll be a first for us both."

"Are you talking about us getting married? You and me?" she asked still slightly confused and shocked.

"Yes Lor, it's a great idea. What do you think?"

"I think you're crazy!" she said, unsure of whether to laugh or be furious.

"It's a second chance for us. You said yourself that there's still time to change things."

"I meant for you to be a father to Rory. Not for us to get married. That's crazy!" She tried to reason with him.

"Why is that so crazy?" He wanted to know. "It's a second chance for us."

"Because Chris, for starters we haven't actually been around each other for most of our adult lives so we are bound to have changed since we were kids, second, in today's day and age people don't just get married because they have a child and third and most important this baby isn't ours Chris." She said with exasperation.

"I know it's not our baby Lor, but just like you said you aren't gonna kick Rory out so even though we aren't the parents we will still be a major part of the baby's life and if we get married and love it together then we can be a proper family. There'll be more help and the baby will have a father."

"The baby has a father Chris. One that will love it just as much as you love Rory. I know you want things to be perfect but that doesn't mean you can just dive right in and take over Rory's baby. And we can't just get married for convenience sake."

"That's not what I meant. I just meant we could be a real family – mom, dad and kid." Christopher pleaded. "I missed that with Rory when we didn't get married and I don't want to miss out on it again."

"I know that I refused to marry you then Chris but I never stopped you from being part of Rory's life. You're the one who went AWOL so don't blame me for that." She said defensively.

"I'm not blaming you at all Lor, I'm just saying that I missed out on a lot. And for the record – I've always wanted to marry you. I would have married you when our parents wanted us to if you gave me the chance. I even asked you when I visited two years ago. You turned me down remember. I may be asking right now because of the situation but I'm still asking because I love you and I always have. Just think about it okay." He pleaded and with that he picked up his coat and walked out of the house.

Lorelai sat on the couch unsure of what to do. She was stunned by what he had said. Neither of them were thinking clearly. Eventually she got off the couch and went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and found Rory sitting on the floor by the kitchen door. Obviously she had overheard the entire conversation.

Rory looked up at her mother and said "You didn't really expect me not to listen did you?"

Lorelei smiled as she took her daughter's arm and pulled her up.

"Do you think he was serious?" Rory asked her mother.

"I don't know hon, none of us are really thinking straight right now. We all need to just take a step back to process. It was a huge bombshell for him. All he sees now is a chance to do what would have been right for us had things happened differently. But he's failing to see the differences. He just needs time to think things through." Lorelai said.

"But now you two are fighting and things have been going to well with you and he's been visiting more and you guys seemed happy around each other." Rory said miserably.

"Don't worry, we've had fights before." Lorelai said.

"Yeah, but this was big." Rory said.

"Honey, your dad and I have been through so much together. Even before you came along we were together for a long time. We had arguments and fights and there have been tears but there have also been laughs and fun and most importantly we have you and nothing is going to come between us. We may not have ended up together but we have so much history and we have you and that's enough to keep us together. He will always be the father of my child and I will always, always love him for that no matter where he is or what he does. We aren't married and he doesn't live with us but we're still his family and we need each other. I know your dad so well and I know he won't go far or stay away too long. Don't worry so much." She said as she put her arm around her daughter's shoulders and took her to get something to eat.

At six that evening there was a knock on the door. Lorelai opened it to find Luke and Jess standing outside.

"Hey you two." Lorelai said

"Hey," Luke replied "Jess was hoping to talk to Rory."

Lorelai smiled as she looked at a rather uncomfortable Jess "I'll get her." She said as she went and knocked on Rory's door. "Hey kid Jess is here to see you."

"He is?" Rory asked surprised.

Lorelai watched as Rory hesitantly walked to the front door. When they saw her both boys stood awkwardly until Jess finally says "Want to go for a walk?"

"Sure" Rory replied as she followed Jess of the porch leaving Luke and Lorelai alone.

Lorelai turned to Luke "Do you want to come in?"

"No, I'm okay here." He replied uncomfortably.

Lorelai nodded and walked over to the porch couch and sat down.

"So, how're you holding up?" She asked as she motioned for Luke to sit as well.

"Fine" Luke replied.

"Really?" Lorelai asked not believing him for a second.

"I'm fine." Luke said again.

"Well how's Jess doing?" She tried again.

"Fine."

"Luke, come on. Talk to me."

"What do you want me to say? I'm better than I was when I first got the news but I still have no idea what to do. Jess is as quiet as he always is so I don't know what he's thinking but since his behavior hasn't changed at all I'm assuming that he's fine. It's exactly what I told you. I just summed it up into one word."

Lorelai could tell that Luke was still mad about the way she'd reacted to the kiss. She really wished that it hadn't happened. It made an already awkward situation even worse. He wasn't exactly the type of person that you could talk to about these things. She wanted to discuss it with him but she knew that right now was not the time. She thought of other things that they could talk about.

"Have you spoken to Liz?" She asked trying to change the subject

"Not yet. I'm waiting for him to decide how he feels before giving her a chance to decide for him."

"That seems like a good plan." She said with a smile. "We told Christopher this morning."

"Oh yeah? How'd he take it?"

"Oh it was a circus act – there was yelling, accusing, finger pointing, blaming and my personal favorite – proposing."

At this Luke turned to look at Lorelai and immediately she wished that she hadn't mentioned it, "He proposed?" He asked looking concerned.

"Yes" Lorelai said, "He said it was a way for us to get it right this time."

"What did you say?" Luke asked, not really sure he wanted to know the answer.

Lorelai let out a tiny laugh, "I said 'No' obviously. God, I can't believe you're actually asking me that question. I can't marry him. That's crazy. This isn't even our baby. Though I did make it clear that I'd kill him if he suggested that Rory and Jess get married."

"I totally agree!" Luke emphasized and then awkwardly added "about Jess and Rory getting married, I mean."

There were a few seconds of silence and then Lorelai said, "Luke, about the ki…"

But Luke cut her off "I should get back to the diner" he said as he got up. "It will be full of customers in a bit and I need to get things ready."

"Oh, okay" Lorelai said as she got up as well and watched him walk in the direction that Rory and Jess had taken.

Once Luke was out of sight Lorelai sat down again and cursed herself for bringing up the kiss. She knew it would be a mistake to bring it up now but she did so anyway. She wondered how things would be from now on and how long it would take for them to finally break through this new wall that stood between them. They often fought and sometimes it took a few days for them to get back to being normal but those were just regular 'friendly' fights. This was a giant pink elephant that begged to be discussed but…

Lorelai waited outside for another five minutes until Rory was back and then they both went inside.

At around ten the following morning Lorelai finally got to work after driving Rory to school and sitting in the car with her for over fifteen minutes until she was ready to go inside. Lorelai had called Headmaster Charleston the night before and explained the situation to him. He had been extremely understanding, saying that while he was disappointed he still realized that this didn't define Rory. He said that Rory was only a few months away from graduating and he would hate for her to let things decline now.

Lorelai was busy sorting through some papers for the Inn's insurance when she suddenly heard Emily.

"Lorelai" Emily said.

Lorelai looked up to find her mother standing in front of her desk with a less than happy look on her face.

"Mom," Lorelai said. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to talk to you." Emily replied.

"Does it have to be right now? I really need to finish this Insurance work. It's…"

"Please Lorelai, I've been thinking a lot about what you said and I need to talk to you." Emily interrupted her.

"Fine. Have a seat in the library and I'll be there in a minute."

"Thank you." Emily said as she turned and walked to the library.

Lorelai watched her mother walk away and wondered what this conversation would bring. The look on her mother's face made her sad. She realized that a lot of old fears and nightmares must be coming back for her and that she was disappointed. Lorelai herself was beginning to understand what her mother must have felt when she got pregnant with Rory. Though the way that they handled the situation may be different the general feelings and worry must be the same. She told herself to keep calm and give her mother time to say whatever she had to say without getting upset.

She put all the Insurance papers back into a file and went to the library to talk to her mother.

Lorelai went and sat down next to Emily. "Mom."

"I'm really disappointed in you Lorelai." Emily began.

Lorelai let out a soft laugh as she shook her head and thought to herself 'so what else is new?'"

Emily continued. "That girl had such a bright future and now it's all gone down the drain."

"Don't say that mom." Lorelai begged. "Her life isn't over it's just taken a different direction, that's all."

"She was supposed to go to College." Emily said.

"Yes and maybe she will go some day. She can take some time off and go after the baby is born. Take fewer classes each year to lessen the load but it's doable. It'll take a little longer but that's not such a big deal."

"And what if she never does go back to school? You never did. And even if she does go what is she going to do with a baby? She can't very well take it to class with her every day."

"Well for starters, I didn't go back to school because I needed to work to earn enough to take care of Rory. And also, I did get my G.E.D. and I got my diploma in Business Management. It may not have been what you pictured and it may have taken me a long time to get it done but I did finish. And secondly, Rory is a smart girl. Maybe she'll choose not to go to college or maybe she will go. The baby can stay here with me. She can come home every weekend. I could take the baby up there. Or she may choose to go to community college and stay at home. I don't know what she will choose to do but I'm not ready to bring these things up right now because Rory is tense enough as it is and I don't want to add any more pressure on her. But whatever she decides to do I'm going to be there to help her and support her. She will be just fine.

"How can you be so naive, Lorelai?" Emily said getting irritable.

"Naive about what mom?" Lorelai asked not sure what else she could say.

"About how you think this is all going to work out?" Emily said frustrated. "What makes you think that Rory will even want to stay home? And even if she does stay home for a while what are you going to do when Rory leaves and you don't see her again for years?"

Lorelai suddenly understood what her mother was getting at. "Mom, Rory isn't going to just walk out of my life. She needs me, especially now. And even if she didn't need me she still wants me around. She has no reason to just walk out."

"You may think that now but you never know when things just change." Emily warned. "I had no idea that you were considering leaving and then one evening I come home and find a note telling me that my only daughter had taken her baby and run off to god-knows-where."

"That was different mom." Lorelai said.

"How was it different?" Emily challenged. "You got pregnant, now she's pregnant. You felt like you needed to find your own way and so you left. Soon she'll feel the same way."

"No she won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because, I know." Lorelai said "she won't have any reason to."

"Of course, I forgot. I'm the reason you left." Emily said angrily.

"No mom, it's…" Lorelai began but was interrupted by her cellphone. "Sorry mom, I have to take this." She said as she saw who was calling.

"Hello… This is she… oh… yes, yes of course. I'll be right there… yes please, thank you." Lorelai said as she hung up. "Sorry mom, I have to go. That was Chilton. Something happened and I have to go get Rory."

"What do you mean 'something happened'. What happened?" Emily asked as she followed Lorelai out of the library and to the front desk.

"I'm not sure. Something happened and Rory got upset and now she's waiting in the principal's office." Lorelai said as she got her bag and walked out to her car. "Michel, I have my phone if you need me."

"Well, I'm coming with you." Emily said following Lorelai.

"You really don't have to mom." Lorelai said as she got into the car but Emily was already climbing into the passenger seat.

The fifteen minute drive to Chilton felt like an hour as Lorelai kept telling Emily that she didn't know what had happened to Rory and all the receptionist had said was that Rory was in the Headmaster's office and needed to be picked up. When they reached the school Lorelai pulled into the first spot she could find and rushed towards the principal's office with Emily right behind. She saw Rory sitting at the far end of the receptionist's office with puffy eyes indicating that she had been crying.

"Wait here mom." Lorelai instructed firmly as she rushed to Rory leaving Emily standing outside the room looking on.

When Rory saw her mother she immediately stood up and hugged her. Once again the tears began. "Rory, honey what happened?" Lorelai asked as she wiped Rory's tears away and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears. "Are you feeling okay? Are you sick?"

"No mom, I'm not sick." Rory replied.

At this point Headmaster Charleston came out of his office. "Ms. Gilmore, would you please step into my office for a moment. Rory, you can wait out here while I have a talk with your mother." Lorelai didn't want to leave Rory alone. She turned to see if her mother was still standing in the doorway but by then the door had shut and Emily was outside. She figured it was just as well, turned and kissed the top of Rory's head and followed the principal into his office as he shut the door. "This is Mrs. Burdiness, the school guidance counselor." He introduced the woman sitting in his office. "Sorry to have to rush you in like this but we've had a bit of a situation with Rory today. It seems that somehow some of the other students found out about Rory's situation and have been passing comments about it which have upset her greatly. We felt that it would be best for you to come and pick her up so as not to upset her further. I'll leave you to speak with Mrs. Burdiness." He said as he got up and left the room closing the door behind him.

The Guidance Counselor then took over. "Rory is a wonderful girl and it is a pleasure having her at this school. We are saddened to see the situation she is in but are willing to support her in every way we can. She is bright and can go far and we don't want to see her fail because of this. I tried speaking with Rory but she wouldn't say anything to me. All I know is that some of the students passed comments about her situation and she retaliated. We feel that for the time being it will be best if you keep her home for a while. She is in a very vulnerab…"

But Lorelai cut her off. "You're kicking her out?" She yelled. "After all the things you just said about her you're kicking her out?"

"Please Ms. Gilmore," The councilor continued "We are not kicking anyone out. After speaking with the Headmaster we have come to the conclusion that Rory is a very good student with a high GPA and can afford to miss a few days of school. Considering the circumstances it would be better for her to take some time to calm down and accept the situation before returning. Right now she is not really focused on school and the gossip is upsetting her further which is not helping her at all. I have dealt with teen pregnancy before and will continue to speak with Rory once she is more open to talking about it but for now I think the less the stress she's under the better.

Lorelai smiled apologetically at the woman "I'm sorry for yelling. I just want to…" She trailed off unsure of what to say.

"Protect Rory?" The guidance counselor offered sympathetically. "I completely understand and I'm happy to speak with you as well if you need to talk things through with someone. This can't be easy for you either, I imagine. Please feel free to come by any time."

"Thank you so much." Lorelai said as she stood up and shook Mrs. Burdiness' hand."

"Any time" she replied as they walked out of the office.

When Rory saw Lorelai she stood up with a worried look on her face. "Everything's fine honey." Lorelai assured her as she guided her out of the office and into the hall. Rory saw Emily sitting on a bench and immediately tensed up but Lorelai gave her a squeeze and signaled for her mother to follow as they walked out to the car.

They all got into the car and Lorelai drove straight home. She pulled up outside the house and they all got out. "I'm sorry I forgot about your car at the Inn." Lorelai told her mother. "Are you in a hurry? I could drive you back there now or we could go over a little later."

"Later is fine Lorelai, I'm not in any hurry."

Lorelai nodded, thankful that she didn't have to leave Rory alone to take her mother back to the inn.

As they climbed up to the house together Lorelai said. "Rory why don't you go change and wash up and I'll get you something to eat.

Emily followed Lorelai into the kitchen. "What happened Lorelai?" She asked "Is Rory okay?"

Lorelai turned to make sure that Rory wasn't around and said "Some kids said some things to her which upset her. She's going to stay home for a few days. She'll be fine."

"What do you mean 'stay home'?" Emily asked worriedly as she sat down at the table.

"Take a few days off to figure this out. They didn't kick her out or anything." Lorelai assured as she got out some chicken and potato and heated it up for Rory. "What would you like to eat? I've got roast chicken with mashed potatoes or Risotto."

"Anything's fine, thank you." Emily replied to a distracted Lorelai. "Are you alright Lorelai?"

"I'm fine mom." Lorelai said.

"Talk to me Lorelai," Emily coaxed "Please". She could see that Lorelai was very worried about Rory and that her daughter wasn't as 'okay' with this as she let on.

"I was just thinking about how to talk to Rory. She's been so sensitive lately that I don't want to upset her. I'll talk to her after lunch. I don't want to give her any reason not to eat. She's hardly eaten since this whole thing began. She just sleeps most of the day and when she's not sleeping she's usually crying. I'm not sure what to do about it but the doctor said that for now if she sleeps it's okay. I have to take Rory back to her on Friday."

Emily asked about the doctor that Lorelai had taken her to and when she found out who it was she said that she had heard wonderful things about the woman. Emily was about to ask some more questions when Rory walked into the room and so they dropped the subject.

Rory sat down at the table without saying a word and Lorelai got her plate of food and set it down in front of her. She got two other plates for herself and her mother and they all sat quietly as they ate. Lorelai kept a close eye on her daughter and watched as she used her fork to move the mashed potatoes from one side of her plate to the other taking very small and very few bites in between.

"Try the chicken hon," Lorelai coaxed as Rory spread her mashed potatoes around for the third time.

"It's excellent," Emily added in an attempt to help Lorelai and lighten the mood. "Where is it from?"

"Sookie made it." Lorelai offered "It's one of her best recipes."

"That woman is a magician in the kitchen." Emily said, full of praise.

"Yes she is." Lorelai agreed whole-heartedly as she watched Rory spear a small piece of chicken on her fork and then used it to play with the mashed potatoes again. She looked into her daughter's face and saw how upset she was. Rory seemed to have gotten worse since this morning. She wondered what the other kids had said to her and wanted to punch them all for hurting her daughter like that. She wanted to talk to Rory, to understand what had happened and help her daughter feel better but she didn't want to bring anything up in front of her mother.

After Lorelai and Emily had finished their lunch and Rory had eaten less than half her food Lorelai got up and cleared away the plates.

Rory went to her room and shut the door and Lorelai turned to her mother and said "Is it okay if I take you to the inn after a while? I really want to talk to Rory. She is so upset and hasn't eaten a thing and I need to get her through this so that she eats something."

"I'm in no hurry" Emily agreed "I'll go for a walk."

Emily went outside as Lorelai went into Rory's room to talk.

She found Rory lying on her bed with her head buried in the pillow. She was sobbing and Lorelai's heart broke. She hated to see her daughter in so much pain and it made her feel worse to know that there was very little that she could do to help. She sat down on the bed next to Rory and hugged her tight until Rory finally stopped crying and turned around. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy and she looked no more than twelve years old. Lorelai had to fight hard to keep from crying herself.

"What happened today Rory?" Lorelai asked "The Headmaster told me that some kids said some things to you."

"The kids were either really nice to me, teasing me or avoiding me all together. It was so obvious that they were talking about me. Every so often they would look at me and whisper and if I entered a room they would all suddenly stop talking. I hated it." Rory said miserably. "I don't even know how they found out."

"Oh sweetie, kids say some horrible things sometimes. It's not easy I know but you just have to let it go. It'll all blow over. Don't worry so much." Lorelai said sympathetically.

"I know, I was expecting them to talk about me – I just wasn't expecting it to be so soon, I thought it would be a while before everyone found out. But more than anything it was the things that they were saying when they thought I couldn't hear."

"Oh honey. I know it's not easy but you have to turn a deaf ear to these things" Lorelai said as she gave her a little squeeze.

"But that's exactly it…" Rory said. "If they just said mean things or teased me it wouldn't have been so bad. But everything they said was so true."

"Like what?" Lorelai asked.

"They were saying that I had so much potential, that I came from some backwards schoolhouse and was given the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the country and I threw it away for some guy. That I was selfish and ungrateful to you for everything that you ever did for me. How you made a mistake and had me and then worked so hard to give me every opportunity you possibly could but instead of helping you I made things so much harder for you. And I realized that it was all so true. You did so many things for me so that I could get into Chilton, so that I had a better chance of getting into Harvard and look what I did." Rory began to cry again.

"Please Rory," Lorelai said softly. "Calm down. Don't work yourself up okay. This isn't worth it."

"They said if I had never been born then none of this would have happened to you. You wouldn't have had to leave home and it wouldn't have been so hard for you because you would have finished school and gone to college and gotten married but instead…

"Hey now, you listen to me." Lorelai interrupted her in a firm tone. "None of that is your fault. You hear me? Whatever anyone ways about the way my life turned out is about me. I made a choice about every single thing in my life. I may have made some mistakes and some things may have been more difficult than others but you are not the mistake and none of it is your fault. I'm an adult and how I choose to live my life and provide for you is all on me. I don't regret a single thing, you got that?" Lorelai asked firmly.

Rory nodded and said "You always support me and you believed in me and you borrowed money from grandma and grandpa because you believed that I could get into Harvard and you've been the most amazing mom and all my friends wish that their moms were like you and I'm lucky enough to have you and all I do is screw everything up."

"Oh sweetheart." Lorelai sighed. "These situations are never that black and white. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You are the reason that I worked so hard to get where I am, and I'm not saying that to make you feel bad but because I am so happy with the way my life turned out and having you and wanting you to grow up different from the way that I did is what made me go out there and make it happen. You are everything to me and I will always love you and I am so proud to be your mom and I'm happy to do whatever I possibly can if it will make you happy and keep you safe.

"Yeah, but all that hard work and now…" Rory said.

"Babe, you're my daughter and nothing is more important than that. One day you'll understand what it mean to love someone so much that nothing they do could possibly change how you feel about them. No matter how many times they screw up or how many mistakes they make you just love them anyways. Sometimes they try to hurt you or push you away but you just can't help it. I mean, look at grandma, I've disappointed her in more ways than I can count but when I needed her to help me pay for Chilton she was there for me.

"Yeah, but we're paying for that in 'Friday Night Dinners'." Rory reminded her.

"True," Lorelai said "But that's only because she wants to be a part of our lives. I didn't know it then but she was really hurt when I left and she missed out on a lot when I kept you from her. I think she really missed us." She added with a grin.

Rory smiled back at her mother and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom, you're the best."

"Feel any better?" Lorelai asked as she hugged her back.

"Yeah." Rory said with a smile.

"You sure?" Lorelai asked.

"I'm fine." Rory assured her.

Lorelai kissed Rory on the head and then got up. "Okay. Well I have to drive grandma back to the inn so she can get her car. Will you be okay for a while?"

"I'll be fine mom." Rory said.

"I'll be back in half an hour." Lorelai smiled and left the room.

Lorelai opened the front door and found Emily sitting on a chair on the porch looking through a magazine. "You ready to go mom?" She asked as she walked over to her.

"Yes, thank you." Emily said as put the magazine back on the table and got up.

They walked to the car and got in and Lorelai began to drive.

"How's Rory?" Emily asked.

"She's okay. The other kids found out and gave her a hard time. It'll blow over." Lorelai said.

Emily nodded but didn't say anything. Lorelai looked over at her mother. Emily was looking out the window but she seemed sad.

"You okay mom?" Lorelai asked.

Emily turned to Lorelai and saw concern in her eyes and immediately looked away.

"Mom?" Lorelai said again as she kept looking back and forth between the road and her mother.

"I don't think I've ever said this to you Lorelai but I am truly proud to be your mother." Emily said as she looked down at her hands.

"Um, thanks mom" Lorelai said as she looked at Emily and saw that she was upset about something so she pulled over onto the side of the road. "What's wrong mom?" She asked and in an attempt to lighten the mood she added "a few hours ago you were totally disappointed in me remember?"

Emily rolled her eyes and asked Lorelai to drive.

"I'm sorry mom, talk to me." Lorelai said.

"I overheard you talking to Rory." Emily said.

"Just now?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes" Emily said "But before you get mad let me explain. I was walking towards that awning that that diner friend of yours had built just to have a look at it and as I passed I realized that I could hear you talking and I just couldn't help myself. I didn't mean to listen but I just…" She didn't know what to say so she ended with "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Lorelai finally said and smiled at her mother. When Emily didn't say anything she continued. "I'm worried about Rory."

"She'll be just fine. She has you." Emily said softly.

"Thanks mom." Lorelai said sounding a little surprised.

"Don't look so surprised, you're a good mother." Emily said.

"Really? Because right now I feel like I failed her." Lorelai admitted sadly.

"Do you know why I even told you about hearing your conversation with Rory?" Emily asked.

"No" Lorelai said.

"Because I wish that I had had that conversation with you when you were pregnant." Emily said.

"What?" Lorelai asked.

"When I saw you go to her at the school this morning your first instinct was to comfort her; you gave her a hug. My first thought was 'now what did she do?'." Emily said. "It was the same with you. It never once struck me that you may need to talk to someone or that you might be afraid or alone."

"When I first found out about this I was so afraid that he had pressured her into it. I mean it was just so unlike her." Lorelai confessed.

"That never once struck me. I thought 'of course she's pregnant; she's your daughter'. What kind of a mother does that make me?" Emily said sadly.

Lorelai was looking down at her hands unsure of what to say.

"Maybe if I had done things differently then you wouldn't have felt like you had to leave." Emily admitted.

"You know mom, it isn't all on you." Lorelai said sympathetically. "I know I wasn't an easy kid to have around. I just didn't really fit into that mold you had for me. We were just too different. I needed to do things my own way even if they didn't turn out as I expected. I really needed that freedom. Christopher and I had been doing a lot of things we weren't supposed to. The 'getting pregnant' part was an accident. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"I agree. I love Rory." Emily said quickly.

"No, I'm not talking about the Rory part." Lorelai said. "I know you love Rory more than anything in the world and I'm so happy about that because she's a great kid and she's my daughter and I want my mother to want her and love her. But I'm talking about me. It was a really good thing for me. She gave me what I needed to get my life together. She gave me the freedom to do things my own way but also the feeling of responsibility to do things right. I know you're not proud of my job as a maid but I was really proud of it. I worked so hard to provide for Rory and I think I did okay. I mean I couldn't ever give her anything really huge or fancy but she always had what she needed and she wasn't lacking anything so I think I did okay.

"You could have had so much more if you had married Christopher and stayed at home. Christopher thought it was a good idea." Emily said.

"I wouldn't have been happy mom. I wasn't ready to get married."

"Of course you weren't ready. You were sixteen. But when you get pregnant you get married." Emily emphasized.

Lorelai smiled sadly to herself. She knew that she and her mother would never agree on this. "I did what I thought was right and looking back I think I made the right decision for all three of us. Christopher and I might have gotten married sometime down the line if things had been different but he wouldn't have been happy with the lifestyle we would have had if we had gotten married back then. He wanted to travel and see the world. Even now he hardly stays in the same place for very long. And Rory and I did okay. She had a pretty good life surrounded by people who love her and would do anything for her. I really, really love the life I built for myself."

Emily nodded as she accepted what Lorelai said.

"And it helped that Rory wasn't a tough kid to raise. You weren't that lucky." Lorelai joked.

"No I wasn't." Emily said with a smile but then added. "But Rory is."

Lorelai looked at her mother and smiled back as she started the car and drove to the inn.

That evening Lorelai knocked on Rory's door and went in. She found Rory at her desk writing.

"Hey kid, what are you doing?" She asked.

"Writing a paper on The Sound and the Fury." Rory replied.

"For school?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah." Rory replied. "It's due on Wednesday and Paris said that she'd hand it in for me if I emailed it to her."

"That was nice of her." Lorelai said.

"Yeah she's been emailing me everything so I don't fall behind. It's helped me take my mind off things."

"Well I'm glad but take a break and let's have dinner. You've hardly eaten anything all day." Lorelai said.

"Okay I'll be there in a second." Rory replied.

A few minutes later Lorelai and Rory were sitting in the kitchen eating squash and corn soup and asparagus quiche. They were talking about nothing in particular and Rory was telling her about how she was really enjoying Faulkner. Lorelai was only half listening to her daughter as she kept sneaking a peek into Rory's bowl to see how much she had eaten. She was watching Rory and saw that she seemed calmer since their talk. She was more chatty and smiling and she seemed to be her usual self. Still Lorelai kept a close eye on her daughter for any signs of a meltdown. She thought to herself that she's glad to see Rory finally eating a proper meal when Rory interrupted her thoughts.

"Mom?" Rory said with a smile and Lorelai looked up at her wondering what her daughter had just said that she had tuned out with her thoughts a while back.

"Sorry hon, I was just thinking." Lorelai said apologetically. "What did you say?"

"I said you can stop keeping track of my soup, I promise I'll finish it." Rory said again. "I know you're worried but right now I'm okay.

Lorelai smiled at Rory.

"What are you thinking about mom?" Rory asked. "I know something's on your mind so just spit it out."

"Nothing honey." Lorelai replied. "Finish your food."

"Mom, come on, talk to me." Rory coaxed.

"After dinner." Lorelai suggested.

"I'm almost done so you don't have to worry about how much I've eaten. In fact you're the one who's hardly touched her food at all." Rory pointed out.

Lorelai looked down at her own plate and realized that she hadn't had more than a few spoons of soup and a bite of the quiche. She smiled up at her daughter, and thought for a few seconds about how start. Eventually she took a deep breath and said "You're too… I think… you're too young… to get married right now." She finally said.

"Married?" Rory said shocked. "Who said anything about marriage?"

"Well I've been thinking about it especially when your father talked about how he wanted to marry me when I was pregnant and you're grandmother's always saying that you get married when you get pregnant – it just sort of started playing on my mind that maybe you or someone else might feel the same way and I just wanted you to know that I'm not sure that that is necessarily the best choice for you right now."

She looked at her daughter and realized that the thought had obviously never crossed Rory's mind until now and she silently cursed herself for bringing it up.

"Honey, I'm sorry. It's just something I was thinking about and I shouldn't have said anything. I didn't mean to freak you out…"

"Mom, I know I'm not ready to get married." Rory assured her.

Lorelai looked at her daughter and hoped that things continued to stay calm for a while. Both of them had been on such an emotional rollercoaster since this whole thing started that Lorelai wasn't sure how much more they could take without falling apart. She decided to call Mia that evening – Mia would have some good advice for her.

After Lorelai made sure Rory was asleep she went to her room and dialed Mia's number. As she waited for Mia to answer she realized that she was nervous. She had expected to be nervous while telling her parents and Christopher and Luke but she never expected to be this nervous telling Mia.

"Hello" Mia answered the phone.

"Hey Mia" Lorelai said.

"Lorelai!" Mia said happily when she realized who was calling. "My darling how are you? How's Rory?"

"We're fine Mia, how are you?" Lorelai asked.

"Perfect now that I'm talking to you." Mia said. "How have you been? It's been ages since we talked."

"Yes it has." Lorelai agreed.

"Oh I'm so glad you called. What's been happening? Tell me everything." Mia said enthusiastically.

"Well…" Lorelai said nervously

"Honey, is something wrong?" Mia asked as she realized that Lorelai wasn't her usual chatty self. When Lorelai didn't respond she said "Lorelai, is everything alright?"

"I don't know how to tell you this." Lorelai said. "Mia, Rory's pregnant." Lorelai said.

"Oh darling, I'm sorry. That can't be easy for you." Mia said softly. "How is she doing?"

"Right now she seems okay but up to now she been so emotional.

"That's understandable." Mia said.

"I realized that she's okay when we're alone but whenever anyone is around she gets so insecure. We've been home most of the time because she's not ready to face anyone. This evening was the first time she seemed sort of normal. She bad day at school today and I had to pick her up before lunch but we talked when we got home and she's been okay since then. She's not going back for a couple of days though. I worry about her."

"And what about you? Mia asked.

"I just keep telling her that everything is going to be fine but I'm not so sure of that myself. I've been trying to just stay calm because I'm afraid of what will happen to her if she sees me break down."

"How did you react when she told you?" Mia asked.

"She didn't really tell me, I had to drag it out of her. She'd been so quiet for a while and I knew something was wrong. I just wasn't expecting this. But I didn't lose it, thank God. I tried to talk to her about it but she wasn't really ready for that so I just kept telling her that I'm there for her. I did what had to be done practically but emotionally I'm lost."

Mia, sensing that Lorelai had more to say, didn't say anything but waited for Lorelai to continue.

"I always thought that the choices I made for us were good ones. I mean I made mistakes along the way but none of them really big but now when I look at her all I see is 'me' and that scares me so much." Lorelai admitted softly.

"You did a wonderful job darling and Rory will too – she has you." Mia said supportively.

"But is she going to make every mistake that I did? I mean, I love her and I wouldn't trade her for the world but do I want her to have a baby at sixteen just because it turned out so great for me?" Lorelai asked.

"Don't worry so much about her." Mia said. "She is going to make mistakes, and maybe some of the same mistakes that you did but she'll do just fine – just like you did." Mia said.

"Even so I just want to wrap her up in bubble and keep her safe. I love her to pieces and I would do anything for her but honestly it was hard – it was so unbelievably hard. I was so young and so scared. I had no idea what I was doing and being responsible for another human being was the scariest thing I ever had to do." Lorelai admitted.

"Sweetheart, I know you were really young but new mothers feel that way no matter what age they are." Mia pointed out.

"I know, but I had no idea how to provide for her. Even now it's hard. I couldn't afford Chilton and I can't afford half the things those Chilton kids have. I needed my mother to cosign my load to repair my house. No matter how much love there is it's just not enough. Everything is still so damn hard, even with all the help. I was so scared when I got pregnant and now when I see it happening to Rory and what she's got coming I want to do everything possible to make it better for her.

"Of course you do. She's your baby." Mia said.

"It makes me sort of mad that I can't just fix it all for her." Lorelai admitted. "I finally understand how my mother must have felt. We were never close but still she was my mother."

"I know your mother worried about you when you were gone. She came to see me the last time that I was in Stars Hollow." Mia admitted.

"She did?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"She wanted to meet me. I told her that I did what I would have wanted someone to do for my daughter. She said that she wished I had sent you back home instead of giving you a job." Mia said.

"You know Mia if you hadn't taken me in I would have probably just gone somewhere else. I don't think I could have gone back to my parents." Lorelai admitted.

"Have you told them yet?" Mia asked.

"Yes, we told them and Christopher. It was a nightmare. No matter how many times I've said it, it doesn't get any easier. And then everyone just pounces on Rory and I have to defend her and then they turn on me. They either blame me or expect me to know exactly what to do and it's so hard and I have no idea what to do." Lorelai said.

"Do you remember the day you came to the inn?" Mia asked.

"Yes." Lorelai said.

"You were so scared but you were also so determined. You had no idea what was going to happen but you were ready to do whatever you had to do to make things work. That's in you Lorelai, you know what has to be done and you find a way to get it done. You are so strong and I know you can handle this.

"Thanks Mia" Lorelai said. "I really needed to hear that."

You are the closest thing I have to a daughter and I'm so proud of the woman you've become." Mia said.

"Thank Mia." Lorelai said again almost in tears.

"What about the baby's father?" Mia asked.

"It's Jess." Lorelai said.

"Who's Jess?" Mia asked.

"Luke's nephew, remember?" Lorelai said. "You met him the last time you were here."

"Oh, right." Mia said sounding skeptical.

"Yeah I know." Lorelai said "I try really hard not to have that same tone myself."

"Well how's Luke dealing with all this?" Mia asked.

"I'm not sure. I haven't really talked to him much." Lorelai admitted. "Things have been sort of weird."

"Yes well I can't imagine Luke dealing with something like this."

"It's not just that." Lorelai said. "Luke kissed me the day I told him about Rory and I pulled away because, well it's Luke and everything is so complicated and no one was thinking straight but anyways he took it really bad and now everything is so weird between us.."

"Give it some time." Mia said. "You all need to just step back and catch your breath."

"It was like that with Christopher too." Lorelai said. "When I told him he asked me to marry him and at first I thought he was just worked up and reliving the past but before he left he said it again and asked me to think about it. There's so much going on that I just don't know what to do."

"Right now you need to focus on Rory and on yourself and you need to hold off on any decisions about any men until your head is clear and you're sure that you're ready to make the right decision. Don't rush into anything. And like you said they may just be in shock. Luke will come around, he always does and you two will be fine and if Christopher is as serious as you think then asking him to wait a while for a decision won't change anything. Just relax and give yourself a break."

"Thanks Mia, I knew you'd help me figure it out."

Lorelai spent over two hours talking to Mia and after their talk she felt a sense of relief. She realized the feeling mostly came from having told Mia. She was such an important person in Lorelai's life – more like a mother than her own mother had been – and the thought of Mia being upset with her or disappointed in her really scared her.

At eight the next morning Lorelai woke up feeling calm. She went to check on Rory who was still asleep. She decided to go to Luke's and pick up some bagels. Although she wasn't quite ready to go see Luke yet, she knew she couldn't put it off indefinitely. Rory and Jess needed them to be in a place where they could communicate so she decided to just go in and see how things went. She walked to the diner feeling nervous but determined and that feeling was immediately replaced by dread once she realized how many people were in the diner and stopped what they were doing to watch her. None of them new about the kiss and she was so grateful for that but they all knew about Rory and were talking about it. She looked around the room in search of Luke but couldn't see him, and smiled at Miss. Patty and Gypsy.

"Hi honey." Miss Patty said as Lorelai walked up to their table.

"Hey Patty, hey Gypsy." Lorelai replied.

"Nice to see you out and about." Gyspy said kindly.

"Thanks Gypsy." Lorelai replied. "Rory hasn't been up for seeing anyone yet so we've been at home a lot."

"How's Rory doing?" Miss Patty asked.

"She's okay. A little scared but she's doing okay." Lorelai said.

"Good, good." Miss Patty replied.

Just then Luke walked out of the kitchen and saw Lorelai and stopped. Lorelai could feel the tension in the air and realized that everyone was watching them. She had to do something quick to make it look like everything was fine between them.

"Hey I need four bagels please." Lorelai said as she walked up to the counter.

"It's danesh day." Luke replied.

"Okay," Lorelai said, wishing that Luke would hide his feelings a bit more from the audience. "I'll have four Danishes then."

"What flavor?" Luke asked as he grabbed a paper bag from under the counter to put the Danishes into.

"Um, two cherry, two plain." Lorelai answered.

As Luke put the Danishes into the bag she asked "How's Jess?"

"Fine, He's getting ready for school." Luke replied.

"Good." Lorelai said as Luke handed her the bag and she took out her wallet to pay.

"Don't worry about it." Luke said.

"Thanks" Lorelai said with a smiling thinking things might not actually be that bad.

They stood there looking at each other for what seemed like forever until finally Lorelai said "I should get back home. Thanks again for the Danishes."

"You're welcome." Luke replied as he watched her walk away.

Lorelai said bye to Miss. Patty and Gypsy and left. Outside the diner she heaved a sigh of relief. Even though things had been tense in there they hadn't been too obviously so. She wondered how long it would be before things were back to normal. When she got closer to home she groaned inwardly as she saw Babette walking up to her.

"Hey sugar" Babette said. "I was just comin' over to check on ya. We haven't seen ya around in a couple of days and I know you're busy with Rory and everythin' but I just thought I'd come by and see if ya needed anythin'."

"We're fine Babette. Thanks" Lorelai said.

"How's Rory doin'?" Babette asked.

"She's doing okay. She isn't quite ready to face anyone but she's going to be just fine." Lorelai said.

"That's good sugar," Babette said with a smile. "She's a great kid and it's hard to see her havin' such a hard time. I tell ya that Jess shoulda just stayed in New York, he's been nothin' but trouble since he got here. First he broke her arm and then he broke her and Dean up and now he knocked her up. I mean what's next? That kid is bad news…"

"I should really get inside, Babette" Lorelai interrupted her when she saw Rory looking at them from her bedroom window. "Rory should be up by now and I don't like leaving her alone for too long."

"Yeah sure sugar." Babette said apologetically. "Look at me takin' up all your time. You let me know if ya need anything and give Rory a big hug for me." She yelled in her husky voice as she walked back to her house.

Inside Rory was waiting for her by the kitchen door.

"Where did you go? Rory asked.

"I went to get Danishes." Lorelai replied as she handed the bag to Rory. "Two cherry and two plain, just in case cherry doesn't agree with you."

"Thanks." Rory replied sounding less than happy with the Danishes.

"Honey what's wrong?" Lorelai asked.

"Nothing… just… don't leave without telling me okay." Rory said sounding upset.

"Oh honey, I'm sorry." Lorelai said as she got out two plates for them. "You were fast asleep and I didn't want to wake you. I didn't mean to scare you."

"I know. Just leave a note next time." Rory said.

Lorelai looked at her daughter and hoped that Rory hadn't gotten more insecure because of this. She seemed to be doing better and Lorelai didn't want her to retreat back into her shell.

"I have to go to the Inn today, honey," Lorelai said after a while. "Why don't you come with me? She suggested, not wanting to leave her alone.

Rory only nodded.

"Okay, well we'll leave at ten." Lorelai said. "I'll try to get things done quick so we can come home after lunch if you want."

"Thanks." Rory replied.

"Lorelai looked sadly at her daughter and realized that nothing had really changed. Rory was still so afraid and insecure. She decided that they would have to have a real talk soon.

By ten thirty Lorelai was sitting in the kitchen at the Inn going through the insurance file. Michel and Sookie were arguing about the menu for the upcoming wedding that was to be held at the Inn.

"She specifically said no seafood." Michel was saying.

"Salmon Puffs isn't really seafood." Sookie argued.

"Salmon is seafood." Michel said.

"It's an amuse-bouche'." Sookie said.

"It's food that came from the sea therefore it is seafood." Michel said getting irritated.

"It's delicious." Sookie said angrily.

"Make chicken puffs instead." Michel suggested.

"No. I'm the Chef so I decide." Sookie yelled.

"Lorelai." Michel turned towards her for help.

She looked up from her paperwork frustrated and said "No Salmon Puffs Sookie."

"Thank you." Michel said feeling pleased with himself.

"Fine, but what kind of people don't eat seafood?" Sookie asked. "They're ruining my perfect menu."

Frustrated, Lorelai went back to her insurance papers and went through them for over an hour with no luck when Roger from the front desk walked in. "Lorelai there's someone for you on line two."

"Thanks Roger." Lorelai said as she picked up the phone.

"Hello." Lorelai said.

"Lorelai," Her mother said.

"Hey mom." Lorelai answered.

"Do you have a minute? I want to talk to you." Emily began.

"Mom, I'm really, really busy. I have to get this insurance work done so please make this quick." Lorelai said, still focused on her work.

"What insurance work?" Emily asked.

"Nothing mom." Lorelai dismissed.

"But you said the same thing the other day." Emily pointed out. "Is something wrong?"

"No mom, just some trouble with my insurance." Lorelai said.

"Well, why don't you have your father help you?" Emily suggested.

Lorelai sighed. "I'm fine mom, really."

"Nonsense," Emily said. "Your father is the best person to ask. Hold on I'll get him."

Lorelai groaned inwardly as she waited for her father to come on the line.

"Lorelai" Richard said.

"Hey dad." Lorelai answered.

"Your mother said you needed some help with your insurance." Richard said.

"Yes please dad." Lorelai said. "We had to repair a bathroom wall after a pipe leaked and now my Insurance Company says that my premium has to be raised because of it."

"Well, why don't you bring it over with you when you come tonight and I can have a look at it?" Richard suggested.

"Tonight?" Lorelai asked and then overheard Emily say "Richard, I haven't told her about tonight yet."

"Well sorry Emily." Richard said as he handed the phone back to his wife.

"Lorelai, I want you and Rory to come over for dinner tonight." Emily said.

"Mom, not tonight." Lorelai said.

"Why not?" Emily asked. "The timing is perfect, you need your father to check your insurance for you and besides we didn't have dinner together last Friday and I really want you to come. Please Lorelai."

"Alright, I'll ask Rory if she is up to it and if she says yes then we'll be there at seven." Lorelai finally gave in realizing that her mother was trying to reach out to them.

After hanging up the phone Lorelai went to the library to look for Rory to call her for lunch and ask about dinner but when she didn't find Rory sitting where she had left her she went through the lobby and dining room looking for her. She asked Roger at the front desk and Derek, the valet if they knew where she was but neither of them had seen her for over an hour. Lorelai suddenly felt nauseous as she tried to think of all the places Rory might have gone. She checked the bathroom and the porch but Rory wasn't anywhere. She then went passed the stables and down to the pond but still there was no Rory. Finally after about fifteen minutes she found her in the old potting shed where they had lived when they first moved to Stars Hollow. Lorelai sighed with relief as she walked up to the door. "So is this payback for leaving you alone this morning?"

Rory was lost in thought and hadn't heard her mother walk up. She jumped when Lorelai spoke. "Hey, no sorry." Rory said apologetically. "I just needed a walk and ended up here."

"Well leave a note next time okay." Lorelai joked with a smile.

"Sorry." Rory said again.

"What are you doing down here?" Lorelai asked.

"Just thinking." Rory said with a sigh.

"About…" Lorelai cajoled.

"What life was like for us back then." Rory said. "I was imagining being in your shoes."

"Sweetie, things aren't going to be that hard for you, I promise." Lorelai assured her. "You're not alone."

"I know, I just needed some proof that things would be okay." Rory admitted.

"Oh Love." Lorelai said sympathetically as she gave Rory a hug.

Lorelai and Rory walked back to the inn for lunch. Sookie had made them all chicken pasta in a parmesan and pesto sauce. Lorelai and Sookie talked mainly about the upcoming wedding. It was only four days away and while Michel and Sookie had done a lot of the planning Lorelai really needed to get caught up. She had been so focused on Rory the last five days that everything else was basically forgotten. As they discussed flowers and menus and music Rory remained silent. Lorelai, thought concentrating on the planning still kept watch on Rory. She knew that Rory was still insecure but she was glad to see her at least eating better.

After lunch they went home. Lorelai had taken the Wedding and the Insurance files with her to work on but the minute she was in the car her mind was already on the conversation she wanted to have with Rory.

Once they were home Lorelai turned off the engine but sat in the car.

"Mom, what's wrong?" Rory asked.

"Nothing's wrong." Lorelai said. "You're grandmother asked us to go for dinner tonight."

Rory looked at her mother uncomfortably.

Lorelai quickly added "I told her I'd see how you were feeling so we don't have to go if you don't want to."

Rory relaxed a little and smiled.

As Lorelai looked at her daughter she realized that she didn't want Rory to avoid her grandmother especially when Emily was trying to make amends. They had all gotten closer since Rory started Chilton and Lorelai didn't want another rift if she could help it.

"You know honey, your grandmother is trying so hard to be supportive." Lorelai began. "I know you feel uncomfortable going there but I'll be there with you and I won't let them get mad at you. I think we should go, your grandmother loves you so much and yes, this was a shock for her but it doesn't change that. She really wants us to go. What do you say?"

"Okay" Rory said softly.

"That's my girl. I'll be right there with you, I promise." Lorelai assured her again as they walked to the house.

Lorelai went to put the food that Sookie had sent back with them in the fridge and then she went upstairs to change. Once she was more comfortable she went and knocked on Rory's door.

"Come in." Rory said.

When Lorelai opened the door she found Rory lying on the bed reading.

"Hey kid, you busy?" Lorelai asked as she walked in.

"No, just reading." Rory replied.

Lorelai sat down on the bed and took the book from Rory. "God you read a lot." She said as she looked at the width of the book. She smiled at Rory and put the book on the bedside table.

"Scoot over." She said and lay back against the pillows next to Rory.

They sat like that for a few minutes without saying anything. Rory was picking at an imaginary spot on her jeans and Lorelai was stroking Rory's arm. Finally Lorelai spoke. "I know I've said this over and over but you're not alone in this. I'm right here with you."

Rory looked at her mother and Lorelai smiled at her.

"I know you're scared babe, but it's going to be okay." Lorelai said. "Everyone will get over their anger and they will all still love you just the same and they will love this baby too. You are going to have a ton of people around to help you. Nobody is going to leave you especially me."

Rory was crying softly now. "I just… I wish I knew what was going to happen. I've always had a plan and now everything is so…" She didn't know how to continue.

"I know…" Lorelai said comfortingly.

After a few minutes of silence Lorelai said "It's okay to be scared. I was so afraid when I found out about you and for a long time I hoped the whole thing would just go away."

Rory looked skeptically at Lorelai.

"Lorelai smiled at her daughter and added "My point is that it's okay if you feel angry or upset about this baby. It doesn't make you a bad person. It takes time to get used to it and accept it. There's nothing wrong with that."

Rory looked back down at the imaginary spot on her jeans and Lorelai realized that she was right about Rory not being ready to accept this yet and she was glad that she decided to have this conversation with her.

"What you're feeling is absolutely normal."

Rory nodded as she thought about what her mother said but remained silent.

"It may also take Jess some time to get used to it. You need to give him that time too." Lorelai continued.

"He already told me that he'll support whatever decision I make." Rory said.

"Well, that's good." Lorelai said "But still, remember that he's going through this too and it's not easy for him either."

Rory nodded as she accepted what her mother was saying.

"Do you have any questions?" Lorelai asked.

Rory thought for a minute and then asked. "How do you feel mom? I mean, I know that you're not mad and you'll be there for me but how do you feel about this whole thing?"

Lorelai took a deep breath as she thought about how to put her feelings into words. She wanted to be honest with Rory but she was also afraid of laying her own concerns on her daughter who was already in such a fragile state.

Finally she smiled at Rory and said. "I keep acting like this is no big deal because I don't want to upset you and I want to support you and I want you to know you can count on me but honestly I do feel a little disappointed in the situation. I feel afraid for you and I feel helpless because I can't do more for you or take away your pain and fear. I feel afraid for you because you are afraid and unsure of the future. I feel exceptionally protective of you especially when someone gets upset with you. But I also feel so much love for you. I feel relief that you want my help and that we can talk about things and that we have a better relationship than the one I had with my mother. I feel so proud of who you are and of all the things that you have done in your life and I know that even though you are uncertain right now you will be just fine. You aren't the kind of girl to just give up and I know that you will find a way to work everything out."

Rory nodded and Lorelai asked "What about you? What do you feel?

"Mostly I feel scared and lost." Rory admitted. "I also feel stupid and embarrassed and reckless. I feel nervous when people are around. I feel afraid of what they will say and think. I'm afraid of going back to school. I'm afraid of Jess deciding he doesn't want this baby." She paused for a moment and then added softly "I'm afraid of me not wanting this baby."

Lorelai put an arm around Rory and gave her a hug. "You won't feel like this forever. I promise."

"You know," Rory added. "I also feel really lucky to have you for a mom."

Lorelai began to cry a little. She kissed the top of Rory's head and smiled at her. "I don't want you to be afraid to come to me for anything. I will never ever leave you. I will always be there to help you no matter what and you have no reason to be afraid of being left to do things on your own. You can always come to me and count on me to be there. So if you wake up one morning and I'm not in the house you don't have to worry. I won't be far."

They sat together for a while longer and then Lorelai said "You know what else I'm feeling?"

Rory shook her head.

Lorelai smiled and said "Hungry, you want some ice-cream?"

Rory nodded and they both went to the kitchen together.

At four-thirty Paris, Madeline and Louise came to see Rory and to give her some of the notes and homework so that she didn't fall behind. They sat together in the living room studying and talking for quite a while and only left when Rory had to get ready to go for dinner.

At six-thirty Lorelai and Rory were back in the car driving to dinner. Emily had sounded genuinely glad when Lorelai called to say that they would come for dinner and had asked what Rory would like to eat and Lorelai hoped for both Emily and Rory's sake that the evening would go without any major drama. Emily, in her own way was trying to be accepting and Rory was so nervous that she was barely talking but Lorelai noticed that she was wearing the blue sweater that Emily had said she really liked just a few weeks ago and was glad to see Rory also trying. She also hoped that her father didn't do anything to upset the evening. He hadn't said anything about this whole issue right from the time he found out but that didn't mean that he wouldn't suddenly burst at some point or the other. At least she had the insurance work to keep him occupied.

At dinner Lorelai and Emily kept up the conversation by talking about nothing in particular – the food and their new cook, the D.A.R. fundraiser for the children's hospital that Emily was organizing, and the wedding that Lorelai was having at the inn. Emily had been nothing but polite since they got in and even mentioned to Rory that she liked her sweater. Rory and Richard on the other hand remained mostly quiet except for answering the few question directed towards them in monosyllabic answers and Lorelai worried that things would get ugly.

Finally Rory excused herself and went to the bathroom. As Lorelai got up to go after her she overheard her mother say "Richard please, talk to the girl."

"I don't know what to say to her Emily." Richard said. "I'm not exactly in the mood to congratulate her."

"You be nice to her Richard. Emily warned. "I don't want Lorelai to walk out again and never come back."

Lorelai knocked on the bathroom door and went in.

"You okay Rory?" she asked. "Do you feel sick?"

"No, I just needed some space." Rory said.

"It's not going so bad." Lorelai said. "Grandma's really trying hard. Why don't you tell her about your paper? You worked so hard on it and I'm sure she'd love to hear about it."

"Is grandpa going to get mad?" Rory asked. "He hasn't said anything to me at all."

"I know baby." Lorelai said.

"If he's going to get mad I wish he'd just get it over with." Rory admitted. "This is so much worse."

"It'll be okay." Lorelai said uncertainly. "Come on, let's go back in." She hoped her mother was able to get through to her father.

Back at the table Emily and Richard were sitting silently as Lorelai and Rory sat down.

"Sorry." Lorelai said. "Rory was feeling a little nauseous."

Emily cleared her throat in a warning manner and Richard turned to Lorelai. "Lorelai, what seems to be the trouble at the inn?" He asked.

Lorelai smiled gratefully at her mother as she said "Well dad they raised the premium on our insurance policy at the inn by twenty percent because of small damage claims. I've talked to every senior in that place but they won't budge."

"Well that is just unacceptable." Richard said aghast. "If the policy covers that particular kind of damage then they have no right to raise the premium. What kind of amateurs are running this business?"

"Well I've been trying to find a loophole but it really don't make any sense to me so if you could have a look at it that would be great." Lorelai said.

"Of course, we'll go over it right after dinner." Richard replied.

"Thanks dad." Lorelai said.

Through the rest of dinner Richard talked about how insurance companies were trying to trick their clients out of their dues and how it's giving them all a bad name and Lorelai, Rory and Emily were relieved to see him focus on something other than his disappointment in Rory.

After dinner Emily had the maid bring out bowls of vanilla ice-cream with hot chocolate sauce and cherries. They kept up unimportant chatter while they enjoyed the ice-cream and then Richard told Lorelai to follow him into his study to go through her file. Rory immediately looked afraid at the thought of being left alone with Emily but just as Lorelai was about to suggest that Rory go with them Emily suggested that they have the conversation in the living room so that they could all sit together. Lorelai gave her mother a grateful look as Rory relaxed a little.

For the next half an hour Richard went over the file and instructed Lorelai on what she needed to do while Emily worked on her seating chart for the fundraiser and Rory read a book. At nine o'clock Lorelai finally said that they needed to head home and Emily insisted that she take some of the leftovers home with her.

As Lorelai and Emily went into the kitchen together Lorelai said "You were really great tonight, mom."

Emily smiled at Lorelai.

"I have to admit I was a little nervous about bringing Rory here tonight but you were really great and getting dad distracted really helped calm Rory down and I can't tell you how much it means to me that you are trying."

"Yes, well I've recently learned a few things about parenting from my daughter." Emily said with a smile.

"Thanks mom." Lorelai said almost in tears.

At eight the next morning Rory came up to Lorelai's bathroom dressed in her uniform.

"Hey kid. You going to school?" Lorelai asked as she came out of the shower.

"Yeah." Rory said. "I don't want to put it off so if it's okay I'd like to go."

"Sure." Lorelai said. "It's fine by me but if you feel like you want to come home early just give me a call and I'll come get you."

"Thanks" Rory said and left to catch the bus.

"Wow you've had quite the week." Sookie said after Lorelai had told her about Luke and Christopher.

"Tell me about it." Lorelai said as she sipped her coffee and bit into a doughnut. "The Luke thing will hopefully blow over eventually but it's the Christopher thing that keeps me up at night." She admitted.

"What do you mean?" Sookie asked."

"It's a nice thought, you know." Lorelai admitted. "Mom, dad, kid all together. We've had such a history and we know pretty much everything about each other it just seems right sometimes and it would be great to finally be a family. The thought of being married to him seems oddly comforting – just someone there to depend on and to help with the hard stuff you know.

"I get that." Sookie said.

"Rory is everything to me and almost everything I've done has been for her. I got my G.E.D. for her and went to business school for her and did whatever I had to, to get her into Chilton and it would be really nice to have someone there to help with all those things, you know. Someone to just be there and talk to and help make all the tough decisions. It's just…"

"What?" Sookie asked.

"I don't know. As right as it feels there's also something holding me back." Lorelai admitted.

"Hey, I don't think there is anyone more deserving of all that than you. You raised that little girl all on your own and you did an amazing job and if you love Chistopher and you think that he is the right guy for you and you have a real chance at happiness then I think you should take it because you deserve it more than anyone." Sookie said.

"Thanks Sookie." Lorelai said.

"How is Rory?" Sookie asked.

"Better. A little less clingy but she's still insecure. She's never been like this before. She's usually so independent I don't know what to do." Lorelai admitted.

"How about you?" Sookie asked.

"I'm okay. Really tired but okay. Dinner with my parents last night wasn't so bad. My mom was actually great but my dad sort of avoided the whole topic which made it weird but the inn stuff kept him occupied. Rory is miserable when people talk about the baby and when they don't. She just want's things to go back to the way they were and I don't have the heart to tell her that it will be quite a while before that happens. I remember when it was me people talked about it for years – the girl that got knocked up at sixteen. Kids at school made fun of me and my parents friends would talk. It didn't bother me that much but it's different for Rory.

"She's more emotional than you." Sookie agreed.

Lorelai nodded sadly and then changed the subject. "How's the menu for the wedding coming?"

"Great. I sat down with the bride and groom yesterday after you left and we discussed the whole menu and the groom's family all suffer from shell-fish allergies but they agreed to salmon puffs after I had them taste one." Sookie said mischievously.

"Sookie!" Lorelai said aghast.

"I just casually mentioned that I had a batch I had made for a tasting." Sookie said. "I just didn't say that they were the tasting." She added with a grin.

"How's Michel taking it?" Lorelai asked with a smile.

"Sulking. But what else is new?" Sookie said pleased with herself.

After lunch Lorelai was busy with work when the phone rang.

"Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking." Lorelai said as she answered the phone.

"Lor." Christopher said.

"Hey Chris." Lorelai said.

"Is this a bad time?"

"No, what's up?"

"I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was a jerk and I've been kicking my own ass for two days." Christopher said.

"That can't have been easy." Lorelai joked.

"Forgive me?" Christopher asked.

"Sure. It was a shock I know." Lorelai said.

"You think she'll forgive me?" He asked.

"I think you've got a pretty good chance." Lorelai said.

"You're amazing Lor." Christopher said sincerely. "Rory turned out great and that's all you. You did that all on your own. Thanks for not making me the bad guy while she was growing up. It would have been really easy for you to do that but you never did. I know it's been so much harder on you doing it all alone and you did a fantastic job."

"It's been tough." Lorelai admitted.

"I'm sorry." Christopher said.

"But it's also been an honor." Lorelai added. "Don't be sorry. I don't regret any of it. I'm just sorry that you missed so much of it."

"I wish I'd been more like you." Christopher said. "You took a crappy situation and made it great. You got your life together so quick and all I did was screw up."

"Better late than never right?" Lorelai said comfortingly.

"So have you given any more thought to what I asked?" Christopher asked.

"Chris…" Lorelai began.

"Did you even think about it?" Christopher asked realizing that Lorelai was about to turn him down again.

"A little." Lorelai said.

"That's it?" Christopher asked dejectedly.

"Look Chris, right now I've got so much going on and I'm so focused on Rory that I don't have much more space in my head for even the simplest things let alone something as major as this." Lorelai said.

"I get that." Christopher said.

"I'm sorry Chris." Lorelai said apologetically.

"No don't apologize." Christopher said. "You've got a lot to worry about right now."

"We both do." Lorelai offered.

"Can I drive down on Saturday and talk to Rory?" Christopher asked. "Apologize to her in person."

"Of course you can Chris." Lorelai said. "I've never kept her from you."

"I know." Christopher said softly. "It's just I don't want to overstep you know, after what Rory said."

"She didn't mean that Chris." Lorelai said. "She was just upset. She loves you and she knows you love her too."

"Thanks Lor," Christopher said. "See you on Saturday."

"Bye Chris." Lorelai said as she hung up the phone.

When Rory got home from school that afternoon Lorelai was already home working on the wedding plans. She hadn't expected her mother to be there but Lorelai had come home early from the inn because she wanted to be there when Rory got back.

"Hey babe, how was school?" Lorelai asked as Rory walked in the door.

"Fine." Rory said grumpily.

"Oh no, what happened?" Lorelai asked.

Rory didn't say anything as she walked to her room. Lorelai got off the couch where she was sitting and followed her.

"Sweetie, what happened?" Lorelai asked again.

"Nothing. I said it was fine." Rory was getting angry.

"Hey?" Lorelai said gently. "Talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about." Rory was yelling now.

"Don't yell at me." Lorelai said.

"I already told you I'm fine, what else do you want?" Rory asked.

"Why are you picking a fight with me? I'm on your side remember? I'm trying to help you." Lorelai said softly.

"Well I don't need your help." Rory said angrily.

"Rory don't do this." Lorelai tried to reason with her.

"Can you just please leave me alone." Rory yelled.

"Alright fine. If that's how you want it then that's what you'll get." Lorelai said getting upset herself. "Deal with everything on your own. Let me know how it works out."

She left the room and slammed the door behind her. She stood outside the door for a few minutes. She didn't know what was bothering Rory but it upset her that she was taking it out on her. She was doing everything she could think of to make things easier for Rory but Rory was choosing to fight with her instead. She knew that she had to go back in there. She couldn't leave Rory thinking that she was mad at her. She turned around and walked back into the room.

"I can't help you Rory," Lorelai began. "If you won't talk to me and tell me what's troubling you then I can't help you. I'm here for you and I want to help you but even I can only do so much. I need you to meet me half way at least. You shutting me out isn't going to help either of us. It's just going to make things more difficult."

Rory did not say anything to Lorelai nor did she look at her and Lorelai was feeling exhausted.

"Okay I'll leave you alone but I'm not mad at you and I'm still here to help you so whenever you're ready to talk to me you come find me."

With no response from Rory Lorelai went back to the living room and sat down. She picked up the wedding file and continued to work on it knowing that her mind wouldn't be completely on it until she found out what was bothering Rory but she began to go through it anyways.

Lorelai had been working on the wedding for about an hour when she suddenly heard people shouting outside her house. As she walked to the front door Rory also came out of her room to see what the commotion was about. Lorelai and Rory walked out to the porch and immediately regretted it as they saw Liz running up to Rory with Luke and Jess not far behind. She watched as Liz went straight to Rory and gave her a huge hug.

"Oh Rory I'm so happy." Liz said as she held Rory at arm's length to look at her.

Rory was so shocked that she didn't know what to say so she looked to Lorelai for some help and Lorelai looked at Luke for some understanding of what was going on.

"Liz, leave the girl alone." Luke said trying to help Rory.

"Oh I'm just giving her a hug. I'm not gonna break her or anything." Liz said with a laugh.

"Okay you gave her a hug now let's go." Luke tried again.

"I'm just excited that's all." Liz as she went to hug Jess who was standing at the back unsure of what to do.

As soon as Liz let go of Rory, Lorelai went to stand by her daughter just in case Liz came back to hug her.

"It's not something to be proud of Liz." Luke tried to explain to her. "This wasn't the right time."

"Oh, Big Brother, I know the timing isn't the best but still I'm so proud of my little boy." She said as she gave an embarrassed Jess a kiss on the cheek. "I can't believe I'm going to be a grandma."

Hearing this it suddenly dawned on Lorelai that she is going to be a grandmother as well. She turned to Luke and looked at him begging him to get Liz out of there. Luke finally coaxed Liz back down the street as she continued to talk excitedly about a new baby.

Rory looked at Lorelai completely startled and then turned around and went back to her room and slammed the door. Lorelai heard the door slam but she just wasn't ready to go after her. She stood outside for a few more minutes sadly pondering the thought of being a grandmother at the age of thirty-three.

After a few minutes Lorelai went up to her own room and shut the door. She got the phone and dialed her mother.

"Mom" Lorelai said almost in tears.

"Lorelai?" Emily said concerned. "Is everything alright. Is Rory alright?"

"She's fine." Lorelai said. "I just needed to talk."

"So you called me?" Emily asked skeptically.

"Yeah." Lorelai said.

"Well what did you want to talk about?" Emily asked happy that Lorelai chose to talk to her.

"I'm not ready for this." Lorelai said.

"For what? The baby?" Emily asked.

"Yeah." Lorelai said

"Lorelai you are more ready than anyone. You're doing a wonderful job with all this." Emily said.

"I know but I'm not ready for me." She said. "I'm thirty-three. I'm not ready to be a grandmother."

"I remember that feeling." Emily said.

"How did you handle it mom." Lorelai asked.

"You just get used to it." Emily said.

"Right." Lorelai said.

The conversation began to lag as neither Lorelai nor Emily knew how to continue so Lorelai said "Something happened at school and Rory won't tell me what and we had a fight and she said she doesn't want my help."

"I thought she wasn't going to school." Emily said confused.

"She wanted to go." Lorelai said.

"Well what did she say?" Emily asked.

"Nothing. She said nothing happened but something obviously did and when I tried to talk to her about it she told me to leave her alone and that she didn't want my help." Lorelai said miserably.

"You know she didn't mean that Lorelai." Emily said kindly.

"What am I supposed to do mom?" Lorelai asked.

"Lorelai, I don't know any two people that have a closer relationship than the one the two of you share so I don't think you have anything to worry about. Give her some time I'm sure she'll come to you. She always does." Emily said.

"What if she doesn't?" Lorelai asked.

"She will." Emily said. "Remember the time she came here after she broke up with Dean? I was thrilled that she chose to come to me instead of you. She didn't say anything but still she came here but when you came to get her the next day she looked so happy to see you and I knew I couldn't compete with that. Just give her some time."

"Thanks mom." Lorelai said.

"I'm glad you called Lorelai." Emily said happily.

"Me too mom." Lorelai said with a smile.

At six-thirty there was a knock on the door and Lorelai went to open it.

"Max" She said surprised to find her former fiancé at the front door.

"Lorelai." Max said. "I'm sorry to come here unannounced like this but I wanted to talk about what happened at school today."

"Of course." Lorelai said. "Come in."

"Is Rory home?" Max asked.

"Yes she's in her room. What happened at school?" Lorelai asked sounding concerned.

"Why don't we talk out here?" Max suggested.

"Okay but what happened?." Lorelai said as she followed Max to the porch couch and sat down.

They sat down and neither said anything as Max tried to figure out how to begin what he had come here to say.

"Max what's going on?" Lorelai finally broke the silence.

"Didn't Rory talked to you about what happened today?" Max asked.

"No. She came home upset but she wouldn't talk to me." Lorelai said. "Max what happened?"

"Some of the kids played a prank on Rory today." Max said.

"Prank?" Lorelai asked.

"When Rory opened her locker today it was stuffed with condoms and diapers."

"Oh God." Lorelai said miserably. "Kids can be so cruel."

"The school has a strict policy against bullying and the students at fault will be held responsible but the damage was already done." Max said sadly.

"I just wish I hadn't let her go today." Lorelai said. "She seemed better and she seemed happy to go this morning so I didn't want to stop her. I knew something had happened but she wouldn't tell me what."

"I know it's not really my place anymore so I hope I didn't overstep by coming here today."

"No, God no." Lorelai said gratefully. "Thank you for telling me."

"Are you okay?" Max asked.

"Yeah, I'm dealing with it one thing at a time." Lorelai said. "Sometimes I feel like I'm losing control of things but it's not really going so bad. Honestly I'm more worried about Rory's emotional state than her being pregnant. She's been so down most of the time and insecure and it scares me."

"I agree, I've never seen Rory like this. I remember when she joined and was falling behind her class she would get upset that she found it so hard to catch up but still she was bold enough to fight."

"That's exactly it." Lorelai said. "It's like there's no more fight left in her. Sometimes it feels like she's just given up you know, like she's watching this happen from a distance."

"Have you talked to somebody about this?" Max asked.

"I took her to the gynecologist last week and she told me to give her a week. We have our next appointment on Friday so I'll talk to her about it then." Lorelai said. "At first Rory mostly slept through the day and that worried me but I think she's getting worse. Sometimes she seems like she's back to normal and that things are getting better but then suddenly it changes and she's a this new Rory again."

"Perhaps she needs to speak to a professional." Max suggested. "Is she talking to the school counselor?"

"Mrs. Burdiness right?" Lorelai asked. "She tried to talk to Rory on Monday but she said that Rory wouldn't say anything. Yesterday she didn't go to school and I'm not sure what happened today."

"Well I could have a word with her tomorrow and ask her to try again with Rory." Max suggested.

"Thanks Max, I appreciate that." Lorelai said.

"Alright then." Max said as he got up. "Well, I'll keep an eye out for Rory in school and I'll let you know if anything happens."

"Thanks Max." Lorelai said.

After Max left Lorelai sat outside thinking for a while. From the time Rory was a child she had never been so insecure. While she was always a little on the shy side and uncomfortable around new people she was still a happy kid and always ready to have a discussion on any topic. But lately she's been so low and it worried Lorelai. She wasn't sure what she could do to help her. Every time things seem to get better for Rory something like this happened and it would upset her again. Lorelai knew she needed some advice on what to do and she was glad that their next doctor's visit was only two days away.

A little later Lorelai went and knocked on Rory's door.

"Leave me alone." Rory said.

"No such luck." Lorelai said as she opened the door anyway.

Rory didn't say anything as Lorelai sat down on the bed next to Rory.

"Max was just here." Lorelai said.

At this Rory looked at her mother with regret.

"You want to tell me what happened?" Lorelai asked gently.

Rory still didn't say anything and Lorelai sighed as she realized that this was going to be a difficult conversation.

"Kids are mean sometimes." Lorelai continued.

"I don't want to talk about it." Rory said with tears in her eyes.

"I know you don't, but I do and I'm the mom and that means I get to choose." Lorelai said trying to lighten the mood.

Rory looked miserable and Lorelai's heart went out to her. She knew firsthand how tough it was to be in this situation. Kids had made fun of her back then too. The only difference was that Lorelai was tough enough to handle it – she'd laugh it off and wouldn't show them if she was hurt but Rory wasn't like that – she took things to heart.

"I know it hurts love." Lorelai said sympathetically.

"They were all laughing at me." Rory said as she began to cry harder.

Looking at her daughter Lorelai began to cry too. "I'm so sorry Rory."

"Forty condoms and ten diapers." Rory said as she got her backpack and opened it revealing its contents.

Lorelai took the backpack and put it on the floor so Rory didn't have to look at it. She really hoped that the kids involved in this prank got what they deserved and she planned to go to the school tomorrow and have a talk with the Headmaster.

"Hey." Lorelai said trying to get Rory to look at her. "You can't let this get you down. I know you're embarrassed and hurt but this will blow over. I'll be honest with you; getting pregnant is pretty major and it's something that will be talked about for a long time but the teasing and the pranks and comments will stop. People just need time to get used to it and then they'll get bored and divert their attention to someone else. But you can't let them get to you. All that does is encourage them and besides it's not good for you. You have so much to deal with already that you don't need to worry about those stupid kids. I know it's not easy but you gotta be strong babe."

"It hurts." Rory said softly.

"I know." Lorelai empathized.

"I thought I was ready to go back. I didn't like missing school and I thought that now that everyone knew the worst was over. I never imagined this." Rory said pointing to the backpack. "And everyone obviously knew about it because when I got to my locker they were all waiting and watching. I thought they were just looking at me because I was pregnant not because they were waiting for me to open my locker."

"God I hate those kids." Lorelai said angrily.

"This isn't the end is it?" Rory asked sadly.

"Well the school is going to hold the kids responsible so hopefully nothing like this will happen again but the teasing will probably last a while." Lorelai admitted. "God I wish I never let you go."

"It would have been waiting for me anyways." Rory said.

"I guess." Lorelai said. "I just hate that you're so hurt."

"I'll be okay." Rory said.

"You stay home tomorrow and I'll go in and talk to the head master." Lorelai said.

"No please don't. I'll go to school." Rory said. "I don't want to make a bigger deal of this."

"You sure?" Lorelai asked skeptically.

"Yeah." Rory said.

Lorelai went into Luke's late on Thursday morning hoping that it would be almost empty and she was relieved to see that she was right. There were two customers at the far end of the diner and Jackson, Andrew and Kirk sitting near the window. Luke was wiping down the counter. There was no sign of Liz which relieved Lorelai even more.

"Hey" Lorelai smiled at Jackson, Andrew and Kirk as she walked up to the counter.

"Coffee?" Luke asked.

"Yes please." "Lorelai said as she sat.

Luke pulled out a 'to go' mug from under the counter and began to pour some coffee into it without asking Lorelai if she wanted it 'to go'.

"I guess I'm not staying then." Lorelai said as she saw him.

Luke stopped pouring and looked at her. "I just assumed you'd want it to go. You're in pretty late and I figured that you'd be in a hurry to get to the inn." He said without emotion.

"Um… no I'm not in a hurry." Lorelai said.

"Fine." Luke took a regular cup and poured the coffee into it and handed it to Lorelai.

"Thanks." Lorelai said as she took a sip.

Luke continued to wipe down the counter and Lorelai watched him as she sipped her coffee slowly.

"God I've really missed your coffee." Lorelai said trying to be casual.

Luke didn't say anything but transferred the half-full coffee pot from the coffee maker to the counter right in front of Lorelai.

Lorelai watched Luke and her heart sank. "Come on Luke." She said sadly.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Don't do this." Lorelai pleaded.

"Do what? I gave you the whole pot I thought you'd be thrilled." Luke said.

"Luke we can't let this happen. We need to get passed this for Rory and Jess." Lorelai tried to reason with him."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Luke said forging indifference.

"Luke, I know that the kiss was awkward." Lorelai said softly so that the other customers wouldn't overhear. "But it's okay. We were both so worked up over Rory and Jess and we weren't thinking straight. I understand." She said.

Luke didn't say anything.

"I know it was a mistake…" Lorelai began but Luke cut her off.

"It wasn't a mistake." Luke said frustrated.

"What?" Lorelai said taken aback.

"My kissing you wasn't a mistake." Luke said angrily causing the other customers to turn around and Lorelai cringed at the fact that Luke had just broadcasted their kiss. "I didn't kiss you because I was worked up or worried or confused. It was real. For me at least, it was real. I kissed you because I love you. You are the most annoying, infuriating, stubborn woman that I have ever met and I love you so I kissed you. I was in it." Luke yelled emphatically.

Lorelai stared at Luke shocked but remained silent because she had no idea what to do or say. Luke, finally having said whatever he needed to, looked around the diner and realized what he had just done.

"Crap!" He cursed as he walked around to Lorelai, caught her by the arm and lead her up the stairs to his apartment and away from the audience.

Lorelai who was still completely shocked allowed Luke to guide her up to his door and then stopped and pulled her arm away.

"Liz?" She said.

"She's not here." Luke said as he opened the apartment door.

Lorelai and Luke walked in stood awkwardly by the door. Luke waited for Lorelai to say something but she was still just too shocked.

"Say something will you." Luke finally broke the silence.

"I… I'm… I…" Lorelai began but didn't know what to say.

"You what?" Luke asked impatiently.

"I… need… time..." Lorelai finally said. "I need time to think about this." She got up and walked out of the apartment leaving behind a worried Luke.

Lorelai drove straight to the inn and went to find Sookie.

"Sookie!" Lorelai called out as she entered the kitchen.

"Back here." Sookie called back from the pantry.

"You will not believe what just happened." Lorelai said as she walked into the pantry.

"What?." Sookie asked as she rummaged through the shelves looking for something.

"I confronted Luke about the other day and I was expecting him to be upset about it but he wasn't upset about it... as least not the part I was expecting him to be upset about. He got upset because I called it a mistake. He said that the kiss meant something to him and that he loved me." Lorelai said.

"Really!" Sookie asked with less than expected surprise.

"How are you not more shocked? Lorelai asked.

"Well..." Sookie trailed off.

"What?" Lorelai demanded.

"Jackson called about twenty minutes ago." Sookie confessed.

"Of course" Lorelai said realizing that Jackson had been in the diner.

"It's not just that..." Sookie continued. "Luke has been in love with you forever. You're just the only one who hasn't seen it yet."

"Come on Sookie." Lorelai said.

"It's true." Sookie said. "I've told you that before. He loves you and even when you told me about the kiss before I knew that he would have meant it."

"Sookie!" Lorelai tried to get her friend to stop.

"You should see the way he looks at you. There's no question that he loves you." Sookie said. "If you're not a hundred percent sure about Christopher then you really should give this some thought."

Lorelai just looked at her friend wondering if at all what her friend was saying was true.

"Give it a chance." Sookie added. "You both deserve that much."

Through the rest of the day Lorelai found herself thinking about Luke. She had to admit that there was something there. It wasn't quite what she'd expected it to be but it was definitely more than just friendship. He was always there for her and for Rory. He was always helping her around the house – most times without even being asked, he cared for her and they saw each other every day. When she really thought about it she had to admit that she had feelings for him too. When she had been with Max it hadn't really felt right. As much as she loved him something was missing and she hadn't realized what it was until now. It was Luke. She had had that same feeling when he was dating Rachel – a gut feeling that kept saying 'something isn't right'. Maybe Sookie was right. Maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see how this worked out. But on the other hand there was Rory to think of. Christopher had just proposed as well. They had a child together and so much history and she owed it to both of them to discuss it first. Christopher needed to know where they stood but before she had that conversation with him she wanted to talk to Rory. She wanted to know how Rory felt about Christopher's proposal.

Later that evening Lorelai and Rory were sitting in front of the T.V. watching reruns of The Brady Bunchwhen Lorelai turned to Rory and asked. "So what do you think of your dad's proposal?"

Rory looked at her mother unsure of what to say. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well do you see us getting married?" Lorelai asked.

"Why? Are you considering it?" Rory asked surprised. "Are you thinking about saying yes?"

Lorelai looked at her daughter and couldn't ignore the hopeful look in Rory's eyes. "I'm not sure." She finally said. "But I wanted to see how you felt about the idea before I made a decision."

Rory smiled at her mother. "I think that would be pretty great." She said as she snuggled up closer to her mother and turned her attention back to the T.V.

Lorelai kept looking at her daughter and noticed that the smile never left her face.

Friday afternoon Lorelai was waiting outside the school to take Rory to the doctors. She had spent the morning at the Inn multitasking between actual work and everything else that was on her mind. So many things were happening all at once and Lorelai was starting to worry that everything would finally come crashing down on her. She was glad that Rory seemed to be doing better but she wasn't sure how long it would last. She was also worried about how Rory was doing at school. Yesterday the students who had put the condoms in Rory's locker had been suspended for a day and had some other punishment to go along with that but today they would all be back at school and Lorelai worried that they would take it out on Rory. Then there was also the doctor's to worry about. Rory wasn't happy about having to go back and Lorelai hoped that the doctor would also find a change in Rory. To top it all off after the doctors they would head straight to her parent's house for Friday night dinner.

Lorelai spotted Rory walking out of the school with Paris and searched her face for any sign of how her day had gone. When Rory saw Lorelai she smiled and walked over and Lorelai sighed with relief that Rory had had a good day.

"Hey babe." Lorelai smiled as Rory got into the car. "How was your day?"

"It was good." Rory replied. "No drama at least. Still a few uncomfortable silences and stares."

"That's a step in the right direction." Lorelai said encouragingly.

They continued their unimportant chatter right through the drive and while waiting at the doctor's. Finally the receptionist called them in and Lorelai sensed Rory tense slightly.

"It's gonna be fine hon." She said encouragingly giving her a one armed squeeze as she led her through the door.

"Hello again Rory." Sarah Foster greeted kindly. "How are you doing today?"

"A lot better." Rory said as she took a seat.

"Well I'm very glad to hear that." The doctor replied with a smile.

Lorelai and the doctor exchanged a silent smile acknowledging that Rory was doing much better since their last visit.

"All right Rory." The doctor began as she stood up. "Why don't you lie down so I can check you."

Lorelai watched as Rory got up and followed the doctor behind the curtain. She thought to herself that just a week ago Rory wouldn't have gone even that far without her by her side and she was reassured that her daughter was definitely getting better.

She only half listened to the conversation Rory was having with the doctor answering routine questions about her diet and any pain or dizziness but then the doctor moved on to some questions that caught her complete attention.

"Have you told anyone about this yet?" The doctor asked.

"Yes" Rory replied retreating ever so slightly into her shell.

"Who have you told?" The doctor asked keeping her tone casual.

"My dad, my grandparents, the baby's dad." Rory said.

Lorelai could hear Rory's voice get softer as she spoke.

"And what did they say?" The doctor inquired.

Rory remained silent.

"Well," the doctor said trying to put Rory at ease "We're all done here. Everything looks good. You can go wash up in there." She said pointing to the door to the left.

The doctor came and sat down with Lorelai again as Rory went to the bathroom to clean up.

"She seems much better than last week." The doctor offered.

"Yes, she's definitely doing better." Lorelai said with only a slight hint of worry in her voice.

"How are you doing?" The doctor asked kindly.

"I'm doing okay." Lorelai said. She looked at the doctor and realized that Sarah was waiting for her to continue. "Rory is doing better. There have been some instances of teasing at school that have brought her down and she worries all the time about what people will think of her. My mom, surprisingly is really being supportive but my dad is treating her just like he did me – or rather avoiding is more accurate." Lorelai said sadly.

"What about her own father and the boy's family?" The doctor inquired.

"Christopher – that's Rory's dad, freaked out at first. He calmed down and he's okay now although he still has to talk to Rory about it. He's driving down from Boston tomorrow. The baby's father – Jess, is…" Lorelai paused, trying to find the right word, "quiet." She finally offered. "He doesn't say much although he seems to want what's best for Rory and the baby. He lives with his uncle who's a lot like he is. He mother on the other hand was absolutely thrilled about this. Her reaction overwhelmed Rory the most I think. Sometimes I wonder if that woman was dropped on her head as a child." Lorelai said with a smirk.

"Well things don't seem to be too bad then." The doctor said. "You family is coming around and the boy's family seem okay. Things at school will die down soon I'm sure. Honestly, I'm a lot less worried about Rory now that I was last week. However…"

Rory walked back into the room and sat down besides her mother.

"Rory, I was just about to tell your mother that everything looks good today I don't need to see you now until the…" She paused for a moment to check the calendar. "Twenty-eighth, that's two weeks from now. By then you will be six weeks pregnant and hopefully we will be able to hear the baby's heartbeat." She smiled at Rory. "However if there is anything you want to talk about or you don't feel well feel free to come back before then." She told Rory.

"Thanks." Rory said.

"All right then I will see you two in two weeks." The doctor smiled as Lorelai and Rory left her office.

Shortly after seven the girls were having dinner with Emily and Richard. Emily was constantly asking Rory about school and Richard, obviously warned by Emily, was also engaging in the conversation however avoided the topic of the pregnancy.

"So Rory" Emily asked. "What's new at school?"

"Well we got this English assignment." Rory began with a big smile on her face obviously looking forward to working on it. "We have to come up with someone we admire and write an essay on their life. But the deal is that I can't have ever met this person and I have to include how their life has made a difference in my life."

"Well that sounds very interesting." Emily said. "Would require a lot of work as well I imagine. Have you got anyone in mine?"

"Christiana Amanpour." Rory replied without missing a beat.

"Well that just sounds lovely." Emily said enthusiastically. "Don't you agree Richard?" She asked trying to include her husband in the conversation.

"The time has come to realize the full potential of half the world's population." Richard said with a smile.

"The Unfinished Revolution." Rory smiled back.

Lorelai watched as the two began an earnest conversation about the Journalist and Women's Right's in general. For a few moments it seemed as if all else was forgotten and Lorelai realized in those few moments that everything would eventually go back to normal.

"Come help me pack up some of this food for you to take home." Emily piped up cutting into Lorelai's thoughts.

Once the two were in the kitchen Emily smiled and said "They are both so excited."

"Yes they are." Lorelai agreed with a smile.

"Well I have something for you." Emily said.

"For me?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"Yes, for you." Emily said as she brought out a small bag from one of the kitchen drawers.

Lorelai took the package and pulled out a book. 'Funny, you don't look like a Grandmother' Lorelai couldn't help but smile as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you mom, this is amazing. I love you." She said as she gave her mom a hug.

"Hey Kiddo, hey Lor" Christopher said as he walked up the steps.

"Hey dad" Lorelai smiled at him from the seat next to her mother on the front porch.

"What you guys doing?" Christopher asked.

"Mom's painting my toenails for the wedding." Rory said.

"Wedding?" Christopher asked.

"Yeah someone is having a wedding at the inn this afternoon." Rory said.

Lorelai finished up the last of Rory's toes and closed the bottle of polish. "Well I'm done here so I'll leave you two alone.

"No Lor you can stay." Christopher said.

"You sure?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah." Christopher said.

Christopher sat down on the other side of Rory and just looked at her for a few moments.

"Sorry I kinda freaked out last week." He began.

"It's okay." Rory said.

"You are a great kid and I love you." Christopher continued.

"I know" Rory said.

"I was just… I want the best for you."

"I know dad, it's fine, really." Rory tried to reassure him.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around all that much. I know I haven't been the greatest dad and I haven't been around much. Your mom has done such a great job with you and I'm not using that as an excuse it was just easy to leave the reigns to her. It was my loss." Christopher said.

Rory just nodded.

"But I'm here now and I'm gonna be here through all this. Whatever you need I'm here for you. And I'm hear for your mom too." Christopher said looking across at Lorelai. "I mean it, I don't want to miss out on any more." He emphasized.

"Thanks dad, I'm fine really." Rory said as she gave him a hug.

"Hey why don't you go get ready to leave, give your dad and I a chance to talk for a few minutes." Lorelai said.

Rory got off the bench and went into the house.

"So have you given it any more thought? Christopher asked "I know you said you needed time but I just thought since you sent Rory away…" He trailed off.

"Actually I have Chris." Lorelai said softly.

She watched Christopher's face fall. "The answer is 'no' isn't it?"

"I'm sorry Chris, I just… I love you. I really do. I'm just not in love with you. And it wouldn't be fair to either of us." Lorelai said sadly.

"I should have let you think about it some more." Christopher said in an attempt to seem unhurt.

"I'm really sorry Chris." Was all Lorelai could say.

"I know. I'm still here for you though." Christopher offered.

"I know. Thanks." Lorelai said.

"I should get going." Christopher said sadly but kept sitting for a few more moments. Finally he stood up. "Say bye to Rory for me. Cya Lor." He said as he walked down the steps.

"Bye Chris." Lorelai whispered.

Fifteen minutes later Lorelai and Rory were in the car almost at the inn. The entire ride had been quiet and Lorelai was lost in her own thoughts.

"You said 'no' didn't you?" Rory asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry kid." Lorelai said focusing on Rory. "I know you wanted this. I just… It wasn't right."

Rory nodded but didn't say anything for a few minutes. Finally she asked. "Was it because of Luke?"

Lorelai looked at Rory surprised. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, you two have been acting a little weird around each other lately and at first I thought it was just because of all this." She said pointing to her stomach. "But then I found out about the kiss…" She added tentatively, looking at her mother to see her reaction.

"How did you…?" Lorelai asked flustered.

"Joanna Posner's brother was at the diner on Thursday morning." Rory explained. "She told Lane and Lane told me."

"Right." Was all Lorelai could say.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rory asked.

"Honey, you have so much going on right now I just didn't want to add to it. Plus Jess being the father it's kinda weird." Lorelai said.

"Mom, if you love Luke and if he makes you happy then you should go for it. Quit worrying about everyone else and just do something for your self for a change. You deserve it mom." Rory said. "Besides Luke is Jess' uncle so it wouldn't be at all weird."

"I just want you to be happy Rory. That's the most important thing to me. Everything else comes second." Lorelai said.

"Yeah but you being happy is important to me too. If you're not happy how can I be?" Rory argued.

"How did you get to be so smart?" Lorelai asked.

"By following you." Rory said with a smile.

"Penny for your thoughts." Lorelai said as she sat down next to Rory setting two plates of food down in front of them. She had spent all morning finishing up the last minute plans for the wedding and now she finally had a moment to sit down.

"This is all so beautiful." Rory said looking around. "You really know how to make things look beautiful."

"Thanks." Lorelai said.

"I can't wait to see how you decorate my wedding." Rory added.

Lorelai looked at her daughter closely searching for signs that Rory might be thinking about getting married soon.

Rory smiled as she realized her mother's thoughts. "Someday." She added to ease her mother.

"You are…" Lorelai choked on her words unsure of how to put all her feelings into words. "I am so lucky to know you Rory Gilmore."

"Right back at ya mom." Rory said.

Later that afternoon as the party was in full swing. Rory was helping Michelle hand out wedding favors and Lorelai was in the kitchen with Sookie as she put the final touches on the wedding cake right before they rolled it out.

"So I said no to Christopher this morning." Lorelai said and watched Sookie suddenly stop squeezing the icing bag she had in her hands.

"It just wasn't right." She continued as Sookie turned around to face her, questions clearly visible across her face but saying nothing.

"Not when I'm constantly thinking about someone else, right?" She finally said watching a huge smile spread across Sookie's face.

"Oh My God! Really?" Sookie asked jumping up and down in excitement.

"Yeah, At least I'm going to try. I talked to Rory about it too." Lorelai said as Sookie went back to her cake.

"What did she say?" Sookie asked.

"Basically the same things you did." Lorelai said.

"Well she's right." Sookie said kindly.

"Now I just have to figure out how to tell Luke." Lorelai said.

"Oh, you know what you should do…" Sookie began, her head suddenly flooding with ideas. "You should stand in the gazebo and just yell it out as he's walking by. And the whole town will be there so he won't be able to say no. Then you can just run to him and kiss him passionately and he'll wrap his arms around you and kiss you back and suddenly it'll start snowing and the whole town will light up with fairy-lights and from somewhere far away bells will start ringing and…" Sookie said completely lost in her own fantasy.

"And… then the cast names will start scrolling across the screen?" Lorelai asked sarcastically as the dragged Sookie out of her dream. "This isn't a movie Sookie."

"I know but still… It's you and Luke. This town has watched you two avoid your feelings for the last four years just like a movie. It's about time for a happy ending." Sookie said.

"Yeah well knowing Luke grand gestures aren't exactly his idea of fun." Lorelai said.

"Oh don't be silly." Sookie said. "Everyone loves a little romance."

Lorelai smiled as she helped Sookie roll out the four-tier cake to the lobby where the bride and groom were waiting.

Once the cake was cut and passed around Lorelai wandered around the room making sure everything was in order and that everyone was having a good time when she spotted Rory sitting in a corner talking to Jess. At first the look on Rory's face had her worried but after watching her daughter for a few minutes she realized that the look was just shyness. Rory seemed to be happy that Jess was there and she noticed that they were holding hands. Watching the two of them like that Lorelai realized that Jess wasn't such a bad kid after all. He had just had a tough life and reacted accordingly. He seemed to really care about Rory and that earned him a lot of points in Lorelai's book. She smiled to herself as she watched Jess pull Rory close to him for a hug.

Finally, sometime before midnight Lorelai was ready to go home. It had been a long, exhausting day. Sookie had already left a few hours before since she had been working since six that morning and the night staff were busy putting all the furniture back into place after it had been moved to make room for a dance floor. She went into the kitchen to grab a bag of food that Sookie had packed for them and then went into the library to find Rory fast asleep in one of the large chairs. Her hair was falling out of her clips across her face and she was hugging a cushion close to her. Lorelai brushed her hand across Rory's forehead, pushing her hair back as she did so. She gently woke Rory and together they drove home.

Lorelai and Rory walk to the diner early Sunday morning. The girls spent an hour talking about Luke the night before and Lorelai couldn't wait to tell him her decision. As they entered the diner, however, her heart dropped. The place was packed and Luke and Jess were running around taking and handing out orders, pouring coffee and clearing up empty plates.

"Hey." Luke said as he saw them standing at the door waiting for a table to open up.

"Busy day?" Lorelai observed as Rory went to say hi to Jess.

"Yeah, Sunday morning. What are you doing up so early?" He enquired.

"Um…" Lorelai began. "We got hungry."

"Well the table by the window is empty." Luke said as he handed Ceaser an order. "Have a seat and I'll bring out pancakes with eggs on the side and coffee."

"Thanks." Lorelai said with a smile. She couldn't help but notice that Luke knew her order by heart. Suddenly these little things became so obvious so how come she was so blind to them before.

Rory came to join her at the table a few minutes later with Jess following close behind.

"Ready to order?" Jess asked.

"Oh. Luke already took it thanks." Lorelai replied.

Just then Luke walked up and placed a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of each of them and a cup of coffee in front of Lorelai.

"Drink that." Luke instructed Rory as he places a mug of chocolate milk in front of her. "It's good for you."

Lorelai just stared at him. This man who would do absolutely anything for her, and more importantly anything for her daughter. Every few seconds she found herself wondering how on earth she had ever missed all these signs.

"Well?" Rory asked, breaking her train of thought.

"What?" Lorelai asked.

"Aren't you gonna tell him?" She asked.

"He's busy." Lorelai said.

"Chicken." Rory replied with a smirk.

"I'm not a chicken Rory," Lorelai argued. "Look around. The place is packed."

"Right." Rory said still smirking as Lorelai kept looking at Luke between every bite of her breakfast.

After breakfast Lorelai and Rory began walking back home and Rory continued to tease Lorelai when Rory spotted Dean walking towards them. She suddenly stopped and Lorelai looked around to see what the problem was. She saw Dean walking in their direction. He looked up and noticed them causing Rory to duck into the video store. Lorelai let out a sigh as Dean approached.

"Hi." He said with an awkward smile.

"Hey Dean." Lorelai said.

"How is she?" He asked.

"She's okay." Lorelai replied. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay." Dean said softly.

"I should get to Rory." Lorelai said apologetically.

"Yeah. Sure." Dean replied.

Lorelai smiled as she walked into the market to look for her daughter.

"Hey, what happened?" Lorelai asked finding Rory in one of the aisles.

"I just couldn't face him." Rory said. "What did he say?"

"He just asked how you were doing. That's it." Lorelai said.

"I treated him so badly and now this." Rory said dejectedly.

"He seemed okay. Rory." Lorelai said. "Don't worry about it."

The girls were having a lazy Sunday watching T.V. and just talking when the phone rang. Lorelai groaned as Rory went to pick up the phone.

"Hello." She said.

Lorelai couldn't figure out who was on the other end but she watched Rory give her a worried look.

"Okay, I'll tell her. We'll be right there." Rory said as she hung up.

"Who was that?" Lorelai enquired.

"Michel, Something's happened at the inn." Rory said running to get shoes for herself and her mother. "He said we needed to go down there right away."

"What happened?" Lorelai asked, following her daughter. "Why didn't you let me talk to him?"

"He didn't give me a chance. Just said there was a problem and that you should go immediately." Rory said tossing Lorelai the car keys.

"Okay, let's go." Lorelai said. "I'll call him from the car."

Less than five minutes later Lorelai was speeding down the road to the inn while Rory tried to contact Michel.

"No answer." Rory said as she hung up the phone for the fourth time.

"Oh God." Lorelai said worried as she began thinking the worst. "Try again."

Within fifteen minutes they were at the inn and Lorelai jumped out of the car the second it stopped moving. She ran through the door with Rory close behind.

"Michel, what's wrong?" Lorelai asked as she ran behind the desk to see Michel busy sorting through the mail.

"The Westbrook's want to stay an extra day but their room is now reserved for the Callahan's who arrive this evening." Michel said without looking up from his work.

"Well can't we put the Callahan's in another room?" Lorelai asked as she began checking the computer.

"All the other regular rooms are already occupied and the Westbrook's don't want to shift to a suite." Michel said.

"Well okay, put the Callahan's into a suite tonight at no extra charge. Have them switch back tomorrow once the Westbrook's leave." Lorelai said.

"Okay. Thank you." Michel said in a tone that suggested that he already figured that's what he should do.

"Michel, what's going on?" Lorelai asked. "You could have easily fixed this on your own. Or at least asked me other the phone. I didn't need to come all the way down here."

"I didn't want to make that decision without consulting you first." Michel said.

"Michel." Lorelai said angrily. "I just drove down her at two-thousand miles an hour with my daughter in the car, nearly killing us both because you said there was an emergency."

"It won't happen again." Michel said as she took the stacks of mail and began placing them in their respective slots for the guests.

Lorelai let out a frustrated sigh as she walked back out to her car. The entire way home she was on a rant about how Michel could be so idiotic at times and how worried she'd been when she thought that something really was wrong.

In just over an hour they were back home with Lorelai still on her rant. They opened the front door and got the shock of their lives.

"SURPRISE!" Lorelai looked around to see Sookie, Miss Patty, Babette, Lane and the rest of the town all standing there with big smiles on their faces.

"What?" Was all Lorelai could say. She looked over at Rory who seemed to be just as shocked as she herself felt.

"We wanted to throw you guys a surprise party." Sookie explained with excitement. "Were you surprised?" She asked.

"Still scraping my jaw of the floor." Lorelai replied to reassure her friend. "I can't believe you guys did all this."

"Well you guys have had a tough time lately and we thought a little surprise might be nice." Sookie said pulling both girls further into the house.

Lorelai could see all the people laughing and talking and just having a good time and she just couldn't believe that they had all done this for her and Rory. There were all sorts of food and drinks and a table with a few presents on it. Someone had turned the music up so people were shouting to be heard above it. Occasionally people would come up to her and tell her she was doing a wonderful job with Rory and that she was a great girl and that they'd were there if they were ever needed.

"So what do you think?" Sookie asked, handing Lorelai a drink.

"How did you do all this?" Lorelai asked, too emotional to answer Sookie's question.

"We've been planning it for a week." Sookie explained. "Everyone wanted to pitch in."

"Thanks Sookie," Lorelai said gratefully. "This is amazing."

Then something struck Lorelai. "Is that why Michel called me to the Inn in such a hurry?" She asked.

"I had to get you out of the house somehow." Sookie explained.

"How did you convince him to pretend like he couldn't handle things?" Lorelai asked amazed.

"I agreed to make him low-cal breakfasts for a month." Sookie said with a smile.

Lorelai walked around the room talking to her friends and neighbors and spotted Rory and Lane in a corner talking to Emily and Richard.

"Mom?" Lorelai exclaimed as she walked up to them.

"Hello Lorelai." Emily said smiling at her daughter.

"What are you guys doing here?" Lorelai asked.

"Sookie invited us." Emily said by way of explanation.

"Well, I'm glad you same." She said sincerely. "Can I get you something more adult to drink? She asked when she noticed juices in their hands. "There's booze." She said and then turned towards Rory. "For those of us over twenty-one and not pregnant." She added with a smile.

"No thank you." Emily said. "We're fine."

"Your friends are really something." Emily added after a pause looking around the room at all the smiling faces.

"Yes they are." Lorelai agreed whole-heartedly.

She noticed Dean come up and talk to Rory. She saw Rory look down, unable to look at Dean as he took her hand and said something to her making her smile.

She watched them talk for a few more minutes, when the music suddenly stopped and she heard someone calling for everyone's attention.

She was surprised to find Luke standing halfway up the stairs ready to make a speech.

"First, Thank you all for helping out with this party. It couldn't have been done without your help. But more importantly I have an announcement to make…"

Lorelai watched as Luke searched her out and locked eyes with her.

"There is no gazebo here so the stairs will have to make do, but the whole town is standing around so it should be fine." Luke said as Lorelai gave him a confused look.

"I love you Lorelai Gilmore and nothing would make me happier than if you would let me spend the rest of my life loving you." Luke said as he made his way down the stairs and across the room towards her. He waited a moment in front of her before pulling her into his arms and kissing her like she had never been kissed before.

The whole room cheered as Luke released her. She just stared up at him, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open in shock. Suddenly she noticed the silver paper floating around the room. She looked up to see tiny paper snowflakes falling off the fan as it slowly went round. She watched as Sookie ran over to the music player and hit play. The bells rang out as her eyes filled with tears and she reached up to kiss Luke once again.

Suddenly all the lights went dim and Lorelai looked around confused. She noticed Kirk at the top of the stairs holding a roll of paper. She watched as he let the paper unroll over the side of the banister. She gasped as she read the words"

Cast:

Lorelai Gilmore

Luke Danes

Below that was a list of all the people in the room and Lorelai couldn't help laughing so hard that she began to cry.

"I can't believe you guys did all this." She exclaimed as she saw Sookie come towards them.

"I do know how to be romantic." Luke said slightly uneasily, and then added "sometimes."

Lorelai hugged him one more time as the crowd came over to congratulate them, every one of them telling her that it was about time. Lorelai looked over at her daughter and parents. All three had smiles on their faces and Lorelai went to give Rory a hug.

"I'm so happy for you mom." Rory said hugging her mother tight.

"Congratulations Lorelai." Emily said as she also gave Lorelai a hug while Richard shook hands with Luke.

The rest of the evening was spent in a daze as Lorelai watched the amazing people around her. She felt certain now more than ever that every decision she had ever made since becoming pregnant was exactly the right one. She watched her daughter sitting with Jess and laughing like she didn't have a care in the world, her parents talking to Miss Patty and Babette, and Luke who she found was watching her. She walked over to him and slipped her arms around him knowing that she would never let go.

THE END