A/N: Chapter Three is set in March. I hope you're enjoying this story, and that you're having a wonderful holiday period. I am pumped to be back to uploading on this story, and my other stories. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083.

The Year After the Year in A Life

Chapter Four: April

April 2017 – Five Months Pregnant

Since the news they had received, Lorelai was confined to bed rest. Sookie and Michele' were currently sitting at her kitchen table, where she was resting, and they were going over some details for the new expansion. Having just started showing now, Lorelai had pulled out some of her old maternity clothes, and was currently wearing a lovely Spring themed outfit, that left nothing to the imagination up top, but was fairly long. When Luke had seen her in it before he went to work this morning, he had pinned her against the wall, and ran his hands all over her body, ignoring the warnings from his wife about her breasts being tender, to caress them. He tried to do it softly, and he didn't want to hurt her, so when he did, he felt bad, but it was worth it, because he got to feel Lorelai, in that stupid dress that he loves but also hates. She looks amazing in it, but it's also a magnet for other guys to check out his girl, and he's jealous Luke sometimes. Rory had told her mother that she and Eli were thinking about having another baby, and Lorelai was excited for her, but noticed her daughter's hesitation. She and Rory had a good chat about it, and the Author took on board her mother's advice to talk to Eli, because she's not sure. She just doesn't know if they can afford another kid, or if she wants another kid. Just because Eli is desperate for a son, doesn't mean that Rory wants to go through another nine months of pregnancy. She hates being pregnant. She hated pregnancy long before she even became pregnant. The bed and the couch were Lorelai's two spots she would sit. With the baby now showing, it was easier for both Luke and Rory to just lie on her, and talk to her stomach, as if she were a damn pillow. Luke had also started sleeping with his hand on her stomach, basically trapping her on her side, which had resulted in her kicking him a couple of times. Liam had just come back from a walk with Paul Anka when there was another knock on the door. It was Taylor, come to ask Lorelai if she could make some decorations for the Easter celebration happening in the square. Sighing, she nodded, telling him that she would, but not to expect them quick. He gave her two weeks, then handed her a guide of what he wanted done, before turning and leaving the house. Lorelai groaned, throwing her head back on the couch, smiling when Liam asked her if she was okay. She nodded, kissed her son's cheek, then told him to go and feed the dog. Luke is going to kill me… she thought to herself, throwing the designs onto the table.

Just like she had suspected, when Luke came home and found her making all the things for Taylor, he lost it. Rory had been helping her mother, Lorelai had given in and told her daughter what the doctor has said to her, after her appointment. Rory was mad, mad that her mother was going through this, and mad that she wasn't listening. Lorelai had been listening, it's everyone around her, smothering her, making this something bigger than it is, not understanding that she is also scared. She's terrified. Of the possibility that she could die, or the baby could die… or both of them. No one seems to understand that. Liam had also been helping to make the decorations, and was chatting amicably with Rory, who sensed the tension that Luke had brought into the house. She didn't look at him, simply stating that she is just sitting around, it's not strenuous, and she likes to help. Besides, she knows that she won't be able to go to the festival, so this is the least she can do. Luke nodded; he knows that is true. But he's still scared. Everything that the doctor had said had really freaked him out, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. He doesn't know how to deal with the fear that their baby, could be the reason that he loses Lorelai. He knows that's not true, and he knows that it's not his baby's fault, but that's just in the back of his mind. Lorelai and Rory were watching movies at the same time they were making decorations, just sitting, and chatting. Rory had been talking to her mother about her doubts, and Luke had overheard some of their conversation, threatening to dismember Eli if he forces her to do anything. Rory chuckled, thanked him for being there for her always, but promised that they're talking. He hasn't forced her into doing anything, but that he'll be the first to know if he does. Luke nods, satisfied with that answer. Lorelai throws the last of the decorations down on the table, and sits back on the couch, sighing and yawning. Lorelai rests her head on Luke's shoulder, closing her eyes, and resting her hand on her slightly protruding stomach, rubbing it gently, humming a tune that Luke recognises slightly. He looks over and see the decorations scattered around the table, and rolls his eyes, his fingers running up and down Lorelai's arm, he tells her she shouldn't be working so hard on this crap, and she kind of snaps.

'Oh my god Luke give it a rest. I'm sitting on the couch, or I'm in bed all day. This was not a strenuous activity, and Rory was helping me. She was making sure that I rested, and ate right and did all the things that Dr. Heston said, so just lay off alright,' Lorelai said, standing to head upstairs

'Sorry for wanting to make sure that you and the baby are okay,' Luke said, frustrated

'You think I'm not scared Luke? I'm terrified. I don't want to lose the baby, or my life. But we have to deal with the reality that it's a possibility. I love you Luke, and I know you're scared, but I can't do this by myself, and I really just need you to stop with the passive aggressive nit picking,' she said, rubbing her forehead, before turning to head upstairs

'God damn it,' Luke said, kicking the empty box, sending it flying across the room, before sitting down on the sofa, head in his hands, Rory patted his shoulder, and he grabbed her hand.

Since the Twins had been learning about the different holidays that filled the months of the year, Ben had discovered that April 12th, is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, which he had explained to his father, much to the amusement of Rory, and Lorelai, especially when he tried to convince his dad that he needed to sell Grilled Cheeses in the Diner on that day. Luke had a hard time saying no to his kids, even more son when Ben sent his little sister in with her cute little face and the big eyes… Luke couldn't say no to his little girl. She had the Gilmore Eyes definitely. But the ridiculousness of the suggestion caused a Luke rant, that hadn't been done for a while, and which Rory, Liam and Lorelai were all intrigued by. Ben and her father had a discussion about it, and he made a deal with him, that if he did National Grilled Cheese Day on the 12th, of April, then he could do the National Vegetable Day and serve nothing but veggies. Lorelai voiced her disagreement, but Luke smirked at her, shaking his son and daughter's hands, agreeing to it. Ben and Katie smiled at their mother, that cheeky look that Rory always used to have when she was younger, and Lorelai rolled her eyes, but smiled back. She can't stay mad at the kids. It's the week before Easter, and April is flying in tonight, spending the Easter break with them, before she goes back to MIT. Rory and Eli are going to Chicago to spend the holiday with Eli's parents, which Lorelai was fine with, but the hormones had made her burst into tears, and she had promised Rory, through her sobbing, that she's 'really alright with it, but the baby apparently isn't' it had made them laugh. Since their fight last week, Luke has been trying to be less "nit-picky", and he and his wife have talked a lot about their fears, both of them agreeing that they are scared, but they can face it together, because they're Luke and Lorelai. They have been through too much to let something as ridiculous as this get to them. Lori and Moni came running into the room, shouting to their mother, who knelt down to hug them both, asking them to stop shouting please, before Lori launched herself at her grandmother, knocking Lorelai into the table, which sent some cutlery flying, and caused an 'oooff' from the woman in question. Luke looked at her, panicked, but she just smiled, and he nodded. She's okay. It's okay. Lori apologised, her grandmother just tickled her, before Moni tapped her knee, and she reached her other hand down to tickle Moni. Once the girls had finished talking to their grandparents, Rory went upstairs to get some books, before she declared they would be 'heading out'.

On the day of their five-month ultrasound, the kids had been given a day off school. Luke had piled the family into the car, and driven them to Hartford, where he tried to explain what they were doing, and how they had to behave in the hospital. When he told them that Lorelai was having a baby, all three kids started cheering loudly, then started an argument about whether or not they wanted a brother or sister, to which Liam's argument was that he 'already has three sisters, he wants a brother'. Ben thought about it for a moment, before agreeing with his brother. Katie was adamant that she was getting another sister. The 'Twin Thing' is scary sometimes. They can sense what the other is thinking, finish sentences, and look completely alike. Ben had been fascinated by it at first, but now he just hates that people compare their looks, and their sporting and academic achievements. Both twins have their parents' features, and Ben is a lot like his mother. The Danes Family arrived at the hospital and went in together. Luke was nervous, his leg bouncing, whilst Lorelai just held his hands, and the kids tried to find something interesting to watch on the small TV in the waiting room. They had not originally planned to bring the kids with them, but Jess is in New York, Rory and Eli are in Chicago, Emily is in Nantucket, the last time they left the kids with Kirk, he had lost them, and April isn't here yet. So, they had no choice but to bring them along. Lorelai was breathing deeply. She knows that everything is going to be alright, because there hasn't been any spotting, and she hasn't had any abdominal pain since last month. Finally, after what felt like an hour, Dr. Heston called for her, and the Danes Family piled into the room, the Twins eerily doing the exact same actions as they sat down on the chairs, whilst Katie sat on her father's knee, looking around the room. Luke shot his wife a look, to which she just laughed. What do you expect? Her eyes asked him, and he affectionately rolled his own, before pressing a kiss to her forehead. Lorelai laid down on the small bed, and lifted her shirt, the bump now clearly showing. Ben, Katie, and Liam watched and asked questions, and when they heard the heartbeat, ran over to the monitor to look, seeing the Doctor point out the baby. Three sets of mouths hung open, whilst Luke and Lorelai just smiled at each other, watching their kids. Soon after, Dr. Heston asked Lorelai some questions, and after that, the moment came.

'Would you like to find out the sex?' she asked, and the kids turned to look at their parents, both heads tilted to the side, a look of confusion on their faces

'Yes, okay Danes Family members, place your bets on what you think it's going to be, step right up, step right up,' Lorelai said, grinning, as her husband, and children just said what they thought

'Luke, Lorelai, Benjamin, Katie, Liam… you're having a baby girl,' Dr. Heston said, and the Twins started jumping around, excitedly, Katie hugged her father closely whilst Luke just kissed his wife

'Dad… eww,' was the next thing they heard, seeing two sets of disgusted faces pointing at them, before the excitement started up again, Lorelai just laughed.

On April 12th, Luke's Diner did a special promotion for National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Lorelai had taken pictures, just so that she could show Rory, who definitely would not have believed that Luke would do something like this. Ben, Katie, and Liam were helping, carrying the food and drinks to the customers, and explaining the tradition behind the day, asking people to make a donation to support the chosen charity. Lorelai sat in the corner of the Diner, at her favourite table, watching as her family danced around each other, zipping in every direction, delivering food wherever it needed to be. She had called Rory, told her that she's getting another baby sister, and listened to her daughter screaming for twenty minutes, until Eli came in and told her that his parents think she's being murdered, and to stop. Lorelai had chuckled, but also explained that she had a feeling that it was going to be a girl. Rory asked her if she has any names picked out, and Lorelai told her eldest daughter, that she does. She likes the names Belle and Lilly. Rory had 'awed' at the suggestion, and so had Eli. April had arrived late last night and had promised to come the Diner to help out with the special day, walking in the door with a bright greeting, cheerfully shouting to her younger siblings that she was here. They ran over to hug her, explaining to her about the national holiday, before handing her a t-shirt. April shot a look at Lorelai, who just shrugged, and smiled, hugging her stepdaughter, before telling her that she's getting another little sister. April excitedly hugged her again, punching her father's arm, which Luke winced at, before the MIT student told her father that he has to 'toughen up if he's going to be chasing another Danes girl around'. Luke smiled, leaning down to kiss Lorelai, before groaning at the amount of people that had come to support this stupid holiday. April had winked at the Twins, who had given her the thumbs up. She changed into the shirt, and went about helping her father, and her siblings. Lorelai just watched, collecting the donations at her table, which Katie was happily in charge of, basically shouting to people to get their money, thanking people with a free shirt or bracelet. Just like always, Taylor and Kirk were planning an Easter extravaganza in the Town Square, and of course, just like always, Lorelai had gotten roped into helping with the decorations, sparing Taylor's life when Luke had almost blown a gasket shouting at Taylor for making her do too much. For this one, she was thankful that Luke had stepped in… but only for this one.

Taylor had thought that Luke's incorporation of the silly holiday into the Diner was a wonderful idea, and had brought it up at the town meeting, that it should be something they consider, with certain holidays taking centre stage. Luke groaned, explained that it had been his kids' idea, to which Taylor nodded, lamenting on how much Luke had changed, considering his kids' ridiculous holidays into his business, which he's never so much as decorated for any town festival. But he would hang things that the kids had done on the walls, when Katie had shown 'artistic talent' and had drawn something amazing, he had hung it on the window for everyone to see. When the kids had made something for a project, out of cardboard, or papier Mache, Luke would display it in the Diner. He pinned report cards, April's papers, Rory's articles, a poster for her book… he had changed. He would do anything for his family. But that doesn't mean that Taylor can take advantage of that. Which is what he told the man. He explained that what he does, he does for his family. That if Taylor takes advantage of that, he'll stop doing it, even though he knows that's not true. If Lorelai asked him to run down the street wearing a chicken costume, he probably would… mostly because he'd be "rewarded" for that, if you know what he means. But for his kids… for his kids he'll do anything as well… he'd probably even do the chicken suit thing, just because his kid asked him too. But Lorelai would still reward him for being such a good dad, not that that is why he does it. He does it because he loves his family. All of them. Very much. After listening to Taylor drone on and on for another half hour, he dismissed the meeting, and Lorelai grabbed Luke's hands, going down the few steps at Miss Patty's. An arm around her waist as they walked slowly through Town, the Twins running in front of them, April, and Katie close behind, shouting at them to 'race them back to the house'. Luke never imagined that this would be his life. Sure, he'd had dreams about it, hoped that it would happen, but he never thought that it ever would. His wife is Lorelai Gilmore. He has five kids whom he adores, and another one on the way. Luke stopped them in the middle of the square, Lorelai asked him if he's alright, and he nodded, just placing his hand on her baby bump, before kissing her, thanking her for everything, and saying that he loves her, and that she's the 'best mom in the world'. Lorelai blushed, looking down to try and hold the tears off.

'Luke I'm pregnant. You can't say things like that when I'm pregnant. You know what my hormones are like right now,' she said, Luke just chuckled as the tears appeared.

'I'm sorry. I won't tell you that I love you again,' he whispered, kissing her, wrapping his arms around her waist, whilst Lorelai's went around his neck

'I love you too, and you're the words greatest Dad Luke. Seriously. You're amazing. Stone cold, grumpy Luke… incorporated a made-up holiday into the Diner… for his kids… best dad ever,' Lorelai whispered, now it was Luke's turn to get emotional

'This is your fault this emotional crap. You're pregnant, and I'm emotionally attached to you, so that means that when you're emotional, I'm emotional, and now it's just getting ridiculous,' he said, stopped by Lorelai kissing him, as they joined hands and headed back towards their house.

…There was a complication… we don't know if she's going to make it… you have to hold on okay… you're not allowed to leave me… MOM! Luke awoke with a start, sitting up in bed, realising that he's drenched in sweat, as he turns to look at his wife, sleeping happily beside him. It's been the same nightmare for a month now. He can't shake it. Just the feeling that something big is coming, or going to happen (you know, aside from the fact that his wife is having a baby). Luke climbed out of bed, glancing at the bedside clock: 2:03am. He dragged his hand down his face, sighing as he pulled on his sweatpants and a t-shirt, before exiting the room. Outside, it was a cold night, but not so bad that a jacket would be needed. Luke went out to stand on the small bridge that crosses the lake. He likes this spot, it's a good spot for him to just clear his head. He's been teaching Liam, Ben, and Katie, to fish here as well, his sons are a natural, and he likes that he can have that with his boys. He wonders what his baby girl will be like. Will she like sports? Or will she be more creative like Lorelai and Rory, and get into books, or drawing like her sister? Katie is a fantastic artist. Just thinking about the future allows Luke enough time to calm down his racing heart. He heads back inside, closing and locking the doors, and padding softly back upstairs, poking his head in to check on each of his kids, before returning to his and Lorelai's room, where she is sleeping peacefully still. He undresses and climbs in next to her. his hand immediately goes to her stomach, protecting her and the baby (from the night monsters… duh), and he drifts back off to sleep. Friday the 15th, April, Good Friday. It's the day that Luke and Lorelai are hosting Good Friday Dinner at their new house, mostly so the townspeople can just snoop and get it over with. He knows that Babette has been dying to check out the new digs since they moved in. Luke and April were in the kitchen, the latter preparing for their dinner, April was making breakfast for herself and her siblings, chatting with them about their schooling and how they're going with everything. Luke had made sure that things would be perfect for this dinner, he wants to do that for Lorelai. She's admitted that she's been feeling a bit down for the last few days, and this will hopefully cheer her up. Then again, Rory and Eli aren't here, and neither are their grandbabies, so he doesn't know how happy she's going to be. When the woman in question finally enters the kitchen, it's to a chorus of 'Morning Mom/Lorelai'. She kisses each of the kids on the forehead, smiling at April, before moving over to wrap her arms around her sexy husband, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck, before the kids start making stupid noises, and she groans, turning to get something out of the fridge.

The day had begun normally. The town was here, their family was here, it was a nice day outside, and the tables were set up in the backyard so there was enough room for everyone to move around, and chat and mingle. Lorelai was sitting on one of the deck chairs that Luke had brought over to the lake's edge, just watching as Liam played in the water with Paul Anka, hands resting on her stomach. She was content to just stay there, the way that she is, for as long as possible. If she has her family, she doesn't need anything else. Rory had video called her, and she had spoken to her grandbabies. They were having a nice time in Chicago, but Rory wished they could have been in Stars Hollow, and promises that next year, they will be. Eli had also promised that, after Lorelai heard his mother shouting in the background of their call. It had been nice, but not enough. She misses her daughter, now more than ever, even though they live in the same town, less than five minutes from each other, she still feels like she and Rory have lost something… they lost that Gilmore fire they had all those years ago. Now with Rory all grown up, and with her own family, Lorelai is on the outside. She feels like… she feels like Emily. Emily on the outside, looking in, wanting to be a part of the life that she had been creating. April was regaling some of the townspeople on what MIT was, and what she was studying, whilst Jess was trying to hold it all together, by not laughing at the reactions of Taylor Doose, when he looked at April like she had come from another planet. Eventually, the young girl excused herself, and she headed inside, upstairs to the library, where she found Ben reading the book. The one that Lorelai and Luke hadn't wanted their kids to read until they were older. April quickly moved over to him, taking the book from his hands, and flipping it to the cover. She groaned, asking Ben what he thought he was doing, that his parents told him not to read that book. The young boy stood up, shouting that he had a right to know all that stuff about his sister, and then ran out of the room. April slammed the book shut, and locked it back in the cupboard, as well as tidying up the mess of books that had been strategically placed to hide that book, before closing the door and heading back downstairs. She's going to have to tell Lorelai and her dad about this, because Ben wasn't meant to read that book until he was well into his teen years.

'Mom, what would you and dad do if Katie got pregnant at sixteen like you did?' Ben asked, just as April ran over to them, and Lorelai dropped her glass, it smashed on the ground, whilst Luke just looked between Lorelai and Ben, trying to digest what his son had just implied about his sister, Lorelai sat down, still gaping

'You're far too young to be thinking about anything like that. You're not allowed to think about that, or do that, until you're forty. You, your brother, your sister… none of you are allowed to do… that… until you're forty,' Luke said, pointing his finger at him

'Did you know that Rory's real dad still sends her letters and postcards?' Ben asked, having seen them arriving in the mail when they lived at the old house

'Yes. How did you find out about this?' Lorelai asked, as April stepped in to explain that he had found Rory's book

Ben's questions were plenty, even the next day, when he kept asking them of Luke and Lorelai. He would ask constantly about Christopher, and why they have never met him, and why they never talk about him, why he's never around. He asked if Rory loves her biological father, and if she ever considered making Luke her father. Lorelai snapped, scolding her son, telling him to stop asking questions, that he's too young to understand, and that he should never have broken his promise to not read that book. Ben used the stubborn trait he had inherited from his parents to point out that he's smarter than most other kids his age, and he's curious as to why. Lorelai had reached her peak, shouting at Ben to go to his room. She then told him that she doesn't ever want to hear him bringing up Christopher again, especially in front of Rory. Ben stomped upstairs, Lorelai fell back on the couch, head in her hands, crying, whilst Luke just pulled her close, curling his wife up to him. Rory and that damn book… I knew it would be more trouble than it's worth… Lorelai thought to herself, seriously considering burning every copy they have of that book, but was convinced by Luke to not do that, for fear that it might send the wrong impression to Rory, which then set his wife off on the same rant she had done when Rory had first told her she was writing the book. She had taken their lives together, Lorelai's life, and put it in writing for the whole world to read, for everyone to judge her. When they had moved into this house, they had hidden their copies of the book away, so that Ben and Liam wouldn't read them until they were older. They knew everything they needed to know at the age they were now, and Christopher is always a sore point in the Danes house. Luke doesn't like thinking about Rory's biological father, and Lorelai does her best not to mention him. When Chris had come back into town, about two months after they had gotten back together, Rory had been the one he'd contacted, and she had been informed by Luke and Lorelai, that he wanted to have lunch. Even though Lorelai had no intention of going, it has caused a huge fight between them, and Rory had to step in and knock some sense into them. Luke would never be okay with Christopher especially after everything that had happened, and Lorelai would never be able to prove that she didn't love Christopher, even though she doesn't. So, his name is taboo. April had come in to apologise, but neither Lorelai nor Luke blamed her, and she thanked them, before heading upstairs to bed, making them promise that this wouldn't cause a fight between them. Luke just kissed Lorelai, earning an eyeroll from April, but she was smiling as well.

Rory's phone rang loudly as she was getting the girls ready for bed. She was preoccupied trying to get Moni into her pyjamas, so didn't check the caller ID. When she answered, she heard Ben's voice on the other end of the line, asking her about Christopher. Rory was shocked, so shock that she dropped the phone, before asking Ben how he knows about Christopher. The young boy explained what had happened, and Rory told him that he shouldn't be reading that book, he's far too young, despite his maturity level. Ben told her about the fight with his parents, and Rory asked him to consider what was going on properly. To consider why they didn't want them to know about it until they were older. Until they could understand properly what was going on. Understand why they kept them in the dark. Rory told him that she and her mom had been through a lot before they were born, and it was a difficult time in their lives, that it shouldn't be taken lightly, and should be considered with a level of maturity that neither he, nor Liam is able to achieve yet. Eventually, Rory and Ben's conversation ended, and after she had put Lori and Moni to bed, Rory rang her mother. Luke answered the phone, happily greeting Rory, who told him that Ben had called her, asking about Christopher and the book, and Luke explained what had happened. She asked for Lorelai, but Luke told her that she's asleep, and he really doesn't want to wake her, and although she was disappointed, Rory understood, allowing her mother to sleep, promising to call her tomorrow. Rory and Ben had always had a different relationship than that of Ben, and his mother. It was always as if the young boy was trying to emulate Rory, to the point that he just flat out copied what she did, including expressing his interest in attending Chilton when he's old enough. But Lorelai had to remind her youngest son, that he is his own individual person, and he has to have his own things, his own wants and likes. He can't just live like his sister. He can be inspired by her, but not live exactly like her. Luke apologised for Ben calling her, but Rory is always happy to talk to her siblings, so long as they are okay with the topics. Having Rory in Chicago has been difficult. Lorelai needs her here, more now than ever, and he knows that Eli's family needs to get a chance to see their family as well, it still sucks for them in Stars Hollow, because of the relationship between Lorelai and Rory, and the bond that is still there, despite the fights, and the distance and the years passed. Luke put the phone back in the cradle, and flicked off lights, checking the door was locked, before he headed upstairs, sticking his head into the kids' rooms, before heading into his own. Lorelai was already asleep, so he just changed into his sleep clothes, and climbed into bed, his hand immediately going to her stomach, holding her close as if to protect her from the world.

'You are my everything Lorelai,' he whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck

'No matter where we are, my everything and my always,' she whispered back, their words that echoed from a fight years ago

'I love you,' he whispered again

'Love you too,' she replied, then they both drifted off to sleep.

… there were some complications… the same nightmare came again for Luke, and he couldn't get the images out of his mind. So many things that should be at the back of his mind, are at the forefront now. Everything that is going on, is making Luke want to pull away, to run, to hide, so that he can try and save everyone. But he can't do that. They both promised that they wouldn't run anymore. He is going to keep that promise, and Lorelai has done well to keep that promise as well. Their talk had been good. Lorelai had expressed her fears, of losing the baby, of her not being here, of them not being together. Luke had said that he was afraid that he would lose her, and she promised that he would be okay. They all would be okay, and that no matter what, he'll do what's right for his baby girl. Luke will do that; he knows he will. But he can't imagine living in a world without Lorelai. They wasted so much time being stupid idiots, and now that they have each other, he just can't let that go. Luke decided sleeping was overrated and got up. He exited the bedroom, pulling the door closed behind him, and moved over to the room they were going to use as the nursery. He and Jess had been building some stuff, putting some final touches in the room, and making sure that everything is looking alright, before they get to painting and furnishing. He's pretty sure that April wants to help as well, and he can't let Lorelai paint, so he's considering letting his daughter, if she wants too. With Ben finding Rory's book and asking all those questions about Christopher, Luke had had that in the back of his mind as well. The Easter Festival is happening today, and Lorelai is meant to be helping make the decorations, but she's got other things to worry about, that aren't stupid things Taylor wants her to do. Another thing that annoys Luke, is the Towns inability to just let them be. Sure, they mean well, but he's just trying to protect his family. Luke gets to working on the nursery, opening the windows to let the breeze in, so that he and Jess can prepare it for painting later. The furniture he made is outside in the shed, a lot of it, they kept from when the kids were born, but he made a new crib, this one with the baby's name on it as a surprise for Lorelai, just like he'd done for the twins and Katie. Of course, that makes them difficult to pass down, but April might like them one day… when she's old enough to have kids… which won't be until she's forty… Luke thought to himself, chuckling. If he had it his way, none of his kids would grow up.

The Easter Egg hunt was a hit again, of course. The Danes children made their parents proud by being the kids who found the most eggs, and as Luke watched his wife happily cheering for their kids, he couldn't help but feel the infectious smile invade his usual grumpy psyche. Ever competitive, the games didn't stop when the Danes kids got back to the house, they had to make sure that they knew who the real winner of the day was. The problem with that, is that The Twins are very in tune with each other, so there is kind of no element of surprise when it comes to the other one, something that sometimes annoys both of the kids. Yet, they still manage to find a way to determine a 'winner'. This year, it was Katie. After returning home from the Easter festival, Lorelai goes upstairs to rest, and Luke follows her up there. She's changing when he enters their room, but he turns around, and closes [and locks] their bedroom door, before she turns to face him, her amazing body on display. Luke guides her to the bed, and she makes herself comfortable, as he positions himself over her, kissing her, whilst one hand glides down her body, and her hands are working to remove his plaid shirt, and the t-shirt that he wears underneath. When they're both naked, Lorelai straddles Luke, moving so that she can lower herself down onto his cock, whilst Luke just watches, moans, and moves his hands everywhere and anywhere. He cups her breasts, massaging them, despite the fact that they're currently hurting a lot. Lorelai fills herself completely with Luke, moaning his name, throwing her head back, as he sits up, attacking her neck, shoulder, ear, and breasts, whilst meeting her thrusts. The noises are animalistic, and they're so thankful that they have a new house where the bedrooms are far apart, and they can be relatively loud. Lorelai braces her hands on Luke's [still] toned chest, as he feels her getting closer to her release. She looks amazing, riding him. Her body is incredible, and the life that she's growing… Lorelai comes with a scream of Luke's name in pleasure, collapsing onto his having chest, as Luke empties himself into his wife, then rolls them so that they're lying, facing each other, kissing her. They stay like that for a while, just lying with each other, kissing softly, hands roaming. Luke's go to Lorelai's breasts, gently caressing, whilst she moves hers up and down his back, over his ass, pressing him into her when he tries to pull out, feeling that heat rising again… until they heard screaming of their names from downstairs. Reluctantly, Luke pulls out, kissing her once more, before re-dressing. Lorelai steadies herself for a moment, knowing that sex was one of the things the doctor told her not to do, but Luke is… Luke… and as long as she's feeling okay, she can keep doing that.

'I don't think that was a part of bedrest,' Lorelai said, still naked whilst Luke dresses, but he stumbles slightly when he sees her hand moving over her body

'We were technically on the bed and… oh god Lorelai… 'he said, as he watched her finger herself, feeling the strain in his jeans

'You better go see what the kids want, and you better make it fast, because if I make myself come before you get back… this will be all you're getting,' she said, seductively, smirking when she saw him subtly adjust himself, then bolt out of the bedroom

'Katie… tell daddy what is going on and make it quick,' Lorelai heard, chuckling to herself.

On the morning of her forty-ninth birthday, Lorelai woke up feeling… morose. The realisation that when Belle is ten, she will be almost sixty had just hit her, and she was dealing with that, as well as the knowledge that now she is one year older, one year closer to the big change… and one year closer to something going wrong with this pregnancy. Eli and Rory were coming over this afternoon for her birthday party, which apparently Luke and the kids have been working hard planning. The Inn Owner woke up to four smiling faces, one of them was holding a tray of food, the other three were grinning their 'we've totally been naughty, but hopefully charming enough to make you forget that' smiles. Luke kissed his wife, then the stomach, before placing the tray over her legs, and telling her to 'dig in'. Whilst she ate, Luke prepared her things for her to take a shower, and informed her that when she gets downstairs, there will be presents, and surprises for her. Lorelai thanked him, keeping up the excited façade so that Luke wouldn't sense the morose and she wouldn't feel bad about ruining the day. By the time she had finished her breakfast, showered, and pampered herself, and gotten downstairs, it was almost ten thirty. Sookie had already arrived to start the food, and Luke had gone to the Diner, having to open because Caesar called in sick, but sent an apology to his wife. To be honest, she's glad that Luke went to work, she wishes she could go to work, but bed rest prevents her from doing that. Rory and Eli arrive with the girls just after eleven, each of them excitedly greeting Lorelai, Rory noticing something off with her mother, but not badgering her about it right now. Slowly, the rest of the people start arriving, placing the presents on the gifts table, whilst Lorelai talks with each of them, telling them how she's feeling, and how the baby is going. By midday, Luke is back from the Diner, having put his new waitress Billie on, with Joe and Zach subbing in as well. He claims the place is in "good hands", but Lorelai tells him to go back, do the closing, she'll be fine. He demands that he be here to spend the day with her but promises that he will go back later. Most of the birthday presents for Lorelai are for the baby, or for the house. Either way, she appreciates them all, and promises the will all go to good use. Rory writes down who each of the gifts are from, so they can send the appropriate thank you to everyone who brought gifts. Lorelai just hugs her eldest daughter.

Later that evening, whilst the party is happening in the house, Lorelai finds herself wandering outside, over to the lake, where Luke had installed some chairs. It's a nice night, and the fairy lights that they had put up are bright enough so that you won't get lost, or fall in. It feels like this could be the place, the place where she could come and think, and just have some time alone, to wrap her head around everything that is going on. She's beginning to feel the years, creeping up on her, and the fact that Rory is in her thirties now… and the twins are almost nine, Katie is five… there just doesn't seem to be enough time left. Not that she has many regrets. But there are some. Mostly, that she wasted so much of her life, being scared of losing Luke, that she ended up losing him anyway, and it didn't make a difference… and what's to say that he won't leave now? What's to say that she'll survive this pregnancy? They don't have the best track records for miracles. They never have. Generally, when something good happens, it's immediately followed by something bad… something extremely bad… like she and Luke getting engaged… then April showed up and everything spiralled from there. But that's all in the past Lorelai… you're dwelling on things you have forgiven each other for… she told herself, and she knows that it's true. She and Luke have forgiven each other for a lot of things. They're stronger now… they've been through so much… they can make it through this as well… I hope… Lorelai places her hands on her stomach, and closes her eyes, imaging a little girl, with bright blue eyes, and dark hair, with a backwards baseball cap on her head, running around, playing sports. Luke had told her that he's been having nightmares, and now that he has put that information in her mind, she can't stop thinking about it either. Thinking about all the things that could go wrong… all of the things that happen in their lives that have torn them all apart… all of the things she desperately wishes she could travel back in time too, and change. Above all else, she misses her father. Richard was that kind of father that Lorelai always thought would just be around… that he'd outlive them all. That he'd never die… and then he did, and it threw her for a loop because it was so unexpected. She just… maybe I haven't dealt with it like I thought I had… she thought to herself, looking out over the lit-up lake, still in the night-time, the stars in the sky, not a cloud to be seen.

'Dad, I miss you. God, I wish you were here; you were always good at breaking me out of my funks. You and Luke have that in common. But mostly, I just wish you were here so that you could meet Lillybelle. I miss you dad,' she said, letting the tears run down her face

'He misses you too you know,' the voice, Rory's voice, breaking her out of her reverie

'Does he? I wasn't exactly the perfect daughter…' Lorelai said, as her daughter sat beside her on the seat, hugging her mother

'No, but I know he loved you, and all his grandkids. You know how I know? Because he had pictures on his desk… and he only had pictures on there of people he cared about. One of himself and Grandma at their vowel renewal, one of me, one of the Twins, and Katie, and one of you and Luke… he loved you mom,' Rory whispered, worried when her mother started crying into her shoulder.

After Lorelai went to bed that night, Rory sat out on the seat where her mother had been, just thinking. Things between herself and Eli are so good right now, and she's just started her new book, and him his new job… they've just moved back to Stars Hollow, and she's content. Right now, she doesn't need anything else, and that includes another baby. She doesn't think she wants that. Not because she doesn't love her husband, she does. But because all she needs is the family that she has. Besides, she hated being pregnant. When she was pregnant, she was a horrible person. She didn't like herself, and she's pretty sure that Eli wanted to kill her most nights, but she got through it. She got through it, despite the fact that it was horrible. But she doesn't want to do that again. If she doesn't have too. Like her mother before her, she had named her first born daughter Lorelai. In honour of her grandmother, and Rory's great grandmother. For a long time, that was the legacy that carried on the Stone name. That was the reason for it. Then Moni came along, and she loves both of her little girls, but she can't imagine a third. Her cell phone ringing broke her out of her thoughts, and she answered it, rolling her eyes affectionately, when she saw the caller ID was Paris. Unsurprisingly, she and Doyle had gotten back together, and they're now living in LA. Well, they're trying to live in LA, but Paris calls her almost every night to tell her how bad it is, and Rory keeps asking her to move back to Hartford. She knows that Doyle is some big-time movie guy right now… but she misses her best friend. They talk for a while, Rory informs Paris that her mother is pregnant, gets a little defensive when Paris says something insensitive, only to have her immediately apologise… she's getting better at that… before their conversation flitters out, and they agree to talk later. Ah Paris… I miss that woman. Rory had never the connection with anyone else, the connection she has with Paris. It's a different kind of friendship, one that she and Lane don't share, that's not say that either friendship is better or worse than the other, it's just that the different experiences entail a different type of… flare. When Eli finds his wife an hour later, he shakes his head, chuckling when he teases her about being 'out in nature'. Rory takes his hands, and outright tells him that she doesn't want another kid. He kisses her, and they agree to talk about it. Just listen to me you fool… I am telling you… she thinks but doesn't say anything. The discussion won't be happening.

A few days later, the Danes-Stone Family took their kids to the Stars Hollow Arbor Day Festival, where they were 'celebrating the trees'. It's a kick for the kids, and another chance for Taylor to hold a stupid festival, even though the whole point is to show kids how to respect nature, despite the fact that most of the decorations are made out of paper or carboard… things that come from trees. The rant from Luke has the entire family groaning, whilst Lorelai just holds his hand, as they stroll slowly through the square, as the kids run off upon seeing all their friends. April had to leave early, which had bummed them out, but they understood, and Luke had driven her to the airport last night. She had promised to try and get back when she could, but that she would definitely be back when her sister is born. Rory and Eli had been deep in discussion about something, and Lorelai had felt like she was missing everything, even though she's right there, and Rory talks to her, and tells her things, and their mother/daughter relationship is strong now… they had promised to talk to each other a lot when they're not together… so when Rory moved to Chicago, it kind of threw things out of whack for them, especially because she'd just given birth to Moni, and Lorelai wouldn't be able to see that much of her granddaughter, but Eli's parents would. Luke had reminded her that they're still her grandparents regardless, but he couldn't stop his wife's jealousy, even though Lorelai herself had admitted that she was, and didn't dwell on it. But there was that moment in her life, where she saw herself missing out on Moni's life, her first steps, her first word… her first everything. She had gotten mad at Rory, blamed her and Eli, and her daughter had rightfully defended her husband. Lorelai couldn't blame her. She would have defended Luke… to the high heavens, she would have, and still would, defend him. As they made their way into the thicket of the Arbor Day celebrations, Lorelai and Luke found a seat, close to the edge of the square, but inside enough that they don't have to be so involved but can keep an eye on the kids. April is a weird time of the year. It's at the start of the year, but it's Spring, and nothing really happens mid-year, Easter doesn't really count as a holiday anymore… maybe she's just seen it all so much that she's over it. Lorelai watched her grandbabies running around, squealing, and having fun, and just lay her head on Luke's shoulder, his arm going around her.

'What are you thinking Crazy Lady?' he asked, pressing a kiss to the top of her head

'How short life is, and how fast it goes by,' she said, and Luke looked at her, concerned

'Lorelai, why are you thinking like that? We have plenty of time for things. We may not be twenty anymore, but we're not old,' Luke said, seriously taking her hand

'Sure, plenty of time…' she replied, but Luke could tell that she didn't believe that, and didn't know what to do to change it.

A/N: Chapter two of two, uploaded. See you after the holidays. D.