DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
Everything about Doctors Without Borders, I borrowed from their website.
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~~~ Self Quarantine Day 32 ~~~
I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend! Mine was pretty uneventful until yesterday when we had tornados rolls through the area. Did anyone else get to deal with that yesterday? We are all ok, and there as only wind and water damage where I live. Half of my city completely flooded last night, which was interesting to see. Tornados touched down in the cities on either side of us, but we were ok. My husband put us up in a hotel while he worked yesterday. He didn't want me alone with two autistic kids, in our 80 yer old home, so we were in the company owned hotel, on the same property he works on. We were able to come home late last night after hubby came home to check on things. Our house is completely fine. The hotel had a tree come down, and lost power for over 2 hours but our house across town was just fine, and never lost power at all. It was just a super LONG day! I'm still completely exhausted, and feel like I've been hit by a truck, but at least we are safe.
I hope you are all doing well, and continue to remain healthy and happy.
"So why are we going to Stars Hollow again?" Logan asked as they drove down the freeway, heading to Rory's hometown for the weekend.
"I thought you liked The Hollow?" Rory asked.
"I do like The Hollow, I'm just asking why we are going because I don't remember anything being on the calendar."
"That's because I forgot to put it on the calendar."
"You've been forgetting a lot of stuff lately."
"Yeah well, I hear baby brain does that. And iI don't even want to hear any comments about that, because this is partly your fault."
"So are you going to tell me why we are going to Stars Hollow?"
"Oh! Yeah! We've got the Dragonfly Christmas Party in the Hollow tonight, and Mom really wants us to be there this year. And then tomorrow, we've gotta go to my Grandparents' Christmas party."
"And you realize that the hospital Christmas party is on Sunday, right?"
"Yes, that party was actually on the calendar."
"So we are staying in The Hollow tonight?"
"Mom finally put a bigger bed in my old room."
"Oh really? When did that happen?"
"Actually, when Honor and Josh stayed with her to help plan my birthday party. Mom finally decided that having a twin bed in there wasn't conducive to having a married couple staying over. I guess in her own way, she's finally come around to my being so grown up now. I never needed a bigger bed when it was just me coming home, but now that I'm bringing home a husband, and soon a grand baby, I guess I need a big girl bed to sleep in."
"Is everyone still coming to our house for Christmas next week?"
"Guests will start arriving on Thursday."
"I guess it's a good thing we got our tree and decorations up last week then."
"Grandma was so excited to help! She is the queen of decorating!"
"The house looks amazing!"
"It's about to be completely full! Mom, Luke and April are coming up, and I told April that her mom is welcome to join us too. My Dad is coming with Gigi and Francine, and then we've got Grandma and Grandpa."
"That is 9 people and we've got 4 bedrooms available. Are we putting people in the library and offices?"
"You know, I actually hadn't thought of that, but we totally could. We can get some futon couches that lay flat to become beds."
"Where were you planning to put people?"
"Actually, I was thinking of putting my Grandparents over at Honor's house. Mom and Luke can have the big room in the basement, and April and Anna can have the other two, and then Gigi can have the room upstairs. Or if they want to, April and Anna can share and Dad can have the other room downstairs. Or April and Gigi can share. And then Honor can take all the Grandparents since she's only got your dad. I figure they are all friends anyway."
"Do you think that's safe? All the rich people in one house?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"Not at the moment."
"I just figured that my Grandparents might be more comfortable over at Honor's. The rooms are bigger over there and they all have private bathrooms. Her house is bigger than ours."
"Did you want a bigger house, because we can find something else?"
"No, absolutely not! I love our house! We don't need anything bigger. You married A Gilmore, I a am perfectly happy with a small house like my mom's. I don't even need our huge house. And Honor's house is massive! I still get lost over there."
"We can always add an extension to ours. We have plenty of land. Or even a guest house."
"I don't think we really need that right now. Maybe down the road when we have more kids, but for right now, I'm happy with what we've got."
"Did you talk to Honor about your Grandparents staying with her?"
"I asked her if it might be ok and she said to give her a head count when I had one. I was planning to do that tomorrow. She's been pretty busy being your Dad's care giver."
"I thought she hired a nurse?"
"She did. But she's still got all his doctor appointments and therapies."
"At least Mom is still in rehab, so she doesn't have that drama to deal with."
"Have you heard anything about that?"
"Not really. Last I heard, Mom was adjusting. They're still trying to get all the Xanax and stuff out of her system. She's been taking so much of it, for so long, that she is completely dependent on it, so they are having to slowly wean her down. It's too dangerous to just suddenly stop it all at once. That could cause her body to go into shock, and she could have some serious withdrawing issues. The seizures alone could kill her. It's a really delicate balance. They are doing the best they can. Honor actually thought about going out there for Christmas, but the doctors don't think it's a good idea. They don't want to add any stress to mom or any other patients, so they are doing their own rehab Christmas thing. We can all video chat with her, but otherwise we won't see her for at least another month until they allow family visits."
"Are you going to go out for the family visit?"
"I was thinking that we could go together. Us, Honor, Josh, and Dad if his team says it's ok."
"I'm pretty sure your mother doesn't want to see me."
"And I'm pretty sure that I don't care what she wants, because you and I are a team. It's both of us, or neither of us. Plus, I've got her therapists working on her hatred issues. Maybe once all the toxins are out of her system, mom will be a completely different person."
"So here's a question, after your mom eventually goes home, how are we going to know that she is sticking with her new lifestyle and not immediately slipping back into her old habits?"
"Trust me, I'm already on top of that. She'll be getting a sober living companion along with Dad's live in care giver. And I'll be hiring all new staff for their house who will lose their jobs if they give mom anything she isn't supposed to have. Plus, there is medication we can have mom put on that will make her violently ill should she slip up."
"Oh I bet she'll just LOVE that!"
"Doesn't matter. It's for her own good. If she wants to be a grandmother, then she gets to do things our way."
"I love how much confidence you have in rehab completely changing your mother..."
"But..."
"She's still Shira. After all these years, it's just hard for me to picture her ever changing."
"My Dad came around."
"But he never despised me like Shira does. Your Dad was at least decent to me. Definitely not my biggest fan, but he at least respected me as a person. Shira has never been anything except horrible to me."
"Well I'm hoping that all her therapists can get through to her."
"What does Honor think about it?"
"We're in the same boat. It's you and Me, and Honor and Josh, all on the same team. Either Mom learns to accept that, or Mom is going to be pretty miserable all on her own."
"Random question."
"What's that?" Logan asked curiously.
"Do you think that maybe now that your Dad had the two heart attacks and is having to go through all of his own rehab, and then your Mom going through rehab too, do you think that maybe they might be able to fix their marriage, and maybe actually have a happy life together?" Rory asked in a timid voice.
"That's a really good question ..." Logan started, taking a deep breath and letting it out with a sigh as he thought about how to answer. "I honestly don't know. I guess maybe it's possible, but they both have to want it. They can probably try some marriage counseling. See if they can find a way to make things work between them. I don't think that they necessarily hate each other, I just think that mom is vindictive and used Dad for the family money in the beginning. But I don't think that Dad is entirely blameless either. I think they were both pretty young and stupid, and mom was running away from the life she was raised in, and saw what she thought was a golden opportunity, and she came up with a messed up plan to get it. I definitely think that she could have gone about things differently, and maybe then her and Dad might have a better marriage."
"How do you think she could have done things differently?"
"Had she not tricked Dad into getting her pregnant so he would be forced to marry her, she could have maybe tried to date him, and woo him like you did with me. Maybe then Dad would have fallen in love with her."
"Logan, I never tried to woo you, or anything like that."
"Oh really?! Because I specifically remember you coming to me, asking me if I was ever going to ask you out, and then you dragging me out of your Grandparents' vow renewal, to go fool around with you because you wanted to go have some 'stringless fun' and you kissing me for the first time because you 'just wanted to know what it would be like'." Logan chuckled.
"That wasn't wooing. That was me being desperate and sick of watching you all over other girls all the time. You were always flirting with me, and acting like you liked me. But even when I practically threw myself at you, doing everything except begging you to take me out, you still walked away."
"When did you ever throw yourself at me?"
"That article I helped you with for the Daily News. You think I just did that to be nice? That night we were talking about Seymour Hearsh, and you mentioned you had to go to s a party your Dad was throwing for him. I bailed on Friday night dinner with my family, making myself completely available to you, hoping that you would ask me to go with you."
"For real? Why didn't you just say something?"
"I did. I told you how lucky you are to get to meet him, and be around him. And how I would have loved to just ask him questions. You totally blew me off!"
"Yeah, I'm not so good with the indirect clues."
"Well I know that now, but I didn't back then. I was sitting there flirting with you, saying everything I could think of to get you to ask me to go, but you just left."
" I'm sorry Ace. I had no idea you wanted to go so badly." Logan said as he reached for her hand, then moved it to his mouth, placing a gentle kids on her knuckles.
"I never tried to woo you. I desperately threw myself at you a few times, before finally giving up the day you decided that you actually wanted to be my boyfriend, but I never once tried to woo you."
"So that was all just be me then. I've always been the one wooing you."
"You've desperately thrown yourself at me a few times too."
"Don't I know it!" Logan chuckled. "Hey Ace, tell me how you feel about this... What do you think about renewing our vows, and having the big fancy wedding you've always dreamed of, in on our anniversary?"
"As in like 10 months from now?"
"I think we can pull it off. You'll be recovered after having Ayribella, and I think it might be fun. We can get married again anywhere you want. You can do it in Stars Hollow, or we can even go back to St Croix if you want to. Or we can go somewhere completely different. We can have a destination wedding in Switzerland or Zimbabwe. Whatever you want to do, we can do."
"You don't think that we should wait? Ayribella will barely be 4 months old."
"We can wait if you want to. I just want to give you the wedding you've always dreamed of. We eloped in the middle of the night. It was a spur of the moment thing, and it was perfect and amazing, but I know that you've always dreamed of having that big fancy wedding with the fancy dress, the big party, and everything else, and I want you to have that."
"Can I think about it?"
"Of course you can. You think about it, and talk to Lorelai. Whenever you decide you want to do it, we'll get married again."
"OK." Rory agreed with a smile, before changing the subject. "When does construction start on your clinic?"
"January second. The construction crew from the hospital is drawing up the plans as we speak, and I should have them by the end of next week. If all goes well, we should be up and running by February."
"Logan, that's awesome!"
"We'll be able to get the clinic opened and running before Ayribella is born, and then we'll both be able to take some much needed time off together. Although, I'll probably work from home, covering for you, while you're out."
"That doesn't give you any time off."
"Yes it does. I'll be home with you and the baby, and you'll be my top priority. I'll take calls and answer e-mails while you are sleeping, or if your mom or someone is there to help. I'll make it work."
"Babe, the entire point of paternity leave, is for you to be able to bond with the new baby."
"I know that, and I have every intention of being there every single second. But babies sleep. I'll only be working while you and Ayribella are sleeping or otherwise occupied and don't need me. 'Doyle and I will figure it out."
"Doyle is amazing to have around! He makes my life so easy at the office."
"Doyle could probably run everything while we are both out. I actually think that he would be good at it."
"I agree! Doyle definitely knows what he's doing. That was a good choice we made, hiring him."
"I actually really like that he handles things and just gives us the highlights later on. We don't get bothered with anything that isn't actually important."
"I know, right?! Unless something needs my stamp of approval, Doyle takes care of it. He's the best assistant I've ever had!"
"I would say that we should give him a raise, but we are already over paying him."
"It's all good, I bought really nice Christmas presents for Doyle, Paris and the twins." Rory assured him.
"And this is why we make a good team, because the only present I've bought is yours." Logan laughed.
"And when did you have time to go shopping?"
"I haven't. I ordered it, and had it delivered to Honor's house."
"You still don't trust me to not open packages?
"Your name is Lorelai Gilmore. I know you!"
"Hey, I'm not as bad as her."
"But I still know you. There is no way that you can sit home with a package that you think might be for you, and not open it."
"How do you know?"
"Because it would kill you. You would be begging me to let you open it."
"No I wouldn't."
"Then you would carefully cut it open, find out what's inside, then tape it all back up so it looks like you didn't touch it."
"Probably."
"See! I know you! You're Little Lorelai!"
"Ok Michel!" Rory laughed.
"And don't even go begging Honor to give you the present either, because you know that she won't do it."
"Mean!"
"Yeah right! You wish I was mean to you! "
"It's fine, I can just go check credit card statements."
"You mean the statements that go directly to my accountant?"
"Why do your credit card statements go to your accountant?"
"Have you ever seen me pay a bill? In the entire time that you've known me, have you ever seen me paying bills?"
"No..."
"Exactly! Because I have someone who takes care of everything for me. It also keeps me from doing anything stupid with my money because I have to actually go ask permission before I can act like Collin."
""Hey Babe, that actually brings up a good point. We've been married for two months, and all of our accounts are separate. I mean, it's not a big deal or anything, we've never even talked about any of this stuff."
"I know. It's fine, you're my wife, we can combine everything if you want to. I already told my accountant that if you were to call him, and needed anything, to take care of it."
"You did?"
"Who do you think has been paying your bills for the last couple months?"
"Seriously? I figured you were the one paying them. I went to log onto the website to pay my credit card last month and it was paid off. I just figured you did that."
"Technically I did. I saw the bill come in the mail, so I faxed it over to Jeremy."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm sorry, I must have forgotten. It's just habit for me to send everything to Jeremy. I don't even look at the bills. Most stuff goes directly to Jeremy, but anything that doesn't, I just open and fax over without even looking at it. I'm sorry if I overstepped. It's just habit."
"It's fine. I honestly just thought that you did it to be sweet, and you wanted to surprise me. I meant to say thank you, but I forgot. Thank you for paying off my credit card."
"You're welcome. We'll go talk to Jeremy after Christmas. He's got some paperwork for you to sign, giving you access to all my stuff in case something happens. If you want to, he can take over your accounts too. Or we can combine everything. Whatever you want to do."
"Ok."
"We'll get it all figured out. I hired Jeremy to take care of everything for me when I started at the hospital. I honestly don't even know how much money I have. Jeremy calls me if there is a problem, and I call him if I want to make any big purchases."
"You really don't know how much money you have?"
"Nope. I used to check all the time, right after I hired Jeremy. But then I got busy and I forgot. Everything has always been paid on time, and I've never had a problem. He goes over the accounts with me a couple times a year, but you know my history with money. If I know how much I have, I'll do something stupid with it. I hired Jeremy to make me grow up."
"I fully agree with you growing up and not blowing money all over the place, but how do you know that Jeremy isn't siphoning money away for himself?"
"That's why I met with him and his team twice a year to go over everything. Jeremy takes care of the bills and my bank accounts, his tax guy takes care of my taxes, the mortgage guy took care of our house, the insurance guy takes care of the insurance policies."
"So what did you do when you had to fill out that paperwork at HPG so you're actually getting paid for being there?"
"I signed it and faxed it over to Jeremy to give payroll the information."
"Part of me just wonders how I never knew any of this."
"Ace, we've only been married for two months. We've been really busy, and I've just taken care of everything. You probably just didn't notice because you're used to me taking care of you, and because you've had a lot going on."
"I'm sure you're right, but I kind of fell badfeel bad."
"Why would you feel bad?"
"I don't know. I guess because you take care of everything and I'm just oblivious to real life, and taking advantage of you."
"How are you taking advantage of me?"
"You're paying my bills, which means that I'm spending all your money."
"Babe, you make more money than I do. If I was worried about it, I would have said something. You aren't taking advantage of me at all. I'm your husband. It's my job to take care of you."
"I just feel bad. I'm a big girl, I should be contributing to the bills."
"Ace, come on. Don't be ridiculous. Everything is taken care of. What's mine is yours."
"But I shouldn't have all this money in the bank while I'm essentially draining your account."
"You aren't draining my account at all. Like I said, if there was a problem, Jeremy would let me know. But if it makes you feel better, I'll make an appointment after Christmas, and we can combine everything. Your name is on the house and the insurance policies. You have nothing to worry about. I
promise! I've made sure that no matter what happens, you will always be taken care of."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that after I got married, I had Jeremy set up my accounts so that if something happens to me, you get everything. Remember when I updated everything at the hospital? I had Jeremy update everything else too. Heaven forbid something should happen, but if it did, everything I have goes directly to you."
"How did you set that all up without me even knowing that you have an accountant?"
"Honor uses Jeremy too. She would have helped you. Try not to worry about anything. I've always taken care of you, and I have no intention of ever stopping." Logan said with a smile. "You have my heart."
"Stop being so perfect. I'm already hormonal, and you're going to make me cry."
"I'll see what I can do." He chuckled as he pulled off the freeway in Hartford, and headed through the city streets toward Starts Hollow. "Where are we going? Your mom's or the Dragonfly?"
"Let's head to mom's. We can figure it out from there." Rory told him, as she reached for her phone. "I'm texting mom to let her know that we'll be there in a half hour. Actually, let's go to Luke's. I'm craving a burger."
"Deal! I'm somehow missing his chili cheese fries."
"See, you're learning!"
"You have me eating like a Gilmore. It's almost frightening."
"Welcome to my life!" Rory laughed. "You'll get used to it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Scene 2 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hey Rory! Welcome back!" Cesar said as Rory walked into Luke's dinner with Logan about twenty minutes later.
"Hey Cesar, is my Dad here?"
"Luke?"
"That would be him, yes."
"Yeah, I think he's upstairs. You can go check if you'd like."
"Thank you." Rory smiled, then reached for Logan's hand to, to lead him upstairs. "Come on." Rory knocked on the door at the top of the stairs, then slowly twisted the knob and pushed it open. "Hey Luke? You in here?" She called out, entering the apartment with Logan behind her, to see Luke pacing around on the phone, holding up one finger to let her know that he would be right with her.
"Yeah, that would be great. I've gotta go, my daughter just got here. Delivery tomorrow is perfect. Alright. See you then." Luke said, then hung up the phone, and headed across the apartment to greet Rory and Logan. "Hey, what are you guys doing here? We didn't expect you until later today?" Luke asked, hugging Rory, then shaking Logan's hand.
"Hey Dad. We figured we would beat the traffic out of the city, and come see if mom needs any help. But I'm starving, I was hoping that I could talk you into making me a burger and chili cheese fries?"
"Yeah, of course! Anything for you! Let's head downstairs. Does your mom know that you're here early?"
"I texted her when we left the house, then again when we got off the freeway in Hartford."
"She's probably busy setting everything up with Sookie."
"That's what I figured." Rory said as Logan held her hand, helping her slowly walk down the stairs, with Luke behind them.
"Logan, what would you like to eat?" Luke asked.
"A burger is fine, with a salad if you don't mind."
"Not at all. Rory, you need to eat some of that salad too."
"Can I wash it down with a chocolate milk shake?" Rory asked.
"I'll leave that one up to your doctor." Luke said as the duo sat down at the counter.
"I'm ok with it. Do you have any lemonade? I'm trying to keep her Vitamin C intake up, and someone doesn't like orange juice."
"Rory, you know orange juice is good for you."
"Not me." Rory laughed, pointing to her stomach.
"Ah, jelly bean doesn't like orange juice. Good to know. I'll try to remember that while you're here. Logan, what would you like to drink?"
"I'm good with lemonade as well."
"You two are nice and easy today." Luke smiled. "I'll go get your food started and be right back with your drinks."
"Thanks Dad!" Rory said as Luke walked away.
"I don't think I've ever seen this place so empty." Logan said as he looked around the dinner, only seeing one other customer.
"It's almost 11. The lunch rush will start soon. This place will get packed."
"Why don't you text Lane and see what she's up to today? Maybe we can stop by."
"That's a great idea!" Rory agreed.
"Oh hey, Ror, I don't know if your mom told you, but the town doesn't know about your little jelly bean yet. Lorelai decided that it was your news to tell, and swore Sookie, Lane and I to secrecy." Luke said approaching Rory and Logan again, setting their lemonade down in front of them.
"Oh! Good to know! I would have been fine with your guys telling everyone though."
"I know you would. But your mom wanted you to be the one to share the news."
"OK. Well, when I see Miss Patty and Babette, I'll be sure to tell them, that way they'll spread the news for me."
"That's the quickest way to find things out in this town!" Luke laughed. "I'll be right back with your salad."
"Does the town even know that we're married?" Logan asked.
"I don't know. I think so? I mean, we didn't tell anyone at my birthday party, but we were down here for Thanksgiving ... I don't know anymore, it's so hard to keep track of what they've been told and what they haven't. I don't know how Mom does it."
"Well you are definitely showing now, so it might be a little hard to hide it from people, depending on what you're wearing."
"Well right now, you can't see anything with this sweatshirt on. But once I put on ether of the party dresses that I brought with us, it'll be completely obvious."
"I didn't even look, what did you bring?"
"Red sparkly dress for tonight, and that green dress you picked out for me, for Grandma's party tomorrow."
"I like that green dress."
"I know you do. And you'll love the red one too."
"Is it short and tight?"
"It is now."
"How come I didn't get a show before we left?"
"Because you can have a show after the party tonight?"
"Aren't we staying with your parents?"
"If we're quiet, they won't know the difference. Or we can leave the party early ... "
"You play dirty Mrs. Huntzberger." Logan said with a wink as the diner door opened, and Lorelai walked in.
"Hey you guys!"
"Hey Mom! I didn't know that you'd be here?" Rory said as Lorelai walked over and joined them at the counter.
"You texted me saying you were coming for food, then Luke texted me when you got here. I just thought I would take a break to come have some lunch. How was the drive?"
"It was actually good. We beat all the traffic leaving the city." Logan told her.
"That's awesome! I bet the city looks gorgeous all lit up for Christmas."
"I can't wait for you to get there!" Rory told her. "Logan got tickets to the nutcracker Friday night. We are all going!"
"Cool! That will be really fun!" Lorelai said excitedly as Luke walked out of the kitchen carrying a salad for Rory and Logan. "Hi babe!"
"Hey! I didn't expect to see you until later." Luke said kissing his wife. "You hungry?"
"I'll have whatever they're having, minus the grass you just gave them. Unless Rory ordered something weird."
"Burger and chili cheese fries it is!" Luke told her.
"Chocolate shake." Cesar said, coming out of the kitchen and setting a shake down in front of Rory.
"Thank you Cesar!" Rory smiled.
"Cesar, can I get a burger and chili cheese fries too, please?" Lorelai asked.
"Coming right up!" Cesar answered, heading back into the kitchen.
"So Mom, Luke said that you didn't tell the town about the baby?" Rory asked.
"No, I didn't. It's your news to tell."
"You could have told everyone. It's your exciting news too."
"But it should come from you. I'm sure Patty and Babette will be in here for lunch. You can tell them both then. They'll take care of everyone else for you."
"I told Dad and Logan the same thing."
"You know, I know it's been several months, but I still can't get over you calling me Dad." Luke said with a bright smile.
"Technically you've been my Dad for years. Pretty much my entire life." Rory told him.
"I guess that's true. Don't get me wrong, I like it, it's just still so new. I guess it hasn't quite sunk in because I don't see you a lot."
"Sometimes it just feels weird to call you Luke. You've technically been my dad for most of my life, and now you and mom are married, so calling you anything else just feels a little weird to me. I mean, you're my Dad. You're the one who makes me soup and mashed potatoes when I'm sick, you're the one who fixes things at my house, and the one who moved me into the dorms at Yale, into my apartment, and then into the new house. You're the one who has always been there for me, and who caters to my cravings when I'm pregnant, and tells me that I need to eat better. You've always been more of a Dad to me, than my own Dad. And it really means a lot to me."
"And I've always considered you to be my daughter. Even before I found out about April, I always kind of thought of your as mine."
"Really?" Rory asked with a tear in her eye.
"Really. I've watched you grow up since you were a tiny little girl. And I like to think that I had a small part in that."
"You did, you had a huge part in that. Mom might have raised me, but you fed me. You always made sure that I at least ate something nutritious every day."
"Well somebody had to do it!" Luke laughed.
"You're going to be an amazing Grandpa!" Rory told him.
"Papa." Lorelai corrected.
"What?"
"Luke is Papa. Your Dad can be Grandpa Chris. Luke jets gets to be Papa. Nana Lorelai and Papa Luke."
"Is that what you want?" Rory asked, looking back to Luke.
"I'm good with that."
"Alright then! Papa Luke it is!"
"I'm gonna go check on your burgers." Luke announced, then headed back into the kitchen.