DISCLAIMER:
I own NOTHING!
~ Thank you to everyone who has been reading and leaving me reviews! I love reading what you have to say. :-)
~ I hope you all are enjoying this story, and I would love to hear your thoughts. Drop me some reviews! :-)
~~~ Self Quarantine Day 73 ~~~
Our air conditioner died four days ago. It's 85 degrees inside my house, and 90 outside. It's hot as hell trying to sleep at night. With our HVAC unit down and the disadvantage of living in the south central US, the humidity is causing mold. This majorly sucks! I'm attempting to pass the time by writing. I literally have nothing else to do. But it's so freaking HOT!
Something my husband and I have learned through this who no air conditioning nightmare; buy a can of Biofreeze, spray yourself down, and go sit in front of the fan. It feels AMAZING!
I hope you are all doing well, and continue to remain healthy and happy.
"Grandma! Grandpa! I am so happy to see you!" Rory said, as she ushered her grandparents into her home Friday morning.
"Rory, you look lovely! Richard, look how much the baby has already grown, just since last week!" Emily said as she hugged her granddaughter then leaned down placing a hand on her stomach. "Hi there Sweet baby girl! Grandma is so excited to meet you in just a few more months!"
"Rory, are you going to take that? Grandma just called you fat!" Lorelai said nudging Rory as she stepped up behind her.
"I did no such thing!" Emily argued! Rory looks lovely! I just commented that the baby is growing."
"And making Rory fat."
"Lorelai, I swear! Rory, I would never call you fat. Please ignore your mother. I am simply excited to have a new baby join our family in the spring."
"I know Grandma. Mom is an instigator. Come on in. Hi Grandpa!" Rory said giving her Grandfather a hug, then following everyone into the living room.
"Rory, Honey, your house looks gorgeous!" Richard said as he looked around, admiring all the Christmas decorations that had been put up since their last visit.
"Thank you Grandpa!"
"Where is Logan this morning?"
"Logan is at work. He got called in around 4am. He should be home around lunch time."
"Poor guy! He must be exhausted!" Emily commented.
"I talked to him about an hour ago. He's going to take a nap when he gets home, that way he's somewhat rested before we go see The Nutcracker tonight."
"Well, it's only 10 right now. What should we do while we wait for Logan?"
"Actually, I was hoping that maybe you could do something for me."
"And what would that be?"
"Logan and I were hoping that maybe you could do a little damage control . . ."
"Damage control?" Richard asked.
"Mitchum was a complete jerk at lunch the other day. Between trying to weasel his way back into HPG and throwing me out, insinuating that the gifts I bought my parents aren't good enough, and then being completely hyper focused on me being Lorelai Gilmore's illegitimate child, that he has completely forgotten that I'm a Hayden, and a hell of a lot better and more blue blooded than his entire family combined, he's been a total pain in the butt lately!"
"What did Logan have to say about it?"
"Logan ripped into him! He's REALLY mad!"
"Well don't you worry your pretty little head. Your Grandfather and I will take care of it. Maybe we'll even let Francine have a crack at him."
"Just no causing another heart attack, please."
"Don't worry Honey, your Grandmother and I will handle Mitchum." Richard told her.
"Rory didn't even tell you what she did to him." Lorelai commented.
"What did you do?" Emily asked.
"Logan ordered Richard a plain turkey sandwich at the restaurant with some bland soup and a salad. He was originally going to let him eat something else, because that restaurant is one of our favorites, and has amazing food, but Logan was mad, and decided to play dirty. He pulled rank and got Mitchum bland healthy food, and told me to order the most unhealthy thing I could and to eat a ton of it, just to make Mitchum crazy. Logan, April and I ordered thick juicy burgers, a Philly cheese steak, onion rings, fries, and Mozzarella sticks, and we ate every single bite! Then we washed it down with ice cream shakes, chocolate cake, and strawberry cheesecake."
"Sounds nice and artery clogging." Richard laughed.
"Exactly!" Rory agreed. "And it was delicious!"
"We should all eat some really delicious food in front of him while Mitchum eats mush." Lorelai told them.
"That's the plan!" Rory told her. "Logan is picking up lunch on his way home. I'm sure he's going out of his way to torture his Dad. He'll probably get all of Mitchum's favorites."
"Logan is definitely a Gilmore at heart!" Lorelai laughed. "We've trained him well!"
"He's been around you girls way too long!" Emily agreed.
"Should we get settled while we wait for Logan to get home?" Richard asked.
"If you'd like." Rory answered. "Please don't hate me for this, but the two of you, Dad, and Francine are staying over at Honor's house this time. We just don't have enough beds in this house for everybody, and we figured that you would be more comfortable over there, and wouldn't want anyone to be sleeping on the couch. But you don't by any means have to spend any of your time over there. We have code locks on the doors, and you are all welcome to come and go as you please. We made the code the baby's due date. 0-5-2-3 Or you can use the garage door. I can give you the codes to those too, or you can take one of the controllers."
"Don't be silly Rory, of course it's ok!" Emily told her. "You asked me about this situation a month ago."
"I did? I don't remember."
"You don't remember what you ate for breakfast either." Lorelai laughed.
"Has Christopher arrived yet?" Richard asked.
"Not yet, but I'm expecting them to be here soon. Gigi will be staying here, but we put Dad and Francine at Honor's house with you guys. We figured the grandparents would probably want to go to bed earlier than us younger kids, so the house would be quieter."
"Lorelai, where is Luke?" Emily asked.
"He's upstairs putting together some furniture in the baby's room, and hanging some shelves.
"And April?"
"She is out with Anna, exploring the city. They'll be back later this afternoon."
"Anna is?" Richard asked.
"April's Mom." Rory told her. "She's very sweet."
"Are Josh's parents joining us for the holiday?" Emily asked.
"They're over at Honor's right now. They're going to be with their daughter for Christmas this year. They came by to drop off presents this morning." Rory told her.
"Well, let's go say hello then."
"Do you need some help getting up?" Lorelai asked, holding her hand out to Rory to help her up from the couch.
"Just a little bit. Thank you. I can still get up at the moment, but it's getting harder."
"I'll text Luke to let him know that we'll be across the street." Lorelai said as they all headed for the door.
~ ~ ~ Honor's House ~ ~ ~
"Knock knock!" Rory called as she led her family into the house a few minutes later.
"In the kitchen!" Honor called back.
"This house looks like a winter wonderland!" Emily exclaimed, looking around as they walked through the foyer."
"Every room has a different theme." Rory explained. The living room is pretty cool, it looks like Santa's workshop. The family room is decorated like an elf's home. Everything is tiny except the furniture which just looks massive. It's pretty funny."
"Hello hello!" Honor greeted everyone as they entered the kitchen. "Welcome to Mrs. Clause's bakery!"
"Honor, it smells delicious in here!" Lorelai said as she gave Honor a hug.
"It does, doesn't it?! It's all Donna! She came over this morning and decided we should bake some treats."
"Donna, how are you?" Emily asked, embracing Donna Rothschild for a brief moment.
"Emily! It is so wonderful to see you. I am doing fantastic! How are you? You look amazing as always. Hello Richard, it's so great to see you."
"We are doing very well, thank you." Emily answered.
"What are you making?" Rory asked.
"We just put an apple pie in the oven, and we are working on pumpkin and cherry. There are cookies on the counter if you would like some. We made 3 different kinds."
"Have I told you that you're my favorite?" Lorelai asked as she walked through the kitchen to check out the cookies.
"Emily, Richard, how was the drive?" Honor asked.
"It wasn't bad." Richard answered. "Those cookies look devine!"
"Help yourself!"
"Where's Mitchum?" Rory asked.
"In the den with Josh and his Dad." Honor told her. "Probably watching golf or something. Do you have bags to bring in? I'll call in there and have them help you."
"Thank you Honor, that is very kind." Emily smiled as Richard handed her a cookie.
"Josh? Honey? Would you and your Dad mind coming to help Richard bring their bags inside please?" Honor spoke through the intercom.
"We'll be right there." Josh answered.
"Is Logan still working?" Honor asked.
"He was when I talked to him an hour ago. He's aiming to be home by lunch time." Rory told her.
"You handle his ever changing work schedule angelically. Not all wives are so understanding."
"What choice do I have? Logan has an important career that he loves. He is literally saving lives. It would be wrong of me to complain."
"You are a wonderful wife!" Donna told her. "Can I touch your cute little belly?"
"Of course you can. Thank you for asking."
"How are you Honey?" Donna asked hugging Rory before gently rubbing her stomach. "Hi baby girl! I'm your Grandma Donna! I can't wait to meet you! I got you a ton of Christmas presents! I hope you like them!"
"I'm doing good." Rory chuckled.
"You are so adorable! Here, go stand with Honor, I need a picture of you adorable Mommies together." Donna said reaching into her pocket and pulling out her phone as the men walked into the kitchen. "Joshua, we made your favorite cookies. They're on the counter."
"Thanks Ma." Josh said grabbing a cookie. "Where are the bags?"
"Rory's driveway. I'll show you." Richard said, then led the men out of the kitchen.
"Did I hear there are cookies in here?" Mitchum asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Your cookies are right here Dad." Honor said as she picked up a container off the counter, and handed it to her dad.
"Sugar free I'm guessing."
"That's right. You know that you don't get any of these. Logan would kill us if we let you have any."
"Can I Rory, can I? PLEASE!?" Lorelai whispered, begging her daughter.
"Lorelai, hold your tongue!" Emily quietly snapped, elbowing her daughter in the ribs.
"Hey, I'm not stopping you." Rory whispered back.
"Donna, these cookies are AMAZING! I'm going to need to get your recipe." Lorelai announced causing Emily to roll her eyes, and Rory to stifle a laugh.
"What else are you making today?" Emily asked.
"Well, we are going to finish up the pumpkin and cherry pies, and then make a special pie for Mitchum here, and I thought we might make some cinnamon rolls for you all to have for breakfast tomorrow morning." Donna answered.
"Can I just eat them all now?" Rory asked. "I think the one big benefit of pregnancy is the never ending hunger. I LOVE food!"
"Rory here ate an entire philly cheese steak and a full pound hamburger at lunch the other day." Mitchum informed everyone.
"Don't forget about the fries, and onion rings." Honor added.
"I had some of April's mozzarella sticks too." Rory laughed.
"And you washed it all down with a chocolate ice cream shake then followed that with chocolate cake and cheesecake."
"And it was delicious!"
"Gotta love that Gilmore appetite!" Lorelai laughed. "I've raised you well!"
"So she always eats like this?" Mitchum asked.
"Oh yes! Gilmore girls have bottomless stomachs. Yet somehow we never gain any weight." Lorelai said proudly.
"It's the Lorelai paradox." Rory chuckled. "Hopefully the baby will have the same problem."
"Logan may go broke trying to feed you two." Honor chuckled. "I envy your appetite!"
"Logan does too. He still thinks it's some kind of magic trick."
"It must be really nice to be able to eat whatever you want." Mitchum commented as he looked over the container of cookies in his hand. "I haven't had a say in what I eat in months."
"That's because you're recovering from two heart attacks, and your diet has always been crap. We're trying to change that Dad. We're helping you get healthy." Honor told him. "Now take your cookies, and go back to watching golf or whatever it is that you were doing. Logan should be home with lunch soon."
"What is he bringing?"
"I have no idea. Rory, did he tell you?"
"Not yet. He said he would call when he leaves the hospital. He's busy saving lives."
"Mitchum, you must be so proud of your son." Emily started. "He has worked so hard to become a doctor, and now here he is, saving lives every day. What an amazing asset to your family! You are blessed to have raised such an amazing young man."
"Sure, we're very lucky." Mitchum said as he walked away, leaving the women alone.
"Nice one, Mom!" Lorelai said as she nudged her mother.
"High five Grandma!" Rory said holding her hand out in front of Emily.
"Really girls?"
"Hey, that was an awesome dig you just made!" Honor agreed. "He had that one coming!"
"Rory, did you really eat all of that at lunch the other day?" Donna asked.
"I did." Rory told her.
"Was it delicious?"
"It really was! Logan told me to eat a ton, so I did."
"I envy your stomach!"
"Hey, I'm an amateur compared to my Mom. Cows and goats envy her stomach!"
"Rory, when is your husband coming home?"
"He said around noon. Why? Are you starving or something?"
"No, I just can't wait to tell Logan all about what just happened."
"Tell Logan about what that just happened?" a voice asked from behind them.
"Baby!" Rory squealed, jumping into Logan's arms.
"Hi!" Logan smiled, hugging his wife tight, then kissing her. "You taste like cookies."
"And they're delicious!" Rory said kissing him again, then breaking off a piece of the cookie she was holding, and pushing it into Logan's mouth.
"That is really good! What is that?" he asked after finishing the bite in his mouth.
"I have no idea, but Donna made it."
"That would be chocolate chip cookies made with Belgian hazelnut chocolate." Donna answered.
"That is incredible! I might have to eat a few more."
"Logan, Merry Christmas! I'm so glad you could join us!" Emily said as Logan moved across the kitchen toward the cookies on the counter next to where Emily was standing.
"Emily, I'm so glad you guys made it! How was your drive?"
"It was nice and uneventful."
"Good, I am very glad. Lorelai, I said hi to you yesterday." Logan smiled, stepping past his mother in-law, and grabbing himself a couple cookies.
"How many lives did you save today?"
"I don't know, I wasn't keeping track. I did a lot of stitches though, and I almost got thrown up on."
"Gross!" Rory said, scrunching up her face.
"You're telling me! And a couple of the nurses laughed and said, 'welcome to parenthood'."
"It's not so bad when it's baby spit up. It's when they get older and have real food in their system that comes back up, that's when it gets bad." Lorelai told him.
"Thanks for the visual!" Logan laughed.
"Logan, Honey, are you hungry?" Donna asked.
"I am, but I have lunch being delivered in an hour. How are you doing Donna?"
"I'm doing great Honey! How about you? Your sister tells me you were called in early this morning."
"The phone rang at 4am. I'm doing alright. I'm a little tired, but I'm going to take a nap after lunch."
"So Logan, do you want to hear what happened right before you got here?" Lorelai asked.
"Does it have anything to do with why Dad was just muttering something on his way to the den?"
"Probably everything to do with it." Rory answered.
"Did he at least deserve it?"
"Doesn't he always?" Honor asked.
"Ok, hit me with it."
"Let's just say that Dad has sugar free cookies, and no one else does."
"And I might have announced how great these cookies are." Lorelai added.
"And then Dad tried to throw Rory under the bus for everything she ate on Monday, and it completely backfired."
"Nice!" Logan told them.
"So then Grandma pipes up with how proud Mitchum must be to have a son who studied so hard to become a doctor and save lives every day, and he is blessed to have raised such an amazing young man." Rory added.
"I heard the words 'sure, very lucky' as he left the kitchen." Lorelai told him.
"Well, he definitely deserved it!" Logan agreed.
"I told Grandma about lunch the other day. She said she would take care of it." Rory told him.
"What happened at lunch the other day?" Donna asked.
"Just Dad being hateful to Rory." Honor answered.
"Your parents are STILL doing that crap? Rory, Honey, I am so sorry!"
"Don't be, It's not your fault. I don't really care that they hate me anymore. I'm pretty used to it."
"Rory has decided that rather than be upset by it, she's just going to embrace it, and at least give them a reason to hate her." Logan told her.
"And it's pretty fun too! We're having a great time coming up with new ways to make them crazy."
"Well I'm glad you've found a way to be positive, and not let the drama hurt your relationship." Donna told them.
"They can't hurt us. We're solid." Logan told her. "We both know what it's like to be apart, and we're better together, right Ace?"
"Yep! And you can't really hurt the person who holds the purse strings. But you do need to be careful, because one day she just might snap, and completely cut you off!"
"Now that, I can't wait to see!" Lorelai told them.
"Me too!" Logan agreed.
