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Luke must have texted Lorelai because Rory received a single text from her mom that said, “There’s a key to a room at the Dragonfly waiting for you and Logan at the front desk. Someone cancelled, so lucky you, you get the last room! Sookie’s in town. She’ll be happy to see you. XO”
The text arrived just as Logan and Rory finished cleaning the kitchen post-countertop installation and dismantling of their emotional walls. Exhaustion washed over them, and they’d arrived dazed and dusty at the inn where they’d been met with a key, a small suitcase of clothes and toiletries, and a shower.
The warm bed – a bed they could both fit on – followed. They were too tired to do more than lie down facing each other in the dim lamplight with the curtains drawn, blotting out the afternoon sun.
Rory closed her eyes, sleep threatening to pull her down into the world of dreams, and then, she felt Logan’s fingers running lightly over her hip.
A smile lifted the corner of her lips, and she murmured, “If you think you’re getting lucky, Huntzberger, you’re wrong. At least not now. I’m growing a human, and. . . sleep is non-negotiable.”
The gentle motion of his hand continued. “I’m already lucky.”
“Sweet talking won’t work,” she teased.
“Can you blame me for trying?”
“You’re not tired, too? All that emotional revelation and physical labor, and you’re ready to go?”
Logan answered the question with a yawn. “When you say it that way.” His hand stilled on her leg, the weight of his arm heavier and comforting as he relaxed.
Sleep tugged at the corners of Rory’s mind.
Then, she felt a kick.
The movement was so insistent that she startled – her drowsy reverie interrupted.
“You okay there, Ace?” Logan whispered.
There was another motion and then a jab in the side followed by a smaller movement down low. Rory hadn’t realized how quiet the baby had been when she and Logan were in the car and then at the house. “Yeah. She’s moving.”
“Oh?” He’d been waiting to feel her for so long.
“I think she was asleep or something when we were fighting.”
“We weren’t fighting. Just having a very needed discussion.” He gave her a kiss.
She pushed her forehead into his. “Needed. I’m glad she slept through it.”
As their daughter continued her little dance, Rory found Logan’s hand and guided it over her belly to where the movements were. The tiniest of bumps issued forth.
“Did you feel that?” Rory asked.
“No.” Except for the one syllable, he was holding his breath.
Rory pushed his hand gently down and talked to their baby girl. “Hey, your dad’s here. Do you think you could give him a little nudge?”
Nothing.
And then, their daughter let out a soccer player worthy kick right where Logan’s hand was.
Awe swept over his features. “She’s really in there.”
Rory was amused. “Where else would she be?”
“She’s ours?”
“She’s unequivocally and without a doubt yours and mine.”
“I can’t believe she moved, and I felt her.” He sounded so proud.
“Just wait until she looks at you.”
“Oh, I’m in big trouble, aren’t I?”
“You keep saying that, so I think you have your answer.”
He smiled. “I do.”
Rory felt a little jerking pop inside. “Did you know that I can feel her hiccupping now, too? At least that’s what Lane said it is.”
“Hiccupping? Color me intrigued, Ace.”
“You didn’t read about it?” He’d read so many sites and a book or two.
“Not this bit.”
“You can’t feel it from the outside yet, but she usually has a hiccup session in the afternoon for about thirty minutes or so.” Baby girl was right on time. There was something reassuring about the repetitive sensation now. “It freaked me out the first time. You were meeting with Stuart and the staff at the paper, so I texted Lane. She said she felt it a lot with the twins.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“It was your first day.”
“Nothing is so important that you can’t interrupt.”
“Well, and I was dealing with Tom and TJ. It slipped my mind.” There had been conflict at the construction site as Rory expected, and she’d run interference. Some things never changed, and TJ still needed people to help him contain his big feelings.
“Say no more.” Logan’s brow furrowed a little. “Why is she hiccupping? Is she okay? I’m assuming so, or you’d be more freaked out about it.”
“It has something to do with her practicing breathing.”
“Smart girl.” The baby moved again under Logan’s hand. “See? She agrees with me.”
Rory laughed. “I don’t know if smarts have anything to do with it. I think it means she wants to be here with us.”
Logan’s eyes glinted with mirth. “Little bit of a stretch interpretation-wise.”
“And yours isn’t?”
“Well, statistically speaking, you’re intelligent and so am I. So, our baby will be, too.”
“And we’ll love her even if she’s not.” Expectations for Gilmores and Huntzbergers were always a heavy burden to carry, and there would be plenty of time later for having to navigate those.
“Absolutely.” Logan studied Rory’s face. “I have a feeling she’s going to teach me so much.”
“Me, too.”
Rory’s stomach growled loud enough to fill the room.
Logan laughed. “Hungry?”
Rory made a face of desperation. “Ugh. Yes.”
“Ugh-about-hunger and Gilmores don’t go together.”
“Except when I’m pregnant.” She sighed.
“Fair.”
“First, it’s the nausea at all hours of the day and the taste aversions, and then, later on, you get the acid reflux anytime you eat anything. There’s less room. Food is less fun. It’s been getting worse the last week or so,” Rory complained.
“But worth it?”
“Which? The food or baby? Word is still out on the food, but baby is worth it.”
Logan touched her arm and her shoulder the way he always touched her. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For carrying her. For taking care of her when I can’t yet.” He stroked her hair. “Want me to get you some food? Or let you sleep?”
Rory evaluated. Baby moving and hiccupping. Stomach growling insistently. It really was a no-brainer. “I don’t think she’s going to let me sleep.”
“Food it is.”
After kissing her gently, Logan got up and dressed and held a hand out to her – a hand she immediately took. Her heart ached. She couldn’t imagine him not being here with her. She stood and slipped into his arms for a deep embrace. They held on for a long time with the baby moving between them.
“I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here with me,” Rory whispered.
His deep breath was one of relief. “Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
He’d said the same when her grandpa was in the hospital years earlier. She wasn’t sure why she was remembering it now. She hadn’t thought about it in so long. Tears spilled over her cheeks. Their relationship had been so solid then. They’d been young and immature, yes, but he’d loved her all the same.
He felt her crying and rubbed her back. “Ace? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, not wanting to dive back in the deep end again so soon. “You said that to me before.”
“When?” He didn’t remember.
“When Grandpa was in the hospital.”
He rubbed her back again and held her tight. “There’s that grief.”
This made her laugh for some unknown reason, and still in his arms, she wiped her eyes and sniffled. “Can we get food? ‘Cause I’m griefed out.”
He held her head and pulled back, lightly kissing her forehead and then her lips. “Of course. I think I am, too.”
They parted, but she didn’t let go of his hand, and he grabbed the door key before they headed out the door.
“Mom said Sookie is here today.”
“Oh yeah?” Logan hadn’t met her yet.
“She’s cooking and everything.”
“I thought she didn’t do that anymore.” Lorelai had been filling Logan in on Stars Hollow gossip and other important information on the many nights they stayed up watching TV or playing card games as a foursome.
“Just for Easter weekend. It was a last-minute thing. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried her carrot cake.”
“Can’t wait.”
Rory led Logan down the stairs through the lobby and the mini-library into the dining area decorated for springtime. A few guests were mingling around, some seated at tables and eating or reading. She moved onward, bringing Logan into the kitchen in the back. A cacophony of scents and sounds greeted her, and bright sunlight lit the workspace. Several workers dressed in chef’s white were rushing around the space in a perfect, synchronous rhythm of prepping dishes for cooking and plates for serving the forthcoming dinner crowd.
One of Rory’s favorite people was hovering around the stove and stirring something saucy. Just being in the space made Rory grin, and she looked up at Logan who smiled right back at her. He squeezed her hand.
Almost like with a sixth sense, Sookie turned toward them, her whole face lighting up and her arms going in the air. A bit of sauce went flying. “Rory! Oh my god! You’re here! And you’re hungry? Of course, you’re hungry!”
Before Rory knew what was happening, she was swept up in the kind of tight hug only Sookie gave to those she really cared about.
She pulled back, stirring spoon still in hand. “And look, you’re glowing,” she gestured at Rory’s face, “and popping,” she gestured at Rory’s stomach, “and here with,” she gave Logan a onceover, “your gentleman friend.”
“Sookie, this is Logan. Logan, this is Sookie,” Rory said with enthusiasm. Sookie’s joy was always infectious.
Logan put out his hand, a charmed smile on his face. “Nice to meet you.”
Sookie ignored the hand and gave Logan an equally energetic hug. “Welcome. I’ve heard a lot about you over the years.”
“A mixed bag, I’m sure,” Logan acknowledged.
“Maybe. Lorelai wasn’t too keen about you at first, but I’m sure you know that.” Rory had missed Sookie’s directness; there was something steadying about someone who said exactly what she thought.
“I hope that’s changed a bit now.” Logan’s words were even and measured with the easy manner that Rory was keenly aware of after their heart to heart.
Sookie pointed her spoon at Logan. “I’d say yes, or you wouldn’t be standing in my kitchen.”
“Sookie!” Rory said, a little shocked. The baby shifted positions and continued hiccuping.
“Well? He knocked you up, but he’s here and he’s committed, right?”
Logan ran his thumb over Rory’s – a little touch of reassurance. “Of course. I’m not going anywhere.”
Rory glanced up at him; she didn’t want him to own it alone when it wasn’t all his to own. “Me either. Sookie, it was me, too. I was all over the place after Grandpa died. Maybe a little before, too.”
Sookie softened with concern. “How would you not be? That man loomed large, your grandpa.” She gave Logan a look. “Her grandfather may not have always been father of the year to Lorelai, but he loved Rory, and he took care of us here at the inn.”
“They had insurance issues,” Rory explained to Logan. “Once or twice a fire.”
“Ah.”
“Sookie, how are you? Clearly the kitchen here has missed you. It’s been too long.” Rory asked. Her mom had been so distraught with Sookie gone.
Sookie threw a thumb back at her staff. “I whipped them right back into shape.” She put her hand up to her mouth. “I think they missed me, too.”
Rory peered at them. One of the staff members gave her a little salute, which she returned. They seemed happy even in their busyness.
Then, she asked, “How are Jackson and the kids?”
“Everyone is wonderful. Well, Jackson has a little feud going with our neighbors. They tapped into our irrigation system. Our water bill has been astronomical. We thought it was just because everything’s been so dry, but four months in, Jackson catches them in the act of ‘fixing the system’ if you know what I mean.” She punctuated the air with air quotes.
Rory had no idea what she meant. “Yeah. That sucks. I’m sorry.”
Sookie waved a dismissive hand. “I’m letting him deal with it. It makes me too mad. Other than that, the kids are good. Davey’s almost thirteen. He’s a momma’s boy. But Martha? She’s a firecracker. I can’t believe she’s only eleven.”
“Eleven going on thirteen?” Rory guessed. How had so much time passed? Yesterday, she was holding Davey at his baptism.
“More like sixteen.” Sookie shook her head. “And our little nugget is ten. Still the baby of the family in a lot of ways.”
“I remember Rory said you were pregnant when I visited Stars Hollow for the hay bale maze,” Logan commented.
“I can’t believe that’s been ten years ago.”
“Yeah,” Logan said softly, gazing over at Rory who smiled at him. She’d been so happy then – young and more carefree. “Rory gave me the grand tour. It meant a lot to me to see where she grew up.”
Sookie touched his arm with kindness in her eyes. “Clearly.” She crossed her arms, switching gears. “Now, what can I get the two of you to eat? We’re working hard for the big feast tomorrow, but I have plenty to feed you. I know the two of you don’t have your house up and running yet, and Lorelai doesn’t cook much.”
“Logan cooks,” Rory said. “He and Luke have been making sure baby and I eat well.”
“Your man has layers like a cozy casserole,” Sookie said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Or a seven-layered dip.” Rory grinned.
“So, you’re saying I’m layered but basic?”
Rory hugged his arm. “In the best way.”
“This is like the pillow thing, huh?”
“Possibly.”
Logan playfully rolled his eyes at her, which made her laugh.
Sookie watched the interplay with happiness on her face. “You guys are so cute.”
Logan smiled. “Speaking of cooking. We’d love tips for a garden when we officially move in.” Rory knew he liked his fresh ingredients. What surprised her was that he wanted to grow his own.
“Jackson would love to help.”
“He won’t mind you volunteering him?” Rory asked.
“For you? He won’t mind at all. And our farm isn’t too far from where you’ll be living.”
“Oh, good!” There was something reassuring about knowing that. She bit her lip. “Sookie?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Do you have any of that carrot cake you make at Easter?”
“She just got done raving about it,” added Logan. “Made me really curious.”
Sookie looked pleased. “Of course, I have my carrot cake. When Lorelai said you were staying, I had James set aside two pieces for you.”