What's Next?

The Hospital

Lorelai glanced over at Luke, who was in a peaceful sleep. She, however, was not getting such luck. She worried for Rory. Worried if her strong little girl could handle all of this. Actually, there was no doubt in her mind that Rory could do this. It was a matter of if anyone got in her way, boy-wise...

"Hey." Luke interrupted her thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing much..." Lorelai turned to her husband, cuddling gently next to him. "I'm just worried a little about Rory."

"She'll be fine. She's such a strong girl. Takes after you." He squeezed her hand for reassurance. She smiled in reply. "Thank you." She whispered, feeling tears brim at her eyes. They were mostly happy, relief exactly. Luke's words could heal. They instantly filled Lorelai with love and care.

"Now get some sleep." Luke turned back around.

"I'll try."

~~~~~

"No! Get away from me!" Lorelai woke up screaming. "Luke! Help me, Luke!"

Luke was jolted awake by Lorelai's screams and grabbed her into his arms tightly. "Hey, Lorelai! Shhh, It's okay...It's okay! I'm here, honey."

"Woah." Lorelai felt her heart beating faster than ever. "I had that dream again, but it got worse. I was walking and this big green monster-like creature was coming at me and..." She stopped herself. "...and now it seems stupid that I was even scared..."

Luke let a gentle laugh. "You're stressed aren't you?" Luke knew her so well. When she was under a lot of pressure and stress, she had vivid nightmares.

"Yeah. With Rory and everything I guess."

"Mom? Are you okay?" Rory came running in, rushing to her mom's side.

"Yeah, sweets. I just had a bad dream. I'm okay now."

"Oh, well that's good. That you're okay, not that you had a bad dream." Rory leaned over to pick up a pillow that had fallen. "Ah!" A sharp pain hit in her stomach.

"Rory!" Luke and Lorelai both reached to help.

"It was just this pain...I don't know what happened...Ow!" It happened again. Now, Rory was actually crying. "Mom! It hurts!" The cries of pain tore Lorelai's heart apart.

"Oh, baby. Hang in there, we'll take you to a doctor." Lorelai attempted at picking her up.

"I got her." Luke picked up Rory and carried her to the car.

"Luke. Everything hurts."

"I know, Rory." Luke tried his best to hide it, but Lorelai could tell he was holding back tears.

They got to the hospital and called Emily and Chris.

"Look at her..." Lorelai was clenching Luke's hand once again. "She's so helpless in there. My 32-year-old daughter looks so weak and...and.."

"Lorelai, she'll be fine." Luke comforted her. He felt like all he did today was reassure everyone, but he was content with it. Anything to ensure the safety of the two most important girls in his life.

"What could possibly be wrong? She's barely one month pregnant."

"It's going to be-"

"Hey, Lorelai how is she?" Christopher was jogging up to them. "Where's Rory? Is she okay?"

"Yes, Chris. She's in the room but we can't go in there in till they run all the tests." Lorelai looked at him with sullen eyes.

"Oh thank God she's alright. I was so worried when you called." Chris glanced at Luke who was narrowing his eyes.

"Well, maybe if you were here for her half her life-" Luke grumbled.

"What was that?" Christopher stepped closer to him.

"Nothing."

Thankfully a nurse stepped out. "Ms. Gilmore, Rory is ready if you want to visit."

"Yes, please!" Lorelai wiped away stray tears.

"We ran the tests, the results should come in in about half an hour." The nurse smiled.

"Thank you." Luke nodded, leading Lorelai in.

"How you doin', kid?"

"I'm so tired." Rory felt herself fading quickly.

"Do you want to sleep, honey?" Chris asked.

"Um, yes I would actually. Thank you."

"No problem." Chris and Luke headed out but Lorelai stayed.

"Hey, Christopher." Luke began. "We need to start acting better towards each other. I don't care if you hate me, but we have to get along for Lorelai. She's having a tough time of it."

Chris nodded. "You're right....thank you, Luke. You take good care of her, you really love her."

"I do. I love her more than anything."

Chris nodded again.

"Luke." An exasperated Lorelai practically fell into Luke's arms. "She's okay. It was just extreme cramps. She's fine."

"That's wonderful." Luke kissed the top of her head.

****