The long road home

Chapter 7: Moving out

Shortly after breakfast, Rory had returned to the kitchen to find her mom and Luke kissing passionately, convincing her even more that her living in the apartment over the diner was best for all of them.  She wanted to be close to her mom, but there definitely was such thing as being too close to the newlyweds.

Most of her things still in boxes, her mom and Luke had helped her move her things into the apartment and she was busy unpacking when there was a knock at the door.

"Hey there, kiddo!" Lorelai spouted out when Rory opened the door.  "I know we've only been gone for a few hours, but Luke and I wanted to bring you something, or rather, some things.  Come, to the hall!"

Lorelai continued as Rory walked into the hall, "Luke and I decided that perhaps this place needed to look a bit more Rory and a bit less 40-year-old-man, so we went shopping!  Okay, so there are curtains and sheets and a tablecloth, and we got Pop-Tarts and coffee.  We bought some movies and, of course, Gilmore girl-approved snacks!"

Rory looked around in awe at all of the bags they had just deposited on the floor around her.

"Wow, Mom.  I mean, when did you even have time to do all of this?"

"Oh, daughter of mine.  You still have so much to learn from the reigning Lorelai Gilmore," Lorelai laughed.  "Seriously, though, your dear mommy just needed to make sure that you would be okay while she was gone on her honeymoon.  Is that really so bad?"

Rory fought back tears before she finally laughed at her mom's antics and hugged her close.

"Thank you, Mom and Luke.  It's...it's incredible.  Really.  I don't even know what to say," Rory finally managed.

"Aw, kid.  There's not much we wouldn't do to make sure you were taken care of."  Lorelai finally blew out a breath and continued, "Hey there, husband of mine.  Do you think I could chat with my daughter privately for a moment?  I'll meet you at home to continue our newlywed festivities," she said with a wink.

"Mom, dirty!" Rory quickly said with a blush.

Luke laughed before kissing Lorelai and hugging Rory.  "Rory, if you need anything at all while we're gone, you just call us, okay?"

"Sure, Luke.  Thank you again for everything."

Waiting for Luke to shut the door, Lorelai finally turned to her daughter.

"So, daughter of mine, a few things to discuss before we leave".

"Should I get out a notepad to take notes?" Rory quipped.

"No, no, I'm certain that you'll remember it all.  First things first, get thyself to an OB.  You hear me, kiddo?"

"Yes, Mom.  I already have an appointment later in the week," Rory answered with a roll of her eyes.

"Alright then, moving right along.  Don't just hole up here in the apartment and spend all of your time wallowing, okay?  Wallow appropriately in Gilmore girl style and then talk to Lane.  You're going to have to rely on the people who love you, okay?  This is a big deal, and you need all of the support you can get.  Got it?"

"Consider it done, Mom.  Is that all?"

Lorelai hesitated before she continued, "No, that's not all.  Here's the thing, Ror.  You and your dad have never had the closest relationship, and I know that he's hurt you in the past.  But he loves you, Rory.  And it wouldn't have been right for me to take away the chance for him to love you.  Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Rory sobbed and laid her head on her mom's shoulder before finally answering.

"I see where you're going with it, Mom, and I see where Luke is coming from.  But I don't want him to choose me out of obligation because I'm pregnant with his child, and despite what you think about Logan, he wouldn't dream of not being in my life if he knew that I was having his baby.  Why should he walk away from his plan just because of this?  I don't want to be with Logan simply because I'm carrying his child.  I want to be with him because he loves me."

"Wow, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?  I'm pretty sure that this is karma's way of biting me in the ass."  Lorelai paused for a moment.  "Then give him the chance to choose you for you, Ror.  If he says no then you'll know that he's chosen his planned life over you, and then you can tell him about the new addition to the Gilmore family.  Just think about it, okay?"

"Fine, Mom.  I'll think about it.  Are we finished now?"

"Yes, dear, we are finished now.  We'll be home in a week, okay?  Take good care of yourself while I'm gone."

"I will, Mom.  I promise"