A Light in the Life

Chapter 4: The gifted child's paradox

Disclaimer: I don't own the story or characters featured in Gilmore Girls, however I have a fertile mind and a fan orphan heart.

A/N: That's right! Another fresh and sweet chapter! This one is more relaxed, but I promise the next one will be HOT. Let's go!

CHAPTER 4: THE GIFTED CHILD'S PARADOX

Logan was speechless for a long time. I kept staring at him, waiting for a sign. He looked into my eyes, and I looked into his. He didn't blink. I looked down in confusion, too tired to hold my head up; I wondered what was going on in his mind.

"Logan, please say something." I pleaded, feeling the anguish inside of me rising up and swallowing me whole.

As I powerlessly waited, I saw someone approaching us out of the corner of my eye. The relief I'd felt in seeing someone join us dissipated in an instant when I realized who it was.

Mitchum Huntzberger was heading our way, taking the rest of my breath unpleasantly away. He wore a swanky suit and a bitter smile. I glanced over his face, still smoldering underneath his stony expression. His rage seemed pointless until he spoke. He referred to me as an ungrateful woman and used vile, nasty words to describe me.

I was appalled and offended; I kind of hoped it was a joke, although it wasn't. I looked at Logan, helpless, but he didn't seem to be there. Motionless and empty eyes stared back at me instead. I tried to run away, but my legs didn't obey me, then I realized — This didn't seem real. Blurry faces, meaningless words. Maybe I was dreaming.

I woke up, sweat clung to my hair and my shivering arms. I laughed in despair of my stupidity, relieved it was just a nightmare; that wasn't real, I told myself, still calming down.

I checked the digital clock at my nightstand making sure I was reading the right time. The light of day was already inviting me to wake up, but I rolled sideways on the bed, trying to find a comfortable position. The pregnancy was giving me some serious trouble sleeping and I failed. Tired and frustrated to keep trying, I gave up and headed toward the kitchen.

Cooking was never my forte; I lacked in skills, experience and confidence, but making my own breakfast remembered me the homey smell of Logan's apartment in London and every morning that we woke up together. I smiled, pouring myself another cup of coffee.

I was almost late to meet Paris and I had to let those thoughts go. I opened the wardrobe looking for something harmless that could make Paris proud, respecting her self-confidence. I was getting used to wearing safer shoes to protect the baby. I decided that an average black dress and flats were good enough.

I climbed into my car and stuck the keys in the ignition, but I didn't turn them. I suddenly remembered the nightmare and felt the anxiety creeping back worse than before. I was terrified and being alone with my thoughts was driving me insane. I reached out the flip on the stereo and searched for something to keep my nerves calm. It was playing 'Summer Breeze' and my mind went away for a minute, slowing my breathing down.. That was working for me, so I turned the car on and hit the road. How big will I be when summer arrives? I asked myself, feeling the cooling wind through my hair.

As I walked into the long salon, I was blown away by the beautiful decoration. The ceiling must have been twenty feet high and a huge red ribbon bow graced the door, making me imagine Paris dramatically cutting it off. Everything was faultless, but didn't reflect Paris at all. I expected to see her freaking out and taking everyone with her, but I almost couldn't believe in what I saw.

Paris paraded through the hall smiling adorably, not looking as she had time to worry about anything. I pinched myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming.