What's Next?

Catch-22

"I can't believe I'm doing this." Jess sat cris cross on a blue yoga mat as he stretched it in front of him.

"It'll be good. Look, it's helping ease some of the stress and pain from carrying two children." Rory seemed obviously pissed as she felt like she would explode any second.

"This is really painful." Jess thought his legs would fall off if he kept in this position for much longer.

"Oh, you're in pain?" Rory said through clenched teeth and a hint of acrimony. "I'm sorry if this is such an inconvenience to you, being in pain and all. Probably worse than what I've felt for the last seven months..."

"I was just pointing out..."

"I don't need you pointing out anything. I need you to shut up and let me focus."

Jess started to retaliate, but bit his tongue. He was very ready for Rory to have the twins already. He had never seen her more irritable in his life.

"Breathe in....an out." The yoga instructor announced. "Relax your muscles, you're close to birth. Only two months to go, ladies. Let your body fully rejuvenate and keep your soul positive."

"This is bunch of bullsh-" Jess began under his breathe.

"Shhh!" Rory demanded. "You're gonna get us kic-"

Before she was finished, the yoga instructor heard and chimed in. "Is there something you need to get out of your system?" Her calming but warning voice drove Rory over the edge.

"Look what you did. Congratulations, Jess." Rory grabbed up her yoga mat and bag and headed to the car. "Find a ride home."

*****

Rory swung the car door open and threw the stuff inside. "I cannot believe him." She muttered to herself. She went to get in the front seat, but couldn't quite get in a comfortable position. It was set for Jess and she was fairly bigger now. "Damn." Rory knew she had to face reality when Jess came gallivanting towards the car.

"Couldn't quite fit, could ya?" Jess mouthed off, secretly hoping Rory wouldn't hit him.

"Just forget it. Drive me home." Rory sat in the passenger seat, quiet as a mouse in till they arrived at their house.

"How are Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton today?" Lorelai asked as Rory and Jess entered their house.

"About to give up to Debbie Reynolds." Rory said coldly as she threw stuff on the couch and rushed to the bedroom.

"What's up with her?" Lorelai asked and Jess sat, exhaustedly.

"Oh you know. Just your average Jekyll and Hyde." Jess rolled his eyes. "Rory has constantly been angry at me; I have done nothing but keep my patience with her."

Lorelai chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Jess seemed spontaneously confused.

"She'll grow out of it. She's so tired, Jess. She's extremely exhausted. She has gone so long without showing it, being calm and dealing with it. At this time, all women hate men. Men don't have to carry the baby inside them, everything you do to like mocking in her eyes. I know it's rough, but once you see those two sweet babies of yours I promise it will all be worth it." Lorelai patted Jess on the back. "Give it time."

"Jess!" Rory yelled from the bathroom. "Stop leaving your shit on the counter!"

He sighed. "Another God-forbidden thing I did."

Lorelai grinned. "Bye, Jess." She kissed her granddaughter goodbye and headed out.

*****

"Ugh, this bed is so uncomfortable!" Rory kept tossing and turning, nearly kicking Jess each time. She moved around almost all night, and got up every other half hour to use the bathroom. "Get out of me!" She screamed at her stomach. "I'm tired of this!"

Jess grabbed some blankets. "I'm going to sleep down stairs. Maybe I'll actually get some."

Rory slammed the door. "I don't care."

I'm going to loose my mind. Jess thought.

Rory grabbed a copy of 'The Handmaid's Tale' and began reading. If she couldn't sleep, she might as well read. "This Ofglen character would really be me if I was in that situation. Hell, we might as well get matching uniforms. With Donald Trump in office, it won't be long before they exploit us like this."

*****

Jess slept for a while, but was blatantly interrupted when Rory grabbed the blanket off of him. "Get up. I have my last appointment before the twins are born. Watch Haeven and I'll be back later." Rory didn't sleep much the previous night, so she was even more on edge today.

"Yes, ma'am." Jess sarcastically answered.

Rory ignored it and went to the doctor's.

Everything went well, the twins looked fine and healthy as they should. It was just a matter of time before they would be able to hold them in their arms.

*****

"Swim!" Haeven pointed to a swimming pool
on the television screen.

"No baby, we can't go swimming. Mommy would probably kill me."

Haeven frowned. Jess picked up his upset daughter. "Sorry."

Haeven jumped down and staggered over to the table and grabbed a movie.

"Mulan again?"

The 10 month old cheered and handed the movie to her dad. "Watch!"

"Fine." He put in the movie and sat next to his daughter.

They'd been trying to cut down screen time for Haeven, they didn't want her to be do dependent on technology like so many kids were these days.

When Rory came back, she seemed a little teary eyed. "Hey, Jess."

"Hey? What was that? Did Nero just spare a gladiator?" Jess said in his best shocked voice.

"I'm sorry, Jess." She looked down at the floor. "I've been very rude to you."

You should be sorry. Jess felt like saying, but Rory looked on the verge of tears and her apology seemed sincere. "It's okay, honey. I know you're stressed. I could never do what you're doing."

She went for a hug but stopped as her stomach began cramping up. "Ow." She sat down, and grabbed her stomach.

"Rory, what's wrong?"

"My stomach. Oh no...I...I think I'm going into labor..."