The Scarecrow

Chapter 41

Their limo arrived at the airport about ten minutes before the plane landed. Rory's nerves had started to take over causing her leg to bounce. Finn gently placed his hand on her leg, and she responded by putting her hand on his, giving it a little squeeze, and smiling. He returned the smile and kissed her on the cheek.

"Don't be nervous, Love," he said trying to calm her down. "I'm sure they'll love you."

"I just don't know how they're going to take our complicated circumstances," she replied worriedly. It didn't take her much time to go from excited to nervous.

"Honestly, I'm not really concerned about what they think. As long as we are happy, that's all that really matters."

"I know, but even so," she said just before Tori started fussing. It was about time for her to eat, so Rory settled in to nurse her.

After a few minutes had passed, Finn's phone began ringing. He looked down and saw that his parents were calling. He answered.

"Hello, Mum," he greeted his mother.

(Pause)

"We're in the limo. I'll be right over," he said and hung up.

"Oh, great. The first impression your parents get of me is nursing the baby," Rory said sarcastically.

"The baby's got to eat, so, there's nothing to be ashamed of," he replied. "I'm sure she'll be done by the time we get back." He kissed her and exited the limo in search of his parents.

Rory switched sides and Tori acted as if she were starving. It wasn't anything unusual for the baby since she was half-Gilmore. Before she knew it, the baby was done. She quickly adjusted her shirt and moved Tori to her shoulder to burp when the door opened. Finn peeked his head inside. Rory could hear his parents chatting away outside. Their accents were a little heavier than his, but they'd mostly been in Australia for the last few years. He flashed a quick wink and smile before he backed out to let his parents in first. The butterflies returned to Rory's stomach. She nervously patted the baby's back long after she coaxed a small burp out of her.

Finn's mom got in first, followed by his dad. Both had smiles on their faces. Rory smiled in return and mustered up enough courage to speak first.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. -" she was interrupted by his mom before she could finish.

"Please, call me Adelaide," Finn's mom said.

"And I'm Arthur, but you can call me Art," Finn's dad added.

"My parents really aren't into formalities," Finn explained. "Mum, Dad, this is the lovely Rory I've been telling you about."

"Finn has told us so much about you that we couldn't wait to meet the woman who has stolen our son's heart," Adelaide said with a huge smile. Finn looked a little sheepish at his mother's revelation.

"It's wonderful to meet you, too, Adelaide and Art," Rory said feeling a little more relaxed with their calm demeanor.

"And who is this precious child?"

"Mum, Dad, this is Victoria or Tori for short," Finn said introducing them to Rory's baby.

"You know my mum's name was Victoria," Adelaide stated with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"I know," Rory replied with a smile. It brought a smile to Finn's mom's face as well. She looked touched. Adelaide gave her husband an optimistic look. Rory made a note because it seemed like they were getting the wrong idea about the baby.

"And look at that adorable outfit she's wearing," she added.

"That was Finn's doing," Rory replied with a soft smile.

"Well, it's just lovely."

"Shall we get you to your hotel? I'm sure you're both exhausted after the long trip," Finn said.

"I think that's a good idea. I'd like to shower. The older I get, the worse the feeling from travel," Art agreed.

The foursome made polite chit chat on the way to the hotel in Hartford. Rory answered some general questions about herself, but Finn's mom seemed more smitten with Tori than learning more about Rory. She couldn't blame his mom though because the little girl was a living doll. In fact, Adelaide insisted on holding her for a good five minutes before everyone parted ways at the hotel. Rory started to get the feeling that they thought Tori may have been Finn's.

"I think you made a good impression, Love," Finn said once they were on the road back home.

"If my me, you mean Tori, then absolutely," she replied laughing.

"Mum did seem quite taken with her," he agreed.

"Maybe a little too taken," Rory replied cautiously.

"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.

"Well, I think....maybe....she....um...." she stammered trying to get the words out. She didn't want to offend him, but she knew it could make for trouble later on.

"She what? I'm not sure where you are going with this, Love," he replied.

Rory thought for a moment and tried to find a way to approach the delicate subject.

"I'm not sure your mom actually knew about Tori," she began.

"My mum loves babies and I wanted to surprise her," he answered.

"I suspect she may think.....you know what, never mind. I shouldn't assume things about people."

"Assume what? I'm not understanding what it is you think my mum is assuming," he replied sounding very confused. Rory could see the wheels turning in his head, and then it dawned on him. "OH, you think that she thinks Tori is mine," he said with a chuckle. "It's not that big of a deal. I'll make sure to chat with them later, ok?"

Finn kept a calm appearance on the outside, but on the inside, he couldn't help but wish the situation were a little less complicated.

"It seems like the perfect plotline for a sitcom," she replied with a laugh. "You've been a great dad to Tori, and an amazing partner, Finn."

Rory leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She could see his cheeks turn a rosy color. He turned to look her in the eye and put his finger under her chin. Finn gently drew her lips to his and kissed her. She felt herself getting swept away and brought her arms around his neck. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Out of nowhere, there was a tiny cry from next to Rory. The noise brought the couple back to reality, and they turned their attention to her. Rory picked up the baby's pacifier and put it back in her mouth. A moment later, the car came to a stop in front of their house. Finn squeezed Rory's hand and gave her a wink. She smiled in return. She unhooked the car seat and passed it to him. He took it and held out his other hand to help her out of the limo. Once she was outside of the car, she reached up and gave him another kiss on the cheek, only this one was a little more sensual than the last.

"I love you," she whispered softly. Finn felt himself blush again as they walked hand in hand to the door. Rory had quite an effect on him, and he loved every minute of it. She was the only woman who had ever made him blush in a good way.

Once they were inside, he set the car seat on the floor and pulled Rory into his arms. He kissed her with great passion and whispered, "I love you, too."