What's Next?

I'll Have What She's Having

Lorelai was putting on her shoes to go out when Luke rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's gonna be okay." He knelt down and placed a hand on her knee. "We're going to tell them, they'll be okay."

"You think so?" Lorelai hunched over.

Luke kissed her, gently. "Let's go."

The car ride felt long and tiresome to Lorelai, she dreaded the inevitable news.

"Hey mom." Rory greeted as they walked into the restaurant. "I have seats ready."

Lorelai rustled with her hair, nervously.

Rory ordered a coffee. "So..." she started. "Let's start with the obvious question here. Where were you guys?"

Lorelai hesitated to answer.

"We went on an impromptu vacation." Luke answered.

Jess laughed. "You? Luke? You aren't necessarily known for those."

"Well we decided to do it before we separate."

"Separate!" Jess and Rory exclaimed simultaneously.

Lorelai interjected, "We're living separately temporarily...I'm going to work at another Inn and Luke's staying here for a while. He'll move up in a couple of months."

"Where's the new Inn?" Rory asked.

Lorelai looked at Luke than back at Rory. "Cincinnati."

"Cincinnati!" Rory jumped up from the table. "But that's so far!"

"I know, honey." Lorelai furrowed her eyebrows. "It's pretty far. But we'll visit back here all the time, I promise."

Rory just bit her lower lip. "I hope you like Ohio." She got her purse and left.

"We're not done talking about this." Jess said before following Rory out of the restaurant.

Luke looked to Lorelai who had buried her head in her hands. "I knew they'd hate us."

"They don't hate us, sweetheart." Luke forced Lorelai's head up. "It's going to be okay, they will come around."

Lorelai just finished her coffee and sighed.

*****

"I can't believe them." Rory expressed her rage while driving home, unknowingly pressing down harder on the gas as her anger rose. "They're gone for weeks now they're leaving again."

"Honey, the peda-"

Rory interrupted. "I mean come on. You're home is in Stars Hollow, not Cincinnati."

"Rory, a little fas-"

"Geez, mom. Geez, Luke. Ever think about anyone else besides yourself?"

"RORY!" Jess yelled as a car pulled quickly im front of them.

"Shit." Rory swerved. "Why didn't you warn me before?"

Jess stared directly in front of him. "Darn, Rory. I do not know. I should have been more careful." Sarcasm filled his tone.

They picked the girls up from Sookie's and went back to their house.

"Mommy can I have a phone?" Haeven asked.

"I think you're a little young." Rory answered.

"Martha has one, she let me play on it."

"Martha is also twelve years old. When you are her age, you can have a phone."

"How long?"

"Twelve years."

Haeven was silent for a second. "How long is a year?"

Rory gripped the steering wheel tighter. "365 days." She could hear Haeven counting to herself.

"Mommy, that's one billion and ten thousand million days!" She leaned back in her car seat.

Rory laughed for the first time that day. "You make me laugh, kid."

*****

As they got home, Jess changed the twins and played with them before lunch was ready.

"Dadda. Block." Rosalyn held up a red block.

"Play. Block." Adley copied.

"Put the shapes on the block." Jess exampled. "The circle goes here."

"Ircle." Rosalyn said.

"And the triangle goes here."

Jess got out a puzzle and put it together in front of them. The girls wouldn't be able to put a puzzle together quiet yet, but Jess was teaching them. They already were already making strides at coloring.

"Look at this masterpiece!" Rory showed Jess a paper with four, curvy, misshapen circles. "Our daughter drew this. It's a Picasso! Hell, it's better than that." She hung it up on the fridge.

"It's very nice. Very good job, Ros." Jess clapped and Rosalyn began clapping too.

*****

Jess was driving with Rory after dropping off the kids and were heading out for a lunch date.

Rory stared out the window, feeling isolated and betrayed.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Jess placed his hand on hers.

"I'm just thinking..." Rory sighed.

Jess squeezed her hand. "About Luke and Lorelai?"

"Yeah."

"It's on my mind too."

Rory stared out the window a while longer before speaking up, a new rage toned her voice. "I can't believe them, Jess. How can they do that? Move away from us? How selfish can you be to move away from your kid and grandkids, especially with a new one on the way!" Rory ranted, not even realizing what she just said.

"Yeah, especial with a new-" Jess's heart skipped a beat. "A new what now?"

Rory sat and didn't say a word.

"Rory, what did you just say?"

Rory took a breath. "Well, Jess. One again, you are going to be a daddy."