Friday night had arrived.  This was the night Grandma was coming over for dinner.  I didn't think I could be any more nervous than I already was, but with each passing moment, the panic grew.  She was going to flip when she sees what we've done with the place.  Our tastes were vastly different.  I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact this was our house now, not hers.  I ran around trying to make sure everything was just right.  I was thankful for the cleaning service we scheduled to come in once a week.  This place was far too big to take care of on my own, and considering I could barely go up and down the stairs, it was definitely needed.  We hired Louis, a private chef, to come in a few days a week to cook for us.  He was a genius in the kitchen.  I used him more when Logan was out of town, since I had zero kitchen skills.  Thankfully, Louis was cooking tonight!

The doorbell rang and Logan went to answer it.  I was getting slower and slower on the move.  Lane said I was starting the waddling stage.  I can't imagine what she went through with two inside of her at once!  I met Logan and Grandma in the living room.  She was looking around in awe, at least I think it was awe.  It was hard to tell because she hadn't said anything besides a generic greeting.

"Grandma," I welcomed her and attempted to give her a hug.

"Rory, you look radiant.  Pregnancy suits you," she said, complimenting me.

"Emily, please have a seat," Logan said motioning to the couch.  "Can I get you a drink?"

"Thank you, Logan.  I'll have a martini," she replied, still looking around.

"What do you think, Grandma?  I know it's different than you had it, but do you like it?"

"If I didn't know better, I'd think this wasn't the same house!  It has a much younger and relaxed feel to it," she said.  She took an extra moment and smiled.  "I like it!"

"Really?  I was afraid you'd hate it because it's so different.  I'm so relieved," I replied.

"It's a perfect place to raise your family," she said with a smile as she took her drink from Logan.  "I always knew you two would end up together.  It was written in the stars."

This is definitely not the reaction I was expecting from her.  Grandma had really mellowed.  Or she was covering disappointment well.  I wasn't in the mood to push or argue.  I wanted a simple Friday night dinner.  Ask, and ye shall receive.  She loved the pot roast dinner and the fresh baked chocolate chip cookies a la mode.  That's what the baby had been craving, so I went with it.  I don't know why I had been so nervous.

Grandma spent the night and left the next morning for Stars Hollow.  She was having lunch with Mom at the Dragonfly before heading back to Nantucket.  I called Mom after Grandma left to fill her in.  She couldn't believe it either.

Tonight was Logan's turn.  While I wasn't exactly jumping for joy that Shira and Mitchum were coming over, it was significantly less stressful for me.  I think I've just gotten to the point where I'm going to be me.  I was raised to be kind, polite, and respectful.  Logan and I don't need their approval to live our lives.  I'm ok with this, but I don't think Logan has had this epiphany yet.  Hopefully, tonight won't be a disaster.

"Are you ok, Logan?"

"No....yeah....do we really have to do this, Ace?"

"I think it will be good for all of us.  I don't want your parents to miss out on Little Ace's growing up like my father's parents did for me.  I met them once and they were horrible to me and Mom.  It was hurtful and wrong.  I never had the chance to get to know them, and they never wanted to know me.  While the circumstances are a bit different, I don't want the same outcome," I confessed.

"I just don't want this to turn into World War III between my parents.  Honor said things have been tense, and that's not good for Dad.  He's doing better, but I don't want anything to set him off.  We've been getting along much better and I'd like to keep it that way," he replied.

Logan's parents arrived and we settle in for drinks.  Mitchum and I have some club soda.  It's good that he's adhering to the no alcohol orders from his doctor.  I remember how frustrated Grandpa got after his heart attack.  Pleasant, generic conversation from drinks through dinner.  It all felt cold and distant.  I couldn't really read them to figure out if things were bad between them or not.

The food was not settling with me tonight.  I didn't feel sick.  My sides ached, but it wasn't a steady pain.  The longer dinner lasted, the more painful it became.  On our way back to the living room for after dinner drinks, I held Logan back to talk to him.

"Logan, I'm not really feeling so well.  I'm getting these waves of indigestion.  They keep getting worse," I say.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"I think so.  Just don't know how long I'll last at this point."

"Do you think, maybe, you are having contractions?"

"I don't think so, but it's not like I've ever had them before to know what they are or what they feel like," I replied.

"Maybe we should go to the hospital, just in case," he suggested.

We were almost in the living room when the pain intensified.  I was nearly doubled over.

"Rory, are you ok?" Shira asked with genuine concern.

"I don't know," I replied through clenched teeth.

"Logan, go get Rory's bag.  We're going to the hospital," she said, turning her attention back to me.  "You're having contractions, dear."

"No.  It's too early!  I'm only 33 weeks and we haven't even picked out a name yet!  I can't be going into labor now!  I'm not ready for this," I said, barely getting the last words out before the pain came over me again.

"I'll go get the car," Mitchum said, excusing himself with an obvious uncomfortable expression.

Logan returned with my bag and we headed out the door.  How could this be happening?  And why did the Huntzbergers have to be here for it?  It should have been my mom, or at least my grandma.

"Hello, Lorelai," Logan said.  "It's Logan.  Rory started having contractions, and we are taking her to the hospital."

(Pause)

"We'll be at Saint Francis in about 10 minutes if you want to meet us there."

(Pause)

"Call me when you get there, and I'll let you know where we are."

"Thank you for calling my mom," I said before another wave of pain.

"Just keep breathing, Rory.  You're doing great," Shira said.

She was not the Shira I know.  She was almost motherly and supportive.

The drive felt like forever.  Mitchum had a very bad case of road rage.  He was cursing like a sailor at every driver on the road.  Seems it was the one night everyone in Connecticut decided to go the speed limit.  It actually amused and distracted me from the pain.

When we arrived, Logan got me a wheelchair and pushed me to the maternity area reception desk.  The nice nurse checked in and showed us to a room.  Shira and Mitchum waited in the family area.  Nurse Shelley starting taking my vitals and asking me questions.

"When did you first start having contractions?"

"About 3 hours ago, but I thought it was indigestion," I answered.

"How far apart are they?"

"The times vary from three to six minutes," Logan said after I stared blankly at the nurse.

How could I forget to time them?  I had the app on my phone.  I guess I must have panicked.  Good thing he was on top of things.

"Are they getting closer together?" she asked.

"No, they are all over the place, not consistent," he said.

Nurse Shelley started hooking monitors around me.  They would monitor contractions and the baby's vitals.  I could see the machine printing out papers with lines on it, indicating levels of contractions and the baby's heartbeat.

"I'm going to check to see if you are dilated at all.  Do you recall if you were at your last appointment?"

"The doctor said I was at a 1 last week," I replied.  This was probably my least favorite part of my appointments now.  It felt weird, but I know it's necessary.

Logan stood near my head and held my hand while the nurse checked.

"I'd be generous to say you were at a 2, so I don't think there's been much change.  Just try to relax as best as you can and the doctor will be here shortly," she said and left the room.

"Knock, knock," Shira said.  "I just wanted to check to see how you were doing.  Don't worry, it's just me.  Mitchum completely freaked out with Honor and wouldn't even come near the room with Logan."

As much as I appreciated her wanting to be kind and help me, she was the last person I wanted to see.  I just wanted my mommy and Logan.  I know it sounded childish, but I don't care.  I hope she gets here in time because I don't think I can do this without her.  I want her here for this!

"She's doing ok, Mom," Logan replied for me.

I felt another contraction.  This one was more intense than the others, but shorter.  Shira started taking on a motherly role with me.  She held my other hand and stroked my hair.  It was oddly calming.

"You're doing great, Ace, just keep breathing," Logan said just before his phone rang.  "It's your mom."

"Hello, Lorelai."

(Pause)

"Any idea when you'll get here?"

(Pause)

"I'll let her know, and I'll shoot you a text if I figure out the stall on the highway," he said, ending the call.  "Looks like your mom and Luke are stuck on the 84.  They are trying to get here as soon as possible, but traffic is at a standstill."

"No, this can't be happening!" I said, gritting through pain and tears.  "She has to be here for this!"