Journey of a Lovetime
Author's Note: This is set during the first February after Season 7 and involves a special time for Emily and Richard. The first couple of chapters are a little short and introductory in nature, but they get longer after that. Big thanks to Elizabeth for her beta help!
Chapter 1 – "Surprise, Surprise"
"Richard, I can't believe you're going to be gone until Wednesday!" she griped, pacing once in front of him and then sitting down on the sofa. She was obviously upset, seemingly more so than most other times he had gone out of town.
"I have to deal with the Miller account in Chicago. You know that, Emily." He sat down next to her, hoping he could calm her down.
"Yes, I know, but why does it have to be this week?" she persisted, looking up at him.
He could see the frustration in her face and was sorry he had to disappoint her once again. "I couldn't schedule it at any other time," he replied, turning toward her and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"I don't understand why no one else could go," she grumbled, looking away from him.
"Emily, no one else knows enough about the account to be able to take care of this," he reasoned. "I have no choice."
She sighed, resigned to the facts. "Fine. I'll go pack your bags."
Richard watched helplessly as Emily rose from her seat and walked upstairs.
Lorelai walked out of the diner to answer her cell phone. "Hello?" she said, juggling the phone while putting on her coat.
"Lorelai, it's your father," she heard on the other end as she slipped her arm into the coat and pulled it around herself.
She cocked her head, surprised by the call out of the blue. "Hey, Dad. What's up?"
"I'm planning a little surprise for your mother and I need your help." Richard looked up from his desk, thinking for a moment that he had heard Emily coming to the door. Reassured that it was not his wife, he relaxed and turned back to the phone.
"What kind of surprise?" Lorelai asked.
"Well, I'm going out of town …" he said, removing his glasses.
"That's not a surprise, Dad," she interrupted.
He sighed. "Yes, I know, Lorelai. That's not the surprise." This wasn't the time to get into it. "Uh … can you meet me tomorrow afternoon?"
"Can't you just tell me what it's about?" she persisted, starting to grow impatient.
"I'd rather talk to you about it in person." He leaned slightly toward his desk. "Can you meet me?"
Lorelai sighed, frowning. Why did he have to make such a big production out of this? "Sure, Dad. When do you want to meet?" she asked.
"Let's say 2:00? I can meet you in Stars Hollow, if you like," he suggested.
"Okay, how about tomorrow at 2 at the Inn?" she offered, annoyed that this could not be discussed without taking so much time out of her busy day.
"All right." He straightened up. "I'll see you then."
"Bye, Dad." she said flatly.
"Goodbye, Lorelai." Richard replied, hanging up the phone.