DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN GILMORE GIRLS

Emily woke up full of dread and grief. It was April 11th, the day that so long ago the tragedy happened. She turned over to find Richard was not there. She crept out of bed and tiptoed into the study. In his hand was the only photo they had of her. Emily couldn't even bring herself to say her name, it was too hurtful.

"We need to tell Lorelai," Richard spoke. Emily was shocked, "No, she will never forgive us, this is a secret no one can find out." Emily exasperated.

"Emily, secrets are what drives Lorelai away, we have to tell her," Richard replied. Emily looked at his stern face "If we must, we must," she replied.

"Emmaline," Richard spoke softly.

"Tonight is Friday night dinner, we will tell her then," Richard implied.

"So soon?" Emily asked.

"Yes"

"Alright then"

They both stared longingly at the photo in front of them, wishing it would spring to life. Life must go on, they both thought. So Richard went to work and Emily went to a DAR meeting. Emily arrived home around five o'clock.

"Maid?" Emily yelled.

"Yes ma'am," the maid replied.

"What is your name?" Emily asked.

"Emmaline, the maid answered.

"Will you get tea …" Emily stopped in her tracks and ran out of the room, up the stairs and into her room.

Richard arrived home to find a distressed maid and a distraught wife. He ran upstairs and burs through their room, he sat on their bed.

"Emily, we can't bring her back, nor can we change what happened, it wasn't our fault," Richard spoke softly toward his wife.

"I…I know bbut it's hard, the maid's name was the same as…," Emily replied.

"Emmaline died in a car accident and left us and Lorelai behind. This means we are meant to live and be happy," Richard comforted Emily.

Emily looked into his eyes "You're right, Lorelai and Rory will be here soon," Emily sighed.

An hour passed and Lorelai and Rory stood awaiting the front door to open.

"Should I tell them or should you? Lorelai asked Rory.

"I will, it's my news," Rory replied. The door opened and the maid took there coats and lead them to the seating area.

"Lorelai, Rory, sit down," Richard said in a stern voice.

"We have something to tell you," Emily said in a shaky voice.

"Mum, Dad, is there something wrong?" Lorelai asked.

"30-years-ago-there-was-a-car-crash-which-you-survived-through-so-did-I-and-your-father-but-your-sister-Emmaline-didn't-and-she-died," Emily gabbled out then ran out of the room. Lorelai looked at her father with teary eyes "Is this true, did I have a sister that died in a car crash?" Lorelai looked at her father's pained face "Why didn't you ever tell me?" She asked.

"Because we didn't want you to grieve for someone you never really knew, you were only two and she was four," Richard replied.

"Then why tell me now?" She asked.

"We want you to stop keeping secrets from us, and we can hardly ask you to do that when we have a secret ourselves."

"Grandpa, uh …" Rory suddenly ran out of the room.

CH2 SOON!