It wasn't supposed to be this way. She was supposed to be getting ready for her high school graduation. Trilling around the living room in her cap and gown. She was the valedictorian for crying out loud. He was supposed to be tearing up because his little girl is all grown up, not balling his eyes out because he was terrified of losing her. She looked so little hooked up to so many damn machines. What hit the most was the respirator that they had hooked up to her. His strong little girl wasn't even able to breathe on her own. They had said that it was because they had to repair her lung after one of her seven broken ribs punctured it. That's about the only thing any of the doctors told him that he understood. Or allowed himself to understand. He collapsed into his own little world when they started talking about the possibly that she may never walk again. He just couldn't accept that. He just placed his hand over his daughters and for the first time in what felt like a life time he prayed.


He didn't know why he did it. He didn't know why he picked up that newspaper. That was until he looked down at it again and saw her picture staring up at him. He hopped on a plane the moment he heard she was hurt. He was just hoping that he wasn't too late. He knew leaving her was his biggest mistake the moment she got off that bus. He knew that he needed her. He knew he loved her more than words could ever describe. So, he ran. He ran from that newsstand all the way to the hospital. He stood there looking into her room. They told him only family was allowed in and the nurse just laughed at him when he said he was her brother. She looked so helpless. He watched as her father sat with her. He figured Lorelai wasn't far away. She probably would kill him on sight for even being there. He had hurt the only person that ever meant anything to him. He knew that he didn't deserve another chance. He knew that he should have never let himself walk away from him. He prayed that she might understand.


She hated Luke for dragging her home. She was fine sleeping in that uncomfortable waiting room chair and eating the overpriced crap from the cafeteria. She had to be close to her daughter. But, instead she was sitting in her daughters room looking at the cap and gown that she stood be wearing right now. She looked over at the desk to see her speech sitting there typed out and ready to be read to the Chilton graduating class, but it never will be. She just picked up the paper and slowly read the words her daughter had worked so hard to write. Headmaster Charleston, faculty members, fellow students, family and friends, welcome. We never thought this day would come. We prayed for its quick delivery, crossed days off our calendars, counted hours, minutes and seconds, and now that it's here I am sorry that it is. Because it means leaving friends who inspired me and teachers who have been my mentors. Lorelai looked up for a moment tears in her eyes to see Luke watching her. "It's Rory's speech." She explained as she looked at him before looking back down at the paper just skimming the rest until she reached a part that brought more tears to her eyes. But, my ultimate inspiration comes from my best friend. The dazzling woman who from which I receive my name and my lives blood Lorelai Gilmore. My mother never gave me any ideal that I couldn't do whatever I wanted to do or be whoever I wanted to be. She filled our house with love and fun, book and music, unflagging in her effort to give me role models from Jane Austin to Patty Smith. As she guided me through these incredible eighteen years I don't know if she realized the person I most wanted to be was her. Thank you mom, you are my guide post for everything. "It's a really good speech." She said as Luke walked over to her. He just sat down next to her on the bed whipping away her tears. He sat there with her as she cried herself to sleep. As he got up and moved her so she would be more comfortable he saw a piece of paper sticking out from inside the pillow. He noticed the scribbled writing. He had said goodbye after all. He had written a note. Luke let himself wonder if Rory knew that the paper was there or if was still in its original place. Either way it changed his view on the situation.


Luke felt a sense of relief when he walked into the hospital waiting room to see Jess laying a crossed a row of chairs with his coat laying over him. "Wake up." He said as he walked over and nudged his nephew. Jess just opened his eyes before sitting up.

"Is something going on?" He asked as Luke took the seat next to him. Luke just pulled the letter he found earlier out of his pocket.

"I found this under her pillow." Luke said as he handed the younger boy the letter. He watched as Jess looked down at the paper for a moment. "I didn't read it passed I am sorry and you should hate me." Luke finished.

"I thought she would have thrown it away as soon as she got it." He said as he looked up at his uncle before looking down. "No one will tell me what is going on. Why isn't she a wake? What's the deal with all the machines? Just tell me something." Jess said as tears began to fall down his check as he looked at his uncle.

"She has broken ribs. She had to have surgery last night because one punctured her lung. Lorelai said something about monitoring her brain waves. They have her sedated… Jess they say … she might not be able to walk again." Luke replied as he looked down. It was a hard sight to watch. No one had ever seen Jess break down before like Luke did. But, before he knew it Jess did what Jess does when things get rough he left. He was in such a hurry he didn't even see that something fell out of his coat pocket as he left. Luke just bent down and picked up the small box realizing what made Jess come back. Luke could tell that Jess had feelings for Rory; he didn't think it was so much that there would be a velvet ring box involved yet.


He walked around town looking for a place to think, but everything thing in this town reminded him of her. They went from being so happy. She was going to Yale, preparing for graduation, and now this. He wasn't sure how to handle it. Somehow he ended up back at the diner. Walking up to the apartment gave him a strange sense of 'this is where you belong'. He just sighed as he walked into the apartment. All he could think about was going to sleep, when he saw Luke sitting at the table with something small in his hand. "We need to talk." Luke said as he looked at Jess.