Nov. 18th
The phone was ringing in the Gilmore mansion and since Emily was in between maids again she had to get it herself.
"Hello?"
"Grandma?"
"Rory! How wonderful to hear from you," Emily exclaimed.
"Yeah. I hope you still think so in a minute," Rory muttered.
"Don't you tell me you won't be able to attend Friday Night Dinner - again," Emily scolded, emphasizing the last word.
"I'm really sorry, Grandma, but things are incredibly hectic these times," Rory replied ruefully.
"We haven't seen you in a month then," Emily admonished disappointedly.
"I know. I'm sorry, Grandma. I wish I could change it, but those articles don't write themselves. I'm sorry," Rory apologized.
"Oh - well… I guess there's nothing I can do then. But promise me to take care of yourself, Rory. You should have some time for yourself, to escape the stress and to get into the holiday spirit. It's important to have some quiet times, you know?"
"Don't worry about my holiday mood, Grandma. I'm doing an article about all kinds of Christmas customs right now. It's very interesting," Rory said.
"Is it? What kind of customs?" Emily asked.
"Oh you know. St. Lucia in Sweden, St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Advent Calendars, secret Santas – "
"Advent Calendars?" Emily asked intrigued.
"Yes. Do you know that there are so many different kinds? I mean of course there are the chocolate ones – by the way I loved those as a child, I couldn't wait for Dec 1st, one year Mom got us one for each room…," Rory said trailing off a little and Emily was thinking about Rory's words and how it seemed that Lorelai could make a fun thing out of anything, "…but today you can even send some online," Rory added, focusing on today again.
"Really? But how can you send it online?" Emily asked confused.
"It's not about chocolate but other things. Pictures, cute messages, stories – those kind of things," Rory went on.
"Oh,"
"Yes, it's really interesting. I'm sorry, Grandma. I really need to hang up now. Please don't be mad at me. I promise I'll really, really try to come next Friday," Rory said.
"Don't you worry, Rory. Thank you for calling," Emily replied.
"Say hello to Grandpa from me," Rory said.
"I will. Goodbye Rory,"
"Goodbye, Grandma,"
After hanging up Emily's mind was racing. Lorelai's happy eyes. An Advent Calendar. Her wanting to be close to her daughter again. To feel her arms around her neck after giving her the calendar each year – well at least the first years. "A story Advent Calendar," she whispered, thinking of the short stories book she had to read for her book club lately.