The funeral had been a terribly sad event. Francine was a mess. The poor woman had lost her husband and only son within a 3 year period. No mother should ever have to bury her child. It just wasn't right. Incredibly, the stoic Gilmore's even showed some emotion. Lorelai was glad that Luke was with her. She didn't think she would have held it together without him. Sure, she wasn't with Christopher any more, but she had so many memories with the man. She would never hear "Hey, Lore," again. The man was the father of her child. She had married him. They survived the childhood of the wealthy together. She just could not believe that he was really gone.

Rory didn't know how it was possible, but Gigi had become even more withdrawn. No words came out of her little sister's mouth. Gigi would nod and shake her head, but had yet to say anything to anyone. Rory wasn't sure how to help, especially when she felt just as sad. Both girls were never going to get to say "Hi Dad" again, never get a hug from their father, never hear a terrible joke again. The two sat side by side in the church pew, holding hands, the only comfort Rory knew how to give at that moment.

The day went on to include lots of hugs and sympathies given. Richard and Emily left with an agreement to a Friday night dinner, Gigi included. By the time Lorelai, Luke, Rory, and Gigi got home, Gigi was asleep. Luke carried her inside and Rory tucked her in and kissed her on the cheek. She hoped to hear a voice come out of her sister soon.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I would do without you both. This day was so long. I know it was hard for you too, Mom. You guys had been through a lot. You loved him. So thank you for helping. I think I will eventually try to find a job, but Dad left me a lot of money. For now, I am going to take time easing Gigi into life here. We will probably stay at the diner apartment for a while, but eventually I want to find a house. I keep forgetting that I can afford really anything I want."

"Yeah, it's definitely hard to adjust to that life. You can even stay here for as long as you like. We are perfectly okay with you staying here."

"I know, but it will be a little crowded. We will move into the diner apartment while Gigi adjusts to life here. I think I need a good night's sleep before I will be able to think straight. I'm going to head to bed." Rory said and then gave her mother and step-dad a kiss on the cheek. "Good night."

Lorelai and Luke said their good nights before Rory staggered into bed.


Within the next few days, Rory decided that it would be best for Gigi to go to Stars Hollow Elementary. Here private school was quite a drive from Stars Hollow. Rory knew that leaving her friends would be hard, but also that Stars Hollow was a friendly community where she would make lots of new friends. Gigi was still not verbally expressing anything, but she had take to writing down things.

Rory had called Paris, who in her third year of medical school was not an actual doctor, but knew about a lot of different things. Paris said that what Gigi had was called selective mutism, which was caused by the trauma she had faced. She said that treating her normally and giving her the love and attention she needed would probably cause it to go away, but that if it didn't go away within a few months, she should probably be seen by an actually doctor.

Rory and Gigi visited Christopher's house, which was rather difficult. Francine had the housekeeper pack up a lot of his belongings, but left Gigi's out so that she could decide what she wanted to take and what she didn't need. The trip had been difficult and had taken a toll on the girls. By the time they got back to Stars Hollow, all they wanted to do was sleep.

The girls moved into the old diner apartment with the little energy they had. It definitely needed sprucing up, but that would have to wait. Rory was glad to have a whole town for a support system during this time. She wasn't sure how she would have gotten through the funeral, moving, and all of the sudden raising a 7 year old without them.

After a week of adjusting to the 'new' normal, it was Gigi's first day at Stars Hollow Elementary. Rory was glad when she found out that Lulu would be Gigi's teacher. In the last year, Lulu had moved from teaching 3rd to 2nd grade. She claimed that it was a better fit for her. Lulu was great with kids and Rory knew that if she could deal with the weirdness of Kirk, she would be able to deal with the weirdness of her sister not talking.

"You are going to love Mrs. Gleason. She is great and you are going to learn so much." Rory said as she walked Gigi to school. "If you need anything at all, let Mrs. Gleason know and she will call me, I promise." Gigi nodded her head in response.

As the pair walked into the 2nd grade classroom, Rory turned to see a pregnant Lulu smiling at her. "Rory! Gigi! I'm so glad you both are here." Lulu leaned down to Gigi's level. "Gigi, we are going to have so much fun. The class has been so excited to meet you. We even made you cards! Go ahead and find your cubby and desk and I will be right with you have I talk to your sister. Okay?" Gigi nodded before completing the task at hand.

"Still no words?" Lulu asked looking at Rory.

Rory sadly shook her head. "Not yet. She has been responding with writing, so I think that's progress." Rory looked at her sister who had found her desk and was being talked at and sighed. "Well I probably should go. I'm going to say goodbye and then I'll be out of the way. If you need anything at all, call."

"Don't worry, Rory. We will be fine. Now, say goodbye. We will have an awesome day."

Rory smiled at Lulu before heading to Gigi. "Okay G, I'm leaving now. Have an awesome day, I love you."

Gigi didn't say anything, but gave Rory a hug. As she walked out of the room, Rory gave a sigh of relief knowing that the hug was a good