Author's note: Hello again! So sorry for the slowness. My friend and muse went to Florida. This may not be my best work, because of that wonderful citrus-growing state, but oh well. It is an update, none the less. :) Don't forget to review! It really tics me off when someone reads a story and doesn't review. ENJOY!

We get to the Ritz, still kissing furiously. Somehow, I really don't know, we get out of th car, check in, get our bags to our room, and fall on the bed without our lips separating.

Richard unbuttons my blouse quickly, his evident desire pressing firmly against my thigh.

I start getting a bad feeling.

I stop undressing my husband, and I stop kissing him as well. He looks at me with a questioning look, then asks, "What's wrong, Emmy? Is it...that time of month, or something?"

I laugh. "No, Richard. I'm just not in the mood."

"Well, that's not fun." he says, disappointed.

"I'm sorry, Honey. I'm just...I don't know. Maybe I am close to my period." I'm lying. I've already had one this month.

"Oh, well. Alright." Richard rolls over and tries to ignore his swollen member.

"Richy?" I whisper.

"Yes, Emmy?" He sounds...uncomfortable. Well, I would be too if I had unsatisfied desire.

"Go ahead. Have your way with me." I roll over so my unbuttoned shirt falls down, and my bra is visible.

"Are you sure? I mean, I'm not sure, but won't it hurt if you're not aroused? Because, if it does, I'm not going to hurt you." His eyes are flooded with concern, but the darkness of desire is still very evident.

"Positive, Sweetheart. You shouldn't have to suffer because I wasn't in the mood." I hope he catches that.

"Was?"

"Yes, was. Do what you will...While you still can." I add seductively.

"And you sure?"

"Richard, God dammit, I'm about to explode! Well, implode, but you get my point."

"Yes ma'am." He says, rolling over to face me. I kiss him passionately, and he unhooks my bra. I moan into his mouth as he slides my skirt and panty-hose off quickly.

I roll us over and practically tear his pants and boxers off.

"Richard?" I ask after our lovemaking.

"Yes, My Love?" he replies softly.

"I'm worried." I roll over so that my head is on his chest.

"About what, Sweetheart?" He rubs his hand down my bare back.

"Lorelai. Luke. Their wedding." I scoot up so I can kiss him.

"Really?" he manages to ask before I kiss him soundly. He nibbles on my lower lip, and I grant him entrance. We explore each other's mouths tenderly, savoring the moment. When we break the kiss, we're wonderfully out of breath.

"That was nice." Richard says, wrapping his arms around me.

"Mmhmm." Is the only thing I say for the rest of the evening.

"Emma, Emma wake up." I hear Richard saying, shaking me gently. Emma? He hasn't called me that in years.

"Hmmff...I don't wanna." I answer groggily, rolling over to bury my face in my pillow.

I miss.

I hit the floor with a thump. Richard is laughing his ass off.

"Thank you, dearest. You just gave me a reason to use that chastity belt my mother gave me for our 3rd wedding anniversary." I say, pulling on his robe to help me up.

"I'm sorry, Sweetheart. It was funny. You would have laughed, too, if the situation was reversed." He kisses me deeply.

"I highly agree with you." We chuckle. I go to kiss him again, but my cell phone rings, interrupting the perfect moment. "Hold that thought." I say, walking over to answer my phone. "Hello?"

My heart stops.

It's Lorelai.

"Mom, I..." She can't even finish her sentence. She starts sobbing.

"Shh, Lorelai. It's alright. I'm here. What is it, Sweetie?" I calmly say, trying to calm my daughter.

"It's...me."

What?

"Yes, Lorelai, I know it's you. What's wrong?"

"ME! Mom, something's wrong with me!"

Oh no...

"Lorelai..." I whisper. "Lorelai, what is it? Are you going to be alright?"

"No, Mom, I'm not. I...I don't know what to do!" she sobs. "Mommy, please. I need you."

"Alright. Lorelai. I'll be there as soon as I can. Can Rory do until I get there?" I point to my suit case, hoping Richard know to pack it.

Thank god, he does.

"We'll be home soon, Lorelai. Is Rory there?" I ask, once again trying to calm Lorelai.

"Y-yeah."

"Hand her the phone, Sweetie." I hear some commotion in the background then, "Grandma?"

"Rory, you need to stay with your mother until I get there. Do you know what's wrong?" I ask, my emotions starting to get to me.

"No, she won't tell me. All she's been saying is, 'Get my mom'. Grandma...I'm so scared. I...I just don't know what it could be. I mean, I–"

"Rory, just comfort your mother. We're leaving on the next flight to Hartford International." Richard gets off his phone and mouths, "Twenty minutes, Babe."

"Rory, I have to go. I love you both. Make sure your mother knows that."

"I will, Grandma. I love you, too. Tell Grandpa I love him."

"I will. Bye."

"Bye." We hang up, and I grab my bag, running out the door. Richard checks us out in record time, hails a cab, and tells the cabbie to get us to St. Florence Airport in 10 minutes for $150.

We get there in 15, and I have to pull Richard away from the cab. I throw a wad of money in the window, and we race to Gate 324B.

Well, Richard and I barely make the flight. We have to sit in Second Class, but oh well. Yet another thunderstorm is unleashing its deadly fury on the airport as we take off through a cloud gap.

"Emily, what was that call all about?" Richard whispers as we go through some heavy turbulence.

"Richard, something's wrong with our daughter." I whisper back, letting my tears fall.

"What? What's wrong?" he asks, fear evident in his voice.

"I don't know. Neither does Rory." I answer, leaning against him for support.

"Is she...dying?" He's close to tears as well. It's all in his voice.

"I don't know, Richard! I just..." I can't hold back the sobs any longer, so I lean against him for support of every kind.

"It's alright. Lorelai's going to be alright. Don't you worry. Lorelai knows how to take care of herself." he says, trying to soothe me, and convince himself.

"Richard, what if she is dying? I mean...Richard, I'm so scared." I whisper, cuddling up closer to him.

"I know you are, Sweetheart. So am I. So am I." he whispers back.

That's our last words to each other through the rest of the flight.

For the first time in a long time, I pray.

I pray for God, if there is one, to keep my precious daughter safe.

A/N2: Alrighty then! I'm in a very good mood today! I was awarded, not 3 hours ago, the Most Outstanding Alto in my choir! does little happy dance Sorry, just had to do that. You know what could make me happier? If you hit that pretty button in the left-hand corner so I can get a review! Thank you kindly!

Branda