Rory gazed at the town sign. "Population 5, 832. That's small." She noted. "Compared to London anyway."

"It's small compared to many places." Lorelai added.

"It's strange… I'm an American, and yet I've only lived in America for such a small portion of my life." Rory smiled. "I don't feel American."

"Is that good or bad?" Lorelai asked, unsure of which one it was.

"Both…" Rory answered.

"Hmm." Lorelai replied shortly. "Well, my dear, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are as American as apple pie and baseball."

"I hate apple pie… and baseball."

"Communist." Lorelai smirked.

They drove farther into town and Rory took in the scenery. "It's so ….cute. Charming, rather." She corrected. "Just like you said it would be."

Lorelai turned into a long driveway that lead to the Independence Inn. The girls would be staying there for a few days until Lorelai found an apartment or townhouse. Rory immediately took notice to the beautiful pond behind the inn. Two swans were gently floating by.

"How beautiful." Rory gasped.

Lorelai lead Rory inside of the Inn. They walked up to the front desk where a small man was standing.

"Hello, we'd like a room." Lorelai began.

The man's accent was overpowering "Do you have a reservation?"

Lorelai smiled, but remained formal. "No… um, we're only going to be here for a short while. So, anything that you have available will be fine."

The little man opened his book. "Well, room 8 is available, but only until Sunday."

"That gives us plenty of time." Lorelai replied.

"What is your name?"

"Lorelai Gilmore."

"Okay, Mrs. Gilmore…"

"Ms." Lorelai corrected. "I'm… I'm not married."

The man paused and stared at the woman. "I am sorry… Ms. Gilmore, please follow me."

After showing Lorelai and Rory to their room, the man introduced himself. "By the way, I am Michel. If you happen to need anything, please… do not bother me." And with that said, Michel turned and left the room.

A giggle burst out between the girls. "That has to be the worst French accent I have ever heard in my life." Rory laughed. "And I've heard very many bad accents."

"Let's unpack later… I'm starving." Lorelai suggested.

"Okay… I saw a diner coming into town. It stood out to me for some reason."

Lorelai's cheery disposition quickly vanished. "No… We're not eating there."

Unaware of the past that involved the diner, Rory blindly asked. "Why not… I mean I know it looks run down, but I'm sure…"

"Rory, pick somewhere else." Lorelai interrupted.

"Did something bad happen there?" Rory asked, picking up on her mother's ill feelings towards the diner.

"No. It's just not a proper place to eat. There's a Chinese restaurant on Maine St. How does that sound?"

"It sounds fine." Rory replied, though honestly she wasn't in the mood for Chinese. Not to mention she couldn't help but wonder what the real reason was about the diner.

After eating, the girls headed back to the Independence Inn. Rory had noticed that ever since the trip began Lorelai had acted strange. She realized that certain things she said or places she mentioned upset Lorelai. Rory wanted to avoid upsetting her mother, but when she had no idea of what to avoid it was becoming very difficult. Finally, later that night after they had unpacked and were laying in bed, Rory's courage was built up.

"What happened at the diner?" Rory's voice asked through the dark room.

Lorelai, who was near asleep rolled over to face her daughter. "Rory… it's late."

"What don't you want me to find out?"

Raising up in the bed Lorelai became more awake. "Sweetie, I'm not trying to keep anything from you. Right now is just not the time…"

"Mom, how can it not be the time? We're here… We're in the exact place that you lived when you were a child and where I was born. This our past…"

"Rory, please… don't do this tonight."

"I want to know." Rory pressed. "What is it about the diner? Does it remind you of someone? My father?"

"No… no it doesn't remind me of your father." Lorelai admitted.

"Is my father here… in Stars Hollow?"

Lorelai shook her head. "I don't know, sweetie. You know that I haven't spoken to or seen him since you were a baby."

"You've never said much about him." Rory replied. "Just that it didn't work out between you two. I've wondered about him for a long time, but I figured there was no sense in asking about someone who lived so far away."

"There's not much to say about him. I know that sounds harsh and cruel, but the truth is not always a pretty sight." Lorelai wrapped her arms around her daughter. "We were both very young when I became pregnant. I found a way to grow up and accept what my future held, but your dad didn't."

"Didn't he wonder about me?" Rory asked. "Did he ever try to talk to me or see me?"

Lorelai's mind flashed back to the day in the park when she had agreed to meet Chris. She remembered how he had only asked to see Rory to try for another chance at getting back together with Lorelai. She regretfully remember the sight of him walking away, refusing to be a part of his daughter's life.

"Once…" Lorelai finally answered. "Many years ago, when we still lived here. But he decided not to stay…"

A few tears found their way into Rory's eyes. "Why?"

"Because he didn't know…" Lorelai answered, herself becoming emotional. "He didn't know what he was walking away from. He never knew you would be such a wonderful and beautiful person. It's his mistake… not yours. Sweetheart, please believe me when I say that when someone decides they don't want to be a part of your life, it's much better to accept it and keep it that way."

"And the diner?" Rory asked.

Lorelai sighed. "Not tonight Rory. Go to sleep." She gently kissed her daughter on the head.