So this chapter is fairly larger than the others, so show your appreciation in the REVIEWS! :)

Shout-out to my guest reviewer, Nancy! She wrote a GREAT and long review! So, thanks Nancy!

ENJOY, everyone! THIS is where it gets VERY interesting.

Previously:

"I just need to make sure my baby's okay." Lorelai nods, as if letting him know she was okay, when in fact she wasn't and he knew that.

"Rory or…" He trails off, not quite sure which child she meant, since he hadn't officially been told that she was pregnant or the condition of her baby.

"Rory, little no name in here's still kicking, very strong." She blinks back tears, hoping that this little scare wouldn't cause any more problems with her unborn child. "I hope." She says, as an afterthought and heads for the door with Luke following behind, as always.

Chapter 3: When Am I Gonna Learn?

The ride to the hospital was filled with silence. Lorelai, as rattled as she was, decided to ride with her parents instead of Luke, not wanting to cause any more drama. When Richard drove into the nearest parking space, Luke right beside him, Lorelai jumped out of the car.

"Lorelai, wait!" Emily screeched, just barely grabbing her daughter's arm before she stepped out into oncoming traffic. Lorelai moved back and looked at her mother.

"Thank you for stopping me from stepping out in front of a car, mother, but my daughter is in that building. I have no idea what is wrong with her, but I will find out, now kindly get the hell out of my way." Lorelai was about to get hysterical, but Luke came up and took her arm.

"Hey," He got no reaction; she was still looking at her mother, "Hey, look at me." She complied. Their eyes locked. No one else was in the world. Richard and Emily were figments of their mind. "She's going to be fine. Okay? She's got you and me. We can do this, right?"

Simple tears dropped down onto her cheeks. Her head nodded, methodically. She believed everything he said. His hand that was gripping her arm just a moment ago had found her hand.

"Right." That was all that needed to be said.

Meanwhile, her parents had stood not two feet from the whole exchange. Emily's mouth was more than slightly agape. She had never seen anyone calm her daughter like that. Sure, when she was a child, her father had the magic touch, and occasionally when Lorelai was sick, Emily could hold her in her arms, and the crying would stop. But as a grown woman, Lorelai relied on...well, herself. Emily envied her.

She was jealous of her grown daughter's strength.

Emily knew Luke was different. No matter how many years she had been told Luke was just a friend, or what she had witnessed in the last several months she knew Luke was here to stay and that he truly loved her daughter. Luke was the one person that her daughter could break all barriers with.

Luke still held her hand as they all four walked into the emergency room.

"I need to see my granddaughter, Rory Gilmore, please." Emily took charge. She was the only one of the group that didn't look like she was going to crumble.

"Just a minute, ma'am. I am extremely busy," The older, bitter-looking nurse who was sitting at a computer, chatting on a message board, snapped at Emily. Lorelai rolled her eyes; if only the woman knew that this was not how to start a relationship with Emily.

"No, now. I only need a room number." Her tone was forceful.

"I said one minute!" This response was not misinterpreted by anyone.

Emily lowered her tone to one of intimidation and anger. "I don't think that tone was necessary, do you? Now, we can do this the hard way if you prefer. I certainly don't mind placing a call to the chairman of this hospital and reporting your displeasing attitude to the man that pays your measly salary. I have him right here on speed-dial." Her eyebrows rose upward, almost challenging the lazy nurse.

The nurse's gaze almost seemed to challenge Emily. Richard jumped in for his wife.

"I wouldn't tempt her if I were you. This woman knows how to use speed-dial." His serious tone was one of annoyance.

The nurse typed a few words into her computer and sighed as she looked up at the group.

"Room 223, surgery prep." Her defeated gaze then turned to her computer, done with the family.

"Surgery prep?" Lorelai breathed out.

"Lorelai..." Luke wanted to say something to comfort her, but nothing came.

"No no, it's okay. I'm okay. I just-let's go see her."

When they got up to the second floor, they quickly found the room and stood outside of it. Luke stood back, as he just remembered how he hated hospitals. Lorelai was right in front of the door, willing for strength to come upon her. Somewhere after the elevator, she had lost contact with Luke's hand. That

was bothering her.

Richard found a doctor who had just come up to check Rory's chart. He was a young man, probably just out of med school, but Richard quickly pushed the thought aside to gain information on his granddaughter.

"Excuse me, Doctor...," He searched for a name tag, "Schultz?"

"Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?" Dr. Schultz tucked the chart against his stomach and looked

the older man in the eyes.

"How is-Is my granddaughter...Is she, um?" Richard looked down at his hands, and fidgeted with them.

"Well, she's..." He paused, glancing at the three in the near background, all standing side-by-side, with Lorelai in the middle, hanging on his every word. "Should they be here for this?"

"What? Oh, it's fine, they're all family." Expressions ranged from surprise of Luke and clenched teeth from mother and daughter.

"Well, Mr. Gilmore, Rory has sustained several life-threatening injuries." Lorelai's sharp intake of breath surges to her hand in finding Luke's. Emily, surprisingly, reaches out to her daughter's shoulder.

Lorelai sends a sympathetic and appreciative look toward her mother. The doctor continued rattling off terms that they all have no idea about.

"The drunk driver hit her head on, and completely shattered her right leg. She has several cracked ribs, internal bleeding and a significant head injury from the impact of the airbag. We're not sure if there's permanent damage, as the scan we did was inconclusive. Now, we need to do immediate surgery to stop the bleeding and then repair the leg, so I assume I have her mother and father's permission?" He stared at the younger two, and waited for an answer.

"Uh-uh, I, uhm..." Luke stammered, overtaken of his new parental role of a twenty two year old.

"Y-yes, doctor, please. I'm her mother, so please, do whatever you can to help my daughter." Tears threatened to fall, but Luke's hand still held hers tight, and her mother's hand was now around her shoulder, offering as much support as she could.

"Good, I'll have the nurse to get some forms for you to sign right away. Are there any other questions?" Dr. Schultz asked politely, addressing the whole group.

"When can we see her?" Luke spoke up for the first time, surprising everyone. He ignored their penetrating stares and focused on the doctor.

"Very soon. When the nurse brings you the forms, she'll take you all in to see her. She's unconscious now, but we always encourage the families to talk to their loved ones." His pager went off as he finished his sentence. "If you'll excuse me...I'll send a nurse right over to you."

"Thank you, doctor." Richard said, sincerely. He turned to the three behind him, noticing their shell-shocked expressions and close proximity to each other. A warm sensation touched his heart, as he rarely saw his wife and daughter this close.

"Well, shall we go sit and wait?" Richard asked, gesturing to the chairs down the hall. Emily nodded, and held his glance for a second longer, conveying to go on ahead of the group. He moved his head and slowly sauntered off to an uncomfortable chair.

Emily stepped in front of Lorelai and turned her attention back to her only child.

"Lorelai?" Her daughter's tearful eyes found hers, and her lips were tight together. Emily knew her girl was holding it in. "Are you alright? Can I get you or the baby anything?" Genuine love and care

radiated through her voice, while her hand still rested on Lorelai's arm.

"I'm fine, Mom. We're good." Lorelai nodded her head for reassurance. Emily tilted her head to the side, knowing all to well of the stubbornness being played out.

"Really, Mom. Me and the baby are okay. It's...it's a shock, but I can handle it."

"Okay, well if you're sure..." One last attempt is made by her mother.

"Yes, I am. I just need to- ah, go to the restroom and freshen up a bit. If the nurse comes, would you-?"

"Of course, we'll sign. Don't worry." A simple smile was given, and a rare appreciation was shared between the two.

Emily turned to go find her husband, but Lorelai grasped her hand before it could leave her body.

"Mom." At that very moment, Lorelai knew she saw tears well up in her mother's eyes. And they came to her, as well. Shaking her head ever so slightly, to try to rid of the intense emotion weighing on her shoulders, she said what was truly on her heart for once in her life.

"Thank you. For-for being here." Emily's aged but poised mouth almost flew all the way open, but she caught herself. She knew her daughter meant 'for everything.' The look of surprise was not lost on Lorelai, or Luke, who had stepped back for this encounter.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than with my daughter." Lorelai had never heard Emily be so sincere. She watched her mom walk away, and turned to go to the restroom.

Luke's voice stopped her.

"Where is he?"

TBC

Hope y'all enjoyed it! Let me know future thoughts for this story, please. I've written a little more,, but want to know what y'all think.