Disclaimer: This is an original story based upon the characters of Gilmore Girls. No profit will be made from this story and no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Thanks to all who read and reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy this next installment.

Josie Petty was a heavy-set woman with a great love for powdered sugar donuts. Laura smiled as she sipped her coffee and watched Josie devour her second package of the morning. Tuesday morning coffee and Starbucks was a tradition now between the two ladies since after Christmas. Josie was the mother of one of her students and the two had become friends quickly. Laura enjoyed their time together, Josie was a talker but not in an annoying way. She never pushed her boundaries, but simply had the same zest for living that she had for powdered sugar donuts and it came out in everything she did.

"I'll tell you something Sweetie," Josie said as she wiped the powdered sugar off of her fingers, "I don't know how I'm going to be ready for this Garden Club party on Sunday. Nothing is working out the way that I planned! The caterer is sick, so I have to find another one, the table linens are a terrible mess from the last party and I don't have time to wash them and it takes a fortune to get things dry cleaned at Charlie's. I just don't know what I'm going to do." She sighed heavily and bit into another donut.

"You do know you are going to single handedly make the Hostess people billionaires right?" Laura said smiling as she sipped drink of her coffee.

"Alright go ahead and talk Miss Skinny!" Josie said as she finished off her donut.

Laura smiled and shook her head, "What can I do to help crazy lady?" she asked. "Do you want me to take the table cloths home with me and get them ready?"

Josie smiled and put a hand on Laura's arm. "You're the best Doll! The absolute best!" she said as she finished off the last of the donuts.

"You're going to be late," Michel said for the fifth time as Lorelai passed him leading the Turner's to the front room. He said it again as she came back through the room and pointed at the clock. "He hates it when you're late," he reminded her.

"Well, I was two weeks late meeting the man for the first time, you think he could be patient with five minutes," she said nonchalantly as she grabbed her purse and headed out the door. "I'll be back in two hours!" she called.

Richard looked over the menu as he waited for his daughter to arrive. They had been having lunch every Tuesday afternoon for a few months now and he was surprised to find out how much he enjoyed it. Both of them were busy, so many times it was a quick salad and a drink, but he felt closer to his daughter than he had in years and was amazed at how easy it was to talk to her. The family still met together for dinner on Friday night, and he enjoyed that, but he found himself looking forward to those Tuesday luncheons the most. Partly it was because being with the child that he and Emily created reminded him of his wife, and partly because he was beginning to realize the treasure he had never known he had. He had always loved his daughter, but for the first time in his life he was falling in love with his child—her wit, her smile, her laugh. He liked the feeling. He liked it a lot.

"Hey Dad," Lorelai said, sliding into the seat opposite of him.

"You're late," he said, looking through his rims out of his glasses disapprovingly but smiling.

She returned the smile, "Sorry, had a few things to take care of before I could leave."

"Well," he shrugged, "You were two weeks late the first time I met you. I guess five minutes shouldn't make a big difference."

Lorelai giggled, "That's what I said!"

They decided they had time to take a full hour today, but chose quickly so they would have time to eat. Lorelai chose a double cheeseburger and fries. Richard chose a medium rare steak and a side of coconut fried shrimp.

"So, how are you?" Richard asked as they sipped their drinks while waiting for their meal.

"Fine—things are pretty crazy," she replied. "You?"

"Oh you know, work…and more work," he said smiling.

"Yes, I know!" she laughed rolling her eyes and then got serious. "You're not over doing it though are you?" she asked. Lorelai eyed her father carefully as she asked. She had been worried about him lately. He had been very busy at work and traveling a lot. She knew he missed her mother deeply, and she hoped he wasn't burying himself in work to work through his pain. She couldn't stand to loose another parent.

Richard seemed to sense her feelings and told her he was fine, while giving her a reassuring wink. "How are the wedding plans coming?" he asked and smiled at the light that came into her eyes when she talked about the wedding.

"I can't believe its happening Dad," she said. "I mean, we've been engaged for almost two years. It's really happening. I can't believe it!" she said excitedly and then as the waiter brought their food she excitedly told him that she was getting married on June 11th and the waiter nodded cordially. She talked incessantly about the wedding plans as they ate, Rory and Sookie were both matrons of honor, Sookie had the menu all planned, and April was going to be a bridesmaid.

"And who are you going to get to walk you down the aisle?" Richard asked slyly.

"Taylor," she said without missing a beat. "He'll look great in his blue tux."

"Very funny," Richard said.

"The dress is gorgeous, you're going to love it Dad. My bouquet has pale pink and white roses, and Davy and Martha are going to be the ring bearer and the flower girl. The cake is going to have sugar bells, and I can't wait to see what Mom is going to do when she sees…" She stopped suddenly and dropped her fork, realizing what she had just said.

Richard reached out and put his hand over hers. "It's alright," he whispered. "It's alright."

Lorelai cursed under her breath and brushed a tear away. "You know something?" she said, "All my life, I thought I would die of embarrassment if Mom ever planned my wedding. I wanted to do it simple. I wanted to do it my way. Now…I can't imagine that day without her."

Richard nodded saying that he understood, "She would have loved to have been there," he replied.

"Do you think it's too soon?" Lorelai asked. "Do you think we're doing this too soon after Mom...you know?"

"It's been a year Lorelai," he said. "You need to move on, you need to get on with living with your life. Your mother would have wanted that."

In spite of the seriousness of the moment, Lorelai had to laugh. "Mom would have wanted me to marry Luke?"

Richard smiled, "Your mother would want you to be happy."

Lorelai swallowed and then suddenly wanted to change the subject, "Rory said to tell you goodbye," she said, returning to her fries.

"When does she leave?"

"Saturday—she'll be gone for a week."

"Good, that will be good for her."

"Yeah, I don't know who's looking forward to it more, her or Chris."

At Christmas time, Christopher had surprised his daughter with a promised trip to California. For the first twenty-one years of her life, a promised trip from her father wouldn't have carried a lot of weight, but Christopher had been trying hard to be a better father and especially since Emily's death, he had realized how precious time was and wasn't going to waste any more of it. Gigi was going to spend the week at Grandma's, and Chris and Rory were going to hit California just the two of them.

"Be sure to tell her to pack her sunscreen. I don't want her coming home with cancer," Richard said, as he finished off the rest of his steak.

"I'll be sure…I have to run Dad," she said, wiping her mouth.

"I've got this week," he said, pulling out his wallet.

"Thanks," she said, and as she got up she reached down and kissed him, "Bye Daddy," she said

"Bye Hon," he said, returning the kiss on the other cheek.

"Josie?" Laura called among the mess of tulle and hurricane candle holders.

"Over here!" Josie called, waving a hand while trying to fasten a garland of ivy to the stairs.

"Laura, I'm so glad you're here!" she cried out and put her free arm around her friend. "This is just a disaster!"

"Well," Laura said, smoothing her hand over the crisp white tablecloths, "The tablecloths are washed and ironed. What else can I do?"

"I don't know!" Josie cried. The party is tomorrow, the new caterer doesn't have enough servers, the decorations are a disaster, and I have to pick up my niece from the LAX airport at 9:30, and I have no time!"

Laura put down the tablecloths and surveyed the surroundings. Tulle covered the ground, and there was an array of artificial flowers were scattered everywhere. She smoothed her hand over the tablecloths and suddenly like lilacs, Audrey Hepburn and black hair, she was suddenly served with an intense déjà vu. She knew what to do. She could help.

"You," she said, pointing a club member who was counting candlesticks, "Get on the phone with the caterer and let me talk to them." She pointed to another woman and told her gather up all the flowers and start putting them in vases, but to let her see them first to make sure they were arranged properly. She gave a few more orders, than stuck a half a dozen pins in her mouth and went to work on pinning tulle around the banister. "White lights!" she said, "That's what we need! White lights, get me some white lights!" she commanded and then turned. Josie was looking as though the world had just come to an end, and the rest of them were frozen in their spots, staring at her.

"Please?" she said meekly and they recovered from their shock and set to work. Two hours later, the room was set for a garden party Queen Elizabeth would have been proud of. The room sparkled as if the stars had come especially for the occasion, the flower bouquets looked almost real, and the Hannah Johnson declared that the tablecloths didn't look that white and clean when they were first bought.

"Laura, you are amazing!" Josie proclaimed, rewarding herself with a package of powdered sugar donuts out of the vending machine.

"My pleasure," Laura said as she scanned the room with immense pride. It was beautiful—and she had helped create it!

"Now," she said, turning to Josie. "You go home, and take it easy. I'll go to the airport and pick up your niece."

"You are too sweet!" Josie said, and tried to protest but Laura wouldn't hear of it. After getting the girl's name, description and flight number, she headed out the door.

It was about a twenty minute drive to LAX from Bentley, and Laura was always a bit nervous about driving at night. Her car wasn't the most reliable car, but it served her well. She was enjoying the drive tonight, still feeling high from her accomplishment. She rolled down the window and let the wind run through her hair. The traffic increased as she got closer to the airport, and finally made it to the booth where she took her ticket for parking.

"So, tomorrow…" Chris said as he and Lorelai walked off the plane, "Tomorrow we have Disneyland, and dinner at Medieval Times, and Disneyland… and then the next day we have Disneyland, and dinner at Fredley's Fine Cuisine and…Disneyland." Rory chuckled. "Gee Dad, are you excited about Disneyland?" she asked sarcastically.

"Silly Rabbit," Chris said, as he brushed a finger over his daughter's nose. "Disneyland is for kids."

Rory chuckled again and then slipped her arm in the crook of her father's. "So—when the gate is opened, ten bucks I'll beat you to Pirates of the Caribbean."

"You're on!" he said, his eyes glowing.

"So the shuttle is going to meet us outside?" she asked, yawning.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to that hotel!" he said as they made their way down the escalator.

"Are you Ann?" Laura asked as she saw a young woman looking around her an escort.

"Yes," she said.

"I'm Laura Baker; I'm a friend of your aunts. I came to get you, your aunt has had a long day."

"Yes! Aunt Josie's mentioned you," she said smiling. "Thank you for coming and getting me."

"It's my pleasure," Laura replied and picked up one of the girls' bags. "Is this all your luggage?" she asked.

"Yes, that's all,"

"Okay, my car is right out this way," Laura said and nodded towards the door.

Chris and Rory rode down the second escalator to the main floor where the baggage claim was. The arena was huge, with at least fifteen large circular wheels spitting out luggage.

"What do you want to do for dinner?" Chris asked. "Order in or do you want to go somewhere?"

He received no answer and when he turned towards his daughter, he almost dropped his carryon bag. His daughter had gone as white as a sheet.

Rory was staring at a far corner of the room where a woman was helping a girl out the door. She was seeing things, she was sure of it.

And then the woman turned and Rory screamed.

"Grandma!" she yelled and dropping her bags, stumbled down the rest of the way of the escalator.

"Rory wait!" Chris yelled and hurried after her. Rory couldn't hear him. "Grandma!" she screamed again and began shoving the people out of the way. She stumbled and fell on the floor and pushed herself back up again. "Get out of my way!" she yelled fiercely as she shoved more people out of her way. Finally she got to the door where she had seen the woman and scanned desperately around her. Chris finally caught up with her and hugged her to him.

"Let me go!" she said. "It was her Dad! I know it was her!"

"Rory listen to me," Chris said, "It wasn't her. It wasn't!"

Rory wrapped her arms around her father and started to cry, "Dad please…help me. It was her. I know it was her."

"Sweetie," he said, his own tears at his daughter's pain brimming in his eyes. "She's dead. She's dead."

Rory forced herself away and looked at her father. "Daddy please—I know it. I know it was her. Please! Help me!"

There was something in his girl's eyes that made Chris drop all reason and suddenly bolt out the door. He ran quickly up and down the aisles of the parking garage, his feet resounding on the pavement. "Emily!" he yelled, ignoring the look of people getting in their cars.

He ran up to the second floor when airport security stopped him. He brought them back down to his shaking daughter, who showed them a picture of Emily. They said they had never seen her, but would keep an eye out for her. Chris put his arm around his daughter and led her out to the shuttle. She put her head on his shoulder as they rode in the dark to the hotel.

"I know you miss her Sweetie," Chris said.

Rory reached up and held onto her locket. "It was her Dad," she said, but even as she spoke, the logic and reason she had relied on her whole life flooded into her mind. She had been far away, she really didn't get a good look at her, and the biggest logic piece of all—Grandma was dead. She had been dead for a year. She leaned in closer in her Dad's embrace, enjoying the comfort that it brought and tried to get the woman's face out of her mind. She wasn't having much luck.

"Did you hear that commotion back there?" Ann said as they drove along the highway back to Bentley.

"Yeah, a little," Laura replied. "I just heard someone yelling. It's a good thing we got out when we did."

And as Laura drove along, the same black hair, Audrey Hepburn, lilac feeling overtook her and she was quiet all the way home.