Present Day (2015)

Lorelai and Rory decided to visit Emily the next day. Rory would be going back to work in a couple days and she didn't want to leave without making sure Emily was okay. Or at least see that she was as okay as she could be given the circumstances. Lorelai also wanted to visit Emily. She was worried about her. Being in that large house all by herself must be lonely, she thought. They had talked on the phone every night, but Lorelai needed to see her in person.

The night Lorelai had her breakdown; she Rory and Luke had watched a movie after she had calmed down. She felt at ease, doing something that was normal. It was relaxing. After the movie was over and Luke went to bed, Lorelai opened up to Rory. She told her how she regretted all of years where her relationship with him was rough. Rory listened and she told Lorelai the same thing Luke told her, that she should be grateful for the time that had with Richard. She knew why Lorelai was feeling that way, but she also knew that Richard had loved Lorelai deeply.

Rory understood that Richard's death was harder on Lorelai because they weren't close. Although Rory's relationship with Christopher wasn't perfect, she was comfortable with the way it was now. She didn't have any regrets and she was thankful for that. She also had Luke, who was like a second father to her. Rory couldn't exactly relate to Lorelai's regret, but she encouraged her to talk about it and she listened intently.

Lorelai had the exact same nightmare again. She didn't wake Luke or Rory. Although they would both be a comfort to her, she didn't want to bother them. She managed to calm herself down and get a few hours of sleep.

Luke joined Lorelai and Rory for dinner at the Gilmore residence. They were mostly silent as they ate; only discussing common topics like how the Dragonfly was doing, Rory's career and the weather. Lorelai noticed that Emily kept glancing at Richard's chair.

After dinner, Lorelai hovered around Emily.

"Lorelai? Is something wrong?"

"I just wanted to know if we're having dessert tonight." Lorelai answered.

"Of course we are. You can sit back down." Emily said quietly.

Rory glanced between them. "What's for dessert, Grandma?"

Emily gave her a small smile. "Apple pie,"

Rory smiled back. Lorelai and Luke were whispering to each other. Luke had also noticed that Emily was looking at Richard's chair.

The cook brought out two plates at a time. Once she had left the room, Lorelai spoke:

"Hey Mom, um… I was wondering, are you doing okay? I mean I know you're not okay given the circumstances but you must… feel so alone in this huge house."

"I… like I said before, I'm doing the best I can. I suppose I feel lonely sometimes." Emily bit her lip. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I care Mom," Lorelai said simply.

Rory finished chewing then swallowed. "I'm going back to work soon and I want to know that you and Mom are both okay. I worry about both of you and I've talked to Mom a lot… I want you to talk to us too, tell us how you're feeling."

Emily nodded. "I want to know how you're feeling too." She looked at Rory, then Lorelai. "Why don't we talk after we finish eating?"

"Okay." Lorelai said softly.

They moved to the living room after they finished dessert. Lorelai sat next to Luke and Rory sat next to Emily.

Lorelai let out a breath. Luke squeezed her knee. "Mom, I have to tell you something."

Emily's brow furrowed, "What is it? Are you all right?"

"Well… I've been having a reoccurring nightmare. I think it has something to with Dad… it's like my mind is trying to tell me something."

"Tell you something?"

"In the nightmare, we're all in a car, you me, Dad and Rory. I'm driving. When I take my eyes off the road for a second, Rory screams and the car it uh it goes off a cliff." Lorelai described the nightmare. She closed her eyes for a second then looked at Emily. Luke's hand rested on her thigh.

"And then what happened?" Emily seemed to be concerned.

"I wake up in the hospital and Luke." Lorelai stopped. Rory made a noise. Lorelai glanced at her. Rory gave her an encouraging nod, seeming to have changed her mind.

"And Luke tells me that you all died in the crash." Lorelai finished. She didn't take her eyes off Emily, waiting for her reaction.

"Oh Lorelai, that's terrible." Emily said gently.

It was silent for about a minute.

Luke cleared his throat. "I suggested that Lorelai get some professional help, like from a grief counselor."

Lorelai nodded. She didn't say anything. She wanted to hear what Emily thought of that.

"Oh." Emily met Lorelai's gaze. "Are you going to go?"

"I think we should all go. Or just you and me since Rory is leaving soon."

Rory touched Emily's shoulder. "I think you two could really benefit from this. And I think I'll find a grief counselor in London too."

Emily blinked. Rory noticed tears in her eyes.

"I don't know… do I really want to talk about my husband with a stranger?" Emily questioned.

"Don't knock it until you try it." Lorelai said.

Emily frowned at her.

Lorelai sighed softly. "I just think a professional could help us. I mean you're not having the same terrible nightmare over and over again like I am but you're not okay. I know you aren't, so don't tell me you are." There was a bit of edge to her voice.

"I just need more time." Emily said quietly.

"Grandma… can you at least give this a try, for me?" Rory asked. "For us," She added after she looked at Lorelai.

Emily took a few seconds to respond, "All right." She whispered.

"Thank you." Rory said.

Emily smiled softly. She turned to Lorelai, "Will you make the appointment for us?"

"Yes." Lorelai answered simply.

"And you'll call me when you have the date?"

"Of course," Lorelai replied.

"All right then, that's settled,"

It was silent again. Luke patted Lorelai's knee, letting her know that he supported her.

"Okay, so we should head back home now… unless there's anything else…" Lorelai said slowly.

"No, nothing else," Emily replied quickly.

Lorelai frowned. She hoped that Emily would open up more. She was a little worried that the grief counsellor may not be able to help either Emily or herself.

Rory stood up. Emily followed. Rory embraced her grandmother.

"Everything's going to be okay. It might take a while, but we'll all be okay." Rory whispered into Emily's ear.

Emily held on tight to Rory. "Thank you." She whispered back.

Rory pulled back. "Love you Grandma. I'll come see you before I head back."

"I love you too Rory." Emily said.

Luke and Lorelai also stood and the four of them walked to the front door.

"You call me if you need anything, or if you just want to talk." Lorelai told Emily.

"I know, I will." Emily replied. Lorelai had told her this before.

Emily looked at Luke, "Luke can I speak to you alone for a moment?"

Luke was surprised. "Uh sure," He gestured to the living room.

"Meet you in the car." Lorelai said.

Luke nodded and followed Emily into the room.

"Luke, I'm going to be honest with you."

"Okay."

"I'm worried about the girls…more about Lorelai after hearing about her nightmare. How does she seem to you?"

Luke sighed. "She's not okay."

"I had feared that. I knew she wouldn't tell me how she was really feeling."

"It's not that…" Luke met Emily's gaze. "Lorelai doesn't want anyone to worry about her. She worries about others but she's stubborn, you know."

"She seems to be worried about me. But I'm not having nightmares."

"We're all concerned about each other." Luke admitted. "Lorelai is coping as best she can." He coughed awkwardly. "I'm trying to comfort her but I'm not sure it's working."

Emily looked away. "I'm sure you're helping her, but you're right, she can be stubborn."

"Yeah," Luke said gently. "I do think a grief counselor may be able to help. I saw one after my mother died, when I was a kid."

Emily nodded. "All right. Thank you for speaking with me, Luke."

"No problem."

"And thank you for taking care of Lorelai and Rory." Emily said in a low voice.

Luke smiled. "You're welcome."

Luke turned to leave.

"Drive safely." Emily called out to him.

Luke turned around and gave her a small nod.

In the Jeep, Luke got in the driver side and started it. Lorelai was in the passenger seat, Rory in the back. Lorelai asked him to drive.

Luke asked if they wanted to stop by the diner for coffee.

"We've got coffee at home." Lorelai murmured.

"I think I'll just go to bed when we get home." Rory said. "Catch up on some reading."

"All right," Luke said a little sadly.

"What did my mom want?" Lorelai asked.

"She was concerned about you."

"Oh." Lorelai looked down and smiled softly. It was good to hear that.

They didn't speak for the rest of the drive.

A few hours later, Luke and Lorelai were fast asleep. It was almost sunrise when Lorelai woke. She sat up straight and took a few deep breaths. The nightmare happened again.

She decided to wake Luke this time. She poked and pushed him gently until he groaned.

"Sorry babe." She whispered, "I had the nightmare again." Her voice broke.

Luke's back was to her and he turned so fast she gasped.

Lorelai pressed her lips together and furrowed her brow. "Why does this keeping happening?" She asked although she knew he didn't have the answer.

"We'll find out. "Luke said gruffly.

Lorelai looked into his eyes. She could tell that he was concerned. She shifted closer to him.

"Hold me." She whispered.

She had never said that before. She usually just fell into his arms or he pulled her to him.

His arms came around her. She laid her head on his chest, pressed her face into it.

He rubbed her back. She coughed and started sobbing.

"Lorelai,"

"…Lorelai,"

He had to say her name a third time before she lifted her head.

"Promise me that you'll call a grief counselor tomorrow." He reached up and cupped her cheek.

She sniffled. "I promise." She lied her head back down on his chest.

He put his hand on top of her head and rubbed her back again.

She fell asleep ten minutes later. He stayed awake and tried not to move. She needed sleep and he didn't want to wake her the later hours of the morning.

Luke's mind flashed back to seven years ago when they lost their baby. Lorelai didn't have nightmares then, but she became depressed. He promised himself that he would do everything in his power to prevent her from becoming that way again. This was a different situation of course, but Luke couldn't bear the thought of seeing her depressed again.

Author's note: Thank you for reading, following favouriting and reviewing this story. Reviews are very much appreciated.