Author's Note: I know, I'm terrible! I should be smacked with a pillow. hides Ok, for all of my wonderfully faithful reviewers and

readers, I thank yoiu for sticking with me. I've been having a very hard time writing. Blame my insomnia and depression. I've had two

funerals to go to in the past 3 months and 3 more to attend this week, so I'm not feeling too great. I'm terribly sorry for being so slow. I'll

try to update sooner and make them longer. Now, enjoy Chapter 9. :)

I wake up in my bed, Richard kissing my cheek. I roll over and face him, confussion obvious in my features. He smiles weakly and kisses me quickly

then pulls me in a hug. "Richard," I whisper. "what's the matter?" I hear him sigh, and I automatically assume the worse. "Richard, she didn't...No,

not now." I can feel tears forming in my eyes, as well as Richard's finger under my chin, pulling my head up to face his.

"She didn't die." he whispered. "Well, in all technicality she did, but they brought her back." He wipes a tear off my cheek. "Her heart stopped while

you were asleep. They managed to restart it, but she has to stay in ICU now." I let out a sob and Richard pulls me closer to him. "She's going to be

alright, Love. She'll be alright." I cling to him, sobbing against his chest. He just holds me and whispers comforting words in my ear, rubbing my back

and kissing my hair ever so often.

After what seemed like hours, I finally told Richard we needed to get ready for the day. I went to the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth,

and got in the shower. Richard soon followed me, holding me in the shower as I cried more. We got washed up and put our clothes on for the day. I tie his bow tie around his neck and wrap my arms around his waist, my head resting on his chest. Richard puts his arms around me and rubs my

back gently whispering more comfort words, trying to soothe me. "She' going to be fine, Dear." he whispers, kissing the top of my head. "She'll pull

through."

"But what if she doesn't?" I sob, clinging to my husband.

"She will, don't worry." he replies. I nod, letting my sobs and tears out.

Richard is the only man besides my father that has ever seen my cry and done something about it. The only other man that has seen me cry was

John Thomson, the man who took my virginity. I cried that night as he took me, and all he did was hurt me more, not listening to me as I asked him

to be more gentle.

I reach up and kiss my husband, my arms finding their way up to his neck. Richard kisses me back, rubbing my back. I break the kiss and smile at

him, pecking him on the lips, then walking downstairs for some breakfast.

It's 4 PM now, and I'm worried to death. Lorelai hasn't called, Joshua hasn't called. No one has called us! I hear Richard come through the door and I

practically pounce him. He catches me in his arms and kisses me. I break the kiss, worry and concern obvious in my eyes. "Have they called you today?" I ask, taking his brief case and jacket.

"No, Love. They'll call here." he answers, pulling me to him. "Calm down, Sweetie. You're going to worry yourself sick." He kisses the top of my

head. "I certainly don't want that, and I'm pretty sure you don't want it either." I nod, leaning against him and sighing.

"I'm just so worried something's going to happen, and we're not going to know." I can feel tears forming in my eyes again. Richard takes my face in

his hands and looks deeply ingto my eyes. "Nothing is going to happen, and if something does, Lorelai will call us. She's a smart girl."

I nod, closing my eyes and enjoying the protection he offers. Richard brings me into the living room and tells me to lie on the couch. "What?" I ask,

cocking my eyebrow.

"Just do it please." he says, kissing me lightly.

I do as I'm told, confussed greatly and I smile sarcastically at him. "Now what, Dear?" I ask.

"Roll over on your stomach." he says, gesturing with his hands. Again, I do as I'm told, still not sure what my husband has in mind, or even if he has

one left. Suddenly, I feel Richard's hands on my back, kneading and rubbing the knots of frustration and worry. I moan and close my eyes, enjoying

Richard's impromptu massage. He leans forward and kisses my neck as his hands go down to my lower back. "Feel better?" he whispers, his breath

tickling my ear. I just nod, and tilt my head so I can kiss him.

What did I do to deserve such a man? I wonder as he kisses me back passionately. Richard grazes my behind with his fingers as his hands move to

my thighs, massaging and kneading. I moan again, smiling widely and closing my eyes again. I hear Richard chuckle, kissing my cheek. "I love you,

Emily." he whispers, stopping his massage and fliping me over.

"I love you, too, Richard" I murmur, leaning up and kissing him. "Thank you." I smile at him and he grins back. "What did I ever do to diserve you?" I ask, rolling over on my side.

"You captured my heart at a fraternity party and insisted on having me." he replies, chcukling. I slap him playfully and sit up, patting the spot beside

me. Richard nods and sits next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I sigh, my mind racing back to when we took Lorelai and Rory to Yale. thinking of that makes me think of Rory, and..."Richard, we can't loose her." I

whisper, resting my head on his shoulder.

"We're not, Emmy." he relies, his voice soft and comforting. "We won't loose her. Who know, she might just be waking up right now." He smiled at

me softly.

Suddenly, the phone rings and we both jump off the couch. I look over at my husband, then run over to the phone. "Hello?" I answer shakily.

"Emily, it's Joshua." I hear our Family doctor say. My heart scips a beat. "Emily, is Richard home yet?" I look over at the man in question, my face

showing the fear in my heart.

"Yes." I say quietly.

"Good, you need to go in his office and get on speaker phone." I can't tell weather the news he's going to tell us is bad or good. I hit the hold button,

then grab Richard's hand and run to the other phone. Once we have the speaker on, I sit in Richard's lap, not trusting my legs to hold me. My

husband wraps his arms around me, kissing my neck, then saying, "Joshua, are you there?"

"Richard, Emily..." he sighs. "I don't know how to tell you this..."

Author's Note: I'M EVIL! I know. You may throw objects of many kinds at me now. Well, after you review, you can throw stuff. :)

Branda