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 reviewed the last chapter. I figured that after that ending, I needed to update as soon as possible today. I won't give anything away but I hope you enjoy this next installment. One little thing, in the previous chapters I have used italics to distinguish between Richard's world and Emily/Laura's world. This chapter that won't work because I need the italics for flashbacks. Also, the worlds are merged now, even though they are far apart. So, just know that when you see italics it's flashbacks, not a shift in viewpoints. Anyway…on to the show
The window in Richard's office overlooked the city and on a clear blue day he could see most of Hartford. He sat there in his desk looking over the city. It had been a week since he had returned to Hartford. He and his wife had talked once on the phone, to let her know they returned safely and that had been it. What had Emily been thinking? How could she have sent him away? She had said she didn't belong in Emily Gilmore's world because she couldn't remember Emily Gilmore. How in Heaven's name was she supposed to remember being Emily Gilmore if she was three thousand miles away from everything she had ever known? He rubbed his tired eyes and turned back to his work. It was all he had to keep him from thinking about Emily. He opened the first claim he had to go over and started to read…
"Here we are," he said, leading the young woman into the massive building.
"My goodness, this is incredible," Emily Hansen said trying to take in everything at once.
"Look over here," he said and brought her over to a huge oil portrait that stretched to the ceiling. He glanced over at her to be sure she was watching and then he frowned at the painting as if it were merely a child's scribbling, stepped back as if he was studying it carefully, wrinkled his forehead and shook his head as if he were the authority on paintings and then sighed.
"Let me tell you about the paintings in Paris Emily," he said as ushered her along. They walked along, and after awhile his hand innocently found his way over to hers. She looked away-- embarrassed for a moment and then she curled those delicate fingers around his hand. He felt on top of the world. They continued to look at the paintings and at each one he would do the frown, step back, wrinkle and sigh. Finally, after they had examined Whistler's Mother, she pulled him towards an empty hallway where they were out of the way.
"Emily," he had said. "I still need to show you the DaVinci room." She put a hand over his mouth and smiled, "Just shut up and kiss me Stupid," she whispered. He needed no further prompting. Taking her in his arms, and putting a hand on the side of her face, he kissed her and felt as though it was his first time ever kissing a woman. He brought up a hand to her long silky hair and she placed a hand on the side of his face as well. They finally broke the kiss, wonderfully out of breath.
"Any commentary on that Mr. Gilmore?" she whispered.
"Mr. Gilmore?" a voice sounded removing him from his thoughts. "Mr. Gilmore," It was Karen. "They're ready for you," she said from the door of his office, and her eyes were narrowed in concern.
"Thank you Karen," he said, standing up and straightening his tie. "I'll be right there." Karen smiled and nodded and Richard walked out of the room and headed down the hall.
"You are a spineless jellyfish!" she yelled as she sat down on the bench.
"Emily! If you'll just listen to me for one moment!"
"No! I don't want to listen to you anymore! Get away from me!"
"You are the most impossible woman I have ever met!"
"Just go away!"
Richard threw up his hands in frustration and then stuffed his hands in his pockets and grabbed the little black velvet box. "Here!" he yelled, thrusting the box into her hand. She opened up the box, took one look at the sparkling diamond, slammed the box closed and yelled, "Fine!"
"You are impossible!" Richard yelled back, "You are stubborn and willful, and you never listen to…" he stopped and stared wide eyed at her. "Did you just say yes?"
The realization of what was happening suddenly struck her as well, "Did you just propose to me?" she whispered looking up at him.
"Yes…that's why I wasn't committing; I was going to ask you to marry me."
"Then…I am saying yes," she said smiling and tears pooled in her eyes. He sat down on the bench next to her and brushed her cheek with his knuckles.
"Oh Richard," she breathed, "Is this really happening?"
"Yes," he replied. "It is…I love you Emily,"
"Oh Richard…why me? You could have any woman, you could have Linny Lott. Why me?"
He brought reached up and brushed a tear out of her eyes. "I want you," he said. "That's all I want is you," he leaned forward and kissed her, with all the love and passion he felt in his heart. She continued to utter helpless protests as she gasped for air but Richard heard none of them.
"Darling…you have so much to do, so far to go, you have more to be, would I only hold you back? You're a Gilmore, that's who you are, you have so much to accomplish." He parted from her and looked into her eyes, "I am the man who is in love with you Emily Hansen, and that is all I am."
"Richard…Richard, would you like to join us?" Floyd was talking to him. He shook his head as we woke up to reality. "Yes…yes of course, I'm sorry. Please continue." Floyd looked at him with annoyance and turned back to the board. "Now, let's continue. As you know, Jack Hillard just found out his wife is going to have a baby. We wish him congratulations."
"Richard, there's something I need to tell you," Emily said, coming down the stairs, "Can you come here for a minute?"
"Yes, I'll be right there Dear," he said, bent over his paper work. He had hardly noticed that an hour had gone by before she poked her head in again, "Richard, I really need to tell you something…please."
"Yes Emily, I'm coming," he said, still going over columns of numbers. He continued to work the figures when the phone rang.
"Yes? Yes of course, I'll right down," he replied and hurried out the door. This was it, the big meeting. They were going to land this account!
"Richard? Richard where are you going?" Emily cried as he came out. "I really need to talk to you!"
"I'm sorry Darling, big meeting can't be helped. Talk to me about it later okay?" he said, brushing her lips with a quick kiss.
They were forty-five minutes into the meeting and tempers were high. Richard put his hands together and watched the game players, his mind totally engrossed in capturing his latest conquest. Suddenly, he looked up and to his horror, his wife was waving at him, trying to get his attention.
"Are you alright?" he mouthed, trying to not draw attention to himself.
"I need to talk to you right now!" she mouthed back and if she had been actually speaking it would have been a yell.
"Go home," he mouthed back. "This can wait,"
"No, it can't" she replied.
"Go home!" his eyes grew wider.
She glared at him and then he saw her walking over to the secretary's desk. She demanded a piece of poster board and a black marker, walked back over to the window and started writing. Richard wanted to crawl under his seat and die. Finally she finished and by this time there were a few men who had picked up the fact that something was going on. They turned towards the window to watch. Emily took up the poster board and placed it against the window.
"I'M HAVING A BABY YOU IDIOT!"
Richard leaned back as if the message had come out to slap him and fell over backwards in his chair. After the crash, he stood up and tried to look as dignified as possible. Everyone was staring at him now. He hurried out the door.
"You're what?" he asked once he and Emily were alone.
"You…Me… make a baby… growing inside here," she said, pointing to her abdomen. Richard stared at her. He wanted to kiss her, he wanted to laugh, he wanted to cry.
"Emmy," he whispered, and then suddenly her eyes were filled with tears. "Are you happy Richard?" she asked.
"The happiest man in the world," he said, scooping her into his arms and kissing her. Both of them didn't care if the entire corporation was watching.
"And what are your thoughts Richard?" Floyd asked.
"What? Excuse me I wasn't paying attention," Richard stammered. Floyd was glaring at him. "Yes, I know."
"Please…go on," Richard nodded.
"Alright," Floyd said slowly, "Richard, I think you're the man for the job to go to Italy for two weeks to meet with the board of directors there. It will be very important that you give them the specific deals of the contract and when you come home…"
"Come home," she said. Two words and it had more effect on him than any two words she had ever said to him. Home…Home! In all reality he had never left his "home" He had been in the pool house the whole time. But home was this house, home was his own bed, and more than anything, home was his wife. Home was her smile, her laugh, her scent, her kiss.
"Are you sure?" he asked her, not daring to hope.
"Yes," she said, and then her face crumpled and in two steps he was to her, taking her in his arms, crushing her to him like a desperate man who had gone five months with out food…water…air.
"Richard, I'm so sorry," she cried, "I'm so sorry,"
"No…No, Emmy it was all my fault. I'm sorry," he reached up and placed cupped her face in his hands.
"I love you Emily," he said, kissing her warm sweet face. How had he survived the last months?
"I love you too Richard," she breathed and then simultaneously, both of them took a deep breath and plunged into a long hard kiss as if they were trying to make up for the time they had missed. They broke the kiss breathing heavily and he wrapped his arm around her and they walked into the living room. Once there, he built a fire—something he hadn't done by himself since they were first married, and together they sat together, her head on his chest, his head resting on her head. They talked of Jason and the lawsuit, of the months before their separation, his mother's death, and it seemed as though they hadn't talked in years. After they were done, Emily stood up and offered him her hand. Together they walked upstairs to the bedroom that was once again "theirs."
He stopped her right before they started upstairs and she looked up at him. "I can't ever lose you again Emily," he whispered. She smiled, and it lit up the world.
"You won't have to," she replied. "Not ever,"
"Richard, can I talk to you outside please?" Floyd's voice was harsh. Richard was startled, "What? Oh yes, outside…that is an excellent idea," he said and followed Floyd outside.
"Richard, what is going…"
"Floyd, I'm going to need to take some time off," Richard cut him off
"What?"
"Time off, I'm going to need to take some," he said again.
"How long?" Floyd asked.
"I have no idea," Richard said, shrugging. "Maybe a couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months."
"Richard, look…I know this past year has been a difficult one, but…"
"Floyd, I really am pressed for time here, so if you could make up your mind, that would be really nice."
"What if I say no?" Floyd challenged.
"Then I'll have to quit," Richard said. He felt surprisingly calm. For the first time since he had first seen Emily, he knew what he needed to do.
"Are you threatening me Richard?" Floyd asked.
"Tell you what Floyd, I have to go catch a plane. I'll be back when I can. You decide. I have time off, or I quit," he said and with that, he started down the hall.
Five hours later, his bags were packed, and he stood at the bottom of the escalator, looking into his daughter's eyes.
"You're doing the right thing," she said, smiling up at him. He hugged her to him. "I wish you were going with me," he confided.
She reached up and kissed his cheek. "I'll come out and visit. As soon as she's ready," she said smiling. "I'm gonna miss you Daddy," she said smiling. "Take care of yourself,"
"I'll be back in time for the wedding," he said. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
She nodded, "I'll save an arm for you…but just in case I'll have Taylor and his blue tux standing by." He chuckled and putting cupping her face in his hands and bringing her forehead to his, he whispered, "I love you Lorelai,"
"I love you too Dad," she said. "Bring her home with you,"
"So, Bob is watching the kids tonight?" Laura asked as she took the pizza out of the oven and placed it on a rack to cool. "Are you sure this is okay?" she asked Josie.
"Yes Mam," she replied, "Bob is watching the kids, and you and I have a pizza, a batch of cinnabon popcorn and a fresh box of powdered sugar delights from my friends at Hostess,"
"You're pathetic," Laura said smiling as she carried sliced the pizza. "But I'm glad you're here," she added after a beat and Josie smiled.
"So…" she said letting the "o" drag on.
"So, what?" Laura prodded knowing full well what was coming next.
"Did you talk to him today?" Josie asked.
"No," she said, and went back to cutting the pizza.
"Don't be mad," Josie pleaded.
"I'm not mad,"
"Yes you are,"
"How do you know?"
"You're doing that thing with your lips where you press them together and it makes you look like an old grandma."
"Well, apparently I am one," Laura said sarcastically.
"Stay on topic please," Josie directed, "Let's talk about the husband first. Why haven't you called him?"
"Because I haven't," Laura responded. "I don't want to,"
"Laura," Josie prodded, "He's your husband,"
Laura blew out a long sigh and said, "He's not my husband, he's Emily Gilmore's husband. I can't remember being Emily Gilmore,"
"So you just shut him out?" Josie said. "You won't have anything to do with him until you remember so you shut him out? What if he's the one person that could help you remember? Don't you want that anymore?"
"But what if I can't?" Laura said, "What if I can't ever remember. What then? Am I always going to be living in the shadow of Emily Gilmore?"
"Whoa," Josie said, "Major epiphany here, spill it lady, how much does this have to do with John?"
Laura felt cold at the mention of his name. "Nothing," she said, opening the popcorn and putting it in the microwave.
"Lie," Josie said immediately.
"Okay, it probably has a lot to do with John. John was like a father to me. I depended on him, and it feels like all this time I've been living in the shadow of Marjorie. Marjorie was the real daughter, I was just the replacement. I didn't want to do that again. I didn't want to keep living in the shadow of someone else."
"But Sweetie," Josie said gently, "You are the genuine article this time. You are the real wife."
"Whose side are you on anyway?" Laura asked, putting her hand on her hips.
"No sides here Honey, no sides at all. But I am here for you. I am Rosie O' Donnell to your Meg Ryan. I am Joan Cusak to your Julia Roberts."
"You are crazy," Laura said smiling.
"Tell me you haven't thought about him," Josie said. "Tell me that there isn't one shred of feeling for Richard Gilmore in Laura Baker's heart."
Laura suddenly blushed and looked down at the floor. "It doesn't matter, I sent him away," she said.
The doorbell rang, and Josie got up from the table. "I'll get it," she said as she walked towards the door.
Richard's hands were shaking. He hadn't felt this nervous since his first date. The door opened and a woman was standing there. He recognized her as the one that had fainted at the reception.
"Hello, I'm Richard…"
"Laura! It's for you!" the woman cried out.
Richard took a sharp breath as his wife came around the corner. She was dressed in jeans and a blouse and she looked absolutely beautiful.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Can we talk outside?" he asked.
"Certainly," she said and gestured him out on the porch. Once outside, he pulled a rose from behind his back and handed it to her.
"I rented an apartment," he said. "Down the street,"
"What?"
"I rented an apartment. I moved here today."
"What about your job?" she asked.
"I was going to take some time off. I was ready to quit Emily, but then they told me I could do some work down here in LA."
"What about Lorelai?"
"Lorelai is a big girl. She can take care of herself."
"Richard, I just…"
He reached out two fingers and put them over her lips. "Emily, I know you're going to need some time. I respect that. But I refuse to leave you alone. I'm going to be here. I'm going to help you. We are going to get through this together."
"But Richard," she said, the old fear coming back to her, "What if I never remember?"
Richard smiled at her, such a sweet and gentle smile. "Then I will spend the rest of my life in love with Laura Baker."
"Richard, " she shook her head, "You've sacrificed so much…and I don't…I don't even know who you are."
He reached down and took her hand. "I am the man who is in love with you," he said. "And that is all I am."
