AN - Thank you guys, I know that this is a bit dark and dense at the moment so thank you for sticking with it. It's the last of the really bleaugh ones things start to get better. Droolia - yes module is school, I'm studying for an Open University Degree, which is distance learning degree, so I work full time, study part time and write for sanity :) the module is the topic, you have to do 6 and each one runs for 9 months. I've just started my fifth (Linguistic Creativity).
I've been reading through the past Christopher Chapters from PoH and it's cool to see Rory from fiveish years ago timeline wise making her decision to close the door on Christopher and how that reflects now. (Incidently also Chapter 25 and she had her first proper date with Spencer, how time flies (I know it's only been like 8 months but :)). Life and Liberty the title came from, Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. While PoH originally came from everyone in the canon show never refering to Luke and Lorelai being in love but being Happy the phrase stuck in my mind (Thanks Hamilton Soundtrack) and so with the sequel it seemed like a cool title. It also helped shape the story becoming my two central themes. Looking purely at the life aspect, Life could means ways of life but also in the literal sense of birth, death, illness and injury etc. Birth was easy, Luke and Lorelai having another baby which also served to make Lorelai a bit more vulnerable which lead her to her step back from the inn (change in way of life) death was a bit harder. I knew someone had to die, and when I sat down and planned my storybeats Francine became the most obvious choice because she simultaneously had the most and least impact on the story. Least because she's in very few scenes but Most because of the impact it has on Rory's (and all the rest of the family's lives) so yes, sorry longwinded way of saying she was always going to die. LOOOONNNGG Author note over, here's the next chapter, as ever all my own work so any mistakes my own, reviews are always welcome, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy. x
Chapter 25 – What comes next
Rory chewed her lip nervously, watching as the physiotherapist helped Gigi take a wobbling step with crutches. The last two days had been a whirlwind of getting Gigi to do activity. Suddenly Gigi had gone from being this little injured girl, barely able to move, with the nurses doing everything for her, to sitting up and now a facsimile of walking. It seemed the medical teams' way was working because Gigi was throwing herself into it. Anything to take her mind off what was going on it seemed. Gigi only spoke in these sessions or when answering questions about what she would like to eat. Quiet unless she needed something. The manifestation of her grief was to bottle up, a feeling Rory knew well. But she knew it was there that bubble beneath the surface of determination was another wholly justified meltdown.
"Good job!" the exuberant physiotherapist cheered for Gigi when she completed her task of using the crutches to get across the room. "You're a natural!"
"Thanks," Gigi mumbled looking down at her heavily bandaged leg. "It hurts."
"It will, but getting up and moving about will help it heal faster," The physiotherapist told her. "And pretty soon well have you able to stand on it and then walking normally. OK, so Mom…"
Rory gave a start, the young woman looking at her expectantly. "Oh, I'm not…"
"Rory's my sister," Gigi muttered quietly. "My Mom went away."
"Oh," They physiotherapist looked uncomfortably between Gigi and Rory. "I'm sorry, I need to tell someone her treatment plan."
"You can tell me," Rory nodded, she fumbled into her bag and pulled out her notebook. Turning to the back so she didn't interrupt her flow of school work "Go ahead," she looked expectantly at the physiotherapist.
"We'll do several more practices on the crutches and then she'll have those for as long as she needs. Tomorrow we'll do some stretching exercises which you can do at home. Her notes say Gigi's from Hartford?"
"Yeah,"
"We can speak to the physiotherapy department at a hospital nearer for her and transfer her under their care for the walking work once she is weight bearing, or you can come here."
"How long does that take?" Rory asked stilling her pen.
"The initial walking varies from person to person, from a few weeks to a few months. Gigi had a lot of work done on her foot so it might take longer before she feels comfortable," The physiotherapist explained.
"I live in New York so if I ne…" Rory trailed off. She could see Gigi's expression darkening while at the same time her younger sister's eyes boring into her. "Could we discuss that later? Let's just get Gigi hop skipping about on these magic sticks."
"Sure," The physiotherapist got to her feet. "Gigi, how about we try a little walk down the hall."
xXx
With a yawn Rory pushed the call button for the elevator and then took a step back to lean against the wall. Gigi had fallen asleep and it gave her a chance to step out and get some food. Her eyes opened wide as the doors opened revealing her grandparents. "Grandma, Grandpa?"
"Hello Honey," Emily strode out of the elevator and kissed Rory on the cheek. "We just came to lend some moral support."
"We're fine, she's doing really well. She's sleeping right now. Alan and Sheila are here," Rory forced a smile on her face. "I was just going to get some fresh air and maybe see if I can find some dry shampoo," she self-consciously fiddled with the messy ponytail she had thrown her hair into this morning.
"Have you slept at all?" Emily asked regarding Rory's messy appearance with concern.
"Yeah in the chairs, but she'll be out in a couple of days and it will be easier, I guess." Rory looked longingly at the elevator doors when the closed.
"Rory, let us get you a room at the New Haven Hotel," Richard gave her a smile that was laced with concern. "That way you can be nearby and get your rest."
"You guys don't need to," Rory tried to protest, she trailed off taking in her grandparents worried faces, knowing that they would most likely do it anyway and she didn't have the energy to argue. "That would be great."
"And I can get you some new clothes or at least take this back to be washed," Emily looked Rory up and down.
"I have some clothes at Mom's," Rory smiled weakly, pulling her jacket around her to hide her dirty top.
"Do you have anything for Monday?" Emily asked nervously.
Rory grimaced lightly and shook her head. "Not here, but Spencer can bring something."
"I'll get you a dress," Emily nodded forcefully. "Will Gigi be well enough to attend?"
"They seem to think so."
"Well that's good I suppose," Richard nodded. "Now how about we go see to that hotel room and get you a decent meal?"
"Not that awful diner we went to," Emily put her arms around Rory's shoulder.
Rory exhaled and silently allowed herself to be buffeted along by her grandparents into the elevator and down out through the hospital to the street where they walked the ten minutes or so to the nearest hotel. She sank into the overly plush seat in the lobby while her grandmother in an effort to be supportive carried on stream of inane chatter which Rory barely responded to. She was exhausted and felt as if she could fall asleep in the chair, which was the most comfortable thing she had sat in since she had arrived at the hospital on Sunday. After a few minutes Richard came back holding an envelope with the key cards enclosed.
"Here we are," Richard held out the envelope. "I got you a suite, it has a microwave and a fridge. Now lunch."
"Sure," Rory mumbled barely moving.
"I'll find out where is good," Emily got up and moved across to ask the concierge.
Rory smiled weakly at her Grandfather as he took the seat opposite her. "You don't have work?"
"Oh no, Thursday is my admin day and as it's the beginning of the year I have no assignments to mark and all my lesson plans are up together so it's a free day," Richard studied her. "If you would like we can just let you go up to the room and you can order room service. I've allowed a limit of $500 spending for whatever services you need. Room service or whatever extras they charge that you need."
"Thank you Grandpa, you didn't need to do that," Rory smiled weakly.
"It's all I can do right now," Richard huffed slightly. "Terrible business. Is Spencer coming back…"
"Weekend. I sent him home, there wasn't anything he could do and he's not got the leave left so…" Rory breathed deeply. "There's not much any of us can do here, and we have to sort stuff out at home."
"That's what you want? For Gigi to come with you?" Richard narrowed his eyes.
"It's not what I want but it's what's going to happen."
Richard cleared his throat. "She has two parents who are very much alive Rory. She has other grandparents."
"Who are older then you, and her parents," Rory scoffed. "Just because you make someone doesn't make you their parents. There's no one else Grandpa. This is what has to happen. Spencer and I will work it out. This is what gives Gigi the stability and love she needs. So it's what will happen."
"You've spoken to the other grandparents?"
"Briefly, they love her but they can't give her what she needs. Sheila has arthritis and Alan's in remission. They are old and ill and they love her and they are brilliant grandparents and that is what they should be." Rory raised her shoulders and then dropped them with a loud exhalation. "But they can't give Gigi what she needs fulltime. And you know in a few years' time we could be having the same conversation and Gigi's been messed around some more. She needs stability."
"But it gives you a few years to live your life how you want, to go out into your career," Richard pointed out.
"I don't know what my career is going to be. I have no idea." Rory slumped into the chair and stared at him. "I have no clue about what I want to do but I do know that Gigi needs me. I have to do what I need to do."
"What do you need to do?" Emily asked coming back from the concierge desk with a card in her hand. "I made a reservation."
"Your grandmother and I will support you whatever happens," Richard fixed Rory with a serious stare holding her gaze. "Whatever you need. I just wish it hadn't come to this."
"Come to what?" Emily looked back and forth between them, her voice overly bright, clearly understanding but trying to lighten the mood. "It's at an Italian."
"So do I Grandpa," Rory sat forward and gave her Grandfather a resolute nod. The pair gave each other an uneasy smile and Rory slowly stood. "Italian sounds good Grandma, is it Northern or Southern?"
xXx
Lorelai closed the door behind her mother and watched Emily through the glass while she walked to her car, put the case of Rory's clothes in her trunk and then drove away. Lorelai looked down to her left, sensing movement. The twins were stood in the archway to the living room, the movie they had been watching long forgotten. The little girls were watching her with expectant curiosity.
"I'm gonna get a snack," Lorelai turned towards the kitchen. She smiled at Sam, the baby sat in his highchair gumming a teething ring. The twins' feet padded along beside her and she looked down at the flanking manoeuvre the twins were carrying out. "You want something to eat double trouble?"
"Mommy, why Granma here but then goed and not stay for cuddles," Willow asked curiously.
"She was taking some clothes for Rory," Lorelai told her rummaging around in the cupboards for some snacks. Lorelai gave a crow of delight as she came across some homemade fruit rollups and she pulled out three. "There you go."
"Orange Mommy," Kitty grabbed for the one she wanted.
"I think its passionfruit," Lorelai peeled open her own one. "You want orange or red?" she offered Willow the snack.
"Red Mommy," Willow took the snack, "she goed home. Why does she need clothes If she goed home?"
"Rory didn't go home," Lorelai started to peel open her roll up.
"Why?" Kitty asked her mouth half full of roll up.
Lorelai let out a sad sigh. "Ok One and Two, come here." She led the twins over to the kitchen table and sat down, "take your perch." She patted her knees and then waited until the twins had balanced themselves on her knees. With a nervous exhalation she wrapped her arms around them, holding them tightly. "There was an accident. Gigi and her Grandmother got hurt. Gigi is in the hospital and Rory is looking after her."
"Why can't her Granma look after her?"
"Well, because Francine. That's Gigi's grandma's name was really badly hurt and um…" Lorelai trailed off unsure how to explain death to the four year olds. "Um…Francine won't get better. She fell asleep and she won't wake up."
"She in heaven?" Willow asked softly.
"You know about heaven?" Lorelai looked at Willow in surprise.
"Yes, Miss Patty told me." Willow nodded sagely. "Daddy was very grumpy and Miss Patty telled us that Daddy was grumpy coz it was his dank day, because he was sad about his Mommy and Daddy being in heaven, because he wanted them here with him. She said that heaven is a special place when you fall asleep and you don't get up again. She said it's like magic."
"Yeah," Lorelai swallowed. "That's what everyone says."
"But if it's special and magic why is everyone sad?" Kitty asked curiously.
"Because people want to be with the people and when people are in heaven they can't be with them," Lorelai tried to explain.
"Oh," Willow sighed sadly.
"So that is why Grandma was taking some of Rory's things, because Rory has been at the hospital the whole time and she needed some more clothes. Mommy was a bit dumb because she only took Rory one shirt and change of underwear."
"Is that where you goed with the mallomars?" Kitty looked at Lorelai seriously.
"Yeah."
"You membered the portant things," Kitty patted Lorelai's arm. "Is Gigi poorly?"
"She has a broken leg and a very poorly foot," Lorelai explained. "But they are going to come and stay with us for a little bit…"
"Rory and Gigi gonna stay with us?" Kitty's face lit up in delight.
"Just until Gigi is OK to travel long distances and the place she needs to go to get better have their ducks in a row," Lorelai jiggled her leg. "Just a couple weeks".
Kitty gave a chortle of delight. "I get down Mommy," she kicked her legs and slid off Lorelai's lap. "I share my toys with her."
"Thank you Bubba," Lorelai kissed Kitty on the forehead and watched Kitty scamper off. "How about you?"
"Course I share. I got lots of sisters, and Sam" Willow shrugged, the little girl regarded Lorelai with her big blue eyes. "Mommy, you sad?"
"Little bit Honeybunch," Lorelai smiled weakly.
"I hug it better," Willow buried her head into Lorelai's chest. She wriggled into a more sound seating position and then looked up briefly. "I always don't feel sad when you hug me better." She squeezed her arms tightly. "Love you Mommy."
"I love you too." Lorelai cradled the little girl, pressing a kiss into Willow's wild curls. "From the tip of your toes to the top of your head."
"I love all you too Mommy," Willow raised her head gain. "And all Kitty and Daddy and April and Rory and most of Sam."
"Most of him!" Lorelai chuckled. "What bit don't you like?"
Willow screwed her face up in disgust and looked at her little brother. "His stinky bum."
"His stinky bum! Oh no Sam! Willow says you got a stinky bum!" Lorelai giggled. She grinned at the baby getting a chuckle and a gurgle in reply. "It's a boy thing huh?"
"I don't like boy things," Willow shook her head. "You need nother hug Mommy?"
"I always need your hugs," Lorelai tightened her grip on Willow. "My Beautiful girl I always, always need your hugs."
"I always hug you den Mommy," Willow buried her face back into Lorelai's chest.
xXx
Richard swallowed, setting the car in park. When he had agreed to help Emily with details for Francine's funeral he had been expecting details, like flowers not basically planning the whole thing. He watched Emily climb out the car and begin to stride up the path, a woman on a mission, and seemingly oblivious to the car in the driveway. He didn't recognise it but he could infer from context who it belonged to. Quickly he climbed out the car and followed Emily up the driveway, his long legs clearing the distance in half the time that it had taken her. He found her just beyond the red door talking with Christopher, her shoulders raised in a way they he knew meant she was uncomfortable. Richard forced a smile on his face and extended his hand. "Christopher, so sorry about your mother."
"Thank you Richard," Christopher shook his hand with all the enthusiasm of a wet fish.
"Emily why don't you go see about the suit," Richard nodded Emily up the stairs.
"Yes" Emily nodded. "I'm certain Francine will have a suitable outfit, unless there is anything specific you want her to be buried in."
"Er…" Christopher looked at her slightly dazed. "She liked green."
"Green." Emily absorbed the information. "I will find a suitable green suit. I assume Gigi doesn't have anything black? Black is very unbecoming on small children so I doubt Francine bought her anything, not that I expect you'd know. Though Rory mentioned something about a blue dress that Francine loved on Gigi, so perhaps that. Still, I shall take a look and see how much needs to be packed."
"Packed?" Christopher stared at her in confusion.
"For when Gigi moves. I assume the house will be sold," Emily gave Christopher a pointed look and then rapidly made her way for the stairs. "I must get on, lots to do still."
"What else needs to be done?" Christopher looked at Richard for help. "The undertakers were doing everything and the hotel for the wake."
"There are details, flowers and what not. Emily is excellent at organising those things. Things I couldn't even imagine, she just knows." Richard folded his arms in front of him and stared at the younger man. He looked bewildered and slightly grey and there was a faint sour odour of sweat mixed with the bitter tang of too much alcohol in the air "You're wife isn't here?"
"She's coming tomorrow," Christopher muttered. "Did you want to come in while you wait?"
"Thank you," Richard followed the younger man into the messy living room. Take out boxes and used cups littering the coffee table. "You've been staying here?"
"Yeah, I didn't feel like having to go back and forth to New York and I guess I hoped Rory would come around and let me see Gigi," Christopher flopped into the couch with a heavy sigh.
"Rory didn't say you'd called her," Richard sat down in the opposite couch, subtly defending his granddaughter.
"Er…Well she was in charge and I figured if she…"
"She's been somewhat busy. She slept at the hospital until Thursday," Richard crossed his legs and peered at Christopher over his glasses. "She and Gigi are to stay with Lorelai and Luke for a few weeks while Gigi carries out her initial therapy."
"I…Yeah…I should maybe call her." Chris looked around for his phone.
"Gigi should be well enough to attend the funeral."
"Right," Chris settled back on the couch.
"It's not Rory's decision Christopher. It shouldn't be her decision," Richard fixed Christopher with a steely gaze. "I almost understood you not fully accepting your responsibilities with Rory when Lorelai backed out of the marriage. You were sixteen. But now, a grown man in his forties, it's unconscionable."
"I'm getting a little sick of the bashing from the Gilmore's if you don't mind," Christopher scowled petulantly.
"Well I'm more than a little sick with worry about what this means for Rory. Beneath her brains and rapid repartee, she is a fragile soul. She's too kind and stubborn for her own good sometimes."
"Didn't look fragile to me. Whole heaping tonnes of Gilmore strength when we ran into each other at the hospital," Christopher scratched his head unable to keep Richard's gaze.
"She might not like to admit it but Rory is fragile. She has a core of spun glass. She has strong cladding, but your constant failure to keep promises to appear did more damage than she and any of us care to admit." Richard cleared her throat. "She may come across as stoic, she may dazzle with her brilliance but she runs very deep. She bottles her emotions up and then she…Lorelai called it something… something about soda…She fizzes over and no matter how hard we all try; a little bit always gets left out." He sat straighter and leaned towards Christopher. "She is in a stable loving relationship. She's engaged to be married and she is facing the next chapter of her life. It's her chance to go out in the world and soar. She should have a chance to enjoy that."
"Anything else?" Christopher stared at Richard, his shoulders slumped. "Keep laying it on, see how…"
"I don't mean to be insensitive. I know how upsetting losing your mother can be," Richard sat back and attempted to mollify the man across from him. "But you know me well enough, young man, when it comes to my girls I will do anything to protect them. Rory deserves more. She's always deserved more. I will not have you ruin that for her more then you already have. You are a …."
"I believe I found the dress for Gigi that Rory was talking about," Emily interrupted, making a dramatic entry into the living room by sweeping the clothes she was holding through the air. "Richard, why don't you get the garment cover from the car."
"Yes," Richard got to his feet, ashamedly looking at the floor, angry that he had lost his temper. "I'll do that."
"Thank you," Emily watched him leave and then turned to aloofly look at Christopher. "Do you have a preference on either of these?" She expertly held up 2 suits. "I thought with the simple ivory blouse."
Christopher stared at her blankly. "They look the same."
"They have different detailing, on the lapels," Emily explained as if it was obvious. "And one is moss green and the other forest green." She transferred the outfits over her arm. "I shall take both, the undertakers can decide."
"So are you going to say anything? Any scathing remark from the acid tongue of Emily Gilmore?" Christopher looked up at her challengingly.
"What point would that serve," Emily gave him a dismissive look. "You'll no more listen to me then you will anyone else. I won't take any jewellery, Rory and Gigi should share that. I'll get some costume jewellery, it's closed casket so no one shall see." Emily turned to go towards the door. "I shall see you on Monday Christopher. Try to look respectable. Take a shower perhaps. A swig of mouthwash. At the very least use cologne to cover the smell of bourbon."
xXx
Rory glanced sideways at Gigi sat beside her in the car. This morning had been a whirlwind of activity; checking out of the hotel, Gigi being released with a large bag of pain meds and bandages and a wheelchair and crutches. They had barely had a time to get ready once she had arrived at her Mom's house in Stars Hollow. Just having enough time to have a shower, throw on her black dress and get back in the car to head to Hartford for the funeral. Gigi had been almost silent the entire time, only speaking once; to ask Spencer to slow down. Rory had completely forgotten that this was the first time that Gigi had been in a car since the accident. Lorelai had told her that Gigi hadn't said anything to her at all while she was helping Gigi get ready. The little girl just seemed to stare into space, her blue eyes focussing on a middle distance. Rory faced forward and smiled awkwardly realising her Mom who was sat in the front seat alongside Spencer was watching them. "We're nearly there," Rory assured Gigi barely getting a response.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself when Spencer pulled her silver car into the cemetery and began to drive carefully along the lane up to the gravesite; he parked in a way to give them enough room for getting the wheelchair and Gigi out of the car. "Here we are," Rory smiled forcefully at Gigi and climbed out the car so she could get the wheelchair. She looked around as she felt her Mom's presence behind her. "Mom?"
"It's OK Babe, I got you" Lorelai helped her open the trunk and pull out the wheelchair. "We're here it's going to be …fine."
"Just fine?"
"Well, funerals aren't exactly known for the shindig levels of fun, despite having fun in it," Lorelai took control of the wheelchair. "I'll drive, you go alongside."
The three adults helped Gigi out of the car and into the chair, carefully positioning her heavily bandaged leg. Gigi made no noise only wincing slightly, instead her focus was up the hill where people were gathering. Slowly they made their way up the gentle slope to where chairs had been laid out on the lawn next to a flower covered coffin.
"No," Gigi whispered.
The three adults came to a halt and looked down at her. Gigi's already pale face had turned translucent, looking like all the blood had flowed from it. Rory crouched down beside Gigi and looked up at her little sister. "It's OK Gigi."
"I haven't got any flowers," Gigi whispered looking at her hands aghast.
"We have flowers," Rory turned slightly and pointed to a bright arrangement near the front of the chairs. "That is from both of us. Yellow sunflowers from me, the purple flowers are from you and when they finish they are going to put the flowers onto the grave."
"Oh," Gigi stared at the arrangement for a long moment. After a few tense seconds her eyes travelled across to Rory. "He's here."
"Yeah," Rory nodded.
"I…I don't want him," Gigi whispered as if she was afraid to admit it.
"Ok," Rory nodded, slowly she stood up her eyes holding Gigi's gaze the entire time. "Give me a sec," She nodded at Lorelai and then pivoted on her left foot. She strode with purpose up the slope and round the chairs to where Christopher was holding court accepting the condolences from the mourners who had come to pay their respects. "Hi."
"Rory," Christopher nodded in greeting looking at her warily. "This is Jasmine," he turned slightly to introduce Rory to a tall, slim woman in her late twenties, "my wife."
"Hello Jasmine. I'm Rory, the first daughter Christopher abandoned," Rory stuck her hand out. Her similarly aged stepmother looked at Christopher nervously but gingerly took Rory's hand shaking it limply before lowering her hand back down beside her perfect black dress. Her brown eyes darted cautiously around the assembling guests, who were all pretending not to listen to a varying degree of success. "I'm about to bring the second daughter up and she's said she doesn't want you. Perhaps the one thing she's learned from you. I know this isn't the time right to go into everything but please give her that today. Don't speak to her. You sit one end of the row. We will sit at the other."
Christopher stared at her dumbly and then gave a weak nod.
Rory nodded curtly and spun round so she could go back down the slope to Lorelai, Spencer and Gigi. "Come on Sweetie, let's go get settled." Rory held her left hand out to Gigi allowing her little sister to take it before moving to stand on the left of the wheelchair, and place her right hand over her Mom's hand on the handle of the wheelchair. She looked at her Mom for a few seconds before Lorelai raised her chin encouragingly and began to push the chair up the slope to the opposite end of the front row to Christopher. Gigi took a sharp intake of breath and squeezed Rory's hand tightly, the young girl's blue eyes fixed on the coffin containing the only mother she had ever really known.
xXx
"Scotch please," Lorelai requested from the barman. She turned and surveyed the function room that the wake was being held in. The room had seemingly self-policed. Rory had seconded herself and Gigi into a corner at the table as far away from Christopher as she could and the mourners had positioned themselves between the two group. It seemed that it was mostly family at the wake and apparently most of them were finding it difficult to know how to purport themselves now they had sight of Gigi, who she imagined had been a case of out of sight out of mind. There were not many people that Lorelai thought would be friends, those few people collected around Emily perhaps, it just showed how much Francine had given up to take care of her granddaughter.
"Ma'am," the barman placed Lorelai's drink on a napkin.
"Thanks," Lorelai took the glass and continued her study. Christopher rightly looked fairly morose, an impression made worse by some old uncle, whose name eluded her, regaling him with something and the new wife was sending distress signals in a hope that someone would rescue them. Lorelai took a sip of drink and then with a sigh walked across to the table. "They just brought out more salmon puffs. My Mom and those salmon puffs, I tell you. Have you had some?" She looked down at the aged uncle. "They're really good. You should try some. Or the cheese thing that's going on, like a wheel, really tasty."
"I'll go take a look," the old man seemingly understood and heaved himself laboriously out of the chair and doddered off towards the buffet.
"Enjoy," Lorelai hovered by the chair, uncertain what to do now.
"Thanks for rescuing us," Jasmine smiled gratefully at Lorelai. "I'm Jasmine, Christopher's wife. Did you know Francine or are you related?"
"Only by our daughter," she pointed between herself and Christopher. "I'm Lorelai. Rory's mother. We spoke on the phone." Lorelai raised her glass in a sort of greeting, forcing herself to keep her smile even though she saw the look of startled annoyance flush across Jasmine's face. "I saw the signals. I know the pain of navigating these type of family gatherings." She pointed towards Richard and Emily. "My parents used to drag me along to all sorts. Thankfully, the clothing is more stylish these days. My mom had some kind of fetish over giant pink bows. It was a nice service."
"Considering," Christopher mumbled. "You going to say something too?"
"Nope, I said what I needed to at the hospital and Rory will say what she needs to. Leave it all for the lawyer's office." Lorelai sat down in the chair and stared at Christopher. "I will say that you should probably stop drinking or at least eat something. I'm serious about that cheese wheel thing, it looks insanely good, and you know what they say about wine and cheese."
"Maybe I should get you something?" Jasmine looked warily from Christopher to Lorelai.
"Get the bread. Soak things up a little." Lorelai gave a mock grimace and then smiled at the young woman who responded by scurrying away for safety. "Am I that scary?"
Christopher drained his glass. "Seeing as how every member of your family has attacked me Lor she's…"
"We didn't attack you Chris. Well, Rory maybe and Spencer, with the whole hitting thing but Rory gets to be righteously mad at you and that boy will do anything for her." Lorelai reached across the table and pulled the wine out of Christopher's reach. "We didn't mean to make you feel attacked and my Mom helped do the funeral."
"For Rory."
"Everything is for Rory, Chris. Don't be stupid to think otherwise." Lorelai poured a glass of water and pushed it towards him. "Try sober up. You're going to need your head."
"For what?" Christopher took the glass and stared at her.
"What comes next?" Lorelai shrugged and stood up slowly.
"Which is?"
"Whatever Rory wants."
xXx
Lorelai hopped out of the car when they arrived back home and waved up at the living room window. The twins were waving in greeting. Part of her wondered if bringing the still very upset Gigi back to the house was a good decision. The twins would be in a rambunctious mood, fractious from the comings and goings and the excited that they had gotten to spend time with Babette who always spoiled them. Lorelai opened the car door and smiled down at Gigi. "I hope you're ready for them, the twins can get a little boisterous when they are excited."
"Why are they excited?" Gigi asked her voice a scratchy whisper.
"Because you and Rory are staying with us and they didn't get to say hello properly earlier because we were in a rush," Lorelai smiled widely at the little girl. Her smile wavered slightly at the look of surprise on Gigi's face.? "Now how do you want me to carry you, piggy back or like you're a damsel?"
"Under the knees," Rory peered through the opposite car door before closing it.
"Oh, Nurse Ratchet has spoken," Lorelai playfully teased. "Ok, so under the knees, you good?"
"Yes," Gigi looked down at her leg nervously.
"OK," Lorelai expertly looped her hands under Gigi and lifted the child out of the car. Straining a little under the awkwardness of Gigi's weight, she quickly walked up the three steps to the porch and then settled Gigi in her wheelchair. "OK, you ready?"
"Yes," Gigi nodded, folding her arms across her lap.
"Now then, now then, now then," Lorelai burst into the house. "What's all this racket about?"
"Mommy," Willow giggled, rushing into Lorelai's arms. "We been good girls, we just excited."
"You have? I don't know, I think I need a full report. So Babette, have they been good girls?" Lorelai cuddled Willow and then straightened up to look at Babette. The short woman stood holding Sam, grinning at the children.
"They've been angels, absolute dolls," Babette smiled indulgently at the twins, her smile wavered slightly as Rory wheeled Gigi's chair in.
"Whoa," Kitty rushed forward excitedly. "You got wheels."
"She does, but watch her leg Bubba," Lorelai counselled, stepping forward to stop Kitty from inadvertently hurting Gigi.
"It looks poorly," Willow stared sadly at Gigi's foot. The little girl stepped forward and rested her hand on the arm of the wheelchair. "Babette helped us make your room pretty," she pointed towards the library area at the back of the living room. "Is not a room. Issa liebrie but Mommy said your poorly foot means stairs are hard."
"Shall we go see," Rory asked Gigi softly.
"Lead on you two," Lorelai shooed the twins, noting that Gigi's shoulders were tensing.
"I brought a screen from home," Babette explained handing over Sam to Lorelai. "Just to give the kid some privacy. And some more pillows, so she can rest her leg in different ways. She can borrow it as long as she needs. We can come whenever you need, whatever you need."
"Thanks Babette," Lorelai smiled gratefully at her former neighbour. "I really appreciate it."
"Oh sure doll. We all gotta pitch in with the poor little angel," Babette smiled sadly at Rory and Gigi, watching the uncertainty while the twins excitedly explained the new features the library area had as a makeshift bedroom. "You want me to take them out for a bit? Let Gigi get settled."
"Actually, that would be great. Just the twins, Sam will be OK," Lorelai bounced the baby on her hip.
"Alright doll faces, who wants a piano lesson?" Babette scurried towards the twins. "Huh?"
"Piano? Really?" Willow jumped excitedly.
"Mr Morey to the twiddly thing?" Kitty mimed playing the piano. "Can Gigi come?"
"Maybe another day Bubba," Lorelai told the excited little one. "She needs to get settled in."
"OK," Kitty dashed towards the front door. "I wanna play piano."
"Alright you two, be good girls for Babette and Morey."
"We will Mommy," Willow told her with a smile. "Bye Gigi, bye Rory," she waved at the pair. "We see you soon."
"Thanks Babette," Lorelai followed her old neighbour to the door and watched the twins almost drag her down the driveway. When they had exited the property, Lorelai turned back to the room and forced herself to smile widely. "Cake I think, and maybe some cuddles."
"I just want to wash this day off," Rory rubbed her hands over her face.
Lorelai gave her a sympathetic smile. "You got it Babe. Go have a shower and change. I got Cutie."
"I should…" Rory glanced down at Gigi. "Is that OK Gigi if I go take a shower. Then when I'm all clean we can cuddle together and watch a movie."
"OK," Gigi nodded, looking down at her hands.
"Thank you," Rory kissed Gigi's crown and slowly made her way out of the room.
"Go keep an eye," Lorelai inclined her head at Spencer, nodding after Rory. She waited until Spencer had made his way up the stairs after Rory before approaching the little girl in the wheelchair. "What would you like to do Gigi?" Lorelai settled on the arm of the couch and smiled at the little girl.
Gigi shrugged in response looking back at her lap.
"Luke is going to bring pie, apple pie, home tonight. You like pie, don't you?" Lorelai crept a little closer and then crouched beside the wheelchair, setting the baby on her knee. "How about we change this dress? Huh?"
"Kay," Gigi looked at her, her eyes glimmering with tears.
Lorelai studied Gigi's face; there was something just beneath the surface, she could tell, something that Gigi was struggling to articulate. "Would you like a cuddle?" Gigi nodded and tried to sit forward. Lorelai moved forward as best she could with Sam in her arms and wrapped her free arm around Gigi. After only a second Sam began to whinge, uncomfortable in his precarious position. "Oh boy," Lorelai broke the hug. "One second," she assured Gigi and then stood up, transferring her son to her hip and taking him over to the playpen. "Sit tight a mo, Sam the Man," she hovered over Sam for a second and then quickly made her way back to Gigi. "You want to sit on my knee?" she smiled as Gigi extended her arms and Lorelai lifted the seven-year-old like a much smaller child from the wheelchair and sat down settling Gigi on her lap. "Better Huh?" Gigi nodded and rested her head against Lorelai's shoulder. Lorelai listened to the hesitation in Gigi's breathing, the little girl clearly holding in her tears. "Gigi, you don't have to be brave anymore today." She adjusted her grip as she felt Gigi tremble and held the child as protectively as she could. "I got you munchkin. I got you," Lorelai kissed the child's crown.