AN - Thanks Guys, glad you liked it, no plans for Sherry to turn up. In terms of Christopher he has definiately burned his bridges with his Mom over Gigi, showed his true colours and she has gone lioness to protect her (grand)child.
The bonus point (I know there isn't points but :P) was the names of the legal firm, little nod to Charlie's Angels :). OK so onwards. As every all my own work so any mistakes my own, thank you for reading. reviews always welcome and I hope you enjoy x
Chapter 28 – If it's not one thing it's the other
Lorelai folded her arms watching Rory flutter around her attic room suite collecting things into piles. It was round six of the conversation which had been going on for the last three weeks. When should Gigi and Rory go to New York. In the time that they had been staying in Stars Hollow, Gigi and Rory had both seemed happier. Rory hadn't fallen behind in her work and Gigi was acclimatising to a new way of life with 'cousins' and getting used to no Francine. There was a long way for both of them to go but they seemed on an even keel and it worried Lorelai that if they jumped too soon it would cause backslides for both of them.
"You're sure?" Lorelai asked Rory, watching her daughter place some books in a bag. "You can stay longer, Gigi seems…"
"We need to go." Rory pressed her lips together and gave Lorelai a sad sigh. "If I stay here, I put facing things off. I keep relying on you and Luke. If she gets too used to this she might not get on well with our house. I need to go to New York. I need to stand on my own feet with Spencer and have a 'normal' life. We need to get on with whatever our life is now. The physical therapy is all ready to be transferred to New York. I've got her a great therapist to help her with processing. We've got appointments at a couple of schools to check out. We've been here for nearly a month Mom. I have to go home at some point."
"We don't mind you being here. We like having you." Lorelai sat on the end of the bed and straightened the clothes that Rory had placed haphazardly in one of the suitcases that had come up with Spencer over his weekend trips up from the city. "I don't want you to rush this."
"I'm not rushing it," Rory looked at her across the bed. "I need to do this for me. I need to reclaim my life. I need to not let him ruin my life. This should be a positive thing."
"Ruin your life?" Lorelai paused in her packing. "What…?"
"I mean, this isn't how I pictured my life going. Suddenly being, a mother, effectively, to a seven year old at twenty five. But, it's happened," Rory brushed her hand through her loose hair and took a deep breath. "It changes so much and I am going to make the best of it. I need to complete my PhD. I've worked too hard on it just to have to stop now. I need to work out how to fit it all in. I need to make our life, our life." She moved across to the desk and lifted a folder bringing it over to the holdall she was packing and setting the folder in the bag. "I have to do this. This is the right time."
"Ok," Lorelai nodded. She regarded Rory, taking in the fire in the bright blue eyes. The tragedy of what had happened had seemed to steel Rory in a way she hadn't expected, the stresses were still there but there was a perspective that had shifted. She just wanted to make sure that Rory stayed strong, stayed on this course. Lorelai smiled widely. "So Sunday?"
"Yeah," Rory nodded. "Spencer is going to come up Friday. It gives him a chance to chill out and then we can pack the car, and set out earlyish on Sunday so we can make as many stops as Gigi needs. She's still anxious about the car." Rory closed the holdall and lifted it from the bed, setting it behind the desk. "Mom?"
"Rory?" Lorelai returned the serious tone.
"Did you…" Rory paused and sighed. "Did you ever feel like I …I know it was super hard and everything having me so young but… did it…where you ever sorry that you…"
Lorelai raised her right hand to bring Rory's babbling to a halt. "I never, not once, regretted having you. You are the greatest thing to happen to me up until the twins and Sam. You four, my greatest achievements."
"You never wish that you went to college at the right time or…"
"Rory, I would not change anything about us. It's who we are. If I change anything then I risk that. And I am not going to do that." She reached out and held Rory's shoulders, bending her knees a fraction so their eyes were level "You didn't ruin anything. You made things better."
Rory blushed and looked to the side. "Maybe Gigi will too. Maybe this was what was meant to happen. Not Francine dying, but, maybe, when I decided I wanted to fight for her, when I closed the door on him, this is the path I got put on. Like it was fate."
"Easy there!" Lorelai teased her eyes crinkling in amusement. "Make sure Luke doesn't hear you talking that way. That will encourage some serious huffing and eye rolling," She rubbed Rory's shoulders comfortingly, "but maybe you are right."
"It's going to be OK, isn't it?" Rory looked back up at her with uncertainty. Slowly she raised her jaw. "I can do it. I know I can."
"Good," Lorelai pulled her into a tight hug, "and I am only a phone call away if you need Mom advice."
"I know," Rory held her tightly. "But it's going to be fine, I'm going to be good."
"Alright." Lorelai nodded hoping that she sounded reassuring. "I'll go grab the laundry." She moved to go towards the staircase in the middle of the room and surveyed the bags. With a faint frown she looked towards the window. Rory had been to Francine's house to collect Gigi's belongings last week, she had borrowed Luke's truck and filled the back almost to overflowing and Gigi's belongings now resided in one of the outbuildings. "Um Babe?"
"I'm not going to chan…"
"No, I know." Lorelai raised her hand and then gestured it towards the bag. "Maybe Spencer should hire a U-Haul on the way up."
Rory looked up from the bag she was packing and then across at the bags already packed. "Oh Crap!"
"Good thing we started the conversation early," Lorelai gave her a sympathetic smile. "Or call a movers."
"Yeah," Rory nodded studying her bags before leaning over to grab her cell phone from the bed. "I'll call him."
xXx
Richard gave an annoyed huff and flicked his newspaper. Emily had, yet again, snapped at him for no apparent reason. This in itself was not unusual; he often did or said something in an improper manner that caused this reaction, but the tone of the snap was mean as opposed to just her particularness. She had been like this for more than a week and he was finding it very tiresome, especially because she was not telling him what it was that was bothering or upsetting her, only snapping 'I'm fine' at him whenever he tried to ask her. The only time she did not seem distracted and angry where when they saw the grandchildren and then she just seemed tearful. He had toyed with the idea that perhaps what had happened with Francine and with Rory had unsettled her but he had yet found the time to be able to bring it up in a way that didn't end up with him losing a part of his anatomy. He finished the end of the section he was reading and lowered the newspaper slightly, peering over the top to look at her once more. She had half eaten her grapefruit and had given up to stare out the window into the garden. No doubt she had found fault with something and the maid or the gardener would be getting an earful. He frowned as he studied her further, her expression was forlorn and it worried him but he was at a loss to know what to say. Slowly he lowered his newspaper to the table.
"I can finish early on Thursday. I don't have any meetings," he started carefully, drawing her attention away from the window to look at him. "Perhaps if you have the time we could do something, have lunch or perhaps we could…"
"I can't," Emily answered him sadly, her dark eyes filling with tears for a moment before she looked away at the ground to her left and then looked up any suggestion of sadness gone. "Perhaps next week." She gave a firm nod.
"I'll do my best to keep it free," Richard assured her. He opened his mouth to try and press her into having a conversation but Emily suddenly pushed her chair back. "You haven't finished your breakfast."
"It's very sour," Emily muttered, peering down at her segment of grapefruit, "not in the good way. I don't think it was ripe."
Richard looked down at his plate, his own half of the perfectly normal tasting grapefruit gone. "Perhaps …what's this one called?"
"Karin," Emily took a deep breath.
"Perhaps Karin can make you some eggs?" Richard suggested
"I'm not hungry," Emily dismissed him, uncharacteristically walking her plate towards the kitchen. "I should get going. I have lots to do at the foundation office today. Don't be late for work dear."
"I…I won't," Richard watched her stride into the kitchen, still at a complete loss as to what was going on.
xXx
Luke slipped into the kitchen and quickly made his way to the cupboard to get the cereal bowls out so that Lorelai had one less thing to worry about when she had to get all the kids fed and ready. He always tried to avoid it, but sometimes there was no escaping having an early morning delivery on a Wednesday. He glanced at his watch and quickened his pace, setting the right bowl in the right place and getting the cereal out within easy reach. He moved quickly and quietly around the kitchen which was lit only by the early morning light. Out of the corner of his eyes he caught movement and he turned towards the doorway. He blinked in surprise. Gigi was stood leaning against the doorframe watching him curiously.
"Did I wake you?" he asked softly, glancing at his watch knowing that at 4.45 Gigi should still be asleep.
"No," Gigi shook her head. "I rolled over and made my leg hurt," she looked down and then up at him. "Are you leaving?"
"I have a delivery." Luke explained continuing in his prep work by grabbing the jug and filling it with water so he could leave it to chill in the fridge. "I have to go to work," he clarified. "Did you need some pain medication?"
"No thank you," Gigi whispered politely.
"OK," Luke nodded. He turned to the sink and grabbed her a glass, pouring her a glass of water from the faucet. "Have some water and then try and get some sleep."
"Oh," Gigi whispered, she leaned on her crutches and crept slowly into the kitchen. "Thank you," she hobbled over to him and took the glass. Taking a cautious sip she then handed the glass back to him. "Uncle Grady is coming with his truck."
"Yeah, you and your sister have a lot of stuff," Luke smiled at her, holding the glass in case she wanted some more.
"I'm going to ask him if I can call him Pops," Gigi looked at him nervously. "April said your Daddy was Pops, is that OK?"
"If you ask to call Grady that?" Luke looked at the little girl in confusion. "Sure."
"You're Uncle Luke," Gigi held his gaze unblinkingly. "Even though Rory…" she trailed off and looked down. "Do you like Rory being yours?"
Luke blinked in surprise. "Yeah."
"Do you think…?" Gigi gave a heavy sigh. "Do you think Spencer…?"
"You don't have to make sense or assign roles to us," Luke cut her off. He set the glass on the side and then crouched so Gigi was above him. "A lot of the time family doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It doesn't have to fit a framework. All you need to know is that you are part of it. There is nothing wrong with things being a bit strange. In fact, with Rory and Lorelai things usually are. Just because things aren't normal doesn't mean their broken. Does that make sense?"
"Yes," Gigi nodded forcefully. "It isn't me that's broken, apart from my leg," she smiled weakly. "It's them."
"Yeah," Luke exhaled heavily, knowing that she meant Christopher and Sherry. "It's them." He raised his arms as Gigi wobbled slightly.
"I liked being here," Gigi smiled softly at him. "It's nice to pretend."
Luke studied the little girl, not sure what she was pretending, but following her trail of questions understanding what it could be. "You are going to like New York. And you don't have to pretend because it's your home."
Gigi nodded solemnly, looking like she was trying to solve a great puzzle. She opened and closed her mouth a few times. Finally she sighed clearly deciding to let whatever she was trying to say go. "Spencer painted my room turquoise."
"Sounds goof!" Luke shook his head in amusement. "Let's get you back to bed."
"Can I come to the diner?" Gigi asked softly.
"Um…"
"Tonight. It's Wednesday," Gigi reached to take his arm to steady herself. "You're supposed to eat at the diner on Wednesday."
"Kitty been on about it again," Luke smirked. "I'll call Lorelai later," he stood up. "Now come on." he tried to guide her towards the hallway.
"I'm making you late," Gigi looked at him in alarm. "I'm sorry."
"It's OK, he will wait, he knows I can get delayed," Luke gave her a reassuring smile. "You OK by yourself?"
"Yes, I can do it," Gigi turned slowly. "I have to practice."
"Practice makes perfect," Luke followed her progress slowly. "You're doing really well."
Gigi looked back over her shoulder and gave him a beaming pride filled smile. "Thank you, Uncle Luke."
xXx
Emily clutched the leaflets she had been given to her torso as tightly as she could. The leaflets were bright and garish and shouting to the world what might be wrong with her and worse they were too big to stick in her purse; meaning she couldn't try and silence them. She strode as quickly as she was able to across the street to the parking lot and threw both the leaflets and her purse into the passenger side of the car. Collapsing into the driving seat she stared at the road in front of her. She felt numb but also confused and scared. She hadn't felt like this in such a long time. She had worked so hard to get away from these feelings. She hated them. She had sworn she was never going to feel like that again. That was why she liked control. That was why she liked everything just so, because then, she could keep confusion at bay. Then there was less chance of being scared. She looked down at the keys in her hand, her eyes caught the screaming information and a sob caught in her throat. She tried to straighten her shoulders, tried to keep that brave mask in place but it slipped. She seized the steering wheel, gripping it tight, trying to tether herself to something, anything stable. The tears started to flow and she sagged forward, sobbing into the leather covered steering wheel. Her tears sent dark trails of mascara down her cheeks. This wasn't supposed to happen to her, this wasn't supposed to happen at all.
xXx
"Hey Patty," Luke waved a soft greeting to the dance teacher. Stepping into the dance school he paused for a moment before crossing the floor to help her with a pole arrangement she was trying to erect. "What's this for?"
"My pole dancing class," Patty explained stepping back and allowing him to fix the pole in position.
"Don't look at my butt," Luke muttered, fumbling with the fixings.
"It's a free country," Patty purred at him. "You should get Lorelai to come, she would have fun and I'm sure she would be fabulous at it. She might learn something new that you like," Patty quirked her eyebrows, smirking at him when he straightened up in alarm. "Not that it is about that. It's about female empowerment, and toning…"
"I don't need the sales pitch," Luke held up a warning hand. "I can guess from context."
"So? What did you need?" Patty smiled at him. "You don't usually grace me with your presence unless you are dropping those darling girls off. You are not short on the bills and little Samuel is a little too young for my tumble tots class."
"I know it's short notice but I was wondering if there was any chance of using the space on Saturday?" Luke asked checking over his shoulder to see if anyone was watching. "Rory and Gigi are going back to New York. Well, going to New York on Sunday and I wanted to make it a bit special, you know give them a send-off."
"That's a wonderful idea!" Patty clasped her hands together in delight.
"The diners a bit small and I kind of what to surprise them which means I can't do it at the house. There's a function at the inn so…"
"Let me look," Patty grabbed her diary. "The last dance class finishes at five. I don't have any private lessons scheduled so if that is not too late for the little ones, you can come in and set up and have it then."
"Thanks Patty," Luke gave her a beaming smile. "You want any…"
"Just let me call on you when I need something tending to," Patty waved her hand dismissively.
Luke raised his eyebrow in alarm. "You mean structurally with the hall, right?"
"I do," Patty chuckled at his demeanour. "You want me to spread the word about the party?"
"You can let Babette know, that would be great. We're going to keep it casual, people Gigi has met, nothing too big." Luke looked out towards the street. "I don't want to overwhelm her."
"I will let Babette now."
"Thanks Patty."
"You're most welcome."
Luke waved in goodbye and made his way out the dance school, glancing at the diner he saw that it was still relatively slow, certainly within Cesar's comfort zone and made his way past the diner to the Soda Shoppe. He frowned when he spotted Taylor behind the counter and made to turn.
"Lucas!"
"Taylor," Luke stopped and nodded a gruff greeting.
"Have you come to discuss the letter I sent?" Taylor peered at him over the counter.
"You mean your sixteen point manifesto of demands?" Luke stepped properly into the store and folded his arms. "No, I'm drafting a suitable response."
"I'll take that to mean I shall be getting a snippy response," Taylor grumbled.
"You're getting a response, a response which is appropriate for the content," Luke took another step in.
"You have been slow in respon…"
"We've been a little busy, in case you hadn't noticed," Luke cut him off.
"Yes," Taylor wiped down the counter. "I supposed given the circumstances, I can let the tardiness on your response slide."
"How very generous," Luke took a deep calming breath.
"So what did you want," Taylor wiped the same spot again, studying Luke with curiosity.
"I…er…need some ice-cream, for the weekend. We're having a little party for the Gigi and Rory and I wondered if you had any big tubs… just strawberry or something fairly plain that I could buy and pick on Saturday afternoon. I've got vanilla, but I don't have time to order anything else." Luke cautiously approached the counter and studied the names on display by the tubs.
"Well," Taylor rubbed his hands together in an all too gleeful manner. "This is fortuitous. We do have some left over stock from the summer."
"Nothing crazy Taylor" Luke pleaded. "Nothing with nuts."
"So no butter pecan," Taylor pressed his lips together. "I do however have a raspberry that you can have."
"Raspberry sounds fine. How much?"
"Cost. Would be fine. I shall check the manifest and advise you," Taylor puffed up his chest in delight. "Perhaps you might also like some sprinkle…"
"The ice-cream is fine," Luke put out his hand to stop Taylor trying to sell him anything else. He looked around at a tapping noise. Cesar was knocking against the window that was in the dividing wall between the diner and the Soda Shoppe; a wild and desperate look on his face, the diner apparently getting busy. "I best get back. Let me know the cost. I'll pick it up Saturday."
xXx
"Where are we going Mommy?" Kitty skipped excitedly alongside Lorelai, one hand on the stroller.
"It's a secret, Daddy said we had to come see," Lorelai opened her eyes wide, her voice light and excited. "I bet it's going to be fun!"
"Did he do something?" Rory asked curiously, pushing Gigi along in her wheelchair just behind Lorelai and the twins.
"I think he might have," Lorelai giggled, poking her tongue out at Willow. "Daddy's been planning something."
"Is he trying to make us happy because we're sad?" Willow asked squishing herself against the stroller as the street narrowed owing to a tree meaning they couldn't all walk in a straight line.
"Why are you sad Honeybunch?" Lorelai asked curiously.
"Rory and Gigi are going," Willow looked up at her sadly. "I don't want them to go."
"I know," Lorelai smiled down at her youngest daughter before looking over her shoulder at her eldest, "but it's a good thing because it means that Gigi is getting better."
"That is good," Willow nodded looking back at Gigi. "I want her to be better."
"WOW!" Kitty exclaimed loudly. "A PARTY!" she broke away from the pram and started to run excitedly towards Miss Patty's, racing along the road that ran up from the main part of town, past the diner.
"Kitty!" Lorelai called desperately, with the stroller and Willow she was unable to do anything in the split second.
Her shout alerted several of the adults who were milling about outside the party. There was a flurry of activity. Six men and Lane ran into the street to stop Kitty doing the same thing. Gil reached her first, the guitarist scooping the little girl into his arms as she stepped off the sidewalk preventing her from running into the road while car came to a stop because of the adults blocking its way.
"Whoa there little one!" Gill walked Kitty back towards Lorelai. "Know your safety. Never just walk into the road, that's a unsafe, gnarly thing to do. We don't want you going splat."
"No," Kitty nodded in agreement. "Splats are only funny when Sam does them." She kicked her legs indicating she wanted to get down. "What's narly?" she asked curiously, completely oblivious to the mild panic that the adults were exuding.
"Gnarly is when you've gone beyond, beyond extreme, it's balls out danger, or like being majorly skilled or like having total perfection. Like shredding a riff on a guitar." Gil explained to the little girl who looked none the wiser. "This time it was the danger."
"Gnarly," Kitty mumbled, testing the unfamiliar word.
"Now, shall we do the road safe and sound together Little Cat?" Gil regarded the child, his hand extended.
"Little cat," Kitty guffawed. "Coz I'm Kitty. Mommy I like that. Mommy?" Kitty looked at Lorelai and her face dropped. "You're eyes are all poppy."
"You just scared Mommy," Lorelai exhaled, her hand on her chest, her heart slowly returning to a normal rhythm. "You shouldn't…We're going to have to review road safety."
"Hold the stroller." Willow sounded, nodding at her hand which was holding the aluminium bar.
"Oh yeah," Kitty scratched her head trying to look apologetic. "I just got excited bout the party."
"I see that Little Cat, but good girls always do what their Mommy tells them, especially when it comes to staying safe. Safety is sexy," Gil told her, before pulling a face when he realised that sexy meant nothing to a four-year-old. "Safety is so totally rock and roll."
"I wanna be rock and roll!" Kitty grabbed his hand. "Lets be rock and roll!"
"Oh boy!" Lorelai rolled her eyes and looked back towards Rory. "She takes years off me!"
"It's the years where you lose your teeth so it's OK," Rory shrugged and looked down at Gigi who had gone rigid in her chair. "Are you OK?"
"Yes," Gigi whispered quietly. Suddenly her face lit up and she pointed excitedly across the street into the dance studio. "Uncle Grady is here!"
"He is," Rory smiled in the direction that Gigi was pointing, "and looks like Miss Patty's found him."
"Doesn't look like he's complaining," Lorelai chuckled, watching the older couple openly flirting with each other. "He better watch out though she might try and make him husband number five."
"Oh yeah, well, Dad has had a few ladies in port, so to speak," Spencer frowned and self-consciously scratched his head. "I don't really… I think he um…"
Lorelai gave him a sympathetic smile. "Patty won't mind being part of a harem."
"She'd probably enjoy it," Rory shrugged and slowly began to angle the wheelchair so they could cross the street. "They are two consenting adults, as long as they know what the deal is, no harm no foul."
"I guess," Spencer sighed and turned his attention back to Gigi. "Looks like this party is for you." He pointed out a banner hanging just inside the dance studio that read 'Goodbye Rory and Gigi'.
"A whole party for me!" Gigi's eyes widened and shone in excitement. "For us", she turned in the chair to look at Rory. "People like us."
"Seems so," Rory pushed her up the other side of the street and applied the brakes. "You wanna go up on your crutches?"
"Yep," Gigi nodded excitedly. "I can do it."
"You're so lucky," Kitty skipped over from the steps. "You getted a whole party and it's not even your birthday," she took a step back realising that she was in the way. "You want me to help you?"
"I'm…" Gigi got standing and looked at the stairs before looking at Kitty and Willow who had stepped alongside her. "Yeah."
Lorelai lifted Sam out of the stroller and watched the three children slowly making their way up the steps together. The twins were probably more hinderance then help but Gigi allowed them to keep hold of her and together they made their way to the top of the steps where they were met with a round of applause which in turn made the twins bounce in excitement.
"But that gives you more years I bet?" Rory put her arm around Lorelai's waist.
"Yes," Lorelai pressed a kiss into Rory's crown. "Now lets go find that crazy sweet man," she pushed Rory up the stairs and let Spencer go after her before following. At the top she picked out Luke immediately, he had a displeased look on his face and was staring at the mountainous array of food which looked to be part diner, part Sookie's, part a bit from all the eating places in town. With Rory and Gigi caught in a throng of well-wishers Lorelai moved over to him and rested her hand in the middle of his shoulder blades. "You did all this?"
"Yeah well, I didn't mean it to be this big but you know how this place is," Luke grumbled without looking up. He moved a plate so it wasn't hanging off the end of the table. "Your parents are here but Emily is like full on Emily, she already…well you know how she gets," he turned and gave her a weak smile. "I think she's upset that Rory is going back to being a hundred miles away."
"I'm not so fond of that either," Lorelai ran her hand down his arm. "Thank you for this though."
"It's no bother," Luke shrugged dismissively. "I just wanted to make sure they got a good send off. I know how you like those."
"Oh I do," Lorelai agreed, leaning forward and kissing him softly. "Now let's party."
xXx
"It's blue," Gigi giggled in delight at the bowl of ice cream that Rory put in front of her.
"It's raspberry," Rory explained, "and Luke is really annoyed at Taylor about it."
"Raspberries aren't blue," Gigi stuck the spoon in the ice cream and then licked it experimentally.
"In candy it can be. We'll indoctrinate you into the ways of the candy world. Good?" Lorelai smiled at the delighted expression on the child's face. "Taylor had it left over. He sold it to Luke for cost, but Luke didn't want anything crazy."
"So, the saga continues," Rory chuckled, watching the Luke reluctantly serve the bright blue ice cream to Davey and Martha. "He's on full mumble mode."
"Ick," Lorelai pulled a face. "Taylor better keep his distance."
"Do they not like each other," Gigi asked curiously, looking up from her ice cream to study Luke.
"Luke and Taylor have a begrudging like for each other. They drive each other crazy but when it comes down to it they do have each other's back." Lorelai shrugged and then gave Rory a cheeky smile. "I know Luke enjoys winding Taylor up sometimes…"
"Taylor is too obtuse to even realise he does it."
"No he isn't, but I think he just gets…" Lorelai's head jerked up as she heard Willow let out a screech which almost sounded like pain and which was quickly followed by Richard gasping 'Emily' in surprised horror. Her eyes fell on her mother who was almost running out of the dance studio. Willow came out of the small crowd which had been shielded the twins from view hurtling towards Luke. She throwing herself into his arms sobbing completely inconsolable.
"What happened?" Rory rose from her chair, flanking Lorelai.
"Granma smacked her!" Kitty appeared round Morey's legs, her eyes wide in horror.
"What?" Lorelai gasped, choking back surprise. She stared at Willow safe in Luke's arms and turned, shoving Sam into Rory's arms and chasing after Emily out of the dance studio, while the other occupants stood in stunned silence. Emily had reached the corner of the street by the diner and was leaning against the crossing post, her hand on her side, sagging against the pole. "What the hell?" Lorelai stormed towards her. "Who the hell do you think you are smacking my daughter?" she stumbled slightly when Emily turned to look at her. Her mother looking so unlike her mother, whatever that had caused this moment of madness evident on her face. Suddenly Emily looked her age and so so fragile. Lorelai swallowed, her anger was absolutely raging, she was livid that her mother would even dare to raise her hand to Willow of all people. It was unthinkable but there was just so much not adding up in this moment of complete craziness. "You better start explaining!"
"I'm sorry…I just" Emily stumbled clinging to the pole for stability.
"You hit Willow! Why Mom, what….just…how can you even…what kind of person are you that hits a child that…"
"I just tapped her," Emily clutched at her jacket trying to undo the upper button. "I didn't…it just…I…" she gagged her hand covering her mouth and she lost her footing as she struggled to keep from vomiting.
"Mom!" Lorelai's anger vanished and she rushed the remaining distance to catch Emily before she fell to the ground. "What the hell! Are you having a stroke or something?" She tried her best to support her mother. "Mom, say something. What is going on?" Emily mumbled something unintelligible. Lorelai frowned barely able to make out her mother's voice. "What?" She managed to get Emily back to her feet and guided Emily to rest against the side of the diner. She brushed Emily's hair out of her face and stared at her Mom with concern. "Mom, what is going on?" Emily's eyes closed and when she opened them again she was crying. Lorelai shook Emily's shoulders. "Mom, tell me right now what is going on or I'm calling an ambulance. Mom!" she shook Emily again. "Mom what the he…"
"I might have cancer," Emily whispered through her tears.
Lorelai took a step back, letting go of Emily's shoulders and staring at her in horror. her eyes wide as she struggled to assimilate the word her mother had just choked out. "What?"
