Thank you all so much for the reviews! They make me happy! This is sort of a filler chapter, but Richard makes an appearance. I hope you all enjoy.

And if you are as big of a Lauren Graham fan as I am, she got a new show! Yay for her! So excited!

A Place to Call Home

Chapter 36: Richard

A week had passed since Christopher left town. He had tried to call Lorelai a few times, but she didn't answer or call him back. She wasn't ready to talk to him. She didn't trust anything that came out of his mouth. She deleted all of his voicemails without ever even listening to them. She couldn't take anymore lies.

Things had gotten back to normal. Everything except Lorelai and Luke. She still hadn't gone back into the diner. She didn't know what to say to Luke or where they stood. She just needed some time to figure things out.

"Mom," Rory walked into the kitchen. "I swept the living room." Rory put the broom away. "I don't think Grandpa will notice if the floor is dirty."

"Oh but he will. Your grandpa notices everything. Always. He will pick this house apart. He will tell me how small it is and how much nicer our home in Hartford was. He will also tell me that I should hire a maid, and then he will proceed to hire one for me."

"Why did you invite him here if you are so worried about what he is going to think?" Rory asked honestly.

"He asked to come. I didn't want to say no. He is trying."

"Then maybe you have nothing to worry about."

"Rory."

"Mom. I'm tired of cleaning."

"Okay."

"Alright lovelies." They heard Sookie's voice. "I've got some casseroles."

"Oh Sookie." Lorelai greeted her and took some things out of her hands. "You are saving my life."

"Sookie." Ruby walked into the kitchen. "Where is Davey?"

"He is with his daddy."

"Can I go play with Davey?"

Lorelai shook her head. "No. Hon. Your grandpa is coming."

"So. I can't play with grandpa." She said with her hands on her hips.

"Yes you can. He is good at playing."

Ruby gave her a look before running off.

"Kids are the best." Sookie said.

"This food is the best." Lorelai smelled it. "It smells great."

"I hope it is everything you wanted."

"It is perfect Sookie. Thank you." Lorelai was so glad to have Sookie as her best friend.

"Are you nervous?" Sookie asked her.

"No." Lorelai lied. "I'm good. It's just my dad."

"He is going to see your house."

"I know."

"Today."

"I know."

"He…"

"Okay Sookie. I get it. Everything will be okay. My dad is trying."

"I know. Sorry. Do you need anything else?"

"I think everything will be perfect once Ryan gets back with the paper towels."

"I could have brought you some."

"Ryan wanted to go get them. He insisted."

Ryan and Grace were walking out of Doose's. He had a bag with the paper towels in his hands. "So when do you have to get home?"

"Soon. My mom will come looking for me. My grandpa will be there soon."

"That will be fun."

"I don't know." Ryan sighed. "I've never really understood my grandfather. I've always been the outcast of the family."

"You? No way." Grace hit his shoulder. "I don't think you could ever be an outcast."

"Oh yes. I'm not perfect like Rory." Ryan admitted. "But that's okay. My mom likes me just the way I am."

Grace laughed.

"I know. I just used the mommy card. I'm real cool."

"I think you are pretty cool."

"So Jess was right when he said that you liked me?" Ryan slipped that in there.

Grace could feel her face becoming flushed. "Jess told you."

Ryan nodded.

"I know you like Lane."

"Lane and I decided to be friends."

"But you do like her."

"Yes. I like Lane. But we are better as friends."

"Because she is best friends with your sister."

Ryan nodded. "And her mom is extremely strict. It would never work out."

"Oh."

"I like you too, Grace."

"I'm also friends with your sister."

"Right."

"I like being friends with your sister."

"I know."

"But I also like you a lot." Grace smiled at him. "So maybe we can just see what happens."

"I'd like that a lot."

"Good. Me too." Grace touched his shoulder.

"I should get this back home. My mom will send a search party."

"Okay. Have fun with your grandfather and don't worry about what he thinks. You are a great guy."

"Thanks, Grace. See you later."

"See ya."

Ryan smiled as he walked away. He liked Grace. She was a very nice girl, and he hoped Rory wouldn't interfere this time.

"Why did you bring me here?" Jess asked as he walked into the cabin with his uncle. "It's freezing outside. It isn't like we are going to be able to fish."

"I needed to check on the cabin. I figured the two of us could fix a few things while we were here."

Jess sighed heavily.

"It isn't going to hurt you to spend one day with me."

"I didn't say that." Jess sat down on the couch. "I should probably be at home studying for winter finals."

"Are you kidding me?" Luke chuckled. "Did you really say that with a straight face?"

"Yes. Yes I did." A smile slid across his face.

"Lightening is about to strike." Luke joked. "We won't be here long. I never take a day off, and I thought it would be nice to be here for a little while. Get away from things."

"You mean Lorelai." Jess countered.

"No." Luke said quickly. "I'm not trying to get away from Lorelai."

"You have seemed sad lately."

"I'm not sad."

"You really like her." Jess stood up next to his uncle. "I know you like her."

"Yes I like Lorelai, but I'm giving her space while her ex-husband is here."

"He isn't here."

"What?"

"He isn't here. He left last week."

"Really?" Luke was surprised. Lorelai hadn't been in the diner. The kids had been coming in without her. Luke was sure she would return once Christopher left.

Jess nodded. "Yeah."

"Oh. I didn't know."

"I figured that you didn't."

"Do you want to know some more gossip?" Jess asked.

"What kind of gossip?" Luke was surprisingly interested.

"Ryan told me it is a secret. So you can't say anything."

"Maybe you shouldn't tell me."

"If that's what you want." Jess as he walked away.

"Wait. You can tell me." Luke stopped him. Maybe he did want to know. "You know I'm not going to say anything."

"Ryan's dad took a lot of money out of Ryan and Rory's savings account. A whole lot of money. And he didn't say what it was for, but Lorelai accused him of gambling or giving it to one of his mistresses."

"Really?" Luke was surprised and mad at Christopher.

"Yeah. She was extremely mad and told him to leave and never come back. She doesn't want Rory and Ruby to know."

"But she told Ryan?" Luke was confused.

"He overheard the screaming match."

"Oh."

"Uncle Luke you should talk to her."

"I don't know."

"If you like her then you should talk to her before it is too late." Jess said, pretty smart for a sixteen year old.

Luke thought about it. "Come on. Let's get some work done."

"Whatever you say Uncle Luke." He hoped his uncle didn't ruin it.

Luke hoped the same thing.

"This is wonderful, Lorelai. I didn't realize how well you could cook." Richard said as he took another bite of his food.

"Ha. Ha." Ryan snickered.

Lorelai shot him a look.

"What was that Ryan?"

"Oh nothing."

"Dad, I didn't cook this. Our chef at the Inn prepared the meal for us." Lorelai decided to be honest.

"Well you tell her we will hire her to cater our events. Your mother would love this." Richard took another bite.

Rory looked at her mother to see how she felt about the 'mother' comment. Lorelai just smiled at her daughter. She was expecting her father to bring up her mother eventually.

"So tell me you two, how is school?" He directed his question to Ryan and Rory.

"Fine." Ryan answered.

"I love school." Rory told him.

"They actually have winter finals this week."

"Oh. I hope I am not taking you away from your studies." Richard stated.

"I don't know if I can study anymore. I feel like my brain is going to explode from all of this knowledge." Rory said happily.

"What about you young man?"

"I think I'm all studied out."

Lorelai gave him another look.

"But I plan on studying after you leave." He said after seeing his mother's stare.

"Your grades are good?"

"Yes. They aren't too bad." Ryan said honestly.

"I'm really glad that the two of you are enjoying school."

"I'm enjoying school too." Ruby told him. "Don't forget about me."

"Oh sweet Ruby, no one could ever forget about you. Are you the smartest in your class?" Richard asked with a smile on his face.

Ruby nodded with a serious look on her face. "No one has told me who is the smartest but I already knew how to read, add, and write my name. No one else really knew how to do those things."

"Well you are a Gilmore." Richard looked at Lorelai who could not stop smiling at her little girl. "Gilmore's are exceptionally smart."

"I know grandpa."

"So Rory," He looked at his oldest granddaughter. "Are you still planning on attending Chilton? I know it was all you could talk about for years."

"Actually I already completed my application."

"You did." Lorelai was surprised. "You didn't talk to me about it."

"I know. I had some time a few days ago. It's due by the end of the year."

"Oh." Lorelai didn't know how she felt about it. She knew it was her dream, but she wasn't sure how she was going to pay for it.

Ryan looked at his mom. He could tell she was nervous.

"Chilton is a fine school. You will learn so much and have many opportunities for just having attended."

"I hope so. I really want to go to Harvard."

"And you will." Richard looked at Ryan. "What about you?"

"I want to stay at Stars Hollow High." He had never wanted to attend Chilton or Harvard.

"I think that you can do whatever you put your mind too. You are a very smart young man."

"Thanks, grandpa."

"I am very proud of all of my grandchildren." Richard told them. "I am also glad that I am getting to spend some time with all of you. I miss you so much."

"We miss you too, grandpa." Rory smiled at him.

"A whole bunch." Ruby added.

"Yeah. It's nice to have you here." Ryan thought he should also say something.

"That's right dad. We are glad to have you."

"Thank you, Lorelai. I was actually hoping that the four of you would come to our New Year's Eve party this year."

"New Year's Eve party?" Lorelai questioned. "What about the Christmas party? What happened to that?"

"We are going out of town to see my mother this year."

"I'm sure mom is loving that." Lorelai quipped.

"We are happy to see my mother."

Lorelai knew that her mother was not happy about it.

"Anyway we will not be here for our normal party, so your mother decided to throw a New Year's Eve party. I really hope that you will come."

"Dad. I don't know." She looked at the kids.

"Your mother has promised me that she will be on her best behavior."

"Dad." Lorelai sighed.

"Lorelai, it would mean the world to me if you would come."

Lorelai looked at the kids again. They didn't seem to have a problem with it. "Okay." Lorelai agreed reluctantly.

Richard's face lit up. "That's great."

"But dad."

"I know. You don't have to say anything else. If you aren't having a good time, you can leave without questions."

"So I guess that mom knows that you are here?" Lorelai asked, realizing the truth.

Richard nodded. "Yes. I couldn't keep it from her."

"Okay." Lorelai figured he would tell her mother. There was nothing she could do about it.

"Grandpa, do you want to see my dollies?" Ruby asked.

"Ruby. Grandpa is still eating."

"Actually. I am done, and I would love to see your dollies." He told Ruby.

"Yay." Ruby jumped down from her seat and grabbed her grandpa's hand. "They are this way." She led him to the living room.

"Mom, is it okay if I join them?" Rory asked.

"Sure. Go ahead."

Rory walked out of the kitchen.

Ryan looked at his mom. "When are you going to tell Rory about dad and the money?" Ryan asked. They hadn't really talked about it.

"That's not for you to worry about." Lorelai whispered.

"But mom." Ryan was worried.

"No. I've got it all under control."

"We can't afford it now."

"Ryan." Lorelai warned. "I'm not having this conversation with you, okay. I will figure it out. The only thing I want you to worry about is your finals and being a kid. Okay. That's it."

Ryan thought long and hard before responding. He knew not to push her, at least not when it came to something like this. "Okay."

"Good. I'm glad we agree." Lorelai smiled at him. She didn't want him to worry, and she didn't want Rory to feel like she couldn't go to Chilton. She was never going to let her financial situation stop her kids from accomplishing their dreams.

As soon as he got home, he was greeted by Emily. She had been patiently waiting on him. "So."

"Emily, would you please let me get into the house before you ambush me with a million questions?" Richard said. "I haven't even gotten my coat off."

"Here." Emily helped him. "Now. How did it go? Did she ask about me?"

"Yes. She sent her love." Richard lied.

Emily rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Richard. That doesn't even sound like our daughter. You need to learn how to lie a little better."

"Emily. Please. What do you want me to say?"

"Did you ask her about the party?"

"Yes. Yes I did."

"And?" Emily asked curiously.

"She and the children are coming."

"Are you serious?" Emily was surprised.

"Yes. But Emily you have to promise to be on your best behavior."

"Of course."

"Emily I mean it. I'm trying my best to get her back into our lives."

"I'm not going to ruin it, Richard. I promise. I want her back just as much as you do. I miss my grandchildren."

"And they miss you as well." Richard pulled out a little teddy bear. "Ruby, wanted you to have this."

"Really?" Emily was touched.

"Yes. She said that she missed you, and this would make you think of her."

"Oh sweet Ruby." Emily held onto the little bear. She had to find a way to convince Lorelai to forgive her, but she didn't know how to do it.

Lorelai walked into the girls' bedroom. Rory was in the living room studying. "Alright hon. It is time for bed."

Ruby grabbed her favorite doll and made her way to bed. "Okay mommy."

"Let me tuck you in." Lorelai covered her little girl up. "Did you have a good day sweet girl?"

Ruby smiled. "I was really happy to see grandpa. I gave him a teddy bear to give to grandma."

"You did?" Lorelai asked.

Ruby nodded. "Yes. I miss her mommy."

"You do?" Lorelai wasn't surprised. Ruby had spent a lot of time with Emily over the years.

"Yeah. I bet she misses me. I'm glad we are going to her party. I always like her parties."

"You do?"

Ruby nodded again. "Yeah. I hope you make-up soon."

"Oh sweetie."

"It's okay mommy. I'm a big girl. You don't have to keep things from me."

"I know Ruby." She kissed her forehead. "You are too smart for your own good."

"I'm smart like you."

"You are smarter than me." She gave her a hug and then another kiss. "Sweet dreams my precious girl."

"Night mommy. I love you."

"I love you too, Ruby Ru."

Ruby smiled. She loved when her mommy called her that.

Lorelai walked out of the room and closed the door. She felt a little guilty about her relationship with her mother. Maybe she had made a mistake keeping the kids away from her. But Lorelai knew that she couldn't trust her mom. Emily Gilmore only did what Emily Gilmore wanted to do. She would never change.

Lorelai was nervous about the New Year's Eve party. Unlike Ruby, she hated any party at the Gilmore mansion.

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