I'm guessing the last chapter wasn't very good. I hope you all like this one and are still reading this thing.

A Place to Call Home

Chapter 55: Not a Chance Buster

Ruby was sitting in her bed. Emily was trying to get her to eat some soup. Ruby continued to shake her head. "No." She told her grandmother. "I'm not hungry."

"You need to eat." Ryan told her. "It will make you feel better." He was really worried about his little sister and wished that his mom was there. She always knew what to do in situations like these.

Ruby shook her head again. She didn't believe him. Nothing was going to make her feel better.

"She is still pretty clammy, grandma." Rory said as she felt her sister's forehead for the tenth time.

"Since she won't eat let's see if her fever has gone down any." Emily grabbed the thermometer. "Okay sweetheart. Open up and stick this under your tongue."

Ruby felt weak. She barely had enough energy to open her mouth, but she did as she was instructed.

"How is she?" Richard asked as he walked into the house.

"The same." Ryan answered.

"We are taking her temperature." Emily said as the thermometer beeped. Emily took the thermometer out of the little girl's mouth.

Ryan could tell by the look on her face that it wasn't good. "Grandma."

"I think we need to call the doctor again. Her temperature has gone up." Emily had a concerned look on her face. She looked at Richard. "I also think we are going to have to call Lorelai."

"No." Ruby told them. "You can't call mommy. You will ruin her time with Luke."

Ryan and Rory both shared looks.

"I thought your mother was on a business trip." Emily stated, although she had already figured out otherwise.

Ryan and Rory didn't say anything.

Emily decided not to worry about it. Lorelai had taught them how to keep secrets from them just like she always had. "Ruby, sweetheart. I think we are going to have to take you to the doctor."

"No." Ruby shook her head. "I hate doctors. I'm okay."

"Ruby, you feel horrible." Rory told her. "The doctor will make you feel better."

Ruby pouted but didn't argue any further.

"Richard call the doctor. Tell him we are on our way." Emily felt her forehead again. She was really worried about her. It took her back to when Lorelai had been sick as a child. It was really the only time that she would let Emily hold her. It made her feel needed and important. "It is going to be okay, sweetie." She wrapped her arms around the little girl. "I promise. The doctor is going to make you feel better."

Ruby didn't argue. She just rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder.


Luke walked back into the cabin after a few hours. Lorelai was in the kitchen. She had made them some dinner.

"You cooked?" Luke asked nervously.

"Noodles and a can of that spaghetti sauce you bought." Lorelai smiled. "I know how to boil noodles. I can open a can, believe it or not. Not too difficult. I just choose not to do it that much. We should have bought those tater tots I wanted. That would have been a good meal."

Luke smiled. "A woman of many talents."

"That took a long time."

"There was water everywhere. Ernie wasn't kidding." Luke still couldn't believe how messy the house had been. "And sometimes he can be a little dramatic."

"Really. I couldn't tell." Lorelai joked.

"I'm really sorry that it took so long." He walked over to her and gave her a kiss.

She made a face. "You smell." She told him honestly. "I think you need a shower."

"You are probably right." Luke sniffed his shirt. "I'll go shower and then we can eat."

Lorelai nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."

Luke walked away but as he got to the bedroom door, he turned around. "You could join me. If you can handle the smell." He said hopefully.

Lorelai bit her bottom lip. She was hoping he would suggest it. She walked out of the kitchen, and he took her hand. Before they could make it to the bedroom, her cell phone began to ring. "I hate cell phones." Luke exclaimed.

"I'm sorry. I have to get it. It could be the kids."

"I know." Luke leaned against the doorframe. "I'll be right here."

Lorelai grabbed her phone and answered it. "Hello."

Luke noticed her face change very quickly. She didn't have to say anything for him to know that something was wrong.

"How high? Oh. No she has never had a fever that high. Take her to the doctor. I will be there soon. Tell her I'm coming." Lorelai was in pure panic mode. "Call me as soon as you get to the doctor. Keep me posted." Lorelai hung up the phone.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked as soon as she hung up the phone.

"Ruby is sick." She could barely say it. She felt like she was going to cry at any minute. Her baby was sick and she wasn't there to be with her.

"Let's go."

"What about your shower?"

"Doesn't matter. Grab your stuff. I'll worry about a shower later." Luke gave her a hug. He could tell she was a nervous wreck. "I'll get Ernie to clean all of this up."

"Thanks, Luke."

"Everything is going to be okay."

"Promise?" She said softly.

"I promise." He kissed her forehead. He knew everything would be okay.


Back in Jess' world, he had worked in the diner for a little while and then snuck out to go to the Outsiders. It was early. He was smart enough to know that fun stuff didn't happen early at a bar, but he needed to get out of Stars Hollow.

He walked into the bar without any trouble. Those guys in the diner had been right about the ID thing. Jess was impressed. To his surprise there were a good bit of people already there. His mind immediately went to the girl sitting at a table alone. She had beautiful dark hair and piercing green eyes. She seemed pretty focus on whatever she was working on.

Jess wanted to talk to her, but he was nervous. She was probably in college. He was only fifteen. He still couldn't believe he was able to get into the bar. He was expecting to get turned away. He tried to play it cool most of the time, but he never felt that cool.

After a few moments of staring at the mysterious girl, she looked up at him. Jess tried to look away, but she had already caught him. She pointed for him to come to her table. He pointed at himself like he was confused. She rolled her eyes and nodded her head for him to come over.

Jess took a breath and made his way to her table. "Hi." He greeted her.

"You were staring at me." She said quickly.

"No I wasn't."

She nodded. "Yes you were. I'm not blind. I saw you."

"Okay. I guess I was."

"Why?"

"You are in a bar and you are more focused on writing in your notebook."

"Yeah. So."

Jess shrugged. She was quick on her feet.

"You can sit if you want."

"I don't want to interrupt."

"You aren't interrupting. Sit." She pointed.

Jess did as she instructed. "You seem so focused on what you are working on."

"I like to write poetry."

"Do you participate in open mic night?" He pointed to the stage.

"No." She answered quickly. "I just like to listen."

"I like to read." He pointed to her notebook. "Can I read yours?"

She shook her head. "No one reads mine."

"Then why do you do it?"

"For myself." She pointed to herself. "I'm not really one to do things because other people want me to do them."

"Me either." Jess admitted.

"So do you have a name, stalker boy?" She smiled.

"I'm not a stalker."

"You were staring at me. That in my opinion, constitutes stalking, and my opinion is the only one that matters."

"If I tell you my name, then you have to tell me yours." He tried his best at flirting. He had never been very good at it.

"You sound like a five year old."

"Maybe so."

"Come on." She flipped her hair. This time Jess was sure that she was flirting with him.

"Jess." He told her. "My name is Jess."

"I like it. That is such a bad boy name. Are you a bad boy?" She asked.

"You'll just have to get to know me, girl whose name I don't know yet."

She flashed her beautiful smile at Jess. "Scarlett. My name is Scarlett."

"Like the Scarlett letter." It was the only thing that had popped into his head.

"Yes. Actually."

"Seriously." Jess was surprised. He had only meant it as a joke.

"My mom was obsessed with that book. She felt bad for the main character. Besides I'm a product of an affair. Makes sense right." She said like it was no big deal.

"You are totally messing with me."

She shrugged. "I guess you'll just have to get to know me, Jess."

He took a moment to respond. "I guess so."

"How did you get in here?"

"What?" Jess tried to play it cool.

"There is no way that you are 21." Scarlett shook her finger at him. "I'm smarter than that."

"The bouncer didn't have a problem with it. He thought I was 21. I must be 21."

Scarlett shook her head. "That guy is blind and deaf. He has been working here for 800 years. That's why everyone comes here because they know they won't be carded."

"Well then how old are you?" He had a feeling she wasn't 21 either.

"Old enough." She said simply.

"You aren't 21 either."

"I'm 17." She told him.

"Me too." He lied.

"I'm a senior at Woodbridge." She continued.

"Stars Hollow High."

She got excited when he said Stars Hollow. "I love that little town. It is so small, but it has so many interesting characters."

"You can say that again. It is pretty crazy."

"My dad likes to get coffee from this little diner."

"Luke's." Jess knew that's what she was talking about.

"Yeah. That's it. Of course you would know." She smiled.

"My Uncle is Luke."

"Such a small town."

"Yep." He agreed.

"I might have to stop in for a cup of coffee."

"We are usually open. You can come at any time."

"Will you wait on me?"

"If you leave a good tip." Jess felt like he was getting much better at this flirting thing.

Scarlett chuckled. "Depends on the service."

"Luke's has the best service in town." He smiled back at her. She really was beautiful. "So do you come here often?"

"Yes. That's why I know for a fact that you never come here."

"This is my first time." Jess admitted.

"You are going to love listening to the open mic and drinking coke."

Jess shook his head. "I'm probably going to want a beer."

"Fat chance." Scarlett chuckled. "They may let you in this place, but the bartender isn't going to serve you. He knows the bouncer is…"

"Blind and deaf." Jess finished her sentence.

"Yep. You catch on quick Jess."

"I do like coke."

"Good to know."

Jess tried his best to peak at her writings.

"Not a chance, buster. Not a chance."

Jess shook his head. He had a feeling he was going to like hanging out with her a lot. He hoped that she didn't care that he was actually 15. Maybe she wouldn't have to find out.


Mia walked into the kitchen where Sookie was hard at work. "Sookie you really outdid yourself with the food today. The guests are on cloud 9 with that sauce you made."

Sookie smiled widely. "The secret is peaches. It is a creamy peach sauce. I'm in love with it. If Lorelai was here she would talk about making love to it. It is that good."

"It really is that good." Mia had been so lucky when she hired Sookie. She had to be one of the best chefs in the area. "Fortunately, you never cease to amaze me. Although, tonight you seem extra cheerful. What has you so happy?" Mia wondered.

"Lorelai." Sookie danced with her shoulders. Mia gave her a pointed look. "I'm just so happy for her and Luke. They finally got away this weekend. I hope they are having a wonderful time. God knows she deserves it. After everything she has done for those kids. I can't imagine being a single mom, and I only have one kid. I'm just so glad that she met Luke. He is such a good guy. I can tell that he loves those kids already. And Lorelai." Sookie took a breath to smile, happily. "I know Luke. I know he loves her too."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Sookie." Mia stopped her. "It is just one weekend."

"Oh Mia." Sookie shook her head. "No. You are completely underestimating the power of that cabin. It surprisingly is a very magical place. That is where little Davey was conceived."

Mia chuckled. "I didn't know that." She made a face. "Actually I don't think I wanted to know that."

"Well don't say anything to Luke. He doesn't know that Jackson and I borrow the cabin from time to time."

"Sookie." Mia gave her a look.

Sookie smiled guiltily. "It is a nice, free vacation. I can tell you where the hideaway key, but don't use it this weekend. I'm one hundred percent sure that the bedroom is preoccupied."

"Oh Sookie." Mia hit her shoulder. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"Love me forever and ever because of my bubbly personality."

"That I can do." Mia rubbed her shoulder.

Sookie began humming, Lorelai and Luke, over and over again. She was just way too excited.


Lorelai and Luke made record time to the hospital. Her father had called to let them know that the doctor was admitting Ruby into the hospital to monitor her condition. Richard told her not to worry. Everything was okay.

Lorelai couldn't believe how she was feeling. Yet another one of her kids were in the hospital, and she hadn't been there for her. Her kids were the most important things in her world. She was always there for them, but this time she felt like she had let Ruby down.

She made her way to the front desk. "I'm looking for Ruby Hayden. She was admitted about an hour ago. I'm her mother."

"One minute." The nurse told her. "I'll be right with you."

"Oh no." Lorelai shook her head. "I need you to be right with me right now."

"Lorelai." Luke touched her shoulder.

"Please." She pleaded with the nurse. "She is only seven. She needs her mommy. That title belongs to me. Take me to my child."

"Mom." Rory walked down the hallway.

"Never mind." Lorelai told the nurse. "Rory." She ran into her daughter's arms.

"She's okay. She is going to be okay." Rory kept repeating. "The doctor wanted to keep her until her fever breaks, and she feels like eating again."

"She stopped eating." Lorelai said sadly. "My poor sweet girl."

"I'll take you to her. She has been asking for you."

Lorelai started following Rory but realized Luke wasn't following them. "Hey." She turned to him.

"You go ahead." Luke waved. "I'll wait here."

Lorelai shook her head. "I want you with me." She held out her hand.

Luke took the hint and grabbed her hand.

Lorelai, Luke, and Rory walked into Ruby's hospital room. Ryan was sitting in bed with his little sister. Emily and Richard were standing next to the bed. Ruby looked so tiny, and her face was pale. "Look who I found." Rory said.

"Mommy." Ruby said with a slight smile on her face.

Ryan got out of the bed, and Lorelai took his place.

"I'm here sweet baby. I'm right here." Lorelai stroked Ruby's hair.

"I'm sorry I've been so bad so bad, mommy." Ruby said innocently.

"Oh Ruby." Lorelai kissed her forehead. "That's not why you are sick, sweetheart. I promise it doesn't work like that."

"I haven't been very nice lately."

"It's okay baby. Everyone has a bad day."

"Bad weeks." Ryan added.

"Ryan." Lorelai warned.

"Sorry." Ryan shrugged.

While Lorelai was comforting her daughter, Emily hadn't taken her eyes off of Luke. He was beginning to become uncomfortable.

"Luke." Ruby was really happy to see him.

"Hey Ruby." Luke walked closer to the bed. He felt uncomfortable. Hospitals had a way of doing that to him.

"I'm sorry I ruined your weekend."

Luke shook his head. "No way. I just want you to feel better."

Lorelai noticed the look on her mother's face, and she knew she was going to hear about it. "Mom, dad this is Luke."

"We met at the hospital last time." Luke told her. "Nice to see you again."

"Always in a hospital." Richard added.

Before it could get even more awkward, a nurse walked into the room. "Wow Ruby. You are the most popular little girl in the whole hospital."

Ruby tried to smile, but she was still feeling weak.

"We would expect nothing less." Lorelai continued to stroke the little girl's hair. "I'm her mother." Lorelai wanted to make sure to introduce herself. "How is she doing?"

"I'm nurse Abbey." She said sweetly. "I know the doctor talked to you." She looked at Emily and Richard.

"Yes." Richard nodded. "He explained that she has strep throat and that keeping her in the hospital is only a precaution. With a little fluids and some medicine she should be as good as new. Maybe even better." Richard reiterated what the doctor had told them all.

"Strep. How did she get strep throat?" Lorelai asked. Her kids didn't usually get sick. They were always pretty healthy, even though their eating habits weren't very good.

"She was probably around someone who had it. It is very easy for kids to get sick. Strep is always going around."

"That's why I have suggested putting them in a bubble." Lorelai joked.

"Mommy."

"It is really the perfect idea."

"I think a lot of rest, fluids, and love will do." Abbey smiled at the sweet little girl.

"We can definitely handle that."

Abbey looked at everyone else. "I think it is best if the resting part starts now. You can all come back in the morning."

"I'm staying." Lorelai told her. That wasn't up for debate.

Nurse Abbey knew that. "Oh of course you can stay." She turned to Luke. "You can stay too. She is allowed to have both parents."

"Oh I'm not." Luke nervously shook his head catching stares from the Gilmores.

"Stay, Luke." Ruby told him. "Pwease."

"I think I should take your brother and sister back home." Luke pointed at Rory and Ryan.

"I want to stay here." Ryan said quickly. He didn't want to leave his little sister alone.

Lorelai shook her head. "You both should go home. We will be fine. I promise. I won't take my eyes off of her all night."

"I want to stay with Grandma and Grandpa." Rory told her mom surprisingly.

"Me too." Ryan agreed, which was even more of a surprise to Lorelai and his grandparents. "It is closer to Ruby."

Lorelai smiled. She really did have the sweetest kids on the planet.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Emily agreed. She loved the idea of having her grandchildren close.

"We will all come back in the morning."

"Grandma," Ruby said weakly.

"Yes sweetheart." Emily walked closer to the little girl's bed.

"Could you bring me my favorite dolly? I left it at your house."

"I certainly can." Emily kissed the little girl's forehead.

"Do you remember which one it is?"

"Red dress."

Ruby nodded. "Good job, grandma."

Lorelai looked at her two oldest children. "Tell your sister goodnight."

Rory leaned down and gave Ruby a hug. "I love you kiddo."

"I love you more, Rory."

"Bye Ru Bear." Ryan gave her a wave. "Give them hell."

Lorelai hit his shoulder and gave him a look.

"Sorry." Ryan shrugged.

"Bye, Ry Ry."

He smiled. She hadn't called him that in a long time.

"I'll stay with her if you want to walk them out." Abbey told Lorelai.

Lorelai smiled. "Thanks, Abbey. I will be right back, love bug." She told her daughter.

"Bye kiddo."

"I don't want you to go." Ruby told him with her best pouty face.

"I'll bring you the biggest chocolate milkshake with an extra cherry."

"Even though I got in trouble?"

Luke smiled, as did Lorelai. "We will make an exception this time, but only this time."

Ruby nodded.

Emily and Richard bid their goodbyes, and everyone left Ruby with Abbey.

Lorelai felt relieved. It could have been worse.

"Alright you two." Emily turned towards Ryan and Rory.

"My babies." Lorelai gave them both a big hug.

"Mom." Ryan was embarrassed.

Lorelai finally let them go. "I don't want either one of you to get sick. So until she is feeling better I think you should only come to the waiting room."

"Mom, if we are going to catch it, we probably will. We have already been exposed."

"Besides, I have an iron clad immune system. I've been trying to get sick for years." Ryan joked.

"Just humor. Please. Both of you."

They sighed in unison.

"They only put her in the hospital because grandma insisted."

"She had a high fever. I wanted her to have around the clock attention." Emily knew that she had been right to make a fuss.

"Only the best for a Gilmore." Rory mentioned. She knew that was exactly how her grandmother felt.

"My mother does donate a great amount of money to this hospital." Richard added.

"She could donate to me if she wanted too." Ryan joked.

"Ryan."

"I'm starving." Ryan touched his stomach. "It has been a long night."

"We will get something when we get home." Emily informed him.

"There is a vending machine down the hall. I need something to tide me over for the ride." Ryan sounded like a child.

"It's not that far." Richard thought.

"There can't be anything substantial in a vending machine." Emily didn't see how anyone could voluntarily want to eat out of a vending machine.

"Twinkies." Rory told her. "Crackers. Candy."

"Chips and Chocolate. Lots of chocolate." Ryan smiled widely.

Lorelai smiled. She was proud of their knowledge of vending machine food. She had taught them well.

"I'll take you." Luke spoke up.

"Luke," Rory hugged him. "My hero."

Luke smiled.

"Thanks, hon."

"We will be right back." Luke told her. "I'll get you a candy bar and some coffee."

"Two candy bars." She gave him her best smile. "And you two." She pointed to Rory and Ryan. 'I need another hug."

They both gave her a hug.

"I love you so much."

"Love you." Rory said.

"Yeah, Yeah." Ryan waved her off.

Once they were gone, Lorelai turned to her parents. "Alright. Go ahead. Let me have it." She waited for them to berate her for lying. She knew it was going to be rough. It always was.


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