Thanks for the reviews. It's great to know there are still people who care about this story and also new ones discovering it. And I managed to get another chapter written so here it is. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 51 – Lorelai's Gift

„It's a shed, Richard, a shed! Our daughter – and our granddaughter – are living in a shed! How can she possibly think this is the place to raise her? To stay there herself? You should've seen it! One room, just a curtain before the bathtub. And how proudly Rory presented me all of it. Poor girl doesn't even know a decent room. I wonder if she never notices the difference when coming here. Maybe I should get her a room here, but Lorelai would never allow her to be here for a longer amount of time. I'm glad she didn't cancel our Friday appointments, but then she promised not to do that, when we had our talk. Still I was terrified for a moment. Anyway, do you listen to me, they're living in a toolshed! Granted I thought it a little weird, that I've never seen her place before, but then I thought that it would be untidy as always and she didn't want me to see that. Little did I know that tidiness is the least problem here. A shed, Richard," I finish my rant. Richard is sitting behind his desk, looking sadly at me. "Don't you have anything to say to this?" I ask him incredulously, stopping my pacing to stare at him.

"I don't know what to say to this, Emily," he says defeated.

"Well, maybe that you're shocked to hear that as well, that we should do something about it," I ramble on.

"I don't think there is anything we can do about it. And yes of course I'm sad to hear about her living-standard, but you know Lorelai, she would never accept our help," he replies.

"Heaven, no. She admitted to me that she's saving for a house in that town of hers, and of course I offered our help, but she didn't want to hear about it. She's so stubborn," I rant.

"I wonder where that comes from," Richard tries to lighten the mood, but I just glare at him.

"Richard, it's not only about her, but about Rory as well. Isn't she thinking at all about her daughter?" I ask him.

"We always knew that Lorelai is full of false pride. We got Lilly to accept our offer, but I don't think we can ever convince Lorelai. As sad as it is, Emily, I don't think there is anything you can do about it," he says, getting up and putting his strong arms around me. I sigh. But him mentioning Lilly gave me an idea.

"We'll see," I say, hugging him back, before turning around to leave his study.

"Emily!" he calls after me and I turn around again. "Don't do anything stupid. Remember you don't want to lose her," he says. I nod.

I'm wandering through the house, scaring my newest maid and thinking about Lorelai's words.

Space isn't always about room.

Oh yes, I know, you were suffocated here. I didn't give you any space. I can't believe she started with that again. But then she backed off quickly, so maybe she noticed it as well. I wonder if she regrets having told me about her plan to save for a house. She usually never tells me anything. Did she say more than she wanted to? I try to remember her face, but I'm not sure.

I'm ashamed of you.

This is still sending shivers through my body. The way she looked at me when saying it. And what was that about anyway? I should be saying that, considering how she lives. She turned away after that sentence, so maybe she knew she would explode soon.

I didn't want you to demean it.

As crazy as it may sounds, this is making me happy. Because it means she still cares about what I'm saying. My words are able to hurt her. Well, I'm not happy about hurting her, but she cares about what I'm thinking. I'm still important.

I'm happier here than I was in a mansion.

Soon she showed me that it goes vice versa. She can also hurt me and I also care about what she has to say. It took all my strength not to blow up at her after that sentence. She was wise to go get Rory then. Thank God she didn't shut me out again. She's keeping her promise. At least that is some progress.

Why couldn't you be happy here, Lorelai? Why?


After speaking with a man named Taylor Doose I know that several houses in Stars Hollow are up for sale. Two seem to be fitting to be Lorelai's house, given location and number of rooms. I took a look at both of them, praying that I wouldn't run into Lorelai. None of these houses are my type, but then it is supposed to be for Lorelai and I can picture her there. My favourite is one not too far from the inn and centre of town, the only downside being that this crazy cat lady is living next door. Next Friday I got Rory from kindergarten and happened to pass said house with her. I was asking her about the town and how she likes it there and how nice it is, but she was cautious to say too much. She seemed to like that house, but I couldn't get more out of her and after some subtle tries I gave up. I didn't want to put her in the middle. She shouldn't feel guilty.


"Richard, Lorelai's birthday is coming up," I say, snuggling up to him, putting my head on his chest.

"Hmm," he replies sleepily.

"I thought about her gift," I go on, caressing his chest.

"And?" he asks, seemingly more awake.

"I took a look at houses in Stars Hollow and I think I found the right one for her," I say.

"Emily, didn't we talk about this already?" he says, now being completely awake, looking at me and brushing my hand away.

"Yes, and you mentioning Lilly gave me an idea. It will be her birthday gift. Remember Lilly and Chilton. It was her only present for Christmas, she couldn't decline," I explain.

"You're forgetting the main thing here, Emily. She did decline," he counters.

"At first," I counter.

"Yes, but her change of attitude wasn't because she realized this being her only gift, but because of what I said about false pride. And as I already pointed out to you, I don't think we can convince Lorelai as we could Lilly," he finishes.

"So you want her to live in a shed? You want your granddaughter being raised there?" I ask him incredulously.

"It's not about what I want, Emily. And not about what you want either," he replies and I huff.

"It would be perfect," I mutter. "Well, no. Perfect would be if she'd come back here, but I know that's not going to happen. I have to do something, Richard," I say.

"So picture this. We buy the house, give it to her on her birthday, she's mad, we fight and maybe she'll shut us out again. Do you want it to end like that?" he asks me.

"Of course not," I reply. "But she promised me not to shut me out again," I say.

"And didn't you promise to accept her decisions?" he asks me.

"I promised to try. Maybe I'll fail," I say stubbornly.

"And then she'll fail as well and that's not what you want. Emily, please be reasonable," he says.

"Reasonable? But don't you see that she's the one being unreasonable here?" I say upset.

"Yes, but she's the one you want to be in contact with. The mother of your granddaughter. Emily, please. We can't get through it again. Don't upset her," he says in a voice that indicates he doesn't want to discuss this any further.


Study or bedroom? Study or bedroom? I just don't know where to talk to him about it. I want to buy the house – I have to. And I have to make him understand. Lorelai should imagine what she'd do, if Rory would live like that and she could get her out of there. She'd do the same. I'd love to buy the house all on my own, but sadly I can't. Maybe I could with my credit card, but we have an agreement on talking about big purchases first and I can't go against him on that. It wouldn't be fair and he'd know about it anyway and that is one fight I can prevent. So study or bedroom? Bedroom could be easier if asked at the right time, but then that would also be unfair and it didn't work out so well last time. And since it's about business I should speak to him about it in his study. Yes. Study it is.

I raise my hand to knock.

"Come in," he calls. So here we go.

"Hello, Richard. Do you have some minutes for me?" I ask.

"Always," he replies, smiling at me. That's a good start. He gets up, wanting to go around his desk to the couch, but I stop him.

"It's about business, so please remain seated," I say, taking the chair opposite his desk. He's giving me a questioning look.

"I want to buy the house in Stars Hollow," I say directly.

"Emily, I think we already talked about it," he interrupts me.

"Richard, please. Listen to me. Please," I say, looking imploringly at him. He sighs, but remains silent, motioning for me to go on.

"I know you fear this will jeopardize everything, and I fear that as well, but I have to do something. You haven't seen it, they can't live like that. That house would be great for them. And she has to see that it's not about what I want, but that this is what she wants as well – only she's getting it a few years earlier than she thought she would. She needs to think of Rory. I'll talk to her or better I'll write her a letter. Two to be precise. The first one being about this being our gift and if she insists on paying us back she can do so whenever she wants to. Since I also imagine her not agreeing with that I'll have a second letter. This one saying that if she doesn't want to accept it as her house, the house will still be ours and she can live there and pay rent. Not much of course – well that I won't put into the letter, but don't you see? She can't have anything against that. The rent could also be rates to pay for the house. And if worst comes to worst and she still declines, well then at least we tried. See I thought about it," I end.

"That you did," he agrees. "And you will stay calm if she declines both?" he asks.

"I hope so," I reply. "What do you say, Richard?" I ask, looking questioningly at him.

"Do you really think this is wise?" he says, not being convinced.

"I only know that I have to try. Please, Richard," I say. We're looking at each other, both knowing what the other is feeling. After some minutes I can't stand his gaze any longer and look at my hands, surprised to see that I wrinkled my skirt.

"All right. If you really feel that is what you need to do, buy it," he says. Surprised I look at him again. I know I should feel excited, but I'm not. I also fear this could backfire.

"Thank you," I say, getting up, trying to smooth out the wrinkles I made and going around his desk to kiss him. He pulls me onto his lap.

"I just want you to be happy," he says, his voice giving away that he's still not sure this is the right decision.

"I know," I say. "I will," I add, trying to sound more confident than I am. "Thank you," I say again, before getting up to leave.

"Emily?" he calls after me. I turn around to face him again. "What were the chances we'd have this talk in our bedroom?" he asks, grinning mischievously. I can't but laugh.

"60-40," I reply.

"So I guess I can be lucky – but somehow I have the feeling I missed out on getting lucky," he continues grinning. "Do you think there are any chances, that could still happen tonight?"

"Yes, I think there is such a chance," I smile, turning around to leave. I'm almost out the door when he calls after me for a second time. Amused I turn around again. "Yes darling?"

"Thank you," he says sincerely and seeing my surprised look he adds, "For choosing the study." I nod before finally leaving his room. So I chose right. I just hope I also did with Lorelai's gift.