Disclaimer: This is an original story based upon the characters of Gilmore Girls. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit will be made from this story

Author's Note: Thank you for all who have read and reviewed. I have really appreciated your comments! I hope you enjoy this next section—still pretty spoilish so be wary!

"What Emily Overheard"

I don't know what made me do it—wishful thinking I guess. I thought maybe she wouldn't be busy, maybe she would want to grab a cup of coffee or something with me. After all—it had been two weeks since our little spat at Friday night dinner. She did say she would keep in touch. So, as I pulled into the Yale parking lot, I said a little pray that Rory would at least talk to me for a few minutes.

Oh this place, this campus brings back so many wonderful memories. I loved going to school here, I loved the whole atmosphere. As I walk through campus, I can't help but see myself as a girl, studying, walking to class, and wondering if Richard Gilmore was ever going to notice me and drop Pennilyn Lott. Oh as I think about that woman I can't help but feel ashamed of myself. What a fool I made of myself, making such a big deal about her. I felt justified in getting angry over the lunch dates, but to go on and on about it—was that part of what drove Richard away?

The last time I saw Pennilyn was on this campus—the day of the big Harvard/Yale game. Such a wonderful day at the start—just Richard, me, and our girls. Then Pennilyn had showed up and Lorelai had made a fool of me. I close my eyes as I hear her words. "You're my almost mommy," she had said, "You're my almost mommy" I spent a lot of time wondering if I would ever be the kind of wife Pennilyn could have been. She seemed to be so confident, so assuring. It had taken me so long to get rid of that fear, and then when I had found Richard's mother's letter—it had brought it all back. Maybe Pennilyn would have made a better wife. I know one things for sure, Lorelai, you're "almost mommy" sure would have done a better job than your real mommy did.

"Okay Emily" I say under my breath. "Enough feeling sorry for yourself."

I walk into her dorm, nodding to the few students I see in her hallway. There is a part of me that hopes Paris isn't there so I won't have to think of small talk with her. There is a part of me that hopes that she is, so if Rory is still mad at me, it won't be as awkward. I walk towards her door and notice it is open.

"So…they are back together?" It's Paris talking.

"Yeah, they are so happy. I knew it would work out between them, I knew it. No matter what anybody says, or thinks, they are perfect for each other. And mom is so happy!" Rory says excitedly. I close my eyes and breathe a sigh of relief—it's all over, Thank God, it's all over.

"I still can't believe Grandma almost ruined everything…and Dad. I'm still trying to forgive them both. I just can't believe Grandma went behind Mom's back and tried to break them up…just because she wanted someone she could show off, someone with prestige, someone with "good breeding""

I bow my head in shame. "No Sweetie," I think to myself, "That wasn't it. I was afraid. I was afraid of loosing you both." There is a brief silence, and then Paris speaks up, "Maybe she was just trying to do what she thought was best." I smile slightly, touched that Paris was standing up for me.

"Yeah…what was right for her. That's all she thinks about," Rory retorts.

"Oh Rory, that's not true," I want to say to her. "I wanted you to be with your father. I wanted you to have a real family with your mom and your dad." Another long silence and I am getting ready to leave. Obviously, she doesn't want to go anywhere with me.

"The truth is…" Rory starts and a jolt back to my safe hiding place.

"I really miss her." Tears start burning at my eyes,

"Oh Angel, I miss you too,"

"I mean, things have never been perfect. I don't have the normal, "knitting, cookie baking, sleep-overs" grandma. She's always been so proper and elegant. When I was younger, I used to pretend she was a queen, and I would even tell some of the kids at school I was related to royalty so they better treat me well or she would order their execution. I guess when we started going over to their house every week, I wanted things to work out so bad, I wanted us to be a family, that I tried to be their mediator, I tried to make peace between them and when this all happened, I just didn't want to play that role anymore. I didn't want to be put in the middle of it—like they've always done."

"Rory, I'm sorry, I never meant to put you in the middle."

"I know your grandma loves you," Paris says, "Trust me, I know. I don't have a lot of people that love me in my life. I've learned to recognize it when I see it."

"My goodness, when did Paris get so philosophical?"

"I know she does. I love her too,"

"Oh Rory"

"I just can't do this anymore,"

"You won't have to Sweetie, it's all over now. They're back together now, your mother will come around."

I turn and walk back to my car. It worked—Lorelai and Luke were back together. Everything was going to be okay now. Lorelai and I would be fine—we always were. This was the way we did things, we had our spats, but we always came back. What would we have for dinner tomorrow night? Lorelai did love a good roast—maybe she could round up some twinkies for dessert. Maybe Luke would like to come too. We still aren't on the best of terms, but if it would make Lorelai happy, if it meant Lorelai and Rory would come for dinner, Lorelai could show up with a hobo for all I care. Richard will be so excited!

I check my watch again—for the twelfth time in the last minute. It's 8:30. Melissa comes in again, "Dinner is getting cold Madam. How much longer would you like to wait?"

"We will wait as long as I say wait and I don't want to hear another word about it, is that clear?" I snap at her.

"Yes Mam," she says quietly as she nods.

I take another sip of brandy. I left five messages on Lorelai's answering machine, telling her and Luke to come to dinner. I left messages on Rory's answering machine. Why weren't they here? Everything was fine now!

"Emily, they aren't coming," Richard comes from behind and puts his hands on my shoulders.

"I know," I say quietly, trying to hold back my tears. There is a moment of silence between us.

"Well," he begins, "I have a client I need to go visit," he says and puts on his coat. He is almost to the door when I call his bluff.

"You're going to meet her aren't you."

"Who?"

"Rory, you're going to go meet Rory."

"Emily…"

"Richard, you've had to meet a client every Friday night since Rory was here,"

"Emily…I'm sorry. I never meant to…I just couldn't…."

"It's alright Richard," I say quietly, not turning to look at him for fear I will start crying again.

"Have a good time," I say quietly. I can hear him inhale as if he is about to say something, but he doesn't and walks out the door.

I have never felt so alone.