Lorelai stared off into space continuously ignoring Richard's comforting words. Now her whole world had crashed. Her husband, her daughter's father, the man she had fallen in love with and had a home with was dead.

"Lorelai, Chris was a good person, but he had dark secrets." Richard spoke softly. "You can't fall apart over this. I know that you want to, but it simply cant happen."

Lorelai looked at Richard blankly.

"You have to be strong, for Rory. You have to raise her now." Richard guided Lorelai into his study and seated her on his sofa. "She'll need you now more than ever." Richard quoted.

"Why hasn't anyone contacted me?" Lorelai asked with no emotion showing in her voice.

"They didn't know where you were." Richard answered.

"I've got to go back." Lorelai said in a spaced out tone.

"Go back? To Tennessee?" Richard asked.

"Yes. For the funereal." Lorelai spoke reassuringly.

"Uh..." Richard huffed. "Lorelai... there isn't going to be a funereal."

Lorelai had stopped crying completely now and set her face to stone. "Oh." she replied.

"You should go upstairs and rest. Take some time to think this over, and think of how you are going to tell Rory."

Lorelai raised up from the sofa and walked over towards the door.

"Do you want me to escort you to your bedroom?" Richard asked.

"I can make it." Lorelai replied and walked out the door.

She lay in her room for hours, thinking of everything Chris and her had been through. It was impossible to believe that he wasn't alive. That he wasn't breathing, or thinking, or eating, or sleeping, but to be still, and dead, and cold. To never hear his voice, see his face, carry a conversation, hear from him, it was all too mind blowing. Then she thought of Rory. She wasn't sure how Rory would respond to her father's death. Part of her thought Rory would handle it well, yet she wondered if Chris's death would re-spark the father daughter feelings they had long since lost. Lorelia felt ashamed and dirty that Chris had so many sexual harassment charges against him. She felt as if in some way or another it was her fault. She even wondered if the reason Chris had died from alcohol posing was because he was drinking over Lorelai and Rory leaving. If it was, then she felt responsible for his death too. When Lorelai's mind finally cleared she pulled herself together and headed downstairs ready to face the world and reality.

Emily, Richard, and Rory were all seated in the living room looking through old picture albums. Lorelai walked in and smiled at Rory.

"Did you have a nice nap, Mommy?" Rory asked.

"Yeah." Lorelai replied softly. "What are you doing?"

"Looking at pictures of you." Rory giggled.

"Lorelai, would you like something to eat?" Emily asked. "I can have Diana fix you anything you like."

"No thank you, Mom, I'm fine." Lorelai replied. "So, have we made any plans for the party yet?"

"Grandma said we could have clowns, and candy, AND balloons!" Rory replied.

"Really?" Lorelia asked shocked.

"Of course." Emily replied casually. "She's only 8, Lorelai. A formal party would be too much for her at such a young age, however I do think she should attend one of our dinner parties sometime, it always helps a person's manners."

Lorelai knew her mother's mind had changed due to one reason, and one reason only, and that was Chris' death. It didn't matter, Rory would be much happier with the ladder choice anyway, and right now all that was on Lorelai's mind was keeping Rory happy. Emily rose from her seat and motioned Lorelai into the dinning room.

"Well, have you thought things through?"Emily asked.

Lorelai wasn't surprised at how sudden Emily expected an answer "Yes, I have."

"And?"

"And, right now I think we should hold off on telling Rory. Let her enjoy the party. But after the party I'm going to look for a place to live, so Rory and I can begin our own lives."

"Richard and I was talking earlier and we had a magnificent idea. Why don't you and Rory live in the pool house? It already has everything you need."

"I think you're kind of missing the point here Mom." Lorelai replied.

"Actually, Lorelai, I think I understand all too well. But, you can't blame me for trying." Emily sighed.

"Mom, don't." Lorelai snapped. "Don't make this about you. This isn't about you." Lorelai grouched.

"You take off for 8 years and I never see you, I never hear from you. And now that I finally have you back you want to leave. That's just like you Lorelai! We could all have a home here, we could all be happy together and be a family. Richard and I want to get to know Rory, we want to spend time with our daughter and granddaughter."

"You can spend time with Rory. I won't keep her away from you. But Rory and I are not living here or the pool house. We're going to make it on our own, are own way."

"I suppose." Emily replied sarcastically.

"Come on, Mom. You have no reason to be upset. Chris got what he deserved didn't he? What more do you want." Lorelai immediately knew she had crossed the line and regretted opening her mouth.

"How dare you accuse me of wishing death upon Christopher! It hurts me gigantically to know he's dead" Emily shouted.

Unfortunately she shouted just loud enough to reach Rory's ears. Rory's heart stopped, and she stared solemnly towards the dinning room. Richard knew she had hear Emily. He began to panic trying to figure out a way to break the silence that had filled the room and the cold chill that was lingering in it.

"Damn it!" Lorelai cursed. Lorelai quickly walked into the living room where she met a very still Rory. They stood looking at one another, then Lorelai reached her hand out to Rory...

"Come, on kid. We're leaving."

Rory looked at Richard, and she felt a brief moment of sorrow, but when her eyes met Emily's she felt anger and resentment. She then took her mother's hand, and the two left the Gilmore Mansion. Richard nor Emily attempted to stop them.