Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews and again thanks to my great beta llanoestacado.

Chapter 2: The Reason

I still haven't heard from Lorelai. Nothing - and she won't answer her phone – neither will Luke. Sadness is leaving and anger is taking over. I tried to interrogate Rory about her mother, but nothing. She's just weird on the phone and hangs up as soon as possible. It's annoying and I won't take it anymore. And I won't wait until Friday to get to know the truth. I'll drive to Yale – now. The surprise visit will only be an advantage. Rory doesn't think that she'd have to deal with me in person until tomorrow. I knock at her door.

"Grandma, what are you doing here?" a very surprised Rory asks me.

"I thought I'd come by to see how you are. May I come in?"

"Of - of course. Come in," she stammers.

"So how are you?"

"I'm fine. - How are you?"

"I keep asking myself why your behaviour on the phone is so bizarre," I say coming right to the point.

There's no place for small talk. I have to keep the advantage of the surprise.

"Bizarre?"

"Yes. You've been hanging up as soon as possible. I expect this behaviour from your mother, but not from you. Speaking of your mother, have you heard from her lately?"

"Grandma, please – "

"I won't leave until you tell me what's going on with her. I know that something's wrong. She promised to come, I can't get her on the phone – nor can I reach Luke. So?"

I look expectantly at her. She's squirming. I can't remember that I've ever talked to her that way, but it's my last option. I don't take my eyes off of her.

"She had a miscarriage," Rory finally whispers.

I feel like someone had slapped me.

"Wha – What?" I stammer.

"She had a miscarriage – on Tuesday. That's why they didn't come. That's why they're not answering their phones. She's not leaving her bed. She doesn't even want to see me – or Luke." Rory says teary-eyed.

I didn't even know that she was pregnant. She had a miscarriage – on Sept. 22nd. She's not leaving her bed. She doesn't want to see anyone. I'm looking at Rory again. I haven't even noticed before how miserable she's looking.

"I – I have to go," I say as I turn around.

"Grandma, please. Don't be mad. She doesn't want anybody to know…"

I don't hear anything else she says. I drive back to Hartford in a trance. It's a miracle that I don't cause an accident.

When Richard sees me he reacts as though I'm a ghost.

"Emily, what happened? You're white as a sheet."

"She had a miscarriage, Richard. Lorelai had a miscarriage - on Sept. 22nd. That's why they didn't come," I say as I throw myself in his arms and begin to cry.

He holds me silently for some time.

"So – Lorelai told you this?" he finally asks.

"No – Rory. I cornered her. I made it very clear that I wouldn't leave without knowing the truth," I say trying to control the sobs.

I have to go to Lorelai. She needs me, I just know it.

"I have to go," I say suddenly to Richard.

"Emily, do you really think that's wise? I don't think that she wants to see you, not right now. She didn't even tell us."

"I have to go there," I breathe, quickly adding, "and I need to go there alone."

He nods. He lifts my chin up to face him and kisses me gently.

"I love you Emily, don't you ever forget that."

"I love you, Richard," I say and I kiss him back.

I turn and I'm on my way to Stars Hollow.

I'm sitting in my car looking at her house. It's dark. It doesn't look like anyone is home, but I know she is. And I know that I should go in there, but it's more difficult than I thought it would be. I need all my strength to do what I have to do now.

Finally I get out of the car. I knock on the door. Luke opens the door, and I see the panicked look in his eyes. He looks completely dishevelled.

"Hello, Luke."

"Emily."

"May I come in?"

"I don't think – Lorelai is – "

But I ignore his babbling. I'm already inside the house. It's a complete mess. As I'm about to go upstairs Luke grabs my wrist to hold me back.

"You can't go up there," he says hoarsely.

I notice that he was crying before I arrived.

"Why not?" I demand.

"She doesn't want to see anyone. Please don't upset her. Please leave."

His eyes are pleading with me, but somehow his look already says that he knows that I will win this.

"I can't. I have to see her. I won't upset her," I promise him.

Will I be able to keep this promise? I don't know.

"Oh yes you will," he's muttering.

I decide to ignore it. I'm not here to fight.

"Luke, I have to ask you to let go of my arm. I will go to her. She needs me. She needs her mother," I state firmly.

I'm looking into his eyes. I can see his despair. Slowly he's letting go of my arm.

"Thank you," I say.

I begin walking up the stairs.

"Emily?"

I turn to look at him.

"She hasn't really eaten since… I have soup in the kitchen. Maybe you can convince her to eat some of it."

I nod at him. So she's not eating either.

I take a deep breath as I stand in front of her bedroom door. I knock. No response. I knock again. Still no response. Quietly, I open the door. She's lying in bed staring out of the window. She doesn't turn around when I enter.

"Luke, I told you I want to be alone, why can't you understand?"

"I'm not Luke."