Authors Note: Thanks Lore2, cmbarrytx and emilygilmore for your reviews. Glad you liked the flashbacks. When some more are coming to my mind I'll include them into the story.

Chapter 14: Leaving Hope

I'm lying in one of Hope's guestrooms. We arrived here yesterday. Vienna was lovely. This town is so clean I don't know how they manage to do it. Maybe every night people are coming out cleaning the streets, but then they're not dirty during the day either. Perhaps the people of Austria are just very disciplined – however Vienna is beautiful. Rory and I visited Schönbrunn, The Hofburg and all the other places you have to see. Rory was excited to see a H&M store which was in an old building – therefore you'd have a lot of space on the three floors. I enjoyed watching her there (though I prefer Dior, Armani and Versace boutiques).

The Hofburg had an exposition of the dresses of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Except her engagement dress, which had an awful green on it (or it was bad lighting, but Rory and I agreed that this dress wasn't beautiful), they were all like the dresses I always wanted to wear when being a child.

When we were walking through the streets we saw a shop where you could dress up like an Victorian lady and get photographed. So Rory and I went in and it was the most fun I've had in a long time. We decided that Lorelai should get this photo as our present from Vienna (we already have too much clothes - and she'll have a little mocking material). Before undressing ourselves I had a wonderful idea.

"Rory – would you like to have a Fiaker-ride with the dresses on?"

"I don't think we're allowed to go outside with the dresses on, they're expensive."

"Let me take care of that. But do you want to do it?"

"Sure – sounds fun."

Rory was right – they weren't thrilled by my idea to wear those dresses outside of the safety of the shop, but a little money convinced them quickly. I always get what I want with salespeople – no matter what country.

The ride was fantastic. The Fiaker was black and we had two white horses. Everyone was looking at us. I so enjoyed it, I needed that. I can't remember the last time I felt so light. And sharing this with Rory was the best of all.

Oh and I shared another thing with Rory – one I would have never thought of to do. It was around lunchtime and we've been shopping the whole morning.

"Grandma?"

"Yes Sweetie?"

"Do you know what I would really like to do right now?"

"No – how should I?"

"I would really like to eat a burger for lunch."

"Oh – but I thought we wanted to go to the 'Wienerwald'."

"I know, but please can't we eat junk food today? The next McDonald's is right around the corner – I don't even know the last time I had a burger. I'm really missing them."

"Did you never go there when you're out on your own?"

"No. – I don't know why. I guess I wasn't hungry then. But I'm now. Please."

"But the 'Wienerwald' is the traditional restaurant around here."

"Let's go there tomorrow."

"But I thought tomorrow we wanted to – "

"Please Grandma – can't we skip this?"

"Alright – what about you go to do McDonald's now, and I'll wait for you here – enjoying the sun."

"You don't want to come in?"

"No."

"But then it's only half the fun – please Grandma."

After a few more 'please Grandma' and the look which I can't resist anyway, I gave in. But only on the condition that she won't try to photograph this. She got me a McChicken (and fries of course) – granted it was smaller than her BigMac, but I honestly don't know how to eat them. It's not possible. I don't even want to remember how ridiculous I must have looked.

"You just have to open your mouth really wide Grandma."

This sure was fun to her – not for me though

"Rory, why didn't you get me those little chicken things the boy next to us has? At least I could eat them without making a fool of myself."

"I thought a burger would be more fun."

"Go get me those chicken things – "

"They're called Chicken McNuggets Grandma."

"Whatever – go get them. I'm not eating this burger that's for sure."

So she left getting me those. She ate my burger. When I'm now thinking of it – Emily Gilmore – sitting in a McDonald's eating her lunch with her hands – must be the grandchild thing. Lorelai would've never gotten me to do that.

Yesterday we arrived here and I'm glad not to stay in a hotel for one week. Maurice will come one day before we're leaving, but Fleur and her children arrived today. They're so cute. When they were coming in Fleur had some flowers for Hope. Her two little children were a bit shy of course, but then Marie approached me, giving me some flowers as well.

"Merci beaucoup, Marie. Ils sont très joli."

Quickly she was hiding behind her mother again, but her little sister Claire gave her flowers to Rory.

"Merci Claire."

Then she was flying into the arms of her grandmother (Hope had given me her flowers to greet her grandchildren.) When she's saying I'm spoiling Rory, she better shouldn't judge herself. She adores those children and I do understand her.

On our flight to Paris I'd updated Rory's French so that she's able to at least talk a little with Fleur's children. But Hope and Fleur try to speak as much English as possible to make it easier for her.

I enjoy my time here. Seeing Marie and Claire makes me happy and sad. Happy because I'm reminded of Hope and me so often and sad, because they're reminding me of my unfulfilled dream. But I try not to think of sad thoughts. I don't want to ruin this for everyone especially not Hope, and I can see that sometimes her eyes are resting on me, checking what I'm feeling.

Today we're shopping, and as I predicted Hope is just like me when it comes to buying cute dresses for her grandchildren.

"Mom, they don't need those dresses."

"Fleur, I'm their grandmother and I decide how to spend my money."

"I'm glad you finally realize how much fun this can be. Let your mother have her fun." I say.

I couldn't resist to tease her a little. Hope is looking at me.

"I admit it – you were right. It is fun. Satisfied?"

"Yes." I say smiling.

Maurice is coming home today and tomorrow it's time for us to leave Paris and head to Italy – our last European country. I'm still not sure what to do when I'll be back.

Hope is running through the whole house – Maurice will be there for the whole week. Not that this is so special, but Fleur, Marie and Claire will also stay for another week, and that is rare. So she wants everything to be perfect.

"Emily – could you please water the plants in the living-room and in the library?"

"Yes I could."

She gives me an irritated look.

"And I do – of course. Where's the watering can?"

"In the kitchen."

I'm about to go there when she stops me.

"Emily? Am I making to big a deal out of this?"

She really looks unsure and I regret my teasing this time.

"No – I'm sorry Hope I was just teasing you. I understand you. I would act the same way."

"Now that's a relief." she replies sarcastically.

"Hey."

"It's in the kitchen."

Then she's gone to do whatever is coming to her mind. Did I just say I'm sorry for teasing her? We're really equal when it comes to this. I'm going to water her plants.

And then he comes, I'm seeing him through the window. Hope is outside (to last-minute check on her precious rose garden). As soon as she hears his car she's running towards him and they greet each other with a passionate kiss. I feel a little stab inside me. I can't even remember the last time I've greeted Richard like this. So is this my fault too? I still don't know when we started to grow apart.

They're coming inside looking very happy. I smile - and it's not a forced smile – I am happy for them.

"Bonjour Emily. It's good to see you again. I'm glad that I didn't miss you this time."

"Bonjour Maurice. Well it was your last opportunity – and I'm glad too."

He kisses me three times on my cheeks (that's a French custom – I needed some time to get used to it).

"And where are our grandchildren?"

"Outside – Rory is reading some fairy-tales to them."

But before we can head outside Fleur is coming to greet her father – which gives me another stab. Lorelai would never greet Richard or me so lovingly. But I know that's not just her fault. Sometimes I wish I'd get a second chance – but would we be able to change ourselves? I don't know.

Then we're going outside. After he has greeted his grandchildren, Maurice turns to Rory.

"And you're Rory? I must say you're just as beautiful as your grandmother."

"Thank you sir."

"Maurice - " I begin to say but I'm interrupted by Hope.

"And what about me?"

"Oh you're even a little more beautiful chérie."

They kiss again.

I'm lying in bed thinking about what to do when I'm getting back. But I'm not having any great ideas. I want to have what Hope and Maurice have – what I once had. I just don't know how to talk to Richard. Every time we're on the phone I can feel that we're growing apart a little more (in case that's possible).

Our flight is tomorrow morning. We're going to Florence first - Rory missed the Uffizi last time and asked me whether we could go there before we would visit Rome, of course I agreed to this.

I'm sad to leave Hope. I'll miss our talks (and once again phone calls are not the same). There's a knock.

"Come in."

Hope is coming in (already in her night-gown).

"Hope – is something wrong?"

"No. I just wanted to say goodbye to you now. We won't have much time tomorrow and we won't be on our own."

"Oh – yes that's right."

She's sitting down on my bed.

"But what about Maurice? Shouldn't you be with him right now?"

"He understands."

That's right. He hasn't asked about Richard once (for which I'm grateful). I'm sure Hope told him everything – well at least the version of everything you tell your husband about your sister's problems.

"It was really good to have you here Emily. I've missed you, I didn't notice how much until now."

"Same here."

"I'm sorry about your problems though. I have something for you."

She gives me a letter.

"I've written something for you, but I want you to read it at home. Not now, not in Italy but at home. Okay?"

"Okay." I say putting it on my nightstand.

"Good. – You can make it work Emily. I know you can. Just talk to him. Tell him everything you told me. And try to look at it from his point of view. Try to find your mistakes."

My eyes are filled with tears now. I can't fight them.

"I'm not saying this to make you sad."

"I know." I can barely say those words though I know they're true.

Hope embraces me in a hug.

"I know you can do it. And you can call me whenever you want. No matter what time."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

She's looking into my eyes now.

"I love you Emily. And so does Richard."

Really? Has she talked to him? - I so want to believe her.

"And if you don't believe me - ask him."

Is she insane? I'll certainly not go to him to ask this. But I won't discuss this right now.

"I love you too Hope. Thanks for everything."

"That's what sisters are for, right?"

I nod and hug her again.

"You should get back to Maurice. I'm sure he's waiting for you."

"Not if you still need me."

"I'm fine. Goodnight Hopey."

"Goodnight Em."

She gives me a last kiss on the cheek and heads for the door.

"Hope?"

"Yes?"

"Have fun."

"You bet."

With that she returns to her bedroom. I sigh. Is she right? Can I do it? My eyes are wandering through the room. Suddenly I see her letter. I wonder what she's written in it. I'm tempted to open it, but no that wouldn't be right. I guess I have to wait another week to find out.

And so do you. At least I hope so, cause studying is getting more busy right now. But no worries I'll finish this story and Europe time is coming to an end next chapter.