Authors Note: Thanks for the reviews!

cmbarrytx: The McDonalds thing came to my mind last minute – let's say I got both my grandmothers to accompany me to it – gave me some inspiration.

Al: I have to apologize for the French mistake – that's what happens when your last French lesson was 6 years ago. And I thought I couldn't do much wrong with one simple sentence – sorry! But it got you to review so that's the good thing about it. ;-)

Chapter 15: Goodbye Europe

When Hope and I said our last goodbyes we promised us – as always – to visit each other more often. I really hope she'll come to the US soon, but then I know that we have separate lives. It's not that this is a polite phrase – we honestly want to see each other more often, but it just never seems to fit. It's nobody's fault.

My mood is on a low point right now. Florence was hot and I wanted to get a private tour for the Uffizi, but we were stuck with some horrible Belgian couple. The flight to Rome wasn't any better. But perhaps the real reason is, that I'll be home in less than a week and I still haven't figured out a plan.

Luciano – our concierge – is leading us to our suite – the same one Richard and I had two years ago. It's the best and I want to have the best. And I think of him no matter where I am anyway. Luciano is talking the whole time.

"Hallo, and here we are -- room 518. A beautiful room -- very special for you, Mrs. Gilmore."

"It's nice." Rory says.

Yes – she's always pointing out the positive signs. Another reason why it was good that she was accompanying me.

"It's hot." I say – and that's the truth.

"I will adjust the air for you. No problem on my end."

Yes I'm sure you will. I'm not paying that much for not to get my wishes fulfilled. I'm going to the balcony. Somehow it's not looking like I remembered it to be. Luciano is still talking, I wonder if he'll ever stop.

"It's a spectacular view. Very nice. A little balcony there."

"It's different."

"Something is different?"

"The view -- it's different."

"Wow. It's pretty spectacular."

As I said Rory is always trying to lighten the mood.

"It's not the same."

"It's the same room you had two years ago, Signora -- 518."

"The ruins -- they used to be closer. Something move?"

"I don't think so."

"That pillar is in a different place."

Yes – maybe that sounds ridiculous but that's what I feel – besides that I love to see Luciano squirm.

"I think the ruins are probably where they've been for the past 2,000 years, Grandma."

"We can get you another room, signora. No problem."

"No, no, it's fine."

I'm returning to the living-room. What's this smell?

"Smokers." I say.

"I despise smokers." Luciano replies.

Well good for you. And again Rory is going through our luggage. I guess she'll never learn.

"Rory, I told you before, you do not move luggage."

"Yes, yes, please. We will do that."

Then do it for heavens sake. But no – he's just standing here.

"Sorry." Rory mumbles and leaves the luggage alone.

"Your high tea is still at the same time?"

"Si, signora."

"We'll need to book some private tours -- the Vatican, the Villa Medici. And private -- just the two of us. The concierge in Florence stuck us with a Belgian couple at the Uffizi who didn't know a fresco from a ferret hole. And the ruins, of course. Make sure the guide's not too dry."

Again my eyes are looking out of the window.

"So different."

Ah finally someone is taking care of our luggage. I'm following him into my room. You can never be sure that they treat the luggage right.

"The hanging bags should be hung, not laid on the bed."

As I thought. I'm supervising the unpacking and checking the room. Of course not enough pillows. When will they ever learn that I need extra pillows. I return to Rory and Luciano – not before giving some last instructions on how to handle my clothes of course.

"We need two more pillows." I say to Luciano.

"I will see to it. Anything else I can do?"

"That should do it. Thank you, Luciano."

"Yeah, thank you very much." Rory says.

"Grazie mille. Buona notte. Good evening. Thank you."

With that he's leaving us alone. Finally I don't have to hear this talking anymore. It was giving me a headache. I'm so exhausted. I'm going to sit down on the couch. Let's hope it's as comfortable as I remembered it to be.

"Let's sit down and pick our restaurants. That's three nights -- that's three lunches and three dinners. We'll take our usual passeggiata around the piazza navana, but let's pick the restaurants."

Yes the couch at least is the same. I'm looking through some brochures.

"Do you want to pick them before your nap or after?"

Ah, she's afraid that I'll forget my nap. How could I – exhausted as I am. But I can't resist to tease her a little.

"I'm skipping my nap today."

"Oh, really?" Rory says.

She can't hide her disappointment, but she tries to – sitting next to me on the couch.

"Absolutely. I'm not the least bit tired."

I wonder what she'll say now.

"Oh, good."

Honestly she's not good at pretending something. She never had to I guess.

"Couldn't hide it any better than that, huh?"

"Hide what?"

Oh please – I'm not stupid Rory.

"I don't take my nap, you don't get to go out on your own."

And how important that is to you both of us know by now.

"Oh... Grandma, I wasn't thinking that."

Well of course you were, but somehow it's sweet that you're denying this.

"Well, I was kidding. I'm exhausted. I'm not sure I'll even make it to the bedroom. I may just drop down here on the carpet."

Which is true, the flight was terrible and it's way too hot.

"Thank you, Grandma. It's all cultural stuff, I promise. Just kind of faster and funkier."

"Well, go enjoy your funk."

"Thank you."

She's giving me a kiss on the cheek before standing up to leave.

"Say, when was the last time we called your mother?"

By asking this I mean of course when was the last time she's called her mother. Somehow I lost track about this.

"Not sure."

"Have we called her this week?"

"I think you did."

Yes I know I did. But you were out then. I don't think you've called her later.

"We'll call when you come back."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye-bye."

Lying in bed is so relaxing. And I got my extra pillows immediately. Only three days. In three days I'm home and I have no idea what to do then. I hope Richard keeps his promise to move into the pool-house. Somehow I didn't dare to ask about this on the phone. To be honest what I really hope is that he'll apologize to me or at least ask why I left him (in case he really hasn't figured it out yet). But somehow I know that that won't happen. So what shall I do?

I decide to just wait and see what will happen. For the first time I can think of I won't have a plan and I won't think about one anymore (at least I'll try). Instead I'll enjoy my last days here. Hell I wanted to do this the whole time, and what did I do? Thinking about my marriage. If he has lunches with Lynnie Lott, I can flirt with other men, too. And that's what I'll do from now on. Flirt with every man who wants to – no matter what his social status is. And there are a lot out here who want to flirt. Until now I've ignored them, but that will change. This should be fun. And of course I can't do that at home so here's to my last chance.

Rory is coming back. She hasn't told me why she's fighting with Lorelai and I've stopped asking, but I've always made sure that she's called her – I know how terrible it is to not hear from your child. Always waiting for the phone to ring – but that's another story. One I'm not thinking of right now. But she'll call her now. I'm going into the living-room.

"How was your funk time?"

"Great. Did you sleep well Grandma?"

"Yes I did. I'll call your mother now."

"Okay."

As I thought – not very enthusiastic. I'm picking up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Lorelai, it's your mother!" I yell.

"Hi, Mom."

"I'm calling from Rome!"

"The line is crystal clear. You don't have to yell."

I guess I'll never learn that.

"Sorry -- I still think transcontinental calls are a bigger deal than they are."

"You're coming in fine. So, Rome?"

"Our last stop, and a good thing, too, because I don't know how long I can keep these randy European men off me."

I love to shock Lorelai (as much as she loves to shock me). - And from now on I don't want to keep them off me.

"Excuse me?"

"They're terrible flirts here. Gorgeous, but so forward. Do you want to talk to Rory?"

"Oh, um, sure. Is she there?" she replies not very enthusiastic either.

"Yes, she is. Hang on. Rory!"

Rory is coming. I'm going a little away, but I still can hear her talking.

"Hello? - Hi. - Yep. - Hot in the day, cooler at night."

So they're talking about the weather now. The rest of the call is going like this. I wonder whether they'll make up when we're coming back.

Rory and I have just finished shopping. I got a beautiful pink purse with gold clasp. Rory is telling me, that I could've gotten it much cheaper at home – without paying duty – she's not getting the concept. I don't care about the money. I want to say that I've bought this in Rome. That's the fun. We're sitting down to get some coffee. The waiter is sure as hell flirting with me and I flirt back. Rory is a little unsure about this and I can understand her, but I need that. I enjoy to get attention.

Tomorrow is our last day. Somehow I want to go back and somehow I wish we would have two more months. I'm so glad that Rory came with me and I want to tell her so. When we were shopping today I noticed that she admired a special ring. I think I'll buy that for her as a last present. To remember our trip.

"I'm really exhausted Grandma – shopping is sport."

"At least the way we're doing it right? So why don't you go back to the hotel to rest a little when you've finished your espresso."

"Aren't you going back?"

"I wanted to wander through the streets for some time."

"Oh – well if you want to do that that's fine. I can rest later."

"No, no go back. Let me have my own time out. Why not reverse our roles?"

"Okay. But you're up to something."

"Yes – I want to enjoy the last hours I spend in Europe. – That's all."

"Uhuh. See you later Grandma."

"Can you take my shopping bags please?"

"Sure."

She kisses my cheek and goes back to the hotel. I'm off to buy her the ring.

This is our last night together. Rory just said goodnight to me. I'm going into my room to get the ring. 10 minutes later I knock at her door.

"Come in."

She's already in bed. I'm sitting down on it.

"Rory – I want to tell you something – and to give something to you."

"Yes Grandma?"

"I want to thank you for accompanying me. You don't know how grateful I am for having you with me."

"No Grandma I should thank you – for taking me with you. I really enjoyed it."

"So did I. And I want you to remember our trip. That's the reason I got you this. Here."

I'm giving her the little package. She opens it.

"Oh Grandma – that's the ring – the ring I saw when we were shopping."

"I know. I've noticed that."

"But it's too expensive, you shouldn't have done that."

"Rory that's my decision. As I said I wanted you to have something to remember this."

"But you've bought me so much. All the clothes…"

"This is special. Just take it, Rory."

"Thank you Grandma. It is special. But I would have never forgotten our journey. I don't need the ring to remember all the beautiful things we've seen. And how could I ever forget the image of you trying to eat a McChicken."

"You know you promised not to tell anyone."

"No I promised not to photograph this – which I didn't. But you didn't make me promise not to tell anyone."

"Because I knew you would do it anyway."

"That was really great of you – going there with me. And I so enjoyed it, you can't imagine how good that tasted for me – granted the taste is a little different than back home, but I missed the junk food terribly."

Seeing her eyes when she's speaking about it I know it was worth it. And thinking about it, it wasn't that terrible after all.

"Thanks for taking me with you, Grandma. I'll never forget this trip."

"There's no need to thank me. It was my pleasure. I wouldn't know what I would've done all the time on my own. It was fun to share it with you. - Let's see if the ring fits you."

It does. Rory is giving me a hug and a kiss. I'm embracing her back. How I'm going to miss this.

"Goodnight Sweetie." I say for the last time in a long time.

"Goodnight Grandma." I hear her answering for the last time either.

I'm giving her a kiss before turning off the light and leaving the room.

I hope you liked it. For those of you who're waiting for them to come back – next chapter. Stay tuned!