Authors Note: Thanks Riska, Lore2 and April Sunshine for your reviews and Liz and Mary for your two reviews. It's good to know that you enjoyed the flashback and that my story is appreciated by you. Thank you.

Chapter 34: New York

It's Friday afternoon. The girls should be here any minute. We're going to New York – until Sunday. I'm truly excited. It's the first time that the three of us are spending a whole weekend together.

I sigh. They just can't be on time. I wonder what excuse Lorelai will have this time. Really I don't understand it – why can't she be on time?

The last week I've barely seen Richard. Since Princess left us, the topic of our conversations left us as well. He did come over though to wish me a great time in New York. I'm more and more convinced that I'm right. We're just too stubborn to speak.

Our first weekend in New York was wonderful. But I really shouldn't focus on that now. Soon I'll be there again with Lorelai and Rory, so I should think about that. I wonder how that trip will turn out. Rory and I had nearly no problems in Europe, but Lorelai and me… I guess it's a good thing that Rory is around.

Finally they're coming. I have to bite my tongue not to say anything – I don't want to start this trip fighting - but I guess my eyes are accusing enough, because as soon as Lorelai's seeing me, she starts to apologize.

"I'm sorry Mom, but there was an emergency at the Dragonfly and I couldn't get away earlier."

"And what would happen if an emergency like this is happening tomorrow? Is the world falling down, because you're not there to handle it?"

Why, why am I reacting that way? But I hate this excuse. As if no one else could handle it. She's looking at me – a little hurt. Rory too. Just when Lorelai is about to answer me, Rory gives her a pleading look. I was right, good that she's here.

"I've said I'm sorry Mom, that's all I can do now. If you can't accept that - "

"I've never said that I won't accept." I quickly interrupt her. Trying to get away from this subject as soon as possible I continue. "Let's get your luggage into the car."

When I'm walking past them, I can see Lorelai rolling her eyes and Rory shrugging. I decide to ignore it.

"James please take care of the luggage." I say to our driver.

When I turn around I get a glimpse of Rory, who's quickly putting her suitcase back in front of her. I sigh – she has a guilty look on her face.

"Rory how often do I have to tell you, when travelling with me, you don't have to -"

"- touch your luggage. Yes Grandma. I'm sorry. I'll remember from now on."

I hope so. I nod at her, before getting into the car. Lorelai is again rolling her eyes – what a great start.

The drive is a little tense. Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut? Rory is doing her best to lighten the atmosphere – my little angel. We're talking about Yale and her studies. Lorelai is a little quiet. I'm thinking about asking how things are at the Dragonfly, but even that isn't a safe topic right now. I honestly can't say if it would improve the mood, or if she'd explode completely. I decide not to risk anything and focus on Rory until we're there.

Our hotel is wonderful – the best one. We have a suite. The girls insisted on having one room, so that they can talk while in bed – I have the other one.

"It's amazing, Grandpa surely does know the best places."

"Yes he does, what do you think of it Lorelai?" I ask her, trying to include her into the conversation.

"It's nice."

She's still hurt, I can see it. But what does she expect me to do? My little comment certainly wasn't that bad. Really she can be so dramatic sometimes. But deep inside I know that I shouldn't have reacted that way. I didn't even ask what was going on – maybe it was serious.

"So what do you want to do with the evening? Any ideas? Lorelai?"

She's looking at me – confused and a little suspicious. But I'm serious. I want to involve her.

"Yes Mom, any ideas?" Rory says.

"Hmm – " she says while looking provoking at me – but this time I keep my mouth shut.

"Hmm – well since tomorrow night is Musical night, I'd say we could go shopping before and on Sunday a little sightseeing or whatever, so why aren't we going outside to enjoy the night-life of New York, going into a nice bar…" she says still looking provoking at me.

A bar, of course. But if that's what it takes to get us on good terms again, I won't fight it.

"If that's what you want. Do you know any nice bars?" I ask her while Rory is looking at the two of us.

"Give me a few minutes and I'll find one – where we can eat."

I knew it – she's testing me. Friday Night Dinner at a bar. But I want to make peace with her, so I decide to surprise her. I'll survive it for one evening.

"Eating dinner at a bar would make you happy?" I ask her.

"Yes it would." she says.

"Mom, we could also eat at a restaurant, don't you think?" Rory says with a concerned look.

"I thought Mom asked me what I'd like to do – all I did was telling her. If you don't agree with me and want to do something different, that's not my fault." Lorelai says to both of us.

"Well I don't know about you Rory, but if it would make your mother happy, that's all right with me."

The look on Lorelai's face is priceless – worth the whole evening. Rory is nodding slightly.

"Then it's settled. I think we should all get dressed and Lorelai will find us a bar she approves of, all right?" I say looking at them.

They nod and I leave for my room.

30 minutes later we're walking into the bar she picked out. It's terrible – too many people, loud music and an awful smell of cheap alcohol. Lorelai has to convince two men to change their places, so that we can get three seats at the bar.

"Gin martini please." Lorelai shouts to the barkeeper. "What do you want Mom?"

"The same."

"Okay make that three." she's calling after him – he already went to the next guests.

"Lorelai!" I exclaim while looking in Rory's direction.

"Mom please let her have some fun as well. One drink won't kill her. Besides I'm her mom."

Yes, of course you are.

"Mom, I don't need to have – " Rory says – looking in my direction.

"Nonsense." Lorelai says and as soon as he left the barkeeper is standing in front of us again, giving us three martinis.

"Do you want something to eat as well?" the barkeeper asks us.

Oh please not – the martini glasses are the dirtiest I've ever seen. How could she pick out this bar, I'm sure we could have found a better one.

"We haven't decided yet." Lorelai is saying – much to my relief.

I'm sipping my martini. I try to hardly touch the glass with my lips – it's a little difficult – I have to pay attention not to spill anything. Talking is nearly impossible, because of the loud music. And this is supposed to be fun? I mean it isn't – really. I'll survive it for one evening, but fun? No. I'm thinking of the bath I'm going to take, as soon as we'll be back at the hotel. I can't wait to get this smell off of me.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" Lorelai asks me.

"Why do you think I'd want to go somewhere else?" I ask back – I have to shout a little.

"Because you hate the smell of cheap alcohol for example. And because you're looking really funny – the way you try to drink without to touch the glass."

Of course she noticed it.

"I don't think this is about me Lorelai. I agreed that you could decide where to go, you did and here we are." I say looking around – terrible.

"Mom, I wouldn't mind getting out of here, either." Rory says.

I wonder whether she really doesn't like it, or if she just wants to save me.

"Let's go." Lorelai says and before I can say anything she's leaving some money and gets up to go.

Outside I'm taking a deep breath. Wonderful.

"So where do we go now Mom? I'm getting hungry." Rory says.

"Me too. So where do you want to go Mom?"

"As I said Lorelai – it's your turn to decide."

We're walking down the street a little. Lorelai stops in front of a nice little diner. It certainly isn't a fancy restaurant, but ten times better than this lousy bar.

"I think we should try this, all right Mom?"

"Looks good to me." I answer.

Inside we're even able to get a table. This is really nice. We're eating and talking without fighting, but I still have the feeling, that even though this is a peace offering of Lorelai, my comment isn't yet forgotten.

I'm back in my room, ready to undress myself to take a bath before going to sleep. We have a lot do tomorrow. Just when I'm about to unbutton my blouse there's a knock on my door.

"Come in." I say and I'm expecting Rory – but in comes Lorelai.

"I don't mean to disturb you Mom - I just have one question."

"Go ahead."

"Well I know that you're getting up at eight when on vacation, and Rory told me that hasn't changed in Europe and well we thought that maybe you could agree on 9 am as the time where we'll get up. You know Rory and I have a lot to talk and I just don't think that we'll get some sleep anytime soon. So do you think you could wake us at 9 am?"

What do you really want Lorelai? Somehow I think it's weird that she's coming now to ask me this – why not earlier? And why not setting an alarm-clock?

"Yes I think that's possible." I slowly answer still trying to read her face.

"Good. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She's looking at me.

"Well maybe we're up earlier, but I really doubt it – so if you don't hear anything until nine, feel free to wake us."

"Okay."

Still she's looking at me. Then she bids me goodnight (was there a disappointed look in her eyes?) and turns around.

"Lorelai?" I call after her.

"Yes Mom?"

"Is – is everything all right at the Dragonfly?"

And please don't explode, this is a serious question. She's looking at me questioningly.

"I hope so." she slowly answers. "You know today was just a crazy Friday. Everyone was arriving. Michel had to deal with some difficult guests, Sookie had to look after the kitchen and Davey, since Jackson couldn't take care of him today and on top of everything we had a pipe burst. One room was flooded and we needed to move the guests and – well just a crazy Friday. I couldn't get away in time. But I called Luke, so I guess everything will be fine now."

Wow. That really was a lot. And Luke is in charge.

"I should have asked you, before saying this." I admit.

She nods. I know she knows what I mean with this.

"What if tomorrow everything isn't all right? What if the pipe burst is a bigger thing than you thought?"

"Luke is there. He'll take care of it."

Yes sure. Luke is there. I can see that she wants to leave, so now or never I'm saying to myself. And I want us to be able to enjoy the next two days.

"I'm sorry Lorelai."

"I know."

We smile. I'm glad that I don't have to explain anything – how could I, I can't understand myself why I reacted that way.

"Really Mom, you did surprise me tonight. I could have bet that you wouldn't set a foot in the bar I picked first. But you did."

"I told you, you could pick it out."

"Yes you did."

"I'm very grateful though that I didn't have to spend the whole evening in there." I say gratefully smiling at her.

"I can tell."

"So we're good?" I ask her a little hesitant.

"Yes, we're good. Goodnight Mom – and don't forget. 9 am – not 8 am."

„I won't forget. Goodnight Lorelai."

I'm really relieved that this is behind us. That was one of our good moments – not that we would hug or even kiss each other, but it was an honest, nice talk. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow now.

It's nine. I've spend the last 30 minutes reading my novel in the living-room. There are still no voices coming from their room. How can they sleep this long? I decide to give them another few minutes, while planning our day. After breakfast we'll go shopping. That should be fun. I'll buy them whatever they want to have. And tonight – the musical – I can't wait.

9:10 am. I quietly knock at their door – nothing. I slowly open it and there they are. Both of them are looking like angels, and how similar they look. I haven't seen Lorelai sleeping since – when – right the night Rory went to the dance with Dean. The terrible fight we had after it. I shouldn't think of that now. It's behind us. (But is it really – sure that fight yes, but the reason for the fight? There's so much we're not talking about.)

I'm sitting down on Lorelai's side of the bed. If I could only tell her what I feel for her – that I love her. But I can't. Why? I don't know, it's just – I can't. I'm reaching out to smooth her hair out of her face.

"Lorelai?" I quietly say.

She's not reacting. I caress her cheek a little and she begins to move. I quickly retreat.

"Lorelai." I say louder this time. „It's 9:15 am – I would appreciate it, if you'd get up now."

"Mom?" she says sleepily while rubbing her eyes.

"Yes it's me, dear. I'm touched that you're remembering." I say while walking over to Rory's side.

"Rory?" I say softly. „Rory, time to wake up darling."

"Morning Grandma. What time is it?" she asks while stifling a yawn.

"9:15 am."

"Ugh. Didn't Mom say you'd wake us at 9 am?"

"I thought I'd be nice and give you some more minutes – but now please get up girls. We have a lot to do."

"Just a few more minutes Mom – "

"Yes Grandma, please you don't know when we got to sleep."

"That's not my problem." I say while going over to the curtains to let the sun into the room.

"Ugh – at least give us coffee Mom – "

"Oh yeah coffee would be really good Grandma."

Nonsense.

"You'll get your coffee at breakfast – which I'm waiting for over an hour by the way and now get up." I say pulling away their blankets.

"Mean." Lorelai says.

"Lorelai!"

"All right, all right – but we have only one shower, so get up Rory – you're the first."

"Why am I the –"

"Both of you get up now. Rory you can take my bathroom. Breakfast will be at 9:45 am." I say sternly – now I know why an alarm-clock wouldn't have worked.

At 9:50 am we're all downstairs to enjoy a nice and delicious breakfast.

Once more – reviews are appreciated.