Disclaimer: This is an original story based upon the characters of Gilmore Girls. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit will be made from this story.

Author's Note: Okay folks, I apologize that it has taken me so long to update. Real world is pretty crazy right now. Thank you all for your kind reviews. They are always a highlight of my day. I also apologize to my European friends for not getting this done before their bedtime. Good Morning to you all!

"Did you try her again?" I asked, switching Alicia to my other arm as I slipped off the other half of my coat. Richard helped me with my coat and then rested his hand on the head of the sleeping child in my arms.

"Yes, she still has her cell phone off, Rory as well. They must still be at the hospital, you can't have your cell phone on in there," he replied.

Suddenly, a jolt of panic went through me, "Richard," I said, "You don't think…could something have gone wrong with the surgery? Could there be something more wrong with Luke?"

He answered by putting his arm around me. "No, I'm sure they just spent the night at the hospital and are still there."

"Richard, she doesn't even know where we are, what if she tried to call the house?" I asked.

Richard looked up at the clock, "They're boarding in ten minutes. We'll be home soon," he said and turned to Missie. "Thank you for everything" he said, patting her arm.

"It was my pleasure," Missie replied smiling.

Richard turned and headed up the escalator and I was left alone with Missie for a moment. With my free arm I hugged her to me, "Thank you," I whispered.

"I didn't do anything," she replied. "I was just in the right place at the right time."

We broke the hug and again the child I lost came into my mind. Maybe Missie was meant as redemption for me. Maybe this woman, who needed a real mother was somehow compensation for the little one I had lost. And maybe by being a surrogate mother to her, and therefore learning to be a better mother to my own dear girl, I had redeemed myself of anything I might have done to cause my baby to never come into the world.

"Take care of yourself," I said, resting one hand on her arm.

"You too," she said smiling and I turned and headed up the escalator towards Richard.

"Is your arm getting tired?" Richard asked as we headed towards the gate. I glanced down at the sleeping baby's head on my shoulder.

"No," I replied.

"Would you tell me if it was?" he asked chuckling.

"No," I replied swiftly.

We boarded the plane and I carefully gave Alicia to Richard while I sat down and then he handed her back to me. I honestly don't think we could have woken that child up if we would have exploded fireworks in her face. Even as little as she was, I could tell she had felt the trauma of the last week as well, and when she was finally back in the arms of people she knew and loved, she had succumbed the exhaustion she undoubtedly felt and fell asleep.

The flight was smooth—Alicia woke up after about an hour and I fed her with a bottle and some formula we had picked up at a convenience store. As soon as she was fed and burped, I laid her down on my lap and just looked at her.

"She's so beautiful Richard," I said, reaching up and brushing my hand over the soft black curls.

"Like her grandma" Richard whispered, and I leaned my head into his.

"Do you want to sleep for awhile?" he asked. "I can take care of her,"

I turned to him and gave a sarcastic snort, "Richard Gilmore, you don't know the first thing about taking care of a baby—even for a few hours,"

"Excuse me?" he said mockingly.

"Um yes," I countered.

"I'm sorry, was I not the father of your child—or was I imagining all of that?"

"Yes, you were definitely the father of my child—no doubt about that one. Did you ever change that child's diaper or feed that child her bottle?"

He smiled and I could tell he was putting on his best poker face, "Yes, many times" he said.

"Try again"

"Okay—once."

I laughed and shook my head—it was so good to really laugh again! "I'm fine Richard," I said and turned my attentions back to my granddaughter. The truth was, even though the nightmare was over for me, somewhere out there my daughter was still going through her nightmare, and I couldn't sleep until I had delivered her baby into my baby's arms.

"Richard," I said, nodding to the plane phone. "Try her cell again," He picked it up and dialed—still no answer. I hoped Richard was right, I hoped she was just at the hospital and nothing else had gone wrong.

About two hours later I was looking in the window of Luke's hospital room. I was breathing easier seeing Luke was okay, his arm in a sling but sleeping peacefully. Lorelai had fallen asleep sitting in the chair next to him, her head resting on the bed, her hand resting on Luke's good hand. Rory was curled up in another chair. My poor little family—they were all so exhausted. I walked in quietly and Richard followed close behind. I walked over to Lorelai and smoothed her hair out of her eyes.

"Sweetheart," I whispered and she woke up with a start. "Mom? Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yes, everything is just fine."

" I meant to call…I meant to the call the house and check in, but I just was so tired…and worried about Luke…and did you say everything was fine?"

"Yes, everything is just fine," I said, putting my head against hers.

"But…" she started.

"Lorelai, why don't you look over there and see what your daddy has for you," I said and then stood back as Richard carefully took off his suit coat that was resting on his arms and revealed a sleeping black haired baby nestled comfortably against his shoulders. Lorelai gasped and brought her hands to her mouth. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming," she whispered.

"No," I choked out my own tears starting, "It's real," With one great sob she crossed the room and took her baby in her arms, her strength giving out on her and she slid down the wall to the floor as she sobbed. "My baby" she whispered, as she rested her hand against the baby's head. Alicia had woken up now and was as happy to see her mother as Lorelai was to see her. Rory had woken up at Lorelai's sob and hurried over to her mother resting her head on her mother's shoulder and reaching up a hand on Alicia's head. I stood there watching her—my grown up girl, the mother of two. I had never forgot the pain I felt when she told me she was going to be a mother, and I could now never forget the pride I felt as I watched her with her two children and knew the kind of mother she had become.

"Lorelai," Luke whispered weakly from the bed and held out his good arm. Lorelai stood up and walked over to him. I walked over towards Richard and put my arm around him as we watched Lorelai gently hand Alicia over to Luke and for the first time since I'd known him, I watched as Luke broke down crying. Once again—all was right with the world, we had been through Hell and back again and for the first time we had all allowed Hell to bond us closer together than we ever thought possible.

"Lorelai," Luke said after a few minutes. "Take her home," he said. "Go home and sleep for a few hours. I'll be fine here,"

She nodded, her eyes still red and teary, she leaned down to kiss him, and as I watched them again I was so glad that my daughter had found someone to love. Rory stood up to go as well and I put a hand on both their shoulders as they walked out. Luke watched—his eyes fixed on Alicia and I could literally see the relief wash over him and I wondered if Richard had the same look in his eyes all those years ago. I motioned to Richard that I wanted a minute alone with Luke and he followed the girls out of the room. I walked towards him and sat on the bed beside him.

"How?" he asked.

"I'll tell you the whole story later," I promised. Suddenly, the tears started stinging in my eyes and I bit my lip and looked down at the floor. "Luke…I…"

"You're welcome," he said gently and I looked back up at him.

"I still don't like you," he said smiling.

I smirked and then reached up and brushed a piece of hair of off his forehead. "The feeling's mutual," I replied.