(Gilmore House After The Funereal)

"It must be so hard on the little one." An older woman said wearily. "Poor child is only eleven years old. She'll never turn out to be a proper young woman with only her father to raise her."

Lorelai sighed. Why was everyone talking about her like she wasn't in the room? She could hear everyone very clearly, and didn't appreciate the opinions that many were openly expressing.

"Ah, Lorelai, there you are." Richard replied as he walked towards his daughter. "Come with me. There are some people in the library who are expecting to see you."

"I don't want to see anymore people." Lorelai replied bitterly.

"Lorelai…" Richard sternly replied.

"Fine." Lorelai mumbled as she walked towards the library.

The door opened and several sets of eyes landed upon her.

"Oh, my goodness is that Lorelai?" A woman asked. "She's hardly a child Richard."

"Indeed. She's grown very much since the last time we saw her." A man replied.

Richard smiled. "She looks like her mother, doesn't she?"

Everyone nodded their head. Lorelai rolled her eyes, she knew very well she did not look like her mother. This was just some way to justify Lorelai's being in the room.

"I'm tired." Lorelai professed. "May I be excused?"

"Don't let us keep you up." The woman answered. "You must be terribly exhausted from all that's been going on these last couple of days."

"Go ahead." Richard nodded.

Lorelai exited the library and slowly climbed the stairs up to her room. She quickly removed the itchy dress which she had been wearing all day. After changing into her most comfortable pjs she slipped into the bed and turned out the lamp. It was only 9:30 and usually Lorelai was up till 11:00 or so, but she couldn't take another moment of the facade going on downstairs.

Here it was, the first night she would ever spend, with her mother dead. It seemed cold. Damp. Dreary. Death was still lingering strongly all around her. Her father barely seemed to take notice in all of the previously stated things. He treated the entire ordeal as a business duty. He seemed more like an employee of the dead, rather than a widow.

Richard had always been Lorelai's best friend. Though Emily was hateful, strict, and boring Richard had always kept Lorelai entertained; however, Lorelai was beginning to feel quite alone. She wondered if her father would be up to kiss her good night, or tell her everything would be okay but Lorelai never saw Richard's face that night.

(The next morning)

"Joan?" Richard called. "Are my eggs ready?"

"Yes, Mr. Gilmore." Joan replied.

"Have you seen my daughter this morning?" Richard asked as he sat down at the dinning room table.

"No, sir."

Richard glanced at his watch. "It's 7:30 and she'll be late for school if she's not down soon."

"School?" Joan asked with surprise.

"Yes, school." Richard repeated as he took a bite of his eggs.

"Sir, with all due respect, do you really think Lorelai should attend school today?"

"Of course." Richard replied. "She shouldn't fall behind in her studies."

"But, sir…" Joan said softly. "I doubt that she would feel up to the occasion."

"Well, she must learn that in this life we all do things that we do not feel up to doing. Nevertheless, we must do them, therefore, my daughter will go to school today."

"I wish you wouldn't make her go." Joan continued. "I honestly believe she needs a couple more days to recoup."

"She will not recover from her mother's death within a couple of days, Joan. It shall take years, if then, that she ever copes with this loss. There is no point in wasting time that cannot be saved."

"Yes, sir." Joan sighed. "I'll make sure she is at school today."

"Thank you." Richard replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to enjoy my breakfast in peace."

Joan nodded and walked out of the dinning room. She ascended the stairs up to Lorelai's room. Lorelai's door was shut tightly. Joan knocked and awaited an answer.

"Come in." a small voice replied.

"Lorelai…" Joan spoke a she opened the door and stepped into the room. "You're going to be late for school."

"I'm not going to school today." Lorelai turned over in her bed.

"Your father says you must." The attractive young woman came closer to the girl. "I know you would rather stay home, but your father thinks it is best if you go."

"What does he know?" Lorelai asked, her voice being muffled by the pillows. "He didn't even know my mother was sick."

"Oh, Lorelai, please don't blame your father for the death of your mother." Joan sat down on Lorelai's bed. "He loved her very much."

"I loved her too." Lorelai replied. "But I never got to tell her… or show her… and I never will."

"She knew." Joan smiled. "She knew how much you loved her. And she loved very much as well."

Lorelai raised from the bed. "Do you think she is in Heaven?"

"I know she is." Joan said softly as she took Lorelai's hand. "My mother passed away when I was sixteen. Trust me, it doesn't get any easier to deal with just because you're older. But I know without a doubt that everyday she is watching me… guiding me along, as I live my life, protecting me. I know Mrs. Gilmore is going to do the same. A mother's love can never die."

"If she's in Heaven, then she's happier than here on earth."

"Oh, yes. Everyone is so happy in Heaven. There are no sorrows, or pain. I bet she's having the best ever time right now." Joan smiled. "If anything, we should be jealous."

"That's good. I don't think she was very happy here and she never had a good time." Lorelai stepped out of the bed. "Well, I'd better get ready for school."