Disclaimer: ASP and the WB

Dedication: To the best beta ever! You all know by now, who I am talking about. And to Fritz, Happy birthday to Jutti's first baby!

As always I'd like to thank my incredible reviewers. You have no idea how happy you make me!

Changing and Improving

When Lorelai woke up the next morning, she instantly smelled fresh coffee. She slipped out of bed and made her way downstairs. Her nose hadn't deceived her. Luke was standing in the kitchen and made breakfast. When he saw her entering, he smiled at her.

"Good morning, there's coffee for you," he said and shook his head when Lorelai almost jumped for the coffee.

"You know, maybe I should have more car accidents. I feel so special," Lorelai said, grinning at Luke, who had just finished the scrambled eggs and bacon and was handing her a plate.

"Don't you dare, because then I am forced to kill you with my bare hands," Luke said and sat down next to her. "So what do you want to do today?"

"Uhm, I don't know, but I think I might drive to Hartford," Lorelai replied.

"Yes well, I could give you a ride to Hartford," Luke offered. He didn't feel comfortable with her driving there by herself.

"No, Luke, I want to drive on my own. The doctor said I am fine and I don't take any medication that would prohibit driving a vehicle. I need to drive again sooner or later," Lorelai explained even though she wasn't really convinced of the plan herself. Before Luke was able to reply something, the door of Rory's room opened and Rory shuffled out.

"Morning," she greeted her mother and Luke sleepily.

"Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" Lorelai inquired and handed her daughter a cup of coffee while Luke got up to get her some breakfast.

"Yeah, it was alright," she yawned widely, "I am going to return to Yale today. I missed quite a few classes."

"Yes, I am sure that is the only thing you missed," Lorelai said and winked at her daughter.

"Yes it is," Rory replied, but couldn't help the smile that spread on her face.

"But before you do, please tell your mother that driving to Hartford on her own is a bad idea," Luke joined the conversation as he sat back at the table.

"Mum?" Rory asked and watched with quite some amusement how her mother rolled her eyes is frustration.

"I am a big girl. I know the way to Hartford, and it's not like I hit my head. Oh wait, I did… I'll still manage though," Lorelai stated and shot Luke a glare that threatened him to disagree with her.

"Okay, fine, but take your cell. I expect you to call me every thirty minutes," he said in a firm voice that didn't tolerate any protest.

"But…," Lorelai tried anyway, but was interrupted by Luke immediately.

"Either that or I'll drive," he said and watched with some satisfaction how Lorelai nodded.

Two hours later Lorelai stood in front of her house and studied her Jeep.

"Okay buddy, you know I love you, so be good to mummy," she whispered to it before she unlocked the door and crawled inside.

It took her a moment to find the strength to actually start the car and she already regretted having declined Luke's offer. With shaking legs she managed to slowly reverse her car and get on the road.

Lorelai knew that sooner or later she would have to drive a car again and she knew that the sooner she started trying the sooner it would feel natural again.

The drive to Hartford took her an hour. Shortly after leaving Stars Hollow she had stopped counting the cars that roared past her, obviously annoyed by her slow speed.

When she arrived at the hospital and turned off the car she felt incredibly proud of herself. Driving didn't feel normal yet, but Lorelai knew it would get better soon. She almost jumped out of the car and hurried inside. She asked for her mother's new room number at the information desk and walked there. When she had almost reached it, she remembered that it was expected to bring flowers or chocolates for someone, who was in hospital. She turned around and hurried to the gift store.

After twenty minutes of thinking about what to get her mother she decided on a bunch of spring flowers that looked wonderfully colourful.

When she left the store she almost bumped into her father.

"Whoa, Dad, I am sure I have the right of way," Lorelai said and chuckled softly.

"I am sorry Lorelai, I didn't see you. Were you getting something for your mother?" He inquired and looked at the flowers.

"Uhm yes, but comparing them to your bunch of flowers, mine look rather ridiculous," Lorelai said and stared at the red roses in her father's hands. She couldn't remember ever having seen so many of them.

"Yeah well, the room is horribly plain and she always loved red roses," Richard said and Lorelai couldn't help laughing when she saw her father blushing.

"Where were you coming from?" Lorelai asked and together with her father she started walking towards her mother's room.

"I took your advice and slept at home and I went to the office this morning," Richard said and Lorelai instantly noticed how her father's eyes clouded over at the last part.

"Anything wrong, Dad?" She asked softly.

"It's nothing really. Floyd just can't seem to understand why I am taking a few days off. We have this important meeting with a potential client coming up and I was supposed to organize the whole thing," Richard explained.

"Oh Dad, do you think they could.. uhm fire you?" Lorelai inquired compassionately.

"What? Oh no, they can't do that, not without having to pay a good deal of money to me. I doubt Floyd would take that risk. It's just an unpleasant situation," he explained and then smiled at his daughter. Lorelai smiled back at him.

"One more thing, Lorelai. Don't mention this to your mother, I don't want her to worry," Richard said.

"My lips are sealed," Lorelai said and smiled at her father once more.

Together they entered Emily's room. Emily was on the phone, obviously talking to someone from the DAR. When she noticed her husband and daughter, she smiled at them.

"Yes Margret, the room number is 536. I am looking forward to seeing you and the girls," Emily said and then hung up.

"Busy as always I see," Richard joked. He walked up to Emily's bed and he and his wife shared a short kiss.

"Margret Livingston somehow found out about the accident and you know that the ladies from the DAR always visit members, who are lying in hospital," Emily explained and then focused her attention on the roses in Richard's arms.

"Are those for me?" she asked softly and couldn't tear her eyes away from the flowers. It must be forty or more, she mused.

"No, actually they are for the patient lying next door. A wonderful woman, you should meet her," Richard said and smiled at his wife.

"Oh you!" Emily replied with a soft chuckle, and then took the flowers out of his hands to take in their fresh scent.

"They are wonderful," she said softly and turned to her husband again.

"I am glad you think so, my dear. I'll go and ask the nurse for a vase," he said and smiled tenderly at his wife.

"Uhm Dad, make that two vases," Lorelai said from the back. Her father turned around again and smiled at her.

"Yes, of course. I'll be back in a minute," he said and walked out of the door. Lorelai watched him go before she walked over to her mother's bed and sat down next to it.

"I am afraid my flowers seem rather poor next to Dad's," she said with a smile and showed her mother the bunch of spring flowers.

"They are beautiful Lorelai," Emily said in all honesty and smiled at her only daughter.

"Did Luke drop you off?" she asked next.
"Uh no, I drove here by myself actually," Lorelai replied and couldn't keep the pride out of her voice.

"Lorelai! That was a foolish thing to do. You've only just been released from hospital," Emily exclaimed in a shocked voice.

"Mum, not you too! I am fine. I needed to do it, or else I might never have gotten behind the steering wheel again," Lorelai explained in a desperate voice. Emily studied her daughter for moment, before she sighed.

"Yes, I understand what you are talking about. It takes some time after a car accident till you enjoy driving a car again," Emily said and thought back to her first car accident that had ended in the total wreckage of her first own car. Miraculously she had escaped without so much as a scratch.

Richard entered again, carrying three vases.

"I am afraid we'll have to split up the roses. They don't have big enough vases here," he said and put the vases onto Emily's bedside table. He took the roses out of Emily's hands again and started to put them into the two vases. Lorelai had gotten up and put her flowers into the third vase. When they were done, they showed the result to Emily.

"Very good, you two," Emily praised them and couldn't help laughing.

"I don't think she appreciates our work very much," Lorelai whispered and bend to her father conspiratorially.

"Yes, but luckily enough she can't fire us," Richard whispered back and both broke into laughter.

"It's not nice to tease someone, who is in hospital," Emily said and tried to sound miffed.

"Of course not, my dear," Richard concurred and walked around her bed again to sit down next to her. Chivalrous he took her hand and placed a soft kiss on top of it.

"I am sure the producers of The Bold and the Beautiful would pay good money to be able to use such a scene," Lorelai said and grinned at her parents. Emily looked at her husband and together they shook their heads in defeat. Before either of the three was able to say anything else, there was a short knock on the door and a whole group of doctors entered.

Lorelai loved watching doctors when they did their round. There was the medical director walking in the front, looking determined and so very intelligent. He was followed by his assistants, who looked slightly less superior than their boss, and in the back there were the interns, who always looked as if they were desperately trying to memorize everything the medical director said.

"Well, how are we today?" The grey haired medical director asked, while studying his notes.

"I am fine, thanks for asking," Lorelai replied cheerfully, but was instantly met by a death glare from her mother.

"What? He asked how we were…," Lorelai defended herself and Emily knew that her daughter was enjoying herself. She simply raised her eyebrows, and ignored the grin that was beginning to spread on her daughter's face.

"I beg your pardon?" The doctor asked and turned to one of his assistants with a confused look on his face.

"Ignore her, Dr. Johanson," Emily explained quickly and smiled at the doctor. "I am fine."

"Well, well, I see the surgery went well, any problems?" the doctor was looking at Emily.

"No, it still hurts, but I think that's normal," Emily said and the doctor simply nodded.

"Any questions Mrs. Gilmore?" Dr. Johanson asked.

"I'd like to know when I'll be allowed to go home again," Emily said with a hopeful voice. She hated nothing more than hospitals.

"You suffered quite severe injuries during the accident, and it will take some time till the rib starts mending. You will have to get used to the idea of spending a good two weeks here, I am afraid," the doctor explained and smiled at Emily sympathetically.

Emily's face had fallen briefly upon hearing the doctor's words, but it took her only a second to regain her composure.

"It is very important that you start getting out of bed and walking. We don't want you to suffer from thrombosis as well. It is vital that you get up, even though it might hurt at first. I'll send you a nurse to show you how to get up the best way," Dr. Johanson told Emily and all Emily could do was nod.

"Well then, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call for a nurse. I'll come by to look after you in the afternoon," the medical director explained and flashed one last encouraging smile at Emily before he and his retinue left the room again.

Richard had watched Emily intently and now put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed her gently.

"Two weeks isn't a long time. Try to see it as a vacation. No dinners to plan, no functions to attend," Richard said and tried to sound cheerful.

"Yes, wonderful vacation," Emily snorted. Two weeks were a long time when all you were able to do was watching the plain white wall in front of you.

"I will come and visit you every day," Richard said and pressed a light kiss on the side of her head.

"Uh yeah, and Rory and I will stop by as often as we can. We can play funny games," Lorelai said and tried to support her father.

"Yes well, there's nothing I can do about it," Emily said and sighed heavily, but then she decided to get her act back together again. It wasn't fair to take her frustration out on her husband and her daughter, who were obviously trying very hard to make the whole situation easier for her.

"I guess a vacation could be nice," Emily said and smiled at her little family. "Lorelai, do you know how to play bridge?" she inquired next.

"No, but you could show me how to play," Lorelai said and couldn't quite believe that she had just agreed to spend even more time with her mother.

"You know," Richard suddenly said and both women turned to look at him, "if I had known that you were going to stay here for two weeks, I would have bought a single rose each day… and not fifty at once. This stay in hospital of yours is going to cost me a fortune!" he sighed dramatically, but smiled when Emily slapped his arm playfully.

There was a knock on the door and the three of them watched a young nurse entering.

"Good morning, Mrs. Gilmore. Dr. Johanson sends me to show you how to get out of bed," she said cheerfully.

"I think that's my cue for leaving," Lorelai said and got up. "I'll try to stop by tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," she told her mother, and squeezed her mother's hand before she turned to leave. "Goodbye Dad, call me when you need anything," Lorelai offered before she had reached the door and when her father nodded she stepped out.

"Do you want me to leave the room as well?" Richard asked carefully, but the look in Emily's eyes answered his question even before she did. He could see the fear in her eyes.

"Please stay," she pleaded, and Richard smiled at her encouragingly.

"Of course I'll stay," he said softly.

"Mr. Gilmore, I need you to move a little, because I have to stand there," the nurse instructed Richard and he quickly moved out of the nurse's way.

"Okay Mrs. Gilmore, I'll show you the best way to get out of bed, which makes the pain bearable. It is very important that you don't try to get up on your own. If your husband has watched a few times it will be alright for him to help you, but don't do it on your own. You could fall and hurt yourself.

It could be awkward and painful at first, but it will get better. You have to tell me when the pain gets too bad, and you also have to tell me when you start feeling faint," the nurse explained and smiled at Emily. Emily nodded to show the nurse that she had understood all the things the nurse had told her. She was nervous about getting up. She wasn't used to accepting help and she wasn't used to not being able to get up on her own.

"I need you to very carefully roll onto your side now, Mrs. Gilmore," the nurse instructed Emily and then helped her to accomplish the task. Emily turned with the outmost care, afraid of the possible pain that was to come. To her amazement rolling to the side wasn't a big problem, and she smiled at the nurse.

"Very good Mrs. Gilmore. Now try to swing your right leg over the edge of the bed," the nurse told Emily in a very calm voice.

Emily obeyed the nurse's order and tried to move her legs, but the movement caused a sudden pain in her chest that made her wince briefly. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt that humiliated. She wasn't even able to get up any more. She needed help with everything. When she looked up she saw Richard standing behind the nurse. He was smiling at her, but she could see the worry in his eyes. Taking all her strength she managed to swing both legs over the edge of the bed and together with the nurse's help she managed to sit up. It took her a moment to catch her breath, and the nurse waited patiently for Emily to be ready to get up.

"You're doing very well, Mrs. Gilmore. Standing might be hard for you at first, but don't worry, that happens to all the patients, who had a long surgery, no matter how old they are," the nurse explained and Emily couldn't help but feel grateful for the nurse's calm and friendly voice. When she was ready to try to get up she nodded at the nurse.

The nurse took Emily's left hand and put her other hand under Emily's left elbow and then started to carefully and slowly pull Emily up.

When Emily was finally standing, she felt sick to the bone. Her legs were shaking and she felt like fainting.

"Mr. Gilmore, would you like to support your wife?" the nurse asked and Richard instantly hurried to his wife's side.

"Here, take her elbow and her hand. Make sure you have a steady grip on her, in case she falls," the nurse instructed and then smiled at him. Richard followed her advice and did what she had told him.

Emily was glad when Richard took her arm, and she once again realized how safe she felt around him.

"Are you alright?" he asked and his concern for her showed clearly in his voice.

"I don't know," Emily replied in all honesty. Her circulation seemed to have stabilized, but she still felt weak.

"Mrs. Gilmore, you don't have to start running around immediately. A few steps will do for today. Maybe you'd like to look out of the window," the nurse suggested and Emily nodded.

Richard began leading her towards the window as slowly and carefully as he could and every few steps they stopped so that Emily was able to catch her breath.

When they reached the window, Emily was proud of herself. She still felt like fainting, but it was a step into the right direction. She tried her best to smile at Richard, and drew strength from the supportive look on his face.

"Do you want to lie back down?" Richard asked softly, and again Emily simply nodded. With Richard's and the nurse's help she lay down in her bed again.

"You did very well, Mrs. Gilmore, you can be proud of yourself. You should rest now. If you need anything, just press the button and I will come to help you," the nurse said and smiled at Emily and Richard one last time before she left the room again.

As soon as she was outside, Richard took Emily's hand in his and smiled at his wife.

"I am very proud of you Emily. Are you sure you are alright?" he studied her face intently. She looked even more tired and exhausted than before and she was extremely pale.

"Yes, I am. I love you, Richard," she said tenderly and smiled at her husband again. It was her way of saying thank you.

"You would do the same thing for me. Although it might prove difficult for you to catch me if I fell," Richard chuckled softly, but then realized that his wife had fallen asleep again. He put an errant strand of hair out of her face and was content to watch her sleep, like he had done numerous times during the last days.

The chapter was planned differently, but then I was so caught up in writing that I couldn't stop. I hope you liked it and if you did (you know the drill), leave a review…