I sat for what seemed like the longest time just staring at that single word, I still couldn't believe it. After awhile I couldn't hold it back any longer and I started to cry again, softly at first, but then it turned into full-fledged sobs. Lorelai reached over and pulled me into a hug, no words were needed, I knew she knew exactly what I was feeling.

Eventually the tears slowed and I pulled back, "Lorelai, how am I supposed to do this?"

She gave me a reassuring smile, "I don't know how to explain it, but it's all just gonna come to you." The look on my face clearly showed that I didn't believe her, "I know you probably don't believe me, I wouldn't have believed me either. Somehow I still managed to do it though, and you already have so much more than I did. You have a job, a place to live, a support system."

I rolled my eyes, "What support system?"

"Well me for one, Rory, Luke, we'll help out however we can, and what about Ty?"

I guess it was true, but I had a hard time believing it, no one had ever really cared before. Lorelai started speaking again, and it seemed she was trying to speak very carefully, "What about your parents Grace?"

It wasn't quite something I wanted to talk about or think about, but it wasn't like the answer was that complicated, "No. They won't want anything to do with us." Us. The thought struck me, It wasn't just me anymore, it was us.

"Are you sure? My parents were beyond furious, but they love Rory."

Tears came back to my eyes, I only wished it could be that way, "Lorelai, since I've been in Stars Hollow my parents haven't called once, my brother told them where I was, they could easily find me, but they haven't. And-" I stopped, this was the news that had hurt the worst, "About a week ago my grandparents were in town and they threw a huge family party, but they didn't even bother to tell me."

Lorelai tried again, "Are you sure they are just still upset? Maybe you should try talking to them."

"No!" I snapped back at her, "They aren't going to change their mind. James and Caroline only care about themselves and their perfect family. I was never part of the plan, they only needed their two kids, a boy and girl to complete their perfect family, then one day I came along and I ruined everything!" By this time I had gotten myself very worked up, I was now very angry and was crying so hard that I was shaking.

I could tell Lorelai was shocked by my response; she had never seen me yell before, especially not at her. She looked truly sorry at what I had to tell her, and she also must have realized it was time to stop and she tried to calm me down, "Oh honey, I'm sorry," she pulled me back into a hug, "We don't have to talk about this anymore, how about we go get something to eat?"

I took a deep breath and wiped away some tears, "Food sounds good."

We found a restaurant and Lorelai got us a table that was back out of the way, we sat down and ordered. We sat in silence, there was something I know I needed to ask, and something I'm sure Lorelai wanted to ask about. I decided to go ahead and speak up, "Lorelai?" I got her attention before I realized I had no clue what I needed to say, "I was wondering, um well, do I need to… or how do I… I mean I know he needs to know but-," she stopped me.

She placed a reassuring hand on my arm, "Hon, I know it'll be rough, but you need to. He deserves to know doesn't he?"

I nodded my head yes; "He's the only guy I've ever, well you know, been with." Lorelai didn't say anything, so I continued, "I met him this past summer in New York, he was working at my brother's company. We spent the whole summer together, all of our free time was spent together and I really think I loved him."

Lorelai asked gently, "So what happened."

I blinked back a few tears, "My parents showed up, some friends of theirs had seen me, 'Running around town with some dirty boy,' they had agreed to let me go there because they thought my brother could show me everything I was doing wrong with my life. Ty hadn't wanted me there for that reason though, he invited me there because he knew I needed the freedom, and he let me work at his company with no experience so I could earn money to get away from them. But somehow they found out and came to take me back, but before they could I snuck out to see Jake one last time and that's when it happened."

I paused for a moment, "We hadn't really planned on it, but we never thought we'd see each other again. Once I got back home my parents basically locked me in the house, I could only go places with them and I was never allowed to use the phone. I realize it probably sounds stupid, I mean I am 18 a legal adult, but I just couldn't do it at first. Finally one day they just pushed me over the edge and that's when I showed up here."

"Wow, and I thought my parents were bad," Lorelai just sat there for a moment, "So you haven't talked to Jake since you left New York?"

I shook my head, "Nope, I always wanted to and I tried a couple of times but they always stopped me." I sighed, "I miss him, and I do want him to be around, I'm just afraid that he won't want to be around."

Lorelai gave me a sympathetic look, "Well you won't know unless you try."

She was right, I did need to at least try, and I would, but not until after dinner, I needed to get my mind off of it for now. We spent the rest of the time talking about other things, happier things, and then we headed home.

Lorelai dropped me off at my apartment and made me promise that I would call if I needed anything, I agreed and headed upstairs.

I sat down on the couch, pulled out my phone, and dialed the number that I had long ago memorized but never had gotten to use.

After a couple rings he picked up, "Hello?" I couldn't believe that I was actually hearing his voice, tears came to my eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that night.

"Jake? Hi, it's Grace."

There was silence on the other end. "Grace?"

"Yep, it's me," I nervously laughed, "So it's been awhile."

"Uh yeah, it has. So where have you been Grace, what happened?"

I cringed, he did not sound happy, "I'm sorry Jake, I-I tried to call sooner, but my parents wouldn't let me, but I finally got away and I'm living on my own in Stars Hollow."

"Why didn't you come back to New York?"

"I wanted to, but I needed to get myself on my feet first, and I really like it here."

More silence, I held my breath, I didn't want him to be angry, "I miss you Grace, I want to see you."

I breathed a sigh of relief, he didn't sound angry, just concerned, "I miss you too, and I have something I need to tell you."

"Ok, go ahead."

I wanted to but I stopped myself, "Not like this, I need to tell you in person."

"Ok, well what are you doing tomorrow?

"Absolutely nothing, it's my day off."

"How about I come down tomorrow and see your place and we can talk then."

"Really?"

"Of course, I'll call tomorrow morning to get directions"

I smiled, "See you tomorrow."

I was so excited that I immediately started cleaning my apartment, I really wanted to tell someone, but who? Lorelai dropped me off a long time ago, except… The diner was open when she dropped me off and Luke was down there. I started heading down the stairs, if I knew Lorelai she was sitting at the counter with her coffee talking to Luke. I turned the corner, saw her, and gave her a big smile. "He's coming!"

She gave me an even bigger smile back, "Wow! When?"

I realized I was standing behind the counter and Luke was giving me, "The Look." I quickly ran to sit beside Lorelai, "Tomorrow sometime, he's coming to see everything and to talk."

"To talk?" Lorelai gave me a questioning look.

I lowered my voice to just above a whisper, "Yeah, I just couldn't tell him over the phone."

Luke looked over at us and Lorelai answered me in the same hushed tone, "I understand, but you're telling him for sure tomorrow?"

"Yep." I raised my voice back to a normal level, "Don't worry Luke, it's safe to come back over now."

Luke pretended he didn't know he wasn't wanted, "Do you want anything to eat, pie or something?"

My stomach turned, "No, no pie or food, I'm fine. In fact I'm going back up now, I've got some stuff to get done. Bye Luke, bye Lorelai and thanks again."

Lorelai smiled and waved, "Anytime hun, let me know how everything goes tomorrow." I said I would and I ran up the stairs.

Luke turned to Lorelai, "So what was that all about?"

"Oh just some girl talk."

Luke gave her a look that clearly said he didn't believe her.

"You know I'd tell you if I could Luke, but I can't, I promise you'll find out soon enough. For now though things need to be kept quiet."

"I know you will, just don't make me have to find out from Babette or Miss Patty."

"I promise you'll know before them, now how about some more coffee?" The ever-present coffee bickering followed until like always, Luke gave in.

A/N: I've really got nothing to say, except as always, thanks for reading! And please review and let me know what you think!