Lorelai's cellphone rings as she is driving, so she answers it immediately.

" Hello? "

Lorelai answers.

" Lorelai, it's Lane. Um, Rory is upset. I walked her...well actually...she ran, and I chased her back home from the party. All I know is,

Tristian, a classmate, kissed her. I don't know for sure, but I think maybe she's crying over Dean. "

Lane quickly explains.

" Oh God...okay, thank you. I'm on my way home now. Is Rory alone at home? "

Lorelai asks worried.

" Yes. She made me leave. I didn't want to, but she screamed at me. I just went home. "

Lane replies.

" I understand. Thank you for making sure she got home. I'll have her call you tomorrow sometime. "

Lorelai says.

" Okay, bye Lorelai. "

Lane says and ends the phone call.


Lorelai pulls into the driveway and runs inside. There she finds her daughter crying in the hallway by her bedroom upstairs.

She quickly bends down to Rory.

" Hey, honey. Mommy's here. I'm going to carry you to bed. Shhh...it's okay. "

Lorelai soothes.

Rory can't talk for bawling as Lorelai carries to her bedroom and lays her down, getting in beside her.

Lorelai lays down and pulls Rory on top of her.

" Shhh...Shhh...baby...I know...I know. Mommy's here. It's okay to cry, honey. It's okay to admit you're hurting. Cry all you need to.

I'm not going anywhere, just let it all out. "

Lorelai comforts her daughter, feeling herself choke up.

" He deserved better! Dean...he said he loves me...and I...just sat there ! "

Rory cries out.

Lorelai swallows hard. Damn it. This isn't just a crush.

" Do you love him, Rory ? "

Lorelai asks.

" Yes ! I...I just froze ! He...he caught me...off guard ! I was hoping...that one day...he would...but I didn't think it would...be now !

Dean must hate me ! He should ! "

Rory replies, crying hard.

Lorelai shakes her head and holds Rory tighter.

" No...no. Listen to mommy, Rory. He's hurt and confused like you. He was disappointed. People don't just turn off feelings like love.

If he loved you two days ago, he loves you now. If you love him kid, you need to tell him tomorrow. He won't stay single for long if you stay silent.

Say it and mean, Rory. Love is worth it. "

Lorelai tells Rory.

" I can't lose him ! It's Dean and he is the only one...that I want ! Right now...I just need you, mommy because I messed up bad ! "

Rory cries out.

Lorelai sits up, pulling Rory up with her and pulling her daughter into her lap. Lorelai begins rocking the teenager who is bawling again.

" Shhh...it'll be okay honey. Shhh...mommy's here. You're going to make mistakes and sometimes they are going to hurt. I can't stop that

but I'm here when you do. Come on...it's okay...just breathe. Tomorrow is a new day, honey. "

Lorelai tries to soothe Rory, who only continues crying.

They stay that way until midnight and they both fall asleep.