Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or anything else.

It was a week before Christmas so Lorelai and Rory were decorating the front of the potting shed while six month old Zoe was having her afternoon nap. Lorelai was feeling nervous because they would be driving out to Hartford to her parents Christmas party. Her parents hadn't seen Rory since last Christmas and have never even met Zoe yet.

"What did we get grandma and grandpa for Christmas?" Rory asked.

"Well, I was thinking the gift could be us not going and there being no arguments." Lorelai said now.

"Mum, we have to go," Rory's eyes widened. "You promised grandma. And you love the apple tarts. And they've never even met Zoe and she is really cute, they'll love her."

"I know they will," Lorelai said quietly. "I just know that grandma is already composing a list of things to crisitise me about tonight. Especially now that the divorce is final."

"I'll be the middle man," Rory said confidently. "Grandma and Grandpa love me."

"I know they do," Lorelai grabbed Rory's hand. "How did I get so lucky to have you?"

"I don't know," Rory shrugged. "Pass me the christmas lights."

Lorelai, Rory and a fussy Zoe arrived at the Gilmore house and were greeted by the maid. Rory was holding the present and Lorelai had Zoe.

"Lorelai?" Emily smiled politely. "Rory, hello. And that must me the baby."

"Zoe," Rory smiled. "She is six months old."

"Well, I have to go up to my room and settle her unless you want a screaming baby all night," Lorelai broke the silence taking the baby upstairs.

Lorelai changed Zoe and was nursing her when Emily came into the room and she quickly tried to cover herself.

"Mum," Lorelai whispered. "You scared me."

"Sorry," Emily said quietly. "Dinner will be ready soon and I want you to say hello to the guests."

"Okay," Lorelai said quietly as she lay Zoe down. "I think she should be okay."

"She looks like you," Emily commented. "But I have no idea where she got the red hair."

"It's a recessive gene," Lorelai responded. "It might almost change colours, she is just a baby."

"Oh one last thing," Emily said as Lorelai pulled the door about three quarters shut to let Zoe sleep. "If you could just tell everyone downstairs that Christopher is away on business."

"We're divorced." Lorelai looked at her.

"I know," Emily rolled her eyes. "They don't need to know that though."

"Why?" Lorelai stopped in her tracks. "What is so bad about being divorced?"

"Lorelai, I don't want to get into it." Emily said quickly.

"Excellent." Lorelai muttered under her breath.

Everyone was sitting around the dinner table when the topic of Christopher came up and Emily quickly diverted it. Lorelai who was nursing and was on her second drink of the night (and of the last year and a half) decided to tell the table that he was in fact living in California and they hadn't been together in over a year now.

"I am sorry," Lorelai followed Emily into the kitchen. "Mum, I am sorry. I shouldn't have had that second glass of wine."

"Everyone doesn't need to know that you ruined your life Lorelai," Emily snapped. "You took those girls away from their father. A child needs a mother and a father."

"Are you kidding me?" Lorelai responded. "I was miserable in that marriage. I am twenty four, I couldn't spend the next fifty years unhappy. I am happier than I have ever been now and believe it or not, mine and Christopher's relationship is much better now that we are just friends."

"You took those girls and moved as far away from us as you could. You are incredibly selfish Lorelai." Emily said now.

"Forget it," Lorelai was now teary. "You don't listen to me."

Lorelai walked out of the room and Rory could see that she was upset and followed her upstairs. A few minutes later they had left and were driving back to Stars Hollow in silence.

"That went-" Rory began.

"Horribly," Lorelai said quietly. "She doesn't listen. I try to talk to her and tell her how I feel but all she hears is the litany of crisitisms piling up. About how I'm a bad mother and was a terrible wife and that you and Zoe are going to be so messed up because of me."

"We didn't really eat dinner, how about we stop on the way home and get some burgers?" Rory smiled.

"You read my mind." Lorelai said as they turned the corner.

A/N: Thank you for the lovely reviews. Again, let me know what you think etc.