Lorelai and Rory had both had an emotional week and past few months. Because of this, it had become their habit to visit Richard's grave every Friday night. It was their new Friday tradition. Their bellies had gotten big so they started bringing folding chairs because kneeling and sitting was just too difficult. They'd sit and talk to each other and to Richard as though he were there. Topics were anything from the latest fashion in People Magazine to the ins and outs of their pregnancies and lives. Lorelai didn't fear his judgment so she was more open with him than she had been even while he was alive.
On this particular night, it really felt like he was with them. "I really miss you, dad. If you were here, I know you'd be so proud of the lives we've built. We've stumbled and had such a tough year with you gone. We lost our footing, but we survived. We have that Gilmore determination- even though I'm a Danes now. I wish I hadn't waited so you could walk me down the aisle to my Luke wedding, so you could meet your grandchildren." Lorelai was in tears. She just really missed him today more than ever.
"Mom, do you really think grandpa would be proud of me right now?" Rory asked rubbing her stomach.
"Oh, kid. Your grandfather loved you so much that he was incapable of being anything but proud. I don't think I told you this, but a few years ago, Luke made me sort through the attic again. I came across a box of your terrible drawings that I loathed pretending were any good at all. There was this one from when you were about 5 or 6 when we had started going to the annual Christmas party. You'd traced your hand a few times (even your tracing was wobbly), and tried to make reindeer. It was some class project and your coloring was atrocious. Your reindeer weren't even brown; they were green and purple because those were your favorite colors at the time. There was a ton of glitter. On the bottom, it said "To Granma and Grampa, Lov Rory" in your best brick letter penmanship despite all the misspelling. I didn't give it to them because I didn't think they'd care or even pretend to like it in front of you and I didn't want you to be hurt. I decided when I came across it in the attic that I'd give it to him then. Rory, he was beaming. I swear I thought he might cry when he thanked me and put it in his desk in his study. I caught him looking at it once when I dropped in to ask him an insurance question. He said it just brightened his day to see it. Long story short, this baby is more than some scribble and he would be immensely proud of who you are Rory Gilmore."
Rory was in tears and Lorelai reached over and grabbed her hand. "I miss him so much."
"Me too." They sat in silence for a little while and then, "Oh my God, a kick!" Lorelai exclaimed.
"They're kicking?"
"No, just your brother! I've only felt flutters until now. But he's on this side and he's kicking. William Richard is kicking. Here, feel it." Lorelai guided her daughters hand to her stomach and their tears and silence were replaced with laughter.
They'd already felt the kicks of the next Lorelai many times, but this was a special moment. It's as if the original Richard told the next Richard to kick as a sign he was there. "Thank you, dad."