Here is it – the final chapter. I just want to thank everyone who has read the story and enjoyed it. Whether you commented or not, I thank you for spending your time on me and my story. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much I as I enjoyed writing it. This is an idea that I wanted to see on the show when Richard had his second heart attack and so I decided to write it myself.

Finally, I want to express my eternal gratitude to Cira (SheilaBryant) for all of her fantastic advice and her many suggestions. She is a dream beta, always finding a way to make the story even better. I don't know how I would have done this story without her. I truly cannot thank her enough!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

It was now two days since Emily had woken up. She was in her hospital room talking with the orthopedic surgeon. Richard and Lorelai were waiting outside.

"Hey Dad …"

"Yes, Lorelai?" He looked over at his daughter.

"Would you change anything?" Lorelai asked. "About the past...?" She leaned her shoulder against the wall, facing her father.

Richard shook his head, a bit surprised by his daughter's forward question. This was still unfamiliar for them and their tense relationship. "No, I don't think I would. We all made a lot of mistakes, but I think that we have learned from them. I knew when I married your mother that my life would never be dull or boring. It may be cliché to say this, but I can't imagine a life that doesn't include you and your mother. And Rory, of course." He smiled. "It's all because of her that we're here today. She brought us all together again."

Lorelai nodded. "She's a great kid."

"Yes, she is," Richard agreed. "She's brought so much joy into your mother's and my life."

"You guys missed out on a lot," Lorelai sighed, looking down at her shoes.

"We did, but we were there for the most important moments. And we'll be there for the rest of our lives. That's what matters."

"How can you be so accepting of this, Dad?" She looked back up at him.

"It's all in the past, Lorelai. I realized one day that I've spent twenty years being upset about the life that you lost. Yet why should I be?" he asked. "You raised a fine young woman. You didn't go to an Ivy League school or become a judge or a doctor, but you did pretty good for yourself. You put yourself through college and you own a successful business. I've come to realize that I have no reason to be unhappy for you, Lorelai. Nor do I have any reason to mourn the life that you lost. You have a very good life that you have created all by yourself."

"I had a good life," she sighed, "until I screwed it up." She shook her head. "I wanted it to work with Chris. I really did."

"I know you did, Lorelai," he responded.

"I really thought we could make it work. We have so much history between us. It was always so easy in the past. No matter how much time had passed by we were always so compatible. It should have worked this time."

Richard watched her as she spoke, calculating his own response in his head. "It worked between you and Chris until you fell in love with someone else. I've never been that crazy about the idea of you and Luke. Yet he seems to be a decent man. He loves you and he loves Rory. I married a woman that my mother didn't like. She was absolutely certain that Emily was not the woman for me. Yet my parents were wrong about her and I am so grateful that I didn't listen to them. I suppose that I can't fault you for doing the same thing that I did."

"But Luke and I aren't getting married, Dad. It isn't like you and Mom. You didn't screw things up like I did."

"If you love this man, Lorelai, then don't give up without a fight."

Lorelai was about to respond when they were interrupted.

"Richard," Joshua called, opening the door to Emily's room. "Dr. Cahn is finishing up with Emily." He stepped outside the room.

"What did he have to say?" Richard asked. They had taken numerous x-rays of her arm and ankle earlier that day.

"He was able to realign some bones in her wrist. I'm surprised you didn't hear her screaming out here. I think she used curse words that I've never even heard before." Richard laughed. His wife was quite adept at expressing when she was in pain. "Her ankle seems to be healing, too. He walked around the room with her for a few minutes. She can hold up her weight and put pressure on the other leg to support herself. It is good that you got her out of bed last night and earlier this morning to build her strength. I think she'll be just fine by the time Rory graduates."

"That's great," Lorelai smiled. "Can she go home soon?"

Joshua nodded. "I think probably tomorrow."

"Wonderful!" Richard smiled. He had finally slept at home last night, but the house had felt too empty and quiet. He was looking forward to having his wife back. He just couldn't sleep well without her there. He had spent many sleepless nights out in the pool house during their separation. It wasn't until the night of their reunion that he finally got a decent night's sleep, though they didn't really sleep very much that night.

Dr. Cahn stepped out of the room. "You were right about her, Joshua. She's quite a woman," he agreed.

Joshua smiled. "I told you that she wouldn't be an easy patient."

"I don't think anyone has ever actually called me those names before," he laughed. "Not even when I was a doctor in the army and had to amputate with only local anesthesia."

"I think we missed out on the good stuff," Lorelai complained, "stuck out here in the hallway. We didn't hear anything."

"What are you all talking about out there?" Emily called after them. They all turned around to look at her.

"We're coming, dear." Richard shook Joshua's hand and then Dr. Cahn's, thanking him for coming by to see Emily on such short notice.

"Dad, why don't I go by the house and get a few things for Mom? I'm sure she'll want something to wear when she goes home. I've got a few errands to run, anyway."

"Of course, Lorelai." He looked down at his daughter's face. He could tell that she had a lot on her mind. This openness was new for them. And it still felt a bit awkward. "Thank you for everything you've done these past few days."

Lorelai smiled. "She's my mother. Where else would I be?"

"Richard … are you going to stand out there all afternoon?" Emily complained. He chuckled and watched for a second as his daughter walked off before going back into Emily's room. "Where is Lorelai?" she asked.

"She left to go by the house. I hear that you are going home tomorrow." Emily nodded. "I also hear that you were not the perfect patient for Dr. Cahn."

"The man grabbed my arm and jerked it like he was trying to pull it out of the socket. You can't just grab someone without warning. I don't think I've ever felt so much pain in my life."

"He did do his job, didn't he? Apparently you don't need surgery."

Emily huffed. "He could have at least warned me first." Richard bent down and kissed her on the forehead. "What was that for?" she asked.

"No reason. I just wanted to kiss my wife." He took his usual seat in the chair next to her bed.

"You and Lorelai looked like you were having a very serious conversation out there," she commented.

Richard nodded. "I think we're starting to understand each other. We're more alike than either of us ever realized."

"You've always been so alike in many ways. Sometimes I felt like an outsider with the two of you. You're both so intelligent and self-sufficient." Emily looked over at her husband. "I'm glad that I didn't ruin your chance to have a relationship with Lorelai and Rory."

"You've never ruined anything for me, Emily." He took her hand in his own, kissing it.

"I think we're going to be OK," she stated, "Lorelai and I. I don't remember too much about the time that I spent lying in your study. But I realized something." Emily looked up, into her husband's eyes. "I have so many memories of you and I and our life together. Enough to fill a lifetime with no regrets. Yet I don't have enough with Lorelai. It just feels like there is so much left between us. I don't want to lose her now that Rory is grown and we don't have a reason to see Lorelai anymore. I don't want to go back to only seeing her on major holidays and special occasions."

Richard squeezed her hand. "You'll find a way to stay in their lives," he reassured her. "And they'll find a way to stay in ours."

Lorelai walked into the diner. The place was empty as it was just between lunch and dinner. Luke looked surprised to see her.

"Lorelai …"

Lorelai held up her hand. "Don't say anything." She took a deep breath. "I just … I just want to say I'm sorry. I pushed you too far and then I didn't give you a chance to think. I know that I ruined everything and that you may never be able to forgive me for sleeping with Chris, but I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry." She looked away for a second, focusing on the counter. "Seeing my father worrying about my mother these past few days and talking about how much she means to him has shown me that you only get that kind of love once. I used to think that Chris was that guy. He always seemed to be around. But I had no clue what was right in front of me. Chris wasn't the one who was always there for me. Chris wasn't the one who acted like a father to my kid. He wasn't there when Rory got the chicken pox. He wasn't there when my house needed repairs. He wasn't there when I needed someone. You were, Luke. You were always there for me. I had no idea that the man of my dreams was here all along and pouring my coffee every morning. Maybe it is too late for us, but you're the one, Luke. Whether or not you can ever forgive me or even think of taking me back, you're the one. That's never going to change. I don't know how to not have you in my life. Even if there is never anything more than friendship between us again, I will always love you, Luke." She looked up at him. He was staring at her with a blank expression. "I… I just wanted to say that." He didn't respond to her and after a few seconds of silence she took a deep breath and turned to leave.

"Do you want a cup of coffee?" he asked, setting a mug on the counter.

Lorelai turned around slowly to look at him. "That would be nice," she smiled.

"When are the girls coming over?" Emily asked as Richard helped her up the stairs.

"Tomorrow evening when you are feeling better," he reminded her. She had already asked this question twice since they left the hospital. His hand rested on her back as she grasped the railing with her good hand. She was moving slow, but at least she was moving and basically on her own. Her ankle wasn't as bad as they had originally thought and the doctors presumed she would be walking without a limp in just a few weeks.

"I feel fine now, Richard. They could have come today."

"I think once you get upstairs you are going to find that you are quite tired, my dear," he argued. They finally reached the top of the stairs and Emily let out a sigh. It was much easier to walk on a flat surface.

It almost felt strange to enter their bedroom. It definitely felt like she had been gone longer than a week. Everything was the same, but she had somehow expected it to be different. It somehow felt different.

Richard guided her to the bed and sat her down. Emily lifted her legs onto the bed and stretched them out before her. She smiled as Richard sat down next to her.

"I think you're right," she admitted, laying her head back against one of the plush pillows. "I am tired."

"You must be," Richard chuckled lowly, "you don't usually admit I'm right so quickly."

"Don't expect it to last," she grinned, closing her eyes, her hand patting his knee absently.

"Why don't I help you change into something more comfortable?" Richard suggested.

"I'm too tired," she mumbled, her eyes still closed.

"At least let me help you take off your sweater. You're going to get hot up here."

Emily moaned, but Richard pulled her up, allowing her to lean against him. He slid the sling from around her neck and freed her arm. He then carefully extracted her from the sweater. She was barely awake as he put her arm back into the sling.

"Thank you," she mumbled as Richard placed her against the pillows.

He kissed her forehead and was about to stand up when she reached out to take his arm. "Stay with me," she asked, opening her eyes to look at him.

He smiled as she moved over, allowing him to lie down next to her. Richard slid his arms around her and she rested her head against his chest. Emily couldn't explain it, not even to herself. But she didn't want to be alone. She didn't want to go to sleep knowing that she might be alone when she woke up. For some reason she was afraid of going to sleep alone.

Richard looked down at his wife in his arms. He could see the very faint grey roots of her hair. It was something that only he saw. No one in the outside world ever saw his wife at less than perfect. She allowed no one except him to see her like that. He was the one that she had chosen. With him, she would let down her guard and admit that sometimes she needed someone else to take care of her and sometimes she wasn't always as perfect or strong as she pretended to be.

His wife was lying in his arms, but she wasn't really there. She was gone. The woman that he had fallen in love with and that he had lived with for nearly twenty years now was gone. She was broken and he didn't know what to do to help her. He had thought that she would be better in a few days. Lorelai would return and they would get through their problems. Yet Lorelai didn't return and three weeks later it seemed as if she wasn't coming back. Rory was gone. All traces of her and Lorelai had been erased. The only reminder left was the room that Lorelai and Rory had once occupied.

She was lying in his arms, but she wasn't there.

Resting his head against Emily's, he drifted off to sleep.

Emily opened her eyes. It took her a second to realize where she was. She had to blink a few times to convince herself that it was real. She was at home. And she was in bed. Feeling Richard's arm draped across her made her smile.

It wasn't easy to move out of his embrace without waking him up, yet she had learned how to do so after forty years of sleeping together. Emily took a deep breath, pushing herself up from the side of the bed. She wasn't tired anymore, just sore. She managed to make it to the door. Yet it was harder to get down the stairs by herself. She had to take each step individually and shift her weight to the stronger side of her body. Any other time she would have yelled at someone for putting their hands all over the walls, but it helped her to support herself as she made her way down to Richard's study. For some reason she couldn't stop herself from going in there. She wanted to see the room. Stopping in the hallway, she took a deep breath before continuing.

Emily reached out, the doorknob in her hand. She turned it slowly and pushed the door open. The room was dark, only lit by the bright moonlight that was coming in from the window. As she stood in the doorway, she forced herself to go inside. It wasn't a bad room. It didn't hold any bad memories. She could have fallen in any room in the house. It just happened to be this room. Finally, she reached for the light switch and illuminated the room in bright white light.

Spotting something lying on the floor she slowly crossed over to Richard's desk. It was her book. Mrs. Dalloway. It was still lying there on the floor. Emily slowly bent down to pick it up. Bending down was a bit painful, but she grasped the book and stood up straight again. If she stood really tall it almost felt like a strain on her muscles and it helped to block out the soreness. Opening the book, she flipped through the pages.

"What are you doing in here?" Richard asked, pushing the door open to see his wife standing at his desk, a book in her hands.

Emily was startled by the sound of her husband's voice. Her head snapped up as she looked towards the doorway. The book fell from her hands and she looked down as it tumbled to the floor. "I woke up and found myself coming down here," she explained, looking at Richard once again. Her heart was still beating faster than usual after being startled by her husband.

"You should have woken me up," he stated, walking towards her.

Emily shrugged, "I wanted to let you sleep. Apparently you've spent a week sleeping in a chair."

"You should have woken me. You could have hurt yourself coming down here," he scolded, standing in front of her.

"I'm not a child, Richard."

He stepped closer to her. "You just act like one sometimes, thinking you are invincible."

"If I were invincible, then I wouldn't have this," she lifted her arm slightly to show off her sling, her eyes darker than usual.

"If you weren't stubborn and impatient, then you wouldn't have scared your husband by spending a week in the hospital." He stood in front of her, looking down at her as he brushed his fingers across her cheek.

"Yes, but my husband wouldn't have realized how much he loves me and how much he would miss me, if I hadn't."

Richard lowered his head, unable to look at her.

"I'm sorry," Emily sighed. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No," he stated, looking back at her again. "You're right."

"I didn't mean it that way, Richard. I know you love me. You've always shown me how much you love me," she smiled.

Richard sighed, looking into her eyes. "I've been a fool, Emily."

She shook her head, but he wouldn't let her speak. "Let me finish," he spoke softly. Emily nodded slightly.

He took a step closer to her, running his hand down her arm, pausing for a moment before he continued. "You've always been here. Every time that I've ever needed anything, you've always done it without hesitation or without asking any questions. You've done what I wanted without complaining and even when it wasn't what you wanted to do. You put up with my mother looking down on you and criticizing you." Emily exhaled, looking away from him. "I spent so many years putting work and everything else ahead of you," he reached out his hand to cup the side of her face, forcing her to look at him again. "And now that it's the time in our lives when I can retire and spend more time with you, I'm working again and only thinking about myself and what makes me happy."

"Richard," she interrupted him. "I don't regret anything about our life together. And you shouldn't either."

He looked down at her, a smile spreading across his face. "I don't regret a single moment," he stated, bending his head down to kiss her gently.

"Let's just go to bed," Emily suggested as Richard slid his arm around her.

Exiting the study, he closed the door behind them. Emily laughed as Richard lifted her into his arms, ignoring her protests that he put her down.