Disclaimer: This is an original story based upon the characters of Gilmore Girls. No profit will be made from this story and no copyright infringement.

Author's Note: Just when I thought life couldn't get any crazier, suddenly it did. Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I vowed I was going to sit down and write today. So, here I am with lap top on my lap, a cute little dog by my feet and Gilmore Girls on the TV. I hope you enjoy this next installment!

"Well, my goodness this is charming," Emily said as she came to the front door that was now a gaping hole.

"Mom?"

"Are you alright?" Emily asked as she made her way past the door. "What on earth happened?"

"Kirk," Lorelai said slowly, enunciating the name with anger.

"Enough said," Emily said, shaking her head. "How are you feeling?"

"My leg hurts and I had to pee a lake awhile ago."

"Lorelai," Emily whined, "Can you be decent for just five minutes?"

"Sorry, my decency left me somewhere between my Mrs. Kim's sawdust soup and Babette's announcement to the entire world that Niagra Falls came out of my bladder." Lorelai said, putting her head against her pillow.

"Why you chose this town of lunatics over your own home is..."

"Mom," Lorelai said loudly, "Did you come over here to help or did you come here to lay guilt trips on me?"

"Fine, fine," Emily said putting down her handbag. "Have you eaten?"

"That depends."

"On what?"

"Whether or not you're going to fix mashed bananas on toast," Lorelai said sticking out her tongue.

"Heaven's no, that's revoulting," Emily retorted.

"Then I am starving."

"Do you have any soup?"

"No, not exactly," Lorelai smiled sheepishly

"Well what do you have?"

"Um...one box of macaroni and cheese and I'm not sure of the expiration date," Lorelai replied.

"You're kidding,"

"No," and then she smiled, "You've never made macaroni and cheese have you?"

"I have...too," Emily said, "It's barbaric, but I've made it,"

"Okay Mom, macaroni and cheese sounds great thank you," she said and smiled at the glimmer of delight that came into her mother's features. "Call if you need help," Lorelai said as her mother disappeared into the kitchen.

Emily found the lone box of macaroni and cheese and a pan in the bottom of the cupboard. She took out a handkercheif and wiped it out. She read the directions on the package, poured the macaroni into the pot of water. She shook her head as she watched the macaroni bubble. She was used to full course meals, duck, liver, chicken cordon bleu, and here she was in her daughter's kitchen fixing macaroni and cheese. Suddenly she felt sad, she and her daughter were two completely different breeds of people. That would never change. She found a little milk in the refrigerator and some butter and added those in. She opened up the cheese powder and wrinkled her nose.

"So let me get this straight," she called to her daughter in the living room, "I'm supposed to pour the orange chalkdust into the noodles, is that right?"

"Yes mother," came the reply with a giggle.

"This is revolting," she called back.

"Hurry, I'm starved," Lorelai called.

"Okay, orange goo on it's way," she said as she carried the bowl into the kitchen with a spoon and a napkin. She sat down and tucked the napkin into her daughter's shirt.

"Open up," she said and got a spoonful of the noodles.

"Mom, I can feed myself," she whined.

"Shh, just lie back," she said and put the spoonful in her mouth.

Lorelai swallowed and shook her head, "You just want me in a place where I'm helpless so you can grill me."

"Just eat this disgusting goo and be quiet," she said and they just sat silently as the mother fed her daughter. Emily felt a heavy lump down in her throat, remembering back to feeding her baby, feeling again that feeling of importance knowing that somebody depended on her, needed her. Lorelai was about to protest but then saw the look in her mother's eyes and so she relaxed. It actually felt good to be taken care of, just to sit there quietly and feel like a little girl. Emily smiled gently at her daughter and then suddenly, like the memory of a nightmare, the old fear ceased her again and the thought of losing her child again made her feel like she was suffocating. She put the bowl down and turned towards her daughter.

"Why didn't you tell me about Luke?" she asked

"What?" Lorelai said in suprise, "Where did that come from?"

"Why didn't you tell me? So, did you dump your husband for him?"

"Excuse me?" Lorelai retorted, "I just hadn't had the chance, I was going to tell you about it at Friday night dinner and I didn't dump Christopher for Luke, I was devastated that my..."

"I mean really Lorelai," Emily interrupted, "You've been keeping these two men on a string for years and you really need to make your choice. How long will you be with Luke before you go back to Christopher?"

Her daughter stared at her, horrified, "I can't believe you just said that. You have no idea what I've been through over the past year."

"You're right, because you never tell me anything!"

"Why would I tell you anything? You're mean and you throw everything back in my face!"

"Fine, fine that's just fine," she said grabbing her purse, "I'll just go home."

"Fine, I can take care of myself. I always have!" Lorelai yelled as Emily made her way out the door. "What is wrong with her?" Lorelai thought. She picked up the bowl and threw it against the wall.

A few minutes past and then she heard the sound of high heels clicking on the sidewalk. "Oh for heaven's sake I'm sorry," came the voice from outside.

"I suppose you'd call that an apology?" Lorelai snorted.

"Well it's the only one you'll get," Emily replied sarcastically. She took a few steps into the house and peered around the corner. "So do you want me to say or not?"

Lorelai paused and then nodded, "Yes, but you have to make that little spat up to me," she said smiling.

"Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to hate this?" Emily asked as she walked over to the couch.

"Bop it...twist it...twist it...pull it..." the crazy machine called out at her as Emily tried to follow it's commands.

"Come on Mom! Come on!" Lorelai laughed hysterically.

"Will you be quiet!" Emily snapped, "You're making me lose my concentration and for the last time put that cellphone away."

"Sorry Mom, Rory's got to see this," Lorelai laughed.

Emily shot her a look and as she missed a "bop it" the machine wailed at her. "If one of those pictures leaves this house Missy, I tell your father what happened to his armani suit."

"Mom, I was ten years old!"

"Dear, your father takes Armani very seriously, " Emily said and then smiled. They broke into giggles.

"Mom, that hurts," Lorelai winced.

"Sorry," she giggled. "So, what other humiliation are you going to subject me to now?"

"Want to watch television?"

"What...that disgusting show where they eat worms and things?" Emily retorted.

"I was actually thinking 'I love Lucy,'" Lorelai replied with a smile.

Emily was startled, "I..I love that show."

"Me too, I have the whole series on dvd, just open that cupboard," Lorelai said pointing to the cabinet.

Emily turned so Lorelai wouldn't see how widely she was smiling. Maybe, just maybe...they weren't so different after all.

"Mom?" Lorelai said and Emily turned to her, "Yes?" she responded.

"I really was going to tell you at dinner," she said.

Emily nodded and then sat down next to her.

"I'm glad you're here," Lorelai said softly. The smile she gave was so sweet, so genuine, that Emily's voice caught in her throat and she remembered how close she had come to losing her child. She reached and tenderly tugged a piece of her hair. "Ditto," she replied.

They watched four episodes of "I Love Lucy," and then Emily had to leave. They made plans for her to come the next day and as Emily drove home, she was in the clouds. Richard was asleep by the time she got back and as she got into bed and thought about the day tomorrow she smiled with delight. Maybe she didn't have to be afraid anymore. Maybe this time would be different and her daughter would stay with her. Suddenly she felt Richard's arm around her and she leaned into his embrace. She looked at him and saw him smiling at her. Lifting her chin a little, he kissed her and she felt loved completely and fully. He seperated the kiss and brushed his hand down her cheek,

"Are you happy Mommy?" he whispered.

She cupped her hand over his, "Oh so happy."