THURSDAY

It had been a week since Rory's graduation.

The multiple activities generated by the couple's announced engagement (so called celebrations) had finally come to an end. They had now visited and announced the news to the Huntzbergers, attended a quickly and thoroughly organized engagement party at the Gilmores and found themselves at the center of the a combined engagement celebration slash reenactment of Rory's graduation held in Stars Hollow. Last night the couple had been the victims of a surprise-engagement-party thrown by their old friends from Yale.

As of now, Rory lay in bed and quickly came to realized that she had an undeniable and proper headache coming on. She closed her eyes, found the warm body next to her and nestled herself close; determined to go back to sleep.

Logan was already up when she woke for the second time.

He was flying back to California today, and was therefore currently busy packing. It wasn't much to pack. Mostly clothes, actually, as the rest of their things were already waiting for them in Palo Alto. Rory sat herself up in the bed and watched him move around in the suite. She sighed, remembering that they wouldn't see each other for at least a week now - and felt a bit strange and empty.

Rory had decided to stay on the east coast a bit longer, as she wanted time to properly say goodbye to her family and friends. Her ticket was booked, and her leaving was inevitable. At that thought, she felt her heart ache. The thought was interrupted by Logan's smiling face, suddenly next to hers, as he leaned in for a kiss. Rory kissed him back; twining her arms around him, falling backwards and dragging him with her.

Well at the airport they took a longsome goodbye at the metal detectors. She didn't want him to go, but knew better that to show it. Logan's new job started the following day, and she could feel his anxiousness. "You'll do great!" she assured him, knowing it to be true. She kissed him and hoped to convey her reassurance. He then took her in his arm and held her tight; while she seized the opportunity to breath in his smell, refilling and charging for the time they would be apart.

After letting go she stood there, watched his back disappear in the crowd before turning around and walking towards the entrance.

Rory's last week was well planned out, and her schedule fully booked. This afternoon she would start by hanging out with Lane and her family. Tomorrow she would see Paris (and therefore probably Doyle), and later have Friday dinner with her grandparents. On Saturday morning she would visit her dad and her little sister before heading out on a road-trip with her mom over the weekend. On Monday her grandparents were taking her to lunch and she would later attend movie-night with her mom. On Tuesday her grandma had booked a wedding-planner for a pre-session which Rory was ordered to attend, to get a sense of what the future wedding ought to look like; as Emily had put it. The last day before leaving would of course be spent with her mother - who had promised her a big and awesome surprise. Rory smiled when she thought about that. No one was as awesome as her mom, and she was going to miss her unbearably.

When she reached home she saw that someone was sitting on the front-porch, waiting. Getting closer she saw to her astonishment that it was Dean. She parked the car and took her bag out of the backseat, before turning around and saying;

"Hi you!"

Dean rose and lifted his hand in greeting.

Walking towards him she saw that he seemed nervous, and she therefore gave him a bright smile.

"Long time, no see!" she said in a cheerful voice; "How are you?"

"Good…" Dean gave her a quick and nervous smile before turning serious again. "Rory" he said hastily "can we talk?"

"Yeah, sure" she said, rather perplexed. She was a bit confused, but didn't want to show it. "Let's go inside, shall we?" They did so, and Rory proceeded to her room and placed her bag on the bed. Dean lingered in the living room, and she popped her head out, asking him if he wanted something to drink.

"Um, sure!" he answered, and she returned to the living room with a soda from the fridge.

He was sitting in the sofa, with his long features somewhat cramped in an uncomfortable position. She felt warm inside, seeing him like this. How many times had she seen him sitting just like that, in the same couch? He saw her smile, and frowned.

"What?" he asked her.

"Oh, it's nothing!" she smiled. "I'm just being a bit sentimental. That's all!" She sat herself next to him, still smiling.

Dean didn't respond, but took a deep gulp at the soda Rory had passed him and instantly started to cough.

"Oh!" Rory exclaimed in surprise. "Swallowed in the wrong throat? Hate when that happens!" unconsciously she started to pat his back. When she suddenly realizing what she was doing, she hastily retracted her hand as if burned.

When he finally finished coughing they sat in silence for a minute, both feeling awkwardly and tensed up. Dean was the one to finally break the spell with his words, spoken in a hoarse voice.

"I came to say goodbye" he said without lifting his eyes from the floor. She watched him, contemplating, and finally gave a silent nod.

"I'm really glad you came. Thank you!" Rory could feel the tenseness and awkwardness leaving the room, and she smiled at him with warmth that melted the last of it.

"I also wanted to tell you something" Dean's solemn voice persisted, not reacting to the radiating smile Rory gave him.

"What?" Rory asked, while dropping her smile, feeling both curious and sentimental.

He turned to face her, and she was taken aback by the intenseness of his stare. She instantly and unconsciously leaned herself backwards - to gain more space between them. He saw her movement and sighed while averting his eyes yet again to the floor.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come." he said in a heavy voice, while shaking his head with a sigh.

"I-it's ok." Rory said in a try to sound normal. She was still pretty shocked by the look in his eyes "I'm glad that you are here" she hesitated slightly and then concluded; "I mean, you came for a reason, right?"

"Yeah…" Dean heaved, and fell then quiet yet again. His eyes had changed focus, and was now observing his tightly clasping hands "I came to tell you - that" then he fell quiet, without finishing the sentence.

Rory waited for him to continue, but finally asked with a cautious voice;

"What?"

Her voice seemed to bring Dean back to the present, and he flinched and shook his head with force. Then he swallowed loudly and finally spoke in a hoarse and low voice;

"I just felt that I - needed - to see - you before you... leave, and tell you that - I'll - miss... you."

"Oh." was her only response. She felt her cheeks burn as her eyes fell to her lap. She had not been expecting that. She knew she had to respond quickly, so she stammered the first words that came to mind;

"T-thanks Dean. I-I'm going to miss you to. I really am." As she said the words, she knew them to be true. Even though they had been avoiding each other for over two years, she felt as Dean was still important - in so many ways. He had once been her best friend, and she wanted him to know that she would really miss him, too. She wanted them to end on a good note, and she was suddenly feeling incredibly grateful that he had found the courage and strength to come here.

They room fell quiet, and after a moment Dean pulled himself up from the couch and turned to face the still seated Rory.

"I-I also wanted to apologize - for blaming you... for what happened with my m-marriage and everything. I-It really wasn't fair. I'm sorry." He exclaimed in a strange and nervous tone, and Rory felt her heart ache for him.

"Oh no" she hastily exclaimed "you don't have to apologize! Really, Dean…"

"And congratulations on your engagement, Rory!" he interrupted her in the same strange, and high-pitched voice "I never said that before, did I?"

"Thank you…" Rory answered reflexively, while observing the tall man's face with a small frown. He was acting really strange, she thought.

Dean's awkwardly pitched voice pressed on in the same manner, before Rory could say anything else;

"I always knew that you were special, Rory. That you were meant for something better" Dean seem to hesitate for a second, before concluding on a high note;"that you were meant for someone better."

"Dean!" Rory exclaimed, with an confused frown on her face. She didn't know where this was coming from, but this was not going the way she wanted it to. She wanted them to end things on a good note...

"And now you've got everything." Dean pressed in the same strange, loud voice, "I mean; Logan Huntzberger. He's way out of anyone's league, right – just as you've always been …I'm happy for you!" he finished and suddenly fell quiet, with a drained and hollow look on his face.

Rory sat in silence, as she was lost for words. She was both waiting and hoping for Dean to go on, as she wanted to know where he was going with this. When it became apparent that he wasn't going to continue speaking, she sighed and rose from the couch.

She raised her head and met his gaze, while bending her neck backwards. She then told him in a serious and calm tone that she was happy too, and glad that he was happy for her. Secretly she was cursing him, and hoping that they still could get back on track to getting to that 'good-noted' ending.

"But Dean" she pointed out in an objecting tone, as she was shaking her head slightly "The picture of me as meant for 'something more' is not true, and I think you know that."

She reached for his hand and, while ignoring the fact that he obviously flinched by her touch, she gave him a reassuring smile as she continued; "I never want you to think that we didn't work out because of you, Dean, because it's not true" she paused to take a deep breath. She also made sure that he met her gaze and that he understood what she was saying "You have to know that you meant so much to me, and in my heart you are always going to be the boy who - " she hesitated, suddenly feeling filled with old memories and old emotions. She cleared her throat and went on "I-I mean, you built me a car!" She gave him a quick, meaningful smile, and continuing. "You were my first love, Dean. Nothing can ever take that away."

He held on to her hand and her gaze, and words were suddenly unnecessary. They both felt the same thing at that moment, and all he could say was;

"Yeah."

Rory felt herself drown in the old memories and the old feeling that was filling the room. For a moment the two of them were the two young kids they had once been, before they had both grown up and grown apart. Dean was the one who had seen her develop into the person she was today, and she was the one who had seen him struggling to become a man. Nothing could ever take that away, and therefore they were connected forever.

"Are you happy, Rory?" Dean suddenly asked, gazing down at her while still holding on to her hand.

Rory began by answering his question in a nodding motion, and in the end gave the full truth away by the brilliant smile that couldn't be controlled. She was so happy, and she was so sure she had chosen the right path. "Yes" she finally and quite unnecessarily breathed.

"Then I am happy for you." Dean answered, and she knew that it was true. She smiled again, for another reason - as they had finally ended on a good note.

While Rory stood on the front porch waving him goodbye, she thought of all the times she had seen him leave before. She instinctively knew in that moment - that this was the last time, the last time she would ever wave him goodbye from her porch. Feeling both sad and at ease with this notion, she steadfastly stood there as long as he remained in sight. Then she sighed and went inside, heavy in her steps, as she was strained with the concept of saying goodbye.

FRIDAY

Paris was upset; that part was obvious. The less obvious part was the reason for her current animation. Rory had been dodging bullets for the last ten minutes, after a session of awkward silence and passive hostility since they got to the café where they had met up half an hour ago. Doyle sipped uncomfortable at his coffee, as Paris stated in a loud voice that she needed to go to the bathroom. Well alone, Doyle gave Rory an apologetic smile. She asked him quickly and in a low voice what was wrong with Paris, and was met by a theatrical sigh as Doyle began to explain.

"You know" he began in his usual pompous style "This really is partly your fault."

"What? Why?" Rory asked, frowning.

"Well, you are her best friend, and the only true competition she ever had." He continued and then purposely paused, sipping at his coffee.

"Well, yes I know that." Rory said, knowing how to play along.

"Exactly" Doyle continued."So she is obviously upset at you."

"Why?" Rory asked again, not understanding what Doyle was getting at.

Doyle slammed his cup onto the table and pierced her eyes with his while continuing in an agitated tone; "Because you are making the wrong choice, of course! You are marrying into the Huntzberger family and putting your career second." His voiced became even more elevated as the continued; "And because you are leaving for California, Rory!"

"Oh!" was all she could think of saying, realizing that the whole café was watching them as Doyle had been short of screaming at the end.

Doyle sighed and tilted his head, while looking at Rory with something strange in his eyes. "Yes." He said in a restraint voice. "As you might have understood, I am also a bit upset. Want to know why?" Suddenly he leaned across the table and uttered in a whispering tone; "You know what happens when Paris is upset? I do. Even Paddy Doyle would become a punch-bag in a cage-fight with Paris." He sighed, leaned back again and took another sip from his coffee.

"Doyle" Rory began in overly pensive tone "Did Paris hit you?" She fought down a smile while continuing in the same style; "Do you want me to talk to her? Because I can, if you want me to!"

"No!" Doyle exclaimed, obviously indignated. "Any eventual complications regarding my girlfriend will be handled by me, thank you very much!" His eyes focused on something behind Rory, and he plastered a fake smile on his face while signaling warningly with his eyes. 'She's coming back. Don't say a word!' A second later Paris parked herself on the chair next to Doyle's, crossed her arms with great force and directed her penetrating stare at Rory. "Let's talk!" she said with a poignant voice.

"Ok." Rory replied, waiting for the continuation.

"Ok" Paris said. She hesitated a bit before continuing in a more tentative way; "Because we are friends, so… we should talk."

"Yes, Paris. As we are friends, we should talk. So what is it you want to talk about?"

Paris took hold of her cup, sipping from her coffee while gazing at Rory, and continued to speak in a casual fashion; "As a friend I want to tell you that I oppose your engagement and I question your half-witted decision to move across the country. What is your response?"

"Paris!" Rory exclaimed, feeling both hurt and offended.

"What?" Paris asked in an elevated voice. "As I am your friend, I am obliged to tell you my opinion. And my opinion is that you are making a mistake, Rory."

"And why is that exactly, Paris?" Rory asked in a defensive tone. "What is so wrong with wanting to be with the one you love? I mean, Doyle is following you, isn't he? Tell me, what is so different between your situation and mine?" she felt that was getting agitated, so she took a deep breath to calm herself.

Paris took another sip at her coffee, contemplated for a minute and said in a matter-of-fact way; "I see your point. Yes, there might appear to be similarities between our situations, but that is not entirely correct. Doyle, if he chooses to come with me, is not giving up his entire life. We are not moving across the country. And we are not getting married."

"I know that," Rory submitted, "about marriage and us being young and all. And I know that California is far away. But, Paris, I would really want you to be happy for me. It would mean a lot." She met her friend's gaze and returned it, with equal determination.

The two young women stayed like that for a while, neither of them willing to buckle. Doyle glanced nervously back and forth between them, trying to estimate who would win the ongoing wrestling match. Finally Paris sighed, and held her hands up as a gesture of resignation.

"Fine." She said. "If you really are going through with it, I guess I have to support you."

"Thank you, Paris. That means a lot." Rory smiled, and took a bite from her doughnut.

"So I guess we are done here. Good talk! Doyle, finish you beverage!"

Rory continued to smile, chewing down her doughnut, while Doyle hastily swallowed his coffee. She was sure gonna miss Paris. Who would have thought?

The Gilmores had prepared a fest this Friday. Emily had imported French duck, and hired a well-known chef for the entire evening. There would be six courses all in all, and she was convinced that the night would be perfect. The only thing bothering Emily was her husband's gloomy behavior which had persisted an entire week by now. She saw him heading for his office, but called out for him to come to the dining-room.

"What is it now, Emily? I'm actually very busy."

"Yes, Richard, I know you are. I just want you to look at this flower arrangement. Does it look crooked to you?

Richard stared at the flowers for a moment, before lashing out at his wife; "What does it matter, how the flowers look like? How can this possibly be of any importance, Emily?"

Emily gazed at him with her lips tightly pressed together, to stop her from speaking her mind. She had had it with his sulkiness and his brooding. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Richard." She said in a calm voice. "We need to discuss something."

Her husband was halfway to his office, and he didn't turn around when he answered her; "It was to wait, Emily. I have an important phone-call to make."

Emily felt her patience slip, and she raised her voice in an agitated demand; "Richard! Right now."

The man paused in surprise, and turned around to face his wife.

"Don't shout, Emily. Was has gotten into you?"

She raised her arms in sheer frustration, and started to explain her point of view in a high pitch. "What's gotten into me? I'll tell you what's gotten into me! You, Richard! All week you have been brooding, sulking and nothing short of rolling on the floor in a childish tantrum. I can't take it anymore! I won't have it!"

Richard shivered with indignation. What was she talking about? "I have done nothing of the sort!" he puffed, and felt his anger heating up.

"Enough, Richard!" Emily pressed on, "I know that you are upset over Rory's engagement, and the fact that she is moving away, but this has got to stop!" she looked at him with sympathy, and he felt his anger crumble.

"Oh God, you are right." He exclaimed, and felt the need to sit. He placed himself heavily in an armchair and continued to stare into nothing, deep in thought.

Emily sighed, and sat herself on the chair opposite her husband.

"The best thing we can do at this point, is to take advantage of the time we have left" Emily said in an attempted casual tone "And we won't, I repeat won't let her know how upsetting this is for some of us! The girl has enough to think about these days- and the last thing she needs is to add grieving grandparents to her list" she paused and had to swallow, suddenly feeling ridiculously sentimental and sad. She tried to shake of the feeling but was met by her husband's understanding eyes. Involuntarily she gave in to her emotions, which caused her to characteristically getting angry. "Who asks a girl to move across the country, Richard? Who does that? I thought he was such a nice and considerate boy, but I was obviously gravely mistaking." She sighed and shook her head, while continued in the same agitated tone; "Our little Rory, when are we ever going to see her again? Richard, I am so worried for her!"

Richard watched his wife as she spilled her feeling for the entire household to see, and felt his own pain stir inside. His sadness was to grave to put into words, and he envied his wife for being able to express her emotions. His little girl was going away, and there was nothing he could do to stop her. Rationally he knew that she probably would be ok wherever she was, Rory always excelled in what she was doing, but instinctively and emotionally he was roaring with pain and despair. Since that moment, at the graduation-party when that one decided to propose, he had been tackling feelings of deep aversion towards Rory's so called fiancé. I Richard's mind that one was the distraction that so greatly had sidetracked his brilliant grandchild's from her supposed future. The future they had planned and decided upon together was gone; and who knew what would happen now. Richard closed his eyes when thinking about how far away California was, and that he wouldn't be able to protect her anymore. Words from his wife penetrated his thoughts, and he came back to the present.

"Do you hear me, Richard?" said Emily's piercing voice. "I said; we have to let her go. She is a young woman now, not a child anymore."

Richard sighed, and thought about what his wife just said. To him, Rory would always be a little girl. She was the very special little girl that one day came into his life and changed it completely. Richard had never loved anyone as much as he loved her, and he felt somewhat betrayed by her instant decision to let that one take her away. To take his place, a very irrational voice inside him screamed. He sighed again and closed his eyes. It wasn't supposed to happen yet, he tries to reason with himself. She wasn't supposed to get married until much, much later, when she had accomplished all her dreams.

"She is too young!" he exclaimed, to his wife's surprised.

"We already had this conversation. She is the same age as I was when we got married. She is 22, and turning 23 in November. That is not too young to get married, Richard. That is not why you are upset, is it?" she asked with a frown.

"She has things to do!" Richard exclaimed in a sulky tone.

Emily stopped to examine her husband's face – looking for something, before speaking again. "So that is what this is all about. Hm. I should have guessed… So that was why you were so cold towards poor Logan at the engagement party."

"Poor him? I don't want to hear that name in this house, Emily! And I certainly don't want you to connect any inaccurate and undeserved epithet to his name."

Emily watched him in silence. Suddenly she rose from the chair and walk back into the dining room, leaving him alone in his misery. Observing the flower arrangement she saw that it indeed was crooked. She snorted in annoyance and loudly called for Inga, the household's current maid to come and fix it.

Tonight was going to be perfect; she would make sure of that. They were going to have six courses, and the duck was already prepared.

At half past six the two youngest members of the Gilmore family were standing outside the head entrance of the Gilmore residence. As so many times before, they shared a potent look before one of them had to reach out and ring the bell. This time the older of the two not only shared a look, but reached out and grabbed the younger woman's hand. Together they stood, and united they were met by the household's current maid, who opened the door and gave them a questioning look.

"Ja?" she asked them.

"Um, hi!" Lorelai began. "You're new. And pretty! Isn't she pretty, Rory!"

"Mom, stop it!"

"Oh, but look at that hair, and those blue eyes! I want to caramelize you and put you in a box."

"MOM!" Rory exclaimed and quickly turned towards the girl holding the door open, apologizing on her mother's behalf. When she didn't get a respond she glanced perplexed at her mom.

"Do you think…" Rory began.

"Yeah, probably…" Lorelai answered. Then she took a deep breath at shouted; "Mother! We are stuck in the doorway! …Do the maid speak English?"

"Just …lite" the maid answered with a smile, and showed with her thumb and index finger just how little.

"So pretty…" Rory mumbled under her breath.

Lorelai snorted and said something about her daughter having a bad table-manner.

Emily suddenly appeared in the doorway with a graceful motion and a welcoming smile. The picture was only slightly disturbed by the fact that she scowled at the maid and made a hissing sound in her direction. They were shown inside and escorted by the hostess into the parlor.

"Um…mom?" Lorelai began when they all were seated in the parlor. "What's the deal with Cheryl Ladd at the door?"

Emily continued to smile graciously while answering; "Oh, yes. Pretty isn't she!" They all nodded in silent agreement. "Unfortunately she doesn't speak a word English, poor girl. I will have to fire her, of course." She contemplated this for a moment, then said; "Pity. I actually like her."

Lorelai gaped theatrically and put her hand to her ear while saying in a loud voice; "What? What? Did someone say something nice about the maid? Did you hear that mom? In this house - how dare they?"

Emily pushed her lips together and gave her daughter a disdainful look before ignoring her and turning to her granddaughter.

"Rory, my dearest girl! Let me have a look at that gorgeous ring again!"

Rory felt a bit uncomfortable, but extended her arm and let her grandmother swoon over it, yet again.

"That boy has an excellent taste, Rory. You are lucky to have him." she smiled gracefully.

"Yes, that I am." Rory said.

Emily continued, with eyes only for her granddaughter; "As I told you before, the…"

"Um…where is dad?" Lorelai interrupted.

"Yeah" Rory said while looking around "Where is grandpa?"

Emily pressed her lips together, and frowned slightly, before restoring her face to a pleasant smile directed at Rory. "Your grandfather isn't feeling very well at the moment. Tonight it's just us girl. Isn't that fun?"

"What?" Rory breathed and stood up rigidly, "Is it something with his heart? Is he ok?" it was obvious that she was upset, and Emily cursed herself for not giving a more appropriate excuse for her husband's absence.

"Dearest girl, for heaven's sake sit down! He is not sick, he is in his study …sulking." she said, while gesturing towards the room's direction and dropping her pleasant smile for good this evening.

Rory sat down with a confused look on her face, and Emily turned to Lorelai with raised eyebrows. "Are you happy?" she asked in an accusing tone. "Now this evening is ruined. I had six course's prepared, you know." She sighed and fell backwards in the arm-chair; exhausted.

"What is wrong with dad?" Lorelai asked he mom.

Emily had placed her hand over her eyes, and now made a dramatic gesture to emphasize her troubled mind. "Oh, I am so tired of his whining and his brooding. I simply don't know what to do anymore."

Lorelai and Rory shared a look, and Rory was at the loosening and of the short-lived battle.

"Grandma" Rory began "Did something happen?"

Emily sighed yet again, before removing her hand from her eyes and turning the gaze towards Rory. "Nothing that you need to worry about, dearest girl." she said reassuringly.

"But I want to help if…" Rory continued, before being interrupted by Emily. "You are the sweetest girl in the world. But I assure you, there is nothing for you to worry about. Your grandfather is fine! We had a small argument this afternoon, and that is all."

If you say so…" Rory said, unsure.

"Oh there, there! My, it totally slipped my mind! We have drink to your happiness, Rory!"

"O-Ok!"

At that moment Lorelai excused herself, in a pretence-visit to the bathroom. Instead she went towards her father's study and knocked at the door. After a grunt from inside, she opened it and stood somewhat cautiously in the doorway, watching her father.

"Lorelai." he said in a depressed voice, while avoiding eye-contact by reading a document at his desk. "How lovely to see you."

"Um… could you be a little less convincing?" She walked in to the room, and closed the door behind her. While watching at the man in front of her she crossed her arms over her chest. She didn't know what was happening here, but she knew she didn't like it. "Dad" she began "what are you doing?"

"I'm finishing up work." He said in a dejected voice. "I am afraid I'm a bit behind since my trip to the hospital." The word's alone, she could have believed – but the tone of his voice told Lorelai that he was not fit for work; and therefore that he was lying.

"Dad. What are you doing? Rory is out there, waiting for you, and you are sitting here all cramped up in the dark doing nothing." Lorelai's voice had such an accusing and disappointed tone that Richard finally raised his head and met her gaze.

"I am not doing nothing, Lorelai. I am reading a very important proposition. I am sorry, but I will have to ask you to leave, as I have work to do. Goodbye." He lowered his head, and continued to read the document in silence.

Lorelai held her ground, feeling the anger rise within her with every heartbeat. Finally she took a deep breath to calm herself and stated in a calm voice; "You do not get to do this."

Richard didn't answer immediately, but she kept her eyes on him – watching his every movement. Finally he spoke.

"What, exactly, don't I get to do in my own house, Lorelai?"

"You do not get the privilege to get upset over Rory's decision. You do not get the privilege to act out on your rage. You do not get the privilege to be the one in pain." She managed to keep her voice steady for the duration of her speech, even though her inside was overflowing with forceful emotions.

Richard remained quiet, and Lorelai took it as a sign to continue. "Please, look at me!" she said in a choked voice. Her father raised his head to meet her gaze - and she instantly saw her own emotions mirrored in his eyes. There it was; the pretty cocktail of sadness, anxiety and regret stirred with guilt-ridden anger and despair. When seen in someone else's face, she knew that it was ghastly.

"Dad" she continued in a tired voice; "You do not get to do those things, just as I don't get to do those things. Just as I can't tell my daughter what I really think of her choices, neither can you. None of us have the right to do those things." She watched him in silence before finally asking him; "do you understand what I am saying, dad?"

He closed his eyes and nodded. Lorelai clasped her hands tightly and said tentatively; "good, then I guess we're on the same …page, and all that." While she turned around to open the door, Richard spoke in a low voice. "What?" she said, as she hadn't heard him. He rose from his chair, walked towards her and hesitantly placed a hand on her shoulder when he reached her. "Thank you." he said.

"Um… For what, exactly?" his daughter asked, feeling more than a bit awkward in this position.

"For sharing my pain" he said in a normal voice. He hesitated for a moment "Our pain, I guess." Then he smiled.

"Ok, yeah, you are …welcome." Lorelai said as her father retracted his arm to correct his bow tie.

"Well then!" Richard said in a frisky voice "Let's see what your mother's version of a perfect Friday dinner looks like, shall we?"and he walked out from the study with steady steps towards the parlor, where his beloved grandaughter was waiting for him.

Lorelai lingered for a moment in the study. She smoothed the fabric of her dress, closed her eyes for a moment, and focused solely on her breathing. Then she opened her eyes, placed a smile on her face and walked into the parlor, where she was met by the excited look upon her daughter's face.