Picking up the pieces.
I own none of this, all rights go to the right people in charge.
a massive thank you to my Beta/Co writer kmay07. I couldn't have done this without you.
Also a massive thank you to all the many people who favourited, followed and reviewed the first chapter of this. each one put a smile on my face and lit a fire under me to get the next chapters out to you quicker.
Chapter three: Friday Night Dinner
After Richard's passing the three Gilmore women decided to continue Friday night dinners, amending the schedule to just once a month as their schedules allowed. Whilst Emily and Lorelai were still trying to repair their relationship, they had made a good start with the counselling. The dinners kept the three women close. Sometimes Luke came along but Richard's chair at the head of the table always remained empty. Something Emily insisted on whenever she had company for dinner. And so three days after Rory told Emily the news about the baby Rory, Lorelai, Luke, and Emily were each getting ready for their monthly dinner; each struggling with their own feelings surrounding the night and the most likely topic of conversation.
Rory was feeling anxious and quite scared; she didn't know what she would do if her grandma couldn't, or wouldn't, support her throughout the pregnancy. She hated knowing that her life had turned into something her grandma might not be able to be proud of.
Emily was terrified; she knew her actions were wrong when she first found out about Rory. She just couldn't understand what Rory was thinking. It was like Lorelai all over again and Emily didn't know if she could handle it, especially without Richard's support.
Lorelai was more nervous than anything. She knew her mother was mad, and if she was being honest she understood it to a point she still wasn't beaming with pride knowing her daughter got pregnant by a man who was engaged, but the fact of the matter was if Logan did reject Rory and the baby then the whole family needed to be a united front and band together to help Rory and the baby. She prayed her mother might for once listen to reason before she attacks. It was unlikely but Lorelai could hope, after all she has seemed to mellow out some since she started spending more time away from the vultures at the club and spending more time at her cottage in Nantucket.
Surprisingly Luke was a bundle of emotions as well, he tried to keep himself calm if he lost it then his girls had no hope against Emily so it was more important than ever that he stay strong. He knew the Gilmore women were stubborn but he prayed the night would go smoothly. None of the women needed any more stress, especially Rory.
Lorelai, Luke and Rory met in the living room, once they had finished getting ready for the evening Friday nights were always a formal occasion so all were dressed smartly. They headed to Lorelai's Jeep and drove the 30 minutes to Hartford in a pleasant silence.
Once they reached Emily's home they got out of the car and all checked themselves over quickly to make sure everything was perfect before Rory rang the bell. The maid answered and gestured them in, taking their coats ass he led them into the living room where Emily was waiting. Lorelai approached her mother first. Leaning in to hug her she softly says
"Hey mom"
"Hello Lorelai" Emily replied "Would you like a drink?" Lorelai nods and follows her mother to the drinks cart.
Rory approached softly and slowly. "Hello Grandma" she says, Emily turned to face her granddaughter; she opens her arms and pulls her into a hug.
"Hello Rory" Emily says softly. "I need to apologize to you for my behaviour Tuesday. I let my emotions get the best of me and I shouldn't have walked out like that. Will you forgive me?" Emily asks.
"Of course I forgive you grandma" Rory replied. "I understand it was shock and I'm sorry for just springing it on you like that. I hope you can forgive me for getting myself in such a mess and for putting you through this."
Emily waves her hand dismissing the subject for the moment,. "We can discuss it later over dinner dear, oh, your club soda is still in the refrigerator" she says as she hands Lorelai her drink. "I will go get it, have a seat, I will be right back." Rory quickly jumps in "Oh Grandma, I can go get it; you stay here and catch up with mom and Luke." Emily nods her approval as Rory heads through the hall towards the kitchen.
Emily turns to her daughter and son-in-law, "Hello Luke" she says.
"Hello Mrs. Gilmore" Luke replied.
"How many times must I tell you to call me Emily, Luke? I know at one time I may have preferred you call me Mrs. Gilmore, but I have come to realize that life is too short to always be so formal especially when it comes to your family. " She says and Luke nods in response "Now, would you like a beer?" Emily asks.
"I would love one, thank you Emily." He responds and takes the bottle of from her. Rory returns from the kitchen moments later,
"Berta asked me to tell you dinner is ready Grandma" she says and everyone makes their way to the dining room.
Emily takes her normal spot at the end of the table; Rory takes the single seat to Emily's right whilst Lorelai and Luke sit in the chairs placed opposite of Rory.
As usual the chair at the head of the table, Richards chair remained empty. In front of his chair was always a place setting to match the dressing of the rest of table as though he would be joining the party at any time. Everyone was still sombre when seeing the chair that was occupied by their patriarch for so many years, feeling he should still be there occupying it. No one could believe that he was really gone and once they finally gave him the best headstone they could the three Gilmore girls were each focusing on dealing with their grief, supporting and leaning on each other but still processing everything in their own way. Emily was learning who she was and what her new place was in the world now that she no longer had the job of Richard's wife and confidant to keep her time occupied. She was feeling less and less fulfilled by attending charity galas and lunches at the club. She still enjoyed serving on the boards of the charities she supported though and party planning was something she would never tire of, each party she threw was like a new thrill. She was also quite enjoyed her volunteer work at the museum in Nantucket which took everyone including herself by surprise. After her failed attempt at being one with nature Lorelai had decided the best way to overcome her grief was to focus on her work and was now almost ready to open the Dragonfly Day Spa. She and Luke had also started talking about possibly adopting or fostering some older children. They had so much love to give now that Rory and April were older and out of the house and there were so many kids that needed to be loved. For Rory losing her grandpa was like losing her anchor; she began drifting aimlessly not sure where she was going or even which way was up some days it seemed. Nothing in her life made sense anymore now that she didn't have her grandpa to be here guiding beacon and she felt as though she was floundering under the weight of it all especially now that she was carrying a child of her own and she couldn't seem to get her footing no matter how hard she tried. Emily and Lorelai both saw this and both secretly already hoped that this baby would be what finally was able to set Rory back on track. One thing could be said for certain however, the bond the between the Gilmore girls once strained and hanging by a thread was now unbreakable as they all had come to realize exactly how important family truly was.
"Grandma… would it be ok if I borrowed a book from Grandpa's office before we leave?" Rory asks. Even though the second anniversary of Richards passing was approaching, his office Emily hadn't touched. Everything was exactly where it should be, exactly where he left it the night before he passed, and it was going to stay that way for as long as Emily wanted, the only disturbance she allowed was Rory borrowing books, it just felt natural to all of them. It made Rory happy to keep her connection to Richard strong. It made Emily and Lorelai happy too because they both knew Richard would approve of Rory borrowing his books and all of them using his office as a sanctuary away from the real world.
Emily nodded "Of course dear" she replied as the first course of food was served. Everyone ate in silence for a minute or two.
"So… Rory… have you told Logan?" Emily asks and Lorelai sighs preparing herself for the battle that she is afraid lies ahead.
"Yes Grandma. I told him Tuesday before I came to see you. He isn't overly impressed but I've given him the choice" Rory says before telling Emily what happened at the meeting and the way it ended. Emily sighed.
"What will you do if he decides he doesn't want a relationship with your child?" Emily asks.
"I'll deal with it Grandma. With mom's help and Luke's and hopefully yours."
"You don't have a full time paid job Rory! How will you cope? You are still living with your mother. How are you going to handle bringing up a child with no money and no space of your own? Have you thought about any of this?" Emily snaps, all of her original anger and emotion taking over again.
"So much for that apology earlier. I knew it was too easy." Mumbled Lorelai.
"Have I thought about it? Grandma that is all I can think about! In a matter of months I am going to be responsible for another human being and trust me when I say that I fully comprehend how life changing this is. Now, I know you're disappointed in me but I can't go back in time and change the fact I got pregnant, and I will not be "taking care of it" as they say I am having a baby like it or not! I just really need your support. Please" Rory says angrily, Emily stiffens and tenses.
"Look mom." Lorelai starts apprehensively noticing the change in her mom's demeanour, "Please remember that Rory isn't me mom. She's graduated college. She is in her 30's and not a 16 year old high school dropout. If we all stick by her then we are going to be blessed with another Gilmore baby. I know the circumstances aren't brilliant but just remember mom neither was mine. But we got Rory from me mom. Imagine what another Gilmore baby will do for the family. Imagine how much closer it could bring us" Lorelai says seriously. Emily smiles softly at her daughter and her granddaughter.
"You are right Lorelai. I'm sorry Rory. I'm here for you, no matter what. I will support you. I was just worried about what you would do if you struggled, we have time to figure out the details though don't we. Everything doesn't need to be in place tonight. We will figure this out as a family. And I need to remember times have changed you will not be shunned for this like someone would have 50 years ago. "Emily says honestly, standing and hugging Rory and then Lorelai.
"Anyway mom… What would Dad say? This is Rory we are talking about, what she tackles…" Lorelai starts.
"She conquers" Emily finishes.
The rest of the dinner was pleasant and not another cross word was said surrounding Rory's pregnancy. Whilst that was what the topic of conversation stayed on it was a much more positive and supportive atmosphere, it made Rory feel much calmer about this card life had dealt her. She actually felt like it was possible to do now, with or without Logan.