My Dodger and Amazing Grace

{Chapter One}

"Grandma!" An excited three-year-old screamed running into the house while Lorelai happily stretched out her arms for the little girl catching her as she threw herself at her grandmother in excitement

"Hey Baby Gilmore" Lorelai said scooping her into her arms hugging her tightly peppering with kisses causing her to laugh loudly before looking at her daughter walking in the house "Hey Rory, you are early?"

Rory smiled softly looking at the little girl in her mother's arms, she never could get over how accepting and loving her family and friends were towards her daughter. It always took her breath away and made her grateful to be a Gilmore Girl. She only hoped to be half as good raising her own daughter as her mother had been raising her.

"Gracie really wanted to see her grandma" Rory said brightly smiling at her mother and messing with her little one's hair

"Aw, I missed you too Mud Pie" Lorelai said happily with a smile hugging the girl tightly and setting the girl down, so she can run around

"I missed you Grandma!" Gracie clapped in her hands together happily looking up at her with those deep green eyes

"Grandpa?" She said excitedly as Luke walked downstairs and took off running towards him as fast as her little legs could carry her

Luke chuckled lightly picking up the girl swinging her slightly causing her to giggle loudly in happiness "Hey kid how you doing today?" Luke asked his little angel giving her a rare smile that was reserved just for her

"Mommy said I get to spend the day with you and grandma" Gracie said excitedly as Luke nodded looking at Lorelai softly as she hugged Rory happily, he loved his Gilmore Girls

"You know what time you will be done?" Lorelai questioned with a smile knowing today was the day she had spent a lot of time working towards, lord knows she waited long enough to see the finished project

"No Idea, I had to finish editing and get it to the publishers to finalize it" Rory explained honestly shaking her head knowing that while they never held it against her, she still felt guilty every single time

"We don't mind, you have enough to handle as it is" Luke stated calmly sensing her thoughts

"I know, I just want to give Gracie the best" Rory stated with a sad smile knowing that she would do anything for that little angel that seemed to brighten everyone and everywhere just by existing

Lorelai shook her head in amusement "You already have three large trust funds and two large inheritances" Lorelai said with a slight chuckle "You should take advantage of being fifthly rich"

Rory smiled weakly at the statement "I love Gracie more then anything in the world but I want to be able to give her something of my own" Rory stated softly knowing that while she loved her angel, but she would not be who she was if she just lived off the money and forsaken everything that made her who she was. She still felt guilty for anytime she spent away from her.

Lorelai nodded in understanding with soft as Luke let a squirming Gracie down. Gracie ran up to her mother excitedly as if sensing her guilt and smiled up at her brightly.

"Mommy you already give me everything" Gracie said with a sing song voice holding her arms wide in show

"I love you Gracie" Rory whispered kneeling down to hug her little one tightly with tears shining her eyes at the little one's words, she hoped she never failed her.

"I love you too Mommy" Gracie said happily in a sing song voice wrapping her tiny arms around her mother's neck

Rory smiled softly handing her over to her mother's waiting arms "I have to get going" She explained placing a kiss on Gracie forehead "Bye Gracie, be good for Grandma and Grandpa" Rory said softly

"I promise" Gracie said snuggling up into Lorelai

Rory smiled looking at Luke and her mom "Hey I will be back later and can help with the party for your anniversary party" Rory stated knowing that their anniversary needed to be celebrated

Lorelai grinned brightly "You know I am going to hold you to that, Momma is going to want a huge party" Lorelai said with an evil smirk

Luke rolled he eyes looking at Rory "Nothing too big" Luke said seriously

Shaking her head Rory left saying quick goodbyes before getting in the car for the trip to Hartford to finalize her book thinking about how everything had changed for her. She had lived her dreams from her childhood briefly before everything changed so quickly but she wouldn't and couldn't think to change it back, she loved her daughter with everything. She was doing better than most 30-year-old she knew, three years ago had changed her path.

Luke had been right though, since she graduated she had taken on a lot. Even before Gracie and quitting the New York Times as a Correspondent, she was already making plans for later in life. Three years ago, those plans came into play and she wouldn't change a thing. She had bought the Hartford Gazette and had opened her own business. RGM Publisher's House had started out as a small publishing and editing company with a bookstore and coffee house. In three years, it had grown more than she ever expected or imagined possible with several high-end clients as well as supporting new writers and artist. She was a single parent and she honestly couldn't have run the business with her ever growing and amazing staff. No, she wouldn't change a thing, but she wished more then anything she could had at least one person to it.

~Later that day with Rory~

Rory smiled sadly as she typed out the final details for the book ensuring everything went perfectly. She wasn't wide publishing this book until a select few read it first and judged it. She shakily wrote out the dedication not knowing what the others would think of such a thing. It had the deepest thoughts and moments in her life, some of which she never voiced. She was sure that it would take them by surprise.

This was a story of her love; for the two people reserved in her heart for the position. It was about her first and only true love; and her Beautiful daughter Gracie. Two tragic situations that forever changed her life; both shaping her into the person she is. Rory hugged the dedication to her chest with the manuscript before walking down the hall to ensure the printer had at least ten finished before she had to be home for dinner already missing her little girl and couldn't wait to see her.

Rory smiled looking at Rodger grinning like a mad man when she walked in "Hey, I need 15 before three?" She directed holding it out trying to keep her hand steady

Rodger nodded taking the manuscript like it was a treasure looking at her "You sure you want to do this, this is pretty personnel" He questioned softly

Rory took a deep breath and nodded "Yea, I need closer in order to be there for my Gracie" She said honestly knowing that she had to do this sooner or later

Rodger frowned "You really still love him after everything" He stated looking at her softly knowing from years of working with her and being one of her closest friends the story of her true love

Rory blinked away tears nodding "Like nothing else, there will always be a place only he has. I never got to say a lot of things. It's been six years since I have seen him; I didn't do this for anyone else but myself" Rory said trying to maintain control of her emotions

Rodger looked at her with softened eyes placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder "You did good kid" He said honestly

Rory smiled and nodded "It was time; I don't stand a chance with him because I have to take care of Gracie like I promised them. I may need him like a Gilmore needs coffee, but my little girl will always need me more than I need him." She said honestly

Rodger blinked back tears knowing this young woman so clearly "You are a wonderful Mother Rory" He said with pride

Rory nodded hugging him quickly before shoeing him away to complete her books setting off to get coffee thankful that she managed to get Luke to give her coffee for her company. She needed to push back these emotions and shut the door firmly, there was just no other way and no good would come from it. She just hoped that when it was out in the open she would find the peace she longed for in her heart.

~A Few hours later~

Rory took a deep breath and looked at the dinner knowing the others were waiting for her to walk in there with her books to give them. Lane and Paris were talking in the corner while Sookie, Luke, and her mother played with Gracie. She saw her grandparents sitting drinking coffee. Rory glanced at the box holding her new book placing a smile on opened the diner door pulling courage from deep inside her to get this done.

"Hey Everyone" She said to her friends and family setting down the box on the nearest table ready to get this over with

Gracie ran over to her excitedly clapping "Mommy I am so happy you are back" She said in a sing song voice wrapping her little arms around Rory's leg

Rory smiled looking down at her "I miss you too baby" Rory said messing with her daughter's hair drawing strength from her little angel

Lorelai grinned madly picking Gracie up in one arm looking at her daughter holding out her hand "Mommy gets the first book" She said in excitement

Rory nodded swallowing back the reluctance and looking at everyone "Have a seat first I want to explain this book first to everyone?" Rory explained motioning for everyone to have a seat

Lorelai raised an eyebrow sitting down settling Gracie into her lap "So what is this about?" She questioned in confusion as Rory took a deep breath to steady herself

"I am not sure if I will publish this past this point, I needed to write this for me. It is a story of the love of my life and my beautiful sunshine Gracie. Most of these thoughts and feelings I have hidden for years. This is years of things I couldn't say" Rory explained honestly taking another breath "Please understand that this is very important to me, I can't take being judge harshly for it"

Lane and Luke looked at her with a softened expression before Lorelai opened her mouth "Can I please get the book now? Please" Lorelai stated impatiently

"Don't start reading until you are home and please edit it, so I know what you think" Rory pleaded with them before handing a book to her mother watching her eyes go wide

"Rory…" Lorelai blinked back tears looking up at her daughter reading the title of the book in shock and awe

"Don't question just read" Rory stated seriously as she continued to hand out the books getting the same expressions from most because of the Title "Please I can't talk about it, it's an impossible dream for me" Rory said picking up Gracie "She is the one I dream for until she can do it for herself"

"But.." Lane started to state knowing who the book was about from the title alone

"Look I am going to put Gracie down for a nap" Rory stated stopping the conversation turning around "It's okay everyone, I am okay. Please just read it" Rory said holding a now sleeping Gracie walking out of the diner leaving quickly needing to get away from it as fast as possible leaving some very confused people behind

~At Rory's home~

Rory carefully opened her front door to her house she bought when she moved back to stars hallow permanently needing the comfort of home. It was truly a work of art and she loved where she would raise her little girl. There were five large bedrooms with four bathrooms with a large living room, dining room, and a large kitchen. There was a playroom filled with toys and a large library that also lead to her study. It was a huge house for the two of them, but it was almost always filled with people and children, there was never a boring moment in this house.

Rory glanced at her sleeping little one and smiled as she walked up the stairs to Gracie's room tucking her into her little purple fairy bed. She smoothed out the blonde hair on her head before kissing her head softly.

"I love you" She whispered softly before heading downstairs to fix dinner for herself and Gracie.

She stopped in the hall downstairs lending to the Kitchen looking a photo from her mother's wedding. It was of her and the love of her life laughing softly at a stupid joke. It was her favorite picture and it hadn't moved since she moved into the house; it made it feel more complete just having it there. It was also the last time she had seen him. She shook her head slightly sighing walking to the fridge to start dinner preparations thankful that her cooking skills have improved by becoming a mother.

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