Piece by Piece - A Gilmore Girls Fanfiction

Chapter 15

I watched from the diner as Lorelai helped Rory get out, and then supported her as they walked in. She was steady but unsteady at the same time, and she still looked rather unsure of herself. When they entered, Lorelai spotted Rory's corner immediately, given that I had brought down the rocking chair from my apartment (something that had been there when my dad used it as an office), I had placed a few cushions to make her more comfortable, and I had gotten a few activities for her to do. While she was 10 and wasn't too interested in colouring anymore, it was among the recommended activities, so I had given her a few colouring books and a couple of basic puzzle books that I knew she'd enjoy.

I helped Lorelai get her settled, and I placed my hat on her head, having forgotten to leave it at home for Rory. Lorelai kissed her goodbye, thanked me again for doing this, and was off, not wanting to be late.

It wasn't long before Lane came in, wanting to see Rory briefly before school. They hugged and talked for a little while, and Rory had a big smile on her face when Lane left 10 minutes later. She watched out the window for a while, and I remembered she enjoyed people watching, finding it creative as she imagined conversations and scenarios.

"Luke, can I have some pancakes?" She piped up after half-an-hour of people watching, and I thought for the moment.

"Only if I give you berries and plain yoghurt on the side rather than syrup and chocolate chips. It's important that you eat healthily right now," I told her softly, and she nodded.

I didn't just change what she had with the pancakes, but I changed how I made the pancakes, using whole grain flour and semi-skimmed milk instead of plain flour and full-fat milk. The yoghurt was also low-fat, and I was hoping that the healthy meals I was feeding her currently might stick; not fully, but I wanted her to be as healthy as possible so she'd live a long life.

When she started eating, she peered at the pancakes with a wrinkled brow, knowing it tasted different. She was definitely confused, but continued eating anyway, clearly enjoying the meal. As she finished, Babette and Miss Patty came in, clearly looking for her. Miss Patty aimed for me while Babette aimed for her, wanting their different questions answered.

"How is she?" Miss Patty asked, and I rolled my eyes.

"She had brain surgery, so she feels like crap. What would you expect?" I grouched. I had answered that question daily for almost two weeks, and I was tired of it, "I'm sorry, Patty, I'm not doing very well with it. She's getting better, but its a very slow process. It could take as long as three months for her to be fully recovered and it's a long row ahead for us. She will be fine eventually, and that's all that matters.

She smiled at me, "I assume the hat is to hide the scar? It's weird seeing her with a hat and you without one."

I laughed, "It's a bit weird for me too, but she requested it and I couldn't say no."

We looked over at Babette and Rory, with the former talking animatedly and Rory barely focused. She had gone pale again and needed to sleep.

"Excuse me," I said to Patty, and I walked over to them, "Hey Babette, I know you two are talking but I think Rory needs to rest a bit. I'm going to take her up."

Rory looked at me, her face blank. She raised her arms, knowing I'd have to carry her, and I picked her up, easily making my way up the steep stairs and into the apartment. I had already pulled the covers back this morning so I could immediately lay her down with no fuss. Her eyes were already closed when I let go, so I covered her up and turned on the baby monitor, just in case. I crouched down and kissed her forehead, "If you need me, call me. No matter what it is."

Rory nodded, snuggling down in the bed, "Thanks, Dad."

Luckily, Rory slept through the lunch rush, which meant she missed the interrogation I received from Kirk about brain surgery; that experience would have only stressed her out if she didn't know the answers and she doesn't need that.

My phone rang shortly after the lunch rush finished, and I answered to a nervous Lorelai asking for an update.

"She's fine, she's had a 2-hour long nap, I'm about to go up and wake her," I paused, not knowing if I wanted to tell her, "She called me Dad earlier."

"That's great! Or I think it's great... I don't know, but I like the idea of that if you do," She laughed, "Alright, I have to get back to work, but I wanted to check on Rory. Love you."

"I love you, too," I said before hanging up.

I smiled to myself and headed back upstairs. I found her sat up on the edge of the bed, looking exhausted. Granted, the lingering bruises around her eyes weren't helping, but she looked tired, "Hey kid, how do you feel?"

She looked at me, "I hate this. I can barely get up to get a cup of water, and my head is killing me and everyone keeps looking at me with pity. I know they're not sure how to act around the girl who just had brain surgery, but come on! I want my body to function properly because I know it can, I want my head to stop hurting, I want to have a proper conversation without getting tired, I want to stop looking sick so they forget this ever happened, I want..."

The method I'd usually use with her mother wouldn't be appropriate here, partially because this is my girlfriend's daughter and partially because this is a child, my child, so I settled for letting her rant until she ran out of steam, which didn't take long.

"Feel better?" I asked, and she nodded, looking a little surprised. I smiled, "Okay, let's get you downstairs and back in your chair."

As I picked her up, she rested her head on my shoulder, "Thanks, Dad."

I quickly got her settled in her chair and helped to distract annoying visitors, mainly Kirk. Taylor did stop for a visit but said all of 4 words to her before leaving, so I didn't need to help there. Mia stopped in for a visit, sitting with Rory and helping her with the puzzle she was working on. Mr James, the teacher who told Lorelai that Rory was missing also stopped in to drop off a big card from the class, and several classmates said hello but left fairly quickly. When I brought her a very late lunch, I helped cut it into pieces for her, knowing she had been struggling with a knife earlier, before leaving her to eat in peace.

I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she slowly ate, her hand shaking from the effort it took. She gave up at the halfway mark and sat back in her chair, closing her eyes as she did.

"I've never seen Rory not finish a meal before."

I turned around and looked at Taylor, who was apparently back. His eyes were fixed on Rory, shocked that there was food still on her plate. It wasn't the first time for me, but it was still a shock to me given that the first time had been less than a week ago when she had her first solid meal since before the operation.

"She's eating a bit more every day," I admitted, ignoring my hatred of Taylor for the moment. I made my way over to Rory, kneeling down, "Is that all you can manage today?"

She nodded sadly, "I'm sorry for wasting food."

"It's okay," I said, making her look at me, "You're recovering from brain surgery. As long as you're eating healthily, something is better than nothing. Want me to put it away for tomorrows lunch?"

"Yeah," She said, "It tasted really good."

"I'm glad," I stood up and headed into the kitchen to put away her lunch, writing a small note for Caesar to leave it alone. I then resumed working, hoping Lorelai would be finished soon so Rory could go home and sleep in her own bed. She had her eyes closed and was dozing, opening her eyes every time someone walked by.

I saw Lorelai's car pull up. She walked in, and quietly greeted me with a kiss, "How has she been?"

"Pretty good, all things considered," I said, looking at her as she turned her head and the hat slipped off her head, landing on the floor with a very quiet thump. Her new scar was on display for the whole town to see, along with the patch the doctors had shaved about a centimetre each side of the scar.

"Oh my god," I heard several gasps, reminding me that everyone had been watching her all day, even if they were keeping their distance.

I quickly walked over to her and picked up the hat, resting it on her head. She opened her eyes and looked up at me. I smiled at her, "Your mom is here, ready to go home?"

She nodded and held her hands out. I grabbed them, allowing her to stand with a bit of support. She wobbled a little but fixed it herself. Lorelai came forward, taking her from me, "See you at home?"

I nodded, kissing her cheek, "See you later."