Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rosemary Lilith Gilmore as Michelle Trachtenberg

Name meaning: Rosemary means Love, Faith, and remembrance.

Hobbies: Painting. Dance. Reading. Skating.

Loves: Fashion. Bright colors. Her grandparents. Luke. Lane. Volunteering. Writing.

Hates: Her mother and Rory. Bullies. Cheaters. Running.

Dylan O'Brien as Max Medina

Hobbies: Reading. Sketches. Boxing

Loves: Classic literature. His mate. Dark colors. Building. Helping his students. 

Hates: Gradeing. Rory Gilmore. Lorelai Gilmore.

Rosemary Gillian expected to die at 18 when she protected her little sister from a robber. Rosemary was fine with that, her little sister was her world. Rosemary accepted her death and expected to enter the afterlife to watch her sister grow up.

Rosemary did not expect to be met by death and given the chance to live again. She definitely didn't expect to wake up as Rosemary Gilmore, the older twin sister of Rory Gilmore. And did she mention the soulmate thing? No. Apparently they have soulmates in this world. 

Chapter Text

You are always told what to do when someone breaks into your house. Hide in a closet or bathroom, somewhere with a lock, turn off the lights and don't make a sound as you call 911. They tell you to stay there until the police can get to you. They don't tell you what to do when the robber finds you.

I was minding my own business, watching Gilmore Girls for the third time that summer and wishing I was there, Max Medina was too good for Lorelai. Though he wasn't exactly my type in looks, he was so kind, and amazing, how Lorelai let him go I will never know.

My little sister, Lily was asleep next to me, tucked into my side, snoring in my ear making me wince. "Okay," I mutter, pausing the show. "Time for bed." I gently pulled Lily in my arms, shifting her a little and walked towards her bedroom when a window broke. I froze for a second before rushing into my room on the ground floor.

"W-what?" Lily grumbled.

"Shh." I shushed her, opening the closest door, shifting the dirty clothes on the closest floor, setting Lily down. I could hear banging in the living room, like the person was looking for something. "Lay down." I whisper.

"What's going on?" Lily whimpered fearfully but followed my instructions.

I started covering her body with the dirty clothes, "Lily, I need you to stay quiet and don't move. No matter what, you do not say a thing, and only come out if I or a police officer calls out. Do you understand?" Lily nodded, tears already filling her eyes. "I love you Lily. I love you with everything I have." I whispered, kissing her forehead before covering her face with a shirt, leaving enough room to breath without problem.

Closing the closest door, I stay low to the floor and leave the room, gently shutting the door. I couldn't see the person, but I could hear them, they were upstairs now. I rushed to the kitchen, grabbed the home phone and called 9-1-1, hiding in the pantry.

"9-1-1 what's your emergency?"

"Someone broke into my house. 205 Park Street, my little sister is hidden away." I whispered

"Okay honey. Can you tell me your name? How old are you?"

"Rosemary Gillian. I'm 18."

"And your sister?"

"Lily. She's 8."

"And are you two home alone?"

"Yes. My mom is working the night shift. She's a nurse at St. James."

"Okay. Rosemary, can you tell me where you are?"

"In the kitchen pantry."

"And Lily?"

"Hidden under a pile of clothes in my closet."

"Do you know where the person is?"

"Upstairs." I swallowed hard, hearing something being thrown in what sounded like my mothers room. "How long until the police get here."

"Five minutes away, Rosemary. Just stay where you are."

I tense when the stairs creaked, "He's down here." I whispered, huddling in a dark corner. I strain my hearing, paling when I hear a door open. The two doors down here were the pantry door and my bedroom door. "They're inside my bedroom. Lily's in there"

"Rosemary, the officers are coming now. Just a minute, you should hear the sirens soon."

I nodded, trying to calm myself but it all went to shit when Lily screamed.

"ROSIE!"

"Lily!" I yell.

"Rosemary!" The operator yelled but I dropped the phone, rushing out of the pantry, grabbing a knife from the counter.

"ROSIE!" Lily cried.

I ran through the house, slamming into the room. A man, taller than me, bigger too, standing in front of the closest, pointing a gun at Lily. At my little sister. The guy swung towards me, probably surprised to see me. I used that to my advantage. Rushing forward, I shoved him as hard as I could, forcing him away from Lily, slamming the closest door, shutting Lily in. Keeping her safe.

The guy recovered quickly, aiming his gun at me. I tightened my hold on the knife. "I already called 911. They'll be here any moment." I told him.

"Then they'll find two dead bodies." The guy growled.

No. He's not getting to Lily. I lunged forward, as he fried. Pain ripped through me, lighting up my nervous system but I pushed through. Thrusting the knife forward, the guy gasped.

"You're not t-taking L-L-Lily." I stuttered, stumbling backwards.

The guy fell against the wall, gun dropping as he held his stomach, blood pouring out of the knife wound.

The floor fell from beneath me, ringing filled my ears and my vision blurred. I could hear muffle shouting, and people entering the room. Someone - an officer from the badge - kneeled behind me, picking up my head, resting it in their lap, putting pressure on my stomach. Pain flared to life, the world slamming back into me.

Blue and Red lights were flashing all around the room. Paramedics rushed into the room, moving to me and the guy I stabbed, but I knew they were too late. I could feel it, I wasn't making it out of this room alive. "L-Lily," I choked out, coughing up blood.

"What was that, honey?" The female officer asked, leaning down to hear me.

"Lily. C-cloest." I raised a shaky hand, pointing at the closest, shut tightly. "Take her. . . take her out." Breathing was hard to do. The paramedic put an oxygen mask on me.

Another officer opened the closest, and there she was. Lily, curled into a ball, crying into her knees. When the door opened she screamed and I wanted to hold her, to reassure her but I couldn't move.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay."

Lily looked past the officer and straight at me. "Rosie!" Lily scrambled past the officers, resting on my chest. "Rosie what's wrong? Why are you strapped to a board?"

"Lily," I took the oxygen mask off. "Lily, I-I don't have much time." I forced out. Lily looked at me with those big brown eyes, and I cried silently knowing I will never see them again. "I love you Lily-flower. You have to promise me . . . promise me, y-y-you'll follow your d-d-dreams. And never stop shining."

"I promise." Lily cried.

I raised a shaky hand to her cheek, brushing a piece of her hair away. "I love you forever Lily." Forcing my head up, I kissed her cheek, looking at the officer. "Take her." I whispered.

The officer grabbed Lily, hauling her into his arms. Knowing she was safe I finally closed my eyes knowing she was going to be taken care of.

അഅഅ

The afterlife was different than what I expected. There was no light. No watching my family. Just darkness. "Hello!" I called out spinning in a circle. "I did not die just to be stuck in a void!" I yelled.

"You are feisty my dear." A voice came from behind me.

I spun around facing a figure in a dark cloak. "Death?" I asked but felt no fear. I never feared death, it was normal. Everybody died.

"Yes child."

I scowled, "I am not a child."

"You are 18. A child." I glared at Death. A deep chuckle echoed through the room. "No fear. I like that. Now we have to talk."

"About what?"

"About you changing the timeline. You were not the one meant to die tonight."

"What?" I was shocked. "The fucker isn't dead?" I hoped I had killed the bastard.

"No. He isn't to die tonight either."

I blinked, realizing what he wasn't saying. Lily. She was the one to die tonight. "No!" I shouted, glaring at Death. "No, Lily has so much to live for! She's only 8 for fucks sakes!" Lily couldn't have died tonight, she's too young, too full of life. I already lived for 18 years. That's enough. 8 isn't.

I march up to death, grabbing the front of his cloak pulling him towards me. I couldn't see his eyes, only darkness but I still glared. "You listen to me! Lily is going to grow up to have a family and kids and an amazing life! She wasn't meant to die tonight! I was! Lily is meant to live!" I yelled.

"No, she isn't." Death told me calmly.

Tears filled my eyes but I held them back. "No. Lily is a little girl. Lily is going to finish school. Find a great man or woman. Get married. Have kids. Have grandkids. She is going to be something. You will make sure of that."

Death stared at me, and I stared back. I was not backing down, not when Lily's life is in the balance. Her life means more to me than anything else, I practically raised her since mom was always working and dad walked out. Lily was my whole world. My kid. And she deserves to live.

"You are one determined girl." Death finally broke the silence. "Your sister will live until she is in her seventies. She will marry a wonderful woman and adopt 5 kids, a baby, two toddlers, and a teenager and preteen. She will become a police officer, to keep what happened to you from happening to others. She will have grandkids, 15 of them. One named after you. She will tell her family all about the big sister who raised her, and who died for her. Lily Gillian will not enter my door for years."

A shaky sigh escaped my lips, "Good." I nodded, letting him go. "Good." I muttered to myself nodding but I was overcome with sadness and happiness. "T-That's great. It -" I let out a sob of relief. "That's great." I silently broke down.

Lily was going to have a life. She was going to find love and be happy, it's what I wanted. It sucks I won't be able to see it happen though. Death watched for a moment before he spoke again. "There's still the problem of you dying before your time."

I sighed. "Just let me rest, please. Let me rest." I just wanted to rest and watch over Lily.

"I'm afraid I can't."

"Then what do you want!" I yelled.

"It's what you want."

"What?"

"You like Gilmore Girls, correct?"

I looked at him confused, what does that have to do with anything? "Yes. I do - did." I corrected.

"The multiverse is real my dear child, and your time is not over yet." Multiverse? It's actually real. I wasn't one that believed in heaven or hell, or the multiverse. I just believed in death. "You will be sent to the Gilmore Girl universe, one that is different from the version you watched."

"Who would I be?" I asked slowly, standing up.

"Rosemary Gilmore. Twin sister to Rory."

"Oh great, twin to her." Don't get me wrong, the writers did great. It showed that character arcs could go up or down. Rory definitely went down. Though to me, she was always a little more . . . spoiled in a way. She was the town sweetheart but she never had a connection to her classmates except Lane.

And don't get me started on Lorelai. She's one of the reasons Rory is the way she is, wanting to be her friend instead of her mother. And the money problem! She was the one to ask her parents for money then it became a problem when they wanted to buy Rory something.

Death chuckled, "While those are very good points, this universe is going to be a little different with you there. And one of those things are soulmates."

"Soulmates?" I asked suspiciously.

"Yes. In this version, magic is something that exists. Not enough for people to actually use it, but enough for my sister Fate to give them something. Soulmates have a mark on their body. Some visible, some not. You have to touch your soulmate to find them. Soulmates also have the ability to . . . pause . . . their aging. In case they are already in their adult years when their soulmate is born."

"Oh."

That sounds amazing actually. A soulmate just for herself, someone who would love her forever. "Does everyone have a soulmate?"

"Mostly yes. There are some rare cases when a person does not possess a soulmate."

I nodded slowly. There was a chance I wouldn't have a soulmate, but there was a higher chance I would. I could live my life the way I wanted, I could change how things went in the show. Maybe fix Rory but I wouldn't put it past her to just stay the same. Or get worse.

"Are you ready?" Death asked.

I took a deep breath. Lily would be okay. She would live a full life, and I get to start over. "Lily, she will know I love her, yes?" I needed to make sure she knew.

Death nodded. "She knows. And she will never forget it."

Good. "Yes. I'm ready." Death snapped his fingers and the floor cracked from underneath me. 

Chapter Text

Rosemary Gilmore laid in a hospital bed, hooked up to a heart monitor, IV drip connected to her hand. "Ugh." A massive headache bloomed as memory after memory bombards her. Rosemary goes to rub at her temples but feels a stinging pull on her hand that makes her hiss, a twinge of pain pulling her more awake.

Opening her eyes, she's blinded by the overhead lights and closes them quickly, as her eyes burn. Once the headache went away, Rosemary opened her eyes again, taking in the room. White ceiling, baby blue walls, machines around her. A hospital. Her leg was in a cast, her arm as well, and pain flared in her collarbone. The sound of shuffling comes from her side and she sees Emily and Richard Gilmore sleeping upright leaning on each other, blanket draped over their lap.

That was a surprise. From what Rosemary remembered from her past life, Emily and Richard were holiday grandparents because of Lorelai. But what surprised Rosemary more than anything was Christopher Hayden, her father, asleep next to her, holding her hand. And that's when Rosemary remembered.

Christopher never stopped talking to her. He called every single Friday, he visited every single Christmas and Birthday. Sent gifts from every country he went to. He tried with Rory but it was difficult when she was closer to Lorelai.

Emily and Richard never let Lorelai pull her away like she did Rory, though from what Rosemary remembered Rory didn't fight to see her grandparents as she did. Rosemary spent every weekend at their house, her bedroom at her grandparents, was more her than her bedroom at her mothers house.

As more and more memories came back to her, Rosemary's eyes watered. Every single memory of her life here. Every single Christmas. Every single Birthday. Every single memory. But also the bad memories. Every fight with her mother. Every moment where Rory tried putting her down.

Rosemary remembered Stars Hallow. How in this life, Rory wasn't the town's darling, but the town's troubled child. In this world, Stars Hallow saw how Rory tried putting her own sister down, tried to sabotage her cheer tryouts, saw the words Rory spat at her.

Lorelai and Rory might not understand that Rory wasn't the town's darling, but Rosemary knew.

"Rose."

Rosemary blinked, turning to Chris- dad. He's my dad. "W-What happened?" Her voice cracked, her throat ached.

Christopher grabbed a cup and poured water, "Emily, Richard! Rose is up." Christopher called out, helping Rosemary drink through a straw.

Emily and Richard jolted awake, looking confused for a moment before realizing their granddaughter was awake.

"Rose, oh darling!" Emily gently grabbed Rosemary's face gently, "Oh darling. Are you okay? In pain? Richard, call the nurses." Emily ordered.

"Grandma," Rosemary smiled softly, the water helping tamper down the pain. "I'm fine. No pain." She lied. She didn't want her grandparents and dad to worry more.

Emily sighed, moving to sit in the empty chair by Rosemary's head, instead of the couch. "Do you remember what happened?" Emily asked softly, brushing her fingers through Rosemary's hair as Christopher pressed the button to call the nurse.

Rosemary closed her eyes, trying to remember what time period she was even in. "I was . . . heading home from Luke's diner . . . my friends were throwing me a party." A goodbye party. Chilton! She got into Chilton for Sophomore year. It's still summer, school starts next week. "I was walking home with Lane and Emma . . . a car lost control, it was heading for Lane." Lane, both Rory and Rosemary's best friend, but from what she remembers, Lane was a little closer to her then Rory. "I pushed her out the way."

Rosemary opened her eyes, "Is Lane okay? Emma?"

Christopher nodded, "They're both okay. They've been here everyday since the accident."

"Every day?" Rosemary questioned, "How long was I out?"

The three adults shared looks, knowing Rosemary would freak out when she found out school started yesterday.

"Honey," Christopher grabbed his daughter's attention. "I'm afraid you've been out for a week-"

"A week!" Rosemary exclaimed. That would mean school either started or is going to start and that Rory would start next week if she remembered correctly, school was already in session for two weeks when Rory got in. "Why?" Rosemary asked.

"There was some brain damage - a brain bleed- and the doctors kept you in a medically induced coma. They took you off the medical last night." Christpher swallowed hard. It scared the crap out of him when he got the call his little girl was in the hospital. Terrified him when the doctors said his little angel had a brain bleed.

"Lane, Emma, your friends, even Luke and Sookie visited you." Richard told his granddaughter, motioning around the room. Flowers, balloons, get well cards, and some chocolates filled the room. "They've been worried about you."

Rosemary looked around, smiling a little when she saw all the gifts. From her memories, she could tell she had a real, genuine connection with the people of Stars Hallow. They cared about her more than her so-called mother and twin did.

"What happened to the person who did this?" Rosemary asked, glancing at her father. "I didn't recognize the car and Stars Hollow is small enough to know whose car is whose."

The room became tense, the adults shared looks. None of them calm. Rosemary knew instantly that something was wrong and that she wouldn't like the answer. A nurse came in with a clipboard and got to work checking her vitals.

"Rosemary, I'm glad to see you awake." Emily Kenner smiled at the young teen. "How are you feeling? Pain on a scale from 1 to 10."

"A 6."

"Okay." Emily fiddled with her IV and Rosemary turned her attention back to her family.

"Dad? Grandma, Grandpa?"

Emily let out a low sigh. "It was a drunk driver passing through town. They lost control of the car and were heading straight for you girls."

A drunk driver. She was in this mess because a person decided to get behind the wheel, drunk, and almost killed her best friend and herself. Rosemary didn't know if the accident happened so she could come here, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that some - some - asshole! Got behind the wheel drunk.

Rosemary took a few deep breaths as her heart monitor jumped. The adults glanced at it worriedly, but none moved as it went back to normal. "I assume the person is in custody?"

"Of course he is." Richard answered right away. "My lawyers are already dealing with it, he won't get away with hurting you." Richard loved his granddaughter more than anyone. Except his wife. Rosemary was what healed him when his daughter and Rory decided to not visit anymore except for Holidays every few years.

Rosemary though, never let her mother take her away from them. From him. She came to dinner every Friday, and stayed the weekend. Every holiday was spent with them or her father, every birthday, two parties one with them and one with her friends. Richard didn't know what would have happened if he didn't have his little Rose with him, but he's thankfully he doesn't have to find out.

He will make sure that man who almost killed his granddaughter gets the maximum sentence!

"What about school?" Rosemary finally asked the question that's been bugging her.

Emily smiled sadly. "School started yesterday honey."

"What?" Rosemary whispered, heart stopping. "B-but my placement! Am I going to lose my place at Chilton?" Tears filled Rosemary's eyes wondering if her dreams of going to Chilton were already gone before they could even start.

"Hey, hey no." Christopher quickly reassured his daughter, holding her hand but making sure to stay out of Emily's way. "I already called the school and explained what happened. You still have your spot."

Richard nodded, "Yes. The headmaster and teachers have been informed. You're still enrolled."

Rosemary let out a huge sigh of relief, happy that she wasn't losing her spot. Chilton has been her dream and though she didn't go last year for Freshman year because she wanted to spend at least one year with Lane and her friends trying public high school. Going to Chilton was a stepping stone to Yale.

"How long am I going to be here?"

"A few days." Doctor Tyler started walking in the room. "You're healing nicely, but we'd like to keep you for a few more days just to monitor you." Doctor Tyler added.

"Thank Doctor Tyler." Christopher nodded gratefully. Rosemary's eyes started to drop, the pain medication making her sleepy. Christopher noticed and squeezed her hand. "It's okay honey. Go to sleep, we'll be here when you wake up." He reassured her.

Rosemary hummed leaning back into her pillows. The humming of the machines and movements of her grandma fingers through her hair lured her back to sleep.

This was going to be her life, Rosemary was going to enjoy it.     

Chapter Text

“Ok, this I wasn’t expecting.” Rosemary thought she would have looked different but she looked like herself . The only slight difference was her skin was a shade lighter than it used to be and her eyes. Her once blue eyes were now a seafoam green.. The more Rosemary healed, the more she remembered about her new life. Like how while she and her dad were close to Emily and Richard, the two barely had contact with Straub and Francine.

Emily and Richard were more like parents to Christopher than his own parents were. They made sure he had time with Rosemary and Rory when the other Gilmore girl wanted to see her father. The two let him stay with them when his first business failed while his father ignored him. They gave him the encouragement to keep going and being present in his daughter’s lives. Thanks to them, Christopher continued to stay in his daughters' lives, or well, daughter since Rory seemed to want nothing to do with him.

He bought a house in Stars Hallow, close to the edge of town so it was easier to travel between Hartford and Stars Hollow. That was where she was now, being released from the hospital two days ago with a wheel chair, and cast covers.

Rosemary sat on her bed with her laptop on her lap, skyping Lane.

“Did you hear the news?” Lane asked.

“No, what’s going on?”

“Rory’s going to Chilton.”

“What?!” Rosemary forgot that bite with everything going on. The date sneaking up on her.

Lane nodded, “Yeah, she was telling me today. She’ll start next week with you on Monday.”

“She would already be behind. At least the school sent me the opening packets they wanted everyone to do.” Rosemary shook her head. She did not understand why Lorelai would put Rory into Chilton two weeks into the year when she knows how competitive the school is. Rory would be behind for a few weeks.

“Well at least she won’t be here.” Lane muttered.

Rosemary gave her a small smile, “Still acting like nothing happened?”

“Yeah.” Lane huffed. “I swear, Emma has almost gotten into a fight with Rory ten times already!”

Rosemary tilted her head confused, “But it's only the third day of school.”

“I know!” Lane threw her hands up. “I swear if Emma tries one more time, I might just let her.” Rosemary laughed a little before wincing. Lane frowned, “You okay?”

“Yeah, it's just time for my pills.” Rosemary waved her off.

“Okay. I’ll let you go.”

‘You don’t-”

“Rosemary, I know the pills make you sleepy. Take a nap and I’ll call later.” Lane cut her off with a smile.

Rosemary smiled back, glad to have her as her best friend, “I will. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Rosemary set her laptop aside and grabbed her pill bottle and water. Taking two tablets, Rosemary leaned back in bed letting sleep take her.

അഅഅ

Christopher moved around the kitchen with ease, making sure the meat didn’t burn when he heard a knock at the door before a key was used.

“Christopher, we’re here!” Richard raised his voice just slightly knowing his granddaughter was most likely sleeping. It was a good thing Christopher decided on a one story house. While he wasn’t sure at first, wanting his granddaughter and the boy he thought of like a son to have a great big home he had to say Christopher picked an amazing house.

3 bed and 3 bath, 2038 square feet, French Hill style with two garages, one that was turned into Rosemary’s library/study room. The third bedroom used to be Rory’s, but after a long fight that ended with Rory stating she would never step foot into the house again it was changed to Rosemary’s makeup-clothes room. Of course Christopher kept it as Rory’s room for two years but after another fight between Rory and Christopher he let Rosemary have it, working hard to turn it into his baby girl's dream dressing room.

Black floors, overhead lights on a dim switch, floor to ceiling wardrobe space, built-in vanity for Rosemary makeup, and skin products, with a wall of mirrors, along with a built in dresser and small mirror for her jewelry and sunglasses.

When Christopher bought the house it wasn’t in the best shape, which is why he got it for so cheap but he spent a long time fixing it up. His kitchen was one of the things he loved about the house. A large arch window was in front of the sink giving him a view of the back garden Rosemary planted last summer. White marble counters surrounded the stainless steel double oven and matching fridge. A white marble island with four soft cushion seats.

On the other side was the table that sat four people for their small dinner parties they have every Wednesday here.

“In the kitchen!” Christopher called back.

Emily and Richard smiled seeing Christopher at home in the kitchen. After years of trying to follow the path his father wanted him to go on, Christopher finally put his foot down and followed his own. Christopher wanted to lead by example, and he realized he was setting a bad example to Rosemary, he was miserable in Finance and hated it, and it was only after Rosemary told him she was in the school paper because that’s what Lorelai wanted her to do he realized she was following him.

Doing something she hated to appease her mother. Like he was trying to appease his father. So he gave up, quit his fiancee job and started cooking. His trust fund let him live comfortably while he built his new business and after 3 years, Christopher finally got his restaurant. A restaurant built by himself, something that showed Rosemary she didn’t have to follow the path her mother wanted her to follow.

And Emily and Richard couldn’t have been prouder of their son. Christopher had made something of himself, something no one could take and he was making sure their granddaughter knew it too.

“Hi Emily, Richard.” Christopher smiled at them, plating the last of the food.

Emily smiled walking around the island to kiss his cheek, “How have you been?” Emily asked.

“Pretty good.” Christopher shrugged, setting the pot in the sink. “Rosemary settled in nicely, and Lane’s been over to cheek on her a few times since we got home.”

“How’s the restaurant holding up without you there?” Richard asked, taking off his suit jacket, setting it on the back of his chair.

“Well no one’s burned down the kitchen so I say it’s going good.” Christopher laughed. While he wanted to be in the restaurant making sure everything was running smoothly, Rosemary needed him home more than his employees needed him. “Can you move Rosemary’s chair? I’m going to get her.” Christopher asked Richard.

“Of course.”

“I’ll bring the food to the table.” Emily told Christopher, squeezing his arm.

Christopher smiled at the parent figures, without them he knew he wouldn’t be able to do everything he does for Rosemary. They’ve kept him up even when he felt like falling and staying down.

“Thank you.” Christopher muttered before heading to his daughter's room, knocking twice before entering knowing she was sleeping. He stopped in the door for a moment just watching as her chest raised and fell. To think he was so close to losing this, for Rosemary to be a memory. If that car was going just a bit faster, if she fell just a bit harder, he could have lost her for good and Christopher thanks God everyday that he didn’t.

He moved, sitting on the edge of her bed, gently brushing his finger across the bruise on her head. He didn’t care how his little girl looked, she could have a scar running across her face and he would still love her the same because a scar is better than death.

“Rose, Rose time to wake up.” Christopher said softly, stroking her hair. “Come on, Rose. It’s dinner time.”

“Hmm.” Seafoam green eyes fluttered open.

“Hey sleepy head.” Christopher smiled. “Come on, dinner time. Your grandparents are waiting.”

“Hmm, what’s for dinner?” Rosemary asked groggily, lifting her arm.

Christopher slipped his arms under her back and knees lifting her up, “Steak with mashed potatoes.” He gently deposited Rosemary into her wheelchair, lifting the footplate up to rest her leg on. “Your grandparents are here as well.”

Rosemary smiled lazily, “Good.” She muttered leaning back as her dad pushed her out her room and towards the kitchen.

As they walked the father-daughter duo could hear Emily and Richard. The house was all one floor and they weren’t exactly whispering.

“I just don’t think Friday dinners should happen.” Richard was saying.

“Well I tried for Saturday but Loerelai wouldn’t budge. And I’m only doing this in hopes of getting Rory out from her thumb.”

“What’s that about?” Christopher whispered to his daughter. Rosemary knew everything that happens in this town and Hartford. How? He didn’t know but he learned not to question it.

“Rory was accepted into Chilton and we both know Lorelai isn’t rolling around in money.” Rosemary gave her dad a knowing look.

Christopher scoffed, of course Lorelai wouldn’t even come to him for help. She always has to be the one to provide and look he gets it, he’s the same way with Rosemary but the thing is, he doesn’t struggle like Lorelai does and he wants to be able to help with Rory, even if they barely talk.

Nothing else was said on the topic as they entered the kitchen, cutting Emily and Richard's conversation off. “Hi grandma. Hi grandpa.” Rosemary smiled at them.

“Theres my little skater.” Richard smiled standing up to give her a kiss on the head.

“How are you feeling honey?” Emily asked, kissing her cheek.

Rosemary shrugged, smiling at her dad as he slid her right into the open space where her chair used to be. “I’m good. The nap really helped.”

“I’m glad.” Emily sat down across from her. “Now let’s eat. Everything looks amazing Christopher.”

“Thank you Emily.” Christopher smiled sitting next to his daughter and across from Richard.

The small family of four ate dinner peacefully, talked about school and work filling the house. Rosemary didn’t say much, too busy stuffing her face, but she enjoyed the happy atmosphere. In her old life this would be rare, where her mother, Lily, and her would eat together. It was weird how she remembered things from her past life but it felt like she was remembering a dream.

Rosemary hoped she would continue to remember her past life, not wanting to forget Lily and her mom but she also wanted to make new memories with this family. And she was going too, she promised herself she was going to remember both lives. 

Chapter Text

Rose sat in front of her vanity, using her good hand to do her makeup, while Christopher did her hair. "Ready for your first day Rose?" Christopher asked his daughter.

Rose smiled, "Yeah. I can't wait, though I'm going to miss my friends." Leaving behind her friends was a big deal, not going to the same school as the people she grew up with is scary but going to Chilton is Rose's dream and she didn't want to give up on that dream.

"They're still going to be here, and you'll make new friends in Chilton."

"You think so?" Rose asked, scared she wouldn't. Her past memories were still there, clouding her mind whenever she thought of her new school. It's why she started going by Rose instead of Rosemary.

Rosemary was the girl who lost her life. The girl who wouldn't see her sister grow up and live life.

Rose was the girl who survived a car accident. Rose is the girl who's going to her dream school.

Rose knew her life as Rosemary will always be with her. Her love for Lily will always be there. Her love for her mother and her anger at her father, and the fear, and happiness, and memories, and everything else Rosemary experienced during her last life is still there. But Rose also knew she couldn't let her past life dictate her new life.

Rose couldn't let the feelings she had about Rory, Pairs, Lane, Emily and everyone else from her past life affect her new life.

Rose and Rosemary were two different people. And Rose was still trying to come to terms with it.

"Of course, honey. Your Rosemary Lilith Gilmore-Hayden. They would be fools not to like you." Christopher smiled. He was so proud that Rose wanted to take his last name as well. While he hated being a Hayden, having his daughter take his last name made him love it.

Rose smiled finishing her makeup. "Do you think I'll meet my soulmate?"

That was something Rose was very excited about. Her soul mark was on her collar bone, something everyone could see if she left her shirt one button open. Books that started at the base of her collar bone and went all the way up to her neck stopping at the base of it.

Rose loved it, but she couldn't figure out who it belonged to. She only hoped it wasn't Dean or Tristian. Rose liked them enough, but neither were her type.

"I hope not." Christopher groaned, not wanting to think of his little baby girl meeting her soulmate just yet.

"Dad." Rose whined.

Christopher sighed, "Maybe. But if you do, I reserved the right to threaten him."

"Okay." Rose snickered.

Christopher grinned, finishing off his daughter's hair. "And done."

Rose smiled seeing her hair, "Thank you, daddy."

"No problem honey. Now breakfast at Luke?" Christopher suggested.

"Yes!"

"Greet, let's go."

Christopher rolled his daughter to the front door where her bookbag and jacket were waiting. Helping Rose put on her jacket, he handed the backpack to Rose who rested it on her lap.

അഅഅ

"Morning Luke!" Christopher greeted rolling Rose to the side table.

"Morning. You're regular?" Luke asked, already pouring two cups of coffee.

"Yep." Chrisopher nodded.

Luke set the coffee down in front of them. "Morning Rose." He kissed her head.

"Morning Luke." Rose smiled, sipping her coffee slowly.

"Suprise you aren't doing your big first day breakfast." Luke commented moving behind the counter.

"I need to get groceries, but it's been crazy at Doose's Market this past week and Taylor's refusing to hire someone new." Christopher shook his head. "We'll have a big dinner."

Rose smiled, "I bet he'll be begging for help by the end of the month."

"A month?" Luke asked.

"It's Taylor." Rose shrugged.

"Ugh. Damnit, I'm just gonna have to suck it up and go when it's busy aren't I?" Christopher groaned.

Rose smiled amused at her father's dramatics. "You could always try to get in when they open. Not too many people go then." Rose suggested.

"So that's the uniform huh?" Luke asked, setting down their food. Scrambled eggs and bacon for Chrisopher. French toast and strawberries for Rose. "You look preppy."

"Good preppy, or bad preppy?" Rose asked, swallowing her bite of food.

Luke smiled a little, "Good preppy. Now finish up before you're late."

Rose smiled, stuffing more food into her mouth making both men laugh.

അഅഅ

Chilton was imposing with its large gates, large stone buildings, bell tower, and gargoyles staring out from every corner. Christopher helped Rose out of the car and into her wheelchair.

"Ready honey?" Christopher asked.

Rose swallowed hard. "Yeah."

"There you are!" Emily's voice came from up ahead.

Christopher and Rose looked up to see Emily walking towards them with a big smile.

"Grandma! What are you doing here?" Rose asked, smiling happily at her grandmother.

Emily leaned down kissing her granddaughter's forehead. "It's your first day. Did you think I wouldn't come see you for your first day?" Emily asked, moving to kiss Christopher's cheek. "You look darling in your uniform." Emily added.

"Thanks grandma."

"Come on, I'll show you where the headmaster's office is. Would you like me to go in with you two?"

Christopher looked at Emily smiling softly. "I think we got it. You should probably wait for Lorelai and Rory."

Emily nodded. If she was being honest, she forgot Rory was also starting today. Friday dinner didn't end well. Emily was just glad Chrisopher and Rose had a doctor appointment and couldn't make the dinner, so they didn't hear what Lorelai was saying about them.

"Bye Grandma." Rose smiled.

"See you later darling." Emily smiled, hugging them once more.

അഅഅ

"You are clearly a very bright young lady, Miss Gilmore-Hayden."

"Thank you, sir."

"Perfect grades. Teachers like you. A number of school activities and after school activities. Cheerleading, FBLA clubs. Ice skating. Do you plan to continue these when you are healed?" Headmaster Charleston asked.

Rose nodded. "I do plan on joining Cheerleading when I am healed next year and I hope to continue my FBLA clubs here. As for skating, yes that is something I will also continue outside of school. I have also worked at my father's restaurant as a waiter during the summer since I turned 14 and I tutor a few of my friends in Star Hallow."

Christopher sat back looking proud of his daughter. Rose has worked hard her whole life. She spent summers working with him, and working hard at school with clubs, and activities. Christopher knew Rose dreamed of going to the Olympics and Christopher believed she could. Rose was amazing on the ice, and he hoped she could get back on the ice soon.

"If I may Miss Gilmore-Hayden, what are your aspirations?"

"To open and run my own successful business and go to the Olympics."

Headmaster Charleston raised a brow, "In?"

"Architecture. I've always had a keen eye for building."

Charleston hummed. "And the Olympics?"

"Skating." Rose was quick to answer.

"Rose is one of the best skaters on her team." Christopher jumped in. "The doctors say she could be on the ice again in a month or two."

Rose nodded, "I'm hoping to get better in time for this year's season."

"Architecture is one of the hardest businesses to get into." Charleston warned.

Rose didn't say anything, only opened her bag and pulled out her thick sketch book handing it over. Charleston took it with a raised brow but flipped it open eyebrow raising at the first drawing. Pages filled with houses, bridges, shops, stairs, and more.

"You made all this?"

Rose nodded, "Yes. Some of those are already spoken for." Charleston looked up. Rose smiled. "People in my town like my work. That first page? It's for a local diner." Luke wanted to expand - though Rose thought it was just because he wanted to be her first customer - and asked her to make something.

"That building is meant to be built next summer." Rose told her headmaster.

"Your work is incredible." Charleston handed back Rose's sketch book. "Chilton has one of the highest academic standards of any school in America. The pressures here are greater, the rules stricter, and the expectations are higher." Christopher glanced at his daughter. He was a little worried it would be too much. Not because he thought Rose couldn't handle it but because so much has happened in the last two weeks, he didn't want her to stress.

Rose didn't look away from the headmaster as she reached over and squeezed her dad hand four times. Their signal meant 'I'm okay.' Christopher smiled, squeezing his daughter's hand three times. 'I love you.'

"Should you make it through, you will have received one of the finest educations one can get, and there should be no reason why you should not achieve all your goals. However, I do believe you will do well here, Miss Gilmore-Hayden." Charleston says handing Rose her file. "Take this to Miss James in the administration office across the hall. She'll tell you where to go and get you everything."

"Thank you, Headmaster Charleston."