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It was a clear night in Paris – almost any couple's dream. Lorelai Gilmore and Christopher Hayden were sitting on the veranda of their hotel room overlooking the twinkling lights of the city below. After having a romantic candlelit dinner, they were unsure as to how the evening could get any better. The two were sitting outside in a comfortable silence, simply enjoying the sensation of being together in one of the world's most beautiful cities. Lorelai was sitting with her back leaning against Chris and her head rested lightly on his shoulder as Christopher absentmindedly ran his fingers through the silky curls of her hair.

"Wow, this is perfect." Lorelai sighed.

"It only took us years upon years" Christopher laughed. Lorelai began to recall the journey she and Christopher had traveled most of their lives back to when Rory was born. Chris had been ready for commitment, although Lorelai had always had second thoughts. And now here they were, over twenty years later.

"Lorelai…" Chris began.

"Yeah?" She tilted her head to look up at him.

"I know we've only been back together a few months, and it's been so great. But, I mean, come on Lore, look at our history."

Lorelai started to wonder what he was about to tell her, and she was unsure if she was prepared to answer him truthfully if a certain few words came out.

"Lore, I've already waited so long for you, and I don't wanna wait anymore." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I know we're right together. Come on Lore, let's just go for it. Let's elope."

Lorelai's eyes widened as she tilted her head to look up at Chris. "Elope? You mean here?"

"Yeah."

"But what about Rory?"

"What about Rory?"

"Well shouldn't she know? We should at least call her to make sure she's okay with this."

"Why wouldn't she be okay? Lore, we're happy which makes her happy. And don't you think she'd want her parents to finally be together?"

Lorelai sighed. "I guess you're right."

"I know I'm right." He smiled and squeezed her arm reassuringly. "So what do you say? Let's just do it. It'll save time, and obviously there'll be less buzz about it here than if we had our wedding in Stars Hollow. And we were gonna get married soon anyway, right? I mean, I love you Lore."

"Oh Chris, I love…" but her voice trailed off as she began to have another thought. Her mind was trying to convince her to tell Chris that she loved him and this was truly what she wanted, but something in her heart wouldn't agree. As Christopher gazed at Lorelai expectantly, the two conflicting feelings were boiling up inside her. Lorelai looked down at the floor before whispering a faint "Oh my god." As she stood up, the smile on Christopher's face disappeared to nothing more than a blank expression. A feeling of utter confusion flooded through him as he watched Lorelai walk into the hotel room. After a few moments of trying to make some sense of Lorelai's actions, Christopher got up and walked into the room, stopping when he saw Lorelai pulling her clothes out of the closet and tossing them carelessly in every direction.

"Lore…?" but when she didn't answer he slowly added "what are you doing?" After a few seconds Lorelai mumbled "I have to go home," and she began stuffing her clothes into her suitcase which she had just pulled out and thrown on top of the bed. As he heard the words escape from Lorelai's mouth, a hundred questions began exploding into Christopher's head. I said I love you, why didn't she answer? I thought she still had feelings for me. I figured we'd end up getting married soon, why not now? If she didn't love me, why did she come here to Paris in the first place? But the number one question Christopher wondered was simply why is she leaving?

"Home…you mean all the way home…to Stars Hollow?" Christopher asked, as if expecting to receive a greater understanding by her answer. It wasn't until Lorelai had zipped her suitcase that she turned to face Chris and answer with a small "yes." Now, not only was Christopher as confused as ever, but he had developed an overwhelming feeling of disappointed realizing that she was in fact leaving. Was it something I said? Lorelai stood there for a minute looking at Christopher before she took a few steps to stand next to him. Both waited for the other to talk, but after another minute of awkward silence it was Lorelai who spoke first. "Christopher, I…I'm really sorry. I just really want you to know that." Still in need of a logical answer, Christopher asked the question that had been burning up inside him. "Why are you leaving?"

Lorelai paused as if wondering about the same question herself. After a few seconds of thought, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes before letting it out slowly. Once again, she looked up into Christopher's eyes. "I…um…to tell you the truth, I'm not actually one hundred percent positive. It's just, I think I realized something tonight. I've kinda been denying it for a while, but I have a feeling that if I keep running I'll end up regretting it in the end. You know what I mean? I just feel like I have to go back now 'cause if I don't, I have no idea when I'll be ready."

Lorelai shook her head in near disbelief at what she was saying. With a gulp, she quietly added "I'm in love, Chris." The seconds that followed seemed to last for minutes as Christopher tried to absorb everything that Lorelai had just told him. After a little bit of thought, he managed a half smile and nodded in understanding. Lorelai returned the smile, and took a step closer, closing some of the space between them. She reached up a hand to slowly touch his cheek and lightly pressed her lips against his. But before he had the chance to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her in closer, she took a step back. "Bye Chris," she whispered before turning and grabbing the handle of her suitcase. And just like that, Lorelai walked out the door, leaving Christopher standing alone in the middle of the hotel room.