"So we are headed back towards Stars Hollow. I assumed the surprise would be in Hartford as well." Rory said.
"No just the food."
"So what exactly are we going to be doing in Stars Hollow?"
"You know all night I think you've been assuming that I have these big plans for us, which makes me think that once we arrive to our destination you are going to be disappointed."
"Why would I be disappointed?"
"I don't know…it's just not that fancy is all."
"I don't mind. I've never been one for fancy anyway."
Dean smiled back at her as their hands met one another in the middle of the seat.
Moments later they had reached their destination.
"Come on, follow me." Dean said as he opened her door for her.
Once they came to a stop Rory took in her surroundings.
"The bridge."
"Almost…there is this awesome spot right past the bridge by the lake. Gavin and I come out here a lot and camp. I thought maybe you and I could look at the stars and talk for a while."
Dean began to flatten out the blanket he brought from the truck. Once the blanket was settled Dean gestured for Rory to make herself comfortable first.
"Thank you." She said smiling back at him. "You know I'm still impressed."
"What?" Dean looked at her questionably.
"Tonight…right now. You said it wouldn't be much but it really is. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing more right now then laying here with you."
Dean laughed a little. "I'm sure you could think of something."
Rory also started to laugh. "Even though this is where Jess and I did most of our talking back in high school."
"You sure it was just talking?" Dean asked.
"Yeah mostly. Jess and I never really did get too serious."
"Yeah you mentioned that to me before…last time we were together."
"Oh yeah." Rory stared down at the ground in front of her now feeling a little awkward about bringing the subject up in the first place.
"How is Jess anyway? Have you heard from him?"
"Good I guess, it's been a few years but last I heard he was doing pretty well for himself. He started his own business with a couple of friends."
"Good that's good." Dean let out a sigh.
"Yeah it is but why exactly are we having a conversation about Jess?"
"I guess it's easier to talk about everyone else then it is about us."
"Dean what's going on? Tell me what you're thinking. I want us to be able to figure all of this out so that we can really be together. Until you let yourself open up to me again we will never be able to have that."
"I'm sorry Rory. I've been pushing you away ever since I saw you in the diner the day you came home."
"I know you have but I don't understand why. Dean what's going on?"
"It's complicated." He said almost with rage in his voice.
Rory noticed Dean's eyes begin to tear up and he immediately looked away to cover them up.
"Dean…what's going on? I know you and something is very wrong here."
"You want to be with me right?"
"Of course I do Dean."
"What if you got what you want but one day it was all gone, just like that?"
"Dean you're starting to scare me."
"It's a simple question really…what if I wasn't around anymore but Gavin was. What would you do, I mean would you raise him as your child?"
"Dean why are talking like that. Why wouldn't you be around?"
"Would you?"
"If that's what you wanted for him then yes I would. But can you please explain to me why you're asking these kinds of questions?"
"First I have to ask you a question." Dean turned to face Rory and held onto her hands. "Rory Gilmore will you be my wife?"
"Oh my God Dean I didn't think you were going to ask this tonight…."
"Let me explain to you why…you see there's this girl that I've always been in love with, I've never stopped loving her since the moment we met. I screwed up pretty bad I let her go and I married somebody else instead. By the time I realized what a mistake I had made I thought it was too late to make things right again but I got another chance. And of course I screw up again and drive out of her life. Years went by and I never even talked to this girl. I thought about it a lot. I even got in the car a few times to visit her but I would get halfway there and turn around in fear that she would be in love with someone else now. All this time I thought she didn't want to be with me and then someone opened my eyes. They made me realize how much this girl really loves me and I don't want to spend anymore time without her. I need her more now then ever. So Rory will you marry me?"
Tears were now streaming down her eyes. "Yes Dean…yes."
Dean pulled her in for a long kiss followed by a hug. Just as they pulled away from one another Rory realized from the expression on Dean's face that there was more to it.
"There's something I need to tell you."