hi everyone here's an early Chirstmas present. Thanks as always to my co-pilot ORY. :)

"Taylor, c'mon. If we're late for this your aunt might kill me," Ryan shouted up the stairs.

"I can't find my shoes."

"They're down here in the kitchen," Lane said from next to Ryan at the foot of the stairs.

"Why are they in the kitchen?"

"Who knows?"

"Are you saying I'm incomprehensible?" Taylor appeared at the head of the stairs, smiling.

"Just crazy."

"You like crazy."

"Yeah, I do."

"You two can't start making out," Lane reminded them. "You have a party to get to. Tell Rory I'm sorry that I couldn't be there."

"Lane don't even worry about it," Taylor said as she took the shoes the Oriental girl offered her. "If you and Zach did go, you'd be so bored you'd make up an excuse to leave within ten minutes. The only reason I'm going is because he's making me."

"And I'm making you because Rory is your family and if you miss this, Emily will find some way to blame me. I'd kind of like her to like me at some point in the future."

"I wouldn't hold your breath on that one." Lane commented. "No offense, Taylor."

"Oh, none taken. She is a little much, sometimes."

"She's better than her Newport counterparts." Ryan blatantly checked his watch. "But she does have this thing about people being on time."

"Right. We're going. Lane, you have all the numbers, right?"

"Yes, I have all the numbers and two kids of my own. Get going."

"Bye," Taylor waved as she and Ryan left.

"Bye."

---xx---

"Hi Lorelai," Taylor hugged her.

"Thank God, people I like," Lorelai said hugging Taylor and then Ryan. "This party is full of my parents' friends and most of Yale's faculty."

"I dunno, it sounds like your kinda crowd."

"Ryan." Taylor scolded, swatting his arm lightly. "Behave."

Lorelai sighed and looked around with a frown.

"What's wrong?"

"What?"

"You look worried."

"No, not me."

"Lorelai."

"Logan came to see me the other day."

"And?"

"He asked me something."

"Are you going to make me guess," Taylor said.

"He asked my permission to marry Rory."

"What," Taylor's voice actually changed octaves.

"Taylor," Ryan shushed her. "No attracting attention."

"Yes, the last thing we need is my mother finding out and throwing a bridal shower before he's even asked."

"What did you tell him?"

"I didn't say anything really. I was too shocked."

"You need a drink," Taylor decided. "I'll be right back."

Lorelai looked at Ryan who was watching Taylor, "By the way, in case you were thinking about it, my answer would be yes."

"Thanks."

"When are you going to ask her?"

"What happened to 'don't push her'?"

"She loves you. I wasn't sure if she did before which is why I said not to push but she does and you do so go for it."

"You realize you're encouraging two eighteen year olds to get married."

"I am encouraging two eighteen year olds with two children to get married. I must be a big hypocrite because when I was pregnant with Rory all anyone wanted was for Christopher and me to get married. Instead I took my daughter and ran for my life. You two are different. You'll make it."

"Or she could freak and run for it."

"She won't," Lorelai smiled. "Rory might but Taylor won't. You are everything she's ever wanted, Ryan. You love her for who she is and the fact that she's a little crazy doesn't bother you. You embrace it instead."

"After the Cohens, crazy is comforting. And Taylor-crazy is.....fun."

Lorelai looked over at the bar and then at Ryan, "I don't know much about your ex-girlfriend but I kind of got the feeling she tied you up in knots a lot of the time but she always had a hold on you. I know what that feels like."

He scowled, "Why does everyone always bring her up? This has nothing to do with her."

"I'm not saying it does but make sure you're ready before you ask, okay? I like you Ryan. I don't want to have to kill you."

"No pressure." He smirked. "Don't worry, I won't ask unless I'm dead certain."

"Good," Lorelai smiled.

"Hey, sorry I took so long. I had to convince the bartender that I wasn't going to be drinking it," Taylor said handing Lorelai a glass of wine. "So, where's the guest of honor?"

"Over there, being introduced and shown off," Lorelai said and then her eyes caught sight of someone else. "Will you excuse me? I have to go say hello to Rory's father."

"Sure," Taylor said as Lorelai left. She looked at Ryan, "How are you holding up?"

"Good. Emily looks like she's doing her 'pretend he doesn't exist' thing."

"That's so immature."

"You'd prefer she tear into me?"

"No. I just wish she'd see that you're not a bad person."

"Give her some more time."

Taylor smiled and then she rolled her eyes, "Put on a polite smile and remember he's Rory's father even if he did pull a disappearing act for the first sixteen years of her life."

"What?"

"Lorelai's bringing Christopher over."

"Fuck."

"Ryan..."

"I'm smiling." He gritted out past a thin-lipped grimace.

Taylor reached down and took his hand in hers, giving him a smile of her own before she turned to greet Christopher Hayden.

---xxx---

"And Logan this is Ryan Atwood," Taylor introduced.

"Now I see where Jake and Josie get the eyes," Logan commented. "Good to meet you."

"Hey." His head was pounding. At least he didn't have to pretend to like this one, like he had all the other arrogant jerks in the room. "Nice to meet you."

"Logan, Rory's over there," Taylor pointed. "Will you excuse us for a moment?"

"Sure," Logan said.

"C'mon," Taylor took Ryan's hand and found a pair of double doors that went out onto a balcony. "Feel better," she closed the doors behind them.

"Sorry." He tried to relax his shoulders. "Guess I'm out of practice at hobnobbing."

"Actually, I'm kind of proud of you," she took his hands in hers. "You've lasted over three hours without punching anyone and after that 'better late than never' comment from that psych teacher I wouldn't have blamed you."

"Maybe I can catch him on his way to his car." Ryan growled.

"Leave it alone," Taylor advised. "The last thing I want to do is defend you for the next twenty years every time Emily brings up your arrest for attacking that nice psych professor."

Ryan smiled and tipped his head back to look at the sky, "Okay. I'll be good."

"Thank you. So, do you think in twenty two years we'll be having one or two of these?"

"Fights? Oh yeah. More than that, even."

She giggled. "No, graduation parties."

"Definitely." He leaned his forearms on the balcony railing. "Josie will be graduating some fancy chef school I don't have a prayer of pronouncing correctly and Jake will be some famous zoologist who goes around saving endangered species."

Taylor linked her arm with his and leaned a head on his shoulder, "You think they'll be as proud of us when we graduate college as we will be when they do?"

"They'll be pretty young when we do. Four or five, six, tops."

"So they'll still be in the "parents are cool" phase."

"I'd have to ask Seth about that."

"Summer says her Dad is still her hero."

"So the odds are good they'll be proud of us."

"Yeah. I watch you with Josie sometimes. You treat her a little differently than you do Jake. You hold her almost as if you're afraid of breaking her."

Ryan smiled, "I just feel like I have to protect her a little bit more."

"The girls in my family are just as tough as the boys," Taylor smiled.

"Sandy says that all fathers are like that with their daughters - protective." He tried not to think how defensive he sounded.

"I actually think it's sweet," Taylor said. "It's nice to know Josie will have that."

"And Jake will have a real Mom." He ducked his head and smiled sideways. "Like I did with Kirsten."

"I think that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me," Taylor smiled. "Thank you."

"Just the truth."

"Ryan..." Taylor's eyes looked down shyly before they looked back at him and she leaned forward.

"Taylor?"

The couple sighed as they pulled apart and turned around.

"Yes Aunt Emily?"

"Could you come back in here? Logan's about to ask Rory something."

"Of course."

"How does she do that?" Ryan took her hand as they went inside.

"What?"

"Come over just as we're about to kiss."

"Instincts," Taylor said. "She sharpened them the moment she found out Rory was sleeping with Logan in the pool house."

"Maybe that's why she's so suspicious of me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I used to live in a pool house....."

"Funny," Taylor smiled at him as they stood in the back of the room and watched Logan approach Rory.

"What do you think she'll say?"

"He's by far the best of her boyfriends in a lot of ways but she's not ready and she wants more from life than being Mrs. Huntzberger entails."

"Can you get home by yourself?"

"Why? What are you going to do?"

"If she give him a "no", instead of a "not yet", he's gonna need someone to get plastered with."

"I think she might give him an "I'll think about it"," Taylor said. "And as much as she knows she's not ready yet, she will think about it."

"I think I should talk to him, after."

"About waiting? About not pushing? About being patient?"

"I like how well you know me."

"I've gotten in a lot of practice," Taylor smiled as they watched Logan give Rory a ring and told her that he'd be waiting for her answer before walking away. Rory headed straight for Lorelai. "Emily wants her to say yes."

"How do you know?"

"She may not like the fact that they sleep together but she likes the idea of them together and how Rory's eyes would look with Logan's hair on a kid."

"Well, hopefully someone can keep her out of this. Emily has some whacked ideas about what's right."

"She's not 'whacked', she just wants us to be happy."

"Does she still bring up that French pervert as better than me?"

"Sometimes."

"Whacked."

Taylor giggled and then smiled slyly, "Is Emily watching us?"

Ryan looked over Taylor's shoulder, "She's looking this way, why?"

"Wanna piss her off?"

"Taylor, what do you have in mind?"

"Kiss me."

He grinned wickedly. "Don't have to ask me twice."

Then he leaning in and kissed her, gently, tenderly.

"Ahem," a voice said from beside them.

The two pulled apart and Taylor blushed when they saw Richard standing next to them.

"Hi Uncle Richard," Taylor said.

"Mr. Gilmore."

"Hello," Richard smiled knowingly. "Are you two enjoying yourselves?"

"Yes, very much," Taylor nodded.

Ryan turned a bit red.

"Not to say you shouldn't be doing what you were doing, but could you please refrain from giving my wife an aneurism?"

"Sorry Uncle Richard," Taylor said.

"How are my niece and nephew?"

"They're fine," Taylor checked Ryan's watch. "I should call Lane and see if they went down alright."

"Here," Ryan handed her his cell phone.

"I have mine."

"You left it on the counter next to the coffee machine when you were putting on your shoes."

"How do you know that?"

"You're not the only one who's learned things."

"The house number in here," Taylor asked as she flipped it open.

"Yeah."

"Okay. I'm gonna go outside for this."

Ryan nodded.

Taylor left Ryan and Richard alone.

"I wanted Lorelai to marry Christopher for all the wrong reasons," Richard said. "For a long time it didn't really matter to me that Lorelai didn't think Christopher was the right person for her. I was more worried about how our family looked to our friends. I lost my daughter for a long time. Emily's determined to see Taylor married to someone who grew up like we raised Lorelai. I'd rather see her happy."

"So would I."

"I'm glad we agree," Richard smiled. "You're a good person, Ryan and you're stubborn. She needs that."

"Believe me, I know."

"I still can't believe she pushed you into the lake. The women in this family are a little....."

"Crazy?"

"I was going to say eccentric."

"That works too."

Ryan smiled.

"You have travel plans for the summer?"

"We're going to see my family in California."

"And then you'll be in school."

"Right."

"See if you can get her to agree to a trip to Paris some time soon. I'm sure her grandmother would like to see her."

"She says she doesn't want to cause a heart attack."

"I think she's underestimating the woman. Hope is stronger than that." Richard frowned in thought. "Maybe you can trade off for something."

"Not you too."

"I'm sorry?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Alright," Richard said. "I'm going to collect Emily and direct her towards another part of the party so that she doesn't waylay Taylor when she comes back in and speaking of Taylor maybe you two should get home. I'll see you tomorrow for the ceremony."

"Goodnight Mr. Gilmore."

"Call me Richard. I think you've earned it."

"Thanks, Richard."

"Anytime." He clapped the young man on the shoulder and moved away to distract his wife.

"Josie fussed but she went down after Lane sang to her. Get this; she sung some Korean hymn and it knocked her right out," Taylor said coming back to Ryan. "Everything okay?"

"Fine. Richard went to waylay Emily."

"Good for him."

"How about we go home," Ryan put an arm around her.

"Okay. You alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine. These parties are just annoying."

"Then let's get out of here."

Ryan smiled and took Taylor's hand as they left the party.

---xxx---

"Lane, we're back."

"Hey," the sleepy woman came out of the living room. "How was it?"

"Ab fab," Taylor teased.

"You hang out with Lorelai too much."

"You need a ride home Lane?"

"I'm good. Night."

"Night."

Once Lane had left Taylor turned to Ryan, "Do you wanna stay for a little while?"

"I'd like to check on the twins, if that's okay."

"Always," Taylor smiled.

Ryan nodded and headed for the stairs.

"Ryan?"

He turned, "Yeah."

"I'm not asking for sex but would you like to stay over?"

"Yes."

"Good," Taylor smiled. "Just sleep with me?"

"No." His face went hard.

"Ryan?"

"Do you have any idea what you're asking?"

"You've done it before."

"You were having a breakdown, before."

"Was not."

"Taylor." He tried not to yell. "When you're miserable and crying, it's easy to keep my hands off you. When you're happy...."

"...not so much?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. I'll make up a guest room for you."

"Thanks," Ryan nodded.

"And I'm sorry. I should've thought about my question before I asked it. It's not exactly easy to keep my hands off of you sometimes either."

"Good to know," he managed a grin, but it was strained.

"I am sorry," Taylor twisted her fingers together. "I just.....I don't really have a lot of experience with this."

Any lingering resentment he felt about the situation vanished at the look on her face.

"Hey, it's okay." This time, the smile was more genuine. "Kinda new for me, too."

"You're being better about this that I have any right to ask you to be."

"Don't think that," Ryan said.

Taylor sat on the steps with her back to the wall and her legs stretched out across the step. She looked up at Ryan who sat on the step above her.

"Tell me," he said quietly.

"I screwed you over so bad and I was willing to keep our kids from having a father just so you wouldn't resent me."

"I don't buy that."

"That's what you were mad about when you showed up, wasn't it?"

"I was mad that you'd taken off on me, and that you wouldn't let me in. I don't see where you get 'screwed me over'."

"You missed them coming into this world, Ryan. Doesn't that piss you off?"

"If you did it just to spite me, sure. If you did it because you can't stand me, that's depressing. But you were scared out of your mind and I was in no shape to help."

Taylor smiled at him, "Do you know I cried the entire train ride from Newport to Hartford? I was so freaked out about what I was doing that I couldn't help it and every time I calmed down, I just thought about the inevitable conversation with my mother and I started bawling all over again."

Ryan smiled at her, "What else?"

"I had insomnia the first few months so I did a lot of reading in the middle of the night. It passed by the time I moved in here but around the seventh month, every time I laid down to sleep they started kicking. I personally think we've got some soccer players on our hands. So since I couldn't sleep I'd watch TV. Funnily enough the theme song from M*A*S*H calmed them down a lot of the time."

"What else?"

"My baby shower was a joint one with Lane and my favorite gift was the album from Seth. That night when I couldn't sleep I came down and I looked at it for hours, wondering what Sandy and Kirsten would say when they found out that I was pregnant and that Seth had known."

"They weren't too happy."

"Kinda got that from the message Seth left me," Taylor nodded. "I craved Weston's peanut butter cookies for two months straight. I fell asleep at Friday night dinner three weeks in a row."

"Emily must have loved that."

"She wasn't thrilled, but she wasn't about to yell at a pregnant woman."

"Too bad I can't get knocked up. Might make Friday nights more comfortable."

Taylor giggled. "Let's see, what else? Oh, I went into labor in the kitchen with Lorelai, Rory, and Aunt Emily. We were having lunch. I asked Lorelai what being in labor felt like and she asked me how I felt. I told her if I knew any military secrets, I'd talk. She said "Show time!"."

"And you wonder why I'm not mad about missing that?"

"Well, yeah."

"Think it through, Taylor. You're in pain, there's not really anything I can do about it......"

"Coward."

"Probably, yeah," Ryan nodded.

Taylor smiled at him, "You still want to stay?"

"For as long as you'll let me."

Taylor nodded, "I'll make up a bed for you while you go and say goodnight to our kids. Remind them that they have to be on their best behavior tomorrow and they are not allowed to cry and make us miss one second of Rory's graduation ceremony."

"I'll tell them Mommy said so."

"Do that." She smiled.

The two went up and Taylor went down the hall to guest room and made up Ryan's bed for the night while Ryan checked in on Jake and Josie.

They met up again in the hall.

"So, I guess this is goodnight," Taylor said, twisting her fingers together again.

"I guess so." He put a hand over the tangling fingers and smiled. "It's okay."

"Why do I feel like such a kid for doing this? Why do I such a problem with having sex with you? It wouldn't be the first time. It wouldn't even be the fifth time."

"Really?"

"I had a lot of time to think about it and I started counting the rounds instead of just staring up at the ceiling one night."

"I thought I was the only one doing that."

"Counting the rounds?"

"Reliving the night."

"No," she shook her head with a smile. "I think about it a lot."

"Yeah?"

She nodded and turned her hands palm side up so that hers rested against Ryan's, "You said I made an impression? You made one too."

"A good one?"

"Too good. Scary good."

"You think that's why you're holding back now?"

"You mean we're afraid of disappointment?"

"Something like that, yeah."

"Our memories aren't faulty, Ryan. I think we're a little gun shy because we've both been hurt badly in the past."

"I don't want to push you into something you're not ready for."

Taylor's breath blew out slowly, "Soon."

"Okay."

"Okay," she nodded slowly. "Screw it." Then she pulled Ryan into a kiss.

He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding on tight.

Taylor felt for her doorknob and turned it letting them into her room.

The reality of what they were doing slammed into him the minute he stepped across the threshold. Cursing himself for ten kinds of idiot, he broke off the kiss, pulling back so he could see her face.

"Taylor? Are you....."

"Do you have protection?"

"Are you sure," he got out.

"That would be why I asked about protection."

"So that's a yes?"

"That's a yes, Ryan."

"Be sure. We can't go back."

"I don't want to go back."

Ryan closed the distance between them and kissed her again as they backed their way towards the bed.

"So do you?"

"Uhm..." Great. He was such a putz. "No."

"I think I might."

"Really?"

"I let Rory stay here with Logan one weekend. The pictures in my hallway were crooked the entire time," she said as she darted out the door and down the hall. She was back a moment later with a smile and a foil packet in her hand. "You ready?"

"I'm a guy, Taylor. I'm always ready."

Taylor shut the door behind her and walked towards him. She slid her arms around his neck and angled her mouth towards his.

"How did I get so lucky?" he whispered, right before he kissed her.

She smiled when they came up for air, "You didn't give up on me."

"Only good thing Trey every taught me - if you want something, never give up until you've got it."

"Remind me to send him a thank you card," Taylor said before she bit her lip and started to unbutton Ryan's shirt.

"Funny." He fingered the zipper at the back of her dress, watching her face carefully. He needed to spot any hesitation at the beginning, while he was still capable of stopping.

"Steady as she goes," she said with a smile.

"Crazy." He smiled affectionately, easing the zipper down.

"Hoodlum," she teased back as she pushed his shirt off his shoulders and trailed her fingers over his wife beater.

"Your hoodlum."

"Sounds perfect," Taylor smiled. "Can I be your crazy?"

"Oh, yeah."

Taylor backed away from him and stepped out of her shoes and slid off her dress, "Come to bed, Ryan."

"Whatever you say, Taylor." He gazed at her perfect body and thanked God he wasn't dreaming. "Whatever you say."

Taylor was still smiling when they lay down on her bed.

---xx---

Taylor's eyes opened slowly the next morning and she smiled.

So perfect. Everything had been so perfect.

She lifted her head from his chest, watching his sleeping face. His arms tightened minutely around her at the slight movement, keeping her in place.

She bit her lip as she laid her head back down and lightly trailed her fingers down his arm to the crook of his elbow and traced circles there.

"That kind of tickles."

She looked up, "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay. How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a while." She sighed happily. "I kept wishing you were here."

"Me too."

"I'd love to stay like this all day," Taylor smiled against Ryan's skin.

"We have a ceremony to attend and two kids to take care of," he reminded her.

"I know. Doesn't mean I don't wish we could stay here all day only moving when we had to."

"We could....come home early."

"I would love that," Taylor smiled.

"So would I." He ran his fingers through her hair.

"We should really get up. Check on the kids."

Ryan nodded slowly, a smile on his face as he looked in Taylor's eyes.

"What?"

"Last night was," Ryan paused.

"Perfect?"

"Yeah," he brushed her hair away from her face. "A beginning?"

"The beginning," she told him.

"Really?"

"Really."

"That's ....what's better than perfect?"

"You," Taylor told him, smiling.

"No, it can't be me; because it's you."

"Sap," Taylor said, scrunching her nose at him and then laying her head back down. "By the way, never bring me chocolate. I like Gummi Bears."

"Noted," Ryan smiled.

---xxx---

"So, you ready to know a Yale graduate," Taylor whispered to Ryan as they sat in the audience with Richard, Emily, Lorelai, and Christopher. They each held a twin on their laps. Taylor had dressed them in blue and white for the occasion which made Richard smile.

"Sure I'm ready." He bent down to whisper to the baby in his lap. "Watch Aunt Rory, that's how you should do it when it's your turn."

"Remind me to dig out the video from the Chilton graduation," Taylor said. "You'll get a kick out of it."

"You guys, shush," Lorelai said. "Rory's up next."

Taylor watched the stage with a sense of wonder, reaching out to take Ryan's hand as Rory crossed to meet the dean.

Ryan smiled and wondered if Taylor was flashing forward twenty two years and imagining the Jake or Josie walking across the stage and receiving their diplomas. He could see Josie with his blue eyes and Taylor's auburn hair smiling brightly as her college career came to an end or Jake looking like a younger version of the man Ryan had become walking across the stage and giving the dean his own grin. Sandy and Kirsten were smiling with pride, Taylor fighting back tears, Seth making a sarcastic remark, and Summer disciplining him.

The only thing he couldn't decide on for the vision was whether Taylor had a ring on her left hand or not.

Wait a minute.....was he seriously thinking of asking Taylor to marry him?

He looked at her as she bounced their daughter a little to make her laugh and wave as Rory's classmates finished crossing the stage.

Yes, he was and it didn't scare him.

He needed help, though. No way could he do this without help. Problem was, Seth and Sandy, his usual go-to-guys, had abandoned him.

"Go, Rory," Lorelai yelled, practically in his ear. He flinched, looking over at her, and smiled.

Maybe he wasn't completely without resources after all.

Ryan smiled as Richard held Josie and talked to her quietly as Christopher took a picture of Lorelai, Rory, and Taylor.

"I'll see you all in a bit," Rory said as she looked over Richard's shoulder.

"We'll see you at the house in a little while," Emily said to Taylor.

"We'll be there," Taylor smiled as she took Josie back from Richard.

"Hello, Ryan. Nice to see you again." Christopher offered his hand and Ryan was insanely glad he had his arms full of Jake. Gave him a perfect excuse not to shake the guy's hand and prevented him from ripping the man's arm off and beating him with it.

"Christopher." Eat shit and die was implicit in his tone.

"Christopher, are you joining the dinner party tonight?"

"Actually, no. I have to go and get Gigi from my mom's soon. She's got a dinner date with some old friends."

"How is Francine? Mother always spoke so highly of her," Taylor said.

"I doubt that but thank you and she's fine."

"Veronica likes Francine. It was Straub she had the problem with."

"I don't doubt that," Christopher nodded. "He was drunk though."

"Mother doesn't take too kindly to being called names no matter how drunk the other person is."

"How is she with silent, seething hatred?" Ryan asked. "Just so I know what to expect."

"She'll be condescendingly polite," Christopher told him.

"Really? She is a Newpsie, you know."

"Newpsie?"

"Think Francine's DAR friends with wine instead of tea," Lorelai said.

"Ouch." For the first time, the man was looking at him with respect. "Congratulations on surviving that."

"Thanks," Ryan nodded. "You lived in California for a while, right?"

"Yeah, but nowhere near Newport, thank God. Although I did visit on occasion when Rory and Lorelai came out to see me. I did have the pleasure of meeting Sandy Cohen once or twice. Good man, that one."

"He sure is." Maybe this guy isn't so bad, Ryan thought to himself.

Christopher nodded and then smiled over his shoulder, "There she is."

Rory had rejoined them smiling but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Ryan saw Taylor look over her shoulder and frown a little. He followed her gaze and saw Logan walking away.

First time he'd ever felt sorry for a guy who'd grown up the way Logan had.

"Damn."

"He must not have taken 'not now' well."

"I don't think she's taking it to well either," Ryan nodded to Rory who wasn't looking to happy at the moment.

"I hate to say it but we may not be able to leave early tonight," Taylor said.

"I'll live."

Taylor smiled at him and took hold of his tie, pulling him into a kiss.

"That's my cue to refresh my drink," Christopher said, walking away.

"I think someone needs their mommy." Lorelai whispered, heading for Rory.

Ryan smiled when he and Taylor parted, "You're making a spectacle of yourself, Miss Townsend."

"I certainly hope so."

"Good thing looks can't really kill."

Taylor sighed. "Aunt Emily is really going to have to get over that."

"She...." Ryan looked down to see his son trying to stuff the tie into his mouth. "Jake...."

"Aww," Taylor giggled. "I don't think anyone will mind if you go sans tie to dinner tonight."

"Looks like he's enjoying it."

"I think maybe he's hungry," Taylor said. "Let's go grab the diaper bag and head for the car. We'll give them their bottles in the parking lot and watch all the graduates get their cars."

"Sounds like a plan."

Taylor grabbed the bags and they waved to Rory and Lorelai on their way out to the parking lot.

"I'm sorry," Taylor said suddenly stopping them both in their tracks.

"For what? Emily doesn't bother me."

"Your mom gave you a car when we graduated high school."

"Yes.....?" He knew she had a good reason for bringing it up; he just had to wait for her to trace the random lines of thought for him.

"We can go somewhere else and feed the kids," Taylor said. "I don't want to give you any reason to remember anything that you don't want to think about."

"Don't feel guilty."

"Why would ......oh." Her entire face went red. "You weren't thinking about it until I brought it up, were you?"

"No."

"Oh God."

"It's okay."

"I need a muzzle," she sighed. Josie giggled. "That's right. Mommy needs a muzzle."

"No, she just has the tendency to over think things," Ryan put an arm around her.

"True." She leaned into the embrace. "So what were you thinking about?"

"Uh..." He had to lie, and he sucked at it; but he couldn't tell her he was trying to think how to get Lorelai alone to plot the proposal without the whole town finding out. "I was thinking of your family." True enough, he hoped she'd let it go at that. Please, Jesus and Moses......

"Okay, I know she's bugging you but you can't kill her. Uncle Richard knows too many lawyers."

"Not that family. Although, if she makes one more crack about your judgment, I may have to see if Sandy's friends can take Richard's."

"Not funny."

"Neither is her treating you like some ditz who can't make her own decisions."

Taylor smiled at him, "So hard not to fall dead stupid in love with you."

"How's that working for you," he asked as they walked towards the parking lot again.

"About as well as you'd expect."

Ryan smiled.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Ryan finally got his chance to talk to Lorelai a little bit later in the Gilmore kitchen. He was in there with Josie, cleaning her up, and she'd come in to search for ice.

"You got a minute?"

"Just tickle her 'til she kicks, and you can get the diaper on while she's distracted."

"Not that." He glanced around in paranoia. "Taylor."

"Ah."

"What's that mean?"

"It means I know your apartment is going to be on the market very, very soon."

"She hasn't asked me to move in yet."

"Yet."

"I'm planning ahead, I guess."

"For what, exactly?"

"You're going to make me say it, aren't you?"

"I so am."

"Fine." He finished the deceptively simple process of redressing his daughter. "I love her and want to ask her to marry me."

"It's about freakin' time," Lorelai smiled.

"What?"

"You, Taylor, marriage," Lorelai said. "I saw this coming that day in Luke's when you and she were holding hands under the table."

"Yes, yes, you're so smart," Ryan nodded. "Now, help."

"With?"

"I don't know how to do this. I've never thought about this before."

"This?"

"Spending my life with someone."

"Ah. That this," Lorelai nodded. "You'll be fine."

"You're not helping. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. Should I buy a ring, or try and get a hold of some family heirloom?"

"Go for new. You ask Emily for a family ring and she'll bury you out in the backyard."

"Point taken," Ryan nodded. "Thanks Lorelai."

"For what? You make her happy. That's all that matters to me."

"That's all that matters to me, too."

"Good. Just remember, you hurt her, I make use of the deep fryer Jackson has," Lorelai patted his shoulder and then took Josie in her arms. "C'mon little one. Let's go find your mommy and Jake."

Ryan smiled to himself. Too many women in this family. Maybe he and Taylor should do something about that.