Chapter 52

After Finn's failed proposal attempt, he realized he'd put too much pressure on himself to come up with the perfect scenario. Rory didn't need anything grandiose, but he didn't want it to seem like he hadn't put any thought into it either. At this point, he just wanted to do it before they left Australia in the new year. So, he kept the ring with him at all times. He wanted to be prepared. He didn't even shower without keeping it nearby. In fact, he had a special spot in the bathroom where he hid it just in case it was the right time, and he didn't want her to discover it either.

Christmas had arrived, and he couldn't remember a time in recent history when his parents had gone so overboard. Not only had they been overly hospitable, but they showered their guests with presents. Of course, they spoiled Tori rotten. She couldn't walk or do much as far as presents went, but she had her own mountain of presents under her very own Christmas bush, as was the Australian tradition.

"You didn't have to do this," Rory said to Adelaide.

"They're not all from me," she replied.

Rory took a closer look and saw many had no tag on them, and then, she heard a familiar voice.

"I'm afraid we may have added to the present mountain," Logan admitted.

She turned to see his face on the computer screen.

"You know she's barely six months old," she reminded him.

"There's a little something for everyone," he replied with a knowing grin.

"Don't worry, Love," Finn whispered. "We sent him a case of very expensive scotch along with some other things."

She felt a little relieved, but it still felt like it was too much for her taste. I guess I'll have to get used to this, she thought.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Everyone was sufficiently distracted by Tori as she tore the paper off her presents and tried to eat it instead of playing with the toys inside. After the big meal, everyone went outside to enjoy the wonderful weather, and when the evening rolled around, Lorelai recommended they watch some Christmas classics. Finn figured that she wanted to share some of their holiday traditions with his family, but he noticed that Rory didn't seem all that comfortable.

"What's wrong, Love?" he asked quietly.

"Our place is a mess, and my mom just invited herself and everyone else over," she replied sounding a little worried.

"Let's go over and do a quick clean up," he suggested. I don't think it's a mess, but if it will make her feel better, I'll go with it, he thought.

"I mean, why can't we just do it here? It's just so much easier than hauling everyone next door," she continued almost as if she didn't hear Finn's suggestion.

"In her defense, I do have a better entertaining space," he said and took her hand gently. "Let's just go over and clean up before everyone comes over. I'm sure it will be fine."

"Ok, but if anyone says one word about something being messy..." she warned with a half-hearted smile.

"Mum," Finn said quietly. "We're going to go next door to tidy up a bit. Give us a twenty-minute head start, ok?"

"Very well," she replied with a huge smile.

"It's not what you think it is, I promise. We are literally going to clean up a bit," he countered.

When they got next door, Rory immediately set off gathering every garbage in the entire house. He found it a little odd because he had assumed that she'd want to tidy up other things around the house, but he wasn't about to stop a woman on a cleaning mission. It had seemed very important to her so why argue. He cleaned up around the kitchen and family room, fluffing pillows and wiping down counters until she came back to join him.

As promised, the families arrived a short time later with Tori in tow. Lorelai had truly outdone herself with a varied selection of movies accompanied by junk food from around the world. Everyone took turns doting on the baby, who seemed to enjoy the movies that were on the television a great deal.

"She gets that from me," Lorelai quipped about the infant.

"She's just mesmerized by the pretty colors and flashing lights," Luke contended.

"Never underestimate the powers of a Gilmore," she rebutted.

Boxing Day came and went without incident as well. Finn still had the ring on him just in case he felt the moment was right, and it hadn't been. He was starting to feel a little restless and nervous about the whole thing. He started second-guessing the idea in the first place. Lorelai's voice brought him out of his self-doubting thoughts.

"Why haven't you asked her yet?" Lorelai asked Finn pointedly.

"What makes you think that I'm going to propose?" he countered.

"Really? You're going to play that game," she replied.

"I am," he chuckled confidently.

"There are two things you should never do with a Gilmore," she began. "One, don't mess with a Gilmore's food...PERIOD, and two, don't play games with a Gilmore because you'll never win."

He tried to read her facial expression, which told him she was very serious. He already knew about the first one, but the second one was a bit of a surprise. He changed his thought process a little bit. Maybe Lorelai had some inside for me, he thought hopefully.

"Fine," he conceded. "I was planning on proposing the other night, but things didn't go as planned. Nothing feels quite right, and now, I'm starting to wonder if it's not just some stupid idea that isn't going to happen."

"I know how much you care for my daughter and granddaughter. You've shown me time and time again. Just ask. She doesn't need big gestures or anything like that. Just be yourself and do it!" she encouraged. "Oh, and don't put her on the spot in front of everyone. She hates that kind of thing."

Lorelai's words were comforting to Finn. He didn't want to put her on the spot and wanted it to be intimate.

"I knew that but hearing it somehow made it make sense," he replied. It had helped calm his nerves a little for the moment.

Finn felt the days slipping away from him. The closer to their departure, the further he felt from his proposal. Fortunately, she suspected nothing, but the nerves had been eating at him. Just do it already! He tried to pump himself up for it, but the hour had grown late.

As he sat on the back deck, Finn gazed into the dark blue sky where it met the ocean. He felt the ring in his pocket and wrapped his fingers around it. The metal was warm in his hand as he willed it to talk to him, to give him a sign to tell him when the sign was right.

Rory came out onto the veranda, where they'd made love just a few nights ago. She was carrying two glasses of water, which struck him as a little unusual because they normally had a drink at night to unwind. Although it had been quite warm, he figured she was trying to stay hydrated.

"This is so beautiful, Finn," she gushed as she sat down next to him. He put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.

"I don't remember such a clear night," he commented.

"I think the other night was pretty clear," she said slyly with a wink.

"Someone may have distracted me." He scooted a little closer. "For the record, I really, really enjoyed that," he whispered.

"The feeling was mutual," she giggled flirtatiously and suddenly turned serious. "I love you, Finn."

"And I love you, too."

Their lips met in a sensuous, yet gentle kiss. It wasn't the kind that led to sex, rather it was one of deep-seated passion.

"Rory," he began.

She turned to face him. "You called me Rory."

"I did, indeed," he said, and a smile spread across his face as he reached into his pocket discreetly. The excitement began to build, and he knew it was the time. It was peaceful, special, and serene with the waves crashing onto the shore.

"What's going on?" she asked curiously.

"I've been wanting to talk to you about something for a long time," he confessed.

"Ok..." she looked slightly confused a little worried.

He played with the ring in his finger. He kept questioning if it was the right time. When he got a slight tingle down his spine, he had his answer. He took Rory's hand into his without the ring in it. Looking deep into her eyes, he finally asked the question he'd been postponing.

"Will you marry me?"

Holding out his momu's ring, he searched her face and eyes for an answer. She looked at the ring, and then at him. She looked back and forth a second time. Her face wasn't giving anything away, and he started to worry.

Oh, fuck! What have I done?! he screamed in his head.

Rory didn't know what to say. She'd envisioned this moment and wanted to say yes to him. Without warning, she was nearly paralyzed by nerves. She looked back at him with a blank face.

"I'm pregnant."

THE END

Author's Note: I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for reading my FinnFiction! I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have! It was a lot of fun to write and hear all of your thoughts! I'm hoping to write more stories in the future and have a couple of others going at the moment, so check them out if you feel so inclined! I'm hoping to have a new Finn story out at some point in the near future because who doesn't love Finn?! :-) Thanks again!