Hello!! Two chapters left!! I hope you enjoy this one!

Chapter 41

Mia and Rory were shopping for graduation dresses. Finals were over and graduation was coming up fast. Boxes had started being packed and over the summer Rory and Finn would be looking for a house, as would Mia and Colin, though Colin was taking summer school so he could graduate earlier hopefully. This was it college was coming to a close and real life was starting.

"What about this one for you?" Rory held up a pretty green dress with sequins on it but respectful enough for the traditional pictures.

"Oh, I like that." Mia said eagerly adding it to the pile of dresses she had to try on. "So, Colin's being really weird."

"Like how?" Rory asked with a frown, she hadn't noticed any difference in him. But then she didn't spend as much time with Colin as Mia did.

"He's barely speaking to me properly, he starts conversations and then trails off, he's being just... weird. Weirder than normal." Mia said. "You don't think he's having second thoughts about moving in together, do you?"

"Colin's been living with you for three years Mi. I think that if he had a problem living with you, he'd have said something years ago." Rory said honestly.

"Yeah, I guess... maybe he's met someone else, at Law School or something." Mia said.

"No. No way. Colin only has eyes for you, he's crazy about you and he'd never do anything to jeopardise your family. If you're really this worried hon then you need to talk to him." Rory said softly.

"Yeah. I guess." Mia sighed. "Maybe it's because he's realised he's going to have to cook every night or get takeout for the rest of his life?"

"If that's the case then I need to be worried about Finn too." Rory laughed. "Just talk to him."

"I will, I will. But I really need to look smoking hot for graduation so let's get on with this." Mia said holding up her dresses.

Rory followed Mia to the dressing rooms and started undressing. She had three options, one red, one black and one blue.

She pulled on the red, zipping it up and tying the sash around the middle. The material felt wonderful but when she looked in the mirror... no. Just no.

"The reds out." Rory called to her friend but got no reply. So, she tried on the black. It was sophisticated and fitted perfectly, but she wasn't sure. She needed a second opinion. "What do you think of this one. I'm not sure."

Rory stepped out of the dressing room in the dress expecting to find Mia's head poking out of the curtain. She frowned.

"Mia?" Rory asked.

Once again Rory got no reply.

"Mia, are you okay?" Rory said and when she got no answer this time Rory stuck her head through the curtain.

Mia was on the floor holding the green dress, in her underwear, crying.

"What's wrong?" Rory asked coming into the dressing room and sitting on the floor next to her friend.

"It doesn't fit." Mia said with a little smile.

"Alright? Try on another. Or I'll get you a size up." Rory said confused, her friend wasn't vain. She didn't care that much about clothing other than wanting to look good. Bags she cared about, clothes not so much.

"When was the last time I went a size up?" Mia asked looking Rory in the face.

"Erm... when you were... oh." Rory said. "Oh."

"Yeah." Mia said softly.

"When was the last time you had your period?" Rory asked.

"I can't remember. I was doing your system of writing it down but then Lee had that stomach bug and I had it then, I remember but after that..." Mia said.

"That was..." Rory tried to remember when Lee had the stomach bug, she was sure she'd have it written down somewhere as she had kept track of the times, he'd needed medication and what he'd drank and ate.

"Two months ago." Mia supplied for her.

"Oh." Rory repeated.

"Yeah. I'm not really in the mood for dress shopping now. Can we go home?" Mia asked.

"Yeah of course. Shall we stop by a pharmacy?" Rory asked gently.

"Yeah, I guess we should." Mia said and Rory helped her to her feet. "That dress looks amazing by the way. You should get that one."

/\\\/\\\

Rory sat outside of Mia and Colin's bathroom during Lee's nap and listened to her friend cry. She'd tried going in but Mia had locked the door, so just sat and listened.

"Mia, come out. Please. I'm here. We can dance and eat ice cream and wear ugly clothes. Whatever you need. Just come out. Please." Rory said after a few minutes.

Another few minutes and Mia came out, her eyes red and swollen a white stick in her hand. She passed the stick to Rory who took it. Positive.

"Congratulations." Rory smiled sincerely. Mia was an excellent mom; Lee was a happy little boy who went without nothing and always had a huge smile on his face. He had love and happiness, that was more than a lot of kids did. And now he was going to have a little sister or brother to share it all with.

"Can I punch you?" Mia frowned.

"If it'll make you feel better sure. But not where you can see, I can't turn up to graduation looking like I went two rounds with Rocky." Rory stood up from the floor. "But really, congratulations. You're an amazing mom. Another baby is really great news."

"How would you feel if it was you?" Mia raised her eyebrows.

"Erm... not like celebrating." Rory admitted.

"Exactly. I wanted to write and do things and drink, eat cheeses. And things are bad between me and Colin. I need to know what's going on with him before I tell him. Like if he's going to leave me I need to know that before I say, we'll now you can't! Stay because guess what? There's another screaming, sleep stealing baby on the way!" Mia ranted, quietly as Lee was sleeping.

"Mia, Colin is not going to leave you and you'll be happy, really soon." Rory said trying to placate her friend.

A door slammed shut, the front door by the sound of it.

"Damn it." Mia said wiping her eyes furiously.

"Little Red?" Colin called from the main room.

"Oh bloody great. Okay, this is happening now." Mia said her hands curled into fists, her back straight and her shoulders squared. She marched from the corridor that had once been the guy's corridor and into the main room.

"Crap." Rory muttered and followed her best friend, hoping to keep her from murdering her boyfriend. Or help her move the body if she did.

"Hey Little Red, I can't stay long. I need to get to the library; I've got a paper to write and a moot trail to prepare for. But I've got time for dinner. Do you want to go out or order in?" Colin asked not looking at Mia but sorting through his bag.

"Are you leaving me?" Mia asked bluntly.

"What!?" Colin asked finally looking up. "Have you been crying?"

"Are you leaving me?" Mia asked again.

"Where the hell did that come from? No. I'm not leaving you!" Colin frowned.

"You've been distant and you've barely been here, you won't talk to me and you start conversations and then walk away without finishing them." Mia folded her arms.

"What... that's not... no. I'm not leaving!" Colin said loudly.

"Have you met someone else?" Mia said equally as loudly.

"No! Fucking hell Mia!" Colin yelled. "No. I haven't met someone else. I haven't so much as glanced at someone else since we've been together!"

"Somethings going on!" Mia shouted.

"Fucking hell!" Colin growled and stomped past Rory.

"Colin! Where are you going!?" Mia yelled after him.

"I'm going to get this!" Colin yelled stomping back.

"What?"

"This Little Red! This is why I've been distracted! I'm nervous!" Colin said passionately holding out a jewellery box.

"What?" Mia frowned at the box.

"Amelia Morgan, Little Red, you infuriate me. More than anyone. You drive me insane, in both the really good way and the other way. You're an amazing mom to our little boy, you make me dance and laugh. You make me happier than I've ever been. Mia, will you marry me?" Colin asked getting down on one knee opening up the jewellery box showing an impressive diamond ring.

"Yes!" Mia shouted jumping on Colin, tears streaming down her face and a smile stretching her face ear to ear.

Rory grinned watching them, she knew that Mia hadn't had anything to worry about and here was the proof.

"Congratulations you two!" Rory said after a moment.

"We're getting married!" Mia said in response.

"I saw." Rory smiled giving Mia and hug and turning to Colin. She gave him a hug and went to move away when he caught her hand, the one with the test still in it.

"Wow mother, does Finn know?" He said with a small smile.

"What? Oh no, erm..." Rory tailed off awkwardly.

"It's mine." Mia said saving her.

"Mia..? You're... we're having another baby?" Colin asked quietly.

"Erm... yeah... we are." Mia said and before she could add anything else Colin had picked her up and swing her round in a hug laughing. It seemed Colin was happy about being a dad again.

/\\\/\\\

"Are you ready for graduation tomorrow?" Finn asked in bed a few days later.

"Yes. I've got my dress; I've got a bottle of champagne I was supposed to be sharing with Mia and Paris. But now Paris and me will probably drink it all between us, so be ready for that." Rory chuckled.

"You're fun when you've drank champagne, I think it's the bubbles." Finn smiled at her, taking her hand in the almost dark room.

"Are you ready? You won't be able to say you have a college girlfriend anymore." Rory laughed.

"I'll survive somehow. Colin and Mia are having their appointment the day after, aren't they?" Finn said absently.

"Uh, yeah. At three, I think. When are they telling your dad?" Rory asked, they hadn't told Phineas about the engagement or the pregnancy yet.

"Mia said she'd do it tomorrow night during the meal but before the party, hopefully that way no-one will spoil the surprise by pointing out she isn't drinking." Finn said. "I offered to have her drinks as well as my own but for some reason she didn't go for it."

"Imagine that." Rory chuckled.

"Are you ready for what comes next?" Finn asked.

"Another baby or the huge hangover?" Rory asked not sure what Finn was alluding to.

"I was thinking more about buying a house, starting the world of work. All that kind of thing." Finn said.

"Oh, the whole being an adult thing. Nope. But it's really exciting. And we've got all summer for me to get used to it." Rory said honestly.

"Well I've been looking at houses in my break, online. And I've seen a couple that might be alright... but I don't really know what type of house you'd like." Finn said turning and grabbing his phone.

"Oh, I've got some houses book marked too." Rory grinned grabbing her phone. "But I didn't know what you'd want, other than one with some character. I can't imagine you in one of these boring box houses so I skipped them."

"Good because I skipped them too. Swap?" Finn said reaching a hand out for her phone. Happily, Rory handed it over and took his.

Rory scrolled through a few houses, stopping at one or two and looking at the pictures. She stopped at one and gave a giggle, then looked through the pictures again.

"Can we go see this one?" She asked showing him the phone screen.

"Really? I wasn't sure if you wanted to move there or somewhere different?" Finn smiled.

"It's on my list too, I like the thought of it but... we'll see. It's still a bit of a commute which I know you hate in the morning." Rory said biting her lip.

"Ah but I'll have you in the car with me. You can sing and drive me crazy; we can argue about stations and which bands are best. Time will fly. And have you seen the place next door?" Finn smiled happily moving closer to her.

"No way would they go for it, but yes, I'd thought that too." Rory smiled.

"They might... especially now." Finn said. "Hey I looked at this one too. I like this one. The kitchens all funky."

"I hated the kitchen but I like the rest of it and as you'll be doing all the cooking I could live with the kitchen." Rory said.

"All the cooking? So that's it is it? You're moving in with me for my cooking skills, I'm wounded, hurt, crippled." Finn said dramatically.

"I can cook if you want." Rory smirked knowing the answer. She could make toast, cereal, pop tarts and heat up left overs. After that the fire extinguishers came out.

"I'll cook. You can pay me some other way." Finn smirked. "And please for the love of God don't go on about Vivian Ward again. You can pay me back with foot rubs or doing laundry or..."

"Sex?" Rory gave her own smirk.

"You'd bargin sex for cooking? I see how it is... you're using me! First for my culinary skills and then for my body. It's fine I get it... don't stop." Finn chuckled. "So, you want me to make an appointment to see those two houses?"

"Yeah, and this one." Rory showed him a picture.

"Really, I thought that would be too big." Finn raised his eyebrows, his face lit up from the screen of her phone.

"I don't want a mansion or anything that grand, but I don't want to fall in love with a house and having to keep extend it like mom does. I'm not wild on the noise or mess." Rory said.

"Got it. I'll make an appointment for this place too then, and this one." He showed her a picture of a house she had saved. "I like the turret; it reminds me of a horror movie. I bet its haunted."

"Now I'm not going to want to see that one. What if it's haunted by the white lady or the grey lady or a headless horseman? What if it's got a Sleepy Hollow deal, or The Woman in Black?" Rory asked.

"Nope, it's on your list I want to see it and if it's haunted then we don't buy it." Finn sniggered. "Or we buy it and charge people extortionate amounts to spend the night in a haunted house."

"That seems fair." Rory laughed as well.

/\\\/\\\

Rory stood waiting to go on stage, she was graduating. Finally. She had her degree in English from Yale University. Her knees were shaking as Paris walked the stage.

Rory prayed with everything she had that she wouldn't trip. She would walk across that flat surface without falling flat on her face. She did it all the time, she could do it now.

Her mom, Luke, her dad, her Grandma and her Grandpa were in the audience waiting for her to get her degree. They were sat next to Phineas, Janice, Josh, Finn, Sophia and Colin. Strings had been pulled for extra tickets, one for her and two for Mia. Neither Mia or Rory had protested as they usually would do.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore."

Rory walked across the stage, her heart in her throat, she shook the Dean's hand took her diploma and turned to the crowd. Her mom was first on her feet followed very closely by Finn then everyone else. Rory heard Mia whistling from the side where she was still waiting.

With one last smile Rory moved off the stage and took her seat with the rest of the graduating class and waited for Mia to graduate.

Mia looked radiant as she walked, she had no noticeable bump, she just glided, a true beauty. Rory stood and applauded with everyone else behind her. This was it they had done it. They were graduated.

After the pomp and circumstance was done. Mia, Paris and Rory stood back and drank champagne or in Mia's case sparkling cider. They congratulated each other then went to join their families. They would see each other tonight anyway.

Of course, the Morgan's were stood with Rory's family, they were all going to a meal together, but not before a million pictures were taken in every possible configuration. The only thing missing were the babies, Tory, Will and Lee but they wouldn't have sat still for long, so were being babysat by the village that was Stars Hollow. Rory had promises they would get pictures with the kids later.

Rory rode with her mom and Luke to the restaurant at the Morgan Hotel in Hartford. The party later was being thrown in the town square at Stars Hollow later. Rory had promised Finn she'd steer clear of the Founders punch or all other punches, even if they looked innocent.

Rory noticed her mom seemed very... odd. Even odder than usual. One minute she was excited about everything in her future, the next she seemed melancholy, then she'd start reminiscing about their lives. From Chilton to Yale, moving in and out and in. Playing tag at the Independence Inn, one, two, three he's yours. The hour-long ride brought back memories of Friday Night Dinners, disastrous dates and fancy dinners. European backpacking and flying on private jets to Australia. Eating junk food in the diner and Luke begging them to eat salads. It almost felt like her mom was saying goodbye. Which was ridiculous and kind of hurt a bit.

"Well, here we are." Lorelai declared as they pulled into the parking lot and she took Rory's hand squeezing it gently.

"Yup. At least the foods good." Rory laughed climbing out of the car. "I might even eat a salad in your honour Luke."

"Really?" Luke asked looking surprised and a bit touched.

"No. But I will think about." Rory laughed.

"Probably the best I'm going to get. I'll take it." Luke sighed but Rory saw his mouth twitching.

Lorelai tucked her arm through Rory's and they walked into the hotel together, Luke behind them.

"Rory!" James said happily as they walked into the foyer. He was obviously waiting on the Morgan's who Rory had thought were in front of them.

"Hi James." Rory beamed. "This is my mom, Lorelai Danes and my stepdad, Luke Danes. Erm we're meeting the Morgan's for a dinner."

"I know, they're already here. I wanted to meet you to say congratulations." James said happily steering them towards the dining room.

"Thank you!" Rory said sincerely.

James led them into the private dining room where years ago Rory had met Finn and Mia's mother. Everyone else was already seated around a large table. It was loud and happy and bright and Rory just wanted to take a mental picture. It was perfect and this was what she wanted forever, for them all to be loud, happy and bright together.

"Ms. Gilmore ladies and gentlemen!" James Wood announced to applause. Rory blushed but went to go sit in one of the available seats, next to Finn, her mom sat the other side of her and Luke next to her mom and Colin the other side.

The meal was full of laughter and congratulations. For both Mia and Rory but also for Colin and Mia, who announced their engagement and pregnancy.

Rory looked at Phineas as they announced their new arrival, his congratulations seemed heartfelt and sincere, a big turnabout after Lee's conception had been discovered, but then maybe it was because they already had Lee or they were engaged. Rory wasn't too sure but she was glad.

After the meal toasts were made. By her dad, her grandparents, Phineas, Luke, Colin and her mom.

Last Finn stood.

"Okay, so your graduation present is back in Stars Hollow and I'm pretty sure you're going to hate it. Mia picked it out." Everyone laughed, including Mia. "So, I thought I'd do something different."

Finn moved to a table in a corner that Rory had seen but hadn't thought much of.

"Rory Gilmore, love, kitten, angel. My angel that watches over us all. Today I present you with twelve cows but you're worth many more." He pulled part of the sheet that was covering the table off to show twelve toy cows. "Five goats." He pulled more showing the goats, toys still of course. Rory noticed he was shaking and his voice wasn't quite steady. "And four chickens."

Finn took a deep breath and smiled at her. "Rory, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I have never loved anyone like I love you, you make me better, stronger, funnier. You keep me on my toes, you keep me smiling and laughing on my worse days. Rory, love, will you marry me?"

Rory's heart was in her chest, tears were in her eyes, her hands were shaking and she felt like she couldn't breathe properly.

"I haven't got a farm." Was the first thing Rory could say.

"Actually hon..." Her mom smiled and stood pulling the rest of the sheet off the table, under which was a toy farm. "You have."

"So, now the dowry has been settled what do you say kitten?" Finn asked with a forced smile.

"Yes!" Rory gasped with a laugh standing and running to Finn before throwing herself at her new fiancé. She felt him putting a ring on her finger but she couldn't take her eyes off his face. A few tears had escaped both her eyes and his but both were smiling wildly as their lips crashed together passionately. Vaguely Rory heard applause and the crack of champagne being opened. But as Finn rested his forehead against hers all she saw was him. All she heard was his whispered words, spoken through smiling lips.

"I love you, Rory."

"I love you too Finn."