A/N: This chapter is strictly Flashback. It will contain multiple flashbacks at that. Hope that you guys enjoy.

***6 months after Graduation… morning after the bar***

Colin and I were sitting at the table having breakfast in my hotel room. I knew that there were things that we need to talk about but I don't think that either of us knew how to start. "Why did you say no to Logan?" He asked me.

I sat my coffee cup down and looked at him. "Do you remember when Logan left for London and you and Finn would come check on me whenever you could?" I asked him.

He nodded. "More Finn than me." He said.

"Well, we started as friends and everything was fine but then one day I woke up and I was looking around the apartment and I realized that I felt that I didn't rely on Logan as much as I did in the beginning of our relationship. I realized that I didn't need him as much as I used to…especially after everything that had happened." I said. "And through all of that, I realized that I had developed feelings for you. So when Logan asked me to marry him, I told him that I wasn't ready. Which technically wasn't a lie and I was hoping that he would accept that and then I could explain things but then he gave me the ultimatum so I said no and he walked away." I said.

"You know, the way Logan made it out to seem is that you just flat out told him no and that was the end of it." Colin said. "Which in my opinion wouldn't have been bad."

"So, now what? I mean I'm gonna be on the road for the next 18 months." I said.

"We'll talk, text. There's Skype. We'll just play it by ear." He said.

"So casual?" I asked. I needed to know.

"For now." He said with a smirk.

***7 1/2 years ago…Manhattan… Colin's apartment***

Colin and I were sitting on my couch eating Chinese. It was the first time that we'd been able to see each other in a month. Not to mention the fact that I've been in London with Logan. Yep…this is what my life has become casually seeing both Logan and Colin for the last several years. "How was London?" Colin asked catching me off guard.

"How?" I asked.

I sat my food down on the coffee table. "I called to ask Logan about the wedding announcement in the Times. I heard you in the background. You think I wouldn't know your voice." He said. He was upset.

"I was going to tell you." I said.

"How did it even happen?" He asked.

I sighed. "We ran into each other when I was in Hamburg. We had dinner and caught up. Do you want details?" I asked and he glared at me. "So then we started meeting up when I was London. But this was the last time that I was going to London to stay with him." I said.

"Because of Odette?" He asked. He knew her name. I am so messed up right now.

"Not just that. You and I have fun. It's simple. With him…things were getting complicated." I said.

"Rory, I don't want to do casual anymore. I want more. I want to buy a house. I want your face to be the first one that I see in the morning and the last one that I see before I go to sleep. I want to move towards the direction of getting married. Having kids." He said and I could feel the tears rolling down my face.

"I'd like that." I said. Everything with Colin was perfect. Maybe everything would work out after all.

***7 years ago***

Colin and I had been hanging out a little bit wherever we were in the same city and we'd been texting a lot. Tonight was my grandparents Christmas party and for the first time in a while I was actually looking forward to it. Mom and Luke were meeting me there.

When I walked, my first stop was the bar. After I had my drink, I walked around talking to people that I hadn't seen in years. I was currently talking to Steph and Robert. Steph was telling me that she was moving to Hartford to be with Robert. I was happy for them. It made me think about the early days of when I was living with Logan. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I noticed Colin join us. "Steph, Robert, Rory." Colin said casually.

"Hi." I said. I was happy to see him but I also knew that he didn't want to show his cards in front of our friends. "I'll catch you guys later, I'm gonna get some air." I said. I handed my glass to a passing waiter and made my way out the back patio. It was cold but at the same time the cold air felt nice.

"Why'd you walk away?" I heard Colin ask as he approached me.

I turned and looked at him. "Are you not happy to see me?" I asked him.

I shoved his hands in his pockets. "Of course I am. But I'm kind of surprised you're here." He said.

I was confused. "Why wouldn't I be?" I asked.

"Well considering the last time I saw you, you and Logan were locked in a bedroom and then you said goodbye." He said.

"That had not been my plan. I told you, I had already called him and told him that I was done. I'm sorry that I got so drunk that night." I told him. He's really gonna hate this next part.

"Good to know." He said. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the pool house. Once inside he pulled me to the couch, where I was sitting on his lap. He pulled me down to kiss him. "God, I've missed you." He said when he pulled back.

"I've missed you too. But Colin, I've gotta tell you something and I'm not exactly sure how your gonna feel about it." I said.

He reached up and rubbed my cheek with his thumb. "Hey it's okay… you can tell me anything you know that." He said.

I took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant… and it's Logan's." I said.

I felt him drop his hand. I waited for his response. "You're sure?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah. The dates line up." I said.

He nodded. "I umm… I need time to process this." He said.

"Sure." I said standing up and making my way back to the party. I had blown it. Colin would never forgive me. I'd lost him.

***4 years ago…Hartford***

Ellie and I were in Hartford looking at condos when we decided to stop for a pick me up. We were sitting outside and I was drinking a cup of coffee when I heard my name. Hartford made me nervous. I looked up to see Colin. It had been over a year since I'd last seen him. "Hi Colin." I said.

"Can I join you?" He asked and I nodded. He sat down. "I didn't realize that you were in Hartford. I thought that you'd still be in Stars Hollow."

"Ellie and I have been looking at places in Hartford. Closer to work." I said.

Colin looked at Ellie. "She looks like Honor with your eyes." He said, frowning.

"Yeah. Steph says the same." I said. "What're you doing here?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"I was meeting with my Dad." He said.

"Always fun." I said.

"Yeah." There was an awkward silence for a while. "Ror, I gotta know. Does he know?" He asked me.

I sighed. "Yeah he does. For obvious reasons he can be a part of her life. He signed over his rights." I told him. I looked at my watch. "Oh I've gotta go." I said standing up and picking up Ellie. "It was really good to see you Colin." I said.

I started to walk towards my car. "Have dinner with me." He said causing me to turn around.

"What?" I asked confused.

"I said, have dinner with me." He said.

I thought about it for a minute. I had really missed Colin, but I wasn't sure if we could get past everything that had happened with Logan. But I was willing to find out. "Sure. Call me." I said.

***1 year ago….Colin POV***

It had been a month since I'd moved in with Rory and Ellie. Things had been great. Ellie had even started calling me daddy when it was just the three of us. For 4 years we'd managed to keep our relationship secret, the only people knowing being my parents, her family and Steph. We'd managed to keep it out of the papers. And now I was about to take a leap of faith. Rory and I were spending the weekend in New York, just the two of us. Ellie was with Lorelai and Steph was helping if needed. I had cooked dinner for the two of us and we were enjoying the quiet. "Ror, we've had a long road and I feel like we are finally getting some form of normalcy…whatever that may be. I look at our life and I wonder why I let it take so long for us to get here. I thank god everyday that I have you and Ellie in my life and I never want to let the two of you go." I say, reaching in my pocket and pulling the ring out. "Rory, I almost walked away from you once before but I don't want to do that anymore. I want to walk everyday with you by my side. Will you marry me?" I said.

I looked up at her and she had tears in her eyes. "What took you so long?" She said.

I leaned over and kissed her. "So is that a yes?" I asked. I really needed to hear her say it.

"Yes, you idiot."

***End Flashbacks***

A/N: Okay that was a lot I know but bear with me its gonna be worth it.