"Hey, Dean."
"Hey, Rory." Rory gave Dean a quick peck on the lips.
"I have you a Christmas present," Rory grinned.
"I have a Christmas present for you, too."
"Oh really? Well, open mine...I put a lot of thought into it."
Rory handed Dean a neatly wrapped, rectangle shaped gift, and Dean carefully tore apart the wrapping paper.
"A...book." Dean said, inspecting it. "'The Locket' by Richard Paul Evans."
"Very good book," Rory said excitedly, slipping her arm around Dean's waist. "I think you'll love it."
"I'm sure I will." Dean smiled.
Dean took a small, nicely wrapped box out from behind the counter at the register at Doose Market and gently placed it in Rory's hands.
Rory quickly opened it, as Dean moved closer to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"It's beautiful!" Rory said excitedly, looking at a silver ring with a blue stone in it.
Dean kissed Rory on the cheek.
"It's a promise ring."
"A promise ring?" Rory gasped in awe.
"Yeah...a promise that we'll stay together forever."
"Dean..." Rory started cautiously.
"You don't like it? Is it the color? Do you want me to exchange it for a different one?" Dean asked, clearly confused.
"No, no, I love it! It's beautiful. But you just didn't have to, that's all..."
"Yes, I did. I love you, Rory. You deserve this and so much more."
"I love you, too, Dean..." Rory kissed Dean.
'At least I have no problem telling him I love him,' Rory thought.